Sockaholic - Knitting with Knancy

And....she's back...

2009-04-05T12:35:00.005-04:00

After an inexcusable absence, I'm back. Been busy with much knitting, very successful Christmas sweaters and sundry gifts, 3 completed sweaters for myself as well as another almost done and 2 more on the needles (I never claimed to practice project monogamy) and many more socks done...

So, here are some FOs for perusal...

My niece and nephew in their Christmas sweaters (February Lady Sweater and Cobblestone):

Mom and Dad in Mitered Vest and Shawl Collared Vest:

Spanish Flamingo (aka Spanish Peacock Shawl) in Dream in Color Baby, Flamingo Pie:

Various socks from Summer of Socks 2008 KAL:

My first Selbuvotter Mittens:

Current socks:

And, it just wouldn't be complete without some yarn pron...Scored a nice chunk of Sundara during her February anti-Winter-blahs updates:

Aran Silky Merino in Purple Mint:

Sock in Random Notes:

Fingering Silky Merino in Princely Garb:

Aran Silky Merino in Botany Bay:

And...that's all for now...

BareNakedLacy Socks are here!

2008-06-29T06:36:00.003-04:00

The socks are done.

The pattern is done and available for download as a PDF for free!

Hit over the head by Ravelry

2008-01-07T22:55:00.000-05:00

Erm. Yea. Well. Huh. Hard to believe I'm completed neglected my blog since I received my Ravelry invite. Guess I owe a long-overdue rapid update now that the holidays are behind us and 2008 has begun.

So, for a quick rundown of holiday knitting:

Here be Pirates hat out of Knitpicks Swish DK for my nephew:

Ice Queen snood/hood/neckwarmer thing out of Kidsilk Haze and beads for mom:

Foliage Hat out of Wollmeise for my SIL:

Pecan Pie Brioche beret for my niece out of Noro Kureyon and Wool of the Andes:

Didn't get pictures of anything else. Yes. I know. Bad knitter. Bad bad knitter.

The Brioche berets have turned out to be a wee bit addictive...finished another for myself:

and am 80% done with a third...Very entertaining, fairly quick and one feels awfully clever when they're done.
Actually finished a real live sweater for myself, the Mr. Greenjeans cardigan. Nice quick knit, Cascade 220 Handpaints, Alaskan Twilight colorway. Wonderfully cozy, easy to wear:

In fact, I liked knitting it so much I started another:

Note: The colors are much deeper and not at all garish in person. Not sure what the camera was smoking when that picture was taken.

Been having fun with Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sockknitters book:

(Aren't the 2 Bartholomew's Tantalizing Socks odd lookin? Especially off the blocker? Gotta say, they fit divinely despite being homely off the foot...)

Smaller-gauge variation of the Home & Hearth anklet:

Other random finished socks:

Summer of Love Lace socks from the Socks That Rock 2007 club (club pattern, used a different STR Lightweight, Blue Brick Wall):

Lenore, again from the STR Sock club:

On the needles with hopes of not-too-far-away finished:

Neiman pullover from knitty.com in a delish brown cashmere from Sarah's Yarns with aqua contrast in Jaggerspun Zephyr DK.

Moderne Log Cabin from Mason Dixon Knitting in Cascade 220 Superwash (this will be ongoing, I'm sure).

Oops

2007-08-17T18:31:00.001-04:00

Been ages since I've updated...still working on too many projects at once...but the past week has been all about socks. My NZAK (New Zealand AutoKnitter) arrived and completely lacks any of the persnickety-ness of the restored Gearhart so I've been cranking out socks like a woman possessed...

Two quick samples:

Socks That Rock Lightweight in Romancing the Stone

Wooly Boully in Neopolitan...insanely soft and squishy...

