Taste Testing

Happy Wednesday! I finally have some WiPs to show off! Of course the Super Sekret project remains hidden from sight, but I'm happy to report I am working my way through the third repeat. The pattern calls for 4.5 repeats, but I'm thinking of pushing it to 5.5. Cryptic much?

As for Django, I'm merrily making my way through the foot. Should be done by Sunday.


Clapotis comes along more slowly. I have to be in a real brainless mood to work on it.

The long end is already over 50", but I've got lots more yarn left so I'm going to keep on going.

I love its classic beauty and luxurious feel. It makes me think of winter. In a good way, all wrapped up and snuggly in Casbah goodness. I'm thinking it may be an excellent knit on the plane ride home next month.

Of course just because I'm making progress doesn't mean my eyes, and hands, don't wander. And so I've been testing out a couple more shawls.

First, Tuscany, by Amy Singer (or Knitty fame) from her book No Sheep For You. I'm using Sea Silk in the Hemlock colorway. The color is a bit more variegated than I'd hoped for but I think it will be lovey. It's my first time working with slippery, slidy silk and all is going smoothly.


And finally, I've considering Jeanne by Kirsten Kapur. I'm using Yarn Pirate's Bamboo/Merino blend sock yarn in Hyacinth. The shifting lavenders are beautiful and the bamboo content gives a lovely sheen. I'm just not sure that what I think of the pattern yet.


You know I'm aching to cast on for a hat, I'm gathering my yarns for a multi color cardi and I'm still planning for gloves. I just need more time in the day...

Racing Towards Closure

Things seem to take on a more relaxed tone in the summer. It's like we're all still on summer vacation from school, or want to be. I've seen it's not just me, but bloggers in general are writing less. The knitting pace seems to me less frantic. The various shawls are taking shape, but really who needs them in the summer heat?

Still, there has been a need, slowly building and getting ready to burst out. A need for closure. Completion. And to that end, I am revisiting some of my favorite WiPs and going for the gold.

My favorite sock designer, Cookie A, has so many patterns calling out to me. But truly, how can I contemplate casting on something new when Django sits half finished? Make that 3/4 finished! Last week I picked the needles and cast on for the second sock. And here we are, in the middle of the gusset decreases just a few days later.

Starting with a cabled rib cuff,

you can see how the pattern makes its way down the back of the leg. (I know the socks look a little wonky from this angle, but you get the idea.)

And the long, swooping circles encompassing the leg.

Not to mention the squeezably soft Koigu. These socks almost make me wish it was winter. Almost!

Like Riding a Bicycle

Ulmus is off the needles and waiting for a soak and the blocking wires. And yes, folks, this is going to grow. A lot.

Clapotis too is coming along. It's measuring about 50" so far but I plan on continuing until the yarn runs out. The Super Sekret project is coming along as well. Even Hanami is slowly growing. And yet...

We all knew it was a matter of time. Tonight I need something more. Something new. Something small. Something engaging and entirely satisfying. Like a really good cookie. Cookie A. of course! I mean, how long could the abstinence really last? And so at last I've cast on again. A sock. Even more importantly, a Second Sock! Django (Rav linky)is on the needles, the cuff almost finished. So in between all this shawl business I'll be carrying on with my little sock. Because really, I need some closure.

Half Way There

It seems that I have been stricken with that scary affliction with which we Knitters are often cursed. Second Sock Syndrome. Mine has even developed into Second Mitten Syndrome. As much as I love some of my projects, the need for new has led me astray. But I am determined to get past this. I am moving forward, casting on and completing my pairs. And why am I so motivated? Because there's a whole lot of knitting that I have denied myself until the task is completed!

Leyburn is close indeed. One more pattern repeat and then it's time for the cuff. I've loved being part of the KAL and love the way the socks look. They aren't as challenging as I prefer, but they have been the perfect lunch break project.



Django. Love. What else is there to say. And until I make the second sock I can't cast on for Stricken, Marlene, Twisted Flower or any other Cookie A sock I'm hankering to make.



Longbourn. Ok I'm sneaking this one in. I just cast on last night. But Longbourn sounds like Leyburn so it counts, right? And I'm very happy to knitting with my Sundara stash. Very happy indeed.



Endpaper Mitts. The bane of my existence. Poor Cheerleader has been waiting for months. Although I love the color combo and the finished mitt in general, this has not been a happy knitting experience. I've ripped as much as I've knit because of silly, stupid mistakes. I'm not sure I like this stranded knitting thing. I adore the way it looks but the process? Still not sure. So ask me why I cast on for Longbourn!



