FO: Josh's Blanket

Woohoo! I finally finished it last night, and now I have pictures to show you! Hopefully this will make up for being so picture-less the last few posts.

Pattern: Josh's Blanket by Meg

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in "Colonial" and "Waterfall" (98% Acrylic, 2% Polyester) - 3 and 4 balls, respectively

Needles: US 10.5/6.5mm Circular

Variations: Can you have variations in garter stitch? Well, I did add one of the dark blue stripes onto the cast on edge by picking up the stitches and continuing in the opposite direction.

Easy garter stitch using one ball of dark blue and two balls of light blue for each stripe. I decided not to put an edging on it since I felt that the stripes created enough interest. It turned out so comfy and warm that I'm not sure I want to give it up. But alas, I shall. It wound up being a lot longer than I had planned, but that's actually good because my brother is turning out to be really tall. So this way it will last him awhile.

FO: Blue Jeans Beanie

Apparently, making a list is actually working to get me to finish stuff. I present to you the Blue Jeans Beanie (navy baby beanie from yesterday's List O' Unfinished Things) modeled by Brett.

Pattern: Blue Jeans Beanie by Me!

Yarn: Knit Pick's Essential Sock* in "Dusk" and "Buckskin" - small amounts of each

Needles: US 3/3.25mm DPNs and Circulars

I finished knitting and cast off that small bit of only blue you see in the second picture last night and tried it on Brett's little head only to find that... His head wasn't that little. It would have made a wonderful Yarmulke. But since we're not Jewish and I made it in order to keep his whole head warm, it wasn't going to work. I didn't want to frog the whole thing and start over so I got a little trixty. I picked up stitches from the cast on edge, and continued the ribbing in the opposite direction using the brown color for about an inch, then kept going with the navy color. Cast off after a bit and now it fits perfectly. I named it the "Blue Jeans Beanie" because the colors together reminded me of blue jeans.

*Essential Sock yarn has been renamed to "Stroll", for anyone who wants to get themselves some.

FO: Springtime Swirl Shawl

Two posts in one day! Tada! I didn't get pictures done at the beach because... well I forgot. But! I got home and have this handy-dandy fence to thank for allowing me to use it as a prop.

Pattern: Springtime Swirl Shawl by Kristel Nyberg

Yarn: Knit Pick's Bare Merino Laceweight in "Natural" (undyed) - 1 1/2ish balls

Needles: US 3/ 3.25 mm

Variations: None!

It turned out pretty small, since I like a tight gauge and I only repeated the "sizing" clue once, instead of a few times like I probably should have. But, it makes a nice little shoulder shawl which was just enough to keep me warm while running around the house at the beach. I'm still not sure if I'll keep it, give it to someone small, or mayhaps use it as an antique looking table cloth.

FO: Secrets of the Shawl

I just realized I haven't had a knitting FO in a long time. That's really sad. :( But here's one!

Pattern: Secrets of the Shawl a.ka. Crystal Garden Shawl
by Vicki Mikulak

Yarn: Knit Picks Essential in "Granny Smith" - 6 balls (and I used every bit but 12 yards)

Needles: US 6/4mm


Since this was a mystery knit-along there weren't any variations. I did just do 2 rows of garter stitch for the cast off edge though, instead of the picot edge that was a choice. I like the way it turned out and I'm really happy I decided to do it in the Essential yarn. It's so soft and has been really nice to throw on for the last few days that have been chilly (what the crap June?!). I think it might actually make a nice nursing shawl. The little man could still breath without me flashing everyone around! You know, if he ever decides to show up.

FO: Jasmine Lace Edge Cardigan - White

Ta-Da! I just finished sewing on buttons and it is all ready to go. Hopefully it will still fit the little one it was intended for.

Pattern: Jasmine Lace Edge Cardigan
from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms

Yarn: Ella Rae Baby Cotton (88% Cotton, 12% Nylon) in "White" - 1 and a half(ish) balls

Needles: Body - US 6/4mm
Sleeves and edging - US 5/3.75mm

Variations: Again, I knit this in one piece with picked up sleeves, rather than in pieces. I really hate seaming and doing it in one piece keeps my sanity. In addition to that, I did the lace edging on the sleeves a little differently too. Instead of knitting them up and then sewing them on, I attached them as I went by knitting the first stitch of every other row together with the edge of the jacket.