WIP Wednesday: Hitchhiker, nemesis socks, and a cowl for my MiL

I have more projects than usual on the needles right now, and I'll share the main three today.

I've been really digging the Hitchhiker pattern, but was stressed about the fact that I don't have 500+ yards of any one sock yarn...it only means I'll have a shorter piece, so I eventually bit the bullet and cast on. I'm using the 'Whale Watching' yarn that I got in Juneau that's been burning a whole in my stash for 2 months. Love. It. Love the way it's knitting up, love the flecks of silver, love the pointy points in the pattern. Overall, huge success. My pal Mel is also knitting this right now (in a gorgeous deep green), and she has nicknamed hers "dragon tail". Not to be outdone, I've named mine "stegosaurus tail".  I love dinosaurs, the points look like plates...why not? (Also, pretty sure a dinosaur would destroy a dragon in a street fight).

My nemesis socks. Seriously. I rue the day that I picked up this yarn and couldn't put it down. Because that's how it was - ask anybody that was there. I was all torn about it, like 'oh, I don't want to spend the money' but also all like 'gosh, I've always wanted a nice pair of pink striped socks'...so I bought it. And I hate it. It's not the color, I really do love the color. It's the fact that it's not plied. And this is my first attempt at 2-at-a-time socks, and the two strands just keep trying to grab each other and hold on. Ensue tangling, swearing, and throwing of project. I had intended to rip it out, but then I realized I was already halfway through the heel flap, so I really need to just finish. But for the record: hate.

And my MiL's cowl. This is surprisingly fun to knit. I say surprisingly because I traditionally like patterns that I can knit while not paying attention. This one requires a moderate amount of attentiveness, but I've got it under control. She picked out the yarn and approved the pattern...I really hope the finished product is perfect!

Abitita shawl=complete

My first (and probably only) knitted Christmas gift is finished! A few weeks ago I posted some photos showing my progress...just before I ripped it all out. The yarn subtly shifts colors as you knit - I started with the dark end and didn't like the look at all. It was a ridiculous amount of work to re-do, but I think it looks much, much better this way!

Here's hoping this little number keeps Abitita warm on those (rare) chilly Puerto Rican nights. The likelier story is that it will keep her warm in chilly, air-conditioned restaurants. Brrrrr!

P.S. If you know Abitita, you have to keep this secret for a few months!

Multnomah shawlette

I got three skeins of Melody Superwash from the yarn swap my Meetup group had back February. I was pretty dead set on finding an epic project that would use all three skeins, but the Multnomah shawlette only took about 1.2. The pattern called for 10 rounds of feather and fan at the end (40 rows), but I stopped after 5 rounds. It's a little on the short side, but I like the simplistic look of it. And I plan to wear it short around my neck (and not around my shoulders) anyway, so it's perfect.

I blocked the points out a little more pronounced than what was shown in the pattern. I'm pretty sure that I broke every blocking rule in the book, but it was my most successful attempt yet!

bamboo bloom

No, this yarn was not in my stash. Yes, I bought it. Yes, I was ashamed at first, but I've gotten over it. Now if you're done interrogating me...don't you think it's fabulous? It's Bamboo Bloom by Universal Yarns, very soft and very easy to knit. When I saw the shop sample, I knew it was something I could knit watching TV, at the movies, or in, say, the 4 hour NCSLA workshop I had coming up. Plus, you can wear it a million different ways. I know it just warmed up, but I'm already ready for cooler weather so I can show it off.


So now you see that I have been knitting, I just haven't had anyone to model my work for the blog. Props to Holly for being a top-notch model, photography coach, and all-around great friend!

BTW, the color is Spicy Mustard and I bought it at Yarn Tree Studio...if you're local to Raleigh and you haven't been, you're missing out.

Size 15 needles
CO 3
Row 1: kfb, k, kfb
Row 2: kfb, k to last stitch, kfb
Continue Row 2 to desired size, BO.