Aspiration and idealism have been my themes for these first few days of 2006 – I am getting so excited thinking about all of the possibilities of the new year. Especially all of the new crafts I can’t wait to try…
This is the Sublime Stitching Stitch-It Kit, a Christmas gift from Kris that I am “itching” to try. I have seen some lovely embroidery on the Sublime Stitching website and this kit has some real goodies in it – check out the transfer sheets and the pretty thread colors! Stay tuned for some sublime stitching by Lolly 
I have seen a few of these around the blogs – any recommendations or tips to share about embroidery?
Of course, before I can get too excited about all of the 2006 possibilities, I feel the need to close the book on some of the lingering 2005 projects. At one point, I was just as excited about those projects, so I am seeing the need to rekindle the passion I had for those knits just a few months ago…
One day, this will become this:
However, I am not quite sure when this will be…
The camisole / cowl combo from the book Weekend Knitting. This is a very slow knit; firstly, because it is lace, and I am not well-skilled in the art of yo, k2tog tbl, psso, etc. (I know, it just takes practice!) Secondly, it is constructed with Rowan’s Kid Silk Haze, which, in my opinion, is both a blessing and a curse. It is so soft and light, yet warm because of the mohair fiber. However, it is so light that it is like a cobweb – kind of hard to knit with that- and definitely easy to drop a stitch. So, slow and steady wins this race. I am about 10 inches in, and I have been working on this one since August 2005… maybe I can finish it by its year anniversary!
Since I finished Kris’s cardigan on Tuesday, I have been keeping myself busy with another knit from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book: my Hourglass sweater.
Hourglass has also been on the needles since early fall 2005. I am using KnitPicks Andean Silk in colorway Lettuce, and I really do like this yarn. I would recommend it for any light worsted / DK weight project; it is very soft, and knits up in a very smooth and even texture.
In the past three days, I have doubled the length of the body; it sat in my knitting bag for 4 months at about 6 inches long, but I am closing in on the arm holes, thanks to some long Metro rides, and a few traffic accidents on the Beltway. I am extending the body of the sweater by a few inches – it calls for 15 1/2 inches for my particular size, but I am planning to knit 17 inches because I have some extra yarn, and I have heard some reviews that this sweater came out a little short. Anyone had any trouble with this?
Next up: sleeves on double pointed needles! I really enjoy the yoked patterns – many of my recent knits have used this same construction.
My school’s spring semester started up this past week. This semester, I am taking only one course: a Library Science course entitled Libraries in Society, it is a required class that all grad students must take. It is the basic class to educate librarians in intellectual freedom, copyright law, privacy issues, information ethics, and various other contemporary, and often controversial, issues in the field. This semester will be a vast departure from the fall semester, and I wholeheartedly welcome that – it means more time for the other pursuits…. getting crafty!
The Sublime Stitching looks like a lot of fun – can’t wait to see your finished products. The color of your hourglass sweater is great – looks like a relaxing project so far.
Having returned from a computer hiatus, I find my cyber friend Lolly has been very busy. Kris’s sweater looks great, and he looks so happy wearing it.
Amy
I just got that kit too!!!
That kid silk haze project is gorgeous! Beautiful colour you’ve picked.
I’m going to take a shot at embroidery this year too. My backtack kit is sitting on my shelf patiently waiting…
Hey, I just got that stitching kit with a Christmas gift card! It’s so fun! There’s a thread on the craftster bboard devoted to that kit and the other Sublime Stitching designs. Here’s the link http://tinyurl.com/88j4c
Your hubby’s sweater looks MMMMaaaaaahhhhhhvelous! Best wishes for this semester!
I’m right there with you on the Kidsilk Haze!! I started Airy Scarf sometime in August . . . it still isn’t done . . . and it’s supposed to be a FOUR HOUR knit. It’s just such a challenge to knit – I tend to burn out on it fast. I might be using the same color you are!!!
My mom made an Hourglass, and the extra length she wanted was up in the neckline area, as it falls off her shoulders as is. So you might want to save a little of the extra for up top, too!
Arrgghhh, i think i need to get a move on with my hourlass, you’re going to beat me!
