LK Knits

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've started on the Branching Out scarf pattern from Knitty.

I like it. It's about double that length by now, but I've put it aside because I'm finding that I have to pay more attention to the pattern than I had originally thought I would. So it's not great TV knitting or multi-tasking knitting, and it's also not the diversion from my main detail project that I had hoped. So I'll come back to it in a month or so, after I've finished that project. I don't have any pictures of it, so I will keep quiet for now ...

By contrast, here's a more mindless but still engaging WIP:

It's the reversible cable scarf from the aforementioned Cables Untangled by Melissa Leapman. Great, straightforward pattern. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the colorway Mother Lode. Just look at the sheen and stitch definition!

I am about to sit on a plane to Las Vegas for 3 hours and I intend to work on this almost the whole time. Might be done when I get home from my trip ...

On a recent transatlantic plane flight I made substantial progress on the Branching Out lace scarf:

Interestingly, I find that it's easier for me to knit this pattern from instructions instead of from a chart; usually I'm a visual person, but for some reason the chart slows me down. I wonder if it'll be that way for me for lace in general.

The yarn, Rowan Kidsilk Haze, is of course a joy to work. In fact, when I was in London I almost bought more to make more scarves like this one and Ene's shawl from Shawl Style, because Liberty had the yarn in more colors than I've ever seen before. But the exchange rate is so appalling that I couldn't justify it.

I'm still working on the Branching Out scarf, but I'm close to finished:

I love the color.

Because, you know, 5 WIPs just isn't enough ... :

I've been jonesing for a green scarf lately; it's my favorite color, and I'm surprised that I didn't have one. So ... another WIP. Oh well ...

The yarn is Louisa Harding's Ca d'Oro, and it's quite nice. The pattern is a simple k1, yo, k2tog lacy rib. I think I'll even put on some fringe!

Finished early last week, just in time to wear to my 3-in-4-days Police concert odyssey:

A krypton green accessory was absolutely de rigeur for the weekend, and this one fit the bill, especially in chilly Boston!

This yarn, Louisa Harding's Ca d'Oro, was OK to work with, and the shimmery rayon green strand in it is a nice touch. But I don't think I'd use it for much more than scarves -- not really good value for money.

Made some progress yesterday on my Police Ghost in the Machine scarf:

I'm about 1/3 of the way through, and the pattern is starting to show. I'm knitting it lengthwise, so the faces will show sideways when I'm wearing it (just to be a little clever!). The black and red also go with my dress winter coat, so I'm going to get a big chuckle out of walking around in my fancy schmancy Burberry wool coat with a GITM scarf!

I don't like intarsia, but I love the Police and the GITM logo enough to put up with it! For anyone else who does this, with the color being as split up as it is, I recommend splitting out three different bobbins of red yarn instead of stranding along the back.

The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky, always a favorite.

Thanks to Divemistress of the Dark for the pattern chart!

Finished my Ghost in the Machine scarf!

In more detail:

Yay! It needs to be better blocked; the steam blocking I did has distorted the logo somewhat. But I still love it.

And even if you're not a Police fan, I still think that the GITM logo is one of the best logos ever. I am looking forward to wearing this! Especially since it's snowing outside of my window right now ...

Ivory cable scarf, using Plymouth Royal Cashmere, with the stitch pattern "cable fabric" from the new Harmony Guides: Cables and Arans:

Nice, simple, elegant.

Haven't touched either Fife or Cece since November.

Have made some progress on the sleeves and yoke of the Sitcom Chic cardi:

Have frogged my old Lobster Pot cashmere beanie and am in the middle of turning it into a neckwarmer:

And, have finally cast on for a Central Park hoodie, for a knitalong with Knitress:

The yarn is Beaverslide 90% merino 10% mohair in Huckleberry Heather. This yarn choice is a shameless copy of Cara at January one. Like Cara, I'll knit fronts and back all at once, but I'm leaving in the seam stitches and knitting the smallest size, because the second smallest size is a little big for me. Interestingly, she got gauge on size 9 needles and I got it on size 10 needles, which just shows how tight a knitter I am (and I don't pull on my stitches or anything!). Unlike Cara, I didn't necessarily plan out how the ribbing will flow into the cables at the end of the ribbing band, so I may have some futzing to do in a couple of inches ...

I also think that I will not bother to put on buttonholes and buttons; I never bother to button cardigans anyway, generally, and this is meant to be a kicky casual hoodie. So why bother?

Knit on!

Another neckwarmer, this one for me, in Lobster Pot handpainted cashmere:

Perfect for spring!

I started Nikol Lohr's Woodland Shawl on the plane on the way home from England last week:

I'm using Malabrigo Lace, in Azul Profundo, and it's gorgeous. The pattern is easy to remember, which I appreciate, because I am not enough of a lace aficionado to be interested in a deeply intricate pattern. I think this pattern will show the beautiful yarn off to perfection!