Mojo hunting

Not much crafting has been done these past few weeks.  Between the stress and aggravation of being an unwilling nurse and the freaking heat, my time and mojo have been MIA.  Sad, that.

When I did knit, I began knitting on “Set-In Sleeve Seamless Sweater with V-Neck” from Spun Out #21.  I swatched and calculated and started knitting my sweater.  I knit 2×2 rib for 1″ and then hit the road with stockinette in the round.  Perfect mindless knitting.  Unfortunately, after knitting up the first skein I couldn’t keep ignoring the fact that the 1″ of ribbing kept flipping over like a taco (I”m hungry so all metaphors will be food related).  Well that can be blocked, it’s wool after all.

Nope, that was stinkin’ thinkin’.  Why not just do it properly and rip out the knitting and knit a longer bit or ribbing?  Why not indeed, so that is what you see in the most boring picture of a WIP ever.  I’m knitting ribbing. <yawn>

I did come across two very cute patterns though.  One is Marin by Ysolda Teague.  Isn’t it pretty and totally not lace?  I’ve kind of taken against the all lace extravaganzas since I don’t think they’re wearable for me.  Also I live right by the Marin Civic and it puts me in a homey frame of mind.  I purchased the pattern immediately but don’t have any suitable yarn to start that project.

When researching some patterns for the gorgeous Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace skein from my swap partner Kat, I came across this pretty scarf pattern.  It’s Utsukushii Wrap by Jennifer Dassau.  It’s just the right blend of lace and not lace for my taste.  Plus it’s super pretty!  And it’s a freebie!  What’s not to like?  I’ll try to finish my current sock-as-travel-project before starting the lace, but this Utsukushii looks like good travel knitting.

I may feel the mojo stirring, or it could just be the wine…

Many exclamation points

What you see pictured is my swap haul from my partner Kat at The Very Best Jumper!  I know!  I want Kat as my swap partner every damn time!

Kat and I both knit as well as sew so she included an amazingly pretty skein of laceweight (Scrumptious Lace by Fyberspates) in a very appropriate burgandy color (burp!).  Rav pattern trolling has commenced.

In the sewing arena are two very cute patterns that I amazingly hadn’t yet owned.  I thought I’d found all the cute patterns already, but Kat found TWO that got away from me.  Then we’ll move on to the amazing array of vintage trims and buttons!   There is a black lace trim that is so sweet and the golden ribbon that is begging to be fancy straps on a halter (current idea only – actual use may change).  And the buttons!  I think Kat may like herself some vintage buttons and am thrilled she shared some beauties with me.  They are so precious I’m going to have to spend some time thinking about how to use them to their best potential.  There are two lots of buttons that I consider “focus” or “statement” buttons that will define a piece so those will require a pattern/fabric combination worthy of their loveliness.

Treatwise, Kat included milk chocolate (my favorite kind) from the real Cadbury (so much nicer than the US kind we get here) and sadly for my friends, melon gum that I tend to snap and annoy those around me with.  I shall not share the chocolate.  Swap organizer Kerry also mentioned that we may include a local element to the swap, something that says it’s from your neck of the woods.  Kat chose marmite which made me laugh!…I know what it is but have never tried it.  Honestly, I may still never try it but I’ve got a few years before the jar goes off, and I may pluck up the courage to try it… (I am a bit picky about food – those who know me are laughing hysterically).  Cleverly Kat also included fragrance by London’s own Jo Malone,  who is one of my faves!  That will definitely go before the marmite.

Best of all is an adorable pouch made by Kat’s own hand that’s perfect for a coin purse and included a little felted heart!

Thanks to Kat for being a great swap partner and Kerry for organizing the whole shebang!

What the hell, I finished something!

The past couple of weeks of have been some of the most stressful in memory.  Knitting an easy thing for a few minutes at a time was just about all I could manage.  Luckily, just that little bit enabled me to finish the green version of Something Silver.  Garter stitch is very soothing, no thinking just doing.  I just knit until I ran out of yarn.

The green yarn is from the stash, it’s Lana Grossa Merino Big Superfein.  It’s a nice yarn to work with and it knit up a bit stiff for me in this pattern and needle size.  But when I washed it the drape came out.  Lucky for me I must say.  This style of sweater lends itself nicely to a bit of swing and drape.

The pattern is good, as you would expect from Veera.  Nothing weird or complicated and error free as far as I could tell.  The only mod I made was to make the sleeves a bit shorter since I didn’t have enough yarn.  In fact I knit the pocket backs in burgandy yarn.  It’s actually a cute little detail when it peeps out during wear.

The buttons are from the button box, so this really is a green version of Something Silver.  Sadly, it’s about a million degrees outside so this will be a cardie for after sundown.  Thank you fog!

Knitting bones

It’s been one of those weeks.  Very little crafting has been done.  To use the charming Sophanne’s terminology, Mother of Silvia (MOS) had an accident and landed in the hospital.  So instead of my usual life of working and playing I’ve been Nurse Silvia.  I’m sure many of you know what that kind of stress and worry is like and understand that crafting and concentration desert you.  As an aside I did wear my Cambie to discharge my mom from the hospital, so that was fun.  I think the straps need to be taken up a hair, it’s one of those things you don’t have to do but it would make it perfect if I finally got around to doing it.  Later though.

My only crafty endeavors (other than installing grab bars and changing shower heads) was working on my green version of Something Silver.  I appreciate the soothing quality of garter stitch this week.  I finished the sleeves and they turned out firmly in the 3/4 sleeve camp due to lack of yarn.  My last ball of yarn is being knit onto the bottom to get an acceptable length.  The pockets will have to be a different color (or sewn up and ignored).  I’ve got two other colors of this same yarn to choose from so when I get there I’ll figure out how to put up a poll and let the public decide.  That is unless I don’t like your answer and I’ll play dictator.

Send MOS your healing thoughts and if anyone has any advice or knows of great home health care aides in Sonoma County (or the Northbay) let me know.  Kisses!