Mona's Knitting Room

During the time I was without a digital camera, I made significant progress on my Crayon Box Jacket. In fact, I finished all of the knitting with the exception of the borders. I took a moment today to photograph all the new parts. The next step will be to sew them all together.

Here's a sleeve gusset of which there are two:


I knit the gussets using Manos del Uruguay. If you are unfamiliar with the construction of the CBJ, you may ask how this gusset design works. Here's a photo of one of the sleeves next to its gusset. These edges are sewn together and then the same thing is done with the other side of the sleeve to create the typical tube-shaped sleeve.


I also completed the back of my jacket:


And the two fronts:


I've decided to line the jacket and purchased a light-weight silk charmeuse fabric for that. The expert at the fabric store recommended hanging the jacket for several days to get it to stretch some and then making the lining to fit. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that one.

Ever had one of those days when you feel like you've done a lot of things in one day and they've all contributed to making your life more settled? That's how I feel today. I decided to make today a day where I took care of many things that have been on my mind. I joined Weight Watchers, did the grocery shopping, made a pot of chicken soup and one of beef stew, had lunch with my friend Kay and am now sitting with my husband in my kitchen, where I can look out at my backyard and watch the sun make sparkles on the snow and light up the trees. I feel content.


I was able to make some progress on my Debbie Bliss Entrelac Sweater during the WW meeting and while chatting with Kay. Sometimes I feel like I'll be knitting little squares for the next year!






I still think often of our vacation last week. It was so nice to do so little in such a beautiful location.

Kennedy Space Center was interesting and fun, too:

Sometimes it's tough to return to the real world, isn't it?

Just in time for Christmas, I finished a cardigan for my husband. The pattern is Sally Melville's Classic Male Cardigan from her Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch book. I used Cascade 220 yarn in an olive heather and size US #4 and 4.5mm straight needles. Since the Cascade yarn is a little thinner than that called for in the pattern, I used the XL size number of stitches to achieve a finished M size. To finish it off, I found dark brown leather buttons.


Here's a closer photo that shows the stitch definition and the saddle shoulder styling a little better:



Here's the recipient wearing the sweater: