Full House

There were six of us today and we got through a lot of different questions.

Mary brought in her gauge of the hat (she's knitting it in Blue Sky Organic Cotton). After much thought, she's going to pick up a #2 circular needle and cast on the stitches. We'll begin the hat next week. Knitting a gauge "in the round" was getting the best of her, so we're moving on. When asked about the Jane Elliott, "La Baguette" bag she is knitting, Mary replied that it was parked literally and figuratively in the parking lot. We got a good laugh at that. Having all the different yarns, pattern stitches, and bobbins was not as much fun as we thought in the beginning and will revisit it another time.

I think one of the projects we're going to embark on are knit bags, some felted, some knit.

Sara brought in the sleeve to her husband's cable sweater. She's well on her way to finishing the first sleeve and starting the second. When Sara is determined, things get done. This sweater is for Christmas, this year! The baby blanket she's working on is coming along. Another 5-7 inches and she'll be ready to add the ruffle.

Peggy joined us for the first day with several hibernating projects. She wanted to get back on track with them and get motivated. I think a couple of hours in the group's company accomplished that. She had several projects:

• An intarsia rug. She had stranded the yarn behind and wanted to know if it could be blocked smooth. Unfortunately, it couldn't and we all took a collective deep breath as she ripped it out. I taught her how to make a "yarn butterfly" to use instead of bobbins. It's like a knitting magic trick. I'll go into that at the end of the post.
• A lace project. She brought beautiful Lacey lamb lace weight yarn for the project. Before starting, I suggested she practice the pattern with waste yarn, to work out any confusion and learn any new stitches. That worked out really well and now she's ready to begin the project. I forgot to mention that she might want to enlarge the charts to make them easier to read, and use either a post-it note or a magnetic board to keep track of what row she is on.
• Stowaway bag. This required what I call forensic knitting. This project had been hibernating for a while and she couldn't figure out where she left off. Now she's back on track. This is such a cool pattern for making your own "spare bag" to keep with you. You knit the bag and create a pocket for it to store in. I have the pattern myself and will look it up to add a reference to it.

I think when it was all said and done, Peggy felt motivated and ready to get back to her knitting. The only question will be, which project to tackle first.

Robin is about to finish the fifth row of blocks of her baby blanket and get going on the last row. She is really ready to be done with this blanket and move on. I love how what started out as a challenging first project is now a no brainer and boring at that. Awesome!

Danielle came in for a little forensic knitting help as well. She got turned around on a cable scarf and switched her right/wrong sides. I unknit it back to the last cable cross on a right side and now she's back in business.

Elizabeth, having finished the short-sleeved cardigan, is ready to start her next project. The yarn is definitely a different weight than the pattern calls for. We played with different gauges and how to adjust the pattern to get the right fit and feel of the yarn.

The Artyarns sweater in Sheep Shop yarn is coming along. There definitely was a difference in dye lots, even though the yarn doesn't specify dye lots. Elizabeth came up with a good plan though. The two more similar skeins will be used for the front and the other skeins will be used for the back and lace trim.

And now for the yarn butterfly (bobbin).

1. Take the yarn and wrap it around the outside of your thumb.
2. Bring the yarn around your first two fingers and in between your second and third finger.
3. Now bring the yarn across the inside of your last two fingers.
4. Continue in a figure eight pattern bringing the yarn around the outside of the third and fourth fingers, cut through the middle and across the inside of the first two fingers. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 until you have as much yarn gathered as you think you'll need.
5. Cut the yarn from the ball and bring the tail through your middle fingers and around the center until secured.
6. Now you have a mini center-pull ball that will act as a bobbin for intarsia.

Random Conversation Notes:

• Check out the movie Cinema Paradiso
• Knitting as a means of keeping your mind sharp.
• Darien Tea Shop as a good place to sit and knit.
• The Enchanted Tea Shop in Norwalk, worth checking out.
• In search of a worsted weight variegated cotton for Mary to make an afghan.
• Cooking Dinners in Norwalk , a place to get fresh home cooked meals as an alternative to take out on rushed evenings.

