I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can

I’ve been trying to clean out some old WIPs but, for some reason, I can’t stop myself from casting on for new projects, too.  Granted, they’re small projects.  But for every skein of stashed yarn I use up, it seems like I buy 2 more.  *sigh*

It was particularly satisfying to finish this first project, which was an actual WIP.  I found it in a bag when I was cleaning out my stash room.  It was completely knit and the ends were even woven in!  I guess I just forgot to felt it.  Well, into the washer it went on Saturday morning (sans lighter):

And out it came a few minutes later:

Pattern: Felted Oven Mitt by Bev Galeskas from the book, Felted Knits

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes

Ravelry: Project page link

Mods: None.  I love this pattern and have made quite a few of these mitts over the years.

Unfortunately, my next project is a chemo cap.  But it, too, was satisfying to knit.

Pattern: Felicity by Wanett Clyde

Yarn: Manos Cotton Stria

Ravelry: Project page link

Mods:  I cast on 81 stitches and worked the first inch in seed stitch using my new-found Continental knitting powers.  I followed the pattern after that, although because I cast on more stitches I didn’t work as many increase rounds so my hat is just a bit smaller.  Love, love, love this pattern!   And the yarn is perfect for chemo caps.  Soft and cozy.

Since I’ve been a bit obsessed with cowls lately, I dug through the stash for single, lonesome skeins of yarn and found this lovely ball of Knit Picks Ambrosia.   How can you go wrong with an alpaca/cashmere cowl?

Pattern: Pull-Off Cowl by Alissa Baptista from the book Weekend Knitting

Yarn: Knit Picks Ambrosia (this might be discontinued)

Ravelry: Project page link

Mods:  I cast on 97 stitches instead of the 133 called for in the pattern because I used a much heavier yarn.  I worked two rounds of garter stitch before casting off in purl.  Perfect, one-day project!  I might make another of these on the plane to New York on Wednesday with a skein of Manos Silk Blend.

And, now, I’ve saved the worst for last.

Although I’m still on the fence about whether I’m going to Rhinebeck (I’ll be in NYC on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), I went ahead and knit an obligatory Rhinebeck sweater.  Inspired by a Garnstudio sweater Cheryl knit, I bought the pattern booklet and merrily knit along until I got to the sleeves.  Yikes!  They were huge.  So I made quite a few alterations, including working one less repeat of the lace pattern, lengthening them, and completely re-working the sleeve cap.

The result?  Crap.

The sleeves/armholes are still ginormous!  You can read all my bitching and see more photos on my Ravelry project page.

If I go to Rhinebeck, will I wear this sweater??

You shouldn’t bet your life on it.

This post is very picture-heavy. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I flew into Boston on Wednesday evening and had dinner with an old friend (who kindly picked me up from the airport). On Thursday, I puttered around the town in which I grew up and prepped myself for the anticipated madness of Rhinebeck.

Carole and Blogless Sharon arrived at my hotel at the appointed time on Friday and we set out. The weather was a bit unsettled that day but the foliage was spectacular against the grey sky. Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived so we made a stop at the local liquor store.

You know you’re not in Kansas Utah anymore when you’re offered a free sample at the liquor store:

That night, we sat in the hotel lobby knitting and chatting with the tens of other knitters gathered. I didn’t take a single photo, but I met Norma, Sandy, Cara, and Vicki and numerous others. I felt like a groupie at a rock concert.

The next morning it was off to the Duchess County Fairgrounds.

I spied Beth’s shawl first:

And then I spied Amy’s hair and got my photo taken with her and Kathy, both of them wearing their Forest Canopy shawls!

Later, the blogger meet-up overwhelmed me a bit so I ducked into the adjacent building and did a little solitary wine and cheese tasting. But, I do remember meeting Deb, and Kate, and Adrian, and numerous others whose names now escape me because I was frantically trying to match names and faces which only caused me to get more confused. But I did manage to capture a photo of Manise, Michaele, Carole, Kathy, Sharon, and Erin after the madness subsided.

Later that night, Carole and Sharon hosted “Rumbeck 2007″ in their hotel room. Carole brought the napkins:

She and Sharon were amazing hosts:

I finally got to meet Laurie:

and Judy:

and Cheryl (who is spinning on Kim’s amazing Norm Hall wheel):

We even let Kim have a turn on her own wheel. Does she look happy, or what:

And my last photo, taken on Sunday just before we left, is of Terry modeling her fabulous Indigo Ripples skirt.

In case you were wondering, yes I bought some stuff. But I haven’t taken any photos of the fiber acquisitions yet. They are completely secondary to all the wonderful people with whom I spent the weekend.