Hat Redo

So I redid the Dean Street Hat for my cousin. It fits my head (almost, would like a little bigger for myself) so it should fit him, right?

I also made another coffee cozy with two colors. This one is for myself. If I remake this, I'll try a DNA pattern cuz I'm science nerd.

Still knitting Christmas gifts...sigh.

Christmas Knits!

Here's my family with their knitted Christmas presents from me. My poor cousin's hat didn't fit him so he isn't in the photo :( I have to make him a new one. And the hats I sent my other cousins also didn't fit. I guess I need to do better with children hats.

Winter Wonderland

So we got bombarded with snow twice this weekend. Thankfully I'm not traveling until today so hopefully I won't get delayed!

Cabled Coffee Cozy

Want to make something useful with your leftover yarn? Try a coffee cozy, or pillow for your coffee mug or the disposable cups. I knit this on straight needles instead of joining it in circular as I've seen in other patterns. This pattern can create an adjustable cozy if you sew on multiple buttons. The pattern is easy to modify if there is a specific mug you want it to fit. I used a bulky weight, but you can try a worsted weight (you would need more rows, but the smaller gauge would make the flap and the width of the body smaller--the variegated below is worsted). You can also add a color for the cables specifically to make it really pop (see mine here). I am not a professional knitter so please excuse any "strange" abbreviations or lack of clarity. I'd appreciate comments/suggestions to improve this and any design I make.

Materials:
Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande (bulky)
US 10 needles
cable needle
button (you only need one, but can attach multiple buttons)

Cable Stitches:
LFC = left front cross = slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of WIP, P2 from left needle, K2 from cable
RBC = right back cross = slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold behind WIP, K2 from left needle, P2 from cable

CO 8
The adjustable flap (increase or decrease the number of rows, increase if you want to add more buttons)
R1-3: knit across
R4 (button hole row): K3, bind off 2, knit to the end (6 stitches)
R5: K3, CO 2, knit to end (8 stitches)
R6-9: knit across

Row increases (increase or decrease the number of rows depending on the height of your mug and/or the weight of yarn)
R10: K1, k1fb x 2, K2, k1fb x 2, K1 (12 stitches)
R11: knit across
R12: K1, k1fb x 2, K6, k1fb x 2, K1 (16 stitches)
R13: same as R11
R14: K1, k1fb x 2, K10, k1fb x 2, K1 (20 stitches)

Cabled body (basically all rows are knit the knits and purl the purls, you just factor in the cable needle whether it is in front or behind the WIP)
R15: K4, P2, K8, P2, K4
R16, 17: knit the knits, purl the purls
R18: P4, LFC, P4, RBC, P4
R19 and all odd rows: same as R16
R20: P6, LFC, RBC, P6
R22: P8, LFC (knit all 4), P8
R24: P6, RBC, LFC, P6
R26: P4, RBC, P4, LFC, P4
R28-31: same as R16 (you can subtract or add rows to alter length very easily)
*the variegated cozy had an extra cable wound in and out...I was bored so I modified this design by just following the pattern...except I have no idea how I did it so I can't publish it. Feel free to experiment!

Repeat R18-24 EXCEPT R22 (or the R36 in the repeat) to make as follows:
R22/36: P8, RBC (knit all 4), P8 (this way, the cables alternate their crossing around your mug)

Row decreases (make this match your row increases for evenness)
R40: K1, K2tog x2, K10, K2tog x 2, K1
R41: knit across
R42: K1, K2tog x2, K6, K2tog x 2, K1
R43: same as R41
R44: K1, K2tog x2, K2, K2tog x 2, K1
R45: same as R41

Knit rows until desired length and BO.

Sew on buttons for a small, medium, and/or large coffee cup and enjoy! I'd love to see photos if anyone tries this!

Christmas Gifts

So, to prove I have knitted alot since April, here are the Christmas gifts for my family.

