Well, hello there! Long time, no speak. The last couple of weeks have been tough. Stress has been rearing its ugly head. My students take their state math test in about two weeks. Every week we've taken a new one and so far so good. Thankfully, they've been doing well on their practice tests. I'll be so happy when all this testing is over.
So besides grading practice tests and writing progress reports, I managed to fit in and finish up some knitting. In January, I began working on a v-neck cabled tank from Sirdar's Little Speckled Chicks (337). I used Rowan's Felted Tweed instead of the Snuggly DK recommended. I used 1 full ball and a small amount of a second ball. I enjoyed working on the pattern except for the neckband. I found the directions for the decreases in the neckband a bit confusing. After about an hour of going back and forth, I gave up and did my own double decrease; and I'm very happy with the result.
V-Neck Cabled Tank Blocking
V - Neck Cabled Tank Complete
Pattern: Cable Vest from Sirdar's Little Speckled Chicks (Pattern E)
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed (sh. 165 - Scree)
Needles: Kollage 24" Circular Knitting Needles US 7
Kollage 24" Circular Knitting Needles US 5
Lantern Moon 7" Double Pointed Knitting Needles US 5
Started: January 1, 2009
Finished: February 14, 2009
The second pattern I completed was Martin Storey's Posey Bootees by Martin Storey from Jaeger's Handknits Collection For Babies and Children (JB29). I fell in love with these bootees the first time I saw them. Up until now, I've had the pattern book sitting idle in my library. I figured this would be a good time to give it a try with all the baby knits I'll be making. After an unsuccessful search for Jaeger's Baby Merino 4 ply, I decided to cast on with Classic Elite's Princess. Since I'm a tight knitter, I figured gauge wouldn't be that much of an issue and it wasn't. I have to say I enjoyed knitting these. The pattern was well written, easy to follow and the finished product is so adorable. The bootees themselves took 1 ball. I did however have to run out and purchase a second ball to make the pom pom's. I did toy with the idea of ommitting them, but I decided to just give in.
Posy Bootees (Front View)
Posy Bootees (Side View)
Pattern: Posy Bootees by Martin Storey from Jaeger Handknits Collection For Babies and Children (JB29)
Yarn: Classic Elite Princess (sh. 3475 - Beyond Beige)
Needles: Crystal Palace 9" Straight Knitting Needles US 3
Tools: Clover Pom Pom Maker (small)
Started: February 7, 2009
Finished: February 16, 2009
Last Sunday, I was nominated by Cici for a Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you Cici! Sometimes I feel like the most uncreative person. Your nomination really brightened my day.
In light of my nomination, I'm required to nominate 8 other bloggers who are creative and inspire me. Here are my nominees:
- Lynette
- Chante
- Stacey
- Sahara
- Nik
- Josie
- Lucy
- Wannett
Happy Knitting!
girl.... your knitting is beautiful.. You so deserve that award and then some! The booties are too cute and perfect.
Posted by: cici | February 17, 2009 at 05:18 AM
AAh both items just came out adorable!! Where did you get the book from?? There are some other cute items in there too! :o)
And you know I am all about the pom poms right now! LOL I love that clover maker!!!
Hope you are taking time out for yourself! Of course you know knitting the stress away helps too! ;op
Be Blessed, Stacey
Posted by: Stacey _CrimsonPurl | February 17, 2009 at 05:46 AM
OOh by the way! THANK YOU! for the nom! :o)
I give thanks to......Haha!
Posted by: Stacey _CrimsonPurl | February 17, 2009 at 05:47 AM
Those are the cutest booties I've ever seen. You deserved the award. The quality of your knitting is amazing and certainly inspires me to do better.
Posted by: hope | February 17, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Your two projects turned out just fabulous. And look at you, rewriting patterns to make it work for you. Next, you'll be writing your own patterns. Congratulations on your nomination. Those last two projects were just an example of your imaginative work. Enjoy your vacation and keep up the great work. You're the best!
Posted by: DC | February 17, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Congrats on the award! And your baby knits are super cute -- a very lucky baby (or two) will be warm for the rest of the winter. I love the pom-poms on the booties. Definitely worth the extra yarn.
Posted by: katie m. | February 17, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I love both of these gifts! The booties are so precious with the pom-poms, I'm glad you decided to add them. Great job!
Posted by: Judy | February 18, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Congratulations on your nomination. The baby sweater is too cute for words. good luck to your students. I know you will prepare them well. I'm lucky, I have no students being tested this year.
Posted by: Scheherazaad | March 08, 2009 at 07:26 PM
OMG. The booties are soo cute!!
Posted by: Rina | March 11, 2009 at 01:45 AM
Wow, I'm glad I've returned! Thanks for nominating me! Your work is incredible. I'm happy these children will be able to look back on their outfits with pride when they're 16.
Posted by: Sahara | March 16, 2009 at 04:48 PM
I know I'm a bit late, but Congratulations on your nomination! Beautiful work on the vest and I have to say the photography is just lovely.
Peace,
Evelyn
Posted by: Evelyn | March 17, 2009 at 08:57 AM
These booties along with the cable vest, and the Big Bad Baby blanket were gifted to me for my son. They are even more beautiful in person. I'm going to keep them for my future grandkids. Everytime I look at them I am amazed.
Appreciative and Amazed,
Sparkle Spencer-Edwards
Posted by: Sparkle Spencer-Edwards | April 23, 2009 at 02:35 PM