Friday, December 27, 2013

Tremont jacket and Entropy shawl

I just completed the Tremont jacket from the Jean Frost book, Jackets.  I used Forsell 100% wool Slolom in jade.  I converted the hand knit to machine.  I used my Brother 270 at T6 and had to convert the gauge.  The skirt was one that I drafted.  Both are in stockinette with crochet edgings.  I used the puff crochet stitch from the book but added an extra row of crab stitch to finish off the jacket.  The skirt has a single crochet and then crab stitch on the bottom hem.  Right now the jacket is a little large for me but I have not washed it yet.  When I do, I expect/hope that it shrinks to the gauge of my washed and dried swatch.  All in all, though, it is wearable as it is.  It is 100% wool and will be very warm for this winter.  I just hope the skirt does not seat out too badly.  I have already sewn a half slip in jade that should work as a lining.



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Entropy again

The bug hit again and I just finished number nine crocheted with a K in Forsell Slalom color jade and it weighs 16 oz.  I'll get a picture of it posted soon.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Entrophy

I have been obsessively crocheting these Doris Chan Entropy shawls these past two or three months.  They need to be blocked properly.


 
 
 
Red in Berroco Glace with I hook.
Blue angora shawl in fingering angora with I hook.
Blue wool - Sport weight with H hook.
Taupe Patons Classic wool in a worsted weight with G hook I made three of these with eight skeins of 100 grams purchased from Smiley’s in New York.

The blue angora was my seventh one is mine and my favoriate. The taupe ones took about 2 1/2 days on average to crochet and I work full time. Needless to say, I was a little obsessive about crocheting them. I found these addictive. I still have some yarn in other colors I would like to use but I am going to give these a rest and start machine knitting again and/or try some more patterns from the Doris Chan Convertible Crochet: Customizable Designs for Stylish Garments

Monday, December 2, 2013

The pillow cover is another example of what I do when the mood strikes.  I ribbon embroider.  Mostly I embroider on towels or a top that I have knit.  This is the third pillow top I have made.  I used various widths of ribbon and some beads as well as one golden butterfly button in the upper left.  This is not my pattern.  I went by a project in the book Splendid Silk Ribbon Embroider by Chris Rankin.  I gave it away in August and I need to made one for me.



Monday, November 25, 2013

Knit Beards

My office is doing the No Shave November charity of the Second Harvest Food Bank.  The guys have been growing their facial hair as best they can.  I decided the women needed to participate so I knit some beards this weekend.  I had some takers!
 



                                    




I used Lion Brand Fun Fur and knit them on the Brother 270 knitting machine:

Tension 6.
Cast on 40 and knit 4 rows.  Carriage on right.
Put L7 to L20 in hold and knit across
Put R 7 to L20 in hold and knit across.
Short row and put one needle back in work on each row but also wrapping the needle next to the carriage.  Short row back to the end needles, wrapping needle next to carriage to prevent holes.
Cast off from R6 to L6 and put these needles out of work.
With carriage on left, set carriage to Hold.  Put in hold R7-R20.
Knit across from left to right.
E-wrap L6 to R 6.
Hand knit R7-R20.
Cancel hold.  Pull all needles forward and knit across and knit 4 rows.
K 1 row T10 and cast off last row.
Crochet a chain of 12 stitches and attach to top corner of beard.  Repeat for other side.

Beard is worn with the stockinette side facing you as this side will curve toward your face.

Enjoy!

This beard can be attached to a cap or worn over the ears via the loops.