February 2011

So seriously, don't you think we've had enough winter?  I do!

I finished up a cool weather sweater and now for some warm weather knitting.  New yarns for spring are coming in, so it's sample knitting time.

First, from last month, I finished up the Noro Kogarashi sweater.  It turned out cute and I have even worn it, even though it is now on display in the shop.  It looks nice with a turtleneck under it or as a spring jacket.


I also finished my son's tie, in time for Valentines Day.  He was thrilled and can't wait to wear it.  Ella Rae's Lace Merino, I love, love , love this yarn.


As I mentioned last month we had a baby shower to go to for sisters who are both expecting in May.  A boy and girl, so since they will be cousins, i thought they needed matching sweaters. One blue and one pink, of course!

Another gift.  I will be needing a gift for a friend later this spring and so I decided on a shawl.  It is knit with Berroco's Seduce and I think will be perfect for spring and summer.  I was really happy with the results, I hope she will be too.  But shhh.... I don't give it to her for a couple of months.

Then a sweater, a sample of new yarn.  This is Louisa Harding's Ondine.  A beautiful cotton with tweedy coloring.  I thought this sweater from one of her books was really pretty, so, here it is.  The sweater is shown with 3 options, one plain, one with contrasting colors and one with beads.  I chose beads.  I think this will be really cute with a little cami under it for spring and summer.



And on the needles, Arucania's Ruca made from sugar cane, that's right, sugar cane, is a wonderful yarn that we have had in shop for a while without a sample, so, I am working on one.  The yarn has wonderful drape and I want to take advantage of that, so I am working on a trapeze style top for summer.  As you can see I still have a ways to go.



I also have a pair of socks started.  Socks?? Yes, socks.  I scheduled a class for knitting 2 socks on 2 circular needles, so I needed a sample.  But.... no one signed up for the class.  Shall we take bets on how long it will take to finish the socks....

And last but not least, a swatch.  For the Entrelac dress I've been talking about since January.  Some day soon it will be started.  It is again, Ella Rae's Lace Merino and will be knit on 3's.  So don't expect to see quick results on this one.  I expect you will be hearing about this for the next year or so.  That's ok, I enjoy working on the yarn so I won't mind dragging the project out for a while.

I think that is it for February.  March will bring a few more samples and hopefully a little progress on some of the above things. (except maybe the socks..)  Until then, Happy Knitting, Nancy

January 2011

I didn't think I accomplished alot this month, but glacing back, I guess I did.

To start, I finished my son's vest.  It is wonderful, if I do say so myself.  Love the yarn!!  loved knitting with it and now that it is done and blocked, I love the results even more.  It is Ella Rae's Lace Merino.  Fingering weight. I know, but it's worth it. The yarn has a beautiful twist giving it great stitch definition and the finished sweater is so soft with a wonderful drape.  Ok, I'll stop going on and on about the yarn. 

Then I had to knit a shawl for a customer.  Sorry, I didn't take a picture, but it was the Landscape Shawl knit with Mountain Colors Wool Crepe. 

Now one to "Me Month".  I started one sweater for me.
Well.... then we got a new DK weight yarn, Indulgence 6py from KFI,  in that does fair isle striping.  Baby Surprise Jacket.  That won't take too long.  Then there was yarn left over (from 1 skein!) so of course, a hat to complete the ensemble.  I really like the way the yarn turned out in the sweater.  Cute!


I also had some yarn left over from my son's vest and thought wouldn't a tie using the reverse colors be cool.  Well, it will be when it's done.

 

 So, as I said, I started... and finished one sweater for me.  The knitting and designing of the sweater was as much for me as the finished sweater.  I love seeing the picture in my head turn into something that actually resembles the picture in my head.  This one did pretty good.  It is a swing jacket knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca.  I knit the "skirt" side to side using different colors and short rows to give it the "swing".  You then pick up from the skirt and knit the bodice and sleeves.  I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

I mentioned last month a skirt and top using entrelac and the Lace Merino yarn (again).  I only got a swatch done on that so far and I am still debating the right needle size for the project.  This might get started soon, but I might save most of it for out Knitting Weekend in early March.

That doesn't mean I was done for the month.  Once again I ripped out a sample I didn't like and am reknitting it into something much cuter.  It is with Noro's new yarn, Kogarashi.  This is the beginning of the back.


Then there is a yarn, Noro's Retro, that I've been wanting to knit a sample with.  I just couldn't find the right project.  It is an interesting yarn.  Angora, Silk and Wool.  Dyed solid, but each fiber takes the dye a little different so there is subtle striping.  Walking around the shop the other day (friday) I figured it out!  It would look great in one of those short sleeved vests (you wear over a turtleneck) that they are showing in all the stores right now.  So that is what it became.  Knit from the top down, in one piece.  I am looking forward to wearing it.

So, January was busier than I thought.  February will finish the Kogarashi sweater and bring a couple of baby sweaters.  I was invited to a baby shower for the girl who used to babysit my kids.  She and her sister are pregnant and the shower is on the 19th.  That is next on the list.  I also have to do a pair of socks, crazy, I know.  But if you check the class schedule there is a class on 2 socks on 2 circular needles, so, I am committed
I hope your January had more "Me" knitting than mine.  We can extend it into February, March and..... if you want! 
Happy Knitting, Nancy