Intarsia ... Smintarsia! Weasley Sweater Initial

I did it! It's not perfect but it's very good. I gave myself an A-. I accidentally carried the yarn across 4 sts on the back. Once. Also, I wrapped in reverse on the straight part of the D.

Here's what I did"

1. Downloaded and installed the "Lumos" font. You can find that on the web in many places and it's free. There is also Parseltongue and Harry Potter.

2. Opened up Word and typed a "D" in font 650. I printed it out on plain white to hold it up to the graph paper to kinda get the right actual sized letter.

3. Went to sweaterscapes.com to print my own graph paper. It's cake. You only need do a little bit of math. See how to do it here. I read some tutorials on knitting intarsia.

4. I printed out the graph paper and printed out my "D" and miraculously, it fit in the grid nearly exactly after a few tries. (22 sts over 32 rows). Here it is. (oohs and aahs are welcome, I worked hard on this!)

5. Did a little penciling in. Unfortunately, with knitting there is no 'half cross' like in cross stitch. The "H" in the Weasley sweater is lots easier than making a curvaceous "D". I think I made it round part on the right a little too wide but it's very nice.

I then practiced for a few rows with some scrap yarn. Highly recommended and not a total waste of time. I then wound my bobbins onto 4 or 5 clothespins and .. knit. Across. I twisted, I followed, I dealt with the horrow of several bobbins strewn about. Suggestion: Do this at a table not in your lap. Kinda a pain, I know. I like the rocking chair best but this was only for 32 rows, I sucked it up. I twisted, I untwisted. I cursed a little, dagnamit! I asked God what possessed me to have TWO children who EACH want this and why I didn't name them Larry and Lisa because there would probably be nothing too difficult about making a damn L.

Then...I was done. Voila. It doesn't look as messy in person and it looks even nicer from far away, see below. It has that Weasley look, don't you think?

I will, naturally, show you this more than just here. I still have to weave in the ends which will tighten up the stitches and bring it all together (yeah...I think so anyway). I'm happy with it.

The Weasley sweater now has a back, a front and a letter. I need to knit a few more rows (like 10) and graph the shoulder seams. Then, pick up sts at the armholes and knit the sleeves. I am going to pick up each side and knit two sleeves at the same time because I hate to worry about counting the rows and thinking forever that one is longer than the other. They'll be fine.

For those of you who want the cliff notes, this is Cascade 200, red and yellow gold. I am using a size 8 needle and I am getting row gauge and I'm just a hair under in st gauge (about 1/4 of a st each inch). I modified the pattern to have four rows of k1p1 ribbing at the waist instead of just plain stockinette.

I love it! Happy Weasley Sweaters! YAY!

Just Wild about Harry Potter

Well, I started the Harry Potter Scarf. DS wants a Weasley sweater and as soon as he has his the little girl will want hers. I'll be a pro at intarsia after those two projects...I hope. Plus, I am getting good use out of Charmed Knits. A good investment for a very reasonable price. Even if you don't know who Harry Potter is (and that would mean that you've been on another planet for several years) you can use the patterns. I love it! I think I want a Weasley sweater, too.

On of the LYS's is having a sale and I am going yarn shopping today. I got up early and my headache and I cleaned up the house. I need to vacuum and then get the kids in year to go yarn shopping. They almost like it when it's for them but it's still a chore getting them into the car and such. Maybe they'll cooperate more if we take the DVD player with us and they can watch a movie.

So, the Weasley sweater pattern is available here on Alison Hansel's site. It is in the book at a larger gauge. Personally, I like the smaller gauge. You know, passion for itty bitty stitches, plus the letter will be clearer. Mine will have a "D" for Dear Son and an "E" for Dear Daughter. I am considering using the Lumos font and being fancy but we'll see. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew right now. I have a hard enough time keeping junk off my kitchen counter and feeding the dogs. No need to wind up with a frustrating project sitting in the knitting basket.

I think I want a Weasley for me.

Harry Potter House Hats

Gryffindor!! My first hats. Most people knit a hat when they first learn how to knit. I have never made one and I guess there was no time like the present so I made two. One for each of my children.

