Just a quick shot of Venezia...





I am making great progress. I have to say that so far this is the most enjoyable knitting experience I've ever had. Knitting fair isle two handed is also much less tiring. When I knit for a long time I tend to get soreness in my left hand, even though that hand just stays still (maybe because that hand stays still). That has not been a problem at all. I think having both hands equally engaged keeps them from tensing up.

I can't wait to experiment with more of KnitPicks new heathered Palette. I'm thinking fair isle hats and gloves, by the boatload. I'm letting everyone who knows me know now, that is what you are getting for Christmas, whether you like it or not.


I am definitely knitting this this fall (check out pictures 2 and 3)

The first time I saw this sweater on Eunny Jang's blog I was bowled over, but that shot is even more incredible. I love the colors, the fit, the neckline. I am going to save up so that I can splurge for the required yarn. If there ever was a sweater worth $150, this is it.

I have got to make myself take a break from the sweater so I can finish the border of the Forest Path Stole, but it is very, very hard to tear myself away.

So I cast on for Venezia. It's a lot of fun. I am just loving this combination of yarn, pattern and needles. I recreated the charts in a larger, more readable form so following them has been a breeze. Here's my progress so far.

Anyone who has been afraid of fair isle please just jump in. This is my first fair isle done in the traditional fingering gauge. It's both faster and easier than I thought it would be. The pattern is interesting enough that it makes up for the relatively slow progress.

If you are knitting Venezia do watch out. I quickly read through the instructions and started knitting. I knew I would have to decrease, but it didn't occur to me to check until I had knit eleven rows. I was supposed to start decreasing after 2 rows. Oh well, I guess my sweater is just going to be an inch and a half longer than the original.

At Last....

I have returned. I was postless because of a short vacation plus a long stretch of severe back pain. What better project is there for someone who can hardly move their arms than the Forest Path Stole. Just Kidding. I have finished all 23 tiers. I am currently working on the border.

Reading the directions for the border I thought it would be very tedious, but it knits up rather fast.

Guess what I got in the mail a couple of days ago.

All of the yarn and needles for Eunny Jang's Venezia Pullover from Interweave Knits Winter 2006. Yes, I know I made a pledge to knit no sweaters in 2007, but Knitpicks Palette comes in great new heathered colors that are just perfect for this project. A large fair isle sweater for $30. How could I resist.

These are my first Knitpicks needles and I am in love. I got the classic circulars, so I still don't know how good the Options are, but if they anywhere as nice as these I may have to buy a set.
The points are perfect and not nearly as sharp as I had heard. I once stabbed myself in the arm with no.5 Susan Bates needles as I sat down while holding them in a bag points up. I just don't think the Knitpicks needles would draw blood.

I have already swatched.

Sand = Cream
Mooskit /White = Tan
Mooskit = Twig
Yellow Ochre - Golden Heather
Pine Forest = Navy (there is no really dark green in Palette)
Peacock = Marine Heather
Rosemary = Rainforest Heather
Turf = Tidepool Heather
Old Gold = Brindle Heather

Pretty good, eh? The Brindle is a little dark, but I like it.

I would show you my progress, but I have had to frog the hem, because of five additional stitches that snuck in even though I counted twice and used stitch markers. It's really hard not to make a mistake when you are casting on 324 stitches. I'll post a picture of the finished hem soon. I promise it be another month until I post again.