Horndal scarf update

Got a comment on this blog asking if I liked the Horndal scarf once done. Yes! I really do. I updated about the project on the shop blog under Withholding Judgement, but didn't post any photos. I don't thing the photos of this scarf really do it justice. The brights seem to be garishly bright while the muted shades have all but disappeared. It's much prettier in person, but here's the photo anyway.

I didn't read the pattern acurately (story of my life), and ended up doing only 4 inches of garter stitch rather than the requisite 8 inches, so mine looks different from those that others have done, but I love it just the same.

It seems that Noro has recognized that people are using Kureyon for a lot of felting projects and Silk Garden for garments. In response, the new Kureyon colors have gotten brighter, and the Silk Garden colors have gotten more wearable. This scarf looks great in bright colors, so I would recommend the Kureyon rather than the Silk Garden I used.

Dragged through the muck

I've been knitting my mistake rib cowl from the knit-along in a splendid shade shade of pink and ivory. The buttery softness of silk and wool gleaming and and smooth - aaah. So the other day I'm dragging stuff in from the car, my little plastic knitting bag on top of the green washtub of coffee mugs from the shop. I set down the tub and realize that the ball of yarn is still in the bag, but the cowl is not. I see yarn hanging. With the irrepressible urge of a kitten, I pull the yarn. And again. finally I realize that the lovely silk and wool cowl I thought was just in the laundry room had actually fallen out IN THE GARAGE. So by pulling the yarn I had effectively mopped up the dusty garage floor with my silk and wool cowl. What an idiot. I could have just walked my lame butt out there and picked it up, but NOOOO.

I've picked out most of the guinea pig shavings and dusted it off, but it still looks kind of grimy.
So, now we'll have a test on SOAK to see how well it cleans garage dirt and from ribbed silk and wool. Will let you know.

Here's a copy of the pattern in case you want to make your own. Based on a simple mistake rib pattern from Vogue Knitting Stitchionary #1, it's small enough to just fit over your head and still stand up like a large turtleneck. Finished circumference is 24", but you can make it any size you want. Just be sure to use an even number of stitches.

Like the gauntlets, this pattern is perfect for a luxury yarn like cashmere or silk and wool, because it doesn't take much yarn and it lives right up next to your face where you can enjoy the fabulous color and texture.

Two skeins Alchemy Synchronicity
Size 7 needle

Cast on 120 stitches. Join into a round, taking care that stitches are not twisted.
Work one round knitting every stitch.
Next round, knit one, purl one.

Repeat these two rounds until piece measures 8" from cast on row, or until it's as long as you like, or you run out of yarn. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Lady Eleanor

I've been working this with two different dyelots of the same colorway in Ellyn Cooper's Texas Bighorn mohair wool blend.

Horndal scarf

I love this scarf. It's alternating sections of Kureyon in garter stitch and Blossom in 2x2 ribbing. I decided to do it in silk garden and blossom instead of Kureyon and Blossom. It would also be great in a mix of the Nantucket (silk-mohair boucle) and Homespun (silk-wool single ply) from Ellyn Cooper.

Failure to update

Okay, probably no one reads this blog, but I should still update it now and then.

Finished objects since August:

The Faith Jacket


Gloria:


and I've finished Cate in the lovely hot pink Giotto Ribbon. Sorry, no photo.

I would love to know how those bloggers put the photo links down the side of their blog. That may be worth some research

Must...have...this...wrap...

How beautiful is this! What do you think - 30 skeins of dk cashmere, maybe a cashmere silk blend. Gotta get right on this one...

Crayon Box Jacket

Christina brought her completed Crayon Box Jacket by the shop Friday, so I'm newly inspired. When last we met, I'd done one sleeve

And one strip around the bottom plus a little more


Here's a close-up of the second row. I totally love the yarns, and am really looking forward to working on this. Just need to get Cate done so that I can wear it while it's still hot.

The trip to Dunkirk

We drove up to northern Calvert County this morning - very pretty country with its rolling hills. That's what I miss most about Virginia - winding mountain roads and scenic overlooks. And little wineries too - I miss the little wineries tucked away in Virgina's Shenandoah Valley. Maryland is really coming along in that respect. When we went to Sotterly's Wine Fest last year, Bill said that it reminded him of Virginia's wine festivals 15 years ago when they were just getting started. We really need to go to that as well. October 1st for Virginia wine, and the 7th for Maryland. Calendar is marked.

So, on the drive up there I worked on Cate. Right front is two thirds finished. Back and sleeves should be a breeze - hardly any shaping at all. Did I mention how much I love Giotto ribbon? And Colinette in general...

Gloria Cardigan

I really love this cardigan. I finished mine some months ago, but never got a photo up on the blog. I used Karabella Aurora 8 and Kureyon, and they're just gorgeous together. I would knit another one of these because it's quick to work, and the fit is wonderful. I think I did a small, but I'd actually have to check the measurement to be sure.

Rain and Sun

Rain and Sun

One good thing about all the rain last week was that I got to stay inside and knit- look how much I've gotten done on Gloria. I cast on the sleeves this morning - great looking belled cuff.
.

And another good thing about the rain - rainbows - we saw the brightest and most spectacular double rainbow ever. By the time I stopped gawking and got the camera, the second rainbow had faded considerably, but you can still see a tiny hint of it if you look closely.








And yesterday, the weather was so nice we went to the pool where I cast on for the lovely Cate. I know, don't talk to me about my resolution - it's summer time - and who could resist this gorgeous thing in Giotto ribbon??

Here's the first bit of the left front.