Flint

Finally, I  have finished Flint!  It seems that I have been talking about this sweater for a long time.  In fact it's been nearly 3 months that this project has been on my needles.  Considering that this is a club with a new pattern released quarterly, I guess that means I was right on schedule even though I got a late start.

There are so many things that I love about this sweater.  First is the overall design.  A simple stockinette body with lace details.  I think this makes it both casual and dressy.  I'll be comfortable wearing this with jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, or with slacks and a blouse, or as a light sweater with a skirt or dress.  It's very versatile.

It has very simple,clean lines.

It's knit top down with raglan sleeves.  The pattern directions were great and the increases worked in beautifully.

I love that the sleeve is lace and yet the cuff has a stockinette band that anchors it and also ties it in to the body of the sweater.

The body has a beautiful lace panel at the bottom.  It adds interest and ties it to the sleeve pattern.

I also learned a couple new techniques.  The hem may be the slickest knitting thing I've done so far. See how crisp the edge is?  It was created by knitting a purl row followed by a few rows of stockinette.

I then folded it on the purl ridge and sewed it down using live stitches and purl bumps.  See how clean it is?  I've never had an easier time determining the first stitch in the row, it doesn't use a lot of yarn, and you can adjust the tension for the amount of give you want.  I can see using this hem on a sock cuff as well.

I also learned how to do applied i-cord.  I think it's the perfect edge detail for this sweater.

The only adjustment I made was across the back.  The directions suggested picking up 2 stitches for every 3 stitches.  That was too tight for me, so I ripped back and picked up 3 for every 4 stitches.  I still have just a smidgeon of a ripple.  If I were to make this sweater again I would probably pick up a few more stitches across the back, but that's it.

The sweater still needs a soak and light blocking, but I am just so happy to be done and pleased with how it came out, I couldn't wait to take some pictures and share it!

Here are the Details....
Pattern: Flint by Samantha Roshak
Yarn: Woobu
Color: In the Navy
Needle: Size 6
Start Date: January 21
Finished: April 22
Mods: None other than small adjustment to number of stitches picked up for applied i-cord

Happy Easter this weekend!  I hope you experience great Faith and Hope.  And I hope the bunny is good to you too :-)

Clubs, Clubs, & more Clubs!

I've been on a self-imposed yarn diet for most of this year, hoping that I will be able to see lots of yarns in person at Sock Summit and be able to make some guilt free purchases there.  Even so, I have some additions to my stash that have arrived over the last few weeks that I'm excited about.  They are all for clubs that I am part of.

First up is some BFL Sport that I bought for Karren, the second sweater of the Sweater for All Seasons Club.  I chose Tanzanite for my sweater.  The yarn is actually sitting across the room from me right now and I'm realizing that this photo is washed out.  The color is darker and richer in real life.  I'm sure I'll get a better picture of the actual color once I start on the project.  I can't wait to try it.  I've heard great things about it but I haven't had the right project for it until now.

This next yarn is the March 2011 Rockin Sock Club yarn.  The color is Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and electric it is!  Both patterns for this shipment are fantastic! I don't know how to choose which to do first. The designers are IrishgirlieKnits and NeuroKnitter.  If you follow their blogs like I do you know that they are both wonderful, inspiring people and knitters and I'm looking forward to knitting up their designs.

This next yarn I'm showing you is from the Cookie A April  Sock Club and this one is pretty fantastic.  The color is Boysenberry Jam.  The two patterns are amazing again.  I'd love to make them both but I'm sure time restrictions will require me to choose just one for now.

 

But the really fun thing about this yarn is that it is a Sneak Peak!  This is a new yarn base by Lorna's Laces that has not yet been released and we are getting a preview of it.  It is so new in fact, that it does not even have a name yet.  Lorna's Laces is holding a naming contest for it.  I wish I could think of something to enter, but so far, nothing comes to mind.

If you clicked on the picture to read the label you'll see that this yarn consists of 30% Outlast.  What is that?  It's a material developed by NASA to help regulate astronauts body temperature.  As I understand from reading the brief info included with the yarn, Lorna's Laces is hoping it will also work to help regulate the temperature of your feet.  I wonder if I'll notice a difference?

