The Ivy Leagues

I mentioned briefly in a previous post that I had ordered the yarn from Knitpicks to make an Ivy League vest and then never talked about it again. When I saw this pattern I thought "Aha!" this is perfect to try a more challenging fair isle/colorwork project with out doing and entire sweater which I just don't think I'd have the patience for. I also decided to try a different color scheme than the one in the pattern because I'm partial to reds and I like to be a little adventurous. So here is the ribbing:














Looks great, takes forever. Corrogated ribbing really slows things down but I think it was worth it.















The rest of the way it's gone pretty quickly and it's super fun to watch the pattern work up right before your eyes.




















As you can see, I'm nearing the shoulder and should be done with the main body of knitting pretty soon. I won't venture a guess as to how soon because then inevitably I will obsess about some other project.

I've got another project that's finished and photographed so if I can manage to get the pics onto the computer without incident than that will be next.

On a side note, I went out on a super fun shopping trip with Carly on Saturday and scored enough Elsebeth Lavold Silky wool in a pumpkin color for a sweater for 50% off!!!! She also showed me the Fabric Hut in Norfolk which is Massive, with a capital M. I picked up some cotton lining for the Celtic Tote I'm working on. After talking with her and seeing this place I'm totally inspired to try more sewing projects for the house now. Yay!

Oy vay

My computer ate my pictures. This is very frustrating, as there were quite a lot of pictures on the card I was trying to upload. Now I need to go retake those pictures, which will have to wait. Good thing I had already transfered the steeking pictures a few days ago, or I would be having a little wee meltdown.

A Story in Pictures

Above we have the Uncut, Unreinforced Vest.



With crocheted steeks.



Up close.



Strong coffee, brownie, scissors.




Wheee!



A cut armohole steek.



Picked up stitches.



Voila!!!








It has been washed and is drying as we speak. All I need now are buttons!!

Genius

Whomever invented steeking is a genius.

Never. Seaming. Again.

(not so) Massive Update

Somehow, I missed a bunch of stuff in the time warp that was December and January. So this post is (half) dedicated to catching up on all of the projects I have yet to even mention here.

First up:
Raglan Lace Sweater

Pattern: Child's Raglan Sweater from a Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in Silver Sage, a little less than 4 balls
Needles: a whole bunch of size 4s

I like it. It was a good practice piece. I got worried in the raglan decrease section that it was looking too big and started decreasing more rapidly which resulted in a short bust area and a very small neck opening. But since I hate frogging we will simply not button the top button and will call it a learning experience. Besides, Sweet P seemed to like it. :D

Charade Socks
Yarn: Knitpicks Bare wool and nylon
Needles: 2.25 mm US 1 dpns

I'm really happy with the way the color came out considering it was my first dyeing attempt. As for the pattern, it's nice but it's getting super monotonous.

Nutkins

Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug
Needles: knitpicks 2.50mm dpns

Overall, eh on the yarn and eh on the pattern.

And lastly for today. Yesterday, I finally got in the the yarn that has been backorderded for my mom's vest. Last night while at my knitting group, i finished the main body of knitting and am now ready to cut my first ever steeks. I want to be done with this project in the worst way so I have been really thinking of nothing else. This morning I crocheted the steeks. I also took pictures. Then I think tonight I will be cutting, and taking pictures. Tomorrow I hope to find enough time to post the pictures I will hopefully take. Wish me luck!

Catching up

It seems I have gotten a bit behind again. The end of December and the first part of January have been very hectic. Between the holidays and my family member's surgery and ER visits and stomach bugs, there was precious little time for anything else. I did manage to finish the the Raglan Lace Cardigan for Sweet P. Buttons and all. To prove it, I took photos. I would show you the photos if blogger would kindly cooperate with me. Not today, I guess. It turned out well except for the fact that the neck is WAY to small. Rather than rip and reknit, I decided that when she wears it we will simply leave the top button unbuttoned. I generally chalk these kinds of mistakes as learning experiences and leave it as is. I know that philosophy would make some people loopy, (you perfectionists out there, you know who you are :) but this way I know I can go back and see what I did so that I can avoid it in the future.

I also, dyed my first hank of yarn! With koolaid! On the stove! Exclamation! Again, photos will have to wait til blogger fixes their problem, but Hoo Wee, was it fun. I almost didn't have enough patience to wait for it to dry and wound into a ball to knit it up.

I Swatched

No really, I did. Really.

It was only about an inch high and 48 stitches long but it was enough to give me guage for the Ivy League Vest. According to the tracking information I should be recieving my order tomorrow!! Included in the order are 2 hanks of undyed sock yarn which I'm really excited about trying. I found several tutorials on Knitty about different methods and color recipes.

Also here are socks that I have been frantically finishing!

Vinnland


Knit Picks Essential sock yarn in burgundy on 2.5 mm US 1.5 needles. More details here if you are on Ravelry.

Swirly Socks

My own improvised pattern. SWTC Tofutsies on 2.25 mm US 1 needles. Details here.

If don't post before Tuesday, Merry Christmas everyone!