I Just Completed 2 Years

Hi, my name is Kendyl. I am a fiber-holic. I've been proudly obsessed with knitting for two complete years.

I just remembered that I first picked up the needles sometime in late October of 2006 so today is around my 2nd knitaversary. Yea me. In those 2 years I've churned out some 70 projects, learned cables, lace, felting, fair isle and entrelac, dyed some yarn and designed a few tops. My motto has been, "Bring it On! It's just string, after all!"

Learned so much, yet everyday I am completely humbled by the true artists and technicians that I see on Ravelry and the blog-o-sphere. I love that there are always new mountains to climb.

Speaking of which, here is my current challenge, my personal mountain. This what I refer to (in my own mind) as "true" fair isle. This is the sort of color work that makes my heart sing. Someday, when I am a true Knitter (with a capital K) I will knit the Venezia Sweater by Eunny Jang. Dudes, this sweater is a work of art and unless I move somewhere drastic (like a place that actually gets cold) art is all this will ever be. When I knit it I'm thinking I'll have it framed in some Plexiglas box and hang it on the friggen' wall.

But I digress.

Here is Sipalu, my color work trial.


This is a kit, available from Knit Picks and it is a thing of utter beauty. It is also a major bargain. I got 17 full balls of Palette yarn along with this pattern. They say you make 2 or 3 purses from all this yarn!

I started out trying to knit with 2 hands, background color in my right hand, design color in my left. I thought this would force me to learn to knit Continental, and knit it well. Wrong-o! The tragedy is that I am reasonably ambidextrous and it annoys me to no end that I can't master Continental. I just now switched to dropping and picking up the colors with my right and I am going much faster, now. **sigh**

This project is completely consuming and I need mindless knitting to switch it up. That's where Cobblestone comes in.



I did the sleeves first and I am nearly done with the body. My honey is going to look stunning and oh, so manly, in this sweater. Yum!

Just a catch up note, I finally got around to finishing my Lombardy Socks.



Knit with Shi Bu knits yarn, the socks are lovely and I loved doing the picot edge. Apparently everyone, but me, knows that ShiBu pools horribly on socks. Fortunately you can't really tell on this dark blue color unless you look closely. Dudes, if anyone other than my honey is that close to my feet I got other problems, ya know?!

Knitting Happens, Blogging Doesn't

1. Lace Ribon Scarf, 2. Turn A Square, 3. Porcupine Cowl, 4. Porcupine Cowl, 5. Boy VEst, 6. Boy Vest, 7. IMG_1949, 8. IMG_1954, 9. IMG_1952, 10. IMG_1951, 11. IMG_1939, 12. IMG_1940

Well, I'm back. For those of you who still have me tagged somewhere - I'm here, I'm alive and, natch, I'm knitting.

Most of my knitting notes are on my Ravelry project pages, but not all are members!

So, from the top, then, shall we?

Lace Ribbon scarf is a Christmas present for a much loved aunt. I must love her! This the second scarf (she felted the first one and then lost it) and it is a bit of a dozy for the small yarn and the small needles - size #3. She only wears tan and white. Won't this look great as a subtle accent? Oh, it is also superwash - no felting possible!

The beenie is for LB (little boy) That kid just loves orange! The brighter the better. The pattern is from the amazing brooklytweed. Only a knitter would get completely jazzed by the fact that the stripes start off round, but then turn into squares. Fortunately, LB is a knitter. Sort of. He knits when there isn't anything else to distract a curious, active, nearly 12 year old. Ok, he almost never knits. But he knows how!!!

The cowl is a clever Mobieus Cowl named Prickle. The lace stitch is named the Porcupine stitch - I'm really at a loss as to why. The Mobieus is very cool because it drapes just perfectly to cover your decollete, yet does not fall off. Then you can pull it up like a hood and look incredibly demure and ladylike. Those of you who know me in the physical world should kindly stop laughing now. Thank you.

