Angelarae Knits

N.C. State Socks

A finished object, (whoo-hoo!) Dad's N.C. State socks.   My Dad is a N.C. State grad and a huge fan.  When I found this yarn, Jitterbug in color 'Tapis,' I grabbed it up with the intent of making these for Dad.  Red sock yarn can be hard to find. 

Jitterbug is thick, beautiful yarn, but a little short on yardage (only 318 yds), so in order to make them fit my Dad's size 11 - ish feet, I had to knit the cuffs, heels, and toes in black.  I used Dale Of Norway Baby Ull for these sections.   Also, I knit these two-at-a-time on two circulars.  It is my first time using this technique.  It worked great, even though the heel section was a little difficult to work out.  I ended up using a heel-flap-and-gusset-type heel.  Next time, I'll use a tutorial, rather than trying to work this out on my own.   I want to use the Jitterbug yarn again too as it is so thick and sturdy and the colors are so  gorgeous.  I'll just use it for a smaller pair of feet.  Like, say, mine, for example;->

James Joyce And The Knitted Vest

This is supposed to be the picture that will be printed on the back of Eadmer's first novel (in progress, as we speak).  I think it is a good one.  That's 'Finnegan's Wake' by James Joyce in his clutches, a book I bought for him one Christmas several years ago.  I hid it by placing it on his bookshelf amongst several other titles.  He has so many, several cases of them, in fact.   I meant to be clever, but, alas, I underestimated my DH.  He is very particular about his books and has each and every title he owns cataloged in his brain.  He noticed it within a few hours.  Pooh.

He has been asking for this vest for a little over a year.  I finally finished it today and am very pleased with the way it looks.  It's just what he asked for.

Pattern: Unisex Vest by Lionbrand

Yarn: Wool-Ease Worsted - color 'Mushroom'

Needles: Denise Size 5 and 7 circular needles

Buttons: La Mode Leather 3/4" Style: #3134

Modifications: A few.  This vest is supposed to be knit in Sport Weight yarn.    Eadmer wears between a medium and large as he is fairly short in stature, but barrel-chested.  To look at him, you'd think he'd wear a medium, but he often ends up with a large.   I knit this in a size medium with worsted yarn and size 5 and 7 needles, instead of the size 4 and 5 that the pattern called for: so, heavier yarn, larger needles. The resulting vest fits perfectly in the chest with a little extra room at the waist, not too long, exactly as he asked.   Pockets were omitted, but and afterthought pocket may be added later.  Also, for the ribbing, a rolled edge throughout was achieved by knitting reverse stockinette for the last two rows of ribbing and binding-off in purl, a little trick I learned from Elizabeth Zimmermann.   A few detail shots follow....

Girly Baby Surprise Jacket

Here is my completed Baby Surprise Jacket.  You were right.  Finishing in the cream and adding silver buttons were both excellent choices.  As was, imho, the collar I knit.  I wanted something a little frilly since the jacket is in denim blue.  I think that the result is girly enough.

I tried several settings for these pics and really did not like any of them.  Oh well.  I leave with one last pic of the collar detail.  It is an eyelet picot bind-off.  You may remember the picot edging from knitting 'Fetching.'  I used this tutorial from Knitty and incorporated the eyelets.   The recipe follows the detail pic below.

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket from 'Knitting Workshop,' by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Size: Fits an infant 9 to 12 mos. old

Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino in Colors 'Worn Denim' and 'Cream'

Needles: Denise, size 6US

Mods: Collar is the only addition or modification to this pattern.  Free collar pattern below.

Frilly Collar

~Beginning at right front button band and working around neck to left button band, pick up 46 sts.   Knit 8 garter ridges (16 rows), ending on a WS row.
~(RS)*K2, yo, K2tog - repeat from * across ending in K2. 
~Knit back across WS row.
Begin Picot Bind-off:
Using Cable Cast-on, *cast on 2 sts. and immediately bind off 4 in the usual way.  Slip the single stitch on the right hand needle, back onto the left hand needle and repeat from * across.
    I loved knitting this.  It was as fun as everyone says it is.  Also, I think that the next one I knit, I'll stripe throughout, instead of just at the beginning and end of the piece, and maybe 3 or 4 colors.

A Couple of F.O.'s

Here are a couple of Finished Objects to add to the list. 

First up, another Cap Karma. 

No models available today.  I knit this with Lion Brand Wool Ease in a dark green heather.  It came out really pretty.  I used size 8 16" circulars and double points.  I did use a size 7 for the first few rounds of ribbing and it did make the hat fit a little better.  Still, I don't think using a size 6 for the ribbing would be too much...probably just right for my taste.  I also used the modified decrease found here.  Ingenious, really, and I think it makes a nicer looking hat.  Mr. Greibec (Emma's teacher) will be pleased, I think:)  By the way, while you are at Brooklyn Tweed, check out the mini sweaters on his main page...cutest ever.  I hope he'll post the pattern.  I don't think I could wing these.

Next up, Jack's Socks...

I knit these in James C. Brett's 'Marble' yarn in the 'Berries' colorway.  I am always please with the results when I knit with this yarn.  I knit these top down,  on size 7 double points and used a short row heel and grafted toe.  Very basic pattern, but this yarn makes them a little more special.  Nice:)

That's it for right now.  I am working on a pair of socks for my Dad, a vest for Eadmer, and more pocketbook slippers.  The fun never ends:)

Katie Beth

 

I love this picture of my Katie...she is such a beautiful girl.  The hat is one I just finished and she has claimed it for herself (yay! one of my children wants something I knit)  It is called Cap Karma.  I knit this on size 8 Denise with Berroco Ultra Alpaca.  It's soft stuff and the color is gorgeous.  Sorry, I don't know what it is called for sure, but I am thinking 'prune' is the right name.  No modifications, really.  I think, though, that the next one I knit will have the ribbing done on a smaller needle to make it fit better.  Lesson learned.   I did a swirlie top using knit 2 tog, every other row, like this.

