We were over in the Valley a few days ago dropping off the Mini for scheduled service, and checked out a few very nice yarn stores in the area, Le Knitterie Parisienne and Stitch Cafe. I liked them both, but I especially liked the friendly, approachable staff at Stitch Cafe. They have a lovely display of handpainted yarn in the center of the store, much of it dyed on site under their Amore Colore label. They also offer classes. I'll be shopping there again, especially because they are OPEN ON SUNDAYS. You read it right, an LYS actually open all weekend!
Haul from the crawl, as pictured, included three skeins of dyeable sock superwash, my first skeins of Koigu, three skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed, and a gorgeous pair of size 8 rosewood Lantern Moon needles.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Yesterday afternoon I cleaned out the basket of yarn and abandoned projects in the corner of my bedroom. I moved the yarn worth saving into my main stash, and even got rid of a few small balls. There was a felted bag and a completed hat in there that I put into the bag of garage sale stuff.
The works in progress from the basket came out front and moved into my red knitting caddy of current work. Haiku, which I made for Pumpkin, had been sitting there, only lacking five buttons, since April 2005. The ChildHood sweater, also for Pumpkin, has been dormant since May of 2005.
My log cabin blanket was taking up a lot of room in the caddy, and it's too hot to knit a big wool blanket right now, so I took the needle tips off and moved it into one of the drawers in my stash closet, and cleaned out yarn ball bands and other detritus that had collected in the caddy.
With the log cabin out of the way and the resurrected projects added to the basket, I decided that I want to finish all of my work in the caddy, except for the Snowdrop Shawl, before I cast on for anything new. I've done a lot of yarn shopping lately and I have plenty of things I want to begin.
As of yesterday afternoon, the caddy contents were:
Limeade dishcloth
Haiku, needing buttons
Childhood - need half of a front, sleeves, and neck/button bands, plus finishing
Yarn for second sock of current pair (Math #1) - need to cast on
Love Me Al plastic bag bag - need to make more bag yarn
Snowdrop Shawl - exempted!
Last night, I sewed on the buttons on Haiku. Amazingly, it fits Pumpkin and she'll be able to wear it this fall. I finished the half-done front piece of ChildHood last night and started the first sleeve today. I took Pumpkin to a matinee of Ratatouille this morning and finished the Limeade washcloth.
So as of right now, the status is:
Limeade dishcloth - DONE!
Haiku, needing buttons - DONE!
Childhood, needing half of a front, sleeves, and neck/button bands, plus finishing - Front Done! Sleeve #1 in progress
Yarn for second sock of current pair (Math #1) - Will probably cast on tomorrow, as I'll be carpooling all week and socks are perfect traveling knits
Love Me Al plastic bag bag - need to make more bag yarn
I think I can be strong. Wish me luck!
The works in progress from the basket came out front and moved into my red knitting caddy of current work. Haiku, which I made for Pumpkin, had been sitting there, only lacking five buttons, since April 2005. The ChildHood sweater, also for Pumpkin, has been dormant since May of 2005.
My log cabin blanket was taking up a lot of room in the caddy, and it's too hot to knit a big wool blanket right now, so I took the needle tips off and moved it into one of the drawers in my stash closet, and cleaned out yarn ball bands and other detritus that had collected in the caddy.
With the log cabin out of the way and the resurrected projects added to the basket, I decided that I want to finish all of my work in the caddy, except for the Snowdrop Shawl, before I cast on for anything new. I've done a lot of yarn shopping lately and I have plenty of things I want to begin.
As of yesterday afternoon, the caddy contents were:
Limeade dishcloth
Haiku, needing buttons
Childhood - need half of a front, sleeves, and neck/button bands, plus finishing
Yarn for second sock of current pair (Math #1) - need to cast on
Love Me Al plastic bag bag - need to make more bag yarn
Snowdrop Shawl - exempted!
Last night, I sewed on the buttons on Haiku. Amazingly, it fits Pumpkin and she'll be able to wear it this fall. I finished the half-done front piece of ChildHood last night and started the first sleeve today. I took Pumpkin to a matinee of Ratatouille this morning and finished the Limeade washcloth.
