Casting on for Cece

A few days ago I cast on Cece. I calculated how to lengthen it including shaping and was ready to go. Today I frogged it. I realized I want my Cece to be an open cardigan and there is no reason for the circumference of the cardigan to be as big ad the circumference of my body. It won't stay open properly that way.

I was also concerned about yarn quantity. I have 12 balls of patons fireside I got given, and I have never seen it in shops so I don't know how old it is, or even if I could find more in the same Colorway. This is particularly concerning as I am knitting the 3/4 sleeves and want an extra 5 inches in length. I think I'll be fine, but not if I widen the length of the body.

So I'm starting again. I am knitting the 38" as I have seen a few people mentioning it blocks bigger on ravelry. The good news is I enjoy the lace pattern as I had finished a repeat before I frogged it!

(The color of the balls is more accurate than the color of the knitting.)

FO - Deep Purple Libby

Chloe's deep purple Libby is finished, sewn up, buttons on, just needs a wash and a block. Good news is it fits Chloe well, and she loves my choice of buttons.

As much as I resent the amount of time it takes to assemble a sweater, I found the sewing up of Libby to be enjoyable. Certainly not something I want to do often, but assembling a knitted garment once in a while is kind of fun.

The completion of Libby has resulted in the casting on of numerous new projects, so far one pair of socks, three shawls and soon a cardigan for me. The main emphasis is color at the moment, and the cardigan will be lace, so the pattern will be creating the interest. Did not knit as much as I wanted this weekend, but at least it felt productive.

Libby is getting Boring!

I have almost finished the second sleeve of Libby, and I'm very relieved. It is getting boring. All the stockinette and solid color is starting to get to me. As soon as I have finished the second sleeve I will soak all the pieces and block them for the ease of seeing them together. Then I knit the neckband and we are done.

I'm not sure what's next, but I'm thinking cece for me. I think the lace will be just what I need. I also have some bright socks on the needles, and a shawl, the multnoma.

For now the end is in sight and for ghat I am grateful.

Libby is Progressing Nicely

So far I have completed the back and left front of Chloe's Libby. I am about to cast on for the right front. I am pleased with how it is working out so far, in particular I think the flair that the cardigan has will be really cute.

I have realized a slight color difference with one of the skeins, because I bought them on sale, a few of the balls were a different dye lot. I am pretty sure it will be unnoticeable once fully assembled. At least I hope so.

Knitting on Ishbel is finished

Last night my little boy was sick. Throwing up. And I sat up for a good portion of the night watching over him and knitting. And now the Ishbel is finished, well almost. I don't consider lace finished until it is blocked.

I hope to block later today and have it ready for when I see Alicia next. Must admit I'm impressed with how quickly it knit up. I know some of that can be attributed to the fact that I can now read charts easily. They have finally blocked for me which is a bonus considering there were five different charts in this pattern.

FO - Travelling Woman

I have finished, blocked and weaves in the ends of my xs travelling woman. I love the pattern, it was very enjoyable to knit and I may have to knit myself a bigger version, or perhaps my mum.

I am still completely in love with my handspun, the color, the fineness (for me) and the softness. It knit up beautifully if I do say so myself.

A big surprise was how much yarn I had left, I'm wondering whether my calculations were accurate for length. All I did was measure the length of the unwound skein, multiply it by 2, then multiply it by however many lengths of yarn there were. A bit primitive I know, but all I've got for now.

Spring Clean the Queue

Today I realised that my Ravelry queue had gotten a little out of hand, over 25 pages and I couldn't remember most of the things I had queued! So I went through the queue and deleted many things I had queued just bcause I liked them. Things that no one I know would wear, like little girl dresses and baby clothes. Although they are cute, I don't need the patterns saved. I can re-search for them again when I need them.

I also deleted many toys I had saved that I intended to make for my son, but realistically, he doesn't play with soft toys, and I just donated a few garbage bags full of stuffed toys as they were just collecting dust.

There were many items I had queued for my daughter, and many of them weren't sized for her anymore. Rather than rewrite patterns, I realised that making the smallest size of some women's garments would be her size. So no more little girl patterns.

As for garments for me, I removed many that I realised I had queued just because I liked them not because they would be wearable for me. As I went through these I considered whether they would be suitable for anyone else.....mainly mum, and those I kept. The rest.....gone. Anything that was in a thick yarn that I didn't absolutely adore went too, I much prefer to knit from 8ply and 5ply yarns (dk and sport) I don't mind 10ply (worsted) but I prefer the finer gauge. More yardage for your money and I think that garments in a finer gauge look better too.

So now I feel lighter, and my queue less cluttered. I'm sure that by this time next year I will have to spring clean my queue again, and some things saved now will be deleted and new beauties will be kept. With 17 pages left, I stil have plenty to inspire me and keep me busy!

Til next time..........Danielle xoxox