Diego Vest part two

I am still here...but having some computer problems, so I am not posting as regularily as I normally do. Here is a progress shot of the deigo vest. Alot of finishing to come!



I am not sure about attching the patch pockets...my first attempt was not so good. More on this soon...
unless I make this computer into a paperweight.

Diego Vest part one.

When last we met, I had some thoughts on Lucca's sweater. Well, let me tell you about the mind of a three year old. I have already tried to put a store bought sweater on him and he screamed until I took it off of him. Sweaters are really not his thing. So I can imagine knitting this sweater, and he refuses to wear it. Not gonna happen people.
So, being the perceptive mother that I am, I decided to incorporate his "Hero" into the design...and it is a vest, not a sweater.

Meet Diego. He is Dora's cousin. He works at a rescue centre saving animals...using his video watch, field journal, spotting scope, rescue pack and zip cords. He is it right now. Also, there is like little to not a one product you can find that is Diego. We have a movie and this little figure from the Dora house. I have come across a couple things on line...but come on...you create this show for the "male dora watchers" and no product...someone is missing out on a huge market.

My thoughts are this:
The vest he wears, I can knit this. I package up a whole "Diego" type gift. Knit the vest, find a spotting scope...oh yes, there is also a camera...her name is "Click"...field journal, video watch (a must have for every 3yr old), zip cord (yes, I can set that up down the stairs...why take the stairs when you can zip down like Diego!) and the rescue pack...why can't I felt that?

Project one of the Diego gift...the vest. In comes the Cora Handwork and my own little references...




It's simple. A neat hem, no zipper...he wears it open anyway...a collar and a couple patch-flap top pockets.

Now, I did this hem on my hourglass sweater...but I have found another way...a much easier way that I must show you. In the hourglass, you had all of these sts to sew to the garment at the end, very tedious work. Well, how about knitting it as you go...much smarter.

Make your facing ( in a smaller needle that the garment). Knit in stocking stitch for the length of the facing then add a purl row on the right side. Switch to larger needles and continue in stocking stitch for the same length of the facing.



Now, fold the hem in half.



Knit the next row together with the cast on stitches. (I found it very easy to pick up the cast on st with the left needle...



Then knit the two together.



This creates your neat little hem.



Here we are...a front and a back...almost there.

I'm getting tired of knitting hats.

They are quick knits, and great gifts....but one can only knit so many before losing interest.
Here is yet another...probably my last...candy cane stripe hat from Handknit Holidays.


Info on this hat is the same as here.
Another Christmas gift done!

Remember this. Well, I finally got started and here I am...



There has been lots of swatching, trying out increases...and ripping, can't forget the ripping and reknitting. But, so far I like it. I did make it plain as he had asked for. I figured I need a basic design before I start adding cables and such.
I love that it is knit top down...it makes so much more sense than knitting flaps and attaching them to the main hat, as many patterns do. I am also using the fabulous Annie Modesitt's slip stitch selvedge she uses in her backyard leaves scarf. It is brilliant.

Tom also wanted it tight fitting, and I have done that...but the flaps kind of stick out a little because they are not fitted like the hat part. I hope blocking will cure some of that.

I do need to do a couple more hats, but I just can't bring myself to cast on for them. Enough hats.

So that brings me to Lucca's sweater. Well, nothing is really jumping out at me...and I bought that Hand Work Cora for it. I have come up with another idea. You see, this guy is the man of the hour around here....how to incorporate Diego and Hand Work Cora....you will see, I hope;)

Safe Travelling on your Holiday Weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!

As requested, the Hot Head Hat pattern...

Ok, lets just say, I am not a knit wear designer. Yet, some have requested my "Hot Head Hat" pattern (sure that name works)...so, here it is...
I made if for my nephew who may only be 13 years old...but he is 6 foot...so the hat is basically a one size fit all.

