2 Weeks of Finals

I am on my last week of finals for the semester and I cannot wait for the summer break to begin.  I’ve been working on a few projects, but haven’t had much time to really finish anything or blog about anything yet.  So I’m going to make the most of this lunch break and update you on all that’s happening.

First up, my friends birthday was May 3, and she asked that I make her a scarf so we went and picked out some yarn and I made this:

And her wearing it and loving it!!

I’ve also started the Sibella Pullover, and I’ve finished the body to the armholes and I cast on for the first sleeve last night.  I really like the yarn, nice and soft and squishy.

And because I can’t quite help myself with lace…I’m designing a square lace shawl and I hope to have it (self) published by the end of next month.

Here’s how it looks so far:

And that’s my update for now…You’ll hopefully be hearing from me a lot more once I’ve survived today and tomorrow (my last two finals).

Eek…I steeked!

I read Kate Davie’s post about steeking and it inspired me to FINALLY steek my own sweater.  Almost a year ago I finished the Plum Frost Cardigan, but I never quite got around to steeking it.  I had knit the sweater for months, if I messed up the steek, the sweater would be ruined…I couldn’t risk that!

So I set myself up on the couch, read the post about 6 times, had a glass of wine, then I started to cut!

Here is a picture of the colorwork before anything had gotten started.

Here is a picture of one side completed, and the start of the second side.

Both sides are crocheted and ready to be cut.

You can see the stitch to be cut in between the two edges.

The cut steek!!

The cut from the inside of the cardigan.

Here’s the way it looks on the colorwork section from the inside.

And here’s the way it looks on the colorwork section from the outside.

Maybe when school is finally over I can knit the buttonband and finally sew on the buttons.

Amazingly, steeking only took me about 45 minutes to do, but I felt so accomplished afterward.

8 Months Left

Wow, the months are creeping by, and I’m not knitting as fast as I thought I would…or am I but I keep adding things to the list

So this month, I only managed to finish the Augusta Cardigan (though technically, the button band still needs to be blocked).  On a bright note, I only have three weeks left of school so once that’s over I can knit more over the summer break.

Hopefully, the following things will be finished by the end of this month:

The lace scarf I have been working on at work FOREVER.

 

That’s a picture of the lace edging I’m knitting onto the scarf, which is taking so long to work up, especially since I only have about hour each lunch to work on it.

I’m also working on a thick blue scarf for my friend Megan, I’ll add those photos soon hopefully.  The scarf is going to be one of those circle scarves and I’m doing a simple garter stripe and lace inset stripe pattern (makes more sense when you see it.

Then, I’ll be casting on the Sibella Pullover:

I’ll be knitting mine in Blue Sky Alpaca Sport, Blue Sky  I really like this blue, it has flecks of grey in it that lends it this really elegant softness.

Plus, I’ve written my first cardigan pattern and I really want to knit up the sample so I can get it test knit and posted to Ravelry.  Ahhh why do I like knitting so much?

And without further adieu:

• Baby Projects

• Tiered Baby Coat – Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, Periwinkle

• Shawls/Wraps Scarves

• Celes – Madelinetosh Prairie, Stovepipe
• Celes – Madelinetosh Prairie, Candlestick
• Alcazar – Malabrigo Yarn Lace, Azul Bolita
• Caprio – Anzula Cloud, Boysenberry
• Chrysler Trellis Scarf – Filatura Di Crosa, Light Teal
• Chunky Blue Scarf – Dark Teal

• Cardigans

• Coraline – Blue Sky Alpaca Sport, Emerald
• Man’s Cabled Cardigan – Twist Yarns Superfine Alpaca, Light Grey
• Silk Cocoon Cardigan – Blue Sky Alpaca Silk DK, Blush
• Garter Yoke Cardigan – Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, Frost Grey
• Dahlia Cardigan –HandmaidenSeaSilk, Sea Spray
• It’s the Berries Cardigan – Twist Yarns Superfine Alpaca, Emerald
• Ropes and Picots Cardigan – Rowan FeltedTweedDK, Avocado (161)
• Atelier Cardigan – Jade Sapphire MongolianCashmere, Claret
• Debbie Bliss Capelet – Anny Blatt Mohair, Peridot
• Contented Cardigan – Rozetti Polaris, Cloud Cover
• Leitmotif Cardigan – Fibra Natura Shepherds Own, Brown/TaupeMarl
• Fireside Cardigan – Classic Elite Yarns Inca Alpaca, Damask Red
• CorcovadoCardigan – Blue Sky Alpaca Sport, Naturals
• Sullivan Cardigan – Madelinetosh Pashmina, Trodden
• Sienna Cardigan – Rowan RYC Cashsoft 4ply, Cream
• Mint Diamonds Cardigan – Blue Sky Alpaca Silk Dk, plume
• Augusta Cardigan – Louisa Harding Thistle, Cream
• Horizontal Cables Cardigan – Classic Elite Yarns Fresco, Cinder
• Tangled Yoke Cardigan – Rowan FeltedTweedDK, Horizon

