A Tisket, A Tasket, an Overflowing Yarn Basket

Lace Hates Me

2007-11-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

Notice I didn't say that I Hate Lace. I love lace. I wanted to make my mom a lovely, delicate, airy lace scarf out of my one precious ball of Filatura di Crosa Superior (70% cashmere/30% silk!!!). Was that so much to ask? The lace gods have smote me. Not just once but 3 or maybe 4 times. It must just be my brain this week. I first got this lovely pattern:

(Jade Sapphire's Plum Lotus Scarf)

It just wasn't working and I wanted to cry and since knitting's supposed to be "fun", I decided to look for a different pattern.

I thought this one would fit the bill nicely. But for some reason I messed that one up real good too...3 times.

(To Knit is Divine's Travelling Roses Scarf)

Okay, I think I've finally gotten it now. I'm going to [try to] stick with Knitty's Juno Regina, albeit a smaller version with less diamond pattern repeats.

I can get my lace fix plus have a good deal of mindlessness in the middle so that I don't shoot myself trying to finish all these Christmas presents.

FO: Aamu

2007-11-09T15:16:00.000-05:00

For the few people who actually read this blog, I want to say that I've become obsessed with Ravelry and therefore do not blog very often anymore. Maybe that will change when I get a new camera since these webcam photos are just not cutting it.

Anyhoo, I just finished up my Aamu sweater. This one's from the irresistible Norah Gaugan vol. 1 put out by Berroco. It was sort of by chance that this was the first project I made from the book. My Ultra Alpaca Light was on order at A Tangled Skein and I had a serious case of startitis. Then as I was digging through my stash, I found some forgotten Araucania Magallanes and thought that this would be the perfect project for it. A couple weeks and 2.5 skeins later, here she is.

Pattern: Aamu by Norah Gaughan
Yarn: Araucania Magallanes (100% Wool), color 316, 2.5 skeins
Needles: Addi Turbo 24" #6, #8
Recipient: Me
Mods: shortened the cowl neck an inch or so

I liked this pattern. It was easy but interesting and I think it's really different.

All of my other projects are chugging along. The other garment that I'm working on is a crocheted cropped cardigan that I found on Ravelry. I did the upper portion as per the pattern but I've decided to try a different and more lacy pattern for the bottom portion. We'll see how it goes. I'm using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Berry which is beautiful although, again, shitty webcam doesn't do the color justice.

I like FOs

2007-10-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

This week I made the Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet that I found on Ravelry. It took me only 2 days to knit and I can tell this is going to be a wardrobe staple. I used up every inch of my Knit Picks Panache which, sadly, is now discontinued. I really am peeved that they discontinued this stuff: lusciously soft alpaca, cashmere, and silk for $4??? Why, Knit Picks, why? But at least I get to wear this little shrug close to my skin whenever I want. This pattern was GREAT. I will definitely be making more of these. So clear and had great instructions for making it fit perfectly.

Pattern: Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet by Julia Allen
Yarn: Knit Picks Panache, color Cloud, 3 balls
Needles: 9 (5.5mm) for body, 8 (5mm) DPNs for sleeve ribbing
Mods: Changed stitch number to fit my gauge, knit sleeves in the round, added ribbon tie

Also wear it without the ribbon...

And ANOTHER FO in record time. Literally took me half an hour from start to finish.

Pattern: Flying Gloves from Twinkle's Big City Knits
Yarns: Lion Brand Landscapes, color Spring Desert, fraction of 1 ball
Knit Picks Palette, color Red, fraction of 1 ball
Knit Picks Palette, color Blush, fraction of 1 ball
Needles: Susan Bates circ #19

Wore them today, one of our first truly chilly days. A splash of color in the midst of all the gray.

Facing Facts

2007-10-19T19:59:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I read an inspiring post by Jared (b r o o k l y n t w e e d) on his blog. In it he talked about being realistic about your knitting, taking stock of your current UFOs, and frogging where necessary. I don't really have any UFOs that I don't want to finish someday but there are some things I finished that, I've decided, I could use the lovely yarn for something else since I hardly ever wear them.

1. My Tea Rose Halter Top: 4 skeins of my favorite color of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk.

I loved this pattern the moment I saw it, and I loved this yarn the moment I touched it, but, alas, the two were not meant for each other. What, oh pray tell what, was I thinking making a HALTER TOP out of ALPACA? Plus, I never got around to fixing the abysmal fit in the upper portion so it's currently cinched by safety pins. This yarn could be put to much better use! (My Ravelry queue already contains some ideas).

2. My "Fun in the Sun Hat": 2 balls of my favorite color of Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton.

I put quotes around the name of the pattern because it turned out nothing like it and I don't like the way it did turn out. I do want this hat, however, so I might be frogging it and re-crocheting it. But there are 5 more balls of this yarn on the shelf, so there might just be enough for something truly fun.

3. My Chelsea Sweater (A UFO).

The sleeves are just NOT GOING TO WORK and it's time to devote my energies to other things. So this lovely garment is going to become a VEST! I've pondered these set in sleeves a million times and it just isn't working. And when Pat, the GURU at A Tangled Skein, confirmed my frustrations, I knew the sleeves were going bye-bye.

I also frogged a hat that I never even finished and I knew I would never wear made out of the lovely-but-now-discontinued Knit Picks Panache. Now I have enough to make a little bolero.

Happy Frogging!

Chunkalicious

2007-10-13T17:58:00.000-04:00

I bought the yarn and cast on for my Twinkle Groovy Sweater Dress! I'm finished with the first sleeve and it only took me about 30 minutes. I'm very excited although it's going to be a very warm sweater and it doesn't get that cold around here. I'll keep y'all updated, hopefully with some pictures once we get a new camera!

Oh and I decided to rip out my Memories of Ukraine Sweater...I had made a mistake somewhere and couldn't figure out where so I'll just start over soon.

An FO and Other Goings On

2007-10-06T17:16:00.001-04:00

Let me begin by saying that Ravelry is incredibly addictive. I've already wasted an obscene amount of time on it and I haven't even figured out all the features yet.

Second order of business, someone *coughAdamcough* broke the camera so until we get a new one, my blogging will either be sans-pictures or with shitty webcam pictures.

With many of my projects either (1) boring me at the moment or (2) annoying me at the moment, I needed an FO to boost my self esteem. So I knit up Cyn's Bamboozled headband last weekend and, as promised, it was quick and fun. I had first started this weeks ago with a different yarn trying to, you know, work from the stash, but it just wasn't cutting in. So I got the Royal Bamboo (drool) that Cyn had used. I wore it today and got many compliments on it (Yay, Cyn!) Oh and I loved the twisted cord ties. What a great new technique!

Pattern: Bamboozled by Cyn
Yarn: Royal Bamboo, color 60 Olive , 1 ball
Needles: Size 7 (4.5 mm)
Recipient: moi
Time to knit: about a day

Let's see...I'm well into my Memories of Ukraine sweater (oh yeah, by the way, I started it even though I "promised not to cast on for anything new").

It took me a few tries to establish the pattern...it's more difficult working with this yarn than I anticipated. And now, almost finished with my yoke increases, I'm afraid I screwed up somewhere but it's (1) really hard to tell if I screwed up with this yarn which is both a good and bad thing and (2) really hard to correct my mistake if I indeed made one. I break into a cold sweat when I think about having to rip out a few rows and then figure out what the hell to do next. So, needless to say, I've put that project down for a few days.

Instead, I cast on for my brother's Entrelac Scarf.

I'm using Noro Silk Garden which looks and feels nice except for the occasional weird abnormality that I encounter in the skein. For the pattern I just cast on 18 stitches and made 3 triangles and went from there. This is my first entrelac project and I'm totally addicted. I'm about 1/3 of the way done with this scarf then I want one for myself and for Adam and for my mailman and for...........

And finally, much to his glee, I've reacquainted myself with Adam's socks. I had been frustrated with it, not quite sure how to proceed with this whole Magic Loop thing but then Cici saved me at last week's Sit 'n' Knit and by George, I think I've got it.

Yay!

2007-10-02T16:44:00.000-04:00

I finally got into Ravelry! I'm still figuring stuff out but I can tell it's going to be eating up a lot of my should-be-studying time. My name on Ravelry is Rivka. Fun!

Making plans

2007-09-26T10:53:00.000-04:00

Okay I swear I won't actually cast on for anything new until I've finished at least a couple of things I'm working on but there's no harm in planning out my next projects, right?

