CountryWool Retreats

One of my spring highlights is going to a CountryWool Knitting Retreat in Cape Ann, MA. These retreats are organized and run by Claudia at CountryWool. They are small in size and packed with loads of wonderful knitting tips. I've known Claudia for 5 or 6 years now and have been going to her retreats for the past few years (she also has spinning retreats). 2 piece's of praise for Claudia and then I will move on:
1. I am very critical of knitting patterns. My education and former work was in medical research, where I analyzed data. The reason I have yet to offer one of my patterns for sale is that I am neurotic about making sure all of the little details are mentioned and correct. Claudia's patterns are VERY detailed and clear and I highly recommend them.
2. Claudia is a wonderful teacher. She can take a room full of knitters of all levels and everyone will leave having learned something new.

This coming weekend I am off to my third Cape Ann Knitting Retreat: Reversible sweaters. In 2007 we did Faroe Knitting (remember that cardigan I have almost finished) and in 2006 it was Nordic Knitting. My Nordic sweater is my favorite winter sweater, but it deserves a post all its own, so I'll share that later!

Firestarter Socks complete!

Yeah, they're done and I am really happy with them. I made these as a Christmas gift (trying to be ready for the holidays this year), but I really wish they were for me! I don't enjoy knitting a second pair of the same sock pattern, so I guess I'll make myself a different pair of socks in the same yarn sometime soon.

So here are the details:
Pattern: "Firestarter" by Yarnissima; toe up with a fun, unique gusset
Yarn: Nova Socks (100% merino superwash wool), 1 ball
Color: Jester
Gauge: 7 st/inch
Needles: US#2.5/3.0mm

My comments:
1. Changed the provisional cast on to Magic Cast-On.
2. Pattern recommended gauge of 8 st/inch; I have 7 st/inch
3. I continued with St St up the front of the shin and ribbing in the back. I did ribbing all the way around for the last inch--probably should have ribbed 1 more inch.

I am really excited to start my next Yarnissima pattern: "La digitessa". Unfortunately, they probably won't be cast on until June because I have 2 other pairs of socks in the queue for April and May.

I'm back

...and finally settling back in. I had a relaxing vacation in a warm and sunny part of the world. And I had some knitting time!

I'll start by sharing my Mystic Light swatch, since the first clue was released just this morning. I originally planned on using Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 for this shawl because that is the yarn the pattern was designed with and I have a few skeins on hand : ). But then I happened upon another lovely yarn, Blue Heron Yarns "Rayon Metallic" and the color screamed "Mystic Light". So I made my swatches (after the first swatch I tried going up a needle size):

I knit the first swatch with US 5/3.75mm needles and the second swatch with US 6/4.25mm needles. Gauge does not matter so much with shawls, but I am way off. Anna (pattern author) had a finished swatch measurement of 11cm wide by 16 cm long. My second, larger swatch measures 7.5cm x 10.3 cm. I have decided that this must be an omen (it couldn't be that I wasn't paying attention...). I am supposed to use the FA Merino 2/6. So I am off to make a third swatch while everyone else gets to start the actual pattern.

PS...do not worry about the now-abandoned Rayon Metallic. I see a nice summer tank in its very near future...

No good pictures to share

I haven't had much time for knitting the past week or two, so not much to blog about. I did do a swatch for the Mystic Light KAL, but I need to make a second swatch because I think I should go up a needle size. I am going out of town early tomorrow morning and I am planning on getting a lot of knitting done while traveling. I will post my progress next week when I get back.

Jacobean socks

Well, I'm tired, but I finished my SKP2008 socks 2 days ago. Then I decided not to knit yesterday, but I'm jumping back in today.

So here are the details:
Pattern: Jacobean by Julie Persinger for SKP2008 sock1; toe-up pattern with short row heel; magic loop or 2 circular needles
Yarn: "Jitterbug" from Colinette; 1 ball (Recommended yarn=fingering wt)
Color: Velvet Damson #118
Required Gauge: 8 st/inch; My gauge: 7 st/inch, but I was making these for a Men's size US10 and the pattern was written for Women's size US7-9, so I did not adjust the pattern.
Recommended Needles: US 1.5 /2.5 mm (I used 2 circ US4/3.5mm)
Comments: Fun pattern to knit. I hope the short row heel holds up (I usually only use short row heels for baby socks and Christmas stockings).

You really can't see the diamond design in these pictures, but the design looks nice in person.

And here is a close up of the short row heel:

Back to knitting today. I hope to finish up my Firestarter socks.

Merry March!

Merry March! Here in Maine, spring is only a couple of months away. I have lots of knitting projects planned for March. Here goes, in order to be completed:

1. SKP: Sock Knitters Pentathlon Sock 1: pattern released midnight on Friday. I had guest all weekend, so I didn't cast on until yesterday. Finished 2/3/08

2. Finish my Firestarters. I am so close... Finished 3/28/08

3. Another thrummed moebius. This one is a requested gift for my dear stepmom. Her birthday is in March and she will be coming for visit March 20, so it needs to be completed by then. Update: I never even started this, but I will get to it soon...

4. HSS3 socks: Hogwarts Sock Swap socks: I need to knit at least 1 sock and cast on the second. I would like to mail them the first week in April. Update: well, I cast on sock one 3/29/08...moving this to April's list

5. Faroe Cardigan: everything must be knit and ready for steeking by the end of the month. I will be going to another of Claudia's knitting retreats in the first week of April and I want to wear this there (if I feel brave enough to steek it before I go...)! Update: never got to it in March

6. Mystic Light KAL: the swatch will be released sometime in the next week and the first clue will be released March 26. I hope to finish each clue before the next one is released, but that may be a bit too ambitious. Update: I tried 3 different yarns/swatches....

7. Project of the Month (Ravelry group): this month we are knitting "Fetching" fingerless mitts. Update: given the way the month was going, decided not to even attempt.

8. Monthly Adventures: an easy swap this month; no knitting, thank goodness, because I am going to be busy! Update: I did manage to mail these out before the end of the month!