At Midnight it will be "Blessed Didacus of Cadiz" Day

I got back from Ireland two weeks ago where I took this photo of my Gran's knitting. She managed to crank out almost an entire cardigan in the week I was there, from the largest ball of wool I have ever seen. Well, one that isn't in a traveling sideshow or roadside attraction. For size reference, that Gaelic book is one of those oversized-type albums and she had already finished the back and one front so it was noticeably diminished. Most of the week I was at her home we drank cups of tea and knit together. So many cups of tea. My project was with a bit more courageous then my usual simple knits, on size #4 needles with a light dk with two separate cabled bits. Needless to say, I'm still working on it.

From dianadorable

This lovely set I made before I left for the chilly, Irish winter. Resting on a new spring scarf is the Amelia Earhart Aviator in Manos del Uruguay (3068) and improvised mitts in Berroco Ultra Fine. The same Oceanic colorway I mentioned from the previous entry. Also I love buttons. I love buttons that have floral designs in them even more.

From dianadorable

During the trip I was captivated by the crocuses and other flowers coming up there. We've barely got any green yet here, let alone colorful blooms. These pictures were taken outside the Blarney Castle. 

From dianadorable

From dianadorable

And the incredibly damning picture of myself kissing the Blarney Stone whilst held up by a man who was chatting on his cellphone as we came up the 600 year old stone stairs. Credit goes to my sis B. Roach. The man in the foreground also took pictures, but honestly I love this one more then the ones we paid ten euro for.*

From dianadorable

*My legs have never looked better, or betrayed my fear more.

Tattoo Inspiration

This post isn't about a knitting tattoo, I already have one of those. 

From dianadorable

No, this is about how I've been working on a pair of mittens with Berroco Ultra Fine in the colorway Oceanic and realized it was exactly the color I had been looking for. 

From dianadorable

Seriously, I even brought in the leftover ball to show the artist. He did his magic and I am the owner of another gorgeous tattoo. In a very difficult place to take a photograph on yourself. 

From dianadorable

I'll post pictures of the gloves once done so I can properly show off the bright jeweled tone. It has such a beautiful vintage color to it that I'll be edging them in a contrasting rich yellow for a little pop. I've also got my eye on some pretty flowered buttons to make them truly the girliest project I've ever done. Buttons and bows all over.

Hats off to you February Part 2

The commissioned hats are all finished and sent off to their new owner. Three "Quincy's" all in a row, all done in Caledon Hills Chunky Wool. I've no comments about the wool itself besides that it's soft and blocks out way, way more than I ever assumed it would. I had to take care with the shaping as it looked like it also could have doubled for an elephant slipper if I wasn't careful.

From dianadorable

This officially makes me free as a bird to do as I wish, all knit promises have been made.
Including one made for a sweetheart who needs his giant head covered this chilly winter. Done in the pattern "Jen's Sweetie Pie Hat" but with less pink. The lightly spun alpaca didn't do much to highlight the mock cable pattern but it's really manly rustic looking.

From dianadorable

I'd even forgotten about this silly beret I made ages ago and have never worn. It only looks cute when worn quite rakishly about the head, as berets should. This is the "Buttercup Beret" by Sarai Mitnick although it looks like a different pattern altogether because of the yarn wasn't sturdy enough to hold the shape of the lace and cable pattern. I used Knit Picks Swish Worsted, which soft and cheap, wasn't the right yarn for the project.

From dianadorable So what of the rest of February?

I'm not sure yet of what is to come except that I still haven't been able to get color out of my system. It's such a pleasure to be able to reach down in my mix bag of Tahki Cotton Classic and just pick a pattern that is the result. On my very rare saturday off I'll be working on a brightly orange plaid dishcloth and some hairstylist required reading.

From dianadorable

And I guess my goal is to finally block the Swallowtail shawl I made ages ago. I lack the hardware necessary to do such a thing but I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out. Don't tell Mary, she's grown so attached the lacy bugger. It's also made me unwilling to do some actually sewing, as she does look quite fine with it wrapped around herself.

From dianadorable

Hats off to you January Part 1

It's only the middle of the month and I've made fair progress in a month of just hats- and not much else. Just so happens my brother needs a manly birthday hat. The "Groovy Cabled Toque" fit the bill for it's honeycomb-like cables and all around classiness. It's composed of Plymouth Galway, a rustic yarn with lots of warmth and with using much less then a skein.

From dianadorable

Also I needed to indulge in my love of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend and with vivid colors in this dreary month. Post holiday I can get a little glum with all the completed projects given away, so I try to take a little time to focus on myself. No worries, this only lasts a moment before I find more chilly appendenges to warm up.
The topaz color reminded me of marigolds, so I went with a lace repeat I found in a book of stitch patterns. The green yarn is citric and warranted a revisit to "Foliage" from Knitty, a pattern I first did in September '07 with another silk blend.

From dianadorable

From dianadorable

I've also been commissioned to make (3!) Quincy hats which are slow going, interesting considering those are bulky yarned beasts.
Hats are a fantastic way to play with new patterns as well as interesting constructions. I've had a wonderful time this Christmas figuring out both the Quincy pattern as well as the Sideways Grande Cloche. Considering the amounts of hats I've made in the last several years you'd think I'd be swimming in them but as a soon as someone mentions they like it I more or less give it away without much thought. Several days ago I heard from a friend I've lost touch with and she still wears the hat I gave her on a whim two Thanksgivings ago. It leaves a warm feeling in my soul.
There's still one more color of Manos to use up and I've already started a simple 1x1 rib beanie that will be simply gorgeous once finished. It's the perfect sort of public transit knitting, mindless and simple on the hands.