Wednesday, April 27

My apologies.

I know I have been a bad blogger lately. It's not that I haven't wanted to post - mostly that I've felt like anything I've wanted to post was not interesting enough or knit related. Well, so what? This is my blog, I'll write what I want! (Does it sounds like I've convinced myself yet?)


I have been knitting, just not much. The weather has started turning nice here in Iowa, and it is hard for me to sit still and knit while the sun is shining. I am about halfway through a sock (the first of the pair) I started almost a month ago. I also restarted my top-down seamless raglan sweater and am almost finished with the increases. I'll take a photo of each soon.


Now, on to another reason I haven't posted lately: I am getting married June 26th! All the planning/shopping/worrying as kept me quite busy. Besides the normal anxieties, the ceremony and reception are taking place near our parents homes, about 4 hours from where we live. So I can't do most of the stuff directly (thanks for all the help Mom!) except on weekends. And we are going to be driving there almost every weekend this month. Cross your fingers that everything comes together smoothly for us!

Sunday, April 10

Weekend Diversions

Lately I have had a strong urge to learn how to use the drop spindle I got ages ago on eBay. So after finding a few good websites, some with video clips, I managed to produce this:






I can't decide if it is really pathetic or a good first try. Using the drop spindle was a lot more difficult that I expected (and I didn't expect it to be a piece of cake). I think I just need to get past the initial learning curve and things will go more smoothly. There were a few short moments while I was spinning this when things seemed to "flow" well - there wasn't too much or too little twist, the yarn wasn't too thick or thin, and my drafting triangle was working nicely.

Now I can't wait to try again!

Wednesday, April 6

Sock Dreams

(Maybe I should re-name this blog.)






I finished my Ripple Rib socks. They are made from Cestari 70% cotton, 30% wool DK weight yarn. I tried repeatedly to take a close up of the rib pattern on the cuffs but never did get anything worth posting.

I have already started my next pair of socks, and will take a picture once I charge the batteries in my camera. (For the record, they are plain stockinette stitch in Opal lollipop)


What? My top-down raglan sweater? Oh yeah...

When it came time to increase and place markers for the sleeves, I realized that somehow I had cast on 14 too few stitches and had to frog the entire thing. I'm sure you won't be shocked when I say I haven't started again yet.

Saturday, April 2

What's wrong with me?



Mollie says, "It's no small thing."



I am still here and knitting. Not loads, but some. As proof, I offer the collar of my Incredible Custom Fit Raglan Sweater. (Plus some pink flowers in apology.)





I am using Debbie Bliss Merino Aran that I purchased on clearance last summer. Some of you may realize that this is my first sweater.

Well, maybe someone would if anyone actually still read this blog.

The reason I haven't knit a sweater is not for lack of skill (I hope), but for lack of interest. I have been thinking about knitting a sweater for a while now (read: years) and figured it was about time. Of course, it is going to be way to warm to wear a wool sweater by the time it is finished. But that sort of practical thinking never seems to phase me.

I am also thisclose to finishing a pair of cotton/wool socks - I am making a promise to myself to post a photo of them as soon as they are done!