The first half took some time to complete. But the second half just got completed very speedily. 2 or 3 days at most. I suppose that is what it's like with second sleeves or second socks.
It really looks great, (maybe except where I seamed it badly, but I'm hoping no one is going to notice!). I love it . The Debbie Bliss Cashmerino is very easy to knit with and the finished product looks great. I finished it just in time for the cold weather we are having!!!
However, I haven't made as much progress on my knitting as I would have liked. 2 hours at an airport, 13 hours of flying. You would have thought plenty of knitting time. Zilch - the kids needed lots of entertaining and space was an issue. I also spent lots of time on dive boats but couldn't do any knitting. I wasn't sure the salty seawater was good for the yarn.
The Orangina is at the ribbing stage. I have joined the 2 sides together and started the ribbing. For some strange reason, I've got an extra stitch. So I managed to lose it again. I'm getting excited about completing this.
Next up - the BoogaJ Kureyon bag which I knitted on holiday but only just managed to felt in the last few days. Firstly, tried the hand felting method. But that wasn't very successful. So, I bunged it into the washing machine, on the hottest setting for 15 minutes with an old cord bag and voila! Boy, does it shrink! I'm super pleased with the results! I'm going to gift it to one of my sisters when I go to KL.
That's all for now. More progress soon.
Other progress, the kids and I have been having fun with more Kool Aid dyeing. This is Lil man's colour choice (Berry Blue, Grape, Lemon Lime and Lemonade). Sorry, I haven't got too many in progress shots, I was desperately trying to stop them dipping their fingers into the solution and licking up spilt bits and sucking on the yarn!! Yuck! Also, if this stuff dyes yarn, I'm not sure I'm happy for them to ingest it! Although having said that, I grew up eating and drinking lots of things which are bad for me. Oh well. BTW, the yarn is Cascade 220 in white. I should have enought for a hat and maybe a narrow scarf for the Lil Man!
Cooked the yarn in the microwave and Voila! I thought the Black Cherry might be more purpley but it's more burgundy.
Here is the resulting yarn. When I wound it up, it looked like raspberry ripple. Hmmm, more fun to be had soon.
I finally started up Arisaig again. Spent ages doing the ribbing in tiny 2.25 mm needles and finally moved on to the lacework. 2.75mm are huge in comparison. Here's progress after a few nights. 
However, I'm going to have to put this down again as I'm starting the SKC knitalong. If I've got the time, I'm going to do both . Somewhat Cowl in Debbie Bliss Cathay in black and Orangina in Rowan Linen drape in Shade 844 Watery. Can't wait to start tomorrow.
Next up, I managed to find another yarn store in Minturn, near Vail. It's called The Yarn Studio and it's owned by Kathy, the most friendly owner with the cutest dogs. It's a treasure trove of books,patterns and yarn!! I was very well restraint and only bought a few magazines (old Interweave knits and Vogue Knitting) and then I found the pattern for Charlotte's Web. I knew I wanted to make that. So before I knew it, there I was choosing all the different Koigu on display. This is what I chose, but I'm not sure if this is my final decision. Let's wait and see.
Finally, I started making a little tank top for me with Laines Du Nord Bikini in white which I purchased from Loop (on sale) few weeks back. The yarn is 100% Tactel and is very stretchy. I'm kinda making up the pattern as I go along, so we'll have to see how it turns out. The body is knitted in a 1x1 rib and that's it. I haven't quite decided on the rest yet! Hmm
I've actually made more progress than the picture because I woke up at 3.30am and couldn't get back to sleep again. After an hour of tossing and turning, I got up and decided to carry on knitting. I never liked jetlag but I don't mind it now, if I can get a few hours of knitting!
I love visiting new places and discovering what's on offer. Like most Brits who visit America, we were quite focused on shopping. I was a bit worried about dragging hubby along to yarn stores because I know he'll complain about the amount of yarn I'll buy and the cost of it. He's already complained about the stash! That's the stash that he knows about, little does he know there are other secret stashes around the house. So secret in fact, that I've don't remember what I've done with a big bag of yarn. Well that's another story.
Anyway, I needn't have worried. I was a very good wife and spent 2 hours in a ski shop while he tried on thousands of pairs of ski boots and spent a small fortune on boots and skis. I thought I'd better take the opportunity to drag him around a few yarn stores, he can't complain. I found Ewenique Yarns and Coppelia's Needlepoint, both in central Denver. Both were run by very friendly and helpful ladies. Here is what I came away with. 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in a lovely chocolatey brown, 2 skeins of Koigu in bluey shades, 2 skeins of Jaggerspun laceweight silk and wool in pale pink (gorgeous) and 5 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (wish I bought more!)
