Finished Gifts

Yesterday I finished My So Called Scarf for my MIL's birthday which is next week. I need to send it priority this week so it will get there on time.



I also finished Hedgerow Socks for my mom which I gave to her today for her birthday.



I had her try on her Wickedly Foolish cardigan and I'm really bummed because it isn't wide enough. It is okay at the bust but I need to add about 4 more inches around the stomach and lengthen it by another 4 inches. So I'm going to have to rip out a ton of rows. I have no idea if I'll get it done for Xmas now.

I just can't face the ripping and reknitting right now. So I startd the Hoodie Scarf to take my mind off it. I'm using Cascade 220 in Maroon. I wanted a smallish project that I can carry with me and knit at knitting group.

Hoodie Appeal Mystery Solved

I have often wondered what the appeal of a garment with a hoodie was. Especially as an extension to a sweater. I'm not big into collars so the idea of a hoodie seemed extreme. Plus don't they mess up your hair?!?

Of course, that was coming from the mentality of someone living in a hot climate with very mild and dry winters.

Now that I'm in Seattle, I can see where a really good hoodie could come in handy. So I've been eyeing several sweater patterns:
Mariah - a zippered cardigan hoodie
Very Cropped Hoodie - which would be great for layering
Central Park Hoodie - this one isn't free and I don't think I have the Knitscene issue anymore

I'm also considering a Hoodie Scarf

Know of any other good hoodie patterns?

But while I decide, I think I'll make a headband so I can tame my hair some in the wind and keep my ears warm in the process. I think I'm going to use the Louet Gem yarn I bought the other day. I was going to use it to make some more wrist warmers but I think I need something for my head NOW. My hands can go in my pockets!

Baby Alpaca Bejeweled Scarf and Knitting Carrier

Yet another Bejeweled scarf. This is the third one. It is such an easy knit once you get the stitch pattern done.

This one is done with Misti Alpaca Sport, color MC-1026 Fiesta. I purchased the yarn at Knit and Pearl in Santa Barbara. It only took 2 skeins so I have an extra one left. I'm thinking I'll make a hat or wrist warmers with it.

The Misti Alpaca yarn feels heavenly. It is so soft. It was a joy to knit with. I'd love a sweater made from it but at $7.25 a ball for 146 yards it would cost much more then I'd like to spend.

But that is the great thing about scarves. You can use expensive yarn but not to many ball so you don't spend as much!


Look what Susan from the Marble Falls Knitting Group gave me! It is a wonderful knitting tote with lots of pockets and spaces for yarn and accessories.

There is even a pocket for your cell phone!
I can't wait to use it to take my projects to knitting groups in Seattle. It also fits in a large zipper bag I have with a flat bottom so I can shut it closed and not worry about stuff falling out when I'm in transit.
Tomorrow is the big day! We leave for Seattle. I start work on Monday. We are going to try to find a place to live before Amy leaves next Wednesday but if we don't it will be up to me while she gets everything ready for the move.

Now I've got to go and do last minute packing!

Bejeweled Scarf

I started this scarf late last year and must have got distracted by some other project because I recently found it unfinished at the bottom of my knitting bag.

The pattern is by Lisa Shobhana Mason, author of YarnPlay, and is called Bejeweled. She wore the scarf in a picture in the book but the pattern wasn't in the book. So she made it available on her website. At the time she was trying to raise money for medical bills for her dog.
I took a sweater class from Lisa right after I learned to knit. I was in over my head having only made scarfs and hats up until then. But Lisa patiently helped me to pick out a pattern and yarn even though I was freaking out a bit by all the choices.

The sweater actually turned out pretty good if not a little big. It is a great sweater to wear around the house. And now that I'm on my way to Seattle, I'll be able to wear it more often.


Anyway, the Bejeweled scarf is an easy knit. For the green one I only increased to 24 stitches because I didn't have enough yarn to make it wider and have it long enough. The pink one has 32 stitches like in the pattern.

I'm taking the pink one on the plane with me today on my trip out to California to meet my new boss and go for some training. I'm using Baby Bee Little Britches in Breebug/#4112. I like how it has flecks of purple, yellow, and pink in it. It is a soft yarn.

The green one is from a mystery yarn from my stash so I don't know what it is. But I think it is Cascade 220. It is rougher then the Baby Bee but I think it will be okay after a couple of washes.

Pattern: Bejeweled by Lisa Shobhana Mason
Needles: Denise Size 8
Gauge: 16 sts/4 inches (green), 15 sts/4 inches (pink)