Roar!

I saw this on Anny Purls' blog (she always has the best ideas! :-) ) and thought it was just too cute to pass up. So I knit one up for Oliver. A lion washcloth for the tubby. What a great idea!

The pattern is Grrr by Alice Bell and can be found on the Summer '07 Knitty. The yarn I used was Lion Brand Cotton Ease on size US 7 needles. I thought the pattern dimensions were a bit too small so I increased it by 8 stitches and 8 rows. I wanted it a little bigger just in case I wanted to test it out myself - ya know, like how I test out his Legos when he is taking a nap. I can build an awesome airplane and a pretty mean dream house.

The real question is: How does it hold up in the water? Well, let's go to our little product tester and find out.

Looks pretty good to me. I think he really likes it! Oh yeah - the back side is pretty cool too. It is nubby for a gentle massage on baby's skin.

What's funny is the quote from the washcloth description on the Knitty site: "Perfect for kids (of any age) who need some encouragement into the tub." Uh huh - like this little monkey needs any encouragement.

Socks!

I just finished my very first pair of socks! Ya Baby! They came out pretty darn good if I do say so myself, seeing that it was my first time. They fit perfectly and they are so cozy. Love them! I used just your basic sock pattern- I didn't want to get too fancy or complicated my first time out of the gate.

Pattern: Classic Socks by Yankee Knitter Designs
Yarn: JaWoll Color by Lang Yarns
Needles: US 2
Mods: I shortened the ribbing at the top and shortened the leg by 2 inches for a more feminine look.

Crazy thing is, whenever someone came to visit and saw that I was knitting socks, they wanted a pair too. It must be my mad sock knitting skillz.

Now, I am totally on the sock bandwagon! I had so much fun with this pair, I ordered up some more (and better) sock yarn so that I can keep on keepin' on. My latest additions to the stash are some pretty handpainted wool from Socks That Rock:


That second one there is for my sister. A personal request.

Thinking Spring

Rain, rain, go away!

Even though it has still been chilly (very chilly) and quite dreary and grey around here, I have been thinking ahead to the warmer, sunnier days of Spring. They have to come sometime, right? I just cast on a cute cropped cardigan in anticipation of the warmer weather.

This wasn't my first choice. I originally cast on a sweater that I had my eye on in Vogue Knitting since last Spring. It was one of those things that because I sat on it for so long, the sweater lost its appeal. But I cast on for it anyway, ignoring my intuition. About a quarter of the way up the back I realized I made a mistake a few rows back and because the entire thing was yarn overs and knit 2 togethers I decided to knit backwards to correct the problem instead of ripping it back. Hassle. Big hassle. Somehow during the process my needle snapped and broke. I would usually get a little bit upset about something like that, but felt that it was the universe telling me that this sweater wasn't meant to be.

Now, I had this beautiful yarn and no sweater to knit. After searching (and searching) I finally found the perfect match. All I need now are those warm sunny days.

FO: Sweater Vest

I have been working away on a few projects and now I finally have one off the needles! This was a really quick knit and took me no time at all to knit up.

The pattern is "Tank Top" by Erika Knight in her book "Classic Knits". The yarn is Rowan Big Wool in Smokey and I used size US 15 and US 17 needles.


I like this - but I don't love it. The pattern has some flaws. And it is too short. I should have listened to the complaints on Ravelry and knit this at least an inch to an inch and a half longer. I feel like I am always pulling it down. Also, the shoulders are a bit too bulky - the pattern bind off was really weird. I should have used a 3 needle bind off and disregarded the pattern. Other than those little complaints, I think it is cute. I will definitely get some wear out of it.

Just Knitting Away

I figured that while the temps around these parts are still freezing, I would knit myself a hat before it is too late. I loved the Koolhaas that I knit for my husband so much that I just had to knit one up for myself.

I love it! The pattern is Koolhaas by Jared Flood and I used some more of my Italian wool - Grignasco Australia - on size US 6 and US 8 needles. This hat is so warm - and the pattern is so cool.


I have a couple of other projects on the needles that I have been knitting away on these quiet winter days but I am really looking forward to the warmer weather. I have quite a few summer knitting projects lined up that I am so excited to start!

Times Two

I have finally finished the second cable sweater after a lot of procrastination when it came to the seaming and finishing. But it is done!



Again, this pattern is Child's Nashawena by Penny Straker and I made this one in a child's size 8. I used Lion Brand Cotton in purple, size 2 needles on the cuffs and collar and size 6 needles on the rest.

My cute little nieces just so happen to be visiting us for a couple of days for their February break. Here they are - all smiles, of course - in their sweaters:

Vintage

We received a Valentine's package today from my mother-in-law and she sent along handknits that Andy and his brother wore when they were little. Their grandmother knit them for them and they are absolutely gorgeous - and still wearable! Oliver loves them - and they still look good after all of these years. Thanks!

This rust colored v-neck is so classic:


And how cute are these owls!:


And I am sure this hat will keep him warm in this cold weather: