Finally, some progress.

The buttons are on! All that remains is to sew on the loops.

I can't wait to wear it - I've already planned out my whole outfit to go with it. Is that obsessive?

Also, I stopped by Tuesday Morning yesterday and added this Laines Du Nord to my stash.

The color is a little off - it's more of a teal/emerald color. It's very vibrant. They also had a dusty rose and a lavender color that I'm considering returning for. I've already decided to make Fetching from www.knitty.com. My sister might go for them in lavender. :)

The last 100 miles

Do you ever get the feeling when you're driving someplace that the last 100 miles are the longest? That's how it's been for me with the Estes Vest. A month ago I was diagnosed with a skin condition on my hands that has prevented me from knitting much while I wait for it to heal. So my knitting time has been cut in half. No, make that 1/10 - it's been decimated. So I'm really surpised that I've made any progress at all.

I'm happy to report that despite these difficulities, I have finished the I-cord edging, bought the buttons, and crocheted the loops. All that remains is to sew on the buttons and the loops, then weave in the final ends. Unfortunately now I've lost my sewing needle and my spare is in the room with the sleeping (and sick, he has a cold) baby. So it probably won't get finished tonight, either.

I'm trying to decide what I want my next project to be. I'm excited about the Gathered Pullover from the Winter 2007 Interweave Knits. I'm thinking of using some Louet Sport from Pieces of String in Moorhead - she's clearancing out her yarn to make room for more finished products. I think Fern Green would be a great color on me!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..

Well, my friends, I have reached a crucial juncture on my Estes Vest. This is the point at which I would typically begin making accomodations for my "assets." I deliberated over the weekend, pondering the best coarse of action. The size I choose has a scant 0.5" positive ease. However, because of the cables and because of the stretchy Lamb's Pride, I'm thinking there is more give in this fabric than than is necessary to adequately cover my chest.

Hmm. Yes. Definately. This is just the back....

On another note, guess what?

I'm going to have to get started on Karen's shawl soon!

5 skeins of Elann Callista in Morrocan Blue. It's not as bright as I envisioned, but it has this great shiny ply in with the cottony plys.. (plies?) The color is reminicent of my favorite boyfriend jeans. I hope the finds she finished shawl just as comfortable and comforting.

My stash hunt

I took my family down to Rapid City last weekend to visit Neil's aunt, who was just diagnosed with cancer. It was a good ttrip, with lots of time to visit and go exploring. I stopped at 3 yarn shops, and drove past another that was closed for the holiday weekend.
The first stop was Dakota Treasures on Rushmore road. About half of the store was beads and such, and the other half was yarn. There were lots of nice choices, but not what I was looking for. She was very helpful though, and helped me find the address for the yarn store in Hill City, my next stop (Let it be known that I had to go to Hill City anyway, so I didn't drag my DH 45 miles out of our way just to visit a LYS).
Wool N' Stuff in Hill City had a large seclection of wool items, including finished garments, roving, and the exact yarn I was looking for. The yarn manager was not in, but the guy at the counter was nice enough. I think it might have just been the day, but it didn't have a LYS feel - more like a dark wool market feel.
Finally, I did stop at Yvonne's Yarn Shop in Spearfish. She was super nice and had lots of sock yarn on hand, but nothing for the shawl that I want to make for aunt Karen. She kindof profiled me a bit, thinking I had only done small projects with big cheap yarn and was looking for more of the same. Hmm... not really me, but that's okay.

Oh, here's the yarn I was looking for:

Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, 8 skeins of Blue Boy
Purchased 8-30-2008

A little shopping, a little sightseeing

I've been working on my Ravelympics projects. Today I added some rows to the Hippie Tunic and Tiger pants.

The Hippie Tunic has a great lace effect for a chunky yarn. I love how it looks like a net, and how it builds concentric V's around a tulip shape. You can't see it too well in the picture, but maybe once I get a few more rounds on it will be clearer.

My Tiger Pants are coming along nicely. I love how drapy the Malabrigo is - it just flows. If I set it down it pools almost like water. I can tell they are going to be super comfy for baby Zeke. Plus it's so soft, I could just sit and knit with it for HOURS.
I went out in search of needles for my baby socks. I thought I'd try Magic Loop, but I couldn't find 32" or longer US 3s, so I went with DPNs. And I went with cheep DPNs, so I could get this:

Crystal Palace Yarns Kid Merino in Fern Mix. I'm hoping to do the long sleeves from One Skein. I think the mohair haze will tone down the varigation enough to make it look super fine.
Oh yes, the baby socks.

These little cuties knit up super fast. I could do a sock a day. It took a little bit to get used to the stretchy yarn and the way the pattern marks rounds and the heel section. The pattern says to work on two circular needles, but I don't have two circs so I got DPNs. Instead of using stitch markers, it calls for keeping all the heel stitches on one needle and all the top stitches on the second needle. I ended up using one DPN for the top stitches and two needles for the heel and gusset stitches. I then used a stitch marker to mark the start of round for the gussets.