Nan Knits

One done, one to go!

2011-12-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

I finished the 1st sock of my KAL (KAL is with my daughter, Colleen) the day before I fell, which was on Nov 28th. Because of my injuries (4 stitches in my temple and a mild concussion which caused a miserable headache) I didn't knit at all for over a week, then wasn't comfortable knitting on US size 1 needles with sock yarn until yesterday. I just took a picture of the completed sock plus the 2nd one currently on my needles and realize now that the 1st picture of the 1st sock was just about at the same point of completion when I took that picture. I'm nothing if not consistent. LOL

These are definitely colorful socks! Wait until you see the tote bag I'll be making once the socks are done.

Kangaroo Pocket Baby Hoodie

2011-12-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

After I finished the Baby Varsity Sweater, Bob suggested I make a baby sweater with a hood. It sounded like a cute idea so I started to work on it. I had almost finished all the four sizes except for the pocket on the last one, by cyber Monday.

We needed a few things from the store, like scotch tape and printer ink, so there we were shopping (I should have stayed home and shopped online) when I tripped over an empty shelf that was just a few inches above the floor. I couldn't stop myself from falling and banged my left temple on the (very) hard floor when I landed. I ended up in a ~~not so~~ Quick Care where the doctor put in 4 stitches to the left of my eyebrow. The headache from the mild concussion I had, lasted for a week. I seem to be OK now and finally bought the printer ink yesterday. :)

The results of my fall delayed my knitting for the better part of 2 weeks. I've finally finished the hoodie and took pictures. The pattern is now for sale here: Kangaroo Pocket Baby Hoodie.

I had finished one of the socks I'd been knitting before my fall, but haven't even tried to work on the 2nd sock since then. The needles and yarn are so small, I've been afraid of getting another headache. Maybe I'll try again this coming week.

Plan #67 and 3/4

2011-11-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

About 2 months ago, my daughter, Colleen, bought some sock yarn, small skeins in a variety of pastel colors. She divided each skein into 2 cakes (balls). She then gave one of each to me (about 270 grams altogether) and kept the same for herself. She told me we were doing a KAL (knit along) and I had to decide what we'd be knitting.

Well, for the past months I've been dilly-dallying and changing my mind every other hour (literally!!!). First I decided I'd make a small shawl but although I love shawls, I don't really like "small" ones. Then I decided I'd make intarsia or fair isle socks, but I just haven't been in the mood to do that type of knitting. The type of knitting I feel like doing is VERY important. If I start a project that I really don't feel like knitting, it won't get finished! Not a good thing. Then I figured I'd knit just striped socks, but that sounded rather boring, so I scrapped that idea rather quickly.

So, back and forth I went for 2 months until yesterday...when I came up with plan #67 and 3/4! I'm making socks! But not just any old socks.

I'm using this pattern: Nine-to-Five Socks by Nicole Hindes, but I'm knitting these in random width stripes. If you're a member of Ravelry, you can download this pattern for free. I've made these socks once before and they were a fun knit and fit well too. Since about 100 grams of sock yarn will make 1 pair of socks for me, I see a second pair in my future. :)

Here's a picture of my share of the yarn and the beginning of one sock. Colleen, are you up for the KAL???

Baby Varsity Sweater

2011-11-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my pattern for the Baby Varsity Sweater and the pattern is now for sale on ravelry.com. I love the teal blue and navy blue ones but not the green one. The teal was made using Red Heart Soft yarn (yarn was gifted to me), the navy was made using Lion Brand Wool Ease (came out well and is nice and soft) and the green was made using Loops & Thread Impeccable (this yarn was also gifted to me but the yarn is really heavier than most worsted weight yarn and isn't so pleasant to use).

I do like this new pattern though. I can just picture a cute little baby wearing it. :)

Easy Lacy Socks

2011-10-26T11:50:00.001-07:00

The name I gave to my new sock pattern (the stitch pattern is an easy knit) doesn't reflect what occurred before the pattern was complete. When I started knitting the sock pattern, I loved the look of the pattern but it just had no stretch to it, so the sock didn't fit! Grrrr! I frogged it, added stitches, frogged it yet again, modified the pattern some more and finally got it to fit. Yea! During all of this knitting and frogging I had been working from a handwritten pattern and hand written chart.

Then I typed the pattern and after downloading some knitting fonts, attempted a chart. Whew! I ended up with problem after problem trying to get the chart to behave the way I wanted it. I can't begin to describe my frustration. My knitting skills FAR surpass my computer skills.

Finally, thanks to my new BFF Jennifer :), who kindly suggested she'd help me learn how to do a chart in a document if I'd bring my laptop to our weekly knitting group. So there we sat in Barnes & Noble last week with my laptop in front of us, and Jen showed me that, yes, it IS possible to put that #%$* chart where I wanted it to go. LOL The end result is a new sock pattern for sale in my pattern store on ravelry.com. Here's a picture.

