Ishbel

I finished the knitting today and have Ishbel blocking in the den
floor. It was a fun knit, and it blocks up bigger than I thought it
would. Will be cozy warm this winter.

"Ishbel" by Ysolda

Finished knitting Section A for the second time. I've got 1.2 oz of
yarn left which is about 1/3rd of my yarn. I think I am going to skip
knitting Section B the second time and go right to Section C.

My First Original Design!

Finally the Turino Silk Vest is Finished!

While it is not a very complicated design, it is the first project that I have completely made up myself. The pattern idea originated from looking at a vest that I purchased from the J. Jill clothing line.

I started this vest on May 26, using Turino silk, which I had in my stash. Details can be found on my Ravelry page. After finishing the main knitting, I decided to use knit-on icord for the edging on the front and around the neck. I used 5 stitch icord on the lower edges and from the place where the button closure and the button are and around the neck, I used 3 stitch icord. This was a first for me as well, but I like the effect.

I know that improvements can be made, like where the decreases start on each side to go up around the neck. I think I must have taken a break between the two sides because I didn't have the rows counted exactly right. The result, of course, is that one side is higher than the other. (So I'll just pull it down while I'm wearing it!). I meant to take good notes while making this, but, again, I just didn't. Too much time lapsed between when I would put it down and when I picked it back up. My notes didn't make sense.

Anyway, for my first original design, I think it turned out pretty good. I'm thinking I will actually wear it!

Until next time..

b

Finished Breeze

Finally, Breeze socks are finished. This is the second pair that I have knit from this pattern, and I enjoyed it again. This time the yarn was Kertzer's On You Toes Bamboo. I enjoyed knitting with it for the most part. It seemed to twist a lot, but it was very soft and felt good in my hands. And it feels good on my feet! I wore them all night and my feet didn't get too hot.

Since it took me so long to finish these, because I was doing other things, using KNITMINDER's counters was especially nice. I could always pick up the needles and know which row I was supposed to knit next without worry that I had picked up the wrong counter.

Hope to finish my vest this weekend, also. I've just got to pick up the front placket and knit around the neck. Will post again when it is done.

Until then...

b

It's a Breeze

The first Breeze sock is finished. Hope to CO the second one this
weekend.

Working on my vest, also. Will post picture as soon as I sew the
shoulders.

Metal Double Points

Yesterday I started a new sock, Breeze by Jennifer L. Appleby. It was featured in the Summer 07 issue of Knitty. For anyone who doesn't know about Knitty, it can be found at www.knitty.com. Although I have knit this sock before, this time I am trying something new. I'm using metal double points for the first time. I've always preferred wood because of the way they feel. When I was in my LYS last week I bought a pair of 2.5mm HiyaHiya dpns, 6" long. I haven't noticed this brand in our LYSs until recently. So far I like them. I like the lightness of weight and the fact that my stitches don't seem to slip right off them, which I was a little concerned about with socks.

Butterfly Socks - Now There Are Two!

I'm finished with my latest socks. Ready to cast on another pair, but here's the skinny on the Butterflies. These socks were really a joy to knit. The pattern by Knit One, Crochet Too, was an easy lace pattern with a repeat of 8 rows, every other row being a knit row. The lace rows were similar enough to remember the stitches after the first set; there were 4 repeats around the sock on the leg. This was the first time I knit with a cashmere blend yarn, too, and I'm definitely going to get some more! This was the softest sock yarn I've knit with yet. I'm hoping it will hold up well when worn and washed. Since it is a blend with wool and nylon, I'm confident it will be fine.

Not sure yet if this pair will be a gift or if I will keep them. They are definitely a yummy pair of socks!

Now, I need to get on to my vest. I've neglected it for the last two weeks because I've hit a spot where I need to frog back on the shoulders. Since I'm off work today, I think I will work on the design and see if I can't get the front sides finished up. I'll keep you posted.

Till then...

b