Photos of the Color on Color scarf

I think those over-sized, soft buttons I made are really cute

So I found the time to block the scarf anyway. It's 26 cm x 140 cm (approx. 10½" x 56") and flamboyant.

Details below.

Unbelievable yet true: I finished knitting the Color on Color Scarf!

I still need to block it before it's done and before I'll take photos of it. That may have to wait until I return from the skiing holidays; then you'll have something to look forward to ;)

288 g of stash used: 41 colours using 20 different yarns. This is a real stash-busting project. The pattern calls for a certain kind of yarn available in numerous colours (1-200 I believe). I, on the other hand, collected all by stash (especially bits and pieces) to get as many colours as possible, found the colour chart of the yarn used in the pattern on Google, and sat down and combined the colour numbers given in the pattern with my own yarn, making sure the amount were almost similar to what the pattern called for. My mother provided me with a green and an orange colour, since these colours are rare in my stash. I go for blues and reds instead.

I started the scarf more than a year ago (I do not quite remember when), but it has been a slow process: I've been knitting a stretch and then let it lie for months; you have to do loads of reading for this scarf - the pattern covers 12 pages, photos included - because something new happens all the: a colour change, stitch pattern change, or a new section starting. Finally I had to weave in loads of ends (I didn't like how weaving in as I went along looked) and knit a huge number of i-cords. Today I made buttons! The pattern said to use real buttons covered with knitted fabric, but since I don't have any and don't intend to buy any, I made my own soft, over-sized buttons. Photos of these will appear after blocking.

If you're up for a stash adventure, you should knit this scarf, but you'll have to have patience :)

Edit: I forgot to mention that the pattern - called Color on Color - is from Scarf Style and made by Kathryn Alexander.

Now with photos, above.

Foxy lady... ;)

Yesterday I finished the Colette Pullover (link to Ravelry) from Interweave Knits Winter 2007. My beloved Peter not being home before sunset I had to go and play with the self-timer to be able to show you photos of it today:


Above is my favourite picture (well, not because of the look in my face) but I'll show you some more just for the fun of it:



I am immensely pleased with the result! Being unable to structure a text properly this late in the afternoon, I'll put all the facts I want to share with you on bullet form:

• I started this project in order to (1) practice my jacquard knitting skills (I think I've got hold of that technique now!), and (2) to see how jacquard and body shaping go together without having to think it up myself: they go together quite nicely, I must say! I'm very pleased with the result!
• As you may have noticed, I'm still contemplating what buttons to sew on it. The buttons I originally planned to use are too large for the buttonholes (explanation for this below), and I haven't decided if I can live with some of the other buttons I have, or if I'll have to go and buy some. Until I decide, it will work perfectly well without the buttons, as you can see in the photos.
• As I actually expected while knitting it, it turned out a little too large. I had a larger gauge (that's what you get when knitting from stash!), and even though I knit the smallest size (but fit the second-smallest) I was pretty sure it would still be a little too big for me. My suspicion turned out to be correct; but not to worry: I knew that this yarn would felt quite easily. However, felting in the washing machine is pretty uncontrollable... Luckily, I know how to felt by hand (I have made this jacket for myself; no knitting involved!), so crawling around on the kitchen floor I reduced the sweater size by 8 cm (~3") in the round and 3 cm lengthwise (~1.25"). 'Twas worth the trouble: the sweater now fits perfectly!
• The felting and the jacquard pattern knitted with 2 strands of each colour makes it perfect for the chilly environment in which I move - and for the skiing holiday in Sölden (Austria) we're going this Saturday! What an incentive to finish the sweater.
• And just a peculiarity: I did the sewing-before-cutting of the two neck opening steeks by hand! :)

And now for the stats (Stashalong-wise as well as general information):

• Knitted with 2 strands of yarn all the way. The black main colour is wool from Henrichsen's Uldspinderi resembling Marianne Isager's Tvinni, though much cheaper when bought at the factory kilogram-wise. The two pink/heather contrast colours are both a single-ply yarns from the local farm Lystbækgaard near my parent's summer cottage in Western Denmark.
• Knitted on needle size 3.5 mm in the round.
• I used 542 g of stash yarn.
• My 6th FO in 2008, giving me my 3rd free day (more on that below).
• One of the items on my Stashalong list for 2008.
• It is my February contribution to 12 projekter.

Regarding the free days (part of Stashalong): I have finished 6 items this year, and since I earn one free day (with the limitation of never buying more than I have used up so far) for every second item I finish, I've earned 3 free days this year. I used the first one in January on a rather modest purchase. I used the second a week ago - and I got the yarn today:

6 skeins of Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in colourway Magnolia. 300 g of yarn added to the stash, but since I have already used more than 1500 g this year, it is quite all right, and still what I'd call a modest purchase.

Having finished my 6th object I've gone and spent the 3rd free day: It seems that modest purchases is my way to go this year: I've ordered 2x14 g of Habu Stainless Steel Wool. I've been wanting this peculiar yarn for some time know, so when Ysolda directed me and my fellow readers to a new Edinburgh yarn store with a webshop on the side being the only European(= no taxes or fees to be added) Habu Stainless carrying shop I know of, I couldn't resist making an order! I'm looking forward :)

Elijah II is born!

Just as cute as his older sister, Eliza.

He is my February KAL within KAL project for Stashalong, and he is a birthday gift I gave away this Saturday. You may think, that the recipient has his/her 1st birthday. Well, not quite. Mentioning Eliza above, I can also tell that she now lives with my mother who (like me) happened to think that the litte raspberry coloured elephant looked immensely cute. As Eliza was made just before my mothers birthday in December, I gave the cute little elephant to her. At that occasion, her aunt saw this little creature and immediately wished for one for her 80th birthday (which was this Saturday) - though, it should be light blue! And here it is: Elijah the Elephant.

Pattern by Ysolda. 26 g of Arwetta sock yarn used.

As a matter of fact, as you read this, Elijah's twin is emerging :)

Awesome!

Helga got her Amimono Knit Kit Shop up and running! Yipee :)

Photos of Amimono Oak

Well, not the best photos ever seen: shot in a hurry (as you can see) by my dear boyfriend this morning while I was putting up my hair... At least you can see the fit :) It's incredibly nice to wear, and keeps me warm at the cold university - and hopefully fashionable as well, though not too many are concerned about fashion at that particular university... ;) I can live with that; it saves us loads of money!