Are we there yet?

One thing about the Circle Shrug. The twisted float garter stitch gets more difficult to handle as the circle grows. Why? Because the twists are kept on down the yarns as the twist is knit, then you have to do a round of garter stitch, then you have to knit the twist again, but in the opposite direction to untwist what has accumulated down the yarns. In doing this, you end up with uneven amounts of yarn after the first round of twisting. Needless to say, the twisting is a bitch. You could untwist as you go, but that is a pain too. But I am through the worst of the twisting now. I am absolutely loving the colors!

In which, it becomes a parachute and swallows me whole

The Circle shrug. Is huge. On the needles it's taken on the apperance of a Rasta hat, so much that I put it on and yelled "Legalize it!" which resulted in chuckles from the BF. I have to say, it is knitting up pretty fast. I am on the edging now, and will be starting the sleeves soon.

More of the same

This is going to get old really fast. I won't post another picture of the circle shrug until I am attatching the arms or finishing the edging or something. Just thought I'd show the progression of the colors. I will probably knit more today since I am home sick =( Chicken broth and sleep, then some knitting later.

Starting the Circle Shrug

I've cast on for the Circle Shrug that has been on my backburner for ages now. The pattern is from the Fall 2005 Vogue Knitting. I think this is going to be a pretty easy knit. Once I got the hang of the twisted float stitch, (which is alternating and twisting two yarns as you knit them.) it's been smooth sailing. I am keeping my fingers crossed with this one though. I hope I have everything sorted, I just have the feeling that I'm forgetting something. I guess we'll see.

As for my trip to the yarn store, I was gung-ho to get an armload of yarn but when I finally decided on the yarn I wanted for the project I wanted, I decided against it. Yeah, I know. What happened? Well, the more I talked to the shop girls about it, the more it sounded like something I wouldn't be able to wear all of the time. The more it sounded like that, the less I wanted to spend close to $200 for the yarn and needles. No. So the next best thing was getting the rest of the yarn I needed for the circle shrug. I also picked up more Drops Alpaca (same color as Pomatomus) for someone's computer video gaming gloves.

A Stale Stash

I think my stash is growing stagnant. I have been trying to be good and not buy new yarn. I have been searching and searching my existing stash for projects. I have been surfing and surfing for patterns but free can only get you so far. I don't think you can do a whole lot being a thrifty knitter. Most often I hit a dead end. Either I'm a few skeins short of a project, or it's not the right color, or it's cotton and not wool, I don't have the right needles.... etc. So I'm hitting the LYS today. I don't care. It's on! I just need one new and exciting project and I will go back to diminishing my stash.

FO as promised!

I forgot. I did finish blocking etc. the Embossed Leaves socks! I took pictures and everything. They turned out great. *(Again, no pictures until later, since Blogger is down.)*



~Stats~

Pattern:
Embossed Leaves Socks from the Winter 2005 Interweave Knits

Yarn:
Drops Alpcaca (100% Pure Alpaca) 200yrds/180m/50g
Color 0100 Dyelot 2

Needles:
2.25mm bamboo dpns set of 5

Pros:
These were a much quicker knit than Pomatomus and also, a better fit.

Cons:
The toe decreases were a little weird. I think they were probably made to look like the tips of the leaves pattern, but one line of decreases ends up right under the toes, which makes for lumps under the toes.

**Blogger is back up, pictures have been added.

In the spirit of recent Vancouver weather,

I decided to try this quick knit earflap toque from Cover Your Ears! In the Winter 2005 Interweave Knits. Army Girl Earflap came to mind because lately it has been super windy, rainy and cold. I thought something cozy to cover up my ears might be in order. (Of course, now that the hat is almost finished, it has gotten nice and sunny out.) I think because of the color I chose, it looks more like a helmet than anything. I don't know if I like it now that I've knit most of it up. *(Also, I can't post any pictures right now because Blogger is down with some technical difficulties.)* It is a super easy, super quick knit though so no sweat!



**Blogger is back up now, so I've added the pictures.

Just so you know....

I've finished the Embossed Leaves alpaca socks. Done! But I have yet to block them, or take pictures. I am a lousy procrastinator, I know. No promises now, but I will probably post it as FO this weekend.