Wednesday in the den

Sheilah came in wearing the Trendsetter Montage cardigan she recently made. She has a great eye for color and style. The only downside to the Montage yarn is that it catches easily and some of the fibers stick out. You wouldn't know it to look at it, it looks great. It's in the wear that these issue pop up (pardon the pun).
She also finished the prism cardigan. Another great work by Sheilah, we don't believe she sleeps at night. Along the way she had a question about the pattern and emailed Prism, she's going to forward me the question/answer so I can add it to this post. The pattern called for two full skeins of light stuff or cool stuff or wild stuff. However, the yardage is different on all three and Sheilah found she needed three skeins to complete the sweater.

Finally, she brought in her Noni carpet bag, which she was working on last winter. She found some great handles to sew on and then it's ready to go. I'm at the same point with my adventure bag, handles (and lining).

Mary worked on her gauge for a hat done in Blue Sky Organic Cotton. Since the hat is knit in the round. The gauge needs to be made in kind of a "mock round". First off, you have to use a circular needle (the type you intend to use for the hat). When knitting the gauge, instead of working a wrong side row, you carry the yarn loosely behind your work and only knit right side rows. Gauges come out differently for work done right/wrong side vs. in the round. This can get confusing and it turns our Mary is a very relaxed knitter. I think she out does me!. She moved down a needle and we'll check it later in the week.

Michelle had a question about the Wallaby sweater she's knitting for her grandson. They give you two options for increases made on the sleeve and it was hard to visualize. After knitting the ribbing you can either make your increases (approx. 12) evenly across the first row, or more traditionally, space out the increases every few rows and done at the underarm. We opted for the more traditional method, the sleeve will have a more graduated look. Otherwise, it would poof up after the rib. She's back on track.

She worked on her gauge for the Rowan Sweater, Michelle went a totally different route than Sheilah and Theresa. Instead of using cotton glace in three light colors, she's using Zara in black, charcoal, and denim. The result will be a softer sweater with a much more subtle look. This jacket has become such a favorite in our group. (To see Sheilah and Theresa's finished sweaters, go to archives and look at the September posts).

Mom and Dad's birthday presents are a success!

For my parent's birthdays this year (the actual date varies from the same day to two different days, depending on who you ask) I made my father another pair of sleep socks in Artyarns Ultramerino 8. These socks are thick, soft and warm and it makes me happy to make them for him.

My mother liked a Berroco lace cardigan I made from Booklet #255, "Berlin". I made it using Rowan Calmer. My mother liked it so much that at a restaurant, she had me take it off and give it to her to try on. Since my mother was a fashion designer, seamstress, and knitter, there were adjustments to the pattern and a little pressure (purely self-inflicted) for it to come out perfect. I am happy and grateful to report that she loved it. Yeah!

I found the camera cord to retrieve the pictures!

I am actually quite pleased with myself for saving the box my camera came in, finding the box, and within the box....the cord to upload pix from my camera's hard drive. One of the few instances where I got it right!

So, here are the pix of Michelle and Theresa's finished projects.

This deep v-neck sweater was made in a bulky cotton is exactly what Michelle wanted it to be. It's soft, goes with many things, and is very comfortable.

This is the seed stitch sweater sister to the pink one that Theresa made. The seed stitch gives it great texture and was very forgiving when seaming. The main challenge was setting in the sleeves correctly. I think I have this same color cotton yarn to make the Tahki lace sweater Michelle made in Brilla doubled.
Mary is modelling this sweater made in Cashmerino Aran, it's from one of the Noro books. The sweater is really interesting and Michelle might give this one away and make herself another.
Theresa actually popped in just to show us her finished projects and then had to leave! Thanks.

This is the wrap ballerina sweater that Theresa has made a couple of times in Baby Cashmerino.
The spree sweater came out great. This was the raglan cardigan knit in one piece. That leap of faith we took in doing the sleeves worked out just fine. (That same design technique is in the Wallaby sweater that Michelle is working on now.)

