FO Freeforall

So, I have been a busy girl. Since I have been neglecting my blogging these past few weeks, I have three FOs to share before I head up to the lake for the weekend (woohoo!).

 First up is my Novella shrug knit in a dk weight. This is my first time using Classic Elite Firefly and I wasn't exactly sold on it as I knit this up. But after soaking and blocking, I can really see the appeal. It hangs so nicely and the colors available are superb. Plus I used exactly 1.5 skeins for this shrug, so a little goes a long way. I would definitely use it again, plus the mermaid color kind of holds my heart.

Novella Shrug

Yarn: Classic Elite Firefly in 'Corsica" (approximately 235 yards)

Needles: Size 6

 The second FO I'd like to share is another one of my designs, this time it is Pucker Up. I finally tracked down my Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK in Earl Grey, so I used that. I would have to say that this is one of my favorite tosh colorways (I know, I know, I say that all the time). The photos don't do this color justice, but I tried as hard as I could to capture the beauty of it. I guess you could call this my "Semi-Precious Pucker Up" because of all the wonderful metallic shades. I had to modify the pattern ever so slightly to accommodate the dk weight yarn, but it fits a little better than my first Pucker Up.

Pucker Up

Yarn: Tosh Merino dk in 'Earl Grey'

Needles: Size 7

And the last FO is my first EVER Ysolda project. Why has it taken me so long? I thought this hat pattern (the Snapdragon Tam) was so much fun to knit and I want to make so many more! I used Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage for this project and it was the bounciest yarn I have ever used. The color (Candlewick) also convinced me that yellow might not be all that bad. Photo credit to Kate of A Ubiquitous Mind for those last two shots.

Snapdragon Tam

Yarn: Tosh Vintage (Candlewick)

Needles: Size 7

Happy Knitting!

Madelinetosh Magnolia Society & a FO

I have made some pretty irresponsible choices regarding yarn purchases before. Remember the day of 92 skeins? This time, I don't feel as bad, but I did end up forgoing a gym membership for the sake of enrolling in the Magnolia Society, Madelinetosh's yarn club. When membership opened in April I was a bit hesitant, but, thankfully, Christie twisted my arm and I signed up too. The club lets you choose from three different color types: neutrals, naturals and jewel tones. Can you guess which one I selected?

The first shipment arrived maybe two weeks ago, along with packages from Little Knits and Jimmy Beans...but I'll get to them later. I received three skeins of 80/10/10, a worsted blend of superwash merino wool/cashmere/nylon. It feels SO good. I have just shy of 600 yards, so I'm thinking a nice squishy shawl or cropped cardigan might be in the works. The colorway is "Treetops" from the jewel tones selection.

Tosh 80/10/10 in "Treetops"

 

Tosh 80/10/10 in "Treetops"

I also finished my Camilla Pullover. No actions shots (just yet) because, as I feared, it is terribly unflattering. I thought it might turn out to be a bit too short, so I added a bit before I started the armholes. While the length is good, it gives me a "faux baby bump" because of the shell pattern. I'm hoping it fits a bit better post-blocking. When in doubt, block it out! 

Naughty girl - WIPs, Quince & Co. and new MadTosh

I've been a very naughty girl.

As you knitters know, there are few things as exciting as starting a new project...even when you already have multiple things on the needles as is.

On Monday night (or maybe Sunday), I cast on for Camilla by Carrie Bostick Hoge, aka Madder. I'm not sure if I have expressed my love for Quince and Co. before, but every time they post a new pattern on Rav it immediately goes into my queue. The patterns are always unique, the photos look like they're out of an Anthropologie catalog, and their models are gorgeous.

Some of my favorites? (All patterns from Ravelry)

Belfast Hoodie (also by Carrie)

Luna Scarf by Carrie

Kilkenny Cowl by Pam Allen aka the first Quince pattern I feel in love with

Estelle Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre

And of course...

Camilla Pullover by Carrie

After working with fingering weight yarn for the past three months, though it feels like much longer, I decided to cast-on for something moderately chunky. I'm not sure how flattering the pullover will look on me, but I don't care. Bulky yarn and garter stitch be damned, I am too in love with this to not knit it. So I cast on immediately.

And look at how far I am! I've been averaging one shell repeat per day and it is coming along so quickly. I shot this photo yesterday afternoon and have since added one more repeat. I think I only have one more to go until I get to the armpit. Sadly, I am not using Quince & Co. yarn for this. Instead, I opted for some Ecological Wool by Cascade, a wonderful yarn that I have worked with on a few occasions. This particular shade is "Antique" and, if my calculations are correct, I will need just two and a half skeins to complete this lovely little pullover.

