I received my copy of of the Spring/Summer 2009 Knit Simple and I must confess that I'm intrigued by the cover sweater.
The Knit Mesh Cover-Up is a great summer sweater and there are two patterns - one is knit and one is crochet. You choose. Of course, I prefer the knit version (afterall, I'm Major Knitter, not Major Crocheter) so I think I'll put this one in the queue. Of course, it's a lace pattern which I'm not too keen on knitting, but it's a cute pattern and I might give it a try.
Oh... I mean, I might give it a try AFTER I finish more of my WIPs and UFOs.
This week I was so proud of myself. I have been cooking up a storm as the boys were home for 4 weeks and they're not soup and sandwich kind of kids. I was running a little late and didn't have dinner prepared. So at 5:45 p.m. I perused the freezer, refrigerator and pantry and decided I could make some chili. I quickly started everything. When it was time to add the dark red kidney beans, I realized I didn't have any canned beans. If you're trying to put a meal on the table in a jiffy - this is a huge problem. I did have a small stockpile of dried beans, so I picked out some pink beans and started the soaking process.
If you know anything about beans, the answer to your next question is "I ordered Chinese"
Yes - there was no way dried beans were going to be ready for dinner in 15 minutes, or even an hour. The best part? I had two dinners prepared in one night - plus leftovers. Click HERE to see the recipe.
This weekend was a walk in the park. Actually, it was more like a walk in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in nearby Westchester County, New York. It was a Boy Scout camping weekend and I had a wonderful time. (I always do, don't I?) We were so fortunate because the weather forecast was for rain the entire time and thundershowers all night. Instead, our powers of positive thinking must have paid off, because the storm was delayed and also shifted course. We had a gorgeous spring day and the light rain only came at night once we were safely ensconced in our tents for the night.
There was a gorgeous home that could be seen from this vantage point
And even more gorgeous rock formations that we discovered along our hike
Finally, we sat at a campfire circle along this brook for lunch. I only wish you could hear the peaceful sound of the flowing waters. It's was an idyllic scene of nature's serenity.
I hope you had a little peace and quiet to your weekend, too.
I have four projects in my Knit Nook that I want to make for me. I have the patterns. I have the yarn. I have the needles. I just don't have the werewithal to decide which one to make first. I think I'll let you help me decide.
BRAIDED PULLOVER by Alina Khasanova
Here is Estella's Braided Pullover that I fell in love with. In fact, I have the same color of Berroco Ultra Alpaca. The pattern can be found in the Interweave Knits Fall 2008
I have Cascade 220 yarn for this sweater in brown and light blue. I've had it for several years now, but have never gotten around to knitting this delightful sweater for myself.
ROGUE HOODED PULLOVER by Jenna Wilson of Girl From Auntie
Click HERE to buy this pattern at Girl From Auntie. I have several lovely skeins of Artyarn Supermerino in a sky blue that I just adore. Will it work for this pattern? I wonder. I wonder.
Well, this is where I need your help. Won't you help me decide which sweater I'll knit for myself? Take a moment and vote for which you think would be best for me. I'd really appreciate your input.
Yes! I finished both Fair Isle Yoke Cardigans for Twins B&C. I've never actually finished a baby garment gift while it still fit the intended recipient. That's why I generally knit baby blankets. They're harder to outgrow. I'm so glad I finished these little twin sets.
I bought the outfits first, then matched the colors in the sweater to the colors in the plaid accents. I can hardly wait to see these two boys wearing their new outfits. Such fun.
Primogeniture loves his get well socks. He told me last night that they were great sleeping socks. He's worn them every night since I gave them to him.
I was so excited about signing up for the Wonderful Wallaby class that I went to Knitting Central and regsitered for the class and picked out my yarn.
I bought 7 skeins of Plymouth Encore in Faded Print. I'm going to make the Washington Wallaby for a size 10 year old child. I decided on the Encore as I wanted the sweater to be very durable - so it can be passed on through at least 3 children, maybe more.
I also picked up Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. It has so many wonderful patterns and I want to learn about the short row sleeves used on the slinky rib sweater.
Finally, I bought the lovely purple Project Bag - designed and made by Knitting Central's very own Laura Eckel - in lilac print lined with silk (I think). I have the Purple Paisley bag. It's amazing. What a fun and exciting knitting day.
Hi my beloved readers. I've got really exciting news to share with you today. My LYS -Knitting Central - has just opened their online store. I can't tell you how excited I am about this news. I'm so thrilled that I had to spread the word. Click here to check out Knitting Central Online
Knitting Central store photo of the Wonderful Wallaby
In fact, while I was checking that out and browsing the Knitting Central Blog and Knitting Central Home Page, I noticed that Lynn Wilson is teaching the Wonderful Wallaby class during Thursdays in April. Do you know how excited I am about that? I plan on signing up as soon as the store opens today. I've been waiting forever to take this class. Woohoo!
So if you can't come to my favorite LYS in person, now you can shop online. (You could always shop over the phone). If you're interested in taking this class, maybe I'll see you there.
PS - Knitting Central is the Yarn Stockist for Tahki Cotton Classic for the Necco Wafer Hoodie by Carol Fellerfor March's Twist Collective. How cool is that?
The pattern for the Fair Isle Yoke Cardigan calls for the sleeves to be knit flat than sewed to the armhole and seamed shut. I never like the way this looks. I prefer to pick up the stitches for the sleeve along the armhole (which works with these sleeves since they are flat across the top and not shaped).
Here are the 52 sts (26 on the front and 26 on the back - knit in the round using 40" Turbo Addis in US Size 3 and the Magic Loop methodology. I just inverted the pattern - so instead of starting at the cuff and increasing 2 sts every 4th round, I picked up the sts on the underarm and decreased 2 sts (at the beginning and end of the underarm) every 4th round.
I'm quite pleased with the crisp even look this methodology produces.
I've been toying with the idea of using short rows to do the same methodology for capped sleeves. Estella mentioned that she made a sweater doing that very same thing. I'm going to check out the pattern for that sweater and try to incorporate it in the Kaffe Fasset Floral Jacket. I don't know if it will work or not for that particular sweater, but I'd sure like to give it a try.
Do you ever make sleeves from the top down? Why or why not?
Monday was the first day the boys went back to school. It was also my first day (week day) out of the house in nearly 5 weeks. Ah. Freedom. Sweet Freedom! I went to check out the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County, New York as a possible campsite for future Scout campouts. We'll definitely be checking this place out in the near future. After that, I went to Estella - Just One More Row Please (which by the way, is how BF always refers to her). We sat and chatted and knit and ate. Estella and I both nearly finished our current projects during our knit-together. In fact, you can see her finished Ingenue on this morning's post.
But let me tell you a little secret about Estella - she's an amazing hostess and chef. In no time at all she whipped up these amazing baked goat cheese mixed green salads with dried cranberries and an out of this world balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
You should see the trick to these amazing baked goat cheese slices. Estella simply dipped the thick cheese rounds in olive oil and then patted them with seasoned bread crumbs and baked them in her toaster over at 425 for about 10-15 minutes. Y-U-M-M-Y.
Rather than eat in the kitchen, I suggested we be all girly-girl and eat in the dining room with all that gorgeous sunshine.
What a fun treat. Thanks Estella for your wonderful hospitality!
