Leftovers February 25, 2009

Manos me!
So going through my stash the other day I find a bunch of Manos leftover yarn in such amazing pretty colors. I stuck them all in a beret I made (one of my first knitting projects, *sniff, sniff*) so I can just look at them together and gather inspiration.

What to make, what to make? It’s Manos so none machine washable which is a no can do for a sweater (sans shrug) and not sure about socks.. The purple Manos sock didn’t come out that great (Actually I’m thinking of frogging them) so I’m really at a loss of what to do.

Maybe if I stare at them long enough in their pretty little beret I shall become inspired and create something AMAZING! Hey, one can dream.

Yarn procrastination
In other news, I’m been procrastinating buying some new yarn that I’ve been drooling over at The Three Irish Girls site. First of all, I love the name , and second of all it’s all hand dyed and sooo absolutely pretty. There’s a beautiful bubblegum and tan color called “Maureen” that I think would be fantastic for Hayley’s Baby Sweater. But I keep coming back to do I want to pay $40 bucks of yarn right now right before Stitches? I know crazy huh? Who debates over buying yarn? But I’m sure I’ll be seeing this and more at Stitches so I’m really on the fence over this. I guess I would wait. It’s not like I don’t have enough projects to keep me going!

Poaching!
Last I wanted to hit on the Leyburn Sock pattern that I totally poached off of Pinfish
on Ravelry. >:) Yes, I poach and am proud of it!

Happy feet will be my yarn as I work through my stash. I think it’s perfect for it!

I really love the fall colors in this yarn and since the pattern is kind of “leafy” I think it’ll be perfect. Just can’t decide who they’ll be for though at this point, I’m kinda of leaning toward – ME!

Ode to the Clap February 12, 2009

So I finally finished my Clapotis and I have to say I really like knitting it. There is something just “naughty” about dropping a stitch that I actually raveled in Overall it’s a pretty easy knit and could just be absolutely mindless until you get to the PM or YO. Regardless it was a pretty easy to do and I’m thinking about …dare I say it…xmas presents!
It makes a beautiful shawl particularly using the Manos yarn.

One thing about Manos is that since each skein is a bit different and they don’t do dye lots the colors are a bit darker in the beginning and they get lighter when I added a new skein. A bit annoying although I doubt anyone will take notice.
Another frustrating bit was that I must have forgotten to drop a stitch or I accidently knitted where I shouldn’t have.
-sigh-
So there’s an instance in my pattern that’s missing the drop as you can see below.

Very annoying as I feel everything thing that I knit always has something “off” about it. I read on one of the ravelry forums today that that’s what makes it “unique” which is amusing.

Anyhow, back to the pattern, it definitely knits up to be more like a shawl then a scarf. Which I should have figured since I believe the width is about 20inches. Still pretty and it give it the draped affect. Another thing is that it called for about 6 skeins of Manos and I think I only used 4. Which is great – more yarn to do something else but still the knitter in me is nagging. Do I knit too tight? What’s this going to mean when I do a sweater?

Yea, yea, yea – GAUGE is the answer. To which I say in the memorable words of my 11th grade English teacher, “PSHAW’! I truly hate the gauge and as I listen to more knitting podcasts it’s not making me more enamored by it. There’s EASE you have to worry about and blocking the swatch and way to many things to do before you even get started on the pattern. Alas, patience must be a knitter’s calling of which I sorely lack. Perhaps, I’m half a knitter..like just an “itter”? Okay I’ve gone overboard on the rambling bit.

Back to the clap – I’m thinking about knitting this for one or all three of Mark’s sisters..or perchance my Jersey friend?? Don’t know..I’ll have to be on the look out for yarn deals on Noro or Manos – those are the ones that I think will look fab for this type of project.

Yes talking about xmas knitting projects is insane in Feb but hell I never get to finish them when I start in October so why the hell not start early and just stash it!

Manos leftover socks/booties January 3, 2009

So I have a bundle of leftover yarn from Manos del Uruguay in beautiful colors and I figured I might as well use it up. I decided to improvise and make some baby socks but at first it didn’t come out like I thought it would. I think I should have decreased when I got down to the leg body but I didn’t and it came out a bit bulky.
In the end they just look like little booties which actually is pretty darn cool. I made a mini braided cord using a crochet hook to just have the flexibility to tie it up if it’s too big at the ankles.
Basic pattern was as follows:
CO 36
K two rounds
K1 P1* for an inch
K* for another inch
Start heel with 14 stitches for about an inch
K till there’s 6 stitches left and then K2tog turn
P till there’s 6 stitches left and then P2tog turn
Repeat dec down
Pick up 6 stitches on either side
K one round
K1, K2tog on either end and side
K one round, then repeat the dec
until there’s 10 stitches
Make sure foot measures 4 and 1/3 inches
then dec until there’s 12 all around
Seam.
Okay, so I’m not the best at patterns but this is really a reminder for me so I can have some idea of what I did.

From the side

I had to improvise and use some purple Manos at the toes (when there’s 10 stitches on one needle left) in order to ensure I had enough of the red/green Manos for the 2 bootie.