Monday, December 30, 2013

Doggy Sweater

My parents asked me to knit their German Pointer puppy a sweater to keep him warm on his walks. When I went to visit them over Christmas, I worked on this project, and to my amazement, finished it before I had to come back home.
 
Cooper's Sweater:
Yarn: Lion Brand's Fishermen's Wool
Needle Size: US 7 (4.5mm)
Pattern Source: Side Button Greyhound Sweater (free Ravelry download)
 
This pattern had me confused a few times and I had to re-read a few sections to make sure I got it right; but it came out really nice and fits the dog perfectly (I made the XL size). Cooper seems to like it (or doesn't mind having it on all that much) and it should keep him warm in the coming cold winter days.

It was extremely hard to get him to sit nicely for a photo.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Small Gifts

I like to add hand-made (which usually means knitted) gifts to all my presents. Even if they are small like these two small knitted items I made:
 
Wine bottle hat and scarf (free pattern)

Four knitted apple cozies (free pattern)


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Ornaments

Every year I make an ornament for myself and one for my mom. Here are this year's:
 
 
Aren't they just super cute? I picked up some cross-stitch kits from Michaels for $0.50. It came with the hoop, fabric and some thread. I didn't use the pattern they provided (I really didn't like them), but the kits were such a steal!
 
 
 
I don't know where the patterns are from, they were just saved on my computer and I found them by chance. Love them.



Friday, December 20, 2013

Chunky Hat

Finally made my own chunky hat. I had been borrowing my boyfriend's because I love it so much, so I sat down and made my own!
 
 
Neon Pink Winter Hat:
Needle Size: US 11 (8.0mm)
Pattern Source: Warm Quick Hat (free pattern)

 
I did cast on fewer stitches for this hat (62 stitches to be exact) because I wanted a tighter fitting hat.
 
Love it!


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Lacy Hat

Made this hat during a lazy Sunday afternoon knitting session.
 
Lacy Hat:
Yarn: Red Heart Shimmer in Black
Needle Size: US 7 (4.5mm)
Pattern Source: Milanese Lace Topper (free Ravelry download)
 

 
This was such a great and easy last minute gift!


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Awesome

One of my co-workers recently went to Iceland on vacation. She brought me back this:
 
 
She went to the factory while she was there and picked me up some gorgeous yarn.
Yup. She is my new favorite person!
 
She also brought me back some beautiful earrings. She really made my day :) 


Friday, December 13, 2013

Lacy Scarf

My mother-in-law has gone through all my knitting books and marked off patterns that she would like me to knit her. This has made it quite easy for me to make Christmas presents for her.
 
 

Smocked Lace Scarf:
Yarn: Infiknit Rayanna in Bumbleberry
Needle Size: US 2 1/2 (3.0mm)
Pattern Source: Smocked Lace Scarf from Knitting 24/7

 
This project took me a while to finish. There was a lot of lace and some small knitting needles. I would knit this project for a few days, then put it away for a bit. So it's a good thing I started back in August.
 
The yarn and the pattern gave some beautiful results. It blocked so nicely and looks fantastic.



Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Arrow Head Mittens

When my dad made a comment on my Facebook page a while back saying he wouldn't mind a pair of mittens to walk the dog with, I couldn't resist knitting him up a pair.
 
 
Arrow Head:
Yarn: Loops & Threads Undyed Wool in brown
Needle Size: US 6 (4.0mm) DPNs
Pattern Source: Cruiser (free Ravelry download)

 
These were a really quick knit. They took me two days of knitting to complete. The pattern was extremely well written and easy to follow. It was my first time doing an 'afterthought thumb', and I had no problems following her directions to make it. I would definitely recommend this pattern.
 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Simple Black Mittens

My sister asked for a pair of mittens with a splash of colour in them. I don't quite know what she wanted, but when I saw the pattern for these mittens, I thought they would be great.
 
 
Splash of Colour:
Yarn: Loops & Threads Wool to Wash in black and leftover yarn from another project
Needle Size: US 5 (3.75mm) DPNs
Pattern Source: Phoenix Mittens and Treads
 
 
I used two patterns to complete this because the yarn I wanted to use was worsted and the yarn called for in the Phoenix pattern was DK. So I made a lot of changes as I went.
 
These mittens will keep my sister nice and cozy this winter, I think she will really like them.