look see Lemana

Happy Saturday! I am most excited to share a shoot of my finished Lemana. All shots were taken while visiting the quaint Moravian Settlement at Old Salem and the campus of Salem College.

I am pleasantly pleased with the final results of Lemana. This is yet another knit to enjoy during those hot and warm days of summer for both work and fun.

This piece will be worn loose as shown and also worn with a loose low belt (I think it really looks cool when belted). During this knit, there were major doubts about this project as the pattern was looking quite peculiar to me....the length of the fronts were different and the back did not match the front sides; and oh....... that looooong right front, the weightiness of the fiber when knit in the pattern stitch, and how could a light small 1" button sewn at the left front neck edge effectively hold that loooooong right front? Once sewn together, I am happy with the results, but couldn't get that 1" button to cooperate with the heavy right side. If you follow my Blog and look at my projects on Ravelry, you know this is my 5th summer wrap or sweater finished this Spring and Summer. I feel like a summer knitting robot and seriously can tell you I love each and every one of them. No seriously, I do!

Project: Lemana

Pattern: Berroco Linen Jeans, Book #270

Size: Small

Started: 07- 19-2009

Finished: 08-14-2009

Yarn: Berroco, Linen Jeans (70% Rayon/30% Linen)

Yarn Amt: 11 Skeins

Needles: #7

It's a Wrap.......The scallops around the bottom are divine and I adore the back shaping. I am so pleased I didn't give up on this project mid-stream...trust me, with the depth of my doubts that was a real consideration.

Several of you have ask who is the photographer behind the camera for my pictures. That would be my DH! Some takes turn out nicely, while some are so..so, but I always appreciate his patience and willingness to document my work. Thank you, my Dear One!

sneak peek

The jury is still out on Lemana!

This pattern is quite enjoyable, the Berroco Linen Jeans yarn is nice to knit and I'm very happy with the pretty plum color. My concern is how this piece will fit my body. You see, the right front actually wraps from the bottom side up to the left shoulder where it is buttoned!! I have decided it will be necessary to wet block Lemana to afford that nice drape across the front.

With button purchased and fingers crossed I'm nearing completion of this project and hope to enjoy wearing it next week-end. LOL!

the ole bag bug

Just when One thinks it's safe to look at knitting bags again, the ole bag bug raises it's ugly head. That's exactly what happened to me.


I have had this longing for an Offhand Designs knitting bag for a couple of years and came so close several times to ordering one, only to back off when I couldn't settle on a style and/or a fabric selection (I mean, all Offhand Designs bags are delightful). Trust me, their bags are so beautifully detailed with such fabulous fabrics, it is a most difficult decision!




I finally chose the Zhivago Weekender Bag...Ariel (limited edition velvet). I was Glee Glee with excitement when I opened my delivery!!! The bag was everything I had expected and such a functional bag too.

Such beautiful fabrics and check out the space for those larger projects and that grand opening!

Another major (I think it's major) purchase was a "Be Sweet" hot pink knitting bag. What fun! What a beauty! This bag just makes one feel Happy with the large Be Sweet scripted on both sides and a bright cheerful red polka dot lining. Who couldn't love this one!

My one-of-a-kind Mielie product was hand made by Nosipho in South Africa and was handcrafted using recycled materials. Look here for more information on Be Sweet products and learn more about their organization.

Hey, Teach! destined for completion

Project: Hey, Teach!
Knitty-Spring 2008
Started: June 3, 2009
Finished: July 20, 2009
Yarn: Brown Sheep - Cotton Fleece (from stash)
Yarn Amount 3 skeins
Needles: #8

I made no modifications on the size 38 (m).

This project went on hold for some time only because of my unbridled, unruly project start ups. While Hey, Teach! waited patiently (in it's almost complete state) as I knit Sabine, The Textured Shawl and Tidal Wave Stole.

Yarn Thoughts...
This was my first project using the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and I must say, this yarn is great! It's 80 cotton/ 20 wool content makes for wonderful stitch definition and memory. There is no fading or pilling and a real deal $$ wise: plus it's easy to find. A real winner!

It's a Wrap....

This sweater is a real success story and a piece I will enjoy wearing well into the fall when the leaves begin falling.

Love....Love!

remember these??

Well, in case you don't....they are the Susie's Reading Mitts by Janelle Masters that I started on April 10th. The first mitt was completed on the 11th (yea, I finished it with little knitting time over a two day period), you could actually knit a mitt a day. They are just the sweetest little things and incredibly soft when knit with Blue Sky Alpaca Sport weight. Mine fit nicely close and snug over my hands and I'm very pleased with them. There is enough Petal Pink, color #516, Blue Sky in my stash to knit a cute little hat and think I have found just that right one, the Rose Hill Hat.

sugar cane has never been so yummy

Have you ever knit with Sugar Cane? Well, I have and I adore it! What's your opinion of the finished Sugar Cane Project?
This stole is a ILGA/LEJA handknit design, pattern Tidal Streams.
This lovely sugar cane yarn is Araucania Ruca Multi. I used 2.5 skeins of color #9, a beautiful mix of blue and green that flows beautifully thru out the project! I think this soft yarn is stunning when married with the ILGA LEJA design. My Tidal Streams was started on June 29th and finished on July 14.......seems I just couldn't put the knit down once started. I love the softness and sheen of the yarn and everything about the pattern.
Sugar Cane has never been is soooooooooo Yummy!

a cocoknit summer garment

Finally, a finished summer knit to show you! A seamless knit with eyelet detailing on the flared sleeves and back and who doesn't love an hour glass shape! These shots show the piece closed, but I equally like Sabine worn open and swinging for those times I feel a bit more "Free Spirited"!

Sabine is my second Cocoknits pattern to knit (Petra knit in Noro was the first). Their patterns are so well written and both of my selections were very simple and wearable designs. It would be most difficult to pick a favorite of the two, simply because I love them both! Anyhoo........I don't really have to choose and can enjoy one during those warm summer months and one for colder days.

You simply would not believe how soft and wearable the Knit One Crochet Too Babyboo fiber is. I knew I was liking this yarn during the knit process, but find it to be even more fabulous once soaked and blocked. Hard to imagine one being disappointed with this yarn.

This is me showing off the back eyelet detailing!