3purlgurls

Poor Craftsmanship

2008-11-22T08:14:00.005-07:00

Aren't manufacturers in the USA supposed to create products that strive toward a higher standard? Supposedly these were "hand made". Magically, the manufacturer warranty ran out just before calamity struck. Now I'm stuck with an expensive repair bill. Who's for signing a recall petition?

Now For the F Word

2008-11-12T06:51:00.009-07:00

F is for Felting. Felting is Fun.

Following SissyPrincess' recommendation that these felted oven mitts are far superior to any other oven hot-handling device, I decided to make some for my Dad. He's kind of a klutz - a lovable one, yes - but there tends to be more accidents when he's around, and not just in the kitchen (boat sinking - twice). He's been banned (his choice) from washing my expensive wine glasses, although he was quite generous in replacing them as needed. Good thing wine glasses tend to come in groups. So, this might prevent any potential burning incidents for him. Safety first.

Anyway, these are Univeristy of Florida (UF and not FU) GATOR colors, not the suck-ass Denver Broncos colors, thank you very much so please quit asking.

I also plan to make a mitt and trivet for our kitchen, but we can't decide on a color scheme (have you seen my kitchen?! There's no #$**! color scheme). Both the trivet and the oven mitt are from the Felted Knits book by Ms. Galeskas. I used my favorite felting fiber, Cascade 220 Wool, which I prefer over the fuzzy wool/mohair standby, Lamb's Pride Worsted.

To the right are the Fiber Trends Felted Clogs, also by Ms. Galeskas (talented, that one). I think I've made these clogs almost 10 times, enough so that I've nearly memorized the pattern. I certainly got my money's worth on that...

So these are a Christmas present for someone who has actually worn out their original slippers. This particular person LOVES them, and I have to say that I love mine too. Great pattern. I used Cascade 220 Wool, doubling the yarn. The recipient should get another 5 years from these I hope. It's nice to change the colors, don't you think, Ms. Recipient? (I know you're watching)

Roberto's clogs are also in the queue for Christmas. He wants black with Charlie Brown yellow zig-zag on the top. He never wants anything simple, sigh. I'm also working on some green lacy socks (shocking), another pair of quick thick worsted socks (double shocking), and hopefully finish up an afgan. yep.

Left Foot, Right Foot, repeat

2008-10-16T18:59:00.009-06:00

There's a pattern I've been working on lately. Some may call it obsessive, some may call it crazy, some wonder when they're gonna get some, but it's definitely sock lovin' season. Now that I've convinced others that they want a pair, I figure that these lucky folks will now turn their otherwise raised-eyebrow opinions of my latest fanatical objects of affection into something like: 'oh, for me? really? you shouldn't, it's so much work, well I do like green, yadda yadda'. Guess what? It's working! They're fooled, never realizing that it's just another reason to knit another pair. And so it goes.

First victim up is to the right (not politically, thankfully). Patsy from Florida. Poor Patsy didn't know that I just needed an excuse to some really awesome yarn, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock, a soft, strong 4-ply merino. REALLY GREAT YARN. She chose this beautiful pattern, Spring Forward.

Naturally, I needed to reward myself for this outpouring of generosity. What better way than a quick fix as illustrated to the left. This yarn is yummily soft and stretchy. It's Universal's Classic Worsted Tapestry in China Blue. I'm extremely partial to blue/yellow combos and it cost $6 for a ball of yarn that would make two whole socks. Say no more.

So who's next?

And so it goes...

The other S word

2008-10-02T13:28:00.003-06:00

I'm taking another spinning class - this time solo. The other purl girls are just too ~~lame~~ busy to join me.

The first week she had us spin a bit of fiber, just how we usually spin, and measure the wraps per inch (WPI). Mine was ridiculously fine, but that's how I've been spinning for months. Close to 8oz of 3-ply that's between fingering and laceweight. I know, I know.. only one spinning project? I kept at it just to have the fiber be consistent as I got to know my wheel and improved my drafting skills. Anyway, back to class.

Maggie had us each adjust our wheel to make yarn that was different than we're used too - get us out of our comfort zone. For me that was bulky. I struggled with it during class, but things went better when it was time for the homework.

It was hard at first to be consistent, but it got easier as I kept going. I certainly got some bulky yarn! The white came out at 4 wpi, the pink varied between 7-10, and the bottom was mostly at 10. I'm amazed at the wonderful squishiness of these bulkier yarns. Maybe I do like more than skinny yarn.

For the second class we played with amount of twist in the yarn. She showed us a couple ways to measure twist. Her favorite is to let freshly spun yarn twist back on itself and measure the number of bumps per inch. There's also a card with lines at various angles. You can measure twist by holding the single up to the card and trying to match the angle of the fibers to one of the lines on the card. Fine with worsted, but not gonna work with laceweight.

Then we measured the drive ratios on our wheels. If you know the drive ratio (i.e. 10 to 1) and you feed a specific length of fiber for each treadle, you know how many twists per inch you have.

I'll stick with Maggie's bumps per inch.

In class she pulled out a lovely orangy-red fiber for us to spin. Not all that soft but a nice rich color and easy to spin. I was quite focused during class and got quite a bit of it spun - she had to give me extra, then gave us some to take home. It goes so quickly so spin fatter yarns, that I could get addicted to this flavor of instant gratification. It's always so hard to photograph reds, but this is appropriately called Vine Maple.

Next we learned a new kind of drafting. Well, new to me. Double-draft or English long-draw. It's hard to explain and impossible to control but it makes the squishiest yarn ever. Some people hated it, I thought it was kinda fun. I'll probably never use it because it creates a very uneven yarn. It doesn't look pretty, but I'm showing you anyway. The point though, was to get better at regular long-draw, which everyone did. Try double-draft for 10 minutes and long-draw becomes a breeze.

For homework, we're supposed to spin yarn at 3, 6, and 10 bumps per inch, then spin enough yarn of any weight for Thursday's plying class. We have to bring 3 bobbins with yarn, with most of it on one for practice with navajo plying, plus one empty bobbin. I own 4 bobbins, and the store is out of stock. That means I had to get everything off my bobbins. Easy enough. Then I should have started my homework, but nooo.

Then I spun and plied my Louet Northern Lights roving into this:

My worsted spinning is still less consistent than my woolen, but at this rate I should improve quickly!

Maybe I should have focused on the homework yarn. Maybe I should have packed for my trip to Argentina. But I don't care. I make pretty yarn!

At Least My Cell Will Be Padded With Yarn

2008-09-17T17:37:00.014-06:00

I just couldn't allow myself to label this post, yes another post, with the word s-o-c-k. SP & I are hopelessly addicted and it's too late to blame her or anyone else after making 4 pairs in the past 6 months. However, in our defense (not that SP needs an excuse, but I do), I'm starting to think that those things I just spelled out are the perfect summer/warm season project due to their portability and size. They're not super warm and some yarn is not even wool, so you don't mind knitting when it's hot. So, on with it already.

Here's my latest finished project - Embossed Leaves (at left). Oddly (or not) Pam & Kathryn also knitted the same pattern (and with the same yarn) as shown in the previous post. Kathryn's feet warmers are on the right - I'm sure she's further along now as this photo is a few weeks old. I really loved the intuitiveness of the lace pattern. It went quick and the yarn (Pagewood Farm Chugiak Hand Dyed Sock Yarn) is soft and shiny. I picked the Camo color. It's not really camo-colored (that would be ugly).

My latest s-o-c-k project is for my Dad's girlfriend, Patsy. She's nice and she bought the yarn and picked out a really great pattern (Spring Forward), so what the hell... everyone should have at least one pair of great foot sheaths. This is my first time using Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock - Lightweight. I LOVE this yarn more than the Pagewood. Guess I'll just have to buy some more.

I know that some of you (including myself) are wondering when this fettish is going to end. Well... see this photo of yarn? Well. Each skein/ball/project is for one pair of s-o-c-k-s. That's nine (9) pairs. NINE. And I'm willing to bet that Pam is already trying to scheme how to get me to buy some more. To make her feel better about her own habit.

Summer of Socks

2008-09-11T15:28:00.005-06:00

It's been the summer of socks. There's the lovely Pagewood Farm Yukon yarn. I'm dreaming of what socks this will become.

I just finished this pair of Embossed Leaves socks in another Pagewood Farms yarn - Chugiak. I can't say enough good things about this pattern and this yarn, they were both a joy to work with. I got to learn a new cast-on for this one, along with the star toe. It was just plain fun.

Then we have the Coriolis socks. The first one (left) turned out fine with the swirling band just grazing over the corner of the heel, but somehow on the second one the swirl slammed right into that corner. Sigh. Couldn't have been knitter error. No way. Not a chance. It couldn't be the yarn, that's the lovely Sea Wool from Fleece Artist. It's amazing. Maybe it's the pattern. Yeah, that's it. never mind that no one on Ravelry mentions the issue I'm having. Fine, maybe it is knitter error.

