Still At It!

Hello all! Just a really quick update to show that I am still here!

School has started, and right now I'm taking a quick break from my online class to do a row or two on mom's shawl. Looks like a blob, right?

I know it'll look better when it's blocked, but I just want it finished at this point! I'm only halfway through clue 4, and have had to add my third ball of yarn to it. Maybe I'll get it done sometime this year!

Hope everyone's having fun around Tat land. Hope I can come to visit again really soon! (Bookmarks, anyone? ;))

Clue 3 down!

It took me a few days to get to this point, but I believe it was totally worth it. I did not get it ready in time for Mom's birthday, but she says that it is fun just watching me work on it.

.. and work on it I did. I took it to work tonight and ended up making a mistake on the first row of clue 4. >.< I need to learn to keep count and not look around at all the boxes in the back!!

And yes, it's another phone pic, but I didn't take my camera to work today.. lol

Clue 2, complete!

And I've already started on clue 3..

Had to rip back and start the clue again, but it's working out better this time (perhaps because I'm using markers? hmm..)

Sorry for the phone pic -- out of batteries at the moment! lol

Knit like the wind!!

OK, so that's not really how it's going, however I find myself in the midst of a deadline and it's how I feel I should be knitting.

Mom's birthday is this Friday. FRIDAY!! I had let my time slip away, and as such have found myself woefully behind on what I need to be working on and what I actually work on. So, I found this pattern while on Ravelry and decided it would be a nice gift for Mom.

Vernal Equinox Shawl, by Lankakomero

Paton's Kroy Sockwight Yarn; Brown Rose Marl

As of right now, I'm on row 43/210; not too bad if I say so myself, though it is a half-circle and I have a LONG way to go..

I'm on clue #2 (it was a MKAL), so I think I've done pretty good for just two and a half hours work, right?

No new tatting to share right now, though I do have some new motifs that are ready to be blocked and photographed.

Happy Tatting, all! ^^

A Look at Stitch Markers..

Had an idea about a week ago, and had to try these out before they took over my every waking moment.

I bought the book Knitted Lace of Estonia this past Christmas with a gift card from a friend, and have been wanting to play with the patterns in it. I've mostly been to scared to tackle this style of lace, but I decided in the past month or so to give it a shot.

For those who have this really awesome book, I'm knitting Lace Edge Pattern 3 on page 147.

Anywho, I wanted to start it off right, so I made these little stitch markers as a trial. I've never worked with them before, and so they're not finished the way I would like (please ignore the fraying knots! When I make a full set I'll hide the ends, I promise!^^)

I have learned with this project that when one is working with knit-stitch markers, when slipping the markers on the right-side row (as if that wasn't confusing enough), hold the decoration to the FRONT of the work. This will keep you from having to slip them through the bars at the back. Likewise for the BACK of the work, slip them on with the decoration to the FRONT of the work (facing away from you).

Any knitters out there who would like to share in this, or have any suggestions for a n00b like me with markers?

I have a few projects in mind for when I go to Massachusetts later this week for some of the thread that I won, and I'll share when I get the chance. But I wanted to share this picture with everyone of one of my sister's flower vines:

One day.. This flower will be MINE!!

In which Gandalf meets Balthazar

I have a new project that I'm working on, but I thought I'd share from completed projects.

I was trolling through Ravelry the other night for some wash cloth patterns (a first for me), when I found this adorable knitted owl cloth. I started the full-size, but then decided to rip it out and make the baby size.

It's so cute and adorable! This picture doesn't do it justice, but I think I may have to outline it in some floss. My sister got the pattern right away, but since I have made her a set of fingerless mitts in the same pattern.

Also, my roommate has decided she needed a bookmark like I have made myself, but a little longer and in specific colors.

Quick poll: which comic book hero do these colors remind you of?


Jon's pattern, again. This time, I managed to get it right without any stitch mistakes! All that's left is a tassel (when I showed her the picture, she asked where it was). Any suggestions on what color to use?

And then, the reason for the post's title:


Free-tatting.com again. I started this while watching Lord of the Rings and finished while watching Sorcerer's Apprentice. After the first round, I had "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard" stuck in my head.

Happy tatting, all! ^^

Tatting Update..

I've almost reached the end of the edging for the hat, and now I'm not sure if I want to do the second row. Sorry for the phone pics; my batteries are dead in the camera! x.x


This is the edging singled, in approximately where I'm going to be putting it, and this:



is the edging doubled. I'm using a size 10 thread, so I'm not sure if I should leave it singled row or double it!

Also, I have another project brewing using lace weight yarn. I've never used that size before, so this could get interesting!


Hmm.. Wonder what it could be?

Better pictures will come in the next day or two. Going to the State Fair tomorrow!

Quick Links (and lists)

Just so I can keep up with everything for Christmas this year!

Sending up North:

• Asling Cable Scarf (35% done, Caron Country, Silver Service)
• Dancing Crane Stole (Caron Country, Light Green, but making a scarf instead of a stole)
  
• Column of Leaves Scarf (Caron Country, Deep Purple)
• His Scarf (x 2.. not sure on the colors)
• Her Scarf (color suggestions, anyone?)

Home (friends):

• His Scarf (again.. Caron Country, Heather Gray)
• Mega Cabled Scarf (green Lions Brand Chunky Yarn)

Family patterns are still under consideration.. Not 100% sure about those yet!

More to come -- I have my hands full!

Edit: Some more links to

• Wave Stitch Scarf
• Fan Shawl
• Mother of Pearl Scarf
  

It's Done! It's Done!!

Sorry for the phone picture - I don't have my camera with me.

More pics to come as this isn't blocked. It still needs to be painted, but the hard part is over now! :D Gotta skein some thread before I dye this, though!

Swatching

Wow, can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last posted, and this is the reason:


I have so many projects going that I'm trying to finish them one at a time and then, hopefully, I can keep my mind on one topic. However, I keep finding some knit lace patterns that I really would like to try, so I've been swatching them as I go, trying out different yarn and all that whatnot. I've also been trying out some new techniques, and these are the fruits of my labors!


Here is a cuff pattern from the latest Piecework issue. It's the first time I've tried nubs, and I managed to get them wrong. I didn't have internet at the time, and as such couldn't watch a video on how to do the nub stitch and, consequently, got it wrong. It's done in 100% cotton that I got at Michael's, but I don't have any idea what type it is (I'm not at the house and can't look at the label).

Next up is two swatches of the Mesilune from the antiCraft. Both were knitted with the same needle, but one is bamboo and the other acrylic. The acrylic (top) looks much more dainty, while the bamboo (bottom) is very thick and heavy. I think this yarn would be better suited to heaver knit projects rather than the lace. On another note, the bamboo doesn't have a full repeat while the acrylic has more rows and a repeat.

And, for the secret project..


I've been trying to get the full shawl finished, and I'm nearly there..


This is for a birthday present, and will be dyed in reds and black. Her birthday is still in summer, but she will need it before Christmas, hence why I'm working so hard on it. It will be my first fully knit lace project as I've put aside the Goddess Shawl for working on this (also because I made a mistake with the arms and will have to rip out quite a few rows to fix it..).

I'm also skeining some thread for when I dye this beauty. Might as well do it in one go, right?

I have more that I've been up to, but these were the only items I could carry without dropping them. More to come! ^^

Knit, Knit, Knit..

Been working on several items at once, so I thought I'd share. Sorry in advance for the blurry photos. I used my phone for them all.

The first is a pattern that I am trying to add to. It's loosely based on Ruth Perry's Eight Inch Doily that I've made while I was at the doctor with M. I couldn't remember the stitch count and didn't have the book with me, and let my fingers go. I'm adding on to it, and the second round isn't quite finished (it's rosetts, which are proving difficult):

And next are two knit projects, one is for my aunt on my mother's side:

She bought me that yarn years ago, and now I'm making her a scarf for Christmas. It's extremely soft, and if you've seen the movie Monster's INC, it looks like Sully's coloring! I'm a little further on this than the picture. When it's done, it'll be a zig-zag pattern, hence why it' leaning to the left.

And finally, a personal item to work on my knitted lacework:

This is the Gorgeous Goddess Shawl, from the Anti-Craft. I'm about half-way through if you only count from the rows. It's easy and is almost a no-brainer pattern. I love the background stitch!

I'm also swatching some more knitting for a secret project, which I'll share at a later date. 'Till then!

Cabled Scarf WIP

A while back, I posted this blog entry, and wanted to share how it looks as well as how far I've gotten. I haven't forgotten the Bamboo Scarf pattern; it's at home in a little box and will be finished when I get this one done. I'm well over halfway through with the fist skein of yarn, and will probably need another two to make this of any decent length.

Sorry for the blurry picture; I didn't have my big camera and this was taken with my phone.

I've been working on this one off and on for the past few weeks, since I posted the pattern. I think it's going really well! I've had to make some slight changes (mostly in the needle I was using to hold the cable stitches.. I can't cable without one!), but otherwise it looks good!

Found the tatting I complained about earlier, so I will post more when I get home!

Knitted Fishnet Pattern

This pattern was NOT created by me. I first saw it on the TV show Knitty Gritty, which has since gone off the air (as far as I know), for an 80's day, and is a very simple pattern. It's reversible, so there is no front side/back side!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the pictures for the tutorial last night. Sorry!


Abbreviations:
CO (cast-on)
R (row)
YO (yarn over)
K# (knit the number of stitches)
K2tog (knit two stitches together)

CO any ODD number of stitches.
R: K1, YO, K2tog (YO, K2tog) to end of row, ending with K2tog.

Repeat R to desired length.

This pattern was used to create a pull-over shirt that was really loose fitting.

It's snowing here, so it's time for an emergency trip to the grocery store for bread and milk. More later!

Knitting

Hi all! I've been knitting a lot recently, so I don't have that much tatting to show. All my tatting supplies have been packed away while I try to get my spring cleaning done early!

All my pictures for what I have been working on are currently on my computer at home, so I'll try to post them when I get done here at school. For now, I'm posting these patterns for myself so I can remember them (since I seem to forget where I put my doodle book!). Both are scarves, and one is a cable scarf.

Later on tonight, I will be posting a really easy pattern for a fishnet lace stitch, possibly with a picture tutorial. It's all depending on if I can get my roommate to take the pictures as I knit!

Also, for those who are knitters, let me know if these are easy to follow? This is the first time I've tried to write out knitted patterns..

Bamboo Scarf
Odd rows are right-side.

Abbreviations:
R# (row number)
K# (knit the stitch)
YO (yarn-over)
K2tog (knit 2 together)

R1: CO any odd amt of stitches.
R2: Knit across.
R3 (eyelet row): K1, *YO, K2tog (repeat from * across)
R4: Purl across
R5: Knit across
R6: Purl across.

*begin repeat pattern
R1-4: Knit all rows.
R5: Knit across
R6: Purl across
R7: Knit across
R8: Purl across
R9: Knit across
R10: Purl across

Repeat from * to desired length, then
R1-4: Knit across
R5: Knit across
R6: Purl across
R7 (eyelet row): K1. *YO, K2tog (repeat from * to end of row)
R8: Knit
R9: Bind-off

**The eyelets in this scarf are meant for creating a tasseled fringe. If you don't like having fringes on your scarvs, omit the ends and substitute with 4 rows of knitted stitches.


Cabled Scarf
**The moss stitch that I use in this is different from what I've found online. Instead of being four rows repeated, it's only two.
**Even sides are right side.

Abbreviations:
R# (row number)
K# (knit the stitch count)
P# (purl the stitch count)
MS (moss stitch of K1, P1)
Cbl (cable)
st (stitch)
sl (slip stitch to cable needle)
cbl ndl (cable needle)

R1: CO 37 stitches
R2: MS (k1, p1 to end of row)
R3: MS (k1, p1 to end of row)
R4: MS (k1, p1 to end of row)
R5: MS (k1, p1 to end of row)

*R6: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), P2, K4, P3, K9, P3, K4, P2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
R7: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), K2, P4, K3, P9, K3, P4, K2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

Repeat from * for a total of six rows, then
R12: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), P2, Cbl (sl 2 st to cbl ndl hold to front, K2, K2 from cbl ndl), P3, Cbl (sl 3 st to cbl ndl hold to front, K3, K3 from cbl ndl), K3, P3, Cbl (sl 2 st to cbl ndl hold to back, K2, K2 from cbl ndl), P2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

*R13: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), K2, P4, K3, P9, K3, P4, K2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
R14: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), P2, K4, P3, K9, P3, K4, P2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

Repeat from * for a total of six rows, then
R18: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), P2, Cbl (sl 2 st to cbl ndl hold to front, K2, K2 from cbl ndl), P3, Cbl (sl 3 st to cbl ndl hold to front, K3, K3 from cbl ndl), K3, P3, Cbl (sl 2 st to cbl ndl hold to back, K2, K2 from cbl ndl), P2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)

Repeat from R7 to 18 for desired length, then

R1: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), K2, P4, K3, P9, K3, P4, K2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
R2: MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1), P2, K4, P3, K9, P3, K4, P2, MS (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1)
R3-6: MS (K1, P1 across)
R7: Bind-off

If you try out these patterns, let me know! I'd also like any feedback on how I've written them out..

As soon as I get the pictures up (and learn how to make knit diagrams), I'll change this post to make new posts for the patterns. o.O I confuse myself sometimes..

Until later, happy tatting (or in this case, knitting! ^^)

It's done! It's done!!

And tomorrow, I'm off to the state fair!

Possible Patterns To Try

Been surfing around Knitting Daily, which is a site that I saw in this month's Needle Work magazine. I just started my subscription, and it is certainly interesting!

Here's the patterns:

Shawls

• Estonian Lace
  
• Lace
• Icelandic Lace
• Firmaments Lace

Traveling Stitch Leg Warmers

.. I think that's all the knitting patterns I want to try. It will be awhile before I am able to do any of these, since I'm so busy with school and holiday preparations.

Pictures of Mack's scarf will be up later. Supper time!