Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Topi cubed

That's right, I'm finished with the Topi's for this winter. I knit total of 8 of these quick hats.

Did the package arrive before the holiday?

Monday, December 14, 2009

When knittingbrow does forensic knitting...

I enjoy knitting in public with friends. Tonight's knitting was great fun. There were 10 people knitting at Cup O Joe/Lounge around a big table. Each of us were working on a variety of projects and laughing a great deal.

A few weeks back, I posted about a KAL for the Maine Morning Mitts, by Clara Parkes. (Did you know I met her at Knitters Connection in Columbus. She gave a great talk about "dating yarn" before you make a commitment. She was wonderful to speak with and to make sure that she had everything she needed. I've yet to pick up her newest book (The Knitter's Book of Wool) but look forward to it. If it's as good as the Knitter's Book of Yarn, it will be amazing.) MMMs are from Knitter's Book of Yarn. KnittingSavantDarla (KSD)joined KnitMeredith and I the week following our start. This is KSD's first time using dpns. She's doing well, overall. She's been running into the common problems of beginning with dpns. The one that got her tonight was a dropped st between needles. See the picture?

KSD's dropped st
Dropped st. I had to drop down for her and pick the st up. She made up for the st a few rows later. It gets better. Turn up the volume (as the audio didn't record well)



Did you like that gasp?
Have no fear, I did spit splice the yarn back together. She continued knitting without further incident and even learned how to M1R and M1L. She's a good knitter. Here's a close-up of one of her beverages for the evening.

KSD's martini
I sure hope that she'll be willing to knit with me again. :)

Enjoy!

Topi, topi, topic (again and again and again)

I got to spend Sunday evening with my Mom. I cooked dinner, had great conversation and shared some of my knitting with her.



I'm just about finished with my Topi obsession.
One benefit of visiting Mom is listening to her walk down memory lane. I've so enjoyed recording these videos.


(you did notice that I was wearing the same sweater, didn't you? knitSB got that for me. It's a great wool sweater and quite comfy.)

Monday, December 7, 2009

knittingbrow & his mom



A chat with my mom.
I want to fix this so she can wear it.

The Turn A Square is out of red Cascade 220.
The Topi pattern is here and is being knit out of Manos. Yes, this is my 5th or 6th one.

knitSB, LJ and I visited mom on Sunday. She cooked turkey and noodles for us. She even made an apple crumble for dessert. Man, was it good. We played euchre and chatted. It was a perfect afternoon and evening.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Topi it off Barista


Topi it off Barista
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow
the recipient of the first Topi I knit. She l o v e s it and that makes me happy.

Enough For a Guage Swatch?


Enough For a Guage Swatch?
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow
knitSB is knitting a pair of socks on a size 1 needle. He asked if this was enough for a guage swatch.

No. It is not.

**facepalm**

Pink Calorimetry


Pink Calorimetry
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow
This is my completed Calorimetry. It is knit from using Malabrigo wortsted weight yarn and size 7 needles. I modified the pattern to CO only 96 sts rather thn the recommended 120. I think it will fit the recipient well. One more version of this is included on my holiday knitting list.

I rather enjoyed this project. It took me 2 hours and 12 minutes to knit. I think the purple button works nicely with the pink yarn. The button fits snuggly through the button holes.

I heard about Jeny's super stetchy bind-off from the Fall 2009 Knitty.com. I uses the bind-offfor this project. I am a huge fan of this way of bindingg off. I think it is a great compliment to the German Twisted Cast-on. Click on the photo and you'll go to my flickr page. There are two shots of the edge of the project. Can you see a difference?

My gift knitting has some quick deadlines coming. I have another project due in Sat and a hat she on Sunday. I am knitting on the Maine Morning Knits for the KAL for our knitting group.

I'm feeling some great motivation to get some projects done! I'll videoblog about the projects this weekend.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

My Brother Got Me Pr0 n for Thanksmas

So the video is a bit long but...it's about knitting books



The two wonderful books are from my Amazon Wishlist.
Men's Knits by Erika Knight
Hat Heads by Trond Anfinnsen
his blog is knitkid or Knitkid.

Jack's Big Smile


photo
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow
My family has great smiles

My BIL is Knit-Worthy


photo
Originally uploaded by knittingbrow
This is my BIL, Jack. He received an unexpected gift of handknit boot socks from knitSB at Thanksmas this year.

I snapped a couple of photos of him opening the gift bag and seeing the socks for the first time. I like this photo especially because it shows the attention and appreciation that Jack has for handmade items and the enjoyment in receiving them.

He hugged knitSB and had tears joy in his eye. It is wonderful to have gift receIved with uch genuine appreciation. I know these socks will be worn and cared for so they will keep his feet warm for many winters.

Jack is so knit-worthy.