Warm heads, warm hearts

We finished lots of hats and scarves this week. First up is the Carlsbad Hat, free from Ravelry. I didn't have a large enough mannequin head for blocking but when it's worn on a real head it looks good, no curling or puckering. I couldn't tell you what yarn I used other than it is a fingering weight. I hate it when labels go MIA.

 Barbara was able to join us this week. Boy! We sure do miss her. She finished a spiral ribbed hat to add to our inventory. It was made with a cotton blend yarn so it will be a comfortable wearing fiber.

 Cinzia's ZickZack scarf which was featured last week is now finished. It is nice and wide so it can bunch up all warm and cuddly around the neck.

 I saw a pattern for sale for this cowl and decided to try my hand at deciphering the stitches before I shelled out the money and sure enough! I was able to knit the basket weave lace and made rolled edges with straight stockinette stitches so it would curl and look a bit like an I-cord edge.

 Cinzia started a triangular shawl. She looks at a picture of knitting and just knits it without a pattern! 

 My evening group worked diligently on their projects.

 Dorah finished the scarf and had yarn left to start some fingerless mitts. Seamless knitting in the round will short cut the knitting time and save sewing seams at the end.

 Carole's Mistake Stitch Hat was finished up tonight.

 The original pattern called for worsted weight yarn but she adapted it for bulky weight. It is nice and warm but not heavy.

 Margaret started the Bankhead Hat tonight. The ribbing is knitted through the back loop giving the stitch a nice feature.

 And such a pretty lilac colored yarn too!

 I dipped into my UFO bag and came out with these squares which I started some time ago with the plan on making a chullo hat, the kind with the earflaps. But somewhere along the line I lost inspiration and decided to make it into a cowl. I'll continue the squares until it is large enough to fit over the head and then I think I'll knit garter bands of black yarn on the top and bottom edges to make the colors pop!

 Carole started the Nurmilintu shawl with this gorgeous, energetic, blue yarn from Periwinkle Sheep. It almost vibrates it is so lovely.

 Dorah made this lovely infinity scarf for her daughter. It takes 3 colors of DK weight yarn which are blended using 2 strands at a time so you can change colors gradually. It's so young and fashionable.

 And last but not least is Margaret's cowl that she started last week. The thick wooly yarn is so cozy and warm.

I have at least 5 different projects on needles right now, hoping to stave off startitis. What do you have in progress? And do you have more than one project on needles at a time?

Happy Valentine's Day

I am in a much better mood this week! Last week I was mourning the debacle that was my silver Emiliana shawl ruined from bleeding dyes. This week I have a beautifully restored shawl which was rescued by the inimitable, incomparable, unrivaled Karin MT of Periwinkle Sheep! She over dyed the whole shawl with this beautiful pink to cover the stains that were left from the black dye not staying where it was supposed to be. I think I like this version even more than the original colors. Thank you Karin! You're a lifesaver!

 I finally finished the Miss Winkle scarf/shawlette I started last October. This was one of those projects I schlepped everywhere when I had to wait for appointments or long car rides. So it probably took longer than it should have to knit. But it's done now and will go into my personal inventory in case I need a gift someday. The color is Rhinebeck 2016 from Periwinkle Sheep.

 And just for good measure I quickly knitted up a 2X2 ribbed cap. I had this yarn laying around with a half torn label which I think was a superwash merino wool.

 Elaine brought us some finished hats too. Her little flower adornments are darling.

 And the Berroco yarn is so soft. It feels like a cloud blended with marshmallows!

Cinzia worked on her scarf while Debbie learned how to perform the Mattress Stitch to sew up her fingerless mitts.

The mitts look great as does...

Cinzia's scarf! It's a larger version of the Zick Zack scarf, free pattern on Ravelry.

Elaine casted on (cast on?) for a new hat using a soft minty green worsted weight yarn. She was thinking spring today. Hmmm...funny thing is I still see 2 feet of snow outside. 

Wishful thinking can't hurt anything!

Dorah tried on her never ending scarf and was delighted when we all proclaimed it long enough already! She has enough yarn left over to throw together a pair of fingerless mitts to match.

Carole finished her Mistake Stitch Cowl tonight.

And Margaret finished that hat we saw last week.

She immediately casted on for another hat.

I dove into the stash and found this pretty turquoise cotton/bamboo blend from Universal Yarns called Bamboo Pop to make the Workday Scarf. The yarn has a graceful drape and the pattern is stupid easy! It's a great TV or conversation knitting project which is straight knitting for 7 rows and 1 row of a few yarnovers. You can't get any easier than that!

I'm so happy the sun finally came out today so I could see my afternoon ladies. Winter last year was so mild with so little snow that I had forgotten what normal winters are like in the great Northeast. The last two Tuesdays were icy and snowy during the day but today was glorious and sunny. Just the way I like my winters. Cold but bright! Just right for knitting!

Be warned!

 This week I'm in a nasty mood! I spent the last 18 days knitting furiously on this lovely shawl called "Emiliana". I used Periwinkle Sheep Wink in the colorway "Ghost of Molly" (it's the silver color) and the black is Cascade Heritage Sock yarn. It is a very easy pattern and I was entertained while knitting the mosaic section.

Then this happened.....

 I put it in the bath to soak so I could block it and the black yarn ran into the silver grey leaving purple splotches in it's wake!!!

  It's not like this is the first time I've ever blocked anything either. My Ravelry page alone has over 400 projects and those are just the ones I took the time to photograph and log.  I am heartbroken! I needed time to mourn all the work lost. My talented friend, Karin, said she would give it a go to try to remove the stains so keep your fingers crossed. It's not like I couldn't make another one. But all that work! And it's a lovely shawl. I just don't want to donate something that isn't perfect.

 On to a happier note. Last week I finally tired of knitting dreary brown yarn so I made an executive decision and turned the scarf into a keyhole scarf. I love the way it turned out. And now even in a good stiff wind, it won't blow away.

 I finished the Miss Winkle for donation too. And...

 the cowl I knitted using Knit Picks Preciosa and Lang Mille Colori Baby gradient. I always have multiple projects on needles at the same time. Remember the ADD thing last week? Now I have 3 items finished and ready to go into inventory. That really picked my spirits up!

 Margaret finished her silk hat with the spirals. It is so soft and the silk fiber will be warm while still being lightweight.

 Carole showed us the lovely headband she's making for her daughter. 

She does great work with those cables.

 And her cowl has grown since last we met.

 Margaret's second project is this hat...

 in nice neutral greys and black.

 Dorah didn't want me to show you her never-ending scarf but I had to! It's longer and we're ever so grateful that the weather turned to rain in time for Dorah to join us. She lives 30 minutes north and the 2 degrees difference is a big deal when you have to drive in the winter weather!

 I started a pair of fingerless mitts called "Align Mitts" using a sparkly yarn in purple.

I'm using the Magic Loop method of knitting both at the same time so I won't have to remember adjustments I make to the pattern. What I do to one mitt, I do immediately to the other. I'm so happy I gave in and learned this technique!

The afternoon ladies again had conflicts and weather issues with which to deal today. This weather just has to improve! I miss my afternoon crew! Well, when we meet again I'm sure they'll have lots of finished knitting projects to show me. Hint, hint...