Amanda is finished!

I've been working on the Amanda cardigan, on and off, since September, and I am delighted that it is now finished. The pattern is from A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd, and it is just the first of several patterns I plan to make from the book. I used Louet Riverstone worsted in a rather sharp yellow green color (officially called Willow) that has not received the approval of my husband, but it is a nice change from the colors of most of my cardigans, and I think it will look good with jeans and black pants. When Webs first put Riverstone on sale, I went a bit crazy buying colors, so this is now the second sweater I've made of it. It seems to soften a good bit once washed, though I don't know if I'd wear it next to my skin.

One of the projects that kept me from the cardigan during part of the intervening months was a pair of cat mittens that absolutely captivated me! The pattern is very well written, though a knit and purl row seems to be reversed. The designer, Jorid Linvik, included red vertical grid lines in the chart that I'd not seen before, but that were a wonderful help in keeping my place. I made these out of Knit Picks Palette, in Garnet Heather and Tan. These will definitely be entered into the Altamont Fair this summer!

Right now I am working on a pair of Fair Isle socks from Nicky Epstein's Knitting on Top of the World. This book fascinates me--there are some lovely patterns, but also quite a few that are way beyond anything I'd consider wearing! The back of the Fair Isle capelet is gorgeous, but have you seen the front? Oh my! (If you haven't seen it, check out page 103 in the book.) The Tyorolean Leg Warmers are stunning! Not that I've ever worn leg warmers, but this would be the pair to start with. Anyway, back to the socks. They are made out of K1P2 Soxx Appeal, a lovely stretchy yarn, and I am hopeful they will fit! This is the first pair of socks I've made in some time, and I am quite enjoying it (well, I am only on the first sock, let's see what I say when I get to the second!). This picture is from a few days ago (I am now well along into the foot), but gives an idea.