Boring...No Way!

Still knitting my evenings away on the Lace Ribbon "Wrap" that I've been involved with since the April 19th knit off with the Mosaic Maniacs from Raverly. I'm getting through the repeats faster as I go...can now knit through a whole pattern repeat (24 rows) before bedtime. If I make bedtime after 11:30 PM...I'm usually so close to finishing that I stay up past my usual time so it can be finished.

Today I weighed the yarn to see how much further it will go...about half way or so at the moment. Out of a total weight of 227 grams I still have one unused ball of about 84 grams, working ball of 50 grams and 93 grams of knitted yarn. So all that checking on how much yarn is left to knit means is that I think I will have enough yarn to get this to a minimum of 60"...maybe. It's now measuring out to about 26 inches unblocked.

Loving how this is coming along so far...I've been able to catch errors pretty quickly without ripping out or even tinking back. Yeah, I know that the Knitting Gods are going to smite me down any day now, but I'm feeling pretty happy about this project. I'd like to get this thing done in the next couple of weeks so I can start on a few summer tops. Finding it difficult to focus on those with the KAL going on too...pressure is a good thing in one's life right?

Dye Job

Achieved another new thing in the land of knit...dying yarn. Yep, I got the Koolaid out, mixed it up, and painted some undyed yarn (Kraemer Natural-Jeannie). The yarn & koolaid were in a swag bag that my Mom & I got last June at Mosaic's Hokie Healing Project. (Side Note: the Hokie Healing Project involved over 8000 eight inch squares from knitters all over the world. A group of knitters decended upon Blacksburg last June & turned the squares into blankets for the families of those killer & injured at Virginia Tech last April. Scroll down to May through July entries at Mosaic's website for pictures.)

Mom asked what to do with her skein this past weekend and I offered to dye it for her. Yesterday I was to get the job done since it was so warm and sunny outside. First I had to take the ball of yarn and reskein it using my swift. I tied off the skein using cotton yarn in 3 equal sections. By tying off using a "figure 8" at each point I was able to easily remove the skein from the swift without making an absolute mess out of it. I must say that it worked like a dream...no tangles and it was easily put back on the swift to wind back into a ball once it was dry.

To start the dying process I first added warm water and a splash of vinegar to the stock pot I use for washing socks...then added the yarn to soak. While that was happening I mixed up the 2 koolaid packages (black cherry & orange) with 1/4 cup of warm water. Once the yarn had been totally saturated with water I squeezed out the excess and placed the yarn into baking dish.

I then used a couple of stencil brushes to "paint" the colors on the skein. I randomly placed the colors throughout the skein letting the colors move into each other...Hokie Yarn was born. The directions called for you to cook the yarn in the microwave for 2 minutes, let it sit for 2 minutes, then finish off for another 2 minutes of cooking time. Once it had cooled down enough to handle I ran tepid water on it until the water was clear...this only took a minute. It looks pretty good although it seems to be more orangy red than burgundy. I now must have a full sized skein so I have enough yarn to for socks. Oh no...more yarn to buy!

Pictures to follow once Blogger let's me do that...tired of the waiting.

Still Knitting...Always

Still knitting away on the Lace Ribbon Scarf for the Mosaic Maniacs KAL project...love, love love it! A total of 4 pattern repeats and still going strong. I seem to be averaging one pattern repeat a evening (24 rows) which considering how big I've modified the "scarf" is a good thing. The wrap is 116 stitches wide so I have 12 sets of the pattern going on. Amazingly fast I think to be this far along...helps that I've had some time during the day to knit this week. The all day rains and waiting for Verizon to set up our new service has aided in getting so much completed.

Next week will be a different story with the pretty weather I have several outdoor projects that will start up. Let's hope I'm able to knit during the evening. I'm also still playing with swatches for a couple of tank tops that I should start soon. My gauge has been awful...don't have a clue as to why that is. I may throw caution to the wind and knit as I have done before and cast on anyway. The Etrusca tank is on hold for a few weeks to allow for anymore pattern errors to show up. Angela emailed me with one this past week so I think I'll hold off for another couple of weeks before starting this one.

Progress

I'm making good progress on the Lace Ribbon Scarf (wrap in my case) that I'm doing as part of the Mosaic Maniacs KAL. I have modified the cast on from 53 sts. up to 108 stitches so that it will be wide enough to use as a wrap. At least it looks wide enough on the needles...so now I only have to worry if I'll have enough yarn for a nice length wrap. I have a backup plan if the worse happens...either buy more Blue Heron Egyptian Merc. Cotton or use my leftover stash of Handmaiden Sea Silk in Storm to edge both ends.

So far I've completed the 2 pattern repeats the KAL Moderator suggested we have done by the end of this week. My hope is to be several repeats into the wrap by the weekend. The pattern has been very easy to memorize and read as I work so it's going pretty quickly. I have not used a lifeline yet, but probably should add one now...better safe than sorry.

Casting On Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the start of the Lace Ribbon Scarf KAL with the Mosaic Maniacs on Raverly. As I mentioned a few days ago I'll be using the Blue Heron Eygtian Mercenized Cotton in a colorway called Leaf...very Springlike with greens, blues and a touch of yellow.

I've tried swatching to see how this is going to work with the pattern. First I tried out the Addi #2's which didn't really show the stitches as defined as I would have liked. So I moved up to my Harmony #4's...well I tried to until I broke the needle. Yes, that makes 2 Harmony #4's broken in a 2 week span. The first broken needle wasn't any doings of mine, but I can't say that about this mishap. I put my hand right down on top of it as I was answering my phone...then to compound the screwup no one was on the phone.

Rather than call Customer Service again I just tried using the superglue trick. I've tugged & twisted it and it appears to be fine. My guess is that it will be until I'm well into the project, then all will go "k-flooey". My DH thinks these are too fine with too many layers to be used in the way they are being used...screwed on the end of a cable in this case. He may be right...they are beautiful, just not very strong which is sad.

More Edge & Some Sock

Finally finished one of the sleeves on the Shaped Edge Sweater. I think it took longer to do that sleeve than it did to knit the front or back. I wonder why? I've been knitting on this for at least a week. Who know's it might be longer than that since it seems like it's taken forever. I have been really trying to clear out this last item so I can move on to some fun knits...just not working fast enough obviously.

The Edge is looking pretty good now that I have a sleeve to fit in with the back & front. One problem may be the sleeve length once I actually get to the point of putting this thing together. I didn't modify the length since I do have long arms, but this sleeve sure does looks loooong. I may have to roll them back and have a cuff if that happens...I will not rip an entire sleeve back just for length...that's crazy talk at this point.

