I am using Cabernet to make a Meret Beret on size 8 needles.  To start off I cast on using the Italian tubular cast on. I just like k1,p1 ribs on hats so much better with an invisible cast on. I am almost done with with first repeat of the lace. It’s pretty easy and quick.

And I adore Malabrigo – so soft and squishy!

The last project I need to start is a Meret for my friend at work. I dug through my stash, but sadly couldn’t find anything to use. This ends my stash busting Christmas run as I had yet to buy yarn for any of my gifts.  I just need one skein of Malabrigo Worsted. Planning on heading over to Down Cellar during lunch to get it.

(Apologies for the crappy iphone photo. I was in a rush this morning)

So I am pledging to not start any new projects until I complete those three things.

I am about 75% done with my first Endpaper Mitt. I realized I messed up in the middle of my second pattern repeat..but the colors are so low contrast you barely notice.

I am also working on making a prototype for a visor beanie pattern. A ton of people asked me for a pattern. I’ve got the main part done but I don’t like how the visor part turned out so I need to redo it and then there shall soon be pattern. Does anyone want to test it for me when it’s ready?

It will look something like this but the hat will be plain stockinette rather than moss stitch. I did it that way because this pattern is really just about how to add the visor. You can knit any type of hat and then add a short row visor to it.

I can’t exactly describe everything since some of my recipients read this, but it will be a combination of jewelry, sewn stuff, and knitted/crocheted goods. Speaking of sewing – I went to Joann’s saturday for fabric for a gift project and was vastly disappointed by their selection. I was basically looking for some novelty/calico print cottons. I didn’t see anything I really wanted and I’m not paying $5/yd for stuff I don’t really like. I’d rather drop the $9/10 yd on Amy Butler stuff. I guess I will hit up the land of evil to see if they have anything better. I also can’t find a lint comb anywhere!

Saturday I made this cute hat. Excuse the crappy cell phone pic, the real color is much nicer. It’s crocheted with Lion Brand Thick & Quick Woolease. I’m not a fan of acrylic blends but I loved the color. Mustard yellow is my new obsession. This probably took about an hour to do. I am planning on making another one for a gift and if I actually do it I will write up the pattern. In the meantime I need to get knitting.

Anyone have tips for knitting with elastic for yarns that don’t have much inherent elasticity? I’m trying to do a beret with bamboo and it’s not working out. I’m sure the drapey part will look great though. I bought some sewing elastic and I’m going to give knitting with that a try.

Anyway this is my first shot at real lace knitting; I’ve done little bits of lace before but not a whole project. I’m using Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 in lilac that I bought from Sarah’s Yarns for much less ($6.75/2oz) than anywhere else. Other places 2oz was over $11! They are in Brooklyn so I got the cheap first class shipping and had my yarn in no time.

I am still on clue number one as I have had to unknit a few times when my stitches didn’t add up. Damn yarn-overs! I’m going to be traveling next week so I should be able to get plenty done in the airport.

There’s also a week off from clues for the Harry Potter book release. I don’t read Harry Potter so I’ll be free to catch up on my knitting.

I did it toe up with short row heel and toe. I read somewhere about adding extra non-patterned rows on the heel to make it look like a heel flap. So I added 3 rows since I needed to increase up to 38 stitches anyway. Result? A nice hole. Oh well. On the next one I will instead pick up stitches.

I blocked this sucker on a wire hanger bent into a sock shape. It looks much more like a real sock after blocking.

I’ll have to get on knitting the sister sock so this one doesn’t end up an orphan. I also plan to use this wave pattern for a hat.

The well..almost is because I need to sew in the ends. And, I think I might want to make it longer which will mean frogging the bottom ribbing and doing another inch or so of the main pattern before I do the ribbing again. I also am not sure I like how the sleeve are. I think the bottom is too loose, but a little elastic might help. I’ll have to show my mom and see what she thinks. Either way I’m excited to have it done.  I have a ton of things I want to knit but I wanted to finish this sweater first.

Anyway I knit until 12:30am, the point at which my hands were about to fall off. Then I put a note on the kitchen table for my mom asking her if she had a tapestry needle, since I didn’t bring one with me. Then I went to bed. My mom rocks, because as I had hoped, she wove all the ends in for me before I even got up. So all I needed do was sew it together.

I’m really happy with how it came out and I got a lot of compliments on it at the wedding. I love KnitPicks Andean Silk! It’s very soft and has a lovely sheen. I think I’ll wear this even for non dress occasions. It would work with a tank and jeans on a cool night.

I’m using Knit Picks Andean Silk in Pitch on size 7 needles. So far I’ve used 3.5 balls and I’m almost halfway done. Flying cross country is awesome for progressing on knitting projects. I only started this last friday. I am going to be snowboarding in Tahoe next week, so I may be able to finish it by the end of the month. That’s good since I need it to be done by mid April.
I updated my progress meteres on the right. I frogged those DyeoRama socks so I took it down. I came across the Knitty Sweater at home. I need to finish that up…maybe when I’m back for week in April.