The Boy Vest happened before the Mobieus Cowl. I scored several balls of Mission Falls 1824 Wool from the sale bin at Compattos (this is now my fav yarn store). I knew that straight up stockinette was the way to show off this yarn - but what to do? A combo of Ann Budd's Sweater Pattern Book and Leftovers from Knitty was just the ticket. I really feel like this was me, knitting fearlessly. All I had was a swatch, a picture in my head and some technique guidance. The waist shaping, arm scythe, and neck/armbands was pretty much impromptu. I am VERY happy with the result.

Ok, the tank that matches the Collared shrug is very cute. It is also very short! Move just so and the belly button is out for all to see. This is fine for a 15 year old. Not so much for a 45 year old. But, damn it all to bloody hell! I knit the thing, it is way cute and I wear it, BB and all. Deal.

The collared tank is nearly a knitting no-no. I haven't had many of these in my knitting career, so I guess it is ok. It is wearable, after all. It is possible the pattern is great and I am just not "getting it", but in the picture the points of the collar are perky and pointing toward the tops of the shoulders. I fiddled and finagled the finishing every way I could and, brother, that is just not possible with the pieces as knit. I was so put out, I contacted the publishers of KnitScene, because the designer is nowhere on the net. No. Where. They helped by telling me the pattern is right. Yeah.

The first two pics are how the shrug is supposed to lay - still not like the model, but somewhat close. I'd have to stay completely immobile for this to stay. The third pic is how the thing actually wears - not hideous, but not sophisticated. Since I held the cotton double, I may frog this someday and make a better fitting garment -right after I knit through the rest of my stash.

Last, but certainly not least, is Ariann. This sweater was wicked hard for me. I still don't have the hang of increasing and decreasing while maintaining a lace pattern, in the round. I kept winding up with the wrong number of stitches.

I wanted to make this for myself, being the narcissist that I am, but Momma wanted a sweater. "But Momma", I say, don't you want a scarf or slippers or something fast?" No, she wants to brag to her mah jong cronies that her daughter knit her a WHOLE sweater. "But Momma", I say, "Why do you want me to start now? I'll finish in the middle of August, not exactly wool sweater wearing sweater in LA, you know". "Daughter", she says, "I'm not going to be around forever!!"

True, that. Here's your sweater, Mom. Stick around for a while, will ya?

Just For Fun

I saw this meme over at tentenknits blog and gave it a whirl. What fun! Flickr has some amazing people contributing amazing photos.


Here are the directions!
- Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
- Using only the first page, pick an image.
- Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name? Kendyl
2. What is your favorite food? dim sum
3. What high school did you go to? Marshall High, LA
4. What is your favorite color? green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Will Smith
6. Favorite drink? Scotch
7. Dream vacation? Tuscany
8. Favorite dessert? Apple Pie a La Mode
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Old
10. What do you love most in life? Life Itself!
11. One Word to describe you? Joyful
12. Your flickr name? happy2knit or kendylyoung

Credits:
1. Lincoln Continental III, 2. siu mai spoon, 3. hello ol' friend, 4. :P, 5. willsmith, 6. Scotch on the Rocks, 7. Tuscany Afternoon, Florence, 8. Please Pass The Pie, 9. an old lady with an umbrella in Ravangla market!, 10. I Love New York, 11. IMG_8118, 12. DSC_0106

Works in Progress

We are just about caught up here, at Chez Kendyl. After several really big projects my head is a little fried. I'm going after a few little lovelies that are easy to tote, easy to knit and have actual, tested PATTERNS that I know I will only have to knit once.

First up is the Lombard Street Socks from the now defunct Magknits. The pattern is now available here. This is my second pair of socks and, while I remain skeptical of the usefulness of hand knit wool socks in So Cal, there is a certain charm to the rhythm and ease of transport that a knit sock project brings. I was gifted 2 delicious skeins of Shibu Knits sock yarn and it was time to knit it up. Lovely, isn't it? The actual color is deeper and richer in person, but the stitch definition really popped with the flash.

