Stripes Coz I Can

Looky, I finished another thing. A pair of socks that I started last week. Just my usual recipe:

CO 64
15 rows twisted rib
1 row st st
4 row stripes
FLK heel
Kitchener toe

Maus Jung, 47ag and a red mini skein. All Wollmeise of course.

Vroom vroom - baby Milo

So I wanted to test drive this Milo pattern in fingering. I thought I'd try the 3yrs to aim for a newborn/3mth size. I think I did alright. Although my last baby was 10lb2oz. If this baby is the same, then he won't last long in it! Still, it's cute.

Striiiiiipes

Since I had some leftover Blue Suzanne I decided to make these socks too. Just a simple top down construction using the FLK heel which has become my go to.

Skew

I've been wanting to make Skew socks for zonks. Particularly because of the unusual construction. So I used a CDH skein of Blue Suzanne and they worked out great!

Who me? Stripes?

This I've had in mind for a while. I think it turned out pretty well. They were finished before I found out I was preggers so the nausea hadn't set in yet.

Surprise baby #3

Surprise baby #3, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I've been very quiet of late. Sorry about that. But this is the reason. I've unexpectedly fallen pregnant! On top of trying to deal with the fact that I have to start all over again, I've been feeling like rubbish. This is the first time I've ever had morning sickness. None with my first 2. Well, I already have 2 boys and now I'm having a third! Yep, a house of all boys and me.

ColourBlock pattern release

I have finally gotten around to publishing my pattern! I can't believe it. I have yet to get around to taking proper photos and add more sizes. I'll do that when I can get around to it.

Come and check it out!

CMYK - Catch Me if You Knit

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I recently bought a skein of Trailing Clouds Mind The Gap. They also had a striking colourway called CMYK. I had to have one. I was lucky enough to score one in a recent update. These are my commute knitting.

Wild Thing socks

On my trip to Canberra, I couldn't resist this in a destash. Wollmeise Wild Thing. I'd never seen it before let alone knit with it. It was a "spiralen" skein so it was dyed to knit up in spirals. I think they look pretty striking. Especially with the black contrast heel/toe. Again using an FLK heel.

Robin #3

Well, we all know I'm having a love affair with the Robin sweater. I already made 2 of them for myself in Wollmeise DK. Now I just needed another one in plain black. I had a pair of patterned leggings in mind. I couldn't get myself to make another one so I sent it out to WWFY. Sadly it was made a bit too short for leggings. But they look pretty good with jeans!

Colourblock finished...

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...pattern to come. I need to figure out some shoulder tweaks and then come up with numbers for other sizes. Stay tuned :)

Ravello / Satsuma

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Progress...

Striiiiiipes

Finished! The first sock took 2 days. The 2nd sock took just one day. I had to use my Suzanne leftovers. It's such a gorgeous colour.

I must always remember to move the stitches around so that the colour change happens at the back of the leg and underfoot. I forgot to do that with the 2nd sock. It's much neater that way! Doh!

Lorna's Laces Solemate

So I "needed" a couple of needles. I get them from Purlwise. They have free shipping over $50. So I had to make it worth while...right?

I've had my eye on this colourway for a while. Thought I'd try this out.

CDH Skew

I had a hankering to use one of my "Cold Dead Hands" skeins. I was gifted this skein of WD Suzanne as a Christmas swap. I scored! Thanks, I :)

I've been meaning to make Skew for a while but just never got around to it. I'm so happy with how the pattern turned out. I used 2.5mm instead of the recommended 2.25mm and the fit is amazing. No yanking over the heel for me but it's still snug. For some reason one leg is longer than the other. Weird considering the pattern is row by row.

I cannot believe this pattern is free. It must have been a trial to come up with it!!

Who me? Stripes?

Somehow I've gotten a reputation for being a stripes girl. I don't know why :) This formula of stripes worked out perfectly for my 10" length foot. So now I've worked out what works for me for a "vanilla" sock. I'm loving this FLK heel. It's easy to memorise and leaves no holes!

This one is using Frosch and Natur Wollmeise.

Ravello / Satsuma

Another sweater in the making. This time I wanted to make Ravello. I had the Satsuma pattern so I'm just going to use that but with the Ravello colours and stripes. Hopefully it works out.

Satsuma uses the new continguous method. I quite like it. A nice alternative to the usual raglan construction.

Colourblock update...

I'm almost done with my Colourblock. Just the 2nd sleeve and cowl to go. It's nice and oversized just the way I wanted it. Can't wait til it's finished.

Colourblock sweater

I saw this sweater on Pinterest and couldn't get it out of my mind so I cast on! I'm using an unusual top down method. Hopefully it'll work out. I'm halfway down the first sleeve now.

