Tag Archives: stripe study

by

The stripes I studied.

20120420-134344.jpg

I finished this Stripe Study Shawl months ago, took pics about a month ago and hated them, so I gave up and just used a dress dummy for the ease of getting it done. Please excuse the lack of facial expressions.

20120420-134516.jpg

I loved making this shawl. The green/yellow yarn shown (my main color) is Wasabi in Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn. This is one of my favorite yarns for the subtle variegation and the excellent squish factor. The magenta yarn is Linie Cosmo 33 in purple. The Linie is merino and cashmere. It is also deliciously squishy. I had my doubts about the wearability of this color combo with my wardrobe, but it’s getting use.

20120420-134722.jpg

I started a Little Sister’s Dress for my wee unborn one, and I thought I would use the Wasabi sock yarn. After searching for about 20 minutes, I realized I had already used it in this shawl! Ah, pregnancy brain. Luckily, there is no shortage of beautiful sock yarn in my stash, so I busted out some Dream in Color Starry in the color Melon Bomb that my brother and his gf gave me ages ago. This color seems like it will be impossible to photograph, but I’ll do my best when the time comes.

I still have a finished Liesl and Lolita to post coming soon. I’ve started a Honeybee Cardigan but I can’t seem to get the sizing right. I started out making the 34.5 inch bust size, but the sleeves were huge and the width across the bust would not have stretched enough to show off the lace properly. I frogged it and I’m making the sleeves in the extra small size. I haven’t decided whether to make the body in the small or extra small size. The extra stretchiness may partially be due to the Ella Rae Lace Merino yarn, but I have read of others experiencing this with the pattern, so maybe it’s not just the yarn. I’ll keep you posted.

by

Savoring.

Oscar knows how to savor things.

This has been a lovely holiday season so far. I don’t usually like the holidays that much. Most years, I’m stressed out about what presents to give people, clamoring for time to knit things for others and some for myself, and the usual family quibbles. This year, some of that stress was assuaged when my family decided we would draw one name each and get a present for just that person. I like this for multiple reasons. We over-commercialize the holidays, and focusing on just one person means that you can put more mindfulness into the “perfect” gift for that person.

This year, I drew my dad. Last year I knit him socks, and since I think that is about the only thing I could knit that he would wear, I decided it would be a non-knitting year for me and the family present. Even less stress. Although, I’ve seen so many cute hat, shawl, accessory patterns lately (and have designed a few myself) that I would have been nice to draw my mom, sister, or brother’s girlfriend. They’re the ones that really appreciate the handknits.

Besides family gatherings, I’ve also been socializing a lot. This year I’ve made a lot of great new women friends, both knitters and non-knitters (but be sure I’ll try to convert some of those non-knitters) and I’m very grateful for all of them. I’ve been to quite a few potluck/gift exchange gatherings, double date nights, knit nights, and old friend reunions. I’ll be making these cookies for another potluck tonight, and they are really delicious. My extrovert self is supremely happy.

As for knitting news… I just bought the pattern for the Stripe Study Shawl after seeing the lovely one recently knitted by Erin. This shawl is designed by Veera, who also designed the Still Light Tunic (aka my favorite finished garment) that was my NaKniSweMo challenge.

I’ve been working on the Sky Sweater. I love it so far. I’m worried about the potential neck itchiness factor with the turtleneck and the Creative Focus Worsted together. I’m going to wash the sweater with conditioner when done in hopes of softening it a bit. Any tips? I’m three needle sizes smaller than the recommended to get gauge. I know I’m a loose knitter, but this is CRAZY. I know it’s me too, because the yarn’s ball band has a size 7/20 sts over 4 inches gauge and I’m on a 3 to get 22.5 in 4 inches. Sheesh. Knitting any tighter than I am hurts.

I’m enjoying the construction of the sweater. The horizontal band is really fun. I wasn’t sure how it would work in the pattern, but then I got there and it all made perfect sense. The pattern has a substantial amount of shaping, so even though it’s stockinette, it hasn’t been boring at all. I think it’s going to be extremely warm, which is a plus.  My fella likes to keep the heat on 60 degrees aside from space heaters to help in the rooms where we spend the most time. Really, all my yarn purchases are just a way to help the planet, right? Do you think we could get the government to subsidize this in some way? Hmmmm….