Drago[knit]fly

Yay! I just finished my first Norwegian stocking just minutes ago. Here it is... It's so warm and comfortable, I can't wait for the other one to be done. With any luck, it won't take as long as the first. I think I might just be the slowest knitter ever. It's taken me two weeks to get through one stocking. If I remember correctly, I think it took Eunny two evenings per stocking. At least I'm having fun knitting them, that's the point, right? Anyway, here's an upclose shot of the heel. I love all the details of these stockings. Overall, I'm pleased with stocking one and think I can improve on the second. Some of the stitches are a little loose particularly around the join, but I don't think it looks too bad for one of my first attempts at Fair Isle. I also think I might have the longest legs ever. Compared to some of the other stockings I've seen both in the pattern book and online, my stockings required at least a third more of the main pattern ...

The stockings are coming along at a steady pace and I'm still enjoying the pattern. I've memorized the charts, so things are going much quicker now. It's funny, the more I knit with two hands, the more I've gotten used to it. I'm starting to favor using my left hand (continental) more than my normal English method. It just feels so much faster! I don't have the same control and I'm only using one stictch, but I understand why so many prefer this method. So, here's a shot of the stockings.... A weird shot, but I was using the camera myself. and here's another... the picture's not flipped. I was just trying to find a good angle. Ignore scaly, pale winter legs. Get me to a beach! One last shot for good measure. I'm kind of worried they're going to be too tight, but I've decided to just stick with it. Unlike most knitters, I'm not a perfectionist in the slightest and if I think I can pull something off, I'll do it. As the stocking...

Here's Sharfik, blocking. This is the first time I blocked a scarf and didn't even think about it not fitting along the blocking board. I folded it at the corner like below. Not sure what the normal protocol is, but this worked just fine. Here's the final product. I'll have to get some shots of my dad modeling after I give it to him this weekend. Pattern: Dad's Sharfik by Kathy at Grumperina Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 in grey, 4 1/2 balls, purchased at Wild & Wooly in Lexington Needles: Size 7 Addis Modifications: None Dates Knitted: January ?, 2006 - February 12, 2006 Comments: This was a fun knit and yields (if I do say so myself) a beautiful project. The scarf is nice, thick, and warm, but still nice enough for evening use. I hope my dad likes it! Next up: Norwegian Stockings So, I've been a total slacker with my Olympic project. I wonder if I can just switch to these... Anyway, Fair Isle is my new best friend. Electra had a little, ...

Finally I have some shots of a finished Electra. Here she is: Pattern: Electra from Rowan 38 Needles: Size 6&7 Susan Bates Aluminum Circs, Size 3 Clover Bamboo Circs Yarn: Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK in Revel, Felted Tweed in Midnight and Melody, and Kidsilk Haze in Splendour Modifications: added a few inches in length Notes: Overall, I'm pretty happy with the end results, although I think I will block it differently after I wash it next. I was really worried it would be too tight, so I focused on attaining a proper width. I think it's a little too big and looks bulky, plus I wouldn't mind it being slightly longer. I knit a few inches more than the pattern suggested before armhole shaping to keep it a little longer, but I could go for another inch or so. Also, the stripes are a little wonky around the bust from picking up stiches for the collar with smaller needles. I'll try to play around with that, too. This sweater knits up quickly with a large gauge for ...

I've been hopping on all sorts of bandwagons lately... First we'll start with the Knitting Olympics. What better way to get some motivation going to finish a project and get a cute button for your blog, right? I signed up and am knitting Backyard Leaves (we welcome bandwagon #2). I've been eyeing the design since I saw it on Elizabeth 's website. So, I bought this.... Doesn't Zoe look excited to be posing next to the cashmerino? She certainly loves her fibers. I read about all these knitters overstashing and swooning over roving. It's just a good thing this kitty can't order online. I should probably make her something, but she's the kind of ungrateful kitty that wouldn't use it because I spent time making it. She's rather scratch up my sweaters and balls of yarn. Anywho, onto the third and final bandwagon. you guessed it! Jaywalkers! Still in the early stages, they are my very first socks. I want to graduate to the Norwegian Stockings ...

While Electra has been my knit at home project, I always like to have a portable project going simulateneously. That's been Dad's Sharfik. Perfect for the T, perfect size for my purse. Sharfik's been my traveling companion for quite some time now. It's good, too, because it's a really nice knit and it's been lasting. I think I'll eventually break down and just finish it in a few nights (I want my dad to get some use from it while it's still cold). Here's some photos of it's current state: I only dry blocked part of it (mostly because all my pins are in use wet blocking Electra). But, you get the picture of how the cables will look. Here's an upclose shot... Yesterday, as I like all Saturdays to be, was a day of baking. Since Pants (the husband) has a bit of a chocolate problem (it really is a problem not something I can make cute by calling him a "choco-holic" or saying he has a sweet tooth), he'll take anything chocolate over s...

Yay! Electra is at her halfway point (minus those ends, how scary are they?) Nothing insightful to report since my last post, just more of the same. I'm picking up speed, though. I feel like I knit about half this in one night. I stopped paying attention and when I stood up to go to bed, I looked down and saw I had doubled my progress. Woo hoo! I swear I do enjoy the process, but everyone loves a FO, right? Here, have a look at her: Want a closer look at those ends to weave in? Didn't think so. I'm going to sew them all in before giving it a bath and blocking. In other news, my yarn for Highgate arrived today from across the ocean. Ebay and Cucumberpatch Rock! Great deals and free shipping, what beats that? You can't tell very well from the picture, but the color is a dark purple. As I've complained about before, I'm never around during daylight so you'll have to trust me about the color. In other knitting news, I've been chipping awa...