FO: Gretel

Hi there! So it's been over 3 weeks since I've posted. Work has been really busy lately, but I'm finally starting to come up for air, so hopefully I won't be so quiet anymore. First, thank you for all the wonderful comments on Starsky! I think that is a record number of comments for me - you all are so nice.

I have been knitting, I promise. Gretel is finally finished - after 3 months, nearly.

Pattern: Gretel, by Ysolda.
Yarn: I used an alpaca yarn that I purchased at a farm stand and had just the right amount for this hat. It's a sport weight yarn, so I cast on more stitches (120, I think) than the pattern called for. I thought that my row gauge would be off, too, so I planned to make the slouchy version. After finishing, it was WAY too big. I looked like the Pillsbury Dough Boy or something. I ripped back and re-did it for the regular version. Perfect!
Modifications: Besides the extra stitches I cast on, none.
Verdict: It's really cute and doesn't give me as much hat head as other hats I have do. So that's a good thing.

Right now, I only have 1 project on the needles. Remember all that red yarn I bought? 19 balls of Classic Al in Aged Wine (on sale at Webs), to be exact. When I received the winter issue of Vogue Knitting, I thought to myself, "You've never knit anything out of the VK magazines, so if you don't see anything in this issue, don't renew the subscription." I was flipping through and saw the photo of the Cape Collar Jacket. Wow. It had everything I loved all in one pattern: cardigan style, fitted waistband, cables, seed stitch and a dramatic collar! After checking out the yarn required, I realized the Classic Al was a perfect substitution for the King George the pattern used. Since I needed 19 balls, and Classic Al was on sale for $3.49, it was an obvious choice. I've knit through the back, most of the left front and have started a sleeve.

I'm going to save you the details of my frustrations with this pattern and the general editing of the Vogue knitting patterns for my next post, but I wanted to show you what all that darn yarn was for!!!

In the three weeks since I've posted, I was tagged again for the "Make My Day" Award by Elizabeth, Lisa, Heather, and Larkin. Thank you! I listed my choices in my last post, but really, I read of the blogs I do because they have all made my day and inspired me.

Settling in to 2008

Hi there! I'm finally back into the swing of things work-wise, house-wise and knit-wise, and I have lots to show you. I've been knitting away at Starsky, and have completed the seaming and am working on the collar now. Here's a pre-seaming progress shot:

It fits OK so far - the sleeves are a little snug, but I think some more blocking will relax it. Let's hope!
I've also put in a little more time on Gretel. I'm through the fitted section and am now into the regular/slouchy section. I think I'm going to make the slouchy version, since I should have enough yarn. I'm using this nice, fluffy alpaca I bought at a farm stand in October.

I also started a stash-busting, really easy top down raglan for my friend's baby. He's a big boy and has already outgrown a hat and booties I made him. This is a 1-2 year old size and should be plenty big for a while (he's only 9 weeks old!)

I'm using some leftover Knit Picks Swish Superwash and just making up stripes as I go.

There's also been some stash enhancement . . .
First, I won a skein of Sundara sock yarn in Lenten Rose from Lara over at Yarn It! Thanks, Lara!! Most of you know that I have never knit socks before, but this soft stuff might be enough to entice me to make some socks out of it. If not socks, it might become some nice gloves or a scarf.

I also succumbed to some Webs' closeouts. I bought several colors of Di Ve Zenith, which is on closeout for #3.99 a ball. It was rumored to be as soft and have similar consistency to Karabella Aurora 8. I have to say, it is really soft and does remind me of the Aurora. It's lighter and a little splitty, but I'm excited to try it out. I bought enough brown for a sweater and a few balls of the green, blue and orange to make some toys/baby items for friends.

And, last but not least, I bought 19 (yes, that's 2071 yards!) of Classic AL in Aged Wine (a nice, pure red) to make what will likely be my BIG BIG project of winter '08. But, I'll have to keep you in suspense about that until the next post.

That's alotta yarn!

Presents and new projects

Thanks for all the nice comments on Juno. I've worn it quite a bit and am pleased with how the Yorkshire Tweed is wearing (not much pilling yet). Here's what's been going on in my knitting world over the past few weeks. First, I told you I got some cool birthday gifts from Bill.

Has anyone seen or used these before? They look pretty cool. Here's a close up:

I haven't tried them out officially, as I'm not working on any projects with size 6 needles, but they do glow nicely in the dark!

See the glow?

This gift here took the cake, however. I don't know where he got it, but this swift is beautifully made and works great, as you can see.

For my WIPs, I've got quite a bit on the needles now, actually.

Fetching, using Cashmerino Aran. I've never knit a complete project on DPNs before. You know, I've used them to finish hats and stuff, but this is BIG for me. So far, so good. I'm not minding it too much.

I started another sweater: Starsky from knitty. I'm almost done the back.

This was a big disappointment for me. I got some Malabrigo in Olive for Christmas last year, and have been waiting to cast on for Wicked. I finally did, and I hate it! I'm alternating skeins of yarn of everything, but to me, this looks like army camouflage. I'm sad over it, partly because I've been so psyched up to start a project with Malabrigo. I think the green is nice, but there's too much dark color variations in it. Not sure what I'm going to do with the 5 skeins - this may go up on my Ravelry trade/sell page.

I've made progress on Bill's one row reversible cable scarf. This will be ready by Christmas. The only other Christmas knitting I'm doing is a scarf for my brother. I picked up some Patons Shetland Tweeds in charcoal to make him a manly scarf, too.

I also started Gretel. I am not liking working with DPNs on this one, so it will sit until I can buy a pair of size 5, 16" circulars.

Lastly, we are remodeling our bathrooms next week! Our house was built in the 50's, and we have the original tub and toilets, and possibly original tile (though we think it's more 70's tile). We are replacing the tile, toilets and tiling over the floors. New cabinets, mirrors and lighting, too.

Before: Bill's bathroom.

Bill's wallpaper. Giddee-up!

Before: My bathroom.

After pictures: stay tuned!