Tilly 娣丽; Coat No More

New Project:

Project:  Tilly 娣丽
Pattern:  Tilly from A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd
Yarn:  Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool 
Yardage:  2 skeins, 384 yards in stash
Needles: Size 6
Cast on: May 26, 2013
Notes: A Fine Fleece is one of my favorite knitting/fiber books, and every fiber lover should own it. The write up about various fibers was informative, and the patterns are beautiful. Lots of cables! Tilly is going to be my transition project until the next big project starts. After knitting lace for the last few projects, my hands are very happy to work on cables again.

A few months ago I showed you this Einstein Coat when I got it back from my mom. I originally knitted it for my mom, she outgrew it and gave it back to me when she moved in December. It didn't fit me, what am I supposed to do? Rip it of course, so I can use the delicious Fishermen's Wool again.

So it went from this:

To this:

Next thing is to wash the yarn, and dye it with food coloring. 

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog, and leave me a comment!

Liesl Finale, AGAIN!

the new front

much roomier sleeves

back still very pretty!

edging details

The first time Liesl was very pretty but uncomfortable to wear. Now she's still pretty, and without the stupid mistake (that I'm not going to talk about), she's very much a wearable garment. I'm very happy with the result. If you want to do a before and after, just click on the link and toggle between the screens.

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog, Tami's blog, and leave me a comment!

Liesl Redux

Redux

Was

Remember I wasn't complete happy with how Liesl turned out, with the tight shoulders and sleeves and all. I thought about how to fix the sleeves, so I ripped them out. Then I ripped out the body up to the end of the yoke increase, re-did the armholes, re-knitted the body on larger needles, now re-knitting the sleeves. You can't tell from the picture that well, but the armhole area is much more roomy now. I made a major mistake the first time around, so bad that I would not admit it. We agree to let it go.

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog, and leave me a comment!

Ginkgo Crescent Finale 银杏月亮

Project:  Ginkgo Crescent 银杏月亮
Pattern:  Ginkgo Crescent by Jade Keaney
Yarn:  Knitpicks Color Your Own, hand dyed by my friend Jocelyn 
Yardage:  about 350 yards
Needles: Size 7
Cast on: April 17, 2013
Cast off: May 2, 2013

Cost: None! 

Previous entry: here

Notes: In the designer's notes she mentioned there "may" be a bump in the center of the neck where you cast on and start the decrease, but a good blocking would stretch it out. When I finished knitting, there was a significant bump, make that some major mis-shapen going on in the center. It took A LOT of pulling and tugging and stretching to smooth it enough so the shawl looks crescent shaped. I'm so glad the yarn is strong enough to endure this. If I knit this again I would definitely recalculate the increase so there is no "bump".

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog, Tami's blog, and leave me a comment!

Playing with Ellen's Yarns

Nightsongs (Gail) got a nice soak the other day, and I pinned it to a yoga mat to block, since I can't find the foam blockers except for used kiddie mats (who knows what's been on them!). The stitches really opened up after blocking. Isn't it gorgeous? And if you still can't find the error, I think I'm getting away with it! This is one of my happiest projects from Ellen's Half Pint Yarns.

Next, turning knitting back into yarn. From this:

To this:

To this:

The sweater was ripped, yarn skeined and washed. I have:
- 9.75oz, 792.2 yards variegated Ellen's Half Pint Falkland merino
- 6oz, 487.5 yards lavender Ellen's Half Pint Falkland merino, custom dyed
- 50g, 146 yards Misti Alpaca Sport

We are having the first heat wave of the season. It's been in the 90s this week, the shawl and yarn both dried super fast. This picture was sunset on the lake I walk to regularly, looks like the sun was ready to explode behind the hills.

Happy Friday! Join the party on Andrea's blog, and leave me a comment!