The Jaywalkers are a fun distraction from the evil Coriolis. The Zitron Trekking yarn is decent. I'm enjoying the colors, but the yarn itself doesn't compare to the Fleece Artist or the Pagewood. I'm becoming spoiled by all that hand-dyed goodness.

Now summer is almost over. It's cloudy again here, so I went to the yarn store at lunch to cheer myself up. That's a bad idea. I bought yarn for 3 more pairs of socks. Maybe the summer of socks can last until fall?

Gratuitus Cat Picture:

At least someone around here shaved this week.

Lace Love

2008-08-23T11:17:00.004-06:00

It's been over a year in the making, but it's finally done.

Pattern: Oriel Lace Blouse by Shirley Paden.
Interweave Knits Summer 2007

Yarn: Elann Lara in Antique Blue

Things I love:

The process. Knitting lace is so fascinating that other knitting just seems ordinary now.
The cotton yarn was much cheaper than the silk the pattern called for.
I don't have to worry about it snagging on any little thing - in spite of the lacey knit, this is a sturdy garment.
It's gorgeous!

Annoying stuff:

The sleeves, armholes, and neckline needed major modifications to fit properly. MAJOR.
The cotton doesn't stay blocked. To keep it's shape I'll have to block this every time I wear it. Even when I have it on, it loses length as the lower part contracts. You can see this in the above picture. The lace around my waist has a shorter, wider pattern while toward the top the pattern is longer and narrower.
The size varies so much depending on how aggressively I block it that it was hard to predict how it would fit.
The collar won't stand up.
The style isn't particularly flattering on me.

Also, it's warmer than I expected. I thought an open-weave cotton knit would be quite cool but this is too warm for summer day-wear. This isn't a bad thing - just unexpected.

I loved knitting this and don't actually mind the negatives too much - Some of them I realized very early on and yet I kept knitting because I was having so much fun.

Hands down the most challenging and the most fun project I've knit to date. It took a year, but there were a few distractions. A peek at Ravelry tells me I started and finished 22 projects from the time I cast on Oriel to the time I finished it.

Now I'm almost sad that it's done.

Sock It To Me

2008-08-21T18:28:00.010-06:00

It's official. I'm a little sock crazy.

Seeing as how it's summer and it's hot I decided to make some 'summer socks' using
Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Wool Print (bamboo, wool & nylon). Naturally it had to be an anklet sock to stay cool, so I chose to modify the Vog On pattern with a shorter anklet edging. This is a great sock. I started it in Morocco and almost finished it on the day we returned.

Oh look - more socks! I brought these socks as my 'backup' project for our Morocco trip. Good thing since we spent a lot more time than we thought we would in the airports. Or resting during a hike (above). I finished these in Morocco, most of it on or waiting for the plane. The yarn is Zitron Trekking (XXL) and the pattern is the ever famous Monkey.

Here's my latest pair of socks. They look somewhat similar to someone else's socks.

Internal Dialog

2008-08-21T12:32:00.002-06:00

This morning as I'm getting ready to leave for work:

Oh good, I might finish knitting these socks today!

Hmm, better take another project along just in case.

Nah, I can just take a book.

You're almost done with that book, and knitting is better anyway.

So true. I should take another project, but there's nothing ready to go. I'll just take a different book.

GO NOW. RUN. You're going to miss the bus.

(Barely catch the bus)

I'm definitely going to finish these socks today.

Well then, you'll just have to read on the way home.

What if I don't like the new book?

You can handle it. It's ok to sit quietly with still hands for 45 minutes.

Sounds like torture.

Then you'd better stop by the yarn store after work.

Seems reasonable.

Buy sock yarn.

If you insist.

How I Scammed SP's Hat

2008-07-01T21:25:00.005-06:00

Or made one for myself.

This is the Amanda Hat, created by some knittin chick named Gina House. I saw SP's Hat, which I'd be happy to link to but I don't see a blog post about it. Ok, so there's this...

Anyway, I had to have it because it looks so awesome on me (and it's really too small for Pam's big noggin - or maybe I was jealous). So both of us went to Shuttles and after too much deliberation I finally chose a suitable color. I bought some Manos del Uruguay in color 100.

Finished Cardigan

2008-06-25T10:25:00.004-06:00

I finally finished the Martha Cardigan. Granted, it was over a month ago, but better posted late than never!

Pattern: Martha by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan magazine #28

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in Yakima (9459)

I had to adjust the pattern because the yarn is a larger gauge than than called for even though it's knitted at a fairly tight gauge. I also lengthened the torso, made slight revisions to the armholes to adjust for row gauge, and did more bust increases than called for. Basically, I made it fit.

My favorite things about this sweater?

It fits. Perfectly!

The textures of the stitch pattern and the yarn offset each other beautifully.

The buttons complement the design beautifully.

It's warm enough to wear as a jacket on those warmer Denver winter days, yet not so hot that I have to take it off the moment I walk indoors.

I finished it early enough in the season to have a few chances to wear it before summer really hit.

Things I'd improve on if I had to do it over?

The armholes have issues. The sleeves fit into the armholes nicely in the first picture of this post, but here you can see the problem. If I move my arms much there's bunching.

The collar doesn't want to lay flat. I've tacked it down in back and the damned thing still flips up.

The neckline is a bit too wide.

In spite of these flaws, I love it. It's done, it fits, and it's mine!

Spinster #3

2008-05-23T11:32:00.004-06:00

Ok, so I didn't finish plying my yarn and I really don't know when I'm going to get a chance to do it. Plus, I don't know what I want to make with it! So it's on hold for the moment.

However, I did LOVE getting the corriedale plied, and dyed! Here is a sample of the plied corriedale, the parallelogram :0 on the bottom. I clearly had some over twisting going on.

The single is actually the combed fiber we experimented worsted spinning with. Still a little biased and wonky but damn fine stitch definition even with the unevenness of the spinning.

Spinster #2

2008-05-16T07:52:00.006-06:00

Llama silk blend spun on my drop spindle. It's sooo soft!

On the left: spun from various colors blended on the drum carder. One strand was spun worsted, the other woolen. I just wish there were more.

In the middle: more of the llama/silk, this time bulkier.

On the right: Corriedale spun for class - the second skein. I can really see how much I improved.

And the best part - naturally dyed hand-spun yarn. This just begs for a small fair isle project.

Done in time for Spring

2008-05-16T07:44:00.002-06:00

After 7 months and 17 other projects the sweater is finally done.
It's warm, beautiful, and fits perfectly. The weather even cooperated by cooling off this week just so I could wear it.

Alas, the day after I finished it I took a tumble while running for the bus and sprained my wrist. I haven't been able to knit or spin in 2 days. 2 DAYS!!!! I'm going nuts. Or more nuts.. either way.

I tried to get the boy to take a picture of me wearing the sweater. How does he manage to take out of focus pictures with an automatic camera? It's a mystery.

Perhaps another purl girl can help me out with a photo soon!

ooo.... ahhhhh.....

2008-05-02T10:40:00.004-06:00

Look, it's something I might even want to knit with!

And I started a new project: linen tunic. Pam has contributed by assuring that I am not using a pattern. :P

Sorry for the hideous photo. You'll just have to imagine how nice it is.

Spinster #1

2008-04-26T12:07:00.008-06:00

My First Handspun. It's 2 ply that we finished in class this week. Where's everyone else's? It's definitely different than machine processed yarn - it's poofier, fluffier. It just has more life.

Funny how I couldn't stop myself from spinning the entire section of roving we made in class - it's so easy to spin, so fluffy, and so pretty! The roving (before spinning) is on the right, and the finished yarn is on the spindle.

I've also been very very preoccupied with this fluffy critter, Colby. He's so adorable. sigh.

Springy Socks

2008-04-14T18:39:00.008-06:00

Mom's birthday was last week. I made her very first pair of hand-knitted socks - using the super yummy Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock Merino and Diane Mulholland's Express Lane pattern. I love lace patterns. I love socks. I love this yarn. Good things come in threes.

Here's Mom opening up her present. We'd already had one screwdriver down the hatch, so everything was hilaaarious. Oh, wait, maybe that was Rob's hair we're laughing at...

Yum. Mom's Plum Martini. We went to Bastien's in Denver for dinner. We really enjoyed it.

Ewwwww.... smells like goat in here

2008-04-14T10:46:00.005-06:00

That disgusting bucket is a mohair fleece. Even after being washed 3x and rinsed twice, it's still a little smelly. Hopefully when it dries it won't be too bad. The wool didn't get as clean as I hoped it would either, but now at least it can be carded and spun. I can hardly wait!

But I keep doing OTHER THINGS. Getting things ready in the loft / for the trip. Pam helped me go through clothing. always a painful prospect for both of us. Here's what I have left:

But it only filled these two boxes! I worked so hard and that's all I giving to charity?

At least it gives me hope that I'm not really going to be storing all that much stuff.

Could it be? It IS!

2008-04-10T12:44:00.004-06:00

I have finished the warm hug, and....

