Knitting

Though there has been little evidence of it here, there has been knitting here in Muttville.  Lots of it with many starts and stops, which is not unusual for me.  I am easily drawn from one project by the siren song of something new. 

To begin with, I have been taking a class taught by my friend Nancy at 'The Wool Gathering' here in town. 

The Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  I'm going to be completely honest here and admit that I might be the only knitter alive who is not feeling the love for this sweater.  At all, which is why it still looks like this after 3 weeks.  I get that it is an unusual and very creative construction, but I just don't like it.  I'm not enjoying the knit process, though I have learned some new techniques for stitch marking and increasing, and I can't say that I love the finished garment.  I'd much rather knit something with lace or a cable or anything but endless garter stitch.  But, as they saw about education, no knitting is wasted and I'm glad I took the class.  The jury is still out as to whether I'm going to finish it or rip it out and reuse the yarn.  Should you be considering the BSj, Ravelry has a really helpful and informative group with videos, charts, excell sheets, etc, to aid in your BSJ journey. 

Next up are the Bitty Booties, which, in sharp contrast to the BSJ, I LOVE knitting.  Also creatively constructed with a casing for elastic in a vain attempt to keep them on foot.  I've yet to see a bootie that stays put. :-)  I made a pair of these for Kysa and Emerson and Kysa's sister-in-law asked me to make a pair for her soon-to-be-born baby Nicholas and I happily agreed.

Once completed a little leaf or owl or flower embellishment covers the elastic showing through the top of the foot.  Fast and fun without being boring.

I had a skein of Alchemy's Snychronicity from way back when I worked at the yarn store and haven't had any suitable plans for it until I found a skein of really great mohair discounted at The Wool Gatherer and decided to make a super easy/fast cowl for under my winter coat.

It's almost impossible (for me) to photograph, but the combination of the two yarns makes for a purple cloud of yummy softness.  I am pleased.

Finally, in the 'upcoming project' category, last night Karl and Santa picked the blanket that I will knit for the next new grandbaby (Squee!):

..appropriately named 'Leafy Baby Blanket'.  I think chances are good that this will not be finished by the baby shower, but for sure in time for the birth!  I haven't decided what yarn to use yet, but know that it will be an oatmeal color  Suggestions are welcome!

The weather this morning is lovely.  The mutts are both laying in the front yard watching the world go by and keeping a keen eye out for a squirrel worthy of chase.  I put lasagne in the crockpot (my first attempt at the crockpot version.  I'll keep you posted on results) and am looking forward to a peaceful day.  Wishing you the same.

Comments

[Dana]

Thanks for the lead on leafy baby blanket. There are multiple babies arriving in the next 4 months or so. I LIKE the BSJ, but prefer giving something more long-lived for babies. And your ravelry link helps compensate for all of the "dead" knitting pattern pdfs that are on my thoroughly moribund (old) hard drive. :-(
Hope the bd party next weekend is fun. Wenders is having her own Halloween party. I have no idea what to do for a costume that doesn't end up looking like a blimp.