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I will not discrimate against a yarn based on it's color, fiber, manufacturer, or retail outlet.
Knit Alongs
Friday, June 24, 2005
posted 7:51 AM EST
Starting TBD
Starting 3/15/05
Starting 3/15/05
Kate
Kristi
Jacq
Lauren
Nicole
Rosie
sUsAn
Finshied 4/7/05
Finished 1/3/05
Okay, so I thought the Delicate Summer Jacket worked up quickly. This zippered hoodie is going even quicker! I may have it done this weekend (the back and left front are done and I'm at the armhole shaping on the right front!)

I'm using the Cascade Sierra I originally bought to make the Spring Forward Cardigan... remember that? I made it too big (wrong size and gauge makes a huge cardigan!). I had decided that the fabric was too tight to comfortably work the cables (it is mostly cotton, after all), so when I restarted it, I changed to a cotton/acrylic blend.

Woo-Hoo! I'm meeting Kate for some yarn shopping! So I'm off ot shower and find my Cascade 220 color card! Maybe I can find a pink seperating zipper while I'm out!
Some Favorite Blogs
Current WIPs
I've moved my favorite blogs
to a seperate page.
Diamond Patch Sweater
Spring Forward Cardigan
Cropped Cardigan Redux
Cable O's Vest
Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan
Rings
Recently Finished
Delicate Summer Jacket
Cozy Shawl Collared Aran
Cross Over Top
Denim Socks
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Retired KAL's
Thursday, June 23, 2005
posted 7:49 AM EST
I have to say that this is one of the most successful projects I've ever made. It was fast (started on June 2, finished June 22) and I know that this is going to be a staple in my wardrobe. I was a little concerned about the fit. My gauge swatch was a little big, so I went down a size smaller than I needed, but the actual sweater worked up to proper gauge (why do I even bother with a stupid swatch anyway?). However, it does button across my bust line, and it fits me great across the back.

So the details? Pattern is by Melissa Leapman from her book Crochet With Syle and is called Delicate Summer Jacket. The yarn is 100% cotton called Catania in aqua frost. I used a size D hook. I made the size medium. (just as an FYI: the color of the yarn is not accurate in this picture... and it was the first thing Matt said about it, so it's significantly different).

So now that that project is done, I spent yesterday diligently working on one of my UFO's, right? Uh-hu. I swatched for an other crochet project: Suzanne from Melissa Leapman's new book Cool Crochet. It's a "zippered hoodie worked in an openwork cable stitch". I'm using Cascade's Sierra and I'm getting really nice fabric. I'll post a picture tomorrow with more details.

I'll post of picture of me modeling the new cardigan soon...
Thanks to Matt at
Crowing Ram
for the button.
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Donate to the JDRF Walk For A Cure
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
posted 8:02 AM EST
I finally got the latest block for the Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan downloaded.
The block is called Elfin Lace and it was an other fast block. That's 13 done and as I said yesterday, I have started the next one.

I got my buttons yesterday. Our Joann's moved to a new location a little bit ago and I hadn't been to the new store. Wow, they really expanded. The new store is larger, you can actually get to the patterns and you don't trip over all the home dec krap that they used to have. They have actual fabric now and the store isn't a complete pigstye. I may actually start sewing again! (it's one of the reasons I stopped... going to our only local fabric store wasn't very pleasant... even for something as simple as a zipper)

Anyway, $30 later, I'm stocked up with buttons. I got buttons for 3 current projects and 2 other sets that I just liked.

I should have the Delicate Summer Jacket finished today. I did the neck/button bands yesterday and seamed up half of it at Stitch n Bitch last night. I'm not too optimistic about it fitting, but at least it will be done.,

I also worked a bit on the Cropped Cardigan Redux. I'm pretty close to finishing that one up, too (just the sleeves at this point).

So lots to work on today with hopefully a finished project by the end of the day!!! That means I get to start several new projects, right?

UPDATE: The Delicate Summer Jacket is completely finished. Pictures (hopefully) tomorrow!!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
posted 8:37 AM EST
I had a picture all ready to go for the latest block for the Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan, but my camera/computer decided that they weren't speaking today. I'm not really in the mood to play technical peacemaker, so the picture will have to wait. Anyway, that's 13 blocks done and I've already cast on block 14.

It's hard to believe, but that's the only knitting I'm doing right now. I'm still doing the crochet thing. Is it because of the weather? Cotton is easier to crochet than knit? Is it the almost instant gratification? I'm not sure. I do know that I still prefer knitting and knitted projects, but my hands just seem to be gravitating towards the crochet right now.

Doesn't hurt that I got Melissa Leapman's latest crochet book: Cool Crochet. It has some lovelies (tho' Matt thinks she has an odd obsession with busts...there does seem to be a lot of cleavage in her last two books-of course he doesn't think this is a bad thing!).

I'm off today to do my button shopping. The Delicate Summer Jacket is dry and can be moved. I'll take a few other things that I need buttons for and see what I can find.
Monday, June 20, 2005
posted 8:30 AM EST
Well, it's good to have internet access again. I asked Matt: which is worse no TV or no internet...  I'm now so dependent on the internet, that not having it for a couple of days was tough. I couldn't get a recipe I had planned on making, I needed a phone number that I couldn't look up. I couldn't obsess about the weather... or shop for yarn!!!

Anyway, as I said, this is a temporary setup, as we decided after the krappy customer service from our current ISP to switch to another ISP. That will be done on the 27th. I may do a complete site overhaul at that point. Get rid of some old pages, update the UFO page, etc.

However, not having internet access for a couple of days did allow me to be productive.
Yep, that's the Delicate Summer Jacket (from Melissa Leapman's Crochet with Style book) blocking. All ends are woven in, but I still need to attatch sleeves and do the button band (and I need buttons before I do that). As soon as it dries, it goes with me off to the fabric store to get buttons.

I'm also almost done on the next block for the Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan... should have pictures either tomorrow or the day after.

And... I restarted Melinda's Cardigan (also from Melissa Leapman's Crochet with Style). This is the same pattern that Carissa is doing. I had started it a couple of years ago, but it's not going to fit me now, so it's been restarted.
(Carissa has a much crisper picture of her's). I'm using the yarn that was originally used... Paton's Cotton DK. I'm not "thrilled" with crocheting with this yarn. It's splits a little easily and it's not as smooth as the Catania. I'm willing to bet that the Paton's Grace that Carissa is using is much nicer to crochet with...

I restarted it with a front. I'm hoping to get this piece finished so I can take it button shopping with me. I may also take the Cropped Cardigan Redux with me to see if I can find perfect buttons for it as well. I guess I'm just going to have to do a button shopping spree one day this week!

Well, I've got several days of blogs to catch up!