Knitting Update: January 19, 2018

I finished up my Bolt Shawl this week.  I knit mine using 2 colors of Aerten Sock (80/10/10 SW merino/cashmere/nylon) in Soot (dark gray) and Chimney Sweep (speckle dye).

Pattern design by Veera Valimaki.  I used approximately 260 yards/60 g of Chimney Sweep and 218 yards/50 g of Soot to knit mine.

Very fun construction - and a quick knit to boot.  It features garter stitch stripes, short row shaping, multidirectional knitting and some plain garter stitch.   I would categorize this more as a large scarf than a true shawl - it's not very big - but it was a blast to knit AND I got to use a couple of my favorite colorways for the Wooly Wonkapalooza "gray" prompt. 

Knitting Wednesday: January 3, 2018

I'm really going to try to make sure I do more scheduled posts here on the blog in 2018!  (Giving myself permission to slide a bit when I'm on travel but otherwise, I'll attempt to be better about posting here.)

This week, I'm working on a few different knit projects:

• I'm in the home stretch on the contract design sweater I've been working on for what seems like ForEVER. The plan is to finish that up this week.  I ordered and received the buttons I need to fully finish it post-blocking, and it'd be really nice to have that off my plate. 

• I am hosting a year-long craftalong over in my Ravelry Group - Wooly Wonkapalooza 2018.  Each month we'll have a different set of prompts to try to motivate everyone (me included!) to get some crafting done - spinning, knitting, crocheting are all fair game.  January's prompts are lace projects and/or gray.  I've opted to cast on Veera Valimaki's Bolt Shawl in Aerten Sock in Chimney Sweep and Soot.  Just a small start on this, but it's a start!

On deck, I've got new designs to work on for Filament magazine's spring collection.  I've got yarn in hand for 2 of those, and another project's worth en route, so I'll have plenty to keep my needles busy.  I think the first thing I'll likely tackle is a colorwork set - I've got basic charting done on that and I'll be able to cast on once I take a look at some gauge numbers. 

Happy Knitting!

Knitting Friday - September 29, 2017

October is almost here!  And I thought it might be time to get back into the swing of knitting/spinning blogging.  (Better late than never, right?)

I'm hosting a Socktober craftalong over in my Ravelry group.  Any pattern, any yarn is welcome as long as it's socks!  I'm going to be casting on a pair of Gravel socks using Wooly Wonka Beryl Sock on Sunday to kick off the event.  I'm using a skein of Under the Cherry Tree which is kind of a departure for me since I usually like plainer socks, but I love the colorway and thought these would be fun.

I've also been working on the Bailey Cardigan; pattern by Amy Christoffers.  I've gotten all of the knitting done and seamed up the body.  I need to knit and attach the pockets and finish the I-cord edging on the front edges and cuffs but I'm hoping to finish that up this weekend.

This was a stashbuster project as I'm trying to get my yarn and fiber stash down to more mangeable levels.  To that end, I reorganized the stash over the last week, pulled some things out for giveaway-ing, and repacked/reordered bins to tidy things up.  I have a LOT of sock yarn I need to make use of, as well as a bunch of sweater lots of things I'd also like to get knit up into actual wearable garments.  In reorganizing, I didn't realize (but I do now!) how MUCH 2-ply jumperweight/fingering yarn I have for colorwork projects, so I think 2018 may be the year of stranded knitting to try to use up a bunch of what I've got.  I earmarked several Alice Starmore patterns that I want to work up, so I may tackle one of those next.

I did also get back into my spinning groove this week, but I just finished plying up a small skein and I need to work on the companion skein to go with it, so I'll wait and share those next week!

WIP Wednesday: May 18, 2016

Happy WIP Wednesday, y'all!  If you want a bunch of details, you can pop into my podcast, Episode 14, where I talk about the things I'm working on here:

Show notes can also be found in my Ravelry group here.

For the short version, here's what I'm working on:

Sekret Knitting:

• I've finished up the cardigan for the 2016 fall design collection.  That's heading off to my TE and testing shortly. 
• I've cast on for the pullover for the fall design collection.  This is a DK-weight pullover and I've got one sleeve just about done (I need to finish shaping the sleeve cap) and started on the body.  I'm hoping to get through at least half the body this week so I can hopefully put in some focused time and have that completely done by the end of the first week of June.

Personal Knitting:  In general, I'm gearing up for StashDash 2016, which kicks off May 27th,  and trying not to cast off very much right now, so I've got a bunch of things on the go!

• May self-striping socks in the "Kiva" colorway on Wooly Wonka Fibers Aerten Sock, using CC Almon's Espresso Macchiato Socks pattern. IOne sock is done (just needs blocking).  I've got the other one finished except for the afterthought heel - which I'll do after StashDash starts.

• Hermione's Everyday Socks knit from Spun Right Round's 80/20 Sock in the "Dirty Denim" colorway.  One sock finished and the second one is OTN, about a third of the way done the leg.  My plan is to try to get these done except for perhaps the toe on sock #2 so I can cast those off once StashDash starts.

• The Lizzie Shawl, a reknit of one of my designs with updated increases and a new colorway.  Working this up on Nimue Sock in the medium size in the Miss Elizabeth Bennett colorway.  I'm a bit further along than this progress photo.  This is at the end of the garter-stitch section, and I've done half the knit-on lace edging/border already.  Again.... I'm planning to try to have this done except for the last lace edging repeat, so I can cast it off for StashDash yardage.
  
• I'm also working on squares for my Cozy Memories/mitered square scrap sock yarn blanket.  Those are ongoing and I'm shooting for 4 a week or thereabouts.