2013 Planning

No new projects to show off as I have taken a break from knitting for the last four days--who knew that was possible?  Oddly, or not so oddly, I have been acquiring yarn at the speed of light, daydreaming about the projects to come in 2013.  Just recently, I picked up a lot of 220 in Yakima Heather for a planned Tea with Jam & Bread for Phillip.  I had been going back and forth on it for a while, mainly because the pattern seems so expensive but when I realized that I would be able to make a male size for him and a womanly size for me, it really eased my decision.  I should be casting on Phillip's in the coming day or two. 

I recently picked up skeins of Berroco Vintage Chunky (Cracked Pepper) for my own version of the Crisp and Gray Vest by Veera Valimaki.. I have used Vintage many, many times but never the chunky version.  I am looking forward to it despite hearing the pattern is rather confusing.

I also picked up skeins of Malabrigo Sock for a to be determined later project.  I am struggling deciding what pattern to use for this disgustingly beautiful yarn.

In other yarnie news, I tried my hand at dyeing this past weekend thanks to a good friend Julie, who gifted me some Lambs Pride Bulky, kool aid and a great book! Perhaps my crock pot method of a few years ago was deathly off, but I've never had luck trying my hand at it.  This time though, I couldn't help but smile with glee when I realized the water was actually clear..Hot damn! I think this could be a long running love affair to come.  

2013 seems to be full of possibilities.  I can't keep my mind from wandering to the next project, the next idea, the next yarn buy.... Hopefully in the coming twelve months I will be knitting even more than this year, and these are some of the projects I am hoping to conquer (full list can be found on my Ravelry queue):

Work + Shelter

Ashby

Beaubourg

Oak Grove

Levinwick

Rocky Coast

Eternity Cardigan

Linebreak

Happy Knitting!

Finished: Lattice Top & More

2012 has been an amazing year of knitting for me.  It is hard to believe that almost 365 days have passed from the point where I started tabulating my yearly yardage total.  So far, I have finished 10 shawls, 12 hats, 11 cowls, 6 sweaters. 3 pairs of gloves, a blanket and a few other things.  I can't really remember this year without seeing needles  in my hands. (I can't stop thinking about what I will knit in the coming year.... The list is long, but I will get back to that as the month draws near, ie next week!)

Earlier this morning, I bound off a Cap Sleeve Lattice Top by Purl Bee in Elsebeth Silky Wool.  Dreamy yarn, easy pattern, and an end result that really matches my personal style. 

I recently finished an Ishbel Shawl in Malabrigo Sock in the Persia colorway.  What an amazing little shawl.  Now I understand why there are thousands of project pages on Ravelry.  Yay for Ysolda Teague and her designs.  I gifted this to my mother in law for Christmas and I really hope she loves it as much as I do! 

And an Oaklet Shawl in Classic Elite Miracle.  My mother in law picked this yarn out while visiting a yarn store I had never been to... the yarn is tencel and alpaca.  The end result is fuzzy and soft.  And the pattern can be found for free on Rav.

I gifted my sister in law a recently finished Pasha Hat in Malabrigo Silky Merino.  Jane Richmond can really do no wrong when it comes to hats..

I'd say it was a fruitful few weeks.  I am approaching 12,300 yards for the year and I am desperate to see just how far I can go.  Off to the drawing board and to my stash to continue on! Happy Knitting! 

Finished: Effortless Cardigan

Ten days ago, I couldn't decide on a project.  I was thinking about sweaters, shawls, gloves, all of it.  I finally settled on an Effortless Cardigan with the knitpicks Merino Style.  After about 1100 yards, I had a new cardigan.  The finished project is blocking; I really can't wait to wear it.  The pattern was a little too simple for my liking, and picking up so many stitches wasn't my favorite, but overall I would definitely make it again! I think it would be great in a subtle yarn, like Malabrigo, or the suggested Madelinetosh.  

Only a few weeks left in 2012 and I can't help but think about my last few projects, and I've begun my 2013 planning- including a pullover for Phillip, another few sweaters for myself, and hopefully a swap of BFF Cowls by Ysolda and tiny owl knits--if only I could find a friend to swap with! 

Happy Knitting!

Finished: Castle & Cyber Monday!

