Featherweight Cardigan: WANT

I can't seem to recall ever wanting a Finished Object as much as I want the Featherweight Cardigan. So many projects seem to get finished and you are initially pleased with the results, they then hang around and slowly you become a bit meh about them, or you give them away, so the recipients can love them initially and then themselves feel somewhat meh as well. I get the feeling that the Featherweight is a different experience entirely as it seems like a sweater that one would actually wear, especially this time of year when air conditioning makes wearing sleeveless shirts a bit dicey. Bottom line: I WANT IT and it's taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I am knitting on this mofo day and night and I am still at least 8 rows away from dividing for the sleeves. For the love of all that is sacred and holy, I just want to make it to that magical place where I am putting those sleeves on scrap yarn--is that so much to ask? I was so hoping to wear the Featherweight in Paris this week, but alas, no. I will be wearing my usual tired parade of Old Navy duds from 3 years ago and the French will have to be exposed to my appalling bare arms. Just one more indignity, I suppose. Small consolation that will preserve tiny shred of dignity: at least I won't be wearing a fanny pack.

Another reason I want to finish is that I have two more in the knitting queue and really want these as well. Hi, I'm greedy and unrealistic. I have finally managed to get my grubby little hands on some Malabrigo Laceweight in Frank Ochre (which was exceedingly difficult) and some Polar Morn that have Featherweight written all over them. Since only thing more insane than working on one of these cardigans would be working on two of them at a time, Frank and Molar Porn will have to wait.

And with this, I bid you adieu. As I write this, the Curmudgeon is maniacally checking to make sure the coffee pot isn't plugged in and is racing around the house, setting up those timers that people used back in 1970s to switch their lights on and off. He is also imploring me to assist with our preparations for departure. Leisure time is over, time to snap to! Cheerio, friends...

Embossed Leaves

I am pleased to report that I have made it back from my parents house in Foodislovelandia where I managed to not slather butter on everything in sight (except for one moment of anxiety at the kitchen sink when I might have shoved a scone buttered on all sides and then some into my greedy mouth, but I am chalking it up to a sort of temporary teen-like reversion brought on by being in kitchen where I learned every bad habit), help my dad get settled back into life at home, and finish a pair of socks. Yes, you read that correctly...



Specs:
Pattern: Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in 'Violetas Africanas'
Needles: Addi Lace, 1.5
Mods: Not doing that weird thing where you cut the yarn when starting the gusset. Whatever for?



This pattern has so much to recommend it--easy pattern to put down and pick up again, a gorgeous leaf motif and perfect sizing. I would happily make this pattern again and again, and given the amount of sock yarn in my possession, I just might...



I am getting ready for a week long trip to Paris, so naturally my thoughts have turned to vacation knitting. The choice of project is key as it must be portable, practical and captivating. I've decided to do another pair of socks as I'm bound and determined to enter a picture in the 'Socks on Vacation' contest for the Summer of Socks 09 on Ravelry. I am so out of energy for most group activities these days, but I had a killer vacation sock shot from last year and forgot to enter it...after making Mr. Sunshine wait while I took like 30 shots. Here it is:



Didn't that have WIN written all over it? Sheesh. This year I have my eyes on the prize and am setting an iPhone calendar reminder so I don't snooze again. Any suggestions on an easy yet winningly photogenic pattern that will bring home the bacon for me?

Are these notes helpful to you?

Suddenly the need to write relevant, purposeful project notes on Ravelry project pages has presented itself. The new 'Are these notes helpful to you?' feature demands a utilitarian perspective on a space that I had heretofore used to write such bromides as 'I love Jitterbug' and 'I've said it before and I'll say it again, I hate mohair'. I now feel an urgent need to go back and recall all the truly useful details such as yardage issues, guage riddles and modifications that might assist others. I have to say that I love this concept as I've always felt writing with constraints to be a particularly productive endeavor. Now Ravelry has given us a reason to write with helpfulness in mind. I love it! My wish now is to undertake all in the name of the Helpful.


During my recent travels I picked up a yarn with the single-most intriguing name ever to spring forth from the world of branding: Jojoland Melody. The name Jojoland resonates with me on so many levels: is it a mythical place where Hello Kitty and her pals reside? Is it an oddball term translated awkwardly from the Japanese? Can I go there and meet Jojo? However you slice it, I would like to offer my strong admiration for the madcap individual who dreamt up this heavenly name and all that it represents. Luckily the yarn itself lives up to its inscrutable name--the color is mood-ring gorgeous and the softness is notable. I don't know who Jojo is, but I know that I want to take up permanent residence in his/her (?) land of twee enchantment.

