FO Extravaganza

Posting only FO reports has estranged me from this here blog. Sure it's dandy to sit on this side of the blog in a big pile of handknits, but it can't be interesting to learn how many balls of yarn (If I even remember back that far) I used for a project you didn't know was on my needles. It's sure not interesting to me to write about projects that I finished weeks, even months ago. To free myself from the looming pile of FOs (who knew I would ever complain about that?), I'm going to take a page from Ashley's book and run through them in one huge FO extravaganza!

Sara's Swedish Hat




My sister first requested a newboy-style cap with a Swedish Flag (we're 50% Swedish) oh, about a year ago. I dragged my heels not only out of intarsia-related distress, but because I couldn't for the life of me envision how this hat would look and how the hell would a Swedish flag fit on a newboy hat? Fastforward to this Fall-- I'm not exactly sure if her hat objectives changed or if I somehow forced my vision on her, but the blueprint changed and we came up with this:

Pattern: My Own. I probably should have taken better notes---oops, I mean some notes.
In a nut shell, here's my pattern:

Step 1: make a flag chart with some graph paper and colored pencils

Step 2: Cast on 96 stitches. Join without twisting.

Step 3: K2 P2 Rib for an inch

Step 4: K for an inch

Step 5: Incorporate 2 intarsia flags, spaced evenly so on either side of the hat.

Step 6: Once chart has been completed, knit a few MC rows

Step 7: Decrease using your method of choice.

Step 8: Thread tail through remaining stitches.

Step 9: Enjoy warm and patriotic hat. Make friends jealous.

Yarn: Black - Ella Rae Classic in Black; Yellow - Lamb's Pride Worsted in Lemon Drop; Blue - Plymouth Suri Alpaca in French Blue (leftover from this).

Needles: Size 6 Addis

Comments: The hat is a bit loose, which worked out because my sister prefers a looser, freeform hat over a more structured, skull cap. Intarsia Rules! Aside from the rats nest of knots I had to work out every 15 rows or so, intarsia is smooth sailing. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get on the boat.

Mom's Hat

Isn't my mom the cutest?

Pattern: Robin's Egg Blue Hat by Rachel Iufer
Yarn: Farmhouse Yarns, Andy's Merino in Wine Rose. Less than one skein.

Needles: Size 9 Addis

Comments: I was looking for a hat like this (to make, not buy) and was elated when Rachel posted her pattern. I frogged my first version, but consider this one a success!

WEE SWEATERS



I had the romantic idea to knit a wee sweater for each member of my family. We could hang them on the tree, drink egg nog, sing Christmas carols, reminisce over Christmas' past. Start a tradition, and do this every year. Kind of like on Days of our Lives. Hmm, as I write this I realize we actually did almost all of those things... really. Anyway, I have a pretty big family, so I knit 9 of these. Unfortunately, being a last minute type of person, I had only two knit by December 23. Needless to say, I wasn't very helpful cooking Christmas Eve dinner. Sorry, Mom!


my "embroidery" is so embarrassing.

Yarn: Various.

Needles: Small ones--Size 3 Addis, I believe.

MARIGOLD SOCKS

Yarn: Silkie Socks that Rock in Walkin' on the Wild Tide - June Club Yarn

Pattern: Marigold Socks by Pamela Wynne

Needles: Size 1 Addis

Time to Knit: September 07 to January 08

Comments: Great pattern, but could you really expect anything less from Pam? I will definitely knit these again, maybe in something stripey. The mix of wool and silk plies give the yarn a bit of a handspun look, which I dig. As soon as I opened my Rockin' Sock Club package, I knew the yarn was destined to be Marigolds.

SHIFTING SANDS

Pattern:

Shifting Sands by Grumperina

Yarn: Malabrigo in Dusty Olive, 2 skeins

Needles: Size 9 Addis

So, I lied. To come, a few of the FOs I have yet to photograph. For accountability's sake, the two knits are the ubiquitous Cobblestone Pullover, an Unoriginal Hat, and some Embossed Leaves socks. Also to come, several WIPs - including significant progress on Demi.