It took me just under a year to knit this beautiful afghan, but I did it! If it had been my only project, I could have done it in 2 months. Of course knitters are not notorious for being monogamous with their projects, and neither was I. Toward the end I got excited about finishing this project, and really focused my energy on it.

The yarn for this project is quite expensive so you really have to consider that before you start casting on. You can easily spend $300 in Noro alone. I'm very grateful for all of my friends who donated their scrap yarn and also gave me several balls for Christmas and my birthday. Thank you!!



Pattern: Lizard Ridge by Laura Aylor
Source: Knitty Fall 2006.
Yarn: Noro Kureyon

I intended to knit 30 squares for a 5x6 blanket, but after laying them out and looking, we all decided that longer was better than wider. So since the pattern calls for 24 squares, I did 28 which added another row to the bottom. Now we can use it long-wise to cover up on the couch, or I can curl up and not have to figure out which I'd rather have hanging out: shoulders or toes.



Rather than use the crochet border, I just did a garter stitch all the way around leaving 6 bumps (12 rows). I'm considering adding an i-cord border all the way around in the same red, just to give it a little something more. (And because I'm insane!) I guess I still can't get enough of working on this!

I really should blog  more. But I hate blogs where people whine about how they haven't blogged so I'll not do that here.

I started making Endpaper Mitts for my friend Molly last night. The first thing it says is to use the Italian Tubular Cast-On to cast on 56 stitches. The purpose of this is to create a neat, but stretchy cuff for your mitts.

A new technique could be daunting, but it's very satisfying when you succeed.

One method that I tried was the long tail tubular cast-on as instructed by Ysolda. You can watch her YouTube video here.

My problem with this method is that my stitches seemed to slip off and come untwisted if I didn't pay attention.

Instead I found this method by Francesca to be much easier for me. It's the same Italian Tubular Cast on, but it doesn't require waste yarn. It's similar to Ysolda's method, only you are using both hands to transfer the yarn, rather than moving the needle around the yarn.

If you scroll down to the end of the blog post, you will be able to watch a QuickTime video which will make a lot of sense.

Once you are in the rhythm of moving the yarn back and forth, you'll be able to cast on very quickly. This is a great cast on for cuff-down socks, sleeves, or even the hem of a sweater since it's very stretchy but looks very neat and clean.

Once you have cast on your stitches, you will need to knit two rows flat before joining in the round. Both videos cover this and Ysolda even discusses how to make a 2x2 rib since the most common is a 1x1.

I hope you give this method a try sometime. I think it will be a great knitting skill to conquer.

I love to look at my friend's knitting projects. So much hard work goes into knitting and so few people really enjoy the item other than it's knitter. While looking on Ravelry, I saw LoopyKnitter's My So-Called Scarf and it prompted this entire post.



Beautiful. I love that pattern because it's fun to knit and looks entirely unique. The yarn is also exquisite. Trust me.

Now check out KatieCakes' Shalom Shawl.



I'm not sure I ever would have wanted to knit this from the pattern itself, but Katie pulls it off so well. Plus, she's just so darn beautiful!

Also, LambyKnits' Amelia is spectacular and fits her perfectly (something all knitters worry about while they are knitting...)



Again, nothing I just had to knit until I saw this photo. Lovely buttons too.

Don't under estimate hats, knitters. Maybe we just need a little more of a challenge? Like CharityKnitter's Sheep & Wool Hat. Maybe it's the colors, maybe it's the fair isle, maybe it's the cute photo, but it's so in the queue.



Talk about perfect fits, lleehome's Cozy V-Neck Pullover With Deep Ribbing (from Fitted Knits) looks amazing! Not only the color, but the sweater just fits great.



Yet another amazing sweater knit by CelticCastOn:



This is the Asymmetrical Cable Cardi and it's lovely.