knitting – Page 2 – Sheetar.com

Ingress Mittens

By Sheetar 5 November 2013 23 March 2021

When I received my invitation code on January 16, 2013, I had no idea what was waiting for me – this virtual, alternate reality game was something bigger than I ever expected. When I first picked up my scanner, it was cold, but not so bad, and hey, Spring was not too far off in the Philadelphia area, and I still had a lot to learn about the game. The mittens were an idea from the beginning since I’d been knitting for a number of years and thought it might be fun to combine my new obsession with an old one. I made Level 8, and summer came and went with the idea still percolating. Finally, Fall arrived and while the days were getting cooler, I was charting out the design for these mittens. The final design incorporates the Resistance Key on the top of the hand and the Ingress logo on the palm side of the mittens using blobs of XM to balance out the pattern and fill in spaces, preventing longer floats. The resulting pattern fits an average sized Resistance woman’s hand, and expects an intermediate skill level as well as prior experience with stranded knitting on DPNS in the round. I’m offering this pattern for free as per the guidelines set forth by Ingress that allow for fan-created artwork. Sorry folks, no Enlightened pattern is in the works, VIVA LA RESISTANCE!

[EDIT, 5 Nov 2013: Enlightened chart available, due to popular demand! Follow same directions for Resistance mittens, substituting Enlightened chart – LINK (pdf)]

Alternative chart with dark lines – LINK (pdf)

The portal in the image to the left is that of the statue of David Reeves in Reeves Park, Phoenixville, PA, USA. The park was, and still is, Phoenixville’s public square. Gifted to the community in 1871 by Phoenix Iron Company founder David Reeves in his will, the park is an active Ingress battleground, having been a Flash Farm for both factions a number of times. Founder David Reeves was so loved by his employees that they decided, unanimously, to place a statue in his memory at the center of the park shortly after his death. [Portal Link]

Many thanks to agent Sensalia for acting as a hand model, to Abbie for proofreading, and to PAIR for being the best Resistance team ever. Keep Warm and Hack On!

Ravelry Pattern Link (Removed March 2021 due to Ravelry’s lack of attention to accessibility)
Ravelry Project Link (Removed March 2021 due to Ravelry’s lack of attention to accessibility)
Pattern Download (pdf)

11 in 2011, knitting

A Year in Knitting – 2011

By Sheetar 1 February 2012 27 January 2012

There was a HUGE gap in knitting from about June through September, but I still managed to turn out an impressive batch of items, even if I didn’t complete my 11 in 2011 – I only made 5 of the 11! There were two sweaters, two shrugs, three scarves, two cowls, two hats, one baby sweater, fifteen pairs of socks, four shawls, two pairs of mittens, and SO MANY socks knitted on a circular sock machine. WHEW! I think my favorite project of the whole year was the Dahlia cardigan in part because it was pretty easy, part because ALPACA IS SO SOFT, and part because it can be worn so many different ways

knitting, Socks, Spinning

Go With the Flow Socks

By Sheetar 16 April 2011 16 April 2011

Finally, another spun-to-finished project. I’ve been accumulating quite the stash of handspun, and I figured it was time to put some to use. The yarn is dyed by Meg at Twisted Fiber Art, and she’s really quite the magician with dye. The colorway is called, “Intrigue,” and was part of a club Meg ran for 3 months. I spun the superwash merino roving into a thin single and then chain or navajo plied the yarn so that the colors would stay together as they were dyed. I ended up with about 425 yards of fingering weight yarn that was then turned into a really squishy pair of Go With the Flow socks. The pattern knitted up quickly, and I only made a few modifications – worked a plain slip-stitch heel and didn’t turn the work inside out after the heel flap was done. I love the way they came out and refuse to take them off now that the photos are taken. Yeah, it’s almost not-sock season, but that won’t stop me from stocking up for the winter!

11 in 2011, knitting

11 in 2011

By Sheetar 5 February 2011 28 May 2015

So there’s a knit-a-long for doing 11 projects in 2011. I’ve finally sat down and made a list. This is a sort of replacement for the knitting resolutions and is a much better idea. Detailing 11 projects and going for just those 11 sounds like a good idea. So, here goes the list.

