Blueberries & Chocolate

Lemme tell you, this was a lot of garter stitch. I had a 14" square pillow to cover, and I was using Denim yarn, which usually shrinks about 15 percent lengthwise when washed. And I needed an overlap of about 2-3 inches, because I think it's only sane to be able to take your pillows out of pillowcases to wash both. I must be nutty, because you wouldn't believe how many knitted pillow coverings I found sewn completely shut. Well, I do live in the real world, with two children no less, and I need to wash stuff. So anyway, that puts us up to 31 inches of garter stitch, not counting the shrinkage...I believe it was 36" long when all was said and done, before washing. The above is after washing and the below...well, the photo says it all! I'm definitely happy with it--easy project for classy results. Just a tad boring. Next up...maybe an aran pillow (with buttons to open!) from Debbie Bliss' Knitting Workbook.

Chocolate Heaven

Wow. I can't believe I've been so cooped up on my side of town that I've never visited Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier before, but we went today and oooooohh, ahhhhhhhhh. Inspiration for knitting, yes. A literal feast for the senses. It's S's birthday today and we bought a lot of chocolate for him, as he adores it. Get thee a taste at their online store.

Once Upon a Time...

In a land far, far away lived a little girl who had no hair. Or, at least not for the first year of her life. So unknowing people, if she wasn't wearing pink, would call her a boy. Or, more specifically, they would ask her older brother about his "baby brother". People. Anyway, her mother decided to knit something with the pretty, lone skein of Cherry Tree Hill Cotton Boucle in "Old Rose". What do you know, it still fits her and she's now 20 months old.

Here's the pattern...please for personal use only. Copyright 2006, 2007.

"CHERIE"

SIZE
6 months – 20 months

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
9 inches in diameter

MATERIALS
Cherry Tree Hill Cotton Boucle; 170 yards per 4 oz skein; Old Rose; 1 skein

1 set(s) US #4/3.5mm double-point needles
16-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle

notions required
darning needle
stitch marker

GAUGE
5.5 sts/7.5 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES
SSK decrease: Slip two stitches at the same time as if to knit, then put the left needle into the front of the two stitches and knit them together from this position.

PATTERN
CO 80 stitches, join in the round and mark the first stitch. Work knit two, purl two 2x2 rib for 1.5 inches.

Increase Row: Increase 20 sts evenly around by adding a fifth stitch for every four stitches you knit.

Increase Row: Increase another 20 sts evenly around by adding a 6th stitch for every five stitches you knit (use your chosen increase, but I like to knit into the stitch below) 120 stitches.

Work evenly for 2.5 inches, start slowly decreasing using the following method:

Round 1:*Knit 10, SSK* continue around
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *Knit 9, SSK* continue around
Round 4: knit
Round 5: *Knit 8, SSK* continue around
Round 6: Knit

Continue decreasing in this manner, placing a knit row between each decrease row, and switching to double pointed needles when needed. End with SSK around.

FINISHING

When five stitches remain, cut the yarn with at least six inches remaining, and using a darning needle, draw the yarn through the remaining stitches and cinch them up, pulling the yarn to the inside of the hat. Secure.

Machine wash and wear with reckless abandon.

Cheating...

This isn't a new knit, but it's all mine so I thought I'd go ahead and post it. I started working on this almost from the minute I found out I was pregnant with M. Of course I did not know yet that she would be a girl, so I chose a gender-neutral yarn. This is a Wonderful Wallaby knit in Elann's Naturelle 8/8. Lovely cheap unmercerized cotton that came on cones for insane prices. Thankfully I snatched up a bunch at the time and continue to acquire it when I can.

Back to the Park

After getting completely distracted over Christmas by some lovely presents (above), I'm back at it, plugging away with the Central Park Hoodie. Actually, the distraction was an adult-sized EZ Tomten for myself out of Araucania Nature Wool Chunky I had previously gotten on sale for $2/skein (!) However, I got the bulk of the body knitted, tried it on, and the garter-stitch sweater *grew* lengthwise by at least 6 inches. I knew garter stitch was stretchy, but this was ridiculous. What I had planned to be a nice jacket that came to my hips was now some stretched-out thing that reached my thighs. Off the new Denise needles it came and I finished the back of the Central Park Hoodie last night and cast on for the left front, as well. I'm really hoping to finish it before an exciting trip Feb 2 to see my oldest friend.

Ahhahahahhahah

In the year 2007 I resolve to: Slap stupid people in the head. Get your resolution here.