Thank you for sharing with me your granny squares thoughts and ideas. Good to know that I'm not the only one out there that feels for this classic crochet building block. Deep down, I still long for a granny squares afghan. Maybe I could jazz it up, make the afghan a bit more contemporary by mixing in some solid coloured squares randomly to form a mosaic-y look? Also, single-coloured squares have fewer ENDS. With the balls of black yarn stashed for the borders, I'll see how many solid squares could be had out of 1 ball of yarn.
Meanwhile, some Project Spectrum v 2.0 whites.
Shedir is completed and sent to Rebekah for YFC '07 together with the lace yarn contribution. This Shedir is knitted out of 1 ball of Rowan Calmer in Bleached on 3.25mm needles. It seemed that I was running out of yarn so I reduced one bottom cable repeat but now I have some yarn left which might just be enough for that. Anyway, it still fits an average ladies head just right.
I'm happy to say that this YFC exercise has indeed helped me to focus and find the right yarn from stash to work on projects. No yarn has been bought so far but I foresee that I would need to use a free ticket as I haven't got the right yarn to work on a project requested by a friend.
Other than that said request, how else have I been able to focus? Case in point, husband saw a stripey scarf in stocking stitch from one of his magazines and asked me to make him a similar one. As he seldom asks, I'll definitely oblige. No yarn in stash for the colours he's looking for and I thought, use a ticket to buy yarn. Then I went to the stash spreadsheet again and looked hard. There is a big cake of off-white silk that Maryann gave me which could be dyed into the desired colours that self-stripes. Here's a swatch on 3mm needles with a turned-in hem and triple slipped stitch edges. The slipped stitches seem to be pulling the edges badly and most likely would be dropped and replaced by plain ribbing.
And speaking of swatches, I'm a big fan of Nona Swatches, a swatch a day, wow.
Here's another bus project since the Moderne Baby Blanket is getting too bulky to lug around. I've started to knit the Hoodie Vest that I promise my little CY. Big needles, fat yarn. I'm actually almost done with the back now and could have it done by this weekend had I not forget to bring more yarn on the bus this morning.
What a beautiful hat!
Posted by: Alison | Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 10:16 PM
a scarf with that weight yarn is quite ambitious - though it will be silky soft and have a wonderful drape....
shedir is beautiful - another project to put on my to knit list!
don't you love how fast big needle knits go! instant gratification!
Posted by: stacey | Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 10:44 PM
CY is going to look so cute in the hoodie vest!
Posted by: joy | Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 11:13 PM
That is truly lovely!
Posted by: fleegle | Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Gorgeous hat!
Posted by: Jennifer | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 12:16 AM
OH the hat is lovely, it'll make someone very happy. And I'm happy to see the challenge has helped you. I know it definitely makes me think more about yarn before just buying willy nilly.
Posted by: Rebekah | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 12:57 AM
Hmm. I bet I could adapt the Wonderful Wallaby pattern I'm so obsessed with into a vest! Thanks for the great idea!
Posted by: JulieFrick | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 02:13 AM
Shedir looks great. She is going to love it!
=:8
Posted by: Kimberly | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 02:36 AM
Love love love Shedir. I've seen lots of really lovely ones on the internet and yours is no exception. The question is, how can I finagle one with no Rowan Calmer in the stash? :)
Posted by: carrie | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 05:48 AM
So you are on the YFC board too? That can really help ... I speak from experience.
Posted by: Agnes | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 07:07 AM
I love your Shedir! I haven't knit one yet, but I do have a lot of Calmer in my yarn collection, so one may need to go on the needles soon...
Posted by: Sarah | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 07:51 AM
I still have no time to knit the Shedir, but the weather is getting warm at HK. Shedir will be delayed for one more year.
Posted by: handknit168 | Friday, February 09, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Shedir is perfection! The baby hoodie is going to be adorable! I have to consciously force myself NOT to knit everything in shades of white. It's so simple and beautiful.
Posted by: jenna | Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 12:58 AM
Shedir is beautiful... it looks so clean but so intricate! Actually, everything you are working on looks clean!
Posted by: Peggy | Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 03:59 AM
Your hat is so classy looking. Beautiful job!
I think that a afghan would look nice with solid blocks mixed in. I have been thinking about a crocheted afghan ever since you posted about your granny sqaures.
Posted by: Oiyi | Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 11:31 PM
I am definately going to have to knit one of those hats soon, I keep seeing such gorgeous ones on the internet, yours included. I love the little hooded vest too, quite cute.
Posted by: Sue | Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 09:01 AM
So many elegant whites! Thank you so much for sharing! I rarely knit anything in white, but seeing your lovely work makes me want to cast on now ;) Beautiful Shedir.
Posted by: Lolly | Monday, February 12, 2007 at 12:19 AM
The mother of my deceased father in law (he was born in 1915 or so) crocheted a beautiful granny square blanket for him when he went away to college. It is composed of multicolor squares, in fine gauge. I can't find any ends protruding. Don't know how she did it. The blanket is in our family room and used daily. Yours will be well loved also.
Posted by: gail | Monday, February 12, 2007 at 04:24 AM