TUSAL - March

Well folks here we are again, it's time for the March TUSAL report.  If you are new here and unsure what that means, go here to see the definition of TUSAL.  I use this as an opportunity to keep track of my progress from month to month.  So what's been happening this past month?

This month's contributor was:

"Chocolate Box" by Little House Needleworks (In Progress)

Still in WIP stage:

"Letters from Mermaids - E" by Nora Corbett to be made into an "L" (Didn't work on it this month)
"Mermaid Scissor Fob freebie" by Cross Stitch Happy (Didn't work on it this month)

I really have no excuse for not getting the scissor fob done.  I guess I just wasn't feeling it or something.  I don't have any idea what's my deal is with the Nora mermaid either.  So....

Since I only worked on "Chocolate Box" this past month, I thought you might like to see a progress picture.  I'm planning to put some beads on this instead of knots and confetti stitches.  I think the bling will give it some pizazz.  I've got the cream colored beads I want to use for the outer border (yet to be stitched) and will look for some pink ones (for the tops of a couple chocolate pieces) at a new-to-me shop I'll visit the end of the week.  More on that next time.

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So what has captured my attention if it isn't stitching?  Yep, you guessed it...knitting! I know this is a disappointment to the non-knitters in the crowd.  What can I say, I'm obsessed right now!  I've been learning so many new things, it's wonderful.  Anyone who knows me knows I have a thing for learning.  So I've really been having a lot of fun lately.

I finished my first sock ever!  I'm still in awe of that and I've started its mate.  I've also started another "pair," actually just one but it will be a pair eventually, using some interesting self-striping yarn.  I also started another cowl and some finger-less mitts.  Yes, my hands have been quite busy.

I need to get one of these finished because I'm not comfortable having this many things going at once.  Yes, that's the same way I feel about my stitching.  It's my own brand of crazy and I'm okay with it.  It works for me!

So, it's a short and sweet TUSAL this month.  I can hardly believe the end of March is here already.  I hope whatever you are working on you are enjoying.  I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to spend a few minutes with me here. Hope your week is good!

More next time,
The Inspired Stitcher

Knitting Update

I've had a knitting finish since we last visited!  I wanted to share it as well as update you on my other knittiness.  So first up...the finish!

Design: Oats Cowl (Adult Long Version)

Designer: Tin Can Knits

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids, Heathers & Twists

Colorway: Patchwork Grey

Needles:  Knitter's Pride Nova Platina Interchangeables US 8 (5mm) on a 32" cord

Started:  1/29/17

Finished: 3/3/17

Last Friday night I bound off my Oats Cowl!  I really, really wanted to be able to wear it to my sock class on Saturday morning.  Luckily enough, the weather turned cold again so it was perfect (never thought I'd be wishing for a cold day).  It had been a warm week!

Here's a detail shot so you can see the stitch patterns.  Overall, I'd say this is definitely a good beginner's pattern.  The yarn, I'd rate as just okay.  The colored bits were wrapped around a central grey twist and were pretty "splitty." I do like how the colors distributed though.

If I were to do this one again, I'd also do a stretchier bind off.  There is a definite difference in the cast on side and the bind off side.  The good thing is this is a cowl so it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.  Just something to note.

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Next up, there has been much progress on the sock!  I now have two classes under my belt. I'm still in awe that I'm actually knitting a sock.  Me...a sock knitter!  What?!

This was immediately after Class #1.  As in, I'm in the car taking this picture...in the LYS parking lot.  Yes, I'm a nerd!  No, I really don't care who knows it.  I was all geeked up!  LOL!

This is the stopping point I was to get to before class #2.  I got a bit carried away and knit an 8" leg. I have plenty of yarn and I do like my socks a bit on the taller side so it's all good.  I found that working with four double pointed needles really isn't that hard to do.  I actually really like it a lot.

Here I am last Saturday after Class #2!  OMG, can we just talk about that heel?!  I. DID. THAT!

Here's a close up 'cause y'all just gotta look at this!  I'm still amazed!

We worked a heel flap, turned the heel, picked up stitches and worked the gusset.  I'm sure the veteran sock knitters out there are giggling at me right now.  I can't contain myself.  I learned so much new stuff last Saturday.  Holy smokes!

I had the most patient encouraging teacher too.  The folks at my LYS are so kind and helpful.  I ended up spending the whole day there because I was having so much fun I didn't want to leave and they didn't care one bit.  Isn't that just the coolest?!

So yeah, I'm pretty fired up about my sock.  I can't wait until next Saturday's class when we learn to do the toe.  I've already got my homework done and ready to go.  I really really want to get going on that second sock!  I'm gonna wear these babies proudly!  Woo hoo!!

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Since I finished the cowl and my sock is as far as I can go with it for now, I had to start something new.  One can not be without something to knit dontcha know!  My teacher was pulling yarn for a new start last Saturday and I kinda fell in love with it too.  She kindly wrote the "pattern" down on a post-it for me and set me up with the supplies.  I cast it on yesterday at lunch.  It's another basic cowl. 

I'm using Fyberspates "Cumulus" yarn.  There's no real pattern so I'm going to call it my "Cumulus Cowl." This yarn is the softest thing I've ever touched that wasn't alive.  I'm talking soft as a bunny and light as a cloud...probably why they named it Cumulus.  LOL!  It's 74% Baby Suri Alpaca and 26% Mulberry Silk if you can imagine that.

I haven't gotten more than a few rows in so it doesn't look like anything yet.  I'll post a picture when it's a bit further along.  The sample I saw was scrumptious!

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Well folks, there you have it.  What's been going on in my world lately.  I've stitched a bit on the chocolate box and will work on it again tomorrow since the Guild is having a meeting.  Of course there will be more knitting too!  Thanks for vising with me today.  I hope your weekend is great!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher