11:00am - All piled up and ready to block

1:00pm - Light mist blocking. I did not think it was necessary to block this heavily; I just wanted to set the seams straight.

5:00pm - Playing hooky from my class, my excuse is the snow that is blanketing Maryland. Seaming begins before dinner. I highly recommend these Pony Wool Needles for sewing. They have nice pointy tips.

8:30pm - A sweater is born.

Klaralund Sweater
Pattern: Noro - Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Book II
Yarn: 9 skeins Noro Silk Garden in color #39
Needles: Clover Takumi Bamboo Size 8
Started: October 2 Finished: December 5, 2005
Modifications: I added waist shaping to help counteract the horizontal striping across the midsection. Not sure if it was successful…

In early September, my knitting group did a yarn swap, and I walked away with a batch of Silk Garden from Eilene. I had my eye on Klaralund since the knitalong occured over a year ago; plus, I loved Heather’s and Eilene’s versions. After acquring the pattern, I knew this would be a simple and pretty quick knit. In my opinion, this was a simple sweater that is very suitable for anyone who wants to try sweater knitting for the first time. The pattern is very simple to knit, and the construction is unique yet easy to follow and understand from the pattern.

The experience of knitting with Noro Silk Garden was quite unique in itself. The label says "The World of Nature". Well, they were not kidding about the nature part. I think I could have made a bird’s nest with all of the twigs and hay I found in the yarn! There were also long strings that I assume had some part in the silk spinning process. There is no end to the "naturalness" of this yarn - even when you think you picked out all of the strings, grass, splinters - there will still be more. I had to accept that this was just how the yarn was made… but I still find little things to pick at when I see it again. Neverending. I carried around a little baggy with me while knitting this to collect all of the "nature" and by the end, I had a huge nature ball that filled a small plastic grocery bag (it went in the garbage afterward - not worth saving!). Here is a section that I picked clean for a long time - and I can still see some small pieces from here!

That being said, however, I did like the yarn’s weight, self-striping features, and the way it knit up. I found it to have an even knit fabric texture, as long as there were no twigs sticking out! I probably would not have chosen this color for myself in the yarn shop, but as it knit up, I began to like it quite a bit. It is a perfect match for jeans, as well as my brown and gray cordouroy skirts.

The details make this sweater. I had some reservations about the horizontal striping (still kind of do…) but I love the way that the pattern uses simple garter and stockinette. I would definitely knit this sweater again. It was very quick (I could have finished it much quicker had I not had socks on the brain throughout the month of October!) If I make this again, I may try a solid version, or a very lightly variegated yarn.

Click for Klaralund detail shots:

Sleeve "extended garter" sewn to the garter edge

Garter stitch hem

Extended Garter bodice and Garter V-neck

This is the week for Vickie Howell’s Blog Tour Extravaganza! Here is the itinerary:

Monday (Dec.5)- Crafty Chica

Tuesday (Dec. 6)- Vogue Knit.1 ’s Official Blog

Wednesday (Dec. 7)- Stellaland

Thursday (Dec. 8)- Knit and Tonic

Friday (Dec. 9)- Blue Blog

**Saturday (Dec. 10)- LollyKnitting Around**

Sunday (Dec. 11)- Booga J

Monday (Dec. 12) - Scout’s Knitted Swag

I get my chance to grill Vickie about what she actually knits, how the TV show is run, what her knitting philosophies are, and what the *new* DIY show is all about. Make sure and visit on Saturday to find out the answers to these and other interesting questions!

Someone pointed out on their blog last week that the reason there are so many birthdays in November is because it is approximately nine months after Valentine’s Day. That gave me a little snicker…

Eilene celebrated her birthday in the beginning of the month, I had mine in the middle, and Heather’s came at the end of the month … A Girls of November celebration was in order! Unfortunately, our dear friend Donna (who is a Girl of October) was not able to make the party - she was missed!

Yummy brunch, mimosas, and special birthday desserts were the perfect way to celebrate!

Our waiter even gave us little candles in the desserts!

We were having such a good time, the party continued all the way to the LYS, All About Yarn. We looked through pattern books, fondled many a yarn, and finally made some decisions about what to take home with us. We all walked out with something (stay tuned to Eilene’s and Heather’s to see their goodies!)

This shop opened a little over a year ago, and each time I visit, I just can’t believe all of the new lovely things they have in house. They started carrying a full line of Rowan, Noro, Manos, Lorna’s Laces, and Jo Sharp, and others, as well as many smaller brands that have amazing things to offer. It really is hard to walk out empty handed. I just could not resist…

I missed the Fall 2005 VK somehow, but I picked up the back issue. It has some real goodies in it. Also got some size 13 DPNs because I am thinking about some chunky wristlets, a stackable small notions storage, and a ball of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in Jewel. I am planning to use this one ball for a hat that is in Contemporary Knitting II. My head is getting cold!

But, I don’t just buy things… I also knit things!

See my most recent finished object?

