Aug 20 2005
Uncharted Territory
I picked up the DMC Pearl Cotton floss on Thursday night, and I couldn't stay away… I immediately started swatching for the Kidsilk Haze Cami and Cowl. It did take me a little while to get used to the cobweb nature of the KSH, but when held with the floss, it is heavier and easier to manage on the larger needles. I got gauge with 10.5 needles, so I am going to cast on for the cami very soon.
There were so many colors of floss at the store, and this was the closest match. It is a little darker (redder) but I think they look quite nice together.
It seems like so many people are planning for their fall knits (of course our friends in the southern hemisphere are excited about all of their summer knits!) and I am doing the same. In preparation for some of my knits, I joined two knitalongs:
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Friend and fellow Harry Potter fanatic, Heather, and I planned to do a HP scarf swap for the Weasley along (we plan to finish them in time for the movie premiere!) I will make a Ravenclaw scarf for her, and she will make a Gryffindor one for me! The new knitalong is not just about the Weasley sweaters, but includes anything and everything Harry Potter. We have not purchased the yarn yet, but we will soon–probably a simple wool or wool blend yarn.
As for the Hourglass knitalong, I am waiting for my best friend Bec to receive her yarn from KnitPicks. She ordered it, and when it comes in, we will cast on together. This will be her first sweater!
I did a swap with Strikker Kris in Norway awhile back… and I got my package from her in the mail yesterday. Kris, thanks so much for sending so many lovely things!
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The Norwegian alpaca is lovely, and I will have to think of something very special for it! If you have a suggestion, let me know.
…and this Cotton Tape is SO cool. Last year, I got the book It's a Tape Thing. I love so many of the patterns in it, but I never picked up any of the yarn. Thanks to Kris, I can now make one of the things I have admired for so long! Virtue, the Cotton Tape beret!
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Sure, I had other projects waiting (Bolero v. 2.0, the Zigane scarf, the other Trekking sock, and the new KSH cami to cast on for) but this Cotton Tape was seriously screaming my name. I could not turn it down!
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Knitting up so quickly (probably about an hour!) I came to some uncharted territory: the crochet rows! So, with very little crochet knowledge, I pulled out some of the books, and found some how-to websites, and I jumped right in. So far so good! I have been wanting to learn more about crochet for a long time, and this just confirmed it for me. I want to take a class at the LYS and learn the fancy stuff! Granny squares, here I come! 
The hat will be done in no time… and then, I am gonna start that KSH cami, baby! So many great things ahead!
Have a happy weekend!
I can’t wait to see your beret! I love hats, even though I don’t always find the opportunity to wear them and I have some cotton tape in the same color that I got on a trade from Becky of Fluffa fame. So, a cotton tape beret may be in my future, as well! Let us know how it turns out.
I can’t wait to see your tank and cowl. I’m sure it will be gorgeous, because I’m really loving that pink…
And that beret will be so cute. I’ve never knit a beret or tam. Maybe you’ll inspire me to give it a try.
I LOVE the beret! (tells herself that she must not buy ONE MORE KNITTING THING!)
Amy
I feel excited for you about the KSH project too! Isn’t it the softest yarn? Well, at least the softest mohair I’ve used!
Yeah, amongst the long-time sweater projects, we do need something like a hat, a scarf or a bag to boost our morale.
the KSH looks good!!! and i love the cotton tape beret.
Hi Lolly, Can’t wait to see the KSH tank, it will be ba-u-ti-ful! And I really like that cotton tape hat. My Sarah wants me to make one like that for her, does the pattern have different sizes? Let me know how it fits
Happy Saturday to you to. xo Donna
I Love that hat, unfortunately i look terrible in hats so it’s not something i’ll be making myself. Glad to see the crochet is going well, i love to crochet, it’s quicker than knitting.
Lolly, I’m intrigued by the Weekend Knitting set. I have that book, too, and always thought the idea of knitting KSH along with DMC was cool. Your cotton tape beret is tre chic! It will be so cute on you!
That pearl cotton is gorgeous! I can’t wait to see the cami set, its going to be so pretty
Your KSH yarn is gorgeous. I thought about that cami and cowl set but was unsure about the floss part. Can’t wait to see yours finito!
I LOVE that hat. I have been debating over and over if I was willing to take a dive into crochet to make it. Can’t wait to see how yours turns out!
