Ribbing is a problem for many people. Not the technique itself because it's just a series of knits and purls, but that first purl after a knit segment tends to be loose and if you're like me it drives you crazy. nonaKnits figured out how to make improved ribbing when knitting flat, but ribbing in the round still vexed me. Her method doesn't provide good results (IMO) when knitting in the round so I searched Ravelry and then internet in general and discovered that others had problems too, but no one had definitive answers. So I played around with knitting in the back of the first purl, wrapping the yarn clockwise instead of counter clockwise and finally settled on a method that IMO looks great.

Purl into the first purl stitch after knits like you always do EXCEPT wrap the yarn under or clockwise instead of over the top. This twists the purl stitch. On any other purls following do them normally. Continue this method as long as you're ribbing.

A warning: Because that first purl is twisted this method is not reversible because the knit on the opposite side looks funny. So use it for ribbing that will in the round with the RS facing out. So no flipped brims.. ;)

Finished projects! Wooo!

First up..the two Heartbreakingly Cute One Piece Baby Kimonos from Mason Dixon Knitting. My daughter wanted them to give as gifts to friends. She chose the colors from Caron Simply Soft in grape and watermelon and the ribbons. These were a lot of fun and very easy.

I also finished my first socks on two circular needles. I knew basically how to make socks, but I took a class Yarn Lady to make sure I got it right since it was a new technique. I have some more yarn for the next pair!
That's it for now!

If you watch the news you may have seen stories about the fires in southern California. There are 12 according to the news today. Last night as my daughter and I were coming home from Target we saw smoke that seemed relatively close and then we saw flames. When we got home we told DH and we took off to see what was going on. We stopped in a parking lot with at least a hundred, probably more, other people and got out of the car to watch the fire creep down a hill and spread off in the distance. It's quite a sight. And yes, we stayed well out of the way. The area we were in was fine and probably a couple miles away from the actual fire.

I woke this morning to a fine layer of ash and the strange and eerie sky that comes with fire and smoke, but we are in no danger here. The fire in Orange County (my neck of the woods) was arson I heard this morning, too. The winds have been blowing off and on here, but howling in the fire areas with gust of up to 90mpg. The humidity is in the single digits. Yikes!

So that is what is going on today here..other than some knitting.

Here's the start of my socks for the sock class. No, they don't match. I thought I'd let the colors fall where they may and see what happens. ;) I've got both tops down in wait for Wednesdays class.

So you all don't think I'm not knitting... I did make something recently, but mums the word because it's a possible gift.



I also started my socks on two circular needles class at The Yarn Lady. I have made a few pairs of socks on DPNs (double pointed needles), but wanted to learn a new technique. It's possible when you know what you're doing to knit two socks at once..how cool would that be!?

So I started the sock, but the fabric was too loose for my taste and it felt like it might be too small. I frogged it and started on smaller needles (size 1) and added a few rib repeats. I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Finally added the ribbons to this little sweater and it's joined the others at Yarn Lady for the Stitches from the Heart baby sweater project. I was planning on use matching green ribbons, but couldn't find any so I went with the purple. I did a seed stitch border rather than garter and I think it finishes it better.


In other news, I'm making ME a sweater! Wooo! It's not regular pattern, more of a "sweater recipe" that I saw on Knitty Gritty one day. I had the yarn and couldn't find what I wanted pattern wise so decided to give this a try. My math skills tripped me up again figuring out the CO...but I guess it was really more my not paying attention skills that got me. Anyway, I've got about 4 inches done so... yeah!

Bad blogger...bad, bad blogger.. :/ I've been making many, many charity items. I've made a few new baby sweaters and finished up some that work WsIP. They've been donated to Stitches from the Heart through my LYS, Yarn Lady. I've also made several burial buntings for a hospital that asked for them. And finally, finally.. I am going to attempt another sweater for ME! I got the yarn awhile back at the Yarn Lady bag sale and found a pattern that will work with it. The pattern is free from Knitty and is called Sitcom Chic.

Here's a few of the sweaters.

Baby's Coat

Easy Baby Cardigan
...from Knitting Pure and Simple. I did the collar and added buttons.

Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater

AND... I finally got invited to join Ravelry! Ravelry for those who don't know is the most awesome place for knitters (and crocheters although I can't speak for them). It makes it so easy to add your own projects and find others who have done them as well so you can see how it looks in different yarn or with modifications. As of this writing you still have to put your name on a waiting list, but they expect to open it up soon for all to join. The response has been overwhelming so it's taking a little longer to go public. If you're a knitter check it out!

A few hats for charity. The multi stripe is made from wool sock yarn, the other some random part wool donated yarn.

Well... been awhile since I've been here! It's been busy the last several weeks. Lisa graduated from the University of Michigan with a masters in public policy and Kristen will be graduating next week from CSU Fullerton with a BS in child and human development. Both have done well and we're very proud of them!! ♥

I'm halfway through a pair of socks, started on a dog sweater from the summer issue of Interweave Knits, and halfway through a scarf that I was testing the pattern on. Been kind of a scattered knitter lately, but it's all good and still fun. ;)

I've made a couple more felted toddler hats. I figured out how to felt them and have them still curl... follow the directions on the pattern. Heh. I like this, but I still like the pink/purple striped one better. I need to get a wighead or something to dry hats on..these got a little flat on top from the tupperware. LOL

An adorable felted toddler cloche! I started with this pattern, but the brim didn't roll after felting.. I thought this was adorable so I've dubbed it the Toddler Cloche. ;) No little kiddies here so I'll probably give it to charity.

I finally finished the pattern for my Simple Bow Hat. Click here for the PDF file. Let me know if the link doesn't work. Now I just need to figure out how to add it to the sidebar. Why is Blogger so complicated!?

I changed my blog and now I have added the pattern link on the side bar! Yippee! Thanks to Lu at KH for the help! Thanks to Vendie for the help also with the blog ring link.

Another little sweater made from stash yarn. This was fun and easy!
Steppe Sweater (pdf file) from the Dulaan Project patterns.
I've also learned entrelac and made this for practice. I'm going to felt it to see how it would work for a trivet or potholder.

Yeah, some FOs! Here are the two Baby Surprise Jackets I've done other than buttons. These are easy and fun. The i-cord is not difficult, but time consuming. Click image for a larger size.

Since the last post I've completed the i-cord bind off and attached i-cord.
Here's the second one. I like the i-cord bind off..it gives it a nice finished look. I extended the sleeves on this one and I like the way they came out.
I also made a little bear.. created the pattern myself because I hate seaming!Not sure what I am doing next...maybe another BSJ or possibly the Bog Jacket also by Elizabeth Zimmermann. Stay tuned...

The Baby Surprise Jacket is almost finished! The knitting is done...just have to weave in a few loose ends and seam the shoulder/sleeve area. It was fun to knit not knowing how it was going to turn out. I think I'll make one for me, too!

After knitting and before folding.


Before seaming and sewing on of buttons- the front
The back

I finally figure out how (with help) to make this blog wider. There was so much wasted space it was driving me nuts. Short trip I know. :) Anyway, now I apparently need to make a new header and clean up some stuff, but at least it's not all squished.

I am now working on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. You can see the picture there, but I don't have the video right now. I also bought the adult size pattern so I'll get to that sometime, too.


I recently finished a little vest from Knitty called Easybreezy. Such a simple construction! Not sure which charity it'll go to. This is the side showing how it's "seamed" together. Kinda cool!

Oh I also forgot to mention that I have 5 little sweaters ready to go to Knit for Kids. These are all acrylic or mostly acrylic and Knit for Kids is one of the groups that still accepts something other than wool. I used various patterns from the book Knitting for Peace, the Knit for Kids website and Knitting Pure and Simple.

Wow..been a long time since I updated!! We had a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I'm glad the holidays are over.

All the little hats for Caps to the Capitol have been mailed. Now to mail all the little sweaters to Knit for Kids after I finish the one I'm working on. I started making the kids sweater in the book Knitting for Peace. I've finished one side and am working on the second now. It's my kind of sweater with very little seaming and lots of options for personalizing.

I ordered some Patons Classic Merino on sale at Joanns, plus free shipping! I'll have enough for a felted bag for DD2 and a few little sweaters and/or hats for Afghans for Afghans, Children in Common or some other charity. I wish the yarn would get here already!! LOL

....off to knit.....