Sunday, March 11, 2018

YOP Week #37


I cannot believe how fast this YOP year is going!  I'll get right to it as I am running late as it is........
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FO's (Finished Objects) -
FO #1 - The Star!!!  Although, in all honesty I still need to make 2 I-cords to tie it around the tree and I will!  Tonight...I will not wait until Christmas Eve! LOL!  I have been known to do that.......

I still made a mistake on the very last star tip and I don't even know how I did it....that's what's scary!
Also, I could not totally close the hole in the middle so it has a "design feature" of a button to cover it up.  My daughter would like one.....uh oh.....there's part of me that wants to perfect this darn pattern and master it and then there's another part of me that says just walk away.
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FO #2 - I finished several more dish cloths this week.....last week was the Advent Calendar Christmas cloth and an orange one and I was 1/2 way done with a yellow one.  Since then I've finished the yellow one and made a gold one and a pomegranate colored one.  I also took a picture to show you the size difference between 44  stitches cast on and 54.  The one on top was my Mom's.  The only problem with making the bigger cloth is that with 44 you can get 2 clothes out of 1 skein but with 54 you can only get one cloth with a lot of yarn left over.  Solution?  Stripes and scrappy cloths!
Here are the cloths altogether...........I have changed my mind again too.....the last cloth; the pomegranate one is made with Knit Picks Dishie 100% worsted weight cotton and it is colorfast which the others are not plus it does not split and I found myself knitting along just great with it while I remember struggling with the Peaches and Creme on the decreases...anyway.....for what it's worth.............

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FO #3 - Scrubbie!!!!  Whoa Nellie.....that Red Heart yarn is something else but this pattern is great and easy....it's just when you try and gather it up or stitch with it make sure you are going in a big hole otherwise it will get stuck and you will yank and pull like nobody's business to get it to move backwards or forwards.  I'm thinking maybe the netting would be easier?  This is the prototype though and  I will use it and see how I like it.  If I do then I guess I will try and get more proficient at making them.  I have plenty of "yarn" left in the skein to make several more so it would be an economical gift for sure.  Maybe paired with a couple dish cloths and a bar of my handmade soap?  Just sayin'!
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                                                   WIP's (Works in Progress)
WIP #1 -  Sleeve #1 is done on the sweater!  My DPN's arrived this week and I was able to finish the cuff.  I must admit though....DPN's and straight needles get caught in my sleeves...I prefer circulars as that doesn't happen even for straight knitting.  Does anyone know what length of cable I should get for knitting sleeves?
Hopefully I'll be able to finish the other sleeve this week.  Looking at that picture I'm thinking a zipper would be nice....can you put a zipper in a cardigan sweater that is already finished? 
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WIP #2 - A new cast on!  My felted slippers prototype....these are for me but if they work out then they may be the gift for Christmas 2018.  I bought the women's pattern but there are patterns for men and children too.  Yarn Hoarder  (podcast) - Amber Lindeman, made these for her entire family for Christmas.....like a zillion pair and she got rubber soles you can order from Etsy to sew on the bottom so they are really nice when done!  Here's the link  for the men's slippers but she has them all.......
Here's a picture of the mens but they all look the same just different sizes.
I even did my first gauge swatch for these slippers and it came out first time!  I was surprised because I thought I tended to knit a little tight.  I got the first 37 rows done on size 11 needles....they felt so huge at first and you use the yarn doubled but after a while it's really fun!  I'm excited to make these and I pray they turn out!
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BTW there was little work done on my CMB (Cozy Memories Blanket)....I have a feeling it is going to take a back seat for awhile as I am ramping up for birthdays and then Christmas gift making!
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Acquisitions and getting ready to cast on: 
I received my order from Knit Picks which were the size 6 DPN's for the sweater cuff, the wool yarn for the felted slippers and this Felici sock yarn in the Hisbiscus colorway.....I showed it earlier this week but some of you only come by for YOP so I thought I would show it again.  I need to get more sock needles so I can cast on all the socks!!!
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 I have not received my Alicia Paulson or Little Skein in the Big Wool packages but soon I hope! 
Here's a picture of Alicia's Time of Spring Flowers cross stitch of which the kit is sold out already but usually you can get the pattern.....isn't it precious?  I can't wait to start it.....and finish it! LOL!
 I want to do all the seasons.........I need to order the one from Winter............
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I did pick up the Spring issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects at Wally World........so inspirational and a treat to peruse............
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 Here is the kit for the next ornament after I knit up the I-cord for the star...........I need to find the directions but I know where they are........I put them in a notebook of patterns............there were 3 designs and I can't remember which one this is........  I'll show a picture next week............another Alicia Paulson design.