On Thursday, I had one garter row left on my last sleeve of my Castle Pullover.  For seven dutiful days, I worked on the sweater... over 800 yards.  When I bound off, I put it on, and it fit wonderfully-- despite the pounds that have been falling off of me from my illness. I couldn't be happier.  The pattern is simple, the lace looks great and with the 100% wool I used, it kept me warm most of Friday when I wore it to work. So many thanks to my generous mother in law who gifted me the yarn for my birthday earlier this year.

Well, as I anticipated, I was dragged out of bed on Monday morning, bleary eyed, tired and a little grumpy to check all the sales out.  I ended up picking up a lot more than I thought, and thanks to Phillip's encouragement, I haven't even begun to feel guilty yet!  I had already picked and paid for quite a bit before he woke up... I anticipated the usual sigh when I buy yarn while he is asleep... I even prepared him by telling him that a divorce would really hurt the cats psyche.  To my utter surprise, he then mentioned I should check out the knit picks sale!  I think all the quick progress I'd made on Castle made him believe I was some sort of knitting factory, so thanks to Cecily, for somehow getting my husband to feel like I could knit all the yarn in the universe!  I ended up picking up more than a sweaters quantity of Ella Rae Heathers, in various tones--likely for a Tea with Jam & Bread pullover.

A lot of Knitpicks Merino Style (from a fellow Raveler), for an Effortless Cardigan.

And my splurge, Sweet Fiber Yarns, Cashmerino Luxe... The color was not quite what I anticipated--a lot more copper than the mustardy dark yellow I was anticipating, but the yarn is beautiful. It also happened to be practically free (well, sorta. at least in comparison to the original price), so many thanks to Loops for having the sale and quickly fulfilling my order! 

With the start of my weekend here, I am going back and forth on what's next...

Happy Knitting!

Progress: Castle Pullover

I have been working my needles like a mad woman lately.  With the long holiday weekend over, I have finished all of my Christmas knitting---yes, it's true, and we still have something like 30+ days, huh?  I shouldn't brag too much.  I have been wanting to make the patterns of my gifts for a long while so it was easy to muster the courage to work on them.  They also awarded me another 500-ish yards to my year total, so I'd say the last week or so has been a tremendous success! 

I also started my Castle Pullover two days ago.  I decided to use some Elann Highland Wool my mother in law gifted me last year.  It was the only amount of stash yarn I had that somehow equaled a sweater and I just had to, especially when Cecily had a special on her patterns.  I am almost done with the body and toying with the idea of 3/4 sleeves.  Still haven't made the choice but I am somewhere near approaching my seventh skein and still have two left. Somewhere in the back of my head I am picturing wearing it with a long sleeve mustard top, so we'll see.  I think the lace will actually look quite nice once I am finishing blocking the piece. I am dreading the return to work, if only because I will have to put down the sweater. 

While I was on the topic of the holidays, I have begun the sweating that begins when cyber Monday starts approaching.  Will I buy anything?  Can I really afford any more yarn or more importantly, do I have a place to house it anyway?  Single luxury skeins or work horse sweater quantities...? The feeling of dread that comes over me is epic.. Webs has free shipping on orders over $75, but really?  Maybe I can find something better?  The questions are never ending.... I still haven't made the big decisions, but you can believe I will be red eyed with my calculator in tow at my laptop around midnight.  

Finished: Annabel Cardigan

Earlier this week, I bound off my Annabel Cardigan.  I don't remember when I cast this on, per my Ravelry page, I have been working on it for almost 10 months.... It certainly didn't take me ten months, but at some point I realized my markers were playing tricks on me, and I had to frog the whole thing and restart it.  I'd say from the time I actually rebegan the project, it took me about 10 days of real knitting.  The project took 1.5 skeins of Cascade Eco. I had some trouble selecting buttons, I couldn't decide if I wanted buttons all the way down or just for the top, I still haven't figured it out but I did select two white buttons for the time being. 

 

 

Last weekend, while on a shopping excursion for Christmas yarn, I did pick something up for myself--surprise! A beautiful skein of Malabrigo Sock in Persia. I'm not too sure what it will become at the moment but I couldn't resist. I have been in a blue mood and this seemed to fit me perfectly. I am considering, once done with my gifts, recasting on a Damson shawl, but I haven't solidified any plans just yet.

