A New Hat

As I mentioned previously, I've been knitting a hat for my dad and making up my own pattern as I went along. Well, here's the finished product:


And a top view:

Pattern: My Own!

Yarn: Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool in Ebony

Needles: US Size #7

Started: 7th July, 2007

Finished: 15th July, 2007

Notes: To begin I cast on 112 stitches and worked the cuff was worked in a 1x1 rib for 14 rows. I then changed to a 4x4 rib and completed a cable every 6th row for 38 rows. Finally, I became stuck when it came to decreasing my ribs and ended up just making it up as I went along, decreasing the pearl then the knit stitches alternately. I'm very happy with the results!

Frustration

I don't usually go on about how I'm feeling on this blog, usually it's just knitting or travelling stories. But I feel like venting today because I'm FRUSTRATED!!!! I'm not going to go into all the details but it's mostly about our plans for moving back home. At the moment I'm waiting to hear about something - waiting for almost 3 1/2 weeks! Waiting is the hardest part since you can't be in control of the situation - and I like to be in control!

To keep me occupied and to try and keep my mind off it I've been knitting. At the moment I'm knitting a hat for my dad - my own design too! I've had to rip it out once so far but I think I've worked it out now. I'm using Jo Sharp classic dk wool and I think it's the nicest yarn I've ever knit with. It's so thick and squishy!

I also stumbled onto this website this morning. I have been looking for vintage knitting patterns lately and this looks like a pretty good deal! Hmmm, who's birthday is coming up next month I wonder? Maybe a potential birthday present!

Favourite Socks

A while ago I bought the Interweave "Favourite Socks" book but until recently I hadn't had an opportunity to knit anything from it. Then my mum mentioned how cold it had been in Melbourne and I thought of the perfect gift! I needed a quick knit (this person's birthday is coming up VERY soon) and came across the Elegant Ribbed Stockings which were knit on larger needles (I used size #5) and used sport weight yarn. Yes indeed, these were going to be some warm socks! I decided not to make the socks quite as long as the pattern suggested and only completed the pattern repeat 3 times. I also liked the idea of the ribbon but didn't want something quite as big as pictured. So here is what I ended up with:

Pattern: Elegant Ribbed Stockings from Interweave Press

Yarn: Dale of Norway Helio (as specified)

Needles: US Size #5

Started: June 22nd, 2007

Finished: July 8th, 2007

Oh and by the way, you've probably noticed I haven't been doing so much baking lately. My excuse - it's been too hot! I did make a great summer dessert yesterday though (no baking involved). Basically, it consisted of an oreo crumb crust, filled with peppermint choc chip ice-cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and decorated with peppermint patties. Mmmmmmm!

One, two, three strikes you're out...

Last night we headed on down to Isotopes Park to watch some baseball. It was a gorgeous night to sit back and enjoy the game (even though I usually spend more time people watching than game watching!

It's another hot one here today - 99 degrees! A good day for sitting in front of the cooler and getting some knitting done. Lately I've even managed to finish a couple of projects that I'd had laying around for a while. The first is a gift that's on it's way to it's recipient back home:

Pattern: Daffodil Stitch Tea Cosy from Madame Weigel's Cushions and Cosies Volume 6 1937

Yarn: Knit Picks Palette in colours Apricot, Peach, Lemon, Sunlight, White and Grass

Needles: US Size #3

Started: Mid-May

Finished: Mid-June

Notes: This was a lot of fun to knit and I love the finished product. I didn't end up knitting a liner for it and think it looks just fine without it. Since I didn't have a teapot to model it on, it's modelled on my sewing tin I bought recently at the Albuquerque Fiber Arts Fiesta:

Another project I've been working on is a cardigan for my niece:

Pattern:Heart-Motif Cardigan from "Adorable Knits for Tots" by Zoe Mellor

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style in colours Petal, Cornflower and Crocus

Needles: US Size #6

Started: Mid-May

Finished: End-June

Notes: Obviously I modified the original pattern which included heart motives to more basic stripes. I loved the finished product though not so much all the ends to be sewn in! The only thing I was a little disappointed with was the colour of the yellow yarn which looked more pastel when I ordered it on line. I guess that's the price you pay when you buy yarn on line though!

At the moment I'm working on a birthday present - something to warm up someone back in chilly Melbourne!