July, and then some

As promised, I am back with more finished objects!

In preparation for the August class at the shop, I worked up an entrelac scarf:

the design is called "Upstairs and Down" from the newest issue of Knitter's magazine.  My sample was knit from three balls of Noro Chirimen and 5.5mm needles.  Not a big fan of so much ribbing, but because it is entrelac you are only working in rows of 9 stitches.  The worst and hardest thing about this scarf is making certain that you have reached the end of the tier before starting back the other way.  I can't tell you how many times I turned too early!

I also finished up the sample shawl from Sublime Extra Fine Merino Lace, modelled here by my friend Barb. 

I used Lala's Simple Shawl and the wool held double.  I love it, as does Barb.  We might have to venture into the mud wrestling room to determine ownership.  (Perhaps I should enlist my siblings in a training exercise to warm up?).  In any event, this was 3 balls of wool and a 4.5mm needle.  I love it, and a large part of me wishes I had sprung for the fourth ball and made it a bit larger.  As it is, though, it is a perfect summer cover-up.

I also finished up a pair of socks!  these are "Flambeau" designed by Terry Ross.

I used one full ball of SRK On Your Toes Bamboo, but ran short at the cuff.  Being ever thrifty, I simply did the cuff in a contrasting colour--coral.  Both these yarns were in my stash, so it's all good.  I did modify the pattern a wee bit--the short row reel was written in garter stitch, which made me crazy for reasons I will explain further.  So I simply switched to stocking stitch and carried on.  Holy moly--are these comfortable socks!  I just might switch over to short row heels in the future!  Do other folks have a preference for short row vs heel flap heels?  Why?

And the craziness over the garter stitch short row heel, as well as the purple shawl?  I have been procrastinating getting a new prescription for my glasses.  It was the lace-weight shawl that did me in.  Frustrated that I couldn't see clearly, I finally caved.  turns out that my frames were too old (heh, who knew wire frames had a life expectancy?) so I ordered new frames as well.  Behold:

These are executive bifocals, so the reading area is larger than usual.  I also went without the transitioning between the distance and reading portion.  I can see!  the downside is that I also see the line between the two prescriptions and my brain translates that to be the top of my frames.  I find I am regularly tipping my head back, when I don't or shouldn't.  It is a learning experience, but this "old dog" is determined to learn the new trick.

June?

Shhh.  Listen.  Do you hear that?  Yep.  Crickets.  And the rustling of calendar pages as June and most of July whizzed right past my ears.  I HAVE been busy, just not busy blogging. 

So what have I been doing?  Aside from NOT biking, camping and canoeing?  Well, there has been a fair bit of knitting.  I will now show off some of the finished items:

This is Audrey modelling the shawl I knit for her.  The yarn was a mystery yarn from her stash.  I believe it was a rayon slub yarn.   In any event, Audrey found this yarn and had a vision of how she wanted it to look, but feared her skills were not up to the task.  She asked me ... Told me to select a pattern, and gave me a price.  I went home and pulled out my favourite shawl book ...

I showed Audrey the two possibilities, both of which she approved.  I started knitting.  The Victoria Shawl, found on page 154.   I thoroughly enjoyed the knitting of this little beauty.  The centre panel design is regular, easily memorized, and calming.  and when I had completed all five and a half feet of it, the knitted on border commenced.  It, too, was enjoyable and relaxing.  I was, and still am, totally enchanted. 

Look at how beautifully the border turns the corner!  You would never know that the centre panel had a 90-degree corner right there.   In the interest of truth in blogging, I will say that I used a 4.5mm Addi lace needle but I cannot tell for certain how much yarn.  The shawl has been delivered to its recipient, and I neglected to weigh the yarn when I received it.  I can say that I spent many week nights and mornings in June working on it though.

