Dear Blog
I have missed you. I'll be back soon. The holidays have started eating me alive, or making me eat everything in site. One of the two. I hope I get a small cold next week and have to stay home with some knitting and you.
Small cold I said, small.
<3 Spitfire.
PS there has been knitting - my god has there been knitting :-D
December 15, 2011
December 4, 2011
Quick Quick Super Quick
Quick update!
Holiday knitting is in full force except I wasn't going to do any .... yeah. Not so hot at sticking to stuff.
I finished some cute socks - groovy socks - in some handpainted sock blank. It turned out great - they are lace though and not thermally appropriate for the Chicagoland weather of December. They will be hibernating in the drawer a bit.
I cast on another pair of socks out of left overs from my vacation shawl (seen below). Rhythm Man Socks - they are a slip stitch pattern which should offer ample protection from the harsh Chicagoland winters.
I had a finishing flurry over Thanksgiving weekend. Friend R came over for Dr Who time and she started a new sweater and I finished a ton of projects including modifications to a sweater I made this spring - a Juliet made in Brown Sheep Cotton yarn. It is beige and a good combo with a long sleeve t-shirt. I will go add some to my wardrobe. I also finished Grandma's slippers. I made her socks - she won't put them in her shoes, so she said they are too slippery to wear around the house. I got some leather soles and made these:
I keep thinking maybe I should knit another pair of socks to "line" the slippers with, but I don't think I will at this point. I even swatched for this - a rarity - but it made me a convert. It turned out so well - like every time it does when I swatch... jeez. I might be a convert.
I then decided to use November's Dream in Color Club color for not the scarf designed for it. (a little short for a scarf if you ask me). I made a crochet shawllette from the Chicago Yarn Crawl. It's amazing. I need to block it. I will do that tomorrow. Typing it makes it true right?
Holiday knitting is in full force except I wasn't going to do any .... yeah. Not so hot at sticking to stuff.
I finished some cute socks - groovy socks - in some handpainted sock blank. It turned out great - they are lace though and not thermally appropriate for the Chicagoland weather of December. They will be hibernating in the drawer a bit.
I cast on another pair of socks out of left overs from my vacation shawl (seen below). Rhythm Man Socks - they are a slip stitch pattern which should offer ample protection from the harsh Chicagoland winters.
I then decided to use November's Dream in Color Club color for not the scarf designed for it. (a little short for a scarf if you ask me). I made a crochet shawllette from the Chicago Yarn Crawl. It's amazing. I need to block it. I will do that tomorrow. Typing it makes it true right?
November 20, 2011
A winner in every way!
I won a couple of the KAL prizes and it made up for all the little things that went wrong this week.
The headlight that went out is forgiven, as is the keyboard that shorted.
I got a call on Thursday from Skacel about the Progressive Needles KAL and I won the 5th prize! Should be a grab-bag of goodies. I'm thrilled!
I went to Saturday knitting at Fuzzy Wuzzy and found out I won the Fall KAL prize too!
That was a gift certificate - not really sure what I want to do with it either. So many choices... Maybe some Lindsey to knit out of the Norah Gaughn vol 8. Lots of cute summery stuff. Ogunqui? Ogunyes.
I'm almost through a potholding pattern. 2 Oven mitts, 5 potholders and 2 skeins of wool. I've started working two at a time, I'm excited to see how that effects the felted product. It's looking good :)
I've also picked up the hook - we'll see how this goes...
The headlight that went out is forgiven, as is the keyboard that shorted.
I got a call on Thursday from Skacel about the Progressive Needles KAL and I won the 5th prize! Should be a grab-bag of goodies. I'm thrilled!
I went to Saturday knitting at Fuzzy Wuzzy and found out I won the Fall KAL prize too!
That was a gift certificate - not really sure what I want to do with it either. So many choices... Maybe some Lindsey to knit out of the Norah Gaughn vol 8. Lots of cute summery stuff. Ogunqui? Ogunyes.
I'm almost through a potholding pattern. 2 Oven mitts, 5 potholders and 2 skeins of wool. I've started working two at a time, I'm excited to see how that effects the felted product. It's looking good :)
I've also picked up the hook - we'll see how this goes...
November 13, 2011
You Can't Tell Me What to Knit
Last month was Sock-tober, a month long celebration of sock knitting. As a celebration I didn't knit a stitch on my sock-in-progress until almost the last day of the month.
It is now National Sweater Knitting Month (a play on National Novel Writing Month) and I finished my Fuzzy Sweater, but can't find myself to start another. It's like a toddler like instinct in me that says - NO! I will not celebrate what you want to. I will do what I want.
