I am now a medalist in:

I need a break from the gloves, so I’m back to working on the LIzard Ridge Afghan.  I have 28 squares completed and have started #29.  The squares I’m knitting now are the “scrap” squares – and so far I’m VERY happy with the color combos I’m getting.  I picked a very boring way to figure out what colorways to put together – I’m doing them numerically (makes my voices happy).  I think once I’m done I’ll have 33 or 34 squares, then I’ll do some blocking to see how big the afghan will be and if I need to knit more, I’ll knit more.

13 rounds in and I realize, I should be knitting through the back loop. GAH! So I frog and restart.

This time I get 30 rounds in before I realize that I have screwed up somewhere and cant’ figure out where or how to adjust. GAH! So I get pissed, frog it all and restart AGAIN.

The third time seems to be the charm! The pic below is at the end of chart 1, and I’m about halfway through chart 2 now. Should be completely done with the first glove tonight!

Learning to knit from a chart as well as do beads has been quite a challenge – but even with the problems, I have enjoyed knitting this pattern so far!

Makings of Eisblume Gloves

Since I can’t cast on, I have to be content to looking at the progress of the other folks doing the KAL – one woman has an entire (non-beaded) glove complete!  So I’m hoping that means it’s not as scary as the pattern looks, even though I know the beading is going to make things slower.  Can’t wait!!!!

Can’t wait for the yarn to get here so I can pick out the beads!

When I got home from work last night, my new (to me) OHD bag was waiting for me!!  It’s gorgeous!

OHD Fiona in Cosmo Bloom

That means I can’t cast on until Feb 12 during the opening ceremonies (7pm MT), and I have 17 days to finish BOTH gloves – and by finish I mean ends woven in and all beads placed.  I have to be finished by 11:59:59PST on February 28.

Definitely challening myself on this one – only my 2nd pair of gloves and I’ve never done beadwork in knitting.

I couldn’t find any yarn that I like at my LYS, so I ordered some from Etsy – a lovely handdyed silver sage green.  (Pic is from the Etsy store page)

50/50 merino/silk fingering wt-Silver Sage

Once I get the yarn, I’ll hit the local bead shop to see what they have for beads for the project (I’m thinking silvery beads).

Very Excited! 

Checking out a new (to me) yarn shop on Sunday where I will hopefully find the perfect yarn (I’m thinking grey or pink) and then once I have that taken care of, there is a bead shop not too far from my house which I’ve heard is good, so I’ll be checking it out as well..

OH and I bought a new OHD bag from a fellow raveler who had it listed for sale. Should arrive next week, and I’m very excited about it. I’ll post pics once it arrives.

I’m SO CLOSE to having the Peaks Island Hood complete, I only have to finish the fan on the right side. I just need to buckle down and get it done – I also need to find the right buttons for it – none of my stashed ones are just right...

Unfinished edge is hidden...

I need to spend less time putzing around on ravelry and MORE time knitting… 

First this – not for the gloves project, but the color was SO GORGEOUS I could not resist!

Cascade Yarns Pastaza in Ruby

This will make a lovely pair of gloves – in a color that I usually don’t wear

Spud & Chloë Fine in Clementine

And who could resist gloves knit out of Malabrigo?

Malabrigo Yarn Sock in Lettuce

And last, and most gorgeous – more Malabrigo

Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino in Smoke

I had originally planned to knit gloves out of the Silky Merino, but then I changed my mind.  I have been looking for yarn that would be perfect for the Peaks Island Hood, and I decided the Silky Merino was just the ticket.  So I cast on last night.

Smoking on Peaks Island

(OOPS! Accidentally published!)

Peaks Island called for worsted and I’m using DK, so I’m knitting it up on smaller needles, and I think I’ll have to make it a bit longer to compensate for my huge head. Also need to find buttons – and I just don’t know what kind I want…

Once I’m done with the hood, I’ll start on gloves number two. Oh – and in case you are wondering, I did finish the mystery project for my Fiber Pen Pal – I’ll post pics once she has received it.

My First Gloves!

I’m very pleased with them. There are definitely somethings I’ll do better on the next pair, but that’s what you do – you learn and do better. If you want to see all of the progress pics, you can check them out in my Photobucket Knotty Gloves album.

I’d like to cast on for my next pair, but I need to make something for my Fiber Penpal Ivy. Can’t divulge any details, because it’s a surprise for her. But I’m hoping it’s something that she will like.

Right Glove ready for Fingers

Left Glove ready for Fingers

Tomorrow I start on the fingers – wish me luck!

I was worried that the gloves would be too small on my chubby hands, so in addition to knitting them on size 2 needles, I also cast on 68 – now I’m thinking they are going to be a bit loose, but I’m hoping blocking can help with that.  The next pair, I definitely will NOT cast on more than called for.

Ready to start the Thumb Gussets

Right Glove, ready for thumb & fingers

The cables are really nice, but I can’t get a decent pic of them to save my life!  and I worked in a decrease of the extra eight stitches, so the glove is a tad lumpy….but once I put it on, you can’t tell…  And these are my very first ones after all