In Asheville a couple weeks ago I went to the wonderful Earth Guild where I bought some roving to try needle felting and some pretty nubbly cotton yarn that was $4.80 for 328 yards (!!!). I was wondering about the perfect pattern for this stuff and *drum roll* I HAVE FOUND IT.

It's Memories of Ukraine from the beautiful book The Natural Knitter which I bought a few days ago mainly for this pattern although there are other definite possibilities in it. The original sweater is made in linen so I thought cotton would work out well. Due to my intensely pathetic photography skills, you can't see that the sweater has a very appealing texture that I hope will be perfect with this yarn. And quite possibly the BEST PART ABOUT THIS SWEATER is that it's top down with no, that's right NO, sewing at the end. You just block it and wear it. Shazam!

Also....

I'm very into berets right now. A while back I bought some lovely Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk sport weight with the express purpose of turning it into a beret. I love Grumperina and her patterns, but the picture of her Art Deco Beret in the Fall 07 Knitscene did not excite me. Something about the variegated purple with purple beads and it looked so large. Then I saw this. Now I have decided I want this beret. I think the pale pink with purple beads will look nice, what do you think?

(sorry for crappy picture! I don't know how to improve!!)

This next one is also a beret but I'm VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. I don't know if I should even talk about it before I make it since there's a very good chance it will turn out horribly. But I think it's fate...First I bought a plain wool beret at a thrift shop and decided I wanted some kind of embellishment for it. Then I bought some wool roving at Earth Guild in these colors to experiment with needle felting:

Then I saw this AWESOME IDEA in Interweave Felt (a special issue) that I had to had to make and it just happens to use the exact colors I bought.

I'll let you know how it goes. Any tips for needle felting?

Bored

2007-09-20T17:10:00.000-04:00

I'm bored with all my projects. It's all I can do to keep from casting on for something new but then that would be, oh, 6 active projects at once and I can't handle that. Here's a glimpse of what's boring me these days...

I've finished the back and just about finished the right front of my Hideout Coat from the Fall 07 Knitscene.

It's a quick knit but it's been put on the back burner until the weather cools down more due to its largeness. Also, I have been bit in the butt by my cheapness. Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. How can something that's 75% acrylic felt so easily as I'm knitting with it? Knitting this is soooo mindless but after working on it for an hour it's too big to be very portable so I pick it up during especially mind-boggling episodes of the X-Files.

Moving on.

The Chelsea Sweater from the loverly Twinkle Big City Knits. I really do like it. It fits nicely, the yarn is soft. I just hate setting in sleeves! I've done the one as you can see and the other is just sitting there patiently for me but there's just this mental block. Another issue: why, oh why, did I think that sage green and deep violet would look good as the edging on my coral cardigan? I'm thinking I'm going to have to rip out the purple and just have the green. Yes?

I've made good progress on my dad's Sinead Scarf from the Berroco website. I do like the pattern and when I actually sit down with it I can pump a good deal out. I guess subconsciously I've decided that since I'm more than halfway done and it's only SEPTEMBER I can take a break, right? I mean, see how it stretches all the way across my ugly yellow chair?

This is me thinking can I get away with it only being 50"? (It's a little over 30" now).

=-)

2007-09-20T16:50:00.000-04:00

Apparently my lovely knitting buddies CiCi and Chelette tagged me as a !! Thanks ladies, you rock too!!!

A couple of hats

2007-09-18T09:49:00.000-04:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I like making hats. They're quick, useful, and creative. This past week I made 2 fun hats from patterns that I loved. I will definitely be making more than one of each of these patterns for gifts and for myself!

Pattern: Odessa by Grumperina
Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK, color 525, 1 ball
Beads: size 6
Needles: Susan Bates 16" circulars #4, #6
Started: 9/14/07 Finished: 9/18/07
Recipient: undisclosed for now :-)
Modifications: none! I love this pattern!

Pattern: Crochet Hat from Classic Elite Uptown Knitting book
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton, color 39014, 1 ball
Hook: Susan Bates 7
Started: 9/10/07 Finished: 9/10/07 (about 2 hours!)
Recipient: me
Mods: hook size

I made one of these hats for the shop one day at work (out of the lovely Classic Elite Lush that the pattern calls for) and it took me around 2 hours start to finish. I thought it was super cute so I made one for myself the next day out of some of my DB Cotton. I started it before my first class on Monday and had finished it by lunchtime!

P.S. Sorry my photography sucks. It is my goal to become a better photographer!!

9223 people are ahead of you in line

2007-09-13T09:07:00.000-04:00

I guess that's what I get for signing up for Ravelry so late. But damn I didn't even know there were that many knitters in the world! It's just as well, though, since I really don't need yet another distraction from the things I should be doing such as school work. But I'm jealous of everyone who's talking about how much fun Ravelry is!

This weekend Adam and I are going to Asheville and Boone, North Carolina to check out a graduate school for me (Appalacian State), a Farm Festival in Boone, a Folk School, and other fun stuff. I'm planning on taking a lot of knitting and visiting some of the awesome fiber shops in the area. I'll let you know what I find!

Eating my words

2007-09-09T10:22:00.000-04:00

Okay, can someone PLEASE tell me what the big deal about socks is? For some reason, everyone and their mother is obsessed with socks and seems to be knitting almost exclusively socks. What's the big deal? Just that they're portable? Lots of projects are portable. Why spend so much energy and hurt your hands working on teeny weeny needles when they're just going to go in a shoe? Maybe I'll change my mind and eat my words someday but right now I think there are many things more interesting than socks. Geez!

-Me, June 24, 2007

Okay, okay. Socks are pretty fun. I'm really enjoying making Adam's socks on the Magic Loop and yesterday I found myself lingering a little more than usual near the sock yarn contemplating my next pair. I'm on the heel flap now, almost to the heel turn and what can I say? I LIKE SOCKS. THERE I SAID IT, HAPPY?! Now in no way will this become an exclusively sock-focused blog like so many out there. But there is something so satisfying about those teeny tiny little stitches. Here's progress...

And I finished my mom's knitting needle holder and gave it to her yesterday (her birthday was Aug. 29). She was very excited and I was pretty pleased with it, it being one of my first sewing projects. I'm going to make some more once I get around to it. The pattern is from the first Stitch 'n' Bitch book.

Oh! And in non-knitting related news, Adam finished the AWESOME PINK BIKE he was building for me!

Giving in to peer pressure

2007-09-06T09:25:00.000-04:00

Socks. Everybody seems to be obsessed. Why, I ask? I'm still not sure, but I have started my first pair of sock-weight yarn socks. My co-worker Pat (I feel weird calling her that since she's lightyears ahead of me) taught me the Magic Loop last night and so I'm about an inch into Adam's socks. I like this method because (1) I really dislike DPNs and (2) I only had to buy one needle! I'm using a 40" #1 Addi Turbo and I'm using the Opal Hundertwassers yarn which I gotta say I'm digging. Adam picked out the color...dark blue but with the awesome designs found in this yarn. So, so far so good. I'll keep you posted.

Last Day of Freedom

2007-08-28T11:45:00.001-04:00

Today is the last day of my summer vacation. Tomorrow is the first day of my last semester at the University of Maryland. I'm anxious to get it over with but it means *tear* possibly less time to knit.

I've been incredibly lazy with this blog. No photos, paltry posts. So here are some pics of my progress on various projects...

The Chelsea Sweater minus crocheted edging, with one sleeve semi-set in.

My dad's scarf. No, it's not the Forbes Forest scarf, after all. It's a free pattern from the Berroco website, using the Sinead cable pattern. I was just browsing their website since I LOVE their free patterns and I found this cable so striking. Plus it's in worsted weight yarn (I'm using a bright green shade of Berroco Love It--color in photo not accurate) so it's going faster than the Forbes Forest in sport weight would. So far, I've finished one repeat of the pattern (62 rows).

I'm also showcasing my pathetic sewing skills by making my mom a knitting needle case for her birthday. The pattern is from the first Stitch 'n' Bitch book, and it's pretty easy but my sewing machine started pissing me off so I'm taking a break right now.

I visited my Grandma in Montauk over the weekend and she loved her lap blanket. I didn't have a camera so I didn't get a picture of her with it but here's a (bad) picture of it before it was totally done.

Pattern: Feather and Fan Encore 8-Hour Baby Blanket

Yarn: Berroco Comfort (50% Acrylic/50% Nylon), color 9753 Aegean Sea , 4 skeins

Needles: Clover 24" #13 circulars

Started: 8/8/07 Finished: 8/13/07

Recipient: Grandma

And there was a lovely yarn shop in Montauk called Purl by the Sea. They carried some great stuff, including Rowan and Blue Sky Alpacas which my shop doesn't have, so I bought a few skeins. 2 skeins of Blue Sky sport weight Alpaca Silk in a lovely peach color for a tam, and 2 skeins of Rowan Cashsoft DK for 2 Odessa hats (recipients undecided).

I <3 Chunky

2007-08-19T10:23:00.000-04:00

Lotta knitting going on up in here. Unfortunately, Adam has gone backpacking with his dad until for the weekend and taken the camera with him but I will insert appropriate pictures into this blog when he returns, I promise!

I ventured into my first project from Big City Knits on Friday. I cast on for the Chelsea Sweater using 4 strands of Knit Picks Shine Sport and, since I was home visiting my parents, I sat and knit for a satisfying amount of time with my mom (who, I'm pleased to announce, is nearly as addicted as I am now. She is now diving into her first project that incorporates lace). SOoOOO...after a few solid hours of knitting on Friday and a couple yesterday, I have...get this...finished knitting the entire thing! I just need to set in the sleeves (grumble) and do the crocheted edging and...I will have finished an entire sweater in about 3 days. It makes me sweat with glee. That, my friends, is one fast project. I just reeeeally hope I actually like it. About an hour into the project, I realized I don't really like this color that much. I've been very into coral lately but this color combined with a big lace pattern looks quite grandma-esque. And don't get me wrong, I usually totally love the grandma look. We'll just have to see.

Inspired by the literally instant results of the Chelsea Sweater, I swatched for and started the Hideout Coat this morning. I'm using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Navy. To all of those yarn snobs out there who scoff at Lion Brand, I thumb my nose at you. This stuff is soft and pretty and inexpensive. Not to mention, it comes in great colors that I foresee being used for more projects from Big City Knits. So what if it's mostly acrylic? It doesn't get that cold around here anyway. And it's washable!

I have a feeling that after all of these burly projects, my fingers are going to be itching for something fine and delicate. So I have my pretty pretty turquoise Lacey Lamb sitting there waiting for Eunny Jang's Print o' the Wave Stole.

I'm pretty comfortable with lace, but this is going to be my first real lace undertaking with lace-weight yarn and all that jazz. I'm a little nervous but mostly excited. This project, however, will have to wait until I have a few Christmas scarves under my belt. I have the projects picked out for most people, but I was still unsure of the pattern for my dad. I was intending to do the Forbes Forest scarf from Scarf Style but after starting with some charcoal gray Frog Tree Alpaca, I just wasn't sure. Then I found Grumperina's comments about it, and she has inspired me once again to do this project. It really is such an attractive scarf. I think that my yarn choice was too dark, so I'm going to exchange it for a lighter gray, teach myself to cable without a cable needle, and get to it.

I'm going to the beach next week for a few days...does anyone have any advice for knitting on the beach without getting sand into it?

Giving some away, taking some in

2007-08-12T19:56:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my family had a get-together at my parents' house near Gettysburg, PA. I was able to give my little cousin Sami the hat I knit for her and my Great Aunt Yetta the Sweet Pea Shawl. They both were very excited. I didn't have my camera but I think someone else took some photos so hopefully I can post some soon.

When I returned home, my Knit Picks package was waiting for me. 12 gorgeous skeins of Shine Sport in Coral, 1 each in Silver Sage and Violet, and 6 colors of Palette for a Fair Isle tam.

I'm 3/4 of the way done with my Grandma's blanket. I'm doing the Feather and Fan pattern of the Encore 8-hour Baby Blanket. I timed myself for the first half and I've gotten off track with the timing since then but the first half took me about 4 hours and 15 minutes, so I estimate that the whole thing will take me around 8 hours! I love these instant gratification projects. Recommend this pattern to anyone who needs a last minute gift.

Also making good progress on the Branching Out scarf. This is the second time I've done this pattern, but I'm using a different yarn. It's hard to see the pattern without blocking but I think it will look nice.

I've also decided against the Tear Drop scarf for my mom since she requested something else. So I ripped out what I had so far and am going to use the gorgeous turquoise Lacey Lamb for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out of Control

2007-08-08T11:08:00.000-04:00

Is it possible that I could have cast on for another project? Yes, yes it is. But this one is for a good reason. My grandmother had a small stroke last Saturday. Luckily it looks like she is going to make a full recovery but it was still scary. So I'm going to knit her a little something--a lap blanket since she spends most of the day in her chair and gets a little chilly. The pattern? The Plymouth Encore 8-hour Baby Blanket. Not just for babies anymore! I've been recommending these patterns to customers for a while now. Quick, fun knits with 2 strands of worsted weight and fat needles. They're the perfect size for lap blankets too. I'm using Berroco Comfort (50% acrylic 50% nylon) which is really soft and squishy--a pleasure to knit with. AND I'm curious about this whole 8 hour thing, so I'm logging in my knitting time each time I pick up the needles. So far, I'm at 134 minutes = 2.23 hours and I'm at a healthy 9+ inches which is about a quarter of the way done which MEANS that I'm right on track.

So now I'm up to 6 count them 6 active projects. That doesn't include the several projects I've put down for a while. This is 6 projects that I work on at least once every couple of days. I do not like having 6 active projects. Therefore, I will not cast on for a new one (ha ha) until at least 5 of these are done. Again, ha ha.

Entirely Too Much Yarn

2007-08-05T20:10:00.000-04:00

"Having an employee discount means it's your DUTY to buy too much yarn! Not doing so would anger the yarn gods. :D" -Cyn, of Half-Assed Knits fame

I suppose it was inevitable that I start going c.r.a.z.y. with the yarn purchases. Actually, my spending habits are still probably pretty tame compared to some out there but hey I'm still a college student with no $$$$ trying to save up for, you know, life? Every day at work is a constant battle to deny myself yarn. And lately there's been more giving in than resisiting.

Not only that, I've been buying yarn online. I get scolded by my bosses every time I mention it, but I can't resist the prices at Knit Picks. So I've been obsessing over the patterns in Twinkle's Big City Knits since I got in a couple of months ago, and the time is right that I start making some stuff! First project: The Chelsea Sweater

The patterns calls for 4 strands of Twinkle Cruise held together but I'm going to use Knit Picks Shine Sport, one of my favorite yarns. Can't wait for it to arrive! I also ordered some Palette (fingering weight wool) to make a fair isle beret. The Shine Sport is only $2.49/skein and the Palette is only $1.99/skein but I got...a lot...so it adds up you know?

And I've been agonizing over which yarn to use for the Groovy Sweater Dress...

...so I've decided to take the plunge and use the Twinkle Soft Chunky that it calls for, so it's going to be the most expensive project I've ever done. If you've noticed, I generally use yarns other than the ones called for in the pattern. Sometimes it's because I have a different yarn I'm dying to try or I like the thrill of the hunt for a good substitute, but usually it's because I'm cheap and I *must* be able to find a cheaper alternative, right? Well for this sweater I'm not going to unless I want it to look shitty so good bye budget! I'll make up for it by using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick for the Hideout Coat. Won't be as warm as all wool but it's a decent yarn with nice color choices.

3 new projects and Grecian Plaits

2007-08-02T20:38:00.000-04:00

I love days off from work! Today I cast on 3 count them 3 new projects:

A hat for my little cousin Sami

(Using a solid color and a variegated color of Laines du Nord Baby Cover, my own pattern)

A Fair Isle pillow

(Using Ella Rae Silkience, pattern is from a Vogue dress pattern)
Right now it looks like a jousting flag but it should look better once I get more diamonds worked up.

And a Branching Out scarf for an undecided recipient. (No photo available yet as I have literally only cast on). Using a gorgeous purple shade of Classic Elite Miracle.

And here is the finished Grecian Plaits top, still not blocked. Actually don't look too closely at the photo since I haven't even finished weaving in the ends yet.

Pattern: Grecian Plaits by Lily Chin from Summer 07 Knitter's Magazine, size Small

Yarn: Plymouth Royal Bamboo, color 23, 8 balls (93 yds/50 grams)

Needles: Addi Turbo 24" circulars, #6, #7, #8, Brittany cable needles

Started: 6/25/07 Finished: 7/31/07

Changes made: Yarn used, shortened yoke, made fewer increases, left out "side seam"

Recipient: Me!

Goal!

