Striped Hoodie and other goodies

I thought last week spring had sprung here....it was in the 70's and 80's, we were out in the barn washing calves in capris and tshirts.

And this week it's been in the 40's and 50's.  Oh well - I had finished up a sweater a couple weeks ago and this just gives me another chance to wear it!

When I first fell in love with Plucky Knitter yarn last fall, at one of her updates she had 3 skien mystery colorwork kits in her worsted weight yarn.  You don't know what colors you are going to get, but you will get 3 of them.  Somehow in the update frenzy, I ended up with 2 kits.

But it was not a great loss, as both kits had the same color green in them.  And each kit had a grey that was similar.  So I started sometime in February knitting this striped hoodie.  I had been wanting a striped hoodie, but couldn't find a pattern that I liked and that used 5 different colors.

So I made it up as I went along.

I love it when a gamble pays off and it ends up being a sweater I will actually wear and love.  I think this one will be good all year round.  It's warm enough inside with a long sleeved tshirt under it, but the first time I wore it (Saint Patrick's Day) I had a tank top underneath it. 

Tyler was my "photographer" and he couldn't get a decent shot of the hood - but it's big enough to cover your ears and stay up, but not so big to be sloppy.

Pattern - my own.
Size - 36"
Yarn - Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted
Needle - size 6

And I've been working on another test knit for Thea - this will be Charleston Tea out of Plucky Knitter Sport in the colorway Bisque.  I'm in love with the shading of this yarn.  Subtle varigation and incredibly soft.

However, size 5 needles and my wrists are not good for all of the time knitting, so last night I cast on for Liesl.  Again in Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in the colorway Honey Wilkes.  This one I'm taking a gamle on - the sizes of the cardi are 34 and 38.  I went up a few needles from the pattern (started with a size 10 and am gradually increasing to a size 11), and made the 34.  I've been on a diet that is actually working for me, and in the last month I'm down just about 15 lbs.  And knowing how lace looks best when it's blocked rather agressively, I didn't want it to end up too big, which I was afraid would happen if I knit the 38 (lately I've been knitting 36" sweaters and they are a little large now).  So I did the high neckline and the 34 with the cap sleeves. 

I started last night about 7 p.m. and by 11:30 had this much done.  I did try it on and it appears if I block it well it will fit just fine.  But I have a backup plan....if it's too small I'll give it to Jessie and I'll just make myself a new one.  Ever since I knit her legwarmers she has been wanting a sweater (and in fact keeps eyeing the test knit I'm currently working on) so this could kill 2 birds with one stone.  And if it fits me, well, I have some single skiens of Plucky Knitter yarn so I'll just make her the smaller size.  Win, win, right?

This weekend I'll get lots of knitting time in - Jessie has a basketball shootout tonight and tomorrow and tomorrow Tyler also has his Pinewood Derby.  And Todd is headed back for a quick trip to PA to pick up the bull we are going to use this summer.  And if the weatherman was correct, we are in for a cold and rainy weekend and I intend to knit the weekend away:)

Have a great weekend!
Kris