Finally Success

After three times I've finally got my sweater gauge right. I'm using size 6 needles and even though it is more open I like this gauge a lot better. I'll need to either make or dye a camisole to wear under it.


Even though this process has been trying I'm still enjoying it. The successes more than make up for the failures.

When I was preparing for the dye day I purchased a Yarn Meter from Nancy's Knit Knacks. It is attached to optional tensioning unit because I ordered the Yarn Meter Plus.


One of the yarns I needed didn't come skeined so I had to measure skeins for one of my dyers. Since I have quite a bit of yarn on cones it has turned out to be one of the best purchases I've ever made knitting wise. I plan on dyeing yarn for two large projects in the future and I've already measured the skeins for them.

Millie a friend, guild member and dye day participant bought her dyed skeins to our monthly dinner gathering. I was gobsmacked at how different and beautiful everything was once they dried. Her handpaint is gorgeous as are the immersions. One technique that I thought didn't work was successful and the results can be seen once the yarn dries. We are definitely in for a treat on Tuesday.

Dye Day

Today I conducted a dyeing workshop for my guild the Palmetto Purlers. Alas, I don't have any pictures to share. I was busy mixing and preparing dye baths and rinsing yarn that I didn't even think about it until I sat down this evening.

We did two types of immersion dyeing and handpainting. I have some really talented ladies in my guild who came up with some amazing combinations. I will try to get pictures at the next meeting.

I'd like to say thanks to Eliza, Gail, Kellie, Janie, Joan, Millie, Nova, my mom Betty, who picked up lunch, helped out and stepped in to finish Gail's last skein, and my sister Stephanie, who helped set up for a wonderful day. You girls are the best!!!

Angee Revisted

For reasons which shall forever remain unknown it has taken me this long to get a photograph of these socks. I rarely repeat patterns but this one deserved an encore.





Specs:
Pattern: Angee from Sock Innovation by Cookie A
Yarn: Sandnesgarn Lanett hand dyed using dye in the skein method
Needles: 1 US Inox dpn's
For: 9.5 womens
Started: September 4, 2009 Finished: March 21, 2010

No mods needed for this pattern. I enjoyed knitting these. They took so long because other projects kept getting in the way.

For Madison

Yesterday we went to Aiken for a baby shower for the girlfriend of my oldest nephew. They are having a girl and will name her Madison. I knitted what may well be my favorite baby/child sweater.




Specs:
Pattern: Cardigan with Eyelets and Daisies from Baby Bamboo Knits by Sirdar
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly DK Sage
Needles: 3 & 6 US addi Turbo
For: Madison, size 6-12 months
Started: May 12, 2010 Finished: May 28, 2010

Modifications: The only change I made was to use iron-on appliques in place of the embroidered daisies. In the future I will change the armhole and sleeve shaping to decrease 3 stitches at the beginning of the armhole on each side and then do 1 decrease at each end of every other row for the next 6 rows. The shaping was really awkward and made the sleeve difficult to set in.

Getting Organized

The craft room was so out of control that I've spent about a week bringing order to the chaos. I decided that it was a good time to create some project kits.

Sweater kits...

From left to right top row:
1. Heavenly Blue Cardigan - Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca Sportweight
2. Tokyo Topper - Interlacements Tokyo
3. Toreador Jacket - Koigu KPPPM
4. Hedera Jacket - Cascade 220 Wool
5. Marta Jacket - Reynolds Lite Lopi
6. Sigridur Pullover - Reynolds Lopi
7. Additional yarn for Lopi sweaters

From left to right bottom row:
1. Cerisara Cargidan - Classic Elite Bam Boo
2. Flyaway Cardi - Debbie Bliss Merino Aran
3. Tiny Tots Cardigan - Sirdar Snuggly DK
4. Heartfelt Sweater - Tess' Designer Yarns Microfiber Ribbon
5. Brigitte & Eric - Reynolds Lopi
6. Elka Cardigan - Reynolds Lopi

Shawl kits...

From left to right top row:
1. Brandywine Shawl - Knit Picks Gloss Lace
2. Trellis Framed Leaf - Jojoland Harmony
3. Seashell Silk Shawl - Ivy Brambles Pure Silk 20/2 Laceweight
4. Haruni - JaggerSpun Zephyr
5. Echo Flower - Hand Maiden Sea Silk

From left to right bottom row:
1. Laminaria - Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace
2. Olga's Indinski Shawl - Skaska Designs 50/50 Merino Silk
3. Flower Meadow - Jojoland Harmony
4. Gail (aka Nightsongs) - Hand Maiden Sea Silk
5. 198 Yds of Heaven - Blue Heron Rayon Metallic (not pictured)

Accessories...

From left ot right top row:
1. Miss Sophies Hands Gloves - Zitron Trekking XXL
2. Hopper Sock - Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino
3. Gretel - Cascade 220 Wool
4. First Lady Mittens - Cascade 220 Wool
5. Lacunae Mitts and Hat - Cascade 220 Wool

From left to right bottom row:
1. Spiralicious Mitts - K1C2 Ambrosia
2. Rainbow Socks - Online Supersocke 100 Fun Color
3. Eshter Socks - Inca Sportlace
4. Mayrose Hat - Cashmere Merino Silk DK
5. Delft's Blauw Hat - Classic Elite Arcadia (not pictured)

Purchased kits...

Clockwise starting at top:
1. Halo sweater kit
2. Woven Yoke Wrap
3. 7 Scarves and a Shawl
4. Mariposa Shawl
5. TNT Beaded Scarf
6. Bumblebee Jacket

I still have some summer sweater kits to get together but this should keep me busy for a very long time.

Old Habits Die Hard

Last Saturday I went to the market at Stitches South in Atlanta. I made a short list of what I intended to buy. It didn't work.

I was easily seduced by the abundance of yarn, patterns and other knitting-related goods. The fact that I was traveling with the great enabler aka Mom didn't help the situation. My favorite purchase is the yarn bowl. I put it to use immediately in the hotel that Saturday night.


We met up with two of our Palmetto Purlers, Millie and Brenda, and some of our Greenville knitting guild friends. Needless to say we had a blast. I also took a continental knitting market session and have been practicing regular since then. I was having a problem with the purl and tension but have worked both of those out since then.

Shirley Paden the author of Knitting Design Workshop is doing an online workshop in the form of a KAL for her Ravelry group. She gave us a stitch pattern which we are to use as the basis for a sweater or scarf. I've elected to do the sweater and this weekend did my swatch.


It is Circles and Butterflies. I'm using Katia Austral from the stash in a nice rose color. I bought this when it was discountinued at my lys several years ago. I've been waiting for the right project and this is it. I still need to have my measurements taken so that I will be ready for the next session in which will be calculating all the parts of the sweater based on our individual measurements. I'm really excited about these workshops and hope that I can use them to work up some of the yarns I have in the stash for which I haven't been able to find that perfect pattern.

I'm so close to finishing the Summit Shawl.


It seems that I'm never going to finish the little ball that is left. I haven't been working on it regularly or anything else for that matter. I've been trying to bring some order to the craft room. It was out of control before I went to Stitches. In order to tame some the of the chaos, I created kits using the yarn already stashed and some that was acquired prior to Stitches (couldn't resist the Webs sale). There are sweater, sock and shawl kits. I like the idea of just walking in and picking something out of one of the bins to work on. I was getting overwhelmed and I think this will eliminate some of that.

Charlotte's Web Shawl

I finished the Charlotte's Web Shawl on Wednesday and blocked it that night. I wore it Thursday and received compliments everywhere I went.



Specs:

Name: Charlotte's Web Shaw1
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) in 5 assorted colors
Needles: 6 US Addi Lace Needle
Started: 3/22/2010 Finished: 4/7/2010

In spite of the horrible chart I enjoyed knitting this shawl. I had to replace the color I chose for the last section and I love it. I'm considering making one of these in a solid color. I also added a border from my Haapsalu Shawl book. Even though I blocked it well it still curls a little at the bottom but it doesn't bother me.

This can be a quick project if you pick all of the right colors the first time. I would have finished it much earlier if this little faux pas hadn't occurred.

I finally got pictures of my oldest brother Billy wearing his Mars Hat & Scarf. We couldn't set up nice winter looking shot since he'd just got back from Spring Break vacation.




Specs:
Pattern: Mars Hat & Scarf by Veronik Avery available on Twist Collective.
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Stone Washed
Needles: 3 US addi Turbo
For: Billy
Hat Started: November 20, 2009 Finished: Neovember 22, 2009
Scarf Started: December 5, 2009 Finished: December 31, 2009

As I said about the first set I knitted this is an excellent pattern. All three of my brothers love them. They are the perfect manly gift. I have one more set to photograph.