Rhinbeck Cloth

I mentioned in the last post that I'd write more about my Rhinebeck trip another time.  Honestly, I don't know if I can really recap it all and do it justice.  There was a lot, and at the same time, not much at all.  It was a lot of sitting around, talking, enjoying the company of like-minded individuals.  We ate and knit and talked and ate and knit and talked some more.  Most everyone bought some yarn on Saturday. We swapped mittens on Friday evening.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it all.

I also have to say how neat it was to be in the same place with so many knitters, knitting at the same time.  I've never been in the presence of that many knitters all at one time (or ever really).  And that was even more true on Saturday at the Sheep and Wool Festival.  I enjoyed it immensely.

Something that was part of our trip included a bag of goodies, which we referred to as our swag bags.  I'm not really going to go into all that unless someone asks about it.  There was a lot of really neat stuff and people were so generous with their time and talents.

Which brings me to the purpose of this post.  I had some ideas about what I wanted to include as my contribution to the swag bag.  One of the items I added was a dishcloth/washcloth pattern.

I designed and knit a washcloth specific to this event (the Itty Bitty meetup, not the Sheep & Wool Festival).   It reads "Itty Bitty Rhinebeck 2012" and has hearts and stars/snowflakes in the corners.

Originally I was going to knit a dishcloth for everyone, but after a little closer examination, I realized that if I had done that 1) I'd be broke because I'd be spending all my money on cotton yarn and 2) I'd be bald by the time I reached Rhinebeck from all the hair-pulling knitting dishcloth after dishcloth.

I make the pattern seem terrible, but what I really mean is that it's a little tedious to knit the same thing over and over and over again.  (A hearty applause to all of you that did that...you have more patience than I!)

So instead I made the pattern pretty and printed out a copy for everyone to enjoy.  The pattern is free on Raverly and knits up rather quickly.  Anyone with a Ravelry account has access to the pattern and can choose to knit the cloth, although I don't think it will hold much meaning for those who aren't part of our Itty Bitty group or who didn't attend the meetup.

I knit my sample in Knit Picks Dishie in the Begonia colorway.  I think I used about half the skein, but honestly I didn't weigh the cloth or the skein when I was finished.  (I should maybe go back and do that...)  It's a large cloth, easily the size of a commercial dishcloth.  It had to be in order to fit "Rhinebeck" all on one line.  If any of you are like my mom and I, this is the size of dishcloth you really like, not those other tiny ones (while the tiny ones are fun to knit and have neat designs, they just are so little!!).

I really think the wording came out nicely (I wasn't so sure about how well you'd be able to read it, sometimes paper to practice doesn't translate well...).  Dishcloths with designs can be so difficult to photograph and truly capture what the picture is.  I find the best way is to attack it from an angle, minus the flash.  Any shadowing I've gotten this way makes it easier to distinguish the pattern.  I also try to take pictures outside in indirect sunlight whenever possible.  :)

In the Works

I’m sorry to say I don’t really have anything new to share at the moment (okay, that’s not entirely true…I have a few things, I just haven’t had the time to tell you about them…). 

So instead of showing you a finished object, I thought I’d share some of what I’ve had in the works for a little while. 

I finished a scarf a little bit ago and love it to pieces, although it hasn’t been cold enough to wear it much lately (it’s very warm).  The stitch pattern intrigued me enough I wanted to make a matching hat.  So I set out to design a pattern around it.

This is what I have so far…wha’d’ya think?  The sample is knit from some of my own handdyed, variegated yarn.  If it works like I want it to, and I have enough yarn, I’ll make it in the same yarn as the scarf. 

p.s. I’m so glad tomorrow is Friday!

Pattern: Big Ribs

I'm sure a lot of you have seen it already, but I wrote up the pattern for J's winter gloves and added it to Ravelry as a free pattern! :)

I'm pretty jazzed about having a second pattern on Raverly.  This time I loaded the pattern as a .pdf file (as opposed to the Uptown Babe, which until now, has only been offered on my blog) so Ravelers can download it/save it to their library straight from the source.  I am calling it Big Ribs.

