Knitting Projects in my Queue - Conversationalist, Lambing Mitts, Outlander Mitts and Miss Marple Scarf

After I finish my uncle's Mariner's Scarf I'm gonna indulge in some selfish knitting :)

I'm dying to make this hat!! Not sure why.  Its not a particularly challenging pattern.  I think its the pompom ;)

Its the Conversationalist from Plucky Knitter and its a totally free pattern!

After the hat, I wanna try some mitts again.  I'm thinking about doing these Lambing Mitts.  They are another totally free pattern from Veronika Jobe.  I think they are supposed to be for a dude but I don't care lol.  I heard about them on episode 113 of the Doubleknit Podcast.  Yes, I'm listening to knitting podcasts now!

I really wanna try the Lambing Mitts but I still yearn to knit something from Outlander.  There are a bunch of mitts on that show but I think Claire's are my favorite.  Maybe I can knit both lol.  This is the Cabled Armwarmers pattern by Elaise Piper.  Its totes free :)

This pattern seems kind of frivolous and quaint and might look terrible on me but I still wanna try it.  Its the Miss Marple Scarf.  I've wanted to make a self-closing scarf ever since I saw Dot wearing one on Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries! I love that show!  It looks snuggly and warm and might make me look like an old lady but whatev, granny chic is a thing, y'all.

Just saw this pattern on @cascadeyarns on Instagram.  Knitted Neck Scarf by Martha Stewart Design Team.  I might use this pattern.  Not sure yet but isn't it pretty <3

Also, in the back of my brain I'm thinking about trying my hand at socks.  I'm not sure what pattern to use yet.  I want to make a pair for my bro.  He doesn't like hats or scarves or mitts so I gotta step up my game!  And I've been itching to try them for awhile so they might move up in the queue if I find a super amazing pattern or yarn that I have to try. Both Yarniacs and Doubleknit podcasts have mentioned the Rose City Rollers pattern so I might give that a try.  Not totally dude appropriate but maybe I can butch them up with a manly color and make them taller :)

So much to knit!  Can't wait to try them!

FP'S - Maine Morning Mitts, Llewyn Davis Scarf and Mariner's Scarf

First off, I'm working on a pair of Maine Morning Mitts!  I finished the first one Monday and I'm in love!  They are a fun project and a little out of my comfort zone but not too challenging.  I learned Magic Loop and M1L and M1R and the phrase "pick up and knit".  Thank goodness for Youtube tutorials.  I have to see a stitch done before I can do it and videos really help!

I changed the pattern a little bit.  I used Cascade Superwash 220 which is a finer gauge yarn then the pattern suggests.  Its a 3 stitch repeat so I CO 54 stitches and used a size 6 needle.  They are wearable but I wish they were a little looser.  I think if I use this pattern and yarn combo again I will use a 7 needle instead.  I was attempting to copy the $50 Jamie from Outlander gauntlets that I saw on Etsy!  I think they work :)

I was so worried about the unevenness at the top where I bound off.  I posted this pic on Facebook and Instagram and several knitters commented that its totally normal.  Apparently, knitting in the round is actually knitting in a spiral and there are tutorials for creating a neater BO.  Whew!  That's good.  I was all ready to rip it out and start over.  So sure I'd messed up somewhere.

My Mom's scarf turned out great!! I was trying to copy the scarf Oscar Isaac wears on Inside Llewyn Davis.

Its not an exact replica so I'll have to call it inspired by Inside Llewyn Davis lol.  I used the pattern in the neck ribbing section of this Seaman's Scarf pattern as a starting point and then began making samples, playing with the number of stitches cast on to get the width I wanted.  Its just a basic 2X2 rib but I wanted to make sure that it had a nice edge so I really liked the added detail of slipping the first stitch.  So, this is the pattern I came up with.  I used the pic below and counted the number of ribs.  I got 12.  Then I multiplied 12 by 4 to get 48 then I added 2 because the first stitch of every row is slipped.  It isn't perfect and I wish someone on the internets would find out the REAL patten for the Llewyn Davis Scarf so I can make an exact copy but for now this will have to do.

