The Pink Sheep

free yarn!

2011-01-15T15:49:00.002-05:00

I knew it had been awhile since I posted here, but wow, didn't realized it had been this long!

I wanted to share some exciting news. It is no secret that I am a huge Knit Picks fan (I've been buying their products since I learned to knit). I have entered nearly every contest they've held and guess what? I WON ONE! And I must say I won a really good one with a prize of a $25 Knit Picks gift certificate.

My yarn arrived in the mail today, which was what made me remember I hadn't posted about this yet! I was waiting until they announced the winners, but it's been a couple weeks now and I can't contain myself anymore. This is the contest I won. My entry is the fifth comment down.

Even though I have a huge backlog of projects to work on, I couldn't resist using the gift certificate for yarn for some sweaters I've been wanting to knit. I chose the newWool of the Andes Sport in Tidepool Heather (MC) and Wonderland Heather (CC) to make Daffodil and a favorite of mine, Palette in Merlot Heather (MC) and Camel Heather (CC) to make Lydia.

I received a gift certificate from a friend for Christmas, as well, and used that to try out two newer yarns: Chroma in Rollerskate worsted-weight which has since become Maine Morning Mitts my favorite fingerless mitts pattern that I've knit more times than I can count and a matching Calorimetry to replace mine that has been lost for a couple years (I tend to lose a lot of knitted accessories). I also wanted to try Capra to make Tudora (chose Harbor in that). For the first time ever, I am actually disappointed in something from Knit Picks. This yarn is not nearly as soft as I imagined it would be. I actually think Merino Style is softer. It's an awfully pretty yarn, but I haven't knit it up yet (next project to be cast on tonight!) so can't comment to that, but I just expected it to be so soft that I'd want to snuggle with it. And then with the few extra dollars and a few dollars of my own I chose some Wool of the Andes (Blossom Heather) to make this crazy cute cowl from Cowlgirls, which is a stupidly fun book.

Selfish knitting season has begun!

golf

2010-03-21T18:28:00.002-05:00

Any golfers out there? My mom cleverly thought of me knitting golf club covers for my brother for his birthday. Brilliant! I know absolutely nothing about golfing though and was wondering if anyone out there had any helpful hints that could guide me with these covers. My mom told me that you typically use the covers on your woods.

And that is all I know lol.

knitting for others

2010-03-16T20:23:00.003-05:00

Seems to have become all I have time for anymore. I went from being someone who knits primarily for themselves (and their kiddo) and occasionally for others to someone who knits more for others than herself.

Don't get me wrong: I love knitting for others, else I wouldn't do it. But it has begun to consume me. Every time I think I'm done, I have someone else to knit for. The reason is quite simple: we are broke as a joke and the only way I can afford to give most people gifts is to knit for them. Even if I have to purchase new yarn (I've delved into the stash as much as possible), it's on the cheap (thank you, as ever, Knit Picks and sales and coupons at Joann!). A handknit gift is worth a million times more than what the actual cost is, so it just makes such a thoughtful gift.

I am a (nearly) total process knitter though, so having to crank out so many things on deadlines is extremely challenging for me. And I'm very Type A and brinking on OCD when it comes to completing things. So, yeah, challenging. The last couple of projects (and I know a few upcoming ones) have totally not been done technically on time, but "on time" for me as of late is "somewhere in the general vicinity of when it was supposed to be done, where 'general vicinity' is about two weeks out".

I did just purchase some yarn to knit some things for myself and I'm about 2/3 of the way done with one of those projects. Yay!

But for others within the upcoming month, I've got a pair of socks to do, a congratulations gift that is already on the needles, and I have to figure out something to make my brother (I have a hat I want to do - to match a scarf I did for him in the fall, but I'd like to maybe do something else too - ideas? Socks are a possibility, but he has size-14 feet, so I know they won't have a hope of being done on time. What the heck else do you knit for a guy?)

felting - yes, again.

2010-02-23T07:34:00.002-05:00

I'd say that I should apparently just give up on felting, but I do like to do it on occasion and I've still have more projects come out with proper results than not. It's only lately that I clearly can't felt to save my life.

And that is the crux of the problem - that it's a recent problem. I'm too busy. I have always been a serious multi-tasker and since becoming a mom, multi-tasking is the core of my existence. Working more has only made me have to figure out more ways to fit things in.

This weekend I had some very rare time without the hubbo lurking about the house (still had the kiddo, but he's easy!) and took advantage of doing some projects around the house. I had been queueing and favoriting pattern on Ravelry for a new felted bag (I have some worsted-weight wool in my stash waiting patiently specifically for such a destiny). Last year (or maybe two years ago??), I knit up the Celtic Tote to use as a diaper bag. I've loved that bag muchly, but it's not getting used a lot anymore because, while Scoot isn't potty-trained, I'm hoping he will be by year's end and we're at a point where I just have to carry one diaper and wipes. I tote a mini-backpack of his usually because it's small. The cavalcade of items (and I was always a light packer - I can't imagine the moms who carry more!) required for infants is no longer a necessity.

Plus, the Celtic Tote pattern calls for not fully felting it to get the desired look and therefore has gotten stretched-out over its time of use. I decided to try refelting it a bit to try to make it a bit more stable for use as an everyday bag until I can get around to knitting up a new handbag.

I threw it into the wash. And then promptly forgot about it. :/

When I took it out it was completely felted and is now a (large - at least to me) handbag. It's very practical and cute, but the essence of that bag has been lost (you can barely see the cabling). So it is now my new handbag and I think I'll knit up (and felt) something to be used in the spring and summer.

But this experience made me figure out what has all gone horribly wrong with my felting. I forget about it. I put it in, get distracted with something else, and so it goes through an ENTIRE cycle (the whole washing cycle, rinse, and spin) with never even being checked on.

Next time I felt I vow to do it when I have minimal distractions and I won't get going on another involved project (cleaning, an intense game of Candyland, sorting the laundry, etc...) until my knitting is out of the wash.

bugger

2010-02-16T07:32:00.002-05:00

I ran out of yarn yesterday for the cardigan I'm working on. I don't have enough to do the button bands. I can order more, but I've been waiting to place my Knit Picks order (I have a Mastercard giftcard from Christmas that I decided to use for yarn!) until their spring yarns start rolling in. Drat.

I was going to participate in the Knitting Olympics this year (not the Ravelympics - that looked too complicated), but I really wanted to get that cardigan done, which wasn't going to happen by the opening ceremony. Plus I was afraid I'd literally do nothing but knit, devoted to completing a project that would be otherwise impossible to complete in the short time-frame (I get a little OCD like that).

So I've decided to unofficially participate in my own way to kill time until I can place that order (plus, as always, I'm sooooo backlogged on knitting projects I want to do). I'm going to try to knock out as many projects as I can until I can put my order in, which means hopefully I'll burn through a fair amount of small projects.

To start with, I cast on a pair of bulky-weight mittens yesterday afternoon during naptime and got through (aside from the thumb) with one. But then when I tried it on it was waaaay too small and I *think* I somehow miscounted and ended up with 10 rows less than what I should have. I frogged to the thumb and will give it another go tonight. If it's still too small, I'll just have to add in some rows (I don't have freakishly large hands, but they aren't small, so this could potentially be the issue).

Oh my GOD you guys!

2010-02-06T13:04:00.002-05:00

I WON! French Press Knits held a contest on her blog to celebrate her 2000th sale on Etsy by giving away, randomly, a custom pair of slippers to one lucky winner.

And guess who was the winner?!

Me, who never wins anything won my very own pair of custom French Press slippers. I am still gobsmacked. If you click on the link, you will see that I chose burgundy wine-colored slippers with fab silvery buttons.

Thank you to French Press Knits for hosting this contest and for your fabulous patterns you put out! (PS If you haven't got the slipper pattern yet, I highly recommend it. Super quick and easy knit with a lot of result.)

over-achiever

2010-01-15T12:36:00.002-05:00

I started doing some knitting for myself (some socks, some mittens, to start with) because I was so burnt out from Christmas knitting (do y'know that I didn't knit for about 3 days after Xmas?).

Then the over-achiever in me took over and I decided I needed to knit some favors to give to the kids coming to my son's birthday party on the 23rd. I was going to do a little critter (I found a cute little snail), but decided on cupcakes instead. Since I'm making a cake (shaped like Lightening McQueen, no less - it will be an adventure and I can blame that over-achiever again for this one), my cupcake stand will now be put to use holding knit cupcakes and when the kids leave they each can take one.

Of course, the stand holds 13, so I'm going to make 13 even though there are only 6 kids that will be there. I'm going to send one to a friend as a thank-you, try to pawn a couple off on some other guests (who don't have kids) and then maybe give a couple of a friend's children who aren't able to make it to the party.

Thankfully these cupcakes are freaking adorable and quick knits. Additionally, they are all going to be different from each other, so that keeps things interesting. I've got 6 bottoms and 2 tops done so far. The kiddo is staying with my mom and dad this weekend, so I should be able to finish cranking them out by the end of it. I can then spend the week decorating them, stuffing them, and seaming them.

Oh, and I'm knitting a felted birthday crown for the birthday boy!

I have to finish up a birthday present too (the knitting is done, it just needs to be stuffed and seamed.

Epic Felt Fail

2010-01-04T22:16:00.006-05:00

I've not done what I would consider tons of felting, but a fair amount and I've never had a project go awry. Until now. I have the Cheery Cup Cozies Kit from Knit Picks and I decided to knit up the felted argyle version a few days ago.

It's knit in intarsia and I'm bad and don't snip and join new pieces of yarn and carry floats along the back. Since this was going to be felted, I thought it wouldn't matter much.

Well. Apparently I was wrong because all of that extra yarn in the back has adhered itself to the opposite side of the tube. I accidentally let it run through the entire wash cycle (including rinse and spin), which may have been where the majority of the problem came from.

Other potential problem is that I've never knit something at an extremely loose gauge like this and felted it. Did you know that you're supposed to knit at a crazy loose gauge to get better felting (more space between the stitches = more agitation and therefore more felting)? Well, I did not. I've always knit at whatever relatively normal gauge other patterns are written for. I'm wondering it this particular variable was a big contributor to the Epic Felt Fail.

Also. Whatever happened to stuff shrinking lengthwise more than width wise? That's like a solid constant in felting (and the accidental, or purposeful, shrinking of clothes). This cozy could fit a Super Big Gulp in length. And yet is skinny enough to possibly be a form-fitting tube dress for Barbie.

I'm going to try to soak it tomorrow night and see if I can manipulate it in any way when it's wet. If not, I'll have to be creative and maybe do some cutting to turn this into something else. Unfortunately, I was planning on giving this one to a friend (and if it was successful make a couple more in other colors for other friends).

