It was perfect timing –checking a project off my list, thinking about what to knit and then getting some really good sock yarn in the mail. Two new sock yarns to be exact and I cast on for both of them!

My petals package arrived on Friday and seeing as I had hardly a stitch on the needles, I started knitting the spirals of the hydrangea sock. This pattern really moved and I ended up finishing it late last night. I cast on for the second sock immediately after finishing the first (!) and in my excitement, snapped my first dpn. Poor rosewood needle. Luckily I’m obsessed with collecting needles and had an ebony dpn of the same brand and size to fill in until I get a replacement set.

More on the other new sock yarn tomorrow…

Posted by brooke at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

This sweater has been in my work-in-project basket since February – and finally it’s finished.

Sadly I wasn’t able to complete the hourglass sweater using my original yarn choice. I’m still in love with this fresh green yarn – but it just wasn’t meant to be for this sweater. (It is the specified yarn choice in LMKG, however, this knitter found the yarn difficult to work with – despite the beautiful color and look of the stitches knit up.) I also was knitting it a size too big – something I had a hunch (gauge was okay) about after knitting a handful of rounds. But I kept on knitting. I guess I just really wanted it to work – for the love of this yarn, I’ll make it work! A few more rounds and it was apparent that it would be huge on me, so I pulled the whole thing off the needles! Yet I was determined to knit this sweater. I started over using some Alpaca & Silk in dark green, mourning the cash iroha.

I’ve been working on this sweater since February. (Sorry, said that already, but you know how it is.) Knitting a few rounds here and there. Finally I got to the sleeves using the little circular needle. (I never did switch to dpns.) Once I got to the yoke it was fast knitting and before I knew it last night I was seaming down the hems. It’s finished!

I’m less than thrilled with the results of the sweater (the collar is a mess). But rather than agonize over it, I’m moving on. I have zero sweaters on the needles and a wip basket that’s pretty much empty. I’m so excited for the fall! Leaves crunching under feet while walking the dog. Evenings spent with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. And of course knitting. Lots and lots of knitting.

Posted by brooke at 08:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Over the weekend I tried to match up projects with yarn and discovered I don’t have enough sweater yarn stash. Those big plastic bags of perfectly lined up skeins of yarn. I’m depressed. I don’t have a good sweater stash. I’ve been looking for yarn sales and check the sale bins every time I visit the yarn store, but haven’t had much luck. All I have is this Karabella Aurora Bulky yarn. Not bad yarn, just never seems to match any project on my list. It’s very springy and ropey and, well, bulky. I do have shawl and sock yarn stash, but I’m finding those yarns are easier to acquire than sweater stash. If you see any good yarn sales on the web, let me know!

Some news. Did you see the cute newsboy cap by Annie Modesitt in the new knitscene? Something fun to knit and wear –and in style- there are tons of knitted hats in the new Elle magazine.

I finished a sock. The pattern is a basic stockinette stitch sock from Sensational Knitted Socks. Knitting socks is not my forte. I love knitting them but I have yet to knit a perfect pair. (A knitting goal of mine.) This sock is too big for me, but really comfy. Must cast on for the other soon…

Yesterday I went to the Neue Gallery with family. If you live in the NY/NJ/CT area you must see the five paintings by Klimt before the exhibit closes on September 18th. Adele Bloch-Bauer I – the position of her hands, her gaze out from the canvas and the way Klimt captures the texture and flow of her dress with oils and gold is stunning. I hit museums for a burst of inspiration – something I must make time to do more of this fall.

Posted by brooke at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I can’t stop thinking about all the things I want to knit this fall. I’m in planning mode. Planning projects to feed my knitting soul and projects that will be knit as gifts. I’m thinking all the ideas in my head should be put to paper as a chart. (Does that take the fun out of it? Maybe. But I love comparing patterns, yarns, possible substitute yarns, writing, taking notes and swatching!) Do you plan or keep a list of projects you want to knit?

Planning ahead…and then this week getting a stack of vintage knitting magazines in the mail from a friend. First, Cable Knits.

Cables sandwiched with big wooden buttons.

Second, Fashions for Men and Boys. I was just thinking about how I’d like to knit a cardigan or sweater for my dad.

Magnified knits.
It was such a surprise to get these in the mail. So thoughtful of my non-knitter friend. And I think there are some classic designs here that would be fun to knit.

I started knitting a sock this week out of sweetgeorgia yarn.

I was using this small silk bag to hold the yarn all week. When I went to photograph my progress I pulled out the yarn and it had formed a beehive shape, very fitting since the colourway is called honey fig.

yarnhive

Posted by brooke at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

watercolor 6 x 9 inches

Posted by brooke at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

I was under the weather and in bed for a few days -but I’m finally back to my old self. Dusted off my computer late yesterday and was re-energized by the new comments on the icarus shawl. Thanks everyone!

Zero knitting was done last week, but I did get some yarn in the mail. Green Mountain Spinnery Greenspun¹ Cotton Comfort – 80% wool, 20% organic cotton. It was on sale (odd weight) for $9/sk (Reg. $11.25). (The flyer says the sale ends August 31st.) I’ll be knitting either the Fred Textured Sweater or Harvey Kimono from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding. Here’s the baby swatch I started today. So far I like knitting with this yarn – not too itchy and not too heavy. A preview of a few patterns can be found on Interweave’s website here.

Now I have to go catch up on feeds of my favorite knitting blogs - I’m curious to see what you’ve been knitting!

1 The Greenspun yarns are washed and spun with vegetable based soaps and oils rather than the petroleum based products standard in the textile industry. No chemicals are used to bleach, mothproof, or shrinkproof. –Green Mountain Spinnery, Vermont

Posted by brooke at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A 12 inch circular needle and coffee in triple digit heat? Someone hand me the dpns and ice.

Posted by brooke at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)