Another one!

I have started another colorwork project. The actual knitting is going well, but I am having trouble getting them to fit me.


I do know a kid that likes purple and pirates, so at least they have a recipient.

Inga is done!

I have finished my Inga Hat!
Pattern: Inga Hat
Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style Storm, Asparagus, and a little Vanilla
Needles: 3.25mm and 3.75mm for colorwork
Started: 1/18/2008
Finished: 1/26/2008




I am very happy with it. It fits me really well, but it is a little taller than I like. If I knit this again, which I may do, I would start a few rows into the colorwork. I carried the MC, Storm, in my right hand and the CC, Asparagus, in my left, and it worked beautifully for me. I may be switching from a thrower to a picker! The braid was neat if a little fiddly. I used this tutorial which is really good, but my yarns were so twisted by the end. I used magic loop for the colorwork, but I think a 16" needle and dpns would have worked a lot better for me. I am heading to the Knit Picks site after this to purchase some for my next hat.

diving in head first

Some time ago our KAL hostess asked on her blog about our "dream" projects and techniques that might be getting in the way of starting that project. I said my project would be one of Eunny Jang's fair isle sweaters and that I'd probably start with her Endpaper Mitts pattern. I threw that plan out the window and dove right into the Venezia Pullover from IK winter 06.

I was initially inspired by a ball of Kureyon Sock I purchased on an impulse. I'm not a sock knitter and a plain camisole didn't seem special enough. Something stranded was the way to go so I did a mini swatch using a free chart I found online. I don't know what I was afraid of because it was fun and not too hard. On Ravelry, I saw a Venezia using only 2 colors and I knew that's how I had to use the Kureyon sock. Additional details are on my Ravelry project page.

Finally started

I finally finished my Christmas knitting. I know, it's way after Christmas. Anyway, I started Inga in KP Merino Style in storm, asparagus and a little vanilla. I have finished the Latvian braid, interesting if a little fiddly, and am ready to start the charted portion. So far I am really enjoying the pattern.

Howdy!

My name is Madge, my Ravelry id is knitdevil, and I blog here. I've been knitting seriously for four years and crocheting for eight. I'm still getting organized on what goals I want to accomplish with this KAL, but the short list includes these possibilities:

• Knit a top down sweater. I'm thinking Knitting Pure and Simple's pattern #241, the Neck Down Shaped Cardigan, is a good candidate for this goal.
• Learn Fair Isle.
  
• Become proficient knitting socks.
  
• Become proficient at reading charts for cabled patterns.

I've begun the year working on that last one. My knitting group is doing a mini-KAL right now, and we're knitting Shedir. I'm up to row 13, and so far so good. Not much to show at the moment, but as soon as I work a little further I'll post a picture here.

Thanks to Melanie for hosting this KAL, and happy fearless knitting to all!

Howdy everyone!

So as we get closer to the new year, I figured I'd finally introduce myself and share some of the things I hope to work on this year through this KAL. I'm Rachel and currently a PhD student working in wildlife...thus finding time to knit has been a real struggle. I hope with this KAL, and a couple other things I've joined in on, I'll get the motivation to make the time to do more things I enjoy.

I've been knitting on and off for a couple years but there are still quite a few things that scare me to try! My initial goals for this KAL are:
1. Socks. I started my first pair and am about 3/4 done with them but I don't think I am willing to call myself a sock knitter (or even be comfortable with the process) until I get a few pairs under my belt. A specific pair I want to aim for: Chuck's cabled socks...two-color knitting, cables, and socks all in one! Intimidating!

2. Complete a full sweater...that fits! Again, I am one sleeve from finishing a very simple sweater. But thinking about the seaming is scaring me so that's one reason this sleeve has been sitting there for months. I'd like to finish that one and start another, more complicated pattern. Got many in mind, just need to buckle down and pick one. I'll post when that decision is made!

3. Finally, I'd like to make this -- the stag bag. I'm ignorant enough that I don't know if this is fair isle or just color stranded but regardless, I really want this bag (I'm an elk biologist...so you know, even though it's a stag, not an elk, I gotta make it!).

I'm excited to start working on these projects and seeing what everybody else is coming up with!
Happy New Year!

A game plan

Hello everyone!

My name's Christina and I blog over here. Ho boy, do I need this challenge.

The two skills I haven't developed yet that really hinder me are sock knitting (I've got a toe-up sock knitted up to the heel, but the short row heel confused me so it's been sitting for a while) and colorwork (I've had the yarn for Endpaper Mitts for almost a year now).

The sock in question, using the toe-up pattern from IK Summer 2007 and the stitch pattern from Nancy Bush's Gentleman's Fancy Sock, in KnitPicks Risata:



I'm also keen to learn duplicate stitch, knitting in the round with two circulars, and lace. Knitting entrelac and knitting with beads are two things I haven't tried yet and would like to, but they don't make me particularly nervous. Well, maybe a little.

It'll be nice to meet everyone and really fun to see what we all work on. Bon courage to us all!