Yarngirls Unite

Hourglass

The finishing hasn't been so bad after all. All the hemming is well worth the clean-edged results.

Raglan and Neckline Detail

Sleeve/Cuff Hem

On Friday evening I strayed from knitting just long enough to do a little sewing. And I made a little handbag.

Handle Detail

Usually when I am close to finishing a project, I get the crazy urge to cast on something new. Somehow, though, I am managing to avoid the temptation. I will try my best to also finish Cardi Raye before I cast on for Martha. However, I fear that clown sock number two might never get finished.

Fastest Sleeve in the West

I didn't want to die a slow, painful death knitting the second sleeve of my raglan pullover, so I avoided all obligations and knit it in ONE DAY! Woo hoo. Now I have attached both sleeves and am knitting the yoke. Easy street now, baby. Well, I've read that all the hemming takes a while, and is rather annoying, but at least I know that I'm close. My first cashmere sweater!

Peek into my stash

I recently acquired an umbrella swift as a gift from Kimberly...this new treasure has brought great joy into my life. I spent the better part of yesterday organizing my stash and winding up anything I could get my hands on.

I'm proud to say that my stash basically all fits into this plastic bin. Now, I'm a cotton girl, so much of it is Cotton Classic. This is also partially due to my involvement with Stitch n Bitch Nation and the Knit Your Own Rockstar Dolls, which were made of Cotton Classic. So let's take a quick peek at the first layer: (click to make larger)

1. Lobster Pot cashmere. Oh my, I'm a lucky girl. Two skeins are in the color called "Lobster Bisque" and the other is "Hydrangea."

2. Lorna's Laces in colorway "Daffodil." This will be the next yarn to satisfy my new fascination with socks.

3. Rowan All Seasons Cotton. This is one of my all time favorite yarns. Most of the lower half of the picture is various shades of leftover ASC.

4. More All Seasons Cotton (army green color). This is specifically set aside for the Phildar "Kate" tank top that I started a while back, frogged due to a stupid mistake, and plan to make later this summer.

5. Cotton Classic. Various odd balls. This brown was used for the Henry Rollins doll.

6. Giant amount of undyed slubbed cotton. I have no idea why I bought this...it will take me forever to use it - all 700 yards.

7. Crayons Lite by Rainbow Mills. This is set aside for a baby hat for my old co-worker Chad.

Maybe tomorrow I'll show you the second layer...hmmm, more cotton, perhaps?

Voila

A finished sock! They say to cast on for the mate right away...gotta go!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog

I never thought I would do it...but I have embarked on my first sock adventure. This is only because my hubby made a request about two weeks ago. "When are you going to knit me a pair of socks?" I never knew he wanted any. So I set out to find a suitable clown-like self-striping yarn. During my weekend getaway to the Boston area visiting Kim of former Fireballhead fame, I found Fun and Stripe by Lana Grossa. Perfect.

So here's progress so far:

I'm starting to get a little hint of why everyone is addicted to making socks! They're not perfect, but a good first attempt. I think there will be more in my future.

Already looking ahead

I have ordered materials to make "Martha" from Rowan 37. This will be a fun foray into knitting with beads.

The very last piece of Cardi Raye is now on the needles. The sweater that will never end! Then I have to seam it together and finish the hook and eye closure. It will be fun, it will be. Right?