What's on my needles (week 44)

At The Knitting Garage

Missing

I am starting off with a bit of sad news:  Two of our store samples are missing.... If you know of their whereabouts, please help them find their way back home (no questions asked).
Here are pictures (Julie knitted up 1/2 a new Cane Bay Wrap since the other one went missing):

Cane Bay Wrap

Candle Flame Shawl

Now on to happier moments:

 Sophie Bag

The Sophie Bag is finished.  It came out extremely well if I may say so myself :)
Here are a few pictures of the final steps to complete it:

still knitting

after the first wash it felted quite a bit right away

measurements after the second felting cycle

blocking stuffed with plastic bags

Cutting out felt for the inside of the bag where the handles will be sewn on

four hearts

marking where the handles will be sewn on

pinning the hearts into place

All done; inside view

Don't YOU want to make one of these ?

  Classes

Also don't forget to take advantage of the classes we are offering at The Knitting Garage to get you started on a quick and fun project as the perfect gift this Holiday Season:
This Saturday 10am-12noon :  Cabled Headband (instructor:  Doris)
Sunday 11am-12:30pm:  Calorimetry Headband (instructor:  Julie)
Wednesday 11am-1pm:  Pinwheel Flower Spa Cloth (instructor: Doris)

New Store sample:  DOWNTON HAT

Next on my list of what to knit with for the store are two wonderful yarns.
I am knitting with the Manos Silk, a DK weight yarn and the Trendsetter La Furla.
I found a hat pattern which will use both yarn.  The Manos for the main body of the hat and the La Furla for the rim.  The nice thing with this pattern is, too, that it is written in many sizes from "Baby" to "Adult 2".  I am knitting it up in size "Adult 1".
This promises to be a gorgeous hat! I have just a few more rows of ribbing to do and then I will start the rim in the lovely soft Furla.
The pattern is free on ravelry and as you can see a relatively quick knit.
The construction is interesting:

you knit a square first (in double seed stitch)

then you pick up stitches all around and start knitting in the round

after doing some ribbing (which will help to keep the hat on your head :) you add the rim in a contrasting yarn

 

At Home

Over the last two weeks I have finished several gifts (remember, I didn't "report" on my knitting last week, but instead wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving).

Veyla Mitts

These are finished with lovely little pearl buttons I found at Stickles (their button selection is really amazing!)

Susie Rodgers' Reading Mitts

I blocked these to bring out the lace more, but also to even them out in size as I had knitted the first one a little tighter than the second one.  Now they feel equal on my hands and the person getting them will be none the wiser.

His Ski Hat

I made a quick and easy ski hat out of the scrumptious Tosh ASAP.  I have enough left for a pompom :) Again I used a free pattern on ravelry:

Her Ski Hat

The partner to the above hat with a few changes:

• I added 6 extra stitches (54 sts total) and used a very stretchy cast-on: the most elastic cast-on. This seems to be a variation on Jenny’s stretchy cast-on.
  
• Keeping the inside of the pattern as the outside I did k2, p1 for the first 8 rows, then P2, K1 for the main body of the hat.
  
• For a more feminine look I knitted
  three rows in pattern, then
  P2, K1,P1, P2tog through back loop, YO, etc
  every other row. Then in pattern. I did a total of 12 YO row repeats for a slouchy look (total of 27 rows after the 8 rows of P2, K1).
  
• In Row 9 I did k2tog across the row. I had 9 sts left and pulled the yarn through the stitches to close the hat.
  
  
  
  
   I don't have quite enough yarn left for a pompom, but went through my stash and found enough yarn which will go with the colors of the hat.
  
  

  Another Pair of Roadtrip Socks

  

  I finished these yesterday :)

  
  

   

  Christmas Surprise Socks 

  For  one reason or other I have not been able to meet with my two sock knitting students and decided to forge on with this pair as I want it to be done in another three weeks.  I can always start another pair for class.
  By the way I am planning on offering another sock knitting class in January; this time toe-up on magic loop!
  
  

  

  heels are turned and gussets are done :)