It's still in season! Check out DB watching the snow fall (as though she'd never seen it before, what a dingbat).

Yes, I know it looks like she's watching construction workers, but she's watching the snow fall sideways.

Yarn Harlot Visits Us

2008-04-06T14:18:00.013-06:00

The following entry is from our very first guest columnist, Irene Luckett, founder of Koffee Kompanions and psuedo-Mother-In-Law of SissyPrincess. Irene is also a proficient knitter and a graduate of the SP knitting school.

Yarnharlot comes to Denver!

Pam, Heather and Irene (left).

I met Pam, Kathryn, Heather, and Lynne, Heather’s non-knitting mom who tolerates the rest of us very well, in Highlands Ranch for a book signing at Tattered Cover Bookstore. We were there to hear Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, author of several humorous books about knitting and knitters. She’s the Jerry Seinfeld of the knitting world! Her entertaining blog is called Yarnharlot. Today she wrote about the difficulties of surviving in high altitude. It was funny to us who live here but not so for Stephanie, who was suffering from altitude sickness!

Because Yarnharlot’s coffee cup looks so lonely in her blog photos, I gave her a cup lid and a coffee cozy while she signed my book. The fabric has balls of yarn printed on it.

Heather, Pam, and Kathryn chatted with Stephanie while I took photos.

Pam forgot her coffee cozy to use on her papercup of hot tea that she bought at the bookstore coffee shop. I loaned her my Kup Kollar so she wouldn’t burn her fingers. A knitter has to protect her hands!

The purlgirls
Pam, Kathryn, and Heather

My spin on Easter

2008-03-24T14:07:00.002-06:00

I've had a good time with spinning lately. I LOVE spinning the Llama/Silk blend. I got so confident that I figured I could spin while watching Bride & Prejudice last week. Rather than use the single I'd already completed, I spun more. I even had time to ply them during that last musical number.Here we have the original fiber, a ball of the first single I spun, and the yarn I spun & plied during the movie. Notice anything? The single is far less than half the thickness of the yarn. Now why would that be? Perhaps the spinner wasn't paying quite as much attention? Nooo... couldn't be. There must be something wrong with the fiber. (Actually, after I washed & dried the skein it evened out and looks much better)

Time to try another fiber? Of course! PFD (project focus disorder) isn't just for knitting.

Yesterday I managed to spin all 2oz of this peachy-keen fiber.
It didn't make much, but I love it anyway. I do wish the coppery threads would have showed up at least a little in the finished product, but oh well. I haven't decided if I want to keep it as a single or ply it. Maybe if shuttles has more of this color I can... NO. STOP. Anyway, in between spinning sessions, I made semolina rolls from punkin's recipe. They were a huge hit at the family Easter occasion. Mom almost tackled me when I tried to leave with the leftovers.

is unfinished the new look?

2008-03-19T22:59:00.001-06:00

Am I done yet, huh? huh?

Disco Feet

2008-03-18T20:01:00.006-06:00

Mmmmmm.. sparkly... shiny... girls like shiny & sparkly. Can you see the specks and flecks?

Disco? It's the yarn name. Fortissima Colori Socka Color (Disco) in color #9053, which I bought at least 7 years ago while I lived in the great locale of Madison, Wisc (where disco is popular I suppose).
The pattern is Nancy Bush's Rib & Cable Socks (Fall 2005 - Interweave Mag).

It's now official.

I'm a sock whore.

It's SissyPrincess' fault, and she may try to deny or plead the fifth, but she knows...

Take Exhibit A (above), and now Exhibit B (at left) - these are socks that I actually *forgot* about until recently. They're even my very first knitting project! WTF? I only yesterday listed them and their photos on Ravelry. If you know me at all, you understand that this lack of inclusion in Ravelry is, well, INSANE.

Oh, and I've worn 3 different pairs of hand knitted socks over the past week. Only a few months ago I wouldn't touch 2 of those pairs because I believed they were itchy. Turns out they're really not. I think I'm losing it. But hopefully I won't be too far gone for long since I'm currently casting on some socks for mom...

Fun with Fiber

2008-03-17T09:34:00.005-06:00

Every time I sit down to knit, I'm right next to my stash. No matter how enchanting my current project, something in that stash entices me. The handspun yarn I bought in November was especially alluring. It didn't take long

It was just so delicious to knit with this wonderfully soft, handspun yarn. Unlike many commercial yarns, I could smell the lanolin and the yarn just felt.. well.. lively. It took a few tries to find a pattern that complemented the texture of the yarn and the slight color variations of greys and creams. The first couple of attempts seemed to compete with the yarn, but I finally ended up with a simple woven cable pattern.

I love it.

Besides, it's the first thing I've managed to finish in a month. I know that doesn't really seem like a long time, but I got addicted to that finishing rush after completing 9 projects in December. So I evaluated my WIP's and decided that Irene's socks were the closest to done and finished them.

Yarn: Fleece Artist Basic Merino Socks that Irene bought in Canada.
Pattern: Victorian Lace Socks from Six Sox Knitalong

I highly recommend the yarn. The pattern turned out well, but I probably won't make it again - I found the "mini-melon" stitch somewhat annoying. Fortunately, I only had to do it every 8 rows. Also, these were the first time I've done a short-row toe. I did it as written in the pattern. It was nice to not have to graft, but I'm so used to grafting that it would have been faster!

Meanwhile, knitting with handspun re-inspired me to spin. I kept working with the one fiber I owned, even I found it difficult to work with. The fiber is a deep violet with some ocher streaks - very similar to my rug. Add-in the fact that I mostly spin in the evening, without particularly good light and it makes for a squinty experience. Even so, I managed to eke out a ball of yarn. As I wound the ball, the yarn was like a record of learning to spin. The most recent yarn was thinner and far more consistent. The first bits have huge variation in size and twist. It seemed to me that I'd earned some new fiber!

Off to Shuttles! I picked up Maggie's new book and some fiber. Even though I had a great time fondling all the fibers I had no idea what to buy so Maggie helped me out. She steered me away from the cottons and silks, the hemp and the linen. Also no blue-faced Leicester (I just love the name). The feather-light buffalo was tempting, but pricey and was dark - I'd had enough of dark fiber for a while. I bought a couple ounces of basic Merino:

Then some pretty stuff with sparklies. Not too many - just enough to speak to me. I also love the colors. This is Alpine Meadow Artisan Fibers, Soft Wools in Alpine Sunset.

The real splurge was the Llama / silk blend. I was delighted when Maggie said it'd be an excellent choice, but then I put it back on the shelf. They were only selling it by the bag and I'd really wanted to buy smaller quantities to experiment. Eventually I came around and added it to my pile of purchases. Later than evening, I headed to punkin's for a pizza party. I was so excited about my new fiber that I had to try it out. It's so easy to work with! Much faster, softer, and easier to see. Isn't it pretty? I'd love to spin a really thin yarn with it, but my spindle is bit heavy for that. Another trip to Shuttles may be in my near future!

I'll be wearing it in July, thank you very much

2008-03-11T09:39:00.010-06:00

I started working on the warm hug (Suzy) last fall, and it hibernated during christmas knitting and didn't come back out until the i-cord gloves had trouble - they're a little too big. The problems just have kept coming on the damn thing, I am so frustrated. I would really like to finish this in time to wear it but spring is already right around the corner. I just know I'm going to finish late... or not at all. I don't really mind the knitting, because it's such a large gauge, but the yarn it starting to look a little tired and felted. Sissy Princess asked me what had gone wrong, so here is the hit list:

* I can't count. I'm not sure why I thought 38 stitches was 48, but voila, now I've ripped back to the armscye bindoff. It's probably okay though, because...

* I also can't tell how many stitches I bound off on one side, and I don't think it matches the other side. I have this strange method of binding off at the edge that makes a nice smooth line instead of a zagging line - it's a variation of a short row, really - but it completely prevents me from being able to determine what row I started my bind off on, and it even makes it hard to see how many stitches I've bound off. I don't know why I think I like it because this won't be the first time I've had to frog back to the decreases simply because I can't tell what the fuck I'm doing.

* I can't write. OK, actually I can, but later when a post-it falls out of my knitting bag with the number "56" on it, I have no idea what it's for. 56 rows? Bind off on the 56th stitch? My aunt's birthday?

* I still can't count. If I have 25 rows in the raglan sleeve decreases, then just maybe I should have 25 rows in the body as well. Front AND back? Well, now that's just crazy talk. Frog, frog, frog.

* I can't seam. How many times did I start the seam with some kind of bizarre, made up stitch instead of the one my mother taught me which I think is a mattress stitch? Let me count the ways... one.... two.... three... ah damn it!

* I can't measure. Sure, it looked fine when I held it up to myself. It even seemed okay when I pinned it together with stitch holders. And it is the same size as something sorta similar in my closet. But it wasn't. It pinches at the underarm and is a little too cropped. I like slightly cropped, but this is Sissy Princess annoying, way too short, cropped. A visit to the frog pond, anyone?

