Jessimuhka Knits

Pattern: Icarus from SU 06 Interweave
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace, 2 balls. I had about 4 yards left, which was very nerve wracking while binding off.
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) Addi Turbos.
Time: I started this in May, right when the magazine came out, then took a huge break because I was bored with it. I picked it back up to finish the edging last month. It probably could have been completed in about a month if it stayed my primary project the entire time.
Impressions: This is probably the most boring shawl I've knit, but I *love* the result so I'm glad I pushed through and finished. The YO columns got old real fast, and even the edging was fairly repetitive and easy. I don't plan on knitting such a simple shawl again due to the boredom factor.

All photos of Icarus complete and in progress. You can also click on the photo in this post to get links to larger versions of the photos composing it.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 03:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

I finally started binding off for Icarus last night. Here's how far I got before I had to admit defeat and go to bed.

That's probably 1/6 bound off, and took 30-40 minutes. I'll be catching up on some podcasts binding off tonight. Look for a finished photo shoot Thursday or Friday. Even if I get it pinned out tonight, there won't be enough light for photos after school tomorrow.

Today's real excitement though was getting my annual Halloween Goodie Bag from Tammy. Check it out.

I fully intend on coloring this bag. It will be awesome. Like 100,000,000 hot dogs.

The booty. Candy, stickers, spider ring, and one item that needs a close up.

Yep, you read that right. Light up candy. Seriously, WTF? The package admonishes me not to point the light into my eyes (darn) or put the tongs into water (double darn). They don't want you to have any fun.

I don't know if I mentioned it here or not, but my roommate and I are having a Halloween party this weekend. While hunting around for decorations I found this site of pumpkin templates. I love pumpkin templates, as I'm not a very good drawer, but I can follow a pattern like nobody's business. I think I'll need to pick up a few pumpkins this week to carve for Saturday. Anyone want to volunteer to carve with me? I'm thinking Thursday or Friday afternoon/evening.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Chart 3 of Icarus is complete.

There was a mini-crisis on the 2nd to last row. My phone rang and when I reached for it my hand got caught in the needle cable, pulling it out of about 20 stitches. A couple of them ran 4 or 5 rows, so surgery was required. All's well that ends well, though it may have shorted my life by a couple days.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I finished my scarf in Louisa Harding Grace color 6. Pictures!

Stats:
Yarn - Louisa Harding Grace 50/50 wool/silk, 3 balls
Needles - 2 size 6 Inox Grey DPNs
Pattern - Mistake Rib, 35 stitches *k2 p2* every row, ending with p1.
Blocking - Washed in wool wash, laid flat under table to dry, spreading ribbing slightly.
Impressions - I loved this yarn! It's a very lofty single and very soft with a nice sheen. I'd love to have a sweater out of this someday. It's fairly reasonably priced for a luxury yarn, $11 for 110 yards of DK weight. I was pleased to get a scarf as long as I am tall out of 3 balls, which I picked up on sale at the Bonita Knitting Store.

I've made some good progress on Icarus this week, while watching Season 2 of House. It's easy enough to knit while watching TV, and I can pretend I'm concentrating on it when things get gross on screen.

Chart 2 complete, which was my goal for the month. I'm going to set it aside and work on my other goals for a bit, but might pick it back up in a few days because of this -

Yarn for the Tina Shawl. It's JaggerSpun SuperFine Merino from Sarah's Yarns. I must say I was extremely pleased with both the prices and service from Sarah's Yarns. I got a 1lb cone for what 8oz cost on most other websites, and it shipped just one hour after I placed my order. I received it 3 days later, along with a color card for a lace weight yarn she'll be offering this fall (Super Lamb). The color is Graphite and I really want to get started working with it, but can't until I finish Icarus. As usual, it takes the call of starting something new to get me to want to finish something old.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 02:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have some pictures of my knitting progress this month and figured I should get them up before I set next month's goals. I made some good progress on the Icarus shawl, only 7 rows to go to meet my goal, so I might make it tonight.

I also finished the sleeve of a baby sweater. It's freakin' adorable. The body was completed a couple months ago, only one more sleeve to go.

And finally, the VK Stocking. I'm almost to my knee, but I'm thinking of making them thigh highs because I have plenty of yarn. Then I'll get a garter belt and wear them with skirts. Or, I'll get bored with them and just knit them to the pattern length so I can embroider them. We'll see.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is my entry for the xtreme challenge at The Amazing Lace KAL. Just about the only thing Icarus and I are extreme at is partying, so we're giving you a window into one of our drinking games.

Set up and ready to get started. We've got our quality vodka, shot glasses, and quarters.

Cheers! So far it's an even match.

Preparing to take my first throw at quarters, using my highly perfected nose rolling method.

And GOAL! Take that Icarus!

Icarus gets ready for her first throw. As she doesn't have a nose, she's using the more controversial two needle approach.

Miss! Close, but no cigar. I'm way ahead now.

So far I have a 3 to 1 advantage over Icarus. I'm starting to feel a little guilty here, but not enough to throw the game. What can I say, I like to win.

Unfortunately, Icarus doesn't know when to stop, so we have some yarn barf. I held her hair back like a good teammate, and suggested we call it a night.

The next morning. Icarus, "Ugh, why is it so bright..." Me, "Shhh, don't talk so loud." We're still recovering.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

I worked on the boring part of this shawl all weekend and made some good progress. I'm just shy of finishing the 3rd of 5 repeats before the happy fun edging. I plan on working on this during the World Cup games I manage to catch too, since it's pretty imposible to screw up.

I had a fun weekend. Friday night I saw Cars, which was great. Krys and I lost it when the rusty cars requested Free Bird. I think I need to see it in theaters again. We saw a digital projection of it and it was so pretty.

Saturday, there was knitting at Rebeccas. Small group this time, just Kristin, Jen, and Cora, but still lots of fun. Sunday was Kris's goodbye knitting event, and while it was fun, it was also sad. I'll really miss knitting with you Kris! At least blogs will let us keep in touch though.

Later this week I should have my X-treme lace knitting entry for Amazing Lace. I'm not a very X-treme person, so this should be interesting.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 08:52 PM | Permalink

After finishing a shawl in a week and a half, I had to cast on multiple new things. First up, the Icarus Shawl from the new IK

This is about two days worth of progress. I'm planning on working at this mainly at Rebecca's on Saturdays, because it's really easy, so I can talk and not screw it up. The yarn is Misti Alpaca lace weight, out of my stash. I picked it up at a 20% off sale somewhere, I believe.

Next up is the Sunrise Circle Jacket [.pdf].

I started this last night in Araucania Nature Wool, that I picked up at $3 a ball from Carodan Farm. I read in a couple of blogs that the yardage for the jacket was coming up short, after I'd already ordered my yarn, so I'm doing the hem facings in blue. It should help stretch my yardage, and I think it will look pretty neat too. I'm about 1/3 through the first sleeve right now, and looking forward to starting knitting the semi-circular front off the top of the sleeve. I should at least have a completed sleeve to show for myself by Friday.

Oh, I'm not going to be able to make it to Rebecca's this week. Dyeing party at Wendy's! Woo! I'll try and remember to take pictures of us all playing with dye.

Posted by Jessimuhka at 12:47 PM | Permalink