Under the Ceiling Fan

Not as charming as Carole's method for drying socks, but effective.

Even though many of my hand knit socks are superwash wool, I've found that the dryer is not kind to them. It's better to let them air dry. And to play it safe, I hand wash them too. Most would be fine in the machine on gentle, but I have a few pairs of 100% wool and I don't trust myself to remember which is which.

The only socks I wash and dry in the machine are the ones made from Online Supersocke Cotton (cotton/wool blend). They've been through the wringer, so to speak, and still look brand new. They receive no special treatment from me--washed with all the other dirty clothes in warm water, regular cycle and dried on medium heat. The only thing I have to watch out for are the Velcro closures on John's fishing shirts. Velcro and hand knits do not play well together.

Does anyone know of a superwash wool that does well in the washer and dryer?

December

007 Snap a Dozen Days


Spun by Hand

December is the month I first learned to use a spinning wheel. A year ago, I asked for and received a wheel for Christmas. My first time using it produced yarn that lumpy and uneven, though functional. Over the year, I've practiced and improved.

My preferred way to spin wool is to pick out some roving, sit down at the wheel, and just see what comes from it. There is little planning for me and I like it that way.


Sue's Luxury Yarn
Hand-dyed Roving

I don't think I'll ever be very technical about my spinning. I'm sure it would be beneficial, but I don't care to know the angle of twist or to count the rotations of the wheel to get my plying just right.


Wasatch Watercolours
Fine Range Wools
Fish Lake

I enjoy spinning "freestyle". And if you know me well, you are probably surprised by this. Normally I'm a by-the-book, follow-the-recipe type of person.


Sue's Luxury Yarn
Hand-dyed Roving

But, with spinning I have a carefree attitude, because I've learned that even the most unlovely yarn can be knitted into a thing of beauty.

Back to Normal

The charity items are packed and ready to be mailed today. There is a box full of hats for TPP, mittens for Soaring Eagles and a bereavement set for Emmazing Grace. Being a participant in KUO was the motivation I needed to get it all done.



Now it's back to my regular knitting. I want to finish John's socks. He's been patiently waiting for a whole month and I haven't even finished the first one. All that's left is the toe. He hasn't tried it on yet, but it seems to be coming out the same as a pair I made before that fit him well. I should know by as early as tonight if I have the fit right this time.

Preemie Hat Pattern

I liked the hat I came up with the other day so much, that I decided to knit another one...and another one...and...well...it was hard to stop. Since I had so much fun with it, I thought someone else might too, so I wrote out the pattern. Enjoy!



PREEMIE EYELET CAP

Yarn: Sport weight or D.K. weight baby yarn
Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) dpns
Size: 1-3 lbs

Hat:
CO 48 stitches.
Divide stitches evenly on three needles.
Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.
Rnds 1-6: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Rnds 7-11: K to end of round.
Rnd 12: P to end of round.
Rnd 13: *K2tog, yo, repeat from * to end of round.
Rnd 14: P to end of round.
Repeat rounds 7-14 two more times.
Knit 3 rounds, then begin decreases.

Decreases:
*K6, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K5, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K4, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K3, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K2, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K1, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
*K2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Knotted I-cord:
Move remaining 3 stitches to one dpn.
Work I-cord for 2 inches.
Bind off.
Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.
Thread tail on yarn needle and pull through center of I-cord.
Tie knot in I-cord.

Weave in all ends.

Blanket, Gown and Hat

For the Emmazing Grace Foundation.



Baby Blanket
The pattern I used is similar to this one.
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Clouds
Color: Seaspray
Needles: US 15
Size: 22" sqaure



Gown and Hat
The gown pattern I used is similar to this one. I made up the hat as I knitted.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Baby Sport
Color: Off White
Needles: US 5
Size: 1-3 pounds



Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Mitten Knittin'

The sun is shining today, but it's been cold and rainy here ever since Thanksgiving. The perfect weather to stay inside and Knit Unto Others.

Last post, I was looking for yarn in the stash to knit mittens for the Soaring Eagles Project. Since the yarn should be washer and dryer friendly, I ended up in the acrylic bin. What I have in there is mostly pastel colored yarn for preemie hats, but I found some colors suitable for elementary aged children.



I started with a pattern called Child's Mitten. It's based on Elizabeth Zimmerman's adult mittens. I had so much fun with the first pair, that I immediately knitted a second pair.



Next, I tried 45-Minute Mittens (link on the side bar) by Susan B. Anderson, using Lion Brand Homespun and US 10.5 needles. I like the nubby texture of these mittens.



And then, I tried the pattern for Tweedy Mittens, though the yarn I used is not tweedy at all.



Mittens are very satisfying to knit. I could have kept going, but I decided to move on to another charity project for this week. I might squeeze in another pair though. We'll see.

The Finish Line

I finally finished up the skein of *TLC Baby in New Mint Sparkle!

Preemie Diamond Lace Hat



I made this one smaller than the pattern. It's worked on 48 stitches using US 5 and is size 1-3 pounds.



Preemie Rolled-Brim Hat



I cheated on this one. It's knitted with two strands of yarn held together just so I could use up the yarn faster and move on to something else. And wouldn't you know it? I ran out of yarn on the last couple of decrease rows. I substituted a solid green in the same shade to finish and added a solid green pom-pom.

I felt somewhat relieved when I used up all of this skein of yarn. It's nice yarn, a good color, very soft and works well for preemie hats, but sometimes enough is enough. Ready for a change, I went to the stash right away to look for yarn suitable for mittens for the Soaring Eagles Project and guess what I found?



Another full skein of yarn that looks very familiar. This one is Red Heart Soft Baby in New Mint Twinkle. The label may be different, but believe me, it's the exact same yarn. I think I'll try to forget I saw it.

*TLC Baby is manufactured by Red Heart