Both pairs done with a "mock rib" cuff (I haven't learned how to use the ribber attachment yet as they forgot to include the DVD instructions which are now en route...) which is a faux rib accomplished by pulling out 1 out of every 4 needles, knitting double the finished cuff length then folding it up and knitting it together...not quite as elegant as a true ribbed cuff but works well. I hardly ever drop stitches with the NZAK...amazing what new-manufacture and some 21st century manufacturing improvements (such as computer-calibrated parts and machined cylinders as opposed to the old cast aluminum/iron method) will do for one's abilities LOL

Haven't neglected hand-knitting socks though...could never do that. We had a bad storm 2 weeks ago where we lost power for about 12 hours. Found one of the few colors I have with black in it and cast on some "Blackout" socks by candlelight.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this yarn...I don't usually use heavier sock yarns but there's no resisting this stuff...Fiesta Boomerang...squooooooshy lofty stuff in DK weight...Madrid colorway

...so, I finished this pair and immediately cast on another...More Boomerang in the Salsa colorway...

And no, it's not just been socks...have 2 fair isle projects going:

Luskentyre by Alice Starmore (newly "rethought" colorway from Virtual Yarns in Starmore's Hebridean 2-ply). I've always loved this design and the photo doesn't do the richness of the colors justice...

And the Elephants Vest from Starmore's Children's Collection, also from Virtual Yarns in Hebridean 2-ply...this one's going by lightning fast because it's for a small person...closest thing to fair isle instant gratification one can get and not have it be a hat :)

Bits and Pieces, Cast-on-itis and Knitting ADD

2007-06-05T06:19:00.000-04:00

I know, I know...been ages since I updated...

I haven't made substantial progress on anything despite lots of knitting simply because I can't make up my mind what I should or really want to be working on. Guess it's that time of year.

So...I knit a few more dishcloths (3 went to Mom for Mother's Day)...kept a Garterlac for myself...

Started in on the Socks that Rock April Grasshopper kit...but after finishing one sock, decided I didn't like how they fit me so will be frogging it and making some other type of sock with the yummy stuff...

Been making progress on another border scarf from Victorian Lace Today in some yummy Seasilk (Spring Lilacs):

And a Leaf Lace mini-shawl (guess that makes it a scarf too?) in Mini Maiden (Rose Garden):

And for something more substantial (and I want to have it done in time for Marcia's BBQ in July) I started (and am about 75% done with the front) the Pacific Grove Pullover from Just One More Row patterns in Elann.com's Pasticcio:

I've put all wool socks aside for the moment since my feet are screaming for nice light cottony/summery socks and at least on THAT front I'm making progress...finished the first and 2/3 done with the second of a pair of Quill Lace socks in Crystal Palace Panda Cotton (Blueberries-Grapes) which is a yummy, springy (but not too stretchy so it's easy to knit) bamboo/cotton/elastic blend:

On the philosophical (kinda) front, it always puzzles me when I see knitters seemingly frozen with fear about something they've not tried before or is at all puzzling. I guess I learned to knit so young that it never occurred to me to be fearful of just trying something. No one dies if you mess up your knitting. 99% of yarns happily rip back to live to knit another day. Maybe I just don't overthink what I'm doing (which is ironic since I tend to overthink most things) and maybe that's one of the reasons I like knitting as much as I do...I don't overthink or overanalyze...I just do it. I've never been the sort to want to try anything daredevil like skydiving or bungee-jumping...perhaps knitting without a net fulfills whatever teeny urge I might have to be daring. Or maybe it just never occurred to me that any of it was hard thus to be feared. I only have one knitting nemesis, the short row heel in stockinette and I think, with Wendy's help, we've figured out why mine turn out like codpieces (seems I have tighter-than-typical row gauge in socks). Fortunately, short row heels are not at all required for successful sock knitting so it's not even a big deal.

So why are so many fearful with their knitting? Even some who are experienced knitters, who don't have to think twice about any of the basics? Is it just some mindset that they only get one shot at having it come out just right? I don't know. Is their best cashmere being held hostage if they drop a stitch? Favorite merino being threatened with submersion in piping hot water with agitation when they attempt to cut a steek?

Knitting never makes me feel smart or clever...it's not like I invented any of this stuff...the most creative I get is choosing yarn/colors and making certain alterations for fit. I didn't create the wheel, I didn't discover SSK or that combining YOs with decreases makes lacey fabric. I do get satisfaction when I try something that someone else has invented and it works and looks cool and I certainly feel a sense of being involved with history when I turn a heel the same way someone a few hundred years ago did.

But fear? Nope. I figure I have a better chance of getting struck by lightening then being killed by knitting...

A sweater knit in fear is a sweater half knit?

