FOs and WIPs for Fall

Happy September to you! I hope that you are settling into your fall routine, whatever that might be. For me it means taking a class and seriously considering settling down and writing my dissertation. I have a plan to get the proposal to my committee by the end of October ...

I'm a little sad that I'm not teaching this semester. I miss interacting with students, but I'm thankful to not have the grading and lecture prep to worry about while I'm trying to write. There are three jobs that I'm trying to apply for with Aug 09 start dates, but it's all so daunting to tackle at once. So, instead of worrying about those things I knit :)

FO #1: Ellen's V-Neck Tank (ravelink)Pattern: Chevron Tunic by Kirsten Hipsky (ravelink) (WEBS link)
Yarn: Ella Rae Bamboo Silk, 6 skeins
Needles: US 7
Modifications: I knit this pattern in the round, instead of in 2 pieces as the pattern called for. I subtracted 4 stitches from the original CO to account for my change and I chose to leave 2 stitches at each side seam in stockinette stitch to keep the Chevron pattern consistent. I didn't make a lot of modifications to the decreases at the bottom, but on the top I made the piece significantly shorter. I used the Kitchener stitch to join the front and back at the shoulder seams. The yarn substitution was probably not the smartest as the fabric was very stretch - not good for a tunic. But, the person I made this for picked out the yarn and it is very soft - and fuzzy!

FO #2: Claire's Blanket (ravelink)
Pattern: Alpaca Baby Shawl by Marie Grace Smith (ravelink) (link)
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy in Flamingo (which is NOT like a flamingo in color), 10 skeins
Needles: US 6
Modifications: None except for the yarn substitution. This was a great pattern that grows before you know it.
Here's a look at some of the things I have on the needles:


The one on the left is the Vine Lace Cardigan from Sweater Babe. It's coming along very quickly so hopefully it will be ready to go as soon as the first real cold snap hits. I'm excited about it. The one on the right is, well, socks. I'm trying my first stockinette stitch plain vanilla socks. I'm loving them, mainly because of the yarn I think. The color changes are so subtle and pretty ...