Bummer, the weather has changed here just in time for the weekend. After a few days of hot and sunny weather too. Oh well, it was a good excuse to have a lazy day at home. I cast on for ChicKami. I must say, I really hate casting on! The LYS let me return the knotty yarn, and I ended up ordering more yarn from Elann. I placed my order Tuesday night, and it arrived on Thursday. Gotta love Elann! I ended up with Sonata in colour 9473, Ruby Cool. The label says it was made exclusively for Elann, which I didn't know they did. I'm pleased with this yarn, it knits up much nicer than what I was originally using. I'm using my Denise Interchangeable Needles for this. I used these needles for Smooch, and they were quite fine. This is however the first circular project I've used them for, and I don't really like them for this type of knitting. I don't find that the cable is slippery enough to move the yarn around easily. Seemed okay for knitting back and forth on smooch though. What I really do like about these needles is the actual needle tip. Something about the shape and texture (which I have no idea how to describe) that I really like.

Besides knitting today, I FINALLY finished my 100 Things About Me list. I've actually been working on this off and on for several months. Inspired by Jackie's new blog, complete with her list, mine is now done too!

posted by Brenda 7:15 PM

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Smooch!



Here I was, thinking this wouldn't be blocked and finished til the weekend, but I just had to do it last night! Overall, I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I did crab stitch/reverse single crochet around the neck and armholes, thanks Becky for this great idea! I wasn't completely happy with the neck after knitting it, but after completing the crochet edging, it is fine. Here are a couple close-up shots of the neck and armholes:




And finally, here's one of me wearing it:

Off to cast on for ChicKami now!

Postscript to this entry: I just tried casting on for ChicKami. The yarn was full of knots, so it is going back to the store. One in the swatch done a week ago, two knots before even getting the first row of ribbing knit. The yarn seemed to split a lot as well, so I won't be purchasing this again. I did like the colour though. So I'll need to find something else to knit ChicKami with as I really do want to make it. Maybe another Elann order??

posted by Brenda 7:54 PM

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Elann Order

Good mail day here today. Hubby received something he purchased off eBayfor his truck, and I received this yarn from Elann.com:



This will be used to make Parched, which Wendy recently made. It is from the same pattern book, the Rowan All Seasons Cotton Collection, that Smooch is in. This is a few projects down the road however, ChicKami is next, then a Coppacobana raglan sweater (see June 9 post here).

And speaking of Smooch.....I blocked it this morning, and seamed it tonight. I was slightly concerned that it might be a bit tight, but just tried it on and it fits perfectly, so I'm quite thrilled! No picture yet, as I'm still contemplating neck and sleeve edgings, likely crocheted (inspired by Fluffa). The pattern calls for picking up and knitting the back of the neck, but I'm thinking that crocheting may be in order instead. I'm a much more proficient crocheter than knitter anyway, so it would be kind of fun to see what I end up with.

posted by Brenda 8:10 PM

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