Gemini

I decided to make posting today a priority after a night of dreaming about flow cytometry outputs.  I really need to stop forgetting about my super secret weapon when I get too focused, knitting!

I have finished my Gemini, although not in time for the end of the Ravellenic Games.  But it is now complete and I am certainly happy with how it came out.

The pattern is Gemini by Jane Richmond, published in Knitty Spring + Summer 2012.  I've struggled with Knitty patterns in the past, but this one was very clearly written and a simple knit (I might even suggest it to advanced beginners).  I knitted this one in size Small, and like the relaxed fit of that size combined with the drape of the yarn.  I did have to play with the gauge a bit to get it to work though (go me for doing a test swatch!).

The yarn used was one of my all time favorites: Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (41% Cotton, 34% Hemp, 25% Rayon. DK weight), it just seemed like such a natural yarn choice for this project.  I definitely think it was a good match of yarn to pattern.  The one thing about Hempathy is that it often feels a little rough after knit up and needs a couple of washes to soften up, it takes a little extra love, but the resulting fabric wears really well, especially for a top (I know this from my experience with my Buttercup).

I think that I will be wearing this one to the farmer's market this weekend to celebrate the end of Summer and start of Fall!

Work-in-progress Wednesday - #13

Yet again, Wednesday has rolled around and I have little progress to show.  Graduate school has been super busy and wonderful in every way I imagined.  I was one of those people who silently suffered through my undergraduate education in order to finally get to this level, and let me say that it was worth it!

In knitting news, I've been slowly working away on my Gemini.  This colorway of Hempathy is one of those yarns that makes me want to sit in the sun while knitting to better enjoy the depth of the color.  I have high hopes for this project, it should be just was wonderful as my Buttercup is.

I actually started a new project based off of my scrap blanket.  After completion of that massive project, I realized that I had a whole bunch of leftover sock yarn bits too and have decided to make a pillow to match the blanket!

I haven't been spinning at all, the main reason being that I don't have chairs in my apartment yet (I know...).  But my amazing brother is driving over a huge UHaul full of stuff this weekend, so soon I'll be able to get back on track!

I hope that you are all having a great Wednesday and I hope that you also join in for WIP Wednesday with Tami's Amis.

When stressed, go to LYS

When I get stressed out, usually halfway through the semester, I often find my way to a yarn store.  I jokingly describe it being like a defense mechanism where when I reach my stress threshold I black out and when I come to I find myself at Webs with a basket full of yarn.

Today I felt this overwhelming desire to escape campus and decided to make a quick trip over to Webs.  While there I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the new yarn and squeezing the yummiest merino I could find.  I also found some yarns that I would really like to use on some future projects.

Malabrigo Worsted (soon...soon...)

An old favorite: Rowan Felted Tweed 

I ended up buying some yarn too:

Here's some beautiful Manos del Uruguay for Lisa, just wait and see what she has planned for it! 

And for myself, some Hempathy, one of my all time favorite yarns to be used for the Vogue Lacy Vest I mentioned the other day. 

Exploring LYS can be such a fun thing to do, I never know what I will find!  I also feel much more relaxed afterwords and even get a little creative boost!

Spring and Summer Knits

I don't usually follow designer trends in knitting or otherwise, but for the last two years I've been obsessed with spring and summer knitting designs.  I throughly enjoy 'oooing' and 'ahhing' over them all.  Somehow I get so excited about these designs, but I rarely end up knitting them.  I'm determined that will change this year.

My Buttercup is one of my favorite summer tops, I get excited every time I put it on:

Today I finally got my copy of Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2012 and I'm really excited about a couple of the projects, so much so that I am already practically buying the yarn for them.  Conveniently, I have to run over to Webs as a favor for Lisa anyway (note how she gave me the perfect excuse to go buy yarn, that's what good friends are for!).

The designs that have certainly caught my eye are:

Lace Top - Image from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2012 issue. 

Lacy Vest - Image from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2012 issue. 

Textured Cardigan - Image from Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 2012 issue. 

I also want any excuse I can find to knit with one of my absolute favorite yarns: Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, which is the perfect mixture of Cotton, Hemp, and Rayon. 

The one downside to a new season of spring knits?  I don't feel like finishing my sweaters! 

Any pretty spring or summer knits catch your eye?  Please share!