Keyhole Scarf (that I modified)
in the following way: CO 23, instead of 15.
After 16 rows in the pattern, I k2tog on the left and right sides, then on the right and wrong sides (increase each row by 2 stitches) until I had 15 stitches left on the needle.
I knit in the pattern for about 17” before I did the keyhole, then knit 2 rows in the pattern.
I did k1f&b on the left and right sides until I had 23 stitches again.
I knit so that it was slightly longer than the other side for a more decorative effect.

Palindrome Hat and Scarf

2 Hannah Hats (from MagKnits December 2007).

Dean Street Hat (from ravelry)



Pidge Podge

Simply Striped Sack Sock




The Boyfriend Hat

Knitting frenzy (snaked patterns) REVISED

I modified my Snaked Ear Warmers design into a hat and scarf (its not a cable, but winds back and forth like a snake). These were made for a child, BUT it was too small. I forgot to take into account that cabling decreases the gauge. So, I modified this on 4/9/09, but I haven't tested this yet. This hat has no fold over brim, but you can easily add a 4x4 ribbing for as long as you want.
The pictures are from the hat that was too small, made with US 10, Malabrigo Chunky. Once I test this pattern, I will post the pics and any changes.

The pattern is below:

Snaked Hat
worsted weight, wool
US 7 DPNs (or circulars and switch to DPNs when needed)
Cable needle
stitches: 4LFC = left front cross, slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle and the stitches cross to the left; 4RBC = right back cross, which is the same only hold the cable needle behind the work creating a right cross
2LFC = slip 1 stitch and hold in front, K1 from needle, K1 from cable needle
2RBC = slip 1 stitch and hold in back, K1 from needle, K1 from cable needle

Adult small
CO 104 stitches, divide evenly across 4 DPNs
R1: K2, *P4, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P4, K2
R2: same as R1 (knit the knits, purl the purls)
R3: K2, *P4, 4LFC, P4, K4, P4, 4RBC, P4, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P4, K2
R4-7: same as R1
R8: K2, *P4, 4RBC, P4, K4, P4, 4LFC, P4, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P4, K2
repeat rows 1-8 until row 40

Row decreases:
R41: K2, *P1, P2tog, P1, K4, P1, P2tog, P1, K4, P1, P2tog, P1, K4, P1, P2tog, P1, K4* (repeat * * until last 6), P1, P2tog, P1, K2 (91 stitches left)
R42, 44, 46: knit the knits and purl the purls
R43: K2, *P1, P2tog, 4LFC, P1, P2tog, K4, P1, P2tog, 4RBC, P1, P2tog, K4* (repeat * * until last 5), P1, P2tog, K2 (78 stitches left)
R45: K2, *P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog, K4* (repeat * * until last 4), P2tog, K2 (65 stitches left)
R47: K2, *P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog, K1, P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog, K1* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2 (59 stitches left)
R48: K2, *P1, 4RBC, P1, K3, P1, 4LBC, P1, K3* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2

R49: K2, *P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog, P1, K4, P1, K1, K2tog* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2 (53 stitches left)
R50, 52, 54: knit the knits, purl the purls
R51: K2, *P1, 4LFC, P1, K2tog, P1, 4RBC, P1, K2tog* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2 (47 stitches left)
R53: K2tog, *P1, K4, P2tog, P1, K4, P2tog* (repeat * * until last 3), P1, K2tog (39 stitches left)
R55: K1, *P1, K4, P2tog, K4, P2tog* (repeat * * until last 2), P2tog (32 stitches left)
R56: K1, *P1, 4RBC, P1, 4LFC, P1* (repeat * * unti last 1), P1

R57: K1, P1, *K1, K2tog, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, K1, P2tog* (repeat * * until the end; 23 stitches left)
R58: K1, P1, *K2tog, K1, P1, K1, K2tog, K1, P1* (repeat * * until the end; 17 stitches left)
R59: K2tog, *2LFC, P2tog, 2RBC, P1* (repeat * * until the end; 13 stitches left)
R60: K1, *K2tog, P1, K2tog, P1* (repeat * * until the end; 9 stitches left)
R61: K1, *K2tog* (repeat * * until the end; 5 stitches left)

Cut yarn, thread yarn through all 5 remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in the ends

The Snaked Scarf is meant to match the hat, but snakes on both sides of the scarf. The pattern is below (same yarn and needle size):

CO24 stitches
R1: P2, K4, P4, K4, P4,K4, P2
R2, R3: knit the knits, purl the purls
R4: K2, P4, LFC, P4, RBC, P4, K2
R5: P2, LFC, P4, K4, P4, RBC, P2
R6, R7: same as R2, R3
R8: K2, P4, RBC, P4, LFC, P4, K2
R9: P2, RBC, P4, K4, P4, LFC, P2
repeat rows 2-9 for the length of scarf you want

Enjoy!

Two Hearts as One Kitchen Set+

Wow...over a month since I last posted. I swear I've knitted things since then...so what if they are just sitting there on my desk needing their ends to be woven in, or even bound off...here's something I finally finished. This is designed by Cathy (a link to her blog is on the side). She has lots of wonderful designs. As I was making the towel, people asked what was I knitting and I said a towel and they looked surprised that I would take the time to make something so beautiful for a kitchen towel...then I explained it was part of wedding gift set for my friend and then it was a little better. The gift isn't done though. Check back and I'll post pics of the final gift.

Tonight I made bread pudding...for the first time. I tried to make it healthy, its wheat bread, splenda, earth balance, soy milk, dried cranberries and almonds. Then my roommate wanted to add chocolate chips, instead of the cranberries, and cinnamon. In the end, we compromised: there are chocolate chips, cranberries, and almonds, no cinnamon. However, I had milk chocolate chips and they melted as soon as I put them in the milk lol. Nevertheless, its yummy.

Still on the Herbalife plan. I have lost 6 pounds since I started in February. I forget how many inches, but that is more representative, as I have put on a lot of muscle. I am in a size 8-10, depending on the store. Before Herbalife, I had been working out for 1 year, eating healthier for about 6 months, and had lost 18 pounds, do not know the inches. I definitely have a lot more energy, stamina, and strength. The images below are two of the variations on the Herbalife shakes that I make regularly. One are protein balls and the other is yes, vanilla pie. I love these two dishes.

Knitting catchup

I finally finished the "other mitten" to go with my Lovers mittens. I had to frog these at least 3 times having to work the thumb. I'm sure its due to my own inexperience with making mittens (my first pair) and not the designer's instructions. Not to mention I had to use a different number of stitches to begin with, then adjust my gauge since it was off, etc...all because I wanted it to match perfectly with the Lovers mittens...who's going to notice? NO ONE! But I will :)

I also finally finished Jan 2008 KAL from Rachel's Knitting Room, which was Lattice Hearts. Now this is funny...I did this cloth using size 3 needles hoping I'd have enough (I wasn't sure what I knit with this yarn before so I wasn't sure how much was left, but it looked like enough to do a cloth and its pretty and appropriate for these hearts. This picture is where I ran out of yarn. As you can see, it almost made it. Rachel did say in the pattern using smaller needles helps make the design pop out--which has been a problem of mine--so since this worked out (look how lovely) I will use size 3 for my next cloth. But I had this dilemma...do I bind off an unfinished cloth? Or do I dare attempt to knit with 2 colors, my first time ever? And would this make my cloth look ugly? Maybe I should frog a few rows before adding color? What to do?? This is why this project sat unfinished for so long. In the end, I made the decision: learn 2 colors. And since Monthly KAL's March project called for white, I decided to use white. And look! It's a beautiful cloth design, but the white at the top really does bother me. I'll make this one again.
So my best friend from my childhood is getting married. I'm going to knit them a kitchen set (towel, dishcloth, and tribble) designed by my friend Cathy. She is one of those super-knitters. I would love to just sit and watch her knit. Maybe some day.
I've also made progress--no going to the yarn store to buy supplies...I have too many already. All these beautiful colors and material and specific patterns in mind and I just don't have the time. But I had to keep telling myself not to go to the yarn store, at least until I finish some of these current projects.
Also, as an aside, I have lost 23 pounds in 13 months :) In the last month, I've lost 5 of those pounds...check out this website run by some friends of mine. They recently became distributors of these products to help with weight loss, muscle gain, overall health and I got a free sample, then decided to try a starter pack and recently ordered another pack. I like a lot of the meal options and I have been getting results. Plus, she's been my coach/sponsor for when I get those chocolate ice cream cravings. Talk to Chris or her husband Jack about these wonderful products.

