Handknit Holidays-along

Swedish Heart-warmer Shawl

2009-01-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

This KAL seems inactive but I'll post anyway. Just in case anyone is Googling Swedish Heart-warmer or Swedish Heartwarmer.

The Swedish Heart-warmer shawl is a colorwork shawl pattern contained in the Handknit Holidays book. For several months a KAL for this shawl has been going on over in Ravelry. It is a thread within the Stranded Ravelry group.

Some of us started the shawl in April of 2008. A couple of folks have just decided to begin (in January 2009).

So if you stranded colorwork experience and are interested in making this beautiful shawl (and have a Ravelry signon) hop on over to the Ravelry stranded group and check out the thread. The name of the thread is KAL: Swedish Heart-warmer Shawl-Still Active

Menorah Pillow

2007-12-09T17:15:00.001-08:00

Handknit Holidays Menorah Pillow done in Elann Uros Aran wool/llama blend (much more economical than the yarn featured in the pattern). I think I used 5 or so skeins. It took a very long time to assemble and put it together but I'm quite pleased with the finished product, and it's the 6th night of Hanukkah tonight so I barely finished it in time! The 3 needle i-cord bind off is a pretty slick method and not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Anyone who knows of other Hanukkah knitting patterns, please contact me! There seem to be precious few!

Santa Hat

2007-12-02T20:51:00.000-08:00

Just a quick one...

Pattern: Santa Hat from Handknit Holidays
Yarn: Lion Brand Thick and Quick in deep garnetty red and cream
Things I fudged: Quite a few. I cast on something like 60 stitches. I used yarn that was not on gauge (as per my usual MO). Since I wasn't on gauge, I had to get creative with the decreases. In the end, I have a santa hat that's a wee bit big, even for my noggin.
I've had this book for over a year and a half now, and this is the first FO I have from it. I'm quite pleased.

Knitalong Closed

2007-09-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

I can't keep up with the requests any longer. The blog will remain as a reference and current members are welcome to continue posting but I will not be adding any new members to the knitalong. Thanks.

Jessica

Swedish Heartwarmer

2007-05-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
I bought this book last October, and I love it. I bought it for certain patterns, and when I got it home, completely different patterns jumped out at me, begging to be knit.
I was enchanted by the Swedish Heartwarmer shawl, which I noticed no one has knit yet. That's kinda scary, because I like reading posts about something I am knitting. But, I found a good source for the yarn, and bought it, and it is on the way to me! (eek). I'd like to be able to wear it this coming Christmas, but I do have a lot of other projects I want to make, so we'll see how it goes.

I'm thinking it will end up being a combination of Fair Isle and intarsia. I need to practice some intarsia I think.

Over-the-Knee Stockings

2007-05-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

I'll post a little here about my delightful journey with the over-the-knee socks, or you can read all of my life at my blog.

It must have been September or so when I started these suckers. I had a giant skein of alpaca yarn from Rebelle in Lexington. I had a really rough start, I left my bag open in the university barn and the dogs got into it and decided they like the taste of alpaca and the crunch of Brittany #3 knitting needles. It took a while to get back into the swing of the sock, but I did eventually. As I neared the heel of the first sock I realized that they were going to hit me about mid-knee, not a good place, so I started added repeats until they were full-on stockings. I ended up with 23 repeats of the eyelet "seam."

I had a trip to Chicago with the Clack Mountain String Band and friends planned for February so a few weeks before I really started knitting the heck out of those socks. It got down to the night before I was supposed to start driving at 6 am when I realized that my dear little ball of yarn wasn't going to make it to the toe. I thought about finishing the toe with a different yarn, which may have been wiser, and then fixing it when I got back. I ended up frogging up past the heel, taking out a repeat, and continuing. I ended up with cute socks to wear in Chicago, but also with a horribly misworn and felted heel.

So after I got home and got to the yarn store, the whole, sad foot was frogged to the ankle and restarted.

I finished off the foot and ended up very happy and with the warmest and tallest socks I'll ever own!

Aran Stocking

2007-03-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Kelly, if you are reading this, you suck.

Christmas 2007 production is in full swing. Here's the Aran Stocking that matches my sister's Tree Skirt. It's knit with 2 strands of Knit Picks Bare Peruvian Wool Bulky on US13s. The trim is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Taupe. It's a super quick knit (especially compared to the tree skirt!) and the finished product looks great. Also, it's huge!

Though the instructions don't call for a lining, the stocking seemed too stretchy to handle a full Christmas load, so I added one. Just traced the outside of the stocking on canvas-y fabric and sewed it inside the stocking at the base of the cuff. Nothing fancy, but like a good bra it provides that needed support.

(sorry for the wacky color on the left photo).

Happy Christmas, Colm!

not so "elf-y" Elf Cap

2007-02-16T12:30:00.002-08:00

X-Posted at string*THEORY

How about those GIGANTOID sun glasses, though? I use them as a replacement for sunscreen since they manage to cover my entire face. Ooh well, they match my gigantic head....hence the "not so elf-y elf hat". Wheres the cute little point?

Everything about this project was super cool, in my opinion. The yarn was soft & chunky at a cool 2 stitches/inch. The mauve and gold colors were interesting to see knit up in their unassumingly jovial combination.

Pattern: Elf Caps from Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick

Needles:Size 15 bamboo (short length) circulars. This project would have been much easier using Addi Turbos because the yarn is loosely spun & got caught on the connectors a lot. The bamboo, however, worked fine & I wasn't about to spring $15 for some needles that I would seldom use.

Yarn: The GOLD is from Blue Sky Alpacas - Bulky Hand Dyes line, (50% Alpaca, %50 wool). The color is uneven giving it a home-made, organic, rustic look with a lot of depth and variance. This yarn would definitely be considered "luxury" due to it's high price tag (approx. $16) and very low yardage (45 yards). As much as it killed me to spend that kind of money on such a small amount of yarn, I would say that it's worth it (for a small project). It adds a lot to the hat and will prove to be quite warm and soft on my forehead. I used about 15-20 yards of the total 45 that came in the skien.

Yarn, continued: The mauve (color 9424) is Cascade Magnum. It's the recommended yarn for this project, and is also very chunky at 2 sts/inch. It's also quite soft and made up of 100% Pure Wool. This yarn was nice, but I'm not going to rant on and on about the depth of the color. It's flat in comparison to the gold. It's serves it's purpose, though, it's more utilitarian in it's make-up and didn't have the same luxurious look n' feel that the Blue Sky's stuff did. Rightfully so, it was much cheaper (not cheap! but cheaper - $20 for 123 yards).

Time to Knit: Approx. 2 hours. (not including the first time I knit it (huge) - the night before!)

All in all this hat was super fun to make, the swirly pattern of the decreases makes it interesting to look at from above and I love the endless embellishing possibilities of the finished hat. I think the next time I knit this, I will try a couple of knit rows in between each decrease row to get more of that gnome-pointed-hat look.

X-Posted at string*THEORY

2007-02-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

I wanted to try color work this year so I used leftover yarn to whip up the Candy Cane Hat as my first try. Loved it! I may have to make an adult size for myself.

They like it! They really like it.

2007-01-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to present a completed Aran Tree Skirt. Now, now, do contain yourselves. Really. The standing ovation is just too much. Well. Ok. Keep clapping if you must.