I've disassembled the freaking thing back to the armscyes, again. We are in very familiar territory here. I've confirmed the body length at this point, using TWO different methods - actual measurement (!!) as well as the gee, it was too short before, I should add about 4-5 rows method. I've double checked the row gauge they're using and since I'm whoppingly off on the rows, recalculated using my row gauge. I know, seems totally obvious, but usually the row gauge isn't that important - I've learned something new about raglans! I think it might be to never knit one again.

So now the plan is to triple check the row calculations, since I did them on the bus using the calculator on my phone and a piece of paper ripped out of a magazine and I'm just feeling like a spreadsheet might be a safer bet. I may even check my numbers against the Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. Stand Back!

For the fitting, I may have to go the extra mile. I've certainly had problems getting a good fit in a partially completed item before. Threads magazine has had a few articles on creating a mannikin / dress forms. Good dress forms are expensive, and ones you can change the size on are REALLY expensive, the idea was to have something cheap enough that if you changed weight, you could just create a new one. Since I'm currently wearing pants that would fit better were I to lose 10 pounds, and damn it, I'm on spark people every day, I like the idea of a body double that is cheap enough to chuck. Even if I don't lose the weight (sob!) I'll still need to get rid of it in a few months when The Big Trip (TBT) starts.

A Hat x 2 - Double Your Pleasure

2008-03-03T17:45:00.011-07:00

Double Knitting - what a brilliant way to double your hat stash.

This is the Celtic Beanie pattern from Son of Stitch 'n Bitch: 45 Projects to Knit and Crochet for Men. Men? Oops. My bad.

Anyway - I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pitch Black and Lovage. It doesn't itch and it's super warm and soft. The technique of double knitting allows one to knit both sides at once - a reverse image. It was a fun pattern. I had to decrease the number of rows by about 10 to fit my female head.

This is where I spent a few hours knitting this past Saturday. The view was amazing... the weather
was beautiful (60's!), and I had it all to myself.

The weekend was filled with a few hours of quality car-travel knitting time. I was able to pick up working on my socks, and I've fallen in love with them, especially now that the cables show up beautifully when worn.

What WIP's?

2008-03-03T09:52:00.002-07:00

I have a couple of projects I'm totally inspired to finish. The olive cardigan is getting sooo close. I know it'll be spring and too warm to wear it, but it's so lovely. I'm almost done with the left front - only the right front & collar to go.

Then I have Irene's socks. The yarn is completely enchanting. The color changes are so beautiful that I can't wait to knit with it, so second sock syndrome hasn't struck here. Each day I've waffled about which project I love gets to travel with me. What's a girl to do?

Start another sock. Earl Grey for Sean. I'm so tired of hearing how he comes last in the knitting queue that I just wanted something to wave in his face. Turns out that the pattern is fun and fast. It's easy to cruise through the stockinette parts, but the cable makes it just interesting enough to motivate me.

Now with 3 projects that are fun and a snowy day yesterday, I sat in my yarn corner, happily knitting away. There's such a wonderful view of all my yarn there. It's a bad thing. I kept picking up a hank of handspun and smelling it. It's amazingly soft and just kept begging. I started the scarf last night.

I've got to start knitting where I can't see my stash or I'll never finish anything.

Who says "darn" is my favorite curse word?

2008-02-28T11:02:00.004-07:00

There has been some foolin' around on my ravelry account. Should I point fingers? Yes, I think so - weather heather!!!

Looks like I need to come up with some pictures - the half lost Noro gloves, mom's sweater. But did you see the new ones? Now if I only liked how I look in those pictures I'd be quite happy.

** Very important news **
The yarn shop in Frisco is having a sale. Mom is going. Do you need her to pick up anything?

I'm all done with one sleeve on the warm hug, and halfway done on the other. After that I just need to figure out the collar and sew the sleeves on. Yay!

I'm posting this picture because I particularly like this sweater. Brooks Farm Yarns, henley, one of my fav thing to wear. Maybe I should finish sewing in the ends?

OK, now what can I do with this hat? I don't look very good in it, should I try putting a brim on it?

My 70's Ugly Duckling Grows Up

2008-02-24T09:15:00.013-07:00

I was born in the seventies, so maybe it was my subconscious rebelling 30 years later. I fretted and agonized over the yarn colors for this project. On screen, the colors were beautifully matched - earthy... browns, greens... the essence of nature. When the yarn arrived I didn't flinch too much at first. It was only when I started my 3 tier in the pattern (from the top down), using the 'pumpkin' color, that my doubts rose substantially. Pumpkin = orange. Yeah, duh - but people tend to be very vague and more romantic when naming colors, so I ignored the red flag when ordering it. I knew that it had a tinge of orange, but that was ok since "wheat" was going to be tan, or so I thought. Wheat also had a orange tinge, however. When do fields of wheat look orange, except maybe during an exceptional sunset? Arg.

I was a little embarassed during the first few knitted tiers, almost apologizing to questioning onlookers that I didn't know it was going to be so bright, so orange, so... SEVENTIES. Even my own mother proclaimed 'Ick'. Fine. Thankfully SissyPrincess assured me that I would come to love my ugly duckling - that maybe it would felt into a beautiful swan. I think it did just that - I already love it now that it's felted, the colors melded subtly, making it autumn-like. I love it. Whew.

Pattern is Market Squares from Bags: A Knitter's Dozen - using the entrelac technique. Yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in colors: maple syrup, pumpkin, wheat, fern and avocado ('avocado' color should have been another obvious clue, don't you think?). Before Felting (right)

Resistance is futile

2008-02-13T09:49:00.003-07:00

(say it in Jean Luc Picard's accent)

I am now a Ravelry WHORE. I've joined groups, I've added favorites, and my yarn stash, and books, I've even taken really bad pictures because I'm too impatient to wait for better light.

Sissy princess will probably comment that it hasn't made me any more productive. I'm sure that has nothing at all to do with a turkish cast on! I just need to give it a rest and do the fingers in icord.

The janfebs

2008-02-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Every year January and February are a slog for me. Just put my head down and keep going, spring will be here eventually. It's a lot like my current project - the olive cardigan. Yes, it's still around. 4 months and counting. I'm a lot more motivated. The socks, oriel, the hat, the gloves I'm dying to knit.. I'm not even tempted. Really. I want to be done with this sweater. I'm thinking I'll finish the back tomorrow.

No, this isn't my project. But it's kinda pretty and it does break up all the icky text. Besides, I know how much someone loves this pattern.

I did have to take a break from the cardigan last week to knit an emergency replacement for Sean's slippers. He loved his first pair to death. Wore right through the soles - both layers. But that was only temporary.

I guess there was the quilt distraction too. I pieced together the quilt top I'd cut out 2 years ago. No.. this isn't a picture of it. This is a random flickr photo. Nice colors though. Anyway, apparantly I need to "practice" or some such thing before actually quilting. But I don't wannna (insert whiney voice) practice, I just want my quilt. I'm thinking about just tying it instead of quilting. We'll see.

Next? Back to the kite. Oh I didn't mention this before? I made a kite-inspired object for art class last semester. It was all set to be hung in the libary in a couple of weeks, but somehow got torn in storage. I picked it up on Saturday and it's awaiting repair & return to the library. If I can only quit knitting this cardigan I'd have time for that.

Here's the last picture I have of the kite - before I'd finished it. All along the cat was fascinated. Hmm... Do you suppose he snuck over to the library last week and damaged it so I'd have to bring it home?

Anyway, if I just keep plugging away I know this winter and this cardigan will be done. It's just hard to see past the next decrease or snowstorm sometimes, but that's when you just don't look up.

He's, like, so cool

2008-02-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

Mr. Suave (Chris, Rob's brother) has a hat. I'm beginning to think that I knit solely to keep heads warm. Everyone's gotta have a hat. Or my subconscious knows that they're: fast, easy, and cheap to make. yeah, right on.

This hat was special. I've never made a brimmed hat or anything of note from plastic canvas, so that was nice. Plus, Chris really loves it. He's the kind of guy that genuinely appreciates and understands a homemade gift. That works for me, so he's worthy. And he's just so cool. =)

I mean, now doesn't he look like he's enjoying it?

Pattern is Reasonably Hip; yarn is (gasp) Vanna's Choice in taupe. I didn't like the snugness that the finished projects seemed to imply on ravelry, so I decided to add about 20 stitches. That helped but it made the top decrease area a little loose. It seems to fit Chris but he's going to let me know if it stretches.

Lord Kelvin Would Be Proud

2008-01-25T13:21:00.001-07:00

After months of waiting (well, only two), I finally have my own fair isle hat. The pattern is my own creation, although the waves are directly from the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary, Vol. 3 (Color). The lining instructions are identical to Rob's ski hat, from Jared Flood's Red Light Special.

Yarn is Mirasol Yarn Cotanani (Wool/Cotton blend) that SissyP made me buy in Frisco. I've slowly learned that she knows best - so now I don't question as much.

