The Surest Way to Spring

Clearly this semester has been challenging! I love both of my classes. My workshop classmates are all so good at critiquing, and I love the format of the class. This will be the workshop against which all others will be measured. My other class is a magazine publishing class, which is what I want to do when I'm done with school. We're making a magazine as a class, which is fun. This is the first time I've had a group project where I've actually enjoyed working with everyone else in my group! I don't think I'm alone in my distaste for group work, but these girls in my group are all very organized and prepared. Love it!

Anyway, about that title. I'm convinced that the surest way to spring is to finish a project that is winter specific. Enter: mittens.

This picture is... aged. I've since finished this mitten and actually started mitten #2! Shocking, I know. I'm itching to make a sweater but at the rate it takes me to finish an accessory, I'm afraid I wouldn't finish it until I'm 47. These are the Herringbone Mittens with Poms by Eliphantom Knits. Mine are without poms. The poms are undeniably adorable, but totally impractical. I'm sure I'd rip one off within a week. The yarn is Cascade 220 in navy and gray. I'm a big fan of gray lately (especially these Gray Chucks I keep seeing everywhere), and I had this leftover navy laying around, et voila! You can thank me later if the second I cast off the second mitten the east coast is swept with temperate weather.

Fresh Starts

When the last semester ended, Winter Break seemed to stretch out before me endlessly. I entertained notions of reading entire novels, baking, knitting an entire sweater AND a hat AND a cowl AND mittens. But, as time is wont to do, it sped up until before I knew it I had mostly succeeded in getting reacquainted with my Sims and the gym and not much else. But I did manage to finish one little knitting project.

These are the Celtic Moonrise Mittens by Rhiannon Don. I already went over some tips in my last post, so I'll just say that I love how these came out. The cable is so pretty and I love that it takes up the whole hand. I love that I found this shade of Cascade 220 buried in my stash totes, and it's the most perfect color for the person I sent these to. One thing to note is that these mittens are done up on US6 needles. I know, right? As a result, they're really more a fall/spring mitten than a dead of winter mitten. They're still warm, but a cold wind is going to go right through them.

Speaking of dead of winter and cold winds, I was not informed last week that my office had closed for the STORM OF THE CENTURY (tm) and so I trudged into town to my empty office. Since my last job was at an old folks' home which never closes for anything, I just figured my officemates were troupers. Anyway, since I was already in town, and it was so beautiful and quiet (you don't realize just how loud a city is until it isn't), I decided to take a long walk and get some pictures. There's something so magical about having the city pretty much to yourself.








By the next day it was all dirty slush and bitter people.

It's snowing again today and I'm about to head out into it. I've got some good gym momentum happening (my ice cream habit caught up with me in an unsavory way), and at the end of week one of Spring semester, I already have a ton of work.

Next up: Herringbone Mittens!

Happy New Year!

I know I'm a little late with my greeting, but since this is my first time on the blog in 2011, it didn't seem right not to acknowledge the new year. I went home soon after my last post for 11 glorious days. I ate, I visited, I watched trashy TV, and I relaxed. My brother loved his hat and (HA!) didn't find it to be itchy at all! Score one for wool! I forgot my knitting at home (if you could have seen how much stuff I was lugging to Maine you'd understand how this could happen), and never got a chance to shop for a new project, or else I'm sure I'd have an FO to show you. Instead, here's a WIP:

These are the Celtic Moonrise Mittens by Rhiannon Don in Cascade 220. Couple of things about this pattern:
1. I didn't notice that they have a flap thumb until I was too far gone to add a gusset. Surprisingly, the thumb fits fine!
2. There is an error in the chart on line 5. After the purl stitch that starts needle 1, the chart reads k2, p4, then work a cable. Instead, you should work work the k2, p1 cable, then p3 and work the next cable.
3. The top shaping calls for abandoning the cabling, but as it's quite a few rows, I continued to cable until it was time to kitchener the top.

I got most of the first mitten done hanging out at Amy's house, so I think this second mitten will go quickly. These mittens are for someone else, so I'm pretty sure my next project is going to be mittens for myself. I really need new ones! And also a cowl. And also this sweater. While I was at Amy's, I got to meet her friend Thea, the designer of the drool-worthy Dark and Stormy. Of course the next day I checked out her blog (I'm always looking for more knitting blogs to add my reader!), and fell immediately in love with White Russian. I have to do a stash dive to be sure, but I'm pretty sure I have just the right yarn to make this!

