Can you guess what I've been doing lately?

Three pairs of soccer gauntlets all in navy and white (the white does have silver sparkles).
Can you guess where I've been hanging out?
One was for my LittleOne and then her two team-mates. {This pattern did come from polarknit.com--their web site is a little wonky today.)

Just some hats I knitted recently...the green one and the pink one are the same pattern and super quick easy to make.

This one's from the book Knitted Gifts.


And this one's the Peek-A-Boo Cloche from Lace Style.

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I love hats. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll probably already know that fact. So, when my LittleOne (whose birthday was actually on Thanksgiving this year) wanted fingerless mitts, well...I had to make a hat to go with them! She's very particular about the knitted things she wears (as most 1st graders are), and will not wear anything remotely scratchy. So...what's a knitting mom supposed to do? Whip out all that acrylic she's got hiding in the stash, that's what!




A purple floppy hat.

Pattern: My own (if anyone wants it let me know).

Yarn: Caron Wintuk in violet.

And the mitts that started this whole adventure. (I love the fingerless mitts, too. They're such a useful knit for those early morning walks to school when it's chilly, but I can still hold Ella's leash and do the dog owner thing {ie: pick up after dog}.)

Pattern: Evangeline.

Yarn: same as above.

Modifications: went down a couple of needle sizes to fit her small hand. Otherwise worked the pattern as stated.

Now....this next item is probably my most favorite, favorite, favorite (can I say any more?) hat I've ever knit and worn.

Isn't it great?



Pattern: Selbu Modern.
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca in navy and winter white.
Modifications: went up to a size 3 for the body of the hat (and the ribbing was done on #2's) to accommodate for the bulkier yarn.
Note: I did knit the color work inside out on the circular -- keeps the floats from pulling too tight! Try it! It works.

Love, love, love this hat! It's warm, but not overly so. The alpaca/wool yarn is lofty and has just enough fuzziness to it to hide any imperfections of the color work. I did wear it here on Friday morning when Hubby and I hit the stores at 5 am! It was drizzling (yes, it does rain here in the desert) and damp for the weekend. Now we're back to the coolish mornings and warmer afternoons. Once that sun goes down though, the desert gets cold!


(And, yes, this was the hat that inspired the LYS owner! She wrote down the pattern name and was going to look it up on ravelry!)

I did finish...

...the Garter Edge Fingerless Gloves.

Pattern: Garter Cuff Fingerless Mittens from the book Weekend Knitting (ravelry link).

Yarn: I think it's a Cascade 220 superwash in a deep purple (the ball band was not attached to the yarn).

Modifications: None to the specific pattern, but I custom fit the fingers for my hand.

And...my Canopy Cardigan:

The front edge detail.

This is the fronts and back seamed together and pre-blocked. (I seamed it, blocked it, added the sleeves and then re-blocked [these picts to follow once I take them!]). This was an easy sweater to knit, I did have a little bit of trouble setting in the sleeves, but after I re-blocked, it was fine.

From the previous posting, I've completed two out of the five. The gray hat was frogged, the headband is in my bag going everywhere with me and waiting for the i-cord finishing tie. The skater top...haven't picked it up in a while. That yarn is...well...sort of sticky and the lace takes more concentration than I have right now!

I've also finished a hat for my hubby (again, pictures to come). He liked this version of the Irish Hiking hat (ravelry link).

There might be some other things once I get around to taking some pictures.

Happy October!

On the Needles

From left to right [all links are Ravelry links]: grey yarn (yes, it's recovered from it's rude treatment) to be this hat: here; purple yarn (top left corner) fingerless garter gloves (picture here), have two fingers and a thumb left, then weaving in ends; green yarn in middle a headband that was originally for me, but now will be for the LittleOne; orange/rust (looks red) yarn is the Canopy Cardigan, have just the sleeves left, the other bit is the fronts and back; and the bottom purple is the skater's overtop.

Goal: Now is just to finish something! (Then I'll probably immediately cast on for something else!)
Hope all have had a great weekend and great week last week! (I was out of touch there for a while, don't know why, I just was. It happens sometimes!)

Purple, Purple, and More Purple

It seems like everything I'm knitting these days is purple. And the yarn I'm using is all from my stash, so I guess I went through a purple phase a while back! Now I can't get enough of orange and red! But I really, really need to use up some of my stash before I go buy more. I've had a trip to the LYS planned for a couple of weeks, but every time I plan to go, something else comes up!
Right now I'm still working on the skater's over top (ravelry link) and then on Friday (last week...I had to stop and think for a minute) I checked out from the library Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick and just had to start the garter-cuff gloves and mittens (ravelry link). I'm doing the mittens (fingerless) and in some mystery purple yarn that I think is Cascade 220 super wash because deep down I know, especially now that September is here, that I'm going to need them soon!
Sorry I don't have any in-progress pictures, maybe I'll be enthused to get the camera out and show you later on!
Hope everyone had a great weekend and welcome September!