2007-08-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

Well, I successfully stuck to my deadline and finished the Grecian Plaits top last night. Unfortunately, however, I didn't have time to block it so it looks like I won't be wearing it today. It's just as well, though, because I read on a few blogs that it takes days for the Royal Bamboo to dry while it's blocking so I wouldn't have been able to wear it today anyway.

It looks nice but it definitely needs to be blocked. Adam took the camera for the day so I'll take a photo tonight.

Now comes the fun part of deciding which project to start next. I've had the yarn for the Katharine Hepburn Cardigan for a while so maybe I'll start that. Or maybe I should bunker down and get serious about holiday scarves. *Sigh* So many possibilities.

Oh and starting on Saturday, A Tangled Skein is putting all of its cotton and linen on sale. I think I'm going to give myself an ulcer buying Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton and other favorites. I must admit, I've been buying a bit more yarn lately than I like but I justify it to myself because when else in my life am I going to be an employee at a yarn shop and get a discount?

Goal

2007-07-30T21:36:00.000-04:00

Glancing at my blog, I see that I haven't had any real significant FO's in a long time. I know, I know, it's not *all about* the end results, but it does feel nice to finish something. So I have set the goal to finish the Grecian Plaits by WEDNESDAY and wear it to Sit 'n' Knit. I tend to work well with deadlines. Much like when I keep putting off that 15 page paper until the night before it's due because I just love the thrill!!

So I have only 20 rows left. Of course with the increases the rows are getting longer and longer but it's just stockinette so I can do it. It needs to be blocked too so I need to factor in that time.

I'm relatively pleased with how it looks so far. I've finally started utilizing the *wonderful* idea of using waste yarn to actually try it on instead of just going along blindly hoping to God that it fits. And so the top fits very well, and that's good. The problem is, however, that this yarn has such perfect stitch definition that any slightly sloppy looking stitch is very noticeable. At least to me.

I also want to change my blog name. (Just like Knerdy). Because I'm tired of it and it's long! I can't think of anything though. Ideas?

Ooooh

2007-07-27T17:49:00.000-04:00

Um excuse me, has anyone noticed how awesome Norah Gaughan is? She's one of my favorite knitwear designers these days. Her patterns are imaginative, creative, and gorgeous. Last week at the yarn shop we got a new pattern booklet put out by Berroco designed exclusively by Ms. Gaughan. And wowza. I want to make everything in it! Everyone must get a copy of Norah Gaughan Vol. 1!! A small sampling of what I'm drooling over:

Many of the patterns in the booklet are made from Ultra Alpaca Light which is also what the Intricate Stag Bag is made from. And guess what? It's only $5.50/skein! Woo hoo. There are so many freakin' things I want to knit, I'm going crazy.

I'm nearing the finish line on my Grecian Plaits top. Can't wait til it's done! Then I can start something new.

Makin' Progress...

2007-07-23T21:03:00.000-04:00

I've been working solely on the Grecian Plaits top this week although my free time in the last couple of days has been devoted to a Mr. Harry Potter.

I've been making alterations to this pattern left and right. Nothing too drastic. I figured that since I shortened the yoke so much I should somehow alter the rest of the sizing. I'm no math whiz (to say the least) so I was uncomfortable picking up fewer stitches than called for so I left out a couple increase rows. I also decided to leave out the garter stitch armhole border...for now. If it looks too "unfinished" I'll pick up stitches later or perhaps crochet an edging. The other day I made it down to below my bust and then put it on waste yarn to try it on. I think it fit pretty well. So I proceeded and now I'm almost done with the waist cable. Then it's straight shot stockinette with a couple increases. I usually hate lots and lots of St st but when the yarn is so delectable I let it slide.

Pics to come when I get over my laziness and put it on waste yarn again.

Ripping Good Time

2007-07-18T22:42:00.000-04:00

Did you know that a double crochet (dc) in a British pattern is a single crochet (sc) in the U.S.? Because I didn't. So I was crocheting along happy as a clam here in the good ol' US of A on a Sirdar baby dress for the shop when I thought ...this looks a little large. A Google search later and *oops* I have to rip it all out. But it doesn't make sense...why do the Brits skip a single crochet and go right to double? And, if these patterns are going to be sold in the U.S., why isn't there some kind of note about it? We're not talking centimeters to inches here; we're talking a significant disparity. I'm not one of those Americans who expects everyone to speak English wherever I am in the world or anything like that...but would it be that hard to have some kind of conversion chart? I mean, I had to rip back pretty far.

Okay, enough bitching.

In other ripping news, I faced my demons and shortened the yoke for the Grecian Plaits top. I didn't measure (stupid?) but I tore out about 5-6 inches (about 13-15 centimeters....see it wasn't so hard to convert!!), and now the yoke looks a reasonable size.

I'm hoping that I won't regret it later although I can always go back...again...and redo it...again. But for some reason I don't think I'd have the wherewithal to do that. I think it would end up in the "WIPs bin"...for a long time.

I cast on for the Teardrop scarf tonight. I hope I enjoy this pattern. It's lace but it's boring lace. I had to cast on 326 stitches (teeny stitches with teeny yarn) so each row takes me a really long time. And so far, the only lace is at the ends and the rest straight knitting. I do like the Lacey Lamb though. And I learned how to add beads while knitting (without pre-stringing) with a dental floss threader. Genius! Pictures to come when I make some progress worth photographing.

I know when to accept defeat.

2007-07-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

I finished the yoke for the Grecian Plaits top. Sort of. I followed the directions exactly. It is 46" long just like the directions said. I grafted the two sides together. But it just looks ridiculously big. So the question is: do I keep following the pattern and hope it turns out or do I rip back to a size that seems more reasonable? The smallest size given in the pattern is 37 1/2" bust and I usually make a 32" or so. All I know is that right now I can't visualize how this will ever work.

Today I'm teaching my first kid's crochet class. I made two little projects for them to try. A twisty scarf that just uses chains and single crochets.

(Pattern: Rivka original; Yarn used: Plymouth Boku)

And a little purse.

(Pattern: Rivka original; Yarn used: Debbie Bliss SoHo)

Hope it goes well!

So busy

2007-07-11T11:04:00.000-04:00

I've been so busy the past couple of weeks. Working every single day at 2 different places (Yarn shop plus I help out at Vertigo Books when the owners go out of town). So I've hardly had any time to knit. Well, that's not true. I knit a lot at work, but it's store models and models for the class I'm going to teach. I'm teaching a kid's crochet workshop this Saturday. My first kids class! I'm so nervous. I'm making a scarf that they can make for their first project. It only takes chains and single crochets but it makes this cool swirl effect.

I've also been working on a baby sweater with booties for a shop model to show off Phildar Eponge. It's a really fun yarn, and the pattern is very simple, but it just doesn't want to get done.

At work they let me choose what to make in the way of models, so my next choice will be something I find more interesting. What I'd really like, however, is to have time to work on my ever-growing stack of WIPs. I seem to have set aside the Lacy Hug-me-tight for the time being, but I'm still chugging along on the yoke for the Grecian Plaits top. I'm concerned about the fitting for this. I still have a good 10 inches to go on the yoke but it already seems to be just about the size I want. I don't want it to be loose. I'm going to keep trusting the pattern for now and see what happens.

My copy of Scarf Style is now on the way after I found it on Interweave's wonderful Hurt Book Sale. I got both Scarf Style AND Wrap Style for $15 together!!! I'm so excited. Once that comes, the scarves shall commence. I can start the Teardrop scarf anytime since I have the pattern and that pretty turquoise Lacey Lamb is on the shelf in the shop waiting for me. Just have to get the beads. Actually, I'm going to go to Jo-Anns (blech) right now. Hey, it's all I have in this town.

I enjoy knitting

2007-07-07T19:57:00.000-04:00

Nothing too exciting going on. I'm making some washcloths for Adam's mom for her birthday and I'll pair them with a bar of handmade soap (not made by me of course). Here's 2 of the cloths.

Turquoise Cloth...
Pattern: Leaf-Patterned Dishcloth from Things Stitched
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic, color 3816
Needles: Size 5

Blue Cloth...
Pattern: Travelling Vine Cloth from Smariek Knits
Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Ty-Dy, color 631
Needles: Size 5

The original plan was to make her the Tutu Tea Cozy from Knit 2 Together but I think it looks funny. I haven't added all of the ruffles yet...

If I can make it look presentable I'll give it to my mom for her birthday (I was planning on making her one anyway). I'm also going to make my mom a hand-sewn knitting needle roll since she's on a roll with her knitting! I'm so proud of my mom--she's made a gorgeous felted bag, a vest, and another bag is on the way!

