Posted in Uncategorized on January 31, 2008 | 6 Comments »
There will no updates to the blog for the next few days. TG is taking me away for the weekend (just the two of us!) for my Birthday. This is to be my big 3-0 and I am most definitely excited about the weekend. The whole thing has been solely planned by TG and is a big surprise. I will spill all the details about the weekend when we return.
Incidentally, I turn 30 on Monday and may not get out of bed at all that day…
Posted in Book Review, gauge, Musings, yarn stuffs on January 29, 2008 | 3 Comments »
I don’t have much in the way of knitting to show you today. I am working on the Entrelac Baby blanket (remember that?) which doesn’t really get much more interesting as it grows and I have hit a snag (again) in the SOTS II lace pattern – once again, I have tried to tink back a bit and messed things up even more than they were to begin with.
So, I figured I would show you a few of the things that I have acquired over the last few years of knitting that I simply can not live without.
1. Books
When I first started knitting, I figured that books were too expensive and bought only magazines for the first year. However, I am now finding that books are where its at. I pick these up and knit from them much more often than a magazine and they are easier to find a certain pattern – such as a quick baby project – much faster than a magazine simply because they are organized by type of project.
The book I use most? The one I thought I would use the least for some reason – Last Minute Knitted Giftsby Joelle Hoverson. I simply love this book. I have made five of the projects from the book and have plans to make at least two more before I am through.
2. Needles
The first set of needles that I managed to get my hands on were a pair of straight plastic size 6US needles that I pilfered out of my mother’s stash. Now, my mom does not knit and so these had been hanging around since the 1970′s. I knit 2/3 of an acrylic baby blanket on them and they were so sticky and hard to use, I almost gave up knitting. Then I discovered the joys of interchangeable circulars. I got my Denise set first which was perfect for a beginning knitter as they are smooth and flexible, but still have some grab to them. Then, I got a set of Boye and I am finding that I prefer these to the Denise set as they are slicker and I can knit faster with them as my skill has increased. Of course, when Knit Picks came out with their interchangeable and the buzz that surrounded them was deafening, I knew I needed some of these needles. I have yet to use them, but as soon as I am ready to cast on for my next project (a sweater!), these will be my weapon of choice.
I think what I love most about interchangeable circs is the flexibility. You always have at hand any size needles and cables necessary for any project. To me, interchangeable circs offer the best bang for your buck.
3. A Good Bag
Nothing beats a good knitting bag. I am partial to Namaste bags, myself, but there are so many amazing options out there that knitters have almost endless choice. For Christmas, I received a Namaste Messenger bag in Mauve. This bag fits my needs perfectly. It is exceptionally roomy without being too large and has a number of inner and outer pockets that I can stash tools, yarn, and other necessary accessories in.
I also have a Namaste Jetsetter that I love and will be able to carry to and from work without a lot of questions as it most definitely does not look like a typical knitting bag.
I am currently coveting one of the Newer Namaste bags – the Malibu design. Too cute.
4. Finally, a Good Yarn
The right yarn is important. Now, don’t get me wrong, the right yarn doesn’t have to be expensive or made of the highest quality fibers, but it is extremely important to match the right yarn to the right project. Yarns have characteristics that should work to the advantage of the project you are knitting. I had very little understanding of this concept when I first started knitting. I wanted to knit Tempting but had no clue about the type of yarn that should be used. Consequently, I choose a good solid workhorse yarn – Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. This yarn, while amazing for felted projects and non-drapey garments, is not a great fit for Tempting. As a result, the sweater has sat, folded in my closet, for the last few years. It’s stiff like cardboard and rides up like you wouldn’t believe because of the lack of drape in the knit fabric. I think that yarn substitution is a learned skill and gets easier with each project. When in doubt, swatch the yarn you are planning to use before committing to making a whole sweater out of it. Once the swatch is done (be sure to make a generous swatch – at least4″ square) and look at the drape of the yarn, the thickness, the gauge and the overall effect of the yarn. I often swatch, wash the swatch and step away for a few days before I make my decision. Sometimes the best yarn pills or breaks down (causing those little bits of fibre to fly away and tickle your nose as you wear it) when washed. Every yarn has the right project. It’s up to you to find it.
Posted in Uncategorized on January 27, 2008 | 3 Comments »
I am such a girl. Truly. I like to believe that I am a bit of a tomboy. Strong. Not sensitive. But I am not.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but it all became clear as I was watching television tonight. I turned on the tv and Pretty Woman was on and about halfway through, I realized I was grinning like a complete idiot at tv during the scene where Richard Gere sees Julia Roberts dressed up like a lady for the first time. Yup, grinning like a goofy girl-y girl. Rooting for the hooker and the eccentric millionaire to work things out and make it in the end. I am a girl. There is no denying it.
