Gentle Cowl on a fall day

I love allforloveofyarn! Angela’s colors are great and the variegation doesn’t pool!

This cowl was knit in Eloquence–70% Bluefaced Leicester, 20%silk, 10% cashmere. It is super soft and drapy, light yet warm!

here’s how I knit it:

• 1 skein-100gms/430 yds fingering weight yarn.
• Gauge: 7sts/11rows=1″. Cowl is 23″ around/15″ long.
• US Size 2 needles (for working in the round) cast on 192 stitches. Join being careful not to twist stitches.
• Rows 1-3, (K10, p1, k2, p1, k10) 8 times.
• Row 4 (K10, p1, k2tog and DO NOT take off needle, knit into first stitch again and remove both stitches, p1, k10) 8 times. Repeat these four rows until desired length or until you have about 3 yards left, bind off loosely.

I took some photos and was visited by my friend Molly Brown. it took me a while to get her attention. There was a trick in the shape of a little green ball.

I finally got her attention!

Garter Stitch Borealis Wrap

I wanted something fun and easy and colorful to knit. I worked up this wrap using two strands of silk. I also did a few rows in Glace from Berrocco and then some novelty yarns that I had in my stash. Unfortunately the labels were lost long ago. The dark blue stripe(s) near the bottom were knit in a novelty yarn I bought in France in 1992. . . finally used up the last of it here.

I knit it from the top down using garter stitch.
The fronts are increased like EZ’s pi shawl and the back is increased along a center 10 stitches, similar to faroese shape.

This shawl definitely cured my itch.

Freeform Knit Vest

Well, I’ve finally finished this vest. . . it was meant to be a jacket but I didn’t like how the sleeves looked on it. But it is really comfortable and fun as a vest.

The base yarn for this vest is knit in garter stitch swatches in yarn I bought in Ireland 6 years ago. I love how it feels, durable and warm. I think I have enough left to knit a “regular” sweater.

Hand knit freeform vest

I started this vest during the 2008 summer Olympics. . . yup. . . I started it that long ago but it is done! (Unless I add sleeves to it)

Champagne vest button band

The buttons are from a box of buttons that my mom gave me. . .I think they are some kind of animal horn or wood. . . all I know is that they are not plastic.

Collar view of vest

The button band and collar are knt in Lamb’s Pride yarn from Brown Sheep. I knit the sleeves out of that too but they didn’t turn out how I wanted. I tried to make champagne glass shaped color pattern for the sleeves. But they are too bulky.

Free form knit Vest

Champagne Vest front right closeup

Finally - a view of the back!

I had so much fun crocheting the little circles. . .white in the center and pastel colors on the outside! Except one day I did too many and got a cramp  in my thumb!

Bottom of back

upper left shoulder of back

Still working on my art entry

These cones are coming along. . . the time is drawing near. . hopefully I’ll get it done. . .hate for all this work to go to waste!

Freeform knit and crochet fans

I’ve started to destash my fancy yarns and am selling it on Ebay

Check it out!!

There is a total of 390 yards of 39 different colors of yarns in 10 yard increments.

Yarns included are silk/mohair/cotton/wool/ribbon.

Save money and get some fun yarn to play with.

Right now all I’ve put together are blues – but stay tuned or more colors!

Oh my achin’ thumb!

I haven’t been able to hand knit or crochet for almost a month.

I am about to lose my mind.

It’s amazing how clean my house has become since knitting hasn’t been distracting me.

I was part of Ravelympics on Ravelry and thought I could finish a freeform knit/crochet sweater in 2 weeks. Silly me! The sweater isn’t finished.

I fell in love with these little bobbles and crocheted circles. . . then spent 4 hours crocheting. My first mistake! I have knit for 4 hours with no physical repercussions other than a bit of a stiff neck (and numb bum). But my poor little thumbs and fingers aren’t used to such small crochet movements. After this round of crochet I woke up unable to stretch out my left thumb or turn my wrist.

Okay, fine I thought. I can still knit. Ignoring the twinging, I to knit for about 1 hour. Not a good idea.

I pulled out the ice and ace bandage and ibuprophen. I was very good for two days; no hand work.

Then I went to an outdoor music festival and played fiddle for 2 days in the cool weather. Also not a good idea! More ice, bandaging and drugs!

Finally, today, my thumb and wrist don’t hurt. . . but I’ve got a good idea! I’m still going to hold off on the hand work for another day. (even though things don’t hurt today, they are still a bit stiff).

Maybe I’ve finally learned to listen to my body! (after 49 years, its about time!)

Fun with freeform knit and crochet

I was inspired by these fingerless gloves (scroll down her blog to find them) and just had to try my hand at it. Next I’ll try working some up in one color.

back to more knitting!!