Cool Girls Knit

The Queue and Thrumming

haelybop — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:29:43 +0000

I’m a little slow on the uptake here, but who has heard of thrumming? Does it really make your mittens a lot warmer? And just how hard, exactly, is it? Do you end up with a whole bunch of the unspun yarn in the mitten? Do you need to sew in a lining to the underside of the mitten? Discuss.

After a brief ravelry pattern search for mittens, I came across these adorable thrummed mittens and they are really intriguing. Not sure where in my long queue I can fit them in but I do believe they should go on the ‘must knit’ list.

Speaking of my queue, it’s baby all the way. Cast on is an afghan for my home now, but once that’s done I’ll be knitting for the soon to be born little one’s. Without giving too much away, I’m attempting my 1st fair isle pattern for one friend who is due in February, a heavily cabled garment for another friend due in April and then a little something is in the works for another close friend and fellow knitter, who is expecting in May. Other than that, I have no baby items to knit.

Until next time, keep knitting and have fun!

p.s. Did any Canadian get that reference to those old “Body Break with Hal Johnson and Johanne McLeod” commercials on local channel stations?

And a Prodigal Son Returns…

haelybop — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:54:15 +0000

Dear WordPress: I’m sorry I left you! I’m sorry I started my own blog but grew tiresome and antsy and eventually unsatisfied with it. Now I’d like to beg forgiveness and ask that you accept me back to us Cool Girls, who still love to knit.

Now enough grovelling. What have I been up to? (Knitting-wise, of course) Here’s some random pictures from my recent FO’s:

A knitted layette for my dear friend who gave birth to a beautiful girl last May.

A lacy cowl for said friend as her Christmas present.

A “Lily of the Valley’ stitch scarf:

And with this same Sirdhar’s Mohair “Blush” yarn, a ruffle scarf:

That one’s not the best picture. Sorry about that!

I got into this “knitting my stash” funk, and it’s something that I think every knitter goes through. When you want to desperately to go and buy this gorgeous yarn for this gorgeous pattern, but just can’t reconcile the cost when you have a large drawer full (most of you have a lot better stash than me, I imagine) of stash that’s beckoning you to knit it. Most of these projects were knit with my stash and while the drawer still seems full, so does my bank account. Next up, I’ll be knitting another baby gift for another dear friend who is expecting her 2nd. My first sweater is also in my queue, and I’ll get that cast on in the next few weeks.

Until next time, happy knitting one and all!

Piggys in a Blanket

cheryl — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:47:59 +0000

Leah says … Ladies and Gentleman, after 7 balls of yarn, 31 days, and who knows how many hours, the blanket is complete. Look!!

Isn’t she pretty? This is for little man Graham and his big sister. I presented the Graham’s with the blanket on the weekend and they loved it, and so did Little K- she had it draped around her for a good part of the evening. I must say I’m utterly happy with this blanket. There is one little problem and that is it turned out to be SO WIDE, but it looks amazing, it was fun to knit, and I loved the lace panels.

Next up- a quick mitten / hat set to use up some yarn I bought at a yarn fair almost a year ago, then I’ll probably knit some coasters out of linen wool I have leftover from the table runner I made, and THEN I’ll be on to this!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spidery-tank

This will start off my summer knitting.

Until next time!

Two Little Monkeys….

cheryl — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:27:22 +0000

Leah says … Baby knits are truly amazing for the following reasons:

1. A little yarn goes a long way- got half a skein of that gorgeous yarn left over in your stash? Booties!

2. They are so cute.

3. New parents love hand knit items for their babies more than that toy that makes alarm sounds and talks in what is thought of as English, but one can’t really be sure.

4. If the baby keeps the knitted item on long enough, there’s lots of room for photo op’s.

Although I’ve knit a blanket already, I’ve added these two things to the baby knit’s list:

Booties and a hat!

These were knit last minute as J and I were heading out of town to visit friends of J’s who have year old twins. We spent two days with them, but they had my heart after about a minute of seeing them. Don’t get any ideas- I’m not even close to having or wanting a baby for myself. But those twin babies rolling and crawling and cooing had me at hello. And if I ever decide to embark on the baby train, I’m calling J’s friends for advice. These new parents of twins, although of course it can get chaotic, have their daily routines down to a science. The Mom and Dad are happy- the babies are happy- the babies are sleeping, the Mom and Dad are sleeping- And while I was singing my praises, chatting with the mother, she was very grateful, but she did warn me that no routine came without a price. It sounded like a LOT of work to get that routine established. But I’m very happy for them and their new family, and I wish them all the best! And I can’t wait to play with their twins again.

