First the Knitting

I've caught startitis.  From what the Yarn Harlot says, it's a virus particular to handcrafters, and knitters can be especially vulnerable -- particularly in early January.  I'm trying to maintain an even keel and finish what I start, but it's a challenge.  Thank heavens for a deadline for at least one of my projects, or I'd be in deep trouble!  As it is, it's spread to my sewing and stitching habits...but more on that later.

First, the knitting:

• I've finished the first of the pair of Veil of Rosebuds socks (Clara Parkes' Knitter's Book of Socks) for which I have a deadline, and am working my way down the leg of the second.  Here it is on my foot (not the foot for which it's intended).  Isn't the subtle striping lovely?

• I finished The Shoemaker's Hat (Clara Parkes, Knitter's Review) but it was too small for me, so I put it on the mitten tree at church; I'll make another with -- I think -- an extra 4 stitches, which should do the trick.  It's threatening to get colder here soon so I'd best get going.

• I've signed up for a Socks from Stash 2012 challenge on Ravelry...and January's task is to make a pair from the oldest sock yarn in one's stash.  I have no idea if this is the oldest, but I'm using Jawoll Cotton Superwash yarn in a colour that's long been discontinued -- a lovely sage green.  It's a blend of cotton, superwash wool and nylon, so there's some memory and resilience to it. The pattern I've chosen?  Cable Rib Socks by Erica Alexander, which I found in my copy of Favorite Socks from Interweave Press.  I have yet to cast on, but my fingers are itching.!

• And I seem to have fallen into a mini-KAL (Knit ALong) on Ravelry with a gal in Vienna who wants to make a Miss Marple-style cardigan.  She's an afficionado of patterns from the nineteen thirties, and had found a couple of possibilities online.  The problem is, they seem to be made for impossibly small women.  She has, however, found a pullover that she believes she can adapt to her size.  I, on the other hand, scrounged around in my Vogue Knitting magazines (I got rid of all but 1/2 dozen or so when I moved) and found a beauty by Kim Hargreaves -- the Lace Panel Cardigan -- from the Fall 1990 issue. (NOTE: you need to be a Ravelry member to open that link to the pattern.   Sorry!  If you're a knitter and not a member, though, you might check it out -- it's free!)

I'll reserve my non-knitting activities for the next post -- see you later!  :-)