August 29, 2010

girl day

This is what my daughter called yesterday, as it was the day we got up early and headed over to the salon to have our hair done for my niece's wedding, then dressed up and hung out with the bridesmaids while they had their makeup done. We had the backstage pass because my daughter was the flower girl; an honour she accepted with much seriousness and anticipation.


Her main job turned out to be ensuring the adorable 3 year old ring-bearer made it down the aisle with the rings, which they both managed to pull off. The wedding itself was beautiful and full of fun and my children never let the dance floor grow cold.

I did manage to find something to wear and not finding something summery to wear to a summer wedding until the very last minute of summer meant it was also on sale. :)

Knitting-wise, this is my current obsession, in between working up a pattern for some incredible fibre Lisa sent me. More on this later.

Happy weekend, peeps.

August 23, 2010

shiraz

Pattern: Shiraz by Thea Colman
Yarn: Knitpicks Swish worsted in 'Dublin'

You may recall I was testknitting a lovely sweater back in July - here it is! Thea has released another fabulous and totally wearable design. Last week it cooled down enough (momentarily) for me to actually wear it and it was super comfy. Now the heat's back, so it will have to wait.

My Shadow cardigan pattern is back from the tech editor - please let me know if you're up for testknitting. Do not fear the steek! It's easy as pie and I'll walk you through it.

Edited to add: I have enough test knitters for the Shadow cardigan now. Thanks for your help!!

Hope you're enjoying these last days of summer.

August 14, 2010

Shadow




Pattern: my own
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts BFL Sport in colorway 'Shadow'
Needles: 3.75mm and 3.25mm

The black blob of the previous post is now done. It's a raglan shouldered top-down cardigan knit in the round, with a steeked front opening. The cuffs have a turned hem and the front opening has an attached i-cord edging with button loops. Some waist shaping achieved with 2" of ribbing.

Despite the heat, this was an extremely enjoyable knit. Sitting right next to the air conditioner helped. It went really fast, as it's all right-side stockinette and it was great to be able to try it on as I went. I made this one with zero ease (36"), as Amy is often saying zero ease in the bust is a good thing. I frequently default to +2" or more; maybe it's my mid-80's grunge highschool self talking there.

I am so pumped/pimped for fall. Happy weekend.

August 7, 2010

insane in the membrane

It's hovering around 30 degrees celsius (86 F) most days here with a high humidity level because it's wanted to thunderstorm every 12 hours for the past 3 months but I'm knitting with wool. Black wool, no less. And a whole sweater's worth; no fooling around on a little hat or sock. But I had an idea and for some reason I have to knit it up. Right. Now.

I am also thinking about some quick projects using handspun. There's a cool contest going on right now on Ravelry for just that. I don't happen to have any of that particular fibre in my stash (I don't know how that happened) but I'm thinking of doing it anyway and just not submitting.

If I can manage to switch my thinking to small, quick and light on my lap.

Happy Saturday!