Good People

August road trip through Michigan with B. If you have never visited Michigan, put it on your list! Michigan has beautiful parks and friendly cities.

Frankenmuth was toward the end of our trip. It is a Bavarian-themed city with a touristy downtown and a perpetual Christmas theme.

We stopped at a charming upscale boutique targeting older women’s fashion. We didn’t purchase any clothes, but found a yarn and knitting nook in the back!

Brenda was immediately taken by a sample scarf of black and soft grey yarn. Very long, and would make a great winter scarf. It also looked like a relatively easy project and an interesting pattern.

The pattern is Good People, available on Ravelry. Yarn is Emma’s Yarn Hella Hank in colorways Elephant and After Dark. Hella Hank is hand-dyed 80% marino, 10% Cashmire, and 10% Nylon.

I started at Christmas time, and completed it in mid-January. It was a great diversion and fun to knit. The hanks are 600 yards each, so it took a LONG time and resulted in a LONG scarf.

I’m pleased with the outcome – it is a very soft scarf, and very layer-able.

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Vincent (What I did on my summer vacation)

My first attempt at a progressive project GIF.

“Tiny Vincent Van Gogh Self Portrait” from Cross Stitch Obsession, available on Etsy.

The size is 3″ by 2.5″ and stitched on perforated paper. I stitched this in its entirety during a summer driving tour of Michigan with the Bestie. It seems pixilated close up, but the features pop out at a distance.

This is part of the Modern Cross Stitch Pattern Series by Cross Stitch Obsession. There are several “Masterpieces” rendered into tiny cross-stitch form that are quick and easy.

Peaceful Afghan Complete

Completed in time for the Wedding. I like the color and the pattern, but it got heavy as I got closer to the end!

Pattern is Peaceful, from the Leisure Arts Big Book of Quick Knits Afghans. This book is now available on Kindle in addition to the paperback version. Both versions are very affordable and include 24 good, easy-to-read, lovely patterns.

Yarn is Wool of the Andes Superwash in Aurora Heather, available through Knitpicks. This afghan took 32 skeins.

Peaceful Afghan

My go-to wedding gift is a hand-knitted afghan, big enough for the happy couple to snuggle together.

Pattern is Peaceful, from the Leisure Arts Big Book of Quick Knits Afghans. This book is now available on Kindle in addition to the paperback version. Both versions are very affordable and include 24 good, easy-to-read, lovely patterns.

Yarn is Wool of the Andes Superwash in Aurora Heather, available through Knitpicks. An afghan this size takes 33 skeins.

The great thing about the Quick Knits Afghan patterns is that the yarn is held in two strands, which makes the afghan thicker and warmer without being “stiff” or “tight.” For each skein, I pull from the center and outside at the same time, so I don’t have to fuss with two skeins at once.

This pattern features an alternating triple cable pattern that is easy to memorize.

I really like the dark green color for this afghan!

Swan Wrap Complete

I liked the way this turned out. It wrap is lightweight, and the pink tones blend very well with the grey of the wool. I don’t typically wear wraps or scarves, but I might be able to fit this into my wardrobe.

Swan Wrap pattern available in Sock One-Skein Wonders (Amazon link). Yarn was one-part stash (unknown origin) and one-part Erica Knight Wool Local.

The pattern was easy to memorize and grew on each repeat for a scalloped edge. The wingspan is very long compared to the depth of the wrap, but it would make a good scarf.

Reversable Blanket Pinwheels

I just realized that I haven’t posted for a while – I’ve been busy cranking out this baby blanket, and a project like that is a bit on a clock.

Yarn: Knitpicks Swish DK in color Mimic (dark blue)

Pattern: Reversible Blanket Pinwheels by Kristina from Beloved Patterns – available on Etsy.

This was a fairly easy blanket, though not one for knitting mindlessly. It is both charted and written. It took a lot of time – DK weight yarn in a baby blanket size is a lot of stitches! I was pleased with the results, and it is already in the hands of the recipient, who is awaiting the arrival of the new addition to the family any day now.

I did not block the blanket – the pattern worked up uniformly, and I thought that blocking it might smooth out the texture of the pattern more than I wanted.