Super Simple, and Always...

...Fetching!

Pattern: Fetching, knitty.com
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease; red sprinkles and black.
Modifications: I made these longer at the bottom and did an extra repeat of the cable at the fingers. I like this length, but, alas, these are going to Colorado when the hats go!

Had to show off my mitts and my Mexican Bird of Paradise bush/tree/shrub (the orange flowers). It grows higher than the fence every year!

I have one more FO to show off this week that I finished in the car when we went on vacation. (And, yes, I know, I know, it took me way too long to show you all!) My hubby says I've been a horrible blogger this past month, and I agree! The munchkins go back to school this week, so hopefully I'll be better at posting things! But I think that everyone who has kids and stays at home with them during the summer puts projects and things aside to take care of the kiddos, and once they're back in their school routine, we can get back into our knitting groove/stay at home routine.

Double and a Half Diamond Fingerless Mitts

More fingerless mitts for all! Here is my first creation in the fingerless mitts world! I've included the directions, if you'd like to make your own. (And if you do, let me know, I'd love to see them!)


Double and a Half Diamond Fingerless Mitts

Double Moss Diamond Twist Pattern (taken from The Harmony Guides, 220 Aran Stitches and Patterns, Vol. 5)
Panel of 11 sts on a rev. stst background.
Note:
T3RP (twist 3 right purl) = slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next st from left-hand needle, then p1, k1 from cable needle.
T2F (twist 2 front) = slip next st onto cable needle and hold at front of the work, purl next st from left-hand needle, then knit tbl from cable needle.
T2B (twist 2 back) = slip next st to cable needle and hold at back of work, knit tbl st from left-hand needle, then purl st from the cable needle.

Row 1: (RS) p3, T2B, k1, T2F, p3.
Row 2: k3, p1, [k1, p1] twice, k3.
Row 3: p2, T2B, k1, p1, k1, T2F, p2.
Row 4: k2, p1, [k1, p1] 3 times, k2.
Row 5: p1, T2B, k1, [p1, k1] twice, T2F, p1.
Row 6: k1, [p1, k1] 5 times.
Row 7: T2B, k1, [p1, k1] 3 times, T2F.
Row 8: p1, [k1,p1] 5 times.
Row 9: T2F, p1, [k1, p1] 3 times, T2B.
Row 10: as row 6.
Row 11: p1, T2F, p1, [k1, p1] twice, T2B, p1.
Row 12: as row 4.
Row 13: p2, T2F, p1, k1, p1, T2B, p2.
Row 14: as row 2.
Row 15: p3, T2F, p1, T2B, p3.
Row 16: k4, p1, k1, p1, k4.
Row 17: p4, T2RP, p4.
Row 18: as row 16.
Rep these 18 rows for pattern.
Note: on the twist sts, knit into the back of the st for better definition.
(Cactus edit: I forgot that this is written for working flat, ie in rows, so you'll have to mentally change the even rows to work in the round. It's not that difficult once you figure it out!)

Needles: #5 dpn
Gauge: about 6 ½ sts = 1" and 7 rows = 1"

Left Mitt:
CO 48 sts.
Join, and work in k2, p2 rib for 10 rounds.
On the 11th round, inc 1 st f/b on the 9th st, continue in pattern until end of round – 49 sts,
At this point you may need to re-arrange the sts as follows:
Needle #1 – 18 sts
Needle #2 – 16 sts
Needle #3 – 15sts.
Next round, needle #1, k2, pm, row 1 of pattern, pm, k1.
Rep the cable pattern, working in stst for the rest of the sts, until you get to the 12th row in the second repeat of the pattern.

Left Thumb Placement: work in pattern to needle #3, k7, knit next 6 sts onto waste yarn, then slip those same 6 sts back to left-hand needle and knit them again with the working yarn, k2.

Continue to work the pattern through the 8th row of the third pattern repeat
Next round – purl.
Next round – knit.
Bind off all sts purlwise.

Thumb:
Carefully remove the waste yarn, placing the live sts onto 2 dpn. You should have 6 sts on the bottom needle and 5 sts on the top – 11 sts.
Starting at the bottom, knit across the 6 sts, pu and knit 3 sts on the edge, knit across the 5 sts and then pu and knit 3 on second edge – 17 sts.
Working in stst, rep 9 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 1 round.
Bind off, loosely, purlwise.

