I have finished the Tuscany shawl!!! Just finished casting off. Still need to weave in ends and block, but it looks good! Pictures to come.
Now, just for kicks and giggles, I figured it took at least 117,024 stitches (approximately) for this project. Now, if only I could get paid a small amount per stitch - let's see, if it were $0.25 per stitch, that would come up to $29,256.00. Even at a penny per stitch, it would be valued at $1,170.24. (Not that I'm counting.)
Either way, I think my new shawl is beyond price. Because how can you put a price on love?
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day 2012!
I got flowers! From my kid!
These lovely things were waiting for me on my desk when I got home from work:
I like this kid! He's great - I don't care what I've said about him before - he's a keeper! He just earned 'Favorite Kid Status'. Thank you, Alex! Mommy loves you!
Shawl update: 16 more rows to go - on the very last repeat.
These lovely things were waiting for me on my desk when I got home from work:
I like this kid! He's great - I don't care what I've said about him before - he's a keeper! He just earned 'Favorite Kid Status'. Thank you, Alex! Mommy loves you!
Shawl update: 16 more rows to go - on the very last repeat.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Winding
I'm almost done with my Tuscany shawl - only 20 more rows. No border, no fringe, just 20 more rows and then I am done. Done done. No mas. Finito.
So why do those 20 rows feel more like 20 feet? That's because each row increases by 2 stitches, so the easy-peasy 'hey-I-can-get-this-knocked-out-quick' becomes 'OMG-will-this-will-never-end' by the 21st repeat.
Now in all fairness, I really like the pattern. I've just hit the hump. I didn't think I'd hit the hump on this project because I was enjoying it so much. Using Tess' Yarns Cascade Silk Sport (100% silk) in a new leaf green, and it feels like a dream when I'm working on it. (Tess' Yarns will be at Stitches West again this year. If you are there you need to see this stuff - totally yummy yarns.)
Then I ran out of wound yarn. Luckily I have 2 skeins, but winding this stuff up was a bear. It may have been my fault for getting it tangled, but man, what a hassle getting it in a ball - all 665 yards of the stuff. It's silk and slippery and tangled, which means the tangles come out but you have to work at it.
The secret, I found, is to wind the ball with just enough tension to keep the yarn on the winder without popping off (been there) but loose enough to keep from over-stretching or even breaking the yarn (done that). Not sure what the exact number of pound of pressure per inch is but I'm sure some scientific type could tell me. Key term here is 'just enough'.
I had hoped that the one skein would be enough for the project, but I didn't quite have it. So, back to the winder I went. My winding process went something like this:
Just 20 more rows to go.
So why do those 20 rows feel more like 20 feet? That's because each row increases by 2 stitches, so the easy-peasy 'hey-I-can-get-this-knocked-out-quick' becomes 'OMG-will-this-will-never-end' by the 21st repeat.
Now in all fairness, I really like the pattern. I've just hit the hump. I didn't think I'd hit the hump on this project because I was enjoying it so much. Using Tess' Yarns Cascade Silk Sport (100% silk) in a new leaf green, and it feels like a dream when I'm working on it. (Tess' Yarns will be at Stitches West again this year. If you are there you need to see this stuff - totally yummy yarns.)
Then I ran out of wound yarn. Luckily I have 2 skeins, but winding this stuff up was a bear. It may have been my fault for getting it tangled, but man, what a hassle getting it in a ball - all 665 yards of the stuff. It's silk and slippery and tangled, which means the tangles come out but you have to work at it.
The secret, I found, is to wind the ball with just enough tension to keep the yarn on the winder without popping off (been there) but loose enough to keep from over-stretching or even breaking the yarn (done that). Not sure what the exact number of pound of pressure per inch is but I'm sure some scientific type could tell me. Key term here is 'just enough'.
I had hoped that the one skein would be enough for the project, but I didn't quite have it. So, back to the winder I went. My winding process went something like this:
- Pull out the swift and set up on the desk (nowhere else to put it. The winder I keep set up on my desk.)
- Find the other skein of yarn. It was somewhere...
- Notice the skein was slightly messed. Told myself no worries - it should be just fine!
- Not.
- Ended up having to de-tangle for about 300 yards before I could start the winder.
- Started swearing.
- Finally got the skein untangled enough to start on the winder, but can't pull too fast because the swift was putting too much tension on the yarn.
