June 2011

Well, June was a busy month, but I don't have a lot of knitting to show for it.  For the first week I was away on vacation and only did a little knitting.

I went back to the Entrelac Skirt I told you about a few months ago.  It's on fingering weight yarn so it doesn't look like it but there has been progress.  The waistband is complete and I am working my way down the skirt.  That was pretty much my vacation knitting.

Back home I did a few scarves as samples for the shop and one as a gift.  The gift was a lacey scarf knit with cashmere and silk that was completed and blocked the night before I needed it, so sorry, but no picture.  The others... Two muti directional scarves.  One with Jojoland's Rhythm and the other, a new yarn from Crystal Palace, Mochi Plus. 





Then a new yarn, Boulder from Tahki.  It comes in a huge ball and knits up quick on a size 35 needle.  Really pretty colors.

Then a little more work on the soldier knitting for my daughter's boyfriend.  Socks, yes, you heard right I knit (and finished a pair of socks).  Black socks... not fun knitting for me, but they are done.  Hopefully they will help keep him warm (and safe) through the Afghan winter....


And still for the boyfriend, (and his platoon) hats.  I finished another one and thanks to my wonderful friends (you know who you are) we have 17 so far (working our way to 26, the size of his platoon).

And then, more knitting on fingering weight.  The cardigan I started last month, or the month before... Progress, but not done.  I am working on the sleeves.  And even though we are getting in some beautiful new yarns that are calling me to knit samples out of them, I vow to finish this first!  Hopefully within the week....

So I guess that's it for June, I don't feel like I have alot to show for it, but 2 fingering weight projects are SLOW...  My hope for July is to have some beautiful new samples to show you in the wonderful new fall yarns.
Until then.... Happy Knitting, Nancy

May, 2011

What a crazy month this has been, winter to summer in one fell swoop.  Some knitters are starting to tell me, see you again in the fall... If I waited to fall to knit again, I'd have serious withdrawl.  Not me, I'll be knitting all summer long.  So, May...

I started the month working on the Ella Race Lace Merino Cardigan... then I got distracted.... Remember, it's on 3's so it slow going.  At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it..

I was distracted by the need for multi- directional scarf samples, so I made 2.  One with Noro's Yuzen and one with Noro's Kocheron.  I also have one on the needles in Ultra Alpaca Tonal.  that one will be very pretty.

Then another scarf in a pretty ribbon yarns.  A fun accessory scarf for year round use.

And then there was my "at home" project. I had a store bought black and cream striped sweater that I loved. One on my favorites and in cleaning out my closet this spring, realized it had seen better days and was ready for the "rag bag".  So I decided that before I toss it, I should make another one, like it.  So with Cotton Classic, I set off to make a sweater like the one I loved.  It is not an exact duplicate, but "in the spirit of" my old sweater.

Then there came the new "Knit Noro" book.  There are only about 10 thing in it that I want to knit, but I'll start with 3.  Two hats.  Knit with Noro Kureyon.  One is felted the other has earflaps and is knit fair isle.  Both very cute.

And finally from the book a sweater that I love.  This falls into the never rush to finish a sweater so you can put it in the blog category.  As I was quickly blocking the sweater with needles still hanging off the back, hoping you wouldn't notice... I found a mistake.  I forgot stripe of black on one sleeve, at the top... have to take the sleeve out and redo it... arghhhh.  Anyway, rushing never pays off.  But her is the sweater and when I fix it, you'll love it as much as I do.  It reminds me of stained glass, knit with Noro Silk Garden and Brown Sheep NatureSpun.

I also finished a hat for the "boyfriend's" platoon.  Thanks to my wonderful knitting friends we have 14 so far!  And I will be continuing to  work on them.  Not sure what else is in the workd for june other than fixing my sleeve, arghhhh.. and continuing my cardigan, but I am sure something will catch my eye and get me off track again... until then, Happy Knitting, Nancy

April 2011

Spring Knitting? Well, I've been knitting for spring, but I'm not sure where it is yet. Oh well, here goes....

I finished up the two sweaters that were started last month. One, I designed, the Lace Bordered Cardigan knit with Aruacania's Chaiten. All silk. I was pleased with the results. It haas a lacy bottom and sleeves, which should be nice for spring or summer.

The other sweater that had just been started is a reversible batwing sweater from a Sirdar book.  One side has a V-neck and the other a crew neck and it can be worn with either in the from (or back).  I knit it with Louisa Harding's Jasmine, A cotton, silk and bamboo blend with just a touch of glitz.  I love it and am looking forward to wearing it (when I come steal it off my wall)

Then I bought a pretty top on sale at Coldwater Creek and it needed a sweater over it to make an outfil.  So.... Here it is, knit with Berroco's Seduce.  Why is it that buying something on sale always costs me more money in yarn....

