Category: Projects
Friday, October 31, 2008
I’m sort of getting knitting burnout. I’ve been working on the same projects for so long, that I’m getting sick of them. I don’t want to start something new, because then I know the current stuff won’t ever get finished, but I don’t have much desire to work on them anymore. Which means less knitting going on.
I’ve got DH’s afghan, that is getting close to being finished. I’m almost done with the 4th of 6 strips, then I need to sew them together and make a border. I have a lace shawl that I really like working on, but I put it aside to finish DH’s afghan. I’m also working on Amelia’s Christmas stocking. That’s kind of fun and I’m close to finishing it. I’m just past the heel, so I only have the foot and the toe to do. Thank goodness it’s only one, and not a pair like normal socks. The fair-isle isn’t the best looking, but it at least keeps the project entertaining. I’ve also got a granny square afghan going that is stalled because I’m working on a border that is going slow. My last project is my sister’s wedding afghan. I was making really good progress on it, then decided to get DH’s afghan done first. If I can finish it by the end of December, then I can pick up the wedding afghan and still finish it (if I keep the pace I had before) well before the June deadline, although she tells me it doesn’t matter since they won’t need it til at least Sept/Oct.
So that’s 3 afghans, a stocking and a lace shawl. I’m close to finishing the stocking, and I know I could knock out the granny afghan in no time, since I plan to work til I run out of yarn and I have 2 balls left. I may have to switch gears away from DH’s afghan for just a little bit, so I don’t get turned off knitting all because of the one blanket that never seems to end. That’s what I get for making a blanket for my 6′1″ tall husband.
I think I just need to refocus on a few of my neglected projects so that it feels new again. That way I’m still getting something done and not completely taking a break from knitting.
Posted in Afghans, Projects | 1 Comment
Friday, August 15, 2008
I finished my Little Arrowhead Shawl last night. It’s not blocked yet since I cast off just before 11:30pm, but I did get a few pics anyway.
Yarn is Classic Elite Miracle (alpaca/tencel single-ply DK weight) and I used US7 needles, but because I tend to bind off somewhat tight, I used US9 for the bind off. I’m definitely interested to see how much it grows with blocking because right now it looks a bit small.
And today I officially began working on the Adamas Shawl for the Beginner’s Lace August KAL on Ravelry. It’s my first project working with laceweight yarn. I cast on numerous times with Baruffa Cashwool and it was a mess! I had such a tangle of thread. I even went down a few needle sizes hoping it would help. I got to discussing this with some folks in the KAL and one lady suggested that my yarn was probably an extra-fine laceweight and that I should try a thicker one first. I had read somewhere previously that Cashwool is more cobweb than regular laceweight, so I ordered some Knit Picks Shadow and tried again. Success! I made it through the first 6 rows and Chart 1 without needing to frog or use my lifeline. And it looks so pretty! I plan to get pics of my progress to share with the ladies on Ravelry. I’ll try to remember to post here as well, in case anyone is interested.
Posted in Lace | 1 Comment
Monday, August 4, 2008
I’ve finished the Minimalist Cardigan and I actually wore it to work. My thoughts about it are this:
It’s a bit small. A bit tight in the armholes, and a bit snug around the bust and midsection. The reason for this is not because my gauge was off. My gauge was perfect and the garment came out to the exact dimensions I was expecting when I swatched. The reason for the size issue is even more idiotic than bad swatching. It’s because I was not thinking straight when I was trying to figure out what size to make and didn’t consider that I’d be wearing this over a shirt. Duh! I was so concerned with getting gauge and making sure to knit the size for the gauge I was getting, that I totally forgot that little important factor.
But besides that, it fits pretty well and I like it. It’s warm and stylish and I made it. I love the color and I love the fabric made by the moss stitch and I love how the moss stitch looks in tweed. So overall, I’m quite pleased with this, and can definitely see me making another one (in a larger size).
Posted in Sweaters and Cardigans | 1 Comment
Monday, July 28, 2008
I’m gearing up for the Ravelympics. I will be competing in 4 events, but only actually doing 2 things. Ha! I’m going to be knitting Evangeline (fingerless mitts) for the Mitten Medley, Cable Steeplechase and Hand-dyed Hurdles. The yarn I’m using was hand-dyed (well, over-dyed) in a gorgeous semi-solid red. I really can’t wait to start working on them. I’m so excited to see how the yarn knits up and I’ve wanted to make these mitts for a while now.
I’m also competing in the Handspun Heptathalon, and will be spinning and plying 3.5 oz of royal blue Corriedale. with the 0.5oz I’ve already spun. I’ve gotten back into my spinning and having a blast. I’m hoping to get a nice 2-ply laceweight yarn out of it, but if it ends up fingering weight, I don’t mind.
In the meantime, I’ve started working on sleeve #2 for my Minimalist Cardigan. I’m almost 1/2 way done and hoping to get that finished very soon so I can finally seam this up and be able to wear it, even though it’s too hot still.
The Quinn Cabled Bag is finished. I really like it, but do have one slight issue. I think I braided my strap too tightly because now it twists on itself, but it’s pretty sturdy. I want to eventually line it and put a snap or some other type of closure on it, because it hangs open.
Posted in Bags, Knitting, Spinning, Sweaters and Cardigans | 1 Comment
Monday, July 14, 2008
I was away a whole week and there’s not much knitting progress to show for it. Therefore there are no pictures to share. I did finish up sleeve one for my cardigan. Mom suggested I tack it in place to make sure it’s going to fit before I start on the second sleeve. Which I think is a good idea. I have a feeling it’s still going to be tight on the underarm area and I’ll still have little room for moving my arms. I think I was a bit hasty in knitting the smaller size. My measurements came out as I expected, but I forgot take into account that I would be wearing somewhat bulky, sleeved shirts underneath, so after all the issues I’ve had with this thing, I probably should have knit one size bigger than I did. And here I thought I was doing it all perfectly. Sure it fits, as a shirt (with nothing underneath), not a sweater.
But all is not lost, because I will wear it as much as I can, then save it for Amelia. :) That’s another great thing about having a daughter. Knits that end up too small for me can be passed along to her. Then I can make something bigger for me. I really like that sweater so I might try knitting it again with a different yarn at a bigger size. Maybe the next time I can get gauge and actually knit the size 41, so that I have room underneath for the bulk of a shirt.
I also finished the first repeat on the body of my cabled bag. This project is small yet, sometimes it feels like it’s taking forever, because I’m doing the pattern twice around (once for each side of the bag). So it feels like it’s taking longer than it probably is. But there’s progress. And I think I’m going to make it my focus project for now so I can finish it.
I also completed 2 color blocks on the 2nd strip for DH’s afghan. I like this project because it’s mindless knitting, but it can also get boring, because of the simplicity of it. At least it’s done in sections.
Mom and I ordered the yarn for the Saffron Cables afghan. We ordered 30 balls of KnitPicks Comfy in Cashew (a soft latte-colored brown). I have just under a year to make this afghan as it’s my sister’s wedding present and she’s getting married next June. I definitely need to get started soon, but I really want to finish something first. So I’m going to try hard to get the bag finished so I can cast on for the afghan by the end of this month.
Posted in Afghans, Knitting, Sweaters and Cardigans | No Comments
