WOW!

Wow, what a welcome! I had no idea my presence in blog-land had been missed. I also really appreciate everyone's good wishes on my new job. I have another week to go (leisure!) before I start. I'm looking forward to it, but trying not to think about it so much, so as to enhance the relaxation. :)

I think I mentioned that I was participating in NaKniSweMo this year. It was going great until the middle of the month, when I just got really busy with work and preparing for Thanksgiving travel. But, I'm happy to say I got back into it and finished -- on the last day! Here's a couple pics:





This is the Radiance Cabled Jacket from Webs (there's a little picture here.) I thought the pattern was well-written, and the only think I changed was the cable pattern. I changed it partly because I was trying to finish in one month, and the braided cable seemed harder, and also because in other versions I saw, there was a weird hole at the bottom of the cable pattern. I also had to make the sleeves longer.

One note about the yarn. I used Blue Sky Alpacas' new yarn Suri Merino in Crimson. The yarn is amazingly soft and has a beautiful sheen to it. It definitely has a fuzzy halo when knit, so I will be interested to see how well the cable pattern stays visible as it gets worn. It's a single, which I guess sometimes means a weaker yarn - but I tugged and tugged and couldn't break it. The only difficulty is that the yarn is very, very splitty. This can cause problems with seaming (I struggled at first but it got easier). But all in all, this is a luxurious yarn that is worth the price tag. I ended up with a skein left over! I think there's a scarf calling my name...

I'm also working on some holiday knitting, but believe it or not, I'm mostly finished! I'll be giving a few things I made earlier in the year, as well as some hats I've just finished. I also need to make a few baby items, which are always fun! I'm hoping to wrap up a few more projects that have been languishing - I have a bag that needs one more strap and then a trip through the washing machine, and a cardigan that needs half a back to make it ready for sewing up. Hopefully I can jump-start myself to tackle these items!

Well, enough babbling. Hope you are all well!

Ravelry ate my blog!

IMG_3062
Originally uploaded by zeelyknits

I'm only half kidding...I have been spending LOTS of time on the site. Browsing through projects was time consuming, but that was NOTHING compared to when I discovered the forums and started posting. But as great as Ravelry is, it doesn't take the place of my own little home on the web where I can talk about whatever I want.

Knitting has been abundant lately. I recently finished the sweater you see here - the Hourglass Sweater from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, done in Pear Tree 8-ply. Very soft, in a beautiful pale spring green. It's one of my best fitting sweaters yet. Now I'm working on the Radiance Cabled Jacket from Webs - I'm using Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino. (it's like that shampoo commercial: because I'm worth it!) I changed the cable from braided one to a - er, less twisty one. I don't know what it's called. Anyway, this is a terrific project in a beautiful (if sheddy) yarn). It's my project for NaKniSweMo - Knit a Sweater in November! I'm up to the armholes with one sleeve down. Moving right along!

Speaking of which - big new thing! New job! I start in December. It's a job I've wanted for a long time, but the timing never worked out. It's also more in line with my education. I'm REALLY excited. And, I get a couple of weeks to relax before I start! Can we say lots of knitting!!?I hope everything is well with all of you. More posts and more pics soon!

No Purling, Just Knitting

Hi, everybody! It's been a while. I've been knitting, just not finishing much of anything. I was all set last weekend to block and sew up Edie, but then I discovered that (ahem) my armholes did not match up. So, I have to redo the top half of the back, and then I should be able to sew it up. I'll be glad to see that project come together - it was essentially my big summer knitting project. Although, given the weather in Chicago - maybe I still have some summer left! It's supposed to be 88 degrees today!

I'm working on another sweater, one that doesn't require very much assembly. I'm making the Hourglass Sweater from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Somehow I always forget that making a sweater in one piece means no purling! This is hard on my hands - I definitely need the balance of the knit and purl. So - I'll be glad when this one is finished. Here's a progress shot:


I'm working on the sleeves, since the body is long enough to connect them. Only problem is - can you see it? - there is a slight stripe about a third of the way down. Sigh. I might rip back and cut out the length of yarn that is causing the stripe. The yarn is Pear Tree 8 ply, in the color Grass. The color between skeins has been remarkably consistent, with the exception of the aforementioned stripe. This yarn definitely makes a beautiful garment - kinda pricey, though. But, I don't feel so bad since I first saw it about four months ago, didn't buy it, but then when I saw it again last week I decided I liked it enough to justify the purchase. Sorta sad that waiting only delays my spending on yarn, rather than reducing it. :)

Hope everyone is doing well!

Craftivity (for want of a better title)

Hi all! Thanks so much for your encouraging comments on my little project. It gives me so much energy to try something new, and an even bigger boost since it's going well. Hopefully I can finish it this weekend.

In other project news: I'm still working on my Edie sweater. I need to finish the shoulder and neck shaping, and then I'll starting blocking. It seemed like a good idea to wait to block until all the pieces are finished, in case there are some minor sizing issues. I'm also working on the Pompom Tie Cardi I posted about a while ago. The Shelridge Farms is great to knit with, but the dyeing is a little inconsistent. I've looked around on Ravelry and on the Shelridge website, and no one else seems to have this problem, so maybe I just got a bad dyelot. I ripped out one piece because the tones were just too different than the back piece I already finished. Sigh.

All of that to say...I needed a quick project! I just finished a Montego Bay Scarf, featured in the Summer Interweave Knits:


The yarn is Blue Heron Rayon Metallic, and aside from the fact that it's so dang hard to photograph, I have NOTHING but good things to say about this yarn. It's really soft, but also sturdy (I tugged on it a lot to block it). The metallic thread running through it makes it gorgeous and shimmery - not gaudy. All the colors work together and there was no pooling. It has great yardage, too.

This scarf is going to someone close to me who could use a little pick-me-up. I hope it will remind her that *she* has a sparkle all her own, no matter what she wears.

Hope to see some of you at knitting tonight!

Success!

You may recall that I was working on a project of my own design. I thought it was going to be too big, and I was considering ripping. I talked myself into finishing the project as I had first intended it, and then - if it wasn't right - I could rip it. Well, I'm SO glad I made myself finish it! (or at least, get it finished enough to try it on.)


It fits!!
It's nothing too fancy, just a U-necked vest - but I'm proud that I figured it out myself. Now all that's left is the ribbing around the neck and armholes, to match the ribbing at the hem. I'll post a pic as soon as it's finished! I can picture the outfit now: brown tweed wide-legged pants, collared shirt with a small stripe or pattern, and some great shoes to finish it off.

200

U neck vest
Originally uploaded by zeelyknits

Blogger tells me this is my 200th post! Pretty cool.

I've been knitting a lot, but nothing is at a point of completion. All the pieces of Edie are finished, save one. I'm waiting for the blocking board I ordered so that I can lay everything out and get ready to seam. I have about a zillion baby sweaters in various states of done-ness. And, I've been working on a vest (in the pic over there). It's going to be a somewhat cropped, U-necked vest. I've been trying it on as I go, and it's knit to the measurements I calculated, but I think I may need to down-size it somewhat. It just seems like it will be a little bulky. It's knit with zero ease, but I think I should knit it with negative ease. Anyway, I'm trying to force myself to just finish it the way I originally planned, and then see if I need to change it. I think that way I'm not second-guessing myself. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted. I found three skeins of the light blue in the clearance bin at Lakeside Fibers - $9.00 a skein! And since I knew three would not be enough, I got a fourth skein of chocolate brown, which will be used for the hem, neckline and armhole trim. I'm using US 10 1/2 needles to stretch the yardage. Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes. The weather was pretty breezy today - maybe I'll even get to wear it soon!

Still Stitching

This is a sleeve. A what? A sleeve. Oh, a sleeve.

I'm about 40% finished with the knitting for Edie. Unfortunately, I haven't started blocking anything, so the only piece that looks halfway decent is this one. I'm using Lorna's Laces Fisherman, as called for in the pattern. I had been wanting to try this yarn, and when I found it at my LYS on sale in a good color for me, it was all over. The yarn has a lot of bounce and the hand dying gives it a beautiful, dappled effect. I'm really enjoying this project and this yarn.

Today is Stitches! I'm headed off in a couple of hours. I have an invitation for dinner, but I may be too pooped by then - we'll see. I'm not going on Saturday, so I'll probably miss most people. I'm hoping to avoid going on Sunday, but if I am indecisive I may have to go back.

There are so many things on my shopping list! I don't plan to buy something for every project I'm considering, but if I don't have enough things on the list, I might strike out entirely. So my list includes a mix of big, grownup sweater projects, smaller vest and scarf projects, baby projects, etc. My strategy will be to try and get yarn that I can't find anywhere else, or things that are just a really good deal (but that still will work for a specific project). I'm also looking for things like Rebecca magazines and certain types of needles. Hopefully I will have some luck.

Okay, see you later! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Eyelet Cardi at Work

Warning! Crappy cell phone pic ahead:


I just couldn't resist an action shot!

I will share details about the pattern, etc. later, but in the meantime - have a good weekend, everyone! Back soon...

Technique

I appreciate everyone's comments about colors, especially the idea that it's the combinations of colors that end up looking dated, rather than a specific color on its own. I really love vibrant colors, but it's the whole weeks-of-knitting thing that gives me pause about using them for a sweater. I think I'll hang onto to the magenta yarn and let it marinate in the stash until the weather is colder. I think that the strong color will look more 'right' as my color palette starts to darken for fall and winter.

In the meantime, I have been working on baby gifts, which I am electing not to show here so that no surprises are ruined. I've also knit three hats - but they are black, so no photos there. My best photo op is the Eyelet Cardi I posted about oh so long ago! I finally got up the nerve to set in the sleeve. Here's a pic:



I'm pretty proud of myself! I think this might be my first grownup-sized set-in sleeve. I've made a decent number of sweaters, but they are all raglan-shouldered. I used the slip-stitch crochet seam taught to me by this fine knittress. First I seamed the back of the sleeve and then pinned it into the armhole. This may be a pretty standard method, but I was so surprised at how easy it was. The pinning part is genius. I hope I can repeat my success on the other sleeve.

Anyway, that's about all for me. Have to get some shut-eye. I'm looking forward to this weekend, though. I'm headed to Madison, WI and Lakeside Fibers! Wee!

Thinking about Fall

As I said the other day, I've started thinking about my knitting projects -- patterns and colors -- for fall. I can't wait to read all the August magazines and see the new fashions. As far as colors go, here's what Pantone says we'll be wearing this season:


This season includes colors like magenta, mustard yellow, and shale green. I like magenta, and it's a good color for me - but I'm a little nervous about using it for handknits. (I just ordered this yarn from kpixie.com, but now I'm re-evaluating.) Will it look dated in a short amount of time? Or does this not matter if the color suits you well? I don't want to look like a 'blast from the past'.

Of course, there's always the 'neutrals' route, in order to be sure you are knitting a classic and not something too terribly trendy. I'm not sure how Pantone deals with neutrals, but it seems like they change with the seasons too. So, if I choose a favorite neutral that doesn't seem very popular this year, I might end up with a basic (but maybe boring) wardrobe staple.

How do you decide on colors for your handknits?

Now, with more knitting!

Hello! Long time no post. My mom came to visit, so I was too busy sightseeing, shopping and gabbing to knit OR post! We had a ball. We even saw The Color Purple, which is playing in Chicago! I give it a two-thumbs up.

So after my mom's visit I was back to working on my Eyelet Cardigan. See, I've made some progress!


I love this pattern. The extremely well-written pattern and soft yarn has made this project smooth sailing. I just made my first-ever button band! Unfortunately, I can't put on the other one until I figure out the button placement. Figuring out the button placement will require...buttons. Not sure when I can pick those up, so the project may be on hold.

Speaking of buttons, Tender Buttons just closed up shop. Their building, which housed a number of boutiques, is going to be demolished so something else can get built there. I am hoping they will reopen eventually, but they say they have not found a location yet. To think I've lived here for two years (in the same neighborhood no less) and have NEVER gone there...hopefully I will get a second chance!

I've started on another project...for my new nephew! I haven't seen him in person yet, but boy, is he cute! Even though it's not sweater weather I was so excited to knit for him, so I'm making a 6-9 month size sweater.



This is the Hooded Striped Top from Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino book. It's going to be sooo cute. I'm using the Baby Cashmerino and it knits up very easily and smoothly. You kinda have to watch the plies but it's still excellent.

I have bunches of other baby projects on deck, and some other project ideas. Lots of fun knitting to come!

More Progress

Just the sleeves & trim to go now:


Two Fronts! Woot!
Also, re: the magazines. I think I should keep Interweave, since I have found many beautiful items in it I'd like to wear (thanks for the reality check, Amelia!). But I will keep an open mind toward VK and consider subscribing (even though it may mean wallpapering my apartment in knitting magazines).

Laters, knitters!

Weekend

I finally, FINALLY started the Eyelet Cardi from Blue Sky Alpacas! Monica and Gay helped motivate me to get this on the needles. It's a terrific pattern - the stitch pattern is really only two rows, and the Blue Sky Dyed Cotton is chunky enough to keep the project moving. I started and nearly finished the back on Saturday.




Free Stuff!
Last Thursday's KIP was so fun! I saw Mary for the first time in I don't know how long, welcomed a new person to the group (hi Molly!), and hung out with the usual suspects. It must have been my lucky day, because Mary gave me an extra copy of Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing!! I had been eyeing this book, and it did not disappoint - it has TONS of well-designed, useful, and gift-worthy projects. Thank you Mary (and Carolyn)! It was so nice of you to think of me. And, Teresa was destashing as well - she brought a bunch of yarn and magazines to share. I scored these two Interweave back issues - there are some beautiful patterns in each, mainly nice warm pullovers. Excellent, excellent!!

Speaking of knitting magazines - I just bought the latest issue of Vogue Knitting, and was surprised to read that their editor is stepping down...but then I was excited to learn that the new editor will be Adina Klein! I've seen her on Knitty Gritty, and read her articles in Knit.1, and I really like her style. So now I have a crisis: do I subscribe to VK? And if so, do I dump Interweave? I kind of hate to, since Eunny will be the new editor, but two knitting mags seems like overkill since I never get rid of old issues. Decisions, decisions.

Hope you all have had a great weekend!

A Few Things

Looptopia is this Friday! Are you going? Let me know! As one knitter pointed out, any event with 'loop' in the name should definitely have knitters in full force! The Windy City Knitting Guild is sponsoring a knit night from 10 to midnight..but there are plenty of other things happening too!

Also, thank you THANK YOU for the nice comments on my sewing project! They were so fun to read. Yes, I do feel like I've come along way - definitely in my confidence with sewing, and somewhat in my technique.

In other news - my knitting world is somewhat monotonous of late. I finished the knitting on Flair, save picking up the neckband, so that's set aside for some quiet couch-side knitting. Other than that, the only project I have going is the lacy Kidsilk Haze shawl. It keeps getting longer, but there's really no reason to post a pic.

So, I'll share some fun colors instead. I am planning to make a scarf for my mother-in-law. She requested blues and purples, so here's what I've got:


This is Dream in Color yarn - the left Colorway is Nightwatch and the right is Some Summer Sky. It doesn't show up so well on my monitor, but the darker one has plummy purples in it. I'm thinking about making a LMKG Chevron scarf...but I'm looking for other ideas as well. I'm also thinking about whether these are the right colors...I may need to look for something with more purple since that's what she asked for. On the other hand, she does have beautiful blue eyes, so maybe I should stick with these.

