Na Craga

PB280002
Originally uploaded by quiltingknitter

I'm now 5.5" down the body of Na Craga and it is taking a lot longer to work one round. The two major twist rows take me 30 minutes to complete. Still enjoying the process and the sweater is going to be very striking. The cables really pop in the Cascade 220. I have now used up the 6th skein.

Starmore's From the Top KAL

PB240001
Originally uploaded by quiltingknitter

Started on 11/01 this is "Na Craga" from the top down. I'm using Cascade 220 and size 5 needles and gauge is perfect. The saddles are knit first, stitches picked up along saddle, cast on for back and picked up from second saddle. Knit down to the armhole depth (9") and put on hold. Pick up stitches from saddle for one front, increasing to neckline. Same for second front, cast on for center neck and join, knit down to armhole. Picked up stitches for sleeve including saddle stitches, knit flat for 3", joined and decreased to cuff. Sleeves done, and last night picked up stitches under arm for extra chest width. Joined in the round and have about 1" done on the body. This pattern is very easy to memorize and is progressing quite rapidly. It's from Alice Starmore's "Aran Knitting".

Saga Rose Finished

Saga Rose pattern from Jamieson Shetland Book 3 finished! Although I didn't think the colors called for would work together I like the way it came out. I tried several substitutes for the Chestnut called for and finally went back to it. Who would ever think Maroon, Red Currant and rusty Chestnut would look well together! This was project #1 on my Monhegan Island retreat, now on to Trellis Rose which has one sleeve and the second started. "Trellis" is knitted with Halcyon's Victorian and is really an easy knit. Only two colors to work with which is a pleasure and goes very fast.

Monhegan Island Knitting Retreat - 2010

Another wonderful knitting vacation is over and I am already looking forward to next year - reservation already made. The group all arrived on Saturday the 11th and moved into the Annex Building with all our bags and lawn chairs. The weather was beautiful and we soon moved out to the lawn for the start of a great weekend of knitting. What a variety of projects being worked on. After a nice evening meal 17 or 18 knitters and all their bags of stuff moved into a small 10' x 10' parlor and the party continued with a lot of laughter and stories. Packed in like sardines, what fun!Sunday morning dawned overcast and windy but that didn't deter a bunch of knitters from finding a sheltered spot to knit and the sun did come out a few times to keep us comfortable. Another wonderful day of sharing ended with lots of progress on my Saga Rose Cardigan and some evening knitting on another pair of socks. Off to bed in our cozy room reminiscent of Girl Scout Camp we go with calculations whirling around in our heads on how to help a fellow knitter finish up a sweater from a few years ago. After sleeping on it, both Jean and I worked out the numbers and the sweater is on it's way to being finished. Monday morning was cloudy but the wind was gone and out to the lawn we all went again. Some leave on the 12:30 boat but we have until 4:30 before we have to leave. Time passes to fast and it's time to go for another year, leaving this island is very hard to do. Oh well, only 363 more days and I'll be back!

Rose Trellis Continues

I have completed the neck shaping, did 3 needle bind-off on the shoulders, cut the neckline and armhole steeks exactly as directions. Picked up 149 stitches plus the 15 stitches on the holder and am decreasing as per pattern on the sleeves. If I have done my math correctly (G) the sleeve will be the perfect length. So far this has been an easy knit and very addictive................onward! The upper picture shows the shoulder join which matched perfectly.

Rose Trellis Cardigan

Altering a pattern is not my thing but have decided that I did not want to do this sweater the "Norwegian" way. If I am going to cut the armholes, I want to have a steek. Also a slightly inset sleeve fits me better than a drop shoulder and I prefer to knit the sleeve down............ so, I have taken 15 stitches off to a holder and am decreasing 1 stitch each side of the armhole 10 times. That will bring me back to the same pattern at the edge of the armhole and "should" work. Time will tell. It's an easy pattern to remember

This view shows the pattern running up the side seam which will continue on the underarm of the sleeve.

Thinking About Monhegan

It's that time again, the Monhegan Knitting Retreat is next month and I need to decide what project is going to the island with me. It's time to knit a FairIsle again, I'm a little tired of socks. They are easy to travel with though and I have made my share for awhile. I decided to start two of the sweaters that were on my list and as I have altered them slightly I wanted to know they would work out before I got to the island and found I had nothing to knit on. The first is from Jamieson's Book 3, Saga Rose Cardigan. Though unsure of the color choice when I started I have left the colors as listed in the directions and they are working out nicely. One pattern repeat done so on to the second sweater, Rose Trellis Cardigan from Harrisville Designs. Instead of the Harrisville shetland I am using Halcyon's Victorian in teal and lt green. It has a nice picot hem that I like and the Victorian is working out to the same gauge as Jamieson's Spindrift. It is done "Norwegian" style, knit to the shoulders and then cut with no steek and the sleeves are then sewn in. Not sure I am going to do it that way. I like to pick up and knit my sleeves down and really prefer a steek. Rose is up to one pattern repeat also so now I have to make a choice of which one goes to sea. Probably end up taking both! Then I will need something to knit on in the evenings by kerosene lamp light (and headlamps) so need something simple and plain. Oh no, not more socks! Maybe mittens or a hat this time? Decisions, decisions.

