Hello? Anyone in there?

Okay, so it has been a couple of months since I posted. Not that there haven't been projects I have been working on, I have just been pre-occupied with Ravelry and trying to get my life back on track.

I finished my version of the Lelah top knit from Lion Brand Cotton Ease. The original is strapless but that is not an option for me. So I modified it by making it tank-top style. The stockinette rolls terribly so I gave the neck and armhole a k1 p1 rib for 3 rows. The addition of an I-cord from the same yarn and Viola! It actually fits and I plan to take it to Seattle for my vacation starting Sept. 12.

I always feel a little fidgety if I don't have a pair of socks on the needles so here is the beginning of a new pair. I don't know who the recipient is yet because I am waiting for inspiration for a pattern. Until then, I will just knit along, waiting for my sock muse. The yarn is 70% superwash wool and 30% nylon and you might not guess who the maker is. It is slightly scratchy but I think it will soften up with washing.

I have been doing a bit of sewing lately. I have a fairly large fabric stash that needs to be turned into wearables. These are my latest 2 dresses.
Basically the same pattern, but different fabrics and skirt styles.

I'm In Love

On Thursday I picked up my long-awaited Cotton Fine from Yarns Unlimited in Santa Monica. I couldn't wait to swatch the lace pattern for this cardigan!

It is far more difficult to follow a graphed pattern when there are lots of interesting people to talk to than it is in the solitude of your own home. I'm just saying. However, I managed to get through about 8 rows of the pattern...enough for me to decide that I will block this to the correct size when it is done so LET'S CAST ON ALREADY!!!!!

33 rows into the back, I love it. I love the pattern and the way the knitted fabric feels and drapes. I love it so much that yesterday at the DSW I bought a pair of sandals to wear with it this summer. (Okay, I don't really need an excuse to buy shoes...)

While waiting for my above mentioned yarn, I made a quick striped top. This was inspired by a top in a Knit 'n Style magazine. I just figure out how many stitches to cast on and then went from there. Thanks to Annika for her expert fitting help on the back, as my arms aren't long enough to do it myself. I had never worked with Cotton Ease before but I certainly will again. Inexpensive, easy to knit and machine wash and dry. It's the trifecta of yarn.