Sssshhh

Around these here parts, if you are bold enuf to mention  (sssh) The Sun (sssh) then somehow "it" knows and often disappears from sheer spite.

But tis gorgeous this early am.  Clear skies and bright sun are the visible barometers of a pleasant morning, the kind of morning for a walk.

Still, though, tis also cool so I am spending early quiet time working on the Paravel Wrap from Tricksy Knitter.  It has an asymmetric look, with long columns of wonderful nubby ribbing.

Reading from left to right --
Edge border which also appears on the 'other edge.'
Then the chevron lace, an 8 row repeat.
Body of the wrap begins with columns of ribbing
and morphs into stockinette with nubby rectangles.

I'm using Heritage by Cascade, their wonderful washable sock yarn, with a bit of nylon.  Needles are US#6.  Details -- 

Columns of ribbing 5x3

The border on the 'other edge.'

This combination is, with each row, confirming itself as the perfect Match Dot Com as described in a previous post.

• Love those wooden Brittany birch needles;
• Yarn is soft and the combo of US#6 and sock yarn has a wonderful drape;
• Colors are neutral without being boring; they have light and variety;
• The pattern is intricate and interesting but not painful to work; there are plenty of rest rows.

And now, (sshh) The Sun (sssh) is calling my name.  Morning walk with prayers on the iPod.  Definitely the right combination.

Ultimate Flexibility

Knitters have it and enjoy it -- ultimate flexibility.  We can begin a sweater at the neck, at the yoke, at the end of one sleeve (and knit 'across') or the traditional way, from the bottom up.

Top down is the appropriate adjective for this one.

This KAL is proceeding nicely.  It's the Lapis Yoke Pullover from Interweave and is the subject of their KAL.   You will have to purchase the pattern; look for an Interweave special or coupon.  Reliable patterns, always.

Start this one at the neckline with a US6 and a few rows of
knit and purl in the round, to make it look like garter stitch.
Then move to 1x1 ribbing.  After a few rows, increase to
create 1x2 ribbing.  Follow this pattern for a few rows,
increase again to 1x3 ribbing. . . etc.

The yoke expands and the 1-stitch knit in the ribbing is on display.  Here's a close-up.

For my size I ended the yoke with 1x5 ribbing.
The body of the sweater, and the sleeves are knit
in stockinette stitch.  1x1 ribbing at the end of the sleeves
and around the bottom of the sweater.
Some shaping at the waist.

This one allows me to report several items of good news -- 

• I'm knitting up stash;  bot this Cascade 220 Superwash when they wound the skeins as part of manufacturing.
• I'm already at the body of the sweater, which means I'm keeping pace (I think) with the KAL.
• I'm knitting with one of my absolute favorite colors.
• I'm knitting with size US7 needles and in the round so things are smooth and easy for knitting.

Can't get much better than that!

No, wait!  The SUN is shining in Lakewood.  Now that is something to see and celebrate and enjoy.

Sunshine and Glubs

Finished!  One Glove!  Oh, and it's wonderful.  Plus I had such a good time working on it.

The sun shining on the left side.  Wonderful to see.

On to Glub2.  I know.  I said I was gonna switch back and forth as I completed each finger.  Well, I just got in a groove and kept going til this one was finished.

On the not-so-good-news side -- they may be a bit big.  I chose the large size, because I have large hands and unless I buy men's gloves can't find them to fit.  The cheap stretchy $1.00 gloves work until my fingers poke thru.  So I knit the large size.  Now I have gloves that fit and I don't think I know what that's supposed to feel like!

I will have some yarn left over when the other glove is complete.  Thinking I'll buy something to coordinate with this pink stripe and make some sox.  Maybe with a solid heel and a stripe across the instep plus a few stripes on the band.  Ideas and thoughts so far.

Back to the other glub.  These are great fun so I'm already looking at other patterns.

One more picture to show how the self-striping yarn worked out.  See the orange finger tips on three of the fingers and almost on the thumb?  Kewel, I think.

Point yourself toward some light and go there.  Tis a peaceful place to be.