Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Birthday Treat

I was about to name this post "what have I done!" but that would seem to indicate that I regret what I had actually done - and I by no means regret it. What have I done you might ask?  I've gone and bought the yarn to knit the beautiful Dahlia Cardigan, and not only that but I'VE ALREADY CAST ON!!!!


It all started last week when I finally got a chance to drive along to a new LYS that I'd heard had just opened. As some of you may know, my only LYS closed last year and I've had no where to get yarn since, other than on line or Hobby Lobby and Michael's!  This yarn store is about a 20 minute drive from me.... well worth it too. It's called Happy Ewe. You can see the website HERE

 and here's a picture of the inside (taken from their website). LOOK - comfy sofas :-) A small corner of the shop is dedicated to spinning and weaving. The owners are two lovely ladies and I chatted away with them last week for well over half an hour. Turns out they are doing a Dahlia Cardigan KAL. They meet once a month and had only met once already last month. So, that was it - I decided to treat myself for my birthday and bought the recommended yarn and join in.

The yarn feels gorgeous, Manos Del Uruguay 'Serena', baby alpaca and pima cotton. It is so nice to knit with too. I would have liked to knit it in the mauve color (as seen in Interweave Knits) but the owner was already knitting it and didn't have enough yarn for me in that color. I chose this blue/grey instead. I think it will be great with my jeans, which is probably when I'll wear it most.

So, as you can see, I've knit the lace panel already for the back, that only took me 3 days. And I'm now on to the right and left sides. It's a strange set up, but I'm just taking my time and not reading too far ahead, because to be honest, it sounds rather complicated. I know it can't be that hard as there are already hundreds of FO's on Ravelry.

The thought 'what have I done' has entered my mind a few times this week, because I still have Christmas gift knitting to do but I can't put down my Dahlia knitting. And of course the sweet 'Wray' has taken a back seat too. But not to worry. A few more hats done and I'll be finished with gifts, then it's full steam ahead for ME ME ME :-)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

It's taking forever!

It's Wednesday - time for another 'Yarn Along with Ginny. Christmas knitting is getting rather boring!!! There's nothing worse than thinking you HAVE to knit something (tell me I'm not the only one who thinks that). In order to make sure I have a little something knit for all of my family back in England, I've resorted to making hats for the last few people on my list (mainly the guys!). I think I only have about 5 to go. 

Other than hats, I have Wray on the needles for me, designed by the lovely Lily Kate . . . . 

 It's taking forever (in the title) is pertaining to the 1x1 rib around the yoke! It was only for 31 rows, but with over 200 stitches on the needles, it did indeed feel like it was taking me forever. Especially as I wasn't picking it up very often. But I love this pretty cardigan, knit in lace and I think it will all be worth it in the end ;-)


I'm hoping this will be my first FO of 2012 - the year I knit for ME (even though I cast on in 2011)! Along with the knitting, I am back to reading Harry Potter - after a short interval where I read 'Look Again' for book club this month. I'm reading the 4th book and can't wait to finish it, just so I can watch the movie. I borrowed the book from my neighbor and it doesn't have a dust jacket, hence the reason for the photo courtesy of Amazon.

Also joining in with WIP Wednesday