Fargyle Earflaps

I've always wanted an earflap hat, but could never find a pattern that was exactly what I was looking for. I looked through some patterns--took an idea here, an idea there, and this is what I came up with.




It's a rather simple design. It's just a standard beanie with earflaps knitted into the brim. My stranding isn't so great, so I opted to use double knitting for the earflaps (makes them double sided as well as giving them much-desired weight) and the band of fargyle on the hat itself.


I'm not sure what possesed me to do argyle, I've always been fond of it, but on a hat? Whatever. I'm thinking of doing another hat completely in double knit so it will be reversible. Instead of brown and yellow fargyle, it would be black and white skulls. It looks cool in my head... let's see if that translates to real life.

Pattern: Fargyle Earflaps
Source: Bits and pieces of patterns
Materials: O-Wool Balance in Agate (8014) and Amber (6122)
Needles: US 7/4.5mm 16 in circ and set of DPNs
Finished Measurements: Big enough to fit round my head (23 in)
Start Date: 3 August 2008
Finish Date: 9 August 2008

Hemlock Ring Blanket

Summers in Arizona can be brutal. 115 degree days, and 105 degree nights. By the time August rolls around, I'm ready for autumn. Unfortunately, autumn doesn't bring it's relief until the end of October which dramatically reduces the effect.

For me, autumn is a crisp cool day; crunching through the leaves; smelling that crisp smell--a mixture of the air and dying leaves--that permeats everything; an amazing array of burgundys, golds, oranges, and browns. I haven't been able to experience that for the past two years (three this year) and it's starting to get to me. In Arizona, autumn doesn't feel like autumn and winter definitely doesn't feel like winter.

My only reprieve on these harsh summer days is to sit inside my air-conditioned house and knit and allow my senses to drift to a more appropriate climate.

Now that I've finished the Hemlock Ring Blanket, I get to imagine my grandmother sitting out on her porch one crisp autumn afternoon and covering up with this lap blanket.

Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket

Source: Brooklyntweed

Materials: Cascade Ecological Wool in "Latte" (8063)

Needles: US 10/6.0mm 40" Circulars

Finished Measurements: 4 feet in diameter

Start Date: 8 July 2008

Finish Date: 12 August 2008

Ravelympics

So posting update pictures was obviously a no-go, but it will happen in the very near future, I promise!

Nothing like waiting for the the last minute, eh? I decided both last night and today that I would take part in the Ravelympics. If you're still new to Ravelry or don't yet have a Ravelry account, this is what is happening:

Ravelry's powers that be have put together Olympic-style games for Ravelry members (not to be confused with the Knitting Olympics). Basically what happens is if one were to decide to enter, one would add a project to their project list and add special tags that signify it will be entered into the Ravelympics. There is a group (Ravelympics 2008) that one would have to join to actually take part. It is really just a little goal you set for yourself to see if you can finish however many projects you enter by the ending date and time (it directly corresponds to the Summer Olympics: It begins with the opening ceremony and ends with the closing ceremony). For all those who complete their project, Ravelry sends you a button telling the world you competed and completed your project. It's pretty cool. There are also teams that you can join and support (but it isn't mandatory). I chose to join Team Hogwarts, but could have chosen from hundreds of other teams or chosen to join several.

The projects I've chosen are:

• Druid Mittens, which I have entered into the Mitten Medley category
• POA Gryffindor Scarf, which I have entered into the WIP Wrestling category

The categories work like this: each project you enter has to be started on August 8 with the rest of the Ravthletes (unless you enter the WIPs Wrestling event, which I shall describe later). There are categories like:

• Afghan Marathon - blankets and afghans
• Hat Dash - hats
• Mitten Medley - mitts or fingerless gloves
• Glove Decathalon - gloves with fingers included (use mitten for no fingers)
• Sock Put - socks and things that go on the feet.
• Shawl Relay - anything bigger than a scarf: stoles, wraps, etc.
• and so on

Then there is the WIPs Wrestling. WIPs Wrestling is the only event where one can enter a WIP. It is described as:

"Anything you’re not currently working on, but want to finish, that’s begging to
become a FO and relinquished from the dark depths of the knitting basket. This
item shouldn’t be entered in any of the other events. This is the only event
that focuses upon old projects (vs. newly cast on just for the Ravelympics). To
count as a true wip, set it aside from now until Aug 8."

I'm thinking this is going to be pretty fun. I'll get to see a bunch of new projects from start to finish all within a 17-day span. I'm going to try to take and post pics on here every night (all in the same post) so you can see my daily progress. And some day within the 17, I'm going to photograph the rest of my WIPs so you can finally see those.
Oh yeah! Before I forget, I just started the edging on my Hemlock Ring Blanket and I'm really excited to finish it off and post about it! I'm trying for tonight so I can focus on the Ravelympics.
Knit on!

Back

The family has left. They haven't actually been here the whole time, they've been travelling back and forth for the past couple of weeks. But they have just left after their final trip of the summer.

I now feel like I owe you some updates and some photos. Despite the "knitting hiatus," I have actually done a little bit of knitting. Enough to blog about at least--unfortunately, this isn't the post in which it will happen. Perhaps tomorrow.

See you then!

Knitting Hiatus

As the title suggests, I have basically been on knitting hiatus. The family is in town, so I've been a little occupied having fun with them and will probably continue to do so until they leave on Thursday.

I've had the itch to pick up my knitting and get something done, but haven't really had time to. It's been kind of nice to have a break - just let the yarn relax a bit (it's getting a littly antsy now, and is looking forward to being picked up again...).

Here's a little update (no pics):

Hemlock Ring- I have about 9 rows left of Jared's pattern (meaning up to where he stopped), but I think I might do a couple more pattern repeats than he did. I hope to have it done by the end of July - that's definitely a reasonable goal and I hope to make it.

Shifting Sands- This poor scarf has been going for over a month, but snoozing for about 2 weeks. It only has about 30% to go... I should be able to finish it by the end of July as well.

Victorian Lace Shawl- I would be lying if I told you I love this pattern. Having said that, I will still complete this project because it's a gift. Though I dis-like this so much I may make some changes to it...

One Row Scarf- I haven't told you about this one yet, but I've started this scarf using malabrigo in the Dark Earth colorway. I really like this pattern because it takes very little thought and is mindless and looks nice.

Those are my updates. I have about 9 projects in my Ravelry queue. I really want to get them started, but I need to get these out of the way first.

On different-ish topic; I have decided that I really love to do scarves. More specifically, I love to do scarves with a simple stitch pattern and in Malabrigo. I think the simple stitch pattern allows the color variations to come through, and the color variations still allow the visibility of the stitch pattern. They work in tandem. So, that's that I guess. I will probably be giving lots of Malabrigo scarves this Christmas haha!

Happy knitting!

Hemlock Ring progress

I just love updating you with little bits of progress on this thing :)

Knitting Updates

I went to TYF yesterday (this being the first time since my trip to Iowa) and I picked up my EcoWool.

Man is this stuff ever lovely! I was first blown away by the massive size of the yarn cake, then I fell in love with the feel and texture of this yarn. I can see myself using it for many many projects.

I immediately started on the Hemlock Ring Blanket, for which it was purchased. It knits up so well, I just love this stuff.

I also thought I would post my progress on my Shifting Sands Scarf, so I'll leave you with these pics.

i'm back

Ugh... I'm finally back.

2 weeks of limited internet access and limited knitting time... I was about to go insane!!

But I'm back, and all is good.

I am getting pretty far on my Shifting Sands scarf (though not as far as I'd like to be), though there won't be any pictures until later because my camera died.

It's late. I'm tired. Goodbye :)

New yarn. New ideas. So little time.

First off, New yarn.
I am absolutely in love with the Shifting Sands Scarf that jared, from brooklyntweed, finished off recently and I wanted to try my hand at it. So I picked up some Malabrigo (I just loved the way his Frank Ochre had subtle color variations, so I had to use Malabrigo).

I was originally going to do the scarf in Apple Green. Fortunately, not only did my lys not have it, but thinking back on it that green may have been a little too bright to go with anything I might wear it with hah!

I decided a nice burgundy would work well, but I forgot that I needed two skeins of it to get a decent length scarf. Another brilliant move by me.

As for new ideas, I plan to knit up the Hemlock Ring Blanket (also inspired by jared) as a gift and maybe another for me! I've already ordered the Cascade Ecological Wool (also in "Latte"), I'm just itching to start it!

I also am in love with his Swisher sweater too. I want to get Knitting From the Top by Barbara Walker so that I can make this! I plan to do it in Cascade 220 - Yakima Heather (9459) and Walnut Heather (8013). I was thinking about doing it closer to jareds and choose a more copper-y color instead of the Walnut Heather. I really like naturals so I think the Walnut Heather is best. Then there's the Aran sweater I'm attempting to write a pattern for, not going to well. As well as many other sweaters I'd loove to knit.

