Yarn, dogs

My order of Garnstudio Alpaca wool arrived in the mail today. Isn't it pretty? It is a little more delicate than I had anticipated and I think it will take a long time to knit up, but I love the soft feel of it.


For those of you who love dogs, here are Saffy and Silas. They had one new toy to share between them today which lead to some funny antics!


Both dogs and the cat had their annual vet visit today and were quite well behaved. I'll post some new pics of Fluffy cat soon for you cat lovers!

Lola Finished!

Well, except for blocking (hence all the pins along the bottom) and finding a ribbon to attach for the closure. Although, I've been thinking that a stick pin, kilt pin or brooch would be a pretty way to fasten the front!

Yarn in the Mail

Here is what arrived from Knit Picks today:



The yarn on the left is Simple Stripes in vineyard and storm for socks. The skeins on the right are Sierra in tide and cinnamon for making two chunky cabled purses with bamboo 'D' handles.

Lola details

Someone asked me for more information about the 'Lola' sweater I am making, so I thought I would make a post about it for everyone to see.

'Lola' is from the Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora Book and you can view pictures of all the patterns from it here:
http://theknittinggarden.com/db-bookctnangora.htm

The yarn I am using was what I had on hand from my grandmother's stash and it is Red Heart Classic Yarn 0683 Light Seafoam which can be seen here:
http://www.herrschners.com/products/product.aspx?sku=010526&id=3559
I am part way thru the third skein and don't expect it will take more than 4.

I am using size 8 needles and my gauge is close, but not quite on. Size 7 needles would probably be just right. The pattern is sized for 1-2 yrs, 2-3 yrs, 3-4 yrs, and 4-5 yrs and my sweater size is coming out to between 3-4 and 4-5 years.

I'm really pleased with how it's turning out and I'll post new pictures of it soon. The pattern is really easy and the acrylic knits up fast. If anyone has more questions, please let me know.

Lola update

This is a very clever pattern as it is knitted in one piece starting from the back and then you add the ribbing at the end. As, you can see in the picture, I knitted like mad last night while watching tv with my husband and got the back and one side of the front done!

Shopping =)

Today, I bought two Debbie Bliss pattern books to add to my knitting library! One is “Alpaca Silk” chosen mainly for the ‘Lara’ pattern and the other is “Cathay” which has several appealing patterns including the bolero on the cover.



There was a sale at the yarn shop and I was able to purchase Tahki Cotton Classic 100% mercerised cotton for making the Via Diagonale handbag. I chose two shades of blue that you can see in the picture. I also bought a skein of Plymouth encore for a secret gift project I have in mind.



I got all that and stopped at Gray's for a dish of black raspberry ice cream with jimmies on top! What a good day!

Project pictures!

Well, I am soooo close to finishing the striped, v-neck sweater. All that remains to finish is the neckline edge and weave in yarn ends! The neck will be quick to do, but I do not have the needles I need to do it, so I’ve got to find the right size at a shop before I can finish. That’s the trouble with being a new knitter! I never seem to have the right size needles for a project despite having bought so many already! Anyway, the seaming went smoothly and the stripes lined up (yay!). Here’s a picture of the almost completed sweater!



Also, since I am waiting for the yarn order for my next projects, but need something to knit in the meantime, I cast on some acrylic yarn from my grandmother’s stash to make Lola, a Debbie Bliss pattern from the angora cotton book. The color did not come out accurately in the photo. It is actually seafoam. I’m not sure who I’m making it for yet, but if it comes out well, I might give it to my cousin’s daughter.



Sorry about the pics being dark, it is cloudy out today and that makes it so hard to take a good picture inside!

Yarn Orders, etc.

I am anxiously watching the mail for my yarn order noted below as well as a second order I placed from Knit Picks for Sierra (tide and cinnamon) and Simple Stripes (vineyard and storm). I'm planning to make 2 chunky cable handbags with the Sierra and socks with the self-striping yarn.

Last night, on knitting autopilot, I went 8 rows beyond where I was meant to and had to frog it a bit, but am on track again today. I hate when I make those autopilot mistakes as they would be so easily prevented if I just paid attention! Arrgh! But 8 rows isn't too bad, things could have been a lot worse. I'm still working on the striped, v-neck sweater, but I am almost done with the second sleeve.

It is gorgeous out today and I'm going to have to set up the patio furniture soon, so I can do my knitting outside!

Yarn Order

Today, I placed an order for the Garnstudio Alpaca wool recommended for knitting "Zest", the cardi I like in Knitting, Issue 23. I chose color 2917 after much waffling back and forth between several shades. They all look so pretty! I finally went with 2917 because it seemed very summery to me. (Though I wonder if I will complete it in time for this summer?!) I ordered from Knit-n-Tyme and you can see the shade card on their site, if you like.

Magazine Buying (confession!)

I am such a magazine junky! I'm almost embarrassed to admit to buying more, but last night, there were 2 new knitting mags at Barnes and Noble and they both came home with me.

I got Knitting, Issue 23 with the cute sweater-dress on the cover and would like to make that at some point, but will start with the cardi on page 48 as soon as I have the yarn in hand. The only thing holding up my order is trying to pick the color from a scanned color card--ack!--as the yarn is not available locally as far as I can tell.

I also bought Simply Knitting, Issue 13. I know some family members who would like the Rainbow Wrap and I'd love to use the recommended Debbie Bliss cashmerino for it, IF my yarn fund isn't too depleted!

Ever since making the sweet, mini teddy bear from the Christmas-time Simply Knitting, I've wanted to try a larger bear, so I'm also looking forward to making a Bedtime Bear from Issue 13.

Well, it's dark and drizzly out today--an excellent day for knitting!! I'm working on the sleeves for the v-neck sweater still. I can't wait to have the finished pics to post here!!

V-neck sweater (Post 3)

Just a quick post to say that the front of the striped sweater is done, the shoulder seams are stitched and I've begun on a sleeve!