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.

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.

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.

Only Stockinette in the Round

At the moment I have only two projects on the needles, my Owls sweater and a pair of afterthought heel socks. All I have is miles and miles of what feels like endless stockinette in the round.

Working on the February Lady Sweater reminded me of how much I love the various stitches that can be made in knitting, how interesting it can be. So tonight I did a mass printout of lace shawl patterns.

I haven't cast anything on yet, I can't decide what I want to do yet. I also have my eye on a few other cardigans that have lace in them, for summer. Cables for winter.

I also have my eyes on some color work sweaters for me and a circular shawl as some of my goals for next year. For now, I'm over the mindless stockinette!

February Lady Sweater, Unblocked

So, my February lady sweater has all the knitting finished, and I still have half a ball of wool left. I chose not to keep going, when I tried it on and stretched it a little, it was the perfect length.

Now I need to weave in ends, give it a soak and block it. Very exciting! I'm very happy with it so far, and expect to be even happier with it once it's blocked. I love the fact that once you have cast off that last stitch, you are done! The beauty and magic of seamless knits.

Both February Sleeves Finished

I was off sick yesterday, a lovely case of bronchitis. I have been watching Sanctuary, a new series which I really enjoy. I also got stuck into my February Lady Sweater, and am pleased to say that both the sleeves are now complete.

I have tried it on and it fits beautifully, the sleeves come just past my elbows. Unfortunately, I ran out of yarn during the cast off on the second sleeve and had to start another ball to finish it. Definitive proof that not all balls of yarn have the same meterage.

I have continued on the body, and now have one and a half balls left which should give me the perfect length. On the home run now!

One February Sleeve

I fished the first sleeve yesterday. It used up a full 50g ball of wool so I'm happy I chose to do it before finishing the body. I kept the extra 7 stitches in because I have wide arms, and I'm pleased to say they fit perfectly. So far, unblocked.

I'm not a big fan of top down knitting, it is so awkward knitting the sleeves. I much prefer bottom up knitting, even if the first few rows after adding the sleeves are a little fiddley, I still enjoy the process more.

But on we go, I've picked up the stitches and I'll begin the second sleeve.

February Lace

I began the lace, then split for the sleeves on Monday. It seems like the cardigan will fit, but I think I need a few more inches in length to truly be able to tell. I'm thrilled with how it's going, love the way it looks and have memorized the lace repeat already.

I think I will be working in the sleeves soon, to make sure that I will have enough yarn to make my February lady sweater the length I want. I still have about 5 50g balls left. It should be enough. I feel like I'm getting some knitting mojo back, for a while it wasn't exciting me much, even though the obsession barely wavered. And with this cardigan, the passion is coming back, I think I will need to have lace on my needles more often!

February Lady Sweater

I have cast on for the February Lady Sweater, actually, I cast on on Saturday. I spent all day knitting on it and really enjoying it. Until yesterday, when I got to the yarn over increase row. This was when I started to worry about the size of the cardigan, I don't want it to be too swingy. But not too fitted either.

Then I got stuck on the length of the yoke. It was way too short if I decided to do the lace where recommended, even though the pattern says to knit garter until the fabric nearly touches under the arms. I'm having a lot of trouble figuring that out as I can 't get it to sit right. But I think I'm there now, so I'm going to start the lace tonight.

I'm using Cleckheaton 100% wool in a navy blue color, and I'm liking how it's coming out so far. I just really hope it fits nicely.

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.

Beginning my travels

I have begun my traveling woman shawl in xs fingering weight. Very happy with the results so far. My handspun is knitting up beautifully. Can't wait to begin the lace charts!

Cashmere Bush Shawl

When I went to Bendigo Sheep and Wool show in July, I managed to find and buy a gorgeous fingering weight skein of an 80% merino, 20% cashmere blend in stunning reds, from a brightish red, through to a depp maroon and crimsons. I decided to knit up a shawl with it, because honestly, what else do you do with a cashmere blend?

So I decided on the Bush Shawl by Carlotta Cecchi. It is a very simple design, which is what I was aiming for because I didn't want the colors to get lost in something complicated. I also chose this pattern because I figured it would be relatively easy to continue on past the end of the pattern so I could use up as much of the yarn as possible. It was quite a large skein, I think around 450 meters. I was able to do about an extra 6 repeats of the lace pattern rows, which I'm glad I did, because I finished up with barely any yarn left at all.

Unfortunately I could not get a photo that showed off the true beauty and depth of the colors, but you get the idea. I would definately recommend this pattern for any project that you want to show off the yarn, with enough patterning to keep your interest.

Shawls

I have spent hours looking at all the gorgeous shawl patterns available, everything from a simple shawlette to large wraparound shawls. I think, for me, the appeal lies in the shawlette. Adding that splash of colour and lace to a simple outfit, without the length of a scarf that can sometimes be annoying.

The large shawls, although beautiful, I don't think are for me at the moment, although I plan to make a large one for my wedding. Love to have the heirloom item! The shawl I have planned for my mother-in-law is very large, but mostly stockinette with a lace edging. A good start I think into the shawl world.

I know there is a difference between lace knitting and knitting lace, but I can never remember which is which. I know that I do not think I am ready for a pattern that needs lace knitted every row, I think I need the purl row for now, at least til I feel more confident with knitting lace. Likewise, I doubt I am ready to attempt a superfine laceweight project either, the thinnest I think I'll go for now is 4ply (fingering) weight yarn. I have lots of sock yarn and I think i'll mostly use that. I have decided I think most sock yarns are too pretty to be hidden on the feet, plus no matter what I do, knitted socks itch me. Too much knitting for something I won't use.

With summer around the corner I predict many shawls and shawlettes being knitted as I'm sure I won't want anything like a carigan or jumper sitting on my lap!

Wedding Knits

Last night i didn't get as much knitting done as i'd hoped, we were too distracted discussing the wedding plans. We spent yesterdaylooking around at potential venues and found one that offers the chapel and reception with beautiful gardens all at the one place. So we are booking in for 3 July. This has provided me with new knitting project ideas. As it will be a winter wedding, and i will be wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress, I have already looked for patterns for a shrug and a lace shawl. I figure I would make both and see which one i want for the day. Definately the shrug, because it will make moving around easier, especially as a big dress might make things difficult enough already. But because I have wanted to try out lace, I figure this is a perfect opportunity to knit one that I love. I have found a few designs I like, but i will keep looking for the moment.

I think the shrug would be ideal for the reception and the shawl for outdoor photos. I'm really torn between what shape to choose. I love the triangular shape, the way it sits and the way that the pattern is displayed so clearly. Some of the rectangular shawls have the intricate designs slighly hidden, because they are scrunched up. But some of them are gorgeous so it's hard to decide. The round shawls are impressive, but i'm concerned they may be too big, and the square shape looks adaptable, but i worry that it will be too bulky. After all, for a bridal outfit you want it to be delicate, glamorous and beautiful.

So plenty more researching I think!The cardigan is getting there, slowly. I will definately finish the first sleeve today and start the second sleeve, but depending on nap times, and bedtimes will depend on how much time i get to knit. I also need to fit in reading some of my textbook and i have to finish the book "Hide". I read it til my eyes were blurring last night.

Til next time.......Danielle