Yarn: I used Pattons Classic Merino in red and black
Needles: US #6 or what ever you need to get gauge. I used a small circular...like 16" then switched to magic loop on addis...but you can do double pointed.
Gauge: 22sts in 4"

Cast on 110 sts with the red. Join in the round being careful not to twist and place marker.

Knit in a *1x1 twisted rib for 3/4" (I did this because it is a tighter rib and I wouldn't have to start with smaller needles and then move to the #6, but you could always do that with a regular rib bottom)
*twisted rib is knit 1 tbl (through back of loop), purl 1 tbl

Continue in stocking stitch (knit all rounds) until the hat measures 3 1/4" from the cast on.
Begin your flame pattern. You can use this sad chart I did:


The chart is a ten stitch repeat all the way around for 18 rows.

or here is the row by row:
row 1: *k1 blk, k9 red* repeat all the way around
row 2: *k1 blk, k8 red, k1 blk* rep all the way around
row 3: *k9 red, k2 blk* rep all the way around
row 4: *k9 red, k1 blk* rep all the way around
row 5: *k9 red, k1 blk* rep all the way around
row 6: *k5 red, k2 blk, k2 red, k1 blk* rep all the way around
row 7: *k4 red, k3 blk, k2 red, k1 blk* rep all the way around
row 8: *k4 red, k3 blk, k2 red, k1 blk* rep all the way around
row 9: *k4 red, k3 blk, k1 red, k2 blk* rep all the way around
row 10: *k1 blk, k3 red, k3 blk, k1 red, k2 blk* rep all the way around
row 11: *k2 blk, k3 red, k2 blk, k1 red, k2 blk* rep all the way around
row 12: *k2 blk, k3 red, k1 blk, k1 red, k3 blk* rep all the way around
row 13: *k3 blk, k2 red, k1 blk, k1 red. k3 blk* rep all the way around
row 14: *k4 blk, k1 red, k2 blk, k1 red, k2 blk* rep all the way around
row 15: *k4 blk, k2 red, k4 blk* rep all the way around
row 16: *k5 blk, k1 red, k4 blk* rep all the way around
row 17: *k6 blk, k1 red, k3 blk* rep all the way around
row 18: *k6 blk, k1 red, k3 blk* rep all the way around

Continue in black for 1" above the flame pattern in stocking stitch.
next row: decrease 2 sts evenly around - 108sts.

decreases:
row 1: *k4, k2tog* all the way around
row 2: and every other row knit around
row 3: *k3, k2tog* all the way around
row 5: *k2, k2tog* all the way around
row 7: *k1, k2tog* all the way around
row 9: *k2tog* all the way around
row 11: *k2tog* all the way around

Break off yarn. Thread sewing needle with the tail and thread through remaining sts. Pull tight and secure. Weave in ends.

Enjoy! Let me know if you actually knit one!

We have fire!

After starting, restarting, ripping, restarting, redoing the "flames", knitting the flames too tightly, ripping the flames out, reknitting the flames inside out, decreasing, ripping out the decreases to add length, redoing the decreasing....we have flames:



He wanted flames last year, but I just didn't know how to do it...look at me now!

Started: November 18, 2005
Finished: November 20, 2005
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino.
Pattern: My own little design...if you want it I could post the pattern, it's embarrassingly simple.

You can still see some of the twists of the floats, but it's really the best I could do. I am hoping that blocking will help it, and if it blocks like the little evergreen bag, it will help.

Here are two of the nephews I am knitting for with last years hats...both of their new ones are now done!




To answer a couple questions. The evergreen bag's dimensions and gauge I knit are: 8" high, by 16" around at 22sts in 4"

A few of you have asked about my thoughts on Lion Brands Wool-Ease. It knit just fine. It did a little splitting now and then when I was knitting the arm and neck holes with bamboos...a sharper tip than the addis I used for the vest itself. It washes and dries wonderfully. It gets much softer (not so acrylic crunchy) after washing. Would I use it again? For the kids and for those who need machine washable, yes. For myself, no. If I am going to take the time and effort to knit, I would rather use a more luxurious (yummy) yarn...sorry I am a little bit of a yarn snob.

