FO Friday!

Happy Friday!

It's been a rather screwy week around here. The holiday made me get the days all messed up (it was Labor Day on Monday here in the United States). Then we had Husband's friend (and best man in our wedding) up on Monday for a slumber party. Okay, it wasn't really a slumber party. He had a job interview in Milpitas (which is just north of San Jose and about a half-hour's drive southeast of us). Also, traffic finally went back to "normal" around here with the opening of the new Bay Bridge.

But, we're not here to talk about how screwed up I am this week. It's Friday and that means it's time for another installment of FO Friday! Today, I have not one, not two, but THREE FOs to share with you. So, it's going to be a long post and it'll have some photos and, you know, information and stuff like that :)

First up:

Choose Your Own Adventure Dishcloth (link to project page)

Pattern: None - I made it up as I went along, literally
Time Frame: started July 26, 2013; finished August 4, 2013
Yarn: Unknown kitchen cotton, probably Lion Brand or Lily
Needles: US #8 (5 mm)
Size: Dishcloth size
Modifications: None - it's my pattern
Thoughts: Although I like the idea of what I did, it didn't come out quite how I was hoping. I think I know how to fix that, though, so I expect that I'll make another version of this eventually. So, what was the problem? Well, the idea is that you just randomly add "opposite" stitches onto a stockinette background. In theory, this is fine but it doesn't look quite right in practice. I think when I make this again, I'll just add random purl stitches on the knit side and not add random knit stitches on the purl side.

Next up:

Pumpkin Cloth (link to project page)

Pattern: Pumpkin Cloth from Halloween Creepy Cloths by Kris Knits
Time Frame: started September 1, 2013; finished September 1, 2013
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Snow
Needles: US #8 (5 mm)
Size: Whatever size it came out
Modifications: None other than using larger needles than called for in the pattern
Thoughts: I think if/when I remake this (or make others from the collection), I'll go down a needle size or two and add a couple more border stitches to compensate. I think the resulting fabric was a bit too loose so the pattern doesn't show up as well as it could. Other than that, it was a quick and easy knit. I mean, honestly, it only took me a couple of hours to make :)

And lastly:

Greyson Sweater (link to project page)

Pattern: Greyson Sweater by Julia Stanfield
Time Frame: started July 5, 2013; finished August 27, 2013
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a burgundy and dark grey color
Needles: US #5 (3.75 mm) and US #7 (4.5 mm) - Knit Picks interchangeables
Size: 4T/5T
Modifications: My gauge was almost perfect (just a titch too large) so I made the stitch count for the 4T but in order to get the stripes to be the right width, I had to add about an inch in length to both the arms and body. So, it's more of a 4T/5T size. Right now, it goes down to Little Man's knees and hangs over his hands. He will grow right into it and it'll be fabulous.
Thoughts: I am in love with this yarn and this sweater! I think I'm going to be making a few more of these for Little Man and maybe to put in the Etsy shop (if I ever get it going)...and yes, the designer has said it's perfectly fine to do that as long as we don't claim the pattern as our own. It was a much quicker knit than I thought it would be and the stripes make it adorable (though Husband says he'll look like Freddy Krueger). The only thing that really sucked? Weaving in all the ends...I found a couple knots in the yarn and then I would have to add balls while I was knitting. In the end, I think I wove in something like 45-50 ends.

End pieces

Anyway, that's all I have for you on this lovely Friday :) I'll link up with Tami as soon as I can (as of 8am PDT, the link still isn't up)! I'm also linking up with Wisdom Begins in Wonder's Fiber Arts Friday :)