Finally . . . Finished Projects

I'm sad to say that I did not complete all of my gift-giving knitting projects this year.  My daughter ended up recieving two ball of Scrumptious yarn, in a rich, dark purple.  She was disgusted, saying, "Well, I guess I have to knit my own sweater".  That was not the case, but it did take me until now, to turn those balls of yarn into this:

Another Laura Leaves Tank.  This is my favorite design to knit, and it is a good thing.  Because everyone in my family wants one.

Knit from my favorite yarn, Fyberspates Scrumptious, a blend of silk and merino wool.  It nearly flies off the needles all by itself.  My daughter will be passing through our town next week, on her way to her in-laws' house in California.  It is finished just in time for their family pictures.

The leaves, knit only on the front, are a great lace accent.  They really pop out, when a light color is worn underneath.  I hope she likes it, because she will be knitting her own next time.

My two little grandsons have quickly outgrown the little church vests I knit for them last Easter.  So, I have been frantically knitting them new ones.

Using the same pattern:  "Easton".  This is the smaller of the two.  One of the boys requested vertical stripes.  I wasn't really sure that would look good, so I compromised with this design on the chest.

The larger vest is currently on my needles.  As soon as they are both finished, I'll post some pictures of the boys wearing them.

I had hoped to use traveling ribbed stitches to shape my next design.  I've seen this done, but have never actually knit anything in this way.  Therefore, I decided to try one of Melissa Leapman's designs, to learn the process.

This is "Trompe l'Oeil" from "Knitting the Perfect Fit: Essential Fully Fashioned Shaping Techniques for Designer Results", by Melissa Leapman.  It is a wonderfully written pattern, and a book filled with designs I just cannot resist. 

Once I have completed this top and designed my own garment with traveling rib stitches, I hope to return to this book of designs, and knit many more.

You can see how the ribbing is manipulated to match the suttle curves of the body, and how it creates a slimming elusion.  This is the back piece.  When I have it completed, I'll post all the particulars about the wonderful yarn I've chosen for this project.  The lighting doesn't do the color justice.   It is a deep golden rust, rather than pumpkin orange.

It is shearing time at our house, and all of our fuzzy alpacas will soon be getting a Spring haircut.  I'll try to get some before and after pictures of them for you to see.  I'm trying to schedule a fun and informative trip to the mill for all of my knitting & non-knitting friends.  I'll post some pictures of this adventure too.  In the meantime, I better get back to my knitting.  Happy Knitting . . . . . . .