"No Pictures" is No Excuse

I've been putting off posting this weekend because I needed to take pictures of all the things I have to discuss. However, I don't know when I will get a chance to do this with the holiday coming up, so this post will be picture-less. But that will just make you come back to see updates on these mystery projects, right?

Holiday Stashdown Update

I finished the Man (or Anyone) Cowl from some naturallycaron.com Country in charcoal. The yarn is awesome, I have used it a few times and love how soft it is. The cowl worked up in only a few days, and the pattern is perfectly clear. I wish it had a little more stitch definition though. Any suggestions?

The official Holiday Stashdown project count is down to 3 now. The seed stitch scarf mentioned earlier is about halfway done, although this has to be the slowest scarf I've ever made.

Now onto....

Personal Knitting

I was very excited when I managed to knit my WIP bin down to a few projects. My Ravelry project list only had one row of works-in-progress (all with pictures which is rare), and I was determined to knock a few of those out as well. However, and I'm sure subconsciously, I was more determined to start as many projects as possible to get that page back to how it normally looks (disorganized). Startitis struck and I now have 3 newly cast-on projects.

My First Toe Up Socks have been calling to me to start them for a while now. I invested in an Addi Lace fixed circular needle so I could try socks on Magic Loop. I'm using Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson (from the library of course, though I may look for a copy). I started with the "easy" toe and am steadily knitting towards the heel. I have not decided what heel I'm going to use yet, though I'm leaning towards the short row heel, just because I haven't made one yet. I'm using Berroco Comfort Sock and LOVE it. It's super soft and the color is beautiful. It's called Beach house, in blues and teals, with some white and sage green thrown in. I hope it's durable, because at less than $8 a skein (which is enough for a pair of socks for me), I could use this all the time.

The Dr. Who scarf is next. This isn't acutally for me however, but this is a request from the best man in our wedding, Matt. He got a gift for both Travis and I, and I had knit something for practically everyone but him. So I asked him if he wanted anything and his answer was, "Can you knit me a Doctor Who scarf?" My head went blank at first. I know how long this scarf is in the series. I've seen the patterns and projects on Ravelry. But because I like Matt, I tell him, "Of course! It might take a while though, because I have about a dozen Christmas presents lined up already..." He tells me that's fine, there's no deadline. I recently asked him how long he *actually* wanted the scarf to be. The pattern is about 17 feet according to my calculations, and I hope his answer is somewhat shorter than that. I'm using the Season 12 pattern because it lists the Vanna's Choice colors. I'm using an array of Vanna's and Michael's brand Impeccable. I also changed it to  stockinette instead of garter stitch because I like how it looks more. I added a 3 stitch border also, so it would not roll up.

Last is the Swinging Stripe Cardigan from the pattern of the same name. I really wanted a basic open cardi pattern, and love the rolled collar on this pattern. I'm using some Universal Yarns Worsted I picked up at Tuesday Morning in green and brown, and I think things are going well so far. It is more of a guideline for the cardi than an actual pattern, so I hope it turns out ok. I don't have a lot of experience with top down raglans, but I'm not far enough along yet to know if I'm doing something wrong. I do plan, however, to take some advice I heard from the Knitmore Girls' podcast, and start the sleeves shortly after connecting the round for the armholes.

Aaaand, that's about it. This post was a little wordy, so hopefully I can knock out some photos and get those up here.

Holiday Stashdown 2010 and Bonus Handspun!

Well, I have been quite busy this week and have so much to update.

Pom-Pom Earflap Hat (x2)

This was made from leftover Impeccable and the Basic Earflap Hat. I added i-cord ties and a pom on top. Very easy to make, and the hardest part was figuring if this was going to fit its recipient.














And here is the second one, made from a random skein of Wool-ease I bought a while ago.















ok, so each took about half a skein, but that's one whole skein out of the stash, right? and to celebrate, i used up another skein making myself a hermoine hat from a skein of Berroco Vintage in Sloe Berry #5184. is it bad that i'm a little excited for cool weather?

And now, for the bonus. Spinning class on Thursday at Knit Stop was awesome! I've only been going for about a month, and have about 5 ounces of red corriedale spun on my drop spindle from Nomad Yarns. I had enough singles spun to start plying, and I got to use the shop's spinning wheel. Kate is an awesome teacher, and had me going in no time. After much research, I believe it is a Lendrum folding wheel, definitely double treadle, and boy do I want one now. The spinning was so much faster and smoother than on my drop spindle. I have about 125 yards plied and waiting to be soaked and whacked and hung dry. But here they are!

And in my weekend spinning fever, I spun up a couple of samples we were given a few weeks ago. They're probably only 25 feet a piece, spun and plied on my drop spindle, then wound into the cutest little skeins.

The official Holiday Stashdown count is now 4 gifts in 6 weeks. One is definitely coming with me to knitting tomorrow, although I doubt it will be finished anytime soon. Maybe the socks will come with me also...

Holiday Stashdown 2010 - exhibit 6

Presenting another successful week for the Holiday Stashdown!

Beanie and Mitts

This is the Men's Fingerless Mitts pattern by Piece by Piece. The pattern was very easy to follow, and I had no problems at all. The rest of the yarn turned into a beanie which I thought would make a nice set. However, I like the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted so much, I just might keep it for myself.

What do you think?