cosmicpluto knits!

plane knitting

As every knitter knows, the most difficult packing task is deciding on the knitting – how many projects, how much yarn, and what if you need that tool you hardly ever use? What if you RUN OUT OF YARN?

When packing for TNNA this is compounded by the fact that it’s a needlecraft industry show and nearly everyone you meet is a knitter, or at least knows a lot about yarn! So your knitting projects are on display and everyone is looking and touching. The pressure is on! (Just kidding, fellow TNNA-ers. You’re all awesome and non-judgey.)

I packed cashmere.

A plainish pullover in some silvery grey Handmaiden 4ply 100% cashmere. Canadian representation, easy to knit while chatting and drinking, and oh-so-amazing. I got a good chunk of the sweater done while I was away. My only concern is that I only have 5 skeins of the yarn, and they’re only 50g each! I’ve knit a sweater in this yarn before, and I used 6 last time – but cashmere grows a fair amount with washing and wearing, and I think for this little sweater I should be fine. I’m almost up to the underarm with just 2 skeins, and the 3/4 sleeve I finished this week at home took about 40g. By my calculations, I’ll have about 70g, or more than 25% of the total yarn to use for the yoke. The second sleeve is my toss-in-my-bag knitting now.

Cashmere part 2 was my peacock feathers shawl:

If you’ve been reading this blog awhile, you miiiight remember that I originally started this shawl on my big trip to Asia in early 2009. Although looking back through my archives, I can’t remember if I actually posted about it. Anyway, I worked on it a bit then, and a bit when I got home, but then I put it down in favour of worky design stuff and because I didn’t really have the knitting energy left over to work on a project that requires a little more concentration and a lot of chart reading.

I’ve decided that I will get this shawl off the needles soon, preferably earlier rather than later, so I took it for the 5 hour plane rides between Toronto and LAX. I figured I might actually put in some time on it, and I managed to get through about 1.5 of the charts. I was even able to watch some movies on the plane and knit the shawl at the same time.

There are 7 charts for the body of the shawl, and then a big edging one. I’m about halfway through chart 6, and while the end might not quite be in sight yet, at least it’s looking like I’ll be able to finish it! I’m knitting it in some laceweight cashmere that I bought a couple of Rhinebecks ago, on 2.25mm needles. The pattern calls for 3.5mm, but I want it to be smaller than 88″ across the top. So far it looks like it isn’t going to be enormous, so I’m pleased.

But it might be difficult to keep working away on this since I came back with so much lovely yarn that is tempting me towards some new projects.

moving right along

Yesterday I went on one of my favourite types of sprees – a finishing spree! I finished up three different projects yesterday, and today I’ve given them all a bath so they’re soft and ready to go.

I got about 2/3 of the way through the foot of the second cabley sock before I had to join a new ball of yarn. I do think you could do a pair of plainer socks out of just one skein – these ones take more yarn because of the ribbing and cables! A little while later…

The cables really keep this pattern moving, and of course, the thicker yarn helps with the speed too! I hope the recipient likes them.

This hot water bottle cozy is knit from 2 strands of Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton on 6mm needles. Just needs a couple of buttons at the bottom.

These aren’t a gift, but I’m still glad to have finished them! A pair of flip-tops with the same details as my Fred+Ginger Cardigan, so if you’re not quite ready to commit to a whole sweater you can still knit some pretty ruffles. These used less than 1 skein of Sweetgeorgia Superwash Sport and just a little bit of the CashSilk Fine.

They’re sized to fit my tiny hands, but the pattern will be written for three different sizes. Look for it in the new year!

I’d better get back to it, these presents aren’t going to wrap themselves. Darn.

P.S. A few people asked about the snowflake lights – they’re just from Ikea. I think they’re probably on sale by now if you’ve got one near you!

knitting factory

There are so. many. projects. on my desk right now! And just to add another one, I started a pair of worsted weight socks that I got into my head as a good Christmas present.

Just started them last night, but I think they’re going to be fast and fun! I’m using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in Chocolate.

I don’t have a lot of other knit projects on the go, though. I’d really like to finish these flip-top mittens for myself.

I have really tiny hands and the mittens look almost comically tiny but they fit! Now that it’s actually snowed I might be needing them soon.

