Mid Winter Blahs

An other winter storm is approaching (tho' it's hard to tell via forecast what it's going to be like. So far this year, the big storm was a complete dud, and the few flurries forecasted ended up being several inches of snow... so who knows).

I'm trying to keep focused, and the knitting is paying off (a little second sleeve syndrome issue with Theresa's Central Park Hoodie, but I should still have it done today, right on schedule). I am on target for finishing it this week (if I have enough yarn. Might have to meet up with Theresa for an other skein over the weekend).

I've been so focused that I have not cast on a new project since Jan 1 (which is traditional, so I had to cast that on). I also haven't been stashing yarn as much... I think adding my yarn stash to Ravelry has been good (and tho' I've been taking a break due to the gloomy skies, I am far from done). Knowing how much you have is a bit of an eye opener.

I do think that something will get cast on after I finish the CPH... just haven't decided on what. Suggestions? Recommendations?

Q&A plus CPH

Gotta catch up on some comments and questions!

First up, thanks to everyone that left comments about Cassidy. Worn her every day since she's been done. So comfy!

Ellen asked two specific questions. The Cascade 220 is one of the heathers, number 9452. It's a blueish green or greenish blue, depending on the light. A perfect color for me! (yes, I'm trying to reach a world record for knitting the most green cardigans!!!!)

As for how to do the perpendicular join, I recommend getting Janet Szabo's book "The I Hate To Finish Sweaters Guide to Finishing Sweaters". The book is full of great info, and it's my "go to" book for finishing (or starting or adapting... probably one of the most used reference books in my library. A great investment for $13). Basically you leave your stitches live, then add them as you knit using a k2tog/p2tog and ssk/ssp. Perfect for saddle shoulders so you don't have to seam them. If you don't like seaming, you MUST have Janet's book in your library.

So, I'm still plugging along on finishing, and I should have Theresa's Central Park Hoodie done this week (she decided on a zipper closure, and that's on order). One sleeve down and the second well under way. I've already decided I'm going to do the hood just like Cassidy. I love the cables going up the middle of the hood. I've already blocked the fronts and back (and I'll block the sleeves while I do the hood and bands)

Central Park Hoodie
I have to say this is the third project I've used the Kathmandu Aran with, and I love it. It's just nice to knit with. Then I block it... and it gets even softer (and more drapey... definitely not a good choice for "structured" knitting). The color is stunning (good choice Theresa!!!). Hmmmm... maybe I should've "accidently" made the sleeves too short???? Oh ya, I will be making one of these for me. There's a reason there's so many on Ravelry.

Cassidy

All done! Including buttons.

Let me say, apart from my own personal image issue, I'm very very happy with this project. The Cascade 220 is such a wonderful yarn, and worked up beautifully with the pattern. So warm and comfy. Let's do some project stats, eh?

Project Stats:

Pattern: Cassidy by Chic Knits

Yarn: Cascade 220

Changes to the pattern: oops on one of the cables, let's call it a improvisional interpretation? Had to shorten the sleeves considerable (I usually end up shortening Chic Knits pattern's sleeves around 4"... and I could've done an other inch on these). Knit the buttonband in one really really long piece (the pattern has you do each side then graft/seam the top). I did a perpendicular join on the hood rather than seam the cabled center peice to the sides.

Problems with the pattern: Found no errors. I like how Bonne Marie writes her patterns and find them easy to follow (if only I would actually read rather than skim...).

Overall Impressions: It's a keeper. It was a quick knit. The style is fabulous and it's really comfy to wear. What more could I ask for in a project? Considering that I had to knit the right front twice, it still didn't take me long to work up (when I actually worked on it). A most definite thumbs up!

I will absolutley make this again. I really want a cotton blend one in red. There are some things I'll do differently next time. I won't bother with waist shaping. The ribbing sort of takes care of that by itself. I'll make the body a little longer and the sleeves a little shorter. I'll try to do the perpendicular join on the hood in the purl stitch (tho' I actually like the vertical line that I ended up with this one).