- Got the ball half way wound and it popped off the winder.
- Increased the volume of my swearing.
- Managed to get the half-wound ball back on the cupcake holder and finished winding.
- Decided the tension was too uneven, so thought re-winding the ball would help.
- I pulled from the outside of the ball.
- Ball went bouncing merrily on the floor.
- Cat thought it was a shiny new toy for her.
- (Yes, the cat is still alive.)
- Rescued ball from the cat and thought I'd be smart and put it in a large zip-lock bag to hold it in place.
- The ball seemed to have a mind of its own, escaped from baggie went back to dancing on the floor.
- Cat was having a great time.
- I seriously thought about shaving the cat and/or take up heavy drinking. Stuck with getting more creative with my swearing.
- Rescued the ball from the cat again and successfully finished winding the ball.
Just 20 more rows to go.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Zippers Aren't That Bad
One of my goals for this upcoming year is to get my finishing work done on my WIP's - the lack of follow-thru on the finishing is why most of my WIP's are not done. Since this is a goal for the new year, I decided to get started early and have finished my son's new hoodie!
This garment had a zipper to install, which I found to be rather intimidating so I put it off. I hadn't used my sewing machine in years and wasn't even sure where it was or knew if I remembered how to use it. Well, the son who's sweater was involved found the sewing machine and brought it down stairs and placed it on the kitchen table for me. Considerate of him, no? He's only been after me to get the sweater done for him for about the past month or so.
I looked up some zipper installations on the Internet, but didn't get a whole lot of useful stuff there. One video had you hand sew it in, one swore you should crochet the edge of the zipper and use that to install it, but I found the best way for me was:
So, on this project - all in one day - it was knit, crocheted (an edging), machine sewed (the zipper), and hand sewed (tacking). The zipper install wasn't as bad as I'd feared - I only had to rip it out once when I realized that I had stretched the material when I sewed the zipper in. My zipper undulated like a piece of bacon curling up in the pan. Bacon is good, but not on your sweater.
Use pins to hold everything in place instead of eyeballing it. Sweaters stretch. Zippers don't. I had to rip out both sides of the zipper on the first try and that brought out creative swearing from me that so shocks the family.
The sweater is DONE! It's a really dull dark gray done up in stockinette, but that's what my son wanted - typical boring guy sweater, and my son couldn't be happier. I'd do a project with a zipper again anytime.
This garment had a zipper to install, which I found to be rather intimidating so I put it off. I hadn't used my sewing machine in years and wasn't even sure where it was or knew if I remembered how to use it. Well, the son who's sweater was involved found the sewing machine and brought it down stairs and placed it on the kitchen table for me. Considerate of him, no? He's only been after me to get the sweater done for him for about the past month or so.
I looked up some zipper installations on the Internet, but didn't get a whole lot of useful stuff there. One video had you hand sew it in, one swore you should crochet the edge of the zipper and use that to install it, but I found the best way for me was:
- Lay the sweater out flat on the kitchen table. Fold the sleeves in if needed for space.
- I had crocheted the edge of the sweater to get a cleaner line - my edged were rough and I didn't want to fold the edge over since the yarn was so bulky as it was. Your choice as to fold or not.
- I put the edges together and pinned the zipper (unopened) so that both edges met and the zipper did not show. Your choice here on how much zipper to show.
- Then I unzipped the pined-in zipper carefully. It resembles a porcupine at this point, so be careful it doesn't bite you!
- Sewed the zipper in. I moved the needle as far right as I could to get a closer seam and put the zipper edge as close to the foot as possible. Go slowly as a loop of the knitting can easily get caught in the foot of the machine.
- Holy cow! It worked! I was just really happy I remembered how to work the machine let alone successfully install a zipper!
So, on this project - all in one day - it was knit, crocheted (an edging), machine sewed (the zipper), and hand sewed (tacking). The zipper install wasn't as bad as I'd feared - I only had to rip it out once when I realized that I had stretched the material when I sewed the zipper in. My zipper undulated like a piece of bacon curling up in the pan. Bacon is good, but not on your sweater.
Use pins to hold everything in place instead of eyeballing it. Sweaters stretch. Zippers don't. I had to rip out both sides of the zipper on the first try and that brought out creative swearing from me that so shocks the family.
