a yard too short... twice

Well, more than a yard, actually. Almost 200 yards.

We're going to a wedding next weekend, and I needed a little something to keep me warm in case I get cold in the air conditioned buildings. I fell in love with Trousseau the minute I saw it, and knew it would be perfect. I started out with lace weight, then quickly moved up to sport to make it go a little quicker. I soon knew I wouldn't be able to complete the entire large size with the 2 skeins I had, so I decided to do a combination of the small and large. I just knew I would have enough yarn, so I plugged along. And, of course, I ran out of yarn right before I started the edging. No problem, I thought - I had skein of Knit Picks Telemark that would contrast the yellow well. I was plugging along, binding off, when....

I ran out of yarn again. So I looked through my stash and saw that I had a few skeins of Knit Picks Palette in the same color as the telemark, so I finished the bind off with that. In reality, it's not noticeable, but I couldn't believe I ran out of yarn. Twice.

But, after all that stress, I really like the finished product!

{ravelry link}

I made a few modifications, mainly because of my yarn shortage, but I'm glad I did. This is the perfect size, and had I made the large size, I think it would have been too big. I worked up to the last increase section, then worked one repeat of chart B, then chart C before binding off.

Finally!

It's finished! After basically a year since my first attempt, my Featherweight Cardigan is finished! And I absolutely love it.

It's perfect - open, flowy, lightweight yet warm. I just love everything about it. And the stripes make it fun and give it some color. I'm really glad I added the stripes, too. I think they add a lot.

{Ravelry Link}

I didn't make too many modifications, besides the stripes and knitting my collar in k3,p2 ribbing instead of st stitch. I stopped knitting the increases once I got to 54 arm stitches, which worked out great. One thing I remember from the first time I tried to knit it was that the arms were a little big, so I'm glad I stopped when I did.

I've got 4 other projects to finish up, hopefully in the next few weeks, and then I'm planning on getting a head start on my Christmas knitting!

Featherweight Update

I have, indeed, been working on my Featherweight Cardigan. After last attempt's disaster, I knew it needed to be something I loved to make it through. So I decided on stripes, a bit longer length, and to spice it up a bit, I gave the stripes a little life. Currently, I'm working on the collar - the body is done. Then, all I'll need to finish are the sleeves and give it a nice blocking and it'll be ready to wear! I've got to say - I'm really happy with it so far. Which is obvious, because it really hasn't taken me too long to make - I haven't been able to put it down!

Excuse the iPhone photo - it was all I had with me! Like I said earlier, I gave my stripes a little life. They gradually get wider down the cardigan. I increased each pair of stripes by two rows starting with 10 rows each at the top and ending with 20 rows each at the bottom. The bottom pink stripe is done in k3, p2 ribbing, as is the collar, which I am about a fourth of the way finished with. This is one I seriously can't wait to get off the needles!

What are you working on? I'd love to see pictures!

Saturday Stitches

After two weeks of silence, I'm back with a Saturday Stitches! Missed the last one? Here it is!

Saturday Stitches was inspired by the knitter. It's amazing to see a finished project that totally changes the way you look at the original pattern, and that's what Saturday Stitches is all about - showing off those projects. As always, click on the photo to be taken to the knitter's Ravelry project page, and click on their name to go to their Ravelry page and add them as a friend! All photos are property of the knitter.

This first project didn't necessarily change my mind about the original pattern, but I just absolutely love how gldelx personalized it by adding some of Portland's bridges (it doesn't help that Portland holds a very special place in my heart, as we used to live there and it is my favorite place in the world!) - how awesome is that?

Definitely not sure I would have given this next original pattern a second glance. Not that it's ugly or anything, just not sure it's really my style. But LisaGry's project is making me really consider knitting it. How great does it look on her?

Happy Saturday!!

Summer Craze

Well, summer is here and things have gotten crazy. I thought summer was a time for relaxing? It seems the only ones relaxing around the Sadler house are the kitties.

School ended last Friday, and since then we've driven to Virginia to help Jake's parents move (got lots of knitting done on the way up and back though!);

I got a nice, hip new haircut;

Drove to Georgia for a few days with my mom to stay at my grandparent's house and pick my niece up from the airport;

homegrown tomatoes!

airport waiting

beautiful niece!

