Silk Kerchief Finito!

Look what I finished last week! My Silk Kerchief. I knit until I reached the purple in the skein, then felt that I was done.



Is it not the cutest kerchief ever? I see you nodding your heads. But you'll have to make your own! This one's mine.



I remember two years ago when I hated triangular shawls. That seems like a lifetime ago.

Silk Kerchief

I'm lucky to attend a weekly knitting circle at Rosie's Yarn Cellar, with a fabulous group of gals right near Square. Sometimes, I get to drool over the newest creation that Kate has whipped up if I get there early enough. To gush for a moment, that girl has got killer style.



In the case of her Silk Kerchief, the instant I saw it, I craved my own. Unlike my usual inclinations, I didn't want to alter it colorwise. I just wanted to recreate a bit of her magic. Those aren't even my colors. Where's the purple? The pink? The horror! But there I was last Wednesday asking Lisa for advice on what skeins of Noro were similar to what Kate had used.

Note I said "similar". Even my "neutrals" shown below have some vibrant variations...



I love that it's a simple pattern that makes sense. The stripes of natural whites and creams with whatever new color is appearing from the variegated skein, create a striking herringbone effect. I would not have thought to do that, which is why I'm glad that this talented lady thought it up for me.



But do you want to know my favorite part of the pattern? The skill level is rated "wicked easy".

What a sassy New Englander.

Sunset Colored Yarn

You all know how I am about color, right? The brighter, the bolder and let's face it--the gaudier, the better to me. Well, I have a knitting buddy who is practically my twin when it comes to patterns and our taste in color. If you can believe it, even I don't always approve of her color choices! That is saying alot!

Either way, she designed a gorgeous new scarf pattern called Dahlia. I immediately rushed over to Rosie's and snagged a skein of this sunset colored Ella Rae yarn to cast-on for my own. You can find it here. I'm so proud of you, Jennifer!



This scarf is perfect for that skein of variegated yarn that doesn't look good in anything else. Her pattern really breaks up any unwanted pooling of color.



I just love these colors. I wonder if it's because it's the color of the waning light of fall, or because it matches the latest seasonal flavors of gelato at Capogiro?

Completed: Landscape Scarf

The Landscape Scarf is completed. What an adorable and fun project. The larger shawl isn't particularly my style, but this small triangular version would be perfect for anyone.

To re-cap, I started with three Koigu mill ends, which was equal to about 1-1/2 skeins.



I used a Russian join to join the yarn together from the different skeins. I recommend using this type of join, especially if the yarn is slippery and will not felt together easily, such as silk or super wash wools. It creates a seamless thread of yarn, and eliminates the need to weave in lots of ends. I wanted to switch pretty often, and this join worked perfectly.

The only change I made in the pattern was to add a picot to every row, instead of every other row.



I gave it a little bath, and blocked it out slightly to shape the top edge better.



I then took gratuitous shots of my new scarf next to cupcakes with matching sprinkles. This was a complete coincidence though, the cupcakes were because Mike's nephew was visiting.



My scarf's maiden voyage was at the Bastille Day Festival at the Eastern State Penitentiary. I put it on briefly to show the girls and pose for a group photo with Madame de Farge.



A quick note on my awkward pose; my hand is stuck in the air because it's covered in Tastykake frosting from the "let them eat cake" festivities. Yes, those are Tastykakes being shoveled off of the roof and pummeling the crowd. Glorious.

Lace Ribbon Scarf

I nearly choked myself at knitting circle last Wednesday, while stretching my unfinished lace ribbon scarf around my neck trying to convince the girls that I was done. By the time my dinner arrived, the girls said that I could cast-off.



My impatience was not because I don't love this pattern. I truly do. I would recommend this for an easy or beginner's lace project. It's easy to memorize, and knits up quickly. This was my second one in a row, so I feel that I got a bit burned out at the end.

I'm happy with the finished result. The cobalt teal (makes it sound less seafoamy-eighties and is a legitimate paint color) is one of my favorite colors. Plus, the superwash merino laceweight created a diaphanous material after blocking.

Next, I'll cast on for my Landscape Scarf again, which I ripped out due to a couple of mistakes. I barely mind starting over, the Koigu yarn is so springy and the picots so enchanting. Otherwise, I may take my summer knitting hiatus and work on my studying!

Landscape Scarf

Oh, Koigu. How I love you.