Project baby blanket is coming along. It is 220 stitches cast on and I just finished my first skein last night- the blanket is only 5 inches long. The pattern is asking to go to 41 inches- so I need to get more yarn. It’s acrylic, so it’s not breaking the bank, but I think it will take about 9 skeins to complete. Also, in the lace panel it is knit 4 together- now THAT is a challenge. And with acrylic yarn, I have been heard cursing lately, but its worth it! It’s turning out to be a really cute blanket.

The Yarn Harlot Gets A New Fan

cheryl — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:24:24 +0000

Leah says … I have just finished reading this book and am reading this book

Stephanie Pearl McPhee is seriously cracking me up, dude. Any knitter, from those of you who picked up needles and knit some wierd ‘dish cloth’ to those of you who have many, many gorgeous hand knits to your credit would get a kick out of her. I’m so envious- She is a published author, a famous award winning blogger (www.yarnharlot.ca) a yarn spinner and dyer and a Knitter in every sense of the word. And another perk- she lives right here in Toronto. She has seven (7) books! All about Knitting! And I know that it must seem crazy to write about knitting- how much can you possibly write and read about a knitter and knitting, right? Well bring it on! I love her books and I look forward to reading them all in time. Why can’t I blog and knit every day!

Happy knitting and reading about knitting!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

cheryl — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:39:37 +0000

Leah says… I’m not even a teeny tiny bit Irish, but Happy St. Patrick’s day to all of you who are! My brother, as I mentioned earlier, and his girlfriend are in Ireland for a year and he emailed to say everyone in Galway, where he is living, has been drunk since Sunday. I will definitely try to have a green beer today!

As for my knitting, well, I finished this!

Actually, I lied, it’s not finished, I’m going to knit more into the neck as it keeps slipping off when I wear it. Yup- I can WEAR it in MARCH because it’s so freakin warm out! Yesterday was truly balmy, I kid you not! I’m loving this weather, as long as Spring in March doesn’t mean Winter in April- then Leah will be very blue. I like my seasons to happen during the months dedicated to them!!!!

Anyway- what’s next for the knitting queue? As soon as I finish an easy scarf, I’m starting this….

A baby blanket for C and T’s baby boy, T is due in June! The pattern is free from ravelry and this weekend, I’m going with J’s Mom and sister to yarn shop and I’ll start it hopefully on the weekend.

‘Project- Economical Knitting’ has been going very well. I love one skein patterns! I think I’m going to knit some coasters with leftover linen wool (loooooooove linen wool) and some more cowls as well. They will be my peace of mind when I’m bored with the blanket.

Oh I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you with all the cheering that’s been going on. GO CANADA!

cheryl — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:07:00 +0000

Leah says: Did you guys see that hockey game, Canada vs States for the gold medal or what? I was out there in the middle of it at Yonge and Dundas in Toronto- sang the anthem about 16 times, nursing a very sore throat this morning, and am so proud of my country. You American hockey players sure didn’t make it easy. Tieing the score with 20 seconds left of the game… come on! I think I had about three minor heart attacks during the overtime.

Anyways, back to knitting! Check out what the Leah’s Olympic knits have produced: Whaddaya think of Justins new hat? Cute, huh?

And a cowl scarf for his Mom- this edging is called picot edging and is so cute and easy to knit.

Right now, Operation: Knit all my yarn, save money! Is proving to be a success. I’m knitting a poncho with some yarn my mom gave me. It’s acrylic and twisty. I hate it. But it looks nice, and I have oodles of it, so I’ll suffer.

I’m probably going to be popping out a ton of knitted items while I go through olympic withdrawl. I already am so sad the games are over!!

Olympic Fever

cheryl — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:35:51 +0000

Leah says: Knitters- Can I tell you how much I love the olympics? Yes, I agree that CTV coverage is a bit mucky. CBC did a much better job in past olympics. And yes, England has the right to call it “Calamity Games” did anyone see those horrible spills the women took on the alpine track yesterday? OUCH! I’m hoping they are all ok, especially the Romanian who was airlifted off the slope! But considering all that- there’s nothing wrong with a world competition, is there? And it being the winter olympics and all I’m feeling the intensity of the games, the sadness when olympians fall and the joy when they win. Those who know me know I’m a very competitive person and this is the ultimate competition! I’m glued!