Seriously, I finished it in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Here it is in its rightful place under the tree.
It's very pretty and I do recommend it if you've got the patience and arm strength. It got pretty weighty at the end and seriously strained my wrists and forearms, thereby limiting how much time I could spend on it in one sitting. All told it used 12 skeins of LB Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on US 11 needles.

If I make another (my hubby has repeatedly mentioned how much he'd like one for us), I think I'll use Knit Picks Sierra (two strands together on US13s gets the required gauge). It's a bit more expensive than the Wool-Ease, but really lovely to work with. And for the amount of time spent on this project, using yarn you enjoy is well worth the extra expense.

Log Cabin Socks

2006-12-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

Log Cabin socks are finished! But too late for Christmas. I was going to make two pairs and give them to my parents, but since they don't know about them, I will finish the other pair and put them aside for next Christmas. So I guess I'm not late, I'm really well prepared. Heh.

Since these are for my parents, I made them out of cashmere. Woo hoo! They will also get gift certificates for pedicures so as not to snag the precious cashmere. (They'll find that very funny.) I used 2 skeins and a bit of a third of 6 ply Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere. I can't find my yarn tag, but I believe the color was called Slate.

I guess I should go cast on the second pair...

Under the Wire

2006-12-23T21:36:00.000-08:00

The votive sleeves have been my one and only project from this book, but I love love love love love them! Not really making them, but lighting them and seeing the sparkle!

Knitted about eleven of them so far, and have a ton more beads and wire to make more, but that will be for after the holidays!

Pretty much followed the directions.

8 stitches.
Size 8 needles (METAL!)
Gauge 26 wire (never tried the 24 the pattern calls for.) Used a golden tone wire for all of them.
About 220 beads to fit the Crate and Barrel votive holders.
When wrapping it around the votive, made sure the purl side was out, the beads "pop" nicer on the purl side.

Bought most of my beads at Michael's and JoAnns.

Used mostly 6/0 beads. It was fun to use the different types of beads, but make sure that they are dispersed throughout the knitting (not easily divisible by 8).

It was also fun to come up with all the color combos.

Tons more pics on my blog. Knitted them from October-December.

Flap Top Mittens

2006-12-20T05:27:00.000-08:00

Finally wrapped up the mitten knitting. These were made using left over LB Wool-Ease from last year's Christmas gifts. Quick and easy and use far less than a skein per pair.
Among them was the Candy Cane Hat...

Photos of the other matching giftees are on my blog.

Triangle scarf has found a good home

2006-12-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

I have finished and gifted some of my holiday knitting and wanted to share with you. Form Handknit Holidays I finished the triangle scarf and am thrilled with the results. Oh and my cousin liked it too! For more details check out my
blog.

--Sparkly

Menorah pillow!

2006-12-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

I finished my Menorah Pillow. I used elann's Uros Aran yarn as a sub and it worked out great (and for much less than the called for Cashmerino Aran). I used about 4 and a half balls. The yarn which has some alpaca in it gives the pillow a lovely halo.

The pattern was very well written (and so clever too!) so there weren't many modifications. The only instruction which I thought was questionable concerned the i-cord bind-off on the sides on the pillow.

The pattern calls for picking up one stitch in every row which really did not work out. It made the side pucker and stretch like mad. In the end I ripped it out and picked up 76 stitches evenly on each of the side edges so that the i-cord bind-off would be knit on the same number of stitches on each side.

I also used smaller needles with the Uros Aran yarn so that it was a little firmer and that worked out fine. My finished pillow is 13 x 13 inches and perfectly accomodates a 12 by 12 inch pillow form. Finally, I used chinese knot buttons to finish it off.

Ta-da!

More details on my blog at www.annypurls.blogspot.com

flip top fun

2006-12-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

I made these convertible top mittens for my son. The striped bit is made from my own handspun alpaca/silk blend and man are they soft. The flip part is knitpicks wool. I added little loops on the top so that he could button back the flap. Since these will be going to school, I also used good flat buttons so that I could write his name on the buttons to try to hold on to them through the season! More pics and details on my blog.

Ruffle Scarf

2006-11-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

I just finished the Ruffle Scarf...anyone else do one? I was calling this the Scarf of Insanity. 3200 stitches to bind off. I only made it because I somehow managed to convince myself that it couldn't possibly be as bad as I thought it would be to finish. Yeah, right. I was completely wrong. Nightmare. Total nightmare. 3 days just to bind off. And I'm not so sure about the major ruffliness. Less ruffles and longer would be better, is my thought. Anyone else's thoughts?

Here's another photo of the scarf tied around the neck...see? Too many ruffles!
Charlotte

Aran Tree Skirt and Flap-Top Mittens

2006-11-20T05:28:00.000-08:00

I'm on the 8th wedge of the Aran Tree Skirt and slogging on to complete it in time for Christmas. Has anyone completed one? It's pretty cool so far, but I'd love some tales of completed glory to inspire me to finish.

I just cast on the Flap-Top Mittens for my 10 year old nephew. The child's size seems too small. Do you think the women's size would work or perhaps a slightly snugger, shorter version of the women's size? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Log Cabin Socks - Version 1 & 2

2006-11-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

Just joined last week...and wanted to show off what I made over the weekend. First, here's the pair I made last fall for myself...(well worn, well loved!) Version 1:

This pair above is made with possom yarn, and I simply followed the pattern.
Next is a pair I made for a friend in need of something soft and cuddly.
Version 2:

This pair is made with Karabella Aurora 8 yarn and I followed the pattern with only one variation...I added a two row stripe sequence of contrasting color to the ribbed cuff and a contrasting heel and toe.

Version 3 & 4 will be posted at a later date...and those are for Christmas gifts!

Just joined!

2006-11-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

I've just joined and have many projects lined up from the book. I've already started the Jingle legwarmers. My only comment is that there is an error in the yarn requirements. I bought all the Jo Sharp yarns last year from Australia. The pattern says 1 of Scarlet (red) and 2 of Brocade (burgundy). All the ribbing is done is Scarlet and there would never be enough to do it with one ball. So I switched the ribbing to the Brocade color (which I like better!). The yarns are lovely and it seems like an easy knit.

I'm also starting the flip-top mittens for my daughter. I'm not using the Alchemy Lone Star but substituting some Lambs Pride worsted for the main color and Koigu Kersti for the accent. Will post as soon as there is some progress!

UFO - Snegurochka's Party Hat

2006-11-02T11:06:00.001-08:00

My first project from the book - which was all motoring along really nicely until I reached Row 33 when the disparity in stitch-count stopped me in my tracks. Eventually I discovered the fix - tucked away in the January 18 entry on here. The yarn I used is Katia Diana Iris which gives it a sort of faux Fair Isle look. Instead of just whipstitching the picot edging I cunningly sewed it to form a sort of micro-brim.

Now it's a case of finishing the job. Because of the micro-brim the beaded fringe doesn't seem appropriate although I could still do the twisted braids. I was wondering whether to make those plaits rather than braids and use Lark's Head knots to attach them rather than sewing? For the beading on the (K1,YO,K1) ladders etc I was thinking of amber beads as one of the few colours that might go with the hat and look Autumnal at the same time.

I do have some dull scarlet Katia which would make a good contrast but a pom-pom seems a bit predictable.

What do you think? How would you do finish it? I'd love to know :-)

My first project from the book!

2006-10-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

I loved making the Accessory pouch...the finishing however...not so fun. :) I am planning on making 4 more for Christmas gifts, so...we will see if the finishing gets better!

