My brother and his girlfriend are expecting their first baby, and my friend and her husband are also expecting their first baby. Both little ladies are due to debut in August.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 05, 2010
Mystery Knitalong
This weekend, Stitches and Scones is kicking off a mystery-style knitalong of a shawl that I designed. My colleagues at SnS have done a lot of planning and setup work to enable the KAL. Participants are paying $5 and buying their 570 yards of fingering weight yarn at the shop. We will be handing out the first clue Sunday afternoon, and later clues will be distributed via a Yahoo group. I was flattered to be asked to do the design and am really looking forward to getting started. During my last few visits to the shop, it has been fun helping people choose the yarn for their KAL project. I can't wait to see everybody's projects, and hope the knitters enjoy it.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Amusing
I am late in posting, but I finished my Ravelympic sweater last week, in time to medal in Cable Cross-Country and Sweaterboard Cross.
Modifications: I carried the cable all the way down the piece after the fronts joined. I just continued with the cable pattern rows on those 25 stitches, adding 2 purl stitches just before the cable panel to balance the pattern. I also lengthened the body ribbing by about 2-3 inches. I worked the collar before the sleeves, and adjusted the sleeve length to be just a bit longer.
I'm quite happy with how it turned out. Most of my sweaters to date have not lived up to my hopes for them - this one did!
Modifications: I carried the cable all the way down the piece after the fronts joined. I just continued with the cable pattern rows on those 25 stitches, adding 2 purl stitches just before the cable panel to balance the pattern. I also lengthened the body ribbing by about 2-3 inches. I worked the collar before the sleeves, and adjusted the sleeve length to be just a bit longer.
I'm quite happy with how it turned out. Most of my sweaters to date have not lived up to my hopes for them - this one did!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Ravelympic Update
Progress on the Amused sweater:
Day 4 - cross-country, skateboard cross, um…NCIS mini-marathon: Joined to work in the round. I continued the cable down the front. Started the lower ribbing.
Day 5 - women’s and men’s pursuit, curling: Tinked back a few rounds to continue the cable even further. Well into the ribbing at the bottom of the body.
Day 6 - halfpipe, women’s downhill crashing: I am adding a few inches to the ribbing of the body; it seemed a bit short to me at the given length.
Day 7 - halfpipe, men’s skating: Finally finished the body ribbing. Started unzipping provisional cast on to set up the collar for picking up stitches, as I plan to do the collar before the sleeves. I think I would prefer to be working back and forth on the collar with less weight on the piece.
Days 8, 9, 10 - ski cross, mass start biathlon, ice prancing, curling, speed skating, et al: Finished the collar. Wove in all ends as of the end of the collar. Started first sleeve on Day 10.
Day 4 - cross-country, skateboard cross, um…NCIS mini-marathon: Joined to work in the round. I continued the cable down the front. Started the lower ribbing.
Day 5 - women’s and men’s pursuit, curling: Tinked back a few rounds to continue the cable even further. Well into the ribbing at the bottom of the body.
Day 6 - halfpipe, women’s downhill crashing: I am adding a few inches to the ribbing of the body; it seemed a bit short to me at the given length.
Day 7 - halfpipe, men’s skating: Finally finished the body ribbing. Started unzipping provisional cast on to set up the collar for picking up stitches, as I plan to do the collar before the sleeves. I think I would prefer to be working back and forth on the collar with less weight on the piece.
Days 8, 9, 10 - ski cross, mass start biathlon, ice prancing, curling, speed skating, et al: Finished the collar. Wove in all ends as of the end of the collar. Started first sleeve on Day 10.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Olympic Amusement
I am participating in the Ravelympics again this year by attempting to knit a sweater during the Vancouver Games. This photo is my progress as of Sunday night. It isn't true to color - this is a lovely deep teal Dream in Color semisolid. The pattern is Amused, by Jordana Paige.
Progress so far:
Day 1 - opening ceremony: I cast on about 9:09 p.m. and worked up to getting the panels for the front cable joined to the body of the sweater. The yarn is really pretty.
