Cables all in a bunch

So I needed a little break from the scarf. You know something that required a bit more brain power. I went on a hunt last night for something that was challenging, small and could be done with the yarn I got from Krystal Sunnyside Wools. I searched thedailyknitter.com and found this pattern for the cleo clutch (which you can try to get to directly from here http://spunmag.com/article/060421cleo or you can just hop on to thedailyknitter.com and search in the bags section:

These are the images from the pattern of the finished clutch in both felted and unfelted stages. Isn't it fun?!

This will be my first attempt at cables, well my first real cable project. I have done swatches before but never attempted a whole project so I'm excited to see how it goes. I started it twice yesterday once on a pair of bamboo needles but there was way too much friction so I ended up pulling off half the stitches half way through the first cable pattern. Which is funny because the night before I was saying how much I love bamboo needles because the friction keeps me from dropping stitches. I was kind of right. I didn't drop them so much as fling them. So I had to rummage and find a pair of metal needles I stole from my mother many years ago. Then I started again and it has been much easier.

This is my second attempt, note the metal needles. They are so much heavier than what I'm used to. It's like lifting weights in comparison!

This will also be my first felting project. I spoke with Heather at Krystal Sunnyside Wools in Cape Cod and asked if the yarn I bought would felt. She says it felts beautifully. I don't know how to felt exactly since I have never done it before but I have instructions and keep reading up on it so hopefully when this is all over I won't ruin the project in the wash.

The scarf is coming along. I'm now in the middle of my 11th stripe but I think I need another 11 to make it long enough for boyfriend. He apparently would like it long. I haven't forgotten it and will continue to work on it on the bus. I definitely can't do cables on the bus. I did get some mild guilting when he saw I started something new but I don't care, after 11 stripes I need something new and challenging to breakup the boredom.

I can't wait till they are both done so I can show them off!