So as of right now, the status is:
Limeade dishcloth - DONE!
Haiku, needing buttons - DONE!
Childhood, needing half of a front, sleeves, and neck/button bands, plus finishing - Front Done! Sleeve #1 in progress
Yarn for second sock of current pair (Math #1) - Will probably cast on tomorrow, as I'll be carpooling all week and socks are perfect traveling knits
Love Me Al plastic bag bag - need to make more bag yarn
I think I can be strong. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Limeade Bib and Dishcloth Patterns
It was really hot today, and the color of this yarn made me think of cool summertime beverages. I made a bib, but I think the stripes of stockinette and reverse stockinette created by the odd number of rows in the pattern would also be great for a scrubby kitchen cloth, and I’ve included instructions for a dishcloth variation.
Materials:
1 skein Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton – Hot Green
Size 8 straight or circular needles
One 3/8 inch button (bib only)
Two stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle
Instructions:
Seed stitch (over an odd number of stitches): *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row.
When you turn the work to the other side, the pattern remains the same. You will be knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches from the previous row to create the seed stitch pattern.
Seed Border (SB): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1
Limeade Bib
Cast on 33 stitches.
Work 3 rows seed stitch.
Row 4: Work 5 stitches seed stitch, place marker, work seed stitch until 5 stitches remain on left needle, place marker, work last 5 stitches in seed stitch. The markers separate the border stitches from the body of the bib. If you’re comfortable with keeping track of 5 stitches on either side as you work, you can omit the markers.
Row 5: SB to marker, knit to second marker, SB to end of row
Row 6: SB to marker, purl to second marker, SB to end of row
Row 7: SB to marker, knit to second marker, SB to end of row
Repeat rows 5-7 twelve times.
Work 4 rows seed stitch.
For straps, work seed stitch to first marker, remove marker, work two more stitches seed stitch. Bind off, in pattern, until two stitches before second marker. Work two stitches in seed stitch, remove marker, and work remaining stitches in seed stitch.
Work straps separately.
Strap A: Work in seed stitch until strap measures 5 inches. Bind off in pattern.
Strap B: Work in seed stitch until strap measures 4.5 inches.
Create buttonhole – Work 3 in seed stitch, bind off 2, work 2 in seed stitch. On next row, work 3, cast on 2, work 2
Work in seed stitch until strap measures 5 inches. Bind off in pattern.
Sew on button. Weave in ends.
Limeade Dishcloth Variation
Cast on 45 stitches.
Work rows 1-4 as for bib.
Work rows 5-7, as for bib.
Repeat rows 5-7 eighteen times.
Work 4 rows seed stitch.
Bind off in pattern.
Weave in ends.
Materials:
1 skein Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton – Hot Green
Size 8 straight or circular needles
One 3/8 inch button (bib only)
Two stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle
Instructions:
Seed stitch (over an odd number of stitches): *K1, P1*, repeat to end of row.
When you turn the work to the other side, the pattern remains the same. You will be knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches from the previous row to create the seed stitch pattern.
Seed Border (SB): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1
Limeade Bib
Cast on 33 stitches.
Work 3 rows seed stitch.
Row 4: Work 5 stitches seed stitch, place marker, work seed stitch until 5 stitches remain on left needle, place marker, work last 5 stitches in seed stitch. The markers separate the border stitches from the body of the bib. If you’re comfortable with keeping track of 5 stitches on either side as you work, you can omit the markers.
Row 5: SB to marker, knit to second marker, SB to end of row
Row 6: SB to marker, purl to second marker, SB to end of row
Row 7: SB to marker, knit to second marker, SB to end of row
Repeat rows 5-7 twelve times.
Work 4 rows seed stitch.
For straps, work seed stitch to first marker, remove marker, work two more stitches seed stitch. Bind off, in pattern, until two stitches before second marker. Work two stitches in seed stitch, remove marker, and work remaining stitches in seed stitch.
Work straps separately.
Strap A: Work in seed stitch until strap measures 5 inches. Bind off in pattern.
Strap B: Work in seed stitch until strap measures 4.5 inches.
Create buttonhole – Work 3 in seed stitch, bind off 2, work 2 in seed stitch. On next row, work 3, cast on 2, work 2
Work in seed stitch until strap measures 5 inches. Bind off in pattern.
Sew on button. Weave in ends.
Limeade Dishcloth Variation
Cast on 45 stitches.
Work rows 1-4 as for bib.
Work rows 5-7, as for bib.
Repeat rows 5-7 eighteen times.
Work 4 rows seed stitch.
Bind off in pattern.
Weave in ends.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Red, White, and Bib - Flag Bib Pattern
Perfect for a summer picnic, a Yankee Doodle baby born on the Fourth of July, or being kissed by politicians any time of year. The garter stitch baby bib pattern in Mason-Dixon Knitting inspired the basic structure of this bib.
Materials:
Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton, 1 partial skein each of Red, White, and Bright Navy.
1 ¾ inch button – sample in photo uses a red star
Tapestry needle
Size 8 straight needles
Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 8 rows per inch in garter stitch
Instructions:
You will be joining new colors when working the public side of the piece. When working stripes, carry the color not in use up the back of the work, wrapping around the active color on the wrong side. Bring the new color up from under the previous color when changing yarns.
With Red, cast on 33 stitches.
Stripes:
Rows 1-8: Knit with Red
Rows 9-16: Knit with White
Rows 17-24: Knit with Red
Rows 25-32: Knit with White
Add field for stars, and continue stripe pattern
Row 33: K20 with Red. Join Bright Navy and knit 13.
Row 34, 36, 38, 40: K13 with Bright Navy, K20 with Red
Row 35, 37, 39: K20 with Red, K13 with Bright Navy
Row 41, 43, 45, 47: K20 with White, K13 with Bright Navy
Row 42, 44, 46, 48: K13 with Bright Navy, K20 with White
Rows 49-56: Repeat rows 33-40.
Begin straps.
Row 57: Knit 8 with White. With Red, bind off the next 12 stitches. With Bright Navy, bind off 5 stitches, then knit to end.
Buttonhole strap:
With Bright Navy, knit these 8 stitches back and forth for 30 rows.
Create buttonhole: Knit 3, bind off 2, knit 3. On next row, knit 3, cast on 3, knit 3.
Work 4 more rows with Bright Navy.
Bind off all stitches.
Button strap:
Return to the 8 active white stitches on the other side of the work.
With White, knit 29 rows.
Bind off all stitches.
Sew button on to right side of this strap.
Embroider stars on to the field of Bright Navy with a length of White threaded on to a tapestry needle. Each star is composed of five short straight stitches radiating from a central point: one vertical, two horizontal, and two angled down and out from the center point.
Weave in all ends.
Materials:
Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton, 1 partial skein each of Red, White, and Bright Navy.
1 ¾ inch button – sample in photo uses a red star
Tapestry needle
Size 8 straight needles
Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 8 rows per inch in garter stitch
Instructions:
You will be joining new colors when working the public side of the piece. When working stripes, carry the color not in use up the back of the work, wrapping around the active color on the wrong side. Bring the new color up from under the previous color when changing yarns.
With Red, cast on 33 stitches.
Stripes:
Rows 1-8: Knit with Red
Rows 9-16: Knit with White
Rows 17-24: Knit with Red
Rows 25-32: Knit with White
Add field for stars, and continue stripe pattern
Row 33: K20 with Red. Join Bright Navy and knit 13.
Row 34, 36, 38, 40: K13 with Bright Navy, K20 with Red
Row 35, 37, 39: K20 with Red, K13 with Bright Navy
Row 41, 43, 45, 47: K20 with White, K13 with Bright Navy
Row 42, 44, 46, 48: K13 with Bright Navy, K20 with White
Rows 49-56: Repeat rows 33-40.
Begin straps.
Row 57: Knit 8 with White. With Red, bind off the next 12 stitches. With Bright Navy, bind off 5 stitches, then knit to end.
