Years ago I bought a bright pink cabled pullover from the Gap. I don't know if it ever fit properly, but now it's about 3 inches too short, and if I'm honest, the crew neck isn't all that flattering. It's still in my closet because I love the classic, preppy style of it and I can't bear to let it go. I never wear it, but I want to. Once a year or so, I try it on thinking that magically it will have gotten longer. It hasn't, so back into the closet it goes...except this year. This year, it's sitting on top of my dresser as a reminder that it needs to go. So this year, I'm replacing it with something that actually fits.

After finishing Alice, I decided to finally cast on for a Larch Cardigan. Larch has been in my queue pretty much since I started knitting. I don't know why I put it off for so long. I'm using Madelinetosh 80/10/10 Sport in Grasshopper. The MCN sport is amazingly soft and drapes so well. This sweater is going to be like wearing a hug. A hand knit hug.

I started Larch a week and a half ago and while I'm making progress, it really doesn't feel like I am. To this point, I've only knit top-down sweaters for myself. I don't know about you, but I get all kinds of "new project excitement" and generally fly through the first several inches of any project. When a sweater is top down, the rows are shorter and I can move much faster. Since Larch is bottom up, I'm knitting all of this stockinette at the widest point of the sweater and it feels like I knit forever with no progress. I've started clipping stitch markers to the edge to prove to myself that I am, in fact, making progress. I have a few more inches before I can shape the neck and divide for the fronts and back.

I'm not totally convinced that I have enough yarn, so I'm going to attempt to do top-down set-in sleeves (another first for me). If I can pull that off, I can knit them two at a time and ensure that I will use every last inch of yarn available. Anything to avoid another yarn debacle. I'll keep you posted.

This little sweater has been languishing in my WIP pile since the beginning of June. I started it at the end of May, quickly made it through the body, promptly tossed it into the WIP basket and forgot about it. Oops! I'm not in a hurry to finish a long-sleeved, cowl neck sweater for my "always runs hot" 3 year old. By his own choice I'm sure he'll wear it constantly. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite understand dressing for the weather yet.

I ordered some custom buttons for it around the same time that I tossed this into the WIP basket, and when they arrived last week I was reminded that I should probably finish the sweater. It's another Gathering Stripes. Jack needs a decent sweater and since he likes stripes it seems like a perfect match. He picked the color combo, which reminds me of Superman.

You may have noticed that things are especially quiet around here. There are a few reasons for this and it's not because I suddenly hate blogging, trust me. One, it's summer, so naturally I'm spending more time outside and less time knitting. Two, I've jumped into the world of test knitting and I LOVE it! Test knitting wasn't even on my radar until a few months ago, but now I can't get enough. One of the drawbacks is that I generally can't share what I'm working on while I'm knitting. So, less time knitting + having to be a little secretive = not so much blog content. Luckily, today I can share my current test knit and I'm really excited to do so.

I'm testing Alicia Plummer's new design, East End. It's meant to be a beach cover-up, but well, I'm not really a beach person (let's just say that sand and me - we're not friends). Alicia originally styled her linen version as a t-shirt. Loose, relaxed and effortless. I fell in love! I asked if it would be okay for me to use wool for my version and she said yes. I'm using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Fragrant. It's bright and pink, and I'm happy.

One of my favorite designers was recently published in Knitty's First Fall 2013. I've already raved about Monika Sirna's Cabernet Series a few times, so I think you're all familiar with my love of her patterns. If you aren't, or you've never heard of Monika, please go check out her designs. They are amazing! Her patterns are incredibly well thought out, easy to follow and she is fantastic about answering questions, should you run in to any problems.

When Monika announced that her Nozky pattern was published in Knitty, I was beyond excited. I was not only excited for her (because, hello, how amazing is that?!), but also for the adorable little legwarmer pattern! I almost immediately cast on for a pair for my daughter. It doesn't hurt that there's also a KAL happening in Monika's group right now. You know how I feel about a KAL.

By a total stroke of luck, I received a yarn purchase in the mail the same day that Nozky was published. I had purchased a destash on Ravelry and due to a tiny hiccup in the transaction, Nicole very thoughtfully included a skein of Madelinetosh DK Twist in Sweetheart. I think I might have actually jumped up and down when I opened the box. Not only was the extra skein totally unexpected (and wayyy too nice of her), but the colors are to-die-for! I knew immediately that yarn was destined to become a pair of Nozky for Grace.


I know, I know, long post about little legwarmers, but my heart cannot contain all of the cute. I have to gush. Please excuse me.

Since my last post was about a sweater for my son, I figure it's only fair to dedicate this post to the dress I'm making for my daughter. I'm knitting her a Goldilocks by Justyna Lorkowska. Justyna is hosting a KAL in her group on Ravelry for Goldilocks through the end of July, if you want to join in the fun! There's also a great thread that offers some tips for the pattern.

The pattern offers instructions for two lengths - a tunic and a dress. I'm knitting the dress. Grace is at an age where her chest measurement will likely stay the same (or only fluctuate slightly) for the next few years, but she's going to get taller. For reference her brother is 2 years older, but his chest measurement is only an inch bigger. So as she grows, the dress will still fit, it will just become a tunic and then a t-shirt. If I played my cards right, she could really get three years of wear out of this. I know that's pretty optimistic, but it could happen!

I decided to use Malabrigo Sock. I'm in love. It is the softest sock yarn - it drapes beautifully (more than I thought it would!), it's really light, and it's machine washable. It doesn't get much better than that. Oh wait, it does because I'm using Light of Love. Light of Love is the most gorgeous orangey-pink. I'm almost tempted to knit myself a sweater or top out of it.

I only have the sleeves and bottom cable details to finish on the dress, so I'm hoping I can finish today or tomorrow!

What are you working on (knitting or otherwise)?