alisonknits

Road Testing

  New tools have given me the perfect excuse to start new projects, and the ability to finish some others.  I'd been eager to try the new Knit Picks needles, so I ordered some 32" size 1s.  I recently finished a sample sock for a pattern I'm been working on, so felt perfectly justified casting on for another sock.  This is my new Pomatomus, using Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and the Magic Loop method. 

[Incidentally, most of the sock as pictured was written on the road to Long Island and back.  Hence the post title "road testing."  I'm very clever.]

I give the new needles two thumbs up.  I purposely chose a pattern that requires sharp points, and I haven't been disappointed at all.  (Last time I knit these socks I used Addis, and certain maneuvers, such as knitting into the back of a yarn over, were slightly annoying with blunter tips.)  And the Magic Loop method requires a smooth cable join, which these also possess.  I will definitely be ordering more sizes of these needles.

The sock I finished was my Horseshoe Lace design for J. Knits.  Pattern will be available soon... it's mostly written. Have I mentioned how much I loath pattern writing?  It is undoubtedly my least favorite part of the design process.  It just feels like a chore.  But unavoidable if I want to see my work in print.  Sigh.

I also bought some blocking wires from Knit Picks, which I inaugurated with this shawl I knit while working at Three Bags Full as a shop sample.  The yarn is Skacel Merino Lace (a favorite of mine), and the pattern is a Skacel pattern by Evelyn Clark.  The shawl enjoys being draped on flowers in my garden, but is now back at home in the store. 

I've been very busy blocking things... I finished my Icarus as well.  Alas, it has been overcast since I blocked it, so I haven't been able to get a photo yet.  And then I blocked a lacy square for the Aran afghan that's been lying around for a few weeks.   (No more progress on any other squares.  I can't knit everything, you know.)

In spite of the fact that I'm still on shawl #4 (of 5) for my sister's wedding, I was inspired by some lovely teal-colored Skacel Merino Lace to work on a shawl design of my own.  I got a bunch of work done on that today, swatching the main pattern, the edging, and charting the whole design.   But I guess now I'd better put my nose to the grindstone and finish that deadline knitting... and the pattern writing...

I'm depressingly aware that summer is nearly over.  I start a new job in September (my third, if you're counting) and my schedule may make life not worth living.

Better live it up while I can!

The Magic of Crafty Goodness

The thing that always seems like a miracle to me is how we can take tools and materials like this:

and transform them into this:

Lately I've been unfaithful to my knitting, and have spent a fair amount of time (not to mention money) making journals using materials from my new favorite store, Paper Source.  I started with a kit that included a text block (the journal pages), precut-to-size boards, precut decorative paper, cloth tape, and instructions.  With that kit, I made the journal on the right.  I also purchased separate materials for the journal in the center, which is my new calendar, notebook and writing journal all in one. 

Scott was quite impressed and soon joined in the fun.  He made a journal for his mom's birthday (not pictured; you'll have to take my word that he did a lovely job).  And then I went back again for paper/book cloth for the journal on the left, which I gave away as a prize for one of the games we played yesterday at my sister's bridal shower.

Oh yeah, I've also been just a little busy preparing for that event.  It was great fun.  I'm very lucky to have a wonderful friend (Sara) who helped me clean my house, and fabulous co-bridesmaids who helped plan and host with me.

With all this excitement, knitting progress has been a bit slow lately.  But progress has been made, and I should have some photographic evidence of it soon...