Baby Who

Baby Who
By: Sheryl Reed


Materials: Worsted or Aran yarn of choice. I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. About 200 yards.
Needles: Size 6 and 7 -16” circular, Size 7 DP for top
Gauge: 8 stitches per 2 inches

Abbreviations:
CO - Cast on
K - Knit
P - Purl
K2tog – Knit two together
sts – stitches
C4F: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in front, K2 then k2 from the cable needle
C4B: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in back, K2 then k2 from the cable needle

Pattern:

CO 64 sts on US size 6. Join round and make sure no stitches are twisted.
K2, P2 for 1 inch.

Switch to size 7 needle for remainder of hat.

K in round for 5 rows then start Owl Cable pattern.

Owl Cable:
Row 1 & 2: K9, p3, k8, p3, knit to end
Row 3: K9, p3, C4B, C4F, p3, knit to end
Row 4 – 10: same as row 1
Row 11: same as row 3
Row 12: same as row 1
Row 13 & 14: K9, p3, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1, p3, knit to end
Row 15 & 16: same as row 1
Row 17: same as row 3
Row 18: same as row 1

Knit 5 more rows then start decreases. (Note: If you would like a shorter hat, eliminate the knit rows of the decrease pattern). Switch to DP needles when circular becomes too tight.

Row 1: *Knit 6, K2tog * repeat to end of round
Row 2 and all even rows – KNIT
Row 3: *Knit 5, K2tog * repeat to end of round
Row 5: *Knit 4, K2tog * repeat to end of round
Row 7: *Knit 3, K2tog * repeat to end of round
Row 9: *Knit 2, K2tog * repeat to end of round
Row 11: *Knit 1, K2tog * repeat to end of round
Row 13: *K2tog * repeat to end of rounds

8 sts remain. Cut yarn leaving a decent tail. Thread the tail through the remaining sts and close the circle.

Optional: Add black thread to make eyes for the owl.

Weave in all ends.

Copyright Information
This pattern is for your own personal use. The pattern may not be sold, reprinted or distributed by any means without prior authorization.

Why is it important to do a gauge swatch?

ANSWER:


So, about 2 years ago, I decided to knit myself a sweater. I had similar weight yarn...used the needle size in the pattern and away I went. It was knit from the bottom to top, on circulars, so I didn't notice how big this really was. Hit a snag at the separation of the arms and took it to a LYS for help...she explained that this was huge and recommended I frog and start over. It has been sitting in a bag since. I will be frogging soon and I have a pattern in mind. BUT I WILL DO A GAUGE SWATCH first. :-)

I learned to sew!

So, after some practice with scraps, I sat down last night with Gnat (BarknKnit) to sew up a box bag for my Mom's birthday. She was very patient as I had a lot of doubt that I could make it work.

Surprisingly, it turned out good! Here is a picture. The color is bad because I took it on my cell phone. It is bright green, pink and blue flowers with a pink interior.




I think more will be on the way, as I really enjoyed making it!!!

Dyeing Fun

So, yesterday Gnat (BarknKnit) and I spent part of the afternoon dyeing some fiber. We had so much fun. It was a learning experience using different colors, techniques and fibers.

This was my favorite...our kettle dye.



I am still working on the Lady February Sweater. I won't have it finished before my Mom's birthday on Monday. Bummer. I have knit up 4 dishcloths that she asked for, so at least she will have a knitted items for her present. Will have the sweater done in time for xmas. hehehehe

Participating in the Dish Rag Tag and I am last on the list. Also signed up for Hat Attack which starts in September. Should be fun. These ***Should*** be the only swaps I do for the rest of the year. Trying to stay on a yarn budget.

Did finally get my beautiful pink and brown yarn from WA. It is SO pretty...I need to find the perfect project for it now.

Feeling Creative

So, I was feeling creative last night so I decided to dye some yarn. I had 5 skeins of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and thought I would play around. Here is what I came up with:

Blue -- Creativity stopped before I could come up with cute names


2 packets of berry blue Jell-O, 1 cup vinegar, 5 cups water. Microwaved until water was clear.

I have been wanting pink and brown sock yarn FOREVER. So, thought maybe I could come up with a color option for myself. Not the best picture, the brown is actually more brown than it shows here.

Brown: 1 packet each of orange, grape, black cherry Kool Aid
Pink: half packet of cherry watered down
Microwaved until clear.

The "Italia" as my hubby calls it.

Pink: 1 packet of Strawberry Kiwi and Strawberry Jell-O
Green: 1 packet of lime Jell-O
Yellow: 1 packet of lemon Jell-O
Microwaved until mostly clear

It was fun and I managed to keep most of my kitchen clean and stain free except for a small patch of green on the kitchen rug. Oh well. As this was only the 2nd time I tried to dye, I think I am doing A-Ok.

Creativity stopped before I could come up with cute names, so can you help me name them?

Such a Joiner

So, it has been a month since I blogged. I need to start doing it more often. Thought I would give you a run down of all the things I have JOINED in the last month.

First off, Sean talked me into HAT ATTACK. Not really hard seeing that I LOVE to knit hats.

Second, I had been checking out the Dish Rag Tag since she posted about it, and finally joined earlier this week.

Both races should be fun and not that labor intensive.

KNITTING:
Started the Lady February Sweater for my Mom. Hoping to have it done for her birthday (September). I have almost half the body done on it, and still have 3 weeks to go. Trying to get a few repeats a day done. I will keep you posted.

I am Blessed!

Yesterday I came home to a package sent by my dear friend Gary. The package is amazing. Here is a blury for a reason picture of just some of the goodness:


He sent me a very lovely letter as well. I wish we lived closer to each other. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Socks on Vacation

My socks are back from vacation. Here is a picture:



They are the Classic Sock from 2-at-a-time Socks, done 1 at a time. With Lorna Laces in Daffodil.

Location: Cayman Brac

1 Word Answers

For Natalie:

Answer the following questions using one word only:
1. Where is your cell phone? ………….. Desk
2. Your significant other?………………….. Mike
3. Your hair? …………………………………….. Short
4. Your mother? ………………………………..Determined
5. Your father?……………………………………..Lost
6. Your favorite thing?……………………….. Knitting
7. Your dream last night?…………………..None
8. Your favorite drink? ………………………..soda
9. Your dream/goal?………………………….. Security
10. The room you’re in?……………..………..Cubicle
11. Your ex?…………………………….………….Ass
12. Your fear?……………………………………..Abandonment
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? ..Vacationing
14. Where were you last night?………….......Home
15. What you’re not?………………………....…..Thin
16. Muffins?…………………………………..…….. Blueberry
17. One of your wish list items?……...……..Swift
18. Where you grew up?…………………..….. Florida
19. The last thing you did?……………..…….. Ate
20. What are you wearing?………………….. Jeans
21. Your TV?……………………………………….. Off
r22. Your pets?…………………………………….. Spoiled
23. Your computer? …………………………….. PC
24. Your life?……………………………………….. Wonderful
25. Your mood?………………………………...….. Excited
26. Missing someone?………………………...... Mike
27. Your car?………………………………………..White
28. Something you’re not wearing?…….......Watch
29. Favorite Store?……………………………….. Publix
30. Your summer?……………………………….. Busy
31. Like(love) someone?………………………..Mike
32. Your favorite color?………………..……….. Pink
33. Last time you laughed?………….....…….. Today
34. Last time you cried?……………………….. Recently
35. Who will re-post this?…………………….. ?

Called Upon

Ok, I have been called upon to participate by Kristen and Gary

The rules of the game: each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
Living in Tallahassee working at Florida State Univeristy.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?
Work on my swirl socks
Work last shift at part time job
Make a hair appointment
Balance checkbook
Do some web stuff

3. Snacks I enjoy:
Just about everything

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Pay off my house and build my dream house in the mountains.
Travel the world. Take a week long cruise with all my favorite friends!
Open a yarn shop.

5. Places I have lived:
Chicago, IL.
Florida: Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, New Smyrna Beach just to name the major
ones.

6. Jobs I’ve had:
My favorite: "Sheryl in the Band Office" while at FSU.
Current: Administrative Assistant...with some down time to knit or read.

7. Peeps I want to know more about: ok I don't have a larger following, so play along if you want to!

Socks, Socks, and more Socks!

Ok. So I have been knitting my fingers off on SOCKS. I have finished 1 of the Swirls and love it.

I was suckered into Sock Wars III, so I have been knitting that stupid thing. I had the yarn and hate the pattern. Can't I just get killed already?!

I have been searching high and low for a sock to work on when I am in the Caymans. I am going to knit Shimmer in Lorna Laces Daffodil colorway. I am very excited but a tad intimidated by the pattern. Was going to try and do 2 at once, but maybe next time.

I have also fallen in love with the Windowpane Socks and plan on doing them in July with the Windowpane Sock-Along on Ravelry. Come join us!

My Mom's birthday is in September, so I am thinking about a pair of socks....lets see if I have time!

And lastly, I am still working on a few smaller projects that keep getting put off because of my sock yarn addiction. I just wish I could knit socks faster!

Finally....VACATION!

Booked our tickets today! Can't wait!

Contests & Such

I have added a listing of contests on the side of my page. I find they are easier to find that way. Please check them out when you have time and join. Don't forget to mention where you found the contest.
Thanks.

33rd Birthday

Well, I have to say that I had a wonderful birthday. Thanks to all of my fabulous friends that called, texted, and emailed their birthday wishes!

My birthday consisted of the following:
Lunch at Maggiano's, which is my favorite place to eat. Then, Mike surprised me with a tour at the Big Cat Rescue. It was so great. It was so nice to see the cats and hear the big guys purr!(picture probably Monday) They had yarn in their gift shop!!! I couldn't believe it...it is Camel Wool and the proceeds go to the White Leopard Rescue in Mongolia, so of course, I bought some. My birthday present is a gift certificate to a spa day anytime I want. Isn't that the best?

It was a wonderful birthday! I am truly blessed!

FO's!

Ok,so I FINALLY finished the monkeys!!!

Cast on: February 3, 2008
Finished: March 7, 2008
Yarn: KnitPicks Memories in Yukon

Second project:
Calorimetry! What fun! Super quick and you can make 2 out of 1 skein.

Cast on: March 7, 2008
Finished: March 9, 2008
Yarn: Patons SWS in Natural Geranium

SIDE NOTE:
My dear friend Natalie recently interviewed me for her fabulous podcast BarknKnit... CHECK IT OUT!

Life & Stash Updates

I finished my first half marathon on Sunday! Did it in 04:05:24!! Very happy but sore!




Bought some new yarn last night at Uncommon Threads. A very yummy green Malabrigo. And some blue/green sock yarns. Have a thing for the greens. Also some redish-purple roving that I fell in love with....even though I do not spin. I think it is ok to buy yarn just to pet...right? Here is the picture with all the yarn still in the bag -- I have already put it into ziplocks!



Mike and I are still trying to figure out what we are doing for our honeymoon this year. Too many decisions and we are trying to be responsible with our savings account. Not too sure these work well together.

Looking forward to Knit Club tonight! Still working on the 2nd DAMN MONKEY!!!

Hey, Hey...it's a Monkey!

Ok, so the 1st Monkey is done. The bind off was a bit too tight which makes getting it on and off very interesting. Will start the other sock tomorrow...giving myself a day off from the crazy monkeys.

Made My Day Award

So, I have a few ppl in my life that do seem to make my days and some major knitting inspiration!
And they are:
Sean
Natalie
Gary
Kristen
Manda
Christine
highflyinsm
Kate


And, even though the "rules" state blogs only, I have to include:
My husband, Mike
Lindsay

The rules of the award are : Give the award to 10 people (or more) whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times.

Finished!!!! Finally!!!

So, I finished the Mock Crocs on Saturday! Only 2 days past the original due date! Here is the skinny:
Cast on: January 11.
Finished: February 2.
Pattern: Mock Croc (Knit Picks website)
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential in Petunia
Needles: Size 1 on DP
Used about 1.5 skeins, so I have a little left over. Thinking about using it to make black and pink pirate socks.




I cast on TOE UP with the help of Natalie for the next sock adventure. Crazy Monkeys!

Socks+Stash=Stupendous

Ok, so finally pictures of my first COMPLETED sock, the Mock Croc. I am halfway done with the 2nd and have promised Natalie that I will cast on a new pair on Wednesday....so I have some mad knitting to do!

And then my stash for the shopping spree at Yarn Gallery. I think I have enough yarn to cover 98% of the projects in my Ravelry Queue!

And lastly, I am so thankful to my Wednesday night group -- they make my week! I love meeting new people and making new friends!