Since this has taken so long I've been rethinking the order of other projects... maybe I should go ahead with some tank top patterns instead of the 2nd sleeve. Afterall, it's time for warm weather things! The 2nd sleeve hasn't been cast on so I won't worry about not remembering where I am in the pattern. Yep, I've talked myself right into it, next up will be one of the tank tops I'd like done before it gets too hot around here.

As for progress on our neighborhood 1st sock knitting group...I've gotten past the heel flap a week or 2 ago and am now waiting for the group to catch up. Since everyone else is only an inch or three into the cuff portion of their socks I just may go ahead and finish sock 1 and start the 2nd sock. I think I should be able to jump ahead and still have a sock to demonstrate the heel flap when they get to that point.

Then both of my socks will be done when I finish teaching everyone how knit socks. We may get together this weekend and see how everyone's is coming along with their knitting...maybe I'll be able to get some progress pictures to post.

Remember the 32

One year ago today the Virginia Tech Community was horrified by the actions of one individual. Words cannot express the deep sadness that I feel for those lost on this date one year ago. I hope that those left behind are able to find peace and know that the entire Hokie Nation grieves with them in the loss of their loved ones.

Please take a moment today to remember those lost on this one year anniversary of the shootings.

"Take time to remember the legacies, remember the dreams and remember the talent that our community has lost. I hope you are inspired to work harder to honor the 32. Share your talents with the world for the 32. Achieve your dreams for the 32. Be more compassionate, friendly and thoughtful for the 32. Be better, for the 32."

words spoken by SGA President Adeel Khan last August at the dedication of the permanent Memorial for the 32 lost on April 16th, 2007

Never Forget

Ross A. Alameddine

Christopher James Bishop
Brian R. Bluhm
Ryan Christopher Clark
Austin Michelle Cloyd
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Daniel Alejandro Perez Cueva
Kevin P. Granata
Matthew Gregory Gwaltney
Caitlin Millar Hammaren
Jeremy Michael Herbstritt
Rachael Elizabeth Hill
Emily Jane Hilscher
Jarrett Lee Lane
Matthew Joseph La Porte
Henry J. Lee
Liviu Librescu
G.V. Loganathan
Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan
Lauren Ashley McCain
Daniel Patrick O’Neil
Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz
Minal Hiralal Panchal
Erin Nicole Peterson
Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.
Julia Kathleen Pryde
Mary Karen Read
Reema Joseph Samaha
Waleed Mohamed Shaalan
Leslie Geraldine Sherman
Maxine Shelly Turner
Nicole Regina White

We Are Virginia Tech

We Will Pevail

Stash Busting...1 Year Later

I selected the yarn to use for the Mosaic Maniac's Lace Ribbon KAL...Blue Heron's Egyptian Mercenized Cotton...now there's a mouthful.

I bought this yarn over a year ago at Mosaic so this was a no brainer. I've been debating for the last few weeks what to do with it. I pulled it out and sit it on my desk to contemplate my choices...Mystic Lace Mystery KAL, Clapotis, or my own made up pattern. I decided that this was perfect for the pattern. Tonight I think I'll try to swatch a bit and see which needle gives the best look to the stitches.

I may even go nuts with the pattern and switch it up a bit by making it more wrap like than scarf. I have 1000 yds of yarn so I think I have enough to widen the scarf by casting on double the stitch count and knitting more repeats until I run out of yarn. Math may need to be used to figure this one out...oh no. More to come on this project which is to be cast on this Saturday.

Spring is for Growing...As in WIP's

How many WIP's can a person actively work on? I have no idea, but I'll be adding one more to my nightly knitting. The Mosaic Maniacs group on Ravelry is going to knit the Lace Ribbon Scarf from the Spring Knitty as a KAL starting next Saturday. I'm excited that I already have yarn in the stash...only have to decided between the koigu and the fleece artist.

Although I don't really have too many items on my needles at the moment. I've been swatching for a tank top...Soleil since last week. Currently at a stand still waiting for a needle replacement to arrive...more coming up about that problem. I find for the first time in a long time I've had difficulty obtaining the correct gauge for this tank which is 22 sts/33 rows. The yarn I love to use in the summer...Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in the color "Teddy Bear" usually knits at 5 stitches per inch on size 6 needles...which would be about 20 stitches over the 4 inch swatch.

I first started out using my Knit Picks Options size 6, then my Harmony Options size 5's. When I tried to use my 4's, however, there was a problem with one of my needles...the cable and the hub fell apart before I could attach the cable. What the heck was up with that? These were a gift from my oldest and had not been out of the package so I called Customer Service and a new needle has been shipped....Yeah! So the tank is on hold at the moment. I cannot figure out why I keep getting 16-18 stitches, but maybe it'll will all come together later this week.

Also working up a few other tanks...summer is coming and I live in tank tops. My other 2 projects are Chick Knits Cami with wide straps in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Nymph. The last pattern is a new pattern from Angela Hahn called Etrusca. Angela designed the Lutea Tank found in last Summer's Interweave Knits that I loved so much I knit 2 of them for myself. I'm going to try and use the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Harvest... stash busting on this one...the rest I had to buy.

I love all of these so I need to get busy and get the gauges correct so I can have something new to wear as the weather gets warmer.

Sunshiny Day for Summer Radiance

I'm not sure that 'sunshiny' is the proper use of the English Language, but it's fitting today. It has been quite a few days since the sun has shone as brightly as today. I took the opportunity to get a few pictures of Summer Radiance in natural light.

The darn thing is difficult to get a nice picture of due to its size, but I certainly tried numerous times. Don't you just love the digital camera! The full length size really does give an idea of how large the shawl is. If I were to do another shawl I might consider dropping charts 10-11 & maybe a portion of the fern leaf pattern...not sure it would work, but I'd prefer a shorter triangle if I were to keep & wear it.



The shorter length would allow me to wear it sideways rather than down the back. I don't really like the peak going down the middle of my back...yes, I'm one of those that thinks it makes me look/feel like an "old lady". Only my personnel preference and not a reflection of the original design which has been my obsession these last 2 months. I'm hoping that the intended receipient adores it as much as I do...

We'll see about that in a few weeks time...stay tuned!

WhooHoo I'm Done!

I have finished the lace test knit for Laura at Dragonwing Arts. She is calling her design Summer Radiance which is fitting since it has a few nature inspired elements...fern leaves is the first element to be knitted. The ferns plus a little "vine" started basically from the tip upwards through the first 9 charts. The section definitely reminds me of a maiden hair fern leaf.

