Life is Sweet

San Francisco sock

After finishing the Cat Bordhi sock, I’m relieved to be doing a regular ol’ cuff down sock with this very fun yarn that I got from The Textile Arts Company recently. It is called San Francisco from Wisdom Yarns. It is 75% wool and 25% Polyamide and super fun to watch develop into stripes and fair isle. This is colorway #201.

The Finished Shrug

I finished the shrug! Haven’t had a chance to wear it yet, it’s simply been too warm even for such a little shrug. But I’m looking forward to getting lots of wear out of this versatile little number! I ended up doing the kitchener stitch to join the two pieces. I think it is much better than having seamed the two halves, as the pattern instructed.

A new project

I’ve been so lax in updating my blog. I’m now juggling Facebook, Plaxo, Ravelry and my own web site which is the hardest to keep updated. Anyhoo, enough of my whining. Thought I’d post my latest project. I’m planning to knit a sweater for my dog, Buddy, but that will come later.

This is the “Lovely Lace Shrug” which was published for use with “Hemp for Knitting” yarn (not a big fan). I picked out Nashua’s Creative Focus Superwash instead. It’s a pretty nice yarn, and in off-white, should go with anything!

New Yarn!

Well, I’ve actually had this yarn for two months, but it still feels new to me. I was visiting the East Coast and decided I had to stop at one shop (at least!). I chose The Yarn Lounge in Richmond, VA. What a great shop! It is located in a very charming part of town with lots of small, locally-owned boutiques and shops. The owner (and her dog) and an employee were busy at work on a rainy day. They were very friendly and had some beautiful yarn.

I chose to buy some Fleece Artist (pictured here). I divided it in half when I got home, and started working on the Coreolis Sock in Cat Bordhi’s new book “New Pathways for Sock Knitters.” I finished the first sock (picture coming soon, I promise!) and I had enough yarn to make it almost a knee-high! Wow. Thanks, Fleece Artist. And the colors, oh so pretty!

Another lace project

I’ve begun yet another lace sweater. This one is extremely easy, from the book “Lace Style” from Interweave Press.

The pattern called for a chunky-weight yarn. Yippee! Super-fast! I picked up some “Alpine Chunky 14-ply” by Naturally New Zealand Yarns (100% wool, 3.5 sts=1″ on US 9-10.5) at a brand spankin’ new store called “The Textile Arts Company” in Port Hadlock, WA. I would refer you to their web site, but it’s not quite ready yet. Nevertheless, if you are up for a short trip to that area, I would highly recommend stopping in. They have a fabulous selection already, even at only a few weeks old.

Even though the yarn is a bit on the scratchy side, I decided to go with 100% wool. It’s simply the most reliable fiber around. I know if will hold its shape, it won’t droop and look crappy after the first couple of wearings. I think it will work beautifully with this simple feather and fan lace pattern. I’m looking forward to displaying the finished results soon!

A sweater, complete

I finished my Blue Sky Alpaca sweater! Yippee! I actually finished it like two weeks ago, but it has taken me this long to write about it. It’s looking a little wrinkly in the photo. I was surprised that some of the crinkly-ness did not block out. Maybe on the next washing. The lace bit did not stretch out as much as I hoped, either. The last sweater I did with this lace pattern at the bottom was in bamboo, which drapes so beautifully. Alpaca and Silk is lovely, too, but much less drapey than bamboo.

Next post … my current project!

A new web site for knitters

One of our local Kitsap-area knitters has created a groovy new web site called America’s Knitting. Her site includes a searchable map of the US for yarn shops, a local spotlight on shops and designers, and much more! Don’t miss it!

Dad’s Cabled Scarf

Finally, a new pattern! I’m making this scarf for my Dad for his birthday. I’m using Alpaca with a Twist “Highlander” which is very soft and yummy. I bought it at Yorkshire Yarns. Great shop! Check it out, if you haven’t already. Okay, here is the pattern for this very easy, soft and yummy scarf!

Dad’s Cabled Scarf

Materials: 3 balls of Alpaca With a Twist “Highlander”
45% Baby Alpaca 45% Merino 8% Microfiber 2% Viscose
-or- approximately 435 yards of a worsted-weight yarn

Needles: Size 9 (us)

Other: Tapestry needle or crochet hook for securing ends.

Abbreviations/Patterns
Seed Stitch (SS): *K1, P1, repeat from * across row. On alternate row, knit the purls and purl the knits.

K: Knit P: Purl

C6B: “Cable six back,” slide the next 3 stitches onto a cable holder, hold to the back of work, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from cable holder.

C6F: “Cable six front,” slide the next 3 stitches onto a cable holder, hold to the front of work, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from cable holder.

Pattern

Using size us 9 needle, cast on 40 stitches.

Work in seed stitch for 10 rows. Then, begin pattern as follows:

Row 1 (and all odd-numbered rows): SS 5, K2, P6, K2, P10, K2, P6, K2, SS 5

Row 2: SS 5, P2, C6B, P2, K10, P2, C6F, P2, SS 5

Rows 4, 6, 10 & 12: SS 5, P2, K6, P2, K10, P2, K6, P2, SS 5

Row 8: SS 5, P2, C6F, P2, K10, P2, C6B, P2, SS 5

Repeat rows 1-12 until scarf is about 1-1/2 inches from desired length, or until yarn is near the end of last ball.

Finish last 10 rows in Seed Stitch. Cast off loosely in pattern. Secure all ends and block lightly.

Download printable pattern (Microsoft Word doc)

Last Pitch for Sweet Stitch

A really nice article appeared in the Kitsap Sun last Sunday that talks about the knitting meet-ups that have formed in the Kitsap County area, and about Sweet Stitch. The women who formed the knitting meet-ups were customers at the shop. Though I know there was some misquoting in the story, I still thought it was a nice tribute. Thanks

New WIP

Despite the heat, I am still knitting away. I am blessed with a finished basement that stays very cool even on the hottest of days.

Like many knitters I know, I like to work on socks in the summer. These here are intended to be a Christmas gift for a friend. I dyed the yarn myself. Thanks to Caryn, who gave me the yarn to dye (as well as the dyes, the space to dye, and everything else that went into it). The yarn is a wool/bamboo blend from Southwest Trading. It is absolutely wonderful! The bamboo gives it a lovely sheen. And it has one of the nicest hands of any sock yarn I’ve used. I think the recipient will love these socks.

If you’re interested in dyeing your own yarn, or obtaining some of this yarn, be sure to check out Caryn’s site – she has both dye classes as well as the yarn for sale.