Hats! Hats!

I have been a hat knitting frenzy for the past two months even though I have only one head. Yes, I can give lots of them away, but my family has decided this year to not give gifts; just hang out together. I may give them hats anyway. So here are some of the hats that I have finished. I will post a few more every day, so stay tuned.

Hooded Cowl for Christina and Simone

Other big news from the past year is that Dane and Christina got engaged. Dane is our son and soon (as in September 2017) Christina will officially join our family. She's already a part now so I am looking forward to having a daughter. Dane and Christina have been together for four years and have been joined my grand-dogs Bella and Simone. Bella is a husky and German shepherd mix and Simone is a chihuahua and dachshund mix (a chi-weany) and they are the sweetest dogs ever. Unfortunately, Neko is not a big fan. He is not crazy about people so you can imagine how he feels about dogs.

Anyway, Christina wanted a hooded cowl instead a hat and so I designed this one for her last Christmas.


I wish I would have written down the pattern but I just kind of knitted it freehand.  I first made a cowl out of bulky yarn and large circular needles, probably size 13. I made sure it was big enough to wrap around her shoulders. Then I picked up stitches along the edge and knitted the hood, joining the hood at the top with a three needle cast off.

Not only does it keep her warm but also the sweet and delicate Simone. It does get cold in Colorado and this cute little number keeps Christina and Simone wrapped up. The more I look at this hooded cowl, I think I will have to design it again and offer the pattern. I'll have to work on that.

Retired!

Okay, I'm back writing in my blog. Now I should have time again because I retired! There is nothing more delightful than going to bed and realizing that I don't have to get up in the morning and get ready for work.

But I have been knitting. I actually retired on August 1, and I spent all of August and September just knitting, making hat after hat, couple of pair of socks, and working and frogging a sweater that is just not talking to me. It was like I needed to barricade myself in my house for a while to celebrate solitude. I kept waiting for a SWAT team to appear on my front yard with a bullhorn telling me to coming out. No one showed up, so my knitting continued.

And yes, I have been enjoying my little black kitty in my lap while I knit. He will sit in my lap only when Ken is not home. I hope to get my own cat one of these days. {sigh}

Anyway, here is one of the hats that I designed. The tree design is not mine, but a down-sized it for this hat. I will put more of my hats up over the next several days. So --- I'm back! Stay tuned.

Rugs are the best place to ...

We have rigged our deck so Neko can go outside and still be safe. When he was out there this morning, he started to howl miserably. I ran to the door to let him in. He streaked by me into the living room to our pretty throw rug and up-chucked his entire breakfast.

He really is an ass.

Doctor Who Scarf.

My son wanted a Doctor Who scarf. So here it is. I have actually never watched the series so I had to troll through Ravelry to find examples. According to my son, there are also different scarves for different seasons of the series. This color arrangement is from season 14.

I used size 10 needles and cast on 50 stitches. Then I just knitted every row, following the picture. I have to admit that I don't like fringe on scarf, and I especially don't like it on this scarf, but my son said it was important. It's all a matter of taste, I guess.

Also my son is in Los Angeles. I am not sure he really needs a scarf for anything more than style. But I guess that's also a matter of taste.

Velociraptor at the Vet

Today is the day that is pure dread in our house. I had to take Neko to the vet to get his shots.

Now you are in trouble when you call for the appointment and the receptionists say, "Oh yes, we remember Neko." These people see hundreds of cats a year and yet Neko stands out in their minds.

I sent the carrier on the table and it shakes back and forward -- a la the opening scene to Jurassic Park. After all, he is the velociraptor of cats. Someone in the back room calls out: "Shoot him! Shoot him!" Of course, they were actually talking about his rabies and distemper shots. I don't know why they even give him a distemper shot. It's not like we would notice if he had distemper.

Anyway, he is fine and has recovered. I look forward the carrying of the grudge.

No, I did not fall off the face of the earth

I know, I know. It has been months since I have posted. I realy don't have an excuse other than my job takes all my energy and time. Then I spend the rest of my time and energy knitting. So I promise to try to keep up better now that things are calmer at work.

So here is what I am working on now. My son wants a Dr. Who scarf and this is the beginning of it.  I have complete about 10 feet so far and have about 8 feet left to do.  I have never actually watched any of the Dr. Who shows, but there are pictures all over the internet, not to mention Ravelry. (My ravelry name is KniceKnitties in case you want to know)

I hope to post pictures of the stuff i have done over the last several months as well. I am starting to work on Christmas presents (i.e., the Dr Who scarf). I have finished a pair of felted slippers and very pleased with how they turned out. I can't believe it is already October with one 2 1/2 months left.  I have too many things to do.

Celebrating the Holidays with Fingerless

When my boys were in high school, they were very active in marching band and theater. I was definitely involved in my kids' activities as a band mom and theater mom. I met several wonderful friends through these activities. 

The DC Divas: Me, Katie, Mo, Susan (standing) and Linda

When our kids graduated, went to college and basically left us, we moms decided that we didn't need our kids around to keep our friendships going. So every couple of months, the DC Divas (Douglas County Divas) get together to catch up. We have become even better friends over the years. (That's me in the maroon shirt). Tonight was our Christmas gathering, the one in which we include our husbands, although we didn't take any pictures of them. 

I made fingerless gloves for my friends and we had a touching of fingertips to show them off.

