Blair, finally.

Sometime last winter I was looking for another sweater quantity of Madelinetosh Tosh DK, and Purl Diva was expecting a shipment. I had originally been looking for something in an earth tone of some sort, but when Ellen told me that she had the colorway Lapis, I couldn't resist. My plans for this yarn has changed at least half a dozen times over the last year. But then the Winter edition of Twist Collective came out, and I found the perfect pattern:

Pattern: Blair by Thayer Preece

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK in colorway Lapis

Modifications: My modifications somewhat stem from my inability to follow directions. I had planned on following the pattern as written for the size 35 1/2". Well, apparently I skipped over the section where the yoke increases only on the front and back and not on the sleeves. So, the body of my sweater ended up having the same amount of stitches as the next size down once I split the sleeves. Since it was knit "top-down", I was able to try it on and realized that it would still fit just fine...the neckline would just be a deeper V than the pattern calls for. I actually think it worked out perfectly. If I had not made that mistake, the body may have ended up being too big and baggy. The only other modification that I made was my sleeves are slightly shorter than the pattern calls for. 

Back.

I love everything about this sweater. The fit, the color, the eyelet detail, and the overall style. 

Buttons from BeadFreaky on etsy.

How about one more picture?

Seth made me climb the pear tree. This was the only halfway decent picture of about 20.

I have another, not nearly as exciting, finished knit.

Pattern: The Big Easy by Vivian Aubrey 

Yarn: Handspun MCN dyed by Two if by Hand

Modifications: None

The yarn knit up really, really lovely. It's amazingly squishy!

So, after I finished my Blair sweater I went a little crazy casting on new projects. I have another sweater on the needles (more on that in the next post), a shawl, and a baby sweater. 

What's that you say? You want to see pictures of the new projects? Okay, okay....twist my arm.

Saltwater Taffy Baby Cardigan in Wool Candy Fondant Merino DK. 

Scalene in Three Irish Girls Kells Sport Merino 

I have some new handspun to show you, too....but I think I'll write up a separate post for that later in the week. 

Love, 

liz 

Rikke Hat

In true Liz fashion, I decided that I needed to take a break from the sleeves on my Blair Sweater and whip up a quick project. I choose a hat pattern that I've been eyeing since it's release and I'm really pleased with the result and will most definitely be making more.

Pattern: Rikke Hat by Sarah Young

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK in Earl Grey

Modifications: I knit the body of the hat about 1/2 inch shorter than the pattern called for before the crown decreases. Mostly this was because I was afraid of running out of yarn (I had a few yards to spare when all was said and done), but I'm glad I did because I definitely wouldn't want the hat any longer/taller.

The Tosh Merino DK knit up really nicely and ended up much softer than I thought it would. It's a single ply merino, so we'll see how it holds up, but I think it's going to do pretty well.

I've also been spinning like a maniac since I had a shop update planned for today. So, hope you're ready for some more handspun pictures!

Corriedale/Finn/Rambouillet blend dyed by Spinner's Hill 

Organic Merino dyed by Two if by Hand in "Sweet Surrender"

Superwash Merino dyed by Pigeonroof Studios in "Swamp"

Superfine Merino dyed by Two if by Hand in "Dance Hall Hips"

This is my most favorite skein of the bunch! I love the flashy, bright colors!

Now that the shop update is over I need to concentrate on some more custom spinning and a handspun/project bag set I'm doing for an auction on ravelry to raise money for several charities that are sending money to Japan. More on that to come...

Well, I'm off to package up some etsy orders and ship them out!

Love,

Liz :)

I finished a project!

Now, don't get too excited....it's just a cowl. But it's made out of handspun yarn, and I happen to love it.

Pattern: Simple Seed Stitch Cowl

Yarn: Handspun yarn spun by me from Juliespins roving

Modifications: Surprisingly, none.

close-up glamor shot

I've also made some progress on my Blair Sweater.

I did the collar before the sleeves so I could know ahead of time if I'd have enough yarn to do long sleeves.

The collar took FOREVER. The fold-over part is all short rows, and once I got past those it went a bit faster. I just ordered these buttons to go on it.

I always seem to stall out a bit once I get to the sleeves, but I'm hoping when the buttons arrive it will motivate me to finish it sooner rather than later. That way I can at least wear it a few times before it gets too warm for handknits! 

