She DOES Knit!

Well, it looks like I am the victim of Typepad problems.  The posting ahead feature did not work today and I had to publish it myself.  I hope there is hope for Typepad!  The following is todays (re)scheduled post. Happy reading.

There is so much more to say about the spinning going on around here, but after a bit of a drought, there is much to say about knitting, too.  First, the Japanese Vines scarf is finished and she was one enjoyable companion.  The yarn was heavenly to knit and there was no noticeable color change between skeins (as often happens with hand dyed).  The Artyarn Ultra Merino 4 is soft, nicely dyed, drapes beautifully and has nice stitch definition. I shall be using it again.

The Japanese Vines pattern is nicely written, easy to do and easy to remember. It's also very entertaining knitting.  The pattern looks fine with a yarn that has a little color change and a light blocking kept the edges wavy.  The scarf would also look good with a hard blocking if that's more to your liking. I wouldn't mind knitting this pattern a second time. Maybe I have become a scarf knitter after all.  As someone said, scarves are the new socks…maybe so!

There has been a little trouble in Mudville, however. The big problem project is Shetsoie.  She is a trying companion in that she is moody, often pouting and difficult to handle. Because of her unwilling nature, it wasn't very smart of me to try and change her. Moody projects do not like change. All I wanted to do was add one more section of garter stitch and she has thrown a fit over it.  Nothing I do will make her happy and she has been in time out over her antics. She will not be frogged. I remain hopefully. It would have been nice to have a finished project for PS Elements Earth, but I guess I've failed at knitting Earth.  Let's hope I can do a better job of knitting Air and I do have a special project in mind. (More later.)

After being misused by Shetsoie, I retreated into a simple project, one that will allow me to be Alpha and won't mind a few changes.  The Fitted Cardigan in Louisa Hardings book, Modern Classics, is elegant, simple and should be a perfect summer cardigan.  It will be great with jeans while dining in the mountains on cool summer evenings, or it can be dressed up and taken out for a night on the town. (Pearls anyone?)  Going with what you know is the best way to get back on track. I will be the boss of my knitting (or die trying).

The knitting has been easy even with my changes (lengthening), but the road to get to this point has been bumpy.  The first sweater planned for this yarn, a pullover, never got off the ground.  When a project just sits and doesn't ask to be cast on, one must realize it isn't meant to be.  The second sweater grew only an inch. Very quickly it was obvious the process just wasn't going to be enjoyable (who knows why one project does that and not another).  This little red cardigan fit the mood bill from the first stitch, and it now happily sings along. This is the first time I've worked with Cotton Fleece and, so far, it's a good experience. Hurray for success.

Summertime and the knitting is easy.

Comments

[susan]

I've been happy with the sweater I made from Cotton Fleece. Although the elbows do stretch a little.

[Jocelyn]

I love Artyarns! You were lucky to buy all the yarn at once, though. As you might expect, the dyelots can be radically different (ask me how I know).

[CindyCindy]

Your Japanese Vines scarf is so pretty. I love the nuance of color. As for Shetsoie? She best sit in time out and think about her transgressions. The bitch. Oh, and I love your new project. It's so bright and pretty!

[Stitch-n-Snitch]

I'm glad your Artyarns worked well for you. I had issues with it pooling in a major way with anything I made.

[claudia]

Knitting is good and all, but I could do with more Max pictures. So cute.

[Carole]

I love that new scarf - off to add it to my queue!

[Wool Winder]

Such a pretty scarf! And, I like the red cardigan. You can't go wrong with a classic pattern like that. I think I need to add that book to my library.

[Knitnana]

That Harding book just JUMPED into my cart! Thanks for the tip...I might make a sweater, yet!
:)
I like the "in the zone" feature of plain and simple knitting...haven't had a lot of that and thanks for the warning on Shetsoie
(((HUGS)))

[Marcia Cooke]

I love the Japanese Vines scarf, but I REALLY love that pin! Leslie Wind? With my summer silversmithing class coming up, I want to make shawl pins (says she who has yet to make a shawl) and rings.

