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.