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!