“Backyard Leaves” In Progress

Now that the gift knitting marathon is over, I can get back to one of my favorite new projects, and this is for me.

“Backyard Leaves” from Scarf Style from is addictive, I tell you. I am never bored, yet it’s not too taxing. I catch mistakes quickly and it’s really taking off. The yarn is from Karabella, 4 balls of Aurora8 #716 merino wool. Very springy and soft, and the green has just enough of a heathery yellow undertone to make it sing. I’m 1/4 done.
leaf repeat close up

I know — my pictures aren’t the best. I’m still learning how to use my camera. You can see a picture of another knitter’s beautifully blocked scarf here and here

A New “Old Favorite”

You know those sweaters that just fly off the needles? Those that, as soon as you finish, you can just tell it’s going to quickly become a favorite “knockabout” you reach for again and again? This was one of those projects. It’s a top-down raglan from Knitting Pure and Simple pattern #996 and I used a hand-dyed wool “Rios de la Platas”. I can see doing several of these. Quick and satisfying.

(Click on sweater for better view)

Mitered Triangles

This top-down cap has mitered triangles on the brim. I used stash yarn for the top and a pretty wool/acrylic bulky blend in in shades of rose, blue, charcoal, and tan for the brim. My boss brought it back from Italy for me. Unfortunately, I made the top too deep, and after making the triangles, I didn’t have the heart to rip back and shorten it. It’s too big to wear as a beanie, and too short to flip the brim up. Pattern from my beloved “Handknit Holidays” by Melanie Falick.

Into the gift drawer it goes. *sigh* I did try Judy’s Magic Cast-On with this hat. LOVE that one, especially for socks.

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Fingerless and Fab

My “fetching” new fingerless mitts made from 1 1/2 balls of Kureyon on size 6 dpns. They fit well, but they’re a little itchy. I’m hoping a Eucalan bath will soften them. I love how the stripes matched up. I don’t know the color number, but this picture does not do it justice.

What to do with that lace shawl you just HAD to knit…

… and then you realized, “Oh yeah, I don’t wear shawls.”

I don’t know if I’ll wear it either, but I’m joining the Knit-Along next month anyway when my LYS will be making the “sheep shawl”. We are inspired by the owner’s “seascape shawl” in the picture below. Doesn’t it make a lovely curtain? I’m looking at my smaller windows in a whole new light (no pun intended).

Too small. Too bad. So sad.

I made a store sample using an A. Vitadinni pattern and “Natasha” yarn in fog. A very easy pattern once I memorized the cable and the raglan cap sleeves made the whole thing come together in a snap. Unfortunately it’s way too small for me.

 

My five-year-old might be able to squeeze into the thing. Nice yarn, though. Well written pattern.

Red Scarf Project -Done!

(Click on scarf)

Our LYS sponsored the Red Scarf Project and I finally got it done. No mean feat after all of the last-minute Christmas knitting.It’s a simple garter stitch knit lengthwise, but the yarn is soft and lovely. I used “Foliage” in muted reds and oranges. Very soft, very warm, and very looong. I had inches of yarn to spare.