Saturday, August 25, 2007

Projects under construction

Just wanted to show y'all some of the things I've been working on. I have other UFOs, but they were much deeper down in the great pile o' knitting projects. I'm sure they will be unearthed and finished some day.

The project that's bringing me the most joy to work on right now, is Jeff's Mosaic Sweater, (it's really my sweater, I have never actually met Jeff), from Morehouse Farm Merino Knits. I'm using Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran, color #412 "Thorny", and Noro Kureyon, color #178. The variegated yarn barely peeks through on every other stitch of every third row. The striping is subtle, but I really like it. The main color is sort of a dark brown/olive green. I would like to have this one done by the end of October so I can wear it to SAFF.




My next project also has a deadline, and a much sooner one at that. The Atlanta Knitting Guild has decided to enter a scarecrow in the Atlanta Botanical Garden's "Scarecrows in the Garden" competition. We are going to try to knit as much of him as possible. He will be wearing a big patchwork sweater, and I have volunteered to knit his pant legs. I have to admit, my hands are killing me. It's extremely difficult to knit with three strands of Red Hear
t ACK-rylic on size 15 needles. He's gotta be weatherproof, and I'm pretty sure Red Heart will hold up through 104 degree heat, rain, snow, hail, and nuclear fallout. I'll try and make it to the garden to get a photo of the completed scarecrow.

This is my first, (and quite possibly my last), attempt at lace. I'm sure many of you will recognize it as the Branching Out scarf from Knitty. I'm using a Karabella yarn called Breeze, (color #37, 40% cashmere, 60% silk). It's a really luscious yarn, and I thought that would be enough to get me through this seemingly simple project. If it had not been for the use of a lifeline, (which I have used many times), I would have ripped this project long ago. I have since found out from other knitters, that this pattern was not so easy, and that there are much easier lace patterns out there. Maybe I will give lace another try, but I am bound and determined to get this project finished.



This bag, based on the Everlasting Bagstopper, (another Knitty pattern), is made from Louet linen instead of hemp. I decided I wanted to knit the handles on, instead of going out and buying and sewing handles on. (and, of course, that's where it stopped) I just need to do several more inches of ga
rter stitch, and then either graft, or three-needle bind off, and I'm done. Now THIS is the kind of lace I like. First row knit, second row, YO, k2tog, repeat. Ok, I admit, it was a bit repetitive, but I didn't have to sequester myself away from all civilization to knit each repeat either. (are you sort of getting the idea of how I feel about lace?)



Many thanks to my son Andrew, for taking the photos today. I really appreciate him helping me out. Before we finished, he snapped a quick shot of some of my stash. I really need to pull it all out and get an inventory so I'll have it ready for when I'm invited to join Ravelry! (only 12,965 people ahead of me ..... any day now!)


Wow, that's a lot of yarn. (yes, it goes all the way to the ceiling) Ain't it purdy? (I'm also thinking of all the stash you can't see in this photo) OK, I'll admit I have a problem. (that's the first step, right?) But I'm really trying to not buy any new yarn, (unless there's a really good sale, and it's something I really need), and I'm really trying to knit from my stash.

I just need to learn to knit faster.


Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
I was asked to post the recipie for this extremely yummy dip we had last night at the knitting group meeting. I think we agreed to call it:

Beth's Knitch Dip

4 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 cans Rotel tomatoes
1 - 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1 - 2.5 oz. can chopped black olives
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 c. chopped parsley
1 pkg Good Seasons Italian dressing mix

Drain off and set aside some of the liquid from the Rotel tomatoes.
(you may add it back in if the dip is too thick)
Mix everything together and refrigerate at least two hours.
(unless you're really hungry, then just go for it!)
Serve with chips, or veggies, or just a really big spoon.
(yes, it's that good!)




7 comments:

Mouse said...

I made 'Branching Out' for my Knitting Olympics project - and I had to use TWO lifelines. One was placed at the end of the finished pattern repeat.. and one was put in before the dreaded row 7 where all of my mistakes on the whole pattern occurred. I think that the only way I'd be able to knit an entire lace shawl is if I took a vow of silence and found a nice cave to live in for a while.
As for your stash photo.. Wowza. That's awful impressive.. my stash is jealous. I guess that is what happens when you work in a yarn shop, eh?

KnitWit said...

Hey! I have a pass to the Botanical Gardens so let me know when you go and maybe we can coffee and knit there too. I bet the gang would be up for that! And HA on that stash! Sweet Jesus so much yarn so little time!

Anonymous said...

OMG - yours is definetely bigger than mine. You win. ;-) A tip for Ravelry - make a spreadsheet now and entering your stash will be very easy. And take pictures of each yarn. That'll make be good for your stash list. People like to look at pictures.

Your lace looks great - take little steps at a time and soon you'll be able to tackle a nice shawl for Beth. The sweater is fabulous - can't wait to see it on you.

Katey said...

STEVE!!!

How long have you been knitting? That stash is MASSIVE!

I've been at it 10 years and I don't have that much yarn. (Of course I haven't ever worked in a yarn shop either!)

:-)

ddknits said...

Hey, that's a really nice start on a stash for someone's who's only been knitting for 3 years. Way to go!

jenifleur said...

Holy crap. I think I need to buy yarn. Suddenly I feel so much better about my stash, thank you!

KnitWit said...

Have you noticed a theme? "Gee I feel so much better about my own yarn buying problem now that I have seen yours." Way to blaze that trail!