Sunday, November 28, 2010

New Sweater for Buddy

So I have some leftover yarn from monsnter project and decided to use them up by knitting a sweater for my dog. Check it out! Same pattern, same colors... They were so cute standing next to each other!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Watch out for the Monsters!

I finished these little monsters! I have to say they were one of the most enjoyable knitting projects that I have done thus far. However, the project does require a few techniques. I took some notes to share with you:

1. Yarn: Although I enjoyed working with the Red Heart Stitch Nation yarn and think the colors are so beautiful, I don't recommend it for beginners. This yarn can split easily, so if you are new to knitting, save yourself the trouble!

2. This pattern calls for Magic Loop and I learned that the longer your circular needles, the better! I used 32", but wish I had used 40". I used the Magic Loop method to knit the mommy monster and dpn to make the baby. Here is a good tutorial on Magic Loop: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques

3. As you can see, this project is stripy! Here is what I learned... when you are about to switch color, make sure the old color is always on top of the new color (or the new color is always under the old color). By doing so, you are "catching" the old color as you knit along with the new color. Does this make sense?

4. So when you make something that is stripy on circular needles, you will inevitably get the "ladder" look (because you are knitting in the round so your rows are like upper spirals, therefore, when you switch color, it's obvious where you switched). Therefore, to avoid this, I use the jogless method. Here is how I did it:

First round of new color: knit all stitches
Second round of new color: slip the first stitch as to purl, then knit the rest of the stitches
Third round of new color: knit all stitches

Here is a picture of the side of momma monster where I attached the arms. See, not too bad huh?

5.  The pattern recommended three-needle bind off, here is a good tutorial: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/casting-off
I really like the look from three-need bind off; I used this technique to bind off the Spring Forward socks as well. I think it's much easier than "grafting." I mean "grafting?!" PLEASE!

6. I will be giving this to a 16 month old baby, so I choose to use felt for the eyes. That's it, a simple solution. I used felt glue and it worked super well. 

7.Lastly, I learned that I should have just stuck my knitting needle through the stitches to "pick up" stitches needed for the pocket vs. using a crochet hook! It was so difficult with the crochet hook, what was I thinking?!
 This would have been much easier!

Here is another picture of them playing in the backyard!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I Made a Mistake!

Spring Forward is not by Cookie A like I had previously stated! I am so sorry! Arg... it's just that Spring Forward is to similar to Cookie A's style; Spring Forward is actually made by designer Linda Welch.

This is my second time knitting this pattern and I have to say, I really like pink. Why do I make the same thing twice in the same color? I don't know, but next time I should definitely try using something else but pink! I started this project back in June of this year on my honeymoon to Europe, it's taken me a few months, but I am glad to finally get this project out of the way. I have to finish most projects that I start, are you like that too?

I am not sure I like the Cascade Heritage Sock yarn so much, I don't find this yarn very soft for socks.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Monster Body Parts - Done

Just wanted to post a photo of all the body parts for Daphne and Delilah the Momma and Baby Monster. I will be sure to post some notes and tips when this is all done. There are definitely some lesson learned!

Can you tell which is what?!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Little Monsters

I picked up some yarn this past weekend from Jo-Anne Fabrics and thought the colors would be perfect for Momma and Baby Monsters by Rebecca Danger. I really like the yellow and pink together; I have a recipient in mind. I really enjoyed working with this yarn; it's Red Heart - Stitch Nation (Full O' Sheep). It was about $4.50/ball of yarn, I thought that was a good deal for this toy I am making.

Colors shown here are peony (I love this color) and honeycomb. Aren't they so pretty together!?

My husband and I had breakfast in our beautiful backyard this morning, and I was able to knit for a bit. Check out how much progress I have made in just one morning! Stay tuned, I have a feeling it will only take me a few more days to finish these little monsters!

Friday, November 12, 2010

My Favorite Cardigan

It's Friday and I get to work from home! I don't know who came up with that rule, but I like it. I was going through my closet today and realized that I never took pictures of my Favorite Cardigan sweater by Knit and Tonic that I made earlier this year. You can find this pattern in the Custom Knits book by Wendy. I find her designs very easy to follow and this particular sweater was a piece of cake! It's the first sweater that I have made that actually fits me! O the frustrations of finding out that the frigging sweater doesn't fit after hours of hard work definitely didn't happen with this one! So given I was working from home, I had salad with my mom at Whole Foods and requested that she takes pictures of me wearing it!

 Say hello to my beautiful cardigan! I am so proud of it :) 

 Side view
 Back 

Close up of the collar

I still can't believe a sweater I made actually fits me! Wow.... By the way, my mom said my face is as big as the pumpkin. Gotta love my mom!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Handmade Christmas Cards

I don't know about you, but I have this secret holiday card list in my head. Throughout the year, I am always adding special people to this list. So at the end of every year, I make those individuals something extra special. Here is a cute Santa Claus card I made one year. I just sketched an image and used construction papers to create this cute Santa. Hallmark is totally overrated right?

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Cookie A Socks

Do you know Cookie A? If not, you are really missing out on some simple, easy, and fun sock patterns. I have made two of her patterns: Monkey and Spring Forward; they are both free from Knitty.com. How about that!? I think what makes her pattern so special is her focus on the simple math so that it's repeatable and addicting. Try it out, I guarantee you will be impressed with the outcome.

I finished one of two (of course, socks come in pairs right?!)

 I have to "graft" these stitches to finish it off, but I am too lazy to find my book on how to do this...


I made two copies of that pattern so I don't have to flip the pages back and forth. A counter is a must for this project. By the way, have you had those Hi-Chews? They are from Japan and just like this pattern, they are addicting! I can eat a whole pack by the time I am on the second pattern repeat!