Category: Accessories

  • a confession

    mitten thumb

    I hate knitting colourwork mitten thumbs. They’re just so fiddly and little. Bleh.

    One down, one to go.

  • plane knitting

    As every knitter knows, the most difficult packing task is deciding on the knitting – how many projects, how much yarn, and what if you need that tool you hardly ever use? What if you RUN OUT OF YARN?

    When packing for TNNA this is compounded by the fact that it’s a needlecraft industry show and nearly everyone you meet is a knitter, or at least knows a lot about yarn! So your knitting projects are on display and everyone is looking and touching. The pressure is on! (Just kidding, fellow TNNA-ers. You’re all awesome and non-judgey.)

    I packed cashmere.

    caaaashmere

    A plainish pullover in some silvery grey Handmaiden 4ply 100% cashmere. Canadian representation, easy to knit while chatting and drinking, and oh-so-amazing. I got a good chunk of the sweater done while I was away. My only concern is that I only have 5 skeins of the yarn, and they’re only 50g each! I’ve knit a sweater in this yarn before, and I used 6 last time – but cashmere grows a fair amount with washing and wearing, and I think for this little sweater I should be fine. I’m almost up to the underarm with just 2 skeins, and the 3/4 sleeve I finished this week at home took about 40g. By my calculations, I’ll have about 70g, or more than 25% of the total yarn to use for the yoke. The second sleeve is my toss-in-my-bag knitting now.

    Cashmere part 2 was my peacock feathers shawl:

    peacock feathers

    If you’ve been reading this blog awhile, you miiiight remember that I originally started this shawl on my big trip to Asia in early 2009. Although looking back through my archives, I can’t remember if I actually posted about it. Anyway, I worked on it a bit then, and a bit when I got home, but then I put it down in favour of worky design stuff and because I didn’t really have the knitting energy left over to work on a project that requires a little more concentration and a lot of chart reading.

    I’ve decided that I will get this shawl off the needles soon, preferably earlier rather than later, so I took it for the 5 hour plane rides between Toronto and LAX. I figured I might actually put in some time on it, and I managed to get through about 1.5 of the charts. I was even able to watch some movies on the plane and knit the shawl at the same time.

    There are 7 charts for the body of the shawl, and then a big edging one. I’m about halfway through chart 6, and while the end might not quite be in sight yet, at least it’s looking like I’ll be able to finish it! I’m knitting it in some laceweight cashmere that I bought a couple of Rhinebecks ago, on 2.25mm needles. The pattern calls for 3.5mm, but I want it to be smaller than 88″ across the top. So far it looks like it isn’t going to be enormous, so I’m pleased.

    But it might be difficult to keep working away on this since I came back with so much lovely yarn that is tempting me towards some new projects.

    sock yarn

    fingering weight

    ooooh yarn

  • moving right along

    Yesterday I went on one of my favourite types of sprees – a finishing spree! I finished up three different projects yesterday, and today I’ve given them all a bath so they’re soft and ready to go.

    allllmost

    I got about 2/3 of the way through the foot of the second cabley sock before I had to join a new ball of yarn. I do think you could do a pair of plainer socks out of just one skein – these ones take more yarn because of the ribbing and cables! A little while later…

    all done!

    The cables really keep this pattern moving, and of course, the thicker yarn helps with the speed too! I hope the recipient likes them.

    This hot water bottle cozy is knit from 2 strands of Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton on 6mm needles. Just needs a couple of buttons at the bottom.

    for my mum

    These aren’t a gift, but I’m still glad to have finished them! A pair of flip-tops with the same details as my Fred+Ginger Cardigan, so if you’re not quite ready to commit to a whole sweater you can still knit some pretty ruffles. These used less than 1 skein of Sweetgeorgia Superwash Sport and just a little bit of the CashSilk Fine.

    fred+ginger flip-tops

    They’re sized to fit my tiny hands, but the pattern will be written for three different sizes. Look for it in the new year!

    I’d better get back to it, these presents aren’t going to wrap themselves. Darn.

    P.S. A few people asked about the snowflake lights – they’re just from Ikea. I think they’re probably on sale by now if you’ve got one near you!