Knitting to the exclusion of all else

I posted a while ago about an eight-legged project I was working on, and it's finally finished. This cute guy came from the book by Hansi Singh called Amigurumi Knits. My son really wanted the octopus because he's interested in underwater life. I got the tentacles done and put together and then poor octopus sat that way for some time. Every now and then my son would ask about his octopus, and then he stopped asking. Fueled by "mom guilt," I finally sat down and completed the head and grafted top to bottom. It really was an afternoon's work yesterday and then 45 minutes to seam today.


Not only am I and the recipient happy with it, but I got to learn some great techniques in the process. I can see that's where these small projects can really pay off. I learned fake grafting and some things about short rowing I didn't know could be done, such as having numerous wraps on one stitch. I can't say that all this fiddly stuff is the most pleasant knitting, but it's good to learn something new.

I also cranked out my Toast arm warmers and have been wearing them nonstop:


These were done in Classic Elite Portland Tweed, which I knew I would like. It's a heavier yarn than I thought it was. And this is another reason small projects are so great: you get to try out lots of different yarns. I don't know if I'd want a whole sweater out of Portland Tweed, but it's pretty nice. Maybe a vest. . .

I also started a pair in Queensland Collection Leche. These will have the thumb option. Leche is kind of a weird yarn. It's 40% merino, 30% microfiber, 20% milk protein and 10% silk. It knits up very thickly, and I notice the microfiber as kind of a plastic-y feel. But I want to see how it wears, if there's any pilling or if it's sturdy.


I've also been knitting away on the Noro squares and have five of them done now. I hope all these colors find some cohesion at some point! The Kureyon is very rustic and either it, or all the short rows, or my bamboo needles is being very hard on my hands. The minute I switch to another project it's easier going. I'll try the Addi Turbos and see if that makes a difference, but in the meantime, I got myself distracted by some more rustic knitting:


A simple ribbed scarf. The yarn is --gasp-- Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. I've been wanting to try this yarn, and Joann's obliged by having a "buy two" sale, so I'm trying it out now. The scarf is in a brownish grey color, but these three also came home with me. Three huge skeins is enough for a cabled sweater.


This yarn is very rustic, and very sheepy smelling when steamed (like, may be a bit of ram in this batch!). I want to know how much it softens and blooms after a soak in Eucalan, but it sure seems hard wearing. I have some ideas for a project that will have to wait till next post!