The second is technically finished, but I'm working on a set of these. The Diagonal Ripple Dishcloth caught my eye on a friend's queue on Ravelry, but the kicker was a conversation with a" domestic diva" friend of mine. She swears that her hand crochet cloths are the very best at washing dishes and pans. Eh, I'll take that one on faith, but what the heck? Each one of these babys only takes 3-4 hours. I think I'll make a set of 2, but now I've queued up 10 more dishcloth patterns. This might turn into a horrible trend... I might have to use one these things!

Ocean Waves Tank

We are getting better at this whole design thing! This my second from my head and the first with nothing to base it upon.

Pattern - My own
Yarn - Karabella Mako Cotton Yarn
Needles - US 10.5 and US 11 Knit Picks Harmony

The Inspiration.
I knew this yarn was destined to be a tank and envisioned a lacy light stitch to offset the bulky nature of the yarn. The water inspired colors reminded me of waves of water lapping at my feet... well, you can see where the rest of this is going, can't you? Construction of the top is pretty simple, knit a skirt with feather and fan, then a stockinette bodice. Easy Squeezy! Yeah, not so much.

The Journey
For the life of me I could not figure out how to decrease feather and fan in the round. it should be simple - make sure the subtracted stitch has a matching subtraction in the YO's - but it wouldn't work. Graphs, tick marks, test swatches, online searches, pleading with the gals in SnB to help me figure it out. Nada. Finally, Donna (a knitter of decades long experience) says, why don't you go down a needle size? That's it? It's that simple? Seriously?! GAH!!!!

Next was the math. Always, the math. Trust me when I say that knitting math is no brain surgery. Subtract. Divide. Count the stitches. This is what I got.

The top is at least 4 inches too big! Instead of being a cute flirty top it was a big fugly tent. Not good. Not good at all. See - even without pulling the fabric out you can see how it bunches up under the arms and is just unattractive. I reknit the bodice 3 seperate times. Not portions of the bodice - the whole shooting match. Yikes! But I got it right in the end and, as a committed process knitter, that's the whole point (without being stupid. c'mon - I want to wear it at some point!)

Side by side comparison!

This is my first written pattern, so take that under advisement if you want to knit it yourself! Enjoy!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Much knitting, very little time to blog about it! I have been consumed with a new internet project, a micro social network www.kendylsopenhouse.ning.com. This is a site that tries to tie all the disparate parts of my life together for the common good. Click on in and take a look around!

On to the knitting. On my last post, about a million and a half years ago I mentioned that I was going after one of my "fearless knitting" projects, the Fialti Summertime. The knitting went really fast - it was fun and not hard at all. I reveal... My Best Sweater to Date.

Pattern - Filati Summertime, from Lana Grossa
Yarn - SWTC Bamboo Yarn, color Sahara
Needles - US #7, Knitpicks Harmony (LOVE these needles)
Time to knit - about a month

This is very PERFECT summer sweater. The neutral color goes with everything and this sweater actually fits. Actually. Fits. Don't that just beat all? I must have spent one entire week making people look at my sleeves and how they are the appropriate length. Freakin' miracle that is!! It is the right weight and style for everything from a dressy summer party in the evening to a business outfit (or what passes as business outfit for me. I hate suits. Hate. Suits.) to a cute top over jeans. Perfect.

No real mods to speak of. All measurements on the schematic were in metric, so I had some fun puzzling over that one. I know. There's metric on the back of the measuring tape. It just didn't help my confusion. I'm slow that way. (if you are laughing right now, Shirley, I'm coming over there to mess you up)

I'm so happy I'm doing the happy swirly dance. Yipee!

Filati Summertime Tunic

A long, long, time ago, back when knitting was a new skill to learn and not an entire lifestyle, I saw this picture.I thought to myself, "Self, if you could knit that cardigan you would be a super star!" I filed it away under wishful thinking and that was that.

But did any of you out there in Knitting Land buy those lovely bags of SWTC Bamboo from the Discounted Yarn people? I did, and brother, that is a whole lot of yarn! While my Textured Tank languished in it's time out I cast on, using the Sahara color.


