For the last few days, I’ve been obsessed with biker-style jackets. I searched the fashion forums and picked out two that I liked most.

(simple lines, hidden pockets, and epaulets)

What I happen to have is also 7 balls of chunky yarn that was originally purchased to make Tikru’s Greengable. Unfortunately, I realized it wasn’t enough. Since then, the yarn has been staring me in the face gnawing at me to make something out of it. So when the startitis bug hit, I gave in to the temptation of instantly casting on. I made a mental list of the qualities that I want from this jacket, and I realized that given the possibility of running out of yarn, the jacket should be:

• Knit top down, but with short-rows for shoulder shaping
• With top down set-in sleeves
• Have vertical slit pockets on both fronts, also top down
• High collar
• Sleeve, bottom and collar bands in contrast color, but keep front button bands in same color
• Epaulets! Wee….

Of course it was then that I realized that there is no pattern for all the things that I want to do, so what better time than to make my own? That’s right - my jacket is going to have ALL of those qualities. Barbara Walker, don’t let me down now. And this is what I have to show for it after 2 days.

(a big lump of chunky yarn)

Oh yea, and I’m also knitting a pair of Aquaphobia Socks on the side too. You can never have too many WIPs.

(jah…I is busy)

As someone who appreciates all things beautiful and fair isle (not too obvious from my finished objects so far), my introduction to Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting arrived way too late to be able to own a copy of THE bible at a reasonable price. Over the last year and a half, I have searched numerous yarn stores across California, and many LYS in New Orleans, Washington D.C, and New York, and of course, flea markets and the internet. I was just about to give up on the idea of ever owning one altogether when a random google search revealed that a fellow knit-blogger in Canada would like to exchange her copy of Starmore’s book for a copy of Mostly Mittens by Charlene Schurch. Thus, email was exchanged, and a deal was made.

(I am now the proud owner of this marvelous fair isle book)

Last weekend my friend Bobby G and I attended a kick-ass Groove Armada concert at the City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. I haven’t mentioned this at all on my blog but Spring and Summer seasons for me usually mean concerts, concerts, concerts. Unfortunately, my ears have been ringing since Saturday night and I seriously hope that I didn’t do any permanent damage. Note: Bring ear plugs next time. If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like to read up on the fun we had at the concert, be sure to visit chewbrew.com.

(yes it was that much fun)

Since I last finished the Phildar Pullover with the enormous batwings, I have been force feeding myself to gain the extra poundage to fit into the sweater. No, seriously. Okay, maybe not. But I’ve been working on importing the blogger posts to the new dig AND maybe collecting sock yarns at an alarming rate.

(all Koigu, all the time baby)

The thing with blogger is that when I receive comments from my readers and get all excited about writing them a response, I am greeted with a “noreply-comment@blogger.com”. You can see how this puts a damper on things. So after 3+ not-so-blissful relationship with blogger, I’ve decided to part ways.  And oh, there’s a Pattern page now too. It’s looking a little skinny right now, hopefully I’ll come up with more things later on.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been working on smaller projects as I wait for the next wave of inspiration to smack me over the head. I’m usually not one for spring/summer projects, but I picked up three skeins of Euroflax Original Linen to play with. And if I am lucky, I’ll end up with a Perfect Fit Skirt.

See I tried this baby on, and it looks like I won’t be experiencing any muffin-top action. That’s good news in my book. Unfortunately though, it needs a half slip. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve never worn slips under skirts. Will it be way too hot? What’s the point of wearing a skirt if you can’t feel the breeze, right? The closest thing that I ever wore to a slip was a pair of spandex shorts under my school uniform, and that was in 9th grade! I didn’t understand why kids in school thought it was funny to go around lifting girls’ skirts back then, and I still can’t figure it out. Do they do that anymore?

Welcome to my new digs. Always under construction.

There comes a time when you realize that you’ve been duped. We have all been victims of pretty pictures that we see in pattern magazines, and envisioned how magnificent our FO’s will turn out. Such is the trickery of beautiful models and professional photography. I, on the other hand, have an iPhone camera on the day the FO shooting took place. No awesome cameras, grumpy knitter, and this is what you get…. just a “Meh….”

(Do not be fooled by this picture. That’s the most flattering angle of the sweater)

(Notice how I am not smiling in the pictures. There is a reason. The truth will be revealed soon)

(Way too oversized batwings.)