The sweater is DONE! It's a really dull dark gray done up in stockinette, but that's what my son wanted - typical boring guy sweater, and my son couldn't be happier. I'd do a project with a zipper again anytime.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tweet
I got an email yesterday that told me I have a new follower on Twitter.
A follower? I have a follower?? I had completely forgotten I set that up. On top of that, I'm not narcissistic enough to think that anyone - me included - would really like to get continuous updates on my day.
Examples of imaginary tweets for a day in the life of Jen:
Just as soon as I can remember how to get there.
* Names of co-workers have not been used to protect the innocent. Or me. They're both friends of mine as well as co-workers, anyway.
A follower? I have a follower?? I had completely forgotten I set that up. On top of that, I'm not narcissistic enough to think that anyone - me included - would really like to get continuous updates on my day.
Examples of imaginary tweets for a day in the life of Jen:
- Got up this morning and made oatmeal for breakfast. It was good.
- Almost stepped in cat barf - it looked amazing like the oatmeal I just ate. Love those cats!
- Lather, rinse, repeat...
- Got to work early.
Sometimes wonderAM ALWAYS GRATEFUL that my carpooler doesn't kill us each time he drives. Anger management, all I'm saying. - And a driver's safety course.
- Why do I ride in with a crazy driver? More knitting time, of course.
- Somebody had the WORST sour breath stinking up the coffee shop. Remember, if you can't brush your teeth, breath mints are your friend. And everyone around you as well.
- Oh, heavenly coffee!!! Coffee goooooooooooood....
- Had to spend 10 minuets digging out my badge while balancing an oversized purse, a box of items for the office, and a cup of scalding hot coffee.
- Got first stain of the day on my shirt. Goodie. Let's start the day out right.
- Noticed co-worker A * humming tunelessly. He plays drums in a band on the side, so don't really expect him to be able to carry a tune as long as he does it in beat.
- Co-worker B has music on hold playing loudly on his speaker phone. Music to coma by...
- Just realized that co-worker A is trying to hum along with the music on hold. HELP!
- Plugged in ipod and cranked it up.
- Later realized that co-worker B put the music on hold on his speaker phone and LEFT THE OFFICE. Dude...he thinks this is funny.
- Unplugged c/w B's phone.
- Tuneless humming from c/w A stopped. Nirvana!
- Went back to c/w B's cube and put in the top drawer of his desk upside-down, with all the stuff in it.
- Re-plugged phone back in & turned the speakerphone back to MoH.
- Listened to the sweet sounds of swearing coming from c/w B's cube when he opened his drawer.
- LUNCHTIME! Grilled cheese sandwich! Yum!
- Got back to desk and smelled something bad. Did I get cheese on me somewhere?
- Noticed a dirty gym sock (not mine) under my desk. Seriously gross...
- Waited until c/w B left his desk and tied used gym sock under the seat of his chair. Then left and washed my hands.
- C/W B seems to have the sniffles. Good luck finding your sock, buddy.
- Time to go home and experience white knuckle driving at it's best.
- Keep trying to stomp on the imaginary brake but it's not working!
- Home and safe at last!
Just as soon as I can remember how to get there.
* Names of co-workers have not been used to protect the innocent. Or me. They're both friends of mine as well as co-workers, anyway.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Thankfulness
The turkey is done and the pies have been eaten, the dishes have piled up and the groans of being over-full have been made. Football games are over and plans for Black Friday are being made.
To me, Thanksgiving is about spending time with my family. Too often nowadays, we all have separate paths and many other things pulling our attention and demanding our time. Thanksgiving to me is a precious time to be with my family.
May your Thanksgiving be something for you to be thankful for!
To me, Thanksgiving is about spending time with my family. Too often nowadays, we all have separate paths and many other things pulling our attention and demanding our time. Thanksgiving to me is a precious time to be with my family.
May your Thanksgiving be something for you to be thankful for!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Retreat!
I've been packing up to go on retreat tomorrow (heading out after work). No work, no hubby, no kids, no animals - just the lake, trees and lots and lots of knitting. Can't wait!
Got two bags packed for this trip, one large and one small. Is it wrong to use the small bag for my clothes and the large one for my knitting stuff? A knitter's gotta do what a knitter's gotta do...
Got two bags packed for this trip, one large and one small. Is it wrong to use the small bag for my clothes and the large one for my knitting stuff? A knitter's gotta do what a knitter's gotta do...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Fall
It's supposed to be Autumn now, and with that time marks the beginning of sweater weather.