Buttonhole strap:
With Bright Navy, knit these 8 stitches back and forth for 30 rows.
Create buttonhole: Knit 3, bind off 2, knit 3. On next row, knit 3, cast on 3, knit 3.
Work 4 more rows with Bright Navy.
Bind off all stitches.
Button strap:
Return to the 8 active white stitches on the other side of the work.
With White, knit 29 rows.
Bind off all stitches.
Sew button on to right side of this strap.
Embroider stars on to the field of Bright Navy with a length of White threaded on to a tapestry needle. Each star is composed of five short straight stitches radiating from a central point: one vertical, two horizontal, and two angled down and out from the center point.
Weave in all ends.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Movie Knitting
This weekend I discovered that I can knit in the semi-dark, and have a red Grandmother's Favorite dishcloth to show for it, cast on and about two-thirds knit during a matinee showing of Nancy Drew. I finished the rest that evening after studying for a bit. The girls tried it out during their bath last night, and it turned their water quite pink - the bright red Sugar 'n' Cream I used is apparently not colorfast.
Speaking of Nancy Drew, knits were prominent in a few of the characters costumes. Several novelty scarves, a bright green loose gauge sweater with big buttons, etc. In one party scene, Nancy wears a white shrug-capelet with random red squiggly bits of yarn tied on to it, and it gave me an idea for a similar garment (sans squiggly bits).
I have also recently finished my Rapid Fire socks and another little baby hat, this one for a co-worker's little boy due in about six weeks.
Speaking of Nancy Drew, knits were prominent in a few of the characters costumes. Several novelty scarves, a bright green loose gauge sweater with big buttons, etc. In one party scene, Nancy wears a white shrug-capelet with random red squiggly bits of yarn tied on to it, and it gave me an idea for a similar garment (sans squiggly bits).
I have also recently finished my Rapid Fire socks and another little baby hat, this one for a co-worker's little boy due in about six weeks.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
How I Spent My Mother's Day
I mentioned it at the time, but now I have photos of my Mother's Day introduction to hand dyeing. A while back, I ordered some Bare yarn in sock and worsted weights and the starter kit of Jaquard acid dye from KnitPicks, and part of my lovely Mother's Day was the indulgence of my family allowing me to mess around with it.
The first step (according to the directions and some information I cobbled together from the world wide interwebs) was to soak the yarn. I decided to do two skeins of sock yarn in different colorways.
Next, I assembled my crack team of assistants.
I set up an incredibly high-class dyeing area in the side yard using the deconstructed box from our new kitchen chairs, a stepstool, a few plastic baby clothes hangers, three binder clips, several clear plastic cups, Saran Wrap, and a Swiffer handle. The masking tape, also pictured, was not used. The side yard had many advantages to it, the primary one being its inaccessability to preschoolers and small dogs.
This is the part where you'll have to imagine me actually applying the dye, because I didn't want to get any dye on my camera. Pumpkin watched me work from behind the gate.
Next step, steaming for 45 minutes. Nothing like the smell of hot wool to make your tastebuds perk up.
At many points in this narrative, imagine me going in to the kitchen to eat sushi.
After cooking, cooling, and a quick rinse in a very dilute vinegar solution, I hung them up to dry. Drying time began outside.
Pumpkin chose names for the colors - Fire and Blues. Here's a slightly blurry closeup of Fire drying outside.
Later in the evening, I moved them in to the garage to continue drying overnight. Mini Cooper included for scale.
When they were completely dry the next day, I skeined them up and took their picture again. I love them! Not bad for a first attempt.
They're also pretty wound into center pull balls.
I made myself wait to cast on until I finished the pair of socks already in progress. When I did begin, I finished the first sock in about a week, which is far and away a speed record for me. So I have dubbed them my Rapid Fire socks. We'll see how quickly the second sock comes along.
It's hard to self-portrait the foot.
All in all, I had a complete and total blast dyeing yarn. I already have several ideas for what colors I'd like to try next.
