Emptyknitster

I've been wanting to knit this sweater since before Christmas. It is knit from the bottom up and has a lovely set of cables all around the yoke. The pattern is written for a wide range of sizes, 6 months to a 54 inch bust! I think this sweater would be great for toddler boys but older fellas may put their foot down about wearing it. I started the first of three antler cardigans in a size I think will fit my eldest granddaughter.  I had some stash yarn that worked well. My dear daughter, known in my circle of knitting friends as The Sweater Killer, and I came to terms a long time ago about yarn content, if the sweater was not to shrink, then it had to be knit in acrylic! Because of the acrylic content, I was a little worried about the yoke of this sweater, it seemed to have no shoulders! However, I used Plymouth Encore which contains some wool and everything fell into place once I blocked it. Pattern: Antler Cardigan Yarn: Plymouth Encore Colorway: Ecru Amount: 5 skeins...

I haven't made a New Year's Resolution for years and really don't want to start down that slippery slope now! Most resolutions come and go without being achieved and I really want to accomplish a skill I've longed to do for thirty years. So this year I've decided to set a goal , to become a spinner. In October of 2011, I took a class on spinning and bought a spinning wheel the same day. Since then I've spun off and on but not consistently or well. I've begun to get a pretty nice single thread of yarn but the plying has always been disaster. Last Saturday I went to a refresher course provided by the Prairie Spinners Guild. I learned several things, beginning spinners should not use merino roving and a few tips on plying.  Now, my plying of yarn is much better and I'm very encouraged. I've signed up for a workshop on February 2nd. Jane Fournier is a native of New Zealand and author of I n Sheep's Clothing, A Handspinner's Guide to Woo l. W...

The last few days I've been quickly test knitting a pair of mittens. The pattern is now for sale on Ravelry and is called Intersecting Mittens by Stephanie Apps .  These mittens were designed to go with the Intersection Breaks Hat by Mel of Single Handed Knits. The cables are a beautiful feature with one cable going along either side of the thumb gusset. I like the long, close fit. This pattern is clearly written and would be a great pattern for someone wanting to learn to do cables. I should be able to wear them soon! (Forecast: 10" of snow by Saturday!!) Pattern: Intersection Mittens Yarn:Cascade 220 Colorway: Mallard Amount: less than a skein Needle size: US Needle size 6

These are a pair of sock I knit on the fly. I had taken measurements of The Pirate's foot while I was visiting before Christmas and on the plane back to Montana I began knitting what I thought would fit the boy. I was delighted last week when Sadie Lou tried them on and they fit her. She loves them and I hope The Pirate will too. Pattern: The Pirate's Socks (For an 8 inch foot) TOE: Cast on 20 stitches using Judy's Magic Cast On, split half on each needle (I use magic loop method) Round 1: Knit Round 2: (1st needle) K 1, KF&B, K to last 2 sts, KF&B, K (2nd needle) K 1, KF&B, K to last 2 sts, KF&B, K Repeat until there are 30 stitches on each needle (60 total) FOOT: Knit on the 60 sts until the piece measures 7 inches GUSSET: Round 1: On needle 1: K.                 On needle 2, K1, KF&B, K to last 2 sts, KF&B, K1 Round 2: K all sts Continue these two rounds until there ...

Happy New Year! What a great way to begin the New Year. Late last fall I joined the Fellowship of the Traveling Socks sponsored by Mel, Singled Handed Knits podcaster. The idea was to receive socks that are not complete, knit a little bit and send them on to the next destination. My package arrived yesterday but I'd just sent the last of the holiday families on their way and so I nested ALL day. (Knitting, and rewatching Downton Abbey under a warm and cozy afghan.) I didn't even walk up the hill for the mail! Hubby brought it to me this morning with the comment, "It's the Christmas that just keeps giving!" He was absolutely right. The Traveling Sock package had arrived all the was from Australia! I believe that Kiki, of Yarn versus Zombies fame sent the package on the 12th of December. The package took a bit of time but was worth the wait!  (The package arrived at just the right time, as you can see I have less than 1/2inch to knit before my monog...

Socks: 22 pair, 1 single Christmas sock Fingerless Gloves: 4 pair Sweaters: 8 Scarfs/Shawls: 10 Hats: 4 Baby Blankets: 2 Misc:3      Grand total of knit items knit in 2011:  54 Favorite knitted item: Beautiful yarn brought back from Germany by a friend . I also learned how to knit beads into my work on this project. And The Tiger's Bluie III because he loves it so! Favorite photo prop for a knitted item: A split rail fence... Craziest thing knit this year: Opposites Attract Yarn in Anthony and Cleopatria. Favorite hand spun item: Mitts in my own pattern Beartooth Mountain Mitts.

Hubby worked on Christmas again this year. So The NorDak Family decided to celebrate the 25th with the other side of the family and come to Montana on Wednesday. The Chick and I lounged all Christmas morning, Hubby's nephew dropped by and then we went down to the fire station and had a lovely dinner. Hubby's good friend, McKinney, will be changing shifts this next year and so this is possibly the last time they will be working at the station together. When the family arrived the 26th the kiddos couldn't wait to open their gifts. They were excited about the future wagon train trip but even more so when they found out the cousins will be going as well. The kiddos were especially happy to see their Auntie! Our days were filled with Uno and Ticket to Ride. Grandpa took the kiddos out one day to sled. When they were back in the house for hot chocolate The Tiger reported they had all taken one "really fast" ride down the hill. His Mom said how she'd li...