12 in 2012

FO: Zuni Truffle

| yarn & yarns
Not sure what it is, but I find myself liking the look of garter stitch these days.
No doubt, it’s partially tied to working with some gorgeous hand-dyed yarn. Who would have thought that bumps showcased color variations so well? While I’ve done my best to capture the greens and purples that emerge from this chocolate brown, it is even more swoon-worthy in person.
Life is also in one of those “buckle your seatbelts” phases, so the Zen-like nature of garter is not to be argued with. Evidence: Entry #3 in my 12 in 2012, which was knit in a few weeks, only to lag for nearly double that time before blocking and photographing.
Pattern: Zuni Shawl by Danielle Chalson
Yarn: TFA Blue Label Fingering (Truffle)

FO: Beach Glass Spectra

| yarn & yarns

First things first: Izzy is recovering nicely from her sprained wrist — phew! Thanks for all the well wishes. Now on to the knitting. Remember that rut I mentioned about a month ago?

Pattern: Spectra by Stephen West
Yarn: Noro Taiyo Sock (S8)
Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (Antique Lace)

Well, I decided to embrace said rut when I couldn’t wait to cast on another shawl the minute I finished up this one. Yep, I signed up for the the 12 shawls in 2012 challenge. Crazy? Perhaps.

And for those keeping track of my  New Year’s “three new techniques” challenge, I’m counting this Spectra and its short rows as #2 down. Sure, I did a few short rows when making those holiday Malabrigo loafers. But here I worked on learning how to conceal the wraps — thinking of Cat Bordhi and her excellent tutorial each time I lifted a “yarn necklace” (all 500+ of them).

FO: Fracture

| yarn & yarns

These days it seems I can’t get enough of shawlettes/scarves knit in fingering weight yarn. The fact that I added several lovely skeins to my stash with the two StevenBe gift cards I received for Christmas (and had to spend before flying back to Albuquerque) certainly is aiding my momentum.

You could say I’m in a rut… But this shawlette only looks like it was designed by Stephen West.

 

Pattern: Fracture by Paulina Popiolek
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (Grasshopper)
Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 (Charcoal)

And while green is no stranger to my FOs, nor even acid green, it’s the first time I’ve used a full skein this vibrant.

Then again, perhaps I’ll just skip the rationalizations and add 12 in 2012 to my goals for the year. Something to ponder as I finish up the Spectra currently on my needles. And, yes, that one is designed by Stephen West.