OY!

I've been a terrible blogger lately. I'm sorry. Between starting 2 new projects, travelling to California, Hosting our annual Summer Party, and being downright tired, I've been a slacker on teh internetz. I need to be better. The picture taking has gone down as well :( But now that the weather is getting cooler (thank heavens!) and things tend to sloow down for me after summer I'm hoping to be back to normal.

I have been busy knitting though!

Sneak Peak of what's on my needles:

Back of my checked hoodie finished, currently working on the front.

Got a magic loop and am attempting socks! again! Going much better than before and I'll have a brand spankin new pair of Twilight socks soon! Yarn, Book, and Magic Loop was birthday gift from my Dad and Family :) Yarn is Knitpicks Imagination in Mermaid Lagoon.

Bella Mittens! Had to have some, just like Bella! Not The Original but close enough!

Mine

Movie

And what is OFF the needles AND blocked!

Clapotis!

yes, I've joined the masses and completed a viral knit :)

I've got quite a bit still planned for the next couple months and doing a choice few christmas gifts! Definitely need to get organized and start rolling on those!

Check In for Fun Hoodie

So it was a rough last few weeks but I was able to get into Lambikins last Sunday (7/5) for some quality knit time with the ladies. I went with intentions to work on the Clapotis and Swallowtail, and I ended up leaving with a new project, new book, and the largest 1 times yarn purchase I have ever made. Everyone was working on this hoodie and I wanted a piece of it. I've watched countless projects done in classes and knit-alongs and I'd never jumped in. Until now. After seeing the Einstein coats, I wanted a squishy, lucious sweater/coat for myself. Enter Rowan Cocoon "aka Racoon" after a couple squeezes I couldn't let go. I went with an oatmeal and a red wine color. Knitting this up it is delightful. A little bit splitty and hairy because of the mohair but the resulting piece is unbelievably soft and warm. I've never felt anything like it. Christina swears that I will finish the object. I'm part of the Knit-A-Long on Sundays now so I have plenty of support and motivation. I can't wait to be able to wear this! (She also assures me it. will. fit!)

Oh and it's chunky yarn and Size 11 needles so it's moving along quite nicely!

This is a better representation of the color

v

I didn't tell the hubster how much I spent till later... much later.

Pattern: check-in-for-fun-hoodie-pullover from Big Needle Knitting
Yarn: Rowan Cocoon

Needles: US 11 Circulars, Metal

My Ravelry Project Page!

The Clap... I've caught it

So along with the other 11,367 people on Ravelry that are making/have made this lovely French woman inspired scarf, I had to hop on the Clapotis train. (that's clap-o-tea) I'm doing a smaller version using 4 balls of Crystal Palace Merino 5. It's a lovely iris colorway with bits of purple and green. I fell in love as soon as I saw it and knew it would be perfect for this. And since I'd wrapped up 2 projects last week (Japanese Feather and BSJ #2) Of course I had to cast on something else instead of knitting on the other WIPs I have sitting in the house.

I've started with the set-up rows and a total of 4.5 increase sections instead of the recommended 6.5 I also think I'll only be doing 10 repeats of the straight rows instead of the 13. This pattern is left up to interpretation on how large or small it wants to be that I am accomodating to the yarn and amount that I have. Basically as long as you stick to the rule of fifths you will be fine. (calculate your yarn yardage or weight- divide by 5 and allocate your yarn accordingly: that's 1/5 for the start/increase section, 1/5 for the decrease/end section, and 3/5 for the straight rows)

As of today I had the set up/ increase section completed and 3 repeats of the straight rows done. You drop stitches on purpose! ON PURPOSE! To create these pretty gaps in the fabric. I'm loving the color variations so far and the pattern couldn't be easier to memorize.

Photo taken at 3.5 increases and no dropped stitches yet. Color is more purple than the photo allows.

Pattern: Clapotis, Knitty Fall 2004

Yarn: Crystal Palace Merino 5

Needle: US 8 Circular

My Ravelry Project Page!

Moving Right Along

So I have 9 days until the wedding. Oh, I forgot to mention- I was asked to be the guestbook attendant for the couple :) So I'll be super excited to show off my fabulous handiwork. Well, if I can get it finished that is!

As of today I've got 4 more pattern repeats to complete. I am hoping to finish Monday at knit night so that I have plenty of time to block it and keep working on my other projects. Of course I'm a procrastinator so I wouldn't feel right if I didn't leave myself just minimal time to complete. My friend is due in less than a month- sometime this month according to her dr. so I've got to finish (and really thats all that needs to be done is the "finishing") so that I can share the goods here with you!

Back to the wrap:

It's looking gorgeous and I'm still not bored with the pattern. Anne Hanson is an amazing designer. Stop by and tell her so!

Here she is as of Tuesday night... slightly less than halfway done.




Isn't that pattern beautiful? I can't wait to see it blocked!

Japanese Feather Wrap

I have decided to make something for myself for a change. Well scratch that, start and COMPLETE something for myself. We (the hubs and I) are going to a wedding in May. Instead of going and buying yet another dress for another wedding I decided to change it up. I'll wear my LBD (Which I have yet to wear in black, only red) and make myself a lovely wrap/shawl and dress up with new jewelry- Cookie Lee of course!- and shoes. My friend Tonia recommended that I try a lace pattern by Anne Hanson and I fell in love with Japanese Feathers. I was struggling over choosing a color that I truly loved in a weight appropriate for the pattern that I almost scratched the project completely. Until Agnes came along. She made an absolutely gorgeous JF of her own and graciously offered to send me her remaining skein. 820 yds of Blue lagoon Nyoni awesomeness! I received it on Friday after a rough Thursday so it completely made my weekend and had me in good spirits. Not to mention the mailman arrived in time that I took it with me to show off at Lambikins. Agnes is good peoples, and I can't thank her enough for her generosity.

Isn't it gorgeous?!

I started it immediately on Friday and bought some new bamboo circs to get started (yes another set of US8's). The yarn knits like a dream. I'm 100% enamored! In 2 days I've completed a full 28 row repeat and 7 additional rows. Right now it looks like ramen noodles but a little stretch shows the lovely waves. I'm so excited by this project that I have no fear it will be done in time for the wedding.

My Ravelry Project Page!

Update: I worked on it again last night at Knit Night and have almost 2 full repeats finished. With 10 repeats total and at this pace I should be done over a week before the wedding. Plenty of time for blocking!