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?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
a surprise kindness
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!
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!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
christmas crunch
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?
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?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
ribbit
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
randomness
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
knitting morning
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!
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!
Friday, September 11, 2009
cancelled!
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
hats!
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.
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.
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