Pegs & Needles

New Runner's Cuff Pattern to benefit American Cancer Society

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 20:05:00 +0000

Runner's Cuff Pattern

A needle knit pattern

This pattern is designed for a distance runner. Being a marathoner myself, I can never seem to get enough pockets to carry everything. This cuff will carry two GU packets within easy reach and without any pockets or zippers to deal with. Just grab and (keep) going!

I designed this pattern to help me raise money to fight cancer. I am running the Philadelphia Half Marathon on November 23 for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation running team.

ALL proceeds from this pattern will go towards my fund raising efforts - minus the little bit Paypal takes out.

I have a lofty goal of $1000.00 dollars to raise by November 23rd, 2014!

Runner's Cuff pattern
$4.00
PDF download

If you'd like to just donate directly to my fund raising page, please go here:

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/lisa_sawyer

And click Donate!

Thank you!

My first finished WIP for 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 18:02:00 +0000

My first finished WIP for 2013 has arrived. As previously mentioned, this sweater has been in my work-in-progress pile since 2009. It's my first ever recycled yarn project (made from an unraveled Goodwill sweater). I love the result and it'll be a great layering piece for work when Spring rolls around.

Stats on this sweater:
Yarn: Recycled 50% Linen and 50% Cotton
Needles: Size 4
Pattern: Ropes and Picots from 2008 Winter Interweave Knits (Ravelry link)
Alterations: The original pattern is made using a Tweed wool and is pictured on a model with about 2 inches of positive ease. I wanted a more tailored look so I went with only about a 1/2 inch positive ease. The Springy nature of the yarn led me to shorten the sleeves and for now I'm leaving the snaps off of it because I think it looks pretty good without any closure on the front. When knitting the sleeves I skipped all of the increasing and cast on the full amount for the top of the arm. I just made sure to knit enough rows to have the sleeve hit my elbow when complete.

This pattern was pretty easy to follow. The only hard part was the finishing work. The instructions are vague on seeming and I got confused when trying to fit the sleeve into the odd arm hole shaping. This might be a product of my inexperience with saddle shoulders. Also, there is next to zero instructions on how to fit the fronts to the shoulder shaping. I studied the pictures in the magazine (only 2!) and finagled it into place. I think I got it right and it fits and drapes really well so I guess I did it pretty well. The neck and front picot edging also takes a long time to complete. This sweater is not for the anti-finishing folks. Patience is required!

Overall I can't wait to wear this to work once the weather warms up.

WIP since 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Finally finishing my Ropes and Picots cardigan that I started in 2009. I was getting the urge to make myself a sweater and realized I already have one almost done. Granted it's the middle of winter and this is a spring sweater...but, I vowed to finish it before starting anything new. I started knitting on it again last Friday and finished 99% of the knitting on it this morning. It's currently blocking right now.

All that's left is seaming and creating the picot edge that runs up both fronts and the neck edge. Haven't finished a sweater for myself in quite some time...can't wait to model finished product.

Latest FO

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:02:00 +0000

Pattern: Basic Vest Pattern by Ann Bud in the Knitters Handy Little Book of Patterns

Yarn: Knitpicks - Wool of the Andes

Needles: Size 8

Fit: 38" w, 1.5 inches of positive ease.

Notes: It took me several tries to get the neck band done. First time I miscalculated the mid point for the point of the v neck reduction, Second time I picked up along the edge of the second shoulder seem (since the pattern states to sew the second seem after the neck band). Third time was the charm.

FO: Blackrose Socks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:32:00 +0000

Pattern: Blackrose Socks from Knitty.com
Size: Small (since my gauge was a little loose)
Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock & Baby Yarn
Colorway: Love Letters from the Woolgirl sock club December 2010
Needles: Size 2 Circulars
Notes: Didn't change a thing about the pattern. Easy to follow and pretty results. If I make this pattern again I wont use such a variegated yarn.

Miri Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:18:00 +0000

My latest finished project is a handbag I made using left overs. You saw my last project (Puzzle Ball) for my niece Miriam. I had lots of leftovers from that toy. Since I don't usually use acrylic yarn I was scratching my head over what to do.

I wanted to use three colors but I didn't want to use plain stripes. The bag is made using Linen Stitch. I love the look of this stitch but hate actually doing it. A small bag is all I could muster.

Bag Stats:
Pattern: My own design
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids & Heathers
Colorways: Grey Marble, Dark Grey Heather, Dusty Green
Needle: Size 8 Denise Circulars
Finished measurements (minus handles): 9.5” wide x 8.5” tall x 2” deep
Handles: Bag Boutique Purse Handles, 5.5” wide x 4.5” tall

A few more pictures....

Happy Birthday Miriam!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:12:00 +0000

My only niece, Miriam, is turning 1 on March 2nd. My brother's family lives in Philadelphia so I can't make it down for her party but I definitely wanted to make her something to send. I have a whole set of favorited patterns for Miriam in my Ravelry queue. I needed something quick and I felt like making her a toy.

I decided on the free Braided Ball pattern. I had 3 different skeins of Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn that was given to me at my office secret snowman exchange this past Christmas. I never buy acrylic yarn, so having some on hand for a toy is too perfect. Easy washability is key.

The stats on this project:
Pattern: Gevlochten Bal / Braided Ball (originally written in German then translated) by Marleen Harto
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids & Heathers
Colorways: Grey Marble, Dark Grey Heather, Dusty Green
Needle: Size 8 Denise Circulars
Construction Option: 6, 20 stitch strips. 2 in each color.

It's made using 6 separate strips of stockinette. Mine is made using 2 strips in each color. The pattern designer gives tips on the easiest way to make your first one...I went with the easiest construction and knitting directions. You can make them using more strips and less colors which makes it harder to put together. I didn't have any issues with my construction so next time I'll be a bit more adventurous. I think it would be fun to use self-striping sock yarn. When putting mine together I used locking stitch markers on my strips before sewing all the ends.

Miriam's ball is 5.5inches in diameter. Soft and squishy and perfect for baby hands to grab and hold. I hope she likes it!

Finished! Lace Rib Socks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:45:00 +0000

Second pair of socks for 2011 are complete. A simple lace ribbed pair out of a book I've owned for years. The book (Favorite Socks by IK) is a great book. I've made several patterns out of it even though I wanted it for only one pattern. I'm now even making another pattern out of it as we speak. The yarn comes from my Woolgirl Sock club from June 2010.

Stats for these socks:
Pattern: Go With The Flow Socks by Evelyn A. Clark from the book Favorite Socks by Interweave Knits
Yarn: Knitted Wit Superwash Merino Fingering
Colorway: Two Roads
Needles: Size 2 Knitpicks circulars
Notes:
I made these pretty much as the pattern states except

Only worked 18 repeats for the leg
I did not shift stitches as the pattern told me to for the heel and foot because I didn’t read close enough. I realized the socks aren’t symmetrical if you don’t shift the stitches. So I’m making the pair a mirror image of each other to compensate for my oversight. On the second sock I moved the pattern around my circular needles by two, so that the purls would end on the needle instead of begin like the first sock. Now, when the socks are on, the rib pattern will look correct going across the tops of the feet.

FO Friday: Vegas by Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

First finished object of 2011 are my Vegas by Storm socks. Started January 8th and finished last Sunday, January 16th. Cast on while on a plane to Vegas and finished a couple days after getting home.

Stats on these:
Pattern: Storm by Kbomb (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight
Colourway: The Skein With No Name - a RSC shipment yarn for 2010
Needles: size 2US knit picks circulars
Notes: I don't like the heel construction on the pattern. It's written as a heel flap with short row turning. If I make these again I'll probably change the heel to a more traditional heel flap and turn method. They fit fine but it's a little awkward to make.

Another WIP spotlight

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:10:00 +0000

Second in my spotlight on my WIPS for 2011 is my "Recycled Ropes & Picots" cardigan. The last progress I made on this was October of 2009. It's a fun project and I'm excited to have it finished ~~some day~~ soon.

I Haven't much more progress then what is shown above. The two fronts shown in this picture are finished and I have about 5 inches of both sleeves done. While the pattern calls for full length sleeves, I'm making mine 1/2 length. Partly because mine is a summer weight yarn, partly because I'm afraid I'll run out of yarn, and partly just because I'm more partial to shorter sleeves on sweaters and shirts. This is my first recycled yarn project so I'm worried I didn't estimate the amount of yarn correctly. I think that may be way it's languishing in my WIP pile...fear of failure.

My goal for 2011 is to at least finish the sleeves on this bad boy....finishing in time to wear it in the spring or early fall would be fabulous. So much to knit, so little time.

