Knit Blackwater Abbey Yarns

Halycyon Days are Here Again .....

One of my handiest knitting accessories won't fit in my knitting bag --- or any knitting bag for that matter.

It's my copier.

I am one of those people who would never, ever write in a book.  (although I get a secret thrill when I come across a page that has someone else's writing on it)  This includes pattern books.   With the copier, and in my own home no less, I am free to scribble everywhere --- and if it gets to full of my knitting hieroglyphics, I can always make another copy.

Another faboo thing is the enlargement feature.

Yeah, I said it.  And I think you know what I mean.

Engorge enlarging charts!

Through the magic of enlargement, I was able to make my BWA Halycon somewhat portable!  With these nice giant charts, I don't have to concentrate quite so much when reading them.  And because it was a copy of the original pattern, I took a scissors, cut out each individual chart and am now able to use a smaller magnet board.

In the past two days, I have knit 16 rows!

Today is overcast, muggy and dreary.

What does this have to do with anything?

This sweater does not photograph well with the flash on my camera - it seems to drain out all the detail of the cables (I think because the yarn has a heathered look to it).  But I was forced into an indoor photo shoot.  So here you have:

1. large view with anniversary flowers
2. focused shot with no visible detail
3. fuzzy shot with some detail
4. close up fuzzy shot with detail

Back in the Saddle

Well, I guess I never was on the horse in the first place but I have now started my BWA project!  I bought several patterns and just couldn't get myself to knit texture.  The pattern I finally decided on is from Rowan #36 and is called  Brier. The simple classic jacket lines are more like what I wear these days.  The back and sleeves are knit in two pieces and one half the back is now done. I had to see how it would wash and block as I was nervous about how hard the yarn is.  It softened nicely and yet, still holds the shape well. It should work up perfectly in this style.  The color is Chestnut and it is richly warm in shade with flecks of gold and red.  It's the perfect fall color.   It feels good to be knitting with wool again after a long summer away.

Slowly but surely wins the race.

Hello, my name is Donna and my eyes are bigger than my stomach...my knitting needles are slower than my stash - you get the idea. I'm making the Cabled Rib Cardigan from Tara Jon Manning's Men in Knits in BWA's Bluestack, a stunningly beautiful purplish-blue.  I love the sweater, my husband loves the sweater - but it makes me feel like the. world's. slowest. knitter.  Twenty cable twists every four rows can slow a girl down, even if she isn't using a cable needle.   I started the sweater in September of 2004, motoring on after a few false starts (you try cabling on the second row - it feels like there's nothing to cable!) - but I made a few mistakes, and it was going so s l o w l y...and I set it aside for more instant gratification.

But then I had an idea: why not take the sweater on vacation with me?  A ten-day driving trip would give me a chance to get re-acquainted, smooth out the rough edges and become re-inspired, even if the stitch pattern is the same, inch after inch.  So that's what I did, and it seems to have worked; I'm hoping that being part of the BWA knitalong will help propel me across the finish(ing) line with a sweater both I and my husband will love - before it's too warm to wear it again.  Wish me luck...I'm off to my second roaring start.

Vest Back

Hi Ladies,

Long time no post but I'm back. I've been working fairly steadily along on Mark's vest and am pleased to be able to report that the back is finished! All 192 rows of it. :) I'm happy that it's done because it was getting a little too heavy to carry.

You can see pictures of it on my blog. Now I get to cast on for the fronts. Woo hoo!

Celtic Dreams is done!

Celtic Dreams is completely finished, and is blocking as we speak. I did it!
sorry about the lousy photo...

An additional picture of the sweater on an actual person is on my blog.

Red Rocks.......still going on

Still working on Red Rocks.  The back is a a few inches short of completion and then to the front.  Another 10 1/2 inches and I am off to the task of sleeves.  Woo Hoo!!!

Yarn and Pattern Arrived

...9 skeins of Braken yarn, and the pattern for Son of Aran. I couldn't help winding one of the skeins into a ball, and swatching. I'm supposed to have 22sts/28 rows=4" on US7. I got 20 1/2 sts/28 rows on US5. 5!! I usually knit very tightly, so I was surprised, but the yarn used in the pattern was Brown Sheep Nature Spun, so that must be it. I can't go down any further. I just can't. Maybe I'll knit a smaller size instead.

So, I cast on for the first saddle, and this is where I am now:

I need to get in contact with Big Sky Knitting next week for some help on how to set up the first row of the saddle. In the meantime, I'll read the pattern...light a candle for me you guys...

I am finally in...

Wool in the summer?? Most definitely. I placed my order for the Son of Aran pattern and Bracken. Let the waiting for the yarn to arrive begin!!

Thanks K-Knit for keeping me inspired as the temperture reaches over 90 degrees here in Minneapolis *smile*

Down to the skirt

I made it through the number of repeats the pattern called for, and thought I would do one more since I like my sweaters to be superlong.

But I tried it on, and decided it's going to be just right with 6, so I've made it through the first half-dozen rows of the skirt, and then I'll be picking up for the sleeves. I'm pretty excited by how well it's coming along - it need serious blocking, but from others' notes, this sweater in this yarn blocks like a dream.

Getting there!

She is coming along....but slowly.  Another inch and I bind off for the yoke and sleeves.  She is quite fun to knit though.  Will post again soon with more results.  I hope everyone is enjoying soon to be summer!