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Another Purl Gurl

Other people want to make it?

I am totally in love with Ravelry. Mostly because I have been able to share my limited collection of original patterns (1 with another being typed up). My patterns are really simple and easy, but I think many people don't post the details of those types of projects because they are simple and easy. Wouldn't anyone be able to figure it out? Maybe advanced knitters, but beginners need the help.
My pattern for Z's Baby Blocks is one of those simple, easy patterns. When I posted it I was surprised to see how many people placed it in their queues. I felt the immediate response was probably because it got listed as a new pattern. I go and do that all the time. I was delighted, but sure I was the only person who was ever going to really make them. I took it in stride when someone added the pattern too. They seemed like a new user and maybe didn't know the distinction between project list and queue. I have made that mistake in other places in the past. I ignored the pattern until today when, out of nothing but curiosity, I checked in to see if there were any changes. Imagine my delight to see another person had added the project! This person actually seems to be working on it. Plus, the pattern has been mentioned in two forum posts. One as a suggestion for a beginners pattern (YAY!) and the other as a pattern they are going to make with a specific yarn.
Do all Ravely designers get this excited when they see real activity on their patterns?

Just an Update

With everything going on, it's rare that I just get to post an update entry. I am off to a conference in NYC: Book Expo. This is my third time going in 5 years. This is typically a knitting adventure. The conference is a publishing conference so they give away free books. They often bring authors to sign autographs. Crafting publishers make a point of attending. I got an autographed copy of Stitch-n-Bitch Nation my first year. I got the audio book of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's At Knit's End my second year. I gave that to my mother. I am not sure if there will be any knitting related authors this year. I didn't see any on my list. Still, I am going to have to make a point of visiting crafting publishers to see if they have anything cool. I am going to do secret pal again this summer. I am sure it would be a great gift if I need it.

There are a ton of knitting projects going on right now.

• My second attempt at socks is coming along. I am using Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's sock recipe that she demonstrated on Knity Grity. I am going to work on that while I sit on the bus to NYC.
• Troy's pirate sweater is nearing completion. I had to wait to finish it to make sure the length was right. I am not bringing that back from NYC so that will be the first thing I do on the bus.
  
• I am knitting a shawl for Warmer Winters (the knitting charity I volunteer with). I am using some of my grandmother's old yarn. I think I will ask them to use it for a fundraiser.
  
• I am finishing up all the blankets I was going to make. Some are smaller (for kids and babies). These can be given away by Warmer Winters.
• I grabbed some yarn from Warmer Winters to make a simple scarf (25 stitches, all knit). Not exciting, but it keeps me busy.
• Secret Baby Project #6 (?) is beginning. I am just waiting to find out the sex of the baby before I begin working on it. This will dictate colors more than anything else.

Katie's cable scarf

The scarf
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

The second scarf I made for Katie (upon her move to NYC) was this easy cable scarf. This is my second attempt at cables and I figured out why I had so many problems with the first project (Gabby's shrug, which I frogged). It had to do with the cable needle. The first time I used the U-shaped needle. I apparently kept twisting the stitches. This time I used the needle with the dip in it. I had much better success with it. It's hard to see the details of the pattern because the yarn is so dark, but it looked great and I feel ready to try cables again.
See it on Ravelry

Troy's Legwarmers

Troy's Legwarmers
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

When my sister decided to move to NYC with her dog, she told me he needed legwarmers. Troy is a mini pincher and thus is small and short hair. He gets cold easily, even in the heat. I found a cute and easy pattern online and got to making them. I used the same yarn I used to make his first sweater. I always loved this color. I made a few changes to the pattern. I ribbed one end (the bottom) to help keep them on his legs. He may not need them much for the next few months, but he will have them as soon as it gets cool again.
See it on Ravelry

Back to School Washcloth

Back to School Washcloth
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

My student assistant and friend Sariah is graduating and heading off to get her MLS. She lived at home for the past 4 years so graduate school will be her first big experience away from home. I decided to make her a washcloth and a dishcloth to celebrate her academic success. I made this wash cloth and another dishcloth (with the blue as the study and the multicolored as the body) as part of her graduation/end of the year gift. You can see pictures on Flickr and more details on Ravelry.

