Monday, February 07, 2011

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT

I mentioned in a blog post in December that DF Anne Marie had finished a beautiful Crayon box jacket for my mom.  She was also working on one for me - that was not a surprise since I supplied the yarn choices for both jackets.  It was a surprise that mine was completed so quickly - Anne Marie kept that a good secret.I thought it was better to display on the couch than on my blobby body so here it is !!!!!!!!!!  isn't it gorgeous?

Here is a close up of how the mosiac squares look.  There are many different yarns used in this jacket however most of the base yarns are 3 colors of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran for you knitters out there.


Next up is a shoulder warmer - I guess that is a more delicate term than "poncho" - if it looks huge - that's because it is huge - I did not figure adding a very fine mohair to the worsted weight wool would add that much bulk to the gauge but apparently it did.  It is not a fashion statement piece any how - just something to bump around in with jeans or wear at home if I am cold at night and believe me it is WARM.

I started this last winter and of course put it away as spring wore on.  I didn't have much left to do when I picked it up again a few weeks ago - here is a closer shot that shows the halo of the mohair and the faint striping that was in the worsted base yarn.  the neckline and the bottom is supposed to roll like that just in case you were wondering.

Since I'm all about staying warm these days - here is a WIP called Purl Ridge by Stephen West - a free pattern on Ravelry.  The yarn is some leftover Dream in Color I had - this is a long cowl that can be doubled around the neck for a snugger effect or just wear it hanging long.  It is a relaxing knit for the brain dead.  I hope to wear it this season - I am probably at least 1/2 way done with it.  Please take note that neither of these projects I am working on were on the 11 in 2011 challenge list.  I just knew the 111 in 2011 would be a more realistic number for my short attention span.

I've been stitching about as much as I ever do - I am very pleased however that I managed to finish the January assignment for the Spanish Mystery sampler SAL with the Attic group.  This sampler is huge - sorry for the tiny shot but at least it will show that this sampler is GI GANTIMOUS.

Here is a closer shot that does show February's band which thankfully has some blue and white in it.  this band gets boring quick as it is just the same thing over and over across that mile wide row.
I was feeling Valentiney as I usually do the week before and decided to pull out something reddish to stitch on.  I had started one of the Splendor pieces by Maureen Appleton a few months back but it is on 40ct over 2 (not over one as she suggests) and I quickly grew tired of struggling with the linen count.  I worked on it Sat and Sun night and have gotten fairly comfortable with the 40ct.  I'm sure I will grow tired of the pinky red I chose but for now - it is a nice diversion from the blue and white on the SAL piece.  If I continue to work on it and make decent progress I'll show a WIP next post.

That's about all my news -  seems like lots of stitching and handwork progress went on last week with all the stories of too much snow to venture out.  I hope everyone continues to make good progress but at least is able to venture out if they so desire.

19 comments:

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Man, you are busy! Your sweater gift is lovely. I really like the shoulder warmer. Where did you get your pattern? I have yarn with mohair blended into it that I've spun, so it would be cool to make one of these. Thanks for sharing so many great projects!
Courtney

geeky Heather said...

WOW, that jacket is gorgeous!!

I'm all for keeping warm, too...I have a million things I want to knit, but it'll probably be warm here before any of them get done.

That is a GIGANTIMOUS sampler!!!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your gift jacket is gorgeous. Lucky you! I like your other knitting and stitching projects too. You've got lots going on.

Margaret said...

That jacket is absolutely gorgeous! What a friend for making it for you! Love your knitting projects as well. The Spanish Mystery Sampler looks great! Wow, it does look huge! What count are you doing yours on? Looking forward to seeing your Splendor piece as well!

Nancy said...

I love the jacket! It is so beautiful, and I can't even comprehend how someone can make this! Your shoulder warmer looks so soft and cozy, and you have a beautiful start on your sampler!

henri said...

The Crayon Box jacket is gorgeous!!!! The Purl ridge
scarf is such a pretty color--looks great. You are
making good progress on that 'big' sampler, like
the addition of the blue and white.

Enjoyed your post.

Alice said...

Beautiful sweater! I like the... shoulder warmer too.

Katrina said...

Pretty gifts!!!! Love the jacket. And your Spanish Sampler is so pretty too.

beeinstitches said...

Well, AM nailed the jacket - so YOU! Great that you've got it and can definitely put it to good use. It's been a productive month for you! Lovely WIP's.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What a gorgeous jacket! I am impressed with all your knitting projects, too! The sampler is looking great and it really is a big one!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Mel ~
That crayon box jacket is to die for. The other knitted pieces are not too shabby either.
Knitting, stitching...where's the hooking wips? {grin}
Hugs :)
Lauren

Isabelle said...

Wow Melody, your jacket is so gorgeous made with this yarn !!I love your knitting projects as well:-)
I wish you a quiet and nice day,
Isa

Michelle said...

Lots of pretty things! The jacket is gorgeous and I love the shoulder warmer.

Deb said...

Your sweater gift is absolutely wonderful. I bet you were thrilled to receive it. I've seen those at my local knit shop and thought one day I'd make one....probably won't happen for a while. And I love your other knitting projects too. That shoulder warmer/ponch looks like it would keep you so comfortable.

krayolakris said...

Mel, love your knitting projects & you are really moving along on your humongo sampler! That AM...she is the tricky one! Never dreamed that she had your Crayon Box all finished up!

Susan said...

Love the jacket! Congratulations on keeping up with the assignment for the SAL. I always start SALs with great intentions and usually fall way behind.

Karoline said...

The jacket is gorgeous and the shoulder warmer is lovely.

Spanish Sampler is looking great.

Siobhán said...

Wow, that jacket is gorgeous!! I like the shoulder warmer, too--I've never heard of that before! Great progress on your other projects. I love the Spanish sampler--can't wait to see more.

TeresaB said...

Wow, you've gotten a lot done lately. I'm jealous of your jacket. Some day I'm going to get back to work on mine.

I can't wait to see your Spanish Mystery Sampler in person. Hopefully we'll catch up very soon.