Vegas by Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

I cast on for these socks on the plane to Vegas last week. I got through the leg of the first sock on the plane and the rest of that sock over the time in Vegas. The second sock was started in Vegas but didn't make it far since we had a red-eye flight back to Boston. First socks of 2011 is the Storm sock pattern designed by Kbomb on Ravelry.

25,463 yards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 23:05:00 +0000

My last sock club from 2010 came this week. It's very nice - pretty color and nice extras...as Woolgirl always has. The patterns (a pair of socks and a small shawl) are super cute!

As much as I love getting sock packages every month, I've decided this year that I'm not signing up for either club. I had belonged to two: Woolgirl and Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock, but after last year they have started to pile up...literally...in my stash.

Time to do nothing but knit. The incoming has to slow down to nothing and I just need to knit. I know I don't have as much stash as a lot of knitters...but mine is too big for me. Time to whittle down.

I thought this would be a sad decision. I thought I'd be mourning the loss of my clubs (I probably will at some point) but right now it feels a little freeing. I don't have to worry about getting anything done at a certain time or not working on something I want to work on for fear of neglecting something I paid for and should be keeping up with. I'm following the Thrifty Knitters Sock Club on Ravelry where the group chooses two free patterns and the knitters choose a yarn from their stash to knit one of them with. I'm already 1/2 way through one of their selections for this month. One skein of sock yarn bites the dust and no more yarn is coming in!

So now, at the beginning of the year by yardage is at about 25,463 yards or just under 14.5 miles. Let's see where that is at the end of 2011.

Resolution for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of 2011 and I'm making a knitting resolution. I am surrounded by WIPs (works in progress). I used to be so good at finishing whatever I start, but over the last year or two I've sorta dropped the ball. Along with writing more on my knitting blog, I vow to finish all and make progress on the larger of the knitting WIPs. I'll post a separate entry on each of my WIPs, giving them the justice they deserve. I still love them all, but for some reason or another I have stopped working on them.

First up in the WIP lineup is my sock yarn blanket. Now, to be fair to myself I always knew this was a ~~never ending~~ large project. I have a HUGE bag of sock yarn ends (leftovers from socks I've made over the years) and I couldn't bring myself to throw them away.

This blanket was started in July of 2009. It's made using mitered squares of sock yarn on US size 3 needles. Each square is about 2 inches by 2 inches (25 stitches for each). They are set side by side, instead of on point like a lot of other blankets in this style and I'm making the larger blanket as segments.

Each segment is 6 x 6 squares or 12" x 12". I'm currently planning on making a baby size blanket that will be 40" square with sashing and a border. But, I have a feeling I wont be able to give this blanket away - and I have no use for a baby blanket personally...so it may end up becoming a larger lap blanket.

I currently have 2 segments done (two 12" x 12" squares) plus the first two rows of another square started. My goal for 2011 is to have 6 squares total completed by December 31, 2011. I think that's completely doable. With 6 squares that would put the blanket at about 2/3 done...a nice accomplishment for this project this year. Now I just have to plan out other projects around it.

Gearing up for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 21:42:00 +0000

My New Years Resolution is to write on this blog. Man it's been neglected! I've still been knitting, just somehow not blogging about everything. 2011 is the year of the knitting blog come back.

Christmas 2010 has come and gone. I surprisingly ended up making most gifts even though I didn't really try that hard. I cut back drastically and didn't stress about making too many things. What I did make, however, I wanted to be just right and exactly what people had asked for.

The real star of the show, however, is my little niece Miriam. She is almost 10 months old and 2010 was her first Christmas. I think she was really the only gift anyone in my family needed this year. It was good to see her. She lives in Philadelphia and rarely gets up to Maine and or Boston for that matter.

I have a few pictures of the knitted gifts I gifted this year. I wasn't as good about getting pictures of items with their owners as I usually am. I blame Miriam for stealing all the picture taking thunder...even my knitting can't compete with her cuteness.

I made my Dad a pair of "Waffle Stitch Mittens"

This shawl I gave to my Sister in Law - pattern is called "Adamas"

These "Slip Jig" socks I gave to my mom. One of only a few pairs I made this year.