In other news, I got a pressure cooker for Christmas! I love it, and want to use it all the time. Last night, I had a stew recipe I wanted to try that wasn't written for a pressure cooker, but I made it work anyway. After sauteeing the leeks and garlic, I pressure cooked everything for six minutes. Voila! Dinner is served!



This is Quinoa, White Bean, and Kale Stew by Isa Chandra Moskowitz via the ppk. It's hearty and delicious, and this recipe makes a TON. I have seven more (super full) containers in my freezer. Delish!

Oh, hey guys!

With all of this luxurious time on my hands, I managed to finish a whole hat in only a couple of evenings, instead of a month! Huzzah! I haven't blocked it yet, but I just know that as soon as I do, it's going to get wrapped and then I'd never get a picture. And we all know that what the Internet really needs is a picture of a plain black knitted hat!

It's Turn a Square by the incomparable Jared Flood. I used Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Black. I'm hoping it'll become my brother's favorite hat and I can prove to him that wool is not the devil.

I've been a baking fool this weekend! I went to a party last night, which in itself doesn't sound like much, but guys... I didn't know anyone there! I'd never even met the hosts before! If you know me in real life, you probably understand how incongruous this is with my personality. But when you're in a city where you don't know anyone, you have to start somewhere. I'm learning that I'm not as socially awkward as I've always thought I was. I've been holding actual conversations where the person I'm talking to appears to be engaged and interested in what I'm saying! I'm not mumbling or staring at my feet or looking desperately for a book or a magazine to read! It's pretty incredible. I also met a fellow knitter at this same party. His LYS is the same as mine! Such a small, wonderful, knitterly world.

Anyway, I obviously couldn't show up at this party empty-handed, so I decided to make a gingerbread. I've made a couple of gingerbread loaves in the past and wasn't happy with them. They were both dry and not nearly flavorful enough. I was set on gingerbread though. It's my favorite, and I figured no one else would bring it. Then I remembered that Deb at Smitten Kitchen had posted a gingerbread I wanted to try. Of course it was decadently delicious.



It's the Gramercy Tavern Gingerbread and it's everything she promises: spicy, rich, sticky, and extremely dangerous to get out of the pan! I was pretty sure I had oversprayed my pan and still lost a chunk. Not so bad though. I cut it up for transport anyway, and then I had a built in piece to guiltlessly devour. I mean, I couldn't very well bring an untested recipe to a party without quality control, right?! If you make one thing this Christmas, make this. You won't regret it.

Today I did some serious shopping (just searching for one elusive gift right now), and made some cookies to bring into work and bring home with me on Thursday. I made two kinds. Both unspeakably delicious.
Chewy Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies by Isa Chandra Moskowitz




and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies by the one, the only, Martha Stewart




Now, I don't like to pick favorites, so let me just say that I wasn't planning to give these away, I'd have the whole tray of the molasses cookies in my lap right now. The chocolate cookies are delicious, but they're very rich. They're a lot like a brownie in cookie form, so one or two will do ya. The molasses ones though are very light, chewy, with a crisp edge, and a buttery, spicy flavor. Must... resist....

I'm deciding right now between casting on for some mittens, or getting some wrapping done. Sigh. I'll be kicking myself Wednesday night if I don't get the wrapping done. Heading home Thursday! I can't wait!

Wow... Really?

Has it really been nearly a month since my last update?! Time sure has flown by, and here I am at the very end of my first semester of graduate school. Tomorrow is my last class, and I have a couple of things to finish for that, but I thought I'd come over and give a shout. And show off my latest FO! But first, some quick catch-up.
Thanksgiving happened, and so did an 11th birthday.

That cake is 100% vegan, and the most delicious chocolate cake I have ever made or eaten. The frosting was amazing too, but the cake! It's accidentally vegan, no egg replacers, no soy. It's a recipe called Wacky Cake, and there are versions all over the Internet. The recipe was created during WWII rationing, when home cooks had to get creative. Try it!

Speaking of food, we had a pretty delicious Thanksgiving breakfast of Vegan Pumpkin French Toast. The kids ate every bite with singular focus, something that never happens.




I squeezed in a visit to Purl Diva for a chat and some stash enhancement.




And Christmas draws nearer and nearer.




I'm making a hat for my brother. Partly because he's always complaining that I've never knit anything for him, and partly to see just how serious is his wool sensitivity. He wants a Cobblestone Pullover, but no way am I embarking on that project without testing out possibilities first. I think Mission Falls 1824 might be the way to go. We shall see.




And I finished something! I somehow managed to pull off a sock in between trips home, fifteen page papers, reading two short story collections, and critiques. No wonder they took a month to finish!




I used J. Knits Superwash Me in Florida. I really like this yarn! It's comfortable to knit, doesn't get too twisty. It's also very comfortable to wear. I haven't taken the socks off since I took these pictures this morning. I used the Hourglass Eyelet Socks pattern by Cindy Putnam. This pattern was formerly available on the defunct MagKnits site, and is now available for download on Ravelry. It was a nice, fun, easy pattern. The stitch pattern is easily memorized, and they go quickly (when you're not a first year grad student). I chose to use this pattern with this yarn because I was concerned about pooling, but I didn't need to be! Check out the soles, no pooling here! I don't regret my choice, but it would be sorta nice to have a pair of plain jane socks in this bright, cheery color, don't you think?




Whew! So that's what happens when you have to play catch up! After tomorrow, I'll have a blissful month reprieve from homework before the Spring semester starts. Let's see how many projects I can churn out during that time!

And so we meet again, Monday.

I spent the weekend in Austin, Texas visiting my BFF Michelle and meeting her baby (my goddaughter). I basically ate my way across the city, which is exactly how I like a vacation.

Some standouts included the Pumpkin ice cream with Pecan Praline sauce at Amy's Ice Creams; the most amazing grilled cheese of my life at the all gourmet grilled cheese restaurant, Chedd's; cupcakes at Quack's 43rd Street Bakery; and, of course, Frito Pie at Dog Almighty. Dog Almighty was my favorite place, narrowly beating out the grilled cheese. They can make anything on the menu veg, so it was the perfect place for me and my omni friends to eat. The hot dog I had was the juiciest veggie dog I had ever tasted. Seriously, if the inside hadn't had that distinctive veggie dog look, I would have been nervous. The Frito Pie did not disappoint! I'd heard of this Southern delicacy, but figured I'd never try it unless I made it myself (which just isn't the same). For those who haven't had it, it's basically chili and cheese on top of a pile of Fritos, so it's important that the chili is good. Dog Almighty boasts about all of the awards they've won for their dogs and veggie chili, and those awards are well deserved! The chili was rich and heavy, and had some kind of crumble in it (maybe TVP?) that gave it some serious heft. Deeeeeeelicious!



Since I spent the bulk of my time in Texas lazing about in a food coma, I didn't get any knitting done. But I still have something to share! I made a pretty delicious baked squash before my trip. I had bought a package of squash on impulse at the grocery, thinking I'd make some sort of chili or stew. It was a ridiculous idea, of course, since in the days leading up to my trip were filled with homework, packing, laundry and tying up lose ends. The squash languished in the refrigerator, threatening to go south before me. Baking to the rescue! I love baking/roasting root vegetables and squash in the winter. It's easy, relatively fast (almost no prep), and infinitely customizable. You can pour pretty much whatever you feel like over those suckers and it'll taste good. In this case, I started out looking at cookbooks and found a recipe for pumpkin that called for soy sauce. I thought I'd follow that recipe, but quickly went off course and made my own thing.



Baked Butternut Squash
(this made two servings for me, over rice, but as a side it'd go a lot further)
2.5 lbs squash (any kind you like, or sweet potato would be good)
1 Tbsp canola oil
1.5 Tbsp sake
1 Tbsp tamari
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp Chinese Five Spice
1/2 tsp minced garlic
Pour sauce over squash and bake! My baking was a little wonky. I started it out at 325 for about a half hour, but it wasn't cooking fast enough for my level of hunger so I turned the oven up to 400 for about 15 minutes, and got perfectly cooked squash. So maybe use a temp in between?

So now it's back to the grind! I've been spending all morning thinking about how I should be working on a paper. I think I've officially used all of my procrastination resources at this time. Better get to it.

