I improvised these socks back in August while I was on a business trip. They are named after the plane rides to and from the location. I charted out the design on a post-it note, I think.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Monday, November 01, 2010
November?!?!
Amount of holiday knitting I have done: NONE
Amount of holiday knitting I have planned: NONE
Amount of holiday knitting I have thought about: NONE
Amount of time I have to feel guilty about the above: (Maybe a tiny bit, but pretty much) NONE
Amount of holiday knitting I have planned: NONE
Amount of holiday knitting I have thought about: NONE
Amount of time I have to feel guilty about the above: (Maybe a tiny bit, but pretty much) NONE
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Still knitting...
..bad at blogging. I should probably try to do NaBloPoMo in November just to get back in the habit. I have enough in the Flickr queue from the last few months that it would be pretty quick and easy to get caught up with a short post each day.
I am quite busy with work and family but always have some knitting going. One of my projects on the needles at the moment is the mate to the sock pictured here. It was designed as part of a challenge for Project Yarnway last month and the second sock has been languishing in my knit bag only a third complete. I should get it out and work on it this weekend while I visit with my houseguests - my dad and his wife drove out from Iowa yesterday for some granddaughter cuddles.
I have one other project in progress at the moment, but it's a gift for one of my fans and I don't want to spoil the surprise until it's finished and received.
I am quite busy with work and family but always have some knitting going. One of my projects on the needles at the moment is the mate to the sock pictured here. It was designed as part of a challenge for Project Yarnway last month and the second sock has been languishing in my knit bag only a third complete. I should get it out and work on it this weekend while I visit with my houseguests - my dad and his wife drove out from Iowa yesterday for some granddaughter cuddles.
I have one other project in progress at the moment, but it's a gift for one of my fans and I don't want to spoil the surprise until it's finished and received.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Reset
This yarn was too perfect for my Project Yarnway socks. The leg of the sock has a little candy cane pattern on it, precisely the name of this colorway. I coveted it for almost two hours at knit night last night before I finally broke down and resigned myself to starting the socks over again
I also took advantage of starting over to make some adjustments to the cuff and an update to the chart that I'd been considering. I got through the first cuff and one repeat last night after I got home and it looks really cute in the new yarn!
I also took advantage of starting over to make some adjustments to the cuff and an update to the chart that I'd been considering. I got through the first cuff and one repeat last night after I got home and it looks really cute in the new yarn!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Jul i Juli
Over the long weekend I finished the pair of socks I was working on, Swirl Socks by Maia D, and was ready to cast on a new project.
I wanted to start another pair of socks, since we have the Stitches and Scones sock retreat this coming weekend. I pulled out the July slip of paper for my personal sock club. I realized that I had already used up the yarn planned for the July socks to design the pattern I made for the sock retreat participants.
Since that idea was a no go, I thought I would try to find another project, maybe something for the July Project Yarnway challenge, which is "Christmas in July" (in Swedish this is "Jul i Juli, " according to another of the Project Yarnway participants). I went down to stand in front of my stash cabinet to see what struck me.
I thought about winding yarn for a sweater, but it's too hot out. I thought about making a scarf for the little one out of the yarn she picked out at the Indiana Handicraft Exchange, but I wasn't sure about the stitch pattern to use. I even thought about just working on the projects I already have going, but that was fleeting.
Finally, my eyes alighted on this skein of Socks that Rock lightweight in the Jingle Rock colorway. Christmas! Socks! I immediately remembered a stitch pattern I had wanted to try and had my idea for Project Yarnway. I have one cuff and leg complete, though I've made an adjustment in the chart that may mean I need to rip back. Since I'm just changing one knit stitch in the repeat to a purl, I might be able to manage it by dropping stitches down and picking them up with a crochet hook. I'm really happy with how they are going so far and hope to have both socks and the pattern completed by the end of the month.
I wanted to start another pair of socks, since we have the Stitches and Scones sock retreat this coming weekend. I pulled out the July slip of paper for my personal sock club. I realized that I had already used up the yarn planned for the July socks to design the pattern I made for the sock retreat participants.
