and then this happened

So I had just finished frogging the blue Gemini I talked about in my last WIP post. I had even found a new pattern for it, a tank top in honor of the fact that spring will be here soon. I had started the gauge swatch. And then this happened:

And that poor, abused, frogged and re-frogged Sirdar Calico went straight out the window. When the Post Man knocked on my door and handed me the impatiently waited for yarn, it was all I could do not to shut the door quickly and run to the craft room. Seriously, he wants to make small talk now, doesn't he know the bag he just handed me holds yarn!!

And then I had the age-old dilemma of which yarn to use first, what project called to me? In all honesty I had set my mind on some summer tops (that's what the other two yarns are for, and yes, I'm in a teal phase), with no sleeves. But, it was raining, and the Malabrigo Rios is so, so pretty. So I went with that, because you have to do what you have to do.

I cast on Flowing Lines.  

Did I have trouble with the boat neck collar? Yes, yes I did. I had to rip back and re-join once, but only once so I'm counting that as a victory. Then I got paranoid it wouldn't be big enough (I'm still not sure) so I have taken it off the needles twice to try it on. I think it will be OK, but time will tell. Now I'm just hoping I have enough yarn to make it long sleeve (though 3/4 would be just fine). Does everyone worry this much when knitting or is it just me?

I am so in love with this project!! 

Pretty in pink

Hurray for Friday! I am ever so happy that I've finished the second Saffron cardigan. It languished on the needles a wee bit longer than it needed to, but I really do dislike sleeves! And of course Rori wanted full length sleeves, no matter that I kept telling her it was a spring cardigan. Oh well, she's happy, I'm happy, and now I can plan on knitting some short sleeve projects for a while!

I made the rather foolish mistake of waiting too long to take pictures of the girl in her cardigan. Today is Book Parade at school, where the kids get to dress up as a character from a book. She is Slinky Malinki (I LOVE Lyndley Dodd). She was an unwilling participant in the photos, but at least now you know why she is dressed as a cat.

And then, because she is seven (as good an explanation as any), she started to dance........

And because she is adorable too, here is Winnie the Witch

So, a rather picture heavy post, to be sure. Back to the cardigan. I love the pattern, it needed no modifications in my opinion, and it is very straight-forward. The yarn I used is Universal Yarn Double Twist, which the girls picked out. I am happy with both cardigan, the yarn, the pattern. All of it!

That's it for me this Friday, see you next week!

Digging through the pile

Hi everyone. I've been a bit quiet on here lately, but I should be back with several new/completed projects soon. You know how sometimes life gets difficult, hands you lemons, craps all over you? I've been going through a bit of that, but I'm coming out the other side in a better place, the place I want to be. I'm one of those people that needs a back-up plan for my back-up plan, so while I put plan B into effect, I'm focusing on some knitting therapy. 

I'm pretty excited I've changed a WIP into a FO this week, and I'll share that on Friday. Here's a hint, it's pink. I know, big surprise. While I wait for the new yarn I've ordered to arrive I'm digging through my "naughty" pile of projects, and seeing if I can finish anything. 

The first thing in the pile is the Leaf Cardigan I started ages ago. It is too small, and made incorrectly, and I am 100% sure life will be better when it is frogged. 

The second thing in my pile is my Gemini. Now, I don't know what I have against this pattern, but I have attempted it twice, and I'm giving it one last chance. The blue Gemini got canned because I notice an error in it, and I didn't have the heart to rip it back.  See:

Then I got my hands on some KnitPicks CotLin yarn and decided I would try again. This time I only got this far:

I'm pretty sure I just put it in the time out because I had sore hands at the time, and the linen/cotton yarn wasn't helping. But after putting it back onto needles I saw an error in it. I've since frogged it. Like, just now.

Lastly, this throw blanket I started, uhm, a long time ago. I decided I didn't have enough yarn, or energy, or whatever, and it has sat in the basket since. I haven't wanted to frog it because of the effort already expended on it, but, well, it isn't going to grow either. If I frog it at least I can use the yarn for something else.  

That's it for me for now. I'm going to sit here until I  decide if I'm going to carry on with the blue Gemini, or re-start the red. Or maybe, just maybe, find a new pattern for the Cotlin yarn.  See you Friday! 

July Lady Sweater

Hi everyone! I'm so happy it is almost the weekend, even if it is supposed to rain for most of it. I guess I will just have to snuggle inside and knit!

I have another FO to share, hurray! I am so so happy that I finished my cardigan in record time, it took me less than a month. It turned out really well, which is always a pleasure. I just need some warmer weather to start wearing it.

Pattern:February Lady Sweater
Yarn: SMC Nothern Worsted with Wool in cloud. I like this yarn. Reviews aren't so great on Webs, but I can't complain.
Mods: No real mods, except that I did decrease 8 stitches over 4 lace repeats on the sleeves before the garter stitch border. I'm not a girl that likes sleeves that flare. These are a happy medium.
Learned: That I do not need to hate when a pattern says, increase X number of stitches evenly over the next row. Now I know I can just go to this website and get the magic formula to do it. Brilliant.

I wish I could share a picture of me wearing it, but it is dark by the time I get home for work (or nearly), and I am too impatient to wait for this weekend. Anyway, picture a lady that needs a haircut (badly), with a HUGE smile on her face!