Alternative Knits

Jess here with an admission: I'm a little bit picky with my knitting projects (okay, super picky). This is probably because I'm primarily a selfish knitter. So while I did like the looks of the Scroll Lace Scarf, I decided it wasn't quite my style. Instead of knitting along with the other ladies, I decided to go back to the beginning and re-knit Damson. As I previously mentioned, I left mine on a G train, and as any New Yorker will tell you, it's just not worth going after. Thus, I wound my yarn -- Tosh Merino Light in the beautiful, versatile Dust Bowl -- and began my knitting. As with my previous version, I knit the body in stockinette so that I wouldn't run out of yarn. The result is absolutely perfect. I haven't gotten the chance to snap a great photo of it, but here's a less than flattering shot to tide you over!

I'm so happy with how this version came out. I'm loving Dust Bowl even more than Smokestack; the slightly darker gray shade goes with my skin tone a little better, and it matches more of my wardrobe. I'm also pleased to report that I'm the proud owner of blocking wires, so I was able to make all of the loops stand out with ease. It's amazing how good blocking can elevate a project from good to great!

I had about 20 yards leftover, so what did I do? Okay, I saved half for hexipuffs, but the other half I used to create a fun little pal! Meet Joel the Jackalope.

Joel was based on the patterns Tiny Easter Bunny and Tiny Reindeer from Teeny Tiny Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec. He's a little sweet and a little scary, which I find hilarious. I'm about to attend a wedding in Mexico, and I think that Joel will be the perfect date.

Beyond that, I've somehow managed to become a prolific knitter in the past month or so. I've finished my Rocky Coast Cardi, knit a Bunny Nugget, made a Tiny Armadillo named Queso (also coming with me to Mexico), and have started a pair of Elm Socks. Not too shabby. Now, time to keep knitting my socks! It's cold and rainy today, so I need some bright pink/red socks to make me smile!

Scrolling Along

Claire here with a quite update for you on a Monday evening. I'm closing in on the last hours of my 3-day weekend, and wanted to share a couple projects with you!

Let's start with a non-WLK2 project, but one that has been in the works for a while - I finished my Levenwick cardigan! I could have had it done much sooner, but of course it took me a while to do the front bands, and then to block it, and then to find the right buttons, and then to sew them on  - you know the drill! However, it is now complete, just in time for the warm spring weather. 

Sorry for the photo quality - I have to find time (and a willing photographer) for a pretty session outside, before it gets too warm to wear! 

I like it, but I'm not 100% in love with it yet. Hopefully that will come with wear. I think I over blocked it a but, so it's drapier than I'd intended. I do like it with just the top 4 buttons done, or with all of them done, but I think I will wear it the most with just the top button left undone. The buttons are cute little carved sunflowers, in a sepia colored resin. 

Continuing with the vaguely disappointed theme, I have an update on my Scroll Lace Scarf. 

I've made it much farther since this picture was taken - I was nearly done this afternoon, in fact! I decided to do the body in garter stitch to get rid of the curling factor. I knew it was going to take more yarn than the stockinette version, but I neglected to realize HOW much extra yarn I would need. 

I ran out. 

I'm still committed to the garter stitch body, but I'm going to have to figure out how to re-work the short rows, and I think I'll have to omit the picot edging as well. Until I feel like ripping out the scarf will be thinking about its mistakes in the knitting basket, and I'm going to get back to work on my Rocky Coast cardigan. Must finish wooly projects so I can start some spring things!

I Did a Bad, Bad Thing...

... and it's all Jess' fault. After years of avoiding pulling the trigger and joining the Magnolia Society, I finally joined. I'm in for three sweaters' worth of beautiful yarn. After a very long, confusing color selection process, I decided (with Jess' help) on these stunning color + yarn combos:

DK Twist in Dustbowl


80/10/10 Sport in Venetian


Dream Alpaca DK in Malachite


I haven't received any yarn yet, but used the pics above (from Ravelers jettshin, shkitty, and pnason respectively) to help judge what each color would like on that particular base. I know dye lots differ and such, but you could definitely see a trend with each base.

Next steps: 1. Finish Girasole (I'll post more about that later). 2. Twiddle thumbs (or finish other projects) while I wait for my first shipment.

Missing brunch, my enablers, and all things NY,
Lindsey

P.S. I don't know why I'm signing off like it's a letter - but I was told once I need to include my name in my posts. So there.

It Happened! Squirrel! Made a Friend!!!

A squirrel came to check out Squirrel!!!! As you can see, this was quite an exciting moment in my day. There may have been loud exclamations involved, but luckily there's no proof of that part.

It's a terrible picture, but it happened! I couldn't get to my phone fast enough, but this interaction started with Outside Squirrel sitting up and facing Squirrel! in the exact same pose. I promise it happened.

A Hopeful Squirrel Looking for Friends

Hello! Kendra here, finally checking back in! In my apartment, my living room window A/C is a common spot for little squirrels to visit. A few months ago I was fortunate enough to capture this adorable little guy peaking in on me one day...

Now that I too have finished my Nathaniel pillow (currently just named Squirrel! said in a very excited tone), Squirrel! is anxiously awaiting a visit from one of his outdoor buddies. He's new in town and a bit shy, but he's trying his best to put himself out there and meet new friends.

Sadly no one has come to visit yet, but day after day he waits, hopeful he makes some new friends soon! Will you come visit him?

Pattern notes: Knit in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky in Walnut. It's a little fiddly to fit on needles in a comfortable way, but a quick and engaging knit. Stuffed with left-over yarn and man is he dense! (Don't tell him I said that...)

A Squirrel Lives in Brooklyn

I want you all to meet someone new to town. He's a little shy and doesn't talk too much, but give him a few handfuls of cashews and he'll be your new best bud! Say hello to Lawrence:

He's hanging out with his little gnome buddy. Who knows what trouble they get up to while I'm at work! Mostly though, I think he likes to hang out on the couch, watch Animal Planet, or keeping watch through the window:

I had fun making him, apart from when I forgot to stuff his tail until I was about 3 rows from the end - oops! Like Jess I was worried about him being too small, but he definitely grew with stuffing! And as long as no one sits on him, I think Lawrence will keep his squirrelish figure just fine. 

I Knit an Oven Mit!

No, I did not knit an oven mit, but that's exactly what my beloved boyfriend thought when he saw me crafting a gray amorphous blob. While I admit that Nathaniel is not the squirreliest squirrel, he is still decidedly animal-like, thank you very much. I actually breezed through the pattern in just 3 sittings, but I hadn't gotten around to photographing him because I moved. He's safe and sound in his new home, enjoying his very own wingback chair.

While he didn't seem like he'd be all that big when I was knitting, Nathaniel did come out the perfect size for cuddling (especially when you're glaring at your boyfriend for not understanding your beautiful, whimsical pillow).

I knit the pattern almost as is. The one exception was the long strings of lifted increases. I found that these were pulling my knitting way too much, so I peppering in a few make ones whenever I didn't like the tension. I'm really happy with the way that turned out, so I recommend that tip to anyone who's having trouble with the lifted increases.

Now that the squirrel is all finished, I'm at a loss as to where to go with my knitting. I need to knit another Damson (I lost mine on the train!), and I definitely need to finish my hibernating sweater. I am proud to say that I've been steadily hexipuffing for lack of other projects, so I should have a Beekeeper's Quilt sometime this decade.