Jul
03
I told you I was on a yellow streak! I know this yarn is the exact same color family as my previous two knitting projects, but it’s the newest addition to my stash. I figure if I am on a streak, I should roll with it! What’s the harm in a little more yellowy golden yarn?
The funny part is, I am so in love with this color right now, but I don’t really care for the taste of mustard. Look, don’t lick! This is Harrisville Designs Orchid Line, a discontinued wool/silk/mohair blend. It’s gorgeous, soft, and has that mohair halo I’m always gushing about. When I swapped for this yarn, I decided immediately that it would be for a project for me to wear. I just haven’t decided what!
It looks like a lot of people have used this yarn in felting projects, but in my opinion, it’s too soft and nice for that. It’s very shiny! Unfortunately yarns that I don’t have firm project plans for tend to get the back seat behind projects I’m already planning, so this may be a stash sitter for a while. But at least I know I have something lovable and inspiring buried in there for a rainy day!
Filed under:
swaps,
yarn p8rn fridays Tags: golden, halo, KYS, mohair, mustard, silk, stash, swap, wool, yarn pr0n fridays, yellow, ypf
Jul
01
Not long ago, I was home alone when I read that Robyn would be hosting a knit along for Ishbel. When I first saw this pattern, I wasn’t too excited about it since I’ve never been able to get in the swing of wearing small scarves. (I’m not good at accessorizing outfits!) However, something about being home alone – maybe it was quiet enough to hear the yarn calling from the other room – created the perfect conditions for a fit of cast-on-itis, and I had no choice but to start the new project immediately.
It was a really quick knit for me. I continued in that addictive fervor that spurred the impulsive cast-on, and had it off the needles and onto the blocking board in no time. The beaded points are my own addition to the pattern– I wanted to see if I could weigh down the points to make the scarf a little drapier despite my tighter gauge. I also wanted to really emphasize that adorably scalloped edge, so I pinned the points out tightly when I was blocking.
I used Rowan Kidsilk Haze, 3.0mm needles (fixed KP Harmony), and a hybrid of the two sizes offered. I knitted the larger of the stockinette instructions (to get a bigger shawl with my smaller needles) with the small size’s lace repeats, the proportions of which I like better. It turned out really nicely that way – the perfect size for a little something scarf – and I’m hoping to get some wear out of it when the weather turns. It is my new color, after all!
Filed under:
knitting Tags: 3.0mm, beads, blocking, FO, harmony needles, ishbel, kidsilk haze, knitpicks, lace, rowan, yellow, ysolda teague
Jun
27
I’m an all-or-nothing type of person. If I choose to do something, I like to be great at it, and I tend to put a lot of time and energy into doing it in its entirety. Therefore, if I go through a phase where I’m dedicated to something, other things tend to suffer neglect. For example, if I devote myself to cooking projects and exercise, my upkeep of the chores might suffer. Or if I’ve been diligent about the chores and laundry, my knitting productivity can be meager. Recently, I’ve been reading lots of books, following sports journalism closely, and knitting up a storm, but as you may have noticed, my blog has suffered for it. The good news? I’ve been knitting up a storm, so there’s lots to show and tell!
Cookie A.’s Willamette Hops socks from my Knit/Purl sock club. The easy-to-remember lace repeat on these made them really fun to knit, and they went by quickly as I enjoyed watching the pooling unfold. The two socks turned out pretty different, pooling-wise, but I think they look beautiful because the different tones of the colorway are harmonious enough.
I was really excited about the kit for these socks, because I am so into yellow right now. I’m seeing yellow everywhere I go! It’s so happy Between yellow, yellowy-orange, and “marigold,” I’ve got myself a full blown recurring theme, and possibly a new favorite color. I have more yellow knits and yellow yarn to show you… so bring your sunglasses.
May
27
Finally, I have a post for you that isn’t about sock knitting! (Although sock knitting is definitely occurring.. don’t get the wrong impression. ;-) I finally finished the baby sweater that was set back by the broken needle, and I’m really happy with the results.
I loved knitting a sweater out of sock yarn, even if it is only in miniature kid’s size. It’s nice and stretchy and lightweight, just the kind of thing I would want to wear for crawling around. I hadn’t worked with Araucania Ranco before, and at first, it wasn’t quite as soft as I was hoping. So I used my old trick of washing the garment in 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner before blocking it, and it is much softer now.
I loved my mini-phase of baby knitting! The small garments whiz by so quickly, that the result is really satisfying. Even the seaming and drying phases get finished up easily. I’ll have to keep that in mind in case I hit a slump… for a good time, call up some baby-sized projects.
Filed under:
knitting Tags: 2-in-1, araucania, baby, blocking, buttons, conditioner, drying, FO, pink, ranco, seaming, shampoo, sweater
May
25
It occurred to me a little late that this particular Monday would have been a good opportunity to do a flag or other patriotic motif. Instead, offered here for your amusement, is a knitted picture of a moustache.
After posting last week’s motif, I was doing some cleaning and found the slip of paper we had used to brainstorm different types of moustaches for the Mustachio Nosewarmer. Moustaches are so quirky/trendy right now, and so graphic and recognizable, that I couldn’t resist charting one out right away. You could add it to a doll pattern… or a balaclava! It’s just a fun and silly motif.
Right-click the chart to save it to your computer to add facial hair to your favorite knitting project! Or, if that idea totally grosses you out, you can click here to view the Motif Monday archives, or click here to contact me with suggestions for future motifs. (You could send hate mail too, but I reserve the right to print it out and draw facial hair on it.)
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