Black Sheep

Rusted Root progress and a diversion

April 9th, 2007

Here is my Rusted Root top. I am really enjoying this project. This is my first top-down garment and I am just enamoured with the process. It was fun knitting the sleeves and trying to figure out how it would all work out. I’m already plotting some other top-down sweaters in my future. I’ve been wanting to make a lacy cardi for summer in a black cotton, bamboo, or hemp yarn. I kind of want to just design it myself using this method. Hmmm… a project for the black, red and metallic months of July and August maybe?

This is being knitting with South West Trading Company’s Bamboo yarn. I just have to say I LOVE it. It’s beautiful. It has the most gorgeous drape. And it shines like silk. And the two newer balls are really nice and soft to work with (they changed the yarn at some point. I had an older ball that is a little stiff. The newer balls are waay softer). And I think it looks pretty, too. The fabric is really light and airy. A summer cardi knitted up in this yarn would be gorgeous.

I knitted the first half with the older ball and one of the newer balls, switching each row. The older ball ran out so I’ve been switching each row with the newer ball, hoping to avoid pooling. I can really tell where the old ball ends and the new one begins. Not sure how I’m liking that…hmm. I’ll keep going for now. I guess if I have to reknit the whole thing it wouldn’t be the first time. sigh. that’s the story of my knitting life.

I got a gift certificate from my inlaws to B&N and I bought Victorian Lace Today with it. Oh my freaking god I love this book. This is on par with Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks (my favoritest knitting book ever). It’s beautiful. The photographs are gorgeous. Simply breathtaking. I LOVE the little bits of history in it. I’m a sucker for that sort of thing. And the lace! Oh my God! The lace! Dude. It actually makes me want to knit lace. I thought I hated knitting lace. I don’t know. Maybe I still do. But this book is inspiring.

There is a section called “understanding lace” which was very helpful for the lace challenged like me. And each pattern states clearly what level it is. She even points out the patterns to start with if you are new to lace.

So I decided to pick one and just go for it. I was going to order some lace yarn from Knitpicks in a pink and yellow to go with the Project Spectrum theme. But then I decided that I just couldn’t wait. I had some leftover alpaca lace yarn and decided to cast on. I’m knitting what is simply called “Scarf.” It’s taken from a Weldon’s pattern, according to the book. Here’s my progress:

And I don’t feel like poking my eyes out with my needles!

Entry Filed under: Rusted Root, Striped Border Scarf