Wednesday, November 17, 2010

FO: Lacy Kerchief Scarf


I actually finished this scarf back in April and didn't get around to taking pictures of it until last week! It was spring and I was in the mood to knit something pretty. I am not really a shawl person and I was looking for more of a draped scarf and this fit the bill.

Pattern: Lacy Kerchief Scarf by Lisa Daehlin
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in the color Admiral Mix
Needles: Size US 6

This is, by far, my most favorite thing I have knit. I love absolutely everything about it! It was so much fun to knit - it definitely kept my interest and was a great pattern. I really like how long it is so that it is a true scarf. I can wrap it around my neck in the winter to keep me warm or just drape it over my shoulders when the weather is warmer. The yarn is lovely also. The pattern called for a cotton yarn, but I wanted something that would drape a little bit better so I went with alpaca. It is hard to see from the pictures but the navy is mixed with tiny red and light blue hairs that give the color a whole other dimension.

I have worn this a lot since I finished it (months ago!). It is definitely a versatile, all-seasons scarf!

Monday, November 8, 2010

F.O.: Cassavetes

I don't know if you have seen the movie There Will Be Blood, but it is one of my husband's favorite movies. In the last scene of the movie, also known as "the milkshake scene", Daniel Day-Lewis is sporting a charcoal gray shawl collar cardigan - the classic grandpa sweater - and my husband quickly put in his order for me to knit one for him. I finally found a pattern for the perfect sweater for him.

Pattern: Cassavetes by Veronik Avery from the St-Denis Magazine Spring/Summer 2010
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Fez in Charcoal Gray
Needles: Size US 7

I really liked this pattern. It was amazingly detailed and professional from the dropped shoulder seams to the hemmed edges. There was a lot of finishing on this sweater but the end product is well worth it. I must admit that I cursed every buttonhole that I had to graft together (I hate grafting!!!!) but they do look very polished.


The yarn is gorgeous! I really loved knitting with Fez. It is very soft and very warm. I think my only complaint about it would be that it got a slight halo after I blocked it and it doesn't show off the stitches as well as before it was blocked - and I am hoping that it doesn't fuzz up anymore than it already has. I originally ordered the St-Denis Boreale, which is the yarn called for in the pattern, but the color was completely off so I needed to go in search for an alternative.

This was the first man-sweater that I knit and it actually didn't take me as long as I feared that it would. I was aiming to have this done for my husband's birthday in mid-October and I was done with the knitting by then but it was all the finishing that took me a bit longer to complete it. The only mod I made was that I added 4 inches to the length - yes, my husband is tall! I am really happy with the way this turned out and my husband really likes it.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sunday Stroll

My son and I take a walk around town together almost every day (weather permitting) but today was such a totally beautiful sunny fall day that I thought I would take my camera along. I thought I would share some of my pictures with you. I hope you enjoy!