Zitron Trekking KAL Clue 2

Clue 2 released last Saturday, 1/8, I started one repeat on 1/9.

Knitting time over the last few days has been minimal, sometimes it seems like no matter how hard I try to get knitting time, something interrupts!

Clue 2 was pretty easy, basic edging eyelet lace columns, similar to Feather andFan, and then the inside columns are the Axis Cables, which are really the same as a cable but you actually cable the stitches that are hanging on the cable needle. 

I did mines without a cable needle, the less needles I can knit without the happier I am.  The first row doing the cables was the learning curve, just getting my method down doing the axis cable. 

I finished clue 2 earlier today, seemed like I was fighting just to get time to work on the socks.  Here they are all ready and waiting for clue 3!

The past of 2010 and the future of 2011

What's in a ryear?  I always have aspirations to knit this gorgeous sweater, hat, cowl, shawl, toy, you name it, same with crochet, same with spinning, same with everything.  But do we ever get to truly knit or create all that we covet?  Sadly, no, and if you say yes, than more power to you for being blessed with the time to get it all done, and not to mention the monetary affluence that implies as well!  

The love of knitting and the entire world that it comes with from the tools of the trade, to accessories, buttons, inserts, zippers, beads, needles, oh the needles!  Not to mention for those of us "yarn snobs" and yes, I'll openly say, "My name is Raquel and I'm a Yarn Snob!", I have no shame in this, well accept when I participate in groups where there aren't yarn snobs, then I feel like a pain in the a-hole for being such a picky.  Us yarn snobs know how to spend a pretty penny on yarn we lust after, and geez, there are so many gorgeous squishy yarns out there.   I'm really loving all the new yarn lines coming out, the drive to turn the love of fiber into a sustainable green friendly product without sacrificing the quality.  I've seen some pretty damn gorgeous yarns, extremely versatile and excellent to knit up and hold the stitch definition and pattern. 

Not to go off into a tangent, I look back on my year of fiber love and realize that I was all over the map with the types of projects I ventured into, but at the same time, I enjoyed and love that it allowed me to expand my knitting repertoire.  The one area that I didn't continue to harness and grow was in the area of designing.  Thus far I've produced 2 patterns, both some patterns, sort what I call seedlet patterns. 

Designing is really the one area I really want to progress in, so with that in mind, I anticipate this year will be extremely exciting, vigorous, and open to some great experiences. 

With that, I'll leave you with my past of 2010:

Quick recap of projects (not all pictured):

Toys or Cute Items:16

Scarves:3

Cowls:5

Shawls: 1

Cardis:2

Vests:1

Mini-socks:3

Gloves: 4

Bags: 2

Socks:2

Jewelry:1

Sewing projects: 2

Zitron Trekking KAL Clue 1

Clue 1 release 01/01/11 --
Started one toe, didn’t like the way the KFB increases were looking on the seam/edge of the sides of the toe. A little too loose looking for me, and I’m atight knitter. Frogged first toe, and started another new toe, this time I did the following:

For KFB increases, I didn’t increase in the 1st st, I increased in the 2nd st at the beginning of an increase row. At the end of the increase row, I increased in the 2nd to the last stitch. This vastly helped in filling any loose holes.

At the beginning of every row, I’ve knit through the back loop. I have a real pet peeve for “in the round” knitting and the holes that you can get, so I usually try to do what I can to eliminate any holes.

All done with 1st clue, will await next clue in another week 8)

Now I'm off to knit something else!

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a belated Christmas!

Hubby and I at my companies holiday party a couple weeks ago..,

Here's a couple of scarflets  I made as gifts for my Mother.

Pattern: Fresh Bite Scarflet

Yarn: Ultra Pima (2 skeins, 2 strands at once)

Pattern: Fresh Bite Scarflet

Yarn: Cash Vero (2 skeins)

Oooh, and some holiday cuties....

Pattern: Sno Buddy Family

Still have 3 family members left!

Lastly, I'll wish you all a very Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Striped Monster

I call this the Christmas Striped Monster, a skinny scarf knitted for my daughter.  She had asked for a thin stripey scarf in Christmas colors, Red and Green.  She preferred more toned down  & muted colors.  I ended up choosing Mirasol yarns, Kacha in the two shades.  Both muted.

Mirasol yarn is DK: 60% Merino, 25% Alpaca, 15% Silk.

This is a striped monster because the ends alone were alot to weave, I used 2 full skeins of Mirasol yarn in each color, equaling 200 yards.

The next obstacle is of course blocking.

I used a yard stick to keep it straight when pinning.  Since its stockinette, it will always naturally want to curl, but the blocking will help to keep it somewhat flat.  I might try a few other techniques, but it'll have to wait for this to finish drying.

Thought I'd share this monster with you before I get some rest.  Went to my job's annual Christmas party last night and I'm all tired.  Which makes the striped monster, even more of a monster considering my lazy state :)