The End of a KAL, the Midpoint of a Project

The TTTKAL ended yesterday, and I didn't manage to finish a single project. It's kind of a bummer, because I really like meeting arbitrary and meaningless deadlines, but I know I've got a lot going on right now, and it might have been unreasonable to think I could finish a fingering-weight top in a month. The group forum was, as always, a complete delight, and I'm definitely looking forward to Shannon's next KAL.

I'm hoping to get this cocoon finished and the pattern written soon- within the next two weeks. I'm moving to my new place two weeks from Friday, and I'd really like to have this finished before my whole life gets upended. I'm already besotted by this, and I want to finish so I can enjoy wearing it all summer.

TTT Alonging

I was hoping to get a whole bunch of stuff done for the TTTKAL this year, but, as usual, I tried to bit off more than I can chew. I've been working pretty faithfully on this new cocoon sample, and I think it might get done by the end of the KAL if I knit very quickly. This leaves my Zinone and Morning Mist unfinished, but I do still hope to get at least one of those tops finished yet this summer.

This is almost at the 2/3rds point, and while I'm definitely still enjoying knitting it, I wish it were further along. I managed to bang out quite a bit last weekend with two trips to the city, but this coming weekend we're planning on doing a bunch of work around the house, so I don't know how much knitting time I'll actually get. 

Finished! Intense TPCT

So, it's only taken me forever, but I finally got pictures of my Intense TPCT and I love it even more than I thought I would. I was really nervous about the pooling, but it definitely doesn't look as bad once it's on a body, and I'm so relieved it worked out.

I changed up a couple things from the first time I knit this pattern. I made the neckband wider and I added a couple inches to the body before starting the bottom ribbing. I love the end result, and I definitely plan to knit more of these tops.

Ravelry Page: Intense TPCT

Pattern: TPCT by Teresa Gregorio

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Paints "9812 Intense Mix" 

New Pattern: Spindral

I am so thrilled to finally have this pattern out in the world. This shawl started with the yarn- Bling Lace, by T & H Fiber Works, in the colorway Tiger Lily. The little flecks of sparkle immediately made me think of spider webs beaded with morning dew, and I could not get that image out of my head through the whole design process.

Spindral is a generous but light shawl inspired by morning dew on spider webs. The garter stitch body is worked from the bottom up, the stitches are picked up along the long edge, and finally the attached border is knit on perpendicularly to the shawl body.

Lace patterns have both written out and charted instructions.

Spindral is available on Ravelry now and is 20% off through Wednesday, May 23.

TTT-Alonging

Right now I'm juggling two projects for the TTTKAL- my Zinone and a new shrug sample. I like to balance sample knitting with knitting other people's patterns, and I'm really enjoying both projects so far.

I'm really excited for this shrug. I really want more light and breezy cardigans for summer, and I think this is going to fit the bill exactly. I'm loving how the columns of lace look in this yarn, and the knitting itself is just one step above mindless, making it a great portable project.

Weekends and Borders

Well, I didn't get this shawl sample finished, but I got so much other stuff accomplished this weekend! I sewed a dress, I started seeds, I made pickles (I can taste them after work today and I am SO EXCITED I CAN'T WAIT), and I had my community theater audition for the summer musical.

I did manage to start the border on this beauty on Friday, and I'm absolutely pleased with how it's coming along. We're on the final stretch now, and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that I'll have this ready to block and send to my TE this week. The rest of the week should be pretty quiet- my choir and handbell rehearsals are done for the summer, and if I get a callback for the musical, it won't be until Friday.

Linking up with Crafting On

Ridiculous

Okay, this lace is ridiculously engrossing. I have three rows left before I start the edging, and I almost don't want this section to end. If I'm already this besotted with it in all it's unblocked glory, how gorgeous is it going to be after a bath and some pins? Way too gorgeous. I can't wait.

My goal is to have this sample done and the pattern to my editor by the end of the weekend. I think it should be doable, if a bit tight. The high school musical is this weekend, and spring has finally sprung here in South Dakota, so we need to open up the house and clean ALL THE THINGS.

Oh, since I haven't mentioned it here, I'm doing Me-Made May this year! I finally have enough knitted items to give it a go, and four days in it really has me thinking critically about my wardrobe. I'm tracking my outfits over on Instagram. Are you participating in Me-Made May this year?

Starting My TTTKAL Projects

Yesterday was the start of the TTTKAL, and I jumped right in with Zinone! I went back and forth a little bit trying to decide which top to start first, but once I realized that my cocoon sample was on the needles that I need for Morning Mist, the decision was pretty much made for me.

I'm loving knitting this up again. Normally I hesitate before knitting a pattern more than once, but this is such a delightful knit. The different yarns also make it almost a completely different experience! This merino-tencel blend is much grippier than the bamboo I used in my cropped version.

I really don't know if I'm going to be able to get all the tops I want to knit during the KAL (what, Kat biting off more than she can chew??), but I'd love to get Zinone and the cocoon sample finished so I can at least get Morning Mist started. This KAL always reminds me how many more warm-weather knits I want in my wardrobe, and it's a great opportunity to get to work!