On the Needle with a deadline

I'm feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the number of projects I've got going at the moment. I'm taking a short time off to try to organize. In order of when the item will be gifted:
1. Cheryl's magic garden tinsel socks. Just frogged back to the end of the old gusset after realizing that her foot is significantly narrower than her ankle and I have to adjust by making more decreases at the gusset. Still on the first sock - just starting the foot. Due to be given Dec. 8 or so.
2. Niece Rachel's afghan in Encore Chunky. I'm on the 3rd ball of yarn, have 10 to go. Must be mailed by Dec. 10 to get to her by Chanukah.
3. Morgan's black Gems Merino top down raglan placket - almost down to the bottom of the raglan decreases, but miles of plain black knitting to go plus a zipper to sew into the placket at the end. To be given 1st night of Chanukah, incidentally on Dec. 25.
4. Jim's socks - perpetually on the needles. Current pair is self-striping with contrast rib and heel. One sock halfway down the foot (11.5 in. feet.)
5. Sammy's 1'st Chanukah sweater - size 2 needles, Opal sock yarn intarsia. Sure it's cute but I had sworn off intarsia. And if I knit for Sammy I'll have to do something for his sister Alivia as well. And that's not even in the planning stages!
6. Shadow knit kimono - for me - so I can give the purple one back to Morgaine for display at Stitches in February. About 1/2 of the first sleeve is done but kilometers to go on size 3 mm. needles.
7. Susan /Stahman shawl for sister Lynda. Probably 3/4 done; keeps getting put off because it doesn't have to be done any specific time.
And not yet on the needles:
8. Still to start: scarf/hat or socks for Anna - socks with the lined leather soles for slippers or the cashmere scarf from yarn from Nova Scotia.

Doesn't make me feel any better but at least they are enumerated.

More Knitting Adventure and the finished Eris

Eris is finally finished. I did a version of Meg Swansen's "purl when you can" for the bottom borders and sleeve finished. I did a non-random pattern of K3-P1 moving the P1 over after 2 rows, and then added a 3 stitch I-cord. It lays flat and the I-cord matches the edging on the collar. Had some trouble with the zipper because the size I needed wasn't standard so I had to cut the zipper at the top and still need to finish it off. But I'm pleased with the fit and plan to wear it out to dinner tonight!








More pictures from Nova Scotia. The views of the Atlantic Ocean from the knitting deck were magnificent. More shots of the bunnies at White Point Beach Resort, some pictures of Lucy Neatby teaching, and the stash I acquired while on vacation.










This is Lucy with her udder bag, post hand fulling. Very lifelike!






The group project was to knit a bag, using a technique you learned at the workshops. I knit the bag with a steek, and cut the steek for the opening. Then picked up stitches for the flap and added handles. It's the perfect size to hold the needles I use most, ready to take with me to the Ample Knitters' retreat in Oregon.

Knitting Adventure with Lucy Neatby

We just got back from a week of Knitting Adventures with Lucy Neatby, in Nova Scotia. We stayed at White Point Beach Resort with spectacular views of the ocean. The knitting was fabulous and this was without a doubt the best vacation I've ever had. I learned I can knit happily for more than 8 hours a day. Husband Jim played golf and scouted around for good food and wine. Daughter Anna joined us for a weekend, and here is modeling her lacy one-button cardigan, an FO from September. Lucy had us select a technique we wanted to learn (I chose steeking - first time I actually cut something I knit - not nearly as scary as I thought!) and then we made a bag utilizing that technique. Picutres include Lucy with her felted udder bag and the free roaming bunnies.

New Project/Ken's scarf

Despte all resolutions to the contrary I started another project. A Hannukah present for Anna's boyfriend Ken. A scarf - the Peter Seaman's Scarf - another project from Myrna Stahman's Faroese shawl book. Looks blue, but is really green worsted weight wool, from stash, can't rememer which company but I think it's cascade. Nice to work on, fairly easy pattern. The provision cast-on using a second color yarn I learned from Joan Schrouder - you end up picking up just as many stitches as you cast on. The 2/1 cables I'm doing without a cable needle, learned from Carole Wulster's Cable Needle Freedom. The scarf is moving along smoothly.

Knitting progress

This is my "Susan" shawl from Myrna Stahlman's Faroese shaped shawls. It is in a handdyed merino/silk from Carolina Homespun, about dk weight, on a size 7 US (4.5 mm) needle. The length is now about 14 inches from the back of the neck and the wingspan measures more than 52 in. so at the anticipated length of 25 inches and adding 4 stitches every 2 rows it should be plenty wide enough. It will need serious blocking (dressing?) to get the lace pattern to show up. It is supposed to be for my non-ample sister, but we'll have to see how it looks...I may decide to keep it for me.

And here is my Eris, just below the divide for the sleeves. I put it on my extra long Denise circular to see how it fit and it looks great so far. The designer is very precise aboutthe raglan increases and right on about the fit! Because of my particular shape I am leaving out the waist shaping and the cables on the hem and will probably do an I-cord around the bottom. This is the cardigan version and may actually have a zipper inserted, or not. The cable section was lots of fun and required total concentration; from here on down it is just plain old stockinette but at 5 st/in it should take too long and might be done in time to leave on October 13 with us to the Knitting Adventure with Lucy Neatby in Nova Scotia!