Tuesday, May 01, 2007

I got ya knittin', right here I got ya knittin'

Thanks for all the computer woe commiseration, your empathy is much appreciated!

Just a brief update and then hopefully no more computer talk for a great while....I'm coming to you via my "vintage" (I try not to hurt her feelings with ageist remarks, heh) 8 year old Gateway laptop - a FABULOUS piece of equipment and I'm not just buttering her up! As an aside, it astounds me that this laptop was made wireless ready in the days when you were state of the art if you had a 56K modem! Unfortunately, Gateway lost that kind of forward thinking and commitment to being the benchmark for quality shortly thereafter.

The "new" Gateway has another appointment for a "house call" to have a new video card, new hard drive and new mother board installed. That makes hard drive #6, video card #3, processor #2, memory #2 and mother board #2 in 18 months! basically the only original equipment is the on/off button.....so well see what happens this time!

On to some knitting!

First up, here's the FO I promised. Those of you that guessed that I was knitting a shrug were kee-rekt! Here's the front....

And because for every action there is and equal and opposite reaction - the back!

Specs:

Pattern: Retro Redux Shrug from INTERWEAVE KNITS LACE STYLE

Yarn: just over 3 skeins of Berroco Nostalgia, color #6634 for the smallest (38") size

Addi turbo circs size US 8, 9, 10 and 10 1/2

Mods: Except for subbing the yarn, not a single mod!! Imagine that? I'm shocked myself :)

This was a very quick and very fun knit! The pattern was very easy lace and instead of messing with incorporating increases/decreases into the brioche lace pattern, you simply increase needle size as you knit the first half of the shrug, and decrease on the second half - super easy peasy! The only downside is, if you don't love picking up stitches this may not be the project for you cause I had to pick up about 200 stitches for the edging on the smallest size. There is also a very interesting use of short rows to form the shawl collar.

I absolutely LOVE the yarn I used! The Nostalgia is a cotton/microfiber blend that is a pure joy to knit with! It has amazing stitch definition, is very soft and easy on the hands while being light and airy for year round wear - and if you follow the link, it's on sale til the end of May, woot!

All in all, I heartily recommend both the yarn and this pattern for a quick knit with lots of pizazz!

Currently on the needles, meet Audrey.....

She's a pretty tank from Elsebeth Lavold's Designer's Choice, Book Four

I'm using Silky Wool in color #27, Periwinkle.

Here's a close up of her beautiful leafy lace straps...

The pattern is easy but quite striking - in person i think it's one of the prettiest garments I've ever knit! Silky Wool is one of my favorite yarns, I love the color and the pattern has the right balance of soothing stockinette with the interesting rib and lace. I'm really enjoying this knit and the FO will be a winner! I'm about six inches into the front so I should have an FO to show off very soon.

I also have a new sock OTN but I'll save that for next time!

I leave you with a pic of my knitting supervisor hard at work...

You can see the P-Man loves Silky Wool too! And all your compliments on how cute he looked in his last pic plain wore the kitty man out!

Have a great week full of even stitches and MDS&W dreams - don't forget those of us that don't go live vicariously thru those that do :)

33 comments:

La Cabeza Grande said...

Heh. Hard at work between the pinwheel blanket and balls of yarns. What a cutie!

I bet she'll love the shrug and the periwinkle top is darling!

margene said...

I've been eying that Lavold top for some time! It's fabulous and it's nice to see you back...and you knitting, and P-man, too! ;-)

Suzann said...

I love that Lavold pattern, just got the book. Although I can't see ever wearing anything in wool in the Virginia summer. Just the idea causes me to feel melted.
Your's is beautiful. What a lovely color.
I have a Gateway desktop, running Windows 95 that is still going strong. It is my backup computer. It can't run broadband, but I can get online abet slowly in dialup. Shame Gateway lost it's way.

Alison said...

That is a beautiful shrug, but that tank is absolutely gorgeous!

Funny you should mention dreams about the MDS&W because I did, in fact, dream about it last night :-) I'll post lots of picts from the real thing next week.

Jes said...

