One can never have too many hats

You know those days when all you want to do is crash early in bed? I’ve been having too many of those. Fire drills at work, sick daughter, not much knitting time complete my update. That’s all the blah for this post. Let’s get to the good stuff: wool!

I’ve been oooing and ahhing the many projects completed with this hat pattern. It was time to cast on. I am aiming towards a nice slouchy hat. The pompom is still in debate. 

Knitting with worsted yarn on size US 10 6.00 mm needles goes by faster than sound. Hopefully this little project will get my Soay mojo back. I still need to work on a sleeve and neckline. Is not that I’m racing anyone. I was knitting along with Bethany but as wonderful as she is we will see an FO post anytime now. Way to go Bethany!

PS-I'm having all kind of troubles formatting this post! Hopefully you can see the images centered. Wait! Who's that?  Wordpress is knocking on my door :-)

FO: Cassis Shawlette

I am getting dangerously used to “almost” finish my knitting projects. I almost finished my Gemini top and Julieta cardigan – both need just a bath. I am almost done with my Rusty Stripes socks. You guessed! They also need a spa treatment. It seems that I have "closure" issues.

All of that rambling to justify showing an aged project. This is my Cassis shawl that I bound off months ago. It was the recent recipient of blocking and photo shoot sessions. 

Working with The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering alpaca, merino and bamboo blend is a dream! If you still are not sold on this yarn, just check out these GORGEOUS projects: a colorful shawl, a stunning sweater, a button sleeve pullover and a delicate scarf.

Cassis is a great free pattern by Collete Audrey. My only modification was to knit many more rows to use most of the yarn. Project page: here

I am joining Tamis Amis FOs Fridays.

WIPS: Soay and 22.5 Degrees Progress

I made good progress on my Soay cardigan. This little project is teaching me so much! From practicing short rows to neck shaping-- I literally feel that I owe Gudrun Johnston more than the pattern. Well, I really owe Bethany a hug as she gifted me the pattern. 

I am flying solo as a parent for a couple of days. The husband will be out of town on a business trip (what I call a vacation). So, I will keep the cardigan in the blocking board for now. I've pampered it with a steam blocking just as I am next to three bind off the shoulders.

This will be my couch / super mama project for the next days. If Martina Behm loves variegated yarn in garter stitch, I do as well. I bought this yarn from Eat.Knit.Sleep on a Black Friday. Count me as another victim of the "it's on sale, let me buy it" syndrome. 

The details:

Yarn: Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in Spats
Needles: Chiagoo US 4 (3.55mm)
Pattern: 22.5 Degrees by Martina Behm
Project page: here

WIP: Soay

I am really loving working on this little cardigan. It is my first time knitting a Gudrun Johnston pattern. The pattern was a gift from the adorable Bethany.

During a brain power outage, I manage to cast on eight hundred stitches instead of the required two hundred and something. Yes eight hundred as in 800. My husband knew there was something wrong but I refused to wait until I could double check the pattern. You know, because I know it "all" and left the pattern at home while running errands. Not that I recommend that you try this but, let me tell you, it wasn't difficult to get rid of the extra stitches.

The details--

Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport Weight in Stone

Needles: US 4 (3.55mm)

Pattern: Soay by Gudrun Johnston

Project page: here

FO: Spinning the white elephant

I bought lots of "practice" fiber when I got the wheel. Mostly solid colors. Common sense is not always my companion. It didn't take me long to realize that spinning a one color fiber was not too exciting.

How to deal with the white elephant in the room? My genius plan was to buy more fiber so I can hide the elephant. Then, I checked how to make dryer balls. I also googled how to spin super bulky fiber. Common sense waived again and after cursing a bit (don't judge) I spun the fiber without a plan! And to my surprise, I love the results.

Plying two colors was a fun experiment. I ended up with ~ 350 yards, thin and thick heavy worsted weight. I would like to turn this into a honey cowl or something along the lines.

From four ounces of purple fiber I got around 270 yards of a sport weight...and some mini skeins that I didn't dare to measure.

There is still more "practice" fiber in the house. I will save that for the next tantrum.

Besides working on my attitude towards past purchases, my other big 2014 goal is going back to tennis! I miss the competition, being out with my team as well as being in shape. I just don't want spinning fiber to be my only exercise. My fiber goals stay the same: knit/spin whatever I want, whenever I can! No fuss crafting!