I just followed the pattern directions.  But, I know that if you do ssk, instead of K2tog, you'll get a swirl in the opposite direction.  Cool.

Here's a parting picture of Katie's shoes....

 

Pocketbook

I finished the first of 2 pair of pocketbook slippers I am making for my kid's teachers.  I made one pair for my sister, Becky, with Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, but those came out a little too loose for her foot.  I knit them on a size 8 needle when I should have probably used a size 7, as the pattern directs.  Nonetheless, these are knit on size 7 using Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn.  They make a superior stiff slipper that, when put on the foot, looks as it should. 

Pay not attention to my fat ankles, please...

I know it's acrylic, but I like this yarn.

Finished

I finished and felted the fuzzy feet today, but I cannot post pictures...they will be seen by someone I do not wish to see them yet. (does that make sense?)   They do look very nice, though.  I knit the cuff a little shorter than required and also knit the foot a little shorter, according to the calculations given in the pattern.  For an 8 1/2 inch foot, I was supposed to knit them to 11.05 inches long in order for them to fit after felting.  That's what I did.  I'm hoping the calculation turns out to be correct as they look small to me.  Now for teacher's pocketbook slippers and the socks I am working on!

Tutu

It's done.  Very cute, too.

I really like the look of the Tutu yarn vs. the traditional fringe we could have used.

Emma likes it, too.

Here's a shot of her wearing the cabled head band I made to keep her ears warm.  I found it here.

It knits up really quickly and looks great:)

Very Harlot Poncho For Emma

So, here is the nearly finished poncho.  All it needs now is some type of fringe.

My modifications include fewer stitches, a 2x2 rib at the neck rather than garter stitch, and a 2-stitch center increase panel rather than one stitch.  I could do a traditional yarn fringe for this poncho or a "Tutu" fringe.   I guess I was thinking of crocheting the tutu yarn onto the bottom edge in lieu of the yarn fringe.  What do you think?

Leaves and More Leaves

I went outside today to take a pic of some of the leaves that are turning on our dogwood tree in the front yard.   After cleaning the lens, this is the best I could get.  You may notice the foggy nature of the photo on the outer edges of the picture.  Here's what it looked like before I wiped the lens....

Pretty bad, huh?  It was that humid this morning...drippy humid.  I actually wiped the lens a couple times to get a decent shot.  Naturally, it did rain within a few minutes later.  Thankfully so, because we have had quite a drought in these parts lately.  Water restrictions have been tight.  No watering, hose or otherwise, is allowed now.  I am hoping the rain will continue a day or two.  We really need it.

In the blogging world,  my newsletter went out Saturday night. I am sorry that it was a little on the late side, as I usually like to have it out by noon or thereabouts.  But, I hope the Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern made up for that.  I am so happy that I was able to include it in the Christmas knitting issue.  I have been looking for patterns that will make good gifts and be quick to knit, and this one seemed to fit the bill.   For the most part, I am determined not to get caught up in an overwhelming knitting-gift-to-do-list.  I wanted to contribute what I can to that cause.  I intend to add new quick pattern links as I find them or as they are suggested, so keep sending the links my way.  I'll add them to the newsletter. 

On the knitting front, I have joined the Mystic Waters KAL.  It is a mystery shawl and since I have been wanting to do one, I joined.  We got our first clue this morning, and the thing is very intricate and just gorgeous.  I am hoping I am up to the task.  I have started, ripped, and re-ripped a few shawl patterns (Bee Fields and Fir Cone) and also joined and learned from groups like Laceyshawl.  I am beginning to see a few mistakes I have been making in my approach to shawl knitting that ultimately result in ripping.

1. Lighting ~ very important that there be good lighting so that the stitches can be clearly seen, especially when you are knitting a shawl with two strands of laceweight held together, as in the Flower Basket Shawl.  One Laceyshawl member suggested placing a white towel or cloth on my lap while knitting my shawl.  Good tip, it helps.

2. Needles.  Denise needles are great, but Addi Turbo Lace needles make all the difference in the world.  Fighting to get a dull needle under 3 stitches for a 'K3tog' instruction can cause dropped stitches and much frogging.  Pay the $16.00 for the Addi's...worth every penny.  A size 5 is pretty much standard for most lace knitting.  Buy one size 5 40" and you're set (unless you want to knit more than one shawl at a time)

3. Magnetic Chart Board ~ Using a post-it note to keep track of which row you are on isn't the greatest.  My post-it sticky became un-sticky after a few rows and would come loose.  Then I'd have to try to remember which row I had just knit...well, you get the picture.  Also, it wasn't as wide as the pattern, so I'd have to move it over, another opportunity to make errors.  The magnetic chart board was in the Cross Stitch section at Wal Mart and cost $11.00...also worth the money.  You can buy a magnifying rule to go with it. The one that comes with the board works great, though, and the board also comes with extra magnets to place around pattern repeats.  Very cool. (I should note here that my patterns are on printer paper, but the magnets held it down very well)

After implementing these changes, I was able to knit the first chart of Flower Basket without incident.  So, knitting is reminding me, once again,  that the little things matter a lot and that I need not blow off the details that sometimes seem unimportant to me in the beginning.  I usually find out that they are very important.  Painfully, but I find it out.

And now, for more leaves...Elvish Leaves, that is.  Here is a picture of the Elvish Leaves Dish Cloth I knit.  You can find the pattern here.   It is a very simple pattern and much fun to knit.  I used TLC Cotton plus and size 7 Denise needles.