FO: Retro Reduc Shrug!

At last I finished something! I was right, its the retro redux shrug, below is me modeling with my sister's dog Maddie who didn't really feel like being in the picture. (Maddie is a little camera shy.)

I made the smallest size using Berroco Love It. I didn't make any modifications except that the collar isn't as long as it should be since I ran out of yarn. I am very happy with the way that this shrug turned out. The pattern is so easy. The shaping is done just by changing the needle size so its very easy. The most annoying part was picking up all the stiches for the collar. I had to redo it a couple times to get the right number, but once ?I got past that it was a breeze to finish.

I also liked the yarn. Its soft and easy to work with, but it can be a little splitty at times. I'd use it again, but the woman at Saybrook Yarn told me that its being discontinued so I'm not sure I'll be able to unless I stock up soon.

But regardless I am very happy with how this turned out and it'll be perfect for summer- if summer ever actually gets here.

WIPS and Gratuitous Sheep

Yikes, its been so long. Since last time I've had finals and started working full time so things have been busy. I've been knitting but sadly I haven't finished anything. But soon I should have a few FOs to post about like these:

Those are my central park cardi, a retro redux shrug, and the second froot loops sock respectively. I'm betting that the shrug will be the first one done. I only need to knit ribbing of the collar and weave in a few ends. The central park cardi is done with the knitting but we're fighting. I got rather frustrated with the seaming and thus decided it was time for a break. I also figured it could wait since the weather would be getting warm soon, but I may have jinxed New England because its been cool and rainy here recently and the forecast for the next week is more of the same.

Oh well, hopefully it'll get nice again soon. In the mean time here's a random picture of sheep from the CT Sheep and Wool Festival last month (which was a beautiful day)

knitting on airplanes = ok

Summer is upon, as are summer travel plans for some.  Thus now seems like an apprioprate time to share this post from the Evolution of Security blog, which Robert sent me yesterday.  Evolution of Security is the TSA's blog, and based on a quick persuing is actually fairly interesting and down to earth. 

The post explains that a few items commonly thought to be forbidden are actually allowed onto airplanes, such as knitting needles, nail clippers, and corckscrews (but only the kind without the little knife).  And apparently needles made of any material are allowed.  Personally, I became rather less concerned about being allowed to bring my knitting needles on board when I got through secruity with a pair of scissors and a pocket knife.  But that may just be because I don't look particularly threatening.  But anyway, feel free to break out those lovely metal needles and click away as you put your summer travel time to good use!

What to do?

I have a bit of problem that I'm going to confess: I have a lot of stuff.  Somehow over my (almost) 24 years I've managed to accumlate quite a bit in terms of wordly possessions.   In anticipation of moving sometime this summer I have slowly been going through my room trying to weed out things I don't need.  I threw out that binder of papers from the write on competition last summer, I have a bag of clothes ready to be donated, and I listed a bunch of my old college books for sale on amazon.

But then I come to my knitting.  I have a couple of old projects that are finished but never reason.  This sweater in particular comes to mind:

I finished it the fall of 2007 and have woren it maybe once, and I was at home by myself.  The only reason I made this sweater was to use up the yarn.  This yarn has lived a very toturted existence.  I first made a sweater with but then realized I didn't have enough of it.  I then made a vest with it and it was much too big.  And since completeing this third incarnation it has sat around in my room and somehow developed a mysterious hole in the collar.  

Sadly, I don't really like this poor sweater.  The yarn is itchy and rough, a poor choice made when I was began knitting.  The sweater isn't all that flattering and doesn't fit well.  So what do I do?  What does a knitter do when they have a completed project that they just don't like but have no need or use for the yarn? Should I toss it the donate bag? Probably but I feel bad tossing something I made.

So I'm curious what do other people do in this situation?  Toss the unwanted project and move on or hold onto it in case someday another possible use is thought up?

Happy Spring!

One of the unfortunate aspects of spring semester is that finals time starts just as the weather becomes nice. So I often get stuck in the library while everyone I know who is not in law school goes out and enjoys the sunshine and warmth. We had a beautiful weekend in Connecticut, and I just couldn't spend it couped up. Saturday morning was filled with yarn and sheepy goodness because Robert and I went to the Sheep and Wool Festival. I had a great time and succomded to the prettiness of some of the yarn (but I am pleases to say that I stayed under the budget I set for myself)

First up, I got sock yarn from Aisling Yarns in "Being There." The booth had a lot of great colors but I ended up going with this one because I didn't have anything else quite like it in my statsh already.

I also picked up two huge hanks of sportweight alpaca from Times Remembered, which is based in Slate Hill, NY. I am such a sucker for alpaca, its just soooo soft that I can't resist it. I'm thinking of making the Gathered Pullover with this.

But of course this weekend was not entirely dedicated to buying. I had plently of car time to spend knitting thanks to the Sheep and Wool Festival and then an improptu trip to the shore to see Rob's parents because it was just too nice to be in Hartford. I spent the time working on my Froot Loop socks, which I am quite pleased with. This pattern is super addictive, I love the cute little cables and O's that it forms.

Oh and yes I did manage to get some study time in too.

Summer Dreamin'

Way back when at Christmas my mom and brother gave me the same book by accident. My brother offered to exchange the copy he bought for something else. After a month or two I figured he'd forgotten about it completely, but then along comes Easter and my brother gave me the copy of Lace Style that I requested.

I've been seriously covenanting some of the patterns in this book for awhile and am psyched to have it. I'm thinking the retro redux shrug, in maybe a cotton-wool blend, paired with this adorable dress from Heather Ross would be super cute.












Perfection. The perfect outfit for cool summer evenings on the Cape, strolling along the beach or downtown Hyannis with the man. Le sigh, I totally wish that it was summer already!

I've got a new toy...

It's a knit kit!  I first found out about this handy little device on the Twist blog and instantly wanted one. 

Well, I got my wish on Friday.  Robert brought me lunch at work and surprised me by bringing this in addition to my falafel wrap.  (I know, he's awesome)

I already like my knit kit so much better than the little pouch I usually carried with me. For one thing, it is much attractive then the kind of ugly pouch I used.  But more importantly, it's just so organized, and it has everything in it that I usually need: scissors, crochet hook, tape measure, etc. All in one cute, convenient, little container.  

I believe Robert got mine from Sit n' Knit in Bloomfield in case anyone is curious.

By the way, I did finish Robert's socks and he has worn them a few times.  I just need to remember to take a picture of them sometime so that I can post about them.