Time to crank it up.

2006-10-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

I see I'm not the only one getting an early start on holiday knitting!

I'm thinking about Log Cabin Socks this year. I didn't get around to making them last year, even though I lusted after them. Yup. Lust for socks. Eee.

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted, maybe?

I'm going to try for gauge and see how it works. The socks will be a gift, so I want to use a superwash wool. I'll report on the progress!

'Tis the season.

2006-10-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's time...Holidays Knits. I am back knitting from this fabulous book...

The first of many log cabin socks. I am trying to use up some stash, so this is elann's Highland Peruvian Wool. It actually is working out quite well!

Another counterpane purse

2006-07-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Following in Knitchick's footsteps, I have also made this little purse and it is my first FO from this book. I love this little purse, although mine is not as refined as Knitchick's - but still pretty good for a first try.

Anyway, here is a pic - more can be found in my blog gallery.

Counterpane Carpet Purse Finished...

2006-06-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

hi everyone. this is my first post and first FO from this gorgeous book. i just about love most of the patterns so this will not be my last knit from it for sure. here is my (finally) finished counterpane carpet accessories pouch...

i knit it with karabella empire silk colour #503 (red) and lined it with the lovely heather ross 'dots, blue' fabric from the 'lightning bugs and other mysteries' collection.
at first i regretted the silk as i didn't like knitting with it, but in the end i really enjoyed it and i really like the finished product.

if you want to see a couple more shots just head over to my blog. happy knitting, vera. x

Question Re: Vintage Beaded Gloves

2006-06-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

After searching for a while for errata for this book, and coming up with nothing, I found this blog. I have read through it and can't find an answer to my question so far. Let me know if I missed it. Has anyone made the Vintage Beaded Gloves? It seems that casting on 90 (96,102) stitches seems like it would make an extremely loose cuff (more so than it looks in the picture). Any ideas on if this is accurate for the number to cast on? I did actually do the cast-on several times (using the recommended yarn and needles) and it seems huge.

The only other thing I have made from this book is the Apres-Ski Kerchief, but there are so many other things I plan on making eventually. The gloves are in the immediate future, if anyone can figure out the answer to my question (since I already have the supplies), but I would love to make the Brussels Lace Camisole and eventually, the Evergreen Gift Bag.

New to group/Eye mask compete!

2006-06-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

This is my first post (and my first completed project) from this book. I made the eye mask as part of a spa gift set for DD's teacher's year-end/retirement gift. I used Mulberry Silk (Laines du Nord), and I have to say that the yarn is oh-so-wonderful. I wish I could afford to make a sweater.

Looking forward to making other projects from the book soon.

Solstice table runner

2006-06-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

I am new -- working on a few things from Handknit Holidays, and I've been inspired by all of you to make even more items from this great book. I am working on the Winter Solstice table runner as a secret gift, and I've started the Apres-Ski Kerchief in some variegated Italian silk I have (a summer version, maybe Apres-Swim Kerchief?) I'm doing the openwork pattern in the table runner, and it is a great lace pattern, very enjoyable to work on!

Finally posting

2006-05-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

Haven't introduced myself yet, "Hi". I'm Carine, I found out about this KAL about a week ago. I fell for the over-the-knee-socks on page 82, but I can name at least a half dozen other items that I want to knit from Handknit Holidays.

I've made miniscule progress on the over-the-knee socks, the pics are still coming out horribly. I'm using koigu on size 2s. I'm about to start the first round for the thigh (where the lace cable back seam begins). I really like this pattern a lot, so far it's fun knitting and gives a enough of a challenge. This is technically my 1st? 2nd? sock. Does 1 frogged sock count?

A Couple of FOs

2006-05-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

I'm very late in posting these, being as I finished them months ago.

First Log Cabin Socks: These were knitted with Peruvian Highland Wool from Elann. Awhile back, I ordered one skein of nearly every color. I really intended to make actual stripes instead of blocks, but I was trying to finish them in a hurry to give to a friend who was going in for surgery.

I really love this pattern because it is such a quick knit and the finished product is very cozy and nice. When it gets that time of year again, I want to make my boyfriend and myself each a pair.

Second, the Flip-Top Mittens.

I thought these turned out so large because I was pushing the envelope knitting them with Manos del Uruguay, but perhaps the pattern is just large. Still they're nice. One note, I

did M1s instead of YO when setting up the stitches for the flap. It was much easier to keep them straight and I can't tell that it had any negative effect on the results.

I've nearly finished a version of the Counterpane Bag that is similar to this one. It's knitted and blocked, just needs sewing up and lined.

Log Cabin Socks

2006-05-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody!

I finally got around to knitting the Log Cabin Socks. I used Rowan Cork, as called for in the pattern (used 2.5 balls). These are to fit Mens Size 12 feet, so I had to lengthen the foot a bit to fit me.

check out my blog for more specifics: brooklyntweed.blogspot.com

Thanks!

-Jared

Counterpane Accessories Pouch

2006-05-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

HI!

this is my first post here...I joined a few weeks ago now. my first project from Handknit Holidays is the Counterpane Accessories Pouch. I loved the Counterpane Bag as soon as I saw it, but I wasn't sure I would like the bulkiness of it on me. so I was ecstatic when I flipped the page and saw the pouch!

this is my progress thus far...it's finished! all that's left is to piece it all together! I would love to hear what you guys think...I was so pleased with this knit...it was so fun and I love the way it looks! now I want to do the Bag...haha.

.♥.

Help for Evergreen Shawl: Symbol in Key Missing

2006-04-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

Recently I have had a couple knitters contact with me regarding a symbol on the charts for the shawl that doesn't appear on the key. The three pronged symbol that is absent on the key and present in the chart is the same as the triangle symbol present on both the chart and key. They are both slip 1, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (the knit 2 together loop on the right needle). Simply work your double decrease where you see it, just as you do where the triangle symbol appears.

JoLene Treace

Swedish Heart-Warmer Shawl

2006-04-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this knit-along. I've browsed through the archives and cannot find any posts on the Swedish Heart-Warmer Shawl. This shawl is the reason that I asked for this book for my birthday (and purchased seven skeins of Mountain Colors Bearfoot). However, now I'm having second thoughts. The instructions don't point out whether this is Stranded or Intarsia colorwork. Is it possible that the smaller motifs could be Intarsia and the background yarn 'woven' in as in the Stranded method? I've never done Intarsia and if this shawl is all Intarsia that would mean weaving in a LOT of ends.
Also, how long is it going to take to knit a shawl on size 1 needles?
And my last question: the photo in the book makes it look like this shawl is lined (the turned over lapels look lined to me) but the instructions don't include anything on lining this shawl. Is it just me or does that shawl look lined to you?
Is there anyone else in this knitalong that admires the beauty of this shawl but hesitates to start it once they think of what knitting this shawl would really involve?
Any advice? Is there anyone knitting this project?

I'm Finally Posting...

2006-03-23T09:06:00.000-08:00

and I finally finished the first of several projects I've planned from Handknit Holidays.

Over the Knee Socks

Yarn: 5 balls of Fortissima Socka 6-Ply #2210; Geranium

Needles: 3.50mm

These were really fun to make.

Now I'm off to decide what the next project will be from the book.

Michelle

Flap-Top Mittens

2006-03-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

Well, here they are. They seem really big, but I double checked measurements, and hopefully they will fit! I want to make a pair for myself, but may do some experimenting with a different way to make the flap... Over all I think they are cool. Spring is almost here, so my pair will be for next year!

