Must Knit In Color - Complete!

Binding off a project is quite satisfying. Especially for a project that requires not much else post-bind-off except for weaving in a few ends, maybe a bit of steam to block it flat. I finished my "Must.Knit.In.Color." scarf this week - after a rather frustrating day and then frustrating knitting session. Each row is quite long, and I could see the end of the yarn! I had just enough to do the bind off row and then decided to double check the pattern. Why then? I have no idea. I went a row to far, so if a fit of wanting it done right, I undid that extra row. For the record, undoing a 400+ stitch row of linen stitch takes a lot longer than knitting linen stitch. Anyway, it is done now and done correctly. It still could use a quick pass under an iron, but I may skip that part for now, because I am looking forward to wearing this scarf.

(Jackson can model for now. He owes me.)

As I have mentioned before linen stitch or woven stitch is great for these wild-colored yarns. Both sides look good, and as you knit the yarn up it is a mystery as to how the color will play with the color and stitches nearby. I had thought about alternating with some grey wool, just to make it bigger, but I am glad that I let this yarn do its own thing. If you need further inspiration check out the project gallery on Ravelry for the Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf - this is a great pattern for scraps too! I would love to work one in sock yarn leftovers, or even a Hope-and-Donald-2.0.

Zebra Scarf

I started this project, I think, back in September. 2006. I don't know why it was in hibernation for so long - it needed one little leg, 2 tiny ears, a mane and eyes put on, and ends woven in. Last night and today I decided to just get it done.

Zebra Scarf - found in "Vogue Knitting on the Go: Scarves Two" - I think this was the sole reason I bought the book (back when I did that sort of thing. sigh.)


It is seriously cute. The yarn I chose, Plymouth Yarn Oh My!, is really soft, but you totally loose stitch definition when you knit it. And it is a bit splitty. And unravels easily. It's like a chenille-y, multiple-tiny-eyelash-yarns together sort of yarn. Makes a cute project, but I'm not going to buy this again. Not sure what I will do with the leftovers.


Once again, Jackson totally rocks the zebra look.

The purple eyes were a specific request from the Lorax. She mostly approves of the scarf. But will she wear it?

Nope.

That Doesn't Look Right (Until the End)

A recent test knit has been completed, yay! I worked on Icing by Samantha Roshak. I used Cherry Tree Suri Lace Alpaca, colorway is unknown as I have long lost the band. But it's pretty and totally my colors, blues-purples-grey. Aside from my bat shawl, this is the first project for which I have actually used lace weight yarn! I like the effect of lace in a slightly heavier weight yarn (more like a sock weight) and I think this would be a great project for a special skein of sock yarn as well. I used roughly half a skein, and in the end it measures about 12" x 60" (more on that in a bit).

I will say I have had a lot of trouble figuring out how to get a good photo of this particular object. I took a bunch and am going to run with them and if the inspiration fairy strikes later I'll revise my photos. So for now, I'll deal with a lot of "That Doesn't Look Right".

For instance, Jackson as a model, though the photo does show the fuzz factor of the yarn, pre-soak / block.


Also pre-block, the scarf was about 3 dachshunds long.


I was surprised to find after soaking the scarf, that the water was blue! I had no indication that would happen - no dye came off on my hand while knitting, and nothing was on the towels after blocking, so really no big deal, but it makes you stop for a moment and go, huh?


This project has me seriously considering blocking wires (or a trip to the hardware store for a DIY version) - I had to block this in sections, and it was a pain annoying. Luckily, lace dries pretty quick. I used my metal knitting needles to help block it out - a tip I learned from Samantha back when I knit a little something last summer. For this type of project, it's not ideal, but it does get the job done. And when I'm wearing it around my neck, no one will really notice (unless my blog readers see me wearing it, please don't mention the blocking to me) :)

When I see this picture I think "Knitting. UR doin it wrong."

Now that it's all unpinned it's deliciously soft and airy and will be a great late winter into spring scarf, I love it. I do worry about catching one of the lace holes on anything, but that's my clumsy nature. I will try to be careful.

Holes in my work, must be lace!



I'm just trying to be fancy here. I think the chandelier in my dining room has potential.


On a person, wrapped roughly twice around my neck and there is still length for tucking in or whatnot.

In other knitting related events, I've managed to kill another sock. Lorelai has enjoyed looking at my heel poking through -

This is the first time I have busted through a heel. In fairness to the sock it was a different construction (this is bartholomew's sock from the Cat Bordhi sock book) and I think that may have contributed to some wear and tear. Since I've killed 3 pairs of socks in the last year besides this, and all those socks went out at the balls of my feet, not the heel, I'm confident in that assumption. Makes me second guess making more socks in that style of construction.

I decided to sign up for the Ravelympics, ambitiously of course, because I don't know how to do things like that any other way. My plan is "competition" in 4 events - Skelegurumi (have another baby toy to make), WIP Dancing (finish up my Seahorse) and 2 Sweaterboard Crosses. I am working on two shrugs for Romney Ridge Farm - one in a navy / blueberry - purple and one in a variegated cranberry-ish colorway (neither have labels, so I"m not 100% on the colors). This is my first time working with a DROPS pattern and I find it interesting that the pattern is only a paragraph! Not a problem if you know how to knit, but it keeps me on my toes - double checking my work. Right now, both bodies are done - they need a slight block and then seaming and picking up stitches for the edging.

Each piece looks like a funky chromosome to me.

Here's half of my funky chromosomes - helping to cook some Annies for dinner.

A little bit of everything.

Things are good in this little nutshell - busy, but good. On Sunday, I went up to Peacefulknitter's for a knitting potluck party. She is truly a "hostess with the mostess" - there was so much delicious food, lots of knitting, a yarn swap, yarn games and a yarn swap! Obviously there was a lot of thought put into this event and I think it was a huge success! One of my favorite parts of the day was meeting Emilee - when she walked into the room and saw me she exclaimed, "Nutmegknitter!" - and I exclaimed right back "Emilee!" :) Good times! I really enjoyed the chance to spend more knitting time with the usual gals from the Thursday night SnB and the other knitters that I know only online or through the occasional drop-in to a different SnB. (Jennsquared got some great photos!)

I won a really cute "Sheep Scarf" kit in the raffle and swapped some yarn for some purple Cascade Pima Tencel - I have a little bit of grey and white in my stash already, maybe I can do a stripey hat or top for Lorelai.


Sunday, being February 1st, marks the start of the 2009 LimeNViolet Sock Marathon - my goal is to knit 2 miles of sock yarn. On Saturday I started to practice with some worsted weight yarn and my "2 Socks on one circular" book - I had the lightbulb go off that, duh, that's Magic Loop! So, my first project in the "marathon" is a pair of iPhone Mitts for me. I'm using my "Bekka" yarn from Ruby Sapphire. I wasn't won over at first, but I stuck with it and am quite impressed by the fact that this actually works. Now I am interested in magic looping everything.

(the blue isn't quite that bright...)

We went over to my in-laws for the Super Bowl (Love the Doritos / Crystal Ball commercial the best) and there was a special presentation at half-time. I won the Pigskin Pool I was in with my husband, father-in-law and brother-in-law. In the past the winner gets bragging rights - this year is different. I won (!!!) (and was in first place for several weeks in a row) - they got me a trophy. I have a football trophy! How awesome is that? I learned the game when I married Dan, and I try to keep up, and next fall I'll be starting all over again (still can't tell you what a safety is, or a flea-flicker and once everyone gets on their new teams I'll be lost again) - but still, I have a football trophy :)

(My team, the Fighting Dachshunds! Last year it was Rosie Grier Knits Too.)

I'm on the button band on my Central Park Hoodie! The hood was finished last night, and I'm really trying hard to get the rest of it done before I get sucked back into sock knitting again. So close!

Other knitting news I also turned several mini-skeins from j-knits.com into swatches.


Yeah, busy, but good.