Lace Shawl

In a search for knitting needles to cast on a new project, I opened a bag with some knitting WIPs. 

While I didn't find my straight needles - where did they go? - I did find a shawl project that was one row away from being complete.

ONE row - and a knit row at that!

I don't know when I last worked on it but I do know (thanks blog!) that it was cast on in June 2013.  

Yes, 2013.  

Back in June 2014 I had made considerable progress on it although it was - according to the post - about 12" away from being done.  (See the June 2014 post.)

My long unfinished knitting UFO is finished   Started June 2013 and finished January 2023. Go me!

The pattern is from Purl Soho - the wedding shawl.  The yarn I used was Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo.  It is a beautiful yarn to knit with and now that I'm happy to see it is still available, I'm thinking of buying some more and casting on something new!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Cozy Knitted Blanket

It's done!

I really enjoyed making this lap sized blanket which finished about 36" x 38".  The pattern was a Purl Soho pattern for a small blanket, knit using two strands of yarn on a size 13 needle so that it is extra warm and soft.

The yarn, Plymouth Encore, is a blend of acrylic and wool chosen because it would be washable.  I purchased 2 balls of Light Gray Heather (color 6007) and 6 balls of Dark Wedgewood (color 598).  (affiliate links)    I enjoy using these needles from Clover - bamboo tips feel nice to hold in your hands.  

The blanket was knit on the diagonal and it was interesting to see how the corners developed.  There were about a gazillion stitches on the needles at the widest point.

I've got the blanket blocking right now to square things up.  Then I can wrap and get it in the mail.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My Next Knitting Project

I so very much enjoyed knitting my Fibonacci blanket that I was ready to cast on another project.

I'm following a Purl Soho pattern for a small blanket and am using two strands of yarn on a size 13 needle so that it is extra warm and soft.

The blanket currently measures about 16" from cast-on corner.  It will be a gift for someone who uses a wheelchair so I'm aiming for roughly 38" x 40".

The yarn chosen is Plymouth Encore - a blend of acrylic and wool.  I choose this primarily because the end result will be washable.  I purchased 2 balls of Light Gray Heather (color 6007) and 6 balls of Dark Wedgewood (color 598).  (affiliate links)    I enjoy using these needles from Clover - bamboo tips feel nice to hold in your hands.

For my next knitting project - and I'm certain there will be a next one! - I will go back to natural fibers because they are so much nicer to touch and knit with.  That said, the texture on this one is really yummy and soft given the double strands of yarn!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Fibonacci Finish

I am excited that my Fibonaci blanket is done!   (I've no idea how to properly photograph knitted projects so I asked my quilt-holding husband to help me out.)

Handwork of any kind is a great stress reliever for me.  The beauty of knitting a simple piece is my hands can be busy and my eyes can rest.  I can knit while visiting with a friend or just sitting enjoying a nice day.  It kept me busy (and calmer) during my daughter's surgery and hospital stay and calm during a 5 hour delay for a flight to my son's graduation.

The blanket was knit in 3 panels which made the knitting process very portable.  Each panel measures 55" long.  The side panels are 20" wide (92 stitches) and the center panel measures is about 15" wide (70 stitches).  The top and the bottom of each panel have a couple of rows of K2 P1 ribbing while each side panel has 5 stitches of ribbing on one side.

Before joining, I blocked just the un-ribbed edges by using a spray bottle and pinning them carefully to make sure everything lined up.   The mattress stitch was relatively easy to do in order to seam together edges.  Burying yarn tails was as tedious as burying thread tails on a quilt.  Next time, I will work those yarn tails into the process.

I blogged more about creating the blanket on April 11, April 27, and July 5

The colors are following a pattern - dark gray to blue to light gray to white to light gray to blue to dark gray - and the width of the strip follows the Fibonacci series, namely 1", 2", 3", 5",  and 8".  I am using Berroco cotton yarn in color ways Waterman (1685), Tiverton (1623), Gadwall (1608) and Bluffs (1600).  The yarn is wonderful to use and the knitted piece is very soft! (affiliate link)   

I'm ready to cast on for a new project but haven't yet figured out what it will be yet - perhaps another blanket but this time made out of a different fiber.  Something simple.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Fibonacci Blanket Update

I've been knitting up a storm more than doubling the length of my panel for my Fibonacci blanket since my post on April 11.