Yesterday's temperature here was 102 F. Today is supposed to be "much cooler" at 86 F. That makes it kind of hard to want to work with heavy wools.
My fingers have been itching to work on worsted yarn - been doing a lot of lace and socks lately and it just doesn't feel the same. Not bad, mind you, but a completely different feel. Lace and sock-weights dance on your fingers, like a light, delicate ladies' tea; while worsted-weight is heavier, like a substantial meal of hardy comfort food. I'm ready for the comfort food, please!
Yet, it's cooler here, but that means under 100 F (it's all relative). Still not exactly Fall weather. I need to move North.
Yesterday's temperature here was 102 F. Today is supposed to be "much cooler" at 86 F. That makes it kind of hard to want to work with heavy wools.
My fingers have been itching to work on worsted yarn - been doing a lot of lace and socks lately and it just doesn't feel the same. Not bad, mind you, but a completely different feel. Lace and sock-weights dance on your fingers, like a light, delicate ladies' tea; while worsted-weight is heavier, like a substantial meal of hardy comfort food. I'm ready for the comfort food, please!
Yet, it's cooler here, but that means under 100 F (it's all relative). Still not exactly Fall weather. I need to move North.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Fishing
My husband is off fishing today. Ocean fishing with a bunch of guys from work. Very manly. They normally have a lot of fun on these trips and I'm glad he's able to go - he's been very busy and under a lot of stress at work lately (all a normal part of the job).
He was getting ready last night about 9:00 pm (he had to be up at 3:00 am the next day) and said he couldn't find the hat I'd made him. It gets very cold out on the water that early in the morning and the hat I'd made him was a very warm llama /wool blend. Since he couldn't find his hat and I am a supportive wife, I immediately offered to "whip up another hat" for him.
Good intentions - bad idea.
I had a nice bulky washable wool blend in a manly deep gray, but after an hour I was only at 2.5 inches. At that point I realized that I was so tired my eyes were spinning and my hands were starting to cramp. The I realized that while I could probably finish the hat if I stayed up all night, I wouldn't be able to move my fingers the next day and I had knitting group and the stupid hat wasn't worth it.
It's all his fault. Hubby shouldn't have lost that last hat.
Anyway, I went to bed, woke up Hubby and apologized for not getting his new hat done in time for him to take it out fishing tomorrow. (He returned the favor by later waking me up at 3:00 am.)
Hope he does well this trip, catches lots of fish and has a good time. He can lose the new hat another day.
He was getting ready last night about 9:00 pm (he had to be up at 3:00 am the next day) and said he couldn't find the hat I'd made him. It gets very cold out on the water that early in the morning and the hat I'd made him was a very warm llama /wool blend. Since he couldn't find his hat and I am a supportive wife, I immediately offered to "whip up another hat" for him.
Good intentions - bad idea.
I had a nice bulky washable wool blend in a manly deep gray, but after an hour I was only at 2.5 inches. At that point I realized that I was so tired my eyes were spinning and my hands were starting to cramp. The I realized that while I could probably finish the hat if I stayed up all night, I wouldn't be able to move my fingers the next day and I had knitting group and the stupid hat wasn't worth it.
It's all his fault. Hubby shouldn't have lost that last hat.
Anyway, I went to bed, woke up Hubby and apologized for not getting his new hat done in time for him to take it out fishing tomorrow. (He returned the favor by later waking me up at 3:00 am.)
Hope he does well this trip, catches lots of fish and has a good time. He can lose the new hat another day.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Time Out for the Yucky Stuff
I've got a little problem - you see, I got a sweater's worth of Rowan Summer Tweed. Figured, "hey, it's summer and I like tweed", and the composition of said yarn is 70% silk and 30 % cotton.
I'm a sucker for silk. I love, LOVE, silk but equally hate cotton. Now, usually when you have a silk blend it's nice. This stuff is not.
I hate it. Awful stuff. It works like a harsh cotton on my hands and has lots of vegetable matter in it (straw, I think - or hope). It sticks like Velcro on wood needles. I've tried to like it. I would really like to like it. I had it in mind for a nice little summer cardi, but alas, the yarn had other ideas.
You'd think it would be good stuff - Rowan is like, famous, and it looked nice in the skein. Truly disappointing. So now it's the Time-out bin for the yucky yarn. Maybe it will learn how to play nice while it's there.
