NIN Hat # 2

Yes, I made another NIN hat with my pattern. I wanted to re-knit it so that I could double check the pattern. I am going to type up the pattern later this afternoon. Anyone love NIN as much as I do? Look for the pattern on my blog, soon.

Toodles & Happy Knitting!

Yarn binge-ette while on vacation.

I wasn't able to resist the call of the fiber while I was in Conn. this week on vacation from my beloved Jersey. I visited The Knitting Niche in Greenwich, and Mystic River Yarns in Mystic. They were both a bit smaller than my fav Jersey store, Stix-n-Stitches, but the people were very nice in both stores. That's a big thing with me. I don't look that "unusual" acording to societies standards, but I have gone into some stores in Jersey with mom and sis, Sis in her Christopher Lee t-shirt and I in my massive jeans and band shirt, and we've gotten a heavy duty cold shoulder.

At Mystic River I asked about regional yarn producers and picked up some Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets. The colorways were really beautiful and reminded me of Schaefer (but I still love Schaefer and Caron soft best:)
Just wanted to provide the links incase anyone is in that area and unaware of the stores. If anyone has a store they love in the Jersey/NYC area, let me know.

I did see some cute animals while on vacation. If anyone is interested in seeing these cutie pies here's the link. I'm an animal lover, what can I say:)

Really stretchy cast on?

I was wondering: is there a really stretchy cast on? I'm trying to come up with my own pattern for wristwarmers, and I've hit a small snag. I have large hands and small wrists - usually if a pattern fits in the wrist, it is too loose in the hand and vice versa (which is why I'm trying to design my own.) I cast on the stitches needed and I knit a few rows of ribbing. Worried, I put my live stitches on a piece of scrap yarn and tried it on to see if it would fit. It actually fits my wrist perfectly, but, I did notice that the cast-on kept the ribbing from stretching as much as it should have. I'm afraid that if I continue, I will have to fight to get the wristwarmer over my hand. Unfortunately, though, my search has not turned up a cast-on that is as loose as the double/long-tail cast-on (which I currently use.) So, I was wondering if anyone knew of any that I might have missed? I've also considered casting on with larger needles and then switching to the smaller ones (I'm using size 3's due to a chart I'm planning to put on the wristwarmers) but I don't know if that would work or if it would make the first round look wonky (since double cast-on creates one knitted round.)

Any ideas? Suggestions? Any help would be most appreciated! :D

Hey guys! How are ya'll? Just a quick post from me to let you know that I've updated my online shop, 2 new skeins of hand-dyed Self Striping Sock Yarn are available, so go check it out!

Hello, fellow knitters!

Are you proud of yourself? You've lured another knitter/crocheter who loves loud music and emulates the word quirky perfectly. Are you proud of yourself? Well, you should be!

But in all seriousness, I've loved looking at this site for about a year. I've finally gotten a hang of the whole blogger thing, including uploading pictures. So here I am!

The picture is a pair of socks I made for my mother -in-law. For Christmas, she gave me the Knit Socks! book (the one shaped like a sock). Husband Man got the first pair of trial socks, and MIL gets these.

I've got two other, no, three other projects in the work. I think it's only three. One is a scarf made out of Paton's Soy Wool Stripes, which I'm loving. Second is a rug made out of all my random scraps. I've also started work on the Accidentally On Purpose vest in Stitch 'n' Bitch. Wish me luck. I have a million more inches of stockinette stitch to go before I get to drop stitches!


(ostara = taylor)

How do you store your circular knitting needles?

I had them all in a box and they were a total mess. It took me forever to find the one I needed for a particular project.

When I saw a storage for them online, made of an old pair of jeans, I just had to make one for me.

Of course I added a few changes to grunge it up a bit, I did not seam the cut edges but frayed them. And instead of sewing across the legs of the jeans, I added eyelets to hold them together.

In the upper part, I created a big pocket by sewing one time across the width of the jeans, there I can storage my dpns. The pocket will be used for small supplies as cable needles, stitch markers and so on.

