I'm WIP'd

When I'm AFK, these have been OTL ...

I recently finished felting my Rowan Bag (PDF pattern link) and it turned out wonderfully. I was stressed about getting a skinny deep bag that wouldn't be very useful. I love the rounded bottom. The bright stripes are going to make it a perfect summer purse. Now that I know I'm going to use it a bunch, it's time to line it with some pockets and add a button-loop closure.

And it's back to the skinny-yarn sock! I've been working hard on this for the past couple months. I want to have one sock to prance around in. Now that I can see the heel outside of the loom area, it seems to be going faster. I do wish my feet were smaller though. I'll probably pull a "Barbara" ;-) and knit with some different sock yarn for #2. They don't have to match and I want to play with some new sock yarn.

Speaking of projects that take forever, I feel like I've had this yarn that long. I forged ahead with my V-neck sweater. I paired a light purple alpaca (from Zoe) with a dark purple sparkly soy/wool-blend yarn (from last year's Stitches). Since the dark yarn is a thick and thin, the yarns together create a marbled knit effect.

But I discovered a significant downside of switching the twisted-knit stitch (e-wrap, single stitch) to the flat-knit stitch. The back of the sweater covers about half my back. The pattern is labeled as a XL so it should otherwise fit. The length is perfect!

So here's my crazy plan. For the back, I'm going to knit another panel just like this one. Then I'll seam them together and cross my fingers that a middle seam won't bug me back there. For the front, I'll make the knit panels in the same size. But I will add some ribbed edging on one side of one. When those get seamed together, I will overlap the front seams and make a fake button band as a decorative element. And when I overlap, I can fit the sweater to my liking because I'm sure I'll have a couple inches to spare. Am I nuts? Here's hoping the arms go a bit more smoothly!

Maybe the color purple is cursed for me. What a terrible thought! I'll never think it again. But here is a sock who will never have a mate. I tried a wyif (work yarn in front) pattern for the leg and that part was fun. In the end though, I learned to never, ever try knitting a slipper sock with a roving-like yarn again. NO stretch. Plus the yarn started to break during the kitchener toe. He will hang on my loomy wall as a reminder.

I haven't forgot the shop in all this. Here is a peek at a drawstring bag I'm making for you. I had 50 yards of some gorgeous handspun yarn by Traveling Rhinos. I've loved it for two years but never could think of the perfect pattern for such little yarn. The wool is a bit too rough for items that touch the skin. But a resilient little bag? Perfect match! Watch for it soon.

I have one more WIP and FO but they are secrets so shhh ... they will just have to wait.

Twilight knits

So Buffy's evil nemesis in the Season 8 comic book series is called Twilight. Hmm ... Being a fan of both pop culture crazes, that makes me grin just a bit. Anyway ...

I gave in to my Twilight tendencies and paired up for a recent swap in the Ravelry forums. I chose Team Edward and made a Team Jacob friend. Our mission was to make something that the other could wear to the Eclipse premiere, plus include a pattern and yarn, and some extra goodies.

I started off by loom-knitting a pair of Alice mitts, a pattern inspired by the mitts the vampire pixie wears in New Moon. But I chose a wolfy yarn color to stay true to Team Jacob.

My partner, dragonpink, also had this Bella-inspired bracelet in her favorites list. With some research, I found out that the bracelet that Bella actually wears has St. Jude buttons all around. I could not find those so I settled with shell buttons. I knit the bracelet band in seed stitch and left a hole for a button. Then I sewed on many, many buttons. I loved this so much I might make one for myself!

Since my knits were so simple, I threw in lots of extra yarn in dragonpink's favorite colors with a few Twilight movie-inpsired patterns. I found out what her favorite snacks were and bought a few New Moon trinkets (since Eclipse merchandise wasn't out yet). And to top of the Team Jacob theme, I included a New Moon dreamcatcher, made from a kit on Don't Worry Be Hippie's Etsy shop.

In turn, I was a lucky gal this week to get this loot in the mail. My partner crocheted me this gorgeous scarf inspired by Edward's bronze eyes and pair of book cover-inspired fingerless mittens. She also made some cute earring/stitch markers with red and black beads. Some jewelry, stickers and a cute drawstring bag completed the package of awesome.

Scarves for summer?!

Are you a closet scarf addict? I know at least one if I don't count my knitty friends so I'm sure more are out there. Winter scarves are likely stored for the season. But just because it's a bit balmy out during the day doesn't mean the cool breezes won't blow at night, on the beach — or in your A/C-overloaded office.

Check out my Etsy shop for three lightweight scarves for such situations! And they are brought to you by a new decorative dressform from my friend Shana ...

The newest addition is a super-soft airy scarf. I knit it up with a cotton-blend yarn in greens and whites.

The next two — Tidepool and Seashell — are priced to move. These fun furry scarves are perfect for the little girl who likes to play dressup. Or for the adult who wants to add a touch of whimsy to her outfit. They are a little warmer than the first scarf but still perfect for a cool summer day.

Speaking of new toys, I also got this nifty head form from Loops & Links, too. Now I can hone in on the three-headed mutant demographic.

In the meantime, they are just the right size to model my children's hats — like the Pink Monster.