Blech

The weather here has been mostly gray, windy, cold and wet. Sometimes it feels like it's rained every day since I got here, which I know isn't true. I suspect I just notice it more since I walk everywhere now. Still, on days when the view out of the window looks like this:

It's awfully nice to knit away on a project that looks like this:



I knew I was onto something when I chose this color! I have to give the dyers at J. Knits props, as this yarn has not been pooling at all. Even on the bottom of the foot, there are gradual stripes coming off of the heel turn, but no unsightly blotches. The colors in general blend together quite nicely. I think I could have even done a stockinette sock in this yarn. Of course, this is sock #1. We'll see if sock #2 cooperates in the same way.

I've been working myself silly for school, trying to get ahead in both of my classes. Next weekend I'll be in Austin, TX to visit a friend (and finally meet my goddaughter), and then two weeks later is Thanksgiving. When I have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family, I hate to have work looming over my head. After Thanksgiving, there are only about three weeks left in the semester, and then a beauteous month stretches before me. Seems like a good time to knock out a sweater. Question is, which one?

See My Vest!

As I rounded the corner to the finish line on this project, the same song repeated endlessly in my head:

To the best of my knowledge, no puppies were harmed in the making of this vest.




To recap: This is the Wood Hollow Vest by Kirsten Kapur, knitted in Cascade 220 in... uh... pale gray. Oh wait! I have a label! It's color number 8401, Silver Gray. I used US 5 and 6 needles, as recommended by the pattern. I recklessly did not do a gauge swatch. Rebel!




I really liked working on this project. The cable repeats are all divisible by four, so although they're varying heights, it's still easy to keep track. After a few repeats, I didn't even need to refer to the pattern anymore, which really helped with speed. I love the texture in the side panels. I love that the finished garment feels heavy and sturdy and looks rustic with the cables, but doesn't add a lot of bulk, and compliments dainty puffed sleeves. It's versatile, I can see myself wearing this a lot this winter, with everything from long sleeved oxfords to turtlenecks to plain t-shirts. The vest and I went out to lunch today and I wore it as shown with a cropped motorcycle jacket and boots and felt very fashionable and together. I can also report with authority after my long windy walk that this vest is warm! I highly recommend it.

The greatest thing about vests? NO SLEEVES! It was so nice to finish the front and back and get right to seaming. I always struggle with sleeves. Do I knit them both at once? Do I make them first and then do the body? Do I knit the front then the sleeves then the back? The sleeves are always sitting there in the pattern glowing neon orange up at the knitter tedium ahead, save yourself, turn back now! Oh, I suppose I'm being melodramatic, but still. Notice I've not yet casted on a sweater, although I have several at the top of my queue. Instead, I've entered sock country.




Now, there are knitters out there who find nothing worse than the prospect of a second sock. To each their own! This yarn is J. Knits Superwash in Florida, which I bought a hundred years ago at Purl Diva with the intention of making some jaunty socks for a gray February. Maybe it's the snack sized Snickers talking, but doesn't this yarn look like candy corn? Whenever I wear these, I'll think of October. The pattern is theHourglass Eyelet by Cindy Putnam. This is a former MagKnits pattern, now available at Ravelry (which is where the link takes you). I'm only one repeat in, but these seem like they're going to be quick and fun.

I'm still scheming over some hats, but I'm getting stymied looking for yarn. It was a lot easier when I had china cabinets or shelving for the stash. Right now it's housed in totes, which is trying. Most of them are clear, but still! That only means I can see what's on the outer edges. Who knows what treasures lurk within? I'm thinking about forcing myself to just work through one tote at a time. It would certainly be more manageable!

Chugging Along

I went home this weekend (two weekends in a row!) to help out at the annual Wolfe's Neck 5k for Maine Teen Talk. I ran it last year, but I'm not exactly at peak performance right now. I haven't run since July! So I helped out with registrations.

It's a fun event, and the location is just beautiful! It made me miss Maine all the more. That few acres of park in the middle of the city just isn't a replacement for views like this:



It's always a little hectic when I'm home. I haven't been able to get away for longer than a weekend, which doesn't leave a lot of time for things like knitting. That said, I did make some progress on the Wood Hollow Vest since I last posted! I'm on the front now, and the top of the front at that! One or two more good nights of knitting and this puppy should be ready to go!



I made a deal with myself this morning that I'd finish the right front and then get to studying. So I suppose I should do that! 'Til next time! Happy Knitting!

Movin' Right Along

My bargaining system with myself seems to be working. I'm ahead on my homework, and this vest is about 3/4 finished!

Maybe the next time you see it, I'll be wearing it! We can hope.

I went home this weekend for a special event. When someone says "roller skating birthday party," one typically doesn't say no. Even when one doesn't get to actually skate. It's hard work wrangling a handful of seven year-old boys!



The adults weren't very impressed with the venue, but the kids had a great time! The funniest part was watching them all take spills all over the rink and getting up with the biggest smiles on their faces. My older nephew wants to have his birthday at the same place. We'll see. My sister was really not psyched. Me? I have my fingers crossed for another bowling party!

Since I was home and down Brunswick-way, I was really hoping to get in a stop at Purl Diva, but it wasn't meant to be. I did get to visit the bunnies though! They're staying with my dad until I can get a place where I can have them. I miss them so, so, so much. Seeing them again was bittersweet.



I hope you had a great weekend! I'm going to try to squeeze in one more assignment before bed. 'Til next time!

True Confessions

I know I'm not the only one who does this, but my favorite procrastination technique right now is to troll through the recently added patterns to Ravelry and add projects to my queue with wanton abandon. My main motivation for doing homework these days is the promise of a few rows of knitting squeezed in afterwards, which sort of makes this procrastination nothing but self-masochistic cruelty. The longer I day dream, the less time I have for knitting!

That said, I love seeing the trends in knitting come and go (though I have to admit to a recoil upon seeing an ad for ponchos on TV). Remember when the big thing was novelty yarn (I was never much for eyelash, but I loved ribbon yarn and cushy, velvety yarn)? Or what about when Stitch 'n' Bitch came out and it was all about intarsia skulls and devil hats? It seems like the current big rush is for cute cowls and slouchy hats. Personally, I love both! I'm a little nervous about my ability to pull off a slouchy hat (won't it be constantly slipping off?), I'm making serious eyes at the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret. Other contenders in the queue: Trinity Stitch Hat by BreadnButter, and the Meret by Woolly Wormhead.

Cowls are great because there are no ends to flip around like a scarf, and they don't make that big hump in the front of your coat. With the recent spate of cool weather we've been having in Boston (finally!), I've been craving the simplicity of a cowl. I love The Birthday Cowl by Nova Seals, Good Luck Cowl by Christianne Gerstner, and (especially) Crofter's Cowl by Gudrun Johnston.

Of course, you could also have the best of both worlds with Super Cupcake by ChicKnits!

I want to finish my vest before I cast on for anything else. I'm having a hard enough time juggling required and pleasure reading, let alone keeping track of multiple projects! I'm thinking I really need that slouchy beret though! Now to choose a color....

Huh!

So suddenly today I was taken by the desire to blog again. I've missed blogging. I've missed talking about knitting and being part of a community, and blogging was a big part of that for me. I abandoned my other blog (referenced in the last post of this blog) so long ago that it turned into an unsavory site somehow without me, so I planned to start a new one. But lo! What a surprise to discover that this blog has been slumbering peacefully for almost exactly three years now, just waiting for me to come home. Waste not, want not, I always try to say. And with that spirit, I'm jumping back into the pool!

I can't guarantee that the majority of my posts will be about knitting. I'm a graduate student now, living in Boston. My life has gone through deep, incredible changes in the last three years. But I still love to knit. And I still love to talk about it.

So I'll get to work on cleaning house over here. The blog feed in particular needs some major renovations. And I'll share a few photos of my current wip, the Wood Hollow Vest by Kirsten Kapur. I have the back finished now, but not yet photographed.

I'm using Cascade 220 in a really pretty light gray. The pattern is fun to work, quick to learn, and sleeveless. The best part about knitting a vest!

Welcome back! It's so nice to see you! Come over again soon.

New Digs

I decided to upgrade the old blog and carve out some webspace of my very own. From now on, you can find my blog at swatch-this.com! Hope to see you there!

Rhinebeck Roundup

I am just now coming down off of my Rhinebeck high enough that I can talk about it without using the words cool, awesome, and incredible five times per sentence. All day yesterday, I daydreamed about my fantastic finds and vibrated with excitement over what I would knit first. I had intended to take photos of everything in the sunlight, but due to unfortunate and boring circumstances, I didn't get home until dark, so indoor shots will have to do.

