New Cowl Pattern Released!

The meaning of Astrid is Divine Strength. Astrid is an infinity cowl that combines graceful, delicate lace with bold, strong stitch patterns.

It works great with variegated yarn and will also work well with tonal or solid. 

Each stitch pattern is a multiple of 2 stitches; this can easily be modified to make a longer or shorter circumference if desired.

It is most definitely potato chip knitting ... just one more round ... just one more round...

Uses less than one skein of sock yarn. Great use for that special luxury blend.

Astrid  $5.00

FO: EEeekkk!

Pattern: Baby Mice

Yarn: Left over bits of Malabrigo Sock

Needles: US 2.5 (3.0mm) and US 0 (2.0mm)

Body 1 1/2" long, tail 2" long

Cast On: 11/2/14

Finished: 11/22/14

Actually mice don't frighten me ... I think they're pretty cute.  I don't like them in my house (yuck) but we live in the woods so it sometimes happens ... we rescue them from the cats ...

I modified the pattern by knitting an i-cord tail on US 0 instead of the twisted yarn tail the pattern called for.

Friday Felines Vol. 33 2014

Willow

She is a little goober ...

FO: BEANS!?!?

Pattern: Beans the Cat

Yarn: Swan Island Worsted

Needles: US 6 DPNs

Cast On: 11/11/14

Finished: 11/12/14

Love this pattern, its free, super quick and a great use of left overs.

Seriously?!?!?!

I've had sinus/allergy issues as long as I can remember ... had an allergy test last week ... want to guess what I tested positive for??  I'll give you a hint - I've also had cats in the house my entire life (like one slept in my crib).

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 7

Swatches 4-6 Increases

These swatches are different types of increases.  Increase stitches should have the same tension on the left and right.  These were fairly easy for me, I've used these types of increases in the past on various projects.

This portion of the program includes placing increases evenly, mirrored increases, shaping and of course ... following instructions as written.

Swatch 4: Bar Increase

Swatch 5: Make 1 Increase

Swatch 6: Lifted Increase

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 6

I am almost done!  One more swatch to go.  I am going to break up the posts here by sections (there's a lot).  These are swatches 1, 2, 3 & 15 and they have to do with different stitch patterns and measuring gauge.  Lighting could have been a little better for the photos ... but I am not taking another 16 photos!

In order to pass, tension has to be even, ends need to be woven in unobtrusively and securely, the directions need to be followed exactly (knit ribbing for 2" means 2"), and all swatches must be blocked appropriately with no distortion of stitches (especially ribbing or cables) or pin marks.

Swatch 1: K2, P2 Ribbing and Garter Stitch

Swatch 2: K1, P1 Ribbing and Stockinette Stitch

Back of swatch 2 showing even tension on the back side.

Swatch 3: Seed Stitch

Swatch 15: Horseshoe Cable