Baby Shower Booty, or Why Knitters Rock

Long time no post. If only I were knitting fabulous items, and finishing them. But no, third trimester sleepiness has taken over my brain. Today Sarah threw me the nicest baby shower - in addition to lovely knitted items of all kinds (a gorgeous Touch Me purple baby blanket, that Damon refuses to relinquish to the baby by Carel; a stunning koigu baby jacket by Rebecca; tiny, perfect baby socks by Robin; and squares by all in various colors for a lovely cotton blanket). I've also received a number of baby items (all gorgeous and stylish): lovely books, baby yoga pants, whole outfits. Really, it's overwhelming the goodwill and generosity of knitters. Did I mention the purple Touch Me blanket? I love it with Smeagle/Gollum-like affection. They're all preciouses.

On to knitting: I'm working on the Tomten baby jacket by EZ in traditional wool (grays, greens and white). I plan on adding a zipper and afterthought pockets. I have 14 ridges left on the hood, and the sleeves to add on (plus said finishing). I also ordered the Saddle-Shoulder Aran Cardigan by EZ along with the yarn. I'm tentatively working on my swatch cap. I'm embracing zimmermania. Tomorrow: pictures:)

The hat post

I've been knitting furiously (happily?) on Arlette's test pattern for a 2-color, 2-handed brioche in the round hat. I'm using remainder Noro Silk Garden in green, grey and blue and a light gray Jo Sharp yarn. I'm addicted to the technique - it's just as challenging as learning how to originally knit and very, very satisfying. Process enjoyment aside, it's producing a lovely hat. The decreases ( a 2 row process) are a little wobbly, but in general are coming along nicely. I can't watch TV (engaging TV) and decrease yet, but I'm optimistic.

In other news, I'm back to loving several on-the-needle projects: my first attempt (technically third attempt) at designing a sock is going very well. I'll be back to it as soon as the siren call of the brioche hat is answered and off the needles (in other words, tomorrow).

More on the to-do knit list of UFO's: the chevron scarf from LMKG. I'm almost halfway there, and it's growing so prettily and very, very spring-like that I must have it finished, washed, blocked and ironed (I sense curled edges unless the iron comes out from storage).

I've found all the pieces and wires to our digital camera, and took these experimental shots of an FO (the Rowan hat) and UFO (Arlette's brioche design). It resembles outsider art, these photos, but it is night and I'm not a camera person. Brooklyn tweed started somewhere. Perhaps not here...

How I love EZ, and more about Stitches

Woops, the Madeira Lace Stole is actually by Terilyn Needlearts (same booth as Cookie, the Bay Area Knit Co-Op). I've completed two charts (about 48 rows) so far and I love it so much I dreamt about it last night. Seriously, it's an inspiring, fun and surprisingly easy project. Plus, super soft black alpaca sport weight yarn. The only downside (and it's a minor one) is the 40" Addi Turbo's I'm using. I love Addi's, but didn't steam out the cable enough. I now have a partial slinky to knit with. Sarah asked about the class I took at Stitches - I learned a few useful things: how to convert a written, not charted , pattern to the round, and a neat trick on creating a flat round swatch (that's right, flat round). It involves some large loops of slack yarn in the back and pushing the swatch to the other end of the needles after each row (much like an i-cord). It's interesting, but I think I like EZ's recommendation to simply cast on enough for a hat.

Speaking of EZ, my love for her writing, projects and techniques keeps growing. It's love, not infatuation. I'm sending my mom the practically seamless baby sweater directions and some sample yarn - she's an enthusiastic beginner and a quick learner with a strong interest in knitting baby items. That means EZ.

I've also been researching digital cameras, and have been reading a lot of Brooklyn Tweed and Bella Knitting lately. I love the great photos of yarn and knitting and am inspired to, if not buy a good digital camera, then at least to camp out at Sarah's house.

I also went down to Uncommon Threads, a local-enough favorite yarn shop, and bought 5 or 6 balls of Rowan felted Tweed. Inspired by Nona's fair aisle sweater based on EZ, I am ready to cast on for something that I hope will be as lovely and satisfying as this one. Isn't it pretty? And the hat? I love it, and more importantly Nona loves it.

Stitches haul

I love going to Stitches; this makes my third year to have worked in a booth (this year for Bella Knitting; the previous two for The Knitter's Studio). It's always fun, exciting and inspiring. I had a windfall of cash just in time for Stitches and spent it wisely and quickly. My haul involves mainly kits and projects:

• Madeira Lace Stole by Cookie A (the bottom black stole - pure gorgeousness. I cast on immediately after purchasing).
  
• 2 skeins of Fiber Elements Hand Maiden Sea Silk for the "Tilting Block Pattern" stole (clearly, I have to accommodate many stoles into my wardrobe). It was a rush purchase that I have zero regrets about. I saw it in the booth and knew instantly that it had to come home with me. Also, I bought the last two skeins of my colorway ("Nova Scotia"). The fact that it's healthy to wear and knit with only add to its charm.
• 2 skeins of Sol Joy sock yarn from the Great Adirondack booth in color "Kermie".
  
• enough yarn to make an Elizabeth Zimmermann seamless raglan sweater in basic grey and green wool. Basic wool, but beautiful.
  

I heart Stitches.