I've also been spinning up a storm (what else is new, right?). I'm doing a shop update this week, so I've been trying to get 5-6 skeins of yarn ready. 

This lovely was slated for the update, but someone on ravelry saw it in my stash and wanted it. It was spun from Two if by Hand Rambouillet in colorway "New Tattoo."

Oh, this skein makes me smile. It's such a a great combination of cheery colors. Spun from Two if by Hand's Organic Merino in colorway "Surfer."

I think this would make an adorable baby boy knit of some sort.

Since I've been spinning so much, I've depleted my fiber stash quite a bit. So much that most everything I had left was purple. Probably because I've been hanging onto some of those to spin for myself. And while I love purple, I suppose customers probably want to see something other than all purple, all the time in the shop! 

So...I've been doing a little a lot of fiber shopping (some from etsy, some from people on ravelry looking to destash). 

This is what arrived in my mailbox on Thursday:

Starting at the top and going clockwise: Funky Carolina Polwarth in Egads with Aqua Trim (two 4 ounce braids and 2 ounces of trim), GLBLF Polwarth in Ferris Night, FLUFF Silky Cashmerino in Agate (two 3 ounce braids), and Pigeonroof SW Merino in Swamp.

Thursday was a good mail day, what can I say? Today was also a good mail day....but I'll save you endless amount of pictures of fiber...for now. 

Well...I think that's it for now!

Love,

liz :)

WIPs Galore

Well, well, well. Apparently I have a problem with casting on for more projects before finishing any of them! I have a sweater, sock, and cowl on the needles right now and finally took some pictures today.

First up, the sweater:

Pattern: Blair by Thayer Preece from Twist Collective

Yarn: Madelinetosh DK in Lapis

The sweater will have a 2 inch button band and larger collar that folds over (so while it looks a little small, it should be perfect once the button band is on). 

Now, I was planning on following the pattern exactly.  However, I somehow skipped over the increases that were supposed to happen on just the front and ended up with the same number of stitches as one size smaller than I was knitting. But...it ended up working out just fine. The neckline is a deeper V than is written in the pattern, and I actually think I like it better...so it's all good. 

Next up...handspun cowl:

Pattern: Simple Seed Stitch Cowl by Pongue Ette

Yarn: My handspun!

The ribbing on the cowl will be more flat after it's not all scrunched up on the needles! It makes a good mindless knitting project.

And last, but not least....the sock:

Pattern: Clandestine by Cookie A. from Knit.Sock.Love

Yarn: Wollmeise 80/20 Twin

This is my first time knitting with Wollmesie, and I'm really enjoying it so far. It isn't as soft as other yarn I've knit with, but it feels very sturdy and will make great socks. I've also heard that it softens up quite a bit after washing. 

I think these socks are going to look awesome when they're done. Cookie's sock patterns are gorgeous, but are certainly going to take me longer to knit than the plain-ish socks I've done so far this year!

I also have a couple more skeins of handspun (are you sick of seeing handspun yarn yet?!)...

BFL/Silk dyed by Two if by Hand in colorway Secret Dawn 

Spun for a custom order for a lovely customer in Alaska!

Organic Merino dyed by Two if by Hand in colorway Antique Ram

Spun up for the etsy shop

In other news, we got quite a bit of snow last week. Okay, we only got about 4 inches, but that was quite a bit for around here! The local trails are at a higher elevation, and there were about 8 inches up there when I walked with Valerie and the dogs.

Gorgeous view of town from the top of Dimple Hill

Sailor waiting patiently for a liver treat. Yes. Liver. Homemade liver treats.

Sailor and Diamond running up the trail.

And then there were the blackberry bushes that I had to drag Sailor away from. We've been picking blackberry thorns out of his fur all week!

Well, I think that's it for now! 

Love,

Liz :)

I'm Baaaaack!

Phew. It's been a while, hasn't it?! I have lots to share, so make sure you are sitting down. :)

The first exciting thing I want to share, is a photo of Seth's Dad in the sweater I made him. When we arrived in Rochester for Jonathon's wedding, we drove to the hotel just so he could have the sweater to wear to the rehearsal. He proudly told EVERYONE at the rehearsal that he was wearing a handknit sweater.

