Productivity

Fairly Easy Fair Isle

This was a wonderfully simple knit. All I need to finish it are buttons (and a better picture -- sorry, it's still drying!). The specs are as follows:
Pattern: Fairly Easy Fair Isle
Pattern Source: Stitch 'N Bitch Nation
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky in Onyx, Raspberry, Lotus Pink, and Victorian Pink
Needle Size: Size 11
Pattern Size: Medium
Start Date: January 5, 2006
Finish Date: January 8, 2006
Comments: While this was a fast, pleasurable knit I did not enjoy knitting the fair isle with such bulky yarn. I had trouble keeping even tension. However, my stitches did look much prettier once I washed it. As it is a bulky sweater, I do look a little bulky in it (yes, let's blame that on the sweater), but overall I am pleased with it. It was very satisfying making a whole cardigan in just a few days and Lamb's Pride bulky is always a pleasure to knit with. I overbought the Onyx yarn and the pattern uses very little of the pinks so I think I'll make a cute scarf and hat set out of the leftovers sometime.

Grays Corner Socks

Pattern: 2x2 rib cuff down with heel flap
Pattern Source: Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Grays Corner
Needle Size(s): 1's and 0's (gauge approx. 9/inch on 0's)
Start Date: A long, long time ago...
Finish Date: January 11, 2006
Comments: I love these socks. I love the color, the fit, the yarn - Everything! This may be favorite pair now.

Tiger Socks
As I had just finished up my Grays Corner socks I felt compelled to cast on for my next pair. I was swatching up my Opal Rainforest yarn in the Tiger colorway when M asked me, "Are those for me?" I answered, "Do you want them to be?" and he replied in the affirmative. I did buy enough to make us each a pair so I guess I'll just knit his pair first:) I started with a simple 2x2 rib cuff for an inch and now I'm working on the leg in 3x1 rib. This yarn feels wonderful and the color striping is entertaining to watch. I hope M likes the socks (and I hope they fit!).

Short Row Rib Scarf and (not exactly) Silk Garden Beanie
Patterns: Short Row Rib Scarf and Silk Garden Beanie
Pattern Sources: click the links above...
Yarn: Noro Kureyon #52 (3 balls)
Needle Size: 7
Start Date: January 4, 2006
Finish Date: January 5, 2006
Comments: The scarf pattern was a lot of fun and, since I was on cold medicine while making it, I'm thinking it must have been a pretty simple pattern (it's all been lost in a congested fog). I used 2 balls of Noro Kureyon for the scarf. At first I thought that would be too short, but after washing I got a little more length. It is still a shorter scarf (I'm right around 5'9" and I like my scarves loooonnnnggg), but I can wrap it around my neck once and it looks pretty good. The Beanie pattern is becoming one of my favorites. I've used it twice now. Once with Noro Silk Garden and now with Noro Kureyon with great results. The hat looks better on M than me, so I think he'll be wearing it, but I'm keeping the scarf:) I highly recommend both patterns.

M's Sweater
Pattern: Neck down Pullover for Men #991
Pattern Source: Knitting Pure and Simple (bought it from Carodan Farms)
Pattern Size: 46 inch chest
Yarn: Peace Fleece in Hemlock (approx. 6 skeins)
Needle Size: 8's and 5's
Start Date: November 14, 2005
Finish Date: December 18, 2005
Comments: This sweater was the super duper top secret holiday knitting project I blogged about in December. It was given to M during the holidays and he loves it! It fits and looks great. The color is perfect on him as well. The picture here shows an orb. Unfortunately this was my favorite picture of M in the sweater and I couldn't remove the orb. It must be a ghost checking out the knitting:). Anyway, I really enjoyed knitting this sweater even though I was a bit pressured by having a deadline. The pattern was well-written and very straight-forward. As for the yarn, I love working with Peace Fleece. Aside from the wonderful humanitarian ethics of the company, the yarn is well spun, beautifully dyed, and wears like iron. It is definitely a Chicago winter sweater! (so why is 50 degrees today????)

Froth Scarf
I am a few short hours away from completing my Froth Scarf from Rowan. I'll post a picture of the completed scarf soon. (I love Rowan Kidsilk Haze).

Future Projects
I have a future project list that is ever growing. I'm trying to prioritize projects based on what I have in my yarn stash as well as my regular method of having multiple projects going at one time. I strive to always be knitting:

• a pair of socks
• an easy project
• a more complicated project
• and possibly a fourth project that may or may not be simple...

Currently I'm working on the Tiger Socks and Froth. That's it. So, I will be casting on soon for Trinket (which was a holiday present I gave to myself) as my easy project, Veste Everest as my more complicated project, and then possibly a Nakiska because it must get cold again (right?).