1972 called - they want their sweater back

Hey, Gwen - can you make the most 70s looking sweater possible?

Sure, Interwebs!  Here's how.

Step 1:  Start with some totally old yarn that your Grandma gave you.

(That's right - Aunt Lydia is not messing around.)

Step 2:  Start knitting the Girl Friday pattern from Knitty, Fall 2009.  An inherently retro lace pattern, if I do say so myself.

Step 3:  Run out of Aunt Lydia's weird peach yarn while making the collar, and instead of going out and trying to match the color, just grab some other really old yarn from the Grandma Stash and create a collar that looks like it belongs on a letter sweater from the Nixon era.

And, of course, take emo mirror pictures because you're not quite done and ready for the official Finished Object Photoshoot.

 

 As you can see, it's hilarious, and totally deserves some pleather-covered woven buttons.  

Stay tuned, folks...

Noro + Cookie A = a happy Gwen

The day after Christmas, I finished my Kai Mei socks!  They are made of Noro Kureyon, which is to say, they are made of dreams and rainbows.  If you've never knit with this yarn before, you'll think it's a little scratchy.  Then I'll tell you to machine wash (cold) and dry your socks (yes, really - I know that's blasphemy, but trust me) and they will turn soft and squishy and fabulous.

Bonus - I have plenty of Kureyon left which I can combine with another leftover skein to make something fabulous and stripy!  Woohoo!

Pattern: Kai Mei, by Cookie A (from the book Sock Innovation)
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock (colorway S236)
Needles: US 1/2.25 mm DPNs
Ravelry link

Long overdue Christmas update

Greetings, all y'all.  So, I've been knitting away but have refused to post anything new here until I post the Christmas stuff because I'm stubborn like that, but have also been too lazy to post the Christmas stuff, but I realize now it's Valentine's Day, so maybe I should get on that, eh?  

Here's all the Christmas knitting in all of its glory:

For my brand new nephew who was born January 31, a delightful little sweater!  I bought the penguin buttons a while ago, and finally found a suitable project for them.  And, of course, after the freehanded llama worked out so well on the last baby sweater, I had to add a penguin to this one.  

Pattern: Paxton, by StitchyMama

Yarn: Debbie Bliss EcoBaby Fair Trade

Needles: US 6/4mm

Ravelry link 

Next we have a super pretty and soft and amazing Haruni shawl for my mom.  (Let me just say now that I really want everything I gave away for Christmas - yes, even the penguin sweater.)

Pattern: Haruni, by Emily Ross
Yarn: Malabrigo sock yarn
Needles: US 4/3.5mm
Ravelry Link

 

Moving right along, we have a pair of Ysolda hats made for my aunts.  The yarn was an acrylic blend, and say what you will about acrylics, I thought it knit up very nicely and is soft and delicious to boot.  May not block as well as wool, but it works for me!

Pattern: Rose Red, by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Plymoth Yarn Encore DK

Needles: US 6/4mm

Ravelry link 

Pattern: Snapdragon Tam, by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore DK
Needles: US 6/4mm
Ravelry link

Finally we have these amazingly incredible convertible mittens I made for my BFF.  I LOVE THIS PATTERN!!!  Modified them from the original mittens using panuru's (Ravelry) mods.  Anyway, they are awesome.

Pattern: Chimera, by Julia Mueller
Yarn: some sort of blend - I think it's Wool Ease, but it was found in my stash, so who knows
Needles: US 6/4mm
Ravelry link

Since Christmas, I made an impromptu hat, started a fair isle fingerless mitt project, made an ill fitting sweater (which will need to be frogged to make a proper size - but more on that later), finished a pair of socks, and am about 80% done with another sweater.  So, yeah.  I've been busy.  :) 

I don't want to spoil you with too many posts tonight, so I'll have more tomorrow.