To the rescue

I spent quite a bit of time combing through my books and library books to come up with a pattern or design that would fit the cross-stitch iPhone case.  It spent a few weeks sitting on my coffee table on top of a stack of books that didn't have any patterns that screamed, Pick me!  Pick me!  I debated on stripes or a general outdoors scene, but none of those options really appealed.  It's a small space - just 33 x 69 stitches - so in order to make an impact, the pattern has to be on the small side.

End of last week, I stopped at another library to drop off a few things I had checked out when I realized I had not looked through their collection.  I popped inside and found this gem waiting for me on the shelf: The Art of Blackwork Embroidery.  I had completely forgotten about this technique and it is exactly what I had in mind - small intricate patterns that will pop against a solid background.

I've started with the background.  I debated leaving it white and just adding the design, but changed my mind.  I have a light grey background started; still deciding between a dark blue or black for the motif.  I might wait and see what looks good against the background.  Either way, blackwork embroidery to the rescue.

Eye Candy Friday: Poppy Socks

Poppy Socks.  Yarn: Sundara Sock.

Eye Candy Friday: Haruni

Lace Shawlette: Haruni by Emily Ross (Ravelry link)

Sea Dreams & Scottish Thistle

It feels good to get back to my self imposed/personal sock club for the month.  I missed it while I worked on the Adeline blanket.  The Sea Dreams socks are complete and on time - very squishy and soft.  Of all of the superwash merino yarns I have worked with, this one ranks up there on the best softness feel.  I wonder if it has to do with the way the yarn is spun?  Either way, fabulous socks. 
Vital stats:
Yarn: Claudia's Handpainted Fingering
Colorway: Sea Dreams
Needles: US 1
CO 64, 5" leg, 7.5" before toe

Next up: Scottish Thistle.  I haven't completely decided what this wants to be yet.  Socks, definitely, but I am wondering if I should stick to my plain vanilla sock recipe or try the Jaywalker pattern?

Sea Dreams, halfway

One of the Sea Dreams socks is completed and I am through the cuff on the other.  All of this means that I am a little more than halfway on my personal sock club socks for the month. 

Once they're finished, I think that I might be turning my attention to a Color Affection Shawl (rav link).  I dug through the stash the other day and came up with several options in The Plucky Knitter's Primo.

Sky Scarf - April

The Sky Scarf is coming along nicely and is finally starting to resemble a scarf in its length.  I've completed April, pictured, and I am well into May.  I think that I am going to weigh the remaining colors when I finish the June segment - halfway - to determine if I need to buy more yarn.

Eye Candy Friday: Small Gathering of Friends, Handwoven

Yarn: Sophie's Toes by Emily Parson. 
Colorway: A Small Gathering of Friends
Handwoven scarf.
Cricket Loom, 10 dent reed.

iPhone Cross Stitch

This little gem just arrived in the mail!  I ordered this Cross Stitch iPhone cover from Purl Soho last week.  Talk about juxtaposition between technology and 'traditional' craft.  No idea on what the design is going to be yet.  Stripes?  Birdies?  Something geometric?  Might have to check out some cross stitch books from the public library this week.

Eye Candy Friday: First Peonies of the Year

Return to Standby

To avoid knitting angst, you can place projects in time out.  If, after several attempts at time outs, things between you and your project are not working out, you can always frog it.

Case and point.  This is the remainder of the Vine Lace Vest.  I just wasn't happy with it.  I do not know if it was the pattern and yarn combination or the lack of enthusiasm on my part.  Either way, I am going to put the pattern away and I might revisit it later.

In the meantime, I started a pair of socks.   It's been a while since I did a self imposed sock club installment.  For January through April, the Adeline blanket counted towards that goal.  To relieve my knitting anguish, I chose a plain vanilla sock and Claudia's Handpainted Fingering Weight in the Sea Dreams colorway.  Very springy!