Category Archives: Getting Crafty

All things whipped up by hand

Green Cables

Posted in Getting Crafty, Knitting by

A friend at work will be spending her first “White Christmas” in Japan this year. I was super delayed about giving her a birthday present (it was in September 😳) so I decided a holiday gift that could be used on her trip would be the next best thing. Knowing her, I pictured a beautiful cabled hat with a furry pompom to top it off.

The pattern I used was The Cushy Beanie. The yarn was bulkier than the pattern called for so I only repeated the cable section 3 times rather than 5. This was a pretty straightforward pattern including a chart and written directions.

I used a new to me yarn called Nako Inca Alpaca, which is a wool/ alpaca/ acrylic blend. It was soft to work with, but I could tell it wasn’t pure alpaca. As you can see in the photo it is a “hairy” yarn yet, there was minimal shedding during the knitting and blocking process. The yardage on this yarn was only 53m so I used 2.25 skeins to make this hat. The yarn was super affordable due to a sale, but I don’t think I would use it again as a larger project would get pricey.

Fingers crossed she likes it! 🤞🏾

Until Next Time,

Baby Sophisticate Cardigan

Posted in Getting Crafty, Knitting by

I made this cardigan ages ago. My friend was having a baby and I convinced myself that this sweater was going to be too small for a new baby. So it sat without buttons for over a year. Cut to me just having a baby and I realized how silly I was. Babies are small…duh!

My now two month old is just fitting into this sweater. I made it using a cotton mix so it is perfect for the now cooler temps we are experiencing in the morning. If you follow me on IG (@knitsbywhitsf) I was in a bit of a button pickle. I just couldn’t decide on which buttons to use. The giraffe ones are so cute, but as a follower pointed out they can be a pain to actually use. Considering babies are super squirmy I decided on being 50% practical (hehe).

I swear I have become hooked on making baby items. They are just so quick to make. Good old instant satisfaction! I think making baby sweaters is going to replace my previous love of hat making.

Until Next Time,

Happy Halloween!

Posted in Crochet, Getting Crafty, Knitting by

I whipped up a couple of quick items for the husband and baby to join the “Spooky Walk” hosted by our co-workers. 👻

The outfit was a gift that was too cute to resist. I made a simple wool crochet headband to top it off.

When my husband saw the cat costume he wanted to be a mouse. So I dove into the stash and whipped up a simple knit beanie with crochet mouse ears. The two of them looked quite cute as we walked around trick or treating.

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

Knitted Baby Pants

Posted in Getting Crafty by

In December, my family will head back to the USA to spend Christmas with my grandparents. This will be a 19 hour flight…during holiday time…with a 3 month old 😭. However, my grandparents are almost 90 and they really want to see the baby as she is the first great grandchild.

Since they live outside of Boston I am trying to knit up some winter clothing for all of us. Baby has about 5 sweaters so far. Yet, when I found Hosenmatz, I knew I had to use some of the gorgeous sock yarn I picked up this past summer in San Francisco.

I purchased Smooshy Petites in Cabaret from Firebird Yarns in San Francisco. This is a new yarn store to me since I moved away 2 years ago. The pants took almost 3 mini skeins. I love the variety of colors in this yarn and that it is oh so soft. As you can see the 3-6 month size is a bit baggy on her (she is only two months old), but I am sure she will grow into them in the next few months. I was left with a 1/3 of a skein of yarn, which will allow me to lengthen the pants as she grows.

I have to say I am a little jealous of these pants. They look perfect for lounging around in. Too bad I lack the ambition to embark on creating an adult sized version of them.

Until Next Time,

Chunky Knit Pullover

Posted in Getting Crafty, Knitting by

Grey is such a versatile color. You can pretty much wear it with any other color, which in my mind makes a grey sweater an essential wardrobe staple.

I purchased this yarn in Tokyo over a year ago. It sat in my stash in waiting for the day to be made into a sweater as I didn’t have large enough needles to make anything with it. This summer, I purchased some US Size 15 Knitter’s Pride Dreamz. These are my favorite needles! The colors are fun and the slip is perfect for my personal tension. They have an interchangeable set that I am resisting buying.

I used Natura Just Cotton XL yarn in Nuage and the pattern Sweet Lady Blue from Drops Designs. Since I only had 5 balls of yarn I modified the pattern. I shortened the body of the sweater as well as the sleeves. I knit the body (to under the armholes) to 12”. The sleeves were made from the cuff up to make sure I had enough yarn. To do this I worked out an even spacing pattern to increase the sleeves to 32 stitches. The other modification I made was skipping the crochet edge on the neckline.

I can’t wait to wear this sweater! I have many ideas about how to fit it in with the clothing I have. It is still unbelievably hot here so I have a few more months to wait.

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

The Vanessa Earwarmer

Posted in Getting Crafty, Knitting by

Test knitting is a great way to help designers create and publish patterns. It is integral to helping ensure that patterns are written clearly and correctly. I like to test knit ever so often as a way to learn more about the design process as well as earn access to the newest patterns. I mostly find test knitting projects via IG or Ravelry.

Such was the case for the Vanessa Earwarmers. Fiber and Fern (aka Brie Christine ) sent out a call via IG for test knitters for this interesting headband pattern. I like headbands as my ears are always cold in cooler weather and they can accommodate my voluminous hair.

I choose to use some remaining Cascade 220 Worsted to work up the pattern. Since this was a test knit the pattern was in progress so I made sure to contact the designer about the pattern directions when needed. The earwarmers took me about two days to create using worsted weight yarn and US Size 6 needles. The project was pretty gratifying. Not only did I get to try a new stitch pattern, but I used up some stash yarn AND got a Christmas gift completed. Talk about a triple score 😊.

I highly recommend the Vanessa Earmwarm pattern if you are looking for a headband pattern that incorporates a little bit more of a challenge than just stockinette stitch. They are quick to make and generate a trendy accessory for fall/winter.

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

Mosaic Water Hat

Posted in Getting Crafty, Knitting by

I love a good stitch dictionary. I swear by my Barbara Walker book (A Treasury of Knitting) for inspiration. Sadly, my book is still in the US as it isn’t an essential to living abroad. Lucky for me I stumbled upon this blog called String Geekery during a 3:00 AM feeding. It is awesome! The author posts lovely lace and mosaic charts for free!

Itching to start something new I decided to work up Naomi Parkhust’s water-inspired mosaic chart into a infant hat. Hats are a great canvas for work like this. You can get in just enough practice without having to commit to a huge project. Naomi only provided a chart so it was up to me to form a pattern around it. All was good when I started the hat, but as I got to the crown decreases I need to use my thinking cap. How could I preserve the colorwork pattern while decreasing?

I figured it out on the fly (aka just went for it) rather than charting it. To the average eye it looks fine, which was a-ok with me. After doing this I tried to write what I did down. However, I had trouble charting the decreases so that someone else would understand it. So I gave up. A bit fixed mindset I know, but I need some more education around making colorwork charts that include decreases.

Overall, I am happy with how the hat turned out. It was a good use of stash yarn and a great way for me to keep practicing my colorwork skills. I plan on trying more of Naomi’s mosaic charts in the near future. I am thinking I would like to use a green and grey color contrast.

Until Next Time,