The Featherweight Cardigan has caught my eye, and is what you’re seeing on those needles. I started looking at this on Ravelry about a week ago and it stuck in my head. You know you’re obsessed when you go shopping for yarn on your lunch break. My LYS is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so I went as soon as I could on Tuesday.

Yes, the color is a seafoam/aqua/turquoise even though I just made this and this . Out of the lace weight yarn at my LYS, this seemed the most attractive to me. I think I have an aqua problem. At least this “problem” is inexpensive, because if I get this out of two balls of Classic Elite Yarns Silky Alpaca Lace (color 2420) like I anticipate, the entire project will cost less than 20 dollars.

When I looked through some of the 4000+ Ravelry projects, it seems the ones made out of the recommended Malabrigo Lace or sock weight are a bit more substantial in thickness. I saw one made out of Silky Alpaca Lace and I liked the wispy look, so I thought I would try this. The cardigan I wear the most is a black cotton thin jersey cardigan from Express that I bought a couple of years ago, so I thought something nice and light would be appropriate. I can easily see myself making this again out of some kind of sock weight yarn, or a slightly heftier lace weight. For now, I’ve gone down to a size 3, rather than the recommended 6 to get gauge. The stitches still look pretty uneven and loose to me. I’ll hope for some magical blocking at the end. For this wisp of a sweater I think I’m going to forgo my usual blocking method. Most of the time I completely soak the item, then magic it into shape. Since this is 70% alpaca, I worry that it might grow more than I want, so I’m thinking about pinning it into shape and then covering it with a damp towel.

I’m still plugging away on the Pinwheel Baby Blanket I started mid-month. I think it’s fair if I have one baby knit and one me knit going at the same time. The blanket is over 720 stitches now as I increase, and is at least 36″ wide. Really, I could end at any time, but I have the entire third ball to knit still.

Maybe I should make something for that spectacular fella of mine one of these days…but anything I would make for him would probably be wintry and wouldn’t be worn until late fall anyway. I guess I’ll just vow that the next socks I cast on will be for him because he appreciates the hell out of them and he’s a terrific guy.

I love this cardigan. The pattern is Honeybee Cardigan by Laura Chau. I’ve been reading Laura’s blog for quite some time. This is the first pattern of hers I’ve put to yarn, though I have purchased and look forward to making this awesome cowl sometime in the future.

As I mentioned in a previous post I had some issues with the sizing. I think this is mostly about the yarn, the Ella Rae Lace Merino (color 136), and less about the pattern, but it might have been some of both. Ella Rae stretches and grows when blocked more than any other yarn I’ve used. It feels delightful to knit with, and comes in a lovely array of colors. You should beware drastic changes in color even in the same dye lot, and you may want to alternate rows with multiple balls of yarn to avoid stark color changes. I did not do this on this cardigan, though I reknit the sleeves a couple of times to get the colors to be close. I started out making them two at a time (who wouldn’t?) and ended up ripping one and using the same ball for both, pulling from the outside in both cases, because even the inside and outside of the ball had a pretty decent difference in color.

The pattern is well-written overall. I had a small issue understanding something in the shoulder area, but I wrote Laura and she got back to me swiftly with clarification. I made a very minor change to the left shoulder. One the front of the shoulder I purled an additional row to make the yarn end up in the middle of the shoulder and so that the total number of shoulder rows on the right and left sides would match. I realize this is complete gibberish if you’re not knitting the pattern, but if you are and you are persnickety about details like I am sometimes, you might appreciate knowing this. When you’re making the shoulders on one side of the front you’ll have an extra row on one side, and the opposite on the back. This isn’t something that I think I’ll ever notice on the pattern, but I did obsessively look at shoulders on Ravelry pages for awhile.

I made the 33 inch size, though my current bust is nowhere near that size. I’m tellin’ ya, this yarn really stretches. The lace pattern itself is pretty stretchy too. I did not purposely make the sleeves longer than the pattern calls for, but they grew to that during blocking, and I’m totally ok with that.

I’m pretty fond of this little bee.

This is my version of the Rutabaga, Crème Fraîche, and Havarti Torte. I actually used items from our local CSA (community sponsored agriculture) membership since I didn’t have rutabagas on hand. I used turnips, radishes, and red potatoes. I used mild goat milk cheddar, and instead of the crème fraîche I made my own sauce by reducing heavy whipping cream and sautéing garlic. Sooooo…while not exactly the recipe in the book, it was inspired by it, and I used their baking instructions. I’m experimental like that.

Do you like cheese?

This did not stay together as well as the version in the cookbook, since I radically altered it and used much smaller vegetables. Thus, I do not have an on-the-plate action shot. It was delicious, so that’s really all that matters. If I make it again with these smaller vegetables I will likely just use an 8×8 pan.

Since the kitchen was already warmed up on this hot, hot day, I figured I should just keep going. I happened to have all of the ingredients on hand for the French Yogurt Cake with Nutella. This I made exactly to Rozanne Gold’s expectations.

This too did not fail to impress my taste buds. I heartily recommend buying this cookbook if you want delectable recipes and gorgeous photographs to go along with many of them. The book is really reasonable as an ebook (under $16 for 325 recipes). If you do buy it as an ebook, I recommend Google Play’s version over Amazon. For some inexplicable reason, the Amazon version does not come with color photos. I asked them for a refund. You want to see these food pictures in color.

My Honeybee Cardigan is blocking, and will be photographed soon. Happy Memorial Day!

Voila. The Curve Hem Top by Vicky Square from the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Vogue Knitting. This knit was fast (about a week and a half) and half mindless/half thought provoking. You have to pay attention for the short rows, but there are large swaths of no-thought-required stockinette and seed stitch as well.

The yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Spryte, exactly what the pattern calls for because of it’s excellent (ahem, cheap) price point and my deep love of all things aqua and sea foam. I was also hoping it might make me look a little tan.

I made the size 36″ bust because I’m determined to get back to that size post-bebe. If you look at the Ravelry pattern page for this, it’s meant to be a little oversized, and it ends up about 40″ or so at the bottom. I can still get it around the belly, but it definitely curves its way up the belly.

All in all, I’m a huge fan and I think I will wear it often. The Cotton Fleece is 80% cotton and 20% wool, so it’s a little easier on the hands and more flattering in terms of elasticity, but the cotton keeps you cool. Here in Arkansas, it still can get VERY hot and humid, so I’ll likely only be wearing this (as long as it fits me) in the overly air-conditioned campus library. I was unsure about the collar, because it seemed unnecessary, but now I like it and I’m glad I did it.

If you’re wondering about the skirt, I don’t think I ever blogged about it, but there are details on my Ravelry page. I love it and wear it a lot in the spring, summer, and fall.

So, this is the curvy me, at about 7 months pregnant. If you say I look like I’m having twins, I’m coming after you with a pointy stick.

Happy knitting!

The lace is intuitive after one or two repeats, so this actually goes much faster that it would seem. I’m at the shoulder decreases. I put her down several times for less brainy projects, but I think I’m ready to get back to work.

I know this looks child-sized, but believe me, that lace stretches quite a bit. This is the second time I’ve knit this particular project. I started out with the 34.5 inch size, since the pattern recommends going below, rather than above, your chest measurement so the lace can shine. After I had knitted to the armpits and put it on yarn for a holder to start the sleeves, then started the sleeves. The sleeves seemed to be coming out to wide, so I decided to try on the chest piece. When I wrapped it around my chest, I realized it was going to be much too large when I added the button band. I was making gauge in the 34.5 size, yet it still seemed too big. After looking around on Ravelry, it seemed like I wasn’t the only one experiencing this. I ripped all, made the smallest size sleeves, and started the 33 inch size after I finished the sleeves.

