FO: Business Casual

Hello everyone!

Last night, I finished my Business Casual.  The end date of the KAL is March 25th (Monday).  I made it!  It's been a very good KAL organized by Celtic Cast On.  115 knitters were in.  Many knitted more than one pair.  Go to this blog to see a parade of beautiful FOs!  To this day, there are at least 60 pairs completed!

When I started the pattern, I thought it would be a tough pattern.  So many crossed stitches :(  Thankfully, someone on Ravelry posted an alternate method without a cable needle.  So much easier!

Then, I struggled with the first sock.  Started over three times! 

And, I wanted to also knit the Saroyan and the due date was end of March as well!  I don't know why I do it to myself: deadlines :)

Here is my finished pair:

 

Pattern: Business Casual by Tanis Lavallée.

Yarn: Tempted Hand Painted Sly Grrl.
Needles: US 2 / 3.0 mm (circular and DPNs).

Color: Dreamy.

Start to finish: February 2013 - March 2013.

For: Me.

Notes: No modification.

 

It is a great pattern!  I really recommend it!  They are very wearable and I think that they are awesome for both men and women.

In the end, I made it. After this post, I will take a few pictures of the Saroyan because I'm handing it in to the lady who produces the beautiful alpaca yarn tonight. More details in a later post!

Have a pleasant weekend!

Three WIPs?

Here is my weekly update for the Business Casual KAL.  I've re-knitted the first sock completely.  I kept focusing on round 17 joint.  It wasn't good.  Now I feel good... except that I have a cold.  I took yesterday off (I mean a vacation day!) and woke up with a bad sore throat.  So, I knitted all day and finished one sock.  Today, I'm still at home.  My throat and my muscles are still aching.  No runny nose so far.  Just aching and feeling tired...  At least, it's good for my knitting when I'm awake.

 

Look at this!  I have three WIPs!  That means many FOs in late March, early April.  It will not become an habit, trust me but it sure makes for a pretty picture :-)

 

They are: Business Casual, Hedgerow and Saroyan.

 

I still have to graft the toes (and knit the second sock).  It fits perfectly:

And here is my work in parallel.  I have about one third done which isn't bad at all!

I hope you are all feeling better than me.  Have a great week everyone!

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