Jaywalkers

Pattern: Jaywalkers by Grumperina. Pattern found in Magknits.

Yarn: Sockatta by Plymouth Yarns (45% cotton, 40% superwash wool, 15% nylon; 414 yds/100 g) color #5; 1 skein

Gauge: 8 sts = 1 inch

Needles: US 1/2.25 double points

Info: This pattern is a wonderful pattern, easy to memorize. I modified the pattern a bit to work it from the toe up. I used the figure eight toe cast on for these, but I think the next pair of socks I make I will go back to the short row toe, it just seems to feel more comfortable on my foot. Also, I am not convinced about the yarn, I don't know if it is because I knit it just a bit tighter than suggested or if it is the yarn itself. I think I'll know after a little more wear.

Ankle Socks

Pattern: Basic toe up sock.

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll Sport Jacquard (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic) 50 g, 150 m, color 120; 2 skeins

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double points

gauge: 8.5 sts & 12.25 rows = 1 inch

Info: I literally cranked these out. They started out as my travel project, then were my only project as I needed to get them done. When my only project, I actually finished one of the socks in four days. Fifteen days after the initial cast on, they were done. This was the first time that I have used the figure eight cast on for toe ups. Initially it was awkward and hard, but I think that this is my new way to go. I also used the decrease bind off method for the first time as well. It is so much more flexible than the way I usually bind off.

Wire Menorah/Votive Sleeves

Pattern: Wire Menorah/Votive Sleeves by Annie Modesitt in Handknit Holidays

Materials: 28 gauge wire, approximately 200-300 size 6 beads per votive sleeve

Needles: US 8/5mm

Info: These were a relatively quick knit. I was able to finish one votive in less than two hours including the time it took to string the beads. I made sixteen of the votive sleeves. I like them so much that I am going to keep a few around the house. The others are going to be gifts for my son's teachers.

Uncle's Socks

Pattern: Basic Short Row Toe Up Socks

Yarn: Lang Yarns, JaWoll Jacquard Superwash (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45 g/190 m, +5g reinforcement) 2 skeins, color 154

Needles: US 0/2mm double points

Guage: 20 sts & 28 rows = 2 inches in stockinette working in the round

Info: These were my take along project. I worked on them in the car, while in line, etc., so I only got to work on them for about ten minutes or less at a time. As a result, it took me almost three months to complete them. I chose this color because they are going to be a gift for my uncle and I thought that these were pretty masculine colors.

Icarus Shawl

Pattern: Icarus Shawl by Miriam Felton found in Interweave Knits, Summer 2006

Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Two Douceur et Soie (70% Baby Mohair, 30% Silk; 25 grams/225 yards) 4 skeins, color 8644

Needles: US 2/3mm

Info: Even though I used a different yarn and dropped down a needle size, the finished product measures about the same as intended from the pattern. It took me a while to get into the groove of knitting this, but once I did, it really seemed to fly. The only thing left for me to figure out is where am I going to wear this to and with what.

Starsky

Pattern: Starsky by Jordana Paige from Knitty

Size: Medium

Yarn: KnitPicks Sierra [70% wool, 30% superfine alpaca; 110 yds/100m per 100g skein]; color: Mist; 11 skeins

Needles: US 10/6mm

Gauge: 16 sts & 18 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Info: Though this was not my first attempt at cables, it was my first attempt at a complex cable pattern. I followed the pattern exactly for my size. The only problem that I had was seaming the arms to the body of the sweater. At the top of the shoulder, it kept "buckling" as a result I had to redo the setting in of the sleeve several times. Other than that, this is a definite do over.

Grandma's Socks

Pattern: Basic Toe Up Sock with 2 x 2 ribbing on the leg

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM (100% Merino Wool; 50 g, 175 yds/160 m)

Needles: US 3/3mm double points

Info: These are going to be a gift for my grandmother. While I was knitting the leg, I forgot to add calf shaping, but soon realized that my grandmother has rather small calves. Even though the top of the leg is a little binding on my leg, it will be perfect for her.

