I've been working on Liz (my Elizabeth Bennet Cabled Cardigan).

I have the body finished, the button bands complete, and I had one sleeve almost done...until I realized that I had screwed up and the cables, way back at the beginning, were askew, and off by just a couple of very noticeable stitches.  So, I had no choice but to rip it back.  All the way back.  If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right, right?

What's in the bag??  My Rhinebeck haul!  First up...

Brooks Farm Four Play (50% Wool, 50% silk) in a deep, dusky, almost black, almost navy, this picture doesn't begin to show the color well at all color.  For my February Lady sweater that I have been dreaming of.

This is Brooks Farm Tierra Blend (I don't see it on their site).  It is a Wool/Alpaca blend.  I am going to use this to make Bounce and a pair of mittens for all of the time I will be spending at the ice rink now that Le Bug has taken up ice hockey.

This was a wee, lone orphan, one skein of the Tierra in a cool meld of green colors.  It is going to be either a hat for Le Bug, or a scarf for his mommy.

Speaking of Le Bug, I've wanted him to have a hand-knit sweater for awhile now, but just don't have the time to make it myself.  So...

I bought one at Rhinebeck from Mees and Ewes, a knitting store in Middleburgh, New York.  It is really a pretty color, and it fits him great.  And he will be warm, and I will not tell anyone it was not made by me if they don't ask.  So don't ask.

This is Briar Rose Fiber Arts Celebration yarn.  It is a wool/bamboo blend and it is going to be knit into a Leaflet Scarf.

And hockey has also made me realize that I need to finish my Monkeys...so my feet don't continue to freeze solid during practices.  This is where they are at these days...still on Sock #1.

So, that is where the knitting stands at this moment in time...and I have to start Amy's baby project soon, but you won't be able to see that because it's top secret.

Gratuitous hockey video...he is in Mini Mites, and he cannot even skate yet, as most of them can't.  He is four and a half, and he is #4 because "I am 4, duh Mom!".  That was what he told me when he chose his jersey number...he spends the first half of this clip crawling around...but then, miraculously, he stands up and shuffles around!!

200

The Elizabeth Bennet Cabled Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel

The Cascade Cloud 9 in VanDyke Brown is lovely (bought from WEBS online).

Waist shaping and my pretty Knit Picks Harmony Wood needles.  Love them, must buy more!

Roses from my garden.

So, my 200th post? Cool.

I wanted to give you an update on the Elizabeth Bennet Cabled Cardigan.  It is going very well, I'm just to the part with the cables about the waist.  They are written in chart form which I find a bit challenging, I'm toying with the idea of writing them all out, but there are 96 rows for the sleeves, and I just don't know if I have it in me.  I may try to muddle through.

I may be the only person in the world who doesn't find the charts helpful.  I know that you are supposed to be able to "see" the cables on the page, but I don't.  And these charts don't follow the typical vertical/horizontal lines for the knits and purls.  There is a horizontal line for the purls when they are on the RS of the fabric, otherwise the box is just empty.  I assume (making an ass of myself no doubt) that this means to treat it like normal and knit on the RS and purl on the WS?  I guess it will be trial and error because I can't seem to find an explanation anywhere online.  

I hope to have this sweater done in time for Rhinebeck this year.  That is my goal.  

In Progress

This is the Elizabeth Bennet Cabled Cardigan that has been long-awaited around these parts.  I cast on for it just before the Olympics began with the intention of trying to finish it before the end of the games, like the Ravelympics, but it isn't going to happen.  At least I have it started though, and that is inspiring me to knit on it more often.  Fall is right around the corner, this is going to be my go-to sweater for the fall.  Up next?  This sweater, and an also long-awaited baby project for Amy!  It will be purple and it will be special...I can't wait.

So Close and Yet...So Far....

This garter stitch yoke on the Cobblestone Pullover is going to be the end of me.

It is taking forever and a day to finish it.  It would help if I had more time to knit, of course...but that doesn't seem to be happening.  

