Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Recently Completed Knitting Projects

I haven't shown you any photos of knitting projects lately, so that's what this post is going to be about. Last year, one of my resolutions was to try an keep an accurate record of knitting projects I started and finished during the year. I printed out worksheets and actually did pretty good until the middle of November when I was just so busy with knitting projects that I didn't take the time to keep track for the last few weeks of the year. However, I was pretty faithful about recording my projects for the rest of the year. In a review of the list, here are the results for 2010: Projects started was 112! Projects completed was 98. Ideally the number of completed projects would be greater than projects started, but only in a perfect world (which also explains why I have so many unfinished projects stashed all over the house!)

I've already decided I won't be keeping track of any knitting projects this year -- at least not officially. However, here are a few of my FOs (finished objects) for 2011.

A co-worker asked if I could make an earflap hat for his wife similar to a hat they saw on the Columbia website. I didn't have a pattern, but drawing on my years of knitting experience and components of several different hat patterns, here's how the hat turned out. It had to be purple and pink with long tails on the earflaps. I knitted it with Vanna's Choice 100% acrylic yarn, so it's machine washable and dryable (plus the yarn is really soft). I really like how this hat turned out.
Here's one of the scarves I'm knitting for the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project. I found out about this project from another knitting friend's blog. I've pledged to knit 3 scarves in these "official" colors of blue and turquoise. All of the athletes will have a handmade scarf to wear when participating in the 2011 Special Olympics. I'm sure it will be quite a sight to see all of them wearing these beautiful scarves.

I like to try new yarn colors. I picked up this ball of Patons wool a couple weeks ago because I was curious to see how this weird color combination would knit up. I probably will not buy this yarn again, but I'm sure there's someone who will see these half-mitts in my Etsy store and will love them enough to buy them.

Lastly, here's a small shawl I finished last week. I started it on Dec. 24th and the yarn used to knit this was Berroco Sox Metallic. (Ravelry members can download this pattern for free -- it's the Dane Shawl.)

I wore it to work yesterday. I love that it will coordinate with a lot of different colored tops. I know I will wear this shawl often.

Here's the back view. I was going to be just a few yards short to finish up this shawl but then I visited Yarnology (where I originally bought the yarn), the lovely owners there had a partial ball of this yarn in their backroom and graciously loaned it to me so I could finish up my shawl without having to purchase a whole 'nother ball. Now that's what I call "customer service!"

This yarn is beautiful with a silver metallic thread running through it. It was hard to photograph, but if you look real close a the photo below, you might be able to see it.

12 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Beautiful, beautiful, Ruthie! So much fun to see your projects.

P.S. You've been losing a lot of weight, haven't you? Lookin' gooood!

Gaelyn said...

You've been Very busy. I love the shawl. I should get to work knitting myself a hat with the beautiful hand-spun silk I bought in South Africa.

Mollie said...

I saw the photo of the shawl before you posted the photo of you wearing it. I love the way it looks on you! Just lovely! You are one talented woman!! Thanks for sharing.

Mollie

Jayne said...

That shawl is gorgeous Ruthie and looks perfect on you! Your talent never ceases to amaze me. How sweet that all those SO athletes will have colorful scarves to wear. Have a wonderful day!

Knit Nottingham said...

loving the Dane shawl, going to have a quick rummage round Rav so can add it to my list, (soemwhere behind haruni,. 198 yd heaven etc that I already have lined up)

KGMom said...

I do love the shawl.
I confess--I blanch at the thought of trying such a lacey pattern.
I bet you will tell me it is easy. Yeah, right.
I get too distracted, lose my place, and poof there goes the pattern.
Anyway, nice projects.

RuthieJ said...

Thanks Mama Pea. (not losing any more weight -- new glasses!)

Thanks Gaelyn. Good luck with your knitting project -- I've never knitted with silk.

Thanks Mollie. The shawl looked so much better after I blocked it. I will definitely make this one again if I get the chance.

Thanks Jayne. If SO posts a photo of the athletes wearing the scarves, I'll be sure to share it.

Thank you Knit Nottingham. I'm sure you will love knitting the Dane Shawl -- it's a charted pattern which is my favorite.

Now Donna, I think you underestimate your skills. It IS easy once you learn a few tricks. Remember the design is only on 1 row (the backside is always a purl row), stitch markers are your friends -- I had about 30 on here once I got to the last pattern repeat, post-it notes or a highlighting marker will help you keep your rows in order. If you have a good yarn shop in your area, I'm sure there would be someone there to help you (too bad I don't live closer, I would be happy to tutor you!)

Meggie said...

I LOVE the shawl, Ruthie! Very chic!

Jenyfer Matthews said...

Lovely! I've never learned to knit but I do appreciate other's talent at it. And I love those half mittens by the way ;)

RuthieJ said...

Thanks Meggie -- it's warm too!

Thanks Jenyfer for stopping by my blog plus the product endorsement! :-)

olivia john said...

Beautiful showl
Knitting and Crochet Library

Teresa said...

Wow! You knit beautifully! Wonderful photos too! Enjoyed visiting you :-)