Lovely Cherry

I started a new project recently- Cherry by Anna Bell. This is a sweet, short sleeve cardigan with a "little birds" pattern all over it. I saw the version that tentenknits did, I was inspired! I'm using the same yarn she did, Elann Sonata (mine is in color: silver sage). This yarn is incredibly cheap- less then $20 for the 7 skeins I needed! Its a mercerized cotton. I thought after using the Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Dyed Cotton, I would be done with cotton. However, so far this yarn is pretty nice to work with. (Unfortunately, my photo isn't great). The color of the yarn is actually a beautifully pale gray-sage color with a nice sheen).

Its pretty great to be doing a project with delicate yarn on smallish needles, after the chunky things I've finished of late.

Finished Object- Something Orange

A short lapse since my last post- this is due to my intense desire to post a finished object. I thought this would have been several days ago with my orange Something Red. I had one sleeve to go and one row left on the button band. I quickly finished off the button band over lunch at work when, alas, roadblock. In picking up the stitches for the button band around the front edge of the sweater, I picked up around 170 rather than the required 184. I'm not exactly sure why, but as I did that I thought to myself, oh that won't matter. Wrong! When I finished the button band it pulled up incredibly at the bottom and looked very strange (I don't have a photo because as soon as I realized this problem I ripped that band right out). Ugh.

I finished the second sleeve and went back to that drat buttonband. I decided to pick up more than the required 184 stitches (got this idea from Stitchywitch.) A few people have written about how even with the 184, the band still pulls up a bit. Plus, I think a number divisible by 2, not 4, would be better, as then you'd wind up with two knit stitches at either end, rather than 2 knits on one side and 2 purls on the other. I wasn't really happy with my buttonhole either, so maybe this is a good thing. It just deleyed my "wearing gratification" slightly.

So, with further ado, here is the finished Something Red (in orange).

Pattern: Something Red by Wendy Bernard

Needles: Size 7

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Dyed Cotton in Pumpkin

Started: April 16, 2008

Finished: May 23, 2008

Modifications: Picked up stitches for the buttonband with a ratio of around 3 out of every 4 rows, instead of 184 as specified in the pattern. Made two buttonholes instead of one.

Modifications I wish I'd made: A different increase for the ribbing section at the bottom. I'm not that happy with how you can sort of see the increase row. Plus I would have done the increases in the middle of the ribs, not at the end. Also, I would have done smaller raglan increases as I feel like the sleeves are pretty large. In fact, next time I might do the whole thing on smaller needles to get a smaller, more fitted sweater

Simple & Sweet

This past weekend I knit up this simple and sweet Sundance Make-Up Bag. This was a free pattern from Classic Elite Yarns. I used some Cascade 220 Superwash in the stash, as well as a button I had on hand. I think it will be a great little tote for make-up, knitting notions, or other sundries.

A Great Mother's Day

These photos epitomize how I spent my Mother's Day. First, relaxing on the sunny porch, eating a delicious pastry from Rustica Bakery, drinking coffee, and knitting. Lovely!

Next, gardening! I managed to put petunias, pansies, geraniums, osteospermum, licorice plant, and spikes into pots and window boxes. I also planted eggplant, tomatoes, basil, mint, hot peppers, and bell peppers. Spring is finally here!

I also received a great knitting book from my Mom, Knitalong: Celebrating the Art of Knitting Together by Larissa Golden Brown and Martin John Brown, and an adorable necklace from "the boys". It has a little lion and a heart on it in honor of both of the little guys being Leos. So cute!

Happy Mothers' Day!

In honor of Mothers' Day I thought I'd post some photos of my boys in their various hand-knits (apparently I like knitting hats!). Love you guys!

Socks Do Soar on Two Circulars!

After the first disaster I had trying the second of my Jaywalker socks on two circulars, I changed to the right needle size and now its going swimmingly. Amazing how using the same needle size on both socks makes a difference- hmm!

I also cast on for a mystery project for my swap partner. Through Ravelry I signed up for the Knitter's Treasure Swap organized by Winnita. Each partner creates a package of 2 skeins of yarn, 2 knitting items, a beverage/goodies pack, a handmade item, and a surprise! My partner is Karyn. I've only done one other swap- Sockapalooza, organized by Alison, which was great. This one seems like alot of fun. I'll post the completed project once my swap partner has received it. The yarn is Plymouth Galway Paint in reds and pinks. That's all I'll say for now.

My Something Orange has not been attended to lately, but once May is over, its right back to it!

A Better Swatch

Here's my second attempt at the swatch. Better, yes? Not perfect, however. I took the advice to pull the yarn tightly when switching from a knit to a purl, and back to a knit. It helped, but I think I still need some practice.

Becoming a Master Knitter

I've decided to take the plunge and embark on the Master Hand Knitter certification program through The Knitters Guild of America. What is involved? There are three levels, each one with a series of knitting tasks you have to master, as well as some questions to answer and a report. The first level requires the knitting of various swatches to demonstrate basic knitting techniques, including increasing, decreasing, cables, etc. as well as demonstrating even tension and stitch size. There is also a hat project. I'm not sure what is involved in the second level yet, but I know that one part of it is knitting a fair isle vest and an argyle sock. The third level includes, among many other things, I'm sure, designing and knitting an aran sweater and hat.

Why do this (especially when there are so many other fun things to knit- right now my queue on Ravelry is at 42, and I have 90 favorites marked!)? I generally consider myself sort of a "slapdash" knitter- I make mistakes but normally just keep on going. I'm trying to improve, but mainly through trial and error. This seems like a great way to really improve in a systematic way and get really, really comfortable with a variety of techniques.

I would just love to consider myself a "real" knitter, not just a dabbler. Plus, I love having goals to work towards (part of the reason I enjoy running and training for races as well). As one of my first endeavors on the journey, I've purchased two books which I've wanted for a while, and which I know will be helpful along the way: Vogue Knitting and Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Without Tears. I've also gotten some yarn to work with: Berrocco Pure Merino in off-white.

As you can see from the swatch above, however, its not quite ready to pass muster. I asked some questions about the quality of the swatches on Ravelry, and got lots of help. Specifically Arenda (who is a Master Knitter and on the judging committee) offered to take a look at a photo and give me some advice, which she did. I love Ravelry!

Hopefully I'll be able to post a new and improved swatch shortly.