Circular Shrug

is done...
Not the greatest outfit to wear with it, and you can probably tell that it's late and I'm tired, but this is a fabulous garment. I'm ready to make another one!

My new puppy!

Dorey! Isn't she adorable. Love at first sight all the way around.

Back panel of my circular shrug is finished. Now for 6 inches of 2x2 ribbing. It was a little scary there for a while knitting 20+ inches of the back, which did not include the 6" of ribbing at the bottom. Needing a little reassurance, I emailed the designer on Ravelry, who reminded me that the 20" section goes not only up the back but over the shoulder as well. I feel much better now. Did I tell you how much I love Ravelry?

February Lady Progress

Progress is slow on my February Lady, but I am into the fun lace part. I love how the colors are coming out, and it is such a fun pattern. Challenging enough that I have to pay attention, but not too much. Ginni is nearly done with hers...humph.

Circular Shrug

This is a great little pattern I found on Ravelry (of course) Not only is it a great shape, but you can work it in any gauge yarn you want, any size you want. You can improvise all over the place - add contrasting ribbing, throw in a lace panel, or change the stitch pattern across the back. Just two little seams, and you've turned a fairly simple piece of knitting into a fabulous, flattering garment. I'm about a quarter of the way up the back section.

Here's a close-up of my lace panel insert

I'm using Ellyn Cooper Metallo in Vercchino for the ribbing and Sublime Cashmere, Merino Silk for the back. Shelly, Sheila, Cindy. and Joan are working on the same design in different yarns. It's really cool to see how this shrug turns out in other fibers.

My own February Lady: Week 1

Week 1: knit the yoke. Okay, here we are. I started with the Leonardtown group on October 18th, so by this past Saturday, the 25th, I should have had the yoke all done. As of last night, Sunday, October 26th, I had completed all the raglan increases and the non-eyelet increases. I only have two buttonholes worked, but I think I'm ready to work the final one. You know, this would have gone much faster except for having to count two hundred and some stitiches every other row.
The pattern says to continue in garter stitch until the sleeve stitches almost meet under my arms. This should be interesting. I guess I'll stip it onto a piece of spare yarn and see. Ginni is way ahead of me, of course. And MaryJo? Hers is probably already done.

Seville Jacket is done

This went together really quickly. Here's the back that I started the last week of September.

The fronts and sleeves were done by early October

And here it is, all together the 20th of October. I love this garment - already thinking about another one in a finer gauge. And I already know it fits!

Taking stock

or, what the heck am I working on anyway? Well, tons of stuff, if you must know. My second Secret Garden Vest is all knitted. it only needs the bands picked up and knit around the armholes and fronts.



My Seville Jacket is done, and the band is 80% knitted - just need to start seaming it to the jacket. Drat that Amy who suggested that we reverse the cables at the back of the neck. Now you just know I have to do it too.


What else? Let's see. Louisa Harding's design in the gorgeous Thalia. Back is knit, one front is part way done. It seems to be resting just now.


Then there's the February Lady I started Saturday. Such a FUN knit. Couldn't resist.



Of course there's the second Crayon Box Jacket that waits patiently for me in La Plata each week.
I do love Chris Bylsma's designs. Oh yes, and the Symphony jacket that is all knit except for the last 20% of the second sleeve.

Tonight I will finish up that Secret Garden Vest - why not. That will be one FO, so maybe I can start a fabulous hat like Barbara's... but first to finishing the vest!

My DD is on Ravelry

I was logging in to Ravelry the other day in order to waste away a few hours of my life when I saw that I had three new messages. The first was from a lovely lady who wants to know if my mitered purse would be a suitable laptop bag, which, by the way, it would not, but what a great idea! The second was from a wonderful knitter who shared with me her particular formula for fabulously full felted Noni flowers. And the last was from "Bibis". "Bibis", as many of you know, is the nickname Colton unwittingly gave our oldest daughter, Elizabeth, when he could not manage the four syllable mouthful that was the name of his favorite person on the planet. So I was delighted to see that my darling Elizabeth has joined Ravelry and chosen me as her first friend. What a nice surprise for a mom!

Beads from Ocracoke for my teal Silken Straw

We went to a cute little bead shop today on Ocracoke Island so that I could get beads for my next Silken Straw Scarf. The color of the yarn is an incredibly intense teal (although this picture shows it as cobalt blue), and I wanted something that would both show up and enhance the yarn. There weren’t 120 of any single bead, so I opted for two different teal beads. The small round one has a cool fused glass center, and the other is sort of striped, as you can see. I totally loved them both. I think they’ll be just right for the yarn.

