In which our hero regresses. Roar!

So I knit a Baby Surprise Jacket. Uh, forgot to mention that, surprise? Really it took all of four days, most of which were not spent knitting, so it could have gone much quicker.



I haven't seamed the sleeves because I know some folks here who want to see it (and I like watching people trying to figure out how to fold it into a jacket). It will probably hang out as a store sample, since I'm not aware of any upcoming babies.



I used just under 2 balls of Regia 6-ply 'Square Color' (colourway 1126) on 3.5mm needles, and ended up with basically a newborn size, it is quite wee (and as everyone else knows, ohmywordsocute). Hey look, my needle storage system! (circulars hang on my wall elsewhere).



In other news, MALABRGIO LACEWEIGHT. I believe the proper term is 'fall down. Go boom'.



Colour number VAA 51. Descriptive, nu?



It's this wonderful swampy green mix.



The pictures don't really do it justice, it have more olive tones to it.



For some reason this colour makes me think of dinosaurs...



I have no idea why.



I'm also thinking Laminaria for this stuff. Mmm.



And finally, thank you ALL for the wonderful comments on my vest. it has been getting plenty of wear in this transitional season.

Have a good one, peoples!

In which there is Springtime

Forgot to show y'all these yesterday. The buttons I used for reinforcement each match a colour present in the tweedy-ness of the yarn (if you look hard enough). There is black, red, orange, green, pink, blue, yellow and purple.





Also, to me, this is perfect spring music.

Manipulative Vest, FO

I just had to get the action shots up yesterday. I totally have no self-control some times.




Pattern: Meg Swansen's Saddle Shouldered Aran Cardigan (available from Wool Gathering(63) or Spun Out(49), via Schoolhouse Press)
Yarn: Donegal Tweed Homepsun (Tahki), colourway 863, 7 skeins (well, just over 6, but you know)
Needles: Assorted 4.5 mm and 4.0mm(for the garter bands) circulars
Start: April 1, 2008
End: April 19, 2008
Mods: Well! I saw this FABULOUS vest, and decided I must have! However, I didn't want to order a pattern (I know that if I start buying knitting stuff online, I would never stop). So I looked at pictures (of both the best and other people's cardigans), and read their comments and mods and ideas and sort of cooked it up from those as I went along.

Verdict: I do like of love it a little bit. The body is a bit long (you can see in yesterdays photos that it kind of bunches up over my belt if I'm bending over or climbing trees or something), but given that I cycle around a fair bit, I think it's a fair trade off to keep my back properly covered. Only other downside is I am not 100% thrilled with the fabric. I think were I to recreate this, I would likely use a smaller needle to get a denser material with some more body to it (I have this weird phobia of loosely knit items). But I can mostly ignore that, especially since it was such a case of instant gratification.

So! a few more photos.

Oh, sweet miters...





Shoulder detail (fishbone/antler/whatever it's called cable)...



A good shot of all the cables I used (quail, sheepfold, fishbone/antler...)



And I am in love with these buttons I scored.

In which there is a pseudo-FO

I'll give some details and photos of the interesting bits tomorrow probably. But for now, some pictures from todays walk.


Getting my bearings


I figured letting go would not be prudent (I am so going back tomorrow and practicing hanging upside down)




"I feel very 'king of the jungle'-ish"

In which our protagonist is sleep-deprived

Hate to be a tease, but so far I am so, *so* chuffed with this vest! Should be done super soon, and will hopefully get photos in a reasonably timely manner. With the Seder and my final two exams in the next couple of days, I shall be incommunicado for a short bit again, but I am excited for this project to be put into use (I also have two other FOs that have been sitting for far too long, so there should be some good fodder for the next few weeks).

Be well, peoples!

In which... Um... what's the right sound for sheer terror?

Because I'm sure a couple of people might be curious...

I started with the arm steeks. Small, sharp scissors and my fortification of choice: herbal tea, because as much as I would like caffeine or beer at this point, I feel that would be tempting fate.



Eyes on the prize, eyes on the prize....



First inch in...



Almost there...



Ok. Phew. Moving on. Right then, other armhole.



Aaaand a tube is now a pullover!



I will spare you more detail shots, so magically, the pullover is now a cardigan!



I'm now working on the lovely lovely garter bands, and there is a definite sense of relief in the air.

Hope y'all are well, people!

In which the sun shines... sporadically

First, business.
I really mean to keep this well updated and documented, but Exam Brain got to me and well... I know the last you saw was a swatch, but now I am ready to knit the shoulder saddles...
At this point, I think I'll just talk more about it later. Well, one thing: holy crow, I could be ready to steek tonight. Ahhhh!



The weather was gorgeous over the weekend. Today, it has been somewhat undecided. Gloriously sunny one moment, but the next thing I know, I'm drenched and I remembered why wet jeans and bicycles are not good friends.

That being said, The Wee Ones took advantage of Saturday's sun and had themselves a little Spring barbecue!



I think my invite must have gotten lost in the mail (or under the piles of paper and clothes in my room.)



Looks to me like the pool lifeguard is dozing off...



Hey, what's that pooch doing in there! Oh, probably the doggie paddle, I guess...

Have a good week everyone!

In which the...ooh shiny!

Yum.

Back to paper writing.

In which cookies are baked

Ok, so I lied a little bit, hi.

Taking a break to make these



and listen to this.



Which, by the way, has the cutest cover(s) ever!





The music is also really really good. And for those who are wondering, 'tricot machine' is French for knitting machine. Check out their videos on youtube (particularly l'ours, and les peaux de lievres (which has some *very* nifty knitting animation!)

In which aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I'll be back sometime next week, after the first round of exams are done.

Have a good one, peoples!

In which a great mystery is revealed

They're at it again.

I came home from classes a little bit earlier than normal today, and look what I found!



I suppose I must normally miss the bulk of their work day, and I think I surprised them some. Still, the forman (the gent up top there) was kind of enough to give me tip of the cap (nobody does that anymore).



Well, I will certainly admit that I have always wondered how the flecks of colour got into tweedy yarn. I assumed that it was all part of the milling process somewhere, but now I know better!

You know what just occurred to me? These folks might be related to the Nac Mac Feegles... Maybe I should go set out some thimbles of the good stuff...

In which swatching happens

I have been swatching...





But this is kind of special swatching, can you guess what's different? (the last picture might give you a clue)