SourCherries

More Baby Things and Shawls

I've been lazy as far as getting up and taking pictures goes, but I have been busy knitting. I continue to be beleaguered with baby sweaters. Which is actually quite alright as I get to try new things in small doses. I unfortunately did not get around to taking pictures of the finished swallowtail (I will though I promise) partly due to having no photographer or tripod but mostly due to wanting to knit instead of photograph. I've been working on Judy's Grandmother's Baby Sweater from Greetings from the Knit Cafe. I'm using Atacama by Araucania yarns in colour 502 that I got in the bargain bin for like $3 a skein. It's 100% alpaca and deliciously soft.

The dpn's are holding the stitches for the sleeves. The construction of this little sweater is incredibly ingenious. I can't wait until it's finished. Here's a closer glimpse of the stitch pattern:

I also couldn't resist casting on for another shawl.

This is the start of the the Shoalwater Shawl by Evelyn Clark. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill's supersock in the Moody Blue's Colourway. I looked for a long time for the yarn for this project- my second choice was Handmaiden's lace silk in the ocean colourway. The CTH ended up being cheaper though and I was also leaning towards wanting a more rustic looking shawl. Honestly though I was greatly influenced in my yarn choice by seeing Marie's gorgeous finished version in the CTH. I probably won't be able to work much on this shawl until after Christmas due to the amount of baby knitting I have lined up and also some sweaters that I am knitting on commission. I just couldn't resist a quick peak at it though.

Done!

I got home from work early today and immediately started blocking my Swallowtail (yay, I am so happy to be done with this). It looked so lovely blocking (even not in natural light) that I took about fifty million pictures. I won't make you suffer through all fifty million, but I am going to let you in on 10 or so.

 

I'm so excited about this shawl- I think because I finished it in just over a week. It just seemed so effortless, and now that I'm done knitting with the yarn I hardly remember my annoyance over the splittiness of it. I most likely would not choose to knit with is again though, there are just too many other yarns I would like to try and this was definitely not a favorite. Anyway, I cannot wait until this is done blocking.

I am also excited because today I made a quick stopover at Hasting's and look at what I found:

I got all of these books for less than $10 apiece. I love, love love used books, especially used knitting books. I remember being obsessed with this Alice Starmore book in high school. I can't wait to have another good perusal now. Which is exactly what I am going to do.

Shawls, Shawls, Shawls

After knitting all the way through the world series game this afternoon, I have a big inch of progress on the Swallowtail Shawl. Ya gotta love those long end rows. Finishing though this weekend, might be within reach. As promised I have pictures of the next planned project:

It's a swatch for the Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Sivia Harding. I'm using some cashmere/cotton lace weight that I purchased from Posh Yarn's One off Wednesday. It is absolutely luscious.

And because there is no such thing as too many pictures of yarn-

I also have dun-da-dun... A picture of the most unphotogenic cat on earth, and now I can officially have a knitting blog cat photo. This is Calvin- the cat who is so hyper he even sleeps with one eye open.

Swallowtail Shawl

I don't know if it's because I started blogging or what, but the amount of WIP's just keeps growing and growing. As does the list of things I think I want to make. At least lately anyway. I also feel very contradictory. A few days ago I was whining because there really wasn't anything I wanted to make, and now I am whining because there are so many things I want to make. Ah well. So, I'm about halfway through the Swallowtail Shawl. I am using Elann's peruvian baby silk which I was inspired to do by seeing this version over at brooklyntweed and the four skeins I had in my stash that had been planned for socks that I know I am never going to make. I am loving the pattern but hating on the yarn. Don't get me wrong, it's really not that bad, especially for the price. It's soft, has a nice sheen and comes in delicious colours. However, it's very prone to splitting. So prone in fact that I've had a couple of spots where the plies were actually broken (maybe I got a bad skein, the second skein didn't have any), which is just for crazy making, especially when you don't notice until after you've knit through the broken area and have to rip back several rows. The pattern is amazing though- the budding lace was incredibly easy to memorize, and if not for the splitty yarn could have easily been knit on cruise control. The purl 5 nupps are just difficult enough to keep you on your toes. I really am enjoying the pattern.  A couple of progress shots:

And because one shawl project isn't enough I started swatching for another one. Pictures of said swatch to follow on the morrow.

It's a Blah Kind of Day

The weather here is very blah- the clouds are hanging low and there is a constant drizzle. This is the kind of weather that makes me want to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea or some knitting and an entertaining movie. I wasn't able to do either today, so the day just remained a little blah. Given the lack of light today it makes no sense that I chose this day to take pictures of the Cookie Sweater, but it's the first day I've had daylight hours since my luggage came back to me and I really need to bring it in to the yarn store.  So apologies in advance for the not-so-good pictures.

Pattern: Cookie Sweater from Miss Bea's Rainy Day

Yarn: Cascade Yarn's Cloud 9

Needles: Addi Turbos sizes 6/4.25mm and 7/4.5mm

Started: 09/27/06

Finished: 09/30/06

Mods: Yarn/Needle size

Impressions: This was a fun fast knit. The directions were easy to follow, clear and concise. I really enjoyed the Cloud 9, it was incredibly soft and has a lovely halo from the angora. My only complaint would be that I kept on breathing in the angora fluff (whatever it's called) and it was most likely a hilarious sight to see me snorting and sneezing on the fibers. Not really my favorite thing. I do however really like the finished fabric so it was most likely worth it.