William Tell Overture for Moms

Socks at Borders

Liz and I did a sock knitting presentation last night at Borders in Stamford. Liz reviewed several books on knitting socks ranging from beginner to advanced.

I brought a basket a goodies from Knitting Central and introduced different sock yarns and sock related notions. There might be a couple of sock knitters to the fold.

There are only a couple of days left to sign up for Knitting Centrals Sock Club , the deadline is September 29th.

TGIF

Mary, Elizabeth and I met at Cosi's. Elizabeth had the first sleeve of the Debbie Bliss sweater done. The bodice and sleeves have really interesting patterning. She's finding ripping things out unfortunately coming too easily. I give her a lot of credit to keep persevering. Since it's a short sleeved sweater she should be able to enjoy wearing it before the weather turns cold for the season.

The body to Elizabeth's sweater was done all in garter and gave her "mindless" knitting time. I think it's important to have one project going that you don't have to concentrate to heavily on. It gives you a project to switch to if you have a problem, you can talk and knit when it's not intricate, and you can watch TV and relax. We all need some downtime where we are relaxed and happy. I find if I don't put the TV on and I sit and knit quietly, it's meditative. I'm thinking of establishing a mandatory unplug time at my house!

Mary is working on a lace poncho in Cherry Tree Hill Ariel yarn. It's a beautifully variegated blue yarn. She's looking for a worsted weight cotton to make an the Manos afghan in. We looked through the Patternworks catalog and didn't see anything that would work.

While we were knitting, Mary noticed that Elizabeth and I knit differently than she does. We knit Continental and she knits American (or throwing). We dubbed this our knitting nationalities! :) I actually learned by throwing the yarn and taught my self Continental knitting a few years ago. I find my tension is more even and I knit faster. Elizabeth was taught Continental.

We talked about the current controversy regarding whether listening to a book tape is still reading. Personally, I love listening to books on tape because it allows me to continue to enjoy books and knit at the same time or listen to while I'm in the car instead of the radio. I can see where people would say that listening to a book isn't the same as reading it, however, who is it hurting? If someone is listening to a book they are still choosing to involve themselves with literature and that's a good thing!

Well, on that note, we talked about two books that were great on tape because of the narrator's voices.

Oops

Michelle and Theresa brought wonderful finished knits for show and tell and for some reason my camera stored the pix on the camera's hard drive. Now I am search of a "PictBridge" to see if I can recapture the pix. Sorry Ladies! If in the interim you have the time or inclination to take the pictures yourselves and email them to me, I will put them up that much faster.

I've got a new design

I am proud and excited to have another pattern design for sale. I knit this wrap out of Loop-d-loop fern yarn; a really detailed wool/nylon ribbon yarn. What started out as playing with the yarn became this really fun wrap. The scalloped design shows off the detail of the yarn.



My friend, Mary, was willing to be my model for the day. Thanks Mary!


You can buy the yarn and the pattern at Knitting Central. The pattern is also available to purchase through paypal, if you scroll down on the right.

TGIF

Our conversations were all over the place on Friday.

Unfortunately for Elizabeth, it was the week of the rip. She's a trooper and her finished projects will be bettter for it. One important thing that came out of it was that when she went to complete to right and left fronts of her Debbie Bliss cardigan, the heights above the armhole were off by like an inch. The pattern instructions had you complete the front based on a row completed, not number of inches and the discrepancy clearly had to do with row height. It baffled us and we were going to leave it to creative blocking when Elizabeth realized that she had used different needles (the same size) on each front. Because needles by different manufacturers can be the same size and marginally different at the same time, her row height gauge was off. Hence, the week of the rip. We were both relieved that she figured it out. This applys to gauge too, whatever needle you use to get your pattern gauge, is the needle you have to use to knit the pattern. This goes for crochet hooks too.

