Sampler Stripe Stole

Sampler Stripe Stole
Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

The Ravelry Project Yarnway challenge for May was to learn a new technique and design a beginner project for that technique. I tried to learn to crochet, and designed a stole worked horizontally. It employs rows of single, half double, double, and treble crochet. Each stripe of color is worked in one stitch type, so the crocheter gets a few hundred chances to practice that stitch while working across the row. I am still working on getting a consistent gauge while crocheting, and would like to tackle some more complex stitches as well.

Two Long

The shawlette I am working on calls for a 24" size 4 circular needle. I was sure I had one, but it turns out that I do not. My Denise Interchangeable Set only has needle tips down to size 5. I didn't get a chance to go to knit night this last week since we wore ourselves out shopping for a chair after a second grade play on Thursday afternoon, and yesterday we had a houseful of kids for an overnight stay so I couldn't pop up to the LYS then either.

I do, however, have two 16" size 4 circular needles. I recently read a tip on Ravelry about using two circulars for shawls or other large pieces to allow yourself to spread the stitches out and see more of the final shape. Turns out it is also a good fix for having two of the almost right needle and none of the correct one.

As my mental accounting of my needle inventory is obviously flawed, I am organizing them into my new namaste circular needle case. Mine is peacock blue, and I bought it with some Loopy Ewe gift certificates from my Project Runway Ravelry pool win. I also picked up an eggplant buddy case, which is a nice step up from my Altiods tin for my scissors and markers.

On the needles

I've settled on my comfortable number of works in progress being between 3 and 5. (The eternal scrapghan is excluded from WIP calculation.) Fewer than that and I get bored, more than that and I feel pressured by my hobby. Sometimes I finish up a number of things all at once and get to cast on a bunch of new projects. Here's what I'm working on now:

Test knit shawlette: First up, and what I've been working on tonight, I am testing a lacy shawlette pattern for Christina of ClassicCableKnits (visit her blog for patterns and adorable baby) and so far it is gorgeous. I am using some Pagewood Farms Chugiak in the Mississippi Mud colorway. The yarn is so pretty that looking at it helped to take the sting out of having to tink back a few rows.

May project yarnway entry: I am learning to crochet for this challenge. My piece is about 90% complete. I need to finish up a stripe and weave in ends. More to come when it's finished.

Boheme baby sweater: knitting complete as of last night. Need to weave in ends and sew on buttons.

Back to Basics sock: May socks for personal sock club. I need more practice on toe-up socks so that they can be more automatic. Only about 15% done with the first sock of the pair.

Another ombre blanket: For Greg. I must love him a little bit to make two of these. This version is in Cascade 220.

Next up to cast on is another baby blanket - I sketched out the pattern today, bought yarn last night, and need to swatch.

Lindale Lace Socks

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Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

This sock pattern takes its name from where we were visiting when I designed them. The sock is worked from the top down on double pointed needles and features a vertical eyelet lace pattern and gusset decreases at the top of the stockinette foot. Striping yarn will result in zigzags of color on the leg. Solid colors showcase the unusual gusset decreases.

Pattern has two adult sizes, small and medium. It requires 400-420 yards of fingering weight yarn .

This pattern is available as a free PDF download. Enjoy!