I'm a knitting fiend!

The mojo is back baby! I've been knitting up a storm.

I'm working on Dahlia from the Knitty Winter 07 collection. It's a knitted top down raglan but the first part is not knitted in the round. I'm still trying to figure out how this will eventually be done in the round. I don't get it yet. I'm using Cascade 200 wool in a cranberry color.
I got bored by all the stockinette in Dahlia and decided that I needed a side project. I knew I wanted to use my ITK sock yarn and teach myself how to knit 2 socks at the same time with two circular needles. One problem. I couldn't find the book I bought to teach myself. I realized I left it at my brother's place when I dog sat for him a few weeks ago. CRAP!

I was eager to start the Jaywalker socks so I settled on figuring out magic loop. I looked up the video on knittinghelp.com and casted on. The zigzag pattern is easy to memorize. Magic loop goes so much faster than knitting on dpns. It's fairly easy so far until I turn the heel...that will probably be a challenge. It's a shame I can't seem to figure out how to do 2 socks at once. I'm already feeling second sock syndrome.
I'm using a basic superwash sock yarn that's been hand dyed from Cosmic Fibers. It's zig zagging along quite nicely but it's like knitting up dental floss. This is the finest gauge yarn I've ever used.

Foliage Version 2.0

I made a few modifications inspired by a cute slouchy hat I found at Old Navy the other day. It was chunky with a soft brim. I think it was crocheted, but I had to figure out how to make a knit version.

Modifications:

• Knitted double stranded for chunky Foliage version.
• Added brim. After looking at knitted hat patterns with a brim I settled on using knitty.com's Topi brim.
• Repeated leaf pattern 2.5 times (instead of 2 for chunky version) to make a bit slouchy.

I'd like it to be a bit slouchier and maybe blocking it will do the trick. The brim is a bit thick and should have knit it single stranded. It's not exactly how I wanted it to turn out but close enough. As much as I love Malabrigo, this colorway isn't the best for the lace pattern.

I suppose I have no excuse now to not work on gift knitting. Back to working the socks. Maybe after I make more fingerless mitts with the extra Malabrigo left over.

Selfish Knitteritis

I couldn't resist. I have to make one for my own noggin before I start Christmas gift knitting. I've been thinking about not knitting as many gifts this year because I had a flash back of this time last year. I was literally knitting during every free minute I had and my head was spinning. To my knowledge I know that everyone I made gifts for loved what I made them but mannnn...it became too much. I know it's poor planning on my part knitting last minute but that's just how I work, dammit. I don't think about knitting for other people until the end of the year because I'm too busy making stuff for myself. =)

Alrighty...gonna get a move on and work on my Foliage. I'd like to make one modification to it. I don't want to mention what it is to avoiding jinxing and botching my idea.

Like a Plum Tree

Except on my head!I can't say enough good things about Knitty's Foliage hat pattern and mmmmMalabrigo yarn. The combination makes me happy.=) It reminds me of my big plum tree in my backyard. Unfortunately I have to part with this. I decided I'd get some Xmas knitting out of the way early. The lucky recipient better love Foliage as much as I do.