I’ve noticed a change in the types of projects I’m enjoying working on lately. While I don’t foresee a time when I wouldn’t want to work on something larger, I’m relishing these smaller projects right now.
On My Needles
I’m getting a lot of satisfaction out of projects that meet my goals and both of these cover several.
The socks are out of Tess Supersock & Baby that I bought at MDSW 2006. Every time I start a project with this yarn I wonder why all my socks aren’t Tess socks. Nice, tight spin, gorgeous saturated colors, subtle variation, and probably the hardest-wearing socks I’ve made. I have two pairs of Tess socks already. They’re in constant rotation (read: I wear them *every* week) and they look great. A little bit of pilling on the heel (the kind that pulls right off) and that’s it. The color is true and the stitches still look great.
So this pair of socks is the Fancy Silk Sock for a Child of 5 or 6 Years from Knitting Vintage Socks
The second WIP is Phiaro from Knitscene Winter 2007 / Spring 2008. I’m using the yarn I dyed a couple weeks ago and I’m on the last hank. The yarn didn’t pool at all and the color variation seems to behave more like a Koigu than any one of those pooling hand dyeds.
Lest you think it’s all roses and kitty cats here, I’m not thrilled with the overall color of the bamboo. A lot of the original pink dye washed out, so much of the area that was undyed by me is now a bumblegum pink. I’m withholding final judgment until all the sts are dropped, but I may put the whole scarf into a dye bath of a deeper red to tone down some of the light pink.
On My Mind
The next two projects in the queue are also smaller.
On the left is the Zippered Vest from Veronik Avery’s Knitting Classic Style
On the right is Norah Gaughan’s Quicksilver Bag. Can you believe this will be my first knitted bag? I’m not a fan of felted bags, so when I saw this one I knew this would be my first. It uses leather handles and dowels from Homestead Heirlooms, and now that they arrived last night I can’t wait to cast on.
Go check out their handle options for use with knitted items. I love these handles and I don’t think this will be my last non-felted bag that I make with something from them.
I’m a little concerned about the color I picked though (color seems to be my problem today, huh?). I deliberately didn’t choose black (because everything I own is black) but I’m feeling a bit like I missed out by not going with my initial choice of Tuscany Yellow or Orange (view their color chart). I think they both would have been fun color combos but I was afraid it would limit the usability of the bag. In the end I went with safe-brown, so I think a fun fabric lining will be in need to balance things out.
lots of great new projects! I love that vest – I could use a vest like that at the dog trials….I’m sure you’ll get tons of wear out of it! The bag is neat too – cute handles. Tess is one of my faves also – I’ll be heading right to her booth this year to stock up again!
Nice choices you’ve got here. After a huge project like your *little* starmore sweater, small things sound like a good balance.
Embrace the projects – big and small! I love to see the variety of things you are working on, Jody. All so lovely 😉
Love the little projects. Some times they are just enough to satisfy, right? I am on a big project kick but I”m going to break it up a little so I don’t get bogged down.
And thank you so much for the handle link! Beautiful stuff!
Love the little projects. Some times they are just enough to satisfy, right? I am on a big project kick but I”m going to break it up a little so I don’t get bogged down.
And thank you so much for the handle link! Beautiful stuff!
Oh I just LOVE those sock yarn shades. Purple purple purple. What gorgeous deep tones. I’ve never encountered tess yarns before but I’ll be sure to look out for them now!
I love that Tess yarn! It too bad the color faded poorly on the bamboo, but at least you have options on how to fix it.
It looks like your planned projects should be fun! The leather handles shop looks nice– I’ll have to keep that in mind for my next bag.
I need to go fabric shopping, too! I’m thinking about heading to Pennington this weekend
I’ve also been really drawn to smallerish projects theses days–and I agree that Tess sock yarn is amazing!
Thanks for reminding me about Tess yarn! I remember when it was all the rage and all these bloggers were talking about it (this was before I even considered knitting socks) and I realize I haven’t haeard it mentioned in a while! I’m going to check it out.
Hi, you made my day!
See here!
Hey, I’m knitting with some Tess yarn I got at 2006 MDSW! I wonder if we were body-slamming each other out of the way to get to the Baby/Sock yarn table. 😉 I love it too, and wonder the same thing whenever I knit with it–it’s just so darned tough to get your hands on, though!
Can you tell me where I can print out the pdf of the Natalya fingerless gloves (mitts and partial fingers) pattern? I appreciate any assistance you can give me.
Thank you in advance,
Marilyn
don’t be afraid of color especially for accessories. and a yellow bag would be like a great shot of sunshine. especially since chances are you aren’t going to have just one bag.
but the color you chose is beautiful too.
Wow. Lovely colors =D
I just wanted to let you know that your blog is among the ten that make my day!
Wow. Lovely colors =D
I just wanted to let you know that your blog is among the ten that make my day!
I love the “little” projects. But I have to say…Tuscany Yellow? I would find a reason to acquire it. Seriously, I am trying to think of one right now.
Little projects are great sometimes! The vest caught my eye in the book. I can’t wait to see what yours looks like all knitted up!