Not much to show...

...yet, lots of decision making.

I spent yesterday sort of playing around in the WIP closets. Looking at some stalled projects and figuring out why. Two projects in particular.

Marilyn and St. Brigid. I'm going to frog both.

I love the yarns in both, but I don't think either is working well with the pattern.

The Black Water Abbey in Iris is a beautiful yarn, but I think Marilyn's cables just aren't popping enough for my taste with it. I'll use a less heathered yarn for it and the Iris will be lovely for an other cabled project.

The problem with my St. Brigid is that I bought AS's Limpit for it. A beautiful dark rich purple (I bought Aran Knitting specifically for that pattern... way before I could knit it). However, the purple is actually too dark and isn't doing the complexity of the cables well. I'll use the yarn for a different project and probably use Cascade 220 (in a lighter dark purple) to knit St. Brigid.

Let me just say that there's way more I want to knit than I have time for. Which is saying a lot... as I have a lot of time to knit. I'm just trying to stay focused on 3 projects at a time and maybe I can get more done in a timely fashion.

Matt's Bad Ass Biker Hat

So Matt plays around in Ravelry (it's a database thing... he's in the process of developing a similar concept for his company) and stumbles across a hat pattern. His eyes lit up and I knew I must make him this hat.

Matt's Bad Ass Biker Hat
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I'm not sure he's going to actually wear it biking (the cascade 220 does felt easily and it's nice and thick), but he's the baddest assed dog walker in the neighborhood. The pattern is available free from Knit Two Together and is a fast and fun knit. Here's the stats.

Pattern: Skull Hat by Gina at Knit Two Together
Yarn: Cascade 220 in black and white
Changes to the pattern: none
Problems with the pattern: none
Overall Impresssions: oh ya, it rocks.

I don't do a lot of fair isle, but this has sorta wetted my appetite. Might dig out one of my old fair isle projects and dip into a bit more.

When All You Can Do Is Knit...

you can get a lot done.

I have no energy (doing laundry yesterday exhausted me. hrumph), so I've been knitting... and surfing the 'net (ya, yarn for 5 more projects was purchased. There's that unbalanced ratio).

However, that means progress.

Mermaid
ya, not a good photo
Mermaid is progressing fairly quickly. It's good baseball watching, so now that the season is over, we'll see how much it slows down.

Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan
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The Must Knit Cardigan got some love over the weekend and the left front is just a few rows of being done. The yarn (Black Water Abbey's Seafoam) is so beautiful. I know this is going to become a favorite sweater (if my upsizing works... fingers crossed).

Radiance Cabled Jacket
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The newest project. The pattern is from Webs and is to be done in their Colrain, but I did a little stash digging and decided to try it with TLC's Cotton Plus, and I'm really happy with it. I'm knitting it much tighter than the yarn suggests (but don't I normally). I will say that I was concerned with the lack of waist shaping. Both the designer's version in Ravelry and the crappy picture on the pattern (why is the model standing with her arms crossed over the front. Ooooh, how that annoys me) shows a very fitted looking jacket. However, the pattern has no shaping at all. So I asked the designer, and she reassured me that the cables cause it to do the shaping. Fingers crossed it will fit my 3-hour glass figure in a flattering way (rather than too tight over my large bust and butt and loose around the waist).

I did work on two other smaller projects as well. A crochet tote bag (but I'm running out of yarn... so some more was ordered. plus a little extra for something else) and a hat for Matt.

So the cold is finishing up. Not much of a cough anymore and my voice is almost back to normal. Now I'm just dealing with the extreme fatigue. Probably some more knitting will get done.

Still Sick

Not much to update, as I spent most of yesterday adding projects to my queue on Ravelry. Ya, if you're too tired to knit, why not plan on more projects???

I will say that the Mermaid is a little better than the halfway point on the body. I didn't work on it at all yesterday (I worked on the Cindy Must Knit The Cardigan a bit and the Radiance Cabled Cardigan).

