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Monday, March 16, 2009

Still waiting for spring

So that pretty, lovely, hand dyed merino became this soft and comfy hat!
Yarn: 1 skein LB Collection Superwash Merino DK (hand-dyed by moi) 
and way less than 1 skein of Rowan Kid Silk Haze, color: Midnight 
Needles: Sz 8 16" bamboo circulars

My only modification was to increase the number of CO sts to 96, so that it would be super relaxed and slouchy on my 23" head, and when I got to the first decrease round I decreased evenly down to the required 88 sts. Knitting this hat was very relaxing and pleasant. It definitely lives up to its name. I was a little worried that I wouldn't have enough of the DK merino because I only dyed 1 skein but it turned out that I had enough left over for a beautiful lace swatch. The colors go together perfectly with the KSH that has been hanging around my stash forever. This hat also compliments my Ice Queen (another recent, un-blogged FO).

I've been so productive knitting lately (not so much with the sewing unfortunately) that I kind of have a back log of stuff that needed to get photographed and posted. This weekend The Boy was sweet enough to photograph what must have seemed like a whole trunk show. I don't think I'll get around to blogging about everything... I don't think I'm that disciplined in the blogging department yet, but I do want to share some of my recent favorites. 

This one makes me super happy.

Pattern: #22 Lace Shawl, Knit.1 Spring 2008
Yarn: Universal Yarns; Eden Silk, 3 skeins in Brick.
Needles: Sz 7 Addi Turbos.

I am freak'n thrilled by this shawl. It is pretty, practical, and it was way easier to knit than it looks and it was fast and fun. (Except the edging. That was boring, but over soon enough).

The chart is available for free download on the Knit.1 website. Not the lace edging... need the magazine for that (although there is an error in the edging anyway that's pretty easy to spot).
I did modify the chart somewhat because I noticed that it didn't match the magazine picture. Basically, I made all the double decreases centered instead of left leaning and I changed some of the side lace decreases to always face inward (ssk on left edges, and k2tog on right edges) so that they flowed into the lace pattern.

FYI: the error in the edging is that the giant YO is miswritten as a M1. 
It just doesn't really work as written.  

Something else that makes me happy:
 An awesome mostly stockinette sweater, that I didn't have to knit!
My knitting buddy Laura knit this gorgeous Sunrise Circle Cardigan and as she was sewing up the first seam had to face the awful truth: this cardigan had sleeves meant for monkeys. They were WAY too long! So after marinating in time out for a whole year, she gave to me! I have monkey arms! And I can't believe it, but only a month later I finally seamed it up and stitched down my first hem.

I think I did a pretty decent job at it if I must say so myself. The sleeve hems took 1 evening and the body hem took 2 evenings. The buttons & loops were super quick.... which makes me think it has something to do with the fact that this is a free knit, and I have relatively little work invested in it. How else can I explain letting my Retro Swing Jacket languish without proper closures?

There's more that I've knitted and finished and photographed, but I have a TV date with Anthony Bourdain and even MORE knitting. Ciao!

Friday, March 13, 2009

First Hand Dyed Yarn

1 skein of Lion Brand Collection Super-wash Merino DK.
I used my yarn swift at its biggest setting to unwind the skein of yarn into a BIG hank.
Dyed using Jacquard Acid Dyes; Sage (green) & Perwinkle (blue) & 6 packets of Grape Koolaid.
I used these instructions from Dhartma Trading.  It was so easy, and I am so delighted with my results that I know I will be dying and over dying yarn again. 

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Missoni Love

I found my favorite show this season. Missoni.
Everything is so cosy, beautiful and feminine. 
Everything about the look appeals to me personally.
The colors are great - perfect for me!
I love the layering of different textures. 
I'll be wearing multiple hand knits this fall for sure!
I love the dramatic swing of the dangling scarves.
I've been smitten by Rodarte for a while now, but this take on large open lace is even more appealing. Certainly more wearable for "everyday".
And I love the cowl inspiration. 
This looks sort of like a mobius, but not. 
The best I can tell, it's knit flat with one end seamed to a side, but what's going on with the other end? Is this more of a hood than we can see?

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