It is not often that I enjoy a project enough to knit it twice, especially a very large project like this one.  However, the Victoria Shawl just might be the exception.  What is holding me back?  The abundance of beautiful lace projects in the book.   I want to knit one of each of them.  The charts are well done, the explanations are clear and concise.   And the finished objects?  Even better than the pictures on the book!

I have more finished objects to show ... Now to decide which one to discuss next.  

How about this little gem?

This pattern is the Baby Sophisticate by Linden Down, knit in Estelle Super Alpaca Handpaint and bordered with Hayfield Chunky With Wool.  The buttons?  Yes, they do have a treble clef on them.  This sweater is intended for my grandson, and his papa is a musician.  I used three skeins of the alpaca and I skein of the Hayfield, with enough leftovers to make a hat.  Possibly even some mittens if the kids desire them.  They kind of live in the South, though, so perhaps mittens are overkill.  In any event I used a 5.0mm needle, since the pattern is written for a worsted weight yarn.  

I can't say enough good about this pattern.  It is knit from the top down so minimal sewing in the finishing department.  The shawl collar and button bands are worked in one piece by picking up stitches along the fronts and back neck.   Did I mention all in one piece?  Minimal sewing?  I thought so.  The pattern comes in larger sizes as well, and worth the price of the pattern.

OK.  Four pictures is enough.  I will save some finished projects for next week.

And what am I working on right now?  In order of their length in the WIP:

The Building Blocks Afghan by Michele Hinter.  I am sewing the squares together, so expect this puppy to be done soon, soon, soon!

The Edwardian Cardigan.  I am working the second front shoulder, leaving the sleeves and button bands.  There are, I kid you not, a million ends to be sewn in.  I am contemplating working a doubled button band just to allow me to run the ends into the ensuing pocket.   I am afraid I will go blind running them under.    And the sleeves.  Yeah.  Nine colours in two row stripes.  I CAN carry the yarns up the side, just to prevent there being so many ends.  Nine active balls of yarn though.  I expect you can see the dilemma here.

Malabrigo Socks.  These little beauties were supposed to be for the 2015 N.E.W. Calendar, but have fought me valiantly every step of the way.  I am not so sure just where these guys are headed, to be honest.

Chunky-weight Vest in hand-dyed wool.  As feared, I ran short of wool for the big cowl collar.  I have a similarly-coloured ball of Patons Classic, which will be used for the seaming.  I think I will use it for the balance of the cowl as well, but have yet to decide if it will be the bottom  (attached to the vest neck edge) which would be visible at the front, or the top edge, which would fold down and be visible in the back, but not the front.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

And now it is time to head off to work at the shop.  Ta-ta. 

In anticipation of Mother's Day

Most folks have coffee cups that match their plateware.  We do too, but those cups are either stored elsewhere, or have migrated to the back of the shelf.  Instead, I reach into the cupboard and see a dozen mugs that have been gifted to me or us by friends or family.  Every time I pick up a coffee mug, I look at it and smile, and thank the heavens for that person's presence in my life and send wishes and hopes for a good life to them. Many of these people live far away, and I do so wish we all lived closer together. 

There are three mugs that were gifted to me, and I treasure them.  If given a choice, these are the ones I use. 

My eldest son gave me the mug on the left; my second son the middle, and my daughter the one on the right.  They are the best things I have done in my life, and I love them dearly.   I do hope they know just how very much they are loved.

Ahem.  that was mushy and I will now wipe my eyes and in general clean up.  Excuse me while I do so.

There has been knitting over the past six weeks.  One finished object that I will not show.  It grew in the dryer, and I am pondering whether it needs to be re-knit.   Other knitting includes the Edwardian Cardigan. 

I have one front completed and am halfway thru the armhole on the back.   This leaves me the left front, two sleeves and at least one million tails to weave in.   I am very seriously contemplating working the button bands on the knitting machine so that I can make the band doubled, braid the tails together and then bury them into the band.   Anyone have a compelling argument why I shouldn't do so?   The yarns I am using are Cascade Heritage (x2), Misti Handpaint Sock (x3), Estelle Sock It To Me, Never Enough Wool, Lang and Fame Trends.  Yes, nine colours of sock yarn.   It is possible I need my head examined; however, I expect the finished cardigan will totally be worth it.