And finally, I knitted up a quick and comfy pair of slippers.

{rav link}

All in less than a week. I'm tired. But am slowly settling in to the rhythm of summer. I've got lots on my "to do list" and I can't wait to get started!

FO: Pisgah

This past weekend I was able to finish up the lacy, spring/summer scarf I was working on. The pattern, which I have named Pisgah, is simple and beautiful - I could have been done in just a couple of weeks if I hadn't gotten the 'itis. This is my last week of work, and this will be gifted to the lead teacher I've been working with. She's been a wonderful mentor, and a great friend - couldn't have asked for a better match!

While the scarf turned out fairly wide, by adding one more repeat, I could have made a nice stole. I'm thinking about making another one for myself like that - I love having big comfy knits to wrap around me!

The yarn I used was Araucania Ulmo cotton. I got it on clearance a few years back, and I really enjoyed knitting with it. The cotton makes it perfect for spring and summer and gives it a nice drape.

{ravelry page}

Isn't my mom such a wonderful model? She didn't want to show her face, but she's still beautiful! I'm thinking about releasing a pattern for this, but can't decide... any thoughts?

Startitis

Startitis - 1. the inability to finish a current project without starting another, often resulting in multiple unfinished projects; knitting ADD

That's right, I've got it. It seems I've come down with a heavy case of the 'itis. Startitis, that is. I can't stop starting projects, even though I haven't finished one since before Spring Break. Right now, I have no less than 5 projects on the needles. And all I want to do is start others. I mean, have you seen all the awesome new (well, some of them aren't so new) patterns on Ravelry? Here are some from my recent faves (click the photo to be taken to the Ravelry page):

I mean, can you blame me?

It's unfortunate that I don't have enough time, nor hands, to make all of these things right now. Because that's what I want to do. Help!

(note that none of these photos belong to me, they all belong to the designers/photographers that took them. i take no credit. i am not worthy.)

the color pink

I have always had hatred for the color pink. I'm usually more of a blue, green and purple girl. Yet somehow, two of my most recent projects have had pink or have been some shade of pink, and I currently have two projects on the needles involving pink. What's wrong with me?

{365 day 102}

And I just noticed I'm wearing pink leggings in the above picture. Pink. Everywhere. It's in pictures I've been taking, the things I've been knitting, the clothes I've been wearing. Maybe it's just a spring thing? Or maybe I'm turning into the girly girl I never dreamed I would become (although I'm almost 100% sure that means I have to start wearing makeup, and that's not going to happen. I've tried.).

gloom

it's pretty gloomy outside. We've been lucky so far, and most of the big storms have missed us. However, right now we're under a tornado watch, and the bad weather is quickly moving our way. While I'm not a fan of tornados and all the damage they can bring, I do enjoy a relaxing thunderstorm. So I am hoping the weather dies down enough so there's no damage, but not so much that we don't get a nice thunderstorm. In the midst of all this gloomy weather, I'm bringing bright colors into my life!

I've decided I needed a nice, lacy spring scarf to wear out. The weather during the day is nice enough for a skirt or dress, but it definitely gets chilly here at night, which I discovered last weekend while we were out downtown. So that's when I decided I needed a nice scarf to wrap around me when the evening chill sets in.

It's working up quickly, and I'm hoping it will be finished soon!

What else will help make seem a gloomy day a little brighter? Why, puppies of course! My little sister got a puppy a few weeks ago, and oh my goodness he's a precious one! Meet Cooper:

I may just have to steal him.

FO: Vintage Beach

It's finished! And my mom did an amazing job with the lining and the straps - couldn't be happier with it! Finished just in time for the beach - can't wait to tote it around!

{ravelry details}

Off to pack and clean - I've already got my beach knitting projects planned out, and have plenty of books to read! Can't wait for this break - we both need it!

Pearl The Yarn Destroyer, Part 2

This post is a continuation of a post that I did for Knit & Crochet Blog week. Click here to see the first part

When we last left our fearless knitter, we were all concerned about the fate of the yarn Pearl had destroyed. Would it survive the attack, and live out its dream of being knitted into a gorgeous accessory?

"ouch."

"I've been watching a lot of Grey's Anatomy, maybe I can try a simple surgery and fix it up."

"still ouch."