However, I spent most of yesterday trying to see if I could cough up a lung. I think I came close a couple of times... however, both lungs are still in place. I do seem to have misplaced my voice, tho (all that coughing has done quiet a number on it).

So the house is nice and quiet... except for that coughing thing... as I'm not talking. Which sucks, as I rather enjoy that whole voice communication thing.

Anyway, resting is still the main goal... but I think I'm in the home stretch. Hopefully I'll have progress pictures on Monday.

I Mean, What Else Can I Do, Anyway?

Mermaid
click to enlarge
The Mermaid Jacket is moving along, maybe a little slower. However, that's not because I don't want to work on it. It's because I've spent the last two days in freezing waiting rooms (I believe my doctor's office is the coldest place on the face of the earth. Gee, don't sick people go to a doctor's office? Why is it so frickin' cold then?)

So I took the Summer Braids to work on, as it's a little more mindless to work.

Summer Braids Cardigan
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A few more repeats to go before I split for the armhole opening.

In case you're wondering, I still feel like crap. However, my doctor ordered every possible blood test imaginable (or so the lab nurse said as she was drawing blood. I think she was annoyed with him. How dare he try to find out what's wrong with me. Doesn't he care about how much more work that is for her?).

So, since I'm still feeling icky, I'm staying in (yay, no doctor's appointments!) and getting some knitting done. Between naps.

Who knew garter stitch would be so fun?

Mermaid
click to enlarge

Colds Suck

'nuff said.

Seafoam and Mermaids

Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan first front
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I'm still plugging along on the Must Have Cardigan. I've ripped back that section twice now, but the third time seems to be a charm. The color is not accurate (let me say that again: that color is not accurate). It's a foggy/dreary morning, and it's getting to be that time of year that morning photographs are difficult due to the later sunrise. So I spent some time in Photoshop trying to get it close. However, I can only do so much. I also think the Black Water Abbey yarns must be seen in person to really understand how lovely the colors are. (Theresa bought some of the Old Purple, and it's definitely a "see it in person" to get the full effect of the depth of the color).

Did you guess which project I pulled out of the UFO closets to work on?
Mermaid
click to enlarge
I've tried this on the last two years at Stitches. I've had the kit for like 3. I need to get this project done. A: I love the jacket (and trying it on is very inspiring... plus I know it'll fit) and B: Matt bought me the kit as an anniversary gift. Matt doesn't buy me yarn (no more than I buy him tires for his bike). He picked out the color and everything. So how can I not try to finish it???

I'm feeling a bit under the weather... either a nasty head cold or allergies, so I'm hunkering into my knitting nest and knitting today (and maybe look for the skulls in Halo 3). I also think a nap is on the agenda (a good indication that it's not allergies... I can't seem to get enough sleep right now).

Off to put the kettle on and finish up that first gusset on Mermaid!

Newport Cardigan

Newport Cardigan
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It's done, and fits my dress form beautifully! Me? Not so much. The sleeves are too tight (shocking) so it doesn't sit on my shoulders right (it pulls it down). I'm not sure adding more ribbing would help... it might give me more fabric to help sit on my shoulders. The best solution would be to lose 15 lbs. Especially in the upper arms. I also may try to block open the sleeves a bit. Let's do some project stats:

Pattern: Newport Cardigan by Dolce Handknits
Yarn: RYC Soft Tweed
Problems with the pattern: none that I found
Changes to the pattern: none that I remember.
Overall Impressions: A fast, easy, yet stylish knit. The sleeves issue is very consistant with me, especially with the current fashion trend of skinny sleeves. I will say that the yarn is absolutely wonderful. It's light, yet not flimsy. It has a great drape and just a little sheen. So apart from the poor fit, it was a good project. I will try to block it open just a bit more in the sleeves, and if that doesn't work, I will find it a good home.

