Finishing feels good!

Hey everyone!  I finally finished my Central Park Hoodie #2.  Here are the specs

Yarn: Aruacania Naturewool in Amethyst- 4.5 Skeins
Needles: Knitpicks Size 6 and 8
Buttons: Ceramic from Briar Rose Fibers
Size: Medium body, Large sleeves
Mods: I knit this baby all in one piece, removing 2 stitches from the back, and 1 stitch from both the left and right fronts.  I joined the shoulders with a 3-Needle bindoff instead of seaming. I added a cable to the hood, and kitchener stitched the hood. I picked up the buttonband all in one piece as to avoid the seam in the center front of the hood.

Here are some pictures.

I also finished blocking my Ishbel Shawl.
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Solis purchased at The Fiber Fix
Needles: Knitpicks Size 5
Size: Small Stockinette, Large Lace
Finished Measurements : 52 inches wide, 21 inches long
I love this shawl! This was my first attempt at actually completing one, and my first attempt at blocking lace.  My goodness this thing grows a lot!

A few days ago, I started to make Sylvi.  I got through the left front to the point where I would have to do the raglan decreases.  At this point, the fabric is supposed to measure 26 inches. However, my fabric measures just barely 17 inches.  I am so mad!!!  I am using Cascade Eco +, and other people on Ravelry have used it with a size 10 needle, and their jackets look great.  At this rate, I will end up having something that looks like a maternity sweater.  Now, there is a time and place for that....but I am just not there yet. So, to the frog pond I go.  I plan on making the Military Cardigan (Ravelry Link) designed by Veronik Avery with this yarn instead. Now, I am on a quest to find Bulky yarn with a gauge of 3 sts/inch....SIGH!!!  Cascade LIES!!!  Eco + is not bulky.  It's heavy worsted

Happy Knitting everyone!

The Home Stretch!

My blocking extravaganza begins.

Here is a little secret...... this is my first time wet-blocking. The outcome.... I LOVE how the Fabric feels. My last Central Park Hoodie, I hastily steam blocked it. Also, I was able to pull the fabric to make the hoodie a little longer than the instructions specified. Aruacania Naturewool leaves a lot of room for manipulation.

Since I have this almost lavender colored sweater, I figured that it would only be fitting to use lavender scented Euculan Woolwash. I did see a little bit of lavendar dye coming out of the garment once it was soaked, but it wasn't anything too crazy.

Here is a pre-blocked picture.

Here is a close-up

Here is the blocking in action

My main question is.... what took me so long to get to this point?

Once this dries, I will be blocking my Ishbel scarf. (I ran out of pins) I also have to add that I absolutely love A.C. Moore for providing the children's alphabet mat squares. They make wonderful blocking tools.

Central Park Hoodie Update!

There are a little less than 3 weeks left until Rhinebeck. I have been working on my Central Park Hoodie monotonously. I have managed to knit while watching the entire Season 1 and Season 2 of LOST on Netflix. And lo and behold, through all of the drama, killing, trickery, and mysticism....... I managed to create 2 sleeves that fit, without any mistakes. IT'S ABOUT TIME!

So, I have attached some pictures to help tell this story.

In my last post, I left off with sleeves that were too tight, and a hood with an ugly seam going down the middle of it. I say it's ugly because I know that I am supposed to kitchener it to make it invisible. I guess I will get to that later today. So, here are those pics.

Also, I have some sleeves-in-progress shots.

Last, but not least, here is the final product.

Now, I am off to fix the hood and the buttonband, and maybe block these sleeves today. The FO will come soon, I promise.

I am still here!

Whoa! Has it really been a whole 3 months since I have posted on this blog? I am so sorry. However, it doesn't mean that the knitting stopped. I have been working on some projects, and I am really trying to kick myself in the booty to get some stuff completed for Rhinebeck in 5 weeks.