My favorite section was towards the end (charts 12 through 14)...not because it was almost done, but I loved what appeared to be leaves marching two by two upwards. Those charts were very easily memorized and any error was quickly noticed...I loved that part. NO TINKING of frogging back to the life line for the entire 3 chart sequence...a first for me.

The worst section for me to knit was the last chart, but I think that my brain was still on sick leave and wasn't as focused as I could have been. It was this area where I made an error by forgetting to YO and I didn't catch on that the patterning on that particular element was a wee bit off. My decision to not rip back 3 rows is something I can live with...although I may try to correct it with some creative manipulation if it starts to bother me. Can anyone see the error?

Overall I thoughly enjoyed knitting lace...my first big lace project. Everything else has had small bits of lace thrown into the mix. Must have liked (loved) it since nothing else really was knitted on while this was underway.

Details:
Pattern: Summer Radiance Shawl designed by Laura of Dragonwing Arts

Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Indigo

Needles: Addi Lace size 5 on a 60" cable

Size: Unblocked- Top 64" Sides 62" Blocked- Top 64" Sides 62"


Once the sun comes back out...if it ever does I hope to do the shawl justice with a great photo of the blocked rendition.

More Problems

Woops I messed it up again...started to purl on the even row just like I was supposed to do only I didn't carry on until I had finished the entire row of 395 stitches. I do not remember when I switched to knitting. Thankfully I caught the error when I was 3/4's of the way through the row. I only had to tink back maybe 300 or so stitches...could have been worse.

Since that little mishap cost me 30 minutes of knitting, unknitting and then reknitting I didn't get much accomplished on finishing the darn project. My positive side thought I'd get through at least half of the chart before it got too late. Really need to pay attention tonight and see how it goes.


I also have been knitting on the sock for our neighborhood sock class...not pleased with the yarn & how it's knitting up. Maybe it's the 25% nylon content, but the sock looks way to big. I'm using size 2 needles and a basic sock pattern I've used quite a few times with great sucess. I think I will switch down to #1's when I get to the heel and finish off with those. The patterning is looking nice...hopefully I can get a match when I start the second sock .

The yarn is Chicago from Wisdom Yarns...75% superwash wool and 25% polyamide. The color is 232: navy, light blue, white, a odd pink (flesh color) and a tan. The pattern moves from stripes to stripes with a blotch of color resembling blocks as you knit around. I like the patterning just not happy with the feel of this sock. Maybe it will impove...but if not it's a class sock for demo purposes.

The End is so Close

The end of a test knitting project is so close...don't want to jink myself just yet. Only 20 or so rows left on this lace project. I have not counted the number because I tend to mess up when I know I'm about to finish. I guess I get too excited and make stupid errors...like last night.

I was moving right along thinking ahead to how many rows I could finish before bedtime. Then I get to the end of the first row of the last chart and I have 6 stitches left rather than the 5 I was expecting. I went back to the start of the row and started counting and double checking...yep I messed up on the 3rd repeat of almost 20 repeats of the pattern. You'd think that by now I'd be really conscious of how to do a proper sl1-k2tog-psso now wouldn't you...the pattern has had a ton of them. For unknown reasons I decided that I should do sl1-k1-psso. Why you ask? I have NO IDEA except to drive me up one wall and down the otherside. I had to tink back well over half of 400 stitches of merino lace to fix the stitch and re-knit back to the end of row 383. I continued on and completed a few more rows before I decided it was time to sleep. Maybe I'll get alot more done tonight when I sit down to knit.

I'm looking forward to finishing this week..pics to be posted once the designer gives her permission.

Knitting Their First Socks

Finally my cold has abated and I feel more myself. Sunday we had our sock knitting class since the "teacher" was actually upright and conscious. Four friends dropped in for the party, I mean class...three wanna be sock knitters and one scarf knitter who wanted to be in on the fun part of talking just not the sock learning part.

Not sure what everyone expected out of the lesson and I hope they are not dissappointed in the progress made in a couple of hours. The socks did get cast on and placed in the round which was the hardest part for all. The size of the needles and the newness of knitting with 4 needles was a tad bit overwelming in the beginning for everyone. Not to mention how hard it can be to concentrate when you'd rather be talking with everyone else. In the end the 3 wanna be sock knitters have their socks cast on, joined in the round and a few rows of k2p2 done. The scarf knitter got a few rows on her scarf done. A whole lot of talking and laughing went on along with some drinking...tea of course.

Their homework is to complete the 2 inches of ribbing and then start the stockinette for the next 5 inches. We'll get together next Sunday and see how everyone's progress has been. Who know's maybe we'll be able to start the heel & get some pictures of the progress!

Stupid Cold

Well wouldn't you know that I'd miss out of something fun while I was laying on the sofa with a box of Kleenex and a blanket. We were all set up to have a little "tutorial" on sock knitting amongst the neighbors when I busted the plans all to pieces by getting the cold of all colds.

I never get to a point when I have a cold that I feel the absolute requirement to lay down...except for this one. I cannot remember the last time a cold knocked me on my butt. My DH couldn't either...he kept saying things like 'gee you look like hell' and then he'd ask 'wanna go get a sub so you can get out of the house'. Why on earth would I want to leave the house if I looked as bad as he said ...I know I felt that bad. So the neighbors got together and knitted without me.

I think that was the worst thing about the whole weekend...I did not knit one single stitch for 3 whole days/nights. My head wanted no part to picking up the needles...hard to watch TV without the sticks I must say. What did I ever do before I discovered knitting? My neighbors learned a few new things from their knitting party...one learned how to do a yarnover, then another showed the wonders of a life line to save their knitting from the frog pond. Sorry I missed the whole thing...looking forward to our next "tutorial".

New Yarn Pics & Possible Project Matches

Not much new on the knitting front due to amazingly not knitting for the last 5 days! A new record for me that I had no choice but to accept due to sickness. I always knit, every night, no exceptions....according to my DH I'm obsessed with my knitting and I guess I am. I just can longer watch TV without needles...it feels weird these last several days having all this time and cannot knit. I'm much better today and hope to feel up to a bit of knitting later.

So today I'm going to post some pictures of recent yarn purchases over the last few weeks. The Brown Sheep Cottton Fleece's Nymph will be used for one of Chicknits patterns called the ChicKami. I'm going to do the wide strap vesion and hope to start in the next 2 weeks so I can actually wear it during the war weather.