I really didn’t mind. I’d much rather rip things out and make them right. I used this yarn (Ella Rae Lace Merino) for my Still Light Tunic and it GROWS, so erring on the slightly smaller side is for the best. I do try to learn…

The Pinwheel colors are captivating. I can’t wait until this is finished and I can post it. I’m about halfway through the 1200 yards I plan to use in just one week! I feel like a knitting goddess.

This is the progress I have made so far on the Pinwheel Baby Blanket. My Curve Hem Top was seamed up this morning and worn today, but I’m waiting for a good time in the day to get a shot of it when the fella can help me out. I planned on taking a picture of it Thursday morning on a little trip to my parent’s house. I was diligently weaving in the ends and pinning the side for the mattress stitch Wednesday night at their house, and then I remembered that I had left the yarn at home, so I had nothing to seam it with. ARGH. Let’s call it pregnancy brain and move on.

See how different the colors in the skeins are above? The two wound ones were purchased at my LYS, Hand Held Knitting. The super red skein was purchased online from The Loopy Ewe since Hand Held had only two skeins. I figured different dye lots would be fairly different, and the yarn labels even say to alternate skeins within one dye lot. I didn’t expect that one skein could be almost completely purple, and another could be so red! I’m just going to go with it though. The first skein is very purple, the second is a pretty good mix, and the third almost lacks purple. I’m just going to enjoy the changes from the inside out. One of the most fun things about these blankets is watching them grow with great variety.

This is a sneak peek at the beginning of my Pinwheel Baby Blanket. I let myself cast on last night as soon as I finished the collar of my Curve Hem Top. I haven’t seamed the top yet, but I’m not cheating on it since it’s still drying on the blocking board. Here is my evidence:

The light is a bit low in that room since I took the picture in the 7 o’clock hour this morning, but it is solid evidence, so there. I blocked it at about 11 last night. I was a bit confused by the diagrams in the pattern, but I bet it’s just me. I did my best and moved on. At first, I realized I was about to block the short rows in the front into a straight line, destroying the curve. Luckily, in my half-sleep state I realized something was up and fixed it. The pattern recommends blocking under some wet towels that you allow to try on top. I’ve never actually used that method. Most of the time I just get the whole thing wet with some baby shampoo and block to size. Sometimes I steam the object. My steamer is on the fritz, so I pinned the top to size and just sprayed it down with some water. It seemed like a good compromise, and it was mostly dry this morning, so I should be able to seam it tonight!

I love the color of this Pinwheel. It’s really not that accurate in these shots. I fiddled with the colors in Lightroom this morning, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on which adjustment to make to make it perfect. I like the color better in person. This is accurate enough for now. I’ll have to play with different lighting times and/or locations to try to represent it better with the finished product. I’ve got another “mindless” knit happening with this blanket, and I get to make a second thing for the future Princess Mozzarella. I promise I won’t neglect my Honeybee Cardigan much longer. I need to finish it to make sure it’s safe to exchange an untouched skein of Ella Rae Lace Merino for another of this Knitosophy Princess yarn and pretend that I’m not just adding stuff to my stash…

Happy knitting!

I’m not really a girly girl (though there’s nothing wrong with being one). I think I shocked some of the ladies at knit night when they saw me in a fuchsia dress. It was that or a black dress in that style…I like color, ok? I hope that calling our unborn bean “Princess Mozzarella” doesn’t make people think that we want a spoiled little pretentious ruffle-wearing future queen. It just sounds ridiculous, and since many things that happen during pregnancy/parenting seem ridiculous…why not? Anyway, check out this yarn:

I’m thinking it’s going to make a perfect Pinwheel Baby Blanket. I made one of these before for some great friends that were expecting at the time. Sadly, I forgot to take a finished shot, but it was lovely.

I haven’t abandoned my Curve Hem Top. I am determined to finish that before I let myself cast on a blanket. I’m at the front after the divide for the v-neck, closing in on the last few inches. After that, I just have the collar and sewing it up! I’m hoping to finish by Tuesday or Wednesday, making the whole project a week and a half venture. My Honeybee Cardigan is still languishing in her project bag, not because it’s not a fun knit, but because the thinking-and-making-me-look-at-it part was taking away from my reading Feast for Crows. I can’t wait to start this Pinwheel though, so I’d better get finish with that top!

