The Knitting Maevan

Because I'm stuck at work, I figured I'd post what I could (no images for now, sorry!). Oh, and I've decided that this is the summer of no-comments. Is it just me, or is everyone pulling in really really low (if any) comments this past month?

I recieved a FANTASTIC package from my secret pal! It's a package o' sock making :) I'm super excited. I should post a picture once I get home tonight. She spoils me so much! :) Meanwhile, I'm going to be sending my recievee secret pal a gift on Monday. It's muchly belated, but I hope she likes it all the same :)

In other news, I so desperately want to do this. I could even brush up on my Russian for the trip! Stupid no-money.

In my knitting desperation, I've been working on the Backyard Leaves scarf from Scarf Style. Holy the crap, the chart has me confused. I think I'm going to have to sit down with Lis today and get her input. Otherwise, I'll have to wait for the guidance of The Ladies at the next meetup. I am completely lost. Meanwhile, the Knit Picks Andean Silk is the most lovely stuff I've ever worked with. Ever.

In the mean time, I've had to busy myself with something, so I picked up an unlikely trust from March. Lucky is back, and man, am I ever enjoying working with something other than mohair for a bit. Cotton is so crisp! So clean! So not fuzzy! Unfortunately, I am the tightest knitter I know, and it was even worse a few months ago. My hands are killing me! I had to rip back about an inch and a bit, as I got a little slack last time I worked on it. I guess the decreases threw me off, as I screwed them up, and the lace pattern as a result. I couldn't let that sit, so I had to restart. Now, my decreases are all sorted out and the lace is working nicely. Good times. Sadly, I'm still a little unsure about this pattern. I mean, it looks fabulous in the book but I have a few concerns: 1. Do I really want a rose/peach wrap? 2. The finished Luckys that I've seen don't seem to fit well on anyone. They all seem baggy in all the wrong places, and they seem to sit on the shoulders funny. Anyone else notice this? I just don't want to put all that time into something as tedious as a lace sweater in cotton on 4USs, only to never wear it due to fit... I dunno. I still love it, so I may hope for the best and keep going. I have a feeling its going to be slow no matter what. AS mentioned here by Diana at Streets and YOs, it's something to work on when you have the time. It is definately NOT a quick knit.

Meanwhile, I'm starting to get knitter's ADD. It's a selfish ADD too! I don't really feel inspired to work on much for anyone but myself... well, I have a couple of projects for other people lined up. The SB Poncho, a sccret felting project and two Christmas gifts I've already picked. I don't want to give too much away yet, as the people who are set to recieve them may peek at this from time to time... I'll post sneaky pictures from time to time. Bwa. Anyway, I'm only really inspired to work on one, but I can't! I need to get my hands on some blue alpaca cloud, or at least some kind of soft and sleek laceweight in a nice light to royal blue. I have to wait for the next knit picks order *pout*.

Anyway, the selfish knit I'm interested in is, once again, from the Rebecca 29. I'm inspired by this lovely lady. Her Wide Collar Sweater is STUNNING! I want one just like it :) Honestly, her's turned out so much prettier than the one in the mag itself. I think it would be perfect for the fall. We'll see ;) I kind of wanted to work on a cardi sweater with a zip up the front to replace my store bought baby that I've been living in for a few years now. Of course, there is also all the lovely things I wanted to make in the last Interweave. Oh, what is a slow and poor knitter to do?

Time to summerize:

WIPS
-Beckie Cardi
-Lucky
-One Skein Wonder
-Backyard Leaves scarf

Selfish Projects to come (maybe)
-Cabled sleeve shrug
-Sweater with Wide Collar
-Phoebe poncho
-Elizabeth Scarf
-Lelah

Gift Projects to Start
-SB Poncho
-X-Mas Gifts:
.Felted Secret project
.Lace Secret Project
.Big 'uns Secret Project
.Mittens
-Pat's Hat
-Pat's Sweater

Misc Other Projects
-Straight + Circ needle cases for me
-Gift needle case
-Gift knitting bag
-Halloween costume

In other words, I really should get to work. O_o