Giftmaking on-the-Go and Rendezvousing Sweater Parts

Happy Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday my friendly fiberistas (now say that three times quickly). We are in the thick of gift-making here at chez Voie de Vie. I am happy to report decent progress on my red laceweight shawl:

I'm about one-third of the way completed with the main body, and it's coming along nicely. This lace stitch is going to block wonderfully, just you wait. This is the remainder of the Drops laceweight from my Rouge Que Sera Sera sweater, and these two hanks of laceweight have done me proud.

On Skappel sweater news: I am very happy to report that the insanely wide and boxy front and back have rendezvous'd at the shoulders in a most lovely three-needle bind-off:

Blocking: such an elegant affair.

If you've never done a three-needle bind-off, I'd highly recommend doing one. It's very easy and produces an incredibly neat and almost invisible seam. These photos were taken with the wrong side of the fabric facing the camera. I'll have better shots of the shoulders once I've completed the sweater, and I'll dare you to spot the seam absent my prompts.

Isn't that one, neat seam?

Finally, I received a most unexpected Christmas present from Heather over at Wool love-functional fiber art. She made me a quick, reversible felt cowl using some of the Premier Alpaca Dance yarn she won from me:

The cowl is green on one side, purple on the other, and the yarn makes waves in opposite directions on either side. Clever and very nicely done - thanks Heather!

Now don't forget to check in with the WonderWhyGal over at Wisdom Begins in Wonder to see everyone else's holiday gift progress.

P.S. - updated spelling, gah! Remind me not to write blogposts late at night that include riffed French words. :)

On Mindless Projects and Musical Passings

Well, it's another Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday here at chez Voie de Vie. I am actually working on another sweater (go figure!) in the midst of holiday crafting and other design projects. Have you all heard of or read about the Scandinavian Skappel sweater phenomenon? It seems the mamma Skappel knit a sweater for the daughter Skappel. Daughter got so many questions about the sweater that mamma eventually wrote up the pattern ... and then created a sweater kit. The pattern eventually was translated into English, and 275 projects later, I'm making myself one. 

Yes, that's the back of my Skappel sweater, patiently awaiting the front.

It's garter stitch with 2x2 ribbing at hem and cuffs - truly mindless knitting, which is exactly what feels right to me at the moment. I'm making some adjustments and/or otherwise tinkering with mine so it will be slightly different than the original. I'm already done the back and just started the front. I do love wearing oversized, warm sweaters in the winter much like an outer garment since it doesn't get too chilly here; it very rarely dips below freezing, so a warm sweater, some neckware and hand coverings and I'm pretty much all set. This project is also allowing me to use up some mohair that I've had in my stash for quite a while, and that also feels good.

Finally, a true jazz legend passed on this week - Dave Brubeck. NPR has posted an educational tribute; I just know that along with a few other select works - A Love Supreme comes quickly to mind - Take Five is a jazz piece that transcends all time and space. I listen to quite a bit of jazz when I crochet and knit. What do you listen to when you've got the sticks or hook in your hands?