SuperEggplant

I don’t usually do knitalongs or jump on bandwagons because I’m generally a lazy and unreliable person (well, not completely, but you know what I mean). The other day, though, I got sucked into a furious game of Elann Frenzy. Perhaps you’ve experienced it? Carolyn is primarily to blame, though Monica and Lynette are culprits as well. And, of course, if it weren’t for Bonne Marie and her yummy new Ribby Cardi pattern, none of this would have happened at all. Here’s my colorway:

That’s claret and new leaf. Initially I gravitated toward the pumpkin and green colors, as well as the purples (like EGGPLANT) and the pinks, but I thought I should break out (cue the Swing Out Sister song) and try something different. My yarn arrived today, and I’m pleased with the color combo. The yarn is a great deal, so it’s hard to pass up. Anyone else want to get in on the ribby cardi bandwagon? Be quick about it, because elann is starting to run out of some of the colors!

Hi all. Pardon my absence, but I had to go dark for a few days in order to mourn. I’ve regained some of my will to live, though, so here I am. And look, I haven’t been completely unproductive!

I haven’t decided exactly how I feel about this poncho. I used Lion Brand Imagine, a mohair blend that is heavier than the Rowan Kidsilk Haze that the pattern calls for. It doesn’t look all pretty and delicate like the model in the pattern book, but I thought the extra weight would give it more warmth and thus be more practical. I guess I forgot about the big, open clown neck. The pattern tells you to knit a cord to weave into the neck, but I don’t think it would cinch the neck up all that much. Turtleneck, anyone? Here’s another view with the poncho twisted so the seams are at the sides:

It was a fun knit, though I did wonder at times if the hem border would ever end. I’m not exactly a fashion maven, so I’ll probably end up wearing it mostly inside the house. The details:
Pattern: Karis from Rowan 36
Yarn: Lion Brand Imagine in cerise; 4 balls on um, 5 mm needles? Now I can’t remember. I think I just used the recommended size

We had a record-breaking 264 trick or treaters before we ran out of candy. I know. We RAN OUT OF CANDY. How does a candyholic like me run out of candy? I felt very ashamed. Next year I vow to be better prepared (or more stingy with my handouts).
Okay, so a while back I bought 15 skeins of Noro Fuji. The colors turned out to be less circus-like than I wanted, so I thought I’d see if anyone out there in blogland would like to buy the lot. Noro Fuji is 60% cotton, 20% wool, 18% acrylic, and 2% nylon. The color is #104.


15 skeins should be enough for a long-sleeved sweater. I got the whole shebang with shipping for about $75, so I will sell it for $60, including shipping within the US. I saw that an ebayer is selling 10 skeins for $60, NOT including shipping, so I think my offer is pretty good. Please contact me if you’re interested or have any questions.
Okay, I’m sending out positive energy for November 2. Keep your fingers crossed and eat some good chocolate!

I am working on the hem of the Karis poncho from Rowan 36 right now, and I think it is going to take me the REST OF MY LIFE. You knit it perpendicular to the poncho, and it is 48 repeats of a 10 row pattern. Shoot me now! I hope the darn thing is a normal size once it’s completed. I haven’t checked at all.
Next up? I have the other kit from Artfibers to knit, but I think I am going to knit a vest from one of those Japanese knitting magazines first. I am planning to make the one that has flowers embroidered on the bottom (I had a photo, but I think I tossed it. You’ll just have to use your imagination). Here’s the yarn I plan to use. I got it from elann:

Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair! It’s a good thing I was fanatical about ordering it the morning it was available, because there are only two colors left now! You knitters are MANIACS.

I have been participating in Secret Pal 2, but my poor secret pal had the punes all summer and was unable to send me anything … until now!

Lots and lots of goodies, and each item placed in there with thought and care! My secret pal is Sharon of Ewe ‘n’ Me Country Crafts in Ohio. She made the soaps and the stitch markers and the YARN. It is handspun and dyed (with Kool-Aid). Here’s a closeup:

Gorgeous, isn’t it? I’m thinking maybe a hat or some mittens. Hmmm. So much fun stuff. Thanks, Sharon!
WALLET INFO: Some of you asked about a wallet pattern. I made up the pattern, but it’s pretty basic, so I can probably put together some instructions at some point, hopefully soon. My instructions will likely be kind of convoluted, but I’m sure you clever people will devise craftier ways to build the wallet. As for the plastic stuff, I got the 2nd lightest weight plastic at the fabric store. I think it was 8 gauge? Can’t remember. Something stiffer might work even better.