Honey Cowl Finished

LOVE my new cowl!   The yarn is ever so soft, a dream to knit with. The bright blue-ish purple is one of my favorite colors.  

The pattern is by Madelinetosh.
It's called: Honey Cowl

I used 4 skeins (480 yds/439.9m) of:
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (8ply) 
55% merino 33% microfiber 12% cashmere
Color: Ultramarine 18036

Needles:
US 8 (5.0) circular 32"
US 9 (5.5) circular 32"
Finished size: 10" deep X 50" round


I modified the pattern:  
CO 220 stitches
K one round with size 8 needles.
Then I started pattern with size 9 needles.
When it was almost the depth I wanted, I knit the final 6-8 rounds, so that only one edge would curl.
Cast off as usual with the size 9 needles.

I like it worn both ways, long and draping, or wrapped twice to keep my neck warm. I especially like the purple color against the red tee. I was able to wear it once to work, weather in Arizona being a little too warm for wool cowls. No matter, plenty of months to wear it next winter.

2 More Shawls

I love making shawls. Love love love. So thoroughly satisfying and a practical use of 2 skeins of 'nice' merino & silk yarn.  And it doesn't taking freaking forever to finish! 

I go through cycles, probably like other knitters. T-G !  I'm over the dishcloth period. Still - technically - in the bear-sweater period, as I have a new, naked bear, awaiting his cabled & seed stitch sweater. A charity auction project, goes with the blanket already started, a violet-purple cotton blend.

Saroyan Pine Scarf

Yarn =   Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy

DK / 8 ply / 153 yards

41% Cotton, 34% Hemp, 25% Rayon

 3 skeins = 459.0 yards (419.7m)

Color =  Pine Green 28

Pattern  =  Saroyan by Liz Abinante

Size after blocking  = 10"x77"

Needle =  US 6 - 4.0 mm

A lovely pattern, love the yarn. A beautiful teal green. I did 9-11-9 repeats (9-increases 11-center 9-decreases); unblocked was 9”x65”, after light blocking 10”x77”. Just enough left of the 3rd ball, I could have done one more center repeat.
Cotton/hemp has a nice drape, though a little color bleeding when I got it wet for blocking. Great weight for hot weather climates…hope to wear this all winter.

                    

Lemony Chinook Scarf 
Pattern =  Chinook Scarf by Ali Green

Size after blocking = 14" x 68"

Needle = US 6 - 4.0 mm

Yarn  =  Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino
DK / 8 ply / 150 yards
51% Silk, 49% Merino

Used  =  2 skeins = 300.0 yards (274.3m)
Color  = Yellow

A dear friend’s mother will celebrate her 100th birthday in November and... yellow is her favorite color. Who wouldn’t want a little silk & merino scarf? Love love love the Malabrigo.

Plain, Simple & Easy = Comfy Socks

OKAY! I give up ---- if the ENTIRE KNITTING WORLD can knit socks, then so can I. So I did just that. Picked up my DPN's & knit the dumb pink socks. I'll use the pattern again, only less bulky yarn.  Comfy for lounging around inside, not shoes.

  

Aren't they just precious.  So very pink. So very plain & simple, even I could follow & understand the directions.  The pattern was straightforward & understandable, even for me, a fearful, sock-challenged knitter (up until now). The free pattern, from Knitting on the Net, is called:  Easy Beginner Sock Pattern 

I used my 2nd skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Dusty Pink, a worsted weight inexpensive yarn. I made the cabled hat (a gift) earlier this year in pink, also in gray & mushroom.  I followed the pattern...and gasp! they turned out fine. They fit me. They look like real SOCKS! I brought them in to work to show all my co-workers (and they were mighty impressed as well they should be). My foot is a US size 9 and they are perfect. I didn't modify the pattern in the least.

Needle: US 7.0  - 4.5 mm

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solids & Heathers 
Worsted / 10 ply    80% Acrylic, 20% Wool

Gauge: 18.0 to 20.0 sts = 4 inches

How much: 1 skeins = 197.0 yards (180.1m)
Colorway:  Dusty Pink

Serious Shawlette/Yarn Addiction Period

  My 2nd shawlette!  All finished, blocked & photographed. OMG. Love it as much as the first. Just need cooler weather, so I can wear it to work. 

I've learned a lot by knitting these "beginner" lace scarves---that is I've learned what NOT to do.  And please, would I just follow instructions & suggestions... one of these days !! 

Next time I will end the first skein before I run out, also remembering to join the 2nd skein at the end of a row (not in the middle).  I may not use every single iota of yarn yardage, but the  'lace points' will match and I won't be scrambling at the end to finish. I think (this time) I have learned that suggestions are made by experienced knitters FOR A REASON. I will pay attention from now on.            

I used the same Chinook Scarf pattern, but this time tried a different fine yarn:
Alpaca Silk by Blue Sky Alpacas
DK / 8 ply   Content:  50% Alpaca, 50% Silk
Yardage: 146 yards (134 meters)
Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
I used 2 skeins - 292.0 yards (267.0m)
Needle:   US 5 - 3.75 mm
Color: 110 Ecru                                          

I've started another small lace shawl - in the Elsabeth Lavold Hempathy. A teal-pine-green color. The pattern is  Saroyan by Liz Abinante.  More later, only just started knitting the first leaf.

