Picked up knitting again

The last couple of weeks, maybe even months, I haven't really done any knitting. It was a combination of being busy at work and just not in the mood. I could blame it on B's wedding, but since S managed to get some knitting done during that same period, i can't really say that's why. But I'm here to say that being delayed on the runway, where there isn't anything else to do, is a great way to get back into it. i'm now almost done the 2nd pullover sweater (just have to finish the 2nd sleeve and sew the pieces together) and I've found a cute little pattern on Ravelry for baby booties, something besides hats I can do for a couple people from work who just had or is having a baby. should be able to put up finished projects soon. Oh I guess I shold mention that the 2nd sleeve was delayed a bit this weekend, while I stopped to read the 7th Harry Potter book. but I'm done with that now.
-E

Ravelry!

We are in! We got our invitation on Sunday, and I have spent the last few days loading projects, taking pictures of stash, reeling at the size of said stash, planning projects for said stash, and posting said stash. I am having a blast viewing what everyone has worked on and is working on. If you are on Ravelry and want to find us, our handle is...

knittinharvest

Just drop the g, and we'll be there.

-B

Only 72 more people ahead of us...

...on the Ravelry waiting list. Between this and Harry Potter, my small amount of cool will certainly be lost this week.


-B

I Get the Koigu Thing Now

I read a lot of knitting blogs, and listen to several podcasts, including Koigu enthusiasts Lime n Violet, but had never seen the yarn in actual life. Until Sunday. I was the city visiting with E, and we ventured down to Purl in Soho. I have been reading the purl bee blog for about four months now, and I enjoy their patterns that they post, and the yarn that they carry, and was also curious to peek into Purl Patchwork since I've been itching to get a sewing machine. So, into Purl Patchwork we went, and the Amy Butler fabrics caught my eye, and I made a mental note to myself to see about a sewing machine this summer. We left and went the few doors down to Purl itself, and I was immediately enchanted. The whttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifay that Joelle Hoverson has the shop laid out by yarn and color is beautiful. And the swatches that she has laid out on the front table are a great way to feel and see the yarns that she carries. I noticed some books arranged in the front window, and saw the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book that everyone has been raving about for its Chevron Scarf pattern. I picked up the book and read the author's note, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was the shop's owner who had written the book. It was delightful then to turn just a bit from where I had been standing and be face to face with the Koigu KPPM selections. I felt compelled to buy the book and the yarn, since I had been coveting the ubiquitous blog scarves.

I now understand the Koigu obsession. The colors are amazing, and the texture and way that it knits up are excellent. I held myself to 4 skeins, enough for the scarf, but definitely am feeling the itch to buy more in order to make some kickin' scarves for Christmas this year. Below are the two colorways that I chose. On the left is #P107 and on the right is #P524d.



I have cast on for the Chevron, and am happy with the two repeats that I have done so far. It's my first time working with two yarns at once, and it seems to be progressing smoothly. This is how the two colorways are coming together.



I will definitely be excited to see how some other color combinations mesh when I go for my next Koigu trip. I've also been impressed with how some folks are doing the scarf in Socks the Rock, so I will see what The Fold booth holds at Rhinebeck this October.

In other knitterly news, the poncho is one skein away from being finished, but since the heat index has climbed, sitting with a lap full of merino wool has been tough. So, as the weather breaks this week, I will return to that project. I did however finish the July KAL with Monthly Dishcloths, and the bright orange (Sugar n Cream Hot Orange) sun will certainly bring some cheeriness to the kitchen sink area.



I've also updated our lists on the sidebar to include some new blogs and to KALs that I have joined. There seem to be some small kinks in the administration of the Shawls and Scarves group, but the girls are ironing things out as the owner of the group is stepping away for a time. I'm anxious to see what they have in store for the July KAL. Finally, the Chevron Scarf KAL group's button has been added. So, between that and the Chevron Flickr group, color combinations and styles abound.

Yarn used in last month's KAL

Gloria Jean left us a comment about what color and make of yarn I used for the lacy mid-month KAL rom June. It was a Sugar and Cream yarn, and the colorway was a hot pink, orange and yellow variegation. I can't find the exact name of it on the SugarnCream website, but I purchased it at a Joann's in March 2007. Hope that helps Gloria Jean!

-B

Book Review: Knit One, Kill Two

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing E and S with their handknits at my wedding this past weekend, and was thrilled when DH (no longer DF) said that his gift to me was some fun money for Rhinebeck in October. This is one of the many reasons that I love him; he totally gets the knitting! We had a wonderful time with our family and friends at the ceremony and at the reception. We had gorgeous weather, and everything went very smoothly. Before we left for the festivities, I finished one of the many knitting mysteries that are out there. This one was Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. The mystery takes place in Fort Connors, Colorado. Kelly Flynn has returned to her aunt's home because her aunt has been murdered by what they think is a local vagrant. Her aunt was a die-hard, no pun intended, knitter and the ladies at the local yarn shop soon befriend Kelly, and aid her in solving the mystery. The book is a good beach read, and isn't too difficult to follow. It also has accurate knitting content, and a cute pattern and recipe in the back. This is the first in a series of mysteries, and I will definitely get the others from the library this summer. If you are looking for a light read, then this series would be a good one for you.

In knitting, I apologize that the percentage buttons have not changed on my projects, but the computer that has the buttons is temporarily out of service until we get a new monitor. I am almost finished with the poncho, and think that I could be done by the weekend's end. I will post some pics of some charity knitting and of course, the newest dishcloth KAL when they are completed by tomorrow. I am off to Open Knit tonight at my LYS to finish the first "square of the month." I have started a class there this summer, and will be completing a square or two each month to have an afghan by the end of the year. Very exciting to be starting my first heirloom project for my new family.

-B

Excuses, Excuses

We're a little absent, but we have a good excuse. E and I were being diligent bridesmaids for B this weekend. It was a great wedding that was so representative of B and her now husband. E and I are very happy to have taken part in your day B! And it was great to see you two!!!

There was been some knitting, unfortunately no pictures. And some wearing of handknits, again no pictures to speak of. E and I both wore our scribbling on Friday evening to the rehersal dinner and I am completely shocked at how warm something so light can be. Those Mason Dixon girls got it right with the weightless version of scribbling...and I will post pictures of it at some point.

Additional knitting has been going on. I started the Ballet Sweater from the Debbie Bliss Cashmere, which I have been looking at for at least a year now. I blame ballet for my obsession with wrap sweaters.

http://www.debbieblissonline.com/books/cc/cc_2.htm

I have the back and 1 front piece done. Who knew knitting on 2s and 3s would move this quickly. There would be have been more knitting, but the blood curddling screams and kicking from the 1-year old directly behind me didn't not help at all.

Anyway...forgot Mosaic posted pictures of the Hokie healing blankets and I finally found my squares as can be attested to be E, because one square she refused to weave in the end for me as there were too many.

http://mosaicyarnshop.blogspot.com/

S.