Girl Who Knits

I started Glee last summer.  Like in July.  It was going to be my fab fall sweater.  I even knit it in orange to match the falling leaves.  I don't know why I didn't finish--most likely it was the monotony of stockinette stitch that distracted me.  After many months on hold I finally picked up Glee again in January.  It has been done for a couple weeks now but it took me a while to get the hooks sewn on and pictures taken.  I guess everything about this knit was meant to be delayed. 

So here you go, my perfect fall sweater, just in time for spring...

I told you it was orange.  The yarn I got at Estes Wool Market last year and spent much time holding it up to my face and pestering my sister and strangers at the booth with, "are you sure I can pull this color off?"  and "it's pretty right?  Right?  So why did you hesitate?"  Sometimes I just need to chill out.  The color is fun and I love it.  The yarn is a 100% alpaca and is oh so soft.  I wish I could take a picture that shows how soft it is.  Take my word for it will you?

This sweater is great.  You can wear it with the collar down (as above) or up (to the left).  I think I am more of a collar down girl but it is nice to know there is the option. 

Here are the details:

Pattern: Glee

Source: Zephyr Style.com

Yarn: Larkspur Funny Farm, 100% Alpaca, Yam

Needles: US 3 and 5 bamboo circs

Mods: I added some waist shaping but other than that none.

Notes: The one wish I had for this sweater is that it was longer.  The pattern calls for it to be a bit longer but I ran out of yarn in the end and knit until I literally had about 10 inches of yarn left.  Not the end of the world--just something I would have done differently if I could. Other than the length, I am really pleased with this project. 

Yea for a finished Glee!  Finally.

Well, January is almost over and I have not really posted about knitting all month.  This would only be worse if I hadn't actually been knitting this whole month.  Which I have.  Been knitting that is.  I have my first FO of the year completed and done but waiting for it's intended recipient to come visit me and take some pictures.  That's right, I actually knit for someone other than myself.  Shocking I know but true.  For Christmas I decided to knit a sweater for my little non-knitting sister Bri.  I did not finish in time and due to jet lag I really didn't get much done until the second week of January.  Here is a preview of the finished sweater. 

Bet you can guess what it is...

Once I was finished with my gift knitting I decided before picking my next project, I should finish up a WIP I had on the needles.  Namely, Glee.  I started Glee last fall and got about half way, so I picked it up again and am now almost to the bottom ribbing.

Honestly, I am not sure how this is going to turn out.  It is one of those sweaters that I won't know if I like until I try it on.  The best thing about this sweater is the yarn I am using is a really soft alpaca that I want to pet all day.  It is also really really orange--yam to be exact.  I am crossing my fingers for this one.

I don't know what my next project is going to be but I am trying to make a decision now so I can get the yarn this week.  Maybe the Equestrian Blazer?  Exmoor Jacket? I don't know.  One project I know I want to do is Eunny's Entrelac Socks from the new Spring Interweave.  That woman is my hero.  But that pattern is not out until the end of February.  Seeing bloggers become amazing knit designers is really inspiring to me.  I would love to try my hand at design this year.  But I may not have any talent for it so you might not see it happen.  Either way, I think it is kind of exciting to not know what is going to make up my 2007 project queue. 

So there is the knitting update.  Now I am off to finish Glee...

So in case you read about my yarn crisis for Glee, I thought I would share the happy news.  I just got off the phone with Grace at Larkspur Funny Farm and she was able to wrangle up 4 more skeins of my yarn!!!  Four more--the exact amount I need.  I know!  She tells me I am very lucky and I have to agree.  I won't have to pay for my stupidity this time. 

You know what this means?  No frogging for Glee.  No needing to find new yarn.  And most exciting...knitting may now resume. 

I am thrilled.  Thank you Grace!  You have made my week. 

Ah.  Happy.

Last week I started a new project.  It is a project I am very excited about and am hoping will be quick-ish and a fun stylish sweater for early fall.  As soon as I saw Glee on Rachel's blog I knew I had to knit it.  I bought the yarn for it at Estes Park Wool Market in advance of the pattern being available.  The yarn is 100% alpaca from Larkspur Funny Farm in the orange color Yam.  I thought the yarn color choice was a risk because it is a really bright orange but I knew if it worked it would really work.  I love the color.

As soon as the pattern became available I bought it and then cast on within days.  I had blissfully knit over half way through the top portion with the sleeves (it's a top down raglan) when it dawned on me...

I don't have enough yarn. 

I am so dumb.  What was I thinking?  I knew when I bought the yarn that I would have to knit double to get the right gauge on the sweater.  I knew this.  So I bought 12-100 yard skeins: 1200 yards of yarn.  Seemed like plenty to me.  But after knitting double, really it is only 600 yards (about 200 shy of what I need.)  I am so annoyed at myself.  Why didn't I figure this out correctly when I was buying the yarn?  Why not before I spent hours knitting and loving the beginning of the sweater?  Why?

Grrr.  You would think the solution is easy right?  Order more yarn.  But now, the Larkspur Funny Farm website is down and my phone call and email to them has not been answered.  I am beginning to suspect that they are out of business.  Does anyone know for sure?

It is just so tragic...and stupid.  Mostly, it is stupid.  That is, mostly, I was stupid.  I think I must have been in a yarn haze at Estes and wasn't thinking straight. 

So I have put a hold on knitting Glee until I can determine if I can get the rest of the yarn.  If not, I will have to frog and find new yarn.  Sigh.

So I needed a pick me up to make me feel better.  After reading a post this morning by the clever knitchick, I became consumed with a desire for new yarn.  There has been a project I have been thinking a lot about, so at lunch time I went to my fav LYS Black Sheep and bought this:

for this.

Molly Ringwald here I come.  I know I have plenty of other projects and I promise I am still working on Somewhat Cowl and I am even picking Forecast back up to finish for the fall (Trellis is another story--I will share my feelings soon) but I think I am going to cast on for Molly tonight.  Sounds fun.  And distracting.  Oh the tragedy.