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.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
An author outdoes herself
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.)
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.)
Saturday, December 8, 2007
One additional FO
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...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!
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
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
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
photos....or not lol
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
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
the knitting gods do not like me today
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
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
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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?
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?
Monday, October 1, 2007
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).
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).
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