In case you care (and you should), the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (by Lord Kelvin) is an atmospheric science term that represents waves (unlike lenticular wave clouds, but I won't bore you with details about that).

Phat Hat

2008-01-24T10:36:00.001-07:00

OK PP - you want posts? I hope to get most of this finished tonight (on the bus and before the wine kicks in). We are having PIE right? Ooo. I'll need celebratory pie for completing the hat, don't you think?

I took this picture with my phone. Guess who just got a new phone? Last night. It's Chocolate. Kept me from knitting. Had to put new BBoys ringtone on. And new wallpaper. Takes much better photos that my last POS phone.

I'm just about to start my decreases. I measured Rob's hat and I really like the way it lies nice and flat on the top of the head - so I may use the same decrease instructions. The regular swirl-like decrease might be a better choice - seeing as how I have swirly waves in the pattern. Yeah, better.

After trying it on so far I think it might actually look better on me than Rob's hat - which is a great relief for him.

I'm also painfully close to finishing the brimmed hat for Chris - bought the (eek) lovely plastic canvas last night. I just need to slip into knitted brim and sew to hat. Should be done this weekend.

SissyP - what about posting your quilt stuff? I mean, why not?

I know I'm busy but what are you?

2008-01-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

OK, I have an excuse: I have been unbelievably busy at work, for, yes, months! I finally feel like I'm somewhat caught up so of course I have scheduled a vacation. Yay, Mexico!

Now the computer problems have come home to roost as well, although things are looking better than they did right at the end of the year it is still a challenge to do anything, so pics are going to be a little hard to come by. I can't find the cable from my phone or I'd post from that. Shesh. One thing or another, I swear.

Gary the wonder tinkerer currently has my laptop, which apparently does work, and the laptop's hard drive, which may or may not, and the monitor, which likely does not but if it does I probably will give it to him anyway for helping me out. That would leave me at home with Sissy Princess's computer with Kubuntu operating system and Gary's creaky old CRT monitor, which, of course, snaps off periodically. I'd really like to update my Ipod with new music, but since my external hard drive is malfunctioning I can't update from my music. I could put some new podcasts on, but at work they limit downloads from itunes. I can't really blame them on that though, it is a lot of bandwidth. Kubuntu doesn't support itunes so I can't do it from home either. I'd like to just use winamp to manage my ipod, but I can't seem to get the stuff currently on there deleted either. I'd be willing to wipe and reload the ipod, but that requires a download from itunes...

See what I mean? Now quit complaining about my lack of posting. At least I'm knitting! (I started fair isle mittens with Heather's white and my green Lambs Pride, but was working waay too large so had to frog. Got distracted by finishing - YES, finishing! the Noro tam and have started gloves in the yummy, but slightly scratchy handspun wool.)

Unless you can claim this many computer problems, I expect more posting from you guys!

A Touch of the Flu-Blue Scarf

2008-01-11T12:09:00.001-07:00

My dear sweet Nana used to party pretty hard when she was a young and flirty 20/30-something. Even after she had her children she would love to go out and have a few drinks with her friends and listen to live jazz. As an impressionable teen, I remember watching her slurp down those favorite vodka martinis and bat her eyes at the barkeep: "And I like it dry, *very* dry" - which of course translates to a straight up vodka shot camouflaged by a prettier glass with an olive. Nana and I always agreed on booze, food and music.

Mom said that when she was a kid, on Saturdays or Sundays Nana would occasionally be stuck in bed with "a touch of the flu" following these wild nights with her friends. So it seems that today, I too have 'a touch of the flu' after last night's dinner and drinking incident. I, however, managed to get out of bed and photograph my latest finished project.

It's from Sheep in the City's My So Called Scarf pattern. I used one skein of Mountain Colors Mountain Goat yarn in Steel Blue. The yarn is pretty and soft but I noticed that it was breaking in a few places. Nana would have loved it. =)

Shesh, gimme a break

2008-01-10T14:17:00.001-07:00

Man you guys are crabby! I been BUSY! and it seems like everything around is broken: the laptop, then the external hard drive, but I thought it was the computer, not the HD, so the computer had a whole overhaul in order to "fix" the issue with not being able to access the HD. (Note to self: maybe trouble shoot a little more extensively next time!). Now it appears my monitor is well and truly broken. For all I know the computer is toast too, but since I can't see anything I don't know that.

But I do have new pictures, thanks to everyone else for getting them and sending them to me via email, which isn't broken... yet...
Here is a picture of the oven mitt, potholder / trivet, and coasters I made for Ruth & John:

And here are Sonia & Kurt's slippers. Kurt was particularly enthusiastic.

And here are Mom & Dad's socks.

I have no idea what yarn those are. I think I have the label somewhere, I'll post it when I find it.

Suzanne promised me she would get a picture of the hat I made her. I'd been sitting on the yarn for a while because I loved the colors so much, but never could think of anything great to make from it for me... because I look like crap in a close fitting "beanie style" hat and that's how much I had.

Girlz Who Knit (& Those Who Don't Post)

2008-01-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

Jiminy. I was trying to give PunkinPi the first shot to post in 2008, but she's just too lazy^H^H^H slow. Oh, wait - here she is doing something... is that a knitting project? Couldn't be. Cuz she would have posted by now. Note the gorgeous felted bag - a project that could be put on ravelry (although I know that Martie did it, but PP could use another project or two on the site).

Since I'm nearing the completion of a scarf and I don't really have anything to show and tell, I'll share our fun knitting (and food and skiing) weekend up in Silverthorne. Here we are - and it looks like we're trying to decide who will post next. Note how no one will look anyone else in the eye.

Some of us snowshoed and xc skied - and had pedicures - and we ate lots of gooey goodness. I love this group, especially the cooks. We never go hungry or thirsty.

Here is a rainbow of pre-felted slipper clogs. Although none are Martie's. Tsk.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T08:35:00.001-07:00

Little Pam Voices Inside My Head

2007-12-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

Alright. Here! Here is *something* that I can show. Don't think that I don't know what you're up to Ms. Pam. All that pressure... I can hear you as I try to quickly finish another project, but it's taking too long. I almost had it completed Friday night and quietly wondered whether it was becoming too large. I was making the Slouchy (extra poofy) version of the beret, so it didn't seem too unusual until... the tactful Roberto blurts out 'Hey, is that a Rastafarian hat?' Idiot.

So I throw the hat down in disgust, give Rob a patented Heather-glare, and run off to bed, pissed at failure. Then the knitting Gods come to me in a dream... 'hey Heather, why not rip out only to the regular version of the pattern and then start your decreases?' Well, duh.

I've ripped back and have started my decreases as designated by the regular version. I should be done soon and hopefully before Christmas. I'm only spending precious time writing this blog entry because my fingers hurt from knitting. It'll be done soon and I can chalk up another finished project in ravelry and quiet the voices.. for now.

Now hush up woman!

Finished Objects all over the place

2007-12-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what happened after I finished my final project for school this semester. I started finishing my knitting projects!

First came the cutest slippers ever.
Can you tell which pair is for a girl?

Next, I finally finished my pomatomus socks. I love them so much that I've already worn them twice. I'm really beginning to dislike wearing store-bought socks, but at this rate I'll wear them out before I can finish the next pair. Unless I stop sleeping....hmmm.....

Last week I got inspired to knit something for the two gift exchanges I have this week. (Inspired, broke, over-stashed, whatever you want to call it). I really really wanted to modify the patterns to use a thumb gusset, but I kept telling myself that it'd go faster and use less yarn if I just followed the pattern as written. It hurt. To get over the pain, I made an origami gift box to wrap Fetching. They're so pretty, but I can't keep them anyway because they're too small.

Those damned scarves

2007-12-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

I started a new job today and my boss noticed the needles sticking out of my bag. We discussed it briefly and she hinted at a scarf. I didn't ask any details about what she was looking for, but I knew what it was. One of those fuzzy fluffy girly furry things. You know how it is - your non-knitting friends look right past the intricate cables on your sweater, never notice the painstaking lace on your hat, and shrugged non-committally at the gloves you made on size 0's. They want a fuzzy scarf. I admit it, I've made them, worn them, even liked them. But they're like the boys I dated for a week in college - it seemed like a good idea at the time but if I ran into them in public ever again I'd never admit we met.

I haven't even counted them. I know there's been dozens (scarves, not boys). No pictures, no records. I'm torn though. It'd be nice to get my ravelry project count up there but I can't do it. Here's my compromise - 3 of the scarves I've kept.

Quality over quantity (for boys and scarves).

Yet Another Hat

2007-12-05T09:02:00.001-07:00

Another hat you say? Why yes, of course! I admit that I'm feeling some envy from Rob's latest gift and now feel the need to devote precious knitting energy to creating hats that might be just as good, if not better. This one is good, but not better, so I'll have to try again. Shucks. Darn.

