Kninja Knitter

I’m still stunned that it’s June already, and yesterday was annoyingly chilly. That was offset by the bright sunshine that we’ve been missing for ages! Today we are supposed to get an improved forecast with more sun (which woke me up before 7AM) and a high of ~80ºF (~26.7ºC) which makes me much happier. I celebrated a few knitting achievements, so let’s discuss!

Stitched or Still-in-progress

On Saturday I managed to complete my first FO in a while. I finished the second sock in this pair to earn another entry in Lisa K. Ross’s Single Sock Spectacular challenge. I haven’t finished a pair of socks since my cruise back in March!

And while it’s not a finished object, I also celebrated qualifying for the Grandstand in the Supersock World Championship. That qualification gives me access to the patterns to be released throughout the competition without the pressure of having to knit them during the race. It’s nice that this qualification means I can participate if I choose, too.

And my last and biggest celebration is that I finished the tee! I paced my knitting efforts last week so that I could complete the beaded neckline on Sunday as my first entry in the Splash Pad Party hosted by the Down Cellar Studio podcast! This summer make-along challenge rewards participants for completing projects, so it’s perfect for prepping WIPs! Entries are earned based on the approximate weight of yarn used up in increments of 50 grams (rounded). So my tee, which used 193 grams of this yummy alpaca/cotton blend, earned me four entries for the yarn. I also earned another bonus point for using a sponsor’s stitch markers. Other projects will earn me more bonus points, but this was an easy win! I blocked the sweater after taking these photos, but probably won’t get good pictures wearing the sweater until the weekend – when I get to see the designer!

I had a few occasions to work on my Palette hat – I need to check my notes to see how long the ribbing section is; I’m thinking about changing colors for the second half.

And I finally used up another colorway in my zigzag blanket! I’m annoyed with myself for not finishing out the latest zigzag, but such is life. This piece requires a bit more attention, so it’s not suitable for dark or near-dark knitting.

And my final project here is another of the previous week’s cast-ons. This shrug-type project has been intriguing to work on. The stitch marker shows where I started last Monday, nearly through the center swirl. Each wing continues two of the swirl arms, ending at an edge; I worked both wings to that point separately, then I put them both on one needle to continue working them two-at-a-time (2AAT). This design uses stitch saver at several points, and I have two very long lengths to catch loops at each edge of the wings. Once I complete the wings through the sleeves and bind off, those stitch savers will make it super easy to pick up those loops to work an I-cord edging across the whole piece from the top of one sleeve to the top of the other.

Cast-on Conversations

I started one project this week, and this is a cowl knit in two-color brioche as my first project in Camp Loopy. This make-along spans the summer months, June, July and August. I’m starting with the smallest goal (400 yards minimum) because I have other projects I want to finish. In July and August I’ll need to complete projects of at least 600 yards and 800 yards, though I can choose to do the biggest project in July if I wish. I probably won’t since the Splash Pad Party ends on July 31, and again, I have other projects to make!

And the last tidbit I have to share is one I totally forgot about last week! Shortly after I posted, I realized my oversight. It’s not a knitting project, but rather a tool. I had ordered this goodie from Twice Sheared Sheep shortly before my trip to Kentucky. I got to see it in person at the festival, and then I couldn’t wait for it to arrive!

This is a gauge swatch ruler, but not like the usual tool that gives you a window to physically count the stitches across the one or two-inch opening. Instead, you place it over the swatch and shift it around until the stitches line up with the boxes. Then you see how many stitches per inch you have. Genius! If anyone has made this before, I’ve never seen it. Has anyone seen it made by another vendor?

This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 14th year, my first. If you would like to find out more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, please check it out; it’s a very welcoming group, and we’re starting to prep for the 15th year!

Soundscape Sessions

I sadly don’t have any photos to share about this, but last week I got to sit in on a rehearsal at Shadowbox Live as they were running their upcoming new musical Millennium: A 2000’s Musical. We got to watch the second act as written at that point. The director pointed out that we probably saw things that wouldn’t make it into the final production that opens this Thursday. I’m hoping to see it before the end of the month. The show features popular music from the 2000s by artists like Britney Spears, Panic At the Disco, and Green Day. One of the most intriguing elements of this show is that it wasn’t written by the troupe’s head writer!

Knit on. 🧶