Day 2 - ski jump and speed skating: Progress is somewhat slower than I had hoped. Just like downhill skiing, delays in starting were encountered: errands and laundry were my slush. I am still increasing the yoke and have three cable repeats done on the front panel. The Stitchminder app on my iPhone is proving invaluable as I keep track of multiple row counts and pattern repeats.
Day 3 - moguls, luge, biathlon, pairs skate: I have divided for the sleeves and done about another inch beyond that point. I’m trying to keep my knitting time spaced out with frequent breaks to avoid another bout of tendonitis.
Progress so far:
Day 1 - opening ceremony: I cast on about 9:09 p.m. and worked up to getting the panels for the front cable joined to the body of the sweater. The yarn is really pretty.
Day 2 - ski jump and speed skating: Progress is somewhat slower than I had hoped. Just like downhill skiing, delays in starting were encountered: errands and laundry were my slush. I am still increasing the yoke and have three cable repeats done on the front panel. The Stitchminder app on my iPhone is proving invaluable as I keep track of multiple row counts and pattern repeats.
Day 3 - moguls, luge, biathlon, pairs skate: I have divided for the sleeves and done about another inch beyond that point. I’m trying to keep my knitting time spaced out with frequent breaks to avoid another bout of tendonitis.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Swatching by Monitor Light
I just did a quick swatch in preparation for my Ravelympics project, an Amused sweater (pattern by Jordana Paige) in Dream in Color Classy. As best I can tell without actually standing up and turning on the light, I'm getting gauge on the recommended needle size of 9, and I have five skeins of yarn wound up. When the Olympic opening ceremony begins about 23 hours from now, I will be ready.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Recidivist
Another wave of fibrous crime is about to commence. Patterns for Sock Wars V are being posted in a few minutes, and knitters around the world are waiting with yarn and needles at the ready.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Rambeau Collar
This cozy, reversible cartridge rib collar is a quick one skein project. I knit the prototype in just a few hours. The suggested yarn has some thick and thin attributes, and I think it would look nice in handspun as well.
Materials
Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica (100% Wool), 1 skein (100g/138 yards)
16 inch circular needle, US size 10 (6.0mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Gauge: 3.5 stitches per inch in pattern stitch.
Circumference: 21 inches (Note: To adjust circumference to suit, you can cast on more or fewer stitches in multiples of 4)
Height: 7 inches
Pattern
CO 72.
Place marker to note beginning of round. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Row 1: *Slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front, K3*, repeat from * to end of round
Row 2: P1, *slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in back, P3*, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in back, P2
Repeat these 2 rows until piece is 7 inches tall or desired height.
Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.
Materials
Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica (100% Wool), 1 skein (100g/138 yards)
16 inch circular needle, US size 10 (6.0mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Gauge: 3.5 stitches per inch in pattern stitch.
Circumference: 21 inches (Note: To adjust circumference to suit, you can cast on more or fewer stitches in multiples of 4)
Height: 7 inches
Pattern
CO 72.
Place marker to note beginning of round. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Row 1: *Slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front, K3*, repeat from * to end of round
Row 2: P1, *slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in back, P3*, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in back, P2
Repeat these 2 rows until piece is 7 inches tall or desired height.
Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Full Stash Disclosure
Here it is, as of today, all of my yarn. Even the ugly stuff and the scraps.
It all fits (barely) on the dining room table with both of the leaves in. Here are some other views of it. The teal Dream in Color Classy in this shot is planned for my Ravelympics sweater this coming February.
The box lid in front has all of my sock yarn scraps that I've been using for a scrap afghan. It will take me twenty lifetimes at my current rate of knitting on it.
This view from the other end of the table cracks me up, as it looks like the yarn just goes all the way out to the blurry horizon.
To use up some of this lovely yarn, today I set up some personal "club" projects. I chose 11 sock patterns and 10 small project patterns and matched them up with yarn in the stash. I wrote each on little squares of paper and mixed them up in an envelope, similar to the 16 sock patterns I set up for myself in 2009.
