It was a bee-utiful morning albeit a bit chilly for sitting on the porch … 38 degrees! We have pulled out the plants in the veggie gardens, cut back our wild rose (It’s grown way too big for it’s spot), and we are pretty well ready for whatever the weather brings. We’ll keep the cushions outside for a bit longer just in case there is a good sunny morning but daylight is shorter on both sides of the day and my SAD is starting to kick in. Time to get out my sun lamp!

I have an FO that I promised in a prior post to show you and to talk about my mods. I have finished and am wearing my Make Mine a Double by Milli from Tribe Yarns. The pattern was included with the kit I ordered and this was my backup colorway. I really wanted the bright pink that she was wearing when I first saw the sweater but it’s been sold out and I was too eager to make it to wait. Typical knittier. I ordered two hanks of the ArtYarns Double Mohair Ombre yarn and the pattern came with. The yarn is exquisite on it’s own. Softer than I had imagined and the color is magnificent fading from a deep chocolate brown to blues to beigy-taupes to peachy cream.

I had planned to make the medium-large but after getting most of the yoke finished and connecting the body/separating the sleeves, I was afraid it would be too tight so I frogged back to where the sleeves were separated and added another increase round so I was at the XL size. (After finishing the entire sweater I still have ample yarn left over.) The result is a boxy fit but I think it’s good and the sleeves are a little long but I’ll be wearing this as a “dress” sweater to work, etc. so I’m happy with it (and I can always frog back a bit and shorten them if I change my mind. Frogging mohair isn’t always a fun thought.

I cast on a new project. I signed up to do the Sweater Weather Gnome KAL with Sarah Schira. The first two pieces are mystery pieces and I got them done to the last bit without problems … but jeez! Picking up the 48 stitches around the edge was quite a process. I pulled my stitches out more than once in part and in full but I finally got them all done and I’m ready for clue #3. I won’t show any photos because it’s a mystery KAL and I don’t want to ruin the surprise for anybody who might be knitting along, too.

I’ve been working on my daughter’s Levitate Wrap and it’s coming along. I did frog the entire front edge when I got to the end of it because I missed one sentence of the pattern originally. That was that it should be a provisional cast on of the 11 sts. Oops. I couldn’t figure out any way to unknit the cast on edge of double knitting to make it work and decided that time-wise, it’s easier to just frog it and reknit it. So, I’ve done that and I’m working my way back around the front right edge/neck/left edge … and then I’ll be on to sleeve island before I do the bottom edge. I can see the forest through the trees at this point. I’ve worried that it’s too cropped but I measured 18″ from my neck and I think it’s going to be find once the bottom edge is added. (Cross your fingers.) Interestingly, one of our sort-of-local yarn shops here in Maine is making this sweater as a knit along. They’re all using much heavier yarns which is interesting. I’m not sure how they’re getting gauge but it’ll be interesting to watch their progress, too.

My socks are also coming along. This is the second pair of Reverie Socks by Summer Lee that I am knitting and this time in stashed gray sock yarn. It’s still an enjoyable lace pattern with a little bit of columns of twisted stitches and it’s easy to memorize for the most part. I recommend this pattern! I am also a shorter leg convert. At least for these shoulder seasons where it’s not super cold or hot and some skin can be exposed to the elements. I’m knitting the 72 sts. size and the fit is perfection. I’ve got the first heel turned and I’m ready to pick up the gusset stitches next.

I’ve got four hats to knit as a commission for a repeat customer. I picked up the yarn at the shop earlier this week and applied it to the credit that I have after returning unused yarn from previous projects that I wasn’t going to use. If nothing else, this was a good reason to go through my yarn stash and clean it up and clean it out. I found quite a bit of yarn that didn’t have any friends left over! I’m requiring myself to get the Levitate Wrap close to or done before we head to NYC for our granddaughter’s 4th birthday party. It’ll be a very (too?) quick trip and I’m already struggling with having not enough time to eat up my little love bug. I may have to take a bus home and let my dear hubby drive home alone so he can go to work … TBD.

Gone knitting.