Shark Hat 鲨鱼

Project: Shark Hat 鲨鱼
Pattern: Fish Hat [Dead of Alive?] by Thelma Egberts, Knitty Winter 2008, free download
Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool blue and black
Yardage: About 200 yards total
Needles: Size 8
Cast on: January 12, 2013

Cast off: January 22, 2013

Cost: Stash yarn doesn't count!

Notes: This is one of my most fun knitting ever. My friend Jenna answered my Pay-it-Forward post on Facebook, and I know she's crazy about sharks, so it was a very easy decision. Many people have knitted this pattern on Ravelry, and this one in particular had great notes on how she modified the hat to be more shark-like. I knitted the fins with blue and black held together on size 8 so they'd stand up. The eyes are black buttons on white felt. Teeth are white felt with red marker for blood.

Happy Friday and Happy February! Join the party on Andrea's blog, Tami's blog, and leave me a comment!

New Project: Ten Stitch Scarf

Project: Ten Stitch Scarf
Pattern: Ten Stitch Blanket by Frankie Brown, Ravelry free download
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Stripe
Yardage: 215 yards, 50g skein
Needles: Size 6
Cast on: January 20, 2013

Notes: The Ten Stitch pattern series (all designed by Frankie Brown) are very popular on Ravelry. It's a simple concept, you cast on ten stitches, keep knitting them and use short rows for shaping, picking up stitches as needed. I'm using the blanket pattern, but instead of making a square, I'll make a very long and narrow rectangle, which would be a scarf. It's a little mind bending to make the U-turn, and picking up along the side is a bit of nuisance. Other than that, the knitting is very easy!

Happy Fiber Arts Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog and leave me a comment! 

Emma's Lady E Sweater, Wet Blocking

I need a cute purse and some heels.

Emma is a great model

Where are my pearls and diamonds?

In the recent cold snap Emma the puppy complained how cold it was to go outside at night, or to attend weekend dog training classes. What's a knitter to do! There is not really a pattern, and the yarns are assorted left over from my stash. We are both very happy with the result.

Ouch!

Can you see the big E?

Last week I asked about wet blocking. Beth at Green Planet Yarn let me borrow the blocking board, wires, and pins from the store, so I re-blocked Grant Teton Shawl. The result is great, the shawl grew at least couple of inches, at least on Daniella the mannequin.

Looks like the shawl is in torture chamber

While I was at it, I re-blocked the Oslo Walk Shawl too, since the edging can use some better definition. I don't care too much for the wires, but pins and board can really make a difference. Looks like there will be shopping in the future.

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog, Tami's blog, and leave me a comment! 

Grant Teton Shawl Finale 大西北之秋

Project: Grand Teton Shawl 大西北之秋
Pattern: Grand Teton Shawl by Very Busy Monkey, Ravelry download
Yarn: Abstract Fiber Might Sock, 50% superwash merino, 50% tencel
Yardage: 380 yards, 100g skein, Laurel Hurst colorway. Took less than a skein to finish.
Needles: Size 6
Cast on: December 15, 2012

Cast off: January 6, 2013

Cost: $0 (shop sample)

Previous entry: last week

Notes: The shawl came out smaller than I expected. I steam blocked it on a towel as I usually do with my finished knitting, it stretched out a bit, but still looks small. I may have to wet block it on the board with blocking wires. If you've done that, please share your experience.

Does this puppy look a little cold?

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog and leave me a comment! 

Grand Teton Shawl 大西北之秋

Project: Grand Teton Shawl 大西北之秋
Pattern: Grand Teton Shawl by Very Busy Monkey, Ravelry download
Yarn: Abstract Fiber Might Sock, 50% superwash merino, 50% tencel
Yardage: 380 yards, 100g skein
Needles: Size 6
Cast on: December 15, 2012

Notes: This is a shop sample for Green Planet Yarn, one of the biggest yarn stores in our area. The pattern is very new on Ravelry so only test knitting projects are posted. The superwash and tencel yarn feels more plant-yarn than animal-yarn, quite slippery to the touch, but the colors are brilliant (much brighter in real life than in picture). It's definitely a sock yarn that's not meant for socks. The Chinese name means Autumn in the Great Northwest, because the colors of the yarn reminds me of fall colors, and it's late fall-ish when I started planning the shawl. The Great Northwest in China refers to Inner Mongolia and Gobi Desert regions, where the weather is dry and the sky is big, much like Montana or Wyoming, where Grand Teton National Park is located.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog and leave me a comment!