Design ideas

My SO and I sometimes walk the mall, and I noticed this sweater in one of the store windows. I looks like it is mostly garter stitch with an i-cord chain on the button band. I've never seen that before.

I also encourage you to check out the patterns on the recent Knitty release. There is one for a sweater (Halmstad) that is knit in the round, like a capelet, with steeks to separate the arms from the body. Very clever!

Knitting: Last week I forgot to mention progress on the Lithuanian mittens. The body of each mitten is complete and I have started the thumbs. I have just reached the start of the crown on another 'Graham' slouchy hat. AND I'm marching along on the Reader's Wrap.
Spinning: I finished plying the 'Jailhouse Rock' yarn; separate post to follow.

Despite mask wearing and hand sanitizing, both my SO and I managed to catch little colds this past week. My granddaughter experienced the same the week before, so it must be one more thing going around. My SO received his first Covid shot just before. He said sign up was easy, the actual experience went smoothly, and he has an appointment for his second shot in three weeks; he felt a bit punky the next day but otherwise no reaction. I know some areas are really struggling to administer the Covid vaccine, but locally they have all their ducks in a row.

'Graham' in LB Cashmere Blend

This hat looks like the last one although I knit it on the larger needles specified in the pattern. An easy, satisfying knit, with great instructions, especially for the decreases on the crown.

Pattern: Graham, by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Lion Brand Cashmere Blend, in black (75g)
Needles: US6 and US8
Modifications: none

This is not one of my favorite yarns. I purchased it about ten years ago to knit a pair of Mary Jane booties for my granddaughter. I never finished them - booties are so fiddly - and I discovered tinking them is just as fiddly. The yarn is soft and springy, but I don't think it will hold up well.

Found, Part II

I remember what else I lost but now have found: the ball of white Cascade 220 Superwash. It got shunted aside during a quick tidying up episode, but turned up on its own. I'm glad to know I am not completely crazy.

Knitting: I finished another 'Graham' slouchy hat; post to follow. And I started another one. Such an easy knit! I also started a Reader's Wrap, after seeing one made by Phia at Little Shop of Spinning. There is something about winter that makes me want to knit and knit and knit.
Spinning: Almost done plying the Socks that Rock yarn. So pretty!

Yes, I actually left the city limits to visit the Little Shop of Spinning in Roanoke, IN. One purpose of the trip was to return a borrowed album of photos from a natural dyeing workshop. Another reason was to deliver an old non-functional spinning wheel I had been using as decor. I decided I was done with it and posted a pic on FB in case any of my spinning friends wanted it. Phia's husband Mark is going to use it on a separate project he is working on; his only requirement was that the wheel spin, which it does. I managed to get out of the shop without any fiber but I did pick up the latest issue of Ply magazine.

Almost out the door. Say bye-bye, Beau!

Indiana is out of the red Covid-wise. I'm too young to qualify for the vaccine yet, so I got my second Shingrix shot instead. The day after the first shot, I felt a little punky. This one really knocked me on my keister the next day: low grade fever, chills, body aches, etc. I spent the day on the couch, dozing off and on, then slept 10 hours that night. I kept telling myself that my discomfort meant the serum was working.

On a brighter note, the cortisone shots in my shoulders definitely help. I hadn't realized how that constant discomfort was affecting me. And we have a new president! More discomfort relieved! We can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Found

One reason I have not posted much lately is I decided to do some household and fiber rearranging. I'm still not done, but in the process of moving a cupboard of spun and/or dyed yarn from one room to another, I found the samples I dyed using various parts of my false indigo plant. I have yet to dye with the roots, so once spring makes an appearance, I'll add that to the bunch. (I found something else, but now can't remember what it was because I suffer from CRS - Can't Remember Shit.)

Knitting: I visited one of my ortho doctors this past week and received cortisone shots in each shoulder to tide me over until I can schedule surgery (which will be after I get both doses of the Covid vaccine). While it takes a week or so for the cortisone to do its thing, a numbing agent in the serum gives a couple of days respite. So I picked up my knitting and overdid it. Now I can barely move my arms without pain. Ouch.
Spinning: I started two-plying the Socks that Rock singles. I gave up the idea of three-ply with one ply being black. I'm about halfway done, although I might run it through the wheel again, to tighten up the ply a bit.
Weaving: Now that I have new glasses, I laid out the sari yarn runner and started fiddling with the finishing. That will take a while.

Another reason I have not posted much lately is I fell down the jigsaw puzzle hole again. I thought this puzzle would not be all that difficult. I was wrong. The puzzle pieces were not cut in standard shapes.

ANOTHER reason I have not posted much lately is I have been feeling a bit broken. The pandemic and politics were bad enough, but then a college friend passed away from Covid, my ex-sister-in-law died from a stroke, and when I went online to find her obituary, I found her husband's, from this past November. The domestic terrorists trying to destroy democracy was the final straw. If we can just hang on for a while longer, the grown-ups will be in charge again and hopefully at least some things will get better. Stay safe!

Graham in black Superwash

I've knit this pattern a couple of times before (here and here). My daughter said she gets a lot of compliments on the gray one and would like more, in neutral colors. I dug through my stash, looking for yarn to use up, preferably a washable yarn because I know her. Here is the first of several.

Pattern: Graham, by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash, in black (72g)
Needles: US5 and US7 circs and DPNs
Modifications: used 1x1 ribbed long tail cast on

The reason my daughter needs extra hats

I knit the medium size, which fits a small to medium adult head. The (free!) instructions are excellent, very detailed. This unisex hat is knit on the wrong side, so that the waffle effect can be achieved with knit rounds between the rib rounds instead of purl rounds. Quick, easy, and fun to knit!