Torture and anything but.

Yesterday, I went and got a root canal I'd been putting off for awhile.  To say it was torture is really a terrible exaggeration.  I don't see what all the gloom and doom about root canals is.  I've had two and I have to say they are probably the easiest dental procedures I've had.  The worst part is having to go get a crown put on the tooth and the fact that our insurance will only cover 50% of the cost.  Ouch.   Now THAT is torture!

What is anything but torture?  The latest pattern I knit.  It was a whole lot of wonderful.  I learned a new increase that I LOVE.  I only had to pick up a total of 12 stitches for the whole sweater.  The only weaving in I had to do was at the neck, bottom, and under the arms. What's the best part?  It fits.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="353" caption="Isn't it wonderful?"][/caption]

Pattern: Idlewood by Cecily Glowik MacDonald

Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Needles: US 10 and 10.5

More details… here (ravelry link)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="361" caption="Loops insisted on taking a pic of my butt."][/caption]

Continuing the love-fest.  I love this yarn.  Ok.  It's a smidge itchy and got fuzz all over me as I knit, but there's a lot of cool colors going on.  It's like a fall feast for the eyes.  Yellow, gold, brown, red, and even a little black.  I wasn't sure I liked it when I bought it, but now, you guessed it, I LOVE it.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="361" caption="Anyone noticed how I always look drugged in pictures?"][/caption]

On a sad note, I'm seriously thinking of frogging the cardigan I'm knitting.  It pains me to undo all the work I've done, but it is just too big.  Right now, I'm not doing anything with it though.  I'm just not ready to make a move on it one way or the other.

On to happier things to look forward to for my next post. I'm about a third of the way through a new sweater and it may be ready in about a week. Stay tuned. :)

Quick turnaround

Not even a week and I'm blogging again.  I did say I'd be finishing up a sweater soon.  I finished it on Sunday and got it all washed up and photographed on Monday and Tuesday.  Without further ado,

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="341" caption="I'm, unoriginally, calling it $7.50 in Charleston"][/caption]

Pattern: $5 in Paris by Anna Peck

Yarn: Red Heart Soft

Needles: US 8 and 9

More details… here (ravelry link)

The pattern was easy, quick, and free.  The yarn is cheap and machine washable and dryable.  What more could a person ask for?  I could see myself doing this pattern again, probably in a solid color because I am tired of weaving in ends after all those stripes.  If you can't tell in the picture, the neck is so wide it will fall off my shoulders easily which is sort of what I was going for.  I wanted to be able to channel Jennifer Beals in Flashdance.  I've been going around singing Irene Cara's What a Feeling a lot since finishing it.  Maybe I'm too old to have a sweater falling off my shoulder.  I don't know.

So Loopas and Mom, what do you think?  (Anyone else who might read this is free to give opinions as well.)

Ready for Fall to get here already!

I've never thought of myself as a lover of the colder months of the year, but it seems lately I've really been craving cooler weather.  The thought of living somewhere with an actual winter season has even crossed my mind.  I believe most of this craving is based on my desire to break out the boots and scarves, not to mention all the cute jackets I've managed to acquire over the past few years.  Today, it was the coolest it's been in the area (upper 70s) and I did manage to wear boots for the first time since going to Paris, but couldn't stay in my latest handknit for any longer than it took to take the pictures.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="339" caption="100 percent wool is WARM!"][/caption]

Pattern: Cloudy Sunday by Hilary Smith Callis

Yarn: Louet Riverstone Chunky

Needles: US 11

More details… here (ravelry link)

I really enjoyed knitting this.  With the bulky yarn it knits up pretty quickly.  The pattern was easy to follow and, as part of Knit Pick's Independent Designer's Program, it was only $1.99.  What a deal, right?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="355" caption="Gotta love a big ol' cowl."][/caption]

As for how it turned out...  It's a bit roomy.  I underestimated how much it would grow during blocking.  Sooner or later I will get the hang of things and my sweaters will fit better.  I think it still looks pretty good though.  What do you think?

In the next few days I should be finishing up another sweater I've been working on.  I'll try to get it washed and photographed as soon as possible so everyone can see.  By the way, I am also close to finishing a cardigan.  I'm just a knitting machine.