In other news, I'm having a case of "I'm not sure what next to knit", which never, ever happens to me. I usually know what next I'll cast on three projects ahead of time (like chess, y'know?). I think the problem is I have so much right now that I want to knit that I can't make up my damn mind. I opted to cast on a pair of socks that have been haunting me to knit them since early last fall (haven't had time!). I'm hoping this doesn't turn into a bout of startitis (maybe choosing quick projects will appease me?).

goals

2010-01-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

I don't do resolutions, but I have some (vague and not rigid) knitting goals this year.

#1 - try to manage a pair of socks a month like I attempted last year (started out strong, but lost steam halfway through the year). Plus a couple of my socks have sprung irreparable holes this winter, so I really need to replace them to keep my toes toasty.

#2 - try to finish up some of those projects that have been hibernating for WAY too long (like more than a year) because they take up too much space.

#3 - try not to buy too much yarn in an effort to reduce the very abundant stash. Gift certificates do not count lol. Nor do purchases for gifts. Tried this last year too and then went on a yarn-buying frenzy for a few months.

knitting for Christmas

2009-12-29T07:58:00.004-05:00

I received some lovely knitting swag for Christmas this year.

1. A Knit Picks gift certificate from a certain Sirius and Remus. ;)
2. The Knitter's Toolbag Kit (which was on my list this year!)
3. A yarn cutter, which is something I've always wanted.
4. Harmony Wood Cable Needle Set, which my mom spectacularly picked out on her own (as she did the yarn cutter). I always just use a spare DPN for cabling, so it will be very nice to have needles handy in my bag for cabling (plus then I don't have to worry about losing a dpn).
5. The Knitter's Book of Wool (yay!)
6. A little pom pom maker, which I'm eager to try out the next time I need a pom pom because they are such a pain to make.
7. And what I'm stupidly excited about (another thing I asked for): a kitchen/yarn scale. This will make using up leftovers (something I do a lot of) SO much easier.

Oh, and some darning needles.

Unfortunately, I've not been doing much of any knitting since December 23 (the day I finished the last of the Christmas gifts!) because I think I'm totally burnt out from the marathon knitting session of the last few weeks. I have a baby set that I'm slowly working on for a baby due end of January, but my friend is in Europe where they don't typically receive baby gifts until after the baby is born anyway (or so I've been told!), so if it arrives tardy, by my standards, at least I won't feel so bad.

How was everyone's Christmas?

a surprise kindness

2009-12-13T12:59:00.002-05:00

A few days ago, the Yarn Harlot posted about an adorable little pattern: French Press Slippers. I first noticed this pattern some time back when it popped up on my friends list on Ravelry.

Of course I fell in love with these (they are so ME), but when I saw that the pattern was for a fee - being that hubbo is laid off - I didn't even queue it because I didn't want to be tempted.

So, I commented on Yarn Harlot's blog post that I loved these slippers but put them on my "to buy when my husband has a job again" list. The next morning, I had a delightful e-mail from the creator of these slippers. Turns out she lives a couple of towns over from me and her husband is unemployed too. She kindly included the pattern for me free of charge just to spread a little Christmas cheer.

Knitters are such wonderful and generous people.

As a bonus, this pattern has solved the one Christmas present I was really concerned about not getting done on time: mom's scarf. See, my mom is not an easy person to knit for. Since I had to choose to knit stuff from stash for my parents, the only thing I had that would be good for her was a lace scarf, which in a crunch, is not a time-effective choice! I showed my mom the slipper pattern and she absolutely loved them and said she would give me money for yarn to make her a pair after Christmas sometime.

Ha! Turns out I have a couple skeins of Patons Classic Wool Merino in my stash that will be an acceptable color to her and make these lovely slippers. Totally solves my time crunch!

2009-12-05T17:42:00.001-05:00

Just keep knitting. Just keep knitting. Just keep knitting, knitting, knitting. What do we do? We knit, knit, knit!

I finished off another project two days ago and CO two more! Woo!

christmas crunch

2009-12-03T08:53:00.003-05:00

Feeling the Christmas Crunch here! It seems no matter how early in the year I start, my inner procrastinator will still take over and I'll still be knitting until the 11th hour. I have one project I must still start (and complete!). I have two projects that are so close to being finished I can taste it (I just haven't had time!). I have one project that needs finishing. I have lots of blocking to do.

And then, as ever, I've decided to try to add in a couple of extra projects (maybe. It's still up for debate). Because my husband is unemployed and I only work part time, we decided not to get one another Christmas gifts this year. When my parents found this out, they said they refused to accept Christmas gifts from us this year also. Very kind of them, but I feel like a dead-beat daughter not getting them anything (Christmas has always been a big shebang with lots of gift giving in our house).

We spent a bit less on my brother this year than we have in past too, so I'd like to crank out a scarf for him. Thankfully it is a short scarf, but it is cabled and a bit of (manly) lace - I already have the yarn and had planned on giving it to him whenever. Ditto mom - I have lace yarn and a pattern picked out, I was just planning on waiting until after Christmas. Dad, I dunno. I've knit hats for him before and he's liked them, so I could probably go stash-diving and find something to make for him. This is all highly ambitious though.

How are you doing on your Christmas knitting?

ribbit

2009-11-18T07:10:00.002-05:00

I'm working on Gathered Pullover for myself and was so excited last night because I was just about done with the charted section. And then I went back to the instruction portion to double check if I split the front and back on the last chart row or the first round after I was through with that.

That's when I noticed that I forgot to do decreases and subsequent increases way back in the middle of the chart. Because I thought doing five decreases next to one another and then five increases in the next round would be hard to do if I just dropped those stitches down, I frogged. About 18 rounds. At 172 stitches per round. That's over 3000 stitches.

I don't mind frogging things like that in the long run, but it's the short term. I could've split the front and back today. Instead I'll be redoing the rest of the chart for the next two days.

What's really annoying is I don't usually make mistakes like this because I so meticulously read and follow patterns. I've been really tired this week, so I can only think that is how I missed it.

randomness

2009-10-20T20:23:00.002-05:00

I keep meaning to make posts, but never get around to it!

Since picking up tons of hours at work, I was thinking my knitting time had gone down quite a bit (I've been working a lot of daytime shifts and I would typically knit at home while William was napping), but I'm not sure that it has that much. Because I've been working a lot of days, that means less nights spent at work and I always knit for around 1-3 hours at night if I'm not working. So, yeah...not sure if it's less time or not (plus I generally work on my traveling project while on breaks at work, which is, and has been for a long time, a Xmas prezzie).

I'm really, really trying to stay dedicated to finishing up Christmas/necessary knitting. It is hard though because I'm itching to cast on some socks and a sweater (both for myself!). Currently, I'm trying to use them as a reward - ie if I finish x, y, and z by the end of this month, I can work on those. I am attempting to stay motivated also by reminding myself that it will be such a relief to have it all done with plenty of time to spare for once.

With the hubbo's job loss, of course that equals no money for yarn buying, which is actually sort of a relief because I feel like I might actually catch up on the backlog of projects I have planned and already have yarn for. I kind of accidentally bought a lot of yarn this summer lol (most of it with specific projects for it).

In an ideal world (including one where I could actually be away from my child for a full week without missing him and thinking about his constantly), I would like to take a week off of everything and just knit. From the time I got up (or at least after I've had a cup of coffee) to the time I went to bed. Just knit, knit, knit. How many projects do you think a person could crank out with all that time? A lot, I bet.

2009-09-15T11:53:00.003-05:00

No one signed up for my knitting class, which really doesn't surprise me. I'm only slightly bummed. The owner told me hardly anyone signed up for anything, which doesn't bode well for her business, so I hope things pick up for her in the winter. She said we can try the knitting class again in the next session, but I think I'll wait 'til after the new year instead of in the holiday season.

knitting morning

2009-09-12T09:56:00.002-05:00

Actually, it started last night when I finished my Sub Rosa hat that I mentioned I'd be knitting in my last post. I need buttons for it still, which I think I'll get today (provided Joann's has any I like).

This morning, childless, I looked up the start of the Mystery Colorwork KAL that Melissa at KP is hosting. I've always wanted to do a Mystery KAL, but never seem to find out about them until too late! I was very excited to learn about this one a few weeks ago, especially since I can just use stash yarn for it.

I ended up making the sensible choice, though it feels a bit of a cop out, and chose only two colors (Bark and Petal). The original pattern calls for 15 colors, but Melissa kindly provided alternatives to this using 2, 10, or 11 colors - or anything in-between that your imagination could come up with. I have had these two skeins of yarn in my stash For.Ev.Er, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to turn them into something.

What excites me most about this Mystery KAL is we don't even know what we're knitting. Melissa described it as a useful item that isn't worn, there is a steek involved, and a small amount of fabric sewing at the end.

When seeing the first bit of the pattern this morning, my immediate thought was a mug cozy. But as I started knitting in the round and saw the circumference, I decided it's not that. My next thought was a toilet paper cozy, but that was just a wild (and likely wrong) guess. My new guess is a potholder/trivet. We'll see if I'm right!

So I put Roman Holiday on this morning and got all of the set up rows done. Unfortunately our printer took a shitter a couple days ago (we've bought a replacement, but it hasn't been hooked up yet), so I've got to wait until the new one is set up before I can print out my colorwork chart!

I finished just as my soccer game was starting (great timing!) and have been working on my Emerald Isle Cardigan, which is great soccer-watching knitting. And now half-time is over so it's time to go!

cancelled!

2009-09-11T06:19:00.003-05:00

The crochet class I signed up for was canceled yesterday afternoon because not enough folks signed up. I was bummed, but understood.

What I did not understand was the 'tude the lady on the phone gave me when I politely declined her offer to be rescheduled for another class and asked for a refund instead. And even more 'tude when I requested the refund receipt be mailed to me because I didn't know when I'd be able to pick it up. She wasn't rude, there was just some attitude in her voice about it. I explained that I only get my work schedule a week in advance, therefore it's impossible for me to reschedule at this time.

Now because of that encounter, I'm unsure if I'll sign up for the class again, which is sort of a bummer because I really wanted to take it.

hats!

2009-09-08T08:33:00.003-05:00

I am on an unintentional hat kick. How many hats does a person need? Apparently a whole basketful. I think I needed some quick projects because everything else I've been working on have been seemingly never-ending projects.

The culprits (aka the hats):

1. For William, the Dougie Dog Hat. I bought the yarn a few months ago for the whole set - hat, scarf, and sweater, but didn't feel like doing it until now (haven't started the scarf or sweater yet because HATS!).

2. For me, the Unoriginal Hat, which is, I think, THE quickest hat to ever knit up. As I said in my notes for this project on Ravelry, the yarn only cost me $1.46 too. Woo! I have enough yarn to make another one too for a gift.