Were you referencing the Cranberries with your title? I have that album on my MP3 player. I don’t listen to it too much. Reminds me of my college boyfriend.
I’m so glad to see that you’re knitting your hourglass from that yarn. I’m planning on doing that project this year, and I’ve been hemming and hawing about what yarn to use. I’ve been thinking about something from elann.com too. It’s good to know that someone has used, and likes, that yarn!
BTW: I live in the same general area as you (I noticed we even haunt the same LYS – all about yarn), hasn’t the traffic been hideous this week? Good that you had knitting with you! =)
Bless you for working with KSH! I’ve had a recent mohair experience that was less than fun, and I don’t know if I will be venturing that way again!
The Hourglass Sweater is looking great! I think that may be one of my next projects!
Ok.. where did you get that KidSilk Haze pattern?
eh?
I want it!!
Hey there lolly,
I think it’s good to finish some of those WIPs, start the year off with a clean slate. I wasn’t super excited about the hourglass sweater until I saw it on a member of my SnB, then I realized just how nice it is – very flattering! I think it will look great on you!
I was thinking about attempting a sweater from KSh this year, maybe I should wait on that a while. I wonder if any of your readers know if any of the similar weight yarns like Karabella lace mohair, etc, are any easier to work with?
I am always tempted to buy one of those stitch it kits. I will pick it up and read the back but I always end up putting it back down. They look like fun, can’t wait to here about your experience with it.
I bought a bunch of mohair yarns last year and love the way they look and feel. Unfortunately I tried knitting with it and it is very hard. It is like making a cobweb. I think it is going to sit in my stash for awhile.
Your hourglass is looking lovely your stitches look perfect. I am liking your color choice also.
Have a great weekend.
I’m forever contemplating that hourglass sweater, but haven’t been brave enough to cast on. Maybe I’m still waiting for you to finish – especially since I love the color of the yarn you’re using and may want to be a copycat.
I just love all of your projects! You are too cool!
good for you for taking it easy with school this semester. breaks are good for the soul…
Well, if you need any help with that course . . . just yell!
I love the look of that cowl sweater! Keep going on it, it’s going to be gorgeous!
Congrats on the low key semester! And that embroidery kit looks fun!
Good for you for taking a bit of a break on the course load. Sometimes you just have to for your own sanity! I love the hourglass sweater pattern. I really want to try it, but I have a million other things I really want to try first!
thanks for the tip on the hourglass, I never know how long to make my sweaters. everything is knitting up great, keep going!
Hope that your next semester does not interfere with your knitting… letuce is a great colour.
My hourglass came out the right length in the body. By “right length” I mean beyond where it would ever hike up to expose any tummy or back, which I would definitely not like! My arms are very long and the sleeves still turned out too long and I’m constantly turning them out of my way. My only snafu was that I ran out of yarn at the neck.
Love the hourglass……..that’s on my list, too. I’m making the Bristow sweater from the Knitty site with the same yarn as your hourglass……..love the color; glad to hear that it knits well…..
Your camisole is lovely – I really like the color. I’m not brave enough to knit with the kid silk haze yet – it is on my “one day” list
Yes, I’d say knit it an extra inch, inch and a half longer than it says. If I could do mine over, I would.
Your hourglass sweater is really shaping up. Hmm. I wonder if I need one of those…
Oh the sweater is just fantastic!! It looks perfect on him.
The color you’ve chosen for your Kid Silk Haze is georgeous!!! Steady as she goes, I’m sure you’ll get it done and it will be a beautiful piece. Good luck with the “new” crafts for the year!
Love both of your project and excited to see the new craft start up. How many balls of Kid Silk Haze is it going to take to make the camisole? Also how much of the andean silk will it take for your hourglass?
Hello! I have the Sublime Stitching kit too. It’s fun and imagine the possibilities of what you could embroider on. Once you get the stitches down you can try crewel, which is what I want to try next. I also love the tank top in Weekend Knitting and it was one of the reasons I bought the book. Yea for all your fun projects.
I have that kit, but ahve not used it yet . . . maybe this will be the inspiration I need.
I had not been to the Sublime Stitching site before . . . omg . . . how cute.
