Almost there!

I have been frantically trying to knit my grandmother (who is, by the way, 98 years old) a sweater for Christmas. Each year I try to come up with something original to give her, but it's become very difficult to find presents that she will appreciate and find useful. I was flipping through Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Around and saw the Bog Jacket. I rather liked the striped shoulders, although I couldn't see myself actually wearing one with striped shoulders. The construction of the garment was also interesting. It is based on the simple folk-garments that are made out of a square piece of fabric. When this square is knit, shaping can be included. I cast on about two weeks ago, and have been trekking away at it as well as other pieces.

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Bog Jacket from Knitting Around. Embellishments include waist shaping, shoulder shaping, phony side seams, short rows across the back, longer sleeves and sleeve shaping.

Yarn: Elann.com's Peruvian Wool, colors 2699 (Lot 129), 4145 (Lot 869),

Needles: #7 Addi Turbos, 80 cm

I've also made quite a bit of progress on my subway project -- the Latvian Socks from Nancy Bush's Folk Socks. I'm halfway done. Just tonight, I grafted the first toe together. These socks are great for the subway. The pattern was easy to memorize and it used a traditional heel-flap, so I didn't need to look them up. The only modification I made was to use my favorite toe, where I decrease on each needle toward the sides. I think this is the prettiest decrease. (I do admit, though, that I have not tried all the different toes yet. Only this one and the short-row toe, and I like this one the best!)

This sock obviously needs blocking, but that will happen as soon as I have a pair. Look at the gusset shaping!

Latvian Socks

Elann.com's Devon, 1 entire ball

Needles: #1 Clover Bamboo dpns

Gauge: ?? I cast-on and hoped that they would fit. They do!

And when I say 1 entire ball, I mean 1 WHOLE ball. I always have leftovers. Even when I knit Fetching with Knitpicks yarn, I had about 7 yards leftover. Look what I had left from the Devon:

The color in this last picture is accurate, too. It is a deep, rich red. The yarn is silky, too -- one I'll definitely be using again.

I also finished the Clapotis! I love the way this fabric drapes -- it has the warmth of wool, especially the halo that Rowan Tapestry gives, but drapes beautifully. I knit from both ends of the ball, which helped moderate the strong variegation. I really, really like the colors on the reverse-stockinette side. I would consider making this pattern again, but I would make sure to choose a yarn without so much of a halo. It was very difficult for me to drop the stitches with this yarn, as it sticks to itself like mohair.

Clapotis from Knitty.com

Yarn: Rowan Tapestry, 4 1/4 balls

Needles: #7 Addi Turbos

Gauge: ??

I'm also on the final stretch of the Print o'the Wave Stole. I've got the border completed on one of the short sides. After I finish, I have to weave my ends in and then block. Hopefully I'll finish this week.