Emptyknitster

Adult Sweaters; 2 Socks: 37 pairs Slippers: 7 pairs Baby Sweaters: 4 Baby Quilts: 7 Toys: 1 Christmas Sweater Ornaments: 9 Hats: 5   Preemie hats: 69 Cowls: 1 Scarves: 2 Mittens: 3 Cat Beds: 21 Grand Total of knitting in 2017: 161 items Favorite items: So proud to have protesters in the family! Favorite photo prop for knitted item: Knitting on our trip to China 2017 Craziest thing knit this year: Favorite hand dyed item: Only hand dyed item I knit this year Dumbest mistake: Starting and ripping out 3 sweaters. ( So bad there are no photos!)

The Chick came home a few days before Christmas and told me she had a friend who was going to have twin boys and surprise! They were born a bit early, the Wednesday before Christmas.   Pattern: Five Pound Baby Cardigan by Carole Barenys Yarn: BernatSoftee Baby Solids Colorway: Blue Needle Size: US Size 3 and 5 I love knitting quick, impromptu, projects over the holidays and so was more than happy to knit up these little sweaters for the new babies. The projects aren't finished, finished, finished…I still have to find 10 little buttons sew on the two sweaters but I’m currently snowed in and do not mind staying home one little a bit!

We were going to renew a tradition and meet the WyomingCowboy Family to go skiing on Christmas Eve. There would be a new generation going for the first time and when we planned it, the trip sounded like a great idea. The youngest member of the WyomingCowboy Family, little Kynlee, was visiting from Reno and I thought she could use an Elf hat to keep her warm on the slopes. My best stranded knitting yet! Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie Yarn: Cascade Yarns, Pacific Colorway: Red and Cream Needle Size: US 8 But alas, plans fell through - the weather was just to cold for this family to brave a day of skiing. The WyomingCowboy Family went without us and were quite proud of themselves. Despite the weather they skied for an hour and a half.  Polly thought the pompom was pretty special, grrrr!

I saw this new heel on The Knit Show which featured a segment on short rows. They used this sock pattern to highlight the technique.  Fish Lips Kiss Heels are my "go to" heel but I was willing to give this new heel a try. They are knit from the toe up and use short rows to make a gusset. Although the pattern calls for a picot edge cuff the yarn was just to sturdy and I chose to knit a regular ribbed cuff. These socks are shorties - just the kind SadieLouWho loves - but could have easily been extended into regular length socks. I'm happy to have this technique in my bag of tricks. I will be listening to the family to hear if any have a bit of difficulty getting them over their "cankles". Pattern: Picot Socks by Lydia Gluck Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Colorway: Winter Eclipse Needle Size: US Size 1

While visiting the family, California Dreamin' Son-in-law asked if there was a way to mend his socks, the balls of both were just about worn through. After a quick disclaimer I  picked up the stitches above the worn areas, cut the worn bits off, and even though they had been toe up socks, I knit down to the toes and Kitchnered the ends together. An easy fix on the socks and a happy son-in-law. Later in the week I was folding clean laundry and saw more almost worn out socks.  This time the worn spots were on the heels of the socks but I thought it would be just an easy fix and I could repair the socks before the son-in-law came home from work. I started ripping the heel, and then ripped some more, and a little more...these socks were just to far gone - and I hadn't asked for permission to operate on them. "No worries," I thought. "I have some more of the exact yarn at home and I'll just knit another pair and pop them in the mail." When I got home...

While visiting the CaliforniaDreamin’ Family I was asked to knit a lined hat called The Frontier Tuque One size fits all 8” crown height 19” opening Inner Layer: 35% Qiviut, 35% Cashmere, 30% Merino Wool Outer Layer: 100% Merino Wool I wanted to do a test knit before I committed to the expensive Qiviut yarn. I found a pattern and decided to use my own handspun yarn for the outer shell but bought some really soft Llama for the inner shell. I followed the pattern exactly on the hat but used a double strand of Llama with the size 8 needles on the inner shell. The pattern will work well for the Son-in-law.  Pattern: On the C Train by Espace Tricot Yarn: Handspun and Illmani Yarn ECO-Llama Colorway: Natural and Bone Needle SIze: US Size 7, and 8 Now, I just have to try to find some Qiviut/Cashmere/Merino yarn!

