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Out of Hand

FO Report: Jaywalkers

Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Vera.
Needles: Size 1 8 inch Crystal Palace dpns.
Gauge: uh....
Pattern: Jaywalkers from Magknits (pattern by Grumperina) size 36" bust
Time to Knit: May 18 - Sept 7
Notes: This was a fun pattern for the first sock, but by the time I got through the leg of the second one, I was kind of over it. I had to do the 84 st. version because my feet are so big, and I still have a hard time getting them over my heels. The pattern is also sort of constricting, so pre blocking (still haven't blocked) they itch after a little time on. I'm hoping that after a little wash, they will soften and loosen up a bit. I also don't like the way that the cuff and the heel fit with the chevron pattern. There's a bit of a bulge at the join of each, and I'm wondering whether it's going ot be particularly comfortable to wear. I suppose we'll see when the weather cools down enough.
All in all, I'm glad I made a pair, but I don't think I'll be knitting them again anytime soon.

FO Report: Picovoli

Yarn: Shine Sport by Knitpicks in Aquamarine
Needles: Size 5 (3.75mm) 24inch Crystal Palace circs.
Gauge: 5.5 sts/inch
Pattern: Picovoli from Magknits (pattern by Grumperina) size 36" bust
Time to Knit: June 16 - July 15
Notes: This was a pretty simple knit. I made some changes to accomodate in the sense that the sizing in the pattern is a little big if you have an in between chest size and because I ran out of yarn. The original pattern calls for 6 sts/inch guage and I lowered my needle size to get 5.5 sts. This way I took an inch off around the entire peice, and it worked out perfectly. I had also heard that the rolling of the stockinette wasn't going to stop, even with the picos, so I opted for tedious, but lovely to look at, seed stitch. I did it around the neck line, the sleeves and the bottom -5 rows each. It worked out very well, but with the seed stitch and the attempt to add some length to it, I ran out of yarn. I happened to have some shine in cream on hand, so I used that to finish off the bottom and the sleeves. If I had known that I might run out, I would have used it around the neckline too. I like the way it looks, but perhaps not with this color combo. This color turned out to be mintier than I had originally hoped, but that's the thing about shine, it's always brighter than you'd expect.
I think it turned out well over all, and I'd recommend these changes to anyone who makes it. The seed stitch was a litttle painful with that lack of stretch in the yarn, but it's well worth the results. I think it's a great pattern and good yarn combo, and perfect for anyone who hasn't really made a garment before and/or wants to learn bust/waist shaping.

FO Report: Ene's Scarf

Yarn: Rowan 4 ply Soft purchased from All About Yarn
Needles: Size 6 (4.25mm) 24inch Crystal Palace circs.
Gauge: It's lace. I never did a stockinette swatch.
Pattern: Ene's Scarf from Scarf Style (pattern by Nancy Bush)
Time to Knit: July 28 - September 1
Notes: This pattern was great, as was the yarn. It was a little tedious to cast on all those stitches, but, it was worth it. Apart from having over blocked this a bit, I'm very happy with the results



Sometimes you need a little help with your photoshoot =)

Some more:

FO Report: Diamond Fantasy Shawl

Yarn: Peruvian Baby Silk from Elann in Mocha
Needles: Size 6 (4.25mm) 24inch Crystal Palace circs.
Gauge: It's lace. I never did a stockinette swatch.
Pattern: Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Sivia Harding (scarf length)
Time to Knit: June 22 - July 19
Notes: This is a great pattern, especially for a first time lace/shawl knitting. It is stunning, error free and easy to adapt. I wish that I would have been sure that I had enough yarn because I would have done another repeat. The only thing I recommend is to put in stitch markers for the repeats - especially for a first time lacer.
The yarn was also wonderful. It's soft, squishy, and a pleasure to work with. Best of all it's cheap. The only draw back here - I've found that I'm allergic to alpaca - bummer =(

(Strange look as a result of weird-neighbor activities. Seriously, very bizarre music)









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This is the beginning of the parade of FOs. I could almost get one every day this week, but I'm a project short. Shucks!
I'm currently working on Leda's Dream stole. It's wonderful and I'm loving it, except I found I made a mistake. It's a good 30 rows back and ten rows above the life line so I'm at an impass. It looks really horrible to me, and I don't think I can go on without fixing it. It's in a seven stitch repeat, and I'm thinking of trying to insert another lifeline just below the error and pulling down those seven stitches, and reknitting them up. I know it's drastic, but it's better than having to reknit the entire 40 rows that are done in between. And if it doesn't work, there's no harm in trying. I expect it will look as scary as this (scroll to June 23rd), except I have no carpet to work on. You can't exactly pin your stole to the hardwood floors, so I haven't figured out what to do there, yet, but I'll get it sorted. If it works, the biggest pain will come from having the whole thing pinned out and having to knit backwards instead of turning the work to purl it. Honestly, if I'm able to fix the mistake this way, and that's the only "issue" I have to deal with, then sign me up!

Quiet

Indeed I have been quiet, lately, but do not mistake that for idle. In fact, it seems I have been nothing but busy lately. Even if the hands aren't working, the mind is racing. Thankfully, this last part of the ene's has been rather repetitive and progressively easier. Well, it was easy until I ran out of yarn. I know, I know, you are surprised, that I of all people would possibly run out of yarn, but it's true. Sad, but true. In fact, it wasn't so many rows after this shot was taken that I came to the last 12 inches of yarn and had to come to terms with going to the LYS and praying that there was more. Some of you may remember that I purchased this yarn on sale, and so the chances of there being more were not so good. Thankfully, when I raced over there the next day, there was, in fact, one lone ball of ice blue sitting on the mountain of fall colors that she had gotten in. And, lucky for me, it was the same dye lot. I snatched it up and thanked my lucky stars.
Ofcourse, I don't really understand how it happened this time. The recommended yarn is two skeins of blackberry ridge laceweight which amounts to 700 yards. I bought four balls of Rowan 4-ply soft which amounts to just under 800 yards. I used virtually the same size needles (4.25mm instead of 4.0 mm), which is the only thing I can think is to blame. I'm a little surprised that that .25mm could eat up a hundred yards, but I suppose it's possible.
Nonetheless, all that matters now is that I have the ball and that I only have about ten rows and grafting left to do. That, and my other yarn has finally been shipped, so if I am left without a shawl to work, it won't be for long. I'd say left without lace, but I'm working on the embossed leaves socks, and considering it's got a YO every row, I guess those count. Even if they don't "count" they sure are as addicting to work on. Just like Beth said, they practically knit themselves!

Also, I currently have a thousand other things going on. As soon as I can get my act together, there will be a little parade of FO's around here and possibly some big changes. Hopefully the long weekend coming will afford me the time to catch everyone up to date!