Knitting for Christmas: Can I Finish It By December 25th?

My mom maybe wearing this ribbed vest knit from Patons' Classic Wool Roving on Christmas day.

It was a last minute decision to knit this as a Christmas present. I figured it would be a quick knit. The pattern is easy. There are no sleeves. Knitting using a bulky yarn would be fast work. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

I've already ripped it down twice. The gauge was way off with an extra five inches in width. Gauge in the pattern is given for stocking stitch not the rib stitch used in the pattern. My swatch knit in stocking stitch was right on gauge.

What to do? First, I was knitting a size medium. Then, I was knitting a size small. Finally, I'm back to the size medium. Even knitting tighter, the gauge is still off by about one inch.

Over the years I've had to learn to loosen up my knitting. On this project, I have to revert to bad habits. It must be something to do with the roving which otherwise is a delight to knit with.

This thing better fit my mom!

Happy Christmas Knitting!

Hot Off the Needles: Pinwheel Blanket

I just finished my Pinwheel Blanket which is a KAL for my knitting circle. I have yet to block it.

Patons Canadiana was my yarn of choice. The colourway is Morocco. It was easy to knit becoming a teeny bit tedious at the end. But, it's for charity and well worth it!

Happy Thanksgiving to my American fiberistas!

The Votes Are In And The Winner Is...

The Robin's Egg Blue Hat is the winner by a landslide! Thank you all for taking the time to check out the projects and give me your opinion. I casted on earlier today.

I'm knitting this using Paton's Shetland Chunky in Denim Jeans Variegated which is an acrylic/wool blend. The seed stitch band for the hat starts on straight needles. The body of the hat is knit in the round.

Knitting this for a friend makes the knitting so much more meaningful.

Happy Knitting!

You Decide: What Will I Knit?

My next cast on will be a gift for a dear friend. I'll be using Paton's Shetland Chunky yarn in this color.

I've whittled it down to three possibilities: a hat, a cowl or a hat!

I want you to decide which of these projects I will knit. Will it be the...

1. Slouchy Beehive Hat by Flora Cheung of  Flower Pot Designs.
2. Burberry Inspired Cowl Neck Scarf by Julianne Smith. 
3. Robin's Egg Blue Hat by Rachel Iufer.

Sorry there are no photos of the choices in this post. I'm being a good fiber girl and respecting the copyright.

Vote with your comment. I'll tally up Sunday and start the cast on for the winning project! 

Now, vote for more Fiber Arts Friday fun at Wonder Why Gals.

Happy Voting! 

The Finale: A Snowflake Potholder

This is the fifth and final potholder I have crocheted for my Dazzling Dozen Potholder Swap.

It is the Snowflake Potholder. It is an easy pattern with a nice result.

I can see me making some of these for Christmas gifts to include with homemade goodies from my kitchen.

Any more gift ideas out there this Fiber Arts Friday? Find out at Wonder Why Gals!

Happy FAF!

Shaking Off The Cobwebs: My Urban Aran Cardigan Revived

Hubby's Urban Aran Cardigan was suppose to be finished this fall. HA! If I turn it into an apron, it might make that deadline.

Now I'm projecting a conservative mid-winter finish. Hubby is patient.

It kinda got lost amid my square and potholder swaps. The summer heat didn't help. My knitting circle's Pinwheel Blanket KAL hasn't aided the effort either.

I do love knitting this sweater. The next time you see it, this back piece will be finished.

Happy Knitting!

Pinwheel Blanket Update

My Pinwheel Blanket is getting bigger. It's now on circular needles. This is a KAL for my knitting circle.

I'm finding this a satisfying knit, at least since I got beyond the first few rows. You cast on 5 stitches in the round on four needles! After many tries on three needles, I was able to get beyond the initial row. Others seasoned knitters have experienced this too. I think the pattern needs a warning: It's not just you...

Happy Casting On!