Clapotis Swatch

Clapotis Swatch
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

I skipped the 31 stitch section in my photos, but here's the 37 stitch section. This still wasn't the striping I was looking for.

Clapotis Swatch

Clapotis Swatch
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

At 25 Stitches, section 1 is about 4.5 inches wide with the stitches dropped (3 ladders). I like how each half of the colorway has two rows of stitches. This is my favorite effect of the swatch but I fear too narrow for my scarf. Next stop, 31 stitches.

Clapotis Swatch - First in Series

Clapotis Swatch - detail
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

Ok, so everyone, and I really mean everyone, has knit this fabulous pattern from knitty.com. I've just been waiting til the time is right.

I did research about yarn and modifications and decided to marry 2 goals and use my Violet's Pink Ribbon Yarn to make a Clapotis narrow scarf.

I bought this sport weight yarn from Lisa Souza to assist the hilarious Miss V in times of trouble, but didn't have any plans for it. When I began to think about maybe making some plans, I checked out photos of what other people were making. And... I wasn't crazy about it. Narrower items just looked pink and splotchy to me and wider items had odd pooling. Most people had ordered it in a sock weight and there were many socks. I ordered it in sport because I knew I was not going to be making socks. There were a variety of non-sock projects as well, but I just couldn't imagine making anything I would actually wear, since I am mostly not a pink-wearer. So I left it in the stash.

Then along comes ravelry.

I looked and looked at the yarn in its permutations and decided that it might work as a nice springy holey scarf. But serious swatching would be necessary to decide how the colorway would work best. So I found the tips on Needles & Hooks blog and began with a 25 stitch swatch. The following posts will follow my various experiments in the swatch.

So far, I really like the colorway. It is so pretty to knit with, I just want to find the perfect match for it to look as pretty in a knitted fabric. It is like knitting with easter bunny yarn. Perfect for right now.

My first Magic Loop Sock

My first Magic Loop Sock
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

Pattern: Made it up based on countless tutorials on magic loop knitting and then cables based on whimsy. Increases for abandoned calf shaping the same.
Yarn: Lisa Souza Merino Sport in Delft.
Needles: 1 long circular, size 4

I wanted to learn the magic loop technique so I cast these on last spring. Since I just finished them, you can imagine there was a gap in there. I love doing 2 at once, because I can imagine never finishing the second. I appreciate the elegance of the technique as well, but I just don't think I'm a sock knitter. I like the socks, but I like faster knits. Since I'm limited to knitting on the subway, which is a time as well as project size limitation, I think I enjoy quick accessory type knits most, since I like to spend no more than 2 weeks on a project. I do spend longer but I get bored after about 2 weeks of the same.

I was originally going to knit until the yarn ran out but decided I'd had enough even though I'd started the calf shaping to make a knee sock. I think I would have made it too with 875 yards of sport weight. I think I will use the remainder to design a socklet pattern.

I like the pretty blue flecky color of these but I think they are too thick to wear with shoes, so they will be house socks. Thus, they will be seen more often.

Verdict: Magic loop is neat, socks are nowhere to be found in my alley.

Mayela's Log Cabin - The catch up blogging begins

DSCN6115.jpg
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

Pattern: How to Log Cabin
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted
Needles: 9

Knit this for the new niece, to match her pretty new room. It took a long amount of subway knitting, almost 2 months. The yarn is wicked soft, a little splitty and yes, shiny. I worry about the woven in ends working themselves out since the cotton/modal is so slippy. Overall I'm pleased with how it came out.

Greek Deli Cup Coffee Cozy Pattern and Kit

Greek Deli Cup Cozy Kit
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

It's finally done! Kits and patterns to make your own Greek Deli Cup Coffee Cozy are now available in my etsy store, halfbirthday.etsy.com.

The pattern is available in pdf format. The kit includes: 100% wool in blue and white, embroidery floss, pre-printed interfacing embroidery pattern, 2 page full color pattern in plastic sleeve.

Kit does not include knitting or embroidery needles. Or coffee.

If you buy one and make one, please send me photos!

Granny Square Tote Bag

Granny Square Tote Bag
Originally uploaded by StoneAmazon.

I finished this, this past week. I wanted to learn how to crochet to improve my knit skills, and since my mom is a crocheter, the last time I saw her in April, I asked her to show me how. She made the center square to demonstrate a granny square. I continued making squares until I ran out of yarn and then decided to see how I could piece them together to make something. One ball got me 9 squares so I decided on one side of a tote. I needed it a bit bigger, so I after I pieced it together using slipstitch through the back loop, I added 2 more rounds of the granny square pattern. I sewed the tote out of double layers of muslin, and used a tutorial about squaring pockets that I found via the CRAFT blog. It has pockets for phone, wallet, and pen. I want to do something fun on the back side as well, possibly trying to embroider with my sewing machine, and I'd also like to add another pocket for my ipod. But I couldn't wait to finish and use it. I've been using it for 2 days. Thanks, Mom!