NaKniSweMonday Chapter 1

In my serious case of startitis, I have managed to fall into the trap once again, and begin yet another project. I am very happy to announce that I am adding the February Fitted Pullover to my list of UFO's. This is my NaKniSweMo project, where I promise myself as well as 473 members of the Ravelry group that I will tackle this sweater to completion by the end of Novemer.
I casted on in the early evening yesterday while drinking a Latte at the Outpost Lounge on Fulton Street in Brooklyn.

The name of this Latte is "Grand" for the street about a block away from the Coffee/Wine Lounge. Taking on this sweater challenge is nothing short of GRAND!
So, I will tell you why I am so enamored with my sweater. Ever since Rhinebeck last year, I have been seeing February Lady Sweaters all over the place. The shape was very similar to my Juliet, and I didn't want to basically repeat the same pattern again. However, I did like the fact that the lace repeat is just 4 rows, 2 of which are straight stockinette. So during my pre-Rhinebeck ravelry scouting, I came across the fitted version to the FLS. I immediately queued it. I just love the way the sweater is shaped to flatter the body instead of hiding it. The pattern calls for a 3/4 sleeve, but I will lengthen them to a normal sleeve length. I really hate having cold wrists. I chose to use Malabrigo Silky Merino in the Amoroso colorway that is soooo gorgeous.

So, without any further adieu, here is my progress. I will make updates every consecutive Monday until it is complete.

2,940 Stitches Complete

4,620 Stitches Complete

I also would like to list the sweaters that will be put on the back burner while this mayhem is going on.

• Manos Mulled Wine Raglan Cardigan - I am in the middle of the waist shaping, and then I just have to add the sleeves then the buttons (which I still need to purchase)

• Military Cardigan in Cascade Eco+ - I am about 7 inches into the back. I have all the other pieces to complete.

• Blue Suede Shoes Shrug - I am 2/3 of the way finished with 1 sleeve. I still have to complete the second sleeve and pick up stitches for the back and collar. There is 1 sleeve that must be reknit because I don't like the way it looks. Plus, i have to mirror the decreases from the new sleeve that is in progress.

OK, that's enough of my honesty. I don't want to list any more for fear that you will tag me as a "knitting lunatic". In my defense.... I completed 3 projects last month. Happy knitting everyone!

Rhinebeck - The Third Time!

I just got home from my yearly trek to Rhinebeck a few days ago.  The whole extravaganza was awesome.
Here is my yarn mountain!

My purchases consist of the following yarns:

5 skeins of Creatively Dyed Woodbrook "Patrice"

5 skeins of Creatively Dyed Woodbrook "Laity"

5 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted "Amoroso"

5 skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino "Amoroso"

1 skein of Socks that Rock Mediumweight "Muckity Muck"

1 skein of Socks that Rock Mediumweight "Backstabber"

I have been speaking with Dianne of Creatively Dyed via Ravelry messages for about a year, and it was such a pleasure to finally meet her in person.  She is a hard-working woman, and always with a smile on her face.  I admire her drive, and how far her one-woman-show yarn company has come. I bought her Patrice colorway with Rosamund's Cardigan in mind, then saw Laity and thought "I don't know what I am gonna make with it yet, but this color is too nice to put back on the rack".  I am going to make something that is not too busy with intricate stitches so the beauty of the hand-dyed colors can show through. How do you think Francis Revisited will look variegated?

I totally fell in love with the Amoroso colorway of Malabrigo. The color has been difficult for me to find at my LYS as well as the online store that I usually shop at, so when I saw it at the Uncommon Threads booth I grabbed ALL OF THEM.  I am going to use the Silky Merino to make the February Fitted Pullover and the Worsted to make Vaila.  I saw many February Lady Sweaters this year as well as last year.  However, I feel that a fitted sweater would be more flattering on me. Lo and behold, I saw that it was one of the recently published patters the night before I went to Rhinebeck.  Yippee!!!  I have a feeling that will be my November project.

My sock yarn will be used to make a pair of gloves to match my Crofter's Cowl and Cabled Beret. Here is a finished picture of the Cowl. I didn't have time to block it, but who cares?  It's warm and soft, and I love it.

There was much fun to be had. I spent the weekend with Yvonne, Mary Beth, Deborah, Misa, and Kim.  We were laughing the whole way through. 

My fashion choice for the day was my Fashionista Hat designed by Me and my Bobbled Tunic designed by Twinkle. It was very cold, so I also decided to wear my Crofter's Cowl on my neck. Yvonne wore Mr. Greenjeans, MaryBeth and Deb both wore Ursa, Misa wore Vivian, and Kim has a gorgeous Owl Sweater hiding underneath that coat.

I also managed to run into a bunch of my friends from various knitting groups throughout New York.

Me hangin with Tina from Sit N Knit.  I saw her at the Socks That Rock Booth.  She had an affinity for Muckity Muck as well.

Me and my birthday twin Jeanine.  No, I am not gonna tell you how many years apart we are. 

Me and Tawana.  My first CPH buddy!

Hangin' with Cleo at the Ravelry Meetup.

The Whatchamacallits! Jeanine, Norma, Marta, Ayana, RosiG, Tawana, and Ann-Margaret.

Me and Ysolda "Bob" Teague.

Misa finished her Monkey Sock at the Ravelry Party.  Yay!!

Adding to the list of FO's.... Here is my Springtime Bandit.  Funny how it matches my hair.

So, what's on the needles now? 

Stay tuned.........

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

Blue, Blue and more Blue

I am making progress on my Textured Circle Shrug. This thing is flying by so fast. I am alternating skeins of MadelineTosh worsted every 2 rows for the yoke. On the sleeves, I alternate every other row.

This is the finished Yoke Portion


I had to try it on to make sure the sleeves fit. I am following the pattern for 2 sizes up, since I have more stitches per inch than the pattern called for. It fits. Yay!!! Oh, by the way, do you like my curls..... thats what it looks like as soon as I get up. LOL!!! Brush teeth, make breakfast, then knit.

Here is the progress later on that night on the sleeve. Still got a few inches to go.

Aside from knitting, I like to dabble in some Makeup Artistry. I am a self-professed MAC junkie. Usually my neighbor's teenage granddaughter always happens to drop by as I am getting dolled up to go somewhere. So, she has been begging me to do her prom makeup. So, how could I resist on the night of her prom? She has been telling me for months that she is wearing blue and silver, and she wants to look "HOT". So, I decided to give her something bold. I went for the Red Carpet-glam look that made her stand out from the crowd. I mean, you only get dressed up for your prom once right???

So here are my tools.... I told you I was a MAC junkie. This is just the "small" kit for the blue makeup. LOL!!!

Here is Alexis before

And Miss Alexis After

Smokin' Hott!!!

So, what was the report at the prom? Her makeup stayed on till 5 AM, when she got home. All of the boys wanted to dance with her. She danced until her feet hurt. And the makeup still lasted through the afterparty. Hey, sometimes going to the prom purposely without a date is a good thing, when you look "HOT".