A Quick Hello

I hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend! Knitting to come soon - but for now, a pretty flower picture from the Chicago Botanical Gardens taken almost a year ago!



I posted lots of new yarn this morning in the store. Its a "Spring Fling" post with all flower colorways, go check it out!

Squares Are Everywhere

Chugging along.... almost there!

Swallowtail Take 2

This is just one of those lace patterns that I'll probably knit a dozen times. It goes quick; with the perfect amount of row repeats and changes in charts. Smooth lace needles and some lovely silk just make my day. I love the Swallowtail.







Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark; Interweave Knits Fall 2006
Yarn: Sunshine Yarns Sunsilk in Sprout
Needles: Addi 32" US4 (3.5mm)
Measurements: 45" across top edge, 23" down center
Started: May 2, 2008
Finished: May 10, 2008
Other Details: Just as fun as the first time! This one however, wasn't for me - it was a birthday present for a friend I work with :)

Come and Gone

Still busy, still knitting late at night! Last weekend we took a road trip down to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to see Scott's dad and to attend super-friend Taryn's baby shower. We had a great time seeing good friends and family; and now I can finally reveal some of my latest knitted works.

I had this idea early on to make some "Lehigh" colored things for the baby. I'm picturing their little one at their first football game this fall....




Pattern: Classic Cardigan by Debbie Bliss; published in Essential Baby
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, color #011, 3 balls
Needles: Addi circular 3.0mm and 3.25mm
Measurements: 3-6 month size, 19" chest
Started: April 10, 2008
Finished: May 1, 2008
Other Details: So, so cute! I added about a half inch to the body length and sleeves.

I needed a beautiful baby blanket to go along with everything else. Of course all I had to do was open on of my favorite books, Itty Bitty Nursery, by Susan B. Anderson. Susan got it right again; a simple easy to knit design, with gorgeous and unique details. I was in a bit of a time crunch last week trying to finish this up.. Lots of late night knitting, and then hours and hours the night before and morning of the shower to finish up the embroidery (please people, leave yourself more than eight hours to do the circles). After knitting like crazy and doubting the chocolate brown in there all darn week, the final product - well, I love it.





Pattern: Circles and Stripes Baby Blanket by Susan B. Anderson; published in Itty Bitty Nursery
Yarn: Blue Sky Organic Cotton colors #81, #80 and #621
Needles: Addi cicular US8
Measurements: One size; around a 34" square
Started: April 22, 2008
Finished: May 3, 2008
Other Details: I didn't knit each block seperately; I did two strips and seamed them together. The border went quicker than I thought overall, and took more yarn than stated in the pattern. I used about 3.5 balls of Sand #81, and two balls of each of the other two. Don't skip out on the embroidery, it really makes it special :)

And, some final pictures - many of the knitted gifts that made their way into Taryn's hands:



Making good use of all that orange paper: