It's been a busy knitting week. First, I finished the knitting of Clapotis. It still needs ends woven in, stitches dropped and a good blocking. I can't believe how long it's taking just to drop the stitches with Silk Garden. Next time, and there will be a next time, I will try to use something smoother so I won't have to go through this business. The knitting of Clapotis was an absolute joy and I'm already planning future versions. I did it with the twisted stitches on both sides of the fabric and the purl stitch for the dropped stitches. I actually think that's what made it such a fun knit. Anyway, I'll show a proper photo when blocking is done. Scrabble is lounging on Clapotis while I work on another little project that got frogged so many times I forgot to count.
These are my final entry for the Peaceful Palms Knitalong, my own fingerless mitts made with Wendy's pattern but adjusted for my gauge. This yarn is a handspun I got at my LYS and is from Tanglewood Fiber Creations. This stuff is gorgeous and so incredibly soft. It's superwash merino and comes in 200 yard skeins for a pretty high price. However, it's the first handspun I've ever used and was a treat for me at the holidays. This colorway is called "Newport Rocks". I can't find a link to a website, but did find it mentioned on another blog and in a shop newsletter (scroll down). I believe this spinner lives in Oregon. She actually came to my LYS a little while ago and did some spinning while in the shop, but I couldn't go for some reason. Wish I'd been there though. BTW, that's Ryan modeling the mitts for me. He was handy when I needed to take the photo a few minutes ago and now he thinks they're his! NOT!
In other news I got my package mailed off to my SP and got some photos before sending it. I really hope I did it all right, this being my first time. I did wrap everything nicely and with lots of color so it will cheer her up on a winter's day. I also chose my pattern for the Red Hot Sizzling Socks Knitalong and have cast on with my red Koigu. I'll be doing the sock pattern in the latest Interweave Knits called Embossed Leaves. It calls for a tubular cast on which is a new technique for me. It was kind of fun to do once I figured it out. I'm not sure as of now if these socks will fit me as I have size 9.5 feet and wide calves, but I'll soldier on because the pattern is really beautiful. I'm still on the ribbing, photos to come soon.
You'll also notice I joined Team Wales for the Knitting Olympics. I was really on the fence about doing it at all, but when I heard Brenda Dayne talk about it on the Cast-On podcast I figured I could be an honorary member and, anyway, that dragon is just too cool! So I'm still trying to decide what to do. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to knit a sweater in 16 days, but I just downloaded the Rogue pattern and have Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed on it's way to me, so we'll see. It certainly fits the knitting challenge part of the the Olympics!
While I'm talking about podcasts I just wanted to say how much I enjoy Cast-On! It's definitely my favorite of the ones I've heard. I'll do a little review of them sometime soon.
The handspun yarn looks beautiful in your fingerless gloves. I'm sure you'll enjoy wearing -- and looking -- at them!
Posted by: nona | February 01, 2006 at 04:21 PM
Hey there, hi there, ho there! Check your email for a certain little giftie from me :)
Posted by: yarnsecretpal | February 02, 2006 at 05:57 PM
Ooh, but I do like those silk garden colors! I was thinking about making a clappy with silk garden as well, but so far all I've heard is complaints about the hard-to-drop stitches. Sigh. On goes the search for the perfect (and more affordable) yarn;-)
Posted by: Julia | February 03, 2006 at 02:37 AM
Love all the colors in those fraternal fingerless mitts. Hope you had success in reclaiming them from the model!
Posted by: Laura | February 15, 2006 at 09:41 PM