I'm off to Minneapolis today to assist with my dad's return home from a nursing home --yes, that does occasionally happen, much to our happiness and relief. Once there I will be spending some quality time at the fancy grocery store's salad bar and seeking out many falafel opportunities--something that I am unable to do here in the 1950s (i.e. central Pennsylvania). Normally this is the point in the post where I'd offer some tepid remarks about 'no LYS action for me', but I think we know each other well enough at this point to dispense with that, right?

T is for Traveling

Man alive my life has been consumed by work-related travel as of late, and there are no signs of it letting up. Not that I'm complaining mind you (although my brother is FURIOUS that I have somehow managed Northwest Silver Elite status and am having my ass upgraded left and right. Sorry sucka!!!), but the traveling is a. hard on the digestion (because I seem to eat corn at every meal) and b. despite airplane knitting, not so great for the craft that keeps this blog going. I have finished one paltry item since last posting, and believe me, it ain't that impressive in the whole grand scheme of things. N.B: The t-shirt above is brought to you courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign shop in Dupont Circle, Washington DC.

Specs
Pattern: Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino, two skeins of Smoke
Needles: Size 8
Time: A week or two, off and on.

This is a great concept--I only wish that mine had turned out to be like 2.5 times bigger. After blocking it's still a smallish triangle, which is fine, it's just that I have more than a few shawls this size. I suppose the answer is to wear it as a scarf and forget that it has 'shawl' in the title. Once again the Malabrigo Silky Merino is a giant winner of a yarn--the color and sheen are stupendous.

Unfortunately the junior crew will not be making blog appearances for the next month or so--they are visiting their dad, step-mom and baby sister in NYC and are thus unavailable. This makes me sad but also frees up the day for extended cocktail hours, insures that my life will be 100% Twilight free and means that I can listen to Lady GaGa without anyone telling me to turn it down. Also, it means that I get to make the Curmudgeon model my garments--this fact alone might make me finish what I have in my queue.

While in Louisville I stopped by one of my fave LYSs around, the Knit Nook. I love that shop and the friendly ladies who knit there. I bought the pattern for Rusted Root and more balls of Calmer (to add to the ones I bought there last year ) and am now on my way and am almost ready to divide for the sleeves. Fun pattern! Love that lace panel! While there a Louisville author stopped by to work on a sock--can you guess who it might have been? [Hint: the title of this post.]


Above you see an in-progress Amtrak shot, a train ride that held many surprises, including the joy of knitting in the Quiet Car (sshh!! no talking or cell phones, please) and sitting across from an Amish boy reading a book about bullets. As I joked on Twitter, that must be like Amish porn--so forbidden.

I am hoping to finish Rusted Root and the Diminishing Ribs cardigan before my next slate of travels begins next week, as I don't really fancy lugging sweater-quantity batches of yarn around in my suitcase. Not that it matters to a Silver Elite traveler, as I check my luggage for free:) Brucie that comment is just for you...

Stick 'Em Up: The Springtime Bandit

One of the aspects of lace knitting that most attracts me is the chart. I love me a good chart and everything about it. I love the fact that a chart means instant progress tracking and that you can cross off rows as you go. I love that once you visually master the pattern, you know right away if you've made a mistake. And most of all I love that feeling of triumph that is the 'edging' or final chart. Yes--I'm in the home stretch and can taste victory...

However for this pattern, the 'edging' chart is basically 1/3 of the pattern. Wha??? I was thrown off a bit and even deflated, but then I decided to get over it. I am in love with the results. Kate Gagnon is such a talented designer, I want some sort of 'auto-subscribe' feature to her work.

The Specs:
Pattern: Springtime Bandit by Kate Gagnon
Yarn: Brooks Farm Solo Silk, color unknown.
Needles: size 8
Time: about a week with major breaks for carousing with friends, stressful hockey games, dealing with a Creeping Charlie problem in our garden and having my mind blown by two, new albums (I still call them albums).

I am a huge fan of the Brooks Farm Solo Silk. Sadly I lost the ball band and do not know the name of the colorway. I'm going to call in 'Fruit Punch' because it's graduation garden party season. I bought it at MDS&W and recommend that you keep a look out for it.