Angry Birds

Angry Birds, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I finished my Angry Birds socks! They were a custom dye job by Stray Cats on Etsy. I love them. Just a simply top down vanilla sock with 64st. I used Fish Lips Kiss Heel for the first time. I quite like the look of it. No holes whatsoever. I'll use it again that's for sure.

Paraphernalia

Paraphernalia, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Finished! These are a lovely sock. Again in Cascade Heritage. I reversed the cable on the 2nd/right sock. Although the last line in the pattern is not provided for reversing. So I had to fudge it. Love this one. Especially the length and softness. Hope they hold up well!

Julissa

Sorry, it's not a very good picture as I took it as I was rushing out the door on the way to work. But Julissa is finally finished. Plucky Primo Worsted is a dream! Especially once blocked. So soft and squishy.

I got 2 comments from my work colleagues. Both were men! Gotta love making an impact with your handknits :)

In the making of this, I realised about 3/4 of the way through the body that there was an error in the lace at the bust. So I ripped it all out to the error and knitted again. I almost got to the same spot when I realised I hadn't ripped back far enough so the error was still there. Riiip again and it's now perfect. I have tamed the lace demon. We have been long standing enemies for some time. I'm so glad I decided to fix it!

Lazy or clever?

So which is it? :)

Skyp man socks

Husbeast had been complaining about not having a pair of brown socks. So I thought I'd whip him up a pair of Skyp socks. I'm loving this pattern. Easy to memorise yet interesting enough to keep you awake. Shame they turned out a bit small. A 37 row extension was added to the roof of the house :) Cascade Heritage is lovely to work with and soften a lot with blocking.

Lap / baby blanket

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...and here is the smaller blanket made with the leftovers.

With love from us...

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A lovely Raveller had the very sad task of saying goodbye to her daughter who was very sick. To try to help her through this impossible task, knitters worldwide banded together to make some Wollmeise squares to make a blanket. 150 squares to be exact. 45 knitters over 7 countries. All 150 squares were sent to one Aussie and a bunch of us Aussies arranged and sewed these pieces together.

We had some leftover squares so we made a lap blanket or baby blanket for her other daughter who had recently given birth.

Jeanette, I hope we were able to give you the virtual hug that you needed. Much sympathies!! x

Paraphernalia

yarma, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I'm really enjoying knitting a pair of plain brown socks for my husbeast. The main reason is that I'm using Cascade Heritage Sock. It's LOVELY to knit with. So I had to immediately cast on a pair for myself. Paraphernalia - a freebie! This time in a girly pink. I've read some feedback on this yarn that isn't too positive. I'm hoping they are a minority.

Selbu Modern #2

Selbu Modern #2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I was challenged by some yarny friends to use my Koralle Im Meer Wollmeise. I could easily have gone for the obviously pair of socks. But thought I'd try something different. I think it's come up quite nicely with the Natur in this Selbu Modern hat. Don't you?

Noro Silk Garden #211

Noro 211, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

A little somethin'-somethin' I bought on the way back to the office today from Sunspun. I love this colour. Maybe another pair of a 3rd pair of Noro Camp Out Mitts. We'll see.

BWS continued...

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Some extra stash bought from destashes from the girls that I stayed with. How lucky am I?

Bendigo Woollen Show

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Sooo, I didn't tell you all about my trip away with the knitting crew to the Bendigo Woollen Show. It was great...well apart from getting gastro which I caught from my 5yr old! Thanks Kai.

We stayed at an amazing place called Lochinver about 45mins out of Bendigo. There were about 10 of us staying in that house. A lovely old homestead on a farm. Lots of rooms. Lots of places to knit or sew or chat in front of the fire.

I scored myself a lovely bit of stash at the show. A lot of yarns I'd never heard or let alone tried before. And a few that I have.

Chuck finished!

Chuck, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I finally finished my version of Chuck. It worked out really well despite my heavy modifications. I was a bit nervous about it all, but apparently with no need. A very cosy well fitting number :) You can find details of my MANY modifications here.

Baby Tea Leaves FINISHED!

Baby Tea Leaves, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Well here it is. The little cardi that took 8 hours to make. Shame it took a smidge over one ball of Tosh Sport 80/10/10 in Robin's Egg. This is 12-18mths. Maybe the smaller sizes would use one ball. This thing is sooooo soft!

Baby Tea Leaves

Baby Tea Leaves, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

It's husbeast's niece's 1st birthday party next weekend. What do you get a baby who gets totally spoilt and has everything she could ever need or want? A handknit. I thought this gorgeous cardi will do the trick. I'm thinking little red buttons. Hopefully I can get it all done by next weekend??

Inspiration

Untitled, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

One last post for tonight, promise :)

A couple of sweaters that I've been completely inspired by. That's the last thing I need. MORE awesome yarny inspiration. I especially can't get the sweater with the red stripes out of my mind. So many WIPs, so little kitting time...sigh.

