Monday, December 27, 2010

Ahhhh

Hi Knitters,
Whew. That was fun and loads of work. My dishwasher has never run so many times in one day. Here's to a marvelous weekend and to the start of a fresh new week.

Last fall I ordered a couple of balls of Zauberball from my friends. I think it is about the most fun striping sock yarn around. I love this colorway so much. I don't know the color number but my friends will. Give them a call and they can send you some, too:

801-466-1811

I am making the Baktus Scarf (pattern link) using one ball and my scale to measure when I get to the halfway point. Click here for the Ravelry project page for the Strikkelise Baktus Scarf. I am at about 60 grams right now and at 50 grams I will start decreasing. This was the perfect project to have by my side over the holiday. There is no thinking or even much looking needed. Knit, knit, knit with an occasional yarn over for the increase.
I also purchased the new Shetland Trader book by Gudrun Johnston. I immediately cast on my Springree Road handspun to make the Norie hat. It is a beautiful pattern. I knew that the handspun was a little heavier weight than the dk weight used in the pattern and that I didn't have enough yardage so I modified the pattern to accommodate the yarn. I took out one of the increases and one of the repeats and modified the decreases for the top. I ended up using every last inch of the 160 yard skein, literally. I love the outcome and I feel pretty good having whipped up a new hat for myself amidst the chaos of the weekend. By the way, this is the perfect first time lace project. There are bands of a simple lace pattern intermingled with stockinette and a purl round here and there. Great fun.

The book, Shetland Trader (click here to see all of the patterns on Ravelry), has 10 fantastic patterns and I love them all. I have a feeling you might love them, too. You can order an e-book or a printed copy. I plan on making a few more items. Good job, Gudrun!

I am thinking about a giveaway for later in the week. Be sure to check back if you are interested.
best, susie

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooooh, that sock yarn DOES look really nice. The colourway is so different than most I have seen, but in the most brilliant way ! I absolutely love it !! Hmmm, to purchase or not to purchase.

I believe the picture you posted of the yarn and the half knit scarf is reason enough for me to purchase some of this tasty yarn !!!

Anonymous said...

I knit Norie hats for my 2 nieces and both of their moms wanted to steal them. : )

I have one partway done for myself even though I tend to wear hats only if the temps are in the minus range. It's a great hat.

Stefanie said...

Ya gotta love self-striping yarn! I would. Awesome colorway you chose for that Susan.
I absolutely LOVE that hat on you. I hope you're keeping it for yourself unless TC steals it?

Sandee said...

I'm so glad you posted about this baktus. This was a project featured by a favorite LYS and I had forgotten the exact name. The owner decided to close the shop last month and I have thought about this exact pattern and wondered if I would ever find out about it again.

Merry Christmas to the entire Susan Anderson family!

Barb said...

You truly are one very clever, crafty girl! I love your hat and how smart you are to know where to make the necessary changes to adapt to what you have. I am very impressed. Beautiful!!

Sara in WI said...

We've been thinking along the same lines! I just purchased the Shetland Trader book, and I found the same yarn in a blue/green colorway to cast on for the Baktus. Actually, I didn't know that it was a pattern with a real name. I've just often done this type of shawl or scarf in exactly the same way...for years and years. Huh. The hat is so adorable on you! Perfect!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the link to The Shetland Traders! I love those patterns and especially Laar, Norie and Shoormal.

Anonymous said...

I so believe in odering from LTS. I want them to be there for us. If your friends in Utah had an e-mail or other way of ordering on line I would order yarn from them. Andrea in TN

Susan B. Anderson said...

Hi Andrea,
The Wool Cabin does have an email:
woolcabin@gmail.com

Also, you can order over the phone! I have done this many times and my order arrives in a day or two!! This is a wonderful, trustworthy shop that provides great customer service.

Susan

Kimberly said...

I looked at the Shetland Trader book a week or so ago and absolutely love it! Its on my knitting book wish list :)

Love your hat, its cute! And the sock yarn is pretty too!

Joyce said...

I used the exact same yarn and colorway for a project this fall called "September Circle". I loved the way the colors evolved. Thanks for sharing the Baktus pattern, it is going on me needles shortly with another color in the Zauberball which I purchased earlier this fall. I love your inspiration. Happy knitting and best to you and your family in 2011.

Kim said...

As always, your blog introduces me to so many amazing patterns I've never seen before. I bought a ball of Zauerball yarn months ago and have been in search of the perfect pattern for it. I might just have to try this. It looks as if it really showcases this beautiful yarn! I love the hat in this post as well.

Joan and Kevin said...

What beautiful mittens and gloves. Thank you for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan!

Oooh--love this yarn. I'm always on the lookout for self-striping yarn.

This is totally off-topic, but did you get a new camera for Christmas? I am a Sony DSLR user and have long noticed your Sony camera in your photos. I was surprised to see the Nikon logo show up in your photo!

Happy New Year!