Impatiently knitting...

I'm still working through the Knitalong shawl in red (for this month's project spectrum color). Now it's looking like a kerchief sized for a large troll. I've been trying not to set it aside because I like the idea that I'm a "knitter who is focused and finishes her projects". I really want to be that knitter.

Does that person even exist?

But oh- temptation is lurking around the corner in the form of Kureyon, which I purchased for a future Booga bags (intended as a holiday gift but at my present rate of knitting, who knows how long that will take?)

Now that's its arrived, though... I can't stop looking at it and wondering how it will knit up. I've even tried rationalizing it to myself: Project Spectrum's April color is yellow- see there's yellow in that. Drop everything and Booga in April!

I am weakening, but still trying to fight off the temptations. I need smaller projects that are portable and won't have even a free weekend till May 15. So sadly, I'm packing up the pretty stash and tucking it far away. Maybe I'll try to slowly work through the shawl during lunches.

Project Spectrum: March Shawl

I've been steadily working on a triangular shawl for Project Spectrum out of some soft alpaca yarn. It's been interesting to learn how to manage the circular needles and such thin yarn. But the design is fairly simple and very pretty, and I'm enjoying watching it grow bit by bit. I do wish it was a bit lacier, though, but that's my fault for not starting with a larger needle.

I wish it was growing a bit faster but with my schedule of evening classes and full time work, my March project may end up taking until the end of April. I should have a picture up in a couple of days.

Knitting books

This is what I do when I don't want to study! I came across Crafters Choice and subsequently bought some wonderful books. I think I have to buy one more book before the year is up but I've already picked that out, too and its less than what I would normally buy from other bookstores.

And then I headed to bn.com to pick out school books and some non-knitting reading. So I'll be very busy!

I'm a happy girl.

Inspiration! (long)

I've been bad about updating, but that's due to a fulltime job and attending graduate school in the evenings. But I turned in my final project and I've started my next semester, so I can once again pick up my needles and fit in some knitting time between work and school. I can't tell you how badly I wanted to knit during my finals- it shocked me that I've grown so attached to knitting in such a short time.

Panta update: My panta is done except for the last bit of sewing, so I'll try to do that this weekend and take a picture. Luckily, there's still snow scheduled next week so I can wear it at least once (I hope) before spring arrives. In the meantime, I started and finished a basketweave dishcloth out of some Olympic Sugar n Cream leftovers. It's more of a rectangle, but it's pretty and will be useful.

I went to my LYS three times now- actively wanting to buy. I wandered through, touching everything, mulling over one type then another, imagining what I could make. And I left each time with nothing! I can't figure it out! Unless it has something to do with the bin full of yarn I've accumulated since January. Add that to the fact that I'm a new (and therefore slow) knitter who does not have enough knitting time... well, I can see how my stash pile is rapidly outpacing my knitting rate.

So I went home, and carefully inspected my stash. My latest additions were three large one pound cones of Henry's Attic Monty 3/9 merino wool, on which I plan to practice my handpainting when I find a spare weekend. Each pound will give me four pairs of socks. Add that to my 3 skeins of Koigu, and I'll be set for making socks for a long, long time. Even longer when you consider I can't do them yet!

After looking over my stash... I just couldn't decide what to do next. I'm itching to do something but nothing really jumped out at me. All that yarn I have and nothing! So I got out my list of projects that I'd like to do (that are at my skill level).

I'm very much into some of the charity projects, simply for the fact that I can only wear so many scarves and hats, but greatly enjoy the actual knitting of the projects. This way, I can be assured that my end results are going to a good home, and still enjoy the experience of working with a new pattern and learning new techniques, and just enjoying the few minutes of my day where I'm not thinking about work, school, and other stress.

Mother Bear Project
Ships Project
The Dulaan Project
Triangular Shawl Along

And then I came across my inspiration. Project Spectrum.

From the website, the description reads: "The idea of Project Spectrum is simply a celebration of the colors around us, and taking the time to notice them. Each month over a six month span will be devoted to a color group - participants can knit, dye, crochet, weave, spin, stitch, paint, scrapbook, sew, quilt, cook, grow, photograph, bake, or bead items in that color group (of course all arts and crafts not mentioned here also count!).

It is really about expressing yourself creatively - making something beautiful, and creating something unique with your hands. It is also about thinking outside of the box - perhaps taking up a new hobby, or a long neglected one, or finally dabbling in design."

I like it! I love the option of photographs or beads (stitch markers perhaps?) or something else.

The first month is Red/Pink... and I have my lovely cherry red alpaca which is a deeper red than the linked picture would have you believe. It would be perfect for the Triangular Shawl Along that I wanted to do. I also like the fact it is low pressure, so if it takes me a bit longer than the rest of March to knit this shawl, I don't have to do the next month (Yellow/Orange) one. Although that color scheme would be a great excuse... errrr. reason to do my coveted Jayne Hat.

And so... after several (fussy) days of craving to knit but not having any inspiration, I discovered mine.

Panta!

This panta is so much fun! I've never done ribbing or increases/decreases so this is simple in some ways, but challenging in others. The picture is darker than I expected, but the teal looks very nice against my auburn hair.

I have a feeling it will not be cold enough to wear once I finish this next week but I like it and will proudly wear it in the autumn. We'll see how this looks once its done.

I'm using size 6 needles because that is what I had and it matched the yarn's recommendation. I'm not sure if it will matter that I used size 6 instead of 5s. I *think* its ok- the edges are not as neat as I would like but I'm working on that. I'm at the halfway point and will be starting my decreases next. :)