The Rowan Felted Tweed is beautiful...feels soft to the touch and the color is a very rich red with flecks of blues & pinks. I'm planning on doing the sweater in Rowan's Magazine #28 called Martha. Since there isn't much need for a sweater at the moment this one is on the back burner until a few other projects are completed. I could have waited, but there was a sale at the time and you just never know when the color will not be there when the mood strikes.


The Frog Tree Chunky Alpaca is just so soft! I discovered this yarn last fall, but didn't buy at the time. Then I saw a beautiful ruffled edge scarf at Mosaic made by D....I wanted the yarn bad. of course the dreaded "we've sold it all" wasn't what I wanted to hear. This past week I was in luck....lots of yarn in stock. I bought enough for the scarf, a hat, & maybe mittens. I'll be ready for Hokie football this fall!



Last but not least the Prism Lace Wool...just gorgeous. I'm leaning towards the a wrap in knitty called Jeanie or maybe a better choice would be Muir since the Prism is lace weight. Once I finish my current lace project one of these will be started. That's about it for future works at the moment....just need to feel well enough that my eyes can see the knitting!

More Yarn...

In about a week's time I have once again bought new yarn for the stash. Actually less than a week...first the Yarn Lounge 3rd year birthday sale. As mentioned before I did buy yarn that I wasn't actually seeking, but fell for once I saw the sweater all knit up. At least it all was on sale. No excuse for buying yarn on my trip to Blacksburg's Mosaic. I was only going to look and possibly buy yarn for the Purl Jam event in June. D mentioned that G was ordering all the colors so you'd think that would squelch the urge...no the need to buy anything. However in my defense they had more of the Frog Tree 100% alpaca in bulky weight...in HOKIE colors that I fell in love with last fall. It seems that the company dyed up a batch in chicago maroon & burnt orange last year after the tragedy. So now I have a ruffled edge scarf in the works thanks to D's help. That wasn't the end of the yarn purchases though because I also discovered some Prism Lace Wool in Alpine. The skein has over 1400 yds so who could resist...not me anyway. Now I'm on a "yarn diet" until the Purl Jam event. I don't need anymore because it's not likely that I will run out of projects in the next several months. Let's see how it goes...

The Edge Update

The Shaped Edge Sweater is coming along...fairly slowly since my lace addiction is a fever pitch at the moment. Over the last couple of days I had more time with the Edge since the designer was looking over her lace pattern for the error.

I actually took the sweater on our recent ski trip thinking it was the easiest project for "mindless" knitting. Alot did get done once I sat...rather stretched out on the bed for knitting time. By the time dinner was done and coffee time was over I didn't have much time to knit before crashing. I did get the front done up to the decreasing for the sleeves...I only added about a quarter to half inch to the length. The pattern called for 13" before starting the decreases, but I thought I'd like it a touch longer & since I needed to end on row 1 I added another repeat.

A night or so ago I finished up the decreases up to the top...the k1p1 knitting is rather mindless, but it's going well and I don't find it the least bit boring. I'm increasing my speed with the process and hope to have this project completed before too much longer. If I can stay away from the lace consuming all my brain power.

I've even cast on for the back and have about 2 inches done on that so it's moving right along. It won't get any wear until fall unless the weather suddenly turns cold again, but I'm loving the feel of this yarn , Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran.

Of course yesterday a friend and I paid The Yarn Lounge a visit on their third birthday celebration. A 20 % off sale is hard to pass up and of course I bought more than I had originally planned. I wanted to order some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in the color Rue, but didn't like the color compared to the Nymph already in stock. I did, however order a neutral color called Teddy Bear which is a nice shade warm shade of kahki for one of Chick Knits patterns called Aleita Shell...in the new Interweave Spring 2008 . I even bought enough Rowan Felted Tweed in Rage for a sweater that was on display...Martha from Rowan 28. The texure of the sweater is what I was attracted to...I hope I'm up to the challenge of actually pulling this one off.

Once again my eyes are surpassing what my hands can possibly do in any reasonable amount of time, but then again I love having several projects going at a time. For some reason I have never figured out I seem to finish them all within days of one another which is pretty cool.

All Signed Up

Yes, I am all signed up for Purl Jam 2008! Really looking forward to attending the weekend in Blacksburg. It will be the first time taking an official class...I hope I don't embarass myself.

I'm taking a couple of classes with Annie Modesitt (Knitting with Color, Tips & Tricks) and a few with Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton (Finishing Techniques, Herringbone Block, and Swedish Socks). I so hope that by learning something about the Swedish Sock I can rescue Her Ski Socks and maybe even His Ski Socks. The ski socks just did not work out at all...to loose around the ankles & foot for skiing. Too much risk for blisters & rubbing in areas while skiing which would not have helped our ski trip.

As for the other classes...all seem to be things I need more instruction on. I'm not very comfortable finishing up seams, etc always nervous and fearful that I will mess of the knitting and not wear the item. My Mermaid turned out well, but I'm still not anywhere near comfortable seamibg up sweaters. Now I just need to stay out of yarn shops and save some cash for the event!

"Froggin is Knittin"...right?

Joined another group....mysticlightKAL. I had to since I have the recommended yarn in the stash so no reason not to, right? Ever since I started a lace test knit I seem to be drawn to lace projects. They seem to want to drive me crazy once they suck me into the vortex, but I do enjoy the challenge.

My current lace project is now in standby mode...found a glitch and now the designer is looking through her charts to see how far back I need to rip. It's a weird problem that didn't show up until I started a chart at least 40 rows past...what the heck could it be? The pattern sure looked great...the YO and chains all lined up perfect, until chart 10. Then the numbers went to pot and I could not figure out what my problem was...thought I was going crazy since everything lined up so well. Finally decided the pattern had to be off somehow. It will be gorgeous when it's done however this turns out..."froggin is knittin" is the motto around here anyway.

Nothing to See Here

Well I can't say a whole lot of anything got done this week. Between my 2 daily projects the lace has taken over most of my knitting time. The darn thing is in my head so bad I cannot stop knitting on it...even reknitting parts. It has gotten a wee bit frustrating over the last couple of days. It seems like the more "comfortable" I get with the pattern, the more the pattern is out to smack me down. The "weauxf gods of knitting" have taken me out more than once on this project.

The funny thing is that it seems to occur about the time I count how many rows I have left on the current chart. I haven't paid much attention to how many rows are in a given chart. When I do count the rows about halfway though, I get pretty excited to be almost done with another chart, then the weuxf gods decide "ooooo gotta smack her silly and make her tink back a row or 4" just as soon as I have 2 rows left.

