Can't blog, gotta watch Mad Men. What will happen?

Fastest Knitter in Indiana Contest

My local yarn store, Stitches and Scones is Westfield, is sponsoring a free, fun contest next week. Their announcement is below:

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"Fastest Knitter in Indiana Contest
at Stitches & Scones

Adult Winner $225 Gift Card

Adult Heat Times:
Tuesday, November 10th at 12 PM
Thursday, November 12th at 6 PM
Saturday, November 14th at 1 PM

Youth Winner $75 Gift Card
Under 18 Youth Heat Times:
Tuesday, November 10th at 4 PM
Thursday, November 12th at 7 PM
Saturday, November 14th at 11 AM

Pre-registration is not necessary, but the first 50 participants to register will receive a commemorative item.There will be one winner for adult and one for youth categories.
Bring size 8 US needle with you and we will provide the yarn. Each heat is 3 minutes and garter stitch will be used.

Join in the fun, call 317-896-4411."

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It should be really fun, and that is an awesome prize!

Naturally Simple

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Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

This is a partial view of a Simple Yet Effective shawl I recently made from Wisdom Poems Sock.

Sit and Knit

Since shortly after we moved here in June, Thursday night has been my knitting night out. Greg and the girls hang out for the evening and I get to go up to Stitches and have a few hours to knit and shop and chat with the other knitters. Tonight I took the second glove to work on, but neglected to bring the pattern with me, so after the cuff I had to set it aside in favor of the wrap in progress that was also in my bag. During the course of the evening I was helping someone who has not knitted in a while to start a felted bag and having the long knit rows of the wrap to work on and demonstrate with was helpful as well.

Citrus Palms

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Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

Small hands make for fast mittens. Here is the Biscuit wearing her new handgear this evening. Now to get back to glovemaking.

Lil Mitten

Started working on B's mittens tonight while putting her to bed. They will mostly match a hat I made her recently. I am holding together a strand of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in a yellow-pink colorway and a strand of gold Encore. The Encore is left over from a House Scarf I made for E, which was part of her Hermione Granger Halloween costume last weekend. The hat that goes with these mittens also had a strand of the LL, but was held together with some doubled Alpaca with a Twist Socrates that is pretty much the same color as the Encore. I likely have enough Socrates left to have used that for the mittens, but thought that something washable was a better idea. I should be able to make some good progress while I watch a Netflik with Greg.

Bespoke

A while back Greg decided that he would like for me to knit him some fine gauge cashmere gloves. He came into the yarn shop one day while I was working and pointed out some light Ecco Cashmere that he thought would make good gloves and kept dropping good-natured hints that were anything but veiled. "So.....where are my gloves?"

I looked all over Ravelry for a men's glove pattern and had some trouble finding something basic, decently manly, that wasn't fingerless and would work in a fine gauge. I ended up buying Ann Budd's Handy Book of Knitting Patterns, which has recipes for several types of basic knitted items in various sizes and gauges, including a glove pattern. The Ecco is laceweight, so I am holding it double to get eight stitches per inch on a size 1 needle. I finished the first glove yesterday and cast on the second this evening. Greg has been getting frequent fittings and is quite pleased.

I hope to finish up the pair soon, so I can get going on some winter gloves for me and some mittens for the Biscuit. The little mittens might sneak into the rotation before the gloves are done. It's getting cold and her teeny fingers don't hold much heat.

Thar She NaBloPoMos

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Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

I enjoyed blogging each day the last time I participated in National Blog Posting Month and thought I would give it another go this year. Not as ambitious as a novel in 30 days, but still fun.

I don't know why, but November tends to sneak up on me. I am aware of Halloween coming up, and getting costumes ready and trick or treating, and then when the next day it's November I am invariably a bit surprised.

Knitting content: The Mochi Plus pictured here is already a skein and change into becoming an asymmetrical wrap. I stopped into the shop on the way back from buying pumpkins with the family last weekend and picked it up to try out an idea. I liked the Mini Mochi quite a bit when I worked with it and wanted to try the heavier weight for this new pattern. So far it is working out well.

Knitting for the Cure - Lynn's Ribbon Socks

This month I designed a sock pattern in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The twist pattern is inspired by the pink ribbons worn to promote awareness. It is named in memory of one of my college professors.

