I knitted half of the black border on my log cabin blanket and I couldn't be happier with the way it is turning out (except for some slight puckering along the outside, but that's nothing a little blocking won't fix). I'm still using Knitpicks Palette from the full range that I had accumlated last year, but once I made it through my only ball of black I realized that I would definitely need to order more. Until I make the order and have it shipped from home, the blanket has been neatly folded and stashed in the back of my (freshly organized and hopefully moth-proofed) closet. Must make that order soon!

I definitely won't be needing a wool blanket around these parts for a while though, or even want to SEE one on the back of my couch so I'm in no hurry. I picked up my Noro Cash Laine sweater again and started plugging along on the heavy wool sleeve just in time for a heat wave. Pictures to come another day.

Not a lot of time for knitting these past few weeks as I've been trying to fit in at least three runs a week in preparation for my first 5k on Sunday. I'm a little nervous because it is lin the mountains and I think I have shin splints. Hoping that with the right amount of stretching, caution and ice, it will be a great experience.

Plus, it's a long weekend AND I get to hang out with a super knitting pal all day Friday, so that should be a great time too. Be back with more knitting progress one of these days!!

Posted by Molly at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

I didn't let my failed attempt get me down, and I re-seamed my log cabin squares during my lovely 4-day weekend. The first week of May means lots of public holidays in Japan so I actually had the time I needed at home to get lots done, knitting included. Seaming this baby was a disaster last weekend since the crochet hook I used was way too small. But after picking out all those stiches and starting over, the right sized hook was impossible for me to work with. The hook just seemed so giant that I couldn't get it through each stitch without about 20 seconds and a cramped hand. So I reverted to the knitting needles. I picked up all the stitches along each seam onto my circs and then used the crochet hook to bind them all off. So instead of a true crochet chain seam, it was more of a knit-crochet hybrid. But it worked for me! This doesn't mean I have given up on learning how to crochet. I will learn one of these days!

Now I'm working on the border. I think I've decided on black but I'm not sure how thick it should be. I'm sure one skein of Knitpicks Palette is not going to cut it, but I am going full-force with what I've got for now. It's nice not to change colors every 20 minutes, so I am really enjoying the final stretch.

Posted by Molly at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I did a major spring cleaning and apartment overhaul this weekend. It involved taking EVERYTHING out of my closet, throwing away the things that were gross, hidden in the back, and never even belonged to me, and then reorganizing my own things (only the things that I really use and need) in the closet so that the space is actually useful. It was SO needed. Now when I fold up my futon in the morning, there is nothing on the floor in my room--perfect for playing with blanket squares and also spotting any rogue insect invaders (it's getting to be that time of year!).

I ran out of red yarn last week and after the initial frustration about it, I realized that I had 12 squares already--enough for a perfect rectangle (not a single square wasted--and even the mishap can be a tester for washing!). SInce the project was more about destashing for me than making a 16-square blanket, I decided to call it a day and start seaming.

I had just read about single-crochet seaming over at Little Purl of the Orient so I decided to give it a try. After sewing up all my seams, though, I realized that I must have used a hook a few sizes too small because there was major puckering between all the squares. Now I am back to square one (I know, not funny) and going to try a new method this week. Until then, the project waits for me in its new, uncluttered home in an empty drawer next to the couch. What a great weekend...

Posted by Molly at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)