Knitting Update #1 - Rini

It's been bugging me a little lately that this blog is supposed to be about knitting, at least in part, but there has not been one knitting related post in.... a while. So let's fix this, shall we?

In the past year Rini has received four knitted objects from my needles. These are as follows:

#1 - Night & Day Baby Blanket 

Cherry blossom viewing in Onomichi on April 10, 2012.

Pattern: OpArt by Melissa Dominguez 

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Oceanos/240 and Citrus/91 colors, 3 skeins each

Needle: US 11

Final Size: ~ 41 inches across

If I remember correctly, I started this blanket maybe two or three days before Rini was born. At that time, I didn't know about this, and thought that surely I would have another week before any Cesarian, and would finish by then. Since that was not the case, it ended up being my hospital project to work on, while she slept. I think it took me about three weeks to finish this, making me consider this a really quick project.

I've always loved Malabrigo for it's colors and softness, but this yarn went above and beyond! It's absolutely luscious and spongy, and great to knit with! It does fuzz a bit with wear, but it's nice and warm. Since it's not meant to be washed every other day, I use it at home only when Rini sleeps to avoid making it dirty as much as possible.

#2 - February Betty Lou

Not pictures again!

Pattern: Betty Lou Lace Cardigan by Kristen Rengren

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply

Needle: US 1.5/ 2.5mm

Size: 0-3 months old

This cardigan only resembles the pattern in name and starting number of stitches. Instead of garter on top I did stockinette, and instead of the lace pattern in the book, I used the one in EZ's February Baby Sweater. It took me about two and a half months to knit, but I didn't work on it every day or anything like that. Though I'm happy with it, it became too warm for Rini to wear it by the time I finished, so I hope it'll be good for baby #2. The yarn is really yummy, but it also looks really delicate, and not sure if I would really let my baby wear it for long, unless it's a special occasion. (>o<)

#3 - Stella Pixie Hat

Pattern: Stella Pixie Hat by Kristen Rengren 

Yarn: 1/4 skein (110 meters) of Malabrigo Yarn Sock

Needle: US 0/ 2mm

Size: bit small for 7mo Rini 

Fun little pattern, but turned out a bit small, making it really easy for Rini to pull it off, like a hood. Once again, baby #2 will enjoy it.

As for yarn, I used what remained from making a baby cardigan for my cousin's baby last year. The colors are nice and neutral, and they didn't pool at all. I like the springiness of it, but it always surprises me just how thin it is. Still, it was a relatively quick project, taking about two weeks to make.

#4 - All Ears

Pattern: All Ears by Katt Walker

Yarn: Karabella Yarns Boise

Needle: US 3/ 3.25mm

Size: 8 inches long

First I made a 9 inch long 3-stitch I-cord, then made ear flaps using seed stitch. When both were done, I cast on extra stitches, and knit the hat until the yarn almost ran out. It's slightly on the big side, so I think she'll be able to use it for at least a few years.

This yarn is the same one I used for my Ripley hat (where, the yarn was doubled up), so I knew it will be soft and warm. Finally something she can wear for a while!

There are also a few projects that I started but have not yet finished for various reasons.
These are:
* Bliss by Allegra Wermuth, is a current project. I made gauge swatch, did some calculations, cast on for 18mo size, and after finishing all of the cable section and getting used to knitting the skirt, .... I realized it was waaaaaay too small. So now I went up a needle size and cast on for 2T. I also want to add some button holes so that the straps can be somewhat adjustable. It'd be nice if Rini could use this as a little dress from spring to fall, then as a vest/skirt in winter and after. 
* Two Just A Little Undershirt by Robin Hansen, hibernating because I can't quite make the crocheted edges work.
* And one of Carina Spencer's baby cardigans, hibernating because my gauge is weird, and I should measure it against Rini, to make sure it'll fit. Plus, in truth, by this point, the size probably won't work any longer, with winter almost gone (especially by the time I'd be done).

So there you have it. All the Rini related projects. Next I'll show off something I made for my mom.

The Loot

I haven't talked about anything yarn related in the previous post for one simple reason: It needs it's own post.

While Fukuyama has a couple of actual local yarn stores and a general craft store (think Jo-Ann or Michael's), the variety of yarn seems quite limited. Most of the available yarn (about 90-95%) has a least a considerable amount of acrylic in it, if it's not completely it, and the colors are quite muted and simple. Good, natural yarns that have no acrylic in them are limited to merino wool, alpaca, and maybe cotton. These actually wouldn't be bad choices if there were more vibrant colors available. (I actually found a 50% wool/50% alpaca yarn that's really nice and warm, but the colors are limited to cream, brown, gray, and black. That's...it.)

All in all my point is that I'm yarn/color/inspiration-starved and have been making all kinds of yarn related plans for our NYC trip for weeeeeks in advance. Since I knew our funds were limited, I concentrated on future baby projects only. I searched for patterns, possible yarn combinations, and made notes. I even made a list of LYSs I planned on visiting while I was there, which ended up as a yarn crawl with my friend, Lexie. We hit a handful of stores, like Annie & Company, Knitty City, Purl Soho, Loopy Mango, and La Casita Yarn Shop and Cafe. Purl Soho and Loopy Mango were new to me, but the rest were old favorites that I couldn't wait to visit and enjoyed browsing through their shops immensely! Here are a couple of pictures I took in Annie & Company:

Look at this wall of pure cashmere!

Despite being a Japanese yarn, it's almost impossible to find Noro in Japan.

Malabrigo... How I missed you so!

So gorgeous! One day (within the next 10-15 years) I'll have a store like this. ....I'm serious! (>.<)v

Anyways... After a whole afternoon of visiting all these yarn stores, this is what I ended up buying:

Please excuse the bad picture quality...

There's madelinetosh tosh merino light, madelinetosh tosh vintage, Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted, Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER, and even Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply, but that was a gift from one of my favorite yarn stores. These, along with a few additions from my stash, will be used for various baby knits.

Speaking of yarns I got as a gift, there are two more that I must talk about:

Look at that Jade Sapphire, sneaking into this picture too... (^.^)

Juniper Moon Farm Findley and Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July both came from Lexie, who is generous beyond words! Fourth of July is a yarn she got me from Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival (will I ever be able to visit?) and it's soft and puffy, with beautiful colors reminiscent of forests. No idea just yet what I'd make out of this, but I'll keep looking.
As for Findley, with its 800 yards a skein of 50% merino wool and 50% silk for less than $30, it's an absolute must have! Lexie and I found this gem in Loopy Mango and were fortunate to hold a sample stockinette stitch stole that was made from this yarn by holding two strands together. Not even the word "luscious" can describe what we held in our hands! And the colors! Unfortunately my picture doesn't do it justice... it's so shiny and beautiful! (*.*) I left this yarn behind that day with a very heavy heart, knowing full well I could not justify such a purchase just now. Then Lexie sent these to me as a last-minute surprise present, and as soon as I saw them I was on Ravelry looking for possible patterns that were worthy of such an amazing yarn. And the winner is.... the February Lady Sweater (which really is a cardigan, but whatever...), with short sleeves, if the yarn doesn't last (I'm planning on holding two strands together just like in that sample stole we saw).

I have two more days left of my four-day-post-vacation vacation, and all I'll be doing is swatching for this sweater and for the Betty Lou Lace Cardigan I'm planning on making with the Jade Sapphire cashmere yarn for the baby. A good plan, no?