Breaking news, I did not think this would ever happen as I didn’t think this would ever end, but I am to the armpits! All 19 inches of the body knit, now just 10 more inches to the shoulders! That is 5.5 diamonds. I am refusing to think about all the duplicate stitch it will need, but it will be worth it as my husband will wear it every single day next winter. And perhaps to bed at night as well.
Another WIP is my yarn diet – which is still going strong, no yarn purchased since Boxing Day. I am averaging 1000 yards knit a month, and am down 4300 yards since I started counting for 2014, which is very, very good. I am doing a very good job knitting what I have and not buying. And there is a lot of temptation out there, namely from the self striping sock yarn, which is very hard to resist!
I have also started another “easy pick-up quick” project for when Fia is around. This is a 22 little clouds shawl from a combination merino and mohair, it is a very nice fabric with a lovely halo. I love the pink/grey colourway from Fleece Artist, so pretty. I am hoping this will be generously sized, it will look great with my grey spring jacket. I have a lot of older skeins of lace yarn like this that I am hoping to knit up into nice projects to keep or give as gifts as Christmas.
FO: Aedi With Bragg Creek Lopi Spun
April 24, 2014
Wow, this sweater is one that I’m really happy with. From the moment I got this book, Knitting with Icelandic Wool, out of the library and then purchased it, to when I walked by the Heidi Lopi Spun yarn at last years Olds Fibres fair and automatically started putting a sweaters worth in my bag without even thinking, all those instincts were dead on. This sweater is cosy warm, and it seems to have morphed already to fit me perfectly so that I am very comfortable wearing it.
The original pattern called for three colours, but I made the yoke with just the two colours, and I enjoy the result. I also did not put a zipper in, but opted for a button band for various reasons. It is easier, I had a lot of yarn left over, and had thought I needed some more inches to give more ease.
This is where my earlier comment about it morphing to fit me comes from, I had thought this sweater too tight and small, and now it feels like a perfect fit with no pulling anywhere.
I need to get to this farm in Bragg Creek and visit those lovely sheep that gave me this sweater!
FO’s: Single Skeins Had Better Watch Out!
April 23, 2014
For an unknown reason, I have been ruthlessly hunting down single skeins in my stash and knitting them up into lovely fun items. Take the leftover chenille from the pig family, I now have 3 little wabbits, the purple one at left has already been gifted to a new little baby. A blue and green one were finished last night, and just need a quick block before the baby next door is given hers, and the last one is put in the gift box for the next baby on the scene. If we ever make it down to the States again I am stocking up on this chenille, I just love it for making toys and baby items.
This skein of Manos became a lovely Sarah’s cowl, I think the yarn and pattern played very nicely together. I was thinking this would go into the gift box, but now I really love the purple/cream/orange colours, plus the softness of the yarn. Next winter I may just be grabbing this out of the box! I had some yarn leftover from this, and already made a little baby hat which still needs a button and a little flower I think. Then all this yarn will be used up!
That does seem like a lot of little projects, but wait there is more! I finished a bright, eye searing sockhead hat on the way to Lloydminster, Red Deer, and Edmonton recently. Very good car knitting project, I have a blue one on the go now! This is some Koigu that was never going to become socks due to the lack of nylon content, and I couldn’t see it as a scarf/shawl or anything else. The sockhead hat pattern is an excellent way to use up great yarn that can be a bright pop of colour on top of your grey jacket in the spring. It is light enough weight to be suitable for Calgary spring weather, but not deep winter, rated – 5 oC to 5 oC.
Whew, that is a lot of little things isn’t it! I should save a few things for next September.
WIP: They are Multiplying!!
April 17, 2014
I still have a number of items on the needles, and yet I’ve cast on for two more big projects!! I am being very good about doing a certain number of rows on the argyle vest of unending length, and am on the fourth diamond now. Still around 4 inches to the armpits. I have taken to calling Mr. J “Mr. 19 inches to the armpits” when I’m ticked at him. Newly cast on however is Sabbatical, which will be another long term project, especially if I make it nice and long. I have finished the back ribbing, and am ready to start the lace pattern now. I am proud of this project, the yarn is from 2007, I bought it in Salt Lake, I’m using some old stash up!
But I couldn’t resist casting on a lacy tank named Huevos. I think it was when I realized this pink trekking sock yarn with bamboo would be perfect, and so far it is. Or it may have been the few inches of snow we had again this week that made me do it. I currently have 8 WIP, so I’d better get onto some finishing! I did steek my Aedi sweater, and am looking for buttons now, hopefully photos this weekend. I am wearing it a lot due to this chilly damp weather. I do hope the weather is nice where you are!!
An Early WIP Post: Just as I lose Interest Again
April 7, 2014
As I type this I am listening to my neighbours chip away the ice and snow in their backyards, trying to recover their lawns, and hopefully prevent all that melted water from joining them in their basements. Our house has always been good and moisture tight, but I’m not sure we have ever had the swimming pool in the yard like we have this year, it went over certain little girls fish boots this weekend.
I am talking about WIP early this week, or else I will never get it up. I had renewed enthusiasm for the argyle vest, but I can feel it waning again. So incredibly boring, and why do men like such plain colours? Boring. I am just about to finish the third diamond, and I figure I have another 1.5 until I hit the underarms. Then another ten inches up to the shoulders, but a V-neck should decrease the amount of knitting right? The finishing on this is going to be killer with the top sewing of the orange diamonds. Ack. I think I am going to start a sweater for myself, after I finish the steek on my Aedi sweater. Finish before starting right?
The first day of spring heralded 7 days in a row of snow and cold. I finished my shawl, but have yet to wear it outside as I’m still wearing the super bulky extra warm cowls and scarves of deep winter. The colourway is “Moab”, and once again we can’t go this year. I’m very sad about that, and vow to go next year instead, I very much miss our spring trips to Moab. Do you think the colourway is a good catch of the Moab colours? I think the deep orange before the light orange definitely is, and I just love the turquoise no matter what. When I’m down I keep searching the Moab real estate sites, and keep picking out what I’d like to buy for when the times comes, if it shall come. One day.
It is April 1, and I am ready for the snow to go (still a few feet in the yard) and I am definitely ready for the danger driving conditions to be gone until November/December again. Each morning for 2 weeks has been a nail biter of a drive. Ice, white-outs, general ickiness. I want to wear my scarf outside, with my new rubber boots, and get my spring on!
Knitting Under Water 