Too Warm for Scarves

I'm currently holed up in my new room studying away in preparation for tomorrow's language exams. Passing is beginning to feel like a long shot, but I'm just happy to be here. I'll take whatever level in which they choose to place me.

So in lieu of any interesting stories from the past twelve hours, here are the final two projects from my finishing kick.

This is my movie theater scarf (better known as the #27 Twin-Leaf Scarf designed by Heather Carlson and published in the summer 2010 Vogue, which is sadly the last issue in my subscription). The yarn should look familiar to you by now, because this project uses the last of the NaturallyCaron.com Spa bamboo that I used in my summer beret last year and in Fetching. When I read through the magazine I fell in love with all the summer scarves. Now, obviously, living at the beach (or in Pittsburgh) does not lend itself to wearing any sort of summer neckwear if at all possible. But in the fall, when things just start to cool off . . . It quickly became one of those projects that I think of on the way to campus and then am tortured by fanatsies of all day long.

Because it is involves a pretty basic leaf chart that is easy to memorize, the scarf quickly became my way of keeping my hands busy when I went to the movies. The sometimes split threads and maybe too twisted stitches are the result of Kick-Ass, Iron Man 2 (twice), and the amazing indie film The Runaways (brilliant film) among others.

Technically not a finishing project, but a quick knit I couldn't wait to get my hands on was Saroyan by the incredibly talented Liz Abinante. This is the third pattern in her Bones collection (remember the Angela Shawl?) and it was absolutely a joy to knit (and fast!) I used a lighter weight yarn with smaller needles, and it resulted in such a soft delicate fabric. I love it.

I mean seriously, aren't those leaves stunning?

Many thanks to Mom for doing the photography on our front porch before the move.

Now I must return to studying. Though I may work another row or two of this traveling woman shawl for Taryn. She saw the pattern and didn't stop talking about them until I agreed to make it if she provided the yarn money (And she thinks she's getting a good deal. Ha! This is such a fun knit).

FO Frenzy

There is nothing quite so satisfactory as the sudden empty time you have once the semester ends. After tons of papers and researching, grading and testing, you're suddenly faced with entire days in which you might have nothing that must be done. What is a girl to do with all of this free time but knit?

During the first week of finals I had tons that I had to do. I would stay up until 2, 3, 4 in the morning and crash when I got home in the afternoon. In the midst of all of this, one day I fell asleep on the couch in the afternoon, only to be jolted awake by the doorbell. Now, I'm not very nice when I'm woken up, least of all by people who I do not know (sure, it could be someone I know, but no one I know at school knows where I live). In addition, I do not have a way to see who is at my front door, so I've gotten into the habit of answering the door with a giant bread knife, just in case. Fortunately, if it's the mail or UPS they've left the package and gone on their merry way before I make it to the door. So wasn't I pleased to open the door and find . . .

My package from the ladies of the Stash and Burn Podcast! Inside were all sorts of goodies. Stitch markers that are beaded... a yarn postcard... a delicious chocolate bar... this beautiful case for circular needles (I've never seen anything like it. I've been showing it to everyone)... and TWO skeins of Malabrigo Chunky in the Vaa colorway (never used Malabrigo before. It's heavenly).

Of course I had to knit with it right away! I stopped whatever paper writing I was working on and started pattern stalking. The result was Braided, a really fun scarf pattern by Susan B. Anthony. Yes, it's got measurements, but I just got started and just knit what I felt like. The result was a fun quick knit that looks way more complicated than it actually was.


(the yarn is not nearly as blue as it looks in this picture. It's actually a deep green)

I also decided to call it quits with my French Press Knits slippers. Not that I don't love the pattern. Not that I don't find the creation absolutely fun. But this was my first felting project and I don't think the straps turned out well. I still really like these. I wear them all the time when I'm home, they're very warm and comfy. Totally worth the $7 for the pattern.



Today I finished the Vine and Leaf beret pattern from the Fall09 issue of VogueKnitting. I had to go up 2 needle sizes to get gauge, but it ended up being much bigger than what I was expecting. However, it's really really nice (my family is in love with the color). I may thread in some elastic in the ribbing. If anyone feels like making this, I would highly recommend using a smaller needle for that part to help keep it from falling off. In any case, of all my FOs, this was one of my proudest moments as it is my first Vogue project (and yes, that is Top Model McKey modeling).



I'm also all but finished with Veyla. I need buttons, so pictures will come after I get some (so, like, never).

There is just way too much more to write about, but break is upon us, so you never know when I'll appear!

Stressed Out Needles (and Giveaway Winners)

Yes, I know I haven't updated in a week or more, but I think I have a good excuse. Giant paper plus Western Civ test grading equals get out of blog jail free card? Normally I wouldn't even feel guilty, but I have to announce who won the free signed comic book giveaway from last week. But for those of you who don't care about that, what has been going on in the life of this geek girl?

Well, like I said, giant papers and grading, which amounts to quite a bit of stress. Ironically, our Bible study tonight was about dealing with stress. And how do I deal with stress? I knit of course! (well, and I write random promos for Buffy Between the Lines, but that's not important)

Since last I blogged, I finished Fetching. I loved this pattern and can definitely see why it is so popular. The construction is grand and with my naturally small gauge they fit just right (I have been told I have small-ish hands). Though I loved the green in my Summer Beret, I didn't think that I would like using it in the gloves. Boy was I wrong.



(Me pretending to be artistic. Hey, I only have 2 hands and do my own photography)

The weather here has been wonky so fingerless gloves have been great for early mornings or late nights that I have to be on campus and fit nicely in my purse. I'm wanting to make more. Maybe Susie's Reading Mitts? Though those are knit in yarn that isn't sock yarn and that is currently the bulk of my yarn collection. I've recently been on a yarn spree via Ravelry users' destashing. Most (ok, fine, not most. All) of it has been verigated sock yarn. But I promise I'm finding uses for it. A couple weeks ago I bought some Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Knitters Without Borders colorway.



I just love the colors in the skein and had this vision of a haunting vampire style shawl/scarf that would look stunning around my neck. Well try as I might I couldn't find anything . . . until Ysolda released this last week as part of the Whimsical Little Knits 2 collection (sorry non-Ravelry users. It's not on ysolda.com yet). It's perfect! Right? Well, I hope so. I cast on last night and the white is a little more striking than I'd like but I think once I get a bigger portion completed it'll look like what I imagine.

And speaking of shawl-like things, I finally blocked my Angela Shawl. I was very unsuccessful in pulling out the points (asking for blocking wires for Christmas), but I think the result is still great.



Only problem is that I still don't see myself wearing a shawl almost ever, but I wore it this way yesterday (it was so warm outside by the time I got to church I had to take it off).



I also knit all of the pieces for the French Press Knits slippers (ballet flats actually) pattern on Friday night (told you I am stress). I put the pieces of one together but haven't gotten around to finishing the second, let alone felting. Not an exciting task. Overall I'd say I've been quite productive this week.

Oh! You wanted to know who won the giveaway? Well that would be Dariclone and Crystal! Email me with your address (tharensolo@gmail.com) and we'll get those sent out to you straightaway!