Like many of you, I have way too many projects on my needles right now.
It's times like these when I wish I was what one of our great customers, Jacki, calls a "mono-knitter."
Jacki swears by knitting one project at a time. From beginning to end, she remains committed to and interested in her project.
I suffer from knitting wandering eye. And I'm suffering particularly awfully right now.
It all began with the Twize. I was minding my own business until I touched this yarn. I wish I could say it was an accident.
But I knew what would happen next.
Twize is an awesome new yarn from Southwest Trading Company. 100% Bamboo, it's truly soft and slippery as silk.
It has several subtle colors twizzled together. As soon as I touched it at the trade show, I knew I had to make something with it.
Southwest made up this great pattern with Twize -- an easy, drapey tank that could be worn over a button-down shirt -- so cute.
While I spent a few days deciding what color I would choose,
This arrived, and I had my project:
My Twize in color "Twey" (Twize Grey) would become the "Short & Sweet" jacket by Angela "Lavonne" Best.
I don't crochet very often, so it took me a bit to get going, but I fell in love with the interplay between the silkiness of the yarn and the openwork pattern. As you can see, I'm virtually finished. Just a few more rows to lengthen the jacket -- it's worked from the top -- lengthen the sleeves,
and presto, I'll be done. But I couldn't leave well enough alone and just finish, plus I figured I could have one crochet project AND one knitting project, so...
I started this (on left) which will become this (right):
This is the "Dining Out" Jacket from Wool in the Woods knitted from their hand dyed yarn called Double Kiss.
It's a 100% Rayon Boucle with such a fun, nubbly texture.
The rayon lends an elegant shimmer, and the Wool in the Woods gals have an amazing sense of color.
I'm all about these little jackets now. They are so perfect for our SoCal climate in Spring and Summer.
Since I never stop knitting (as you'll see), it's great to work on projects that I can wear all year round.
What you see here on the left is the back which is worked with the sleeves in one piece.
There will be little seaming as the shoulders are closed simply with three needle bind off.
It's a very easy jacket. I still can't wait to wear it, but then...
The Spring 2006 Vogue Knitting arrived with this striking and simple pattern by Iris Schreier of ArtYarns.
Karyn and I saw Iris working on the design at the trade show. I knew I would have to make one of these wraps for the shop.
The part of the wrap where sleeves would be is actually tacked down, keeping this from being a shawl you have to keep
schlepping over your shoulders.
It can be made with Regal Silk, Silk Mohair, Silk Rhapsody or a combination as seen here. I'm alternating 2 rows of Regal Silk and Silk Mohair.
I've also followed Iris' easy instructions to make the wrap larger than shown in Vogue.
The version pictured on the right takes only 1 skein of each, so you have a gorgeous piece for yourself or as a gift for about $40.
I'm using two skeins of Regal Silk and one of Silk Mohair, but still the cost is only about $60. Not bad I think for such a substantial wrap in SILK!!
We're uploading new colors of Regal Silk and Silk Mohair at www.unwindyarn.com/shop
Later in April, we're having a class to teach the modular techniques involved in the wrap.
It's such a simple technique, but it allows you to work the entire garment in one piece, without having to pick up stitches or weave in a ton of ends.
The only ends I have to weave are at the beginning and end, and the one place I added another hank!
I'm so close to being finished. All that's left is to bring the left shoulder down across the front to form the other tie.
Weave in my three ends. That's it! But did I finish. No! Why?
Because a new sock yarn arrived! It's absolutely amazing, so of course I had try it out RIGHT AWAY.
The yarn takes the dye in such a way to make me think of the most comfy pair of faded jeans.
My pictures are so bad, and I'm sad the you can't see the gorgeous colors. Come by the shop!
This is my first toe-up sock. Mia wanted knee socks, and I figured if I start at the toe, I can simply knit until I run out of the 175 yards in the hank.
That should be a long enough knee sock for the rascal. :) I'm doing a mock cable switching off with an eyelet every four rows.
You can't see the eyelets in this photo, but Mia likes them -- she thinks they will keep her feet cool.
But what is this yarn, you ask? I can't tell you. Not yet.
I'm working on a very special negotiation to get an exclusive on this great sock yarn, plus an breath-taking silk lace weight from the same artist.
I will keep you posted. I promise. I hate keeping great yarn to myself.
But why, do you ask, have I only done about 3" of sock?
Because I have absolutely reached my multi-project threshold! If I don't finish something RIGHT NOW, I'm gonna blow!
As is my habit at these moments, I find myself so exhausted from all of the projects, that I can't possibly finish any of these.
So I start another! But it has to be one, that I can finish in one week. It has to be a project that I will complete without picking up any other yarn.
And here it is!
The "Polly" sweater from Rowan Classic Yarns book, "Classic Bambino."
If you haven't had the pleasure to work with the RYC cashmere blend basics, you are missing out. At the shop, we carry Cash Soft (superwash wool, cashmere and nylon blend) in 4ply, DK and Aran weight. We also carry Cash Cotton (cotton, angora, cashmere and nylon) in 4 ply and DK weight.
These yarns a well priced and soft as that baby's behind. Completely washable, we've made blankets, baby clothes, housewares, and adult garments.
Polly takes 4 balls of Cash Cotton DK. Here is my progress as of Tuesday afternoon.
Last night I completed the sleeves and started the trim, so I will actually be finished tonight. Completely finished. Finally.
Mia will look beautiful in this aqua color. And she can wear the top to her preschool graduation later this year.
Finishing this "Polly" will get me into a finishing mode. And here is the plan:
POLLY - finished Wednesday
ART YARNS WRAP - finished by Monday
SHORT & SWEET JACKET - finished by the next Friday
DINING OUT JACKET - finished by the next Friday
SOCK - kept in my handbag for traffic knitting, bank line knitting, etc.
Of course my eye is already on my next swath of projects. But I'll spare you now, and just let you know if I'm meeting my deadlines. Wish me luck!