Meanwhile, of course, I have been knitting up a storm since I’m watching more tv then I usually do. Here are Valentine’s weekend projects:

A cowl for my Mom:

and a bookmark (one of many) for my sister. I’m currently knitting a hat with a skull on it for Justin, and that is taking no time at all and looking so cute! All patterns, of course, are free from Ravelry. As i mentioned earlier, I’m trying to knit the yarn I have, hence dinky projects like the bookmarks!

Go Canada! Go Olympians! Go Knitters!

Socks!

cheryl — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:54:54 +0000

Leah Says: Ah ha! Thanks to Emily and to youtube, I have successfully completed my first sock! I got past the heel flap- sometimes I read wayyyyy too much into a pattern. I’m well on my way to finishing the other one. The yarn, Classic Elite Fixation Solids, has a lot of elastic in it and it makes for some really comfy socks! Justin, (my lovely foot model here) has placed an order for a pair. These are for my Dad. I had no idea what to knit him, and socks just seemed to make sense. I hope he likes them! Love you Dad!

Next up is a small and easy cowl scarf for my Mom, that is just finishing up the yarn I used for her capelet. Money is a little tight right now, so I’m trying to be economic in my knitting for the next little while. Then I’m on to a baby blanket. This one is going to be a doozy, the pattern has K4tog’s!!! I have the worst time with the k3tog’s, so there may be some curse words that may be heard while I get the hang of that. The baby blanket is for friends of mine, C and T- I went to New York with them for New Years Eve this year and T is expecting a boy in June! For the colour I’m thinking something bold and not baby-ish. Like a deep purple or red or something.

Anyway- I’ll be finishing the other sock today while Justin and I watch bits and pieces of the superbowl. The bits and pieces will probably be the commercials and half-time show. I’m not a football fan and neither is Justin!

Knitting rocks my socks!

Leah

More christmas projects to share! And a question on sock knitting…

cheryl — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:20:55 +0000

Leah says … Here are some other knitting christmas presents I made. These are the Maggie armwarmers from Subliminal Rabbit:

A Table Runner from a magazine with linen (love the look of linen wool!)

and placemats for my mom with mercerized cotton. and placemats for my mom with mercerized cotton.

and placemats for my mom with mercerized cotton:

I’m proud of myself! There are a few that I still don’t have picutres for yet they are, a pillow (my Mom is sweing it together for me) and another set of toddler armwarmers (exact same as the ones I did posted some time in May I think.) and I can truly say I honestly enjoyed knitting them, hiccups and all. The yarn for kara’s pillow was this super gorgeous chunky yarn, Twinkle by classic elite soft chunky, and my fingers were so happy to knit it- except that it was close to $30.00 a skein, and the pillow took exactly three to knit! Poor bank account!

A question for you sock knitters out there. I am knitting my first pair of socks for my Pops, and after kntting the cuff and leg of the sock, I’m a little confused. These are the instructions, word for word, on the pattern:

“Heel Flap: Work 31 sts in patt, hold on N1 (heel will be worked on N2 and N3.) “

Ok, I got that- there are three needles the stiches are on, needle one I just continue in the leg pattern, no problem.

“1 (RS): Sl1, (k1, p1) rep to end of heel
2(ws): Sl1, (p1, K1) rep to end of heel.”

Ok, heres my question: This “row 2 Wrong Side” thing- how is that possible on dpns? Aren’t I always knitting on the right side? And actually I have another question. If I always slip the first stitch, then that stitch never gets knit and it’ll start to stretch out and I don’t think thats right. Anyone have any thoughts? Am I clear on what the problem is? I might be missing something about sock knitting, I think. Actually, here’s the link to the pattern:

http://ladyneaknitsalot.blogspot.com/2006/11/free-pattern.html

Please feel free to comment if you know the answer. The socks are knit with cascade yarns fixation solid, REALLY stretchy and soft. I really hope they turn out, it seems like an easy pattern to start sock knitting.

Here’s to the January blahs being almost over! Knitting sure does help with those!

Your faithful knitting blogger,

Leah