The combo of the KSH and the pearl cotton look fabulous together. I love the color. Oh and Good Luck with your crochet hat, i’s looking good so far!
The KSH cami is gorgeous- I remember admiring the pattern when I first saw it. Love your color choices, I think it’s going to turn out great! (P.S. Sorry Bloglines wasn’t cooperating!)
Hi Lauren,
your cami swatch is really pretty! I have to ask though: are you sure you’re supposed to use the two yarns together? The pattern isn’t clear in this, but I think that you’re only supposed to use the perle cotton for crocheting the edges. Look at the photo at page 95, I think that the colour of the edge is different from the camisole. What do you think?
I love the colour of you KSH
There are so many things the Cotton Tape book that I love - but I was unsure about knitting with it - you have inspired me
I think we’re all obsessing over fall knitting. As soon as Sept 1st hits my mind goes into cool weather knitting overdrive! I’m trying to clear any cotton knitting off my plate because in a few weeks I’m sure they’ll be yesterday’s news!
As for your projects — I love that KSH cami. I never realized they held the pearl cotton with it! That’s really and ingenious way to give it more structure and strength, but still keep it airy. I’ll be interested in your opinion of it as you progress.
And hourglass — I held off last year but not this year! What yarn and color did you choose for yours?
Lauren - I LOVE the KSH and DMC held together - looks so great! I can’t wait to watch as the project progresses. I’m planning on the Hourglass, too - wht yarn/color did you choose? I can’t make up my mind! The hat - too cute. Can’t wait to see it on you, it’s going to look great!
Way to go Lolly! It’s funny that people always say crocheting is easier than knitting, but I find that it’s the other way around. Can’t wait to see the finished product. Hope you’re having a good weekend!
Hi Lolly,
All your new projects look great! Your class also seemed really interesting. You’ll be a crochet pro in no time.
Hope you enjoy getting to rest up before the new semester begins. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! 
Oh all your projects are beautiful! I am a Harry Potter fan also!! Can’t wait to see your scarves!
Crochet isn’t bad once you get the hang of it.. I have been crocheting since I was 8 or so (my grandma taught me) and I still think it’s easier than knitting..but I guess it’s whatever you “start off” learning that seems the easiest…I know you’ll be a pro soon enough girl!
Gorgeous KSH and DMC combo - LOVE IT!! Beautiful colors…can’t wait to see that!
I’m getting excited about fall knits too. I probably more excited than you though to see how that DMC/KSH sweater knits up. Its such a neat idea and the color will look great on you. I hope that you and MD the gang can come to my neck of the woods this fall (she says crossing her fingers and toes) and we can all share our fall knits.
Tanya
What a cute beret! And you’re so brave about the crochet part. Can’t wait to see it on! =)
Wow! lots of things going on here! I so love KSH. I need to take mine out of my yarn box and fondle it for awhile :). I’m getting excited about fall knits, too! I need to figure out what I’m going to do.
Wow, your working hard on all those projects. I love your choice of colours for the cami. Can’t wait to see the finished result.
Estee
love the cotton tape, that blue is perfect for you fair skin! so far i really like the HG sweater, you guys are gonna have so much fun together:) i was wondering if you finished those trekking socks, and i just missed it!
The floss looks great Lolly and the beret looks great too. Good colour choice
Woo hoo! You started the cami. I can’t wait to see this one as a finished object.
Be sure to check out Drew’s site to get inspired for some crochet.
The Crochet Dude http://thecrochetdude.blogspot.com
Oh, I don’t blame you for making that beret right away, it’s so cute. Sometimes I think that you and I are on really similar knitting wavelengths, because when I’ve been going in yarn stores lately, I’ve been eyeing cotton tape in a similar color to what you have. Not to mention that I also want to make that top!
I hope to hear from you soon!
Glad to see you’re so excited about the new knits! I tried the KSH once and that was it for me - but then again - I’m NOT a fan of mohair. Hope it works great for you!
Oooh, love the lace! I can’t wait to see more… I haven’t felt the cotton tape yet, but I should.. it looks devine
What color hourglass is your friend making with the KnitPicks?!
I do like the floss and KSH together. They’re close enough in color but just slightly different enough to add some depth and interest to the piece. Very nice! I hope you had a nice weekend. You’re right, we do look like we could be sisters.
All your knits look great, as usual.
I love love love the hat. Have fun with the crochet. Where do you buy the yarn in the proper colours for a Harry Potter scarf?