I am also working a lace shawl from Jane Sowerby's Victorian Lace Today.  

This is a mystery yarn given to me by the person who asked for said knitting.  I got to choose the pattern of my choice, so I selected "The Victoria Shawl" on page 153.   It is a fun and easy knit and I am currently two-thirds thru the body of the shawl.  

In fact, the shawl is easy enough that I have been watching "Sherlock" and/or listening to podcasts while knitting.  I am particularly fond of Curious Handmade and Stash and Burn.  Both generally offer a smile, a laugh, and even helpful ideas for techniques or patterns.  Check them out if you have some spare time.   You just might enjoy them!

Our knitting community at the store has thrown down a challenge for themselves.   If they complete 2,500 finished objects by midnight August 31, Barb and I will appear in a bathtub of yarn on the front of our 2015 N.E.W. Calendar.  I see today they have upped the ante by declaring if they manage to exceed the goal, we have to appear on the back cover as well.   We are currently at 1,064 or thereabouts on the tally board.  AND my definition of "community" includes folks who drop by the store or blog ... Which means that folks like my friends Christy and Phyllis, and my niece Megan also get to assist in the tally. Keep 'em coming, folks.  Barb and I are ecstatic at the numbers, impressed by the depth and breadth of the projects, and terrified.  

You know, if knitters ruled the world, I bet there wouldn't be poverty, global climate change or wars, AND there'd be a cure for cancer. 

So many yarns, so little time.

I have been knitting.  Some might call it obsessively.  but the wools are so gorgeous.  How can I stop? I want to see the next combination!    What has me enthralled?    The Edwardian Cardigan.   My version thus far:

I have completed the second tier of blocks.  I am using three colors of Misti Alpaca, two skeins of Cascade Heritage, and one each of Estelle Sock It To Me, Marks & Katten Fame Trends and our own Never Enough Wool.    This project had been in the offing since before Christmas, but I hadn't been totally happy with my original colour choices.   Having swapped out three of the original colours for what you see above, I am totally in love.   Aside from being fiddley, this is a straight forward entrelac knit.  It's the three colours in each section that make it so interesting. 

What else have I been doing?   The Elsebeth Lavold Ylva is completed and drying after it's bath.  I used four skeins of Silky Wool and a 4.0m needle.  Can't wait for some warmer weather!    

As an aside, can you believe this weather?  I don't know about you, but I am over winter.   Give me some sunshine, fresh air and warm breezes.  Please.

I am working on a pair of mystery projects, destined for the 2015 N.E.W. Calendar.   Here is a peek at the second project:

I'm such a tease, aren't I?

Finally, the Building Blocks afghan.   I have completed six squares, with the seventh class and square scheduled for the second Sunday in April. 

I am pleased that my class is enjoying the project and are mostly right with me.   It is such pleasure to teach, especially with willing and happy students.  The afghans are going to be marvellous.

Not much else happening in my life right now.  Just waiting for the ice to go out from the lake, for biking season, scheduling my next visit with family in Michigan and down south, and knitting.  

The Bandwagon

Wow.  It is far too easy to fall off the posting bandwagon.   I did so well, and then there were eight days between posts.  Nine, ten.  And then there were 14 days.  Or close enough.  I am not going back to count.  Just going to clamber back up and try again.  

Since our last visit, I finished up the test socks.  There are from Katia Cotton Stretch, knit on a 2.75m needle.  I quite like the feel of the fabric, as did the ladies.    

We have twelve colours ordered, just in time for summer socks.  The pattern book (which we did not order) shows a bikini as well as a little pair of shorts.  Not so sure about the bikini, but the shorts have possibilities.  In my spare time, of course.   

