FO: (un)Striped V-Neck Vest...

Pattern: Striped V-Neck Vest from Vogue Knitting Winter 2004/05
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in "cranberry"; ~2.75 skeins
Needles: US7/4.5mm Denise Interchangeables
Time: 4 days
Mods: No stripes; knit to an unlisted size.

Notes:

I killed two birds with one stone on this project--something for Mom that she needed and destashed. I had originally bought a lot of Wool-Ease for another project that I changed my mind on so I've had it sitting in the stash for a while. This was a good use for it since it's a simple garment that my mom can just toss in the wash. Since this vest is meant to be a close fit, I had to do a bit of math to make it to my mom's measurements since none of the given sizes were a good match. As I noted before, it wasn't difficult since the construction is so simple.

I wouldn't make this vest again, though. Easy as it was (and Vogues labels it as "Very Easy"), the way the armholes are shaped are just...odd. I'm not a fan. But for its purpose, the vest works fine.

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In other news, I have sleeves!



The cardi will finally be ready to seam once they're done blocking.

Sidetracked again...

The cardi's sleeves are on hold again...



But I have a good reason. My mom saw me wearing my argyle vest and asked me why I never made her a vest? I've made a couple sweaters (one of which ended up too big and is in the process of being taken apart and re-knit), a scarf, and gave her a pair of handknit socks. However, it turns out vests are the most useful garment for her to wear at work. Being indoors with heat, sweaters can get too warm but a vest is nice for keeping out the occassional chill. So mom's getting a vest.

It's the striped v-neck vest from the Winter 2004/05 issue of Vogue only without the stripes (she wanted something plain). My mom also happened to be between two sizes, so I did a bit of math to make it to her measurements. Pretty easy, though, as this vest does not have any waist shaping or use any remotely complex techniques. I've worked on it for a day and am more than halfway through with the back. Perfect mindless knitting while watching CSI: Miami. =)

FO: Wine and Roses Mitts...

Pattern: Wine and Roses Mitts by Jolene Treace; Interweave Knits Winter 2006
Yarn: Peruvian Classic Baby Cashmere in "cashmere blue" (from Elann.com); ~1.5 balls
Needles: US2/2.75mm Clover bamboo DPNs
Time: 4 days

Notes:

This was a destashing project using the yarn I had leftover from the Union Square Market Pullover. I had just a bit less than three balls of the blue left and most of one ball of white, but this project ended up using half the blue (originally I thought if I ran out of yarn I could trim the mitts with white). So the destashing was only half successful.

The project was pretty quick despite getting confused by a couple of the chart symbols. I just decided to trust the pattern and it all worked out. Of course, part of the confusion was a result of how lumpy the lace was while knitting.


Quite a difference, no?

I would definitely recommend this pattern as a way to get rid of small amounts of leftover (fingering weight) yarn in the stash. It doesn't use much and I can imagine how you can add different colors to the edges or even stripe the cuff.

Time to get moving on those sleeves...

FO: Embossed Leaves Socks

Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks by Mona Schmidt; Interweave Knits Winter 2005
Yarn: Regia Silk in Loden (#70); 2 skeins
Needles: US2/2.75mm Clover bamboo DPNs
Time: 1 month
Mods: Did not break yarn after turning the heel; Worked leaf chart 7 times total instead of 7.5; Grafted toes.

Notes:

I had quite a bit of fun with this. The leaf pattern kept me interested, I really liked the way the heel was worked (although I did modify that part a teeny bit), and I love the toe. I'm not sure I would use the 1x1 rib method for casting on again as this came out rather tight. But since it still fit, I didn't bother to go back and fix it. I also reinforced the heel and toes with some nylon thread since I plan on wearing these around the house all the time.

I'm not a fan of breaking the yarn and rejoining on socks. It's something I try to avoid doing when possible, and on this pattern there really wasn't any reason to do that. I just simply knit across the heel stitches, picked up stitches down the left side of the heel flap, worked across the instep, picked up stitches up the right side of the heel flap, and knit the first half of the heel stitches onto the last needle. Just like any other basic sock.

I ended up leaving the last half repeat of the lace chart because it would have made the socks too long for me. I'm not sure if this is because my row gauge was off, but I know that it was spot on for the leg. Who knows?

Overall, this was a great pattern. I can see why so many people have made these socks. The yarn is also really nice, especially since it doesn't irritate my skin.

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The rational side of me says I should get going on the sleeves for Brilliant Retro. Unfortunately, having my size 2 DPNs freed up meant the rational side lost...


First of the Wine and Roses Mitts

On the bright side, these are going really fast AND I'm using up some leftover yarn that's been sitting in the stash for a year.

No second sock syndrome for me...

I generally have a lot of trouble completing the first sock, but I make up for it in how much I like pairs. I just see the first lone, sock and immediately cast on for the second. It's gone pretty quickly now. I have the leg finished in just one day--I worked on it more since this photo was taken.



Besides, the wool I used for Hedera irritates my skin, so I ended up giving them to my mom who doesn't find them itchy at all. Now I don't have a cozy pair of wool socks to keep me warm this winter (the Norwegian and Argyle stockings are too thick and tall for wearing around the house).

Of course, where I gain motivation for second socks I completely lose it for sleeves.



I finished the back and fronts of Brilliant Retro a while ago. I've just been slow with the sleeves. I'm working both at the same time to prevent any "second sleeve syndrome" but am only halfway through with the cuffs. Yeah, slow. I'm hoping the cold weather will motivate me more into finishing the cardi up.

Colchique is pushed back even further now. I figured out a different project for the Felted Tweed in my stash and am working on the sketches and math for it. I've also been distracted with a few new magazines in my possession:



Three Phildar magazines (Twenty No.458, Automne 1 No.453, and Automne 2 No. 456) and the latest Interweave. My favorites are the motorcycle jacket from Twenty, the split neck sweater from Automne 1, and the swing jacket and asymmetrical cardigan from Automne 2. There are also several I'd really like to make from Interweave, but I think I'll put them off until next year. Well...with the exception of the Wine and Roses Mitts, which will also be a destash project.

Yeesh. It's gonna be a busy winter.