A quick trip to Tucson/visit an old friend resulted in 2 LYS stops---well of course! Add 3 more yarns to my stash. Surely all the yarn I can possibly handle, in a lifetime. Or at least in 2012.   
The yellow Malabrigo is for my friend's mother; she will celebrate 100 years in November. What better reason to buy yarn/knit a shawlette for her, in her favorite color: yellow.

And I bought some other interesting yarns, but what to make?   Next project/learning experience will be the triangular style shawl.  Another 3 balls of the Elsabeth Lavold Hempathy, only in a silver grey.  Lovely lovely yarn. Nice weight/mix for this hot climate (cotton, hemp & rayon).

Then 3 skeins of Berroco Seduce. Darker greyish. Yum.

Can't wait to make something out of it.

More yarn please. I'm into shawls

Need more time. Certainly not less yarn.

I keep finding beautifully irresistible yarn.

And special patterns I can't wait to try.

More time, please.

Louisa Harding Kashmir DK

 Cascade Venezia Worsted. Lace scarf, please.

 Aslan Trends Ecolana in a beautiful natural oatmeal. Hat maybe?

Love my Noro Silk Garden, 2 skeins of this.

Maybe a hat, for a friend who wants a warm winter hat?

Cotton Ease is great for a Charity blanket, a cotton acrylic blend.

Nice to work with.

Rowan Pima Cotton DK, a lovely grey. I love grays.

Cannot wait to knit with the Blue Sky Alpaca, a silk & Alpaca blend.
I think a lace shawlette is in order.

Wool & Bamboo from JoAnn's,  a shawl with this...I think

Monkey Business at the Baby Shower

The two monkeys, dressed in their sweaters, FINALLY got to go to the Baby Shower last Saturday. They brought their crocheted fleece blanket and the Rainbow Zebra book too.

Beautiful CC with the monkeys.....

The entire party was terrific, so thrilled for friend CC and her expected arrival in July.  The Jungle-Animal cupcakes were the cutest....

Linsey Striped Scarf

I'm loving this yarn and this pattern - so drapey & soft & cushy. Actually looking forward to wearing this scarf. And a fast knit. I'm using the popular Noro Stripe Scarf pattern from Jared Flood at Brooklyn Tweed

The yarn is: Berroco Linsey (Worsted/10 ply)
Content: 64% cotton, 36% linen, 114 yds per skein
How much: 2 skeins = 228.0 yds (208.5m)
Color: 6508 (blue-green-stone)
How much: 2 skeins = 228.0 yds (208.5m)
Color: 6552 Bluefish
Needles: US 7 - (4.5mm)

7-18-11 UPDATE- ALL Done!   

Donkeys & Traveling & Knitting--Oh My!



Chinook Pattern in Malabrigo Yarn

 I've been getting 'round, past few weeks.  Most recently to Tucson for the wedding of a friend's daughter. Naturally (besides the wedding) I visited 2 local yarn shops (LYS) I'd never been to: Purls, out on Broadway & Kolb, and Tucson Yarn Company on Oracle.  both are terrific stores, carry an awesome selection, have wonderful staff to help me buy more yarn (!) Sure, like I actually need more yarn. Like need has anything to do with acquiring more yarn.

I finally gave in & bought some Malabrigo, 2 skeins in fact. That's enough to make 'something' in the way of a scarf or cowl or shawl  ....and after several hours perusing the Ravelry patterns, I decided today on the Chinook. Simple enough but still a little lace for a challenge...beautifully showing off Amaroso colors. I've been seeing & reading about the fine qualities of Malabrigo from Uruguay - so now I'll find out for myself what all the fuss is about. I'm seriously liking the yarn so far.

The pattern is called Chinook Scarf by Ali Green

7-18-11 UPDATE - It's finished & I love it !

I love the color the yarn the pattern !

Update 7-18-11: I hate this afghan.

 I continued working on the 3x3 ribbed afghan I started a few weeks ago. Using up some stash: natural kitchen cotton, Wool-ease & left over Paton's Silk Bamboo, on size 11 needles, for the end of my bed. Again. A bigger, longer, wider, better-made natural throw/afghan for the end of my bed. Again. No pattern here either, just 3x3 ribbing. Pattern notes to follow.

Here's my Oxford Grey Cable & Ribbed Scarf, in progress. Making it to go with the Grey cabled hat for Bjorn. The Lion Brand Wool-Ease Heather Grey is  soft, squishy, nice. This my own variation of cable & rib stitches, will do pattern later.

Oh yes, I did find time between the knitting stores & actual knitting, to attend the wedding. A western-style Wedding! Lots of fun, beautiful weather in the desert, country music and then my favorite: 

 Cake, I LOVED the cake! The boots were cake too.

my favorite food: carbs with frosting! 

Not done yet:

A few weekends ago, I traveled to South Texas to deliver Dad to my sister, for his little 2-month visit. Had a nice time catching up with sister, and short day-trip to the Ranch --- visited with all the horses, donkeys, cattle, & dogs.

The donkeys Emmy, Lucy, Fritz & Max are my favorites. 

Nevada is particularly handsome-for a horse. 

Then the dogs (these 4 anyway) needed their treats too

(Beau, Chaser, Duke & Daisy) 

Seriously- Lucy is  so aptly named- what a clown!

Silly Lucy