On The Needles

I'm making Frankensocks!

I saw them on Instagram and I've seen them at The Polka Dot Chicken and other places.

I have always wanted to use up my leftover sock yarn for more socks.

So I pulled out some of my sock yarn balls and got started.

Then I remembered I saw where Carol wound her yarn on little plastic bobbins,

so I had to go get mine out and make myself some little bobbins.

It took over my tv/knitting time last night. 

I am ready to make a really fun pair of socks.

Or 2 or 3.

This kind of stuff can get out of control for me.

 But that's ok, I always need socks.

And this goofy boy wanted his robot/alien hat so bad.

His Gramma kept messing it up and when you are 4 

and everyone else has their new hat,

you must hound Gramma to get it done.

I don't know how many times he asked.

5 times I started this hat,

4 times I pulled the needles.

My last On The Needles post,

(seriously Gramma!!!)

was July 8th and this hat was finished but 

waaaayyy tooooo tight!

I said this was the last time.

if it didn't fit, he'd get one like the other boys.

Thank goodness it fit.

After trying it on him and getting the funny face picture,

I sat down and finished it.

The pompom that he didn't want, oh wait, yes I do!,

is now made and attached.

He is one happy little man. 

I'm sure glad I finished his hat before Frankensocks took over!!!

I am not going to go digging to see what else I have on my needles.

I'm just happy my sock Mojo is back so that's what I'll work on. 

Check out Judy L's fabulous projects and see what other knitters are working on at

Patchwork Times-On The Needles.

On The Needles

This hat is off the needles and when Corbin put it on, it's too tight.

I'll start over with everything I've learned from this project.

I had it finished with a different design on top.

It was waaaayyyy too tight so I cut yarn and pulled it out down to the black above the robots.

Then I picked up all the stitches-successfully the first time!-and added the X design.

It's still to tight.

It just barely goes on his head.

He loves it!

So I am going to make him another with the robots and

 be very careful about pulling my traveling yarn too tight!!!

Then I started on Leland's hat.

I sat down early this morning and finished the knitting.

Now I have to make a pompom.

He can hardly wait!

Too bad my picture doesn't show how bright this is.

We road tripped again last weekend.

We were gone for 5 days.

These boys are turning into really good travelers.

Yes, hubby's seat covers are camo.

Yes, I let my dogs sleep on the truck quilt. 

I love how little 6 pound Jessie takes his half of the seat right out of the middle. 

See what others have on their needles by visiting Patchwork Times-On the Needles today.

On The Needles

I've been in hat knitting mode. Mostly because of the road trips we have been taking. Each direction is at least five hours......so 4 trips have resulted in 3 hats and the beginning of number 4.

This pattern is called Neon Knights. 

This is for 10 year old grandson Elliot, made from stash Lion Brand Wool-Ease.

He's pretty subdued most of the time so I thought it would be the perfect colors for him.

He loves it and I was quite surprised that he wanted the pompom.

He wants another in bright colors. 

(He's going to have to wait for his turn to roll around again.)

I'll make this pattern again with black yarn and bright colors, using more stash yarn.

That will be for 6 year old Leland who does NOT want pink in his hat!

Any other color I chose will be fine.

This one is called Floppy Brimmed Sunhat. 

This one is for 8 year old Clella. I added the flower. She loves it!

Wherever It Points

This is the 3rd hat from this pattern.  

This one will go to 4 year old Estella. 

If it's too big, then I'll make her something different. 

4 year old Corbin gets this one. It's called Jumping Jacks from the book Kid's Knitted Hats. 

You can see it on the back cover of the book I linked to. 

I had a heck of a time with the 2 color ribbing so I gave up after 4 attempts. 

I am using Red Heart Worsted yarn for this so I made a few adjustments. 

I am having a blast with the color work on these hats. 

After Leland's Neon Knights hat, I have some bulky camo yarn to make Warm Quick Hat for Jonah.  

I think that is enough planned knitting for a while.

 I love making hats for the kiddos. 

I love having to concentrate on something on these road trips.

 Especially on the freeway. 

See what others are knitting at Patchwork Times Oh the Needles.  

Oh Judy L, those cables are fabulous! 

They still terrify me. 

On The Needles

I knew it had been a long time since I've done an On The Needles post but I didn't realize how long ago it was. September 18!!! The knitting slump has been over for a bit but I've been too lazy to post. I'm in hat mode right now.  I found this cute pattern for a Floppy Brimmed Hat and knew I had to make one for Clella. I found a fun Red Heart With Love yarn and knew it would turn out cute!

