Ahh Slacking...

Not that anybody reads this, but I would like to apologize for the unintentional hiatus. I have been so overwhelmed with school and all of a sudden boys are into me?!?! What?!? Anyway, I finished the hat for Jack sans the beard because the pattern was wonky and icky. I'm making progress on e baby blanket, more than half way done. And I've made the decision to frog the progress on my never ending sweater so I can knit it in the round. My next two projects will be the my favorite things scarf, and some yoga socks. In other news, I got a knitting book for my birthday today, The Knitters Life List. Just an update, more when school is out!

Dabbling in Stranded Knitting

Well, it was time to learn something knew and practice for my next big project. So, I decided to knit up some practice swatches. I think they turned out nicely, actually. The only problem is that I am struggling to find a way to hold the yarn, although I may have remedied that situation.

New Stitch a Day

Hey y'all, I joined another knitting site. What do you know. This one is called "New Stitch a Day" and although I don't really know how to use the site, I got turned onto it from this guy's awesome knitting tutorials on youtube. This is my referral link or something like that:

http://newstitchaday.com/vip/?u=1&ref=14510

Finished! Cantaloop scarf

Finally finished this thing, and only because I ran out of yarn. Haha. I stitched it together because I have a major thing for infinity scarves. Oy vey. Anyway, now I can finish that damn hat of jacks and that blanket. Now I have motivation for this hat because the next pattern I want needs those needles....

The Struggle is Real

I don't understand the stereotype of crazy cat ladies knitting. Because it is a STRUGGLE to knit with a cat. Honest to god.

Next Project?

I saw this online and I want to try it once I make up a few swatches of color knitting as practice. The only question is what. And also I have no money, so I would need some yarn. That too. I was thinking maybe a knitting tote? And perhaps I could try felting it, which would also be a new experience?

Knitting for MEN

I am of the firm belief that men should knit, and that it should be socially acceptable. After all, there was a time when men were master knitters, and women couldn't even participate!! There are some guys in knitting club, and I love them to death. Also, watch this:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=5xkDK4IIArs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5xkDK4IIArs

I mean, really. How wonderful would it be to sit and knit and talk with your boyfriend? I guess really I'm saying that I want a boyfriend who can knit.

Movin on up in the World

Hey, I graduated to the next Stitch n Bitch book, which I found as a bargain at a local bookstore today. Party harty.

This Knitter for Hire

So, it's spring break, and I had my two little projects to work on. I was content with that. Perfectly fine. But somehow, when I was knitting down here, my aunt asked me to work on a baby blanket that she was stuck on. And I said yes.

Well, initially, this pattern was just a bitch. It was all knit in front and back, purl two together, knit two together nonsense and it would have taken 20 years to finish. It didn't help that my aunt, who isn't well versed in knitting, cast on 180 stitches as opposed to 80 stitches. Um. Yeah. So that didn't last very long. After only 2 rows of this bitch ass pattern, I frogged the blanket and just made one up, which I will post upon completion.

Also, I made a huge mistake earlier today with the knitting, and had to create a lifeline and rip out several rows. Not fun. But, I learned how to do that, so good stuff. Here is my progress so far:

On My Needles: "Cantaloop" and a Beard Hat

Hey kiddos. I have two small projects going, in addition to my never ending impossible sweater that just sits in the corner and MOCKS me. Um. Sorry, got carried away. Anyway, the first is a lovely pattern on ravelry called Cantaloop. It's my first experience with a lace pattern, and with big ol needles it's knitting pretty quick. Pattern here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cantaloop

I have been wanting one like this in grey, so that's what I did. This is bernat softee chunky yarn that i got at the thrift store. But I really dig the fun colors so I might knit another one for a summery thing. Moving on.

My dear twin brother requested a knit beard hat, and I'm finally getting around to it. I'm kinda winging it pattern wise. It is loosely based on a simple pattern found in my "knitters handy book of patterns". I'm using some Vanna's choice.

Finished! Morning Walk Headband

Finished it! Finally. This should have taken me a few hours, not several days. But whatever. I've been busy with school.

Knitting Humor...

On My Needles: Morning Walk Earwarmer/Headband

Howdy. My latest project, although I told myself not to start anything until sweater progress was made, is this patterns found on ravelry. I started it an hour or so ago, and it is knitting up nicely. The pattern was initially confusing but I got over myself and realized it was actually fairly simple. Here it is:

http://tmatthewsfineart.blogspot.com/2011/11/free-knitting-pattern-headband-ear.html

I'm using an extra skein of loops & threads cozy wool that I never use from my infinity scarf, in color thunder.

