Daniel's Retro Wool Vest

GQ Model Selected to Model Finished Vest

Noro Retro Vest

Noro Retro Yarn

 The Noro Retro yarn softened up beautifully after a wool-wash soak.  However, it had a ton of knots, thin yarn areas that easily broke, and made me think twice about this yarn.

Okay Mom, Do I have to really pose like this for you?  Yes you do.
So here is the finished vest that was commissioned for Michigan wear this past winter.  I understand the vest was put to good use for St. Patrick's Day, as well as pre-laundry days to hide shirt wrinkles.
I'm glad he likes it and it came in handy.

Japanese Lone Star Quilt for Janice

Fabric Selection - a few were eliminated

The completed quilt

Close-up of the center portion

Detail of the Center Star

Fabric choices

Fussy Cut Fabrics for the center

Machine Quilted Rays

Here is the quilt from inception to completion and hanging in it's spot in Janice's office.  I designed the quilt for it's soothing color scheme and warmth.  I love the Japanese fabrics and  how the colors came together.
It was a great success and I and Janice are pleased with the final quilt.

2010 Finished Projects

I'm still out on leave, so I have time to finish some projects. First up - a new chapeau for Yael - a new Spring bonnet for 2010. She's had many of these so far, and still seems to like Nana's hats. The crocheted flowers were alot of fun, I have to admit, even though I'm not a crochet aficionado.

Next FO up, the famously popular"Ishbel" - more than 5000 of these shawl patterns have shown up on Ravelry. I don't mind being on the band wagon, especially when the pattern is so pretty and adaptable to one's needs. I wanted this to be a large size shawl - so the pattern was easily adaptable. I made this in a beautiful silk - in Amethyst. See blog of 12-19-09. Officially done and in the mail!
I don't know what I will be knitting next - what a dilemma! I am actually finishing up a sweater that I started at the beginning of this blog about 5 years ago, and also a shawl that I have been working for several years. The Icarus Shawl is really dragging - tiny needles - ouch! Anyway, I really want to start something new. I probably will since I have 2 more weeks. Yay!!!

Sparkle At Last!

A long in-process sweater has finally come to an end, and I am so very pleased to have finished it and not just frogged it. I started this Rowan sweater three years ago and got hung up by the broken rib pattern when doing the increases and decreases. It seemed impossible to figure out. I proceeded very, very slowly trying to guess what stitch was to come next. Three years went by, and just a few weeks ago I figured out how to predict the next pattern stitch. I had finished the backs, and the sleeves, and all that was needed was the fronts and collar. So during my recuperation, I decided to pick Sparkle up and proceed. I banged out the two fronts, and then the collar, and then she is declared done. Stick a fork in her - she's done!


Specs:
Pattern Name: Sparkle by Martin Storey
from Rowan Classic Style, Book 16
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK weight
Needles: US#6 and US#3
Color: Wine
Yarn Amount: 13 balls
Start: 12-6-06
Finished: 1-6-10 (3 years from start to finish)