En Vacance

I left yesterday for Missouri, to visit my mom’s family. We’ve been spending the day lounging by the pool with a various assortment of mixed drinks.
Me? I’ve been knitting. The Regal Silk Sweater to be exact. I have one more pattern repeat before I have to bind off for the front neckline!!
In the car yesterday, however, I spent my time finishing off a couple skeins of Cascade 220 on the Noni Adventure Bag. My aunt has a top-loading washer (we don’t) so I may have a few FO’s to show before long.
Anyway, I probably will not be able to post until Wednesday.
So keep on knitting, I know I will be. How else do you keep sane with family? Especially when you’ve been chosen to be the designated driver on a wine-tasting tour?

Socks

Cable Net Socks

I’ve been knitting on my socks quite a bit these past few days, but I keep forgetting to take pictures. And today, it’s raining. So it will have to wait until tomorrow.

The charts for these socks have been kicking my ass- I hopped into the socks and Chart A, when I was supposed to use Chart B. Luckily, the charts are nearly identical except for the last 10 or so sts; but I understand them now and just have to finish fixing some mistakes on previous rows, which is taking a lot longer than I bargained for.

New Sock Yarn

I went to one of my favorite stores yesterday and bought some sock yarn for my pathetic sock stash.

Panda Cotton in Rosewater (socks for my mom)

Any thoughts on what pattern would work well with the Panda Cotton?

Regia Tweed in Green (socks for Hunter)

Regia Silk in Burgundy (socks for me!)

While I was at the LYS, I had a job interview! So I may work there part-time and it’s right next to school next year!

Other Goodies

Hunter took a two-week canoeing/fishing/hiking trip in the Boundary Waters starting in Minnesota through Canada back around to Minnesota. He had a great time and even thought of me enough to bring home a few souvenirs:

I also got a t-shirt, but it’s such a great color that I want to take a picture when it’s sunny.

Hope everyone’s having a great weekend!

Recent Obsessions

I got my Ravelry invite this morning! It was very exciting: I’ve already added many projects and as much yarn as I could before my camera’s battery died and I got tired of taking pictures. It’s definitely as much fun as I heard it was– hats off to frecklegirl and her husband for taking on such a project.
I bought a few books the other day:

Knitting Lingerie Style is such a beautiful book and with many patterns I love and cannot wait to knit. I ordered some elann Esprit last night so I can make the basic bra and panty set(Orchid Pink) and the thigh-high stockings(Chamois). Very excited!

I’ve been eying this book for a while. What drew me to it initially was the French Twist part, but Simple Sewing with a French Twist has many simple projects that I think even I could make.

Last, but most certainly not least, is Amy Sedaris’ new book I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. It is amazing. I was reading it yesterday in the same room as Hunter and I kept bursting out laughing. He thought I was a little crazy, but I never said I wasn’t. She makes me want to throw amazing parties and be just the quirky woman that I am. Love it… it’s been my night-time reading for the past two days!

Also, I’ve been anxious to make nona’s sidewinder socks, but I didn’t have the right size circulars. I ordered a few of KnitPick’s classic circulars so that I can knit them as soon as the needles arrive. They will be arriving with a couple more books, ones I’ve also been lusting after for quite a while.

Until next time, I will be wasting hours upon hours of my life, and possibly losing real-life friends, while I play with Ravelry!

Summer Knits

Summer Projects
I have cast-on/swatched/purchased yarn for 3 different summer tops:

White Silk Sweater from Rebecca 33

I even took it with me to NC for Memorial Day:

This pattern is originally written to be knit flat in two pieces, but I wanted to knit it in the round, so I had to re-chart the lace, cast-on, etc.

Collared Tank from KnitSimple Spring/Summer 07

Cotton Twist

Rusted Root

Cotton Fleece

Summer Socks

After I modeled for Loopville, I bought some yarn (and they gave me a discount!)


I’m hoping to make nona‘s sideways socks

Short and Sweet Update

Oh, it’s been a very busy week. Graduation, which included lots of family in town, left little time for blogging this week. I do, however, have some knitty news.
My new project:

A great felted bag for summer made with Cascade 220 (my first experience with this yarn and it’s been a good one).

