VOGUEknitting LIVE! Wrap-Up, Part the Third- The Projects and the Haul

Now I know this is what you've all been waiting for.  Before I show you the goodies, though, here's a look at what I was knitting throughout the weekend.  That's what it's really about afterall.

First, I finished knitting up my BFF Cowl link during my Thursday train ride.  After a couple snags, it was seamed up with the other link.  Which was perfect to wear to the Subway Knits Meetup on Saturday.  Where I saw my two swap partners.

My link was knit out of Noro Taiyo.  It's a cotton yarn I actually like, probably because it's blended with silk, wool and nylon.

Throughout the weekend, I worked on my Hexipuffaday challenge.  I finished 4 (maybe more) during train rides and downtime standing around during my shifts.

So far I have 24 done (and number 25 is on the needles now) for January.

My last project for the weekend was a Pogona, cast on specifically for it's easy and mindless miles of stockinette and reverse stockinette.

I'm using my Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! leftover from my Tempest Cardi.  Speaking of, I can't find this cardigan and have no photo on my project page for it.  Which means it's probably lost on the floor of my closet somewhere.  Ugh

Now, for what you really wanted to see:  the stash acquisitions!  

Siiiiigh.  Blogger decided to rotate my photo.  And it's staying that way.

First purchase of the weekend was from Loop.

Colorway:  Atlantis

Fiber Content:  merino, bamboo, tussah silk, angelina

I can't wait to spin this fiber!  I've heard such great things about Loop and want to start now.  But too many other things are waiting to be finished on Cocinella first.  Like the stuff I bought at VKLive last year...

But that didn't stop me from buying more fiber!  I have to support LI Livestock Co. every time I see them!  I love that my local fiber source is growing.

This roving is 95% llama with 5% Gold Bamboo and comes from the llamas Patches and Butterscotch.  I love this method of naming :o)

Next acquisition was a set of needles from Indian Lake Artisans.  These guys vended Vogue last year, but only had straight needles.  They came to the shop to show their wares but we don't have a market for straight needles.  I heard from MooseManor that they were at Rhinebeck and had finally made some circulars.

And, even better, they have the twisty cables.  Meaning the needle swivels around the cable, helping to prevent cable kinks.  

They even have the size burned/stamped (?) into them.

Once I use these, I'll do a review.  Especially since I also just bought the ChiaoGoo interchangeables this week too.

ChiaoGoo size 4 tip vs. Indian Lake size 4 tip

So far, these ones have a leg up on the ChiaoGoos solely because they are 100% American made.

Now, on to the yarn purchases!  I really didn't want to buy yarn since I have so much already, work at a yarn shop, and still haven't knit everything I bought at Vogue last year :o/

So my only purchases were super special.  Well, mostly.

First up was my purchase from Habu Textiles.  I bought 3 cones of a raw silk wrapped stainless steel in a slate blue-gray color.

I've always wanted to try a steel wool style of yarn.  And since I know I won't go out of my way to purchase it, I took my opportunity this weekend.  Each cone has 575 yards so I have plenty to play with, but I have a sweater idea brewing around my mind for it.  Just have to find the perfect companion yarn.

Next purchase was from The Plucky Knitter.  I don't think I've ever heard of these ladies before, but their colors were amazing!  So I knew I had to try some out.

Primo Worsted in Glacier and Sticky Toffee.  Colors are not accurate- my camera didn't like them very much.

I will most likely do something colorwork with these two.  Not sure what yet though.  I did scour Ravelry Saturday night when I should have been sleeping looking for ideas.  Nothing perfect yet.  I'm open to suggestions though!

My last purchase of the weekend was Sunday morning at Dragonfly Fibers.  I waited to purchase until Sunday because I knew I was going to be dragging purlingswine there to take a look.

This color also isn't entirely accurate.  It's a little more green tinted in person.

I really wanted a variegated color, but I have so many sock patterns that need to be done in a solid that I settled on the bright sea color of Mermaid.

I can't wait to play with all my knew fibery fun stuff.  So, what did you pick up at the Marketplace??

FO Friday: Groovin'

Last week, I finally finished sewing the buttons on to my Groovin' Shawl and wore it everywhere!  I finished the shawl by the KAL deadline and even won some prizes :o)

I really loved knitting this.  Acadia is a great yarn, and it softens even more after blocking!

The pattern was, as usual, very well written.  And, as usual, I didn't not use as many stitch markers as he calls for.  I swear, Stephen West is obsessed with stitch markers.  I can't claim that to be a bad thing though :o)

My favorite way to wear it- as a poncho!

Pattern:  Groove
Designer:  Stephen West
Ravelry Project:  Groovin'
Yarn:  The Fibre Company Acadia
Needles:  US size 5
Mods:  I worked 1 less repeat of the last section because I ran out of yarn.  Also only used 5 buttons (pattern calls for 7).  I didn't want them to weight down the shawl too much, especially since it was slightly shorter than called for.  I used backing buttons since my buttons had shafts but they have a tendency to pop their way through the yarn overs so I might have to adjust how I sewed them on.

Someone posted on one of the main Ravelry boards why people put their cats on their shawls and take a picture.  The lady obviously has never had a cat before in her life.  Dino had to come investigate during my photoshoot.  He wasn't too into it though and didn't plop down.  He much prefers cardboard :o)

Book Review: Westknits Book Three

Last Thursday, I found out Westknits:  Book Three by Stephen West had finally come out.  It came into the shop right around that time too and I immediately fell in love with several of the patterns.

Now I'm not the hugest westknits fangirl (that's reserved for Karen) but I love the look of his patterns.  So far, I've knit three of his shawl:  Groove, the Earth and Sky Mystery, and a Boneyard shawlette out of 1 skein of Malabrigo Worsted.  Thursday evening I saw quick glimpses of the patterns in the new book and went to Ravelry over the weekend to add some to my favorites.  Then, on Saturday, a customer suggested using a pattern from the book for our new Sunday KAL.  And I knew I was going to wind up buying it.

But now that means I get to share my thoughts on it with you :o)

© Stephen West

Of course I'm going to recommend you get this book.  I mean, I did buy it for a reason.  There's 10 patterns in the book and at a list price of $22, that's $2.20 per pattern.  Quite the bang for your buck.  The only downside for me is that there is no digital download code if you buy the book in stores.  There is an option to purchase the print and digital versions together through Ravelry, but I like supporting my LYS.  But, that's such a minimal downside for me.  It's just a little more convenient the other way :o).*

Now, onto the patterns...

I really do like everything in the book, but only see myself making half of them anytime in the near future.

(In order of appearance)

Moose River is a very very large/wide cowl.  I must insert here, everything in the book is modeled by a male, but of course we women can take over anything :o).  This one I don't really see many males outside of hipster Williamsburg wearing, but I can see one in my wardrobe's future.  I'd actually really like to make it out of Malabrigo Worsted...oh just the thought of that warmth around my neck!  I think though, that would lose the stitch definition.  Might have to go with some Rios though.

© Stephen West
Sidenote- Model Roy is a very pretty pretty boy!

Seaway looks like a fairly simple beanie with a lot of texture.  I don't know that I could wear it (too tight fitting to go over curly hair) but I really want to make it for someone.  It might be a little too detailed for Kyle's tastes but you never know.  Or else I'll just have to make one for myself in a bit looser gauge to accommodate the hair.

© Stephen West

Thendara is this really awesome geometric shawl.  I thought at first it was the same shape as Pagona with a different stitch pattern and detail until a customer yesterday pointed out that Pagona curves in a little more than Thendara.  I actually started stash diving yesterday trying to find yarns to make this with.  I was unsuccessful, but it's still in my head of projects I want to make.  I love the no frill of this shawl and that it looks to be a mostly mindless knit.  Perfect for Thursday night at knitting group :o)

© Stephen West

Wedgewood is a scarf that utilizes short rows and striping to create a beautiful visual effect.  As a knitter, it's pretty sad that I have virtually no scarves.  I usually suffice with a shawl, but I've been lucky that this was such a mild winter.  I might even have yarn to knit this in my stash, though I think doing it in a DK weight would be a great way to make it even warmer!

© Stephen West

I totally lucked out that my favorite two patterns were also the last two in the book.  So much my favorite, that I've already cast on for one of them!  The Dustland Hat and Mitts stood out to me as soon as I saw them and of course I immediately started shopping (in my head) for yarn for them.  The pairing is a heavily texture match- a slouchy hat and loose fitting fingerless mitts.

© Stephen West

Stephen used quite the decadent yarns for this pair and I wanted to do the same.  So I spoiled myself and eventually settled on Road to China Light in a purple that matches my coat.  I've gotten through the ribbing and Section 1 of the hat, but not sure how great the stitch definition is going to be yet.  I might have to frog, drop down a needle size, and use a larger stitch count.  But I'm going to give it some time first.

Another downside I found while going through the book was the lack of charts.  I would much rather have charted instructions, even though there's no lace, for most patterns.  The round instructions for Seaway are about 4 lines each...very easy to get lost in that.  I think, though, that once the pattern is established, it would be easy to figure out and predict the stitches without relying on the pattern for guidance.  I hope so at least.

One thing I really like about the book is the details given at the beginning of the pattern.  It makes me so happy to see the yarn weight listed as well as the actual yardage required for the pattern.  Stephen also lists the actual yarns used for the samples, but knowing the yardage required for the pattern makes it so much easier to find an alternative yarn choice.  Thanks so much for that, Stephen!



*The book has a code on the back cover!  It blends quite a bit into the background so I didn't even know it was there.  As of today's edit (Sunday, March 4) there seems to be a bit of difficulty for those of us who purchased at our LYS to get the download.  I'll update though when it's working again!  I'm geekily excited to have a PDF version...my copy is already looking a little beat up and it's only been a couple days!!

*The download code redemption has been all fixed!  Today is Sunday, March 11.  I've been checking all week in the Westknits forum to see if anyone else had been able to download it.  A couple people had trouble, but someone mentioned they contacted Stephen directly and he got the download for her.  Then someone else did it so I finally caved and sent him a message.  But he responded that he adjusted the download so that you can just put your code it.  It worked for mine and I also tested straight from the Book Three page a code from a book in the shop (without actually downloading it...just checking that the price would adjust to free after the code is entered) and it worked.  Download away!

Groovin' Along

Earlier this month, the Fibre Company started a KAL in their Ravelry Forum for the Groove shawl in Knitty.  On the kickoff day they hosted a chat in the forum with none other than Stephen West.

It's a pretty fast knit, and before I knew it I was picking out buttons!

I chose the plainer ones on the left.  I only used 5 buttons, when the pattern called for 7.

I really enjoyed this shawl.  It was a pretty mindless knit.  I love the kushiness of the yarn

I technically finished my shawl yesterday, but haven't been able to take pictures yet.  No time today though since I'll be busy working at the shop.*  Soon though!


*Um, I have to teach 4 10-year old girls how to knit today.  Wish me luck!