My Not Christmas Socks

2011-08-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

I finally finished knitting the socks I started last April. I had put them aside when I was having difficulty seeing the tiny stitches on the size 1US needles, but I finally picked them up again and finished them this past week. The colorway on the yarn ball band says "Christmas" but I think they're just very colorful. I love bright colors & I'll wear them anytime, not just for Christmas. :)

My Backpack

2011-08-21T17:50:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I knit a backpack for my daughter and ever since then, I've wanted one for myself. Finally, I knit one for me! The 1st pic is mine. The 2nd pic is Colleen's.

Koi Baby Sweater

2011-07-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

I finally finished writing out the pattern for a baby sweater I designed months ago and today finished knitting the last of the sizes for it. Because the colors remind me of the fish in a Koi pond I've named it Koi Baby Sweater. It's knit from the top down with no seams. The stripes of yellow in the yoke are knit in a fairly easy pattern stitch to add texture. The yarn is worsted weight knit with size 8 needles so the sweater should be nice and warm for a winter baby. The pattern can be purchased here: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/nancy-pietraszek-designs

Knitting Bag

2011-07-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Every time I go to my weekly knitting group, I feel like a pack animal. I take a good sized shoulder bag (stuffed too full) and a large tote bag (also stuffed too full) that has the pockets I like. I made the tote bag a few years ago to carry my knitting and knitting accessories. I've been telling myself for 2 years "self, you need a rolling knitting bag so you won't look and feel like a pack animal". I've looked for a rolling knitting bag, but all the ones I've found that had the multiple pockets I NEED are more money than I'm willing to spend.

Finally, I decided to check out rolling backpacks, not that I'd ever use one as a backpack. That would really make me feel like a pack animal. Anyway, after an extensive search on the web sites of all our local stores and the internet in general, I couldn't find precisely the bag I wanted. They either were too big, didn't have the pockets I NEED, or they were more money than I'm willing to spend.

So...today I had the bright idea to go to the local Swap Meet (known by some as a flea market). It's only up the street, a hop, skip and a jump away as my Mom used to say. They had JUST what I wanted and the price was right. It's not too big and has all the pockets I NEED. Pockets are important. :)

Bob says the handle to pull it is too short. He keeps forgetting that I'm short too!!! The height of the handle is JUST RIGHT for me. Check it out...

Sunshine

2011-07-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

I finally finished knitting all four sizes of my latest pattern and called it Sunshine because the yellow yarn of one of the sizes reminds me of bright sunshine. I love the elephant and giraffe buttons on the red one though. They are just too cute. The pattern is for sale here: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/nancy-pietraszek-designs

Hot, hot, hot!

2011-06-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived here in the desert along with triple digit temps. Bob as well as the "girls" in our 55+ community pool keep telling me I need to wear a hat so I won't get heat stroke. I know I have extremely short hair, but it's thick so wearing a hat makes my head HOT! I like hats, really I do. Hats in the winter are fine. I want to wear one then, but in the summer, not so much. Well, today I broke down and bought a hat to wear in the pool (other than being in the pool, I'm not out in the sun - too hot). I bought a straw cowboy (girl?) hat. We'll see how it works out. We're going to the pool this afternoon. :)

Paper Doll Baby Sleep Sack

2011-06-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to typing out the pattern for my Paper Doll Baby Sleep Sack, or as my husband calls it, "a bag to stuff a baby in". :-)

The pattern is for sale here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paper-doll-baby-sleep-sack The buttoned opening at the bottom makes for easier diaper changing.

Flowers & Ruffles

2011-06-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Flowers & Ruffles is the name of my latest baby sweater design. This one is a pullover with a ruffle around the front placket and knit with Bernat Baby Jacquards Florals. I just love the way this yarn pools - reminds me of flowers in a Monet painting. I knit the samples in 2 different colorways, one called Rosebud and one called Orange Blossom Special. I love both colorways.

This pattern is for sale here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowers--ruffles

Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My!

2011-05-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

The cabled baby sweater now has a name! Once I put the buttons on the last 2 that I knitted, the name just "roared" at me. :) There was no question as to what it should be called. Don't you just love the buttons? The pattern will be finished and put on ravelry for sale shortly.

This pattern is now for sale here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lions--tigers--bears-oh-my

Cabled Baby Sweater

2011-05-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my latest design, a Cabled Baby Sweater. Hopefully before it's finished I'll come up with a much better name for it. I made the smallest size, 0-3 mos, using Patons Classic Wool worsted weight yarn, washed & blocked it and took a pic.

It's worked from the neck down and has a round yoke. I'm currently working on the 2nd sleeve of the largest size, 9-12 mos, also in Patons Classic Wool yarn, but in a lighter shade of aqua. On the 0-3 mos sweater, the sleeves don't need to be tapered, so it's just a matter of working the pattern until it's time to work the garter stitch cuff. However, the 9-12 mos sleeves are so wide they need to be tapered with decreases. I'm finding that working decreases into cables is much easier to do than it is to explain. sigh I think this pattern will need to be for experienced knitters. It also may be put into "time out" because I need to knit the other 2 sizes but really don't feel like it right now. :) I think I have too many ideas swirling around in my head anxious to get out and become sweaters. LOL

Hat/scarf sets for PRR

2011-05-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

I finally took a pic of the hat/scarf sets for PRR that I made. These were made for the pre-school students of the Shannon County School District on Pine Ridge Reservation in SD. The Bundles of Joy group on http://www.ravelry.com/ are working to supply these children with warm hats, scarves, pairs of mittens and slippers and sweaters/coats.

not yet named baby sweater May 12, 2011

2011-05-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm working on another baby sweater with a round yoke and lots of cables. I've got the math right for the 0-3 mos size, now I need to do the math for sizes up to 12 mos. Why didn't I pay more attention in math class all those years ago? sigh

Flower Child

2011-05-07T10:00:00.001-07:00

Flower Child, a photo by Nancy H. P. on Flickr.