 

I have also begun swatching my Castle Pullover in a lot of Elann Highland Wool that my mother in law picked up at an estate sale.  Looking forward to this cute design by Cecily, who just kills me with her designs.

 

I am working on quite a few projects at the moment, but most I can't discuss since they are Christmas gifts... I can't believe the year is almost over.  With the progress of my gifts, I imagine I should be ahead of the game, completing most everything before mid December.

 

 

Finished: Shimmer in Blue + Princess

Any time the weather changes, I find myself moving forward with my knitting.  I just can't help but want to be bundled up with a large (or small) piece of knitting keeping my hands warm... this winter is no different. 

In the last few weeks, I have been hitting the needles dutifully and have finished some new projects, bringing my yardage for the year to almost 8,000! 

I  finished another Dovetail Cowl for a dear friend in Oregon.  It worked up in about two days in Cascade 220 and I really hope she gets wear out of it this chilly winter.

Recently a coworkers 4 year old daughter caught a glimpse of me wearing my Pogona shawl... the next day she asked if I had made it to which I replied---"of course!"  Without blinking an eye lash I asked what her daughters favorite color was.  Within a week my mini/lazy version of the Princess shawl was born.  This took just about one ball of Rowan Felted Tweed and I ended it with a tiny little butterfly button.  From what I've heard it is a big hit and I couldn't be happier! 

And finally, yesterday, I bound off my Shimmer in Blue in a muted shade (Stone Blue) of Malabrigo Worsted.  This worked up in about 4 days and was about as mindless as it gets.  Garter stitch and a cable repeat which includes only one cable row.  Perfect work knitting! I had a little trouble with the set up row and needed to add two rows of stockinette to work the math out, but overall, it is snuggly and the perfect shade for the upcoming change of weather. 

I have also finished one half of my new pair of some cloudy days in an unknown superwash wool.  I am feeling a little underwhelmed with the pattern the second time around.  Nothing wrong with it--but with my lack of exposed legs these have hit the back burner fast. 

Before the year ends I would like to:.  

• begin and finish a Noro Striped Scarf for a work friend.
• work on a pair of Herringbone mittens in shades of gray (surprise!)
• finally begin Phillip's Star Trek hat if I can ever figure out the scale of the chart and sizing.... (we'll see!)
• select yarn for a Pontos Cardigan. 

I feel as though I may be skating on thin ice with only about 60 days left in the year but with my work ethic it just may be possible... Happy Knitting!

Fall Updates!

It is funny how I have more readers (and page views) than ever and somehow I have neglected to updated this for a long, long while.  Most of my life was turned upside down when I took a new job, so I have been trying to focus on something other than fiber pursuits, but now that I am in the swing of things, I have returned to my former self.... My fingers have been flying here and there and I am approaching my goals of 12 hats in 2012, along with 12 cowls in 2012.  I promised myself that I wouldn't only knit accessories, so there are plenty of other projects padding my 2012 roster.  

Since my last post I have finished a Simple Sprinkle cowl by Veera Valimaki, which turned out to be the wrong color scheme for my taste--though an excellent pattern for left overs! 

A Dovetail Cowl by Carina Spencer in Malabrigo Worsted in Marine.. which I love. (I am already working on another version in light gray Cascade 220 for a beautiful friend of mine!) 

A Windschief hat by Stephen West, which was gifted to me by an amazing fellow Raveler, which just so happens to fit Phillip's head wonderfully.  Though I never thought I would use Cascade 220 in Olive Heather again. 

I also began another pair of some cloudy days in unknown superwash dk weight wool... one down, one to go... and I started a Triangle Loop, which I am unsure of at this point.  I went through a few weeks where I wasn't knitting, so I decided to frog every living item that I hated... it cushioned my stash and provided me with something yarn-y without concentration.  I guess this post is dedicated to those items... RIP Star Crossed Beret-- thanks to you I have more Malabrigo Worsted... and RIP to my Holden Shawlette that somewhere dropped a stitch (obviously not my fault)... thanks to you I now have 600+ yards of Silky Wool to dream a Shaelyn into production.  

