It is almost a sweater!

After lots and lots of endless stockinette stitch, I almost have a sweater!  No sleeves, and only to my belly button, but sweater-shaped!  Whoot whoot!

This picture was taken earlier, so it is NOW belly button length.  It also shows that I really need to clean my bathroom mirror better.

I also have finished one mitten, although it is MUCH too small for my hand.  I am hoping that a nice blocking will help that. 

Sweater and Mittens pictures!

First, the swatches for my sweater!  The pattern called for US10s, but I ended up getting gauge on US11s.  I didn't really like how big that knitting was though, so I am knitting a size larger but on US10.5's and trying it on a lot as I go.  

Whoot whoot!  It's big enough to be an armpit/shoulder warmer!

On to the mittens... I am using a lovely Cascade 109, which has sadly been discontinued.  I love this yarn :(  I am either going to have to find a good replacement, or buy it all up before it disappears!  Knitting this bulky wool on US8s makes really dense mittens.  I'm very excited...

These have a nice, long cuff!  I am almost done with the left mitten, and hope to have the right mitten done before my big V-Day Date!

My internet at home isn't working...

...so I can't show you all the pretty picture's I've been taking!  I will as soon as I can, though...promise!

I have started my first sweater ever, Francis Revisited by Beth Silverstein.  I'm making it in Valley Yarns Northampton Laguna Blue, a beautiful, soft, and cheap(!) 100% wool.  Right now, its at armpit/shoulder warmer stage.

I am also finishing up the Orange and Black Fuzzy Scarf for my cousin.

Additionally, I've started a pair of mittens, probably for me this time.  The pattern in "Bella's Mittens by Marielle Henault.  I am using Cascade 109 Tweed in Pewter for these, and have a nice walnut tweed to make another pair.  (Can you guess for whom?  She's been hinting about wanting mittens for a while....although these may not be done before spring!)

Pictures soon!

Double Stitching, My Nemesis

I am done knitting both mittens for Anna!  The finishing part is turning out to be more difficult than the actual knitting, however.  I spent a solid 4 hours tonight trying to make a snowflake on ONE mitten using double stitch.  In theory, it seems very easy.  In practice, it was very tricky.  

Attempt 1:  I pull the yarn tight, and suddenly my stitches disappear!  What is going on?  Where did these stitches go- I didn't pull the yarn out, just tighter.  Apparently, this causes the double stitch to hide behind the real stitch.

Attempts 2-5:  Various problems including inability to count stitches, inability to count rows,  inability to stay in the same row, inability to follow a simple chart, and again, disappearing stitches.

Attempt 6: Perfection.  AKA, I'm tired and this looks pretty good.  

Actually, this does look pretty good.  I'm very proud of my first pair of mittens.  The insides could be a little better, and they probably won't be super warm, but they are cute and spring is coming.  Medium-warm mittens are perfect for spring. 

So Excited!

I ordered my Knit Picks Options interchangeable needles today!  I have been thinking about them for about 3 weeks, and still really wanted them, so I think its a good purchase.  They will save me a ton of money in the long run, too- about $60 for 9 sets of tips and 2 lengths of cables, with extra cables costing about $4.  So, for $60, I have a solid 18 sets of needles.   Purchased individually at Michaels, this would end up costing me between $150-$200.  Yay! 

Pictures!

My first mitten!  I love the ribbing on the bottom. Soon there will be a snow flake stitched into the top, too.

One down, one to go!
The NEW orange and black scarf.
Very snuggly.  I think she'll like it. 
Orange and black are very stiking colors, but there were so many times I wished our school colors were something pretty.  I'm so jealous of all the blue and silver schools out there...