The panel is not blocked and is wider than it appears.  At this point, it clearly resembles a scarf!

This panel measures 55" long and about 15" wide.  My original goal was to size my blanket at 45" square but I've decided slightly bigger - namely 55" square - would be a better option.  To increase the width of my blanket, the other two panels will be 20" wide and will go to either side.

I've cast on one side panel, this time with 92 stitches to support my initial couple of rows of K2 P1 ribbing.  I'll also add ribbing to one edge.

This is a perfect knitting project for sitting in front of the tv or sitting on the couch talking to a family member.  Its also a good excuse to sit quietly and relax for a few minutes.

The colors are following a pattern - dark gray to blue to light gray to white to light gray to blue to dark gray - and the width of the strip follows the Fibonacci series, namely 1", 2", 3", 5",  and 8".

The yarn was weighed after finishing the middle panel to help me calculate how much more was needed.  The results were interesting - the light gray was the most used with only 14 grams left.  The blue, dark gray and white had 41 grams, 47 grams, and 48 grams left, respectively, which means the middle panel used 250 grams of yarn.

More yarn was purchased!  This is Berroco cotton yarn in color ways Waterman (1685), Tiverton (1623), Gadwall (1608) and Bluffs (1600).  The Waterman (blue) dye lot was able to be matched to my original purchase but not so for the other colors.  However, I'm not worried about this for this particular project.  (affiliate link)

Happy knitting.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Fibonacci Blanket

During the holidays last year, I treated myself to some beautiful cotton yarn with the goal of making a smaller sized blanket.  I wanted knitting that was portable so the idea was to knit long panels and then bring them together.  

I purchased Berroco cotton yarn in color ways Waterman (1685), Tiverton (1623), Gadwall (1608) and Bluffs (1600).

I cast on 68 stitches on a size 7 needle. To reduce rolling, the first few rows (and the last 3) are a KKP repeat. 

My goal is to switch colors following a Fibonacci series (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8) as measured in inches.  I started with the dark gray color for 8" then switched to the blue for 5".  As I started, I only roughly measured these larger sections - which means I'll need to count the rows so everything matches up.  But then I realized that every 6 rows = 1" so there will be more accuracy moving forward.

This project was good knitting during my daughter's hospital stay.  No goal for when I will finish - just relaxing stuff.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Slytherin hat

(Click Here to go to the One Monthly Goal January Goal Finish Linkup Post)

I have just fallen in love with this hat pattern Bankhead on Ravelry.  I recently finished my third hat about 8 hours before days of warmer weather arrived here in North Carolina.

My daughter is a big Harry Potter fan so I themed this with the green to align with the Slytherin house.

The first hat I made was a Christmas gift for my dad is a blue, almost teal color.

My second hat was one I made a blue one for myself (blog post).

It is such a fun knit that I want to cast on another just because!  Having some knitting at the ready is quite enjoyable.

Note - Slytherin Hat Yarn - Perfection by Kraemer Yarns in Spring Rhyme

Have a wonderful day! Patty

A Bit of Knitting

I entered 2017 with a goal of always having a project ready for a needle so that I could take advantage of any time in the evenings watching tv or when I needed a few minutes to sit quietly.  I do need variety to keep me interested so I've prepped some applique as well as queued up some knitting projects.

I finished my hat on Saturday and took it out for a spin on Sunday when temperatures were in the low 20s.  The hat kept my ears nice and warm and happy.  (I made the same hat in a different shade of blue for my dad for Christmas.)

We anticipated a major snow storm for days leading up to a disappointing overnight downpour of rain and sleet followed by a bit more than an inch of snow Saturday morning.
The snow made things pretty but the ice left the roads treacherous. (Side roads rarely get plowed here in central NC.  We generally wait until temperatures climb above freezing and for things to melt.)

Now on the needles is the same hat pattern but in green.  This hat will have a Harry Potter color scheme in it.  I'll share more when I'm done.

Pattern: Bankhead on Ravelry
Yarn: Rowan pure wool

Have a wonderful day! Patty