Completed Projects and Spring Knitting!

Well, the weather keeps teasing us with occasional hints of warmer things to come and the stores are backing that up with all the new spring and summer clothes and outdoor things.

Completed Projects 

A new favorite - this is the Churchmouse Folded Poncho pattern and I just love the elegant simple design.  It was a lesson in frustration though since I had a cutting accident when I removed the provisional cast on.  Those tiny scissors are so dangerous!!  I was able to repair it and unless you look really hard, you don't see it.  This wool made the nicest weight fabric and it should be something I go to a lot to wear. 

This is the Katrine Cardigan.  It is a heavy weight cowl sweater and I just love it!  I put wood painted buttons on it and it is great on it's own or with a down vest.  

This is the Light and Up shawl - the first one I have made in this shape.  I was a bit short for wool so it's a couple of rows less than it called for but it turned out quite well.  There were tassel's on the pattern but with no wool I could not make them.  

 

This is the Rayne Wrap and I was so excited to start this project but by the end I hated it.  It was very boring and the pattern is not the best.  I had to modify it and if I ever made it again, as I had planned to with more expensive wool, I would cast off the sleeve holes and pick up those stitches to start the sleeves.  With it being continuous it pulls too much and there is no strength in the join.  I also made the armholes larger than the pattern called for and they are just barely big enough.  It's still a fun sweater to wear and unique!

 

This is the 22 Little Clouds scarf.  It is just such a lovely wool it reminds me of stained glass colors.   

And of course, I love making the Linus scarf and have a couple of more done.  I am now the "winner" for most Linus scarves completed on Ravelry!!  It is such a fun knit that you can do in front of the TV.  It can be worn several ways too so it make it a worthwhile project.  

   

  

Works in Progress

This denim cowl is still a work in progress although I am about half way now. It's a sideways construction and it needs my full attention for the lace pattern to work on this so it gets set aside a lot.  No rush for it so it's fine to sit and wait for the cold weather again.  I know I did the provisional cast on wrong so have to resolve that when I join the ends. 

 
This is the Sweater Wrap and I am making it into a poncho shape by adding button holes to one side and making it shorter.

 

I am trying to have a few less projects on the go but it seems that multi-tasking and having multiple things on the needles is just how it is.  One easy thing for TV knitting, another item that is more challenging, and then something "new" and exciting that caught my interest and just HAD to be cast on right away!  

Planned Projects

 I spotted a few spring knitted items in the stores that I loved but thought were way overpriced and I was able to find a knitting pattern and some wool and will attempt to make one for about a fifth of the cost!!  Depends on the wool, sometimes knitting can cost more than buying so you have to really love the garment and the wool to spend the big coin on it.  The swing cardigan I am planning on making in a butter cream color for summer.  This is what I saw in a store for $130!!   I won't be making the folded cuffs and will make less increases on the body.  I think it will be sweet over a sundress or with jeans and a tee.  The other simple cardigan below I have some navy wool for to make this basic everyday sweater, great for when the office air conditioning kicks in!!  

 

Happy Knitting!!  and hope spring arrives soon!!

Shibanut Knits!!

Winter Knitting

It's been some time since I posted but that's because I have been busy knitting!!  It's become a passion of sorts and takes up time in my head even when I am not knitting.  The act of knitting is so calming and relaxing but it is also creative and gives me even more ideas to create my own knitting patterns.  Driving home from the office last night I had a wonderful idea for a modification to a sweater I am knitting and don't like how it is turning out.  Working on multiple projects at one time provides inspiration for modifying other projects.   Just tweaking the design will make it look totally different and be more my style.

Here's some recently finished projects.

This scarf is called Linus and it's an amazing squishy soft scarf using Misti Alpaca that I really enjoyed making.  You make it on the bias so the colors are always changing and it grows into a long asymetrical piece.

 

 It was made for this new Mountain Equipment Co-op windbreaker but it will actually go with 3 of my coats and several of  my sweaters!!  A great bonus since the wool was expensive at $25 a ball and I used the whole ball to make the scarf.  Still a $25 hand made scarf is unique and that makes it so enjoyable!!  AND...it is a featured finished item on the designers web site.  Pretty cool!!

On to the other projects.  This is a hat I started making in a knitting class.  I love the hat but the new bind on technique I learned is a bit tight but it fits o.k. and I am wearing it a lot.  I also made a simple scarf to go with it.  Really love the transition of colors in this beautiful wool.  

  

And the best item to date - it was a long haul to make this. It is a color play mohair shawl, knit from two balls at the same time.  The design is a classic from Churchmouse Yarns.  

On the cruise we took in January I tool along some knitting of course.  Turns out it's an icebreaker and a number of people spoke to me to ask what I was knitting.   Here's one of the items - it a Wiggle Lace scarf.  

In the works

This is my new adventure creating a lacey cowl that is knitted sideways.  The red yarn is for the provisional cast of and it gets ripped out and the blue is joined using those live stitches for a nice seam.  Another new thing I am trying.  Some patterns can intimidate me but now I think just go for it since it can always be ripped out and made into something else!!  AND, this is also featured on the designers web site!!  I guess I am not too bad huh?  Its called the Radiant Orchid Cowl on Ravelry. 

 

 The Churchmouse patterns are classic and I am working on this Easy Folded Poncho as well.  It's miles of straight knitting but it's great for in front of the TV.

  

In the mean time, I am always scouting out new patterns and planning my next knit project.  There is nothing as wonderful as sitting by the fire with a cup of tea with my knitting.  You can find me and my other projects on Ravelry, my favorite site.