Veste Everest.

Yet another FO here people. I am trying to keep the christmas knitting moving...there is only 39 days until christmas.
Do keep in mind that this is not for me or my size body (even though I am now down 17lbs!) ...but I decided to try it on!



The recipient in smaller...petite (so the arm holes will fit better, and it will be longer on her than I...and she won't be busting out of it like I am!).

Started: October 18, 2005
Finished: November 16, 2005 - although I am going to reblock it now that the arm hole and neck band are done...they need blocking.
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease
Pattern: Veste Everest in IK fall 2005.
Adjustments: None really...well except for not doing the cabling as the pattern wrote.
I like this knit. It was fun, interesting with the cables...but easy enough that it didn't always require your full attention.

Another Christmas gift done! The list is still long, but hopefully I can get some others done this weekend. I see a couple more hats and sets of those flap top mittens in the near future!

Success!

What a great little project to learn fair isle.



started: November 13, 2005
finished: November 14, 2005
pattern: Evergreen Gift bag from Handknit Holidays
yarn: Peruvian Collection Highland wool
adjustments: I did it in a little smaller gauge. I think this helped the look of the fair isle. I tried to magic loop inside out...but it's really awkward to do. It did help when doing the tree motif then I flipped it right side out to continue.

Here is a close up of the fair isle.



I am really happy with it. Blocking did help any wonky stitches (I blocked it over a large ice tea canister). There was no "picking" here. I need more practice to keep an even gauge with my "throwing". I was trying to do the jogless colour join...I really am not sure how to do it. Does anyone know of anyone doing an online tutorial of it...with photos for those of us who need to see it?

Here is a shot of the bottom, the decreasing is simple and makes a beautiful base.



Fun and quick to knit, while learning a new technique. Plus, another Christmas gift is done!

Still trying to fair isle.

I decided to change the yarn for the flap top mittens. Awhile back I went a little overboard on elann for the peruvian collection highland wool. I was time to start using it! Actually it is a great choice for hats and mittens. It's a nice wool, not too picky and not as soft as merino. I also took diana's idea of knitting into the back of the wonky flap sts. It looks better now. Still not perfect as I would like, but better.



Here are the sts of the flap.



Started: November 11, 2005
Finished: November 11, 2005 (I don't know...maybe 3 or 4 hours of knitting)
Pattern: Flap Top Mittens from Handknit Holidays.
Yarn: Peruvian Collection Highland Wool.
Adjustments: I made them smaller than the "child size" they list, using my sons hand as my guide. And I twisted the sts of the flap.

There was a lot of knitting and unknitting this weekend. I decided to start a bag for my SIL for christmas. Once again, taking a pattern from my Handknit Holidays knitting book and some peruvian collection highland wool...I got this (bag is knit top down, so the motif is actually trees):



Ok, its not the best. I still find my "picking" of the left hand yarn and the "throwing" of the right hand yarn are different gauges. I am hoping the more I practice, the better I become...right?
There is still a little pulling with my twists and floats. So this next time around I am going to knit inside out. Tracy asked what that was, so here it is.

Knitting in the round (needles towards you, cord away from you, and right side is out.)
*Refer to photo above.*

Now flip it inside out (needles away from you, cord toward you and wrong side out)



You are knitting at the "top" of the circle, farthest away from you. I know I read it somewhere, in a book, mag, on a blog...that when fair aisling this helps stretch the float a little long around the outside. It does make sense, and so I will try it.

Here are my wonky fair isle sts:



I didn't like the size of the bag I was getting and I did like the smaller gauge I got with smaller needles. So, I ripped it and started on smaller needles, addis (which I hope will help my gauge consistency) and magic loop (just to really confuse myself!).



Now, how do I knit magic loop inside out....
Thank you Tam for drawing to my attention the correct spelling of fair isle!

I need your help...

So I started this little flap top mitten with some scrap yarn for one of my little guys. There is a step in the pattern to add the flap. You wrap your yarn around twice to make a second loop and leave these loops on a holder for the flap. So when you finish the main mitten part...with no top...you go back and put those loops on your needles and knit the flap. Well, this is what my sts look like:


Kind of weird loopy sts...I don't like it. What did I do wrong? Any one made this type of mitten before with suggestions?
It is cute, but too big, and I really don't like the yarn choice I made...so I will be ripping and redoing. (I made this one in a couple hours, if that...no big deal)



I am also starting a hat for my other nephew. Last year he said he wanted flames...but I wasn't skilled enough then...



See what you can do with a little knitter graft paper and a crayon!
I did knit about 3" and ripped it out. I was twisting the yarns too tightly on the wrong side as I carried them between the wide stretches of colour. I am going to try again, knitting inside out and looser with the twisted floats. Hopefully that will work....and I hope he still likes flames...Nick...red wing fan...

Two handed knitting here.

I finished the hat...I must say that I am pretty happy with the outcome:



Started: November 6, 2005
Finished: November 7, 2005
Pattern: Candy Cane Hat in Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick.
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino in Denim and Black
Adjustments: Well, I didn't think the rolled brim or the icord on top would be so "cool" so I vetoed them. I just did a 1x1 ribbing for the cuff...which I should have done tighter...but it's ok. My fair aisle work is just fine for my first try! The trained eye can see a little pulling from the floats in a couple spots, especially at the beginning of the rounds. I will over come this I think. I am sure I read some where to knit it inside out and the floats will stretch a little longer to avoid this problem.
I did the written decreasing, it seemed to work out. I actually decreased it and ripped back to make it a little longer (7") before the decreasing. When I ripped back, I decided to take a look at doing this fair aisle with two handed stranding. Oh yes people, I was knitting with both hands! It took a couple rounds to get comfortable with it...but I can do it!
It all worked out. Another Handknit Christmas gift done!

I think it's "Cool"?!

Jaywalking.

I don't know why but every time I say jaywalking...I want to start singing "Jive Talking" by the Bee Gees. Don't ask...

Here they are...so beautiful. I can't model them because they are a gift for someone with much smaller feet than I.



Started: October 28, 2005
Finished: November 5, 2005
Pattern: Jaywalker socks by Grumperina
Yarn: Koigu I don't know the colour, I bought and wound it a while ago... I think it is 217 I used 2 skeins.
Adjustments: None really. I wasn't sure how far the koigu would take me so I made the leg from cuff to heel flap 6". I had left over yarn. I might have got 6.5" or so, but these are just fine.

I love these socks. I could squeeze them on while I turned the heel...really squeeze. It is a snug fitting sock for sure, but feels great. For myself I would have to do the second size. I think this pattern is perfect for koigu. It showcases the colourway beautifully and with the snug fit, it is perfect for koigu's habit of stretching out a bit after wear.
Another christmas knit done!
I will definitely make a pair for myself, but not until the new year. I have some christmas knitting to do!

edited:
I must not forget to say...eight years of wedded bliss today! I made it past the seven year itch;)

Do not attempt to adjust the colour settings on your monitor.

An email from my 15 year old nephew...I can't believe I have a nephew that's 15!

Dear Auntie Carolyn: I love my hat so much from last Christmas that this year I
want 2!!!My Dad would also like one.I wear my hat now to the hockey arena on
Saturdays.So cool.My Dad said he would wear one if he had one.What colors do you
have this year??? Thanks Kurtis
He even attached a photo of him wearing
it...

After asking for specifics...

I was thinking for me a striped black and baby-blue combo. Can you do vertical
stripes? that would be cool. ya i dont need another plain black one because my
old one is still good. I really love that hat, its the only one i wear, because
its so long and so i can get all my hair under it nicely. nick wears his often
too. he would like a combo of half and half red and black. He would prefer a red
bottom and a black top. Dad says my head is about 24" inches around. i guess
nicks would be about the same size but a few inches smaller because i have the
hair. and my mom says that your blogs are very funny and good to read. okay
thanks for the hats, and we would love new ones for this year.