Log Cabin Socks for ALL!

2006-03-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone - I have completed my first project from Handknit Holidays. Much like everyone else, I have completed a pair of Log Cabin Socks for a co-worker who is at home recovering from an illness. I used Patons Encore Worsted (75% acrylic/25% wool - machine washable) and size 6 dpns (only 4 - had to do some shifting for the cables, but it turned out well). The pattern is great, and not too difficult.

Flap-Top Mittens

2006-03-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am working on the Flap-Top Mittens in the men's size - but the sizing is HUGE. Pattern reads 10 1/2 circumfrence and 12 1/2 long. The picture above shows the hand I am making them for - more like a men's medium. I am wondering if anyone else has run into this problem and if you have had success adjusting the pattern. Perhaps if I make them in a slightly tighter gauge and adjust the length it will work out (unorthodox but sometimes works!). Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thanks!

River forest gansey: finished!

2006-02-23T15:22:00.000-08:00

River forest gansey: almost done!

2006-02-21T17:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a pic:

The sleeves were a nightmare (all my fault), but I finally finished them! (after knitting the equivalent of approximately 7 sleeves, lol).

Sleeve directions River Forest Gansey

2006-02-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Anyone have any questions on setting up the sleeves for the River Forest Gansey? I had an email from a knitter who was having trouble getting it set up. It is correct in the book, it is just a bit confusing at times.

It is important to note to work the required number of rows while doing the sleeve shaping, and that the sleeve shaping ends before the required number of rows are done (the widest part of the arm is not at the armhole, but at the belly of the bicep muscle...so the sleeve shaping ends, making the sleeve's widest point, before you get to the armhole bind off).

As you are looking at page 137, the paragraph that says Shape Sleeve
increase 1 st each side every4:<4(4,4,2,2>rows 14 (6, 3, 10); <17 (23, 29, 3, 7) times, then every 6; ...and so on, you get the picture.

The thing that threw me off right here was the punctuation (particularly as I was not working it from the pattern and looking at that section). All patterns are formated to the same standard with how they set up punctuation, and so on. This one is no different in that respect so it reads a little differently than my file at home. What you need to remember is that the child sizes are not bracketed. So, in the spot listed above, increase 1 st each side every4:<4(4,4,2,2>rows 14 (6, 3, 10); <17>rows for adult sizes, 14 (6, 3, 10) times for child sizes and <17 (23, 29, 3, 7) times for adult sizes. Then every 6 rows for child sizes 0(9, 13,11) times - the 0 is not a mistake here, you don't do any every 6 row shaping for the first child size. The second part of the adult shaping is every <6(6, 6, 4, 4) rows <7 (4, 1, 30, 29) times.

I hope if anyone else had a question on this that this clears it up.
JoLene Treace

Finally, a picture...

2006-02-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

...of the lcs in Rowan Cork which I knit for my mil's birthday and finished a couple of weeks ago. As I mentioned in a previous post, I misread the chart and so the lower cables are a bit...different. She's happy with them, though.

Flower Power for Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T06:42:00.000-08:00

Here is yarn ice cream with a flower cone and a chocolate cherry on top for your valentine's day!

BACKGROUND STORY: I am knitting 150 of these flowers for my June 3, 2006 wedding favors (with some help from my dear SNB friends and my mom.) Imagine each flower is perched atop a chocolate colored box the size of a small box of tea. Each flower will be
fastened onto the box with the chocolate colored ends from the bobble.

Gift Bags Galore

2006-02-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hello all. I'm taking a break from my Olympic Knitting and I thought I'd post some pictures here of the two Gift Bags I made as Christmas gifts.

This is the Evergreen Gift Bag in the large size, made with Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted. Details here.

This one is the Christmas Rose Gift Bag in the small size, made from some leftover Cascade 220. Details here.

I really like these bags, but they are kind of impractical since they won't support much weight (unless lined or felted).

Next up for me? Maybe those cool beaded votive holders or a counterpane bag. But that will have to wait until after the Olympics.

Another river forest gansey post!

2006-02-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hey, I've finished the back of a river forest gansey too - the one I'm knitting for my son during the knitting olympics. Here's a pic (not nearly as good as Kristi's):

River forest gansey back

2006-02-12T11:26:00.000-08:00

This is the back of my river forest gansey (done in Knitpicks Wool of the Andes). I'm onto the front now. :)

Beaded Votive Holders

2006-02-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is a holiday too, right? Others have finished these and given helpful tips. I'd like to add that it seems that 5 yards of wire is short. If you're making these just load the beads onto the wire while it's still on the spool and knit directly from it. Also, though my glass votive holders are only 2.5" high, I cast on as if knitting for 3" high holders. This made it much easier to "block" the wire.

Aran Tree Skirt

2006-02-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

Hi. I'm new to the group (and blogging in general). I'm working up the Aran Tree Skirt in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on US11 needles. A single strand of T&Q gives the pattern gauge. I expect it will take 10 skeins total to finish the skirt without a contrast color. T&Q is on sale for $4 at Hancock Fabrics this month. A very economical alternative yarn for this pattern (and machine washable to boot).

Counterpane Bag . . . yet again

2006-02-06T06:18:00.000-08:00

Seems like this is the most popular! It is such a fab pattern. Mine is half done (as is usual for me lately - post holiday knitting lag I suppose) and is made from some random yarn my Mom passed along. It's definitely some kind of acrylic but soft:

I had some small bamboo handles so I used much smaller needles to get a handbag version. Second side is on it's way and I plan to find a complimentary fabric for lining this weekend. I love this pattern and plan to give this bag as a gift.

Cheers!

Accessories pouch

2006-02-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

I had some yarn left and made a pair of these Accessories pouches, which
became UFOs right away since I don´t have any zippers or lining.
But, they were fun to make and quite quick. Great pattern! I made an I-cord bind-off and that turned out pretty neat.
I think these make perfect gifts!!

They are knitted in "Avanti Cotton" by Marks & Kattens, with 4mm needles. One skein makes one pouch!

Knitting Olympics, anyone?

2006-02-05T06:03:00.000-08:00

Knitting Olympics

Is anyone else planning on knitting something from _HH_ ? I've signed up to knit the river forest gansey for my son. The challenge is going to be to restrict myself to one knitting project for 2 weeks. (I'm currently knitting, in no particular order, a pair of LCS for myself, a pair of work socks for my dh, a moebius scarf, a pair of Latvian mittens, a pair of longies for my son, and a stranded-color sweater for myself).

Another Counterpane bag!

2006-01-31T20:53:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Counterpane Carpet Bag

Yarn: Lamb’s Pride Worsted in Kiwi, about 1 1/2 skeins (first picture is most accurate for color)

Needles: US 8

Notes: Using smaller needle sizes as I want a smaller bag and am using a substituted yarn. I also will be using smaller sized handles then those recommended in the book. I did 4 pattern repeats. I have not sewn a lining in yet.

Please visit my blog for a few more pictures.

Lace cable photo mat

2006-01-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

I cast on for the lace cable photo mat on Saturday and just put the finishing touches on it this morning.

For such a small project it sure did take a lot of time. I am thrilled with the results though. I knit it from Peruvian Highland Silk in celadon and I think it adds a special touch to one of my favourite wedding photographs.

