Works in progress and one finished

The beginning of the Myrtle coat:

And the ending of the Ruffle Scarf:

It was interesting to do but I think it came out rather ugly! I am going to donate it to my daughter's school auction. Sorry! It would probably be nicer looking with a slightly thicker yarn and possibly one more repeat of the pattern. Oh well, at least it only took me a day and a half.

New winter hat!

Here is a photo of the new hat I made this week for my daughter. I used Noro Kureyon 102 and a basketweave pattern. It was my first try at working a pattern in the round. I was a bit nervous to try it but it turns out - it's easy! It only took three days to make & used one skein of yarn.

I also cast on for a coil scarf using some Classic Elite Fame which I had been hoarding for literally years! It is a silk and rayon blend yarn in a color I like to call Watermelons and Mermaids but is actually known as #1439. How mundane! The pattern is really simple but produces a unique looking coiled fabric. Using # 13 needles I cast on 90 sts. Knit the first row. For the 2nd row knit into the front and back of each st. Repeat these two rows two more times and then knit a final row and bind off. Voila! You are finished. Wrap the scarf around your neck and enjoy all the compliments. :) I will probably finish the scarf tonight. Picture to follow. :)

Cast on for Chapello sweater

Ah hah! Finally cast on today for what will be my second sweater! It is pattern #632 out of the Gedifra Highlight pattern book 042. It is knit in Chapello yarn which was a big pain at first but now that I am used to it I am kind of enjoying working with it. It actually hasn't slowed me down too much although I do have to constantly adjust my left hand to keep the yarn moving through smoothly. It is knitting up really nicely now. I am 17 rows into the back piece and I can really picture how it will look. My only complaint is that Chapello is one of those yarns that gives of a bit of fluff as you work it & the fluff always seems to go straight up my nose! I was intimidated to work with a seriously "fancy" yarn like this - I haven't tried anything else quite so drastic yet. But if you are thinking about choosing Chapello yarn for a project - go for it! It's fun to knit with - especially if you are using monster 12 mm needles like I am! :)

I am working with color number 4233:


Personally, I love Gedifra yarns & patterns. But - a word to the wise here - I discovered to my shock that the American needle sizes that are listed (at least with this pattern) do not correspond to the millimeter sizes. For instance in this pattern they suggested 10 mm (size 13) and a 12 mm (size 15). After struggling through several tension swatches that weren't coming out right - which is no fun with a yarn like Chapello which DOES NOT frog well! - I finally noticed that my Addi Turbos were labeled 10 mm (size 15) and 12 mm (size 17). So I was having trouble because I was choosing my needles based on the American size rather than the millimeter size. (Won't do that again!) Now I am wary of needle sizes with European patterns!

I finally got through making tension swatches for the Myrtle coat & casted on! I had to try a few needles sizes because I am using Noro Shinano in color #12 which has a slightly bigger gauge than Silk Garden or Kureyon. I ended up using # 7's. So far so good....I love the way the Shinano is knitting up. I think it will look great in this pattern.

I am also waiting for some skeins of yarn from Handpaintedyarn.com. I got some of the "Mango" color of the kettle dyed pure merino. I am hoping to make a Clapotis for my sister. It needs to be done in time for her birthday next month so I will probably be casting on as soon as I get the yarn.

This is the Rowan Myrtle coat that I'm just starting to work on.