Frondly Yours, now Charted territory

Remember how I mentioned my nervousness on publishing the "Frondly Yours" pattern?  Everytime I looked at  the long lines of knitting abbreviations I felt my anxiety steadily increase.  It's rather silly, but I like this pattern and want it to be accessible to anyone that wants to try it.  I imagine that for knitters that are more visually inclined, this chart method will be easier.  Click here for a link to the pdf version of "Frondly Yours Lace Chart".  Want the longer version that's written out instead of charted?  It's still available here.

Oh, now would be a good time for me to publicly acknowledge that my boyfriend is all sorts of wonderful.  Why you ask?  Geez, put down those knitting needles and I'll tell you!  Well, although it looked like Wingdings, dear Daniel downloaded the knitting font and set it up for me.  I loved the point at which he turned to me and asked hesitantly, "do these symbols mean anything to you?"  Oh, if you're curious, we ended up using Aire River Knitting Font, which we selected after looking at some of the other options mentioned in this knitty article.

As always, if you find a mistake, please please email me at daniaerickson@gmail.com. (updated 1/17/12 at 12:10 pst)

**All rights to the design and pattern "Frondly Yours" are protected by copyright. Dania Erickson 2012.

Frondly Yours

People that know me shouldn't be surprised the pun.  Yes, it's groan worthy, and I'm almost sorry.  Still, the look of pained resignation and anguish from my boyfriend when I suggested the name really decided it for me.

I confess that this time I'm really having mixed feelings about publishing this.  I've been tinkering with it since October, when I realized how completely impractical "Secretive Storms" was for Southern California.  I've knitted it up four times already, making subtle adjustments.  For some reason I'm having a huge case of the blogger's version of stage fright; so I'm hoping you'll be as understanding as parents at a toddler's ballet recital.

Click here for a link to a pdf of the pattern: Frondly Yours*.  I hope you enjoy making and wearing this hat that can be somewhere between a beanie and a beret.  As with my other patterns that I offer for free, please do not directly repost the pattern.  I ask instead that you link people to this blog post; watching the number of page views increase is one of the biggest warm fuzzies I have.  And if you like the pattern, cough cough... it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if you clicked on a link; unfortunately, it's one of my only sources of income these days.  Also, if you find any issues with the pattern, please email me at daniaerickson@gmail.com and I'll fix it.  

If you're wondering about the lovely model in the pictures, it's my dear friend Lexi.  She was kind enough not only to let me use her as my mannequin, but also let me use her faboo camera.  Did I mention she was sweet enough not to compare the pictures she would have taken (she has the most amazing eye), with the ones I did get.

*All rights to the design and pattern "Frondly Yours" are protected by copyright.  Dania Erickson 2012.  Updated at 11:45 am pst on 1/19/12.

Well, that was quick!

So, my face is nearly as red (or maroon) as this plum colored hat!  In my last post, I mentioned ever so briefly how my brother's friend Andrew and his wife were expecting a baby girl?  Well, things were certainly moving along quite a bit quicker than I had known.  Turns out expecting was the wrong word, it's more like she's here! In fact we nearly shared a birthday.  Joanna was born on November 8th, only three days before I turned thirty.

Despite having a baby that's younger than all of the condiments in our refrigerator; as well as an actively and well entertained toddler to look after, second time mom Becky Shattuck still found time to find me on facebook to send a thank you message.  If you're impressed about her juggling skills on that alone, you should check out her blog, where you'll find that Becky posts more days than not.

Just as I didn't know that Joanna had entered this world, I wasn't aware of the amazing blog that Becky has.  I find myself returning to it and getting a vicarious thrill of exploring the world for the first time through the observations of a toddler, and "100 ways to entertain" one.

So I'm really enjoying the warm fuzzy feeling that's coming from reading her post about the plum colored hat that went along with the first sweater I made.  I've purloined a few pictures of Joanna modeling the hat from Becky's blog (though since it's with permission, it's more like I just snagged 'em instead of stole them).  This hat was made using the wonderful pattern Baby Berry Hat by Michele Sabatier, available for free on her blog.

Vintage and Valkyries

I'd pillage for these!

This past weekend has been a little hectic.  I've been spending most of my time buried in skeins and skeins of yarn.  I finished off another of the Secretive Storms berets, and began to knit up a Valkyrie hat (thank you again, Chile Con Yarne for this awesome pattern) for Lacey, my brother's girlfriend.  I'm hoping to eventually get a picture of them together, him while wearing his balaclava and her wearing this little number I finished late last night.  Her birthday is today, and I should really hustle over and mail this baby.  

