Wool Free and Lovin' Knit

Blankets for the Boys

A couple of years ago now (seems like just yesterday) I knit up afghans for the girls (my three nieces and last  year one for my sister).  So, it's time to start knitting for the boys.   

The Log Cabin Blanket was supposed to be for my 2 year old nephew but instead it's heading off to charity.  You are all right that it is still a nice blanket (thanks for all your kind and encouraging comments), but it's just not the vision I had of the one I want to gift to my nephew so in due time I will start his again. 

In the meantime, I've started  An African Adventure Blanket for my eldest nephew.  He's all growed up now and has his own place and he mentioned that he "wouldn't mind if I wanted to knit him an afghan".  Which is all the encouragement it took for me to go yarn shopping.  

    

These are the first few shells I've knit up.   This would be a great scrap buster blanket but I have actually purchased yarn for this one because I have a certain color combination I'm hoping to achieve. I'm using Berroco Comfort again (my go-to afghan yarn). 

 No deadline on this one, although I'd love to finish it before the end of this year.  At least I've got it started.  

The shells knit up pretty easy, although each one took me an hour, and I need about 78 more of these.  Once I have 9 together I'll join them up and see how that goes. If the process is too painful, he might be getting an African Adventure Pillow.   

I'll keep you posted! 

Summer Knitting

It's mid-April and as expected the Cherry Trees are in Blossom

These Lilacs, however, are a good month early -- and no wonder, it was 87 F. here in Boston yesterday, can you believe it? 

And I've cast on the first project for my summer knitting.  It's the mie pullover by sara fama, Knitscene Summer 2011.

The  yarn is Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, Blue Pine Green.  

What season is it in your corner of the world? 

 

 

The Irresistible Log Cabin Blanket

Last month Kay, at Mason Dixon Knitting , shared a link to {three}cozy log cabins on a hill.  She did so with this cautionary note:

"Warning: These photos may cause a viewer to cast on a log cabin blanket. Or produce a a darling little boy. Or move to a hill in Kentucky. "

I believed myself impervious to all three and clicked the link.  However, I  was instantly smitten with these log cabin blankets and could think of nothing else.  My youngest nephew needs one of these, he really does. 

It's all garter stitch which makes it the perfect mindless knit.  I decided right away it would be the perfect project for some yarn I had in stash and after just a day of knitting it looks like this:

 

Scalene -- a perfect travel project?

I'm flitting off to Rio De Janiero for a few days (if you can all 17 hours of travel each way "flitting") so I had to have a good travel project to take along. 

I chose Scalene -- a simple garter stitch asymetrical shawl  to take along. The yarn is La Droguerie's Lin which I've been wanting to play with for a couple of years now ever since I bought it.  

At the last moment I had knitting panic attack -- maybe it wasn't the right match of pattern and yarn, maybe I wasn't in the mood for another shawl, maybe I'd finish it too fast and have nothing to knit on the trip home....but in the end I think it will work out alright.  After all, it matches my luggage. That's got to be a good sign, wouldn't you say? 

More on Rio when we return early next week. 

Coming out of Hibernation

This bunny has been hibernating since last fall and it's time to get her dressed for spring.

I feel terribly guilty for having neglected her for so long.  I'm going to make it up to her this weekend, I promise!

 

 

One Sleeve Finished

It may look like a sleeve for an Orangutan, but it is the first sleeve for my Portrait Cardigan.

And it is finished!

When you are knitting with denim yarn, you  need to add extra-length to accomodate the shrinkage and while my measurement is right for the finished size, it sure seems like one VERY long sleeve. 

Another thing I finished this week wasThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society  by Mary Schaffer and Annie Barrows.  

Another Exciting Update on the Portrait Cardigan

Is it just me or does it seem to  you too that it's taking me FOREVER to knit up this cardigan?  

The entire body is complete so I'm celebrating that.  I'm trying not to think about the fact that we are still 2 sleeves and 2 front bands with collar away from completion!

 

Portrait Cardigan Update

I am making slow but steady progress on this cardigan.   Just made it to the point where I can divide for the armholes.  It doesn't look like much right now because it's much longer than it will be to compensate for the shrinkage and the stitches look too loose but I know (from my swatch) that it all should come out beautifully in the wash. 

So Far, So Good

It's knitting up real pretty!

We have Cast On!

Well, I finally took the plunge and cast on for the Portrait Cardigan in size S.    

We have gauge, the schematic meaurements match my own (I'm adjusting the sleeve length for a better fit) and my swatch assures me this yarn will shrink.  Nothing left now but to wish me luck!