It all started with a few balls of yarn (full set shown in previous post). In addition to the yarn purchased at the unnamed shop, I snagged these beauties at - of all places - Tuesday Morning, while I waited for my dinner order. It's a 50/50 wool/silk blend and it's soooo pretty. And cheap. How much do I love nice yarn for little money? ($4.49 per) Now I'm ready for any baby booty needs the world throws at me!

I wanted to get my pretty new yarn photographed and up on Ravelry. Which reminded me that my needles were a mess, and if I wanted to get my needle inventory on Ravelry filled out, I'd better address that.


It is as bad as it looks. Once upon a time, these were all organized in two needle cases. But I've pulled out needles to use, then stuck them back into a basket in one room or a crock in another, then one of the cases fell and dumped all over the floor... Yeah. Straightening out this mess was FUN. But now they are nice & neat. I have misplaced some needles - my #9 Trendsetters with the magenta ends and my 12" Addi Turbos, also in size 9. I have a LARGE number of 8's and 11's, though.

All of the solo needles are not in the case -- I'm hoping their partners come home soon.


While I was gathering up the needles, I remembered that in the bottom of the afore-mentioned basket there was a poor, lonely mitten, plus a cuff, started to match my squishy orange scarves. The only things that stay unfinished for long periods of time are projects meant for me. The mittens were no exception. I started them last fall, or earlier, and realized at some point during the second that I'd screwed up during the first. It looked okay, but the second wasn't matching up exactly - probably switched to a large size at some point. Yesterday, it was very important that they be finished, so I ripped back to the row above the cuff (not doing that over again!) and got started again. Sure enough, they're slightly different in size, but once they're on, you can't tell.

It's just nice to have finished something that's been sitting idle for so long -- and for me! Next up: the alpaca fingerless mitts that I also started last year.

Specs--
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky (not recommended -- it's delightfully squishy, but pills like mad and is awfully pricey (I got it on clearance a couple of years ago).
Pattern: Gifted (I do recommend, but only if you can find a substitute yarn))


*WIP: Work in Progress
FO: Finished Object
And, not entirely true about it being the oldest. It was tied with my Gryffindor scarf, which I'm never finishing.

Yarn: One of my all-time faves - Classic Elite Bazic. Starting to run low. This is a good baby yarn, because it's a natural fabric (wool), but soft and machine-washable.
Needles: Size 6 (Trendsetters, which were too pointy for this project)
Pattern: (redacted)

Now that I know celticsuncat has received her package, here is the secret knitting project I've alluded to more than once: a chartreuse-y cotton & silk baby kimono sweater.

Specs:
Yarn - Bertagna Filati "Summer Tweed", color 2713 (85% cotton, 12% silk, 3% nylon). Bonus: it's machine-washable.*
Pattern - kimono sweater from Mason Dixon Knitting (pretty easy pattern - there is one spot that gave both SIL C and I pause, but basically I ignored it and followed the picture and it turned out perfectly).

Sadly I didn't record notes like I usually do, but I'm pretty sure I used the needle size called for in the pattern, and cast on a few more stitches so it's slightly larger than a newborn size. My seaming is slightly wonky, but I don't think it will look too terrible on a baby girl. I left the ribbons long so she could trim them to her own preferences.

In the little pic to the right (click to view larger), you can see where I added a little button to help secure the inside flap. The increases that form the little row of holes make natural button holes (good thing, since this was a feature I added on after the whole sweater was done). You can also get a better idea of the colors.

*I've always said that baby things were the exception to the my rule about acrylics, but realized that acrylic MELTS and that babies might be the worst ones to receive acrylics. So, I'm determined to find easy care, natural fibers for babies. Not always easy! In my stash, right next to this, were several skeins of yummy flax-colored cotton... hand-wash only. I was amazed that this pretty stuff (with silk in it yet) was machine-wash. Luckily for me, I don't have many babies to knit for.

I'm calling this #3, because #1 is SO close to being done that it deserves it's own #. I finished this last night (Wednesday), and it's the squishiest, softest scarf! It's Cashmerino Superchunky. I only had a few yards of red, but a couple balls of blue, so I made sure to use the red at the ends where it was visible. Total used: 2 and about 1/3 balls of smokey blue, and a few yards of red.

Still some ends to weave in, I know.

See #1
See #2

3 Hats in about 24 hours There are benefits to a quiet, layabout pajama day. No guilt either. I did laundry, changed the sheets & folded towels today, but didn't feel that great, so otherwise I hung out and watched tv... and knit 3 hats since yesterday afternoon/evening. I cast on for Dulaan hat #2 before dinner, which was at 5 on Saturday, and finished the red, orange & tan hat around 6 pm on Sunday. From left to right: Dulaan hat #2 (same yarn as #1, made a little bigger), Dulaan hat #3 (red, orange & tan yarn, held double), Panache preemie hat. That makes 4 preemie hats - that will go to the hospital as soon as I get them all washed - and 3 Dulaan hats. I ordered one ball of Panache from Knitpicks to see what it was like. Then Cass chewed through it in 3 places. And really there isn't enough to do much with. It makes for one squishy soft preemie hat!

Charlie Loves it When I Make the Bed Don't tell Martha. I never, ever press sheets and I rarely fold them. They get wrinkled when you lay down the first time anyway. Charlie gets so excited when I change the sheets. It's like his own special amusement park. He also likes tunnelling through the clean sheets that I've dumped on the bed to change later. (Do you see my reflection in his eyes, and the flash on my glasses? (ETA: Kidding! That is a reflection of the flash, though))

There are several reasons for the sudden surge of charity knitting. First, it's something that I am interested in. Obviously, life and other knitting intervene. So, my charity knitting is sporadic. Right now, while I wait for the yarn for K's sweater to show up, I'm trying to make up for lost time, and for the duration of the sweater knitting, when I won't be doing much other knitting.

	Red Scarf Project -- Scarf #1 Burgandy & Gray recycled wool. 180 stitches on size 13 circs. Turned out about 10" longer than planned, but it's good for a taller, male student. (Next to it is the ball of Manos planned for another scarf.)
	Red Scarf Project: Super-Long Manos Scarf I thought this colorway should have been called "Valentine's Day" and felt like I had to make a scarf for this project with it. But... there isn't a lot of yarn in a skein of Manos. You need 2 skeins for a solid scarf. I remembered seeing a skinny, super long scarf in one of my books, so I cast 8 onto my new size 17 Lantern Moons (gift) and knit until it was too long. It's folded up here, but I think it's about 9 feet long.
	Tags for Red Scarf Project Aren't these adorable? I messed up on a note I was writing, and the front half (w/o writing on the back) became these 2 tags. I sewed the heart buttons on the front and wrote the "Knit for you" note on the back. Sadly, I couldn't find one of the dozen hole punches I own, but I made do.
	Dulaan Project Hat #1 Quick knit, chunky & soft wool/acrylic blend w/ tassels. (ETA: Color isn't true in this pic. The colors are more muted - the yellow is closer to lemon than gold.) #2 will be similar, but a little taller before I bind off.

Mini My So-Called Scarf & (Plain) Mittens Yarn: Tahki Bunny Print Pattern: Modified Moira's Mini My So-Called Scarf & Ann Norling Any Size/Any Gauge Mittens For scarf: Size US 10.5's, cast on 16 Notes: This pattern is not recommended at a smaller scale, since it likes to fold in thirds. Blocking helped, but I wouldn't do it again.

One-evening bulky hat.

NOTE: Under revision, please come back later

Green Bulky Alpaca Hat Design: My own Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky ~1.2 skeins (max) Needles: US15 - 16" circulars and DPNs Notes: Re-knit a couple of times - pattern has been revised.

Pattern Specs:
This pattern will fit an average size adult head, as is. My head is a little bigger, so I simply plan to block the hat a squinch bigger (it fits as is, but is a little snug). The hat pictured was the first effort, but it took more than 1 skein, so I frogged it and started over.

Using long-tail cast on & size US15 circular needles, cast on 40
Brim --
Row 1: (RS) Purl
Row 2: (WS) Knit
Row 3: Purl

(alternately: knit every row in the round for a roll-brim)

Body of Hat --
Row 4: Purl
5 - 16: Continue working in stockinette stitch, ending with a purl row

Row 17:
Row 18: Purl
Row 19:
Row 20: Purl
Row 21:
Row 22: Purl
Row 23:
Row 24:

Row 25: Cut yarn, leaving 12-16" min. for seaming. Pull yarn through remaining 4(3) stitches.
Seam back.


Variations:
To knit in the round, if you have circular needles big enough (I haven't found 16" circs larger than a size US15), subtract 2 for selvage, and recalculate decreases. Or cast on as directed, knowing hat will be 2 stitches smaller. Work in such a way to have 2-3 rows of purl stitches on the RS for a brim.