I also finished up the Sugar Grove Shawl, from the newest KnitScene.  

I used a 4.0m needle and five skeins of Sirdar Flirt.  I was none too sure about this design originally, and ended up frogging and starting over.  The key is to cast on loosely over doubled needles.   Then the first row basically triples the stitch count, followed by a multitude of short rows.  This gives the shawl a really delightful curved upper edge, which means it will stay put on your shoulders.  I like!

I am also working on a couple of mystery projects destined for next year's calendar.  I have photos, but one is only a ball of yarn at this point.  The second one is, as promised, a pair of socks.  Want to see?

Not much to look at yet, but the design is improving.  I'm using some Malabrigo sock yarn! purchased for me by my friend, Morag, and 2.75m needles.  Just in case you were wondering. 

The Building Blocks Afghan continues apace.  Sunday we will have our sixth class meeting, which means we are halfway through the project.  Where does the time go?

The final project on needles is the Elsebeth Lavold Ylva top, using her suggested wool, Silky Wool.  I love this wool because it knits up so light and wearable. 

Can you see where I am?  Yes, that' s right.  I'm casting off!   Tonight this will get a wee bath and then to dry.  Success!    And this means that my 4.0m needles are (temporarily) empty.    Edwardian Cardi -- I'm coming for you next!   Maybe my group of intrepid knitters will have the first finished projects on Ravelry!

Distractions

There has not been as much knitting as I'd like.  When I came home from my visit to my son, Doug really wanted to go skiing.  So did I, to be honest.   I ignored the ice underneath the wee bit of snow on the sidewalk, and off we went.  

The trail had ice too, but it was relatively flat.  I can ski on flat.  Then there was a little hill, but I can handle a little hill. After all, there are big hills in our regular route.  Except that this time the track was icy and fast.  Down I went, landing awkwardly on the ski pole and my hand.  I noticed right away that there was a significant loss of grip strength ...  Three more falls and I was done.  The first was the hardest, and I managed to sprain the thumb on my right hand.  Not a problem since I am left-handed.  I can assure you that the world is right-handed, and being left-handed helps only marginally right now.

While I CAN knit, a little at a time, there just hasn't been much progress.  Instead, let me dazzle you with a photo essay:

"No thanks, Mom.  I'll pass."

"Well, perhaps a little taste."

"Wait--is that the Olympics?"

 "Grandma has a camera,"

"Should I smile?"

Ok.  I'll smile, since Grandma is only here for a short while.

"Mom, can I stop smiling now?"

Not much knitting

So there isn't a lot of knitting going on in my life right now.   Why?

Because I can not resist the smile!  Baby T is rolling over now, grabbing his toes, playing with his toys.  And he popped a new tooth through this week. 

I have a plain pair of socks with me, and am almost at the toes.  Then I am going to start an experimental pair of socks.  Provided Baby T doesn't smile at me, of course. 

I did manage to score a copy of Interweave Knits Harry Potter Designs though, from a nice little shop called Yarn Cloud.   It is a smallish shop, almost as large as N.E.W., and quite friendly.  There was a class in progress, but it wasn't intimidating to me to walk in.  My son was a bit reticent, but we were welcomed warmly.  Perhaps it was because we had Baby T with us ... Anyway, the shop was quite nice, with some of the same yarns we carry, and some others as well.  I managed to resist the siren call of yarn, and escaped with only the magazine in my bag.  It is definitely worth a return visit on my next trip.  

OnLy three more sleeps until I return home.  Sigh.  Already I'm trying to plan a next visit.  I sure hope the kids don't get tired of seeing me!

Another week, another ski

Despite feeling overly busy, I did manage another ski outing yesterday.  It was cold, but I exert a lot of energy when I ski.  I am getting better at gauging the wax on my skis, and getting a better feel for what is "right" when I ski.   I might have to redefine what I consider to be a fall -- currently it is when my bum hits the ground, or all hands and knees.  The last three skis have managed to be fall-free under those definitions.  Even changing the definition to one knee touching, all these outings have resulted in only one fall each.  Things are improving!

In knitting news, there has been improvement as well.   My chunky vest is currently drying after it's vinegar bath.

I am hopeful that the excess dye has rinsed out now.  The first blotting towel turned a nice shade of sky blue.   Turns put that I am a wee bit short of wool to finish the collar.  It was supposed to be eight inches tall, but I only managed five before running out of wool.  I think I am going to pull some similarly coloured wool from my stash and do the underside of the collar in it. The colour is close enough that even if it shows, the change in wool won't be glaringly obvious. 

February's class at the shop is socks.  I worked diligently on my current project ...

Done!    Another gift to be scratched off my list!   

And the afghan project continues apace.  Remember two weeks ago when I mentioned --  you are right, I complained --about the bobbles?   I listened to Barb talk a student through a bobble and realized that the problem was mine alone.   I pulled my square out to look at, and Barb instantly saw my problem.   I not-so-graciously frogged back to the first bobble row and redid it.   It looks much better now. 

I have to get the next square underway so that Barb will have it to teach the next class.  Why am I not teaching it?   Because I will be visiting my grandson!    Hurray!

With the absence of both the vest and socks in my knitting bag, I needed a traveling project.  Doug has been muttering about his need for new mittens, and even threatened to take up knitting himself to rectify that shortage.   To protect my stash, I cast on a mitten project.   

This is a double-knit mitten using an Aran weight wool on a 4.0mm needle.  It looks huge, and I have wrapped it around his hand several times to be certain it fits.   This wool was spun by Briggs and Little, down east, and I hope that it retains the B&L reputation for durability.  

The Elsebeth Lavold vest has not really progressed.   Truth in advertising requires me to confess that I have not even touched it.  Something about the idea of a sleeveless shell in the middle of a cold winter just doesn't feel right, you know?   It might become the travel knitting next week, but my son's family is experiencing a fair bit of winter themselves.   Who knows, eh? 

Still learning

I didn't really make New Year Resolutions this year.  Nor last year, for that matter.  What I DID do was to publicly declare that I was going to try to be more faithful to this blog; to capture my endeavours more faithfully.  I have heard that it requires 21 times to establish a habit.  Since this is only post number five this year, I expect I have a ways to go yet. 

In any event, my regular posting brought up a conversation about said posting.   Didn't I find seeing my projects not changing in my bag cause me to be discouraged?    Not at all; in fact, I was actually enthused to see how they were growing and evolving as the weeks went by.    Hopefully I will continue to feel this way as the year progresses. 

I am working on the same socks as last week, with one small change.

See?   Now it's a sock and a half!   I've even completed the gusset shaping, so now it's a straight shot to the toe.   Since February is sock class, these will be done in the blink of an eye.  One. Ore holiday gift off the needles!

This is the Begere de France vest from last week.  I'm over half done with the front already!   As I (hopefully) mentioned previously, this is a yarn that I dyed myself.  I'm very pleased with the tone on tone look I achieved.  Sadly, though, the excess dye didn't get cleanly rinsed out.  My fingers turn a strange shade of blue when I work on this.   The collar and arm bands are knit separately and then sewn on.  Consequently, this will get a little vinegar rinse, followed by a bath with Eucalan before final finishing.   I seriously hope that I don't lose a lot of colour when I rinse this. 

One thing I noticed when taking photos last week was that I had not worked on my Elsebeth Lavold project much in the preceding week.  I vowed to remedy that, and promptly started knitting on it. 

The back was finished up in no time at all.  I even cast on the front.  And got about eight rows into it when the siren call of my hand-dye lured me away.   It's silly, because I really love the Silky Wool as well as the design.  Perhaps it is the instant gratification of the 6.0mm needles.  In any event, I'll be back onto this project fairly quickly. 

