Apology Shorts

Anybody else apologize with knits? Anyone? Bueller?

Well, I’m in need of an apology (minor disagreement over a scheduling snafu... happens), and he’s been begging for shorts since I met him, so here we are. I expect these’ll be a quick knit, cause… ”I’m bored with you being grumpy with me, so here’s a prize!"

I found the Sports Shorts from Stephen West, and I've been dying to give his designs a whirl, and what better time than now? So, I headed to Fiberworks at lunch and nabbed my wool (Ella Rae Classic Superwash Wool in some super fun bluey-green shades).

That's my current project bag in the background, a bit tight for 3 balls. I'll be sewing up 2 more of the larger-size ones tonight, so I'll probably snag one for myself and just have one for stock for my etsy shop. 

I've JUST put the shop up, and so it's a work in progress, but there are items available, and I needed to start somewhere, so I just went for it and got it up and running. 

Tonight, I'll be gathering the smalls, feeding them, and then casting on these bad boys. Both kids have prior commitments, so I'll have lots of great knitting time. Now, the hard part... picking my Netflixing for the night!

FO: 1898 Hat

And, we have an FO! This was a super quick knit. I really enjoyed it, and can't get over how SQUISHY it is! The Icelandic wool absolutely makes this. If you're looking to make it yourself, the pattern can be found here.

There are some changes that I would suggest:

** Slip the first stitch of each row with yarn in front to make a much easier pickup edge.

** Rather than slipping center 3 with yarn in front, purl them.

** For the decrease rounds, work the second decreases as: (slip one knitwise, slip one purlwise, knit through back loops).

**Garter stitch Kitchener is super easy:

    For the setup: Knit on the front needle, purl on the back needle.

    For the remaining stitches: Knit off, purl on for both front and back needles.

**Work center stitches in a stockinette Kitchener

**Stop plain knitting rows at k3, k2tog row.

     k3, k2tog (28 sts)
     k2, k2tog (21 sts)
     k1, k2tog (14 sts)
     k2tog (7 sts)
     cut yarn and pull through

Squirrel!

I've been knitting socks continuously since we returned for NYC in late June, and sometimes... I need a break. I was really itching to do something in a larger yarn. Something quick. Some candy. I came across the 1898 Hat and fell in love a while ago, but it wasn't until I realized I could use my Lettllopi from Iceland that I was sold.

I've been holding onto this yarn for just the right project since December's trip to Iceland, and this hat will be PERFECT. I'm really enjoying the shaping of the headband and the feel of the wool (especially after sooooooo much sock yarn). 

I can't remember the last time I knit on straight needles. This entire project is a tactile joy. Seriously. It is exactly what I needed. 

Annnnnnnnd, we're off!

So, I guess there's no better place to start than here. Jumping straight in....

I'm currently working a great pair of  Hermione's Everyday shorties with a double gusset in some of the faaaabulous Primrose yarn I got during the New York City trip at Brooklyn General Store.

I'm on my 9" Chiaogoos, and I love them. Nobody else I know loves these things. I love them.

I've been searching for my sock mojo. I've done double-points. I've done the magic loop (though it was on a gigantic cable, and I'm going to try a shorter one). Now, we're two-at-a-time on 9" circs. I love these damn things. I fly on them.

Can you tell I'm into orange? It's everywhere in my life in the moment. I made the little project bag, and am working on setting up a shop or some way of selling them. They really do make all the difference for those of us non-monogamous knitters.

I always have a few projects on the go, and these pretty little bags do a great job of corralling all of the materials without making my house look like craft-central. I'm LOVING the opportunity to be on fabric instead of fiber for a bit. It's been a while since I really got to play.

These particular socks are gifts, and I'm hoping to finish these babies up this week so that I can make a pair for myself. I've never really loved sock knitting, and it's my mission to find my jam. There are a million ways to knit up socks. ONE of those combinations is bound to be mine.