Fiber Arts Friday: Instant Gratification

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!  And, hey look, a finished object.  Although, this was a really quick one and I actually finished it three weeks ago (I'm a little behind in the blogging)...

Pattern: Split-Brim Toddler Hat (freebie on Ravelry)

Yarn: Berroco Boboli Quick in colorway 7368.  This yarn was a joy to work with and I absolutely love the Boboli colorways.  It's a wool/acrylic/rayon mix, making it a nice option for little ones. 

Verdict: Cute pattern + bulky yarn + toddler size = Instant Gratification!  This was a fast, fun knit and I will definitely make more in the future.  If you're like me, you know the pain of little ones outgrowing our hand-knits faster than we can cast on, right?  Well, how genius is this pattern?!?  It was designed for a growing toddler, ages 18 months - 3 years... love!   My only modification to the pattern was that I opted to leave the pom-pom off.

What's on your needles?  I could start showing you what's on mine, but we'd be here all day... so instead I'll finish by reminding all of my happy hooker friends out there to check out my review of Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree -- you can enter to win a copy!  Also, if you caught my Wordless Wednesday post this week, you might have noticed a slew of knit & crochet books (I like to call it "knitting book season")... stay tuned for more reviews and giveaways!

Fiber Arts Friday: Quinn's Hara Dress

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!  It's been awhile, but hey, would you look at this...

Why yes, that's a finished object! 

Pattern: Hara Dress by Johanna Marshall, a free download on Ravelry (here's a link to my project page).  I knit the largest size (18 months) for Quinn's first birthday.

Yarn: Louisa Harding Jasmine, color #17 peach.  I really enjoyed working with yarn, which is a cotton/bamboo/silk/polyester DK blend.  It has a string of metallic sheen running through it that gives a really nice shimmer, but isn't too "loud."

Nearly every project page I read on Ravelry made mention that the length was not long enough to be a dress, so I added a couple of extra inches to the body.  I'm still not sure it's sundress length, but that's okay.  I opted to knit this pattern for it's versatility and the fact that Quinn could get extended wear out of it as it would go from maybe dress length to a tunic to a top.  In fact, her Mom had plans for leggings and a long sleeve tee to take this summery frock all the way through fall and winter.  I can't wait to see it on her!

For those of you who don't know, Miss Quinn is part of our amazing racing family (she just happens to be the little sister to one of Matt's younger competitors).  So it would seem appropriate that I not only knit on the dress at several races this summer, but I actually wove in the ends and sewed the buttons on at last Saturday's race.

Which also explains the finished object photos - hanging in our trailer and on the roof of the race car - and the fact that I did not have a chance to give it a SOAK wash or block it before Miss Quinn proudly claimed it (she was hugging it in her car seat as they left to head home).

This was a fun knit and I would knit it again.  Actually, I bought 6 skeins of Jasmine and only used 2.5, so...

Ten On Tuesday: 10 Patterns You Could Knit Again... and Again

I haven't played along with Ten on Tuesday in quite awhile, but I thought today's topic was a fun one: 10 Patterns You Could Knit Again... and Again, and Again.  In no particular order, here we go...

1. Airy Summer Infinity Scarf - This was a recent finished object that I adore... just the right size to wear as is, or wrapped and it makes a great nearly-all-weather accessory.  (And it doesn't hurt that my baby boy looks stunning modeling it)

2. Snow Cowl - I whipped up one of these for a friend's birthday earlier this year.  Totally an instant gratification project!

3. Cable Footsies - When it comes to regular socks, I tend to lean towards simple patterns, especially because I may have a pair of socks on the needles for a year or more (I work on them in between many other projects and never tend to put them first).  But when it comes to a more quick-knit sock, I love this cute cabled pattern.  Using worsted weight yarn, they  knit up fairly quick and make the most comfortable pair of house socks, perfect for New England fall-winter weather!

4. Misti Chunky Ribs & Ruffles Scarf - I have knit several of these already and will knit more.  Because it uses chunky yarn, it's a fairly quick knit scarf, perfect for gifting. 

5. Ribbons - When it comes to baby items, I love finding un-typical patterns and Susan B. Anderson's "Itty-Bitty Hats" book is great for those special hats.  I had so much fun making this one for a favorite little girl, especially when it came time to pick out the ribbons.

