The trouble with Big Projects...

and a knitting blog, is that you don't update very often. But luckily I am updating right now!! I have finished the Tilted Duster!

I didn't mind knitting this sweater at all, which is an improvement. My Cardigan for Arwen took forever because after I finished the first two halves I couldn't get through the miles of stockinette on the back.

It took about 5 weeks, which really isn't too bad considering how little knitting time I get nowadays. (My youngest is a climber. Keeps me on my toes constantly.) Unfortunately this sweater, while originally for me, looks HORRIBLE on me. Seriously. I couldn't even wear it to take pictures in. Luckily my sister tried it on and it looks as though it was made for her. So she will get the sweater, and was nice enough to model it for me for the blog and Ravelry!!



Pattern: Tilted Duster by Gaughan

Yarn: Berocco Peruvia in Tobacco

Needles: Size 9



Notes: First off, this yarn, while some of the softest I have worked with and honestly SO soft against the skin was a BITCH to seam with. Seriously I wanted to poke myself in the eye with my darning needle the yarn broke so many times. I honestly think it will be the time I do a sweater in one ply. Also the stitch definition was difficult to see because of the halo of the yarn.



The pattern itself was actually a pretty fun knit. Mostly mindless, with just enough decreases and increases to keep it interesting. Overall, I really enjoyed knitting it. It was my first time with set in sleeves and while I don't think I did that great of a job, I also don't think I did a terrible one. Over all, I give this sweater a B.



The only reason it didn't get an A is because it didn't fit!! :(

Took me long enough...

But here are the pictures of what my Rut Busting Secret Swap pal sent me!! I literally gasped when I saw THIS goodness come out of the box:



How incredibly beautiful is that yarn? The colorway is called "Playing with Matches" and seriously that is the perfect name for it. LOL

And she also sent me a ton of other goodies!!



What you see here is a clear project bag from The Loopy Ewe which I LOVE and have been wanting to try. My hat in progress is in there right now.

There is also an ADORABLE sheep tape measure (thank you, I am down to one of those) some hand balm, a really cute little pink knitting notebook, some SOAK wash (I have been really really wanting to try these, I am so glad I have an excuse) and a sock blocker key chain!!

Thank you so much Crazyknits, you are an AWESOME pal!!

Best mail day in awhile!!

I got goodies from Tink, my SP and from my Sock Swap Pal Petra!!

*warning, Picture heavy post!!*

So first let's talk about the swap from Petra. She lives in Sweden, so we decided to do a yarn swap in addition to a sock swap.

Upon receiving hte package I ripped it open and actually remembered to take a picture:



I laid everything out:



then ripped everything open. I got some Evilla Artyarn which I have been DYING to try. For like a year, seriously. I am so excited to have this in my hot little hands:



That is the rainbow colorway. I also got some Jitterbug that I have been totally jonesing for:



This color is so amazingly gorgeous.

And finally the pies de resistance:



The absolutely most beautiful socks I have ever seen in my life. No joke.



They fit like a glove. I am so impressed, they are absolutely perfect in every way.



So then I also received a package from Tinkerbell, my AWESOME SP.



How exciting is that picture??



Look at all that cotton? I am so excited, I have been wanting to try the peaches and cream, because all I have ever used is the sugar and cream, but this stuff is SO much softer then the sugar and cream.



It is so hot, I am thinking about casting on a dishcloth tonight actually!!

Missing from that photo is the chocolate that little C stole and ran off with.

So thank you so much ladies!! You totally made my week!!

Socks, Yarn and a Sweater!!

So I finished my Sock Pal's Socks!! They are Coupling from the latest knitty. All in all a very enjoyable knit, though I did get SSS and had to take a 2 week break between socks. They are now all clean and blocked, and as soon as I pack up the box, I will be sending them off to Sweden!!

Petra, if you want to be surprised, don't look any further!!



Pattern: Coupling from Summer 2007 Knitty

Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Sock in a blue color I don't know the actual colorway

Needles: Size 1.5 KP circulars

Start: July 2007
Finished: August 2007



Also, I am getting better at this yarn thing:



And I finished the Tulip Baby Sweater!

Well it resembles yarn...

I went to Lambtown in Dixon on Saturday with my mom, and I got a drop spindle, a niddy noddy and some roving. I learned to spin there, and have been practicing all weekend. I give you, my first handspun yarn:







It looks like yak but it is getting way better now, much more consistent. I made some more and plied it together and it is soaking right now to set the twist. If it turns out halfway decent I am going to knit it into a swatch and see what happens!!