I had been monitoring this hat on Ysolda’s blog and snatched up the pattern as soon as it came out. Although, a wool hat in spring may not be the most practical idea, I had to cast on right away.

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Damson

Needles: 4.5mm Dpns & 40cm circulars

Pattern: Verity by Ysolda Teague

I love my stuffed animals, they end up in almost every picture I take of my knitting. This project is killing two birds with one stone. The ears are pink because I didn’t check the yardage before casting on. Lesson learned. I think I’ll chalk it up to a happy accident though because I actually like the ears this way.

The Pattern: Ysolda’s Elijah

The Yarns: Patons Decor in “Rich Gray Heather”, Louet Gems in “Caribbean Blue” & Sandnes Garn Smart in “4715″.

The Needles: US size 5/3.75mm

These socks are going to keep my grandma’s feet warm in chilly Edmonton, Alberta. This was my first pair of socks. I’m really happy with how they turned out, they match and everything. I loved grafting the toes!

I used:

Yarn: (2x) Moda Dea, Sassy Stripes in “Polo”.

Needles: U.S size 3 DPNs

I was inspired by The Purl Bee to make homemade valentines this year. I made this one for my Andrew, and sent a few more back home. I love the sentiment behind these cards. I think I’ll be doing more homemade holidays from now on.

As a newbie knitter, I am constantly perusing the vast variety of yarns available. Some are affordable, others seem extravagant. I am a student, working part time as a server, depending very much on the generosity of patrons. As such, unless someone feels compelled to make a significant donation to my stash fund, making anything that requires more than a couple skeins of yarn out of superfluous fiber is absurd. On the other hand, working with cheap, squeaky yarns can be a daunting task. Heaven forbid you have to do anything but knit or purl. Knit two togethers are torture, and even increasing and decreasing can be painful. When knitting with thrifty yarns I yearn for the ease and beauty afforded by more luxurious brands. Then I go for a SEX at my LYS (oh, the lingo) and crave affordibility. I find myself torn and wondering, could I be yarn snob?

…Is admitting you have a problem. It seems that lately I only knit in miniature. Baby projects are such immediate gratification, and so adorable. Knitting for others may appear to be a generous gesture but let me assure you, there is a selfish motive. When knitting for babies, I love to dream about how darling they will look in my knitted articles, and how my handiwork is keeping them cozy and cuddly.

Here is the specs on my latest project:

Patterns: Bev’s Baby Seed Cap, *Tangle Knits’ Baby Booties to match Berry Sweater

* Instead of a ribbed top I did about one inch of seed stitch to match the cap.

Yarn: Paton’s Canadiana, (for the blue and cream set) & Red Heart TLC Baby (for the white hat)

Needles: Size 6 (US)

Yarn: Koigu Kpppm (2 skeins) & Louet Gems (less than half a skein)

Pattern: Free! Go here.

This is my first garment, I’m thrilled by how well it turned out. I’m having a hard time giving it up (selfish). Although I have no babies, it looks great on my stuffed animals, and I’ve become accustomed to seeing it everyday.

There were a few mistakes in the pattern that anyone wanting to make this should know about.

1) For the right sleeve, right side of the cuff, it says repeat rows 9-12 once. You should be repeating rows 9-12 from the left sleeve, left side of cuff, with the following modifications. For rows 10 and 12 you will knit 5, purl to end, for row 11 you will inc in 1st st, knit to end instead of: Knit to last 2 sts, inc in next st, k1.

2) I have to give my pro-knitter mom the credit for this one. In the collar directions it says: K18[19:18:22] sts (in next st, k1) 5[5:6:6] times, (inc in next st) twice, (k1, inc in next st) 5[5:6:6] times, k18[19:18:22]. What it should say is:K18[19:18:22] sts; (inc 1 st in next st, k1), 5[5:6:6] times, (inc in next stitch) twice, (k1, inc 1 st. in next stitch) 5 [5:6:6] times(for a total of 14 stitches increased), Knit 18[19:18:22].

Time to stop doting over this project and send it off to the new baby!

Allow me to take this opportunity to get a few things out on the table. For one, I’m a beginner on all fronts. Expect to see lots of mistakes in my projects and feel free to let me know how to avoid them next time! Also, knitting is likely what you’ll see most of here, but I’m hoping to include some of my crochet, sewing and baking endeavors as well.

Thanks for stopping by the new Muffins and Cupcakes, come back soon!

(Picture source)

Unlike those other cupcakes, these are edible!

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