Earlier this month, while surfing through the knit-blogs, I came across Katie’s site and we did a little yarn exchange - my leftover Rowan Plaid for her leftover Felted Tweed. The picture below details the three amazing balls of Felted Tweed that she sent me. (Now what can I do with a ball of Crush and a ball of Melody? Suggestions?)
I’ve always wanted to knit Bloom from Rowan 36, and I can’t make a sweater with three different colors now, can I? (Well actually I could but let’s just pretend I can’t). So then I scoured for Felted Tweed sale and hit the mother load. 5 balls of Felted Tweed in Whisper at just the right price - $6.00 per ball baby! Now I have more felted tweed than what’s needed to make Bloom, but who cares. It’s lovely lovely yarn, I tell you.
And then, as fortune would have it, I was just looking at Forecast from Knitty and happened to stop by my LYS to chance upon 7 balls of the exact yarn called for at $4.00/ball. With the amount of yarn I have at my disposal, maybe I can make a Demi from Rowan Vintage Style too, if I so choose.
Okay.. enough yarn porn. I did have a small FO during the break. Another DNA scarf. It so happens that BF would like a cream-colored scarf, and since he adores the DNA pattern, I made another one in Rowan Cashsoft DK. This yarn is delish - 57% extra fine merino, 33% microfiber and 10% of cashmere. At 142yds/50g, I used 3 balls. And get this, it’s MACHINE WASHABLE. Heck, the label says you can even IRON it too. Way to go, Rowan. It’s going to be part of a goody package that I’m sending off to him…. I just gotta finish up a pair of socks before I assemble the package.
Happy New Year All!

Of the few sweaters that I’ve made up to this point, the only one that gets heavy rotation is Raspy. Now that it’s cold and nipply, a cotton sweater simply won’t do. I’ve always admired the Hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and so the timing was just perfect. Pattern: Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Materials: Baruffa Maratona (8 balls at 121yds/50g), sz 5 and sz 6 circular needles

Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows to 4″ in sz 6 needles

Notes: The pattern called for Noro Cash Iroha at a gauge of 19 sts and 28 rows, therefore I had to alter the pattern to fit my gauge (that and I was trying to stash-bust). I basically measured a shirt that I wear ala Diana’s method, and knit to fit my own specifications. I decided to be a little adventurous and try the negative ease thing on this one, and made it with 1″ negative ease. Could have gotten away with -2 or even -3, but that’s for next time. Of course, having a long torso and long arms meant additional mods too. The body piece before sleeve attachment was 18″, and the sleeves were at 22″ a piece before joining them to the body. I followed the pattern guidelines roughly for the shaping ideas and also the yoke for the raglan shaping. For the hems on the lower body and the sleeves, I followed the no-sew-knitted-hem tutorial by Marnie. The less I have to sew, the better. Initially I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough yarn since so many other knitters have run into yarn-shortage problems at the knit-along, so I decided to add the brown trims for the sleeves just in case. Turns out I have nothing to worry about. I still have 2 complete balls of yarn left.

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a close up of my neckline and my sleeves…

In an unfortunate turn of events, BF won’t be able to spend this holiday season with me. Quite the bummer. Here’s why: Power-tripping U.S. Consulate Interviewers. He told BF that it’s only been 3 months since he moved to Canada and that he didn’t see any reason why BF should come to the States. Hello?!? Friends? Family? Lonely girlfriend? It’s Christmas? That gentleman surely ruined my Christmas. I hope his Christmas sucks ass too. There I said it.

It’s been very quiet on the home front for the past few weeks, and to be quite honest I’m in a bit of a knitting funk. There’s been many attempts of knitting, leading to many instances of ripping.. and finally I’ve just decided to take a small knitting break. But winter has kicked in, and during this little break I’ve decided to knit another scarf for the BF in Canada.
Here’s the breakdown for the above geeky knitting..
Pattern: DNA Scarf by June Oshiro
Materials: a little over 4 balls of Plassard Superwash Merino (DK weight, 123yds/50gm), size 3 needles
Finished size: 6″ wide by 78″ long (incl. 18″ of neck ribbing). Measurements taken after blocking.
Notes: Variations of the DNA scarf designed by June Oshiro can also be found in the Knits Gene-ious section of Interweave Knits Fall 2003 magazine.

Of course, with the leftover yarn, I managed to whip up a pair of wrist warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts for myself.. why let good yarn go to waste right?
Oh, and worry not. The Renaissance Tunic wasn’t ripped. My brain just needs something simple and less-complicated right now….