I am also attempting to write a pattern for a knitted messenger bag that I would use exclusively for transporting my knitting. I was thinking of doing a manly fabric pattern, such as a houndstooth, done in fair isle using two different shades of natural wool. The line it with suit-grade fabric to keep everything from falling through the knitting. I'm hoping it will work out, any suggestions would be appreciated!

Ugh, so many projects in the planning stages! I'm itching to do some actual knitting.

Keep on knitting!

Field Guide to Knitting

In my re-kindled love of knitting, I decided that I needed a book on knitting. Nothing much, just something to spark some inspiration. It was off to Barnes & Noble.

Once I got to B&N, I headed straight for the craft section and found the knitting books all laid out in their knitty glory. There were so. many. to. choose. from. If I had the cash, I would have bought them all, no joke. Alas, I did not. There were some only on socks, there were some only on sweaters, there were some only on chunky wool for pete's sake! I was like a fat kid in a candy store! (no offense meant, I was once a fat kid!)

I decided I wanted a book on stitch patterns, full patterns. I looked at the Stitchionaries, but they were a) too expensive and b) a little dis-organized for my taste. I looked at a couple others, but their photography and yarn choice turned me off even more (neon pinks, olive greens, and mustard-y oranges all on the same page!). No, those wouldn't do at all.




Then I found the Field Guide to Knitting. It's not a bad book, granted the name sounds slightly ostentatious - entire title being Field Guide to Knitting: How to Identify, Select, and Work Virtually Every Stitch. It's probably not the best book on stitch patterns they had to offer, but the price was right ($15.95) and each section's pictures were knit in monochromatic wool (Knit and Purl Stitches were in shades of red, Cables were in gold/brown, Openwork and Lace were in blue/purple, etc.), and it has a LOT of stitch patterns - it says 200+ and I believe it.

I'm really enjoying thumbing through it and thinking where I could use the patterns. I already have a few projects in mind.

If you're looking for a good book on stitch patterns, this is your way to go. It's not as specialized as books like Knitting on the Edge, but it has a good selection to get you started.

Keep on Knitting!


Edited to Add: I've just come up with a sinister idea to attept to knit up a 5x5 in. swatch and post my results and opinions on the pattern. This may fail to come to fruition, but it's an idea I may decide to run with.

I'm back

Wellll, I sure have taken quite a long break, haven't I?

I haven't even signed onto this blog since late January, and for that I apologize. I've had some stuff going on... mostly life - school, love life, working, etc.

I have... knitting "swings"... for lack of a better term. Yes, they are like mood swings. I will be completely absorbed in my knitting for about four months, and then out of no where I don't want to do it anymore. I can't explain it, but now my knitting swings are in favor of knitting.

I've been doing more getting back into my love of knitting more than actual knitting. In doing so, I've come to appreciate wool. Before I was fine using acrylic or wool/acrylic blend. Somehow, I made my way onto flickr and was looking through a lot of knitting pictures and decided that not only is wool natural and really nice to feel and wear, but it's also reeally nice to look at. The texture of the yarn is just amazing! I'm sure most of you already know that by now, though.

Unfortunately right now isn't a good time for me to be splurging on really nice wool, so I'll have to stick with the wool/acrylic blends (my favorite and easiest to purchase is Wool Ease by Lion Brand). However, that may change as I've just done some research and found a couple of LYSs that I might have to check for some decently priced wool.

Recently, I've been on a sock binge. Not a serious one, just something to pass the time. SSS has struck on both "pair" that I've knitted, but it doesn't bother me. I wasn't expecting to actually finish a pair anyway.

In my traversing of flickr pics, I happened upon Jared's blog BrooklynTweed. If you haven't been there. O.M.G. this guy is amazing. Not to mention he's a guy! We need more guy knitters out there! There is so much I love about his work. The natural color schemes for one, are exactly what I like. His photography just makes the work jump out at you and make you need to knit it.

Take, for instance, his Hemlock Ring Blanket. As a guy, I'm not big on lace, but this pattern (that he created/adapted (from a doily, no less!)) looks like a great blanket to have around, and also a great gift idea. This is definitely something I would be willing to put forth a big of cash for some nice wool.

