There’s a new dog in the neighborhood

but she’s not staying long. She’s a little Jack Russell that I fell in love with in Knit Your Own Dog.

She is sweet-tempered, does not require late-night walks, and won’t bark at the mailman. I think her new owner will be very pleased to receive such an agreeable new companion for her birthday. If you think you might want to join the canine knitting fun, there are more particulars on my Ravelry page, here. Woof-woof!

Mitered Knitting Marathon

I’ve got my eye on the prize …

'No, I'm not moving!'

and so does Corabelle! She is a kitty-gone-wild with the scent of Noro Silk Garden and cannot be trusted alone with this project. See what happens when I turn my back?

As someone who enjoys the excitement that comes from the launch of a new project more than what often feels like the tedium of finishing (all those tendrils that need to be woven in or whip-stitching miles of seams), I am particularly pleased to have completed seven of the ten required squares for the Mitered Crosses Blanket. Yesterday was a marathon knitting fest here. And now I feel the downhill momentum!

February Lady is in Bloom!

She’s done! I knit her over Christmas school vacation, embroidered her during Spring Break, and finished her without a minute to spare before shorts and tee-shirt weather. Well, considering we had snow today, there are probably a few more days of sweater weather left.

Ready for an excursion.

The particulars:
Pattern: February Lady Sweater is a free download over on Flint Knits.
Yarn: Spud & Chloe, “Watermelon” in Sweater (yarn weight); soft and washable cotton/merino blend.
Difficulty: Medium. To be honest, I recast on for the neckline and yoke three times. Not fun. But when it comes to counting increases, I should not try to be a multi-tasker, that is, chat while knitting. The lace pattern is super-easy but I recommend a different project for social knitting.

Embroidery: DMC #3 Cotton Perle. Embroidered areas are backed with interfacing fabric (as in sewing). I chose cotton embroidery floss rather than wool because I didn’t want the embroidery to add too much bulk to the garment, either visual or actual.

Come say hello on Ravelry.com where you’ll find me under the name “nellablue.” I’d love to see what you’re making.

Embroidered Knitting Update

Here’s what I have so far — what do you think? I decided to use cotton embroidery floss rather than yarn because with the sweater knit in worsted weight yarn, it already feels a bit bulky. I didn’t want to add visual ‘weight’ to the upper body, any more than is already there! Working from my stash, the green is DMC #3 “cotton perle” — love the thick ply and sheen. I’m trying to use what  materials I have on hand, so am committed to making my stash suffice. But wouldn’t some cornflower blue be a nice contrast here and there? The temptation could win me over …

Here’s a pic of the underside. I’m using a panel of interfacing for the backing.

The process is, start with a large piece of interfacing fabric that covers the entire back area. After you are done with the stitching, carefully cut away the ’empty’ interfacing. This part had me nervous, as I am more of an ‘eyeball it/wing it’ kind of person and was afraid that in my casual approach, would accidentally hack into the knitting. Safe — phew!

I’m going to continue with this simple design and colorway, and hope that my leaves improve with repetition, and that I love the sweater when it’s finished. Perhaps a mini version of the scroll and flowers on the sleeves’ edges, too?

Wishing you a creatively satisfying week!

New gig and a Knitalong

I was swept away with the knitalong excitement over on the Spud & Chloe blog and just had to join in the fun. But first I had to wait for my yummy watermelon yarn to come in the mail. Then there was the obligatory but somewhat tedious gauge swatch. So glad I took the time for the swatches, as I had to drop down two needle size stitches from the size #7 needles  being used by our fearless knitalong leader, Susan B. Anderson. The lady at a local yarn store told me that if you knit Continental style, as I do, your gauge will be looser. Good to know. Note to self: always do a gauge first. Even if it delays new-project gratification. Worth the wait.

Meanwhile, there’s been a lot of career excitement around here. Within a few short weeks of graduating with my MFA, I was interviewing for an adjunct position at my new alma mater.

Hired!