#54 - FINISHED OBJECT FRIDAY: FENIMORE AND MORE

Fenimore Hat - Ravel it!

Last week, I excitedly bound off my Fenimore Hat and I've shared this already with the yarnies on Twitter and Ravelry, but I am completely in love. It's no surprise that Jared Flood has done it again with an entrancing and engaging pattern. The cables intertwine in a basketweave fashion that leads into pretty little star patterns at the crown. The cables are much less challenging to execute than they appear, and the texture shows off the subtle tonal variegation in the yarn. I'm in love and can see myself knitting more of these in the future.

Crazy Vanilla Sock - Ravel it!

And last night, I finished something that I've had much less love for - my first sock. I can't explain it. I can't blame the pattern, and I did feel like a bit of a magician when I turned my first heel. I think the yarn and I aren't getting along too well - it has no spring and tends to be a little splitty for me, as I'm a pretty tight knitter. Nonetheless, my sock ennui vanished when I realized I had to simply close the toe to bind off this vanilla sock. Let's hope I'm inspired to knit the second one, so my poor mother will finally have the pair of socks I promised her months ago.

The loveliness that is Madelinetosh yarn

Now, I'm fighting a tiny bout of startitis so I can make more progress on two sweaters on the needles. And I'll be starting a third in a few day with this gorgeous Madelinetosh yarn, which unfortunately is photographing more purple than blue in the skein.

Have you finished any new crafty projects this week? Don't forget to check out more yarny bloggers participating in FO Friday.

Happy knitting!!
xx

#53 - WORK IN PROGRESS WEDNESDAY: CABLED ADDICTION

Beatnik in progress...Ravel it!

Okay, I'm a cabling fiend at the moment. The Fenimore is perfect for knitting on the go, since the cables are much less complicated than they appear. My newest knit on the needles isn't quite so simple though... and I'm loving it.

I cast on the Beatnik last week with the Sweatshop of Love Selfish Knitting Sweater KAL. It's fulfilling every desire I want from a knitting project at the moment. A sweater that I plan to keep all for myself? Check. Crazy, complex charts that are engaging and challenging? Check. Loads of texture? Check. I cannot complain one bit.

Charts, post-its, and tallies... you know, all the good stuff.

I'm knitting the sweater in the round to eliminate as much seaming as possible, which took a bit of work to wrap my mind around it, but now I'm feeling in the swing of things. I'm using the KnitPicks Wool of the Andes yarn for the first time and I think it will suit the pattern well - the yarn is lofty and light, but will certainly be cozy. And it's stash yarn, to boot! I'm just about to begin the waist shaping now, so I suspect a good bit of progress to be made in the coming weeks.

So... what are you crafting, reading, cooking, sewing, and making this week?

Happy knitting!
xx

#52 - WORK IN PROGRESS WEDNESDAY (UNDER THE WIRE)

Fenimore Hat - Ravel it!

I wanted to sneak in a WIP Wednesday post since I've been busily knitting on so many projects this week. The one that's furthest along thus far is my Fenimore beret, another incredible pattern by Jared Flood, aka Brooklyn Tweed.

What I most love about his patterns is that he constantly plays with texture and cables, which are the most appealing aspects of knitting, to me anyway. This hat is a pretty addictive pattern, I must admit. These are the most challenging cables I've attempted to date, but the charts are clear and directions are well-written, so I've had no major problems... yet.


And I should note that this is yet another Stash Bust Army project, keeping to my word (thus far!) to knit from the stash. I am completely obsessed with this yarn. I'm using Angel's Kiss Alpaca-Merino Worsted, which couples the softness of alpaca with the sturdy, springiness of merino. Basically the best of both worlds, for me! The yarn is kettle dyed which creates a really subtle and lovely tonal variegation.

What crafty works-in-progress do you have going on this week?

Happy knitting!!
xx

#51 - NEW YEAR, NEW KNITS

Finishing Christmas knitting is so relieving and exciting for me. What to knit next? After very little contemplation, it has been decided - 2011 is the YEAR OF SELFISH KNITTING. It's less about knitting solely for myself (although that's definitely on the horizon), and more about knitting whatever I want, whenever I want. No deadlines, no obligations, just enjoyment. Who's joining me?

Ravel it!

I've started the year off on the right foot. My brother and sister-in-law got me some gorgeous yarn for the holidays, including Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk aran in a hunter green shade. It is soft and squishy and lovely, so I knitted myself a hat with it. I am a self-proclaimed hat junkie, and this one is a simple, slouchy, all-around hat that has been my go-to lately.

My other knitting plans for the new year? My two overall goals are to KNIT THE STASH and START TRYING SWEATERS. I think sweaters will be a good platform to get me trying new techniques and learning about garment construction. As for the stash knitting? My stockpile of yarn is becoming an embarrassment, so I figure that's reason enough.

I'm on the ground running - cast on 2 sweaters with stash yarn (Whaaat?!) this week, and another hat for myself with stash as well. What's on your needles at the moment?

Happy knitting!
xx

#50 - CHRISTMAS KNITS (OR, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER)

No, my Christmas knits were not late... but this post certainly is. Blogging was interrupted by knitting and holidaying and family and friends. I hope you all had a magnificent end to 2010 and are setting out plans for the year ahead. I have some big ones in mind, but in the meantime, here are the knits I've gotten off the needles since you heard from me last.

Dad's Christmas Hat: Impossibly simple and knitted in Paton's Classic Wool. I improvised a few stripes to match one of his winter jackets. Also must mention that this hat pattern, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts is best suited for gents with a big head (literally, not figuratively) - so it suits my papa perfectly. :)

Ravel it!

Best Friend Cowl: A knitted commission in Rowan Felted Tweed. I used some of my favorite vintage buttons on this to give the simple scarf pattern a fun twist. The lace pattern is easy to memorize and knits up quickly.

Ravel it!

Brother's Christmas Hat: Another easy, manly hat in Paton's Classic Wool. The Turn a Square pattern is a go-to for a deceptively impressive gift. Used solid colors this time around, but again, it matches his winter coat quite nicely.

Ravel it!

Mom's Lacy Christmas Cowl: A new #stashbustarmy project in one of my new favorite yarns, Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton. Impossibly soft and squishy, I held the yarn doubled to equal a bulky weight. The color is lovely and I added one of my favorite vintage buttons from my stash to top it off. Mom has worn it countless times already, so I know it was a winner.

Ravel it!

Now, I'm focused on a new year of knits with some yarny resolutions, a few knit-alongs in store, stashbusting, and a something already off the needles. Lots to share in the coming days, but what has been in your crafty sights lately? I want to hear all about it.

Happy knitting!
xx