It was really slow the first few days this week, so I had time to do this (among other things.)

2 skeins Malabrigo worsted
1 skein Fiesta Purl Drops 100% Silk
Pattern being written…
US13 Addi Turbos 32″

I finished this several weeks ago and just waited to weave the ends in. The whole reason I wanted to knit ms. marigold is because of the great ruffles on the sleeves, but when it was all said and done, I decided to leave them off.

Overall I liked the pattern. I know some people had trouble with it because there was no ending stitch count after the increases. That may be what my problem was or I may have not paid close enough attention the the measurements given.

Things I had to change: As you can see, I seamed up the ribbing at the bottom, it was just way too deep a V for me and there was no way I was going to rip back after it was all done to shorten the V. I also had to seam up around the arm holes before crocheting around the edge. I prefer to have a closer fit around my arm and I think this also gave more definition to the cap sleeve.

I probably picked up too many stitches around the neck/V but I achieved such a nice edge (after MUCH trying) that there was also no way I was going to rip back. That’s pretty much the theme of my knitting life these days, NO RIPPING!

STATS
Pattern: Ms. Marigold
Yarn: Cascade Pima Silk (next time I’d choose Pima Tencel)
Needles: Addi Turbo US5 (I think it was a 5)

Oh, good Lord, things have been SO crazy around here. Today and tomorrow are yarn ordering days. All I can think about is yarn, I eat sleep and breathe it, it seems. Yesterday I was trying to tell Eden not to take sand out of the sandbox and instead I told her to put the yarn back in the sandbox.

More about the yarn (and more yarn) later. Somehow over this weekend, amidst the yarn decisions, camping and watching fireworks, I managed to crank out this baby sweater for my sister’s best friend.

It’s a pattern from Knitting for Two. I’m too lazy to get up and go look at which pattern it actually is. The yarn is Louet Sapphire, a chunky superwash. My mom was sweet enough to sew the zipper in for me and the grosgrain ribbon lining. All I have to say about the sweater is that I HATE seaming.

I changed several things about the pattern. For the shoulders, I did the three needle bind off. I left off the part on the front pieces that were supposed to be sewn around the neck and instead, picked up stitches around the entire neck and did an applied i-cord bind off. I also knit the sleeves in the round until the shoulder shaping and then knit the rest flat. And then I sewed and sewed and sewed the freaking seams.

But, overall, I still liked it. Now back to the YARRRRN!

Over the last week or so, I’ve been trying to get some models done for the store. This is hard, because my yarn hasn’t come in yet. Luckily, I have my trusty stash to turn to. (Any suggestions of great patterns would be very welcome at this point!)

Here is a scarf that I will be teaching. The construction slightly different from the scarf in Loop d Loop.

Knit from Fiesta La Luz 100% silk.

And I finished another pair of Victorian Wristlets (PDF). These are made out of Cascade Pima Silk, but in the future I think I will prefer Cascade Pima Tencel. It’s a little more sturdy, a little more shiny and a little softer.

Next up on my list? I think maybe the baby sweater from Knitting for Two. It is so freaking cute. I guess this means that my Ms. Marigold is on hold for a bit. But that’s ok.

I whipped up these teeny little socks out of a sample of yarn that I’m going to be carrying. Aren’t they so cute? And I LOVE the yarn. mmmm… handdyed superwash merino.

Thank you all for answering my questions and your suggestions. To answer some questions, I will be selling online, I will ship to Canada and I will let you know when the website gets up and running (which should be very soon!)

I met with the Cascade rep today, it was nice to see all the new stuff out there. I also got samples in yesterday for Southwest Trading Company, gotta love the soy silk… Buying all this yarn is making me very happy!!!

I finished my second edition of “Picovoli.” It really has nothing to do at all with Picovoli except that I re-used the yarn from my first attempt.

I’m really proud of this one. I took some guidelines from some pattern software the store has, and made this totally my own. It has everything I wanted, open raglan shaping, folded hem sleeves and hem, minimal waist shaping, crew neck. I think the only thing I would really change about this would to be make it have a little more open neck and the color. This color is fine, but definitely not what I would pick were I given a rainbow of choices. But overall, I’m thrilled.

Yarn: All Seasons Cotton color #186, discontinued
Pattern: my own
Needles: Addi turbos #8 32″
Time frame: Cast on 5/27/06, finished 6/1/06

I can never take good pictures of myself with this camera.

I finished my Koigu socks! Really these socks went pretty fast, I just never had any time to work on them… except all those times I was waiting a the dentist’s office. And then of course there was the time that the dog drug the sock in progress across the house. That wasn’t a very good day for the dog…

But they’re finished and haven’t sustained any lasting harm. Perfect timing, in a month it’s going to be 100 degrees here and I just knit some wool socks. Oh well.

Pattern: Out of the mind of Joelene
Yarn: Koigu – I have no clue what colorway. I picked it up at Stitches West.
Needles: Addi Turbos #1
Finished: May 16, 2006

I finished this scarf over the weekend. It was really an easy knit, but remained interesting because of the short rows. I’m in love with the yarn. It’s pretty similar to silk in look and feel and I have to say, I’m becoming more and more in love with silk.

(Notice my new mothers day shoes? They’re a little blurry, but they’re fabulous!)

Pattern: Loop d Loop
Yarn: Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks Tencel and Merino – picked up at Stitches West
Needles: #11 Addi Turbos
Finished: May 14, 2006

Today we’re moving the yarn store. I’m very excited because it’s literally going to be a block from my house. Ahh, the joys of living downtown. Now Jim and I can both walk to work. The gas savings alone… I just keep thinking of all those times I’ve rushed to work because Jim was late getting home to watch the kids… no more!

In other yarn related news, I cast on Picovoli last night. Should I be casting on any new projects? Most definitely not. I’m already in the middle of a linen print shawl, the curly scarf in Loop d Loop, a baby sweater, my second Koigu sock and a bag. But I couldn’t resist. You can’t blame me for my lack of knitting self control, can you? Maybe you’re still doubtful, lets look at the yarn.

I’m using Rowan All Seasons Cotton, it’s pretty huh?

Now you’re convinced, right? I’m imagining it with a jean skirt or some cute capris, or just some jeans. See, really, I just HAVE to knit this. I have no choice.

The little peanut! Yes, she’s FOUR!

wrapping the yarn – I thought it best to teach her English style.

slipping it off

she’s SO proud

Eden’s knitting