Lopapeysa!

I finally started my first sweater project!  It also happens to be my first Steeking project, which terrifies me so, so much.  My project is called Elka (Ravelry link), and it’s from the book The Best of Lopi.  It’s a button-up cardigan Lopapeysa.  

A Lopapeysa is a traditional Icelandic sweater – they’re known for their beautiful yokes around the neckline and for being knit with Lopi, a wool from Icelandic sheep, or Íslenska sauðkindin if you will.  I’ve already started, and I’m well into it, with the body knit up until the yoke, one sleeve knit up until the yoke, and the second on it’s way.  See here?

The Lopi wool has been SO fun to work with.  It’s like I’m knitting directly from the sauðkindin itself – having to pick out pieces of hay as I go.  Yes, HAY. It’s awesome.  The only, okay – a few reservations I’m having about it are:

1. It may not be sized exactly right for me (I don’t think I’ve ever got sizing just right)
2. The steeking (cutting it to make it a cardigan instead of a sweater), and…
3. The fact that I will probably not be able to wear this in Texas.  Boo.  

This will not be the last Lopapeysa that I knit.   This one is next in the queue:

Seriously, how lovely is this sweater?  Very lovely indeed.  This one is from Lopi Nr. 28 and knit with Létt-Lopi, a thinner version of regular Lopi wool.  Erik helped me pick this one out, since it will be his once it’s done.  Can’t wait to start it!

And isn’t “Lopapeysa” fun to say?  I kinda think so.

Christmas ‘08 Knits

Only a few posts ago, I showed and told you about my knitted christmas gifts of 2007.  Well this year, only five blog posts later (pathetic), I will show and tell you about the things I knitted for christmas this year – and by “this” year, I mean Christmas ‘08….so….last year.  

Alright, what we got?

• Chevalier Mittens
• Almost Famous Luggy Bonnet
• Smooshy Druid Mittens

And then there are a few things that I knit throughout the year, prior to xmas, that I haven’t blogged about yet.

• Brea Bag
• Crossover Rib Socks

K, here we go.

Chevalier Mittens

These are so lovely, and they knit up so quick, if you pay attention to the pattern that is.  Mitten 1 was finished and pretty in no time, but mitten 2 gave me grief.  I had to restart it many, many times – all because I just didn’t pay attention to what line of the pattern I was on.   

 

Almost Famous Luggy Bonnet

You may recognize this one from a previous post – because it was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my niece last year, and then it was supposed to be a birthday present for her, and now, it’s back to being a Christmas present again, and  I was actually able to give it to her as a xmas ‘08 gift!  I had to learn a couple of new things to complete this hat.  I had to learn the double crochet, and I had to learn how to sew a lining to a hat.  I’m happy with the crocheted edge, but not completely satisfied with the lining – it’s a bit loose.  Oh, and the hat is HUGE for a 5 year old.  It fits me nicely though.   But she was kind and wore it once while we were visiting in Colorado.

 

Smooshy Druid Mittens

I’ve never knit anything from Vogue Knitting before – and I do like the way these turned out.  I would like to keep them  for myself, but they are uncomfortably short for my long hands, and so they must be given away.  I haven’t decided to who yet.  The yarn I bought while I was back home in Minnesota for a friend’s wedding – and the skein was very generous. I only have the thumb left on the right mitten, but I know I will have a lot of yarn left over, probably not enough to make a second pair, unfortunately.  I don’t know, I can’t really tell.

Brea Bag for myself, because I need a new purse

The Brea Bag!  This was another project that knit up very quickly.  It’s been a while since I picked it up, but I know I finished one panel in only a day or two.  I really need to finish this project, because I have been using the same purse for over two years.  It’s kind of gross and falling apart.  The Brea is all sewn together.  I added a lining using an old shirt that I wore in high school from American Eagle, but it still needs a strap.  I’ve been pretty picky in my search for a strap, but I’ve also been really lazy in my search for a strap.  I want a nice, thick brown leather strap – about 1.5 to 2 inches wide, you know?  A solid one that won’t wear out that easily.  I should start looking again, so I can finally finish (and use) this thing!

Crossover Rib Socks for Erik, if he wants them

From Charlene Schurch’s Sensational Knitted Socks! It’s the first pattern I’ve made from the book, and there is only one thing that I don’t like about it: the increase row of the pattern.   It’s slow and sucks up the yarn, but it makes the pattern what it is.  There are two things that I wish, however.  1) That I would’ve cast on less stitches.  The ribbed pattern makes the sock very stretchy and big.  And 2) That I wouldn’t have run out of yarn!  (this probably could’ve been avoided had I followed #1.  Now I need to order more Lana Grossa Meilenweit Tweed

As for what I plan to knit this year – here’s my plan:  

1. To design and knit a Christmas Stocking for Erik.  Scandinavian-style.
2. To knit my first sweater, a lopapeysa at that.
3. To start my ‘09 Christmas knits early.  Like, yesterday.