I also just finished a Pretty Vest from Noro's new book, Flowers 2.  It is knit with a new yarn of theirs, Taiyo Sock yarn.  It is mostly cotton so nice and soft.  But it's knit on size 3 needles, so a little slower than usual for me.

I have also started (with a little help from my friends, Thank you!!) knitting 26 black watch caps.  Why you ask?  My daughter is dating a very nice young man who was recently deployed to Afganistan and he is in charge of a platoon, 25 men.  I said by fall we would have 26 wool hats to send to him for his platoon.  So we are starting now.  Mine is the one still on the needles..



I think that's it for April.  Last night I just cast on for a cardigan knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino, so that will be coming.  On size 3 needles again, so it will be coming slowly.  And other than the unfinished socks and barely started skirt in my bag, the next projects are still in the idea stages...  Sometimes planning is half the fun.  So, until next month, Happy Knitting, Nancy

March 2011

March was sample month.
Yes, those socks are still on the needles and haven't been touched.  So I won't bother with a picture that is the same as last month. 

I am knitting spring samples in the the hopes that spring will actually arrive.  No luck so far. But here goes....

I did finish the Trapeeze Tee knit with Arucania's Ruca.  It is cute and soft and drapey.  A great top for summer.

Then a new yarn and new pattern book.  Summer Stripes from Sirdar.  It's a cotton arylic blend and knits up in fun stripes.  This sweater is knit form their book Summer Safari.  There are lots of cute sweaters in the booklet, it was hard to choose.

Then inbetween a new chunky yarn came in from Noro.  It screamed baby blanket to me, so... a baby blanket.  It only took 2 skiens and I machine washed it, no problem.

Then another new yarn and a more challenging sample.  This yarn is intresting, it is called Ripple from Tahki and it is a thick and thin cotton.  The knitting was interesting.  The back is straight, easy.  The fronts are knit in a different direction, still not quite sure which one. So, I had to have faith and just follow the pattern, something that is hard for me....  But, I did and it worked!  I tried it on and it is really cute on.  This one might get some wear this summer.

More samples... On my needles, expect a pattern and completed picture by Monday.  Watch our Facebook page for the completed sweater.  This is Chaiten from Arucania, 100% silk.  As you can see I am on the last sleeve, so after that is done and buttons are sewn on, it will be done.  Tonight I hope!

And on the needles... A pretty sweater from a Sirdar booklet in Louisa Harding's Jasmine.  It is a cotton/silk/bamboo blend with a touch of metallic.  Hard to tell anything yet, but it will be a very pretty sweater....soon!

And I've pulled yarn for 2 more projects.....  Who knows what next month will bring.

'Til then, happy knitting!  Nancy

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 

December 2010

Happy New Year!!

Finally all the holiday knitting is done, well almost.  Just one straggler hanging on....  So what did I accomplish in December? 

Remember the socks I've been claiming to be knitting for more than a year now?  DONE!!!  They look and feel great, not sure if he's worn them yet....  I knit them at the same time on 2 circular needles with Berroco's Ultra Alplaca Fine.  I love the yarn and am a fan of getting 2 socks done at the same time.

My daughter's sweater, knit with Berroco's Soft Twist, was finished and fit perfectly.  That is always a thrill, when the gift fits and is liked!.

I also finished up some gifts that I couldn't talk about before.  I knit 5 lace scarves out of Filatura di Crosa's Superior for 5 people I love!  This is a silk and cashmere blend and is as light as air. Ahhhhh....


Another Tie for my son, this time from Berroco's Sox.  It seems I was going to be done in time, so I just kept adding projects.  It wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't work until the very last minute.

And in that spirit, I also knit the Kimono Sweater for my Mom.  This was knit with Sirdar's Escape and was finished on Christmas Eve.  It was still a little damp from blocking when it was opened.  I love this sweater, the style is flattering on everyone and it looks so nice in so many different yarns. 

I had a few spare moments before the holidays, got a little over zealous and started a vest out of fingering weight yarn for my son.  Needless to say, it was not done in time and it's still not done, but getting closer.  He doesn't even know it's for him yet.  It is knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino.  I LOVE this yarn and have something planned for myself with it very soon.  Hopefully this will be done this week.

As I said last month, Spin A Yarn would like to declare January "Me Month" and we encourage you to knit something for yourself, now that your holiday knitting is done.  And in that spirit, I have 2 projects that I am excited about, just waiting for me.  First I have to finish a shawl for a customer order then, fun knitting for me.  A skirt and top from the Entree to Entrelac book.  This will last past January, since it is going to be knit with the Ella Rae Lace Merino on 3's and a fairly drastic revision of a sweater in the latest Knitter's magazine.  I'll keep you up dated on my progress.

So, until next month, I hope you find a project to knit for you that you can't wait to start!  Happy Knitting, Nancy