Knitopolis

A New Leaf

Oh, I’ve seen the error of my ways. 

Awhile back (in 2008!), I presented the argument against accumulating a large stash, but I had not accepted it.  I have now. 

I took a break from knitting starting early last summer up to just a couple of weeks ago.  During that time, we did some reorganizing at home and I was confronted by the shocking enormity of my yarn wealth.  One thing I realized is that I can’t afford to stop knitting!  Ever.

So, from now on (and, believe me, given my multiple bins, it could be for the rest of my life), I will only knit with the yarn I already own and I will knit with that yarn whether I’m “feeling it” or not!  I have to get out from under this…it’s suffocating me…ack...arghhhh….

I found a few skeins of Tosh Merino (in “Fig”) in a box under my desk at work (hear that soft tapping?--that's my head against my desk).  This lovely yarn is on it’s way to becoming “Idlewood”.  This pattern has been in my queue forever (I really love Cecily Glowik MacDonald's designs).  It’s a shame I didn’t start it a few months ago, since I likely will not finish it in the proper season (stupid Groundhog—you could’ve seen your shadow if you tried harder!).

 Anyway, the journey of a million projects begins with one stitch.

Happy Easter!

Springing into New Knitting

Warm weather is hitting us hard and early this year.  It's only March and there have already been several 80+ degree days--this is very unusual.  Therefore, I've been thinking about non-wool knitting.

Along with that, I've been thinking about stash knitting.  I don't typically go in for New Year's Resolutions (primarily because I tend to not keep them), but I did make one this year--to knit only from stash. 

Years ago--I don't even know when at this point--I purchased some Rowan All Seasons Cotton in a discontinued color, "Purr"--a cute name for a light purpley-gray or maybe a light grayish-purple.  I had just completed "Jo", an oversized pullover made with Rowan Cork (Ravelry project link).  I still wear this pullover--I call it my "snow summoning sweater", although it didn't work so well this year, but I digress.  

Around the time I first knitted "Jo", I found a pattern for what was basically the same pullover in an old Rowan magazine (#31), only written for All Seasons Cotton.

Finally, I've started knitting this second pullover, "Chrissy".  

It's a ton of flat stockinette knitting and will take a while to finish, but I feel fairly motivated--I really want this pullover!  Perfect for the beach, just like the lady in the photo.

Also, I came across four skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed that I'm getting ready to cast-on for Arroyo, a short row wrap.

I have to say, it feels good to start using up some of my old yarn.

December? Already?!

Time has a way of escaping me.  I can procrastinate for years at a time.  Seriously--and when I look back, I think, "oh, it's only been a couple of months..."  This has to be some sort of disorder.

Anyway, among the activities I rarely get around to is photographing my finished knitting projects (and, ahem, finishing the knitting projects, too).

I did manage to complete both of my summer shawls, but no photos, yet.

However, I have a hat.

It is a Rikke Hat by Sarah Young (free pattern at the link).  Simple, but I really love it.  It's knit with some Madeline Tosh DK (color: Lustre) (rav link).

Also, I can offer a little yarn pr0n to lighten up your day.

Tosh Merino DK.  I think the color is called Edison Bulb or something, because its, you know, blindingly bright.

 

Summer is Shawl Knitting Season

This morning I blocked Shaelyn, a triangular shawl by Leila Raabe, using Wolle's Yarn Creations Color Changing Cotton (color:  Khaki II).  This is an untwisted 4-ply cotton which was less annoying to knit with than I feared.  Yes, every now and then one of the strands would resist being carried with the other three, but it happened with less frequency than I expected.  Also, I was underwhelmed with the color changes until I blocked it out.  It's very nice as you'll see when this puppy is finished.

Also, I've working on Echo Beach by Kieran Foley using the same yarn as the sample, which is something I rarely do.  It's Noro Sekku -- color #8.  I just love the classic crayola colors.

