Cropped Cardigan with Leaf Ties (a.k.a. "Leaf")

Monday, February 12, 2007

Mademoiselle Chelsea Hotel...

As I completed my umpteenth lacy scarf (Brooke's Column of Leaves scarf), the 6ths song "Yet Another Girl," popped into my head. Yet another scarf, you know?

It looks a bit better blocked than it did when I was knitting it, but in future I'll probably use less variegated yarns for this kind of thing. The picture shown on the pattern webpage looks great in variegated yarn, but maybe the contrast in this yarn (GGH top print, a DK alpaca) is too much? Or maybe it's just that the separation between the leaves is not very clear. I'm still planning to knit Liesel, but I think I'll probably use Araucania Nature Wool for it--the gradations in color are more subtle, and the yarn isn't as fuzzy (our futon is covered in pink alpaca fluff!).

I printed out the pattern for Broad Street mittens from knitty, but I couldn't get gauge with the Karabella Majestic yarn that I have without looking into some seriously tiny needles. I can't really understand why, because I was using size 3 DPNS and still getting 22 st/4 in...I guess I'm just very loose. ;) Anyway, I poked around a bit and found this pattern on MagKnits which looks a little bulkier but a lot easier to comprehend...So I think I'll give it a whirl.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Wowsers!

I had a long and somewhat irksome day at work on Friday, and came home to find this bit of cheer in the mailbox--some yummy looking chocolates (I exercised extreme restraint, and finished up my leftover brownies rather than scarfing down the chocolate), seeds for lucky clovers, and a charming set of myriorama cards, all wrapped up in ribbons and felt. :) And did I mention the glowing, lovely Opal sock yarn in deep jewel tones? I love the colors! I've never knit socks, but I think this gift may inspire me to start a pair of jaywalkers. Thanks again, secret pal!

Friday, February 02, 2007

If at first you don't succeed...

So the second time's the charm, eh? This was my first attempt at the dayflower lace scarf--not a huge disaster, but at the same time, only vaguely similar to the original. I didn't think much of it until a few months later, when I discovered I was doing my yarnovers all wrong--back-asswards, in fact. How embarrassing. Anyway, this one is knit in K1C2 Richesse et Soie--only one ball of soft, smooth, shiny cashmere and silk yarn. I wish I had a few for a more substantial project, but I think this one was dug out from a yarn store's bargain bin. Another small stash victory for me!