On My Needles Today...

It's been a very busy week here.

We made it through the yard sale and Bistro

last weekend.

I'll tell you all about it on Saturday.

Since then I have felt exhausted and

have been very happy to spend 

a little time getting back into my zen 

with a little knitting!

Today I am working on a scarf

from FUSION, color way "Rain Forest."

I love these colors and

they are putting me in the mood for Fall!

Happy Knitting!

On My Needles Today...Not...or The Coat is Finished!

It's been a bit of a journey,

but my knitted coat is finished!

I love the color way and am calling it

"Abalone."

It has subtle shades of

aqua, sea foam and lavender.

The sleeves, which should be

a simple component,

gave me some challenges.

I started with the stockinette stitch 

you see above,

but decided I did not really like the look.

I then changed to the 

"Mistake Rib"

pattern I used on the opening

and sides.

After knitting almost half a sleeve
I decided I didn't really like the

way it was looking either. 

So, I changed to a larger needle and

worked them in stockinette stitch (again).

I found the perfect buttons at a lovely yarn shop in

Blowing Rock, NC

during a recent road trip with my

knitting buddies, called

Unwound.

There are slits at the bottom of both sides.

I never finish a project like this without thinking,

"If I ever knit another one of these I will..."

There are some slight changes 

I would probably make,

but over all, I'm very pleased with

the final results.

So...what IS on my needles today?

I am in the process of binding off a FUSION scarf in

shades of teal.

I plan to make a slouchy hat to match.

Happy knitting!

(Continuing...) On My Needles Today...

Still working on my FUSION jacket,

which has finally "told" me

it's going to be a coat rather than a jacket!!!

The back and one front are now complete.

I made a start on a sleeve,

but decided I wasn't happy using

the stockinette stitch for it.

So...

...a bit of ripping out this week...

(Personal motto...

"If you're going to knit,

you're going to rip...")

...and back to the drawing board for a bit of redesign.

So much of this process is trying something

and deciding if I like it.

I wish I could clearly envision how

designs are going to actually look once knitted.

But I'm a "try it and see" person.

I decided the sleeves needed a bit more texture

than the stockinette stitch I originally tried.

I am using instead the "Mistake Rib" stitch 

I am using on the sides and front openings.

The sleeve here looks a bit out of proportion

but will widen out once it is blocked.

Once this sleeve is finished (very soon now)

everything else left to do, 

except finishing,

will just be a repeat of what has already 

been knitted (i.e. other side and sleeve).

So, although I still have a fair amount of knitting to do,

the finished coat is now within sight!

Happy knitting this week!

On My Needles Today...

I am continuing on with my

Fusion jacket.

The back is done!

I am presently working on one

of the fronts.

This is my beginning yarn inspiration.

The sleeves will be knitted with it.

Happy knitting this week!

On My Needles Today...

I have started a new,

BIG 

project!

This type of project always starts with me pulling

yarns from my stash.  

My inspiration is from several skeins of a

sea foam green, wool and mohair blend.

That will be my "main color."

Then I pull any color that works with it, 

especially paying attention to getting

as much textural variation as I can.

Differences in yarn weights

are not a factor.

Aren't the colors gorgeous knitted together?

My plans are for this to become a 3/4 length jacket.

Of course at this stage, the project is always

subject for a change of heart.

This piece is one half of the back...

so it's early yet!

This will be an ongoing project for a few weeks.

I'll keep you posted!

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...

is a teal mohair mitten to match

one that is already finished.

The hat I was working on last week
is finished!

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...

...is the beginning of a second hat in 

a different color way.

Here's the first one I was working
on a few weeks ago.
It's a fun little cloche
with an intricate Celtic cable,
topped with some coordinating 
FUSION Yarn
and finished with a 
swirled crown in the same dusty pink.

Happy Knitting!

On My Needles Today...

...is a pretty cowl which is almost finished.

In fact I am in the process of binding it off.

This cowl is a custom order for a customer

in Slovenia!

This color way is inspired by Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year,

"Radiant Orchid."

Happy knitting everyone,

and happy Fourth of July!

On My Needles Today...

...is a "bandanna" cowl.

It is shaped into a point at the center front,

giving it a bandanna look when worn.

I am knitting it with 

Plymouth Yarn's GINA,

a wonderful space dyed wool.

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...

 I am working on a little Pinky ornament today.

It has been crazy busy here this month
and I hope to do
a "catch up" post this weekend. 

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...Still...

I am still working on the hat I started last week.

It has been a bit of a busy week here.

Also, this is a new design and

as with most of my new designs,

there is a fair amount of 

ripping out and redoing!

Happy week,

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...

...is a pretty cable named

"Hollow Oak."

This is the beginning of a 

new hat design.

Here is an update on recent projects:

This is the finished hat from last week.

Who says brown has to be dull?

My triangular scarf from a couple of weeks ago

can also be worn as a traditional shawl.

Can you see the touch of

"radiant orchid,"

Pantone's Color of the Year?

Happy Knitting!

On My Needles Today...

…is the beginning of a triangular scarf,
in shades of blue.

It will have fringe on two sides.

Here's a little update of a couple of other projects this month:

A couple of weeks ago I was working on a second mitten
to go with one already finished.
Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention and 
knitted it exactly like the first…
meaning I had two right handed mittens.
So I had to knit two more left handed ones
to go with those already knitted!

The scarf from last week is now finished!