A Bulky Scarf

Another Eternity Scarf for me, only this time I have a Bulky Eternity Scarf. I cast on 160 stitches and knit the scarf in the round. The Cartridge Rib pattern was knit for 18 rounds, the Cartridge Rib was knit with 4 repeats of rounds 23 - 27 and the final section, was knit with 14 rows of good old Stockinette.

I think the size of this one is ideal.

This piece was knit in 3 days! Now how's that for a quick knit? Even I get that kind of speedy results when knitting a bulky fiber on #10 needles!! The Noro-Kogarashi yarn is soft enough to wear at the neck (and I didn't even soak or block it). I was also pleased to notice the piece softened even more as I wore it today.

There is another skein of this fiber in my basket waiting to become a pair of gloves or I had considered a hat for a suite. I spent much of the morning looking at patterns and just haven't yet seen just the gloves or hat for me yet.

We are enjoying this lovely fresh snow today and couldn't resist the chance to take a few shots while the snow blanket exist.

Holiday Knitting

Christmas is a time to share with family and friends and hopefully some time to settle down and relax with needles in hand. With shopping finished, gift wrapping complete, baking and cooking boxed or ready for the oven, that's exactly where I am now and savouring every minute of it.

I started another one of these, but this time I chose to knit it using a bulky Noro - Kogarashi.
At this rate of speed and thanks to #10 needles, I should have the project complete during the Christmas Holiday. A bulky long Eternity Scarf will be fabulous worn over a leather or wool jacket this winter and I'm so pleased with the softness of this Noro fiber, it doesn't feel scratchy at all. I purchased 3 skeins of the Kogarashi and will use the 3rd skein for a pair of matching fingerless gloves. Ahhhhh, a suite!

So, if like me you are ready for Santa, slow down and pick up a quick knit to enjoy with a cup of hot tea or eggnog.

Happy Holiday!

Chic - Super Cupcake

This set was just finished this week and I have already worn it several times. The cap is fabulous, the cowl is perfect and the Malabrigo yarn is simply yummy. Both pieces were knit per the pattern with two exceptions. I went down one needle size for a slightly snugger head band fit and I chose to knit the cowl with a cast on of 200 stitches and knit to the full 8 3/4" per pattern. These changes suited me to a tee!

Seems about all my knitting friends have knit this hat and I think they should certainly knit the matching cowl, what a wonderful cozy piece when doubled around the neck. Do you see the bit of color variation? Before the knitting process was complete I was beginning to question my color selection (thought it to be perhaps a tad drab for my style), but was I wrong! I love the taupe/brown with a touch of blue here and there.

The Gardener took these shots at my favorite location these days...the new rock wall! You will probably see lots more knitting projects in front of this wall.

The skinny:

Pattern: Chic, Super Cupcake

Yarn: Malabrigo - Worsted

Color: 69 Pearl Ten

Amount: 3 skeins

Needle Size: 6 & 7

I give this pattern and yarn combination a "Thumbs Up"!

under construction (part 2)

Here is the back of our den area with the glass wall dating back to 1962. And this is inside the den during construction. You see that door at the end of the room? You see the plastic over the door and the bright blue tape surrounding the door? Well, that's The Yarn Bar. The joke around the site with the contractor and The Gardener was to seal "That" door and ensure not a grain of dust would slip thru to "her" yarn (you see, The Gardener has been trained well).

Finally the finished wall with rock work that mates with our back wall and side porch, my new french doors (L.U.V.) and 8 matching windows across the back.

My Ametista

Told you I had a huge project in my knitting bag and here it is! I am quite pleased with this jacket made just for me! After several small projects, I was ready for a major piece with a little challenge and this one fit the bill. As I was just reviewing the pattern notes I noticed it was rated at a skill level "experienced"! I though, who me??? I actually knit a project with such a rating?? Now for sure there are lower and higher ranges of such a rating and for sure I would be classified as a lower class man. Anyhoooo...just knowing I finished a jacket in such a class was a real "pick me upper"!

Two areas that could be considered difficult were the collar attachment and the finishing. Thanks to Aniko's collar attachment tips, I successfully completed the collar on the 3rd attempt. To my knowledge Berroco still hasn't put up a correction for this issue. Now sewing the skirt to the bodice was a tad tricky, but I am pleased with the results. I elected to sew the two front panels first, then with an extra piece of yarn I gathered the back skirt panels and sewed to the bodice, easing the gathered skirt as necessary.

Project Details:

Ametista by Norah Gaughan

Yarn: Berroco - Blackstone Tweed

Color: Teal #2646

Needles: #8

Amount: 14 Skeins

Size: 34

I am most pleased with the design of this jacket and the Berroco Blackstone Tweed. Come to think of it, I have 10 skeins in a lovely green colorway in my stash waiting to become something fun and exciting!

