Nuclear Knits: Where knitting is the bomb!

Have you ever tried to make a NON-Lace scarf out of sock yarn? I'd like to make a scarf for Mike and I'd like to use this yarn. I've cast on 60 stitches and am doing K3,P1 across ... but I'm now thinking (on size 2 needles) that this will take forever and be nothing special. Does anyone have any experience with non-lace scarfs out of something so fine?

You might be wondering exactly what I've been up to. The answer - preparing for March Madness. March Madness is a group I started on Ravelry for finishing up as many small projects and gifts as possible for a whole month. I've started lining up the projects, checking needles, gauge, preparing for March 1st. You can see there are scarves, socks, slippers, mittens and wash clothes. This is only the start - but I'm already excited for it to start!

I would call this the tightest smallest sweater I own. I'm not sure if I'll keep it or give it to someone with a smaller breast size than me. Project Details October 21st 2009 - February 22nd 2010 (FOUR MONTHS! ... what the hell is wrong with me??) I used Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK yarn on size 3 & 5 needles. I used 9 of my 11 skeins (which was 1100 yards). I'm feeling that I might be off sweaters for a while. I can't believe how tight this came out.

My goal was to finish up sleeve two by the end of the weekend. I did a bit better than that. I got both sleeves finished and started the yoke on the neck. I was knitting so much and pulling that I did cause myself a bit of pain. Not sure if you can see in this photo but I got a blister on my middle finger and it now has a tiny little cut there. Lovely huh? My goal is to have this sweater done before the weekend. I'd like to start on some socks or scarfs or something small and fun next!

Here is the fabric I've decided to use for my first apron. It will be a double sided apron with one pocket on each side. I love aprons. There is something about wearing one that makes me feel like I can a) be as messy as I need to be b) I'm a domestic kitchen goddess c) I should have a martini glass in one hand and my hair up in ringlets. I love aprons.

I can't believe how fast this came. Knitters Brew, Wendy, is so amazing. FAST FAST FAST and this does remind me of chocolate. Do I have to count this in my yardage to knit through??

Remember this fiber? This is the last roving from the Oceanwinds Knit club. I've only just started working on it. I'll have to dig out the blend again - it is a hand-carded and very interesting to work with. I can't wait to get through it and see how the finished product looks. As I was spinning this up I thought it was all gray - and then I turned the lights on in the room and was amazed to see that there were bits of other colors. I received my new roving package from Woolen Mill St. Yarns. It is so cool. 50% superwash, 50% tencel and the colorway is Electric Rose Garden.

While packing for Mike's latest trip (to Vienna) we were talking about him staying warm. He has his suite and dress shirts. His ties and argyle sweater. His beautiful black shoes and adorable cuff-links. But, staying warm in a wool pea coat in sub-zero weather takes a bit of effort. I asked him about a scarf and he says, "I've never owned a scarf, I wouldn't even know how to wear it". I asked him if I knit one would he wear it. "Of course honey. Especially if it keeps me warm." So I'm on a mission. I need a good scarf pattern for him. His jacket is gray and his suites are black. So, I'm thinking a blue or gray-blue scarf (something to bring out the blue in his eyes). Thoughts on a good pattern for my love? Side note ... can you imagine a life without owning a scarf. EVER? I feel like I've let him down. How did I never notice?

Here is the Sicily Sleeves. The first one is done and the second one is a few rows in. I hope to have the second sleeve finished by the end of the week. This sweater has been a work in progress for way way too long. On a side note remember the socks I just finished for the KAL? The dancing girls? Well once I was done I entered them into the KAL giveaway. If you remember I won the grand prize with the safari socks a while back. Figuring I'll never win another thing in my life - I was surprised to get an email telling me I was a runner up. Goodness I feel super lucky!

