Swing Cardi Progress

I've been knitting oway on this project for Elann. It is the Swing Cardigan from Vogue's Summer 2007 issue. I'm not particuarly in love with the pattern, but it is simple, mostly stockinette stitch and I can easily work on it in the van pool while commuting. At this point, I have the back, both fronts and one sleeve finished. The neck band is knit seperately and then sewn on, and will be the last piece that I knit. Its going well, but I have been taking time to work on other projects as well. I have almost finished a Baby Surplice Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I found the pattern in the same magazine as the cardigan. It has been a fun, quick knit and I just have a few rows left to the cuff of the sleeve. (I have chosen to add the optional extra rows to a turn back cuff so that it can be worn longer.)

New WIP

I was recently contacted by Elann, again, to do some knitting. So, I've cast on and am about 30% into it, already. Its going well and I'm hoping to get it done quickly. Its mostly stockinette, which is quick, but a little boring. Projects like this are best done quickly, before the newness wears off. So far, its still fun and the promise of store credit will keep me going until its done.

Socks Finished

I finished my Blue Socks, yesterday. These are made using the Cedar Master Pattern from Cat Bordhi's book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters. I've just about memorized the heel pattern, since I've worked it about 8 times for 3 pairs of socks! :) The Louet Gems, sport, that I used is soft and squishy to wear. I'm not sure about the feel of the increases being on the bottom of the foot. It makes the sock feel a little bumpy. This isn't a huge problem, but I think that I will use other "architectures" from the book when I use it again.

Photo-less Progress

I've been eagerly knitting on my sweater and Dad's socks. I finished the socks last night and barely needed any of the second skein, but couldn't get away with not using it. So, I immediately cast on for a pair for me with the same yarn and needles. I'm using a different one of the architectures from the same book by Cat Bordhi, since I love it so much. The book is due back to the library by the end of the week, but I'm getting pretty good at knitting the patterns without the pattern, so it shouldn't be a problem. Since I like the book so well, I tried to just renew it, but was not allowed to do that as there are 40 people on the hold list! I can't believe that they haven't purchased more copies. There are only 5, or so, in the whole system! I did add my name to the hold list so that I can get it again in a couple months. Until then, I will probably be pretty busy knitting other patterns. I still have not cast on for this month's Sockamania pattern, which I love and have the perfect yarn for them.
In sweater news, I finished the first sleeve last night. I couldn't work on it in the van pool, this morning, as the first 8-10 inches are lace and it goes much more smoothly if I do that part where its not dark! :) Hopefully, I'll get to start it tonight.

ETA: Photo

A New Year of Knitting

While waiting for the sale at my local yarn store (1/1) I started knitting myself another sweater. This is 74-3 from Drops. The yarn is Lion Brand Wool-Ease, which I already had in my stash. I have the back and fronts done and am ready to start the sleeves. However, I do want to get Dad's Christmas present finished first. On Tuesday, I cast on for a pair of socks for him and now have the first one almost ready to start working ribbing for the cuff! I am using sport weight yarn with 3mm needles and one of the sock architectures from Cat Bordi's book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters Book1. I'm having so much fun playing with new ways of knitting socks and am really loving her patterns and the different ways that she incorporates the gusset decreases or increases. She also makes it so much easier for me to find and knit to the correct gauge but letting me start with something close, measure and adjust. Its wonderful!!