Cute Factor

Well the red cashmere sweater is blocked after I finally picked up stitches along the edging and used the I-cord cast-off I used along the neck and hem. I did sew in a zipper, realized it was a dress zipper after all that hard work was done and took it out. I need to find another fine zipper or eye and hooks to close the front. It fits beautifully and I can't wait to start wearing it! Everyone who touches it is absolutely in love with it, but then who wouldn't be; it's cashmere and I have 4 and a half balls left to enjoy to make something else. Now that is the birthday present that keeps on giving.
I started my next sweater shortly after the majority of knitting was completed on the red sweater with the silky Malabrigo yarn I bought at the Purple Purl (it was on sale). Here is the little swatch I made:
It is going to have deep lacy ribbing at the bottom and a deep V-neck with same said ribbing and full length sleeves. I'm going to call it "The Sky is Falling" sweater. I am making pretty good progress so far. See:
I love the subtle tonal changes of the blue.

I've started on my own lace design. It is a wide scarf/stole. I made a little swatch out of some leftover lace from another project just to make sure it would look pretty.
The bottom part is an Estonian star pattern and will be the border and the top is from the 2nd Barbra Walker stitchionary and is called "Faun Eyes". I'm slightly obsessed with it and it is true knitted lace as there are yarn overs and decreases on both the right and wrong sides. This stole is being made from the Indigo Moon hand-dyed silk I got from the Purple Purl booth at the K-W Knitters Fair. I wanted to do something special with this yarn and what is more special than something you've designed yourself? I've already started.
Ah yes and the cute factor promised in the title. Here it is.
PS. Piper met her first little people yesterday (Mel's nephews who are 6 and 4). She really liked them and they loved to play her favorite game with her which is you give her something, she throws it and you pick it up and bring it back to her so you can start all over again.

Hmmm, Cashmere, Yummmm!

The red cashmere sweater is almost complete. I just have to add the bands on the front and then add the zipper! I can't wait til I can wear it! It is so soft against the skin and I have 4 skeins of yarn leftover to do something else with (This sweater has taken up just over four skeins so far). Yummy cashmere. One can never have enough.
The Boing! scarf has been finished for a while now but it took til the beginning of this month to finally block it. I love this scarf. It was an easy lace pattern that was just challenging enough to keep me from getting bored yet simple enough I could still watch TV. I pretty much followed the pattern; the only different thing I did was to add a few extra repeats and I still have quite a chunk of yarn left. I've been wearing it quite a bit and love the feel of the Malabrigo lace against my neck (so very soft).
Two projects that have been hibernating have come back out. I have started again on Dad's Xmas present. The heel has been turned and I just have to finish the gussets and move onto knitting the leg. I was knitting them this evening, enjoying a beer and the Habs game. Currently they are whooping the Leafs 6 to 1. Go Habs Go! The construction is one of Cat Bordhi's toe up socks and the pattern is one I found in a stitch dictionary, called ears of corn. I have named these socks the Blue Corn Socks. Hehe that is a no brainer, eh?
I've also been working on the Alpine Knit Scarf from Victorian Lace Today. Don't let the name fool you; it is definitely a stole and has a true knitted lace border which I am absolutely fascinated with (not that this picture shows it).
Last week I took a spinning course at the Purple Purl and ended up staying almost the entire day knitting after the class. I found the series of stitch dictionaries I have been trying to find for a while! I also bought two more skeins of Malabrigo sock yarn in gorgeous colourways. I may have to take my mother there the next time she visits and maybe my sister when she comes to visit.
Oh and last but not least I've joined a yarn swap with a vintage theme. I've found two swap items for my swap buddy (both are related). It is very fun hunting for items you hope they will like.

PS. Little sister I believe I was promised a picture. I'm still waiting!!!!!!! And if you are going to torture me by making me wait for my box, could you at least send a picture of the yarn you put in the box?