blue box stitch scarf

This scarf is a simple box stitch pattern with a garter stitch edge. I'm using size 5 needles and red heart yarn found at the Pearl on Canal Street (NYC) - I don't remember what kind, but suffice it to say it's red heart yarn, so it's cheap, it's acryllic, and I'm surprised I've made it this far on this project.

Pattern:

CO multiple of 4 sts +6 for edging.
k 3 rows.
row 1: k3, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3.
row 2: k3, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3.
row 3: k3, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3.
row 4: k3, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3.
rep rows 1-4 until desired length is achieved (minus a half an inch or less).
k 3 rows
BO.

Pasha the Penguin

Pasha the Penguin from knitty.

Pasha was not difficult to knit, but I learned the importance of swatching. Also, because I used very inexpensive acrylic yarn, blocking was not really helpful, but Ironing Pasha out before seaming him up helped a lot - especially in achieving a nice sheen...erm, which was intentional.

He has no feet, as you can see, and he never will. I gave him to my sister and told her that he can slide on his belly, as that's what penguins do. She insists that he needs feet to propel himself, but since the yellow yarn was so difficult to work with - I don't see that happening any time this year.

Seaweed Poncho

For the seaweed poncho, which is somewhat (mostly) my own design, I used generic homespun yarn on size 15 and 19 needles.

Using size 15 needles, CO 59 sts. Do a seed stitch for four rows, or one inch.

Knit one row, then switch to bigger needles.

k1, *yo k2tog*, rep from* until piece measures 10 1/2 or 11 inches.

switch to smaller needles, knit one row.

Seed stitch four rows, bind off loosely.

Repeat this for second piece, block, then sew together, lining the left corner of one piece to the right corner of another piece such that you have a triangle (the book I used as inspiration for the design had a diagram and formula for piecing together ponchos that's pretty basic and universal, though I have trouble explaining it. You can sort of see the seam in my picture).

I did not block this. But I should have. And still should. Especially if it's going to be a gift.

Branching Out

Branching Out from knitty is almost halfway done. The middle keeps scrunching up more and more. I guess that's why we must cast on loosly, but I swear it was flat as a board when I started!

Things I learned:

Use a lifeline. This is a lot of people's first lace project, and I didn't listen at first, but once I finally gave in to the idea of a lifeline, I didn't regret it. Especially after like the bajillionth repeat, when I couldn't bear even considering having to rip to god-knows-where to pick up the lost stitches.

Don't do this and watch TV if you aren't confident in your lace skills.

Wine and branching out don't mix.