Fun Saturday

Today started off with a visit to the dentist, routine teeth cleaning.

Then Mom and I shopped at the Studio and found a new yarn called: Boku by Plymouth. I think this must be designed to be similar to Noro. It's 95% wool and 5% silk and only $6.00 per skein for 99 yards (11 yards less than Noro). I think this would be a cheaper alternative - especially on large projects such as sweaters and coats. It gets 4 stitches to the inch on a size 7 needle according to the ball band.

I have been working hard on my Freeform Vest.

What started off (a year ago) can be seen here.

It is much farther along now. I love it! I am finished with the right side and am now working on the other. The whole project is going much faster now that I have the hang of it.

Since this project is made up of fall colors of greens, pumpkins, reds, golds and browns, just like autumn leaves (my favorite colors), I will probably finish the vest just in time for Spring! But that's okay, I'll put the vest away when I finish it and get it out again in September or October. Of course, with my red-headed coloring, I could wear these colors all year and be happy to do so.

I'm really, really happy with how this vest is turning out. It's one of my favorites of all time. Although, I've found that folks are either really into appreciating Freeform or they AREN'T. I've had some people longingly touch the original suede of the vest and say, "Why are you covering it up with yarn stuff?" It's like coffee, either you really like it or you curl up your lips in distaste. There's not much middle ground.

Today I went over to Sit, Sip and Knit on Saturday and saw Maenwyn, Lorena, Sherre, Carol and my Mom. We all sat around knitting (and crocheting) for several hours. Carol and Lorena showed me how to work on the crochet pieces I've been struggling with. For me, I'm afraid, knitting will always be MUCH more natural than crochet. Poor Carol has the patience of Jobe!!!! I kept not knowing where to put the next stitch. There are all those random little yarn holes, and I don't know how to read the stitches and which hole I should stick into etc. She spent a good two hours stepping me through a scrumble.

Lorena had a great idea for how I could do the jeans vest I want to work on as a "next" Freeform project, with Freeform collar and sleeves. She's very creative and just FULL of good ideas. I want to make a jacket similar to the one that Alie made that I featured on the top of my last post.

As far as Freeforming goes, I want to learn to do both knitted and crocheted scrumbles to get as many shapes/textures as possible in my work. Toward that end, I've been using a couple of Annie's Attic Crochet books. One is called FUN WITH FREE-FREEFORM CROCHET by Margaret Hubert. Another book is called FREEFORM: SERENDIPITIOUS DESIGN TECHNIQUES FOR KNITTING & CROCHET by Prudence Mapstone. The Mapstone book has both knitted and crocheted scrumbles in it. The Annie's Attic one is crochet only. I also have both Jenny Dowd Freeforming books. I really like those.

At knitting group this week, we missed Mary and Laura this week. I won't be at knitting tomorrow because I'm staying inside all day, relaxing and knitting. Here at our house, we're not big sports fans, so we won't be partaking of what my husband affectionately calls "the CEREAL bowl." Ha hum!

I'll report back with a photo when I have completed the vest.