Progress Update

I have been working away, diligently on my Honeycomb vest and putting in some time on my Civil War Shawl. At the rate I’m going I will not have either finished by the retreat, but I am enjoying the projects. The shawl is time consuming and I make errors when trying to multi-task. It is so lovely that I want the border to be just right. On the vest, I am having some difficulties with the wrong side rows. They are K2P2, but the pattern is not ribbing, so it is difficult to tell when I am off, until I look at the front. Then, of course it is obvious! I have spent a ton of knitting time tinking back to fix errors like these. The combination of stitch pattern and yarn really shows the errors.
While “wasting” time on Ravelry the other day, I came across the “village hopelessly overcommitted” group. I read through a few of the posts and really had to laugh (in a good way) over one of their Village Alongs: Cast on Mania. The challenge is to cast on a new project for every day during the month of February! While I love starting projects, I think I would feel completely overwhelmed with over 30 projects started. Scary!! :}

My Oldest UFO

Yesterday, I pulled out my Civil War Shawl, again. I finished several repeats of the border. Whoohooo! I really like it. This means that I am about 10% finished with the border. The border is about half of the entire shawl. I think that I am expecting too much, but I would love to get this finished in time for the retreat! It doesn’t make a good commuter project as it requires much concentration. My weekends are pretty full between then and now, as well, so it’s doubtful. However, I do plan to make it my home knitting project for the next 2 weeks just to see what I can get done.

Civil War Shawl

I started the edging on my Civil War Shawl! I have 2 repeats done. The border pattern that the designer chose couldn’t be better. It’s very lovely and before any blocking is about 6 inches widthwise. I did make a mistake in the first repeat. Though I tried, I could not figure out what I had done and plan to just leave it, rather than pull it all out. I haven’t taken a picture because I find it difficult to get a good one without pulling the needle out of all those stitches, which of course would be disastrous! :) I figure that each pattern repeat is a little over a half percent of the overall project. Only 49% to go!

Status Update

This last weekend, being a long one, I took plenty of time for knitting. I finished the first sock on two pair (nearly finishing the second on one pair!) and worked a little on my Civil War Shawl. On the shawl, I finished the main body of the shawl and am ready to begin working on the edging. This marks the halfway point on the shawl. I may finish up a few projects that are closer to being done, and then start working on the shawl again. I’d like to finish a pair of socks or two, and my February Lady Sweater. All of these are nearly done. If I stay in with the current CWS KAL, I have about 2 weeks to wait until the group catches up with me. That should be plenty of time to finish the sweater and one pair of the socks. At least, if I work on the pair that is nearly done! :)

Mittiens Finished

These only took a couple of days. They are NHM #9 from Selbuvotter, by Terri Shea. When I first started them, I wasn't sure how well I would like them. In the beginning, the multi-colored yarn seemed to hide the black patterning a little. However, now that they're finished, I love them. The pattern shows up well.
Even after using 1 skein of Knit Picks Palette for 2 pairs, I still have a little left over! I am very surprised at how little yardage was required for the contrasting color. I still have a little of the multi left over ,too. I've knit a pair of socks, and now a pair of mittens with it. There must have been more yarn than I realized in that hank!
Now, I plan to return to my February Lady Sweater. I only have 1 sleeve left to go. This was started this morning. Hopefully, I'll have it finished by the end of the week. As I look forward to finishing another project, I am trying to decide what to work on...I may try to stay with the current KAL group on my Civil War Shawl. That one is half done. Then, there's Summer of Socks, for which I have yet to start any socks. There's also Sockamania. I haven't finished any of Anni's patterns in quite a few months. However, with all the other socks I already have on the needles, I will feel guilty if I don't finish at least one of those pairs first! I suppose only time will tell. :}
Last night I received my book order from the 40% off sale at Knit Picks. I bought Knit So Fine and New Pathways for Sock Knitters. As I've been knitting from the public library's copy of New Pathways and my own copy of Selbuvotter, I've become increasingly annoyed at how the books will not stay open to the correct page. So, I took my copies of New Pathways and Selbuvotter to Kinko's last night and had them spiral bind the books. It cost around $9 each, and now the book will lay flat! This greatly helped me to finish my mitten last night, as I did not have to keep looking for the correct page. I'm contemplating having the same thing done with a couple other books that I think I will need to keep open for reference while knitting from them.