It all fits (barely) on the dining room table with both of the leaves in. Here are some other views of it. The teal Dream in Color Classy in this shot is planned for my Ravelympics sweater this coming February.
The box lid in front has all of my sock yarn scraps that I've been using for a scrap afghan. It will take me twenty lifetimes at my current rate of knitting on it.
This view from the other end of the table cracks me up, as it looks like the yarn just goes all the way out to the blurry horizon.
To use up some of this lovely yarn, today I set up some personal "club" projects. I chose 11 sock patterns and 10 small project patterns and matched them up with yarn in the stash. I wrote each on little squares of paper and mixed them up in an envelope, similar to the 16 sock patterns I set up for myself in 2009.
Friday, December 18, 2009
It's not too late! I hope.
I knit some gifts for Christmas this year. They were made for specific people, well ahead of time, and set aside in my knitting cupboard. Last week I even wrapped them. I realized only today that maybe mailing the gifts would be a good idea, seeing as how Christmas is just a few days away. The last two boxes are on the way out right now.
It reminded me of how much I love my Click 'n' Ship account with the US Postal Service. Postage from my printer!! I made a lot of use of during the last Sock Wars. I'm glad I've dusted off the account in advance of Sock Wars V, which is starting up in January. Termiknitter 2!
If, like me, you have inadvertently left a few people's gifts to the last minute, or if you just can't face the post office, consider joining me in sending the electronic joy of an Amazon gift certificate.
It reminded me of how much I love my Click 'n' Ship account with the US Postal Service. Postage from my printer!! I made a lot of use of during the last Sock Wars. I'm glad I've dusted off the account in advance of Sock Wars V, which is starting up in January. Termiknitter 2!
If, like me, you have inadvertently left a few people's gifts to the last minute, or if you just can't face the post office, consider joining me in sending the electronic joy of an Amazon gift certificate.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Packing up
Wherever you may be headed this holiday weekend, gentle reader, be safe. The crux of preparing for any trip is deciding what knitting to bring. For our trek to Iowa over the next few days I've settled on the raw materials for a few pairs of socks. Tomorrow there won't be too much daylight to work with, but I expect some general visiting time on Friday and an all day car ride on Saturday. I haven't had Thanksgiving in Iowa for....twenty years? Can't wait to see the family!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Ase
Several people have had questions about the Aubrey shawl not knitting up to be a symmetrical triangle. Hold on to your handknit socks, symmetry lovers, the next wrap pattern I made (pictured here before sewing of buttons) is a trapezoid. I have the pattern jotted down but not written properly yet.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pool Party
I just won the Project Runway pool in my Ravelry group! Thanks, Irina!!!! I was worried when Neenagaseeah was making her stinky face about all of the black in her collection. Nice to see some knits from more than one designer. Woo-hoo!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Hi, Alpacas
Nothing to say, so I'll share this picture from last month of me meeting a few of the alpacas at Whispering Pines farm near Bloomington.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Slacker
Totally missed two days of blogging. I have been sacking out early the last few nights. Here's the Biscuit, wanting to model her mitten when she saw me taking pictures of Greg's gloves.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Silver Pitcher
This morning we walked around Main Street with our guests for a while, and stopped into an antiques shop we have not been in before. I was looking for something to hold my straight needles in, rather than having them tucked away in a plastic drawer. I fell hard for this artfully tarnished pitcher, silver plate over copper, for $10. Greg and I are talking about rearranging the office to set up a dedicated knitting area for me, and this will go on my craft table when I have one.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Done Bespeaking
Gloves are finished! I finished knitting last night and wove in the ends this morning while we were out to breakfast with our guests. They are reportedly very warm.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sebastian Featherstone III
Ellie had a Family Turkey project this week, in which she was to work with family members to decorate a turkey cutout and come up with an interesting name. This afternoon she colored it, pasted felt onto the stomach, and decorated it with stickers, and I knitted wings and a neck that she helped me to paste on and secure on the pack of the piece with tape. We topped it off with some sunglasses, a button from my stash. Greg and his parents helped us to decide on the name. Ellie says he's wearing the sunglasses because he's from California, like her.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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