Mason Dixon KAL

A place to share your progress, finished objects, helpful tips, corrections, ideas for variations, and suggestions for materials for patterns from the Mason Dixon Knitting book.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

border question

I tend to be a very tight knitter- I try to loosen up. I need to border a baby blanket and feel this may be difficult- does anyone go down in needle size for the border?

# posted by parrotheadchic @ 9:40 PM 4 comments

Log cabin blanket border

How on earth do I knit a border for my 9 square blanket? I'm on square 7 and am already future-tripping about the border. I don't have a 834" circular so how do I do it? Help!

You can read about it at http://nautiknitter.wordpress.com

# posted by LaDonna @ 3:42 PM 8 comments

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

One down...

A million to go! Well, maybe not a million, but a lot to go.

I knit my first ballband dishcloth yesterday. It's adorable and knit up so quickly!

# posted by Unknown @ 11:25 AM 15 comments

Monday, November 27, 2006

Log cabin afghans

Getting close to the end....this is my courthouse steps log cabin. I just love how the colors are turning out!


Baby Log Cabin on its way! I bought some boy flannel to attach to the back when it is finished.

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:00 PM 11 comments

Bibs!!!

Hi Everyone!!! I've been a long time reader, first time poster!!! I absolutely LOVE the MDK book!!! I thought I would show off these bibs I made for someone in my husband's office!!! I folded them with little white ribbons and gave them in a little white basket!!! He came home to tell me they got RAVE REVIEWS and everyone was real impressed by them!!! If only they knew how easy and fun they are too make!!! I will definitely be making more to have on hand....they make great "car trip" knitting!!!

There are more pictures on my blog of the cute buttons I found for the straps!!!

# posted by Kate @ 12:20 PM 9 comments

"Nina" blankie and perfect sweater

Greetings all:

I attach my current works in progress (if only to assure myself that I will actually finish them one of these fine days).

1. Yet another blankie (based on the "Nina" shawl pattern in the MDK book, which is wonderful). You may notice some similarities in colours with the "funky blankie" I posted below. This is because I am a BAD DAUGHTER who, faced with having ordered too much yarn for the Nina blankie (which is meant to be a christmas present for my mother), decided to make another blankie for myself instead. My excuse... waiting for the last colour to come in for the Nina one. Yarn is my ever-favourite Super 10 mercerised cotton.



2. The Perfect Sweater in progress - knitted in Fleece Artist Kid Silk. Colours in the real-life yarn are much more deep and vivid than portrayed here. Progress on this has been impeded because I have to keep stopping to rub the oh-so-soft and luxurious fabric against my skin, then listen to my husband saying "hey, why didn't you knit MY cardigan in that?" :-)



Check out my blog for specs and more info. tinathegreek.blogspot.com

# posted by Kristina B @ 5:49 AM 2 comments

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Bubbly Curtain Finished!

Hello! I've been a long-time lurker. I started the Bubbly Curtain back during the summer and due to a few major KNOTS in my EuroFlax, I put the project down for a while... I finished it about two weeks ago, and here it is in all its glory. Hope you like! :)



P.S. A word to the wise: If you value your sanity, don't use a center-pull ball with this yarn! (Still grumbling about it...)

More pictures on my blog.

# posted by TheSteph @ 10:40 AM 5 comments

Looks like a starfish!

I just finished my first Mason-Dixon Washcloth. It looks like a starfish! Won't lay flat. Is that the way it's supposed to be? I have written a little more about it in my blog.

Happy Knitting :)
hakucho
http://hakucho.blogspot.com/

# posted by hakucho @ 9:44 AM 6 comments

Friday, November 24, 2006

Even More Ballbands

Holiday gifts galore! As soon as I finish a ballband warshrag, I immediately cast on for another one. That way, there's always one in progress. If I'm really on top of things, I keep a warshrag-in-progress in a little go-bag so I can take it with me during my commute. Such fun!

# posted by Gina @ 4:39 PM 5 comments

Xmas BallBands

For a little Christmas prezzie, I put together 2 Warshrags and a little face cloth (CO 33 stitches, and 9 bands) for my cousin. I paired them with handmade soap from the local Artsy Tartsy gift shop.

Here they are, in Christmas and Hanukkah colors...

And there's some more stuff about Warshing up at my blog.

# posted by Bashirs Momma @ 2:53 PM 1 comments

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Two Down, Four To Go

I know it doesn't look like it, but the colors here are actually bright green, red and white. The top cloth got finished today. It's the opposite configuration of the cloth I finished last week (the one underneath).

