My Nanook sweater for the Summer Sweater KAL is coming along nicely. I ran into a bit of a snag when I ended up ripping back about 5" of the body because I thought I knew better and wanted to shorten the length of the yoke, but then after trying it on (5" into the body) I found that the underarms were going to be too tight so I ripped it back and added some length to the yoke. This was totally my fault, I shortened the yoke too much and then ended up lengthening it to exactly the dimensions the pattern called for. I'm really looking forward to blocking this sweater because I know that it's going to change the fabric considerably. Right now it's quite bouncy and squishy, which is awesome, but after wet blocking it's going to have the added element of drape, which is what I'm really looking for, especially for the garter stitch fronts.
Last week I also cast on for a new sock in a special skein of Viola sock yarn that was gifted to me in a trade with Emily a few years ago. Since Emily has taken a break from dyeing her lovely yarns, this skein may be my only chance to knit with it! Actually, that's a lie, I have one more skein of Viola sock yarn, but still... it's not something I won't be able to buy again. I've had this skein wound into a cake and ready to go for over a year, I had it with me last summer while on vacation but couldn't decide on the right pattern for it. I think it's because it's just a bit finer than my Blue Label yarn, which is what I'm used to, so it never felt quite right. After several false starts throughout the year I finally landed on the 9 to 5 sock pattern by Nicole Hindes and it's looking great!
I've been doing lots of spinning this week to, in honour of the Tour de Fleece. I don't have a real game plan, I'm just trying to make sure that I spin a bit every day. I should have my third completed skein of handspun by the end of the day, 3 skeins in 1 week is a lot for me!
Your WIPs are gorgeous! I really can't wait to see your Nanook when it's done, I'm really digging that collar.
ReplyDeleteI saw the braids that you had dyed for your etsy shop...makes me wish I could spin!
The sock yarn is a beautiful colour! Yay for WIP shots - my Suncrest should be far along enough to share soon!
ReplyDeleteoooh, your nanook is going to be gorgeous!!! i, too, have a very special skein of viola, waiting for just the right project... i'm in no rush to use it.
ReplyDeleteNanook is coming along to beautifully!!.. Can't wait to see it on. I can already tell its going to be a want-to-wear-it-every-day kind of cardi!
ReplyDeleteYou've completely inspired me to knit up Nanook - right after I finish my Honeytree Vest!
ReplyDeleteThe only time I messed with the yoke on the pattern, the same thing happened to me and I had to rip back, so I feel your pain! That sock looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteYour Nanook looks so lovely! I know knitting and it's various parts are what you do and how you make your living, but I was still wondering - how many hours a day do you knit? I'm a fairly new knitter and I stay at home with my 1 year old. Sometimes I get discouraged at how slowly my projects come together (or don't come together at all) because of my limited free time. My enthusiasm tends to jump ahead of my skill and available time.
ReplyDeleteI love how the yarn is knitting up on your Nanook. It's going to be gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWoooaaahhhh, what color is the sweater in? It's stunning!
ReplyDeleteIt looks incredible, i can't wait to see it finished.
ReplyDeleteYour nanook is coming along nicely! Gotta love that top-down construction, which allows for custom mods from start to finish. :)
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL!!!!
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