Canada Socks
Pattern: Canada Socks from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Red and Ivory = Schoeller+Stahl Fortissima /
Gray = Tess Designer Yarns
Needles: Size 0 and 1 US

The socks were a fun mix of stranded colorwork and simple stockinette – two favorite combination.  The yarns work well together.  I altered the pattern’s cuff slightly, choosing a simple ribbed cuff instead of the vikkel braid outlined in the book.

The pattern was fun, and by virtue of the name – I will think of Canada when I wear these socks.  I have seen the east and the west of Canada… now I just have to see some of the in-betweens!

The socks were the final knit in my Stanley Cup Stashbusting knitalong with my friends on the Ravelry Puck This group.  We had about 20 participants (all hockey-loving knitters like myself!) and many projects – from blankets to washcloths and sweaters to socks.  It’s a fun chance to talk about what we are knitting as we cheer on our teams as they play towards the Cup.  Last night, the beautiful Stanley Cup was awarded to the fabulous Chicago Blackhawks team.  They played a great season, and it has been so much fun watching this team build themselves up after many years of abysmal attendance and indifference.  I adopted them as my “Western” team last year, so it was a joy to see them hoist the Cup only one year after my #1 team – the Pittsburgh Penguins – did they very same thing.  Congratulations to the Hawks!  So happy for them!  and happy for hockey in general – great ratings, top tweets on Twitter, and so much promise for the future.  Maybe the best-kept sports secret isn’t really a secret anymore?

So, in this quest for the Cup (and a few days before the playoffs started) I have been on a stashbusting kick – and I have some nice things to show for it!

My results:  1 blanket, 2 garments, 2 scarves and a pair of socks!

April – June 2010

…

Do I win an award for stashbusting?

Pattern:  Rebecca 33, #26
Yarn: Rowan RYC Natural Silk Aran, color 465 (blue-gray)
Needles: Size US 9 and 10
[Ravelry Notebook page]

Modifications:  Like my first version, I made the sleeves 3/4-length, which seems better for the warmer temperatures.  I also shortened the hemline rib, favoring stockinette.  The pattern also calls a picked up neckband, which I just found unnecessary.  So, I left the smaller vertical rib, making the v-neck a little deeper.  As with any translated pattern, there are many times where the knitter has to “fill in the blanks” and just go on instinct.  This instinct comes from making other garments, so this sweater (and maybe others from Rebecca’s collection) would not be the ideal “first sweater” project unless there is lots of guidance! 

I bought the yarn awhile back at the LYS – it was that amazing mottled colorway that drew me right in.  Seeing it become a lovely fabric was a nice treat.   However, I have been going through a small-scale existential dilemma… after reading Maria’s amazingly well-researched Sustainability Series at Bloodroot Spins , I am feeling a conviction about using silk.   The thing is, I have quite a bit of it in my stash (usually in blends)… and I like working with it.  Sure, I knew the basics about silk production, but I was still ignorant as to exactly how things actually happened; Maria’s blog post helped educate me.  At this point, I feel that using silk in my knitting does not “jive” with my code.   I am hoping that I can avoid an arrest by the vegan police… but I don’t feel the need to get rid of all my silky FOs (not this new one!) or stashed yarns… but I do feel the need to put the brakes on any new silk  purchases (ahem… just got this blend last weekend…) for the time being.  Yet, I will be evaluating the stash (and my conscience) and figuring out where I want to go from here…

I am not at the point where I want to reject use of all animal fibers (and many of my vegan peers would chastise me and say that I am in fact *not* a vegan because of this).  If that is the case, so be it.  Truth is, I love to work with wool, alpaca, mohair, angora… and I think that each of these things can be done in a sustainable and non-harming way.  (Anyone else seen the angora bunny lady at MDSW in years past?  that bunny doesn’t even feel a thing!)  Perhaps this is more ignorance on my part (or Pollyanna?) but those fibers are staying put in my stash.