Almost a dead ringer for the color, isn't it? I am having such fun! Beyond all expectation I have turned into a lace knitter. Just a few months ago I saw Heather at SNB knitting the Mystery Shawl and thinking that was darn near impossible. Now I'm making garments out of the stuff. Amazing.

I am starting on the 2nd sleeve and should start assembly by next week. Cool!

Finished, The Textured Tank

The Textured Tank is Born!

Yarn: Elle Rae Shibu, Silk with a little Viscose for shimmer
6 Balls
Needle: #7
Pattern... MINE!!!

A million years ago (it seems) I started this little passion project to design a top all my own. Well, sort of. As it turns out, the finished project is nothing like the inspiration piece so I claim this as a Kendyl Original!

My plan had been to make the back a plunging V... but it looked better the other way 'round.


A lovely lavender cami and a sharp pair of silk slacks... Tres Elegante!


Some of you might remember that I was going to write this up. I did, right up to the point that I discovered that the armholes were way too deep and I put the whole project on a time out for 3 weeks.

When it came back out, I unpicked the shoulder seems, frogged back 2 inches and re knit it using a simple boat neck instead of the fancy-schmancy short row shaping for the front ( that is now the back). I did not take notes on this last bit - I just wanted the damn thing done, ya know?

SO, if you want what I did write, I'll send it along - read and/or knit at your own risk!

Looking Better...

After all this thinking and designing I needed something simple and brainless. So... Tah Dah!!

The Ridiculously Simple PonchoPaton's Candadiana Boucle
US #15
47 stitches gartered for about 37 inches and then sewn end to side. Toss over head and look really hot.

Here is the re-knit front of my Textured Tank. The last version had more deeply scooped armholes and much more of a slope to the neckline. I wanted a gentle slope, more like a boat neck. After ripping back to the armholes, I only did 2 decreases for the arms and used short rows to shape the neck. Worked like a charm!

I am now 1/2 way through the back scoop and should be ready for the finishing next week.

As anticipated, I am learning loads about knitting and shaping techniques. There is a vast amount of difference between just (blindly) following a pattern and having to think about what will get the desired result.

The surprise is the process of actually writing the pattern. It is said that the best way to learn is to teach. The process of thinking about what I did and how to express it clearly and efficiently is very interesting. I saw that tentenknits is also designing her first top... she writes about making designs knittable for others. I take that to mean, designing something that is easy to tell others how to knit!

I didn't think about the knittable for others part when i dreamed up this top....

Good or Great?

***Warning- Philosophical Ramblings Ahead***

So I was listening to NPR (pretty much the only station I listen to) and I heard this question...

"What do you value and why?"

Such an important question and I had not really given it much consideration! I've asked myself "what do I want?" and "what do I believe?" and "what do I want to eat now?", but this question of value seems so basic and so important.

I think I could write a whole essay on this subject, but this is a knitting journal - I will explore the question in relationship to knitting. I bet I'll find that it all relates to life in general!

So, what do I value? To answer that question I think you should see the progress I've made on the Textured Tank.
On first glance I think it is turning out quite well. I've tried it on numerous times and it fits, but, brother, you don't want to see me in this thing with out the proper undergarments!!!!

On closer look, however, there is a big problem. You see, since I am designing this tank, essentially from scratch, I want this to turn out the way I want it to turn out. The armholes scoop in too much, which means the boat neck will not be as wide as I wanted. (And I spent all that time on the math. grrrr).

So here is where the question of value comes up. What do I value about my knitting? Is it the end product? Is it the experience? Is it the kudos of fellow knitters and friends? Do I value the time invested vs other things I could be doing? How about the time invested vs actual output? In other words, should I frog back to the armhole bind off (about 8 hrs of work) and make it right or should I leave it be? It's pretty nice the way it is!

On reflection, I think I value the experience of knitting. Not the individual stitches but the learning that comes with the combination of those stitches. This is why I love to fix mistakes and why I choose patterns based on what I can learn from them (Venezia? That's right. I'm talkin' 'bout you, girl). I believe, though, that this is a surface answer. I think what I really love is the reality that I can be truly great at this craft. I think it is authentic to believe in my potential. (Getting there is a whole 'nuther essay. One thing at a time!). If I am truly great, or striving for greatness, then the answer is clear- rippit, rippet, rippet!

Why do I value being great? Ah, this is the meat and potato of the question. Why, indeed? Virginia Wolfe once said that every person (she might have actually said every woman) secretly harbors the belief that she is special. Many are desperate for others to recognize this specialness and remark upon it, but are too hung up or insecure to shout it out to the world. I, on the other hand, take to heart the words of another great woman, Marianne Williamson.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

Right ON!! Why do I want to be great? Because I honestly don't know how else to be. Don't get me wrong, I suck at most everything. But I am really good at a few things. I could just accept good - I get lots of kudos for good, but this is essentially hollow. I want to be great and that means being bold in my choices of projects, ceaseless persuit of great results (not perfect - that's crazy making and impossible) and a constant eye toward hallmarks of greatness in knitting (Eunny? Jared? I'm looking at you right now!).

The value in these musings is that I think, as usual, that this is an apt metaphor for the rest of my life. As much as I would find it easy to just be good, great is where life actually happens.

My First Student

Look, y'all! I have a student! Valerie asked me to teach her to knit... and I am. Here she is saying, "what the heck did I do to this stitch? Fix it!"

So, far so good. I do believe I've inducted another member of the obsession. Taking over the world, one stitch at a time.

Chuggin' Along

This is a nice bit of instant gratification and a head start on the gift giving season!

Yarn- Gedifra Scarlet Super Bulky Wool and Acrylic, 4 balls
Pattern - White Night Scarf By J. Sun
Needle - Knit Picks Harmony US#15

I knit this one until it was mid thigh on me - and then did a nice fringe. I have about 3/4 of the 4th ball left. What can I do with that?

This puppy is long enough to wrap twice or do the New York Braid (this is what you do in a really cold place, I'm told. )


I am chuggin' along on my "design". I had a devil of a time with the cast on. It tried 2 different tubular cast ons, then did a regular long tail w/2x2 rib for an inch. I loved the clean hem look of the original, but still not sure how she did it. Maybe a provisional? Well, I got impatient and did something I know.

I got all the way through the waist decreases before remembering how messy the column of stitches that borders a drop stitch gets. The solution is to knit that stitch through the back loop, so that's what I had to do.

Following is possibly the most boring blog post ever. Feel free to close this now. I won't know, so you won't hurt my feelings!

Here is the piece before I messed with it. If you click on it, you'll go to my Flickr page where you can see a big enough picture to get the detail. Why would you do this? 'Cuz you're a bigger knitting nerd than I be.





So, I dropped the stitch column that borders the drop stitch bordering the cable...







Then I used my trusty crochet hook to knit everything back up, twisting each stitch as I went.







It was a lot of fun in that sick, "look I can control the universe" sort of way.

A "Design"

In the "Year of Knitting Fearlessly" I wanted to design a garment from scratch. My first step is to copy something from a picture. Here's what I want to copy:


Ok, there are a few close up pictures on Eunny's old blog. I have the yarn.... let's give it a whirl!

Pattern - out of my behind
Yarn - Elle Rae, Shibu
Needle - Knitpicks Harmony, #7

Here's the first swatch:I don't think you can see this, but the cable - a tight braid from the "Harmony Guide" doesn't fare well with this yarn. There isn't much definition. It's worth noting that I actually tried to parse out the cable she used here. Downloaded her tutorial on untangling cables, pulled out the graph paper and colored pencils and all. Yeah. There's a long dark night I'll never get back ;-)

Here's what I settled on (after 4 more swatches that didn't survive):


The single twist has way more definition and balances the rather soft texture of the pie crust basket weave. Should I make the left and right cables twist opposite each other?

