Knitting News

I know I have been very quiet about my recent knitting. The main reason was that I was working on my secret pal's scarf for the International Scarf Exchange. Now it is finished and on its way. I don't want to show any pictures until she gets it. Also I sewed together the Turbulence Pullover.
I discovered a new yarn at Michaels, Patons SWS. It felt really soft and I loved the colors. So I put all my other projects on hold and started an entrelac scarf based on Danica from Knitty. It looks great. I may even use this yarn for Lady Eleanor some day but I just want to be sure first that it doesn't felt when I block it and that it doesn't get pills or fuzz when I wear it. I am actually using three different colorways so I can see how they look.
I joined Socktoberfest so look for some fun sock knitting soon.

A Favorite Event

Last Sunday was Knit Out Crochet Too in New York City. I wait for this all year. Even though it starts at noon, it is jammed by 10:30 am. I always get there really early because I am terrified I won't find a place to park near Union Square where it is held. Yarn companies, book publishers, knitting world stars and charities are all in attendance. There are givaways, lessons, demonstrations, fashion shows, contests and opportunities to just sit and knit with other knitters (and crocheters of course.) I got a lot of free patterns, a few magazines and even some yarn. I really enjoyed the demonstrations of new techniques and methods like the one with Iris Schreier on multidirectional knitting. There is nothing like hands-on learning.

I met the Yarn Harlot herself, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, and she signed my copy of Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks. Here she is with the famous traveling sock. Then I met Knitty's Amy Singer. I didn't bring anything for her to sign so she signed a yarn store business card.
Clover was giving away free bamboo needles. Look at the line. It is too bad that it was a really hot day. If it were more comfortable I would have stayed even longer. By 3:30 I was exhausted and I went home.

It's My Birthday!

Hard as it is to believe, where I work they don't celebrate birthdays. Other departments do, but mine is run by a, well I just can't say in public, person who doesn't allow celebrations. So in defiance I brought in my own cake and asked all my friends to stop in. They did, making the day so much nicer. Next year I really must take the day off.
I have finally finished all the pieces on my Turbulence U-Neck Pullover. Usually I don't block sweaters until they are assembled, but I really like this sweater and the edges are so curled it will be hard to sew it neatly. A friend mentioned an idea for blocking and I am trying it. I pinned the pieces out on a damp towel and laid anther damp towel on top. I'll let them dry and see how it looks. The only problem is that just the front and back fit on the towels so I will have to do the sleeves after those pieces are dry. Hopefully, I will finish this by next week.
I joined the International Scarf Exchange and got my partner. I don't want to say too much in case she sees this blog but, for the first time, I am trying out my own design. What easier to design than a scarf, right? I'm using a Barbara Walker pattern and a beautiful edging I found on the web. I did a few swatches and then began. I've finished about 9 inches. One person at work said it was gorgeous and I hope my swap pal says so too.

Where Did Summer Go?

It is Labor Day weekend. Wow this summer went quickly. I didn't do half of what I wanted to do. I finished Flower Basket Shawl after frogging it numerous times. I made a new pair of socks. Not too much else. Oh yes, and two sleeveless tanks that I may never wear. But now it is already feeling cooler and I am ready for fall knitting big time. I've already started the Turbulence U-Neck Pullover and have many projects planned, most of them from the book Knitting Nature.
Look at the new yarn I found in Michaels from Patons. I'm going to try a diagonal scarf with these. If I like the repeats, I may try a vest.
A big thanks to my August Project Spectrum Postcard Swap partner, Joanna, for this lovely card that she made herself.
Project Spectrum was one of the highlights of the last few months. It is not too often that I can create something myself. I don't feel that creative knitting because I am using someone else's pattern. But the postcards were all mine. Mostly I made collages from vacation pictures I had taken. It was so much fun finding the appropriate colors and tailoring them into something my partner would like. Everyone sent me beautiful and original cards. Thank goodness Lolly is going to have another one next year.