Because I can.... new FPS pictures





Okay I can't resist posting this really cute picture of my niece wearing the Forest Path Stole.

I think this shows the color better than the previous ones, and look it floats in the wind.

I've just started a series of baby sweaters which will hopefully exhaust all of the machine washable yarn in my stash. Here's the first one in progress.

I started last night. It's Guernsey Frock by Kim Hargreaves from "A Treasury of Rowan Knits."



I just picked it up on remainder. It's a book worth having, especially if you live in the south. Almost all of the patterns are knit with cotton or cotton blend yarns like Rowan Denim, Wool Cotton, or Cotton Glace. There are a lot of drop shoulders, but I am no longer convinced that drop shoulders in themselves are evil. I think it's the combination of drop shoulders and eight to ten inches of ease that's the real nightmare. Anyway check it out.

I think there is some cold barbecue I should be eating right now. I'll be back when the leftovers run out.

The Forest Path Stole... is finished!

Forest Path Stole by Faina Latoutchaia

Measurements: 77"x32"
Yarn: Coulourmart 2/28 Cashmere in Lemongrass (less than a 150 gm cone)
Needles: US #3 (3.25mm) Crystal Palace Bamboo 40 " circulars



Can you believe it? I have finally finished this monsterpiece. I thought I loved it while I was knitting it, but I knew I did when I finished blocking.


It is as light as a cloud. Unfortunately it's raining outside so I can't take the best pictures, but here we go.

Blocking:



I don't know what I would have done without blocking wires. It would have taken three times as long, and I doubt I would have gotten such straight edges.

After blocking on the floor:

It's 32"x77". I'm sure I could have blocked it longer, but not at 4 a.m.

On a table:

I think I will leave it here while I try to find a home for it. I can't quite bear the thought of putting it away. I've got to spend a few weeks just looking at it first.

The Forest Path Stole had a lovely picnic in the backyard...






I thought it would help her feel a little less neglected. I haven't been knitting much at all lately. I've managed to finish the 12th tier, but I haven't touched it for a week. I have been thinking about knitting though. I tend to go through these periods of obsessing about new projects... what yarn to buy, which books to order or borrow. For some reason, all of the actual knitting just stops cold.

So what's the problem? Well by the time the books are available at the library and the yarn has come in, I'll just be getting back into the swing of things. So now I'll be distracted by all the new yumminess, and next thing you know I'll need the needles I'm using for my current WIPs for the new WIPS. This is how you end up with a huge pile of unfinished objects mouldering in the back of the closet.

I would make a public vow to finish what I start and get a little more disciplined, but that's just not going to happen. So in light of my current frame of mind, here is my ridiculously overthought, terribly underplanned, and totally preposterous list of future projects:

1. Niebling's Lyra.






Okay, what you should be thinking is: "Girl, you haven't even finished those simple little doilies you started months ago. Who you think you're fooling?" Well, you are absolutely right, but I know that I am far more likely to complete tedious finishing if it's on a complicated project that I have invested hundreds of hours on. Those other doilies were just practice. And besides fooling myself is fun.

2. A fairisle scarf based on Eunny Jang's Venezia pullover from Interweave Knits.






Don't even say it. I know it will likely cost about 50% more than the sweater, and take even longer. I've been lusting after that sweater for a long time, but a) I have sworn off knitting sweaters for myself for the next two years, and b) a gorgeous 12" wide double sided fairisle scarf always fits you and never goes out of style. If I'm going to invest that much money and time in a project I want my niece to be able to wear it in 2050.

3. A masculine yet fashionable cashmere/silk scarf for He Who Will Not Be Named as thanks for all of the wining and dining. I haven't yet decided on a pattern. This one's hard. I need the perfect scarf for a male fashionista, glam, yet subdued. See, I'm starting to have more reasonable expectations.

4. A pair of Jaywalkers in the Cestari sock yarn I picked up a while ago. Oh my, I've gotten almost pedestrian now, but this is a really great pattern. It's just about the only one I've found that works for this yarn that's not just a plain sock.

5. Best Friend Cardigan from Big City Knits by Wen Len Chai.



It would look smashing on a good friend of mine with a not so busty figure. Wow, now I've finally succumbed to huge needles and rope-like yarn.

6. Mary Lynn Patrick's multidirectional lace cardigan from the new Vogue Knitting.




I know I swore off knitting sweaters, but don't worry. Things this far down on the list never get done anyway.

Happy Spring

I recently had a birthday. My very good friend was in town. He was very festive, he even wore his 'Yellow Rose of Texas' shirt in commemoration of the trip.





He who will not be named fed me lavishly for three days and squired me across three or four counties. By the way if you happen to go to Marks on Westheimer get the fois gras appetizer. It rocks! The quail that goes with it is a little overpowered by the bacon, but once again... the fois gras rocks!

This is my attempt to capture the sight of bluebonnets as they begin to explode across Texas highways.




Kinda sorry, I know. But, we weren't about to stop to get a better view.

I did do some knitting. I've now finished 9 tiers of the Forest Path Stole. Even though the ninth tier of the Forest Path Stole doesn't look any different than the fifth tier, I will grace y'all with a picture.




That 'y'all' was in commemoration of he who will not be named.

Color me...



I haven't been knitting much the last couple of days, because I've become overwhelmed by the project of choosing colors for a fair isle pattern. I've read about color theory. I've looked at a lot of examples, but I am forced to admit that I just can't do it without laying out the money for some color cards. I know the color families I want to work with and I thought of just buying seven tones of each color and picking out my nine colors from them in person. But, I can't even tell whether colors are warm or cool from catalogues.

Why have I been so resistant to ordering color cards? Well it's money spent that could be spent on yarn. I know it's illogical, but I have a hard time spending money on knitting related items that aren't yarn. I don't have a full set of needles. Every time I need a needle I don't have, I go to my LYS and pick up a set of needles, but by the time I check out I've put them back and bought yarn instead. That's not cheap, that's irrational.



Here is my progress on the Forest Path Stole:




As you can see I have finished the fourth Tier. I t really is an easy project. The lace patterns are simple and easy to memorize. The only difficulty is the size of the project. I think it can be hard to maintain a commitment to a piece that will take several months to complete. I guess I've completed about one seventh of the project (21 tiers plus the border). I think I might try knitting one using different lace patterns after I finish this one.

I mentioned the quilt I am making for my friend's baby before, but I didn't show any pictures, because it wasn't ready. Well it still isn't done and the baby is a month old. Maybe if I post a picture of a section of the unfinished quilt top I will be inspired to finish it. This is for little Maxine:

I tried to choose bright colors that wouldn't make her mom gag, I even stuck in quite a bit of pink. The over all impression when you stand back is red, but its full of orange and magenta and yellow. This photo captures about one ninth of the top. I've been almost done with the piecing for two months now. I better get on with it.