I finished my dad's clogs. Just need to felt them. And I made a really cute wine bottle cozy for my brother for his birthday. I crocheted it out of some Lion Brand Wool-Ease from my stash and added some knitted leaves and grapes from the Holly and Berries pattern in Nicky Epstein's Knitting Over the Edge. Unfortunately my camera was misplaced when I gave it to him so hopefully I can get a picture at some point.

I also started the lace border of my Lacy Hug-Me-Tight. It's an interesting lace with fun doughnut shapes.

Oh and I think I'm going to use Ella Rae Classic for the Hideout Coat. I've swatched some in my stash and if I hold 3 strands together, it's just right.

Winter..?

2007-07-03T17:39:00.000-04:00

Okay, I hate cold weather. But I kind of wish winter would hurry up. Just because there's so many great cold-weather patterns that I want to make. All of those incredible chunky sweaters from Big City Knits. And my latest obsession, the Hideout Coat from the Fall issue of Knitscene.

It's just such a great coat. And I've decided on a scarf for my mom (I'm going to start the scarves soon): the Teardrop Scarf from the same issue of Knitscene. One ball of Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb which is really great stuff. And it's knit sideways which is intriguing. With beads.

ahhhh :-)

2007-06-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, I've gotten the cable pattern for Grecian Plaits worked out. Now I never want to put it down. Have I mentioned how great this yarn is? Oh, yes, I have. Once again, everyone needs to get their hands on this Royal Bamboo (Plymouth). I really like the way it holds a cable pattern, too. See?

On Wednesdays at A Tangled Skein there is "Sit 'n' Knit" from 7-9. I LOVE working at that time! We have such a great group of people who come to hang out (like CICI who was so nice to leave me all of those great comments!!!!!!!!). Everyone gives each other great positive feedback and advice. It's just a good time. Come check it out if you're in the area.

My mind has become obsessed about the idea of Christmas scarves. I'm literally losing sleep over it. That can't be healthy. Which pattern? Which yarn? I can't use a nicer yarn for mom's scarf because then dad will be jealous. Ahhh! I figure the only way to soothe my over-knitted brain is to get started on this endeavor. After all, once school starts again I'll hardly have enough time to knit. Plus I need...how many?? Mom, Dad, Josh, Adam, Adam's parents, his sister, his grandparents....?? Ok let's just start with the nuclear family for now. Uh oh...the WIPs are piling up again.......

S'il vous PLAIT

2007-06-25T19:51:00.000-04:00

I cast on for the Grecian Plaits top today. Don't worry--the various gifts are still on track. I just wanted to get my hands on that oh-so-soft Royal Bamboo. The yarn does split a little bit but it's just so luscious that I forgive its faults. Now, as for the pattern, I wish that the cable pattern were clearer. I usually assume that Row 1 is the right side and that the even rows are the wrong side. However, the cables in the chart are in Rows 2 and 6. So after knitting one pattern repeat, I'm definitely going to have to make the odd rows the wrong side. No biggie...I'm only 8 rows in. This is a top-down top which I've never really done before. I knit the cable yoke, grafting the beginning to the end, then pick up stitches and work my way down.

I also swatched for my Katharine Hepburn Cardigan. I'm using Knit Picks Shine Sport and oh boy is this stuff soft! The cable/lace pattern is straightforward enough, and my gauge was correct so that project's a go when the time comes. I'm doing the cropped version because (1) I think it's more unique and (2) it takes less yarn! Not that it would really matter with the Shine Sport. It's what like $2.50 a skein? Not bad for delicious Pima cotton and Modal. It's going to be a joy to work with.

Socks?!?

2007-06-24T11:03:00.000-04:00

New Project, ahoy!

2007-06-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

Please note new project added to "Queue". Aka I just bought the yarn and I'm very excited to do this little number.

I've finally found a project worthy of the Royal Bamboo, one of the softest, shiniest, most lovely yarns known to mankind (er, to me). I've chosen a pretty mint green, and I'm spending a bit more than I normally would for a tank top but, hey, what are birthday gift certificates for?

It's "Grecian Plaits" by Lily Chin from the Summer 07 issue of Knitter's Magazine. I absolutely hate everything else in this issue but this one pattern made it worth it to me.

I'll swatch it tonight but I MUST finish various gifts before embarking. *Sigh*

Making progress...

2007-06-19T18:01:00.000-04:00

I made some progress this past weekend on my Lacy Hug-Me-Tight although not as much as I'd like. I just get bored doing nothing but ribbing! But I really like the way it's starting to look. I'm happy with my yarn choice.

Something's screwy with my Dad's clogs. I'm doing the 3 needle bind off with the double sole and I've run out of stitches on one of my needles. In fact I just can't make out what the sole is supposed to look like. I think I'll have to redo it. I was watching a movie as I knit the second sole so I didn't count as accurately.

Adam's foot showing how large slipper is

I know that felting hides lots of boo boos, but I don't want one clog to look better than the other. Mom and Dad and leaving for Europe in a few days, so he's not expecting his present until after he gets back, giving me some more time.

I've decided to do scarves scarves scarves for Christmas presents this year. I just LOVE the book Scarf Style. I've mostly stayed away from scarves for most of my knitting career because I thought they had to be boring but these are fabulous. For Dad and brother, cabled scarves in soft alpaca. For mom, something lacy perhaps. Adam wants an entrelac scarf and so do I since there is an AWESOME dramatic entrelac stole in the book.

I have a while before Christmas but scarves take a while don't they...and matching hats?

Gift emergency!

2007-06-12T17:09:00.000-04:00

It dawned on me a couple of days ago as I was happily knitting away on projects for myself, that (1) Father's Day, (2) My brother's birthday, and (3) Adam's mom's birthday are all coming up in the next few weeks. So I've put all projects aside and started those things.

For dad, I'm making the Fiber Trends felted clogs. I'm just about done with the first clog and it only took me about a day so that's good. I know he'll like them...when he came into the shop last week and saw the model, he promptly demanded a pair. They'll probably be a bit warm for summer but he can just look at them until fall. Pre-felting, the clog is comically huge. Adam is in disbelief, but I assure him that it will fit a normal human-sized foot once I put it in the washer.

As for my brother and Adam's mom's (Sue's) gifts, in the off chance that they happen upon my blog, I shall disclose the information at a later date. Suffice it to say that I'm very excited to make Sue's present as it is a pattern that I have long desired to do. And the yarn is very pretty.

shawl done!

2007-06-10T09:29:00.001-04:00

I've finished the Sweet Pea Shawl! What a quick project. It took me 5 days and that's without working on it consistently. I really think my aunt will like it. It's so shiny and pretty. I've decided to leave the fringe off because I like it the way it is. I don't think I'll be able to give it to her until August but I'll post some pics of her modeling it. Until then, I'll have to do.

Pattern: Sweet Pea Shawl from SnB The Happy Hooker

Yarn: Ella Rae Silkience, color 5, 5 skeins

Hook: Size 8/H

Started: 6/5 Finished: 6/10

Recipient: My great aunt Yetta

Changes made: Yarn used, hook size, left off fringe

I've also cast on for the Lacy Hug-me-tight from Knit 2 Together.

I'm using a very different yarn than the pattern calls for. They say to use Blue Sky Alpaca but I'm using Maggi's Linen, a linen/cotton blend that has 3 unplied strands that creates a rustic slightly thick and thin look that I think will look really nice with this project. My gauge was spot on so we're on our way.

The construction is much like my Retro Redux Shrug: one big rectangle folded in half and the sleeves sewn, with a border around the whole thing. So I do 21" of 2x2 rib and then I knit separately a long strip of lace that I then sew to the border.

For others

2007-06-05T18:22:00.000-04:00

I was working in the yarn shop the other day, trying to decide what project to start next, and my dear old Tante Yetta popped into my head. She's the one who taught me how to crochet. And she came to my birthday dinner on Saturday and gave me two wonderful cookbooks. So I've decided I want to crochet her something. I'm now well into the Sweet Pea Shawl from The Happy Hooker and it's a pretty mindless pattern that I hope will look pretty when it's done. I'm using Silkience again, this time in turquoise, her favorite color. I wanted to try out a new yarn for this project but nothing was as shiny and the right color as Silkience so there ya go.

I've also promised a hat for my little cousin Sami. When she visited the shop on Saturday she picked out some yarn she likes, Lain du Nord Baby Cover in shades of lavender. So I'm going to make her a simple ribbed hat with a pom pom on top.

I don't make things for other people nearly as often as I should. It is so nice to make people feel appreciated plus it motivates me to finish faster. After seeing how ecstatic my mom was with the Short 'n' Sweet bolero, I decided that not everything I make has to be for myself.

Oh, and here's a washcloth I finished a while back. Haven't gotten around to making more yet, but I have the patterns picked out.

Novella Socks...done!

2007-06-03T09:06:00.000-04:00

Here they are.

In retrospect, I would have used a lighter colored yarn to better show off the cables, but I like them very much. I wore them yesterday (MY BIRTHDAY, see below). I only barely needed the 4th skein, but, hey, what can you do.

Pattern: Novella Socks from Knit 2 Together

Yarn: Ella Rae Silkience, color 7, 4 skeins

Needles: #3 circular, #2 and #3 DPNs

Started: 4/19 Finished: 6/1

Recipient: Me!

Changes made: Yarn used, needle size, used circulars for entire sock until heel

In other news, I had a great birthday. My parents gave me an EXTREMELY generous gift certificate to A Tangled Skein, my LYS and place of work. ALSO, I got Twinkle's Big City Knits which is everything I hoped for and more. I want to make literally every project in this book. I do understand, however, people's complaints about the sizing. In one of the projects, the Twiggy Tunic, the LARGEST SIZE is a 26" bust. WHHHHHHAAAT? I'm small, but not THAT small. I guess it stretches...a lot. But this book makes me wish it were winter just so I could wear some of it. Of course I'll probably use substitutes for the Twinkle yarn (which she graciously provides recommendations for) since a minuscule ball of Soft Chunky is like 20 bucks. I also got Rowan's Romantic Knits, mainly for the Butterfly Dress pattern but there are some other cute things in there too. And Adam got me some yarn that I requested from Knit Picks: red Shine Sport for the Katherine Hepburn cardigan and some lace weight merino for the Butterfly Dress! So I'm LITERALLY rolling in yarn right now. I don't know what to start next!

Warshcloths

2007-05-30T20:18:00.000-04:00

Okay, I don't have a dishwasher. Thus, what with work and other activities, the dishes tend to pile up a bit more than I'd like (hey, I'm a college student). So maybe, just maybe, if I knit some cute dishcloths, I'll be inspired to wash my dishes more regularly! Reading Mason Dixon knitting has made me recognize the importance of the hand-knit "warshcloth", so I'll knit a few. I hope to stash bust some cotton but I just love the Tahki Cotton Classic. It's not expensive, and it's so pretty and glossy.

In other news, I'm just about done with my second Novella sock. Just have to do the heel and instep. Yippee.

Also, swatching for the Short Sleeved Blouson has revealed that I need to go down to a #3 needle...maybe even a #2! This creates general malaise regarding the project...straight up stockinette stitch on size 2s???? GAG ME WITH A SPOON! Maybe I'll just sit down, watch all three Lord of the Rings, and knit til the cows come home.

I looked at the Summer Interweave Knits and nothing really excites me in it. Phew, that's a relief. I don't think my brain can handle any more projects in "the queue". I REALLY want to make something out of bamboo. The Yummy, Royal Bamboo, and Just Bamboo are so purdy.

shrug

2007-05-23T19:33:00.000-04:00

I finished the Retro Redux Shrug. What a quick pattern! I cast on for it at last Wednesday's Sit 'n' Knit and finished it in time to wear to work today! And it only took 2 skeins! I didn't like the way the ribbing looked on size 8 so I did it in 7 and I didn't have size 9 straights so I went from 8 to 10. I'm quite happy with it.

Pattern: Retro Redux Shrug from Lace Style

Yarn: Ella Rae Silkience, color 14 black, 2 skeins

Needles: Sizes 7, 8, 10, 10.5 straights, size 7 24" circular

Started: 5/16 Finished: 5/23

Recipient: Me!

Changes made: Yarn used, needle sizes, length and ribbing length

Stash busting

2007-05-21T21:21:00.000-04:00

As I contemplate new projects, I've decided I need to do some serious stash busting in order to justify my buying of new yarns. Bags, pillow, and small projects come to mind. One definitely queued item is the Larger than Life bag from the Spring 07 Interweave Crochet, or some variation of it. It's constructed from pretty crocheted squares in whatever color you choose. I can use up some single skeins of worsted that I have lying around.

I just got this Summer issue of knit.1 (from Vogue) and I really like this issue. Not only are a lot of the patterns cute, but it's all about being environmentally savvy with your knitting. Using yarns made from corn and soy and reusing stuff. Buying thrift shop sweaters and unraveling them, cutting up old t shirts for yarn, using garbage bags to make a knitted bag (hmm...) Plus, for stash busting sake, there's a cute jumper pattern using Lion Homespun which I already own! A whole dress with 3 skeins? I don't see why I shouldn't.

The Retro Redux Shrug is coming along nicely. Almost done in fact. Adam broke his collarbone on Friday so I've had plenty of time to knit while waiting on him. This is one of the fastest patterns I've ever made. I hope it fits!

Retro

2007-05-17T22:19:00.000-04:00

I cast on for the Retro Redux Shrug from Lace Style today. I'm using Silkience (again!) in black, resurrecting my desire for a go-with-everything black shoulder-cover-up type thing. I love this pattern. Pure genius and SO SIMPLE. You cast on only 38 stitches (!!!), do some ribbing, then the brioche stitch maintaining the 38 stitches (!!!) and only changing needle sizes as you go. That's all the shaping involved! Then you fold it in half, stitch the sleeve seams, and do the ribbed edging by picking up stitches at the top and bottom. It's simple and it looks cool. I'm happy. And once I'm done with my LAST FINAL EXAM TOMORROW (!!!!!!!!!!), I can devote that much more time to knit knit knitting.

Fun in the sun

2007-05-15T07:12:00.000-04:00

Just in time for finals week, a hat to cover my hair so I don't have to shower. I finished the Fun in the Sun hat from Interweave Crochet. A few changes to the pattern: I did it in a solid color instead of stripes, didn't crochet through back loop only, and turned the hat inside out since right side out it looked like a derby.

Pattern: Fun in the Sun hat from Spring 07 Interweave Crochet

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton, color Spruce, 2 balls

Hook: Size G

Started: 5/5 Finished: 5/14

Now see all of my completed projects on my flickr site.

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-13T13:38:00.000-04:00

I finished the Short 'n' Sweet bolero and mom loved it! Since I had such a busy week, I had to finish it this morning, but I got it done in time for mom to wear it to lunch. She looks great it in (it fits! phew!) and I'm so glad.

Pattern: Short 'n' Sweet Bolero from The Happy Hooker

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, color My Blue Heaven, 4 skeins

Hook: Size H/8

Recipient: Mommy!

Also made dad a quickie bookmark to go with his birthday present (a book). Not my greatest achievement but it will serve its purpose.

Added to the knitting queue is the Lacy Hug-me-Tight from Knit 2 Together. It calls for an alpaca/silk blend but I think it would look smashing in Maggi's Linen, 50% linen, 50% cotton in either the dusty rose shade or the dramatic bright indigo. I was pretty much settled on the pink but then I saw the indigo and think it will make it that much more wow. The yarn is 3 strands that aren't plied and they have a thick and thin variation once in a while. It creates a really rustic yet pretty look.

Now that I've finished the bolero, I don't know what I'll start next. Today I hope to cast on for my second Novella sock.

Hats hats HATS

2007-05-07T12:02:00.000-04:00

I love making hats. Quick, easy, wearable. So when I was at work solo last Saturday as my bosses attended the Sheep and Wool festival, I started and almost finished the Fun in the Sun hat from the new Interweave Crochet. I'm using the yarn the pattern calls for, Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton, in a relaxing soft greenish color. This yarn is amazing! It's like no other cotton I've seen. It's soft and silky and just gorgeous.

(<--- Insert Brim Here) I'm also working on the Assymetrical Cable hat from One Skein in the Panache yarn from KnitPicks. Even though this yarn is thinner than the one called for, I had to go down a few needle sizes and hat sizes. But I like a tight hat anyway. It's a very very easy pattern that I can just work on when I want to relax.

However, I must resist distractions from the Short 'n' Sweet Bolero. This Sunday is Mother's Day!!! So, that's the priority now even though I don't even know where it is...hmm...

One down, one to go

2007-05-03T07:19:00.000-04:00

Note: I wrote this post a week ago but just found the time to take a picture.