Great Alaska Trip

It's not every year one has a 50th wedding anniversary, and ours happened in Aug. of last year. It took us a while to figure out what to do to celebrate this big day and we finally settled on a trip. We had always wanted to see Alaska, so this was the chance to do it. Planned it in November and waited for months for June 2010 to arrive. We left for Calgary on the 10th and motor coached through Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper where we spent two wonderful days each. Had a helicopter ride up into the mountains and walked on the Athabasca Glacier. This part of the trip was really breathtaking. This part of Canada is so beautiful. After Jasper we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer train for two days through the Canadian Rockies, a truly incredible journey. Arrived in Vancouver for a night, taking a tour of the city. In the morning we boarded the Holland America "Zuiderdam" for the cruise to Alaska. We were pampered (and very well fed) for the 7 day cruise that stopped in Tracy Arm to see the glaciers, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, and back to Vancouver. We departed Vancouver for beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, where we toured the city and the wonderful Butchart Gardens which pictures don't begin to describe. The most beautiful garden I have ever seen covering 55 acres. From Victoria we took the "Clipper" back to the States and Seattle where we boarded Amtrak's Coastal Starlight for San Francisco. Spent a day there and boarded another train for Chicago and a plane for home. It was the "Trip of a Lifetime" for us and so glad we did it. We came home to the hottest summer in years and a garden full of weeds but enjoyed every minute of the trip. We plan to go again next year or the year after and see the inland part of Alaska and Denali.

I took a ball of yarn and a sock pattern with me and came home with a ball of yarn and a sock pattern. Just too much to see to sit and knit! Besides, it's time to work on something different - I have enough socks to last for years!

Time to Update

It's been so long since I posted here I had to go to Blogger to get my password! Lots has happened since my last post, so here goes! We left for Florida at the end of last Feb. to join our friends at the house we rented til the end of March. Beautiful place, pool and hot tub, lost of space. We were looking forward to a month of sunshine and floating around in the pool. Didn't happen - Florida had the coldest Spring in years! We did get to sit around the pool and I did get lots of socks made. We had a wonderful airboat ride in the St. John River watershed, saw a beautiful sunset and millions of birds (and alligators) with a great guide. We also went to Disney of course and spent a day wandering around Epcot and MGM Movies. Both were fun and interesting, came home very tired!

Another trip was to the Brevard Zoo, just around the corner from where we were. Although zoos can be depressing, this one is very well maintained and the animals are well cared for. Really enjoyed the giraffe exhibit. Did you ever see such beautiful eyelashes?

Norwegian Lusekofte

This is a kit from Knit Picks, made with Telemark Peruvian wool. The border at the bottom of the sweater is finished and now the boring part - plain stockinette to the armholes. The recommended needle size was a US5 but I had to go down to a 3.25mm to get the gauge. I'm through with socks until we leave for Florida next month, seems nice to be back to colorwork!

Oh No - More Stash!

I was noodling around on the computer a couple of nights ago and my email dinged. Went to read the message and it was a newsletter from Seaport Yarn. I've never been in the local store (they also have one in NYC) but do like to look at their website oce in a while. www.seaportyarn.com They were advertising a new sock yarn made here in Maine so I HAD to go look. Needless to say I am now the owner of three skeins of this gorgeous stuff and am having a hard time keeping myself for going back for more before I knit this up. They are from "Done Roving Farm" www.doneroving.com in Charlotte, Maine. Where is Charlotte you say? I never had heard of it either - it's way Downeast near the lakes and I bet they have lots of room for sheep and other critters!

Left to right we have "Fundy Footsee" 75/25 superwash Wool/Nylon, 434yds, 4 ounces in colorways "Low Tide" and "Wicked Good Lobster". This is a sport weight and says it can be machine dryed though I don't think I will risk it. The last skein is "Frolicking Feet" superwash Merino , 480 yds, 4 ounces , machine washable (doesn't mention machine dry) in the colorway "Navajo Sky". This is a fingering weight yarn. The names of the colorways just make you want to buy some, don't they? Have to support the local economy!

"Drops" Socks

While I wait for another fairisle to call my name I'm passing time with socks (another addiction). This pattern is free on Drops web site and because I have never used their yarns I ordered some for these socks. It's "Karisma", a DK weight that is soooooo very soft and I love using it. It's 100% wool and is superwash. I'm using 3mm Hiya Hiya dps and the 38/40 size which is a perfect fit. The pattern number is U-563. If you decide to download this pattern be aware that there is an error in the M5 chart which they have corrected in their errata tab.

