The Fog is finished...........................

Ok so I finished this before I went away and it has already been worn almost constantly but with the rubbish weather I wasn't able to get that outdoor shot that I wanted.
Instead you will just have to put up with these......





I did change the next to a very simple roll neck rather than the polo neck in the original design by Tienne. I love this sweater and it was fantastic to knit despite all that 1x1 rib. I know when I read the pattern it did say not for those who don't like rib but somehow I did not quite manage to take on board how much rib there was to do. The sleeves were interesting as they are also knitted up in the round and I found the increases intriguing. I got used to the best way of doing them so not to leave any holes. I enjoyed the whole experience of knitting in the round. It was certainly what prompted me to knit the Sea Vines Vest in the same way. (Still to be blocked and photographed.)

The yarn itself must be one of the most fabulous that I have had the pleasure to knit with and the softness of it is greatly appreciated by the recipient. Thank you Andy at Bluefaced.com for this special purchase.

Also here is the first cable sock completed. However I have run into a little problem. Thinking I had done really well when there was 51grms left after number one had been completed I now think that there will still not be enough as the yarn apparently comes in 115grm skeins. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - its the Flamingo Sunrise all over again. The problem was the skein was a gift and came without tag, I now need to see if I can find another skein and purchase to finish off the socks.





And thats the toe that might be coming out if I can't get Yarn to finish them!
This sock is also my own design so all the more reason that I want to complete them.

Update on the Fog..................

I am making good progress. I have now used 17 balls of the rooster yarn and I am past the divide for the arms. I am currently knitting up the back of the sweater. The knitpicks have made easy work of the ribbing. Dividing for the front and back was also easy work for the knitpicks by stoppering off the cable holding the back and starting a new cable for the front. The whole switch over was effortless and was done while attending the Knitterati book group and discussing The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

A foggy knit for foggy days..............................

Ok so a week or two ago I asked you what was in the Turkey shaped package. I can reveal the contents as.....



.....bags, and bags of lovely Rooster yarn from Andy (Alpacabuyer on Ravelry)from Bluefaced.com
I just couldn't resist the superb offer that he had.

• 4 bags of Mushroom arran
• 2 bags of Plum in DK
• 1 bag of Pink in DK

It is just the softest 50%alpaca/50%merino blend in splendid little 25grm balls. That means 40 balls of mushroom!
The thing was now I had it what was I going to do with it?

Well with the foggy weather we have been having and after a little searching on the Ravelry pattern database I found this free pattern. I thought this would make a good mans knit for the mushroom.



So I have cast on.........





What's really lovely about this sweater is I have been able to put my knitpicks options to good use as it is knit in the round. I have only ever knit socks or hats in the round before so this is a first. The only slight hitch now is the 40 balls and with each one only doing an inch I couldn't waste a bit. Enter the new technique of spit splicing. I had heard about it, even seen it demonstrated but never tried it. I was going to have to plunge in and I am so glad I did. 40 balls and no ends to sew in. It couldn't be easier. Unravel a bit of each yarn. Overlay the strands, wet a little and then rub between the palms of the hands. It is truly amazing. I never thought it would hold but it is just fantastic.

A couple of things about this sweater. It is what you would call rib heavy. The edge is 4x2 rib and the rest of the sweater is 1x1 rib but it's fine when you get into the rhythm of it. This is a lovely yarn to work with and the knitpicks are making easy work of it. Changing needles was great as well as I only had to screw off and on a set of ends. I think I will be doing more of this in the round stuff.