The Big Chunky Cowl

I really enjoyed knitting this thick, chunky cowl--mindless knitting that was much needed during a busy, stressful week at work with lots of late nights. I was able to do my knit 2, purl 2 ribbbing for a few rounds before crashing each night, and I finished this cushy project in about 3 nights of knitting.

Looking forward to wearing it at a cool Midwest Big 10 Football game this weekend!

The Big Chunky Cowl

I really enjoyed knitting this thick, chunky cowl--mindless knitting that was much needed during a busy, stressful week at work with lots of late nights. I was able to do my knit 2, purl 2 ribbbing for a few rounds before crashing each night, and I finished this cushy project in about 3 nights of knitting.

Looking forward to wearing it at a cool Midwest Big 10 Football game this weekend!

Oh, Baby!

I struggled with the baby sweater I just finished for my cousin; it is from one of the books I've used the most in my library--OneSkein, by Leigh Radford. The pattern, calling for five different colors of bulky weight yarn, was so adorable and I took care in picking out some great, gender-neutral colors as I don't know the gender of the yet-to-be-born baby.

However--and this is something that I don't think I've ever done--I didn't pay attention to the yardage on the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky versus the yarn called for (Louet Gems Sapphire Chunky, evidently discontinued now according to Ravelry). My yarn arrived and was gorgeous--I just adore the Cashmerino in all of its weights--but when I got near the end of the sweater back, I ran out of the gold that I was using! I figured I'd have enough of most of the other colors, and I didn't want to order another ball of the gold, so I ripped back and got creative, using some of my Twisted Sisters leftovers to make stripes on the back and each front. I think the finished sweater is ADORABLE and I am really pleased at how I improvised. I can't wait until the baby is born so I can see the reaction of my cousin, the mom.

When I went to a LYS, Down Cellar in Basking Ridge, NJ, to pick out buttons, I ALMOST made it out of the store without buying yarn--but I didn't. There was a chunky, simple ribbed cowl on display, and it was a cold day, and I wanted to buy yarn since I hadn't been able to go to Rhinebeck ) OR Stitches East...so I bought the Sirdar Escape Chunky that the shop sample was knit in, and I'm almost done with this warm ribbed cowl after 3 brief knitting sessions over a few nights. We are going to a COLD football game in Michigan this weekend, so my goal is to finish the cowl tonight to have it to wear at the game.

The other project I started is a beret for one of my daughter's friends. I'm using the Valley Yarns Northampton that has become one of my workhorse yarns, in "Bright Blue Heather." I'm probably almost halfway done--I'm looking forward to giving it to her and seeing how many of the other 16-year-old girls asks for one!

Oh, Baby!

I struggled with the baby sweater I just finished for my cousin; it is from one of the books I've used the most in my library--OneSkein, by Leigh Radford. The pattern, calling for five different colors of bulky weight yarn, was so adorable and I took care in picking out some great, gender-neutral colors as I don't know the gender of the yet-to-be-born baby.

However--and this is something that I don't think I've ever done--I didn't pay attention to the yardage on the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky versus the yarn called for (Louet Gems Sapphire Chunky, evidently discontinued now according to Ravelry). My yarn arrived and was gorgeous--I just adore the Cashmerino in all of its weights--but when I got near the end of the sweater back, I ran out of the gold that I was using! I figured I'd have enough of most of the other colors, and I didn't want to order another ball of the gold, so I ripped back and got creative, using some of my Twisted Sisters leftovers to make stripes on the back and each front. I think the finished sweater is ADORABLE and I am really pleased at how I improvised. I can't wait until the baby is born so I can see the reaction of my cousin, the mom.

When I went to a LYS, Down Cellar in Basking Ridge, NJ, to pick out buttons, I ALMOST made it out of the store without buying yarn--but I didn't. There was a chunky, simple ribbed cowl on display, and it was a cold day, and I wanted to buy yarn since I hadn't been able to go to Rhinebeck ) OR Stitches East...so I bought the Sirdar Escape Chunky that the shop sample was knit in, and I'm almost done with this warm ribbed cowl after 3 brief knitting sessions over a few nights. We are going to a COLD football game in Michigan this weekend, so my goal is to finish the cowl tonight to have it to wear at the game.

The other project I started is a beret for one of my daughter's friends. I'm using the Valley Yarns Northampton that has become one of my workhorse yarns, in "Bright Blue Heather." I'm probably almost halfway done--I'm looking forward to giving it to her and seeing how many of the other 16-year-old girls asks for one!

Mittens!

As I mentioned in my last post, the timing of the finishing of my Clapotis (which has come in very handy in my cold office during this unseasonably cold snap!) coincided with my receiving a notice about the Youth Campaign for Afghans for Afghans.

So, these mittens, straight out of Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns, became my next project, and I finished them in 3 nights. The Noro will be nice and warm and they fit pretty well on my 14-year-old son. The colors are vibrant and interesting. I will now continue to knit for Afghans for Afghans--on this, the coldest night of the year so far on the East Coast, it feels good to be contributing something warm for a child who has so little.

Next up: back to work on my Spring Forward Socks, and a baby sweater for my cousin's soon-to-be-born baby!

Mittens!

As I mentioned in my last post, the timing of the finishing of my Clapotis (which has come in very handy in my cold office during this unseasonably cold snap!) coincided with my receiving a notice about the Youth Campaign for Afghans for Afghans.

So, these mittens, straight out of Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns, became my next project, and I finished them in 3 nights. The Noro will be nice and warm and they fit pretty well on my 14-year-old son. The colors are vibrant and interesting. I will now continue to knit for Afghans for Afghans--on this, the coldest night of the year so far on the East Coast, it feels good to be contributing something warm for a child who has so little.

Next up: back to work on my Spring Forward Socks, and a baby sweater for my cousin's soon-to-be-born baby!

Clapotis Complete!

I had been wanting to make the Clapotis for the longest time; I started this one with the intent of giving it to my friend who is going through chemo. However, the Noro Silk Garden that I had added to after making my Lizzy cardigan is both a little rough and a little too dark in coloring for the effect I want my prayer shawl to have. So....I bought some cheerfully colored Homespun and will probably make a cuddly shawl for my friend out of that.

Meanwhile, I LOVE the finished Clapotis as something I will keep in my office for those chilly days (of which there are many, all year round!) The colors are deep and neutral so it will look good thrown over almost anything I'll be wearing at work. The Clapotis blocked out bigger than I had been anticipating--I just laid it down gently on the blocking board after softening it in a bath of Eucalan and hair conditioner--so it is about 23 inches wide by about 70 inches long. I think it will actually be fine--I'd rather have it be a bit big than a bit small.

I really think I'd like to make another of these in a different yarn. There are so many wonderful examples on Ravelry and in the Clapotis groups, with so much information about amount of yarn needed, needle size, etc. The spreadsheet form soulknitting.com was also invaluable in helping me keep my place in this pattern--it was great "mindless" knitting as the pattern was easily memorized.

I couldn't recommend the Clapotis enough--don't wait years to make it like I did!

Now, with my 1.5 leftover skeins of Noro, I've decided to make some children's mittens for the current Afghans for Afghans Youth Campaign. I always want to contribute to this very worthy organization and have only done so once before. Having this small amount of good wool left just as the Youth Campaign is in full swing is a sign that this is meant to be. I'm using the basic mitten pattern from Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns. The first mitten looks a bit big (I'm making the 8-year-old size), but I think it will be OK--they are looking for things for ages 7-14,, and my own 14-year old is pretty much adult size. We'll see.

Clapotis Complete!

I had been wanting to make the Clapotis for the longest time; I started this one with the intent of giving it to my friend who is going through chemo. However, the Noro Silk Garden that I had added to after making my Lizzy cardigan is both a little rough and a little too dark in coloring for the effect I want my prayer shawl to have. So....I bought some cheerfully colored Homespun and will probably make a cuddly shawl for my friend out of that.

Meanwhile, I LOVE the finished Clapotis as something I will keep in my office for those chilly days (of which there are many, all year round!) The colors are deep and neutral so it will look good thrown over almost anything I'll be wearing at work. The Clapotis blocked out bigger than I had been anticipating--I just laid it down gently on the blocking board after softening it in a bath of Eucalan and hair conditioner--so it is about 23 inches wide by about 70 inches long. I think it will actually be fine--I'd rather have it be a bit big than a bit small.

I really think I'd like to make another of these in a different yarn. There are so many wonderful examples on Ravelry and in the Clapotis groups, with so much information about amount of yarn needed, needle size, etc. The spreadsheet form soulknitting.com was also invaluable in helping me keep my place in this pattern--it was great "mindless" knitting as the pattern was easily memorized.

I couldn't recommend the Clapotis enough--don't wait years to make it like I did!

Now, with my 1.5 leftover skeins of Noro, I've decided to make some children's mittens for the current Afghans for Afghans Youth Campaign. I always want to contribute to this very worthy organization and have only done so once before. Having this small amount of good wool left just as the Youth Campaign is in full swing is a sign that this is meant to be. I'm using the basic mitten pattern from Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns. The first mitten looks a bit big (I'm making the 8-year-old size), but I think it will be OK--they are looking for things for ages 7-14,, and my own 14-year old is pretty much adult size. We'll see.

Socks Finished, Socks Started

In keeping with my recent tradition of completing socks in between my bigger projects in order to be somewhat monogamous for bigger projects, I finished my Solstice Slip socks after finishing my Ribbon Tank earlier this week. The Solstice Slips look great, and I had fun learning to cable without a cable needle. I do wish I had made the leg a bit longer, as I have plenty of yarn left...but I'm sure, like many of my hand-knit socks, they will stretch.

I immediately went back to my two-year-old un-knit Rockin' Sock Club pile! Next up was the Flower Power colorway, which was supposed to be made into the "Summer of Love Lace" pattern, an anklet with a lace cuff. I'm not wild about hand-knit anklets, so I searched around and selected the Spring Forward socks from Knitty.com which had been in my queue and are one of the most popular sock patterns on Ravelry. It's a nice, easy pattern, so it can be good travel knitting as well as hopefully yielding a pretty result.

This and the Clapotis will mean my current knitting projects are all pretty mellow. I'll be all set as the school year and football season begins, and multitasking knitting takes hold!

Socks Finished, Socks Started

In keeping with my recent tradition of completing socks in between my bigger projects in order to be somewhat monogamous for bigger projects, I finished my Solstice Slip socks after finishing my Ribbon Tank earlier this week. The Solstice Slips look great, and I had fun learning to cable without a cable needle. I do wish I had made the leg a bit longer, as I have plenty of yarn left...but I'm sure, like many of my hand-knit socks, they will stretch.

I immediately went back to my two-year-old un-knit Rockin' Sock Club pile! Next up was the Flower Power colorway, which was supposed to be made into the "Summer of Love Lace" pattern, an anklet with a lace cuff. I'm not wild about hand-knit anklets, so I searched around and selected the Spring Forward socks from Knitty.com which had been in my queue and are one of the most popular sock patterns on Ravelry. It's a nice, easy pattern, so it can be good travel knitting as well as hopefully yielding a pretty result.

This and the Clapotis will mean my current knitting projects are all pretty mellow. I'll be all set as the school year and football season begins, and multitasking knitting takes hold!

End of Summer, New Projects

As summer winds down--I guess it has already wound down, as it is September--I finished a summer tank. So now I'll need to wear it quickly before it's too cold outside! The Tess Microfiber Ribbon is one of my favorite fibers, and this tank fits perfectly--I know it will stretch, so I'm not even going to block it. It can be worn with the scoop in the front or the back--I may try it both ways. I love the colorway--light greens, light blues and purples--but I don't really have a lot to go with it, so that will be a challenge, especially once summer is over and my light blue pants are out of the rotation. Things could be worse!

For my next project, I think I'll continue on with the Clapotis that I started before going on vacation at the end of July. I took so many projects on the trip, and of course, I didn't need to. I finished the Chemo Cap for my friend before we even left, and started and finished the LouLou Comfort Socks on the trip. I'm happy to say my dear friend loved both of these comfort items--I hope the prayers that went with them will work wonders for her.

I worked on the tank during the trip too, but didn't touch the Clapotis. So now I will work on that along with finishing the Solstice Slip socks that I also worked on during the trip.

In between, I got an iPhone (which I ADORE!) and made a little sock for it.

So I guess that's why the tank took me over two months...a little knitting ADD going on!

More to come as the leaves fall.

End of Summer, New Projects

As summer winds down--I guess it has already wound down, as it is September--I finished a summer tank. So now I'll need to wear it quickly before it's too cold outside! The Tess Microfiber Ribbon is one of my favorite fibers, and this tank fits perfectly--I know it will stretch, so I'm not even going to block it. It can be worn with the scoop in the front or the back--I may try it both ways. I love the colorway--light greens, light blues and purples--but I don't really have a lot to go with it, so that will be a challenge, especially once summer is over and my light blue pants are out of the rotation. Things could be worse!

For my next project, I think I'll continue on with the Clapotis that I started before going on vacation at the end of July. I took so many projects on the trip, and of course, I didn't need to. I finished the Chemo Cap for my friend before we even left, and started and finished the LouLou Comfort Socks on the trip. I'm happy to say my dear friend loved both of these comfort items--I hope the prayers that went with them will work wonders for her.

I worked on the tank during the trip too, but didn't touch the Clapotis. So now I will work on that along with finishing the Solstice Slip socks that I also worked on during the trip.

In between, I got an iPhone (which I ADORE!) and made a little sock for it.

So I guess that's why the tank took me over two months...a little knitting ADD going on!

More to come as the leaves fall.

Vacation Decisions and a Chemo Cap for a Dear Friend

I am leaving for about 10 days' vacation in Italy later this week. As always, the selection of knitting projects to take along is uppermost in my mind as I start to formulate my packing list.

I have successfully completed the back of my Tess Microfiber Ribbon Top, and I know (I had been unsure) that I will have enough yarn to complete the front as well. This will be my "main" project for the trip.

I have been making lots of things for a dear friend who is going through chemo once again. I thought a chemo cap would be the perfect trip knitting, and found a lovely pattern and lusciuous, soft Alchemy Temple yarn. But...the hat knit up so quickly on a couple of recent, short train rides for work that I am finished!
I'll wait and send it to my friend until after we get back, and I will have had a chance to also complete the soft and fuzzy Lou Lou Comfort Socks out of the unbelivably luxe Lorna's Laces Angel. With the unintentional leftover skein of the Alchemy Temple, I may make another pair of the Lou Lou's--the Temple is too good to go to waste. I will either keep them for me or send them to my friend too.

Finally, in case all of these things get used up on the trip, I will start a shawl for my friend--I just joined the Ravelry Prayer Shawl Group so I will say a prayer and pour all of my wishes into this Ruffled Shawl, which I'll probably make with Noro Silk Garden that had been stashed for a Clapotis.

With all of these options, I hope there is time for sightseeing (and maybe a bit of yarn shopping)! Arrivaderci!

Vacation Decisions and a Chemo Cap for a Dear Friend

I am leaving for about 10 days' vacation in Italy later this week. As always, the selection of knitting projects to take along is uppermost in my mind as I start to formulate my packing list.

I have successfully completed the back of my Tess Microfiber Ribbon Top, and I know (I had been unsure) that I will have enough yarn to complete the front as well. This will be my "main" project for the trip.

I have been making lots of things for a dear friend who is going through chemo once again. I thought a chemo cap would be the perfect trip knitting, and found a lovely pattern and lusciuous, soft Alchemy Temple yarn. But...the hat knit up so quickly on a couple of recent, short train rides for work that I am finished!
I'll wait and send it to my friend until after we get back, and I will have had a chance to also complete the soft and fuzzy Lou Lou Comfort Socks out of the unbelivably luxe Lorna's Laces Angel. With the unintentional leftover skein of the Alchemy Temple, I may make another pair of the Lou Lou's--the Temple is too good to go to waste. I will either keep them for me or send them to my friend too.

Finally, in case all of these things get used up on the trip, I will start a shawl for my friend--I just joined the Ravelry Prayer Shawl Group so I will say a prayer and pour all of my wishes into this Ruffled Shawl, which I'll probably make with Noro Silk Garden that had been stashed for a Clapotis.

With all of these options, I hope there is time for sightseeing (and maybe a bit of yarn shopping)! Arrivaderci!

In Time

I finished the Mitered Tank Top with over a week to spare before my son's Middle School Graduation. After much ripping--I became obsessed with having even stitches, and working in a yarn that is not wool really challenges me on achieving that even texture--I am very happy with the finished product. Light spritz blocking also evened out the stitches beautifully, so I'll have to keep that in mind for future projects. The top fits like a glove, and I think it will stretch, so I did very minimal blocking.
The Panda Silk DK ended up being so soft and was very nice for seaming. Just a bit challenging for a nice, even tension, and it was a bit splitty.

Before I start my next "main" project, I am going to finish one Solstice Slip sock. I figure if I do at least one sock in between bigger projects, since I'm not so good at the simultaneous sock knitting anymore, I will eventually get through my large sock stash.

Next up for "main" project: another tank, this time with my yummy Tess Microfiber Ribbon, purchased at Stitches East last fall. I'll probably do the pattern that they gave me with the ribbon, a scoop neck tank that can be worn with the scoop in front or back. More to come!

In Time

I finished the Mitered Tank Top with over a week to spare before my son's Middle School Graduation. After much ripping--I became obsessed with having even stitches, and working in a yarn that is not wool really challenges me on achieving that even texture--I am very happy with the finished product. Light spritz blocking also evened out the stitches beautifully, so I'll have to keep that in mind for future projects. The top fits like a glove, and I think it will stretch, so I did very minimal blocking.
The Panda Silk DK ended up being so soft and was very nice for seaming. Just a bit challenging for a nice, even tension, and it was a bit splitty.

Before I start my next "main" project, I am going to finish one Solstice Slip sock. I figure if I do at least one sock in between bigger projects, since I'm not so good at the simultaneous sock knitting anymore, I will eventually get through my large sock stash.

Next up for "main" project: another tank, this time with my yummy Tess Microfiber Ribbon, purchased at Stitches East last fall. I'll probably do the pattern that they gave me with the ribbon, a scoop neck tank that can be worn with the scoop in front or back. More to come!

Socks DO Rock!

In order to finally finish my Sweet Pea Socks, which had been languishing for 9 months, I made them my #1 project rather than a secondary, "Pick up when you have a chance" project. It worked--I finished them in 2 weeks. Breaking my toe and having to stay off my feet a bit (ironically, while I knit SOCKS) helped a lot the first weekend. The socks are beautiful and the Silkie Socks that Rock is luscious.
I'm very pleased with the result, although now that it's May I won't be able to wear these for awhile. Something to look forward to.

I will immediately cast on for my next two-year-old Socks that Rock pattern and yarn, Solstice Slip in Socks that Rock Lightweight Firebird. This pattern can be knit either top down or toe up, and since I'm a novice at toe-up, I first thought I'd try that. But since I plan to cast on for Norah Gaughan's Mitered Top from Spring/Summer 2009 Vogue Knitting, which I want to finish in time for my son's 8th grade graduation in about 6 weeks, I think I better make these something I can handle easily--hence, I'll do them top down. I'll make toe-up one of my learning goals for the future. More on the tank once I get started!

Socks DO Rock!

In order to finally finish my Sweet Pea Socks, which had been languishing for 9 months, I made them my #1 project rather than a secondary, "Pick up when you have a chance" project. It worked--I finished them in 2 weeks. Breaking my toe and having to stay off my feet a bit (ironically, while I knit SOCKS) helped a lot the first weekend. The socks are beautiful and the Silkie Socks that Rock is luscious.
I'm very pleased with the result, although now that it's May I won't be able to wear these for awhile. Something to look forward to.

I will immediately cast on for my next two-year-old Socks that Rock pattern and yarn, Solstice Slip in Socks that Rock Lightweight Firebird. This pattern can be knit either top down or toe up, and since I'm a novice at toe-up, I first thought I'd try that. But since I plan to cast on for Norah Gaughan's Mitered Top from Spring/Summer 2009 Vogue Knitting, which I want to finish in time for my son's 8th grade graduation in about 6 weeks, I think I better make these something I can handle easily--hence, I'll do them top down. I'll make toe-up one of my learning goals for the future. More on the tank once I get started!

A Calamity Becomes a Knitting Opportunity

Well, once again it's been awhile since I've blogged. Online life is a bit overwhelming, what with Twitter (I'm JerseyShoreDeb), Facebook and, of course, Ravelry. I have been working furiously on my husband's vest so that I could get it done--I started out not liking the intarsia work, but got into a rhythm and enjoyed it very much at the end. The finished result is really nice.
Too bad it's now too warm for him to wear the vest until next winter. Oh, well.

I decided to finish my Sweet Pea Socks before starting another larger project--the sock has been languishing since last summer and I thought it might help to work on it as my main project rather than a secondary afterthought. I am really enjoying it, I think I forgot how gratifying sock knitting can be, as it moves very quickly if you actually do it more than sporadically! I'm about halfway through the foot on Sock #1--I may be able to finish the pair in a week or so. The Silkie Socks That Rock seems to have a bit less give than an all wool sock yarn, which makes sense, but boy does it feel nice, and the colorway I'm using is beautiful. One day I'll be caught up to my two years' worth of unknit Rockin' Sock Club kits!

I've actually had a lot of time to knit this weekend as I broke my big toe Friday night. Just walked into a cement barrier in a restaurant parking lot. As someone who runs almost every day, the fact that I won't be able to exercise for six weeks is sort of freaking me out, but I guess it could be a lot worse. Spent yesterday with my foot propped on a pillow, knitting away on my sock. Yes, life could definitely be worse.

A Calamity Becomes a Knitting Opportunity

Well, once again it's been awhile since I've blogged. Online life is a bit overwhelming, what with Twitter (I'm JerseyShoreDeb), Facebook and, of course, Ravelry. I have been working furiously on my husband's vest so that I could get it done--I started out not liking the intarsia work, but got into a rhythm and enjoyed it very much at the end. The finished result is really nice.
Too bad it's now too warm for him to wear the vest until next winter. Oh, well.

I decided to finish my Sweet Pea Socks before starting another larger project--the sock has been languishing since last summer and I thought it might help to work on it as my main project rather than a secondary afterthought. I am really enjoying it, I think I forgot how gratifying sock knitting can be, as it moves very quickly if you actually do it more than sporadically! I'm about halfway through the foot on Sock #1--I may be able to finish the pair in a week or so. The Silkie Socks That Rock seems to have a bit less give than an all wool sock yarn, which makes sense, but boy does it feel nice, and the colorway I'm using is beautiful. One day I'll be caught up to my two years' worth of unknit Rockin' Sock Club kits!

I've actually had a lot of time to knit this weekend as I broke my big toe Friday night. Just walked into a cement barrier in a restaurant parking lot. As someone who runs almost every day, the fact that I won't be able to exercise for six weeks is sort of freaking me out, but I guess it could be a lot worse. Spent yesterday with my foot propped on a pillow, knitting away on my sock. Yes, life could definitely be worse.