This week I’ve played a couple of handbell concerts, gone to a couple of parties and made a lot of caramel corn. I’m hoping I get to knit a lot this week, but you know how it goes – December is so very very busy. My handbell group, Pavlov’s Dogs Handbell Ensemble, is playing another show this week – the Rivoli Christmas Show on the 18th at 9pm. It’s always a super fun show. Tickets are $18, available at the door, and benefits the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Tower Mill Shawl

The Tower Mill Shawl is a versatile shawl or wide scarf, beginning with an innovative garter stitch border cast on and shaped with short rows for a subtle curve. Tower Mill also incorporates a fun lace and cable pattern reminicient of windmill sails which flows into the clean ribbed edge.
Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani.

SIZE
58” / 147cm along top edge, 11.5” / 29cm deep at center

MATERIALS
Madelinetosh Tosh DK (100% superwash merino; 225 yds / 206m per 4oz / 113 g skein) Colour: Norway Spruce, 3 skeins or 675 yards / 618m of DK or worsted weight yarn
US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles 40” / 100cm or longer tapestry needle cable needle stitch markers (optional)

GAUGE
20 sts and 32 rows = 4” / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch

PATTERN NOTES
Wrap begins at the top edge. The Garter Stitch border is worked at the same time as stitches are cast on for the full width of the shawl, resulting in a border which is perpendicular to the main body of the shawl. The stockinette portion of the shawl is shaped with short rows for a slightly curved wrap. Both charted and row-by-row directions are given for the Lacy Windmill Stitch.
Note that for the chart, odd numbered (RS) rows are read from right to left, and even numbered (WS) rows are read from left to right. All rows are charted.

MORE INFO
Skills Needed: cast on, knit, purl, lace, cables.

Pattern is a 4 page PDF file with full colour photos, written and charted directions for the Lacy Windmill stitch, and abbreviations list.

Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$5.00 CAD

catching up

It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? It feels like I’ve been spinning my wheels a little bit (but unfortunately, not the yarn-producing kind) – I keep starting and stopping on different things, and I have so many various projects on the go that even though I’m knitting all the time, I’m not actually finishing anything!

That said, I’m putting a bit more effort into trying to finish things up for the end of the year. I guess late fall is a good kick in the pants, since it gives me a reasonable amount of time before the new year to get things off the needles and my to-do pile. I even have some photographic evidence of said effort!

This is more backward than forward, but I ripped back the body of my mitten. It just wasn’t working out the way I wanted. I’m not sure what I want to do with this now, but it feels good just to admit it wasn’t working. Maybe I’ll just do something really simple, like an all-over colourwork lattice pattern or a checked pattern. I could use some new mitts!

I picked up my neglected Hanne Falkenberg kit – Diva in Olive/Cyclamen – and finished a sleeve! That is a whole lot of fingering weight garter stitch right there. I’m almost done the body, but it’s too big to carry around so it’s not seeing a lot of time at the moment. I’d really love to get this done my Christmas, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. It’s more of a long term project.

And, I finished a pair of simple socks that I started a few months ago! They’re meant for a Christmas present. Just my basic sock recipe, 64 sts on 2mm in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock. I’d really love to get another pair or two of socks done for presents, along with some woven projects. I guess I’d better get on that, hmm?

How’s your year end knitting wrapup going?

Attention Toronto friends

(And visitors!)

As you know, I play in a handbell band called Pavlov’s Dogs Handbell Ensemble, and we’re playing a show tomorrow! The title of the show is NGP Gunpowder Plot – An Evening of Burlesque, Comedy, Music and Murder*

From the Facebook page:
Hosted by the marvelous Liana K! Doors open at 9:30pm. Show begins at 10pm. There will be lovely dancing ladies, hilarious comedians and wonderful musical acts. There may or may not be burning effigies, but there will definitely be prizes!

WHERE: Toronto Underground Cinema, just north of Queen off the west side of Spadina
WHEN: Friday, November 5, 2010, show at 10 – we’ll be the first act, so get there on time!
HOW MUCH: Advance tickets are $15, $20 at the door – but I have a discount code for a few $10 advance tickets!
Just go to the ticket page and enter the code “NGPPavlov”

There are a limited amount of tickets at this price. I also have 2 guest list spots, so the first 2 people who tell me they want to come get free tickets!

We’ve had a bit of a rocky couple months, so I (and all the girls) would really appreciate it if you’d come out and support us.

Hope to see you there!

*No actual murder involved.

For those of you who aren’t able to come (sniff) or are otherwise just here for the knitting, a little Tosh Merino Light for you!