Number 3 is OTN - On The Needles

Before I can start talking about #3, I need to show off my second sweater completed.

Mr. GreenJeans


It came out so nice. I wore it all day Saturday and to work today. It fits so nice and comfortable too. I may have to make another one of these.

Number 3: Le Smoking (A fine Fleece)
I love that book!!! I could knit just about every pattern in the book. And there is a chance I actually may do that.



I took this picture 3 days ago, but I am already about 12 inches up the body. Even though there are over 200 stitches to knit with each row, only the edges are the cabling so it moves really fast. I get to divide for the front and back at 17 inches so I should be at that point by this weekend.

I've gone through 1 skein of the Ecowool (Cascade). The kettle over-dye job I did on these skeins is really interesting. I like the subtle variation in colors. It doesn't show in the photos, which is a shame. The yarn is so much more interesting than the pictures.

A Finishing Frenzy

Mr. GreenJeans is done. It seems to fit very nicely. Form fitting, but it will look nice with a "T" underneath. But the truth will be in how I like it after I've worn it a few hours. Picture is Pre-Bath and Pre-Blocking.


















I also finished the 2 little quilts wall hanging. They came out very cute. I still may frame them before hanging them.




Finally, (I told you this was a Finishing Frenzy!) I completed 1 of the Diagonal Cross-Rib Socks (Ann Budd) from Favorite Socks 25 Timeless Designs
The color is not exactly flashy, but i wanted some basic boring black socks for work. And I wanted to try out this yarn. It's called Walk Away Sock Yarn. 100 gms ( 437 yards for 10.00 at Hobby Lobby. It is the Hobby Lobby brand 70 % Superwash wool, 23 % Polyamide and 7% PBT (that scares me...just a little bit) But I am only wearing it on my foot, right? Overall The yarn knitted up nice and the socks are really soft and cushy. We'll sere how this wears. I'm very hard on my socks.


The pattern of the cross ribbing muddled up the variegation very nicely and reduced any stripping or pooling of the white and gray areas. I think this pattern would work really well for any hand painted. Of course it does hide the stitch definition of the ribbing pattern. but I like the effect on the hand points

Mr. GreenJeans Still on the needles

Yes, Mr. GreenJeans is still on my needles. I've been dedicated to him, but I've been having a fit of Spring cleaning. Anyway, I've only got 1 sleeve left to do and it is complete.

I really like top down sweaters!! Having the chance to try it on is so nice for getting the right fit. I've been thinking about doing the Kearsarge in a single spun brown yarn. But I was going to convert it to a top down. I think i could get a better fit if I did it that way. I'm not 100% convinced though. I think the yarn would work well for that pattern because it's a little unbalanced because it is spun fairly tight. It looks really good swatched in moss stitch. So I am trying to find a pattern with lots of texture. But I don't know if I like how the Kearsage fits (in most of the pictures I've seen of it knit up, anyway). Waffling is what I do best!!

As you may or may not notice, I'm trying to have my next sweater project ready to go so I don't have sweater completion remorse when Mr. GreenJeans is finished.

Knit away

A Slight distraction

As I mentioned, I went to a quilt and fabric show last Saturday. I did not buy any fabric. My stash runneth over, as is. I did go for some sewing inspiration. And I did find some!!!! I love woolfelt, and all the neat ideas that are generated with wool. I was inspired to create a penny rug. One of my own design. I love the simple rustic feel of these type placemats and rugs. This is a small version: about 18" by 12".





I also decided to venture into the area of stenciling fabric. I've been infatuated with pears and leaf designs. So I spend Sunday playing around with simple stenciled fabric. I think I will frame these 2 pieces after I quilts them.



As for Sweater Knitting......
I've completed about 1/2 the body of Mr. GreenJeans. The lighting isn't great for taking pictures, but I wanted to at least have proof that I'm actually making progress. I've tried it on, and I really like it so far. The raglan shaping seems to suit my shape. At least so far as the top of the sweater.

The Next Sweater

While I was so excited to finally finish the inishmore, I spent the rest of the day wondering around trying to figure out what to do with myself. I actually missed having a project that I just could pick up and go. For me, that this is nice part about monogamous knitting, but it is also the downfall. I did have a sock I started ( for travel knitting) but I wanted to keep up the sweater knitting.

I spent Sunday evening picking out my next project. I've never done a top down sweater, and I've had the pattern for Mr Greenjeans in my queue for awhile. The yarn is another cone yarn I've had for many years. It is a bit of a mystery. It is a cabled tubular yarn with variegated mat sections and shiny sections (not metallic, but rayon like). I made a hat with it, and I thought it would be a nice sweater for fall days. It's in a dark green (slightly blue undertones) and the shiny parts are a silvery sage-like green. It has a nice drape, so we'll see. If it comes out ugly, Oh well.

As for the knitting, I'm liking it alot!!! I've already worked past the arm separations. yea!! The top is only in stockinette so I really flew on that. Everything feels faster after the labor of the Inishmore!!

I promise to put up pictures soon, I did have some problems with loading my camera software back on my computer, but it is all ready to go now. I just need to set it all up and take the pictures.

Today, I am going to the Lebanon Quilt and Fabric show. I've been itching to sew again. And I am hoping I can get some inspiration there. I've got tons of quilts from BK (before knitting). When quilting was my obsession. So I'm trying to think of some other items that I could work on.

The Inishmore is DONE!!!!

All I have to say is DONE. Ravelry page

Ends woven in, washed, blocked and dried!!