My life (one big WIP)

Things have been kind of crazy lately. This weekend was not so good and everything has just kind of been snowballing together and getting out of hand. I've tried not to let it drag me down, but it's been hard.

I've been focusing on my WIPs and trying to avoid casting on for anything new until I get them under control. I have, um, 5 or 6 things on the needles right now and want to tame those beasts before I try to conquer anything else. One of those things is Matt's Urban Aran Cardigan, which is maybe 1/3 of the way done (I've finished the whole back). I just got so burnt out and didn't want to work on it anymore. Maybe he'll have it for next winter?

Cowboy Cowl in Malabrigo Worsted

I cast on for Pam Allen's Cowboy Cowl a few weeks back. It was supposed to be one of my Malabrigo March projects, but I haven't gotten too far. I'm maybe halfway done and I only have 10 days to go. I'm using Malabrigo Worsted in Vetiver. I'm really liking the color. Matt and I saw Battle: Los Angeles a few nights ago and I used this as an excuse to work on it. I have one repeat left for the cowl and then I'll be starting the kerchief. I hope I can make this work for me.

Daybreak shawl in Tosh Merino Light

I also cast on for a Daybreak shawl with one of my coworkers. It's my first Daybreak and I feel like I'm the only person in the world who hasn't knit one. I cast on Thursday evening (yay exciting St. Patricks Day!) and started working the stripes last night. I've done about 2 of each and I'm planning on making the medium size. I envy the larges, but I'm not sure if that will be too much shawl for me or not. I guess we'll just see how it goes. Oh, and I'm using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Calligraphy and Nectar. I'm crazy in love with the stuff...and may now own 16 skeins.

Chan Luu inspired wrap bracelet

Which brings me to the final, non-knitting WIP of the week. A few weeks ago I posted about Chan Luu inspired bracelets and how, after seeing all of Kate's creations at work, I decided that I wanted to make one. Well, it didn't turn out quite the way I wanted it to, but I will remain optimistic. I love the colors I chose, but some of the beads are popping out of the row and I didn't cut the leather long enough. The bracelet is cute and wraps twice, but there is definitely room for improvement.  I followed this tutorial from Auntie's Beads and kind of improvised on a few things (I didn't use glue, for one thing). I will be making another one at some point this week. And the cost was maybe $9 for everything, including a ton of leftover beads and thread. Beats that $300 price tag.

As I work through this week (and my WIPs), I'm going to try not to let the small things bother me. Because life is too short for that. And, hopefully, I 'll have some tidied up ends//projects to share with you next time.

Dalloway (in tosh) & another Botanic hat

A few weeks ago, well, about a week and a half ago, I released my Dalloway cloche pattern. With the arrival of the Tosh at Wool & Co., I knew that I needed to make one in tosh dk. 

So I adapted the pattern. To accommodate the most glorious of yarns.

Dalloway in Tosh Merino dk

Adapting the pattern for dk weight was quite simple; I added an extra cable repeat and cast on more stitches. I thought I might have to fudge the decreases more than I actually did. And I had an ounce of Tosh Merino dk left :)

Detail of edging and cables

I'm very biased, but I do love this hat a lot. The tucked under edging and cables are very elegant and classic. The initial design didn't turn out quite as I intended it to, but I think it's better this way.

My third FO of the week is another Botanic Hat by Stephen West. I envied Matt's so much that I decided I needed to finally have my own. And the colors are perfect for spring.

Glamour shot

Reversible

So yeah, it's been a fairly busy week. I also finished my first Chan Luu inspired bracelet. It turned out a little wonky, but it's definitely cute and wearable. I'm hoping to perfect the art before I actually post photos. But we'll see. It's shaping up to be a pretty slow weekend.

Hope everyone has a good Friday afternoon :) And, if you celebrated "being Irish" too hard last night, that your hangover is gone by now.

Queue it up:

Dalloway in dk, baby!

Botanic Hat - Easter Egg Morning

The woes of crafting alone

One of the things I miss most fervently is crafting with friends. Last year, back when I was a wayward college student, I started a crafting club at North Central College with one of my best friends. And it was awesome. I had something wonderful to look forward to each week and got to spend my Monday evenings with some fabulous ladies that I grew really close to.

But now I am graduated and stuck in my hometown.

Working in the yarn shop has definitely helped a bit; I work with some fabulous ladies and get to be surrounded by crafty people. It's not the same, though, and I don't feel as inspired to get crafty with my bad self. Crafting solo just isn't as fun.

I'd like to vow to spend this spring crafting more, with people or by myself. My work/class schedule (yeah, I'm taking classes again) is so hectic that I rarely have time to venture out to visit friends, but I'm hoping once May hits I'll be able to. And host craftalongs on my back deck.

First up: Chan Luu inspired bracelet. Green has been creeping into my color palette lately (especially jade and water green!)

Czech Beads in Jade and Emerald

I'm heading to Wisconsin this weekend for some family bonding with Matt's brother and sister, so I'll be bringing all my knitting with me.  I'll be working on my Cowboy Cowl, one of my Malabrigo March projects.

Cowboy Cowl in Malabrigo Worsted (Vetiver)

Dalloway in Tosh Merino DK (Calligraphy)

And I'm still working on adapting my Dalloway hat to accommodate a dk weight yarn. Tosh, Tosh, Tosh! I think it's going to look lovely.

And now here are some more yarn pictures. Just because :)

Koigu Painter's Palette

Moreeeee

Tosh Merino DK

Mooooore

Have a great weekend, dear readers. And I hope you will keep those living in Japan in your thoughts and prayers.