I'm sure you've read by now that the crowds on Saturday were unbelievable. Amy and I arrived at 9 a.m. when the gates opened, and there were already a lot of people there. An hour or so later, the crowds seemed to reach their peak and stayed there until about 5 p.m. Ordinarily, I can't handle crowds. I feel constricted and claustrophobic and need open space. These crowds, however, were the nicest crowds I had ever experienced. Only one time during the whole festival, and late in the day, did I experience anything bordering on rudeness. The rest of the time people were respectful, kind, and patient. Everyone was having a great time, it seemed. It made me think that if only knitters ran the world, we could really get somewhere toward world peace!



The great thing about the crowds was the people watching. For about an hour or so on Saturday, Amy, Nell (who we met the night before the festival and had so much fun with!), and I sat and watched people. It was like the world's biggest knitting fashion show, and it was so great to see so many designs in person.

The vendors were amazing, naturally, and just what I was hoping for. First of all, I found a Plisse kit! I was certain there wouldn't be any Falkenberg kits at the festival, so I wasn't even looking for them. I turned around in one of the barns and saw the familiar plastic totes and audibly gasped. They even had it in the leaf green color I wanted! If I had found nothing else I liked, I would have been satisfied with just this kit. But fortunately, there was plenty that I liked.



The first stall we visited was Ellen's Half Pint Farm. I had heard good things about them, and they did not disappoint! The browny-purple sock yarn in the front is their merino/nylon blend, and this skein was the last of its kind in the bottom of the basket. I made a pact with myself that I wouldn't buy variegated yarn in this trip (I rarely actually knit with it), and the only thing I wish Ellen's had had was more solid yarn. In the heavier weights, the hanks for sale were enormous! I'm talking sweater-sized, and very reasonably priced. Another favorite booth was the Skaska booth. It was draped with exquisite shawls, and full of beautiful laceweight, including a merino/cashmere in the perfect shade of green I've been searching for to make the Estonian Shawl! While I waited to be checked out, I pawed through a basket holding balls of Australian merino/cashmere and found a nice gray one. The single ball is enough to make a generous shawl, and it was only $15! Since I had found the two things I was hoping to find (the laceweight and the kit), I concentrated on finding some patterns and kits. On Sunday, it was much less crowded, so I decided to check out the wine. I asked one of the purveyors about ice wine, something I heard a lot about when reading about Rhinebeck, and learned that most New York ice wines are not true ice wines, as the grapes are not harvested frozen. He said that if the grapes were left to freeze, the birds would eat them all as they migrated from Canada. He gave me a couple of samples of dessert wine instead, and as you might notice in the picture, I've been enjoying that. It comes from Clinton Vineyards, and is called Nuit. I've been having a glass at night as dessert, but I think it would be outstanding with a flourless chocolate cake. I plan to order more wine from this vineyard.

Of course there were loads of other bloggers at Rhinebeck. Most of them, I just saw from a distance or passed by on the walkway. We weren't aware of the Ravelry meetup, so sadly missed it, but I did spy Jess and Casey twice. I also saw Adrian from Hello Yarn, but each time she was in conversation and I didn't want to be rude. We stopped and chatted with Cheryl from Seed Stitch, who was wearing a gorgeous Imogen. Our hotel was a happening spot, too. Saturday night, rather than hit the parties happening around Rhinebeck (we were pretty wiped), we went back to our hotel and had a nice evening with a rather large group of knitters. I had the pleasure of meeting Ann of Purling Swine, Vickie of Knitorious, Tara of Knittable Kitten, Cara of January One (though I decided not to harass her about how much I love her blog as she didn't seem to feel well), blog-free Liane, and Kate Gilbert. As I said before, I was pretty tired, and on top of my shyness I wasn't very talkative, but it was so nice to just be with a group of people who were all excited about knitting!

When planning our drive to Rhinebeck, Amy and I discovered that WEBS was almost exactly in the middle of our route! How could we not stop?



This time I came prepared, armed with a list of yarn and projects. It really helped! The first time I went to WEBS, I sort of wandered around the store, completely overwhelmed. This time, even though I didn't come away with exactly what was on my list, I had some guidance. The Rialto is a substitution for RYC Cashsoft DK, which didn't have any colors I liked together. I'm using this yarn to make Briar Rose for a super girly-girl, hence the double pink. I planned to buy some Shibui, since I'm hearing so much about it, but I had no intention of buying Knitscene when I went. This issue of Knitscene is the one with the famous Central Park Hoodie, so how could I resist? My brother has expressed an interest in Cobblestone, but seems to have a genuine sensitivity to wool, so Amy had the brilliant idea of trying a hat in the yarn I want to use and see how it feels to him, so that's what the Mission Falls is for.

It was a weekend for a bit of gluttony, sure. Maybe someday I'll get to the point where I don't feel like a kid who has to eat all of the ice cream right now, but for my first Rhinebeck, I wanted to really go all out, and I did! I'm already thinking ahead to next year!

Gearing Up

Tomorrow morning, even earlier than I usually leave for work, I will be heading out with my partner in crime for Rhinebeck! I've got myself all packed, and am just about to cast on for a simple toe-up sock. I will bring my scarf, too, but just in case I want some variety. Speaking of Rhinebeck, I mentioned before that I'm a square in Blogger Bingo! The following picture not only fulfills my promise of a photo of my face so you can identify me at the festival, but it also shows off the skirt I finished.

So, let's talk about this skirt. You may remember it from April, when I said I would be soon hemming and finishing and wearing this skirt. I finally finished it the other day. I was pretty proud of it when I was finished. It hung well, I took my time with tacking down the lining, and I loved the fabric (are you noticing the past tense?). I proudly wore the skirt today, and was actually pretty proud when no one commented on it, since I took that to mean it didn't look hand made. So, at lunch I went to the bank, and when I returned to work, I stopped in the bathroom and did a quick once over to assess my hair/outfit. I did a double take when I checked the rear view. One of the side seams had come completely undone, and my underwear was totally hanging out. I have no idea how long it was like that. I suspect that the reason for the disaster had to do with my inexperience and the boucle suiting that I suspected was trouble from the moment I cut the pattern. The fabric is rather loosely woven, and came unraveled quickly. I don't really know what I could have done differently, but I think for now I'll stick with easy fabric and work my way up! As for this skirt, I think I'll put it aside until I can figure out the best way to seam boucle, and then I'll attempt repairs!

The Cabled Turtleneck continues to cause me trouble, through no fault of the pattern this time. I was happily knitting away last night, and as I approached the final stripe sequence, I decided to measure and see if I was at the required 18 inches. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the piece measured 24 inches! I picked up the pattern again and reread the directions. Yep. I was supposed to begin armhole shaping at 18 inches. Sigh. That was a big rip.



As a consolation, at least when I reknit, it'll be decreasing rows.

When next you hear from me, I'll have finally experienced Rhinebeck!

Sorry, can't concentrate... Rhinebeck!

I can hardly believe that one week from right now, I will be either home or on my way and Rhinebeck will be over. Amy and I have been planning for Rhinebeck since, oh... February? I can hardly believe that it's not only October, but Rhinebeck week. I have no idea how I'm supposed to get any work done. Amy and I have decided to become squares, but I don't yet have a decent picture of me with my new haircut. I promise to post one by Friday, so watch this space!

I wish I had started the sweater dress sooner, because judging by the weather here, it might be cold enough to wear it to Rhinebeck! Since taking the picture below, I've completed another repeat, and am just about finished with the back!

I'm not quite sure what's going on with the color in that photo, I don't remember choosing any wonky settings. The yarn is actually shades of brown. I modified the simple cable twists so they mirrored each other, instead of all being alike. The pattern is very easily memorized, and conveniently, the stripe sequence coincides with the diamond cable pattern perfectly. I hardly have to think at all while working on this, which is nice!

I'm two acts in on my first Sidewinder, and it's shaping up pretty well.



There's still some pooling, but I'm living with it! I've been completing one act at a time, which is working well, but since I've been devoting most of my time to the dress, it's slow going.

I love both of these projects, but I don't think either of them are right to bring to Rhinebeck. I'm thinking of a nice, simple toe-up stockinette sock, so I can talk and knit at once. I suppose I'll also bring the scarf, since it's an easy one and has to get finished. I can't wait! Who else is going to Rhinebeck?

Finally!

Yesterday was the Memory Walk, and this is the last you'll about it for another year, but I had to share my final donation.

What's even more incredible than that amazing donation, is that I was not even close to being the top fundraiser at my walk. The third place fundraiser raised more than $2,500! It felt great to walk up to the registration table with my donation, though. I'm already looking forward to next year and hatching plots.

In all of the excitement last weekend, I completely forgot to share my exciting stash enhancements I picked up while at Purl Diva!



I bought two balls of Reynolds Whiskey for a pair of mittens, the sweater pattern that Anna just finished (which I love), and a hank of J. Knits Superwash Me sock yarn in Montana (does anyone actually need a reason to buy sock yarn?).

