summer knitting madness

07.20.10 {summer knitting madness}

[ click for a larger view. ]

With the temperatures in the 90°F+ range, I usually wimp out and decide that I’ve had enough of knitting until the weather turns cool again. This year, however, I’ve been knitting up a storm! I think perhaps it has partly to do with the trips we’ve taken over the past several months, and I’ve started carrying my knitting with me whenever I go out in case I have a few moments of lull in the action–so there have been plenty of opportunities for knitting. So far I’ve managed to finish putting together I 1940s chunky knit cardigan I knit last year (yes, I know… it has taken me over 6 months to put it together!), which I embellished with some pretty glass buttons that my friend E. sweetly gave me. The pattern is from this reprint booklet from Iva Rose, and the yarn is Plymouth Encore Chunky (wool blend) in a lovely tweedy purple. I think it’ll look smashing with my grey wool skirt I made last winter!

07.20.10 {summer knitting madness}

[ even the sleeves have a cable each! ]

07.20.10 {summer knitting madness}

[ more pictures here. ]

I also knit up a quick little project last week (I find I like having two projects going: one large one–usually a sweater, and a smaller piece that goes together quickly. I’m impatient and like instant gratification!): a 1940s moss stitch turban. It’s quite out of season right now, but I have plans to wear it if we go visit our families in Virginia this winter. The pattern is from the V&A website, and was super easy to make and put together–I rather like how it turned out too! I used a lovely alpaca and silk blend yarn from KnitPicks for this, so it’s super soft and a bit fuzzy.

07.20.10 {summer knitting madness}

[ 40s moss stitch turban; more pictures here. ]

I’ve actually got another sweater that I knit earlier this spring being put together right now, so once I have that tucked away there will be more knitting pictures no doubt! I am also trying my hand at sock knitting; something I’ve been eager to try for years but never got around to. I recently checked out Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson out of the library, and got excited about the possibilities of sock knitting. So I’ve picked out a pattern and went yarn shopping last weekend with E. (who is an experienced sock knitter), and am all ready to get started! We’ll see how that goes–I know most knitters are either wild about sock knitting or dislike it. It’s worth a try though!

So tell me–what creative activities have been taking up your spare time lately?

July 20, 2010 · 54 lovely thoughts
posted in knitting · tags:

reilly July 21, 2010 at 23:40

Way to knit up exactly what I’ve been thinking about! Everything about the sweater is perfect and I love the turban, amazing!

Heather July 22, 2010 at 21:54

Oooh, love these! I’ve hit a knitting wall too with the summer months but I’ve got an 18 hour drive ahead of me this weekend and some knitting tucked into a bag :) I’m hoping to do fingerless gloves. I sorta prefer projects that you dont have to count too closely ;)
That sweater is amazing! I hope to one day be able to knit wearables like that. Hats are as complicated as I’ve gotten….I might try that turban out!~

Karin van D. July 30, 2010 at 01:35

Love that turban. You look so gorgeous wearing it. And that sweater is beautiful too. I really should start practicing my knitting again. I started, but somehow I stopped again a couple of weeks ago. I really want to learn, seeing lovely things like yours!

jayayceeblog August 4, 2010 at 09:39

That sweater is absolutely gorgeous and I need to get off this computer right now and go work on mine that I’ve been neglecting. The turban is completely delicious and I plan to make one for my baby sister. Thanks for sharing the pattern link.

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