I love the way the yarn creates bands of flowers on my Flower Child baby sweater, but haven't decided yet if I like the actual sweater design. I'm hesitating writing out the pattern. I don't know if it will be worth the work of doing it.
The yarn is Bernat Baby Jacquards Florals in Rosebud. Pretty yarn!

Paper Doll Sleep Sack #1

2011-05-07T09:38:00.001-07:00

Paper Doll Sleep Sack #1, a photo by Nancy H. P. on Flickr.

I designed this Paper Doll Baby Sleep sack for a contest. I like it, but the judges didn't (I didn't win). Eventually, I'll get around to writing out the pattern. :)

I made 2 of them and they go to the OB Ward on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation once I write out the pattern.

Rust & Gold sweater

2011-05-07T09:25:00.001-07:00

Rust & Gold sweater, a photo by Nancy H. P. on Flickr.

I made this Rust & Gold sweater in Dec 2010, to use some Vanna yarn in my stash. This one is a 3-6 mos size and is very heavy, but came out cute. I never wrote out the pattern & can't decide if it's worth bothering to do so. Because life got in the way, the sweater was put away & I forgot about it until May 2011! It will go to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, but I'll probably wait until the fall to mail it because it's such a warm sweater, it will be better for the fall & winter.

Baby Sweater 5.4.11

2011-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

The yarn on my needles now is soooo pretty. :) I can't wait to see how it turns out. I think I'll put an eyelet ruffle on it. I haven't yet decided if it will have long or short sleeves. hmmm

Ruffles & Ridges Baby Sweater

2011-04-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

I wrote out the pattern for my new design, Ruffles & Ridges Baby Sweater and it's been uploaded for sale on ravelry.com. This one could be a darling little summer dress by just making it longer.

Ruffles & Ridges Baby Sweater

2011-04-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Help, I'm designing and I can't stop! LOL The other evening I felt like knitting something simple with no involved thinking to do, so I cast on for a really simple top-down garter stitch baby sweater. By the time I reached the end of the yoke I was starting to get bored - bad sign. Ideas for the rest of the sweater started going 'round in my head. The result is here:

My latest design - now I need to write out the pattern so I can add it to my pattern store on Ravelry.

Rockabilly Concert

2011-04-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Bob & I are sitting here listening to a live concert that's taking place at the Orleans Hotel pool. It's Rockabilly weekend in Vegas (http://www.vivalasvegas.net/vlv14/ http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbslyw_rockabilly-514-official-trailer-201_shortfilms ) so they're playing 50's music. We heard Jerry Lee Lewis (live) a little while ago. The wind is in just the right direction. I hope this evening's concert will be indoors, otherwise we won't get much sleep. :(

We've been trying to walk a mile every day, so today we had live entertainment while we walked. LOL

Charity sweaters

2011-04-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

I finally washed all the sweaters and the snug sack that I've knitted during the past 5 to 6 weeks. All the sweaters are from my own designs, but the sleep sack is from a pattern on ravelry, called Snug as a Bug. Now they're being mailed to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, SD.

The sweaters and sleep sack in the 1st pic are going to the OB Ward for needy newborns.

The sweaters in the 2nd pic are going to 1,2,3,Hi Baby, a group on the reservation that will distribute them to babies in need. These sweaters range in size from 3-6 mos to 9-12 mos.

Colorful Socks

2011-04-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

I decided to take a little break from knitting baby sweaters. I think I made 7 or 8 in the last 2 weeks. So Friday evening I cast on for a pair socks using Nine-To-Five sock pattern. I can't link to the pattern but it can be found on ravelry if you're a member.

I'm concerned it might look a little too Christmasy. The yarn is Red Heart, Heart & Sole sock yarn in colorway "Christmas". Here's a pic of what I've knit so far. I couldn't get a better pic. Some of the green photographed as blue.

My Designs

2011-04-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my baby sweater designs.

The 1st sweater is named Summer Breeze Baby Sweater. The 2nd is named Happy Birthday Baby and the 3rd is named Tip Toe Through The Tulips.

A New Venture

2011-04-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

Blogging is something new for me. We'll see how it works out. My main interest is knitting and designing knitting patterns, mostly baby sweaters. Sometimes I need to knit 4 to 6 sweaters before I get the pattern the way I want it. Once the pattern is complete, I upload it to www.ravelry.com, which is a knitting site for those of you who aren't familiar with it. My patterns are sold on ravelry. Almost all of the baby sweaters I make are sent to babies in need on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.