[Kim]

Your red cardigan is perfect! I love simple sweaters like this one. It should be an easy, soothing knit for you :-)

[Kim]

...and that book just jumped to the top of my list. It is fabulous!

[Anne B.]

The scarf is pretty (and scarves are the new black, socks, and everything else) and what a pretty pin.

[Nora]

Love the scarf, and the cardi pattern! Looks like typepad woes are viral... hope they get their act together soon.

[--Deb]

This last week or so? SO glad I switched away from Typepad!

[Tan]

As usual, you are a terrific source of amazing patterns. Is Shetsoie too small without the extra garter stitch section?

[Cheryl S.]

"Modern Classics" jumped into my KnitPicks cart yesterday and helped me reach the $50 mark for free shipping. I'm sure the cardi will be a trouble-free knit.

[Hillary]

I'm working with Cotton fleece too and I like it more than I expected to. Your new scarf looks lovely.

[Nancy J]

I've just finished a top in cotton fleece, It did split a little while knitting at times, bit it's a comfortable top. (Or, has been comfortable for the try-ons!)

[Chris]

Bad Shetsoie. No biscuit.

You aren't the only one complaining about the "new" Typepad...

[Teyani]

Your Japanese Vines scarf is gorgeous.
And I really had a good chuckle about you describing "moody" projects. I have a few of those laying around as well. Something about the yarn having an "attitude", isn't it? (grin)

[elizabeth]

I need to add Modern Classics to my Amazon wish list - I LOVE the Panel Jacket and I could really see myself wearing a lot of the patterns.

That ultramerino scarf looks soooo soft!

[Beth S.]

Oh, wow! That Japanese Vines pattern is much prettier than I had thought... or maybe it's the lovely pin that sets it off? :-)

I'm sorry about Shetsoie, but confident that you will be able to solve the problem when the circumstances are right for working on it.

[Cookie]

Japanese Vines is lovely.

I'm sorry TypePad is acting up for you. Although, I also think it's about time. *L*

XO

[Laurie]

Japanese vines is stunning!

[Rachel]

The scarf looks lovely! and the cardigan too.
Maybe you should put the Shetsoie in the fiber stash for awhile, that my make scare the hell out of her and make her start to behave, no? :)

[Lucia]

Knitting Air has me thinking of lace... and so does your lovely scarf. You're a knitter of whatever you want to knit!

[Judy]

I have been enjoying that pattern. What a fun knit! Needle size and stitch are easy on the eyes and hands, the pattern is fun to watch grow..!! Beautiful job.

[kathleen]

The scarf is lovely and the stitch definition is perfect!!

[Anne]

LOVE the scarf! Yummy colors and Romi's (it IS Romi's, yes?) pin looks great with it.

[Suzanne]

Love the scarf. I saw a partial one knit up at MASS Sheep and Wool. I bought that pattern after seeing yours and it does look like a fun knit.

[Cathy in Va.]

A little late saying so, but I really enjoyed yesterday's spinning post. You and Emmylou do nice work. :)

[Rachel H]

Just a gorgeous scarf! I'm looking for something like that. Hmmm, maybe another project to add to the list!

[Birdsong]

What a lovely, airy scarf! I actually wear a lot of scarves, including silk ones to start out almost every chill summer morning, so they are as valuable to my daily life as socks and as much in need of variety... knit on. I do think you will be very happy with a cardi made from Cotton Fleece, both in the making and the wearing. A nice, accomodating, well-behaved yarn.

[Cayenne]

Your Japanese Vines scarf is beautiful! I am always amazed at the wonderful patterns you find.

[Kelly]

The scarf came out gorgeous. Now I can't wait to start mine but alas I have too much on the needles already so it's going to have to wait.

[Monika]

Ah, the Japanese Vine scarf looks lovely! I have the stitch pattern in one of my stitch pattern books. I think I'll be making one in the future too.