In other news, I finally casted on for the cabled turtleneck that I've been thinking about ever since I got the Fall issue of VK. I haven't been able to find a picture online, so I snapped a photo of the magazine.



Can you see why my heart palpitates? The subtle color changes! The exaggerated turtleneck! The sheer eighties-ness of it! I can't wait to wear it, but I think I'll have to. Here's where I was at Friday night:



On Saturday, I frogged that back to the ribbing. There were two issues. One was my own fault, but to be fair, the pattern gave me reason not to trust it, which is why I thought one of the cable charts was lying to me and I screwed it up. The second issue gave rise to the first, and has to do with the Beaded Rib on the side panels. First of all, in the stitch pattern guides, it's called Beaded Rib, but in the actual pattern they have written Broken Rib. Second of all, the right side and wrong side have been reversed, which meant that the crappy wrong side was showing up on the right side. I tried to ignore it, and I thought that maybe I was wrong and it was supposed to look like that, but I just couldn't live with it. And come on, I had only done like seven rows with US10.5 needles. Like it would kill me to go back. I'm now past that point again, and everything is looking much better.

Now to work a provisional caston and start a pair of Sidewinders!

Cobblestone

Due to the damp weather we've been having, Cobblestone took three days to dry! Even stuffed with plastic bags! I was starting to regret giving it a full soak when I arrived home today to a dry sweater. It was worth it to soak it, the garter stitch was a little lumpy pre-blocking.

The boyfriend prefers his shirts to be close-fitting, so I made this sweater in the smallest size for his 36" chest. He has room to wear a shirt underneath, though he finds the Cascade 220 soft enough to wear next to his skin. Speaking of Cascade 220, I used only five complete balls and the tiniest bit of a sixth for this entire sweater. Not bad! I still have a complete ball and most of a leftover ball of this yarn, so I'm thinking of making a matching hat and possibly mittens. I'd do socks, but they wouldn't stand a chance. They'd be completed felted in no time flat.



I love the garter detail on the sides. At first, I wasn't sold on it, but as I worked the body, it grew on me. I was actually surprised that I enjoyed the garter stitch so much! There's something so clean and streamlined about it. I don't know if I personally would wear a sweater entirely knit in garter stitch (it would be a little bulky!), but I do want to try to add some more of it to my projects.



I mentioned in my last post that "third time's a charm." Well, this is the third sweater that I've knit for my boyfriend. The first one was way too big. It was my first ever adult sweater, and it took me about a year to finish it, during which time my tension kept changing. I knew nothing about seaming or finishing, and basically sewed the seams (with whipstitch), instead of weaving them together.
Here, check it out yourself!



He still has this sweater. He wears it when it's totally freezing, at home. Oh, the kicker? It's 100% acrylic, baby. And not just acrylic, acrylic with aloe!

I don't have a photo of attempt number two. Let's just say it was not pretty. I did a ribbed raglan, and I knitted my fingers to the bone to get it finished in something like two weeks. Turns out, I stopped too soon. The term "belly shirt" comes to mind. That one I frogged (maybe I'll use the yarn for another Cobblestone).

Next on the needles? Some Sidewinders and that fabulous cabled turtleneck from the Fall VK!

Success!

The De-Stash and Do-Good Charity Stash Sale at Purl Diva a resounding success! In the first half hour of the sale, we raised over $400, and by the end of the day, we had over $800. Including online stash sale purchases, we raised over $960! I am beyond excited, and want to thank everyone who purchased yarn, donated yarn, or just left encouraging words about the Memory Walk. I appreciate all of it. I am especially thankful to Ellen, who not only had the idea, but also offered her space, stash and time to the effort. She also offered her jacket and a hot cup of tea when the wind became a bit too much for my thin sweatshirt! Thank you so much, Ellen, I could never have done it without you.
I barely had time to price everything before the knitters came, but I did snap two quick pictures of the stash for sale:

Now, the walk isn't actually until this coming Saturday, so if you feel moved to donate a buck or two, there's still time! You can donate online (using credit, debit or PayPal), right up to the day of the walk!

In other news, guess what I finished this weekend?



Proper FO shots after it's had a nice block. In its unblocked state, it fits very well, and the recipient wore it for a little while yesterday and pronounced it "very comfortable." I guess third time's a charm!