The pattern is available on Ravelry (Rav link) for $3.oo, and $1 from each sale of the pattern will be donated to cancer research. Buy now from Ravelry.

The sock is constructed from the top down with a heel flap and six gore toe. Any fingering weight sock yarn is suitable. Gauge is 7 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch. The pictured pair was knit from hand-dyed Kraemer Jeannie on size 1.5 needles.

Knit Pink!

UFO sighting

September has kind of gotten away from me. I set myself some goals for the month in the Ravelry Stash Knit Down group. Also, the shop knitters challenged each other to work on unfinished projects during this month, and I played along. I did have to cast on for a pair of socks yesterday, but I had two good reasons - I was heading to a party and didn't have anything portable, and it is the September pair of my personal sock club. I am making another pair of Waimanalo socks out of some ancient Jawoll jacquard from my stash.

For the UFO/goal progress

• I am done with the main section of the shawl design I'm working on and am ready to start knitting on the border. I had to order a third skein of Jitterbug to do the border - it has arrived and is wound and ready.
• I knitted a top-down raglan for E with some simple cables along the top of each sleeve and from the underarm to the lower ribbing. It fits her well and will be warm. Her verdict? "Itchy."
• I finished the Gryffindor scarf, also for E, which she loves. It will be part of her Halloween costume and also be used for everyday once it gets cold.
• I knit more than 10 rows on my sock yarn scrap blanket
• I'm on to the second sleeve of my Radiate sweater. I've also woven in most of the ends. Need to finish this so I can cast on for something new AND recover my favorite hat needle that is currently being used for the sleeve. I can't work on it for too long at a stretch or it aggravates my right arm.
• One more stash down goal is to start a fall wrap from some Cascade 220 superwash I have left over from the Amelia sweater. The yarn is wound but I haven't started yet. I am making myself finish the knitting on Radiate first. (Buttons don't count.)

I have several planned projects in the pipeline as well, including Amused sweater for me, gloves for Greg, mittens and a Hermione hat to go with E's house scarf. Haven't even thought about Christmas gifts yet. Lalalalala, I can't hear you, approach of Christmas.

Askance Cowl Pattern

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Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

Reversible diagonal ribbing is easy to memorize and shows off hand-painted or variegated yarn. Only requires one skein of something you want to snuggle near your neck.

Materials
Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend (30% silk, 70% Merino Extrafine Wool), 1 skein (150 yards)
16 inch circular needle, size 7 (or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 18 stitches in 4 inches in k3,p3 ribbing. Gauge is not crucial.

Circumference: 24 inches (Note: To adjust circumference to suit, you can cast on more or fewer stiches in multiples of 6)
Height: 6.5 inches

Pattern

CO 108.

Place marker to note beginning of round. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 3 rows k3, p3 ribbing.

Row 1: P1, k3, *p3, k3*, repeat between * to last 2 stitches, p2
Row 2: Repeat row 1
Row 3: P2, k3, *p3, k3* repeat between *to last stitch, p1
Row 4: Repeat row 3
Row 5: *P3, k3*, repeat between *to end of round
Row 6: Repeat row 5
Row 7: K1, p3, *k3,p3*, repeat between * to last 2 stitches, k2
Row 8: Repeat row 7
Row 9: K2, p3, *k3, p3*, repeat between * to last stitch, k1
Row 10: Repeat row 9
Row 11: *K3, p3*, repeat between * to end of round
Row 12: Repeat row 11

Repeat these 12 rows until piece is 6 inches or one half inch shorter than desired height, ending with an even row.

Work 3 rows of the next odd row. For example, if you end the body of the piece at row 6, you would work row 7 three times before binding off.

Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.

Radiate

Radiate
Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

I've decided that I need to make more sweaters. After all, how many scarfy things and socks does a girl really need? (Answer: More.) And Indiana has a proper winter, unlike Ventura County, where winter means it's a good idea to bring a coat for about seven weeks or so, but if you just have a sweater on it's not like you'll die. So I figure it would be prudent to have some layering options for under my walrus skin parka or whatever I end up wearing in the icy months.

Last night I cast on for a Radiate sweater from Knitty. I'm glad for the finished object photos on Ravelry, because the pictures with the pattern aren't necessarily the best. I bought this yarn, a Berocco cotton blend, with the intention of making a Mr Greenjeans sweater out of it, but I think that pattern would look better in something wooly to have better definition on the cables. I'm also thinking that the Greenjeans may accentuate my shortwaistedness.

It's Thursday again, which means knit night at Stitches and Scones - yay! It's great to have found such a welcoming bunch of knitters. Last Thursday I got there and pulled out my sock in progress only to discover that I was missing a dpn. It later turned up, broken, in the garage. Must have dropped it on the way out. The other project in my bag was on 14 inch needles, which is is a little awkward while sitting close to others. I had been reading on Ravelry about working socks on one small circular needle and thought I'd give it a shot. I bought a size 1 Hiya Hiya 9 inch needle and transferred the sock to it. It's tiny! It took me a few inches before I stopped feeling like I had giganto hands. I used dpns for working the heel and picking up the gusset stitches, as well as for the last few rows of the toe. It's nice not having to change needles as I'm working around the sock. I did realize how much I used the dpns for knowing where I am, though, like decreasing for the gusset stitches one stitch away from the end of the needle. When there's no end of the needle, the autopilot hiccups a bit. Using the circular also gave me a chance to try out some recently purchased pretty little stitch markers for small needles. I'm on to the second sock of the pair and am continuing the single small circular experiment.

That Girl is Poison(ed)

I never want to work in the yard again. The one time I get ambitious and do a bit of pruning, I also manage to find the poison ivy lurking in the greenbelt. Since I'd never had it before, it took about a week for me to start breaking out, but it turns out that I am a delicate flower when it comes to poison ivy. A pudgy, cranky, delicate flower. I had blisters all over, one completely raw shoulder, and developed a charming little skin infection. My right arm swelled up such that I couldn't knit for four days. Even though I am now much better, my arms still look like I lost a fight with a badger.

I've got the beginnings of a sock to prove I'm on the mend. It's the August selection from my personal sock club. The pattern is Sunshine Socks and I'm using some KnitPicks Bare that I dyed a while back. I charted out the pattern for myself to make it easier to keep on track.

Fairly Busy

I thought I would jump right in to being a Hoosier and enter some knitting in the upcoming State Fair. I don't expect to win anything but had a great time entering the Ventura County fair last year.Next weekend is the time to take in entries, and I've been working on several projects for the categories I am enrolled in.

The Eleanor socks I knit as the July pair for my personal sock club are my entry for Adult Accessory. The yarn is Knit Picks Bare that I dyed during my first attempt at hand-dyeing.



For Child Accessory, I made a mistake rib scarf, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, for the Biscuit to wear this winter and added a corkscrew fringe.



I am done with knitting another Cabin Carry as a Felted Purse entry, but haven't felted it yet.



I am totally thrilled with how my Aubrey shawl came out (see previous post for pattern and more photos) and it will be my entry for Shawl/Scarf.



I also signed up for Adult Sweater - One Color, and knit an Amelia in some cream Cascade 220 Superwash. I just sewed the buttons on this afternoon. However, I cocked up the neckline something fierce and the fit is otherwise disastrous on me. It is currently stuffed into a bag in my room until it either mends its non-flattering ways or I think of someone else to give it to. Plan B is to enter my February Lady Sweater, shown here in a lovely ladies room shot.



Not all of my recent knitting has been for the fair. Friday evening I finished this baby gift for a co-worker of Greg's. The hat is Little Pumpkin from Itty Bitty Hats and the sockies are something I ginned up on the fly to go with.



And sometimes I do thing other than knit and work and care for my young. After the morning thunderstorms cleared up yesterday and we were back from running errands it was a lovely breezy day outside. There is a dead tree of some kind, let's call it an Indiana Thornbush, in the greenbelt behind our house, and I went after about half of it with a handsaw and lack of common sense. I had a good time pulling out branches and snapping off twigs and said "C'mon, you son of a bitch" more than is probably ladylike.

Aubrey Shawl Pattern

A simple lace shawl, worked from side to side. Pattern is written for fingering weight yarn but can also be used with other yarn weights. Use a needle several sizes larger than called for on the ball band.