It's knit on size US3 needles.  Over 900 yards of yarn.  This is going to take forever.  I'm not even halfway through the first of two skeins.

The yarn is kind of interesting--a thick and thin laceweight.  It's pretty sticky--dropping the stiches at the end--well, I anticipate a pain, but I'm looking forward to it.  It should be a nice early fall piece to use.

 

 

 

 

The Big Cowl

I actually finished this back in December, but for whatever reason, I never got around to photographing it.

The pattern is #12 Cabled Cowl from Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2009.  I added a few extra stitches around (eight, I think), just to make sure that it would fit down over my shoulders if I took a notion to do that.  Most people would probably not find that necessary.

The yarn is Elsbeth Lavold "Angora", which I think is discontinued.  It's wonderfully fluffy and glowing, but it is soooo sheddy.  Everyone will think I have several white cats at home what with the fine white fibers all over everything.  That's angora, I guess!

This project was fast and fun--the way I like 'em--and turned out pretty much the way I envisioned it.  No wait, it's exactly how Theresa envisioned it--I just borrowed her vision.  It's an homage,  really, because her's was pretty much perfection.

 

Silver Leaves

I completed the last bit of finishing on Autumn Leaves last week.  To recap, it was knit with Debbie Bliss Fez, which is mostly merino with a bit of camel (color: silver).  I had been wanting to knit something with this particular yarn in this particular color since I first saw it last year.  I think it was this lovely project by YarnSnob that finally got me off the dime.  A different color and a different Jared Flood design, but it was an inspiration.

However, in the end, I have mixed feelings about the yarn.  It's so cozy and warm, but it's sheddy and it doesn't seem to take well to blocking.  Even after wet-blocking with wires, it  seemed to assume much of its pre-blocked appearance.    Also, it's not as drapey at this gauge as I anticipated.  Still, it's a nice piece, even if people do assume I own a cat, what with the clingy little fibers everywhere (Note to self:  DO NOT WEAR DARK COLORS with this stole).

This is wonderful pattern.  You really have to see the whole thing to appreciated the design.  I could see knitting up another one in either Shelter or a silky yarn (Great Big Sea Silk would be awesome).  I would perhaps make it a repeat or two wider.  It's an amazingly quick knit.  I was very surprised at the speed with which I finished the knitting.

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day.

Please enjoy my tiny collection of ghost-themed Valentine cards.

Climbing Cables Hat

I finished a Climbing Cables Hat a few weeks ago--I'm wearing it today, so I just snapped a photo. 

It's knit with Classic Elite Fresco (color:  bittersweet).   I was supposed to take one skein, but I ran a bit short for whatever reason, so I shortened the crown a bit.  Then I blocked the poor thing within a inch of its life as a beret hoping that would give it a bit of poofiness.  It worked, more or less.  I still wish it were a teensy bit bigger.  I haz giant haid.

It's light and warm, but not too warm.  Also, it  has a very pretty halo, but is not excessively fuzzy.  I think it will be nice for the chilly late winter/early spring days to come.  And I love the color!

Waiting...

 

My silvery Autumn Leaves is blocking.  I pinned it out Sunday.  I was hoping to use it today, but I forgot about the hour or so required to weave in the loose ends.  So it's still not 100% finished, I guess.   I know what I'll be doing tonight!

 

In the meantime, I still had two skeins of Malabrigo Rios that I bought at ReBelle in November demanding attention.  The color is Primavera--at least that's what the tag says.  It's certainly a dark, spooky Spring--which actually sounds nice to me.  I'm about 11 rows or so into Hawthorne.

One of these days, I'll get around to photographing a bunch of finished items, including the big white cowl and several hats.  Maybe next weekend.

What Am I Knitting?

 

When I look at the wrong side of my project, I feel I must be knitting a halter top for this lady:

 It looks a bit different on the other side.

It's an Autumn Leaves Stole.  It's going fast, I'll bet it'll be blocking this weekend.

Brain...

