Shelter Infinity Scarf

Pattern:
Shelter Infinity Scarf
Anniken Allis

Yarn:
Vintage
Sour Cherry

This project was a bit of a pain to knit because it was so repetitive. However, I absolutely love wearing it, so it was totally worth it. The yarn is absolutely perfect as well. It is the only acrylic yarn that I like to worth with because it doesn't have the usual plastic-y shine that you usually see with the acrylic yarns. It is also really soft, and perfect for a project like a cowl that you'd want to wear inside because it doesn't feel too warm and stifling, even when it's doubled up. I would for sure use the yarn again for a comfort knit like this.

This one is true to color

After seeing my friend Lauren's cowl, I have been inspired to try to make something similar. Her cowl had a really cute hood on it. She said that it was really convenient and that she really liked having it. I figured that since I had a lot of leftover yarn from this project, I'd make a detachable hood for it. I have drawn up my own hood pattern with two of the cables from this at the edges and a simple braid in between them. I'm not quite sure how it will look when I'm done, or if it will be practical, but I'm giving it a try. It'll be attachable by buttons, so if it doesn't work, I haven't messed up my existing cowl.

Double Cross Cowl Variation

Pattern:

Double Cross Cowl

Patrice Kehoe

Yarn:

Joey's Baby Silk

Off White

I love this pattern. It has the simple look of a checkerboard, but I like the added interest of the crosses. I feel like it gives the pattern something special without being too obvious. The yarn is also wonderful. It's so soft and silky without being scratchy or heavy. It has a wonderful drape. I would use the yarn all the time if it had a better range of colors.

Sweetheart Socks

Pattern:
Sweetheart Socks
Nikol Lohr

Yarn:
Rustic Tweed
Brown

I absolutely can't stand knitting socks. However, my mom loves knitted socks and has been begging me to make her a pair for at least three years now. So for Christmas, I broke down and made her this pair. I loved the heart cable pattern and the fact that I could use a light worsted weight yarn. They knit up pretty quickly, and were not that difficult. I used the heel turn that Wendy used here because on Ravlery, everyone was saying that they didn't like the afterthought heel. If I was going to make this again however, I'd definitely put in ribbing at the ankle instead of just leaving it stockinette. Overall, I think they turned out pretty cute even though they are my first completed pair and my mom said she loves them!

They fit!!!

Hearts!

John's Pretty Hat

Pattern:
John's Pretty Hat
Emilie Stallman

Yarn:
Cascade 220
Shire

For Christmas, I was going to make John the Man Hat because he liked the look of it, but I knew I was going to have to retool it because I didn't like the bulky yarn and wanted to use the beautiful green of this Cascade. I also wanted to change the 1x1 ribbing because I don't like the look or shape of it. After deciding on a 2x2 stockinette/seed repeat, I decided to scrap the Man Hat idea and just start from scratch. I really liked the small cable from the Sweetheart Socks pattern, so I just incorporated it between the ribbing. I really like the look of it, and it fit him on the first try! The gray yarn you see is a safety right before the decreasing in case it didn't fit.

Exeter Hat

Pattern:
Exeter
John

Yarn:
Ultra Alpaca
Stone Washed Mixed

John picked out this pattern as one of his potential Christmas hats. I thought the decreasing at the top was a nice detail to break up the plainness of the ribbing. I made it out of the Ultra Alpaca so that it would be extra warm for his ears in the frigid Lake Michigan winter wind.

Wicker Cowl

Pattern:

Wicker Cowl

Kate Gagnon Osborn

Yarn:

Capretta

Wine

At first, I hated the yarn because it is such a weird gauge. It works up like a dk, but isn't terribly substantial like a dk would be. However, when I tried this pattern, I absolutely loved it and I wear it all the time. It is just such a perfect yarn for a lacy comfy cowl that I would definitely buy the yarn in another color to make this same cowl. It's super warm and wonderful.

Echo Flower Shawlette

Pattern:
Echo Flower Shawl
Jenny Johnson Johnen

Yarn:

Dye for Me Suri Alpaca Merino Glow
Natural


I have always really loved this pattern but have been too intimidated to knit it. I have decided to take on the challenge and give it a try!

