Little Wit Knits – Unplugged

I decided for Christmas this year to make my nieces the elephant and bunny from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. While perusing Knitters Mercantile one day I happened upon some Rowan Pure Wool DK in splendid colors for the animals. I started to knit them up while I was handing out candy for Trick or Treat. They knit up quickly and make me smile. I did give them eyes before Christmas, I kind of dragged my feet a little bit. The elephant went to my niece, Sophia. She seemed to really enjoy it on Christmas Day.

L'elephant sans eyes.

Description: L’éléphant
Pattern: Lovable Toys by Marion Edmonds from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn used: 1.75 skeins of Rowan Pure Wool DK Colorway 002 (100% Superwash Wool ) 50 g / 136 yds and .14 skeins of Rowan Pure Wool DK Colorway 024 (100% Superwash Wool ) 50 g / 136 yds
Care Instructions: Machine wash gentle
Needle Size: US 6 (4.0 mm)
Modifications: No mods
Finished Size: One size
Date Started: 11/12/2008
Date Completed: 11/21/2008
Notes: These guys are super cute and I highly recommend making them. There are no eyes in the pictures but there were eyes when it appeared under the tree.

Elephant and Bunny hanging out by the fireplace.

I wasn’t able to find out Grandma Kathryn’s foot size so I decided instead to make her a shawl. Grandma usually drapes sweaters around her shoulders when she gets cold and I figured a little shawl would be less bulky. She was quite happy to receive it and even wore it home to keep her ears warm. I am sure I will see it around the apartment when we go to visit her next time.

Me modeling Grandma's shawl before it was wrapped up.

Description: Kathryn’s Shawl
Pattern: Lace Poncho by Susan Sternlieb from Interweave Knits Fall 2005
Yarn used: 3.58 skeins of Crystal Palace Merino 5 Colorway 2302 (100% superwash Merino) 50 g / 110 yds
Care Instructions: Machine or hand wash cold, lay flat to dry
Needle Size: US 8 (5.0 mm)
Modifications: I only cast on 49 sts and I didn’t join this together to create a poncho as the pattern calls for.
Finished Size: You know I forgot to measure it. It’s probably about 12″ wide or so and about 60″ long
Date Started: 12/01/2008
Date Completed: 12/07/2008
Notes: None.

Shawl blocking on another chair from TDS. Love them!

2nd photo of me modeling Grandma's shawl

As of today all of my previously assigned Christmas knitting is complete. The shawl has been knit, grafted together, ungrafted, had 2 repeats ripped out and regrafted. It is awaiting a bath as soon as I finish this post. Francis for myself was blocked and then I decided I didn’t like how the sleeves turned out so I ripped them back to the elbows and low and behold I had enough yarn to make long sleeves! I will do the happy dance tomorrow once it finishes drying and I can cut the ends and weave them in. Saturday is my office Christmas party. Hopefully I will get some nice pictures of the shawl in action there to post next week. The boy will be home most of next week and the following week so chances are good that we will be able to find some nice sunlight to take pictures in during my lunch breaks. I have two presents left to sew on Sunday and some candies to make. So I may have decided I have plenty of time to whip out another Christmas present. I cast on tonight at knit night and it involves some very fun Rainbow roving from Yarn Chef. I can’t wait until after Christmas when I can finally blog about all the items I have been knitting.

Well there are babies in my life now. Albeit they are other people’s babies, but babies I can knit for nonetheless. As we all know babies can pull off some of fashions silliest items a lot more smoothly than grown ups. As I was cruising Ravelry a couple of weeks ago I found this adorable pumpkin hat that I figured would be smashing on my niece for Halloween. In a fit of pouting aimed at my Master’s project I decided to cast on something quick and easy Tuesday night. It knit up amazingly quickly (go figure, eh?) and now I present you with adorably cute pumpkin headgear:

Pete modeling Sophia’s hat. It doesn’t quite fit him right. Hopefully it fits her better

Description: Pumpkin Headgear for Sophia
Pattern: Pumpkin Hat by Susan Esser
Yarn used: .43 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky Colorway Burnt Orange (100% acrylic ) 100g / 164 yds
Care Instructions: Machine washable
Needle Size: US 10 (6mm)
Modifications: I knit on a US 10 just because the fabric looked better than on a US 9
Finished Size: about 17″
Date Started: 9/30/2008
Date Completed: 10/1/2008
Notes: If I were to make it again I think I would plan out the leaf layout better from the beginning but I swear once she puts it on she’ll be too damned cute for it to matter.

Sophia’s Hat – leaf detail

Sophia’s Hat – side view

Part of my package to my swap partner for the yoga swap was a water bottle cozy. It actually knit up pretty easily (once I stopped being a goober). I did attempt to knit it in the round at first, however the pattern doesn’t completely lend itself to being knit in the round. It leaves a weird seam that doesn’t look as good as when it is properly seamed. I finished up all the weaving in of ends while I our power was out on Sunday. Good timing, eh?

Cory’s modeling again – water bottle cozy

Description: Water bottle cozy
Pattern: Lacy Yoga Bags by Alison Green Will in the small size
Yarn used: 1.72 skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic in Colorway 3872 (100% mercerized cotton) 50g (1.75oz)/ 108 yds (100m)
Care Instructions: machine or hand wash, dry flat
Needle Size: US 7 (4.5mm)
Modifications: none, since my initial modification didn’t work out.
Finished Size: Small bag size
Date Started: 9/5/2008
Date Completed: 9/14/2008
Notes: This bag is pretty nice and I would totally recommend making one. It’s cute to boot.

full shot of the bag

I love the detail in the bottom of the bag.

The top of the bag has an eyelet row for the icord straps and has a turned hem. I quite like the technique.