small victories

Semester’s End Cardigan is finally finished!! I washed and blocked it without a huge amount of change, but I think it is a little roomier in the chest area. And just today I got the ribbon sewed onto the button band and cut out all the button holes. Sheesh. That was more tedious than knitting the thing! Next sweater is definitely a pullover. After learning the button hole stitch 5 years ago, I finally have a good reason to use it. Awesome!

My new photography set-up seems to be quite successful, at least according to my standards. These are four new batts that were just added to my Etsy shop. They are wool and mohair – so shiny! Total weight is 2 7/8 ounces.

And the new locks I dyed on Monday were ready for a photo shoot too. These are called “Grapefruit” and will be added soon, along with “Wilted”, which can be seen in the flickr photostream. I wish I could sleep in this fleece. It is so soft and curly!

cardigan revisited

Why? Why do I abandon projects when they are within inches of being completed? Again I did just that with the grey and green cardigan I started in April. It was there when I needed it – to help me avoid studying for finals and finishing up the semester. I loved sitting there at odd moments knitting absently away, not thinking about my homework or school assignments. Thus, the body was knit very quickly. But then the semester ended and all I had left were the sleeves. Not having made anything of this sort before, I felt at a loss in regards to decreases, so I set the project aside. However, with Rhinebeck coming up, I thought it might be neat to wear a sweater I had knit, so I got it out to finish it up. It only took 2 days! Isn’t that ridiculous?

Wow! It feels so good to have this completed. Overall I’m quite pleased with it. I wonder if it might look better just slightly longer and, admittedly, it’s a bit snug, but I tend to have body image issues where I think I can fit into really small clothes. The button band was rather exciting – cheers for little drops of sunshine (yellow buttons)! I enjoy the squareness of the neckline. I wonder if I could recreate that in the future on something else. It has a preschooler look to it, but I’m ok with that.

Recycled sweater, angora/lambs wool/nylon
Gwen’s handspun
Knit on US 9 needles
Pattern worked “organically” as I went

talking away

I just checked my grades and I got straight A’s this semester. My ending GPA is a 3.91. By this time next week I will have my diploma and feel confident that I can move on from this part of my life. 

Back to fiber, I definitely need to order more undyed roving. Any suggestions on bulk orders? I usually get it from Hello Yarn because she’s got lots of variety and good prices. I wonder if she gives discounts on really big orders. Anyone know? I suppose I could email her… I hate bothering people though. 

My cardigan is finally progressing. I wasn’t sure how long to make it, but since I was getting tired of knitting the bottom, I cast off last night. I’m sure I’ll regret it, although ripping out the bind off and extending the edge wouldn’t be much trouble later. Now I’m onto the sleeves. As with this entire project, I didn’t give any pre-thought to it and now I’m debating whether or not to decrease the sleeves. I put it on and decided that I would do a few decreases. They’re going to be 3/4 length with a few inches of ribbing at the cuff to match the ribbing on the bottom. Photos to follow soon, hopefully, although not this weekend.

I’m anxious to get going on some new knitting projects this summer. I joined the Summer of Socks, so that’ll be an adventure. Plus I keep staring at my handspun and I KNOW that I need to use it! I think I’ll go dig around at Ravelry for some summer inspiration. 

Be advised, I will be away for the weekend (Thursday through Sunday) for our first grand SCA camping event of the season! AEthelmearc War Practice!! Let’s hope weather holds.

chugging along

I’m terribly pleased with the progress of this cardigan. Who know it could be so easy? Well, I’m sure someone had told me, but I tend to come to things in my own time, regardless of what anyone else says. It’s been a very soothing project to have whilst finishing my degree. I like just being able to pick it up and not have to wonder where I left off. It’s just knitting. Plus the colorwork element is a bit fun. When it’s cold again and I need a cardigan, I’ll look at these bright greens and think of spring and life.

This morning I put it on to see how far I had to go. Apparently not far. That’s one bonus to being extremely short-waisted! Sweaters don’t have to be very long. I’m thinking 3/4 length sleeves and a ribbed button band. I’ve never done a button band, but it can’t be that bad, right?

irresistible

The crumpled mess below is the top part of a raglan cardigan I couldn’t help but start knitting on Friday. The sweater explosion that has been sweeping through my blogroll [Cosy, Cheryl, Christabel] has made me desperate to knit one of my own… so I did. I referred to the Anthropologie-inspired capelet’s percentages just to get an idea of where you split fronts/sleeves/back. Otherwise, I just went for it.

Grey yarn = recycled Express sweater
Green yarns = my handspun
Needles = size 9
Pattern = no prior thought raglan