More Photos, More Book Winners!

KOTOTW BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi, guys!

First of all, our two October winners of a copy of Knitting on Top of the World ARE:

 - Silverlotus; and

 - Jasmine MacDonald!

Congratulations, you two!  Just send me your snail mail address to maryp55124 "at" yahoo "dot" com, and I'll get your copies of the book whizzing on their way to you!

If you didn't win, don't despair - I still have 2 more copies to give away, and I think I'll do drawings in November and December.  (Also kind of hoping I can wangle some giveaways of Nicky's other books - we will see!)

All We Want for Christmas...(or other end-of-year holiday..)

Most of us were modest in our knitted requests; we would like someone to knit us socks, or colourwork socks (Silverlotus, you must be British!), or a cowl or scarf.  Although Linda and Danielle admitted they wouldn't mind someone knitting them a whole sweater (good for you guys!  I have a wonderful sister, TheresaT on Ravelry, who knits and who has, in fact, knitted me a sweater before, as well as other wonderful things like slipper sox with doubled yarn to make them kooshy on the bottom, and several lovely scarves...).  As for non-knitted gifts, several of us would like a set of interchangeable needles (although I was particularly in alignment with one knitter's wish for signature double-points - heck, I'd take signature anythings!  We also would like an artisan yarn or bead bowl, a Namaste needle case or bag, nice yarn or a yarn gift certificate.

Last year my sis got me a gift subscription to www.twistcollective.com, which I thought was a wonderful idea, although everytime I look through their archives I'm overwhelmed because there is hardly a thing there I do not wish to knit, and then to own.

Speaking of which, Norma asks what will happen to all of the KOTOTW knits when I'm done with the knitathon project - will I keep them all, give some away?  I haven't yet decided for sure, actually.  My sister encouraged me to see this project as a way to break out of knitting always for other people, and to make everything just for me.  And in fact, I have made many of these things specifically for my body type, which includes an extra-long waist length and arm length.  However, someone also recently suggested that maybe I could auction items off for a good cause.  That intrigues me; although honestly, there are a few things I could not bear to part with.

There are other things that I've already promised to friends, once the project, and any possible showings are over.  Before I even started, my friend Sheri put in dibs on the Copenhagen Royal Shawl, which looks lovely on her.  I'm thinking I would like to remake that one in a larger gauge for myself anyway, as it came out kind of small for my large frame. 

I'd like to give away my Northern Lights Cardigan, as the yarn I chose had a high angora content, and I find I just can't wear it - it gets in my eyes and nose and makes me sneeze!  I've already purchased yarn to make a non-angora version, though, as I love everything else about it.

And, I think some of the projects are a bit young for someone pushing 50; for instance, the Tyrolean Leg Warmers pictured below.  Adorable, but I think someone younger might get more wear out of them and feel less self-conscious.  My knitter-bud Kristin put in a bid for them at the last knitting night, so they will probably end up gracing her far younger legs.  And my niece, Amanda, who was over last night for a family supper (meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and homemade apple pie made by my master-baker sister in law, Mary - MMMM!!!), has put in a bid for the Black Forest Mitts, which looked just great on her (those 20-somethings really like those fingerless gloves, maybe because they are useful if you live with an iPhone in your hand...).

But I couldn't bear to give up the Londonderry Rose Coat...

or the Celtic Hooded Coat...

 or the Simply Smashing Cardigan...

(which I knew before I even knitted them!)  And then there are some things I didn't think would suit me, but it turns out I just adore them, like the Cowl Collar Jumper. 

And the Princess Bride Mittens...

So, I guess I haven't really figured out what I'm going to do yet - probably a mix of things.   Mostly, I want to make sure the pieces are used and enjoyed, by somebody if not by me!

 

Finished Austrian Alps Jacket...

I have some more finished KOTOTW projects to show you this week!  I received the 24" separating zipper in the mail from MJ Trim (a wonderful New York City notions mecca - check out their website - www.mjtrim.com) a week ago, and spent a few hours that Saturday AM carefully stitching it in.  For a jacket, you need the special kind of zipper that separates, or comes apart at the bottom.  Although the model in the book has a zipper that goes all the way up to the top edge of the collar, I couldn't find one nearly long enough, considering how much I lengthened the sweater.  But I'm happy with not zipping it up quite that high.