And last, but certainly not least, my Druid Mittens. I am a Jared Flood devotee. I can't wait to cast on for the new gloves with yarn to match my Gretel. I'm not sure I share his love for tweed though. It looks great but the yarn is a bit of a pain to work with.



Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you about the continuing saga of the Charlotte's Web.

The Drug of Choice

I'd like to start by saying that I started this post yesterday! Last night, while though I was tired, I had plenty of time. But...

You know how sometimes when you talk about someone, then suddenly they are they? Well, there I was talking about the Wigged One to this person, then that one, and then when I came home once again. And suddenly, in the middle of writing, the phone rings. She's in the neighborhood and can she come over? Well there went the next couple of hours and enjoyable they were! But I was too tired to write. So now, with no further ado...

The Drug of Choice.

Socks are very addicting. When first exposed to a knitter with teeny tiny needles I thought, "She is a much better knitters than I. More experienced. I'm not ready for that," I convinced myself. Then suddenly they were everywhere. Every knitter I came across, walking around with these pocket sized projects, using beautiful, colorful yarns. Still I didn't thing it was for me. Until the day I saw lauraknitsMV working on Embossed Leaves. And then I knew I HAD TO HAVE THOSE SOCKS. So I bought my basic book on socks (which I used only once,) and cast on for a fantastically boring pair of "plain vanilla" socks. Although it may have been a boring design, it did teach me about sock structure. I finished that first pair a year ago 1 year ago today. And then it was on to the next pair, toe-up, Firestarter by Yarnissima. And then I was hooked! Of course I have become a bit more choosy about the patterns I select. I worry about the "bore factor" and will I finish my pair, or will a single sock languish, waiting for its mate.

One designer who has made their mark is Anne Hanson of the Knit Spot. Marie Antoinette was a fabulous knit and I have a couple more of her patterns I look forward to knitting. And Stephanie van der Linden has amazing socks. Many are free Ravelry downloads and the new ones over at the Twist Collective are fabulous. My favorite designer,though, is sure to keep you on your toes with her innovate designs. Cookie A, designer of Knitty hits Monkey and Pomatomus, has many patterns for sale that are challenging, but not difficult, original and look amazing. Oh, and they never, never boring knits. Her first book comes out this spring and I can't wait! In the meantime, I have finally finished Sock 1 of Django (rav link) made from Koigu Premium.


As you can imagine, all these stitch work patterns have prompted me to move more and more towards solid or shaded solid yarns. And anyway, more often than not the multis act in ways unanticipated and often unwelcome. This, of course, led to the recent purchase of Knitting Socks with Handpained Yarn. I hope to review it for you next week. But in the meantime I do have another, simpler, sock on the needles, a sock that let's the multi-color yarns shine: Leyburn by Minty Fresh.

Now, these may not be complicated, challenging socks but they do have something special going on. They are the sock of choice for a KAL going on over at the Socks that Rawk! Ravelry group. Each Participant has chosen a different colorway. STR has hundreds of colorways. Some are new, some are one offs and some are on a rotation. Last heard, there seems to be over 250 of them! If you haven't been over to Blue Moon Fibers you have no idea what you are missing out on. So go. Go! And if you are in Ravelry check out the rainbow of Leyburns being knit up. Just go to the Leyburn page and search by KAL. Oh never mind, I've done it for you. Here is the link. And don't forget to keep checking, although 125 people have claimed their colorway, not everyone has cast on or posted pictures yet.

Here is my progress, kint with Deck the Halls in Mediumweight.


Now since I am using a heavier yarn than in the pattern, I've had to rework the numbers a bit. But this pattern is really fabulous for multi-color yarns. The lattice stitch seems to cover up any potential pooling.

Though I have to say my stitch count is helping out with that as well.

Witness the sole:

But the short-row heel is leaving much to be desired.

Trust me, that has been frogged. Anyway, the increase numbers for the leg didn't work for me anyway. It would coming out way too loose. So I ripped back and tried again. No joy. And I ripped back and tried again. No wait, I ripped back and decided to work a heel flap. Take my chances on the stitch count. Embrace the pooling should it occur.

And that brings to us this evening. The heel has been turned and the gusset decreases begun. We'll see how what happens with pooling soon enough, I suspect. So you'll just have to wait.