The pattern is pretty straight forward though for some reason, I was always missing a stitch on rows 15 and 21 which I remedied by M1 right after the 2nd SSK on each of those rows. Next time, I'll bind off on row 36 (instead of knitting it and then binding off) so that the last corrner matches the other 3 once grafted to the provisional cast-on.

I hope I have enough yarn left to knit the willow leaf mat in a 5x7 size. I'd love to frame one of my son's newborn pics in a similar but not too matchy-matchy way. It's up next...

Happy knitting!

Log Cabin Socks & Candy Cane Hat

2006-01-30T20:39:00.000-08:00

Howdy, fellow Handknit Holidays fans. I just finished a pair of Log Cabin Socks, made with Rowan Cork on US6's. I had a hard time knitting this yarn at the tight gauge specified by the pattern, but I think the socks came out well. I made a few modifications -- details and more pics here.

I made a Candy Cane Hat last month. I used Cascade 220 on US7's, and added the little braid thingy at the base of the stripes. More details here.

I also recently made a large Evergreen Gift Bag and a small Christmas Rose Gift Bag. Will post pics of those soon.

Not just for the holidays anymore...

2006-01-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

Hello from Montreal.

I've been lurking ever since I got the book before Christmas and have been inspired to finally cast-on. I originally planned to start with the log cabin socks but after a few false starts, I dove right in to the counterpane accessories pouch instead. I knit it up using a ball (and a bit) of Bernat satin I had left over from a baby sweater. The gauge was right on and it's a great "costume jewelry" version of the recommended bombyx. It was a relatively quick knit (3-4 hours not counting the frogging on the first side (somehow I skipped row 11 on the first pattern repeat so the second set of scallops were facing the wrong way...oops!). Here it is in all it's glory.

Now I just need to get a zipper and some fabric to line it with and my first Handkit Holidays project will be complete. Yay!

BTW I love this book. Love, love, love it. I can see myself knitting almost all of the projects (though definately not the red had with the braided dreadlocks...not brave enough to wear that one;0). But so many really nice things. Next up for me: the lace photo mats.

Cheers!

Stained Glass Yarn Requirements

2006-01-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

First of all, I've been lurking - beautiful work!

So has anyone yet completed the Stained Glass scarf, or from their progress gotten a sense of how much yarn it'll end up eating up? I'm aiming to tackle the stash to knit this, and I think I have some appropriate stashitude, but since it's double knit I may be underestimating how much it'll take. (After all, the pattern calls for 2 skeins each of Ultramerino 4 at 191 yds and Ultramerino 6 at 274 yds, but perhaps it really only takes 1 skein and change, or something.)

Along those lines, does anyone have any clue why the pattern calls for yarns of slightly different gauges, and aware of any drawbacks to using yarn of equal gauges?

Thanks!
Abby

Amazing

2006-01-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

I've just been updating the participant list. I'm still getting emails daily from people who want to join us. All of your work is wonderful. I found at least one participant that I neglected to add to the list on the website. If you aren't on there, haven't gotten your Blogger invitation or have finished a project and your name isn't red, please let me know. Keep up all the great work.

-Jessica

Random Stocking

2006-01-26T13:57:00.000-08:00

I managed to finish this just before Christmas and then after the holidays I promptly packed it up without sharing. I used her pattern (that can also be found at Iviliage here) for the 3-color striped stocking. Instead of striping as described, I used a 6 sided die to determine the number of rows to knit each stripe color. I had great fun doing it this way. The heel is a bit lopsided, but once filled you could hardly tell. Next I want to tackle the knee high stockings, has anyone finished those yet?

River Forest Gansey-back

2006-01-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've started on the 'tree of life' pattern. I had a really hard time figuring it out, but eventually all was well. These aren't the best pics, but you can see the trees at the top.

One down, one to go (LCS)

2006-01-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I have finished the first in a pair of LCS for my mil's birthday. These are fun! I'm definitely going to be knitting these again and again, though probably not in Rowan Cork like these - kind of on the expensive side, and also harder & harder to find since it's been discontinued. Dratted Rowan.

You'll probably notice from the pic that the cables are a bit, um, different. I discovered after finishing the 1st sock that the order of the cables changes in row 21 from hold to front/hold to back to hold to back/hold to front. Oops. Or rather, to quote the yarn harlot, "I altered the pattern to reflect my own personal style."

I have a question for all of you who have knitted these socks in the smaller size: how many stitches did you pick up & knit for the gusset? I know that the pattern says 11, but then why does the pattern have us knit 28 rows for the heel flap, with the 1st stich of each row slipped? That gives enough slipped stitches to pick up 14...which is what I have done with both socks (work on the 2nd sock has progressed greatly since I took this pic last night). Am I just insane, or has anyone else picked up & knitted more stitches than called for in the pattern?

CandyCane Hat - Finished

2006-01-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

I finished the CandyCane Hat!
The knitting was finished before we went away for Christmas.
The finishing... just last week.
The incentive, you ask? Friends with a brand new little one in Boston.

I had some trouble with the pattern, and got some help from the lovely folks at the Handknit Holidays KAL, but it didn't really help. Look at the picture.

See how where the crown shaping starts, the spirals seem to go straight up a bit? They really do that and kind-of even reverse direction on the crown of the hat. While I have come to terms with the idea that the hat does this on purpose, it is not what I was expecting.
I do have to agree that it probably looks better this way than it would have if the spirals had gotten steeper as they went onto the crown of the hat. It really is a cute hat and a wonderful easy first project for stranded knitting.

The piggies say the hat is theirs!

I hope the piggies let me send it to the baby. Maybe I need to knit them something of their very own so they stop stealing my knitted stuff.

Yarn Sub for Log Cabins???

2006-01-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

I could resist no longer, I'm jumping on the LCS bandwagon. I love the look of the socks, but I have a personal rule to never knit socks in handwash yarn. Too much a realist, I suppose.

So, what machine washable yarns subs have people used? I know wool ease has been done, but I'd like something with more wool than synthetic content.

Also, I'm having a hard time figuring out the gauge and weight of yarn subs (I always seem to get things a bit off when I substitute yarn.)

The woman's sock calls for Rowan Cork, which I saw listed somewhere as "chunky." So I was considering using Lamb Pride Superwash in the bulky gauge. Is that appropriate?

What about the mens' size? Is the Cascade Pastaza a bulky as well? Would Lambs Pride Bullky be appropriate as well? Or should I go with regular heavy worsted lambs pride?

Another possibility I saw was Gems Merino in sapphire (bulky) or topaz (worsted.) Its more pricey, but machine washable and DRYABLE! The price tag was scaring me off a bit, but it sure looks nice.

Thanks for sharing any thoughts! Perhaps we should document good yarn substiutions for these popular socks!

Laura

Another correction.

2006-01-18T09:43:00.000-08:00

Melanie has forwarded this new correction to me:

Snegurochka's Party Hat - on the chart on page 124, add a k2tog symbol on Row 33/Stitch 16.

Hopefully that will help anyone having problems with it!

Carolyn

Wool-Ease for Log Cabin

2006-01-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

LC socks knit in Wool-Ease which is only 20% wool and 80% acrylic. I just washed 'em in the machine and dried them with a load of laundry. Indestructible! In fact, like most acrylic yarn they seem to loosen and stretch out a bit. So make them smaller if you're looking for an inexpensive, machine-washable option for LC socks. Used 1.5 balls. Cat-blogging pictures with Log Cabin socks here. You all know what these look like by now.

