Kauni

I first saw the Kauni cardigan on Red Bird Knits blog. I immediately checked on yarn at the source where she ordered hers and found they were sold out. I figured this was meant to be. I have too many projects and really did not need another. The cost of the yarn is very reasonable - the shipping is killer.

I was fascinated by the yarn and how the colors play with each other and really wanted to knit this project. Well, I kept checking back and finally they had the rainbow Kauni back in stock and I fell prey to it's beauty. I immediately wound the yarn and cast on.

Purlwise blogged about the process of knitting her lovely Kauni. She spent some time planning out how the colors would come together.

Planning has never been my strong suite. When I got about here:

I realized that I had wound the balls in different directions. The colors flow in the sequence of the rainbow: ROYGBIV. One ball was flowing VIBGYOR. I became worried that if I continued, the Orange and Yellow from both balls were going to overlap and that would just not work. Soooooo I frogged and rewound one of the balls. It ended up rather loose but will work.

The last two weeks have been very demanding at work which has been one of the reasons I have not blogged. I averaged around 52 hours each week. This past weekend, DD had a horse show out of town. Eight hours in the truck traveling, two days in the stands and I am now about to the armhole. This really is an easy and fun knit. I have a hard time putting it down. I want to see how the next color combo is going to work.

I am knitting using the method recommended by the folks at Philosopher's Wool. They have short videos on their website that show how to use the two-handed fair isle technique -- one color in the right hand, one in the left.

I have never steeked. That is really going to present a challenge. I worry that I will get to that place and put it aside. Maybe not, this has been fast and fun, maybe the momentum and the KAL will just carry me through.

Demon cat was curious but would not pose. It is her job to disrupt, to be in the middle of things and to irritate!!!


This is becoming a popular blog project. The Yarn Harlot is knitting one and there is now a KAL.

Lookie

OK, Third time is not a charm but it closer and I give up. It will just have to do. This is on a size one needle with 60 stitches.

Look what came in the mail today! It is Kauni yarn in the rainbow colorway. I had planned on workin with some cotton yarn this summer and maybe a shawl project. The weather has been very hot and dry already and it just doesn't seem a good time to work with wool. However, I could not resist.

The yarn has a very loose twist and is very scratchy. I am not thrilled with the yarn but I do love the colors and the concept of this pattern and how the colors work. As a process knitter, this is right up my alley.

I am thinking about knitting the Kauni Cardigan. the free pattern is here at Ruth's, (click on the little Union Jack to download a pdf in English). I have never done steeks before, I have been a little timid but it is time to venture forth.

"Three for the Dough"

Whatever is she talking about? The Opal Crazy sock, of course. I moved from a size one needle with 8 stitches per inch to a size 2 with 8.5 stitches per inch and the yarn pattern is not noticeably different.

I frogged one more time and I am going to try 60 stitches on a size two.

It is just a stockinette stitch sock and I have knit enough already to have finished one sock and have nothing to show for it. However, I really want the "Crazy" pattern that is shown in the sample.

Opal - My Constant Companion

(Opal, I couldn't resist)
I have finished the Eleanor socks. Pictures to follow. What a quick and easy knit. I think next time i will add another repeat, I like my legs a little longer.

I have begun a new sock with Opal Crazy. I had grown tired of Opal and have moved into handpaints but this looked funky and fun. The yarn band was written totally in German and I wasn't sure what size needle to use to get the color pattern to work.
I started with a size one and 64 stitches with a gauge of 8 stitches to an inch.

This is the sample photo from Simply Sock Yarn Company.
I am not sure I have the gauge right to get the effect. I frogged and started over with size 2 needles, still 64 stitches. It seems a little better. I will post a photo later.

Eleanor - My Constant Companion

Work has been and will be completely crazy until the first of July. I stagger home around 7 totally brain dead and just can't possibly pick up the FPL shawl. I know I said I would but it is not humanly possible.

I have one Eleanor finished and I carry the bag with me where ever I go. I haven't been working on her mate, but she is by my side. I find the illusion that I might be knitting rather comforting. I have been known to throw tantrums if I do not have some me time. Right now, I am just trying to keep clean towels available (in the dryer)!

I folded the sock to show the dimensions. The length of my foot is usually the same length as the leg. Does yours fit that way?

How bout an artistic on the foot shot?

In the middle of this craziness, my family has been touched by two tragic deaths. A suicide of a 41 year-old father and husband that no one suspected was suicidal and the brutal murder of the 85 year old father of role model of my children. The 85 year old was murdered by a crack addict who turned himself in the next day.

Eleanor's bright colors and squishy self sit comfortably by my side through it all.