So, as a girl, can I just say how much I like the new yarn Kayla spun for me? Lurvely right? All pinky and purple. The low down is that she is also spinning me a skein of one ply worsted to match. I think that this will become some mittens and a hat for Bunny. Sooner or later… I have just wet finished the yarn as instructed and as soon as it is dry, I will post photos. Until then, you can find more of her hand-spun here.
Oh, and the ribbed stitch socks? Finished. Yay me.
Posted in FO's, frog pond, new projects, project photos on January 24, 2008 | 7 Comments »
No. Really, my needles are just on fire, they are moving so fast. I have kicked 4 projects off the needles in the last 2 days!!
Off went the secret green socks. Sorry I can’t post a photo of these or show you more of the pattern. But, rest assured, sometime late February, I will be able to share more with you all.
And, I managed to finish the felted yoga mat bag. This was a big project and I will be happy to see it go to its new home. Right now, it’s hanging out with Liza(someone, please remind her to blog…) waiting for the casing to be sewn. She has assured me that her machine is apparently up to the task of sewing through two layers of heavily felted bag. I lurve her. Truly.
I will admit that I cheated (a little) and sent a sock back to the frog pond. The pattern wasn’t right for the yarn and so, off the needles it went. I think this yarn may be much better suited to a pair of Monkeys.
Can you believe that I also managed to start and finish my SOTS II clue #1? Seriously, on fire.
And, the icing on the cake? I also cast on for and have nearly finished the second of the ribbed stitch socks that were one of my outstanding WIP’s.
Nothing can stop me now. Nothing.
Oh, and, the children went sledding last night. This was Bunny’s first time sledding. Monkey did pretty well too.
Just in case you were wondering, no, we didn’t actually let Monkey sled. They were well away from the slope and TG was standing right beside the sled the whole time.
Posted in new projects, project photos, rant on January 21, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Have you ever had one of those days weeks where your knitting just seems to be jinxed? First, I hit a snag with the yoga mat bag and now, I’ve run into a mess with my SOTS II stole. A misread of the chart has caused me to go back and tink the 15th row of my stole at least 3 times and somehow on the last un-tinking, I have dropped a stitch and now I am completely f*ck*edmessed up. Grrr…. this really is a result of my trying to pick up the knitting while I am tired. So, tomorrow, I am off to my LYS where I can consult the great, powerful and oh, so wise, AuntyTink (lace Goddess extraordinaire) and have her hold my hand through the fixing of the stole.
I am almost through the second, boring, ribbed stitch sock. I am using Art Yarns Ultramerino 4 in color 157. I originally hated these socks; mainly, I think, because they were intended to be another sock design that didn’t work. However, instead of fighting with the design, I instead cast on for some easy ribbed socks and I think subconsciously felt disappointed in myself for giving up so easily. As a result, the socks sat in my UFO pile while I tried hard to ignore them. However, when I put the finished sock on last week, I realized that the yarn is actually well suited to the rib pattern and committed to finishing them, rather than sending them to the frog pond. I am rolling along smoothly now and should have them done by the end of the week at the latest.
And, because the SOTS II stole is being a pain in the arse, I cast on for another project (this is a Ravelry link – pictures of my own knitting to be forthcoming soon). This one is being knit as a store sample for my LYS out of Alchemy yarn and should be off the needles by tomorrow evening. I think that a class on these mock cable mittens will be forthcoming sometime in the next month or so. I will post dates as soon as I have them.
Posted in new projects, project photos, Socks that Rock on January 18, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Today I wanted to show you the Yoga Mat Bag all finished and stuffed full of yoga mat, but I’ve run into some complications. Big ones. See, I made some modifications to the bag pattern. More specifically, I decided to make it longer in order to add a drawstring closure and this means that there is some sewing involved. Unfortunately, when I went to sew the top of the bag down to make the casing for the drawstring, I realized that my sewing machine is not up to the daunting task of sewing through two layers of heavily felted yoga bag.
Now I am at a loss. The idea of sewing the casing and strap to the bag by hand makes me want to vomit a little in my mouth and so, I have chosen to place the bag in time out until the spirit moves me to pick it back up again and deal with this little snafoo.
So, what does one do when things aren’t going her way? She casts on for another project, of course.
Ok, I know I said that I wouldn’t cast on for anything until the WIP’s were off the needles. But, in my defense, I have been so good. Really. I have kicked the yoga bag, thrummed mittens, a pair of socks and a hat off my needles in the last week. And, I frogged a sock in progress that wasn’t working for me. So, technically, I am down to 6 WIP’s. Not too shabby.
So, I cast on for the Secret of the Stole II. This is actually my first stole project and I am pretty dang excited. I am so not a lace stole/shawl knitter normally, but something inside of me shouted “go for it!”. So I did. Check out my swatch.
I am using Socks that Rock Laci in the Rook-y colorway. This yarn is part of the Raven series of colors that STR put out in November and if you haven’t seen them yet, do go and check them out. I promise you won’t be disappointed! I know, I am such an enabler.