While I was outside in the mist and drizzle trying to coax out some light I very nearly stepped with my bare foot on this lovely creature (warning this is a graphic photo).

I don't know why, but we seem to have a lot of slugs here. Fortunately, I am not an avid gardener at this point so they don't bother me too much, but slimy bugs are still not my favorites.

I have started on another project, but my camera is out of batteries (too many pictures of the slug) and I am too lazy to walk to the store for more, so no pictures. It's the Swallowtail Shawl from this falls Interweave Knits and I'm very nearly to the start of the lily of the valley border, so hopefully pictures before I go back to work this weekend.

Birch

So I finally have some pictures of the long completed Birch. It was given, after hastily being finished to my Grammy for her birthday gift a month ago and she kindly stopped over today so I could get a few shots. So without further ado:

Pattern: Birch from Rowan #34

Yarn: Kidsilk Haze colour 'Heavenly'. Chosen to match my grandmother's eyes.

Needles: Lantern Moon Rosewood 5mm circulars, which I found to be the perfect fit for the slippery kidsilk.

Started: 08/24/2006

Completed: Just in time on 09/11/2006

Impressions: I think I've previously remarked on the fact that there is not much to say about Birch that hasn't already been said. I love, love, loved making this. It turned out better than I could have imagined. Kidsilk Haze is completely addictive and the pattern is well written, easy to follow and absolutely gorgeous. I think my gauge is probably larger than specified because I needed almost another half of a skein, but I never measured. I am just incredibly happy with how Birch turned out- it also made a wonderful gift for my grandmother. There are probably about ten more pictures over at my flickr page.

I really feel like I've lost some of my knitting mojo lately- after having finished two relatively (for me) large projects I seem to be wandering listlessly between swatching and looking for patterns. I am just not in love with anything right now. So, I am swatching and pondering and slowing down a little on the knitting front. Which leaves me time for housecleaning that was desperately needed.

I'm A Joiner

I'm back from San Francisco, tired and minus my bag (thanks United) and therefore minus my stupidly packed cookie sweater (hopefully they'll find my bag). This of course means I have no FO's to post about because I can't take pictures. It will not however stop me from posting about the newfound joy of joining. I have officially joined Zimmermania!- not sure yet what I am going to make, but am thinking of starting with hats for J's twin nephews. I also joined SP9 and therefore must answer the SP9 questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I have a decided preference for natural fibers, I might even be something of a yarn snob. I don't mind good quality synthetic blends though for certain things (the counterpane carpet bag). I am really into laceweight yarns right now. I am also not very into variegated or self-striping yarns although I love almost solids or heathered yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

A cardboard box that is long and narrow and once had a Japanese tea set in it, a Bailey's Irish Cream tin and I have a circular solution case for my dpn's.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I taught myself how to knit out of a book when I was around 10, so I've been knitting on and off for fifteen years or so now. I have only been consistently knitting for about six months though. As far as being beginner, intermediate or advanced, I don't know. Let's just say, I'll try anything at least once, if not multiple times, because I'm stubborn.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Nope

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

I like anything that's very fresh and clean and not cloying. Lavender, ginger, some fruit scented things- I'm not all that picky.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I have a definite sweet tooth. I love all things chocolate and also especially love Necco Wafers and all things gummie.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

No spinning at this point- it's on my wishlist of things to do. I do sew, and crochet once in a blue moon. I like origami and making paper lace.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I am MP3 compatible here- I can really honestly say that I like almost anything and am always looking out for new and interesting artists/musicians that I might not have heard of yet.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I don't usually like neon colours. I am however found of most cool, calm colours, especially greens/blues. Neutrals are all okay as well. I also am strangely attracted to reds of all types.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my boyfriend and my cat Calvin. I really need to get a good photo of him, so I can have my obligatory knitting blog cat photo.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves all the time, even sometimes I must admit, during summer. Ponchos never, hats and mittens as the weather dictates.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I am very into lace knitting and baby things at this point.

13. What are you knitting right now?

River from Rowan #38, a scarf and I have a sock that needs a mate.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yeppers

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Mostly I knit on circular needles right now, but that's because I just now discovered Addi Turbos. I also have a lot of bamboo, but in general find them too grippy. I also really love Swallow Cassein needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No- I take advantage of the one that's at the LYS only a block from my house- they've been very cool about letting me use it even with yarn I didn't buy there.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Probably my Opal Socks (they just need kitchener stitched). I think I started them something like three years ago.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I don't really have one.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Small oriental bowls, depression glass and anything harp related.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I'm subscribed to IK. I tried to subscribe to Rowan, but their website wouldn't work. I would really like more swallow needles in sizes above 3.25mm. I'm dying to try soy silk or bamboo yarn, but I'm a very project specific yarn buyer, so I'm still looking for projects I'd like to try them on. This is also why I have virtually no stash. 

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I'd like to get better at finishing techniques, sewing up and just making all my knits look neater and more professional. Other than that, I am always game to try anything new as it comes along.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I have knit socks- I don't mind knitting them, but I rarely ever finish the second sock. I will not wear hand knit socks (or socks in general) because my feet are always too hot. It's weird I know but I have a decided preference for bare feet.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

April 29th