I'm still here...no time for knitting...

Due to unforeseen circumstances this month, I am very behind in my knitting and hope to start again this weekend.
I finished the 2nd pair of Lovers Mittens...only they are too small...child size maybe. Do I attempt them again?
I'm still working on my matching mitten for my bf's Lovers Mittens (which he loved but we haven't worn them yet).
I have not knit this mid-month Monthly KAL...I intend to.
I gave my roommate Alina my ponytail hat as it turns out the wool itches me (I had a rash ring on my forehead). I will knit this again in baby alpaca.

Ponytail Hat

So I finally finished my ponytail hat (although I think I will have to cut the buttons and sew them on again as they are crooked).  And of course it's too warm out tomorrow to wear my nice warm hat.  I started the crown decreases too early as I like hats to cover my earlobes and I didn't CO enough (I wanted to wrap it more around my head so the buttons wouldn't be hidden by long hair).  I found these buttons and don't the colors match perfectly?

I was working on the matching mittens for the Lovers Mittens, but I just had to finish this hat.  Then I also started another

 Lovers Mittens for this awesome woman to thank her (and her boyfriend)    for being such great hosts.  I hope to finish it this weekend.

I also finished my Feb Monthly KAL (I need to weave in the ends so I don't have a picture yet).  The design was ok, but once again I don't feel like it pops out.  I must be doing something wrong.  When I have some time, I'll ask someone.

My Lovers Mittens :)

So I started these Lovers Mittens yesterday since I realized it's now February and it is supposed to be a Valentine's present for my boyfriend and I.  He won't hold my hands in the winter since it's too cold and he refuses to wear gloves normally.  But now, maybe he will :)  I'll take another photo with both our hands in it.

I also finished my Shamrock dishcloth.  I love how this one just pops out.

Going to start Monthly KAL's Feb dishcloth tonight.  Also have Lattice Hearts dishcloth in progress.

Look at all the needles...

You want to know the great thing about having so many needles? You can have that many wips. Looks kind of cool on my strange leopard-print comforter. I had been waiting for these needles all week so I could start knitting my hat. Got everything together and realized I haven't wound my skeins and I don't own a winder. Sigh. I have this really pretty hand-spun and hand-dyed wool to use. I've been patiently waiting and now...oh well.

I have also made progress on my socks. And I think I kind of like it. I can see how people become addicted. It takes me awhile as I can really only knit these at home and I'm not home very much. Only for about an h

our or two before I need to sleep, but first need to eat dinner and shower.

I also got a new laptop, my first Mac! I'm loving it! Had an argument with my roommate about whether it was cute or sexy. I voted sexy...c'mon it's skinny, shiny, and light...SEXY. Cute would be something with polka dots...maybe not. Anyway, I am enjoying it (although it took me 10 min to figure out how to add these photos to my blog).

My Custom Case (and Love's Many Cloths)

I wanted to show off my beautiful custom case made by brileyknits. I took several photos so you could see all the intricate work he did, but left them posted on my flickr. I cannot express enough gratitude to Brian. This is perfect. He put up with all my insane, if disordered, ideas. If you're looking for a personalized case for yourself or anyone, contact him. I know my friends will be jealous! Thank you Brian!!!

I also finished Love's Many Cloths, but I think I did something wrong since the curve part on the hands doesn't pop outward, but inward...makes the pattern not stand out. And maybe I missed 2 rows on top since the heart isn't really heart-shaped...I didn't want to frog it though as I've frogged this yarn 3 times already (was trying it for something else that didn't work).


