Don't Cry For Me, Malabrigo!

It happened when I was getting ready for Madrona. I couldn't find an empty tote bag; they were all full of Unfinished Objects (UFOs)! It became clear that I needed to take care of some of these. My oldest UFO is the Basic Black cardigan by Glenna C. I cast on in the very lovely Malabrigo Silky, but there was so much variation between skeins that I had to alternate every 2 rows. This led to some failed experiments in joining, and overall, I was not happy. As sometimes happens, the project spent some time alone, thinking about what it had done.

Deep breath.  Courage.

I binned it!  Spurred to action by the brave actions of Connie with her Sheep Heid; once she realized she had to start over (again), she took the unsalvageable work, and threw it away.  How cleansing it seemed, when she told me.  How inviting.  A clean start.

I weighed what was left and it seems like I only lost about 200 yards of my original 1500 yards.  This morning I cast on for Riding To Avalon, by the brilliant Connie Chang Chinchio, who designed the Mountain View Cardigan (which is still my favorite sweater to date).

So, wish me luck as I dive back into this yarn.

Finished Object: Twisted Socks

 

Pattern: Twisted by Jodie Gordon Lucas

Source: Knitty, Spring & Summer 2010

Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight in Sock Hoppin'

Needles: US 2

I cannot say enough about this yarn.  So squishy and vibrant, I will definitely be making a beeline for the Blue Moon Fiberarts booth at Madrona this year.  I was sorely tempted to take the dive into the Rockin' Sock Club.  If you're looking for some knitting inspiration, that is a great link.  I should note that my fingers were gradually stained purple with the dye, and a small amount came out during the post-knit wash, but the color is just as beautiful as it started out.

OK, so the pattern.  Wonderful!  I knit the entire leg inside out, so as to minimize the amount of purling I had to do.  This was also the first time I'd done an eye of partridge heel (about halfway down that page); if I have to choose my own heel in the future, I'll definitely be thinking about that one.  I especially love the gradual ankle decrease after you pick up the heel - by the time you're done decreasing, you're almost done with the foot!

I did have a bit of difficulty, though.  These socks are supposed to be mirror images of each other, with the stitch pattern wrapping across the outside of the sock and across the foot.  Call it a design opportunity, call it didn't-read-the-pattern-carefully-enough; I have two left socks here.  But they fit great, and I love them!

A-11, Pebble's Protest

A-11, Pebble's Protest (37 pieces).  I used Anina's wonderful tutorial and freezer paper piecing method inorder to do this one.  I think it turned out great, and I am thrilled to say that this completes my entire row A!

Here's the DJ Tally:

67 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,298 pieces!

I hope you all have a very Happy New Year!

Finished Object: Leah's Christmas Stocking

A couple days late, but it's finished. I am almost as proud of this as I am of its recipient, who I also made. Some details: The design is original, but the motifs are from Alice Starmore's Fair Isle Knitting Done on US3's in Knit Picks Palette: 

The colors I used:
Garnet Heather
Serrano
Lipstick
Forest Heather
Clover
Edamame
Navy
Celestial
Bluebell
Turmeric
Almond
Oyster Heather
Cream
White

F-7, Star Struck & H-7, Bennington Star

Yesterday I did not rush to get anywhere. I did not multitask. I did not have to bluff anyone that I knew what I was doing. There were people that were happy to see me, not because they needed anything from me, but because they enjoy my company. My Dear Jane quilting group meets in the evening on the last Wednesday of every month (I am never able to make these evening meetings since the baby was born). When that last Wednesday falls on the 5th Wednesday of the month instead of the 4th, we meet all day long. Yesterday I took the whole day off work, had many enjoyable cups of coffee, had my hair done, and spent the day sewing with some really wonderful ladies. And I managed to get two blocks done!

F-7, Starstruck (21 pieces).  This block was paper-pieced.  You can see a few marks from the Best Press, but the points (mostly) look good, and (say it with me) FINISHED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT!

H-7, Bennington Star (25 pieces).  This block was also paper-pieced; you can see the marks from the Best Press on this one too, but this is one of the handful of new red fabrics I bought while I was there and I just love it.

Here's the DJ Tally:

66 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,261 pieces!

I had so much fun yesterday.  Our next all-day meeting is in February.  I'm going to try not to leave my Dear Jane languishing until then!

Finished Object: Cannon Beach Sweater

Pattern: Mountain View Cardigan
Source: Connie Chang Chinchio
Yarn: Fancy Image Hand Dyed
Needle: US 4 for the body, US 3 for the turned hem

I made very few mods to this pattern.  I worked the body as one piece instead of 3, and I added an extra set of increases and an additional buttonhole at the top.  It's a little wonky with a stripey yarn, and if I had to do it over again, I'd probably use a more tonal yarn.  Overall, I think this is a better fit than I've ever gotten with a hand knit, and I'm thrilled with it.

Gratuitous baby picture!

Finished Monkeys and WIPs

The Monkeys, as I promised earlier, are finished! And thanks for the tips about photographing knitwear; I think this shot shows off the pattern a lot better. The photo was taken after they were worn a day, so they look a bit saggy. They are just a little loose. If I had them to do over again, I might needle down to a US 1.

Pattern: Monkey

Source: Cookie A, Knitty (Winter 2006)
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted in Tea Party (colorway discontinued)
Needle: US 2

Now, in the wake of Sock Summit, it became clear to me that I needed to get some work done on existing sock-weight projects so I could play with all my new yarn. I don't believe I've ever posted about the project below, the Cannon Beach Sweater.

The pattern is actually the Mountain View Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio, but it has been called the Cannon Beach Sweater in my house because of the colors of the yarn - beachy, but with a lot of basalt.  I had quite a bit more finished than is shown in the picture above, but was miserable with the pooling (GIANT grey spot) of the colorway in the center of the back. So I ripped it all back to nothing and started fresh. I also re-drafted the pattern so I could work the body in the round instead of as 5 pieces.

So now I have a sleeve. Or part of one. The lace cuff is the first part, then it's bound off and the sleeve is picked up across the long edge and worked perpendicularly. This looks a little odd with the stripey yarn, but I think it's working so far.

Also in progress, the Top Gear socks (Rick by Cookie A). This picture is a little blurry, but it gives you an idea of the length I'm at.  I'm working these on my Blackthorn Needles, which I mostly love.  I wish they were just a bit pointier, but I suppose there are other needles I could use if that was my goal.  Their carbon fiber construction contributes to the overall Top Gear nature of the socks.

I must finish one of these projects before I can start another sock or sock-weight sweater.  That was the deal I struck with Patrick when I came home from Sock Summit laden with all that sock booty!  Hopefully the occasional progress post on the blog will help keep me accountable...