3. Also for me, the Andean Chullo hat from KP. I wanted this when it was a kit, but didn't love the colors it came with. It's available as just a pattern purchase now, so I got it and did the hat in all browns because all of the new Palette colors KP came out with this fall were far too tempting. I'm done with the hat, just have to do the icord trim and tassels. It's ADORABLE.

4. For William, a Pumpkin Hat for the fall. I followed that pattern but used some of DiscKnit's modifications to make it look more pumpkiny. This hat was made from leftovers from William's blanket. I am also going to make newborn versions (1 or 2 depending on how much yarn I have!) for any babies born on Halloween in the birthing center at the hospital mom works at. I'm pretty sure this is the cutest hat ever created.

5. For me, I am nearly finished with the Tempest Beret, which I bought the yarn for almost immediately after getting this issue of Knitscene. I thought I'd give a different style hat a try.

6. After I'm through with the beret, I am going to CO one of several Banana Republic-style knock off hats that are on Ravelry. I prefer one pattern knit in a bulky, but I have worsted for this particular hat, but there is a different pattern for worsted too, so I'll just have to experiment a bit with this one, je pense. Oh, hat also for me (see??).

7. For me, with some Paton's SWS I have, I'll be doing the Herringbone Hat because that giant pompom is almost too adorable to resist.

8. And finally, when my yarn arrives, I will knit the Sub Rosa hat. I have the worsted yarn, which was going to be a different hat, but I realized when I printed the pattern that I didn't buy enough yarn, d'oh! So, since I wanted to knit this hat more, I decided to buy a skein of bulky weight to coordinate with my worsted and do this hat instead. I felt I had to take advantage of KP's lace sale anyway - I only bought three skeins, two of which are gift scarves! - so threw in the bulky weight skein also. And yes, this hat will be for me.

Cripes, it better be cold this winter (haha kidding. It better not be as freaking cold as it was last winter or I may die a little). I think I'm eager to have so many new hats this year though because I can wear them to work (like, while I'm working), so I'll have lots of super cute variety. Plus, I don't leave the house without a hat in the winter anyway. This took care of some much-needed stash-busting anyway.

teaching

2009-08-31T08:53:00.003-05:00

I'm going to be teaching a knitting class (if anyone signs up, that is). It's going to be a beginner class for those that want to learn to knit. Back in the winter, Scoot's teacher in his tumble class learned that I knit and wanted to know if I would be interested in teaching a class. She is the owner of the business and offers a variety of classes mostly for kids, but does a few adult classes too. I told her I didn't think I was interested, but would think about it. Mainly, I doubt my ability to teach! She told me she used to have someone teach a knitting class several years ago, but the lady who taught it no longer wanted to do it.

It stayed in my mind though and at some point during the summer I decided What the hell? and told her I'd do it. We arranged the day and time for the fall session and that I would prefer to do only adults (or teenagers) at this point and perhaps offer it to kids later.

And then I haven't heard anything more about it and I've seen her and talked to her a few times since. I had sort of assumed she hadn't taken me seriously and/or she forgot (she can be a little bit spacey). Lo and behold, the flyer for the fall session appears in my mailbox Thursday and there it is: Knitting! Guess I'm teaching lol!

I'm glad that even though I wasn't 100% sure it was going to happen, I started thinking of what sort of projects we could do and keep the supply requirements to a minimum and inexpensive. I've finalized my plan this morning.

I decided we'd start with a pair of sideways garter stitch fingerless mitts (essential a garter rectangle which is then seamed together) to teach CO, knit stitch and BO (and seaming!). Next we'll do a striped, ribbed scarf to teach purling and joining in a yarn. Third we'll do a hat knit flat to teach decreasing and to hone all those previously learned skills.

The class is 8 weeks long, so I'm wondering if I shouldn't come up with a 4th project too (I'm leaning toward yes, but at a bit of a loss). I'm thinking two weeks per project should be good. I figure the first class I'll be going over some basics about knitting, then teaching CO and knit. The next class we'll go over the BO and then let them start their second mitt. (I realize not everyone is like me and wants to knit 24/7!), so I reckon I'll go over some things (like dropped stitches, etc.) during the second week of that. Then the third week we'll start the scarf and again have two weeks devoted to that, mainly because I think it will take them that long to complete it. Then we'll do the hat, which again, can last two weeks.

So that leaves two weeks. The problem is twofold: I want to leave a little leeway in case they're not getting projects done as quickly as my timeline dictates AND I don't want to make them spend much more money (I'm going with one needle size and one type of yarn for all projects, but I think they'll need 5 skeins - I've chose Lion Brand Wool Ease, which is a favorite of mine for certain types of projects because of it's softness and affordability).

I'm thinking right now that if I have a fourth project in reserves, that would be fine. That way it would be available if needed and if not, I could give it to them to do on their own after the class is over. I'm just not sure what else to do (I was trying to come up with something that would teach increases, but I'm lamely drawing a blank). Any ideas or suggestions for anything for the class would be greatly appreciated!

I'm super excited about this and I really hope some people sign up for it.

2009-05-17T20:24:00.003-05:00

I've just cast on some basic, self-striping socks for my upcoming longest-car-ride-ever. My grandma passed away Saturday morning and we have to drive 750 miles to get there for the funeral.

I can't decide if it speaks poorly of me or well of the healing nature of knitting (one reason I love knitting so much is because it calms me. most of the time.) that one of my immediate thoughts upon learning we had to drive (stupid airline prices!) was "Crap! I'm not working on anything currently that is good travel knitting!" Hence, the socks. Then I remembered I have a drop-stitch shawl that I can bring too. Still, socks I can just shove in my purse too.

And this whole situation made me laugh because really? I'm not going to have a lot of knitting time. I'd like to think I could knit the entire journey in the car, but I know I'll have to pull out all the stops for The Toddler who is not going to be happy that he's strapped into a car seat for 12+ hours. But, god, I never want to run out of knitting when I go somewhere. I'm a light packer otherwise. :D

knittng i've been up to

2009-05-10T13:06:00.004-05:00

I got two pairs of infant socks and one hat done for afghans for Afghans. The stuff had to be received by the 15th, so I wanted to ensure I got it mailed out in plenty of time (sent it Friday). I probably could've got one more pair of socks in there if I'd really cranked them out, but I'm happy I got to do what I did. I'll definitely be knitting for their organization again.

Meanwhile, all other projects are on hold while I do some knitting for some friends who could use some pick-me-ups! I completed one sock this morning and will cast on the second tonight for one friend. I'm trying to crank these projects out relatively quickly so they are timely! So I'm being pretty project-monogamous at the moment so I can get one done after another and get them to their recipients.

There will be another baby blanket to knit soon also! A close friend of mine just found out she's expecting again. And she's already almost halfway along! It was a very unexpected and unplanned pregnancy, so she was in a bit of denial. I'll find out soon what sex it will be then I'll have to buy some yarn for that (I do have some leftovers for both sexes from the last two blankets I did, which is handy). Her daughter won't be quite two when this baby comes (!!), so I am thinking of knitting her a stuffed toy, as well. I've wanted to do a stuffed toy for quite some time, but have never been able to justify the effort for my own kid lol. Plus, I've always thought it was thoughtful when folks give gifts to the elder siblings too, especially when they're so young. It's not fair that the new baby gets everything!

For Mother's Day, I received a Knit Picks gift certificate (whoo hoo! I can never get enough of those!). I think I've chosen what I want, so will place my order sometime this week, probably. I really want to try out their new City Tweed, so I've found a project that I think it will suit nicely. I considered holding on to it for a bit, but eh, why wait? ;) I also sold some more yarn on Etsy today, so am going to put that money toward some lace blocking wires. I have some serious lace knitting planned for the near future, so I'd like to have those on hand.

As soon as the little guy wakes up from his nap, we're off to my parents for mom's day dinner - takeout of our choice! A Happy Mom's Day to all the moms out there!

the wonders of knitting

2009-05-05T07:09:00.003-05:00

Knitting made me clean this weekend. Yes, you heard that right. I wanted to CO for my friend's afghan this weekend. The recommended needle size was way too small for the yarn I'm using (this was shocking because I usually have to go down several needle sizes to get gauge in a pattern).

So I went looking for my size 15 circular - nice and big and should've done the trick. It wasn't that long ago that I used it for a project, but the place where I keep it (do not ask me why I kept this one singular needle in a separate place from all my other needles) came up empty. I double checked to make sure I didn't have a rogue UFO using it and came up with a decided "no".

I peeked under the couch. And was horrified. Who KNEW so much stuff could accumulate under a couch?! Not to mention the mounds of dog fur and various food odds and ends, I uncovered old magazines, a couple of missing DPNs, a few darning needles, a CD case, a couple of Scoot's books and a few toys too! Alas, no size 15 circ.

It was so repulsive under the couch that I had to bust out the vacuum and suck up the funk. I checked under and in a few more pieces of furniture (including the couch cushion, almost as repulsive) until the cleaning end of this search got to me. Hey! Wasn't this supposed to be a knitting-related activity?

Never did find those needles though. William has a habit of stashing things, which usually turn up months later, so they'll turn up eventually. Yesterday, I went and bought a size 17 circular to do the job in the meantime.

2009-04-30T09:37:00.003-05:00

I've been feeling both must-knit-for-others and must-destash at the same time. Every so often long-planned, but not yet completed let alone started, projects start weighing down on my shoulders. I've found this tends to happen especially when my stash is getting a bit unwieldy (I've been buying lots of cheer-me-up yarn lately - mostly for specific projects). They buying finally caught up with me and I can't see buying any more yarn for awhile now (unless I need something for a specific gift).

I think I'm in the minority of knitters where I keep for myself a majority of what I knit. I don't have a lot of people in my life that I can knit for (that are grateful or appreciative, that is, and I only knit for those folks) and those that I do, I fear if I deluge them with knitting, they will either become sick of it or expect too much of it (lol). And I'm not great at knitting for a present months ahead of time (like I just can't bring myself to start Christmas knitting now).

In addition to my Earth Day bags, I'm also planning an afghan for a friend and some charity knitting. I especially want to do some stuff for Afghans for Afghans and some baby hats for the hospital my mom works at (not charity, per se, but unselfish knitting).

Part of the knitting-for-others has come from feeling the need for some good karma and kind deeds because of some craptasticness in life lately. Doing things for others always lifts the spirits.

Earth Day

2009-04-23T07:28:00.002-05:00

We had absolutely miserable weather here yesterday. I'm big on traditions and one thing I wanted to do with Little Scoot was to do something on Earth Day each year. I think I'm relatively environmentally conscious, so I know that will be a quality that he learns. Maybe next year we'll be able to plant something or pick up garbage somewhere.

