Festive Fall Vest for DS

Here is a Ravelry link to the project.

As per usual, I can't get pictures to do the yarn justice.  Though Little Guy's adorable face should make up for that.  *smirk*  Yes, I am a biased mommy...  Why do you ask?  *laugh*



There are a bunch more pics on Flickr.  I just posted the one I liked best of LG.  *laugh*

Pattern:#407 Chris Woven Yoke Vest by Schaefer Design
From the 2012 Knitting Calendar

Made for:DS Will

Size:12-18 Months

Needles:US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm

Yarn:
Fresh From the Cauldron MCN Worsted in Ares Colorway
About 1 skeins = 185.0 yards (169.2m)
Purchased at:
Fresh From The Cauldron
Purchase date:
May 2, 2011

I love the Ares colorway by Fresh from the Cauldron and wanted to make something for the Little Guy with it.  The colors scream fall though I don't know if it will be big enough for him to wear come fall. 

I have been watching to the Round the Twist videocast.  Carin, the host, has deemed 2012 the year of the sweater and has invited others to KAL with her.  I decided I wanted to push myself.  So one of my 2012 goals is to knit four sweaters.  One for DH, DS, DD and DD's 18" doll.  This is the first sweater done.  And certainly not too soon!  I fear it probably won't fit him next year.  But it fits him perfectly.  And luckily the temperatures have dropped so he might get a few wearings out of it.  *crosses fingers*

I tried to use this for another vest that just kept going horribly wrong.  So I frogged it. 

I kept praying that there is enough yarn to finish the vest.  Problem was that is says 1 skein of Chris which is 220 yards.  FFtC is 185 yards.  *gulp*  Luckily some amazing folks offered to share their Ares, so I could have finished it.  Hooray for knitters.

It came out wonderfully.  It looks adorable.  And just in time too.  The vest will probably only fit for the rest of the spring.  *sigh*  But I might have to take up an offer to buy some Ares and make another one in a bigger size as I have a bit left from the 12-18 size.

I love the Chris yarn too.  So I might have to get a couple skeins and make a larger one at a later date!

I also really need to take pics of my socks.  They were another 2012 goal I have met.  They look wonderful, but I haven't photographed them or worn them yet.  I really should since the lovely FftC folks are having a 2012 KAL that ends in April.  I keep debating if I could actually finish another object for that one.  I don't know...but it is tempting to try!  I have long been debating making a Clapotis with some FftC yarn.  Thoughts?  Crazy to think I can complete that in a month with everything else on the table...  But I think it is a quick knit by most accounts.

On the 2012 goals, I also have done some spinning!  Woohoo!  I have the Bullseye Bump I got on my wheel.  I have only done about a half ounce to an ounce tops.  But it is lovely.  Again, I should take some pics.  I had high hopes of getting some spinning in last night.  But Little Guy is sick and was fussy most of the evening.  So there wasn't a chance to pull out the wheel.  *pout*

Also, because Little Guy was sick, I didn't get to do a bunch of car knitting.  That was my hope.  I wish he wasn't a drippy mess.  He was miserable on Saturday night/Sunday morning.  But luckily, he is doing better today.  I am hopeful that tomorrow will mean he is back to 100% okay.  *crosses fingers*  I am sure the sweater helped him feel better.  How can you not when you look so dapper?  *grin*

Some Projects Are Just Challenging...

I am happy to report I finished the Gothic Temptress socks. I also cast on and completed a February Baby Bonnet to match the sweater. So it was definitely a good knitting weekend. I will try to post pictures soon.

I decided I wanted another baby project on the needles. I really thought that the Wave Jumper from the 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders would be an ideal project.

So I cast it on yesterday. I decided to go with the 3-6 month size. Figured that would be a good size. Counted stitches. All good. Went on my merry way. Knit the first two rows. Third row was were the pattern repeat really started. Got the last pattern repeat. Ummm. I was either short several stitches or over a lot.

Checked Ravelry. Only one person had done the middle size as best as I can tell. She said the number of stitches were wrong but didn't say by how much. I did the math. It was definitely incorrect.

So I cast on the correct # of stitches for the repeats. Knitting along. But something was wrong.

I managed to twist it somehow when I connect it for knitting in the round. *sigh*

I frogged it again.

I think it might just be a project for a later date and perhaps another yarn. I figured the ONline Supersocke 100 would be fun as it is a self striping yarn. And it would show off the wave pattern. But I don't know if it is the best choice. The yarn is kinda splitty. Also, there is a lot of pattern in the yarn already. The plies aren't the same color in most areas. So it is a pretty busy yarn. It might be too busy for the dress. I am not sure yet. I might try again at a later date. But I think something else should go on my needles right now.

I still have a Wensleydale Lace socks on my needles. I should try to finish by the end of the month for the KAL. Don't know if that will happen of course. I have maybe 1/2"-1" done of them. So probably not in only 20 days as I am not a fast knitter. But who knows. I still want to complete them as they should be pretty socks. (And the silk and nylon in them might make them nice summer socks.)

And then there is the alpaca cardigan that is always in the works. *laugh* I should try to finish it for next fall. But I haven't really been inspired by it. So it isn't moving very fast. It is silly as I have done the sleeves & about 1/4th-1/3rd of the body. So I should just get moving on it!

The brain has been percolating. And pattern searching of course. *grin* I am thinking a simple baby blanket would be good. I picked up some purple Caron Simply Soft Eco yarn. It is very soft and machine wash. I had figured it would make a nice blankie.

There is a super simple baby blanket:
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60241.html

The beauty of the pattern is that it is knit on a diagonal. So I can just keep increasing until I am almost out of yarn & then decrease with the second skein. It should work well.

Still thinking I might want another baby project on the needles. Maybe booties to match the February sweater & bonnet?