'Tis the Season

It's gift knitting season, and I've made several items to gift.  I enjoy making things to give, and make items for my 'gift bin' all year long.  This makes giving to people like teachers, colleagues, and friends easier with minimal holiday knitting rush.  My gifts are small accessories - not all recipients appreciate hand-made.  This year, I made and gifted:

Old Castle set by Lisa Mutch (teacher gift)

Striped Stitchplay Cowl, my own design (gift for colleague)

Wislawa by Bristol Ivy (birthday gift for friend)

Gramps by TinCan Knits (baby gift)

Not a lot of gifts to give, but all were knit ahead of time which leaves me with lots of time to knit what I want to knit during the holidays.  Just the way I like it!

recipe for a quick gift

I love to knit for friends.  I also love to knit gifts and my notion of  'knitworthy' is far more flexible than many (see Franklin Habit's succinct and noteworthy flow-chart here).  I love to knit items that don't need to fit - cowls, scarves, shawls, the occasional pair of mitts.  Hats are tricky - my gauge can be loose and head size becomes a factor.

With these things in mind, I gathered leftover fingering weight yarns using a gradient/fade idea to knit a cowl as a goodbye gift for a colleague and friend at work.  I had already knit two others and don't like to knit the same pattern twice.  Inspired by the mini-skein sets like SweetGeorgia's Party of Five I made my own mini-skein set of five and cast on.  The finished product combines 5 yarns and 6 different stitch patterns to make a single-loop cowl:

Improvised recipe:
Started with Manos del Uruguay Alegria (gray): 
cast on 144 stitches, knit 1x1 rib for 10 rows 
- broken seed stitch for 12 rows, then 4 rows of st. St. To stripe in new colour 
Switch to Noro Sock (green/gray/blue) 
- 10 rows of lace mesh, then 4 rows of garter plus 2 rows to stripe in new colour 
Switch to Bulletproof Sock (SweetGeorgia Yarns) (blue) 
- 3x1 rib for 2 rows, st st. for 4 rows 
Change to Koigu KPPPM (Variegated) 
- 4 rows garter, 2 rows eyelet pattern, repeat x3
Switch to Viola sock (brown) 
- 8 rows 1x1 ribbing, cast off

Stitch patterns can be found in any stitch dictionary - I looked them up online on various websites, or used ones I had recently used for other projects.  

I have no desire to design things, just wanted to use up some stash for a quick gift.  I like following a pattern, and find improvising my own a little stressful, so I am back to a pattern for my next project!

start with the end in mind - goals for 2018

I've started 2018 with projects that fit my goals for 2018.  I love setting goals, making plans, determining what I want to do over a longer period of time.   Some goals are quantifiable, others involve learning new skills and others connect to the quality of a handmade wardrobe:

1.  Improve colourwork skills (speed, quality of work) - I'm going to knit stranded mittens over the year as part of the Skeindeer Knits 2018 KAL.  My first pair are done, just need to be blocked a bit, Herati from Pompom Quarterly:

2.  Focus on using more colours in my garments and accessories - I'm knitting a Bindrune Cardigan from Pompom Quarterly using 3 colours of Lopi, to add more colour to my garments.   I'm also almost done Nuuk from Laine Volume 1 in an autumnal orange colour.  Up next will be #18 Broken Rib Pullover from Vogue Knitting in a dark mauve colour:

3.  Knit shawls and hats all year for gifts, to reduce the need to knit for others in November and December (ongoing goal).  I've started with Jodi Shawl and hope to knit the Tread Hat by Shannon Cook before I start my next pair of mittens.

None have firm deadlines except the holiday gift stash and my goal to knit a pair of mittens or a hat each month.  As usual, I hope to use the stash I already have for lots of things, and the patterns from books I've purchased.  Lofty goals perhaps, but I'm starting projects with these goals in mind.

Gifting - tis the season to knit faster!

