This is what I have been working on the past month, the Garter Yoke Cardigan from the Winter Knit1 magazine. I made it with some Cotton Ease that I had in the stash. I really like how it turned out. It’s very roomy. I’m used to wearing sweaters with a bit of negative ease but It’s refreshing to wear something with a bit of ease for a change. It will be great for Summer. Cotton that doesn’t hug too much=no overheating. I’m not sure, looking at the picture, that I like how I look in it. Maybe it’s just because I hate how I look in pictures. But it feels good, so whatev.

Not much else to say about that. Didn’t do any mods or anything. So there you go. Here’s the Rav page for the details.

Part of it is the yarn. I didn’t like this yarn the first time I used it either. The color washes me out, for one thing. For another thing it is very heavy. It’s 100% cotton and it seems like bulky cotton tends to be on the heavy side. Thirdly, lets face it. I’m not the bean pole model that is modeling this knit in the Knit1 magazine. I have curves. Lately I’m a little (ahem) curvier than usual. The vest kind of makes me look even bigger. Sigh.

On the other hand I really had fun knitting this! It was knitted from the top down, a technique I’ve been slightly obsessed with lately. My gauge was not quite the same as the pattern (the pattern actually calls for even bulkier yarn!) so I did the math to figure out how many stitches to cast on. So I was kind of proud of myself for figuring out all of that stuff. The pattern at the bottom was fun to do, as cables always are. So great pattern! Just not the best looking thing on me. So I’m trying to figure out what to do. My instant thought was to just give it away. I don’t want to frog this yarn yet again. I don’t like this yarn. I want it out of my life. And the vest is cute! Maybe someone somewhere will love it and it will be perfect for them. But another part of me is saying to just hold on to it for a time and give it another chance in the future. I think I will go with the latter idea for now. Can’t hurt to just keep it for a bit.

Here is the Ravelry info if you would like to check it out there.

I am using some of the oldest yarn in my stash, some Softig I bought at Webs, like, 4 years ago on a whim. For years I have been trying to figure out what to do with the two leftover balls of this stuff I have had in my stash (I made a sweater out of the other 8 balls). And I think I have found the pattern that this yarn wants to be. I’ve been wanting a chunky-knit boho vest for awhile now so this is great!

BTW, have you see the latest Knit1? It’s been rather elusive. I finally bought one at my LYS last weekend and I am so glad I did. I think I want to knit everything in that issue! It also has some great articles in there about natural dying and profiles on some of my favorite bloggers, as well as a section on how to knit a top-down sweater. I also bought Wendy Bernard’s book, Custom Knits last weekend too. I LOVE it. This is the year of the top-down sweater for me. I’m excited.

I finished my Pfeiffer Falls hooded scarf earlier this week! This is first project (that I can remember) in which I really enjoyed the process of knitting. In fact, this is what I’ve been knitting during the hell that is the current winter we are having and if it weren’t for this project (or knitting in general) I think I would have lost my marbles. Yes, it was very Zen. I enjoyed knitting this immensely. While I knitted this I listened to The Hunger Games almost non-stop, so it will also always remind me of this wonderful book (I’ll talk about that later on this week).

So I liked it. I think the finished product is cute and it will get lots of use this winter. I had almost an entire ball of yarn leftover so I made a hat to match, for those extra cold days.

Here’s my Ravelry info if you’re interested.

To go with my brother’s hat I made him a scarf. It’s a pattern in the book “One Skein” by Leigh Radford. It is one of the ribbed quartet and the pattern is Double Cable scarf (or something like that). It’s a really easy, quick project. Perfect for gift knitting. He loved it! I always appreciate it, as I’m sure you do, when people truly appreciate my knitted gifts. So I was happy. And with all of the snow he needs it! Here’s the Ravelry info if you are so inclined.

I’m working on something for myself, too! It’s the Pfeiffer Falls Hooded scarf from the latest Interweave. I’m using a yarn I have never used before, Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted. I think this may be my new favorite yarn! It’s so smooshy and nice. But more on this project later. We had another snow day today so progress is being made and I should have it done by next Monday.

The shawl, originally uploaded by CraftyMoni.

I’ve been working on this thing since March! It was my “Fire” project for Project Spectrum: the elements. I finally buckled down and finished the darn thing and I’m so happy it’s done. I used Malabrigo Lace Weight. I love the color but don’t have anything in my closet to wear with it.

That’s all I have to say about that. Here’s my Ravelry page for more info.

I used some Lorna’s Laces in a really pretty chocolately brown colorway and some KnitPicks Bare dyed with pink Kool-aid a few years ago.

Nothing else to say about that, except I love the way Corrugated Ribbing looks. Here is my Ravelry page for more info.

As I mentioned, there was some family drama this weekend. Those of you who follow me on Twitter already know the story but for those who don’t, I’ll fill you in tomorrow or later this week.