Two horns and one Thumbs up!

If you're wondering what I've got in the picture, it's some amazing mini-magazines called "The Workbasket".  Totally unexpected, my mother's childhood friend, Debbie sent these to me.  Ranging in dates from September 1962, up to March of 1989, these are gems.  Not only do they have vintage sewing, knitting and crochet patterns; they also have the most enticing ads in them! First off, the Sept. '62 edition?  It cost 15 cents.  On page 62 there's an ad from "Speedwriting" that promises to teach you shorthand in 6 weeks with "no strange symbols; no machines; uses ABC's".  Also there's an ad for an "Electric Bug Killer for $2.95".  And can I still get the "Compresso Belt"?  The "amazing invention flattens abdomen up to 4 inches"... it's only $3.98 for the regular or $4.98 for the panty... AND ONLY 50 CENTS FOR EACH EXTRA CROTCH!  I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I don't have a scanner so you guys can see these amazing drawings!  Seriously, it looks like some brutally militant undies from a 1950's space alien flick.

Secretive Storms

I can't tell you how relieved I am to finally get this secret out.  Literally.  After seeing the number of views to my blog skyrocket from posting Stalwart Staghorn, I've been stitching my little heart out at a fevered pitch just trying to finish up this pattern in time for Friday's post.

Kelli, Kevin's sister (yes, it's the same Kevin from this post), celebrated her annual 29th birthday this week.  Now, I had wanted to send her one of these hats, but (selfishly) I've been too busy trying to hammer out this pattern.  I'm hoping to make it up to her by sending her the prototypes that I came up with, and naming the hat pattern after the Storms family.

Ok, so I know it's free, and I'd probably make more money posting it for sale and selling three copies, but I can't tell you how much I've appreciated having free patterns available to me.  While I'm in no position to donate to those designers, I'm hoping to pay it forward a bit by contributing a few of my own.  That being said, I'm delighted that due to ad clicks from people visiting, my blog has earned 75 cents in the past week.  No, I'm not being sarcastic when I say delighted; seriously, anything helps when you're unemployed and have been for as long as I have been.  Blah!  Enough of pesky reality which is certainly NOT warm and fuzzy.  Anyway, thank you folks for visiting, and here's my second pattern "Secretive Storms"*.  Oh!  Again, if you notice any issues, or mistakes (such as the one Ms. Morris let me know about in my other pattern), please email me at daniaerickson@gmail.com.

Oh!  And about the pattern... don't be intimidated (easier said than done in my case, as evidenced by this post).  I swear, if it's your first time with some of the techniques... I'll be gentle darling.  And you know what?  You will walk away with some good experience and a lovely showing of your talent and dedication.

*All rights to the design and pattern "Secretive Storms" are protected by copyright.  Dania Erickson 2011.

Cat Hats

Lexi with some mottled violet cat ears

Practically the definition of simplicity, this hat is made with bulky yarn and is a rectangle folded in two. The corners act as ears. Since these little babies were so easy to whip up, I made several. More than several. The beauty of this project is that I'm able to just grab it and go, perfect for knitting while carrying on conversations without fear of screwing up on the pattern.

 

 

When it is seen folded flat on a table, it's about as exciting as watching cement set. However, when placed on someone's head... Viola! Instant kitty ears! Hilarity ensues as humans suddenly feel the need to display their best cat immitations.

This includes the best impressions of a "doe-eyed" feed me look.  I don't know about anyone else, but most of the time, when a cat makes eye contact with me, it's with this wide eyed appeal for me to do... something.

 

Easier than a drunk cheerleader at the prom

Hordie Hat

I'm torn. I love knitting. I love WoW. At times though, trying to find WoW related projects means embracing my mortal enemies, the Horde.

WoW is separated into two factions, the Horde and the Alliance. Whenever you make a character on WoW, the first thing you decide is what faction you will be a hero for.

While searching Ravelry for a knitting chart depicting my the Lion insignia of my beloved Alliance, it seemed I could only find patterns for the significantly inferior Horde symbol. Truly tragic I know. Some day I fear I may have to come up with one (assuming I get more talent). Anyway, I knit a generic hat pattern, which I found on the AMAZING Kody May's Blog (please visit this knitters, she's kind of awesome). Afterwards I did duplicate stitching of the *cringe* horde chart on the front. Here's the result:

Not knowing what to do with this, but feeling the need to show the folks I play WoW with (I desperately crave approval from anyone and everyone); I brought it with me to visit my friend Lexi's brother. He's a fellow guildie and Buttonshire was at one point a Hordie (thankfully he wised up). Anyway, I brought it with me when we visited him, and somehow it found a home with him permanently. I just had an unpleasant thought... I hope he doesn't revert to being part of the unclean Horde masses!

