fo: springtime cowl

This is stashbusting project #3. The previous posts were all a part of Stashbust 2009, but this one is particularly relevant because this wool had been sitting in the stash for a while. I have two huge balls of this yarn and I just didn't know what to do with it - but the cowl craze seems to have hit me, so I decided that a cowl would be a worthy project for this yarn.

This project is also particularly relevant because I created this pattern on my own! My first real pattern! It alternates rows of stockinette with rows of garter stitch, but in between the those two types of stitch rows is a row of yarn-overs every second stitch. This creates a really cute row of eyelet lace - which I also recognize is super difficult to see with this yarn. I had originally thought that the eyelet lace would be a pretty accent because it was spring and having a lace pattern would be okay in a cowl designated specifically for spring time (you know, it's less about warmth and more about fashion). However, in the end, the cowl was way too big and I realized that if I wanted to actually wear the cowl, I was either going to have to gain 40 pounds on my neck, or I would have to turn the eyelet lace row into a makeshift row of button holes!

So, this actually works out quite nicely because I simply sewed the button onto the cowl and then, when I want to wear the cowl, I can decide how snugly I want the cowl to fit and simply loop an eyelet around the button. It creates a snug fit, but also a cute little ruffle that dresses up the cowl more than I ever could have imagined.

This is how it looks (sorry for the bad perspective, it was the first time I had really tried the timer function on the camera to take a picture of myself!):

You like? I like.

Finally, special thanks to Lolly for Project Spectrum 2009. This year's focus is on the Cardinal Directions and the March/April color choice of green had me MORE than motivated to use a little of this fancy yarn.

Project Details:

Pattern: Springtime Cowl by ME!

Yarn: Soft Delight by Yarn Bee

Needles: 5 mm addi turbos, 16 inch circular

Basic Pattern Details:

Springtime Cowl

Cast on an uneven number of stitches (I cast on 91 stitches but it was toooooo many!)

Join together, being careful not to twist

Place marker at join

Rows 1-4: garter stitch

Rows 5-8:stockinette stitch

Row 9: eyelet lace row - starting at marker *k2tog, yo, repeat from * to last st, k1

Rows 10-14: stockinette stitch

Rows 15-18: garter stitch

Repeat pattern until cowl is desired length (width? height? - I don't know). Be sure to finish with 4 rows of garter stitch.

Cast off with bigger needles.

Sew in ends.

To create ruffle (optional), sew button at front and in middle of stockinette section of your choice. Use eyelet lace rows as button holes and loop over button to create a snug fit.

Enjoy!

fo: berry bramble hat

This month's goal is to post at least three times. I'm already up to two - so this is going very well so far!

I finished this hat a few months ago and the picture even sat in the computer file for a while before I realized that I had the time to blog about it.

This pattern is the Berry Bramble Hat from a very cute little book called Knit One, Embellish Too by Cosette Cornelius-Bates. It's a glorious little book that appealed to me because I am currently under a binding agreement with my mom to "stash-bust" and this book offers lots of ideas for accessories just perfect for stash-busting!

Pattern: Berry Bramble Hat from Knit One, Embellish too
Yarn: Ella Rae Palermo, color 2
Needles: 4.5 mm addi turbos
For: Me! It's my dog-walking hat.

Modifications: The hat is actually supposed to have a cute little tree embroidered on the front in a contrasting yarn and buttons, but I did not have the patience to do this. It's also supposed to have a crochet-chain edging along the bottom of the hat, but I didn't do that either!

Comments: I love the hat and the way it looks, however, next time I would use a thicker yarn and maybe knit it in a smaller size. This was meant to be a dog-walking hat, and I have worn it to walk my dog, however, it just doesn't keep my head warm at -40 degrees (which is the only real time I think about wearing a hat). In any case, it's a jaunty little knit and I recommend it to anyone!

fo: presto chang-o

Blogging has been a long time coming at my house these days. Since Christmas, DH and I have each been sick twice and I am currently on my third round of sickness. In addtion, DH has been plagued with foot and back difficulties. The winter has not been kind to us - we are eager to see a change in the energy of our house!

This little project was a baby gift for DH's cousin and his wife. They are expecting their first child in April - we already know it's going to be a little girl and so this cute little sweater is the perfect gift for who I know will be the quintessential girly-girl!

The Specs:
Pattern: Presto-Chango by Jimmy Beans Wool
Size: 6 months
Yarn: Bernat Soy Naturals
Needles: 5 mm addi turbos
Modifications: none

This pattern is perfect for beginner knitters. The body is knit entirely in one piece and the front panel is an easy lace pattern that knits up quickly. I found the biggest challenge to be the time it took to sew on 8 buttons!

In the end, I'm super happy with the way it turned out and I would knit this sweater again in a second!