It has taken over 2 hours to fix my error of a dropped stitch...a simple drop would have been quick. Nooooo, I had a bigger problem of fixing 'sl 1, k2tog, psso' which ended up down 2 rows from were it should have been. Once that unwound itsef I could not get back in pattern without ripping past the error & starting again.

I tell you what I am stopping all counting of rows...from now until completion I will only move the marker up one more row. The weaxf gods are not going to get me again....on to chart 8 of 15!

Progress on the Knitting Front

Progress is being made on a test knit for Laura at Dragonwingarts. I'm up to chart 5 of 15 so I'm almost 1/3 finished with the shawl. I'm still enjoying the knitting even through some boneheaded mistakes on my part. You would think that counting would be easy at my age wouldn't you? Evidently 8 is too large a number for me to knit & count at the same time. Might have to count out loud as I knit the stitches...that'll drive DH crazy won't it?

The Edge sweater is also coming along. I'm up to the armpits & starting the decreasing for those. The front really should be done by midweek and I'll post pics when there's more to show. I'm thinking the sweater will not be worn this season unless March gets really cold. No need to be much in a rush to finish I don't reckon.

I really like the shape of the sweater. The diagonal 'shaping' looks to be very flattering...I hope so anyway.

A Do Nothing Day

Today is one of the rare "do nothing" kind of days. With the light coat of ice & dreary day predicted I decided to get all my work done early so I could knit ALL DAY. I have actually done a small bit of tidying & laundry...there's always laundry.

I am knitting on a lace test pattern for Laura at Dragonwingarts. So far I am enjoying the heck out of the project. Lace knitting projects have been few for me so as part of the Knitting Fearlessly I decided I really need to do more "difficult" or intense projects. I don't find this one difficult, but I do need to pay close attention to my "psso" areas of the chart. I have missed a couple of these and of course I don't realize this until I'm on the purl row. Which is a bit annoying , but it is knitting...even if it is backwards!

I'm using a yarn, Malabrigo Lace in Indigo, that I have not used before. It's a wonderful blue colorway that has some lights & dark playing off one another. I think it's going to show off Laura's pattern well. I'll post pictures once I'm done with the knitting & Laura says it's okay to do. I must get back to the lace...it's gotten into my brain some kind of bad. I reckon that's a good sign, right?

Excitement & Expectation...maybe

When I realized that I was down to only 2 projects (Her Ski socks and 1/2 a Monkey sock) I decided I needed to cast on at least 2 more projects. I've gotten used to having multiple projects to work on during the evening hours. TV just is not interesting now that football is done unless my needles are in hand.

There are times I feel like having an intense, pay attention to type of work and then there are those evenings that the brain is shot (or body) and I want the so called "mindless project". A couple of nights ago I cast on the Edge Shapped Sweater from Out of Town by Debbie Bliss. I first saw this sweater knit up at one of my all time favorite yarn shops, Mosaic, in Blacksburg back in December. The owner, Gina, was kind enough to track down whose pattern it was and order the book for me. I bought the yarn, Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran in a charcoal gray color, at Mosaic around Christmas and now that all the projects that had been hanging around are done it's time to get busy with the sweater.

If I am lucky maybe I can get this done in a couple of weeks. So far the knitting is fairly simple 4 row repeat so I cannot say that the mind is being taxed to the limit. I must say though that the excitement of casting on a new project makes me very happy. I'm keeping the expectations in check, but so far the yarn is behaving well and feels yummy in my hands.

Whitby's are Done!

Wooohooo...another finished object complete and ready to wear. I finally completed my Whitby Socks in Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush on Saturday.

For some reason the brain stopped working between the leg & heel gussets and I dropped a stitch somewhere along the way. The sad thing was I did not realize this until I had about 3 inches left before the toe decreases. Why oh why does this always seem to happen as soon as I say out loud no less to my DH that "I'll finish these tonight". Tempted the knitting gods with that comment because as I was saying this and putting the sock on to see how much longer it needed I noticed the loose stitch on the gussett. As I was trying to see if I could just tack thing 'tighter' rather than rip back it became quite obvious that I was indeed screwed beyond hope...there was a dangling stitch just sitting there and no way to get it back.

I decided to sleep on the "problem" overnight and tackle during the daylight hours. The solution was to frog back to the LEG for goodness sake and start again paying attention to every stitch. It took a few hours to get back to where I was the night before, but once back on track the sock had no other events happen to it. I love the yarn and the feel of these socks. At first I was worried the cables would be felt when a shoe was on the foot, but this is not the case at all.

Details:
Pattern: Whitby in Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush

Yarn:Pagewood Farm Hand Dyed Sock Yarn, fiber content: 70% merino, 20% bamboo, 10% nylon, color: reds

Needles: Latern Moon sox stix, size 2

Finished Size: Woman's size 9

Modifications: I cast on 8 extra sts to insure a nice fit around leg & foot since my foot is about an inch larger the suggested finished size of 7 1/2 inches. I adjusted the gussetts as well to maintain 17 stitches on needles 1 and 3 to get the size needed down the foot.

Decreased down to 4 sts per needle, continued knitting the last 4 stitches to the end of needle 4. Then I used the kitchener stitch to close the toe rather than the suggested method.

Here, There & Everywhere Cables

Wow was this scarf fun to knit up. The pattern is so simple, but looks way more complicated with the way the cables run on both sides. I love that the most...no matter how you put the scarf around your neck the cables are right there showing off with no "right side" or "wrong side".


The yarn is fantastic...super soft and feels so nice & warm as you knit it up. I wish we'd get some more cold weather around here so I can truly enjoy the scarf this season. I know it will be a much worn scarf during the next football season. I'm thinking a set of mittens to go with the scarf could make great use of the last skein in the stash...maybe I can score some Hokie Orange malabrigo to go with the red mahognay. My DH likes to claim it's purple which it is not...definitely maroon which is why I chose this colorway.


The details of this project:
Pattern: Here & There Cabled Scarf by Nora Gaughan as found in Scarf Style

Yarn: Malabrigo, colorway red mahogany, 2 3/4 skeins

Needles: 24 inch Knit Picks Options, size 7

Finished size: Length 75 inches with a width of 5 1/2 inches

Modifications to original: CO 54 stitches for a narrower scarf. The original stitch pattern was kept the same & continued until I felt the length was long enough. I did block the scarf using my current favorite wash, Soak, as suggestioned to open up the interplay of the cables. I'm happy with the results.