Felted Poinsettia Pin for your Fa-La-La-La-la Fa-La-La-La Holiday Party

Felted Poinsettia Brooch

I had to go to a holiday party today in which the theme was ugly Christmas sweaters. Now I would like to think that I am way too fashionable to own an ugly Christmas sweater, so I got out my trusty needles to make my own. I used a simple leaf pattern that I have used so many times that I don’t remember where I even got it.  So I thought I would share it with you.

I still don’t think it made my sweater ugly.

PATTERN:

Scraps of 100% wool yarn in red, green and gold.

Sizes 8 and 5 needles

Six gold beads

Spools of thread in matching colors

Bar Pin

Gauge: Not critical

Leaves (Make 6):

With green yarn and size 8 needles, cast on 4 stitches.

Row 1: K all stitches

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: P all stitches

Row 3: K 1, kfb*, kfb, k 1 (6 stitches).

Row 5: K 1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1 (8 stitches).

Row 7: K all stitches.

Row 9: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, k1. (6 stitches)

Row 11: K1 SSK, K2tog, k1 (4 stitches)

Row 13: SSK, K2tog (2 stitches). Cut yarn. Thread yarn with needle and pass through remaining 2 stitches.

    *Although most knitters use a knit in the front and back of one stitch to increase, I use a little method that creates a stronger line. I knit 1 stitch.

Then I pick up yarn from in front of the stitch I want to increase and knit it.

Then I knit the main stitch. This slants the increases to the right.

For the left slant, I knit the main stitch first. Then I pick up the yarn from the side and put it on the needle and knit it.

Flowers (Make 6):

With red yarn and size 5 needles, cast on 4 stitches.

Row 1: K all stitches

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: P all stitches

Row 3: K 1, kfb*, kfb, k 1 (6 stitches).

Row 5: K 1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1 (8 stitches).

Row 7: K all stitches.

Row 9: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, k1. (6 stitches)

Row 11: K1 SSK, K2tog, k1 (4 stitches)

Row 13: SSK, K2tog (2 stitches). Cut yarn. Thread yarn with needle and pass through remaining 2 stitches.

Center (Make 1):

With size 8 needles and gold yarn, cast on 2 stitches.

Next Row: K1. In next stitch, k, p, k, p, k, p.

Next Row: K all stitches. Cut yarn. Thread yarn with needle and pass through all stitches and pull them together. Make a knot with the two ends.

Felting:

Put all piece in a lingerie bag or pillow case. Felt in machine on hottest cycle. I just put it in with my regular wash. Once the pieces are felted, trim the ends.  No need to weave in the ends. Felting secures them. Lie each piece flat to dry. I put a cookie sheet over the pieces to keep them flat.

Finishing:

With sewing thread, insert the needle through the bottom corner of a green leaf and then down through the other corner. Repeat sewing until all six are joined in a line. Attach the last leaf to the first leaf to form a circle. Draw the thread up to tighten. Knot ends.

Repeat the same technique with the red flower leaves.

Put the red circle on top of the green circle, placing the circles staggered. Tack the two circles together. 

Place the gold felted ball in the center and tack it down. 

Add beads around the gold ball.

Sew a pin bar to the back.

Attach your poinsettia pin to your ugliest sweater and wear to your next holiday party.

Neko in his Santa Hat -- free pattern (please excuse the blood)

 Neko’s Santa Hat

I made a cute little hat for my cat for the holidays.  However, he just doesn't seem to like it as much as I though he would. I guess Neko just doesn't have the Christmas spirit. 

Materials:

Small amount of red and white yarns, such as double knit or sock yarn.  Don’t worry about the strength of the yarn. No cat will wear it for very long anyway.

Waste yarn
Crochet hook size F
Size 4 (3.5mm) double pointed needles
Size 6 (4mm) double pointed needles
Stitch marker
Yarn needle

Gauge: 2” = 12 stitches

With the smaller needles and white yarn, cast on 48 stitches using waste yarn and the provisional cast on. (If you need instructions, there are several good YouTube videos, such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfCEWhaaOsk­) . Join being careful not to twist the stitches.

Knit every row for 2 inches.

Returning to the cast on row, remove the waste yarn stitch by stitch and place on the larger double-pointed needles. With the purl side facing out, use a three needle knitting technique to make the brim.  (Also shown on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0L9HPvFrn8)

Go ahead. Take your picture
 ... and sleep with one eye open .  -- Neko

Change to red yarn and keeping the larger needles, knit every row for 2 inches. 

Next round: *Knit 6, k2tog.* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

Knit 6 rounds.

Next round: *Knit 5, k2tog.* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

Knit 6 rounds.

Next round: *Knit 4, k2tog.* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

Knit 6 rounds.

Next round: *Knit 3, k2tog.* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

Knit 7 rounds.

Next round: *Knit 2, k2tog.* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

Knit 8 rounds.

Next round: *Knit 1, k2tog.* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

Knit 8 rounds.

Cut yarn. Thread a yarn needle and through all remaining stitch.

Weave in ends.  Add a white pom pom

Now try to place it on your cat’s head and take a picture before s/he runs and hides under the bed, or, as my cat would, hiss and scratch your hand.

I just don't think Neko gets me.

Someone needs to take her needles away before
she causes more damage.

I'll get you my pretty -- and your little
double point needles too.