December Resolutions

So, not so much on the current projects list today, but a list of what I have/want to do this month.

First and foremost:
(1) Dad's Vest

This is what it currently looks like. The neck band, as well as the left armhole are just too big. I tried picking up according to my gauge, but somehow that didn't work. It was supposed to have been finished for my Dad's birthday at the end of October. I haven't touched it since the day before his birthday when it became clear that I wouldn't be able to finish.

And I'm determined to finish it before Christmas. Because my parents are not getting anything knitted for Christmas this year, this might actually work.

I need to pick out the cast offs of the bands I already knitted, rip them, pick up the *right* amount of stitches (how much that is I haven't actually figured out yet) and knit the armholes and neck again.

(2) Odessa
The SSEC Operation Reindeer Recognition this month calls for something knit in the colours of the Sami flag. I bought some beautiful Rowan Cashsoft DK in red, along with some red beads that I've been meaning to knit into Odessa, so this is finally a good chance to get started on that (even if it means starting yet another project).


(3) Scrolls Socks
I fell in love with this pattern the first time I saw it and already started the socks.

They are knit in SWTC's Tofutsies, colourway Get Your Feet Wet. Even though the yarn is multi-coloured the pattern is really distinct and the colour changes only add character, not obscure the pattern. So I really think it won't be a problem to finish these. :)

And I absolutely love the yarn. I was a bit weary at first, because it seemed very, very thin, but I'm getting an amazing mileage out of this and the sock is simply so soft and thin and scrumptious that I want to touch it the whole day. Only small problem is that it smells a bit weird, but I hope a good wash after knitting will change that.

Oh, and yarn count from last month was 23.11 miles and as of yesterday I'm down to 22.76 miles! Since I only count the yarn as knitted up when the whole project is finished, if when I finish Dad's Vest that will absolutely blow my numbers through the roof. Should be more of an incentive... :)

Toting Bags

It figures that as soon as I join the SSEC I start knitting basically anything but socks. :)

I've been meaning to try felting fulling for a while and finally found a project that I think I'll actually get use out of. It's the Teeny-Tiny Felted Tote, although mine won't be quite as tiny, because I do want to get some use out of it.



I'm a mix between process and project knitter, so while I do want to try out new techniques, the result also has to be practical for me. And with 3 skeins of SWT Karaoke, compared to one skein of Noro Kureyon, I figure this will be just big enough to work as a small project bag for my desk, so I won't have my knitting lying around all the time. The colour is Wild Cherry and it's a very subtely varigated yarn.

It's knit on 5mm needles and I'm already well into the third skein, so I'm pretty happy with how quickly it's going. It's perfect phone conversation or reading knitting, so I usually get a few rounds done every day.

I also have an incredible itch to start new projects. I got Knitting New Scarves by Lynne Barr a few days ago and am simply itching to try one of those out. I actually have five of them in my Ravelry queue, something that I'm falling more in love with by the day, btw. It finally gives me the feeling that I can actually work through my stash, not only by telling me how much yarn I have (23.1 miles as of November 13th), but also finally is a way for me to see (and therefore use) all the wonderful yarn I have in my stash.

Still Alive...

... and still knitting.

Summer was just hectic and full of stuff like moving (twice!), working and pretending my Dad's Vest didn't exist. It's now 3 days past his birthday and the f***** still isn't done. I was on the home stretch, did the neck band, did one armhole band... and realised that there is no way in hell either of those fits. Way too large even though I measured the length with a piece of yarn and picked up stitches exactly according to my swatch. I still gave it to my dad, just took it back with me so I can finally get it done (hopefully before Christmas -- also, my parents are so not getting anything knitted for Christmus -- nu uh, no way). Also, no photo, because really depressing.

In better news, I'm finally on Ravelry (Honey) and I'm absolutely orgasmic about all the organising options. Still have a way to go with my stash and projects, but I'm getting there. :D

I have also joined the SSEC and hope to finally get control of my sock stash. Because this was one thing I realised while putting up yarns on Ravelry - I have a hell of a lot of single skeins of sock yarn.

So I'm currently working on two pairs, one is almost done, the other about half-way. First the Child's First Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks in Regia Bamboo.



I'm absolutely in love with the pattern. It's incredibly easy and intuitive and once I did a few rounds it was easy to see which stitch had to come next without consulting the pattern. Of course, now I've been stuck just before the second cuff for weeks, but I'm still hopeful to get this done before Christmas.

Then there is my TV/DVD/car knitting in the form of simply stockinette socks in Regia Color.



My standard 2.5mm needles, but a bit of a deviation for me. I am actually using 2 circs. I usually hate them, but I got the new Addi Lace from Get Knitted and am just so happy with them. The join is incredibly smooth compared to the Inox circs I'm using as my second pair and the tip is verrrry nice. :) Already got some more in 3mm and 3.25mmm.

And then I also found some yarn, whose colours simply took my breath away: Lang Yarns Mille Colori. This is a mix of pink, orange and purple and I'm looking forward to every colour change.

What I'm knitting with it?



Finally something to fill my craving for entrelac: Danica. Only in one colour and with a very different yarn. I'm pretty pleased with how it's turning out so far.



And I think I bought enough yarn to knit a hat in entrelac as well. So no matter how bad the weather gets here, I'll always have something bright to look forward to wearing.