FO!

Here is Ewan's finished sweater (! )The excitement has worn off a bit because I finished it last week and he has been wearing it all the time since....The neckline is a little big but it is a size 2 so he should be wearing it for a while. The best thing: Moda Dea washable wool - and I've already thrown it in the wash and dryer and it still looks great! The pattern is Child's Aran Pullover.

Sock Commission

I have been commissioned to make socks. Although I really do not have time for this, I couldn't resist the opportunity to cast on with the beautiful Poems and Noro that I had languishing in my stash. So I will make the time. Theoretically, these are supposed to be finished this weekend, but I think everyone knows that is not going to happen. But it keeps me motivated anyway. Besides, I have been making excellent progress so far....I am about 25% done after only 4 days of casually working on them (i.e. I have been knitting on other things as well:-)

 

Here is Ewan's sweater blocking away on the ironing board. The pieces have been dry for several days now. I am about to go and start seaming it together. Then just to knit the collar and it will be finished! Maybe he will be wearing it tomorrow!

 

And last of all, here is what I did on Monday night. I brought up our old cd shelf from the basement and organized some of my yarn and novels. This is only a small selection of my yarn, deemed worthy enough to be on display, and not filed away in plastic containers. I also like to keep the prettiest yarns out in the open so I can see them and be inspired at any time.....variegated sock yarns on the top shelf, solid sock yarns on the second, cottons on the third...etc........my own personal yarn shop!

Burgundy and Wine

Here is my new hat. It is Gretel, by Ysolda Teague. I very much like this pattern, however it was a LOT of cabling!


I first made the slouchy version, and after all that work, decided it was too slouchy and heavy (almost 125 g), and took it back to make the regular version. I'd rather block it a little bigger and have it be lighter to get the slouchy look. But so far I quite like it unblocked.



I also started this long awaited scarf: a tri-colored braided cable. I have had this yarn and idea for about 2 years and it took that long for my plans to come to fruition.

I knew that you could do bi-colored cables, so why not tri-colored braids? The only problem is that there are sometimes rather large gaps between the colors unless you are sure to wind yarn at color changes (as in intarsia knitting), on every row, which I have been a bit lazy about so far..... So my pattern needs a little tweaking, but once I get it done I will post.

I chose these yarns for their colors and textures, not so much their weights. So as a result, the knitted fabric is a little wonky...but I don't mind, it's nothing a little blocking can't fix up. Also it is sort of the rustic character of the scarf:-) The yarns are: Mirasol Sulka (Burgundy), Mirasol Miski (mauve) (100% baby llama!), and Twilley's Freedom Spirit. This scarf will match perfectly with my hat and new mittens - Elizabeth Zimmerman's mitered mitts, which I made from some gorgeous variegated fuchsia and mauve Fleece artist. I don't have a photo of these yet...

First off, I want to share this amusing and cute video of us last night:

Adam was going to vacuum with Ewan strapped to his back in the Snuggli (one of our ways to keep him happy while getting something done at the same time) :-) Somehow this turned into Adam running through the house and me chasing them. Ewan was so thrilled we had to get a video. I'm so glad we did, this will be hilarious and special to look back on in years to come!

Next are some photos of Ewan in his new Noro vest. Nanna finished it yesterday for him and he has been wearing it ever since. I love it, I think it is his best garment yet! The pattern is: Pebble (Henry's Manly Cobblestone-Inspired Baby Vest), by Nikol Lohr.

Notice the button detail on the right side and shoulder....this is such a great pattern... I love the way this particular Noro silk garden colorway knits up. The colors are gorgeous and the texture is different with each color. I have yet to knit with Noro, but I do have some in my stash waiting for me :-)

On Sunday we took Ewan on his first official toboggan ride. Here he is with Adam as we were leaving. It was cold, so it was a short walk, but Ewan seemed to be having fun as he dragged his mitts in the snow and looked around with wonder. He often does this, and it is very typical to see him looking at people and places with his wide eyed look. Perhaps a photo would be in order to illustrate:-) Interestingly, here's a photo of his cousin Emile making the exact same face....can you see the resemblance?

Fairisle Fingerless Mitts

I have finally posted my first pattern in my etsy shop! It is one that I designed almost 2 years ago and I finally got around to formatting it. This is such a fun project to knit. You can make one in an evening (or two if you stay up late!), and they look impressive when finished. They are also easy to convert to full mittens....pattern to come :-)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39808962


My newest knitting projects are coming along nicely, however slowly.....This is because I insist on working on so many things at once. It is pure torture for me to work on one thing exclusively. Hence many items are growing simultaneously on my needles.

Scherherazade's Slippers have been giving me great difficulty though. This is such a beautiful pattern, but the chart errors (combined with my own mistakes), and the way the lace travels around the leg, have resulted in frustration and doubt. I am 75% finished the first sock, but I feel like I am practically making up the pattern at this point. The thought of reproducing all the fixes and adjustments on the second thought is a bit nauseating. I am asking myself: are these socks worth the pain?