FO Friday: Lots And Lots of Shawls!

What is it about blogging that makes me feel bad for not posting? I wish I knew. Anyway, I've been super busy and productive and I can't wait to show you what I've done! This post is going to be kept relatively short because company is coming over and I need to clean, but I thought you guys deserved an update.

First off is my Sharktooth. You might remember it from this post, but you might also remember that I started out with a different color. The Ella Rae wasn't quite working for what I needed, so I changed to one of my Christmas presents. The Cherry Tree Hill yarn in color Slate. I love how this turned out.

 

 







I learned a valuable lesson with this project. Counting and paying attention are very important. This shawl should technically have about 200 yards less yarn that it does, but I accidentally added 6 more pattern repeats, thus making this thing huge. But, I love it and I'm so happy it's done.


Next up is something I've already finished and showed off, but I finally got around to blocking the darn thing!
Here's my 3rd Herbivore! This was a fun and quick knit, and it's one of my favorites.

Finally is something I made for my DH with the yarn he got me for Christmas! Here's my Forest Gyllis! It's an amazing lace scarf made out of a worsted weight 100% wool yarn. The pictures don't show off the subtle yellow and green heather the yarn has, but I'll try to get better pictures later.

That's it for now, I'll do my best to post what I'm working on this Wednesday!

FO Friday: Swap Time!

Wow, sorry I didn't post anything on Wednesday! I actually had finished the project I'm going to show off today on Tuesday, therefor no WIP on Wed, and I hadn't progressed on any of my other projects at that point! I'm kind of a slacker in that sense, but I did get an entire project done in 4 days. That's pretty impressive if I do say so myself.

Now, some of you may know that I am taking place in an Arts and Sciences swap within the SCA. The particular swap is called Noblese Largesse, and it's pretty cool. When you sign up, you are required to fill out a questionnaire, and from there I'll quote from the Noblese Largesse's facebook page.

So, how is this supposed to work?

No doubt, you've noticed that you've had to fill out a questionnaire. We use an Excel spreadsheet and the RAND function to take your name and match it with someone else. We will then send you the information that your recipient filled out on their questionnaire. It is for you to decide at this point what to make them. After you make the object(s), send it out. Please make sure you send a note with your item, revealing yourself to your recipient.

Also, there's a limit to how much you can spend on materials. $20

Pretty simple, eh?  Well, yes and no. I had quite a few difficulties trying to choose what to make for my swap partner. Being a new SCAdian, and new to the world of A&S as a whole, I didn't have a wide variety of skill sets to pull from. I have knitting, I can make some glass beads, I can do some pathetic embroidery. That's about it, so I went to what I know best; knitting. Now, what to make?

From the questionaire I received, my partner has a French persona, her colors are red and gold, and to throw a wrench into my plans, she tries to only wear period (and persona) appropriate garb. I know nothing about late period French knitted garments as of right now, which is sad since my persona is late period French. Realizing I was kinda screwed, I asked if my partner liked shawls. Nope.

Time for plan B! Problem. There was no plan B. So, I spent the greater part of 2 months trying to find something I could actually make, and would be something my partner would enjoy and use. My solution? Mittens! I found this free pattern on Ravelry for these mittens, and I'm in love with them. Check it out!

I think they're pretty spiff. They're made out of a sport weight 100% wool yarn called Wool Of The Andes purchased at Knitpicks. This yarn was much softer than I expected and wears amazingly well. Not to mention, at under $3 a ball, I was able to purchase all the yarn I needed, for a little over half of my budget which still left money for the knitting needles and notions I needed! I would highly recommend this yarn. 

So, what do you guys think? I'm pretty proud of myself. I think I'll end up making more mittens in the future. Now that I know I can do this, why wouldn't I want to make such a fast, and easily transportable project?

My Newest Addiction

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have become quite addicted to Ravelry. Almost to the point of forgetting about doing anything else productive.

What makes Ravelry so addictive you might ask? Well, it's a multi-layered answer. Of course there is the patterns database where there are literally thousands of free knitting and crochet patterns to choose from, and then there are the patterns that are created and sold right there on Ravelry! Normally I wouldn't really go for bought patterns, but when you see patters for things Herbivore and The Bee Keeper's Quilt for $6 or under? Yeah, I'm all over that stuff.

Herbivore by Stephen West

Speaking of those two patterns, it brings me to the next feature that I absolutely adore. My queue. Just as it sounds, it's a place where I can queue up all the projects I want to make and have them in one, pretty organized space. Once I get enough yarn for the project, Herbivore will definitely be on my knitting needles. 

Then there are the groups and forums! One in particular has stolen my heart. It's called the Karma Yarn Swap. The premise is fairly simple. You swap yarn, notions, patterns, finished objects, ect. It's amazing! I've already participated in a few swaps, resulting in one of my sashes finding a new and loving home! I also love everything that I've gotten in return for the swaps so far! 

Thinks like this: Berroco Ultra Alpaca

And This: Hand Painted Fleece Basic Sock

And this: Cherry Tree Hil Supersock Select

They're all so amazing! I have already finished a project with the alpaca yarn, and am currently working on something with the handpainted yarn. Once I find the camera, I'll post pictures so you all can see! 

Sew.......What's Up?

Okay, I know I said I'd try to get better at keeping up with the blog, and I was........until I found Ravelry. Oh Ravelry, you have stolen my heart! Think of it as Facebook for knitters/crocheters/spinners. It's amazing. So many projects! In fact, the reason I haven't been keeping up with the blog is because I can't seem to get away from Ravelry long enough to write up a post! But, I will try really, really hard. I promise. <_<;; No seriously.

Okay, so since updates kinda fell by the wayside, I'll fill you in on some of the things I've been doing lately!

First up are the first pieces of clothing I've ever made! Okay, yes they're for historical re-enactment, but they're still garments!

I really like this one. I happened to get really freaking lucky with the mix of fabrics I had, and I just so happened to have the perfect color yarn to weave the trim and sash with! It couldn't have turned out better!

Now this one is sooo comfortable. It's a really light-weight fabric and the facing for the neck is fleece. I LOOVE it! I can't wait to wear it more often! The sash was a bit of an experiment. I made it out of Patons Silk Bamboo yarn. It's really soft, but it has the tendency to shed a bit. It's nothing too extreme. Just something I've noticed.

Okay, I'm really excited about this bag. It's made out of leftover fabric from the first tunic, and is perfect for knitting projects or anything else I need to put in there! It has gotten a lot of use already, and I foresee it getting a lot more in the future.