Ok...time for more Nyquil...

New Toy, Dishcloths, Something Victorian and Something Blue

2007-05-09T18:32:00.000-04:00

Quick update...

Got a new "toy"...a mechanically-restored 1924 Gearhart sock knitting machine which has been keeping me busy with learning its quirks and processes.

Here she is:

So, after knitting what seemed like miles of tubes (don't even ask about figuring out how to get knitting started...the ebook my seller graciously sent me doesn't work on Macs so I had to figure out that what I thought was just a knitted sample from the machine was actually what they call a "knitted starter bonnet", and practicing (and messing up) many heels/toes (they're done exactly the same way...short row toes/heels), I knit...a sock:

Now, my machine doesn't have a ribber...but well-restored machines, especially with 80 slot cylinders, don't come along every day, and I figured that having to hand-knit the ribbing was still oodles less time than hand-knitting entire socks, so it was a concession I was more than willing to make. So yes, I know...this sock doesn't have a cuff yet...but I had to show it off...I didn't screw up the heel or toe...yay!

"Real knitting"...finished a lace scarf...the "Scarf with edging 21 and insertion 25" on page 100 of Victorian Lace Today, in Handmaiden Mini Maiden in Periwinkle (and OMG this yarn is as soft as shaving cream...50/50 wool/silk single ply):

And due to having several other intensive lace projects in the works, my brain needed a break so I got down to basics and whipped up 2 dishcloths:

On the right is the Ballband Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting and on the left is the Garterlac Dishcloth. Garterlac...fun...whee!

Yes Virginia, you CAN spin laceweight on a travel wheel

2007-04-18T07:19:00.000-04:00

My Louet Victoria travel wheel arrived this past weekend and after a quick trial spin of a bunch of not particularly cooperative Wensleydale, I decided to really put her to the test...laceweight. Could this tiny wheel do it without excessive effort on my part?

In a word...yes. I threw her on the highest ratio (1:13) and grabbed a bunch of Optim merino roving (Pearl colorway) and easy-peasy, I was spinning thread.

I did a little bit of sample plying and the result was equivalent to Jaggerspun merino laceweight which is a hair finer than their Zephyr...so I'm very pleased. Is it going to take a while to get 2 bobbins' worth of singles done? Yes, and it's going to take a while to ply it, but I'm very happy with the results so far.

Is this easier on my Rose? Yes...it would be a little faster and a little less treadling, but I'm very impressed with this tiny wheel.

Shuffling off to Buffalo

2007-04-17T18:12:00.000-04:00

The Heartland Shawl in fingering weight buffalo down yarn is done and blocked (just need to weave in those pesky ends). It's sort of difficult finding a good place to hang it to get a good shot...

All in all, a satisfying pattern to knit...very clever to make a lace pattern resembling buffalo hoof tracks. The buffalo yarn blooms nicely after washing and can be blocked fairly aggressively...very very soft and I'm a big fan of rich brown so the lack of color options wasn't a concern for me. I added 1 additional repeat of the main lace pattern as I'm tall and wanted a slightly larger shawl. If I use this pattern again in another yarn, I'd probably add a few more repeats.

Oh so Giddy

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

Who'da thunk a pair of plain stockinette socks would end up being so much trouble?

Apparently this yarn had other ideas of what it wanted to be, because it resisted being knit into plain socks wholeheartedly.

Cider Moon Glacier is a lovely 100% merino sportweight...but the skeins are a little skimpy at 253 yards. I didn't think this was going to be a huge problem because of being able to knit them on US3s. I finished a sock...see happy finished sock:

2/3 of the way through the second sock, I ran out of yarn (seems to be my current theme, considering the Buffalo fiasco). Since getting more yarn wasn't an option (sold out and any new batch with this color, should it appear in the near future at all, wouldn't match), I had to do major surgery to be able to do the last 3" of the foot of the second sock. I cut off both completed ribbed cuffs about an inch into the stockinette leg, finished the foot of the second sock, then reknit shorter cuffs.

Oy vey. I love this yarn, but I'm hesitant to order more since, despite my tendency to like shorter legs, these are barely longer than anklets...and buying 2 skeins just makes it too pricey to justify. Maybe for gift socks for folks with smaller feet...