Inside Llewyn Davis Inspired Scarf

Size 6 needles

Medium weight alpaca/wool blend

CO 50

Pattern:

Row 1: Slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, *P2, K2; rep from* ending K1

Repeat row 1 until you get desired length.  Bind off in pattern.

I also finished a really cool scarf for my coworker Mark!  Its the Mariner's Scarf Pattern from the Seamen's Church Institute.  It's a super fun pattern to knit and I started another one right away in red for my Uncle Brian! I used Cascade Superwash 220 and size 7 needles.  

Mark wears it often and while I was photographing it I noticed that its started pilling!  I'm super annoyed with this and hope that I can find a way to fix it soon.  Mark hypothesized that its getting fuzzy because its rubbing against his stubbly chin and neck.  I didn't even think about that being a problem with making stuff for dudes. Arg!!

Can't wait to get started on my new sewing and knitting ideas!  Post coming soon ;)

Obligatory Pokey shot.  He loves attention <3

Finished WIP's and New Stuff

Reagan's Grenade hat is finished! Just in time for the fair next week. I used the Christian's Hat pattern with a few adjustments.  I like it but I'm a little worried that the judges might notice a mistake I made in the pattern when I was reducing. No matter. It still works lol. And I'm definitely not going to rip it out to fix it or make it again!

Jim's Scarf is done! Its just a simple garter stitch but I really like the way it turned out. I CO 40 sts using size 6 needles and it measures about 8 inches wide by 84 inches long.

Also finished the Mistake Rib Scarf. It was alot of fun to make. And Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn in Kaleidoscope looks pretty. I cast off with a bigger needle then I knitted with like I usually do and it made the end fan a little bit. Guess I need to watch it when I make ribbed scarfs. 

New stuff!  

I started the Mariner's Scarf with I Love This Yarn in Grape Twist. This pattern is alot of fun to make. Not quite sure about this yarn with this pattern tho. Its a little too busy and makes it hard to notice the cool checkerboard pattern. I'm using size 8 needles and cast on 28 sts so it would measure 6 inches wide instead of 8 inches. 

I have three projects I will start soon but I still need to decide on the style, yarn and needle size. So these pics are examples of what I might make. 

Fingerless Mitts for my friend, Jim. I've wanted to try fingerless mitts ever since I watched the 90's version of Little Women LOL. 

I want to try and copy these. I saw them on Etsy for like $50. The seller said they were based on a pair that Jamie wore on Outlander.  I always noticed Claire's awesome knitted accessories but didn't even think to scrutinize Jamie's wardrobe. I'll definitely be looking closely when I finally watch season 2. 

A Llewyn Davis Scarf for my mom. I wanted to make this scarf ever since I saw the movie!  I can't find any patterns written online. I think it will be easy to copy tho. 

Finally, I want to try to make this style of scarf. My pattern calls it a Self-Closing Scarf. I saw Dot wearing one on Ms. Fisher's Murder Mysteries and couldn't wait to try it!

My sewing is kind of halted right now. I decided to alter the top I was working on and rip out the neckband and cut a smaller one and gather up the excess fabric. It looks so much better but I can't get excited about finishing it. Right now its in a pile on top of some junk. Maybe I can get motivated this week to finish it :)

No cute Pokey pic but I do have a derpy pic of my cat Ripley. Don't know how she could sleep like that lol. 

McCall's 5640 View C

Well, I reached part of my goal last week. 

I actually really love this fabric and style of top but look closer...

The neckhole is too wide for me. I really don't wanna show bra strap at the next outdoor concert. Although after the few events I've been to pretty sure no one would care lol. I really hated hand stitching the interfacing. No fun. And I'll probably have to rip it out to alter it. Yuck. Oh well. 

Hopefully I can fix this soon so I can feel comfortable wearing it out in public :)

Also, my Brother sewing machine started breaking threads again so I think it maybe kaput. But I was able to pull out Old Greenie. She's pretty but I'm already starting to miss backstitch and zig zag :(

Attended two awesome events last weekend. Watched John Fullbright at the Mryiad Gardens. 

