Shawl knitting

Grandma's Ishbel

I recently found out that my grandfather is being moved to the nurshing home. Which leaves my grandmother at home for the first time in a very long long time. I wanted to let her know that I was thinking about her even if I couldn't be there. About the same time I was reading one of the blossom street books where they were knitting a prayer shawl and I thought that might be appropriate for something to send to grandma to let her kno I was thinking about her. From the ESK Malabrigo project club came 3 skeins "raspberry" silky merino. As I already had a clapotis in a similar color, I thought it might work for a shawl for my grandmother. I wanted to make it as large as possible, so I did the large stocking stitch triangle for the Ishbel. I also tried to do the large lace repeat. Unfortunately I ran out of yarn. Whats below is what's left after weaving in the ends.



I blocked the shawl this morning and it was dry by this afternoon. Now I just need to package it up and send it off to grandma. I hope she knows someone is thinking about her when she wears it. I had used a lifeline, seen in the first picture below. The second is pre-blocking.



-S

Socks with 2 personalities

Noro Striped Socks

These were created from one skein of Noro Silk Garden, color 252. I was really hoping that they would soften up after blocking. Which they did. It's an improvised pattern, started from the toe up and knit until they fit my foot. I split the skein into two and alternated every 4 rows. I ended up with 58 stitches cast on. First sock was done using two circulars. I broke one after I finished the first, so did the second on double points. One is cast off too tightly and the other too loosely. Maybe one of these days I'll get it right.

S

The Baby Knitting Continues

Having four friends giving birth this year is keeping my knitting fingers busy. I am churning out bibs and burp cloths while I burn up my cotton stash from the great Rag Shop Going Out of Business Sale of '07. I love making these projects and enjoy passing on my work to my friends. Below are two sets of burp cloths and bibs. All are knit from the Mason Dixon patterns that I have used before, on size 7 needles and using Lily Sugar n Cream in a variety of colors (Landscape, Patio Pink, French Blue, Denim and Cool Breeze).




I also scored some Sundara in Sport Merino during a Limited Edition update earlier this month. The colorway is a purple called Private Space. It will be knit up soon into a Darkside Cowl and a hat to be determined.



Finally, I have returned to my sock knitting and finished the first of a pair. I'll post more on that in the weeks to come as I knock out the next one. -B

Knitting was harmed in this post

I should clarify the title, my knitting was not harmed, only purchased sweaters.

I have a tendency to hold on to clothes forever. So I end up with a closet full of clothes that I never wear. And eventually I run out of storage. Additionally, I'm a bit lazy and refuse to handwash most sweaters. So I occassionally end up ruining sweaters. I've learned pure silk sweaters should never be washed in the machine. And even when the label says it can be washed, it may not actually wash in the dryer without having areas that felt.

So at some point this weekend, I decided I needed to clean the closet/dresser. I considered taking picture evidence, but I was too embarassed by the sight in the midde of the closet purge. I finally gave up on fitting back into three cashmere sweaters that I love and have outgrown, but they were still in very good shape. And I couldn't bear to part with them. At some point I saw a sweater blanket/quilt online and was inspired to save my sweaters to make my own blanket. Once I looked at the pile of sweaters I had two distinct color schemes: blues and browns; and greens, greys, and blacks. I started with the blues and browns.

So I washed and dried all my sweaters I'd set aside. It included cashmere, merino, and cotton. I wanted to be sure that the blanket would withstand washing and drying, as I have no desire to handwash a blanket or line dry it. So the surviving sweaters, as determined by softness, were nominated for cutting down to squares. I measured the smallest sweater to determine what the largest square I could get from it to make my first cut into each sweater. I could do a 12" square, 2 from each sweater. Additionally I had sleeves and turtlenecks that could be cut down to smaller squares, 6.5" square. I kept the cardigans with buttons, thought it added a bit of personality to the blanket. I ended up with 16 solid squares and 14 pieced (2x2) squares. As I hate trying to match corners, I decided the layout would not include any of the pieced squares meeting each other.

I still need to find a backing and batting for it, but can't wait for fall so I can curl up under the blanket, so incredibly soft.

What did I learn? Sweaters are easier to piece than other fabric, as there tends to be more give, easier to match corners. Ribbing and cabling gives far more stretch than you need most of the time and the piece tends to grow. Be careful with the seaming. With the stretchiness, the stitche tend to shrink down and make it difficult to rip out the stitches, and much easier to put a hole in the sweater. And I'm too inpatient for perfection. I have cables and ribs that are clearly not straight. But I wasn't aiming to get this judged at any point in time.

S

Sweater Success!

So I have been knitting. Slowly. And while it's not quite finished, I do actually love it. but its a little warm for modelling currently.

So the details.

Garter Yoke Cardigan

Yarn: Knitpicks City Tweed HW, Dungarees (5.5 skeins)
Needles: Knitpicks US8
Size: Medium

I should have changed the neckline of it a bit, making it smaller, but I think adding the buttons will help it. If not I'll pick up some stitches and and knit some more. I do need to finish weaving in the ends, blocking and buttons. Suggestions for color of the buttons. I've considered using orange buttons, so not my personality typically, but I love the tweed goodness with some orange. I've also considered wood and black. Any suggestions?

Love the feel of the yarn and can't wait for a chance to wear it this fall. And I have 2.5 skeins left to figure out something to do with them. Suggestions?

S

Three Months on the Knitting DL

Work overtook in the months of April, May and June, so I have just recently gotten back to knitting often and I've had a great number of baby knits to make for friends who recently gave birth or are expecting in the fall. First up are two bib and burp cloths from the first Mason Dixon pattern book. They are bound for Virginia where they will help to care for my friend's brand new baby boy. These are the best baby gift projects. I can get them done at night while we watch tv and the patterns are easy and fun.

My mom and I also discovered a local alpaca farm at the start of June. Scotia Acres is about 30 minutes away and they raise alpacas and sell their own wool. The two skeins pictured below are Elvis (the gray one) and Pure Gold (the brown one). The colorways are the names of the animals from which they are shorn, so I will know who to ask for when I go back for more. It's great to find local yarn that looks and feels great. Can't wait to see how it knits up. This holiday season may be the season of alpaca hats and mittens.

-B