But I have to say this sweater is FAST. I think it helps that the the buttonhole band is knit in garter stitch as you go as are the buttonholes. I really love the construction and design of this sweater and I only hope it looks as good on me as off me. Not 100% sure about the neckline.

Here are the photos of the recently completed Urban Aran Cardigan which I promised you. Jessica seems to get roped into modeling all my knits from the Paton’s Street Smart booklet. Probably because she wears them so wonderfully. Can you believe she’s the mother of three!?!?!?

The zipper actually wasn’t so bad. With the moral support of Michelle, it went rather effortlessly. Just a lot of sewing up which I’m not so keen on. We took advantage of a nice warm break in the weather a few weeks ago and took our knitting down to Lake Lacamas. As the pollen floated in the air, I basted the zipper and finished it later at home.

The gals at knitting night have convinced me that it’s flattering and definitely a keeper. So yes, I’m keeping  it.

And of course I must acknowledge Jared Flood aka brooklyntweed who had the original inspiration to turn this sweater into a zippered cardigan. Thanks Jared!

Actually I bought two because I wasn’t sure about the length. Michelle offered to hold my hand during the process of installing the zipper and I may just take her up on that offer. Bless her heart. I think I need to stop procrastinating and just do it! I mean if Stephanie Pearl-McPhee can finish her Urban Aran Cardigan, I can certainly finish mine!

Sometimes a project comes out exactly as written/pictured/anticipated and sometimes it doesn’t come out that way at all. Today I have examples of both. The Sideways Grande Hat (rav link) from the book Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin is an example of the former. A splendidly simple yet original, well-written and easy-to-follow knit here modeled by an unwilling Alice (“Mom, I have to go!!!!!!!). It’s a little on the big side even for my ginormous head and were I to knit it again (unlikely) I would probably cast on fewer stitches. But then I’m notorious for NOT knitting swatches and I should have known better and used smaller needles to begin with. Ah well I think it’s a lovely hat nonetheless. It’s one of frecklegirl’s favorite hats.

Now onto the second FO featured in this post which is an example of a project that did not come out as planned but was transformed into something completely different by the suggestion of a fellow knitter. What started life as the Fall Poncho (ravelry link) morphed into the Fall Poncho PILLOW (It’s actually the Union Square Shawl/Poncho from the book Weekend Knitting).

After months of knitting those phony little cables the resulting rectangle was much too small for a poncho (should have used BIGger needles in this case) but hey, who couldn’t use another pillow? Thanks Kirsten!

This was definitely a very interesting hat in terms of construction, working from the top down and then turning it inside out and working from the wrong side. I modified the pattern by using only two strands of Paton’s Classic Wool Merino held together instead of the called for five strands.

I did however find what I think is an error in the way the pattern is written. In Rnd 3 of the diagonal stitch pattern I believe there should only be a K1 once, at the very beginning of the round and the asterisk should start after the K1. Does that make sense? As written it looks like the knitter should keep knitting K1, K2tog – a total of three stitches – throughout the round.

It’s unusual for me, but I’m actually making another pattern from the same issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine (Winter 2008/2009). I immediately cast on the the Cabled Socks in the exact same wool which I plan to make knee high length. I mean c’mon, this is Paton’s Classic Wool Merino which is a good all around (ahem) inexpensive wool so why not make them knee highs. Last year I was obsessed with the charcoal gray color but this year I’m making everything in the Natural Mix. So far this year anyway.

an unoriginal hat, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

People who follow this blog regularly are familiar with my fondness for the color gray. Or is it grey? I suppose it depends on what country you live in.

I do indeed like gray but even more so when punctuated by a brightly colored (coloured?) accessory. And yellow is my most recent bright color of choice.

The hat modeled is the unoriginal hat pattern designed by the yarn harlot, which I knit up on 10.5US needles with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick&Quick. The hat has a lovely sculptural quality and though quite dense, it’s very comfortable.

What can I say about this hat that hasn’t already been said? With only 56 stitches and 36 rows it knits up in a breeze. Don’t be frightened by the cables. As a matter of fact, this is my first official FO for 2009. Have you finished anything yet? Do tell.

asymetrical cable hat, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

I finished this little gem, the asymmetrical cable hat, a few weeks ago but couldn’t find a suitable until just recently. It looks adorable on my neice Juliana don’t you think?

The hat is a quickie knit from the book One Skein (by Portlander Leigh Radford) and if you love cables as much as I do, you’ll have fun making this hat. The hat construction is straightforward – no dcreases. I used some Cascade Bulky that I bought at Close Knit earlier this year and of course I ran out so I made the pom pom out of white. Then I actually found another ball of pink in my stash!

The hat is really comfy and cozy and also looks pretty groovy on Juli’s Dad, my brother Steve.

I’m back from celebrating Thanksgiving with family in the Bay Area. Here’s the whole gang.

Only a few people missing but it’s always a great feast at my sister’s house. Many thanks to Karen and Jeff.

embossed leaves socks, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Instead of calling these “May” socks I have decided to call them pair #5 for 2008. Yes folks, I have fallen in love with sock knitting all over again. At Knit Night I saw another knitter making these socks and it was love at first sight. I simply had to make them myself. And the yarn is superb! Best sock yarn I’ve ever used. It’s a soft and springy 100% merino called “Jitterbug” from Colinette in a pale shade of my favorite color of course. I splurged and what a difference a good yarn makes. Like a good novel, I don’t want these socks to end. I’m trying to savor them but I fear they will be finished in less than a week. The photo shows a day’s progress.

The pattern is called “Embossed Leaves Socks” from the book Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave.

In other knitting news I’m dragging on the final stages of the must have cardigan. Are there other people out there who hate piecing together a sweater as much as I do? GROAN. I did manage to get the buttons on, and they do look lovely (if I do say so myself) but I haven’t gotten any farther than that. I do have a self-imposed deadline for finishing this sweater. I would like to gift it to someone real soon.

And finally, here’s my latest drawing. The lower part of the face, the mouth and hand, are based on an old photo of MLK that was floating around the studio. Next Saturday is the last class. *sigh* I’m gonna miss it. But, depending on how things work out, I may enroll in a class later in the summer.

max and ken, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

Max had requested handknit gloves from me and since he is moving to Indiana, and he’s probably going to need them this winter, I decided to get started on a pair. Inspired once again by BT who referred to the free pattern Ken, I cast on without a second thought. These babies are going fast! Knit on size 7 dpns in KP Swish Superwash, I’m already on finger four. I’ll have one glove finished before Max flies off on Sunday and that will give me a template for knitting the second one. It’s been 15 years since I knitted a pair of gloves and I’d forgotten how simple and straightforward they actually are.

Speaking of Swish Superwash, I finished the Cable Cushion and I’m also sending that off with Max as a housewarming gift. I hope I’m not overloading him and that they’ll allow him on the plane without charging him extra. The gray yarn certainly matches the gray daze we’ve been experiencing lately. I’m sure the sun will come out…tomorrow.

Dashing left, originally uploaded by alicethelma.

I finished left mitt – in less than 24 hours. Because of distractions, right mitt may take longer.