Sunday, December 14, 2008

On occasion.....


I do knit something other than socks around here. Shocking, innit? :)

I know it's been nothing but socks, socks and more socks around here for a while but I do have a couple of non-sock items to share.....

First of all, I confess I finally popped my Malabrigo cherry....what was I waiting for?? This stuff is heaven in a skein!

In my defense, I have no LYS and you can't really appreciate the splendor that is Malabrigo on a monitor!

I have a friend in very chilly Ohio who's been having a pretty rough year health wise so I wanted to knit her something very snuggly for Christmas/her birthday (both in December).

Enter the Dolores Park Cowl (Ravelry link) Super easy, super pretty and extra super quick!

Have a peek:



Isn't it beautiful?


Specs

Delores Park Cowl designed by Parikha Mehta
2 skeins Malabrigo Chunky in Stone Chat
24" size US 13 addi turbo

Notes: My friend is a fluffy gal and I know cowls are supposed to fit with lots of ease so to be safe I added an additional 2 inches to the width. I figured if I was wrong and it was too big she could pin it a little tighter with a pretty shawl pin but serendipity prevailed and it's PERFECT on her!

Because of the extra inches I needed 2 skeins altho some people who knit the cowl as written had to eliminate some rows to use only one skein so your mileage may vary even if you knit the pattern as written. I did alternate the 2 skeins every other row (what a PIA that was!) but it was worth it cause it's so lovely.

I also knit the reverse stockinette rows at the beginning and end as garter stitch because I wanted a more solid border.

I finished it a few weeks ago when Florida was having a record breaking November heat wave. I tried the cowl on and despite the 90 degree heat I couldn't take it OFF! This yarn is that yummy! (side note: I washed it before gifting, no sweaty handknits here at FKD, heheh)

And then to further feed my newly acquired Malabrigo jones, I knit Jessie some matching wristers....


As further proof of the lure of the Malabrigo, FKMom, yes Florida dwelling FKMom got a gander of these and demanded her own pair!

Specs:

Extra Warm Malabrigo Wristers (Ravelry Link)
1 skein Malabrigo Worsted in Stone Chat
32 inch size US #4 addi turbo, magic loop method

These are just an adaptation of my free Extra Warm Kureyon Wristers Pattern with the ribbing on the cuff and thumb changed to a twisted 1x1 rib to better suite the elegance of the Malabrigo. (info is on my Rav project page linked above) I was able to get 2 pair, one large size and one medium size, from one skein.

All have been gifted and all are well loved already, WOOT!

Now if that wasn't enough, I also finished my second Fugly Sock Yarn Blanket of Doom!


This one is a Christmas gift for my next door neighbors....and I'm hanging up my hook for a while!

Srsly, while I love these colorful blankets and use mine every day (plus it's such a gorgeous way to use up all those little leftover sock bits!) I am a knitter much more than a crocheter.

In fact, I'm just dying to knit a real honest to goodness sweater cause it's been far too long!

I usually cast on a new project on New Years Day so I'll be spending the next 2 weeks purveying the perfect sweater pattern, hehe....

So far Kingscot, Ginny, Eastlake and Olivia are the front runners....anyone want to voice an opinion? :)

The P-Man says as long as he can make biscuits on it and there's an ample supply of chicken, they're all the same to him!

Hope your holiday knitting is finished and your mistletoe and eggnog (and chicken!) are plentiful!

See y'all soon, there are socks to show, dontcha know! :)

23 comments:

Dorothy said...

Good to hear from you! Somehow I can get motivated to do anything, but socks. But I guess it's about knitting what trips your trigger, huh?? Anyways, my votes if for either Kingscot or Olivia. Will this be for you? Your friend is so fortunate to not only have you for a friend, but get some pretty smashing handknits as well.

Anonymous said...

Ooooo....Eastlake!! It's different for one thing!! Donna

Agnes said...