• Pullovers
  • Zick Zack Tunic – Classic Elite Yarns Mountain Top Vail, Sand
  • Aimee – Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Trance
  • Craft – Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Shadow, Rowan Fine Lace, Cameo
  • Sibella Pullover – Blue Sky Alpaca Sport, Blue Sky
• Gloves/Hats
  • Oak Grove Gloves – Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca, Grey
  • Kingdom –ClassicEliteYarnsMountainTop Vail, Slate
  • Diamond Trellis Beret – Classic Elite Fresco, Cinder
  • Diamond Trellis Beret – Handmaiden Fine Yarn Cashmere and Silk, Rose
  • Diamond Trellis Beret – Classic Elite Fresco, purple haze
  • Double Lace Diamonds Beret – Classic Elite Fresco, White
  • Big Red Beret – Frog Tree Alpaca Chunky, Red
• Blankets
  • Bear Claw Blanket – Valley Yarns Greenwich, Blues/Greens
  • Chris and Andrea Baby Blanket – Caron Simply Soft, Mint Green

 

Come Together

It’s all coming together!

I finished the main knitting on the Augusta Cardigan Last night and began to seam some of the pieces together.

I’ll post finished pictures by Monday, I swear.

A quick note about the yarn: Louisa Harding Thistle:  The yarn is super soft, and I bought it on closeout at Webs so I couldn’t beat the great deal.  It works up great, and the yarn blooms really nicely after being blocked, it looks smoother too.

The only problem:  It stinks! I blocked the sweater yesterday morning before work, when I got home my entire apartment was rank… But once it was dry, the smell was gone.  So if you’re planning on using Thistle, make sure to block in a well ventilated area!

On a completely different note, I’ve been really enjoying watching Smash and had to get some screen grabs of this scarf:

How beautiful is this scarf! It doesn’t appear to have been knitted, but I want to see if I can create a lace pattern that is similar enough to it.  I have some Malabrigo Lace in Natural that would look so soft and pretty.

Knitting at work:

I’m helping a friend at work design a sweater pattern for her sister and we were doing some lace swatches at work.

The lace pattern I eventually worked out:

Its supposed to look like leaves outlined with a lace column, I probably should have made a larger swatch, but this’ll do.  If I like the way the pattern turns out when it’s done, I might upload it to Ravelry as a free pattern.

And here is the picture of the yarn that she’s going to use.  It’s Knit Picks Shadow Lace in Altitude.

Well, that’s about it for now.  Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day!

A New Bag and an Update

Bag number two has been added to my Etsy Shop.  These have been so enjoyable to make, I have three others that are almost finished, I just need to sew on the motifs and upload the bags to Etsy.

I’ve also been working some more on the Augusta Cardigan.  I finished the back and the two fronts.  This morning I started the first sleeve and blocked the body pieces.  If all goes as plans, I should be able to finish knitting both sleeves by this evening.

When I finish I’ll post pictures and explain in detail the various mods I made to the pattern.

The pieces look funny while being blocked, once I unpinned them the cables bloomed and I really like the way this yarn looked after being blocked.  ( I’ll do a comparison shot of this later.)

Oh and I’ll try not to forget to post pictures of my Cocoon Wrap Cardigan.  This sweater was so much fun to knit and I love the feel of the Blue Sky Alpaca DK against my skin.  At first it was a little itchy, but as the say wore on it became nice and soft.

Progress Photos as Promised – Debbie Bliss Capelet

As I promised, here are some progress photos of the Debbie Bliss Capelet that I’m turning into a cardigan.

 

LA Yarn Crawl and other news

My goodness, I had no idea it’s been so long since my last post!  A quick recap of what’s been going on…

M-F work and class, the usual business.  I finished the body of the Debbie Bliss Capelet and I’ve re-picked up the stitches for the sleeves.  It’s been knitting up pretty quickly, the mohair is super soft and not overly hairy.

I’m hoping to have one sleeve finished by the end of the week and the second sleeve finished by next week.

I’m also still working on the Sample Scarf I’m making from my own pattern.  I finished the body of the scarf and I’ve started picking up the stitches along the edging and today on my lunch break at work I’m hoping to do at least a few inches of the edging pattern.

I was so tired on Sunday that I didn’t feel like working on the mohair cardigan so I cast on for the Augusta Cardigan, but I’m using Louisa Harding Thistle in White.

I finished the back last night! It knits up so quickly, the yarn is super smooth and soft and squishy.  It’s really white, whiter that what I usually would wear, but I think it’s going to be super cute when I’m done.

Saturday I worked in the morning, then I picked Tad up and we went on the Yarn Crawl.  Our first stop was Twist, Yarns of Intrigue where I picked up some Frog Tree Alpaca Fingering which I’m hoping to use for the Parfait Cardigan

I also picked up some lovely Malabrigo Yarn Lace in Apricot.

I’m not sure yet what I’m going to use this for, but I couldn’t resist the lovely pink color.

Then we were off to Wildfiber where I was on the look out for some lace weight yarn for a scarf/wrap for my Grandmother.  Wildfiber had a trunk show from Anzula, and I picked out some Anzula Mermaid, a beautiful sea cell and silk blend.

