Hello. My name is Jen, and I have a yarn problem.

It started off innocently enough.  I'd buy yarn for a specific pattern, but wouldn't be able to get to it as quickly as I expected.  Then, it progressed to buying a skein just because it was pretty.  Next thing I knew, I was signing up for yarn clubs and setting up reminders on my phone for independent dyers' online updates.

All of this has resulted in a yarn stash that is out of control.  I currently have 47,932 yards of yarn or about 27.3 miles worth of yarn.  That's a bit insane.  My goal for 2013 is to knit from my stash and stop buying yarn.  We'll see how I do!

Cobblestone Mug Cozy

This is the first pattern I've created myself as a challenge for 2012.  I love to make coffee mug cozies as a gift: place them on a paper coffee cup, tuck a gift card inside, and you are all set.  They are great, quick knits perfect for teachers, hair dressers, or anyone.  Everyone seems to love them.  I live in Richmond, VA where there are many brick and cobblestone streets; those sidewalk patterns inspired the design for this cozy.

Materials: about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn (I used both Berroco Comfort and Vanna's Choice)

Needles: size 7.0 DPNs. The gauge is not that important as it is fairly stretchy.  I am a rather tight knitter, so I used size 7.0 (4.5 mm) needles.  If you are an average gauge knitter, I would suggest size 6.0 (4.0 mm) needles; size 5.0 (3.5 mm) needles if you knit loosely. 

Pattern:

I knit this in the round on DPNs, but you could also use magic loop or knit flat and then seam.

Cast on 40 stitches.  Distribute stitches on DPNs and join without twisting. Place marker for the beginning of the row

Rows 1 & 2: k2, p2 all the way around
Row 3: knit all
Row 4: purl all

Rows 5 & 6: p2, k2 all the way around
Row 7: knit all
Row 8: purl all

Repeat rows 1 - 8 twice (3 pattern repeats total)

Bind off loosely

Enjoy!!

January 2012 Knitting Projects

I knit about 1,130 yards this month on these projects.  Lots of baby knitting.  :)

March 2011 Knitting Projects

Projects completed for the HPKCHC in March.

January 2011 Knitting Projects

Trying something new this month and making a collage using Picnik of all the projects I finished this month.  The names are the classes in the HPKCHC for which they were turned in.

Left to right: preemie hat, Brattleboro hat, Clockwork scarf, and Hedera socks.  All knit in Sunshine Yarns.  My goal this year is to knit from my stash rather than buying yarn.  Also, my first pair of socks done for the year (aiming for 9 total).

2010 Knitting Projects in Review

A collage of my finished knitting projects in 2010

Shawl Knitting

I've been tackling more lace-knitting projects lately.  They've caused me grief in the past, and I've been trying to conquer those demons.

First up was a Catenary shawl knit with The Sanguine Gryphon Little Traveler yarn in the color far, far away.

Next up was a les Abeilles shawl knit with Sunshine Yarns Sunsilk yarn in the color chocolate plum.

In the second photo, you can see my beautiful copper shawl pin from Nicholas and Felice on Etsy.

2010 Socks - Pair 6

I made it to my goal in 2010 - finished 6 pairs of socks!  I didn't have a lot of extra time, but I did it.  My last pair is using Sunshine Yarns Merino Sport in the color Italian Riviera.

Alot Better Ninja

For the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup, the Ravenclaw Tower is planning to rob Gringotts using Alots.  We love the Alot is better than you at everything and thought it would be great to make our own stuffed Alots.

Who better than to sneak into a bank than a ninja?

Here he is rappelling into the vault

2010 Socks - Pair 5

Fifth pair of socks this year!  One more until I reach my goal!  These were knit with Sunshine Merino Sport in Yellowstone color.  I made the pattern up myself (first time for a pair of socks!)  I think they turned out rather well.

Finished Projects

Starting my knitting for Fall and Winter early, I decided to make a slouchy hat and a scarf.  These are both made with Sunshine Yarns Worsted Merino in the color Unbirthday.

Futher Proof That I am a Big Nerd

Since January, I've been participating in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup (HPKCHC) online on Ravelry.  Basically, a bunch of knitters and crocheters get together and are divided into the houses - I'm a Ravenclaw - and there are six classes per month, plus you can sit for OWL exams that take three months.

This term, the Headmistress issued a challenge asking us to knit bookmarks that will be sent to J. K. Rowling to give to children as one of her big charities is childrens' literacy.  Here are my submissions:

I think they are quite adorable.  I'm almost sad that I am giving them away.  Hopefully, they will make someone happy.

Other Recent Knitting Projects

Citron Shawl knit in Blue Heron Metallic Rayon yarn (this was my big splurge at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May):

A Soot Sprite made with leftover black wool and some fun fur.  Hate the yarn, but I love the result.

2010 Socks - Pair 4

This pair was a birthday gift for my mom.  Knit in Colinette Jitterbug in Vatican Pie.  Pattern is from the book Socks from the Toe Up.

2010 Socks - Pair 4

Pair 4 done!  I call these Passionate Monkey socks as they are the Monkey sock pattern knit in Pagewood Farm Yukon in the color passion.

Maryland Sheep and Wool 2010

Over the weekend, I went to my first ever fiber festival - Maryland Sheep and Wool!  It was very interesting!  Kind of like a State Fair, but focusing only on fiber-related animals and products.  I really enjoyed it.  I only bought two skeins of yarn and some buttons (pics to come later) and managed to stay in my budget.  I camped on Patapsco Valley State Park, which was wonderful.  Here are some pictures from the weekend:

-Campsite:

-Alpacas

-Bunnies (angora)

-Baby Sheep

You can find all of my pictures from the weekend here.

2010 Socks - Pair 3

Halfway done with my goal of 6 pairs of socks knit this year!  I think I might have to raise that goal!

I'm calling these "Snow Day Mystery socks".  The color is Snow Day from Sunshine Yarns.  The pattern was a mystery in that I didn't know what the finished sock would look like when I started.  It was a pattern I was helping to test knit.  I'm very happy with the results.  Despite the yarn name, I think they are perfect for Spring!

2010 Socks - Pair 2

My second pair of socks finished this year!  This is the Swedish Fish Socks pattern made in Sunshine Yarns classic sock in peacock (blue) and Bella's truck (orange).  Lots of work with the two colors, but I am really pleased with how they turned out!

2010 Socks - Pair 1

One of my goals for the year is to knit at least six pairs of adult-sized socks.  I finished up my first pair last month.  This is the Duckies pattern, available for free on Ravelry, knit in Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sport (mix of merino and cashmere) in the algae color.  I love how they turned out.  They are so soft and cozy to wear.

Two finished objects: one cute, one not so much

I started and finished up two knitting projects so far this month. First one is a cute pair of booties for a friend's new baby girl (due any day!):

Another project was a cat mat knit with leftover yarn and fun fur.  I think it is horrible and ugly, but the cats like it.