Improv FO

When I first began knitting, I bought some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky to make into men's dress scarves from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Well, I made two and then got bored with them. So, the yarn has been sitting in a drawer ever since. Lately, since I like the yarn and like the Anthropologie Inspired Capelet I decided to try to combine the two as some others on Ravelry have done. As I knitted, I decided to change the ribbing, knit in stocking stitch and add some cables down the front.

I had this pretty pin for the collar.

I'm really happy with it! One could use this pattern as a template over and over and come up with all sorts of unique designs!

2 Be or Not 2 Be Random

I am trying variegated yarn on a sizable project for the first time. Looking at pictures of self striping yarn projects, it looks like sometimes the skeins were chosen at random. For example the right front and left front of a cardigan or each sleeve start with different shades on the bottom trim. Other times, it looks like there was some planning and the trim starts with the same shade on each side.

Do knitters obsess with starting from exactly the same place in the variegated sequence? Or if you pick the same shade to start and you aren't quite in the same part of the sequence do you keep on going?

None of the pictures in the books show the backs of cardigans, so I'm not sure what they do with those. Do they have narrow stripes compared to the fronts because you are knitting a wider piece? Or has the knitter used two skeins and made the stripes closer to those on the fronts.

I know, SO many questions. Once again, knitting is proving NOT to be a relaxing experience for me!

Despite all my questions and issues with the colors, I have to say I love watching the colors change and the Noro yarn I'm using is lovely. It is Noro Silk Garden Chunky in colorway 11, which is pink-purple-green-tan.

I am working on a shrug from the book called Noro Designer Mini Knits Two.

I am starting sections of the shrug with roughly the same color, though I discovered after I got going that I wasn't always in the same part of the sequence. I have not frogged.

For the back, I am knitting from two skeins and trying to make the back stripes closer in width to those on the front, but it is hard not to interrupt the soft transitions between the colors when doing this. I think maybe I am having a harder time as this is my first variegated project and I am learning as I go. I am hoping these lessons will make my next Noro project in the queue much easier! I have frogged and reknit sections of the back too many times, only to feel that the first time was the best after all...aarrgh! Here is what I'm sticking with now.

Here are a couple of pictures showing how the side seam areas are looking/lining up.
Right:
Left:
I can live with it! Now, I only have to worry about size. Somehow, despite the fact it is pretty much filling up the knitting needles, it is looking small to me. Knitting usually grows though, so hopefully it will all work out. We'll see...

FO: Serenity

Here's another project that's been on the cusp of doneness for awhile. It's Serenity from Rowan Studio 15, another lovely pattern by Sarah Hatton.

Sarah Hatton is one of my favorite designers. On the Sarah Hatton Ravelry group forum earlier today, I read that she is leaving Rowan to work for Sublime!

FO: Lull

Finally, I got around to weaving in the last 6 ends and tacking down the v of the neckline today. I'd be embarrassed to say how long it's been sitting here nearly done! Lull is a comfortable tunic from the Rowan Studio 15 booklet.

Detail of how I did the neckline and underarm shaping.

This is a fun stitch pattern. I was amused that it looks a bit like crochet.

I really like Rowan summer tweed and have actually gotten used to working with it. It doesn't seem to bother my fingers so much anymore.

FO: Little Silk Shrug

The Little Silk Shrug is a cute, quick knit from the book Lace Style. I've had the book for awhile, so I was happy to finally make something from it!

I used beautiful Louisa Harding yarn called Mariposa for it, made it wider and the sleeves longer. It's fun to have a wearable piece of clothing made from a simple rectangle!

*Really* Done Now

I couldn't just let Mermaid be!
On a trip to Michael's I found some pretty beads...


And some lining material!

FO: Mermaid Bag

I used every scrap of flotsam yarn I had! I would have liked to have a bit more yarn to make a longer twisted cord for around the middle and some additional ones to hang over the handles as shown in the pattern book. Maybe I will make some more cords from other yarns and mix and match a little.

It is done, but I may add a lining at some point. I plan to get out the sewing machine and do a bunch of linings all at once, but I need to find some more fabric first.