The Bearinator
I think this is my favorite project to date. I LOVE him. I made him using the Herman the Enigmatic Bear pattern, by DangerCrafts. Just like with the Snail I made, I don’t usually pay for patterns (too many good free ones out there), but this one was worth is. SO simple, yet SO cute!
Now I Have a Set
My next project after my hat was a pair of matching fingerless gloves. I used this free pattern, that is knit flat and seamed together. I only had straight needles at the time, so my options were limited. However, I really like this pattern. It is fast, easy and easy to modify.
Since my yarn was bulkier than the yarn called for in the pattern, I used my guage from my hat, and cast on about 25% less stitched. I then followed the pattern as is, but with 25% less everything (stitches, increases, rows, etc). It worked out really well actually!
The bulky yarn is pretty, but I think that it kind of makes my hands look chubby. But I don’t care, they are really mostly used while at work, so my fingers don’t freeze at the keyboard!
Mrrrooow!
*Drum roll please*
Here is my first knit project! I didn’t post her, because I had yet to figure out how I wanted to do her face. I was sorting though my ‘craft closet’ (it is a wardrobe with tools, extra linens and craft supplies) and I saw that I had pink, black-brown and light grey felting wool, and some needles for needle felting. I decided to see if I could needle felt onto acrylic, and it worked!!
I am so incredibly happy how this pattern came out. So much cuteness for so little effort!
First Ever Knit Hat
Well, I finally bit the bullet and learned to knit. After 6+ years of trying, I decided to make a go at continental, and it clicked. I still had issues with purling, so after much Googling, I discovered Norwegian Purling (scroll down), and again, it clicked.
My first actual project was the Garter Stitch Kitty, but I don’t have pictures of that yet. My second project was the hat, Gothcha covered. It is a beanie, but I knit it extra long (and without the folded cuff) to make it a slouchy hat. Here’s what I learned:
- I originally chose the woman’s size, but it was WAY too small. I chose the men’s size, but it is still a bit small. I think I should have cast on at least 4 more stitches.
- I shortened the ribbing, and only knit it 7 inches before the decreases. I like the length!
- I knit too many rows, and tried my hand at unraveling rows, but somehow ended up twisting every since stitch on the row. I ended up untwisting each stitch as I knit it. Need more practice at frogging correctly.
- I somehow managed to increase 2 stitches randomly, which left a big hole. I just decreased later, and stitched up the hole, so no worries!
- I learned how to decrease in 2 different ways:)
- I learned the mattress stitch.
Overall, a really great learning project.