Retro Rib Socks

Finally done, I cannot believe it has taken over 6 months to finish the darn things. I started way back in the summer doing these socks. I don't really remember what I started to do rather than finish up a set of socks when the 2nd one was complete to the heel for goodness sake. I do remember that the ribbing on these drove me nuts...easily memorized, but went on and on.

I so love the yarn for this project... the Jitterbug yarn feels so nice on the feet. Project details are:

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks in Favorite Socks by Evelyn Clark

Yarn: Jitterbug by Colinette in the Castagna coloway

Needles: Clover Bamboo, size 1

Size: Woman's medium, size 9

Now on to the Whitby's.....

The Ella Shawl

The Ella has been blocked and is now dry. The shawl turned out beautiful in the Handmaiden Sea Silk...only one regret and that is in the overall size. I modified the pattern by dropping down a few needle sizes due to using the much finer sea silk rather than the called for Lady Godiva. I so wanted to use the Sea Silk, but the large needle size of 10 was much too large for the yarn. I chose to switch to a size 5's which did show the stitch pattern very nicely.

As I was in the process of knitting the pattern I did consider adding some rows to the overall pattern to make up for the needle size, but decided it would be large enough for the way I would use it. Now I'm thinking a tad bit wider/longer may have been a more wise decision.

Now on to the details:

Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk - 2 skeins

Pattern: Ella by Wendy Wonnacott

Needles: 47" Addi Lace Turbo, size 5

Finished size: 35 inches from the outer tip to the center bottom edge, panel widths are 13 inches

I have been draping this around me during the evening and it feels very nice against my skin. I was surprised at the warmth of such a light shawl...it will be a much used item in the cool evenings out and about.

Ella is Finally Done

I finally sat myself down and finished up Ella. The sad thing was the short amount of time it took to complete. It only involved 2 evenings of knitting time to finish the darn thing. I wish I'd known how close to being finished I had been... it would have been nice to have this completed in October of 2007 rather than Feburary of 2008. Oh well...what is done is DONE!

Today the shawl got a bath in Citrus Soak. It's now in the process of being blocked. I'll post pictures & details once it has totally dried.

On the Needles

I was asked "just how many projects are you working on." The funny thing was I didn't know exactly the TOTAL number...I work on about 5 routinely, but have a few more just sitting in their bags. I decided it was time to count them out so here you go:

Monkey Socks in Fleece Artist
1 sock complete, other sock frogged due to "gauge issues" I need to recast this one and get busy because I love the feel of these socks...too bad the colors are fall. Missed that season didn't I?


Branching Out Scarf using the recommended yarn, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a nice green tone. I'm not 'in love' with this and I'm only about 10 inches along...may need to frog this one.


Retro Rib Socks found in Favorite Socks by Evelyn A. Clark using Jitterbug.
One sock completed, the other sock is down to the foot section with about 3-4 inches to completion. These need to be completed! I've left them far to long sitting in the bag. I'm taking these on the ski trip so I can get them done.


Ella in Handmaiden Sea Silk in the ocean colorway.
I love this wrap...it's been hibernating since October so it also needs a resurrection.

The other projects are: Here and There Scarf, Her Ski Socks (my own pattern), and the Whitby Socks. I've been working on these daily so I know that these will be complete soon. So a total of 7 on the needle projects...no too bad since 3 are being worked on and should be competed in less than a week. Nice to see the list written down..now time to knit!

A New Yarn Adventure

My friend, B and I went out to Holly Springs Yarn Shop today for the first time. A very nice shop with friendly people. We enjoyed our trip out to the "country" which isn't all that far out in my eyes. I love to drive doesn't matter how "far out" it may be I'm game to go.

Of course I bought yarn....I always do...a sickness is all I have to say about it. Sock yarn can never count as 'stash' in my opinion. I bought some of Kathy's Scarlet Fleece it's Tubular X2 in persimmon. Already been wound and ready to start a pair of socks...a very Hokie feeling colorway!

The other two skeins were from Wisdom Yarns in Chicago and Boston. I loved the socks done up with the different patterns...know nothing about this yarn, but could not resist the patterning. The two different skeins will pattern out differently- one stripes (Boston) the other with stripes and splashes (Chicago). I'm looking forward to seeing how these work up.

Her Ski Socks

I started on Her Ski socks...don't think I'll have the pair complete before the ski trip, but I may get lucky. I'm trying out Grumperina's "pretty way" of picking up the gussett stitches. I do like the look although not easily seen with the yarn I'm using for the socks. A nice & easy technique for picking up the stitches. The gussett area seems flater...important in a ski sock to have no rubbing inside your boot.

Pattern: standard ribbed K3P2 pattern from cast on of 60 stitches

Yarn: Jo Sharp DK Wool in owl for the cuffs and brocade for the leg/foot.

Needles: size 4 Clover Bamboo

The heel is ribbed as well due to problems I have had in past ski socks...the ankle area sags. I did a slip stitch k1 to the end on the right side, then purled the wrong side.

Shaped Edge Sweater

I started to swatch for the Shaped Edge Sweater from Out of Town by Debbie Bliss. I'd really like to get started and hopefully finish before the Spring weather comes...yeah I know that's not going to happen, but I'd like to. I should have started last month when I got the pattern book from Mosaic

Looking forward to working on this though. I'm using Sublime rather than the called for DB Cashmerino Aran...kind of glad the shop didn't have enough stock of the color I wanted to use in the DB after reading comments on Raverly and other sites regarding it's pilling problem. The Sublime feels very similar to the DB Cashmerino Aran which is the one thing I loved about the sweater- the softness. In the "granite" colorway...better get busy!

Corkscrew Scarf

Corkscrew Scarf
Originally uploaded by cindiknits2

Pattern: Teva Durham's Loop-d-loop Corkscrew Scarf

Needles: Clover Bamboo size 8

Yarn: Artful Yarns Broadway, 1 skein (101 yds per 50 gram skein), color- chorus line.

Jo Sharp's Alpaca Kid Lustre, #852, 1 skein (121 yds per 50 gram skein)

Also used 1 skein of Unknown yarn that was similar in color, but had extra loops of yarn throughout the skein.

My friend originally bought the skein of broadway and the unknown skein at the LYS to do this scarf, but never started. She 'gifted' the skeins to me to get the stash levels down in her home. I decided that if I could get a hold of the book I'd do the scarf for her. The local library had a copy on the shelves...the knitting only took a day or so. I enjoyed knitting the scarf and only wish I'd had more yarn to make it longer.