Since that idea was a no go, I thought I would try to find another project, maybe something for the July Project Yarnway challenge, which is "Christmas in July" (in Swedish this is "Jul i Juli, " according to another of the Project Yarnway participants). I went down to stand in front of my stash cabinet to see what struck me.
I thought about winding yarn for a sweater, but it's too hot out. I thought about making a scarf for the little one out of the yarn she picked out at the Indiana Handicraft Exchange, but I wasn't sure about the stitch pattern to use. I even thought about just working on the projects I already have going, but that was fleeting.
Finally, my eyes alighted on this skein of Socks that Rock lightweight in the Jingle Rock colorway. Christmas! Socks! I immediately remembered a stitch pattern I had wanted to try and had my idea for Project Yarnway. I have one cuff and leg complete, though I've made an adjustment in the chart that may mean I need to rip back. Since I'm just changing one knit stitch in the repeat to a purl, I might be able to manage it by dropping stitches down and picking them up with a crochet hook. I'm really happy with how they are going so far and hope to have both socks and the pattern completed by the end of the month.
Monday, June 14, 2010
TNNAmazing
Quick note to say that I had a fabulous time at my first TNNA! We arrived Saturday evening and walked the market all day Sunday. Very inspiring to see all of the yarns, patterns, and fiber artists. I can't wait for the items we ordered to come in to the shop - some really fabulous things that I think people will love.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sampler Stripe Stole
The Ravelry Project Yarnway challenge for May was to learn a new technique and design a beginner project for that technique. I tried to learn to crochet, and designed a stole worked horizontally. It employs rows of single, half double, double, and treble crochet. Each stripe of color is worked in one stitch type, so the crocheter gets a few hundred chances to practice that stitch while working across the row. I am still working on getting a consistent gauge while crocheting, and would like to tackle some more complex stitches as well.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Two Long
The shawlette I am working on calls for a 24" size 4 circular needle. I was sure I had one, but it turns out that I do not. My Denise Interchangeable Set
only has needle tips down to size 5. I didn't get a chance to go to knit night this last week since we wore ourselves out shopping for a chair after a second grade play on Thursday afternoon, and yesterday we had a houseful of kids for an overnight stay so I couldn't pop up to the LYS then either.
I do, however, have two 16" size 4 circular needles. I recently read a tip on Ravelry about using two circulars for shawls or other large pieces to allow yourself to spread the stitches out and see more of the final shape. Turns out it is also a good fix for having two of the almost right needle and none of the correct one.
As my mental accounting of my needle inventory is obviously flawed, I am organizing them into my new namaste circular needle case
. Mine is peacock blue, and I bought it with some Loopy Ewe gift certificates from my Project Runway Ravelry pool win. I also picked up an eggplant buddy case
, which is a nice step up from my Altiods tin for my scissors and markers.
I do, however, have two 16" size 4 circular needles. I recently read a tip on Ravelry about using two circulars for shawls or other large pieces to allow yourself to spread the stitches out and see more of the final shape. Turns out it is also a good fix for having two of the almost right needle and none of the correct one.
As my mental accounting of my needle inventory is obviously flawed, I am organizing them into my new namaste circular needle case
Friday, May 14, 2010
On the needles
I've settled on my comfortable number of works in progress being between 3 and 5. (The eternal scrapghan is excluded from WIP calculation.) Fewer than that and I get bored, more than that and I feel pressured by my hobby. Sometimes I finish up a number of things all at once and get to cast on a bunch of new projects. Here's what I'm working on now:
Test knit shawlette: First up, and what I've been working on tonight, I am testing a lacy shawlette pattern for Christina of ClassicCableKnits (visit her blog for patterns and adorable baby) and so far it is gorgeous. I am using some Pagewood Farms Chugiak in the Mississippi Mud colorway. The yarn is so pretty that looking at it helped to take the sting out of having to tink back a few rows.
May project yarnway entry: I am learning to crochet for this challenge. My piece is about 90% complete. I need to finish up a stripe and weave in ends. More to come when it's finished.