Next, I went to my LYS and they currently have the Vogue Knitting Summer 2007 trunk show in town. Since they have the trunk show, there will be a piece on a local show and I will be modeling one of the garments tomorrow on tv!! I’m very excited and it’s also one of my favorite patterns of the issue.

Anyway, more pics, thoughts, and a whole lotta bag progress coming your way very soon!

Fixation Gauge Drives Me Crazy

Knitting with Fixation is a lesson in patience for me. I love the way it looks and stretches, but the tension is a pain in the neck.

I sat and finished the first sock while reading The Blind Assassin. The second sock I cast on at work, knit the ribbing, turned the heel and decreased the foot and knit it around for a few inches. That night I finished the toe, but didn’t graft the toe together until this week. They still need the ends woven in and to be washed, but I will have a great pair of summer socks shortly!

Once I finished the Fixation socks, I’ve been working pretty much exclusively on my Somewhat Cowl, but I had a row or two of tension issues due to being used to knitting with Fixation. The rows aren’t very obvious and I’m nearly done with the bottom ribbing. Once I have the body finished I will try it on and make sure everything is as it should or I may be ripping back a few inches to correct the gauge and/or waist increases.

I’ve not sewn another project but I’ve been doing lots of research and trying to organize a space for sewing. My family also went out of town this weekend to visit an aunt who is a master quilter and I have plans to “study” with her this summer. I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully I’ll have some more time to sew this coming week!

More pictures will be coming soon and I am combing my stash for projects to work on for the April/May Project Spectrum Colors. Some might even include sewing projcts, I hope.

I <3 Wool!!!

I don’t know what it is, but everything I’ve been knitting lately is woolly and wonderful. Today, I spent my time working on Wicked, Central Park Hoodie, and my Hidcote Garden Shawl.
I love the feel of wool as it winds through my fingers and I am always reminded that no fiber will ever be as perfect (to me) as wool!!
Anyone else who loves wool and cannot knit with anything but, a shout-out is encouraged…
I LOVE WOOL!!!

Scarves, Socks, and Snow… Oh my!

Two Finished Objects

I woke up this morning and began to knit with a vengeance. I finished Hunter’s blanket, finally!! Only 13 days late. Since he had a regional swim meet today, he took a nap with the blanket this afternoon. I will post a picture of him and the blanket together soon.

Cast-on: Summer 2005/ Finished: February 3, 2007
Pattern:
Yarn: JoAnn Sensations Rainbow Boucle (acrylic/nylon blend) I bought this yarn WAY before I became a fiber purist
Needles: US 10 Interchangable needles, Adii 40″ circular, and Susan Bates Quiksilver straight needles, I got so bored with this project that switching needles made it more bearable
Notes: I started this pattern when I was still a relatively novice knitter and it is SOOOO monotonous. I will NEVER make a garter stitch blanket again!!!

Once I finished the blanket, I decided to cast off my Bejewled and weave in all the ends. I wore it to work tonight, even though I haven’t blocked it yet. And every time I looked down, I DID feel a little fancy!

Cast-On: January 16, 2007/ Finished: February 3, 2007
Pattern: Bejeweled by Lisa Shobhana Mason
Yarn: Universal Yarn Inc Eden Silk (wool/silk blend) Color: Sky
Needles: Clover Takumi US 8
Modifications: I think my scarf is a little shorter than the pattern instructs, but only because I didn’t want to run out of yarn
Notes: I can’t wait to use this yarn again. It is a treat to work with and has great stitch definition. Definitely a favorite!

Project Spectrum

I took these pictures on Day 1 of PS and haven’t had a chance to post them yet. Thursday happened to be the only “Snow Day” we will be having here in east TN.
White and Gray:

I posted my yarn for the Cable net socks and began swatching a few days ago. I’ve been focused on Hunter’s blanket for the most part and haven’t done too much swatching yet.
Blue:

Miscellaneous

The Yarn Haven just opened replacing my old LYS Knit n Purl. The selection is beautiful and the owner is SOOO sweet. If you’re ever in Knoxville, check it out!! I bought a couple skeins of yarn to make a beret next fall, because I don’t really have the time now and it’s almost warm again.