Same Story Here
Yes, I’m still very busy at work. There’s lots of new spring yarns coming in every day. And we’re starting to get ready for Stitches West. This is the first time I will be going along.
And with the busy holidays, there was essentially no blogging time. Whole months go by now without me noticing. Well and Ravelry has taken about what little blogging time I do have. My stash is all up there now, all 56,000 yards of it. All my projects are up too, but not with all the details. That will happen over time.
I have two projects I’m really focusing on right now. Most important is the sweater for Bill. I’ve got the back done, and the front has a few more inches to go. The DK ribbing on a men’s large sweater is going so slowly. But I’m determined to finish soon.
The other project I’m working on is the Hemlock Ring Blanket. It’s a fun and easy pattern. It’s moving along quickly. I’m trying to keep up with the Ready, Set, Knit! Podcast.
And with working full time this last year, my movie watching dropped tremendously. But I did manage to watch enough to compile my annual Best and Worst lists. I absolutely loved The Lives of Others and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Go see these movies, now.
Finished Project: April in December
Project Specs:
Pattern: April in December by Melissa available soon as a Valley Yarns pattern
Yarn: 3 skeins of Valley Yarns Southwick, color Flamingo
Needles: 4
Size: 6 months
This is a cardigan I finished last month for my new niece. I can’t believe I never got around to blogging about it. Thanks Amy for pestering me about the blog.
Finished Project: My First Towels
Project Specs:
Pattern: All-Purpose Waffle-Weave Towels from Handwoven’s Design Collection 18 by Marilyn Murphy
Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotlin colors 8176, 6256, and 5604
epi: 24
Size: 24″ x 19″ before washing, 20 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ after washing
Pattern Alterations: I changed the color striping in the warp. I cut off the plain weave section of the towels before sewing. With it, the plain weave ends didn’t shrink at the same rate as the waffle weave and they were really wavy.
I should have chosen a much easier project for my first independent one. And I shouldn’t have added the extra pressure of it being a gift. I had problems with this project every step of the way. I started winding the warp way back in June. Finally I am finished. My first towel was awful. The second a little better. And the third even better. I no longer want to burn my new loom.
I do really like the texture of the towels. And the 8/2 Cotlin washes up so nicely.