I started a poncho with the chenille...176 stitches in the round...it will take me a long time as I have zero patience.

I also started a Shamrock Dishcloth from Monthly Dishcloth's KAL in March 2006. I printed out all these patterns I wanted to do and stocked up on cotton so just picked a random color (emerald green) and searched through the patterns for something that this would be good for and voila.

I have other things in my ravelry queue...waiting for my yarn to arrive and a quick trip to the store tomorrow...

Wrist Warmers

I think I have a thing for "warmers", or partial winter wear...Maybe next time I'll make a neck warmer, leg warmers...
I finished these wrist warmers:

The pattern comes from Schrodiner Knits. I did these as a test for the Chenille. I want to knit a poncho with this fabric, but I heard that knitting with Chenille has issues so I wanted to experiment. Chenille seems like it'd rip easily, but I thankfully didn't have any problems. I'm not a tight knitter (I don't pull the stitches tight), but I do slide the stitches from the left needle almost all the way to the tip so I didn't end up with "holes" in the pattern. The other thing though is Chenille does not let you see a pattern of any kind. The cuffs and the brim are actually ribbed, but you wouldn't know it. I do enjoy the feel of this though and look forward to knitting the poncho in the teal and purple I have.

My Ear Warmers

My Ear Warmers
Originally uploaded by lovealegna

And I finished them! I used Universal Classic Worsted Impressions (had 1 ball for a child's hat and this used the excess). I love ear warmers and hate wearing hats for myself. I wanted to learn how to cable so I came up with this design that I had to restart over and over (originally I planned on making it with circular needles, but it didn't work). I messed the cable up though, so it has this snaking pattern that I like and I used a garter border. This is also my first pattern :)

Snaked Ear Warmers
US 7 needles (my gauge is 5 st/inch)
CO 22 stitches (3 to 3 1/2 inches to cover ears)
R1: K2, P2, Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle (left cross), P2, K2, P2, Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle (right cross), P2, K2
R2: K2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P4, K2, K2
R3: K2, P2, K4, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2, K2
R4: same as R2
R5: K2, P2, right cross 4 st, P2, K2, P2, left cross 4 st, P2, K2
R6: same as R2
R7: same as R3
R8: same as R2

repeat R1-8 until ~21" when stretched around head (I did about 14 repeats, but 12 or 13 would probably have been enough), ending with R6 so that when you join the seams, the snaking pattern follows).
BO.

Join the 2 ends and weave the ends through.

Very easy to modify width and length if you knit with different gauge or weight.
Larger gauge or weight: remove the middle 2 st (and remove 2 of the reverse st if necessary).
Smaller gauge or weight: increase the middle 2 st to 4 st (and increase the reverse st on both ends to 4 instead of 2).

My second KAL is complete!

Jan 08 MidMonth KAL
Originally uploaded by lovealegna

My first midmonth KAL came out so beautifully. I found that its so much more fun to knit the midmonths as a KAL. The mystery makes it seem less repetitive :)
Such an awesome group.

Welcome to Blogging

So this is my entrance into self-blogging. New to knitting myself, it was pointed out to me that blogging would be a great thing. I'm calling this Knitting Scientist as my roommate has pointed out I have a very scientific approach to my knitting (I am a scientist and feel the only way I can truly understand knitting is to experiment...). I have a growing stash, mostly cotton as I have become obsessed with dishcloths.
As I also have knitting ADD, I am currently in the middle of a few things: (1) the Monthly KAL's Jan Midmonth, which is this lovely lacy pattern that will be finished on Monday, (2) Love's Many Cloths which is very sweet and should be done some point next week, (3) earwarmers of my own design in a cable-knit (my first cable) using some leftover yarn that I hope to finish soon, and (4) socks from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs which I've abandoned for the time being as its frustrating me and so is work so no patience for it right now. I used to make fun of my friend for having knitting ADD until I started myself. Now I understand!
I have also ordered a custom-made traveling knitting case from brileyknits. Brian came very highly recommended and I am so eager to receive my case. He's put up with a lot from me. Hopefully, it'll be here some time next week.