Shedir Mittens – From the original hat pattern, my sister-in-law requested mittens to match her hat. Given the way KnitPicks changes their colorways every season, the same colors aren’t available, but I think there are some that are close enough. Using the linked pattern and continuing on to make mittens instead of fingerless gloves.
Juneberry – I’m sort of intimidated by this, mostly because there’s pattern work on both the right side and wrong side. But, with enough time, I’m sure I can finish it. There’s 11 months left, right? – DONE – Ravelry Link
Gentleman’s Fancy Sock – This project has been languishing and needs to be cast on and completed this year.
Triumph Cable Scarf – For a relative on the husband’s side who was gracious enough to gift me 17 fleeces from her sheep. I got a batch of roving back from about 1/3rd of the wool so far, and have gotten a little spun so far.
Joanie – I just really love this sweater and definitely have the yarn for it already.
Skulls & Flowers Mittens – They’re too cute.
Casadh – Socks. By the way, half of this list is going to be socks. – DONE – Ravelry Link – Blog Link
Gin and Tonic – More socks! – DONE – Ravelry Link – Blog Link
Irate Squirrel – Socks. Can’t go wrong with a name like that. – DONE – Ravelry Link
Frozen Margarita – Another awesome name. Already have the kit, just need to knit it!
Warm up Socks – Pattern from a book I have already, might as well, right? – DONE – Ravelry Link – Blog Link

knitting, Socks

Speshul Snowflakes

By Sheetar 7 November 2010 7 February 2012

Since the club cycle had completed for the year, I figured I ought to update on all the socks I’ve knit from the club yarn. The club is Sheepy Time Knits Speshul Snowflakes Yarn Club. I really love how the club is set up, that there are two colorway choices and a wide variety of yarn choices every shipment. You pick the yarn/colorway one month and then it’s shipped the next month making for 6 total shipments. Back at the beginning of the club, I decided that I’d kit each shipment as it came in so that I’d still be knitting socks and the yarn wouldn’t go into the stash and be forgotten. I’m really glad I kept up with it, and here are the results from a year’s worth of shipments. Looking forward to next year’s club again and knitting more socks!

	Pattern: Hanging Vines Socks Designer: Kelly Porpiglia Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Sheepy Feet in, “Green Eyed Monster” –Ravelry Project Link– They are GREEN green for sure. These have already gotten a ton of wear and I think I love them a little more every time I wear them. The base yarn feels strong yet still soft and has incredible stitch definition. Also, not even one little bit of pooling in that variegated colorway. Not a single bit.
	Pattern: Komet Designer: Stephanie van der Linden Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Yarn That Shall Not Be Named in, “Teel Deer” –Ravelry Project Link– I’ve already blogged about these, but I still LOVE that colorway. It’s funny how a knitted item can remind you of where/when you were knitting it and for me, these will always remind me of our trip to New Hampshire, knitting and cozy in the lodge while the husband was skiing. And the epic adventure of showshoeing down Mount Washington.
	Pattern: Jabberwocky Socks Designer: Mandie Harrington Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, All Your Base in “Blackberry Martini” –Ravelry Project Link– The dyer designed these socks and I just couldn’t wait to get the yarn and cast on. The construction of the sock is not typical and I really LOVE how she got the pattern on the side to go straight down to the foot. And again, THAT COLOR.
	Pattern: Angler’s Loop Socks Designer: Andrea Mules Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Panda Feet in “Creamsicle” –Ravelry Project Link– I probably could’ve knit the larger size on these for a little more ease around the cable, but they still fit fine. The base is super squishy and comfortable and the cable was just enough knitting interest to keep me engaged but not overwhelmed. Do you see what’s happening here? Variegates, no pooling, tons of different patterns, but no pooling. I’m still in awe.
	Pattern: Passerine Socks Designer: Cookie A. Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, All Your Base in “Foggy Dew” –Ravelry Project Link– So these were a challenge. I just wasn’t feeling the pattern (it’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong) and they took FOREVER to knit. Totally worth it in the end, and the pops of green in the grey are just perfect. See, again? No color pooling.
	Pattern: Lichen and Moss Socks Designer: Joanna Ryan Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Yarn That Shall Not Be Named in “Lichen” –Ravelry Project Link– Well when I found the colorway and did a search for “Lichen” in Ravelry, I just had to knit the pattern named Lichen and Moss. Seemed perfect. The simple yet elegant pattern was SO fast to knit (under a week!) and the color worked out perfectly. This base is a big favorite of mine (Oh that stitch definition) and feels super strong yet completely enjoyable to wear. And of course, no color pooling again here.

knitting

Socktoberfest 2009

By Sheetar 6 September 2009 6 September 2009

I’m sure this post will be of no interest to non-knitters, but here it is.

Oh yes, the annual tradition of Socktoberfest is coming up on us quickly. October is only about three weeks away, and this means four glorious weeks of sock knitting during October. This also means I have to make a battle plan and be ready to complete four pairs of socks during the month. Yes, I’m pushing myself a little, but I’m pretty sure I can do it this year, especially after coming so close last year.

So, I’m going to open this to suggestions from the public. Pick a yarn and a pattern from my stash and sock queue on Ravelry and tell me what to knit. I never seem to be able to decide for myself, so give me some ideas!