Lull

I find myself in a weird lull in between large/rushed projects. I finished my sister's garter, finished my shrug to wear to Knitter's Connection, and finished the latest hat in the Great Hat Race. Sure, I'm working on a little baby hat and am finishing my felted entrelac tote, but there is no deadline for those and I feel very relaxed.

The hat I'm working on:

After all my purchases and free yarn from the Knitter's Connection, I have tons of options for my next big project. I should and probably will finish up my stragglers, but then I could work on:

1. Emily's next sweater
2. Husband's sweater
3. Sister's shrug
4. Mom's bag
5. Mother-in-law's bag
6. Stepmother-s bag
7. My wrap #1
8. My wrap #2
9. My scarf

I could also begin designing my next project, which I think will be a crochet shrug. I have lots of yarn left from the knit shrug I made, and it was such a hit that I want more. Or, I could work on my idea for a stranded tote...

Knitters Connection

I got to attend KC yesterday and I am in love. This was the second annual Knitters Connection held in Columbus, OH and sponsored by The Merc. I was not able to attend last year, but heard such wonderful things about it that I put it on my calendar to make sure I'd get to a class.

I signed up for Sally Melville's "Two Colors Two Hands" class to learn more about fairisle knitting (or stranded knitting, or color work, etc.). It was fabulous. We learned about 5 different ways to work with two or more colors, including the Portugese purling technique with the yarn wrapped around the back of your neck. It actually worked! I am already planning my first fairisle felted tote bag.

After the class, I had the pleasure of sharing lunch and then a few hours of knitting time with other KC members. It was awesome. Next year, I am going to attend the entire event. Definitely.

Stephanie's Crocheted Lace Wedding Garter

I fell in love with Diane Willett's Knitted Lace Wedding Garter, but couldn't seem to handle the size 00 needles that were required. After a week of fighting with the slippery cotton thread, I decided that I needed to design my own in crochet.

This is a gift for my sister Stephanie's wedding.

This pattern is on Ravelry.

Materials
cotton thread - size 30
crochet hook size 7 (1.65 mm)
1/4 inch wide blue ribbon
thin elastic cord
sewing notions

Gauge
The length of the garter is customizable. Research on the internet tells me that the standard thigh is 20-22 inches. The size I am working for is 24 inches. To this, I have added 2 inches to provide some gathering in the material. My total length is 26 inches.

Center Section
Throughout the pattern for the center section, the turning ch 2 is not counted as a hdc. Work this section to the desired length by repeating rows 3 and 4. Complete a number of rows equal to a multiple of 4, ending with row 3.

1. ch 10, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 7 ch, ch 2, turn (8 hdc)
2. hdc in first hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in next 2 hdc, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc in final hdc, ch 2, turn
3. hdc in each hdc across, with 2 hdc in each ch2 space, (8 hdc total), ch 2, turn
4. repeat rows 2 and 3 until pieces measures the desired length. Make sure that you have completed a number of rows equal to a multiple of 4, ending with row 2, ch 3, turn

To get 28 inches, my version was 192 rows long.

Edging
The edging is worked along each side of the garter. The instructions below will get you through the first side and then you just repeat on the other side of the center section.

1. Make 2 dc in each row across the side, counting the first turning ch 3 as the first dc. Make sure to get one stitch on the foundation row. You should have twice as many double crochets as you had rows, plus 1. I have 385 stitches. ch 3, turn
2. 2 dc in 1st dc, skip next 3 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in next stitch), *skip next 3 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip next 3 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in next stitch), repeat from star across, skip next 3 dc, 3 dc in last dc, ch 1, turn
3. sc in 1st dc, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, *skip next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (this is the middle dc of the 5dc group), 5 dc in next ch 3 space, repeat from star across, skip next 3 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) is last dc, cut thread and finish off.

Assembly
Make sure to block to get the proper stitch definition, paying particular attenting to the ch3 loops on the outside rows. After blocking, sew into a ring. Thread the ribbon and elastic through the openings in the center of the garter, making sure the elastic is hidden behind the ribbon. Sew the two ribbon ends together, making sure to leave enough ribbon to stretch to the desired length. Sew/tie the elastic together to the desired length.

I got the pattern for the flower from SkaMama's blog.

Pattern & images © 2008 by Melisa Darnieder. Personal use ONLY. Commercial use, including selling items made from this pattern, is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Great Hat Race #2

The hat for the second round is now complete, and it was a quick one. It ended up being teeny-tiny and I think it would only fit a preemie. Very cute, though!

I'm glad it was quick because I have only a week to finish my sister's garter! Ahh!!!

Great Hat Race

I have entered the Great Hat Race on ravelry, to knit hats for charity while satisfying the competitive side of me. In two days, I have finished the first hat and will ship it off tomorrow to Texas. It's exciting - I'm already looking forward to the next hat to see how difficult it will be!