Completion #1 - Basic Knee High Socks. I bought this yarn during my last trip to Rhinebeck from the infamous Socks that Rock booth that everyone pounces on, and ends up staying at least 30 minutes on the payment line. Through the corner of my eye I saw this beautiful Pink/Gray/Black skein of yarn, and while standing on the line, I just reached out and grabbed it. It was a Mill End, so the colorway is unknown. Any ideas for a name? Because I love this color so much, I decided to try to use every inch of the yarn. I split it in half and started knitting 2 at a time. from the toe-up. I did a basic short-row heel, and a 2x2 ribbed cuff. I did a stretchy bindoff, so it could stretch around my calf. I am ready to wear these with my snow boots. You can never be too prepared.

Completion #2 - Ishbel - Made with Malabrigo Sock in Solis

I bought this yarn from my friend Vanessa at The Fiber Fix. So, this isn't fully complete because it has to be blocked. I will get to that today. But, here is a pre-blocking picture.
Now, Rhinebeck is coming up soon, and if you remember from last year, I was trying to complete my Central Park Hoodie #2 in time for the festivities. Well, since last year I haven't really touched it. I have gotten startitis with other projects, and my CPH#2 had a few problems that I had put on the back burner. However, they still need some attention, so there is no time like the present.

Here are my issues.

1. In my haste to finish it last year, I didn't kitchener the hood. Instead, I created a seam at the top center of the hood. I proceeded to start the button band. Now that I look at it, I HATE it. So, I am goin to rip out the 300+ stitches on the buttonband, and do it all over.

2. I made the size 36 sleeves, and they just barely fit. I know I haven't been in the gym, but I am still the same size I was when I made my last Central Park Hoodie, so what's the problem? Who knows? So, I will rip them out and make the size 40 sleeves. Many people who have made this popular pattern feel as though the sleeves are tight. My previous CPH sleeves are a little tight too. I have decided that I want to make this a sweater that I can wear with a long-sleeved shirt underneath. So, I will definately rip this out and try it again.

So, aside from that project, here are my most recent works in progress.

The Every Way Wrap - Malabrigo Silky Merino in Dill

Springtime Bandit - Malabrigo Worsted in Stonechat

Kai-Mei - Aruacania Ranco Multy - Pink

Rhinebeck - When it's nice, do it twice!!

Last weekend I went to Rhinebeck for the second time, and it was such a blast.

So, I was told by the lovely weather people that it would be 56 degrees out. I remember that I wore my Central Park Hoodie the year before, and although I had a sweater to wear already, I was set on trying to finish my second CPH just in time for the festivities.

Here is a picture of it in pieces, laid out on my hotel bed. My buddy Deborah told me I was crazy, and that I surely was.

I pulled an all-nighter to seam the shoulders, finish the hood, and create the buttonband. I got halfway through the buttonband, but had no time to seam the sleeves. I also did a 3-needle bindoff for the hood, as I was in a rush. Now that I look back at it, I don't like the seam in the middle of the hood, so I will rip it out, and kitchener the hood. No matter how many times we hear this saying, we seem to never learn this lesson "Haste makes waste". Enough said.

So, as bleary-eyed as I was, I still managed to wear my Wicked sweater. Here is a picture of me wearing it, accompanied by Tawana in her Juliet sweater. The photo is a little slanted, but I think it looks cool. This photo was taken at the ravelry party. It was a lot of fun, but the weather was sooooo cold. I spent most of the time in the heated tent, except for when they were calling out raffle prizes. But, I didn't win :-(.

I spent some time with Deborah, who I barely get to see as much. We used to have knitting lunches all the time, and then I had to change my hours at work, so that doesn't happen anymore. But we got to spend an awesome weekend together, and kept saying "Let's not talk about work". Here is her getting some affection from a llama.


And here petting some yarn. She plans to make this a future purchase, once she finds the right pattern. It was super expensive, but super worth it. There was enough to make a sweater entirely on one skein. Anything that minimizes weaving in ends is a winner in my book. Yet, it is only truly worth it if you had the right pattern already chosen and ready to be swatched. And based on the fact that we are planning future yarn purchases, this sign couldn't be any more appropriate.

Here are some new friends I made, along with Deb and Kim. We had a blast gushing over yarn, and tasting all that wine and cheese.
Ravelry Name Rollcall - Angelny29, Boringknitter, Smush, YarnyOldKim, Craftivore.