So for my contribution this year, I bought yarn. How, do you ask, does this contribute to Earth Day? Because I bought yarn to make BYOB bags - enough for four, I hope (three with coordinating colors - ie the MC of one bag is CC1 of another and CC2 of a third; and then I bought some multi-colored yarn for the fourth, where I'll probably skip the striping). I've wanted to make these since the pattern debuted, but just haven't felt (much) of a desperate desire to.

Well, I was inspired by Knit Picks' new Knit 1, Give 1 campaign to finally make those bags! I needed something a bit more economical though than the KP kits, which is why I went back to the BYOB. I chose Lily Sugar 'n Cream yarn for its price and that it comes in tons of fun colors. If my planning works out as it should, I shouldn't have much in the way of leftovers.

I think the bags will make really great gifts for people (or add-on gifts, like using it in place of a gift bag or wrapping paper), since a lot of folks these days are more market-bag friendly. I've wanted to stockpile a few household-type knits for when I need a quick, small gift for someone, so this will be the start to that.

I personally bring as many of my own bags to the store as possible (I'm keeping one of the BYOB bags for myself!) and refuse bags if I get only a couple items that I can carry or stuff in my purse. When I do get plastic bags from stores, I find uses for them around the house when I can and if I can't, they get recycled.

so....that sock yarn stash plan?

2009-03-27T15:15:00.003-05:00

And because I have no self control over yarn buying when I've had an absolutely miserable couple of days (It's my consolatory, self-pity thing. I have an especially crap time and buy yarn to make myself feel better. Some people eat. Some people buy shoes. Me? I splurge on yarn I wouldn't normally have purchased.)...I've gone and bought 16 skeins of sock yarn (that's 8 pairs of socks!). I was going to buy only one expensive (to me) skein (for one pair of socks), but instead decided to spend a bit more than twice as much and get 8 pairs of socks worth of yarn. It was all on sale. >_>

So, yeah. I basically just negated my plan to use up a large portion of my sock yarn stash this year. The good thing with this recent purchase is I definitely plan on using some of it for gifts and some of it could even be used for things other than socks.

socks, socks, socks

2009-03-19T06:26:00.003-05:00

I have decided that this year I'll be doing my own monthly sock club, so to speak.

I possess sock yarn stash of mountainous quantities. I am one of those "sock yarn is not stash enhancement" folks. That means I buy a lot (too much?) of sock yarn. And I love knitting socks; they are one of my favorite projects to do. They are the reason I wanted to learn to knit. But it seems that socks always get shuffled way back on the queue of Things to Knit. The only reason I can come up with is maybe I think "Oh, pish, I can knit socks anytime" and pass over them when I'm contemplating a new project. I keep a pair of simple socks in my bag, but I don't get many opportunities to knit anywhere but at home anymore. Having to keep track of a very busy two-year-old will do that!

I've been on a real sock kick lately because I got a new book last month - Knitting Socks With Handpainted Yarn, which is fabulous and inspired me to start knitting up some socks!

So, I decided to help quell the sock yarn "stash", I shall endeavor to knit one pair of socks per month this year. So far I've done these (January), these (February) and am working on these (sorry there's no photos of any of them up yet!).

These socks for my club will all be for me - socks for others (which I don't do a lot of), don't count. My other intention with doing this is to keep me motivated to knit socks so they don't fall by the wayside anymore.

yarn for sale

2009-03-13T10:10:00.001-05:00

I have some hand-dyed sock yarn for sale on Etsy! Lots of different color combinations.

Check out my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=58093

dyeing

2009-03-06T17:39:00.013-05:00

I bought some bare sock yarn eons ago with the intention of dyeing it. I finally got around to it this week. Ohemgee it was so fun! There was a learning curve with this, but I'm happy with how it turned out for my first foray. In fact, I was so pleased, I bought more bare yarn and will dye it up when it arrives and I'm going to try my hand at selling it on Etsy. I'll post the info here when that's all set up (probably late next week). Worst case is that it doesn't sell and I've got some extra skeins of yarn to knit up and had some fun dyeing it!

But! Here are photos of my dyeing (I meant to photograph the whole process, but sort of forgot).

I keep the amount of chemicals in my house to a minimum, so buying a bunch of acid dyes didn't seem to fit into my philosophy on that. So, I chose to go the Kool Aid route. I also chose to use the microwave, because it seemed easiest.

I had to experiment with containers to find three that would fit in the microwave. Afterward, I remembered some smaller bowls I had and dontcha know they would've done the trick.

Part of the learning curve was the bleeding process. As you can see by the pink color, I actually ended up with a much larger chunk of that than I intended and it ended up nearly two different shades. However, I like the way it looks. There are also some white spots between colors where I anticipated more bleeding than their was.

And here are close-ups of the three colors I used. Strawberry:

Berry Blue:

And Lemon-Lime:

Here is the yarn twisted into a skein.

Finally, here is the yarn after I re-wound and skeined it to make it look prettier.

newfound loves

2009-01-14T22:15:00.003-05:00

1. Garter stitch. After knitting two blankets, being on my third and have yarn and planned for a fourth, it is safe to say I cannot get enough of miles upon miles of garter stitch. I get a hell of a lot of knitting done when I really don't have to think about what I'm doing. Those 47 million times during the day when I have a spare 30 seconds I can pick up my knitting and knit 12 stitches and not have to worry about where I'm leaving off. Ah, bliss. And then I can crank through it after the wee one goes to bed and I am watching TV.

2. Mufflers. Of the kind you wrap around your neck, not the car variety. On a whim yesterday because of our so-cold-it-hurts-to-breath temperatures this week, I decided to knit Scoot a wee scarf. I found a muffler pattern, which would be a cozy muffler on an adult, but makes for an even cozier scarf for a tot. (I refuse to take him outdoors in these temperatures unless absolutely necessary, but unfortunately he starts a class on Friday, so alas, we shall have to venture out.) Scarves are not generally the done thing for toddlers since they're likely to strangle themselves with one, but tucked into his jacket for quick jaunts outside, I suspect he'll survive. I finished it up tonight whilst watching Brideshead Revisited (the new one, not the miniseries version) and decided to wrap it around my own neck because I was freezing (despite being wrapped up in layers upon layers) and Lo. I think I need to make a muffler for myself for wearing around the house. Much less get-in-the-way-y than a scarf. I also envision wearing mine to bed at night to keep me toasty (and again, lacking the strangulation factor of wearing a scarf to bed).

free yarn!

2008-12-13T16:58:00.002-05:00

Knit Picks is giving away free yarn! If you go to their Knitting Community section, it's a blog post. You need to choose one of three patterns from the Winter issue of Knitty, add it to your Ravelry queue, and then leave a comment at Knit Picks with your username and why you chose/want to knit that sweater. They'll be judging all the entrants and choosing one, to whom they will give enough Knit Picks yarn in a comparable substitution of the pattern yarn to knit the sweater you chose. Yay!

a lot of catching up

2008-12-11T07:09:00.003-05:00

There's been so much knitting and knitting related activities around here lately that are exciting!

~ Tuesday I had jury duty and I underestimated my knitting speed. I purposefully left the foot of a sock for that day and I finished it before we broke for lunch (I didn't bring any other knitting with me because I knew I'd be going home for lunch - I live about a mile from the courthouse). I was glad I brought a book to finish out the time! I swapped those socks out for another pair to work on after lunch.

As the subject states, yesterday, I blocked. A lot.
1. I had blocked a hat, fingerless mitts, and a pair of socks over the weekend, so I finished those up first (getting them de-furred, care cards printed out and wrapped up!).
2. I blocked a scarf (which thankfully dried very quickly - yay lace!).
3. I made an executive decision to try blocking my February Lady cardigan bigger (it's lace, so I'm fairly confident it will block to the size I want). I'll check on it later today and if it didn't work, I'll have to rip out the bind off and about 12 rows of garter stitch and then add in a few more of the lace repeats. Not a huge deal, but a minor pain.
4. I had started a blanket for William ages ago with some yarn from a scrapped project. Well, I decided quite a while ago that I'd have to axe that because the yarn would cost a small fortune. I took advantage of a sale online and bought (much less expensive) replacement yarn a couple weeks ago. The blanket is comprised of small striped mitered squares. I also happened to have some throw pillows that need recovering (I've been unable to find a fabric that is what I want), so after I bought that yarn I, stupidly, realized I could knit covers for the pillows and better yet - I could use the squares I already knit for some of them! So, yesterday I blocked one of the larger put-together squares (four mitered squares seamed together) to the dimensions I'll need for the pillow. I might have to add a border around the edge. It will take some fiddling, but that's to be dealt with after the hols. I just wanted to get the panel blocked so I knew what I would be dealing with.
5. I got those jury duty socks blocking too.

~ Since I allegedly finished my cardigan, I cast on another cardigan I've wanted to start for awhile (I promised myself I wouldn't cast on for it until I finished February Lady) - a short-sleeved dressier cardigan.

~ Stefanie Japel was selling some hand-dyed bamboo yarn scarf kits through her blog and etsy shop. I missed the first round completely. I missed the second round completely. I caught the third round and jumped on it. The kit arrived in the mail already yesterday and it is FABULOUS. I don't normally buy things like this because I generally can't afford them/can justify the cost, but this couldn't be missed. I'm SO excited to be able to knit these scarves after the hols.

~ The yarn for the last-minute gift idea I had for Jim arrived yesterday too, so I cast that on too. It's a hat, so it will be a quick knit, but then I have to do duplicate stitching, which hopefully won't take that long.

Then I'm done with Christmas knitting (with the exception of a pair of socks I'm working on, which won't have to be done until Jan. 1 and don't actually *have* to be completed - the recipient already has a hat and mitts I'm giving her. I can mail her the socks if needed, but I'm pretty sure I'll get them done (btw, Knit Picks Imagination sock yarn is fabulous! I bought a few skeins a while back, but this is the first time I've knit with it and omg. I love it.)

Phew!

christmas knitting

2008-11-19T08:55:00.002-05:00

I do it to myself every year (or at least every year since I started knitting!). I tell myself to pick just a couple of people to knit gifts for because I KNOW I will not have time/inclination to finish them all (I start early, but I'm sorry - I'm just not the type of person who can start Christmas gift knitting in April...or even August...).

And then the crunch of the holidays gets closer and I start coming up with more gifts to knit because it would be a nice gesture, or I find a pattern and/or yarn that I know a certain recipient would love, or I just am plain insane.

I only planned two knitted gifts this Christmas: one for my MIL (I KNOW) and one for my boss. Then when I found out I'd be seeing my bestie January 1 who I haven't seen in years, I decided to go on a knitting frenzy for her (OK, technically not Christmas knitting, just ZOMGIMSOEXCITEDTOSEEYOUHEREHAVESOMEKNITTING-knitting, but it still falls into that time frame). So that is a few more projects. And then I got to thinking about other folks I could knit stuff for - a co-worker who is awfully nice and other various family members.

