Einstein is Done! And the Momentum Continues

I finally finished the Einstein Coat last week!


I gave the coat a nice Eucalan bath and, thanks to an inquiry I posted on KnitList, added some hair conditioner to the rinse to help soften up the Lopi. It worked like a charm. The coat is comfy and fits perfectly; I can't wait to wear it, even though I am not too pleased about the fall-like weather we've already been experiencing in August.

Once Einstein was done, I started the "Andrea's Lacey Poncho" from Shelridge Farms, which was a pattern and yarn that I had bought at Stitches East last fall. Originally I wasn't going to knit this as is, and had bought some yarn to mix it with in an Oat Couture shawl pattern. But on second thought, I decided to give this a try as is. These little "ponchettes" seem to be in for fall and would probably dress up a plan turtleneck and pants. The color is a nice denimy blue, called Misty Blue, which should work well with lots of outfits. Casting on 240 stitches and joining to knit in the round, I first started the lace pattern on the wrong row and had to start over, then twisted the knitting after it was joined in the round, and had to start over AGAIN. Thankfully, I'm now on Row 17 (of 82) and will do my first decrease round in 2 rows. I should be home free after that. Here's a look at where I am:



I also made a cute cell phone case for my daughter. I had made this once already with some stretchy and fuzzy Reynolds Frisky, and that didn't work out too well. So we remade it with some KnitPicks Shine that I had left over from a scarf I showed you several posts back. This one seems to be much better. Also, it took me about an hour of total knitting time from start to finish, so I don't mind making another...and another...perhaps holiday gifts in the future?

Einstein is Done! And the Momentum Continues

I finally finished the Einstein Coat last week!


I gave the coat a nice Eucalan bath and, thanks to an inquiry I posted on KnitList, added some hair conditioner to the rinse to help soften up the Lopi. It worked like a charm. The coat is comfy and fits perfectly; I can't wait to wear it, even though I am not too pleased about the fall-like weather we've already been experiencing in August.

Once Einstein was done, I started the "Andrea's Lacey Poncho" from Shelridge Farms, which was a pattern and yarn that I had bought at Stitches East last fall. Originally I wasn't going to knit this as is, and had bought some yarn to mix it with in an Oat Couture shawl pattern. But on second thought, I decided to give this a try as is. These little "ponchettes" seem to be in for fall and would probably dress up a plan turtleneck and pants. The color is a nice denimy blue, called Misty Blue, which should work well with lots of outfits. Casting on 240 stitches and joining to knit in the round, I first started the lace pattern on the wrong row and had to start over, then twisted the knitting after it was joined in the round, and had to start over AGAIN. Thankfully, I'm now on Row 17 (of 82) and will do my first decrease round in 2 rows. I should be home free after that. Here's a look at where I am:



I also made a cute cell phone case for my daughter. I had made this once already with some stretchy and fuzzy Reynolds Frisky, and that didn't work out too well. So we remade it with some KnitPicks Shine that I had left over from a scarf I showed you several posts back. This one seems to be much better. Also, it took me about an hour of total knitting time from start to finish, so I don't mind making another...and another...perhaps holiday gifts in the future?

Focus

You will note, if you look at my works in progress section to the right, that I am down to two WIP's and have completed everything else I've been working on. The latest finished object is my Caprice Ribbon Shrug. It came out great and I'm looking forward to wearing it to a family function next weekend.


Although I've been on a kick where I've had a "main" project, a sock, a scarf and my Einstein Coat on the needles simultaneously, I've decided that it is a bit more satisfying to work on one project (or two) at a time. I really want to finish the Einstein Coat in time for fall, and I'm now working on it furiously each day. I've got about 70 rows to go and then it's just the minimal finishing. It's been interesting to me to see how much more progress I make when I focus on ONE project. Of course it makes sense, and I think I can also apply this strategy to work, where I often start one project, then jump to read some emails, then start another project, and then finally get around to finishing Project #1 hours later. Perhaps if I apply my new knitting philosophy I'll be more productive at work too!

I do have my Maple Leaf Socks going at the same time,


as the Einstein Coat is now at a point where I can't take it out of the house--it's too bulky and unwieldy--so the socks are my portable project. I think I will keep either socks, a scarf, or a little purse on the needles while I'm making my "main" project, as it is nice to have something to take on the road.

Focus

You will note, if you look at my works in progress section to the right, that I am down to two WIP's and have completed everything else I've been working on. The latest finished object is my Caprice Ribbon Shrug. It came out great and I'm looking forward to wearing it to a family function next weekend.


Although I've been on a kick where I've had a "main" project, a sock, a scarf and my Einstein Coat on the needles simultaneously, I've decided that it is a bit more satisfying to work on one project (or two) at a time. I really want to finish the Einstein Coat in time for fall, and I'm now working on it furiously each day. I've got about 70 rows to go and then it's just the minimal finishing. It's been interesting to me to see how much more progress I make when I focus on ONE project. Of course it makes sense, and I think I can also apply this strategy to work, where I often start one project, then jump to read some emails, then start another project, and then finally get around to finishing Project #1 hours later. Perhaps if I apply my new knitting philosophy I'll be more productive at work too!

I do have my Maple Leaf Socks going at the same time,


as the Einstein Coat is now at a point where I can't take it out of the house--it's too bulky and unwieldy--so the socks are my portable project. I think I will keep either socks, a scarf, or a little purse on the needles while I'm making my "main" project, as it is nice to have something to take on the road.

Back from Vacation!

For those who do visit my blog, you'll note that I haven't posted in awhile. My husband and I just got back from a glorious trip to Greece. While a 10-hour plane ride each way provided some knitting time, the hot weather during most of the trip did not allow for lots of progress on any of my projects. But with a view like this from our hotel, who was thinking about knitting?


I did finish my "Think Pink" scarf and mailed it off so that a breast cancer survivor will have it by September, and I made some progress on my lovely Maple Leaf socks on the plane. Now that I've caught up with the piles of regular mail, email, and laundry, I will get back in the knitting groove.

I had a business trip to Philadelphia yesterday and made time to visit Rosie's Yarn Cellar. I have always wanted to visit this shop, having read their blog as well as listening to the Podcast of Knitty D and the City, who visit Rosie's often. I bought their Half Pi Shawl Pattern, which is now pretty famous, and will make it out of some awesome Adirondack Yarn Company Silk Noir, in a cool colorway called "Chagall," that includes hot pinks, dark blues, dark purples. Check it out here:


A few projects to finish before I dare cast this on, but I can't wait!

Back from Vacation!

For those who do visit my blog, you'll note that I haven't posted in awhile. My husband and I just got back from a glorious trip to Greece. While a 10-hour plane ride each way provided some knitting time, the hot weather during most of the trip did not allow for lots of progress on any of my projects. But with a view like this from our hotel, who was thinking about knitting?


I did finish my "Think Pink" scarf and mailed it off so that a breast cancer survivor will have it by September, and I made some progress on my lovely Maple Leaf socks on the plane. Now that I've caught up with the piles of regular mail, email, and laundry, I will get back in the knitting groove.

I had a business trip to Philadelphia yesterday and made time to visit Rosie's Yarn Cellar. I have always wanted to visit this shop, having read their blog as well as listening to the Podcast of Knitty D and the City, who visit Rosie's often. I bought their Half Pi Shawl Pattern, which is now pretty famous, and will make it out of some awesome Adirondack Yarn Company Silk Noir, in a cool colorway called "Chagall," that includes hot pinks, dark blues, dark purples. Check it out here:


A few projects to finish before I dare cast this on, but I can't wait!