'Twas the night before Christmas...once agin

Reposted from 12/24/06

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all though the house,
The sound of my needles clicking was noticed only by a mouse.

The hand knit stocking were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that no one would see the grafting mistakes there.
The nephews where all snuggled in bed,
While thoughts of snowman sweaters danced in their heads.
While mom in her cable cardigan, and I in my fingerless mittens,
Had just settled in for a long for a long nights knittin’
When out on the lawn there arouse such a clatter,
I sprang from the purl row to see what was the matter.

Away the window I flew like a flash?
(Just one more row perhaps?)
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash,
After a few dropped stitches and decreases that match.
The moon, on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Was like lace out of mohair on my lap below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a set of Denise needles and another knitter so near.
I knew in a moment that it must be the knitting fairy
To help with the holiday stitching, so I could be merry.

“Now purl one row, then knit two more!
Don’t forget to YO at the end of each row!”
To the top of the hat and matching mittens, does that look too small?
Too late now; knit away, knit away all!”

She spoke not a word, but when straight to her work,
And knit all the yarn that lurked.
Weaving in the ends as she goes,
She knit in a flash, taking with her all of my woes.
Her well-worked fingers gave a signal of approval
As she took her leave with her needles
I heard her exclaim:
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all good knittin’”

Embossed Leaves and a hat

I finally finished my Embossed Leaves Socks. It only took me a week to knit them and about a month and a half to weave in the ends. But they are really pretty. The yarn was a gift from Avocado Fever. I believe she bought it at Maryland Sheep and Wool. The pattern (as I am sure you know), is from Interweave Winter 2005 and republished in 25 Favorite Socks. These really are some of my favorite socks.



When I was in college I had a professor who explained that flowers and leaves that are pointing down make people depressed. So by making them toe up, the leaves "grow" up, instead of down.



I have 3 pair of handknit socks. They are all green. I think it is time for a new color. And you guys think I only knit in pink.

I also finished a hat for the store.



It's my own pattern, which will eventually be a free pattern with yarn purchase. I made it with Torino Bulky, Dune and Lace Mohair (6 strands held together). One ball of each will do the trick.

I also have been busy with Christmas knitting, but I think I need to wait till the 26th to post those photos. I still have things that I need to cast on for. I guess I better start soon…

As Promised

I have yet to get my copy of Find Your Style and Knit It Too, or even see it in a B & N. But since PassionKNITly got hers, I know it has been released. I have 2 patterns in the book but only pictures for one.

This first pattern (and my favorite) is Pirouetté – a flirty ballet wrap with lace trim to wear over your leotard during dance class. After class, slip a pair of leggings on underneath for hanging out with your friends.

Front



Back



A few detail shots









The second was suppose to be called Ornement de Cheveux de Fleurs, or Floral Hair Ornament. But, ummm, I guess there was some confusion there. Too bad no one at the publisher speaks French…or let me know that they didn't understand. Oh well. I guess you can't win them all. I see if I can get some pictures of that soon.

It Happens to All of Us

So I "thought" I was cruzing along on Rogue. I even made it to the armholes. See the beautiful side cables?



And then I did what I should have done awhile ago. I measured her. Here's what happened:



Hummmm, that's a problem. Now I hear you saying "Smitten, did you check your gauge."
Yes. My gauge is spot on. See:



I really wanted Rogue to measure about 41", but the sizes were 39 1/2" or 43 1/2". I was too lazy to rewrite the pattern so I went with the 43 1/2". So I guess now that she will be frogged, I will get closer to the 41". By my calculations, if I make the 39 1/2" size, I should get 42".

Blogless Jill R, I hope this makes you feel a little better about the Peplum Jacket. It happens to all of us.

For the time being, I think I need to finish something I can feel good about. So I am working on the socks exclusively. I have one done and am almost the heel on the second sock.



I went with a picot bind off for a little extra girlness and stretch.

On another knitting front this book was released today. PassionKNITly preordered her copy on Amazon and brought it to SnB tonight. I haven't even got my copy yet. Be sure to stop by a book store to check it out. I'll post my pics of my patterns in the next few days.

Hello Again

I apologize for the long pauses between posts. Life has been a little crazy lately. Something had to give, and unfortunately it was the blog. But I am here now.

So what have I been knitting you ask? Does anyone remember when I was a monogamous knitter? That seems to be in the past my friends. I currently have 4, yes 4, projects on the needles.

First I have my "work/commute" project. A basic toe up sock in Great Adirondacks Super Sox yarn. I wanted something easy for while I am at Annie's. That way if I have to put it down to help a customer, I don' t won't have a difficult time figuring out where I am. I started this about 4 weeks ago, I am half way up the foot on the first sock. Needless to say I don't have a lot of time to knit while I am at Annie's. But isn't the color way gorgeous?



Next up is a bag that I am designing myself from yarn ripped from a sweater a friend was going to throw away. I loved the color and grabbed it quick. The wool is very course and will be perfect for felting. Because you KNOW how much luck I have had with felting. I have faith that this time I am going to get it right. I am also going to use some of my partial balls up and make some nice felted flowers to adorn the bag. I hope to have a picture soon.

Thirdly is the Aune skirt from Berroco. I love this skirt. I hate knitting it. It is made up of 24 lacy hexagons. The instructions tell you to knit them flat, and then sew them up. But you know me…"patterns are just inspiration." So I decided that I should knit the hexagons in the round (less finishing :-), which isn't so bad, except you kinda need to knit the hexagon all at once. It's difficult (since there is lace on every round) to find your place if you put it down. Each hexagon takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to make. But it will be beautiful once it is done!



And last but not least, I have always wanted to make Rogue, but thought I wouldn't wear a hoodie pullover. But while playing on Ravelry, I found this. A cardigan version of Rogue. How smart! So I set myself out to pick up some Cascade 220 to make it in. I was thinking, since it's a hoodie, it should be red (you know little red riding hood.) So I picked a lovely burgundy. I got a skein and a half into it before I realized that I didn't have anything to go with it. So I exchanged the yarn for some nice green. I know Ravi, I always knit with green, but what can I say, I like green. Here's a progress shot:



I better finish something soon as I have a very special project or two to knit for a special friend. I don't think I could handle five or six projects at once. Good thing I have till November before the shower.

Indulge a Little

I was working at Annie's yesterday. A customer came in and needed help weaving in ends on her first ever scarf. She started telling me how excited that we were finally open. She then said she was going to come back over the weekend because she wanted to knit something in the window and need yarn for it. She went on by saying "it's the cutest thing; it's a cozy for your pint of ice cream! I am going to make several for friends as gifts. Who doesn't eat ice cream out of the pint?" I then told her that it was my pattern from Not Your Mama's Knitting. It's so exciting when someone tells you how cute your pattern is without knowing it's yours.

I finally got my ravelry invite. So come say hi. My user name is Smitten.

Coming Soon....

I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the newest knitting store, Annie and Company Knitting. Fingers crossed we will be open on Saturday. Located at 1325 Madison Avenue, between 93rd and 94th Streets. We will be open 7 days a week. Here are a few shots to wet your taste buds:





We will be carrying SO MANY yarn. I can see my stash growing by enormous proportions. Some of the many yarn lines are:

Tilli Thomas
ArtYarns
Manos
Alchemy
Gems
Misti Alpaca
Blue Sky
Debbie Bliss
Noro
Trekking
Sublime
Mission Falls
Great Adirondacks
and too many more to list.

Our Hours will be Monday though Saturday 11-6 and Sunday 12-5. The number (so you can call and check before you head out is 212-289-2944.) If you live in the city, please stop by and say hi. If you are visiting the city, this should defiantly be on your to do list. You can tell your traveling partner that you want to see the newest exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, In your sweetest voice you can say "oh look honey, a yarn store, who knew there would be a yarn store so close."

By far this has to be one of the biggest yarns stores I have ever seen. The store is very spacious and has plenty of seating for you and your friends to come by hang out.

Hope to see you soon!