Pattern: House Hats - Beanie and Beret
From: Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Yellow - Orange - #1014
Burgundy - # 0999
Needles: Knitpicks Options 5+6
Beret: started and completed on 1/13
Beanie: started on 1/16 finished on 1/18

This was an enjoyable, easy project that made two children very happy. DD's is on the biggish side but I corrected that on DS's. They love them anyway although I may have to make her's over. Not a bad thing, I can make one in an evening.

Been really busy playing at work as well as playing on Ravelry. I must get back to blogging!

Coming tomorrow: A picture of my Monkey.

Wavy Done :( and House Hat Beret Started

Well, I finished Wavy. I'm not happy with it because I ran out of yarn with just about 4 rows to go. I've casted off and I doubt anyone will notice...except me. It was supposed to be a gift and maybe now it'll just be mine.

BAD picture, BAD project. I'm going to either get new lighting or do this in a lighter color next time. Lotsa problems seeing the stitches.

Pattern: Wavy, from knitty.com

Cascade 220 Superwash Wool - Burgundy

Needle: Knitpicks Options, size 8

2.09 skeins would be needed for me to finish this properly.

Start Date: 1/4/08

End Date: 1/12/08

On a happier note, I starte House Hat - Beret from Charmed Knits last night. It's cake and I did this much:

Pattern: House Hat - Beret from Charmed Knits

Plymouth Encore color 1014 - Butternut and 0999 Burgundy
Needle: Knitpicks Options, size 5+6 (down one from the pattern
Start Date: 1/13/08

Then, I decided that it was a tad too big. So, I...

ripped it ALL out and had little balls of Gryffindor all over the place.

Then, I got up early to watch the weather because I have such an exciting life and I reknit it. Now it looks like this:

She's yelling Gryffindor, as if she has just been sorted.

I have to finish this today, she "really, really wants" it. Then, Beanie for DS and Harry Potter scarfs to match. I don't think I have enough yarn for all that but MAYBE. We'll see. Don't want to run out again.

Well, time to play on ravelry for a few minutes.

Iris Down, Wavy Started

Go, go, go! I'm already getting ready for Christmas 2008. Planning stages. I'm just like Santa Claus, no rest for the weary.

Firstly, I finished Iris Afghan this morning at pre-work knitting session.





Pattern: Iris from dailyknitter.com see sidebar for link
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece - 5 skeins almost all used.
Needles: Knitpicks Options - Size 6
Casted on 158 sts
Started: 10/18/07
Completed 1/4/08



Secondly, I started making a Wavy scarf and I knitted all this while having my lunch today.



Pattern: Wavy - knitty.com see sidebar for link
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Needles: Knitpicks Options - Size 8
Started: 1/4/08

Also, I joined Ravelry. It's great! My name over there is PunkinPie so stop by and say hi!

Stay tuned for a peak at some new yarn and another new project. Can't have just one, can I?

Happy New Year!

Let's get serious about yarn in 2008! Take lessons from DD on this one!

I haven't been blogging but I have been knitting! Look how much I've done on my Iris Afghan! The baby, a boy, arrived a few weeks early and I haven't seen him yet. This is nearly completed and ready for gift giving. I'd like to finish it within a day or two or three and take it over to knit night for show-n-tell and then give it to them next weekend. And then, finish up my monkeys and start another pair of socks.

Being I've been working on a project that's taking alot of time, I don't have that much knitting to show you. I can show you my tree. This was taken minutes after Santa left. Just look at all those presents!

The kiddies were ecstatic with their gifts. DD, although not feeling up to snuff, was able to pose with her Little Pony.

DS was thrilled to get Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots! Just what he always wanted!

Their joint gift was a DVD Player for the car. They love it. I haven't seen it work yet being it is in the Equinox now, not the van.

After the novelty of unwrapping and playing with their toys wore off, we had a warm, dry evening. Perfect for the Holiday Lights show at the Bronx Zoo. Here's a snippet of the lights.

A good time was had by all! Even the Rhino was smiling.

Happy New Year to all of you, dear loyal readers.

May you and your loved ones stay healthy and happy in 2008!