The Failynn Fox Cowl

I finally finished the fox cowl! Woohoo! it turned out pretty well, although it could have been better. I just think its impossible to look as adorable as the girl in the pattern. Anyway. The pattern was not free, but I adore it so here is the link to purchase one:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118097522/knitting-pattern-the-failynn-fox-cowl?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=failynn+fox+cowl&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto1&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=failynn+fox+cowl

I used lion brand wool ease thick n quick in spice, and charisma yarn for the contrasting brown.

Pattern: Last Minute Cowl

This cowl is a gift for my mom, wince its her birthday today. While she is out celebrating, I quickly whipped this up using four 50g skeins doubled up. You may recognize it as some of my Christmas yarn that I used to make my potato chip scarf. Anyway, this is a great last minute gift. It only took me 3-4 hours to knit. It's very straight forward:

Materials:
-4 50g balls of yarn, medium weight. You will be knitting with two together, so two balls of a super bulky would work well.
-Size 13 29" needles
-Stitch marker
-Darning needle/crochet hook to work in ends
-Scissors

Skills:
-Cast on/cast off
-Knit
-Changing balls, if needed

Cast on 65 stitches. I use grandmothers easy cast on method, which can be found on YouTube. Use whatever you prefer.

**MAKE SURE THE STITCHES ARE NOT TWISTED**

Row 1: knit all the way around
Repeat row one until desired thickness.

Cast off.

This pattern will have the rolled edge, and if you don't like that, this isn't for you. This could be easily modified to include ribbing, cabling, stripes, or other fun stitch patterns. I like the simplicity of stockinette stitch. Happy knitting!

One Cable Mitts

Finally finished these mitts, and they turned out pretty nice! These would make great last minute gifts, and are pretty cute. The link is on ravelry, and can be found in a previous post.

Some New Stuff

The thrift store truly never fails me! My mom mentioned she saw a little grab bag full of knitting supplies, so I went to investigate. I did find the bad, in addition to anther bag of circulars and some more yarn. It was full of everything you need: stitch holders, needle protectors, markers, counters, bobbins, cable needles, some very handy knitting reference cards, and a darning needle. The bag full of circular needles was an equally wonderful find. Most are 29 inches, but two are 16 inches for hat making. There are tons of different sizes, including the size I need for my next project. The yarn was a good find too. Overall, I'm quite pleased with my find!

Padawan Learner

I don't know if I spelled that Right, but who cares. Tonight my best friend came over to learn how to knit. I'm so proud of my little grasshopper.

On My Needles: One Cable Mitts and Big Sack Sweater

Hey kiddos! I figured it was high time I elaborated on my last blog post, where I briefly mentioned that I had started the Big Sack Sweater from Stitch n Bitch. Since that last post, I have made little progress on it, because I started a secondary project that was smaller and portable. Those would be these delightful fingerless mitts, called the one cable mitts on ravelry. The pattern, which is not mine, is here:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-cable-mitts

So far, the knitting is pretty quick and I would probably be done with the first one except for the fact that I made a HUGE mistake that was not salvageable, so I was forced to frog it. Anyway, pretty fun problem that only needs one skein of worsted weight. I had been looking for a pattern like this for quite some time, so it was a nice find.

I will post some pictures when both the mitts and the sweater is complete. In other news, my best friend says she wants to learn how to knit. Pumped! :D

New Ravelry Account

Hey y'all, just thought I'd let you know (not that anyone reads this) that I got a ravelry account yesterday! I was pretty bummed that every time I saw a cute pattern online, nine times outta ten it would be on somebody's ravelry account, and I didn't have one! So I broke down and got one, and I'm psyched! Its awesome so far, and I'll actually try and keep it updated. We'll see how long that lasts. But it might make this  humble little blog a bit more popular, since I linked the accounts. If you would like to take a look see, here is the link to my account:

http://www.ravelry.com/people/kfletchers

I would totally recommend that you all get an account, its a delightful little website.

In other news, I might become president of the knitting club, I just ordered a new pattern that I'm pumped to try out, and I have taken the plunge: I'm knitting up my first sweater!! I'll write about that one in a separate post, but this is kind of my update post. In the next few weeks, be looking out for:

-Product/book reviews
-Videos (this is dependent entirely on my school schedule, but I'm working on it)
-New projects I'm starting
-Pictures of cats

Does that sound good to you? Cause it sounds good to me. Are we good? Good.