Pattern is Fake Isle from MagKnits. The black wool I bought while Rob and I were in Argentina (the yarn might be from Peruvian wooled creatures, however), and I don't know much about it. The Noro is from SissyPrincess - her leftovers that she was happy to rid herself of. Nice girl, that one. =)

Post Turkey update

2007-11-26T10:31:00.001-07:00

Oriel Lace
I finished knitting the second sleeve a couple weeks ago and blocked it last week. As I started to assemble the sweater, I still worried about it being too small, even though I’d added 2 inches to the length. I tried to pin it on myself but just couldn’t properly contort my arms to get it right so I got a friend to come over and help. The bodice is a bit snug, but I think that can be resolved by re-blocking since I did a half-assed job of blocking the front & back. The weird thing though is that the sleeves are too short. Too SHORT?!? I have freakishly short arms, this has never happened to me. And they aren't just a little short, more like 5 inches. They’re also a little tighter than I like so now I need to frog them about halfway. Ugh. Time for Oriel to hibernate for a while. At least I got the front & back reblocked before stashing it away.

Making Waves Bag
This one went fast because it was easy tv knitting. I finished knitting last week. It felted a bit unevenly – when it came out of the washer it didn’t have square corners. I wrestled, stretched, and beat on it to get it close to normal rectangle. I ended up blocking it flat. It looks great – I love the color even though the cables don’t show up as well as they did on the blue version for Jennifer. I’m considering felting it a little more and reblocking. The only problem with that is it means I have to not use it for a few days and I’m quite attached to carrying it right now.

Christmas Knitting
Yes, it’s that time of year again. I knit gifts for my nieces and nephew each Christmas. Even though they’re still quite young they are very opinionated so I decided to let them pick between mittens and slippers as well as what colors they wanted. On Thanksgiving I brought along the feltable portion of my stash. My nephew was too busy sledding on the hill out back to consult on colors (he’s such a boy), but paused long enough to say he wanted slippers. One niece wants mittens and the other wants slippers. Then the girls dove into the big bag of yarn with gusto. They spread out the skeins all over the floor and started picking out colors. After about ½ hour of debate they settled on all of them. Yes, they wanted all the colors. That’s what I get for asking a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old. The 3-year-old especially liked the Noro. I don’t know what I was thinking, putting the Noro in the bag, because I’m not willing to use it for anyone but me. She’ll remember it too. I talked to her on the phone yesterday and she reminded me. Hopefully she’ll like the slippers enough to forgive the omission. I started the first pair yesterday and finished one of the slippers. They have a purple sole, pink uppers, with a rainbow of colors in the cuff. They’re about at girly as a slipper can get!

Other stuff
I’m still moving along on the Pomatomus socks. I finished the heel gusset on the way to work this morning, so now I’m in the home stretch of the foot. If I pay close attention to the chart, I could finish these this week.

Last week I finished the second sleeve on the olive cardigan. Whew, 4 sleeves done in the last 2 months. No wonder I don’t want to deal with frogging the Oriel sleeves yet. I started the back on Friday, but only got about an inch done.

A Hat I'm Thankful For

2007-11-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

I'm really really happy about this hat. It fits me perfectly, but oh yeah, I promised Rob that it's his. darn. =|

It looks good on him too - darn again. It hides his crazy hair anyway. He needs all the help he can get with his hair, and he seems to be cold most of the time - so a super warm hat that hides his colossal mangy mane is my gift to him.

I finished this over Thanksgiving - a reason to be thankful for sure. The pattern is Red Light Special using Knit Picks Telemark sport weight yarn (awesome stuff) and Misti International Alpaca Worsted for the lining - nice and soft for tender ears. I love that it's sport weight - really warm and thin, especially with the lining.

Oh, and I'm putting a "If found, please return to:" label in it this time.

I suppose I just might alter the pattern and make a similar one for myself.

Chomp Chomp

2007-11-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Meet my new traveling companions, Gilly & Dilly. They don't match a whole lot of what I wear but they don't care. Like me, all they want to do is eat and chomp on stuff. I had no idea how insanely cute these would turn out to be. DAMN.

Pattern is "Later Gator Mitts" from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. Yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Grass and Cranberry. I modified the pattern (somewhat accidentally), but they fit now. I bought the largest googley-eyes I could that could still be sewn, instead of glued, on.

I think I smiled through most of the project, especially when putting on the white doofers. Poor guys are missing a couple of them - but that's what they get for trying to snack on the kitty. Bad Gators. Yes, there was a kitty run-in this morning. Score: Mr. B, 1 - Gilly, 0 (actually -1 since Mr. B swiped a tooth).

Hee hee. I think I might get into more trouble when wearing these - it's almost as though they have a mind of their own. In fact, I can now blame most of my inappropriate behavior on them.

Chomp Chomp. You know you want a pair.

Lookie what I found on the doorstep

2007-11-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Ah yes. FINALLY. The Knit Picks yarn has arrived.

Mine for Rob's Hat:

And SissyPrincess' - probably for socks. again.

Fall Foliage

2007-11-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

I love fall. It's my favorite season. So I obviously need a new hat to celebrate. Here's my finished no-foiled project from the Knitty's Foliage pattern. I used Cascade 220 Heathers (naturally, yes again!) in Color 9489 (red wine). I always thought I had a large-ish head, but after meeting some of my knitting friends (ahem), I have learned that it's large for the southern states, I guess. What I'm getting at is that I stopped short of the full pattern for my puny noggin.

This is a great pattern with just enough lace to keep it fun.

This is the image before I added extra ribbing. I thought it would look great as is, but I think it looks more flattering with a turned up rib. Yes, it looks good but I picked the best possible photo. Trust me, it looks better with a brim.

The best part is that I completed most of this within a lazy, sitting on my bohunkus in front of the tube, kind of day.

New yarn! and other random stuff

2007-11-01T12:43:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I went to the fiber arts sale here. I expected it to be a bit larger. Most of the goods were finished objects - some very nice ones - but I was on the hunt for yarn. They had a few baskets of delicious hand-spun or hand-dyed yarn. The violet silk was scrumptious but out of my price range. There was a variegated wool in glorious fall colors that I pictured as a Sunrise Circle Jacket, but there wasn't quite enough.

I came home with some fingering weight pink mohair. The color is glorious but the yarn is a little scratchy. It's only single-ply which means it really isn't durable enough for socks. I tried not to buy it. Picked it up, put it down, picked it up, put it down. Somehow 2 hanks ended up in my basket.

Then buried under some cotton in colors too bright to contemplate I found beauty. It's hand-spun wool so soft that I was convinced it had silk in there. Then I smelled it. Some of you understand smelling yarn. This stuff is awesome. Initially I wasn't sold on the grey color, but there was no way I was going to let this stuff out of my grubby yarn-mitts. Now I love the grey. It has just enough warmth to still look decent on me as a hat or scarf or gloves or.... oh the possibilities!

Onto other topics. I got rid of the red superwash wool I've had in my stash (Thanks Irene!).
Somehow a couple weeks ago a skein of Trekking XXL in some lovely golds and greens migrated into the stash. I have reason to believe this happened to someone else too.

I love the harmony sock needles. Finally, needles sharp enough to make Pomatomus a joy. I cast on the 2nd sock and got through one repeat before returning to other things.

Last night I finished the 2nd sleeve on the Oriel Lace. That's right. Now all I have to do is block that, reblock the other 3 pieces, assemble, knit the collar, and weave in the ends. Why does it still seem like finishing this is so far away?

The real distraction has been Ravelry. I got my invitation last week and I'm obsessed. Addicted. Gripped. Fanatical. Help!

My Noro Glow

2007-10-18T17:39:00.000-06:00

Forget pregnancy or a good facial, it's Noro that gives me that special glow. Isn't it beautiful?

And look what it does!

It's the Basic Everyday Purse with Flap from Felted Knits with Noro's Big Kureyon 100% wool in color 20. I made it for Mom. She wanted something 'neutral' and I couldn't stand to make yet another gray bag. Thank you Noro for making it easy!

The before felting view.

Funny - The bag only used one ball... hmmm.. another ball is left. Oh my. A bag for me?

slippers and the henley

2007-10-17T15:51:00.000-06:00

depressing slippers (with cat for added interest)

Not depressing at all finished henley

New stuff

2007-10-17T15:13:00.000-06:00

I'm still at work, but rumor has it that there's a package waiting for me at home.
Yarn! Needles! It's always exciting, even when much of the order belongs to various other people (I won't name names). Now the real problem is that I have a major project and a paper due for class on Friday. They aren't done. I want to go home and play with my new stuff, but that would mean losing sleep or missing work in order to get my homework done.

Maybe I'm coming down with something. Think my boss will mind if I stay home with yarn fever?

Avoidance post

2007-10-15T14:37:00.000-06:00

OK, I haven't posted in a while because I'm so disappointed in the slippers. Sissy princess finally twisted my arm into telling the tale. Here is what they looked like before felting.

I don't have a picture of what they looked like afterwards. I didn't want to take a picture of something so bass ackwards.

I can tell you they're wrong, all wrong. And she said they smelled funky while she was felting them to boot. Yuck. While hand felting is a possibility, I think the most likely scenario is the circular file. :(

On a far happier note (and the likely reason I was able to admit failure on the slippers) I have finished the henley... and it is wonderful. Sissy Princess tried to burst my bubble by pointing out that it looks like it has already started pilling but I couldn't hear her very well over the soft yumminess of this sweater. I'll have a picture later when I get home to the camera.

Felted and Furless

2007-10-15T11:03:00.000-06:00

My cousin Alisa was out to visit with her husband last month. She was eyeballing my felted bag and finally (and sheepishly) admitted to wanting one in either dark red or green. I may add a crocheted or felted flower to the side but am unsure yet. What do you think?

Ok here it is with a felted daisy (to cover magnetic snap). Both PP and Rob voted an enthusiastic YES for a flower.

The pattern is Hello Yarn - Fulled Lopi Tote. I didn't use Lopi, but a double strand of Plymouth Yarn's Galway Highland Heather (naturally), worsted weight, 100% wool in color # 710. I used this soft, almost acrylic-like yarn instead of a wool blended with mohair or other furry fiber because Alisa lives in hot and humid Florida. I thought she would appreciate the smoothness of the felt. I would have used Cascade 220 for the same reason but my LYS doesn't carry it (I didn't go to Shuttles).

The width is actually the same before felting as the finished product. The length has shortened by a few inches.

Look how much yarn is left over. I love it when that happens.

Another sleeve done

2007-10-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

I was inspired to work on the oriel lace blouse again when I saw this.
Previously I worried about the fact that I was making this with only 1/2" of ease. After seeing these pictures I'm glad I made that decision.

I didn't realize I was so close to finishing a sleeve. It seems odd to me that the sleeve cap measures only 4.5" high while the armsceye is something like 7 or 8". I decided to just follow the pattern and quit questioning it so much, so the first sleeve is blocking now. The lace is so beautiful when it's blocked!

I also did a little spinning this weekend. I think I have, in total, about 20 yards of yarn now.

All is Forgiven

2007-10-11T14:03:00.000-06:00

After frogging part of the sleeve Tuesday, I sat down Wednesday and finished it for good. I even blocked it (I know you're proud). It's lovely, beautiful, yummy, and I love it. Problems? What problems. I love knitting sleeves. This morning I cast on another one.

This pattern is an interesting level of difficulty. It's not so easy (like stockinette) that I can completely zone out, but not so detailed (like lace) that I have to pay close attention. There are alternating strips of stockinette and garter with an interesting carried / picked up stitch. The right side is easy enough, but the wrong side lacks the usual visual or tactile clues about when to change from knit to purl. It makes for an exercise in mindfulness: can I pay just enough attention to get it right across the entire row? Sometimes yes, usually no. This brought to mind a book that interests me but I haven't gotten around to reading. Mindful Knitting. Has anyone read this? If so, what do you think?

Remember spinning? That whole "every day" thing went right out the window when I caught a cold. I tried again yesterday and it's still challenging. And as if it weren't hard enough, I have a cat alternately stalking the spindle and pawing my roving. I hate locking them up, but I think that's what it come to. At least until I'm good enough at this to want the challenge of making the spindle dodge the cats.

Sleeve Hell

2007-10-09T14:31:00.000-06:00

I love sweaters, but somehow sleeves are my bane. I thought it was because I knit them last. The way the rows get longer the farther I go is bad enough, but I have to do it twice. On the Oriel Lace Blouse I lost momentum as soon as I started the sleeves. It's still sitting there; back, front, and 1/2 sleeve. This isn't the first time either. It happens every time. So when I started a new sweater I decided I'm going to make the sleeves first.

I still hate them.

The first one has crept along. I finally got to the armhole decreases (yes!) and everything went much faster. I was only a couple of rows from being done and couldn't deny the problem any longer. Somehow my decreases happened way too quickly. As I frogged I watched for where I'd done the decreases, trying to determine what what wrong.

In spite of my finance degree and my enjoyment of math and numbers, I CAN'T COUNT. That is the only conclusion I can reach from the apparently random decreases I did for this sleeve.

1 sleeve, 3 weeks and counting.

Dammit.

Fingerless & Fabulous

2007-10-02T22:05:00.001-06:00

Wow - I actually made something ahead of time, or just in time.. for fall! They're so nice... and pretty. Yes, I finished #2 of 2. I only had one hand completed last month.

I learned a few things: do not deviate from the pattern unless you KNOW you're actually smarter, or if experience proves that there's an actual error. I shifted the thumb on one of the hands and therefore skewed the beauty of the k4 p1 rib.

Whatever. They're mine.

See previous post for pattern details.

One sock counts, right?

2007-09-21T14:34:00.000-06:00

I finally finished something!

It took forever because apparently I can't follow a chart for more than one row at a time.

This counts as a finished project. It's only one sock, but I don't have the other on needles yet so it doesn't exist. Poof!

I took a drop spindle spinning class last night and here is the yarn from my own little spindle. It's pitiful and I love it. I learned some important lessons.

1. Don't let the spindle untwist - the wool breaks and the spindle drops to the floor and rolls under the nearest chair.

2. Always predraft your roving.

3. Practice for 15 minutes every day.

4. Buy pretty fiber. Must have more fiber.

I really wish the camera could have captured how beautiful the colors are. It's a deep violet with a mustardy-yellow running through it.

I'm worried that as I spin, the colors will combine into a brownish grey. I suppose they should still be identifiable colors, but since my color experience is mostly with paints I just don't know what will happen with fibers.

Irene recently went to Victoria. She visited the Beehive Wool Shop. They've been there for 101 years. That's amazing!

She brought back yarn for me:

Fleece Artist merino & sea cell sock yarn.

That's right. More socks!

I know it's hard to see the colors, but they're lavenders and greens. Lovely stuff.

Thanks Irene! I needed more yarn.

Really. Seriously. I don't have enough yarn.

Felted slippers

2007-09-20T18:22:00.002-06:00

Looky what I finished! I have more yarn so there is another one on the needles, so much for working on the henley...

Here's what they looked like before the felting:

And during the felting:

Tipless Trip

2007-09-17T15:29:00.000-06:00

At first the thought of a long driving weekend with the 'rents seems boring and tiring... but not if you have a new project to knit while someone else does the driving (ok, it would have been fun even without the knitting). I finished one of my fingerless gloves and have just the tipless fingers to complete on the second one.

Yarn is Debbie Bliss Merino Aran. Pattern is Knitty's Fetching, modified to include half-fingers to keep them warmer. I only had to redo the index finger and thumb once! Just in time for fall so I can knit outside.

Old project

2007-09-11T15:14:00.001-06:00

Since I'm not even close to finishing anything here's an old project.
The pattern is "Cat" from the Rowan Big Wool book. I modified the stripe and change it to knit the entire body in one piece rather than three. The yarn is Tahki Baby.

I'm not usually a big fan of chunky sweaters and this one pills, but somehow I love it anyway. It's incredibly soft and warm, just the thing for a chilly fall day.

Nearby yarn store

2007-09-11T09:41:00.000-06:00

How could this happen? There is a yarn store less than 4 miles from me and I didn't know about it! I must visit! And it's close to the current boy's house. That must MEAN SOMETHING, right? (about the yarn store... not the boy... really!)

shrug is done!

2007-09-09T18:07:00.001-06:00

Yay, isn't it cute? Oh, and I got my hair cut. Not that you can really tell, it's not that much shorter.

Now I suppose I should try to get around to writing down the pattern.

Gold Rush

2007-09-05T20:25:00.000-06:00

Sigh. It's finally over. Here's my hat, which looks pretty good now that it's complete. It's a little too stretchy but maybe that doesn't matter... I think it's better looking than the original. Who cares at this point? =)

Details: yarn is Patons Brilliant (color: Gold Glow) Acrylic/Nylon/Poly; pattern is 2x2 rib adapted from Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. How y'all like those decreases in rib - not bad eh?

Labor day weekend projects

2007-09-04T18:03:00.001-06:00

I was working on the lovely fair isle tam this weekend and noticed something odd. My increases didn't seem to make the hat as wide as I expected. I checked my gauge. The swatch was 5.75 sts/inch. The ribbing on the hat is 6.5 sts/inch and the rest of the hat varies from 6-7 sts/inch. Argh. Abandon ship!

Now that the size problem has been solved on the oriel lace blouse, it's time to work on the sleeves. Yes, that's it. I'm not abandoning the hat, I'm going back to what I should have been working on all along. The knitting goddess was punishing me for not working on this beautiful project. The pattern has you use 4 different needle sizes in the first 8 inches of the sleeve, going from large to small to create a flare at the wrist. I was skeptical of how well this would actually work, but it seems to have been quite effective.

My new project desk arrived Saturday. Here I show the most important feature of the desk - the stash storage. I had yarn stashed in various drawers and bins. Somehow now that it's all in one place it doesn't seem like all that much yarn. See that in the upper right? That's a notions bin. That could easily be moved to make room for MORE YARN.

