Giving Thanks

New Hampshire awaits the arrival of snow.  Many areas of the US have been deluged already, but so far we have managed to have a mild fall.  Winter is coming so knitters are preparing and I am no exception!

Off the Needles

Since my last post, I have been working pretty exclusively on a project that unfortunately I cannot share.  It is another test knit for one of my favorite designers, Norah Gaughan.  This beautiful cabled turtleneck pullover came off the needles on Saturday and is on its way to Norah.

I have managed to finish a couple of smaller things while working on Norah's design.  First is a plain vanilla sock using Patons Kroy in the blue rag color way.  I cast these on a while back just to test out this really inexpensive yarn.  It won't be my favorite sock yarn, but the price point is terrific.









I also participated in a mitten swap with Juniper Grace of the podcast by the same name.  We chose the Sidecar Mittens by Baby Cocktails (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sidecar-mittens).  Mine is in my handspun of Friends in Fiber and some random alpaca from my fiber stash.






Just in time for winter to approach I finished a pair of Maize Mittens in Alchemy yarn purchased in SanFrancisco this summer.  (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maize-3)
I was going to knit the matching Barley hat (very popular pattern in Revelry), but I think the yarn is better suited for a cowl.

On the Needles:

Still working on the Wee Melia by Ysolda Teague and the Brownstone by Jared Flood.  Just cast on the Amerie Cowl by Lucy Hague.

On Deck:

I am waiting for some Christmas sock yarn by Voolenvine to make the Atlantic Current Socks by Melissa Sibley - a new pattern just released on Revelry.  I finally received my Canadiana yarn from Fishknits Yarn.  I ordered it early in August and just received it this week! Since I've waited so long for it now I just want to sit and look at it before casting on.

Spinning:

I have been spinning less this fall since I've been occupied with test knitting.  I have gone through about a half pound of Icelandic Wool that is ready to ply.  I also finished a 4 ounce bump of BFL from Three Waters Farm.  It is destined to be sport weight socks for someone.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!

Fall has been beautiful here in New Hampshire.  After a summer filled with travel, life has settled back into a routine. 

Off the Needles 

Since the last post I have finished a number of projects.  First, the Radian Yoke Pullover by Wendy Bernard.  My goal for this project was to have a summer weight pullover for my trip to Ireland.  It was perfect and I found myself wearing it with slacks, skirts, and capris.  The wool was Silky Wool in the Cognac colorway.

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/radian-yoke

The Summer of Shawls and SocksThe Shawls:

I finished three shawls during my travels.   

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/wendyknits-summer-mystery-shawl-2014

The first was the Wendy’s Summer Mystery KAL by Wendy Johnson.  The last clue for this project was released while I was in Ireland.  After finishing the clue, it got a lot of wear on the cooler days.  Knit in my handspun - I really love it!

Since that project was finished early on in our trip, I cast on not one, but two shawls.  The first was a KAL with Mel Ski of the WithMel podcast.  She discussed a section of the project each week on her blog and was free to listeners.  The pattern is now available for purchase - the Menehune.  This was a really easy knit - perfect for vacation.  Knit in my handspun as well.  Mmmm notice a trend here???

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/menehune

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/the-age-of-brass-and-steam-kerchief

The third summer shawl is a very popular free pattern on Ravelry, The Age of Brass and Steam by Orange Flower Yarn.  This, too, is knit using my handspun - a Loop batt that I purchased from her Etsy shop.  This is a terrific pattern for handspun.  

One other shawl that I knit this summer was a test knit for designer, Norah Gaughan.  Hopefully, I will be able to share more information about that after the pattern is released. 

The Socks:

Two pair of socks came off the needles.  The first is a pair of plain cuff-down vanilla socks using the Party Like It’s Your Birthday sock yarn by Knitpurlgurl on Etsy.  This self-striping yarn is a beautiful cushy base that expertly knits up into a fun pattern.  

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/birthday-cake-socks

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/monster-socks

The second pair is a toe-up plain ribbed sock using — yep, you guessed it — my handspun!  These are my Halloween socks for 2014.  The heel is the Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist. Love this heel for toe-up socks.

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pjmcmullen/claires-gauntlets

One final project off the needles is a pair of hand warmer mitts.  These are the Claire’s Gauntlets designed by local designer, Carl Ruhl.  These were knit in Noro yarn deep in my stash.

On the Needles

Actively on the needles right now are three projects.  One is the Brownstone by Jared Flood.  This is a project that will hopefully be completed by Christmas for my husband.  The sleeves are finished and about half of the body.  So far, I am right on track for my deadline.

Also on the needles is the Wee Melia by Ysolda Teague.  This is an adorable little jacket for a sweet little girl who will be celebrating her first birthday this December.

After having finished two other pair of socks, I resumed working on my Patons Kroy vanilla sock.  Even though they are self-striping, I decided to use the Fish Lips Kiss Hell again as I really enjoy how it works up.  One sock is finished and I am well into the second sock. 

Spinning

Since the last blog post, I finished several skeins of yarn.  As you can see from the knitting above, much of it has been used in projects.  

Also in the spinning vein,  I purchased a second wheel!  This is a travel wheel called a Hitchhiker made by Merlin in Vermont.  I purchased it from a lovely lady on Ravelry who lives in Vermont as well.  Although it hasn’t seen much action yet, I am hoping to spend some time with it this winter