On the Needles...

Currently I have 3 active projects on the needles:

• Blue silk poncho
• Hemp/Wool "cocoon"
• Pink poncho for Jennifer

In addition to trying to clear my bookshelves of unread books, I'm trying to clear out my yarn stash, and it is Jennifer's b-day. I also have my "scrapbooking" knitting project that is another attempt to make something out of old yarn -- the French Scarf.

Below are the blue silk poncho and the French scarf in progress:

What's the First Rule of Dyeing?

Wear gloves! But the blue and green didn't seem to leave any color on my hands, why was the purple so bad? It's all gone now.

Used just one packet of each color, so the colors are pretty pale, but I still like the effect. I'm calling the color "heliotrope."

Kimono with Button

Here is the completely finished kimono cardigan -- all knitted, seamed, and buttoned!

via my Flickr photostream

Alpaca Kudzu

As soon as I saw this pattern, I wanted to make it. And I just happened to have some green yarn that had been lingering around. The yarn is West Valley Alpacas Classic DK in a dark green. I used US 8 needles, so the finished shawl is a bit larger than the original version. Here it is: Kudzu!

Block Party!

Since I had the iron out, I used it to steam-block a few of the shawls that I recently finished. This makes them a bit larger and makes the lace pattern really stand out.

From left to right: Wagashi, Wisteria, and Kudzu

Kimono Sweater

Finished! This is "Design #14" by Jenny Watson from the book, Noro Flowers, Book 4. I used Naturally Vero yarn in color #1, Jeweled. The yarn has more purple than I expected, but I am still pleased with the way it turned out. The gauge was right on, and I had a resin button from Stitches West 2010 that looks just right.

The construction of this sweater is unique. There are three rectangular panels for the fronts and back. Then the sleeves and top of the sweater are knit side to side causing vertical stripes. Finally, after sewing the top to the bottoms, you pick up and rib the wide collar. Pretty easy overall, and makes a loose-fitting kimono-style cardigan.

In progress, before under arm seams and button.

Online Sewing Classes

What a cool idea! And this project looks like a lot of fun. Too bad I'm a bit too busy right now. Maybe later this summer I'll have time to learn a new trick.

Solution for Blocking Lace

The Block and Roll reviewed in The Knitter's Review here: Knitting Needles and Tools Reviewed might be just what I need. I just don't have the space to lay things out without dogs getting involved. I've been thinking about a blocking system that I could size and fold to store...just need to make a prototype.