Weekend Knitting

This past weekend, I did tire of the same sweater pattern, and pulled out my nearly half done Civil War Shawl. I completed several rows, which at around 1400 stitches on the needles, is quite an accomplishment! I'm now only about 6 rows from starting the edging. That point is about half done. I still love it, but it is not a good van pool project as I am needing to look at the chart too often. Maybe I'll pull it out again next weekend. The wool/silk blend yarn I'm using has a beautiful shine to it and I really would like to get the finished before the end of the year. (If you notice on the side bar, it was started almost a year and a half ago. I think this may be my oldest UFO.)

Cables and Os is coming along, nicely, too. It still takes quite some time to finish a row, but I have the pattern memorized, so its not that big of a deal. I had forgotten what it was like to knit a sweater in the round, because I've been knitting them in pieces, lately. It seems to take a long, long time to get to the row where the division happens for the arms, but what a sense of accomplishment! I'm just biding my time right now. :)

Mystery Stole Update

On Saturday afternoon, I went to Village Yarn & Tea to meet Kathleen and KnottyKitty. We sat with the knitting group that meets in the store every Saturday. I met several other awesome knitters, as well. Those were 3 great hours, knitting & talking with so many knitters. I'm sure I'll go back again, sometime soon! I took the MS3 with me to work on. I didn't get much finished on it, because I kept having to tink back and fix mistakes, but I still finished clue 3 by 9PM Sunday! So far, it looks like a stitch sampler, which I love!

In other knitting news, I've also been working on the Civil War Shawl and the Serpentine Socks. For the socks, I had to rip back some because the sock was not big enough to go over my heel easily enough. I've knit back to the point where I was before. I added extra stitches at the sides of the ankle so that I would have the extra room needed. On the CWS, I'm actually getting enough progress that it would be worth taking a picture, if only I had done that last night! I only have about 12-15 rows to go before I can start the edging. (Starting the edging will mean that I am half done!!) It really seems to be the summer of lace, for me!

Now that I've finished the Green Tea Raglan, I need to either start or start finishing another simpler project that can be commuter knitting. Maybe the Tied Up Tee will finally get some more work?! I'd rather start Arietta, but don't have the yarn and the budget won't handle it, right now...I have plenty to keep me busy, so that's not the point, right?

Only 22 Rows to Go!!

I've been working on the Civil War Shawl, more. I've actually completed 30% of the stitches. When I've completed the body of the shawl (another 17 rows) I will have it about half way done. The edging takes so much knitting! I'm really looking forward to starting a new section on this project, even though I am still enjoying knitting on the body of the shawl. I often find myself just stopping to admire my own work. Is that too silly? I come by this trait from my mother. She often does the same thing and must have taught me to do the same!

Oh, and I almost forgot! I finished the River Valley Socks, last night.

The Latest Knitting Progress

I accomplished quite a bit of knitting these last 4 days. First, I finished the front and the second sleeve of the Green Tea Raglan. I also cast on for the back and have nearly 3 inches done! Its going great, but I decided to take some time to knit lace. I was ready for a challenge, so I started the Mystery Stole on Saturday, finishing the first clue on Sunday night. Its beautiful and the beading technique used in the pattern is new to me. This has taken some getting used to, but I have the hang of it, now. I've also been trying to finish up the cuff of the second River Valley Sock. I only have about 3 pattern repeats left to go. I really want to finish this by Friday so that I can get into the drawing on the Sockamania blog. At least I have to wait for the next clue on the Mystery Stole before I can continue knitting on it. This way there is no temptation to work on it while I'm trying to set some goals for myself on other projects.
Yesterday, I was home from work, not feeling well. So, I pulled out the Civil War Shawl and finished around 12 rows!! This is represents lots of knitting time as each row takes 35-45 minutes to complete. The MS3 started me knitting lace, and I just couldn't stop. The CWS was a great outlet for that desire to knit a complicated lace pattern.

