What are you knitting/crocheting right now?

[Reesha]

'Tis the season for projects with warm and soft woolies and I'm always curious what others are working on.

I don't have the attention span for anything bigger than a scarf, but I love love LOVE to knit hats. I was given a lot of dorky handknits as a kid, and I am always trying to make something stylin for friends. They take just long enough... I don't get bored by them.

Currently I'm working on these two:
http://www.sweaterbabe.com/knitting-patterns/pictures/Slouchy_Cabled_Hat5_350.jpg
This one is made in snow white bulky Ariosa. 90% merino and 10% cashmere. It is kitten soft. It's a pattern from Sweaterbabe.com

http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7155/6462340851_05f4046205_z.jpg
This one will be made in a pale periwinkle 1/2 and 1/2 angora wool blend called Lush by classic elite yarns. The pattern is called "Cabled Canuck" on Ravelry by Tanis Fiber Arts.
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=1&item_id=17

I also got two hanks of Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande, but I still need to find a gorgeous hat pattern for it.

Anyway, one of my favorite yarns to work with is MinnowMerino by Jil Eaton. Heavenly colors and texture.
http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=3&item_id=1

What are you working on?

[skhill]

The new dog in my life is interfering with my knitting. Whenever I pull out the yarn and needles, she's in my face, with an expression that says "what are you doing? Can I help? Can I?" But I'm perservering anyway...

I picked up 2 balls of a sport weight silk/wool blend in hot pink from the clearance bin at the LYS. It's destined to be a lace scarf. It was intended to be a Christmas gift for my aunt; as it's only about 3 inches long right now, I'm aiming for Epiphany. Or MLK day. Maybe Easter?

I'm also working my way through these mittens: http://www.knitpicks.com/cfkits/kit_display.cfm?ID=40981
It's been a while since I'd done any colorwork, and it's a good challenge.

There's also a single sock waiting for a mate, but I'm using those needles on the mittens...

[indysteel]

Those are really pretty, Reesha. Have you considered using your knitting/hat as a way to raise the money you need for your ride? Just a thought.....

[malkin]

I finished a baby blanket and several hats and was feeling so productive that I hauled out the eternal socks-of-many-misfortunes. So many things have gone wrong with these poor little socks I can't even keep track anymore. The worst was TSA in Mexico taking my needles. I don't even really like the yarn, but I'm coming down the foot, so I might even finish them.

[carlotta]

I'm getting the urge to learn to knit (again). My Grandma was a phenomenal (and prolific) knitter and all of her kids (6) plus the grandkids were beneficiaries of her talents. My nephew is still wearing some of the sweaters she knit for my sister and I (not the pink ones...she leaned towards blue/brown Fair Isle patterns and cable patterns) and I wish I would've been adult-sized when she knit my last one so I could still wear it.

She taught me when I was in maybe 3rd grade and I haven't done it since. I'm not sure I need another hobby but I've thought about it more and more lately; it's interesting to see what you guys are working on and gives me a bit more perspective-- other than sweaters she knit a few baby hats and that's about it, it's good to see less time-consuming projects since those seem like a much less intimidating place to start.

[Reesha]

Those are really pretty, Reesha. Have you considered using your knitting/hat as a way to raise the money you need for your ride? Just a thought.....

It has occurred to me... I'm not sure I have the patience though and the best opportunity (the holiday season) has passed. It's worth considering though.

ARGH though. I just came back from strength training and discovered my dog chewed up one of my nice clover knitting needles that the second hat is currently on. I am soooo tired of her chewing on stuff! Underwear, now knitting needles too.

[kaybee]

No photos, but I'm working on the Every Way Wrap that was in Vogue Knits magazine a couple of years ago and cast on a small shawl/scarf thing this week, since the wrap was getting monotonous.

KB

[VeganBikeChick]

I've decided that next year all of my Christmas gifts will be handmade (as I say every year!)

I briefly picked up knitting a couple years ago, learned by watching online videos, and was able to knit my nephew a pretty basketweave blanket and some cute mary jane slippers for myself (love the purlbee website!)

I stopped after that and it appears I've completely forgotten. I would love to get into hat and sock making - they seem like an impossible challenge to me. What was the best (easiest) way for you all to learn these?

P.S. Reesha those hats look beautiful!!

[Reesha]

As for hats, my mom gave me a couple skeins of Blizzard... a super super chunky alpaca/acrylic yarn with some size 15 double pointed needles. She taught me to connect the cast on stitches in the round and to decrease (knit 2 together). Hats are much easier than you think once you know how to connect a work in the round and decrease.

I find circular needles easier than double pointeds, but you'll still DP's to finish the hat! Maybe go into a yarn shop and ask for a pattern suggestion for a beginner hat knitter?

[jessmarimba]

I'm always worried about TSA taking the needles. It specifically says they're allowed, but it's at the discretion of the agent I guess.

I made a beautiful seed stitch hat for the BF last year. Beautiful more for the yarn than the knitting, but I didn't mess it up either :) The hardest part was converting the pattern I was using to keep the seed stitch as I reduced the stitching (pattern didn't keep the stitch pattern as it decreased!). I was flying when I was finishing it and had pages of p's and k's and little arrows I was trying to read and follow on the plane. I'm looking for pictures to upload!

And I have circular needles but have never used double-pointed. The hats I've done, you knit together (or purl) to decrease and then just run the yarn through and cinch, then stitch up the back. I'd like to learn to use them but might have to lock up new kitty first!

[NbyNW]

I've got a few projects going on right now:


a pair of fingerless gloves - nice small project for car trips and air travel

shrug/bolero - my watching TV project

chunky ribbed hat - knitalong project with DH, who is learning to knit

pair of socks that I will probably frog because I'm not liking the pattern.

sock yarn scarf that is taking forever!


I only made one thing for holiday gifts -- I learned the hard way last year that it's generally bad for me to knit on a deadline!

ETA: I've flown a lot this last year with my knitting, and security has never been interested in my needles. And I've had all kinds -- metal circs, bamboo, double points. However, they were not so happy about my bike tool in my carry on, they made me check that in.

[Reesha]

They won't take wooden needles. I take them on often. It also helps that they're usually circular needles (I make scarves on circular ones also).

Oh god, seed stitch makes me crazy. It's not exciting enough to really pull my interest, but not easy enough that I can kind of tune out and knit to a movie or something.

Also, yeah, I was working on a hat with my kitty in my lap and looked down and discovered she had gnawed through the strand of yarn I was working with. Doh!

[jessmarimba]

I thought seed stitch was intricate enough to entertain me without being "too much" for a guy. But oh my gosh was it a pain when I had to take stitches out.

Here's a side shot
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And a view of the top that sort of shows the spiral as the pattern decreases
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I know I have some of that yarn leftover, too, that would make a great headband or something for me (how matchy-matchy).

[Brandi]

I did 7 scarves and am finishing up my 8th. The 8th one is a ruffle one the rest were made with yarn my friend sheered, spun and dyed with natural dye's from veggie's and such on her farm. These are my gifts to very special people this year including myself!

[jessmarimba]

So my sister just gave me a hank of beautiful violet pima cotton. Need to find something to do with that, too. Scarf? Hat? Something hippie-ish, to match the theme of my Christmas presents. Time to play :)

[esmorin]

I have so many projects going!

1. socks for my husband
2. socks for myself
3. a cowl for my sister that I started 3 times and just may give up on
4. a sweater jacket for my husband
5. mittens for myself
6. more socks for myself!
7. balled yarn that will be started as a baby sweater in the next couple weeks as a gift for friends who are having a baby!

I am a serial project-starter!

[Owlie]

Esmorin, me too. I only have two things I'm knitting at the moment, but a long list of things I want/need to knit. The good thing is that I can't start too many socks at the moment, since I snapped one of my bamboo sock needles and am thus down to one set of US 1 double-pointed needles (which are my go-to size for socks).
Currently working on:
1) Some lacy red socks for me (one nearly down, one to go)
2) Stripey rib scarf in an absolutely lovely merino/alpaca/silk blend. Too bad you can't get the yarn anymore. :(

Will be working on soon:
1) Lace scarf for my mom. I need to pick a pattern for this. I bought the yarn and will hopefully be sitting down with her after Christmas to pick one.
2) Some basic socks for my dad.
3) Socks for the boyfriend's clown feet
4) Fingerless gloves, also for the boyfriend...technically these should have been a birthday gift for 2011. His birthday's in January. :o
5) Some knitted gloves for me--I'm planning on using them as glove liners. I'm probably going to make them out of my scraps of sock yarn rather than digging into a new ball.

