Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Knitting Projects

I haven't shown any knitting projects lately, so since I have nothing nature-related to report today (except that I saw a single junco in my yard this afternoon), this will be a post about a couple of knitting projects.

I finished these socks last weekend. It's nice that in Minnesota some of us are still wearing wool socks (and they felt pretty darn good this past week). I've been working on this pair since sometime in December, I think, and now they are finally done. They're a little stiff yet because it's a really tight knit, but I'm hoping once they get washed and dried the yarn will soften up a little bit. I really like these bright colors.

Here's a little project I started last week. You can probably guess that it's going to be a hat. I can see that my color choices for the llama are not ideal with that greenish color in the middle blending in too much with the turquoise main color, so I'm going to have to rip out a few rows and re-knit that section with a different color.

Do you like this design? You may have noticed a hat similar to this in one of Mel's posts a few weeks ago. I sent her an e-mail and she graciously located the hat in her closet and also one of Tommy's and sent me some great photographs.

Aren't they a cute couple? Here's what Melissa says about these hats: "Over here, that kind of hat (that covers the ears) is called 'CHULLO', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chullo."

All I had to do was chart the patterns on graph paper, do a little math, grab some yarn and knitting needles and this is what happens when you're a knitting addict. I'll post another picture once I've completed the hat. Thanks Mel, for the inspiration.


It's back to turkey hunting tomorrow morning (our last day). We're changing our tactics and hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll have at least one free-range, antibiotic-free, organic wild turkey in the freezer.

10 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your socks and hat are beautiful colors. The couple is indeed cute with their chullos on.

You are so talented Ruthie. Plotting your own pattern.

Jayne said...

You ARE so talented Ruthie! I can't even begin to imagine what a hat I'd knit would look like...lol!

Anonymous said...

awesome socks! I love the colors.

Herci said...

I LOOOOOVE your hat! I'm so jealous. I've been knitting for... ever & have never been able to pull these off! I can knit a full length coat--but hats elude me :/ For some reason, they wind up with a giant mushroom on top. he he.

Good work!

Anonymous said...

Like the hat [chullo] and those socks will go with everything except plaid, they're cool and warm.
Good luck turkey hunting today, if it is a slow day take some nature pics or birds or animals.
Mom

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

LOVE those sox Ruthie! I've been wearing my yummy red wool sox (from you) for the last two weeks with my Keen sandal/shoes. (I DO wash them, but put them right back on when dry!) Mel and Tommy are a gorgeous couple! I found a knitting store near home that offers lesson classes and that is my goal this summer- can't wait. I hope you and the Mr. have good luck with the turkey hunt!

RuthieJ said...

Thanks Lisa. I became very addicted to multi-color knitting after I learned to knit Norwegian sweaters. Hats are a perfect project because they're small and knit up fast.
I just use the stitch information from other hat patterns I have and then chart a pattern with a multiple of stitches that goes into the total (with the aid of my trusty calculator, of course!)

Thank you Jayne. We all have our special talents and I know you are a WAY BETTER singer than I am!

Thanks Jan. I should be able to wear those socks with just about anything!

Hi Herci,
Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind words. Check out this website of free knitting patterns: http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php
They have some good hat patterns there you might like to try some day.

Hi Mom,
Not just slow turkey day--NO turkey day. What a disappointment. Did get a nice brown thrasher video to post on my blog though. Tune in later!

Hi Lynne,
I'm so glad you like those socks. I still have one more pair of wool ones for myself about 3/4 done. Then I'm going to try knitting some shorty ones for summer with cotton blend yarn....watch for them in June!

fiona said...

erm .. WOW!

you're a mean knitter, ruthie, especially if you worked out the pattern from a photo with graph paper.. I'm impressed :-)

Meggie said...

Those socks look absolutely divine, Ruthie. I'm sure they keep your toes nice and toasty. I love the hat design. Mel and hubby? look soooo cute! Glad she was able to help you out. She is so eager to learn about birds, I'm sure she is learning lots from you.

Mel said...

Hi Ruthie!
You made me blush, and Tommy is turning purple, hahaha...
Meggie is right, I do learn sooo much from you!
Million kisses for you!!
Mel