Hedera

Pattern: Hedera from Spring 2006 Knitty

Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Collection Baby Cashmere (60% baby alpaca, 30% merino wool, 10% cashmere) 2 skeins + a bit more of a 3rd, color 1960

Needles: US3/3.25mm double points

Info: I made these from the toe up. It took a while for me to get into the groove of the pattern, but once I did, they flew by. I did goof on one of the socks though. I didn't knit into the right portion of the stitch after the yarn overs. The second sock looks perfect though. Or at least as perfect as I could make it.

Not the Mata Hari's

Pattern: Found Here

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll superwash (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45g/190m +5g reinforcement yarn) 2 skeins color #10

Needles: US 0/2mm double points

Gauge: 20 sts & 14 rows = 2 inches in stockinette working in the round

Info: These were knit from the toe up. The pattern is a 30 st repeat and I had 80 sts. For the top of the foot I worked the chart once and then when after I turned the heel, I worked the pattern twice and added ribbing between the pattern repeats. Initially I thought that I was knitting the pair of socks that were shown along with this chart (shows you my attention to detail). They took a while for me to finish and that is because this was the first time I used US 0's. I do have to say they are soooooo comfy though.

Toe Socks

Pattern: My Own

Yarn: Cascade Fixation (98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic) 1 skein #3077 pink lemonade & 1 skein #2406 lavender

Needles: US 4/3.5 mm double pointed needles (set of 5)

Info: These toe socks were made from the toe up and used short rows for the heel. Ideally I wanted to make the socks a lot longer, but I ran out of the pink. The next pair I make will be a lot longer.

Click here for the free pattern.

Wash Clothes

Patterns: From bottom to top:

• Chinese Waves by Margaret Radcliffe. Pattern found at the Dishcloth Boutique.
• Broken Rib
• Diagonal Lines
• Basket Weave
• Horseshoe Pattern by Linda Smith. Pattern found at the Dishcloth Boutique.
• Triangles/Pyramids
• Little Checkers
• Basket Weave

Size: Approximately 8" - 10" square

Yarn: Peaches & Cream 1 ball for each wash cloth. From bottom to top:

• Chinese Waves: I dyed this one myselfBroken Rib: Pink Lilacs #159
• Diagonal Lines: Faded Denim #181
• Basket Weave: Lemon Lime #186
• Horseshoe: Winterberry #170
• Triangles/Pyramids: Daisy Ombre #165
• Little Checkers: Peppermint #191
• Basket Weave: Sea Mist #201
  
  Needles: US 7/4.5mm
  
  Info: This is a great quick and easy project that gives you some instant gratification. Each cloth knitted up in a matter of hours. These are a great way to try out new stitch patterns without the commitment of larger projects.

Chinese Waves.

The left is the right side of the cloth, the right is the wrong side. They both look good to me.

Triangles/Pyramids

Horseshoe Pattern

Little Checkers

Diagonal Lines

Shrug

Pattern: I based this on the Mia Shrug. Stitch pattern is the Quill Eyelet from Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge

Yarn: Lana Grossa Bingo (100% Virgin Wool, 50g, 80m) color #87, 3 skeins

Size: Small

Needles: US 9/5.5 mm

gauge: 16 sts & 20 rows = 4"

Info: I used the basic template from the Mia Shrug and adapted them for the stitch pattern I chose and added 3x3 ribbing at the bottom of the arms. This turned out to be a very quick knit.

Photos by Michelle. Modeled by Danielle (Michelle's Sister)

Pomatomus

Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A. for Knitty.

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll Sport Superwash (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45g/135m +5g of reinforcement) color 53, 2 skeins but you would definitely need more as I fudged it a lot.

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double pointed needles set of 5.