I've finished one of my Novella socks, and I'm pretty pleased. I wish I had gone down a needle size for the heel/instep because it's a little baggy. Maybe I'll redo the ribbing on a size 2 and do the same on the other sock...if I ever get to it! I don't know if I like this thing where you feel like you're done with a project and then you have to do the whole thing again. But I think they'll look cute once I'm done so I'll start the other one today...maybe.

Pattern: Novella Socks from Knit 2 Together

Yarn: Ella Rae Silkience, color 7, so far 2 skeins

Needles: Size 3 circulars and DPNs

SOMEHOW I got TOMATO SAUCE on my sock! So like me. I really hope I can get it out without ruining the whole thing.

Novella

2007-04-26T13:47:00.000-04:00

What was I so worried about? The Novella socks are a joy to work up. As of now, I'm almost done with the third repeat of the cable pattern. I think I'll only do seven repeats instead of eight since I'm so small. Here's a couple of pics. The color of the yarn is not accurate. Sadly, the color of the legs is. I need sun.

Boo to Martine

2007-04-25T03:52:00.000-04:00

What was I thinking when I decided to start the Martine top? It's just Stockinette on little needles. It's boring and would take forever. So forget that...I'll find something more interesting.

Picked up the Novella Socks again and have finished ruffle and one Lattice cable pattern repeat on the first sock. I don't know what I was so worried about, it's fun. I think I can do the entire thing on circulars until the heel.

I'm up at 4 am because I have a cold and can't sleep. So I think about knitting. Wish my books from Amazon would come.

Crumbled

2007-04-22T19:03:00.000-04:00

I gave in to the inner nag and bought the black Silkience to start the Martine top today. After a quick swatch, I had to go down to size 4 needles instead of 6 since the Pure Silk is finer. It's a simple simple pattern...just Stockinette really. And I know that I want a black top, but knitting with black on this gorgeous sunny day seemed a little unethical.

So once I'm done with this I'll be ready to go back to patterns that make me want to cry like the Novella socks. They're not HARD, per se...I don't know why I'm having so much trouble.

Oh and I think I'm getting carpal tunnel syndrome or something... My right wrist and arm have started hurting more and more lately. Knit less you say? Never!!

Grumble

2007-04-22T10:12:00.000-04:00

So, I've started, ripped out, and restarted the Novella Socks 5 times. Why? Because for some FREAKIN' REASON, I keep twisting the stitches when I join in the round. I feel like an idiot. I've decided to at least start them on circulars instead of DPNs because I hate casting onto DPNs and I have to cast on 150 sts. I think I'm going to put this project down for a while.

What I REALLY want to do is this top from the new Debbie Bliss Summer Essentials book:

I want it in black, since I don't have a summer-weight dressy cardigan-type thing. I can't afford Pure Silk ($15.40/skein?) so I'm going to try to do it in the Silkience. My new favorite yarn.

I got my KnitPicks stuff yesterday. The chunky alpaca/cashmere/silk/merino (Panache) is loverly and that will become a hat and something else. The hat will definitely be the Asymmetrical Cable hat from One Skein. I don't really know why I got 3 skeins of this stuff. I guess there are always uses for chunky off white yarn.

The lace weight merino is lovely as well but it won't be right for the Lingerie Dress. Alas, I will have to buy the Douceur et Soie after all. Maybe I will try my hand at dyeing with this merino lace weight and do a huge shawl (that I will finish when I'm 50).

Tank finished

2007-04-15T10:20:00.000-04:00

I faced my frogging with fearless ferocity and finished it with finesse. It was annoying getting ALL of those stitches back on, untwisted but it worked out and finally my project was back on track. After that, the project took off and was a joy to do. I finished it yesterday and wore it to work where I was showered with compliments which was really nice! I like how it turned out.

Pattern: Ribs and Lace Tank from Spring 07 Interweave Knits

Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy, color Blueberry Fields, 3 balls

Needles: Size 10 and 4 circulars

Recipient: ME!

My frogging success inspired me to pick up those projects I've been neglecting since they had some problem or another. I fixed my Branching Out scarf and finished it! Here's a picture of it being blocked. Also got nice compliments on this at work.

Pattern: Branching Out from Knitty.com

Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too Douceur et Soie, color Ivory, 1 skein

Needles: Size 8

Recipient: Store model

Don't tell my bosses, but I bought some yarn off of KnitPicks.com the other day. I just couldn't resist...I got 100 grams/800+ yards of lace weight alpaca for 5 bucks! And some chunky alpaca/cashmere/silk blend for 5 bucks too. Can't beat that....

Also bought Lace Style which is a gorgeous book and I want to make EVERYTHING in it. I bought it for the Lingerie Dress which is this feather light ballerina-like thing that I think would be so fun to wear. It calls for Rowan Silk Haze but I think Douceur et Soie would would just as well. I originally bought that lace weight alpaca from KnitPicks thinking I could use that but I think the texture of the mohair is essential. That will be a pricey project, though. Maybe that can be my birthday yarn from Adam or my parents...but can I really wait until June?

I've started the Novella Socks from Knit 2 Together. I'm very concerned about this project. I hate, HATE, HATE working on DPNs...I know that maybe if I practice I'll get more comfortable but I just hate it. Plus this has cables and is just a generally tricky pattern from the looks of it so if I can get through this I will feel so very good. I bought the Silkience to do it with :-D.

"B" is for Bolero...Flowers...The "F" word (Frogging)

2007-04-09T21:05:00.000-04:00

Made some progress on Mom's Short 'n' Sweet Bolero. I'm done with the left and right front pieces. Now I just have to do the rest of the back and front and the sleeves. Here's a picture of Adam modeling my progress so far.

And here's a projection of how the finished project will look on my mom, also modeled by Adam.

I'm going to be teaching my first class at A Tangled Skein, doing my felted vase filled with knitted flowers project. So I'm working on making a second example by making a puke-yellow colored vase (my favorite color!) filled with pink cotton roses. I picked up a ball of good ol' Sugar 'n' Cream cotton for a whopping $1.79 at Jo-Ann's (shh!). But, really, who can beat that? It comes in tons of colors (though only about 6 were available at the ever-impressive Greenbelt Jo-Ann's), and it feels and looks just as nice as some other, much more expensive cottons that I've seen.

Finally, I was just flying along with my Ribs and Lace tank. Finished the Crest of the Wave pattern at the bottom, started the ladder lace section. But, somehow, something's off. Why does this keep happening to me?? So, I'm going to have to tear out about 10 rows. I HATE HATE HATE FROGGING. I at least can manage it without losing any stitches, but it just never seems to recover and look good. So I've put that project down for the night and I will have a go at it tomorrow.

Oh and here I am modeling my Tea Rose Halter, which I wore out with Jenny on Friday and then to work on Saturday where I got a lot of compliments which made me feel better about the whole ordeal.

Pattern: Tea Rose Halter from Spring 07 Interweave Knits

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk, color 10, 4 balls

Needles: Size 13 circulars

Recipient: me!

That went out the window...and knitting chores

2007-04-06T10:06:00.000-04:00

I knew my little resolution to not start new projects wouldn't last long. First of all, I jinxed myself. The moment I posted that last entry, something decided to go wrong with the Clementine Shawlette and I must have added a stitch somewhere because the pattern is off. Same with the Branching Out scarf. So I had to put those down for a little while.

I picked up my mom's bolero again and made some good progress BUT....

I also bought some new yarn and started a new project :-) Last week we got in this new yarn called Ty-Dy from Knit One, Crochet Too. It's a beautiful cotton that comes in awesome variegated colors and is soft and cool to the touch. I usually don't like variegated yarn, but this combinations of blues, purples, and greens just screamed summer relaxation which is something I sorely need right now. So I started the Ribs and Lace tank top from the Spring IK, and so far it's looking nice. I'm still on the first lace pattern at the bottom. The yarn called for is Kirabella Zodiac which is 98yd/50grams and the Ty-Dy is 196yd/100grams, so hopefully it should be perfect. (I didn't swatch...shhh!!!!). Here's a pic of my small amount of progress thus far:

Now, here's the deal with the Tea Rose Halter. So, I actually finished it like two weeks ago. I even wrote a blog entry and saved it as a draft. But I have neglected to photograph it and, more importantly, wear it, because it's not done. The sizing is off. It's my fault. I thought I could compensate for the slightly lighter yarn by upping the needle size and the garment size but now the top portion of the halter is horribly baggy. I don't know if I should cinch the sides under the underarms or take it out and do it over. Plus I need to weave in the ends, block it, and reinforce the neck straps. I HATE FINISHING THINGS! I never learned the correct way, I guess, to weave in ends or sew seams or any of that so it always looks awful. I love knitting, but the end part is always a chore to me. I just put it off. This was one project that I really wanted to be gorgeous, and hopefully I'll be able to salvage it. Here's a picture of it now and I'm not modeling it because it doesn't fit right now!

