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.

2010: The Year of the Sweater

It's almost the end of January, but It has taken me this long to figure out what i want this year to be about for me. I've listened to all the podcasts talking about their knitting resolutions (and other craft related resolutions for that matter). There recommendations have been plentiful. but:

I cannot say that I want to do the 10 in 10 group (10 shawls in 2010). I like shawls - I mean look at my Ravelry Favorites, but I've never been one to make something, just to make it. I like to make things I want to use or wear. I don't need 10 more shawls. Maybe 1 or 2.

I'm not up for the commitment of the Rav-Olympics. That is all that can be said about that!!

So what is it you say??? I'm making 2010 the year of the Sweater. I've had many sweaters planned out now for almost 2 years. So my plan is to finish at least 3 sweaters this year. Maybe not the crazy sweater a month challenge from last year. But I want to make sweaters i will actually wear. So My plan is.... which could change depending on how the wind blows next month.....
1.) Inishmore (Alice Staremore). I've moved along on it fairly well. I've now finished the back and started the front. Even if my Rav page is not up to date. I've been planning this sweater for about 1 year. I've read it is a labor of love. It is true. Pretty much, every stitch is different, but I'm in a groove now. I've gotten the pattern, sort of, memorized and I can work through it fairly quickly. That being said, I still expect that, even if I am monogamous to this sweater, it will take me through March to complete all the knitting.

2.) Mr Greenjeans: I've had a lovely cone yarn in an olivey/hunter green with some mint green sheen-bits variegated throughout. Sounds weird, but I think it will make a great Mr. Greenjeans sweater.

3.) Modell 27 - Verena Knitting Winter 2010. I've finally found a sweater that I can use that 4 skeins of Cascade EcoWool that I overdyed with the Navy Blue. I think this will work out perfectly for those.

4.) Owls (This is not a definite yet.) I have 2 skeins of natural Cascade Ecowool and some barber-poled brown and natural that I thought the owls sweater would look nice in. But I'm not 100% sold that this wool will work for that sweater. I may check out Jackie's (Kipping it Real Podcast) about her Owls sweater that she did in worsted weight.

So far that is what I hope to accomplish. Of course there will be other small projects interspersed. But for me, 3-4 sweaters a year is Damn Amazing!