Category: sweaters

  • sleepy wednesday

    First of all, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! I’ve gotten loads of fabulous responses to my survey. I’m going to keep it up for a little while more, so if you haven’t answered it, scroll and down help me out! Yes, I’ll post some of my results when it’s all done ; )

    I actually have REAL knitting progress to show. I finally blocked the black v-neck sweater. Unfortunately…the photos didn’t come out so well. Night time, and my nice new camera is away on vacation.

    It’s black. It’s a top down v neck. It’s cozy. And not as large/frumpy as I thought it was going to be, which is a good thing!

    black v-neck pulli
    Pattern: my own
    Yarn: Louet Gems Topaz (worsted weight), 2 cones and a bit
    Needles: Denise US 7
    Finished: hmm…a few days ago.

    Unlike a lot of sweaters where the first wash/block results in a more drapey, looser fabric, this one actually tightened up a bit – not sure if it’s because I spun it in the washer, or what, but it’s great. Feels more substantial. Love the yarn, it’s the same one I used for my Olympic sweater, only worsted weight. And since I used the 1/2 pound cones, very few ends!

    Cable/rib pieces are all done.

    I had a bit of a panic attack when I soaked the sleeves – they grew, and grew, and GREW. Ridiculously long. So I threw the pieces in the dryer for about 15 minutes – the yarn is superwash, so I suspect that’s why it went funny. We’ll see what happens when I block the back and fronts. I expect the fronts won’t grow quite as much because of the cables, but I could be wrong. Just some sewing and a collar, and some sort of fasteners, and we’re done! Of course, that’s all some time and energy consuming work that I might not be up to for awhile.

    FBS continues. I’m done 8 repeats of the main pattern (calls for 7, but I’m using smaller yarn) and I think I’ll do…one or two more repeats before going onto the edging. I’m getting a bit bored of it, actually. Should be done tomorrow at SnB, maybe.

    Finally, since some projects are coming off the needles, I need a fresh one! I’ve actually already started this: the dreamcatcher medallion cardigan from loop-d-loop.

    I’m using elann Highland Silk in “oxblood”, and it’s working up really, really nicely. Soft and smooth, with that dryness from the silk. It’s really a rich colour as well. Love it!

    I think I’m going to need to started some more projects soon…I need some inspiration.

  • a spot o’ spinning ‘n’ knittin’

    I’ve only a bit of business to report today – seems the last couple days have gotten away from me! Above is my “in progress” spinning basket. On the left is some beauuuuutiful fleece artist wool/silk, one bobbin done (will be 2ply); on the right is some of my dyed bfl, one bobbin done (also 2ply). After I’m done these I think I’ll try to finish up the soy silk/wool that I was working on before, and then back to more bfl…and merino…and I need to find some time to dye some more merino. Hm. Big heap of spinning!

    In knitting, I’m still working on the back of the cable/rib. Bor-ing, but it’s going fairly fast. I should block the finished sleeves now so I don’t have to do it later! Oh, and I finally blocked the black vneck, so photos of that should be up soon. I feel like I’m stagnating on the knitting projects lately, it’s not that I’m not inspired, but there is the push of schoolwork to get in the way.

    Speaking of which, check back later today (or check your bloglines) and I’ll have something up that I need your collective help with!

  • sleeve island

    The Cable/Rib sleeves may be done, but my stay is just getting started – I’m planning to start the sleeves of one (or two) new sweaters really soon. Tomorrow, maybe.

    I should have made the sleeves a bit narrower, but oh well. I finished each sleeve with just a few yards (only 2 in the case of one of them sleeves!) left in the skein that was allotted to each sleeve. I’m almost done the second front, and it looks like I’ll have just enough yarn. We’ll have to see, though – this is kinda exciting, the prospect of running out of yarn. I’ve still got the back to do; I’m planning on taking out a few stitches and not blocking the fronts as severely, for a slightly smaller sweater.

    I’ve also been dyeing up a storm of blueface leicester – lots of fun colours to spin up soon.