New Pattern Fingerless Gloves - super super easy!!!!

So I finished the fingerless gloves named - Beaute.  I think they should work out well.  I am happy with them.  They are not knit on double pointed needles so for individuals who are a bit shy of the double pointed needle they are perfect. 

They are also fun to knit and a super quick project.  I knit them while playing bingo as I mentioned in a previous post.  I like the color and the yarn worked out well although I may not be able to keep them.  I am sort of alergic to certain types of fibers.  For example, I knit a sweater for my friend made from Misti Alpaca.  I loved this yarn, wanted it, needed it and then I knitted with it.  Day after day my eyes ran.  It was such a difficult project, I just couldn't wait to be done.  I still think Misti Alpaca is a beautiful yarn.  But it is not one I can knit with and enjoy my project. 

I have worked with Classic Elites Alpaca Sox and I didn't have the same experience.  I love the loftiness of the Classic Elite one.  Beaute is made with Mohair which is just as tuff on my eyes.  But, I didn't feel it all of the time so it was a bit easier.

I also finished working on my first book.  It is a collection of my leaf scarf designs.  We'll see how well this works out.  You never know...  It was alot of work and I hope I did it correctly.  Here is the cover

With everyone having difficulty keeping up with the bills, handmade gifts are a great substitute for the expensive brand name gifts.  I have always believed in handmade gifts.  I think they mean more.  Hopefully this is the type of knitting book that people will want and find extremely useful.  I hope they will want to knit every scarf.

Oh well, now I can focus a bit on the green sweater and see what else I come up with.  I still have the Jade Sapphire to decide what to do with.....  :)

Happy knitting to all..

ColourMart Cashmere Blend - Fabulous

The scarf came out soooo soft and wonderful.  I am extremely pleased with the yarn.  I think I may use the rest to create a cardigan if I have enough. 

I started some cute fingerless gloves yesterday while playing video bingo with my friend.  We had alot of fun but, no winning :(

I had the opportunity to visit an Asian market today and got a few fun things.  Other than that I am going to finish the gloves and post them hopefully tomorrow.  I think they will be a nice pattern for beginners or intermediate beginners.  Hopefully they will turn out as I imagine.

Off to knit

The Art of Blocking Finished Knits

I had alot of anxiety regarding blocking when I was going to try my first time.  I read and checked various blogs.  I compared and looked for answers and ultimately said oh what the H@@@  let's give it a try.

I tried and what do you know it worked.  Each time I block my scarves or sweaters I get better at it.  In order to block you really don't need anything special.  I thought today after looking at some finished knitted projects that I would try to give my advice to the art of blocking.  After all you only need a few pins to start. The pins that don't have the meltable colored balls on top are the best. Trust me from experience. 

The first important thing to remember is what type of fiber are you working with.  Each fiber reacts individually to blocking and it is important to determine if blocking is right for your fiber.  For example, when blocking cotton, I tend to pin it out and then steam it with my iron lightly - I stress lightly - you are not ironing it.  If you are working with a merino or wool, I tend to put the item in a knit garment bag (got one at the dollar store) and throw it in the washer - on delicate cycle with a little woolite or other gentle cleanser.  Make sure you do not use hot or warm water!!!!  Very Important.   Then when it is done.  Pull it out and start to pin. 

Pin to what you ask.  You really don't need one of those terrific boards (although knitpicks and webs has some really nice ones).  I use my ironing board (get an alternate pad) or my counter, table with a towel.  I don't tend to measure and check and measure and pin.  I tend to use my eyes but you can do the alternate pinning measuring and so on if you choose.  The most important thing is to remember what you are trying to achieve with blocking.  If you want to elongate the stitches then pull length wise.  I mean pull that is the point.  My friend calls it aggresively blocking.  If you want to widen the stitches then pull width wise.  An example of useing the art of pulling in the right way is my MoonLight shawl -

For this shawl what I wanted was a circular motion.  I achieved this by pulling lengthwise and equally pulling width wise.  I first pin one end.  Then move down the shawl a little at a time and stretch length wise and width wise.  Each time I adjust the pins to make sure I am achieving the look I want.  Once done , this was the result.  If you are working on a lacy open shawl scarf or sweater, the point to remember is everywhere there is a hole on the edge stick a pin.  The point is to accentuate the details of the lace not just flatten it.  The holes (or eyelets) add detail and should create a flowing dainty look.  For example -

Look at Raindrop and see the gentle waves on the top fo the shawl.  This is achieve by placing the pins on the point you want to pop out.  Then I place additional pins to create the gentle swoop instead of a sharp edge. 

Hope this helps a little with the blocking.  If you are in doubt with how to do it, create some swatches with different shapes and patterns and give it a go.  You may be pleasantly surprise how fun and thrilling it is!!

Started new scarf with cashmere!!

Today I started a new scarf with some cashmere I ordered from Colourmart.  So lovely!!  Can't wait to see how it evolves.  So far I like it.  Hope to have it done this weekend and then back onto the green sweater.  Tonight I went off to my son's open house at school.  As usual it was fun.  He is doing great for the most part so I am really happy about that!!!!

Did some more laundry, it never seems to end and am now watching CSI with my son.  And my cat -

Morti
Here is a pic of Morti - my baby

Isn't he cute!!!!

He is such a big baby.  He needs a hug everyday or he follows me around until I pick him up. 

Well off to knit again!! It is relaxing and I love to create new designs so I enjoy it!!

New Stuff New Yarn New Patterns!!!

I have been so busy with the holidays and all of the work work work that I have not been able to keep up with lots of things. Recently, I have started two sweater patterns. I have a blue silk pattern and yesterday I started a mauve one -

I purchase supersock merino for the mauve one and it looks great!! It has the perfect weight for a classy sweater to wear to work. - My latest purchase came from http://www.discontinuedbrandnameyarn.com/

The yarn is beautiful and I am so excited to get started. First I have to wind it all which I hate but, once that chore is done I am off to what I can create. The mauve t is going to be hopefully great. I can't wait and started a bit of it last night. I need more silk so I will work on this one until I get it.

In the meantime I am posting some of my fav patterns and adding a link for purchase.

My designs can be seen on Ravelry under knitchicgrace or http://www.knitchicgrace.etsy.com/ if interested in seeing more.





Leafy Cable -













Twisted Vine -









Rosebud -



Thanks!!