And it did! But she hasn't tried it on yet. I've said before that I am an awful passenger and I must do something to keep my focus off all the the road hazards and big trucks. So the first photo was taken at the end of our driveway and by the time we got to the campground, the hat was almost finished.

A while back someone posted this hat pattern called Wherever It Points. 4 skeins of yarn is supposed to make 4 hats. Hat one is the blue brimmed hat. I wish I would have used the green for the center band instead of the top but it's finished and someone somewhere will wear it. I'm about half done with hat 3 and wonder if there will be enough yarn left to make the 4th one. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease.  Crystal has already nabbed the white brimmed hat.

I did start a Rainbow Trout hat but a little ways in to it, I ripped it out. It isn't a travel friendly pattern for me so I will start over on it at home and work on something else on the road.

Maybe I should start a pair of plain Jane socks for the travel bag. Those are always fun to work on and I do have some fun yarn.

Check out what others are doing at Patchwork Times. I love the color of Judy L's yarn.

Crochet Fever

It all started innocent enough.

The weather in December turned bone chilling cold.

I was shopping one day and found Lion Brand Unique yarn.

Oooohhh, pretty, pretty.

I bought 2 skeins.

Knowing Taylor walks alot, I figured she needed a new scarf.

I used this tutorial.

2 skeins was not enough.

I had to wait for more yarn.

It finally came in, I bought 2 more.

I finished her scarf.

Oh so soft and toasty.

On Facebook's The Crochet Crowd, I saw this challenge.

I went in and grabbed a skein of acrylic yarn and got busy.

I found the written pattern confusing but once I watched the video it all clicked.

I used a larger hook than the pattern said

 and for the smaller hat,

I just made it up as I went.

These are for Lacey and Estella.

I hope Estella's fits her.

I'll find out later today.

I love a good trip to town that involves being a passenger and lots of waiting/crochet time.

While getting the scarf yarn, I saw camo yarn and had to buy a skein.

Taylor loves all things camo!!!

I used a V stitch and crocheted until I was almost out of yarn.

She is very excited to wear this one,

I can't wait to give it to her.

What's next?

I have an afghan UFO that needs attention.

I'm going to get that afghan ready for my new to go project.

Night time recliner time is now back to sock knitting.

On The Needles

Getting little boys to be hat models is a tough job!  I made Elliot's Bun Hat using Bernet Softee Chunky yarn. Look how nice it covers his neck. I bought this same yarn in green to make this hat for Ernie-he likes how it covers the neck. And then I probably won't ever make another one using this pattern.  4 is enough for me.

 

I bought 2 skeins of this yarn and needed to use part of the second one for Elliot's hat which is the smaller size on the pattern.  With the remaining yarn, I down sized the pattern to make another hat for Corbin. It fits and will probably only fit this winter.  

I'm working on an Easy Lacy Headband in pink for sister Mae. I need to sit down and get that finished. She will model it proudly for me.

See other fabulous On The Needles projects at Patchwork Times.  

On The Needles

On the needles is still the Rival Cardigan that has been put on hold while I work on hats.

These little socks were the ornaments I made for our ornament exchange last Saturday.

They were so much fun to make but 

even more fun was the reaction of my friends when they each received their very own hand made sock.

I thought about doing pairs but 

I think it's more fun to make single socks instead of trying to make matching ones.

This Bun Hat is for Leland.

I knew I had seen the pattern on someone's On The Needles post but couldn't remember who.

It was Howdy's post here!!!

I like the yarn she used and may just pick up a skein or 5 when I go shopping today 

for the other hats that were requested.

So much easier than joining new colors and making jogless stripes.

See other On the Needles projects at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I apologize to the knitter that posted in her On The Needles post about the Bun Hat. I wanted to give her credit for sharing this quick, easy pattern, but I lost my note.  I knit this one up before Thanksgiving to try on the boys and to see if they would like it. Elliot liked it but it's green and not blue so I should give it to Jonah and make him a blue one.  I love that boy!!!  So I will. When I see Jonah, I will give him this hat. I will make Elliot a blue one and Leland wants one that is green with black and blue like his coat.  With them telling me the colors they want, I can't go wrong!

I'll have to do some size adjusting for Leland.  This one was made with 2 worsted weight yarns together on a size 10 needle. I followed the pattern for the small size. It fits Elliot who is 7 but covered 4 year old Leland's eyes.  Some adjusting will be done.

Still on the needles is the lovely Rival Cardigan. A few stitches here and there but not a whole lot of progress.

