I Love...

Obviously I love when I finish a project and I am happy with the way it turns out.  The other thing I love is when I finish a skein of yarn.  There is just something satisfying about finishing the whole skein without any left-overs.  

Over the weekend I worked on finishing up the headband/neck warmer that I was working on with needles.  I used Vanna's Choice yarn in Beige.  I doubled up my yarn, so mine is definitely more like a neck warmer.  I like the way it turned out.  I think I am going to have to block it though and I have never blocked anything before, so this will be a first.  I need to add a button and then take a picture of it.

I also started working on a Red Ridged Lace Hat for my cousin.  The pattern can be found in the book "I Can't Believe I'm Loom Knitting ".  This is one of my favorite patterns, but I always end up with very sore fingers.  I had enough yarn left over and wanted to finish up the skein.  I decided to work on an infinity scarf.  I used the stockinette stitch using the diagonal wrap method.  You can see more info on it here at this site.  I just kept knitting until I used all the yarn. Then finished the ends like I do on the reversible headbands.  I am really pleased with the way it turned out.  I used Simply Soft Caron brand yarn in Autumn Red.  I need to get pictures of this too.  


In other news, the hat that is on my Martha Stewart Loom has turned into a problem.  :(  I was concerned when I started the hat that it would be hard to finish the hat with there being so many pegs.  When I finally got to the end of the hat, I figured I could just decrease by half and then decrease by half again.  Unfortunately, this did not work.  I got the hat off and not only was the hat too small, but the top where I gathered it was a wreck.  I had to figure out a way to get it back on the loom and this also turned into a problem. I was having a hard time finding all the stitches to put back on the pegs and then sometimes would drop the stitch before I could get it back on.  After about 45 minutes, I did manage to get the hat back on the loom, but had to frog a bunch to get it ready to be worked on again.  I am a little discouraged.   Should I just gather the top with 80 stitches?  That seems like it would be way to bulky!  Is there a way to decrease and have a nice finished top like I do when I use the round purple Knifty Knitter ?  Any advice would be appreciated. 
 

Pictures of Finished Projects

Last post I said I was working on 4 projects.  I was finally able to complete two of them over the weekend.  I finished the cowl.  I used Lion Brand Homespun  the color is called Barley and worked in garter stitch on the round yellow loom.  The finished cowl is 20 inches long, so it is very bulky and very warm.  

 My second project was supposed to be a slouchy hat, but there was just not enough "slouch" to it.  I am still really happy with the way it turned out.  The hat is 100% wool and a great color.  I may add a coconut button, but I am not sure.  Still trying to decide. 

Still working on the headband on needles and the very slow going hat on the Martha Stewart Loom.  I finished another one of my  Reversible Headbands .  After finishing the one headband, I immediately cast on again, but this time working in the stockinette stitch for another headband. 


What is everyone else working on? 

Knitting with Needles

It has been over a year since I have knit with needles.  I learned how to do the basic knit and purl stitches on needles in the winter of 2009.  I made a couple scarves for Christmas gifts for family members.  On Christmas my husband bought me my first looms and I put the needles away.  I liked the looms because I was able to knit in the round and could make hats in just a couple of hours.  

I did not knit with needles again until the winter of 2010 and I only used the knit stitch.  I used them for one project.  I made a great scarf that I love and it is the only thing I have made that I have actually kept that doesn't have any errors.  I have been saying for over a year that I need to make myself a hat, but have yet to do it. 

A couple of weeks ago I found this great headband on Pinterest.  You can see the pattern here.  I tried to figure out a way to make it work on the loom and there was nothing I could do to make it work.  If anyone does figure it out that would be great and I would love to know how you did it.  

I decided that I would need to just try out the pattern on needles.  I tried and tried to make the headband and could not for the life of me remember how to purl.  I looked on-line to find pictures to try and jog my memory, but I just could not figure it out.  I finally found this site with great pictures and was able to make a purl stitch again.  I am loving the way the headband/ear-warmer is turning out.  I am about half-way done and will post pictures once it is complete.

I am also working on 3 other projects.  The hat that I started on the Martha Stewart Loom is slow going, but I am still loving the way it looks.  I also have a cowl that I have been working on for way too long on my yellow loom.  It is just the basic garter stitch, but my plan is to make it long enough that it can be pulled up like a hood if the person likes.  I am using Homespun yarn, so it is really soft and cozy.  The other project that I started last night is a slouch hat on the purple looms.  I am using 100% wool that is gorgeous and so very soft.  I have only just started, so I can't really tell how it is going to turn out.  

I have 9 more projects to complete my 52 Projects for 2011.  I don't think this will be a problem and am looking forward to being able to say that I stuck with it.  Pictures soon (hopefully) as my projects are completed. 