To stitch it in, I carefully pinned the two fronts of the sweater to the closed zipper, making the knitting come right up to the edge of the teeth, and being careful to match the cables and rows of the patterns across the zipper so that they would be even when the zipper is zipped up.  I also tried to "gather" the length of the sweater along the zipper a bit.  The edges of knitting are always a bit looser (which is why you usually put a ribbing or other edging that cinches them up a bit), so I tried to "shrink" the length of each side a bit as I pinned.

Then I stitched two (tiny) rows of back-stitches on each side of the opening, catching an upward-facing loop in each stitch on two columns of stitches and stitching through the zipper's tape. 

Finally, I whip-stitched the edges of the zipper tape down on the inside. 

Et voila!  Not great photos, but you get the general idea.  I'm really happy with how it came out!

Tyrolean Leg Warmers:

And...  drum roll, please... here is Project No. 28!

Cuuuute!  And quite sexy, I must say.  Although I can't walk for more than 10 minutes in this particular pair of boots without losing all feeling in my toes.  I kind of miss dressing up, though.  Haven't been in a date for over a year, sigh.  I've only myself to blame, as I basically work and come straight home, help my son with homework, knit and hang out with the dogs.  I guess I could always try online dating again, but somehow it just doesn't seem very important these days.  I persist in the hope (fantasy? delusion?) that when you are ready, love will find you.  Of course, one hopes that halcyon day arrives when one still has hair and teeth...

Since the Tyrolean Leg Warmers were multi-colored and kinda hard to knit on the bus, I got another little project finished, this great little scarf from Morehouse Farms called the "Sandwich Scarf:"

Isn't that neat and fun!  It was quick and a blast to make.  Morehouse Farms is best known for their "critter kits," like the wonderful dachshund scarf I made last winter as a gift, but they have a number of lovely and fun scarves and shawl kits.  I highly recommend their clear, beautiful instructions and lovely soft merino yarn. 

Well... back to my knitting - working on the last of the "Old World" projects, the Florentine Shrug, which is basically a large stockinette canvas onto which an elaborate design of grape leaves, grapes and vines are later duplicate-stitched... it will be lovely, but will take a while, I'm sure.

Have a great week, everybody. 
XOXOXO Mar

 

Comments

[Silverlotus]

I think the legwarmers look great, but I totally understand what you are saying. And I love the scarf, too.

Also, it is a fabulous idea to pass on the items that aren't quite right for you. They are all so beautiful, I'm sure you'll have no problems finding the right person for them.

[Barb]

You look absolutely fabulous in that Austrian Alps sweater - amazing!!

You might think the leg warmers would suit a younger person, but you definitely have the long legs to wear them - they look great on you!!!

Personally, I'm hoping that you have a show/exhibit of all of this incredible work when you come to the end - 'cuz I'm planning on attending it!!! (Besides getting to see all of this work in person, even better would be the chance to meet you in person!!!) :)

[Cynthia]

Wow! I love seeing all the beautiful things you have knitted! I think each one needs to be treated individually as you decide what to do with them. A show would be fabulous! My Black Forest Mitts are done! They turned out great! Because I'm such a simple person, I was wondering a bit how much I would use them. So I knitted two small balls and connected them together with an I-cord then weaved it through the fingers. Now the mitts can double as a scarf. :) I had some leftover yarn so I am also making a little vest to go with them. It's coming along nicely, but there isn't enough yarn to finish, so I am adding some black yarn that I had in my stash. I really like the Austrian Alps sweater and I might make that one someday! Yours is awesome! I love the picture of you with the baby!

[Steph]

I agree, those legwarmers look VERY sexy on you! And I'm sure they'd feel great when winter comes, if it hasn't already for you. Ahem, lower NY got snow last night! Before Halloween. SOOO unusual :o(

[Mary Taylor]

Hey there Silverlotus! I need your mailing address to send you your copy of KOTOTW!

Just email to maryp "at" yahoo "dot" com!

XoXOXO Mar