I feel challenged to knit something from HH that hasn't been done yet here. Anyone else with Log Cabin fever feeling the need to get out of the cabin and have an adventure? Wisconsin Winter shawl? Veronik's bohus sweater? Lace camisole?

If you don't have the book and want to see photos of all the projects, Savannahchik's blog has them with yarn requirements listed.

log cabin socks question

2006-01-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

inspired by all the beautiful LCS i've seen on this KAL, i decided to make a pair. one question, being somewhat of a sock newbie...i've only ever cast on to 3 DPNs for sock knitting. the patt here calls to cast on to 4 DPNs. does it really make a difference if i cast on 3 or 4 DPNs? thanks!

More of the socks.. please help me stop

2006-01-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

I made another pair, white this time.
And with a bit more pattern in the middle by the toes.
(Swedish yarn again.. 70%wool, 30%polyamid)
But.. I like Raggi better!

These are (not done) really black, and really really thick.
Compressed the pattern a bit for fun.

They won´t fit in any shoes, since the yarn should be knitted with 9mm needles and not with 4mm as I do.
We can call them "boots" and I´ll never freeze again.

Apres-Ski Kerchief

2006-01-14T23:30:00.000-08:00

I can't locate my unfinished Log-Cabin sock, so I'll just post a not-so-great pic of the Apres-Ski Kerchief. I knit this up right before Christmas but at one point wasn't paying attention and that center line of yarn-overs was off. I couldn't fix it, so I had to rip out about a third of it. Normally that would have been the end of the project, but since it was a gift I had to finish it!
Emily told me it was keeping her head quite warm. Details on my blog.

JoLene Treace's River Forest Gansey

2006-01-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

I am making progress on my husband's River Forest Gansey. He's pretty picky and this is one of the few things he actually showed some interest in wearing. This picture shows the bottom of the back piece. Is anyone else knitting this sweater, or thinking about knitting it? I am using knitpicks Wool of the Andes in the color 'Evergreen'.

There is a better photo on my blog: http://kristijo.blogs.friendster.com/my_knitting_blog/

Kristi

Log Cabin Socks

2006-01-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I bought Handknit Holidays just for the pattern of these socks. This is my first pair.. First pair as in "can´t use them, they are to nice" so.. there will definatly be more.

We don´t have allt that fancy foreign yarn in our LYS, but we do have alternatives :o) This is made from a good quality Swedish yarn called "Raggi", Mostly wool but with little bit acrylic in it. A bit thinner though, so I had to make the man-sock and it fits me perfectly.

Starting the accessories pouch.

2006-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

I had some leftover cotton from Picovoli...so I made this the other night:

Hopefully I will get to the other side this week, then find some fabric to line it and a zipper. It should be done by next christmas!

Yeah, Put Another Lots Of Logs On The Fire

2006-01-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

I agree with Margot. This pattern is everybody's favorite pattern...well, the Christmas Rose bag is a definite runner up. Thanks are definitely in order for the designers.
So here are my Log Cabins!

Needles: Somewhere around US4-5 (I made them and forgot to write down how many millimeters) dpns (obviously...no can make Addis)
Yarn: Some shiny DK from the stash
Mods: I think I used a thinner yarn than recommended...but I don't know because I never measured my gauge. Also, I only did about 1-1 1/4" of plain ribbing at the top, and I did a different toe (thanks to Carolyn for the ribbing idea).

Just like Jessica's, mine fit and feel great and are very snuggly.

Lesson learned

2006-01-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

All those knitters who tell you to alternate skeins when knitting from hand-dyed yarns?

They're right.

I knew that I was taking a chance by knitting from only one skein at a time, but I didn't think that the difference would be quite so overt.

So I knit a third sock!

Still not a perfect match, but as good as I was expecting.

Because I don't want to frog a perfectly good sock, I've offered the extra sockto my sweetie if he'll purchase the yarn and knit the fourth sock.

I plan to make several more of these as gifts later this year.

Out of solid yarn, of course.

Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool chunky, color 120

Counterpane Scallop Bag

2006-01-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

i recently finished the counterpane scallop bag. as much fun to knit as it is to carry! i am basically in love with this bag. in fact, it may even be my favorite FO of 2005.

i love how the counterpane stitch puffs up so sculpturally.

here's an aerial view of the FO:

i had some leftover vintage fabric i used for the lining. it was the first lining i ever did, so it's not perfect, but it gets the job done. just whip-stitched it inside the bag. i carried the bag for about a week sans lining and it practically dragged on the floor if i so much as put my car keys into it. so, i'd say the lining is mandatory.

see? it even has a peacock in it to match the variegated peacock blue splendor of the noro big kureyon yarn. big kureyon is big and scratchy and loaded with bits of flora and fauna...i could swear, i pulled a stick out of the skein...but for a purse, who cares?

i was all worried that the bag would not be long enough, so i added a rep to the pattern. as you can see, it would have been plenty long without that extra rep, but i do like it kinda big. i stand a nanosecond over five feet tall, so unless you are a giantess, the recommended number of reps should be fine.

a few project details:
yarn: 3 balls of noro big kureyon
needles: long US 9 needles
handles: 9-inch diam circ bamboo purchased at my LYS (you can also order them online)
started: 11/6/05
finished: 11/22/05
misc: if i had this to do over, i would definitely use smaller handles. those big circles don't stay up on your shoulder unless you hold them there--not very practical in my book. and if i hold the handles in my hand, the purse drags on the floor. smaller hoops or handles would have been way better. i would stick with the number of patt reps the pattern calls for instead of second-guessing my gauge (which i spent quite awhile messing with until i got it right.) i did not block my bag at all...i don't think it's necessary and i actually think it would flatten the lovely sculptural effect of the scallops. finally, this bag is amazingly similar to a VERY cool ferragamo bag i saw recently in bazaar. check it out. this would be a very fun little project to figure out, no?

feel free to contact me if you have any questions! : )

Christmas Rose Gift Bag: FELTED!

2006-01-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

Knit in Patons Classic Wool. But to give it more durability I felted it. Added an extra inch at the bottom with a little pattern repeat to make it deeper. Knitted 3-stitch I-cord is not felted -- I'm considering it. Or running a cord through it to toughen it up.

A red plastic Folger's coffee can fits perfectly for blocking. You can still see the five lines on bottom where I decreased two stitches every other row. Pattern called for one stitch every row but I didn't like the spiral effect. Once it got felted it probably wouldn't matter much. But for a short time I felt very "Grumperina".

My boyfriend's daughter said it didn't even look like something I made. It looked like something from a store. Hmmm... ??? My pal Shelley, says the colors are burning her retinas. Oh well!

Almost Done....Done!

2006-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

I'm almost done with my dance bag (well, I'm about 6 or 7 rounds into the base). Let me stop this post now (9:11 am) while I run and finish it.

Okay, I'm back (9:27) and just finished the base. (Most of why it took so long is because I had to work the entire thing on my circular. Which was too long for the bag in the first place. 'Nuff said.) Now I'm going to let this go on standby while I take the ornaments down from the tree. As it is only five feet tall this shouldn't take too long.

Okay, I'm back again (10:00) and I'm just about to start the I-cord. Since it'll have to hold kind of a lot of weight, though, I want to try a four or five stitch cord.

Okay, I'm back again (11:15), this time with pictures.

Here she is in all her glory.

