I'm a Cowgirl

I finished my Cowgirl Slipper Socks and I love 'em! I've been looking for a nice slipper pattern for a while. Something that knits up pretty quick and doesn't take a lot of yarn. This pattern is perfect and will be great for knitted gifts. 


Love that it only took one skein of my stash yarn from The Plucky Knitter. Especially because I've got plenty more where that came from!


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Pattern Source: Cowgirl Slipper Socks from Interweave Knits, Winter 2006
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Superwash Merino Wool Handpainted Worsted Weight - 100 yards
Needles: size 5
Size: one size - I knit on smaller needles and they fit my size 7s perfectly
Notes: If you want to knit these, be sure to check the error in the pattern. I have it on my notes on my Ravelry project page here

MY First Pair

YEY! I've knit socks a couple times before but this is the first pair I knit for ME!!!

I finished my Charades and I love them. Now I see what all the fuss is about with hand knit socks knit in yummy, high-end yarns. I think I'm hooked!

I never thought I'd be into sock knitting, mainly for fear of Second Sock Syndrome but I enjoyed this pair and pattern so much it was no problem at all. I even have yarn set aside for 2 more pairs just waiting for me to cast on.


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Pattern Source: Charade (free pattern download)
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Superwash Merino Wool Handpainted Fingering Weight
Needles: size 0
Size: Women's medium (fits my size 7s just fine)
Notes: Next time try it on 1s. The 0s made a pretty tight fitting sock for me and I might like it a bit looser next time.

Fiery Bolero

Despite the headache it took to get here, I really love my new bolero!


I substituted the yarn (see notes below) and was very pleased with the way it turned out. Great fit!


I have quite a few outfits that I plan to wear this with, but I think this is my favorite. Red shoes and all!

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Pattern Source: Fiery Bolero from Interweave Knits, Summer 2005
Yarn: 5 skeins of Berroco, Comfort DK (but only used 4)
Needles: size US 3 and US 5
Size: small
Notes: This yarn was a really nice substitute for the Debbie Bliss, Cathy that the pattern called for. I love the color and the yarn is very soft and pretty inexpensive. Nice to work with.

Pimlico Shrug Finished!

Finally some finished photos of my new Pimlico Shrug!


Not too bad for taking these with a self timer, eh?


This shot might be nice for a new header, I could use something different up there.


I love this shrug!


I really like that the tight part of the sleeves stops at the elbow. It allows you to throw this on and not get your shirt sleeve all bunched up in there - I hate it when that happens!


I like the idea of being able to close this and although a pin would be really cute I thought I'd sew in an eyelet so I can close it whenever I want to…


Did I tell ya I love this? I may just knit another!


Pattern Source: "Pimlico Shrug" from Knit 2 Together
Yarn: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca (about 4.75 skeins)
Needles: size 5 & 7
Size: sm/med
Notes: I did alterations to this, I changed the stitch pattern from an eyelet to this knotted stitch and also didn't knit the body as long as they called for - I knit for 25" verse 34" - too see more details on what I did I have it listed in more detail over in Ravelry. (if you are Ravelry member you can see it here)

Splurge!

I finished my Pimlico Shrug and I just love it! Once I get some good photos of it I will post.

In-the-mean-time, I casted on for my usual Itty-Bitty Hats - always a must knit for me, always have the yarn for it and always have babies to knit for so they are easy projects to have going while I try to decide what to cast on for next. Soooooo, while trying to decide what to do I thought I better use a couple gift cards that I'd had to one of my LYS. I decided on this pattern, Comfy Kimono from Rowan Classic Accessories that I always wanted to try but knew it'd be a lot to tackle and pretty pricey but since I had the gift cards I totally went for it!!! Check it out…


OMG, I hope this turns out! The Baby Llama yarn is soooooo nice.


This will be the most intricate pattern I've done. Hope mine looks as cool as the one on this model.


Wish me luck. It will probably take me until Fall!

Karate Sweater Finished!

Number of times I ripped out the back, 4
Number of times I ripped out the button band, 3
Number of skeins I over bought, 3
End result, priceless!
Despite all the hang ups, book errors, etc… I LOVE this sweater! Seriously, probably the most favorite thing I ever knit for myself. And the yarn, ooooo the yarn, it feels soooo good against my skin - it's so soft!Even though the pattern called for it, I didn't do the belt and belt loops on this because I didn't think I needed it and I'm not always a big fan of a belt just floppin' around when it's not actually tied. Besides, I think I knit mine a little shorter than the one in the book and if I wanted to I could always put a leather belt on top of this, that might be cool.
The only thing that I'm not completely satisfied with is the button. It's so hard to find a cool button these days. The one I got will do for now, besides I can always change it or take it off and use a cool pin or something for a closure. Oh yeah, if your going to do this pattern I would suggest not knitting in the button hole like the pattern calls for. I didn't because the stitches are so big you can easily push a button through and this way you have more freedom with what you want to use for a closure and where you want it to go.

Now I'm just waiting for the cool weather so I can wear this baby out! For now, I'm snuggling up with it on the coach!

Pattern Source: Karate Sweater from the book Big City Knits
Yarn: Soft Chunky by Wenlan Chia
Size: Small (FYI - the book called for 6 skeins and I only needed 4!)
Notes: This book has a lot of errors, you can find most here but I also found an error in the chart for the pattern repeat on this - the symbol "/" should mean P2tog, not K2tog