The Turning of the Shrew

So my new project that I am working on is the Austin Hoodie. It's a great pattern and really nice hoodie/cardigan by Connie Chang Chirchio. The pattern uses Tosh Merino Light (TML) by MadelineTosh, which is a gorgeous single ply yarn. I have been buying MadTosh for awhile so when this pattern came out, I knew I had to make it. After finishing the Mara shawl, I decided that Austin would be a great pattern to tackle. I have never made a sweater, cardigan or anything like it so I knew I would be getting an education while making it.
Sunday night was the perfect opportunity for Rob and I to take on the challenge of winding five skeins of Denim TML. Two skeins were a bit of a challenge due to the "stickiness" of the yarn but we managed to get them all wound. Here are the results of three semi-perfect little cakes!
After all of that winding, we were beat so I waited to cast on until yesterday. Generally I like working with a single ply yarn but I LOVE this yarn. The color is gorgeous (per usual with MadTosh) but what is so lovely about TML is that it really blossoms when knit. It is so soft and I cannot wait to wear it.

So after casting on, I knit and purled according to the pattern and then got to something I have never done before, a turned hem! I was so intimidated (I had already worked around 2500 stitches) but I went for it, conquered it (it wasn't easy at first) and learned a new technique in the process. I felt so proud after completing my turned hem and realized that in life, when something new comes along, I shouldn't allow myself to feel so intimidated by it. I should jump in, feet first and I will probably be surprised at the outcome!

My turned hem:

Check Check Check

So much has happened since I last wrote so let me fill you in.

• Another Literature class completed in the quest for my B.A.- Check
• Lot's of knitting and yarn buying- Check
• Planned and threw the boy's first bday- Check

And lot's of little things in between. The boy's birthday party went off without a hitch. It was a lovely day weather wise and it was nice to spend the day with family and friends celebrating our two little miracle babies. Their actual birthday was a couple of days later. I still cannot believe that they are one already. It seems like yesterday that we brought them home.

I am so happy to have finished Candace's Mara Shawl. It was such a fun and easy knit. I cannot wait to knit one for myself. I am really enjoying finishing projects. It sounds weird but any knitter will understand this, I use to (sometimes still do) suffer from Start-itis. I was always starting new projects but never finishing them. Finishing projects and either wearing them myself or giving them away, feels amazing. I am not sure why I did not start finishing projects sooner! Here are some pics of Candace's shawl: