continuation into procrastination

Yup! I said that I post more FO’s about a week ago. And here we are, well into July and, while I have thought about post, I have not actually shown the initiative. But, its a new day (a very new day, please consider the time), and I am having trouble falling asleep (is that what it takes people?) so I will publish (sounds so professional) a post. On knitting. I am too tried and cranky to do much else at the moment.

The Birthday Gifts:

Pattern: Sunday Market Shawl - Vannessa Carter

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Solid - Seaspray – 2 skeins

Particulars: Too thick and to slippery to keep the dropped yarn overs in place. Rolled too much.

I made this shawl for my best friend, Katie, for her 21st birthday party. She likes to sit out on her back porch and drink tea or eat grapes on summer nights. Actually, I just assumes she does these things because I do and that’s what we do together. Sit outside and drink tea. But I’m not actually sure she does this when I’m not around. Anyway, I thought she could wrap this around her several times (note the word “several”) and keep warm.

Though simple, it is so simple that I zoned out several times while knitting it. This could be a benefit but other project had my attention at the same time and it was hard to work on stockinette stitch with lace on the needles! But I persevered (go Lauren) and I finished the damnable thing. The best part was tearing out all the YO’s. Though I was a little nervous I’d drop the wrong stitch and wouldn’t figure it out until the end, I like the excitement and god knows this was the only time this project was “exciting”. Eventually, due to the thick and slippery nature of the yarn, pulling all those knit stitches out was useless and it just rolled up. I was frustrated but it still looked okay while being over 80 inches long. Yep, when I said Katie (who bare reaches 5′1″) could wrap this around her several times, I meant she could make a cocoon to live in it was so big! But she loved it and I loved her for loving it.

Pattern: Saturday Market Bag – Jodie Danenberg

Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream – Blues, Greens and Yellows

Particulars: Left over yarn “donated” to me though school. Needed to get it out of my stash.

Do you see a pattern here? Apparently I was going for a market theme. Not much to really say. Took me about a day and a half to knit. Simple and easy! I knit in the round so there wouldn’t be any seaming of lace work and I figured it would make it look bigger and more together.

In all, she liked it. Though I’m afraid it was a bit small.

Pattern: Cable Ribbed Socks – Erica Alexander

Yarn: Knit Picks’ Palette – Forest Green – 2 skeins

Particulars: Love the length! Took me forever to get through the first one but finished the second one rather quickly. Lovely color, with specks of blue, red and purple.

Though I was not necessarily pleased that the socks took me so long and they were kind of boring at times, I love the end result. Their nice and long, I can wear them with boots and they will keep me warm. The second sock flew off my needles rather quickly (only a few days) and that might be because of the “product” knitter in me. When I have one sock finished, I have to finish the next so that they are useful! This may be why I don’t suffer from Second Sock Syndrome (SSS).

Alright! Well I’m off to drink some iced tea and read on the porch. Leave comments! Please! Check out my new podcast “The College Knitter” and its website!

Finish up the FO’s next post. You can also visit me on Ravelry.com, my user name is “LaureateKnits”.