Oh, I feel a the need to post a quick disclaimer: While there is just a smidge of bias in here, I think that there are good and bad people no matter what faction you choose. I just like teasing and pretending I care. Much like my whole UCLA vs USC cross town rivalry thing. When it comes down to it, I'm not desperately invested in believing one is better than the other. Again, it's just kinda fun to pretend like it's a huge deal when really it has about all the significance of choosing which statement you like better, "six" or "a half dozen".

Butterball's Disgusting Oozling colored hat

Another Wow story for you all. Over the summer my idle hands got the itch to knit again. Frustrated with all of my wips (works in progress), I asked my WoW playing friends for suggestions on projects to do.

I’m partial to making hats, so when my guildmate (we're both in Anxiety on Perenolde), Butterballs , mentioned that he wouldn’t hate it if I sent him something, I jumped at the chance. After quizzing him thoroughly, I found out he liked what I consider to be one of the fugliest (not a typo) colors ever. Fortunately for him, I found a yarn that’s somewhat similar to what he was describing. I eventually swallowed down the bile that had come up after seeing it, and knit him a hat.

Ear flaps, tassels, and a pompom later; this atrocious creation came into existence. Not so sadly, this is my only picture of said abomination. A warm welcome to Kevin (aka Steelrain), for bravely wearing and being the model of this monstrosity.

Disgusting Oozling - similar color, no?

I ended up sending it and (despite the hat) Butterballs still talks to me on WoW. Is this where I mention that it takes all kinds to make up this world?

Promising Musical Scholar Falls Victim to Fashion Related Head Injury

This morning I got an email from my cousin, Dmitri (aka Moosa to family from his younger years - don't ask me how he got the nickname... I just heard it and it stuck). One of my previous knitted-gift victims, he can be seen wearing the Navy Twist hat I made for my dad.

Anyway, my cousin has the same incredible knack for music that is present in his nuclear family. His considerable talent is currently being nurtured in Bennington college, set among the woodland scenery in a deliciously rural part of Vermont. What does this mean? Well, aside from him having (hopefully) the time of his life in college; he's also in a cold climate. To me this means he needs LOTS and LOTS of knitted goodies to keep him warm.

Fortunately, he doesn't seem to protest. In fact, he indulges me by asking that I make him some goodies. This past summer while he was at home in Santa Monica for a few weeks, he went and selected some yarn he liked. My job was to turn it into hats with cables (he liked the hat I made which ended up being a chemo-cap for his mother, Aunt Randi). This was just as I was finishing my purse project, and soon my needles turned out two hats for him.




Well, as I was saying earlier (much earlier), warm fuzzies ensued this morning when I got the following email:

Dania,

My hats are so beautiful!! Thank you so much! Whenever I wear them and say my cousin made them they stop and say "wow, really??" They're quite awesome.

How you doin? Fall colors are SO unfortunate, I have to look outside my window and see all these glowing gradations between red and orange and yellow, and then see brilliant sunsets at the end of the day. Sometimes, when it's really shitty, there's snow on the mountains on a clear day, and you can see the colors and the snow. Shit.

Hope you're doing well, and thank you SO much for the beautiful hats (I bother my girlfriend by wearing them both at once, then rolling up the bottoms and clowning around)

Muah!
-Moosa

If you're interested in the patterns, the red hat was made using Cherry colored Red Heart yarn and Lizzy Grant's Garmish pattern (Click here for the Pattern if you're a member of ravelry). The second hat was made using Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice in Olive done in a pattern by Nancy Hand called Cabled Hat (again, click here for the pattern if you're a ravelry memeber) I found on Ravelry. A bit of warning though... that particular pattern wasn't as well written as I would like and on quite a bit of it I had to fake it. Still, for being a free pattern it's got some amazing cables, and was very close to what I imagined my cousin had in mind.




While I'm busy patting myself on the back for churning out those two projects relatively quickly; it should be noted that I also promised him a scarf that has yet to come into existence. Personally, I do hope I manage to get it done before he graduates, but no guarantees. Heehee, oops.

