End of August Update

After seeing the Yarn Harlot's pictures of the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket, I decided that I just had to make it as well. I checked the washable wool yarn that I had purchased a number of years ago (at the Coyote Yarns closeout sale), originally intended for a Rambling Rows afghan, and have determined that I have enough to make the Moderne Log Cabin. I will make it in five colors instead of four, but think it will be just fine. Each color will be used for two sections. Last week I cast on for the first section, and so far it's good movie theatre knitting (Julie and Julia on Friday, District Nine on Saturday).

Halfway through Lizard Ridge #2, using the second Kureyon color in my stash. Goal is to complete this one before Stitches (in less than two weeks) so that I can figure out what third Kureyon colorway to buy from Webs at the Stitches Marketplace. I don't have enough Kureyon in my stash to complete Lizard Ridge.

Tonight I turned the heels on my two two-up socks on two circulars. Now I can use them for movie knitting again.

I am ready to knit the toe on Lacunae #1.

Linen Cardigan

The Linen Cardigan from String is done. I finished sewing it together and weaving in all of the ends yesterday afternoon and evening, and today I washed and blocked it. It may be dry by now but I'm going to leave it pinned to the blocking board over night. I had to stretch it quite a bit while it was damp to get it back to the pre-washing measurements, and I sure hope the shape holds. It's just about a perfect fit (or at least it was before I put it in water.

Update, but no knitting today

Ok, so it's been a week since I posted, but that's better than a year, right?

I have finished knitting the linen cardigan (other than the front band) and have begun sewing it together. So far I have attached the fronts to the back and the sleeves to the body, and I have begun the side seams. I think I'm going to like it.

I have joined the front and back of the red pullover and have begun knitting one of the sleeves (down, from the body). I like it so far.

A few rows of the two-at-a-time toe-up socks on two circulars were knitted while watching Julie and Julia at Sundance 608 yesterday. Great movie. I hope the socks are half as good. I have about one inch to go before starting the heel. I still don't know how this -- no heel gusset -- is going to work. I'm knitting blind...

I should be knitting more, but have been reading some really interesting books -- in the past 2 months I've been working through the John Rain novels by Barry Eisler, and just picked up the latest one (2007) from the library. Before going to the library, I finished reading "A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick -- fascinating read.

Pictures soon.

Where did the last 12 months go???

It's been something like 359 days since I last posted here. So what? Maybe now is the right time. We'll see...

I am going to try using this blog to document the knitting I'm doing on a daily basis. If I knit that day, I'll blog about it.

So what are my current knitting projects? A Jane Slicer Smith sweater, a red pullover, several different socks, at least three shawls, and the String linen cardigan. I started two projects last week (!). Am I crazy or what?

Today I knitted on the right front of the String linen cardigan. Since last Friday I have knitted the back, left front, and one sleeve. At this rate I should be done by next weekend. It's a very enjoyable project -- large needles and large gauge so it's going quickly.

Pictures soon...

Ravelympics

Well, it's about time I resurrect this blog. And what better time than during the Olympics. I am participating in Ravelympics. I joined Team Knitting Camp, and am doing the Sweater Sprint. My project is February Lady, with Dream in Color Classy (In Vino Veritas colorway). I was able to cast on during the opening ceremony Friday morning (at 8:00 a.m. because we are visiting friends in Canada for a few days so I am currently in the Eastern time zone) and knit for a couple of hours that day. By Saturday morning I moved the stitches to yarn in order to verify that it was time to begin the lace pattern:



Last evening I worked a couple of lace repeats -- it's an easy lace pattern and a wonderful yarn to knit with so I am thoroughly enjoying this project.

That said, I keep wondering if I would like this sweater in a lighter weight yarn. I have some Silky Wool in my stash that, despite being a DK weight, knits up to the correct gauge and would, presumably, create an airy cardigan. I just might knit up a second February Lady with that yarn.

Other knitting: dog sweaters (what else!). I finished #4 of a group of 5 (one in each size of the Cabled Cassini) on the drive to New Hamburg on Thursday, so now I am in the middle of the turtleneck for the fifth, and last, sweater in this project. I need to get this last one done this week so that will probably be my car project while we are driving home tomorrow. Not sure if a 10-1/2 hour drive will be long enough for me to finish, but it just might be.



(February Lady outside the Puddiecombe house, aka Frances' new home.)

Almost Ready...

I'm about to wrap the last of my Christmas presents, and only have one watch cap left to knit. I can't wait to see Jarek's reaction to the scarf he requested: The cap that Snoopy is wearing is for Larry. The one still in the works will be for Jarek and will more closely resemble the scarf, with blue and red interspersed.

It's December already?

Where did November go? Seems like I just wrote about my first days of retirement, and now my first month is gone! I'm trying to get into some sort of daily routine, but no two days are alike so that is difficult. I have been successful at going to our fitness club every morning (Monday through Friday) and taking either a low-impact aerobics/toning class or something called Body Sculpt. I wasn't sure I would like the group experience (I'm one of those lonely long distance runners) but I'm finding it to be really quite enjoyable. The same people show up at the classes in the morning, and I'm starting to get to know some of them. This past week I even managed to run 3 miles on a treadmill after Body Sculpt.

So far I haven't spent much time during the days knitting or spinning. But I have managed to finish the equilateral vest:



I really like the way it turned out, and have even worn it a couple of times. I thought the i-cord border would take a long time, but it actually went quickly.

I have also finished a couple of scarves, one for me and one that will be a gift to someone at some point. Hobbes has become a useful model, it turns out.

Today we are having the first major winter storm of the season. Started out with 5-6 inches of snow, followed by sleet, freezing rain, back to sleet. Something's still coming down, and the winds are expected to pick up over night.