WIP: Zephyr Cove begins

I am about halfway to the stripe part.  I have knitted and undone about three times as many rows as have survived. I want it nice and neat!

I am using a new set of size 5 Yarnology acrylic circulars I got at Hobby Lobby for a couple of bucks. The needles are connected by hollow plastic tubing.  It is flexible, but already, the tubing is bent and pinched at the connection to the needle and often snags up as I am moving the stitches down. Otherwise, I like them.  I have used acrylic needles before and they squeaked, but I like the way these handle and they are silent.

FO: teensy sweater #2!

voila!  i feel like this little sweater brought me all the way from beginner knitter to intermediate in one leap and i lurve how it came out.  the doll gets to try it on next week.  hopefully, it will not be too big or too wonky.

FO: teensy sweater #1!

this sweater came out great and it fits the american doll for which it was intended! i actually finished it quite a while ago, but i held out on finishing it until teensy sweater #2 was finished.  it is so soft and sweet, i wish it fit ME!

WIP: teensy sweater #1 - further along

haven't updated in a while, so I thought i would show you how the dolls sweater is going.  i am close to finishing the bottom of the body.  the last bits will be joining the sleeves closed and adding a placket finish with buttons.

a fairly easy pattern--once i figured it how it was supposed to look in the end.  i think i crochet like i drive; i need to see the city in my head and then proceed.  i cannot just rely on GPS to guide me step by step!  having the the finished object in my head helps me sort out poorly written patterns and catch mistakes.  (there were a few things in this pattern that i caught and was able to work around.)  so, for a visual person like me, detail photos in a pattern help tremendously.

it also helped to have some experience behind me.  this pattern has shells and back and front post double crochet.  it actually has a lot in common with the amazing hat i did earlier, although that one was worked in a circle.

back later with the finish!

WIP: teensy sweater #1

my friend robyn asked if i could whip up two sweaters for her daughter's american doll.  i am using a crochet pattern she found and after trying out a couple of locally purchased yarns (one acrylic lace weight and one cotton sport weight), i ordered some knitpicks "comfy" (75% cotton/25%acrylic) in fingering weight.  the cotton blend gives really nice stitch definition on this lacy pattern and is such a pleasure to handle!  the yarn tests really helped me sort out the pattern and i think this will roll along nicely now.

i found a few more amazing little sweater patterns on ravelry that are knitted with cables.  i might try one of those, too!

FO: Teenyweeny Top Hat

i created this teenyweeny slytheriny top hat for the deathly hallows 2 midnight opening and wore it at a jaunty angle along with my witches robes and wand!

i created the pattern myself, reinforcing the crown with cardboard and the brim with a wire crocheted around the edge so it could keep its curl properly.  it features three kinds of feathers, including ostrich, a yard of black tulle bound with grosgrain to add a touch of "mourning" and a snakey pin my dear husband gave me.  a proper send off to our slytherin hero, severus snape.  

*sigh*

FO: Mini-Witch Hat!

I created this tiny witch hat for my friend, Addreamy to wear at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows, Pt. 2  I was very pleased that it came out as nice as it did. And yep, I made up the pattern myself but nope, I never bothered to write it down. Still I feel it is...

Gold Star Worthy!

FO: nigel, the nautilus

 

finally, nigel is complete!  

he now has over twice as the tentacles, a shorter head, a tighter curl and the additional triangle flap that rests over his eyes, giving him a devious look at certain angles!  this was a very fun and easy project.  the only reason it took so long to complete was a balled up schedule. however, he got my client's squeeze of approval tonight and i am very pleased!

 watch out!  nigel is giving you "the eye"!

WIP: nautie-alien!

still working on this one.

i followed the pattern, however, my "client" has requested a few changes:  a smaller head, a tighter curl, many more tentacles and big eyes on the sides.


if you take a look at the real deal, his suggestions are very good.

he should know!  the nautilus has long been near the top of his "favorite animal" list!

WIP: noah-keet

the "client" gave me feedback tonight and so far he likes the shape of first one on the left. i personally would like to add stripes, but since i am going for cute-cute, i might just keep it super simple.

i'll just save the back-of-the-head stripes for my own personal 'keet!

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noah looks like this dilute blue budgie.

the waffle transfigured into an alligator

the previously posted waffle scarf was frogged due to pattern-inherent-edge-wonkiness. instead, i decided to use the same stitch lengthwise and so far, i am much more pleased! now the scarf looks a lot less like a big lumpy waffle and a lot more like...

(see! he's smiling! he likes it, too.)
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i also started another scarf experiment with some brilliant turquoise stash yarn. i used this same seed stitch crocheting a tawashi a few years ago and wondered if it would make a nice scarf. it is not very thick, so i decided double it up by making the stitch in the round.


it is about 9.5" wide and once i get it to a decent length, i will close up the ends. we'll see then if it needs some sort of end treatment--fringe or the like.

Hattish Goodness!

i love the colours of this yarn!

i actually had a few more rows on it earlier today, but after giving it a test drive this morning up on my big fat head, i decided i needed to make it fit a bit better and reworked it over lunch. even as thin and lacy as it is, it is really warm.

bring on those single digit temps!

double strap booties for hudson

eric's baby shower is friday and his boy is getting these double strap booties in colours borrowed from eric's artwork. both colours are from vanna white's collection and i especially like the grey marble. such a great nubbly yarn full of hairs and weirdness--just like eric!
this is actually my 4th completed pair of double straps. for nearly a whole month they stood almost finished--except for the buttons. i had to give them a long break after they made me rip them apart and redo the straps. but now, they are done and i am giving this pattern a rest.

my first real sweater!

here is the finished Cecily Cardigan! it was pretty easy to do, although you need to stay on top of counting better than i typically do. i had to tear out and redo several bits. nonetheless, it is my first ever sweater! i want to try this pattern again.

the shower is tuesday. i hope the mom makes it! she is looking quite done with pregnancy. :D