#13 Three Trees is complete!

My square with the three trees is complete. I am now supposed to be working on Squares #3 and #6; however, I got disctracted by #14. I had intended to start #3 or #6 at knitting group on Thursday, but decided it was a bad idea to attempt that while socializing since they both contain oodles of cables. #14 is incredibly fun... it's actually quite addictive... I am having a difficult time putting it down. I'm sure I'll be able to post a photo very soon to show the progress. Heck, I might even have it done by the end of the day! Also, I was able to purchase (hopefully) all of the yarn I'll need for my GAA at the knit shop yesterday. I got all my yarn yesterday with a 25 percent discount... yipee! By the way, the trees are not yet stitched down to the background in the photo above... just in case you were wondering.

Three Trees done

My three trees are done. Now I am madly working on the VERY plain background square for these trees. I am using a medium chocolate brown color for the background. I think applique is a very cool technique (this is my first project using applique), although I am not looking forward to stitching the trees on to the background! I find that with knitting, I am pretty pleased with my projects and how they've turned out, but as soon as I start to SEW, I end up ruining my nice knitting with terrible sewing. Practice, practice I suppose. These trees are sort of blocked to lay flat. When you make these trees, they curl up something awful. For this block, I learned about cable cast on... which I know will come in handy again in some future project. The Great American Afghan is great for learning new techniques. By the way, I think these trees would be cute sewn on to the back of a cardigan or maybe the front of a pullover. I can see how applique can be really versatile and a great addition to knitted projects.

#18 Spiraling Squares is complete!

Yipee! Another square done. This one will just have to straighten itself out a little bit more when it is attached to other squares! This square was a lot of fun to do; however, there were some tricky parts. The center where you start with only eight stitches divided among four double pointed needles was ridiculously clumbsy. I was wishing I had an octopus friend over to lend me a hand... or two... of three... or four. I started over on this square countless times. I also got a little tricked up on the final border rows. The pattern called for marking the four corners. I already had the end of each of the four rows marked and I neglected to move the markers (to mark the corners) because I really did not understand how or where I was supposed to mark the corners. That being said, each of the four sides might not have the exact same number of stitches (I think I was supposed to end up with 55 stitches on each of the four sides). I am settling for close enough.

When I first was looking at this square in the pattern book, I was thinking it might be nice to have an entire afghan made out of just this one square (maybe three blocks by four blocks). I would have to come up with a better way to start each square if I were to attempt this square over and over and over. The class instructor, Marilyn, said she was working with some other pupils on starting this square on two circular needles. Maybe that would be a bit less clumbsy?

Right now I am working on my second and third trees for the square with the three trees (square #13). I also need to finish the easy background for that square. I plan to finish that square before starting in on the next two squares (squares #3 and #6). I think I will make #6 in lavendar with pale green accents. I think #6 will be made with the dark brown color I have purchased.

It's snowing but it's not even Halloween yet

It's been a snowy week here in Colorado. We had snow on Sunday/Monday and now snow again on Wednesday/Thursday. Thankfully the tree limbs don't seem to be coming down and we still have power. It's worrisome to get so much wet, heavy snow this time of year before the leaves have fallen off the trees.

Chestnut sweater

I am still pleased with this project, although I have to admit I am learning a lot from my mistakes with this sweater. Unfortunately, the instructions were not specific enough for me which left me to my own devices. I know just enough to be dangerous! The instructions called for decreases at both markers before and after the marker. The markers on on the right and left sides of the sweater. I decided to s1k1psso before the marker and k2tog after the marker. Instead of being invisible, it made my decreases more prominent or noticeable. When I switched to the ribbing along the bottom, it actually made a hole. I plan to tack the hole together with a short length of yarn and I am glad these flaws are on the sides of the sweaters. I suppose I could ripped the rows back, but (A) I don't think it looks TOO bad and (B) I am far to lazy for that! I have been in a hurry to work on my Spiraling Squares block for the GAA so I can have my size 9 dpn's back so I can start in on my sleeves just as soon as I finish the ribbing along the bottom of the sweater. I did try this sweater on in progress and was excited to find that it fits quite well! Love the knit-from-the-top-down sweater patterns!

#18 Spiraling Squares on the needles

It's very fun to see this square take shape. I finally switched to a circular needles which is a bit easier since my KnitPicks needle points are much sharper than my bamboo double pointed needles. The sharper points make the M1 increases a bit easier. I am still struggling with the pesky M1 increases, but for this square I am staying consistent with my method and I think it's turning out just fine. It's hard to believe this will be a square soon. Boy, this square will be a lot of stitches to bind off!

#20 'Lil Buds is complete!

One complete square is finally complete. I am working on three squares and a sweater right now, otherwise I might be completing squares a bit more quickly. The Spiraling Squares block is also nearing completion. I am pretty pleased with how square #20 turned out. I wish the "leaves" were a bit more prominent, but over all I think it's a nice square with great texture which will be a nice addition to the big completed afhan. One square down, 23 to go!