Because This is Still a Knitting Blog

Warning: pic heavy post.

My first FO's of the year!

First up, a quartet of dishcloths. I know some knitters think dishcloths are a waste of time, but I don't. They're useful and usually so much nicer than what you can buy in the store. Plus, you can make them in whatever colors you want. These are for my mother-in-law, who needs dishcloths. Her kitchen is forest green, so I made these cloths in colors that would go with the room.

Pattern: Clover Tweed dishcloth

Pattern: Lace Star cloth

Pattern: Ballband dishcloth (Rav link) from Mason-Dixon Knitting

Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm)

Yarn: Sugar & Cream, in forest green, white, ecru and cream

I had no trouble with the Ballbands or the Clover Tweed, but my hands were aching while working the Lace Star. It's worked on DPNs and circulars and the cotton was just a pain to work with in the round. Still, it makes for a nice lacy pattern that's very different from the other cloths I did.

Next up, the baby sweater.

Pattern: Baby Poonam (Rav link)

Yarn: Modea Dea washable wool

Needles: US size 5 and 7 (3.75 and 4.5 mm)

This project is so overdue, especially when you start planning it when you find out a baby is coming and you don't finish until after the baby is born!

This is for you, Bekka, or rather your little one. I made it in the 6-9 month size, so I hope it fits and gives little Elsa room to grow.

If I knit this sweater again, I'm going to follow Two Cables n' A Frapp's lead and knit seed stitch as the textural stitch on the back and sleeves. That would make it easier to work the stitches when you're doing decreases on the arms -- instead of wondering how to stick to the pattern in the midst of fewer stitches, you can just knit the purls and purl the knits.

Also, the instructions don't tell you to switch to the smaller needle when doing the front button band, so my front button band is slightly wider than the back one, which is annoying. I was just knitting along; I wasn't thinking. I do whatever the instructions tell me. If Weedinator was smart, he'd write in things he wants me to do in the middle of knitting instructions.

I made a note on the pattern to look out for the band issue in the future because chances are, I will knit this baby sweater again for someone else. It's an enjoyable little project that works for either a boy or a girl (I think). I have more to say, but I'll save it for next time since I want to post here more often and frankly, I think this one has gone on long enough. *whew*

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What a Difference a Year Makes

People, I have actually been knitting, nearly every day since this year started. Even if it's only 20 minutes, I've reclaimed my joy of knitting. This despite being very busy with work. This time last year, I was smarting over not getting a job I desperately wanted. 2008 just went downhill from there.

This past New Year's Eve, I waited until midnight to kindly escort 2008 out the door ("don't let the doorknob hit ya..."). On January 1, I woke up feeling very hopeful. After all, a new president would soon take over and you could just feel change in the air. Then, a few days ago, I found out I landed a writing gig that will triple my current salary. So far, 2009 has been wonderful in all the ways 2008 sucked eggs.

Next, if you are (a) a sock toe (b) a baby sweater sleeve (c) a plain ole stockinette sock,

I promise I will finish you. Soon. No, really. Soon. I should have some FOs any day now -- I was afflicted with some incredible startitis that makes it hard to finish anything when I'm working on five WIPs at once. Still...it's 2009. Anything's possible.

Did you want to read this Vogue Knitting? Oh, you want me to move?

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