I continue to work round robin on a variety of projects but am likely to add one more to the party: The Textured Shawl. I have spent far too many hours perusing this pattern on Ravelry and acknowledge that I am probably powerless when faced with the possibility of not starting it right away. Finishing Springtime Bandit means that I have an opening in my 'knitting that doesn't require serious attention, is portable, can de done while watching a movie yet isn't making me want to fly into a blind rage because of lack of progress (Featherweight, that category is all yours)' category. So, yeah, watch this space for the pattern that is taking Ravelry and Flickr by storm, the Textured Shawl.

A.D.D. Knitter: Bringing the Crazy!

I feel that my role in our ye olde village is to be that person that you can always look at and say to yourself, "well at least I'm not as batshit crazy as Miss Thing over there...". Because a. I have not finished any of my projects on the go and b. have cast on for one more, and it's a doozy! And I might have even ordered the yarn, stalked the pattern and made all the plans for all this foolishness since my last post. Put me in the knitting stockade, I am certifiable. Hey--you're welcome.

I have been dying to make the Diminishing Rib Cardigan as it has all the hallmarks of WIN written all over it: top-down raglan construction (yes), done on size 8s (more yes), and no expectation of it being able to be buttoned closed (a big plus-sized YES). My yarn choice, pictured above, is no surprise: Silky Malabrigo in Wisteria. Genius call, right? Also I love Linda at Yarnzilla because she let's you write things like "yes I'm f*cking crazy, I'm ordering more Malbrigo from you" in the comments box of your order and not only doesn't get offended but usually writes something hilarious right back atcha. Love her and her drugs.

Well, I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Some of you clearly share my distracted ways when it comes to knitting. Many of you came clean and admitted to having many, many things on the go, and I appreciate that. A random selection based on nothing in particular except for me not having to pay postage to California (KIDDING) has brought up the names of Laura and Beth, and I will be sending them their winnings very soon indeed. Thanks to everyone who shared their indiscretions with me.

Spring (cast-on) Fever

People who have spent anytime reading this blog will not be at all surprised to learn that I am casting on for everything in sight. You'd never know this by looking at my Ravelry page as I seem to be managing my knitting persona very well over there. "Oh my, only two projects on the needles. How virtuous and restrained." Yes--not until you scroll down at take a peek at the 'zzzz' category do you start to get an accurate picture of the scenario. And then when you discover that I have actually not even posted at least 5 other wips do you really get a clear picture of the shambles that is my knitting life. Such is life for someone like me.

I continue to work away on my Ulmus, ever so pleased with that slipped stitch action. It's a honey of a project for sure and any day now I'll be at the exciting lace part. Something to look forward to!

I got so revved up about the Socks That Rock for my Ulmus that I decided to cast on for chevron #3. This time I'm using 'Monsoon' (from the sock club a few years ago, hated the penis pattern that came with it) and 'Footzey Foo' (too anemic on its own). This is the ultimate airplane knitting project...

The Icarus continues to occupy my time as I cannot resist the lure of the Jitterbug--the yarn, not the phone. Hilarious side note: the Luddite I'm living with saw the Jitterbug commercial and declared "this is my dream phone! It's just a phone---what a great concept!". Estimated date of completion: just in time for sweater weather!

New Kids on the Block: there are two. First up we have the Featherweight cardigan. At MDS&W I had been wrestling with Whisper, a project I have since frogged as I didn't understand the construction of it and felt that I was knitting blind. Then I saw Ashley's Featherweight in person and was intrigued although put off by the idea of a lace weight garment. I then saw Carrieoke's version on her blog and that sealed the deal. Both are by the same designer, with the Featherweight seeming more doable to me because I can visualize the pattern as I work. I'm using Malabrigo Lace in Pagoda and am seriously smitten. My goal is to have this one finished by July 4th. Why then? It's the date that Monsieur Jitterbug and I are leaving for a week in Paris! Yes, he has been hoodwinked again by yours truly.


And finally we have the pattern that is taking the nation by storm: Springtime Bandit. There are so many lovely iterations of this handsome devil over on Ravelry at the moment I just couldn't resist. I am partial to this one and this one as well. I'm doing mine in Brooks Farm Solo Silk and couldn't be happier--this yarn has a sheen factor that is out of this world. I might be fast tracking this pattern for imminent completion.

And here ends a glimpse into the mind of a maniac. Tell me what projects are currently keeping you up at night. Peeper-Lou will randomly pick your name out of a hat and you might receive one of the two skeins pictured below:



On top is a STR Silkie mill end (there's a white patch on it but it looks kind of cool) and below is a skein of Misti Alpaca. Both are from MDS&W and their destiny is to go to someone else besides me. The funtimes will end on Tuesday at midnight:)