Fingerless Gloves

One more project is done. I started with the Hand/Wrist Warmers pattern, but got stuck when I got to the thumb opening part. I could not understand the instructions. I tried to get help on the internet, but couldn't find an answer so I ended up looking for another pattern. I discovered Joelle Hoverson's blog, Purl Bee, and liked the Greenaway Fingerless Glove pattern. I had to start all over again, but am happy with the way the gloves turned out.

Now, on the the next project on the list - a scarf.

Magic Loop Knitting

While working on the fingerless gloves, I re-discovered Magic Loop knitting, which uses one circular needle for knitting small diameter projects in the round. This technique is a lot less cumbersome than using double-pointed needles, especially if you're knitting on the bus.

Books

For the past few months, our table was full of cookbooks, but since I embarked on my handmade Christmas project, the cookbooks have been replaced with crochet and knitting books.

From Shoulderette to Neckwarmer

In the middle of doing the shoulderette, I decided I didn't like the pattern so much. I ripped out whatever was on the needles and started all over again with a pattern I saw in one of the books I borrowed last month. The pattern is called Woven Knit and is basically this:

Row 1: *Knit 1, move yarn to front and slip the next stitch purlwise, move yarn back; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: *Purl 1, move yarn to back and slip the next stitch purlwise, move yarn to the front; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 70", or desired length.

It makes a pretty dense scarf. With 26 stitches cast on, it's about 7" wide. With the same number of stitches, the shoulderette I initially did was about twice as wide.

Another project I'm working on simultaneously is a variation of the Hand/Wrist Warmers from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. I also have several projects planned from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders: A world of possibilities inspired by just one skein. I want this Christmas to be a handmade one.

I recently joined Ravelry so I will probably post some of my projects there, too. I hope to be able to make felted bags again soon. That will most likely take a while.

Perfect Hat

I did not make this hat, but I love it. I've been looking for a good summer hat all these years. I would always check out the accessories department whenever I was at a store, but never found one that I liked. Until one day, when I wasn't looking, I found my perfect hat. The best part was it was on sale. It was originally priced at $32.50 and I got it for $9.99. The hat looks like it's made of straw, but is actually made of paper.

Getting Ready for Fall

Before the school term ended, my son made a pair of hand warmers for his handwork class and I was inspired to make one for myself. I found this pattern at Knitty and since I didn't have cable needles, I had to do the cables without needles, which involved some acrobatic hand movements!

I have also been crocheting a bit and whereas most of the crocheting I did involved crocheting in the round, I finally was able to crochet a scarf - a ruffled scarf.

Then, it's back to knitting again. I'm doing a shoulderette using three different colour yarns.

Tuque

In Chicago, this is referred to as simply a cap or a beanie. But in Canada, this is called a tuque, a Canadian term for knitted cap. I made one for myself and another for the hubby (bought too much of the same yarn!). The only difference is mine is cuffed and has some holes at the top.