Ah, Autumn

Since I can remember, the day after Labor has always been the first sign that summer is officially over. Although in Southern California heat waves can continue well into the first week of October, deep down you know summer is gone. Nevertheless, its always been a marker for the beginning of a new season. Yesterday morning was the perfect beginning to autumn. The grey cloudy sky was a silent friend greeting me at my door as I left home to go to work today. This is the best kind of weather for me. A little gloomy weather without the madness of rain and listening to NPR. It was a great day.

Amity Caplet - from The Adventures of Miss Flitt

The Adventures of Miss Flitt - The Strange Case of the Magician's Cabinet http://www.missflitt.com/ is a lovely story with beautifully painted watercolors and knitting patterns that compliment the story. This, Amity Caplet, is just one of several patterns in the book. It took me several attempts to actually complete this pretty little caplet. Not because of the difficulty of the pattern, but it seemed each time I made an attempt (three attempts to be exact), and something would go wrong. Each time I had to rip it out and start again.

My first attempt began using a Rio de Plata yarn in a white/grey color. The yarns thick and thin texture and color variation did not compliment the pattern. Half way through the pattern I frogged it. After finding a different yarn better suited for this pattern I made my second attempt. But after dropping stitch after stitch, after stitch, I ripped it out and through it in the closet. And in the closet is stayed for months and months and months.

This month after completing two other projects I finally felt motivated to try and give this pattern another go, with great results. I finally realized that an easy way for me to keep track of the pattern repeats is to place a marker at the beginning of each repeat. This was my salvation and my reward was a completed caplet.

I found the lace pattern fun. The caplet is more like a cape then caplet, its on the small size. I would have preferred an additional two repeats of the lace pattern so the caplet would actually go around my shoulders better. But perhaps its made for a smaller back. That said, however, I like how it looks on me.

Tight "Fitted" Red Sweater

I have finally completed my sweater. After working on this project for over an agonizing year it finally has come to an end. UFO - WIP is no longer. Stephanie Japel's pattern "Short Sleeve Cardigan with Ribbing" from her book "Fitted Knits." The pattern is just that, a very fitted knit. I enjoyed knitted the pattern for the level of quick satisfaction because its made in bulky yarn and is easy, but not boring and the ribbing provides nice shaping, if you have a shape. I need a better waist.

The yarn I used, Cascade Jewel Hand Dyed in red was nice enough to knit. It is a thin and thick wool yarn with a beautiful variation in color that adds to the beauty of any project.

This pattern is originally made in a short sleeve style. I modified it by lengthening the sleeves and placing the ribbing design at the end of each sleeve.

If I am inclined to make this sweater again I would add an additional two buttons to the button band. This may not be a factor if the person intent on wearing it is skinny, but for someone a little more fluffy like myself, an extra button or two would prevent the sweater from puckering when buttoned up.

Traveling Gnomes

We had a nice visit from a couple of traveling gnomes. They have been traveling the world since March. This friendly little gnome is from Georgia, yes a southern boy with good manners and a lovely sense of humor. First he was off to a European vacation, making stops in Norway, Sweden and England. Delighting all who crossed paths with him. After a few weeks of wonderful adventures in Europe he made his way back to the US. First stop was Virginia, were he sampled delicious crepes and a good glass of beer. Feeling a little lonely, went back to Georgia picked up the girl of his dreams and took her along for an amazing road trip. In Wisconsin, sparks flew, they both fell madly in love with each other, a true love, a love like no other. The kind of love only found in fairy tales. It was here they were both married in a private ceremony. Then they were off to Minnesota, Canada, Oregon then to us in California. Sadly our visit ended and we had to send him off to more adventures. There first stop, a homestead in Alaska, then who knows where else they will find themselves............Oh by the way they just love doughnuts.

Queen Anne's Scarf

Yummy Yummy Yummy Noro garden silk!!!

I finally found a great pattern that truly compliments the lovely colors of Noro, and it was easy to make too!

I found the Queen Anne's Scarf a nice pattern for a quick and fun scarf. I crocheted this scarf up in no less than a few hours.

This pattern lends itself that you can use any weight of yarn, any length. As a result, its a great way to use up bits of odds and ends of left over pieces of yarn. Each motif could easily be made a different color, size, and texture.