Sticking with my Knit From Your Stash goals I’ve started a new project with some stash yarn. This yarn is Lion Brand Cotton Ease and is 50% cotton, 50% acrylic.

Originally this yarn was for a knit yoga bag. I knit the pattern in another yarn and was unimpressed with the final result. The problem I found was the knit fabric was loose and putting a yoga mat into it was difficult. So I have three balls of this blue yarn. What to make?

After some pondering and even dreaming of knitting I decided to knit myself a skirt. The top third will be in stockinette and the lower two thirds will be in a simple lace pattern. For the first time I’m trying circular needles which are enjoyable. Inspired by Elizabeth Zimmerman’s advice of “be the boss of your knitting” I’m making my own pattern.

I just finished my second sock. They fit and feel wonderful.

The self striping turned out really cool. I like how they match and yet are different.

Another view with Prana walking by.

I’m working on my no pattern purse tonight. It’s coming along nicely.

My Eyelet Pullover is headed to the frog pond. My desperate measure of boiling the thing only resulted in the armpits shrinking. The sleeves are gorilla sleeves and the bottom hangs down to my knees. Plus when I put it on the lace looks horrible with my breasts. Bah!

I’ve moved past the anger, past the tears and am in the acceptance state. Oh I’ll probably cry while frogging it but I know it must be done. The yarn is nice so I might as well reuse it. Though truth be told the skeins will probably sit in my stash for a long while.

This was a tough project. I struggled throughout the whole thing and now at the end I don’t have anything to show for it. On the positive side I did learn a lot of new skills. While that’s good I still am bummed I don’t have a sweater after all that hard work.

Elizabeth Zimmerman is really inspiring me to make my own sweater. Her recipes for sweaters seem much better than a pattern. Maybe I’ll try one next.

Rest in peace eyelet sweater. I wish I could have worn you.

I finished seaming up my no pattern purse last night. I’m really liking the way it’s turning out.

It’s big enough to fit a book so it will be great to bring along a knitting project. I’ll buy a zipper next and iron the fabric for the lining.

I’m thinking of naming this purse and writing up a pattern when I’m done.

My second sock is coming along nicely.

This sock pattern rocks. I’m so glad I got the book.

I finished my self striping sock and it’s beautiful! Even Prana thinks so:

I’m really happy with the way it fits. The bind off the book gave didn’t work for me. I ended up binding off so tight I couldn’t pull the sock on. Luckily, Wendy recently gave some tips on sock bind offs. I’m so thankful, she saved me a lot of stress and it’s really a great bind off technique. A little more detail on the technique is mentioned in this entry.

Another view of my wonderful sock: