Side note - I'm not even going to begin to try to do a 2018 round up post. My apologies to you, as it has some pretty epic moments, like this one, and also this. But if you're interested, my 2018 projects are grouped together in my Ravelry notebook here.
But anyway, back to January. Two of the three projects I'm going to share were part of my New Year's Day cast on. Long time friends of the show will remember that every January 1, my two besties and I gather together to talk, plan, set intentions for our coming year, and to cast on some fresh new projects.
Finished Object #1
This is the Carbeth Cardigan. Those familiar with the pattern may be asking why a woman who lives in Tennessee needs a bulky weight cardigan. To which I say: Shut up. I do what I want. Seriously though, that very question kept me from knitting this sweater for a long time. Until a very smart lady pointed out that as a cardigan it would make a lovely jacket or coat. That was all the justification I needed, and I was off to the races.
Project Notes
Pattern: Carbeth Cardigan
Yarn: Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky "Chocolate" colorway
Total Yardage: 875 yards
Needles: 5.5 mm and 6.5 mm
Started: January 1, 2019
Completed: January 28, 2019
Ravelry Project Page: here
The only modification I made was to knit it significantly longer than the pattern called for. I added 4" and because it's superwash, blocking added another 2". It's perfect, and I couldn't be happier. I even found the perfect buttons in the button box!
Finished Object #2
Having wrapped up my 2018 Christmas socks on December 27th, I found myself strangely bereft of sock knitting. I set about rectifying that on New Year's Day as well. Rhiannon bought me a skein of Valkyrie Fibers Matte Sock in her Eowyn colorway for Mother's Day a few years ago, because she is a good girl and loves her mother.
I knit the heels and toes with a 10g mini (which was almost but not quite exactly enough. I had some extreme two-fisted yarn chicken going at one point.)
I was alternating the mini and the blue stripe from the main color to finish up the last few rounds. That's all I had left of the mini and the bit of wound off blue that I had left over from starting the second sock. It was close but I made it work.
End result: I love them!
Project Notes
Project Name: like a morning of pale spring
Pattern: my basic socks and the Fish Lips Kiss heel
Yarn: Valkyrie Fibers Matte Sock, "Eowyn" colorway, Yarn Baby mini from Row One Yarns for heels and toes
Total Yardage: 336 yards
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Hiya Hiya 32" circulars, magic loop
Started: January 1, 2019
Completed: January 25, 2019
Ravelry Project Page: here
Finished Object #3
And finally, with both of those projects finished, I cast on and knit a quick baby sweater, as you do. A dear friend of mine's wife is expecting a little girl, and I'm not one to let the opportunity to foist woolens off on the unsuspecting and wee go unanswered.
It's a simple little top-down raglan cardigan, with just enough little detail to make it fun. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeazy.
I did have a brief moment of panic and frustration when I went to block it and it started bleeding pink. This is Knit Picks Swish, in their limited edition speckle line, and frankly, I expect better of Knit Picks. I rinsed it several times and noticed how much the ()@@!^ thing was growing. It's superwash, that's normal. It's fine. (No I didn't wash my gauge swatch, don't be ridiculous. I didn't even knit a gauge swatch. It's a baby sweater. Yes, I know that means this is entirely on me. Don't make me say shut up twice in the same blog post. I knit it in 3 days. It's fine, we're all fine here.)
Anyway, I marched downstairs, threw the thing into a lingerie bag and washed it in the washing machine with woolite and a whack of vinegar. Then I put it in the dryer on low.
It seems fine? (Actually fine, not dog in a burning room fine). No dye was apparent on the lingerie bag, and it looks right as rain now.
Project Notes
Project Name: let her sleep for when she wakes she will move mountains
Pattern: Peanut Warmer by Taiga Hilliard Designs
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted Speckle "Andromeda Speckle" colorway
Total Yardage: 194 yards
Needles: 4.5 mm and 5.0 mm
Started: January 27, 2019
Completed: January 30, 2019
Ravelry Project Page: here
All this industry is at least partially related to why I have such a short February is for Finishing list!
For those of you playing the home game this represents 1403 yards knit so far in 2019. In 2018 I hit 18,607. I'm telling myself my goal for 2019 is 10K, same as always, but secretly in my heart of hearts I'm shooting for 20K. Because I'm ridiculous.
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