6. The Amanda Hat - A functional, yet un-boring winter hat.  Knit it up in super soft malabrigo and your friends will be happy to wear it all winter long.  

7. Magic Slippers - It's been awhile since I've knit a pair, but these cute envelope-like baby slippers are a great use for sock yarn leftovers.

8. Cross-Stitch Scarf - This is another scarf I've knit and gifted several times already.  I love the dense woven-like fabric created by the simple pattern. 

9. Gift Card-igans - Because sometimes a gift card truly is the perfect gift... and these little numbers really dress 'em up! After the recipient has opened her gift card, she can use this pretty little pouch as a business card holder or even as a small wallet.  Plus, it's another great left-over yarn pile buster!

10. Clapotis - I've only knit it once thus far, and that was 6 years ago.  But... I have some yarn stashed that is destined to be another (and another, and another).  I took mine on our Alaska cruise last summer and it made a perfect scrunchy neck warmer to have on hand.

FO Friday - Modeled By a Happy Old Man

TGIF!  Is everyone else as ready for the weekend as I am?  What are my fellow crafters working on?

Even though I've been knitting away on 101 projects lately, I haven't actually gotten much off the needles (damn my startitis).  Which also means I haven't done a Fiber Arts Friday post in awhile.  But, hey, look at this...

Why yes, that is a finished object, and yes, that is my rock star model Zeus (isn't he just the most handsome boy you've seen in an infinity scarf?)!  

I finally bound off my Airy Summer Infinity Scarf and I absolutely love it!  

Pattern - It's a freebie on Ravelry (click through my project link to find it).  I honestly don't remember how I came across it, but find it hard to believe there are so little projects in Ravelry.  This is a fun, easy pattern, and not only does it make a great summery scarf as the name would imply, it's great for gift knitting as well.

Yarn - Cascade Ultra Pima Paints in Desert Sage.  Originally I was leaning toward one of the blue colorways, but stepped away from my usual comfort zone a bit and am so glad I did.  The colors are a little neutral and somewhat perfect!  The pattern calls for 1.5 skeins, however I would estimate it was more like 1.25 skeins.  I'm thinking about picking up another skein to make a second one for a gift.

Needles - Knitter's Pride Dreamz interchangeable circulars (which, btw, I was never interested in interchangeable needles until I started working at my LYS... now I'm hooked) in sizes 8 and 15, as the pattern calls for.  I love the effect you get from switching to the larger needle for a couple of rows.  It just adds that extra little something-something to the pattern.

As I said, this was a fun knit and I will make it again.  I enjoyed working with the Cascade Ultra Pima cotton as well.  It's not harsh on your hands at all, and knits up like a dream (especially on those smooth Dreamz needle tips).  My "Happy Old Man" approves... 

For the Birds and Bunnies

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!  Despite a couple of really windy days and a few cooler evenings this week, I think spring has finally sprung!  I see some green poking out from our muddy yard, the birds are singing sweet melodies and the sun is shining today.  

Those birds having been singing so much, they reminded me to finally do this.

I stuffed one of my suet holders full of yarn scraps in hopes they will weave together some very colorful nests this year.  

I'm not sure if I'm too late with my offerings or if the colors are too loud (hello birdies, I even shared some Madelinetosh with you... do you know what that costs?!), but it doesn't appear as though they've taken much yet.  Although the wind sure has, so I guess we'll wait and see.

As for where those scraps came from, well I've been working hard to make a conscious effort at finding more and more time with my needles.... and, uh-hum, actually getting projects off  my needles.  I still have flare-ups of startitis, but I'm working on that.  The latest to come off my needles was this sweet Bunny Blankie Buddy.

Pattern is from the 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders book.  Yarn is Heaven from Plymouth, with a tiny bit of Noro for the eyes.  It used up just under 2 skeins of the Heaven, including what I used to stuff the head (this yarn is so soft it made perfect sense).  The results were a super squishy, fleece-like bunny blankie that made the perfect gift for a special little lady's first Easter.

I think it's safe to say she loves her new buddy... which makes me smile just as much as she does!

