Waterloose

The Waterloose socks are complete! I must admit that an Abba tune kept running through my head as I worked on these.

Waterloose - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloose - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloose - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloose - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloose - Finally facing my Waterloose

My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose
The Details
Pattern: Waterloose Socks, by Randi Knudsen
Yarn: Cider Moon Glacier, in "Magnolia" - 1 skein
Needles: Size 3 KA bamboo DPNs
Size: US 9

Notes: Great, easy sock pattern! I might do something different with the toes next time. I went down to size 3 needles for my narrow feet, although 4s would have been fine for the cuffs.

Jennifer over at Craftlily sent me some lovely yarn as a runner-up prize for the most thematic parcel in the Knitflix Swap. Many thanks, Jennifer! It's All Things Heather sportweight sock yarn in a great colorway - "Cowboy."

Due to the dearth of Malabrigo laceweight in Chicagoland, Mia most thoughtfully volunteered to act as my personal shopper. It's so soft, and the colors are gorgeous! It's "Jewel Blue."

Last Wednesday I went to the Lincoln Park PaperSource for a Girls' Night Out papercrafting event, and it was unbelievably fun. We tried out new papers and tools, make a necklace, some coasters, and a CD accordian holder. There were yummy cocktails and treats, and everyone was very friendly. I'll have to post some of my goodies and projects. I highly recommend this event!

The company (HQ for a nationwide retailer) where my husband works had a Nascar-themed event last week. One of his coworkers burst into his office holding a giveaway from this event:

Oh yes, it's a Harlequin Nascar romance. Both terrifying and bizarre!

(nearly) FO + Knitflix

The easy baby cardi just needs some sort of fasteners. The pattern suggests crocheted yarn cords or ribbons, so I need to do a little thinking on this one. Alyssa just knit a very cute, hoodless verson of this same sweater, and she decided to omit fasteners altogether.
Pattern: Easy Baby Cardigan, by Diane Soucy (Knitting Pure & Simple)
Yarn: Jaeger Baby Merino DK - "Marbles"
Needles: Clover US 6 bamboo circular and DPNs
Size: 6 months

Notes: I love the pattern because it's so easy to follow. There is just one seam to sew up -- the hood. Next time I'll try the hoodless version. The yarn was OK to knit with, but not great. It had that slightly unpleasant, sticky superwash feel. The sleeves seem really long to me (and the body very short), but I don't have that much experience with babies' arm length, so I'll wait and see.

I went down a needle size to get gauge knitting flat. I learned that my gauge is definitely different on DPNs -- I should have gone up to size 7 for the sleeves.

Amy sent me a fabulous Knitflix swap package!
Kylie's helping with the photo shoot, of course. Like me, Amy is a self-professed Anglophile, and she sent me the BBC adaptation of the Elizabeth Gaskell novel North and South that I have been wanting to see ever since I saw Wives and Daughters.

I start teaching an intensive Latin class tomorrow, and this is going to be the perfect way to relax on weeknights. There's also some yummy looking short bread (which will be perfect with a spot of tea and some knitting) and lots of beautiful Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which I adore. The card is a Degas painting from the Art Institute of Chicago. Thanks, Amy! You read my mind on this one.