March madness March 11, 2009

So a couple of things have been going on but first my OTN report.
“da hood” is going well. So far I’ve got the back, both fronts and am currently working on sleeve number one. Overall it’s been a pretty easy knit although I did screw up a wee bit. I was working on dec for the left front and it said to dec by the neck side – I have no idea why but I started on the sleeve side. I think it’s because I thought the pattern would have mentioned that you need to dec by the hood and it does seem a bit odd that you would do it there. Though I guess it gives the hood piece some slack by the neck.
Either way I don’t think it’s that detrimental to the project and I think it’ll work out fine when I sew the sleeve on. Worst case scenario I could always rip it and dec it again (horrors).
So anyway other then that that project is coming along nicely. I do think that if I were do it again (which I think I will) I’d use a bulky weight yarn. The Jo Sharp has been great to knit with but the project will end up being more of a “light” cardigan cause it’s a bit holy. It’s still a beautiful color and I do like the texture.

Of course I started on the sleeves and didn’t read the full sleeve BEFORE I started. sigh and I missed an inc 4x! I’m debating whether I should rip it and start over again but then again it’s 4 stitches…what to do, what to do. She does have a chunky arm so I think I’m going to measure it against her arm before I make the decision. ARGH!

Next on my project list is the infamous alphabet baby blanket. That one is coming along nicely and I should have it all completed by the weekend…well at least the alphabets. I should be able to sew it all up and then take some crocheting lessons to get the border done. All in all another easy knit project and it’s been a nice reprieve to just mindless knit a square every night. I might just do another one for one of the “kids” – am not sure who yet but it’s an awesome toddler blanket.
So FO pics to be coming soon!
On the queue is my boss’s baby blanket. His baby is due end of April so I’ve got plenty of time yet. The pattern calls for size US 36 which have to be ginormous! I can see how pretty the moss stitch with it will be though so I’ll have to place my order and get them delivered soon. That one should be an easy knit plus if it comes out really pretty I might just make it for Sheena’s baby. Although I do like that cable baby blanket from Drops. I’m thinking about using Debbie Bliss Stella for it since there’s a sale at Jimmy Beans Wool. Hmm we’ll see.

Stitch me up! March 2, 2009

So Stitches! Twas cool – lots of pretty yarn of which I made a few purchases. They had a HUGE amount of sock yarn everywhere in every color and multi color imaginable. Totally cool but I really took it easy on the sock yarn at least for this year as I’m in baby patterns mode.

I did find this great yarn that I’m going to make the Zimmerman’s February baby sweater with. It’s from Miss Babs – I need to get to that website cause it was $25 for 500yards of pure beauty!.

I think I need to get a new camera cause this one totally doesn’t show the complete glory of the pinks and tans in this yarn. It’s machine washable too which is a HUGE plus in my book!

I also got some Malabrigo in damask rose from ImagiKnits booth. Which ironically is my LYS. I heart them – so helpful and nice while other booths people would just look at you as to say “For real, you’re asking me THAT question?” Miss Babs was super super nice too – hence the future purchases from her store that will be made!

So this weekend I also worked on “da Hood” but I totally frogged it on Friday. I couldn’t reconcile the pattern with the stitches. So I just knitted a swatch of the cable pattern that was causing me grief and decided to use stitch markers to help me keep the pattern in place. HUGE DIFFERENCE! I’m totally working it! Now the only thing I’m worried about is the sizing although I think it’ll be fine as I’m a wee bit of a tight knitter.

The photo doesn’t do it justice. It’s actually sooo incredibly pretty and is knitting up fast even though I’ve got to stop and use the cable every once in a while. I’m hoping I can finish off the back tonight since I’ve only got a couple of more inches to go and then get started on the front. I want to finish this one before my Knit Picks yarn comes so I won’t feel guilty neglecting one project for another.