For a shorter cap, start decreases 2 rows earlier.

To knit with roll brim, work in all stockinette stitch (disregard Brim directions and alternate Knit/Purl throughout), and work another 2-4 rows before beginning the decreases.

Chunky Baby Hat with Sheldon Pattern: my own (below) Yarn: Jumbo Merino by Knitting Fever (www.knittingfever.com), #180, "Nail Polish.". This is a super-chunky merino, and is super soft. Started & Finished: 10/28 PM

I'm waiting for a picture of this ON the baby. Only then will I know if it fit.

Notes: I did severe decreases (no purl round) and had about 4" of yarn left. For a bigger hat, you will need more than one skein for sure!

Pattern
Guage: 2.5 spi in st st
Needles: US 13 & 15 circs (16"), US 15 DPNs

With size US 13 circulars, CO 40 (for a 16" hat)
2 rows k2/p2 ribbing

Switch to 15's
St st until hat measures 4"

Decrease:
[K2tog, K8] four times
[K2tog, k7] four times
etc., transferring to DPNs when necessary

When only 2 or 3 stitches remian, work in i-cord until you run out of yarn or you have a couple of inches. Cut yarn and pull through stitches. Tie cord into knot.

PS: These details were posted previously, but as part of another message. I need them in their own post for my pattern index.

Hey, I got a decent night's sleep for the first time in a long time and woke up feeling almost refreshed. Go me.

I finished my dad's Christmas hat. It is no surprise for him, because I tried it on him before decreasing, but I'd rather it fit. He changed his mind about the earflaps.

Here's a picture of my newest stitch marker and, because I couldn't resist, a sleeping Sheldon (he is SO cute when he sleeps).

	Goblet of Fire Stitch Marker The "charm" is from a book marker that fullfaun gave me for my birthday. I got her permission to use the dangly part on a stitch marker. I will probably re-do it once I find more suitable beads, but I like it! Sorry for the picture quality.
	Manos Hat Yarn: Manos Needles: US9 Pattern: Kim's Hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts Started: 10/29 Finished: 10/31
	Sheldon Sleeping I love how he throws his paw over his eyes.

Thank God this week is over. The weekend looks to be not as relaxing as I would have hoped, but I'm going to try my best to get some R&R. What helped me get through today? In addition to support from my dear hubby, John, I got love from my LJ buds:

1. Phone call from fullfaun, just checking in because she knew I'd had a rough week.
2. A bag of goodies left on our porch by, I "suspect," (not really) saltnlt552.
3. Supportive comments on my totally whiny (protected) post this morning from que_sara_sara & red_ceilidh
4. A big box full of tissue paper (and other stuff (see pics)) from moiracoon.

	Goodie Package fullfaun was on the phone with me when I opened the box from moiracoon. I had a suspicion what was in the bigger box under all the tissue paper, but this little box was a big surprise. This is how Anita & I discovered that we were both big-time Trixie Belden fans. (My cat, Trixie, is named after the books' main character.)
	Goodie Package Contents I totally squealed when I saw the Trixie Belden bumper sticker! There was also a bag of chicken-flavored suckers (not sure I'm brave enough to try them), a oozing sucker (you squeeze the bottom part and liquid candy oozes out of the monster's skull), an acorn bracelet (swoon), and two old pictures for our collection.
	Creepy Dolls The third doll? Not a mistake. His/her head appears to be firmly set backwards. These are also from moiracoon, meant for our Halloween decor (which I'm sure will get used next Halloween). I now understand why stormdog wanted them out of the house - they are creepy - but they don't bother me.

I may be tired, but I feel loved.

I found a new (to me) LYS on the way home from work. Ewe-Nique Knits in Royal Oak is adorable. I picked up some chunky yarn and threw together a little hat for my cousin's baby. Hopefully, she'll send pics of the baby wearing the hat. The other skein is a chunky green from Blue Sky Alpaca, so soft - it will be a hat for me, hopefully to coordinate with the Margarita mittens I plan to make.

