Dangerous Business

I recently finished two projects for my Lys. A baby blanket in Plymouth Heaven Lite...
and a Ribbed Watch Cap in Plymouth Encore.
Knitting for the local yarn shop is dangerous business. Only because I end up spending wayyyy tooo much money there. As if I need more yarn right now. Well, I did have to get some sock yarn to try out knitting with two circulars. I got the book "Socks soar on two circulars" by Cat Bordhi from the inter-library loan, and I couldn't wait even one day before trying it. So when I dropped off these two projects I decided to splurge on some wonderful sock yarn. And of course I needed two circulars. I've never had Addi turbos before. I got one 24" lace and one 16" nickel-plated in size 2. I broke one of my size 2 dpns so I should've gotten more of those... I guess I can just finish my tofutsies short socks on two circulars now. But I had to try out my new yarn first. I got one skein of Lana Grossa Mielenweit Fun & Stripes in Blue, Orange and Green. I cast on last night for the Basic Socks in 2x2 ribbing. Knitting on two circulars is really easy - the only part I needed the book for is to know how to do the beginning join. Although, I do love the book - there are some inspiring designs in it. At this point I don't know whether I'll follow the directions exactly or use the sock construction techniques I learned from "Sensational Knitted Socks." I also splurged on 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shephard sock in a pretty blue/green and purple combination that my son picked out. Because I had my son with me I also had to get something for him. He was begging me for the knitted cord maker. It's a little tricky to start but he's having fun cranking out cord and knitting along with Mommy.

Bob

I've been thinking that It's been a while since I knit myself a sweater... I've been knitting so much for other people I thought it was high time I made something for myself. A long sleeve sweater is somewhat of a commitment, though - i usually get bored with large projects and move on to something else. Besides, wasn't it like 70 degrees yesterday? Not quite sweater weather. Then I found this pattern for "Bob" with Short-sleeves. It's knit in the round - seamless! with waist shaping and those raglan sleeves that I love -okay, there is a little seaming... So I cast on with some yarn i had (Caron simply soft) just to get a feel for the pattern and sizing - if I like it maybe i'll make another with nicer yarn. I'm not super crazy about the rib pattern on the yoke - but I'll give it a try. Sometimes I think I totally hate a design element and I fall in love with it afterwards. Go figure. Right now I am working on the front raglan shaping. I think in about a week I'll have a new Spring sweater to wear.

Itty Bitty Alligator Scarf

My son has a new friend to add to his knitted toy collection. When I got the Baby Alligator Scarf kit from Morehouse Farm I was so eager to cast on that I didn't bother to check gauge. Besides, gauge really isn't that important with scarves, right? Well, it is if you want the scarf to be the right length. The scarf dimensions are supposed to measure 4 1/2" W x 36" L. Mine measures 3 1/2" W x 30" L. When I bought the kit from the website, I also ordered the recommended needle, size 5. The actual pattern recommends size 5 OR 6. I tested for gauge afterwards and finally did achieve gauge with size 8 needles. Here you can see the difference...

Trouble is, I don't like the scarf at that gauge. I actually like the firmness I get with the size 5 needles, and the skinniness of the gator does not offend me - so what I think I will do, since I have plenty of yarn left over from the kit, is rip out the tail portion and knit it to the appropriate length. I think I may hold off on this until next fall, because right now it is a cute toy... and it's no longer scarf weather here.