FO: Long kimono vest

This is the long kimono vest. I used 4 skeins of Malabrigo merino worsted, one of my favorite worsted weight yarns. Mine is shorter than the pattern's version -- it's about 29 inches from shoulders to hem. I chose this vest because I really liked the stitch pattern, and I wanted to make something that I could wear over leggings. I wanted a garment that was more or less age-appropriate, because even though I love leggings, I'm almost as old as dirt, and I did not want to look ridiculous. I'm very happy with the result.

The pattern is basically knitting 3 large swatches and sewing them together. I did add some 2x2 ribbing to the bottom, and I knitted a shawl collar. My shawl collar starts out as 2x2 ribbing, then changes to 3x3 ribbing, and then it's knitted with needles one size higher for the 1" depth of short row shaping around the neck. It sits nicely flat on my shoulders and back. I added an infinitesimal amount of waist shaping by using smaller needles for a 5" middle section.

On a styling note, I did try wearing this with a wide stretchy belt, but I think I looked like an elf, even without the elf shoes and hat!

A WIP and some yarn

I'm currently working on this long kimono vest, a free pattern. Mine won't be quite as long as pattern's version, but it is long. I chose this because I really like the stitch pattern. It's semi-open so my vest won't be too warm, and it's easy do. Also, the pattern shows up even with this dark Malabrigo worsted yarn I'm using. The color is a dark blue-black that looks great in sunlight because these overtones of blues and greens appear. In dim light, it looks like the color of squid ink. With a flash, as shown here, it looks like a medium gray. I'll have to be sure I show the FO in sunlight. I added a ribbing on the bottom, and I'll do more of a shawl collar. The vest in the photo doesn't look very trendy, but I've seen lots of long vests in the shops lately. I figure I can wear it over leggings if I want to be au courant this winter.

On the subject of Malabrigo worsted, I recently bought 5 skeins of this cognac color. I purchased the yarn on a recent trip to the Lake Tahoe area at the Lake Tahoe Yarn Company. I also bought 5 skeins of dark grey Shepherd's Wool, which is the store's best selling yarn.

Yarn bombing update: He's stylin'!

I did my little yarn bombing thing on Thursday night, Nov. 12, and I was pleased to notice today that not only is my statue still wearing his yarny goodness, but he's been re-styled! Someone else has styled him to look like a cool snow-boarding dude.

Yarn bombing

Lately, I've become mildly fascinated with the yarn bombing concept. I've even purchased this book, Yarn Bombing: The Art of Knit and Crochet Graffiti, which has photos of some great fiber art. The authors' website is www.yarnbombing.com I decided it was time for me to try a little yarn bombing myself, what with the holidays coming up and everything. So, I decided that this statue in our little town center clearly needed some holiday cheer.

I did this at night, and The Other Half helped with the photography and driving the getaway car. The next morning, I went back to take a daylight photo, and I was ever so pleased that no one had removed it. Doesn't he look nice with his cowl? (or is it called an infinity scarf?)

The Other Half has decided that my pseudonym should be "Yarnabomber". I'm not sure I like that name.