Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Peacocks

This past weekend I put all these pieces together to form the lovely Little Peacock cropped cardigan. I still need to block it and sew on the button.




Mom tried it on and it's almost a regular sweater on her. She is significantly shorter than me but I don't think that if I'd made it shorter it would have complimented the design. She asked for a cropped top yet each time she's had it on she keeps trying to pull it down?! I asked her if she's sure that she wants a sweater that short.

I'm still waiting on my Skaska Triangular Shawl kit to arrive. They're busy traveling for shows and classes and haven't been back in town to get it together and send it off. In the interim I decided to cast on a shawl using the Silk Garden Sock I recently purchased at the Christmas in July sale at the Hook N Needle. I'm using Evelyn Clark's Knitted Lace Triangles for the design. This basically means that I use the book to plug in the patterns that I want to use.



I think it's ironic that I just finished the Little Peacock cardigan and this shawl reminds me of the colors of a peacocks tail. Growing up there used to be peacocks on the property behind us and every now and then one would come up the hill and we would see its' beautiful tail unfurled. It's not a sight often seen these days.

The Silk Garden Sock was on sale for $10.00 so mom and I purchased 3 skeins each of two different colors for shawls. So far I like the colors. I getting ready to phase into the purple and then the aqua. I'm hoping that by the time I finish this my other shawl project will have arrived.

The hunt is on for the next sweater. I'm thinking of doing either a Berroco or Rowan design. I have designs in mind as well as the yarn for swatching. At the same time, I'm debating whether or not I'll enter anything in the state fair. I don't have anything in mind and time is winding down. For the moment I'm going to play it by ear and if anything strikes my fancy I'll go from there.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Expectations

I cast on a pair of socks this week after spending a couple of days debating which yarn to use. After the first several rows I noticed something unexpected. Striping!


I've used Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in the past but this is the first time I've come across a skein that striped. The color is Peacock and the combination is gorgeous. The past few days I have debated whether or not to rip it out and use another color. This is my second pair of socks for this month's Sock Innovation Knit-Along and I'm pushing it to get these done by July 31st. Tonight I'll decide whether or not to bite the bullet or throw in the towel.

I couldn't resist including a photo of mom at one of her favorite spots in Atlantic City. This isn't one of the machines she played it was in a spot that made for a good photo op.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Hedera

Time has a way of getting away from you. There has been knitting going on even with the sad lack of blog content.

I've finished the first pair of socks for this month's Sock Innovation knit-along.


Specs:

Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A
Yarn: Froelich Wolle Special Blauband
Needles: 1/2.5 mm dpn's
Size: Women's 10
Started: July 1, 2009 Finished: July 19, 2009

I'm going to try and get a pair of Rick's done since they are my favorite pattern from the book.

I only have the sleeves left to do on the Peacock cardigan.



I had hoped to get all the pieces done on my recent trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey. I finished the front to discover that my size 5 needles and bag of knitting notions was missing. Upon getting on the bus to head back home I found the notions bag in the over head. I found one needle on the floor and the lady riding behind me found the other one. I was so disappointed when I thought had lost my fancy scissors and needle holder among other things.

I had a great time in Atlantic City. I don't gamble and gave my $30.00 comp to my mom. We stayed at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Our free show was a production of Fame! It was very well done and the singing was great. We explored the outlets and the boardwalk. The weather was great the entire time and did not rain until the day we left. I plan to return and hopefully will be able to take some of the tours that are available.