I started Connie Chang Chinchio's Tie Back Shell (Knit 1 Spring/Summer 2009) for the second time today. The shell looks like one of my old favorite lace pullovers that got caught on something and ripped last year. I've been thinking I'd like to make something to replace it and when I saw Connie's design I knew it was the one.

I started out with some eggplant Louet Linen because I love the way my Lacy Skirt with Bows works with the lace. It's got great body and washes up beautifully - nice and open without any pressing.

I washed the swatch and dried it a bit in the dryer. I know the final product would have fluffed up more. When I went to make the center bow/band though the yarn looked terrible. It just wasn't a good fit.

I was ready to ditch the project for something else with the linen (I really have an itch to use the linen) when katrinkles' finished Tie Back Shell came up on my friend activity this morning on Ravelry. Her project did me in and I had to find another yarn to use for it. (click through if you didn't - her project is really beautiful).

I went for Classic Elite Bam Boo this time. It's been in my stash for 3? years and the color is a great fit - black will be so veratile. I already have a skirt picked out to wear with it for the FO pics. I know, I'm getting ahead.

I'm more convinced this yarn is a better choice. It's closer in density to the original yarn, although the Samoa has some microfiber to keep its shape better. If the design used a lot of ribbing I wouldn't have picked it (the bamboo would never hold its shape) but since the bulk of this is lace and stockinette I think I may be able to squeak by.

Of course, I need to get through 70 inches of 1x1 ribbing for the tie before I can move ahead. Good times.

Although these projects are all somehow "work" related (I'm still working on how to fit in doing some knits that are just for me) I do love each of them and feel like it's the first time in over a year that I've been able to sit and just enjoy knitting.

These socks have been in development for months. I've lost count the number of times I swatched and partially knit this sock. This weekend I finally bound off the sock and feel like I can now share it. Sock #2 should come together much quicker.

pattern Tufted Diamonds (rav link)
yarn Indigo Moon Nature's Harvest in Madder Red

I've wanted to design a knee high that could truly be made for a wide variety of calves. This one is custom-sized and can go up to a 20" calf. I'm also including a crew height sock in case you don't want to knit the knee high length.

pattern bifrost socks by kristel nyberg from knotions spring 2009
yarn trekking 100
mods toe-up on 1 circ

I'm teaching a toe-up 2 at a time sock class and decided to make mine patterned just to make it more interesting for me to knit. This yarn has been in my stash for ages and if it wasn't for the fact that I wanted to use a yarn the LYS carries I doubt I would have picked this. Now that I'm knitting it up I love it and can't wait to wear them.

I'm also teaching a beading class and Janine Le Cras was nice enough to allow me to use the pattern in the class. I'm going to post an update to the charts to include the beads in case anyone else is interested.

pattern seaside serenade by janine le cras in knotions spring 2009
yarn woolbearers sterling sock yarn in Colonial Blue
beads clear with a silver lining

I'm using a fingering weight yarn instead of a laceweight so this stole is going to be quite wide (at least 25"). The yarn is a real surprise to me. I don't think of myself as liking metallic yarns but this has just enough to make it sparkle without seeming over the top.

Go check it out here! I had a lot of fun with a new series called Fabric Row -- combined knit and sew projects.

The issue launches next Monday, Feb 23rd.