Rather Huge Carpet Bag is rather wonderful!

In this photo, I haven't sewn in the lining, but just pinned it. Rest assured that the lining is now safely sewn into the bag, and I'm happily toting everything back and forth to the various shops in it. I have not yet decided which flowers to put on the bag. I had planned first a pink camelia, but then I was thinking about the unfurling roses, but the fushcia's are so lovely, and of course, the tulips are just the essence of elegance. As usual, fraught with indecision, I have done nothing. And I can bet that in a year, I will still not have decided. This is a topic that needs more thought, more discussion, and probably a therapist...or at least a few glasses of wine with my good friends.

Straw into Gold

Finished the Moonlight Sonata beaded shawlette yesterday - can’t believe it took just one skein to make. After I’d unraveled the fringe, it looked like a pile of seaweed

but then I took a hot steam iron to it, and it turned into this amazingly beautiful, drapey fabric. The fringe smoothed out and the whole thing is just spectacular.

Had to wear it right away – even if it was just with a little tank and capris. Maybe that’s what so terrific about this accessory – it works with casual or dressy outfits. On to the next one!

Outside the box Crayon Box

Everyone knows that practically everything I knit is pink. Can't help it, have no problem with it - at least everything in my wardrobe goes together. So won't you all be surprised when you see the palette for my new Crayon Box Jacket:


Yes, that IS orange in there, and I LOVE it. Who'd have thought! I have almost 7 squares done so far.

This was a fun class to teach - everyone was engaged and excited. Lots of learning and playing with colors.

Swatching Alyce

Bill took his bike for service today at the very wonderful Morton’s BMW. Since it’s such a nice drive over there, and I’m always looking for an excuse to ride my bike, I decided to go along. The service takes several hours, and of course, that means time to knit. But what to bring? My Symphony Jacket only travels with its entourage of glamorous components, so I had to find something else. Something small. Hey, I could swatch for the Alyce Tee. Like I need an excuse to start yet another project. But hey, I need something small to bring.

The pattern diagram and chart looked daunting, but I figure, hey, I’m just going to swatch it. I grab a ball of Grace, my pattern, and needles, shove them into a bag and strap them down with a bungee cord. When we get there, I settle into their comfy leather couch and cast on. I get 5 stitches to the inch on a 7, so that's where I start. Pretty soon I'm engrossed in CNN on the giant plasma screen tv, and my swatch comes along quickly. Even though Grace is billed as a DK weight yarn, it works well at a worsted weight too. Single ply will bloom as much as you let it, so I know it will be fine at this gauge.

Then I take a quick peek at the pattern chart. Hmmm. Twenty-one stitch repeat. Nothing too weird. I give it a try. It's good. There are two yarn overs in a row which is different, but it gives a nice big eyelet and a kind of lattice effect. the central motif makes a leaf. Very pretty.

There are still a couple of rows in the pattern repeat, but you get the idea. There's waist shaping in the pattern to accentuate the positive. This woman really knows how to enhance a woman's body. Thank you, Joan.

Knitting to Rhode Island and back

We took our DD to Brown today for a summer session. She's excited to be studying computers away at a real college for a month, and I'm excited to have had 17+ hours to knit in the car. My DH took the scenic route so we could enjoy the beautiful scenery through New England. While he drove (bless his soul) I finished the back

and right front of my Symphony Jacket and worked about5 inches of the left front.

Did I mention that this garment is addictive to knit?

Secret Garden Vest is complete...

...even the buttons.


Thanks to Ty who helped me select these cool fused glass buttons, the vest is a finished, wearable object. I love this design, and the yarn is my favorite - Alchemy Synchronicity. Just luscious to work with, and the colors are so saturated.

This knit up so quickly that I'm planning another one in Ellyn Cooper's Homespun, a slightly heavier gauge silk and wool blend. There's something very perfect about the combination of equal parts silk and wool in a fiber. It's like ice cream and chocolate sauce or strawberries and whipped cream, or some other combination of totally yummy things in perfect balance making the whole much greater than the sum of its parts. What decadent synergy!

Symphony Jacket started

Ever since last fall when Chris Bylsma taught the Symphony Jacket class here, I’ve been pining for one of these little confections. So I started gathering up my scraps and orphan skeins. And guess what I found? Most of my pile was pink! I know, big surprise. Cast on for the sweater Friday night so that I could knit on it at WWKIP Saturday. Who knew how addictive this is! I haven’t been able to put it down! I’m almost finished with the back, and I totally love it.

This is one of those things where you really have to surrender control - just close your eyes, reach in the bag, and pull out whatever you touch. Cut off some random amount and tie it on. Very freeing this is. I might have to make another one.

Secret Garden Vest

This is a pattern from White Lies Designs- we carry nearly her entire line at the shop, and I must have every one of her patterns queued on Ravelry! Anyway, here's the pattern.

It's done in a bulky cotton, but since it just takes around 400 yards, I wanted to treat myself to something rich and decadent. I selected Alchemy Synchronicity in Red Run. Finally got to cast on May 25th as we were driving up to Mt. St. Mary's to pick Elizabeth from her HOBY weekend. It's about a 2 1/2 hour car ride. Here's what I got done on the ride up and back. The yarn is so rich and buttery, and the pattern is an addictive variation of feather and fan, so it's gone really quickly. I put it down for a while and then I changed my mind about how I wanted the lace to look with the shaping. The knitting is done except for the button bands and the armhole edging. Maybe I should have picked a better towel for the blocking! Oh well.

Flying Solo

In my new pink Solo shell by Chris Bylsma!

This top was an absolute dream to knit. The body is mainly a 4x1 rib, giving a smooth look with just enough stretch. The front has this sleek, easy lace pattern up the center that keeps the knitting interesting. The yarn is Louisa Hardings Mulberry - 100% silk, with a beautiful ply and great yardage. I made the medium size, added a good 2" to the body, and the shell still only took 5 skeins.

Speaking of which, the shop sample from Louisa Harding arrived at the shop yesterday - a simple, easy fitting tee with a cute crochet trim. It's absolutely adorable. I'll post a photo tomorrow.

My little motorcycle obsession

Today is Bill and my anniversary, so we celebrated by taking me on my first trip across the Solomon's island bridge. I kept thinking to myself, "It's only a road, it's not going to rear up and buck me off." The wind is calm today, although at the top of the bridge, it was a bit gustier than below. What an exhilarating ride! I'm so glad to have done it. Here's a shot to prove I was there.
Then we went over to the shop to get a photo of me, my bike, and my LYS for the MotoKnitters group on Ravelry.

The vest...

You all probably remember the fabulous vest I knitted for my youngest about two years ago. Lovingly chose several yarns and offered him his pick. He selected the green and was very excited about Mommy knitting something just for him. Cables, buttonholes, edging, and hundreds of picked up stitches later, I present the fabulous vest to my darling son. He won't even try it on. WHAT??? I want to throttle him. My husband, sensing my dismay, cajoles the boy into promising that he'll wear the vest tomorrow. Do you think he wore the vest tomorrow? Well, of course not. And over the months that the vest languished in the back of his drawer, I would mention it to him and he would say, "I'll wear it next winter." I swear that boy is going to grow up to be a politician.

So Thursday, the day before his kindergarten class Easter pageant, I pulled the vest out and said, "Here is the vest Mommy made you. Would you just put it on just once so that I can see you in it before I die?" So he did. And you know what he said? He said, "Hey I LOVE this vest!" So I said, "You can wear it tomorrow."

Which he did.
All is forgiven.

On the Town Bolero

Is finished.

Hooray! I really like this little top. It looked like it was going to be too small while I was knitting it, but since it's kind of a rib, it's really stretchy and fits just the way I like.

Ravelry...

I love this site! This is a new, highly popular site for knitters to connect, keep in touch, share, and organize. I'm EllenE - join the site and the fun!

Gloria Cardigan

I never posted a photo of this, but it's one of my favorites. Designed by Jane Ellison for Noro, this cardi uses two heavy worsted weight yarns. I used Aurora 8 for the main body and mixed it with silk garden for the sleeves and body top. It fits great, and it was fun to knit. One word of caution I always give is to hold the pieces up to measure them. The top of the body is worked in garter stitch, which has a tendency to stretch, so if you measure the pieces on a flat surface, they will likely be too long when you wear them. Plus the sleeves are extra long anyway.