just kidding, 1 more project completed in 2016

December 31, 2016 by 4 Comments

I thought I was done for the year but I was able to finish my 7th Chunky Circle Scarf today!  This is what I made with the 6 balls of We Are Knitters yarn (The Baby Wool, colorway Wine; 100% baby alpaca).

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I wasn’t able to get a really clear shot because it’s so dark in my house but I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow to share.

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I love my first one of these so much, and I keep trying to recreate it, however despite this cowl being worked with the same number of stitches and the same size hook, it’s not quite the same.  This one is somehow tighter around the neck.  I did make it wider but I tried really hard to get the right circumference; maybe it will stretch out.  Perhaps I should block it…

OK well for realsies that’s all for 2016.  See you next year, thanks for stopping by!

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knitting, big and small

December 6, 2016 by 2 Comments

The cowl I’m writing a pattern for has been dubbed The Olympia Cowl, named for an old section of the city I live in.  The knitting has been complete, I just need to block, weave in ends, & take pics!

The Olympia Cowl

I’m really excited about this and I might make a matching hat since I only used 2 of the 5 balls I ordered for this cowl (We Are Knitters Meriwool in Sprinkle Fantasy).

I’ve also started a new Sockhead Slouch Hat, minus the slouch, with KnitPicks Felici in Saltwater Taffy:

Sockhead Slouch Hat - Not Your Average Crochet

This will be slightly different from my first one and from my second one as well (which I never showed you a photo of, so I’ll put it below).  The pattern has proven to be a great looking one but I think I’m knitting too tightly, so I’m having to make some adjustments, & 1 ball of KnitPicks Felici won’t make a slouchy hat anyway.

Sockhead Slouch Hat - Not Your Average Crochet

For this second one I used KnitPicks Chroma Fingering in Manzanita, which was nice but not my fave — the Felici seems softer to me.

Well, that’s all for now.  I’m working on stuff as fast as I can but you know how life gets, especially around the Holidays — planning trips, gift shopping (or in my case, gift making), etc., and my job just changed how everything is done AGAIN and I’m super frustrated about it because I don’t feel listened to or valued anymore.

*sigh* I’m really looking forward to visiting with family, even though sometimes my husband’s large family is a bit overwhelming.  Everyone is always nice, the food is great, and I feel loved.  It’s good to slow down and relax with the fam, & I’m looking forward to going through some old photos with my mom over Christmas break and slowing down the pace a bit at their house, as well.

OK, for real, that’s all for now.  Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!  My granny shawl is dry so I can sew in ends & take photos & write up a pattern for that as well for you guys!  Bye guys!

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knitting and a puppy!

November 27, 2016 by 2 Comments

Zero finally has a little brother and I’m super excited!

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They look like they could actually be related, don’t they?  But he’s actually a half beagle, half pit mix that we found at a no-kill shelter thanks to my boss, who brought in a girl from the litter to work on Monday and told me that there were still boys left.  He’s 12 weeks now, and his name is Roll (keeping with the Megaman theme Chris started with Zero).  It’s hard to get a picture of him awake because he’s in constant motion, but here’s my best shot:

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Only thing is, he’s not housebroken yet, so that’s been frustrating.  He’s starting to figure it out though & he makes up for it with cuteness and cuddles.  He even helps me with knitting (although he’s already mangled one of my wooden cable needles that I foolishly had just sitting on the daybed beside me):

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As seen in the photo, I finally got started on the bulky weight version of the cowl I’m writing up a pattern for.  Really I just have to finish this one, block it, & take photos for the downloadable version that will be available… well… whenever I get it done.

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The yarn is The Meri Wool from We Are Knitters and it is SO soft.  Can’t wait to wear it!  And I didn’t know how much yarn I’d need for the cowl so I’m going to have a fair amount of leftovers for other toasty items!  Maybe I’ll make a set — I don’t usually do that.

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I’m loving all the colors, and I don’t think it takes away from the texture at all.  The colorway is called Sprinkle Fantasy, I believe.  Mmmm… makes me want ice cream with sprinkles.  Only it’s too cold for that right now.  Boo.  But I’m actually happy that I’m finally getting to wear some of the new items I’ve made since last winter.  My fave to wear so far is my Arlequin Shawl — the yarn just makes it.

OK, I’m done for the night, gotta get back to knitting!  Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

 

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Fino Circle Scarf: ta-da & Kippen Cardigan: begin!

May 5, 2016 by 4 Comments

Here’s a knitted FO; I busted through the last bit just because I’m so eager to start the crochet Kippen Cardigan and I’ve limited my # of WIPs.

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This Fino Circle Scarf took 980 yds of my Malabrigo Yarn Sock in colorway 121 – Marte (about 2.3 skeins), and it also took a little over 6 months to complete.  I jokingly used the hashtag #milesofstockinette on Instagram but it really is over half a mile of yarn!  I was so glad to be done that I didn’t even bother blocking it; the edges might curl but I can block it later if it bothers me too much.

This yarn is really gorgeous even if all the colors don’t show through on camera — it’s got purples, browns, reds, oranges, blues, teals, lavenders, & greys in it when you look closely.  I love it!

So now on to the crochet Kippen Cardigan!  The 11 Scheepjes Stone Washed balls in Rose Quartz arrived today:

scheepjes stone washed

I cannot WAIT to get started!  It’ll be the first crochet sweater/cardigan I’ve ever made (at least, that I’ll actually wear — I made a crochet Filigree Cardigan in 2012 but I used Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool and it was too scratchy and didn’t quite fit right, anyway, so I never wore it).  The yarn is soft and shouldn’t be too hot for living in the south since it’s cotton & acrylic.

Well that’s all for now.  Can’t wait to share crochet progress with you, but it’s midnight now and I’ve got to go to bed.  Aww, I still have to shower…  See you next time!

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free pattern release: the Snapdragon Stitch Cowl!

March 14, 2016 by 14 Comments

Hello everyone!  I know I’ve been quiet lately but I haven’t had much progress on my projects to share.  I finally finished writing this pattern up, though, and I hope you love it!
Snapdragon Stitch Cowl - Not Your Average Crochet

About

This pattern employs the snapdragon stitch as well as yarns the color of blooming snapdragons (although it would look great in any color)!  This cowl is worked in the round and is written in US terms.  There are two versions to choose from, a worsted weight version and a sock weight version.  Feel free to sell what you make with this pattern!  Also, you can find it on Ravelry here (I’d love to see your photos and progress)!

Specifics

Finished size: Worsted version: 55″ circumference, 9.5″ tall; Sock weight version: 59″ circumference, 7.5″ tall

Materials: Worsted version: US I/9 (5.5mm) hook, 2 skeins of KnitPicks Brava Worsted in Paprika (or 438 yds of any worsted yarn); Sock weight version: US 3/D (3.25mm) hook, 1 hank of Miss Babs Keira in Blooming Pansies (or 560 yds of any sock weight yarn)

Download free Snapdragon Stitch Cowl pattern (PDF)

Snapdragon Stitch Cowl - Not Your Average Crochet

Snapdragon Stitch Cowl - Not Your Average Crochet

Snapdragon Stitch Cowl - Not Your Average Crochet

Snapdragon Stitch Cowl - Not Your Average Crochet

I hope you enjoy the pattern!  If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact me using the contact tab in the menu bar.

Thanks so much for stopping by, see you soon!

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