I almost, but not quite, forgot about it! Good grief. Eight years ago today, I got this blog up and running. It has been great big fun, I’ll tell you! I’ve learned a lot in the process, and met some terrific people. Even though I occasionally lose it and forget to blog for weeks on end, I’m still here!
In honor of the day, I decided to post some actual knitting. I know, you’re shocked. The past few weeks since we got back from vacation have been a bit of a slog at work, but I have done a few things. Here you go!
First up is True Blood. This is slowly but surely coming along. I have finished both sleeves, and started the hood.
The first photo is more like the real color. After the hood, I just have to attach the sleeves, then knit a big honking button band all the way up one side, around the hood, and down the other. And it’s a hemmed band, so it will be eleventy billion stitches. Then I can attach my little garnet and silver faery buttons, and I’ll have a wonderful wool hooded coat, just ready for summer!
Next up is an actual finished project!
Project Details:
Houdini Stole
Yarn: this is a combination of Art Fibers Houdini and Kyoto. The Houdini is a wide nylon ribbon, and the Kyoto is a silk mohair blend.
Pattern: made up stole pattern (see below)
Needles: Big ass 12 mm needles. This was a little like knitting with beginner crayons.
For: Me
Started: March, 2011
Finished: yesterday
What I learned: I don’t generally go for artsy fartsy novelty yarns, but this actually turned out quite pretty, and I think I will wear it. It’s quite long, good enough to wrap a couple times around my neck. The shop lady at Art Fibers just made up the pattern on the spot after I picked out the yarn. Since it’s hand written in pencil on a piece of scrap paper, I’m pretty sure I’m safe to share it here.
With Houdini, cast on 3 stitches. Knit every row (garter stitch). Increase at the beginning and end of every other row until the piece measures about 20 inches (or as wide as you want). Then increase at the beginning of the row and decrease at the end of the row every other row, until it is as long as you want. Then decrease at each end every other row until you have 3 stitches left and bind off. AT THE SAME TIME, alternate the two yarns (Houdini and Kyoto) every two rows. So, two rows of Houdini, two rows of Kyoto. I just did the increases and decreases with the first and last stitches, and did a knit in the front and back increase, and a simple K2tog decrease. The yarn is busy enough that you can’t really tell.
You end up with a big long rectangle, but with the knitting on the diagonal.
Now that I finished that, I’ve resurrected an old lace stole pattern that’s been marinating quite long enough.
The is the Morning Glory stole, by Anne of Knitspot. The yarn is Harmony, a discontinued yarn from Brooks Farm. The color is named Froot Loops. This is sort of “moose lace”, but the pattern takes a little concentration. It is patterned on both sides, so no easy purl back row, and the pattern repeat shifts around on almost every row, so markers are a bit useless. It’s making me pay attention! It is knit in two halves, then grafted together.
Enough for today. We have a cooking class tonight, which should be a lot of fun. I’ll report back…
Can you believe we’ve been at this for so long!?
Happy Blogiversary!
Happy Blogiversary! I can’t believe all the wonderful friends I’ve met while blogging. True Blood is looking fantastic and I think I’ve made the decision to live vicariously through you on that one. Do you have an iPad? If so, we need to get you plugged into Knit Companion. I will never do lace without it again.
Congratulations! I’m so glad you are here, and hope you will be for a long time.
Happy Blogiversary! I am always glad to see that there is a new post from you!
Your red faery thing is going to be fabulous. It looks like you suddenly have made a ton of progress. The froot loops thing really does look like Froot Loops (one of my depraved weaknesses.)
Happy blogiversary! Every time you post True Blood, I’m in awe of how gorgeous it is.
Happy 8 years!!
Happy Blogiversary! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and I think your True Blood is beautiful!
Happy Blogiversary!!! I don’t remember how I found your blog, but I am glad that I did. I enjoy reading your posts and I hope to meet you sometime soon IRL.
Cheers!
Happy Blogiversary! Eight years is a long time to do anything much less a blog. Good for you!
Congratulations on your progress with the True Blood. Though it will be done just in time for summer, just remember that you won’t have to hustle to finish it when it starts getting cold…it will be there waiting for you.
Happy blogiversary! Nice to see another just motoring on through knitting, blogging, traveling, and all the rest that our fiber life offers.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see True Blood all finished up. I’ve been considering that Morning Glory shawl my own self…
Happy Blogiversary! Your Faery Ring looks fabulous! Can’t wait to see it finished. Here’s to many more wonderful years of blogging, knitting, adventures, and more!
Happy blogiversary, Lorette!! I can’t believe it’s been 8 years already. It’s sure been fun…
Happy Blogiversary! Eight years is a long time; congratulations for sticking with it. It’s fun reading about your travels and other interests, too. I think when bloggers include bits of their personal lives, they become more like friends – not just knitting reporters. And I take comfort that – with a busy life – your knitting progress is sometimes slow – like mine!
Happy anniversary Lorette! Eight years is a very long time in blogland.
Happy Blogiversary!!! I’ve enjoyed reading all of your posts. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Blogiversary! 8 years and counting! Thanks for sharing your knitting and life with all of us-your blog is always so much fun to read!
Happy blogiversary, being an “old-timmer” in the blogging world I appreciate what goes into keeping it going. That red is so rich and beautiful and the pattern as well.
Happy blogiversary. I don’t remember when I stumbled on your blog (it was too long ago), but it is part of my regular electronic reading. Your projects are looking great, and True Blood is coming along nicely. It is a great color.
Happy belated blogiversary! Lovely knitting!