He does a lot of sweaters, hats, and scarves which are basically my favorite things to knit. I already have a large queue of his things (most of which are his cardigans).

Enough about Jared (haha), back to me. Hopefully I will actually be posting some stuff here soon. I plan on doing a bit on my socks that I'm knitting (now that I'm thinking about it, they're really more or less practice using different techniques and stitch patterns, so I don't feel so bad that I have a bad case of SSS).

I'm rambling now, but keep checking back. There will be some stuff here, I promise.

Keep on knitting!

Yeah ... about that ...

What about some actual content, you ask?

Well, I had put some thought into some real content, but on second thought, no I don't think I want any real content.

Only joking.

But, yes, I do have plans for some real content ... to give this blog a purpose (other than to bore you to death). I was thinking of featuring an Etsy store every monday to help promote said store. These stores would, more often than not, be owned by my mates over on Ravelry as well because we could all use a little more comradery in our lives, right?

I've also considered hiding links to a 50% off coupon for anything in my Etsy store in random places throughout my blog to encourage people to read my stuff. Of course this would be a better incentive if I actually sold anything in my store ... maybe this will come later ... it would also require a catchy name, something like Find the Coupon Friday! or Holy Penguins!! What the Hell is That?!?! er, maybe not ...

Warning: Some consideration required

Since winter holiday has been over and school has begun again, I've done zero knitting.

For those of you who don't know ... and that's probably everyone ... I go to culinary school. Yes, it is loads of fun, but at times it can be soooo stressful! Especially the cooking classes ... especially the one I'm currently in - Advanced International cooking. It's a great class, nice and small (only six of us guys), the food is great (though it is foreign so it wreaks havoc with the bowels) and it's an over all fun class, but god, the work involved!!! Classes run from 6:10p.m. to 11:30p.m. and I have a forty-five minute drive home so I don't even get home until quarter past twelve, then I go to sleep, wake up around 9:00 and do homework and write reports until 4:00 when I get ready for school again!!

All-in-all this leaves no time for any knitting. I check my Ravelry groups daily (between large bouts of homework, as a break) so I still stay up-to-date with knitting ... trends? but I wish I could actually do some knitting. Fortunately, I only have two more days of this class left and then I'm on to a class that will, apparently, only run for an hour or two (choir in background singing "Hallelujah Chorus") and I might be able to do some knitting.

Since I have stayed in touch with the knitting community, I have gained some good knitting patterns that I might use to *gasp* actually knit something to put up on Etsy!! As you may have noticed, that is if you've even been there, my Etsy shop is on hiatus ... on hiatus *scoffs* it's never been able to be on hiatus as there's never been anything there!! Perhaps something might show up in the near (or not-so-near) future, keep checking it!

And now for something completely(-ish) different: I am part of the Etsy group on Ravelry, and I think that someone had posted something that had to do with copyright on patterns. This intrigued me as I've never really thought about it. I mean, yeah, I have considered the fact that someone may have copyrighted the patterns I've used, but I never thought about how the copyright might affect the things I sell on Etsy. So, if anyone (the zero of you who read this blog) has any information that might help me out on this topic, feel free to throw it my way. I'm mostly concerned with free patterns, as that's all I use, and if selling items using free copyrighted patterns is legal. My thought process on the issue is that if the pattern is free, then the fact that's it is copyrighted shouldn't matter and that, because it's free, one should be able to use it as one wishes. Of course, I would give credit to the author of the pattern, but I still think that I should be able to use it as I wish.

On a similar note, another issue I was concerned with is creating my "own" pattern using pictures I've seen on the internet. Okay, my actual question would be this: If I find a knitted pattern online that has no* pattern showing how to make said pattern and I reproduce said pattern, is that in any way illegal, copyrighted or no?

So, that was my first actual, rather lengthy, post ... woot!



*from the research I've done (scouring the website to the point of exhaustion and still coming up with no pattern, link or otherwise)

My Etsy shop

I've decided to post the contents of my Etsy shop here. Keep an eye out for the link somewhere over there -->

Knitting Blog

This is my knitting blog. I've been knitting for almost a year, I've loved every bit of it.

Now you might be thinking... WOAH! A dude who knits?! Total mind f*@&! Ok, we're over it now.

I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. It has been a major part of my life, and I feel empty now that the series is finally over. I hope that I can keep the spirit of Harry alive through knitting. I don't have too much to add right now so I'll leave it at that.