FO: Sweet Baby Cap

In my family we have girls. As a result I have no idea what to knit for little boys. Where is the line between cute and cutesy?

This is for one of my partner's co-workers who just had a beautiful little boy. This yarn has been languishing in my stash, and I had been hoping to make this great pattern with some otherwise unloved self-striping. Did the colors seem "boyish" enough? I think so. Is the pattern too cutesy? Not sure. I love it though.

Pattern: Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap
Size: 6 month year old
Yarn: Lion Brand Magic Stripes in Sea Blue (only 28 g)
Needles: US 3

I have to say that I am loving the baby knits right now. Just like socks, they are great summer knitting. Plus with any luck I can get all the baby shower and niece-christmas gifts done early.

FO: Cabled Headband

I was doing a little stash digging, when I found one lonely ball of Debbie Bliss's Merino Chunky. There are not many patterns for just one 50 ball of chunky weight, and unfortunately I had nothing that was of a similar weight and fiber content. Even my copy of One Skein Wonders had nothing that thrilled me with so little yardage. Time for a little adaptation.


Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky color 140401 (discontinued)
Supplier: Carodan Farm
Needles: US 11
Cable Pattern: initial band for the Shepherd Bulky Rainbow Hat
Source: One-Skein Wonders

The Shepherd Bulky Rainbow Hat has a really interesting construction, but I knew I wouldn't have enough for it since it calls for a 100 g ball. So I knit the main band until I ran out of yarn, and then blocked the result to a more reasonable size (~20 inches).

Basketweave Crochet

I am slowly working away at these squares. I am a little behind since I left my crochet stuff at my mother's house for a 2 weeks, but I am still trudging along. Hopefully I will be caught up soon.


Pattern: Basket Weave Dishcloth from Lesson 5
Yarn: Lions Brand Pound of Love in color 110 Denim
Hook: G/4.5 MM Soft Grip
Modifications: chained 27 rather than 37 initially to get the correct size square

Recently I laid out all of the squares that I had done, and it is looking like I will need to use all of duplicate squares that I have been doing in order to get a reasonable size.

Slytherin Hip Scarf

As promised here is a photo of the completed hip scarf. Super simple and fast to make, this took less than a day of non-devoted knitting time. It was also a great stash-busting project fore lonesome skeins, as it used less than 50 g of either yarn.


Needles: US Size 8
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Dk Sage (discontinued) and Sirdar Snuggly DK in color 389
Pattern: Hip Scarf from Charmed Knits

Book just arrived. I'm off to read!

Hogwarts Square

I am home from the Hogwarts Square event in Cambridge, MA. The highlight of the evening for me was definitely Draco and the Malfoys. During the concert I finished up a Slytherin hip scarf that I had started late last night, but you will have to wait until daylight for pictures.

Recieved Slytherin HSS Package

You can tell Alice is a Ravenclaw. That girl thinks! It has been pouring today, so when I saw the soggy cardboard box outside, I admit I was a little nervous, but she had sealed everything in zip-lock bags to keep everything dry in just such an eventuality.


Inside were so many goodies. There was Tazo Green Tea (hehe), chocolate (which I will try to be good and share), a set of addi Turno lace needles (which I haven't tried yet, but sound amazing), beautiful Slytherin stitch markers by Enchanted Daffodils, and of course a pair of beautiful socks.


I absolutely love, love, love the deep emerald of these. I have no idea of the yarn manufacturer, but this depth of color is stunning. And although my pal was worried that I wouldn't get the chance to wear these right away, the weather turned damp and chilly today for what the weather report suggests will be nearly a week and a half of rain.

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

Second Years

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?

Slytherin!

2. Shoe size? Foot length? Foot circumference?

US Womens 6.5-7: 9.5"/24cm : 8.25"/21cm
Note: I tend to like my socks snug in circumfrence

3. List your three favorite sock yarns.

a. Regia - this is definitely my workhorse yarn, though their silk blend is luscious

b. Koigu - so squishy and amazing colors

c. Artyarns Ultramerino or Supermerino

4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn? If so, which brand?

I am always up for something new. I am not a huge fan of mohair containing yarns, but otherwise surprise me :)

5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn?

I am attracted to variegateds, so that is what I mostly have in my stash already. Solids or semi-solids would allow me to do some fancier patterns, but honestly I like both.

6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash?

Honestly I like Slytherin colors, but don't have any in my stash. Also often used as male-friendly "colors" that tend to be almost-colors (such as deep hunter green, navy, black, brown) and brightly colored yarns for Chiquita (who preferes cotton blends).

7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward? Lace? Ribbed? Fair Isle?

I haven't done any fair isle yet, and I have to admit it is a little intimidating. I have done lace, ribbed, cabled, and even mitered socks though and enjoyed them all.

8. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, animals, etc.)

Just mold for me, but my partner is allergic to cats.

9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them?

Nope I am a non-smoker with a lizard, who stays in his cage.

10. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?

Sure :)

Don't forget to sign up for the Hogwarts Sock Swap Two soon if you are thinking of doing so. Sign-ups for first years started July 14th.