Well, Fenimore, actually.  It just looked brainlike in its unblocked state.

But now it's blocked and it's another winner.  I do love the Shelter yarn.  The color is "Hayloft".

It's a bit rough at first, but it gets a soft, light feltiness after washing.  I have fairly sensitive skin, but I haven't had a problem wearing either hat I've knitted with it.

I'm going to have to try a larger project using Shelter.  A shawl made of this stuff would be very warm and cuddly, indeed.  Juneberry is gorgeous, but I don't know if I'm in the mood for a complicated lace pattern (and by "complicated", I mean the pattern is worked on both sides).  Terra looks more agreeable and has a bit more of that "rustic" look that appeals to me, as opposed to Juneberry's  refined fiddliness.

I think I'm coming out of my hat phase, finally.   There were still several on my list of want-to-knits, but I feel the need to do something else for awhile.

 

Mad Hatter

 
I've gone crazy for hats lately.  

I've gone through stages in the past where I have worn hats daily, but I suppose not since I took up knitting.   I love love love my Snapdragon.   The great pattern combined with the gorgeous green "seaglass" Tosh DK is the kind of thing that elicits compliments from random people on the street. 

There are so many wonderful patterns about and the quick turnaround suits my mood these days.

I finally got around to blocking my November Leaves and Star-Crossed Beret--pics to come.

I had a skein of Malabrigo Rios in "Piedras", so I stitched up The Big Easy, a cute, yet simple and quick project.  

 
 
 
And the Malabrigo Rios!  I don't know if I like it or Twist better.  They're both so wonderful--no need to decide.

Over the weekend, I started yet another hat!  This time it's Climbing Cables.

I'm using Classic Elite Yarns Fresco in "Bittersweet".  I love the soft orange-y glow.

I'm still eager to knit Lara from the current Twist Collective.  It looks kind of complicated for a hat, but I'm game!

I'm also looking forward to "Skinner Hat" (love me some leaf lace) and Tetsubou, both of which I can knit from stash.  Oh, and Fenimore!  Another excuse to knit with Brooklyn Tweed Shelter (which I don't appear to be allergic to after all--yay!).

 

 

November Leaves

I've started another hat!  I finished the Star-Crossed Beret below, but I can't find it.  I wore it before washing/blocking it and now I can't find it.  It'll turn up.

In the meantime, I'm working on November Leaves.  I'm using the awesome Brooklyn Tweed Shelter.  The color is "Woodsmoke" and which may appear to be a bit uncharacteristic of me.  I guess it is for knitting, but I always love pairing bright colors with neutrals--I just usually knit the loud pieces to wear with subtle-colored clothing.  I'd like to start knitting with neutrals more, but the siren song of color always grabs me and won't let go.

This pattern is really cute and the yarn is perfect for it.    I just hope the wool isn't too, um, rustic for me.  I have an undiagnosed allergy that coincidentally started when I was knitting a hat for Mr. Sweetie with some very itchy Peace Fleece we bought in Maine.  Just a coincidence, I'm sure.    I hope.

Anyway, I'm really into hats right now.  I can't wait to get started on this one.

 

 

Malabrigo Twist

 

This stuff is luscious. 

That is all.

The Last Blaze of Autumn

 
I took the long drive to Kentucky the weekend before last to visit my mom. 

She and I drove around quite a bit looking at the gorgeous gingko trees in Lexington.

 
 

And other gorgeous fall colors:

 

In full Kentucky mode, I had a "Hot Brown" for lunch and bought an enormous tin of "Blue Mondays."  I'm totally sure I'll share them. 

I also visited a very cute shop called "ReBelle" and succumbed to the temptations of Malabrigo (the colors--OMG!).  I made my escape with only four skeins, but, yeesh, I wanted to carry out an armful.

In my downtime, I finished my Sockhead Hat.  I wasn't feeling a great deal of love for this project while I was knitting it, but I really like the finished product. 

The front:

 

And the back: