Quick Knit Project and Some Progress

I have been working on some big projects lately and I needed a quick project to give me a break. This cowl was as close to instant gratification as knitting can get. It took just two nights of knitting of a few hours each and it looks so cute and perfect.

Felt Bobble Cowl:
Yarn: Feza Yarn's Candy
Needle Size:  US 10 1/2 (6.5mm) 16" circular needles
Pattern: This is super easy and I used the notes from 24-Hour Cowl on Ravelry.

CO 69 stitches, place marker to work in the round

 *K1,P1* repeat until last stitch, K1

Repeat this round until you reach the last bobble, then work one more row.

Bind off

One skein of this yarn makes the cowl.

Easy!

This is the project that I have been working on the most. I was worried about the fair-isle. I haven't done a lot of it before, and this sock has a lot on it. So far so good, the only place I am having problems is between the needles and I am hoping when I block it that it will even out.

No. 2 Pencil Knit Socks

Look at these fantastic socks!!! I love them, they are my favourite pair that I have knit (and I have made a LOT of socks).

No. 2 Pencil Socks:
Yarn: Yarn Enabler's Fancy Feet in No. 2 Pencil Sock
Needle Size: US 1 (2.25mm) 9" circular needles
Pattern Source:  No. 2 Pencil Socks by Yarn Enabler

I used the toe-up version to make these socks, and knit a Fish Lips Kiss Heel (which I had never done before - but the instructions were clear and gave a beautiful result). I wanted to use up all the yellow yarn, but they were getting too tall and I had to stop before I used it all up. These were very generous skeins of yarn and the final product came out perfect. 

Getting My Knitting On

My phase of knitting monogamy is dead. I have serious case of must knit all of the projects now. I cast-on three projects in three days and I just got more yarn in the mail today that makes me want to start at least one new project. Here is what I have been up to:

This is the back of my Aidez cardigan. I received 6 balls of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Oatmeal for Christmas and I thought this would be the perfect use for them.

Started some Business Casual socks with Schachenmayr Regia Denim Look Color. These will be a project that I knit on when I don't want to think too much about what I am doing, The pattern is intuitive and fun.

These Thigh-High Stripes socks have been on my knitting bucket list for a while. I think I have finally worked up enough courage to get them done. They will be a long-term project that I slowly work on and enjoy. I haven't done much colour work so I will have to take my time with this one.

 I have been coveting this yarn since I saw this 24-Hour Cowl on Ravelry. It is Feza Yarn's Candy and I think this will have to be the next project I cast-on for!

 This gorgeous sock yarn is one that I am testing out to give feedback on. I love the colour and I will have to find a pattern to match it. It is My Colour Wheelhouse's MCN Fingering in Preppy.

As you can see lots of knitting stuff going on over here - but I don't think there will be a lot of finishing. I will keep updating my projects and we will see how far I get with all these. 

Working away on some Knitting

 I have been a pretty monogamous knitter so far this year. I have been finishing one project and moving on to the next. I am still working away on these socks:

 Almost done my Number 2 Pencil Socks! just a few more rows until I finish! So freaking excited! 

This sock yarn blanket is my ever-ongoing project. I knit some new squares along the right side. I added my feet to give you a sense of its size.

 And of course I bought some more sock yarn... I have a problem. Instead of making my stash of sock yarn smaller, I keep adding to it!!! But I HAD to have this yarn. I had to. It is in Biscotte & Cie's Felix Self-Striping yarn in the Go Habs Go colourway, and since the Montreal Canadiens are my favourite team, I just HAD to get this yarn. Makes sense, right?

Bakery Dramatic Play Set

Excuse me for taking some time off knitting and showing off some other crafty projects that I have been working on.

Sock Donuts, I hole punched some foam I had and hot-glued it to the felt instead of embroidering sprinkles on.

 

I made a set of play food for our dramatic play center in our Kindergarten classroom. I had fun making these and the kids have been really enjoying them!

I got the idea for these cookies here, I just found some pictures of cookies off of Google and printed them.

Sponge cake and wafer cookies.

Knitted Socks - First Finished Project of 2015

 These are my first finished project of 2015. I started them a few days after Christmas and they didn't take me long to finish - just one week! I absolutely loved working on these socks during my time off. It was a nice and relaxing project that I didn't have to concentrate too much on and I could just sit and watch Sons of Anarchy while knitting away. 

Speckled Christmas:
Yarn: Julie Asselin's Piccolo in Elsa
Needle Size: US 1 1/2 (2.5mm) 9" circulars
Pattern Source: Nutkin by Knitzi (free pattern!)

I modified the pattern to better fit my preferences: I changed the cuff to a  k1tbl, p1 pattern and I did a heel flap for the heel instead of a short-row heel (I like the look of the heel flap and I don't like doing short rows!) and I did my normal decreases for the tow instead of the short rows as suggested in the pattern. For a complete list of changes see my Ravelry page here.

After knitting so many socks I have come to know what I like in my socks and what I don't. So whenever I am knitting a pair of socks I usually modify it to suit me. When I first started knitting I never thought I would be able to do that. The thought of changing a pattern and going at it on my own would make me anxious. I am proud of myself that I am gaining more confidence in my abilities and I am able to do what I like instead of only what is written. As a self-taught knitter, I was never able to ask anyone for help,  I would have to figure it out on my own, so starting something new was always a challenge. Looking back on my blog and the projects that I have completed, I am astounded at the progress that I have made, and I can't wait to take on even more challenges this coming year. 

I am also super excited to finally start on my Number 2 Pencil Socks. I ordered the yarn what feels like ages ago (but in reality was only a month ago), and now that I am finished all my Christmas knitting I am able to start them! I am working them toe-up so I will be able to use up every inch of beautiful yarn. I cannot wait to wear these.

Super Stripes Complete

 

I have finally finished my Super Stripes Socks that I started way back in August. I was only working on them when I was out, so even though they were really simple, they took me a while to complete. 

Super Stripes:

Yarn: Unknown but it reminds me of Estelle Yarns's Sockittome Impulse

Needle Size: US 1 1/2 (2.5mm) 9" circular needles

Pattern Source: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes (free Ravelry download)

I made zero effort to match the stripes, I love the way the mismatched socks look! The pattern was a great one for a traveling project, and it had a bunch of different options to customize the socks to make them how you like them. 

I am making a huge effort right now to finish a project before I cast-on a new one. I really want to start on my Number 2 Pencil Socks but I am still working on my Speckled Socks: I am half-way through the leg on the second sock so I don't have much work left. It is looking gorgeous!