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…and then I made this hat.

It’s named “Ardelle”and here is the Ravelry Link to the pattern.  Non-Ravelry link here.  Very easy and fast knit. I of course ended up on the wrong side of the street a couple of times, and had to shrug and fudge, but that’s pretty much par for my course.  Only problem I found with bulky yarn is it S H O W S really well when you do that!

So, anyway here’s the specs.

Used my size 9 Denise needles, and made myself a little cable needle out of the short cord and size 8s.  (That is the one thing I absolutely love Denise needles for.  Cable needles and DPNs in a pinch!)

KnitPicks “Swish” Bulky.  I used about 3/4 of a hank for this hat.

The yarn sheds like a cat in the wash, but boy is it soft, and plump, and feels like it will be a nice cozy hat.  The pattern seems to make a hat stretchy enough for a medium size head to a big one, but is of course easily adapted either direction.

Tags: Hat, Yarn, knit hat, knitted cables by EllyMae
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See that tiny little ball of yarn?  Do you think it’s enough for another, oh, say three inches or so of sock?  Yeah, me neither. I could have sworn I had two skeins of this yarn. I made the socks small, since the pattern is for an “average” woman’s sock. My oldest granddaughter has a foot about that big, so I decided to just knit it as written and give them to her, but I can’t find the second skein. I do have another skein of pink sock yarn here though - so once again the kids will be getting something improvised!

Tags: knitted cables, sock knitting, socks by EllyMae
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They’re so nice to do ahead of time, and then have on hand for when you get the shower invitations.  Of course, even if you don’t have them done ahead of time, they’re quick and usually easy, so still “doable” for a last minute scramble.  I have two recent knits and one stash item for a shower I’m attending today.  They don’t match, but since they’re techincally in the accessory category, I’m hoping the baby will have something they do match, and if not - babies really don’t worry too much about such things.

The stash item is the February sweater from Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann.  Love that sweater.

The bibs are the quick knits added this week.  I think these bibs are just the neatest idea, I hope mom likes them. They should be practical as well as cute, because cotton is nice and absorbant, and if all else fails and mom needs a washcloth, just run it under some warm water and instant face and hands clean-up.

The pink bib is made with the same pattern as the red one, but I used a smaller gauge yarn, so I added two extra repeats in the seed stitch portion, and one extra stitch to each side of the cable - so instead of a CAB4 it’s a CAB6.  I also tapered the end into a leaf shape, which I think for a girl is a nice touch.  Maybe wouldn’t do it for a boy’s bib, although I’m not sure I’d make this bib for a boy.  I like my entrelac one for a boy.  I, again, used hook and loop for the closure instead of a button.

Tags: Elizabeth Zimmermann, Entrelac bib, February sweater, Knitter's Almanac, Life, dishcloth, knitted cables, knitting for babies, lazy kate by EllyMae
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Apparently, I’ve become enamored of cables now.  This sock in progress is called “Twinkleberry.”  Sounds kind of funny to me, but I didn’t chose the name.  The pattern is free from Knitzi.com.  Although, I (of course!) found it on Ravelry.

It’s a very simple pattern too, so lots of bang for your buck.  You get “pretty” without too much concentration!  I had the Regia silk sock yarn in the stash, so someone’s getting pink socks.  Not sure who just yet.

I am going to try the short-row heel that’s in the pattern, mostly because it seems like it’s explained so well it will work this time, however, if I have any trouble with it, I’ll be substituting my favorite heel flap/turn.  I know it looks more “store-bought” with the short row heels, but I actually like the old fashion way of building the heel on a sock, so either way I think will look fine with this sock.

And, if this foray into easy cables, and Coronet were not enough - next up (or perhaps along with this project since I have a baby shower to attend in a couple of weeks) will be the cutest baby bib - that has a cable along one side that also ends up being the “collar” part of the bib.  Here’s a Ravelry link to it.  Designer’s blog is here.

So, apparently I’m in to cables here these days.  Hadn’t planned it, but I’m enjoying the nice results I’m getting with “beginner” cables as well as lace.

Tags: Lace knitting, knitted cables, knitting for babies, sock knitting by EllyMae
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