I say “almost” because I ran out of patience in sewing the rest together this evening (I must confess that sewing in general rates on the “preferred things to do” list somewhere between cramming into a super-jammed streetcar in 35 degree heat, or is that 43 degrees with the humidex?… and going to the dentist for my 16th root canal. I must further confess that I’m not very good at it [sewing, that is!].

But I digress:

I am quite proud to have finished 1/4 of the knitting involved despite limited time of late (and despite whipping up yet another buttonhole bag, which I forgot to photograph before giving it away… oh well…).

Specs:

– pattern by Woolly Thoughts (a variation of Tilting at Windmills)
– each square is 6’x6′
– there will be 48 squares in total (really, there will be! If I keep telling myself this it will be true. Actually, the knitting is a pleasure. It’s the sewing I’m not too fond of… did I mention that already? ahem).
– yarn = Super 10 mercerised cotton
– needles = 4 mm Addi Turbo 16″ (started with 42″ or something, but far too unwieldy so had to go buy some more…)
– TV viewing of choice: endless reruns of Law and Order (we all have our weirdnesses, don’t we?)

I finally finished the mohair sweater. For some reason the neckpiece hasn’t turned out properly – probably my fault as I put a double strand of mohair in that section thinking it would strengthen it. So, I’m going to embellish/fill in gap with some crochet or ribbon yarn.

Pattern by Interweave Knits – Winter 2006 issue – “Cabernet Ribs”
Yarn: Zara
Needle Size: 4.5 mm.

PS. Have done a fix on the neck insert – 1 row of single crochet and some stitching.

I managed to sketch out a pattern for the Tilting at Windmills blanket which I will start whenever I have finished wrestling with the mohair (I have promised myself this much although am sorely tempted to abandon it)…

… and here is the cursed mohair. Might as well be trying to knit with cotton candy!

PS. (edited 8 January) I have already made a colour change to the pattern as I saw “imperial teal” at the LYS and couldn’t resist… starting knitting tonight:

new year 2007!

A little progress/setback update:

– stopped working on the advent blanket because other projects beckoned (see below 26 December). Will probably take it up next year again!

– also stopped work on the log cabin below due to a frogging mishap and also inherent dislike of the yarn I was working with. Am stashing it in the storage locker for possible future rehabilitation.

– work in progress: a lovely frou frou mohair/merino sweater in hot pink… I feel like the knitting alter of Marilyn Monroe!

…and in detail…

This is a pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2006 called “Cabernet Ribs”. Yarn by Zara. I suspect it will end up rather form-fitting (ahem)… but isn’t that what being a “sweater girl” is all about?!?

Right now have started work on sleeve 1 (in the mohair only). To be honest, this is slowgoing work for me – the first time I have worked using mohair only, and probably the last. However, I think the end result will be worth the taedium.

– another anticipated work-in-progress: a BIG blanket (to cover a queen-sized bed. It will be based on a pattern from the Woolly Thoughts web site (http://www.woollythoughts.com) but I’m not sure which one yet as I just ordered three. This project will help me cope with my ever-burgeoning Super 10 Butterfly stash…

– I have also started work on my first real “art” project… something using free form knitting/crochet. This is proving a real challenge as I have until late been a stickler for patterns! Stay tuned…

– I also have plenty of Brown Sheep worsted (in various blues) so will likely be churning out a felted bag or three in the near future.

– for Christmas a friend of mine gifted me with a funky mini shelving unit with about 40 spaces for small curios. I am going to turn this into a mosaic wall hanging with tiles. Again, stay tuned.

Lifewise (aside from knitting) I have just started a new job… a 3 month legal research gig. This is a welcome change from the hectic pace of my regular job. Also, it has the benefit of having an office located down the street from Loomis and Toles, where I spent too much money yesterday… buying graph paper for the blanket project plus any amount of sundry things for mosaic.

Everything else is low key as befits January … although I certainly am enjoying the temperate weather! Sat on a patio the other day for lunch, of all things!

And that’s about it…

Needing something simple to work on (what with all this festive cheer!), I hauled out this project which I usually reserve for commuting on the TTC. I have given up on the advent blanket for now as I prefer the colours in this. It is being made from part of my grandmother’s former stash… a 100% acrylic kit from the 1970s! Needle size 3.75 mm.

… which I am celebrating not with a trip to the mall (AGH) but by making boxes. Three, to be exact. Leftover Lamb’s Pride Bulky. The remaining one is done but awaiting felting.

… by a herculean knitting effort over the past two days. Spent Christmas Day watching Law and Order reruns and using up spare Lamb’s Pride Bulky. On Christmas Eve, knitted a new beret out of the blue. Please find below.

1. Fruit Bowl (hiding chipped bowl inside). Pattern from Leigh Radford’s “One Skein”.

2. Wee bowls. Pattern from “One Skein”.

3. Beret. Yarn is Jo Sharp Silk Tweed. Pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2006.

4. Purse. Pattern from “Knit One, Felt Too” by Kathleen Taylor with some modifications.

A couple of photos of a bag I made for my mother some time back and which she brought to town with her…

Knitted in Lamb’s Pride Bulky. Pattern from “Knit One Felt Too” by Kathleen Taylor.

A non-knitting post for a change (well, slightly):

What I want for New Year’s:

(a) in altruistic form:

– world peace
– banishment of the Harper government for some kinder gentler regime (I know not what in this bleak bleak land)
– failing all of that, an income for everyone which covers a basic cost of living

(b) selfishly speaking:

– Denise needles
– a lottery win for my work group pool (but then again, I haven’t checked any of our December tickets…)
– a trip to England and Scotland

(c) what I’ve actually received for Christmas/New Years (partly because me and partner have decided to give gifts all year…) or what my household has received:

– fabulous drapes
– Blundstone boots
– a new winter coat
– a leather bag (advance nameday gift from my mother)
– a surprise gift at my staff holiday party today from my former articling principal/current colleague: a t-shirt stating that “I took up knitting to keep me out of trouble”

Plus we have a new car to drive. So I really can’t complain.

The fun just never stops around here ..:-). Here is a felted hat – it doesn’t look as coneheaded on as off. Brown Sheep bulky and mohair (one strand mixed in). Appliques in Brown Sheep bulky as well.

And a slighly morphed picture of me wearing it…