I was going to an off the grid farm in Oregon to celebrate Thanksgiving this year and I thought slippers for everyone would be fun. To bad I thought of it 5 days before I left! I used 80% Acrylic/20% wool worsted AND sock yarn intertwined so there would be no shrinking of the slippers when washed. Seven pair knit - only photo of one. Pattern: Simple House Slippers by Simone A. Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease, and Leftover colorful sock yarn Colorway: A great stash buster - all yarns were on hand and the sock yarn was just leftover sock yarn added for color and warmth! Needle Size: US Size 6 and 7 In the end I didn’t knit slippers for all just most and they seemed to like them. If I make more for myself I’ll knit them a bis smaller, they seem a bit floppy.

The last pair of sock I knit while on my travels weren't completed until after I arrived home but they did facilitate a lovely conversation with the lady across the aisle on the plane. I seldom talk to anyone while flying but this was such a easy and enjoyable conversation. Her name was Katie and she was the same age as The Chick. She showed me photos of her boyfriend visiting in California while making notes of different places to visit in Montana. She shared with me that her mother's name was Judy and we laughed at the coincidence. Katie met her boyfriend at Salt Lake City for some mountain climbing and hiking and I continued my jaunt home. I think we both thought under different circumstances we would have become friends. Pattern: Vanilla, Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Carlton Sock Yarn Colorway: Birthday Cake Needle Size: US Size 1

While in California the kiddos introduced me to Stranger Things . The show had caused quite a stir Halloween week when Session 2 was released but I didn't know if it was just in my world or universal. The kiddos assured me it was universal and we started watching one night, "just to see what the big deal was." We couldn't get enough of Will, Eleven, and the rest of the cast and tried to squeeze an extra episode in every night. The last night I was there the California Dreamin' Gal cooked dinner AND did the dishes so the three of us could finish Session 2.  I also knit The Pirate a pair of socks during my visit, finishing them just in time. Pattern: Broken Ribbed Socks Yarn: Carlton Sock Yarn Colorway: The Blues Needles: US Size 1

I was leaving to visit/help the California Dreamin' Daughter who was recovering from a knee surgery and knew the current pair of socks I was knitting wouldn't last the fight out to California. Packing for a two week adventure always includes yarn and so I not only had yarn in my suitcase but in my purse as well. Happy to have finished this pair for the Birthday Granddaughter, I cast on another pair for The Pirate while waiting for my connection in Salt Lake City. Pattern: Vanilla Socks with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Carlton Yarns Sock Weight, Cascade Heritage Sock (black) Colorway: Wild Flowers, with a Black heel Needle Size: US Size 1

This is the second little Knubbelchen I've made. I think a baby will either love them to pieces as a favorite toy or the Knubbelchen will end up at the bottom of the toybox, nothing in between. Hoping AnnaMarie will love this little guy... Pattern: Knubbenchen by pezi888 Yarn: Patons  Kroy Stripes Colorway: Mexicala Striipes Needle Size: US Size 1,5 I plan on getting Knubbelchen and the sweater wrapped and popped into the mail next week...one down and ??? to go!

