Cold Weather Sweater Frenzy!

Still knitting with bulky wool in June, you ask?

Why yes, as a matter of fact, I am. One advantage of being a knitter is the ability to find some small measure of enjoyment in a crappy, cold, wet summer. I am doing my best - but it ain't easy.

Finished the body and started the first sleeve on Acer. Love it!

Btw, the Cascade Eco+ is much softer than the regular Eco - much less rustic as well.

And, speaking of Eco, I finally found a button (at Ewe'll Love It) for the Eco Vest:


I lurve this pattern - the shaping is really, really nice. It will be very wearable come fall and I definitely see another one in my future.

Now, for my next project, I'm finding myself torn between two great patterns: Bernhardt (see below), which I've already begun, but barely, and the Mondo Cable Vest/Shell from Bonnie Marie Burns, which I would do up in DIC Classy as a vest, like this. Oh, decisions, decisions...

Is your head also spinning from all the new patterns out there?? I think maybe I just need to stop looking.

So, what are you working this summer? Do you keep knitting or take a break for the heat? Or do you change the things you knit?

And PS More sexy Baktus to come. (Take it to the bridge!)

Escape from Manville, and a Tale of Two Sweaters

Right now I have a bit of downtime between two action-packed semesters and it seems like a good opportunity to crank out a sweater or two. My picks: Acer from the totally awesome Kirsten of Through the Loops, and Bernhardt, the totally awesome cardi from Twist Collective Summer 09.

I just had to run and cast on for Bernhardt as soon as I bought it (lurve that lace rib), but have decided to put in on the back burner and see if I can finish Acer before it gets to hot too knit with bulky yarn. (Assuming it ever actually gets hot around here, that is.)



Pattern: Acer
Yarn: Cascade Eco+ in Lavender
Needle: Size 9 29" circ (size 8 for cast on and row 1)

Though I’d LOVE an excuse to pick up some Peace Fleece, I’m going to be a good little recessionista and knit this one from my stash. After reading the comments on others’ projects, I casted on and knit the first row with a size 8 needle, then went up to a size 9.



This is going to be a quickie, I think. I got a nice jumpstart on it this weekend during some unexpected girl time. My mom had planned to spend the weekend in Ogunquit, and I decided at the last minute to tag along to escape the red meat/baseball/Golf Channel-saturated manfest that is Fathers Day at my house.

It was heavenly to get away, and we even managed to take advantage of the few sunny hours on Saturday to soak up some rays at the beach. Thanks, Mom :)

The only one who wasn't entirely thrilled about the weekend was Frisky, because in his heart, he really is a Ladies Man.

"ohhh, aren't they back yet?"

I'm Bringing Sexy Bak(tus)*

What do you know? I actually finished something.



Pattern: Baktus
Yarn: Brooks Farm Acero (from Rhinebeck. I just like saying that.)
Needles: Size 2 Addi Lace

I think the reason this got finished is because I didn't waste time blabbing about it all over my Ravelry project page like I usually do, updating the Progess-o-meter every 5% just to pump up my ego. No, this was hardcore, monogamous - and mostly public - knitting. Also, it was the kind of knitting that can be combined with cocktails (hi Lynne and abby!)

And now it's done, yay! This is a terrific, easy-but-satisfying pattern. I would love to make another, but in stripes like Terhi's adorable version.



I can see this baby getting some serious wear come fall. I love, love, love the shape - very versatile.



And the yarn...seriously. Now that I have had my initiation knit with Brooks Farm, I can see myself doing some serious damage to the ol' bank account come October (Rhinebeck!) I'll be the one causing an avalanche at the BF booth.

In Frisky news...doesn't he look like the figurehead on a ship?



He was, hands down, the absolutely, most horrendous, badly-behaved dog at the entire soccer field. And, high maintenance too:

Good thing he's cute.

*Now, go listen to the song. You know you want to.