Scrap Hat Pattern

Materials:
- 1 Ball Patons Classic Merino Wool in Natural (A)
- 1 Ball Plymouth Encore Worsted in Navy Blue (B)
- Size US 7 dpn (5)
- Stitch Marker
- Yarn Needle

Pattern:
With A, co 90 sts, pm, join round.
Knit 3x3 rib until ribbing is 2".
Then change to st st and continue in the striping pattern until hat is about 6".
Then to shape the crown:
1. *K7, K2tog, rep from * to end
2 and all even rows. Knit
3. *K6, K2tog, rep from * to end
5. *K5, K2tog, rep from * to end
7. *K4, K2tog, rep from * to end
9. *K3, K2tog, rep from * to end
11. *K2, K2tog, rep from * to end
13. *K1, K2tog, rep from * to end
15. K2tog to end
16. Break yarn and use yarn needle to thread yarn through remaining stitches. Pull to close top and weave in ends.

Striping pattern:
2 rows A
4 rows B
2 rows A
2 rows B
2 rows A
2 rows B

The End.

Hat Pattern

Materials:
- Paton's Classic Merino Yarn: White
- Size US 7 dpn (5)
- Yarn Needle

Hat Pattern:
1. On Size 7 needles, CO 100 sts.
2. Work in 2x2 rib for 2 inches
3. Work in st st until length desired
4. *K8, K2tog, rep from * to end.
5. Knit
6. *K7, K2tog, rep from * to end
7. Knit
8. *K6, K2tog, rep from * to end
9. Knit
10. *K5, K2tog, rep from * to end
11. Knit
12. *K4, K2tog, rep from * to end
13. Knit
14. *K3, K2tog, rep from * to end
15. Knit
16. *K2, K2tog, rep from * to end
17. Knit
18. *K1, K2tog, rep from * to end
19. Knit
20. K2tog to end
21. Knit
22. Cut yarn and thread through stitches and pull to draw top of hat closed.
Weave in ends.
Block

New Scarf

I have finished the knitted legwarmers and I have now started a new scarf. It's going to be navy blue and pastel pink in stripes. So far, I've been having problems with how wide the scarf turns out to be. Normally, I like my scarves on the narrow side of medium, since I think that the wide ones make my neck look short. I plan on getting a webcam eventually and I'll take pictures of the completed scarf, assuming that I'm going to eventually finish, of course.

I used Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight in Navy Blue and light Pink (two blue balls, and one pink ball) on size 8 dpns.

Notes:
- This is a stockinette scarf, so all rows are knit.
- When the rows for the stripes are shorter, simply carry up the yarn since it will show only on the inside of the scarf, which no one will see

Pattern:

CO 44 sts in Blue (B), pm, and join w/o twisting
Work in B for 9 rows
Join Pink (P) and work for 3 rows
Switch to B for 2 rows
Switch to P for 3 rows; cut P
*Join B and work 22 rows
Join P and work 2 rows
Switch to B and work 3 rows; cut B
Join P and work 22 rows
Join B and work 2 rows
Switch to P and work 3 rows; cut P.
Rep from * until length desired. End with 22 rows of B.
In P, work 3 rows
In B, work 2 rows
In P, work 3 rows
In B, work 9 rows
Create fringe and attach to both ends, using the fringe to seal the ends shut. You can always graft/sew the ends shut if you don't like that.

End.

Ahoy From Davis!

I know it's been a long time and I said that I'd update more often, but I guess I haven't had as much time to knit as I would like to. It's weird like that. I really don't understand how since I don't really do anything all day outside of working 7 hours a week. Seriously. I don't get it. But moving on.

But today is apparently "Talk Like a Pirate Day." I have no idea who gets to decide these. But I am in Davis and it is good. Peaceful, I can imagine knitting a lot more in them.

I found a yarn shop in Davis called Knitter's Playground. It's a really really nice place; the people are super sweet, but it's so expensive! Maybe I've just been spoiled since a ball of worsted weight wool is supposed to be $5 or so, not something like $10. I don't know what to do. I love the place, I love the people, I love knit night, just I can't afford to buy yarn there all the time, especially not for all of my projects. I'm kinda torn. I want them to stay, but I want them to be cheaper than they are now, since there's no competition since the other store closed down.