Wow! Everything looks awesome. I spy the carnival throw behind P-man, I hope it's getting a lot of action ;)

Suzanne said...

P-man has good taste--and he knows what colors look good with his lovely orange fur!

Beth said...

What a cool lacy detail on Audrey. That's the sort of thing that makes a pattern stand out.

Lolly said...

The shrug is so nice! That looks like a lace pattern I could handle :) and that Silky Wool looks familiar too! I used the very same color for a top last month. Great great yarn - and the color is fabulous too. Great minds!

Monika said...

Congrats on the beautiful shrug! Audrey looks very promising as well! I've dropped the one lace top for my daughter even before I really begun, she's not so sure she'll wear it. But I'm waiting for Louet's cherry red yarn for the Kathrin H. sweater. There will be cables, and I don't like cables. Your P-man's such a sweety!

Anonymous said...

Audrey is beautiful and I love the color your chose. Stunning.

Kris
http://knittingwannabe.typepad.com

Opal said...

I just adore that tank top. It's absolutely stunning!

Cookie said...

You've been busy! I love the color of the Silky Wool. Looking forward to seeing the FO.

How do you get the kitty to lay next to the yarn and not on the yarn? I need to learn that trick.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shrug and the tank is stunning!

Knitting Therapy said...

Dontcha just love Lavold's designs?!! There is always just a touch of the unexpected. Love those lace straps.I have knit using the Hempathy. Will have to try the Silky Wool this fall.

Nana Sadie said...

LOVE Audrey! And Periwinkle is P-Man's color!!! What a cute "wiped-out, Mommie" shot!
I really CAN commiserate on the computer issues now...
(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

That is a cute tank top! The color is lovely too.

It is good to have a helper like the P-Man. Somebody has to keep the yarn in line.

Carol said...

Gorgeous knits! I'm a sucker for periwinkle! I'm so glad I got Lace Style:) There are some good ones in there! Happy knitting and hugs to Mr. P

Sharlene said...

Audrey is beautiful! I'm completely taken with her.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love that tank! Can't wait to see it finished.

P-Man is adorable as always :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful knitting! Just lovely. I love the periwinkle. It is a gorgeous colour. Perfect choice for the garment. Can't wait to see it finished.

Nicole said...

Audrey is just lovely! Both the color and the design are great. *sigh* I must finish my Icarus shawl so that I can knit myself something similarly summery... and hopefully before it turns to fall!

Knitting Granny said...

Both the shrub and the tank are beautiful - everyone's been sayin' so this is nothing new. P-man is stunning and really knows how to pick his colors! Thanks for sharing with all of us and good luck with all the computer stuff.

Knitting Granny said...

Oh no! I meant SHRUG not shrub. The one time I don't proof-read. Rats!

Anonymous said...

What a cute shrug.

That tank is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished.

Unknown said...

Audrey is so pretty! Love it!

handknit168 said...

I love your lace top very much, it is very special on the shoulder pattern. Hope can see the FO very soon.

Kristi aka Fiber Fool said...

My, Audrey is stunning!

Agnes said...

Ooooh ... Audrey is so pretty! Can't wait to see you finish her! And there is definitely no doubt that the yarn is 100% approved by the P-man!
At first I was not very impressed by Lace Style ... but after careful inspection, there are actually quite a lot of good patterns!

Anonymous said...

Must

Knit

Audrey!

It's gorgeous!

Carole Knits said...

I love the tank top, the straps are a really nice touch. Pumpkin looks so comfortable!

gail said...

Oooooooh,I really like Audrey. I also purchased some of the periwinkle, but for a different pattern. Now that I've met Audrey however, the yarn may be re-directed!!

Terri said...

Thank you for the nice complement on my entrelac back pack. The shrug is very cute. That tank top is really going to be something! I can't wait to see it finished, and I love the color. Your supervisor looks as if he is worn slick... Happy knitting.

Anonymous said...

I like your "blue thang"...and I see your swirly blanket in the background! I'm knitting with some sock yarn presents from you! I'll send you a picture asap!

~Grasshopper