Myrtle Leaf Shawl…of DOOM!

Pattern: Myrtle Leaf Shawl from Victorian Lace Today
Yarn: Skaska Yarn picked up in Rhinebeck
Needles: US 3

For as long as I can remember, the Sister tends toward being cold. Cold hands, cold nose, just cold cold cold. So for her engagement/shower gift I knit a shawl that she could use during the reception where air conditioning would make her, you guessed it, cold. So I had her pick out yarn thinner than dental floss and I began to knit, rip, knit and rip.

I completed the shawl in time and I was pretty proud of it. It could have been a little longer and maybe a tad wider but I was trying to keep it smaller so it didn’t overwhelm the dress or her. On the night of the rehearsal, I gave her a box with the shawl inside. She opened it before I made it into the temple so I have no idea what her reaction was but I think she liked it. She wore it for the rehearsal anyway.

She did not wear it at her reception because there was no air conditioning. Am I annoyed? A bit. But what are you going to do?

I ended up enjoying knitting with dental floss and next time I’m at Rhinebeck, I am going to get more to make a shawl for myself. Except, not variegated and not light. After making this shawl I have strong opinions on what makes a pretty lace pattern and variegated and light colors are not it. If your shawl is made with either, it is very lovely but it’s just not my thing.

I used the Myrtle Leaf Shawl from Victorian Lace Today. I loved that pattern. If you are thinking of tackling a lace shawl but are afraid to do it, go with this one. It is very simple and repetitive but it looks impressive. The only thing, check for errata. I did but didn’t fully pay attention or understand what I found and ended up ripping out 14 pattern repeats (that’s 168 rows). That was not a happy day, but rather rip it out and be happy than embarrassed by what I made.

FO: Calorimetry

Pattern: Calorimetry
Yarn: 100% Merino Wool
Needle: US 7

When I first saw Calorimetry, I thought it was kind of…somewhat…well, silly. And maybe stupid. Why would anyone want a headband for cold, North Eastern winters. Then I saw a couple completed ones.

And it sort of grew on me.

Then I realized that when I bought the yarn that was finally used for the last Twisted Drop Stitch Scarf I also bought one skein of a Tahki yarn. I loved the feel of the yarn and the color AND it was 50% off. Unfortunately there was one skein. I thought, being the hopeless idiot that I am, that I could fine more online. That didn’t happen. So as the Calorimetry lust began to infect me, I decided to use that lone skein of yarn.

I love it. It was a quick knit that incorporates a technique that I haven’t had nearly enough practice on. The end product is soft, warm, and as it turns out, practical. I wear it instead of a hat. I have short hair and Calorimetry seems to be a great idea for long hair in a ponytail; however, when I go on a walk in winter I over heat with a hat on. If I take that hat on, my ears freeze and give me a headache. With this, I keep my ears warm but I let the heat out the back. Weird, I know. But there you go.

I’m a Calorimetry convert.

Twisted Scarf

Pattern: Twisted Drop Stitch Scarf
Yarn: 100% Merino Wool
Needle: US 15

I had three skeins of chunky yarn that I bought on clearance. I loved the yarn. It was soft and yummy but I really had no idea what to do with. Of course, I bought it anyway.

A year later and I finally had a project for it. A twisted drop stitch scarf for Made by Hand. Something that was warm but stylish (at least in my mind it’s stylish) for someone at a domestic violence shelter. Thus the scarf was born.

I think it took three days at the most to make and then about 2 months for me to get photos. Followed by another month for the post. But here it is. Oooh and aahh and love the scarf. Go on. I know you wanna.

Two by Two, Socks of Blue

Pattern: The basic ribbed pattern “Sensational Knitted Socks“
Yarn: 75% Wool, 25% Nylon
Needle: US 1

I made these over the summer so it’s all a little hazy. Did I mention I was behind on listing out my projects?

I went with a very basic sock pattern just to see what it would look like and work out the questions I had with my last pair.

I love these. When I made the first sock, I put it on and left it there for the next hour or two while I began the second. The Husband began calling me “One sock Lizzy. Scourge of the Seven Seas.” After I laughed whatever I was drinking through my nose (ow), the name stuck. I guess now that I have two socks, I’m Two Sock Lizzy, but no one other than my sister is allowed to call me Lizzy and my Husband is buried in the backyard for his offense. At some point I’ll dig him back up.

I have no idea who makes the yarn. It’s something I bought at the last Rhinebeck and didn’t see them this time (although I was wearing these socks at this year’s Rhinebeck).

You may notice from the pictures that the toes and heels are a slightly different color than the rest of the sock. I wanted to see what would happen if I used a different color of Wooly Nylon. I don’t hate the result but neither do I like it.

FO: Tubey

Pattern: Tubey
Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft
Needle: US 8

The sister-in-law was married this past Friday!!!! It was a beautiful ceremony and I’ll have pictures later, but I now have time to take and post the last of the pictures.

Today, I present Tubey. I really, really liked this pattern. It knit up quick and fits pretty well. I added some short row shaping in the bust area as I have more than my share in that region. When I bought the two bags of yarn at a store closing sale, I didn’t realize the yarn was of two different dye lots, one lot per bag. Fortunately, when I switched shades it worked out so the colors changed just under the bust. (You can sort of see it in the photo. It worked out so well by accident that I believe I owe the knitting gods a sacrifice. Maybe I’ll build a pyre and burn some alpaca.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to sew up the neck area more than it is. I’m not afraid of a little bra strap showing, because really it usually pops out, but I can’t decide if it bothers me enough to try to close the difference. Now if it only would get cold again so I could wear it out.