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.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Epic Felt Fail
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?).
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?).
Sunday, January 3, 2010
goals
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.
#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.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
knitting for Christmas
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?
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?
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.
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