WIP Wednesday: Let There Be Color

I'm still chugging away on my two grey sweaters: over the weekend, I separated for the armholes and began working the left front on my Broad Shoulders KAL sweater!

And knitting sleeves two-at-a-time for my Pennant Cardi has proven to be an excellent bar knitting project. I'm usually a homebody, but lately I've found myself out and about way more than usual, and so I've managed to make a lot of progress since last week - it's probably hard to tell, but the sleeves are about elbow length now!

I've started the second section of the Miya Shawl for the KAL that's happening here on Ravelry, and I have to say I am loving the yarn. Would you believe this is my first-ever 100% cashmere yarn I've ever knit with?

But the biggest news is that I have started two NON-GREY projects (yes, all caps is very necessary there) since last week! First, I dusted off my crochet hook and started working on one of my recent FreshStitches Kit Club shipments: a yellow brontosaurus! I've only made 4 of his legs so far, but I am pretty thrilled to be crocheting again, it's been quite a while since my last crocheted project.

The other project is the project kit from Skeino which I was recently sent to try out, the Aloha Hat & Scarf. The kit itself is pretty affordable ($29.95 for the pattern and yarn), which includes a two-in-one pattern to knit an entrelac cowl which can be converted into a hat, plus a skein of variegated 100% Superwash Corriedale sock yarn (shown here in Hapuna - wow, look at those vibrant colors!). When it arrived, I knew it was the perfect project to break my all-grey streak, and I am pretty excited to revisit the entrelac knitting technique which I learned so long ago via a Craftsy class.

Entrelac is one of those techniques which looks really complicated, but actually it's quite easy to master! I cast on for this project on Sunday afternoon and have become a bit addicted to adding just one more wedge. Once I finish knitting this project, I'll share some of my favorite tips and tutorials for anyone who is interested in giving entrelac a try, too!

Comments

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends, so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks). The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a...

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels? I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n...

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