August Progress

I have been quite lazy about posting my FO's lately! I hadn't even realized that I had finished three since Rosebud until earlier today when I thought "hmm, it has been a long time..".  So apologies for being a lazy blog mama.  Since Rosebud, I have finished a hat, and two cowls getting me really very close to my 12 in 2012 deadline. 

First, I made a Honey Cowl in various shades of Cascade 220 for a dear friend.  I've made this pattern numerous times and am getting a little burned out on it, but I wanted to make a multi-colorway version before it escaped my brain.

Then I made The Natural Hat, (which an excellent free pattern on Ravelry) for Phillip, who I know will  kill me if I make him another hat.  This was made on size 7's with Cascade 220 in Cocoa.  It was an interesting pattern and kept my head amused, so I recommend. 

After Natural, I used my vacation splurge of Madelinetosh Merino Light in Trodden to make a Sid Cowl from Quince and Co. It is a simple knit/purl cowl (like Avery) but in fingering weight.  I loved this.  It was easy enough to take along with me and knit on at work and on breaks and the size 4 needle gave me the drape I wanted. 

Next up, I see a lot of colorwork projects for fall.  First is a Zig & Zag cowl, and then one of the many fair isle hats and/or glove patterns I have been drooling over lately! 

Happy Knitting! 

Finished: Rosebud

I took a short break from my Traveling Woman shawl to make a Rosebud hat by Jared Flood with some discount Cascade 220 in a bright red.  I had previously started the hat with Malabrigo but quickly realized that I wasn't sure my wardrobe could handle another blue hat fighting for my affections.  Three days later, I have a new (and my only) red hat.  The pattern is quite easy, and a great project for those just getting into charts.  

I have a Honey Cowl planned for a dear friend... and a trade of sorts for a Windschief cowl/hat combo for another former coworker.  If I had to guess my needles will be clicking away all summer. 

Progress: Traveling Woman

After finishing my Stripe Study, I decided I would keep my shawl kick going by casting on a Traveling Woman shawl. I can't tell you how long it has been lurking in my queue--ages probably.  It is one of those patterns that has always escaped me, no matter how hard I've tried or no matter how many times I think I've found a good pairing with a particular yarn.  The yarn I am using, Blue Sky Alpacas Silk & Alpaca, was a gift from Phillip well before he was my Phillip.  It was purchased spur of the moment during a  trip to my LYS and it has sat dutifully in my stash just waiting.  When I thought about making the shawl, my first instinct was to use vacation yarn--only seems to make sense, being the traveling shawl after all.  Then I realized maybe it wasn't about vacation yarn, or a quick week long trip, but this yarn (and pattern) has traveled with us through our dating, through our wedding and now through the (almost) first two years of our marriage. (It is likely, can't remember, that I bought it during my very first trip to a good yarn store, too.)  This yarn and this pattern have become a symbol for all that life has thrown at us, and is just another reminder of how important knitting and our relationship is to me. 

Finished: Stripe Study

Yesterday, I bound off my Stripe Study Shawl... Not sure if you remember, but I also made a Different Lines in Cascade 220 Fingering a while back? As much as I wanted to love it, I had some issues with how visible my wrap and turns were. After long research, I knew before I started SS I better lower my needle size and pull really damn tight if I wanted to love this $60 project.  Well, I did and I do! 

I used a size 4 needle with the Madtosh Sport and I am amazed at how large it turned out after less than a week of easy garter stitch.  I was really impressed with how well the yarn blocked out, too.  I have used other Madelinetosh yarns, but not the sport and certainly not a color like Tart. I expected to sit the piece in its bath, only to have a big bloody mess of dye everywhere and the project ruined.  (I had read lots of horror stories and of course, I was too lazy to worry about silly things like washing the yarn beforehand...)

Anyway, way to go Veera-- I love it! 

Progress: Stripe Study

Earlier this week, I embarked on a Stripe Study Shawl in Madelinetosh Sport (Tart & Charcoal).... Geesh, I am in love with this yarn! The colors are amazing and the pattern is really easy to work with.  It makes for perfect stressless knitting. I am hoping to be blocking it by the weekend, as I've had many compliments on it already and can't wait to wear it! 