Random Thoughts

• Hand baste a lining before machine sewing it in. (This assumes I've mastered the sewing machine)
• http://www.simplyaudiobooks.com/ is a website for audiobooks that operates like Netflix. It's a great way to enjoy books and knit at the same time. I am grateful for audiobooks! I'd hate to have to give up books for knitting ~~and the knitting would've triumphed.
• http://www.audible.com/ is a website you join and can download audio books at a serious discount from what you'd otherwise pay for an audiobook and you earn credits toward free books.
• Many of you know this, Knitty Gritty is on Channel 30 on HDTV from 7:00-7:30am.
• Tender Buttons is apparently an awesome shop for buttons in New York City.
• The log cabin pattern is a great way to use up leftover yarns.
  
  
• To really get a feel for what your yarn is going to do, swatch, wash, and block. This accounts for any shrinkage or stretchiness that might lead you to adjust the size you knit.

Theresa is working on a seamless raglan cardigan in Sirdar Spree. She taught herself the Kitchener stitch! That's right, she looked at the book and taught herself, just like that. We decided that you need an ordered mind to take on the Kitchener stitch like that. It strikes fear in those who have not yet tried it. The sleeve instructions were a little curious and not having knit a sweater in one piece, sleeves and all, we decided a leap of faith was in order. The leap of faith worked and the cardigan is adorable.

Here's a picture of how the Sheep Shop Three yarn knits up. The colorway that Elizabeth is using is so unique. She's making a Lace Trim Cardigan from Artyarns.

Michelle is still in finish mode. She worked on seaming the sleeves, the cap shaping is a little funky and it took a few tries. The great thing about seed stitch is that you don't see the seam at all.

She's lining up her next projects, the Rowan striped sweater that Theresa and Sheilah did (only hers will be in navy, charcoal, and black), a wonderful wallaby for her grandson, and maybe the Modern Quilt Wrap (the colors are picked out already). Oh! and of course socks, the Knitting Central sock club sends out it's first shipment at the very end of September. If you want to join, check out the Knitting Central Website; membership closes just before the first shipment goes out.

Robin told us about the paper she is going to write for a class she's taking. It's a really cool topic, Cross Cultural Menopause. (Did I get that right?) She's knitting away on the baby blanket and the "not as easy as it seemed" drop stitch shawl from Vogue. It's great how her first project which in the beginning was going so tentatively has now become her "no brainer". Next, something for her!

I'm working on a sweater coat in Noro Iro from Simply Noro by Jane Ellison.

I love having a bulky knit going. It's great because I can talk and knit this without any knitting faux pas and it goes along quickly. I think I want to line it. Of course this would entail demystifying the sewing machine! Right now we're at a stand-off. I managed to thread the bobbin. However, in threading the needle, I ran into a wall - there's a dohickey that is supposed to sticking out and isn't. And yes, I did move the thingy on the right. Do sewing teachers make housecalls? Oh Mommmmmm......

Books I just finished.

This was an unusual novel. I liked her second book Zippy and that's why I bought this one. I don't know that I would recommend it. I'm not sorry that I read it, it's sad in a lot of parts. Anyway, I do recommend her other book, it was a lot of fun to read.

You may have heard about The Secret already. It's been the subject of TV shows and on the best seller list. The Secret describes a philosophy of positive thinking. There are commentaries from renowned philosophers, authors, business people, and clergy. This book truly changed my perspective for the better. It's a really uplifting book, very thought provoking, and eye opening. I also watched the movie version, which was also excellent.




Water for Elephants was very well done. I started and finished it within one week. I couldn't put it down. It's about a young man who inadvertently ends up joining the circus and the dramatic turn his life took. I thoroughly recommend this book!

Pattern Correction for Modern Quilt Wrap

Block 4: With C, pick up and knit 12 sts evenly spaced across top of Block 2, then 12 sts evenly spaced along right side of Block 3 - 24 sts total. Work Small Square, working rows 1-3 C, Rows 4-9 with I, and Rows 10922 with A.

Elizabeth, Sara and I met at Cosi yesterday. We talked about the benefits of having a "mindless knit project" on hand. You know, the kind of knit you can work on when talking with others, maybe having a glass of wine, and as an alternate to a more challenging project.