This garment will see a lot of wear!

Ella's Baby Surprise Jacket

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket is magical and I could easily be one of those old ladies who knits this piece over and over. Someone is pregnant? BSJ. Someone might get pregnant? BSJ. Simply knit a stockpile of these and like Elizabeth, make buttonholes on both right and left front....and when the sex of the baby is known, like Elizabeth, I would sew up the extra buttonholes and sew the appropriate buttons on. Yeah.....better knit up a few of these.

Here is my first BSJ. This was knit for the Granddaughter of a gal that works for me. I would say this jacket would fit a 6 to 12 month old.

The pink neck band and those pink bees make for a girlie little BSJ.
This is an awesome pattern from Elizabeth's book, The Opinionated Knitter. She truly was a knitting genius and this design makes any knitter look really clever, even though all they did was knit a series of increases and decreases in garter stitch that end in "surprise" - a little jacket!

Jacket Details:
Yarn: Jojoland - Rhythm
Color: RS76
Needles: #7 & #8

there has been knitting..........and

look what's on the needles in my knitting bag! On the right is a major project, Ametista! This is a jacket knit with Berroco - Blackstone Tweed in a Teal colorway. Actually the knitting is complete and I'm ready to begin stitching the skirt to the bodice! *Giggle*Giggle* Lot's of knitting required for Ametista and now my every breathe is held in hopes for a perfect fit once sewn. Due to the fullness and weight of the knit, I knew I wanted a close fit on this one and chose a size 34....I envision this long jacket worn with tights and boots.

This pattern calls for two buttons that strike (I think) in a quite strange position right across the chest! Soooo, I decided to have only one large button and use a ribbon tie on the underneath wrap that will be tied to a ribbon that is sewn into the side seam. Check out my mother of pearl button, this is seriously a special button! Now on the knit you see on the left of my bag, Akimbo by Stephen West. Akimbo is a triangular shawl, knit in easy garter stitch and finishing with a chevron pattern. The chevron section creates a scalloped border with a crisp edge knit with a contrasting color.

I can hardly wait to begin the scalloped edging and see the seafoam blue/green ShiBui Sock Yarn with the rich mocha tones of the Madelinetosh Sock Yarn. You'll be seeing more on this project soon.

2nd time around

.....for yet another Feather & Fan Design. Remember this wrap and how I mentioned I would like to knit up a scarf in bright jewel tones using the striped Feather & Fan Design? Well....here it is.... All finished and all loved! This pattern would be wonderful for a quick and usable gift. There is only one huge problem with that thought.....once complete this knit would be most difficult to gift.

Again, I used Noro's Silk Garden sock yarn and knit the project on #9 needles. This scarf was complete with a little less than 1 skein each of colorway S321 and S324.

Seriously a delightful, fun and usable knit.

the eternity scarf

This scarf is really an exaggerated cowl. It's knit in the round with three different stitch patterns; the cartridge rib, the cartridge horizontal rib and the last pattern consisting of the simple stockinette stitch. What an unbelievably fun knit! My cowl is knit in a deep deep green/black fiber and long enough to double it up or simply drape it around my shoulders over a jacket or coat! For sure this is a fine addition to my fall and winter wardrobe.

The positives of the Rowan - Lima are numerous! It is soft and a perfect match for this pattern and is in part responsible for that heavenly drape. So much so, I purchased 3 more balls for yet another Eternity Scarf in a brownish/gray.

The Skinny

Pattern: The Eternity Scarf

Designer: Michele Wang

Yarn: Rowan - Lima

fiber: 84% baby alpaca, 8% merino wool, 8% nylon

Amount: 3 balls/ 150 grams

Color: 881 - Rich Deep Green/Black

Needle Size: #9

under construction (part 1)

The last couple of months we have been in a state of uproar at our house with lots of much needed remodeling going on. It's a pretty exciting time that has been accompanied by lots of frustration. But now that everything is complete, we find all the inconveniences of the past, well worth it!

Here is the before of our bedroom door that goes out to the court yard, isn't it s.a.d?? and here is the after.... we think it is quite an improvement and quite lovely!

Be on the look out for my Under Construction (part 2)!!

Wrapigan...wrap or cardigan?

So Weird I haven't had a post on this wrap/cardigan project, no idea how it was missed, so here's an update. It's really a wrap/shawl but wears like a cardigan. That's right, a wrap with real life sleeves! The Wrapigan is a stitch poet design from Champagne maker and like her other patterns is one of its own and is sure to be a head turner. How could one not be charmed by the beautiful cable that runs the full length of the sleeve to then end with a fabulous bow at the cuff...can you stand it???

