EWV 0306-2009, Beige Beret

I was a bit surprised at how much I loved EWV 0303-2009, Paprika Beret. It was the perfect project to use leftovers, but that wasn't the surprise; the surprise was my liking how it fit, how it actually turned out. And so, without further ado, I made another one, and it fits just as well:

Started: March 6, 2009
Finished: March 8, 2009

EWV 0227-2009, Green Sweater

When I finished EWV 0210-2009, I mentioned that I next wanted to work with Knit Picks' Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn. Since I haven't yet bitten the bullet and ordered the yarn from Knit Picks, I scavenged my stash and cast on another little green sweater.

I don't know who's gift it's going to be yet. And there's totally not enough stash to make something for myself. At least it keeps me knitting. I'm sure I'll come across a recipient later.

Progress as of March 3, 2009 - Front, back and one sleeve are done.

I decided to change the decrease method. The pattern calls for K2tog or P2tog at the end and/or beginning of the rows, with no regard for decrease slant. It only calls for K2tog on the right side, and P2tog on the wrong side. I replaced some of the K2tog's with SSK, and some of the P2tog's with P2togTbl for uniform decrease slants, and I did them 2sts away from the edge for better looking shaping. I also slipped the first stitch of every row purlwise. According to Kelley Petkun in Episode 85 of the KnitPicks Postcast, purlwise slips are easier to work with when seaming, so I thought I'd give a try. It worked like a charm!


Close up of the shaping





Started: February 27, 2009
Finihsed: March 6, 2009

And here's Vera's March photo shoot. She bare qualifies as a kitten anymore :)

EWV 0303-2009, Paprika Beret

I've never had or worn a beret, but I've been told that they are much better hats for curly haired folks. So I thought I'd give this slouchy beret a try.

Progress as f March 3, 2009 - Working on the ribbing

The pattern says to use a 24" circular, but I was a rebel and started out on DPN's instead. Once the pattern picked up and the stitches began to spread, I switch to ciruculars. While I like how it fits very much, I don't think it's a hat more suited for curly haired folks. It still messes up the curls like other hats. But I'll still wear it nonetheless; I just have to keep it on all day so as not to showcase a terrible bout of hat-head.



Started: March 3, 2009
Finished: March 6, 2009

EWV 0210-2009, Ankle Socks

I am very happy to have gotten around to making another pair of socks. It gave me the calm I needed after discovering that my Carnation Tee didn't fit me. By February 22nd, one sock was done:

And I immediately cast on the second:


On February 24th, during NCIS (which, by the way, I was thrilled to see that Lance Henriksen was guest starring) and President Obama's congressional address, I finished the second of the pair.


Started: February 10, 2009
Finished: February 24, 2009

I must say that I like the way this pattern finishes the toe. In all the other sock patterns that I've worked with, the toe is finished by grafting using kitchener stitch with live stitches. With this pattern, which I picked up as a free pattern from the yarn isle, you cast off the toe stitches and seam the edges together. I was very skeptical when I read that, but gave it a try anyway. It's a good thing I did because the toes of these socks turned out better than my grafted socks. I didn't have to worry about memorizing the kitchener stitch pattern and keeping my place. Also, if I messed up, I felt more comfortable ripping the seam than trying to tink and/or frog grafting mistakes. All in all, unless there is a very specific and valid reason to graft, I'll probably never graft toes again!

Check out that pretty toe!!



Next up, I'd really love to make some socks with Knit Picks' Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn, color "Paradise" (and/or "Aquarium). I've been meaning to try Knit Picks' yarn, but have yet to get any. Their prices seem affordable. I just wish their yarns were available retail because I absolutely hate shipping & handling charges!!