« Clapotis | Main | Cruisin' »
May 19, 2006
A Little Thing Called Progress
Thank you all so much for your nice compliments on Fritz (and Clapotis, of course). I thought about whether I should tell him about all the compliments, and decided that while his ego is rather large, it's kind of mean not to tell him. I'm sure in his own way, he thanks you.
What is it about the excitement of new projects? Is it just that they're new? Or is it something about choosing the right projects? I honestly don't know, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth (as my dad would say). I am just having the best time with Hourglass. I know it isn't complicated or challenging, but I think it's the combination of a pattern I know I'll wear a lot and the super yummy Sundara Yarn.
I'm on the second set of increases and I think I have one more set yet to do. One of the best things about this project is that it's perfect for tv watching, and I've been watching a lot of tv this week - all those season finales. I can knit on this without looking, except when I need to do an increase or decrease. The yarn isn't splitty at all and it just glides along on the addis. A winning combination. This sweater is knitting up to be rather dense, but the yarn relaxed considerably when I blocked it, so I'm operating on a bit of faith and hoping the same will be true for the sweater.
The Oak Rib Socks are also progressing nicely, although it doesn't look like I'm going to have them both done before next Friday for my mom's birthday. But, I've decided that if I don't, well they'll just be a gift for no reason and she'll get something else for her birthday. I've turned the heel on the first sock and am decreasing the gusset.
I tried to make the stripes work out and I think the solution I finally ended up with is just fine. I thought about cutting the yarn to keep the stripe repeats the same in the heel, but decided I didn't want to be that fussy with these socks (that is not to say that I couldn't be that fussy with a pair of socks - I have the personality for it). I think the wider heel stripes add a bit of charm. You want perfect, go buy some socks!
This weekend promises to be much quieter than last weekend and I'm pretty happy about that. My mom wants to knit a felted bag. She's thinking about a large tote. If anyone has any pattern suggestions, I'd love to hear from you. We are going to try to get to the yarn store and get her started on something and then I think I'll work on my knitting and my yard a bit while the weather is still good. It's been unseasonably warm here - we went from winter to summer in one day, but it always gets cold again before Memorial Day. So, I'm not going to plant any flowers, but I think I'll clean up my flower beds and get some new mulch and that kind of thing. Have a wonderful weekend.
Comments
They're handknit - no need for absolute matchiness! :)
Posted by: Stacey at May 19, 2006 10:29 AM
The Oregon Tote from Fiber Trends is big and fairly easy to knit. The socks look great and so does the sweater. We have recorded so many season finales that we'll be watching for weeks to come! Have a quiet, knitterly weekend!
Posted by: margene at May 19, 2006 11:00 AM
I recently made a Rick Rack bag and it was very small but it 's a simple pattern so I'm sure that you could adjust the size easily. They come out very cute and the welt around the bottom gives it great stability.
Posted by: hillary at May 19, 2006 11:06 AM
I love the look of those socks. Can't wait to see them on a foot. : ) Have a good weekend!
Posted by: Carolyn at May 19, 2006 11:20 AM
I just love your hourglass -- it's so pretty!! The socks look great and it looks like you made a ton of progress. Hope you enjoy your quiet weekend.
Posted by: caitlyn at May 19, 2006 11:37 AM
i don't have any good felted bag suggestions, i just wanted to say that the hourglass is looking fab! fantastic yarn! luverly striping in the sock as well. lucky mum!
Posted by: kris at May 19, 2006 11:51 AM
I have to say noni bags, if your lys carries them check them out.
the sock looks great! i love the fat stripes
Posted by: yahaira at May 19, 2006 11:54 AM
I just want to say that I am impressed and proud of you for being so honest with your readers. After living with you and being one of your good friends I know you fussy you can be over things. lol. On another note, after making a gift for your mom that had its own faults (in my mind) I know for a fact she won't examine the socks near as closely as you.
Posted by: Stacey at May 19, 2006 12:12 PM
I'm all about fraternal and not matchy-matchy socks. A woman in my knitting group actually only ever makes one sock of a yarn or patterna and mixes and matches at will. I'm not like that, however, but I admire the spirit.
Posted by: Theresa at May 19, 2006 12:36 PM
Socks are very cute. Email me about the yarn!
Posted by: Purly Whites at May 19, 2006 12:48 PM
I love the Hourglass progress. The yarn looks yummy-licious! And that is perfect knitting for TV watching too. The socks are looking great for mom. What yarn are you using for the socks? Is it LL?
Posted by: Wanda at May 19, 2006 12:58 PM
the book, weekend knitting, has a couple of nice totes.
Posted by: moody knitter at May 19, 2006 12:59 PM
I think the wide heel striping looks right at home on the sock. Hope you have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Diana at May 19, 2006 1:30 PM
Your Hourglass looks beautiful. I am considering making one too. Are you making any modifications based on what other knit-bloggers have said about the pattern ("Flashdance" neck, for example)?
Posted by: Leslie at May 19, 2006 2:07 PM
How about "My Constant Companion"? It's large and and has a cool strap construction. http://www.knitkit.com/MyConstantCompanion.htm
Miles of stockinette is the best for TV watching!
Posted by: quenna at May 19, 2006 5:35 PM
The hourglass sweater looks beautiful, the yarn is just gorgeous. The weekender bag and your clapotis are great, and like all your other commenters, I love your gorgeous horse! :)
There was a really cool totebag in the spring issue of Interweave knits called the Wobbly Circles Tote... http://www.interweave.com/knit/interweave_knits/back_issues/SP_06.asp
Posted by: hege at May 20, 2006 12:14 PM
I absolutely love the yarn you're using for your Hourglass, it's such a gorgeous shade of green - it's going to be a beauty!
Your Oak Rib Socks are also coming along so beautifully - I'm absolutely impressed by the projects you're doing, great work!
Posted by: Dipsy at May 22, 2006 10:04 AM
Hey Stephanie!
You should check out the "French Market Bag" (I think thats what its called ) from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick. Its done in colorwork, but would also be awesome worked in one color or stripes. I really like the bag either way!
(At this point, she's probably already found a pattern, but I thought I'd throw it out there...)
Posted by: j a r e d at May 22, 2006 2:50 PM