[hebe]

I'm working on my never-ending Babette crochet blanket, which I think has 6-8weeks of work left to do. Maybe 8-10. I've also just bought yarn for this snuggly Million Stripe wrap (http://artemisadornments.com/2011/12/07/a-million-stripes-loop/), to start after Christmas. I love all the beautiful hats in this thread.

[AppleTree]

I'm getting the urge to learn to knit (again). My Grandma was a phenomenal (and prolific) knitter and all of her kids (6) plus the grandkids were beneficiaries of her talents. My nephew is still wearing some of the sweaters she knit for my sister and I (not the pink ones...she leaned towards blue/brown Fair Isle patterns and cable patterns) and I wish I would've been adult-sized when she knit my last one so I could still wear it.

She taught me when I was in maybe 3rd grade and I haven't done it since. I'm not sure I need another hobby but I've thought about it more and more lately; it's interesting to see what you guys are working on and gives me a bit more perspective-- other than sweaters she knit a few baby hats and that's about it, it's good to see less time-consuming projects since those seem like a much less intimidating place to start.

I had the neighbor "grandma" try to teach me to knit when I was 12 or 13...somehow, even though I could crochet up a storm, knitting seemed beyond me at the time. :rolleyes:

I JUST learned from my girlfriend last year and have been having so much fun with it. I haven't done anything more complicated than a shawl, and I have knitted several for a women's cancer treatment center. I am longing to learn how to knit hats though, what great gifts they make. What I especially love is that it is so portable. I take a project whenever we drive anywhere...very soothing to the nerves in traffic. :)

[Catrin]

Some of you may remember that I forced myself to learn how to knit just 10 months ago as hand therapy (bad arthritis). Not only did it work, but it's turned out rather better than expected. This is my very first fitted garment and I am just tickled pink that it's good enough that I can even wear it in public :cool: It wouldn't win a blue ribbon or anything, but I am NOT complaining. I've completed a good number of other projects, several quite large and complex, since teaching myself a short 10 months ago! This is pure merino wool and is SO soft and warm! I started this in September, after my return to work from medical leave for my knee surgery.

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[BikeDutchess]

Wow, that is gorgeous! Beautiful color. And it's not easy to finish a project like that (hats and fingerless gloves are quick, but a beautiful piece like that takes much longer) - I'm really impressed. Congratulations! Yes, you can proudly wear it in public!

[Catrin]

Wow, that is gorgeous! Beautiful color. And it's not easy to finish a project like that (hats and fingerless gloves are quick, but a beautiful piece like that takes much longer) - I'm really impressed. Congratulations! Yes, you can proudly wear it in public!
It was fun, and LOT of firsts! First fitted garment, first short rows, first color work, first sleeves/knitting in the round, first...lots of things. I've yet to knit a hat or gloves, haven't seen a pattern yet that I want to do. To me that's the secret, pick something you WANT to do rather than something you're "supposed" to do just because it's for a beginner. The worst that can happen is you learn some skills along the way :cool:

[salsabike]

Hey, Catrin, that's really cool!

[ZoneFive]

Ooh, can I jump in?

Currently working on socks for DH (Dumbledore's Christmas Stockings (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dumbledores-christmas-stockings)) in shades of ginger and brown; Turn a Square (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/turn-a-square) hat in USMC colors, also for DH; and Norie (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norie) in gorgeous shades of garnet for ME. I have some more sock patterns queued up on Ravelry -- socks are fun!

[Blueberry]

That's lovely! Great pattern and yarn combination!

[salsabike]

I just made my first moebius scarf, ribbed, with Fiesta La Boheme yarn and some single ply silk in a similar colorway. And two rows of single-crochet edging. Am fulminating over how to block it. :)

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[Catrin]

Nice patterns Zone5!

Salsabike, I've not (yet) made my first moebius scarf, however I do now that everyone I know this year who HAS made one has not blocked it. Looks beautiful to me as is!


