Thursday, May 24, 2012

Theoretical Thursday + Blogiversary Giveaway!

Welcome to Theoretical Thursdays, where I show you blobs of yarn that may eventually become, uh, things.

It's hot and humid, we're just on the edge of summer, so of course I'm working on two woolly sweaters. And to make matters worse, one is a men's sweater, so it's at least twice as large as any sweater I've ever knit for myself.

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I finally finished slogging through the sleeves (they were miserable; I hate sleeves), and got them attached to the yoke, so now I'm working on the raglan decreases. This thing simply must be done by May 31. For this reason, we turned the AC on this morning--I was trying to hold out until June, but a heat wave starts today that will reach its peak on Monday with a high of 91, and I might suffocate under all this wool if I leave the AC off just to make some kind of symbolic point to Mother Nature about her refusal to follow the seasons appropriately.

The pattern is Terry's Pullover, and I'm knitting it out of Beaverslide Dry Goods Merino Mohair. The yarn has a good bit of barnyard detritus in it, but I think that's to be expected with these earthier, homegrown, rustic-type yarns. The only thing that really bothers me about it is that I can't get it to felt. Which seems like something these earthier, homegrown, rustic-type yarns should do quite readily. It's not the end of the world, but it does mean more ends to weave in.

(I feel I need to pause here to mention that the guy in the next cubicle just showed up, and is wearing 8 tons of whatever cologne it is that college frat boys insist on wearing. I feel like I've been transported back to a frat party circa 2001, only there's no cheap beer or body glitter.)

The second sweater is for me, and it's a somewhat cropped cardigan that I'm making short-sleeved, so fortunately that means it's much smaller and less oppressive:

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(These photos are just lousy; only 28 days 'til we move to our new home, with a backyard just perfect for knitwear photography!)

The pattern is Miette, and I'm knitting it in the Tosh Mo I received in the Madelinetosh spring yarn club. This terrible photo really doesn't do the color justice, it's a lovely, sage-y silver. I don't know why I decided to knit this now--I really need to accept the fact that it's summer and look for a camisole-type project to keep me busy for a couple months.

And it just wouldn't be Learner's Per-knit unless I told you about something crazy, overly-ambitious and delusional I did. I don't want to disappoint you, so--I signed up for Tour de Sock! Six 9-day stages, six pair of socks. Last year there were apparently people finishing pairs of socks in TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. I can barely squeak out a pair in a month. But the money goes to a good cause, and I get six exclusive sock patterns, so even when I fail spectacularly, I can still look back on the whole experience fondly.

In preparation for the race, I've been working on a training sock:

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This is the Crosswired pattern, and I finished sock #1 in about 10 days; sock #2 is languishing. Sigh. I've reversed the main and contrast colors on sock #2, so the cable is black--working the cables in black yarn is not fun. I might be blind by the end. But once I have a complete pair, my feet will be fully Hufflepuff-ed.

The TdS starts June 1, and you can still register!

And speaking of things happening in June, on June 2, Learner's Per-knit will celebrate its fifth blogiversary. FIFTH.

Incredible.

Certainly, we need to celebrate. So, here's a bag of yarn:

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Right now, this is my yarn, but I'm going to give it to you. To 3 of you, to be exact (sorry, you have to share!). On June 2, I will divide this bag o' yarn among 3 of my blog readers, to thank you all for your support over the last five years.  

To be entered in my blogiversary giveaway, just leave a comment on this post, telling me . . . hmmm . . . oh, I know, telling me what kind of design project you think I should work on next! More accessories? A sweater? A vest? A knitted catsuit? Whatever floats your boat. Just leave a comment, and on June 2, I will pick 3 commenters at random to win some yarn!

28 comments :

hazelmoon said...

Very pretty sweater for you! And now I've gone and looked at the TdS page and am intrigued. Forget the part where I'll be spending 2 entire days driving in the first week of June.

I'm completely annoyed and disgusted with both myself and Mother Nature because I turned on my AC earlier this week. Usually 85+ temps during the day wouldn't bother me, I'm not home, but my dog is, and kept crated while I'm not home. So it didn't seem fair (or humane!) to her to not turn on the air. But still, annoyed.

Love the Crosswired socks!

- Shari, @hazelmoon

Minding My Own Stitches said...

I'd like a nerd-themed accessory pattern, like Star Trek socks or a Yoda beer cozy or something like that. But I'm just odd that way :).

I hate sleeves too. Sometimes I think I should open a business doing all the things people hate:
- weaving in ends
- joining squares
- finishing UFOs
- knitting sleeves
Maybe when I retire?

Anonymous said...

Personally, I've been working on a bunch of hat designs, but I've been thinking I might branch out from that. Maybe you should try a cover-up or something summery? Thanks for the great give-away; it's so generous of you. Happy blogiversary!

LauraH said...