And a good friend that I hadn't seen in a really long time. Sahara!!

And best of all, here are all of the goodies!!! Yarn, dessert wine, natural soap, maple sugar cotton candy, maple peanut brittle, honey roasted almonds, and more yarn.

Closeups of goodies.

MMMMMMMalabrigo Silky Merino in Dill. Last spring I bought a pair of slacks for work, and haven't worn them yet because I didn't have the perfect sweater to wear with it. This is the exact color of a pinstripe in those slacks. I bought a sweater's woth, with plans to make Victoria from Twist Collective. I know I sound super anal about being matchy matchy with my yarn and wardrobe, but hey, I got this for about $9.95 a skein, so I had to make sure it was well worth it. (Bargain Alert!!!!) I have to thank Tawana for pointing out the shop that sold it. I had blindly walked past it on day 1, and made sure I didn't miss it on day 2.

I also picked up the color Amoroso to make a nice cowl for myself.

And some in the Viena colorway to make a Crofter's Cowl for mommy.

Another booth that was not-to-be-missed was The Fold, where there ws a plethora of Socks That Rock.

I picked out Mossy to make some socks for my mom. Hmmmm.. maybe she will appreciate knitting more after she slips into some cozy socks. Hopefully we will be able to convert her in a few months.....or years.....it's taking a while. aarrgghh!!!

I also got this Rare Gems color. It looks like a Raven Color that went wrong. I don't care. It is still gorgeous. I can't wait to see how it knits up.

Here is a Raven Color that went right. LENORE. I love the bit of purple that peeks through. I am thinking of Pomatomus, but I am not sure yet.

Also, there were some discounted mill ends, that were for sale "as is". I found my favorite color combo, pink and gray. Yay!! I already have a pair of Air Max '95's from eons ago that they will match. I know, there I go being matchy-matchy again. I can't help it.

And, last but not least, I got 3 skeins of this gorgeous Decadent Fibers Creme Brulee. Silk and Merino. MMMmmmMMmmmmm. I plan to make Wisteria out of this. This too, is from the Twist Collective magazine.

Don't miss the last few days of my contest. There is stills some time to make a comment for entry.!!!

Hooked on Glitter Alpaca

I decided to frog the hat from the previous post, and start all over again. This time, I followed the instructions properly. I would like to thank Chante for watching my every move and making sure that I did everything correctly. I am sure that Deborah is excited as well. So, here is my progress. I completed all of the increase rounds, with a perfect stitch count of 96. Woohoo!! So, now I just have to knit 6 rows as the pattern states, plus an extra 3 as per Deborah's request. She wants the hat to cover her ears, and I don't blame her. New York is still experiencing a little chill.

Also, I did a little shopping. I was trying to keep this a secret but I couldn't. I bought sock yarn from Seaport Yarn. A friend of mine had a negative experience there, and I told her that I would just look and for her sake, not buy... because I would vicariously hold her grudge for the malady that had occured in the past. But..... the yarn fumes swarmed me, and I couldn't breathe... the next thing I remember, I was leaving with a shopping bag. Sorry....I just couldn't control it. It was overbearing.

Acquerello, a new addition at the Seaport. Wait does that tag say 436 yards?? Do I see really high socks in my future that I can wear with my boots next winter? Any pattern ideas??? I am thinking "Queen of cups", but I feel that I may be able to get away with something a bit longer.

This is Raphael. I have been looking at him for a long time, and I just had to have him in my stash. Not sure what pattern he will be paired up with just yet, but I know that he is a keeper.

Next up, is my Knitpicks stash addition.

Since I bought the 2-at-a-time sock book, I figured that I would buy 40 inch circulars from sizes 0 to 3 just in case I have to make an emergency sock. I do have a lot of sock yarn in my stash, and need to get rid of it. I also got the needle tips in sizes that I was missing. One will be used for my Gathered Pullover once I decide to cast on (hurry up and get other sweater off of the cord).