Okay, back to knitting... I think I can get an other project done by the end of the month?

2 Down... 22 to go?

(ya, who decided I could finish 24 projects this year again???)

Cassidy is more or less done. She's on her second blocking (for the hood and the buttonband... and hopefully a little extra width. Love ribbed sweaters!) She does fit, but I would like just a little more ease. Blocking is the short term effort, while I struggle to lose the weight. Again.

Anyway, here's a shot of the hood before I got the buttonband done:

Cassidy's hood

Let me say that the sleeves were a delight to seam up. So well designed. I'll go over my mods when I do my Project Stats when the buttons are on and I have a modeled photo.

Okay, now off to finish project #3!

Girlz in da Hood

Ya, the hood for Cassidy is progressing... slowly. I knew it was going to take longer than expected, so I'm not surprised that I'm only at the halfway point on it. I still hope to have the whole thing done by the end of the week.

I'm a little concerned about fit now that it's partially seamed up (okay, I only seamed the shoulders so I could do the hood and the button band, then I'll add the sleeves). It's going to be a snug fit. I might try blocking it a bit bigger (it is ribbbed, so there is room to open it up a bit). My weight has exploded over the last 6 months (ya, even the doctor was impressed!) so there's a lot of projects that I'm going to run into this with. Hopefully it's a temporary issue and I get back on track.

Nancy asked about the softness of the Kathmandu Aran in my comments yesterday. Let me say that it's soft... very soft. It's Matt's favorite yarn (and he's very picky). It is almost too soft, as it will not give you great body. His Kathmandu Gansey wants to curl up in the back (from when he sits down) and the neckline on his Ike has stretched out (I've finally convinced him to not hand it from a peg, but fold it and lay it flat to store it). It's a lovely yarn, and the big cables on the CPH match it perfectly. I wouldn't use it for delicate cables, due to it's texture and nubbiness.

The unexpected snowfall and still freezing temps means I'm staying snuggled in under afghans with a cup o' tea and knittin' on da hood for Cassidy!!

Go Steelers

Such a productive weekend! Got some more stash into Ravelry. I would say I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but let's face it: a stash is more like a bottomless pit that never ends (especially as we continue to add to it).

As for actual knitting (as the logging stash certainly does impede on my knitting time!), I've been pleased with my progress with that too!

I've blocked Cassidy and I'll get the hood started today. This is going to be an other staple sweater. Chic Knits patterns have become my most used patterns from my library (and I have A LOT of patterns... more than yarn perhaps?). I basically always have one in my knitting rotation.

The other concentration sweater I'm working on (tho' I am juggling about 5 different things right now, these two are the ones that I'm setting daily goals for) is a Central Park Hoodie for Theresa:

Central Park Hoodie in Kathmandu Aran
click to see a larger yummy version
This is a very fast knit. My kind of knitting. I had started one for me some time ago, but ended up frogging it (wasn't happy with using a long tail cast on and some other issues). I'll be knitting this for me no doubt. I have the back and right front done. The left front is still on the bottom ribbing.

The other projects I'm working on here and there:

• Summer Braids Cardigan (the breakfast project).


• Gaelic Morning Mist


• Ariann

So lots to knit on (and trying very hard to not cast on something new!!! Must finish these projects! However, the light isn't bad this morning, so I'm going to add some stash to Ravelry!

My New Assistant

Jake helping to count skeins
Jake's been a real help with me get my stash up on Ravelry. Ya, black yarn/white haired dogs... let's call the yarn "heathered" now. (tho' Gena is the culprit for most of the dog hair in the house... she literally explodes hair).

Anyway, Jake has a bladder infection and he's very "snuggly". Meaning that he goes where I go, so he's helping out with the stash today. However, it's so cold that I appreciate the body heat! if not the "help".