Heather’s Birthday Gryffindor HiP Scarf!
Started: November 22, 2005 Completed: November 26, 2005
Pattern: HiP Scarf Needles: Bamboo 16" circular size 7
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Burgundy and Old Gold
Details: Bias knit, about 6 feet long. Great fun to work on, simple stockinette with stripe color changes. I carried my gold yarn over the rows, and wove in the rest of the ends. It took awhile to weave in all of them, but I think it was worth it. I am very pleased with the final knit. I blocked her twice, and she was still rolling, but Heather did not seem to mind.

She did not know I was giving this to her so soon (she is knitting me one too!) so she had no way of knowing that it would match her Peace Fleece Everyday Cardi so *perfectly*. Love it!

I am also working on Klaralund. Sleeve two is underway, and then I have to do the back (or the front — they are identical!) This sweater is an easy construction, and it is a very relaxing knit. I look forward to wearing it.

I want to clear off some WIPs before I start anything else, and I have several to keep me busy. I do want to begin work on Kris’s sweater, however… maybe to finish it in time for his birthday at the end of December. We’ll see how that works out.

A big thanks to Jennifer for sending the lovely Lorna’s Laces yarn! Such a generous birthday gift! I love the sherbet colorway!.

And Susan and her Labradorable boys sent the great BARk magazine to me and my labradorable girlies this past week. Jenn and Bella looked at the pictures while I read aloud

Jenn spent a long time checking out the boy toy on the cover, while Bella thumbed right to the Health section! Thanks Susan! What a cute mag!

Socktoberfest updates are slowing down a bit… but I still have a pair to finish! Make sure and check out these lovely finished pairs - and email me if you have a pair to share!

• Iris finished a beautiful purple pair.
• April finished a very handsome pair for her husband.
• Carola shows off her new socks in the Icelandic snow!
• Anmiryam, Fuzzy Feet queen, also finished a pair.

I hope I did not forget anyone… please leave a gentle reminder if I did.

I did not have my nose in a book all weekend… just most of it! Luckily, I finished up two major papers just in time for last night’s class, and I am free for a few days before the major homework starts again. This is a big sigh of relief for me… I can finally see an end to this crazy semester. Only two more weeks of classes, two minor papers, and a big paper due in mid-December, and then I am done. (Still quite a bit, huh?)

Thanks for your encouragement through all of it. I go back and read this post and your comments often and I do feel reenergized — thank you!

However, this weekend, I escaped the stranglehold of homework for one evening, and got to enjoy a wonderful show with some wonderful people.

I love the radio, and I listen to it religiously. A few years back, I discovered the radio show This American Life and fell in love with the concept. Regular people with amazing stories to tell, sometimes based around a theme, other times a complete hodge podge.

Perhaps it speaks to the burgeoning historian and archivist inside of me… but who doesn’t love a good story? The stories told on the show are real: sometimes very raw, sometimes hilariously funny, and others have brought me to tears. Now that is good radio. (All previous episodes are archived and free to download on their site: go here for some of the favorites)

The show’s producer and "narrator" is Ira Glass, and many other well-known storytellers and comedians have contributed to the show; most notably David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell. On Saturday night, Kris and I headed down to DC and met up with friends to hear Ira give a lecture / demonstration of how radio is made. The show was amazing, funny, intelligent, and inspiring. A wonderful way to spend an evening.

…especially when you start the evening with some yummy food and great company! We met Jenna (go check out her finished Cutaway cardigan now!) and some friends from work. We headed to Adams Morgan where there is a particularly yummy Ethiopian restaurant called Meskerem.

Jenna and Lolly shared the vegetarian plate.

For those of you that have not tried Ethiopian food before, I think it can be described as a nice mix of Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines — spices are aromatic and the "stews" are filled with plenty of lentils and vegetables. The plate comes with a large round crepe-style bread called injera, which you tear and scoop up the stew mixes. This was the third Ethiopian restaurant I have been to in DC, and probably the most authentic in terms of service and ambiance.

Jenna and Lolly stop stuffing their faces for a photo op - courtesy of Kris. (I kept on thinking through this whole picture "I hope I don’t have spinach in my teeth!")

We taxied over to the auditorium after the yummy dinner, and waited patiently for Ira Glass to come on stage. Jenna thought ahead and brought some knitting, Lolly did not. However, I had fun googling over the beautiful handpainted yarn she is using for the mitten!

With these big essays finally out of the way, I was even able to knit a little myself! It has been too long!

Even though I have not seen the movie yet (I swear, I am a real fan) I did start on my HiP Azkaban scarf. Heather and I are making these scarves together using Patons Classic Merino in Old Gold and Burgandy. I think the color match is dead-on: great choice, Heather! I love the bias cut of this scarf, and it is a fun and easy knit.

This scarf is my contribution to the

knitalong.

Another project that saw the light of day; my Klaralund is nearly halfway finished. I have 3 inches more on sleeve 1, and then I will start the front, and sleeve 2. This sweater is so geometric. It is a nice cathartic knit: stockinette with some garter thrown in. It is perfect for relaxing my mind!

The garter and "extended garter" that form the bodice of the Klaralund.

Thank you to all of you who voted for my next Sisik project in last week’s post! The voting remained close in the very end, with 134 votes, the Aberdeen Cardigan pulled ahead — 69 / 65.

I began to think about what Karen mentioned in her comment "Can’t you knit both?" Well, yes, I guess I can… so, I ordered a few more skeins of rust to make the v-neck too… maybe I should have done that in the first place! I really did enjoy hearing your thoughts on the patterns and the embroidery though… maybe I will just knit Aberdeen first!

For those of you that asked: the Aberdeen Cardigan is available in the Dalegarn 115 book (Google to find availability), and the Vienna v-neck is in Dale Trends 123. (The Dalegarn 115 book is also the source for the Sisik Balmoral cardigan that I made this past summer)

Expect another entry after the holiday — I have some great Socktoberfest finished pairs to share with you, and may even have an FO of my own!

*PS-I just found this site on the Bust’s Girl Wide Web–it has great potential in the forums, reviews of yarns and shops. Go check it out — register, and start some forum threads!

http://www.knitheaven.com/

I know it is not the pattern… Mim is a great designer. I know that it works, because both Chelsea and Lisa have lovely Razor Shell socks, and they are both closing in on a finished pair. So, that means it is one of two things: 1) the yarn OR 2) me. It is probably me.

Yeah, I frogged Razor Shell again. I love this yarn (Tess Designer Yarns), and I am quite fond of this lace pattern, but I have a feeling that this type of yarn is just not suited for this project.

I think that one of these yarns is better for this project. Mim used the KnitPicks yarn for her pattern, and the Lion Brand Baby Soft is the same weight and I like the Candy Pink color. So, looks like I will start this pattern again… hopefully third time will be a *charm*.

I guess it is times like these when it is very obvious that I am still a new sock knitter! I am not letting it get me down, however!

That lovely Tess yarn will not be sitting for long however. I already found another pattern that I think will be perfect for it! I hope that I am right this time. Ryan’s Dublin Bay free sock pattern is lovely. (links to the PDF) Simple rib cuff with stockinette and a k2tog/YO lace insert. Easy and pretty.

And while it seems to be all socks all the time over here at Lollygirl, there is a little sweater action happening too.

The yarn for Kris’s raglan zipper cardigan arrived in the mail. It is from Handpaintedyarn.com–their Handspun Bulky Wool seems to be a great (read: less expensive) substitute for the Manos that the pattern calls for. I managed to get a close color too–this is Date Palme colorway. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, which is one of my favorite books. I already have several knits on the needles right now, but what is one more? Especially when it is for DH… I hope to swatch sometime this weekend.

Another item on my needles is the simple and lovely Klaralund pullover. I am using Noro Silk Garden, like the pattern calls for. I completed the back, and started on one sleeve. The back was quick to knit, and I also added some waist shaping. I thought it would look a little better that way. In a way, I hope the shaping will counteract a little with the horizontal striping across the midsection.

Socktoberfest UPDATES

You girls are amazing (all 185 of you!!) There are socks all over the blogs and Socktoberfest fever is everywhere! There is still time to join–so if you have not, let me know, and I will be happy to sign you up.

There are finished socks and nearly finished pairs on so many Socktoberist blogs. It is hard to feature everyone here, so I am focusing on completed pairs for my daily updates. I also like to throw in a few sock yarn stash blog entries and questions that knitters have mentioned on their blogs.

Make sure to check in on these ladies and see their handiwork. Get inspired by their knitting, and offer advice or tips on any questions–this really adds to the sense of community that I hoped for with Socktoberfest 2005.

• Terby finished a pair of socks that are as blue as the ocean!
• Vicki just finished a pair of self-striping anklets that are just too cute! she just joined today–go welcome her!
• Libby also joined today, and shows her first pair of socks from several years ago, and her start on a new pair.
• Jackie finished a pair of Friday Harbor socks and picked up another sock that had been waiting too long. (Jackie is also the knitalong co-leader for Sock It to Me!–a KAL for sock knitters throughout the whole year)
• Wendy finished her pair or Opal Parrot socks–look at that great zigzag!
• Amanda finished a pair or warm tweedy socks just in time for their first snow!
• Jane finished a lovely lace pair, and already picked the yarn for her next set.
• Angela finished a pair of lovely toe-up socks–hard to believe these are her first pair!
• Carola finished another pair–she is a machine! Make sure to click on the picture for a closer look, the detail on these socks is amazing!
• Amy Boogie is a busy girl. She is taking care of her beautiful newborn daughter, promoting Socktoberfest on Knitters’ Review, and knitting gift socks for her dad. Amazing!
• Lyme shows off her great socks from years past, and her WIP sock pile–she has her Socktoberfest work cut out for her!
• Kathy asks “sock mavens” what kind of finished toe techniques they prefer on their socks. Go share your experiences with her!

So, all of these updates should be plenty to keep you all busy. I am gonna take Saturday off from blogging (this is hard work!) and will be back on Sunday eveing with some progress and more Socktoberfest news.

Have a happy weekend, all!