2008 Finished Projects

Made you look!

#1: Self-patterning jacquard sock
Timeline: cast on December 25, bound off January 1
Yarn: Patons Kroy, Country Jacquard
Pattern: Yarn Harlot Sock Recipe, modified to cast on 72 stitches instead of 64.
For: husband
Notes: I had to break into the second skein to finish the foot, so I had to track down a third skein in the same dye lot so I could start the second sock. I made the foot too long and the calf too loose, but guess what! I need to make the second one match! Sorry honey, maybe the next pair will fit.

#2: Alpaca thumbless mitts
Timeline: Cast on first mitt January 6, cast off second mitt January 9
Yarn: Classic Elite Inca Alpaca, variegated browns
Pattern: Modified from Wendy Knits! Thumbless Mittens pattern
For: Me me me!
Notes: I adjusted for gauge by casting on 35 stitches instead of 28. After 1 round of stockinette, I did k1p1 around for about 6 or 7 rounds. Then I switched to stockinette and knitted plain the rest of the way. On the first mitt I bound off the thumb too tightly, so on the second on I bound the thumb off in purl instead of knit. My purls are always looser than my knits. I love love love them, but the kids want to wear them all the time. SUPER quick knit.

#3: washcloth #1
Yarn: Lion Cotton, red
Pattern: 2×2 basketweave with garter stitch border
For: Me, something I actually use. It felt really strange to deliberately get it wet the first time, but I’m used to it now. I will be doing more of this.

#4: washcloth #2
Yarn: Peaches and Creme, spring colorway (yellow/orange/pink)
Pattern: twisted stockinette, from Barbara Walker Vol. 1
For: XSIL who needs some pampering. I really liked the stitch, it looks almost woven. This will be a neat way to combine swatching new patterns with producing Useful Things.

#5: extra-small, small, and medium preemie caps
Yarn: acrylic mystery yarn from Herrschners (white/yello/pink/blue colorway)
Pattern: Newborns in Need
For: premature babies born at Life Center of Long Island, NY, via Knitters Cherish Life Rav group. Knitting these was heartbreakingly easy and quick. Imagine a baby with a head the size of a lemon. It boggles the mind. This group has a different charity each month and it’s a nice positive way to express your faith.

#6: James mittens
Yarn: Red Heart acrylic (I see a trend here) in camo blues colorway
Pattern: Fittin’ Mittens by Nancy Lindberg
For: Eldest son. I modified the pattern by making the cuffs longer, like gauntlets, so there wouldn’t be any air getting between the mittens and his coat sleeves. He loves ‘em and when I washed and dried them they got a lot softer. They don’t feel quite like used soda bottles now.

#7: Bias square afghan
Yarn: Red Heart Lite & Lofty (found the original almost-a-skein at the thrift store with no band, but Mom successfully matched it at JoAnns and picked up the other three skeins), Wine colorway
Pattern: washcloth pattern sent to me by Crafty Peach
For: Mom, just in time for Valentine’s Day

#8: Moccasin socks
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease, grey heather. Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Moccasin Socks to the heel, then Harlot Basic Recipe to the toe.
For: Dear husband
Timeline: started first sock 2 years ago, finished socks 1 week before anniversary.

#9: Self-patterning jacquard sock #2
Yarn & pattern: see #1
For: Dear husband
Timeline: finished sock 1 day before anniversary! Whew!

#10: Monogrammed washcloth
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton (red)
For: Dear husband
Timeline: don’t remember, quick knit. Originally this was going to be a “block W” washie for the Yarn Harlot. But I cast on the wrong number of stitches and really had to punt. I knitted B T D with rules above & below (for those of you who use Quark XPress!) and finished it up.

#11: Harlot washie
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton (red)
For: The Yarn Harlot
Timeline: don’t remember, maybe I blogged it. After carefully casting on, I got the block W to work this time. It’s sitting, waiting for the Harlot’s 4/28 book tour stop in Madison.

#12: Kelp Forest Scarf
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Choice (wool/mohair) in Pine Shadows. 2 skeins.
Pattern: Kelp Forest from Ocean Breezes: Knitted Scarves by Sheryl Thies
For: Bake sale/silent auction to benefit Irish groups with a presence at IrishFest in Milwaukee.
Timeline: Finished 4/4/08 at Late Night Knitting at The Sow’s Ear. w00t!

#13: Grandma McGraw blanket
Yarn: JoAnn Sensations fuzzy acrylic, blue/white, half an 11 oz. skein
Pattern: eyelet washcloth, modified to a triangle
For: Husband’s grandma
Timeline: I spent about a month on this, and decided to finish it more like a shawl. It got a good reception, but I don’t have a picture.

#14: Giftknit scarf
Yarn: acrylic
Pattern: Yarn Harlot’s One-row handspun scarf
For: Web guy
Timeline: I puttered around on this for many months (good travel project) and finished it 4/9/08. No pictures yet.