WIP's Update....Squares

I have several WIP's going at the moment.  I know, I need my head examined!

 These are the squares for a toddler blanket I'm making.  I used 2 skeins of Red Heart WW yarn in Plum Pudding and ended up with 20 squares.  I'm using a size I hook.  I will share the pattern in another post.

 I have the first 10 squares edged so far.  I am using Red Heart WW yarn in Orchid.  I think I'm also going to add another row of a pink color that matches.  I haven't decided yet.  However, I have already bought the yarn.  It's still a toss up though.  I don't want to have to make another trip to Wal-Mart to buy yarn and if I use the pink to put another edge on the square, then I might not have enough for the blanket edging.  Hmmm...what to do, what to do, what to do.

 I currently have 20 True Blood Water Lily squares finished.  I have been working on these every chance I get as I need a whole lot more of these squares before I will be able to start hooking them together.

 These two squares (2 of each) will eventually be made into toddler blankets as well.  I worked up the squares just to see what they looked like, color-wise.  I have bought matching yarn for them so I will be making these blankets at some point.  The yarn is Red Heart WW in Pink Camo (left) and Candy Print (right).  I'm using an I hook.

 This is the state of my knitting.  I'm still knitting, just not everyday.  Maybe every couple of days.  I have six squares finished and have started on number seven.  These are done in Red Heart WW yarn in the color Soft White.

These are my knooked squares.  I only have two of them finished and the third one started.  Knooking takes me awhile so until I get the rhythm of it down, it's the slowest going project I am working on.  I'm using Red Heart WW yarn in Soft Pink.  The knitted squares and the knooked squares will eventually go together into a toddler blanket.

So....that's my update on my WIP's.  I will be starting a crocheted alphabet letter K before the day is out.  I had an order come in for it and need to be getting it done.

Knooked Square

I finished my first "knooked" square yesterday.

This took several attempts as I wanted it to be the same size as the knitted squares I am making.

I needed a J knook hook, and didn't have one, so I made my own.

I am using Red Heart WW yarn in Pale Pink.

The finished square is 8" wide and 7 1/2" tall.

Here's what I did:

ch 25.

cast on 25 sts.

knit each row.

**Now, I have a really hard time telling my "rows" in knitting and knooking, so here's how I know when I'm done.  Look at the above photo, see where the tail is at the bottom right...when my square is in this position, and I have 19 complete rows of "ribs" counting from the bottom of the square up to the top, then that's when I start the casting off.  It also helps to have a completed square to look at too, for visual aid.**

Current Projects

 I'm working on some knitted squares.  This is something I've not done before.  Knitting squares and then eventually, hooking them together into a blanket.  I have 3 done and a 4th one started.  Obviously, I have a long way to go.

 I'm also knooking some squares.  This is the first one.  I made several attempts at getting this knooked square to be the same size as my knitted squares.  After ripping it out several times, I decided that I needed a bigger knook hook.  I only have sizes G, H, and I and I needed a J.  So I made my own with one of my older J hooks.  So far, it's working out fine.  Big Daddy said he would try to put a whole through it for me, out in the garage, with some of his tools.  But, he needs an older hook, in case he messes up.

 As always, I have a lot of partial skeins of yarn, so I started a scrap afghan using the Dottie Angel blanket pattern (which is a favorite of mine).  The free pattern can be found here http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/2010/06/ordinarily-extraordinary-blanket-how-to.html .

I have also started working on a blanket for one of my sisters.  She wanted me to use the True Blood Water Lily Blanket pattern which can be found here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/true-blood-water-lily-blanket .  However, she wanted a color scheme of white, black and red, with red being the main color.  So far, I have 5 of these squares completed.

So...these are my current works in progress.  I'm having some trouble settling down with working on anything right now, which has led me to have several things started.

2 WIP's Finished

I finished up two of my WIP's today.

The first thing I finished was the purple scarf I was knooking.

I did that at work and then added the fringe when I got home.

The second thing I finished was the Soft and Simple Baby Blanket.

It is the very first project I have ever completed that is knitted.

I am so proud of myself. :)

Yay me! LOL

Anyway, the blanket really isn't as long as it should be, but then it's not as wide either.

I was using a different size needle than I was supposed to be using.