~

 I made a tank top – so simple and fast to complete – out of some leftover yarns (stashbusting continues!) and I am nearing completion on a simple spring pullover next…

This is the A-Line tank from the Spring/Summer 2007 issue of Knit Simple.  I used leftover Classic Elite Classic Silk yarn in this lovely perwinkle color.  The tank is knit bottom-up, flared at the bottom with small decreases all the way up along these faux princess seams – then a small ribbing in the middle to gather the stitches.  I modified it to knit in the round,  adding an edge stitch to each side.  The pattern only goes up to a 36″ bust, and since I wanted a little ease, I went up a needle size (size US 8 and 9s) to make it more of a 37/38″ bust.  My plan worked, for the most part.  It isn’t the most “flattering” knit I have ever made, but it is cute and it will be worn. 

If I made this again, I would add some more length to it.  I often forget that my torso is longer than I think it is, and I tend to like my tops and tanks to be longer – around the top of the hip.  Luckily, I have a periwinkle camisole that is nearly the same color underneath to give the illusion of a bit more length. 

This pattern page on Ravelry has some lovely projects by other knitters, but none of the other knitters have my body shape – so I wasn’t quite sure how this one would out since I have a larger bust and wider hips.  Jury is still out if it is a success or not!

My newest knit – which is nearly done after lots of weekend knitting! – is another version of the Forrest Pulli top that I made last March.  This time, I am using a different fiber to get a more relaxed shape with some more ease.  This RYC Natural Silk Aran reeled me in hook. line. sinker. at the LYS awhile back.  The steeley blue/gray with little color flecks was just too much for me to turn down.  I didn’t have a pattern in mind when I bought it, so I was quite happy to match this pattern to this yarn.  The picture shows the knit as it looked late last week… you can now imagine a completed back and a front left panel.  Now onto the right and the sleeves, and it will be good!  I didn’t expect to motor through this knit so quickly, but now that I have, it seems almost possible that it could be done by the weekend – for Maryland Sheep and Wool festival

I am analyzing many garment shapes in my Ravelry queue to see if this is really the best style and knit shape for my body… luckily, I have Amy’s *amazing* new series of blog posts called “Fit to Flatter” to help me determine this kind of thing.  Amy has put together two amazing tutorials (so far) with lots of visuals, drawings, models, etc.  to aid the knitters/crocheters out there on the search for the perfect garment for your body shape.  Check it out.  You will definitely learn something.

Right now, I am particularly drawn to long tunic-style tanks and shifts – and while it’s a lot of knitting, it’s also a nice stashbuster too.  Some of the patterns that have caught my eye:

• Berroco’s Moska
• Interweave’s Summertime Tunic
• Purl Bee’s Leah Tunic
• Pegboard Lace Tunic
• Bottoms Up Tank
• Rebecca Yoked Lace Pulli

…and the list could go on and on!  Wonder how many I will realistically make this summer…

Before I went to British Columbia back in February, I pulled together some yarns from my sock yarn stash and decided to make some socks. This was kind of a big deal because it had been well over a year since I had made any socks, or had the desire to do such.  Socks are a great travel project, so I packed the yarn and started them at the airport. In no time, I had the colorwork chart done, and started to work down the leg – these are the Canada socks from Nancy Bush’s Knitting on the Road:

The random yarns are Schoeller+Stahl Fortissima Socka in deep red and ivory, and the semi-solid gray is my old favorite – Tess Yarns Merino Sock.

Andrea knits!

Unfortunately, the sock bug was short-lived, and I went on to work on a number of other projects while this sock sat on the needles.  I just needed to turn the heel before I could quickly finish sock #1, but it sat in the bottom of the bag for over 2 months.  Finally, as I was sitting in my hotel room in Philadelphia last week (fresh back from my yarn shop + dinner date with Andrea) I turned the heel.  Yeah, it was over in about 20 minutes.  I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner…

Now, sock #1 is done, and the clock is counting down.  I have to at least cast on for sock #2 in the next 24 hours or these socks will end up at the bottom of the bag again.  I just know this to be true, because I know myself… and my eyes are already wandering and my fingers are already itching to cast on for *another* new project.