I'm a sucker for silk. I love, LOVE, silk but equally hate cotton. Now, usually when you have a silk blend it's nice. This stuff is not.
I hate it. Awful stuff. It works like a harsh cotton on my hands and has lots of vegetable matter in it (straw, I think - or hope). It sticks like Velcro on wood needles. I've tried to like it. I would really like to like it. I had it in mind for a nice little summer cardi, but alas, the yarn had other ideas.
You'd think it would be good stuff - Rowan is like, famous, and it looked nice in the skein. Truly disappointing. So now it's the Time-out bin for the yucky yarn. Maybe it will learn how to play nice while it's there.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
I Tawt I saw a Pudytat
Have you ever taken a drive on a beautiful mild summer day? The kind of day where you could roll down the windows and put your elbow up on the door and enjoy the delicious cool air flowing up your sleeve and cooling off your arm pit. Radio on with your favorite song playing, foot tapping to the beat.
Then you realize that a bee has flown up your sleeve and things start going a bit different after that.
The other night I was sound asleep and was enjoying a wonderful dream - you know, the kind where you are doing something amazing and you look really good doing it - and I suddenly woke up with my eyes watering and was almost choking.
Seems a skunk had passed right by our air conditioning unit outside about 2:00 in the morning and the smell got all throughout the house. Just couldn't get away from it. Made me glad to go to work that morning.
My biggest worry was that my stash would have the smell - but it's OK. Whew...
Then you realize that a bee has flown up your sleeve and things start going a bit different after that.
The other night I was sound asleep and was enjoying a wonderful dream - you know, the kind where you are doing something amazing and you look really good doing it - and I suddenly woke up with my eyes watering and was almost choking.
Seems a skunk had passed right by our air conditioning unit outside about 2:00 in the morning and the smell got all throughout the house. Just couldn't get away from it. Made me glad to go to work that morning.
My biggest worry was that my stash would have the smell - but it's OK. Whew...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Ode to Pudding
Note: this is a non-knitting post today. Fair warning.
Today at work we had a little pot-luck to celebrate the leaving (and promotional opportunity) of a co-worker. He's a nice guy and everyone likes him, so people brought in delicious cookies, delicate pastries, and (supposedly) the World's most amazing cupcakes ever produced.
Seriously, everyone who tasted one of these gorgeous home-made cupcakes signed and stated that this was absolutely the most amazing cupcake they'd ever tasted. Some did the happy dance, some looked like they had a food orgasm, and the rest just kept grabbing another one.
I'm on a diet. Normally, I would've been right in there with them, but I'm not eating sugar at this time. None.
Yes, it sucked.
Especially when they kept going on about how wonderful the cupcakes were. I just sat there and told them very nicely that I wasn't hungry when I was really thinking "F-you and the little dog you rode in on!" for taunting me with the treats.
I knew they weren't really taunting me - it just felt like it. I really wanted one of those cupcakes. I almost caved but I told myself I would make up some sugar-free chocolate pudding when I got home.
I made it. And it was GOOOOOOOD...........and so was I.
Diets suck.
Today at work we had a little pot-luck to celebrate the leaving (and promotional opportunity) of a co-worker. He's a nice guy and everyone likes him, so people brought in delicious cookies, delicate pastries, and (supposedly) the World's most amazing cupcakes ever produced.
Seriously, everyone who tasted one of these gorgeous home-made cupcakes signed and stated that this was absolutely the most amazing cupcake they'd ever tasted. Some did the happy dance, some looked like they had a food orgasm, and the rest just kept grabbing another one.
I'm on a diet. Normally, I would've been right in there with them, but I'm not eating sugar at this time. None.
Yes, it sucked.
Especially when they kept going on about how wonderful the cupcakes were. I just sat there and told them very nicely that I wasn't hungry when I was really thinking "F-you and the little dog you rode in on!" for taunting me with the treats.
I knew they weren't really taunting me - it just felt like it. I really wanted one of those cupcakes. I almost caved but I told myself I would make up some sugar-free chocolate pudding when I got home.
I made it. And it was GOOOOOOOD...........and so was I.
Diets suck.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tech is Good
Knitting can be a funny thing. Couple of examples:
Got my regular email from Accesswatch, an email newsletter on the Microsoft Access program - tips & tricks, that kind of thing, and low and behold - a blurb for the author's esty site where she sells her handknit items. (It then went back to the main point of archiving linked tables to another database.) Whoa. I'm in tech and always love to see another fellow techie-knitter. Way cool.