Happy Valentines Day folks. You may be wondering exactly what I'm working on (or maybe not) and the answer would be ... still Sicily. I'm now working on sleeve one. The pattern is very strange though. It says "work in St St for desired length, until sleeve measures 6-8 inches." Exactly how long is that? What do you do at the top? I know, I know ... I should always read the whole pattern through - but shouldn't it say exactly where you wan the sleeve to stop? Does it stop at the arm pit? Top of the shoulder? I guess I'll go on blind faith and see if it works out.

Here is what the neck warmer looks like flat. Here is what it looks like standing up (as it would be on your neck). Project Details: I started on February 6th and finished February 12 (not really 6 days since I didn't work on it a few of those days). I used Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure yarn. It was super delicious to work with and leaves a really nice finished product. I only had one skein (which was 125 yards) - the pattern called for 150 yards. So, I didn't do all 3 repeats at the top and just did 2. I have a bit of the skein left, but not much. I used size 3 needles and did the whole thing on DPNs (not circular). This is intended for a gift ... a fun, easy fast knit

I cast on for this over the weekend. I'm excited to see how it comes along. The Louisa Harding yarn is wonderfully soft and springy. My goal is to have this done by the end of the week!

While waiting for my latest handspun to dry Methow decided that her love of fiber could not be contained any more. That is right - she made a nest out of the wool and now smells sort of like mint and wet wool!

Ah. Feeling like I'm making progress on projects now. Project Details: Started January 5th and finished February 6th. They need a good blocking. These are The Knitters Brewing Company Girls Night Out Mystery II sock Knit Along . The yarn was a kit from Knitters Brewing Company ($24 - in case you are interested). I believe once the KAL is done the pattern will be for free download on Ravelry. But, I'm not sure on that.

Do you remember this original roving? I think it was Novembers kit. The blend is wonderfully dreamy. Singles. Final Spun Details: 418 yards. I'm calling it watermelon (really called Peppi). Sport weight and a mix of fine merino and 20% cashmere. The green is the 20% cashmere and so fluffy and delicious. I'm thinking about making a hat or something that will be right next to my skin!

I know, it is slow going, but I'm working on the first sleeve of the Sicily sweater. Seems very belled - but hopefully if it fits - I'll like it. I'm hoping to have sleeve one done this weekend. Fingers crossed! I've finished clue 5 for sock one of the mystery knit along. I still have sock 2 to do. I'll get on it this weekend!!

Digging through my stash I'm trying to figure out what to use for my red scarf projects. Is green and red inappropriate? What about blue? Teal??

Do you remember my post about the yardage in my stash? Well this includes stash that I look at as "knit worthy" or that has been over looked or that came in a kit. I didn't build in any slack into my calculation. I've gone through a bit more of the found stash. Previous Post: I have 71,973 yards of yarn. (75 pairs worth off sock yarn and 38 sweaters and or hats) Let's take into consideration that I did a handsome amount of knitting this past year and I knit 12,567 yards worth in 2009. This means that it will take me ~6 years to work through my whole stash. Therefore .... I really am sticking with my not buying of anything new and working through the stash. Wish me luck! New Totals: 82,000 yards of yarn (and this isn't everything ... this is just kits and such). ZOINKS. If I do the math again this means it will take me 6.5 years to knit up all of this. OUCH!

I'm an artistic knitter . Interesting! What are you?

Punxsutawne Phil says 6 more weeks of winter this year. Not that I really mind - but I'd love for spring to be just over the horizon. In honor of this glorious announcement I want to post some contests that I've found recently. #1. Fabric - but you only have until tomorrow to enter. #2. Slipper Giveaway - French Press Blog #3. Pomo giveaway #4. Sweater Babe #5. Vintage Pearl Good luck if you enter any of these!

Another woven project finished. This is what I'm calling a Tibet scarf. The warp was done with nettle yarn and the weave is recycled silk (both out of Nepal). It was a relatively fast weave (started in December and finished Jan. 30). It is super thin and long (totally in right now). I'm also happy to see that Ravelry has a weaving project section. SWEET! More yardage out of the stash.