I think the sweater for you is great! Your next project could be a scarf!

Andrea said...

I'm totally piggybacking on another commenter but a lacy, airy coverup for the beach, etc. would be awesome! I don't think I've seen one of those yet.

Sara said...

Your sweaters are knitting up just lovely! You must be a pretty quick knitter to have 3 projects like that going at one time.

I struggle during the summer too. I have winter projects left to complete but it seems odd to knit wool in warm temps.

I would like to see some fun home good projects that would be ideal for the summer time :)

Happy 5th Blogiversary!

Connie K. said...

A pretty shawl for those cooler evenings or even cooler restaurants. Congrats on your blogiversary!

greyowl60 at yahoo dot com

DeirdreKnits said...

Congrats on your 5th blogiversary! Such a milestone! :)

To celebrate, I think you should knit something that's in my queue so I can knit vicariously through you (hello, selfish much?). I won't have time to knit until...oh...July, so this will be perfect! ;-)

Next up on my (wish)list is Kage, by Kirsten Johnstone out of ShibuiKnits Linen. Let me know how it goes! ;-)

Rebecca said...

Happy Blogiversary! I definitely think you should knit a shrug next. Something sparkly perhaps.

Alrischa said...

I haven't finished my (plain vanilla) trial socks for the Tour de Sock yet either! I decided to count the hours; so far they've taken me 25 hours, 45min, and I'm up to the cuff of both (toe up 2-at-a-time), which is 20,400 stitches. I'm leaving the last bit for detention. Two TdS socks will be my Order Mission... but whether I can do any in 9 days is another thing! It's going to be 4 hours a day, I think! lol.

You can count me out of the comp if you like, since I'm in Australia, but happy blogiversary :)

Monita said...

Love the sweater and the socks! Since it's almost summer you could knit a skirt. :-)

JamieLynn said...

I think you should make a new bed for your kitties...That way, they will have a cozy place to move into once you get to the new house! :)

Nicky said...

Good luck with the Tour de Sock! Even if you can't finish all six ... I'm rooting for you to finish at least three.

Arrrghhh, humidity on the East coast ... I'm sick of it! Whipping out my AC tonight because my apt is humidity as you know what and I need to start Christmas knitting this weekend. Yes ... I know ... totally nuts. LOLOL!!!

So that would be my suggestion, since you're moving soon, participating in the Tour De Sock and all that depending on how much you have to knit for Christmas, I say ... next up, a project from your Christmas queue ... if you dare. :P

Happy Blogaversary!!!!

Jen Cragen said...

A knitted sail for your own sail boat. Or, giving that up, a knitted shawl.

CraftyShanna said...

A knitted catsuit??? That would be SO awesome! But probably a bit unrealistic. Instead, how about one of those Tour de Sock socks? On June 1 you'll be done with the giant oppressive sweater, right?, so you'll be ready to go on the challenge sock pattern!
shanna

Sheila said...

For summer, I think I'd stick to accessories because little projects are easier to knit in the heat. And easier to take places.

RobinBrz said...

Happy Anniversary! When it's hot and humid I like to work on light lacy projects, even with the AC!!
Too bad socks come in pairs. It would be so much easier if we only had to make one! (Same with mittens!)

Vanessa said...

Happy Anniversary! How about a cat sized knitted cat suit? ;)

ikkinlala said...

I'd love to see you stick to accessories because I'd be more likely to knit them than a garment, but I suspect you might soon be tired of socks. Maybe a hat or a shawl? I agree with other comments that mentioned small projects for summer.

Debbie said...

How about a light summertime scarf? I would love to win some pretty yarn! Thanks!

CardiganGirlKnits said...

Hi and thank you for a great blog! I think you should stick to accessories for your next project. I miss cool designs for guys, young and old. A headband for boys that looks awesome, thats what my boy of 7 would like. Matching mittens would be cool.

Wishing you the best

schwip said...

You do very nice work! I think you should work on more socks. Maybe you could get to the point of knitting a sock a day. :-) It sounds totally impossible to me.

JP said...

What should you design, good question. I'm going to have to answer thinking about what I like to knit.

So scarves and shawls would be my suggestions. Like little decorative scarves, rather than long winter-y things.

Awa said...

knitted hot pants for summer! if you could find a way to make that work, oh please !

Kristen said...

i am little un-motivated in my knitting right now so smaller, portable projects appeal to me. what about some socks, a shawl, a cowl....smaller projects are better since its 90 degrees everyday now ;)

Sarah said...

If we only knit when it was cold, that wouldn't be enough knitting time at all!

You should make this dress: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kiloran

It's so pretty, and you'd love it so much!

Anonymous said...

How about a sunhat (for a child or a fancy old-school one for a garden party) ;)

Knititall said...

Maybe a sunhat (for a child or fancy old-school for the Queen's garden party or something ;) ).