Summer Knitting Round Up (Part 2)

Shawls weren't all I knit this summer... I also did some sweater damage! I finished a sweater that I have been working on since... um... February.

Name: All purpose sweater

Pattern: Fresco Lace Bodice Cardigan

Yarn:Classic Elite classic 150

Needles: knit picks options 3,4,and 5

Notes: Dude. I cabled. You know I HAD to have a sweater if I was willing to CABLE for it. I also bought yarn SPECIFICALLY for it. This adds up to some serious love on my part.

The sleeves are a little long - which is crazy with my monkey arms. They aren't long enough for it to bother me, but it is odd for anything to be long on my arms. Long story short, the cables were totally worth it, and so was begging yarn off people on ravelry to finish it, since I ran out of yarn. I plan to wear it all the time this winter!

I also knit a tank top this summer:

Name: Red Raspberry Swirl

Pattern: Orange Smoothie

Yarn: Ella Rae Bamboo Silk

Needles: Inox size 5

Notes: I started this as a companion project for my "Thursday Night New Haven SnB Chuck Norris Shawl a Long" Shawl. It also happens to be from my book list. It is a fun little pattern, and it easily adaptable to fit a range of shapes and curves. The most challenging part is figuring out what changes you, personally, need to make.

When it was all said and done, I did two sets of short rows at the bust, and made the straps to inches shorter. I also single crocheted the center back cast off, since the pattern didn't call for any kind of finishing, and it wanted to roll like whoa. I wore it a few times, I like wearing it, but the yarn pills up pretty quickly. I'm still happy with it though!

p.s. the saggy boob thing is because my dress form isn't nearly as endowed as I am in the boobage department.

Then, just when you thought I'd be sweatered out, I started another one!

It is based off of a 1910's pattern. I call it "Rose Ate My Sweater". It is currently my "in the dark" project.

and a pair of socks:

Which I decided to knit upside down and without enough yarn. (eyeroll)

Lastly, I made a little cute baby hat.

Aww.

I have to admit, I didn't feel like I was knitting much this summer, but I guess I was wrong!

Summer knitting round up! (part 1)

Part one is all about shawls! I managed to start and complete 5 shawls since the beginning of June. 5!

Homage to Ricky

Lava is Hot, Hot, Hot

Merope in Green

Maia
The latest one is "Frank's Lucky Mom":

Pattern: #10 Beaded Shawl from Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2008
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr in "cinnibar"
Needles: Knitpicks Options, size 4
Notes: My friend, Frank, asked me to knit a shawl for his Mom, for her birthday. She has been lusting after them in the Long Wharf Theatre Gala Silent Auction for several years, but has managed to get outbid each time. (good for the theatre, but bad for her) I talked with him about what he was looking for, what she would like.. you know, like you do. We decided that shiny is good, color is good and not pastel. Right. I don't think that Frank understood how open-ended this project still remained. I sat down in front of the yarn wall with my laptop, and cruised ravelry and my books searching for the perfect pattern. I know Frank's Mom pretty well, and she is not a "flowery" or "geometric" person. She is an exotic person. I was looking for something that felt Spanish, Indian... maybe Moroccan. I knew I wanted beads - or at least charted and easy to add beads. I came up with three top contenders, and after much deliberation, decided on the Vogue shawl based on sheer awesomeness.

It is, for all intents and purposes, a half circle. BUT, it is also squared off. whaaaaaAH? You see, my dear readers, it is three triangle sections, making it a half of a hexagon. It fits like a half circle shawl, AND is squared off at each triangle. This happens because you are increasing on the two center spines and the two outer edges, instead of evenly across on the "pi" rows like you do in a half circle shawl. Maths are good...

Anyway, it is a unique shape, and the motif feels exotic and non-leafy, and it is beaded. Oh boy, is it ever! Literally a bazillion beads. The beading was totally worth it though. It looks so nice. I am proud to hand this over to Frank for his Mom. He is going to get the "best birthday gift" award, if I do say so myself.

The pattern was confusing at first, since the edging is odd... but once I tried it, we were golden. I like that the beads are denser toward the end, making the bottom edging heavier. The half hexagon is awesome, too. It stays on the shoulders without a pin, and is long enough to wrap up and over the shoulder if desired. As a woman with a sizable butt, I appreciate the lack of "arrow at my butt" on this shape shawl, as well. (What woman wouldn't like that aspect?)
All in all, I am very happy with it, and I hope Frank and his Mom are too!
So, I evidently had an ass-ton of knitting time this summer, because part two is just as packed!

Nothing interesting to show you.

I am at the stage in project-land where I have nothing to show for hours and hours of work. I've been slamming through some seaming, and some plain boring knitting, as well as the 7 repeats of the body of the Shawl for Frank's Mom. None which make good pictures, frankly.
I am excited to start the edging of the shawl tonight! It means more interesting pictures for you, and new and exciting knitting for me. I counted last night, and I need 408 beads for the edging. I might need to go shopping for more. I'm going to be really, REALLY close.
I did do one interesting thing today. I made this:

It is a special surprise for Evad. I have no idea if it will be good, since I've never made it before. I'm just trusting Betty that she knows how to make lemon squares.