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:

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


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/pro...d=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/pro...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_...y.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.

[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.

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.

[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!!

[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/bl...-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.

[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.

How fun!

(You're in Charleston now?)

[Catrin]

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