The Happy Dance

I couldn't help but do the happy dance. I am so pleased with this project thus far.


I have until July 15th to have the back and front finished so I'm taking a brief hiatus to knit a pair of socks.

I belong to several kal's but it seems that I have a hard time completing or even starting projects for most of them. These socks are for the Solid Socks KAL on Ravelry. They are the Cubist Socks by Cookie A.


This month the color is orange so I'm using Kona Superwash Merino Fingering dyed cantaloupe from the stash. The color is really loud in person and not the lovely orange you see on the screen. I may overdye it to tone them down a little once they are finished.

It's that time of the year when I debate whether or not I'll enter anything in the fair. I have some projects in mind if I do decide to enter but they'll be stealth knitting this year. There are several baby and toddler projects that I need to make and that will have to figure in my time scheme.

I also need to decide if I'm going to do any major Christmas knitting. I really enjoyed making the fingerless gloves for my mom and in the event that I do decide to make gifts they will be at the top of the list. I plan to do some more handpaint dyeing and would like to dye specifically for these. Another project that I would like to dye for is a sweater. I have to figure out a method for making repeatable colors because this will take a lot more dye than I usually mix. I hope to have some interesting projects to show in the future.

Dye Day Revisted

Several of the dye day participants brought their yarn to the guild meeting tonight. It is always amazing to see the difference drying makes.


Nova used Raspberry, Deep Pink and Desert Rose for her handpaint.

Millie used Terra Cotta, Slate and Deep Violet for hers.

Eliza used Turquoise, Turkey Red and Pumpkin.
I finally blocked the Summit Shawl. Only in blocking does it show its' true beauty. I've been showing it off today but the pictures will have to wait until mom returns from Las Vegas.


I was seriously considering not making the other two that I bought the yarn for but the red silk will be the next in line.

I am almost finished with the front of the Circles and Butterflies sweater. I am having fun with this project and loving the results. I can't wait to dive into the stash for the next design. I'm finally going to be able to use some of the yarn that I couldn't find the right pattern to knit. Next I'm going to have to devote some serious time to the Master Knitting program.

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.