Z's blanket

Z's blanket
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

It has been about a year since I made this for Z. Before this I had not made a blanket for Z. I found the quick and easy Glowing Colors Afghan from Lion's Brand and knew it was the right one for him. I changed the yarn to Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky because I liked the colors more. I changed the colors to be more masculine. The colors were blues and grays with this bright neon green as the anchor color. I was afraid it would look bad, but I really loved how it turned it. I also made changes to the pattern to make bigger blocks of color rather than a few small chunks here and there.
I forgot to take a picture before I gave it to Z, but this weekend I had a chance to take one. I went to visit my cousin, saw it out and grabbed a few pictures before I forgot about it again. There are a few more photos on Flickr and, if you have Ravelry, you can see more about the project.

Snake Scarf

Snake Scarf
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

This was my favorite project this winter and I will probably make it again. Z-man needed a scarf. ETH got one so now Z-man needs one. While I liked the doggie scarf I made last year, I refuse to make it again. It's just too much work. I wanted something quick and easy, but cool. I had some green and white yarn left from the icord scarves and used that to make this snake scarf. My favorite part is the black button eye and the felt tongue. Awesome...

I-cord scarf

Icord scarf
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

I don't have many adult male friends who get knitting gifts. This year I happened to have two of them who asked for scarves. I hunted down this fantastic pattern to make an I-Cord scarf. Essentially, knit 6 icords. I picked two colors, but the pattern calls for three colors. All the cords should be the same length and then braided together. It took a while because the icords are long, but I could do 2 or 3 at a time.

My First Adult Socks

My First Socks
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

A few years ago, when I did Secret Pal, I was gifted a skein of delicious sock yarn. I put it aside for the day I would be ready for socks. The day came recently. I picked a pattern that was labeled for beginners. While in Germany and Paris I started on my first pair of adult socks. Last summer I made my first pair of socks. They were baby booty socks and were turned into dog toys. My success with those socks made me think adult socks would be easy. I had experience with short rows and I like knitting on double pointed needles. I was positive this would be a breeze. I was not totally right. Yes, it was easy, but the pattern was not clear about what to do. The instructions were vague and not helpful for beginners. When I looked at the final sock, I was not happy with it. The heal was too square and fitted. The toes just didn't look right. I finished the second sock, but as soon as I was done I ripped them apart and found a better pattern. These photos are all that remain of my first pair of socks.

Katie's ribbed scarf

Katie's ribbed scarf
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

When my sister decided to move up to the North East (and eventually settled on NYC) she asked me to make her some scarves. She and I have very different taste in scarves. I like mine thin and light. She likes hers think and chunky. I set her on the task of finding patterns she liked and then I picked a few I knew I could do. This scarf she found very quickly. I set out to find the right yarn for her. I picked Lion's Wool-ease because I loved the softness. The color was also perfect to get her started with her scarf collection. She could have a neutral color that she could wear with almost anything. Plus, it's very easy to care for. This pattern is a simple knit 1, purl 1 pattern. I think it took me a few hours to make with ease.
She really liked the yarn and the scarf so we picked up some more Wool-Ease and I have a few more patterns to make for her. Next I get to try cables again.

Skinny Scarf

Skinny Scarf
Originally uploaded by librarygurl

A few years ago I made this scarf for a friend of mine. I forgot to take a picture and then we stopped speaking. I always loved the look of the scarf and wanted to make it again. Since then I have been trying to use up my remaining acrylic stash of yarn. I decided to use it up by making this scarf again. I remembered that I didn't care for this pattern. It is knit on the length which means every row is like 400 stitches. Second, you need to be paying attention to the pattern because it requires slipping stitches, wrapping yarn, and other things. It is easy to skip something and mess up the pattern.
I still love looking at the scarf after though. It's so pretty that I easily forget how irritated I was as I knit it. I made some changes to this one. First, I changed all the colors to suit what I had left in my yarn. The pattern only calls for three colors, but I used many as I had a limited supply. I also made fringe at the end with the remaining scraps. I realized, I may enjoy doing this patter again with all different colors.