Category Cast-On Monday

Cast-On Monday: What are YOU working on?

remilyknits 2 Comments

Guess how many new projects I cast on in the last few weeks?  Other than my little pink pig, zero.

I have a good excuse though! I’ve been working hard the last week or so on getting proposals ready for two different calls for submission.  For Classic Elite’s Spring 2013 call, I’m submitting a cute little cardigan in Provence, and a classic triangular shawl in Soft Linen.  Meanwhile, Knit Picks put out a call for their very first IDP collection for Late Winter/Spring 2013.  For that call, I’m submitting a lacy short-sleeved top in Cotlin, and a short-row crescent lace shawl in Alpaca Cloud.  Of course I would be Super Excited if my submissions are picked up, but I’m also aware that the  deadlines will be all on top of each other.  In the unlikely event that all four proposals are accepted, I will need my needles clear and ready to go.

So, here’s my question to you, dear reader:

What have YOU cast on in the  last two weeks or so? What new and fabulous projects are rocking your needles?

CO Monday: Pig Sans Wings

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Some “friends” of mine showed me this adorable FREE pattern, and I just couldn’t resist! I cast on right away for my very own version of Oink (by Susan B. Anderson of Spud & Chloe).

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I used leftover yarn bits — Wool of the Andes for the body, Shine Worsted for the nose tip & ear-insides, and Gloss for the black embroidery.

Now we shall pause to admire pink pigs adorable curly tail!

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I was in too much of a rush to use a pink bouncy ball, but it is an awesome idea.

The wings on the pattern are awesome too!  The omission on my pig is primarily due to the fact that I knit too late at night, and tried two very different techniques for making the wings. I, uh, tried to make the 2nd one i-cord style, after being annoyed with knitting the first one in the round.  The two wings came out radically different sizes, and I just couldn’t stay up and make a third wing. Plus I couldn’t decide where/how to put them. Plus my pig was so cute already!

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CO Monday: Eye of the Storm

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This week I cast on a long-delayed design project.  I’m on Knitty’s designer email list, and the reminder that Deep Fall submissions are due in June lit a fire under my rear.  I have meant to work up this design — I feel like it’s perfect for Knitty, and oh how I dream of having a pattern in Knitty — but I’ve put it off, worked on other things, and so on.  Of course I can’t put any photos up of the project, or even talk about it really, but I can show you the yarn. I’m working on #6’s for a lacy/drapey fabric.  The edge lace pattern I’ve settled on is working up beautifully.  Now all I need is commitment to THIS project (and not the lace KAL, or the cool hat, or the other design project, or the sample for the shop, or or or) so I can get it done, photographed perfectly, and written up Knitty-style by the end of the month.

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Cast-on Monday: AMS KAL 2012

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I have swatched my Malabrigo Lace in “Olive,” with Amber TR beads (size 8):

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I was at an agility trial all weekend, but my friend Chris and I cast on for the “Anniversary Mystery Shawl 2012” by GoddessKnits in a tent, using Chris’s i-phone to display the pattern. I did about a dozen rows by lantern-light before turning in for the night :).

I believe there are still a few days to sign up for this KAL, if you are interested … hint hint! 🙂

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CO Monday: Soft Purple Kitty Capelet

remilyknits 1 Comment

It’s been almost two weeks since I cast on a new project! I’m not sick, I’m not deranged–I’m just trying to whittle down my WIP count. I actually have finished a bunch of things — Eli’s orange hoodie, the knit Jasper, and the Echo Flower shawl.  Yay!

My new project is another sample for the Hub Mills store: a Noelle Capelet in the called-for yarn, Rowan Lima.  This yarn is heavenly, and I literally begged for the opportunity to knit a sample with it.  Lucky me, I got the thumbs up!  I’ve got the ribbed neckline done — the rest in just raglan increases and stockinette in-the-round. Here’s my color:

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CO Monday: Emperor’s New Mitts, March 2012 RSC Socks, and Tute Catkin

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Last week I received the latest shipment from the BMFA Rockin’ Sock Club! The March 2012 yarn is to DIE for.  Can’t share photos yet, of course, but I will soon!  I’ve decided to make the sock pattern this month — it’s perfect for the yarn.

I also cast on for my very own Catkin! I’ve loved this pattern for quite some time, and I think it will be stunning in Mad Tosh Light in “French Grey” and “Byzantine.”

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I hope everyone in the knitting world took time to cast on yesterday for Louise Zass-Bangham‘s new design, The Emperor’s New Mitts. I did, and I don’t regret it one little bit! I elected to use the recommended yarn, Rumplestiltskin (100% pure spun gold), Unicorn (100% rainbow), and Jason (golden fun fur).  Of course it took extra care and time to place the 3000 gold beads, but I think you would agree that the results are worth it!

Here is Julian modelling my new mitts — very pretty, no?

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CO Monday: Purple Hedgehog Hat, Berringbone Patch Socks, Bam Boo Branches Store Sample, Silver Ribband

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Welcome to CO Monday, or (as it shall be known this week) “Have I Lost My Mind?”  I started four new projects this week, even though I already have multiple projects already actively in progress.  Perhaps I am crazy, and believe I have grown extra arms, and need even more projects to keep my extra arms busy.  I hope those extra arms already know how to knit.

I think the cause is simple: I’m getting near the end of many of those WIPs, and I’m anticipating the lull that follows — the panic that sets in when I don’t have enough projects! Eek!

So, here are the four newbies:

Purple Hedgehog Hat — I bought a skein of Mushishi as a courtesy purchase when I checked out Aunt Margaret’s Yarn Shop in Chelmsford, MA.  The main draw of this shop (for me) is that they carry a full line of Knit Picks needles, including interchangeable tips and cables! But, I didn’t need any needles on this visit, so I chose a big cushy skein of purpley yarn.  It has long color repeats, but they aren’t that different from each other.  I’m taking full advantage of the color repeats with the short-row bumps in this hat. I have two bumps done so far :).

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Next up: Berringbone Patch Socks.  I haven’t made a pair of socks in quite a while.  It was time.  I’ve had this skein of Stroll Hand-painted around for a while, earmarked for socks … I did change my mind about the socks I was going to make, though.  I’ve decided I really don’t like lacy sock patterns, because they don’t wear as well as more solid patterns. I’ve finish the cuff and gotten about four rows into the herringbone pattern.

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I also cast on for a store sample for Hub Mills of my upcoming CEY design, tentatively called Branches.  The pattern sample is in cranberry, but the store sample will be this gorgeous purple:

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I cast on for this project, because I had finished the cape I was making as a store sample.  The pattern book won’t be out until June, so I have plenty of time to work on it.  But, when I work in the shop, I can only knit on projects for the store — I wanted to make sure I had something to do with my hands if it turned out to be a slow day.  As it happened, it WAS a slow day … but I didn’t work on the purple project at all.  Instead, I cast on (and then finished) a Sliver Ribband for the store.  We recently got in several kits by Laura Nelkin, and I got to make this one:

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I stranded the beads and knit it up in a single day — the kit comes complete with the yarn, beads, clasp, pattern, and even a little threader to help put beads on the yarn. I give it high marks!

Cast-on Monday: Knit Your Own Dog

remilyknits 3 Comments

I started a special project over the weekend … something I’ve been stalling on, because it is so important to get it right. I’m making a custom knit-dog for a friend who lost her dog recently, without warning.  My “agility family” held a raffle to help cover the vet bills, and I donated a custom-knit dog.  Someone commented to me that they hoped the winner would give it back to the person who lost her dog — and I said, well heck, I can just knit her one regardless. I didn’t want the winner of the raffle to feel like they had to give up their prize.

But, the dog in question is a mixed-breed dog — none of the patterns in the NYOD book are perfect.  Faced with the daunting task of memorialized a beloved companion, with his own unique look, I have waited and pondered and waited some more.  Last night I settled on the right “base” pattern, that I will modify (mostly in color) to achieve a look close to the much-missed original.  Wish me luck!