Happy Halloween

Well, I didn't start in time to knit myself a bat costume this year.

But, while I was curating my yarn collection. . .oh, who am I kidding. . .while I was sitting on top of a plastic bin trying to  keep the skeins from exploding before I could snap the cover shut I had the revelation that I could actually use the yarn and relieve the storage problem. 

The bin was full of funky hand spun yarns and I found two that were perfect for quick Halloween gifts for my sisters.

Skull-A-Tor Cowl

Pumpkinhead Cowl

Material Whirled "Skull Skein"

Using a huge S/19mm hook I worked 65 Foundation Single Crochet. Then I worked back and forth in rows, varying the stitches for each row.  I used sc, sl st, and sc-ch1-skip-next-st. When I was almost out of yarn I finished the row I was working on and crocheted the ends together. The finished infinity scarves are about 4" x 53" (10cm x  cm) and took about an hour each to complete.

KAL-WIP

November means another Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat Knitalong. This is one of the best KAL's around: Woolly's hat patterns are unmatched for clarity, detail, and sizing flexibility; the ravelry group is very supportive; the hats are always flattering and beautiful. And since it's a hat it isn't a huge commitment of time or materials.

Mystery KAL Details

The official start is November 1, and although I've chosen the yarn, I haven't knit a swatch.

Fearless Fibers Merino-Cashmere-Nylon

Be sure to visit Tami's Amis to see what others have in the works.

Costume FO

Finished the single loop cowl version of Handsprings. I like to play with oddly-shaped pieces, and I was inspired by ruffs and turned up collars I saw in some fashion photos.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the stichiest of them all? 

I didn't realize until I took my own photos that the look I got was not so much Mary Queen of Scots as the Evil Queen Stepmother in Snow White (Disney version.) But that's okay. After all, Halloween is next week.

For more finished objects visit Tami's Amis where the crafting never stops.

This WIP's On Fire

Watch out for your eyes again. This time it's the yarn, not the needles.

Rosie's Firestarter Socks from Novel Knits, socks inspired by the characters in Grounded The Seven, Book 1. There's a KAL over on ravelry.

Fun to knit. Lots of stockinette, but it's never boring because there is a simple stitch pattern over ten of the stitches, a Welsh heel, and a fitted arch.

I've finished the heel gussets and am ready to move on to the foot. I've been knitting them in tandem over two sets of DPN's.

My feet feel warm just looking at this yarn, and I'll be wearing them under my boots this winter.

You can see what others have in the works by following the links at Tami's Amis. 

Toolsday: Watch Out for Your Eyes

I've been using my new double-pointed needles this week. Made by Kollage, they are square with pointy tips that could take your eye out.

Kollage 5-inch DPN's US 0/2.0mm

On the plus size they are made of aluminum, so light you'll feel like the sly tailors in The Emperor's New Clothes sewing with invisible needles. They are easy to grip, and as promised, stitches are more even. In a pinch you could jam a couple of olives on them and use them as cocktail picks.

However, combined with the yarn I am using(sock yarn with high nylon content)the knitting is a real slipfest. I use DPN's frequently and prefer to put the stitches on three needles, but had to switch to four. I now wish I had bought the 6-inch size.
They are also extremely easy to misplace, in spite of the red color.

Mobile FO

Trying to blog on the fly. 

Crocheted cowl:  Sweet Teeth

  Quince & Co.  Osprey: bird's egg, chanterelle, petal, clay

6.5mm hook

Photographer with shaky hands:)
 

Visit http://tamisamisblogspot.com  to see for yourself the lovely work that everyone has completed this week.

WIP'd Creme

All the time I've worked on this I keep thinking about Mellowcreme Halloween candy. 

One of the ingredients is wax. Yum!

The yarn colors are a bit more appetizing in real life, but late night phone pix seldom show anything to it's best advantage.

Visit Tami's Ami's to see what else is being worked on this week.

The Goad of Boredom FO

Never underestimate the power of boredom as a motivator. I wanted this to be finished before October and it was, but what got me through the last few reps was my sheer boredom. Lovely pattern(Longshadows by Anne Hanson of knitspot) lovely yarn,(Nona from Spirit Trail Fiberworks) but I just wanted to never see it again in my knitting bag, on my lap being worked on, or in my WIP list.

So long, Longshadows! See you around my shoulders.

Now go see some more finished projects at Tami's.

Wippity

Reworking Handsprings as a single-loop Cowl. Pattern to follow in a week or so. 

Nothing much more to say. Weather remains beautifully warm and sunny into October, so I've been trying to spend time outdoors.

To have a look at more progress visit Tami's Amis.