I must thank Lisa for enabling me to purchase these two extra mini-skeins of mill ends this month. They work perfectly with a skein from last year's mill end sale to make a small shawl.

Now that I am a reformed triangle shawl gal, I've started the Landscape Scarf. This is the smaller version of the shawl, which is still a bit large for my evolving taste.



The scarf has picot edging, which is something I'm a complete sucker for. They're like little pom-poms edging your knitted goods. And a close cousin to my friend, the bobble.



Cute, don't you think? In fact, why am I sitting here writing to you when I can be knitting with my pretty yarn?



Have a great weekend, everyone! Don't forget to visit the Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend if you're in Philly. I'm headed over there to help out a friend, and supposedly there will be thunderstorms...

Finished Project: City Shawl

My love affair with triangular shawls has officially begun. Using my Tilli Tomas yarn, I knitted the City Shawl by Stephanie Japel in mere hours. This is a super easy and versatile pattern that could work in any yarn, and looks fabulous. I predict many more in my future.



I was almost disappointed to finish knitting with this insanely squishy, beaded yarn.



Who knew a triangle could turn into a quick change artist? Oh yeah. Magda. It doesn't have to be worn like "Addie on the Prairie", as demonstrated here.



It can be worn backwards with the tails in the back.



Wrapped up like a kerchief, "Magda Style". (I promise, this will be my last reference to Miss Magda. A description using her name is essential here!)



Or even thrown over your body with the point across one of your shoulders.



I am a changed woman. From now on I will scoff at stoles and wraps! (wink)

Completed: Lace Ribbon Shawl

Here it is. The first item I have knit for my mom on purpose.



I'm not counting the baby blanket I made for a friend that my mom wanted to keep for herself. Her argument was that the colors were not very child appropriate (this friend was kind of goth). Of course she was half kidding, but it wasn't that close of a friend, and I didn't have her address anyway. Now it's my favorite lap blanket when I'm visiting home.

I wanted to make her something that she could wear in South Florida. Although it's hot, you get cold inside, since all places has central air conditioning. The yarn is Handmaiden Sea Silk, which is nice and cool. She can throw this on when having sushi on the beach with her girlfriends, at the movies, the opera, or the constant slew of weddings we've been attending.



The pattern was the lovely Lace Ribbon Scarf by the talented Veronik Avery . I really enjoyed knitting this. It was an easy lace pattern to memorize, but kept me interested. There are more specs on Ravelry for all of my knitting friends.

Enjoy the pictures, and just remember, it was laundry day...



My mom will get this in July for her birthday. Before you think I'm super efficient, I must tell you that this was supposed to be a present for last year!

Knitting Mojo and Lost Voices

There are three months until my mom's birthday. I think that I can finish a shawl for her in that amount of time. Muir, although beautiful, was a bit challenging for this novice lace knitter. I'm making her a wider version of the Lace Ribbon Scarf instead. It's coming along nicely, and I think my mom will really love it.



With warm weather approaching, I'm interested to see if my knitting mojo will leave me, as it does each summer. Or am I officially a knitter now?

Speaking of warm weather crafts, I can't help thinking of spring and summer skirts. I'm very excited about the new fabric store in Philly, Spool. We attended the grand opening last weekend, and the fabrics are gorgeous. The lovely Aimee, is working there, too. Perhaps I'll make a skirt with one of her patterns...



Mike said thank you for all the well wishes and compliments on his website.

Now could somebody please find me my voice? I lost it last Wednesday in the elevator at work. This is the longest case of laryngitis I've ever had, and I'm beginning to feel like Ariel, the Little Mermaid!

And you know this is killing me. I'm not the most quiet of people. (wink)

Peanut Butter and Jelly Ink

I finished knitting my Declan Capelet, but it didn't turn out how I wanted it too. I think I'll rip it out and knit this capelet instead. I may wait to rip it out until Wednesday's Knitting Circle, as requested by Andrea, but it has already been decided. (I'm the Decider! Ha ha).



This alpaca is so quick to knit up, that the process is enjoyable. I don't mind attempting something and failing, as long as I can acheive an end product that I will love. After all, it is (repeat with me), "prize winning showfleece!" Please note, I will limit myself to repeating that phrase to ten more times.

Don't you like how I am knitting with alpaca, while wearing a knitted wool sweater, and sitting under a woven alpaca blanket direct from Peru? (Thanks again, Aunt Sissy, you world traveller!) Is that a fiber overload or what? Good thing it is balanced out with our ratty free couches comprised of 1970s plastic fibers...

