Learning a new cast on

Jan is back from her winter break. She spent some time in the Caribbean, some time in the Southwest, and finished up visiting her grands in California. She said all her knitting while away was a disaster so she didn't get much done. That's the trouble when your yarn doesn't want to be what you picked out and you're not near your stash to pick out something different. But she had a lovely time in spite of uncooperative yarn and some rainy days. It's good to have her back in the flock! 

Barbara B made sourdough "Blondies" for our treat today. I'm running out of adjectives to describe how tasty her treats are. These rank way up on the scale of tastiness!

She brought some FOs that she's been working on since last week. This is the Equinox hat she knitted for herself that was a WIP last Tuesday. The colors are stunning! She better be careful it doesn't suddenly go "missing" one day. 😁

This is the prototype of the Minecraft hat she made for donation. Then she made...

two more for her grandsons.

She picked higher contrasting colors and was pleased with the final results. If you ever question if the yarn colors will be a good pairing for a pattern, take a black and white photo of them side by side and if they both look gray then you know it won't be enough of a contrast in the knitted garment. Look for a definite dark and light contrast.

Today we learned a new to us cast on technique for a tubular cast on. A short reel popped up on my Facebook page and I just had to try it! It took me a week to figure it out but now I will probably use it for all my hat cast ons. If you want to watch the long version of Carrie Craftgeek's technique, be forewarned, she talks a lot before she actually gets to the demonstration.

Tina picked it up pretty quickly so she was helping Margaret get the hang of it. It does take repetition to learn it. Ask me how I know! I gave up counting after 20 something tries! And I still get confused just orienting the yarn over my fingers on the first try.

Margaret wants to use the tubular cast on for this pattern, the Dupont Street Hat. It's a freebie on Ravelry. She wanted to try her hand at mosaic knitting and this pattern has those slipped stitches which make a design without all the floats and bobbins of Fair Isle knitting.

It took her a few tries and she will have to practice at home when her attention isn't drawn into conversations around her.

 

I used the tubular cast on in 1x1 ribbing for the Celtic Feather Cap. I'm also cabling without a cable needle which I'm finding to be easy over 3 stitches. I am working on a project for my other knitting group which called for a 2x2 ribbing and figured out I could use the same tubular cast on method by picking up 2 knit stitches and 2 purl stitches in the set up row.

Nancy is working on her third Melt the Ice Hat and says she will take a break after this one. She followed my modifications to the original pattern to get a pointy top.

Barbara B used the 2x2 tubular cast on for the Alter Eco Welt Beanie.

It's coming along beautifully! Her stitch definition is perfect to highlight the basket weave motif.

Tina is working on the Throwback Pixie Hood. This pattern was discontinued on Ravelry but there are a couple of other versions that are very similar.

Jan picked up her Be Simple Variations Shawl again. It's a perfect canvas for this lovely yarn.

This wraps up another week with the Chicks. We will all be practicing our new tubular cast on so by next time we'll be able to knit them in our sleep! LOL! 

Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!

Two Treats This Week!

Barbara B made individual Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread loaves for all the Chicks as a Valentine gift. That is so sweet of her!!! I can't wait to have a slice warmed up and slathered in butter!

Our finger food for the afternoon was sourdough cinnamon sticks. Just sweet enough to hit the spot!

It was a full house today with lively conversation that kept everyone laughing. Unfortunately, we can't share the topic in polite company. 

Let's just say it all started over the discussion of the tv show "The Pitt".

 

Margaret completed the 3x1 ribbed hat that was in progress last week. She started it with a provisional cast on so it would have a nice thick brim.

Carole is using up the last of the James C. Brett marled yarn for her scarf. She loves the colors but the splitty yarn is not her favorite.

Dorah's LOSY hat is almost finished. She used two leftover sock yarns (that's where we get LOSY) that were from a shawl she knitted for her daughter.

Barbara B is working on a Minecraft Hat. This is the prototype to see if she likes it. Then she plans on making another to gift.

Tina's honeycomb scarf is still in progress. It is going to be a cozy wrap when it's finished.

Barbara K's striped scarf has just a little bit more to be knitted. 

The tiny ball of yarn is all that is left.

Margaret is nearing the decreasing portion on her Helix Hat.

Nancy is beginning the decrease portion of her Melt the Ice Toque using my notes to complete it. There have been many variations posted since its original introduction so if you make one from a free pattern, it would be nice if you could make a donation to a fund that helps those who have been affected by recent events in Minneapolis.

After the first batch I knitted were sold, I made another bunch of tiny hats to wear on a lapel when you can't wear a hat. They are being sold at Cece's Wool in Guilderland to help support those affected by ICE terrorists.

Right now I'm using up some scraps of left overs to make a hat that I'm making up as I go along.

Well, it looks like I'm being paged. 

Too bad he doesn't understand he won't be getting his dinner until 5PM!

Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!

We are all working on hats again

The Chicks' official photographer (aka my husband) had a meeting today so I had to improvise a group shot with my short arms. You know what I look like anyway. LOL!

Last week I mentioned that Barbara K finished her Mini Melt Ice Brooch but I hadn't taken a picture to show you. Well, luckily, I bumped into her that evening when we both showed up for the annual school project vote and I managed to get her smiling face proudly wearing her new badge.

This afternoon she started another one using the pattern I wrote up and offered for free on Ravelry.

 (see link above)

I finished the Crosscut Beanie by Benjamin Matthews, our favorite hat designer. It's knitted with Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight and used less than 200 yards.

   

Barbara B finished her Photographer Hat and added a few stripes for interest.

She made another Norwegian Resistance Hat, (The Red Beanie as a Symbol of Adventure | Red Hat Factory) adjusting the size to better fit her head. She used Cece's Wool merino in the colorway, appropriately called "Resistance Red". The pattern is Nisse Hue Resistance Hat but I'm having trouble finding a link for you. Maybe Barbara will chime in later. Edit: I told you she'd come through. It's here

I had more sock yarn in the leftovers bag so I made three more mini hats using my pattern and

 this method for a tubular cast on.

Dorah is down to the decreasing portion of her Melt Ice Norwegian hat, using a rich, deep red wool. She is using the pattern I wrote with my modifications.

And I started another using Cece's Wool Superwash merino. 

I am just beginning the decrease portion too.

Barbara B's needles are currently working on the Equinox Reversible Hat by Berry Meadow. One side has a solid background with two zigzag stripes and the reverse side has a zigzag lace. The second version has just stripes. All those versions are included in the pattern.

Margaret made another design of her own, this time making a double thick brim which she started with a provisional cast on. The body of the hat is a 3x1 ribbing.

Nancy started the Voyageur Toque using Valley Yarns merino from WEBS. 

I was so busy knitting and talking that I didn't stop long enough to taste today's treat, sourdough coffee cake. Don't worry! Barbara let me take a couple for my after dinner snack. But I understand it was delicious! Why am I not surprised?!?!

There's a light flurry of snow falling now so I think I won't wait until after dinner. A cup of hot tea and a piece of this cake sounds like it will hit the spot until Ron comes home with takeout tonight. Wonder what he'll bring. 

Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!

The Snowbirds have flown the coop

Our gatherings will be a bit smaller these next few weeks as some of the Chicks have flown the coop for warmer weather...although some of the places to which they have flown are not as warm as they had hoped they would be.

 We finished our quick project of chemo caps for my neighbor who was ever so grateful for the lovely fibers and colors of the collection. Between my Chicks and my Delaware Avenue Stitch Angels, we collected 15 hats for the NYOH in Albany.

Dorah finished a Helix Hat to add to the collection for the Falcon Boutique. We are taking the time from now until August to gather a sizeable collection for the store at the Albany High School.

Some of the Chicks wore their own handmade woolies today. Barbara B's cowl perfectly coordinates with her sweater.

She wore her Melt Ice hat to which she added her own personal touch to display the colors of Rutgers University, her husband's alma mater.

Tina wore her Grid Gambit cowl that's knitted with Whole Knit n' Caboodle yarns.

And Dorah wore her Heavy Metal shawl with the beautiful gradient colors.

Over the weekend with the sudden craze of Melt the Ice Hats being knitted, I wrote up a pattern for a mini version which can be worn on a lapel or purse strap. If you would like the pattern, it's here on my Ravelry page.

Tina finished her Grace Gardens Cap and the yarn choice is perfect for highlighting the cables.

I started another Melt the Ice Cap using my own pattern. I envisioned it with an Italian tubular cast on but it took 12 tries, waaaay past the number of chances I usually give a project, to get the cast on right. On a sleepless night (which happen way more often than I like) I came across a YouTube tutorial that explained what I was trying to accomplish. So it finally looks like what I had dreamed.

Dorah had two sock weight yarns left from a previous project and used them together to make another lovely hat.

She is making a Melt Ice Hat at the same time.

And Barbara K started a mini version to wear on her coat. She completed it before we left for the day.

Barbara B added more length to her Photographer Hat for the boutique.

Tina's honeycomb scarf is growing slowly but steadily. 

I said last week when I started the Crosscut Beanie that I would probably have it finished this week. Well, as you can see, it's nowhere near complete! 

It is one of those patterns that requires full attention so not good social knitting and I was just in need of mindless knitting this past week so it was put aside for a bit.

Our energy boost supplied by the amazing baker Barbara B was sourdough chocolate chip muffins. She uses Ghirardelli or Nestle chocolate chips, whichever are available at the time. And they are rich and delicious! We're so glad she enjoys baking!!!

I have to run an errand so I'll finish off here. Have a great week and keep those needles clicking!