I know I love being able to do that with free patterns, so why not share the love?

I took notes the entire way because I figured I'd write up the pattern, but I debated for awhile whether or not to offer it for free.  It took a lot of trial and error to get these where I wanted them.  Overall, I feel that the pattern is relatively simple.  I utilize so many of the free patterns myself, I figured one more couldn't hurt.

I'm excited by the number of people who have already faved & queued the pattern. :)  I guess that means people like it, right?! :)

Christmas Knitting: J's Gloves

My original plan for Christmas was to knit a new hat for J and surprise him with it.  Then he asked me for a new hat before I could do that.  And he asked for a pair of long-cuffed gloves.  The hat is finished and has been for awhile.

Originally, J & I had talked about gloves that had a diamond-like cable running along the arm & back of the hand, ribbing around the remainder of the cuff and something like moss stitch on the palms & fingers.  Needless to say, this didn't happen.  I still plan to create some like this, but thought that if I tried to make these in time for J to wear them this winter, I'd have to simplify.  So instead, J's Gloves have long cuffs (which reach his elbows), done in 2x2 ribbing that steadily decreases to the wrist, switching to stockinette stitch for the hands and fingers.  Simple says it best. 

These are really big on me and I'm glad that I had J's hands nearby to get the length of the fingers right. 

I'll probably write this up and offer it as a free pattern on Raverly in a little while.  Initially I was going to use a pattern on Ravelry, but I couldn't find one like what J wanted.  And by the time I had decided to simplify the pattern, I figured I may as well keep going on my own instead of searching for a men's pattern.  I'm not really impressed by too many of the men's glove patterns they have available.  None of them were quite right for J, or they were too "frilly." 

The final pattern when complete will be moderately different than this pair.  I've changed the cast-on number to get symmetry, which has changed my decreases somewhat.  The thumb gusset also needs to be a little different.  

Looks like I've finished these just in time as we've got about a month left of winter.

What Is That?!

Could it be?

I'm actually making progress on J's gloves? Astonishing!  I didn't think it was going to happen any time soon.

Okay - that's not completely true.  They've just been sitting for so long I was starting to feel as though they would never be finished.  Can you tell what I've completed so far?

A VERY long cuff,

the palm/hand & thumb gusset, and 2 1/2 fingers!  How exciting!

WIP Wednesday 2/2

FINALLY I have some new photos to share with you of Mom's Brea Bag.

I am SO glad to have made significant progress on this project.  Essentially, it's as far as it can get before Mom picks out fabric for the lining and that is sewn in.  Once that is done, I'll attach the shoulder strap, sew down the strap ends and officially gift it to Mom.

I was having a hard time deciding how to sew this project together.  Is sew the right word?  Piece together is a more accurate description.  First off, blocking was simple - the pieces didn't need to be stretched out much, rather the cables needed straightening, and the edges needed to be symmetrical.  I carefully measured, pinned, measured and re-pinned.  In the end, it's 3" wider than the pattern says their version is, and 1/2" taller from bottom to purse opening.  The gusset is exactly 2 1/2" wide and a total of 30" long.

Although this bag could potentially be very small, there is plenty of give on the bag front and backs.  Our intention is to line the bag with a silk-like material.  The gusset of the lining will probably be reinforced with interfacing to give it more structure, while the rest of the lining will not.  The juxtaposition of Shelter against a refined fabric such as silk should be lovely.  Texturally and visually pleasing at every angle! (Can you tell I like this bag?)

So the piecing...originally I wasn't going to block the gusset, but I did just a tiny bit to ensure it was long enough.  To get the crisp edges, I put wrong sides together and did a slip stitch joining the pieces around top and side edges.  This was perfect.

Okay - I could keep going, but I'll post again when it's Done-Done.

I've finished all my swap knitting so no WIPs to share there.

