FO - Fern Green Pimpelliese

A few days ago I completed my Fern Green Pimpelliese. It got to a stage where it was all I could think about, all I wanted to knit. I became obsessed. I was loving watching the color repeats change, the points of each little triange come out of the fabric, and the way the rows got smaller and smaller. I was so addictive.Everything else was forgotten. I knit on it in the mornings before work, during lunch breaks and when I got home. This only lasted a few days because then it was finished.

 

 I will admit I was a bit disappointed about the weighing of my yarn. I weighed it numerous times to ensure that I started the decrease section as soon as it hit 50g left. Exactly half way. But I still had a 15 gram skein left once I cast off that final stitch. Abit disappointing, but it will make a gorgeous mini monster when it grows up!

The yarn I used was Moda Vera Fern from Spotlight, and although I'm not too fond of most of the Moda Vera yarn range, I was very happy with this yarn. It is a light fingering and soft, and what drew me the most was the color repeats. Stunniing. From dark greens, to bright greens, maroons and purples, the colors all gradiate into the next creating what I think is a stunning piece of knitting. This has yet to be blocked, and 'm hoping that a photo in true daylight will better represent the colors in this yarn.

The Rows Are So Long on Multnomah

I have completed the garter section and chose to do the 265 stitches instead of 229 as recommended by lala from the knitgirllls. This has worked well so far as the skein I have has around 500m. Very generous.

I plan to extend the feather and fan portion too if I need to as I want to use as much yarn as possible. As it is now, the rows are so long. So unbelievably long! But that's ok, because I'm loving the color repeats they really are beautiful.

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.)

Treating Myself to Pimpelliese

I needed something for me, especially after a day like today, so I pulled out my Pimpelliese. A really nice free pattern by Christine Ebers. It is a triangular scarf with a similar construction to the baktus, once you have half a skein left, start decreasing.

This pattern has gorgeous lacy triangles knit into the border as you go, easy enough to remember, but still so pretty you can't help look at them. I think I have 5 completed.

I'm knitting it out of the Moda Vera fern, but in the green Colorway. Love it do much so far. The colors are making me so happy! I'm using 3.75mm needles and although they are only birch, they work well enough.

Can 't wait to see this grow!

Casting on Chloe's Multnomah

Chloe requested a shawl, a big shawl she can completely wrap herself in. She also requested a cardigan knit out of Moda Vera fern. A new 50/50 wool acrylic blend with some gorgeous color changes and a little fuzz. But the yarn is a fingering weight, a fine fingering weight and I was not going to knit a cardigan out of it. But a shawl? Sure!

I searched on ravelry for shawl patterns that were simple enough to show off the color gradients in the yarn, but also with a little interest so I don't get bored. The first choice was the Multnomah. A simple pattern, the body in garter stitch and the edging in lace. The garter stitch shows off the colors wonderfully.

In my fit of startitis I have a few more cast on to talk about.......soon.

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.

FO - January 2012 Socks

I finished my January 2012 socks, a little over schedule now that it's February. I really enjoyed doing the heel flap again, the socks fit perfectly, and I live how they look. Definitely a win in my opinion.

Ripping Back Libby

After knitting through an entire ball of Moda Vera 100% pure wool, I realized I had misread the pattern for the decrease row. The Libby pattern reads for 2 decreases each side of the back of the cardigan, to be repeated until so many stitches remain. I misread the pattern to read the decreases were repeated across the row, every 10 stitches. I did not like the look of the fabric and that's when I realized my error.

Proof that we all can make mistakes, even silly ones, and sometimes all it takes is a bit of brain fog from feeling unwell and taking pain killers!

Casting On Libby

Today I cast on Libby, a free pattern on ravelry for girls aged 10-12. Perfect for Chloe. It is so hard to find patterns in that size, after all her chest circumference is 27". The small or extra small in most patterns is usually 30-32" and then has ease. They would be way too big for her.

But this pattern is simple, has a nice little flair at the bottom but doesn't look too 'little girl' or too 'grown up'. I'm going to have to cast on something in lace as well as I'm already having withdrawals, and as Libby is a stockinette cardigan, I'll need some back up for sure. So I don't die of boredom of course.

FO - Nathan's blue inca

Staying home yesterday with a sick child gave me hours to knit. I decided to finish off Nathan's blue inca sweater. I knit it using the percentage system, Nathan requested a hoodie and a pocket, so he got one. He won't try it on coz it's too hot, but it looks like it'll fit.

