Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Not sure about the gauge

Okay...so I started the scarf using US8's. I'm wondering if I picked a needle size a bit too big, but the yarn I got didn't recommend a size, and it's about the same as the Elizabeth Lavoy. I was worried about using something too smallbecause there's only 25 stitches, and I didn't want the scarf to be too narrow.

Here's a picture of what I've got so far.
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Hmmm...acutally, when I look at it in the photo, it looks more or less okay. I was worried that the needle size was too big and that you couldn't see the pattern. What do you guys think? Think it's okay as it is? I don't want to keep going if I'm just going to frog it and start over again on smaller needles. Right now, I'm leaning on the side of just keeping it.

But let me tell you, it's awesome knitting with this stuff. When it's all knitted up, it's SOOO soft and silky. I totally recommend getting some!

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Gift bag!

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Okay...I have to say that this is probably a speed record for me. The Alpaca Silk is definitely very nice to knit with. Plus, I learned the three-needle bind off for this project too. It's not hard, but I still feel a small sense of accomplishment anyway. It makes very nice seams indeed. I think the part that was the most frustrating for me was the fringe. Probably took me about as long to knit the whole i-cord as it did to put the fringe on one end and wrap the tassle. Actually, it was the wrapping that was the most frustrating. I wanted to have a third hand when I was doing it! ^_^

Next, on to the scarf. Oh! What size needles did you use for yours?

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Finally, some photos

Okay...I finally have photos to show!

Here's the shawl.
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
I had a tough time blocking it actually, because it was so darn big. The kitty in the picture gives you an idea of the scale ^_^ Here's an up close shot of the lace pattern
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
(stupid me...I should've taken the towel away for the zoomed out shot...I only needed it for the zoomed in shot, after all...*sigh*)

I also decided what to make for my friend Minako. I'm gonna make one of the drawstring pouches from 'Last Minute Gifts'. I got some light pink Blue Sky Alpaca Silk for it.
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

And I'm also going to make her the 'Branching Out' scarf out of this yarn
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
It's from Fleece Artist, and it's 100% silk. I'm hoping that it'll be a nice scarf that she can use during more than one season. I was debating getting kidsilk for it, but in the end I wanted something a little heavier.

Yay! It's done!

Okay...so I didn't make it in time for Mother's Day after all, but the shawl is now done. I stayed up late last night to finish it. I'm going to block it and then take a photo of it. It's HUGE! I'm hoping that my mom doesn't feel like it's too big for her. *ponders how to take a photo of such a large piece* I have a bit of the Kidsilk left that I don't know what to do with now. Maybe I'll make some lacy bookmarks or something.

So, I've been thinking about what kind of gift to give my friend Minako when I go to see her in Japan. She's going to take me and Miranda around Kyoto, so I want to give her something good, but I also don't have a lot of time to finish them in. I was thinking of making her a few knit items. I'm thinking of making her that 'Branching Out' scarf from Knitty. Can you think of something else that I could make to go with it? I'll probably look through the 'Last Minute Knitted Gifts' book to see if somethng jumps out at me. Maybe those gift bags or something? I dunno...help!

Monday, May 02, 2005

Not making it for Mother's Day

Well, it looks like I'm behind on that shawl. I'm almost done ball #2 of the kidsilk, and will be starting the third soon. However, my mom is leaving for China soon, so I won't be seeing her for Mother's Day. I saw my family last night for dinner, but of course I wasn't done the shawl yet. So, she's just going to have to wait until she gets back. And that means I have another month to get it all done! YAY!

But I should really try to get it done this week so I can at least say that I had it ready for Mother's Day...and then I can start on another project!! I'm still thinking about what to do with that awesome skein of Cherry Tree Hill that you sent me. I take it out to pet every now and then, it's so nice! ^_^