Hello again

Sorry for the lack of posting lately - I've been dabbling in the knitting here & there without a lot of bloggable progress. This weekend we fought major Dodger traffic to go see an exhibit at the California Science Center which was really cool.

For knitting updates, I am almost done with one of two plain toe up socks that I'm making from the Lorna's Laces that I got from Bea. To make this more of a learning experience, I am planning on making these as knee-high as the yarn will last with a picot-edge bind off. I'll post a picture of these in the next day or two.

The lace of the green chemise is not coming out at all & without any knitterly resources around I just might be switching to a new green tank project....we'll see. So far, I seem to struggle when I get anywhere beyond the basics with lace knitting.

On a final note, I'm totally obsessing over cosmicpluto's lush & lacy and have already added it to my ravelry queue. I plan on getting the yarn if I can afford it next Thursday at AFY Knit Night which happens to be during SPRING BREAK - woo hoo!

Growth Spurts

This project (Clementine Shawlette) certainly grew in spurts - 20+ rows and then nothing for days (or weeks), but that is just what I've felt up for lately.

Many knitters on http://www.ravelry.com/ that were also working on this project had a lot to say about the graft at the end, but the seam doesn't bother me at all.

I liked this project - seriously simple lace that didn't keep me glued to the chart after I got the hang of things, but if I ever made this again...I would choose a darker color I'm more likely to get more wear out of and make it a little shorter to fit my frame better. I used 2.75 balls (50g) of Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply (merino, microfiber, and cashmere) on US 3 circulars.

This weekend is the change in time so we are blessed with more sunlight every day - I LOVE coming home when its still light outside, I feel so much more energetic.

Next up for projects, I'll be putting some energy into a fish blanket for my cousin & starting a green tank from the newest Interweave Knits that has a little lace paneling. The only substitute I forsee is the cotton - maybe Debbie Bliss Cathay instead? I really liked the Summertime tunic tank I made last spring out of that yarn.

Must get back to weekend lounging & snacking on Cadburry eggs - mmmm!

Recruiting Techniques

Fantastic news - my friend has started learning to knit! I suspect her main motivation is to make a copy of the entrelec scarf I finished last Fall Mine was inspired by fellow knitter, Sandy, who was inspired by someone else's scarf (I forget who)...For some reason, the combination of colors & patterns makes knitters & non-knitters alike covet one for themselves. I suppose its all good if it inspires new recruits.

The second half of the Clementine shawlette is on the needles, this is an enjoyable project for someone that isn't a huge fan of lace - namely, me!

The original plan was to post a picture, but none of them are coming out so I'll have to keep you in suspense for another couple of weeks while I finish it.

WIP update

Finished the toe-up green Koigu socks I've been working on. They fit really well and have pretty much converted me to a toe-up sock preference. Let's me avoid picking up stitches where I tend to get gaps.

I also re-felted the Celtic Cables bag, which has drastically changed the bag in a very good way:

The handles are shorter, the bag has more structure, and is more like the finished size in the Interweave pattern.

School started today and was a little re-runnish - same prof, a second half of a course. However, he does make us all laugh and learn, so that's pretty awesome.

And finally, Superbowl Sunday inspired me to start the Clementine shawlette from Interweave Spring 2007 - check it out, knitted lace!

Ugh, Intarnsia

Finished the colorwork portion (i.e. the face) on The Monkey, but it pulls! I don't mind this technique, but it never ends up looking that great - always pulling or gapping. I hope it the roundness might be forgiving than pulling it flat. Maybe color work should be my next class. =)

Does it look like a monkey yet?

This weekend I had a genius stupid idea to rip out a cabled sweater I knitted about 2 years ago, that's really huge on me to make something from a book I received for Christmas from my lovely sister. I think I need professional help with this one...shouldn't I be able to find the end and just RIP? I found myself picking out knots and bind off stitches for hours on Saturday - I don't remember this being such a strangley constructed sweater... I just don't want to end up with a pile of useless, tangled Alpaca - wish me luck!

And....by popular demand from Knit Night @ AFY I will be re-felting by hand portions of the Celtic Cable Tote bag and will post the new improved bag hopefully this weekend.

Year in Review

I got to looking @ Beatrice's blog and was extremely impressed with her knitting accomplishments for the year. There's no way I could keep up with this knitter! But I did look back over my blog this year (handy little thing it is) and in 2007 I managed to eek out:

3 sweaters/cardigans

2 hats

5 pairs of socks

2 baby blankets

1 scarf

1 purse/bag (2 half finished projects counts, right?)

5 tank tops/cropped boleros

Right now, one of those 1/2 finished project is the Celtic Tote - here its waits patiently to be (hand) felted this weekend!

Great size & enjoyable cable pattern, its from the latest issue of Interweave Knits. Can't wait to fill it full of the [back-breaking amount of] essentials!

How Could Anyone Resist?

Such an adorable pattern ....

Project details: Saartje's bootees....try Googling or search in Ravelry's patterns. ]

Actually, make that two adorable patterns:

[Project details: Pinwheel Jacket - from elann.com a free pattern... I used Encore for the black and white and Cascade superwash for the pink. Sorry about all of the unwoven ends, I was in a hurry to get this in the mail for a Christmas present!]

Merry Christmas!