I'm fighting with myself to not start the Swing Cowl that Denise showed the other day. I am going to take my Dreambird apart and use that yarn for the Swing Cowl......I don't like it and there are too many mistakes that I can see. Maybe another time I will make it but not for a while.

See other great On The Needles projects at Patchwork Times.

On and Off The Needles

On the needles is this scarf for me.  

Lion Brand Homespun Mixed Berries is the perfect color for my favorite jacket.

Quick, easy, knit every row. 25 stitches on size 11 needles.

Finished is the hat from last week using up the last bits of wool yarn.

I have worn it several times already, it's perfect for that quick trip to the chicken house. 

I was going to toss any leftover wool but I made 2 dryers balls instead.

Finished last night was this Scarf Hood.

I think a teen girl will love this.

Personally, I think once it is sewn for the hood, the scarf is too short.

But I'm not a teen girl so what do I know.

So with these 2 finishes, I am at 3 finishes for Sticks 'n Strings 2013.

JoAnn's was having a great yarn sale so I stayed away from the store.

But you can order on line and they did have free shipping.  wink, wink

I order 2 skeins of yarn to finish an afghan, yarn for 3 pair of socks (don't judge!) and

circular needles for 2 different projects.

This morning I even found this free vest pattern for Ernie's test vest.

He wants one made from alpaca yarn 

but I'm going to use fisherman's wool first to test for fit and his likes and dislikes.  

I'm linking up to Patchwork Times On The Needles. 

On The Needles

I'm working on using it up......the bits of yarn left from other projects.  This hat is made using leftover wool from this pair of slippers and these gray socks. If there are any bits left over, maybe I'll get brave enough to just drop them in the garbage.  Or maybe not.

The Honey Cowl is finished.  This is Project 1 for Sticks 'n Strings 2013.  I don't have 13 unfinished knitting projects but I have a few.  I'm going to do like Denise and finish an already started project before I can start a new one.  So the hat is my new project.  When that is finished, I have 3 scarves to choose from. Also on my list of 2013 Knitting Projects is a vest for Ernie and a sweater for me.  I'd like to get the scarves finished before I tackle either of these. I see a couple new hats being made before the vest, that thing is making me nervous!

See other great On The Needles posts at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

 I finished the Baby Beanie. 

Quick, easy and cute.

I did modify the little top knot.

I made a 4 stitch i-cord instead of following the pattern directions.

I got past half way on this scarf.  

It won't be a hooded scarf.

I don't want the wearer to look like a skunk.

So she will be able to wrap this scarf instead.

See that gob of black yarn on the left?

This is what I really dislike about this huge skein.

Too many times, big gobs have to be untangled.

I won't be buying huge skeins again.

Blurry picture of my to go sock.

Weekend runarounds make it possible to knit quite a bit.

Now I will settle down in my recliner to get the heel turned

and the gusset knitted before it goes back into my bag.

I need to put another project in there for this weekend.

You know, just in case we have to go somewhere!

See other On The Needles posts by visiting Judy L at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

Not much yarn fondling this week.  

I spent most of my recliner time napping under a quilt. 

Crazy, nasty cold!

I did knit a few rows on the Baby Beanie.

I did not touch my Jeck socks.

I did order this book from Amazon.

I have not given up on making myself a sweater.

I made myself a sweater once.  

It was big enough to cover the house.

I took it all apart.

I made myself a shawl instead.

I love my shawl.

I am wearing it right now.

What's on your needles?

Check out Judy's socks and other needled projects here.

On The Needles

While looking at these photos, I'm thinking maybe someone has been spending too much time in front of the tv.  Ernie doesn't like to watch the Olympics, I do.  I'll check on things during the day but mostly I watch after he goes to bed-prime knitting time.

I finished up this cute little hat I showed last week.  I didn't follow the directions completely because I used larger yarn but I think it turned out cute.  I will not be making a hat that fits Mr. Bear's super large head.

I started over on my July socks.  I decided to not give up on the gray wool.  In keeping with the guidelines of the 12 in 2012 Challenge, I will be doing the heel flap and the toes with the 2 tone yarn.

I went yarn shopping the other day to get what I wanted for Christmas gifts.  I picked up 2 large skeins of this yarn to use for 2 scarves based on this pattern.  This is the first time I've used this yarn.  I am waiting for the run of the white to appear.  I don't want this to look like a skunk with the white going right down the center of the hood.  If it does, I'll pull the white out and just make a gray scarf.  The other skein is black and pink so I'll be on the lookout when I start that one.  I do love the gradation and I don't notice it while knitting but it sure shows when I hold it out to admire.

See Judy L's fabulous project and what others have on their needles here.

On The Needles

Last week while shopping, I realized how close Christmas is for a person that loves to hand make gifts.  This year the kiddos will be getting new hats as one of their gifts.  I saw this Amazing yarn and knew that it would be the perfect yarn for the little girls.  It's a wool/acrylic blend, a little fuzzy and very soft and warm.  After spending too much time on Ravelry, I found the perfect patterns for each of the kiddos. 

This pattern is called Rainbow Hat and can be found here. The instructions say size 5 needles and to cast on 112 with fingering yarn.   This is worsted weight so I cast on 80 stitches.  It's a perfect fit.  

These were my wool toe up socks but with each stitch, I liked them less and less so I took them apart.  I think I am going to skip toe up, keep doing what I love to do--cuff down and call this my lesson for July.  I will cast on the gray socks as soon as this hat is finished since those are the needles I need for these socks.

And just for the fun of it, this is Miss Blue.  She is a very naughty girl!  She decided she liked this flower pot for her afternoon nap.  See how bright white her ears are?  This means I get a pretty white egg from her. She is such a good layer that I don't want to upset her so I leave her alone.

What's on your needles?  See Judy L's gorgeous shawl and see what others are doing here.

Design Wall Monday

I'm delighted to say as soon as the outer section is sewn to the compass on the left, I will be caught up with BOM-QA.  Until Thursday when the next block is chosen.  Pretty big difference from last DWM post.  I need 1 more big compass and 5 small ones, plus there is a border of half square triangles that I have ready to sew.  I am using Triangulations to paper piece them.  The fabric is cut and the correct sized triangle pages are printed.  (Last week I was going to sew them at my Wednesday group and was showing the gals how great it is that the info is printed right onto the papers.  Well guess who printed off quarter square triangles instead of HSTs?  Yeah, that would be me.  At least I caught it before I had them sewn and cut.)

And just to show off a whole lot of cuteness.  This is Corbin with his Aviatrix hat that finally fits him.  Isn't he adorable?  If you are looking for a multisized, quick, fairly simple hat, this is a great one.  I did finish crocheting a little blanket and knitted a cute little hat for newest granddaughter that has yet to make her appearance.  I was excited to get it finished before she arrived.  OK little one, I'm ready for you to meet us.

It's Monday so that means I get some awesome time in Blogland.  Head over to Judy L's to see her awesome quilt and then visit others to see what's happening around town.

Tuesday Knitting Report

I haven't made much progress on my sock since last week. The gusset is done and not I'm headed to the toes. My sock knitting time kind of got side tracked with this hat and the Kindle. I'm not talented enough to be able to read and knit at the same time. So I have to choose.


We've had a late winter storm--anyhow that's what the news people are calling it. Anytime there is snow in Portland OR, it is a major news event. After their snow time passed and the rains came, we still got snow. A full day and night of wet, heavy snow. It's weird to watch the news and see the rain, then look outside and see only white. We are about 3 miles away from the banana belt line. I'm hoping it's over and we are headed into spring. My bulbs are up all over the place and trees are starting to bud. I hope this storm didn't destroy anything.

Today is turned to light rain. I put on my boots and walked to the mail box and to take care of the chickens. There was 5 inches of snow on top of 2 inches of sloppy wet slush. I felt like I had on lead boots. Sure gave this ole out of shape gal a workout!!! So now I will put on my jammies and get ready for a quiet night of sock knitting.

Tuesday Knitting Report

I made some progress on sock #2 this week. Not much but some. I'm hoping to have it done by the weekend.

I made DeeDee's hat almost like Taylor's. Again, I used double strands of Wool-Ease and fun fur. I almost didn't give it to her!

I still have my sweater disaster to take care of so that will probably be my next project. Sighhhhhhh!

Tuesday Knitting Report

I spent quite a bit of time in the recliner last week while suffering from a nasty cold. I think I might be on the feeling better side now. I'm saying that softly because I don't want a relapse.

Through several episodes of Grey's Anatomy I worked on a new sock. I started decreasing the toe last night so hopefully it will be finished tonight.

Before starting the sock, I played with the Thorpe Hat. I have never used 2 colors before and thought this would be a fun project to try it. I had some acrylic yarn so I picked that for the experiment. The pattern calls for chunky yarn, so I used 2 strands. Hind sight tells me not to do that again. But since it was a learning experiment, I learned. I went ahead and finished it and Taylor loves it. She loves her hat. I hope she will love the next one.

My next shopping trip list includes chunky yarn for hats.