Ingjerd is done

So I finished Ingjerd's Shawl this weekend, and I think it looks great! It was fun to knit too. I haven't blocked it yet, but it still looks ok. The edges could use a light blocking but apart from that it doesn't require much finishing. I've also started collecting Knitpicks Options circs. So far I've bought two cables and three sets of needles. Really really wanted to to get the luxury set, but at 700 NOK it was a bit pricey for my tight budget....although I did spend a couple of hundred on some Rowan KSH... It's going to be made into the Birch shawl. With such fine yarn it's a slow knit, and I really have to stay focused not to make any errors (or too many). I miscalculated the amount of yarn for long-tail cast-on, and let me tell you it's not much fun runnig out of yarn a measly 10 stitches short... Grrrr...

Ingjerd status report

Things have really been speeding up on Ingjerd's Shawl...so bad in fact, I couldn't get myself to go to bed before I reached the stripe part of the pattern last night. Looks like I'l be finished in another couple of days. Strange thing though: I thought it was worked from the bottom up, but it appears to be the other way round :-) It's a really simple pattern to work with, and I can't wait to see the finished shawl.

Shawl in the making

Just a short note to let you know I'm making good progress on Ingjerd's Shawl. A guesstimate at having 30% done at this point. The pattern is really easy to follow once I got the hang of it. Had to rip back two times before it ocurred to me to use a row counter though... And I've been using English patterns for so long now, I'm sometimes having difficulties reading the Norwegian instructions! Hehe, go figure. I've also gone up half a needle size from 4.5mm to 5mm mid-pattern, so it's slightly bigger now, but I think it will block out. The yarn I'm using is Evilla (Estonian), and it's got different shades of red mixed with black. So far I'm still working black, so really hoping for some red to appear soon...but it still looks good though.

Summer fun

From this




To this


And this


Eventually it will look like this

Isn't it pretty? I finally plucked up the courage to wind one of my hanks of yarn into a nice ball. Did it all by hand, it took a total of two nights. Now I know how handy a swift can be...need to get someone to fix the old swift that's been lying in our basement for years. It works fine, just need the part that holds it open repaired. DOn't think I'll bother thinking about a ball winder just yet. I just wrapped the yarn around my thumb, and that worked just fine!

In a knitting rut

I'm feeling a little bored with my knitting at the moment. I've started the Ribena and have now reached the stockinette stitch part...and knitting stockinette flat is plain dull! Ordered some new pattern books yesterday that hopefully will give me some fresh ideas to kick my knitting back into place. Hmmm, maybe I should start a new pair of socks? A pair of lace ones? Don't feel like knitting anything too warm or too big right now, but socks could be an easy way to cure this rut.

Spring is here!

And I've turned 30. Had a great dinner with some close friends, and went bar-hopping afterwards. It was so much fun! I have yet to buy fabulous yarn as a gift to myself, but I got 13 skeins of Safran cotton on sale at my favourite LYS. Paid 130 NOK (approx. $20 for the lot), which was more than 50% off. Great! Not sure what it wants to be yet, but I've started swatching for Ribena from the latest issue of Knitty. I was hoping to find some yarn in a similar colourway, but ended up getting the Safran in a nice caramel brown, which would make a nice top for summer. Or I might knit another clover wrap...we'll see.

Lucky clover

My wrap cardi is done! Managed to finish both fronts during Easte holiday. Phew...the worst/most boring part was knitting 62 inches of 1x1 ribbing. Won't be doing that again in the near future! Although I'd love to make another one in a different colour -sometime :-) Next time, I'll knit the smaller size as it's a tad big, but still it's better than it being too small. I've learned so much making this, I'm not scared of knitting more sweaters/jackets in the near future. Now, what to knit next? Still got some socks OTN, but that doesn't really count as knitting...does it?

Hey, I'm back!

For some reason, I've been unable to access my old blog or move to new Blogger, but finally I've regained access. Don't know if I'll keep the new one I've subscribed to, or just keep posting here. But I'll give you a quick update on my knitting. I've finally caught the sock knitting bug and so far made one pair in Opal Crazy, colourway 1900. I never knew self-patterning yarn were so much fun! Didn't bother matching the yarn perfectly so the two socks are slightly different, but I don't think it matters much. I've also bought my first hanks of Lorna's Laces, and OMG is it wonderful! Incredibly soft, and the colours are just gorgeous. The one I got is called Gold Hill. So far I've done a whole pair in Crazy, and a sock and a half in Gold Hill. Easter plan are finishing (or at least working on) the wrap cardi, and starting a pair of knee-high socks.

Look, socks!

They are soooo comfortable, I want to wear them all the time... They've been for their first ride in the washer&dryer and came out just fine. Well-behaved yarn...
Here's the Gold Hill pair...

Oh yeah, and I got some Estonian yarn too...don't know what I'll do with it yet, but I'll think of something...

SP8 and knitting updates

I've decided to sign up for SP (Secret Pal, for those less familiar with the term) at Knitty and this morning I received my spoilee's details. I've already started thinking of things to send, and she's got a birthday coming up soon, so I guess I'll have my first package on its way by next week! Knitting-wise, I'm making good progress on the clover wrap. I love girly knitwear, and this should be perfect to wear over a shirt or dress for spring and summer. Hopefully, it will turn out looking as nice as the picture :-)

Christmas knitting

I've finally finished the Sonnet -still not set in the sleeves, but I'll get to it eventually -and I had to start a new project straight away. Bought some yarn with money I got for Christmas and started working on a clover lace wrap cardie from S n'B Nation that I've been coveting ever since I got the book. So far I've finished both sleeves and I started the back yesterday. Can't wait to finish it...It's knit in a 4-ply cotton from Garnstudio in a light cocoa brown colour with a hint of lilac...it's gorgeous! Hmmm....already considering making another one in a different colour...