Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Episode 111: Christmas Crunch


Steph is the Knitting Samurai on Ravelry and Instagram. Visit the Ravelry Group for Knitting Samurai & Her Guys to continue to the discussion.
This is the second episode of the 3rd Season.

  • First there was The Expectant Knitter detailing Steph's adventures during her first pregnancy. There are 33 Episodes spanning January 2010 to September 2011.
  • Next came The Knitting Samurai Plus 1 detailing life from the birth of Steph's first son to the first few months of her second son's life. There are 102 Episodes available spanning September 2011 to September 2014.
  • Most recently The Knitting Samurai & Her Guys has begun starting in September 2014
  • The wordpress site carries the 8-10 most recent episodes and 10 greatest hits from the past. And you can subscribe to the podcast via the Itunes page.

Knitting Time:

Alia Grace Shawl KAL! now through January 15th.
Prizes so far;

Skein of Leading Men Fiber Arts Spotlight in No Good Deed
Second the Tan House Brook Shawl pattern by Jennifer Lassonde
Doesn't matter if you already started, because I did...
Aila Grace Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde. Into The Whirled Meridian Sock in the On The Rocks Colorway, September 2014 Club Color. US size 6s - 4.0mm needles.

Start thinking about January Sweater KAL for me...

Robyn's Recess hat take 2. Hannah by BlakeEhrlich using Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky in the Monteray Bay colorway. US size 10s - 6.0 mm needles. Will lengthen section before decreases by 1.5 - 2 inches. December 2008 acquisition.
Textured Cowl by Abi Gregorio -knitting these like crazy!
  1. First was Mum's with Misty Alpaca Chunky in the Rust color using US size 10.75 or 7mm needles. Altered pattern, 72 stitches to make same circumference.  Added button holes and knit flat for a portion of the cowl.
  2. Next came teacher gifts -Tina's with Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky in Black with US size 11s - 8.0mm needles.  Cast on 54 stitches to make same circumference as pattern.
  3. Benta's Cowl with Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky in Colbalt with US size 11s - 8.0mm needles. Cast on 54 stitches to make same circumference as pattern.
  4. L.T.'s Cowl with Loops & Thread Cozy Wool in the color Spearmint with US size 11s - 8.0mm needles. Cast on 54 stitches to make same circumference as pattern.
  5. Planning one more for a friend of Mum's and A coworker.
Second pair of Caution Mitts by Rebecca Blair from Knitscene Spring 2013 using leftover Schaefer Nichole in Empress Wu Zhao. Stayed with the US size 2.5s - 3.0mm needles. Dropping stitch count from 72 to 68 to reduce bunching. Not sure if for me or not.

Monkey Fingerless Mitts based on Cookie A's Monkey Socks by Michelle Johnson using Misty Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Yarn in color 12 Black. Using US size 2s - 2.75mm needles. Love these! So soft so much fun to knit and I know Vanessa is going to absolutely love them. Feels good to work on them knowing that.

Ryan's Peace Socks: Opal Sweet & Spicy in colorway 8617 Cake Pops. Using US size 0 - 2.25mm needles. Wendy Johnson's Slip Stitch Heel Basic Sock. I do a 2x2 rib on top of that. Nervous about these.

Christmas Up And Coming
Father in Law worsted Weight Socks
Washcloths for the baby who's eatting 2 meals a day
Need to finish for Hannah, LT, and Karen (Mum's friend).

Vite Cowl by Kristi Johnson -looks quick
Seven SIsters Cowl by Karina -Hannah

New Yarn is Knit Circus Greatest of Ease in the Brew Crew Colorway.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Episode 110: Bring it on!

Steph is the Knitting Samurai on Ravelry and Instagram. Visit the Ravelry Group for Knitting Samurai & Her Guys to continue to the discussion.
This is the second episode of the 3rd Season.


  • First there was The Expectant Knitter detailing Steph's adventures during her first pregnancy. There are 33 Episodes spanning January 2010 to September 2011.
  • Next came The Knitting Samurai Plus 1 detailing life from the birth of Steph's first son to the first few months of her second son's life. There are 102 Episodes available spanning September 2011 to September 2014.
  • Most recently The Knitting Samurai & Her Guys has begun starting in September 2014
  • The wordpress site carries the 8-10 most recent episodes and 10 greatest hits from the past. And you can subscribe to the podcast via the Itunes page.

Knitting Time:

Sweaters for our Kids KAL wrapped up.
Prize Drawings...19 finished sweaters
First there will be this great bag from Silver Shed USA! and
Second the New pattern from Jennifer Lassonde, Aila Grace Shawl.
Third the New Pattern Pure Spring Sweater by Solveig Engevold.

New KAL: Alia Grace Shawl KAL! now through January 15th.
Prizes so far; 

Skein of Leading Men Fiber Arts Spotlight in No Good Deed
Second the Tan House Brook Shawl pattern by Jennifer Lassonde

Doesn't matter if you already started, because I did...
Aila Grace Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde. Into The Whirled Meridian Sock in the On The Rocks Colorway, September 2014 Club Color.  US size 6s - 4.0mm needles.

Start thinking about January Sweater KAL for me...

Toddler Tshirt Vest first. By Sam Lamb using Opal Sweet and Spicy 2 in the Rotkohl color. I'm using US size 7s - 4.5mm needles. Is finished.  Need to weave in those ends.

Robyn's Recess hat but not really. Hannah by BlakeEhrlich using Misty Alpaca Chunky in the Rust C747 colorway. US size 10s - 6.0 mm needles. Reading entire pattern is important! Used 75 yards super quick Christmas gift.  Into the gift box.

Robyn's Recess hat take 2. Hannah by BlakeEhrlich using Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky in the Monteray Bay colorway. US size 10s - 6.0 mm needles. Will lengthen section before decreases by 1.5 - 2 inches.  December 2008 acquisition.

Caution Mitts by Rebecca Blair from Knitscene Spring 2013 using J.Knits Superwash Me Sock leftovers.  Inadvertently went up a needle size using 2.5 rather than 2s so result is larger than I wanted, but love them anyway.  Definitely a trip through the dryer.  Knit super quick, over Thanksgiving.  Used less than 200 yards, not sure exactly need to weigh them.  Look really cool.  Great accessory another quick Christmas knit for the right person.

Started a second pair of Caution Mitts by Rebecca Blair from Knitscene Spring 2013 using leftover Schaefer Nichole in Empress Wu Zhao.  Stayed with the US size 2.5s - 3.0mm needles.  Dropping stitch count from 72 to 68 to reduce bunching.  Not sure if for me or not.

Monkey Fingerless Mitts based on Cookie A's Monkey Socks by Michelle Johnson using Misty Alpaca Hand Paint Sock Yarn in color 12 Black.  Using US size 2s - 2.75mm needles.  Love these!  So soft so much fun to knit and I know Vanessa is going to absolutely love them.  Feels good to work on them knowing that. 

Ryan's Peace Socks: Opal Sweet & Spicy in colorway 8617 Cake Pops. Using US size 0 - 2.25mm needles. Wendy Johnson's Slip Stitch Heel Basic Sock. I do a 2x2 rib on top of that. Nervous about these.

Christmas Up And Coming
Father in Law worsted Weight Socks
Hannah and Tina still haven't started for them...need something I want to knit that suites them.
Vite Cowl by Kristi Johnson -looks quick
Seven SIsters Cowl by Karina -Hannah or Tina
Textured Cowl by Abi Gregorio -knit 2!
Feeling a little guilty about Mum, maybe a cowl for her as well.