Does This Make You Dizzy?

This was finished and blocked earlier in the week, but I'm only now getting around to blogging it (sorry I couldn't get a shot in better lighting).

Pattern: Chevron Scarf from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, colorways P514 (green) and P621 (pink), 1.5 skeins each
Needles: 16" US 5 (3.75 mm) Knit Picks circular
Started/Completed: January 24/March 17
Mods: none

This scarf has a special place in my heart, because it was knit with the very first Koigu I ever bought. I kept saving it for a special project but could never bring myself to make socks out of it because I thought they would wear out too quickly. As it turned out, the colorways work very well together, even if they do look a bit like a psychedelic watermelon.

I'm a bit skeptical about the yardage specified in the pattern, which calls for Koigu and a size 5 needle. Supposedly two skeins would yield me a scarf roughly six feet long; somehow, with at least half a skein left of each colorway, I've got a scarf that's at least that length, and I didn't vigorously block. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I have plenty of things in mind for that leftover yarn.


Last night was knit night with the Hurricane Knitters, who were all incredulous when an announcement came over the loudspeaker that B&N would be closing at 9 -- that's an hour earlier than the store used to close. At least the knitty company was good while it lasted (I suggest you visit Yvonne and Amy for some snippets of conversation and more details on what ensued after we were so unceremoniously kicked out) and I got some good knitting time in. I was able to cast on for the pattern I'm test knitting for Knotions, a new online knitting magazine. It's a top-down raglan, and I'm happy to say that I'll be able to share my progress with you! Right now it doesn't look like much, hence the lack of picture, but from the description and diagram it looks like it's going to be super cute.

Still no sign of my wheel, nor has there been any response to my e-mail asking for a tracking number. At what point do you think I'm allowed to get annoyed?

The Trifecta

The trio of triplet Baby Surprise Jackets is complete!

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, color 9461 (green), one skein, and Cascade 220 Wool, color 4002 (charcoal), approximately 1/2 a skein
Needles: 32" US 5 (3.75 mm) Addi Turbo circs
Started/Completed: January 20/January 24 (the fastest of the three!)
Mods: same as the last one -- why mess with what works?

Now I know some of you are going to be saying that this one looks an awful lot like the first one, but I can assure you that while they are similar, they are in fact different shades. Coordinating, but not matching, remember?

The green in this most recent BSJ is the same color I used for my Central Park Hoodie, a limey green heather, and the stripes are most definitely a deep charcoal. You may also notice that the buttonholes are on the opposite side; this last BSJ is for the girl triplet. I may need to add a little touch of femininity to make it just a tad more apparent -- perhaps a little flower sewn to one side? All suggestions are welcome (including from those of you who think I should leave these the way they are!). These jackets need a little wash and block, but other than that, they're ready to go once the triplets arrive!

Last night I decided to go with my instincts and cast on for the Chevron Scarf. (Remember? You saw the yarns I was considering, but no one had any strong opinions.) I think when it's done, it might make me a little dizzy when I look at it for too long, but right now I'm loving it.

I bought this Koigu nearly two years ago in Alexandria, Virginia. It had been sitting in my stash ever since, probably because I could never find a pattern I thought worthy of this sock deliciousness. I'm really going to enjoy wrapping it around my neck (where it won't wear out as fast as it will on my feet).

In other sock news, I must tell you all that I washed my newest Monkeys for the first time the other night, and boy did they bleed! I had a sink full of very turquoise water when I was done, and clearly that wasn't all the dye, because there were blue bleed marks on my drying rack afterwards. As Kristie put it, this was the "tricrapta" for Jitterbug: short yardage, knots, and bleeding dye. I don't think I'll be buying this yarn again.

In happier sock news, my first shipment of the 2008 Rockin' Sock Club arrived today! I won't post any spoilers here for those who haven't received their package yet, but if you must see it, it's here in my Flickr stream. I like it!

Tomorrow we are headed up to the Laurel Highlands for a visit with some friends, so I'll be away from the computer for most of the weekend. I hope I have some adult sweater to show you when I get back!