Every needle size has its own compartment, except for the really big ones starting at 12mm. I think I can easily recognize them, so I don't need any more compartments.

Of course the needles on the photo are not all that I have, I just added a few yet to test my creation.

If you want to see more detailed photos, visit my blog.

Sparkly iPod Nano Cozy

I was feeling a bit bored, this evening. I decided to make my new iPod Nano a cozy. I made the pattern up as I went along. It took me a few tries to try and get the size just right. After about two hours, this is the cozy I had...with a lot of garter stitch. Whew!

I used # US 3 needles and a minimal amount of Rowan Wool Cotton in the color "hiss." It's a light purple, lavender color. I added a strand of silver thread to make it sparkly.

I am not thrilled with the cozy. But it will work for the time being. Until I come up with something better. I love gadget cozies...

Green Woman Sweater

Looked much better in my head. I think I made it too tight. Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pea Soup. Designed by me.

Cutie Patootie

I have just finished this baby set for a friend, pattern is Cutie Patootie found at berocco.com. I made a few changes for the hat - just one i-cord and white blanket stitch around the seam. The finished items looked so small to me, I thought they would never fit.... But after I saw how big they are for the doll of my son, and after I saw the tiny baby - almost smaller than the doll, I recognized that I totally forgot how small newborn babies really are.

Now I have been asked to knit some socks and a baptism bonnett too, but I don't find a great pattern for the bonnett... So if you know about something, please link me to it.

And of course I already started something new, I want to make a shawl for me, inspired by a pattern found at the anticraft... Photo will follow soon.

Question: for all you yarn dyers....

Where do you buy your yarn to be dyed from? Do you buy it in bulk? What brand loves and takes the color best? I ask as I am taking a self striping sock dying class soon and know i will love it! So was curious about you and your favorites. Thanks!

Pink Lace Nightie, Done!

I have finished the Pink Lace Nightie, this morning. To read more about it...you can go to my daily blog entry about it. Have a fabulous weekend!

Pink Lace Nightie

It's been a little while since I have posted anything on here. I figured it's about time. LOL!

My blog has moved. I am no longer at blogger, which makes me a wee bit sad. For some reason the last few weeks of my using it...blogger behaved badly. I now am sharing a domain with my best friend and using Wordpress. My new blog is: Rilana Knits.

What have I been knitting on lately...? Well, a pink Lace Nightie (PDF) It's a free pattern from Spring 2007 Interweave Knits. I am almost finished with it. I am steadily decreasing on the front section. After that...it's I-crod forthe straps. Woo Hoo! I will post the finished photos as soon as I complete this project. I am also thinking of knitting a pair of matching pink G-string undies. I may as well make an "outfit" with it. Naughty me!

Toodles for now! Stay cool, my friends!

Who You Calling A Meathead?

Pattern: Meathead Hat by Larissa Brown
Yarn: Lambs Pride Bulky “Tahiti Teal”, 1 skein
Needles: Size 15 straights
Size: 21″
Level: Easy

Cute cute hat. I think I will make the next one for me in a nice red for Christmas time. It is rather an elf like hat.

Hey All! A Stephieface FO!

Just thought I'd let my fellow PRKers know what's up with me....... I have a new FO!Project Details

Project: Daniel Benjamin
Started: October 2006
Finished: July 1 2007
Materials: Snakes, Snails, Puppy Dog Tails, and watermelon (lots and lots of watermelon)
Pattern revamps: I had intended on making the girl version, but apparently the boy version is easier for me having made 2 boy versions prior to this one
Project Notes: Maybe I should have used circulars, project was getting "ungainly" and "not as portable" near the end- but the end result of the pattern is fantastic! ;)

cold mood...

Here in Mexico is raining a lot; I was watching tv and then find a tiny yarn with a lot of colours, so I start a phonecase just to kill time between desperate housewifes and Aida.
The only problem is that barely fits into my celular phone :'( ...but I don't undestand why!

