Chunky Cowl

Aaaand another project! It's a chunky cowl from iKnits. Originally, I was going to use the Tweed yarn for this cowl, but I decided against it and used the Loops & Threads Zoomba yarn. I love this yarn! It's super soft and chunky. I did buy 5 skeins of it, but the pattern technically calls for 6, so we'll see how it turns out. The pattern calls to use 3 threads at once as if you're using 1 really chunky yarn.

So far it's turning out pretty well, but it's a little bit stiff. I'm a bit worried about how the end result will turn out, but I'll keep you guys updated and see how it turns out after washing it.

Quick Beanie

One of my favourite Youtubers posted a Men's Beanie video and it was such a coincidence because it was exactly the type of hat I was looking for! I just happened to have the right yarn for it, so naturally I got to work right away. Admittedly, I'm not loving this yarn because it felts very easily and is a bother to work with, but it's coming along so no regrets.

The yarn I used is Bernat Roving yarn in the colour Charcoal (but don't quote me on that 'cause I could be wrong). I'm using the same circular needles from my Boye Needlemaster set as in the video.

I'm almost done and super excited! Pictures to come of the completed project!

Haul 002.

Yay another haul! I'm really bad with obsessions because then I spend all my money on them, but in this case it's worth it because I'm actually going to make something useful with it. So my green aluminum Boye needles ended up breaking (sorry, had no time to take a picture), and I luckily still had the receipt stashed in my mess. The problem with the Boye ones was that they are placed in the packaging very oddly so the cord becomes misshaped and the needles have quite a bend at the end to make them more 'circular', but it just made them worse. I purchased them at Michael's for around $11, and I was originally going to exchange them for a different pair but they didn't have any round needles in a size 17 US so I just returned them. The pair below is from Red Heart and I got them at Wal Mart for $6 and they're SO much better than the Boye ones. They're made of plastic so they're light, durable and they're straight so they're easy to work with.

These next needles are from Lion Brand and Michael's had the exact same ones but they cost $23 and I wasn't sure I wanted to spend that much on some plastic, so I decided to check out Ebay instead. Lo and behold, I found the same pair for $10. My lucky day! They came in the mail a week or two after and I love them! They're similar to the Red Heart ones above and they're very easy to work with.  These are a size 19 US on a 29" cord.

While at Wal Mart, I found a shelf full of sale yarn in the mirror section (what?) and I squealed with joy! But not literally because that'd be weird and I'd be eternally embarrassed for squealing over yarn. ANYWAYS, it was $3.77 a skein and they had lots of colours and selections! I ended up choosing the most yardage for the best price. They had some that were around 72 yards for the same price, whereas these ones are 360 yards. They had several different colours, but I really liked how the grey and blue look together. I think I might make a colour block scarf with these two. Also, this yarn, although acrylic, is SO soft! They're going to be so wonderful on the skin.

Aaand going back to Michael's (these items were bought at one time, I promise), I found these two yarns. It's funny 'cause I went to Michael's first and picked up the grey and then later when I was at Wal Mart looking at the Bernat yarn, I thought to myself "Hey, I don't have a grey yarn!" and then when I came home realization hit. Whoops. Oh well! I'll most likely use them for hats. My dad needs a hat and my brother does as well, so that's probably where they'll go.

Future Projects

I'm always looking for any shape and form of inspiration, generally causing me to dig deep, but sometimes the inspiration finds me. That's the one I love best. I was scrolling along on Tumblr, and I came upon these images, that left me drooling and wanting more. I have vowed to recreate these pieces, even though two of them seem nearly impossible, but it's a challenge and I like those.

The first is an H&M scarf that I'm absolutely in love with. It comes in many different colours, and even though they're only selling it for $14.95, it's not as satisfying as being able to say I made it myself. Plus, theirs has a seam, I'll be making mine on round needles. The only thing I have to do now is go into an H&M and secretly count on the stitches to get it just right. Oh, did I mention my yarn's on it's way? Pre-planning! And I bought several different colours so I could pass some on to friends and family.

The next two are my challenges. The first is a gorgeous cabeled cardigan with big buttons and lots of cozy comfort. I'm not at the stage where I'll be able to write my own pattern for it, so instead I'll browse around Ravelry and try to find a pattern for a similar cardigan. Fingers crossed!

This second sweater is my other challenge, and the other piece I'll be trying to find on Ravelry. I have similar sweaters to it, but nothing compares to something you've put your time and effort into.

And finally, this sweet little girl and her gorgeous beanie have captured my heart. And it looks like the hat's easy to make without a pattern! I'll be needing to do some Youtube watching on decreasing, but I think this hat's easily achievable with just a RS knit and WS purl. PLUS, it's the only piece I've seen that wholeheartedly accepts the curling and looks cute with it!

