Lotsa Stuff

Whoops, it's been a while huh. Perhaps this will make you smile....Joe and I had a photo shoot. Some of these are old some are new, I don't think there are any surprises. I'm pretty sure I've at least mentioned them before, then again, maybe not.



This is the ever popular Mr. Greenjeans. I had hesitated to make this merely for the fact that it is so popular, but a KAL in one of my Ravelry groups spurred me on. I love it. Made with reclaimed cotton. I WILL make this again in a heavy wool for winter. Pattern here. Other blog posts here....hmmm no other posts about this?!? Here's the Ravelry project.



This is GreenDay another pattern that received a lot of chit chat but not as many takers. That was clearly understandable once you see the pattern. It's a translation from Norwegian? Swedish? I was swayed by the same Ravelry group to join the KAL. (honestly, I'm such a push over!) Pattern here. Ravelry project here. IF there was going to be a next time I wouldn't make the ribbing on the bottom as deep. I did raise the original neckline and worked it in the round.



Ahhhhh my saddle shoulder cardi. LOVE this cardi!!!! I can't wait for cooler weather. I know you've already seen this done, minus the buttons with Vivian wearing it, thought I'd share a photo of me wearing it, buttons and all. :o) Lots of blog posts on this one here. Ravlery project here.



Another you have seen plenty of, blog posts here and its big sister here. Ralvery project here. I live in this sweater. I took a pic today cuz you guys have never really seen a side view like this...isn't the diamond on the deltoids to kill for?!? It thrills me to no end. Case in point, do you really think I'd post a pic of my drapey old chicken neck like that if I wasn't so thrilled with the diamond and thought you'd be thrilled too????


Did you really think you'd get away without seeing another Drops pattern?!? My Open Cable Top (Ralvery project) blog posts here. I did modify this just a tad. I opened up all the cable crosses, the pattern calls for only the top one to be open, and I lowered the neckline.


I made this one last summer and realized I hadn't said anything about it. Yes, it is the same reclaimed cotton that I used for Mr Greenjeans. There's an awful lot of yardage in a man's x-large cabled sweater. :o) (I still have some!) The pattern is here, obviously I did not add the bling, and if I remember correctly I made the shoulder straps differently. Here I braided some i-cord to make the shoulder straps. This too is on my list to make again, it is super fast, easy to make and very easy to wear. Oh yeah, I worked it in the round too.

What am I doing now? There still are some older UFO's on the needles, and if you check out my Ravlery projects page you'll see quiet a few of them (not all of them mind you but a few of them) They will all get done in their own time. Someday. The current project that has most of my attention is this Drops pattern. (go figure it's a Drops!) I'm making the long sleeved version. It is suppose to be for Gillian, but if she doesn't like it I'll be happy to keep it. I'm using Classic Elite Four Seasons in red. It is a cotton wool blend I thought would be a nice winter sweater Savannah style where Jilly goes to school.

I'm itching to cast on for something new. Something wooly, bulky, and big., OR something light and lacy. I'd love to cast on for the winter Mr. Greenjeans, but that really doesn't fulfill either of my yearnings and I'm afraid it would languish longer than usual. Maybe I ought to make Mr Greenjeans in something bulky! lol Now that's not a half bad idea......

hmmmm......

gotta go!

;-)

I'm trying

OK, I'm trying to keep you guys entertained this week with out having a camera, thus the ice cream quiz.....sigh


Further explanation:

You're Chocolate.

You embody the perfect blend of sweetness and seduction. You personality is just as luscious and irresistible as chocolate ice cream. You have a flirty, melty attitude that's easygoing and delicious. You appreciate luxurious, extravagant things, like the way ultra-soft fabrics feel against your skin. Some people want to hog you all to themselves, but you find ways to make everyone feel special.

21% of the people who took this quiz got the same evaluation.

OK I'll go with the luxurious, extravagant things, of that I am guilty, waaaaay guilty, and I thank The Powers That Be everyday that I can be this way. Sweetness?!? Really?!? Moi?!? LOL Dang these silly games can be real knee slappers. Besides, although I like flavor chocolate, I'm not rabid for it like some are, plus it literally makes me sick so I steer clear of it. LOL

On the knitting front, not much done today I literally talked to Gillian on the phone for over 2 hours. Egads. I HATE talking on the phone!!!! But I was sitting outside and the day was beautiful, and we hadn't had a real conversation for a while..........

I finished the Open Cable Top today. I thought I had finished it yesterday until I tried it on last night and the shoulder straps/armholes were waaaay too deep. I realized that unfortunate turn of events after I had already grafted seams and concealed ends. Grrrrrr Today I cut and slashed and made much shorter shoulder straps. I'm very pleased. Pix of course will follow in the "Hiatus Week Montage" (read that as the week without my camera montage).

Open Cables Top

I know, the blog posting department here at the Hermitage has been working over time of late. 5 posts in 3 days...sheesh you'd think I'd have something important to say!

Big Red is getting to the point that it's only worthy of bedtime knitting if Joe isn't in bed, so I just had to start something else doncha know.

Yet another Drops pattern #82-15.



I have to admit, this has prob'ly been one of the more challenging translation decipherings I've had to do, but it really wasn't that bad. The pattern itself on the page looks kinda frightening in that 'oh dear god there's bound to be a million translation faux pas' but once the extraneous multiple size stuff is out of the way it's not too bad.



I rest my case.

There's a lot explanation in this pattern about putting stitches on holders and working only half of the front for a few rows than going back with a second ball and working the same rows on the other half with mirrored stitch manipulations. All in all, once I figured out just exactly what it was and how it was they wanted me to make this top I dismissed the notion of stitch holders and the 2 circs at a time, as well as making the top with a front and back. I've been working this in one piece in the round with some back and forth knitting breaking it in the center front instead. I'm very happy. I'm also splitting all the cables in the center instead of just the top one cuz Joe suggested I do it that way. btw the eagle eyes among you will notice that in the pic there are in fact 2 circs. I didn't lie, I am only using one circ to work it, right before the pic I put some of the stitches on another needle so I could try it on, rest assured I'll be dropping that second needle as soon as that round is complete.

I'm using Jaeger Trinity in a light celery green held together with 3 strands of a slubby silk thread in apple green. And when I say "thread" I mean thread.


It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful changes in both color and hand of the fabric that can be achieved when adding a few threads to the working yarn. I've had this Trinity yarn for a few years now, but I never ever liked the hand of the fabric no matter what gauge I worked it at. Honestly, this Jaeger Trinity has got to be the record hold for "Most Swatched" around here. I'm lovin it now.

Although I'm lovin this top, there are couple things I'm not thrilled with. After trying it on this morning I'm not sure I'm going to like how wide the hem is. Gee perhaps that's cuz I forgot to use smaller needles for the ribbing and didn't decrease the 5 stitches I was supposed to after the ribbing was done.....ya think? Duh. The second thing I'm not pleased with is the beginning of that first cable. The 12 cable stitches are beget of the center 6 stitches by knitting in the back of them. See how it makes a tightness at the base of that cable? I'm not lovin it, a nifty way to do it but, I'm hating the pucker.