Knitted Items Cookie Cutters

I’ve been on a Christmas cookie baking spree this last week – inspired mostly by the delicious-looking cookie recipes found in the latest Cooking Light magazine.   I really wanted to make the Swedish Almond Cardamom Star cookies.  However, the “Star” part was a problem,  because I had no cookie cutters, and I don’t think I would be able to maneuver the dough into the shape of a star on my own   So I went out looking for some cookie cutters, and I came across these at Crate and Barrel:

Notice the mitten, hat, and sweater?   I’m totally making some sugar cookies with them to bring to my knitting group.   If only they had a stocking, it would be complete!

Oh, and the Swedish Almond Cardamom Star cookies did not work out.  I either mixed the dough too much, or too little – my guess is too much – and it was overly sticky and impossible to work with.  Maybe I will try again.

Also, soon to come is an update on all my Christmas knits!

The new kid in town

I recently moved to Austin, Texas, and was pleasantly surprised this morning when I found that our new apartment is a mere 3 minute drive from a knit shop! There are plenty of yarn shops to choose from in this city, but having one this close will definitely be dangerous!

Not much going on on the knitting front. More burp cloths for newly born babies, and a pair of socks for the dude. Photos to come…

Aaaand, it’s almost 5, so I’m going to prepare myself for a visit to Gauge right now. Later, knit folks.

Secret Knit Revealed

I just completed a project that took a couple of months to complete, and up until now there have been no visual clues anywhere (online). I couldn’t risk having the soon-to-be mother stumble upon a photo of her baby shower gift. So I knit it at home, and at my knitting group only when I knew she wouldn’t be there. But what did I knit when she was there? Socks. Or, sock, rather. I’m sure it was obvious to her that it was only a fill-in project, because over the course of couple of months, I had only knit about 3 inches of it. It was so secret that I didn’t even add it to my Ravelry projects, and that killed me, because I love updating my little project status bar! But what was it that I spent most of my time knitting in secret? A baby blanket, of course. A Finnias baby blanket. Here’s the info & and a not-so-great photo…

Yarn: 4 skeins Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby from Hobby Lobby, each a different color.
Needles: 3 circular US 6 needles
Notes: Though the pattern didn’t say to, I knit it in the round from the center out. I also didn’t really pay attention to gauge, and knit the colors with the same number of rows as the pattern, with larger needles, so they ended up bigger than they should have, and I had to cut the color repeat short as a result. It should have ended with a shorter brown border, instead of purple. Nonetheless, I really do like it. The yarn was so soft and had really good drape, but the green yarn was split in more than one place, which was really unfortunate. I might like one for myself one day, but it did get a little boring, being only Knits and Purls, with an increase here and there. Also, I almost regret adding the green to the other colors….but…it’s okay.

I’ll throw in more baby knits into this post. I’m on a Mason Dixon Baby Genius Burp Cloth kick. The pattern is super easy and fast – it’s perfect for a baby gift. Here’s the first I’ve made, and another is on the way.

I have another topic to talk about, but we’re moving on Friday, and I really should be packing. I’ll try to fit another post in soon.

Holy Bejeezus I need an update!

I’ve let two months slip by without one knitting blog post! Have I got a lot of knitting done in that time? Let’s tally them up and see…

Finished Projects

A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend (Husband, in this case) – Pattern Link

A few notes on this one: I had to knit it about an inch longer than the pattern called for in order for it to cover any ears! It also ended up being a little big, but not too big so that it wouldn’t fit my husbands head. I would probably knit 10 less stitches around next time. And there will be a next time, because I love the hat And it was so quick and easy. It would be a great project for a first time knitter, if you wanted to skip the usual first project (a scarf).

Herringbone Mittens – Pattern Link (pdf)

I knit these for my mother-in-law for Christmas, and I’m so happy to hear that she likes them a lot. She even bought a scarf to match them. I’m pretty happy with they way they turned out.

Finnish Socks

I’ve posted on these before, but not with a photo of the finished project. These were knit for my father-in-law, mostly because he’s 1/2 Finnish – and loves anything having to do with Finland. It’s been reported that he’s worn and washed them at least once already – which is pretty good since they’re not machine washable. While visiting them in Minnesota this month, he mentioned more than once that he’s going to send a picture of them to his friend in Finland to confirm that they are actually Finnish inspired. I’m fairly confident that they’ll pass the test. Nancy Bush says they will anway.

