I have been a *machine* baby - churning out the knits like nobody’s business.

I spent a while there churning out the wearables - or at least it felt like it to me.  One of the vests is still not done, mostly due to the fact that I used the wrong needle on the whole of the thing.

Specs -

Pattern - Talia from Knitty by SweaterBabe

Yarn - Patons Classic Merino Wool in Charcoal, 3 balls

Needle - US 9/5.5mm KP Options Harmony

Notes - Quick knit.  Like, seriously quick.  I did the buttonholes a row late and wound up with them on the wrong side, but it’s a little thing.  I knew I’d be wearing this closed, so I went ahead and stitched the button band shut - with negative ease it would have just gaped open at the buttons.  Plus?  They are open spirals…not exactly easy to button onto a loosely knitted band!

Next?  Mmmmmmalabrigo.  Yum.

Specs -

Pattern - A Better Bucket by Amy Swenson 

Yarn - Malabrigo Merino Worsted, 1 skein Pearl and leftovers of Tortuga

Needle - US 7/5.5mm KP Options

Notes - I used Solaris’ mods for a bigger hat.  I’m glad I did, but I spaced on reading the directions and did the brim on the same needle size as the crown, so it doesn’t have the flare I’d like it to.  I knit a little rosebud and attached it, but if I can find a pretty vintage paste jewel or something, I’ll trade it out.  This thing is warm and soft, and I love it!  I love it so much that I cast on for another one the next night.  Sadly, the second was done in a cotton/silk that had been marinating in the stash for over a year (I was searching for the *perfect pattern*, you know how that goes.)  I should have used smaller needles,  and fewer stitches.  I can’t even frog the failure to reclaim the yarn - it breaks with the slightest tug.  It was souviner yarn, too…but it’s lost now.  ~sad face~

Spinning…this one is my favorite.

This would be bamboo/merino blend I acquired from MizViolet’s studio when I visited.  It’s a heavy fingering/sport weight.  I’m getting pretty darn proud of my spinning!  Currently, it’s all skeined up hanging on my wall looking pretty, but I’m thinking it’d going to be a pair of socks one day.  It’s a true three ply, about 360 yards.  It garnered a serious pat on the back when it was done.  Only two weeks playing with my wheel and I managed this?  (Sorry, getting all “Hooray for me” again.  I’m better now.)

Lessee…oh!  A pair of socks. 

Specs -

Pattern - Plain vanilla Stockinette toe-up

Yarn - Austermann Step in Vulcan

Needle - US0/2mm Addi Turbo magic loop

Notes - These started out life as toe up Annetrelacs from IK holiday 07, but two rows/squares/whatever into it, I really did not enjoy knitting them  I’m fine with entrelac, so I’m guessing it was the “in the round” bit that I wasn’t digging.  So, I ripped back and worked the cuff in stockinette.  I tried to knit until the yan ran out, but there was still a few yards left on each sock.  They were just getting too snug near the top and I didn’t want to do increases on the last few rows.  I can’t wait to wear these…what with the Aloe and Jojoba in the yarn.  I’m hoping it’ll be like a mini pedicure for my feet.

Ahh, a hat from handspun.  This was from the other roving I got from MizViolet when I was there.

Specs -

Pattern - Chapeau Marnier by Marnie Maclean from Knitty

Yarn - 4oz Handspun Merino/Tencel. I spun a long single and Navajo plied.  Sadly, my spinning was not as even on this one.

Needle - 16″ US 1/2.25mm KP.  Thing was *sharp* - it put a hole in my index finger from pushing the tip to advance the stitches.

Notes - I actually knit this to pattern specs (large) for the length, but sadly it’s still too snug and short for me.  I’m either going to hang on to it, or find a preteen girl who likes to wear hats to give this one to. The roving was really beautiful - blacks and greys with light green and pink.  Sadly, my spinning didn’t do it justice, and when I went to soak it, I knew that it would bleed, but I didn’t add any vinegar to the water so the whole thing got a grey cast.  I was sad. all round.

I’ve spent this weekend taking apart my wheel and staining/sealing it.  Pictures to come soon, though - it looks better in the sun and there are a few embellishments that I need to finish before I want to show it off.

Speaking of spinning, I’m really drawn to artyarns now that I have the wheel.  I still have no desire to knit with them, but I want to spin them so badly I can taste it.  I’ve got a notebook next to the computer with three pages of notes for different artyarns.  So expect to be seeing some of those sometime soon.