 

 

Disclaimer: None of these images are mine, all have been found on Tumblr.

Projects

Warm sun, cool breeze, I can't lie that it's a beautiful day, but today just can't compare to the cool autumn days when I can wear boots, beanies and scarves and sip on hot chocolates and lattes. Unfortunately, there's still another month to come; but that doesn't mean I can't plan ahead! So, here's my next project: a moss knit blanket!

The second I saw the pattern, I absolutely fell in love! And it just so happens that my grandma, whose retiring from knitting, decided to pass on a ton of yarn to me. If I had a choice, I wouldn't pick such a bright fuschia colour, and I probably wouldn't want to use a 100% acrylic yarn, but hey, it was passed on and I don't't want to waste it. I'll most likely use this blanket to cover up the dog on cold winter days, or to keep folded in the car as a lap blanket.

I'm about 30% done the project. It is a bit of a tedious pattern because you need to constantly keep track of what you're doing. The pattern calls to knit from the front and the back of each stitch during the first row, then knit 2, purl 2 for the second row, then knit from the front and the back of each stitch during the third row and purl 2, knit 2 for the fourth row. I need to write down which row I'll be doing next or else the pattern with be severely screwed up. I've used a long tail cast on onto size 10 US round needles. I'm using round needles for a flat project because they can fit the 130 stitches (which double during the first and third rows).

I hope to be done soon, but I can't make any promises. Updates are to come!

Haul 001

My very first knitting haul! Woohoo! This is a bit of a compiled haul because I got all of these items over a few week period.

The first item is a pair of blue blunt-ended yarn needles by Red Heart. They're made of a plastic, which I'm afraid won't be as good as a metal needle. I have yet to try them out but I'll be sure to review them when I do.

The next thing I purchased I'm actually really excited about! It's a grey cabling needle! Cable knit is one of my most favourite things in the world and I can't wait to use them on a future project I'm planning! They are from Red Heart as well.

I've wanted the Boye Needlemaster Interchangeable Set for the longest time and I am SO happy I finally ordered it! I found it on Ebay for $30 which was such a steal because I saw the set at Michael's for $90. $60 savings means more yarn! I'm expecting a lot of use from this set considering I can make pretty much anything with it. Also, it is a set of circular needles, but they can be used as straight needles as well. You get a set of 13 needles ranging from size US 2 to US 15, 4 cables and a few accessories all packed neatly into a pretty brown leatherette (?) travel case.

I also purchase a pair of Anodized Aluminun circular needles from Boye, size US 17, cord 29". I needed these for another future project coming up very soon. They cost me around $11, I think, and I purchased them at Michael's.

While at Michael's, I also found the big sale bin full of yarn! After a good amount of digging, I finally came up with a few skeins. The first is 5 skeins of bright blue acrylic chunky yarn, each 114 yards. I bought these for a scarf I'm planning on making, but the pattern didn't state how many yards was in each skein of yarn the original scarf was made in, just that 5 skeins was used.

Next I came up with 2 skeins of sparkly wine red yarn! I'll be using these for a hat I'm hoping to make before autumn chills set in! I was honestly pretty hesitant about getting this yarn because of the sparkles and colour, but I decided 'what the heck' and got it anyways. The sale bin claimed each skein was $2.99 but when I went to check out, it turns out each was $1.99! Super save! I just regret not going back and picking up a few more skeins.

This picture and the one underneath are not true to colour.

The following yarn I purchased on Etsy from El Coyote Ranch. I found it while browsing around. It cost me $10 from $20. The colour I purchased was Rusty Gray (WHICH I LOVE) and it is 60% wool and 40% mohair, approximately 180 yards. I'm a little hesitant with this yarn because it's much rougher than I expected it to be, so I'm not sure what to make with it. I'm considering doing a hat because I'm afraid it might be too scratchy as a scarf. I'll have to use a lot of white vinegar and fabric softener with it.

Next, I got 2 skeins of the same yarn in different colours. The first colour is a charcoal, the second a natural camel-y colour. They are 80% acrylic and 20% yarn, both very soft. I'll probably make a hat out of the first and a scarf out of the second. They cost me around $5 each.

And finally, I stopped by Romni Wools in Toronto. After browsing the very-packed racks of various wool, an associate there told me about the sale section in the basement and I jumped at the chance. The basement was just as packed as the upstairs! I finally decided on 6 skeins of Rubens Tweed, which is 65% virgin wool, 14% polyacryl, 12% polyester and 9% cotton. I really like the colour and for $6.50 a skein, I just had to have them!