The Internet is your friend. I'm currently working on an old Knitty pattern, Kernel. This is a not-too-hard lace scarf but the chart shifts over on a couple of rows, which always freaks me out when I'm not expecting it (WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE REPEAT SECTION STITCH MARKER NO LONGER FITS THE STITCH COUNT?!?!?!).
Basically, it moves over 1 stitch and so you then move your stitch marker. OK, got it. But then on row 11 of the 2nd chart I couldn't figure out why I didn't have 6 stitches to knit on the last bit. Was the chart wrong? So I went to Knitty, Ravelry and the author's blog site to see if there were any corrections (not a bad place to start before starting to pull out your hair). Turns out the chart was right - I had just dropped a stitch. Research is good.
Again, technology helps out knitting.
Cool.
Got my regular email from Accesswatch, an email newsletter on the Microsoft Access program - tips & tricks, that kind of thing, and low and behold - a blurb for the author's esty site where she sells her handknit items. (It then went back to the main point of archiving linked tables to another database.) Whoa. I'm in tech and always love to see another fellow techie-knitter. Way cool.
The Internet is your friend. I'm currently working on an old Knitty pattern, Kernel. This is a not-too-hard lace scarf but the chart shifts over on a couple of rows, which always freaks me out when I'm not expecting it (WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE REPEAT SECTION STITCH MARKER NO LONGER FITS THE STITCH COUNT?!?!?!).
Basically, it moves over 1 stitch and so you then move your stitch marker. OK, got it. But then on row 11 of the 2nd chart I couldn't figure out why I didn't have 6 stitches to knit on the last bit. Was the chart wrong? So I went to Knitty, Ravelry and the author's blog site to see if there were any corrections (not a bad place to start before starting to pull out your hair). Turns out the chart was right - I had just dropped a stitch. Research is good.
Again, technology helps out knitting.
Cool.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What's Up?
I think I've found the cure to my knitting slump. I switched from doing top-down raglans to doing things with sock yarn.
I have a ton of the stuff. I pick it up when it goes on a good sale, or as a souvenir when I'm traveling, or just because it's simply gorgeous.
Haven't done much with it after I get it home. Oh, I occasionally pull it out and fondle it while oo-ing and aww-ing, but usually it just goes into my sock bin like it's a deposit at the bank that you can't touch if you want to make any interest on it.
I've changed things.
Firstly, I've been making socks. Simple toe-up stockinette that shows off the pretty hand painted stuff. These are also good while I ride in to work with my crazy-driver carpooler. He's what you'd call an - umm - aggressive driver. So I don't look. I knit. And pretend the driving doesn't scare me out of a year's growth. Making lots of progress but notice my tension can be a bit tight.
Next up, I picked up a book on entrelac, "Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting". I tell ya, I sure didn't know you could do all that with entrelac. If you get the chance, I'd recommend taking a look at it. Pretty cool stuff.
So for my second act of sock yarn knitting, I pulled out a skein of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn and have been making up a scarf with simple entrelac.
I've never worked with Noro much, because I don't like the feel of Kureon and see all the tie-offs in it, but I'm about 2/3's into the skein of the silk garden and have only run into 1 tie-off. What I really like about the stuff are all the yummy colors. The color changes make me look goooood, like I'm a way more accomplished knitter than I really am. I think Noro and me are going to be good friends.
I'm also looking at Leaf Lace Scarf (from page 134 in the book) with some Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light yarn I had picked up to do some lux socks. Pretty, pretty...
My famine is officially over.
I have a ton of the stuff. I pick it up when it goes on a good sale, or as a souvenir when I'm traveling, or just because it's simply gorgeous.
Haven't done much with it after I get it home. Oh, I occasionally pull it out and fondle it while oo-ing and aww-ing, but usually it just goes into my sock bin like it's a deposit at the bank that you can't touch if you want to make any interest on it.
I've changed things.
Firstly, I've been making socks. Simple toe-up stockinette that shows off the pretty hand painted stuff. These are also good while I ride in to work with my crazy-driver carpooler. He's what you'd call an - umm - aggressive driver. So I don't look. I knit. And pretend the driving doesn't scare me out of a year's growth. Making lots of progress but notice my tension can be a bit tight.
