knits & pieces...for real.

I started Assemblage this summer, and last time I talked about it all I had to show was some oatmeal-colored ribbing. (Snore.) Since then, I did actually get a lot more of the back completed, but it's still not very exciting.

Then I traveled. And I wanted some travel knitting. And I still wanted to work on Assemblage. So I started a sleeve, and brought a bunch of extra yarn. (I'm not afraid of flying, but I am afraid of running out of yarn while I'm flying.) When I got to the point in the sleeve where I had to shape the sleeve cap, I wasn't quite ready to move on. I hatehatehate sleeves that are just not quite long enough, so I wanted to do some measuring and comparing to other sweaters and holding up pieces of knitting to my own arms...and I didn't want to do all of that in the airport. So I started another sleeve! Now have three unfinished pieces of knitting on three different sets of needles and I feel a little crazy.

But starting another sleeve gave me the chance to work on the textured pattern again. I LOVE this pattern. I knit the cuffs longer than the pattern calls for just because I didn't want to stop knitting this gorgeous texture!

impromptu terrarium

Sometimes you just get the urge to make a mini terrarium, you know? Like yesterday, when I was meandering through the lighting department at my home improvement store, and spotted the exact glass-pendant-light-cover-thingy that Flickr member gemmafactrix had used quite some time ago to make her mini terrarium. Unfortunately, her pics seem to have vanished from her Flickr account, but I always thought her mini terrariums were so cute and clever, and I've been meaning to rip off her design for-EVER! Next stop was the gardening department where I purchased one of those terra cotta-underneath-the-flower-pot-tray-thingers (for the amount of time I spend in the home improvement store, you'd think I'd have acquired a better vocabulary by now...), a variety pack of mini succulents, and some "dish garden topping" (yes, that's actually what it's called). So, over coffee this morning, I whipped up a mini terrarium! Now let's hope it doesn't die. And if you're one of those Green Thumbs who just took one look at it and spotted the fatal flaw, so you know already that it's gonna die for some reason...don't tell me just yet, ok? I still want a little time to revel in the cuteness.

my not-so-shrunken cardigan

Marilyn's Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan is finished...and there's not really much to say about it---which is a good thing! It fits just the way I wanted it to (you gotta love a top-down raglan) and I'm REALLY happy with the color (I may have accidentallyonpurpose purchased turquoise Mary Jane pumps today.) I used just over 5 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in color 09, verdigris, on size 3 and 6 needles. I almost made it with 5 skeins, but I needed to bust into one more for the last ruffle. I also lengthened the body to 13" below the underarm. The only part I'm disappointed with is that I wish the ruffles were more...squiggly. I think I may have crocheted them too tightly and now they sort of look like fins rather than ruffles. But it doesn't bother me too much. Fall can take its time, but when it does get here, I'll be ready! (Cardigan-wise, anyway.)

(Oh yeah, and I got bangs. I'm not so sure it was the right decision, but they're only bangs. They'll grow out.)

sneak peek

My Not So Shrunken Cardigan is finished. I just need to find some time to take some action shots.


Hm. Those ruffles aren't as ruffle-y as I'd like...

why not?

Three sweaters in progress in the middle of the summer??? That's normal, right?

I was so taken with Norah Gaughan's Assemblage pattern that I just had to cast on. I'm using Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK in oatmeal.

Exciting, huh?

This schlumpy, unattractive pile of knitting is Marilyn's Not So Shrunken Cardigan---almost finished! I just have to crochet the ruffles and find some buttons and block this thing. Being a top-down pattern, I'm fairly certain this will fit just fine, and hopefully look a lot better than it does in this photo! I have mixed feelings about the yarn...the Silky Wool smells like silk (duh), but I'm really in love with the color. Eh. Oh, well.

For some reason, I was thinking about my Cabled Yoke Pullover recently and how much I liked it when I finished it, but how little I've actually worn it. I think the answer is to turn it into a turtleneck. However, I'm a bit uncertain about how to knit it, in terms of texture and pattern. I think continuing the cables up the neck would be a little wacky. A basic ribbed turtleneck seems like it would make sense, but I'm not so sure I'm digging that either. I feel like the ribbing should be repeated in the cuffs, as well. Which it is not. So I'm leaning toward knitting straight up in the round, to get kind of a slouchy, not-quite-cowl effect. Actually, I'll probably have to add some decreases in there, but I think this is the best option. I think. But maybe it will look strange to have the cable pattern stop abruptly. Oh, I don't know.