Ride. Knit. Read.

FO: Hans

Hans Fingerless Mitts

FO: Minimalist Cardigan

  

Pattern: Minimalist Cardigan - Interweave Knits Fall 2007

Yarn: Brooks Farm Four Play x 3 skeins (with just a little pile of scraps left after seaming).

Notes: Finished in time to wear to the New York Sheep & Wool Festival! Photos from the EverReady Diner

This project grew after wet-blocking (mostly length). The project was knit exactly according to pattern but the length is at hip and the sleeves stretched from 3/4 to bracelet length. Fortunately, I am happy with the finished dimensions. Very soft, wonderful sheen and drape. Overall a very welcome addition to my wardrobe.

FO: Morning Glory

Pattern: Green Gable
Yarn: 3.75 skeins of Fibre Company's Savannah DK (WEBS tent sale!)
Mods: Longer sleeves, longer body, seed stitch edges on bottom and cuffs
These photos were taken the morning after I had worn the sweater all day on a steamy Martha's Vineyard.
I'm pleased that this Cotton, Linen, Merino, Soy Blend seems to retain its shape fairly well and can serve as a comfortable spring/summer garment.

 

FO 2008: Marisol Root

FO 2008: Marisol Root

Pattern:   Rusted Root
Yarn:       Mirasol Cotanani, 6 skeins
Mods:      Tubular Cast-on; knitted-on 1x1 rib for neckline; S/M hybrid; 12 total repeats of leaf lace;
                1x1 rib for hem & cuffs; tubular bind-off

p.s. I'm going to have a riding lesson next week on "Robo," who I'm considering leasing!
Click for Horse Photos

Finished!

New Job = New Yarn

I start my new job on Monday (feminist non-profit, yay!) so I treated myself to some goodies from Woolgirl.

I had long wanted to try Madelinetosh sock yarn, especially the colorway she designed to benefit the Umoja Usao Women's Group in Kenya.  But, I couldn't resist  also picking out a skein of her "Canary," silver, yellow and white--perfectly springlike.

Even so, the real indulgence was another skein of A.L. de Sauveterre's cashmere. When I started my job search last summer I kept hold of the idea of this yarn as my prize. As soon as I received the offer I added "Japanese Maple" in the Mont Blanc dk weight to my cart.  I've had a fair amount of knitting time between jobs  but I've definitely set a personal record from skein to finished object this time. My parcel arrived from Woolgirl on Monday afternoon, I cast on Tuesday and 5 or so hours of knitting later, I wove in ends on Thursday.

FO: Mont Blanc Cowl
Yarn: A.L. de Sauveterre Mont Blanc in  "Japanese Maple" 1 skein, 200 yds dk
Pattern: CO 85 sts and join with US 8 24" circular. K 6 rows. P 1 row. Switch to US 6 needles. K until piece measures 13" (or approx. 175 yds used). Switch to US 8 needles. P 1 row. K 6 rows. Use stretchy bind-off.  Weave in ends. Wear as single layer, doubled, or inside out.

FO: Forest Canopy Shawl

Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence
Yarn: A.L. de Sauveterre, Estelle, cashmere 2 skeins ~400 yards
Mods: 15 total repeats of motif

Thanks everyone for your kind words about Byron. It's been hard adjusting to his sudden absence and I don't think we'll be without a MC for long. I've come to think that his death was related to HCM as he had a known heart murmur and experienced hind end paralysis and difficulty breathing in the few days before he died. He was rescued from an unscrupulous breeder and it's unlikely his litter had been screened.

Leap

February Socks completed with a few days to spare.
Yarn Pirate Merino Sock in "Rain"
Plain Olde Sock Formula US 0 dpns

February always seems too long for such a short month.

At the movies: There Will Be Blood
In the dvd player: Lost (Season 3)
Currently reading: Out Stealing Horses

Sock Challenge 2008

I hereby proclaim that 2008 shall see a new pair of socks completed each month.

January Socks

FO: Monkey Socks v.3

Yarn: Schaefer Yarns Heather is a squishy blend of merino, silk & nylon. The only draw-back I can think of is its price tag. I was lucky enough to get this on sale!
Needles: 1.5US Knitpicks dpn. Unfortunately, 2 out of 5 needles of the set were defective. Grr.
Pattern: Monkey again. This pair has a short-row heel and 7 repeats on the leg.

Cat out-take: