A Knitting Affair

12 shopping days until Christmas Does it count if I only seem to be shopping for myself? Like seriously! Lets take a quick run down of what I have purchased in the MONTH of December (we won’t talk about what I purchased at EatSleepKnit during their Black Friday sale, that comes a bit later in this post.)

Okay so Madelinetosh has been trying out some new base yarn and experimenting with colors. I am addicted to her yarn and have been stalking her etsy store when I am able to do so to see what she has up for grabs.

Tosh Merino Light – Trodden

superwash merino - fingering weight - 440 yds skein

Tosh Vintage – Dahlia

merino - worsted - 200 yds skein

silk, cashmere, merino - sport - 360 yds skein

Now, I did hesitate sharing because I am selfish and would love to keep it all to myself, but honestly, goodness like this needs to be shared! Now, in case you aren’t overwhelmed already, here is a little more yarnporn for you. This is what I purchased at Eat.Sleep.Knit yesterday.

Tosh Worsted – Grove

merino - worsted - 225 yds skein

And, this is the other Madelinetosh I purchased at the Eat.Sleep.Knit Black Friday sale…

Wren – Jade

silk, merino - fingering - 365 yds skein

Wren – Twig

silk, merino - fingering - 365 yds skein

Tosh Worsted – Ginger

merino - worsted - 200 yds skein

Tosh Worsted – Norway Spruce

merino - worsted - 200 yds skein

Tosh Lace – Victorian Gothic

Merino - lace - 950 yds skein

Tosh Lace -Fjord

Merino - lace - 950 yds skein

Tosh Sock- Sequoia

merino, wool - fingering - 395 yds skein

Okay, so yes, I have been spoiling myself. But whatever!! It makes me happy. Plus, do you blame me after seeing all this luscious goodness? (really this is just a rhetorical question).

Now, here is an update on the patterns that I have been working on. One is finished and the other a WIP.

Akimbo Shawl Pattern Details

Madelinetosh Sock & Lucy Neatby Cat's Pajamas

The project that I am currently working on is out of Madelinetosh Eyre in Fig that I received with my sweater club subscription. This yarn is so yummy, yes yummy, that I can’t even explain it.

Shalom Cardigan – worsted version Project Details

Clubbin’ it again.

1) I joined the Madelinetosh sweater club. I received my first shipment this week. A sweaters worth of Eyre yarn in the Fig colorway. Freakin luscious. I need to find the right pattern for this yarn that will show it off the best

2) The other club I joined is the Just Babs Knitting Club. The theme is women in history. I received the first shipment today. OMG is the color ever beautiful. But, I’m too lazy to take a picture of it!

I have to go on some training for work. I find it interesting that I’m not so stressed about the amount of work that I have to do before I go and after I get back. I’m stressed out about what knitting projects to take and how much knitting I will get done.

Its all about priorities.

November 1 already. Where is the time going? I know, a redundant question, but one I ask myself often. Time seems to be going faster and faster. Mom tells me its because I’m getting old. Thanks moms.

To continue on the “lets finish this” kick I’ve been on, I have completed a project and also started/completed a project. Hold on to your hats peeps. What is this world coming to. Is she “really” going to stop overcommitting on her knitting? NO, you silly bunnies, I just have more I want to cast on!

Hourglass Sweater
by Joelle Hoverson
Completed 31.10.09
Project Details

Instant Gratification
by me
Completed 26.10.09
Project Details

This sweater took me three days to knit and I have worn it twice since I finished it. It is comfortable and not too hot even though I used a bulky yarn. The 3/4 length sleeves are the key as I usually push my sleeves up when I am hot.

I am going to start this new thing with my knitting where I focus on one project each month. I can still knit anything I want but the “majority” of my knitting time (aka 75%) must be on this one project. The project can be the focus of multiple months if need be. Hopefully this will help me continue to finish projects that I have started while still feeding my need to cast on multiple projects whenever I desire.

The Tree Jacket is now started, well okay, it officially was started last weekend but I am making steady progress on it. I am currently working on US 7’s and black malabrigo. The 7’s make the stitches quite tight/stiff but I know that this yarn stretches and pills (as most single ply yarns do) and I don’t want that to happen with this sweater. Progress so far:

Also, this morning on tv there was an add for barbie – did you know that you can get her in her work clothes? She is only a secretary. You would think in this day and age we would see barbie be an executive. I could rant about it but I will save that for something more deserving.

So I have been playing around with the layout of my blog. Maybe a new change in its looks will inspire me to write more, considering that this will be my fourth post for 2009. I am pretty lame this year with my posting. I keep saying that I will post more – but I’m not, so I’m not going to say it.

I have finished some projects this year and this post will be considered “the update” for 2009.

Fitted Raglan Shawl
by Stefanie Japel
Completed 21.10.2009
Project Details

Clapotis
by Kate Gilbert
Finished 13.10.2009
Project Details

Central Park Hoodie
by Heather Lodinsky
Finished 12.10.2009
Project Details

All in All life is going pretty well. I really like my job, Cameron is awesome and in grade one. Whitley is as goofy as ever. As for knitting I am working on my hourglass sweater. I started it a long long time ago, put in bust darts, didn’t like them so threw it into the wip pile until I decided what I wanted to do with it. I decided to rip back to the darts and reknit that portion. And, since I finished my Central Park Hoodie and Clapotis I allowed myself to start the Tree Jacket in black malabrigo.

I am taking Stephanie Japel’s online class for the Raglan Fitted Shawl. It is being knit out of Fleece Artist Somoko in earth tones.

Started on US 4’s but found the knit to be too tight. Ripped and restarted on US 6’s. Like the way the fabric drapes much better. Have completed 3 repeats and am enjoying the knit so far! I know I don’t have enough yarn to do the whole shawl so I will be adding a contrast color for the last section. Not sure which color yet, that will depend on when I use up this yarn and the color I want to bring out.