I'm a week away from Christmas Eve, and have most of the knitting done.  My ongoing 'gift bin' that gets filled with accessories throughout the year helps.  We go searching for teacher gifts, or a small thing to go with a gift card, so that it's not as much 'on demand' knitting in December.  This year's gifts:

Antler Mitts - pattern TinCanKnits, yarn Briggs and Little Heritage

Blue Devil - pattern BabyCocktails, yarn Madelinetosh DK

Cambrian Cowl - pattern Never Not Knitting, yarn Borgo De'Pazzi Luna

A Twin Leaf Loop - pattern Never Not Knitting, yarn Borgo de'Pazzi Luna

Northward - pattern TinCanKnits, yarn Borgo de'Pazzi (blue), Misty Alpaca (orange)

Just have to finish up one last one - a 'hack' for TinCanKnits "hackathon2016".  I'm turning the Sitka Spruce Hat into a cowl.  Yarn is Heaven's Hand Wool Classic.  Love how it's turning out, but the twisted stitches are killing my hands. 

When it's done, I'm determined to knit my Sambuca that I started in the fall, and finish up my vest that has been  WIP for over a year.  Both will be great holiday projects for the upcoming Christmas vacation.  Then, my Botanical Knits that I have queued up will be started!

stash plans once the gifting is done

I'm knitting gifts until mid-December.  Then, I'm knitting up my stash using my Botanical Knits book.  I have plans for almost all of the patterns in the book, and have already knit one, my Twin Leaf Loop:

Up next I have yarn for 2 sweaters and the rest of the accessories (minus the socks - I can't knit tightly enough to get gauge for socks in sock weight yarn):

Think I'll start with the accessories while I finish my Sambuca sweater since it will be cozy and warm for winter and I'm (just) on the body now, having finished the raglan shaping.  I'm determined to knit them within the year.  I love the patterns, love the yarn I have, and need to take action!  All of the patterns have unique elements, so I'm excited to get going.  Think Oak Trail will be first as the construction interests me, and I love the yarn I have for it.  Now, off to knit another hat for Christmas!

fast november - gift season

Slow October is followed by fast November, as I try to knit as many gifts as I can.  I vow each year to knit gift items year-round to avoid the rush.  So far I haven't kept that promise to myself!  I am committed to spending less this Christmas, and giving gifts I have made will help.

To that end, hats and cowls are flying off the needles as I knit as much as possible this fall:

2x2 - a Tin Can Knits pattern

Barley - another Tin Can Knits patttern

Still on the needles I have a One-Ball Cuffed Hat, a Hella hat (both in Lion's Pride Woolspun) and a Cropped Poncho for my mom.  The hats have a birthday deadline of Nov. 27, but the poncho is a Christmas gift.  Let's hope I finish!

we interrupt Amanda to bring you hats!

My Amanda sweater has stalled - likely due to two factors.  One, I'm on the second sleeve and so have become predictably bored with the project.  Two, Christmas is less than 3 weeks away so some gifts have been knit.  Amanda will resume over the holidays.  I've put a self-imposed date of January 5 (back to school day) to have her done.  In the meantime, gifts!

The first is a Veronica Slouch Hat from Make It! Magazine (among other places) for one teacher - minus the buttons.

Next up, the other teacher loves Harry Potter, and has been reading the books aloud.  She will, of course, receive a knit inspired by the movie.  From the screen via Big Knitting Trouble here is a shot of Hermione in the movie, with the knitted gift beside:

Not to be done with hats, a few more have been knit 'just in case':

The blue one is still missing the pompom (I hate making them and have procrastinated) and the other is ready to go.  Both are from Knit Simple magazine, Fall 2014.  The blue is supposed to have a bright orange pompom, but I can't find quite the right yarn.  The gray/yellow has a leather tab in the pattern, but I substituted a massive button instead.

Finally, two cowls from the same pattern are done or in the works - Ambrosia Cowl from Make It! magazine.  They will be gifted too, not sure who the recipient will be yet....

 All of this to distract from a second sleeve that awaits!

Meet Veronique! 5KCBWDAY2

5KCBWDAY2 Dating Profile Write a dating profile for one of your past finished projects. Bonjour!  Je m'appelle Veronique.  I am a French Girl, knit from the book by Kristeen Griffen-Grimes.  I have been in my current form since 2012 but I admit it took 6 months of hard work to become this version of myself. I'm soft and sheer, made from 70% alpaca and 30% silk by Classic Elite.  My edges tend to roll a bit, but I don't mind the casual edge to an otherwise sophisticated shape.  I curve over the shoulders, and my sleeves are long enough to keep you warm but short enough to suit a summery style.

 My main love is travel.  I have travelled across the Atlantic Ocean on a cruise ship... an opportunity of a lifetime as I ventured through the Mediterranean Sea and up the Bosphorus Strait to the Ukraine.  I was worn mostly in the evening over a cocktail dress or evening wear.  I admit the trip was an adventure of a lifetime for my owner (this knitter's mother).  I was ready for a long nap once I returned from the 66 day cruise, but came out for a trip up the Panama Canal a year later!   I look fabulous over dark colours, or bright colours, but admit white and creams make me (and my wearer) look washed out.  I'm not quite casual enough for a t-shirt and jeans... and admit I'm much happier dressed up than dressed down!

My owner is living the life she always dreamed of, one she worked diligently to save for over her working years.  She's travelling to far-off destinations with the knitter's dad, and I hope for another 10 years of travel adventures!

PS.  The back view is my best angle, if I do say so myself!

5KCBWDAY1 - at home with a project

5KCBWDAY1 A Day In The Life Describe a day in the life of a project that you have made, or are in the process of making.

I am a scarf, but I could be just about any project knit here in this house. 

I start with an idea, usually sparked by another blog or a Ravelry project seen on the iPad.  In my unravelled form, I hide in the 'stash cupboard' until I'm ready to be knit.  This is not a house strewn with projects or piles of half-finished items.  In this house, things are AWAY until ready to use or be worked on.  I spend an inordinate amount of time waiting in the yarn bins, hoping to be chosen next.

Once chosen, I change form, skein to wound ball, and begin.  Some days I am in the project bag without ever coming out... these are the days where the people in the house are absent at work or busy with the yard work, house work, and parenting work. 

 

When my time does come, I am spread across the lap of my knitter.  I'm on the sofa while the boys watch tv or play Xbox.  I'm on the bed during procedural dramas (Sherlock and Watson, Bones and Booth, or that detective who can remember everything), or during basketball games and hockey games.  Slowly but surely, I change from an unwound skein to a wearable item.   

 If I'm lucky, I will be soaked, blocked, and put into the closet here to be worn often.  If I'm lucky, I'll be given away to a kind friend who will appreciate the value of a hand-knit item.  Either way, my time here in this house will be spent knowing I'm worth the time it takes to watch the charts, count the rows, rip back the mistakes, and follow the pattern to morph into something special.

 

summer scarves

I've planned a few summer scarves for some gift knitting.  It's the end of the school year, so I have two teachers to knit for, plus a couple of colleagues who are leaving at the end of June.  I want to knit spring/summer/fall scarves using some summer yarns.  First up:  Sakura Herringbone Scarf using Sakura Silk.  It's a silk/cotton/acrylic blend that knits up quickly at worsted weight using only one skein.  The pattern picture is incorrect - that's the seafoam scarf, also using Sakura by Estelle.  Mine will be in a peachy blend:

I'll also make the Seafoam Scarf using a different colourway.

 

More to come, as I work through the stash and patterns for lighter-weight scarves.  End of June is coming soon!

scarf - start-itis FO

The scarf and cap made for my 'secret friend' at work is complete.  I'm happy with how it turned out, although it won't press like the pattern requires due to the acrylic content of the yarn.  The hat best shows the deep red colour - not quite as 'tomato' red as the scarf photo suggests.  I'm sure Jon (my colleague) will enjoy the scarf to match his hat! 

chroma cap - finished!

My Chroma Cap is finished, and I love how it turned out.  Lots of colours to keep it interesting, easy to follow charts, and worsted weight for a quick knit.