More Malabrigo

Beautiful day today...exchanged some Malabrigo in the blue colorway for more Red Mahogany for my Here and There Cabled Scarf . The red is just working so well I knew I would not do anything with the blue so why not return it for someone else to enjoy. I'm enjoying working on the scarf even though it seems to be progressing slowly. I'd like to get this finished in time for a ski trip in another 10 days. I'll see how much time I have for knitting during the DAY...oh nooo.

I also could not resist the Malabrigo Lace in a deep blue (indigo) rather than the light blue ice currently in the stash. Maybe I should see about another exchange...for now that's about it. If I'm going to get my "work" done I'd better get to it.

A New Look for the New Year

It's a New Year and I thought I'd play with the look of the blog and add a few new features. Maybe it will help me to update the blog more than in the past. We shall see how it goes.

I do love the flickr badge...so easy to do who knew? My plan for knitting in 2008 is more socks...my current addiction. I also need to finish Ella...almost was done in the fall until I had the worst thing happen. I picked up the knitting in the WRONG place and out fell the needle. As you know if YO's are involved a mess will insue...it took several hours of frogging back and picking up what stitches I could, then tinking until everything was back onto the needles correctly. I have not knit on it since, but the time has come to finish up.



I did finish my oldest project, YEAH!! My husband's blanket that had been started last March and finally finished last weekend. My only regret is that I now know how to spit splice...why did I not know to felt two strands together? So when I see the areas I added another skein I kind of cringe...the spit splice dissapears so nicely. Another lesson learned.



I'll be test knitting another lace project for Dragonwing Arts...will start next week using some Malabrigo Lace in the stash. I also have the yarn needed to do Debbie Bliss's Shaped Edge Sweater...using Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran in granite. I hope to swatch and get started on this one soon. It always seem as if I have more 'projects' than I have the time to knit them all, BUT I can try to can't I?

Holiday Recap

First post of the New Year...a recap of FO's for the 2007:

5 small (2.5") knitted Christmas ornaments

4 large (4") knitted Christmas ornaments

7 pairs of socks

2 felted handbags

2 lace shawls

2 scarfs

4 hats

1 pair mittens

1 pair felted clogs

3 calorimetry headbands

1 Mermaid Jacket

I guess that's not too bad since I think of myself as a process rather than product knitter. I'm most pleased with the Mermaid...by far the most intense knitting done to date. Not that it was hard just that I had difficulty wrapping my brain around the pattern instructions. Once I started writting out the pattern by row things moved very well...I could check off the row and keep track of all the "at the same time" instructions HF gives in her pattern. I was much happier and relaxed with the knitting and the final product fits beautifully. It's back on the 2008 list for my Mom...need to find the right colors of yarn.

Still finishing up another Koolhaas Hat for youngest...he thinks the original is too big. This one has only 96 sts CO and knit on US size 6 and 7's...also shortened the height by one repeat, doing only 4 pattern repeats. I hope to finish by Saturday in time for his return home.

Need to pick out projects for upcoming ski trip...thinking socks would be the easiest. H's blanket is just too large to trek to the Mountains!

The List

OK- now that it is a week until Christmas it is time to revisit the list from last month: with the updates marked:

LIST
2 (or 3) pairs of socks (Waving Lace 75% done with pair, just turned the heel on sock #2)
multidirectional scarf- DONE
2 hats- double layered- DONE
felted slippers- DONE
3 to 6 ornaments- DONE
1 or 2 sets of Fetching
felted handbag- DONE
lace shawl- DONE
Hokie Koolhaas Hat- DONE
2 Calorimetry's- DONE
1 pr Monkey Socks- DONE

Well, it's not looking too bad- still working on a pair of socks so only one pair will be completed rather than the 2 (or 3- what was I thinking). The 1 or 2 sets of Fetching will NOT get done...oh well Birthdays are in February so those can be put off until then, can't they? I'm feeling pretty good although my husband's ski socks are just 50% done...ski trip is the 2nd week of January so he'll still have them in time for the second sock. I would have been able to complete the pair, BUT I had to frog the first sock when it was WAY to large in the ankle area.

I have added 3 more ornaments to have done by Christmas AM....that is it. Back to the sock..gotta finish that by Friday.

42 Days...Oh Nooo

OK, we have less than 45 days (42?!!) until Christmas and I need to access my list of WIP's vs FO's. I may need to adjust my mindset just a smidge. I have 2+ pairs of socks to finish- hard to finish when they aren't even on the needles now isn't it? Anyway, I need to get crakin' on those! A pair of felted slippers to get done, another hat or 2 and some cool ornaments knitted out of left over sock yarn (Vogue Knitting).

A multidirectional scarf is 50% done and will be completed in another night or 222.... I need a new handbag to match my Hanne Mermaid, but it will need to wait until all the others are DONE. Must get a move on all of this now.

LIST

2 (or 3) pairs of socks

multidirectional scarf

2 hats- double layered

felted slippers

3 to 6 ornaments

1 or 2 sets of Fetching

felted handbag- DONE

lace shawl- DONE

Hokie Koolhaas Hat- DONE

2 Calorimetry's- DONE

1 pr Monkey Socks- DONE

Calorimetry

Oops- forgot all about the Calorimetry I completed in 4 HOURS! Talk about instant gratification! I started it Halloween night before the Trick or Treaters so I'd have something to do that did not require concentration, counting and all the repeated interuptions would not create problems. This was the perfect project and fit all the criteria one the intial CO was complete.

It's a tad bit large for me.... I think if I had more hair (long and full vs short short) it would be just fine. Doesn't matter really since I'm planning on it be a gift anyway, but I wanted to see the 'full effect' and it just doesn't work well with the short cut. Maybe I'll do another on smaller needles and fewer stitches.

The details were:

Pattern: Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf

Yarn: Filatura di Crossa 127 Print , color #41

Needles: size 8 Knit Picks Options

Finished size: 17" long, 7 1/2" wide at it's widest point

Koolhaas

Another FO! I finished the Koolhaas Hat last night...thrilled with how it came out. Love how the yarn feels- so soft and warm.

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jared Flood found in the IK Holiday Gifts Magazine.

Yarn: knitpicks options ,size 6 & 8 knitpicks options on 24" cables and one med sized cable needle

Finished size: 8" tall and 8 1/2" across (at it's widest point)

Now we will see how the person it is intended for likes it- could be a gift that gets regifted? Back to me I hope!

Koolhaus Part I

Started another new project over the weekend- Koolhaas Hat designed by Jared Flood of brooklyntweed. The pattern is in the Interweave Knits Holiday Gift magazine that just hit the newstands. I have enjoyed the pattern once I got through the initial fits of getting the cable technique down for only one stitch.