I've been working on the Lace Ribbon Scarf with my Colinette Jitterbug. Not to sound so forlorn about my knitting, but I'm not sure if this yarn is working with the pattern. Perhaps it's destined to become a pair of socks afterall.



Since my knitting has been going south, the universe has balanced out by providing some gocco luck this weekend. Don't let this peanut butter and jelly looking ink fool you, it turned out quite pretty. (The brown was to warm that cool purple shade up).



I'll show you what I can very soon. Here's a sneak peek, since I like you all so much.

Valentine's Tweed

Remember the tweed that induced a "yarn high" on my knitting field trip with the Degenerate Knitters? Well, you all know that I'm anti-stash, so I better knit it up quickly before the cold weather leaves us!



I'm swatching it up to become the remarkable, Demi, by Kim Hargreaves. The first sweater I knit was the Tyrolean from the same book, Vintage Knits. I love my Tyrolean, but it's a bit short for my liking, and somewhat boxy. I will attempt to make my Demi longer and a bit more fitted, similar to Elliphantom's.



I just have a little more tweaking on my gauge, and I can start. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day, filled with cookies, cupcakes, and possibly some glorious tweed!

Completed: Full Spectrum Legwarmers

I'm such a process gal. Please indulge me as I showcase the process behind my newest and most treasured wool item.

In December, I received 2 skeins of Noro during the holiday yarn swap at Rosie's! For a few minutes, I sat there thinking, what could I possibly make with 2 skeins of mismatched Noro? Seconds later the little voice told me to purchase 4 more of the constrasting and obnoxious skeins to create the most insane legwarmers ever!"

Of course I had to sketch it out so that others could see my "vision". Ever the multi-tasker, I turned it into an Illustration Friday entry as well. (wink)

I knit in Florida, ripped it out, ruined a pair of Addi Turbos, and restarted in Philly after some revising. There was the infamous Superbowl knitting vessel, the Bowl O' Yarn.



And finally, my quest has ended. I present to you, the Full Spectrum Legwarmers. (That sounds way more classy than "The Legwarmers that the Rainbow Vomited Upon")



I didn't really use a pattern, I just used a little math and knit a 1 x 1 rib. I kept knitting until they were long enough to stretch up to my thighs if cold weather required.



It is so satisfying when the real thing is as good, or even better than what you had imagined. Believe me, this is not always the case (i.e. the embarassingly ugly watercolor of a mermaid I did for Trey one year. Don't think I'm being modest, it is butt ugly. God bless Trey though, that monstrosity was hung on her cubicle panel proudly).



A blurry shot of me being in love with my new legwarmes. Even my ankles are squeeing.



Here's what's left of my yarn. I'm sure I'll need some mitts soon.



Enjoy, my friends. I may even let you try them on if you're good!

Completed Cinnabar Drops Jacket

All of this Malabrigo yarn has finally been cast-on, stitched, seamed and blocked.



To create this pretty little jacket below.



Sidenote: Why am I imitating a crustacean with my "crab claw" pose? I have no idea, but wanted to put this picture in so my mom can get a quick look at the paintings Mike is working on. Check out that cute girl on the painting on the left! (wink)

Although people are calling this the "Bandwagon Jacket", I don't really care if everyone is making it. The reason everyone is making it is because it's an adorable free pattern with wonderful results. Plus, it's nearly instant knitting gratification.

I already wrote up the technical information on my Ravelry page. Look there or feel free to email me with any questions. I'm happy to push this pattern on more people.

Tweedy Tam

I had a ball of Rowan Felted Tweed leftover from my Tyrolean sweater, since I decided not to do the embroidery. It was just the perfect amount for a new hat.

I found a free pattern on Ravelry, called Tweedy Tam by Lydia McNeil. It is such a quick, easy and adorable pattern, I highly recommend it. This tam was finished in under a week.

I wove a doubled strand of thin black elastic on the inside edge. It makes the hat stay on perfectly, and is comfortable even if I put all my hair into the hat.

I decreased the top a bit earlier th an the pattern called for, since I don't like when hats look like teats. (Sorry, I'm from South Florida, we're boob obsessed).

If I were to do it over, I would make it larger. That's not necessarily the patterns fault, though. I don't think I increased enough stitches, and didn't pay attention to the gauge. Please note, the pattern is written well, any mistakes are my fault!

I'm already thinking of making another one with my felted tweed yarn in blue...