Now that Christmas is over with I am starting a large project for myself. This is a yearly tradition with me...finish all my gifts then knit a gift for me. This year I immediately cast on for a large and complicated cabled sweater pattern that I've been wanting to make for over a year. I already had all the yarn for it and it's been waiting. I have been intimidated by the sweater for quite some time. It's a Vogue Knitting pattern (that in itself is intimidating enough) but it's also a coat sized sweater designed my Norah Gaughan. While her patterns are usually well written, they also have "interesting" construction and complicated patterning. Put all that together and I feel like I can't do it.

Pictured at the left is the start of the back. I have the two bottom pieces done (back left and right) and I have joined them and about half way through the top decreases. It looks odd already and can't imagine that all the pieces are going to go together well. This back piece looks tiny but matches the specs from the magazine. I guess we'll see!

I plan on blogging about this entire sweater making ordeal. I'm planning on a challenge so it should be interesting :) Stay tuned for updates. My Ravelry project page is here: http://ravel.me/sawyerlm/3cc (and it should be accessible to all). The pattern is available on the Vogue site.

Latest Socks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Just finished the latest sock club package from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I haven't been keeping up with the sock club packages this year due to the 10 Shawls in 2010 challenge. I've made 9 shawls this year and only 2 pairs of socks!

Project info:
Yarn: Socks that Rock, Lightweight
Colorway: Firecracker
Pattern: My Heart Beets for You by Ann Hansen
Needles: Size 1 circular
Modifications: Knit one extra repeat on the leg (7 total chart repeats) and decreased to 32 stitches on the toe and then decreased every round to 16 stitches before binding off.

10 for 2010 Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:09:00 +0000

I've joined a year long challenge on Ravelry where the challenge is to make 10 shawls in 2010. It's a very active group and the shawls being made are so pretty to look through. I love making lace and have a HUGE stash to knit through. Perfect combo.

My first shawl for this challenge is:
Pattern: Multnomah (PDF link to Designer's site)
Designer: Kate Flagg of Hello Knitty
Yarn: Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Weight in Lavendar Topaz colorway
Yards: 460 yrds (2 skeins)
Needles: Size 5 Addi Turbo circs

Knitting for my new niece

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:19:00 +0000

My first niece is due to be born in March. And while I already have a baby blanket all made, there are plenty of other things I want to make her. My brother and sister-in-law have requested a few things...but a baby girl is so fun to knit for I'm planning on making lots and lots more.

The first thing I cast on for was a sweater. I found the cutest baby girl cardigan on Ravelry. It's free and couldn't resist the cuteness...The pattern is Modified Drops Eyelet Baby Cardigan (ravelry link).

I have plenty of fingering weight in my stash. This is Knit Picks Gloss in Cosmos colorway. It's been lingering in my stash for quite a while and even was trying to be several other things before this sweater. I think it's perfect for this :)

The sweater is about 75% done. I only have the two sleeves left. As I said...super cute:

Spool Knitting with Wire

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:36:00 +0000

This morning in my inbox was an email newsletter from Beading Daily all about spool knitting jewelry with wire. Makes me want to give it a shot since I've been into wire knitting jewelry lately. I don't have a suitable spool knitter though...hmm.

Here's a link to the article: How to Wire Spool Knit in 7 Easy Steps

First FO of 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:41:00 +0000

My mom gifted me this yarn last year in a Valentine's Day package. It works surprising well with this pattern "Uptown Boot Socks" that I got out of my Interweave Knits Favorite Socks book. These were my over the Christmas holiday knitting project while at home. They took exactly a week to make. Very easy pattern - after getting the gist of the cabling, I only looked at it for the heel and toe directions. Well written and very straight forward.

Stats on these:
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Sockin' Sox
Colorway: #006 - a pretty teal/blue/green variegated
Needles: Size 2 Harmony Circulars
Size Made: Medium

Here's some more pics...

Vacation Knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:03:00 +0000

I have plenty of sock yarn I have to knit through and I need mittens. On the new Knitty there is a pattern for mittens made from sock yarn...perfect. The pattern is called Ailbe - very detailed cable pattern on the back. Since I enjoyed making the Shedir cap (also a Knitty pattern) for a swap partner so much I thought these mittens were perfect. So far I've finished the first mitten. I didn't bring the correct needle size for the cuff of the second mitten with me on vacation. I have to wait til I get home to knit the mate. I love my mitten #1 and can't wait to get the other one done.

The yarn is from the November shipment of Rockin Sock Club. Gorgeous yarn and it works great with the pattern.

