New Installation...

Here is my newest hand knit creation. I made it with a whole skein of 100% Merino wool yarn my fiance bought me for Christmas. I love the yarn it's so soft. Expensive but soooooo worth it. If you have very sensitive skin like I do, Merino Wool is the way to go people! Please comment. And yes, it is on etsy.

More Knitty Favorites...!

I am sure I have established just how much of a fanatic I am about the website known as Knitty.com. But I feel the urge to continue showing my affection and loyalty! Buen provecho!

Steggie ( Issue Spring 09')

Aeolian shawl ( Issue Spring 09')

Morning Glory ( Issue Summer 09')

Diamond Halter (Issue Summer 09')

Colonnade (Issue Fall 09')

Berroco Favorites...

Went through the entire Berroco website free patterns ( literately) and listed all my favorite ones below. Enjoy!

Legume Scarf ( Intermediate) Tarte Tanktop (Intermediate) Juliana Wrap Cardigan ( Intermediate)

Celia Camisole and Shawl ( Intermediate) Jubilee Wrap ( Intermediate) Shiroshakar Skirt ( Intermediate)

Lurema Headwrap/Band (Intermediate) Tracy Sweater ( Intermediate) Luanna Sweater (Experienced)

Lys Sweater ( Intermediate) Wisteria Sweater Poncho (Intermediate) Tawny Sweater ( Easy)

Tatiana Sweater ( Experienced) Valpuri Top (Intermediate) Jenni Top (Easy) Maple Vest (Intermediate)

Wren Top (Easy) Viena Cardigan (Intermediate) Granite Short Shawl (Intermediate)

Cedar Top (Easy) Laurel Wrap (Easy) Babette Top (Intermediate) Lippitt ( Easy)

Coral Scarf (Easy) Tochiko Scarf (Easy) Albem Bag(Intermediate) Lambe Bag ( Intermediate)

Brea Bag (Intermediate) Felicity ( Easy) Damask Bag (Intermediate) Tempest Shawl (Easy)

Zeta Shawl ( Experienced) Venus Shrug (Easy) Anna Dress (Intermediate) Tina's Skirt (Intermediate)

Vintage Knitting...

If you love vintage knits and/or knitting here are a hand full of patterns for you. As alway, the more I find, the more I post.

~Note: Some of the patterns are in PDF so you'll need Adobe Reader to open them up~

Double Breasted Vest ( 1962)

Hooded Poncho (1962)

Shrug (1962)

Cocktail Blouse ( 1962)

Bernat Cardigan (1956)

Bernat Cape ( 1956)

Jacket with Leopard Trim ( 1963)

Strange and Cute hats ( 1961)

Knit and Crochet Baby Soakers ( 1959)

Lady's Victorian Mitts ( 1860s)

Shell Counterpane ( 1860s)

Ladies' gloves with Scalloped Ribs ( 1950s)

Sweater of Angorina ( 1917)

Long Sleeve Cable Pullover (1958)

Collection of free knitting patterns...

I've decided to continually collect and post up free knitting patterns I find over my internet surfing travels. Who knows, maybe they will be some use to someone.

Afghans/Throws:

Serenity (Intermediate) Alexi Throw ( Experienced)

Baby Blankets:

Heirloom Knit Baby Blanket ( Experience)

Baby Clothes:

Baby Poonam ( Intermediate) Baby Cardigan ( Easy) Baby Hoodie ( Intermediate)

Baby Seed Stitch Jacket ( Easy) Peach Blossom Baby Jacket ( Easy) Baby Athos ( Intermediate)

Bunny beanie ( Intermediate) Summer Top ( Experienced) Eyelet Baby Cardigan ( Experienced)

Kanoko Pants ( Intermediate) Rudyard Baby Sweater ( Easy)

Cardigans:

Carmella ( Intermediate) Carina (Intermediate) Chunky Cable Cardigan ( Experienced)

Linea Rossa ( Experienced) Gala (Intermediate) Luanna (Experienced) Mood ( Intermediate)

Necktie ( Intermediate) Organico ( Intermediate) Springtime in Paris ( Intermediate)

Turpan ( Intermediate) Victorian (Experienced) Wrap-around (Intermediate)

Child's Clothing:

Lee and Purse( Intermediate) Poncho (Easy) Jumper ( Easy)

Jacket's (Men's):

Cycling Aran ( Experienced)

Tip of the day...

Circular knitting needles and their Use.

It may look tough to do, but it actually isn't very hard at all. In reality they are not circular, most are simply two short needles attached at the ends by a single nylon cord. These nylon cords themselves vary in length: anywhere for 6-60 inches long.

