Uncharted Territory

I have 14 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cathay that I got from Little Knits. I was going to make Delicate Cardigan by Debbie Bliss but then decided it was too short for my taste.

Then I saw this sweater (ravelry link) which was adapted from Wendy Bernard's Something Red...but I wasn't wanting to do the math to make it work.

So, I got a copy of Nicky Epstein's Knitting Over the Edge from the library and my copy of Ann Budd's sweater pattern book and I started creating.

I'm trying for a v-neck cardigan which tapers in at the waist - a button or two and a little detailing here and there.















Here's the stitch I chose for the hem.

We'll see how it goes - it will be knit from the bottom up, raglan sleeved. I have my wonderful tubing so I can keep trying it on.

I'll keep you posted.

Now all I need is a tan to go with it

Presenting another Finishing Friday project - Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell. Now all I need is a tan, warm weather and perhaps an ice cold margarita to go with it!

This project was done with some Berroco Touche I bought ages ago to make a Sahara which I ended up frogging. As I was knitting this it really didn't look good on the needles. Looks best on the body. It was a good knit with some short row shaping for the V-neck and I added extra increases in the waist to make it more fitted.

Okay, that brings me to 5 sweaters finshed this year! Wow!

Ingenue Times Two

Okay, all attempts to get the two Ingenues were thwarted by my 13 year old son pretending to be a photographer. He was saying "work it baby" and moving around and snapping shots - we were howling. So, this is the best shot of the two Ingenues.

I called Anna my godsister today and told her it was ready...still a little damp at the neck from the blocking but she wanted it right away. So, she came up and put it on immediately. After raving about how much she loves it she turned to me and said "I think I want one in white now". Too funny but she's going to have to wait. I'm into spring and summer fibers now.

Anna's Ingenue

When my godsister, Anna, saw my Ingenue she wanted one of her own. The deal was she'd buy the yarn and I'd make it for her as her birthday gift. Well it is done and blocking and hopefully will be in her hands by tomorrow. I know it isn't the same as seeing it on someone but I wanted her to be the first to wear it.

I used the Ella Rae Classic from Little Knits - perfect substitute yarn for this sweater. I also made a few mods from mine - I added few more increases on the sides and I made the sleeves longer as per her request. This took 5 1/2 skeins.

Yesterday, Jennifer, came over to knit, have some lunch, and visit. She asked what you might be asking after reading this - what is a godsister? My godsister is my godmother's daughter - we didn't know what to call each other years ago and this is what we came up with. I also have a godbrother.

By the way, thanks for all your kind comments about my Slinky Ribs.

It's Finished AND It's Friday!

Well, my Slinky Ribs is done and I'm very much in like with this sweater...after a day of wearing I might be in love. It is the perfect layering piece - wear a scoop neck underneath if it is a bit chilly and yes even though it is the first day of spring it is chilly. Or I can wear it with a cami when it is a bit warmer.

Wendy's design is wonderful and I really enjoyed knitting this and making it my own. Next time I might make the ribbing go a bit further down - some end right in the middle of the girls which isn't the best thing.

I didn't fall off the face of the earth!

As you might know, I'm a substitute teacher and I got a 3 week job subbing for an elementary school librarian. While it is a great gig, I'm out of the house 3-4 days for 3 weeks. So blogging falls by the wayside.

One day last week my prize book arrived. It uses yarns from Cherry Tree Hill and consists mostly of scarves, shawls and socks to achieve the Just One Skein title. A few items caught my eye....


I know I could resize this cover top for Miss America. I think she'd like it. I certainly can't wear a halter top but she can if I make it appropriate.

This cute sock and hat set would be cute for the next baby I need to knit for.

I really liked this scarf...hard to see the patterning here but it is lovely.

I have been knitting - I get an hour break each day and I bring my knitting with me. I didn't photograph anything as it is boring knitting - I'm working on the sleeves of both Ingenue and Slinky Ribs. They both are grey which is beginning to get to me...too much grey. I think I'll cast on something pink this weekend!

I'm pulling my hair out over this!

I'm this far along on my Slinky Ribs - I'm on the second sleeve. I've done the 4 inches of k2p2 ribbing before going to p2k6 section and I realize that I don't have the right number of stitches! No fudging this time, no making it work - I have too many stitches and I can't get the sequence of ribbing I need.

So, I have to rip out all this ribbing including the short rows. I could scream! I could cry! I could pull my hair out.

Okay, I can also be a Pollyanna and tell myself to be glad I didn't have 8 inches of k2p2 and realize my mistake. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to rip.

