(Continuing...) On My Needles Today...

Still working on my FUSION jacket,

which has finally "told" me

it's going to be a coat rather than a jacket!!!

The back and one front are now complete.

I made a start on a sleeve,

but decided I wasn't happy using

the stockinette stitch for it.

So...

...a bit of ripping out this week...

(Personal motto...

"If you're going to knit,

you're going to rip...")

...and back to the drawing board for a bit of redesign.

So much of this process is trying something

and deciding if I like it.

I wish I could clearly envision how

designs are going to actually look once knitted.

But I'm a "try it and see" person.

I decided the sleeves needed a bit more texture

than the stockinette stitch I originally tried.

I am using instead the "Mistake Rib" stitch 

I am using on the sides and front openings.

The sleeve here looks a bit out of proportion

but will widen out once it is blocked.

Once this sleeve is finished (very soon now)

everything else left to do, 

except finishing,

will just be a repeat of what has already 

been knitted (i.e. other side and sleeve).

So, although I still have a fair amount of knitting to do,

the finished coat is now within sight!

Happy knitting this week!

On My Needles Today...

I have started a new,

BIG 

project!

This type of project always starts with me pulling

yarns from my stash.  

My inspiration is from several skeins of a

sea foam green, wool and mohair blend.

That will be my "main color."

Then I pull any color that works with it, 

especially paying attention to getting

as much textural variation as I can.

Differences in yarn weights

are not a factor.

Aren't the colors gorgeous knitted together?

My plans are for this to become a 3/4 length jacket.

Of course at this stage, the project is always

subject for a change of heart.

This piece is one half of the back...

so it's early yet!

This will be an ongoing project for a few weeks.

I'll keep you posted!

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...

...is the beginning of a second hat in 

a different color way.

Here's the first one I was working
on a few weeks ago.
It's a fun little cloche
with an intricate Celtic cable,
topped with some coordinating 
FUSION Yarn
and finished with a 
swirled crown in the same dusty pink.

Happy Knitting!

On My Needles Today...

...is a pretty cowl which is almost finished.

In fact I am in the process of binding it off.

This cowl is a custom order for a customer

in Slovenia!

This color way is inspired by Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year,

"Radiant Orchid."

Happy knitting everyone,

and happy Fourth of July!

On My Needles Today...

...is a "bandanna" cowl.

It is shaped into a point at the center front,

giving it a bandanna look when worn.

I am knitting it with 

Plymouth Yarn's GINA,

a wonderful space dyed wool.

Happy knitting!

On My Needles Today...

…is the beginning of a triangular scarf,
in shades of blue.

It will have fringe on two sides.

Here's a little update of a couple of other projects this month:

A couple of weeks ago I was working on a second mitten
to go with one already finished.
Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention and 
knitted it exactly like the first…
meaning I had two right handed mittens.
So I had to knit two more left handed ones
to go with those already knitted!

The scarf from last week is now finished!

Got Needles?

Here's a riddle for you -

How many knitting needles

does a knitter need?

In the beginning,

when you first learn to knit,

every new project seems to need

a different size (i.e. "new") needle.

So, you start to build a collection.

Of course, you have to try each and every

needle that comes along until you find

your favorite.

There are metal, aluminum, wood, bamboo, plastic, etc.

(I think I just read about glass needles.

Memo to me:

"Need to try those.")

Not to mention you can use

straight, circular or double points.

My "go to" needles are the ones in the

hanging organizer in the first two pictures.

The above are just a mixed assortment that I rarely use anymore.

Why not weed out a few and get rid of some?

No.

Just no.

I just do not part with knitting needles.



That's why I have such a massive collection.

I have accumulated these needles over

forty years of knitting.

I suppose that makes some of them true "vintage."

Of course, it wouldn't be much of a collection

without the double pointed needles.

It's hard to believe,

but these pictures don't even include the

numerous needles stashed around

in my knitting bag(s) with ongoing projects.

(Knitting bags are a whole other malady.)

Would you believe,

I still have occasions when I need to

buy another set of needles?

I know.  I have issues.

Don't even get me started on crochet hooks.

I know how to crochet,

but I am a knitter, not a crocheter.

That being said, every knitter worth her keep

needs a few crochet hooks in her bag too.

Let's just say I have a weakness.

What's yours?