Pros:

• No ends after the completion of the very first row.
• No turning after completing each and every row ( You are essentially going around and around and around until you reach your desired length for the piece).
• Stockinette can be produced without having to alternate between knit and purl per row ( you can stitch either purl or knit all the time).
• (I like circular knitting needles for the simple fact that the majority of the stitches ( and their weight) fall on the nylon cord, reducing the stress on my hands and wrists.)

Cons:

• make sure your project will fit correctly...(i.e. use shorter lengths for children's clothing and longer cords for adult clothing.)
• markers are a must (having no edge makes it hard to take spot where to start or stop)
• After casting on make sure stitches are not twisted on the cable.
• Never turn back!

Bespeckled Band...

Yet another of my latest work. This is a short (19 inch) scarf I made with a really colorful wool blend my fiance bought for me some time ago. He bought just 1 skein for $12 and tax so the yarn instantly became a treasure to me. As a treasure I irked to find something special to make with the special yarn. Ergo...

An Absolute must have...

Alright. So you're not exactly a knitting novice. But you're not exactly an expert either. The perks to being an intermediate knitter is that you are at the point where you know you can knit, the hardest part ( learning) is over, and you still maintain an appreciation for harder patterns.One problem the intermediate knitter also commonly comes across is learning yarn and its abilities/attributes/expectations. I myself fall in this intermediate knitter category. I still have major problems with gauge and yarn types. Perhaps it's all because of all the "yarn boom" we've experienced since the 90's. There's just way too many different yarn types to choose from, which can honestly cause some frustration as well as confusion.

So on my quest to find the ultimate yarn book I

have finally, finally, finally found the book of yarn life. It is an absolute must must must. Meet ( and buy at Amazon.com) The Knitters Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using and Enjoying Yarn (Hardcover).

Blood and Bone and Blood Red...

My latest handiwork...

Blood Red ( Cowl)

Blood and Bone(scarf/headband)

Blood red knitted neck warmer/cozy...

                      As promised...

Knitted Purple Mohair Shawl...

The most recent of my work. It's made from a purple mohair yarn my cousin gave me as a gift. I had been wanting to make a cowl for some time now, and not wanting too simple a pattern I decided to design it in lace instead. 

Up next: Another cowl! But in what color??

Reversible Head Wrap (adult size)...

Here's a knitted reversible head wrap I just finished two minutes ago. I made it with Lion Brand Glitterspun Sparkling midnight blue yarn...Any thoughts?

Knitted Decorative Clothing Line...

Request Version

Original version

This is the clothing line I am making for one of my Etsy Alchemy request. The colors are going to be different but the general look and feel will be the same. Pictures of my version coming up soon. 

Knitted Baby hat order done!

I am so glad that the customer who ordered all these hats did not place a time limit. Otherwise I would have been screwed. I have good time management, but what I don't have is TIME! Anyway, here are some that have been finally finished. I still need to photograph a few others that have also been completed.

Flour Sac...

More Amazing...

Because...I...I just had to. Again, no free pattern. You'll have to buy it off of Etsy.

Bedtime baby hat...

Adorable...

Knitted Baby Hats...

So I've found another client. She is a wonderful woman from California, with 6 kids, nieces and nephews. She made an Alchemy request for 15 different children's hats: 9 knitted baby bonnets, and  6 crocheted visor hats with detachable flowers of different colors. (She also asked for a crocheted clothing line of which I will post here soon. It's really neat). It's been a bit tough trying to find the colors close to what she wants, but so far it's been a good experience...I'll be posting pictures up as I make them so get ready for more posts! :)

Flour Sac Hat 

 Pixie Hat

Amazing...

Wow...just...wow... I wish I had this kind of talent for knitting. I really, truly do. It is simply sick. (Sorry guys, no pattern. The designer clearly wants to keep it a secret :( )

Knitted DNA Helix...

I had the funny mind to make this knitted DNA Helix and give it to my genetics professor, Steve Denison. He's a bit of a stale looking fellow, however, underneath the leather exterior hides some pretty humorously soggy interior that just takes some probing to discover. I'm still thinking about making it for him. If not I could always amuse myself with it instead...me thinks. I'm guessing the designer made the thing for his or her child since the pattern holds the title of  Baby's First DNA Model (Yes, the link is connected to the pattern).

Knitted Hellboy Plush Toy...

I found this on a blog on which the author was actually dissing crocheting. The post was entitled "13 things not to crochet". The Hellboy toy, however, is not crocheted, but knitted. The blogger apparently does not, or can not, tell the difference. Whatever...Who cares, right? Knitting and crocheting are both awesome! The misinformed blogger can bite me! 

Who agrees with me???