Elise

Pattern: Elise by Kim Hargreaves in Vintage Knits

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, 7 1/2 skeins

Needles: 3.75 mm

Modifications: The feature that I originally loved about this pattern was the ruffled neck and then as I started knitting the ruffle, I just really didn't like how it looked so I decided to leave the neck in the plain garter stitch. In the end, I kind of regret not knitting the ruffle since that's the detail that really sets this cardigan apart but I'm still happy with it. I also didn't knit the cuffs and than attach them because the sleeves are long enough without them.

And here is where I feel like a rookie knitting my first sweater, I had the hardest time understanding Rowan's decreasing instructions for the sleeve cap. I have no idea what my problem was but I ended up rewriting them using instructions for the Handy Book of Sweaters by Ann Budd.



And the reason that I don't have any pictures of it on me yet is because I'm not sure what I am going to use as a closure. In the book, they used a brooch. I used a kilt pin when I wore this to work on Friday but it wasn't really working so I need to think of a better solution.

Stash Busting Project #2

A big lumpy cowl.

Pattern: no pattern. I just cast on a random number of stitches on a 5 mm circular and alternated knit and purl rounds whenever I felt like it until I ran out of yarn.

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky. Odds and ends left over from my Ariosa Wrap Cardi. I have to remember to not wear the cowl and the sweater at the same time.

I officially do not have a single scrap of highland chunky in this colour left in my stash!

Stash Busting Project #1

A new toque for Rob! It turns out that I still have three toques from last winter that are still in good shape but Rob only has one....so he definitely needed another one.

Pattern: made up

Yarn: Berroco Peruvia. I hated this yarn when I tried to make a vest with it but it worked well for this toque. I have enough left to probably make mittens as well.

Needles: 5mm

Quick and easy project!

Crafty...where did my craftiness go!

Since I haven't posted since Oct. 20th, I think it's pretty obvious that I'm having a bit of a crafting drought. I've finished a few things but have yet to photograph them and I'm pretty stalled on what to make next. Even my stash is failing to inspire me.

On the upside, I only have 1 sweater's worth of yarn in the stash! Somehow this year, I have seriously managed to stash bust. My current problem is I'm no longer crazy about the yarn I do have on hand to make a sweater.

But I do have piles of odds and ends so last night, I combed through the stash and made up 5 baggies each containing one little project to use up some scraps. So expect to see hats, mittens, baby sweaters, and socks for the next little bit until I can decide what sweater to knit next and purchase some new yarn. Which I'm a little excited about since I haven't had new yarn in over a year (except for one incident with a bright pink skein of sock yarn)!

Usually when I hit a knitting wall, I end up focusing on sewing for a bit (and vice versa) except I'm also at a bit of a loss for what to sew next. I switched my closet over from summer to fall/winter clothes...and I have a lot of clothes. I definitely don't need any more skirts for a little bit after my skirt making binge of fall 2008/winter 2009 but I'm just not sure what I do need. I think I'll focus on making dresses for a bit. Might be time to comb through my BWOF and pattern stash and find some new patterns.

Anyways, here's hoping that I get my crafty mojo back soon!

Dead Socks

I finished these socks in March 2006 and noticed that they've developed a very large hole in the bottom. Most likely from getting snagged on a nail in my hardwood floor at home. That floor can be deadly!

Reading my blog post from when I originally finished these socks reminded me of how much I hated knitting them at the time but I've actually worn them quite a bit and the St. Ives yarn did hold up very well.

At the rate that I destroy knitted socks (I maybe ruin one pair a year), I seriously still have enough socks to last me the next 15 years. This is probably why I don't knit nearly as many pairs as I used to and most of the pairs I knit now are gifts. I can't even tell you the last time I purchased sock yarn and I still have some real gems in the stash.

M5817

Pattern: M5817

Fabric: Navy wool

Modifications: absolutely none. I really like the double vent at the back of this skirt and I used a closed lining following instructions for an older copy of Vogue Patterns. And I'm so glad that I didn't shorten this skirt, it would have been too short if I had!

Here is the line drawing so you can see the detail of the back vent since it doesn't show up very well in navy:

Blue Wrap Top

Pattern: New Look

Fabric: matte jersey

Modifications: none but I should have made some!

In theory, this top is a good idea. In practice not too much. It's too short (and I didn't even shorten it), the waist is too low (something I should have fixed), the sleeves are too baggy/long (also something I should have fixed) and it just would not stay put. I felt self-conscious in it all day because I had to keep adjusting it.

It might grow on me so I'm going to put it away with my spring/summer clothes and see if I like it better next year!