Best center start yet

This is by far the best center start i've ever done. This, of course is after Lew's tutor at Stitches West.
















However nice, I did not kept this because there's a mistake. Plus I will be using another yarn for the frosted flower pattern but I might consider using this next time (it's the shetland lace weight). I just want to have a record of me being able to produce a good center start in case I am not able to do it again.

Tyrolean Cardigan

3/14/06 Update

Second sleeve is done. Now on to the body. Probably do the back first since it'll be a fast. Now if only I can get myself stop from the sock knitting long enough to cast on for the back...

















3/6/06 Update

Okay, the first sleeve is done. I am following the instruction exactly so I won't need to worry about remember modification and fitting. I know I run the risk of not fitting but I just want to produce a nice cardigan in it's entirety for now. I think starting with the sleeve was definitely not a bad idea. It's much faster (so more encouraging). If I make a mistake, it's not that bad to take it apart and redo it.















On the second sleeve now. It's nearing the cap shaping.

Sock class!

I finished the "sock class" from one of my sock book. It was so awesome!! I've been wanting to do this for so long. I've been buying sock yarns before I can knit socks. This sample help demystify the sock mystery. I learned to pick up stitches, which will be helpful when I try to do the Orenberg shawl.

This was a top down but there are other methods I want to learn. Definitely want to try the toe up method. The Vintage Knitted Socks also explains so many different toes and heel methods. So many things to learn, so little time!





























You can see that I am just not good at Kitchener stitch. The toe area is too bunched up. I want to do a better job...I really do. Just someone show me how!!!

One thing to note about knitting socks...I've been so obsessed with it. It's causing me to do very little of everything else (including eating)

Last note: The toe is red because I ran out of the other yarn....It wasn't intentional.

Fan and Feather Shawl

I got some lace (almost cobweb size) Suri alpaca yarn at Stitches West. They are in three graduating shades of purple. Gene agrees the color scheme will look nice on the Fan and Feather shawl. So I started doing some practice on the bigger yarn. The pattern is so pretty.
















However, when I stated on the real thing...It doesn't look quite the same. Granted I dropped a stitch (upper right hand corner), but is the needle too big for the yarn? From the sample above we know how the pattern will look with a too small of a needle but how would the pattern turn out if the needle is not small enough. Would it look nice and airy like the Cherry Blossom Shawl? Any help is welcome!















I did take it apart because some center stitches are too lose and they look like yarn overs. I'll start it again once I re-decide what needle to use...

Baby sweater for Alexander

Made this sweater for JoMay and Bill's baby Alexander. The under arm kitchener stitches are not good. I just can't get it right for some reason!! (I need to master that for socks) So the sweater looks like it has a seam under arm. I hope the baby won't be too picky.

Contrasting Leg Warmer

Leg warmers are done. I spend some time practice knitting continental style. I am not sure if I like the 12 inch circular needle. One of the joint started to deteriorate. If I do it again, might just stick to double pointed needles.

Finished January 2006
Pattern in Last Minute Knitted Gift
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn from NYC farmer's market (off white and dark rose). Habu Textile's mohair (off white) and Karabella's mohair (cranberry).

Failed first adult sweater

This was an attempt at a sweater from Sarah Dallas' Vintage Knits (Short-sleeved diamond stitched sweater). I misread the instruction and it was increased incorrectly. Give me a break, it was my first attempt at an adult sweater. Couldn't find a graceful way to fix it so I tore the whole thing apart after taking this picture. I might try the sweater again because it's so delicate and elegant but no time soon. I can still feel the scar...

Scarf presents

This was Christmas present for Mark. I knew he likes white and he's probably the only person I know that can keep it clean. He seems to really like it. Wore it on his birthday with his dinem jacket, very cute. I still have the same yarn so I will probably make a hat.














Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted (50% alpaca, 50% merino), Ecru. Two hanks used.
Finished May 2006


This is the scarf made for Lena. The yarn was sooooo amazing at Purl. I couldn't resist it. It's by far the most expensive yarn I bought. Two skeins cost $70 + tax.





























Yarn: Alchemy's Furry Kindness. 70% French Angora, 30% wool. 86yd / 25g. Two skeins used.
Finished June 2006 (temperature was getting a bit warm in NY to be knitting mohair...)

Sweater made by my aunt

This sweater was made by my da-gugu (oldest aunt on my father side). It's a cute vest with trinity clusters in the body.

I remember she used to knit for me when I was young. I didn't appreciate it then but now it brings back good, warm memories.

This proves we have the "knitting gene" in the family :-) She was glad to find that I knit now because she was the only one that knitted in the family. She says Small gugu wants to learn how to knit too.

Simple Mohair Lace Scarf

This was my first lace scarf (also first time working with mohair). It went to Makiyo. She's always so great to me. I know she would not take anything I buy but if it's somehting I made, she cannot say no. She wore this when we went to the City Opera at Lincoln Center. It matched her camel color jacket.