While I do have many projects on the needles, my current concentration is on the Airy Summer Infinity Scarf.  I thought it would make a great warmer weather accessory.  I'm using Cascade Ultra Pima Paints in the Desert Sage colorway (and, yes, my favorite project bag).

I actually stepped away from my usual color comfort with this one.  While the picture doesn't really show it well, it's a beautiful mix of sage green, cream, and taupe.  I tend to lean towards the purples, blues and reds, but thought this would be more summery for sure.  I just started the second welt last night and am already loving how it's knitting up.

Back to that startitis thing... I received my April Yarn Box and Loopy Ewe April Spring Giftables boxes this week.

Now, what to make, what to make.... Although I still haven't cast on anything with my previous Yarn Box yarn yet, so I'm not sure how quickly I'll get to these.  I did try to cast on Painted with last month's Loopy Ewe spring kit the other night, only to realize I bought two of the same size needle tips (this pattern is knit with two size needles at the same time).  Ooops.  I'll have to exchange those at the shop on Tuesday.  At least it kept me working on the infinity scarf in the meantime.  

How about you?  What's on your needles or soon to be off?  Are you driving anyone crazy with decisions? My poor baby Zeus is exhausted just listening to me mumble about all this fibery goodness...  Enjoy your Friday!

Wordless Wednesday: Who Gives a Peep?

Wednesday again... let's get wordless!

Knitting, Knitting, Knitting!

TGIF!  I'm not sure if I'm more excited about having some time to knit this weekend, or that we're supposed t0 hit 50 degrees tomorrow.  Although it looks like a rainy weekend... which brings me back to the knitting.  Speaking of which, it's been awhile since I've done a Fiber Arts Friday post, so let's get to it.  My needles have been clicking a lot lately, and I've even gotten some projects off those needles! 

I purchased two skeins of Puppy Love yarn from Still River Mill a few years back at Stitches East.  It's 30% Samoyed, 20% Milk, 50% Merino and just luscious!  The Samoyed hair comes from a sled dog team out of Vermont.  My own puppy love did a great job modeling it...

Seriously, do I not have the biggest ham most handsome hat model around?

Pattern was my own (80 stitches, K2P2 rib for 1.25").  I didn't have enough of the Puppy Love for an adult size hat and had to rip it back some to put in a stripe of all natural baby alpaca which I had leftover from these fingerless mitts.  I should have ripped back a bit more to place the stripe further down, but ah well.  I just wish I had knit it earlier this winter because it is seriously the softest hat ever!  I think it's going to be super warm too.

Hat #2.  As you may recall, I signed up for a couple of traveling scarves for cancer patients through ConnieCaps.org.  I also decided to knit a couple of hats to donate as well using Cascade Cherub Aran, which knits up oh-so-soft and comes in some very beautiful colors.  I was thinking spring when I put this one together.

I just started a second one using the pink as the main color, with purple and green in the brim.  I hope the colors will bring a little cheer to someone soon.

I finally got my Mom's fingerless mitts finished a couple weeks ago.  Pattern is Malabrigo Hand Thingies (a freebie on Ravelry) and yarn is Berroco Vintage Colors.  My Mom wanted "something brown" and this self stripping worked up nicely.  They are a quick knit in worsted weight yarn, however I had to tweak the pattern a few times and rip back one mitt (I still have a third mitt completed that's a bit on the small size - will have to decide whether to knit the mate or just frog it).  My notes are my Ravelry project page if interested.

The Snow Cowl was a birthday gift for a dear friend a few weeks ago.  It's a very quick knit using super bulky yarn and makes a great accessory! I'll definitely knit more (great Christmas gift idea)!

I've done a little stash enhancement lately thanks to my YarnBox March installment (that was a fabulous birthday/Christmas gift combo)...

The Loopy Ewe Spring Giftables Club box #1...

And, last but not least, the current Jimmy Beans Wool limited edition Madelinetosh colorway...

Whew, that's a lot of fibery goodness today.  I hope you all have a great, crafty weekend!  Our former foster baby Dustee (our first real foster... or at least the first dog we fostered and sent along to a forever home... and yes, I cried for days) had surgery yesterday to remove 3 teeth.  He's at home and recovering comfortably, albeit not very happily from what I understand.  Poor baby... please join me in wishing Dustee man well!