Kitty!

I finally got around to finishing the kitty.  He didn't turn out exactly as I had expected, but I think he's pretty cute in a lopsided, sort of smirky way.  For some reason the pattern did not give the kitty a tail, so I made a plain white tube the same diameter as the arms and attached it to the center back.  The tail works out well:  with it, kitty can sit up unassisted.  My kitty is rounder than the original pattern, has larger eyes (they were all I could find in the local craft shop), and seems to be a little more mischevious (although that could just be my imagination).

Details:

Pattern:  Kate, the cat with britches

Yarn:  Patons Classic Wool, Worsted weight

Needles:  Takumi Size 7 Bamboo DPNs

Face hand emroidered with DMC Perle Cotton Size 5, Black

Cindy's Happy Socks

This is the result of my first attempt to make a pair of socks.  I started with a couple of skeins of Patons Kroy sock yarn and the Patons free sock pattern.  It was BY FAR the WORST pattern I have ever used.  I used the proper gauge, needles, technique, etc.  But the sock I made (for me) was so large that it did not even fit Gray.  Even though 1 skein was supposed to be enough for a large sock, I decided to give up on it when the yarn ran out before I got to the toe.

I went to the library and got all I could find on sock knitting, but the most useful basic pattern came from an internet search.  How to Make Socks with Any Weight Yarn by Nancy McMullen helped me design my own pattern.  Unfortunately, I still goofed making my second sock and had to undo it.  This time it was my fault, though. 

The third time was the charm.  And the fourth made a pair.  The socks are comfortable, but a little looser than I might like for wearing with shoes.  I would make the heel and foot a little narrower in the future, but I am basically happy with the outcome.

I ended up using 52 stitches around the leg and foot, with 2 1/4 inch heel.

Details:

Pattern:  How to Make Socks with Any Weight Yarn 

Yarn:  Patons Kroy (75% washable wool, 25% nylon)

Color:  Krazy Stripes

Care:  Machine wash cool, tumble dry low

Needles: Size 2 DPNs (which are actually Size 1 according to my Knit-Chek)

Gray's Purple Sailor Hat

Finished!

Gray has been asking for a 100% wool, close fitting cap to wear while sailing.  One of the benefits of wool is that it retains warmth even when wet, making it desirable to wear even when there is spray and rain. 

Details:

Pattern:  Seaman's Cap free pattern from needlebeetle.com

Size:  Large

Yarn:  Leftover worsted weight merino from Knitty Gritty in Delaware

Color:  Purple

Needles: Size 6 and 7 DPNs

"Bob" Short Sleeved Sweater

I started working on Bob last year at the beginning of our cross country road trip.  I had finished the entire body of the garment before I realized that I had misinterpreted the instructions and needed to rip back to the beginning of the upper ribbing.  So, of course, disgusted with myself, I put the project in a bag and ignored it for over a year.

A few weeks ago, I decided that enough time had passed that I could rip it back and start into it again with enthusiasm.  Actually, it's a simple design and goes very quickly when you get into it. 

Instead of the 100% cotton yarn called for in the pattern, I chose to use Classic Elite Premiere.  This yarn is 50% pima cotton and 50% tencel, which makes it very soft and drapey.  I bought 10 50g hanks on EBay for $20 and I still have almost half of it left. 

Here are the details:

Pattern:  Bob

Size:  Small

Yarn:  Classic Elite Premiere

Color:  Coconut (#5275)

Care:  Hand Wash Cold, Dry Flat

Needles:  All on Size 8 Circular, Pieced with Mattress Stitch

Baby Sweater with DNA Cable Motif

I'm pretty pleased with the way this sweater came out.  I modified a Peter Gregory baby sweater pattern to replace the center lace panel with the DNA cable by June Oshiro found in the Fall 2003 Interweave Knits issue.  The yarn is a dark purple alpaca.  I'll update this with exact details when I have my notes handy.