Lesson Learned

Just because I love a pattern, and I love a particular yarn doesn't mean that they will work well together. I have been so excited about casting on the Celtic Cable Scarf over the past week, and I went to my knitting group in search of the perfect yarn to use. I wanted to pick out a DK since that is what the pattern calls for, so I chose Silky Wool by Elsebeth Lavold. This is seriously soft and drapey yarn, but I thought the cables would still pop. I got home last week and eagerly cast on my new scarf. After one repeat of the pattern I noticed that it appeared a little thin. I didn't like the transitions, and the edge cables looked muddy. So I put it down for a day or two...came back, ripped and started again. It must just be my novice cabling skills right? I was still getting used to using a cable needle...so I figured the second go would be great. I was wrong. The yarn is lovely, but a very poor partner for this project. Here is a photo of the second attempt using the Silky Wool.

Click on the picture to see just how yucky the cables look close up. It's a scary sight...just in time for Halloween. :) So, I went to my knitting group this week determined to pick out a more appropriate yarn for the project.

I decided to try Ella Rae Classic. My LYS just started to carry this brand/line. It is very affordable at $6 ish per skein for 219 yards, and there were many colors to choose from. It's worsted, and the texture is similar to Cascade 220. It is very nice to work with, and it is springy enough to show off the intricate cable work. I cast on right then and there, and I worked on it while chatting away with my lovely knitting pals. I worked on it a bit this afternoon, and I must say that I am very happy with the difference this yarn makes. You can actually see the cable definition, and I am sure when it is blocked it will look even nicer. I had to pin it for the picture because it wants to fold up like a taco.

I really like the pattern, and the instructions are very clear. The yarn has been very cooperative, and I must admit that the green will go with my complexion much better than my first choice. I am planning on devoting some serious time to this project over the weekend. We are supposed to get some heavy rain on Saturday...perfect knitting weather.

I am also planning on visiting the Mount Dora Craft Fair this weekend. A friend from my knitting group, Kelly will have a booth and I am dying to see her in action. She knits the most fantastic bags. She has such a good eye for color and style. I know she is going to be a big hit at the show. I hope the rain doesn't affect them too much.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Cables and presents

I received a super surprise gift from my Secret Pal last week, and it came at the best time. I was having a yucky day, but when I came home I was greeted by this lovely package.


The bat is an oven mitt! He is so cute. When you insert your hand you can flap his wings. I love him. The little spools at the bottom are fun holiday ribbons...the perfect size for embellishments. And of course the most fun part...the holiday issue of Interweave Knits. I basically want to knit everything in this issue, but the first thing I will make is the lovely classic teddy bear. I am working on some projects now, but as soon as they are under control I am going to start on him. Thank you Secret Pal, you are the best. I am sending you out a little thank you...so watch your mail. :)

I finished up two projects over the past week. The first one is a pair of fetching mitts from Knitty.com. I knit them in Mirasol baby llama which is the softest yarn I have every touched. The softness of it makes the gloves a little floppy, but once they are on the hand you can't tell. They are great!

The second project is the snowball hat from Interweave Knits. I did not attach a pom pom because this hat will probably be a gift. I am going to make a second one in the same color for me. I used Lamb's Pride bulky, and one skein is enough for the hat and a giant pom pom. A very economical and fun project. I loved knitting with size 11 dpns. So quick and neat. I think I am going to make quite a few more of these.

In this photo I stuffed the hat with tissue paper. I wanted to show off the shape and the cables. Both are very hard to do without a hat model.


These were my first cable projects, and I am definitely hooked. I am working on a cabled scarf right now. I did two repeats to test out the gauge, and I am really happy with how the yarn shows the cables. I ripped out the swatch because I do not want to waste any of the yarn. I cannot wait to see how it turns out. I will post some progress shots this week. I will also update everyone on the Colinette kit this week. So many projects....so little free time. Why oh why can't I be a stay at home knitter.

Happy Monday everyone!

What a great weekend

I have had a great weekend. I went to my knitting group in the morning, and then out to lunch with some friends. It was such a nice and relaxing day, and the weather was amazing. Today, I just hung out with my hubby. We don't get a lot of time together during the week because our work schedules clash a bit, so I love our weekends. I also did a lot of knitting this weekend. I started and finished the Snowball Hat from Interweave Knits. It is a fast knit, and it was really simple. I may give this as a holiday gift, so I may not post any pictures. I haven't decided yet. I am going to make another one soon. It fits my head just right.

