lesson learned

My finished Silk Melody Scarf.

This 100% silk truly is lovely to the touch and there is no doubt I will wear it often. It is nice and long and will be wrapped and worn close to the neck. Softness beyond belief! Knitting stockinette stitch with pure silk on addis can be quite challenging and I admit as I got further into this project my stitches were a frightful sight. I continued on.....having faith a good long bath would result in a positive transformation. Once again, Soak worked its magic and whipped those pulled and sad looking stitches into shape.

Let's talk about the cast-on used on Melody. I now know that using a long tail cast-on on fiber such as silk is a poor choice. Let that be a valuable lesson learned! Silk has no give as does the long tail cast-on resulting in an extremely taut edge. Looking back I now realize the cable cast-on would have been a more desirable choice.

Note to self: Going forward place more importance on cast-on selections by mating the best cast-on method with fiber and pattern.

You can bet I'll once again be reaching for my Vogue Knitting (The Ultimate Knitting Book).

silk

Wonder what use a knitter would have for a Silk Pouch Bag??

IF you guessed to hold a Silk Melody Scarf...you are a wise one and are very correct!

My Melody is knit with 1,000 yards of Claudia Hand Painted Yarn -100% Silk in the colorway,Chocolate Cherry! What a lovely yarn!

If you aren't familiar with this pattern, you seriously must check it out! This is only THE perfect travel project or the perfect piece to leave in your car or travel bag to just pick up here or there to sneak in a few minutes of knitting.

The scarf is knit in the round...all stockinette stitch, then cut to open into a rectangle. I'm half way thru this project and still find myself undecided about blocking Melody. I may not block it at all and just let it roll and wear as a cool casual long scarf.

Don't you love the thought of casual and silk together??

workin' the socks

I take back every negative thing I said in this post. The beginning of my first toe up sock using the knit two at a time method was a bit rocky at first, but after those first few inches I found my groove! How satisfying to complete a pair of socks at the same time and to be assured the pair will be exactly the same length and same gauge.I have already worn my newly finished Basic Socks by Wendy Johnson and found them to physically warm my tootsies and mentally warm my heart. Click. Click. Click. That's the sound of my addi needles knitting up the next pair of socks from this book. My Diamond Gansey Toe Up socks should be simple lace loveliness when knit in a pale blue Shibuikknits superwash merino yarn.

Looking to the future, I see two pair of Jay Walker socks that need mates, you don't believe me???...here is the proof! Once the Diamond Gansey pair is complete the Jay Walkers will be finished. They are way too p.r.e.t.t.y to not complete.

a 2010 ravelymic story

My Ravelymic project, The Tattoo Tank, was cast on the evening of the 2010 opening ceremony! I was part of the Team Purl Scout group from Ravelry. Each member was to begin a project of their selection at the beginning of the Olympics and complete it by the closing ceremony. Congratulations to me for meeting the challenge! One of the rules for Ravelymics was to select a challenging project. While The Tattoo Tank was not technically a challenge, it was a challenge to complete by the closing ceremony. This was the perfect knit for knitting your brains out and watching all the Olympic events. Just Perfect!

In celebration of the closing Olympics, I have worn the tank all day and seriously loving it and so seriously loving the Heart Tattoo that adores the back!

It's a Wrap:

Pattern: Tattoo Tank from Winter/Spring 2010 issue of Knitscene

Yarn: Silky Wool by Elsebern Lavold
Color: Red #56
Needle: US #7

The pattern by Mariaina Bird is a sweet and enjoyable knit!

Zoe

May I introduce you to my new puppy-niece, Zoe! She is a 9 week old Long Haired Chihuahua that is the center of attention in our family.

You should see the sparkle she has put in my brother and wife's eyes these days!

Olympic Ready and more........

Just watched the new version of We are the World that actually brought tears to my eyes and enveloped my body in chills. Yes, it was a perfect prelude for the Open Ceremony of the 2010 Olympics! I have been looking forward to the games for weeks now and can assure you I will be glued to the tube thru the 28th...of course with needles in hand!

My Ravelympian project has been started with Grand hopes of finishing it by the Olympic Closing Ceremony on the 28th.

Finally I have pictures of my delicious finished Spiral Shawl to share with you. So seriously pleased I elected to knit this five rows wide 'cause now I have a wonderful full size shawl!
Yummy Color!
Remember my blocking disaster, well that is all in the past! The nasty dropped stitch that popped it's ugly head up during the blocking process was corrected with the use of a crochet hook and much patience. Isn't it amazing what one can accomplish with a crochet hook??? Anyhow...once steamed I can't even find the BooBoo.

My shawl was finished with a single crochet border. I like the pristine results of this process and think it gives the knit a little added weight that makes it drape ever so nicely.

I have three words for this knit....Love.Love.Love.

The Skinny...........
Jojoland Melody Superwash Yarn
Color MS29
5 Skeins
#5 Addi Lace Needles
09-09-2009 thru 01-15-2010

Helmet Liner

In support of our troops, I am proud to be one of a group of knitters that have knit a helmet liner to be shipped to our servicemen in Afghanistan or Iraq! My liner is knit using Cascade Yarn 220 Superwash in a brown colorway.

Colors allowed by the military are black, charcoal, brown, tan or olive drab. The pattern was fun, quick, easy and not expensive when knit with the Cascade 220.

Our freedom is a precious gift and this is a small way to make men and women who make this freedom possible, more comfortable and let them know we care.