Materials
Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi (195 yd/skein), 2 skeins
Size 10.5 straight or circular needles
Tapestry needle
Coil-less safety pin or removable stitch marker (optional)

Gauge: not critical

Abbreviations
yo – yarn over
kfb – knit into front and back of stitch
k2tog – knit two together

Pattern Notes
This stitch pattern is based on garter stitch and will be very stretchy from side to side.

After a few rows have been completed, you may wish to place a coil-less safety pin or removable stitch marker to indicate the right side of the work. I usually place a colored elastic on the end of one of my needles – when I’m working with the marked needle, I’m on a right side row.

If possible, join new balls of yarn at the beginning of a WS row to facilitate weaving in of ends.

Pattern

Cast on 2.

Work increase section as follows:
Row 1 (RS): Knit to last stitch, kfb
Row 2 (WS): Knit
Row 3 (RS): *yo, k2tog* to last stitch, kfb
Row 4 (WS): Knit

Repeat these four rows 38 times or until shawl is half of desired width, ending with Row 4. (Note: If you are using two equally sized balls of yarn, do not wait until the first ball runs out to work the center rows. Give yourself some wiggle room and work the center before half of your yarn is gone.)

Work center rows one time:
Row 1 (RS): Knit
Row 2 (WS): Knit

Work decrease section as follows:
Row 1 (RS): *yo, k2tog* to last 2 stitches, k2tog
Row 2 (WS): Knit
Row 3 (RS): Knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog
Row 4 (WS): Knit

Repeat these four rows until 2 stitches remain. Knit last two stitches together. Break yarn and draw through last stitch. Weave in ends. Block, if desired, to even out triangular shape.

Quick note

Fear me.

In other news - new house, new job, new state, etc. all going swimmingly so far.

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da

My life goes on in Sock Wars IV for the time being, though I was the first warrior to end it for three others. I am waiting for socks in progress to arrive and crossing my fingers that they will be here in time for me to knit them on the plane this weekend.

My thoughts and best wishes are with my friends and co-workers who have experienced changes in their employment situations over the past few days, both good and bad, expected and out of the blue. Good luck, everybody.

Transit

transit
Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

This is an image Greg sent me today, of things getting loaded into the moving truck. (Knitting related content: the white topped plastic containers in the middle contain some of my yarn.)

My third Sock Wars target emailed me yesterday to confirm receipt of her socks - Termiknitter strikes again! She is planning to mail her Barcelonas in progress today, which would mean they should arrive by Friday, the last day I'll be able to get mail in California. My assassin has both addresses, too, but I'm hoping the only socks I get in the mail this week are for me to knit, not wear.

While I'm waiting for socks in progress, I am knitting some....socks. They're just such good travel projects. My June personal sock club socks are being made from some stashed Knit Picks Essential Tweed yarn in the Inca Gold colorway. I'm using the Traveling Vine pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks for the leg and keeping a plain stockinette foot. I'm about 60% with the first one. I have two more skeins of sock yarn in my suitcase in case I finish this pair before we are unpacked at our new home.

What Will Stay

The movers will be here in the morning to begin packing us up. This weekend we have packed suitcases for the next two weeks, taken the last few pictures from the walls, and set aside some books and toys for the girls to have with them. This afternoon I am picking up keys to the hotel room we will stay in starting tomorrow night.

All of our things will end up with us in Indiana at some point, but as I look around I think about what can't be packed away. The window I watched the unexpected August rain through on the morning Bea was born. The sink where I rinsed off Ellie's lost teeth and scraped knees. The backyard stump of the ash tree that toppled over on to the house last January. The path in the floor that I paced with an unhappy baby, singing Christmas carols. The trees that we planted, the garden walls, the grape vines just now growing their first fruit.

Stop me before I knit again

I have a second Sock Wars kill under my belt. The late, lamented knitaroundgirl was very quick in sending her socks in progress, because Greg just called from home to let me know that they've arrived. My initial assassin, Lunalover, met her socky death yesterday, so I hope I can get this pair of Barcelonas out the door and score three kills before my inevitable destiny unfolds.

In relo news, I have a new job waiting for me in Indy! I will start the same day Greg does, June 19th. We've approved an offer on the house we're selling in Simi, all things are moving along nicely for our new home in Carmel (knock wood), plane tickets for me and the girls are in hand, day care for the kids is getting lined up, the movers come on Monday, and on and on. It's been quite the whirlwind.