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Startitis

In the last few weeks I have been suffering from a severe case of knitting startitis.   This affliction isn't painful except for the mess it makes in my knitting area.  The symptoms include a complete inability to focus, reign-in excitement about a new project and a great deal of stash searching.   It doesn't seem to appear to be contagious because my knit-buddy, Tena has completely avoided it with her singular attention to the Antler Sweater from Pacific Knits.  (More on this creation later.)

There are no less than five projects started in the last month or so since Vogue Knitting Live.  Here they are:

L-R Pinwheel Baby Blanket, Linen Scarf, Sunnyside Baby Sweater, Red Baby Booties, Geometry Class Baby Blanket
  • The Pinwheel Baby Blanket is something you've recently seen.  The pattern comes from Cascade Yarns 60 More Quick Baby Knits.  It's about 25% complete, which means I need to make three more blocks and then put it together.  
  • The Linen Scarf is using the same Churchmouse pattern mentioned before.  The difference with this version is it only uses one skein of yarn because the Kauni yarn has very long stretches of colour changes so the final project looks striped.  This time around the pattern is easier for me to follow.
Linen Stitch scarf 

  • My Minneapolis friend, Nancy asked me to make a sweater for friends who are expecting in September, gender unknown.  She wants a washable sweater in a 6-12 month size.  I found a Tanis Fiber Arts pattern named Sunnyside Cardigan, and we agreed that style would be fine.  In my stash was a Regia Stretch sock yarn.  It has that heather gray colour I love, contains washable wool but also some acrylic and elastic.  This will be perfect for the cable version I'm making; a bit of pizzazz will be added by using multiple coloured/style buttons when it's finished.
Sunnyside Cardigan collar so far
  • The Red Booties were my first attempt at the brown/tan version you saw recently (Garter Stitch Booties from 60 More Quick Baby Knits from Cascade Yarns).  The problem with this bootie was the grosgrain ribbon, I had to find a version that matched and I have now.  The second booties should be finished soon.
  • The Geometry Class blanket from 60 More Quick Baby Knits from Cascade Yarns is being made with an inexpensive variegated yarn made of unknown material.  It is a 1-pound bag bought at Zellers just before it closed.  I think the yarn is a cotton/acrylic combination that's very soft.  It will be machine washable and I know most new mom's need as many shortcuts as possible.  Since a multi-coloured yarn is being used, the pattern is not being followed and when one doesn't follow the pattern, challenges do come about.  I'll have to figure out how to make the transition to row two before that project moves forward. 
Geometry Class blanket

If you've noticed there are several baby items in the works.  This is for good reason, I will become a grandmother in November, when Dack & Nicole are expecting a little bundle of joy.  I've known for about six weeks but was asked to keep to myself until they had a chance to share.  It is time to share with you as well.  Expect to see more baby items for the near future.  Maybe I caught this startitis from them since they're starting a family?  No, it's just me being me; I should not try to blame anyone else.

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