here we go again!

I took a break this weekend and started a quick diversion project.

Let me present Odessa (magKnits):

Its my first hat. I had planned on giving it as a gift for xmas, but my friend has a tiny pea-head and this fits my giant melon, so it will be huge on her. Too bad that I have little need for a hat. I think its pretty cute...even though hubby said it looks like a chemo-cap.

It is exceedingly difficult to take a picture of the top of your own head.

I used almost exactly one skein of KnitPicks Elegance in Burnt Orange. The beads are shades of orange and turquoise.

Next up:

Manresa

I hate to say it, but ICK! I thought that these were a good idea, but no. I finished one, but won't do the other. This one is getting frogged. I don't want to waste the yarn. It was a good exposure to fair-isle, but I'm just not feeling them. They look even sillier than I had imagined. (and thats pretty silly)


My little bro is coming to visit this week. Hes never been to Vegas before, so I have to take him to see the sites. He is going to die, It is going to be scorchingly hot this week. It's 11:30 am and its already 105.

Because of his visit, I have to clean out my car, I'm not used to having a passenger. Sigh...the things we do for family! Now, I must leave you and return to Magnum PI. Have a lovely Monday!

green cardi progress...

Just a couple of quick pics of my knit1 cardi:

I have the back and left front finished. I added about two inches to the length. So far so good!

I need to start looking for some cute buttons. I think that they could actually make or break the sweater! More to come!

Adventures in Fair Isle!

I cast on for the Manresa Leg Warmers over the weekend. They are definitely a challenge for me!

As far as my first attempt at fair isle, I think that I'm doing pretty well. I've got the two handed technique down and now am just playing with my tension. My one dilemma is...to weave, or not to weave! I hate the idea of the strands hanging all over on the back of my work, so I have been weaving them in:

The only thing that I don't like is that because this pattern is knit at a fairly loose gauge, I am able to see some of my contrasting color show through the front. Its hard to see in the photo, but much more noticeable in person:

I'm not complaining. I am liking my results so far, but I would not suggest this as a first fair isle project. Between the gauge issues and the double pointed needles, this is definitely a handful!

I am enjoying knitting this. I think that I like fair isle! (or stranding, or whatever it is properly referred to as) And I really like this yarn! Andean Treasure from KnitPicks. I love the colors and I will definitely use it again!

2nd post today?

Yeah, I know...you've heard enough from me for one day! Although it has nothing to do with knitting, I had to share this:

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_4513

It's an interview with Will Ferrell in this month's GQ. The interview is Mad-Libs style and I laughed so hard, I nearly peed my pants...enjoy!

Yarn Snobbery be DAMNED!

It seems that recently I have found myself purchasing some yarn that I normally wouldn't have considered.

Take for example my Green Cardi from knit1...Its knit with some good old Wool-ease. Another recent purchase finds me in the company of some Caron Simply Soft Tweed (which IS soft and quite pretty IMO). I'm planning on knitting the Central Park Hoodie from the F06 Knitscene with it. And, of course, there is my Clapotis made out of Simply Soft.

And then there is Knitpicks...ah Knitpicks...how I love thee! While not acrylic, still looked down upon by some!

Anyway, my point is that while I won't argue the virtue and beauty of expensive yarns. (I do love me some expensive yarn!) I have found myself to be a much happier knitter in the past few months as I have thrown my snobbish ways aside and stopped the stereotyping of acrylic!

Hey, most of my favorite store bought sweaters are mainly acrylic or some other man-made fiber. They are washable (for the most-part) and very wearable (unlike my alpaca wrap sweater...what was I thinking!).

Enough of my rant. I just wanted to speak my piece and let it be known that I am a non-discriminatory, equal opportunity knitter!

Happy knitting all!

I LOVE Orangina!

Here is Orangina in all of her blocked glory!

I am soo pleased with how it turned out! I had been skeptical from the beginning and wasn't sure how well this pattern would suit my figure, BUT I kept a close eye on the KALs and took note of others FOs. I was able to modify the pattern so that it works for me!

First of all, I knit the smallest size which was a 34...thats down a size from what I would usually go with... and second, I added a lot of length...probably 4 inches to the lace. I think that its a bit more form fitting than the original was intended, but its perfect for me! This is probably my favorite garment that I have knit for myself!

YAY!

Orangina is DONE!

There she is! Blocking as we speak! So glad that I can stick a fork in this one. Not that I didn't enjoy knitting this pattern, I really did! Its just that I thought that I would never finish. Part of the reason is because I added several inches to the lace section to make up for my longer than average torso. And I am SOOO glad that I did! When I tried it on before blocking, it hit just above my hip...so I'm hoping that the blocking will add at least an inch, or other wise, I won't be able to wear this to work!

I used the recommended Rowan 4ply Cotton. I really loved it and look forward to the next time that I can splurge on Rowan yarn! I only used about 3 3/4 balls and the pattern calls for 6! So I have two and 1/4 balls of yarn, which is enough to make, lets see, um NOTHING! Oh well...

I will post an action shot as soon as it is dry!

Check another WIP off the list!

Voila! Clapotis!

I finished it last night! It doesn't look like much in the pictures, but it is very pretty in person. I think that I will definitely get some use out of it, much more than if I'd used a flashier color...here it is!

I am really impressed with myself, I think that I might actually get some more things finished soon! I am about 2 inches away from finishing Orangina...and dammit, I think that it may take forever to get that last bit done! When I work on it, it seems that I never get any further! All I have to say is that it had better look darn cute on me once I get it through with it!

And speaking of darn cute, heres Lola! Shut up, I know I'm a dork!

A couple quick things!

First, I wanted to share the necklace I made a few weeks back. Its sterling silver chain and hammered sterling circles. Jewelry making used to be my big thing, but I don't have access to a studio here, so sigh...maybe someday!

Second, the ADD strikes again!

I decided to cast on for the Manresa Leg Warmers from the new Knitty. Its probably the only pattern that I'll use from this issue :( . I'm not a fan of socks and have zero need for gloves, fingerless or otherwise, here in the desert. Oh well! I ordered the yarn from Knitpicks (Andean treasure in Granite and Lilac), so let the waiting game begin! Maybe I'll take this time and finish some of my other WIPs! Not likely!

A-D-D!

Yes, I have come to terms with the fact that I have self-diagnosed Knitting ADD...
take for example my Orangina:

You can see how wonderfully close I am to finishing this one! Only about 3 more inches of ribbing and then simple seaming, but do you think that I can just get it done? NO!

While avoiding Orangina, I decided to start a Clapotis! I have been looking at this pattern ever since I started knitting about a year ago, but I haven't been able to pick a yarn for it. Well, I got over myself and decided to cast on for Clappy with some luxurious Caron Simply Soft in a vibrant grey. Eye catching, eh? Don't knock it! I like the pattern and will do it again with something more colorful, but there is just something about things that are grey and soft that I just can't resist! And who doesn't love a $6 Clapotis?

Anywho...I have been making remarkable progress on this! It is such a mindless knit for me, I have been working on it while I watch TV. BUT I still have more that I should be working on!

I cast on for this about two weeks ago, but I can't bring myself to work on a sweater in the 110 degree heat! This is what I've got so far:

This is the back panel. I am lengthening it about two inches...we'll see how that goes when I get back around to working on it!

AND I also joined a the Amazing Hoodie Swap 3 over on craftster.

I am ridiculously excited about this! I am a hoodie junkie. I can't wait to get started! See, I already want to move on and start another project...jeez, I think I'm hopeless!