If I can finish just 4 more, I'll have enough for my ladies at lunch bunch. But, for now I think I'll find something that doesn't involve red, green or white. ;-)

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:25 PM 2 comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!
In the spirit of the day, thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful creativity, inspiration and sharing!Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving,
-Lynne

# posted by lynne @ 2:13 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Just showing off my "Baby Genius Burp Cloth" blanket

Here's latest finished Mason-Dixon inspired object: "Baby Genius Burp Cloth" Blanket. The finished size is 50 x 66". The yarn I used was Joann's Sensations Rainbow Classic Brushed which is a very soft and cuddly yarn. Sorry it doesn't photograph very well and I wish you could feel just how soft it is. Maybe if you're interested in reading more, please check out my blog.
Happy Thanksgiving!

hakucho
http://hakucho.blogspot.com/

# posted by hakucho @ 6:51 PM 8 comments

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Ballband - Has anyone used/given it as a facecloth?

This is my very first post....I've lurked for a few months and have completed 4 ballbands and 3 bibs so far. I'm wondering related to the post about soaps...when you give a ballband (and who wouldn't want one!), do you "explain" its purpose - either for dishes or faces? I'm curious because I plan to give quite a few for Christmas gifts and I wondered if I gave it with a cute soap, if they would assume it is for use in the bath, but if I gave it with a dish soap, would they assume it is for the sink?

I personally have only used mine for dishes, and even my husband commented the other day that he really liked it! But, for gift giving, I love the idea of using a cute little soap.

So, if anyone has used it for any other purpose, I'd love to hear about it! And, if you do use/give it as a facecloth, have you used a different yarn?

Thanks!

# posted by Lynn Huggins Blackburn @ 2:22 PM 8 comments

Courthousestep-Blanket - Stick a fork in me I'm done!

Hi there! Come on over and have a looksy at my third blanket this year! I still can't quite believe it, that it's done. For specs please read my blog. Thanks! ;o)

Monika

# posted by Monika @ 8:18 AM 11 comments

Scribble Scarf

Finally F.O., the Autumn Leaves Scribble Scarf made from Lion Brand Incredible nylon ribbon and a mystery thin yarn from my stash. The Incredible wasn't thick enough for a genuine scribble, but I'm pleased enough with the swishy results. Details on my blog.

# posted by Terri H. @ 4:51 AM 2 comments

Monday, November 20, 2006

Baby days

I have so much enjoyed seeing the baby sweaters, but I had no excuse to knit one. Until now. My cousin gave birth to a little girl and I wasted no time in breaking out the sticks. It took just a weekend of intense but broken knitting. I added a crochet pico edge. I loved the pattern, although next time I would add an inch. There is pattern info about the matching hat and booties on my blog, http://knitaway.blogspot.com.

# posted by Jknits @ 6:42 PM 4 comments

Ball-Band Thanksgiving Gift

Was just about to pop this into the mail when I remembered that I wanted to post a picture - the image quality is terrible because I used my cell phone's camera. Two ball-bands all wrapped up with a cake of Lavendar soap and ready to travel from Maryland to West Virginia.

Also, you if you have time to do a hat for a great cause, go to the Soaring Eagles Project or my blog for info.

# posted by Mama @ 9:01 AM 1 comments

Sunday, November 19, 2006

funky blankie...

Hi all:

Below please find a photo of a blanket I just finished (pre-blocking). It was inspired by the "Circle of Fun" in the Mason-Dixon book - thanks! - with some obvious additions. Yarn is Super 10 mercerized cotton.



As this is one of my first stabs at making modifications to projects, I am quite thrilled with it :-)

I must admit I've become addicted to blankets since getting the M-D book... I'm in the process of making the Nina Shawl x 2 as a Christmas gift for my mother.

Hope this finds you all well.

Regards,

Kristina

PS if anyone here is interested in stained glass mosaic, why not check out my blog at www.tinathegreek.blogspot.com ? (please pardon formatting errors as I am somewhat of a luddite when it comes to this stuff)

# posted by Kristina B @ 8:11 PM 16 comments

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Mason Dixon Mini's

Cast on 27 to make a mini Mason Dixon warshrag. It's a wonderful compliment. 

# posted by Nancy @ 8:02 AM 7 comments

Friday, November 17, 2006

I've Finally Jumped on the (Ball) Band Wagon

These are my first warshrags and I love them! What a great pattern. These will be going to one of my collegues for a small wedding present along with some hand soap and lotion for the kitchen. I modified by only doing 4 reps of the pattern (5 total) and I think next time I would use US 6s instead of 7s. I definitely see more of these in my knitting future!