Also, I have a new toy:


I bought this Ashford niddy noddy so I could reskein some previously-knitted yarn - I know you don't need a tool to do this, but my back-of-chair attempts were wholly unsuccessful. And, the niddy noddy was under $15 from Webs. Plus, who could argue with how beautiful this yarn looks against the smooth wood?

One other thing - I'm madly in love with this cardigan. I may have to rip this off for fall. We'll see if the swingy sweater trend continues!

Hope you are all enjoying spring!!

Busy

Busy times around the sturdygirl household of late. I've been really busy at work, and busy attending to personal stuff too. It's all in an effort to get things squared away before I have surgery and am home from work and resting for four to six weeks.

Yes, you heard me. I'm having surgery on February 8. It's somewhat scary but I think it will be okay. I've never had surgery before, or had a reason to rest long-term for anything other than a broken bone (and that was when I was 6). I think the inactivity and temporary loss of my independence is almost scarier than the surgery.

On the plus side, I should have some quality knitting time to look forward to. When I first found out about this, I was wracking my brains for a special project to start and finish during my recuperation: a lace shawl, a cabled afghan, etc. But then I decided...screw it. It's too much pressure, and I'm not sure I want an item that just reminds me of a scary and painful time. I'm just going to do whatever I feel like and finish old projects, start new ones, swatch, practice crochet, or anything that comes to mind. My brain - and my body - need a break from deadlines and projects.

Oh, knitting? Right. I've been steadily working on my sweater, but realized through trial and error that it did _not_ need waist decreases. In fact, adding in waist decreases created a significant 'pooch' on the sides of the sweater. Not attractive. So after all this work...


(about 14 inches of fabric)
...I'm back to the picture you saw in the last post. Sigh. Oh well, knit and learn! Later, y'all...

Projects

I've been knitting, really! I've just been working on scarves, so I haven't posted any pictures. I've just finished one for the Red Scarf Project, and will send it off as soon as it's sufficiently blocked. I also made two scarves for Food and Friends in Washington, DC. If you have a scarf surplus, or just feel like making a scarf, you might think about making one for their Scarf Drive. They are a great organization. They are really in need of unisex, non-novelty yarn scarves.


I've also started on a sweater. It's going to be a raglan, with a sort of slouchy fit - and it's going to have (gasp!) a third color yet to be determined. I'm excited to see how it turns out. I'm using two colors of Berroco Ultra Alpaca, and after my work so far I can confidently say I am _not_ allergic to alpaca. Yay!

I have a lot of energy for knitting, but not for much else after work today. I realized late on Sunday that my weekend did not have nearly enough time for just lying about. Apparently I normally use the weekend to really relax, physically - and I was paying for it Sunday night and today. Anyhoo, I'll just try and slow things down a bit this week.

Hope you are all doing well!

What I've Been Up To

Blogger hates me! I posted this week, I really did! But I don't think anyone could see it.

Anyway, that just gave me more time to make progress on my sweater. Here's what I've been up to:


This is the front, pre-blocking; I've also finished the sleeves. I'm now working on the back, and then it will be time to sew up this puppy!

This is not my own design by any stretch - it's more of a 'pinch of this, ounce of that' from a number of inspirations. This project has given me an even greater appreciation for people who design their own patterns from scratch! If I were to do it again, I would move the lace panel over so I could have done another decrease or two at the neck. (I didn't really think about that beforehand.) I'm still not sure how the neckline is going to pan out - I wanted a simple boatneck, maybe a row of crochet - but if it falls off my shoulders I will have to do something a bit higher to cover up the decreases.

So, I should have an FO shot for you soon. This weekend, though, I will be occupied: my best buddy M. is coming to visit from San Francisco! So I am really looking forward to that. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

(Blogger, don't eat this post!)