I'm finally working on my Civil War Shawl, again. I've done 4 rows in the past week. That's pretty good progress considering it takes about 45 minutes to complete one row! The KAL group that I started with is about 2 repeats into the edging, and I still have 38 rows to go before I can even start it. My new goal is to not get behind the second KAL group (same KAL, new group as of June 1st.) Since I am several weeks ahead of them, if I keep working on it, this should not be a problem, right? =) The only difficulty I have with working on this project, is that I have to give my undivided attention to it, which means, no TV watching and no commuter knitting on it! This, however, is when I get most of my knitting time. I'm determined to finish this one by the end of the summer, so get knitting, I must...

More Stitch Markers

I've been working almost solely on my CWS, lately. I did get 2 full weeks behind, so I'm trying really hard to get caught up to the rest of the KAL. However, I needed a break, last night. So I worked on these! Some may be for an exchange, or not. I really could use 16 more markers for my CWS. The repeats are getting long enough that having 2 repeats between each set of markers really are too many.

My Favorite, Current Project

I have been working on my Civil War Shawl, lately. It has become a favorite project that I just can't wait to pick up. This is because of so many factors. First, I love the pattern. The pattern changes a little every so often, so it really holds my interest. If it were all the same, I think I'd go crazy! Second, I love the yarn. It is just perfect for the pattern as it is super soft and the wool/silk mixture catches and reflects the light beautifully. Being so lightweight, the fabric is coming out very lacy and beautiful. Third, the pattern is complicated enough that this does not make good commuter knitting, so the project is maintaining its newness, as I can only work on it during the weekend. (This is when I get time that is somewhat uninterrupted!) Its going very well and I am looking forward to each new step in this creative process.

She Loved Them!

We had the Birthday party for my MIL on Friday night. She loved the socks that I made! She didn't try them on, but I'm sure they should fit. We had a quiet little party with just 2 of her 7 kids showing up. (My husband & his next oldest brother.)

Everyone brought some little thing as a gift, which she loved. We sat and played Five Crowns, a card game that is her favorite.

Yesterday and Saturday, I worked on my Civil War Shawl in order to get this week's assignment done. I finished the assignment, photographed it, and then kept knitting on it. I have about another 1/2 inch completed than shown in this picture. Its turning out beautifully, and the KAL is keeping me going on it. (At least, its reminding me to get some done each week. This in itself keeps the project in my mind and as something that I still want to work on!)

A Knitting Weekend

This weekend, I finished knitting the first Malabrigo glove and started on the second. Past that, I worked a little on my Civil War Shawl, Huskies sock & Green Gable. I didn't get much done on any one project. Then, on Saturday, I met a friend at Village Yarn and Tea (one of my favorite LYS and the closest to my house) for tea and knitting. I wanted to knit something small for an exchange that I am finishing, so I bought a skein of yarn at the store & knit the larger "Spiral Bag" from One Skein. I finished it that same day, but didn't have time for any other knitting. The bag came out great, but I forgot to take a picture before I mailed it. Silly me!

Shawl Begun

I started the Civil War Shawl, yesterday. I knit to row 45, this week's assignment. It felt like a quick knit, which I love. I started out with a size 5 needle, but that was way, way to big for this lace weight yarn. I went down to a size 2. Now, it looks great.

Before I could get started, I had to finish a few more stitch markers. I needed 15, and only had 12. (There are 16 repeats, but I use 1 plastic coiless safety pin for the start of the round.) These little flowers were fun to make, especially since no 2 are exactly alike. I do plan to make 16 more, so that once I get up to the point where there are 32 pattern repeats, I'll have one to mark the beginning of each repeat.

I also had some time to work on my cardigan. (Still no pic, but maybe soon!) I have a little over half the sleeve decreases done. This is one project that I really want to finish. With our recent bout of cold weather, it will be a great layering sweater, or once it warms up, will work well for a casual, spring jacket. The colors are working out perfectly, and whenever I knit on it in public, people always make positive comments about the pink/purple with the brown.

Off and on for most of the day, yesterday, we had snow! It almost never snows in the Seattle area, but here it is almost March and its coming down, again. I love to watch it, and like the sound of the silence that is so easy on the ears. My dh took our cats outside (normally they are indoor only pets) so they could experience the cold, wet, white stuff! I don't think that either of them liked that

too well!

Over night, we had 3 1/2 inches come down. See?

Lots and lots of knitting!!

This weekend, I took Saturday as a day of rest and knitting...I finished both sleeves on the Curvalicious Cardigan! After all the ripping I had to do on Friday, I was a bit discouraged, but now I have a sense of accomplishment. (The cardigan won't photograph well as I have it scrunched onto a 24" circular. Once I get to the hood, maybe I can get a picture posted.)

On Saturday, I received this in a package from my "Think Green" Stitch marker exchange. My partner even sent some of my favorite flavor of tea! I've even had the opportunity to use one of the markers while knitting my sleeves on Saturday. I'm hoping to finally send out my exchange packages to my partners, this coming weekend. (Packages for both the Tote Exchange and the Stitch Marker Exchange.)
Also, in Saturday's mail were my KnitPicks needles for the Civil War Shawl KAL. Just looking at the cables is enough to make me fall in love with these needles. Typically, I use bamboo needles, but with the increasing size of the shawl, I think that having an interchangeable cable size will be more cost effective than having to buy 3 different needles for the varying widths of the shawl. I'm really hoping to get my cardigan finished before Thursday, when this KAL begins.
Today, my husband will mail out the 2 squares that I finished for the Gracious Parcels Project. I hope that Firefly receives them in time!!

A Restful Holiday

Since I had Monday off for President's Day, I spent the day not doing much of anything. Of course there was a little laundry to be taken care of, but I worked on making a bunch of stitch markers, too! Some of the ones that I finished are here and may go to a partner in an exchange. Also finished are about 12 markers that I intend to use on my Civil War Shawl, once that KAL begins.
I, also had the opportunity to finish reading Katie's Dream, which I had begun over a month ago and just never found the time to sit and finish it. Yesterday was a great day for relaxation.

Great Mail!

I had a busy morning today. All the stuff I had planned were things that I really wanted to do, but there was just so much. First, I met my mom and swimming partner for 45 minutes of lap swimming. Then, I rushed to get showered so that I would only be 15 minutes late to the church musical practice. Afterward, I stayed after the practice for the women's fellowship time at church. I was so blessed to have a long conversation with my friend Julie. I finally arrived home about 2:00, pretty tired out. But, when I opened my mailbox, I saw the large envelope from The Knitting Guild Association. I ordered the pattern for the Civil War Shawl Knit Along. I was starting to open it, before I even had the door to my condo opened. However, before I did get to look through the magazine, I found a package on the counter from my upstream partner in the International Tote Exchange III. She sent coffee, chocolate and a large travel mug. Since my favorite one just broke, this could not have come at a better time!

Once I got over the excitement of such a fun package, I began to look through the back issue of Cast On that I had ordered. I was, then, a bit disappointed. I ordered the issue from 2002, instead of 2001. So, I am now in the process of ordering a pattern from the author (which is what I would have done in the first place, if I had finished reading the blog entry before ordering!) I also stopped by my LYS, Village Yarn & Tea, to see which lace weight yarns they carry. They had the Jaegerspun Zephyr, but wanted 16.95 (plus 9% tax) for 4 oz! I had already checked out the prices online and knew that I could get it online for around $35 (plus shipping, but no tax) per 16 oz. I know where I'll be buying it from, if I decide on that yarn. It is a beautiful yarn, and it probably is the one that I'll end up with, but I have to consider all my options. (Isn't that part of what its all about when you have almost a month to get the materials?) I am very much looking forward to beginning that project, but must get some others done first.