The cast on was another journey! I tried a couple of different tubular cast ons because that is what I think I saw in the picture. **Note to self. If you're going to try to copy someone, try someone who isn't such a freakin' expert** Both attempts were a failure. Too loose and the basket weave was too soft to pull it all together. frog frog frog.

I am now going for a straight 2x2 rib and hoping to get (finally) started with the knitting!

This is fully engaging process, and y'all know how I am about the process. On the other hand, this is NOT good for my anal-retentive-control-freaky-let's-get-it-done-now side. That side can't believe how much perfectly good knitting time is irrevocably LOST to all this trial and error.

I'll keep you posted!

Oblique

Finally. It took me almost 3 months to complete this sweater - my largest project to date. I am reasonably pleased, and I learned so much!

Pattern - Oblique, Veronik Avery, Knitty Fall '07, size 43
Yarn - Cascade Superwash color 862
Needle - Knitpicks Harmony, US# 7

This is a great knit. My only beef is that Veronik assumes a level of experience that I didn't have (well, it was rated piquant, after all) and I didn't know, for example, that I should keep the raglan decrease stitches in stockinette instead of trying to maintain the moss stitch on the wrong side. I admit to a few Harlot style conversations with Veronik - but really, these issues are so minor!

The lace patterns fit together really well and after 2 sleeves and most of the back I think I had it memorized ;-) I am a bit sick in that I love the challange of trying to stay in the pattern, decrease or increase as indicated, but still wind up with right number of stitches in the end. The first sleeve, with raglan decreases on each side taught me a lot. I had to redo it after I did the second one (correctly) and realized the consequences of, "Hmm. I'm off by a stitch. Oh well. I'll just throw in an extra K2tog right here"

Cascade Superwash is really nice to work with. It is soft, forgiving and holds the stitch definition so well!

I had the gorilla arm experience again. I was, I admit, a little freaked out after the first sweater bath. Everything got 2-4 inches longer! I was seeking out advice on Ravelry on the whole slice off the ends and knit up the cuffs when someone suggested tossing the thing in the dryer. Dudes, I washed it in the machine, but isn't the whole dryer concept a bit much for wool? Apparently not. Tossed, tumbled and the sweater went back to where my swatch said it would.

I think, now that I've worn this a few times, that I am more of a fitted sweater kind of gal, but I really like this for what it is. Comfortable, casual and the perfect thing to wear on a day when, say, the carbs and sugar have taken over your life.

Some Baby Gear

Honestly - I really have no idea how these regular knitting blog posters post regularly. Honestly. Do they sit around all day, eat bon bons and knit? (apologies to all who read this and do post every day/week. I'm just jealous ;-))

I have been knitting my little heart out the last few weeks, but I had nothing blog worthy to show for it. BSJ is uber lovely, but took a couple of weeks and then the rest of the set... well, I am ahead of myself.

Here is the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. Yarn is Schaefer Farms Heather in Merino, Nylon and silk. The trim is Knit One Crochet Two's Ambrosia in Marino, Silk and Cashmere. Yes, I know I might have been smoking the knitters equivalent to crack when I made my yarn choice. Yes, I am completely aware that this will be covered in smelly baby spit up in nothing flat. I have had two of those fluid producing machines of my own, thank you very much. But hear me out, there is logic 0 for me, at least.

If I were to go out and buy a baby presetn I would have spent as much or more than the yarn that I purchased at Unwind's Superbowl Sale. I got to work with this divine stuff, hear all the lovely compliments from my knitterly friends as I knit it (as well as the giggles that I would do such a silly thing) and I will have the pleasure of the Mom's pleased surprise at such an extravegant gift. (Reality will set in shortly, but that's not my problem, it's hers!). In the end it is all about the process, and I enjoyed every moment of this process!

I added i-cord to the trim and neck. The ambrosia is really floppy at this gauge, so I think the i-cord really helped give structure.

I had lots of yarn left so I made this beanie.

I needed the perfect unfussy hat to match my BSJ, but I guess my needs were too simple for a pattern! Searched high and low and, in the end, just wung it.

60 stitches on double circ, 2 rows CC, knit 4 inch straight in garter. Dec round = (k8, k2tog) then purl round and continue, decreasing 1 stitch between k2tog for each dec round and alt dec knit round w/ straight purl round until 6 stitch remain. Thread needle through remaining stitches, pull tight and fasten off inside hat.

But there was still more yarn. So I made Saartje's Booties using #2 and all the same yarn. Too cute, no? Actually, these are my second try. The first were knit with a #4 and are humongous - see?

I'm going to give them both to the mother. The great thing about babies is that they grow!!
Lastly, I am still sloggin away at Oblique. I am totally enjoying this, but, MAN! a huge slouchy sweater on #7's is not a quick knit. I have 1/2 of a front to go and them it is time to pick up stitches for the collar. At this rate I should finish this just in time for the 90' weather.

Woo Hoo!!!

I give you... Gretel.
Here are the details: Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran all but 10 feet of 2 balls. #5 and #7 needles, started with 16" circulars, then switched to 24" and then, finally, to double circular for the decreases.
I'm so-so about this one. I finished it just in time for the tail end of our cold weather, so I did get some wear. And it is cute. I'm just not sure that it was worth the pain. Nearly 200 aran weight stitches on a 16" circular is painful! If I was smart, I would have switched to the 24" a lot sooner. I made the slouchiest version and I am well satisfied with the shape and size. I used the stockinette tubular cast on... what fun!!! I spent a lot of time admiring the beauty of the cast on edge. Ysolda thinks this cast on is not stretchy enough, but I like the firmness of the edge. It helps to keep a slouchy beret in place

Oblique is swimming along. It is hard to think that a post about paint drying is even remotely interesting, but here we are.

This is just about the must fun I've had since Ene's Scarf. I must be a lace knitter. I am totally taken with the stitch pattern and the challenge of keeping the shaping and the stitch pattern together.

This about 1/4 of the back. I've already completed the sleeves, so I guess we are getting close to half done. Cascade 220 Superwash is the easiest yarn I've worked with. Love it, no wonder it is a staple in everyone's stash.


Finally, the Beautiful Baby Surprise is coming out just as imagined. I am completely mesmerized by the color shifts. I am hoping that there is enough for a pair of Saartje's Booties to match. Won't that be precious?

The Yarn (Image Heavy)

Last week I joined a hoard of knitters for the Super Bowl Unwind Sale. I was there for just one thing - lovely hand painted yarn for a BSJ for a friend. You know, of course, that isn't practical. Kendyl, at a sale, is the very definition of buy buy buy!

First up, some lovely chunky yarn, Gedifra Scarlet. This is my first Christmas project, for an as yet undetermined recipient!

I think I will make this:The White Night Scarf

Next up is some seriously lovely Shibu from Ella Rae. Almost all silk with just a tiny thread of viscose to lend a little shimmer. I can't stop touching this stuff.

Ever since I saw this post in Eunny's old blog, I've wanted to knit this top. Do you remember it?
Sheer brilliance. Her top was knit with Hempathy and I even have some in my stash, just waiting for me to sum up my "designing" courage. Designing as in, copy a masterwork. Here's a link to her posts.

Ok, this yarn is begging to turn into this top! I've started swatching cable patterns and texture stitches for the background. Stay tuned, for this is my version of knitting fearlessly!

Finally, this is the yarn I come for! OMG this is the loveliest yarn I think I've ever seen! Completely extravagant for a baby sweater, even on sale... but really. I would totally spend this much on some store bought goods. And I get the enjoyment of working with this nothing less than magical yarn! Scheafer Yarn Heather, Merino, Silk and Cashmere. OMG - again.

I am making Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket and I intend to knit the button bands and hem in this royal purple. OUTSTANDING! Even if the mother hates it, (which I doubt) I will have so much fun seeing this project come to life. I can't wait.