February 25 - Progress Update

February is such a short month. Even though it only has 1 or 2 less days than most months this year, it always seems to run away! Even though it is a short month, we did make a little progress and I thought I would update all of you on it!

Remember, projects highlighted in pink are in progress by Brittany and ones that are in progress for Em are highlighted in green. When a project is completed the project will be crossed out and hopefully have a link next to it with our blog entry.

As of February 25, 2012
48/60 Projects - Completed
9/60 Projects - Works in Progress
3/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #2 Cable Brim Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #3 Waffle Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #5 Tweed Watch Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #6 Tied Rectangle Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #7 Embroidered Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #9 Monkey Hat (Em)

Pattern #10 Diagonal Stripes Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #11 Wave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf - In Progress Update

Pattern #13 Ribbed Wristers - In Progress Project Entry
Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #14 Zigzag Scarf

Pattern #15 Striped Bobbled Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon


Pattern #16 Ribbed Bonnet - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #17 Plaid Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #18 Striped Graduated Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque - Project Entry

Pattern #20 Textured Triple-Stripe Scarf (both)

Pattern #21 Birdcage Mittens - One complete

Pattern #22 Bobbles & Cables Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts - Project Entry

Pattern #24 Mitered Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #25 Ribbed Keyhole Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #26 Basketweave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #27 Scalloped-Edge Beanie - Project Entry

Pattern #28 Reverse Stockinette Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #29 Cupcake Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #30 Eyelet Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon


Pattern #31 Garter-Ridged Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #32 Garter-Stitch Neck Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #33 Pocket Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #34 Checkered Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #35 Textured Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #36 Leaf Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #37 Mock Cable Wristers - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #38 Garter-Ridged Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #39 Cables & Stripes Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #41 Pocket Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #42 Ribbed Pillbox - Project Entry

Pattern #43 Octopus Mittens

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper - Project Entry

Pattern #45 Bunny Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #46 Leaf-Lace Gauntlets - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #47 Striped & Ruffled Wrap (both)

Pattern #48 Starfish Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #49 Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #50 Ruffled Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon!

Pattern #51 Cabled-Cuff Mittens - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #52 Cabled Scarf Hat - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #53 Two-Color Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #54 Twisted-Rib Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #55 Triple-Cable Scarf

Pattern #56 Flip-Top Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #57 Drop-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #58 Spotted Fair Isle Mittens

Pattern #59 Hugs & Kisses Mittens - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #60 Scandinavian Mittens - One Complete

Have a great day!
Brittany

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens

Greetings Fellow Knitters!

It is Em! Today I am going to talk to you about the Puppy Mittens (Pattern #4) in the 60 Quick Knits book.  

Aren't I cute?

These puppy mittens were a breeze to make! I finished them in 2 hours.  That includes the ears, mittens and the assembly of the project.   And now I have these cute little mittens without an owner.  I was thinking of saving them and using them in my classroom if anybody needed extra mittens.  They are warm, but easy to make, so if a kid loses them, it isn't the end of the world.  Otherwise, I might give them away as a baby shower gift. 

Like the bunny mittens, they consisted of making a deep ribbed mitten and adding ears and buttons as attachments. This didn't surprise me because the designer of the Bunny Mittens made the Puppy Mittens as well.

I did not add the buttons, because I didn't want a little child to be tempted to bite them off! (I'm a paranoid Early Childhood Teacher)

There really isn't much to say about these mittens...they were a fun quick knit to make.  There are no errors that I found in these mittens.  Perfect for any young child. 

Happy Knitting,
Em

January 20 - Progress Update

Here is our latest progress report. This month our goal is to finish another 5 projects. Tally for beginning of January progress is in blue followed by the new tallies in purple! :)

Remember that projects highlighted in pink are in progress by Brittany and ones that are in progress for Em are highlighted in green. When a project is completed the project will be crossed out and hopefully have a link next to it with our blog entry.


