Ester shrug

It's done!
Pattern: Ester by Alice Bell, in Knitty
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, color 2434, 2 or 3 skeins?
Needles: US size 8
Notes: Well I'm just so pleased with how this came out! It was definitely worth the effort. I still need a nice pin of some sort to close it in the front (instead of the tapestry needle I used for the pics). I think I ended up making the size Small but I could've gone up a size. The cable pattern was very simple and easily memorized, especially since I cabled without a cable needle.

All in all, this one is definitely a winner!

You can't beat quick socks!

Christmas preparations are in full swing here! I'm so happy to say that I am nearly done with all of my handmade gifts. Uhm, not that I'm making that many. It's just that I expected a pair of socks to take me much longer.

Pattern: Ampersand

Yarn: Socks that Rock Mediumweight, in Puck's Mischief colorway

Needles: #2 circular for magic loop

Notes: I really love how these came out! These were especially fun to make since the future recipient had given me some very strong hints that she would love a pair of handknit socks. I know she'll love the colors too. And speaking of colors....can you believe that these didn't do ANY weird pooling that STR is "famous" for?! Just perfect.

In fact, I was so happy with how fast and nice these knit up that I immediately started another pair in the Socks That Rock mediumweight. I think these will be a gift for hubby since he appreciates handmade socks. It is the Lucy colorway and I'm using a simple pattern from the Sensational Knitted Socks book.And look what I have here....

Yup, it's the mess that I showed you a while back. And would you believe that it only took me 20 minutes to wind it into these two balls? If I'd known it would be so simple I wouldn't have been so dramatic about it all! I guess I just psych my self out sometimes. Now I can work on Ester along with my Somewhat Cowl, which is coming along great!

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Any suggestions?

Ugh! look at this mess! This is what remains of my failed Camillia. It was knit using double stranded Cascade 220. My problem is, how do you get it undoubled? I'm guessing it's going to take two people both winding one strand each all the while untangling as we go? Oh boy. I guess I'll have to get Hubby involved.
I really need it to continue my work on my Ester shrug. And I really want to finish Ester because it's really fun to knit and I have a good feeling that it's going to turn out cute.
I'm taking any and all advise y'all want to hand out!

Confession Time

Okay, so I haven't been completely forthcoming about all the projects I've been working on. It seems I had a bad case of startitis that over the summer and frankly, I've been embarrased about it. Of course I know I have absolutely no reason to be....I'm just weird like that! :)
I think I started Ester months ago.

It was going really good until I discovered I screwed up a row. It's been so long since I've touched it that now I don't remember exactly what was messed up. I remember it was at the same time I discovered I completely forgot the waist shaping on the front piece of Josephine and was so disgusted I threw both Ester and Josephine down and haven't touched them since. But now I'm all inspired to get back to work on Ester after seeing a beautiful version on Ravelry. The cable pattern is actually very simple (when you're not in a knitting slump) and I've been cabling without a cable needle which make the knitting quite fast and fun. Hopefully, I can figure out where I left off!