# posted by Allegra @ 1:50 PM 2 comments

Thursday, November 16, 2006

The Too-Pretty-To-Use Warshrag

This is my first warshrag. I love, love, love the ballband pattern!
And boy, is it pretty, if I do say so myself. It took me a while to figure it out, but I finally got it.




I used Lily Sugar N Cream cotton, in Sunshine and Hot Pink. I am thinking of expanding this out a bit, and making it 3 times longer, to make a matching hand towel for my sister. I think she'd appreciate it, and the colors. HOT!

Has anyone used something like wool or other types of yarns to make something with this pattern? I would imagine this would make a beautiful scarf, in a nice wool. Any ideas or success stories?

# posted by Bashirs Momma @ 6:38 PM 2 comments

Ballbands

Ok Here I go again. Here is one of my ballbands using Faded Glory and Ecru. The other one I just switched the color. I love doing these and see how the colors are going to end up with the varigated. This one looks like to "v".

# posted by mickeyspal @ 12:42 PM 2 comments

Dishcloths take over home, film at 11

These are the cloths I'm going to be giving away as gifts for the holidays. I have 17 ball band cloths & 13 mdk cloths plus 3 more cloths that aren't ball bands (they're in the picture--the duplicate bb's are in a bag).

I also have made matching/coordinating scrubbies to go along with the cloths. Some of my family members are getting 2-3 cloths, a scrubby or 2 & a copy of the cookbook my MOMS club had published. I'm also looking for some pretty dish soap dispensers to add & may put everything in a felted box if I have time!

# posted by lauriec @ 7:06 AM 6 comments

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Log Cabin Before and After

I am finally getting around to posting pictures of my summer log cabins. They were baby gifts for a niece and nephew. To preserve bandwith, see the After pictures on my site. I went compulsive, as usual, and moved on to more cotton knitting. There's a description of the big blanket I made, inspired by the Log Cabins.

# posted by Anonymous @ 6:23 PM 2 comments

Ballbands

This is my second set of ballbands. I used Faded Glory and Ecru. I don't have a picture of the first set yet because I have to develop the film. This one I scanned into my computer. The first set I gave to my mom. She loves them.

# posted by mickeyspal @ 5:07 PM 1 comments

Log Cabin Newbie

I'm about to start my very first log cabin blanket (I'm quite excited!) and I have a question: after finishing each strip, do I cut the yarn and then work in the new color in the next strip? I would think yes, simply because otherwise I'd end up with a mess of yarn on the wrong side that I wouldn't know what to do with anyways.

Thanks!

# posted by Jb @ 1:35 PM 1 comments

Baby banket suggestions?

I want to make a baby blanket for my SIL's new baby. I have an idea of a red background, a black and white intarsia puppy with a black and white checkered border. Could I use sugar and cream or peaches and cream to do this? I am concerned about the yarn fading and feeling rough after washing. Any thoughts? Any ideas for other yarns?

# posted by Kim @ 11:35 AM 5 comments

Are You Ready For...

...some Christmas?

Yarn: Cream 'N Sugar (red & white ombre and forest green)

Needles: Size 7

Changes:

1. Made the first stitch of every row a knit stitch.

2. Carrying the *non-working* yarn in one stitch and wove it back and forth. This gave the edge a neater appearance. It was worth the little bit of extra work.

I think this one will probably end up being part of a gift for my hairdresser.

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:36 AM 2 comments

Heirlooms Meet

A few years ago when I had just started knitting, my mother gave me some black tapestry yarn that had been my grandmother's and said, "Maybe you can use this someday." (Each hank cost my grandmother $.25.) I kept thinking maybe pillows for our bed but no patterns came to mind until I read the Mason Dixon book. Three pillows were born! Two are obvious - the log cabin and the big dotty. The triangles were inspired by the Woollythoughts web site (p. 67 in the book). Now they sit on our bed between a quilt that hangs on the wall (yes, it really is that crooked for some reason unknown to me!) made by my great-grandmother and a quilt that is at the foot of our bed made by our daughter.

# posted by mamaillmani @ 5:43 AM 15 comments

Monday, November 13, 2006

More FOs

I Finally, I have some photos of new Mason Dixon FOs to share. I am proudest of the ball-band throw rug. I used 3 strands of regular Peaches and Creme and did it in 3 strips. Also, some warshrags, too.

# posted by tejasmom @ 9:50 AM 8 comments

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Addicted to MD Washcloths

I have caught the washcloth bug. Granted the ballband one didn't excite me (treason I know), but I can't stop making the Mason-Dixon washcloths. Here are the seven I have made so far. The conundrum is that I don't like using dishcloths even though I can't stop knitting them. I figure I will either make enough for a lap blanket or gift them for the upcoming holidays. The question now is how many can I make before I get tired of the pattern?