Right Mitt:
Complete right hand mitt in the same manner except at right thumb placement:
At row 12 of the pattern, on needle #2, k3, knit the next 6 sts onto waste yarn, slip them back to the left-hand needle, and knit them again with the working yarn.
Continue as for the left mitt.
Weave in loose ends and enjoy!

copyright February 29, 2008, Cactusneedles.

Yarn Used: Lion Brand, Lion Wool, color dark teal.

Happy knitting!

So Much to Do...So Very, Very, Very Little Time

I've got so many things I want to get done in the next month or so, but got sidetracked by these:

When I saw this (thanks Tiennie), I just had to cast on my own!
Pattern: Evangeline
Yarn: Cascade 220, colorway of sapphire (it's like a light blue, almost denim color).
Needles: #7 dpn
Modifications: I, like Tiennie, did an extra pattern repeat above the thumb opening. If I did these again, I'd make the thumb opening bigger. It's a little tight for me, but it'll work. I would also move where the opening is over by two stitches. It was difficult to pick up the thumb opening stitches and make it look neat on the side. I also did 9 rounds on the thumb, and purled the 10th, and did a purl bind off. But they were a quick knit.

(Edited: I just wore these to walk Ella this morning and they were great! They kept my hands warm, but not overly so as it's not too cold here this morning.)


Now, what's all this yarn you ask?

Don't you just hate it when you go into a store, say Michael's for instance, on a totally unrelated errand and you just happen to walk by the yarn and see that it's on clearance! Yes, I had to buy all seven of these! (They were $2.oo!) I think they will become this after I finish this! It's Patons Classic Wool Merino in burgundy.

Now, this next picture is what I have to get done this week.

Out here there's something called Rodeo Days. Yes, the schools close for two days for the rodeo! Weird and strange, I know! But anyway, the kinders at my LittleOne's school do a rodeo program. They're supposed to dress up in western gear. So, I'm going to sew up the cowgirl outfit for her, but instead of the traditional brown (as shown on the pattern cover), she wanted pink! So, the fabric in the back will be her outfit. And the ball trim will go on the bottom of the skirt and the vest instead of the fringe. I'll let you know how it comes out!

(Man, the spell chekc sitll is'nt wroking!)

Wrapping up the Year (part one)

My Hubby and I went to a New Year's/Christmas party over the weekend, and I just couldn't help myself. I thought this napkin (circa 1995) says it all!

I finally finished them! My Embossed Leaves socks!

Pattern: Embossed Leaves, from Favorite Socks.

Yarn: Regia, sock yarn in pink.

Changes: none!

And my two-tone Fetching! I ran out of the blue, and when I went back to the LYS to buy another one, they were out of the blue! So, I used the brown! I like the way they came out.

Pattern: Fetching, knitty.com

Yarn: Brown Sheep, Lamb's Pride Bulky, blue flannel and sable.

Changes: Made four cable repeats at wrist (to make them longer) and used #7's to make a tight knit fabric (these are very, very warm!). They also match my blue flannel Utopia hat!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas Day and your Christmas Season is going great! A New Year is coming fast upon us and if I don't get back to you all by Tuesday, I hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve!

My Favorite Foods

Today is cooking day in the Cactus household. It's raining, so it's a perfect day to start the Christmas lasagna, made with homemade sausage (one of our friends makes their own sausage! very, very good!), homemade tomato sauce and lots and lots of ricotta cheese! So, in honor of all that, here are some of my favorite foods. (Again in no particular order.)

1. lasagna
2. pizza (of course!, no anchovies)
3. spaghetti
4. a Ruben sandwich
5. roast pork tenderloin
6. turkey with all the trimmings!
7. a good hamburger
8. Shepard's pie
9. steak and baked potato
10. green beans (I love, love green beans.)

What are some of your favorite foods? Let me know!

On the knitting side, not much is being completed around here (see above cooking). I'm still working on Stella's Hat from Knitting School Dropout and my embossed leaves socks (why they're taking sooooooo long I don't know). And the Fetching, I ran out of the yarn that matches the dark blue Utopia hat, so I'm trying to figure out something...I'll let you know soon (I hope).

And the kids are home on their first day of Christmas vacation today, so...well, you know how it goes!

My Favorite Fingerless Gloves, Regular Gloves and Mittens

(Anyone see a pattern here yet? No pun intended ... or maybe...)

Again, these are some of my favorite fingerless gloves, gloves and mitten patterns. Some (again) I've knit, and some I've yet to knit. Have fun! (Also check out this knitalong! There's some great patterns here!)