Slippin Out

2007-08-29T17:23:00.001-06:00

More felted slippers... this time for Cathy's friend Renie (who will hopefully cut my hair into more layers whenever the mood strikes me - or her). Yes, they are quite similar to those that I made for Jennifer. Gurls like pink ya know.

I nearly had them finished 2 months ago and then not-so-surpringly ran out of the dark pink. The local yarn shop still had ONE (1) skein left. Of the same dyelot. Man am I lucky, I know. No lectures, please.

Chris Bylsma designs

2007-08-29T16:13:00.000-06:00

Oh man, check this cuuuuute sweater out:
I wanna make it! Maybe in rust and grey... hmmm!

Chris Bylsma Designs
Same designer as for Jennifer's bag.

And I was reading Yarn Harlot and ran across the March 1, 2004 entry, her children are arguing over who should receive the new scarf that their mother just finished knitting, and the Über insult of "wool pig" was thrown about. Hee hee!

The Magic of Proper Blocking

2007-08-29T11:01:00.000-06:00

I worked hard on the Oriel lace. The first blocking, I stretched and pinned the pieces down, then thoroughly sprayed them with water. They were too small and I was sad, so sad. After a bit of research I thought I'd try a full, wet block. I dunked the piece in water and soaked it for a couple minutes before pinning it down. Here is the newly blocked (still wet) front with the back on top (blocked using the previous method).
I don't think this will be too small anymore.

Jennifer's Bag

2007-08-28T11:09:00.001-06:00

Here it is...felted and all. The strangest thing happened with the handles. I made 2, identical I-cord straps and mysteriously, one felted more than the other. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

I modified this pattern and used Cascade 220 Colonial Blue Heather.

Tams and toes

2007-08-28T10:15:00.000-06:00

I was working on a fair isle tam from a Vogue knitting. I didn't like some of the colorwork, but I'm hoping to use a cute wavy pattern from Hx that she created for a boy hat. However, that's on hold until I make a decision.

So I should go back to one of my other WIP's, right? WRONG! It's time to start some socks.
I'm making the Pomatomus socks from knitty with some yummy Trekking Pro Natura. The color isn't right in this picture, it's more blue and heather-y. I'm having a great time with this lace pattern.

Dithering about

2007-08-27T15:11:00.000-06:00

I am supposed to be working but instead I'm trying to decide which project I should start on next. The blue shrug is done, just awaiting a portrait so I can show you (maybe I can get Princess to take one tonight, hmmmm?) and I'm taking a break from the Brooks Farm Yarn henley. So what to do, what to do. The socks don't count, they're what I carry around "in case". You know, in case I'm stuck in a traffic jam, or a conference call, or I forget the needles for the project I'm really working on, or I've just frogged a huge section of the current project and I'm all pissy about it. It's amazing how quickly they are going, I must have a lot of "in case" stuff in my life.

Crochet is the new knit

2007-08-25T09:12:00.000-06:00

The scarf. is done! It took surprisingly little time (I started it on Thursday), but then again it helps when Friday is a sick day. Yeah, my stomach wasn't feeling well. Can you guess why? Choose one: A. nasty tequilla margs, B. being annoyed with Rob, or C. starting a crochet project (my body revolted).

So Dad took me to the mountains (fresh air always helps). He fished while I crocheted along the Platte River near Conifer. And besides being bit by little black flies, it was just what the doctor ordered. That, and to finish this #&$* scarf! See? That's me and I *am* crocheting, just about out of yarn.

Does it match up well enough? The original scarf IS yellow, trust me. And I didn't really like the blue fringe (and I'd have to go buy more yarn to replicate it).

Oh, and for those that care (not SissyPrincess of course) - the scarf was made using the double crochet stitch throughout on Size G hook. Yarn is Baby Bee "Little Britches" babybelle (I think I'm feeling sick again) color #4103 in bulky acrylic/polyamide, readily available at Hobby L. I was very concerned yesterday when I ran out of this beautiful yarn and had to run back to HL after buying it nearly a month ago. Get this - they not only had the same yarn, but the same DYELOT. And the best part is that it was 40% off that day! Crochet IS good for you afterall! =)

And DONE

2007-08-23T11:26:00.000-06:00

OK, since Sissy Princess is setting the bar so high for finished projects I decided I needed to get around to finishing a hat I started last spring. I just realized it's also from her stash!

Anyway, I didn't complete it in the first go around because I ran out of the blue and it wanted to slide off my head. I didn't want to change the ribbing and realized that if I ripped back to the two rows of variegated and added a little more in that color I would have enough blue to finish.

Here it is:

Ta DAAHHH

I have also finished the blue shrug too, just need to weave in the ends. I would have done that last night but there was a distraction... date with the current boy. Knitting sometimes just takes a back seat! So I'll have a picture of it tomorrow.

Hattiness

2007-08-21T20:20:00.000-06:00

I love hats, they're the closest thing knitting has to instant gratification. I enjoyed the colorwork so much that I want to knit another one. It's a bit silly when the temps are flirting with triple digits, but at least they're small.

Went to the LYS to pick up the last skein for Jennifer's bag and somehow this made it into my bag.

I should not be allowed to go there without supervision. At least I resisted the new sock yarns. Maybe that's only because I didn't see them until after I paid, but maybe not.

~~Anyone want to go to the yarn store this weekend?~~

alllllmost done

2007-08-21T10:23:00.000-06:00

It takes me forever to finish something because I have to rip it out so many times. This is what I get for doing my own designs off the cuff instead of following a pattern, or really, just sitting down and doing some math. (If my gauge is 4 sts/in and my bust is 37", will 125 sts work?)

But really, the shrug is actually looking almost done! See:

I started out with the Shimmer pattern from Knitty but diverged so wildly from it in pattern, texture, size, color, gauge and technique that I figure it's mine now. The yarn's from Sissy Princess, she bought it and never figured out what to do with it and now we know. I think she said it was Colinette Wigwam.

She received several albatrosses from my stash in return, plus I just gave her a nice alpaca hat that made me look like a mushroom. Of course she looks FABulous in it.

Just a few more rows of ribbing and the dark blue edge and I will be DONE. Again. Because I wore it last week and decided that it flared unappealingly at the back of the neck and I ripped out the ribbing to do it a little smaller. Because that's how knitting goes in my house: *knit, try on, rip, revise*.

Hx suggested a link to Shimmer, here it is: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTshimmer.html

What to knit next

2007-08-18T08:14:00.000-06:00

Now that the Oriel Lace Blouse has broken my heart I need to find something new to work on.
Oh, wait. I already have projects to work on.

Jennifer's bag is a joy to work on after the slow moving lace. Now that it's the size of an Asian landmass I just have to knit the attached I-cord trim and the straps. Too bad I ran out of yarn again. It's just heartbreaking that I'll have to go to the LYS again.

Jennifer, I know you're allergic to cats. I promise I'll wash this before I give it to you. I'll wash it in hot. Several times.

But the LYS doesn't open until 10. There must be something else around here...

What is it? I'm not telling. But I'm not sure I have enough yarn for this either. This yarn is vacation yarn. The only place I've seen it is San Francisco. I don't want to face running out. At first my strategy was to knit slower. Now my strategy is to bury it beneath Jennifer's gigantic bag.

How about a nice little stranded hat?

The colors aren't quite right, so I'm off to knit another swatch.

Oriel Lace

2007-08-17T13:06:00.000-06:00

I loved this pattern from the moment I saw it, but knew I couldn't afford over $200 for the yarn.

I eventually settled on Elann's Lara as a lower-cost replacement.

I had doubts about the high neck - that's usually not a flattering look for me - but decided to follow the pattern for once.

I've enjoyed working on this. It's so gorgeous that I wasn't interested in anything else.
I knit the back, then the front.

After finished the front I realized there was no neck shaping at all... that just seems weird. When I looked at the magazine pictures in more detail I noticed there seems to be some extra fabric where there should be neck shaping.

Why not shape the neck? Is there something about the lace that isn't conducive to shaping?
I thought I'd try blocking the 2 completed pieces and evaluate from there. Now the neck seems like a minor problem. The whole thing is too small.

I'm disgusted.

not ugly

2007-08-17T09:15:00.000-06:00

Sissy princess was just looking over my shoulder and said they were cute. (OK, she said the hat was cute.) I'm not a fan of pastels so I'd have to say the scarf is Eh for me, but that seems like a perfectly acceptable hat.

They're much better than that hideous vest you were making for charity.

A confession

2007-08-16T15:23:00.000-06:00

I thought I would begin this blog with a confession.

I've been working on 2 projects that you don't know about... for a customer. I'm supposed to replicate the following items:

And they're quite ugly.

Did I mention that they're supposed to match (according to their owner)? The scarf is even in crochet! UGH. The yarn next to the items is what I found at the store that would come closest to the yarn in the projects.

What I've learned is that I no longer knit for others sight unseen. I was too embarrassed to share this with you guys, but it's time to finally confess. Now... stop laughing.