Buffalo Herding

2007-03-30T04:13:00.000-04:00

The Heartland shawl is temporarily on hold as, 4 rows from finishing, I...ran...out...of...yarn. ACK. So that buffalo has been herded...

Finished the first New England sock...very happy with how it turned out...did the leg on US3 and the foot on US1 and it fits POIFECTLY.

Here's a progress pic of the Cable-Down Raglan from Interweave Knits Spring 2007...loving how it's working up in Rowan Calmer, colorway Coral (one of the few more saturated colors Calmer comes in).

Quick update...

2007-03-27T03:57:00.000-04:00

Haven't posted for over a week...been working on a bunch of things...

Currently on the needles is the Heartland Lace Shawl in my precious Buffalo yarn. I'm almost done with the 5th repeat of the main pattern (pattern only calls for 4 repeats but I wanted it larger and didn't want ANY of the precious yarn to go to waste).

Have the New England sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road on the needles in Scarlet Fleece Tubular 2x in Log Cabin colorway...shown on my fancy new XL sock blockers that I ordered from the Loopy Ewe:

For my birthday last week, I treated myself to the yarn kit for the Sugarplum Pullover from Handknit Holidays:

And halfway done with a pair of plain socks out of Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Rooster Rock:

Is it Spring yet?

2007-03-15T22:57:00.000-04:00

They faked us out with 1 day of 70 degree weather. Now it's 40 and pouring. Bummer.

At least the new sock thinks it's Spring...another Monkey sock in Scarlet Fleece It's Tubular 2X in Cottage Garden. I had heard great things about this yarn, so ordered some and initially, I wasn't blown away. It had a sort of stiff, "dry" feeling...very synthetic-like to my hand. I talked to a few folks and that was totally not their experience with it, so I decided to wait and see how it did once washed. Much better. Maybe the dye didn't rinse enough in this colorway but after washing, it's spongy and delightful.

Started the Cable Down Cardigan from Spring 2007 Interweave Knits in Rowan Calmer Coral. So far it's a fun knit...early progress pic...too lazy to take one that's only 1 repeat longer...

And a little stash enhancement to brighten one's day...nothing like a little package of Fleece Artist and Handmaiden...

Monsoon Madness

2007-03-07T02:10:00.000-05:00

Yup, they're done...voila!

2 days of knitting...size 11 feet...but I'm really happy with the yarn and it was fun to blaze through the pair...

Monsoon Mudslide

2007-03-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

Wasn't really feeling the club pattern that came with the STR Monsoon. Interesting looking and some cool ideas but I didn't think it would work well on my feet and, well, frankly, I'm not a huge fan of neverending ribbing on socks, no matter how nice it looks. Just takes too long and I like to be able to knit quickly on socks.

So, I went with Lava Flow from Sockbug. Threw on Lucy Neatby's garter stitch short row heel. I thought the slip-stitch pattern sort of blurred things up a bit, as if you were looking at a forest through windows coated in rain. Ok...too existential for socks, but you know what I mean...

Anyhow, started it last night and finished the first today. In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have picked this yarn out in a crowd but I actually really like it...very different than my usual color choices. Falls somewhere between camouflage and moss growing on rocks. Very organic.

Kewing for the Monsoon Season

2007-03-02T17:16:00.000-05:00

Yahoo! The dreary rainy day heralded in a loverly delivery...the first of the 2007 Socks That Rock Club kits...Monsoon. Loving this. Evoked the weather without being dull or flat or boring...and the pattern looks pretty interesting too...and lookie...baby sock yarn! I was hoping they'd send keychains and they did, they did!

And I finished the first of the Kew socks (Colinette Jitterbug, Florentine colorway). This pattern knits up very quickly and I love the base yarn Colinette used...it's almost identical to the Socks That Rock sproingy merino...high twist, nice and cushy. I wish they didn't shortchange the yardage...just under 300 yards in the skein, unlike the STR 380 yards...but there's plenty for a pair of Kews. Reminds me why I really need some sock blockers...the lacy leaf pattern used in Kew doesn't lay flat on its own so photographs all bumpy and scrumpy and weird (oh my).