Luckily, I have a lot of knitting time right now (which sounds much better than “sitting in front of the TV time”, doesn’t it?)  with the NHL playoffs…   My team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is playing some great hockey, and with games on every.single.night (and some afternoons) there is never a dull moment.  I am moderating a bit and trying to do some other things (gardening! cooking! yoga!) but hockey is pretty much the big deal right now. 

My friend Gillian over on the Ravelry hockey boards made my day – she sent these amazing Penguins cups that she picked up on a recent visit to her mother in Pittsburgh.  They are holographic cups.  I have a theory that whichever cup I choose to drink out of – that player will have a great night (lots of goals, etc.) and so far it’s worked – well, twice.  So, it may be true!

... drinking with the guys ...

The Ravelry Stanley Cup Stashbusting Knit-along/Crochet-along is going really well, and there are lots of great projects over there… and it’s giving me lots of inspiration to do even more stashbusting.  I already finished the tank I started last week, and I am planning some baby knits, and maybe even jump-starting some holiday gift knitting.  Since I enjoyed the recent Noro project so much, my eyes are wandering towards the remaining Noro skeins in my stash wondering what they will become… and the crochet practice continues!

Noro Star Blanket
Yarn: Noro Cash Island, colorway 11
Pattern:  Free pattern from Bernat
Needles: Size US 8-10, graduated as the blanket got bigger
Ravelry Notebook Page

What a joy it was to knit… I loved every minute, and I plan to make another.  The yarn was obviously the biggest draw here – the Noro Cash Island was decadent to knit with the brilliant colors and the mix of cashmere, wool, and all of the other goodies.  I bought this yarn in the sale bin at Maryland Sheep and Wool a few years ago; initially, I was planning a garment, so I only got one bag.  Had I known that I would make an afghan, I would have picked up two bags (20 skeins).  That would have definitely made it bigger and more “afghan-like”, but it would have been quite the feat to find circular needles for it to fit on!  This was nearly 1000 stitches in the round with 10 skeins.  It was becoming quite heavy, but never became a chore to knit in anyway.

I came across this pattern when searching the free pattern library on Bernat’s website – there are some great patterns for both knitting and crochet – and when I saw this pattern, the wheels started to turn.  (You have to register on the site, and then all the patterns are free!) Noro has that amazing self-striping quality, and in a star-shape afghan, that could be quite eye-catching!  Luckily, my bet was right.  I am thrilled with the way it turned out!

I used a friend’s interchangeable needles from Knitpicks.  I have not taken the plunge to get my own set of interchangeables, but I must say, it is tempting.  I plan to make more circular afghans, and 40″ circs are not available in most stores in a range of needle sizes.  This Knitpicks kit was useful, but I was annoyed that the joints kept coming unscrewed.  I don’t know if this is something that happens often in other brands, but it’s a quick way to lose stitches, and that is not good…  Do you have an interchangeable kit that you recommend?

I didn’t know as I was making this the star points would create this wavey edge, but I really like it!  As I bound off the stitches and saw the natural curve, I was thrilled with the results.  Blocking only made it better.

Stashbusting is at an all-time high over here – and with all the hockey-viewing lately, my hands have been quite busy.  I have more projects to share very soon!

(Bradford Pear, Azalea, Dogwood)

Kris and I have both had busy schedules at work – which makes the downtime that much more enjoyable.  Last weekend, we took the doggie girls over to the dog park (my good friend Ang joined us with her two pups), we went to a show in DC (Vampire Weekend!) and then had a nice Easter Sunday with both sets of family.

(Jenny and Bella are worn out after running around the dog park!)

