FO Friday

Happy Friday!

It's been awhile but I actually finished something and I'm allowed to show it to you! So, it's a Happy FO Friday! Hooooooray!

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I decided I didn't have enough projects on my Self-Imposed Year of Projects list and decided to delve into the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry. Mostly, I just like to look and see what lovely patterns will be forthcoming. I have done some testing before. In fact, I've done quite a bit of testing. But, that's not the point. The point is that I usually go in to window shop, so to speak.

Not that day.

On Monday, September 10th, 2012, I found a request for a blanket...but it could be as small as a doily to as large as a king size bed (or however large you wanted to make it). I said that if I could make a small one, I would be willing to test it. My fingers did the typing before my brain fully registered what the hell I was doing.

Oops.

Anyway, I received the pattern, pulled some yarn out of my stash.....and then realized I didn't have needles in the appropriate size. I mean, I had US #8 DPNs and a US #8 16" circular...but I was going to need something much larger than a 16" circular. So, I had to buy needles (oh damn, that was so upsetting /sarcasm).

Okay, okay...enough with the damn story...let's see it already!

Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket

Pattern: Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket by Astrante (Alexandra)
Time frame: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
Yarn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme in Ecru and Purple (about a half-skein of each - a total of about 180 yds)
Needles: US #8 - I used 2 32" circulars
Size: 18" diameter (the purple is about 14" across)
Modifications: I added two rounds of plain knitting between the end of the pinwheel potion and the ruffled edging
General notes: The pattern is well-written and has a formula to figure out how much yarn you need to make whatever size you want (which is extremely helpful if you have a limited supply or are out looking at yarn). I was a bit anal-retentive when I made this. The ruffled section starts out with 10 stitches so in order to make things balanced and right with the world (in my own little head), I worked until I had 20 stitches in each pinwheel section before starting the ruffles. However, you don't have to do that because the whole blanket is a based on 10 (you'll notice there are 10 pinwheel sections). Anyway, it's easily adapted to any weight yarn and can be made any size. The only thing I had trouble with was the particular cast on so you can cinch up the hole in the middle. I just couldn't get it. So I tightened it up when I was finished.

Extreme Close-Up! Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

It's really about time I finished something, don't you agree? For more FO Friday fun, visit Tami :)