What's in the Queue -
#1 - Land of Sweets Cowl
I still have to get enough mini-skeins to do the different colors.  I'll be starting on this very soon and probably ordering some minis this week. 
#2 - Some Valentine's Day socks - I'll be on the look out for VD appropriate yarn.  I heard that Lolo Did It always dyes special yarns for the holidays so I need to take a look but it will have to be in next month's craft budget. 
#3 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#4 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
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What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -
#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
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 Podcasts: Still binge watching Yarn Hoarder and I think I am on #16 now.  I only watch about 1 per night as they are pretty long.  I can't wait to catch up and enter her KALS/CALS and giveaways.
HappyTrails!!!!
P.S.  To see other fabulous makes please visit our other YOP participants




9 comments:

  1. Your sweater looks amazing! I love what you've gotten done so far.

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  2. Oh my darling........you have so much happening. Where do I start?

    The dishclothes.......I love homemade clothes and enjoy making them. I have made the Grandmas Favorite like yours but enjoy playing around with different patterns too. That scrubbie........yikes.....that "yarn" is a pain to work with. I admire the fact you managed to complete one.

    Your sweater is marvelous and yes you can put a zipper in it anytime you like. As for magic loop needles.......I prefer a 40" cable and that way it works for all my magic loop needs. DPN's need you to wear nothing longer than 3/4 length sleeves lol.

    I have always admired the felted slippers. I wish I could wear them. I hear they are super comfy and wear like steel.

    I love your new yarn. Looks very cheery.

    All the needlework you have planned is quite pretty. My RA will not allow me to use needle and thread.....darn it. I will vicariously through you.

    You have such a lovely queue and your wish list......we all need dreams. There is no harm in that. Makes for a good Birthday and Christmas list to give out too.

    Have a blessed week.

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  3. Love the felted slippers! Your star ornament is just fantastic and that button in the center is perfect! :)

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  4. Your star turned out great, Sam. I love the button in the middle. The Knit Picks Dishie is colorfast? That could be a game changer for me. I have a few skeins and liked it when I made a dishcloth with it, but it seems a little pricey to me. That's held me back from ordering more of it. But colorfast could be thing that makes me reconsider. Do we know for sure it's colorfast?

    A zipper would look really great in that cardigan. I truly love the yarn you're knitting it in. And those felted slippers look cool. Can't wait to see how yours turn out! Doubled the yarn? That explains why they look so thick and warm. Great idea.

    Your acquisitions all look fun. And I agree - that cross-stitched picture, Time of Spring Flowers is adorable. I best not buy anything, but I'm going to check out Alicia's designs.

    Thanks for all the inspiration and eye candy, Sam!



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  5. Oh my goodness! I love that star. Well done in persevering. :-) The dishcloths and scrubbies are great. I have used that scrubbie yarn and disliked it intensely. It hurt my hands and I'm also with you on dishie. So much better than the big box cottons.
    Have you thought about "magic loop" knitting the sleeve? A 40 inch or bigger circular would work.
    I've never put a zipper in a cardigan so I'm not one to help with that question. I think it would look great though.
    You are an inspiration to me.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  6. The Star looks great. Thinking about how much finishing was involved I would walk away, but I'm quite lazy that way.

    Non-colourfast dish cloths are painful. I bought some red Bernat Handicrafter Cotton once and made some fancy cloths but they ran and ran until the cloths were light pink. I was so annoyed I threw out the cloths and the leftover yarn. Not fun washing dishes in a sink fill of red water - looks like a blood bath!

    I hope you love your scrubbie as much as I love mine. It's the only thing we use now for handwashed dishes, because it scrubs nicely and stays fresh. Gavin just asked me the other day to make more. The yarn is horrifying, but it does come in nice colours!

    I think techknitter has a tutorial about adding zippers, and I seem to recall something about using a yarn latch hook to apply it... http://techknitting.blogspot.ca/2012/10/zipper-in-knitwear-no-sewing-way.html. And apparently you can also buy zippers designed for knitwear which can be knitted on. Who knew!?!

    I made felted slippers one year - Duffers. They were great. Super warm and sturdy!

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  7. Your Star is wonderful and I think the Button adds a bit of Whimsy! It was a project that would have sent me screaming in the other direction so big congrats to you on your finish.
    Your Sweater is coming along quickly too. My grandmother made crochet slippers every couple of years for Christmas, It was a memory that I cherish, I hope you are very happy with yours too. They look quite comfy!
    I hadn't seen the magazine Primitive Quilts but I'll be on the look out for it now. Quilting and Cross stitch are two things I really want to do more of, and I have plenty of projects awaiting me but I checked out Alicia Paulson's site and I'm in love with her style of patterns and thank goodness I'm not in London or I would be camped out on Jesse Chorley's doorstep. Oh sigh, Id I only have the time I needed to finish all of the projects that caught my eye....Thanks for introducing me to these Artists.

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  8. The star is very neat and I love seeing all of your projects and hearing about your plans for more. Enjoy your evening! Hugs!

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  9. Hi Sam you busy bee!!! :) Your sweater looks great and I LOVE the star!!! Great job on those. The cross stitch idea is wonderful, doing all the seasons, how lovely! Your dish cloths are really pretty, and I never thought of knitting a scrubbie!

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