Revisting the Druid Mitts

I've lost count as to how many times that I've actually cast on for the Druid mitts. If you aren't familiar with them, they are on the cover of Vogue Knitting Fall 2008. They are the most beautiful mittens ever. I know that I've cast on and knit 3 or 4 cuffs in different yarns and needle sizes, but until now, I've not produced a fabric that I think will stand up to the Labrador winters.

All that has changed though, with this cuff. I'm using a smaller than recommended needle size. The yarn is Knit picks essentials kettle dyed sock yarn. I'm holding two strands together to produce a thicker fabric. Wish me luck!

Still with the cowls

I seem to be on a never ending quest to keep knitting these things until I find the perfect one for myself. I may keep the green one. The orangey one is knit in Fleece Artist kid aran. I liked the colours in the skein, but not so much as it is being knit. I will be gifting this. They are both from free pattern recipes that I found on ravelry. One is here...http://newtonsknitting.blogspot.com/2008/10/garter-cowl.html

The other is here....http://www.ravelry.com/projects/insaknitty/wham-bam-thank-you-lamb-neckwarmer

I also made another pair of saartje booties. I forgot how cute they are.



These are done in Dream in Color Classy (or smooshy?) leftovers from the tulips baby cardigan kit that I bought a long time ago.

I've got cowls on the brain

Seriously, ever since I saw a link to Sara Palin wearing a quiviut cowl, I've been wanting one. As a result I've been trolling the internet for cowls, neckwarmers, gaiters, scarflettes, etc. I had almost forgotten about this little gem from knitty called Tudora. Its going to be a Christmas gift because yellow isn't my colour. I love the idea of a simple buttoned neck band. I have an idea for a pattern of my own thats been ruminating too. I'll keep you posted on that. In the meantime, here are some pics of my tudora knit in (I think) Berella Muskoka superwash merino (Its that or Paton's Classic). Super fast easy knit for anyone looking for some last minute gifts.

Wild Fire Knit

The Yarn Harlot is knitting one therefore, I must knit one. I present the noro ribbed scarf (that I'm knitting in SWS).



I don't follow the crowd. I make a point of not following the crowd, or I should say - I try to resist following the crowd, but sometimes resistance is futile. But hey! I haven't made a clapotis yet. (I actually cast on for one, and promptly frogged it, but not before getting this far)


I even got further than that and it was looking gorgeous, but I didn't want to take a picture of it. I started it in Kauni, and it was a poor choice. The colour is gorgeous, and it would have been beautiful, but the yarn is so sticky. Its meant for colourwork. Doing those intentional drop stitches was a royal pain in the arse with the kauni. The kauni will wait. I have something in mind. You will see.

I finished another Kim's hat - this time I made it big enough for Riley. Hopefully I have. Since I haven't seen him this year one can't be too sure. Perhaps his head grew inexplicably large in the past year. I really hope not.

A Hat for Max

This actually started out life as a 'hat for Riley', but for some reason it was turning out small. So now it belongs to Max. This actually works out okay. I 'owe' Max a handknit since I recently finished a sweater for his little cousin Morgan. I'm such a true Libra in that I have to be fair to everyone.

Morgan's sweater was supposed to be a Christmas gift, but he is growing so darned fast that I had to give it to him as soon as I finished. I'll do the same with Max's hat. The next time he visits, the hat is his.

The pattern is 'Kim's Hats' from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The yarn is Valley Yarn's North Hampton with a tiny bit of Noro Kureyon.

Mad Eye Patch (Free Pattern)

Materials
Size 4 mm hook
Small amounts worsted weight black, blue, white (I used Paton's Classic Merino)
50 yds (?estimate) light brown
tapestry needle
small amount of fiberfill
two buttons
elastic (about 6 inches)

This pattern is made up of 4 pieces. The eyeball part, the socket part and two straps. Here is a picture of all 4 completed parts before being pieced together.



Eyeball
* Pattern is worked in the round. Each round begins with ch 1 and ends with sl st in first sc of round to join.
Rnd 1 (Black) – ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook, sl st, fasten off
Rnd 2 (blue) – attach blue at first sc of Rnd 1, ch 1, 2sc in every st, sl st (12 sts total)
Rnd 3 – ch 1, (1 sc, 2 sc in next st) 6 times, sl st, fasten off white (18 sts total)
Rnd 4 (white) – attach white at first sc of Rnd 3, ch 1, (2 sc; 2sc in next st) 6 times; sl st (24 sts total)
Rnd 5 – ch 1, (3 sc; 2 sc in next st) 6 times; sl st (30 sts total) fasten off

Here are some photos of the eyeball being worked







Socket
Work in brown

Repeat rounds 1-5 of eyeball part
Round 6 Ch1 (4 sc; 2sc in next st) 6 times; sl st (36 sts total)
Round 7 Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC) DC in 35 st around in front loops. Sl st to ch 3. Fasten off

Hard to visualize? See here




Straps (Make 2)
With Brown, Ch6. DC in 3rd st from hook (counts as 1st DC) 3 DC across Chain 2 turn
Round 2 - 3 DC, Ch 2 turn
Repeat Round 2 until 3 inches long ending with 3DC (omit C2)
Fasten off



Finishing

Sew straps to socket at a slight angle as shown



Weave in all ends.


With brown, whip stitch 'eyeball' to 'socket' as shown, but leave a small opening to stuff slightly with fiberfill.





Sew elastic to both ends of straps and sew buttons in place. Note that buttons are purely decorative.



Try on patch and enjoy

Gift knitting continues

I've finished off 4 things recently. So, I thought I would show them off. They are destined to be gifted to someone this holiday.

This hat is Half Pipe from Debbie Stoller's Son of Stitch and Bitch.

I've had this book since it came out, but this is the first project that I've made from it. There are quite a few really neat patterns here. I always find that when I put a book down for several months and go back to it, there seems to be new patterns there that I didn't see the first time around. I've got so many books in my knitting library now, its beginning to get a little embarrassing. I think I will put off buying any new books until I reexamine all my old ones for new possibilities.

These mittens are the Elegant and Easy Cabled Mitts from Designer One Skein Wonders.



This being the third time that I've made them, its safe to assume that I like this pattern. And I do, but I'm done with it now. I had to force myself to finish these, I had become so bored with this pattern.

And this is Marigold by Marnie Maclean - a free pattern available online from Spindlicity. This is only my second pattern with my handspun. As I've said in an earlier post I'm determined to knit more with my hand spun. I have cowls on the brain, and I want one for me - so a cowl is up next.



And finally, I have the little bugger that caused a knitting fatality. I won't be rushing off to knit with cotton anytime soon, but I do like this little hand towel. I've always liked mitered knitting too. I guess a wool one wouldn't be that effective hey?