Someday, dear Quince & Co., someday I will own your yarn. And did I mention how beautiful the colors are? Buy their yarn here and I can live vicariously through you.

A yarn vendor for Madelinetosh came into the shop a few days ago and brought some samples of the new colors with her. They. Are. Fabulous. In case you missed it (or don't follow them on facebook), Madelinetosh posted some shots of their new colors a few days ago. And they are all wonderful. And I got to touch them :) Sometimes working at a LYS has its perks.

All photos are taken from the Madelinetosh facebook.

Alizarin

Badlands (I'm kind of obsessed with this one)

Cousteau (and this one)

French Gray (this one is beautiful irl)

Magnolia Leaf

Mica

Smokey Orchid

Yeah, because I need to buy more Madelinetosh. The two other WIPs I'm actively working on both use tosh, but those are coming along a lot more slowly than the Camilla Pullover.

Rock Island in Tosh Prairie (Turquoise)

Ecuador Test Knit in Tosh Merino Light (Filigree)

Thus ends your photo-overload for the day.Remember to tell me about your favorite summer knitting here for your chance to win a pattern of your choosing.  

Novella Shrug, Sale, & Giveaway!

It has been long, too long really. I can't believe I've gone so long without a post.

This week has been crazy busy workwise and I have also cast on for three new projects (bad girl). But, for the sake of time, I will save those for tomorrow.

Last week I posted about my Novella Shrug (and Stole). After about a month and a half of knitting, I finally finished it and published the pattern on Ravelry. Even though it took awhile to knit and write up, I love it so much. And wear it pretty much 2-3 times a week.

Did I mention that dear Novella only takes one skein of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (for 2 of the 3 sizes)? Talk about a great one skein wonder! Queue it up here, where it is on sale for $4 until June 1. Did I mention Tosh Merino Light has pretty much become my most favorite yarn?

And, as the subject line states, I'll be giving away one of my pattern designs (your choice) to a random commenter. So, please comment with your favorite summer pattern/yarn and I will choose a winner next Tuesday.

FO: Karen Shawl by Amy Swenson (in Tosh Pashmina)

And so the Tosh obsession presses on. It feels like I have been knitting with laceweight for the entirety of the past two months. Oh, but wait, I have. Before March, I had maybe worked on size 3-4 needles once or twice, but over the past two months I have become obsessed, which is kind of a bummer for my productivity meter.

I managed to produce a whopping ONE finished object in April and that was my Karen Shawl by Amy Swenson, which I really finished on May 3. I just have to tell myself that "it's quality, my dear Watson, not quantity." And this shawl, I must say, is quite divine. Check out the photos (you can view more at my Ravelry project page) and read about the specs and some concerns below.

 

For Karen, I used one skein of Madelinetosh Pashmina in "Port." And, when I say I used one skein...I used one skein. For the first time *ever* I was very certain that I would run out of yarn before I finished my project. If you too decide that you need a Karen shawl in your life, please, please, please don't attempt this with a skein smaller than 360 yards. Also, for comforts sake, knit this on a 24+ inch circular needle.

Aside from cutting it super close, the only real issue I have with this pattern is some of the directions. Dear reader, you may note (in the third photo) that there is as knit row before the edging. Well, that knit row isn't on the other side and it looks completely different. I thought I had made a mistake due to lack of attention on my part, but upon closer inspection I saw that many of the finished objects posted on Ravelry had this same issue going on. I'm still not sure if this knit row is intentional or if we all have botched it up, but I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I do know, however, that I will not be tearing back: it took me 4+ hours to bind off. I shall learn to live with it. Amy has designed some other awesome patterns, including the Watershed and Cloud Chaser vests, both of which I look forward to knitting. She's also from these parts and frequents the shop whenever she stops home. Thanks for all the beautiful patterns, Amy!

Pattern: Karen Shawl

Designer: Amy Swenson (Indigirl)

Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina in "Port"

Needles: size 6, 20 inch circular

Start: April 22, 2011

End: May 3, 2011

Queue it up

Yarn Pornz, Madelinetosh style

I haven't posted any Madelinetosh photos lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't been hoarding it away. So, here it is, a little quick (and dirty) Madelinetosh Yarn Pornz for your Friday afternoon.


All is Tosh Merino Light (unless noted)

Venetian

Mineral (Tosh Merino dk)

Bearded Iris

Nectar

Cosmos

Flashdance

Grasshopper

Malachite (I'm going to be a multnomah soon!)

Tern

Grove

Saffron

Violin (a bit more brown than Saffron)

Grove, Saffron, Tern

Grasshopper, Flashdance

Nebula, Violin, Venetian