I have a new super-cool camera, but I haven't totally figured out how to  use it to its best advantage yet, and so pictures are kind of crappy.  Actually, take out kind of, they are just plain craptastic.

Amy and I went to one of our local yarn stores on Good Friday and checked out some yarn I'd give you a link...but the website is currently under construction, and it's kind of pointless).  I bought a pretty pattern,  some Lamb's Pride in a dark green to make a sweater vest, and some really gorgeous pink Malabrigo, ummm, just because.  I am planning a scarf and hat from the MmmmMalabrigo for next winter.

I'm planning a lot of knitting actually:

• The Elizabeth Bennet Cable Cardigan (the yarn is on back-order from Webs.  I did not stay with the pink after all, but ordered a gorgeous rich brown)
• The U-Neck Vest also from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits--using the Lamb's Pride 
• The Saratoga Shrug from Dovetail Designs...see link above...
• A lace shawl?  Am I ready??
• Socks...

That should keep me busy until Fall...plus the little things that pop up.  I am waiting to find out what gender baby my friend Paul is having this year.  I made him a baby cardigan last year for his little guy Dimaggio...

they are expecting again and, depending, I will have another little project on the horizon.  Although I am not sure how I will top that one...

Lllooonnnggg Time, No Blog

I know.

I decided that I would give you no excuses and no justifications...it is what it is. And so, I give you--my first blog post in many, many moons.

When last I left you, Dear Reader, I was...hmmm....what was I doing? I think I had started the Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood of brooklyntweed that was in the Interweave Knits Fall 2007.

I started it, oh I don't even remember due to all of the drama that was going on, but I think, maybe? late November. I am making the 47" size for my husband, but I am starting to be afraid (very very afraid) that it may not fit. I shrugged off a gauge swatch (as usual) and I am not so sure it is big enough. I mean, it's hard to say, it's all squished up on the needles and all...and I still can block it out to make it a bit bigger. If all else fails, then I guess my 14 year old will have a new sweater that will be big and slouchy.

Next up? I am not sure...I need a small project. Maybe that hat you gave me, Amy. Then, I think I am finally ready to knit this...

The Elizabeth Bennet Cable Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel

In pink, of course...I know I was waffling about the color, but in the end, after I looked at a couple of pinks on Ravelry, I think I will stay with it.

What else is new? The Bug turned four!

We went out to dinner at a Hibachi restaurant with Uncle Steve and Aunt Amy and then home for cake and presents. Then the adults went out to see Uncle Marc's band play...and a good time was (hopefully) had by all!
No promises...but I will try to be better about the blog...I know it is really for me, and I have missed it, so...

Now off to Ravelry to waste some more of my time!

WTF Wednesday

Woke up this morning with no voice. Well, a whispery voice, but not a real voice. Had to go to work as I had promised a fellow teacher to read a passage from a book during her all day read-athon of the Holocaust memoir, Night by Elie Wiesel.

Ha!

Whispered it with a microphone. It was very dramatic. She said it provided atmosphere.

Picked up Rusted Root to finish the ribbing on the waist, sleeves and neckline so I could wear it to work tomorrow on our Conference Day. Got it all done. I laid it down to admire it and noticed a glaring mistake. Apparently, when I had ripped back at one point to redo a small mistake, I put the stitch markers that marked the lace panel in the wrong spot by one stitch each way, resulting in a wavy panel that looked like supreme crap. Had to undo the bind off and frog at least half of the thing to get back to a point where things were still okay.

Set Rusted Root aside. Fed up for now. Will not be done for Vegas. Instead, I will see if I can crank out my Clapotis instead. If I do nothing but knit in my free evenings, and maybe stay home on Friday, I might get it done in time.

To provide a balm for my knitterly spirits and my sore throat? I bought the yarn, Cascade Cloud 9, for the Elizabeth Bennet cardigan that I was drooling over in yesterday's post.

Pink, of course.

Did you really think I wouldn't get the pink? Seriously...it's all about the pink. Clearly, I need a daughter.