The unending socks

I've hit a black hole in my quest to knit myself a pair of Jaywalkers. I understand why the pattern is so popular, it makes an interesting use of self-striping yarn, but the fabric ends up so stiff and non-stretchy, I don't think I'll be knitting another. The second sock is taking forever. I also need to shorten the first sock, it ended up a little long. I had hoped to be through with it this weekend, but that ain't happening.

I will swatch for the Everest vest and for Emerald. I'm generally a one or two project girl, a big one and a small one. I'm using Shamrock from Knitpicks for Emerald : I wasn't sure about it in the ball, but it sure looks great knitted up. It is a little rough and doesn't look like it will have much drape, which should work for such a heavy cardigan. For Everest, I'll be using Plymouth Galway in a purle-y colourway. I've been wanting a vest for a while. I'll make it tight but not too form-fitting.

I visited the new yarn shop in Montreal, Ariane Knits. I like that they have yarns that are different from those sold at Effiloché, my other favorite yarn shop in Montreal. I got some Opal sock yarn, for a pair of Broadripple socks. I saw a pair on Ravelry in this exact colorway and fell in love. I also got 5 skeins of cascade 220 in bright purple, I have no clue what I'll do with it.

Good weekend

Good football equals lots of knitting. I think that might just be one of my favorite things ever : sit in my comfy chair and knit while watching big guys go crazy over a ball. I like the orderliness of football : 1st and 10, 2nd and 6... Passes, rushes, touchdowns, everything. Mr V and I made plans to travel to the States next year to see a combo of 1 football game and one hockey : we're thinking Buffalo of Pittsburgh. Anyway, for the superbowl, my heart would like Packers/Colts, my brain says Patriots/Packers. I think Romo will have another disappointing showing this postseason. We'll see.

I finished the Moderne Log Cabin Baby Blanket and plan to gift it to charity. I hated knitting it, both the yarn and the concept of Log Cabin. Yet, I hope it will be helpful to somebody else. A woman on Ravelry was asking for blankets for babies in Nunavut, so I plan on shipping it there, along with a few baby hats and some yarn I don't use. I've figured out that I like wool better than acrylics for most things. I'm thinking of curbing down the acrylic stash to only the stuff I'll use, and sell the rest at the bazar in May. I did a lot of impulse buying at WalMart, unfortunately!

I've figured out most of my knitting goals for 2008

Toe-up socks... One pair plain, and one pair of Marigold. I'll try this once the unending jaywalkers are finished.

Colorwork, or stranded knitting : I've already done a little of it, but the results were crappy. Maybe a vest pattern?

Make a good set of winter accessories for ME. Hat, scarf and mittens, in beautiful WOOL.

I know I want a few sweaters that I'll wear. Possibly do a garment in crochet, if I find a pattern that suits. I want vests for work.

Do a French Pattern from Phildar. It should be interesting!

Do some knitting for charity. I've already started on this by finishing the log cabin (never again!) and doing a few hats.

Quite a plan. Let's hope for happy knitting times. Photos to come saturday of the finished Log cabin and Wicked (with pocket reseamed!)

Happy new 2008!

December was a crazy happy knitting time. I finished all my gifts, and did some things for myself.

I knit the Wicked sweater for myself. Pictures are upcoming, as I have to redo the sewing of the pocket, which is crooked. It is a great pattern, very easy to do and quite pretty. It is a little big, but not too much. I love the yarn, Wool of the Andes from Knitpicks, in a pretty Pumpkin. It is a great yarn with a nice wooly feeling without being crazy itchy, like the Pastazza I used for the V-Neck.

I've done half of a pair of Jaywalkers : lovely look with the zigzags of the stripes, but the resulting fabric is stiff and not that confortable. I'm pushing through the second one, so I'll see how they are after washing. he yarn is great : Regia Canadian Colors. Nice combination of colors, prettier knitted up than in the ball.

I'm starting again the Moderne Log cabin Baby blanket, in Bernat Satin. I want to finish it and send it to charity.

Soon, I'll do a list of my resolutions, knitting and personnal for 2008. I'll post it soon.