B is for.....

B is for I'm Back cause I'm feeling a little Bit Better! Thanks for all your kind well wishes!

Sneaking in just under the wire for the ABC along B is for Benevolent.

Here's my first benevolent act of the year.....my red scarf for The Red Scarf Project....

Kindly and expertly modeled by the FK Mom (she MADE me cut her head off!!)

And a close up of the pattern

Specs:

"Robert" Seaman's Scarf from Shawls and Scarves by Myrna Stahman

Naturespun Worsted, color Scarlet (more true red than the orange-red on my monitor)

Size 6 Addi Turbo Circs

I know many knitters start out knitting scarves. I guess I skipped that rite of passage since all of my knit recipients live in climates not conducive to scarf knitting or don't wear scarves. This was my very first scarf EVER! and I loved it! The construction of the seaman's scarf is very cool. The scarf has a ribbed center to fit comfortably under a collar and the book gives you two options to achieve this. You can knit in the traditional end-to-end method however one end of the scarf will appear "upside down". The second option is to use a provisional cast on and make each end mirror the other.....was there any doubt which one anal compulsive/obsessive FK Deb chose? :)

I wish I had known about The Red Scarf Project sooner because I would have gladly knit more scarves. Being sick, my Mom was kind enough to drop my scarf off at Einstein's Bagels for me. She told me there was a big sign on the door advertising the charitable project but inside when my Mom asked the girl behind the counter where to leave the scarf, she was met with that blank "huh?" we've all seen....then the girl said, "oh, that must be what this box is for" (the big box sitting on the counter!!) Sadly, mine was the only scarf in the box on the last day for collection.....I know lots of scarves were knit all over the country but I hope next year South Florida does a little better....these young adults deserve at least a warm scarf!

B is also for Beaded Knitting!!

Here's a picture of a secret gift project I'm working on. Isn't it pretty?

The yarn is SEDUCTION by Blue Moon Fibers Arts (of Socks that Rock fame) in the Sedona colorway. It's a lovely, shiny merino/tencel blend with lots of drape.

I'm crocheting the beads on and when I'm finished there will be about 2000 beads! I'm really enjoying it, beaded knitting is FUN!! and EASY! Wanna learn how? There just happens to be a tutorial on my side bar :) Serendipity!! Go ahead, try knitting with beads, you'll love it!

I'll take a pic of this undertaking project when it's done but no sharing til after it's gifted! Yes, I am a tease! See La, I can keep a secret now and then :)

Lastly, B is for Bearfoot....

Here are the first socks of 2006!

Specs:

Pattern: My design: Mistake stitch rib, toe up, YO short row heel

Size 1.5 US (2.5 mm) 40" Addi Turbo circ

Yarn: 1 skein Mountain Colors Bearfoot, colorway: Northern Lights

I used the Turkish Cast-On for these socks and it was brilliant! The perfect way to start toe up socks in my opinion! And once again, I just happen to have a tutorial on my sidebar for those that yearn to learn...more serendipity! hehehe

I also used the Magic Loop for these socks and I liked it! It's still much slower and fussier than DPNs for me but I can see that ML has it's benefits in certain situations. One great thing was that instead of using 2 needles to start the Turkish Cast-On, I used my one Magic Loop needle - MUCH less fussy and easy to do!

I used Elizabeth Zimmermann's Sewn Cast Off and I'm happy with the result. It's neat and not all wavy as some toe up bind offs can be plus it's nice and stretchy.

One last note....this was my first time using Bearfoot and I ADORE this yarn! It's amazingly soft, the colors are stunning and it knits like a dream! Because of the mohair content, the yarn has less elasticity and memory than pure wool so it really needs a ribbed type pattern to give it a bit of spring. It's a truly lovely yarn that I will use again and again! (right Lizzie?)

I leave you with yet another P-Man glamour shot.


He's laying by my side, nusing me back to health while he sneaks in a little *push-push* on my yarn for himself! How can you feel bad when you have a nurse like my Pumpkin?

Enjoy the weekend and knit! It's Back to Bed for me and my B's, Bye!