Knitting with Math

I kept thinking of ratios and math as I shrink different knitted objects in the washing machine. Some shrink about a third of their size and other shrink even more. The little boy above shrank about a third.

The sheep above started live as knitpicks wool of the andes yarn and came out about 11 inches tall. Very cute but lose and lots of stitch definition. A really nice yarn to knit with.

Three loads of wash later and 'snickerdoodle' the sheep is now only 7 inches tall and extremely cute and playable. Snickerdoodle in the color of the yarn but is such a cute name for a member of my toy flock. This is my favorite fibertrends pattern. I've knitted usually in lambs pride bulky or other feltable leftovers in the attic but never in a worsted weight. I love the finished size it came out. I checked on their website and they have knit it in blues and purples and I actually liked the other hued sheep. I'll have to go outside of my comfort zone and knit some more additions to the flock.

This is my needlepoint canvas I'm working on. Right now I'm working on the sky background. I like to do needlepoint in order because in this project you build layer after layer. This project also has a deadline of the first of August. I'll have to do less knitting in the next few weeks and more stitching. Notice I said 'less knitting' not none at all. I can't keep those needles out of my bag. So many fun projects to work on. I finished a large triangle shawl this morning and have to block it today. I'm looking around my craft area for a flat, cat-free space to lay it out. Another project in the finished pile.

Just knitting along

I worked last nite and today on the monkeys lab coat. I ripped back the first collar four times before I understood the pattern directions. I looked at the picture, the directions, the knitting and tried again and again until I got it right. Now the labcoat needs three pocket and two sleeves and the monkey needs two ears and a tail. I got the saftey eyes to install but and waiting until the ears are done first to get the right head shape.

Mr Foster Progress

As you can see, Mr Foster now has a head. I've left it on stitch holders until I pick out some 'safety eyes' for him. His mouth is knit just like a socks heel.

Here he is posing with his lab coat. I've been knitting it on size 0 needles. I tried the square cable needles but switched after a few inches to my knitpicks wooden harmony cable needles. The square needles worked great but the join between the needle and cable was extremely flexible and kept folding over and poking the end back through the stitches. I spent more time fussing with getting the active stitches ready on the left needle. The knitpicks cable is stiffer around the join and the stitches glide right over the join ready for knitting up. The squares vs round didn't give me a different gauge at all. I'd like to try the squares maybe just in a dpn or straight set and see how it went.

I wanted to try some more of my 'webs' yarn and picked out the kuku doll to knit. He knit up really fast, about 4 hours total. All he needs is some strategically placed holding threads through his body part and he'll be ready for shrinking in the washing machine. I think a sheep is next for some speedy knitting.

Sunday knitting

I had a relaxing Sunday, listening to books, watching tv and knitting away on Mr Foster the monkey. His body is done up to the neck and it's on to the head shaping. This has been a very different pattern for me to knit. It's constructed all in one piece and filled as you knit along. The arms are attached and the shoulders knit just like you are decreasing for a raglan sweater. The head is made like heels of socks. It's moving fast because I'm enjoying the challenge and seeing him take form. As you can see he's a large monkey, 12 inches tall so far. His outfits look interesting too. For his lab coat I purchased a square cable needle and am going to see how these new needles work for me. I'll let you know.

A whole lot of knitting going on

The alpaca made it through the wash and got stuffed and brushed an is looking extremely cute and fun to play with. I think it needs some eyes and a ribbon around it's neck and it will be complete.

It's a Turtle Police Department uniform and hat for Sheldon the amazing changing turtle.

His uniform comes complete with a belt and shield so he can protect the community in the pond.

I needle felted eyes onto the kuku doll and he looks a little bit better than with no face at all. I need to work on my needlefelting skills a bit though.

It's one sock down on the metallic 'bling' yarn. It came out very nice and isn't at all scratchy. The ribbing makes it form fitting. A short cuff but they can't all be knee-highs.

Mr. Foster is getting started with two arms and a toe. I'm knitting this on size 0 needles and it is coming out very even, smooth and even I would say beautiful. This knitpicks kit uses their 'stroll' yarn, a superwash merino and nylon blend. Lot's of knitting to do in this project. My son doesn't like 'sock monkeys' but agreed with me that this project would be challenging and give me a lot of knitting pleasure time.

The craftiest cat in town

I was setting up for my photos and Sailor, the crafty cat helper decided that I should take photos of him first. He get cute and cuddly looking and you can't resist giving him just the scratch and pets that he asks for. I think he is psychic or else he has me well trained.

I cast on using my new metallic yarn for a pair of socks with some bling. I'm using the pattern "simplicity" from the book the eclectic sole. It's going along nicely and I'm liking the yarn. Not much stretch in the yarn so it's all in the ribbing for fit. Everyone who sees it likes the glittery shiny effect.

Yesterday I cast on and knitted an alpaca. Yes it's ready to get shrunk. An easy fibertrends pattern that worked up quickly. The yarn is organic wool, very soft and hopefully very feltable.

Yesterday I finished my sfs socks. They are ready for the wash too but won't felt down like the alpaca. Tomorrow is laundry day so they will be off to a soldier in need of warm feet by the end of the week. There's a lot of knitting in these socks. I'll be mailing off for more 'regulation' yarn so there will definitely be more socks in the making.

Confessions of an addicted knitter

I went to Webs today. If you don't know it you are missing out on America's largest yarn store. Check it out at yarn.com. I had prepared myself with a few patterns to buy the yarn for. We got to the store and my sister asked if I needed a basket and I agreed and got one. An hour later I found the shopping carts and transfered the basket into the cart. The basket was overflowing. In all I purchased yarn to make:

1 alpaca
3 sheep
5 dolls
1 zippered vest
1 pair glittery socks
1 pair two color socks
1 smoke ring
1 pair mittens
1 triangular shawl

That's 15 projects.

In my closet are the following:

1 prayer shawl, on the needles
1 baby blanket, on the needles
1 triangular shawl, also on the needles
Sheldon the turtles police officer outfit, on the needles
1 bag of bunny parts waiting for assembly
1 bag of bride and groom parts also waiting for assembly
The kit for Mr Foster, the knitted monkey and all his outfits
The kit for the amigarumi gang from knitpicks
The second market bags yarn
dishcloths from the second Mason-Dixon book
Different yarns for additional sheep
animal book and yarn to make a dog, duck, and mouse

That's just the knitting projects I have to work on, and don't forget my sfs socks that are almost finished. That's a lot of knitting but I'm going to love knitting and finishing up everthing. I'm admitting it, I'm addicted to knitting and crafting, but I wouldn't have it any other way.