This past weekend, we woke up early on Saturday to set up a yard sale, and then went to Kris’s brother’s surprise birthday party.  Sunday offered some downtime – I read some books (graphic novels are my flavor of the month – book reviews to follow) and we did some gardening.  This afternoon/evening, we are heading up to Delaware – Kris is giving a presentation and I am hitching along for the ride.  And tomorrow I am heading to Philly for a work conference (Caring for Unusual Formats!) and I am gonna meet up with this amazing lady.

I have been in a bit of a cast-on frenzy… I have started several new projects over the course of the week, but some didn’t quite make the cut since they were more crochet practice.  I am still trying to work on my tension, but the stitches are coming a bit easier.  My recent project of choice has been cotton washcloths – made with Sugar n’ Cream Cotton.  Practical and functional.  I like using the small swatches to practice stitches – this one is half-double crochet:

The newest knit on the needles is the A-Line Swingy Tank from an old issue of Knit Simple (Spring/Summer 2007) [Ravelry link]- it’s a simple and flattering tank that seems like a good shape for me.  It would be cute with a camisole underneath, or with a cardigan on top.  I am using leftovers from the Sienna Cardigan I made last year – Classic Elite Classic Silk.

The recent spike in stashbusting is because 1) I always do this before MDSW – less than one month away and I start to get serious stash guilt and 2) the Stanley Cup Stashbusting KAL/CAL over on Ravelry’s Puck This! group.  I am heading it up again as I eagerly anticipate the NHL playoffs.  Feel free to join us if you are interested!

How are you enjoying the change of season?  Are you outside more?  I would love to hear what you are up to!

This was intended to be a knit that kept me going through the Stanley Cup playoffs… but *ahem* They haven’t even started yet… and I am nearly finished.  I guess you could say I got addicted to knitting this blanket.  Noro totally has that effect on me.  I just want to see how the next color will come out of the ball and how it will work with the exciting fabric. 

I started the NINTH ball last night – out of ten.  So, at this rate, I will be finished by the end of the week.  And even if it is nearly 90 degrees outside (seriously, wasn’t there still snow on the ground one month ago?), I am loving knitting this warm blanket. 

I did some knit math to estimate how big she’s gonna be – and while she won’t be a huge bedspread-type blanket, she will be a decently sized lap blanket.  I can’t wait to see how the star points come out once I bind off.

Soon…

Kris and I are back from our Southern California roadtrip and family visit (newborn niece! sister!), and I can’t wait to tell you more about it … just waiting for the 1300+ photos to download!  (Don’t worry, I won’t show them *all*…)  We had a wonderful time seeing this region of the US – meeting some amazing people, seeing lots of hockey games, and tasting the culinary delights, and finally being with loved ones.

… More on all of that later…

I worked on this cardigan to have it ready for hand delivery to my sister by the time we got to her new home in Monterey, and I finished seaming it in the car just a few hours before we arrived at her house.  Perfect timing!

Ruby Cardigan
Pattern: “Ruby” from the Breeze collection
Designer: Kim Hargreaves
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed (#15 colorway)
Needles: Size US 5 and 6

What a joy to knit, and it looks great on my lovely sister!  The cardigan had some great details, like the fold-over collar, the garter hems with picot edging… Mimi said it looked like the pages in an old book, slightly uneven and ruffled.  It really adds character, and was fun to knit too. 

The yarn was perfect.  It blocked so evenly and has such a professional look to it.  Along with Silky Wool, this is quickly becoming my favorite yarn.  I think it will wear well for years.  The tweed has depth and such a lovely range of color flecks.  The overall red – kind of a mix of rust and berry red, don’t you think? – looks great with my sister’s complexion, and should be a nice addition to her wardrobe.  I wanted to give her something comfortable yet flattering – something that a new mommy can feel good in, but still wear with baby.  I hope this cardigan succeeds in that goal!  It sure was a pleasure to knit, and even more of a pleasure to give it to her in person!

