Beaded loom purse

A non-knitting project I have been working on is a bead loom purse. It is a nice break from my knitting some nights. It took me forever to set up the loom, but once I got started it hasn't been so bad. I have no idea how I will do the finishing work, but I am a long way from there now. I have plenty of books to look through, but I will probably just go to my local beading store and ask for help. After the hours I will have into beading it, I do not want to ruin it in the end! Here's what I have so far:

Can you tell what it is supposed to be? I charted my own design and I will repeat it on both sides of the bag. It is intended to be a small bag for an evening out. Here is a close-up of the design:

I haven't worked on this recently, but I am sure I will begin again on one of the upcoming hot summer nights, when it's just too hot to play with yarn.

Pre-Aeolian

Less than a week until I start my summer lace project, the Aeolian Shawlette. I think I have everything I need ready to go.

*I have printed and highlighted the pattern.
*I have 2 sizes of lace needles ready (US 4 or US 5) so I can test both if needed with my swatch.
*I have made my Sea Silk into an outside-pull ball. This was a tip I picked up on Ravelry. A lot of people (but not all) have had tangle issues with Sea Silk as a center-pull ball, so to be safe, I have an outside-pull ball.
*I have bought my beads. I also bought some slightly larger-than-recommended beads in case I do not like the way the bobble looks and want to use a bead in place of the bobble. I will test that detail out with my swatch.
* I have my tiny crochet hook to place beads in knitting as per instructions. This is my favorite way to add beads to my knitting (I used this technique for Hanami and Swan Lake stoles).

The last thing I need to finish up before I swatch for Aeolian our my Zum Dirndls. I think I can finish them this weekend, which would make this project 2 years and 2 weeks old...

Busy test knitting

I have been busy knitting, but unfortunately I cannot share my work with you. All I can tell you is that I have been test knitting a sock for Yarnissima and I LOVE the design!! I really love all of her patterns, but this one is special. It will be in a future Twist Collective and I will be sure to announce when it is published.

What I can share is that I knit the sock using Casbah Amethyst. This is my first time knitting with Casbah and I can honestly say it has been my favorite sock yarn to knit with (could it be the cashmere??). I really hope it wears as well as it knits because I loved working with this yarn! Here's the pretty yarn I used:

Now I need to finish knitting my May socks, another Yarnissima design: Zum Dirndl. Sock 1 and the toe for sock 2 are complete. This is a knee high sock, so I will be busy.

How cool is this?!?!

Wind Powered Knitting Machine from Frankie Thom on Vimeo.

WIP: Chinese Lace Pullover

Another work in progress which I have recently picked back up:

As you can see, the body is done and I am working on the first sleeve. I was hoping to have this completed by now, but so many projects and so little time! The sleeves have been good driving knitting, so that helps. It shouldn't be too much longer now.

Summer Knit-A-Long

I've decided on my new summer lace project. I am going to knit the Aeolian Shawlette by Elizabeth Freeman (Knitty, Spring 2009). It only requires 1 skein of Sea Silk and I get to use beads!!

I plan to cast on around 6/1/2010. Would you like to join me for a knit-a-long? Let me know by leaving a comment or sending a note here.

Here's the color I think I will use:

Now to go pick out some beads...

WIP: Zum Dirndl

I have picked these back up after a nearly 2 year snooze. They were originally started on May 17, 2008. Can you guess my goal?....You got it, finish them before they are 2 years old! Here is where I left the lonely first sock:

I'm not sure why I put these down. I LOVE the pattern and I'm having a great time working on them again. This sock will be finished in the next day or 2 and then I will cast on its mate.

Juliet

One last finished project to share, and certainly my favorite: Juliet.

This project has been made 1000+ times on Ravelry and there were lots of modifications to check out. Here's what I did:
1. I made a size smaller than I typically would. It was a good thing: it really did grow with blocking.

2. To keep the hem and front bands from curling, I did a 6 row garter hem and 4 st garter band. I knit the 1st stitch through the back loop and slipped the last st purlwise wyf on every row for a nice edge.

3. I increased the length of the sleeves. I placed the sleeve stitches on a holder and later picked up 5sts under the arm and worked the sleeves in the round 7x.

4. I used 2 strands of yarn for the garter top and sleeves and switched to 1 strand for the lace body.

I can't wait for our weather to warm up a bit so I can wear this! It will be great this summer with a tank top under it.

Pattern details:
Pattern: "Juliet" by Sarah Johnson/Zephyr Style
Yarn: "Deep Earth Worsted" by Woolganic; 10 skeins
Needles: US#10.5/6.5mm
Notions: 2x coconut buttons, 1 3/8"/35mm
Comments: Quick and easy knit--very enjoyable!