I'm especially attracted to the 10" flowing Peruvian Tweed fringe that graces the two bottom front panels. You may never knit a project with this fiber, but if you ever see it in a shop, don't miss the opportunity to touch it. It is Heavenly!

This knit was on my needles almost 1 1/2 years! Why? Now for sure there is quite a lot of knitting in this piece (really a good project for social knitting), but I really found my Wrapigan Mojo when I started the sleeves! What Fun! My heart was actually into the project and I was in a real state of excitement. No more facing miles of stockette stitches. There was only enjoyment as I began the first sleeve and watched the twisting of that large puffy cable that runs the sleeve length. Each sleeve is graced with a cute seed stitch bow at the cuff.

I can only say "I Love It"!

Pattern: Wrapigan by Champagne Maker

Fiber: Peruvian Tweed by Joseph Galler

100% Super fine Alpaca

Amount: 3 Skeins

Needle: #7

FO: Striped Feather & Fan Shawl

I can only say really wonderful things about this Striped Feather & Fan Shawl. - The Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn was as always, a joy to work with.
- The constant color changes kept the project interesting and fun.
- The pattern was so simple with an easy four row repeat. As much as I love making charts and marking off each row, it was kind of nice to just knit - a little like free styling!
- Imagine knitting a fingering weight on #9 or #10 needles. I continue to be amazed of the color depth and lusciousness of this piece.
- And it was quick. The shawl was knit in a couple of weeks with much ease.

This striped F&F project could work for any F&F pattern, simply knit 2 rows of one multi-color run and two rows of an accompanying multi-color way. I have seen this completed with sock yarn in two different brilliant jewel tones and it was beautiful!

Don't be surprised if you see another F&F on my needles....in totally bright jewel tones of course!

distraction

It's very difficult to impress Garden Man, but he really likes this one!

Maybe it's the airiness of the piece or maybe it's the color combinations so far or just maybe he sees the big smile on my face as I knit every colorful stitch. After his extremely positive comment I laughed while telling him of the years the Feather and Fan design had been around and was only an old idea with a new twist. He simply winked and whipped out the door to do what he does best...Garden.

This lovely knit is a stole in the making and knit using two different colors of Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn. Imagine knitting a fingering weight fiber on #9 needles and you will realize you have a wonderful light wrap. I'll follow up soon with all the details of this latest project, but I will tell you now, I'm really loving the effect of this Feather and Fan project.

Actually I have had a very non-productive knitting week with far too many distractions. One of the major distractions has been in my garden, I mean all those pretty flowers to appreciate and gaze at.

And to cut (only with the Garden Man's permission of course). And to gaze at some more. But the biggest distraction this week was this.............my Droid X! There has been much too much time spent getting cozy with this new (long sought after ) HOT phone! Check out the purple skin...you know how much I love purple!

With all those distractions it's no wonder I have so little knitting progress to share with you, but next week should be different story.

Hope you all have a Fabulous week-end!

it's a Mad Men thing..........

......and ohmahgah my obsession not only continues but is growing in strength.........

Season 4 brings Joan (Christina Hendricks) back to the office and in that real life-like Joan form we have come to expect. Some women make an impressive entrance, but no not Joan, Joan's strong point appears during her every exit. I mean that gal has a mean prance going on, the gal knows how to make an exit all right! Just imagine being a wife in the 60's and your husband working in an office with the likes of a Joan traipsing around.

And this is her office attire...............
(glad to see ya back Joan)

Just as unpopular and politically incorrect as cigarettes are in today's society...it was embraced in the 60's! Everybody and their cousins puffed like a freight train as if there was no tomorrow.

Seriously. As unhealthy as it was, those were the days???? or were they.....anyhoooo let's not get ourselves all worked up over the smoking thing - 'cause it's just another TV show ( to be savored).

Now how could one think or mention Mad Men and not speak of the dark and mysteeeerious Don Draper (Jon Hamm).

So virile. Such masculinity. He has the busiest zipper in town that certainly doesn't resolve or simplify his troubled life.

Check out this picture I came across....

Jon Hamm in stubbles and whiskers! The women want him and the men want to be him. ENJOY!

seaside throw and a change of heart

Seaside Throw is one knit that would be a great baby blankie that could be used continuously into the life of a small child. That wasn't the plan when this project was started, but the more I knit, the more I think my finished Vanilla - 100% cotton piece will be boxed in tissue paper waiting for that "Special Little Person". I'm enjoying the rhythm of this pattern and think it may be one of those knits you regret seeing end. One would think the natural Vanilla colorway would get boring, but it is pure yumminess! While a lot of knitting remains on Seaside, there is already plans for my next knit that will take me from the present loved natural color of the Seaside Throw to this................ Aade Long Artistic 8/1, colorway "Rainbow". Yes! This will be my next Ishbel, only this one will be on a larger scale and in a fabulous multi-rainbow of colors!