(Trust me, I can gain an additional 50 lbs and this sweater will still fit)

(The side that the French model never bothered to show you)

Pattern: Phildar Gilet No 416-T4-159, Sz 34/36

Materials: Jaeger Baby Merino DK (13 balls in Teal), Sz 4 circs, 2 el-cheapo Walmart buttons

Notes: The pattern, though French, was pretty straight forward because it didn’t contain complicated shapings. The finishing instructions though, were a hoot. Basically, this is what it said : “Attach fronts to the back piece. Don’t bother trying to match up the stitches because it is impossible. Look at the diagram and use it as a guide.” Hmph! Great. The yarn that I used is a superwash yarn, and when I wetblocked the pieces, it grew to monstrous proportions. What is it with superwash yarn and gigantic expansions? I think that’s what contributed to such a floppy looking sweater.

I had grand hopes for this sweater, and spent 8 hours seaming this beast. I was going to find a kick-ass furniture store and look for a similarly shaped couch that the model was standing in front of and do the exact same pose for kicks and giggles. And then, BAM!, I tried it on. “Meh…” was about the best emotion the resulting FO elicited. Just “meh”.

At first I wondered if I should just rip the sleeves apart, but it wouldn’t be a cardigan now, would it? I have decided in the end to just make peace with it and move on. Oh sure I’ll still wear it, we all need a tent sweater some time right?

And with that.. let’s move on to better pictures of the Pimlico shrug in the outdoors. This is a drastic improvement from my bathroom shots. We must end this point on a high note. Yes we must.

(ahh..much better)

(collar up)

(and again, what the pattern doesn’t show you in the book)

Alright, I’m a little late for a new year post, but better late than never right, guys? Let’s start with the end of year knits. First here, we have a pair of Lapland Mittens from Folk Mittens.

Project: Mittens from Lapland (Folk Mittens)

Materials: Leftover Baruffa Maratona (uber light pink and burgundy), and Knitpicks Merino Style (Pink), Sz 2 dpns

Notes: No mods to the pattern, and this was my first DPN project. I saw these short 6″ balene DPNs at the LYS and decided right then and there that I need to expand my horizons and move beyond the magic loop. Love the DPNs, surprisingly, and went out to purchase more sizes in the 5-6″ length for future mittens and socks. These mittens were a little tight on me, but they did keep my hands warm enough for my Mardi Gras trip to New Orleans two weeks ago. (Yes I saw breasts, and no they were not all pretty).

And because I didn’t want my friend to lose me in the madness on Bourbon St, I brought along my newly knitted Moss Stitch Beret in super bright yellow. It is Big Bird on Sesame St yellow. Little do I know that Bourbon St attendees would show me up with even brighter costumes that obscured my yellow noggin. 

Project: Ken’s Moss Stitch Beret

Materials: Cascade 220 (used less than a skein), Sz 3 for the knitted hem, and Sz 7 for the rest of the beret

Notes: I loved the provisional cast-on knitted hem. Look! Lovely. The beret turned out a little slouchier than Ken’s, which is fine by me because I like my hats a little oversized. I may or may not have screwed up the decreases, but in the end my stitch count ended up just fine. Live and learn.

So what is with the cold weather and wanting to live in your blanket? I’ve had 6 skeins of pure merino from Uruguay burning a hole in my stash the last two years and couldn’t figure out what to do with them. Sure, a sweater would be nice, but this yarn pills too damn much. And then I found the perfect pattern.

Project: Pimlico Shrug from Knit2Together (Size S)

Materials: 5 skeins of 216 yd/skein pure merino wool from Uruguay, Sz 7 and 8 needles

Notes: Instead of 34″ of lace knitting, I shaved off some length and ended it at 27″. Since I CO provisionally, I just continued ribbing and joined the knitting in the round. No other mods to the pattern, and it is a dream to knit with this yarn. 

We’ve seen some cold nights here in California, and I’ve loved every moment of it. Why? Because I now have an oversized blankie to keep me warm. It’s soft like buttah, and the perfect piece of clothing to keep me cozy while I knit. 

So there we have it. And lest you think I’m taking a break.. you’d be wrong. Project on the needles right now… tadah!

It’s French, it’s pretty, and it’s….. one giant headache. Google translator to the rescue!