"Crap, that didn't work. Looks like I'm going to have to call in a specialist - Doctor Winder!"

"Don't worry, ma'am. This should be a simple fix - I'm happy to take care of it."

"Oh dear, this looks worse than I thought. I'm going to need to remove the yarn's guts and try to put it all back together."

"All better! There were a few complications, but all should be fine in terms of recovery. There should be very minimal pilling, and no knots to speak of. All in a day's work!"

"Oh, I'm so happy - thank you Doctor Winder!"

And the best news of all? Pearl The Yarn Destroyer is locked up, and will be for a long, long time.

(or will she?????)

disclaimer: no yarn was harmed in the making of this blog post

2KCBWDAY7 - Knitting Time

Day 7: Your Knitting or Crochet time

I have no clue why, but the title of today's post made me think of this video, and I feel the need to include it:

Anyway, as this is my first time doing KCBW, I've really enjoyed connecting with lots of other bloggers. I appreciate every single comment you all have left, and I really hope you keep coming back to my little blog, as I will be keeping up with all of yours!

Now, on to today's post....

I will admit, I'm a TV knitter. Either TV or music. But for some reason, if it's too quiet, I have a hard time concentrating. And that goes with everything - in college, I could never study unless I had music going, and I've been known to sing along with the music playing while my head is buried in a book. There is, of course, music playing as I type this. My favorite knitting spot is our couch, with a cup of tea and two kitties snuggled up at my side (although it gets a little hard to knit when the cats actually crawl in my lap.... and I wonder why everything I make is covered in cat hair from the time it is finished). Lately, I've been watching the old seasons of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, because it's something that I don't really have to pay attention to. Music-wise, my knitting has been full of The Decemberists newest album, The King is Dead , Horse Feathers, and sometimes I'll stream our local NPR station. I have been known to knit in public, even though people make fun of me, and I almost always have knitting with me in case I need it. My favorite place to knit outside my house is my parents house. They have this great wood stove with a super comfy chair in front of it, and I love curling up there and knitting away.

365 day 38

So, that's it! My first KCBW done! I really enjoyed reading everyone else's blogs, and seriously hope you enjoyed mine as well - come back again soon! And stay tuned for the second half of Pearl The Yarn Destroyer - it will be coming next week! I had so much fun with it, I think it, or something similar, is going to become a semi-regular feature, so be on the lookout!

2KCBWDAY6 - Something to Aspire To

Day 6: Is there a pattern or skill that you don't yet feel ready to tackle but which you hope to tackle in the future, near or distant?

There's not really a pattern that I'm dying to make, but don't think I can. I feel like I'm at the point in my knitting where I can look at almost any pattern and think to myself, "yeah, I can make that.". A skill I need to work on though is designing. So far, all of my designs have been pretty basic - cowls, scarves, hats and fingerless mitts, and it's time to branch out. 

{my edgemont hat design}

I have a notebook full of sketches of sweaters, cardigans, and even a coat - it's time to act on them. I'm about to start designing my first garment, and I will admit, I'm a little nervous. I know it's mostly all about the math, which I totally love, but I'm still a bit intimidated. I have a feeling once I get going, it won't be as difficult as I think, but it's taking that first step that's stressing me out. Just gotta keep telling myself I can do it, right? Because without confidence, we can't do anything!

2KCBWDAY4 - Where are they now?

Day 4 - Whatever happened to your _________?

I've written about my girasole before. 

It was supposed to be a gift for someone else. But about halfway through, I realized that person would never be able to appreciate what all had gone into making this gorgeous blanket, so I contemplated keeping it. Then, in a flash of brilliance I realized who the perfect recipient would be - my grandparents. My grandparents are incredible people. They truly love unconditionally, which I feel is a hard concept for most people these days. My grandmother is a quilter, and my grandfather a woodworker, so I knew they would appreciate the love that went into every stitch of this blanket. They have provided so much love and comfort to those they know in their lives, not only family, but anyone that crosses their path. I hoped that this would provide them with as much love and comfort as they have provided for me throughout my life, and while I know it can't come close, knowing that they sleep beneath it at night makes me feel wonderful. No, this is not used as a lap blanket in my grandparent's house, it is the comforter they placed on their bed so that they could use it every night. I am so fortunate to have them as grandparents.