I’m creating curves all over the place, both in my knitting work and my baby growing work. This knitted work in progress is the Curve Hem Top by Vicki Square, in the most recent Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting. The knit is simple to execute and proved mindless enough to let me absorb myself in reading at the same time. There are a few corrections to the pattern, so if you make this top, be sure to check first.

I started the back last Friday morning and finished it yesterday morning. I got a piddly start on the front yesterday. Even though it is very simple, the minimal counting involved in the short rows threw me a bit at knit night at Hand Held last night. I’m hoping to fly through the front and be able to wear this before my belly has curved to a point that won’t allow it.

Speaking of curves…as I have mentioned before, it’s tiresome how many people freely comment on my changing body with no filter. At 6 months along (or any point), I do not want to be told I look so big that I should be having twins, even if that’s what you think. This is my first pregnancy. I’m already freaking out about putting on pounds and pounds. I’m eating healthfully 90 percent of the time and I’m walking nearly every day. I’m growing a freaking human, m’kay? I just wanted to put that out there, because even though the people that say these things most likely do not have ill intentions, I’m not always brave enough to point out their rudeness in person. But believe me, a couple more comments, and I’ll be there. This is nothing new for pregnant women, I’m sure. It’s just annoying.

Have I mentioned that I love my Signature Needles? I bought some of these for myself for Christmas. I bought all circular needles with the stiletto points in a 40″ size, since I do a lot of magic loop for circular projects. I adore the tip. It makes lace knitting, like that on my WIP Honeybee Cardigan a snap. Sometimes I wish the cord had just a little less flexibility, but I’d definitely choose this amount to the stiffness of Addis for magic loop. The only issue I’ve had is that the cords on some of my needles have stopped rotating in the needle socket. This is a feature that the company and many customers laud. I sent back a couple of needles to replace when the needle would not rotate on the cord. They happily replaced them and said sometimes you have to work with them to get this to relax. I’ve noticed on a couple of other needles that they used to rotate, but they have since gotten stuck. I guess if this bothers me I’ll send them in again, or maybe they will relax. Overall, these needles are sensational. The points and the light aluminum and more flexible cord seem to help with hand fatigue quite a bit. I definitely noticed that I was able to knit for a longer time on the Liesl (with stiff linen) this time around. Last time I used Addis.

I plan to knit up as much of the front as I can this weekend, while also attending some friendly festivities to celebrate a great friend’s 30th birthday. Welcome to my decade, Kathleen. Happy weekend, everyone else!

I had it in my favorites for a long time. Unfortunately, when I first pulled up the pattern and started knitting, I neglected to see the cute little “update” button in my Ravelry library. I was using the first version, which had a few errors. I got almost to the armpits (from the top) and then had to tear out. At least it’s a tiny baby garment. I made the six month version. That should time about right with the spring if she’s true to the six month size. I have no idea about these things with babies. This is my first (and maybe only) kiddo. I’ve heard that babies often quickly outgrow the expected monthly sizes, but I tried this on a friend’s baby when it was in process and she is about 14 months and it fit her with no problem. Who knows.

I am obviously no great crocheter. The button area has a crocheted edge. If you look at the dress in the Ravelry link for the pattern, the original is much much neater. I might redo this at some point. I also think I made the loops a bit too short, so they pull the buttons closer than they should be. For now, I’m just going to live with both of these.

The color is pretty accurate in these photos. The yarn is Dream in Color Starry and the color is Melon Bomb. A piddly phone camera does NOT capture this color well as I discovered several times when I tried to post to Instagram while it was in progress. The yarn has actual silver strands woven in it. I never thought of myself as a sparkly yarn kinda gal, but it’s not over the top in the sparkly department. I think I have enough left over to make some Tiny Shoes to match!