I just made my first moebius scarf, ribbed, with Fiesta La Boheme yarn and some single ply silk in a similar colorway. And two rows of single-crochet edging. Am fulminating over how to block it. :)

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[salsabike]

Thanks! I've just read a bunch of stuff about why blocking matters, so I am going to try. I got an intricate set of instructions passed along by SadieKate, but I think I need to feel SMARTER than I do at the moment to pursue those. I'll show you guys once I DO block it, just so you can see if it made a difference.

I am dead impressed by what you all are doing. :)

[Blueberry]

I'm sort of losey-goosey with blocking - I generally soak, towel roll, and then flatten out to the desired shape. With mobius scarves, I do the ends doubled over straight - and then sort of press the flipped part flat mid-piece. Much clearer in person....

[Catrin]

I am very careful with blocking, and certainly there are different approaches based on fiber and design. Blueberry, your approach for a moeibus scarf is clear, unless I'm misunderstanding it :)

Salsabike your scarf is pretty, enjoy it! I do know that wet blocking is primarily for wool, I don't know what difference your single ply silk might make. I am sure it will be fabulous!

[salsabike]

Just fyi, here's the set of moebius scarf blocking instructions SK sent me: http://mamas2hands.com/2015/07/30/blocking-with-a-twist/

The yarn I used was three strands all together. Fiesta La Boheme has one strand of rayon and one strand of mohair; I added the one-ply silk. So in theory blocking should actually make some difference.

[Catrin]

I will be interested to hear how it goes, let us know!

[kmehrzad]

I crocheted two mermaid tails for my granddaughter. One is an open concept with one flap over the other and the second tail is a closed, wherein you slide yourself inside.

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[ny biker]

I crocheted two mermaid tails for my granddaughter. One is an open concept with one flap over the other and the second tail is a closed, wherein you slide yourself inside.

1792317922

How fun!

(You're in Charleston now?)

[Catrin]

They both look like fun, both to knit and for your granddaughter!

[ny biker]

Catrin that sweater you made is beautiful. I'm glad you've found an activity that helps at least one ailment!

I still want to learn to crochet, but right now I have to focus on upping my game at work, learning new technical stuff. I don't know if I'd ever want to learn to knit and take on more complicated projects, but then again when I bought my mountain bike back in 1998 I thought I'd never want to do one of those crazy century rides, and five years later I there I was on a road bike doing the NYC Century. So never say never... :D

[salsabike]

I love those mermaid tails!

nybiker, wish we lived closer. I would happily teach you to crochet--it's easier than knitting and superfast. Its disadvantages--uses more yarn, often although not always bulkier "cloth". But it's easy and fun.

[Catrin]

I wanted to learn to knit for years but it never worked until I HAD to! Crochet is fun, but my hands hate the different position so had to give it up in my 20s. Either is nice stress relief and you don't have to spend hours on them each day, even 20 mintues is enough.

[kmehrzad]

Hi NY Biker,

Yes, my husband and I moved south the end of 2013. Our kids (and grandchildren) live here in SC and we wanted to be closer to them. I still come back to the No VA area every 3 mos or so to take my mom to dr appts and visit with her. She wanted to stay in Ashburn since she has her routine there and all her friends. So I drive up (always bring a bike) and spend a half a week or so. This past Sept. a couple friends and I rode the GAP. It was such a wonderful ride. We carried our gear and stayed in B&Bs or motels along the way.
Have you gotten together with any of the other local VA/MD TE riders lately?

Kathy

[kmehrzad]

Thanks Salsabike. They were fairly easy to make. I believe I got the patterns off Ravelry. And I agree with you ... crocheting is much more forgiving than knitting. If you drop stitches or need to pull out stitches, getting back on track is so much easier.


I love those mermaid tails!

nybiker, wish we lived closer. I would happily teach you to crochet--it's easier than knitting and superfast. Its disadvantages--uses more yarn, often although not always bulkier "cloth". But it's easy and fun.

[kmehrzad]

Here's my latest completed project - a baby blanket for my niece's soon-to-be-born son. I broke with traditional baby colors and went with Lion Brand Heartland yarn blends. I LOVE the Heartland yarn; it's so easy to work with and the blends are beautiful.

