I finished the Show Me Your Spots cowl a few weeks ago, but was unable to get myself photographed wearing it until this week. So here we are, in all our glory.
As I mentioned in my cast-on blog post, this pattern was chosen because it is a stash-buster. Lauren Sauvage publishes it on Ravelry, but also makes it available on her blog as a free pattern.
Now that it’s finished, I kinda like the way it fits and looks on me. So I reserve the right to keep it for myself, and not gift it.
Next week you get to see the stash-busting shawl that I am making. It is also a stash-buster. I’m improvising the design as I go along. It is looking great and I’m very keen to finish it up and show it off.
While visiting my daughter’s family last month, I had a chance to get the recipient’s reaction to her new vest. You can judge for yourself, but it looks to me like she is really pleased.
“Why, thank you Grammy!” “You are welcome, my love.”
Here is the post, originally published on Juny 12th.
Yes indeedy, today is Saturday But I assure you that I was able to finish this project yesterday, qualifying it as a Friday finish.:
I first wrote about this project in early May, having purchased the yarn while visiting Madison WI in mid spring. This Polkastripe vest is intended for my granddaughter.
The basketweave slip stitch pattern and general design I am using comes from Norwegian designer Anna Schei.
This pattern downloaded in pdf format. Consequently I was unable to use a translator to turn the instructions into English. No matter – what was important to me was the color chart. For the construction of the vest itself, I relied heavily on another baby vest pattern, also downloaded for free from Ravelry.
I recently learned that Lu likes wearing vests, and is practicing her buttoning skills. So I made sure that her summer vest included a front opening and button closure.
The pocket design is my own. You can read about it here.
With the heat of the summer beginning to settle in, it’s time to start projects that are A: not heavy in your lap. B. suitable for year-end giving and C. car trip worthy. Socks fit that description beautifully.
Today I am starting a sock pattern that has been in my library for some time. Hermione’s Everyday Socks, available on Ravelry, are simple to knit, but have a lovely texture created by working purl stitch sprinkled evenly throughout.
I have chosen to use a monochromatic colorway from Ewetopia that drifts from light to dark and back again. I’m hoping that the color doesn’t vary so much that it overwhelm the subtle stitch pattern. This yarn is called Wisco Sock, and is milled and dyed in Wisconsin.
The colorway is Superior, as in, the Lake. I’m very drawn to it – not a green but not a blue, rather a cool-ish grey such as how the lake surface may appear on a cloudy day. While I started these socks as a potential gift, it could be that I will selfishly keep them for myself.
Moving on to smaller and better projects, let me introduce Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Woodsmans sock pattern. Here you see my cast on, accompanied by my evening libation. I am working my pair in a thinner yarn than what is called for in the pattern. It’s a Berroco blend called Vintage DK.
These skeins were purchased at Sunset Yarns in Madison, WI this past spring. I adore the softness, and have high hopes that the elements of acrylic and nylon will keep my socks from getting holey before their time.
EZ’s pattern was published in The Opinionated Knitter, and can also be had on a streaming DVD video with Zimmerman’s daughter Meg Swansen.
The only variation I will be making to the pattern is to knit a 3 by 1 rib instead of the typical 2 by 2 version. I find this rib to be every bit as stretchy but it results in a smoother texture.
I’ve also started both socks, not exactly as the same time, but in tandem. While I haven’t perfected the magic loop technique, I have many no. 5 sock needles, and I purchased two skeins of yarn. The plan is to knit in sections: working each leg down to the heel flap, then work each heel flap, then turn each heel, etc. This could help me avoid single sock syndrome.
Leg
If I don’t have these finished by the time we leave for vacation in July, they will be a perfect travel project.
I’m a bit restless with knitting the Vogue sweater. I am about halfway finished with the sleeves and the back. There are long stretches of stockinette stitch yet to do. So to break things up a bit, I’ve cast on a new project using Berroco Remix yarn.
I picked up three skeins of this yarn while in Madison during March. Made from 100% recycled fibers, it is a blend of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk and linen.
While perusing Ravelry, I spotted this pattern by Anna Schei which will be perfect for my intended use.
This vest will be for my granddaughter. She is not quite three and very interested in dressing herself. The sprightly mosaic stitch pattern reminds me of her crazy-happy personality.
One small concern: The pattern is written in Norwegian. Fortunately, the color chart transcends language limitations and it is all I really needed from the original pattern. I will be adapting it to include a button-up front. My little one needs to practice her buttoning skills.
Daily Fiber 