Chunky Baby Hat with Charlie & Sheldon

Chunky Baby Hat with Sheldon Better pic of hat, I hope. Pattern: my own (I took notes if anyone is interested) Yarn: 1 skein Jumbo Merino (33 yds). by Knitting Fever; color #180, "Nail Polish." This is a super-chunky merino, and is super soft. I had 2" left over. Needles: Size US 13 & 15 circs, size 13 DPNs (should have been 15, but I don't have any... can't tell). Started & Finished: 10/28 PM Hat notes: for ~16" head (Sydney's head is currently 15.25" and this should fit and stretch out to 16) -- My gauge is 2.5/inch in stst on US 15s. Using US13 needles, CO 40, PM, and work 2 rows in 2x2 rib. Switch to US15 needles and work stst until hat measures about 4" from beginning (since I had so little yarn leftover, I'd recommend 1 row short of 4"). Decrease: I divided by 4, but would divide by 5 next time. In any case, knit one round of decreases, by k2tog, knit 8 (or 7), repeat to marker. Purl next row. Repeat round of decreases and purl row. Switch to DPNs when it gets too hard to work on circs. Next row, k2tog around. Repeat until 2 or 3 stitches remain. Work 3-4 rows of icord. Weave in ends.

Finally, before I say goodnight, I have to admit to leading someone on (grammatically, it's wrong, but it sounds weird the other way). In a blog I read regularly, the writer posted about some seriously bad cramps and I offered (like a good fan) to send a heating pad. Only, I gave her the wrong email address. Twice. The first time it was wrong, the second time, it just failed. I finally got in touch and already have the bag finished except for the rice. I make the outer bag out of flannel, like a little pillow sham, and the inner bag out of cotton (muslin this time) and leave an opening to pour the rice through. All that's left to do is add the rice and sew the opening shut. It's cute: red flannel with knitting sheet on the front, and purple/pink stripes on a white background for the back. Don't I feel like an idiot for leading that poor woman on, though? I'm SO sorry!

	Fingerless Mitts Complete Design: Mine Yarn: Recycled from thrift store sweater Needles: US6
	Fingerless Mitts on Sarah's Hands Palm Down
	Fingerless Mitts on Sarah's Hands Covering her face (ignore the sloppy seaming)

Note: It's not as complicated as it seems! To simplify things, start with a bigger yarn &/or needles and do without the ribbing.

Pattern:
I'm pretty sure this is DK weight yarn

Needles: US 6
CO 38
Work K2P2 ribbing throughout

Cuff and Palm: Work for 4", ending with wrong side row

Begin Gusset:
I continued working in pattern. You can choose to do this, or work st st
Row 1: K18, PM, inc 1, K2, 1nc 1, PM, K18
Row 2: Work even
Row 3 and following: Work across, increasing after 1st marker and just before 2d on RS rows, working WS rows even, until you have 14 stitches between markers. End on WS.

Work Thumb:
On RS, work to marker, move the stitches just worked to holder. Work thumb stitches (14). Move remaining stitches to second marker.
Work 5 more rounds (for a total of 6) or until desired length.
BO in pattern, cut yarn*, leaving min 18" tail.

Seam thumb, do not cut yarn

Put second set of stitches on needle. Pick up & work, in pattern, 2 stitches at base of thumb. Use tail to work these stitches, then continue working stitches on needle. At the end of this row, join the main ball of yarn again.

Work back to base of thumb and the first set of stitches. Put first set of stitches onto needle and continue working.

Work Hand
Work in pattern until hand measures 2.5" or desired
Bind off in pattern, seam hand

*Check out Kate Gilbert's method of crocheting the thumb closed, eliminating the need for cutting the thread.

If you could only see the scene at my computer right now. I'm trying to upload pictures and share stories about them, and there is a medium-sized, gray cat writhing about on my mousepad, determined that I will not get much done tonight. My mousepad (when I'm trying to use it), is Cass's favorite place to be. Right now, she's stopped writing and is grooming herself. 2 inches of the pad's far right left bottom corner are visible, but not enough to work with and my infra-red mouse doesn't like the desktop.

Anyway, on to FO pics. Maggie, with Sheldon in the background, sleepily models the mittens I just finished for our youngest nephews (these will match the snake scarves):

Mittens on Maggie

Details
Pattern: Ann Norling multi-size/gauge 2-needle mittens
Yarn: LB Kool Wool in green (to match the scarves) and Bazic in red when I ran out of green (the KW is discontinued).

Update for the WarmHands KAL - Other finished mittens: Sarah's Fingerless Mitts, and three pair for Christmas.

Finished Mittens
( Pics Behind Cut )

( Pics, etc. )
On the needles: Still (forever?) the Gryffindor scarf, first pair of mittens, another scarflet for a Christmas gift.