amethyst muse

the return of sonata

Its back at Elann.  So....what have you used (or would use) this yarn for? I want to make Soleil, the cover pattern from Dale 171 (cropped wraparound cardi), chickami.....what else??

Short and sweet

Knitting progress noted on sidebar. I'm sick like a dog. Knitting getting done in a horizontal position.

New Magknits......Must. Knit. Calla. I love it, AND it looks to be bra strap worthy. [Yes, the girlz need support ALL the time, and I have yet to find a strapless bra that can stand up to the girlz.

new knitting

I've NOT finished any projects, but I've updated the sidebar (somewhat), and started NEW projects. First, the Cat's Meow Shell.

It's slow going because S.R. Kertzer Kitty is a railroad ribbon. A total pain in the butt. I bought this kit 2 years ago from RamsWools. After a few false starts, I've finally got the hang of it. I'm in the armhole section of the back.

Next on the list is the Rebecca 29 Wrap Cardi. Yep, a year after the knitalong, I finally cast on. I'm using Katia Ingenua, in a pretty purple color.

I also plan to start a new project this week, and that is Body for Life. It worked for me before, and I plan to work it again. Last time I went from a size 18-20 down to a size 8.  I'm back up to a tight 14, and hope to get back to 8.

I saw on another blog that someone knit the shrug from the DB Cathay book, using Patons Brilliant. Call me a copycat, but I plan on doing the same.

More later.

Still here!  I am getting settled in JACKSONVILLE, FL!!!!  Yes, I am no longer in HOTlanta, and am in Sunny Florida. I love it. But, what to knit???  It was 80 degrees the other day. I'm looking for tanks, vests, you know, warm weather stuff. And needless to say, as of Monday, I'll be back in the gym. I need to get beach worthy FAST!

chugging along

Projects have been moving along.  The Elegant Gauntlets are DONE!  Babygirl has been bugging me for them, and didn't care that the 2nd one is slightly larger than the 1st. Gauge is slightly tighter, and by the time I noticed, I didn't want to frog and start all over.

I've started (again) Teva Durham's Turtleneck Shrug. I love this pattern. I don't know if it will be for me or babygirl, as she says she wants one too. I'm using Caron Simply Soft in blue. And using the combined knitting method, I have a nice crisp K3P3 thing going. It's funny, because when I first taught myself to knit years ago, I used combined knitting.  Only when picked up the needles again, did I start knitting "properly". I can definitely see a difference when I knit any ribbing or cables.  So, I will use both methods accordingly.

As for Nanowrimo progress....consider me a Nanowrimo dropout. My goals for this month has nothing to do with quantity, but consistency. I need to develop a daily writing habit. Once past that hurdle, I can work on daily quantity.

My Frappr Map

I am a lemming.

Something New

I started something NEW.  Casual Cables from Textured Knits. I'm using good ole Lion Brand Woolease. Of course I've got many projects undone. But this looks like a really comfy throwaround sweater, hence the woolease. It took me 2 days to knit the 1st sleeve. Now that is fast, and I dread knitting sleeves! 

Of course, it is merely a procrastination tactic. That damn Cinxia, with 240+ stitches, is slooowww going! I have the urge to start something else, but not until I have completed one project, and that would be the Elegant Gauntlets, as that is closest to completion.

Nanowrimo is still going, albeit rather slowly. I'm behind in words and I don't care, I'm just writing.

Koigu Goodness

Here is a quick pic of the first gauntlet.  I don't have a working camera, so I used my scanner.  This is Koigu Color # P154.

The colors are somewhat accurate. Oddly enough, even on size 3 needles, this project is moving quickly. However, remind me of that when it's time to start #2!

Say YEAH! to Startitis and Procrastination

Instead of working on my NaNoWriMo novel, I've started some new projects.  Woo Hoo!!  Please allow me my delusions that somehow new projects will help me write 50,000 words.

First, we have Elegant Gauntlets - commissioned by my daughter, and now I have popped my Koigu cherry. I actually started one on size 2s, frogged it, and restarted on size 3s. I think it is a little more drapey, and gauntlet-like. The size 2s are much firmer, appropriate for socks.

Next, the Baby Romper, from a Lion Brand pattern - baby boy is due January 18th, so I need to get it done, but it's not on the fast track (yet).

And finally, Cinxia - for Me! Me! Me!. I'm using Peruvian Wool from Elann, that was a ribby cardi in it's former incarnation.

And, just for the record, I LOOVVVEEE Koigu.  I'm using Color #P154. I've found only one reference to this particular color online, and the picture looks *nothing* like what I have. The colors are fuschia, blue, gold, brown and some dark green. I don't have a functioning digital camera, but maybe I can scan my progress and post it later. Anyway, I can foresee that these gauntlets will be "shared" by mother and daughter.

help!

Ribbing sux!  At least *MY* ribbing does.  I'd show you a picture if I could.  I am frustrated.  K6P2 ribbing.  Simple enough. Except, after all this time, that last knit stitch before switching to purl is STILL coming out loose and ugly.  I've tried everything, but nothing seems to be working. And I don't think blocking will help very much in this instance. So PLEASE...I'm begging...what can I do to prevent that last stupid loose knit stitch. Leave a comment!