Getting Ready for Potter

Life has been full of the Potter-verse these days. Only a few days until we get the last book. Please remember spoilers may be crucio-ed.

We went to see Order of the Pheonix this week. Chiquita dressed up for it, although we didn't go to any of the releases. (And can I just rant about the prices of even children's movie tickets these days? I know they were high for adults, but the price was not all that different for an 8 year old.) See that green? With any luck she will be a Slytherin just like her mom.


And do I look tired or what? Boston has been hot people! The over-air-conditioned movie theater was a nice change for a little bit. These are the thick wool-socks I am working on for poor Salvbard. Coming back from tropical south-east asia, I am sure wool sock will be the absolute first thing on his mind... or something.


And yes I did knit these during the movie. A simple 2X2 ribbed leg didn't distract from the movie itself, which was surprisingly good. There are parts I wish were a little different, but it should just be enjoyed for itself too.


In other related news I heard back from the Deputy Head Mistress for the Hogwarts Sock Swap Two. I will be joining the Slytherin house once again, and I would like to welcome all of the first years. If you haven't signed up yet but would like to you should get to it! There are only 150 slots, and at least 100 are already taken.



I have been listening to my favorite Potter podcasts, including Snapecast, which introduced me to the song by Ministry of Magic and The Parselmouths - Snape vs Snape (you can listen to it at either link). Some Wizardrock I have heard is good, but apparently I hadn't heard anything by Ministry of Magic before. They are fabulous! I immediately bought their CD, and will be waiting anxiously for it to arrive.

In the meantime I have been reading fan-fic during my knitting time (simple knits are a must for the next week and a half at least). Does anyone have any recommendations? I am not really a Harry fan-girl, though I have read some fic with him as a main character that was good. Slytherin content desirable, but not necessary if it is well written.

Little Bird

I saw this pattern when it was one of the most recent patterns added to Ravelry, and looking over my shoulder, Chiquita immediately wanted one. I wanted to see about making one with crocheted eyes for baby-friendliness, though, since I am thinking quite a bit about baby knitting for my expected niece these days. The result of a little stash diving was this cute little guy.


Pattern: Birds of a Feather
Hook: G/4.25 MM Al
Yarn: Wool-Ease Worsted in Gold and black cotton yarn dk scraps for eyes
Fiber: 80% acyrlic 20% wool

I wanted to make this into a little owl, but Chiquita insisted that we couldn't since it was obviously a baby chicken. (Obviously...) She has been playing with it since it was finished. This ones name is "Pumpkin" and is about the size of a tennis ball.


Super fast to finish, these would make great gifts for small children if you avoid the button eyes. These crocheted eyes worked okay, but I may play with the idea a little more to get a more appealing shape. The pattern does not specify how to attach the beak, but I just sewed it on with needle and thread, which felt more secure to me than fabric glue.

FO: Dragon Socks

I have to say that I really enjoyed making these. Gauge, including both sts and row gauge, is more important in this pattern than in many sock patterns. I wish I could say that I had been a good dooby and swatched, but I figure they were bound to fit someone. (Hmm these really are the same height...)


Pattern: Heartland Knits Diamond Patch Socks
Yarn: Regia 4-ply Color 5442
Needle: US Size 1s 40" Addis
Modifications: no "knit even" rows before starting the decreases for the toes or heels, and skipped one row of mitered squares on the leg
Marathon Yardage: 460 yards
Total Marathon Mileage: 2.4 miles

The pattern calls for Koigu or Shepard Sport, so I was a little nervous that this pattern would turn out a bit small with the 4-ply. Instead of the Women's US 7 that this pattern predicts this would fit, even with the yarn substitution, these socks are still a little large on my feet (6.5-7). With the called for "knit even rows" I think these could have fit a 8-9.


Here is a photo that shows what my heels looked like, though it gives the impression that these are slightly baggier than they are at the ankles. I wasn't sure how much yarn I would have or how long these would turn out, but due to their modular nature you can easy stop to add in the toe and heel before you are done with the leg. These came out perfectly with only a few yards left.

WIP: Dragon Socks

Hey look, these are starting to look a lot more like socks.


Pro: The mitered construction is really interesting, making each square sort of like eating potato chips. You have the urge to immediately start the next one.
Con: The ends, dear deity the ends! I have done a few as I went, but mostly I am in huge denial.

Wedding Recap

There have been several requests to see pictures of my sister in her shawl, but I am afraid that I do not have any at the moment. As part of the wedding party I was camera free for most of the day. In the meantime, while we are waiting for photos to come in from the rest of the family I give you a few photo captures of the day.

First here is a self-portrait of the photographer herself. I will spare you the 8-year-old images of breakfast, her feet, the pile of shoes, the lamps and anything else that caught her interest.She even thought to take a picture of my "no-brainer" socks that I started just for this occasion. "Blog this, mom," she instructed.
We had our makeup and hair done that morning, and Chiquita was quite impressed by the amount they brought with them.
I am told this is a photo of my earrings. I will include it since I was entirely too exhausted to post a self-portrait for SPS.
Is it just me or do profiles look seem like they look less like you than any other angle?
And this was not taken by Chiquita (in fact you can see her on the far left), but the ceremony was absolutely beautiful.