While I'm waiting to continue my mittens I moved on to a pair of socks from my Favorite Socks book. It's an easy pair of cabled socks that I've been meaning to make for a while. The pattern is easy and very pretty. The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Sockin' Sox that I had in my stash. Slightly variegated but looks great with the tiny cables. I have one finished and the other one on the needles.

Lace and Bulk

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:19:00 +0000

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm on a mission to make myself more scarves and use up some of my single skein stash. The Strangling Vine Lace scarf was my first...now I've added a couple cowls. Cowls are so easy and quick. With these two I've used up 3 skeins of left over stash.

The first cowl I made from a pattern. It's a super simple ribbed lace weight, close fitting bit of awesomeness. I had super soft lace weight left over from from the Seraphim shawl. Yarn so soft I knew it would make a great cowl...super cozy.

The Stats:
Yarn: Elann Peruvian Baby Silk
Colorway: Abergine
Needles: size 7 Denise circulars
Pattern: Cashmere Cowl by the Purl Bee

The second is a cowl I made up. I had a single skein of Super Bulky yarn and I wanted a bulky weight cowl. Lots of texture, big enough to be somewhat close fitting but open up enough to be worn loosely. I took ideas from a bunch of patterns on Ravelry and put them together for "A Bit of Bulk" Cowl. I like it but will have to try it out in the Boston winter to really see. I added ties to either side so it can be worn open or tied close.

The Stats:
Yarn: Lion Brand Thick & Quick
Needles: size 15 Denise Circulars
Pattern: My own experiment

Lace Scarf from the Stash

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Yesterday I finished a lace scarf for myself. I realized not long ago that I like wearing scarves and most of the ones I have are store bought. There are a lot of beautiful lace scarf patterns, they are usually pretty easy to memorize the pattern and they are small portable project I can stuff in my purse. I have stash lace weight I need to use...so why not make myself a bunch of scarves. This is the first but there will be more...

Stats on the first:

Yarn: Knitpicks Shadow
Colorway: Raisin (no longer available)
Needles: Size 5 Addi Lace Turbos
Pattern: Strangling Vine Scarf by All Buttoned Up
Finished Measurements: about 70" by 8" wide
Notes: This yarn was left over from the Serendipity - Mystery Stole 4 that I started in September of 2008 but finished this past April. (That stole was entered in a local fair and won a blue ribbon). In order to make the blocking a bit easier, I blocked it doubled, folded in half. The pictures show it doubled so the actual scarf is lacier then it appears.

More pictures to come...but here's a close up of the doubled over lace fabric...so pretty :)

Swap Package Received

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:33:00 +0000

I just received a lovely swap package from my partner Neila in the Ravelry Starbucks and Yarn swap group. Really cute package so I thought I'd share:

October WoolGirl shipment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Latest Woolgirl Shipment arrived last Monday. If you haven't gotten your package...there are SPOILERS below!

Sorry for the bad pictures...I get home after the sun goes down and of course I couldn't wait to open it when there was better light.

This package is so pretty. "Birch" colors and the accessories have browns and orange. Fall but not the typical fall colors. I like both of the patterns that came with it but I'm not sure I can picture them in the variegated yarn.

I can't really start this anytime soon, anyway. I have time to decide what to make and in which yarn.

Here's another picture of the package contents. The painted cards that came in it are gorgeous! I can't imagine being able to paint like that...

Picot Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:19:00 +0000

I'm knitting madly on my Recycled Picot & Ropes Cardigan. The back is finished and the I'm knitting the two front pieces at once and they are about 65% done. I love how it looks but I'm a little sad because it'll definitely be a summer cardigan. It'll be too cold to wear it by the time it's complete....it being October 31st after all.

The yarn supply is dwindling quickly now. After what you see in the picture (which I'm hoping will easily take me through the rest of the fronts plus have two balls left over) I only have 2 large balls left. I'm thinking about knitting the sleeves top down so I can stop and leave enough for the picot edge that will run around the front edges and around the top collar. I was planning on 3/4 sleeves but I think I'll cut it back to 1/2 sleeves (if not shorter) to make sure I have enough yarn. I'd really hate to run out...it's not like I can just buy more. What a disaster that would be!

Doing the sleeves top down I don't think will be too tough. Reverse the shaping....but...these words may come back to haunt me later. Haunt me...lol...it's Halloween...

Here's a couple more close ups. I'll reiterate the fact that these picot's are TOO CUTE!!!