Taking Shape

I've attached all of the legs and stitched in the face.  This little guy is really coming together!

Knitting Crush

Here's the latest progress on my little giraffe.  It's really taking shape.

Crushin' Again

Here's an update of my knit giraffe!  Now he has ears.  Awwww...

Remember - If you'd like to knit this toy, you still can.  You can find the pattern in the Itty Bitty Toys book on Amazon.com or by signing up for a web course to learn how to knit this toy at Craftsy.com.

Super Quick Beaded Beanie

Here's another super quick knitting project.  During my commute, I really do love to devote the ride to projects I can finish almost immediately.  This beanie is a classic example of that.  I started and finished this beanie in about an hour and a half.  I'll wear it tomorrow!

If you'd like to knit this super quick beaded beanie the pattern is below.

Materials

Set of 4 - Size 10.5 US double pointed needles
1 ball of Deborah Norville Collection - Serenity Chunky Sequins yarn in color Night Sky
(I bought the yarn on sale for $2.50)

Pattern

SMALL Size

Cast on 9 stitches on to 3 DPNs.  Make sure that there are an even number of stitches - 3 on each DPN.  Be sure to not twist stitches.  Join.

Round 1 - Knit.

Round 2 - For all stitches - kfb.  (After this round, you should now have 6 stitches on each needle for a total of 18 stitches.)

Round 3 - Knit.

Round 4 - For all stitches - kfb.  (After this round, you should now have 12 stitches on each needle for a total of 36 stitches.)

Round 5 - Knit.

Round 6 - K1 then kfb.  (After this round, you should now have 18 stitches on each needle for a total of 54 stitches.)

Rounds 7 and 8 - Knit.

Round 9 - K8 then kfb.  (After this round, you should now have 20 stitches on each needle for a total of 60 stitches.)

Round 10 - Knit.  Continue knitting in the round until the hat measures 8 inches long from the crown to the edge.

Ribbed Edge

Knit 2 Purl 2 for at least four rows or until the ribbed edge is a maximum of 1.25 inches.

Bind off.

Still Crushin'

This is the body and neck of the giraffe toy.  I've stuffed it with a few poly pellets and hypo-allergenic polyester fiberfill.  So far...so good...

I'm Crushin' on Knit Toys

It's safe to say, I love knitting.  LOVE IT!  I tend to knit stuff I can wear and I've been knitting a lot of gloves and mittens and stuff to give away as gifts this holiday season.

Well, I needed a much needed break from that stuff when I stumbled across an adorable knit giraffe that I know my grandson would love. Even though I've never knitted a toy before I thought I'd give it a whirl.

So here I am gushing over a toy to be...and the toddler praise to come :-)...while chronicling my progress.

So far I have begun knitting the body of the giraffe from the bottom up.  It may not look like much so far but stay tuned...

BTW - If you'd like to knit this toy, you can.  You can find the pattern in the Itty Bitty Toys book. You can find it on Amazon.com.  If you are completely new to knitting toys (like me) and feel you might want some hand holding, you can sign up for web course to knit this very giraffe at Craftsy.com.

If you create a Craftsy account by December 4, 2011, you can get 66% off of this class by clicking this link.

Craftsy is also offering 66% off a Fit Your Knits course and a Knit Sock Workshop course.

Enjoy

Fingerless Gloves

Fingerless gloves are another great quick knitting project.  Using super-bulky yarn, I whipped this pair in just a couple of hours for my niece.  I plan on making a couple of more pairs as gifts.

These are bottom-up gloves...so, you start by making a small wrist cuff and knit up toward the fingers.  If you'd like to knit these gloves, you can follow the simple pattern below.

Pattern
Sizes S(M, L)

Cast on 24(27, 30) stitches on to 3 DPNs.  Make sure that there are an even number of stitches - 8(9, 10) on each DPN.  Be sure to not twist stitches.  Join.

Round 1 - K1, P1
Round 2 - K1, P1
Round 3 - K1, P1
Round 4-15 - Knit

Reserve thumb stitches
Round 16 - Slip first 5(6, 6) stitches onto scrap yarn and reserve.  Knit remaining stitches.

Continue knitting hand
Round 17-28 - Knit
Bind off Hand.
Weave in ends on hand.

Knit thumb
Slip the reserve stitches off scrap yarn and onto 2 DPN.
Rejoin yarn and knit the previously reserved stitches.
Pick up and knit additional 5(6, 6) stitches from base of where thumb and hand meet.  Be sure to keep these stitches tight so that no holes appear in your work.  Redistribute the 10(12 ,12) stitches evenly on 3 DPNs.
Knit 4 to 6 rounds for the thumb.
Bind of thumb and weave in ends and any gaps between thumb and hand.

Super Quick Projects

I commute on a somewhat regular basis and find this time is excellent for finishing small knitting projects.  Now that winter is just around the corner (along with the holidays), I am on the prowl for lots of super cute and super quick knitting projects for myself to wear and to give away as gifts.

My nieces love trendy leg warmers, as do I.  I was totally excited to find this leg warmers pattern.  I'm planning to knit a several pairs of these cuties...a couple for stocking stuffers and a couple for me!

You can find the pattern for free and purchase the yarn to knit them at http://www.pickles.no/luxy-leg-warmers/.