Time for a little hat knit-a-long. Thank you laura... Cover Your Head Knitalong.

Vertical stripes....eh? So, it's time to learn fair aisle. With my trusty Vogue Knitting at my side and the new Holiday knitting book, I started this:



That's right people, two colour knitting...I didn't think I could do it either! The pattern is really simple and perfect for learning the basics of fair aisle knitting. Simple colour stranding with short floats. Mind you, it takes me twice as long to knit because I can only do it with one hand. I can't even imagine mastering this with two hands...but maybe one day!
This is the first time using Patons Classic Merino for me. It is quite nice.

Because I am not afraid to bare it all, here are my nice and neat floats:


A close up of the striping...not really vertical, but I think it is fun and hopefully it will be "COOL"!


As you can see, I skipped the rolled brim and did a simple 1x1 ribbing. I am also going to skip the icord top...I just don't think it will work for him! I haven't really looked closely at the decreasing, I may need to shape it differently...it looks kind of square up top. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it...hopefully this evening.

My only doubt is the fit. I want it to stretch to fit...and hopefully it will with the floats. We will see.

Les petite fleurs.

I just had to start something from the book. A little something. Quick, satisfying...just a little knitting away from my current projects.
Flowers, yes, that's it. Use up some scrap yarn...and create these:


Made with a little knit picks elegance...left over from this beauty.


Made with cashmerino aran...oh so nice...left over from some unphotographed twin bolero sweaters. (I made them in February...they are wearing them in a wedding over the flower girl dresses at the end of the month, I'll get a shot then!)


Made with cashmerino aran again, and a little zara...left over from last years christmas knits-hats and socks.


My favourite. Made with Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk left over from this...and there is still more!

I love them. Pinned on a coat? Clipped on a shawl? How about a hair clip? I see more in the near future!

A fantastic knitting book.

First, let me thank everyone who has participated in the knitting meme. It is really great seeing it all over blogland...and all of the answers everyone has given. I now have some great new yarns to try, patterns to knit...or not...and new books to look for. There is no greater opinion than one of a knitblogger!
I am always leary of tagging people with meme's...some of you have very busy lives...but since Nona has had a peaceful evening, I feel the need to tag her with the knitting meme. I know she'll have some wonderful answers to add.

FYI: I put the meme together quite quickly and realize that asking for your favourite blog really should have been one of your "must read" blogs. I found many a knitbloggers by reading what others list as must reads.

Now, for my first purchase influenced by the knitting meme....thank you laura and the many others who listed it as a favourite book.

Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick.
There are some fantastic patterns in this book. Every thing from home decor (tree skirts, stockings, pillows...etc) to wonderful gifts for others or yourself!

I particularly love the "over the knee socks" by cindy taylor.

They look fantastic, yet I would never wear them...maybe I'll knit them for someone.

Jo Sharp's "Holly Leg Warmers" are great.

Are leg warmers back in, cause I would wear these...and I could learn to do Fair Isle...yes, that is on my to do list.

Robin Melanson's "Nutcracker Slippers" are just gorgeous.

I definitely will be making these.

And oohhhh...Jillian Moreno's "Ribbon Scarves" are gorgeous...

love the red, I would make it exactly like that....cast off 3200 sts...hmmmm.

Hello Priscilla Gibson-Roberts's "Swedish heart-Warmer Shawl"...

you are beautiful, I just don't think I am ready for you yet, but yes, soon.

The socks, shawls, tank, sweaters...all gorgeous, trust me.

And, want to use up some yarn while dressing up and outfit or a gift...

Nicky Epstein's "Flower Pins/Package Decorations...they are beautiful.

Bags, wine caddy's, ornaments, hats, scarves, gloves...you name it...this book has it.

Are you tempted yet?