FO: Grannie Smith Cardi

Slowly but surely was the name of the game in getting the Grannie Smith Cardi done. Technically, this WIP had been in the works since summer 2006, so over 2 years later, I'm glad it's done!

Pattern: Grannie Smith Cardigan, by Melissa Wehrle [Ravelry] [Web Link]
Yarn: 10 balls (with not an inch to spare) Elann Baby Silk in Cedar

Modifications: I wanted long sleeves on this, so I cast on fewer stitches and worked even increases up to the sleeve cap.

Verdict: The sleeves came out a little short after blocking, and I ended up knitting one of the sleeves twice, but I really love this little sweater. It's light and airy and not your typical handknit. I also realized that the trick (for me) to this pattern was to learn how to read my knitting. I started this project initially in Kid Silk Haze and ended up frogging it because I couldn't get the pattern right. After working some easier lace patterns (like the Leafy Lacy Cardi), I learned how to tell what to do on the next row by what my knitting looked like on the row below.

Since I finished this a few weeks ago, I've been working on the Ribbon Trim Cardigan, my exciting fall project. I've got the back and 1/2 of one sleeve complete.

I also bought 2 different ribbons. Not sure which I like better. The green lacy one is pretty and would result in a monochromatic look. The other ribbon is textured and detailed and I would probably put a cream lace ribbon underneath of it the way they do in the pattern photo.

Decisions, decisions!

Fair Isle: Check!

When I made my knitting-new-year's resolutions in January 2007, learning fair isle was on it. Almost 2 years later, I can finally check that one off my list. Better late than never, right?

I started this last week and seriously sat down with two colors in hand on Friday night. After some groaning and You-Tubing I finally found a method that works for me. I am a continental knitter and wanted to try holding both colors in my left hand. No dice. The yarn got tangled (hence the groaning, and some screaming). I settled for knitting the main/background color continental-style and the foreground color in my right hand using the English method. It became quite addicting, and actually since I took this photo, I have almost finished the stocking.
Deets: It's the Cascade Christmas Stocking pattern (FREE), and I love it. It's kind of a choose your own adventure.

I also finished My So-Called Scarf.

Pattern: My So-Called Scarf [Ravelry] [Web Link]
Yarn: 2 skeins of Manos Del Uruguay in Wildflowers (color 113). I didn't alternate skeins while knitting, and although they are slightly different, you can't really tell when it's worn. The colors are fun and I really liked the stitch pattern.
Mods: I just slipped the first and last stitch of each RS row to keep the edges neat.

Since I last blogged, I was given two awards. Claudia graciously gave this ol' blog a blue ribbon:

And Angie gave me a Brilliante Web blog award:

Thank you! You both made my day.