block 'n tackle knitting

Made for Juli-Ann, Christy & her daughter, D. Yeah, I love fall gardens...

It's scarf weather already in Victoria, and the way this easy feather and fan scarf knit up reminded me of foamy, seaweedy ocean waves. I used Paton's Decor 75% acrylic, 25% wool worsted (Sweet Country). This was my first attempt at anything lacy and despite a couple of boo boos (the yarn was very forgiving, though) I found it pretty easy. I used this free, online pattern, and size 7 US (4.5 mm) needles. Here it is in progress: and here it is done! Ta da! (Hm, next I think I want to knit a cabled scarf...)

I'm determined to see how many different looks I can get out of this one, simple, triangular net shawl pattern; this one uses Bernat's Soft Boucle and is a lovely variegated purple/red.  I like the way this turned out because it's soft, airy and actually very warm once you're wrapped up in it.  It's for my friend Juli-Ann, who will look much prettier in it than this old cherry tree. 

Here's the capelet from Viva Poncho I finished this morning. I think it's rather cute and sporty, though I can see if I used a softer, more drapey yarn it'd be quite elegant. I'm already working on the next project, hehe.

Ok, shawls are easy.  This one is a simple, triangular garter stitch shawl I made from scraps on circular needles.  I increased by knitting front to back at the beginning of every row and left the yarn tails for fringe.  I love the bright colours on this one.  I need to make more shawls.

A long time ago I used to crochet afghans. I crocheted several big ripple afghans for family members in the colours of their choice. One day about 20 years ago I found myself with nothing to do and a stash of yarn ends, and I put together a scrap afghan that turned out pretty well. I'm still using it, and the other day I looked at it on the couch and thought, gee, that's sort of pretty. With the asymmetrical stripes it's really a lot like the knitting I enjoy doing now. Recently, I started knitting with cotton yarn and discovered how much fun it is to make facecloths. I gave a bunch of these away for Christmas gifts this year -- they're really soft, machine-washble, and a fun way to try out new stitch patterns.

Here's a pair of socks in grassy green that I knit on my way home from my Alberta trip this week. They're worsted, so a bit thick, but I'll probably use them as slipper-socks. Last night when I got home late and couldn't sleep I started a capelet from Viva Poncho with some leftover yarn I had lying around. Here it is in my favourite wooden knitting bowl.