Churning Out the FO's!

As part of my break after completing the Argyle Vest, I finished the Vanessa Headband. I really love how it looks on and off my head! This particular color (Swan Lake) of the Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky is cool, soothing and gorgeous, but it sheds quite a bit, and I ended up knitting this project with a pillowcase on my lap. But the shedding may ease with time. Now that the weather is warming up a bit, I hope I still have a chance to wear this at least once this season!
The headband was easy and fun to make, and I think I really have the cabling without a cable needle down. I started out using Grumperina's method, but ended up using the method detailed in Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting, a book I am really enjoying. I am also working on a Cables Dishcloth now, so I can continue to practice this method. Cable needles, be gone!
Now it's back to my On Hold socks, and my usual process of knitting one sock monogamously, then doing a bigger project (probably a tank with my latest Tess Microfiber Ribbon), then sock #2. These will incorporate beads, and I've been playing around with where to place them. More fun ahead!

Churning Out the FO's!

As part of my break after completing the Argyle Vest, I finished the Vanessa Headband. I really love how it looks on and off my head! This particular color (Swan Lake) of the Misti Alpaca Handpaint Chunky is cool, soothing and gorgeous, but it sheds quite a bit, and I ended up knitting this project with a pillowcase on my lap. But the shedding may ease with time. Now that the weather is warming up a bit, I hope I still have a chance to wear this at least once this season!
The headband was easy and fun to make, and I think I really have the cabling without a cable needle down. I started out using Grumperina's method, but ended up using the method detailed in Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting, a book I am really enjoying. I am also working on a Cables Dishcloth now, so I can continue to practice this method. Cable needles, be gone!
Now it's back to my On Hold socks, and my usual process of knitting one sock monogamously, then doing a bigger project (probably a tank with my latest Tess Microfiber Ribbon), then sock #2. These will incorporate beads, and I've been playing around with where to place them. More fun ahead!

My Masterpiece!

I finished my son's argyle vest! This was definitely one of the most challenging projects I've completed, and one through which I've learned a great deal. I learned intarsia, duplicate stitch, and how to modify a pattern that includes a chart. I feel like my seaming/finishing skills also continue to improve with each project I make. I actually thought about paying a yarn shop to do the finishing on the vest, but it turned out to be very easy and enjoyable--the short-rows and three-needle bind-off for the shoulders worked beautifully, the picking up stitches for the V-neck was great (I used my terrific new book, Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book for that), and the mattress stitch seams look very good. I loved the KnitPicks Palette (which is a good thing, as I have almost 3 skeins of each color left!!), and I'm looking forward to making something with that, perhaps more colorwork.
Now I'm moving on to finish up a bunch of small WIP's and work on my On-Hold Socks before starting my next "major" project. I've already finished my Linoleum Dishcloth and will start another as "purse/train knitting." Also cleaned up my notions bag within my larger knitting bag; am thinking of getting another Della Q tote and two small Della zip bags for easier organization of tools. We'll see.
I went to our Borders, which is one of the casualties of the chain's bankruptcy, over the weekend, looking for knitting book bargains. All books were 20% off, which isn't as big of a discount as can be had online, so I didn't buy anything. Considering that I am in the midst of reading the 5-6 knitting books I bought around the holidays, it's probably a blessing in disguise. I did, however, have a 55% off coupon for A.C. Moore, which is in the same shopping center, so I rewarded myself with Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge, now in paperback, instead. I've wanted that book for a long time and look forward to getting creative with my edgings.

My Masterpiece!

I finished my son's argyle vest! This was definitely one of the most challenging projects I've completed, and one through which I've learned a great deal. I learned intarsia, duplicate stitch, and how to modify a pattern that includes a chart. I feel like my seaming/finishing skills also continue to improve with each project I make. I actually thought about paying a yarn shop to do the finishing on the vest, but it turned out to be very easy and enjoyable--the short-rows and three-needle bind-off for the shoulders worked beautifully, the picking up stitches for the V-neck was great (I used my terrific new book, Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book for that), and the mattress stitch seams look very good. I loved the KnitPicks Palette (which is a good thing, as I have almost 3 skeins of each color left!!), and I'm looking forward to making something with that, perhaps more colorwork.
Now I'm moving on to finish up a bunch of small WIP's and work on my On-Hold Socks before starting my next "major" project. I've already finished my Linoleum Dishcloth and will start another as "purse/train knitting." Also cleaned up my notions bag within my larger knitting bag; am thinking of getting another Della Q tote and two small Della zip bags for easier organization of tools. We'll see.
I went to our Borders, which is one of the casualties of the chain's bankruptcy, over the weekend, looking for knitting book bargains. All books were 20% off, which isn't as big of a discount as can be had online, so I didn't buy anything. Considering that I am in the midst of reading the 5-6 knitting books I bought around the holidays, it's probably a blessing in disguise. I did, however, have a 55% off coupon for A.C. Moore, which is in the same shopping center, so I rewarded myself with Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge, now in paperback, instead. I've wanted that book for a long time and look forward to getting creative with my edgings.

I'm a Cowl Girl!

With the cold, snowy, blustery weather we've been having for the past month and a half, I've wanted nothing more than warm, toasty and cuddly knitwear. Having bought the Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Chunky yarn at Vogue Knitting LIVE, I promptly knit the Loop of Luxury from CowlGirls. I finished it last night and wore it to the Super Bowl Sale at Down Cellar, my new favorite LYS. I've been there before, but never to their new location and I must say, the women that run the shop are warm, personable, fun, and eager to help--qualities that are not always found at Local Yarn Shops. I got lots of compliments on my cowl as I browsed the shop, and since I have a half skein of the luxe Misti Alpaca left over, I decided to buy another skein to make coordinating mitts. The cowl's colors look perfect with my winter ski jacket and the yarn feels so luscious that I want it on my hands as well as around my neck! They were out of the Falstaff colorway, so I bought a beautiful coordinating icy blue called Swan Lake. Combining this with the Falstaff, I'll be able to make the mitts and most likely at least a headband too.
I also bought 3 skeins of Malabrigo Chunky at Down Cellar, in the beautiful Velvet Grapes colorway, to make the Gap-tastic Cowl that is going viral! I was in NYC last weekend and noticed that these loopy cowls, or infinity scarves, are everywhere. I hope they are still everywhere next winter, as my queue is so full of cowls now that I will certainly be making them--and hopefully wearing them--for years to come.
Still making good progress on my son's argyle vest too--the front is done, other than a few duplicate stitch lines, and the solid back is moving along at great speed. It will be good mindless knitting for tomorrow's big event--THE SUPER BOWL--GO, STEELERS!!!

I'm a Cowl Girl!

With the cold, snowy, blustery weather we've been having for the past month and a half, I've wanted nothing more than warm, toasty and cuddly knitwear. Having bought the Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Chunky yarn at Vogue Knitting LIVE, I promptly knit the Loop of Luxury from CowlGirls. I finished it last night and wore it to the Super Bowl Sale at Down Cellar, my new favorite LYS. I've been there before, but never to their new location and I must say, the women that run the shop are warm, personable, fun, and eager to help--qualities that are not always found at Local Yarn Shops. I got lots of compliments on my cowl as I browsed the shop, and since I have a half skein of the luxe Misti Alpaca left over, I decided to buy another skein to make coordinating mitts. The cowl's colors look perfect with my winter ski jacket and the yarn feels so luscious that I want it on my hands as well as around my neck! They were out of the Falstaff colorway, so I bought a beautiful coordinating icy blue called Swan Lake. Combining this with the Falstaff, I'll be able to make the mitts and most likely at least a headband too.
I also bought 3 skeins of Malabrigo Chunky at Down Cellar, in the beautiful Velvet Grapes colorway, to make the Gap-tastic Cowl that is going viral! I was in NYC last weekend and noticed that these loopy cowls, or infinity scarves, are everywhere. I hope they are still everywhere next winter, as my queue is so full of cowls now that I will certainly be making them--and hopefully wearing them--for years to come.
Still making good progress on my son's argyle vest too--the front is done, other than a few duplicate stitch lines, and the solid back is moving along at great speed. It will be good mindless knitting for tomorrow's big event--THE SUPER BOWL--GO, STEELERS!!!