I have a few of the sublime stitching patterns (do they call those things patterns?) They are so fun!! Pretty easy to get the hang of, and cheap to buy endless colors at michaels or wherever! I love them!
I solved some of my procrastination problems, I just frogged a lot of things from 2005 and called them experiences.
Hey, Lolly!! That embroidery kit from Kris looks like such fun! You’re such a crafty girl.
Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things you’ll stitch up this year. I really like the idea of the transfer sheets, too- makes it so versatile. My mom used to be an embroidery fanatic when I was small, so I have a lot of great memories of watching her stitch. Your Hourglass is looking fantastic!! You know I’m loving the color. 
That’s definitely on my to-knit list for this year, so I’m really excited to watch you knit yours. And the KSH camisole is GORGEOUS- I’ve heard mixed reviews on KSH for the exact reasons you mentioned, but it’s going to be so worth it in the end; it really is such a beautiful top! I’m glad this semester’s looking up to give you a little more knitting time, too. Have a great weekend and take care!! Love XXOO, chris.
hey, don’t forget about that lingering Lucky too!
i’ve been interested in the sublime stitching kits for awhile, but i’m best kept to one hobby for now. i’m trying to hold back from learning how to spin at the moment!
I used the same yarn (except in Orange) for my Hourglass sweater. I’m planning to make another one in Lettuce at some point. You’ll love it.
Your hourglass is coming along great! All I need to do this weekend is buy the needles, and I’ll be on my way too!
the hourglass sweater can go pretty quickly b/c it is all stockinette… my tripled in just a fe days like yours and it was very gratifying! Can’t wait to start it over again next month
Keep plugging on those 2005 knits Lolly! They are going to be awesome when you get there!
Glad to hear your courseload isn’t going to be so heavy this semester. I’m sure you’ll find this class pretty interesting. When I took something similar it really made me aware of issues I had no idea about. Very eye opening. Hope yours turns out the same.
Much love here for Jenny Hart’s patterns… but I’ve had that kit since last Christmas and I still haven’t embroidered a thing!
I’ll just have to embroider vicariously through you. Good luck with your new semester!
Ah Lolly, just in time – thanks for your input on the knitpicks andean silk – I need to make a few scarves and yesterday I bought that same yarn in three different colours and today I was wondering whether I should have because I don’t know the yarn – no more tsecond thoughts now. Thanks!!!
Hey girl! I’m glad you’re only taking one class this semester. It sounds like you needed to give yourself a little break from too many classes.
I’m going to be selling my yarn at MD Sheep and Wool this year so please stop by and say hello. I’ll se set up with the folks from Eden View Llamas and I’d love to see you there!
Holly
Lolly…I soo love that cowl pattern. It is just beautiful, especially in the pink! Can’t wait to see more. And the hourglass is going to be great. I’m sure you will wear it alot! Have a great weekend. xo Donna
happy new school quarter, lolly! i’m typing this in mine right now, shhh.
anyhow, glad you’re taking a lighter class schedule this time, last quarter seemed really insane to me. but go you, anyhow!
Delurking to ask how many skeins of the Andean silk you’re expecting to use for Hourglass. I’ve got 12 skeins of AS in Lettuce that I need to find a use for. According to the pattern requirements, that should be enough for a size M (I think!), but I’ve also heard about people coming up short yarn-wise on the sweater.
Looking forward to seeing how your Hourglass turns out!
I’ve been wanting to get that kit – looks so cute, and I do have one of her other pattern “sets.” May have to get it now!
And I just ordered Andean Silk for my hourglass! I had no idea you were using it. I’m glad it’s working out to be a nice sub, I was a bit worried. Looks great so far!
I’m starting my last semester of my grad year as well for my BA (applying for the B.Ed. program next), and I am taking 3 courses…hopefully I’ll have some extra time to knit.
I like the colour of the sweater you are doing for yourself; it’s a nice shade. Can’t wait to see the end result!
Wow, those are some great colors! I have seen lots of the hourglass around blogland, and yours looks like it will be beautiful.
And floss? Yum! I was a floss harlot long before I took up yarn. I will have to post some of my past projects in a gallery! I look forward to seeing your project.