2nd sweater on my needles: Chinese Lace Pullover

Been working on this slowly, but really enjoy the pattern. The pattern is "Chinese Lace Pullover" by Angela Hahn/Knititude. The suggested yarn is cotton, but I am making this with Woolganic DK color: Kundalini. I am modifying the pattern to work the top in the round and have just started the first sleeve. I hope to have this finished before the Ravelympics start (9 days and counting) or at least have both sleeves knit and joined to the body, working the collar decreases.

Still trying to decide what to work on during the Olympics. I am thinking a thrum moebius that I need for a gift in March and a quick pair of socks. There is also a shrug KAL on Ravelry that I'm considering. I am not a huge shrug fan, but I love the look of this one (Gordian Shrug). We will be traveling during most of the Olympics, so I need to keep that in mind. I will make my decisions and start gathering supplies this weekend...

Done...Summer socks.

But not in time for Christmas gift giving. The good news is that I am coming out of my knitting slump and I'm looking forward to finishing some projects and starting some new ones. Ravelympics2010 starts Feb 12 with the Winter Olympics so get those needles ready!

Here are the details for the finished socks:
Pattern: "Summer!" by Ingrid Hiddessen; link to free pdf here ; top down sock, picot edge, lace and cables
Yarn: "Nano" by String Theory, color: North Haven; 1 skein with about 1.6 z (or 30%) left over
Gauge: 8st/inch
Needles: US#2/3.0mm

Comments: I made the cuff longer and continued the lace and cable pattern to the toes.

Will I finish...

...these socks in time to gift for Christmas?

I am just starting the heel of the 2nd sock. I'll let you know after I recover from the holidays a bit.

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate. Happy holiday season and New Year to everyone. I'll be back in 2010!

Socks finally revealed: Saviano Passione

I haven't been able to share these until the pattern was released. These socks, which are a current favorite on my feet this winter, were a test knit for Yarnissima (aren't I lucky!). They were finished back in April. Have a look:

The yarn was to die for. It is "Angel" by The Natural Dye Studio. Baby alpaca, cashmere and silk. For socks. I love wearing these! And to top it all off, the pattern is available for free from Knitty (click title link below).

Here are the details:
Pattern: "Saviano" by Yarnissima from Knitty Winter 2009; 2 circ needle, toe up
Yarn: "Angel" by The Natural Dye Studio, color: Bluebell, 1 skein with about 40g (or 40%) left over (enough for a pair of baby booties!)
Gauge: 6.5st/inch
Needles: US#3/3.25mm

Comments: Wow...

Done!

It took longer than it should have, but it was all worth the effort:

I actually finished this a month ago and have been wearing it all of the time. It is so warm! I am glad I went with the zipper instead of the buttons--a new challenge for me. Another great pattern from Claudia at CountryWool. I am thinking about knitting a second one of these in different colors as a gift for a family member (can't say it out loud, they might be reading!).

Here are the details:
Pattern: "Faroe Island Vine Cardigan" by Claudia Krisniski/CountryWool
Yarn: "Dalegarn Heilo" by Dale of Norway; 100% wool
Color: 4246 wine; 3841 medium sheepheather
Needles: US#7/4.5 mm
Comments: A well designed pattern and classic cardigan.

On my needles

It's been a while since I've done much posting, but I have been knitting. I have started 2 new sweaters. Today I will share my cashmere sweater.

I have been planning this simple sweater in my head for years. I really wanted an accurate swatch so I started by making a very basic cowl. I used one skein of cashmere. I cast on 120 sts, joined in the round, and purled the first 2 rows. Then I knit until I had very little yarn left (about 10 1/4 inches from start), purled 2 rnds and BO purlwise. Here is the result:

My gauge before blocking was 5.5 sts/inch, after blocking 5 sts/7.5 rows/inch with US#7 needles. This was great as a quick, luxury cowl, but if I made it again, I would add an eyelet row approximately 1-2 inches from the start and make an I-cord so the top can be closed if desired.

And now for the sweater. It is a heavy modification of the Cashmere Pullover pattern from Hand Maiden. My version is a top-down, in the round, with light shaping through waist/midsection. Here's my progress:

I really love working on this. And since it is basically simple knitting in the round, it's a great carry-with-you project. I hope to have this finished in January.

New WOOLganic Color!

This just in: LOTUS

A new color in WOOLganic DK weight and we now have it in stock! Also back in stock: Raindrop and Leura Worsted Weight. Come see....