sidetracked by the boys

So my knitting has been interrupted with a persistent 6-year-old boy voice in my ear (literally, people, I'm not on the hallucinogens - yet) asking for "fingerless gloves".  Now I can usually sidestep the requests, but this voice has been repeating the same mantra for months:  "When are you going to knit me some fingerless gloves?"  My standard answer has been "this summer when I'm off".  Well, summer is coming to an end and I have finally caved in and cast on some easy fingerless gloves.  Using some Mission Falls 1824 in a pumpkin colour from my stash, so they will be quick, cheerful, and cheap.  All of the necessary ingredients for a gift for a rough and tumble kid. 

On the topic of gift knits, I ran across this diagram at The Panopticon's blog.  Definitely worth checking in occasionally, as he is very witty.  Case in point:

He writes:  My personal rule for deciding this couldn't be simpler. I ask myself these two questions regarding the potential recipient:

1. Are you a close blood relation with whom I am on speaking terms?
2. Are you providing me with high-quality free sex on a regular basis?

While this is not a "special occasion", I figure I should knit the 6-year-old some gloves before he's too cool to rock the handknits and I'm dropping an obscene amount of money on snowboard gloves that will make a serious dent in the grocery budget.  Now, off to finish glove one and start glove two before I get a case of "second sock/mitt-itis" and abandon the whole project.

up next - montague

My next venture will be a vest that can be worn as an outer layer in fall or an extra one in winter.  It is from New England Knits called Montague.  The name can't help but lead one to think of Romeo Montague and his very famous Juliet.  After having to memorize the soliloquies in high school (an oh-so-useful skill) I have renamed it Balcony Vest, as in the balcony scene from the play.  Found this photo on Flickr of a Chicago production that matches the picture I had in my mind when thinking of Romeo and Juliet:

Photo:  Paul Morgan via Flickr

 I'm using some Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky Tweed that I bought on sale at my lovely LYS owned by Tina:  Soper Creek Yarn

FO - tangerine mimosa

My first finished sweater in a while, and the first that meets my new criteria for sweaters.  I've modified it in length of the body as well as the sleeves, and added more raglan increases to get a deeper armhole (and could have added more, I think).  I like the way it fits, but think I'll be fussing with it since it doesn't close.  A pin will do the trick, I think:

This is, as mentioned, the pattern is Vodka Lemonade by Babycocktails  The pattern includes details about adding length, where to place the lace for different waist/hip emphasis, and is excellent.  Easy to follow throughout. 

tangerine dream

This cardigan is already shaping up to be a keeper.  I'm further along that would appear (just one sleeve to go) but don't have updated photos yet.  The yarn is a wool-bamboo blend and the pattern is an incredibly well designed and well written cardigan by Thea Coleman (aka: babycocktails) called Vodka Lemonade.  I will definitely be making more of her patterns - already have a few in mind for the fall.  I've made the body and sleeves longer and will wear it with no buttons as designed.  Should be a perfect back to school sweater this fall. 

Tangerine Tango is the colour of the year, according to the wise people over at Pantone:

Source:  April Meeks via Flickr

So I will be right on trend!  I picked the colour of the yarn to break out of my 'neutrals' mode, not because "they" told me to, but it is a happy coincidence.  Now, off to finish that second sleeve.

sheep to frog

So often, items that start off as a promising bit of wool turn into items for the 'frog pond' - like the lovely tank in the top picture that, while pretty, doesn't quite fit.  The bottom fingerless gloves did end up as planned and have been gifted to a friend.  My new goal is to plan more carefully before I start so that I have more successful projects and fewer 'frogs'! 

For me, this means paying more attention to the schematics, acknowledging that the model might not   will not have the same proportions as me, and finding patterns that work for my size rather than the modelled picture.  This also means choosing better yarns (sorry, acrylic lovers) so my projects are worth fixing and fiddling with.  After all, I want handmade craftmanship, not a 'homemade' look, to my clothing.