By: pamgrushkin
Uncategorized,

While the cat’s away…

I was traveling in Ireland and Scotland and left my knitters defenseless in the wild for two weeks. Just kidding, Westport Yarns had their back(s) in my absence.

Calann is done knitting the Anemone Poncho. Since she is petite, she knit 8 repeats versus 9 in the pattern. It’s ready to be blocked and finished.  Yarn: Artyarns Regal Silk and Artyarns Beaded Silk and Sequins Light.

She is knitting yet another Azel Pullover (Poncho). This time for her daughter’s friend. Calann is making it smaller by going down one needle size and it’s going to be 28″ versus 33″ wide. It’s a very oversized garment.

© Tahki Stacy Charles, Inc.

Cornelia tried on her Vivacious Hi-Lo Sweater after the finisher sewed it together. She wanted to determine whether to make the neck higher. She joyfully reported that the sweater fit her perfectly.  We were both overjoyed!

She finished up to neck/shoulder shaping of her #23-Cabled Tunic. The directions call for working both sides at once. She’s going to work each side separately, less confusing. Yarn: Baby Alpaca Grande (Bulky: 100% Alpaca, 110 yards).

© Rose Callahan

Next she will cast on for the front. She is omitting the pockets so we moved the cables to begin after the ribbing.  Since the cable pattern was charted and not written, I wrote it out line by line.

Trammi has started her first (of two) Humphrey Bears in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter (Worsted: 100% Wool – Targhee-Columbia, 140 yards).  She enlarged the chart. (Did I mention the pattern is mostly in chart form?) Since she is making two of these, we suggested she laminate the chart. Trammi is using a highlight tape to mark what row she is on.  The tape can pull off a little of the ink and therefore works better over a sheet protector or laminated surface.
She shared an interesting experience with us. While waiting for her car to be serviced, a woman who worked there remarked that she had never seen someone else knit Portuguese before. Her grandmother taught her how to knit this way with a safety pin. Kind of cool for both of them to share that knitterly moment.

Allison is knitting our shop pattern, Trains, Planes Scarf which she has renamed her “Farewell to mohair scarf”. It’s a color block scarf knit with Kidsilk Haze (Lace: 70% Mohair, 30% Silk, 229 yards). Taking out mohair is no picnic, that’s while it is a farewell scarf. 😖

She is doing well on her 2 ply Cashmere Cardigan knit with Artyarns Merino Cloud (Fingering: 80% Merino, 20% Cashmere, 436 yards).

Mallory continues to make progress learning jogless stripes on her 21 Color Slouch hat.

© Sublime Yarns

Eleanor didn’t knit on her trip to Tuscany, so she has resumed knitting her Little Boater Crew in Zara (DK: 100% Merino, 137 yards). She is making the most of Zara since it has been discontinued.

© Danni Conway
Jane cast on for Danni’s Tango Cowl pattern

in Shibui Staccato (Fingering: 70% Merino Wool, 30% Silk, 191 yards).
Books Discussed: 
Hillbilly Elegy
Gentleman in Moscow
Under the Tuscan Sun (movie too).
Every day in Tuscany – (Eleanor read this before her trip to Tuscany.)
Princes of Ireland – (I began this before my trip to Ireland.)

And on Wednesday…

Terry had crossed a cable in the wrong direction of her cable block (Building Blocks Afghan). I suggested she place a stitch marker where the cable direction changes as a wake up call.  She knows how to work the cables, she just gets in the zone.

Lois is knitting my Bedford top in a gorgeous color of Stella (Worsted: 74% Silk, 26% Metallic, 77 yards). She was motoring along when she realized she had a dropped stitch way, way back.  I was able to track it up quite a ways. I’ll tack it carefully when she finishes it ~ it will fall under the arm.

Harry was happy to have me back.  Just to make sure I stay put, he is lying on my foot. 😉