Scoop Neck Vest

It's complete! My Blue Sky Alpacas Scoop Neck Vest and I think I like it. I'm wearing it today to work. I had my son take a picture of me before we left - great that he's old enough to do things like that now. Anyway, I love the color and it worked out great since I have two blouses with the same color blue in it as the vest. So let's get into the details.

Pattern: Aforementioned Scoop Neck Vest

By: Blue Sky Alpacas (bought via kpixie)

Yarn: Moda Dea Washable Wool

Needles: Size 7

I didn't really make any modifications from the pattern other than working in the round vs. making a front and a back. I didn't do the bind offs on the shoulder as they were called for (which may be why the shoulders don't sit exactly right) , I just bound off all stitches together. I don't like binding off in steps and need to find a new way to do this for armholes and shoulders. Any ideas?

Overall, this was a very simple pattern to follow and I would recommend it.

Another New Look

Okay, so I'm probably the last to know this but I just found the little button that allows you to customize the header of your blog. WHAT FUN! Found this image when I googled yarn and stretched it to fit. Hope I'm not breaking any blogging/internet rules by using this photo. Anyway, the Scoop Neck Vest has stalled because I'm waiting for my 16" size 7 circulars to arrive in the mail. I've also decided not to finish the sweater version of Juliet. I tried it on and it would probably be cute but after knitting one for me and one for my neice, I need a break from the pattern. So while I wait for my needles I started Wicked. I'm trying the cardigan version started by Flint Knits that's the photo up above) but can't seem to find good detailed instructions so I'm winging it. and I'm using Elann Sonata (gifted to me from my fabulous Secret Pal). I've never used 100% cotton before and have my doubts that it will work for a garment but if I don't like the way it works up I have a pattern for a purse that would suit this yarn perfectly.

Various Stages

It's been quite some time since I've posted. That doesn't mean that I haven't been knitting. Since the holidays I have worked on a cable purse for my friends 50th birthday (complete but forgot to take photos before I gave it to her), Juliet for my niece, a sweater version of Juliet for me (incomplete, see below), and the Scoop Neck Vest from Blue Sky Alpacas for me (incomplete). Acutally the vest was completed but the bust area didn't fit right so I ripped it back to just under the bust and revised it a bit.

Aside from my knitting, my life has been very busy. I don't usually blog about anything personal but for any of you who sometimes stop by and have children, maybe you can offer some words of wisdom. I have an 8 1/2 year old son. Good student, good kid, stubborn as hell, and he's driving us a bit crazy right now. He just doesn't seem to want to put effort into doing anything extra. For example, he loves sports and wants to be good at them. He attends practice for the sport du jour but when my husband asks him on an off day if he wants to practice my son says no. Or if my husband tries to give him advice about how to do something better we hear "I know, I know." More importantly, school work -- OY trying to get that child to write is worse than pulling teeth. I would like to see some more motivation from him - I want him to want to try harder or want to attempt to get better. Is this just typical 8 - 9 year old boy behavior? Are we expecting too much? Or do you have some recommendations??????

New Year, New Look

Not much to choose from on Blogger but I thought for the New Year I'd give the Blog a little makeover. Lots of knitting going on. Nothing terribly exciting. Juliet was such as big hit, I've been caught up in knitting two more - one for my niece and one as a sweater for moi. Also knitting - though had to put it aside for now - the U neck vest from Blue Sky Alpacas. Once I'm done with niece number 2's Juliet, I will start on a hoodie pullover for niece number 3.

Meanwhile, Mom was kind enough to knit one of the projects for me that I've had in my queue for a while -- the Drops Design cardigan. Photos for all soon.

The suspense has been killing me but I can now say a big THANK YOU to Kim http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com my Secret Pal for a fun and wonderful experience. Lookey at my final reveal package - 8 wonderful skeins of Elann Sonata in a gorgeous blue, a container of Ghiaredelli Hot Chocolate (yummy, yum, yum), a cute Santa mug, tape measure, soap, cable needles, notecards, cedar balls (I think), and a lovely red dishcloth (not shown but matches my red and yellow kitchen perfectly). All along Kim has been a great pen pal and has helped to make for a great first Secret Pal experience! Hope you all were equally as lucky.

Romeo, Romeo

Yes, it's Juliet. And I LOVE HER! I have to say that this is the first sweater that I've made in a long time that I feel really good about. I had started Juliet with Simply Soft and had the wrong gauge and just messed it up. So I had some Bernat Softee Chunky Twist in my stash and it was perfect. The colors are fun and it fits like a dream. I did the version where the garter stitch was just to the underarm. I thought it might make me look fat but instead it just looks tre chic. I didn't like the open look on the pattern so I made shorter button loops and like it much better. Here's a close-up of the buttons. I like Juliet so much, I may have to make another.

Meanwhile, I also finished the Spicy Tee from Fitted Knits. I do like this but not as much as Juliet. Actually, I had purchased the Softee Chunky Twist to make a long-sleeve version of the Spicy Tee. But when my first Juliet attempt failed, I decided to use the Twist for Juliet.

Currently on the needles: A scarf from some clearance yarn I bought at Joann's, The Blue Sky Alpacas Scoop Neck Vest, and coming soon - a Wicked Cardigan using the Wicked pattern that my SP sent. So much knitting, so little time.

Thanks SP

Well, she's done it again. My fabulous Secret Pal has sent another package and it was a wonderful surprise. Unfortunately, my camera is on the fritz but here was the big surprise in my package:

Yup, it's the the new "Book of Yarn" and it is great. I love knitting books but only have two (now). Also in the package was a beautiful necklace and stitch marker set (did you make those yourself SP?), a fun yarnish magnet (my frig is filled with notes and calendars so this definitely came in handy), and a cute little chicks with sticks pin. My Secret Pal has made my first experience with SPs really fun and fantastic. I can't wait to find out who she is???? Thanks again SP! Hope you have a fabulous T-giving!