Yea for new knits on pretty sisters!  Yea for a new niece!  Yea for vacation! Can’t wait to share my photos with you all   Stay tuned~

Huh… five years.  Time flies!

I am not sure how many of you have been around since the beginning, but that is no matter…  because I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart!  It is truly an honor to walk alongside you (virtually and in real life!)  on this journey.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet many of you, and I hope to meet many more of you in the future!  Thanks for reading and for being a part of my life!  *Much love and gratitude!*

As is the custom in this region of “Bloglandia”, I am planning to run a contest for my fifth blogiversary – but I wanted to put a little spin on it

I have been in organization/cleaning mode this past week, and I have come across hundreds of little yarn scraps – too much to throw away, but not enough to really do anything with.  Some are leftover balls from projects, some are yarn samples.  I have used these scraps in the past to make the Rapunzel scarves, but I can’t keep up with the supply…  So, I decided to start making a ball – a scraptacular ball – with plans to start a scraptacular project.  I am planning a big garishly colored blanket with these scraps… like only a blanket a knitter could love and appreciate.  The brilliant Chawne suggested a quilt that radiated out from the center, like Larissa’s Barn Raising quilt squares from her book Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together.  I love this idea, as it would be quite easy to add to with new scraps.   I may just have to come up with several ideas, as scraps are never going to be gone from my stash!

 How many yards / meters do you think are in this scraptacular ball??

Care to venture a guess?

Hints:  It is packed tight and has a little weight to it, and it took me about 100 minutes to wind this ball up (aka watching this past week’s amazing episode of True Blood episode twice).  There are at least 75 individual yarn scraps in this ball at this point.

And for the winners – two winners who come closest to the final yardage – a choice between these two prizes:

 Fleece Artist Goldilocks Kit – in rich indigo purple.  540 yards of silk/mohair boucle for the Goldilocks shawl – a triangular garter stitch shawl – pattern on the label.  I bought this in Nova Scotia, the home of Fleece Artist, last year.

Hunt Valley Cashmere -a Maryland supplier of this pale pink 100% cashmere.  1.95 oz skein.   Perfect for a cowl or mitts.

Contest is open till Thursday (8/13) at 5:00pm EST. 

Even if you don’t care to be in the contest, I would still love to hear from you    Once again, thank you, dear friends, for so many happy years!

• Just this week, the new Petite Purls site launched – the wonderful efforts of Allegra and Brandy and a great design team.  Adorable free patterns specifically for babies and children!  Congratulations!  I have already queued up several patterns and have to play eeny-meeny-miney-mo to decide which goes on the needles first!
• With the launch of the new and improved Interweave Knitting Daily site, there is a free PDF “e-book” of  seven sweet baby knits from back issues of Interweave Knits magazine.  You have to log-in or join Knitting Daily to download.  The new site looks great and offers some nice resources.

The newest addition to the baby knits category on my side bar:

Victorian Baby Bonnet

Pattern: Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together, by Larissa Brown
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic – / .5 skein ~60 yards
Needles: Size US 6 circulars

Such a sweet pattern – and the lace repeat is actually one that I can handle without the need to rip!  This little golden yellow skein has been in my stash for ages so it was nice to produce something from it.  I still have some leftover since it only used about half of a skein.  I see more of these in my future… relatively quick to make, sweet, and a lovely gift.  Perhaps my new little niece can have a little rainbow of bonnets… but if I know anything my sister, baby girl will be  fully outfitted in purple!

This project was a stashbuster, my last one for the Stanley Cup Stashbusting knitalong, as well as a knit project for this round of Project Spectrum.  The EAST direction is coming to a close before too long, and the direction will shift to SOUTH – reds, oranges, fire, and summer!  Looking forward to it…

For a little more Project Spectrum yellow inspiration, I stepped out into the garden this morning for a quick look around and saw all the lovely blossoms – marigolds and  squash flowers!