Of course add to this the various projects I have going strong for myself (on the needles and those I have planned - a couple of which I'd like to have done before the mini-holiday to see aforementioned BFF, so again, a time crunch).

I'm going to try to make an effort to get stuff done in a prioritized manner. I have a couple gifts done and a couple partially done and then we'll go from there. But it was making me laugh (hysterically - and I mean hysterically...it's that laugh that falls somewhere between maniacal laughing and crying) last night that I do this Every. Single. Year. When will I learn?

moar yarn!

2008-10-08T10:56:00.002-05:00

I was chugging along on my Versatility. Y'know, 'til I ran out of yarn. *eyeroll*

I had this feeling after my first skein that I wasn't going to have enough. I bought four and according to the pattern, the yardage should've had plenty to spare, which is why I didn't buy an extra skein. According to the forums on Ravelry, I am not the only one having this issue. The designer can't make heads or tails of it, so no one has any clue what is going on other than it appears if you substitute yarn, you WILL need much more yardage.

Since I plan on wearing this as a cardigan, I couldn't even remove any repeats because of my height.

Rather than waste the cost of shipping on one skein (Knit Picks yarn, btw), I also ordered yarn for the February Lady sweater, which I've wanted to make for months, but haven't felt like spending the money on the yarn.

The thing that tee'd me the most about needing more yarn for Versatility is I "splurged" for the Cadena over the Wool of the Andes bulky because I only needed four skeins. Now I've had to spend $6 more (plus shipping), so it's ended up being rather costlier than I anticipated. For someone who really has no business buying ANY yarn, this is a big bummer. I hope I can find some really inexpensive buttons and ribbon at the local craft store to make up for it.

On the plus side, in it's nearly finished state, it is very lovely and I cannot wait to wear it out.

2008-09-18T17:35:00.003-05:00

YAY. Premature worrying yesterday. My order arrived this afternoon and has been properly stashed (har).

CRAP

2008-09-18T17:35:00.002-05:00

I placed a large Knit Picks order last week (I even scaled it back a little bit...see, I have some control). As is everyone who knits, I am always extremely eager to receive wool in the mail. This time I'm hoping and praying to the knitting gods that the shipping is slow. It was shipped from KP on Wednesday and the tracker says it was in Ohio yesterday with no new updates thus far. My experience is that it takes 2-4 days to arrive on my doorstep after the Ohio stop. The likelihood it arrives on one of the two days I DON'T want it to are looking mighty. Saturday and Monday Jim is home and can see what the mailman brings. Were it a simple envelope, I could easily hide that, but this is going to be a big ass box and I fear there is no hiding that.

Plan A is I've been devising ways to get him out of the house, but this is not at all likely. Plan B is that I have also been trying to think up lies as to what the order consists of, but I'm coming up short - there's only a couple of things in the order that qualify as presents. Plan C involves me trying to develop a plan where I'm outside when the mailman arrives (and Jim isn't) and I can stealthily throw the box into my car for opening at a later day.

Cross your fingers that my order either speedily arrives tomorrow or slowly arrives Tuesday. I need to plan my ordering days better, I think. I ordered on a Friday and their stuff usually gets to me in a week. In my eagerness to touch new wool I didn't even consider that. Bah.

oooh shiny

2008-09-04T14:50:00.002-05:00

I'm oddly intrigued by this new (I think?) Glow in the Dark yarn. I may have to make a trip to Michaels to check it out. I'm a total Halloween hor anyway, so this may give me an excuse to knit something Halloweeny.

enamored

2008-09-03T21:08:00.005-05:00

ENAMORED, I TELL YOU.

Is it possible to be completely infatuated with a knitted item (or two)?

Because I am. I want to whisk these socks away to a deserted island and have multitudes of babies with them.

Pattern: Knotty or Knice
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock lightweight
Colorway: Valkyrie

Further details in Ravelry :)

castonitis

2008-08-07T18:32:00.002-05:00

I have an acute case of Castonitis at the moment. Nothing is holding my interest.

Jim's socks I'd been working on? Haven't been touched in weeks.

The vest I'm working on for myself. Can't abide the endless stockinette.

The half-completed Endpaper Mitts I began quite a while ago? Those actually did hold my interest the other day. The only problem with those is I must have absolute concentration to work on them and that's something I don't get very often around here.

So, I wound up some really colorful hand-dyed yarn, hoping that would quell it. Nope, had to cast that on: a pair of socks. Think that would satisfy me? Nope. Halfway down the first leg and they've already been set aside.

Thought maybe if I bought some yarn I've been coveting for a terrifically long time, that might tide my unfulfillable mind for a bit. Um, no. Because I can't knit it until it arrives.

I've contemplated casting on about a million other projects amongst all of that, but have managed to abstain.

And then today...my Fall Interweave finally arrived. I want to knit nearly everything in that damn magazine! So, I wound up and cast on the wrap because I do have (some, not all) yarn for that. And I think I found something to keep my interest for a time. I hope. However, I still feel like casting on a ton of other projects. Sometimes it's a bad thing having so many sets of knitting needles. Oh, and I'm going to have to make another Knit Picks order soon. The wrap which will run out of yarn gives me that excuse at least. *nods*

TV

2008-07-31T18:55:00.003-05:00

This may be really, really old news, but I just recently discovered that HGTV runs old episodes of Knitty Gritty. This is very exciting for me because I don't get the DiY network (I used to ages ago and when they reshuffled the channels it got yanked out of my package...grrr)!

I am very sad that my local PBS isn't carrying the new Interweave Knits TV show though. Fail PBS. Fail.

Y HALLO THAR

2008-05-01T19:48:00.003-05:00

God I fail at having more than one blog.

I got a free $25 for signing up for something and so...I spent it on yarn. I bought some Knit Picks Shimmer (in Stained Glass) to make a Clapotis (finalement!) and also picked up the Georgian Sampler because I thought the projects looked cute and quick(ish). It was a tough decision on which sampler to buy, but the colors in this one won out.

Currently I'm working on a yoga mat bag and the Lace Ribbon Scarf (in Knit Picks Gloss in Serengeti, which was in my stash), both of which are knitting up very quickly and easily. Clapotis will be cast on when the Lace Ribbon Scarf is complete.

2008-02-22T17:13:00.002-05:00

Wow, it's been awhile. I've knit two entire pairs of socks, a pair of yoga socks, completed a half-finished Booga bag to give to a friend, cast on a blanket, and cast on another pair of socks since I last updated. I think that's it.

Unsurprisingly, no, I do not have photos. I've taken photos of the FOs, but have yet to DL them onto the comp. I'm also searching for photos of a couple items I *know* I took photos of. Jim sometimes clears the memory cards and then I have to hunt for where the photos end up. Joy.

The two items I'm knitting currently are really colorful (though are not colorwork...just stripes...except for the heel in the socks is intarsia) and I'm using up a lot of stash, which is such a weight off. All my scrapped colorwork projects (a pair of socks, a pair of mittens, and two hats...none of which interest me anymore) left a heck of a lot of unused yarn behind, so I took some time to find projects that would suit them. This means lots of stripes, which is cool, 'cause I love multi-colored stripes.

quiz

2008-01-10T07:46:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun quiz for knitters. I'm mohair and some of that description is accurate.

http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/pottercraftnews/fiberquiz/index.html

2007-12-30T15:30:00.000-05:00

My MIL has commissioned me (except y'know, for free) to make her sister a scarf. I didn't have much desire to do so, which I told her, but said I'd do it anyway because I am too nice. I loathe knitting scarves because they're so monotonous and are soooooo long.

So I ask MIL what her sister wants and she says that she said she wanted 'one of those hairy ones that everyone is wearing'. O_o I can only assume she means a Fun Fur scarf as those were VERY in several years ago and she lives in a town that is very behind the times. I flat out said no to that.

MIL basically had no clue what she wanted though and that was only my assumption, so she said to knit her whatever as long as it was red. I was then informed that she has a wool allergy (which my husband doesn't actually believe lol) and I have to knit it in acrylic. Joy. Not. I told my MIL that I'd look at the craft store and see what I could find, but to not hold out much hope because their choices are very limited.

I'm now searching for a pattern that will be interesting enough, but not too intricate since I really don't want to do this anyway. Hope I can find some sort of yarn.

Another FO though it's a bit F'd Up

2007-12-14T21:36:00.001-05:00

The Princess Mitts are done and LMFAO boy did I fuck that first mitt up bad or what? I'm pretty sure it's a reflection on the fact that I was SO eager to have these done that I wanted to whiz right through them lickety split. Which I did. But now they don't quite match. lol Ah, well. They're just for me and I reckon I can tell people I like my mitts like I like my socks: each a little bit different.

Not to self: must pay more attention when knitting cables. I'm REALLY bad at counting rows when cables are involved. Like, I can't do it. I cannot figure out which row the last cable twist was actually in, so I have to be really rigorous in keeping track of which row on a chart I'm in. Guess my post-it note placeholder isn't the most reliable of methods, hmm?

Pics when they're dry.

An author outdoes herself

2007-12-10T20:11:00.000-05:00

Dudes, I am an idiot.

My wonderful Immeritus Staff Secret Santa (*cough*Pen*cough* <----unless I'm wrong, but that's my educated guess) sent me the gorgeous book The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. I dove into it immediately this weekend and it. is. fabulous.

I had been looking for a fingerless glove pattern to cast on the past couple of weeks because I've realized holding and carrying and wielding a 25 pound baby with gloved/mittened fingers is no easy feat. But, my appendages have poor circulation and they NEED to be covered in the freezing cold weather we've been having. So, thought I, fingerless gloves would be a good compromise.

There is a beautiful pattern in my new book called Princess Mitts that uses a really lovely twisted cable. Best news is it uses DK-weight yarn, which I had some of in my stash. So, I cast on today. (Shhh!)

I'm not criticizing the writing or the pattern, but it *is* confusing. There is a lot to take in with this pattern, including two separate charts, plus a lot of other information. I did my 14 rows of 2x2 ribbing that were called for and then got to the cabling chart.

Stitches were not adding up. So I went back and re-read, thinking I missed something somewhere because I was counting 24 stitches and the book was counting 23. I tinked a bit and reknit. I counted. I calculated. I re-read. I knit. I tinked. Rinse and repeat at least a few more times.

So I hop online hoping to find some errata for this very-newly published book. I find some! Alas. Not for this pattern. Then I notice an e-mail address and the invitation to report additional errata.

I e-mail Clara directly and explain the situation thinking it more likely that I must have missed something somewhere despite all my reading. I honestly wasn't expecting a reply at all, or if I did get a reply it would be ages from now.

Clara wrote me back almost immediately.

