Just for Baby

When I found out my brother's friends were expecting their first I went searching for the "perfect" baby knitting book. Special Knits by Debbie Bliss and the Velvet-Edged Jacket pattern caught my eye. I was originally planning to make a smaller size in a nice denim color of Baby Cashmerino and purchased that at the same time. However, every time I looked in the book, which was often, I was drawn to the original color used in the photo and purchased that to use instead.


I'm taking a much needed break from the shawl and this projects rhythmic progression of stockinette stitch is just the ticket.

I'm in the process of catching things up and would like to recognize the following as a


Donna of Confessions of a Yarnaholic. Whom I met by chance and has the most creative crafting families I've ever met.

Theresa of Knitting Nonpareil who keeps us entertained with photos and stories about her grands. Are you moved in?

Stash expeditioneer Yargineer whom is a member of the wonderful SC Knitting Guild in Greenville and was a very patient chaffeur for a few of us at the knit-in.

Not five as the others I wanted to list have have already been nominated. A toast to all "Rockin' Girl Bloggers."

Upward and Onward

Total project commitment. Sucks! I can do it but it truly is not my personal knitting style.


Stretched the shawl measures about 33 x 31 inches. My original plan was to have a finished length without borders of 60 inches. I calculated that I'd need at least ten repeats to achieve my goal and today I reached what would've been the halfway point. I decided that since the shawl/stole is for a raffle it might be best to err on the side of wider and longer so I'm adding two additional repeats.

Conspicously absent is my lifeline which didn't worked as planned. I kept weaving it through one of the fibers every now and then and ended up abandoning it about midway the third repeat. So far there haven't been any major problems. Knock on wood!!!

Things have been hectic all around for several weeks. Saturday I'm flying out for vacation and some much needed R & R. I have yet to cast on for the second pair of socks for SOS which will soon be over if I don't get my a-- in gear. I'll be knitting the River Rapid socks by Sockbug in Trekking XXL. I'm planning to take them and one other special project for a precious little boy that caught everyone by surprise coming 8 weeks early. His parents are friends of my youngest brother and some of the most wonderful people I've ever met. Does anyone know if they still have baby showers for early arrivals?

Humble Pie

Kathy of Irisheyes knitting blog nominated me a "Rockin Girl Knitter". My knitting hasn't been rockin so much lately, but I am deeply flattered by her nomination.

Sometimes you can get too confident. This weekend knitting buddy Calvin was over for a visit. He was working on a neat Artyarns hat pattern. I worked a little on Shedir then switched to the Chatelaine shawl. Neither one of us seemed to be accomplishing much except flapping our mouths. He asked me about using a lifeline when knitting shawls. I blithely told him I never use one and I continued to knit on after he left.

As I said previously, I have serious issues with talking or watching TV while knitting on this particularly shawl. About 12:00 AM I headed to bed smugly smilling and admiring my handiwork. Too much confidence will get you every time. I'm still eating my humble pie.

I had knitted rows 2 and 3 twice and had to manually undo 16 rows stitch by stitch. You can best be sure that I ran that lifeline in as soon as I got back to the correct row 3 early Sunday afternoon. I'm going to move it about every twelve rows. In a 48-row repeat that's a number I can live with and my belly is already full.

Broad Spiral Ribbing

Specs:
Pattern: Broad Spiral Ribbing - More Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Regia Bamboo Color 1072 - Jaffa Color
Needles: Size 1 US Inox dpn's
Size: Women's 9.5
Started: May 1, 2007
Finished: July 26, 2007

NModifications: Worked toe-up with Turkish cast on and short-row heel.




This a very easy 6-stitch, 4-row repeat. I was the turtle trying to catch the hare. I now have lots more time for knitting and spinning and sewing and having fun with the nieces and nephews. Hip, hip hooray!!!

This little cutie went back home Thursday evening. She is a hoot. Love you Miss G!

Marvelous Myrtles

All around Columbia Crepe Myrtles are blooming. For days I've been checking them out around town in hopes of seeing if ours are an aberration this year. So far I haven't seen any that come close.




I think it's probably from the abundance of water they've received. We've been watering regularly this spring and summer due to new sod in the backyard that was put down after the addition was completed. We have three Crepe Myrtles and they're all performing the same way. It's amazing to see how flexible the clusters are and when it rains they bow their head even more.

Soon this amazing show of color will be over and all that remains will be the Lantanas which are performing in a similar manner.

Two Tired

Two repeats. Between doing a computer set-up and organizing and printing photos, knitting has taken a back seat recently. I completed the second and started the third repeat on the Chatelaine shawl.



I finished the back of Nougat/Melon. With the sleeves cast-on gradually to the body, I'm not sure if they are wide enough after shaping the back neckline. Me of the extra-large upper arms didn't take that into consideration. It's cute, I'm in limbo. There may be a trip to the frog pond.

I'm need a vacation.

Cascading Leaves

Fresh off the needles my first SOS '07 pair. I really enjoyed knitting this pair of socks. The pattern is addictive and well written. I also learned a new heel technique, the Round heel.


Specs:
Pattern: Cascading Leaves - Townsend Sock KAL
Yarn: Sundara Sock Yarn 036
Needles: Size 2 US Inox dpn's
Size: Women's 10
Started: June 21, 2007
Finished: July 3, 2007

When I completed the first 6 repeats of the second sock I realized that I had done 7 repeats instead of the 6 indicated in a previous post. There are 22 grams total remaining from the 2 skeins of yarn, 10 from the first skein and 12 from the second. This is my first time using the Round heel and these socks are bit large for me to try and judge the fit. I'll be awaiting the verdict from mom.