Recently in Tart Lace Category

Pattern: #1 Tank with Lace in Rebecca 22
Yarn: KFI King Tut in Yellow

I would've finished this Sunday had it not been for my nasty cold running longer than necessary. I tried it on, of course, gotta make sure the armholes fit and it's not too tight. My sister's slightly more voluptuous than me, and she'll look great in this.

Pattern: Garter stitch
Yarn: Mouse and Fiber Kitten's Reese's Fleeces in Pink

Remember Mouse's ball of pink fleece? This is it. I started to knit a scarf only to run out 2 feet later (granted, it was 6 inches wide). I didn't want to frog the whole thing so I ripped back 6 inches, crocheted the sides closed, and crocheted a double chain strap to it. Instant bag! It's designated for my friend's daughter, and I'm going to fill it with crayons and a little blank book.

Mmm... agua de horchata! Everyone's Favorite Rabbit blogged about it one fine day this summer and I knew I had to try it. I used to drive 5 miles to this mom and pop restaurant for it because it was homemade. Buying the mix at a supermarket, with its preservatives and artificial colors and flavors, just wasn't the same. I let my horchata sit in the fridge overnight before blending, and I used soy milk. BF says two thumbs up! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Becky!

Lastly, thanks everyone for the Mittens comments. Those are going to Nuremberg, Germany, to BF's mom. Wish I could say they were mine, but it'll never get below 40 around here!

Here's another quick winter knit: Mittens with Cable Ribs from Sarah Dallas' Vintage Knits. I'm just about to start on the thumb gusset. The yarn is Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino in #602 Old Rose. The picture doesn't do justice to the color at all, which is more like this, with less blue. The mittens are intended for BF's mom in Nuremberg, but I'm a little worried that the yarn may be too thin. I may end up knitting a second pair in 100% wool if these don't turn out to be warm enough. Any suggestions on a good wool?

As much as I love Vintage Knits, I have some complaints about the book. There are instances where additional sizes are missing, or charts where there is no color key. It seems like there needs to be some additional proofreading, as I've read about mistakes in the directions. I've been in design long enough to know the nightmares on design and copy deadlines, so it's understandable to miss a few mistakes. But not a lot. I'm going to contact the publisher and hopefully they'll forward my concerns to Miss Dallas.

I finished Tart's back last night and started on the front. Tarty she is with all those holes! Time to go camisole shopping! I'm quite satisfied with the way this is turning out. I just had to make sure the yarns didn't twist into themselves and make little gnarly worms. My sister's been asking for her knit tank top, so I'll be able to give this to her by the weekend!

This is my next entry in the Candy-Along, which I'll call Tart for all its lemony yellowness. It's the lace tank top from Rebecca 22 (first on left). I'm using some KFI King Tut, a 100% cotton that I bought in a fit of Tour de France mania. There are changes, of course: first, the original was knit in the round and I'm doing it flat. Second, I'm doing reverse stockinette stitch as opposed to 1x1 ribbing. And third, I'm doing simple edge decreases for armhole shaping. I'm knitting this with yarn doubled on US 10.5/6mm needles, a combination that makes quick results. I thought it would be heavy, and it isn't, fortunately. What you see here is 2 days' worth of lacework, a nice break from the ribbing and cables of recent WIPs.