Summit Shawl by Mandie Harrington

Funny how you plan to make a gift for someone and somewhere along the way, you decide well.... I think I'd really like this. Maybe I should just keep it for myself?? This shawl came out so well that I was heartbroken to give it away. But, alas, I told myself, it was meant to be an 80th bday gift so just part with it. Well, as it turned out, Mom loved it too and it was worth a little heartbreak to see her love the gift.

This shawl was fun to make and you could knit it in any weight yarn with equally beautiful results. I found this through Ravelry, but it was originally shown in Knitty Spring - Summer 2010.

Mine is done in Ella Rae Lace Merino. The picture doesn't do it justice. If you do knit in Lace weight, it's an easy project to carry when traveling as well.

Bye for now!

Yarn Barrel Specialties: Awesome Pom Pom Maker

Yarn Barrel Specialties: Awesome Pom Pom Maker

Awesome Pom Pom Maker

I used this awesome Clover pom pom maker which makes pom poms in no time! They actually come out great as well.

I was a bit confused as to how to use them at first, because I didn't see the directions were in the INSIDE of the package! Once I got the hang of it, I was pumping out pom poms left and right at my knitting group session on Wednesday night. Now, they all want me to make sure I have it in my bag in case they want to borrow them.

The entire aparatus opens up like lobster claws. Then you wrap the yarn around each "claw" or arm. It's really simple and inexpensive as well.

I purchased mine from Amazon. They even have used ones.

Central Park Hoodie

After much procrastination in getting to the actual finish line, I managed to sew the Central Park Hoodie together, weave in the ends, buy buttons and sew them on. The sweater had been sitting in my "almost finished" pile, because it was a bit too small for me. (I forget that I'm now a chubby person. LOL!) So, my daughter came along and said she liked it which gave me the encouragement to finish.

I made this out of Debbie Bliss "Stella", 60% Silk, 20% Rayon, 20% Cotton. I knit it on size 9 needles, 1 size up from what the pattern and yarn directions called for, because I am a very tight knitter. If I went up another size, maybe it would have fit me! I did do a swatch, but maybe I counted incorrectly.

Lizzy Sweater

I just finished this ruffled edged cardigan sweater and now can't wait for the cool weather so that I can wear it!

It's done in Noro Cashmere Island #5 with only ten skeins. The pattern (Lizzy, from the pattern book, Naturally Noro by Jane Ellison) calls for a size 8 needle, but since I'm a tight knitter, I went up a size to a 9.

After soaking in SoakWash, it's so soft! I highly recommend their product.

Earflap Hat

EARFLAP HAT
(with or without tassel)

SKILL LEVEL: Easy – Intermediate

Hat is knitted from the ties up to the top of the hat using DOUBLED (2 strands) yarn. You begin with double pointed needles (dpns) and switch to circulars after earflaps. When there are no longer enough stitches on circulars to knit comfortably. Divide evenly.

SIZES – Small = 19”; (Large = 22”) circumference

MATERIALS:
1 Skein (sk) Schaefer Esperanza (280 yds) 70% Lambswool - 30% Alpaca Blend – Color shown Clara Barton
1 size 15 (10mm) circular needle, 24” (60cm) length – OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.
1 set size 15 double pointed needles (dpns)
Size K crochet hook
One tapestry needle
7” piece of cardboard for tassel

GAUGE: 9 sts and 12 rnds to 4”/10cm using St st using size 15 (10mm) needles.

EARFLAP ONE
Begin with the tassel making i-cord.
With 2 dpns, cast on 3 sts using DOUBLED yarn pulling one strand from the middle of the sk and the other from the outside of the sk. DO NOT TURN. Slide 5 sts to the other end of the needle. Your working yarn will be at the "wrong" end of your work. Pull the working yarn tightly along the back of your work and knit the next row. Continue until i-cord has reached 8” (9”).

Row 1 & 2: Now begin making the earflap by working in St st for 2 rows.
Row 3 right side (RS): K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 – 5 sts.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 – 7 sts.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K1, M1, K5, M1, K1 – 9 sts.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: Knit.
Row 10: Purl. Cut yarn, leaving 5” tail. Set aside leaving on needle.

EARFLAP TWO
Work as for Earflap One. Do not cut yarn at end of Row 10. Instead, cast on 5 (6) sts at end of earflap. Slide all onto circular needle.

HAT BODY
Rnd 1: Knitting in the round working now only on RS (knit side), you will be joining hat & earflaps. Knit across 5 (6) cast on sts, 9 sts of Earflap Two, cast on 13 sts (17) sts (front of hat), knit across 9 sts of Earflap One, cast on 5 (6) sts – 41 (47) sts. Place marker for end of rnd, taking care not to twist stitches.
Rnds 2 – 11: Knit.
Rnd 12: (dec) K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 – 39 (45) sts.
Rnds 13 – 14: Knit.
Rnd 15: *K5 (6), k2tog; rep from * around – 35 (41) sts.
Rnds 16 – 17: Knit.
Rnd 18: *K4 (5), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnds 19 – 20: Knit.
Rnd 21: *K3 (4), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnd 22 – 23: Knit.
Rnd 24: *K2 (3), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnd 25: Knit.
Rnd 26: *K1 (2), k2tog; rep from * around.
Rnd 27: Knit. (if you don’t have 6 (12) sts, do another Rnd of dec to equal 6 (12) sts.

For large size only
Rnd 28: *K2tog; rep from * to marker – 6 sts.
Rnd 29: Knit.

For all sizes
Cut yarn, leaving 8” tail, thread through rem 6 sts and cinch tightly to close.

FINISHING
Edging: With crochet hook and RS facing, attach to center back; single crochet around hat loosely enough to account for hat stretch. When reaching I-cord, slip st behind earflap, continue to center back. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends; except tail at top of hat if you are making tassel.

Tassel (optional)
Wrap yarn around 7” piece of cardboard 8 – 10 times. With separate piece of yarn, tie one end of wrap. Cut strands at opposite end. At 1” below tied end, wrap yarn around strands a few times, then tie off, burying ends in center of tassel. Use long tail at top of hat to attach tassel using tapestry needle. Tie off inside hat. Weave in ends.

Noro World of Nature Volume 20

Sadly, I just found out that Noro World of Nature Volume 20 has been discontinued. There are so many excellent patterns in that book, I'm upset that it'll be gone soon. I'm holding onto one and I have one more available. After that, woosh - gone.

It's got the entrelac vest and basketweave jacket that have been so popular. I've made the vest, which is awesome, and want to make the basketweave jacket too.