I frogged and restarted J's gloves.  I've modified the decreases to something I like a bit better.  I also chose to cast-on 4 more stitches than I originally did, and I won't decrease as far as I did the first time.  About half of the first glove is finished.  Now that Mom's bag is finished, that will be my focus.

What's on your needles this week?

WIP Wednesday 1/12: Holding Myself Accountable

Would you mind terribly if today's post was extra long?  I'm feeling the need this week to hold myself accountable.  During and after the holidays I did a really good job of staying on task and working on things.  Then, last week I didn't do much of anything.  I couldn't get motivated and every time I went to start something, I'd just sit instead.  Not very productive!

After some great advice from friends, I decided to give myself a break from the growing list of WIPs and other crafting and work on something small, which would provide instant gratification and help get my knitting mojo back up and running!

I didn't finish my new project last night (surprise, surprise!), but I got quite far and it did just what I needed it to do.  Stay tuned in the next week or so to learn what that project is. :)

Today's WIP Wednesday is going to be a whole host of pictures of the current WIPs on my needles.  I took out all my project bags last night and had a mini photo shoot.  Some projects just needed a fresh face on my project page.  Not all of these things are what I'm currently focusing on, but will all be finished before I start another major project.

First is the update on my mom's Brea Bag.  It's coming along swimmingly.  See?  I've got 1 side all finished and about halfway through the other side.  It kind of looks like a lumpy mess here, but trust me, there is great progress there.

I can hardly contain my excitement when I think how wonderful the earthy, textured look of the Shelter will contrast to soft, refined, silky lining. :)  That will be a great juxtaposition.

Next, I thought you all deserved to see photos of A's Morgan.  It doesn't look like much right now - in fact - this WIP is probably the most deflating because in it's current state it sort of looks like I went wrong somewhere. (I'm blindly hoping it's all as it's supposed to be, it just needs the time put in to finish it!).  But you can sort of see the shape of the hat and the potential that it has to be great.

Some updated photos of J's new gloves.  I mentioned before I was thinking of ripping back and now I know I am. Just looking at it I know that those wrists are far too skinny and that I can do decreases in a better way. Won't this color be great, though?

Then there are my "fruits of labor."  This was a summer/fall project that got put on the back burner for other things.  Do you see?  I have 3 of the 4 fruits complete.  It's actually quite a fast project, I'm just slow at the moment.  All I have left are the bunch of grapes.

The next project is Bathrobe by Debbie Bliss.  This is for Little Man.  I've been wanting a nice bathrobe for him for quite some time.  Then I decided I'd make him one.  I should have purchased a nice cozy towel and sewn him one - it would have been quicker!  But I couldn't resist this pattern when I saw it. The baby in the book looked so adorable!  A friend and I agree that when it's finished, it will sort of look like a boxer's robe! :)  I'm at the point in this pattern where I'm a bit confused and need to sit down and really work it.  I'd better get on with it, though!  This is sized for 24 months and X is almost 2!

See my lonely Sinful Ribbed Scarf?  This poor knit has been on my needles since January 31, 2010.  That's far, far too long!  Although, I love pulling this out when I need easy, mindless knitting.  I'm on the last ball of yarn, though.  So when that's gone, it's finished!  And this yarn is so, so cozy!!

And last, but certainly not least, is my Traveling Woman shawl.  I love this yarn and I love this pattern.  This was started in March 2010 on my way home from visiting my sister.  Everything you see in front of you was done on the car ride home.  Then I got home and life got busy and I haven't been able to pick it back up again.  I'm actually done w/ all the stockinette and have started the lace portion.  That's really the fun part!

I hope you all have enjoyed this picture-filled peak into my very large knitting bag.  I have to get these under control or they will take over my house!

What's on your needles?

Pattern: Uptown Babe

*Update*: This hat is available as a free Ravelry download.  I will leave the pattern on the blog, but now you can add the pattern to your Ravelry library and download the .pdf file.

I won't repost all the photos from the previous post, if you'd like to see more pictures, you can check out THIS blog post or you can visit my Ravelry Project Page. 

UPDATE 3/6/11: Added sizing, fixed recorded gauge - it was too big before.

