all pinked up

After a month of knitting miles and miles of stockinette, I finally finished my summer sweater last night.



Pattern: Skinny Empire, from Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Lily Chin Chelsea in pink (7.75 skeins) on US3 and US4 needles
Notes: Extended the sleeve length from cap to elbow, and added ruffles to ends of sleeves.



I feel kind of mixed about this sweater. The top part fits okay, and the empire waist hit at a decent point on me. But the bottom part is really too large. The whole thing could stand to be about a couple of inches smaller all around. But I fell between two of the listed sizes and went with the larger size for knitting. So I'll wear it, but it's not exactly what I hoped. Though I do like the neck ruffle.

a sugar free treat but just as sweet

A co-worker of mine has been really good about following his no-sugar resolution this year, except when I bring in cupcakes that I've baked. He also likes to (jokingly) tease me about my constant knitting. So when I saw a pattern for a knitted cupcake, there was no way I wasn't making it for him!



Pattern: Cupcake Pincushion, from Spud and Chloe
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in burgundy and white, and Red Heart Classic in red, on US6 needles
Notes: I omitted the pincushion part and put the bottom of a plastic water bottle in the base to help it hold its shape.



Sweet!

putting your best foot forward

These may be just plain ol' stockinette socks, but I'm so happy they're finally done!



Pattern: Basic stockinette sock (70 stitches)
Yarn: Regia Design Line by Kaffe Fassett, about 1.5 balls, on US1 needles
Notes: These are from the second batch of colors done by Kaffe for Regia and I like the second group so much more.



I've had these on the needles since March, as a bring along with me project, but they kept getting pushed aside for other projects. But now they're finally done, they fit well, and I can move on to something else!



And I'm a big fan of all of the colors...

baby soft

This weekend we had a baby shower for Danielle, so I can finally show you a few other gifty projects I've been working on.



Pattern: Wee Leafy Baby Set by Pamela Wynne
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Heavyweight in Lemongrass on US4 needles
Notes: I upped the stitch count a bit to make it a little bigger, as the baby is due in July and so won't need a hat until the winter! Also omitted the leaf details.

And then there's this guy:



Pattern: Elijah, by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in light blue (1.2 skeins), on US3 needles
Notes: I wanted to keep this guy for myself. Love the pattern construction--no seaming! And I especially love his lovely spiral paws.



And one more yarny picture. Yesterday my work took me out for a goodbye lunch--I'll be finishing there, sadly, at the end of the month (and if you know of an open librarian/archivist position in Boston, I'd love to know about it!). And, as part of my thank you gift, they gave me two lovely skeins of Sundara. Yes, Sundara.



Working with other knitters is good.