Way too lazy

I've been way too lazy about posting -- I have been busy knitting, however. I've finished the Standing in the Shadow of Love socks from the Six Sox Knitalong, my Leaf Lace shawl (finished 1/17 and finally blocked yesterday), and a pair of socks using Opal Southwest #2, a color that is apparently discontinued -- I purchased it on ebay.

I have read in several places about people having trouble with the Jaywalker sock pattern being too tight, so I decided to make a pair to see what all the fuss is about. The pattern is fun, and I'm using a self-striping yarn -- Opal Rodeo color 1153. I have realized I have no artistic vision -- I didn't know the socks would look so cool! I don't have enough done yet to try on & see if they'll be too tight.

I also started the Feb. sock from theKnitter.com, a light & dark pink slip-stitch pattern called "Pink Ladder Socks". The yarn is Cascade Bollicine Dolly, 100% extra-fine merino -- very soft & nice. It's looking really good, but I'm not sure the leg is going to be big enough around. I probably should take it apart and make the larger size.

I have signed up for the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics. My project will be a Rogue hoodie for my 17-year old daughter. I have ordered KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Fern, and have done my gauge swatch. Now I'm just waiting for the Opening Ceremonies on Feb. 10th. I thought that having a goal of finishing a project in a set period of time would be a good way to make sure the sweater actually gets done.

Camo socks

Here are the camo socks -- I got 3 pair out of 2 hanks of Twinkletoes sock yarn (from ebay seller Over the Rainbow yarns).

Sampler Shawl

This is my completed Sampler Shawl, from Folk Shawls. I used Alice Starmore Scottish Campion, purchased on ebay. Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift is the same thing, and I did have to find some more to complete the shawl. It's very long -- 90" or so, I think. The rows are 399 - 400 stitches long! (Depending on the stitch pattern, you increase or decrease as instructed.)
















What is it about damp wool that is so attractive to cats?
More stitch detail:

Doll poncho

This is the doll poncho I made for my niece. The Yarn is Lamb's Pride worsted. The pattern was adapted from the real-people-sized one in The Knit Stitch.

Oregon vest

The dreaded zipper application in my sister’s vest --

I thought about trying to sew it in with the sewing machine, but after consulting several books and websites, decided to do it by hand. It involves pinning the zipper in place, backstitching it to the vest, and then whip-stitching the edge of the zipper down.






And here’s the whole vest, relaxing in a chair on the deck:

Still Here

I'm still here -- been busy knitting Christmas gifts, 2 of which were started & finished between Christmas & New Year's eve. My parents got socks (Dad) and a Koigu neck cozy (Mom). I knew we'd be seeing them on New Year's eve, so I did theirs last, and last turned out to be after Christmas. But I think they liked them. Having some issues uploading pics right now, so I'll have to try again later.

Other finished items:

• Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole (I love it!)
• Alison's orange bliss scarf in ecru Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky (surprise Christmas gift for know-it-all 17 yr. old daughter)
• Needlecraft University's top-down sweater with set-in sleeves in TeAwa Wools Natural Wools (New Zealand) semi-worsted (which my mother-in-law brought back from a trip to Australia & New Zealand several years ago, and was anxiously waiting for it to become something)
• one-skein hat in Noro Kureyon #92, which I whipped out on the day after Thanksgiving and gave to my grandmother
• 2 pair of camo socks in Twinkletoes sock yarn from Over the Rainbow yarns on ebay; I'm reknitting the legs on one pair, because the recipient says the socks kept falling down when he wore them :-P
• 2 Koigu neck cozies (1 for Mom, 1 for mother-in-law)
• a garter stitch poncho for an 18" doll, based on the one in The Knit Stitch
• an Oregon Vest (pattern from Oat Couture) for my sister -- it was supposed to have been done last Christmas, when I also made vests for my mother and my sister-in-law (brother's wife), but it wasn't done on time and it got cast aside. I really meant to finish it right after Christmas last year and send it, but it languished for a year. All it needed were side seams and a zipper. The zipper was the major factor in the procrastination. But when I finally made myself do it, it wasn't so bad. Not that it will make future zippers any easier to do....
• a cardigan for my niece, pattern from The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, made in sport-weight cotton -- really not as awful to work with as I'd anticipated.

Still having issues uploading pics, so I'll quit for now.