So every time I look through a knitting book or magazine and see a cowl/headwarmer thingy, I think “I’d never make one of those. Who wears those?”

Well, today I decided I’m making one of those. Montreal winters are COLD and it’s just starting. After wrapping my scarf around my ears each time my dad sent me for cigarettes, lotto tickets or to the post office, I finally decided to give in to the big furry warmness (did I make that word up?) and look for a pattern asap. I think I’ll use my leftover skein of Bernat Soft Boucle in black so it will blend in with my winter coat.

Here’s the latest:

For Justin’s sweater- I’ve sewn the raglan seams and picked up for the hood. I need to complete the hood, pick up and work the button bands, then I’m done!

Over the weekend I couldn’t work on the hoodie ‘cus it was on the blocking board, so I decided to teach myself entrelac. My cousin Robyn had given me a large bag of craft stuff she didn’t want any more (thanks Robyn!) and inside were 3 skeins of Bernat Light & Lofty in a blue, and 2 skeins of Bernat Soft Boucle in a brown blend. I happened to already have a Soft Boucle in a cream color, so using it with the browns I’m making an entrelac throw for our basement. I’m in no rush to finish it, but I got the technique from a Debbie Bliss book I took out from the library. Great info, great technique. Made it super easy!

I finally started carrying around a skein of the Sisu for my birthday suit so I can work on swatching that this week. I’m just waiting to finish typing up the pattern (I put all my patterns in my Palm so I don’t need to carry big books around) and then I’m starting.

I’m also doing the same for my challenging project. I’ve decided the birthday suit is my “relaxing” project ‘cus it’s in a simple stockinette stitch. So I want something hard for when I want to use my brain. I found it in Vogue Knitting (also from the library). It’s a sweater designed by DKNY and it uses cables and such to create a landscape with a fence, clouds, everything! I’m looking forwards to starting! I bought the yarn, now I need to see which size needles.

I also bought the yarn for a secret project that I can probably talk about here ‘cus the person its for never uses the net. One time during a trip to our LYS, Yannick tried on a pair of mittens that he found SOO comfy. They are in st st, but use a technique called “thrumming” (I think). Basically every few rows you do a stitch with an extra piece of yarn and leave the ends loose inside the mitten to fuzz up, and it creates a super-warm, really cozy mitten. So I bought a kit in the most masculine color they had and I’ll make him a pair for Christmas/Hanukah. I didn’t add it to my WIP list yet ‘cus I’m only going to start it next Monday. After my class I’ll be staying at the Wool Shop to learn the technique.

Oh, and before I end this post, I DID get some work done on Yannick’s remaining sock. It might be hard to believe, but my friend Jackie who reads this blog can attest that its true. On Saturday night we went bowling, and I let Yannick bowl for me so he could see if he was up to it since his back surgery. So, instead of sitting around doing nothing for the 2 games…I pulled out my knitting. It’s small ‘cus its on dpns, and I don’t think I disturbed anyone. I have a feeling I was talked about the next day…and perhaps not very flattering by everyone…but I don’t care. I still had a good time, still participated with everyone, and got about 15 rows done. I’m happy.

I finished my secret project- for the most part. Just need to add some fringe, and its done. I’ve also finished the first sleeve of Justin’s Hooded Sweater, leaving me only 1 more sleeve, the hood and the button bands to do. Gotta keep moving…

I finished my secret project- for the most part. Just need to add some fringe, and its done. I’ve also finished the first sleeve of Justin’s Hooded Sweater, leaving me only 1 more sleeve, the hood and the button bands to do. Gotta keep moving…

I finished my secret project- for the most part. Just need to add some fringe, and its done. I’ve also finished the first sleeve of Justin’s Hooded Sweater, leaving me only 1 more sleeve, the hood and the button bands to do. Gotta keep moving…

I finished my secret project- for the most part. Just need to add some fringe, and its done. I’ve also finished the first sleeve of Justin’s Hooded Sweater, leaving me only 1 more sleeve, the hood and the button bands to do. Gotta keep moving…

I finished my secret project- for the most part. Just need to add some fringe, and its done. I’ve also finished the first sleeve of Justin’s Hooded Sweater, leaving me only 1 more sleeve, the hood and the button bands to do. Gotta keep moving…

My car was vandalized on “Mat Night”, the night before Hallowe’en. Actually, the car was fine. But someone took it upon him or herself to screw with my little antenna smiley face head. So instead of my cute little cowgirl with the long blond braids peeking out from under her gray Stetson, I now have this:

She now looks like a Rabbi!!! She looks like she’s been scalped! I called my mother for sympathy, and I got laughter and the advice to knit her a tuque. I’m not amused.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer. You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it’s not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you’ve started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you’ve never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people’s patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.

I think this is what I’m the most proud of at the moment. First of all, I didn’t have enough from one dye lot, so I was going to use another dye lot for the ribbing and hood. Then I created the stripes idea and used it for in between, so the whole main body and sleeves etc can be in the main dye lot. Plus the stripes look awesome and line up perfectly. Plus I managed to figure out the “work pocket while working body” thing so all I have to do at the end is seam the two sides…the pocket is already attached permanently into the work…and the stripes are STILL lining up! 🙂

I’ve finished the back, front side, front pocket and in this photo I’ve gotten to the point where I stop on the right side to start working the pocket. In real life I’ve only got 4 more stripes to go to finish the pocket and work the two tog and continue.