Info: I adjusted the pattern to only one repeat over the ankle/leg portion of the sock because I was afraid of running out of yarn. I did run out of yarn and I ended up using the reinforcement yarn that came with the skein. But that was only for the toe portion of one of the socks. I wear a US size 9 (10 running shoes) so if you have a smaller foot you might get away with it.

This was the first time I used the Twisted German Cast On for these socks. The best cast on that I have tried for socks so far.

It took a while for me to get into the groove of the pattern, but once I did it was pretty smooth sailing and needed to look at the actual chart very little.

Top Down Ruffled Edge Sweater

Pattern: My own, thought I used Barbara Walkers book Knitting from the Top as a guide, and Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge for the ruffles.

Size: children's 18-24 months

Yarn: Sirdar Country Style Double Knitting (45% Acrylic, 40% Nylon, 15% Wool; 100g/348yds) 1 skein, color 512.

Needles: US 5/3.75mm circulars.

Info: This is the first sweater that I made from the top down. I enjoyed the technique as there was minimal finishing involved. I made the sleeves at the same time on two circular needles, something that I am not particularly fond of, but may possibly do again in the future if need be. I also tried the magic loop method for the ruffled edges of the sleeve. That is something that I would not mind doing again. Though double points are still my first choice.

Later 'Gator & Duck Mitts

Pattern: Later 'Gator Mitts by Laura Grutzeck from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. Duck mitts were a variation of this. Gators are child's size 2-6; Ducks are child's size 8-12.

Yarn: Various Worsted Weights (scraps that I had from previous projects)

Needles: US 5/3.75mm & US7/4.5mm double pointed needles

Other Materials: 2 pairs of wiggly eyes for each set of mitts. Glue Gun

Info: A great stashbusting project and a quick knit. I finished the gator mitts in about three hours and the duck mitts in about four. The pattern called for sew on wiggly eyes, but I couldn't find any, so I used a glue gun to attach the eyes. I would not recommend this for young children. If you want to forgo the glued on eyes you could also just embroider the eyes on.

Broken Rib Ankle Socks

Pattern: I used Wendy's toe up template for the how to and I incorporated a broken rib pattern for the socks.

Yarn: Cascade Fixation (98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic; 50g; 186yds) 1 skein + a smidge more (for about 3")

Needles: US 4/3.5mm double point needles

Info: I really enjoyed knitting the socks from the toe up. Whenever possible, I will probably use this method.

Odessa

Pattern: Odessa by Grumperina for MagKnits

Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK (57% extra fine merino, 33% microfibre, 10% cashmere, 142 yd / 130m per 50g ball)

Needles: US 4/3.5 mm circular needle, US 6/4 mm circular needle, US 6/4 mm double-pointed needles

Other Materials: Size 6 beads (about 120)

Info: I decided to make this hat for two reasons. The first was that I had some of the Rowan Cashsoft left from another project. The second was because I wanted to give knitting with beads a try. This was an easy project and it knit up in no time at all. I think it only took about 4 - 6 hours total. I still have some more Cashsoft left and am considering making another one. I have also received a lot of compliments everytime I wear this.

Groovy Purse

Pattern: My Own

Yarn: Groovy (nylon cording)

Needles: US 10/6mm circulars

Other materials: 1 set of circular pursce handles in black

Info: I originally purchased this yarn for something else, but after I was messing around with various stitch patterns, it was begging me to become a purse. It is a pretty quick knit and I actually like how the color pools.

Here is a close up of the stitch pattern:

Rib & Cable Socks

Pattern: Rib and Cable Socks by Nancy Bush from the Fall '05 Interweave Knits

Yarn: Silja (80% superwash wool, 20% nylon), 2 skeins

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double points

Info: I followed the pattern exactly. Though the yarn called for 3-3.5mm, I did not like the way the yarn was so loose and airy with the larger needles. The needles I used made a much more dense fabric, though not as stretchy as I initially thought that it would be. If I were to use this yarn again I would use US 2/2.75mm. I didn't have any and I got the correct gauge using the US 1/2.25mm. I have to say that I did enjoy making these.