A tad bit difficult at the start to keep up with the movement between front, back then front when there is only one stitch involved- I did get into a rhythm after one repeat. The yarn is very soft and is working out well- even though it's not worsted. I'm using Berroco's Soft Merino in a burnt orange color.

I hope to be done in another day or so- on the last repeat before the shaping of the crown. Who knows maybe I'll get that far tonight and finish the darn thing....another present almost complete!

Arrowhead Lace Shawl

Another finished object! It's destined to be a present so I'm on a roll just in time for the Christmas Season. It's an Arrowhead Lace Shawl designed by DragonWing Arts. It was a test knit of her new pattern which can be found on her site. It worked up very well- easy to memorize and knit up nicely using Malabrigo's Stonechat- 2 1/2 skeins.

My biggest problem with the pattern was lack of attention to doing each & every yo indicated. Even worse was the times I added one where one wasn't indicated. Of course it was while I was watching football games that this would occur so I must remember to only knit very simple socks until the Bowl Games are done for the season!

Pattern: Arrowhead Lace Shawl

Yarn: Malabrigo's Stonechat from The Yarn Lounge

Needle: Addi Turbo size 10 US circs, 40" long

Finished size: 57" across top, 44" from top edge to bottom point

Modified Coco Bag

My new modified Coco handbag is almost dry & ready for photography- finally. It had in fact dried once, but after putting in the gromments and rings it just didn't look or feel felted tight enough. So back to the hot water. Almost dry so tomorrow it can all be put together and photographed.

I have finished half of my Emma shawl- it's looking a bit smaller than planned, but once it is blocked it should be a bit longer. I just hope it will be as long as I need it to be...don't want to feel like I "wasted" my Handmaiden Sea Silk!

Quick Knit

I do love a quick knit! I started a new handbag on Sept 29 and finished the knitting on Oct 2nd- a new record to be sure. Don't ya just love size 13 needles!! I used the Little Coco bag pattern and modified it rather heavily to get the shape I wanted- added to CO sts & rows until it "looked right". I also added a flap by PU sts and decreasing evenly to get a triangular shape. The flap has a buttonhole & really cool handmade button keep it closed.

I had wanted to use some handbag handles rather than icord, but the bag ended up larger than my brain intended so I had to knit up some icord for the handles. Pics to follow once everything is dried from the felting....the shape looks terrific & I love the flap.

One Christmas present down and ready for more!

The Finished Mermaid

Last night I finished my Mermaid Jacket! I started it on July 19th and completed Sept 25th which was too bad considering all the questions I had in the beginning. It fits very nicely- flares off the hips and nips in at the waist. I am so pleased that I was able to complete this and have it fit so nice. I had some doubts I must say at the beginning- it isn't "just garter stitch" I can tell you that!

OK- now some measeurement details:

sleeves: top of left sleeve: 24 1/4 inches

underside of left sleeve: 16 inches

top of right sleeve: 24 inches

underside of right sleeve: 16 inches

shoulder seam: right side to bottom edge: 25 inches

left side to bottom: 25 inches

back center line: 25 inches

The jacket has been washed, blocked and is now drying. Let's hope the sleeves haven't grown while wet!

Hokie Monkeys

Yeah! I have finished the Monkey Socks in Claudia Hand Painted "Hokies" yarn before the next VT Game! Maybe this is a good luck sign......They are now soaking in their vinegar bath to stop the bleeding. My left hand is still red from the yarn...at least you know how I hold my knitting!

Now back to the Mermaid sleeve that I stopped a couple of weeks back because I needed color...the black was getting to me, lol. I hope to finish these sleeves by then end of the month, maybe.

The Body...now on to the Sleeves

Mermaid body is now totally completed- the icord bind off did work as planned and looks very good from both sides. I'm happy with the end results. I started one of the sleeves last night- kind of stuck trying to determine what Hanne means on her increases after Ridge 6. There is already an increase going on for 11 repeats when she talks about doing another for 8 repreats? Confusion reigns again-

Picture of the body to follow later.....

Mermaid Body

More pictures of the mermaid body!

The Body of Mermaid

I'm done with the body of my Mermaid, well not totally true. I still have to finish the shoulder seams, attach the collar and complete the i-cord bind off all the way around the front edge. I so hope that works as planned.

Then on to the sleeves- I haven't finished writing out those directions yet. I've gotten stuck and actually need to knit up to that point to see if I can figure out what's next. A bit of confusion as to how many & what kind of increase Hanne is talking about after the 6th ridge. I'm heading to the Burg next week so I hope to be at least to there and ask D (or someone) there what's up with that section of increases.

Happy Knitting

Still knitting happily (for the most part anyway) on my Mermaid. I'm actually moving along pretty quickly. I'll finish the 2nd underarm gusset tonight- provided no frogging or stupidity happens- which really could occur.

My last picture was actually done before I finished the back- need to get the batteries charged and new shots done soon!

I'm pleased that it actually is looking like the photo and has become much easiler to knit. That has been the most difficult thing- to get an idea of how Hanne F. writes her pattern directions. I've figured the darn thing out and hope to finish the body by next weekend, maybe....Of course then I have to do the sleeves, they have to be the SAME, then I have to block & put the thing all together.

Joy will occur when that last stage happens- cannot wait!

Mermaid has Arrived

After much longing I received a Hanne Falkenberg kit (Mermaid). An early Christmas present from Mom- Yeah! I have loved this 'jacket' for quite sometime and I finally have it. Of course I wanted to start knitting immediately....after swatching...getting gauge...reading through the directions....re-reading several times OUT LOUD for goodness sakes!

What the heck is up with these directions...unlike any others for sure. Too many "at the same times" for my comfort. I did some reseach & found a Hanne KAL http://hannealong.blogspot.com/ that I joined for the help I knew I'd need since my LYS isn't exactly close. I started not with the recommended i-cord, but did a provisional cast on per members of the KAL. So far so good, but I've stopped at the striping due to fear of not putting the decreases in the right spot. Waiting on the experts that have gotten thru the process before I continue forth- don't want to frog this yarn too much, lol.

I think I'll work on my Lutea Lace Tank for a bit until I'm sure of what to do with these decreases.

The Plan...or Lack Thereof

OK, I've got this blog thing just to keep the knitting sane, but I never seem to sit down long enough to write anything on it's pages. Several knitting projects are complete so for the week I'm going to seriously consider getting them all up caught up on this here blog. Yep, that's the plan...I'm serious!