Now a word to the contest winners: Carla and Elaine, It's been a bit of a crazy week. I'm sorry I haven't gotten to the post office yet. I am hoping to get there Monday. I'll email you as soon as they are posted. And Trudy. Trudy? Where are you? I'm going to give you until Sunday to get in touch with me. If I haven't heard from you by then I will draw another random winner.

And finally,

You Asked, I Answer:

Debbie asked, whatever happened to the Icosa Ball Pillow? No, you didn't miss the finished pics. It is resting comfortably for the moment. But since you were the one to set of the Wigged One chain, you also get credit for putting it back on my radar! I'm going to have to get back to it soon!

D.Smith mentioned she wished there were more links. More links? Today's post has a dozen! Seriously, I try to be very conscientious about links. Both to Ravelry and to free patterns. Now that I plan on doing some book reviews (ah, something else that's new!) I'll probably start linking to Amazon as well. Perhaps you aren't seeing them? They are navy and have no underline so they may not be obvious. I'll look into tweaking the color scheme so you can see them more clearly.

What I Did on my Day Off

It may not seem like I did a lot, but then I attacked four different projects...

First up: Lazy Daisy Neck Warmer. You thought it was finished? So did I. But I just wasn't happy with it. I didn't like the way it looked buttoned up and so I looked around at some other neck warmers. One of my biggest concerns was weather or not it would fit correctly when the recipient FINALLY received it. So based on some neck warmers I found in Ravelry I decided to remove the scalloped edge, open up the bind off and add some more length. Of course I removed the buttons as well. I've decided to present it without the buttons so I can get a good measurement and then sew the buttons on.

Here is the added length. See how much nicer that looks.

Yes, I also added a scalloped edge to the other side.

I think I'm really happy with this now.

Next, of course, was some work on the End Paper Mitts. I have about seven more rounds until I place the thumb stitches on a holder.

This is usually my lunch break project so I decided that I should do my requisite few rounds. The Cheerleader is currently basking in the Florida sunshine, so I still have a bit of time...

Of course, this is still mitt 1, so I better start getting a move on.

And out of the frying pan, into the fire. I've started another cardigan. A Norah Gaughan cardigan. I have long admired Norah's designs but after the Capecho fiasco I was hesitant to try again. But Norah's designs continue to inspire and there are two new ones that I just MUST make. As Norah is the Design Director of Berroco her patterns call for that yarn. So I decided it was time to try it out. O. M. G. What a pleasure to work with!

The first Norah cardi design to tackle is Kingscot, from the Twist Collective.

If you haven't been over there yet, I highly recommend it. It's the next generation knit-zene. The photos are gorgeous, articles are free, and the patterns purchased individually. This better compensates the designers than traditional magazines, and the Twist Collective promises to leave all patterns available, even after the next issue comes out. I love the idea and many, many of the patterns. You know what else I like, if errata is released on the pattern, they will email you directly!

You know what else I love? Socks! But it's been a long time, hasn't it. My sock yarn seems to be multiplying like bunnies and I'm not knitting it fast enough! Of course, I am starting to learn the joys of using it for non-sock projects but, I'm telling you, my fingers just NEEDED to be working on socks today. Still, I'm trying to cut back on my WiPs, so instead of casting on something new (like Livia, Stricken, Twisted Flower...) I got back to Django, who has been languishing since I ripped back most of a leg.

Starting with the completed cuff, I got through the first repeat, paying more attention to the shift rows, and so far I think it's looking good.


Now I am planning on starting off the year dedicated to finishing up my WiPs, including the long languishing Jeanie. But, I have already planned to cast on for two more projects. I have committed myself to the Socks that Rock Leyburn KAL, where we each will knit up Leyburn socks in a different BMF colorway. I'll be using Deck the Halls, as soon as my BMF sale order arrives. If you belong to Ravelry you can read more about it here. And of course, I will be working on Charlotte's Web. Just waiting for the afore mentioned BMF yarn to arrive for that one too.

I've Been a Naughty Girl

I have not attended to Arietta as I should, nor made as much progress on the Black Project as expected. Once again the sock fever struck, leaving me blind to anything else. I cast on for the second Embossed Leaves sock, getting through 18 rows of ribbing and into the first pattern repeat. I played and frogged and played and frogged and finally came up with the right combination of CO stitches, needle size and pattern stitch for my LL in Devon and wondrously, there is no pooling. And most importantly, I started working on Django, using Birthday Koigu, and not only got through the cuff but even through a full repeat on the leg. I can not sing Cookie A's praises enough. The patterns are deceptively easy while still being challenging, artistic and original. And the Koigu is a dream.

So for now, a tease.