Sasha Knits!

A special package from Webs arrived earlier today which means that I can finally cast on for that Geodesic Cardigan I’ve been pining after since seeing the previews for the latest Knitscene.

Is it just me or is Malabrigo Lace hard to find in large quantities, especially if you’re after one of the darker colorways?  Originally, I wanted to go for a nice dark blue, but the only place I could find online that had the colorway I was after only had a single hank on hand.  I then decided I could settle for black, but each vendor I tried had no more than one or two hanks in stock. Argh!  I went to one local shop that supposedly carried this particular yarn, but was disappointed to learn that they’d cleared it all out a while ago.  Finally, I settled on Vaa, which is a deep dark green mixed with a slightly lighter shade and a bit of dark turquoise.  Although it wasn’t my first or second choice, I do like the colorway and believe that it will look nice against my skin tone.  The pattern calls for only four skeins, but I picked up an extra to have nearby in case of emergency.

Before I can begin the cardigan, though, I have two projects that I would like to get off the needles asap.

The first is a beanie for the husband.  I decided that instead of giving him candy or a card, I’d give him something a little more personalized.  I’m using the One Skein Noro On A Budget Spiral Rib Hat pattern, but rather than use Noro (which I’ve come to detest) I decided to go with Lorna’s Laces Green Line Worsted in Chocolate.  The combination is knitting up beautifully and I should have it done either tonight or tomorrow sometime.

The second project is a sock pattern of my own design.  I’m currently about half way through the first sock and should be done within the next few days.  After I’ve finished it, I can write out the pattern and get it sent out to test knitters.   From that point, I hope to have any necessary corrections made and have the pattern up for sale by the end of the month.

I’m using ShibuiKnits Sock in Wasabi for these.  I was expecting more of a variegated, mottled effect with the coloration instead of the striping, but I still quite like the yarn.  I have some other colorways in my stash that I will probably get to sooner rather than later.

Other than the hat and the socks, I still have my Springtime Bandit shawl to finish and I’ve started a blanket using left over sock yarn.  I was thinking that I might like to have the shawl done in time to wear for Stitches West, but now I think I would prefer to have the cardigan by then.  It’s not that I don’t like the shawl anymore or have stopped enjoying working on it… I’m just not sure if I’m a shawl wearer yet.  Eventually, I will have a chance to find out.

I should probably get back to working on the husband’s beanie now.  Goodnight, everyone!