What have I been working on? Everything but sweaters... scarf for my brother in packer colored Malabrigo Worsted, Spectra by Stephen West (so pretty), hats for Halos of Hope (car knitting - I've hit too many trains this week - long ones too - the type where you turn your car OFF because you wait so long). I've worked on my shawl design, and I'm one skein in - about 1/2 way done!
I started 2 more projects. A set of potholders for my Mom - who is finally tossing her 15 yr old quilted set (she quilted them herself). She asked me to pick up a set at IKEA, but that seemed like a poor replacement for such great potholders. I am making some felted ones, a design from Knitpicks, out of I Love This Wool from Hobby Lobby - yeah. I do not love that wool, but I love that it's cheap, and I can get 7 potholders out of one skein. A set of flat potholders and some mitts. I think she'll love them - and they will last.
I also have started and finished a pair of slippers for my grandmother - I use "finished" but I just finished the knitting portion. A pattern off of knitandcrochetnow.com with leather soles, I think she will love them.
It is now National Sweater Knitting Month (a play on National Novel Writing Month) and I finished my Fuzzy Sweater, but can't find myself to start another. It's like a toddler like instinct in me that says - NO! I will not celebrate what you want to. I will do what I want.
What have I been working on? Everything but sweaters... scarf for my brother in packer colored Malabrigo Worsted, Spectra by Stephen West (so pretty), hats for Halos of Hope (car knitting - I've hit too many trains this week - long ones too - the type where you turn your car OFF because you wait so long). I've worked on my shawl design, and I'm one skein in - about 1/2 way done!
I started 2 more projects. A set of potholders for my Mom - who is finally tossing her 15 yr old quilted set (she quilted them herself). She asked me to pick up a set at IKEA, but that seemed like a poor replacement for such great potholders. I am making some felted ones, a design from Knitpicks, out of I Love This Wool from Hobby Lobby - yeah. I do not love that wool, but I love that it's cheap, and I can get 7 potholders out of one skein. A set of flat potholders and some mitts. I think she'll love them - and they will last.
I also have started and finished a pair of slippers for my grandmother - I use "finished" but I just finished the knitting portion. A pattern off of knitandcrochetnow.com with leather soles, I think she will love them.
Aren't they fun?
November 6, 2011
Couch Time
I spent almost all day yesterday in the car. I did a Pampered Chef show in central WI and visited my cousin and her adorable new baby. 8 weeks old & 14lbs! He's a chubby little guy who's hair naturally lies in a mohawk. I think he is a keeper.
Today I'm sitting on the couch recovering from cat hair. I'll be doing some laundry and maths. Maths? Why am I blogging about maths? (As a mathematician I can call it maths) I am thinking of ripping out the bleeding hearts design and starting again. Maybe I should just cast on another and play with that? Maybe, maybe.
Today I'm sitting on the couch recovering from cat hair. I'll be doing some laundry and maths. Maths? Why am I blogging about maths? (As a mathematician I can call it maths) I am thinking of ripping out the bleeding hearts design and starting again. Maybe I should just cast on another and play with that? Maybe, maybe.
November 3, 2011
Yarnie Goodness comes in the mail
It has been a good week for mail so far. Lots of yarnie goodness, and a purple strainer
The strainer was filled with yarn & other treats.
I love swaps with the Dizzy Sheep Groupies :) I went shopping for my swap buddy in my stash of yarn and Pampered Chef products & recipe books. I am not a pretty wrapper - I did not send my home-made jam though, jalapeno jam is not everyone's taste :)
I also got a package from my grade-school friend Mary. The package was COVERED in stickers and I loved it. In it was sock yarn from Brown Sheep Co, which I haven't seen anywhere - odd. It's called Wildefoot. It's so soft, I'm surprised it doesn't have a silk content (no really). It's in boyfriend's colors, so he'll get socks out of them. A lovely grey with a ply of black. It's called Master Grey.
The strainer was filled with yarn & other treats.
October 31, 2011
Vacation Day!
I took the day off today - so a bonus post this week!
My big plans included a conference call at 8:30, but I slept through that. It's ok, I will catch up tomorrow at work.
Other plans include a chiropractic appointment, go to the chiropractor, giving candy to people that knock on my door and finishing a sweater. My Fuzzy Wuzzy KAL is almost done. 3.3" of stockinette and I have the knitting done. I figure 2 hours of knitting and about 3 hours of seaming to the finish line. I even pinned the sweater together last night to try on. It fits very comfortably and I am now very motivated.
I also have a few projects that need some TLC.
1. A sweater that needs a button rearrangement. I made Moonstruck with a coupon code from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and I love it. It would be perfect as a knit coat/outdoor sweater right now. However the diagonal button placement is insane. I had a problem with placement, and now when I button it the hem looks great but the collar is not laying right. I will need an assistant to do that I think.
2. I have a Juliet sweater (very similar to the February Lady Sweater) that I don't like the collar. I want to add a little extra. I've found people that put a ribbed boarder around the whole thing - I have a lack of yarn problem, so that's not an option. But I did see someone that picked up and put a collar with the lace pattern on it. I will try that and pray I have enough yarn left.
3. Lastly, I have a sweater who had sleeve problems. Oh yes, after two months of wearing it, I realized the sleeves were WAY too long. I ripped them out - seriously, just ripped those babies right out. Now I have to re-knit them though. Maybe I didn't think that all the way through. It has been languishing for about 3 months. I would like that sweater now....
Here we go!
My big plans included a conference call at 8:30, but I slept through that. It's ok, I will catch up tomorrow at work.
Other plans include a chiropractic appointment, go to the chiropractor, giving candy to people that knock on my door and finishing a sweater. My Fuzzy Wuzzy KAL is almost done. 3.3" of stockinette and I have the knitting done. I figure 2 hours of knitting and about 3 hours of seaming to the finish line. I even pinned the sweater together last night to try on. It fits very comfortably and I am now very motivated.
I also have a few projects that need some TLC.
1. A sweater that needs a button rearrangement. I made Moonstruck with a coupon code from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and I love it. It would be perfect as a knit coat/outdoor sweater right now. However the diagonal button placement is insane. I had a problem with placement, and now when I button it the hem looks great but the collar is not laying right. I will need an assistant to do that I think.
2. I have a Juliet sweater (very similar to the February Lady Sweater) that I don't like the collar. I want to add a little extra. I've found people that put a ribbed boarder around the whole thing - I have a lack of yarn problem, so that's not an option. But I did see someone that picked up and put a collar with the lace pattern on it. I will try that and pray I have enough yarn left.
3. Lastly, I have a sweater who had sleeve problems. Oh yes, after two months of wearing it, I realized the sleeves were WAY too long. I ripped them out - seriously, just ripped those babies right out. Now I have to re-knit them though. Maybe I didn't think that all the way through. It has been languishing for about 3 months. I would like that sweater now....
Here we go!
October 30, 2011
Lightweight Lady's Beanie
This beanie in a light weight yarn is perfect for summer or wearing indoors. The ribbing gives lots of stretch as to accommodate a wide variety of head sizes.
Tools:
1 stitch marker
US 5 needles, circulars or double pointed
Darning Needle
About 25g of fingering weight/sock yarn
Gauge:
15 stitches/2 inches in 1x1 rib, not stretched.
Directions:
Cast on 108 stitches loosely. Join in the round placing marker at the start of the round- careful not to twist your stitches - and work in a knit 1 purl 1 rib in the round. Work in K1 P1 rib for 7" - 8." Start decreasing every other row until 18 stitches remain.
Decrease rows: Slip 1 as if to knit, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over, work 9 (7,5,3,1) in established ribbing.
Last 2 rounds - work 1 row in established ribbed pattern. Slip slip knit all the way around the next row. Cut yarn, and pull end through remaining stitches to secure the top of hat. Weave in ends :)
Progress
One this about having a lot of projects going on is that there are sometimes a lot of finishing going on.
Two KAL's done! Both small shawls are done.
The Momijiari from the Dream in Color Club was finished up this week. I had a couple extra rows in my base triangle, which meant I was low on yarn. As it became evident I would not make it to the end of the lace edging, I began thinking of options. Well, I found an error on the edge of the lace, and without a chart (I am a chart lover) I really couldn't visualize how I messed up. So I ripped the whole edging out and started picking up stitches again. It wasn't too bad because they pattern created loops to pick up! Very nice feature of this design, and very decorative too! So I picked it all back up - and after the setup rows, I took up the pattern where I was (without adjusting for the extra stitches I had). I skipped the "stem" rows but completed the leaves. I really think that this shawl embodies fall. A base of amazing colors with leaves falling off of the edge! Way to go Beth Kling!
I finished the Progressive Needles Shawl on Saturday. I added an extra 4 rows of the last pattern, but I probably could have done 8 with what I had left in yarn. The picot edging was a nice touch, but a pain to complete. I have to say my Triplicity Shawl was challenging, but in a good way.
Two other items left the needles - two pieces of headware. One Hallowig for Halloween, I went as a witch-doctor and as I cannot wear facepaint - I wore the blue/green hallowig!
I also finished a hat for Halos of Hope - they are looking for 200 women's hats before end of year. I was starting one hat and ended up losing the instructions and winging it. Here's a picture of my Lightweight Lady's Beanie
I'll put up a pattern next blog post as I've already cast on another in a great DiC purple!
Two KAL's done! Both small shawls are done.
The Momijiari from the Dream in Color Club was finished up this week. I had a couple extra rows in my base triangle, which meant I was low on yarn. As it became evident I would not make it to the end of the lace edging, I began thinking of options. Well, I found an error on the edge of the lace, and without a chart (I am a chart lover) I really couldn't visualize how I messed up. So I ripped the whole edging out and started picking up stitches again. It wasn't too bad because they pattern created loops to pick up! Very nice feature of this design, and very decorative too! So I picked it all back up - and after the setup rows, I took up the pattern where I was (without adjusting for the extra stitches I had). I skipped the "stem" rows but completed the leaves. I really think that this shawl embodies fall. A base of amazing colors with leaves falling off of the edge! Way to go Beth Kling!
I finished the Progressive Needles Shawl on Saturday. I added an extra 4 rows of the last pattern, but I probably could have done 8 with what I had left in yarn. The picot edging was a nice touch, but a pain to complete. I have to say my Triplicity Shawl was challenging, but in a good way.
Two other items left the needles - two pieces of headware. One Hallowig for Halloween, I went as a witch-doctor and as I cannot wear facepaint - I wore the blue/green hallowig!
I also finished a hat for Halos of Hope - they are looking for 200 women's hats before end of year. I was starting one hat and ended up losing the instructions and winging it. Here's a picture of my Lightweight Lady's Beanie
October 23, 2011
A week in which I make progress
I made progress on some KAL's this week. I ripped out some others.
The progress! Progress was made on both the Progressive Needles KAL and the Fuzzy Fall KAL. The Simplicity Shawl has made it to clue 3. The yarn is so very soft and these stitches are very challenging. The pattern does keep me engaged. However, I'm not making amazing progress because I'm not printing the pattern - I'm only working on it in front of the computer. I highlight the row I'm on and work it, then highlight the next.
The Fuzzy Fall KAL is moving along. I'm done with the sleeves and now am working down the back. I worked about 5" over the Packer game today, only about 11" left and I'm ready to seam! Wow, I'm pretty close.
The ripping. The dream club Momijigari isn't going well. I am knitting at a loser gauge than in the pattern, but I like the fabric a lot. I love the color, but as I started the boarder I thought I might run out of yarn. As I got to row 10 of the 20 row boarder I knew I was going to run out of yarn. There are 15 of us all knitting the same thing, with the same yarn, I would probably be able to bribe someone for scraps - but every skein was very different, no chances of looking cohesive. Well, the decision to rip back was made for me as I found a mistake at the edge pattern. I missed a SSK and a YO 2 or 4 rows back - and it looks so different from the other side. I couldn't figure out the pattern well enough, I needed a chart. I ripped back and created a chart. It makes more sense. Now - I'm re-starting the boarder - but skipping a few rows - it will work out and I won't run out of yarn.
I did attend a stellar event this week! The Yarn Harlot is on her book tour, and she made it to Chicago-land! I made it and this picture says we look like we could be related. It's the round cheeks and fluffy hair. It's a look we rock.
I re-started the first book of her's I got for Christmas last year. It is so funny, and very hard to put down. I understand knitting humor, knitters should right for knitters.
The progress! Progress was made on both the Progressive Needles KAL and the Fuzzy Fall KAL. The Simplicity Shawl has made it to clue 3. The yarn is so very soft and these stitches are very challenging. The pattern does keep me engaged. However, I'm not making amazing progress because I'm not printing the pattern - I'm only working on it in front of the computer. I highlight the row I'm on and work it, then highlight the next.
The Fuzzy Fall KAL is moving along. I'm done with the sleeves and now am working down the back. I worked about 5" over the Packer game today, only about 11" left and I'm ready to seam! Wow, I'm pretty close.
The ripping. The dream club Momijigari isn't going well. I am knitting at a loser gauge than in the pattern, but I like the fabric a lot. I love the color, but as I started the boarder I thought I might run out of yarn. As I got to row 10 of the 20 row boarder I knew I was going to run out of yarn. There are 15 of us all knitting the same thing, with the same yarn, I would probably be able to bribe someone for scraps - but every skein was very different, no chances of looking cohesive. Well, the decision to rip back was made for me as I found a mistake at the edge pattern. I missed a SSK and a YO 2 or 4 rows back - and it looks so different from the other side. I couldn't figure out the pattern well enough, I needed a chart. I ripped back and created a chart. It makes more sense. Now - I'm re-starting the boarder - but skipping a few rows - it will work out and I won't run out of yarn.
I did attend a stellar event this week! The Yarn Harlot is on her book tour, and she made it to Chicago-land! I made it and this picture says we look like we could be related. It's the round cheeks and fluffy hair. It's a look we rock.
I re-started the first book of her's I got for Christmas last year. It is so funny, and very hard to put down. I understand knitting humor, knitters should right for knitters.
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