Sweet Sips and Swift Stitches: Begin Again

Time for a makeover! Introducing the new and improved spinningknitting1's podcast! Now with a proper title: Sweet Sips and Swift Stitches. Check out the new video!

This is an example of my Magical Machine Knitting skills. I am just learning, and there are mistakes in it, but I am pretty happy with it. I made this cowl on the Brother 260 bulky machine, using fingering weight acrylic yarn. I used the snowdrop lace pattern from Knitting Stitch Bible, a book for handknitters. I transferred the stitches on the bed by hand, and then knit the rectangle, and bound off, and seamed up the side using a modified mattress stitch. I steamed the yarn, and since it was acrylic it killed it, and gave it a lovely drape and a little bit of a sheen. 

For my first Daring Design I am making a simple V-stitch crocheted rectangle baby blanket for Project Linus, a charity that gives blankets to children that are ill or who have experienced trauma. The yarn is Caron One Pound, and I am using a US Size J hook. 

My next Daring Design is a preemie blanket for the local children's hospital. I am making a simple stockinette rectangle right now to show off the yarn, but when I add in the next stripe I will add in more interest in the knitting, either a lace pattern, or a knit and purl pattern, I haven't quite decided yet. I am working the blanket on US Size 4 needles using Wendy Peter Pan double knit yarn and Sirdar Snuggly 4ply yarn.

Also using Caron yarn, this time a Caron Cake, which is 20% wool and 80% acrylic, made to celebrate Caron's 100th birthday as a yarn company, I am making an asymmetrical triangle shawl. I am increasing on stitch on the same side every 4th row, and working the whole thing in garter stitch. It's a relaxing project, and the yarn makes it fun.

Last but not least of the charity knitting in Daring Designs is a prayer shawl that I am knitting for my local church. I am using Deborah Norville Everyday acrylic in the Lilac Field and Mist colorways. I improvised an eyelet border and then am striping the two yarns, working Lilac Field in garter and Mist in stockinette.The finished shawl will be 24" by 60". I am using 9mm or US Size 13 needles.

This is a top down cardigan that I am designing working Malabrigo sock in the eggplant colorway. It is a fairly slow going knit, and I am working it on US Size 5 needles, on the Knitter's Pride Karbonz interchangeables that I have.

This is the second sweater in Daring Designs. It is a bulky weight sweater. I worked the back as a 2x2 rib rectangle, and then picked up stitches at the shoulders and am working the two front halves down two and a time, on the same needle. I have increased the stitches, so now I am at the bottom of the front with a 4x4 rib on each side. I worked them at the same time so I could be sure and make my increases the same. I am going to seam up the sides, and then work elbow length sleeves, and then make a large shawl collar around the front of the entire sweater.

The last of the Daring Designs are a pair of socks for my boyfriend.They are worked in a self striping On Live sock yarn, and Cascade Heritage Sock in the Christmas Red colorway. The instep is a 2x2 rib and the sole is stockinette. I am working them on US Size 1 needles.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the new format. I'll be trying to pick apart my design process and lay out what goes on in my head a bit.