I frogged two projects on Monday, Shalom and Stripes!

Two sweaters with fit issues that sat unloved in my closet. (Nothing went wrong with the designs, the issues were all my fault.) Why waste good yarn? I reclaimed the yarn and gave it a bath, and now it is ready for Aidez, the first sweater I will attempt in the new year (unless I get lucky and am able to finish all 4 projects I have on the needles).

© Berrroco

© Berroco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t know why I am so late to hop on the bandwagon, but it is quite a beautiful sweater. I think it will be the perfect cozy house sweater. I might make a few mods, like changing the cables on the back, and grafting the back of the neck in a different manner, but other than that, I will knit it as is. Yay! I will definitely wear this a lot more than my other two projects. Sometimes, you just gotta frog.

This past week, I’ve done the following:
Worked on a christmas gift
Worked on some commissioned knitting (don’t want to do that again until I have my own knitwear business, I think)
Decided to actually knit a ribbing on my grey Forever 21 hoodie (picture)
Fell in love with the Still Light Tunic, Aidez, Nordic Cardigan
Made a list of 16 cardigans/coats/tunics/vests I want to knit next year.
Did some knitting machine research

As the year draws to a close, I’ve been thinking about what I’ve accomplished so far this year, and what I want in the year to come. I definitely want to focus more on knitting garments and having them fit well. I also want to start designing my own knitwear. I’m actually hoping to take some machine knitting classes (and eventually purchase one!) next year. I’m sure I will still hand knit, quite a bit, but I am convinced that machine knitting is the way to go for working out some of the designs I want to create.

This week, I’d love to make some more progress on this Christmas garment I’m knitting (maybe even finish it, but I doubt I will) and not queue/fall in love with any more sweaters. I have too many in the queue as it is.

The other day I decided that I would only make as many Christmas gifts as I could get done before my birthday (exactly a month from now).

Chances are, unless it’s something small, if I am still knitting it on 12/7, it probably won’t get done. And I’ll want to start something new for myself anyway. So that is the deal I made with myself. (Hopefully I’ll stick to it!)

Last week, I was able to finally finish the fiddly gift for mom I mentioned, and now I am working on something for Dad.

Sadly, I did not have time to A) reknit my Akoya button bands, or B) block and take a picture of my February Beret. Sorry! Work was crazy last week.

Wanna know why?

Well, Brooklyn Tweed just released a new yarn called Loft! Yay, we’re finally allowed to talk about it. I heard rumblings of it several months ago, and I was immediately excited. While I love Shelter, I love knitting with finer gauge yarn, so Loft was just up my alley. It has all the wooliness of Shelter, but it’s thinner and softer. He also expanded the color palette, and the dyed in the wool process he uses means the colors have an incredible depth to them. You’ll have to see it in person, but rarely is a color just a color with Loft.

I already know what I am going to make with Loft. First, the Little Birds Sweater, but I am not completely sure of my color choices. I’ll either go with a Soot sweater, Long Johns birds, and Woodsmoke branches, or a Long Johns sweater, Woodsmoke birds, and Hayloft branches. Obviously I have some swatching to do! I didn’t allow myself to buy any Loft until I finished my gift knitting. Cruel, I know!

That doesn’t mean I haven’t played with it yet. I am actually (slowly) knitting the Jaffrey Tam as a store sample, in Long Johns. While it’s very slow going, I am enjoying working with the yarn. It’s incredibly pleasureable to knit with, very soft, light and wooly.

So yes, exciting.

I will be knitting furiously for the next month, so apologies in advance if I either don’t post or make the most eloquent posts.

I also am under the impression that I want to knit a dress out of fingering weight yarn that is pretty much inspired by this: http://mossandstone.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/recent-inspirations-2/23451958_071_b/

I swatched for it already, actually. (The bulk of what I did today.)

I also already knit half of the pattern in my head, so I guess all that’s left is getting the yarn and casting on. If only I had loads of free time coming up…

Happy Halloween! I am not doing anything to celebrate. The boy is gone (and today is my day off AND I’m not feeling well) so I am relaxing with a cup of tea.

I finished Akoya last Monday, and it’s finally dry. I made a major snafu though, so I have to take out the button bands. (I accidentally switched them.) So I can’t judge for it until the bands are switched, buttons have been applied. I think it’s going to work, though. And if it does, it might go into “the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made” category. So look for that next week.

I also finished my February Beret. I just need to block it. It’s quite a nice hat, and the mods I used for a thicker yarn seemed to work well.

There’s another project I started on, but that is secret for a few more days. Look for that next week, too.

Last, but not least, I started a long-requested gift knit for my mom. I don’t know if she reads this, so I will wait until after the holidays to show it here. Let’s just say it involves a lot of finishing…

I still hope to get a few more gifts done in the next few weeks. I planned to be a lot more productive this weekend, but then I got kind of ill, so I’ve been trying not to push myself.

Other things of note:

I saw Bill Cunningham New York yesterday, and it was quite a fascinating, wonderful documentary. Even if you don’t like fashion, you should watch it. That man is truly something special. I’d love to meet him someday, or even better, get photographed by him.

I’ve been searching Anthropologie again for inspiration. Here are some of my recent faves:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you click on them and open a new tab, you can see the detail a lot better.

Discussion: The Stranded Turtleneck. I really like the idea of switching the dominant color in this piece. I wonder if it would work better as an accent on the neck and hem. I might try that.

The Tomato Cabled Skirt. Lovely. Something like this might be a candidate for my knitting machine (you know, in the future). I think that should be as fine a gauge as possible.

The Yellow Cardigan. Basic, but I do like the halo. It’s not made out of mohair, which is very surprising. I bet one could make something like that out of several strands of Silk Cloud held together, but it would be warm as heck.

The dress. That is just gorgeous. I definitely want to knit something quite like it. I am not a fan of that seam in the middle. Assuming it wouldn’t be structurally important, I would do away with that.

Sigh. I wish I had time to actually design all these things. Oh, speaking of wanting to redesign things, I desperately want to make a houndstooth coat. See Figure A:

© Knit.1 Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like it and all, but really, I just want a classic coat.
So I will add a collar, lengthen the sleeves, turn it into a double breasted coat, and slant the pockets. Oh, and the most heart-breaking thing about this coat is that they don’t even show you the back. It has a back-pleat! I love it.

Anyway, I have lots of modified designs (and originals) I want to work on. Hopefully next year, I’ll be able to focus on it. Okay, next week I promise pictures of things I have actually done work on.

I’m finally done with my Akoya. Sort of.  There are still many ends to weave in, and armholes to be kitchenered together, but all the knitting is done. It took a couple days for me to knit the button bands and find a bind off technique I liked.  I have slight doubts it will not fit correctly, as I knit the 34-36, not the 37-39. And when I tried it on, it fit well in the arms, but did not leave a ton of room to close in front. Of course, this was pre-blocking.  I won’t be able to tell until it’s done drying. Here’s hoping.  If I have to reknit it, I’ll be a little sore, but willing, as it is a beautiful sweater. Let’s not think about it quite yet, though.

 

I am now finally ready to start my gift knitting, late I know, but that’s how I work, I suppose. First up is a hat, since my brain is a bit fried from all this sweater knitting. It’s for my paternal grandmother, who doesn’t own a computer, so I feel safe to share it on this blog.

 

It’s the February Lady Beret, which I actually tried to knit for her over a year ago, but I got sidetracked.

I will be using some stashed Malabrigo Rios in Ravelry Red.

 

It’s heavier than what the pattern calls for, but I am confident I can mod it well. Hopefully I can bust it out, and move on to the next thing.

 

I have been in sort of a work funk this past week, for various reasons, and I turned to knitting design to get my mind off things. I have a few fun ideas for designs floating around in my head, and I am eager to start working on them. It might not be for several months though, as my main focus right now is getting these gifts done.

No project inspiration this week, although I did see a nice men’s sweater at Banana Republic the other day that blew my mind. I can’t find a picture of it online, but it was a shawl collared cardigan, I believe, with different textures (like moss stitch) broken up by garter rib bands. Very inspiring.

All right, time to go knit some more and ponder things.

I thought I might be done with my sweater today, but alas, I am not. Soon, though. This past week I joined the sleeves to the body, and I am now decreasing stitches at the yoke. I imagine I will have it done by knit night (this Thursday). And for that, I will be glad. This sweater has taken up 7 weeks of my time, and I am anxious to get started on some gift knits. I have a lot of those to start and finish, actually. I actually might go project incommunicado until after they have all been received. I am not sure if the recipients read this blog or not. Better safe than sorry. But don’t worry – I will be popping in every Monday to share other things I have been doing and/or thinking about doing.