You know you are sick when...

You can't even knit. Saturday I woke up with a cold and by Sunday I didn't want to do anything but sleep. I couldn't even bring myself to knit...now that is bad! I've been using my new knit mug to drink lemon tea with honey. Fortunately, I'm not teaching today so I can lay low for the day. Perhaps I can bring myself to knit a bit...

I'm dreaming of spring and spring colors and wanting to find something to make with this.

Lucky Me!

Today Jennifer came over to sit and knit and had a Starbucks bag in hand. She promptly told me she doesn't bring hostess gifts for sit and knit but she saw this while in a Starbucks and knew I liked them and she got it for me! My own knit mug. I was so excited as I wanted to buy one for myself but couldn't bring myself to buy a mug when I have plenty of mugs. But to receive it as a gift makes it VERY special. Thank you Jennifer! You know I will think of you and our time knitting together every time I have a cup of tea.


See how nice it looks next to my knitting? I'm still on the body of Ingenue.







Here's the first sleeve on my Slinky Ribs.

WIP Wednesday

My order from Little Knits arrived so I cast on for my godsister's Ingenue. Here's how far I got by yesterday morning...thanks to a leisurely Sunday and a snow day on Monday. I've already finished the raglan increases and have joined the body.

Every time I see this neck stitch I fall in love with it all over again. This pewter grey really makes it pop.

I also finished one sleeve of my Slinky Ribs (sorry no photo) and have picked up the necessary stitches for the 2nd sleeve.

Hopefully, Jennifer (aka Major Knitter) will be over tomorrow so we can sit and knit and I can have some more progress on these two. Funny, both things I'm working on right now are grey.

Woo Hoo! I won a Prize!

I entered my FOs for February into Finish or Frog on Ravelry and found out that today I won 2nd place prize.

I'll be getting a copy of Special Little Knits from Just One Skein. Can't wait to check it out. Thank you deborasoule on Ravelry.

I just cast on for another Ingenue - hopefully I can post it as an FO in March!

Service With A Smile

I often buy yarn online...I know it isn't the same as going into a yarn store, touching, feeling, smelling the yarn (yes I do smell it). I know the color isn't always true on a monitor. However, I have been very lucky with some of my online yarn purchases from this amazing store in Seattle called Little Knits.

What I love about this store is its service - there have been times when I've placed an order and then realized I needed more yarn. I've emailed, added a skein or two and no problem it's done. Today I got a call from Sue at Little Knits following up on an e-mail. What a nice person she is! They even have a Ravelry group which I promptly joined.

I was getting some more Ella Rae Classic which is at a great price. I used it to make my Ingenue (Ravelry Link) and am making one for my god-sister and another one for me. The price can't be beat, the yarn is lovely and when you order from such nice people it is even better. Check out Little Knits...worth your time.

Miscellany

I have a few things to show you - miscellaneous stuff.

My daughter and I went through the bags of yarn remnants and balled them up - here's how it looks in a very special bowl my godmother gave me. Now I can grab them as I need them for little projects like my tiny sweaters I make as Christmas ornaments. Such a nice addition to my knitting space.

I had a chance to work on my Slinky Ribs. The body is done and now on to the sleeves. Wendy Bernard is just so brilliant in her design - the sleeves are worked from the top down and consist of a series of short rows to make a cap and highlight the ribbing.


















Also, I haven't forgotten my Lutea Lace Shell - here it sits waiting for me to pick it up again.

I mailed off the little green sweater to my nephew...I'm hoping to post pictures of him wearing it as soon as it fits him.

Seaming Saturday

Well, I spent my Saturday afternoon seaming this lovely little sweater for my new nephew, James. I'm showing it to you in two different lights and locations.

This pattern is from the latest Debbie Bliss Magazine and is referred to as the Garter Stitch Pullover. It is an easy knit (all garter) and I made a few adaptations to make the pattern work more quickly.

I'll be sure to post a picture of it on the cute little guy when my sister puts it on him.

Now back to working on my Slinky Ribs.

Busy Me = Boring Blog

I've been meaning to post for days now but I got a spur of the moment substitute teaching job which has run for 3 days. A wonderful teacher who taught my son last year has been ill and she called me at home (instead of publicly posting the job online) and I couldn't let her down. So, while I've been busy the blog has suffered.

However, since the students have been reading and taking quizzes, I've been working very hard on a sweater for my new nephew. The pattern is in the new Debbie Bliss Magazine and is a garter stitch pullover.

I promise to have some pictures for this weekend - won't quite make finishing Friday with it but it could be done by Sunday!