Nice try...

Ok, so here is my attempt at the two socks on two needles. Nice, huh? I got the yarn twisted somehow and started the third row where I shouldn't have. I was so turned around and had created such a mess that I gave up. Now, I don't usually give up on things, but I knit pretty fast and knitting two socks separately is really ok by me; plus it gives me a chance to see the finished product. Then, if I don't like it I don't have to make the second one.
Who am I kidding, knitting two socks at once is genius, I'll have the patience for it one of these days, just not today. Soon after this attempt I was still in the mood for socks, so I cast on these babies...










...and made one sock. Guess I better get on the second one soon.












Here's my mini sweater. It's the same pattern I used for the sweater I made for myself, only smaller yarn. Isn't is cute on the teddy? I tried putting it on the cat, but that didn't go according to plan.













One last picture. I have been working on this scarf for months now. I only pick it up while I'm trying to decide what to knit next, one of these days I'll have it done.











That's the stuff going on this week. I also have a mini-mini sweater that I should have done tonight, and I'll get to that second sock too.

Congratulations to all you Olympic Knitters out there that made it! (I'll be honest, I didn't watch any of the Winter Games, usually don't. Nothing against them and all, but I find them VERY boring to watch, oh well).

Later,
Purl Girl

What's next?

Hello all. This is the little eyeglass case I made for my big sister up in Missouri. She got it today via the post and said that she was quite pleased with it. Now she doesn't have to worry about the kids running off with her reading glasses, although I don't know what's going to stop them from running off with the case. I'm sure the girls will find it makes a very cute purse. Oh Lord, I might have to make them each one too. No time to think about that now, I have socks on the mind again. I'm attempting to knit two socks at once on two circular needles, ok I haven't attempted anything yet, truth is I'm afraid, I'm very afraid. I bought the needles, 2 - size 3's, 16 inches long. I straightened them as much as I could over night (I really hate when the circulars are all curled up and a pain to work with), marked the tips of one so that I can tell the sets apart, printed off my direction, and I also decided that I'm just going to knit a "test" pair of socks, small and simple. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Tonight is the cast on night, and to be honest I don't know why this project is so intimidating? Wish me luck and regardless of the turnout I promise I'll post a picture. Good luck to all you Olympic Knitters out there!

Later,

Purl Girl

A Full Size Sweater

Look what I finished this weekend! This started as a shrug, which I finished, even hid all the loose ends, and after about 34 hours I decided to rip it all out and cast on this baby. This sweater was so fast and so easy I couldn't believe it, and it's something I'll wear, in fact I'm wearing it right now. I think I'm going to try a few variations of it and see what else I can get. Almost makes me wish we had more winter left (no, not really).











Oh, and Bessos loves it too.











Back to the knitting!

Purl Girl

Cary Grant

Ok, so this is totally off the subject of knitting, but can I just tell you that I'm in love with Cary Grant. Yes he's dead, his real name is Archie, and the world will never see another actor like him, but I'm still in love with each and everyone of his movies, sigh. If we were talking about knitting I'd talk about what I'd knit for him, a scarf, or maybe mittens? I know, a cable sweater, he's totally worth it.

Later,
Purl Girl

Number 1:

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, so I thought I'd have a little show, take a lookey at these...


Pink Baby Layette. Took only a few days, that's what I love about baby clothes, they're fast.












Fair Isle hat with earflaps.
This is my very own design, which is probably why it's too big and the earflaps don't line up with your ears. Take a look at the next one, it's much better and proves that practice can make perfect.












Now that's a hat!

I had help though.
















A case for my reading glasses that hangs ever so sweetly on my night stand, and a cute little teddy bear.

A sock, yes, I said A sock,

and a PAIR of socks.

More items are in the works as we speak, so I better get off the computer and start knitting.

Here's a shot of the yarn I got form Knit Picks, check out the link.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Purl Girl

Socks and Hats

The socks and the hat are finished and new projects have already started.

Here are Caleb's socks and my cat Bessos looking very annoyed that I would be putting socks next to her and taking multiple pictures. She'll get over it I'm sure. This is your basic sock pattern, but if you would like written instructions let me know. (my boyfriend's grandma and mom call knitting patterns "recipes.") So, on to the hat and the "recipe."

My boyfriend, Mark, chooses to go hairless. Living in the Midwest the winters leave his bald head quite cold at times. To aid his misery I provide him with nice warm hats for the cold wind outside and chilly nights inside. This is the fifth hat I've made him and is more of a spring hat made with cotton yarn (my boyfriend will not wear anything synthetic) for a lighter weight piece. Brown Sheep Company, Inc. Cotton Fleece, Cavern.

Isn't he handsome? The hat is super easy to make, it took me only one day, once I got started, and is great project for new knitters. Keep in mind that all patterns posted on this blog are original designs by me and are copy written. They are meant for sharing purpose only and it is forbidden to republish any of them without my consent.

To start, ALWAYS check your gauge. Using US size 1, 16" circular needles gauge should be 6sts & 8rows = 1".

Measure the head of the person you 're knitting for, multiply those inches by the number of stitches(sts) in one inch. Subtract 10% and round to the next multiple of eight. I had 104 sts. Cast on, join without twisting sts, and work in a 2x2 rib pattern for 3/4 of an inch. After ribbing, knit each round until hat is 4 inches tall. Note: For a rolled brim skip the 2x2 and just knit all rounds. My bf likes the rolled brim best.

Now you'll work in your decreases. Knit one round and place marker (pm) every eighth st. On next round you'll decrease by knitting two sts together(k2tog) before each marker. Pass marker back on needle and continue for one round. Second round you'll knit with no decreases keeping markers. Continue one decrease round and one knit round, switching to double pointed needles when hat is too small for circular, until 8 sts remain on needles. Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail, thread thru remanding sts and pull close. Tie off, hide your ends and give to the cold headed man in your life. Here's a close up.

Later,

Purl Girl

Did someone say free patterns?

Ok, I've only got one more kid sock left. I've kind of been dragging my feet because it's this black yarn and it's so boring. I'll send pictures when I'm done, and this weekend when I have time to type it all up I'll send a free pattern or two, too. This weekend I'm also going to attempt socks with circular needles. I've read up on it a little and think I know what to do, but if anyone has some helpful hints to share I'd love to hear from you. I enjoy the dpns, but do hate it when they fall out. I'll let you all know how it goes, that is if anyone is actually reading this.

While I'm here, let me tell you a little bit about my knitting history...
I learned crochet at the young age of 8. My grandma taught me and every time we went to her house I'd ask if we could make something. As I got older I learn patterns and all sort of great crochet techniques. At 10 or 12 my neighbor taught me to knit. It seemed harder, but I stuck with it. Through college I didn't do much of either, well, with all the studying there was (not to mention all the hot guys and bars that accepted fake ID's). It wasn't until I was about 23 or 24 that I got back into crocheting, knitting and sewing in general. Since then it's pretty much been nonstop. I'm 30 now, finally quit smoking and also gave up drinking, so to say the least, I have PLENTY of free time. I do have a day job that keeps me busy, (God I wish I could knit at work)and in the evenings when me and my boyfriend have nothing else to do, I knit while he sits at the computer. So, that's me in a nutshell. Most of my knitting skills are self taught or through books (Stitch and Bitch is one of the greatest books ever written). It wasn't until recently that I discovered a group of knitters right here in my home town, and now I hope to learn even more. Knitting friends are really the best kind of friends a knitter could have.

Later,
Purl Girl