Contiguous Sleeve Method: Revisited

A few years ago, I took a shot at doing some Youtube videos where I talked about knitting. They weren't super popular, what a shock. BUT I did get the occasional email from Youtube letting me know that someone out there HATED my video on the Contiguous Sleeve Method because I had (admittedly) awful music on it to cover up the bad audio hum on the clip.

All that said, I finally reshot that video tonight. It's still not perfect, but it's better! Here it is:

- YX

FO: On the Grass

It's pretty ridiculous that it took me an entire year to finish this. Honestly, self, what the heck. This is Joji's On the Grass.

I went through a period of a few months where I didn't touch it... The bottom was pooling badly, and I didn't want to rip out those stitches- painful moss stitch, in fact- to fix it.

I eventually made peace with those pooling stripes and moved forward. The sweater was so bulky and stiff on the needles, but the yarn blocked beautifully. It's incredibly wearable and lovely now. The yarn is Dragonfly Fibers Damsel, which I got last year at Rhinebeck. I've finished this guy just in time for this year's show, and I'm already planning the other sweater quantity that I got there (ahem) for a new sweater. I'm trying to talk myself into some convoluted cables, but not finding any patterns I truly love.

My body has changed a lot since I had my son a year and a half ago, and adjusting to the new measurements- especially my increased hips- was an unexpected challenge. Things don't look the same on my body anymore, and I find myself second guessing what's flattering for this new shape.

As far as Rhinebeck is concerned, I'm going to try to stay away from sweater quantities and instead focus on shawls... Perhaps 2 or 3 skeins of things, to try to keep it simple. So many options, and I definitely overspent last year and haven't had much drive to touch the rest of it. I'm hoping the happiness I feel for this completed sweater will propel me into the next project. I'd like to work on some shorter-run items, since there are only so many sweaters one can wear in Houston. :)

I'm planning to go to Joji's meet and greet at the show, and she has mentioned that she'd like to see my Meridien, so I think I'll wear it on Saturday and this on Sunday. For the five of you still out there reading this, if you see me, please feel free to say hello! :)

- YX

FO: Planetary Pillow

I finished something! Here it is:

This was a really mindless knit, which has been great relief while I work on my On The Grass sweater. I got the planet buttons from the TessaAnn Etsy shop (similar here), and they are just about the best quality polymer buttons I've seen. It goes from the sun all the way out to Pluto (you'll pry my Pluto from my cold, dead, dwarf planet hands!)

This is going in the nursery, although I should probably do a slipcase for it, since you can see the white of the form a little bit, thanks to an aggressive blocking.

I ran short on yarn- my knit group can attest to the fact that my VERY LAST button loop was quite literally the last usable piece of the skein, which never happens to me! Anyway, this is going in my son's space-themed room, and I am really pleased with how cute it is.

It's been awhile since my last post- how are you guys? What are you working on?
- YX

Wool People 8!

I'm still here! Just, again, not much is going on in my world of knitting.

Except we went to Rhinebeck, which was fantastic!

A shot of the spoils:

It was great! This time, we rented the most beautiful house right in the middle of town. The owner was fantastic and sweet and everything you'd want in a host! I'd tell you more, but we've reserved the house again for next year, so perhaps a more in-depth look will pop up in a year. 

My photography business has been really busy lately, so I haven't had the time to devote to knitting. I do have a sweater in the works, but nothing to see of it just yet. 

In other news, WOOL PEOPLE 8! Fantastic. A few of my favorites:

...As if I need to cast on anything else!

And in other news, I am really heavily considering moving this blog over to wordpress and giving it a lovely little makeover. Is it worthwhile? Are you still reading, out there?

- YX

FO: Golden Hour

I started this back in February, just a few days before the baby was born. I'd done so much baby knitting that I needed a break... Well, 6 months later, I'm finally done.

Raglan construction, fingering weight yarn... I used Tosh Sock in "Antique Lace", which was bought on a whim at my LYS. The wheaty color is something I usually don't wear, but I am finding I like it with my skin tone.

The chevron detailing was easy enough to do without the chart, so it was great tv and knit night knitting.

I need to block it, because right now it's this weird mid-crotch length, and I'm hoping to get an inch or two out of it. I already added a few rows of chevrons to the bottom to accommodate my long torso, but I really should've just started the chevron charts later. Ah well.

The little cable/button back closure is so cute. Completely unnecessary, as the neck is generous, but it gives a nice detail. I chose a blue button at the advice of some twitter friends, but also considered bright red and hot pink ones. I have a lot of buttons.

Oh, and before I go... That little green Wee Austin Hoodie I did for the baby? Well...

- YX