Aside from work and sweater knitting, I haven’t been up to much else. I have been thinking about sewing a lot. I don’t have time to start learning that until after the holidays, but that doesn’t stop me from buying sewing books.

© Whipstitchfabrics.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really like this one. I read the reviews on Amazon for it, but I bought it at Powell’s. Nice chatty tone, clear photos, and of course, a CD-ROM full of additional patterns and instructions. Who doesn’t love CD-ROMS?

Here are some things that are rocking my world as of late:

 

© The Daily Knitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linen stitch scarves.  I made a swatch for one yesterday, and well, *someone* is getting one for Christmas.

I had to force myself to put the swatch down. Now I know I might not feel that way after casting on 500+ stitches (these babies are knit lengthwise), but the pattern is ridiculously easy to memorize, and I like how it looks in my colors of choice. I can’t wait to show you!

The Purl Bee’s Big Herringbone Cowl:

© The Purl Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just realized I have three skeins of Malabrigo Twist in Pearl Ten that would work perfectly for this! I don’t really have time to knit for myself right now, but I might have to do it anyway. I need a new cowl for the fall, and this would be so nice and cozy. Mmmm.

And lastly, I was in Powell’s the other day, and I saw a cool knit cushion on the cover of Dwell. Knowing I could make something like that myself, I did some searching, and found this pattern: http://www.pickles.no/puff-daddy-knitted-stool

© Pickles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now to see what might actually work in my stash…on a semi-related note,  how cute would a handknit toadstool foot stool be?  Hmm…

Anyway, see you next Monday, hopefully with some progress to share.

I didn’t always love swatching. I used to think of it as a chore. Now I enjoy the times I knit a swatch as a “taste” of a larger project.

I got a ball of Rowan Lima, to swatch for Kind. I didn’t think I’d like it, but then again, I hadn’t knit with the Lima, now had I? I love love love this yarn. It’s very soft, very light, and very springy.

I’m pretty much sold on using this yarn for my project. The only problem is, I have to save up the money to get 16 balls of it. Maybe it will be my birthday sweater splurge. Oh, and I know I was trying to stay away from gray, but this truly was the best color for the sweater!

Here is a swatch of Shibui Knits Merino Alpaca in “Abyss”. It’s for a secret project. I really like knitting with the Merino Alpaca. The 50/50 blend is quite warm and soft, and the thickness of the yarn makes for a quick knit. I have knit with this yarn before, held together with Silk Cloud, and it made it even nicer. Mmm. And it has great stitch definition!

I’ll have some more exciting swatches for you next month. (In Madelinetosh Pashmina!)

I have been working on a sweater called Akoya (on and off) for the past month. Here is what I have accomplished so far. Two sleeves and part of the body. I’m quite anxious to get finished with it, though. My personal deadline is to have it done in two weeks, but you know how that goes.

I love knitting with the Madelinetosh sport. I enjoy the tight twist and overall feel of the yarn. It really softens up after blocking. That is all for now.

And here is a picture of sheer genius (I hope).

I was listening to a podcast today, and it reminded me I have 3 single skeins of MCN yarn from various dyers. Since they’re the same base (Merino/Cashmere/Nylon), same weight (fingering), and around the same yardage (400 yards), why not use them together? I went through my stitchtionaries, Ravelry’s pattern database, my own head, and decided that they would play nicely in Blakeslee.

© Emily Johnson

(I might make a few mods though. In addition to making it a three color pattern, I plan to make it more of a crewneck and then lengthen the sleeves some.)
I’m so happy that I was inspired to make something from my stash, and find a pattern that fits my stash. You know, instead of finding a pattern and stashing more yarn for it. I hope I do this a lot more in the future, especially with single skeins. It’s a good thing I like stripes. I had to force myself to not swatch for this today. I will swatch as soon as I am done with Akoya, and then I might even cast on and work on it every now and then.

Okay, I must use what is left of my day off to knit some more rows of Akoya. I need to find a good movie to watch or something…

I fell in love today, with a gorgeous sweater from Rowan 50.

© Rowan Magazine 50

I’m pretty sure the page just fell right open to that sweater, where I was taken by its shawl collar, length, pockets, and texture detail. I *need* to knit that cardigan. Now. A couple of issues..

- The queue I have posted on my computer with 12 things I need to finish by the end of the year.
- My promise to myself to only buy yarn for others until after Christmas.
- I don’t actually have money for the yarn. In my size, it takes about 1744 yards. Even with store credit and discounts, it’s going to cost me a lot to get it.

But it’s so nice to dream about! I am actually trying to figure out what yarn to use for it. I’ve never actually worked with Lima, the suggested yarn, and I am intrigued. I’ve of course, touched it at work several times, but I am not sure I would like the stitch definition. I’d love to use a tightly-plied yarn for it with great stitch definition, like Madelinetosh Vintage, but I am fairly certain I want this in a solid color, not a semi-solid. Plus, Lima has so-so yardage, about 109 yards per ball, which means 32 ends to weave in. I’m already not looking forward to that. I’m also thinking about using Shepherd’s Wool, which is a great American-made yarn. I actually have enough of that in stash, but that is supposed to be for my Dylan coat, and I sort of want this in a lighter color (I have it in Charcoal).

Oh well, I won’t be able to knit it for 3+ months, so I have plenty of time to decide. I can still drool in the meantime. (And perhaps, make some swatches!)

Soo much yarn and too many ideas and not enough time. That is the story of my life right now.

I really do want to start blogging more. That will mean not enough pictures sometimes, but I’ll try to work on that, too.

Last week was Sock Summit week here in PDX, and as a result the store was super busy. It meant that I got way behind in my web fulfillment duties (argh!) while tending to the floor. On Saturday I got the chance to work at the KP booth, which was fun. I had a major headache for most of it (not fun!) but it was nice to work in a nice environment filled with so many people passionate about knitting.

(Here I am in the booth, showing off my Stripe Study Shawl, which garnered lot of compliments.)

I did get a bit of time to walk around and look at everyone’s stuff. I picked up a couple of fun things, but did not go too crazy.

Now that things are somewhat back to normal, I have been knitting away.

I am knitting two things right now:

1) A Buckwheat cardigan. I’ve been working on this for months. I keep picking it up and putting it back down, yikes. I have finally gotten through the waist section and now I am knitting the front (flat). I have several inches to go before I can get to the back. It’s kind of boring, but I like those knits the best! I am super eager to get this off the needles.

B) I cast on for a Romney Kerchief about two weeks ago so I could have something cool to wear for Sock Summit. Unfortunately, the busy days at work left me so exhausted, I didn’t feel like knitting on it! (My Stripe Study shawl was probably better anyway.) Now that the pressure is off, hopefully I can finish it soon. I love the mindlessness of it. I am using 2.25 skeins, and I want to knit it until all the yarn is gone, or 20 repeats, whichever comes first.
I haven’t knit with Shelter since I knit my skirt, and I love how wooly and rustic it is. Makes me kind of want to get some more, but I am sure I would rather pick up his new yarn, which is due in a couple of months. (More on that later!)

I am really wanting these two knits to be done so I can swatch for this gorgeous coat. I know, it’s a lot of knitting. But if I start soon, it might be done by December or January. So that is my carrot project, I have to finish my current wips before I start that. Oh, and I already got the wool. I am using Shepherd’s Wool in Granite. Yum! And I will be lining the coat. Whew.

Other news:

I am flying to Europe in less than two weeks! I will be visiting Glasgow, London, and Paris. I will be traveling (and waiting!) for so many hours. I am taking 3 projects with me, with the hopes that I will finish at least one of them while on holiday. I have plans for…handspun socks, a scarf, and then perhaps another wip (I’m looking at you, Buckwheat).

Of course I will pick up some yarn while I am there. Not too much, but at least one skein from each city, I hope. I have already done my research, and I hope to visit The Yarn Cake (Glasgow), Loop (London), La Droguerie (Paris).

So yes, much excitement ahead! I am planning out my knits for the rest of the year. I would love to get one or two more sweaters done, make a couple of gifts, and of course, work on that fab coat.

On a professional level, I want to take some graphic and textile design classes. There is one coming up at the local art school I will take if I can afford it post-vacation. I am also thinking about taking a sewing class at the sewing shop next door to KP. I will be a busy girl this fall, if I can help it!

I’ll try to post again in a couple of days with some thoughts and pictures about recently handspun yarn. And my failed (for the third time, now) Tour de Fleece efforts. I have a LOT of re-skeining to do. Until then, happy knitting!

I love Anthropologie’s yellow clothing so much. Here are two more things that caught my eye recently. I may or may not decide to make something inspired by these pieces, when I have time to sketch out designs. (Probably sometime next year, heh.)

I promise a post very soon in which I talk about all I have done for the past month.