Dad's Sharfik

Pattern: Dad's Sharfik by Kathy at Grumperina
Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 in grey, 4 1/2 balls, purchased at Wild & Wooly in Lexington
Needles: Size 7 Addis
Modifications: None
Dates Knitted: January 2, 2006 - February 12, 2006
Comments: This was a fun knit and yields (if I do say so myself) a beautiful project. The scarf is nice, thick, and warm, but still nice enough for evening use. I hope my dad likes it!

Electra

Pattern: Electra from Rowan 38, Size Medium
Needles: Size 6&7 Susan Bates Aluminum Circs, Size 3 Clover Bamboo Circs
Yarn: Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK in Revel, Felted Tweed in Midnight and Melody, and Kidsilk Haze in Splendour
Modifications: added a few inches in length
Notes: Overall, I'm pretty happy with the end results, although I think I will block it differently after I wash it next. I was really worried it would be too tight, so I focused on attaining a proper width. I think it's a little too big and looks bulky, plus I wouldn't mind it being slightly longer. I knit a few inches more than the pattern suggested before armhole shaping to keep it a little longer, but I could go for another inch or so. Also, the stripes are a little wonky around the bust from picking up stiches for the collar with smaller needles. I'll try to play around with that, too.
This sweater knits up quickly with a large gauge for the yarn. The resultant fabric is thin and airy and very soft. This was my first fair isle and it was fun to see all the patterns come to life. Purling in fair isle wasn't my favorite part, though.

Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers



Pattern - Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers from Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation
Yarn - Malabrigo in Pagoda
Needles - First Susan Bates Size 7 dpsn. I couldn't deal with metal, so I switched to Crystal Palace Bamboo Size 7 dpns
Modifications - Yarn Substitute
Random Commentary: I feel like it took forever to finish these babies. I think I knit and frogged half of the first armwarmer four times before I finally mastered the chart. This was my first time reading a chart and I was reading it from left to right. How embarrassing, huh? I also started with metal dpns and the yarn kept slipping off. I normally stick to bamboo, but my LYS was all out so I chose the second best. Also, the Malabrigo was amazing for this project. I loved seeing the colors form and the yarn is amazingly soft.
Funny Side Note : I never noticed the branch and leaf pattern despite the pattern title and staring at them while knitting. But when my husband took one look at them, he noticed right a way. A bit of an Einstein moment for me. I like them even better now, though:)

Spencer Gloves



Pattern: Spencer from Rowan 38
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton
Purchased at: My LYS
Modifications: The pattern calls for the cuff to be knit with Size 2/3 Needles, which I couldn't find. I just knit the entire glove with 3s.
Needles: Size 3 Bamboo CircularsRandom Commentary: These were a pretty fun project, but I had spurts of interest. The gloves are knit flat and with short rows for the fingers. I needed a lot of patience for the fingers. I had some trouble avoiding gaps between the fingers. They're not perfect, but I don't think anyone but me would really notice. I still have buttons to sew on, but I feel like I sort of finished. Right?

Sparkle Hat x 2

Pattern: Sparkle Hat, SnB Handbook
Yarn - Lamb's Pride Bulky in Onyx Needles: Clover 11 circs, Clover 10 dpns
Purchased at: My LYS
Knitting Date - 11/18/05 Modifications - Used half as many sequins.

Nimbus




Pattern: Nimbus featured in Magknits
Yarn : Rowan Polar in Silver Lining (purchased on ebay from CucumberPatch
Rowan Big Wool Tuft (purchased from my LYS)
Modifications: None. I followed the pattern to the T. Although, I ended up using several balls fewer than called for in the pattern.
Knitting Dates - November 4 - November 23

"Josh's" Flames

Pattern: Jesse's Flames, Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
Yarn - Lamb's Pride in Charcoal (6 1/2 skeins)
Needles - Clover Bamboo sizes 7 & 8
Variations - Yarn Substitution. Added 2x2 ribbing on bottom, sleeves, and collar. Omitted ribbing throughout bottom half of sweater. Omitted flames and stripe.