sisterknits

Holiday Knitting

So we had a wonderful time in Cleveland visiting, knitting, eating, and shopping.  While I didn't buy any yarn, I did visit a very cool yarn store courtesy of Julia.  My sister and I just had pedicures and I was nervous about the girls being bored so I didn't have enough time to really look . . . . .very cool store though. 

I started the front of Es Christmas Vest and have made it past several repeats.  It's such an easy knit and while I'm anxious to get it done and off my mind, I haven't picked up it in two days because my hands hurt and the Trek XXL I ordered from The Knitter arrived.  The colorway is pastel and the yarn is so beautiful -- I cast on for Rib and Cable Socks from F05 IK last night -- a Nancy Bush design which I am anxious to try as I think I'd like her new book Knitting Vintage Socks.  I still haven't figured out what to do the with the Jo Sharp but I continue swatching.  I'm on my sixth pattern and nothing is working.  I'm in no hurry though as I've got lots of Christmas knitting to get through before I can devote anything bigger than socks to me! 

Stealth Knitting

They're done!  I think the ankle socks turned out really cute and I know my friend Winifred, who is fun and funky, will love them.  Another Christmas present completed. 

I also finished the back on Es vest and am taking the "Big Knitting Bag" to Cleveland with me this weekend to begin the front.  What I'm not taking with me is this, 14 balls of Jo Sharp original format DK wool.  This is my absolute favorite yarn, I read that Jo Sharp switched mills at some point and I don't like the way her current DK wool knits up.  I found these on ebay and snatched them up.  What am I doing with it . . . . I don't know yet but it's something for me.  I started swatching last night and haven't found the right stitch pattern but will keep trying.  Did you read Julia's blog about stealth knitting.  So true for me!  Have a great weekend everyone.

Halloween fun!

While not as impressive as Alison who is amazing and knit her boys costumes (!!) here are the girls, all in handmade costumes.  K a '50s girls, M an Indian Princess and A's nurses costume was actually made by my Grandmother for my Mom.  It was a huge hit with all of the parents asking if she was Florence Nightingale (spelled incorrectly, I think!).  So much fun.  I ate too much chocolate, but that goes with Halloween, right?

I'm down to half the original dose of steroids which is better -- still waking up every night around 3 am and knitting for an hour or so -- but now my face is so puffy.  Chipmunk Cheeks are an understatement.  My dear sweet husband tells me I look like a Pixie with my short hair and chubby cheeks -- but I don't even recognize myself sometimes.   I definitely feel better so I'm trying not to obsess but some days it's not easy. 

On the knitting front.  I'm almost done with the pair of anklet socks and about 6 inches left for the back of Es Christmas vest.  I ordered some Trek XL sock yarn for myself on Sunday and am hoping to take that plus the front of the vest to Cleveland with me this weekend when the girls and I visit my sister for knitting, eating, talking, and just hanging out. 

Thank you Nicki Epstein

I remember reading awhile ago in the introduction to Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge that she reasoned most heads were 21" wide, which was the same measurement of many sweater pieces.  That information coupled with the growing realization that I was not going to ever finish the Debbie Bliss Hooded Cable Jacket gave me an idea.  Voila, instant cable hat which will be the perfect Christmas present for my 23-year old Goddaughter.  I plan to add a big pompom to finish it off.  What a delight.  And I already know what I'm going to do with all of the beautiful Classic Elite Four Seasons Spring Green yarn -- Katrine from Rowan's new Weekend Classic. 

I also started a pair of Alison's Ankle Socks in Lana Grossa meilenweit and boy are they a fast knit.  They're another Christmas present so I'm thrilled.  And I finished the armhole bindoffs for E's Christmas Vest, so now I've got about 12 inches of armhole until the back is done.  Can you guess what I did with the extra hour we got this weekend! 

Harvest Day

Well, the little girls had a half day yesterday full of parties and candies which meant for a crazy afternoon!  After their sugar buzz wore off I was able to make some real progress on the DH Christmas vest.  I'm almost up to the armhole shaping on the back and the pattern is actually a joy to knit.  The color, however, is much more of a rich and true burgundy.  I think he'll love it. 

