Knitter problems...

Will I ever have enough needles? Really. My dear knitters, how often do you find yourselves getting ready to start a new project, yarn picked, wound and ready to go, and then realize you don't have the needle the pattern calls for? It happens way too often for me.
I have two sets of interchangeable needles and countless others that I have bought over time. It just doesn't seem like it's ever enough. And you know what happens after that, right? You go to your LYS to buy the needle you need and end up falling in love with some yarn that you don't really have a project for, but that you must have. Then you go on Ravelry to find a project for the pretty yarn and realize you don't have the needle the pattern calls for, which brings you back to the LYS....
This time I decided to be patient. I ordered the needles online. I'm trying so hard to use my stash yarn. And I know myself... I can't resist.
But don't worry, LYS... My birthday will be here in no time and I'll be rushing over to treat myself to lots and lots of skeins of your beautiful yarn.

Hi. My name is Fabi and I'm addicted to knitting...

I don't know what's happened to me over the last few months, but my brain is consumed with knitting thoughts pretty much all the time. I'm constantly thinking about what I want to knit next, or when I can squeeze in some knitting, or what yarn I'd like to work with. If Ravelry had a tracking system to see how many times a day people log on, I'd probably be at the top of their list. Not to mention all of the knitting blogs I can't get enough of...
The cold weather isn't helping me either. All of a sudden I must knit myself a new hat (I like the Wurm), new mittens (such as Susan B Anderson's Waiting for Winter Mittens), and a new cowl (the Hot Tea looks like it will keep me nice and toasty). But when? When will I find the time to knit up all of these wonderful things? (and still be a mommy, hard worker and all that...) :)

There's no denying it...

I have been in denial, totally ignoring it, oblivious to what was so obvious...

What? What? You ask...

Sigh.... It's hard for me to even write about it... Despite the fact that I knit swatches, measured them, made sure all was OK, my gauge is completely off for my very first cardigan. It is with much regret that today, I rip all 42 rows and who knows how many hundreds of stitches to start over. I don't know why this is happening. I just know that if I keep going, I'll never be able to turn back and that when this cardigan is done, if it doesn't fit, I'll feel like a complete failure.

So up one needle size we go. Wish me luck!

Flyaway...

Flyaway by Marji Lafreniere is the pattern I picked to be the first ever sweater/cardigan that I'm knitting for myself. It's fairly simple, but has pretty cables running down the back and around the arms. It's also knit top-down, which in my opinion, is always a plus. I really do hate all the seaming, you know? I love the yarn that I picked (Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed). The picture doesn't really do justice to the color, which is a beautiful blue/green. I'm very excited about this one!

Here's your first peak...

A good knitting week...

I know that it's been a while since my last post but I have been fighting a cold... The good thing about feeling a bit under the weather is that all I want to to is curl up on the couch under a blankie with a cup of tea and my knitting. I did quite a bit of that this week. And it shows!

I finished knitting the Vite Cowl. It's currently blocking. Once that's done I just have to seam it and mail it to the recipient. The recipient's name, of course, is a secret. I don't want to spoil the surprise!

I have made really good progress on the Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks scarf. I love that star stitch but I'm struggling with it a bit. I tend to be a tight knitter and purling 3 at a time for me is quite a challenge. I'm trying very hard to make a conscious effort to "loosen up".

Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks Scarf

Most importantly I finally started knitting a cardigan for me. My first one! I'm very excited and absolutely loving the yarn. It's the Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed in a gorgeous green. I love the way the yarn feels, the color, the way it knits up... The cardigan is knit top-down, which I love. I'll post pictures as it grows. It's not big enough to share yet.

Now that I have a big project to knit at home I'll be knitting lots of scarves, cowls, and socks to keep me busy during my commute. I've been trying to avoid buying yarn since my stash grew quite a bit, but I may have accidentally bought some gorgeous Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock yarn when stopped by my LYS for some cable needles. Shhh... Don't tell Dave!

Socks That Rock

Another Cowl...

I am LOVING the pattern for the Vite Cowl that I just started yesterday. I still don't know if I'm keeping this one for myself or giving it away... I'll have to see how I feel when it's done. So far, it's been really nice knitting with this new yarn (new to me, of course). It's Spud & Chloe Outer. So soft.... It's super bulky so the cowl is going very fast... Maybe too fast... I sort of don't want this one to end. What do you think of it so far?

Buttons...

I am so excited! Look at the beautiful buttons my dear friend Pat just brought me from her trip to Paris!

Scarf...

Doesn't Sophia look adorable in her new scarf? This was a great, easy project and I'm really happy with the end result. The yarn was very nice and soft and a pleasure to knit with. And to think Sophia was the one who picked it!

Sadly, she didn't want to wear it to school today... Maybe tomorrow?