1. Fetching (I've made two, almost three pairs of these! Great)
2. Dashing (not yet)
3. Subway Mittens (from Interweave Knits, Winter 2007)
4. Little Gems Mitts (Interweave Knits, Holiday 2007)
5. Dragon Scale Fingerless Mitts
6. Armstulpen (these look too cool!)

Again, these are not in any particular order! Let me know your favorites! (Also, check out yesterday's posting, I've added some new hats!)

Snow on the Mountains

These two pictures were the first we've seen of the mountains in about three days! I took these about an hour ago, and now the mountains are again covered in clouds!


Pattern: Utopia, from Smariek Knits.
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky; color - blue flannel; 1 and 1/4 skeins.
Alterations: Made the bottom rib longer and used #9 needles.
Notes: I had the yarn in my stash, but had to go buy another whole skein to finish the hat! And to tickle your funny bone, I started another pair of Fetchings, and am going to have to buy another skein to finish those! This all started with stash yarn!!

This hat is great! I love this pattern! With the bulky yarn and the smaller than suggested needles, this hat is warm and toasty! And rain-proof too!

Another Pair of Fetching and Another Hat

Well, this week went by so fast! What happened to October? How did November sneak up on me like that? And I can't believe that my LittleOne will be 6 at the end of this month! Wow!

Anyway, I actually did knit two things this week.

Top: Droplet Hat, from Knitting Nature, by Norah Gaughan. Yarn: stash yarn, something acrylic, I think, but I wanted it in gray. The only alteration to the pattern was that I forgot the first 2 purl rows after the cast on, so I just extended the ribbing (I read the pattern wrong).

Bottom: Fetching, from Knitty.com. Yarn: Brown Sheep (I think, it was from my stash) in light purple. Alterations: I made the ribbing at the bottom longer. The first pair I made (and gifted) were too short. These are much, much better.

Well, I'm off to a busy day of soccer here in the desert! Hope all take care, have a great weekend, and happy knitting vibes to you all!!!

Imagine the Pictures...

Okay...I'm trying to upload some picts of my recent WIP's, but Blogger seems to be having a problem with doing this function.
So, when it lets me, I'll show you, because I do have pictures.

In the meantime, I've decided to gift my fetching fingerless gloves to my great-aunt. She's visiting my parents and me from northern Maine and she had mentioned how she would like some fingerless gloves to wear when she drives. (And yes, she's 80 and still drives!)

Yesterday, my hubby and I went to the local Sam's Club, you know, picked up some pillows, some crackers, bagels, laundry detergent and on the way back, he stopped at the new LYS that opened near us! Isn't he sweet? This store was very nice. The people were friendly, the yarn was displayed and labeled in white shelves. They had a vast selection of sock yarn, wool yarn, cotton and the novelty yarn. (The pictures I want to show you all is the yarn my hubby picked out for himself.) I'm going to make him this hat. Don't you just love Knitting Pattern Central? So, he picked out a Cascade 220 wool, heather, in color 2452 (which on the label they have "turt", short for turtle perhaps?) If you scroll down on the linked page, you'll see the color. I also picked up color 9407 ("cele", celery perhaps?). I was going to knit the fetching gloves for my great-aunt in this, but decided to gift my brown ones instead. (I can make more!)

I also had a picture of the sideways garter stitch gloves I made. (This is not the pattern from the winter '02 issue of Spin-Off. My other aunt gave it to me when I was visiting and it has a different source.) I was making them for me, but when I started to seam them, the fingers are too short. So, I'm gifting them to the LittleOne who will probably need them in the next few weeks when we walk to school.

So there is the descriptions for the pictures I have waiting in the wings (once Blogger cooperates). If you close your eyes, you might be able to visualize...

Have a great day!!!

Some Instant Gratification

This week I needed a project that was quick, pretty and used up some of my stash (I'm trying really, really, really hard not to buy more yarn).
This pattern was great, easy and fit into my instant gratification criteria. But I think if I ever knit it again (at least for me), I'd make the main section a little bit longer (I have long hands and fingers).
Fetching, from Knitty.com
Yarn: Wool-Ease in dark brown.
Needles: #7 dpn.

I know this picture (with the scary pink fingers) is weird, but I like to layer the fingerless mitts over those stretch gloves (one sized fits all/most), usually those gloves are too short, and I like to keep my wrists warm, so I think these will work over a variety of the colors I have (I like to match the gloves with my hats when I walk the kids to school). And, before you ask, yes it does get cold enough where I live in the desert to wear a wool cap, gloves and sometimes a heavy jacket when I walk the Kiddos to school. Not yet though it's getting there...