I think I'm in love, with Mulberry Merino! This stuff is like knitting with a long strand of baby's hair. It fuzzes up a little, but I think it has something to do with the heat. It is, after all...hair lol.

For the hat, I used a US 8 circular to cast on 80 stitches. I used 2x2 ribbing for 9 rows and then st-st until it fit right. Then I used row 1 k2tog k1 and row 2 k to decrease.

For the scarf, I followed "Kid Merino Cat's Paw Lace Scarf" by S. Jo Morohashi

http://straw.com/cpy/patterns/scarves/kidm-catspaw-scarf.html

I used a US 8 straight needle and 2 skeins of mulberry merino. I could have used 3, but I prefer scarves that hang down long enough to be wrapped over once. I think I made 19-20 cat's paws?

I think Mulberry Merino is just about the softest yarn I've ever bought. It does like to split a little when you're knitting, but it feels so good on the fingers that you'd barely notice. Like I said before, I bet if it wasn't so humid, it wouldn't fuzz so much. I would definately buy this again in the fall/winter. This made a nice fall scarf. I'd recommend it to a friend who can see their stitches clearly, such as someone who has experience with mohair or bocule. You really have to be able to see which part of the stitch your point is going through and know how to pull the random little shreads over so they wont affect the pull-ability of the current stitch.

Gigantor

After 3 months of knitting, bragging rights, and procrastination, I've finally finished this big bad thing! Knitters and crochetters, I am pleased to present:

Gigantor

I used:

US9 Boyle circular

About 6-7 cones of Peaches & Cream 100% worsted cotton in Daisy Ombre

I CO 300 stitches for my queen sized bed and knit stockinette stitch to the desired length.

I double dog dare you to try it! It took me a month of dedication, a month of bragging, and a procrastinated month of off and on knitting, so it'd take a consistant 1.5 months. Best of all, cones of cotton are about $7, so this blanket is about $50, which is cheap for a bed cover. I may knit matching pillow cases later.

My Water Bottle Carrier

I used US 6 DPN's (Im a loose knitter) and P&C 100% cotton worsted

I followed the Lacy Leaf Water Bottle Carrier pattern to #8 and began my own pattern on the 9th part, right before her chart:

http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2007/06/lacy-leaf-water-bottle-carrier.html

For 15 (instead of 14) rows, I followed my own pattern 4 times (4x4=16 - row 4 = 15 rows):

row 1 > purl
row 2 > k1 *yo k2tog*
row 3 > purl
row 4 > *ssk yo* end with k1
end with row 3

I picked up Simple Knits' pattern at #9 on through, but used k1 p1 ribbing instead. I counted my stitches, subtracted 6 (3 for each cord) and devided that number by 2 to know how to bind off evenly.

Many many thank you's to Vicki for this lovely quick-knit pattern XOX This is her pattern, with small alterations. Vicki asks that you ask her permission before selling her finished pattern, so please do so, even if you use my alterations.

Super Summer Kerchief

In honor of my completed Super Summer Backpack By Lion Brand, I made up a knitted kerchief pattern to match:

Super Summer Kerchief

Materials:
US 6 Straight and US 6 DPN (x2 for i cord)
Worsted Weight yarn, to match your Super Summer Backpack

CO 3
row 1: Knit

row 2: kfb p kfb

row 3: purl

row 4: kfb k1 [yo k2tog] to last st, kfb

row 5: purl

row 6: kfb [ssk yo] to last 2 st, k1, kfb

Repeat rowa 3-6 to desired length

For my i-cord, I knit 2 stitches and BO from the second stitch until I reached the last stitch. I put my first stitch on a safety pin (or holder). With my last stitch, I kfb until there were 4 stitches on that needle (2 rows) and used a DPN to make my i-cord.

AKA I just used the very end stitch to increase to 4 to do my i-cord.

A Knitting Story - Mosquitoes stink!

My newest project is the Super Summer Backpack by Lion Brand. I got to work and managed to finish about...oh, I'd say a good 6" of the pattern when I saw a mosquito right there on my left thumb. That little bugger had the nerve to land right on my thumb! It was bad enough that it had been gnawing on my neck all evening, but to fly on my thumb?? I swatted it, I slipped a few stitches, I missed him, I cursed for about 20 minutes, and went on a mosquito hunting rampage...and I found him. He was on the edge of the couch, but flew away before I could get him. Since the brighter light was on, I saw where he went next. He flew on to the corner, where I missed him twice before finally squishing him. I got him good too. Vengeance was mine!

After a moment (or two...or three) of gloating, I realised that I would have to frog my 6"-7" of knitted noodley stitches. Finally, frogging so much hard work didn't feel so bad. I've frogged more. Really, I didn't mind. I just thought you might engoy sharing in my triumph.

Question: If a mosquito landed on your hand in the middle of a very complicated row of knitting stitches, how long do you think it'd take before you attempted to smush it?