Actual Knitting Content

Yes, actual knitting content! On this blog! Can you believe it? Knitting that I can actually blog about!

First up - my "commuting, take to work and knit night because I don't have to think about it" project: a Baktus scarf. I don't know what this yarn is; it's from the bottom of the stash and didn't have a label. I did a swatch, threw it in with the laundry a couple weeks ago and it came out just fine so it's something machine washable and dryable; a burn test proved it to be synthetic, so I'm guessing some acrylic/nylon/polyester blend but it's very soft. It's fairly splitty so I'm using blunt US 10s in plain garter stitch. I like the faded denim-y look of this but I really don't need another blue scarf so it'll probably go in the gift box. It's always good to be ahead of the curve on Christmas presents.



And on to the "stay at home, pay attention to this" project: The carrot I was dangling in front of myself to finish the secret knitting, the reward for good behavior, the mate to the long suffering One Red Sock.

I cast on Friday night and have made it all the to the short-row heel, thanks to Tiger Woods back playing in the Masters. ToolMan was glued to it for all four days, and I joined him on Saturday and Sunday. I like watching golf (and yes, I know some of you will find that boring), but I particularly love watching Tiger play because he's so damned good.

And frankly, I'm tired of hearing the media make such a big deal out of the the mistresses/girlfriends/bimbos. Fer cryin' out loud, people, you didn't make this much of a ruckus over the affairs of elected officials and religious leaders! Bill Clinton, Ted Haggard, John Edwards, and all the Kennedy's weren't under this kind of scrutiny. The golf commentators even mused about why he was wearing sunglasses on the course and whether it was because he didn't want people to look in his eyes. Gimme a break, fer cris' sakes, and move along already!

The knitting queue is lengthening: One of my friends, Maryanne, is expecting her first grand baby in May. The little pink bundle will be arriving in England, so she'll need at least one summer sweater and maybe one a little larger for early fall. Then next up are the neighbors who are expecting a bouncing baby girl in August; the expectant daddy has already requested something in Ohio's scarlet and gray. Niece Jane has been a tad vocal about an undying desire for a set of #@!*% Golf Club Covers in dark purple, please. And my brother will need a hat when he starts chemo in May. I threw away another pair of my socks because the bottom was beyond darning again, so I need to replenish the supply; and ToolMan has asked for another pair of bamboo socks. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me.

The Countdowns Begin

I'm determined to use up my "mass produced" yarns before the end of the year. After all, I have to make room for all the hand spun I've been cranking out and for all the fiber I intend to bring home from OFFF this year.

Most of what I'm knitting will be for Christmas presents; after all, it's only this many days until Christmas. So, I finished the Asherton Scarf and a tam to match. I really did intend this to go into the Christmas present pile. But then I tried it on.



I've let my hair grow out and have it in a short bob now and I like the way the tam sits with the new haircut. But why did I wait until it was 80 degrees outside to try these on???


Why are you wearing that hat and scarf in the middle of summer? Any why don't I get hand-knitted stuff to wear?

The pattern is from Knitty.com, "Three Tams", and was a fun, quick knit. This is the last of the three patterns listed, but I'm going to do the other two, too. Here's a better picture of the brim and back.



And the obligatory picture of the inside; just a nice as the outside.



I also finished a simple cowl.



I didn't use a pattern; I just casted on a bunch of stitches (200, I think), did two rows of purl, 2 rows of knit, 2 rows of purl to separate drop stitch rows and k2tog, yo rows.



I'm going to make another tam to go with this; actually, I casted on for it today while watching the Olympic Trials for diving and gymnastics. I think I'll twist the leftover blue into cords to lace through the yo holes so it will match the hat.

ToolMan liked the fair isle tam and said he'd like an argyle one for winter. I'm thinking this one would be perfect. It's not really an argyle, but I wonder how many people would notice. I might have to put aside the Christmas knitting, since Talk Like A Pirate Day is coming up before then. Hmmm, that might make a good project for the Knitting Olympics. Avast, mateys! I'll be doin' me pirate knitting for the Olympics! Arrr!


I'd totally wear one of these, if you'd make it for me, Mom.

I'm tellin' you when nobody's around, that dog talks up a blue streak!