Henry and Me

He's finished! At 9:30 last night the last end was woven in. And he is gorgeous! I love the colors and the style of this sweater. These are the yarns from Virtual Yarn, very soft and rich as befitting a King - not sure I do it justice but it will be worn often. Knit as per the Virtual Yarn pamphlet except for the drop shoulder which was modified to fit me better. I used a 3.25mm circ and got exact gauge. It's a bit large and long on me but I wanted to be able to layer and wanted the extra length for warmth this winter. Henry traveled all over the Northeast with me this Fall while we enjoyed the great colors in the Adirondacks, Lake Champlaine, the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire (where it was 24 deg. and 60mph winds). We had a great ride up the cog railroad, breathtaking Fall scenery - and a Gondola trip up Wildcat too. Wandered around Lake Placid and Saranac Lake in New York and Queechee Gorge in Vermont. This morning I spent some time trying to choose the next project as I can't just sit without something to knit. Will it be the Burrastow Jumper from "Art of FairIsle" or Catriona , an Alice Starmore - or should I pull out the unfinished Peony Sweater? I'm still pondering................

Henry The 8th

The KAL on Ravelry for Alice Starmore's "Henry VIII" is starting next week. I purchased the kit from Virtual Yarn and the yarn is gorgeous. Everything is ready to go, can't wait to get going on this one!

Still Waiting for Book

Well, it's August and the book still has not been released. Now saying August 30 for a release date. I need something to knit that won't take too long to finish in the mean time. Found a vest pattern in Interweave Knits Fall 2008. The "Estes Vest" by Hana Jason. Knit with Brown Sheep Bulky and 10 1/2 needles - this should be a snap. And it was! Finished it last night - all except finding some toggle buttons - The colorway I used is called "Cranberry Swirl" and went down to a size 9 needle. Fits perfectly

and is very heavy. It will be a very warm layer to keep me warm

when the snow flies again. Hooray - the book is here and a KAL will soon be in the plans!

Happy Anniversary

It's August 1st and 50 years ago today Rocky and I were married! How could it be that long ago? We had a lovely surprize family dinner at a local restaurant and came home for coffee and cake. All organized by my sister who was my Maid of Honor.

Waiting For Fair Isle Book

Alice Starmore's "Fair Isle Knitting" re-print is due out soon but I have to keep my fingers busy while waiting. Nothing on the needles since "Hillswick" was finished. It's been a rainy June and July, seems like it rains nearly every day. My back yard is starting to look like a jungle - the gardens love all this water. The book should be here soon so another pair of socks should do the trick. These are from "Favorite Socks" and knit with a merino/mohair yarn from Knit Picks. Very light and easy to knit, though it pills somewhat. It's called Imagination and the colorway is Pixie Dust. Knit on Clover bamboo dp's, size 1.

What's Next?

Here we are in May and I am really sick of making socks - I need a stranded project! Went through my collection of baggies to see if I had one with the complete yarns needed. I had one - Hillswick Lumber - that had been aging for quite awhile. It was ready and so was I. I knit the sweater just as the directions were written and it fits perfectly. I didn't think the olive color was going to work with all the other greens but it did and I really like it. Hillswick is from Ann Feitelson's "The Art of Fair Isle Knitting" and was knit using Jamieson & Smith 2 ply shetland and 2.5 / 2.75 Addis.

Back From Florida

OK, I admit it - I have neglected my blog for a long time but I will try to do better now. We arrived back from the sunny South on the 3rd of April. The snow was GONE and all my crocus (?) were in full bloom and the sun was shining. I managed to knit several pairs of socks while in our lovely rental house. We spent some nice days sitting in the yard. We saw the shuttle take off while standing on Cocoa Beach - what an AWESOME sight! We hated to leave the 80 and 90 degree days, but home calls after awhile. It was good to be back in Maine even if we did have to sit by the fire instead of on the deck.

Off to Florida!

We are heading off to Florida for a month's vacation in the early morning. This morning we woke up to another 10" of heavy, wet snow and no power. I thought I had shoveled my last shovel full of the white stuff but, alas, Mother Nature had other ideas. We went to bed to pouring rain and woke up to a white surprise. Got it cleaned up by noon, took the plow off the truck and put it away til next year (we hope), loaded the car and are ready to bug out tomorrow. Power came back on, thank goodness, as lots of people are still in the dark. I have enough sock yarn with me to keep me busy for 6 months I think but you can never have too much. Yarn shops in Florida are few and far between so needed to be well supplied. We will see how many pairs I finish in between sightseeing and beach combing!