The first step (according to the directions and some information I cobbled together from the world wide interwebs) was to soak the yarn. I decided to do two skeins of sock yarn in different colorways.
Next, I assembled my crack team of assistants.
I set up an incredibly high-class dyeing area in the side yard using the deconstructed box from our new kitchen chairs, a stepstool, a few plastic baby clothes hangers, three binder clips, several clear plastic cups, Saran Wrap, and a Swiffer handle. The masking tape, also pictured, was not used. The side yard had many advantages to it, the primary one being its inaccessability to preschoolers and small dogs.
This is the part where you'll have to imagine me actually applying the dye, because I didn't want to get any dye on my camera. Pumpkin watched me work from behind the gate.
Next step, steaming for 45 minutes. Nothing like the smell of hot wool to make your tastebuds perk up.
At many points in this narrative, imagine me going in to the kitchen to eat sushi.
After cooking, cooling, and a quick rinse in a very dilute vinegar solution, I hung them up to dry. Drying time began outside.
Pumpkin chose names for the colors - Fire and Blues. Here's a slightly blurry closeup of Fire drying outside.
Later in the evening, I moved them in to the garage to continue drying overnight. Mini Cooper included for scale.
When they were completely dry the next day, I skeined them up and took their picture again. I love them! Not bad for a first attempt.
They're also pretty wound into center pull balls.
I made myself wait to cast on until I finished the pair of socks already in progress. When I did begin, I finished the first sock in about a week, which is far and away a speed record for me. So I have dubbed them my Rapid Fire socks. We'll see how quickly the second sock comes along.
It's hard to self-portrait the foot.
All in all, I had a complete and total blast dyeing yarn. I already have several ideas for what colors I'd like to try next.
Polkadot's baby hat
I knitted this last night and this morning. I love the instant gratification of baby hats. The pattern is adapted from Itty Bitty Hats. It's made from two colors of Sugar n Cream from my stash - one of the green and another variegated skein that also includes the green.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wound Up
It's Friday night, the girls are asleep, and Greg just called from school to stay he's stopping off for a late dinner. I think I'll get out the swift and winder and ball up the alpaca for my snowdrop shawl. The trick is to set up the swift so that my back is to the sink full of dinner dishes.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Greg's Graduation
This weekend my husband had his graduation ceremony to recognize the last two years of working toward his Master's in Biotechnology. Congratulations, honey!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mother's Day Dyeing
Part of my lovely Mother's Day was trying my hand at dying yarn for the first time. It was so fun, and so easy that anyone could do it. Ellie enjoyed helping me gather up all the materials and get set up in the enclosed side yard, where the kids and dog couldn't bother the process. That space also let her look through the gate to watch me do the dying, but still be far enough away that there was no danger of her getting into anything.
I did two skeins of Knit Picks Bare sock yarn, and will have pictures to post soon. Ellie named both of them - one is "Blues" and one is "Fire."
It was a blast, truly. Messy but amazingly fun, and I kept going out to the garage to watch them dry.
I did two skeins of Knit Picks Bare sock yarn, and will have pictures to post soon. Ellie named both of them - one is "Blues" and one is "Fire."
It was a blast, truly. Messy but amazingly fun, and I kept going out to the garage to watch them dry.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Yarn crawl photos
During our vacation, we spent one morning on a bit of a yarn crawl through San Diego. We stopped at three stores: Needleworks, Bonita Knitting, and Knitting in La Jolla. I was looking for some sock yarn, some Noro Silk Garden, a shawl pin, something for a clapotis, some new stitch markers, and some Rowan Denim. I found almost everything I wanted, and more!
I took these photos in the hotel room later that day, and Ellie insisted on being in every shot. Here she is with two skeins of Manos wool from Knitting in La Jolla, an awesome yarn shop that was our last stop.
I took these photos in the hotel room later that day, and Ellie insisted on being in every shot. Here she is with two skeins of Manos wool from Knitting in La Jolla, an awesome yarn shop that was our last stop.