It fits him perfectly, and has been "rock climbing tested" in Vegas.

Seth's brother Jonathon got married while we were home, and had a beautiful wedding in Rochester.

Jacky and Jonathon during one of the readings during the ceremony

Seth, Matt, Jacky, Jonathon, Desi, and Mark Arrow

Their cake cutting was especially entertaining! 

We had quite the eventful trip home which also included a 50th Birthday Party for my Aunt Kathleen. The party was in a loft owned by one of Kathleen and Bob's friends and it was a GREAT celebration. 

I have quite a few photos from the party, but I think this one pretty much sums it up. Kathleen looked like she was having a fantastic time surrounded by friends from all facets of her life (and her huge family, of course!). 

Today is Kathleen's real birthday....so....

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY KATHLEEN!

And now, onto the knitting. There has been quite a bit of knitting and I have a bunch of small projects to show off!

So....before we left for the great white north, I realized that my lone pair of handknit mittens were looking a little sad (after wearing them every day for several winters in Maine) and a new pair was in order. I had finished 1/2 the pair before we left and vowed to knit the other one on the plane. Planes put me to sleep, so I didn't finish the second mitten until the night of the wedding! But, they were finished in time for the cold snap that happened while we were home. 

Pattern: Clap! Mittens by Kim Haesemeyer

Yarn: Handspun yarn (spun by me!) from JulieSpins Polwarth Roving

Modifications: My gauge was off since I was using sportweight yarn instead of fingering weight, so I knit a size smaller than I typically would have. But other than that, I followed the pattern exactly. 

I need to knit more with handspun...I'm so pleased with how these came out!

I've also been working on several baby gifts for someone I know who will be using cloth diapers. 

Pattern: EviePants All-in-One by Marilyn Porter

Yarn: Bear and Pants Cestari Fine Scrappies (I purchased a set of 5 mini-skeins of scrappies from another raveler)

Modifications: None. This pattern is completely customizable and so I just followed the directions for exactly what I wanted. They still need an i-cord for the waist, but I haven't decided what yarn to use yet.

The soaker was also made from the EviePants pattern and knit with Bear & Pants scrappies. It took exactly 2 ounces of yarn to knit the newborn sized soaker. Cute, eh?!

The last thing I have to share is a hat I made for John, who watched Sailor while we were gone. I made a scarf for his wife last time they dog-sat, and so I thought John needed a handknit this time around. 

Pattern: Man Hat by Haven Leavitt

Yarn: Three Irish Girls Galenas Chunky in colorway Riordan 

Modifications: None.

I LOVE the way this colorway knit up. It's manly, but still interesting. And I'll definitely be using the Man Hat pattern again. The whole hat knit up in just a few hours and would be a great hat for those people living in New England! ;) 

I think that's it for now! I just cast-on for a sweater that I'm pretty excited about and have some custom spinning I'm working on. Oh-and a couple of new bags that will be going up in the shop once they're done. 

Seth is running a 50K race on Saturday, so I'll be sure to snap a bunch of photos to post next time!

Love,

liz :)

The Sweater is Complete. Let the Celebrating Commence!

It's done! It's done! It's done!

Pattern: Beau by Kim Hargreaves from "Rowan Vintage Knits"

Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted in Father's Grey

Modifications: I knit the smallest size and the only modification I made was to knit the body longer than the pattern called for. The sweater was knit in pieces and then seamed, which worked out really well for a large sweater!  

The buttons are from Button Boy on etsy, and they are made from maple tree branches! So cool. 

I'm really pleased with the way it came out, it's a very handsome man sweater! 

Seth striking a pose.

Phew. I'm so glad it was done in plenty of time to give to Seth's Dad next weekend! I'll definitely be taking a break from big man sweaters for a while!

I haven't worked on any other knitting recently, since my priority was to finish that sweater!

I have been spinning a bit, though. 

Superwash BFL dyed by Two if by Hand in the colorway "Whiz Bangs" 

I love the way this spun up! There are so many different colors, yet it's not too loud and obnoxious. 

I'm working on a whole list of custom spinning orders, and I'll share those as they're done. I should have one to share before we head back east next week! 

Hmm, I think that's it for now!

Love,

liz :)