Update

There was and is a lot going on on my needles. But I don’t have the time (and tools) to take a picture. There are some pretty good looking FO around here recently tough. :-)

First a scarf I named “O” for my mother-in-law to be. It’s from this pattern and I highly recommend it as it is totally reversible. Don’t know about you, but what really annoys me in lace projects is that they look good only on one side. Well this problem does not exist in here as the lace pattern is based on garter stitch. I made it with 4ply fingering wool and 4.5mm needles. It came out a little stiff and needed brutal blocking to open up the lace. I also made it in solid natural/undyed color.

Will I do it again? I think I will but with a) larger needles (I do knit extremely tight) b) with a yarn that has tones of drape (I’m thinking bamboo or silk) c) probably in some kind of batik or ombre.

Second there was a set for my fiancé. A cap and a simple cowl. He asked me for a hat that would fit under a climbing helmet and a matching cowl. Could any knitter say no to a request like that? Think not. The cowl it’s just a plain tube – no pattern. And the cap is Rambled. I used the wonderful Unisono yarn (it has all the certificates you can dream of, and it’s soaked with Aloe Vera extract so it’s super friendly to the sensitive skin) and 4.5mm needles. The pattern is a dream – simple and stunning. And it fits perfectly. The cowl however did not work so great. The edges are rolling too much, so I’ll have rework them. 

Will I do it again? Definitely. This pattern is so versatile, I think it’ll stay with us for a long time.

Third I made a hat for myself. Molly. I used a beautiful colorway of Cascades 220 Heathers in shades of blue and green. The pattern was clear and well written but it turned out a lot to big. I do have a very small head. So what I improvised. Took the pattern as a guide and modified it. It ended up ok, but I’m not swept of my feet by the end result. The drape is not quite as I wanted it to be, but oh well – I’ll wear it anyway because of that beautiful color.

Will I do it again? Nope.

Next we have Peggy. The minicardi made with the lovely Peggy Sue pattern. I made it with Xima Medusa (it’s a Polish cotton blend) and 4mm needles. It was my third attempt at this pattern (I think) and I was determined to finish it this time. And I did. I run low on the yarn and had to modify the sleeves (made cup sleeves – extra short, but it look nice). After sewing everything I ended up with a 30cm piece of yarn. That was close. ;-) I still have to wash the damn thing and sew on buttons. I hate finishing garments. 

Will I do it again? Maybe – the 300 stitches at the end of the raglan increase do make me think twice tough. ;-)

And last but not least Reyna. A simple shawlette made with sock yarn in a mix of intensive colors (with the majority of neon pink). A totally mindless knit. It was perfect for knitting in the train and on the lakeside. It’s finished but not blocked yet. I hope to do this today (ha ha…).

Will I do it again? I don’t think so. I’ll probably opt for something more complicated next time.

So this is it for my recently FO. I promise I’ll make some photos next week. See you soon!

Sunday morning / Niedzielny poranek

Wczorajszy poranek był idealny. Ulubione cappuccino w filiżance, którą dostałam od przyjaciółki. Na śniadanie kanapka z masłem orzechowym i jabłkiem. I druty. Cała masa drutowania. ;-) Robię właśnie trzecie podejście do pięknego projektu Peggy Sue. Dlaczego trzecie podejście? Nie z powodu wzoru – z nim jest wszystko w porządku. Niestety, chyba do pierwszych dwóch prób wybrałam niewłaściwą włóczkę. Cudowny bordowy kolor, ale niestety akryl. Nie jest to najwyższa jakość na świecie – jeśli wiecie co mam na myśli. Tak więc, kiedy byłam zmuszona spruć jeden z wcześniejszych projektów (który okazał się totalną porażką), postanowiłam przerobić tą włóczkę właśnie na Peggy. To mieszanka z dużym udziałem bawełny, w pięknym morskim kolorze. Jak na razie wychodzi bardzo ładnie. Ale do rzeczy – sweter jest robiony w jednym kawałku, bezszwowo, metodą od góry, z raglanowymi rękawami. Więc raczej nie powinnam być zaskoczona, że pod koniec dodawania oczek, będę ich miała ponad 300, prawda? Błąd. ;-) To znaczy, zdawałam sobie sprawę, że będzie tych oczek naprawdę dużo, ale to jest takie... nudne. Już prawie skończyłam ten niekończący się raglan, zostało mi 5 rzędów, a potem już tylko czysta przyjemność warkoczowego ściągacza. Nie mogę się doczekać.

Dla bordowego akrylu nie mam na razie planów. Potrzebuję dopasowanego cardiganu, z rękawami ¾ do dwóch moich ulubionych sukienek, więc może sama coś zaimprowizuję? Albo wykorzystam wzór na Safire?

Na innych polach drutowych – przepadłam całkowicie dla wzorów z Quince and Co. Są piękne, proste, współczesne, geometryczne, graficzne. Jednym słowem wszystko co cenię w dobrym wzorze na druty. Niestety są płatne i nie mogę sobie pozwolić na wszystkie, które mi się podobają. No cóż, będę „po prostu” musiała wybrać.

No i w końcu – w tym roku mam dwa wyjątkowe bobasy, dla których mogę robić włóczkowe wytwory. Jeden z moich najstarszych przyjaciół właśnie został tatą, a moja najlepsza przyjaciółka oczekuje swojego pierworodnego w czerwcu. Tak więc dla zimowego dzieciątka będę słodkie czapeczki i buciki, a dla letniego uroczy kocyk.

Jak widzicie, dużo się ostatnio dzieje na tych moich drutach. I podoba mi się to.

I had a perfect morning yesterday. A favorite cappuccino in a cup that was a present from a friend. A breakfast of peanut butter sandwich with sliced apple. And knitting. A whole lot of knitting. ;-) I’m taking my third attempt at the lovely Peggy Sue pattern. Why third? Well there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pattern. I think I’ve chosen wrong yarn for the project for the first two times. A lovely burgundy color, but acrylic, unfortunately. It’s not the highest quality in the world – if you know what I mean. So after frogging one earlier project which happened to be a complete failure, I repurposed the aqua-blue cotton blend. I’m kind of happy with the fact that I decided to make Peggy with it. It’s coming out very pretty. But – to the point – the sweater is made in one piece, top down, with raglan increases. So I shouldn’t be surprised that by the end of the raglan I’ll have 300 stitches, wright? Wrong. ;-) I mean, I did realize that it will take a lot of stitches to make this, but it’s so… boring. I’m nearly done with that never-ending raglan, still got 5 rows to go, and then only the pleasure of cable ribbing. Can’t wait.

For the burgundy acrylic I have no plans. I’m in need of a ¾ sleeves length tiny cardigan, to go with two of my favorite dresses, so maybe I’ll just improvise something. Or maybe I’ll use the Safire pattern?

On other knitting fields – I’m a little caught up in the Quince and Co. patterns. They are so lovely, geometric, contemporary and graphic. Everything I like in a good knitting pattern. Unfortunately they are all payable and I can’t afford all I like. Well, that’s life. I’ll “just” have to choose.

And last, but not least – I have two precious babies to knit for this year. One of my oldest friends have become a dad recently, and my best friend is expecting her first-born due in June. So some sweet little caps and booties are a must for the winter baby, and a cute blanket for the summer baby.

As you can see – there is a lot on those needles of mine, lately. And I like it.