But it's plenty big enough for a play mat or a bassinet cover or just a covering in the crib.

With it being so thick it will be good and warm for the new baby that's coming in March.

(Another great nephew...Blue Boy)

So...those are my accomplishments for today.

I'm rather proud of myself as it feels good to finally get at least one of these WIP's finished.

WIP (Updates)

Well, I haven't updated anyone on my WIP's lately, so today I will do so.

This is the Soft and Simple Baby Blanket.

It's currently 19 inches in length.
The last time I measured it, it was 11 inches.

So I've added 8 inches since Feb. 11th.

That's better than I had anticipated. :)

This is the white knitted baby blanket on my circular needles.

It's current length is 9 inches.

Last time I measured it, it was 7 inches.

That was Feb. 11th.

So, I've not come very far on this since then. :(

This is the purple scarf I've been knooking.

It's current length is 53 inches.

The last time I measured it, it was just over 20 inches.

That was also on Feb. 11th.

So, I've made really, really good progress on the scarf since then.

Woo Hoo!

I think the scarf will be completed first out of all the WIP's.

Update - WIPs

Life has been so, so, so, so very hectic around here this past week.

With that being said, I am still ASTOUNDED to find that I didn't complete a single project this past week. That never happens.

Well...until now.

:{

So all I have for you this week is an update on my WIPs.

This is the white knitted baby blanket on my circular needles.

It used to be twice as wide.

But, I came home one day this week and found the blanket completely unraveled and in a pile on the couch. Apparently, no one knows what happened. Hmmm....

So...I spent 3 days working the loose yarn back into the blanket.

And somewhere along the line, I missed a stitch because there's a small "hole".

After much thought, I have decided NOT to undo the blanket back to the hole to fix it.

Instead, I will crochet a small heart to cover it.

Sounds like a plan, right?

As to the particulars, I am using Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn in White.

The circular knitting needle is US size 9.

The current measurement of the blanket is 7 inches.

This is my other knitting project.

Medium J's girlfriend, Miss M, brought me home a free flyer for a Soft 'N Simple Baby Blanket using Caron's Simply Soft yarn.

Here's the link to the free pattern

http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_soft_n_simple_baby_blanket.html .

As usual, I have to be a bit different, so I'm using three colors of yarn held together throughout.

I'm also using a smaller set of needles than called for.

It says to use size 15 (10 mm) but the biggest ones I had were size 13 (9 mm), so that's what I'm using.

The yarn colors are: Black, Autumn Red and Off White.

I'm using these colors simply because I had them on hand. Plus, I'm hoping to make this for a play mat (for the baby to play on). So, the colors will be a better choice for being on the floor all the time.

The blanket currently measures 11 inches.

Now, let's hear it for the scarf I'm knooking! Woo Hoo! LOL

I've neglected it a bit lately. Can you see me hanging my head in shame?

No? Well, I am. Or I did. For just a moment.

The scarf is now measuring in at just over 20 inches!

This is my newest project.

I was going stir-crazy with not having something crocheted in the works. So I started this last night while watching TV.

The pattern is called the "Alphabet Pillow Blocks, Letter "Z", by Kimberly Lewis - A Woven and Spun Creation".

Here's a link http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alphabet-pillows .

When I finish this, it will be a Christmas present for my niece, Z.

As to the particulars, I'm using Red Heart worsted weight yarn in Baby Pink and an I crochet hook. This is the first piece of the pillow and I'm getting close to finishing it up. Then I will have to make the other piece so I can sew it and stuff it.

So...these are my current projects that I have going.

It feels kind of weird having 4 things going right now, but honestly, it's nice to be able to put one down and pick up another when I get tired of doing something.

So...what's everyone else working on these days?

Current Projects (Crochet, Knooking and Knitting)

Good Morning!

(I wanted so bad to be able to type that out in the manner of Robin Williams when he says "Good Morning Viet Nam, but alas...I don't know how. :( Oh well.)

It's another beautiful day here in town.

36 degrees on the way to school this morning.

The sun is shining.

Just a perfect way to start the month of February.

I've been spending some quiet time this morning with my crafting.

Now I'm taking a quick break to work on the computer a bit while I have a frozen pepperoni pizza in the oven for an early lunch. Sounds good, doesn't it? They were on sale for $1.50 last week, so I'm indulging my love of pizza today.

