On the Needles

It's been awhile since I've kept up with my knitting projects. Those that I was thinking about starting the last time I wrote are now almost done. I have accumulated 4 projects on needles. They are a Dale Sweater pictured to the right. It is complete except for cutting for the neck and sleeves and finishing both. There is something about cutting a Dale that makes my skin crawl. I've put the finishing process off for a long time, but I must attend to it soon so I can wear the wonderful warm sweater this winter.

I've very nearly completed a Bamboo Lounging Jacket that I started this summer. It's color and weight will work for all times of the year and I'm happy with it. The difficulty with this project is fitting the capped sleeves to the body of the garment. The sleeves as designed where way too small for my arms so I will be adjusting the cap while still fitting it to the nearly finished body. The only other drawback to this project was the splitting of the bamboo. I will have to sheer the fabric off all stray threads as part of the finishing. The garment may stretch, as bamboo does, but hopefully not too much as it is knitted in twisted stockinette stitch.

I also have a pair of socks in Plymouth Yarn's Rockin Socks that I'm knitting up at the same time on a large 40" circular needle. I've always had problems with getting the second sock knit, I like the process of the first, and then get bored. Knitting two socks at once takes care of this problem. I'm ready to turn the heel which looks different, but not any more difficult than usual.

I have a Wooded Shawl in the planning stages to be knit with deep green Jitterbug. I just have to get my eldest son to come to Yarn Harbor and buy me my Christmas present of yarn.

Every Sunday I host a knitting group at Beaner's coffee shop on Central Ave in West Duluth from 11:00am to 3:00pm. The light is great in the front room and the atmosphere is always good. Everyone is welcome!