I finally got around to taking some pictures of my Colinette Ad Fab kit from my birthday last month. I think I kept putting it off because I knew it would be hard to photograph. The colors are so soft and light. It was truly difficult to take a decent picture, and I am now very motivated to actually read my camera manual. (I need to learn about white balance so that my pictures come out a bit better.) I love the colors in this kit, and the textures are great. I think I am going to start it this week. It is finally starting to cool off at night here, so I will be able to tolerate this project on my lap. I will definitely post pictures throughout the process.


Last week I received a great surprise on my doorstep...it was a package from Yarn Pirate. I won a contest on her blog a few weeks ago, so I knew a prize was on its way. I was so excited! I immediately ripped open the box. She sent me such a fun set of goodies.


I have been eyeing Trekking at my LYS, but I haven't purchased any. This colourway is perfect for me, but my hubby has already claimed it. The green lizard pen is very cool. When you write his legs dance up and down. I brought it to my office, and the kids love playing with him. Thanks Georgia! I love everything.

I hope you all had a great weekend as well, and I wish you a great start to the upcoming week.

Relief Part II

Yes, that's right the pignoli bag is completely finished. Hooray! Finishing this bag was a group effort. My friend and knitting idol Barbara helped me with the finishing and felting process, and my fantastic hubby spent 3 days perfecting the art of riveting in order to attach the handle. I am so lucky.....I couldn't have finished this without their help.

This bag is huge. It is 22 in wide and 12 in tall. I can fit a ton of things in it, and it hugs my shoulder just right. When it is on the shoulder it forms a perfect crescent shape. The fabric is super soft and flexible, but it still holds a basic shape. The original handle was awful, and it was way too narrow to support the bag. I cut it off immediately. Thank goodness I had a great substitute available.

Here are some photos...they are not my best pics, but this bag was hard to capture.


I am very happy with the way the colors meld together. I made the gussets with chocolate brown cascade. You will be able to see the gusset a bit better in one of the other photos.


Here is a detail shot of the side of the bag. The handles are riveted on to the gussets. I stole this handle from a very expensive purse that I never used. It was a beautiful suede purse that shed like a balding cat. I was never going to use the purse, but I loved this handle. Now I can enjoy it.


I love the way the colors carry under the bag. Such a neat detail.


Here is the bag with nothing in it. The shape is so feminine. I blocked it by filling it full of towels and using clothes pins to create the creases for the tie.


Last photo I promise....I just wanted to show the shape when it's full. Plus in this shot you can see the handle a bit better. See how big!?! By the way, this is my favorite chair. It looks like an adult version of a doll house chair. So big and comfy.

Overall I would recommend this bag. It became tedious, but it was a very simple pattern. It's a great stash buster. It felted easily, and it was so easy to block. I am considering adding grommets so that the leather tie can slide easier. What do you think?

I'm a first place knitter

I entered a knitting contest last week at my LYS, and I tied for FIRST PLACE! I was so shocked. The contest was open to the community, and the only restriction was that each project must be knitted with yarn purchased at the store. The items entered were on display at the store last week, and patrons were able to vote for their favorites. There were a lot of fabulous entries including heirloom afghans, beautiful sweaters, an unusual skirt, and some fun accessories. I entered my monkey socks and my alpacas. The alpacas tied for first place (thanks for your help finishing them Barbara!!). I won a gift certificate and a very cool large clear tote. I love bags so the prizes were perfect. The winners were announced on Saturday during the shop's anniversary sale/party. There was food, music, door prizes, and general knitting fun all day. There was even a face painter there! I got this neat yarn ball on my arm. Sorry for the fuzzy photo....

In other news, I went to a friends house over the weekend to felt my pignoli bag. It came out great, and I will post pictures as soon as I attach the handles. I am having trouble with the handles, but my hubby has a solution. He is going to take a crack at it tomorrow. Hopefully it works.

Sorry for the lack of knitting photos this week. It has been a very busy few days at work, and I am just exhausted when I finally get home at night. I will have some fun knitting pictures for you tomorrow. :)