So one more off my list. I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't fit, but it happens. I'll move on to the next project. I am concerned about the Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan. The sleeves on that pattern are also very tight, and even with my upsizing, I'm not sure I'll have enough ease. Hmmm, maybe set in sleeves are not the way to go for me?

Tomorrow I'll have pictures of the project that came out of the UFO closet to be restarted after a trip to Stitches... can ya guess what it is????

So Close!

The Newport Cardigan is on the final run. The collar is done (hopefully... we'll see if I made it wide enough when it's all put togehter). I did the collar before I seamed up the sweater (except the shoulder seams of course). I have one sleeve almost seamed in, so it's not far from being finished. It should be done today.

I have to say that I really liked this yarn before I blocked it, but after blocking it, I now Love this yarn (FYI: yes, it has been discontinued. Of course). The drape and softness is just lovely. This might not be the most exciting cardigan in the world, but between the lovely color and the beauty of the yarn, I think it's going to be a wonderful little cardigan.

So it should be done today and I'll have the stats (and photos) tomorrow. I'll then concentrate on the Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan and Matt's Sampler Cardigan. I would like to get both of those done this year yet.

The only drawback? I'll have an empty set of needles....

The Stitches East Report

Back from my long weekend in Baltimore. I have to say that it was an interesting one... between hotel room issues, the Baltimore Marathon (we waited 45 minutes at a light until the race went by. They would not let any traffic thru at all), but we still had a good time. Always great to catch up with knitting friends!

I also have to say that I don't think the convention center/organizers did as nice as a job as last year. There was no coat/package check (which was brilliant last year... and I even heard people say, "oh, I would buy that, but I don't want to lug it around the show"... so note to vendors: insist there is a package check option next year). They also "condenced" the layout this year. One of the things I loved about last year were the wide open walkways. This year the vendors were much closer... only about two people wide... so you had to walk single file if you were with a group. I was clausterphobic the entire time. There was a lot of wasted space to boot, so there was no reason to bunch the vendors up like that.

I didn't buy a lot this year. Partly due to the clausterphobic issue, plus the volume of projects in this house. It was hard to justify yet an other Shelridge Farm kit when I have two sitting here that I haven't even started.

That doesn't mean I didn't buy stuff!!!

Most of my money went to Black Water Abbey Yarns, as expected. I had planned on buying yarn for two projects, and that's exactly what I did... plus one small project.

I knew I would be getting yarn to make Vicki's Cardigan (sorry, BWA uses frames, so that's the best link I can get). Plus the yarn to knit it. I chose the pink heather:

Black Water Abbey in pink heather
I also got enough Bracken to make Matt the Staghorn Cable Vest.

Black Water Abbey in bracken

Plus I got 3 skeins of Sky:
Black Water Abbey in sky
I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing with it yet. It will either be a purse (the textured purse from Two Old Bags) or a scarf. We'll see. The color is stunning!

The other yarn I bought was from Brooks Fiber Farm. I got some of the Acero. I'm hoping I have enough to make a little crochet cardigan.

Brooks Fiber Farm's Acero

So let's see... that's 4 more projects. So how many did I finish in that time?
um, none. However, the Newport Cardigan is blocked and ready for seaming, then that huge ribbed neckband:

Newport Cardigan blocking
I'll get that started today. Should only be another day or two before it's finished.

I also worked on the Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan over the weekend, but I had some issues. So I've had to frog back to the same spot twice. Might need a little breather from it, just because that's soooo annoying. I may work on Matt's Sampler Cardigan a bit today (thank goodness for a little cooler weather!).

However, the main priority must be running the sweeper, uh, vacuum. It's been a little while, and the dog hair tumbleweeds are big enough that we could claim them as dependants.

A quick update

I'm heading to Baltimore tomorrow for Stitches East, so I'm busy trying to get organized and finish up the laundry.

I've been working almost exclusively on the Newport Cardigan and only have the second sleeve and the front ribbing to do. Hard to get a decent picture of it. Plus I'm feeling lazy. Oh, and it's a very grey morning. So... you will have to wait for it to be done...

The sad thing about this cardigan is that the yarn I got was my second choice. I had my eye on some Classic Elite Montera for it in a great shade of fuschia. However, according to the pattern, I was going to be 100 yds short (they only had 5 skeins in stock). So I didn't get it. FYI: I would've been fine. With only the one sleeve left to do and the ribbing (which granted, is wide... 3-1/2" wide), I'm guessing I'm going to have 2 skeins of yarn left over. That's over 160 yds.

Saying that, I'm loving the RYC Soft Tweed. It's a nice light weight bulky yarn. Even Matt said "doesn't look as bulky knit up as is does in the skein". I would use it again in a heartbeat. It's a lovely yarn... so of course it's been discontinued.

So some laundry, a little sleeve knitting and a trip to the post office today. I probably won't be blogging again to Monday (but ya never know... as I am taking my laptop with me for the weekend. I might have some Stitches Bounty to share....).

At least it's going to be more fallesque for the weekend. The heat and humidy is letting up a bit.

Back to Back

I've come to the conclusion that if all I needed to knit was the backs of sweaters, I would have a lot more finished sweaters...

So the back of the Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan is done, and I have the right front cast on with almost one repeat done (it's not a good photo day).

Must Have Cardigan
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Very happy with how this is looking, and I'm feeling pretty optimistic about my upsizing. I added a little to the length, too. The big challenge is the set in sleeve. I'm hoping that I did my math right so that the set in sleeve fits properly.

I've also been cranking along on the Newport Cardigan. I have the back and right front done on it with the left front well underway. The simple stockinette stitch is good straight forward knitting, and the large gauge (which is unusual for me) makes it a fast knit.

Newport Cardigan
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I still don't think I'll have it done by Stitches, but I wasn't planning on it... actually, it'll be a nice project to work on there.

I've been fiddling with some other projects here and there (as I said, the problem with putting stuff into Ravelry is that I'm distracted by my own projects). I've worked a bit on the Sunrise Circle Jacket yesterday... this one did need to have a break, as I had already finished the back, then decided that I needed a smaller size. (trying on a shop sample can be very important. I would've made this jacket way too large if I hadn't tried on it on at The Yarn Gallery... tho' my heavy upper arms still might be an issue). So I had restarted it, but knowing that I was starting over was a little discouraging... giving it a time out was a great idea. I worked up to the waist shaping yesterday. I don't think I'll give this my main focus right now, and I'm willing to bet that I'll get distracted by something else as I add more projects....

ah... beautiful fall weather

So here it is October. It's hot and humid and I'm tired of shaving my legs (Matt's done... he stops when the racing season is over).

I'm ready for sweater weather... and more comfortable wool knittin' weather. The Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan is still on the back. (the humidity and the size has slowed my enthusiasm a bit... but I'm trudging thru it). I'll have the back done this weekend no problem.

I've spent some time adding some more projects into Ravelry. I'm at the 50% point: 35 finished projects to 35 WIP's. I'm not done with the WIP's (and I haven't touched socks/scarves. I'm concentrating on sweater projects right now). I haven't even thought about "the stash" yet.

There's good things about doing this and bad things. First I'm excited to see some projects that got put back into the closet (out of sight out of mind... and Matt doesn't get that. Once I put the project "away"... I'm less likely to work on it). I've also abandoned two projects after seeing them finished. That's also a good thing. However, as I log stuff in, and as I look at projects on Ravelry, I'm overwhelmed with ideas and inspiration.

I still think I can finish at least two more projects this year... and potentially even three. I just gotta stop casting stuff on (Matt wants to know why I have so many needles that I can have that many projects started).

In other exciting news. Our answering machine is broken. We have no idea for how long. My hairdresser called yesterday to remind me about my appointment today. Since I always let the answering machine pick up those calls (so I can go back and check the time if I forget), I realized that the machine is not getting the messages. I called our phone on my cell... and it sounds like you are leaving a message, but all I get is a dial tone (we've had a couple, and just assumed people were hanging up before leaving a message). Wonder what other calls we've missed?

So I'm off to get my haircut this morning. Then I guess I should work on the afghan block for tomorrow's sampler afghan class?

Green Cardigans Rock!

The Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan is moving along well... considering that I also finished Halo 3 yesterday (oh, and I threw the Xbox version of Half Life 2 in the 360 to see how it ran... it was very choppy on the Xbox and hard to play. I can't play my PC version on my new computer, as it's not configured to be a gaming machine. So far, it's much smoother. I haven't gotten to the driving/shooting sequences and that was were I had the most problems on the Xbox. I'll keep ya updated. Since I know it's something that you are worrying about).

I'm past the armhole shaping and just counting off the number of rows to the shoulder shaping for the Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan.

However, I do need a break from cables every once in a while, so I'm working on the Newport Cardigan:

Newport Cardigan
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I'm at the armhole shaping for the back. I'm not used to doing "big needle knits" so I'm always surprised how quickly it goes. The yarn is delightful to work with (RYC's Soft Tweed) so it's flying off the needle (only complaint about the yarn is the lack of spit splicing ability... and I can live with that!).

So I'm basically just switching back and forth on those two projects, and obsessively looking for yarn to crochet this. (she actually used Elann's Sonata, but she split it... halving the yarn to make it a lighter weight yarn. I'm not sure I want to spend the time doing that...)

Okay, here's the weird thing about that crochet top. I tried to design it already. Earlier this year I was trying to design my own top down crochet top using Elann's Sonata (remember this?). That's right, it's the same yarn... and EXACTLY THE SAME STITCH PATTERN!!!! so obviously I was on the right track, just lost patience with the project (it's a math thing). However, I do prefer her lighter weight version. I think that was part of the problem with mine. It was heavier than I wanted. I like my crochet to be light... the nature of crochet makes it naturally heavy, so thinner yarns work best. So I'm obsessing about finding the right yarn (in the right color).

However, I should concentrate on the projects on hand... or play thru Halo 3 again (oh, and if you're wondering... the gameplay is better than Halo 2, and the story is better... but I hate crappy endings. Ah, the joys of Cash Cow Franchises in gaming).

Cindy Must Knit This Cardigan

So I got a project on the size 8 needles on Friday. Did every one guess correctly? A green cardigan, by chance?

The Must Have Cardigan has been on my to do list for some time. I even started it at one point (and that might even get finished eventually). However, there were some things about that one that I wasn't pleased with. The fabric is very stiff (I have to upsize the pattern, and I'm doing it thru gauge) and I really hate how the pattern starts in middle of the diamond. So here's what I'm doing:
Must Have Cardigan
click to enlarge
I'm using Blackwater Abby yarn in the Seafoam color (aka: Cindy's favorite green). I'm knitting it at a looser gauge than I normally do for cables and for what the pattern calls for. Yet I'm very pleased with how the cables are popping and the drape of the fabric I'm getting.

So I started the one chart so that I have a full diamond at the bottom, and since I'm lengthing this just a bit as well, I should still get the same front neck shaping. I'm still a little concerned about the sleeves being too tight, but I think the looser gauge will be enough. I'm really enjoying knitting this. The cables are easy (meaning that I don't need to read the pattern) and the Blackwater Abby is a very nice yarn (tho' if one more person feels my sweater and grimaces and says "it's a little scratchy"... I'll give em one of these)

I'm hoping to get the back finished today. However there is one little problem with that plan. Halo 3. After much drama with Kmart (who offered a nice deal on a Xbox 360 and Halo 3... they totally screwed us), Matt surprised me on Saturday with it. I'm not very far in the game (setting up the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live is more time consuming than applying for a home mortgage loan), I simply haven't taken the time to play a lot.

So we'll see how much knitting I actually get done today...