Uptown Babe

designed by Rae Lynne Chase

Please read through all pattern instructions before starting your hat, just so you are familiar with the pattern. 

Size: Newborn, (0-3 months, 3-6 months)
Yarn Suggested: Bulky/12 Ply (Yarn used: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky Hand Dyes, colorway Uptown); 1 skein (137 yd/125 meters; 100 grams/3.53 ounces)
Gauge: 3-3.75 stitches = 1 inch Stockinette Stitch
Needle size: US 10 - 6.0 mm 16" circular needles (24" or 32" cable for magic loop for decreases) or US 10 - 6.0 mm set of 4 dpns
Other materials needed: stitch marker, ruler or tape measure, scissors, yarn needle.  Optional: pom-pom maker

Techniques used:
Creating a pom-pom
I-Cord
Magic Loop/DPNs
Descreasing (k2tog)
Garter stitch
Stockinette stitch

Pattern Instructions:
This has is knit from the bottom up. 

CO 40 (48, 56) stitches in desired color. Join in the round and place marker. (If using dpns, distribute stitches evenly among 3 dpns using the 4th dpn to knit.)
Knit in garter stitch for the next 6 rows, starting w/ a knit row.
Continue in stockinette stitch for 4 inches.
Decreases:
Begin decreases.

R1: (k6, k2tog) repeat to end of round. (33, 41, 49 ss remain)
R2: (k5, k2tog) repeat to end of round (26, 34, 42 ss remain)
R3-5: knit
R6: (k4, k2tog) repeat to end of round (19, 27, 35 ss remain)
R7-9: knit

*If using circular needles, switch to larger cable size to finish decreasing using Magic Loop method.  If using dpns, distribute stitches evenly among the dpns as you find necessary.*

R10: (k3, k2tog) repeat to end of round (12, 20, 28 ss remain)
R11-13: Knit
R14: (k2, k2tog) repeat to end of round (5, 13, 21 ss remain)
R15-21: knit
R22: (k1, k2tog) repeat to end fo round (4, 6, 14 ss remain)

At this point, if you are knitting the newborn or 0-3 month size, knit for additional 2 inches, then move to I-Cord instruction and continue as per pattern. If knitting the 3-6 month size, continue to round 23.

R23-25: knit
R26: (k2tog) repeat to end of round (7 ss remain)
R27: Knit.

Knit for 2 inches. K2tog, k1, k2tog,k2.
Slide your stitches to 1 needle and continue to knit in I-cord until you reach a desired length for your stocking cap tail.
Leaving an 8-inch tail, cut yarn and weave tail through remaining stitches. (The tail will be used to attach the pom-pom.
Make large pom-pom and attach to end of I-cord tail using your tail yarn. Weave in ends and trim.
(YouTube link for making pom-pom HERE)

The size of the pom-pom you make is up to you.  I wanted a large, oversized pom-pom as large as I could get it with the yarn I had left.  I used about 3/4 of a skein of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky Hand Dyes.  The remainder of my yarn was used on the pom-pom.  I reserved a small portion of yarn to attach the pom-pom to the tail of the stocking cap, just in case I had trouble with the pom-pom staying in place, as well as to tie off the pom-pom. 

Disclaimer: This hat was intended for PROP PURPOSES ONLY! Do not leave baby unattended while wearing this hat as the tail could wrap around the baby's neck. To be used with direct supervision only.

This pattern can be altered to shorten the length of the tail to make this hat wearable for every-day use.

This pattern was created by Rae Lynne of Drip Drip Drop (http://www.rlchase.blogspot.com/). It is intended for personal use only and may not be reproduced, copied, or re-used without permission from Rae Lynne. This pattern and any knitted items may not be sold for personal profit.  Please feel free to use this pattern to make your own hat for you or for gifts. Happy crafting!

Please visit my Uptown Babe Ravelry Project Page (Ravelry Members only, membership is Free) for more pictures and information. 

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at raelynne01@hotmail.com or on Raverly, username raelynne01.