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I finally finished Abby’s Starlight Starbright Cardigan and it’s gorgeous

Pattern: Starlight, Starbright by Kirsten Jensen from her Ravelry Store
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash Sport & Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport
Colorway(s): Romantic Rube & Grey
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: November 29, 2009
Casted Off: February 22, 2010
Modifications: none

I test knit this for Kirsten on Ravelry when I saw her finished sweater. I asked her if she needed test knitters and she took me up on it. I don’t think I’ll volunteer again to test knit a pattern. I had a wonderful time knitting this, don’t get me wrong, but I guess I don’t knit fast enough. The last few weeks, I held up Kirsten and I still feel terrible about it. I do not like holding things up and I did this during the test knit process. It didn’t help that I had a ton of Christmas knitting too during this time.

I knit this cardi using a 9 stitches/inch gauge as opposed to the 8 stitches/inch gauge the pattern states. That’s ok though, Abby’s a little on the small side. I really hope Rose and Abby like this.

I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this cardi, as I often love me some fair isle. The yarn I used, Brown Sheep Sport, was a pleasure to knit with as it is tightly spun.I found it easy to knit two colors with this yarn and I hope to use it again in future projects.

This pattern was very well written and it’s a great first steaking project for anyone wanting to do it for the first time.

Up next some more works in progress. I like this starting thinngs thing

Well I started this shawl on the first day of Blizzard I and I completed it the first day I went back to work. Pretty fitting I’d say

Pattern: Conifer Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn from Knitscene, Winter/Spring 2010
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Sundara Yarn Aran Silky Merino
Colorway(s): Black Cherry
Needle(s): US 8 / 5.0 mm
Casted On: February 5, 2010
Casted Off: February 16, 2010
Modifications: none

Knitting the cables on the wrong side, at first, was tricky but I managed to follow the pattern fairly well. At first, when I completed this shawl, I thought the cables made the shawl bunch up, but blocking comes to the rescue once again!

I loved the edge lace motif on this pattern, it was a great ending to a lovely shawl. I might even want to make another shawl only a little bigger. For now, I will enjoy this one, made out of a lovely Sundara wool/silk blend.You can always count on knitters to be productive, even during a horrible snow storm.

Up next, the Starlight Starbright cardigan. I need to sew one more sleeve in and do a border then I have one more WIP complete for the Ravelympics.

On the day, I finally return to work, I finished my Snowcopolypse Shawl. Here it is pre-blocking:

This color is a little difficult to capture so I might take ten minutes out of my day tomorrow to photograph it. More details on this project will come later with better pictures.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Ravelympics project I picked, Seneca, by Jared Flood:

I’m enjoying the hell out of this project. The yarn is scrumptious and I have a lot of faith in Mr. Flood’s pattern. I just dont want to knit this sweater competitively. Sure this is a personal competition for me that I’m doing with a bunch of fantastic ladies and gents but I want to enjoy this project a little more and, ya know, I’m getting in touch with my inner process knitter. I don’t want something hanging over my head as I try to enjoy knitting this.

So what’s a gal to do? GET RID OF SOME WORKS IN PROGRESS

Jermaine doesn’t ask for much. He doesn’t. So when he asked for another pair of fingerless gloves, I said sure. That said, knitting five finger holes…..weelllllllll I’m sure many would agree it’s nothing that keeps you up at night. And, truth be told, this is the third pair I’m making him. There was his first pair, then I tried to surprise him and made him a pair and epically failed so working on fingers 21-39….head/desk. But he’s my pookie and deserves double knit gloves so, Laura, tackle ‘em!

Secondly is a scarf for a doctor if you can believe it. After a conference in Philadelphia in August, I strained/sprained my shoulder. (I honestly don’t remember the exact diagnosis but the doc used those two words. Whatever….it hurt). Anywho, I decided to make him a scarf because he’s good people.

Thirdly, this GORGEOUS cardigan just needs half a sleeve done and some finishing components. Seriously, if I don’t finish this within a week, you have my permission to come kick my ass. Cuz I would need it.

Knitters would think of any reason to start a project and/or have a knitalong. So….there are two blizzards headed your way?? Yes, I think it’s a great reason to cast on something.

I present…….my Snowcopolypse/Snowmageddon 2010 Shawl:

This is the Conifer Shawl from the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of Knitscene. It would have probably been done if I didn’t leave it at mom’s house when I was at her place on Sunday the 7th. opps. But I got it back and hope to finish it soon.

I also finished the first sleeve on Abby’s Starlight Starbright Cardigan

and I finally finished Courtney’s socks.

Pattern: Serpentine Socks by Wendy D. Johnson from Socks from the Toe Up
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Fiesta Yarns Boomerang
Colorway(s): Sapphire
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: December 23, 2010
Casted Off: February 11, 2010
Modifications: I did a short row heel instead of a heel flap. no biggie

This was my first time knitting with Boomerang. It’s a warm thick yarn for socks and I’m sure Courtney will love them. I have another skein in my stash and I’m sure they’ll making warm socks. But it wasn’t the most flexible or giving yarn. The resulting socks will be warm and very appreciated so that’s all that matters, right?