That's all my new yarn for now! 

A little catch up

It seems like it's been a while since I've had a post full of good knitting content.  There's been plenty of knitting going on here, so let me show you everything I've been working on.

I"m sure you remember that in my quest to find my sock knitting needles, I found some WIP's.  I finished one sock, the Queen of Beads from RSC from January 2009. (Not the best picture of the sock, but an awesome picture of my patio table) I still have the second sock to so, but at least the first one is finished!

I also had Wanida under way.  I started this while on a cruise in November and hadn't touched it since I got home.  In reality I was not loving the wicked pooling so I hadn't picked it back up.  I think I would be happier with both the pattern and the yarn if I found better matches for both.

So it got frogged.

My Mystery sock continues to grow.  I've actually turned the heel and finished the gusset decreases but forgot to take a current picture today.

I cast on Mona for the Knit Sock Love April KAL.  I don't have much done yet, but I wanted to get it started.

I finished the first sleeve on my Flint sweater.  I was hoping to finish it by this weekend but clearly that is a bit optimistic.  Maybe I'll finish it during the weekend :-)

Last, but not least, I have a finished project!  Yippee!  This is Miller's Hat by Kirsten Kapur/Through the Loops Designs.  I used Malabrigo Rios in Ravelry Red.  This was the first time I used Rios and I have to say that I loved it.  It's very soft, has a nice twist and loft, great stitch definition, and it's a super-wash wool.  I'll definitely use it again and I would recommend it as well.  I think it would be a great sweater yarn too.

I have some new yarns to show you too, but this post is long enough.  I'll share those with you next time!

10 on Tuesday

10 Favorite Snacks

Who doesn't love a good snack?!  I think most of us have at least one every day.  Here are some of my favorites:

1. Pita Chips with Hummus.  I've become addicted to this snack and it is my go to snack if I'm really hungry.
2. Apple with Peanut Butter. I really like this, it's very filling and I actually sometimes eat this for breakfast.  I don't eat it as often as I'd like though because I hate to take the time to slice the apple and spread the PB.
3. Grapes, preferably red ones.
4. Chex Mix.  It's not just for the holiday season.
5. Graham Crackers.  Usually the chocolate ones or cinnamon.
6.  Chocolate Chip Cookie.  Only homemade ones, and I usually have some in the cookie jar.  My kids are spoiled :-)
7.  Cheese and crackers.  It's not unusual to have a couple with a glass of wine while I'm cooking and chatting with DH about his day.
8.  Peanuts.  Not just any peanuts though.  DH has gotten us all hooked on the salted peanuts from Feridies.
9.  Chips and Queso or Salsa.  This is a favorite for DH and DS2 while watching sports.
10. Bruschetta.  I suppose this really should be an appetizer but it has become a favorite summertime Sunday afternoon snack, on the deck with a cocktail.  Soon my friends, soon, we'll be enjoying this again :-)

Like I said, these are some of my favorites, but they're not necessarily what I do snack on each day.  I'm looking forward to seeing what other people list as their favorites.  Maybe I can get some new ideas to add to my list.  You can see other lists too by visiting Carole Knits blog.

10 on Tuesday

Favorite One Hit Wonders

I had to use Google to help me with this one because I couldn't think of a single one on my own.  But with a little help it became easy.  Mostly I just didn't realize that some of my favorite songs were One Hit Wonders! In no particular order, here they are.

1. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
2. Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider
3. Turn Up the Radio by Autograph
4. Funkytown by Lipps, Inc
5.  Epic by Faith No More
6. Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
7.  We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
8.  Life Is a Highway by Tom Cochrane
9.  Drive by Incubus
10.  Wherever You Will Go by The Calling

Here's an extra one too.  It didn't quite make it into my Top 10, but the hats alone earn it a special mention.  Whip It by Devo.

I hope you enjoyed my list.  If you'd like to play along, you can join here.  Thanks Carole!