Angelarae Knits

A Poncho

Emma has been asking for a poncho, so I have been on the lookout for one to knit for her.  I thought of doing the simple rectangle version, but I really didn't want to knit two huge rectangles, even with chunky yarn and size 15 needles.  I looked at Ravelry for a pattern, but didn't really find anything much for her age.  Then I looked at the exhaustive list at Knitting Patterns Central.  I went through each of the well over 100 links, clicking on almost all of them in order to find the perfect poncho pattern.  Well, the very last one was the Very Harlot Poncho, and that was the one that came closest to what I wanted to knit.   So, I cast on with a new yarn I had not seen before, Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends.  70% acrylic and 30% alpaca.  It is the perfect shade of pink and very soft. Each ball has 120 yards.   Also, it was $3.19/ball after 20% off at A.C. Moore, so the price was right, too.   I have used one ball so far for this poncho, with some modifications.  Naturally, it is smaller than the adult size.  I'll give you the details tomorrow when I'm finished with the piece.  (At least, I think I will finish it tomorrow...I'm more than halfway done)

Modified Irish Hiking Scarf

This is day 3 of NaBloPoMo.  So far, so good.  I haven't really had any head-banging-on-keyboard experiences yet, but it's still early on in this process.  I guess what I worry about more than having nothing to blog about is, forgetting to post.  That's actually more likely with me.   I mean, when something doesn't get done, it's usually for one of two reasons.  Either, I am afraid to do it, or, I forget to do it.   Amnesic 'frady cat...that's me:)  Anyhoo, many of you liked the modifications to the Irish Hiking Scarf here, so I thought I would post a little pattern mod for you.  The original pattern can be found at Hello Yarn.   I followed this pattern, but simply added 2 stitches for the center cable, a Horseshoe cable.  Here's how it works.

CO 44 sts. (original pattern uses 42 sts.)

Basically, this scarf is 3 cables set off by some dividers ribs and garter edges.  With this modification, you are basically switching out an 8 stitch cable for the center C6F(6 stitch cable).  So, you add 2 sts at cast on to accomodate this change and do the following:

Knit scarf as written for all rows except for the WS row, purl 8 at the center cable and on the RS row, knit 8 for the center cable.  (the original pattern uses p6 and k6 at the cable points throughout)
For the 8th row, the cable row, knit it as follows:

(RS) K4, P2, C6F, P2, K2, P2, C4B/C4F, P2, K2, P2, C6F, P2, K4

C4B/C4F - place 1st 2 sts. of cable on cable needle and hold to the back, knit 2 sts from left needle then knit 2 sts. from cable needle.  Now, place next 2 sts. on cable needle and hold to the front.  Knit next 2 sts from left needle and then the 2 sts from cable needle. Horseshoe cable made.  Continue as written. 

New Issue, New Scarf

Here is a project I have been working on, little by little, for some time now...perfect T.V. knitting, not that I get to do very much of that.   I was going to be oh-so-clever and take some stunning shots (a la B r o o k l y n t w e e d) of the finished scarf with my son, Ian (the colors really do complement his blue eyes).  He would have none of that, of course, and I have been able to add only about an inch here and there (the darn thing still is not quite as long as my husband likes it) so no grand pics yet, but they are coming. 
I love the simplicity of this pattern and classic look of this scarf.   I'd like to knit one in a solid tweed yarn, one color, on smaller needles.  I think it'd be gorgeous, and just my kind of scarf. 
Anyhoo, the pattern is in the latest issue of Knit Notes.  If you don't receive the newsletter, drop me a line and I'll send it on out.  Feedback has been fantastic!  Thanks, guys.   I am still working on an HTML version and hosting for that.   Happy Monday and Happy October (whoo-hoo)!

Ang

Back On The Chain Gang

I have been knitting up a storm over the past couple of days and boy does it feel good to be back.  I have been having a little pain in my elbow of late.  I have tennis elbow, but have never played tennis...isn't that just like my stinkin' luck?  Anyhoo, as I wrote before, I have narrowed my knitting repertoire down to just four projects (still not listed on my sidebar...annoying).  But they are good projects for me at this point.  There's my slog project, Hanne Falkenberg's 'Pyramide.'

I swear, even though it may not look like it, progress has been made.   This is knit on a US size 2 circular.  The back is already done.  I need to finish this (the front) and the sleeves.  It is surprisingly fun to knit so far.  Not really boring or tedious, despite the tiny yarn and large number of stitches.  (did I mention endless garter?)   

 
This is the 'Fir Cone Shawl,' from 'Fruitcake Knits' (don't think I'll be blocking this on my roof, by the way). It's Jaggerspun 'Zephyr' in my favorite color. 

There are socks, too, for my friend, Jack.  A good carry-along project.   He wanted red and I never realized, until now, how difficult it can be to find a true red in sock yarn. 

Next, I wanted to share zeebee.  I found it at Brooklyn Tweed.  Too cool.  I think I'll try it in Filatura Di Grosa Tweed that I have.  I'll add it to my Short Attention Span Patterns, if I am successful.

By the way, go over and see my friend, Shannon and give her some well deserved props for her awesome chevron scarf. 

Uber Pattern

Found one! (click on pic to enlarge)

Pattern: Candle Flame Shawl
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Needles: Denise #7

The pattern called for Lambs Pride Bulky and size 10 needles.  Wanted this to be cotton for the summer, so I used the Cotton Fleece with a size 7.  I like the way it looks. 
This is just what I needed.  Stunning and interesting to knit.  Seriously, I'm having trouble putting it down.

Phlox Socks!

This pattern is an adaptation of Ann Budd's Chevron Lace Socks from the 'Better Than Booties' pattern at Interweave Knits.  You can get that here.  These are the specs for my socks.

Pattern: Chevron Lace
Yarn: Cascade 'Fixations'
Needles:  Size 2 double points (4)
Gauge: 8 sts/ inch

My pattern is different from Ann's in the following ways.
Ann uses Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. I wanted to use Cascade Fixations from my stash.   I cast on fewer stitches as a result.  I used the chevron chart for the leg of the sock only. I did not include it on the foot of my sock. 

So, that being said, here is the pattern.

~Using the size 2 double points and one strand of yarn, CO 30 stitches, ten per needle. (I used a long tail cast-on)
~Knit picot cuff and join to cast-on edge as instructed in the pattern.
~Knit one round even.
~Begin chevron lace chart included in her pattern as follows:  Knit row 1 of chart(9 stitches, 1 left on needle) knit 6, repeat  row 1 of chart, knit 6.  At this point all stitches of first round should be worked : 9 + 6+ 9 + 6 =30
This should put one chevron lace panel on either side of the leg of your sock.  Continue in this manner, repeating chevron pattern chart 3 times.

Knit short row heel from Ruffle Rib Socks, ending by knitting one round and continuing to knit for about  2  inches.
Work toe from Ruffle Rib Socks.  Use Zig Zag bind-off as instructed. 
Note:I found the zig-zag bind-off to be a little chunky for this yarn. You may wish to graft your toe instead.