Oh, you may have noticed that I have neglected to weave in the ends. The reason? I always have another dishcloth on the needles before I am even aware of the need to weave in the ends! Can't stop...must knit MD dishcloths...

# posted by silverarrowknits @ 9:52 PM 1 comments

First Post and FO

After lurking around for a while, first because I didn't have the book, then because I was just busy busy, I finally have an FO to show off.

I made a burp cloth .. one of many I suspect .. for my friend who just had a baby. Just regular Sugar 'n Cream cotton in obnoxiously pastel baby hues, but I think it's cute as can be. It's short because I ran out of yarn .. I thought I'd had more with me, and decided it was long enough so just bound off.

# posted by Tania A @ 5:13 PM 2 comments

Saturday, November 11, 2006

A whole mess 'o ball band washcloths

Count 'em! Six. All knit in October and the first week of November. For three baby showers at the office last week. Gifted in pairs in a nice canvas box tote (for corralling changing table clutter), with a hooded baby towel to match, and baby bath stuff, all topped with a rubber duck. CUTE gift. Good thing they are so easy, we have a FOURTH office pregnancy announced just yesterday! I swear, it has to be something in the water!!!!

# posted by Karla (ThreadBndr) @ 6:28 PM 6 comments

Friday, November 10, 2006

Blankie Finished

Finished size approximately 38" x 28". US 10's for picking up & binding off stitches. US 9's for the general knitting.

Blue = Plymouth Jelly Beenz

Green & Yellow = Sirdar something DK


Now, to get the ends woven in before the shower on Sunday morning...

# posted by Erica @ 2:44 PM 10 comments

Potholder Loop Rug!

Finished my potholder loop rug last night and I love it! Nice and cushy under the toes when you step out of the shower and such cheerful colors. More details about the rug on my blog.

Debbie

www.gottaknit.typepad.com

# posted by Anonymous @ 4:23 AM 6 comments

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Ballband Wristbands

My kids think these are so cute but....is there a way to make them on DP's or circs? Any help? Thanks so much!

# posted by #tutulady @ 7:59 AM 2 comments

Lidded Felted Bobble Boxes

Presenting my latest creation, inspired by MD felted boxes. I wanted to make some felted bobbles like on the Noni Bobble Bag, but I wasn't sure I'd like them on the side of a box, so I decided to add a lid by knitting one more panel, with increases on each side to make sure it overlaps the sides, and put a bobble on top. I'd never made bobbles before (I learned from a great diy Network video link on this page - scroll down to the middle for bobbles). I still don't think I could knit enough bobbles to make the Noni bag, but knitting one is kinda fun.

I've got other bits of colors for more bobbles left over from my big felted boxes, so guess what everyone I know is getting for Christmas!

# posted by Michelle @ 6:44 AM 6 comments

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

HELP! with Felted Boxes

I am having issues today, I've finished my first felted box and I cannot figure out how to fold it...do you fold "IN" on the rows (so they are inside the box)...or do you fold "OUT".

I've read and re-read the instructions. Can't figure which is the RS vs. WS, I checked in the archives and even held up the sides, but I don't know which way to fold...Thanks for helping.

# posted by LeslieJ @ 11:56 AM 3 comments

Cotton Yarn Stash

I am unpacking my yarns into my fiber studio.. I have been purchasing cotton yarn for months now- building my stash and then started purchasing some new colors once I got the MD book. I also started purchasing Knit Picks Crayon- pima cotton. It makes nice facecloths and washcloths for babies- soo soft (I also plan on knitting a shawl out of it-striped full of all the fun colors)... Anyways.. my mom brought me over 3 huge bags of yarn the other day.. Tons of dishcloth cotton!! all brand new- she found at a thrift store.. I can officially say for the time being that I have enough dishcloth cotton! She also brought big balls of yarn of reclaimed yarn from sweaters.. My mom unraveled them.. There is wool, chenille, ribbon yarn, and other novelty yarns all waiting to be knitted into shawls!
The basked under the telephone table is half pima cotton skiens and half sugar and cream- the long skinny skiens are fingering cotton- there are about 10 of them. The shelves contain all dishcloth cotton. I will be knitting lots of dishcloths, towels and ball band wristlets and tp covers for christmas..
I am having fun organizing my yarn stash.. Dh just brought up several more boxes of wool yarn! I need more shelves I think!
Many Blessings, Debra

# posted by Anonymous @ 11:35 AM 14 comments

Dishcloth-o-rama!

