What a Feeling…an 80’s Flashback

Flashdance was on TV last night, which is very fitting since what I have to post is a couple pair of legwarmers. The first I made for my friend Amie for Christmas. She loves anything green. I had 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden in my stash in a lovely, yet discounted color :-(, of olive and plum.



I used the Super-Easy Legwarmer pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. A 1 x 1 rib in the round using magic loop until I ran out of yarn. It really was Super-Easy. I decided not to try and match the stripes, because, well it was Noro.

The other pair I made for myself. I have really been wanting to try the tunic and leggings thing, but didn’t have the right boots for it. So instead I chose to make some slouchy legwarmers.



I even put a little spat action on them:


(One of the mannequins at school was kind enough to model for me.)

I used 4 skeins of Jasper from Berroco in Black Galaxy. I love this yarn. It is so soft and the colors it comes in are so beautiful. A true joy to work with. Because I wanted these to be a little slochy I cast on a few more stitches, which was enough so I could use 16" circulars. I also decided on these to not try and match the stipes. I wore them on Saturday and got lots of complements on them.

I other knitting news, I have been working on a square neck version of Soleil from Knitty (Ravelry Link) for my mom.



This is another easy knit. Made in the round until the armholes. Which is were I am now. I am using ArtYarns UltraMerino 6 in a soft yellow (not so sun shiny as the photo suggests). This yarn is so nice. It’s 100% merino and has a great hand. It comes in 3 different weights (4, 6 and 8).

I also started a baby blanket for a co-worker who is due in May. My co-worker and her husband don’t want to know the sex of the child before he/she is born. So I am using some cotton from my stash in a soft sage. I’m basically using the big bad baby blanket (Ravelry link), but instead of a seed stitch borer I am going to make a lace edging (but not too lacey, in case it’s a boy). I am also making it a little smaller. I am a little nervous about running out of yarn. Everyone cross your fingers.

Knit It...Loved It...Wore It Out.

This was my first cable project EVER. And I loved everything about it. The pattern (an Adrianne Vittadini pattern), the yarn (alpaca from Patternworks, bought in person when they were in Poughkeepsie) and of course…the color.



This sweater got worn A LOT. At least once a week for the past 4 or 5 years (when the tempeture promitted, of course.) So why was I surprised when I put it on the other day and saw this:



I have never worn a sweater so thin, whether it was something I made or bought. The only good thing…I have an alpaca sweater in the same color on the needles. I already get teased about my obsession with pink; imagine if I had 2 sweaters in that mauve/plum color.

I think that it is time for a nice hot bath for the cable sweater. Maybe it can be reincarnated it into a bag, so I don't ever have to give up my favorite sweater.

Just a Quick Note

Just a quick note to tell all you sock fans out there that Annie’s now has the coveted NORO Noro noro SOCK Sock sock YARN Yarn yarn. We have these beautiful colors:













The pictures don’t really do the yarn justice. They are all so pretty, I don’t know which one to pick.

'Twas the night before Christmas...once agin

Reposted from 12/24/06

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all though the house,
The sound of my needles clicking was noticed only by a mouse.

The hand knit stocking were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that no one would see the grafting mistakes there.
The nephews where all snuggled in bed,
While thoughts of snowman sweaters danced in their heads.
While mom in her cable cardigan, and I in my fingerless mittens,
Had just settled in for a long for a long nights knittin’
When out on the lawn there arouse such a clatter,
I sprang from the purl row to see what was the matter.

Away the window I flew like a flash?
(Just one more row perhaps?)
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash,
After a few dropped stitches and decreases that match.
The moon, on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Was like lace out of mohair on my lap below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a set of Denise needles and another knitter so near.
I knew in a moment that it must be the knitting fairy
To help with the holiday stitching, so I could be merry.

“Now purl one row, then knit two more!
Don’t forget to YO at the end of each row!”
To the top of the hat and matching mittens, does that look too small?
Too late now; knit away, knit away all!”

She spoke not a word, but when straight to her work,
And knit all the yarn that lurked.
Weaving in the ends as she goes,
She knit in a flash, taking with her all of my woes.
Her well-worked fingers gave a signal of approval
As she took her leave with her needles
I heard her exclaim:
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all good knittin’”

Embossed Leaves and a hat

I finally finished my Embossed Leaves Socks. It only took me a week to knit them and about a month and a half to weave in the ends. But they are really pretty. The yarn was a gift from Avocado Fever. I believe she bought it at Maryland Sheep and Wool. The pattern (as I am sure you know), is from Interweave Winter 2005 and republished in 25 Favorite Socks. These really are some of my favorite socks.



When I was in college I had a professor who explained that flowers and leaves that are pointing down make people depressed. So by making them toe up, the leaves "grow" up, instead of down.



I have 3 pair of handknit socks. They are all green. I think it is time for a new color. And you guys think I only knit in pink.

I also finished a hat for the store.



It's my own pattern, which will eventually be a free pattern with yarn purchase. I made it with Torino Bulky, Dune and Lace Mohair (6 strands held together). One ball of each will do the trick.

I also have been busy with Christmas knitting, but I think I need to wait till the 26th to post those photos. I still have things that I need to cast on for. I guess I better start soon…

As Promised

I have yet to get my copy of Find Your Style and Knit It Too, or even see it in a B & N. But since PassionKNITly got hers, I know it has been released. I have 2 patterns in the book but only pictures for one.

This first pattern (and my favorite) is Pirouetté – a flirty ballet wrap with lace trim to wear over your leotard during dance class. After class, slip a pair of leggings on underneath for hanging out with your friends.

Front



Back



A few detail shots









The second was suppose to be called Ornement de Cheveux de Fleurs, or Floral Hair Ornament. But, ummm, I guess there was some confusion there. Too bad no one at the publisher speaks French…or let me know that they didn't understand. Oh well. I guess you can't win them all. I see if I can get some pictures of that soon.

It Happens to All of Us

So I "thought" I was cruzing along on Rogue. I even made it to the armholes. See the beautiful side cables?



And then I did what I should have done awhile ago. I measured her. Here's what happened:



Hummmm, that's a problem. Now I hear you saying "Smitten, did you check your gauge."
Yes. My gauge is spot on. See:



I really wanted Rogue to measure about 41", but the sizes were 39 1/2" or 43 1/2". I was too lazy to rewrite the pattern so I went with the 43 1/2". So I guess now that she will be frogged, I will get closer to the 41". By my calculations, if I make the 39 1/2" size, I should get 42".

Blogless Jill R, I hope this makes you feel a little better about the Peplum Jacket. It happens to all of us.

For the time being, I think I need to finish something I can feel good about. So I am working on the socks exclusively. I have one done and am almost the heel on the second sock.



I went with a picot bind off for a little extra girlness and stretch.

On another knitting front this book was released today. PassionKNITly preordered her copy on Amazon and brought it to SnB tonight. I haven't even got my copy yet. Be sure to stop by a book store to check it out. I'll post my pics of my patterns in the next few days.