As of January 1 2012
42/60 Projects - Completed
11/60 Projects - Works In Progress
7/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

As of January 20 2012
46/60 Projects - Completed
10/60 Projects - Works in Progress
4/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #2 Cable Brim Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #3 Waffle Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #5 Tweed Watch Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #6 Tied Rectangle Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #7 Embroidered Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #9 Monkey Hat (Em)

Pattern #10 Diagonal Stripes Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #11 Wave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf - In Progress Update

Pattern #13 Ribbed Wristers - In Progress Project Entry
Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #14 Zigzag Scarf

Pattern #15 Striped Bobbled Hat

Pattern #16 Ribbed Bonnet - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #17 Plaid Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #18 Striped Graduated Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque - Project Entry

Pattern #20 Textured Triple-Stripe Scarf (both)

Pattern #21 Birdcage Mittens

Pattern #22 Bobbles & Cables Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts - Project Entry

Pattern #24 Mitered Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #25 Ribbed Keyhole Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #26 Basketweave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #27 Scalloped-Edge Beanie - Project Entry

Pattern #28 Reverse Stockinette Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #29 Cupcake Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #30 Eyelet Scarf

Pattern #31 Garter-Ridged Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #32 Garter-Stitch Neck Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #33 Pocket Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #34 Checkered Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #35 Textured Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #36 Leaf Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #37 Mock Cable Wristers - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #38 Garter-Ridged Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #39 Cables & Stripes Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #41 Pocket Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #42 Ribbed Pillbox - Project Entry

Pattern #43 Octopus Mittens (Brittany)

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper - Project Entry

Pattern #45 Bunny Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #46 Leaf-Lace Gauntlets - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #47 Striped & Ruffled Wrap (both)

Pattern #48 Starfish Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #49 Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #50 Ruffled Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon!

Pattern #51 Cabled-Cuff Mittens - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #52 Cabled Scarf Hat - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #53 Two-Color Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #54 Twisted-Rib Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #55 Triple-Cable Scarf

Pattern #56 Flip-Top Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #57 Drop-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #58 Spotted Fair Isle Mittens

Pattern #59 Hugs & Kisses Mittens - In Progress Project Entry
Completed Project Entry

Pattern #60 Scandinavian Mittens

Have a great day!
Brittany

Pattern #54 The Twisted-Rib Hat

Greetings Fellow Knitters!

It is Em!  I've been busy knitting as much as possible because I am still on break before the big student teaching adventure begins!!!  My goal, of getting three knitted projects done, is going well. I'm one third of the way done!!!  However, I'm looking at what needs to be done and most of the projects are scarves...

Today I am going to talk about the Twisted Ribbed Hat (Pattern 54).

This pattern was my first top down hat.  I must say I was pretty upset when I started this pattern.  I tried making the ribbed bonnet (Pattern 16) and failed.  I didn't like starting with double points and then making more and more stitches.   You actually double your yarn, which makes the knitting thicker and more difficult to do.  It really bothered my hands, so I gave up and made Brittany do the project.

Well, wouldn't you know this hat used the same technique?  The Twisted Ribbed Hat and the Bonnet are siblings: the same designer made them both! So once again, I casted on my stitches with my doubled yarn on my DPNS and went to work. Determined to be able to do it, I worked on my hat.  At first it was really hard to see how the hat was working out.   You can see in the photo below how oddly shaped the first part of the hat actually was. 

I was pulling and pulling the stitches around my circular needle.  The stitches were tight.   I had the correct amount of stitches on the needle, but I think because I was so close to the top, the stitches were being pulled into several different directions.   In the photo below I had to actually pull and adjust the stitches to go into a circle.  About an inch later into the pattern, the hat began to take the form of a hat all by itself.  I just had to have patience!

The more I knitted with the hat, the easier it became.  I still had to push my stitches around my needle (I believe that is my circular needle's problem and not the pattern), but it became so much easier.  I started knitting this pattern more and more...

Then my circular needle broke....that was a bummer...I lost about 10 stitches of my hat.  It was hard to fix because A/it was a little dark and B/I was trying to watch Tangled! I stopped my movie and worked on those stitches for about 30 minutes.  After some work and creativity, I picked up my stitches.