Ishbel's flying off the needles

I got so immersed in my Ishbel yesterday, I made it through chart a & b twice. This lace pattern is reasonably easy to memorize, a lot of fun and quick to knit up. I think I have to knit a lot more lace, every time I do I love live love it!

Pansygolightly Ishbel

I picked up a skein of Pansygolightly by dream and color smooshy a few weeks ago and knew I had to cast on immediately. Although I love the colors, I knew it wasn't mine and was destined to be a shawl for my closest friend.

I looked through existing projects for the yarn on ravelry to see how it had been used, to get ideas. I fell in love with another ravellers Ishbel in the same Colorway, and knew instantly that this was the yarns destiny.

So far I have finished the stockinette for the smaller size, and completed chart a. I intend to do the lace for the larger size so I can use up as much of the yarn as possible.

Need to go green

Today I was so aware of the gorgeous greens around me, a car, a dress, plants and grass. It made me realize I need to knit with green. I have so much green in my stash for sweaters, it's just a case of starting a project and I can relax in the bliss of green.

Nothing on my needles is green, Nathan's sweater is blue, Alicia's ishbel is purple, my socks are pink (perhaps with a hint of green but not enough) my dishcloths are mostly white and although the square I'm working on for my crochet sock yarn blanket is green, I need to knit, not in a crochet mood lately.

As to when I'll get to knit with green again, who knows. Chloe has put her hand up for a purple cardigan next and I don 't have any green sock yarn either. An excuse to buy some?

Forgot the January 2012 socks!

Today is Australia day, and I realized that January is almost over, and yet I hadn't even finished my January 2012 socks, or even finished one! So I pulled them out (it, only 1 so far) and finished the foot, Kitchener stitched the toe and took the necessary photo.

Very happy with the sock, so pretty and the short row heel really is the best fit for me. The 64 stitches also seem to be just right. Now to get the second sock cast on and hopefully the leg completed before February.

Knitting with bulky

I bought some patons inca in the big spotlight sale and have started a sweater for Nathan. I know it's the wrong season, but I'm hoping to be prepared once the weather gets cooler, although we are having quite a few scorchers at the moment.

I haven't knit with yarn this thick before and while at first it felt awkward with such large needles, I must admit I'm loving it. Brilliant for quick results and satisfaction. I cast on on Saturday, have finished the body and 1 sleeve, begun 2nd sleeve and hoping to join them all tonight.

There is no pattern, just basic Elizabeth Zimmerman bottom up raglan construction. Easy, memorized and effective. The yarn has 3 main plus and one is a different shade, giving the fabric a bit of depth and interest. Photos to follow soon, probably when it's finished, though, which is hopefully very very soon.

My mum took my February lady sweater!

I visited my mum on the weekend and she saw my February lady sweater for the first time and loved it. I suggested she try it on, and I'll knit one for her.

She wouldn't take it off. She said she had to keep it, loved everything about it, and my generosity that comes after a bottle of red, said "then it's yours".

I miss it now, will just have to knit another one. What a pity.

January 2012 Sock

I figure I'll probably only get one pair of socks done per month, especially if I take into account all the sweaters I intend to knit, the squares I'm crocheting, the facecloths and anything else that takes my fancy.

So I'd like to introduce you to "January 2012". The yarn is Moda Vera noir, Colorway pink mix I think. The yarn stripes with a dusty pink and a speckled blue/green/cream which I really like. All the shades are muted and this Colorway really appeals to me.

I'm halfway down the first leg, and will be doing a slip stitch heel flap and short row heel. Can 't wait!!!

I had to frog :(

Do as I expected I made errors in the ribbing of the socks, the depressing thing is I stuffed up before I had even had a drink, and still didn't 't realize. I also realized my counting needs work.

I had 62 stitches instead of 64, so I ended the second needle with Knut stitches, and began the first needle with knit stitches! Rookie mistake and I laughed when I real used, then promptly ripped it back. I cast on fresh this morning, have finished the ribbing and am happily working down the leg. Photos soon.

On another note, I calculated the yoke for my owls, and I have about 3 inches more of stockinette before I begin the pattern. I'm excited to see how it works out, but I'm expecting it to have a similar look to the tangled yoke in relation to the size and location of the pattern. So plenty of stockinette for the few drinks I've had tonight, as we have gone out to dinner with the kids.

Unfortunately my husband (love saying that!) hates me knitting in public, so while the kids are in the playground, and he is playing pokies, I am blogging. But it's proof that knitting is always on my mind.