Boheme baby sweater: knitting complete as of last night. Need to weave in ends and sew on buttons.
Back to Basics sock: May socks for personal sock club. I need more practice on toe-up socks so that they can be more automatic. Only about 15% done with the first sock of the pair.
Another ombre blanket: For Greg. I must love him a little bit to make two of these. This version is in Cascade 220
.
Next up to cast on is another baby blanket - I sketched out the pattern today, bought yarn last night, and need to swatch.
Test knit shawlette: First up, and what I've been working on tonight, I am testing a lacy shawlette pattern for Christina of ClassicCableKnits (visit her blog for patterns and adorable baby) and so far it is gorgeous. I am using some Pagewood Farms Chugiak in the Mississippi Mud colorway. The yarn is so pretty that looking at it helped to take the sting out of having to tink back a few rows.
May project yarnway entry: I am learning to crochet for this challenge. My piece is about 90% complete. I need to finish up a stripe and weave in ends. More to come when it's finished.
Boheme baby sweater: knitting complete as of last night. Need to weave in ends and sew on buttons.
Back to Basics sock: May socks for personal sock club. I need more practice on toe-up socks so that they can be more automatic. Only about 15% done with the first sock of the pair.
Another ombre blanket: For Greg. I must love him a little bit to make two of these. This version is in Cascade 220
Next up to cast on is another baby blanket - I sketched out the pattern today, bought yarn last night, and need to swatch.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Lindale Lace Socks
This sock pattern takes its name from where we were visiting when I designed them. The sock is worked from the top down on double pointed needles and features a vertical eyelet lace pattern and gusset decreases at the top of the stockinette foot. Striping yarn will result in zigzags of color on the leg. Solid colors showcase the unusual gusset decreases.
Pattern has two adult sizes, small and medium. It requires 400-420 yards of fingering weight yarn .
This pattern is available as a free PDF download. Enjoy!
Pattern has two adult sizes, small and medium. It requires 400-420 yards of fingering weight yarn .
This pattern is available as a free PDF download. Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Melisma Shawls
This pattern was introduced as a mystery shawl knitalong at Stitches and Scones in Spring 2010, and is now available for sale. The charted triangular shawl pattern allows the knitter to choose between different options for the main sleeveline lace motif, textured lace panels, and edgings. By varying which options you choose, the charts in this pattern can be used to create 8 different shawls. Both right and wrong side rows are charted.
Materials:
570 yards fingering weight yarn. Optional: 420 yards main color and 150 yards contrast color
14 stitch markers
1 removable stitch marker or safety pin
US size 6 (4.0mm) circular needle, 24 inches or longer
Tapestry needle
Blocking pins or wires
Pattern is charted only and includes some intermediate lace stitches such as various double decreases.
Finished width: 60-65 inches
Pattern is available for $6 USD via Ravelry or
Materials:
570 yards fingering weight yarn. Optional: 420 yards main color and 150 yards contrast color
14 stitch markers
1 removable stitch marker or safety pin
US size 6 (4.0mm) circular needle, 24 inches or longer
Tapestry needle
Blocking pins or wires
Pattern is charted only and includes some intermediate lace stitches such as various double decreases.
Finished width: 60-65 inches
Pattern is available for $6 USD via Ravelry or
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Bag It and Tag It
I'm having a blast participating in the Project Yarnway group on Ravelry. This is the third monthly challenge - create a bag for a specific client for a specific purpose.
This bag is a tea party/picnic tote. My client, pictured, wanted a bag with ten flowers that could hold books, forks and spoons, puppies, and a kangeroo. My input as the designer was to use 7 flowers and ixnay on the kangeroo, but you can see a book, puppy, and fork/spatula in the photo. Not showing in the pic but also in the bag are two doll bottles and a Hot Wheel. So, generally what you need on hand as a preschooler-about-town.
The bag is made from Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica (the green) and Cascade Eco+ (the orange), and embellished with more of the Manos and small amounts of other yarns.
This bag is a tea party/picnic tote. My client, pictured, wanted a bag with ten flowers that could hold books, forks and spoons, puppies, and a kangeroo. My input as the designer was to use 7 flowers and ixnay on the kangeroo, but you can see a book, puppy, and fork/spatula in the photo. Not showing in the pic but also in the bag are two doll bottles and a Hot Wheel. So, generally what you need on hand as a preschooler-about-town.
The bag is made from Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica (the green) and Cascade Eco+ (the orange), and embellished with more of the Manos and small amounts of other yarns.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Ase
This is the back view of my latest pattern, Ase, an asymmetrical wrap. The trapezoid shape highlights striped or handpainted yarns. Though written for worsted/aran weight yarn, it can easily be used with other yarn weights.
The PDF pattern is available for purchase as a Ravelry download for $3 USD.
The PDF pattern is available for purchase as a Ravelry download for $3 USD.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Stash Flash
April 1st is Flash Your Stash Day. Maybe because it's foolish to have all this yarn....?
The "downstairs" yarn and my current WIPs arrayed on the dining room table:
Some closer shots of that group:
Wool/worsted:
More worsted, blanket and sock WIPs near the top:
Sport and DK, Sock
Sock!
Lace and Mohair
Fingering scraps and scrapghan WIP. You can also see my sock in progress.
The upstairs yarn didn't get out of the drawers.
Cones and worsted scraps:
Cotton:
Acrylic, novelty, the Professor and Mary Ann:
There has been some turnover since my end of year stash photos, but not a lot. Need to get some of the older stuff out of the way for fresh new yarn!
The "downstairs" yarn and my current WIPs arrayed on the dining room table:
Some closer shots of that group:
Wool/worsted:
More worsted, blanket and sock WIPs near the top:
Sport and DK, Sock
Sock!
Lace and Mohair
Fingering scraps and scrapghan WIP. You can also see my sock in progress.
The upstairs yarn didn't get out of the drawers.
Cones and worsted scraps:
Cotton:
Acrylic, novelty, the Professor and Mary Ann:
There has been some turnover since my end of year stash photos, but not a lot. Need to get some of the older stuff out of the way for fresh new yarn!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Babies need blankies
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.
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
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
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Inbound Inlaws
Greg is at the airport right now waiting for his mom and her husband to land. They will be here until Saturday afternoon. Greg's taking the rest of the week off and we are keeping the Biscuit home from daycare to get extra spoilage from the grandparents. Ellie will be going to school but she gets out early enough in the day that there is still plenty of time to enjoy the family. I'm taking off Thursday and Friday. Not sure what we're all going to do, but there will most likely be quite a bit of talking/knitting time. Maybe I'll get to finish this second glove.
Monday, November 09, 2009
McGlovin
After tonight's session of bedtime knitting, I am just past the thumb gusset on the second of Greg's cashmere gloves. Since the first glove took less then a full skein, I am going to have an extra skein of the yarn left over. Not sure what I'll end up doing with it.
I need to dig up some stash to make myself some mittens. Our last few days of nice weather were a momentary respite from the advent of winter chill and I will be the last one in the family to have some hand coverings. I also need to decide pretty soon if there are any more gifts I want to knit for the holidays.
I need to dig up some stash to make myself some mittens. Our last few days of nice weather were a momentary respite from the advent of winter chill and I will be the last one in the family to have some hand coverings. I also need to decide pretty soon if there are any more gifts I want to knit for the holidays.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Saturday, November 07, 2009
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:
___________________
"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."
________
It should be really fun, and that is an awesome prize!
___________________
"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."
________
It should be really fun, and that is an awesome prize!
Friday, November 06, 2009
Naturally Simple
This is a partial view of a Simple Yet Effective shawl I recently made from Wisdom Poems Sock.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
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.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Citrus Palms
Small hands make for fast mittens. Here is the Biscuit wearing her new handgear this evening. Now to get back to glovemaking.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
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.
Monday, November 02, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Thar She NaBloPoMos
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.
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.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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.
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