Pattern: Christmas Rose Bag

Yarn: Mainstays Crafts yarn in True Black (MC) and Red Heart Super Saver in Banana Berry (CC). I do like the look of the variegated-on-solid, too.

Needles: Clover Bamboo circulars size US9 for body, Clover Bamboo dpn size US7 and a USH crochet hook for I-cord. (You're probably thinking, a crochet hook? For I-cord? Well to make a long story short, I didn't have the right size dpn and could only find one of my sister's that was bigger.)

Mods: My gauge was off by one stitch (which is why my flowers are bigger than they should be), so I only casted on 80 sts. I also did less rounds of MC at the bottom (2 instead of 3) mostly because I was a) lazy and b) eager to get this thing done. I think my bag might have turned out a tiny bit smaller than the pattern says, but yeah, I'm fine with that. Of course since I had a bigger gauge the eyelets were farther apart. Not that I care. :) *update* I just remembered, I made the ties way shorter (19" vs. 36") because I knew a) they would stretch under weight and b) they would be longer once the drawstring was pulled.

In the pic you might be wondering why the bag is so stuffed, it's because, I stuffed the bag with random stuff so it would have the look I wanted.

Up next: Triangle Scarf, Vintage Gloves, and some ornaments to use up stash.

~Emily~

aqua-star.blogspot.com

Santa Hat - Bobble Envy

2006-01-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

I'm almost done but not without ripping out my initial bobble band and restitching it. I think the 'make bobble' directions on page 111 are missing a row. If you do it the way it's stated you end up with some very round short bobbles but the model is definitely wearing more elongated bobbles. I prefer the bigger bobbles so I'm redoing it adding a row.

My husband found it very funny when I finished the first time around and was holding up the book and saying "Look! Aren't her bobbles bigger than mine?!"

So beware - if you like the look on the model add another 'slip 1, p5, turn slip 1, k5' before going to the p2tog in the bobble directions.

*** forgot to mention - yes I'm using the recommended Blue Sky Bulky

Dance Bag In Progress

2005-12-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

Here's my Christmas Rose dance bag. I'm using Red Heart Super Saver in Banana Berry as the CC and Mainstays Crafts yarn in True Black as the MC.

This is the picture with the truest color.

(The grey thing in the background is my hot glue gun carpet-protector board, on which Kylie signed her name multiple times.)

Here's a very blurry closeup of the Fair Isle area. I'm almost done with the first repeat.

Unfortunately, I think I was doing the Fair Isle too loose at the beginning, so the stitches are uneven. And obviously since it's bargain brand acrylic, blocking won't do anything. Oh well. It's fine otherwise.

Put Another Log on the Fire

2005-12-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

Seems that The Log Cabin Socks are the hands-down favorite. I knew that I had to have a pair as soon as I saw them.
The book was my holiday gift to myself; the socks are my reward for completing my knitted holiday gifts.

I made this sock while visiting relatives for the holidays. Obviously I still need to kitchener the toe.

I substituted Araucania Nature Wool chunky for the Cascade Pastaza.

socks too

2005-12-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Hi - I just joined this group. I am really enjoying the book and will continue to work on it even though the holidays are mostly over. I am knitting the log cabin socks for my husband. They were supposed to have been a Christmas present, but just didn't get them done. They look very beautiful, if I do say so myself. I'm not worried about them being too small, since he has very narrow feet. I used the Cascade Pastaza and its really warm and soft.
The lighting is not great, sorry, I will do better next time. Connie

Log Cabin Socks

2005-12-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Rowan Cork
Needles: US5 and 6 Brittany birch dpns
Pattern Changes: I switched to the larger needle about one-third of the way down the leg after reading reports of too-tight ankles on these socks. Plus I have big ankles and wide feet.

They fit great and feel snuggly warm.

Counterpane Pouch

2005-12-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

I've finished the first half of the Counterpane Accessories Pouch. I'm using Patons Brilliant in Green Glitter. It's got just enough sparkle to it without being overly flashy for my taste. It took me a few hours last night to finish this half so I should have the second part finished soon.

I finished the Christmas Rose bag a couple weeks about but forgot to post about it. It was my first attempt at Fair Isle knitting and I loved it. I've got my eyes open for other basic Fair Isle patterns I can try.

i got nuthin'

2005-12-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

I knitted exactly . . . hold on let me count . . . carry the one . . . zero projects from this wonderful book this holiday season. I do have plans for this next years holiday gifts though, or maybe even some b'day gifts in the mean time. I have enjoyed seeing everyone's projects, thanks.

me and my one track mind...MORE log cabin socks

2005-12-27T08:39:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to post again about another pair of log cabin socks but I thought some here might be interested in a small pattern modification I made. After finishing the cable pattern I continued with the instep and toe in ribbing instead of stockinette. This makes for a much snugger fit instead of a floppy toe. I think it looks pretty cute as well. Ok, that's it! I'll post again when I finish sock #2. Happy knitting! --Carolyn

CandyCane Hat

2005-12-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

I'm mid-way through knitting a candy-cane hat and have just started the decreases. My stripes were tracking nicely around the hat in a clockwise manner and it seems to me that with the beginning of the decreases they've reversed directions.
I don't have a picture of it and I don't have the hat here to fix that lack.
Has anyone whose done one of these noticed this oddity? Could someone post a top down view of the hat so I can see if I'm doing it wrong?
Thanks everyone.
(As a side note, this was my very first fair isle project and while I can't say I enjoyed every minute of it, it was loads of fun and I've purchased the yarn to make a flower bag or two)

Felted wine bag.

2005-12-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

This was a great project. Quick to knit and perfect for a gift.

More info on the blog!

Finished log cabins

2005-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

At long last I finished sewing the suede soles onto the bottom of the log cabin socks so I can finally call these things finished! Whoop!
Final specs:
Rowan Cashsoft Aran in oatmeal
2.5 balls (maybe? I kind of lost count because I started with some leftover yarn and then bought more)
Size 7 DPNs
Gauge: no idea! never measured it. hee hee.
Soles: Mens suede size L in 'camel' bought off of Elann.com
Label: Ordered from namemaker.com
My unwilling model: Ollie the Boston terrier
Gift for: Big Foot/Husband (I had to add an extra cable repeat at the end to get them to a long enough length.)

I also started up a new pair for myself. I'm maybe 65% through sock #1.

ornaments and votive sleeves

2005-12-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

Well, right after I got this book I ordered the yarn to make the legwarmers and the vintage gloves. I ended up making some ornaments and 2 votive sleeves. :)

For the votive sleeves, I used 26 gauge wire cuz that's what I had on hand. For one of them I used all faux pearls and for the other I used faux pearls plus some other random white or clear beads that were in my stash. I think they look cute, but knitting with wire isn't all that fun for me!

I made both the small and the large ornaments using leftover yarns (ignore the stocking, that's not from the book. I also made one other round ornament that isn't pictured here).

I'm hoping to make the vintage gloves in January, and the legwarmers will probably have wait for next Christmas.

Stephanie

Snowy Triangles, Disco Remix

2005-12-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

I finished my first of two Snowy Triangle scarves, which I plan to give as Christmas gifts. I used Trendsetter Dune instead of La Boheme and it's, uh, sparkly. But in a good way! More details can be found on my blog.

Also, I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem -- I cannot access the comments on this blog at all, either to read them or leave one. I wonder why?

Pix of the Mini CR Bag

2005-12-21T10:20:00.000-08:00

Here's my mini-mini Christmas Rose bag (hanging on the tree, no less).

