Thursday, July 30, 2009

Too hot to blahhg

I'm in B.C., and it is HOT out here. Too hot to knit, but there are plenty of other distractions: peaches, cherries, apricots, raspberries, etc. It's a tasty, tasty heat.

How about showing some knits from the past few months? A quick parade of highlights:

1. Kingscot cardigan.


I love, love, love this cardigan, and I'm looking forward to wearing it in the fall. From the moment I saw it as a Twist preview, I loved this design. I followed Norah Gaughan's pattern to the letter (other than putting buttons all the way down the front), and it turned out perfectly. The yarn is Rowan Pure Wool DK -- an expensive splurge for me, but I loved working with it and I love the results. (Ravelry link)

2. Leafy Medallions shawl.


This was a quick shawl; I needed a lace fix. I used Evelyn Clark's book (Knitting Lace Triangles): 10 repeats of the Leaf Lace chart, and then 3 repeats of Medallion Lace before the edging. The yarn is Spirit Trail Lachesis -- a purchase from Rhinebeck last fall. It's 100% alpaca, but I found it slightly wiry. I didn't love knitting it, but it did block nicely; it's the thinnest laceweight I've used, so the resulting shawl is very delicate and airy. (Rav link)

3. Zetor shawl.


This is the last thing I finished, just a few weeks ago. Another case of simple pattern + yarn I didn't really enjoy = pretty results. The yarn is One of a Kind Lace Solid -- a wool/angora/nylon blend with no elasticity or shine. I do love the colour, though. (Rav link)

4. Portland pullover.


I'm not sure yet whether this is finished. (I have it "hibernating" in Ravelry.) I mistakenly knit an extra repeat into the body, resulting in an unflattering length. I'm not sure whether I'll keep it as just a warm sweater, or if I'll do some altering to shorten it -- I guess it will depend on whether I find myself wearing it or not. It did turn out beautifully; I'm very pleased with my finishing. I enjoyed knitting this. It seemed to go quite quickly. It probably took as long to sew the pieces together as it did to knit them. (Rav link)

At the moment, I'm knitting a Mountain Peaks shawl -- or, I would be if it wasn't so HOT. I chose this shawl because I wanted a lace challenge, and most of Mountain Peaks has lace patterning on both the right and wrong sides. It's been slow going, but before my holiday I finished Chart 1 -- and not a moment too soon. I was definitely getting tired of p2togtbl....

27 comments:

Inkstained said...

Oh, bleh. I hate this heatwave. Down here in Seattle it broke 104 yesterday. Today is much, much nicer.

I love that Zetor shawl! It's like a slice of summer sky.

Chris said...

Hi, Mook! I see you...

Anonymous said...

I'm using Spirit Trail yarn now too but it's Alexandra.

Keep cool!

Lisa said...

Good luck with the MPS! I did one a couple years back and it turned out SO beautiful! Nice lookin' FOs!

Anonymous said...

You have really come into your own with knitting this year. I am impressed! The projects you have taken on show much more knitting maturity, and they look MARVELOUS.

The long sweater - leave it alone. I, personally, don't think it is unflattering.

Rachael Herron said...

HI! I *love* the Kingscot. I have to make that. Soon. Looks great on you. xoxo

Nadia said...

33C in Vancouver is killAH. It doesn't help that Toronto is whining about the rain -- send it back, east siders!

Erin said...

ooh!!! Love them ALL! Nice work, lady! (it's too hot to knit here as well)

Anonymous said...

I like the length of the Portland Pullover. You are the only one who can make the decision on whether or not it feels right, but I think it's very flattering on you. You have many lovely FOs there!
Penny

Lisa said...

You must have picked the best pictures from a great photographer for the Portland sweater... because it looks great on you. Seriously, I don't think it's the wrong length at all -- it's balanced with long sleeves and appropriate ease.

La Cabeza Grande said...

The detailed work on the Kingscot cardigan is fantastic! Hot or not, busy or not, you've got mad skills, lady.

And oh yeah, scritches for Senor Mooks please.

Seanna Lea said...

I think the pullover looks pretty good on you. In the photos it doesn't look like the length is unflattering at all even though it obviously is crossing over your hips.

The other pieces are gorgeous as well, including your stealth Mooky!

Laura said...

Wow, they're all beautiful, but that Portland pullover has me swooning. Lovely work.

Jenny Hodgson said...

These are all beautiful...I'm seriously inspired to start another shawl after seeing yours...

Karen said...

Oh my gosh! What beautiful knitting--and introduced so casually as if there was nothing to it. Loved it all SO MUCH!

Carolyn said...

holy productivity crazy lady. i LOVE all four of those projects. LOOOOOOVE. and i actually think that last one might be a GREAT length for those really cold winter months...but I guess we'll see!! missed ya! hope all is well!

Jen said...

It's been soooo hot. On the coast it's better now, but not so everywhere in BC...I hope you are swimming in fruits! Sweet relief!

I don't think I've ever commented on your blog before, but: welcome back! And congratulations on finishing your proposal.

I think you may have inspired me to start an Amelia sweater...that looks about perfect!

nicole said...

Send some of that heat my way! I am mired in fog, which is resulting in severe grumpiness.

Beautiful work you have been doing! I love Kingscot and Portland. Your lace work is stunning as usual.

Miss seeing you pop up online!

monica said...

All of your knits look great! I really like the Norah Gaughan sweater.

Knittripps said...

Lovely parade indeed. I have fall on my mind and I love your Kingscot cardigan!

Kelita said...

Wow you have been busy in the last four months! Your thesis proposal and all these beautiful knits!! I love the shawls and sweaters.

JustApril said...

That's a bunch of stuff =) All gorgeous. I guess our crazy heat moved North

claudia said...

That cardie is extremely cute on you.

outi o said...

Beautiful , beautiful work!
I have found that some of my heavily cabled garments
are a bit much,,,,,,,they are not body friendly some how. I have one I am so proud of but never worn for that reason.

tiennie said...

All the projects are beautiful! Even the portland pullover - I love it's comfy length!

Chez Tine said...

magnifique
tu es la reine du tricot

Anonymous said...

Can I be you? Can't believe that you have done so much knitting. I have a tutorial on making a sweater longer, but it would also work to make it shorter. I personally don't think that it needs it.

Love, love, love the Kingscot.