Next up, I picked up a book on entrelac, "Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting". I tell ya, I sure didn't know you could do all that with entrelac. If you get the chance, I'd recommend taking a look at it. Pretty cool stuff.
So for my second act of sock yarn knitting, I pulled out a skein of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn and have been making up a scarf with simple entrelac.
I've never worked with Noro much, because I don't like the feel of Kureon and see all the tie-offs in it, but I'm about 2/3's into the skein of the silk garden and have only run into 1 tie-off. What I really like about the stuff are all the yummy colors. The color changes make me look goooood, like I'm a way more accomplished knitter than I really am. I think Noro and me are going to be good friends.
I'm also looking at Leaf Lace Scarf (from page 134 in the book) with some Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light yarn I had picked up to do some lux socks. Pretty, pretty...
My famine is officially over.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Winding
I've been in a bit of a knitting slump lately. I'm bored, and all I've seemed to be doing the past few months is either stockinette or garter stitches. That's going to change.
I hate it when my knitting gets boring. There's no reason it should ever get that way. Sooo, I pulled out a couple of skeins of Alchemy Haiku. Would up one - I got a bot worried when it appeared to be prying off a stand of Velcro, but once things got rolling on the swift, it came right off.
I wound, and I wound, and wound some more. My right arm got tired so I switched to my left. Got in a decent arm workout, anyway. Finally, I ended up with a skein of 325 yards of super-static-y fuzzy gorgeousness. Then got to wondering exactly what weight this stuff was - the wound ball was about the size of my palm -actually, it fits inside my palm with lots of room, and I don't have very big hands.
So I went online and googled the yarn. Came up with some interesting results - one site said it was a DK weight, another said it was a light worsted, and another said it was lace weight. Went to the Alchemy site, which said nothing about the yarn weight. Hmm...
Now that that's been cleared up right muddy, I need to find a pattern that will work. The ball label gave a gauge of 5 stitches per inch on a size 7 needle, so I'm going to go with that. Maybe. Kind of.
Wish me luck!
I hate it when my knitting gets boring. There's no reason it should ever get that way. Sooo, I pulled out a couple of skeins of Alchemy Haiku. Would up one - I got a bot worried when it appeared to be prying off a stand of Velcro, but once things got rolling on the swift, it came right off.
I wound, and I wound, and wound some more. My right arm got tired so I switched to my left. Got in a decent arm workout, anyway. Finally, I ended up with a skein of 325 yards of super-static-y fuzzy gorgeousness. Then got to wondering exactly what weight this stuff was - the wound ball was about the size of my palm -actually, it fits inside my palm with lots of room, and I don't have very big hands.
So I went online and googled the yarn. Came up with some interesting results - one site said it was a DK weight, another said it was a light worsted, and another said it was lace weight. Went to the Alchemy site, which said nothing about the yarn weight. Hmm...
Now that that's been cleared up right muddy, I need to find a pattern that will work. The ball label gave a gauge of 5 stitches per inch on a size 7 needle, so I'm going to go with that. Maybe. Kind of.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Vacation
Where does a girl from California go for a vacation? Certainly not to someplace that has sun & surf - no, this girl heads up North!
Wow! I can't believe I didn't log in at all last month. Been busy - went on vacation to Alaska and Canada (if you ever get the chance to go I highly recommend it), caught a nasty cold while I was there and am just now starting to feel human again. (If you go I don't, however, recommend catching a cold - makes the trip not quite so much fun.)
Now that I can breathe again without hacking and coughing out a lung, I'm back and brought you come pictures of the trip. Hope you enjoy:
Leaving Seattle
Yes, the lake was frozen.
Emerald Lake starting to thaw:
Ketchikan:
It was an amazing trip. I think I need to go back - what a great place to wear all my nice sweaters!
Wow! I can't believe I didn't log in at all last month. Been busy - went on vacation to Alaska and Canada (if you ever get the chance to go I highly recommend it), caught a nasty cold while I was there and am just now starting to feel human again. (If you go I don't, however, recommend catching a cold - makes the trip not quite so much fun.)
Now that I can breathe again without hacking and coughing out a lung, I'm back and brought you come pictures of the trip. Hope you enjoy:
Leaving Seattle
Over White Pass:
Yes, the lake was frozen.
Ketchikan:
It was an amazing trip. I think I need to go back - what a great place to wear all my nice sweaters!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
CDWK
Have you ever tried to knit while there's a really fun, bouncy song on the radio? Chair dancing while knitting...
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Results
Tried a couple of things for the February Lady sweater: Entrelac and feather & fan stitch. Decided on the feather & fan stitch. The ripples show the colors of the yarn better. Pictures to come later (as soon as I get a bit done).
In the meantime, my grown-up daughter decided she wanted to learn how to knit. It was fun & I think I may have a new convert on my hands now.
I tell ya, we knitters are gonna take over the world. We'll probably end up knitting a cozy for it or something...
Knit on!
In the meantime, my grown-up daughter decided she wanted to learn how to knit. It was fun & I think I may have a new convert on my hands now.
I tell ya, we knitters are gonna take over the world. We'll probably end up knitting a cozy for it or something...
Knit on!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Yarn Break-Up
Been working on the February Lady Sweater and got to about the 3" mark on the lace pattern using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted.
I don't like it. The yarn is totally lost in the lace work.
Been getting a bit disappointed with this yarn. While it's probably all my fault for not being able to pick out a design that can properly display the amazing colors, I'm starting to feel like it's turned into a high-maintenance sheep of a yarn. Yeah, it looks pretty on display in the skein but it's not pulling its own weight when it comes down to it.
I think I may need to have a break-up talk with my yarn for this pattern. Something like, "Hey, can we talk? Y'know, I've been thinking...no, it's not you, but we just aren't working out the way I had hoped. Your colors look dulled and there's absolutely no 'POP' in our relationship anymore. You deserve better -we both deserve better than this. But don't worry, you'll find another pattern to shine in. Really."
Anyway, the pro's are that I like how the colors of the yarn work in garter stitch, and I like the pattern. I could continue on as is - it's OK, but the problem is that it's just OK. Not spectacular. Not doing justice to either the pattern or the yarn. So...my choices are:
A - Continue on as is.
B - Rip out entirely and use yarn in a different pattern.
C - Rip out to the lace section and replace that section with a different stitch.
Choice A is out. No point in continuing - I don't like it. So I'm down to B or C. At a minimum I'll be doing some ripping, but how far to rip? I could also add choice D to the mix - rip back to the lace section and redo (the lace) using a different yarn. Hmmm.....
I don't like it. The yarn is totally lost in the lace work.
Been getting a bit disappointed with this yarn. While it's probably all my fault for not being able to pick out a design that can properly display the amazing colors, I'm starting to feel like it's turned into a high-maintenance sheep of a yarn. Yeah, it looks pretty on display in the skein but it's not pulling its own weight when it comes down to it.
I think I may need to have a break-up talk with my yarn for this pattern. Something like, "Hey, can we talk? Y'know, I've been thinking...no, it's not you, but we just aren't working out the way I had hoped. Your colors look dulled and there's absolutely no 'POP' in our relationship anymore. You deserve better -we both deserve better than this. But don't worry, you'll find another pattern to shine in. Really."
Anyway, the pro's are that I like how the colors of the yarn work in garter stitch, and I like the pattern. I could continue on as is - it's OK, but the problem is that it's just OK. Not spectacular. Not doing justice to either the pattern or the yarn. So...my choices are:
B - Rip out entirely and use yarn in a different pattern.
C - Rip out to the lace section and replace that section with a different stitch.
Choice A is out. No point in continuing - I don't like it. So I'm down to B or C. At a minimum I'll be doing some ripping, but how far to rip? I could also add choice D to the mix - rip back to the lace section and redo (the lace) using a different yarn. Hmmm.....
Thursday, April 14, 2011
T-Shirts for Knitters
As I go through the boards at Ravelry, I'm inspired to make up a few T-shirts. These were all pretty much lifted directly from the Selfish Knitters & Crocheter's group, direct quotes:
Knitters are fun.
- "Bowling is the perfect sport for knitters because you can knit between turns and there is beer."
- "You had me at knitting & beer." (Editor's note: Notice a theme here?)
- "Kiss my sticks" (Response back to the Editor.)
- "I use DPNs a lot- multiple needles confuse the muggles"
- "Knittin’ NINJAAAAAA!"
- "“No. I won’t stab you with these pointy sticks, because the yarn ON these pointy sticks is worth more to me than your life. I don’t feel like getting blood all over my (insert project here) that I have spent hours on. So you are safe. For now. Until I bind off…”
Knitters are fun.
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