Project 23, 24, 25, 26, 27...

Woo Hoo!  It feels like I'm making some progress on my trip around the knitting globe!

Finally had a knitting night with my girlies last Thursday night, and we ended up at our usual Starbucks, where Renay kindly took some photos of me modelling some recently finished KOTOTW knits!  (I'm looking a bit tired - still working on getting over this stupid endless bug):

Here's Project 23, the Parisian Entrelac Wrap:

Project 24 - Black Forest Mitts:

(I know - I'm such a hambone...)

Project 25 - La Belle Cardigan:

(I think the arm ribbons are a bit over the top for me, actually).

Kristin is working on a pair of baby booties - she has some extreeeeme number of girlfriends all expecting simultaneously, and is hoping to churn quite a few pairs of adorable booties out for them all.:

Well, the yarn was white so they kind of got blindingly obscured by the bright Starbucks lights, but trust me - adorable.  I'm very proud of her figuring out the shaping, as she is a new knitter and has been busy raising her little one, who turned one recently (our beloved guest babyblogger Adeline... maybe she needs to do another blog for us soon!)

I also took advantage of a few days at home to get the knitting done on Project 26, the Austrian Alps Zip Jacket.  It isn't quite completed yet - I needed to order a  24" separating zipper because I lengthened it.  My dress mannequin isn't as long as I am, so the ribbon doesn't actually hit under my butt (which would be weird) but at least you get the idea of how the textures work:

I can tell this will be a real keeper - extremely useful sweater for Minnesota, pretty enough for the office and functional for weekend wear or a pair of jeans as well.  I really like the ribbon I found for it - part of my "field trip to "MJ Trim" during my trip to New York City to visit Nicky back when the blog started.   It is very jewelly:

Finally, today I finished Project 27, the Octoberfest Glove Cuffs (very timely, considering the month!):

I used some Shibui kettle-dyed sock yarn - it was wonderful to work with, very springy and light.  I love the slightly variegated tones and how the add to the texture and visual interest of the pattern. 

The little mitered squares were really fun and really quick to knit, although to do an entire sweater of this intricacy might drive one to madness.  Although I can really see using this technique for cuffs or a collar, perhaps on a kimono-style jacket...

Next up:  Project 28, the Tyrolean Leg Warmers; as these are not very big, I expect that I will have them done by Halloween!  (Maybe I need to find a party where I can dress like a Tyrolean bar wench, a la St. Pauli Girl... hmmmm...)

The book contest continues - not a lot of entries so far.  Remember, even if you have your own copy of KOTOTW, Christmas is coming, think of your knitty friends!

XOXOXO,

Don't forget to go for a walk in the crisp air and hear the leaves crunch (I just love that... did you know newly fallen snow squeaks?  That will be happening soon enough around here.)

Mar.

Comments

[Mary Anne Cutler]

Great pictures!

Re:contest. As a knitter, I love receive a knitting related item as a gift. Yarn, a book, a subscription to a fibre related publication.

As a giver, I usually give a scarf. Most useful in my cold local climate.

Mary Anne, ON Canada

[Barb]

Mary, you are adorable!!! I love the 'fashion show' of your most recent knitted items - just beautiful! (Your favorite Starbucks will never be the same after your knitting group meets there, huh? ha!ha!)

Hope you are feeling better, not working too hard and having a chance to knit to your heart's content!

[Steph]

I tried to get a knitting group together with a couple friends at Starbucks. It was unsuccessful- too dark in there in the evening. We moved to Chili's and drank margaritas instead :o)

LOVE the picture of you in the mitts. I laughed. You're being quite dramatic lol.

I am oddly addicted to the sound of crunching snow. Except my roommate from college (where we had snow October through April) HATES that sound. We did not walk to class together often haha.

[Norma]

In your blog entry you referred to the Austrian Alps Zip Jacket as "a keeper" which got me to thinking.... Do you plan to keep all of the projects that you have made? I realize that you probably want to see ALL of the finished items together in one place first, but wondered if in the back of your mind you are thinking things like: "Aunt Stella really loved this cabled jacket when I showed it to her" or, "Thank hat looks goofy on me, but I know my friend Maggie would look great in it." Sort of a mental future gift list in other words. Just wondering....even though I know that living in Minnesota will probably provide you with more than enough weather to enjoy each and every one of the pieces that you will have knit by project's end!

BTW - I think the Octoberfest Glove Cuffs look tres chic.

[Jasmine MacDonald]

How about some lengths of elestic going from pouffy bit to pouffy bit to keep the pouffe happening rather than the bands around your arms as the original wanted? And Belle is going to look stunning with your velvet skirt - please post a photo next time you are swanning out for some Culture...
Jasmine in Oz

[Cynthia]

I love all your very gorgeous items! They all are improved with you modeling them! I really like the beautiful blue of the Alps sweater! Sure hope you are feeling better and getting over the stupid endless bug.

[nicky epstein]

Hi Mary, I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited to see all these new pieces And LOVE your fashion show...too cute and tre chic!!!You go girl! you go girl..xxx

[Linda Chan]

I really like how the Austrian Alps Zip Jacket came out. The color you chose is really nice and that ribbon is perfect. I'm going to have to think about knitting this for myself. I wish one of my sisters was a speedy and experienced knitter, like you, then I could put the Austrian Alps Zip Jacket on my Christmas wish list!