A small introduction

It's a blog! I migrated my old knitting page over to Blogger so it won't have to move when I change jobs in six months, and so it can be more blog-like. Hopefully this will encourage me to knit more, so that I can post more often.

Newest project: the Flower Basket Shawl! Beth and I are having a knit-along. The yarn is white Misti Alpaca, though I also bought some navy blue in case I need to make another one. Yarn from Fuzzy Mabel, which has free shipping for July and August. The shawl is, as of today, approximately 1.5 inches long.

I'm still working on Oliver's Skyespun sweater, purchased on the Isle of Skye during our honeymoon. Update: One sleeve finished! Next: other sleeve, and collar, and then the Great Weaving In of Ends will commence.

I'm also starting a new ChicKami in Rowan Handknit Cotton ("Diana"). I already made one in pale blue; I had to re-do the straps and neckline ribbing to add a few more rows and make new, shorter straps, and it fits much better now! The new one is going to be a size smaller, so it'll fit more snugly. Someday I'll learn to measure myself more carefully before choosing a pattern. The color is quite a bit darker and more purple than in the photo at right.

I put the Rowan Bonny sweater (in navy blue cashmerino) on this list solely for motivational purposes. It has many rows of moss stitch on #3 needles and has been about 1 inch long for 3 years or so. Embarrassing.

Details of the finished projects:

• ChicKami I, Rowan Handknit Cotton in Chime. This is a great yarn for summer stuff, though my cast-on edges seem to get a little fuzzy in contrast to the smooth knitted fabric. From Bonne Marie's outstanding pattern. Keep in mind that the I-cord straps will stretch significantly when you're wearing it - make 'em short.
  
• Needle case - not one of my most perfect sewing efforts, especially as it was made before I bought the rotary cutter, but it does the job, and I like the fabrics. It folds in half and then in thirds and ties shut with a ribbon. My own design.
  
• Fuzzyfeet, from the Knitty pattern, a birthday present for my mom. Yarn is "Town" from Glenmarle Woolworks and trim is, um, what the hell is it? Oh yeah, Plymouth Furlauro, super-soft eyelash. I also made myself a pair in screaming purple but haven't felted them yet.
  
• Purple mittens, from a kit from Morehouse Farms, a birthday present from Beth. Color: grape juice. Dense, warm, a delight to knit and wear. Only problem is they clash horribly with my new red coat, so I may just need to make another pair. Or five. We are moving to Colorado, after all. I can still wear them in the fall with a sweater instead of the coat.
  
• Pink fuzzy scarf, yarn bought at 2004 Maryland Sheep & Wool Fest. Two different yarns: one 50/50 merino/mohair, one entirely mohair, simple 2x2 rib. It's fuzzy and warm and HOT PINK. Also clashes with aforementioned red coat, but I wear it indoors a lot.
  
• Gloves, KFI Cashmerino in gray and blue-green, from the "Johnstone gloves" pattern in the Rowan "A Season's Tale" book. It was a little confusing knitting gloves flat and then sewing as I went along, but I followed the pattern faithfully and it turned out well. My one correction: the distance from the top of the ribbing to the base of the thumb was too long for my small hands. I love the stripes though, and being able to make my own gloves so the fingers are the right length. Fortunately I have more of this yarn as I expect to wear these until they fall apart.