No New PROJECTS!!!! (for the most part)

2007-04-02T19:47:00.000-04:00

Made a resolution last week that I won't start any new projects until the ones I'm working on are done. Yeah right, right? Especially hard when one works in a yarn shop. But so far I've kept to it. Working diligently on the Clementine Shawlette.

Also, making nice progress on the Branching Out scarf (from Knitty) for the store. This is a one skein scarf that I get to use the lovely and delicate Douceur et Soie yarn for. I've never worked with lace weight yarn before and this stuff is airy and feather light, yet works up surprisingly fast. Pretty simple lace pattern, but the Douceur et Soie makes it a little more challenging. Fun.

I've picked up my Cathode sweater again (from Knitty). I've decided to extend the bottom ribbing to make that the dominate part of the sweater and make it really long...like over the butt length. I also may play with the sleeve length (I'm supposed to just add some ribbing but I might it extend it more). For this I used some pretty yarn I got in Ecuador and some of the Nature Spun sport weight.

To please Adam, I'm also working occasionally on his water bottle holder although it's not very exciting. I'm hoping that I got the size right so that it felts to fit.

Oh, and I did start the crocheted slippers from an old issue of KnitScene with some yarn from my stash. I've finished one and it only took me a couple hours. So cute.

I'm apprehensive to pick up my mom's bolero since I think I forgot which row I left off on and I'm not looking forward to figuring that all out.

I read a really great tip in my new favorite book, Knit 2 Together. It says that, ideally, you should work on two projects at any given time. One simple one for when you're with people or watching TV and one more complicated one for when you want to concentrate. So, once these are done, hopefully I'll do that.

Hip hip hooray for Halter

2007-03-24T20:22:00.000-04:00

Well, the Alpaca Silk was definitely the right choice for the Tea Rose Halter. I know I've raved about this yarn in, I think, all of my previous posts, but...but I just want to fill a bathtub with it and lie in it. So I'm JUST ABOUT DONE with the top and it's looking great. I'm hoping to finish it tonight. The gauge was a little small with this yarn, so I had to do the whole thing on a 13 needle instead of 11 and I also bumped it up a size. So, pictures coming tomorrow when Adam gets home from Mt. Washington with the camera.

Finishing Projects and that Constant...Nagging...Temptation

2007-03-22T16:01:00.000-04:00

I have yet to meet a knitter who has less than 5 projects going at the same time, except for maybe extreme beginners. I suppose there are those out there who can pick up and project and go from start to finish without working on something else but HOW?! Usually when I start something new (and what I think is the most fabulous thing I'm going to find at the moment), I SWEAR to myself that I will not start anything else until this one is done. But, inevitably, that never happens. As one of my bosses Cheryl has put it, some projects just "lose their energy" and need to be put down for a little while. So, I've been using that excuse lately when I gleefully start a new project and Adam, my boyfriend, asks "weren't you working on something else?" Ok, so some things lose their energy i.e. I get frustrated or I find something more fun...but will they ever get their energy back? Sitting in my projects-in-progress basket is the Cathode sweater from Knitty, which is startingly close to completion, but I just won't pick it up for some reason. And something went terribly wrong with that Clementine Shawlette and I had to frog a few rows and now I don't even want to look at it. And my mom's bolero, I figure, I have until Mother's Day to finish, so why not start that Tea Rose Halter? It's what I've really wanting to be working on anyway. But now I'm sitting in the yarn shop and finding my hand straying to all of our new books and patterns. "OOHH that would be so great in the Silkience" or "I want to make something with that bamboo". The temptation is incredible. I guess it's worse for me than for some since I actually WORK here. But everyday someone wanders into the shop and "accidentally" buys something that catches their eye.

We all like to joke that knitting and yarn buying is an addiction, but I really think it is. Sure we're not shooting heroin into our arms but it still takes up a considerable portion of my time and money. I'll be sitting in class and literally fidgeting in my seat because I'm anxious to pick up the needles. And if I would try to "quit" I would definitely have withdrawal. I've heard of a few people who gave up buying yarn or knitting for Lent. That just shows you how painful it would be for some people. And non-knitters just don't get it.

Expensive Yarn and other musings

2007-03-22T10:46:00.000-04:00

I used to be a Michael's or JoAnn's kind of gal. $5 for one skein? That used to be expensive. Then A Tangled Skein opened down the road...and I got a job there. Suddenly, I was exposed to Berroco, Debbie Bliss, Lamb's Pride...hand dyed yarns from Chile, silks, cottons that feel like butter, alpaca...Suddenly $5 for one skein was a steal and $9 wasn't too bad. I mean, after all, it's not that $22 skein of Noro. When I got this job, I swore to myself that I'd never become a "yarn snob" as I called them. But then I touched the Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in that incredible salmon color that just called my name every day at work. So yesterday I took the plunge and bought the most expensive yarn I've ever bought. I got 3 balls of the salmon dream and it wasn't too bad...with my employee discount it was less than $25. And I couldn't be happier. I recommenced the Tea Rose Halter last night and knitting with this stuff is such a joy. I could never go back to that squeaky acrylic that's sitting on my shelf in all of those obnoxious neon colors. So, I think I'll donate them to my mom who is starting to do some charity knitting and (gradually, I HOPE) replenish my stash with beautiful yarn that will be turned into something that feels and looks great. The key now is to limit myself to buying only yarn that I have a project planned for. I'll know I've crossed the line when I get to the point of these 2 women who came into the store last week. Each one bought over $200 worth of Noro and other pricey yarns, and as I was checking them out, I asked what projects they had planned, and neither of them had any! They were just dropping hundreds of dollars on yarn for their stash! So, for now, I'll allow myself a few balls of irresistible yarn when I get a fat paycheck...but when I'm slapping down my Visa and spending my savings on Noro, someone please stop me.

First post!

2007-03-18T11:32:00.000-04:00

Well, this is my first post of my new knitting/crocheting blog and I don't really know where to start.

I work at the brand new yarn shop in Hyattsville, Maryland, A Tangled Skein! It's a really great place with friendly people and, of course, a great selection of beautiful yarn. If you live in the area you should definitely check it out. www.atangledskein.com

Technically, I'm working on countless projects right now, but the ones I'm focusing on now are:
The short 'n sweet bolero for my mom from the Stitch 'n Bitch crochet book. I'm using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in a beautiful shade of bright blue that my mom picked out at the shop. It's coming along quite nicely. I'm done with the top portion of the back and almost done with the right shoulder area. At first I was quite nervous to begin this project. First of all, I'm not nearly as comfortable with crochet as I am with knitting, and second, I wanted it to be perfect and fit well since it's for my mom! But the pattern is actually quite fun and I've learned a new technique, how to crochet around the post which creates this cool 3-D effect.

Here's a close up of the shell pattern:

I'm also working on the Clementine Shawlette from this Spring's Interweave Knits for myself. I'm using Brown Sheep Nature Spun sportweight in a lovely burnt sienna color that reminds me of the carpet from my parents' house. I've finished the increase section for the first half and am about a foot away from finishing the first part. Then I do the exact same thing again and sew the halves together.

Working on this shawl has reminded me how much I like lace. Luckily, there are three lacy projects in this issue of Interweave that I love. My next project is definitely the Tea Rose Halter. That project is why I bought this issue in the first place. I started it and got to the middle of it, but decided I didn't like the yarn I had chosen and am now looking for a different yarn. I had started with holding 1 strand of Araucania Magallanes in a cream/pink/green color with 1 strand of Ella Rae classic in an olive color. I loved the combination of those colors but I've decided that I want to use a solid color for this project to show off the big bold lace pattern. Plus the 100% wool thing wasn't working for me. It's a summer top after all. So, I'm thinking of making it in either Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (luscious but expensive), Sirdar Just Bamboo (love the drape), or maybe Ella Rae Silkience. We just got Silkience into the store a few days ago and I was the lucky one to swatch it for the shelves. It's a dream to knit with and comes in all kinds of gorgeous jewel tones. Not too expensive either ($6.60/skein). So, we'll see.