Inspiration Abounds

Driving back from Rhinebeck last Sunday, Christy shared that she hasn’t been this excited about knitting in a long time. I agree! Between the cool fall weather, the gorgeous FOs, the sample booth projects and the yarn – oh, the yarn – I’m exploding with new project mania.

It’s a good thing I finished sock 1 of Bubble Stream last weekend. I CO for sock 2 on the train this week and…haven’t touched it since. I don’t doubt Bubble Stream will get more attention soon though. 2 pairs of my hand knit socks have developed holes in them recently and have become their own annoying works in progress so I’m low on handknit socks. Especially ones I can wear to work. I love the thought of my red socks peeking out from my pants to add a splash of color to my outfit.
While at the Tess booth I saw several sample Summit shawls/scarves. I loved them and was shocked that it’s a Knitty pattern from last year! The pattern pics didn’t call grab me but the Tess samples sure did. I like the idea of knitting things that don’t look like traditional handknits. I don’t have an immediate idea for a suitable stash yarn to go with the project so that’s going into my idea bin for now.
I’ve already mentioned the orange cover socks – Isabella D’Este -from the Knitter’s Book of Socks. I didn’t realize a blog reader designed them though! Jayme Stahl has been a reader for many years and I was tickled to get her comment that I made her day! Those socks will almost definitely be my next pair after Bubble Stream.

I needed to start something with the Rhinebeck yarn though and the Miss Babs Rhinebeck 2011 colorway was calling me. I CO Lintilla last week. I’m so impressed with both the creativity and cleverness of this little garter stitch shawl! I love what she’s done with the edges to keep them tidy (I actually thought it was an error at first – sorry Martina I won’t doubt you again) and I’m obsessed with the swirliness the ruffles create. I even brought it to the bank yesterday so I could get in two rows while waiting in line. I’m already planning a second one in a more drapier yarn (possibly this hank of Just Our Yarn Myne 100% heavy laceweight cashmere). Lintilla will definitely see more action today.
And Bubble Stream should as well. I’m out of practice with cuff-down sizing and made the toe one row too long. I need to rip back a row and kitchener the toe. Good thing I didn’t want to kitchener on the train. I’d be a bit bitter about ripping out grafting and that would be a sure way to put Bubble Stream into the “someday I’ll finish you” pile.