Just a quick update

First let me say.... BRRRRRRRR(favortie curse word)RRRRRRRRR.

Jake's headed back to the vet's this morning. He's much more mobile, but he's barely eating. Things are a little stressful here so hopefully we'll get back to routine soon.

Meanwhile, I'm back to work on Cassidy. She's been in a time out for a while now (since I missed an entire cabled section on the right front and had to frog it down to the ribbing) and it's time to finish her up! Not much left: just this right front, seaming, hood, finishing. It's a fast knit (when I work on it), so I'm thinking she should be done by the end o' the month (and keeping me on schedule!)

Linda, thanks for the suggestion on the Noro scarf, but sadly it wouldn't count towards my goal (just like I didn't count the two Special Olympics scarves I made last year). My goal is to finish sweaters (or an other "big" project: afghans, shawls and groupings of small projects, like Matt's Winter Set, do count). I want to get some of these UFO's/WIP's done, so I'm concentrating on those first. A few new things will get added in, but one of the reasons I set such a high goal for myself this year was to clear out some of these UFO's! One down! 23 to go!!! (yikes, who set that goal again????).

Let's put it this way... even at 23 to go, I've got plenty of UFO's to chose from!!!

Penny Ribbi

While sitting with a recovering Jake, I was able to work on the Penny Ribbi... and finished it. Perfect knitting for when you just need to do something with your hands.

Penny Ribbi
click to enlarge
Okay, so not the best photo, and not even remotely color accurate (the top section is "violet" and a lovely shade of lavender, the body a lovely dark dark gray heather).

I am in love with this pullover. The Cascade 220 is so delightful to knit with... and to wear (a definite plus). I love the color combo and I love the fit. The idea behind this came from a JC Penny's sale flyer for a half zip sweater that used these colors and I just loved it. So ordered the colors (tho' I thought the "jet" color was a solid black... the dark grey heather was a happy accident). I still need to block it and get a better photo, but it's done enough for project stats (and to count as my first finished project for 2009).

Project Stats:

Pattern: Ribby Pulli by Chicknits

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Jet, White and Violet

Changes to the pattern: shorter bottom ribbing, did a 2X2 ribbed mock turtleneck. Shortened the sleeves considerably.

Problems with the pattern: My ONLY complain about Chicknits patterns is the lack of sleeve width measurements. This is one of my big (no pun intended) fitting areas, and it would be nice to know quickly (and without doing math) how wide the sleeves are. As usual, no problems with the actual pattern. There's a reason I knit a lot of Bonne Marie designs (with more to come...)

Overall impressions: I love it! It's warm, cozy, love the colors, love the fit. Would not change a thing if I were to make this again. Oh, I will make it again with different colors/yarns/sizes (ya, this is right up Matt's style too, eh?). I love the side ribbing. Gives waist fitting without row tracking. Good fun to knit.

One project down for the year... and right on schedule! I have until the end of January to get something else finished... oh, but the choices??? What shall I finish next????

Edited to add a self portrait photo:

Penny Ribbi
click to enlarge
Not the best way to get a photo, but shows how well it fits. Still needs a good blocking, but I'm wearing it today!

Quick Jake Update

Jake is resting semi comfortably. When he took his spill on the icy deck, he ruptured his tumor, or at least part of it. His back leg is very swollen and bruised. Good news is that nothing is broken (he can put weight on that back leg). So it's a matter of time for all the blood that was expelled to be work itself out. He's very sore, very stiff (and milkin' it for for cookies, which he will eat).

Thanks to everyone with the concerns! We're hoping he'll be on the mend soon.

Best Laid Plans...

I had hoped to get back to stash logging, but it's not looking good for today. I had thought the dreary, rainy, icy weather was done today (and I did see the sun while I was showering this morning), but the clouds have returned and it's hailing out as I write this.