Tuscany
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Tuscany colorway. I bought this at Knitting in La Jolla to make myself another clapotis. It is beyond gorgeous - I've never splurged on Lorna's Laces before.
Jungle Twist
Two skeins of Lorna's Laces in the Jungle Twist colorway. At least one of these skeins will be socks for Ellie. I bought these at Knitting in La Jolla.
#17 Denise Tips
Our first stop on the yarn crawl was a little shop called Needleworks. They had both embroidery and yarn supplies, but it seemed that their embroidery section was better. I did pick up these size 17 needles for my Denise set.
Bonita Knitting
This was the second stop on our little yarn crawl of San Diego, and the only store I took a photo of. It was a nicely supplied little shop with a friendly owner. I recommend it!
Alpaca with a Twist
I plan to make Harlot's Snowdrop Shawl with one of these laceweight skeins. These are from Bonita Knitting.
Noro Silk Garden
I bought these three skeins at Bonita Knitting. Not pictured in the Bonita haul is the book "Knitting Nell" that I bought for Ellie.
Ridged Feather Sock
Enjoying the marina view from our hotel room in San Diego in late April, after our yarn crawl.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Rapid Update
I can't believe a whole month has gone by; here is the briefest of updates while I wait for some data to load:
Rainbow socks are finished.
The first of a ridged feather sock for me is finished.
I bought lots of dyeable yarn from KnitPicks and can't wait to try it out.
I am working on a skirt of my own design for Ellie - it is pink and purple (my current Project Spectrum project)
I didn't like the way the triangle shaw was coming so I tore it out.
Our trip to San Diego included a half-day yarn crawl which I will detail later, but it included my first Lorna's Laces purchases.
Data done, need to run!
Rainbow socks are finished.
The first of a ridged feather sock for me is finished.
I bought lots of dyeable yarn from KnitPicks and can't wait to try it out.
I am working on a skirt of my own design for Ellie - it is pink and purple (my current Project Spectrum project)
I didn't like the way the triangle shaw was coming so I tore it out.
Our trip to San Diego included a half-day yarn crawl which I will detail later, but it included my first Lorna's Laces purchases.
Data done, need to run!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
New sock book
The next time I put in an Amazon order, I must buy More Sensational Knitted Socks
. The first one (permalinked in the sidebar) got me going with knitting socks and gave me the confidence to even try out my own patterns. I've said it before, but it's like having a cookbook for socks.
. The first one (permalinked in the sidebar) got me going with knitting socks and gave me the confidence to even try out my own patterns. I've said it before, but it's like having a cookbook for socks.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Vacation Plans
We are going to pack the kids in the car at the end of next month and take a week-long trip to San Diego. So far we've planned trips to Legoland, Sea World, the Zoo, a Padres game, and this yarn store, Bonita Knitting.
Not much knitting time over the weekend, but I've been working on a double-moss stitch bib in a very sunny yellow for the last few days, and have finished the first of Ellie's rainbow socks. I need to cast on the second for something to knit in the car. I'm thinking about joining Sockapalooza 4 when it comes around, but haven't decided yet.
Not much knitting time over the weekend, but I've been working on a double-moss stitch bib in a very sunny yellow for the last few days, and have finished the first of Ellie's rainbow socks. I need to cast on the second for something to knit in the car. I'm thinking about joining Sockapalooza 4 when it comes around, but haven't decided yet.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sweetheart Hat
Modeled by my sweetheart. She chose this red and white Cotton Ease from my stash, and I made up a little two-color pattern as I went along. I thought the row of single red stitches in the white band looked like little hearts, hence the name.
Fair Isle Feature
I added in two pony holes at the crown to accomodate one of her mainstay hairstyles.
Marley Hat
Adapted from Itty Bitty Hats, in blue and light purple Cotton Tots. I gave this to the daughter of one of Greg's co-workers.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Crochet on the Bottom of the Sea
Check out this exhibit of
crocheted sea life as an example of the mathematical concept of hyperbolic space.
crocheted sea life as an example of the mathematical concept of hyperbolic space.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Happy Birthday, Me!
The Itty Bitty Hats book by Susan Anderson has several cute ideas in it. I made my second hat from it for Bea over the last few days. It's the upside-down daisy hat, in dusty rose and white. I used some Lion Cotton that I bought on Saturday afternoon, at the local Hancock Fabrics going out of business sale. That's the second local craft chain store to go under in the last few months. I picked up the cotton, some Magic Stripes sock yarn, a pair of purse handles, many buttons, and some ribbon yarn for trim. It's the first yarn purchase I've made since New Year's Eve - I've been knitting from my stash these past few months.
A few of my work friends and I went out to lunch today to celebrate my birthday, and while we were waiting for our order I finished turning the heel and picked up the gusset on Ellie's rainbow sock. It's turning out pretty cute.
Over the weekend I finished Ellie's sweater. I decided to skip any sleeve worries by making it a shell-style tank. The 90+ weather this weekend was a contributing factor in that decision.
I need to take some photos of all this!
A few of my work friends and I went out to lunch today to celebrate my birthday, and while we were waiting for our order I finished turning the heel and picked up the gusset on Ellie's rainbow sock. It's turning out pretty cute.
Over the weekend I finished Ellie's sweater. I decided to skip any sleeve worries by making it a shell-style tank. The 90+ weather this weekend was a contributing factor in that decision.
I need to take some photos of all this!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Where did February go?
Since I posted last, the kids have been sick, then well, then one was sick again. We canceled our Valentine's Day lunch due to the sickness v.1, but had a lovely sushi make-up lunch the following week. A Wii was, finally, procured. There was much joy.
There has also been much work, even in the precious post-kidbedtime hours, and not much time for knitting. I did, however, manage to finish the second basketweave sock. I also designed, started, frogged, redesigned, and restarted a sweater for Ellie. It's in the Project Spectrum Feb/March colors of Blue and White, and I hope I can manage the sleeves. I'm feeling pretty comfortable about the body, but the sleeves are making me nervous.
There has also been much work, even in the precious post-kidbedtime hours, and not much time for knitting. I did, however, manage to finish the second basketweave sock. I also designed, started, frogged, redesigned, and restarted a sweater for Ellie. It's in the Project Spectrum Feb/March colors of Blue and White, and I hope I can manage the sleeves. I'm feeling pretty comfortable about the body, but the sleeves are making me nervous.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
More Frogging
I tried the rainbow sock on Ellie a few days ago, and it just didn't fit right in the leg. Much too baggy, though the foot was the right size. I think when I swatched for gauge, I didn't take the elasticness of the yarn and the non-elastic properties of the pattern into account. So it's back into a ball to be restarted. Between this and the blazer, I am cutting down on my current projects by backing up rather than by finishing, which is a bit depressing.
I started up the second basketweave sock after frogging Ellie's sock, and have finished the ribbing. The kids have been a bit under the weather, so I've been doing more cuddling and less knitting for the last few evenings.
I started up the second basketweave sock after frogging Ellie's sock, and have finished the ribbing. The kids have been a bit under the weather, so I've been doing more cuddling and less knitting for the last few evenings.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Bye Bye, Blazer
Last night I frogged the back of the Equestrian Blazer, since it probably won't be flattering on me. Now I have nine balls of deep blue Cascade with no project planned for them.
Today I will be knitting afghan blocks during the Super Bowl for Warm Up America as part of the Super Sunday Knit In put forth by Knitty Gritty. In order to tie it in to Project Spectrum, I have chosen white and blue yarn for my blocks.
Today I will be knitting afghan blocks during the Super Bowl for Warm Up America as part of the Super Sunday Knit In put forth by Knitty Gritty. In order to tie it in to Project Spectrum, I have chosen white and blue yarn for my blocks.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Log Cabin in Progress
Here's the middle of my Cascade 220 log cabin. This is a perfect TV watching project. It's about 33 inches square at this point, and I'm not sure how much bigger I will make it. I may just keep going until I run out of yarn.
Lullaby Sweater
B modeling the "Julie's Itchy Fingers" sweater I made for her while I was pregnant. It's still a little big, but it's a good outer layer on chilly days.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Long Drives
We took a road trip to Sequoia this weekend, and as the passenger on the drive I got quite a bit of time to work on my basketweave sock. I'm down to the straight portion of the foot so far. My daughter has also asked for some new socks, so I am swatching something up this evening.
I also got a design idea for some socks for my father-in-law, but I need to sketch it out and see if it will work. My Sensational Knitted Socks book (see Amazon link in the sidebar) has been a wonderful resource for giving me the confidence to try my own patterns based on the master patterns in the book.
I also got a design idea for some socks for my father-in-law, but I need to sketch it out and see if it will work. My Sensational Knitted Socks book (see Amazon link in the sidebar) has been a wonderful resource for giving me the confidence to try my own patterns based on the master patterns in the book.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Project Spectrum
I just signed up for Project Spectrum 2007, which will begin February 1st. I really enjoyed looking at everyone's colorful projects last year, and am looking forward to taking part this time.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Knitty Gritty
My husband put Knitty Gritty on the DVR to-do list over the weekend, and last night I took advantage of an amazing confluence of both kids in bed plus too early to do my night-time work and watched three episodes while working on my log cabin blanket. I skipped most of a rectangles-are-cool episode, got an idea or two from a sock episode, and really enjoyed watching the cable work on an Aran episode. I was alternately excited about knitting on TV and embarrassed to be excited about knitting on TV.
My basketweave sock continues apace, after a day or two of estrangement resulting from an unfortunate quartet of dropped stitches. I am about an inch away from finishing the leg and starting the heel flap.
My basketweave sock continues apace, after a day or two of estrangement resulting from an unfortunate quartet of dropped stitches. I am about an inch away from finishing the leg and starting the heel flap.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Hey, Buddy, Want to "Knit Some Socks"?
Via Yarn Harlot, Blue Moon Fiber Arts had their (now former) bank cut off their ability to accept credit card payments and refunded the money to any customer of their Socks That Rock 2007 club. Why, do you ask? Apparently the club, in which you preorder a year's worth of yarn, was off to a resounding start and the bank couldn't believe that BMFA was bringing in that kind of money selling yarn.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Happy New Year!
I didn’t blog much at the end of the year, but I was knitting like mad. I gave many knitted gifts for the holidays: a striped Noro scarf and hat for my sister-in-law, the double-moss socks I finally finished to my mother, two felted potholders for my mother, and a set of six dishcloths for my in-laws. I made a pair of toddler mittens as a hostess gift. I also sent a mini-sweater and stocking ornament through an ornament exchange. I made my elder daughter a pair of mittens and used the rest of the skein to make a ruffled hat for the baby.
I also got some very nice knitting gifts from my family. My husband gave me a lovely wooden ball winder and umbrella swift, which I put into use right away, winding up my stash of Cascade 220. I also received some pretty stitch markers, gift cards to JoAnn, the winter issue of Interweave Knits, and a few books:
Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs and Collars*Necklines*Hems*Closures - The Essential Collection of Decorative Finishes
One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet
Museum of Kitschy Stitches: A Gallery of Notorious Knits
It’s not a knitting gift per se, but my new Canon PowerShot Digital Elph
will be great for blogging!
Currently, I’m working on a log cabin blanket, some socks for my husband, and the Equestrian Blazer from the winter IK. I try to knit a little every day
I also got some very nice knitting gifts from my family. My husband gave me a lovely wooden ball winder and umbrella swift, which I put into use right away, winding up my stash of Cascade 220. I also received some pretty stitch markers, gift cards to JoAnn, the winter issue of Interweave Knits, and a few books:
Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs and Collars*Necklines*Hems*Closures - The Essential Collection of Decorative Finishes
One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet
Museum of Kitschy Stitches: A Gallery of Notorious Knits
It’s not a knitting gift per se, but my new Canon PowerShot Digital Elph
will be great for blogging!Currently, I’m working on a log cabin blanket, some socks for my husband, and the Equestrian Blazer from the winter IK. I try to knit a little every day
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