She explained in the kindest of ways that I likely missed the mention of a decrease of one stitch in the notes in the beginning of the pattern.

I run to my book and lo! There it was. I think my face flamed red because I couldn't believe I wrote to this author asking if she was mistaken when it was something as simple as me not re-reading the correct section.

*headdesk x infinity*

Lesson learned? Do not try to concentrate when you have a 10-month-old baby that was veering off into Crankyville.

Clara however? Rocks. And now I love her book even more than I already did.

(Seriously? Every knitter should have this book. I have already learned SO much about yarn that I never would've known.)

One additional FO

2007-12-08T21:22:00.001-05:00

I just finished up a pair of socks I was working on. The pattern is Meida's Socks from Favorite Socks. I randomly bought one skein of Louet Gems sportweight several months ago because I fell in love with the yarn (the color and the texture...omg so soft!). It was rather expensive, so that's why I only bought one skein. As soon as I saw this pattern, I knew this yarn was destined to become these socks! I think these are my new favorite socks. :) I was very worried about having enough yarn, so I eliminated one of the pattern repeats from the leg.

And...here is all the yarn I had left over! :O I might have been panicking a bit toward the end!

ETA: I forgot to add, that for those who don't have this book, this pattern uses something called Estonian cables. It was challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, very simple. Definitely not for beginners since it involves purposely dropping and picking back up stitches! This is because you don't use a cable needle, which I really liked because I find cable needles so fussy.

and finally...photos!

2007-12-08T10:42:00.000-05:00

K later. For some reason my photos aren't appearing after I upload them and I can't delete this post either. Have I mentioned how much I hate Blogger? Grr.

Actually, here's the link to my Flickr account becuse I don't feel like mucking around with this. They're also all up at ravelry. New photos are for $1.50 Cardigan, Mom's lacey socks, dad's ribbed hat, and center square hat (which was knit last year but I never took photos of it): Photos

photos....or not lol

2007-11-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

Because I keep getting hounded for pictures of (especially) $1.50, I will take a moment to explain that it is not entirely due to my being lazy; Jim hijacked the camera for work a few weeks ago and I haven't seen it since. :P

2007-11-17T19:20:00.000-05:00

I need pattern-finding assistance.

I was over at a friend's house yesterday and she had on this gorgeous cardigan/wrap thing and of course my immediate thought was: I could knit one of those! My friend is a bit of a clothes-horse, so I didn't even bother asking where she bought it since it is very likely that it wouldn't be something I could afford. Instantly I remembered having seen a pattern somewhere that was awfully similar, but I'll be damned if I can find it now. I suspect I could create a pattern myself, but...*is lazy*.

My main problem is this: I don't know what to call this...thing. It's sort of a cardigan, but not totally (though I suppose *technically* it is). It resembles a wrap or poncho, but has more definition than that. I am going to try my utmost to describe it and if you've seen something similar or can help me better define this thing, please let me know.

It was a deep v-neck in the front that closed with only one large button at the chest. So, the bottom half was an upside-down V. It had sleeves, but they were very loose and came down into points at about halfway between the elbow and the wrist. The underside of the sleeve (where the seam is) was shorter and ended at about the elbow or just before. They either flared out or were just extremely wide the whole length. The length of the piece was about hip-height. I'm fairly sure there were side-seams, but it was wide fitting, similar to the sleeves. It almost looked like a poncho, but with two front pieces instead of just one and seamed up underneath the arms.

FO Hollah

2007-11-03T21:00:00.000-05:00

$1.50 is done and blocking as I type.

Can I get a "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"?!

the knitting gods do not like me today

2007-10-29T15:16:00.001-05:00

OH LE GODDAMNED SIGH.

I am *THIS* close to finishing $1.50 cardigan. And guess what?

I ran out of yarn. I have approximately 450 stitches to knit (plus a BO) and I Ran. Out. Of. Yarn.

Why is this? I do not know. I bought extra. I bought LOTS extra. I suppose I should've bought LOTS AND LOTS extra.

Crud.

I was going to restrain myself and not give in to the Knit Picks sale. Now? Alas. I am not paying more for shipping than one stupid skein of yarn so I shall have to purchase something to enhance my stash.

alkhfs;dhfsafh

2007-10-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

Apparently I only post now when I have questions. This is actually something I've thought about for a long time, but only now thought to ask y'all.

Knitters more famous than myself (specifically I'm thinking of the Yarn Harlot and Kelley who owns Knit Picks - I listen to her podcast) always make reference to knitting while they're out to eat or at movies, over at a friends' for a get together, etc.

Now. I am all for knitting during stolen moments. I can't tell you how often during my day I pickup my needles when my hands are (rarely) idle and knit a row or two. I also take my 'to-go' knitting (currently a plain sock) to Scoot's swimming class (I sideline there and don't swim) and whenever I go to my parents' or the in-laws'.

I am not abject to knitting in public at all. Cripes, I've NEVER cared if people stare at me funny for anything, so why should knitting stop me?

My problem is this: anytime I whip out my knitting (around people I know, I mean now), I get a bit of the evil eye. It's like people don't understand that I am a multitasker: I can knit and carry on a conversation with you at the same time (unless I'm doing more complex knitting, in which case, I only do that when I have peace and quiet at home anyway).

Since I've started knitting I cannot let my hands sit idle (which is why if my hands are baby free for a change, I'm on the computer or knitting most likely), so it is very difficult for me to just sit and talk to someone without doing something with my hands.

Er, anyway. My question is for any of you that have opportunities to knit around non-knitters in a social situation, do you?

2007-10-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

Here's a question for fellow Ravelers: has anyone figured out how to delete a project? I had stopped knitting my Tulip socks because I decided I really didn't like them all that much anymore, though before frogging, I wanted to let them sit a bit. I was looking at them again the other day and I really think they'd be better off frogged. So...I want to delete it off Ravelry, but can't figure out how, short of just changing all of the info in it to suit another item.

As I've already shared with some of you, I reached a bit of an impasse with part of my $1.50 cardigan because I didn't have enough fully alert time to devote to just sitting and knitting a large chunk (for me it was easier to do that with this section because there is SO much going on with it...to pick it up and put it down repeatedly would've been too confusing). But I'm past it now, though I definitely fucked up the decreases a bit, so I have to take a gander at the neck edge and compare it to the other one and see if it will make a difference or if I can fudge it and just add more decreases over the next chunk (it's in a lace pattern and is way too confusing to try to explain how I made the error).

I cast on some lace socks too that will be a gift becasue I want to take them with me this weekend for our trip (plus my plain stockinette socks I'm knitting for myself).

2007-09-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

My $1.50 cardigan is coming along nicely. The decreases in the lace pattern are tricky and it took my full concentration one night to do the majority of the armhole on the left front. I'm on the right front now and I'm hoping the decreases will be easier when I get to them. Ditto the sleeves.

I cast on a pair of plain stockinette socks (using the Yarn Harlot's basic sock recipe) in some hand-dyed yarn I bought earlier this year (Lovesticks, colorway Heels on Fire, from Etsy) because I needed a portable project. The cardigan is too tricksy to just not give my full concentration to and I don't feel like doing anything difficult when I've got my hands full with the cardigan. Plus I will need it to bring with on our trip to the grandparent-in-law's in a few weeks.

FOs and WIPs

2007-09-01T18:44:00.000-05:00

I owe pictures. Alas. I finished my felted needle case late last week. It's functional, which is all I really need it to be. Of course it doesn't hold all of my needles, but I put the ones in that I don't have equivalent size circulars in (I love the Knit Picks Options so much, but I still only have the 'starter' kit. Eventually I want to have all sizes available in it, plus the non-interchangeable circs in the smaller sizes). So soon enough the felted needle case will be pretty defunct anyway.

I also can't remember if I mentioned I made two small felted boxes with leftovers a few weeks ago.

Today I finished off the garter stitch wrap cardigan for my friend's baby-to-be. I will be blocking it tonight after Scoot goes to bed and hopefully will be able to do the seaming and ribbon sewing-on on Monday.

Fall is approaching. We've had gorgeous weather the past few days and today *is* the first of September, so I really need to get crackin' on my $1.50 cardigan. I'm really in a knitting mood lately (like, it's *all* I want to do, not just one of many things I want to do), so I'm hoping if I focus on it now that I've got the baby sweater out of the way I can make some good progress on it, because I've barely made a dent.

2007-08-22T10:01:00.000-05:00

Ravelry has really helped me realize how many projects I have on the needles! (Erm, plus a little stash organization last week pointed me in the direction of a few projects I tucked deep down)

I've actually been doing some, well, self-cleansing I suppose you could call it. Trying to conquer various WIPs and books that I'm partway through. Sometimes I do think I'm slightly ADD. Or not so slightly. I can't actually sit without *doing* something.

Anyway, I did two felted boxes that I've been wanting to do for ages with stash yarn (no photos yet). Those weren't actually WIPs, but just quick projects I wanted done. I also decided to finish the felted needle case I've had languishing on needles for over a year. The body is done and felted; I've only got to do the cabled bands that get attached to it now (I'm about 1/4 way through the first one). Those are knitting up super quick though, so I'm sure I'll have this project done within a week (probably less depending how much knitting time I have).

Next up I'm going to finish the mittens I started last winter.

Bookwise I finished one book that had about 50 pages left in it yesterday and last night. I'm going to finish up a second one today hopefully as that only has about 30 pages left in it.

OK, theblacksheep, I'm sure you are probably twitching right now from all of this, so I'll stop. ;)

Photos, Take 2

2007-08-17T07:03:00.000-05:00

OK, this is seriously ridiculous. I don't think there is a way for me to post all of my photos in one post and not make it look like crap. So, instead, you get a link: http://flickr.com/photos/73058545@N00/sets/72157600689064392/
That is to all of my FOs. For pics that haven't been posted yet, you can see Mesilla, the Jaywalkers, and the first bmp sock.

I come bearing photos!

2007-08-16T20:59:00.001-05:00

Except I am apparently retarded and cannot figure out how to get them to post here properly without the format going all wonkified. :/ Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

Victory!

2007-08-11T21:22:00.000-05:00

I finished Mesilla today (minus the embroidery)! HOORAY! I ended up frogging the waistband and adding 2 1/2" to the MC then reknitting the waistband. It was definitely the correct decision because it is now the perfect length for me. I can't wait to tackle the embroidery again once it's dry from its blocking.

In its place, I cast on the Dollar and a Half Cardigan from the Spring 07 Interweave. Loving it so far! It's bound to give me angst at some point, but it's starting off strong, which is always favorable.

