End of the Summer Sweater KAL

Shannon extended the end of the SSKAL from September 24th to October 8th. I was able to get a bit more done on the two projects I have left but wasn't able to complete them. You can see the sweater I finished for myself, here and the sweater for the Little Guy, here. 

Below is my progress on the two remaining projects.

This is the left front of the Dundurn cardigan for my mom. I am done the waist decreases, have worked evenly and am now ready to start the bust increases. This goes quickly when I work on it. I probably would have had this done except I took a couple evenings off to make a gift for a friend's niece - I'll share it here on Saturday.

When the SSKAL started (at the end of July) I had one sleeve done and was about half way done the back. Now I have two sleeves, the back is complete and the left front started. I think that's good progress on a project that has taken me too long. I started this at the end of last July and I think this is the longest I've ever worked on a sweater. I wanted to have this complete for Monday since my mom is visiting for Canadian Thanksgiving, but I don't see that happening. 

I finished the body of the Sun Rose sweater for myself. Sorry for the terrible picture. I couldn't get a picture that wasn't blurry.

The bottom is curled up in the first picture but it has a row of eyelets and some garter stitch.

I love the colours in this sweater. Now I just need to do the sleeves and it will be done.

A Sweater Finish and Other Knitting

This week I finished the sweater for the Little Guy. 

And it fits! He doesn't stay still much so I had to get these pictures while he was waiting at the door to go outside. Even then he wasn't still and was distracted by all the shoes on the shoe rack.

Glad that it fits. Sleeves are a tad short but that's ok since they won't be in his way.

Finally being still but sweater is covered by the stroller buckle. This is more true to the right colour, though.

Detail pic.

I was so happy to finish one sweater (my second for the SSKAL) I actually did some knitting on the dreaded Dundurn. I admit I also spent one evening looking at different patterns wanting to knit her something else but continued with Dundurn. I think I did 4 pattern repeats on the back (24 rows) and have to do about 2 more repeats before I can separate for the shoulders and then the back will be done. The SSKAL is done on the 24th, although she often extends the deadline by a week, I don't see myself finishing this by then. I hope to have the back done and the next piece cast on - either the other sleeve or one of the fronts. It is a nice knit and I enjoy it when I work on it. The only thing that slows me down is that there is cabling on every right side row which can be tricky to work on when the Little Guy is awake. My parents might be visiting in October and it would be great to give this to my mom then so she can enjoy it all fall and winter, but no promises, mom.

And since yesterday was my birthday, I continued my tradition from last year and only did selfish knitting which meant I had to cast on something new. Above is the beginning of the Sun Rose sweater. I am making a size small which I am very nervous about. I usually make mediums but after remeasuring myself several times, I decided to go with the small. I might go with the medium length.

And it's not a sweater but it's something else that has been filling my time this week. My best friend's birthday is next week. Last year I made her a cardigan and a hat out of this blue yarn. I still had some leftover so I decided to make her a matching scarf. It took me a while to decide what to make and which pattern so I'm not as far along as I would like to be. I eventually designed my own inspired by the hat I knit for her and a stitch dictionary We are supposed to have our birthday dinner tomorrow and exchange gifts but I know I won't get this done in time. Good thing I also bought her a book.

And tonight is Friday Night Sew-In. If you're interested, sign-up is here. It will be a FriDay Sew-In for me as I've been enjoying the Roosevelt mini-series on PBS this week in the evenings. Part 6 of 7 is on tonight. Although I guess I can iron and cut fabric while watching. 

SSKAL Update

     It's been difficult, but once I finished the test-knit, I have only been knitting the sweater above this week. There are several projects I'd like to cast on but I've stayed faithful to this sweater... for now. I feel my resolve weakening as I've been trying to make deals with myself. If I only knit the sweater during the week, I can cast on something new this weekend. Friday is part of the weekend, right?

     The Summer Sweater Knit Along (SSKAL) goes until the 24th and I think I'll be able to finish the above sweater for the Little Guy. Then I have to tackle the Dundurn for my mom. If I can get both done by the end of the month, I plan to cast on another sweater for myself in October. 

     And it was almost cold enough this morning for a hat and scarf. Almost. I can hardly wait. It was chilly enough for me to have the first hot chocolate of the season this morning. I loved it.

Finished Sweater

Saturday night I finished my Sweatshirt Sweater. I love it. Great pattern. I made a bigger size so it could easily be worn in cooler weather instead of a coat. The front pocket is my favourite part.

See, I smile sometimes mom. I had just asked my daughter, who was taking the pictures, if I looked like a pumpkin. She replied yes.  I smiled. She took the picture.

Lots of room. I think this will get a lot of wear this winter.

After being washed it got that fuzzy glow of a well-loved/ worn sweater.

I have 2 more sweaters I'd like to finish during Very Shannon's Summer Sweater KAL. Trying really hard to finish them before casting on another sweater for me.

Camp Loopy and SSKAL Update

I took this picture yesterday morning planning on doing a blog post but I never got around to it. My husband has been out of town since Sunday morning (gets back this Sunday) so I've been a single parent this week and some things have been set aside, such as blogging.  By Friday morning I only had a few decreases left before the neck shaping.

Oh, and the U.S. Open is occupying my computer which might also be affecting by blogging. Last night I knit on the sweater, watched tennis (Federer won). Twitter feed is on the right side, pattern is at the bottom.

Took this picture this morning. Finished the decreases and neck shaping. Now working on the collar. Have about an inch of ribbing to do then it is practically done. Have ends to sew in and underarm holes that need to be closed but that shouldn't take long. And tonight is my night to watch the Pride and Prejudice miniseries so... I think this sweater is DONE. Sorry the above picture is so blurry, I had to take the picture quickly since the baby was coming for the sweater.

Not sure if you can tell but I've done a little work on the test knit. I'm really looking forward to focusing on it once the sweater is complete.

Camp Loopy and SSKAL Update

Making progress on my sweater which I am knitting for both my August Camp Loopy Project and the Summer Sweater KAL. Since last Friday I've finished the first sleeve and started the second. I have about 42 rows left before the second sleeve is complete. I've also knit a few more inches on the body. Probably another 3-5 rows to knit before I'm ready to attach the sleeves. That's also all the yarn I have left so I ordered two more balls - which just arrived. I probably only need one more but I didn't want to be short. I think I can get this done by the end of August. 

This has nothing to do with Camp Loopy or the Sweater KAL but yesterday one of my favourite knit designers asked for test knitters for a new pattern. I said yes and am now working on a project for her. I can't show any progress but thought I'd post this picture of the yarn. Looking forward to finishing and being able to show it off.