My First Thoughts on the Martha Stewart Loom

On Friday I was finally able pull all the pieces out and check out my new looms.  I love how many different ways I am going to be able to use the Martha Stewart Looms.  I have been very anxious to try out a hat using a fine gauge and with my new looms this is finally going to be possible.  

As of right now my loom is set up with 2 semi-circle pieces and 2 of the straight 12 piece parts.  This is a total of 80 pegs.  I am using Lion brand Jiffy yarn in Caffe and only using one strand to do a knit 2, purl 2 for two rows and then switching to purl 2, knit 2 for the next two rounds.  I have only knit 24 rounds (2 inches) so far, but I am loving the look of this stitch.  

When I first started it was a little intimidating at first.  I have been using the Knifty Knitter Looms for so long and have gotten very comfortable and pretty fast on these looms, so switching to a new loom that is more of an oval shape and so many pegs took a little getting used too.  I noticed that I was having an easy time with the knit stitches, but the purl stitches every now and then were a little difficult.  When I was pulling the loop up it would get "stuck" on the next peg over, so I was having to pick up the stitch again to move it.   I used the stop watch on my phone to see how long it was taking me to complete a round.  On my second round it took me 7 minutes and 24 seconds!  Last night I could tell that I had picked up the pace and was able to complete a round in 5 minutes and 13 seconds.  Not too bad.

I would love to buy a second set of these looms, so that I can have more projects going at once.  I feel like I could get burnt out easily with the fine gauge, so it would be nice to change things up with working on another project.  That way I could just go back and forth between the two looms.  

I am very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend the Martha Stewart Looms .  I hope to have pictures to post soon and will try to post a picture of my work in progress.  


Happy Halloween!

Finally!!

I have been waiting for weeks now after seeing all the reviews for the Martha Stewart Loom .  I have been checking my local Jo-Ann's and have not had luck finding it.  I knew I could order it on-line, but prices were a little high for me.  

This Sunday I found a Micheal's coupon for 40% off a regular priced item.  I crossed my fingers before heading in to the store today.  At first I didn't see them, but after looking at all the yarn I finally spotted them on an end aisle.  $39.99 and they were not on sale!  Woo-hoo! I was then able to use my 40% off coupon which brought the cost down to $23.99.  I am very happy with my purchase and can't wait to try them out.  I will be posting soon with finished projects made with the Martha Loom and let you know how I like it. 

Figure-Eight Reversible Headband/Ear-warmer Picture Tutorial

Figure-Eight Reversible Headband/Ear-warmer No Sew Picture Tutorial.

You will need:  long loom, knitting hook, crochet hook, and yarn of your choice.  

Pattern notes:  You can make this headband/ear-warmer as long and wide as you like. I used 6 pegs on both sides.  I used the figure-eight stitch.  The directions for this can be found in the pattern book that came with the loom or you can use this link on the loom knitting help website.  I also used two strands of yarn as one. 

Knit your headband using the long loom until it reaches the desired length you need.

 Take the stitches from one side of the loom and put them on the pegs directly across. 

 

 Once all the loops have been moved to the other side, take the bottom loop over the top loop.  Only 1 loop will remain on the pegs.

 You are now ready to bring the cast on row up through the loom.  Put the stitches from the cast on row back on the loom.  You will now have two loops on each peg. 

 Bring the  bottom stitches over the top stitches.  You will again have one loop on each peg.

 Starting on the side without the tail you will get your crochet hook and put the loops on the first peg on the hook.  Put the yarn from the second peg also on your crochet hook.  Pull the stitches through like a normal bind off for the long looms.  Continue doing this until you reach the last peg. 

 When you reach your last two stitches you can cut your working yarn leaving a short tail.  When you pull these stitches through make sure that you bring the tail through with the stitch.  This will make a knot. 

This is what the "seam" of the headband/ear-warmer will look like once you are finished. Go ahead and use your crochet hook to hide the yarn and maybe even make another small knot before cutting the yarn. 

This is my first picture tutorial and I would love feedback.  Please let me know if this helped you or if there is anyway I can make it better.  :)

Fall Sale at Etsy

I have added some new items to my etsy .  I have new adult hats and some fun kid hats.  I would also like to share a coupon code that can be used to save 15%.  Use the code  FALL11BLOGSALE at check out.  Feel free to share this code with your friends if you think they would like any of the items that I have listed.  I hope that you find something you like.  And, remember that if you see something, but would like it made in a different color, I would LOVE to do a custom hat.  Let me know at anytime during the sale and I can make a reserved listing for you, so you can use the coupon code.

I also have a facebook page that I am working on getting ready with blog updates, finished projects, and just a way to get word out general.  Please consider clicking the "like" button to follow my page and tell your friends.