The colors are a little off there, but you get the picture (no pun intended). I think it's pretty cute.

I'm thinking of next doing some ornaments, to use up some crappy acrylic scraps, etc. I have lots of odds and ends in my stash, so that'll be a great project.

yarn error for the open stitch table runner?

2005-12-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

The projects look wonderful, what a great book! I'm eager to make so many of the projects, I hardly know where to begin!

My brother is getting married in the spring, so I was thinking of knitting the open stitch table runner (I don't have my book with me, so can't remember the exact title.) But I can't figure out the yarn requirements, and wonder if anyone else has worked this out.

The book calls for 6 skeins of Louet Gems Opal (merino) at 50 grms/112 yds per skein. But the Louet retailer online (the one the book lists!) says that Louet Gems Opal comes in 100 grms/225 yd skeins.

So how much yarn do I really need? Do I really need all 6 skeins of the Louet Gems Opal, at the company listed yardage and weight? Or do I calculate the yards that one would need if the skeins were only 112 yards, and therefore need only half as much yarn? I was considering substituting a less expensive yarn, so I really would like to know the amount needed. Am I missing something? I sometimes confuse myself with these things, wouldn't surprise me if there was a user error on my end.

Many thanks on any ideas!
Laura

Hello and FO

2005-12-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I joined the knitalong a week or so ago, and it's been fun to see everyone's projects. Handknit Holidays is my favorite of my frighteningly huge collection of knitting books, so I was very happy to see that a KAL was in progress!

Since I joined this knitalong, I have made several of Leigh Radford's ornaments. Some of them are pictured here. I knit them in Plymouth Encore and (ahem) Wool-Ease from my stash. I altered the pattern a little -- I "balanced" the decreases instead of using all left-leaning skps. I made the Log Cabin socks for my husband's birthday back in Socktober, and I am thinking of starting another pair. But my next project from the book will be the Snowy Triangle Scarf -- it may end up as a Christmas gift for my sister, if I can finish it in time!

Probably Too Late

2005-12-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

Handknit Holidays is 50% off at Amazon.

Just got it!

2005-12-17T20:57:00.000-08:00

I have just recieved HH (yest. morning, just in time for the drive to LA!) and today I have completed a mini-mini CR bag. I'll update this post tomorrow with my mods, and hopefully pictures. Yay! I'm so glad I got this book!

*updated*
I don't have my camera with me in this hotel, but here are my mods.
I used Red Heart Super Saver in Hunter Green (MC) and Cherry Red (CC) with size US5 dpns. Both the yarns were leftovers from other projects, and the needles were all I had free, so obviously I didn't get gauge. I couldn't check it anyway b/c I forgot where I had put the ruler (which turned up eventually...). As you can see, it was an extremely 'freelance' project. I only casted on 40 sts (two chart reps) so it would be small (it's for a twelve year old, it's probably only big enough to hold her cell phone and some loose change). For the part where the patt says k2MC, p2CC, I only did that for 3 rnds to make it shorter. I also did less rows whenever it said "work 2/3 rows MC", otherwise it would have been way too long. I did one pattern repeat, and then for the base, I decreased 4 times per rnd, so it ended up having a squarish base. I'm fine with that. I fingerknitted the ties to make it go faster, and all in all, it turned out pretty cute (and very small).

This was a very fun project, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Actually, I know I'll do it again, because I'm planning to make a (much) larger one in black (MC) and some blue/green variegated (CC) as an all-season dance bag (not very Christmassy colors, after all)... and actually, I need a new dance bag b/c I used my other bag as a knitting bag...I guess it all comes around. :)

Starting Log Cabin Socks

2005-12-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

This is Rowan Cork from last year's membership gift on US5s. So far it's big enough. I will continue to try it on as I work on it and might switch to larger needles as necessary.

Melanie helps with the stained glass scarf.

2005-12-15T06:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Carolyn,
Through the grapevine I heard that some people were having trouble knitting the Stained Glass Scarf on page 80 of Handknit Holidays. Would it be possible for you to post the following clarification?
Thanks.
Melanie

The pattern is correct as written, but here is a clarification to the note that appears at the beginning of the Two-Stranded Method.

When working this stitch pattern, with the exception of the first and last st, all sts are worked in pairs; either a [k1, p1] pair or a [p1, k1] pair. The [k1, p1] pairs produce a knit st on both sides of the fabric; the [p1, k1] pairs produce a contrasting purl st on both sides of the fabric. For all [k1, p1] pairs, carry both colors in the same hand, taking both strands to the back when knitting and both strands to the front when purling; knit or purl with only the color indicated. For all [p1, k1] pairs, separate the strands with the color to be purled in the front and the color to be knit in the back. Make sure the strands are not twisted.

Ornaments

2005-12-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Odds and Ends - mostly Wool Ease
Needles: Clover Bamboo Sz US 7 DPNs
Time: On and off last week
Mods: None
Thoughts: Great cute quick pattern! Endless color and striping possibilities. I would eventually like to make more of these, but not right now. I made 5 total - one was mailed before the photo op.

Best part of this project - I learned to hook! The pattern called for a single crochet chain for the hanger, and I was completely clueless, but I read the directions and did it! It was a bit tricky to manage the yarn under the hook going through the loop without getting caught on the loop (does that make sense?), but I think that's mostly a practice thing. Or maybe I used a hook that was too small. I don't think I'll be switching to crochet anytime soon, but it is nice to have a useful skill!

On to the next project - I've bought some yarn for the Log Cabin Socks - I think they'll be next!

Stained Glass Scarf

2005-12-13T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hi there - this is my first time posting to this KAL. I was working on the Stained Glass scarf, which is a double-knit patterned scarf. Here's a photo of the progress:

I say was, because after restarting the scarf 3 times, I decided that I just could not live with the edging as instructed, and ripped it out once more. Here's a close-up of the edging:

If you look carefully at the photo in the book, you will notice that the edge is indeed multi-colored. This is accomplished by knitting each edge stitch with both yarns held together. Not the sharpest look by any means.

The next time I start the scarf, I think I will slip the first edge stitch and knit the last edge stitch, making a smooth edge without the garter bumps. I also think I will use only the solid color. I'll post again when I get up the energy to cast on for the 4th time.

It's a good thing that this scarf is a gift to myself, or I would be start to stress right about now.

2005-12-13T18:39:00.000-08:00

I just finished the Stripey Christmas Stocking! I am working my way through this book, and I can't stop myself!

Check out the details :

www.iwasknittogetherinmymotherswomb.typepad.com

Lynne

Another Un-Snowy Triangle Scarf

2005-12-12T14:03:00.000-08:00

Cheater Girl here--in catching up on this KAL's posts (beautiful projects, everyone!), I realized I do have another FO, though it is fudging a bit. I finished a multidirectional scarf a couple weeks ago using a free pattern I got here. That pattern has been published in Handknit Holidays as the Snowy Triangle Scarf. It's a fun knit, and I loved not having to pick up stitches!

I knit the pattern as-is, but used a heavier yarn (Di Ve Teseo), so my scarf is about 6.25" wide. I used 3 balls to make the scarf about 66" long. The Teseo feels super soft and yummy with great drape knit on size 10.5 needles (thanks for the tip, Fiber Gallery). I like the long striping sequence of the Teseo. The scarf will be for one of my many nieces. I've got more colorways to make more. I think I'll try the hat, too.