Then we made our way to Compatto Yarn Salon.  I didn’t buy anything here, but I’m looking forward to coming here in the future.  There is a wonderful selection of Blue Sky Alpaca Yarns which I love using, so I can’t wait to come back.

On Sunday I went to L’Atelier in Redondo Beach to pick up some buttons, which I forgot to take pictures of, so I’ll post those tomorrow.

Out of Hiding – 9 Months left

Not only is it the new beginning of April, it’s time to update my Year of Projects List!

• Baby Projects

• Tiered Baby Coat – Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, Periwinkle

• Shawls/Wraps Scarves

• Celes – Madelinetosh Prairie, Stovepipe
• Celes – Madelinetosh Prairie, Candlestick
• Alcazar – Malabrigo Yarn Lace, Azul Bolita
• Caprio – Anzula Cloud, Boysenberry
• Chrysler Trellis Scarf – Filatura Di Crosa, Light Teal

• Cardigans

• Coraline – Blue Sky Alpaca Sport, Emerald
• Man’s Cabled Cardigan – Twist Yarns Superfine Alpaca, Light Grey
• Silk Cocoon Cardigan – Blue Sky Alpaca Silk DK, Blush
• Garter Yoke Cardigan – Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, Frost Grey
• Dahlia Cardigan –HandmaidenSeaSilk, Sea Spray
• It’s the Berries Cardigan – Twist Yarns Superfine Alpaca, Emerald
• Ropes and Picots Cardigan – Rowan FeltedTweedDK, Avocado (161)
• Atelier Cardigan – Jade Sapphire MongolianCashmere, Claret
• Debbie Bliss Capelet – Anny Blatt Mohair, Peridot
• Contented Cardigan – Rozetti Polaris, Cloud Cover
• Leitmotif Cardigan – Fibra Natura Shepherds Own, Brown/TaupeMarl
• Fireside Cardigan – Classic Elite Yarns Inca Alpaca, Damask Red
• CorcovadoCardigan – Blue Sky Alpaca Sport, Naturals
• Sullivan Cardigan – Madelinetosh Pashmina, Trodden
• Sienna Cardigan – Rowan RYC Cashsoft 4ply, Cream
• Mint Diamonds Cardigan – Blue Sky Alpaca Silk Dk, plume
• Augusta Cardigan – Louisa Harding Thistle, Cream
• Horizontal Cables Cardigan – Classic Elite Yarns Fresco, Cinder
• Tangled Yoke Cardigan – Rowan FeltedTweedDK, Horizon

• Pullovers
  • Zick Zack Tunic – Classic Elite Yarns Mountain Top Vail, Sand
  • Aimee – Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Trance
  • Craft – Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Shadow, Rowan Fine Lace, Cameo
• Gloves/Hats
  • Oak Grove Gloves – Aslan Trends Royal Alpaca, Grey
  • Kingdom –ClassicEliteYarnsMountainTop Vail, Slate
  • Diamond Trellis Beret – Classic Elite Fresco, Cinder
  • Diamond Trellis Beret – Handmaiden Fine Yarn Cashmere and Silk, Rose
  • Diamond Trellis Beret – Classic Elite Fresco, purple haze
  • Double Lace Diamonds Beret – Classic Elite Fresco, White
  • Big Red Beret – Frog Tree Alpaca Chunky, Red
• Blankets
  • Bear Claw Blanket – Valley YarnsGreenwich, Blues/Greens
  • Chris and Andrea Baby Blanket – Caron Simply Soft, Mint Green

 

Now that I finished the Silk Cocoon Wrap, I’m going to try and finish up some projects that had been hibernating for awhile.  First up is the Debbie Bliss Angel Capelet from Debbie Bliss Magazine, Spring/Summer 2011.

Instead of leaving it as a capelet, I’ve decided to turn it into a cardigan.  It wasn’t too hard to do that.  When I finished the instructions for the capelet, I separated sts for the armholes, fronts, and back.  (If anyone wants to know exactly what I did, just let me know, and I’ll get the right numbers)

Once I did that though, I kind of just lost my oomph and it just sat on my bookshelf mocking me, and then after a few months it started to beg.  So finally, I gave in.

Some pictures that I took when I first started knitting it…

Another one crossed off the list!

I’ve finished my Silk Cocoon Wrap.  here are some pictures of my sweater blocking on the floor of my apartment! All that’s left to do is seam her up and knit some i-cord to tie her all together.  These pictures don’t do the color of the yarn justice.

This was so fun to knit…most of it was a breeze of st st, except for a few inches here and there of the cocoon pattern.

Hopefully I’ll get some modeled pictures of the sweater tonight!

A New Use for an Old Hobby

I used to crochet a lot when I was younger, but I more or less gave it up when I started knitting.  I came up with an idea the other day to sew crocheted motifs on to canvas tote bags.  So I bought some crochet thread and ordered some canvas bags and voila!

 

This bag can be purchased at my Etsy Shop here:

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/96568398/pineapple-motif-canvas-bag

 

There will be more going up in the coming weeks.