I also found the time to finish the Country Harvest Cardigan -- it's all sewn up and waiting to be blocked.  I hope to wear it next week and will share a picture once it's dry . . . . I'm determined to try a self portrait again! 

The simple things

So, I swatched and patterned and finally found something I like for my DH's Christmas Vest.  He's a Brooks Brothers button down shirt and khaki pants kind of guy, so a simple 6-stitch cable bordered by K2P2 repeat seems to be just the ticket.  The color is pretty accurate -- I do think this is going to work!

I'm wearing my sockapal-2-za socks today and let me say again how beautiful they are.  The fit is perfect and I'm just loving the leaf pattern.  Thank you Alison for doing this. 

We finally met with my radiologist yesterday to talk about my CT scan and progress.  The news was good but inconclusive so it's more "hurry up and waiting", this time til mid-December for a PET scan.  So, knit on, my friends and thanks for your good wishes, thoughts and prayers.

A Froggy Weekend

I did it, I finally frogged Soleil.  I loved this camisole from the moment I saw it and knew I had to knit it.  I'm not in love with my upper arms so I thought I'd wear it as a vest and knit it in a bigger size.  Silly me.  It's a camisole, not a vest.  It was too big and too wrong and just bad.  So I frogged this weekend.  Three big skeins of Classic Elite Provence.  And I already know what I'm going to do with it, Harriet from Twilleys Freedom.  It's a summer cardigan so I don't even need to think about starting it until after Christmas. 

And I finished all of the pieces for the Rustic Country Cardigan and even knit on the inside band and bought the buttons.  Now I need to put it together -- and maybe even wear it this week.  We'll see if the mood strikes me to sew it all up . . . . I'm not feeling the love right now. 

For Sandy

Another beautiful Fall Day here in Michigan.  I can't get over the blue skies, yellow leaves, and simplicity of it all.  This tree, in my backyard, for Sandy. 

Is it any wonder I'm loving the Country Cardigan . . . . the colorway is so now and it's working up so quickly -- finished the left front last night and started on the right.  Done soon and then onto the beautiful Renaissance wool for DH.  Still need to swatch, but I've been leafing though pattern books and magazines for the right stitch pattern. 

Project Mania

I don't know what has come over me but all I'm thinking about lately is knitting.  I mean all I'm thinking about.  I have a list of 10 different projects I want to knit, I've been buying yarn and patterns like I have money to burn, I'm searching for patterns on ebay that I wish I bought years ago, and basically I'm possessed.  Reality does need to set in here and honestly, I'm trying.  So here's my current thinking.  Since I just finished the back of the Rustic Country Cardigan, I can finish the front this week.  Then put that on hold while I start DH Christmas vest.  The wool, Renaissance by Classic Elite arrived today, and boy is it fabulous.  Once done with the DH vest, finish the Rustic Cardigan.  Continue with the Brooks Farm Mohair Branching Out scarf as my small and portable project and then move to a pair of anklets for my dear friend Winifed's Christmas present.  So, that gives me a new cardigan, three Christmas presents done, and two more to go.  Reasonable?  Or Crazy?  Plus, I'm thinking about knitting Rona and Katrina from this new Rowan book.  Is Rona cool or crazy?  Will I ever wear a short sleeved wool sweater wrap sweater? 

Country Sunday

So, I started swatching with the Katia Country wool/silk yarn, went to the LYS to buy some really nice Jamieson's Soft Shetland in Ginger and began planning.  I sketched, I thought, I measured some old favorite sweaters, and then just decided to start knitting.  Something I don't usually do, but I'm trying to go with the flow a little, and it was so pretty outside yesterday with the leaves and the sun and this colorway was really calling to me.  I took a break to read my daily blogs, and guess what I found, the perfect picture of the sweater I'm knitting, here.  Serendipity, I guess.  That, or as my mother always says, Great Minds Think Alike.