Exposed

Spring is a beautiful season....trees budding, grass getting greener and longer, flowers sprouting and blooming everywhere.  While the sun shines its warmth on us, the breeze can still be a bit brisk.  I wanted a scarf that would keep me warm, yet let in a bit of that spring breeze.

Exposed is a transitional scarf, perfect for spring, summer and fall. Cables and reverse stockinette provide coverage, yet the simple lace rows expose you to just the right amount of fresh air.

This pattern is available to purchase as a PDF file for $3.25. This pattern is available to purchase on Ravelry, but please note that you do not need an account to purchase it. Just click on the link below and it will take you directly to Paypal.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.  =)

$5 in Paris -- Sweater #2

Sweater #2 is complete!  I think this one turned out really cute and it will be perfect for spring and summer!  I used Caron Simply Soft in White and Heather Gray, as the pattern called for, and used just about a skein of each. 

I only made three minor modifications: cap sleeves, a longer torso and I used US6 needles for the collar to get a closer-fitting neckline.  This one was a free pattern on Ravelry, so the whole project only cost about $5.  Seriously!  You really can't beat that!

I als used the jogless stripe technique, which makes a huge difference when you use multiple colors.  I think this is going to look so cute with a pair of white shorts, no?

Easter Egg Hunt Cloth

Last year we had our first family Easter Egg Hunt at our house.  Everyone had so much fun and I'm really looking forward to another one this year.  That's where the idea for this cloth came from....two Easter eggs nestled in new spring grass.  There's still plenty of time to whip this one up for your own Easter celebration!  Have fun everyone!

Easter Egg Hunt Cloth

Supplies:

1 Skein Lily Sugar n Cream yarn

US #3/3.25mm needles

Yarn needle

(Finished size approximately 8-1/2" x 8-1/2")

Instructions:

Cast on 41 sts

Rows 1-6: (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

Row 7 (and all odd rows): (K1, P1) x2, P to last 4 sts, (P1, K1) x2

Row 8: (K1, P1) x2, K33, (P1, K1) x2

Row 10: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P3, K2, P10, K3, P6, K2, P5, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 12: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K2, P12, K1, P1, K6, P1, K2, P4, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 14: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P1, K2, P11, K2, P10, K2, P3, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 16: (K1, P1) x2, K3, P11, K2, P12, K2, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 18: (K1, P1) x2, K2, P12, K1, P1, K12, P1, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 20: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P13, K1, P1, K12, P1, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 22: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P13, K1, P14, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 24: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P13, K1, P1, K12, P1, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 26: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P13, K1, P1, K12, P1, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 28: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P13, K1, P14, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 30: (K1, P1) x2, K2, P12, K1, P14, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 32: (K1, P1) x2, K3, P11, K1, P1, K12, P1, K1, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 34: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P1, K2, P10, K2, P1, K10, P1, K2, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 36: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P3, K2, P10, K1, P10, K3, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 38: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P4, K3, P7, K1, P1, K1, P1, K6, P1, K4, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 40: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K9, P3, K1, P1, K4, P1, K5, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 42: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P6, K1, P4, K6, P2, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 44: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K2, P8, K9, P2, K2, (P1, K1) x2

Row 46: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K2, P3, K8, P2, K2, (P1, K1) x2

Row 48: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K3, P1, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K3, P2, K7, P2, K3, (P1, K1) x2

Row 50: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K5, P1, K2, P2, K1, P2, K3, P2, K7, P2, K3, (P1, K1) x2

Row 52: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2, K5, P2, K4, (P1, K1) x2

Row 54: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P2, K3, P2, K2, P2, K3, P2, K3, P2, K5, P2, K4, (P1, K1) x2

Row 56: (K1, P1) x2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K1, P1, K5, P2, K4, P2, K3, P2, K5, (P1, K1) x2

Row 58: (K1, P1) x2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K8, P2, K3, P2, K3, P2, K5, (P1, K1) x2

Row 60: (K1, P1) x2, K2, P2, K3, P1, K8, P2, K4, P2, K1, P1, K7, (P1, K1) x2

Row 62: (K1, P1) x2, K3, P2, K3, P1, K9, P1, K3, P2, K9, (P1, K1) x2

Row 64: (K1, P1) x2, K3, P2, K18, P2, K8, (P1, K1) x2

Row 66: (K1, P1) x2, K5, P1, K17, P2, K8, (P1, K1) x2

Row 68: (K1, P1) x2, K25, P1, K7, (P1, K1) x2

Row 70: (K1, P1) x2, K33, (P1, K1) x2

Rows 72-76: (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

Bind off in (K1, P1) pattern.

Weave in ends and block, pushing down on stockinette stitches and leaving the purl stitches (so they "pop"). Lay flat to dry.

Mocha Pullover - Sweater #1

First sweater of 2012 complete!  I actually started this one in October but put it away to do all my Christmas knitting.  The rules of 12 Sweaters in 2012 say that you can use work started in previous years, so I decided this would be the first one I completed.

The pattern is Oatmeal Pullover by Jane Richmond on Ravelry and I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky in Walnut.  I think I might make this again but make some changes.  I made the size 40" chest because there were many comments on how tight the arm circumferences were so this sweater didn't turn out as fitted as I had hoped.  I also didn't make the sleeves long enough so I'm constantly tugging on them, which makes the boatneck collar pull down further.  I'm not a fan of how loose the neckline is, but that's my fault I think!  All in all, a decent first adult sized sweater.  I learned a lot and my second sweater fits nicely.  (I haven't taken pictures of that one yet -- waiting for warmer weather!)

Trying to catch up

I admit: I've been a terrible blogger so far this year.  I had great aspirations of writing something twice a week, sharing projects and patterns but I've dropped the ball.  It's tougher than I thought it would be, but I'm working like crazy to try to catch up to share everything I had planned to.

This was the sunrise in our backyard this morning after a snowstorm moved through yesterday afternoon and evening leaving a heavy, wet blanket of perfect snowman snow.  We haven't seen much of the fluffy white stuff this year, and with the weathermen forecasting mid 50's by Tuesday, this surely won't last long!  Loreli is so excited to get outside this morning and play!

I am working on some new spring dishcloth patterns.  A couple are charted, I just need to write out the patterns and test them.  I am hoping to get the first one out mid-March.  I am always one to look forward to the next season and I am really looking forward to spring this year, even after our mild winter.

I'm also working on a scarf pattern, my first ever!  It's coming along very nicely and I can't wait to share it with all of you!  It's a combination scarf, intricate yet not too tough for a beginner.  I L-O-V-E the yarn I've chosen, Stroll Tonal fingering weight by Knit Picks.  Its super soft and squishy and the color is divine!  I think the yarn is a big factor in how pretty the scarf is becoming.