Help!

I’ve fallen into Ravelry and I can’t get up!

My poor little neglected blog.

I think I’ve spent more time on the wonderful world of Ravelry, a web-based knitting community, than I have, well, spent knitting.  That’s sad.

Why Did You Cut Up That Beautiful Sweater?

Because I felt like it.

I’d bought some sweaters at the thrift shop that were gorgeous and already felted.  Someone else’s “OOPS!” is now my treasure.  I ‘m still planning to make purses, but  I went ahead and turned one into a shawl for Sarah.  So cute, so quick.  I’m ready to make more with felted fabric.  It’s so easy to sew! I’ve been inspired by the book Felt It! Stitch It! Fabulous!

Le Slouch est Magnifique!

 

 

 

This quick knit was fun and satisfying. I finished in a couple of evenings. I don’t suppose I have the face for hats, but this one I love anyway. A big bonus is that I don’t get “hat hair” when I wear it. The seed stitch texture makes the most of the gorgeous variegation. The yarn was a luxury “one-skein splurge” and I’ve waited a long time to find just the right project. It is Artyarn Ultramerino 8 in a blue/purple/ochre/brown colorway. So soft and springy, right up there with Karabella Aurora 8. Very warm with just the right amounts of softness, definition, and drape. The only thing I wasn’t so crazy about was the decrease pattern. The seed stitch hides it, but I’d like to try this one again in stockinette.

 

Perfect Pie… Well, not quite perfect

Lovely project. Easy, but not too boring. This is the “Perfect Pie Shawl” from Melanie Falick’s Weekend Knitting. I used some stashed mohair/acrylic I got several years ago at a store closing. I’ve always wondered what I would do with it. This worked well for the project, and I pictured it as a casual shawl for all my denim and khaki (my personal “comfort colors”), and it’s surprisingly warm. One caveat: You MUST rip back to fix mistakes. The pattern is not forgiving, and my mistakes stick out like neon. I got lazy (mohair is not fun to rip and re-knit) and later regretted it. My next one really will have to be perfect. I like the picot edge, though next time I may have to try the daintier lace trim to finish it off.

My first sewing project!

My mom sent me home with one of her old sewing machines – my first.  I couldn’t wait to get started.  I spent the next couple of days sewing my very first clothes.  It was a simple peasant top and tiered skirt for my six-year-old.  I had a ball!  I’m  really excited about this new hobby. 

Leaf Scarf Love

I am finally finished wth the lucious leaf scarf a la “Scarf Style” and folks, it’s a winner.  I’d do this again in a heartbeat.   It’s summer, but I can’t wait.  I keep going to the closet to peek at it, just to see if it’s still as soft and lovely as it was when I finished.  It is.

Sheep Shawl Capitulation

The lovely Sheep Shawl — I must put it away after ripping for a THIRD time due to dropped stitches.  I tried to be SOOO careful.  I could not figure out how to ladder the dropped stitches up and maintain the pattern.  So I’m duly putting it to the side and I’ve begun a simple but clever (and chart-less, thank you very much) shawl in Melanie Falick’s Weekend Knitting called the “Perfect Pie.”   I love the design which makes the most of the short row technique.

Happy Hats

These hats are heavily modified versions of the “Rainbow Marley” in Itty Bitty Hats.  What a great way to use leftover bits.

Sheep Shawl redo

I’ve gotten back to the lace shawl and can I just say — Lace Addis — awesome.  Perfect.  I’m a happy knitter once again.

Fur Trimmed Baby Cardi Almost Done

I am sooo close to finishing the little baby wrap cardi with the fur trim.  I used every bit of three balls of yarn to the point that I did not have enough to make the i-cord for the ties.  I’ll be using ribbon, I suppose.  I made a little hat as well.  Now I need to find a happy little six-month-old model for pics and then I need to gather up the napkins, backs of receipts, and little slips of paper that contain my oddball drawings and bizarre calculations.  I say bizarre because I’m the kind of persn who still needs her fingers when I add (don’t worry — my husband will be taking care of the math when we begin homeschooling).  Yet it worked.  The sweater looks like my sketch and the gauge was consistent.  I’m happy with it.  The Berocco “Lullabye” is squishy, comfy, and bright.  It’s much prettier in real life.  My digital skills leave much to be desired.  Pattern to follow!