Sunday, October 28, 2007

Cool Exchanges, Finished Objects, and Crappy Weeks

Without further ado...

I got the sweetest smelling package in the mail this week:

Freshisle Fibers

A few weeks ago, I left a comment on Marian's blog. She had been experimenting in dyeing wool with Koolaid, and I had some exotic flavours stashed away that I wasn't planning to use - so we organized a Koolaid for yarn swap. Honestly, I think I got the better deal of it and I am feeling a little guilty! Now why the sweet-smelling comment? Well, first of all, those lollipops (which Miss Priss has laid claim to) are maple-flavoured. Secondly, the yarn smells like koolaid... which in turn sort of smells like Froot Loop Cereal! Thank you, Marian - I can't wait to knit up the wool!

I also have a few finished objects this week - including my Mr. Greenjeans:

Jo's Mr Greenjeans 1

I'm quite pleased with it - I think I could have made a size smaller (I made the second-to-largest size), but it makes for a comfortable roomy sweater. Most people will have 3/4 length sleeves... but I am short... with short arms, so they are pretty much full-length on me. The only thing I want to fix right now is the button holes - they are a bit too big for my buttons so I am going to close them up a bit. I have three modifications - two intentional and one unintentional. The accidental one was that I forgot to switch to the smaller needles for the cabling section on the sleeve. The intentional mods were two buttons rather than one (for better closure) and I knit 4 extra rows wide on the button band. I knit it out of Lion Brand Wool-ease which blocks like crap (hence the bit of a ripple in the bottom of the button band), but cost me less than $14 to make and I can throw it in the wash whenever I feel like it!

I also finished these cuties this week:

Children in Common socks

Sorry, Cristi - I couldn't show off your sock blockers in the case because this picture is nearly life-sized - these socks are intended for someone 2 - 4 years old. I started this sock at Stitches and the nice people at Children In Common let me take it home to finish it (plus some other nice yarns to knit some stuff up for them. I don't care if the Malabrigo isn't for me - I just love the process of knitting with it!)

And lastly (and maybe I should have put this first) - sorry to be away for nearly a week. I had the week from hell between health problems, family health problems, stress at work, Andrew's car being in the shop, etc. Most nights I didn't even turn the computer on when I got home and I was fast asleep by 9pm.

17 comments:

Michelle said...

love the sweater!

Isn't it great how kool-aid dyed yarn smells? I love that smell!

cpurl17 said...

Ooh I love the fruit loop yarn and your Mr. Greenjeans looks great!!

Georgiann said...

Your Mr. Greenjeans is the greatest -- I love that you did it in green -- looks so pretty with your hair.

Anonymous said...

Your sweater is AWESOME! You did such a good job. I want to knit sweaters when I grow up.

Zonda said...

I bet it does smell good! Lovely yarn! Yay for Mr. Greenjeans! It' looks good on you!! Thank you for posting your hints here too as they will help us decide the size, etc.! :) Nothing better than a comfy sweater!

Anonymous said...

Great sweater! I have that on my Rabelry queue but was unsure of the sizing...it seems to be a sweater that must fit well or will not look right. Any hints?

Jo said...

Krista - I would say go for a size smaller than you would think would fit you. Especially since the sweater is open so wide in the front, it will be more forgiving of a smaller size.

lisa said...

gorgeous sweater! great color! and i like the unintentional sleeve mod- it looks on purpose to me.

Suna Kendall said...

Yay, your sweater looks great! Thanks for sharing! And the yarn was very pretty--I love doing Kool-Aid dyeing.

turtlegirl76 said...

Your sweater turned out great! Love the color on you! =)

Anonymous said...

Yeah! It arrived safely.
You are most welcome.
Beautiful sweater, too!

Bezzie said...

I finally have time to comment on this! I LOVE Mr. Green Jeans!! It turned out great. I might have to knit that one.

Bea said...

You sweater looks great!

I stopped by to thank you for visiting my blog. I love meeting new people!

Cheers and happy knitting,
Bea

Ed said...

Flavoured wool?
Surely that will disappear after the first wash.
Nice cardie.

Annie said...

Love the sweater- my sister buys capri pants to wear as regular length trousers, and it always makes us laugh. That yarn looks like a lot of fun!

Lauren said...

I love your Mr. Greenjeans!

Yummy fruit loops. :)

IrishGirlieKnits said...

I absolutely love that sweater on you!!! Mr. Greenjeans is going on my to-knit list!! Great job!!!