 

Then, I ran out of yarn!  Once again, I failed to read the instructions and didn't see the 2 skein requirement.  But to my defense, I don't think I've ever made a hat that required more than 1 skein!!! So when I ran out of yarn at 2:30AM, I just looked for another skein that would match.  I found a nice wine purple to use for the bottom ribbing.  I think it makes the hat look unique. 

I'm very satisfied with my hat...it fits (for the most part, I have a big head), it is comfortable and soft! I used Cascade 220 Heather 9326 and Cascade 220 Heathers 9454 for the ribbed edging.  (My ipod doesn't always capture the true color of the yarn, so the colors appear lighter when they are not.)

 

That's all for now!  Have a great one knitters!!

Em

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf

Greetings Everybody It is Em!

I'm so happy to say that A/we completed our finish five project goal and B/our "waiting to be started" is now officially under 10 projects!  We really are on the downhill of our progress.  Our goal to finish is the end of June 2012, so we are doing pretty good.  I am going to set my own personal goal for the next month.  My goal is to finish 2 projects in the 60 Quick Knits world.  One MUST be part of my "in progress" projects that are just sitting and collecting dust.

Today I am going to write about Project 8: the Lion Scarf.

I really liked this project.  It was a simple, fun and relaxing project to work on.  In fact, the majority of the time I was watching a movie while knitting this piece!  What I love about (the original) 60 Quick Knits Book is that there is a very good balance of projects.  Some projects are indeed easy, such as this Lion Scarf while others are an enjoyable challenge (Leaf-Lace Gauntlets)  I have not had much of an opportunity to work on any scarf with a seed stitch since I first started knitting.  I feel that the seed stitch made this project interesting, verses just boring garter stitch.

I did make this scarf shorter.  That is because the person who will be wearing my scarf is really tiny...right now, he is only a few days old!!!  (He was born on Christmas Day!)

I made a video to describe how to put on the tassels for this scarf.  I did this because I was struggling to find a great way to explain it written out.  When I was first starting to knit, I had a really hard time with the finishing (wait...I still do!) and I wish that somebody told me how to do it instead of just looking at it in a book.   I added extra commentary about the scarf as well too.  I also learned how to add those little speech bubbles you see pop up on youtube videos, so you'll see some of my comments (and a little bit of my cheesy humor) pop up on that as well!  Clink on the link to see the video!

Pattern #8 Scarf Tutorial
(if the link won't open, please copy and paste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9boxNMhjr4s )

I mention in the video over and over again that "you need to plan" the right amount of the tassels.  I would advise cutting about 3.5 inches of tassel instead of the advised 5 inches of tassel.  I had so much that I was chopping off that I could have gotten away with doing it shorter.  I also did not use a guideline, that is, a piece of yarn gently woven in where I was supposed to put the tassels.

Also, if one feels that I did tassels differently, this was the way I learned how do to tassels.  I find them to be quick to do when done in this fashion.  Also, it still gives a clean edge. 

Finally, for the finished product, I didn't add the tail.  I just don't like crocheting.  (Sorry Brittany!).  I picked out a button for a nose instead.  I like buttons and I didn't want to go digging for a small piece of fabric, since I don't really have any fabric at home!

Yarn I used for the scarf: Cascade Superwash and Unknown Yarn.  (I know it was 100% wool, which I KNOW defeats the purpose of Superwash, but the colors lined up.)

I hope this helps!!!  Have a wonderful day!

Em and Brittany

Januray 3rd - Progress Update

Happy New Year Knitters! 

Well everybody, it is January and Brittany and I promised we would finish five projects... and guess what...IT HAPPENED!!! At the eve of December 31st I was sewing on the final button for the  Lion Scarf...with a few hours remaining in 2011!  Brittany on the other hand was more organized and finished her 3 projects back in early December. 

We will be setting up a new goal for us to keep us both on track.  However, with Brittany back in school and me applying for jobs, we haven't had the chance to figure a new goal out yet.  Stay tuned!

Remember, if the project is written in pink, it is a Brittany project.  If the project is written in green, it is a Emily project.  Projects in purple are projects that we have not started yet. 

End of November Totals:
37/60 Projects - Completed
11/60 Projects - Works In Progess
12/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

End of December GOALS:
42/60 Projects - Completed
6/60 Projects - Works in Progress
12/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

As of January 3rd 2012
42/60 Projects - Completed
11/60 Projects - Works In Progress
7/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf- Project Entry

Pattern #2 Cable Brim Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #3 Waffle Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #5 Tweed Watch Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #6 Tied Rectangle Wrap (Brittany)

Pattern #7 Embroidered Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #9 Monkey Hat (Em)

Pattern #10 Diagonal Stripes Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #11 Wave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf - In Progress Update

Pattern #13 Ribbed Wirsters - In Progress Project Entry Project Entry= Coming Soon

Pattern #14 Zigzag Scarf

Pattern #15 Striped Bobbled Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #16 Ribbed Bonnet

Pattern #17 Plaid Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #18 Striped Graduated Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque - Project Entry

Pattern #20 Textured Triple-Stripe Scarf (both)

Pattern #21 Birdcage Mittens

Pattern #22 Bobbles & Cables Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts - Project Entry

Pattern #24 Mitered Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #25 Ribbed Keyhole Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #26 Basketweave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #27 Scalloped-Edge Beanie - Project Entry

Pattern #28 Reverse Stockinette Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #29 Cupcake Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #30 Eyelet Scarf

Pattern #31 Garter-Ridged Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #32 Garter-Stitch Neck Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #33 Pocket Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #34 Checkered Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #35 Textured Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #36 Leaf Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #37 Mock Cable Wristers - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #38 Garter-Ridged Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #39 Cables & Stripes Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #41 Pocket Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #42 Ribbed Pillbox - Project Entry

Pattern #43 Octopus Mittens (Brittany)

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper - Project Entry

Pattern #45 Bunny Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #46 Leaf-Lace Gauntlets - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #47 Striped & Ruffled Wrap (both)

Pattern #48 Starfish Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #49 Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #50 Ruffled Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon!

Pattern #51 Cabled-Cuff Mittens - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #52 Cabled Scarf Hat - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #53 Two-Color Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #54 Twisted-Rib Hat

Pattern #55 Triple-Cable Scarf

Pattern #56 Flip-Top Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #57 Drop-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #58 Spotted Fair Isle Mittens

Pattern #59 Hugs & Kisses Mittens - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #60 Scandinavian Mittens

Happy Knitting! 

Em and Brittany 

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf

Hello everyone, it is Brittany! I finally have a break from concert preparations (I had four concerts this December) and can take some time to relax. On some of my time off I would like to share some of my recent knitting projects.

Today, I am going to talk about the chain-link scarf. This scarf is rather simple and fun to make. One thing I really like about this pattern is that it is made by width instead of height. For some reason I feel like scarves like this go much faster. I am not sure why, but it just works well.



This pattern is very simple and the scarf knits up quickly. I would agree that this is a quick knit, however, you have to make it thiner than the pattern calls for. I do NOT like super thick scarves. They just fit awkwardly and they take too long to knit. Instead of making this 7 chain-links wide I made it just 3 chain-links wide. As you can see in the picture below it fits nicely and is still wide enough to cover your neck. (I have a rather long neck and you can see it covers mine.)



I did not find any mistakes in this pattern and I would recommend it to anyone.

Yarn Choice: Cascade 220 Paints - #9847 (Montego Bay), Cascade 220 - #8909 (Raspberry)

As always you can see more pictures of this project and other projects at my flickr account. Have a great day!

Brittany

Pattern #56 Flip Top Mittens

Hello Everybody It is Em!

As the days before Christmas keep on getting smaller, we are currently knitting our fingers off!  Brittany just finished two scarves (and they look so cool!) Stay tuned for her blog entries about these fab scarves!

Our goal for us to knit 5 patterns before New Years is going along well.  I am almost done with the Lion Scarf, I'm also making the twisted rib hat (for an Xmas Gift, so it will be finished by the 25th) and Brittany has one more project to make.  We promise we are working very hard to achieve our goal!  For now, we are trying to write about some of our projects that we finished before we started our blog.  One of those projects is the Flip Top Mittens.

I really did not care for this pattern.  I have a different pattern that I use for flip-top mittens that I absolutely love!  I have made that pattern quite a few times and I never had any issues with them.

When I started this pattern, I was very shocked to see that the wrist pattern was not a normal rib pattern.  I was too much in love with ribbing to try this pattern.  However, many people on Rav stated that this was their favorite part! So now I feel like I missed out on something special.  The pattern is easy just some Yo's and ssk's.

This pattern was just not for me.  And that's okay.  You might have better luck knitting with this pattern.   I found the instructions to be unclear and unnatural for me.  I suggest to still give them a try and let me know how they worked for you!!!   The reviews on this pattern are mixed on Raverly.  Many people changed the top of the mittens because they had a hard time working with the pattern.  There are others that said they loved the pattern and it came easily to them.

The biggest thing I found was making the top of the mittens.  I felt that the part that covered the bottoms of the fingers was not enough space.  Plus this pattern doesn't have you knit down on the mitten, so the popup covers part of the actual mitten.  Once the popup part hit the mitten it stopped.  That causes fingers to pop out.  In my mitten, I picked up stitches and ribbed down for about 2 inches and then added a button so Chelsea could seal the flap shut.

She choose pink...good color;)

The seal would then not have any holes, unlike the original pattern.  This way part of the mitten and the popup part overlap, which lacked in the original pattern.

Since I didn't knit down enough...I still had one hole.  Chelsea had a pinkie that wouldn't stay in the mitten.  You can see in this picture that some of the flap that is supposed to cover up the mitten is sticking up.

 

Therefore, I had to have Chelsea wear the mittens and seal the hole shut.  It worked out very well.  Next time, I would make the ribbing part 3 inches instead of just two! Nevertheless, I was able to make them work for my dear old pal Chelsea.  She loved the mittens! She said they were very warm!

For those who are curious, I used Nashua Granite Yarn.  (Sorry Cascade, she wanted grey and this was in my stash!) The yarn worked up beautifully!

As always, happy knitting!

Em

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf

Hello Everybody it is Em!

I wanted to talk about the Cables & Wraps Scarf today!

This is a project that I started and restarted a few times. This was one of my first projects in the 60 Quick Knits Book. That's right...I started this particular scarf not in 2011 when we started our goal...but in 2009, way before Brittany had the book! (Actually, I have no idea if she had the book at this point.)

So why has it taken me this long to write about this pattern? Well, the reason is very simple. I have started and frogged this scarf quite a few times. First my yarn was too thin. I used a sport weight yarn and it was taking FOREVER. So I changed the yarn. Second time was my own darn fault. I didn't store my knitting in a good place and the project kept falling off the needle.

The third time I made the scarf, I found this particular pattern to be difficult. I worked on this scarf while I was on my housekeeping job, therefore I got distracted too easily. Plus, all of the rows are extremely similar, so I would start reading one row and then move to the next row.

So, now a year later, I frogged it AGAIN and used the proper worsted weight Cascade 220 yarn. I have been able to knit this scarf more than 2 inches ever since!

I purposely used a lighter color so everybody can see the complicated pattern. I feel if I am going to take this much time working on this pattern, then I must make sure that everybody can see it. I found a misfit skein of Cascade 220 Heathers sitting at my local yarn shop and decided it needed to be made into this awesome scarf.

The downside to finding this misfit yarn is that I realized that I am going to need 2 skeins of this yarn! I assumed that all the 60 Quick Knit projects that had only one color only took one skein... and you know what the old saying goes about assuming. So now I am on a quest to find more of this yarn! I also don't even know the original color of this yarn. It's a beautiful off-white heather tone. I am going to make an educated guess that the number of this yarn is 9600. I will have to figure that out soon! If I can't find it,  I might do a two-colored scarf like Brittany did for the Wave Scarf (Pattern #11)

As for errors... there seems to be one that I have found. This might not make complete sense unless you have the book in front of you. Bear with me please! On Row 3 you are increasing stitches to make the ovals. These ovals are a total of 7 stitches. In order to increase these stitches, you are supposed to knit into the next stitch. On Row 3 you currently have 5 stitches in the oval part of the scarf. You K2, K into the next stitch, K2. Row 4 has you knitting all 7 of those oval stitches... but according to my math teacher, the calculator, and my own pen and paper: 2+2+2=6 not 7. This means that we need to increase an extra stitch within the five original stitches.

In conclusion: it should be written like this
Row 3: P1, *k2, inc in next st, inc in next st, k1, p2, k1tbl, p2, sl 3wyif, p2, k1 tbl, p2: rep from *once more, end K2, inc in next st, inc in next st, k1, p1

Row 4: k1, p7....etc...

This scarf is a lot of fun to make. The pattern really isn't that complicated once you have done enough repeats. This scarf does take a while to finish, but it is worth the time put into it! I cannot wait to see mine finished!!! Hopefully I will overcome all the issues I'm having with finding the second ball of yarn to go with it!

Em

December 9 - Progress Update

As normal you will see an update of how many projects we have completed, started, or are still waiting to be started. If a project is still waiting it may have a name next to it. Some may not because a few of them we are going to decide on later. As in previous update posts if the project name is colored pink it is in progress by Brittany and if colored green it is in progress by Em. If the project name is colored and crossed out that means it is completed. We will also have Pattern Entries linked next to each project as we update the blog with our evaluations and input on each pattern.

As of December 8, 2011:
39/60 Projects - Completed
12/60 Projects - Works In Progess
9/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf- Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #2 Cable Brim Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #3 Waffle Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #5 Tweed Watch Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #6 Tied Rectangle Wrap (Brittany)

Pattern #7 Embroidered Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf

Pattern #9 Monkey Hat (Em)

Pattern #10 Diagonal Stripes Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #11 Wave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf - In Progress Update Coming Soon!

Pattern #13 Ribbed Wristers - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #14 Zigzag Scarf

Pattern #15 Striped Bobbled Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #16 Ribbed Bonnet

Pattern #17 Plaid Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #18 Striped Graduated Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque - Project Entry

Pattern #20 Textured Triple-Stripe Scarf (both)

Pattern #21 Birdcage Mittens

Pattern #22 Bobbles & Cables Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts - Project Entry

Pattern #24 Mitered Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #25 Ribbed Keyhole Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #26 Basketweave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #27 Scalloped-Edge Beanie - Project Entry

Pattern #28 Reverse Stockinette Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #29 Cupcake Hat

Pattern #30 Eyelet Scarf

Pattern #31 Garter-Ridged Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #32 Garter-Stitch Neck Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #33 Pocket Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #34 Checkered Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #35 Textured Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #36 Leaf Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #37 Mock Cable Wristers - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #38 Garter-Ridged Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #39 Cables & Stripes Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #41 Pocket Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #42 Ribbed Pillbox - Project Entry

Pattern #43 Octopus Mittens (Brittany)

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper - Project Entry

Pattern #45 Bunny Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #46 Leaf-Lace Gauntlets - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #47 Striped & Ruffled Wrap (both)

Pattern #48 Starfish Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #49 Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #50 Ruffled Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon!

Pattern #51 Cabled-Cuff Mittens - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #52 Cabled Scarf Hat - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #53 Two-Color Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #54 Twisted-Rib Hat (Em)

Pattern #55 Triple-Cable Scarf (Em)

Pattern #56 Flip-Top Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #57 Drop-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #58 Spotted Fair Isle Mittens

Pattern #59 Hugs & Kisses Mittens - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #60 Scandinavian Mittens

The Copper Llama

Hi everyone! It is Brittany. I have actually finished 2 projects from 60 Quick Knits yesterday. I also almost finished a whole extra project today! However, I am not going to talk about those projects just yet. Instead, I'm wanted to tell you about the great yarn shop Em and I visited today.



Em and I drove about 40 minutes from my apartment this morning to get some amazing Cascade yarns. Our friend Zoe had told us about this yarn shop that had a variety of Cascade yarns. Em and I had talked about going there for a while, but we never did. When a Ravelry knit-a-long for the Cabled Ski Cap (60 More Quick Knits) came along I needed some Cascade Sports Weight. The Copper Llama seemed the perfect place to go.



The Copper Llama is a beautiful yarn shop with a wide variety of Cascade 220 yarn. They do not exclusively sell Cascade, but they had brands of Cascade neither Em or myself had ever heard of. Not only was it great to see all the colors and kinds, but the yarn shop itself was so unique. It is attached a little farm where you can see llamas. The yarn shop has a log cabin feeling and the owner was wonderful. She offered us tea almost the second we got there and she even put up with us talking about teaching.

Em and I definitely had a lot of fun shopping there and you can look forward to future posts about the projects we created with out new yarn! :)

Hope you all have a great day!
Brittany

November 26 Progress Update

It has been a very long time since we last updated our numbers on knitting. We have not been knitting quite as quickly and fervently as we were before. However, we are still making some progress. Here are the latest totals.

As normal you will see an update of how many projects we have completed, started, or are still waiting to be started. If a project is still waiting it may have a name next to it. Some may not because a few of them we are going to decide on later. As in previous update posts if the project name is colored pink it is in progress by Brittany and if colored green it is in progress by Em. If the project name is colored and crossed out that means it is completed. We will also have Pattern Entries linked next to each project as we update the blog with our evaluations and input on each pattern.

Our original goal, as many of you know, was to have the whole book completed in time for the New Year. However, with only a month to go and another 23 projects to complete, we do not think this will be a reality. Instead we are hoping to have 5 more projects completed by the end of December. This will leave us with just 18 projects to finish in 2012. Now, taking into account that most of the projects we have left are scarves, our new goal will be to finish by June 2012. Though the book is called 60 Quick Knits it is very rare to have quick knit scarf of any kind. We still have about 8 of them left to do! Yikes! Happy knitting! :) Brittany & Em

As of November 26, 2011:
37/60 Projects - Completed
11/60 Projects - Works In Progess
12/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf

Pattern #2 Cable Brim Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #3 Waffle Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #5 Tweed Watch Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #6 Tied Rectangle Wrap

Pattern #7 Embroidered Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf

Pattern #9 Monkey Hat (Em)

Pattern #10 Diagonal Stripes Hat - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #11 Wave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf

Pattern #13 Ribbed Wristers - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #14 Zigzag Scarf

Pattern #15 Striped Bobbled Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #16 Ribbed Bonnet (Em)

Pattern #17 Plaid Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #18 Striped Graduated Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque - Project Entry

Pattern #20 Textured Triple-Stripe Scarf (both)

Pattern #21 Birdcage Mittens

Pattern #22 Bobbles & Cables Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts - Project Entry

Pattern #24 Mitered Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #25 Ribbed Keyhole Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #26 Basketweave Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #27 Scalloped-Edge Beanie - Project Entry

Pattern #28 Reverse Stockinette Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #29 Cupcake Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #30 Eyelet Scarf

Pattern #31 Garter-Ridged Hat (Brittany)

Pattern #32 Garter-Stitch Neck Wrap - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #33 Pocket Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #34 Checkered Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #35 Textured Tam - Project Entry

Pattern #36 Leaf Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #37 Mock Cable Wristers - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #38 Garter-Ridged Scarf - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #39 Cables & Stripes Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #41 Pocket Scarf - Project Entry

Pattern #42 Ribbed Pillbox - Project Entry

Pattern #43 Octopus Mittens (Brittany)

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper - Project Entry

Pattern #45 Bunny Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #46 Leaf-Lace Gauntlets - In Progress Project Entry

Pattern #47 Striped & Ruffled Wrap (both)

Pattern #48 Starfish Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #49 Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #50 Ruffled Scarf

Pattern #51 Cabled-Cuff Mittens - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #52 Cabled Scarf Hat - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #53 Two-Color Slip-Stitched Hat - Project Entry

Pattern #54 Twisted-Rib Hat (Em)

Pattern #55 Triple-Cable Scarf

Pattern #56 Flip-Top Mittens - Project Entry = Coming Soon

Pattern #57 Drop-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #58 Spotted Fair Isle Mittens

Pattern #59 Hugs & Kisses Mittens - In Progress Project Entry Completed Project Entry

Pattern #60 Scandinavian Mittens

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque

Good Day Everybody, Em is here!!