Here are some more skeins of sock yarn. I plan on making some Jaywalkers. The pattern can be downloaded from Ravelry, since Magknits has ceased its operations. Thank GOD for Ravelry!!! The colorways are Mixed Berries and Firefighter.

I always wanted to make a variegated pink shawl. Now I have just the yarn to do it. Not sure what pattern it will be just yet. I love this colorway, and the fact that it was on clearance makes it even better.

Here is a blast from the past. My Central Park Hoodie #2 WIP. I am almost finished with the back. Just a few more rows to go before the shoulder shaping. I want to try to wear this before it gets too hot in New York. I know, it was supposed to be completed by last Thanksgiving, and I was on the monogamous knitting road for a while, but my Knitting GPS wasn't working, so I had to reset the battery. Now I am somewhat on track again.

So, the day I made my last yarn purchase was on April 2nd. I will attempt to go 100 days without buying yarn. My stash needs to be trimmed, and I don't feel like giving anything up, so I will be knitting like a fiend, as long as time permits. So far it has been 8 days. OMG!!! I feel like I am on one of those 12 step programs. LOL!!! How many FO's can I have in 100 days?? Let's see.

My new addiction is Pinkberry. My favorite concoction this week is original with pineapple, coconut, and mango. It remind me of fun times in Trinidad swirled with healthy goodness. I have made a knitting date with Saunielle to go to The Point this friday. Now, I feel as if no trip to The Point is complete without a short walk to Pinkberry. I can't wait!!!

CPH 2 - Monogamous knitting???

During my first love affair with the Central Park Hoodie, I kept it on the back burner for months while I played with other projects. Now, my second time around, I am giving it all of the attention it deserves. I have pushed aside my Secret of the Stole, Snuggle Sweater, and Embossed Leaves socks......well, just for a little while.

So, here is my Central Park Hoodie with the right front portion complete, in all of it's glory. On to the back portion tomorrow!!!

Well, I am not totally monogamous with my knitting. I have been working on a secret knitted gift for a friend's birthday. I will post when the secret is revealed. I can only say that it is purple, and it is lacy.

Rhinebeck Spoils!!!

Spoils..hmmm that is a word that describes what you get after a war, when you loot and plunder the loser's terrain. Well, after this fiber frenzy, my body felt like it had gone through a war. Between no sleep, seaming, eating nothing but junk food, carrying heavy bags of yarn, and dodging people while still trying to work my way through the crowd as politely as I can, without knocking anybody out. ...Sheesh...Rhinebeck was hard work.

Here are the Spoils. And spoil myself I did. But don't worry. I got a few things for the people that I care about the most.

So, let's start from the beginning.

I drove to Kingston on Friday night and Sauniell and I shared a room at the Super 8. I toiled through the night, working on my Cenral Park Hoodie, because I felt that it was imperative that I wear it on Saturday. So, I sucked up my seaming issues, and just dit it until I got it to look perfect.

Here it is!!! This picture was taken at the festival.

Here are some more pics taken with my lovely blog family. I was so happy to see everyone. I met some of my "family members" for the first time, and we hugged and screamed like we knew each other for years. This knitting thing really has a way of bringing people together.

Me, Necia, RosiG, Jeanine, Tawana, and Sauniell.Monica, Kim, Me, and Yvonne
Me and Tawana, wearing our fabulous Central Park Hoodies!

Maribel, Chante, Nancy, and Me!

Me, Baby Cashew, and Ann-Marie. This picture does no justice to this child's beauty. Her eyes are soooooo gorgeous. She just made me melt when I saw her.

Jess and Casey from Ravelry. It was so cool to meet the people that changed the internet life of knitting as we know it. Thanks a bunch guys!

So, I have officially added way too much to my stash and will be knitting forever. Hey, at least I will be happy doing it. Hehe!!

Socks that Rock - Cobalt Bloom, Boysenberry, Autumn, Rocky Horror, Mustang Sally

Aussi Sock - Silver Anniversary, Faded Valentine

Brooks Farm - Four Play, Solana

Briar Rose Fibers - Sonoma

Here is the progress of my second Central Park Hoodie. Here is about 10 inches of progress.