Size 10 big.  

Colinette Jitterbug is very nice yarn, but the yardage can be little scarry for us gals with big feet. I had grand ideas of making No Purl Monkeys but was afraid of the yardage issues. What does a knitter with questions do? You go searching on Ravelry of course. Found these socks and sent Megan a message to ask her about the yarn and how it worked for her, sharing my concerns about the yardage. She was gracious enough to suggest sending me the leftovers from her socks for a skein of Plucky yarn. Thus, a little swap was born.

She and her Mom make soap. Really, really delicious (smelling - I’ve not done a taste test) soap. So far I’ve only used the Peppermint Winds, but I’m over the moon and this will become a staple in the Plucky bathroom cupboard, for sure.

Speaking of swaps, Carrie - an intrepid new knitter (who also happens to be an out of this world seamstress) and I worked out a little swap. Cashmere lace for some perky pouches. I couldn’t be more thrilled. And, they both match my new purse - bonus.

Up next: “Lu, please don’t do this to me, have I somehow offended you?” 

and because I can’t make everything I wear (ok. So I am not even close to making everything I wear, heck, I’m only now getting close to having a weeks worth of knitted socks to choose from….) and, most importantly, because I want a cute, blue (for the love of all things blue, how cute is this?) sweater for Spring. Yes, I know it’s only January 16, but Spring will be here before we know it and this sweater will go quickly. Just thinking ahead - I flaty refuse to have a repeat of the wedge and espadrille search of last Summer.

Go ahead, click the link (I’m such an enabler). Comes in lot’s of other colors too.

Oh, what am I swatching for? Have you seen this? Those Zephyr girls come up with some very snazzy patterns. The collar alone is reason enough to knit the sweater. And, I just so happen to have some yarn in my stash that should work - if I can get my swatch and knitting math skills all sorted out.  Super big thank you’s to Amanda and Naomi for their help with the gauge issue. Swatched on size 7’s and I was coming out with too many stitches. So now I am swatching on size 8’s and hoping the resulting fabric won’t be too drapey.

In a perfect world I would have this all knit and able to wear to Madrona. But, since I do not currently inhabit a perfect world, well, I went ahead and got the blue sweater. However, I will give 28thirty a solid try (and well, I can look forward to wearing after Madrona) and since I will be going to visit the girls next week and we will have some knitting time together I might make it further than I think (again, provided I can get gauge). Naomi and Amanda - I will be in touch.

Oh, and speaking of shoes…..

Willow Peep Toe Wedge - Banana Republic

Don’t they just make you smile?

**Edited** Sorry, there will not be a shop update tonight - things weren’t quite dry enough to be skeined and photographed. Let’s hope for tomorrow, but Wednesday at the latest. Don’t worry, I’ll give you all a heads up…..

Because there are times when you just don’t have the time, energy or inclination to knit an entire sweater. Because I have some lovely, darling friends who read these pages and I want to fill them in on fun things too. Because sometimes you just want a cute sweater - now.

Old Navy Seed Stitch Cardigan - Love the detail on the cuff - very feminine, don’t you think?

Old Navy Cowl Neck Sweater - I defy you to show me a person who does not look great in a cowl neck. So flattering.

Thanks a bunch for your kind words about the latest shop update. Please note that more yarn has finished drying and I will be winding them up this evening, taking pictures and posting. If you are so inclined, please check the shop around 8:00 p.m. EST.

Happy Monday!

Shannon, my SIL (who has appeared on the site before, is a total sweet pea, went to Stitches Midwest with me and is just a great knitting buddy) was my 1000th comment! OK Shan - what would you like? You know where to find me, so how about you just come over and pick something out?

  Isaac Mizrahi for Target - 100% cashmere shawl collar cardigan.

Now, I am very well aware that this is a knitting blog, that knitters, generally speaking, of course, like to knit their own sweaters. But wouldn’t you say it is a fair assumption that sometimes you don’t have the time to knit an entire sweater, are afraid or just plain don’t want to?

So, when I find a sweater that is a good deal and cute to boot, well, I have to share.  It’s cashmere - and not the cheap thin cashmere either. I would call it a good, solid middle of the road quality cashmere. And for the price - definitely a great deal. Comes in quite a few colors (black, brown, charcoal, berry and a cream, I believe).  Did I mention that it is extremely flattering? Because it sure it. Oh, and it looks really cute without the tie too.

and all the other cold meds I have been existing on the last 4 days - I can’t hear, smell, taste or sleep. But, apparently I think I can sew? Must really be sick…..

Tana Lawn - Liberty of London. Since I cannot sew, and am not in a position to learn anytime soon (much as I would like to), perhaps I will make these. Until then I am completely content to admire this kicky fabric.

 This may be the beginning of a fascination with peacocks (personally, I think J. Crew does amazing things with their fabrics and prints and it was on sale - bonus!).  You do realize that this will become a colorway for some yarn, right?

Speaking of yarn….. The test knits are starting to arrive!

Fingerless gloves knit by the ever so helpful and kind  Maleana. I can’t thank her enough. They are perfect!

Based on the fingerless glove pattern by Wendy at Knit and Tonic.  Yarn - Plucky Knitter single ply 100% Merino fingering weight - Revolution colorway.

I am over the top excited to see the rest of the test knits coming along - you are all doing just fabulous and I can’t thank you enough. You can be sure I will be posting about each and everyone as they arrive.

And, since it is either try to sleep (which is almost impossible, thus the overwhelming exhaustion and the somewhat mis-guided purchase of fabric) or sit here and, well, sit - I have been knitting away on Juliet. Plucky girl has already claimed her and picked out the buttons. Pictures to come.

***Edited to add*** Fingerless glove pics taken by Plucky girl - she wants it known that this is not her best work, but she took them nonetheless.

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I have the black (you may remember this). Bought and black and wear them all.the.time. Comfy and cute. Can’t ask for more than that. They go with everything! So, of course, I want a pair in another color? Opinions…..please…..

 Here are the Charades (yarn is Summer of Love 80/20 Merino Cashmere blend) - coming along very nicely. Since I was suppose to be dyeing today (got a bit done) and it has since started raining, I have been able to really kick these into gear. Might even have done tonight (Forest Gump is on - perfect knitting movie).

Do you think the yarn is too busy for the pattern?

Speaking of patterns: Kirsten and I are collaborating. She is designing some kicky patterns exclusively for Plucky yarn. What talent she has. So, in the next few weeks there will be two patterns available that compliment the yarn. Don’t know about you, but I love to have pattern ideas already in mind when I get new yarn.

Don’t forget to play along with the contest. Comments are open until midnight tomorrow. Thanks for playing along.

Oh, and a few updates to the shop have been made this evening - more to come as soon as they are finished drying.