Erickson the Red

Doesn’t he instill fear in your very soul? I know... growing up as a kid, my brother used to make me scared all the time. Though after we both became teenagers, my brother actually became one of my closest friends. So, when I saw this pattern for a baklava with a beard, and specifically the modified version made by Davitron and TricotChico (which combined the bakalva with Chile con Yarne's viking hat pattern), I knew I would have to make at least one.

It took me forever to find the perfect heather yarn for the beard. It’s this amazing red with a bit of blond and brown fibers as well. In short, it’s ideal for my brother (hey, we’re part Swedish) and he’s kind of a dirty blond (especially since he’s a greasy gamer guy at times).

Aside from those wonderful horns, there is an i-cord brim where the helmet meets the beard. Oh, and Velcro attaches the various mustaches so that he can change them as his mood varies. 1900’s ‘stach? No problem! Need that handlebar ‘stach, brother (said in gruffy prison voice)? It’s right there.

I completed this little gem for my brother while we were on vacation in Estes Park Colorado. As we were driving around I put the finishing touches on it. I got one of the best compliments of my life as Ray wore it around as we were touring a lake: A random tourist stopped my brother to take a picture of him wearing it. DEAR GOD... DOES IT GET ANY BETTER? Seriously, an unintended compliment like that is balm to this knitter’s soul!

Oh, and interestingly enough, we were staying at Valhalla Resort when I finished it.

Ski masks are meant to be scary!

Freaky, huh? What's worse is my brother is under there. So, the odd thing is I don't know what's scarier; when it's down and the crooked skull-like smile is in view, or the folded up almost Gilligan-esque hat. I shudder thinking of a three hour tour on the day of the dead. Good news is that this little number will keep you warm while sending chills into the hearts of those around you!

Entitled, "Jackyll & Hide" this was published in the free online ezine - knitty. Interested in the original pattern? Visit it here!

Cool Head

So, this is my version of the "Hot Head" pattern found in Debbie Stoller's "Stitch 'N Bitch". Since I didn't want to make something with reds, oranges and yellows; I figured this color combination would work just as well. Acutally, I like it quite a bit more than what the original pattern calls for. My brother was so kind as to model this beanie for me. Thank you Ray! You look Marvelous!

Navy Twist

This little hat has a bit of a story. Originally I made it for my father, who seemed to desperately need it. While late October in Southern California is relatively mild, it’s also not the ideal temperature for sitting outside in the middle of the night playing with your ham radio set trying to get some rare DX contact. The Ham Shack, called such because it’s the hobby room that my father has for Ham (or Amateur Radio), was undergoing major construction. Well, it’s always been under construction, but at this time, a wall was missing. Needless to say, it got pretty chilly in there.

Finally, I could finally take an interest in Ham Radio, at least so much as I could knit something to keep the pops a little less like a popsicle while he scanned the airwaves. So, within an evening or two I whipped up this hat with some navy colored Red Heart yarn and the Basic Cable Hat pattern from Debbie Stoller’s Stitch ‘n Bitch Nation. I gave it to my dad, who seem pleased enough with it.

However, fairly shortly after this hat reached my father, my mother decided to visit my Aunt Randi. In something akin to crayon pictures stuck on a refrigerator, my mom took some of my completed projects with her. Scarves and hats returned with her, with the exception of two beanies. My dad’s Navy Twist and another one, Cool Head (more on that project later), ended up being borrowed by my uncle Eddie and cousin Moosa for a trip back East to look at perspective college campuses.

Can I say there is little more that feels better than having someone look at something you made and go, “Hey! That’s cool! Can I borrow that?”. Perhaps the only thing more flattering is them flat out stealing it. Anyway, my heart was warmed more than their heads, I’m sure. Anyway, this hat was borrowed by my cousin Moosa, who ended up taking it not only to the East coast, but also to Europe. Warm fuzzy. Though I am slightly jealous of this well traveled hat.

Lace and Cable Beanie

I made this lace and cable beanie a while ago and for the life of me I can't seem to find the pattern online anymore. For some unfathomable reason I made it using Lavender yarn. Know of anyone that would love and appreciate this lovely one of a kind lace and cable beanie? Currently it is residing in a basket of finished projects.

Sheesh, how many occular points do you need?

Coolest knitting pattern ever. I can honestly say that when I first saw this R2-D2 knit hat I had a hard time deciding who would be the first to get one. Slightly intimidated by the project, it turned out pretty damn fantastic. Though it ended up larger than I had imagined, Ray seems to do pretty well with it. In case you want to see what this is supposed to look like, check it out here at Carissa's Knit site. I think she might be my doppleganger... she's an OCD knitter who works as a barista at Starbucks.