Shrug This #3

I finished this today. It took about 4 days. I was trying to get it done because I have a crochet project in mind. I seem to be doing better every time I knit! I actually got the ribbing done around the collar, sleeve and bottom this time! I had to frog the ribbing 2xs on the bottom because the 1st slip stitch threw me off so I just decided to skip it and do the knit, purl rib. I cast on 52 stitches instead of 53 for easier ribbing and it made the sweater too small. I have yet to block it, hopefully it will fit better. I used less than 1.5 skein of Bernat Softee Chunkee in Grey Heather. I really enjoy working with this yarn. The yarn is easy to work with but I wish there were more varieties of color. I may have to try another type of bulky yarn. For now, I think I will put the knitting on hold. Honestly, I think I'm a little burnt out! I've knitted 3 of these things in about 3 weeks! Not bad for a newbie in knitting. I'm proud of myself though! For now, I will be going back to crocheting.

There's a dress I want to make in the new issue of Crochet! Magazine. It's a dress by Doris Chan. I'm really excited. It's so pretty and best of all, it uses one of my favorite yarn, Caron's Simply Soft and only 3 skeins! I'll have to start on it today or tomorrow. It always seems like I'm in the mist of a project. Which I am, I feel kind of lost if I don't have a project to do!

A day to REMEMBER and 2nd Knit project complete

This is the day my grandfather passed away many years ago but I always remember this date. My grandfather was the one who really raised me. He gave me lots of love and I wished that he could be alive to meet my daughter. I really miss him. Today is also my nephew's birthday. It's kind of ironic because he's one of my favorite nephews...

Today, I finished my 2nd knit project. Pretty good for only "really" knitting for over 3 weeks!

It's the same pattern, as shrug this. I extended the length to make it into a shrug-cardigan. I'm not sure if I really like the color of the yarn but I love how it turned out. I used a total of 2 skeins of yarn.

Here's a photo of the finished shrug-cardigan and one of me wearing it:

Shrug This!

Finally, here's a photo of me wearing (very proudly I might add...) my first knit project called Shrug This! I'm so proud of my finished work! I love this yarn, Mod dea (tweedle dee). The color is beautiful! Best of all, it's done in only 1 skein.

Thanks for looking!

Two Finished Projects

I finished these on Wednesday and Thursday (12:05am) . I probably could of finished the Side to Side Cowl Neck Sweater in a week (instead of 2 weeks) but I got bored with it. It's a very simple pattern, done all in hdc. This is a free pattern from the website, Lion Brand. I used 3 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver in Aran using the J hook. Overall, I do like this sweater. Next time, I would definitely make the cowl neck smaller.

While on break from this sweater, I dabbled in knitting and started my next project. I wanted to make this in knitting but it's a bit too advanced for me right now. I may try again though! I was so excited when I found this pattern done in crochet. The is a free pattern from Craftster: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=topic=64889.0. I LOVE this capelet. I used only 1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun in Ocean. For the collar I used a size "K" hook and then switched to "P" hook for the rest. It was very easy and fast. Best of all, it was custom made for me! This could easily be done in 1 day.

I know I will be making more of these in all sorts of different colors. I really, really LOVE this capelet. Here's a photo:

Crochet, Knitting and YARN

I should be in bed but I just finished up on my 2nd project of the year a few minutes after midnight. I had been dragging my feet on the Side to Side Cowl Neck Sweater. I got bored with it and then I tried knitting for a few days. Finally, on Tuesday I sewed up the sides and on Wednesday I finished the sleeves. Today I weaved in all the ends and washed the sweater. I'll post a photo of the sweater tomorrow w/ details. In the meantime, I also started a new project on Wednesday evening. (I bought more yarn AGAIN, this time I bought 5 skeins of the Homespun all in different colors)! I'd been obsessed about learning to knit a wearable and I saw this pattern called the interpretation of Anthropologies's Caplet. I LOVE this caplet. It is super cute. I set out to knit this but it's too beyond my capabilities right now. I was discouraged but I was not ready to give up on the Caplet. After some looking around, I found someone had done a crochet version of this! Yeah, I was so excited. The pattern is from : www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=topic=64489.0. I hope I have the correct link.


Thanks to that wonderful person for posting the pattern! I'll post more info. tomorrow.


Here's a photo of my finished caplet:

Lately, I've been on a yarn shopping spree! In one week, I have purchased a LOT of yarn. I have replenished my stash and then some. I have been buying different yarns and some just one skein. I'm on a one skein kick...I want to make wearables w/ only one skin. Simple and fast projects. Just like this one I just completed. I've also purchased several knitting books and of course, 1 of them is called 100? one skein projects. (I'm still waiting for my book, Every Day Crochet). I'm not giving up on crocheting. I LOVE crocheting and find that I've learned so much in just over a year of crocheting (its brought me so much joy, fulfillment and satisfaction). I want to expand my horizons and keep learning and growing as a person :)

One of my New Year's Resolution

I've been admiring all the knit sweaters in magazines that I've decided that I'm going to learn to really knit and make some wearable. I started yesterday trying to knit and purl. Today I went out and bought another pair of needles (size 11), a learning to knit book, a knit gauge and of course a bunch of yarn. I bought about 8 skeins and 6 of the skeins in variegated colors. I want to make a shrug. I LOVE the wearable called the Reversible Winter Caplet but it's too hard for me right now. I know it said it's "easy" but it's beyond my skill level right now. I am an absolute novice. I know how to knit and purl (I have to cheat and keep looking at the directions) and that is about it. In the meantime, I'll keep practicing and look for a beginner pattern in some type of wearable.

There is no new progress on my side to side cowl sweater. It's done in all hdc and I'm so bored with it. I have to sew the sides and finish crocheting the 2 sleeves. I may go back to my crocheting tomorrow and finish it sometimes this week.

We'll be staying home this New Year's Eve. It will be a nice and quiet evening for us. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! :)

Adding to my yarn stash

While browsing through JoAnn's yesturday, I noticed one of my favorite yarn was on sale again! I love Lion Brand Wool-Ease. It was soft and easy to work with. It was free shipping so I had to spend $35. The hardest part was deciding on the colors. I ordered 7 skeins of it in burgandy and 7 skeins in a light pink. Now I still had to choose some other yarn, so I decided to buy 3 skeins of the Red Heart Symphony in blue. I have never used this yarn before so I thought why not. I just hope I can find a sweater pattern using only 3 skeins. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know! :)

My current project is the side to side cowl neck sweater. I know, there's a common theme here. My last few projects all have a "cowl" neck. It wasn't planned this way. The ironic part is that I don't really like the cowl neck look on me and secondly, it doesn't get too cold here in Georgia for me to wear it. Today was probably in the 70s again! I had a turtle neck on and hubby had to turn on the a/c in the car! Back to project...it's coming slow. It's done in all hdc. I really love the look of the sweater on some of the people who made them on Ravelry. I didn't care for it when I first saw the pattern a while back on Lion Brand but maybe it was just the color. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress!