Sunday Snapshot

Today I took a break from knitting to paint and paper a small bookshelf. A nice little Sunday project.

FO: Secret Santa Yoga Bag

I made this cute yoga mat bag for Calley, my secret santa through the Sweatshop of Love Secret Santa Swap. I had never meet Calley before but through some internet creeping I was able to discover that she was studying to be a yoga instructor. I thought this gift would be both adorable and practical- my favorite combination! It was  breeze to knit up and the construction was interesting. I did make a few mistakes on the lace pattern but luckily it's still just as useful.

It's so cute I feel like I just might need to make one for myself! Although it's going to have to take a place at the back of a very very long list.

ALSO today, my design sneak peak was featured over at Holla Knits. Check it out and see what's going on with this exciting and new project. 

Delancey Knit Along: Week 2

Because I am following the shortened version of this pattern this weeks goal was pretty small. I actually finished my goal early on in the week and was able to keep myself from knitting ahead. I just pulled out lots of other projects.

I'm really loving the stripes in this project. I haven't done anything striped in awhile and I forgot how simple they are to execute but how much excitement they add!

Sunday Snapshot

a little weekend project

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! 

It was helpfully pointed out that I was missing a "e". 

I'm not quite as punny as I used to be. 

I followed the crocheted valentine tutorial from one sheepish girl.

Delancey Knit Along: Week 1

Well we've just finished our Week 1 of our Knit Along. I'm enjoying the construction of this sweater very much.

You start out with 5 STITCHES for each side triangle and increase on your way up. The side triangles are then connected and you knit the body up from there, the are triangles pulled out as they are connected, to create the bottom of your sweater. It is really interesting construction and a great way to highlight the stripes.

many other people have mentioned how addictive/exciting it is to see this sweater come together and I completely agree. I even knit a few rows past our week 1 goal just to finish out my striping pattern. I'm following the shortened version of this sweater (short torso hey!) so this up coming week I have a few less inches to knit then everyone else.

I'm really loving how quickly this knits up, and the Swish DK is a pleasure to work with. This pattern is written with a lot of row counting (it's integral to the process) and I've even managed to stay on top of that so far. Thanks to this little trusty row counter.

Others have talked about their methods whether it's writing down row numbers and crossing them out, hash marks on a post it or smart phone aps, the consensus is- go with what works for you. I've never really used a row counter on a project before, although I happened to have a few tucked away in the corner of a knitting drawer. I'm glad I unearthed this baby because as much as I am a fly by the seat of my pants knitter, that method would not have worked for this pattern. I'm looking forward to next week, I have a feeling I might even make it past the week two goal (shhhhh, don't tell!)

Sunday Snapshot

Sometimes I match my stitch markers to my nail polish. Teal for life.

Delancey Knit Along

I've participated in a few Sweatshop of Love Knit Alongs, although all of them haven't gone swimmingly (looking at you summer.) This time around I'll be knitting the Delancey Cardigan. I've been waiting to make this sweater for awhile now and I'm so excited to chart my progress along with all of the other fabulous knitters participating.

After my massive sweater debacle I've become a little more dedicated about swatching and calculating my gauge.I know that a little more work in the beginning will save me A LOT (re-knitting an entire sweater) work in the end.

This pattern runs a little large so I'm going down two needles sizes ( I knit a little loosely). I ended up with a swatch that is a little narrower than called for in the pattern gauge. I'm going to knit a size smaller than I normally wear. Sometimes sweater making is part logic and part gut feeling. I know that I would much rather have a smaller sweater I have to block out larger then a sweater I'm swimming in. I'm looking forward to casting on for this project so soon and excited to stay on top of it documenting it all! 

Sunday Snapshot

Getting my design on. Working those notes. Working that math.