Sweater of doom

So. Brian is a nice guy. Fine coworker (sort of, we work rather tangentially together). But he's not tiny!



Front and back are complete. I'm just about done with the increases on the first arm. If I never see this denim bulky yarn again- it will be too soon. If I really bust my butt, I should be able to complete the sweater before I leave for Yom Kippur at the parents' place. So much for lace knitting; it's all sweater all the time around here.

My Autumn Rose won't even ship until after the 25th. I will survive, to be sure.

Apparently my sister has some good pictures that I had not yet snagged. First, knitting in action (Bobble Blue, as seen after her pinning ceremony):


My sister is a nurse now- so we have two RNs in the family. Like mother like daughter. I, however, am a knitter first and foremost. Here's proof!


Aren't we a cute little family.

I went to a new (to me) knit store recently- Knit Happens in Alexandria. It might have been on Rosh Hashana. At least I went to services first! I picked up a couple really cute things there, including Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport for the snowflake socks and two skeins of Rowan 4ply Soft for Endpaper Mitts. I think the yarn I was going to use for the socks (Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport) is instead going to become a Seraphim. Eventually.

Also at the store, I had my first Ravelry moment. You know you're overly web-enabled when you meet someone in a store, and only later realize you recognize them because you've been lusting after their FOs. I really need a knitted skirt, apparently!

Bobble Blue

OK! It may be 2:30 in the morning on a Thursday... and I do have to go to work tomorrow, though not until after a doctor's appointment. So to brace my spirits a bit, since I'm going to get more testing regarding the arthritis issue (evidently one is never too young for Rheumatoid Arthritis)...

Anyways, bracing my spirits this week has involved a great deal of finishing work. This is the knitting content you've been waiting for. Instead of finishing the baby sweater as I ought to have done, I decided no time like the present to finish my very own Bobble Blue! Remember that swanky Interweave Knits from a year ago... the one with at least 4 or 5 great patterns in it, which I already bought the yarn for... well, project number one is DONE. Done done, from the last bit of purling to the woven-in ends and cute little wood buttons. I should note that it does not fit as I expected. I thought it would be too small in the arms, and possibly too small. This is because I have a bad habit of completely ignoring my actual size and instead knitting for what I figure I really ought to be. In this case, I could have gone down another size STILL and been fine- instead of coming out sleek and body skimming, it's actually a bit boxy. Although this keeps it from looking "like the picture," I don't mind terribly much- the sleeves are the perfect fit and I generally opt for boxy. It's easier to pull off at the office.

Nuff talk. I finished it far too late to get roommate-snapped photos, so I had to make do with the timer on my camera. This meant I had no way to get a good detail shot without it being also rather a bust shot- and to keep this blog g-rated, we'll just stick with the bad photography.

One tired little model. But does it not just ooze cable-y spring-y goodness? Try another:


Just to recap, the yarn was Ella Rae Classic. Which I didn't like terribly much. I think it is going to be itchy, and there were way too many knots in each ball. Live and learn! In future I'm going back to my superwash wool and acrylic or cotton blends. Allergic girls (even sheep-loving ones) have to bow down to reality to some extent. I think with a camisole or a little tee this will be just right.

Now... to get to bed. And wear it to work tomorrow. Swanky!

Currently on the needles, because it can't hurt to remind myself:
- February sock club socks (nearly to the heel on the first sock)
- baby sweater (all knitted up and ready for seaming)
- green socks (about 2 inches left to knit on the second sock... so lazy)
- Molly Ringwald sweater (nearly finished the front, but I've lost my place in the decreases)
- coral baby sweater (just need to knit the sleeves and collar)
Also, I should be knitting a ginormous amount of kitty hats for the summer conventions coming up. I feel no kitty motivation yet, but maybe it will hit me in a week or two?

I love knitting in the sunshine

Well, spring is about to spring. And I've been getting ready. Yes, my average post time seems to be once per month. But what a month it has been! No finished objects to show, sadly, but lots of things that are so close to finished that I can taste it. TWO sweaters are done but for the last details- sewing together, collars, button bits for one. It's miraculous. See??

Here's the Bobble Blue sweater from Interweave Knits Spring 2006. The yarn is Ella Rae Classic, and I have to say I'm not a huge fan. Firstly, I hate that it's not washable. So sue me, I like washable garments. Also, there were a NUMBER of knots in the skeins. Enough to really piss me off. But the color is great, and it was relatively soft on the hands. I adored this sweater when I first saw it (it's on the cover of that Interweave issue) and had to make one. My version is a lighter blue- teal, according to the roommate.
Blocking photo:


And the back:


This was my first project with button holes. I didn't do the ribbon-and-sewing-machine approach, mainly because I'm lazy and my sewing skills are subpar lately. It still should be fine! I got some great wood buttons to go with it, which will really kick it up a notch. I love that this sweater is work appropriate!


More Bobble Blue joy:



Lest you think I've only been knitting for myself- not so! I started a baby sweater for one of my oldest friends. We met at 3 years of age or so, and went through Temple School together. And now he's having a baby. Crazy! I'm using Classic Elite Sand with a Classic Elite pattern. Yarn and pattern were given to me by Abby-upstairs!

Here's the pattern:


And some pics in progress:



Also, I got a bit further on the pastel baby blanket. Loads of my friends are turning up preggers- this shouldn't surprise me as much as it does. I left the pattern at my parents' last weekend, but I'll pick it up when I go to the baby shower in a couple weeks with my Mom. Whew! This is her all-time favorite baby afghan pattern, and having already made one myself I can guarantee they are addictive. Too bad the pattern is from the 70s and probably impossible to find. Isn't that always the way. The yarn is just Read Heart Baby, but so cute!! Pastel variegated, with a strand of nylon for shimmer.


That should do it for now! I am seriously behind on kitty hats for this summer's anime conventions. Also on the needles? The February sock club kit from The Celtic Knot shop in Ellicott City (started tonight when I couldn't handle baby stockinette anymore). Also, the peach baby sweater (better finish it this spring!), and those darn green socks I never finished. I should really get on that. I'm still teaching knitting classes every other week, too, which is delightful. Who knew so many Jews wanted to knit but didn't know how??

Happy knitting, folks!