For me, it's a great sweater coat from Noro that's mostly stockinette and some seed stitch. Since it's bulky it goes fast and I might even be able to wear it this fall. However, I have visions of grandeur of lining it and that could land it in the "I don't like finishing/sewing pile". I really have to take a sewing with a machine class to get over this!


Sara has a stockinette baby blanket she's working on as a gift. The blanket will be just the right size for a stroller or car seat. When she's done with the stockinette, we're going to knit a ruffle for the edging.


Elizabeth is working on a Debbie Bliss pattern from the Rialto pattern book. The beginning of the sweater is garter and you work the fronts and back at once (that's the mindless part, with the exception of random bouts of hormonal knitting). When she gets up to the part where she has to work the backs and fronts separately, the pattern changes at which point she has an Artyarns pattern as the new relief project.

Quilting

The Modern Quilt Wrap is gaining quite a following. It's been the subject of the Knitting Daily blog three times this week. I can't put it down. My friends wonder if I sleep. The truth is I squeeze in a block here or there when I can. It's just so much fun.

In the most recent post, the author, Mags Kandis, said that you could get two wraps out of the yardage. I know some people who are going to knit it double. I thought about this and here's my thinking; first of all, I don't want to rip it out and start over, second, I like it's really drapy nature. I envision wearing this as much indoors as over a coat.

Anyway, it is an interesting idea to knit another for someone else. I think if I did I would change around the colors so it would be a little different.

Mags Kandis also gave a link for how to wrap your yarn as you go to prevent having to weave in ends at the end. I must say after knitting the first squares without wrapping, it's the way to go! Otherwise the prospect of weaving in all those ends when the wrap was done would land it in the "I don't like finishing pile" which sits next to the hand mending that I put off long enough for my family to outgrow or no longer remember the garments in question. I think I'll teach my girls to do the hand mending as part of their chores and see what comes of that!

If you join the knitting daily group, you'll have access to a downloadable copy of the Modern Quilt Wrap, as well as being able to read what's been posted about it. I do, however, recommend the book, Folk Style. There are a lot of interesting patterns in it.

That will teach me

Last week we got several exciting new books in at Knitting Central. I picked up one entitled, Folk Style by Mags Kandis. I dismissively said that I didn't think I would like anything in the book (can you say judging a book by its cover?).

Well, I was completely wowed by the book. I have several of the "style" series.



There were at least five projects I liked and I of course bought the book. The pattern that completely captured my heart was the Modern Quilt wrap. Here is a picture of my wrap in progress.

I've learned my lesson, not to judge a book by its cover!

It's knit in Rowan Kid Silk Haze. I am completely enamored with this scarf and want to do nothing more that work on it.

Knitting Central Events

The fall is heating up at Knitting Central. Cynthia has lined up several exciting designers to come Knitting Central.

Teva Durham, author of Loop d Loop and Loop d Loop Crochet will explore various asymmetrical design solutions on Saturday, September 15th. Teva Durham has an incredible knack for clearly explaining the basics of design and then giving you wings to fly. From beginner to advanced, you will be able to make the simplest of designs fit your body perfectly or give yourself the ultimate challenge-the decision is yours. Call ahead to see if there is availability in this class.

Create Your Own One of a Kind Hat. Spend the day (Saturday, October 6th) with Debby Ware- author of "Too Cute" and "Berets, Beanies, and Booties"and designer of irresistible baby hats, sweaters, unbelievable blankets and booties. You will learn how to measure your head correctly to make a perfect fitting hat! Call or visit the store to register.

Nicky Epstein will be coming in November and show us modern fair isle techniques. Nicky Epstein is the author of numerous creative knitting books. Here are just a few of her books:





And last, but certainly not least, Knitting Central is excited to announce its own Sock Club. Here is an excerpt from the description of the sock club (for more information click on the Knitting Central link.)

