And There is a FO Pic

Ladies, I am pleased to present finished FO pics of my latest garment, Flutter Sleeve Cardi. It turned out great! (If I say so myself! ;-)

Anyhow, not going to be much of a write-up. It's late and I would like to go to bed.

Front:

The pictures were taken at the end of the day and M is no stylist. Overall, I am very pleased with the look and fit of this garment. If I were to make any changes, I would add a third button and perhaps make the cardi a smidge longer, but really no complaints. I am seriously entertaining the thought of a second one. When I would get to it, who knows, but it certainly a winner in my book! Yay for finished projects.

This is number 4 for NaKniSweMoDo. Got some catchin' up to do. Oh and in the photos, you might notice that I added some highlights to my hair.

Raveled

And lastly, this is really last minute and I do apologize. My only family member here in Denver was diagnosed with a disease, scleroderma, a couple of years ago. This weekend, I will be walking for the second time in the Steppin' Out for Scleroderma Walk. This disease doesn't get as much publicity as others, but it can be life-threatening to those affected by it. Thankfully, my cousin is okay, but she has a lot of health conditions, including hardening of the skin, which can affect her organs. It's also scary because it can be hereditary too. I walked last year and didn't receive my registration packet in the mail, so I just signed up online yesterday. If any of you are able to contribute to the fundraising efforts, I would appreciate it. At the top, right-hand side of the page, you will see a widget to the donation website. You can also go directly there to donate as well. If you can't, that's ok too.

What Had Happened Was . . .

I guess I took an unexpected break from blogging. I have thought about it frequently, but all the good intentions do not a blogger make. Anyhow I am not making any promises for when I will next blog, but I am hoping to be able to blog a bit more. I have been online quite a bit, but mostly on Facebook and sometimes on Twitter.

School has also been pretty crazy the past couple of terms. However, I decided for the summer to take a short break. I thought this might be good for my sanity. It doesn't mean that I am or will regain my sanity, but there's hope? lol

There has been knitting and more knitting. I finished a pair of socks, but don't have a FO pic to share. I need to take more pictures soon.

An impromptu photo session at my LYS with photos taken by Mary-Kay display my latest FO. For NanKniSweMoDo, this is my third sweater. A bit behind with the count, but still plugging away.
My third sweater for the NaKni blah-blah-blah is Hanna. The yarn used is Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Brushed Alpaca. Since the yarn is alpaca, although the photos are not the best, I am going to use them for now to call this FO done. In the winter, I will try to get some better pictures, but going into summer, I'm not too interested in modeling alpaca right now

Project Details (on Rav)

Project -  Hanna 

Yarn: Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Brushed Alpaca , 5 skeins

Needles used:  size US 10.5 (6.5mm) needles

Modifications: none

I got suckered by the quick project idea, which never really works out for me. Unless I am knitting a cowl or a hat. Otherwise, they don't knit up quickly. It wasn't bad and I really like the end result. It's just a cardigan knit in one piece and that's a big slog. Not as nice as working in the round, of course. I do feel like it was worth it. I may even purchase the shawl pin pictured in the photo above. I used one at the shop for the photo. I think it looks really nice. Overall, happy with the sweater.

I have another project that I hope to complete tomorrow today. I just have to find some buttons and knit two tabs. Seems doable. Perhaps I will start that now, since I can't seem to go to sleep yet.

FO Report: Back to School U Neck Vest

I finally have a finished garment that I can show on the blog. You might be surprised to see that it is the Back to School UNeck Vest by Stefanie Japel, instead of the Ribby Pulli, but pics will be coming.I finished the Ribby Pulli first, but have not yet had a chance to get modeled shots.It is super comfortable. I have already worn it twice.

Now on to the Back-to-School U Neck Vest. This project was very easy, as evidenced as I knit it in just over a month. I would have had it completed by the month's end if I hadn't screwed up sewing the seams. This vest is knit in the round, until you get to the bust area. When I needed to seam the shoulders, I ended up seaming them to the wrong sides. And then I wove in all the ends quite well. I was not able to find the ends and had to wait to take it to my LYS to help find the end(s), so that I could seam the correct sides together.

Now, for a couple of shots.

Project Details-

Yarn used: Cascade220 in a blue-green variegated color, 3 skeins

Project: Back to School U-Neck Vest by Stefanie Japel from Fitted Knits

Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)

Length of project: started January 1, 2009 and completed February 7, 2009

Mods: I didn't make any modifications to this project and knit it as written. It was an enjoyable knit and I liked the addition of bust darts in the vest. Very quick and easy even with loads of 2x2 ribbing. I love how the vest turned out and it looks great with my teal shirt or I can wear it with a white shirt. The vest was the perfect amount of warmth too. While wearing it, I never felt too hot, which is always a concern for me. All in all, a great project. Here's to NaKniSweMoDo!

'09 Knitting Resolutions

As I mentioned last year, I'm no longer doing knitting resolutions, as I am doing monthly goals instead. This year I signed up for NaKniSweMoDo . Yes, I know a collective gasp of shock has rippled through the crowd. Although I didn't finish a ton of sweaters for 2008, I'm using NaKniSweMoDo to motivate me to turn many of the sweater yarn amounts I have into sweaters. One of the main points of this idea that I embrace is turning WIPs into FOs, as well as counting vests and tanks for adult-sizes as finished objects as well. These points work well for me and I'm motivated to do it. I've been planning some various sweater projects.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the fastest knitter around, although I do okay. But I am fairly persistent with knitting and even enjoying the long slog of some sweaters. My main goal is to end up with more sweaters that what I started with. My goal is 12, but if I don't make it, I won't beat myself up about it.

I started out the New Year with casting on for a vest. Last year, I got the bright idea to knit a few vests, as I do actually like vests. I cast on for the Back to School U-Neck on the first of the year and have been making good progress so far. I started out on a 32-inch cord, but it was too long and had to move down to a 24-inch needle. Once I did that, the 2x2 ribbing started flying.

That's the first project on the needles for NaKniSweMoDo project. Here we go!