Hats for Grandad

It's the first time my Dad has asked me to knit something for him.
The latest round of chemotherapy has made his hair fall out.
I have knitted two hats for me, one warm for outdoors and one cotton for indoors or when it gets warmer outside.
I used my little Miss T to model them. Of course they are to big for her, they are a perfect fit for my Dad.

The first one is knit with Belle Organic Aran by Amy Butler. It's a lovely merino, cotton mix. The stripes are done with Noro Silk Garden. I used the Turn a Square pattern. I knit the hat exactly like the pattern describes.
The second hat is knit with Debbie Bliss Ecobaby and I used the Seeds of Courage pattern as a base (ravelry link). The pattern is written for Aran yarn, I recalculated the pattern and cast on more stitches. I also increased the row count. I used a little over one ball of yarn.
My Dad seems to like this hat a lot and has been wearing it.

The First of 12in2011

I know I am slacking behind with blogging about my first project for 12in2011, I do have a very good reason.
The baby boy was born on 02.02.2011.
We went to see him yesterday, sadly he slept through our visit. But I am sure we will see a lot more of him in the future.

I took the photos of the blanket as soon as I finished it.
I did wash it afterward. It is now nice and clean ready for use.
I used up 9 1/2 balls of Baby cashmerino in Orange. The pattern is from the Debbie Bliss Ecobaby book. Both yarns knit to the same tension.
As usual the pattern is well written, easy to follow and the yarn is lovely to knit with.
I hope my friend Johanne and her baby will enjoy using this blanket.

Second of 12in2011

My lovely teenage daughter is finally home during daylight hours. Time to take some photos of her and her new top.
Getting her to put something on that would match the new handknit top was to much to ask.
I used up 9balls of Jaeger Matchmaker Merino Chunky.
The yarn has been discontinued. It's a lovely yarn in charcoal, the yarn has some odd flecks of white in it. The few flecks have popped up in strange places. Originally the pattern we looked at was the Ribbed Tank for the Debbie Bliss Glen book. But I had to recalculate the pattern to fit her tiny 30" bust. I also knit the lower part in the round.
She didn't want it all in rib. In the end, I wrote my own pattern. She wanted it boxy at the top, and she did not want a tight ribbed collar. The collar is still ribbed but a lot looser.
She seems happy with the result, but doesn't know what to wear with it? I don't know what's wrong with wearing it with jeans.
My other daughter has no such problems. She is happy with the short scarf I knit her with left over Cancan yarn.

Near the finish line

My adventure with the steek is nearly finished.
YEAH!
I am glad my Bernina sewing machine was not troubled with sewing knitwear.
I used a dark gray thread, it gave me enough contrast, yet stayed invisible.


The really scary part! Scissors!!
Two afternoon later, I have two sleeves and armholes on my jumper. It was a lot of sewing. First the sleeves, then the sleeve facing to cover up the cutting lines. It does make the armholes feel heavy. I am not sure how it's going to drape.
I have also sewn on the zip, it's the first time I used the sewing machine to sew a zip onto a handknit.
So far I have not sewn the collar on. It has been dark and gloomy here. I feel I need bright sunlight to sew the black collar on.
I also noticed I have not finished all the embroidery.
My Dad's hats are finished. Waiting for some sunshine to photograph. I went to a new knitting group and the ladies there were impressed with the hats.
At the moment I am low with an ear infection. It's very painful, do hope the medicine will start to work soon.

Oh no...

Last week I had my sewing machine out and I felt ready to tackle the steeks on my St.Moritz.
The knitting has been finished since, well I can't even remember.
The pieces have been resting in our living room. I would occasionally stumble over it. Sometimes I thought, oh my, it's actually gathering dust.
Well it was not only gathering dust but it also has had some very unwelcome guest.
The nightmares of all knitters or lovers of wool.
A hole in one of the sleeves.
I put all the pieces and the left over yarn in different freezer bags, I have left it all in the freezer for three day.
I think I am very lucky to have just one small hole. I was thinking of frogging the top and reknitting it.


I used some sewing skills and closed up the hole. No onto the hard part. I have found great instructions.
I will finish St. Moritz.
Meanwhile Miss T is very happy with her new socks.
If I knit her another pair, I will cast on less stitches and use the 'from the toe up method'.
Off to cut into my knit, wish me luck.

Child's work

Miss T and I had great fun making a yarn cake.
Or is that child labour?
For some very odd reason do the yarns wift and the yarn winder not fit on our dinning room table. Our table has a curved edge and I am unable to screw my things on properly.
The only other table in the house is a desk, but it's upstairs in Miss N room. I would have to clear all her junk off first.
Lucky I have two kitchen stools, they work perfect and are the right height for a toddler.
She loves helping.
The yarn is blue-faced Leicester 4ply.
I have had it a few years in my stash, I have declared it part of 12in2011. But each time I go and look at Finished Projects in 12in2011, I keep changing my mind about what to make with the yarn. A small shawl, fingerless gloves... I don't know.
But I do know what to knit with this yarn. I bought it from my LYS today, one ball of Amy Butler Belle Organic Aran and one ball of Noro Silk Garden. It's going to be hat for my Dad, he has started a second round of chemotherapy. It was hard to find nice soft yarn in a mans color. I did not want gray or black. He looks ashen enough. The blue should look nice on him, he has beautiful blue eyes.
We have booked to go and see him in February. Again I am busy making sure our Miss T will be warm enough. I had promised her back in November I would knit her a pair of socks. We went yarn shopping, in our slippers. She choose the pink yarn - what else. I am using the normal generic sock pattern. She will wear the sock over a pair of tights. I have finished two things for the teenager, but she is never home in time to take photos.
PS: I won, I actually can't stop laughing.