Never Not Knitting: October 2009

10.23.2009

Project Update...

A lot has been going on around here!
First of all, my pile of gray Malabrigo is rapidly turning into the
squishiest, softest, cuddliest cardigan. I cant wait to wrap myself in it when its done.

The pattern is Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague. Its a pleasure to knit, but I have to admit that the sweater's current proportions are scaring me a little.
Fortunately I know a thing or two about blocking handknits into submission.

Also last weekend I had the awesome opportunity of going on a knitting retreat put on by Bonita Knitting and Bobbin's Nest Studio.
There was a beautiful boutique set up just for the retreat participants. It wasn't my fault that they happened to include the most beautiful skein of sock yarn in the sale.

I had to cast on for Damson straight away.

Do you blame me?

10.16.2009

Itty Bitty Toys Drawing Giveaway!

Leave a comment under this blogpost to be entered to win a signed copy of Itty Bitty Toys!
(The cutest toy book EVER)
You have until November 1 to enter the drawing!

The winner will be announced on the podcast and blog, so check back to see if you've won!

Drawing now closed! Winner is commenter #230, Louise! Congratulations!
Thankyou to everyone for entering! I run drawings on a regular basis, so try again sometime!

10.15.2009

Egg? Bluebird?

I just knit the most fantastic little toy out of Susan B. Anderson's new book Itty Bitty Toys.
The last chapter contains 5 ingenious reversible patterns, including this one... my favorite.

It starts out as a tiny egg and hatches into a sweet little Bluebird.
What a fun concept.

It was so quick! And way easier to construct than I thought it would be.
For this project I used 3 skeins of O-wool balance in colors Opal, Natural, and Agate. It only took a tiny amount of each skein.

(Yarn available here.)

I just used some scraps to make the beak and eyes. There was no way that I was going to order a whole skein just for that!

The "Bluebird/Egg" pattern also comes with its own tiny little nest to rest in. So adorable!

If you would like to hear more about O-wool yarn and the book Itty Bitty Toys, listen to my latest podcast episode #26.

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast : Episode 26 : Interview With Susan B. Anderson

Episode 26

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Itty Bitty Toys

Pictures From Inside the Book

Spud and Chloe Blog

Susan's Blog

Susan on Ravelry

NeverNotKnitting Theme Song

O-wool Balance

Elijah

Vine Yoke Cardigan

Vine Yoke Cardigan KAL

Join the NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

*Dont forget to enter this episode's yarn drawing!

Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering all NeverNotKnitting blog readers and podcast listeners 10% of the entire selection of O-wool Balance yarn through November 1, 2009.

Just enter in the special code "NNK1" in the checkout process!

**Be sure to check back in a couple of days because I'm going to be posting a special drawing for the Itty Bitty Toys book. You will be able to enter to win a signed copy from Susan B. Anderson!**

Click here to download the MP3 of Episode 26.

10.10.2009

Elijah

Elijah the knitted elephant has finally been completed.

(Pattern here. Yarn here.)

My daughter insists that Elijah is in fact a girl name and is convinced that 'she' is the best thing that ever was.

The finished Elijah has proven to be such a soft cuddly companion.
For that reason I'm so glad that I made him... um.. I mean HER. :)

Unfortunately I found the knitting part of the project a bit of a pain. I LOVED the fact that it was knit all in one piece, but at the same time picking up those stitches and knitting at such a tight gauge proved rather cumbersome.

I really should have done the body parts in order and worked both ears last. I found it to be quite challenging knitting an arm after an ear. The double pointed needles kept getting caught and it was kind of annoying. I guess that the order of instructions is there for a reason!

Oh well.. 'Shes' done now and just way too cute for 'her' own good..

10.04.2009

Gail

This past week I finished Gail, and rediscovered the magic of blocking.
It makes such a difference!

I used one skein Handmaiden SeaSilk in the Ireland colorway and size 7 needles.
(Yarn found here.)
With the help of this chart, this truly was a painless, quick lace project.
As you know, I'm not a huge fan of variegated yarn, so the Ireland colorway, although beautiful, made me a little nervous. I have to say that I'm quite pleased with the result though. I think that the colors blended nicely and fairly evenly across the piece.