The first bmp is nearly complete, so I'd like to finish that off sometime soon. Also the baby wrap cardigan, though I found out the shower is mid-Sept, so I've time yet. It's nearly done though, so I'd like to count it off as another FO.

itching for a sweater

2007-08-04T19:32:00.000-05:00

I have been ITCHING to knit a new sweater for myself, something for the fall/winter. I have been itching to do so for a few months and I think it's finally got to a point where if I don't buy yarn and cast on a sweater for myself I might start convulsing or frothing or...I don't know what. I would ask what is wrong with me, but I know you'll all just say "nothing". :D

There are a million sweaters I want to make. I need to decide on just the right one. Off to search.

bmp

2007-08-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

I haven't had much to talk about knitting-wise. I'm nearly finished with the baby cardigan, but set it aside for a bit because I was right sick of it. I picked up the bmp socks more seriously and am now on the foot of the first sock.

This was my first adventure with short row heels. Needless to say, I had to frog the heel the first time I did it (well, I was about 2/3 through it) because it looked horrendous and I reckoned I must've did something wrong. It's MUCH prettier now. I think I wasn't paying close enough attention to the instructions the first time, which was stupid of me because I know better.

If this is the way short row heels ALWAYS are, I prefer them to the heel flap. Reason? You don't have to turn a heel and do gusset decreases. It was all in one with the short row heel, which to me is a major bonus. I'll have to try to find another pattern using this sort of heel though to make sure that is normal. It could just be this pattern for all I know. It's nicer looking too, I think.

There may be a problem with this pattern though. Well, I know there sort of is. There's a chart that goes on the foot of the sock I'm currently working on and it's not mentioned to add it in. Lucky for me, I pay attention and I know to, but I'd prefer to be told "Put it in at this point" instead of trying to figure it out on my own.

The other potential problem is it says to work the toe like you've done the heel. Er. I'm not sure if that means to do the toe in short rows or if it just means to do the striping pattern there and that you'd better know how to do a toe yourself. I suppose I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I'm hoping that it will make more sense when I'm at the toe; it frequently happens with me that I try to think of something too far ahead of time, but when I get to that point the light dawns.

2007-07-16T19:52:00.001-05:00

I finished my Jaywalkers last week, but haven't uploaded the pics yet. I cast on a garter stitch baby wrap sweater for a baby due in October in it's stead. It's cruising along even considering I added length to the sleeves. I've been knitting it exclusively though since I cast it on, so bmp is now sitting on the wayside for the mo'.

I have discovered another wonderful, wonderful thing about Ravelry. I can make notes about changes I made immediately (and not lose them on the little scraps of paper I normally write them on if I'm knitting from a book and can't write on the pattern itself!). So now I won't forget that I added 22 stitches to each sleeve when it comes time to cast them off (not that I would in this pattern, since it's obvious, but you get the gist).

the neverending object

2007-07-05T07:55:00.001-05:00

There comes a time in every pattern where I get into a funk with the pattern. It happens at least once, sometimes more. I'm not talking about the angsty funk that occurs when I'm frustrated with a particular pattern (like Mesilla, for example), but more a specific area in a pattern that I Just. Want. Done. in an otherwise beloved pattern.

Ribbing at the tops of socks is one of these area every time. While I understand the merit of ribbing as a whole and certainly at the tops of socks, doing its job by holding them up snugly against a calf, I cannot help but loathe ribbing. I'm not fond of the way it looks in most cases, but more importantly I hate knitting it. Ribbing is tedious and fiddly and there never seems to be an end in sight with it. I often have to use the "reward method" when knitting ribbing: after this round, I get to have a Teddy Graham and a sip of tea!

There is also a boredom issue that comes into play in these instances. Ribbing doesn't technically fall into this category for me because I need to pay pretty constant attention to it. Take, for instance, my Jaywalker socks. I LOVE this pattern. I LOVE this yarn. I will LOVE wearing these socks when they are finished (well, I will when the weather cools). But I am sick of knitting the leg.

It's not a case of SSS because it happened on the first sock as well. I knit the leg about an inch or so shorter to the pattern because I couldn't take it anymore. I'm about 2/3 done with the second leg and I'm having a case of severe startitis, but I keep telling myself to just chug through this leg and it will pass. I'm itching to pick up ~~several~~ a new project.

It happens on the foot of a sock frequently too. That part where you're past the gusset, but not to the toe decreases yet. It seemingly goes on forever. This is why I will never be able to knit my brother a pair of socks (he wears size 14s!); it would feel like knitting a sweater rather than socks. But by that time, the feeling of weariness from the leg has passed and it's a newfound feeling of restlessness. Fortunately, socks are small enough to have this not last *too* long.

Mesilla was the complete opposite of this, despite the single color stockinette body. Every few rows there was an increase or decrease to keep it interesting. Just a slight change to keep me on my toes.

I chalk part of this affliction to being a bit Type A, despite my laid-back attitude. I can't sit still without doing something, hence the knitting, but when knitting the same thing over and over again, I feel the need to get up and start rummaging through my stash. I shall persevere though!

ravelry

2007-06-28T20:59:00.000-05:00

WHOO HOO! I got my invite e-mail the other day. I'm 'thepinksheep' over there as well. That site is freaking amazing. I am already impressed liek whoa and I've only glazed over the surface of it. It'll take a lot of work to get all my past projects on there, but it will happen eventually. Probably post DH release, since I won't be so focused on reading then.

Nearly done with the first Jaywalker. Love it. It's a bit large even though I knit to gauge. I did choose to make the larger size because my feet and calves are wide and large, but I bet I could've knit the smaller size. *shrug* I'm actually concerned I'm going to have a lot of Vesper left over. Not really sure what I can do with any leftovers as it's definitely not appropriate yarn for Scoot-sized socks.

I'm itching to knit a pair of socks out of the Favorite Socks book, so I reckon I'll jump onto one of the two I have yarn for once the second Jaywalker is finished.

it might be finished one day

2007-06-23T19:48:00.000-05:00

I conquered the neckline on Mesilla and it is now very satisfactory to me. I wish the length of the sweater were the same. When I had originally tried Mesilla on (when I discovered the neckline was probably not going the way it should), I noted it was rather shorter than I'd've liked. This, however, is no fault of the pattern, as it gave measurements.

See, measurements plague me. I possess the type of brain where I must actually measure something out in order for given measurements to mean anything to me. When glancing through a catalog and seeing a skirt I'd like, simply printing that it 23" in length, for example, does nothing for me. Does that mean it hits me at mid-thigh or mid-calf? I need to physically get out a tape measure and see where 23" from my waist hits.

It takes time though. And in knitting, it means having to refigure things if you're not happy with the result.

Normally, I probably would've left it. I am tall and have a long torso, longer legs and arms that are reminiscent of an ape, so I am rather used to my clothes being on the short side. But given how much grief this sweater has already given me, I want it to be something I will wear regularly.

With the striping on the bottom, I think I'll be able to get away with keeping the lower band separate (and not frogging the nearly 30 rows it consists of), adding some rows of the main color (no real plan here other than to use up what I have left of the main color. Even a couple of extra rows will be well-received.), then if I can figure out a way to reattach them without casting both off, I'll do that (unlikely). And failing that (likely), I shall bind off both and seam them together and no one will be any the wiser. It's more fiddly work, but less reknitting, which is why I went this route.

I've since started the bmp socks for Mag. Of course Hubby saw them and wants a pair now too. :/ Corrugated ribbing = teh suck, fyi.

2007-06-20T09:42:00.001-05:00

Well it's times like this that I am grateful to have a stash because yarn buying will be at a standstill for quite awhile (save for gifts - I do have some yarn to buy for gifts that must go out eventually). My car broke yesterday and I found out it will cost $675 for repairs to even make it drivable. Ouch. Not something we can really afford, but what can you do? *sigh* Times like this I'm grateful for credit cards.

OK and here's a random rant: our mail NEVER comes before 1pm and sometimes as late as 5pm. The mail truck is driving down the road right now and it's not even 11am. Guess those bills won't be going out today.

2007-06-18T19:13:00.000-05:00

The knitting gods are telling me not to knit Mesilla. I managed to make it out to the LYS last week. Guess what? They had overflowing bins of just about every color of Mission Falls 1820 EXCEPT Merlot. Argh. I was most disappointed. I didn't even buy anything while I was there.

So I ended up ordering online like I was trying to avoid. Yarnmarket carries it and had it in stock, but of course I couldn't justify the shipping costing more than my one little skein of yarn, so I ended up getting two skeins of Rowan cotton for socks. It is the softest yarn I've ever felt.

The yarn arrived today thankfully, so my task this week will be getting Mesilla done.

I've been knitting my Vesper sock yarn using the Jaywalker pattern because I felt justified in starting a new project when Mesilla is being such a bastard.

2007-06-10T06:14:00.000-05:00

I got a copy of Favorite Socks the other day. Everyone who knits socks needs this book! There are absolutely gorgeous patterns in there. I love that they run the gamut too. Lace patterns, colorwork patterns, men's patterns, a basic sock that has countless (!!) modifications for sizing, cable patterns. God, just everything. And it's hardback spiral bound, which is genius. I promised myself I wouldn't start anymore socks until I either got one of the pairs I'm currently working on done or finished the other two *main* projects I'm working on done.

In Mesilla news, I finally finished angsting out about it yesterday and ripped back the neckline while Scoot slept. I tried to pick up more stitches on the first go round. I also decided that for the striping, I'd only do three rounds of each color as opposed to the five that are on the waistband and sleeves. I don't think it will look disproportionate at all and I actually think I prefer the smaller stripes. Oh, hindsight! No way am I ripping back the sleeves or bottom though to change the stripes.

I also decided to just straight up do one round of decreases and one round of plain knitting instead of the dec, knit, dec, knit, dec/dec, knit, dec, knit, dec/dec, knit, dec, knit, dec that the pattern says. Two reasons: 1. since I went to only three rounds of each color instead of five, it would've been odd. 2. Eliminating the number of decreases. Even if I'd done dec, knit, dec/dec, knit, dec/dec, knit, dec I think it would've been too many decreases. I'm planning on hopping out to the (notso)LYS tomorrow to get the skein so I can finish this damn thing in time to wear some before summer is gone.

Since I couldn't finish the neckline, I did weave in all ends aside from the neckline ones (in case I need to rip back again...) and started the embroidery this morning. I'm doing a sort of slightly modified daisy stitch for the circles. It's not perfect, but I'm liking the way it's looking. I reckon I'll have the thing blocking by Tuesday provided the neckline does in fact look OK when I'm through with it.

So, surprise, surprise, I'm still a little shy on the second contrasting color even though I'm doing two rounds less. *SIGH* I'm really pissed I have to buy another skein of yarn for less than one round a a couple embroidery stitches. :/ Ah, well, I'll find something to do with the leftover because I really do love this yarn.

