half of me is sky

 I think I basically got the size right on this little sweater, for once.  It was a remarkably fast knit, which I should remember.  It's the Child's Placket Neck Pullover from Last Minute Gifts, knit in Spud and Chloe Sweater, billiard and beluga colors.  Because the yarn is a heavier gauge than the pattern, and because I was aiming for the newborn size, I did a little math to adjust the pattern.  (Details on Ravelry.)

 I like how the stripes turned out but will probably stick to single colors in the future for this sweater.  Because the sleeves are shorter than the body, it's hard to get the stripe pattern to match exactly.  (To address this, I just knit the sleeves to the body length and rolled the cuff up.)  I kept the placket entirely green which also required a little intarsia.

And this sweater has encouraged me to try a little harder to knit children things that fit properly, since it is fun to watch them grow into them but it is probably more fun to see a knit in use right away.  Here's hoping that your start of 2013 is full of well-fitting and warm knits!

where the moon sits low

(fair warning: This post is mostly stuff that you've seen before.)

I was delighted to learn in the last few days that last winter's oversized sweater now fits much better (and even more delighted since its recipient is still quite delighted by "hop hops" even if she does call them bunnies now).  (H: M, what are you thankful for?  M: Bunnies!  But you cannot pet a bunny.  You can only watch them go hippity hop.)

While obtaining photographic proof of this, I felt vaguely reminiscent.  Where had I seen that same expression in a handknit before?   

Well, I suppose they are siblings, and in this picture, he's only a few months older than she is currently.

 And here's the only new addition: a cocoon for someone who may someday sport the same smile:

I was a little skeptical of this cocoon, and its associated pod (pattern at same link), but they were incredibly quick knits so I was happy to oblige my sister-in-law's request for them.  And they do actually seem like they have been super useful for a little one who likes to be cozy and warm.  They also gave me a chance to try out Plucky Bulky, which was pretty great.

Since I have actually been knitting quite a bit, I hope to have time to blog about more of it in the near future.  (I suppose it would help too if I finished a few things, since I've had a lot of knitting go into two still-unfinished objects.)  Anyone have brilliant knitting plans before the New Year?

Qiviuk

I used part of my retirement gift from my coworkers to treat myself to one ball of Qiviuk at a gift shop in the Banff resort hotel in the Canadian Rockies this summer. Two years ago we had visited the musk ox farm where the Alaska native cooperative that controls the North American supply produces the luxurious fiber - softer than cashmere. In Alaska I couldn't find the yarn, only finished products. At Banff they had a broader range of colors and both a blend, and the 100% Qiviuk at $85 for 217 yeards. One ball was just enough for a smallish scarf. I picked a simple lace pattern and it was a joy to knit - but all too quickly done. My main project lately has been neckties! I made one for David for his birthday in diagonal stripes (the skinny model below isn't David), and am just finishing a straight tie with a diamond pattern (one color) for John, both from my stache of a sport weight heather leftover from a sweater vest. I plan to knit another striped one for John (the diagonal shaping was fun.) I bought some new colorway merino silk blend yarn for a a pointed tie (not knitted on the diagonal)for a Christmas present for Emily's fiance. Then I will have exhausted my interest in ties, I think, and I doubt many men would want more than one hand knit wool tie.

and I made a promise to California

So it turns out that the Bay Area might be the perfect knitting climate.  I wouldn't have imagined that I could wear a wool-and-cashmere sweater in August anywhere but, delightfully, I have been proven wrong.

(photo credit: Wamps)

This is another iteration of the Paulie cardigan although this one managed to go much faster than the last.  It's again in Plucky Primo Fingering, colors Childhood Memories (teal); Thornfield Hall (gray); The Hills are Alive (green); and Dandy Lion (yellow).  I'm especially thrilled to get to wear something with Dandy Lion since I've loved knitting gifts out of this color but it's not one that usually works for me.  More details are on Ravelry.

Now if I could only figure out a ribbon backing for the button band.  Anyone have any pointers for that?

What Up, Knitters (Crafters)

A couple of weeks back, a very special someone landed in my neck of the woods.  It just so happened that there was a Fiber Festival in Oakland ON THAT VERY DAY.  Fate, yes?

Here's some proof.

In other crafting news, I picked out a bundle of fabrics that I decided would make a not-too-shabby bookcase quilt.

Of course, then I decided to move, so I packed that away for another day. (Note: that fabric thus far is the only thing I've packed.)

we are travelers, only passing through

Thanks to CH, my yarn will be well protected as it heads 3000 miles west and relaxes in storage while awaiting a longer-term home. 

I have four projects that aren't headed to storage: a Paulie that now just needs sleeves, a Rocky Coast cardigan with Plucky rustic, a baby-sized sylvan afghan, and that celebratory project that I mentioned weeks ago.  Any southside knitters interested in a summertime KAL?  I'm hoping that focusing on these four will prevent me from buying yarn in every state along the way, and would love company on whatever knitting strikes your fancy!

so get your hands dirty

Where are you all knitting-in-public for Worldwide Knit in Public Day?  As you can see, I didn't make much progress on my cardy between the corn and the roast clam special.