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[salsabike]

Crocheted, right? Beautiful blanket. I like the color arrangement in the pattern a lot--elegant.

[kmehrzad]

Crocheted, right? Beautiful blanket. I like the color arrangement in the pattern a lot--elegant.

Salsabike,

Yes, crocheted. Thanks for the compliment on the blanket. It's hard to see the blends in the yarn but I used Lion Brand Heartland Joshua Tree, Sequoia and Acadia colors. I just love the feel of that particular brand yarn and the color options.

[Catrin]

The colors are very nice, beautiful blanket!

[netskyblue]

Whoa, I just saw this thread! I'm a knitter "first" - cycling is just my newest hobby.

Here's my most recent finished piece:
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I've been working on the sleeves for my current sweater since Christmas. It usually takes me a weekend or two to do two sleeves, but I've been too fuzzy-brained post-surgery to do more than a few rows at a time. I just want to finish so I can cast on my next one. I'm aiming for 12 sweaters this year.

[kmehrzad]

The colors are very nice, beautiful blanket!

Thank you, Catrin.

[kmehrzad]

Whoa, I just saw this thread! I'm a knitter "first" - cycling is just my newest hobby.

Here's my most recent finished piece:
17939

I've been working on the sleeves for my current sweater since Christmas. It usually takes me a weekend or two to do two sleeves, but I've been too fuzzy-brained post-surgery to do more than a few rows at a time. I just want to finish so I can cast on my next one. I'm aiming for 12 sweaters this year.

I like the color and adore cables. Nice sweater there.

[Catrin]

I am quite happy with this shawl I just completed - it's just has a nice soak and is now lying down for a good rest :-)

Full length, though it will shrink a bit as it dries - this yarn is known for growing QUITE large when wet. I decided not to pin or wire-block it (I often do use wires for rectangular shawls) and see what happens. If I don't like how it turns out then I will just re-block it!

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Here is some stitch detail, I hope that it's cool enough for me to actually wear it at least a few times before spring is really here :D
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[ny biker]

I still want to learn to crochet, but right now I have to focus on upping my game at work, learning new technical stuff. I don't know if I'd ever want to learn to knit and take on more complicated projects, but then again when I bought my mountain bike back in 1998 I thought I'd never want to do one of those crazy century rides, and five years later I there I was on a road bike doing the NYC Century. So never say never... :D

<bump>

Just over a year since I posted this... I still am supposed to be learning new technical stuff at work, but yada yada yada that's a topic for another thread. This past Christmas I asked for "whatever I would need to learn to crochet." And received a hook, a skein of bright blue yarn and a small book on how to crochet. The book is really better as a reference than an introductory teaching tool, but there are so many videos online that I think I've made some decent progress. My initial chain rows tend to be messy but my single crochet stitches are good. Double and and half-double crochets... well I thought I was doing well when I practiced with the bright blue acrylic yarn, but now I'm struggling a bit. I bought some mushroom-brown worsted wool, a nice basic neutral that will look good with many of my sweaters, and I'm working on a scarf. I tried a pattern that I found online, but decided I didn't like the way it looked after the first few rows so I started over with my own simple "pattern" -- ~7 inches wide, mostly single crochet with one or three rows of double crochet every 4 inches (21 rows) just for a bit of variety. I'm more than halfway done with it, on the second ball of yarn. But now I'm thinking maybe I will pull all the stitches out and start over. The DC stitches are looser than the SCs, so those rows look a bit messy and slightly wider than the SC rows. I could keep going and wear the scarf as it looks now, but I'm wondering if it will start to bother me over time or if I will grow to look fondly on it as my first very-imperfect piece. It's certainly good practice, either way.

I suspect that a softer acrylic yarn would be more forgiving of my imperfections. I've already bought some additional hooks in different sizes as well as several balls of "plum wine" colored acrylic yarn, which is a mauve/light pinkish purple color. I'm planning to use it for a hat and matching scarf. (I wear a lot of scarves while I'm at work, because I've found that keeping my neck covered helps me stay warm on cold winter days as well as hot summer days when the A/C is blasting too much. So having many different colors is a good thing.)

My goal for now is to get good enough to crochet a scarf or two to give as gifts next winter. Nothing fancy, just a two-color scarf that looks neat enough to give away.