Knitting ADD

I knew I couldn't resist for long.



It's not like I wanted to cast on for this. I really had no choice. I tried working on my Endpaper Mitts, but I constantly screwed up the increases. Ugh. Lots of frogging was done... I definitely was not a happy camper.

So I started this Noro scarf. My God. This is the first time I've ever knit with Noro, and I'm starting to wonder what took me so long. I'm completely addicted to the changing colors. It's so fun to watch what the color will change into next. And it's really brainless. I don't need to think at all. I know last post I jabbered on about how I liked intricate patterns... and I do! It's just, sometimes it's nice to not have to bother with that.

Oh, and I'm using US 8's, which is like knitting with crayons for me.

And this is for Chris, who didn't know what a tubular cast on looks like. (I said it was coolness in yarn form, but I don't think that's particularly descriptive.)

Distracted.

Swallowtail shawl.

Endpaper mitts.


Noro striped scarf.

I have huge plans for Christmas knitting this year. Huge. I have two sweaters, a shawl, two scarves, socks, and another pair of Endpaper mitts lined up. It's still early, and really, I have a ton of time... but I keep wanting to knit things for myself. This is a really, really strange phenomenon for me! I've never had a huge urge to knit for myself. But now, all I can think of is projects for me. I feel so selfish.

But I'm totally in love with my Endpaper Mitts. I wanted something a little... different. Riskier in color, I guess. I love the look. It reminds me of those luxurious fabrics in Elizabethan times. The gold is a hard color to capture (and looks positively green under fluorescent lighting), but in true light, it's gorgeous.

And my Swallowtail shawl... It's official. I'm definitely a lace knitter. It goes by so fast, and the patterns intrigue me. I love trying to figure out the logic behind the pattern and then applying it row after row. (Also another reason I love fair isle.)

Specs...

Applewood Swallowtail
pattern: Swallowtail Shawl in Fall IK '06
yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Applewood
needles: 3.25 mm (US 4) Addi Turbos 32"

The Noro I bought as a gift to myself for getting an internship. Yay! Okay, so it doesn't pay, but I deserve it don't I? It's going to be that striped scarf that's so popular right now. I chose those colors, thinking of dreary grey winter days. This scarf should brighten everything up!

Sneakers...

... Booties, that is.

I just finished the second one. It's currently blocking... I'll get a picture of the pair tomorrow. But aren't they just so BLOODY CUTE?

I think I'll write up the pattern for this eventually.


I'm actually really really happy with how they turned out. It just randomly popped into my head and I wondered if I could actually make it work. They turned out super cute! And thankfully, I finished them in time for the shower.

Yeah baby. 8)

Deadline: Saturday Night

Made it with days to go. Thank God.

Baby Blue Cables
pattern: Cable Sweater from Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss
yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Pale Blue (3 balls) and Ecru (1)
needles: US 2 and 3 Addi Turbos (32")

I only needed 3 balls of the blue to finish the sweater, so I might used the remaining ball to make a hat and some booties. We'll see. I liked working with this yarn but it kinda dried out my hands. Egh.

The V of the v-neck didn't quite please me. It's not pointy enough... so I'm blocking it. Har dee har.

At any rate, I finished the thing well before the shower. Yay! Now about wrapping it...

Freaking Frustrating

I'm on a bit of a tight deadline for this baby sweater. The baby shower is next Sunday, and I've started classes again. I thought I was making good time...

But I decided the tubular cast on I did for the sleeves was too tight. I planned to frog them and reknit them. I was thinking that I'd have plenty of time over the weekend.

I had nearly finished the back. I was casting off the last shoulder stitches when an odd problem came...

I had too many stitches left over.

I stared. I frogged. I recounted. Nope. I didn't bind off the wrong number of stitches.

I frowned. I counted again. I referenced the pattern.

Then I realized. I had screwed up on the increases a long long time ago. Back at the start.

I can't afford to start all over from the very beginning. Looks like a little pattern modification will need to be done.


This is so not fun.

The Old, the Progress, and the New

I constantly forget to update, and am really not a good blogger at all. I always do more than I actually show on this blog, waiting until I'm practically finished to demonstrate that Yes, I really am knitting.

Or in the case of the last few months, I lose things... like my camera cable.

Anyway, in an effort to blog more... I am posting today.

So here's the OLD -


Monkeys! I actually finished them in June, soon after I got back to California. I just never blogged about them. They're super comfy and look lovely on my feet, but it appears the kitchenering on one of the toes isn't very good. For all those concerned, it's still holding fast.


Beach Monkeys
pattern: Monkeys by Cookie A.
yarn: Koigu KPPPM
needles: 2.25 mm (US 1)

And then there's the progress...


Both sleeves are blocked and ready to go. I just need to finish the body now! I was shocked at the smallness of the clothes... but as my aunt reminded me: "They are small people."

And of course, what's a post without the NEW...


Swallowtail shawl. In my Malabrigo Lace. Pretty as hell. However, I screwed up two rows ago and now have to frog. I need to learn to pay better attention to my lace.

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! (or what's left of it.)