2007-06-04T15:07:00.000-05:00

I, yet again, have not posted because I haven't much to say knitting wise. I continue to angst-out about Mesilla. I nearly picked it up to frog the neckline this weekend a couple of times, but got all emo about it. There hasn't been much of an opportunity to get to the LYS to get another skein of the godforsaken contrasting color. I haven't touched the Tulip socks either. I did mail out the baby booties to their recipient, but haven't heard from her, so I do hope they arrived safely. I've again picked up the garter stitch scarf kit that I knit while waiting for Scoot to be born. It's incredibly mindless knitting, but it's all I've felt like doing.

vesper!

2007-05-25T16:37:00.000-05:00

I FINALLY got a hold of some Vesper sock yarn . When I first discovered it I hemmed and hawed about spending that much on yarn (as this was before I knew the difference between good yarn and mediocre yarn) and when I finally decided its popularity rose and the yarn has eluded me since. When her e-mail list got messed up, I pretty well gave up because I didn't have time to devote to checking the site all the time. Then the past several weeks, I've been checking pretty religiously, but have always missed it. Two updates ago I was only a couple of hours too late. One update ago, there was some available, but not in any of the colorways I preferred. Today though? Was my day! I arrived in her shop a mere 45 minutes after the update and had full pickins. I got Afterglo, which was one of my top two. I bought the last skein too!

tulip socks

2007-05-20T14:16:00.000-05:00

I started the Tulip socks and taught myself a new trick to boot. I realized the weaving in at the end was going to be completely ridiculous and I recalled reading somewhere about knitting in your ends as you go. Aha! So I googled and found a great tutorial on a blog. I had an idea of how it was done, just didn't have it quite right. I found that the trick is to only "knit" the end into every other stitch, which is what holds down the yarn.

I was also going to attempt to teach myself two-handed stranded knitting, but after reading that it can really affect your tension, I've decided to forgo it this time around. Sure picking up and dropping each color takes more time, but this is too tedious a project to have to worry about tension to boot. I think when I knit the Binary scarf for Mag I'll try it then as there are only two colors throughout and gauge doesn't matter so much on a scarf.

As is typical with me, I reduced the ribbing by half at the top of the Tulip sock. I hate knitting ribbing, especially in the round, but I also hate two inches of ribbing on the top of the sock. I'm really pleased with how the sock is looking so far and the chart pattern is very simple, so it's going along quickly.

That's what I love most about stranded knitting; while I know it actually takes longer than just out and out knitting, it seems to go faster because I can see the progress better. Having to do something different each row (or close to) makes it less mind numbing.

I'm going to have assloads of yarn leftover from these too, so I'll make the Tiptoe Through the Tulips socks next. Not sure for the remainder from that yet though.

2007-05-18T09:48:00.000-05:00

I've not posted because I've not been knitting. Mesilla pissed me off enough to make me not touch it for a few days, so I worked hard on the booties because they were due to be given this past Wednesday night. Unfortunately I only got 1 1/2 done, so I brought my friend the one and told her I'd mail the set to her as soon as I've finished. Life this week has been really crazy and not conducive to time for knitting, so that's why I didn't get done.

I still have to frog the neck on Mesilla and go to the yarn store to buy another skein of the color I ran out of. I'm burnt out on the socks I've been knitting for the past few months here and there, so I'm going to start the tulip socks as soon as I have a chance. I need something that will keep my attention and not make me angry.

I did buy a skein of self-striping yarn from a seller on Etsy that is gorgeous; it arrived yesterday, but knitting just a plain pair of socks right now isn't what I want.

I have decided for sure to try out spinning and dyeing. Next time I have some extra money, I'll buy the spinning kit that was recommended to me and add some naked yarn to the Knit Picks order I need to make. I reckon I'll try kool aid dyeing first because it's cheap. I'm sure the dyeing will be very satisfying once I get the hang of it because one of my biggest hangups with self-striping sock yarn is I have a hard time obtaining colorways I like that are affordable. I can't afford to knit $25 pairs of socks all the time. ;)

the last skein

2007-05-06T18:16:00.000-05:00

I went to the LYS and bought THEIR LAST SKEIN of the color I needed. I also bought some bright pink sock yarn. I can't even remember what kind it is because I have been woefully sick since Friday (actually Thursday, but Friday afternoon was when I began feeling especially poorly). Poor Mesilla has been sitting untouched for days while I've been sleeping in bed and taking care of the baby when he's needed to eat or husband needed a little break. In my getting ill stupor I forgot to ask them to wind my skein of sock yarn. Bugger.

I caught Porter gnawing on my sock and its needles the other day too. Freaking dog.

ARGH

2007-05-03T12:08:00.000-05:00

I hate when designers make very stupid mistakes in their patterns. Or, to be fair in case it wasn't the designer, but the person who adapted the pattern into different sizes. Early on in Mesilla I discovered the stitch count for the stitches put on waste yarn for the sleeves was incorrect. It was off by 3 stitches per sleeve, for a total of a 6 stitch difference. That is huge! I feel fortunate that I am intelligent enough to not only have caught it, but to be able to figure out what the eff was going on and not just take the pattern at its word.

Now I'm on the second sleeve and have just looked at what remains of one of my contrasting colors (the most important one) and thought, "Shit." I doubt I'm going to have enough to even complete the sleeve. Nevermind all of the embroidery that needs to be done. Oh, yeah AND THE FREAKING NECKBAND. Argh.

I first doubted my own pattern-reading skills, thinking I mistakenly read one skein instead of two. So I double-checked that first. Are we surprised to find that it is the pattern that is incorrect and not moi? I'm not even certain one more skein will be enough; it will be very close if it is.

My gauge was perfect when I started this, so I know it's not anything I've done. I fortunately had the foresight to purchase an extra skein of my main color, especially since I was debating on nixing one of the contrasting colors and using the main color in its place. It will be used, but only for that reason. I've never purchased extra contrasting color yarn because typically you're left with tons anyway.

Why does this most annoy me? Because I was just at the LYS yesterday. It's not horribly convenient to go to (about 25 minutes away), but at least I'll be near enough it tomorrow that I can stop in. More importantly, we're on such a budget now that I only went in to see and touch all of the pretty yarn and inhale the fumes (I was next door to it already and couldn't stop my feet from going through that door). I showed enormous restraint and didn't. buy. anything. despite everything I wanted to. I'm not sure I can handle that pressure again and buy only my one skein of Mission Falls 1824 cotton. ;)

2007-04-27T07:36:00.000-05:00

Mesilla is coming along swimmingly. I buggered up yesterday and forgot one of the decrease rounds, but fortunately caught it only a few rows up and was able to correct it. There's a little gap, but I think it can be corrected in blocking. Just a handful of rounds left until I get to the lower band, which I'm looking forward to as switching colors seems to make knitting go faster. I'm still undecided if I'll make the stripe in MC or just leave it out. I reckon I'll have enough yarn since I did buy an extra ball.

There are SO many sweaters I want to knit, but I am trying to use up some stash first. My next "main" project will be Tulip Socks.

I wouldn't normally have socks as my main project, but since these are stranded with seven colors, they're hardly portable. Plus I want to ensure I've got color-working down (I dunno, I'm just being paranoid because of my one colorwork mishap...) before I make bmp for Mag. I'd hate to gift something that she can't even wear because it's too tight.

I want to take up spinning, but I'm restraining myself for now. I *am* however requesting a ball winder and swift for Christmas this year.

my own lys

2007-04-14T09:33:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to convince myself more every day to take the plunge in attempting to open my own LYS. And so...Top Ten Reasons I Want to Open a Yarn Shop

1. I'm going to probably always have to work in some capacity. I need to do something that I enjoy, but where I will actually make more than a crap hourly wage. There are not many jobs that fall into this.
2. I could bring William to work with me. I would love to be a stay-at-home except I'd get bored and would feel I wasn't pulling my weight. Having my own shop would solve that.
3. There is a lack of yarn shops in my immediate area.
4. The yarn shops that are nearby-ish (well, the three closest that I've been to...) are lacking. One is too uppity for my tastes, one is too small and quiet, and my favorite one is lacking personality (otherwise I love it).
5. I'm smart enough to run my own business successfully.
6. I would be surrounded by yarn. All. The. Time.
7. I could knit at work without getting into trouble. :D
8. I could travel a little to acquire new products.
9. I'm a control freak, so this would be somewhere to harness that energy and put it to good use.
10. I really, really want to.

new books!

2007-04-12T18:09:00.000-05:00

I've been scouring the internet for just the right baby sweater and I can't seem to find it. The Easter Bunny brought me a Barnes & Noble gift card, so today William and I ventured out there. I bought Simple Knits for Cherished Babies that has a sweater nearly what I wanted, so it will work, plus a couple of other really cute sweaters. I also bought One Skein that has a few cool patterns. I saw about ten other books I wanted, but as I already had to put the balance on my credit card, I refrained.

I did, however, join another bookclub. *shifty* Great news is I got Vogue Stitchionary 3, Mason Dixon Knitting, Knitting Beyond the Edge, Family Knits, and The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine, which I haven't actually seen (it was at the store today, but I didn't even take it off the shelf), but hello! Vogue knitting patterns; it's certain to have something fab. Anyway, all 5 of those books for $32. Nice. And only have to buy one more within a year. Their titles seem to rotate, so I'm sure something will pop up that I'll want.

I've just joined in the round on Mesilla, so now the actual body begins. I'm not sure I'll have enough yarn. :/ At least I won't get there though until after I get back to work, so I'll have some money to spend at the LYS if I need to go back.

The second baby sock is on the foot now too, so that should be finished by the end of the week.

2007-04-06T19:34:00.000-05:00

So I started this because I wanted to join a knitting webring and my LJ won't qualify. Hopefully I'll remember to post all things knitting-related here. :)

The Pink Sheep

free yarn!

golf

knitting for others

felting - yes, again.

bugger

Oh my GOD you guys!

over-achiever

Epic Felt Fail

goals

knitting for Christmas

a surprise kindness

christmas crunch

ribbit

randomness

knitting morning

cancelled!

hats!

teaching

knittng i've been up to

the wonders of knitting

Earth Day

so....that sock yarn stash plan?

socks, socks, socks

yarn for sale

dyeing

newfound loves

free yarn!

a lot of catching up

christmas knitting

moar yarn!

CRAP

oooh shiny

enamored

castonitis

TV

Y HALLO THAR

quiz

Another FO though it's a bit F'd Up

An author outdoes herself

One additional FO

and finally...photos!

photos....or not lol

FO Hollah

the knitting gods do not like me today

FOs and WIPs

Photos, Take 2

I come bearing photos!

Victory!

itching for a sweater

bmp

the neverending object

ravelry

it might be finished one day

vesper!

tulip socks

more Mesilla woes and a question

the last skein

ARGH

my own lys

new books!