What the HK is on Viki's needles today

Well, the last two weeks have been crazy to say the least, and not really in a good way. Unfortunately, this has resulted in precious little knitting time. And even more unfortunately, the little knitting time I've had has been focused on holiday knitting. And let's be honest here, not everyone or every project on our gift giving list rates Hazel Knits yarn. I prefer to keep a lot of my HK knits for myself.

But there has been some progress. First up, my first Greel sock in Artisan Sock in Wheatberry has been completed and the second one is slowly advancing. These are probably going to end up a little small for me, but perfect for my tiny-footed sister-in-law. So work will continue on these for the next little while.

The other project I recently began is my beaded project for the Hazel Knits KAL over on Ravelry. I'm planning to knit Eve by Julia Mueller out of Artisan Sock in Surf. The first difficult task was choosing which beads to use. Did I want them to coordinate, or standout? Here were my three choices:

#1 Dark green

#2 Light green with a metallic sheen

#3 Dark green with a metallic sheen

I ended up going with the #2. But, since these aren't a gift project, this is how far I've managed to get.

Hopefully, next time I post an update, there will be some significant progress. Or maybe some new projects?

What the HK is on Viki's needles this week?

I always have something in Hazel Knits on my needles. Ok, that's not true, I always have at least two things in HK on my needles, because I have that one scarf that's been on my needles for a long time and never seems to work its way to the top of my knitting to do list.

Wendee is giving me the opportunity to come on here every once and a while and share my HK WIPs with you. This week I want to tell you about one of my current projects - Greel (ravelled here).

Greel is the first published design by Dorie Lysaght of LieSitKnit (aka Sweetbeej on Ravelry) and I think I was the first one to cast on this lovely free pattern. Dorie is a long-time member of the Hazel Knits group on Ravelry and an awesome and speedy knitter.

I'm knitting my Greel's in Wheatberry leftover from my Tempest sweater (by Anne Weaver).

I'm really enjoying this pattern and I'm sure if I could give it the time it deserves it would be done quickly. Unfortunately, I keep getting distracted by other projects, including my beaded project for the Hazel Knits Ravelry KAL. But I'll show you more about that next time.

I recently completed a pair of Mystery socks by Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops for Soctoberfest in Sugar (one of the August club colours) in Artisan sock. I think they are going to make a great holiday gift. Hopefully Greel will feel a little more knitting love soon now that that pair is off the needles.

Now to give Greel a little more attention.

Beads!!

Hi, I’m Viki, one of the moderators on the Hazel Knits group on Ravelry. Occasionally, I’ll be popping on here as a guest blogger.

As Wendee mentioned in a previous post, our Ravelry group is hosting a Knit-ALong (KAL) that is focusing on beading. You can check it out here.

If you love knitting with Hazel Knits and would like to try beading or already love beading and want to do some more, we’d love to have you join us.

The KAL starts today, November 1, 2010 (12 am Eastern) and finishes on December 31, 2010 (11:59 pm Pacific).

You must use a Hazel Knits yarn. Fingering, DK, Merino-Soy, Filigree or even the new Merino-9!


Any beaded pattern is acceptable.


And the best part of all, for every finished object you post a picture of in the KAL thread on Ravelry you will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous prize. A winner will be randomly selected from the eligible entries to win a $35 gift certificate to the Hazel Knits store. Winners can choose from yarn, stitch markers, mini-skeins, kits etc. Or perhaps one of the new colours Wendee expects to release before the end of the year?


If you’ve never done beading, there are lots of patterns to choose from and several methods for getting those beads onto your knitting. Here’s a video Wendee sent me that shows the method I will be trying to use.

Personally, I will be attempting to knit one of Julia Mueller’s glove patterns – Eve – in Surf.

I am anxiously awaiting the beads I ordered from Fusion Beads to arrive.

I hope you'll stop by the Ravelry group and join us for some beading fun.