Slow and steady...

...wins the race.


That's what I have to keep telling myself with my Blomsterknopper cardigan. At this point in the game, I have five decreases completed on the body of the garment, with 12 more to go. This thing is killing me, but I know that it will be more fun to work on once I get a few more decreases under my belt (because there will be fewer stitches!). Right now, one row takes me approximately one million years.

I really want this sweater finished before baby Armen (aka "womb monster") arrives in June because it is a major project (not to mention, the yarn takes up a lot of precious closet space). I should really adopt a regimen of complete project monogamy, but that hasn't really been happening.

Article 1: Slouchy Entrelac Tam (pattern by Verbena Knits)


I have had this yarn in my stash waiting for this project for a few months now. It's Noro Silk Garden (which is in my list of favorite yarns that I rarely have an opportunity to use). I'm loving it so far and it has been working up really quickly!

Article 2: Baby Romper


I couldn't resist casting on for this one. It's in Crystal Palace Maizy, which is made of corn fiber! It's really nice to work with, kind of silky but softer than silk. I love it! I can't wait to put a human in it. :)

Article 3: Moderne Jacket


I'm crocheting this out of leftover (purple Cascade 220) and stash yarn (a cashmere blend I bought while I was still in Japan a million years ago). I will probably run out before it's finished. If I do, I'm not sure what I'll do to rectify the situation. The Cascade will be easy to find (I know finding the same dyelot would be nearly impossible, though). The other yarn is the tricky bit. I guess I will just have to find a yarn that is nearly the same color and weight. Since the yarns are held doubled, dyelots might not be that big a deal. Still, I can worry about that if I need to. I might end up having plenty of both. We shall see. This garment takes no time at all on a size N hook! Big crochet is definitely the way to go!

Other than those three new projects, I'm still working on that baby sack I was supposed to finish during the Ravelympics (but didn't). I don't pick it up too often.

I've also been weaving. I'm not sure if I mentioned this on the blog, but my amazing husband bought me a 24" Kromski Harp for Valentine's Day. :) Weaving is a slow process for me, but I'm definitely getting the hang of it.

Nerd Hot (and a Ravelympics update)

Well, since it's finally finished and done blocking...

The Nerd Hot Vest:




The last photo is a better representation of the colors.

• Pattern: #B65 Argyle Vest (bonus pattern for subscribers) from Verena Knitting Magazine. Ravelry link here. I named it Nerd Hot because that is exactly what it is! :)

• Yarn: Cascade 22o in purple and gray.

• Modifications: Original pattern is knit in the flat. I converted it to be knit in the round with arm and neck steeks.

• Verdict: I LOVE IT! It fits him perfectly. I was really worried when he tried it on before blocking it because it was small...comically small. It's amazing what a good block will do for colorwork!

So, mark that one off of my Ravelympics queue! The little baby sweater is coming along as well. All I have to do is sew on buttons and take pictures! I'm pretty sure that the baby sack and the crochet sweater will not be finished in time, but I am chugging along just the same. :)

On Progress

Max's vest is finished and is currently blocking! I had to stretch it pretty violently to get it to the specified measurements, but I think I got it under control. Once it's dry, there will be pics of Max wearing it...assuming it fits.

In the meantime, I thought it might be fun to show how this whole thing came together.

Here's what the steek stitches looked like before being reinforced with single crochet:


Here's what the steek stitches looked like after reinforcements were added (doesn't look much like a vest, does it? lol):


Here's the first armhole, with the steek already cut open:


Here's both armholes, steeked and finished:


Here's a scary picture of the neck steek being cut open:


Here's a picture of the result of that cutting (at this point, it actually looks like a vest!):


And finally, here is the finished piece, blocking and drying:


Yay for me! I'm calling this steeking experience a success. It was really fun and it doesn't unravel at all!! Now, I want to cast on a million colorwork cardigans just so I can steek them! I'm crazy.

Well, will you look at that?

That's some finished cullerwurk, if I ever sawr it.



Now, I just have to brace myself for the steeking. Deep breaths and hot tea are going to be my saving graces, since the booze is off-limits for quite some time, lol. When it comes right down to it, though, I'm not all that nervous about taking sharp scissors to my knitting. I trust that centuries of knitting wisdom cannot be wrong! :D

I'm actually going to finish something soon

Well, I have been knitting...just not very much. I'm about halfway done with a hat for my husband.


The pattern is Lillehammer (it's a ravelry link, sorry if you don't have an account). I'm using Knit Picks Merino Style. It will probably be a few more weeks before it's finished, but I'm excited to be close to finishing something.

Direct link to my ravelry project is here.

I'm still knitting

This is actually a knitting post, for once! :) I've got a couple of things to show you.

Blommsterknopper (a swingy cardigan):



Silk Stainless Steel Jacket:


Lillehammer (a hat):


Coraline Sweater!!!!:


I am most excited about the Coraline Sweater! I'm making it with this awesome navy blue yarn WITH SPARKLE that I found at Joann's! It's a Vanna's Choice yarn and I am amazed at how nice it feels despite being acrylic.

I'm sold! It's the perfect color (and the perfect price!)

I'm like a crazy person

I keep adding things to my queue in Ravelry. It is now three pages long!!

AND I've only added ONE pattern from the most recent issues of Interweave and Vogue Knitting. Just today, I've added the We Call Them Pirates Hat, Pirate Mittens, Anemoi Mittens, Endpaper Mitts, and the Squirrel and Oak Mittens!

I ordered part of the yarn for the Pirates Hat, before I realized there were mittens to match! I also went ahead and got yarn for another hat in my queue (this one's for me), the Inga Hat. PS...I've never really done colorwork before. I'm NUTS!!!! Let's hope I looooove colorwork, because I'm signing myself up for disaster if I don't!!!!

But I really love knitpicks...it all cost me about 11 bucks!!

Are any of "you" color/fair-isle knitters?? If so, do you have any tips, or suggestions (blog, book, tutorial recommendations??)? I would appreciate it!!!!