Some recent projects

I've been laid a bit low with a bad cough and some sort of bug, which has given me some time to getting some knitting projects done (since I wasn't doing much of anything else).

I finished the Haiku sweater for our granddaughter, and enjoyed the sideways knitting, which I've done before in a vest and a cardigan for me. I had originally wanted to knit a pullover, with the body one color, the arms another, and with some added embroidery. But the gauge wasn't right for the pattern I had in mind, so I found this one, which is very adaptable for different yarns and gauges. I made this in Vanna's Choice, and I have to say I don't like acrylic yarns. Or maybe it was just this acrylic yarn. It seemed quite splitty. But I am sure the baby's mother will want to machine wash the sweater.


I also did a quick hat pattern, from the November 9 page of this year's Knitters calendar, designed by Christa Giles. I couldn't resist the textures, so I made it knowing it isn't the kind of hat I (or anyone else I know) would wear. And when I finished it and tried it on, I realized I was right--I won't wear it! But maybe it will find a home some day. Speaking of splitty yarns, the Lambs Pride Superwash I used for this certainly was.




I finally tacked the fingers for my step-daughter's Composed Mitts, and I think that will work fine. They didn't turn out exactly the same size--I hope she won't be too observant!

And now I am back to working on a lace scarf in Baby Alpaca Brush that I started last winter. I am not a big fan of lace knitting, I guess, but I am determined to finish this project. The yarn is lovely to work with. The other project I am determined to finish is my Fair Isle sweater, the sleeves are done and at least a third of the body is as well. Maybe I'll take it along to the Black Friday knit-in tomorrow at my local yarn shop. Of course, I also had to divert my energies and start another project--a felted bag from a pattern by Paton's, using their SWS. What lovely yarn to knit with! But on the days I was feeling worst, this basic knitting (with only a few slipped stitches every other round) was about all I could handle.

I've bought a sewing machine, and have been busy reacquainting myself with using one--the last time I did I was in high school and taking home ec classes! However, I remember lots of the concepts and terms--my mom was a fabulous seamstress, and was always making my clothes when I was younger--a lot must have brushed off on me. She doesn't sew much anymore, but I am so happy I'll be able to ask her questions as I get going with this. I'd like to make some items from some recycled sweaters I've felted--that was the whole impetus for getting the machine, though I've just bought a new book called Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp that is getting me a bit excited about making a few other projects, too.

I've been getting more and more sucked into Ravelry. I think it is fabulous how I can see other people's work on the projects I am making, or considering making. I was checking on SWS yarn, to figure out other uses for it, and was blown away by how nicely it comes out in entrelac scarves. So of course, I had to go out and get three skeins of Naturally Plum. Not that I had had any intention of making another entrelac scarf now... Maybe I'll try Lucy Neatby's garter stitch entrelac scarf pattern, which doesn't have the side triangles. That would be different. I guess I'll head over to Ravelry now and see what other people's look like!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it.

Starting the gift knitting

I am caught up in working on holiday and other presents, it seems. Lots of accessories that aren't taking too long to knit, with one exception. The quicker items were the Wave Hand Warmers (from One Skein Wonders) in turquoise Berkshire from Valley Yarns (took just one day!), the Ruffled Neckwarmer from the Tweed Four book from Classic Elite, knit in red Suri Merino (you don't want to know what happened to the first version, knit in Knit Picks Elegance, let me just say that it won't be adorning anyone's neck), the hat from the Oct. 14 post, and the Maine Morning Mitts from Clara Parkes's new book. All enjoyable projects. I am also close to done with the Composed Mitts from IK, the longer term project. They've mostly been done for a week or ten days, but I have yet to tack between the fingers, as I mentioned in my last post. However, progress has been made: there are now pins where I need to tack them. This probably won't take more than 15 minutes, I just have to sit down to do it.

I am about to start the Haiku sweater. I found it when I realized I wasn't going to make gauge on the sweater I had picked out. This one is great, because you can work it to any gauge with the formulas given. It reminds me of an Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern, with all the garter stitch. There is also some box stitch thrown in for visual interest. I plan to make the body in one color, the sleeves in another. I hope that will look nice.

The November - January Cast On arrived today, and I found several patterns I like. I often don't in this magazine, so I was quite pleased. (Their educational articles are really helpful, which keeps me reading it.) The Sassy Side Button Sweater (#28 in the preview picture) is calling to me, and I'll be surprised if I don't cast on for it soon. I have some purple heather Encore that should work well. It will be fun to pick out the decorative buttons.