Another Ribbed Scarf

I haven't blogged about knitting in a while, because between the baby and my husband's work, I haven't had time.  I've still been knitting, but haven't had a moment to myself to say much about it.  I wish I had a recent finish project more amazing than this simple ribbed scarf to show for it, but this is all I have.  Two weeks before Christmas, my mom informed me that my dad wanted a scarf, as he is traveling to colder climates for a while.  I threw this one, which is an adjusted version of the Stitch N' Bitch ribbed scarf, but made a bit shorter and wider.  I used some Red Heart Flecked yarn that I had on hand for this one.  I probably could have had it done faster if I wasn't easily distracted by life.

Cute Hat Pales to Cute Kid

I haven't posted in a while, because things got busy again.  I finished up a lot of quick projects and then worked on this berry hat before it was no longer wearable, as winter is coming.  This is only my third hat, so I was pretty nervous about adding stranded color work.  I think, however, it turned out nicely.  It's an easy knit that looks complex and I really like that about the pattern.  Next up, I am back to working on my throw blanket, which I have mentioned I don't necessarily like.  Despite this, I've decided it needs a crochet border to pull it together when I'm done.  I guess I'm a masochist or want to do an extra good job after all that work.

Here is a cute baby that makes this cute hat look cuter:

Blanket Update

After seaming the second row on the right side of the knitting, instead of the wrong side, I ripped it all out and redid it.  Today, I was finally able to get back to where I left off.  I'm down with 7 squares out of 20, which doesn't seem like that much progress from my last update.  For some of these patterns, the knitting seems to be slow going.  For others, they build so fast.  I was going to get a lot more done tonight in the house, but I'm tired.  Going to finish up the laundry and get the baby's things ready for tomorrow.  After that, I'll press forward on my blanket.  Here's an updated picture:

Why I Don't Love this Blanket Pattern

I am working on the throw blanket pattern from Lion's Brand found here: Knit Sampler Throw.  Now, I endeavor to finish everything that I start while knitting, so I will finish this.  However, I have some complaints about the pattern.  I'm guessing that what I'm complaining about was partially done to make it an easier knit.

•  The seaming takes a long time and isn't all that enjoyable.
• The blocks are different patterns and different stitches and the only thing they have in common is they are 9 inches tall, so I find the seaming to be more difficult and therefore less enjoyable.  Matching the stitches for seaming adds additional work.

Okay, I guess that's two complaints.  Now, I could just forget it, but when I buy yarn for a project, I generally work to finish it, even if it's not my favorite.  I have to be honest that I probably would have enjoyed something for my first blanket that you just kept knitting or crocheting straight through.  I'm about thirty percent done at this point and part of my lack of enthusiasm might be the distance I have to the finish.  I will see how I feel when I'm closer to 90%!

August Mystery #2 Solved

I finished my mystery knit (the second one, still have not delved into #1) for August.  I did not guess at all what it was until I saw the pattern pictures at the end and then it all made sense.  I've placed my picture here after the cut, in case someone is working on it from the 220 Mystery Group or if you want to give it a try and don't want to know.  Otherwise, enjoy this knitting.

Mystery Knit Along

I joined the mystery knit along group on Ravelry that does mystery projects within 220 yards of yarn.  I wasn't sure about it, because it's a lot harder without a picture.  However, it's great practice for paying attention, counting rows, and most of all learning to read patterns.  Unfortunately, I tried to work on it right before bed while dead tired and ended up messing up to the point of confusion, so I frogged it to try again.  Knitting with DPNs is still a skill I'm practicing with, and I feel like it takes me time to get the flow.  No spoilers on what it is, though to be honest, I can't quite tell yet what it is.  I had some left over Knitpicks Swish in a blue color, Whirlpool, to work with so it's a nice stash buster, as I didn't need this entire skein for my lace hat that I made last year.

I plan to give this another go tomorrow when I'm well rested.

Throwing Blankets

I've moved on in projects and now I'm working on a throw blanket for my dad.  This is a fairly simple piece, as far as stitches go.  It is 20 blocks of sampler stitches that are sewn together after knitting.  There are only 6 different stitches and several of the blocks repeat themselves.  The stitches I'm working with are the seed stitch, ridge stitch, diagonal rib stitch, blackberry stitch, berry stitch, and basket weave.  So far, I am three blocks out of ten finished.  It says to sew them together when they are all done, but because I can't wait, I am sewing them together as I get them finished.  Right now it is a really thin blanket!

I'm excited because tomorrow my yarn swift and ball winder arrives from Knitpicks.  Actually, scratch that, I forgot the baby has me up at 4 am.  It actually comes today.  I tend to be lazy about winding yarn into nice center pull balls, so I'm thrilled to be able to organize my yarn, especially my small amounts of scraps, into nice regular looking balls of yarn.