Here is the finished product! As before, I absolutely love the yarn and it looks gorgeous when paired with the pattern. It's crazy soft and the drape makes it incredibly comfortable. It's a super gorgeous pattern and I love wearing it all the time in formal and informal situations.

Dancing Cranes Scarf

Pattern:
Dancing Cranes Stole
Shui Kuen Kozinski and Benne Ferrell

Yarn:
Dye for Me Suri Alpaca Merino Glow
Natural

I really loved this pattern when I was first picking out a large lace project. Initially, I had decided to make the Queen Anne's Lace Shawl, but that ended poorly, so for my second try, I decided to make this.

I was really inspired by this picture:

It looked so beautiful, comfortable and practical, that I decided to shorten my stole to ~260 stitch cast on instead of ~300 and do only two repeats of the pattern instead of 3. It was a really relaxing project to knit that worked up really quickly. I love how it turned out and I can't wait to wear it! The yarn was perfect for this because there is just enough sparkle to make it pretty without being a disco ball. It's super soft and fuzzy as well, which is always a plus.

Dec 2012 Update: I really love the look of the pattern so I am going to make it again using the amount of repeats and cast ons that the pattern says to use. I feel like I would be able to wear the scarf more and enjoy wearing it more if it was bigger. We'll see what yarn I get. I am currently eyeing up the Valley Yarns 2/14 Alpaca Silk in natural.

Very pretty!!!

Simple Seed Stitch Cowl Variation

Pattern:
Simple Seed Stitch Cowl
Pongue Ette

Yarn:
Lana D'Oro
Lavendar Water and Mystic Purple

I really liked the look of this cowl, but wanted to use some yarn shaped buttons that I had.

Yarn Buttons!

Queen Anne's Lace

Pattern:
Queen Anne's Lace

MMario

Yarn:

Shadow Tonal Lace Yarn

Pearlescent

I just started this project on the 13th, and I am already loving it. It works up so well and while I have to pay close attention, it's not complicated at all! I think it'll look really pretty when I finish. I'm not sold on the color yet though... I'm considering dying it an eggplant when I have finished it.

I found quite a few errors in the pattern, and it bummed me out that one of the lace flowers was all messed up. I felt like it really detracted from the entire piece, but oh well. It's probably one of those things that only I'll notice.

After finishing the project successfully, I decided to dye it a purple and navy blue mix. I loved how the color turned out, however, when I went to put the shawl in the wash to set the dye like the package told me, it felted. Arrrrrg. I set the washer to cold!!! Oh well. Here is the sad piece of felt that used to be my pretty shawl.

So sad...

The Proverbial Cap Variation

Pattern:
The Proverbial Cap

Meg Swanson

Yarn:

Lana D'Oro

Lavender Water

I love the DNA look of this hat, but I don't really care for the other cable, so I switched it out for a cable I liked more. I made it a bit longer than I made my first one so now it covers my ears and I think I'll actually wear it during the winter months. The hat turned out beautifully and with no mistakes like I had made last time when doing the decreasing. It won a blue ribbon as well at the Scott County Fair!

Juris Mitts Variation

Pattern:
Juris Mitts
Alexis Winslow

Yarn:
Lana D'Oro
Lavender Water

I had previously made a pair of these, and I liked the pattern because it took a worsted yarn and made a really thick and comfortable glove. Glove and mitten patterns don't always fit my hands really well and can get bulky around the wrist and thumb area, but these were really well shaped. I decided to take the plain pattern and add my favorite type of pattern, twisted stitch cables. I used the same two cables on these gloves that I would be using for my hat. They turned out really well and won a blue ribbon at the Scott County Fair!

Super comfortable

I love the yarn buttons

Dew Drops Shawl

Pattern:
Dew Drops Shawl
Bex Hopkins

Yarn:
Harrisville Designs Shetland
Periwinkle

I chose this pattern because I really wanted to make a shawl for the Scott County Fair, and I really wanted to try an intermediate level lace pattern. It started as really slow going, but really picked up speed when I got past the stockinette and was able to watch the lace form and grow. I really love the shawl and it is perfect for tying around my waist at The Landing. The color is absolutely stunning and was exactly what I imagined for the project. The only downside is that the wool doesn't hold the blocked shape well. However, the best part is that even though it wasn't the most advanced or intricate pattern, it won a blue ribbon and a reserve grand champion!!!

Love the lace