And attended the last Summer Breeze Concert of the year in Norman and got to see Adam & Kizzie. They were great! And so cool. I was having so much fun that I forgot to take an action pic but here is the stage while we were waiting. Definitely an interesting crowd. I think I've  met my quotient of hipster dads with beards, full sleeve tattoos and hard parts in their hair for the year :)

Last weeks WIP's

I didn't get any sewing done last week :(. Instead I did alot of knitting and watching Hill Street Blues on Hulu. 

I spent most of my time on a new hat. My cousin Reagan requested a Christian's hat in army green. A few more rows and I'll be ready to reduce!



Reagan's Hat "The Grenade"

 

This scarf was supposed to be the Christian's Scarf pattern but I didn't like it. I wanted a pattern that was more supple and not so rigid. After trying a few different stitch patterns I settled on plain old garter stitch and I love it. This one will take awhile but that's fine. Also, I bought new Brittany birch needles for this project because the yarn kept catching on my Takumi bamboo needles. The birch needles are so much easier to use. Made a huge difference!

Garter Stitch Scarf

 

Last knitting project. I've been working on this Mistake Rib Scarf for awhile. Its an easy pattern for watching Netflix and trying not to think. I also love the colors of this yarn from Hobby Lobby. Its I Love This Yarn in Kaleidoscope. 

 

Mistake Rib Scarf

 

 

Last night, I cut out a new top and a pair of shorts. Its McCall's 5640 again but this time I'm making view C out of the yellow print and view E out of the black denim with embroidered skulls. They might be a little big but that's ok. I'm hoping to wear them to an event on Friday so I probably won't be doing much knitting this week! Hopefully I won't miss my deadline this time!

Working on View C and E this week! Fingers crossed!

 

Here's your Pokey pic for the week :)

Simplicity 1620, View B

View B this time!

 

 

I really like the print combo on this one. The dark pink print is fabric my mom gave me from her stash and the owl print is some sale stuff that I bought at Hancock's on impulse.  This is definitely veering very close to cutesy territory but I still like it!

 

I think the hem is a little short for me.  It hits me at about 4 inches below my waist and I like my shirt hems longer.  6 inches at least!

 

I was going to make it to wear to the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah on Saturday but I procrastinated and didn't finish it till Sunday.  So much for deadlines to motivate me to sew!

 

I still went anyway and wore a Coca-Cola T-shirt that I bought at Walmart lol.  Here's some pics as evidence that I really went and didn't chicken out!

 

Walking up to the stage through a soggy field carrying our camp chairs.

 

The performers were so good! Really glad I went.  The headliner, Okemah native John Fullbright, was amazing!!!!!!!!

 

The water tower changed colors throughout the concert.  Very trippy :)

 

 

 

 

 

Finally finished Christian's Hat!

I'm so glad this project is done! I had to start it three times before I got it right and I grew to hate it. But now that's its finished I'm so super happy with it!

 

 

Its the hardest thing I've done so far but since it turned out so nice I think all the hard work was worth it.  I spent so much time stressing over each row because I realized early on during my failed attempts that making mistakes in the pattern caused ugly problems later on.  My favorite part is the top.  So pretty :)

 

 

The pattern said to cast on 105 stitches but when I did that the hat was too small.  So, I changed the pattern and CO 135 stitches.  I didn't read ahead in the pattern and by just sheer luck that number of stitches worked out when I began reducing.  (I would've been in tears after all that work if it hadn't worked out lol) I had to get some coaching from my awesome knitting instructor Martha to finish it up.  Her notes are in red.

 

 

 

I can't decide if I will do the Christian's Scarf pattern or not.  That was my initial plan but after struggling with this hat for so long I'm not sure.  I have the yarn for it but I might decide on a different pattern.  If I don't like it I can always rip it out.  I got lots of practice with that on this project ;)

 

Enjoy this pic my coworkers dog Zippy.  I got to meet him when she invited me over to watch Astronaut Wives.  He was in this pose forever!  He worked so hard that I had to give him a little bit of chicken lol.