I finally got around to digging some kitchen cotton out of my stash and making ballband dishcloths.



The one on the left will stay in my kitchen. It's made of Peaches & Creme. The one on the right is a combo of P & C and Sugar 'n Cream, and it will go to a friend in Minnesota who made a ballband dishcloth for me last month.

I really like the pattern; it's challenging enough to keep me interested but easy enough to knit while watching TV, talking with someone or listening to music. I look forward to making many more of these. I'm amazed at how little yarn they require!

# posted by Gina @ 11:11 AM 3 comments

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Sail away

I started these bibs with plenty of time, but the baby came way early. Luckily, both he and mom are doing well. The bibs are knitted in Peaches and Cream. After reading comments about whether to wash or not, I opted to wash I had a little bit of bleeding with the blue, but none with the other. The only problem I encountered was difficulty in rejoining the yarn. It took just three tries to realize I had to start from the side in the middle rather than the edge. (oops) I really enjoy seeing all your work - it's so inspirational.
JKnits
http://knitaway.blogspot.com

# posted by Jknits @ 5:15 PM 2 comments

Grocery bag button-hole bag

I really have Splindarella to thank for the idea for this project. I used grocery bags for the buttonhole bag pattern- very meta. I used it for the first time this weekend and am very surprised at the weight of the bag itself and the strength of it. I orignially planned to line it, but the logisitics baffled me so I let it go. I am quite thrilled with the result and plan to do more with different color bags. I think they will make good (cheap) gifts for the holidays, provided the giftees have a sense of humor!

Maybe the black and gold theme will encourage the Steelers to save their season!

# posted by Mariel @ 2:52 PM 10 comments

what I did last week

We were in the middle of a move but I needed to ease my stress.. So I knitted at night.. I am stocked for fall colored dishcloths now..
Now it is time to knit the Christmas colored dishcloths..
Blessings, Debra

# posted by Anonymous @ 2:10 PM 2 comments

Finally!

I totally procrastinated adding the inner tie (two single crochet chains) and ribbons, but now it's finally done! And this afternoon I'll deliver it to it's new owner, Lenci. So here, finally, is my hot purple SnC Kimono! (The ribbons are purple gingham- hard to tell from the photo.)

Now I'm working feverishly to complete my Mom's Nina Shawl in time for Christmas (among other things of course...).

And I have a confession- I've tried twice now to knit the ubiquitous ballband washcloth... and I don't like knitting it!! How can this be? I just love seeing all your completed ones- the colors, the variety- and everyone seems so enthusiastic about the pattern. Could it be that the plaid pattern I tried right before it was too fun and ruined the ballband pattern for me? Was it my color selection (which even my hubby noticed looked great in the plaid stitch)? I feel like I'm really missing out on something here... My plan was to knit sets of three cloths in the same colors and different patterns for Christmas gifts, but the ballband just isn't working for me! I will try again in two solid colors (I was using a solid and a varigated) but maybe after the holidays... I hope I'll still be welcome here ;)

-Lynne

# posted by lynne @ 1:07 PM 4 comments

Rug question

Hello all,
Do you think that absorba could work as a front door mat? and if so what shoudl she be knit out of? Would suguar and cream hold up to the abraisive red georgia dirt and frequent washings?
Thanks,
Anla
http://butterflyanla6318.blogspot.com/

# posted by Cajun Cutie @ 11:46 AM 4 comments

Light, Bright Baby Log Cabin

This has long since become a finished, well-used, well-loved object, but all I could find was this in-progress shot:



It's from 3 different cotton yarns, more info at my blog, click here.

# posted by AmberCake @ 9:50 AM 5 comments

Monday, November 06, 2006

Modified MDK Kimono (Part II a.k.a. Finished)

I tend to have issues finishing projects after I get done with the knitting. This MDK Kimono has been collecting dust for quite some time, but I finally finished it!


Ended up crocheting around the neck, didn't sew down the sleeves all the way but left a small slit (for small spunky baby hands) and crocheted a sturdy border around the edge.


Used clear small snaps to close up the Kimono, thanks to the answers I got on this KAL! Thankyou:) I hadn't even considered the snaps, but they really look prim and neat.

Now for the matching hat, it's half done (14" circumference, 110 stitches in Dale Stork, sz2 needles) Same pattern as kimono, edge in moss stitch ,then fun stripes. It should be done soon! (Baby is due in one month, I may be done in time!!) Does anybody have patterns for baby booties?? I was thinking probably solid colored in blue or the seafoam green..

//Linda

# posted by lill4my @ 11:32 PM 3 comments