Monthly Archives: October 2008

FO – Liesl the Long

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The Merc was having a big sale and I found some very nice and soft Misti International Pima Cotton on sale. I bought up 2 skeins of the black to make a longer Liesl to be worn when it is cooler out. Liesl the long had her debut at the boy’s best friend’s wedding September 6. I finished it just in time to wear to the wedding. :) Alas it took me almost a month to get around to taking some better shots. So now she is officially done. Well except for the clasp that I bought to sew on the top that I haven’t sewn on yet. I rather like how this turned out. :)

Liesl the long from the front. Funny thing is it’s really only early dusk.

Description: Liesl the Long
Pattern: Liesl by Ysolda
Yarn used: 2 skeins Misti International Pima Cotton/Silk Colorway Black 50 (83% cotton, 17% silk) 100 g / 191 yds
Care Instructions: Hand wash
Needle Size: 7.0 mm
Modifications: I copied off Cassady on Ravelry and knit it without the purl ridges below the yoke.
Finished Size: 34″ size
Date Started: 8/29/2008
Date Completed: 9/4/2008
Notes: I made the high neck, down to my hips (ish) and sleeves a bit longer than the elbow.

Leaning up against the tree in our backyard

From the side. It’s really not that dark outside. :)

Closer up detail of the lace pattern.

Close up of the lace pattern from the back.

Non FO – Love Sweater

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Well I should have had an FO for you today. A glorious testament to bulky yarn big needles fast knitting. However, even after buying an extra ball to make up for the boy’s lengthy limbs, I still ran out of yarn. I ran out of yarn with 10 measly rows left on the sleeve and that’s including the BO. Sigh. Now I must go rustle up another ball of this wayward and discontinued yarn. Maybe next Friday I will be able to show you the real FO. Until then, on to the neckwarmer, christmas socks, christmas gift, and the other myriad of items on the needles.

Socktoberfest 2008

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I have decided to take part in this year’s Socktoberfest. If you would like a little insight into my sock making history I have the questionnaire I answered over in the Ravelry group.

  • I started making socks in August/September 2006.
  • The first pair I cast on for Socktoberfest will be my seventh pair. Not counting 1 or 2 pairs of baby booties.
  • I learned how to knit from my first LYS A Good Yarn. Lorraine was an awesome teacher and taught me how to knit in the round on 4 dpns, 2 circs and magic loop. Then she let me pick whichever method I preferred. It was great that I was introduced to all of the methods so that now over time I can switch ‘em up as I choose.
  • My first pair is in my projects as Grandmas Socks. Basically I had a bet going with my grandmother that I could learn to knit and complete a pair of socks before she finished the afghan she was working on. Unfortunately we weren’t able to finish our bet because she passed away the day of my second or third class. I do however have the afghan she was working on. Just bound it off from where she finished. As for the socks I finished them and they seem to be holding up fine. They are big and thick so I only wear them during the winter time.
  • I have never learned to crochet socks although I have seen some gorgeous ones. I do knit my socks on magic loop now two at a time. I would love to go back to DPNs once I learn how to count. :) I heard a rumour there is a way to knit two socks at once on DPNs. If anyone can show me how to do this I would be much obliged.
  • Oh and I live in Ohio now. O-H (I-O) U! :)

For Socktoberfest I have decided to work on my mental WIPs. I cast on a pair of socks this weekend for someone’s Christmas present…the ones that I mentally cast on back in oh, March I think it was. Wait no that’s not right, I bought the yarn for these socks like 3 trips to Germany ago so last November. Sigh.  Once I finish this sweater I am going to cast on a pair for me and a pair for the boy so that hopefully I can start making progress on those in my “spare time”. I am seriously considering stashing pairs of socks around the house so no matter where I am sitting I have one to work on.

WIP Wednesday – Love Sweater

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When we meant to Maryland Sheep & Wool this year the boy found some yarn that he rather liked. It happened to be on pretty good sale – a discontinued “boring” color. Score one for the home team! So I went ahead and bought all they had left (6 balls). Then when we got back home I ordered 2 more balls from WEBS to ensure that I had enough yarn for his long torso. As of 22.30 tonight the whole body is knit and all I have left is to pick up and knit the sleeves. I cast it on Sunday evening. :) Guess who’s a rather happy girl? And the even happier boy? Well he’s modeling the sweater for you:

Taken after work. He’s hiding from the camera.


And now he’s sticking his rump out. The back and front are now connected and the neck is bound off.

Oh yes and a snippet of last night’s conversation as I was measuring out his sweater:

the boy: I am glad you found knitting. Otherwise you would probably drive me crazy.

me: I wish you would find a hobby. ;)

Yarn Dyeing Party

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So Saturday I hosted a yarn dyeing party for my local knit groups. It was a ton of fun and there were around 12 people in attendance. We dyed lots of yarn and had a blast. I dyed a skein of DK Superwash merino a lovely shade of green, if I may so say so myself. :) I also worked on a skein of laceweight merino that is currently kind of knotted. Let us not speak of that for a few weeks. Here are the photos of the DK yarn.


I really look forward to being able to dye more. This was a lot of fun! One of the best aspects of the hand dyes is that I can finally get the shades that I want for the men in my life. The boy (especially), my dad and brothers (to a lesser degree) are not very big into pastels and it seems most of the yarns I find in LYSes have pastel undertones to them. Seeing the deep and vibrant hues that came out of this party made me very happy. :)