The books and magazine which I will show more of soon! There are some gorgeous patterns!! On to more stores tomorrow..
Next up something knitting related. I started Backyard Leaves from Scarf style a few weeks back. I've just finished the first half and it's been a dream to knit since the false starts. For the record, it's the first complicated thing I've knitted from a chart. It's been ripped at least 3 times. It's been left half ripped in frustation for at least a week. Suddenly, it all made sense and I've been on a groove ever since. Fingers crossed. Btw, I had some help from the bloggers on Scarf style knitalong. That is one huge knit-along!
I knitted the scarf in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in blue (sorry I don't have the shade number). The yarn was from my stash. I think I was going to make a sweater for Aidan when he was tiny but as he's 3 now, I'll just use it for me instead. Here's a little close up of the leaves. I have to say, the design is genius! Beautiful construction. I know, I know, it's been said already!
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I have also had a few interesting things in the post. One of it was the new Rowan magazine. On the whole, not very inspiring. There's not much that tickles my fancy. What really surprised me was the fact that liked the men's sweaters the most. Ash (although not in that colourway for a bloke), Warrior and St Mawes. However, the likelihood of me knitting a man's sweater is almost nil. But I guess never, say never. Not sure I get where Rowan is going with the Tribal photoshoot.
On the other hand, I am looking forward to getting the new Interweave magazine. Definitely some stuff that I would knit. The other exciting development, is the new Phildar website. Definitely much easier to use and looks like we can order yarn too. But don't quote me on it, I can't read/understand French. The new Spring Summer collection looks great. There's also stuff on the magazine that I would knit. Now, I just need more time and money.......
Here is the error. I did the 3 needle bind off for both seams. However, I did one seam right side facing and the other seam wrong side facing ( as I couldn't obviously turn it inside out). Should I rip out the seam so that it looks neater and matching?? The perfectionist in me says yes, the lazy one says no. Hmmmm......... 
My other question relates to a new project. I am knitting the superhero's cape from New Knits on the Block, by Vicki Howell. The lil man has a fancy dress party to attend, and he fancied either being a superhero or a pirate. I've got a pirate costume sorted out. I thought I might make the cape anyway. In the instructions, on the increase row, it says, "k1,*inc 1 in next stitch, k1, inc 1 in next stitch; repeat from *". If I start with 40 stitches, I end up with 120 stitches. But in the instructions, it only has 66 stitches. This can't be right, can it??!!!
I'm knitting the cape in Filatura di Crosa Zara (100% extra fine merino) in bright blue and the gold from my leftovers of the HP Scarf. This is what I have so far after some ripping out!
Flip it over and valley fold one of the corners. Make a cut along this fold, leaving it attached in the middle. Cut some scallop edges for a fancy tail.
Turn it over again and valley fold the 2 points ( making sure both points touch the top ie fold it in half). Sorry, if this seems overly complicated!! Then fold the points at an angle for the eyes.
Then valley fold the remaining triangle (see paper clip below). Then fold up a little nose. Open up and voila, little goldfish decoration all done.
I must also confess to some (ok, a lot..) of retail therapy. There are lots of yarn sales on and I really can't help myself. (My excuse is that it's cheaper than actual therapy). More on that soon.
I know I have a few unfinished items on the needles, but I can't help looking to start something new. I have my eye on Backyard leaves by Annie Modesitt from Scarf Style. However, I am completely stuck on how to start this. I have looked at the Scarf Style/Wrap Style knitalong but I'm still none the wiser. Maybe it's because it's late and my brain isn't working. I'm going to go to bed and try again tomorrow.
While in Switzerland, specifically Lausanne, I even managed to find some yarn stores. I didn't get much on the knitting front for Christmas. Hubby found 2 of my secret yarn stashes and decided that I probably had enough to last a lifetime. So I felt, I needed to add to the stash myself. I found a French publication called IDEES, which has fun crafty things to make for yourself, your home and your babies. It didn't put me off that I don't read French. I have a library of Japanese craft books and I don't read Japanese. Anyway, here are some photos from the magazine.
I also learnt that Lang Yarns are a Swiss company and they have some interesting yarns. But I only bought 1 ball of the blue variegated Lang Yarns (Tosca). They were full price. The pink yarn is Gedifra. I'm hoping to make hats for the kids from these. I bought a whole load of the blue and dark pink yarn at the bottom. They should knit up like Rowan's All Season Cotton. They cost CHF2 each, that's less than GBP1!! What a bargain!! If I can be bothered to knit, I'll be making stuff for the kids. Watch this space.
