One of the great things about having a blog is being able to participate in some of the numerous knitalongs and exchanges going on out there in blogland.
I signed up for Stitch Ya Neck Out - how could I refuse such a gorgeous button (which I promise I will put on my blog any day now). This is a slightly different exchange, as we get to select the yarn and pattern we would like knitted, then send it on to some kind soul, then get the finished item in the post a couple of months later. Meanwhile, we'll be doing the same for someone else.
This is what I sent off in the post today.
I've asked for Branching Out from Knitty. I had the Silky Wool in stash already, left over from the Viennese Shrug. It's a lovely yarn to knit with, so I hope my pal has fun with it. Who is my pal? Ah, that would be telling. They're not in the UK, that's all I'm saying.
In other exchange news, I also participated in the Rowan International Exchange. You don't need a blog to do this, just to be a member of Rowan International. It's an annual event, with a different theme every year. It is organised, with great efficiency, by Rowanettes including Polly and Emma. This year's theme was edges and I got a lovely package a few weeks ago.
There was a cute pair of sheep socks, some coffee beans coated in dark chocolate - can we just pause for a minute to say YUMMMM - but the piece de resistance was this wonderful 'scarfy capelet' (I'm using the knitter's own words there).
I put it against a white tablecloth so you could see the beautiful edging. It's knitted in a 70% angora, 30% wool blend and is as soft as, well, a very, very soft thing. Here's a closeup of the edge.
The creator of this beautiful work was Stephanie. Thank you Stephanie, I am just waiting for some cooler weather to come along so I can wear my lovely 'scarfy capelet', which is what I am always going to call it.
I should add there was some lovely hazelnutty chocolate in that package as well, but it didn't last long with 2 sweet toothed children around, I may have helped in some way also.
The other exchange that I'm currently knitting for is Sockapal2za. This was all going swimmingly. I was happily knitting the Cable & Rib (or maybe Rib & Cable) socks for the current Interweave, in some truly gorgeous Koigu.
How happy I was when I took this photo; one sock done, heel turned on the second one. True, when I tried on sock one it was a little tight (this was when it was all done) but hey, it just needed a bit of blocking right? I was too in love with the Koigu colours to stop. But as I knitted away happily on my 2.25mm Brittany Birches, there was a little voice whispering, 'They're too small, did you check your gauge?'. I tried to push it away, but the whisper got louder and louder, until all I could hear was, 'CHECK YOUR GAUGE, CHECK YOUR GAUGE'. Finally I broke down and got out the measuring tape. You know the rest don't you? WAY... TOO ... SMALL.
Last night was spent ripping out all of sock two and starting again on 2.75mm needles, which by the way give the perfect gauge. Ah, happy days.
Thank you for all your feedback on what to do from Rowan 38. Bianca has surged ahead, but I'm still vacillating. So, if you haven't voted yet, you know what to do...
Lovely Edgy scarfy capelet, and I've eaten dozens of those chocolate coated coffee beans. They are addictive, I'm sure i knitted faster with all the extra caffeine pumping round inside too! Sorry about your sock, it was looking wonderful.
Posted by: Tracy | August 10, 2005 at 01:47 PM
The edging on the scarfy capelet is beautiful. I can imagine how soft it feels with the angora.
The Stitch Ya Neck Out exchange sounds fun. Too bad I missed out on this one...maybe next time.
Posted by: Linda | August 10, 2005 at 04:29 PM
Bummer about the sock, but can I PLEASE be your knitter for SYNO? I love that silky wool and Branching Out would be fun to knit. I know I have no say in this, but you know, I thought I'd make a case. :)
Posted by: Purly Whites | August 10, 2005 at 06:09 PM
Wow, I just love your scarfy capelet! There's been some lovely gifts on this exchange! What a great idea, giving someone the yarn and pattern - takes the stress out of deciding!!
My sockapal2za are done! Just need to take a photo. I'm having bloody terrible times with this celestial yarn - called running out of yarn at the toe...
Dawn
Posted by: dawn | August 10, 2005 at 11:24 PM
Isn't it so annoying about the sock? But we live and learn eh! Have you made a decision yet? Creeper just talks to me. Although I will make River (though probably never wear it out) I might end up having to make Creeper. It reminds me of stuff I wore in the eighties - not sure if this is a good thing or not though :)
Posted by: RoxyKnits | August 12, 2005 at 11:32 AM
you're so right, the knitting blogging community is wonderful, i've 'met' some such wonderful people this way - and i love the way an old traditional craft comes head on with 21st century technology - wonderful!
Posted by: becks | August 13, 2005 at 05:33 PM
I love the capelet. And the socks. So many exchanges, so little time...
Posted by: Amelia | August 14, 2005 at 11:21 PM
i'm sorry to hear about the sock episode...but on a bright note that scarf is going to look just fantastic.
Posted by: Jacqueline | August 15, 2005 at 11:48 AM