Newly Started Projects…

Almost Famous Luggy Bonnet

This was supposed to be a (January) birthday present for my neice, Anja. But her big day was over a month ago, and since it’s so big anyway, I may just have it be a Christmas gift this year. It is obviously not finished, and looks a lot bigger than it actually is – because it was not knit in the round, and it needs to be sewn together. I still have lots of yarn left, so I may make another one for her soon-to-be baby sister, only done in the round. It was fun to knit!

“Still Going” Projects…

Diamond and Smocked Baby Blanket

Not much to say about this one, it’s still going…

Hopefully my next update will not be so far away.

Gifting Season

Up until a month ago, I don’t think I had ever knit something (that I was proud of) to completion and given it as a gift, and I have been knitting for a few years now, so to finally do that feels really, really good. I completed my Mamluke Socks and gave them as a birthday gift. I’m told that the recipient wore them on Thanksgiving and showed them off to their family & friends. This made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

The second knitted gift given recently were two baby bibs for my friend’s new baby, Hank. I love his name by the way. The bibs were a pattern from the book Mason Dixon Knitting – a really easy pattern. I found some cute buttons at Michael’s to match the colors (which are…umm….just a little bright! I wish I would’ve chosen more natural looking colors). One bib is a little bigger than the other, and they’re both a little large for the baby at the moment, but that is okay, because he will quickly grow into them.

I’ve also started another baby project, and one that is making me learn a new technique: yarn overs! I found the pattern on Ravelry, but it’s from Craftster – Diamond and Smocked Baby Blanket. I’m having a lot of fun knitting this – even though the first couple rows of the pattern are messed up (I don’t think it’s too noticeable though). I’m enjoying it so much that I’m not getting any of my holiday knitting done! And it’s a baby project – so who’s having the baby? My sister in law is expecting in May! They don’t know if it’s going to be a girl or a boy yet, but the blanket I’m making is green-ish. People keep telling me that green would be okay for a girl – but I’m not sure I agree, it seems more like a boyish color to me. Ironically, my favorite color is green.  And this looks pretty blue-ish to me.  But people tell me I’m color blind, so, what do I know?

Now on to the “Holiday Knitting” section of this blog post. Oofda. I had too many things planned for what little time I have. I think the only thing I may actually (and better!) finish are the Finnish Socks for the father in law. I would really like to make this hat for my niece, but I have yet to buy the yarn. I had also planned on a fair isle hat for a few other people, but I don’t think there will be time for that.

Oh! On top of all that – I promised the man of the house that I would make him a new, brown, simple, ribbed hat. Probably not until after Christmas.

How’s that for an update? Happy holiday knitting to you all.

Oh my word…

I’m just finding all sorts of knitted goodies lately….check this one out.

Knit Food

How cute are these?

From VeganYumYum, with instructions and all!  Her other recipes look great as well.  I’ll probably be visiting quite often!

No Sox 4 U

Do you remember the second sock pictured in my last post? It’s gone. It’s all gone. I ripped it out last night after deciding that it would only work as a beautiful coffee table sock – and not one that could be worn by a real, adult person. So I will be starting it over again soon, and hopefully will have a completed pair of socks by the end of the month (for a birthday present!). I best be getting busy.

Also – I’ve created my own little knitting protégé! I’ve tried to teach a few people to knit before – but none have gone that great – they’ve all lost interest in the sport. But my friend, Susan is doing super great! She started a few weeks ago, and she’s already reading patterns and…dun dun duhhhh….doing stranded knitting! It took me years before I started working with more than one color at the same time – so I’m officially amazed. She’s in the process of finishing her second washcloth, and has also made a cute little coin purse.

And what’s best about it – she loves it. She has a lot of fun with it, and I’m afraid, is becoming a knitting addict. She’s even become somewhat of a regular at our weekly knit group.

The Finnish Sock Saga continues….I have one completed perfect little Finnish Sock. I love it so much! Sometimes I find myself petting it and talking to it. Wait. What? Did you say something? …umm…..nevermind. As I was saying, this sock may very well be my most favorite sock. This actually comes as quite a surprise to me, because I was not expecting to love a sock made with such thick yarn! Anyway, like I said, here I have this perfect little Finnish Sock. And it is little. Too small in fact for the intended recipient: the father in law. There was no way I was going to rip this sock, so I started another, bigger Finnish Sock, which I am happy to report, will be the perfect, perfect size. So I have a small sock, a perfect sock, and not enough yarn for another perfect sock. It is on the way though! Along with a color card from KnitPicks so I can pick the yarn for my very first sweater (cardigan). **Yipes!!** I’m scared!!!

Here! I have a link to pass on to all y’all. (<—that’s me being a Texan)

It’s Knitting Pattern Central. Thanks to my friend Rebecca and her mom I’ve been busy looking through the washcloth patterns – but snuck a little look at a few of the other categories. I found that there are a number of knitting patterns for toilet paper covers (?!?). And….I may seriously consider the tennis racket cover!