KAL Business Casual - Week 2 progress

My KAL is going well especially considering that I've been tinking almost all day yesterday.  This morning was much more pleasant as I knit the third repeat of the leg and started the heel.  I'm now at the gusset.

 

I've had trouble with round 17 of this pattern.  It's a little fuzzy over there at the end of row 16 and start of row 17 because I worked so much in that area to find out what was "going on".  The yarn is a little fuzzy and the sts are not twisted right.  Still, it's not apparent enough for me to re-do it (believe it or not!)

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Progress

This will be an extra short post because I want to clean up in the house and then, knit!  Here's my progress after week 1 on the Business Casual KAL!  I love the pattern and I love this technique!

Have a great Sunday!

Getting ready

As I'm about to write this post, I realize that in fact, I've never done it.  What?  A KAL...

I've been following for quite a while the blog Celtic Cast On.  If you like to read and admire frequent reports on gorgeous FOs, this is the blog to read!

Starting this Monday, Celtic Cast On is hosting a Business Casual KAL.  These socks I've always wanted to knit, so, without any further considerations, I was in.  And I'm ready.

The only thing on my needles right now are the beautiful Hedgerow Socks.  This is the second one:

 

I may add finishing these to the challenge of the KAL. We'll see how things go!

 

And my ball of Tempted Sly Grrl in the Dreamy colorway is all ready to go:

The gauge is done and the needles are ready too!

Check out the prize that you have a chance to win if you finish by March 25th: a skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight in the Atlantic colorway.  Wouldn't it make another gorgeous pair of socks?

Who's in?

Annabelle in her Sunnyside Cardigan

Let me introduce you to Annabelle (possibly a future knitter)! 

She's the lovely little girl of my "tricopine" Stéphanie from À la maille suivante.  Go visit Stéphanie's blog for more pictures of Annabelle and her brother.  Stéphanie also has a few knitting patterns featured on her blog!

Isn't Annabelle cute?  Here she is with the little Sunnyside Cardigan I gifted her last September:

I was so excited the day of the baby shower that I forgot my knitting (officially, it was a knitting get together) ;-)  Well, our host gave me a blanket she was working on so that I can knit 1-2 rows!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

What can be better than a Friday night?

What can be better than a Friday night? 

How about winning a pattern and a skein of yarn on a Friday night?

Congratulations Andi! 

Thank you everyone who left a kind note!  I always enjoy reading your comments!  I hope that your blogs will continue to exist for a very long time!  I love to read them too!

Have a nice weekend everyone! xx

FO: Maile Sweater

Yeah, here is my first FO of the year!  I'm very happy with the final result!  It's the Maile Sweater.  This is a free pattern.

 

It is a gift for my good friend Annick who is having a baby girl in February.  We had her baby shower on Sunday.  The sweater was still buttonless but I gave it to her today at work!



 

Pattern: Maile Sweater by Nikki Van De Car

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight

Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm (circular and DPNs)

Color: Thrills (Year in Color 2012 - May)

Start to finish: November 2012 - January 2013

For: Annick's baby girl

Notes: I added 2 stitches when I CO each sleeve.  I also used
DPNs for the sleeves to attach them to the body.

 

I have to say that while I knitted it, I didn't know if I would knit it ever again.  First, I had to retry attaching the sleeves to the body since my first attempt with the circular needle only was impossible.  It was getting tighter and tighter.  So I tried again with DPNs as recommended by other knitters on Ravely.  Much better.  Then, it took me a few days to sew the sleeves.  I really kept postponing it!  But it went so fast and so well even though there are increases.  Now, looking back and seeing how pretty it looks after blocking, I think I would knit it again and recommend it!

 

Here is the back.  It looks really pretty I think with the pattern at the bottom and the raglan!

 

 

The buttons were bought at the last minute at Espace Tricot.  I'm very happy with how they look!

 

 

Have a great week everyone! 

 

P.S.  Don't forget to participate to the contest for my blogyversary to win a pattern of your choice and a skein of Sephyra!  It's opened 'til tomorrow night!

Blogyversary... and a contest to celebrate!

It's been 4 years since I've started my blog!  Time went by so fast!  Oh, I don't post very often, but still, it is fun to update it with FOs and yarn, but mostly to read your comments!  Thank you to all of you who visit!

To celebrate it, I will continue the tradition: gift a pattern (up to $7) on Ravelry (you have to be a member).  Then, I will make an addition (same winner): a skein of yarn from my stash!  Yes, I have a stash!  Not for long, rest assured ;-)

Here is the yarn you can win along with a pattern (you don't have to choose a pattern that goes with it!):

It is Gaïa DK from Sephyra.  It's really pretty and would probably make a great hat or whatever your heart want it to be!

To participate, all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post. The question this year is: Do you have a blog and how old is it?  If you don't have a blog, it's ok too ;-)

You have to comment before midnight (EST) Wednesday night, January 23, 2013 to enter in the contest. There will be one random winner (for the pattern and the yarn)! I’ll announce the winner before Saturday, January 26, 2013.

Good luck everyone and thanks again for visiting!