There and back again

It's not really a Hobbit's story, but I was gone! Then I came back! I went to Kentucky to my cousin's wedding last week, and just didn't have time to update my blog before I left. I have two FO's to show you, that I finished before I left, and three more I started since then. At least 12 hour trips are good for something!
I suppose I will start with the oldest FO today. Not this past Friday, but the Friday before that, I finished my Wiccan sweater!

Name: Wiccan Sweater
Pattern: Niobe: Lacy bell-sleeve pullover from French Girl Knits
Yarn: Gedifra Fashion Trend Color, 6 balls
Needles: Knitpicks Options Interchangables, size 11
Notes: This was a really quick knit. Wow. 7 days quick. Big yarn and big needles are fun sometimes! Of course, I have to wait until October to wear it, since it is crazy warm, but that's seems to be the way the yarn barfs. Sigh.

I knit the largest size in the book, and did not add any length or short rows to the bust because I was really worried about having enough yarn. I'm glad I didn't because I *just* squeaked in under the line. I have about 6 yards left, and tails. I really did knit this sweater on the edge. (Ok. The proverbial knitting edge, but it's still an edge) I had six balls of yarn, no clue as to the dye lots, and no clue of the yardage. I wasn't even totally sure they were complete balls. I bought the yarn on clearance at A.C. Moore about 4 or 5 years ago - pre understanding dyelots. I liked it, but had no idea what to use it for. Along came the book "French Girl Knits", and I knew I had a match for my yarn!
I maybe should have mixed the yarn together as I knit, just to make sure it all looked ok together, and wasn't a dyelot travesty, but I didn't. (Edge - remember?) All in all, I think it turned out pretty nice! There is a dark spot in the yarn at my smallest place on my torso, making it look even smaller (bonus!) The stripes aren't as stripy as they appear in the photos, which is awesome, and the sleeves blocked longer to accomodate my monkey arms. Sweet!

The lacy bits are fun, and not too involved, making this a good "second sweater". Unless you know how to read a chart or have knit other lace in the round, I wouldn't choose this as a "first sweater". The pattern does assume that you know some things about lace and sweater construction. It's not hard, but it doesn't hold your hand either.

Did I mention that it is seamless? Oh yeah.... no seams, baby! If you did this in 100% animal fiber you could spit splice all of your joins, and only have 4 ends to put in! This is my kind of sweater construction.

I didn't get any action shots for you, but I can tell you that it fits great! Knitting by the seat of your pants worked for once! If I could always be so lucky.

WIP wednesday

I NEVER actually do a WIP update on Wednesday. I'm excited to use the alliteration! I am also a dork.

As promised, I am going to catch ya'll up on the goings on in the knitting world of Costumechick. It may not be as exciting as an update on my secret plot to take over the world using my mind control powers and a roll of duct tape, but this isn't my blog about trying to take over the world... or is it?

First up is my Aeolian Shawl:

I'm using Schaefer Andrea in Ash. Oh My God. It's like knitting with angel farts. Love love love it. I do need to get more beads though. I am almost out, and only through the second pattern. I still have the edging, which I understand to have the most beads in the shawl.

The pattern calls for beads throughout. I didn't start them until the last repeat of the first lace pattern - "Agave". I knew this would be a heavy shawl with all those beads, and wanted to cut a few out in a logical way. I think it works ok.

This shawl also has nupps. I don't mind nupps, but others seam to think they are of the devil. Just a fair warning to those wishing to knit it. It is really pretty though, and easy to follow, chart wise, so it's really not as adventurous as it looks. The adventure comes in trying to finish it to wear for a June 6th wedding. I wanted to get it done for a May 30th wedding, but that ain't lookin' likely.

The other project:

Niobe from French Girl Knits. I'm calling it my Wiccan sweater. I knit one sleeve last Friday night, and tried it on when it was about elbow length. The sleeves bell at the cuffs, and Evad said "it looks like those things Wiccans wear."

I said, "what?"

"You know. Wiccans."

"You mean arm warmers? They are a 'wiccan' thing?"

"It's the hangy downy part. They wear them a lot."

"uh huh......"

Then Denise and Beth laughed at us. Anywho, it is now my Wiccan sweater. The yarn is Gedifra Fashion Trend Color, and I only have 300 grams. In theory, this is enough. If not, I'll find some coordinating something for the yoke. This yarn has been in my stash since AC Moore used to sell "good" yarn - like 5 years ago. It was on clearance for super cheap, all tangled in a wad. I unwadded and wound it... and it has sat ever since.

Why did I cast on for a heavy sweater in May? umm... good question. Really, it was because I needed an easy project to knit. I was going to hang out with Beth and Denise on Friday, riding on the train to NYC on Saturday, and going to Massachusetts on Sunday - I needed take along, easy, and not socks. I flipped though French Girl Knits, saw the amount of yarn I needed, thought of the lonely blue Gedifra yarn and cast on. Ta da!

Anyway, three days of occasional knitting and I have two sleeves and most of a body. Woo! I could have busted the rest out last night, or on Monday, but I wanted to work on the shawl, and I need a project for tomorrow at my hair appointment. Beads and nupps do not equal "under the smock" knitting.

Well peeps, that's it. You are WIP caught up. Next installment is all about my Birthday, my presents, and some S.E.X.