Some Completed Projects

Quick post to show you what I've completed in the last few days.

First up, is the Blueberry Baby Hat:



My DH saw a really cute version on Ravelry and suggested I make one in red and call it StrawBerry Baby Hat. That version is now on my circs.

Next, is my No Swing Jacket:



I will be back to post a quick review.

Knitting Bliss

I started the new year working a long and tiring work week. Working until 1am and then 12am for two nights in a row, is not my cup of tea. Losing sleep and then missing meals, makes me a very grumpy person. Then sleeping half the weekend away doesn't help. I have somewhat recovered during this past work week. I'm trying to keep my sanity while balancing a new job and keeping house. I made a commitment to myself, that I would somehow work in more knitting time. Time for me to have fun. I've started to bring a small knitting project into work with me. I am managing to get at least 30 minutes of knitting time during lunch. Like a kid getting a "happy meal", I'm getting my "happy knitting time".

So the small quick and easy knitting projects that you see me post here and on Ravelry will actually take me a bit longer to knit. That's because 30 minutes can equate to 6 rows of lace pattern or 15+ rows of stockinette stitches. Still...this is my knitting bliss.

Since I've started my new job last month, I've now become an evening knitter. I've managed to find 30 minutes of knitting time. Sometimes, I can knit while I'm cooking dinner. E.g. waiting for a pot of water to boil or waiting for dinner to bake in the oven. Yes, I'm a huge fan of casseroles. My evenings are devoted to the bigger knitting projects. Like this "no-swing jacket" I've been working on:



This is my second version and it fits beautifully. As you can see from the picture, I removed the "a-line" from the body. I've adjusted/tweaked this pattern as it had too much ease for a petite person like me. It's a quick knit with the bulky yarn and I really enjoy knitting from the top down. I hope to complete this jacket before this weekend is over.

I have several small projects in the works. One or two new ones that will need to be completed rather quickly. Thank goodness I have the yarns in my stash to use.

Happy Knitting!

January Knitting Progress

I've been busy. I've been finding time, here and there to get some knitting done. I finally have a finished pic of my "Not So Swing Jacket". The pattern is from Plymouth Yarns. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in Barley (tweed) and trimmed the jacket in Black. The brown and black 1-1/4 inch button came from my button purchase late last year at the Sewing Expo. I used a little over 4 skeins of yarn to complete this jacket.




There is a lot of ease in this jacket. I knitted this without the increases in the body. You can still see a slight "a-line" look in the side profile. I did 2 of the 3 required increases (per instructions) in the sleeves. I'm thinking of calling this "My House Jacket" and just wearing this around the house.





Currently on my 16 inch circular needles is my "Noble Cowl". I'm using Cascade Superwash 220 yarn in a heathered purple color. This yarn is a dream to knit with. No splitting. This is turning out to be a beautiful lace cowl. I love how the edging came out.




Also on my needles is another jacket titled..."No Swing Jacket". This version will be more fitted and longer. I'm using LB WE T&Q in charcoal color. This is a beautiful heathered dark gray color.



I hope you are getting in some knitting time.

HAPPY KNITTING!!

Still Here and Still Knitting

This month has gone by quickly for me. First off, I need to mention that I started a new job this month. That's why I haven't been posting like a mad woman. I've been busy working full-time in the corporate world. Yes, I've been going through bouts of knitting withdrawals...big time! Yes, I do miss working at my LYS. I miss squeezing the yarns and I miss my knitting friends.

I still find some time to knit. Mostly in the evenings during the week and then a few hours on the weekends.

My knitted Christmas gifts (felted bowls, shopping bag, and cozy socks) were a big hit and a big surprise this year. I'm sure the recipients are expecting something hand made for 2010...no pressure! lol!!!

My poor CPH is on hold. I was in the process of knitting the first sleeve. I have to modify the sleeve instructions to accommodate my shorter arm length. I haven't had a block of time to devote to this project. I'm hoping to have a whole weekend in January to get back on track and finish this project.

In the meantime, I've casted on for my "Not So-Swing Jacket" using Lion Brand Thick & Quick yarn in Barley. Before I started my new job, I came across this Plymouth pattern at one of my LYS. Since I have very little time to knit, I knew this would be a quick knit with Bulky yarn and knitting from the top down. There is a lot of ease in this jacket. The size small has a finished bust of 42 inches. I decided not to do the increases in the body and will knit this jacket shorter than the 20 inches the instruction calls for. I also plan on using black LB T&Q yarn around the neckline, bottom of sleeves and bottom of the jacket.

Right now, the sleeves are on waste yarns and I'm working on the body. This tweedy yarn is beautiful and a nice surprise from Lion Brand. Here's what the jacket looks like so far:




I hope to finish this before the end of this week. A nice way to end 2009.