I (heart) Louisa Harding

And I can thank my mom for introducing me to her. A while back, I was visiting home and I made my mother (she's always very nice about it) go to a yarn store - specifically Loops in Tulsa. While I was wandering around touching everything, my mom was busy falling in love with a sweater they had knitted up. It was Colomba from Louisa Harding's Venezia Felice Mai Dopo, knitted in Louisa Harding's Grace Silk and Wool. We decided that she had to have it, so we quickly bought the yarn and the book! I was a long time in starting it, but now I am well on my way. I've finished the front and started the back, and I love how it is looking. I apologize for the detail picture being so dark, it was hard to get a good shot.


In addition to working on Colomba, I've attempted my first set of toe-up socks! I think I found a really pretty pattern, and (after a few tries at the toe) I finally finished my first sock. I quickly cast on the second so I wouldn't end up with only one.Pattern: Leyburn Socks
Yarn: Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn

Also, for anyone who is trying to keep up with Hugo, this time I say it he should actually be on his way to feeling better. He kept getting sick, so we decided to take him to see a specialist at the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. They ran some tests and took some x-rays - and discovered that he had eaten something that was lodged in his stomach and intestine. That afternoon they performed surgery to take whatever he ate out. After a few days in the puppy ICU, Hugo is home now. He is not happy about being in an E-collar, but it will only last for a few more days. Then hopefully he will be back to his usual rambunctious self!

Long Time - No Blog

It's time for a knitting update. It's been a while since I posted anything, so I'm not going to write about all of my projects. Here are the ones I already have pictures of :-)

Bramble Bag

This bag is a free pattern from Berroco.com. It is made with two colors - and looks more difficult than it really is. You alternate knitting two rows of each color. The pattern calls for the bag to be lined (Mom helped with that). I have yet to buy the handles for the bag, but I will get to that . . . . eventually. As Sasha's mom pointed out, I think the variegated yarn gives the bag a stained glass look.

Yarn: Berroco Peruvia and Galway Paint
Pattern: Berroco Bramble Bag

Isabella

I found Jordana Paige's Isabella in Knitty Spring 2007. I knit it in a cotton that was slightly heavier than that called for in the pattern, so I had fewer repeats of the leaf motif. The picot edges are done by knitting a few rows, knitting a row of yarn-overs, and then turning the first few rows under.Yarn: Classic Elite Premium Cotton
Pattern: Jordana Paige's Isabella

Additional updates on my life:

Knitting-wise -- I have just recently discovered Ravelry and I am obsessed. My user name is - wait for it - LindenHeflin. So if you want to be my friend, find me. You can look at my projects, my stash, and what I want to knit.

School-wise -- It is my second summer of graduate school and I find it as, er, rewarding as ever. The thing that is really stressing me out is that I have to teach next semester.

Other-wise -- Hugo is still sick, but I think he is on his way to feeling better.