Ravelympics

The opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be starting at 9pm EST and that is the precise time the Ravelympics will commence I have decided to knit Seneca out of Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Woo. Progress pics to come!

Happy Ravelympics everyone! Be safe!

Seriously, as someone who has had her share of tendonitis issues due to flute playing, if your hands hurt, STOP!

On Friday February 5, DC got hit with a record breaking snowstorm. See…lemme show you it from space

I did some research and found this out

Our big weekend storm surged Reagan National Airport’s seasonal total to 45″ with the balance of February and March yet to go. This places our current winter in position number three for the snowiest winters on record, behind 1995-96 (46″) and the big one, 1898-99 (54.4″). Of course, that all-time record was set at a more downtown location (M Street), so some may argue the higher elevation and location away from the Potomac was an easier accomplishment. But in my mind, that makes this potential record season all the more notable.

And on Friday night, at about 2250, Jermaine and I lost power that we did not get back till Monday morning. It was fun on Saturday. Jermaine and I played a hysterical game of Trivial Pursuit. But I have to say, as our apartment’s temperature was dropping, the fun was dissipating. I felt how cold Layla and Luna’s paws were through multiple blankets!

Mom and Ray got their power back on Sunday morning and invited the whole family up to their house. So Jermaine and the kittehs and I went up to mom’s house. I have to tell you it was the most stressful car ride of my life! Roads still weren’t clear making it so so stressful. I got out of the car, shaking and simply said two words to mom “booze please!” I have to say that my mom is pretty damn hip but it still had to be weird for her to hear her little girl request demand that!

I have to say, it was stressful being at someone else’s house. Especially knowing that they’re breaking their rental agreement allowing kittehs to stay the night. (I was nervous they would view the carpet as a scratching post ) That said, it was also great spending the night at home with my mom like old times, something I haven’t done since I graduated from college. We enjoyed watching the Super Bowl (Congrats, Saints!!) and said nighty nighty, like old times…I woke up and my sweet mom made me pancakes. How amazing was that? So there are parts of me that want to go back to my old life–working, relaxing at home….but there is a another part of me that really enjoyed the time I spent with mom and Ray. And popping by Dad’s place to make sure he was ok too. It was like we were all a team helping each other out. I went over to dad’s to help him out and we, in turn, borrowed his metal shovel.

Now I have a poll for Ravelympics 

Should I cast one of these sweaters?

Seneca (Ravelry Link)

or Henley Perfected (Ravelry Link)

These would be for the Sweaterboard Cross event. Only one, mind you. It is either I cast on one of those lovely pullovers or I finish one Lace Cardigan in the WIP Dancing Event

this yarn.....so so so lucious

I am a sucker for these polls, so tell me what you think!!

I finally found a pattern that is guy-friendly for Ray and I finished the pair of socks this morning on the Metro

Pattern: Elegant Ribbed Stockings by Ann Budd from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s)ream in Color Classy, 1.32 skeins (150 yards)
Colorway(s): Don’t Be Blue
Needle(s): US 4 / 3.5 mm
Casted On: January 30, 2010
Casted Off: February 2, 2010
Modifications: I opted out of using a ribbon on the top of the socks. Me thinks Ray wouldn’t have digged it.

Needless to say, when I started these socks, they flew off the needles but it was a hard time coming. I’d start a pair of socks and they’d be ridiculously big or too busy or it didn’t match well with the yarn. When I picked up my ever-so-trusty Favorite Socks book and saw this pattern and it was perfect!

The cables pop as you wear the socks

Ray wears a size 11 sock and, yes I understand that it might look funny that I’m wearing his socks, with my size 7 (Men’s) feet. Well, they were big on me. Had plenty of room in the toes. But I’m sure they’ll be a little tight for him, still. That was my intention. I understand that Dream in Color has a tendency to stretch, which explains why I sized them a little small.

Guy friendly pattern with fun cables to make it interesting for the knitter

Wanna hear something interesting about this pair of socks, during it, I realized I was making short row heels the wrong way! Who woulda thunk it?? Yes I was wrapping my stitches in the wrong direction. It made a slightly funky looking heel but not one that I would object to. But I did get curious and looked it up and realized I wasn’t bringing the yarn to the front, when knitting. I wrapped from the back to the front as opposed to from the front to the back as you should. This is my 28th pair of socks and I’m still learning things. Gawd I love knitting!

