Shelter in Place: Day 37

On April 22, 2020April 22, 2020 By FogKnitsIn Cowl, Hat6 Comments

I left the house today and immediately remembered why I like staying in: the sun. Ugh. There was way too much nice day out there for me. I’m happy to be back inside now, with the shade and my knitting.

I had lots of quality knitting time this weekend. I finished a second Tensfield hat. Still loving this pattern! It’s so inventive! Really unlike anything else. Doing some great stash busting too.

This second version, is Spud & Chloe Sweater. Because, rainbows. Obviously.

After getting my instant gratification fix, I cast on for something that’s going to take a bit longer, a Matchmaker Cowl. Another Martina Behm pattern with a fun twist. I haven’t gotten to the fun twist yet but I’m looking forward to it.

It’s been a nice soothing bit of garter stitch so far. I love the colors and this yarn is another bit of deep stash! It’s MadTosh DK from 2014. The variegated color is ‘Knitting is Dead Sexy’…the exclusive tour color from Stephen & Steven’s 2014 Tour (as in Stephen West & Steven Be). I’d say six years in deep stash is enough. This yarn is happy to see the light of day!

So I continue on this way, knitting flat, for a bit longer. It’s the perfect Zoom knitting with friends…the new knit night. Then the surprise bit to turn this flat piece into something round. Looking ahead at the pattern, I see some binding off and then rejoining to knit flat again. How does she even think of these things? It’s never even occurred to me to knit a circular garment by only knitting flat. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Shelter in Place: Day 32

On April 17, 2020April 17, 2020 By FogKnitsIn FO Friday, Hat2 Comments

Shelter in Place: Day 32

It’s FO Friday! WOOO! After a couple aimless weeks, my knitting mojo is coming back! I’ve been wearing my new shawl all week. I finished my first Tensfield hat too!

This hat is super fun…it’s a no swatch necessary, any gauge you want pattern with an incredibly unique construction. I love it. The knitting starts with the striped chevron bit as a flat triangle. You then join and through a series of short rows, create the crown shaping.

I color blocked the short row sections, for no particular reason but it gives you an idea of how the shaping is working. The green block that’s off the left side was first. Then, the large blue section across the back. Finally, the small green section at the top right. I’ll definitely be playing with this shaping more! It’s a great pattern. I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

I’m thinking rainbow stripes for the next one…

Pulled a few more projects out too…a scrappy pile for a shawl and some mini skeins to turn into a ‘quiet book’ for my nephew! He’s currently loving books, so time to get going on that project. I’ve been thinking about it since he was born! Of course, I’ll probably change all of these plans before Monday but at least I’m having fun making piles today!

Have a fun weekend…or don’t. No pressure. You do you. The last thing you need right now is some internet weirdo pressuring you into doing something you aren’t feeling, ya know?? :)

Shelter in Place: Day 31

On April 16, 2020 By FogKnitsIn Casting On, Hat6 Comments

Shelter in Place: Day 31

I’ve got a fun hat on the go today! A quick hit of instant gratification is just what I need. Since the beginning of quarantine, I’ve been sort of shopping around for some new yarn…nothing exciting has jumped out at me though. It’s not like I need yarn anyhow.

The urge to shop came back this week when my $1200 stimulus payment hit my bank account. Every April 15th should involve the gov’t paying me! I looked around at yarn again but still nothing. I decided to browse my Ravelry Queue…there had to be a pattern that would get me jazzed.

Enter Martina Behm! I picked a few of her patterns — she’s got a buy 3, get 10% discount so I went with two shawls (Areas and Matchmaker) and a hat (Tensfield).

Take a guess which one I cast on first?

This is the beginning of the hat! Yes, a hat, started with a big flat triangle.

From here, you join as if to work in the round, but you still just knit flat. It’s very creative.

It’s another unique design from Martina. There’s already 1200 of these hats on Ravelry so I’m late to party, obviously. I’m glad I finally got here though! This is a lot of fun to knit.

Have I mentioned it’s a no swatch, any gauge will do design as well? I love everything about this! I haven’t finished my first one yet but I can say with certainty, it won’t be my last! It was designed with self-striping yarn in mind so I added a few stripes myself. Maybe the next one will be Knit Picks Chroma, I think I’ve got a skein tucked away…

Come back for FO Friday, tomorrow! I’m pretty sure this will be done by then!