Parade of Projects

Despite the noticeable lack of posting, I've been working on quite a few things lately. My Ravelry page is more up to date these days than my blog, but that doesn't mean that I'm planning a blog vacation or anything...I've just been busy.

However, the projects are flying off my needles at an alarming rate, and I'm also really enjoying the knits I'm working on...so things have been fun and relaxing these days when it comes to crafting.

One of the biggest things I've recently completed was Clem. It's all done, and grafted...but not blocked. It is because of this that you haven't gotten a photo. I keep waiting to block it because we are supposed to clean the house - and there's nothing more annoying than maneuvering around a HUGE shawl in the middle of the bathroom while you are trying to clean. It does look really good though, I'm so pleased with both the yarn and the pattern...it's wonderfully drapey. It is intended for my Grandmother, and it will be a Christmas gift, but I plan to mail it in October some time...so a photo shoot is in order.

I've also begun and completed a sweater for my niece Grace's fourth birthday. Her actual birthday was yesterday, however, we are celebrating on Saturday. I recently purchased the perfect buttons for this, and have only to sew them on before Saturday (maybe I'll do that tonight).

I'm calling it Poe, because it feels very Baltimore to me, like something Edgar would have wanted his child to wear. I'm happy with how it came out, and I think she'll really like it. I'll take photos of her in it this weekend, clothes for babies and children always look better on them.

I've also made good progress on my Monkey socks, in the beautiful Lily Pad colorway I'm knitting them in. I love how these are shaping up, they are too large to look good modeled on my feet though, but that works out well because they aren't for me, they are for my Aunt Laurie.

I hope she likes this colorway, and is happy with the detailing...I think she will be.

I'm also well into my first knit from Custom Knits, a book that I instantly fell in love with once I picked it up. It is chock full of beautiful and classic patterns that are both easy to knit and to customize (obviously). I'm knitting "Skinny Empire" first, but have plans to complete several of the patterns in the book.

I'm using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, and it's been a joy to work with. I'm noticing a little disparity between my knit and purl rows, but only on the section that was worked back and forth...once I began knitting in the round, it all evened out. The color is great, and I plan to do a nice ruffle in the orange, and a pretty mohair ruffle behind that one (like the photo in the book). I can't wait to wear this one.

In addition to all of this, I'm also working on a pattern for a sweater. It's still in the conceptual stages, but when I close my eyes and look at it, I think it's something that would appeal to the masses. When it's all worked out, I believe it will be the first pattern I charge for...so, hold on to your hats!