Today I write to you about my very first knitting project from this book...the Twisted Toque.

That's right, this is the pattern that got Brittany to fall in love with the book and purchase it.  (I got it from falling in love with the book from my friend Donna.)

I made the first version of this hat in 2009 (way back in the day when Brittany and I shared a room at Saint Norbert College) for the Green Bay Girl Choir.   When I made the hat then, I had to restart it twice because I had a hard time getting the pattern to twist.  Once I was able to, I knit the hat in less than 24 hours.  However, I didn't take any photos of the ha.  I have no idea why.  The hat has been donated and I have not been able to track down the person who has the hat.  But let me tell you, that hat was pretty awesome.  I used Lion Brand yarn to make the hat.  Since the hat was for kids, I wanted a simple durable yarn.

Well, a few of us on the 60 Quick Knits site decided to do a knit along.  The results were awesome...we all managed to get our hat to twist!

Here is what I think the secret is to the twisting...the M1!  I know a few times I forgot to make that stitch, and in result, the pattern would not shift to the side.  The stitches in this hat fall into place very easily.  You knit or purl what you see and then make one at the end of the 12 stitch repeat.   I promise you, if you do the M1 your pattern will twist!   It will take a few rounds (and when I mean few I mean about 10 or so) before you can see the actual twist.

One of the knitters that made the project in the KAL said that she did not knit the full length.  This was because she did not want the hat to become "too slouchy."  This makes sense, especially if one is a looser knitter.   I did the same thing: my hat has a 3 inch brim and a 5 inch pattern before the decrease.

Another knitter stated she did not care for the hat because it was "too pointy."  (You can see that pointy-ness in the photo below)

The decreasing on the top of the hat is more slanted than other hats in the 60 Quick Knits.  Many of the other hats have a k round between decreases.  However, this one just decreased from 96 sts to 8 sts in a matter of 13 rounds.  This may seem like a lot, but I have made other hats that had twice as long to decrease the same number of stitches (aka. the Tasseled Topper hat).

There are no errors in this pattern.  It is a great, simple, fun knit that everybody should try!

I used Misti Alpaca for this project, sorry Cascade...I was craving orange alpaca!

E

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper

Hey Everybody it is Em!!!

I am pleased to announce that I have finished the Tasseled Topper...pattern #44 in the 60 Quick Knits Book! I am making this hat for my grandma!

I knitted this hat with a size 8 (then a size 9 because my needle broke). I used Cascade Eco+ to make the hat.

This knit was a fast knit...it only took me three days to make. What I found interesting was the pattern itself. There is a cable in the middle of the hat. However, after a few rows, we stop making the cable and start knitting and purling instead. The knitting and purling combination made the hat "stumpier" so I added about 15 extra rounds to the hat. Many people on Rav said that the hat was way too short.

I found my hat to be way too "spacy." I cannot stand how some of the hats in this book are A/too short and B/too loose. They don't feel comfortable and therefore end up in the bottom part of my closet. This hat is very loose, but it covers the ears. It will also be perfect for my grandma because she likes her hair to have space underneath her hat.

The cable was not what I expected. The back of the cable looks cooler than the actual cable. I thought that it was strange to do it that way. Since the cable was only knit with 22 rounds you only cable twice.
At first, I thought I was messing up the cabled pattern. It just did not look right and the photo did not help me. The photo is taken at a strange angle, which makes it difficult to know if I'm doing it right or not. I ended up looking at pictures on Ravelry and then decided I was doing it right.

There were no errors in the pattern...at least none that I found.

That's all for now!!!! I'm working on a few more patterns from 60 Quick Knits...I hope to post more very soon!

Em