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!

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

I'm Not Feelin' It!!

Sock Madness had the kickoff of Round 4 last Thursday. I was so excited to get started. The pattern called for a variegated yarn, as well as a solid color. The original designer used MMMMmalabrigo. However, I had other plans for my Mmmmmmalabrigo, so I just used something I had in stash. One day in the past, on a yarn binge, I bought Paton's Kroy Socks 4 -Ply and Stripes. Why? Why ? Why?

So, I used the Paton's yarn, and this is about as far as I have reached.

Front

Back - red line is for the afterthought heel.

I like the pattern, but the yarn feels so rough to me, and I have lost all mojo on this sock. I think I want to turn the yarn into a bird's nest. When did I become such a yarn snob? Geez!

So, the magic number for the people that get through to the next round is 8. As of last night, there were 7 people done. I decided to end the torture and work on this. I don't feel like I really forfeited the competition. I feel like I just decided to make something that was more enjoyable.

Last night I started to work on the lace section of my Ishbel Shawl made put of Mmmmalabrigo Sock yarn in Solis.

So, I checked the Sock Madness blog this morning and saw that position #8 is taken. I don't feel bad at all. I am loving my Ishbel Shawl. It is so soft and Squishy.

The golden rule of life - Do what makes you happy!!!