The ice also has caused some damage. We are taking Jake to the vet's this morning afternoon after a rather nasty spill. The leg that has his tumor doesn't look good and he didn't eat his breakfast this morning (uh, he's a beagle mix... and if you know Jake, not eating is not good). Fingers crossed, the swelling and blackened leg is just from a nasty sprain.

I'll get back to the stash logging as soon as I can.

Edit: the vet couldn't fit us in until later today, and the sun came out. Got a few things done.

Stash

The projects are going to be limited for a bit, thanks to the stash going into Ravelry. However, the next few days look like overcast/rainy/winterymix weather, so I might get more knitting done (unless I'm distracted by Resistance or Gears of War).

The biggest issue I'm having with getting my stash in? Not casting something on with every single yarn I photograph:

Cotton Comfort
There's a reason I have so much yarn. I love it. I love it all. I think yarn is full of optimism. It can be so many different things. The choices of what I can do with a ball of string. A cardigan (probably). A pullover (maybe). Cables. Lace. Both. Let's face it... planning a project is almost as much fun as finishing it (and in some cases.. more fun!). Fortunately (?) most of my needles are in use...

I will say that an other drawback I've had with logging the stash (apart from the actual photography and my dependance on decent natural light) is the proof of how much I have. There's a dawning realization that not only will I never get around to using all of this yarn, but how to store all the finished projects (see the yarn forces me to be optimistic, as I still assume that I'm going to make something from what I have). However, right now I'm not thinking about destashing. I just want to get it logged in, then I might do an other destashing.

Some quick comment responses:
I got a question about my Rambling Shadows Jacket and the actual colors I used. I used Caron's Simply Shadows in Autumn and Caron's Simply Soft in Autumn Red.

Oh, and Linda, let me say that the reason I can knit so much? I don't work. I don't have kids. I barely do housework. I knit or play video games. I do make dinner. I occassionally throw in a load of laundry (which is fab... as it makes me feel very "housewifey", yet gives me a lot of time between loads to knit or play video games). So I do spend the bulk of my day knitting which allows me to be very productive... and I like having something tangible to show for what I did with my time. Which is one of the other things I love about knitting... it gives me something practical when completed. I think we've already decided that a girl just can't have too many green cardigans. Well, at least I'm going to keep going until I find what the number is for "too many".

The New Year is Underway!

I got my New Year's Day project cast on, and it's progressing nicely. A little Dream in Color Classy in Black Parade (such yummy yarn) and Ariann. Seems to be a good match so far. I do find the color has a lot of tranference (I'm not getting any at all with my Gothic Rose), but I'm not concerned. I'll do a vinegar bath when I go to block it. If there is some fading, I'm sure I'll be fine with it.

I'm enjoying the pattern. Simple lace pattern, but while I love the fit of waist shaping, it is more to track (hmmm... maybe that's my issue with sleeves: that constant row tracking). It's worth it for fitting purposes, but sometimes it's nice to have something that I can just mindlessly knit. (Hmmm, Matt's sweaters don't have waist shaping...maybe I need to add something for him in my rotation?).

So that's a good kick off to the New Year. I don't do "resolutions" per se, but I do like to set some goals. I always try to get more finished projects done than the previous year. So I'm actually shooting for 24 this year. Yikes... that should make me focus on UFO's/WIP's... as I don't have a lot of time to cast on and finish new projects (that's two a month). We'll see, but I think I can do it. Must Concentrate!

I'm also concentrating on getting my stash in Ravelry. It's nice to know how much I have of a yarn. It also allows me to "shop my stash" online. Maybe discourage me from buying yarn for 10 times the projects that I complete a year. I'm doing a bit each day (if the light is good... today was a wash due to the overcast light). Not going to waste time trying to get a decent photo in bad light.

The biggest problem so far has been not casting on something as I photograph/count it! So many pretty yarns... not enough time (or needles!)

So a little stash tracking, a little knitting...the occassional vacuum. That's the plan for 2009!