Almost ready

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Chuck is almost ready. And guess what? It's working! I wasn't sure that it would. The length is perfect. The sizing is perfect. Now just to add the neckline and arms. Love it so far.

Self-striping customs

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Stray Cats was brought to my attention by my yarny friends. Crap she has some gorgeous stuff. But I had other things in mind. I really wanted a silver/black combo and an angry birds inspired mix. Well, sadly the silver/black didn't quite come out right. Apparently it's difficult to dye up large quantities of jet black. So it's come out silver/charcoal with charcoal contrast yarn. I still love it though!

WWFY

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Some gorgeous WWFY projects that I got in the mail. Thanks emmasee100 I love them. Vanilla Twist in Malabrigo Chunky. I didn't have enough white so I had the ends made in the green. I quite like the effect, actually.

And Marian in Malabrigo Rasta. I can never get the mobious thing to work so I had someone else do it for me :)

These will both come in handy as it's been very cold here in Melbourne this winter!

Sweet Tomato vs Afterthought

Stripey, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I really wanted to try both these heels. I was taken with the Sweet Tomato with visions of the wedges not disturbing the stripey pattern. This particular sock had 72st to account for smaller needles and tighter gauge. I think that's what messed this up. The heel turned out too...round or big or however you describe it. In hindsight I should have just done 2 wedges instead of 3.

In any case I ripped it out and made a contrast heel using Wollmeise in Mohrchen. In the same vein, it was a bit large due to the extra stitches. But it looks pretty neat I think.

I haven't given up on sweet tomato. I will give it a go with a 64st sock.

FOs

FOs, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Here were some quick finishes of smaller things that I had lying around the. The purple set I made as part of a contra deal. The recipient is making me a pieced quilt top in return.

Chuck WIP

yarma, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

This one is taking a while because I keep getting sidetracked. But I'm finally on a roll. I'm not far from separating for sleeve shaping. This is so heavily modified from the original pattern. I hope I can make it work. So far so good!

Robin 2

Robin 2, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Here is the finished product of Robin version #2. I stopped short about 22 rows before splitting for sleeves. It resulted in a slightly more fitted look. But the rest of the numbers were still the same so it's still nicely oversized. and the tail length is perfect to cover the butt. I think this one will get heaps of wear!

Squares

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A vitrual hug in the making.

Ever elusive 4.5mm Signature needles

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Soooo Signature Needle Arts have been trying to re-engineer their 4.5mm for ages. I'm not sure whether it was because they had issues with their cables or what? In the end, they decided to create "convertible" needles. The introduction of these convertibles means that they will no longer be making their fixed needles. So in a panic, I determined which ones I don't have and put an order in along with 2 x 4.5mm convertibles to test drive. You know...for science :) I'm not one to be negative towards Signatures, but I'm not all that impressed. The transition from cable to needle is steep so it's always a struggle to get the stitches up. Especially with magic loop! But they're sooo pretty :)

Quick gift - Molly

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While I'm on about Wollmeise DK...I had to whip up a quick gift for a yarny friend's birthday. I made a Molly hat not long ago for my mum using different yarn. Said friend had it in her queue so I thought I'd go again. This time using Im Jahr Der Ratte in Wollmeise DK leftovers. I love it so much that I think I need one for myself!

Robin #2 in the making

yarma, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

I love my Robin so much that I have to make another one. This time with some mods to make it less 'bat-wingy". So far so good. This time I've used Feldmauschen and Natur in Wollmeise DK. God I love this stuff. Some would say I'm obsessed.

Robin finished!

Robin, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

And here I am in my new sweater. Having a coffee with my knitting gals, had to show it off. Next time I would separate for sleeves a full black and white stripe earlier (22 rows). Shall I make another? :)

WIPs

Untitled, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Crap, I gotta knit faster!!!

Honey Cowl

Chuck

Marian

Brownstone

yarma, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

Yay, I finally finished this one last night too. Brownstone by Jared Flood. It's only been a WIP for 6 months! Poor husbeast. Anyway, I had to play around with these numbers too since he has a narrow waist and a tank of a chest. Started with a medium and moved on up to an XL. I was concerned it was still going to be too tight, but I think it's ok! And with a blocking, I think I can squeeze another inch out of the length. I hope he loves it and actually wears it!

Robin blocking

Untitled, originally uploaded by stitch-by-stitch.

While I'm at it, Robin is finally off the needles. I had a lot of math-fu going with this one too. But the end product was not too far off the schematic of the size I wanted. I tried it on after binding off before blocking and I like it! It is more 'batwingy' than I anticipated but it doesn't look wrong. Do you like my little flash of green where I used fruhling in one stripe? :)

Pics of me wearing to to come after it dries in this rainy cold weather.