Mmmmm, Pi

It is not yet blocked, but I have finished the Birthday Pi. Here is a terrible photo:


In my defense, I finished it at about 10PM. Here is another bad photo with a close up of the center pattern:

Catchin' Up

It has been so long, my lovelies! I have been knitting mostly in dribs and drabs, but lately have been seized by startitis.

While the Birthday Pi is on hiatus (awaiting more yarn), I've also started another Mawelucky shawl, Dorothy:


Because I'm a madwoman, I'm knitting it in Jojoland Harmony, otherwise known as the world's thinnest laceweight. I am so envious of Aspen's beautiful Gail, however, that I'm willing to give it a go.

I also restarted the Irishman's Sweet Georgia socks, this time toe-up in a little lace pattern of my own devising. Quite fetching, eh?


And I also cast on a pair of Anne Hanson's Bougainvillea socks, but a picture for those will have to wait until next time.

I am trying very hard to be faithful to these projects, but I have so much else I want to knit. My alpaca sweater! My Maplewing! A Rose of England!

Less blogging, more knitting.

Kreuzstichstickerein!

I finished my dad's socks!

Pattern: Graphic from Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks

Yarn: ZAUBERBALL (75/25 wool/nylon).



And here he models them for all of us! I made a lot of mods to the pattern, because I am never ever satisfied with things as written. But that's not the fault of said pattern, which is very nice indeed. Since the Zauberball's a singles, it is prone to misbehavior, but it gives a nice sturdy sock. Overall, I'm very pleased.

For those playing along at home, this leaves me at four pairs of socks for the year. But I persevere! That means I only have seven more to go!

Green Is Happening

Pattern: Mystery KAL from my LYS


Yarn: Knit Picks Shimmer (70/30 baby alpaca/silk), 440 yds/50g skein, colorway "Shallows."


Needles: US 5/3.75mm.


Modifications: Two extra repeats of clues 4 and 5, shortened the smocked mesh section and went directly to the picot bind-off instead of working the ruffled hem.

Model: one of my obliging housemates. They're very used to my oddities by now.

How's Tricks?

Just popping in to say howdy and show off a FO:


This is for an afghan my LYS is putting together--each employee was asked to design and knit a square. Since the theme was "Nature," my square, of course, features DNA.

Warm Fuzzies

Sometimes, the universe reminds you that people are wonderful.

As you all know, I've been knitting the Birthday Pi--it still looks pretty much like this, for a given level of blobbyness:


I've become a bit concerned that I'll run out of yarn. I have about 50 rows left on the body, and then the edging to do, and I've used more than half my skein.

Running out would be especially problematic as not only is Arabella discontinued anyway, but when Tony at Posh dyes, he dyes in small batches and doesn't repeat dye combinations. Which means that the only other yarn in the world that matches this one would be a skein dyed at the same time, more than two years ago. Eep.

I'd thought of a couple workarounds, but last night I thought, "first things first," and decided to check Ravelry stashes to see if anyone had Arabella in this or a coordinating colorway. (I'm reasonably sure I can get to the end of the body, at least . . .) Lo and behold, I found someone right away with the exact same yarn. And, although she didn't have it listed for sale or trade, when I pm'd to ask, she responded right away, saying she'd be happy to send it along if I need it, but assuring me that I won't run out!

This sort of thing gives me such warm fuzzies. The knitting community is full of such kind, generous people, and it makes me happy to know that I'm connected to them. <3

Year of the Sock: April in Retrospect

Well. I'm a little behind. But I have been knitting some.

This is the first sock of a pair of Graphics from Melissa Morgan-Oaks's Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks. Fabulous book, by the way.


I'm knitting these out of ZAUBERBALL in "Chocolate Cream"--don't you love it?

These are for my dad; for Christmas I gave him a "coupon" for a pair of socks in any color or style he fancies. He checked "surprise me!" so I went with the Zauberball. I'm hoping the cables will add warmth and stability so he can wear them with his boots.

I was also knitting the Irishman some socks in that lovely Sweet Georgia yarn, but I frogged 'em Wednesday night. The calf was coming out way too big (even for him). I think I just need to knit all his socks toe-up.

But that does put me seriously behind. I'm trying to have the Zauberball socks done in time for Father's Day, although that still leaves me down a pair for the year.

I've just felt blah about knitting lately--everything seems uninspired and limp. Maybe once I've finished the albatross cross-stitch my mojo will return. (It's almost finished! I'm literally on the last color of the back-stitching!)

Sheep and Wool!

This last weekend was the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, and oh, how much fun it was! I went yesterday and wandered all around and saw the sheeps and every little thing.

And of course I indulged in a little stash enhancement.

First, this pretty from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. I've heard and seen nothing but good things about Jen's yarns, so of course I had to stop by. And this is the result:


It's Clotho, a 100% merino laceweight, colorway "Sapphire." Looooooove.

And then this, from Maple Creek Farm:


Oh, how I wish y'all could touch this; the picture can't possibly do it justice--it's her "Portland" 50/50 silk/merino. Last year, I stopped by this booth and wanted something (I forget what, exactly) but moved on as I was only looking. When I got back it was gone, horrors. So this year, I was determined to get what I wanted from this, and this was it. I'm not usually such a BLUE blue person, but the Portland caught my eye when I wandered by the booth the first time, and I thought about it all day. So after lunch, I went back and snapped it up!

As always, a wonderful time at Sheep and Wool . . . I'm not crazy about Maryland in some ways, but I love living so close to the festival!

Still Alive

Just don't have much to show for it. Still knitting the Birthday Pi, which grows ever-larger. Still knitting socks (although I suspect I will be behind for April). Still sleepy, even at 12:23 PM. You know, the usual.

Year of the Sock: March

Well, I'm technically a day behind, but that's not bad at all. At lunch today (after the menus and before the food), I finished the second Twisted Angles sock.


Yarn: Malabrigo Sock (440 yds/100g, 100% superwash merino), colorway "Archangel."


I made several alterations to the pattern. I felt the Malabrigo was so soft and loosely plied that it needed to be knit at a very tight gauge. Since I'm a loose knitter, this mean size US00/1.75mm needles. For the same reason, I substituted a slip-stitch heel for the regular garter-bordered heel written in the pattern.


Since the feet were biasing so badly, I used a French toe. It alleviates the problem by dividing the foot stitches into thirds instead of halves.


And a fabulous pair of socks. Happy birthday to their lucky recipient . . . who shall remain nameless for now!