Strings & Yarn

I’ve set up a separate blog for the Charity Blanket Swap. If you have already e-mailed me, I’ll be sending you an invitation to join the blog if you want.

Even if you won’t be participating, please post the button to get the word out. We still need more sign ups to make this really successful.

I have so many FO’s to show you, but no pictures. I finished the old project for St Patrick’s day, but all the pictures have too much beer an not enough sweater. As soon as we get some more sun around here, I’ll be sure to get a picture up. I also have a finished pair of socks and a Clapotis!

Since I have no knitting pictures I’ll leave you with a picture of my blooming Magnolia.

I’ve got the details worked out and ready for the real sign ups, thanks to a little nudge, nudge from fyberduck.

Since this is the first spring that I’ve been in the house (or been in any house for a long time) I’ve gotten the gardening bug.  All sorts of beauties are poping up and color is to be seen in every yard.

These are my strawberry starts I got from Down To Earth.  The are doing well, producing new leaves and adapting to the new soil.  They will go into the ground very soon.

Daffodils.  I had no idea they were there, but I’m glad they have added some of the first spring color.  I have all sorts of bulbs that are still waiting to bloom.  I have a good idea what some of them are and others will be a surprise.

I’m not sure what these are.  They are all along the edge of one of the planters, and don’t look like a weed.  They look purposly planted, so I was hoping someone could help identify them.  They are all covered in these little white flowers, and the leaves are longer in shape.

I also planted some asparagus but that will take a few years of patience before we can reap the rewards.  I planted 9 crowns, 3 of each type they had.

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments on the Coral Crossing Sweater.  We have had some cooler days, so I was able to wear it.  I’m sure I’ll have a few more chances before summer comes.

I’ve picked up a very old project.  I’m hoping to have it done by Saturday, can anyone guess why?

We have had a few of the most beautiful days here. The sun is out, it’s warm outside. Warm enough to open a few windows and enjoy some fresh air. Now I have a nice warm woolly sweater for all the nice weather.

This is Coral Crossing from the Fall IK 2006. My gauge was a little bigger than what the pattern called for. Actually it got bigger as I knit more, the first part was right on. Because of that it turned out a little bigger than I was expecting. So now, instead of being a fitted sweater, it’s a comfy (but pretty) pullover. Which I’m okay with.

I know many people were unsure about the pockets, but I love them. It’s a sweet little detail that makes the sweater unique. Plus making them was fun. As you knit the front, you cast of stitches, and replace those stitches with the stitches that are held from the lining of the pocket. I will definitely use this design element on one of my patterns in the future, but probably in a different way.

The neck line was what I like about the pattern from the very beginning. I knew that this would be a perfect match for me and my wardrobe. Since the sweater turned out a little on the big side, the neckline was a little too big. The neck is done by picking up stitches, knitting 2 inches, then folding it in half and whip stitching it to the inside. Since I had a small tube for the neck line, I made it stronger and stay the same shape by threading a little elastic through. I could sench the elastic down to whatever size I wanted it to be, and now it looks nice and won’t fall off my shoulders.

I love the sweater, but I have to say, I’m very glad that it’s done.  This sweater has taken awhile (yarn here, progress here) This sweater had it’s share of ripping and re-knitting. I probably could have knit the front and back twice for the amount of ripping I did. Either I would forget to cross a cable, or the arm shaping. I just couldn’t get into a continuous grove. So now it’s on to new things!

So for now, I’ll enjoy the sun, but I won’t mind a little bit of cold again to give my sweater a try!

I just found out via Nona that my pattern was picked for the first round of Knit Off.   I can’t wait to see the bunch of finished scarves.  E-mail me the pic and blog address if you’ve finished one. I would love to link to your blog and create a gallery.

I sent these out a long time ago, but didn’t get a chance to post them.

Here are the hats that I sent to Mini.  She did a faboulous job of collecting approximately 1200 hats!  It feels good to be a part of that.  When I made these, I also decided that I would make at least this many hats again and send them to the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico.  Proabably along with the traveling afgan we end up making.  I still haven’t pinned down all the details on that, but keep looking here for sign ups.

I also sent a skein of hand dyed yarn for prizes.

The colorway is called Iris, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.  Hopefully the winner likes it.

I had a wonderfully productive weekend, and lots to share! However, I must be running off to work, so it will have to wait until later.