New here...

Hello guys,
I'm Zel & new on here...here's my current work in progress. I want to do something with puzzle pieces that pop out in garter. I've torn it apart a few times and will likely do it again. I really like the colors. It's a baby sweater. I'm not prego yet, but maybe later in the year. :)

I've been crocheting for a long time, and making all different sorts of stuff since I was tiny. I am a teacher and love my job. I live with my husband and rabbit, and knit with my sister and mom constantly. I love this site and look forward to posting more:)

Intarsia Necktie

This is my friend Al. He's in a band called The Muddpiggs. See that tie he's wearing? Yup. My first intarsia project. Yay Me!

Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO

I just joined the Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO. It seems like so much fun, and I missed out on it last time. I love the theme! If you want to join, you better do it Fast, because Sign-ups close soon, I think. I'm a Hufflepuff, so I get to look forward to some awesome Black and Yellow socks! Yay!

Flying away

Today at one one of my 3 knitting groups I whipped up this little aviator baby hat as quick as a mustang. I had a basic pattern for it but needed it a slight bit larger and it came out very well. I am rather busy with orders for 3 places and this one is done so 2 larger orders to work on now. Its dvd weather as it is rather icy and well all else fails ipod and knit on. Keep your eye out for tomorrows work done on my blog im sure plenty will get done tomorrow.

Mom's Squatty Sidekick

Hey Everyone! How are you all? It's been a while since my last post. What are you all working on?

Besides knitting on the scarf I'm making for my Scarf Swap, I also just finished this:

Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool in Light Purple
Needles: US Size 10.5, 29" circular
Pattern: Amanda’s Squatty Sidekick. For a while this pattern wasn’t available, but now, if you register for the Knitting Daily Newsletter, you can have access to it.

Button: Vintage, from my Great Grandmother's Button Stash

I think it turned out very cute, but a little too small for my taste, but my mom really liked it, so I gave it to her. I also started a Sophie Bag in a dark purple for me, so we'll see how that goes. Adios!

CopyCat

My Cropped Raglan Sweater for MY daughter Linnéa...

(The same sweater as Lana posted about June 27).

Pattern: Lionbrand. (Free)
Small worked out fine for my 7 years old girl without beeing too large...*lol*
Yarn: 4 Seasons DK from King Cole, 50% cotton/ 50% acrylic. About 4 balls á 50 gram.
Needles: 4,5 and 5,5. Crochetneedle 4 for the front.

So speedy/easy/fun to knit! And she LOVES it!

New podcast and a bit of random crochet

I've made me a new podcast, this one is The Bill Murray Appreciation Society Movie Soundtrack Compilation Podcast.

I've also been busy learning to do a bit of crochet. After ages of not being able to get my hook through my chain I followed a handy bit of advice and did the initial chain with a larger hook. I've been freestyling in the round, trying out the look of different stitches as I go, with a vague ultimate aim of having a bag at the end of it. I'm on the finishing touches at the moment, the main bag is done and I'm just sorting out the handle. Here's a close up of the stitches:

I found that once I'd done my chain a bit looser, the actual crochet itself is very simple and it's easy to get into the swing of it. The only real difficulty I'm having is understanding the instructions, which are like some new complicated science language for a newbie. I'm gonna see if I can teach myself to read the charts.

Have A Good One...

Scarf Swap!

I started new swap on my blog. If you like to knit scarves, Join us!!! Go read all about it.

Molly's Headband

Last night, while crusing through Blogland, I spotted Rilana’s Headband, and I knew I had to make one.


Pattern: Molly’s Headband (PDF, you have to scroll down a bit to find the pattern)
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Malibu Blue (Just a little bit, not even half a skein)
Needles: US Size 6


I love this headband! I was a little skeptical while knitting it, but It turned out awesome. It was super fun to knit, just a little bit of lace, very easy. I’ll definatly be making another. My only problem is that the i-cord ties are a bit too long. I've casted on for another one, and I'm making the ties 6 in. instead of 12.