Monday, February 1, 2010

January 2010

Here's my story for January.  First I was making progress, then I got distracted....  Story of my knitting life.

I did finish the sweater I started from Araucania's Panguipulli.  As I said last month, they sent me a sample and I didn't think it did the yarn justiice, so I ripped it out and knit something else with it.  It's a cute shawl collared cardigan and you can't see it but has the perfect button on it.  I love it when I find the perfect button!!

Then, I wanted to get my lace stole going so I started working on that.  It's longer.....


So I'd have something that was easier than lace to work on in between, I started a sweater for my husband from the same Noro Mens book that I knit my son's sweaters from.  As you can see, that got set aside and hasn't gotten very far.

Then... a sample sweater needed to be made.  It's very cute, knit from the top down and it goes very quick.  The sample is knit with Encore Tweed, but can be done with any worsted weight.  I think I am going to do one in Kudo, a self striping cotton next for spring. 

Next I started to work on designing a sweater using 2 strands of sock yarn, this is probably where the month started to go downhill.  We were taking inventory and moving yarn around and the beautiful colors of Araucaria's Ranco were calling to me.  Once in a while yarn start yelling at me from the shelf when I walk by, that's another whole story...  but anyway, they have kettle dyed solids and multi colored handpaints and I thought would it be pretty to combine one of each and knit it as a worsted weight.  So, off to the drawing broard.  I picked some colors and started swatching, then I started typing (a pattern), then I cast on the back of the sweater and started knitting,  All the way up past the armholes....nope, it didn't look good, rip, try again, more pattern writting, more knitting.... no, start again.  Third try, simpler pattern and I think I am on to something.  So this one is a keeper, but not nearly the progress I was hoping to have by now.  The back is done and the front started.
Then, the big distraction came.  I found out when the Berroco pattern books would be arriving.  The one that has may shawl in it from the sock yarn contest.  And I wanted to plan an event to thank everyone for their votes and support in the contest.  So, the event will be Friday, February 5.  (See my newsletter for details).  I am supposed to get my shawl back, but I am not sure when and how "shop worn" it will be, so I decided to knit another.  It is knit from Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine and is so soft and drapey.  So, I dropped everything and knit another shawl, so that I would have it here on display for Customer Appreciation Day.  I finished it last night. 
Also, here is a preview of  the mittens from the cover of Berroco book 297, but I can not take credit for knitting them.  Cele knit them for us from Berroco Sox Metallic.  They are really pretty, wait until you see them in person.

The month is done and there are still alot of unfinished projects in my bag.  Will February bring more of them to a conclusion or will I be distracted yet again.......  Stay tuned.

Happy Knitting.....  Until next month, Nancy