So...on to my crafting updates.

I've been at a loss this week with what I wanted to do for my next crochet project.

I searched through all of my patterns and finally settled on this one.

The Bouncy Ball Baby Blanket.

http://debscrafts55.blogspot.com/2010/06/bouncy-ball-baby-blanket-free-crochet.html

However, I'm not planning to make a baby blanket with it.

I'm making it much bigger.

Instead of doing 24 or 25 squares, I'm doing 56.

That will be 7 squares by 8 squares.

I also found that I had to add an extra row of dc in the border in order for my squares to turn out the 7 inches as stated in the pattern.

But, I really like the added row of contrast color.

This pattern is working up very quickly as well.

I started the squares last night while watching TV and ended up getting all 56 circles or centers of the squares done.

This is my current progress on the blanket.

I'm on the 3rd square as I write.

I'm using Red Heart worsted weight yarn and a J hook.

The yarn colors are: Windsor Blue, Light Raspberry (this is a guess...I can't read the wrapper), Country Blue, Light Sage, Medium Purple, Burgundy, Warm Brown, Cornmeal and Coffee.

The border is Red Heart yarn as well, in Soft White.

The scarf I'm knooking is coming along.

I worked 5 rows on it this morning before I allowed myself to start crocheting on the squares.

The scarf is currently 8 1/2 inches long.

The knitted blanket is coming along as well.

I have 1 1/2 inches done on it so far.

Sounds pitiful, doesn't it?

But I have to admit that the circular needles make working on it a lot easier.

I worked 4 rows on it this morning after knooking on the scarf.

I've found that I like having a project or two other than a crochet project in the works. Whenever I get tired of crocheting, I can pick up one of the other projects and work on it a bit and by the time I'm tired of it, I'm ready to go back to crocheting.

So...that's my crafting update so far today.

Have a good day everyone!

2 Projects in the Works...

I've got 2 new projects in the works.

Projects other than crocheting.

I should be more specific. LOL

Project #1 is another scarf that I'm knooking.

It's for my niece, Z.

Her school colors are purple and white.

So, the scarf is being done in Red Heart Amethyst.

I'm using my size I knook hook.

Sounds cool, doesn't it?

I started this project yesterday.

Project #2 is a baby blanket that I'm trying to knit on my new circular needles.

I have to admit that I really like using these needles.

It takes a bit to get used to, but honestly, it's almost easier than using regular needles.

I don't have very much done on it so far, but I'm ok with that.

I just started it yesterday.

I'm using Lion Brand Pound of Love in White and US size 9 circular knitting needles.

I have yet to set my daily goals for how many rows I would like to get done, but I'll do that soon.

Project Completed - Knooked Scarf

It's been a red letter day for me today...craft-wise. I finished The Slouch and then...I finished the scarf I was knooking for one of my sons. I had to do about 35 more rows on it, but that was it. And I decided not to add fringe. I didn't think my son would like it if it was on there. So, it's just a basic scarf. But nice and warm.

In the end, it took less than a regular skein of Red Heart yarn. The color is Windsor Blue. I used an I knook hook. (sounds funny, doesn't it?...lol) Do you know what I like about knooking with Red Heart yarn? Well, it turns out much softer than if I had crocheted it. Amazing, right? I thought so too. Anyway, I love this little scarf and I have put it with the other gift I have already made for a Christmas present for Christmas 2012. I'm glad to be getting a head start already on my gift making. :) I just hope I can keep the momentum up.

Update - Knooked Scarf

After I finished the skater beanie this morning, I knooked 30 rows on the scarf. I was careful to write down each and every row so I wouldn't get side-tracked this time and lose my count.

As you can see...the scarf now measures 52 1/2 inches! This is terrific news!!!

I'm getting closer and closer to getting it done.

Now...why didn't I give myself a daily goal on this before now???

Knooking Away....

I've been knooking away girls!

I felt so bad because I didn't finish the scarf in time for Christmas.

So...I had a firm talk with myself and decided to knook at least 10 rows a day on it.

The first 2 days...I did 20 rows each day.

Then the 3rd day ( yesterday) I did 1 row. Bad Shelly.

Then today I did 30+ rows. I'm saying the + because I did them at work and kept losing count. I probably did way more than that, but I don't know a definite number.

I just did a quick measurement and the scarf is 39 inches long.

I need another 21 inches or so before it's finished.

Wonder how long that will take me?

Works in Progress

Even though my crafting has taken a back seat lately, I have a few works in progress going.

This is a photo of the main piece of crochet for the Artist's Satchel that I'm making.

I'm using Red Heart yarn in Black, Cherry Red, Light Blue and White.

I'm pleased with the color combination.

This is a photo of the scarf I'm knooking for Medium J.

I'm a bit upset with myself as I didn't get it finished before Christmas. It was to be a gift.

This is a piece of knitting that I started last night. It's going to be a scarf (hopefully).

Santa brought me a set of size 13 knitting needles. Woo Hoo! Just what I'd been wanting!

I have to admit that I'm finally feeling comfortable enough with knitting that I didn't have any trouble casting on the stitches and I remembered how to do the knit and purl stitches without any problems. I even felt a bit of crazy take hold and I decided to add an extra row of purl every now and then to make the "ruffle" effect that you see. It's a random effect and I like how it's turning out so far.

So...that's my current works in progress. I still have the Majestic Afghan waiting in the background as well. But I'll get to it soon enough. Right now, I'm working on the satchel and I can't wait to finish it.

See you soon with more updates!

Knook Project (Scarf)

Well, I'm making some progress on the scarf I'm knooking. All it took was a day substitute teaching for the students in ISS. We have to bring something to keep us from being bored out of our skulls, so I brought this. I got quite a bit accomplished, I must say.

Scarf (WIP)

Well, the scarf that I'm knooking is coming along nicely. I don't have nearly as much done on it as I'd like to have, but in the end, I've got more done than I thought I'd have.

Another Scarf on the Knook

I started another scarf on the Knook last night. It will be bigger than the skinny scarf though. I cast on 25 stitches. I plan to give it to Medium J for Christmas. Since it takes me so long to make a scarf using the knook, (simply because I'm not fast enough), I hope I will have enough time to get it done. I'm using the size I knook hook and Red Heart worsted weight yarn in Windsor Blue. Believe it or not, when I use the knook, the yarn actually turns out much softer than in traditional crochet or knitting. Wonder why? Or am I just hoping that it's softer? LOL

Skinny Scarf (Free Knook Pattern)

Last night, I also finished up my very first "Knook" project. I also wrote up a quick free pattern off of it. It's for a Skinny Scarf. Now, if you don't know what it means when I say "Knook" you really should look it up on the internet and find yourself a kit to purchase. I LOVE this type of knitting. You use a special crochet hook and cord. I've tried knitting with the needles but I'm not that great at it. I'm still trying to learn though. But teaching myself is harder than I thought it would be. In any event...give the "Knook" a try. I think you'll like it! (I bought my kit at Wal-Mart in the craft section by the crochet hooks and knitting needles. It cost $6.97.)

So...here's my free Knook Pattern for a Skinny Scarf. Enjoy!

Materials Needed:

Size I Knook

Worsted Weight yarn (I used Red Heard in Medium Thyme)

Chain 10. Pick up 10 stitches on the knook.

Row 1- Knit across.

Repeat Row 1 for pattern until the scarf is the length you want it. Bind off all stitches loosely in knit.

Weave in loose ends.

Cut lengths of yarn for fringe and add to both ends of the scarf.

That's it! Easy Peasy!

Small T loves the little scarf so much, she's adopted it and has been modeling it around the house this morning. Hope you like it too!

Current Photos of WIP's

I've finished up the first piece of the stocking. I've got 4 more sections to go now.

This is my latest state of the skinny scarf that I'm knooking. It won't be long til I have it the length that I want.

Works in Progress

I've started to work on a Christmas project. This is the beginning of a stocking for one of my sister's family. It will be in the Harley colors of black and orange.

I'm learning how to "Knook". That's knitting with a special crochet hook and some cord. I bought the kit at Wal-Mart and I have to say that I love this!!! This what it looks like up close.

This is what my little project looks like in normal view. I'm making a skinny scarf. I'm using the knit stitch throughout.