Finished: Haruni (!!!)

I am feeling quite the high after finishing a project that has been in my queue for years.  Today, after 4 hours of a tedious Icord bind off, I finished my Haruni shawl.  Like I have said in previous posts, Haruni always felt like the "it" project for me... the project I would finish and feel like a "real" knitter.  I am not sure why it held so much weight in my book, I certainly have worked adventurous lace projects before, but I felt intimidated by the 15 page pattern for a long time.  I am happy to say that after about two weeks, I have finally arrived! And it is beautiful.

In other equally great news, I am already approaching the four mile mark of yardage this year! 

Progress Part 2: Haruni

Just a quick note that I have finally made it to Chart B of Haruni with no problems! I can't believe I have managed to knit this without any major catastrophes or curse words.  I am anticipating starting the second chart in the next day or two and maybe wrapping up the project in the next week or so.  I can't wait to soak it all out and pin it... it will be a knitting dream to have conquered the longest running item in my queue. 

Progress: Haruni

As I promised, I started Haruni last night.  To be honest, I am not nearly as intimidated as I was originally was but I've already made a mistake...dun-dun-dun.  Nothing major, my count is off by one stitch after the 40th row, but I am still starting to feel the weight of such a long winded project. 

More updates soon!

Finished: Jane, Rikke & Simple Pleasures Hats

I've had an incredibly fruitful knitting week.  I am beginning to feel unstoppable and like I may have beaten my summer curse.  Within the week I finished a Jane hat in Madelinetosh Vintage (French Gray colorway), a Rikke Hat in Berroco Ultra Alpaca (Berry Mix) and a Simple Pleasures Hat in Malabrigo Worsted (Sunset).   All of these hats are incredibly easy, so I shouldn't toot my horn too much, but I am feeling good about my ability to keep my knitting up during this suck ass weather. 

Jane

Rikke

Simple Pleasures

I am feeling so ballsy, in fact, that I have just cast on a Haruni with Cascade 220 in an amazing Olive color.... I wasn't joking in my last post.  I've finally made it.  More on Haruni soon.  And hopefully by the time I am finished I still have hair (and a sense of humor).

In other amazing news, a Ravelry friend from the RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) group, gifted me the pattern for Stucco.  I am delighted, as I have been fawning over the pattern for some time.  I was quite surprised to look it over and to see how intricate some of the stitches were.  I feel it will be a bit of a challenge--one that I am looking forward to soon.  So many thanks to the amazing lady who made my day.  

Finished: Agnes

There is nothing quite like the bitter pill of finishing a beautiful knitted item, only to realize the fit is... wrong.  This happened to me when I bound off my last Agnes sleeve a few days ago.  I had been sorta trying it on while knitting, but I just kept thinking the alpaca blend would stretch with a harsh blocking.  Come to find out, I was wrong.  The length from the neck to the armhole is just a tad too short and it pulls in an incredibly awkward way.  I mean, it went over my head, and I guess, I should call it a success in that regard, but I knew we weren't destined for each other.  Luckily, it perfectly fit my dear friend Bailey, who is beyond knit worthy and who I know will keep her forever.

In related news, I have officially knit over 100 items in my knitting history.  It is true that I passed the milestone a while back, there are undocumented FO's in my mental history, that never made it to Ravelry but today I marked the "official" 100th item with the addition of my soon-to-be Rikke Hat.  It is hard to fathom how many skeins of yarn have actually passed through my hands throughout my knitting life. From my very first visit to my LYS, to visiting stores across the US, to the feeling of delight when the Webs newsletter arrives with summer sale info... I feel like this is me.  This knitting thing, is something that will last with me forever.  It is hard to explain to non-knitters, but I can remember every feeling I ever had when I knit something.  To the stress I felt when I bound off Agnes, to the glee I felt when I finished my Lady Eleanor (the epic snowstorm of that year was finally over), to the realization that "hey, I can really do this!" when I 3 needle bound off my Imogen.  I occasionally come across remnants of my former knitting self, the person who would pick up yarn at the craft store in hopes that one day I would finally arrive...
Well, yarn, I have made it.

