I’ve been flying under the radar a lot lately.  I guess it’s partly because of the holiday knitting.  My original goal was to get it done by Thanksgiving day (Nov 27, for those outside the US) but that fell through.  Now?  I’m shooting for getting the absolute necessities done by the end of the month (and yes, I know there’s only two more days.)  I’m going scarf sets for the in-laws, and currently I’ve got two scarves and a pair of fingerless mitts.  Just one more pair of mitts, and I can call it complete.  There was supposed to be a hat in there, but as of the last week or so my shoulder has *really* been feeling off.  When I knit it sort of…I dunno, vibrates.  I know that sounds wierd, but it’s the best explanation I have.  So I’ve been shying away from the knitting.  It’s making me crazy…I don’t have anything else that I can take with me to keep my hands busy.  But enough about my crazy.  Let me talk about what I have knitted since the last time I posted.

First up - socks.  I like these socks!

Specs -

Pattern - Test knit, pattern to be published

Yarn - Lime&Violet Sock Stories, Curiosity Shoppe

Needle - US 1.5/2.5mm addi turbo and US1/2.25mm KnitPicks, magic loop

Notes - Since they were a test knit, other than magic looping instead of DPNs, I did these exactly as written.  I’ve since changed the ribbon to a medium black organza, and I luuurv them!

I’m seriously thinking of using the Cherry Tree Hill I overdyed ages ago and making these into knee-highs.  The yarn is a deep purple, and with wide organza ribbon up the back?  Yes, please!

Next up…lessee…Oh!  I finished the sweater!

Specs -

Pattern - Dark Victory by Annie Modesitt, in Romantic Handknits

Yarn - Malabrigo Merino Worsted, in Col China (6 balls), Pearl (1 ball) and Tortuga (1 ball)

Needle - US 7/4.5mm and US 8/5.0mm KnitPicks Options

Notes - Oh, where to start?  Well, I’ve blogged previously about this sweater, so I’m just going to addend what I’ve already said.  The sleeves?  Did them two at a time, cause the directions were so vague on them I would never have gotten two that look alike otherwise.  I also did the sleeves twice.  Yes, twice.  The first time, they were unbearably tight at the cuff, and far too large and bulky at the join.  So, I frogged and restarted.  I took notes on what I did.  The size I knit was the 48″, and this is what I did to get sleeves that worked for me (and are also longer than the bracelet length sleeves the book has you knit.)

• C/O 42 stitches (one size up from my listed size.) (K2, P2) across, ending k2. Place marker 4 stitches in from each edge. Knit 4 more rows in pattern, on the 6th row, inc 1 stitch in pattern at outside of marker (if you k2 just before marker,
• inc 1 p, if you p1 before marker, inc 1 p, etc.)

However, all that (and previous posts) said - I’m still thinking of knitting this again, in a more everyday workhorse type yarn (like Cascade 220 or something) and without the fancier details.  I’m thinking of doing it in grey with black, stockinette instead of slipped stitches, and no twined border.  I love the way this sits, (except for the little mistake.) 

I forgot to mention the mistake!  Well, not so much a mistake as an issue.  Malabrigo grows when blocked.  I was fully expecting that, but I really didn’t expect *how* it would grow.  Everyone else who knitted this sweater said it grew in width for them.  But not me…oh, no.  The length was where it got me.  And it wouldn’t have been such an issue save that it puts the hip decreases and bust increases several inches lower than they should be.  But it’s not really noticeable when I’m wearing it, so I’m not changing a thing.

Clementine.  I finished the Clementine Shawlette, I grafted and blocked even.  I just have no new pictures of it. 

I made two different stashbusting garments for MissV - one is a vest, and the other…well, garterstitch is good for the soul, don’tcha know? 

Specs -

Pattern - Cowgirl Butterfly Astronaut Vest by f.pea

Yarn - Mission Falls 1824 Wool, 2 balls Cranberry, 3 balls Cranberry Tricolor

Needle - US 5/3.75 mm and US 7/4.5mm KP Options

Notes - I would have been finished sooner, but I had to go to the LYS to get another skein of the solid. This one was quick, but the knitting really hurt my hands. Even on 7s (and getting gauge, I checked after it was done ;P ) it was a tight knit. Then the button bands and sleeves in the smaller gauge? Even worse.
Also? The pattern has a few errors and omissions. I got it to work out all right, but there were a few things I would have liked clarification on.

The yarn softened immensely after washing, and blocking was done pretty severely.  I wanted the vest to almost close in the front, so it required really stretching the ribbing while it dried.  I think it worked out wonderfully. and she’s gotten several comments on it, too.

Specs -

Pattern - EZ Modular Tomten

Yarn - Random single balls of Lion Wool and Patons Classic Merino

Needle - US 8/5.0mm KP Harmony Options

Notes - I had far too many single balls of pure wool yarns, loads of different colors, too.  So, I decided to stashbust, and at the time I was in need of some simple garter stitch (for sanity, you understand.)  I reached for the Opinionated Knitter, and decided on a Tomten.  I think it came out wonderfully.  I’ve since added a cream icord to both arms at the shoulder join to clean it up - the picked up stitches could have been done better.  This was also my first time setting a zipper into a knitted item, and that came out very well, too!  I’ve done the sleeves long so they can be rolled up for now, but as she grows her wrists wont show out the cuffs.  I also didn’t do the short rows in the back - and seeing it on her, I don’t think they would have done any good either.  The ends were a pain on this one, too…see all those stripes?  Each one had two ends to weave.  (Yes, I know the knitters know this, I’m just re-iterating…)  I had 43 grams of ends once the whole thing was done (I weighed them…)

Well, that’s all the knitting I’m going to show, but I thought, in deference to the season, I’d leave you with a recipe that is a big hit at my house.  It’s a modification of another (quick and easy) recipe that my grandmother gave me.  Doesn’t have a real name, but I think it tastes like summer.

1 8oz block cream cheese, softened

1 8oz tub cool whip

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 tbsp lime juice (or to taste)

green food coloring

12″ graham cracker pie crust

Whip the cream cheese until smooth, add the milk, lime juice, and food coloring.  Mix until it’s all combined.  Fold in the cool whip (do not overstir!)  Pour into the pie crust, and refrigerate for two hours or until the pie is set.  Enjoy!  (and keep refrigerated!)

Well, that’s it.  Time to go.  Hope everyone is having good knitting!  (And don’t try to knit more than you’re able this season - gift knitting is more appreciated when it’s stressed over less!  ;)  )