Bon Tricot

I had hoped to show progress on a shawl I’m knitting using Knit Circus Opulence Yarn in Turquoise Pool.   But a dropped stitch meant I had to rip back an entire lace repeat.  Quite frustrating, but I did learn a new skill – putting in a lifeline.  I could have ripped back a lot more if it hadn’t been for that trick.  Moving forward, I’m going to use lifelines for remaining lace.  Since my last post, I’ve also ventured outside the sock realm.  I signed up for a sweater class at my LYS.  I’ve selected Purl Soho’sSweater Sweatshirt for my project.  I must say after the first class, I was a little discouraged.  I assumed that sweater knitting would be the same as socks or shawls: as long as I got gauge, I would be good to go.  But no.  Because my gauge is different than the pattern, I will need to make the smallest size, and the cast on number as well as the decreases will also be adjusted.  The instructor say...

I’m addicted to indie sock yarn, and after the success of my Missoni knock-offs , I’m excited to merge my love of handknit socks with all things Burberry.  In my search for self-striping sock yarn on Etsy, I came across TurtlePurl’s Trenchcoat colorway.  The designer’s listing states that U.K. fashion plaids inspired the yarn. I have always adored tartan plaids.  I’m particularly enamored with Burberry’s iconic Nova Check, which accents many of its designs, including the brand’s signature trench.  What I’m less enamored with, though, is the label’s exorbitant price.  So imagine my delight when I found this smashing yarn!  I paid a little more money to upgrade the yarn base with cashmere.  I justified the splurge: I’m indulging a luxury experience without the luxury cost.  In keeping with Burberry’s classic appeal, I decided to use my tried and true vanilla sock pattern – ribbed cuff, stockinette leg, foot, and toes.  I’m delighted wi...

Back in 2011, like millions of thrifty fashion lovers, I camped outside (okay, I got there five minutes before the doors opened) my local Target waiting to shop the highly anticipated (and well-marketed) Missoni for Target line.  Weeks before the launch, I had scoped out the look-book and identified exactly which items I wanted to buy.  But despite having a disciplined plan of attack, all restraint, and apparently reason (my own, in case that wasn’t clear), was cast out of my cart, presumably so I could fill it up with things I had never planned on buying. As if that wasn’t bad enough, after hauling my purchases home and trying to forget how much money I had blown, I then… logged onto the website – or at least tried to – to purchase even more zig-zag wares!  From there, the my insanity escalated.  Before I knew it, I was trolling Ebay bidding on overpriced merch that would make the seediest loan shark blush.  There I was at 2 am scoping out auctions, in...

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted '13 Holiday Collection I’ve always been a huge Francophile, so it will come as no surprise that a yarn containing the words Paris, France, or any French landmark, will inevitably end up in my stash.  This was the case with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Yarn - '13 Holiday Collection - Christmas in Paris.  I’ve been a huge fan of LL’s Shepherd Sock Yarn and have knitted many socks in their unique colorways, but this was my first foray with LL worsted.  I couldn’t have been more pleased.  The yarn was light, soft, and squishy.   The linen stitch pattern I selected from Audrey Knight’s Reversible Scarves  highlighted the yarn’s pastel, multi-variegated hues.  I’m so pleased with the end result, and because of the weight and texture of the stitch, the scarf is seasonless.  I’ve already worn it out with jeans and a t-shirt.  And with the fluctuating weather that we’re having on the east coast (they’re callin...