Yarn Challenge - FO

I entered my project in the Yarn Challenge at Soper Creek Yarn.  It's from Graphic Knits by Alexis Winslow, a fantastic book with many projects I plan to knit.  This one is the Tanager Shrug.  I used the assigned yarn (Estelle Eco Andean DK), and love how it turned out.

Here's the photo from the shop window (number is my entry number, not placement number).  I didn't win, but as mentioned in a previous post that's not really the point for me.  I loved participating, voting, and the challenge of creating a project with a specific yarn and colourway.

The winning entries are on the Soper Creek Yarn blog, as are all of the other entries.  Check them out!

Blue Devil hat

While I wait for my Mai Tai yarn to arrive from Berroco, I am going to start up with a hat from the Tiki collection:  Blue Devil
I bought a skein of Madelinetosh Tosh DK for the hat in a bright blue.

I will cast on in a few days as soon as I get a few projects off the needles.  Can't wait!

Mai Tai for Me!!!

I love Berroco yarns, my LYS has lots  in stock.  I entered a contest on the blog sponsored by one of my favourite designers Thea Coleman (Babycocktails).  Imagine my surprise to get an email from Berroco's Amy Christoffers to tell me I WON!   I will be receiving yarn to knit the Mai Tai cowl from Thea Coleman's new collection "Tiki", and the designer sent me the ebook already!

To win, I had to enter a comment about what I'm doing to cope with the end of the long winter while waiting for signs of spring.  I wrote:

“To beat the winter blahs I take time to enjoy the small signs of spring on my outdoor runs, like slushy puddles instead of icy patches on the sidewalks, and being able to run with just my winter running pants and not the long underwear underneath! I would love a bright pink cowl to wear as I welcome spring!"

Photo from http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-babycocktails-tiki-collection
I will start with the cowl, but also plan to splurge for a skein of something special for one of the hats. I'm not Irish or superstitious, nor am I particularly lucky.  I don't like to gamble, and as mentioned before I'm not particularly competitive, but I feel very lucky right now!

WIP, FO, and TGIMB

FO - The hat is for a friend I adore.  It's Amstel hat by Courtney Kelly, knit with Berroco Vintage. It's a top down hat, not a typical construction for me.  It's a gift for a friend, knit by request:

WIP - I've started Sous Sous by Norah Gaughan.  It's a very oversized top, with a cable detail and an asymmetrical hemline.  It's not the usual silhouette for me, so I hope I like it when done.

TGIMB - Thank goodness it's March Break!  Ready to take a rest from work, slow the pace down, and bring in spring!

the least competitive

My LYS, Soper Creek Yarn, holds a Yarn Challenge every spring.  Each participant buys a kit that includes several small amounts of the chosen yarn in different colours.  We have about a month to knit something using the yarn. Or crochet, or weave, or do something equally crafty with it.  I have entered for the past 6 years, just missed the first year (wasn't as avid a knitter then!).

I enter to be part of the community; I must admit winning isn't really that important (although a gift card for more yarn is a welcome prize!).  I don't like to compete, I just like to participate.  I am always amazed at the creativity of the other participants.  I always choose a practical project, something I will use or give away after.  This often involves buying more of the chosen yarn to make my project, and knitting feverishly to the deadline.  This year is no different...

Here are my projects from the past few years:

A baby sweater in Mission Falls 1824 (now discontinued):

Legwarmers in Cascade 220 (my go-to yarn!):

A cotton tee in Berroco Weekend (not sure why I don't have a photo of the finished sweater):

Hat and fingerless gloves using Cascade 220 superwash sport:

An Olympic Themed hat using Briggs and Little Regal, a Canadian yarn:

This year's yarn is Estelle Andean DK, in 3 natural colours.  I'm knitting a shrug from Graphic Knits, with unusual construction.  I've trusted the pattern after worrying about the shape - I do find shrugs are hard to 'see' as you go since construction is usually a little different (e.g., centre-out, or side to side, or small pieces, or circular....).  Here's my in-progress photo:

The shrug is done, but I will wait to post more photos until the end of March and the end of the contest.  Voting begins at the end of the week.  I am most excited to see the other projects, and to have my item in the store window for a little while.