MARCH CARROT

In a few weeks I will celebrate one of those milestone birthdays. Since I have already celebrated several of those this is really no biggie but nevertheless it does mark the fact that I have become really old. Not much that I can do about it, so might as well go to camp and spin with Judith to celebrate. Which is exactly what I plan to do come March! WAHOO!!!! Just talked to Morgaine and she is saving me a spot.

TO KEEP MY GRANDMOTHER CARD CURRENT...

I saw the Cinderella dress on another blog and the book just jumped into my hands and came home with me. While the dress is cute, there is a coat that is a real beauty and a muff that any girly girl would love. I can't decide if it is going to be worth the monumental amount of time any of these would take to do yet. The girls are both at stages where they grow so fast that I might not get the garment done before they outgrow it.

WEAR ANYWAY WRAP

vt2
Originally uploaded by theresart

About three-quarters finished this is from the most current, or may the one before that, Interweave Knits. It is a shawl, vest or scarf depending on how it is wrapped around your body. The original chart in the magazine for the cables was impossible to follow and now I find out that it was wrong. I substituted Norah Gaughins reversible cable and am very happy with it. I am trying to get this done before the cold weather ends. I had a gift certificate from a friend to use at Knit Picks an brought the yarn there. Though I don't usually care for their yarn, this is knitting up quite well and has a slight tweedy look to it.

NEW YEAR SPINNING

Polworth
Originally uploaded by theresart

Have got to get busy and start spinning down the stash as it is overtaking the house. I am working on the studio and hope to have glorious photos as soon as I get some furniture moved.

Two years ago at SOAR I purchased some brown polworth and this year got two colorways. The yarn is really brown and not purple as in the photo--taken under an OTT light, so go figure. It is a three ply, fingering weight and this skein, plied on the new jumbo bobbin, is 8.8 ounces, 628 yards. I still have tons to go. I forgot to take a photo of the swatch I did over the holidays but think that this will end up in a garter stitch modular project. I hope to have enough fiber to be able to ply up the colorways with themselves for accent. Stay tuned.

SECOND FO OF THE YEAR

Knit on the way to Soar Scarf
Originally uploaded by theresart

My "Knit on the Way to SOAR" scarf was literally started for the trip and finished on my return. The fiber is BFL, Chameleon Colorworks Spring colorway and was inspired by a Kathryn Alexander class at Madrona in 2007. The bobbles on the end are thanks to my other goddess, Vivian Hoxbro.

PICTURES FINALLY

Onebelow Scarf
Originally uploaded by theresart

First FO of the year--tadah!! My scarf knit with left-over hand-dyed, handspun corriedale singles made for the Kathryn Alexander mitts. Still need to press the triangle edging but love this technique and will be doing more. In fact I have a vest going from some yarn bought at the Golden Gate Fiber Institute. I really like the color possibilities and the lack of multiple small balls.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Still haven't taken any pictures of the FO's and yes, there are several. Among them are two scarves done with some handspun, one of which has made several public appearances.

The books are all part of the Christmas loot--lucky, lucky, so very lucky me. The Amazon wish list feature really works!

Reversible Knitting contains few garment or accessory patterns but lots of stitch swatches and directions. These are some of the best that I have seen and I wanted to sit Christmas day and start swatching away but was at my daughter's house and had no spare yarn or needled with me. I did come home and start a scarf with some Chameleon Colorworks handspun
in the Black Cherry colorway that I am happy with so far. There were so many to choose from that it was hard to settle down to just one. This book will keep me going for quite a while

The Mary Thomas book is another treasure of new patterns
and ideas. I love these old Dover books and am so glad that
they keep these titles in print as they are part of our history and
should not be lost.

Knitting Brioche is another inspirational title and is full of great
photos. This is something else I plan to pursue this year along
with more lace knitting.

My new loom is still sitting in the same place i dumped it after bringing it home. There was no spare time for me during Christmas as I had to go into work even though I was on vacation. Maybe this spring....