(Thanks to Boran2 for this week’s diary title.)
It’s sleeting and nasty here at Chez Cabin today…in other words, perfect knitting weather! 🙂
So, first up, I did indeed finish my socks last week. I think I should have knit the smaller size, because they were just a little too big. Luckily, CBtE was only too happy to take ownership of them:
Here they are on my feet, only moments after finishing them:
(Click for larger image.)
And on CBtE’s feet the next morning (he wore them to school!):
(Click for larger image.)
So, since that project was finished, I moved on to another quick project, the Wavy Gravy hat I mentioned in last week’s diary. Well, that was so quick to knit, I had it finished in time for my walk yesterday morning. I used Noro Silk Garden yarn, and really liked it; it’s a silk and wool blend, with lots of subtle flecks of color mixed in through the color changes.
Here’s the finished hat (The flecks on the background are bits of sleet, since I took the picture outside for better lighting):
(Click for larger image.)
So, now I need to find something new to do. I have a request for socks from CBtY, but I need something tha’s a little more long term to work on besides that. I think this Clapotis scarf/wrap looks cool, although I think I wold probably scale the size down a bit if I do it. It has the plus/minus of being a very repetitive pattern, so it’s easier to talk or look up at the instant replay during the football games…but boring for the same reason.
I’ve also wanted to do a Little Rivers sweater for just about forever, but the pattern is tricky and worked from a chart rather than written directions, which I find tedious because it requires my full attention to work on. I think I’m going to knit a swatch in the pattern in some leftover yarn to see how I feel about it before I commit to the whole sweater.
And then there’s this one (first version), which is definitely a long term project perfect for working on while watching teevee, and I think I would knit it in 4 long strips instead of 24 blocks to cut down on the finishing work at the end.
Shall I take a poll?
What’s on your needles today?
Great socks – I voted for the afghan. The sweater is beautiful but it looks like it’s for a man, and you deserve something for yourself! How about this pattern (in a different yarn please): Mr. greenjeans sweater. I think it would look especially pretty on you. Then, when you’ve gotten it all figured out, I can try it too. 🙂
Here’s a picture of a lobger version of the same sweater on a woman, and I was going to the knit sweater in this cool color:
I like the one you picked too. And top-dawn too, so less make-up work at the end. I think you should try that one…but DEFINITELY NOT in that yarn.
(ps, I can’t believe what they’re charging for the book of knitting patterns, can you?)
Can’t you just print out whichever ones you want – that’s what I do. If you want to check out some books worth having try Runway Knits or Best of Interweave Knits – this one also has some handy illustrated diagrams (you’re so advanced you probably don’t need those!)
I have a copy of the book that still has it’s original $17 price tag on it from when I bought it 10 years ago. 🙂
Aw c’mon mom! I voted for the boy’s socks because it’s way more important that he be arrayed in hip footwear than that you avoid boredom.
That’s the kind of thing I’d remember – Mother made my brother these cool socks, but didn’t want to make some for me.
Your poll choices are all beautiful. If you could just sacrifice the keyboard time, it should be easy to finish one project a week.
I knew someone would bring that up…
I didn’t mention that the socks are an easy to carry along project that can be started and worked on anywhere (ie, while waiting for people to be finished music/tennis lessons etc) and I can do them simultaneously while working on one of the others at home. Which is really what I was planning on doing…plus I want to try out a technique for knitting 2 socks on the same needles at the same time with the next pair.
I’m just trying to decide what my next longer-than-a-week project is so I can decide what yarn I need and get it ahead of time. So many decisions.. 🙂
Oh, okay. I really like that sweater, but dare not re-vote. It deserves at least one vote. Everybody seems to be going multi-color, but to me that is way cool looking.
Do you like to start things? I do, that’s the fun part.
I voted other. I need a car cover. 😉
I’m hoping that’s a Matchbox car cover you had in mind…
between your boys and my boys this pattern could keep you busy all winter:
Willie Warmer
Ok, slap me, I’m bored and cold and my scalloped potatoes are taking forever to bake.
I have a lot of off color comments for this, but since the NBs and CBs are involved, they all seem wrong somehow…
Is that a one-size fits all pattern? 😉
I think FM and I have ascertained that it’s a one size fits everyone except for FM.
So, what, you have to double the size for FM?
He said at least. 🙂 If that doesn’t get FM up from his nap, nothing will.
I was asleep and had the oddest dream. Something about a huge knitting project that would probably take the entire wool output of Australia. However, I kept thinking it would be really itchy. Hah!
I’m LOLing bigtime FM. I think you just made my night. And, yeah, itchy.
And maybe every other thread as well. 😀
Thank you SN and Andi. Amazing what a little dreaming can do. 🙂
Maybe he should be sent here, then a regular size should do…
But wouldn’t the warmer defeat the purpose of sending him there?
Are you trying to say, you can’t cover what you can’t find. 🙂
The sweater is beautiful so I gave it my vote. I’m still chugging away on hat & scarf sets for the Shelter for Homeless Veterans trying to get as many done as I can by the 14th. I love the idea of a weekly knitting post as knitting, crocheting & quilting are things I can talk about without feeling inferior to those of you with far more political savvy than I have {g} But I’ve learned a lot through the last couple years of lurking – thanks!!
I hope you’ll post pictures of some of your projects. And I envy you for being a quilter – my mom makes the most wonderful quilts, but I’m afraid I don’t have the patience for it beyond doing litte one for friends’ new babies.
I wish I was a knitter. One of these days….
At any rate, my co-worker does knit. I was thinking I would buy her some really nice yarn for Christmas (having seen how expensive the stuff can be), but know next to nothing about yarn. So, I thought maybe some of you savvy knitters could give me some recommendations. She likes natural yarns and funky textures. She’s done some nice felting too. Also, I have no idea what is a good amount. I don’t want to buy so much she gets sick of it, nor so little that all she can make is a hat.
Think this would make a good gift?
I think it’s a great gift, but it might be a real challenge when you don’t know what she’d like to knit with it (especially if she would need to get more for a larger project, it can be tricky trying to find he right dye lot later). Can you chat her up on her knitting projects past and future, and get some idea what she’s wanting to try next?
On the other hand, if you know she likes to knit something specific (like socks!), that’s pretty easy to pick the right amount and weight of yarn for.
Sadly, she’s on vacation this week, so no grilling until next week. I know she makes sweaters and scarves and hats. I don’t think she does socks, nor have I ever heard of her making any large throws.
I was kind of hoping that the yarn would provide the inspiration for the piece. I gather that is a bit backwards. :>)
I’m curious, do you ever buy online, or is it something you really need to feel and see first?
Seeing the colors and feeling the yarn is pure bliss, but I do buy on line from knitpicks.com because the prices are so good. I used their Wool of the Andes for two lace shawls and I just stocked up on the fingering weight Palette for a Fair Isle vest I want to design. The heather colors are wonderful.