Posted in Uncategorized on January 16, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Yoga mat bag off the needles? Check.
Washer filled with hot water, Soak (citrus scented), 2 towels & a pair of jeans (for extra agitation)? Check.
Yoga bag added to washer mixture? Check.
Sufficient felting time passed? Check. Note the nasty water color. Blah. (This is why we use old towels and jeans!)
Washer set to spin? Check. (This will cut down on excessive drying)
Bag stretched, flattened, and formed before drying? Check. (Again, be sure to use some old towels).
Posted in Uncategorized on January 11, 2008 | 3 Comments »
The thrummed mitts are done. Finito. Completed. And, they fit like a dream. So soft and snugly and made to order for me.
Pattern: Yarn Harlot’s Thrummed Mitts (this was actually a 2004 KAL)
Yarn: Classic Elite Renaissance in a mystery blue color (I lost the band) & some mystery ice blue top merino roving that I had in my stash
Needles: US 3 (3.25) mm & US 5 (3.75 mm)
Modifications: I have long, thin fingers and a narrow hand. Most mittens are actually too wide and short for my hands. To compensate for this, I worked 10 plain thrum rounds and then began decreasing earlier than the pattern suggests. Then, when I began to work the decrease rounds, I worked the first a couple of extra rows more than the pattern called for before doing another decrease. This made the mitten top narrower at the finger tips than what the pattern originally called for. As well, the pattern originally called for a US 6 (4.0 mm) needle for the body of the mitten, but since my hand is narrow, I went down a needle size to compensate. I like my mittens a smidgen on the snug side. For a more detailed look at the modifications, click right here (this is a ravelry link).
So, technically, there are still 10 projects that need to come off the needles before I can allow myself to cast on for something new. Truthfully, I may not wait that long. We shall see how long I can hold out. Right now, I am still going strong.
Posted in Uncategorized on January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The thrummed mitts are near completion. Fantastic. One more project jumps off the needles and no more have jumped on. The question of the day is – will I have enough needle space in my needle roll for all these now naked needles? Hmmm… must resist urge to cast on for something new.
The felted bag is also nearing completion. Yay. I simply need to find some alone (and quiet) time to throw it in the washer. Children = distraction = a big lumpy mess. Must avoid distractions while felting. I actually think that this is the Golden Rule of Felting. Don’t believe me? Google it.
Of course, I have to tempt myself by picking up some new Claudia silk weight lace merino. This color caught my eye right away, from across the store. It’s called “Eat Your Veggies” and I lurve it in the sock base as well. The mix of greens, blues, and browns makes me vibrate with possibility. I must admit, I was stumped as to what I should do with this.
I have found in my (very limited, if truth be told) recent experience that the vast majority of lace patterns out there are for a semi-solid or solid hued yarn. What to do then, with this yarn? The pattern has to be very subtle, yet, defined enough to ensure that the variegated nature of the yarn doesn’t overshadow the whole thing. I was actually at a loss until I saw Wendy’s post from today. Ah, of course, I said to myself. Simple chevron. That Wendy, she is one smart Cookie! So, a Crest O’ the Wave Scarf it is! Gotta love those free patterns.
And, of course, just because I can (it’s my blog after all right?), I am going to leave you with a picture of the awesome bruise on my left calf. You can’t actually see it in the picture, but the bruise is even a bit raised. Say it with me now – gross!
Posted in new projects, project photos on January 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
It’s so quiet in my house right now. Monkey is sleeping in her swing and Bunny is playing in her room. With only the soothing sound of the washing machine in the background, I am attempting to finish the thrummed mitts. See, I have a theory, the longer something stays on my needles, the less likely I will be to finish it.
Maybe you are very smart and have known this all along. Maybe, to you, this is common knowledge, but to me, this is a recent realization (perhaps I subconsciously have repressed this thought) and it bears some thinking about. So, in the spirit of my res-un-lotion, I am trying to get some of the WIP’s off the needles and working faster is the solution, I think.
I am also most of the way through the felted bag, but have put it on hold for a minute while I think about how long I need to make the strap. Although the pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts calls for the strap to be knit to 47″ long and then fastened prior to felting, I am thinking that will need to be changed. Because I have made the bag 10″ longer than the pattern calls for to compensate for a drawstring closure, I will instead need to make the strap at least 10″ longer than the pattern calls for and once the whole thing is felted, I will then be able to cut the strap to the right length and attach it at the right place. Hopefully, this will take some of the guess work out of the pattern.
Oh, and remember that quiet in my house? It’s gone – Bunny is crying because I made her stay in her room to play for another 15 minutes and Monkey is awake because Bunny has been sobbing and thumping on the floor. Sigh – I guess I will just have to try to find some knitting time again this afternoon…
