Pattern #35 Textured Tam

The Case of Needle Size and Gauge

Hello everybody! It is Em! Brittany is traveling home from wherever she is (She's been going all over the US visiting family in the south.  Last I heard, she is heading home.) I've been enjoying the nice weather outside, working out, and enjoying the sunshine!  Hopefully the sun will stay in Green Bay for a while! (We had a late, late start to our summer.  It kept on snowing until late April this year!)


One of my ex-co-workers, Jordan, asked me to make this hat for her. It is pattern 35, the Textured Tam.

I was quite nervous about making this hat.  I have a huge phobia over the L word...aka lace.  And although this project didn't have a TON of lace like features, it had some.  The cables helped me feel better...since I love cables!  Those yarn overs tend to disappear off of my needles and the entire project just ends up looking like crap.

However, when I started knitting this project, I fell in love.  The project was easier than I anticipated.  Everything made sense very quickly.  I understood how the pattern worked up and how to troubleshoot if my stitches got off.  Once I was able to figure out how the stitches lined up, I didn't really "need" the book.  (Don't get me wrong, I still used it and marked off my rows, but it was more of a formality.)

I finished the hat in 2 days flat.

But...


It is too small.

This thing looks like a darn beanie.  The pattern is awesome...but it is TOO short.

This isn't just me.  ALL of the Ravelry knitters who made this project agree...it is TOO short! (See my unhappy face in the picture underneath? Ha, ha.  That's my "gangsta" looking face.  I'm pretty sure I took that photo around 2AM.)

I tried to stretch it over a plate like so:

 

but...it is still too short...  

Looking at the pattern it calls for size 7 needles.  However, in the actual instructions for the hat, it says "with smaller circular needle, cast on 94 sts." Nowhere does it say "with larger needles" indicating that there are no larger needles.  Since the pattern only calls for one size of needle, I am suspecting A) the phrase "with smaller circular needle" is incorrect or B) they forgot to add in the other size needle, which I am guessing is a size 8 or 9.  There is another possible reason: C) the smaller needles are supposed to be a size 6 (not a size 7) and the larger needles are a size 7.  Either way there is some sort of error in the book and I hope Cascade will correct the issue if they see fit.  You can find other errata that Brittany and I discovered (as well as, other talented knitters) by clicking here.

Well, that's all I have for now!
Happy Knitting!!!

Em

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens

When deciding on Christmas gifts, I chose mostly 60 Quick Knits. This was of course before Em and I made our resolution. I really enjoy looking at all the lovely patterns in the book. I settled on the tweed mittens and used some yarn I bought from our LYS. The pattern was rather simple and I started knitting them during a rummage sale in the middle of the summer. Of all the mittens I have made these mittens had the nicest thumbs. These mittens were not short like the Checkered Mittens, but instead a nice height. Again I used Cascade 220 to make these. As you can see my sister-in-law enjoyed getting them. They will definitely keep her hands warm this winter and for many winters to come.

Yarn Information: Cascade 220 Heather #2419 (Aster) and Cascade 220 Paints #9921 (Caribbean Sea)

As always, if you would like to see more pictures check out my Flickr Account.
Brittany

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts

Before buttons were added:

I started the Smocked Fingerless Mitts after buying a beautiful purple heather cascade 220 from someone on Ravelry. As soon as I received the yarn in the mail and saw the color I knew they needed to be something beautiful. I had my eye on the Smocked Fingerless Mitts for quite sometime now. I finished the first Smocked Fingerless Mitt during the NFC Championship (which the Packers won! Whoot! Whoot!). During the Superbowl I sewed on the buttons to finish them off (and the Packers won again!!! World Champions 2011!!!). I love how the yellow really stands out from the purple, but does not take away from the beauty of the purple yarn either.

After buttons were added:


Yarn Information: Cascade 220 Heather #1947 (Amethyst)

For more pictures see my Flickr Account.
Brittany

60 Quick Knits Progress

This post will keep track of our progress. There will not be pictures or long descriptions because we will post about our projects individually. All projects from the book will be listed in order. If they are crossed out that means the project is completed. If the project font is colored green or pink it means it is in progress. If the project is just listed that means it is still waiting to be started or made. Pink font stands for projects completed by Brittany and green font stands for projects completed by Em. If you are looking for more information on a project just look for the blog post labeled that number. (We are just starting out, but eventually we hope to have blog posts for all completed projects)

As of February 7, 2011:
13/60 Projects - Completed
10/60 Projects - In Progess
37/60 Projects - Waiting to be Started

Pattern #1 Chain-Link Scarf

Pattern #2 Cable Brim Tam

Pattern #3 Waffle Mittens

Pattern #4 Puppy Mittens

Pattern #5 Tweed Watch Cap - Project Entry

Pattern #6 Tied Rectangle Wrap

Pattern #7 Embroidered Mittens

Pattern #8 Lion Scarf

Pattern #9 Monkey Hat

Pattern #10 Diagonal Stripes Hat

Pattern #11 Wave Scarf

Pattern #12 Cables & Wraps Scarf

Pattern #13 Ribbed Wristers - Waiting

Pattern #14 Zigzag Scarf - Waiting

Pattern #15 Striped Bobbled Hat - Waiting

Pattern #16 Ribbed Bonnet - Waiting

Pattern #17 Plaid Mittens

Pattern #18 Striped Graduated Scarf

Pattern #19 Twisted Toque

Pattern #20 Textured Triple-Stripe Scarf

Pattern #21 Birdcage Mittens

Pattern #22 Bobbles & Cables Cap

Pattern #23 Smocked Fingerless Mitts - Project Entry

Pattern #24 Mittered Scarf

Pattern #25 Ribbed Keyhole Scarf

Pattern #26 Basketweave Scarf

Pattern #27 Scalloped-Edge Beanie - Project Entry

Pattern #28 Reverse Stockinette Mittens

Pattern #29 Cupcake Hat

Pattern #30 Eyelet Scarf

Pattern #31 Garter-Ridged Hat

Pattern #32 Garter-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #33 Pocket Cap

Pattern #34 Checkered Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #35 Textured Tam

Pattern #36 Leaf Scarf

Pattern #37 Mock Cable Wristers

Pattern #38 Garter-Ridged Scarf

Pattern #39 Cables & Stripes Mittens

Pattern #40 Tweed Mittens - Project Entry

Pattern #41 Pocket Scarf

Pattern #42 Ribbed Pillbox

Pattern #43 Octopus Mittens

Pattern #44 Tasseled Topper

Pattern #45 Bunny Mittens

Pattern #46 Leaf-Lace Gauntlets

Pattern #47 Striped & Ruffled Wrap

Pattern #48 Starfish Hat

Pattern #49 Slip-Stitched Hat - Pattern Entry

Pattern #50 Ruffled Scarf

Pattern #51 Cabled-Cuff Mittens

Pattern #52 Cabled Scarf Hat

Pattern #53 Two-Color Slip-Stitched Hat

Pattern #54 Twisted-Rib Hat

Pattern #55 Triple-Cable Scarf

Pattern #56 Flip-Top Mittens

Pattern #57 Drop-Stitch Neck Wrap

Pattern #58 Spotted Fair Isle Mittens

Pattern #59 Hugs & Kisses Mittens

Pattern #60 Scandinavian Mittens

More information to come soon!

The Adventure of Knitting 60 Quick Knits

Hey All!

Em (of EMBellished Knits) and Brittany (of Britter's Little Critters) decided for New Years to come up with a resolution.  Instead of trying to lose 50 pounds, get a boyfriend, travel the world, or some other really unrealistic goal, we decided to knit the entire 60 Quick Knits Book by Cascade!!!

(In case you have been living under a rock, here is the book we are referring to:)

This blog is a blog for both of us to update everybody on our adventures in knitting these awesome projects!  Stay tuned and please follow us to see how we are going to make our dreams come true!

Love, Em and Brittany!