Finished: Daybreak Pt. 2

Over the last eight days, my brain decided it needed a new project.  I am not sure what turned off my mental cruise control on Agnes, but I feel like it had something to do with receiving a new order from the Webs summer sale (that included some Plymouth Boku and a few various skeins for other projects).  

So I embarked on another Daybreak Shawl using Cascade 220, the Boku and size 8 needles.  After a few too many hours of bad television, I bound off.  The Boku is really a superb alternative to Noro and had no knots and not nearly as much vegetable matter as I expected.  Overall, I am happy and I am equally proud to add another 354 yards to my 2012 total! 

And now back to the last half of my last arm on Agnes... which has been loyally awaiting my attention. 

Progress 2: Agnes

My Agnes has been coming along amazingly.  For some reason I have found myself in a hurry to finish it, even though it is (horribly) too hot to get any wear out of it for the time being.  

I just started work on my last sleeve, so I can already picture it blocking out later tonight after a marathon day of bad reality tv. 

I had cleared so much on my Agnes in such a short time, I thought it would be wise to take a tiny break and  so I cast on my Holden Shawlette....in the first section there are 44 repeats and I am quickly nearing 40 after bringing it along to work for a lacy break from the monotony of stockinette stitch.  I should soon have an update on both projects! 

Progress: Agnes

A  while ago I cast on an Agnes sweater... I knit along for a few days before I became convinced that the thing was doll sized.  I frogged it and waited and waited to cast back on.  

I finally have and here I am... almost done with the body.  It still feels tiny but I am hoping to gain a few inches with blocking. 

In the coming days I am hoping to cast on a Molly hat in Madelinetosh Vintage and a Holden Shawlette in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. 

Happy Knitting!

Finished: The Age of Steam + Brass

I finished this little shawlette about a week ago, finally using up some Madelinetosh Vintage in the Dahlia Colorway.  I've had this yarn in my stash for a long time.  It has been frogged and refrogged what seems like a million times.  So many times that the color has bled away from the first few yards.  Either way, I am happy with this, but have yet to block it, which I think may have a terrible effect on the color. 

Finished: Crooked Paths Vol. 2

A long while ago, somewhere in between moving to our new place, I lost my beloved crooked paths hat.... The hat really marked the start of my love of knitting lace hats and my heart still aches a little when I think about it being somewhere---without me. 

After needing a break from searching Rav for the perfect pattern for my TML, I decided to make a replacement with some Cascade 220 in Sparrow.  In about 12 hours (with sleep thrown in there somewhere), I was done. And even though I can never be as proud as I was of my original, I still love it. 

RIP crooked paths v. 1.0 (in Stitch Nation Full O' Sheep).

Lots of updates.

I am surprised it has been a month or so since my last post.  I haven't been spending too much time knitting, though that does not mean that I have not been acquiring more yarn than I can use... actually, I just returned from a week long vacation where I picked up a mere two skeins (showing restraint!) but, if I am honest, I had received a nice, large package from Webs summer sale a few days before leaving. 

While on my vacation, I visited a beautiful little shop in Little Rock called The Yarn Mart. I couldn't believe the huge inventory they had crammed into such a small (looking) store.  I could have  found anything I wanted there, which meant I spent a long time browsing and touching.  Their selection of Manos yarn is really amazing, and I was happy to have held and seen Manos in person for the first time (!).  I picked up a skein of Maxima for a vacation hat, to be made soon. I also had to pick up a skein of tosh merino light... I could tell their selection had been picked over, with only a few colorways left, but that is to be expected and the Trodden colorway that I brought home with me, is beautiful.  So beautiful that I have spent the last half day trolling Ravelry for the right pattern. 

As for my vacation knitting, I finished:

A honey cowl in some gifted, local Oregon yarn.

One in a pair of mittens for Phillip in Berroco Comfort.

A Graham hat in Berroco Ultra Alpaca, which I am loving. 

As for my recent yarn acquisitions:

various skeins of Cascade 220...notably in Straw, and Sparrow, which are my new favorite colorways.

The TML in Trodden.

The Maxima.

Elsebeth Silky Wool in Mallard, which one day will maybe become a Springtime Bandit, or maybe Sugared Violets? 

I am off to begin my first of my two post-vacation projects with the TML.... I can't wait any longer! 

Happy Knitting.