It had been a few years since I'd knit a Wallaby. It was a sad day when The Pirate outgrew the need for a continual Wallaby on his back. (I'd been hoping he'd go to a college with a Pirate mascot so I could knit them for him forever!) BUT, I'm happy to have a Grand Niece to knit for. AnnaMarie was born this year so she is just a little mite and will be sweater worthy for a long time. Pattern: Wonderful Wallaby Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Stroll Colorway: MC: Celestial                   Stripes: Orange, Rouge, Freesia Needle Size: US Size 6

The last two years I've knit ornaments for the Bunco Gals. The first year I knit cute little Christmas sweaters and last year I knit hats and mittens. This year I knit Christmas stockings for them. All are darling! Christmas Stockings by Jude Yarn: Bits and Bobs Needle Size: US Size 1, circular needle Directions: Using Turkish Cast On, cast on 4 stitches on each needle Increase every other round to 14 stitches on each needle Knit for about 1 inch Knit a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Knit to about the same length as the foot Rib 4 rows Cast off in “old Fashioned” cast off (not stretchy)

Halloween and black cats a scary combination but not when you have lucky socks! Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Carlton Sock Yarn Colorway: Emerald City Needle Size: US Size 1 (No Trick or Treaters again this year! Resulting in a happy Hubby because he'd bought full size candy bars, "Just in case!")

Another pair of Vanilla Berkley socks made from leftover yarn. Using up the bits and bobs of yarn is so satisfying. I started these socks during the cold, dark, rainy week we had this month. Love how they turned out and I'm going to keep them for myself! Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel Vanilla Socks Yarn: Carlton Yarns Sock Weight, Patons North America Kroy Socks Stripes, Knit Picks Stroll Colorway: Lavender Dusk, Dream in Purple,Eclipse stripes, Blue and Purple Needle Size: US Size 1

 I've always loved all shades of purple. When I was in the fifth grade I moved into the tiny back bedroom on the second floor of our Seattle house. It is a favorite bedroom growing up. There was just enough space for a twin bed and a dresser. I think Mom felt bad it was so small and perhaps I was getting the short end of the stick so she decided to really give it a makeover. Everything was redone and when she asked the color I wanted the walls I instantly said purple! Mom and Dad looked at eachother and it was painted a beautiful shade of lavender. The chenille bedspread, priscilla curtains, chest of drawers and little furry rug were all a bright white. It was a wonderfully beautiful ten year old's bedroom. However it didn't last long, a little over a year later we moved away and when the house was sold I heard the new owners discuss MY bedroom, the husband told his wife everything was nice BUT the purple bedroom would have to go! I've enjoyed knitting this second pai...

I finished the socks I was knitting while at Tahoe. Lucky I had another skein of yarn with me! Crewing for the Tahoe 200 was tough! Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel Vanilla Socks Yarn: Carlton Yarn Sock Weight (Thanks, Little Knits once again you're great!) Colorway: Lavender Dusk Needle Size: US Size 1

Tonight I'll be hosting the monthly Bunco Night with the neighborhood ladies. The ladies are always so appreciative of my knitting. I think they'll love the cowl and mittens come December and January! Pattern: Christine Button Cowl Yarn: Big Twist Yarns Natural Blend Solids Colorway: Winter WHite Amount: 2 Skiens Needles: US Size 15 The pattern called for 17 but I couldn't find them in my messy fiber room. This precipitated an official muck out and I find I'll post soon.

The current socks I'm knitting have a definite pattern and I knew I needed a pair of vanilla socks to work on for our Eclipse Adventure. Also I knew I couldn’t possibly finish a size 13 pair of socks on one short trip our short trip.  Pattern: Vanilla Socks, Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Golden Socks Tannheim , Regia 4-Fach Haltbar Colorway: Brown Needle Size: US SIZE 1 I used the Regia for toes, heels and cuffs, and the Golden Socks Tannheim 4. This is the first time I’ve used Golden Socks Tannheim 4 yarn and it knit up beautifully, now the real test is to see how it wears.

I'm starting this year's Bunco season by hosting the monthly party next week. For those who don't know the game there is a booby prize for the gal with the most loses and I decided to knit a pair of mittens as well as a cowl. The mittens are done... Pattern: Quick Knit Chunky Mittens by Cozy Up Knits Yarn: Big Twist Yarns Natural Solids Colorway: Winter White Amount: Less than a skein Needle Size: US Size 11 It's another smoke filled day in Montana, appears to be another good day to stay inside with the air conditioner going, I really miss the blue skies!