I really really hope

That the recipients of this gift are not reading my blog. I hope. Hope hope hope. Because here she is:

Pattern: Girasole by Jared Flood

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Superwash - ~15 skeins
Needles: 9 circs
Mods: I left off the last repeat of chart G (last one before the edging)
I liked the 3-2-1 effect of it, plus I wasn't sure if I was going to
run out of yarn or not.

This is a wedding gift for a very dear friend of mine. I had thought it was going to be a wrench to give away, but actually, I'm kind of looking forward to it. She's going to have to go out for a few more photo shoots though... once she's done blocking.

I'm pretty sure I'll knit this again - the pattern is really well written and easy to follow, once you remind yourself how to read charts. Plus I think I would like one for my own living room - maybe in a deep burgundy red... jes?

Girasole...

...is done. Waiting patiently to be washed and blocked by its ridiculously busy knitter.

A shiny red wagon...

...that I have fallen off the back of. *sigh* How could a month go by and I haven't noticed? Actually, I know how, but I won't depress you with the details. The point is, I am back on my shiny red wagon. And despite my silence the last month, I HAVE been knitting, but it's secret knitting and not available for public consumption as of yet. Soon, my pretties. Soon.

You're calibrating the what?

The cigar knucks. I had originally knit these for my Uncle Scott, but... but. I am sorry to say that he is no longer in need of gloves of any sort. These are to be bequeathed to my Uncle Norm (my aunt Melody's husband).

I asked my darling husband to model these for us and told him to just do something with his hands.

"Well, I suppose the flux capacitor needs some calibration..."

Melodious gloves

In January, my immediate family reconnected with my father's sister, Melody. It's been years, both sides have had troubles, and we all just kind of fell away. And despite the circumstances, it was wonderful to see her again - I had forgotten just how warm and funny a woman she is.

At dinner one evening, my aunt Melody bequeathed to me a beautiful scarf that she had knit herself. A discussion of knitting ensued, and she mentioned that she hadn't gotten the nerve to try gloves yet... enter the Melodious Gloves.These gloves are the result of two beautiful patterns... the Cigar gloves from Knitty, and Susie's Reading Mitts, by Janelle Masters. The colors were inspired by my aunt Melody - her favorites. I am hoping she likes these - they are a surprise...

And just in time for summer. I *REALLY* need more time to knit.

The Duchess

My yarn arrived, and I knit my fool head off. Only took me two evenings to finish this sweater, mostly due to my lack of skills with scissors and some mad ripping. So without further ado... voila.

Pattern: The Duchess Raglan
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Closeout - 11 skeins
Needles: 10 circs
Mods: None

When I first tried it on, it was a bit snug. So I blocked the hell out of it and now it fits like a dream. I might make a few mods though - I might crochet on some edging to keep the lower edge flat, and I might put even another inch or two in the midsection. I like my sweaters long in the middle. But! All in all, I'd have to say that I'm totally in love. The yarn is a dream against my skin... snuggly warm and smooshy and soft. Not one itchy from it! And the color is lovely - the color of ripe raspberries. Oh! Raspberries! Yummmm....

How is it that knitting always brings me back to food?

A poem

Roses are red...
this sweater is too...
I've run out of yarn,
So sad, but so true!

Thank heavens for ebay. I have three more skeins coming to help me finish - same lot and all! The yoke should be no problem - I'm going to have to do some creative editing of that midsection though. Can't have my belly button peeking out!

I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated. Where does the time go?! I've been knitting, slowly but surely. The shawl collar sweater is coming along... slooooooowly. The collar takes forever! I'm also knitting a pair of pretty pretty gloves for my aunt, in return for a delicious scarf she gave me last month. So it's coming along. Hopefully I'll have some FOs for you on my next post... I have a rather ambitious project waiting in the wings, and it's got a deadline. I got to get knittin!