So I mentioned that I joined the International Knit a Sweater a Month Group on Ravelry and I’ve been thinking about what sweaters/cardis I should make for a long time.  Evidently I have a thing for lace sweaters

The First is Lattice Lace Pullover by Laura Grutzeck from Knit So Fine: Designs with Skinny Yarn. I swatched for this sweater last summer but didn’t go beyond that. I have a wonderful collection of KnitPicks Gloss for this. This color looks great on me if I do say so myself The second is a pattern I’ve wanted to knit for a long time–Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio from Interweave Knits, Summer 2008. I was originally going to use some KnitPicks Gloss but I am not a big fan of the color I dyed it with. Instead, for my birthday, I got a gift card from mom and Lindsey to the Loopy Ewe. With it, I got some Dream in Color Smooshy in the Plum Paisley colorway for this wonderful hoodie. The third sweater is Lace V-Neck Top by Pam Grushkin from Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2009. I have no idea what yarn I will knit this sweater with but I have to say–it would be nice if people on Ravelry would state the size they knit and how much yarn they used. grumble. lt; Finally the fourth cardigan is Sabbatical by Connie Chang Chinchio. For a birthday present Jermaine got me a KnitPicks gift card and I got some Telemark with it. I got some of this yarn in the Aubergine color. How pretty!

Why am I thinking about these particular sweaters so early in 2010? Well lace sweaters have a tendency to take forever. I mean shooooooot—I got gauge on the Lattice Lace Pullover with US size 1.5s! That’s going to take some time!

These next two patterns will take some time as well–Autumn Rose by Eunny Jang (kit bought from Knitpicks) and Blackberry Cabled Cardigan by Alexandra Charlotte Dafoe. I got this wonderful yarn, Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool, from Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA.

I don’t think the cabled cardi is going to take a looooooooong time perse but I’m still very excited to make it. The yarn is DELICIOUS!! I’ve already started swatching:

For the past few months, I’ve been considering countless sweaters.  These twelve, however, stick out the most:

TOP ROW: Blackberry Cabled Cardigan, Apres Surf Hoodie, Lattice Lace Pullover, Autumn Rose SECOND ROW: Sabbatical, Lace V-Neck Top , Kelmscott, Henley Perfected THIRD ROW : Notre Dame De Grace, Seneca, Fair Isle Cardigan (With different colors, of course!), February Fitted Pullover

Of course these can change. I won’t start any of these until I get this wonderful cardigan done for lil Abby. I’m test knitting the Starlight, Starbright pattern by Kirsten Jensen. Christmas knitting and some other personal events got in the way of my completing this so I’m bound and determined to get this done….as well as some Christmas socks…still!

I hope to have this completed really really soon.

Have a great night, everyone.

I finished Rose’s socks for Christmas and mailed them to her this week

Pattern: Nanner Socks by Wendy D. Johnson from her blog, WendyKnits
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s):Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock – Mediumweight
Colorway(s): Flower Power
Needle(s): US 1½ / 2.5 mm
Casted On: November 11, 2009
Casted Off: January 6, 2010
Modifications: None

I asked Rose if she wanted these socks to be a little higher…higher than typical socks but shorter than knee socks and she jumped all over it. I split the skein in half and stopped when I ran out of yarn.

These socks were fun to make. The pattern was easy enough to do but interesting enough to keep my attention. I am a little anxious of the bias that formed in these:

But it is something that is bound to occur with some patterns. I’m sure Rose will still love them.

It’s such a pleasure knitting these for people like Rose, Courtney and my mom. Courtney and Rose can go on and on about how much they love their socks. I just got this email from mom this morning, all of which makes me beam

Pattern: Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat by Sandi Rosner from Crystal Palace’s Website
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s):Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi 390.0 yards & Shelridge Farm Soft Touch DKW 250 yards
Colorway(s): 105 & Robin’s Egg, respectively.
Needle(s): US 3 / 3.25 mm
Casted On: October 26, 2009
Casted Off: December 2, 2009
Modifications: None

It was a fun knit. Here’s a  picture of the hat, ya know….complete

It was a little sad saying good bye to this hat. I might have to knit this again. It was snug on my head but certainly not restrictive. I like my hats like that.

Anyway, I don’t think this will be the last Mini Mochi hat I knit. It was a sad goodbye when I sent it to my spoilee, Danielle.

On Christmas day I finished a pair of socks for my friend’s husband, Corey

Pattern: Basketcase Socks by Criminy Jickets from his blog
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): KnitPicks Swish DK, 3 skeins = 369.0 yards (337.4m)
Colorway(s): Hunter Green
Needle(s): US 2½ / 3.0 mm
Casted On: November 11, 2009
Casted Off: December 25, 2009
Modifications: None! I actually paid attention to all of the pattern! It was nice too because I learned the Eye of Partridge heel. Who would ever knock learning a new heel?

I don’t know Corey all that well but he’s good people! Served in Iraq and Afghanistan….he’s a great father:

And want to know another reason I find him sock worthy? He didn’t say anything profound but I think of the conversation from time to time and laugh. My mom, for Christmas, gave me a cable stitch dictionary. Corey, Rose and I were in the back seat of dad’s car, practically on each other’s lap. Dad and Corey were talking army weapons.

snore…mentally check out.

he’s talking about weapons “The MI-4 blabity blah carries these kinds of bullets…blah blah blah….OH I LOVE THAT CABLE! It’s pretty crazy…Laura can you do that?”

Literally in the same breath. So yes…the man is sock worthy, wouldn’t you say?