"So, with all the sock clubs out there, why choose ours? Because you won’t have to wonder how a yarn works up for socks anymore. Or, does it have good elasticity or wearablility? What pattern will work with that beautiful hand dyed yarn you found? What new yarn out there is the best for your socks? That is what we do here at Knitting Central. We are constantly studying, comparing and knitting, so that all of those questions are answered for you.

We are always in search of the best and the most beautiful sock yarns out there. So your repertoire of the best fibers for your feet will continue to grow as ours does. It’s all been done for you. Knitting Central believes “It’s all about the socks!”

Sign up now for the Knitting Central Sock Club and join us in the wonderful world of quality and hand dyed sock yarns." To sign up, you may call or visit the store.

It must be Fall

There was a full contingent this morning. I love when its like this, the conversations are lively and fun, everyone has questions, there are lots of show and tell, and the energy and enthusiasm in our circle is contagious.


Rose is making a tie wrap out of Plymouth Boku, a yarn very similar to Noro Kuryeon in it's coloration.


Sheilah finished the Rowan Sweater and was working on a wrap in Karabella Gossamer yarn, a mohair with burst of gold. It's very elegant.

Theresa is just about finished with her Rowan sweater and we took a front/back picture to showcase their work. I think we all tried it on. It's got great structure and feels like a couture sweater. Michelle has decided to make one Tahki Zara yarn in grey, navy, and a denim blue. The sweater will have a completely different feel, it will be much softer in the Zara.

Mary took out the work she had done in the La Baguette bag and began again in earnest in one color.

Elizabeth experienced some "hormonal knitting" while travelling with her daughter to college. She randomly purled two inches on one section of a garter stitch garment. I love the concept of "hormonal knitting". We all have episodes of random acts of inexplicable shifts in our knitting.

Robin has started a drop stitch shawl made in Tahki Venezia, the pattern is from this fall's Vogue Knitting magazine. Having two projects gives her the chance to alternate if she chooses or have a back up if she gets stuck on one. Her blanket (and first project) is nearly done. It is coming out great! In my mind, I'm already thinking of what Robin's next new project will be.

We decided that our hand knit gifts should come with a disclaimer the way some store bought garments do. You know, the ones that say any imperfections are a result of the natural state of the material. The disclaimer could read, any irregularities in this knit are a result of the handmade nature of the garment and part of it's uniqueness.

Back to Stitch and Chat

Although vacation was great. I really missed my stitch and chat groups. Since I'm catching up with the blog, there are a couple meetings covered in this post.

Michelle is back on track (welcome back) and is in the midst of her own finishing frenzy. I love how the Tahki sweater came out, the color is great and will be really versatile. When it was done, Michelle wasn't satisfied with the way they left the neck edge and the sleeves were way too long. We decided on crocheting one round of the neck and bringing the neckline in a bit at the same time. This evened out the finishing and kept the neckline from sliding around on her shoulders. For the sleeves, we pinned it up on the inside, matched the lace up and she crocheted a seam to shorten the sleeves.

She's working on a deep v-neck sweater in a soft bulky cotton. Michelle will probably have it done by next week!

Sheilah brought in the Rowan sweater that we've all been admiring. It looks fantastic, it is such a chic garment. Theresa is making the same sweater, in the same colors. Michelle is thinking of making it in black, taupe, and ivory - WOW. Mary, just wants to make the loops - I love that! We had a good laugh on that. Michelle modelled the sweater for us.



Sheilah is also working on the Prism "Flirty Fringed Cardigan". We had a question on the shoulders and emailed the company, in the meantime, I measured the sample at Knitting Central to assist her in finishing the shoulders. How's it going Sheilah? I haven't heard from you since I emailed you the measurements.




Mary was experiencing some more hormonal knitting with the Jane Elliott La Baguette. We decided to start over with one yarn, instead of all the different yarns. That's the great thing about Jane's patterns. She gives you the option of knitting it in one yarn, or many.

Elizabeth brought her nearly done Brilla sweater. This sweater is a work of art. I know some of it is giving you a challenge, Elizabeth, and you're doing a great job. It's just a fantastic looking sweater. We worked on crocheting the seams.

Later in the week Elizabeth brought the sweater to another session and was very frustrated with the length and the width of the sleeves. We happened to be having our meeting at Knitting Central and a customer recommended steeking the sleeve. Elizabeth is also adept at sewing and is going to do this. It's a great solution and not for the faint of heart.

For those of you who haven't heard the term steeking before, it means "The process or result of continuously circularly knitting a section of a garment by temporarily bridging a planned opening with extra stitches, reinforcing the boundaries of the planned opening when necessary, then cutting the bridged section down the middle to establish the opening." For Elizabeth's purposes, she's going to cut the sleeve stitches and sew the sleeve to the desired depth. She's going to baste the sleeve with a different color where she'd like to place the steek seem and then sew with yarn graduating the shaping into the armhole. I am anxiously awaiting the results!

Robin brought her blue baby blanket which is two thirds done!!!!! She had a couple of minor knit fixes and is back on track and doing great. I don't think you realize how far you've come Robin! She decided to join the ranks of the "several projects at once". She settled on a a shawl pattern from this Fall's Vogue Knitting (pattern #6) and is knitting it in Tahki Venezia yarn. The shawl will be a gift for the holidays. This way she has an alternate project if she hits a snag in the blanket or just wants a change of pace.

Sara is working through the pink baby blanket she's making as a gift and just started the sleeves on the lopi sweater she's been working on for her husband. Home stretch for the lopi sweater!

We talked about making fingerless gloves for the fall and I learned of a great website with this pattern for Lake Park Gloves.

We also talked about knitted toys and here are two books I know of that feature patterns for knitted toys.

Books

This August I reread Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) and just finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7). It was great!

While on vacation, I read the newest Janet Evanovich book,Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum Novels). Her books are great fun, they are light, funny, and really engaging. If you haven't read any, start with One for the Money (Stephanie Plum Series #1).




I also read another Terry Pratchett book,The Truth. His books are fantasy based, with wonderful English humor and fantastic characters. I am so hooked on these books and am very glad he's written many in what he calls the "Discworld" series.

Time to pick a new book, any suggestions?

I know its been a while

July went really slowly and August flew by. We went on vacation for a week and I think I spent more time considering which projects to take with me than I did what clothes to bring! I'm very grateful that I bring far too many than I could knit because while away I kneeled on one of my needles and broke it! Thankfully, I just turned my focus onto another project! I brought socks on dpn's on the plane because I was afraid security would take my addis. Now I've heard from several people that if you have your knitting on the addis when your bags go through security, its fine. I may try that next time. I much prefer socks on circulars!

With my oldest heading off to college I experienced a reverse nesting. It manifested itself in my desire to finish any projects I had left in varying states of completion.

So far I've finished socks for my dad's birthday made out of Artyarns supermerino - I love the way the colors presented themselves, the college afghan I made for my daughter (at one point I had a panic attack because I thought they changed the colors of the school!),

a really fun multi directional cap sleeve tank, the pattern is Artyarns Triangle Diagonal Tank (with cap sleeves) made in Artyarns regal silk, I absolutely loved knitting with silk and the drape of the tank is wonderful!

a tie cardigan from the Naturally Noro book, made in Noro's Silk Garden (I had left off on this project in the spring, I had to redesign the sleeves from kimono style to regular cap sleeves).

I put a plastic mesh bottom in this Berroco Zen bag to give it some support.

It was kind of a shock how many projects I had lurking about. Clearly I am process oriented! It feels good to clear the decks. I put a couple of summer projects into hibernation for the winter, organized a few more works in progress, and of course dived into a few new projects!

I'm making the Berroco lace cardigan in Berroco Bonsai yarn for my mother's birthday (she loved mine!)

A sweater coat in Noro Iro from the Simply Noro pattern book.

Of course a pair of socks. I am very glad that I keep a pair of socks to knit in the car. Once while travelling, I left a project behind and was almost left with nothing to knit in the car. Shocking, I know! I definitely am going to pursue a couple of "grab and go" knit kits to keep around.