Finished Tee

I finished my Nasreen sleeveless striped top from the Summer 2018 issue of Pompom Magazine.  I love the construction, which is modular with some seams (which I don't mind at all).  The yarn is Berroco Remix Light.  It's light and almost sport-weight in the way it knits up.  It's also 100% recycled fibers.  I love the way it drapes when it's blocked and I know it will get a lot of wear in spring, summer, and early fall.

The boat neck is a little less 'me' than other necklines, and even though I made it longer by an inch, it's still shorter than the 'tunic length' described and modeled in the magazine but given the modular construction I didn't want to add length to the striped section so only added to the bottom ribbing band.   Very pleased with how this turned out.

Working On... more Bristol

Started the Sharman garment from Bristol Ivy's Knitting Outside the Box.  Like all projects in this book, the construction is unique.  This is a shawl that will be folded so that the sides become 'arms' with ribbed cuffs at the end, and a bottom band to resemble the waistband of a sweater.  It is not a sweater or cardigan though; it drapes over the shoulders like a capelet/shawl.  Many knitters on Ravelry have commented on this (some positively, some less so) but I think it's the mindset that matters.  If one wants to knit a cardigan, there are two of those in this book that are designed to wear like a sweater.  If you want a shawl, there are several of those as well.  My expectations are for a loosely fitting, shrug-like layer that I can toss on in my always-cold workplace so I think I'll be pleased.

The yarn is Estelle Yarns Eco Andean DK, a pure wool from Peru.  It's from my stash, purchased originally as part of a Soper Creek Yarn Challenge.  I made the Tanager shrug with it from Alexis Winslow's book Graphic Knits.  I don't wear it often, mostly because it's short and not practical most of the year.  I'm hoping this one will be worn more often as it's more substantial (longer) and should work as a layering piece for three seasons. 

Top two photos are from the book, bottom one is the one I'm working on:

Finished

My Wislawa Cowl from Bristol Ivy's Knitting Outside the Box is complete.  This is my second project from her brilliant book.  I love it, and will wear it when the weather changes from hot and humid to cool and frosty.  This change will come more quickly than I'd like, I'm sure.

Pattern:  showcases short row lace motifs inserted into an otherwise simple background of knit/purl garter pattern.  Easy to follow chart (I use chart instead of written instructions) and clear instructions made this a relatively easy knit

Modifications:  I knit fewer repeats than the pattern calls for, as I reached the stated length well before.  It calls for another 4 repeats.

Yarn:  Manos del Uruguay Alegria (75/25 wool/nylon sock yarn)

Overall, this was a quick and satisfying knit, much easier than I anticipated and relatively fast given that it's fingering weight yarn.

Working on...

I’m mid-way through a few things, but all are at the ‘less thinking, more knitting’ stage.  I need something that requires some concentration to keep my attention right now.  Any of Bristol Ivy’s patterns fit the ‘thinking Required’ category.  I have yarn in stash for Sharman, a shawl with sleeves (not quite a shrug, but similar), so I’ve cast on.  Yarn is Estelle Eco Andean DK.  I’m already enjoying the unique construction and the charts are easy enough to follow but still require some attention, which is what will help with the ‘restless brain’ that comes in mid-August.

Mid-point Motivation

Trying to motivate myself through the mid-point of my project.  I’m past the excitement of casting on, worked through the thinking part of learning the pattern/construction, but still too far away from the rush of being almost done...

So, determined not to cast on a new sweater til this one is closer to being finished but planning ahead so that I’ll have one ready to go.  I’m thinking of Magnolia from Laine Magazine Issue 4.  Instead of holding two strands (fingering and lace mohair) I will use some dk alpaca I’ve had in stash for a long time.  The gauge will work (I think) and the sweater is designed to be drapey with positive ease.

Alternatively, I could knit Joji Locatelli’s Lanes using the dk alpaca, as that’s what the pattern calls for.  Both are pictured below.... not sure which one will be next but either will motivate me to keep knitting the current WIP!

Magnolia:

Summer = time

Time seems to be something that comes in waves around here - I have lots of free time now, yet at other times of the year there’s not nearly enough time for me.   This coincides with the school calendar (not surprising!) so as the calendar turns to August I become more aware of the time that I have now.  This also means that as the month goes by I also begin to feel the pressure of time slipping away.

In the meantime summer means knitting and reading so I’ve done a lot of both.  WIPs were finished, and a couple of projects were started and finished as gifts:

Top to bottom:

Reverb Shawl by Felicia Lowe (Sweet Georgia Yarns) - yarn from stash
Vogue Knitting Tee - Berroco Weekend DK
Prairie Fire by TinCan Knits - Berroco Remix Light
Indigo Frost by Isabel Kraemer - Cornelia Hamilton Heaven’s Hand Worsted (main colour), Cascade 220 (colour work)