The afghan project hasn't been touched since there was no class last Sunday.  Instead we went and spent an afternoon with my daughter ... Did the full Ikea shopping trip and had dinner.  I was ridiculously excited to see the girl, especially since I had had a delightful visit with her over the holidays.  I really enjoy visiting her at her home and seeing her as a Grown-Up I guess. 

Before going to see Carrie, Doug and I zipped over to Walker Woods and had a great ski.  The wax wasn't as perfect as my previous outing, but it was still great.  Lots of freshly fallen snow and early enough in the day that hikers had not had the opportunity to wreck the trails.  With all the snow we have had this week, I am looking forward to another ski Sunday morning, followed by another afghan class. 

Have I mentioned that I have five projects lined up, ready to be started?   The only thing that stops me is that my knitting bag weighs about 20 lbs.   I can't haul any more projects with me.  Guess I better get knitting again!

Winter Wonderland

Winter. has been brutally cold in these parts.   While I have been known to proclaim that I LIKE winter, what I really mean is that I love snow.  I want enough snow to go cross-country skiing on a regular basis, without any pesky freezing rain to mess up the trail.   I want cold temps, but not brutally cold.  Monday, things fell together nicely, and Doug and I went skiing.  It was the best ski I think I have ever had.  Doug nailed the ski wax, and I was able to get up most of the hills without the constant use of the herringbone maneuver.    In fact, Doug and I were about even in our use of herringbone which has never happened before.   Providing my partner can open tomorrow, I'm off to the trails again!

In knitting news, it has been an interesting week.  I finished up the second set of "Spiced Nutmeg" from "Love of Knitting" Winter 2013.   

The yarn is Loyal, colour 935, from Naturally, and I used a 3.75mm needle.  The pattern suggested 13 pattern repeats for the hat brim.  Twelve was plenty long enough.    There are four lovely young ladies in my life, and one of them will be receiving this as a gift.   "Which one,". You ask.  I'm not entirely certain, and I just might make another set.  One never knows!

I'm plodding along on a pair of socks, also destined to be holiday gifts.  The finished sock has had the heel and toe reinforced with a second strand of 2-ply yarn. 

I am using 2.5mm needles and getting a nice, tight knit.   I hope the extra body in the heel and toe doesn't irritate the unknown recipient. 

It turns out that I haven't knit much on the Elsebeth Lavold top.   Apparently other things have had me distracted.   I did, however, manage a better photo of the armhole shaping and detail. 

It's just a four-stitch cable, but very effective.  Now that I have looked at it again, I don't know why I haven't been more devoted ...

There is a funny story about the next two projects.  I hardly ever knit with 6.0mm needles.   When I saw a vest pattern requiring that size, I thought that it would be a nice change to use that size.   So I did, using some alpaca/wool yarn that I had hand-dyed myself.    (The pattern is "Alaska Sweater" from Bergere de France.) 

I did the ribbing on my 4.5mm needles, no problem.   Then I opened my Addi case and discovered to my utter and absolute horror, that my 6.0mm tips were missing.  Who did I loan them to, and when?  how would I ever get them back?   I fretted all afternoon, and came home and pulled out my set of regular Addi 6.0s and continued on.   I fretted all day Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday.  I made a Facebook post about the missing needles.  

On Sunday I pulled out my afghan project in preparation for teaching my class.   And stood there dumbfounded and open-mouthed as the realization hit me.   My "missing" needles were right there, in my afghan project.     D'oh.    All my ladies and my family have had a good laugh over this little experience.   I have learned to check ALL the projects in my bag before declaring needles missing!

Speaking of the afghan project, here is a photo of its current state.

Square Two is on the right, and Square Three on needles.   So far the ladies are liking the project and are quite enthusiastic.   The design, by Michelle Hunter, is well thought out and written.  So far I have seen only one little thing that I would have done differently, and it is a minor thing.  (The final step of the bobble leaves the finished bobble on the left needle after you turn the work to finish the row.  I would have added a row so that the finished bobble was on the right needle.).   We'll see how the ladies fare in two weeks. 

Barring any unforeseen mishaps tomorrow, my knitting will continue apace.  This year I kept the Christmas stockings out with the intention of filling them through the year.   I have two things for two stockings, and half a pair of socks.  And eleven months until then.  Hopefully I'll have everything done in time this year.

In two weeks and five days I get to go visit my son, daughter-in-law and grandson.  I'm already planning and plotting as to which projects will travel with me.    I can't wait to see them!

Another week ..

It has been a busy week around these parts.   Sunday the shop hosted a yarn tasting party, complete with yummy food and desserts.  (Thanks, Liz, Morag and Rene!)

We sampled a total of 14 yarns of various weights and from different manufacturers.  I wasn't totally surprised to see that Cascade yarns was the hands-down winner.  And one yarn that I loved at the warehouse show was totally disliked by my patrons.  Good thing Barb wouldn't let me order it. 

Projects I am working on include the fingerless mitts and hat for our class.  

I worked on these rather devotedly last Wednesday, to the point that my carpal tunnel acted up.  Not a good thing when one enters a knitting store and sees the owner wearing braces on both wrists.   I've taken a wee break on this project.

Remember these socks?   I have used a reinforcing thread for the heel, which you can't see here.   I hope the recipient likes it. 

The afghan project didn't make any progress as there was no class this week. 

And look at my top!  I am heading towards the shoulders now.  You cannot see the cables around the armholes, but they are there. 

I'm trying to use the Blogger app. for my I-Pad, and I do find it interesting, to say the least.  I like the idea ... some of the interface works quite well, and some not so well.  What I find works best, and somewhat defeats the purpose of blogging from the I-Pad is to do the quick post via the Blogger App. and then log on from a desk-top computer to finish.  As I said, clunky but do-able. 

Anyway, happy knitting everyone!

Eh, oops.

Don't know where Monday went; Tuesday was a marathon, and now it's Wednesday.   Better only two days late than more.

In the last week, I finished the CoBaSi socks --

I used a standard heel flap and then finished them off in my usual length.  In the wearing, they have stretched a bit, as most socks do.  The next step is to toss them in the washer with the rest of the socks and see how they come out.  I'm hopeful, but not overly so.

Having finished up one pair of socks, it was time to refill that little project bag.  

A pair of non-descript socks destined for the gift corner.  I am using Regia Hand-Dye Effect, colour no. 6560.   I have knit previously with this wool, and it seems to hold up well. 

What else do I have in the bag?   

This is the class project for the store -- Spiced Nutmeg from Love of Knitting, winter 2013.   One mitt, sans thumb, is done and the second started.  I would generally have finished up the thumb before starting the second mitt, but I wanted to show my students the value of using string for a stitch holder. Am I the only person who doesn't like to use a standard stitch holder to hold thumb stitches?

Speaking of classes,  I taught session one of the Build a Block Afghan, designed by Michelle Hunter.  The first block seemed like it wasn't going to give my students grief.  Hurray!    And since I am supposed to stay ahead of my students, I took the second square to the 90% stage.  

So far, so good.  I think everyone is enjoying the class, but it is still early days.  There are 13 more sessions, so we'll see how it all goes. 

Finally, there is something in my bag just for me!  This is Ylva, from Elsebeth Lavold.   I adore the simple elegance of this design, plus that little cable design at the centre back. 

The cables really show well in this light.   I'm using Elsebeth's Silky Wool, colour no. 21.    I'm past the armhole shaping (denoted by the orange stitch marker), and have just started my second ball of wool.   This will be a four-skein project -- easy on the budget!  

Can you see those little stitch markers on the needle?   

These were gifted to me by my friend Cnristi, as a "stay well" gift after my surgeries a while back.  They are working well as all my recheck visits with the endocrinologist, surgeon and doctor have been great.  Thanks, Christi!