Dark and Stormy

I have been doing lots of blocking this week, but there are no pictures of those things yet, because the last few days have been very dark and stormy and that means the light has been awful, and taking my knits out into this blindingly ridiculous rain would undo all my blocking anyhow.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have something to share with you! Please behold
FRIGHTFUL:

Pattern: Peregrine by Kate Gilbert, from the Fall 2010 Twist Collective
Yarn: Stashed Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Candy Blue (which colorway has been discontinued for about five years; that is also almost as long as it’s been in my stash)
Needles: US7/4.5mm
Notes: Oh love, love, love. This is about the most complicated top I have knit yet, and that’s not saying much, because aside from picking up the ribbed collar and working the short rows there, it’s a pretty standard top. I tend towards socks and lace and I don’t branch out as often as perhaps I should, but when I saw the pictures in the newest Twist Collective I was just captivated and dove right in. The original calls for a wool yarn, but I had Cotton Ease in my stash, and I hit gauge spot on so I figured I’d take the risk. It came out glorious. Here, have some closeups:

The ribbing on the collar uses short rows, and you can see where I totally mucked up picking up the wraps on the right side. I really don’t care. I figured out what I did wrong far enough in that I didn’t want to rip back. Next time I will do better. And it’s not like it impedes wearability.
The pattern called for a picot bindoff on the collar, but I made an executive decision not to do so. I didn’t think it would work as well in a cotton blend, and I find I prefer the clean line anyhow.

The hem and the sleeves are edged with this delightful little lace, which was easy to work up and looks marvelous. Kate Gilbert’s got a really deft hand with little touches like this and I love it.

And look, guys! An action shot!

I wore the finished object to a knit night to show off and Kristin kindly humored me and took a few shots while I knit away on a hat. (A hat which the test knitters are working on and I should have ready to release soon, by the way… and thanks, Kristin!) You can see that the V-neck on this is extreeeeeeemely low, but I expected this would require a camisole underneath it and was not surprised. I really love how it looks and fits, and I’m so so happy with the final product. I’m seriously considering a second one in another color; maybe I’ll try a wool yarn this time!

In sum: this pattern is excellent, I love the FO, and if anybody can figure out why I’d call a pattern named Peregrine “Frightful,” I will give you an internet. (Somebody’s got to get the joke. Somebody? Anybody? Bueller?)

ALSO. You guys, my cousin had a baby girl on Monday and she’s beautiful. So I made her stuff.

The booties are my favorite bootie pattern, and I improvised the hat. I really kind of love it and I think I will write it up. I used the leftovers from my Lorna’s Laces Gold Hill Jaywalkers, because it’s such a pretty color and perfect for an autumn baby, don’t you think? And I stretched it with some pale pink Dalegarn Baby Ull from the stash. Every baby should start life with something handmade to call their own and I think this little set will do quite nicely. Do you think her mother will let me put needles in her hands to see what will happen?

Rhinebeck is coming, by the way. Who will I be seeing there?