The Malabrigo colours are so beautiful! I am happy to know that you like Malabrigo yarn because, you know, there maybe some knocking on your door soon ... I'm just saying ... :D

alltangledup said...

kingscote or eastlake... they look more interesting to knit that Olivia or Ginny.

malabrigo i just so gorgeous isn't it?

Carole Knits said...

Wow, you have been busy! I see you on Ravelry but it's nice to see you on your blog, too.

Anonymous said...

A lot of good stuff going on around here! I love that sock blanket, and LOVE the twisted rib of the fingies of the mitts!

Nana Sadie said...

OMG. Is there time to knit a set of those for someone for Christmas? Deb they're wonderful! And you're a great friend!!!

I'm a Malabrigo virgin, myself hon...must remedy that - these are the perfect patterns to try, thank you!
(scritches to P-Man...what a beefcake shot!)
Happy Holidays!
(((hugs)))

WandaWoman said...

You keep calling those blankets Fugly blankets of doom, but they keep turning out magnificently!

Can't believe you were a Malabrigo virgin?! Mmm, Malabrigo, is wonderful to work with. I finished a scarf out of it a few weeks ago. It is great to have wrapped up around your neck, so cozy.

I really like Eastlake and Olivia. I hadn't seen Olivia, nor Ginny before. I just recently acquired some Felted Tweed, so I may have to acquire one of these books.

CinnabarsKnitter said...

I like Eastlake, personally--it looks like it would be just as cute on someone of fluffier build as the decidedly-svelte model, too! So two positives--interesting to knit and flattering.

As always, your guy kitty is adorable (though not as cute as mine, of course). (You don't have to tell him I said that.)

Cinnabars on Ravelry (I'm trying to add that to Blogger comments, since my Google profile tries to link to Blogger, without success....)

Batty said...

Kitty!

Sorry, I get distracted every time. I love that cowl. I've been on a cowl kick lately -- at least visually. Around here, it's still socks, socks, socks, mostly Christmas socks for people. But thanks for reminding me that other projects exist.

La Cabeza Grande said...

Casting another skein for Eastlake! It is one of my dream patterns and I'd love to see your take on it.

BTW, if your boy likes chicken, Weluva's Paw Lickin' Chicken is not to be missed. Whole pieces of breast meat in a light gravy make mine go wild every time.

And thanks a bunch. I've added your mitts pattern to my queue :o)

Rhonda the Stitchingnut said...

Now that made a really nice display. The gifts are beautiful!

Jessica said...

Ahhh the joys of malabrigo and cowls. Resistance is futile. You have been assimilated. ;)

becky c. said...

I vote for Eastlake!! Can't believe you have finished 2 blankets and I am still on #1. I'll pick it back up after Christmas knitting, I swear.

Linda said...

Olivia is my vote of those you mentioned. Love the mitts. I have some lace weight Malabrigo but haven't knitted with it yet. It might jump up on the list after reading your post, though.

Madge said...

Ho ho ho! I love Kim Hargreaves' classic style, and have to vote for Olivia. And of course Eastlake is beautiful.

Would you believe it took a long time to convert me to Malabrigo fandom? I was all "What's the big deal? It looks like it'll felt in a second." Okay, so I'm not real bright sometimes. Now I squishes it and wants to marry it. Lovely cowl and mitts.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous colors! I'm still a malabrigo virgin. I'm too scared to try it. What if I love it?

Give the P-man a scritch on that tummy for me.

Knitnut,Karen said...

Love the cowl!! It looks warm and cuddlie. If your friend opens it before Christmas, she'll be able to put it to good use. I live in Ohio and yesterday we had a wind chill factor of -35 degrees.

Linda said...

Thank you for designing for fluffy friends: it is inspiring to see what you create.

KSee said...

Love everything...from your post of the Doris Park Cowl. I hope be be posting more 2008 FO this weekend. Thanks for the link. It was a great day project to do over the holidays. I ended up doing another over the New Years weekend for a co-worker.

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