But I'm going to make a scarf that's knit in the round with worsted weight on size 8 needles. I tried casting on 70 stitches, but it was clearly too wide. I think I'm going to frog it and try again with 50 stitches. I should get a webcam or something so I can take a picture of the pattern and the finished item; if I ever do finish it.

I want to try http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTayla.html but with less girly happiness and pockets and stuff like that. Maybe a flap? I'm using it as a pattern guide so I don't have to do too much when it comes to designing the dimensions and such. I'm thinking about making it slightly bigger so that I can put my chem book and a notebook or two in there. Not sure it it'll hold up to that kind of weight. Maybe instead of having just two straps, I can have two straps per side and make them with the light blue and the dark blue. I think that works better. Maybe add a pocket or two. So I guess I'm not following that pattern too closely then. XD

I'm a little inspired to do something for the Katrina people. But not sure where to go for that one. Hm.

Momma told me that I was "special"

Clearly, I am a little awkward at matching colors. I knew I should have gone with that dark red instead of the more pink-ish color. The color combinations are a little... avant garde. But I don't want to go buy another ball of yarn so I can make another 29 squares so the colors are less... unique. The pattern is lovely, it really is, but the colors. God, the colors... They're so... special and... personalized? But I've already come this far, I should just sew the thing up and send it away, so I don't have to look at it. But crocheting the entire thing together is a bit... daunting. It's taking up a lot of space on my floor where I have laid it out, which is a little worrying. I have no idea if it's going to match his decor, and frankly, at this point, I don't care. Shame.

After I'm done with the sewing up and blocking, I can finally then work on something else. It's really a relief. I've been working on this blanket for so long that it was starting to suck the life out of me. But now that I can work on my other projects... nothing could possibly go wrong. Right? I can totally make a matching leg warmer and not go insane. In fact, I can make the missing leg warmer, finish the other one, and make a matching pair, making two pairs. I can totally do that. I'm capable. I am dedicated. I am... going to fall flat on my face as I start the second leg warmer. I'm very special that way, I suppose.

Yarn Sale!

Yesterday, Jawon, Victoria and I went out to Common Threads for their lovely, lovely yarn sale. Getting there was a general success, never mind that it was before noon, passing the store twice, and trying to parallel park several times. But when there, it was really all I could do to not simply freak out and buy out the store with my college money. Granted, it wasn't actually THAT bad... just... a little terrible is all. There's nothing wrong with a little terrible now and again.

It's starting to worry me how much yarn I have. I know, I know. Me? Worry? About yarn quantity? AHAHAHAHHAHA!!! But I think the number of projects that I have lined up are starting to get a little out of hand. I'd like eat and have spending money when I get up to Davis though. In all honesty, it's not really that I've overspent on yarn, but that I have too many projects to do this summer.

As it stands, the project list:
1. Blanket for Yasuyuki: it's a monster. It's freaking huge. And I totally want to keep it. I made a deal with myself that I would work on it, but if I never finish it in time, I get to keep it. Lame I know. But I really shouldn't do that, just mail it to him because he's lonely out there. Damn. It's an amazing blanket though. Gahhh!!! I need to grow as a person. I can do this. Absolutely, I can do this. I have edited the pattern so that it looks like this:



2. Fair Isle Leg warmers. The pattern rests at http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTmanresa.html and in my humble opinion, it's brilliant. I'm in love with it. I made the first leg for my cousin's bat mitsvah gift, but I clearly missed that deadling, so I'm probably going to keep it or end up giving it to her for... something.

3. Cabled Leg Warmers. This pattern is at http://www.knitpicks.com/Cabled+Legwarmers_PD50542220.html. It's a very very frightening pattern. Well... not really. It's just that it goes for forever and you have to make two. It's worse than socks really. But I'm going to need them for college and such like.

4. All the other projects that I still haven't finished and/or don't plan on finishing, that are still sitting on my needles somewhere in my room.

Planned projects:
1. Slip stitch bag for college. I've made the swatch and I'm not sure if it's stiff enough. But if I went on any smaller needles, they'll be bent in weird weird ways, so maybe I could just compromise on that one.

2. 2 pairs of mittens. My hands get really cold and I don't think that I particularly enjoy being cold so I'm just going make 2 pairs from the yarn that I bought at the sale.

3. A scarf that I can hopefully knit in the round, because clearly, I'm delusional enough to think that I can stick through 60 inches of stockinette in the round. Clearly. But maybe, I'll change it a little with... ribbing? But that's weird. I should go back for another ball... Maybe a two sided scarf? Oh the possibilities!

4. A felted bag so I can still hold my books as I bike frantically to lecture so I can learn stuff. It'll be stripey'd and it'll be great fun. It's knit on giant needles so I can felt it later. <3

But looking back on it, I don't think it's possible for me to finish all this knitting by the time I leave. Even if I take some of it with me, I don't think that I can finish it. It's slightly horrifying actually, how much knitting I have planned. Then I realize that there is no hope for me, at all. I'm clearly addicted and the yarn has truly eated meh.

Mittens

Lately, my friend has been on something of a knitting jag. Something like it, but not really. It's really startitis, but she doesn't know it yet. All the symptoms are there: a yearning to start something, boredom with everything she has, no regard for deadlines imposed, and complete ADD with all projects. But I believe that mittens will be around for awhile. They're small-ish and kinda portable, so she can totally work on it everywhere.

There is a point to that last paragraph, I swear. I was just inspired to design my own mitten set for her. I'm not too good at this whole designing thing, especially with the whole Latvian mitten craze she is on, but I have something better! Okay, fine. Not better than Latvian mittens, but that's pretty tough competition. I'm going to design mittens after henna tattoos. The tattoos were made for hands and women and such like, so it shouldn't be too far of a stretch, but we'll see. If I come back screaming and crying, just hand me a tissue and don't tell me, "I told you so." This is the page that I plan on working off of:http://hosuronline.com/eeva/marudhani/default.asp?cid=4 It seems helpful, so I think I'm going to be okay.

Then again, you probably shouldn't take me too seriously, it is getting close to midnight and I am a little on the erratic side.

Welcome!

Welcome to my newest blog! I'm new to this whole blogging with a purpose and we'll see how it all works, shall we? I'll try to be somewhat regular with my updates, but goodness knows how that's going to work. But welcome to my blog world. Hopefully, things will all turn out for the best and I don't completely forget you all.

To make it clear, the title of the blog is "Halp! The yarns eated meh!" which is something I'm probably going to say someday. They're safely contained in boxes for now, but I don't know if that could possibly hold them forever... I don't know. I hope so. But at the moment, yarn, knitting, and crochet have possibly taken over my life (read possibly as "absolutely"). Hopefully I'll come up with something spectacular now and again; every blind squirrel finds a nut now and again. But at any rate, welcome to my blog, enjoy your stay.

With the boring bits over with, I can move on to the things that I've been working on. I finished a pair of socks and they're lovely. Well turned heels and everything. I'd like to tell you that I enjoyed making them, but honestly, that would sort of be like lying wouldn't it? The foot went on for miles and miles and heel refused to turn and the cuff... let's not even go there. But in the end, I have BOTH socks, I have a matching pair! I nearly fell to SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) but I conquered it with sheer will power! That and a lot of strawberries and whipped cream. I used http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/socksthreesizes.htm pattern, which isn't too bad really. The layout of the sizes was a little strange with the middle size, then largest, then smallest. It was helpful though, since I didn't have to look within the parenthesis and have awkward looking socks with strange shaping and such like.

As a crochet option, I've started on a blanket and I think I have gone a little overboard in the planning. It's a gift for a friend and I hope that it'll work out. I'm not sure how big it's supposed to be, but it is a series of crocheted granny squares that should look something like this: But I think I'm getting a little carried away with the number of squares. Now that I look at it again... I think I've plunged too deep a little too quickly. Oh dear... this is going to be a fun project. Sure... fun.

However, it is also my cousin's bat mitsvah and I'm not sure what to make her. I have less than a week and I really need to get a move on it. I should have worked on it instead of my socks, but still... the socks called my name! Leg warmers? I don't know. I'm not sure. Probably. I'm a little worried about getting it done on time. I don't want to turn into a raving, knitting lunatic the night before the party. I'd rather not pull a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Again. That is reserved for Christmastime and is a once a year event. I hope. I don't think my mind could handle that.

On another more technical note I need a webcam so I can take pictures of my projects. That or get a digital camera. I could borrow my mother's... I'm sure she won't notice that it's gone for extended periods of time. Yes. That's a great idea!