Granny Squares- Nola style

Well my obsession with granny squares has continued. This week I made an extra large granny square to double as a baby blanket. It was for one of my co-workers soon to be niece. Their family is originally from New Oreleans and even though they are having a girl they are very anti-pink so I settled on some classic colors: MARDI GRAS.

festive and fun. I almost feel like I should throw in a pair of beads to the gift package.

This is the first blanket I've ever crocheted and I'm pretty pleased with the results. Not too shabby for learning two weeks ago.
It looks so cute all folded up ready to go out the door tomorrow.

Now I just need to get started back up on my sweater, and finish my husbands socks oh and keep working on a crochted blanket for the house. It seems like the lists never end.

old lady tendancies

As an avid knitter I have always been beffudled and scared of crocheting. just one needle?!! What do I do with my hands? 

well a few hours of homework induced boredom and this tutorial later last night I taught myself how to make granny squares.

These adorable little squares of color can be made into anything from afghans to slippers. 

Already today I've knit five of these suckers up, they are like little yarn crack. supper easy, quick and addictive to make.

The yarn I'm using is the Stitch Nation yarn by Debbie Stoller, It is manufactured by Red Heart and available at Michael's and Joann's.  At $4.99 a skein its a great buy for the quality. I picked up two skeins of the Bamboo Ewe, a blend of bamboo and wool fibers. It is super soft and silky feeling. The color selection is fabulous, I picked out a wonderful turquoise blue and a soft robins egg blue. I have a sneaking suspicion that these might just end up as a blanket for someone special.

Sweaters in Summer

This year I'm forcing myself to try knitting new things I've never made before. I've just embarked upon my most ambitious project so far... a sweater.

I do have to admit that I'm not doing it all by my lonesome. I've signed up for the sweater club though The Sweatshop of Love. Allyson runs classes out of New wave Cafe in Logan Square, a short hop and skip away from my house. Her classes are so fun, approachable and reasonably priced. She has been really helpful and accommodating!

This is the pattern I've chosen




It is The Dollar and a Half Cardigan, designed by Véronik Avery, published in the spring 2007 issue of Interweave.

I really love the contrast of the reverse stockinette stitch and lace pattern. I also love the bold statement of the cable on just one side. It gives it an appealing asymmetry.

I've chosen a nice cotton linen blend from Knit picks. In creme brulee. Its a beautiful soft buttery yellow. Definitely something that will see a lot of wear.

Its coming along well so far. Just lots of repeating patterns. Five more inches and I'll be starting my arm hole decreases.

Here's a picture from a few days ago.






I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of work done during the Blackhawks game this evening.

Socks!

LOOK!!!

We have socks! An adorable sassy orange. Just in time for summer time in Chicago..... I figure that I'll just knit everything off season, sweaters and socks in the summer. Light clothing in the winter. Or maybe I should just knit year round regardless of the season- I think that might be a plan easier to stick to.

These socks were fairly easy to knit up. I also switched between socks as I was learning different sections so I knit them almost at the same time, which kept me from the dreaded second slump. It always seems easier to make the first of something than the second. I've definitely got the sock bug, I've got a skein of self striping yarn waiting for me in my yarn basket already and I'm about half way through into a pair for my husband.

I'm so excited to start experimenting with different types of sock yarn. I also have a sneaking suspicion that some of these soon to come socks will end up on the Christmas list this year.

its never too early to start planning ahead!