Bird of Paradise

2007-03-02T09:57:00.000-05:00

The second installment of the second Sundara Petals sock club arrived yesterday...didn't open it til evening so wanted to wait until I could look at it again in semi-daylight (semi because it's a grey dreary day from all the rain). It's...okay. I was sorely disappointed in the Lenten Rose first installment...while some people got a true semi-solid with tonal differences, mine was a dull flat dreary depressing grey with a tinge of purple. Now, it's well known that I adore purple...and it really took some doing to find/make a purple that I hated...and boy, I hated it. I've bought yarn from Sundara before joining the club and always loved it...very sophisticated with a lot of depth of color so the last thing I was expecting was flat dead color. And it was especially disappointing after seeing the three installments in the first club...all gorgeous, all yarns I would've bought. So, it was with a bit of trepidation that I opened installment number 2. Sundara had assured me via email that the second and third installments would indeed be multicolored yarns as the club description states...and ok, this is definitely multicolored, but I'm still surprised that the colors are very one-dimensional which is not what I think of when I think of Sundara's yarns...and it's really not a color combo I'd ever buy on my own.

However, it does invoke the flower from which its inspiration is derived. I don't like the pattern (I generally find rib-pattern socks too boring to knit so will probably try something like Blue Moon's Hippy Crunchy pattern. I suspect this yarn will pool alarmingly since it did so even in the pattern included which was intended to break up pooling a bit. At least I don't hate it so will actually be able to stand working with it. Might be a nice colorway for socks for my 10 year old niece.

I'm expecting the first installment of the Socks That Rock Club hopefully today and I'm really hoping I love it. I've loved every bit of STR that I've gotten so far and have never actually seen a colorway of theirs that I didn't like (which always makes it hard to choose only a few) so I'm really crossing my fingers. I will not be rejoining the Sundara club, however, as two of the three so far are yarns I would never buy on my own. Hopefully the final kit will make up for it, but at this point, I'm not holding my breath. Her presentation is beautiful and obviously a lot of effort goes into putting the kits together, but they just aren't up to Calla Lily or Hydrangea from the first club.

Shock the Monkey

2007-02-28T07:24:00.000-05:00

Barrelled through a pair of Monkey socks in Socks That Rock Lightweight, colorway Rhodolite. Yes. They are very vivid. Shocking. Yup. But they are very happy socks.

Very. Now I need to find something nice a muted so my eyes can see colors normally again.

I'm making decent progress on the Cap Shawl border...have 11 repeats done which covers just over 2 segments of the 9 total...so it's getting there, but I have all sorts of new sock yarn and I swore I couldn't start any others before finishing these very. bright. socks. So they're done.

Have to share another hobby of mine, doll collecting, for just a moment. I had ordered some clothing pieces from Boxpleat Fashions for a particular repainted doll I commissioned to resemble Maria Callas...so I just have to show her off. Here is Divina, originally a Miss Gulch by Tonner Doll Company, repainted by the inimitable Jenise Mah.

Buttons and Borders oh my...

2007-02-24T19:10:00.000-05:00

The blue Baby Surprise jacket is all done...buttons and all...

It blocked out a bit larger than it was knitting up (whew) because I was a bad girl when I frogged the original sweater and didn't reblock the yarn to straighten it (lazy LOL). But I like that it has retained the very homey look of the handspun yarn and washing/blocking has made it feel soft and cozy.

I started the border for the Cap Shawl last night as well. I don't know why I was approaching it with any fear or trepidation whatsoever (well, other than never having done a knitted-on border before). It was a bit fiddly to start but it's really very easy, and I'm glad I chose a circular shawl as my first lace piece with a knitted-on border as there will be no awkward angles or corners to navigate. It will, however, take a looong time to get around this thing. There are 738 stitchs around the outside and it's 2 rows of border for every 1 stitch...that's math I really don't want to do because thinking about 1400+ rows of border is a bit inertia-inducing. But at least it's an easy repeat to memorize and it does look rather nifty if I do say so myself. And yes folks, that's a DPN...Nancy now owns some DPNs. I got them solely for lacework...for that center start for square or circular shawls and for border work. Period.

Baby Blues

2007-02-22T02:35:00.000-05:00

Just a quick entry to show off the latest Baby Surprise Jacket...still needs blocking and buttons, but other than that, it's done. I used some of my hand-spun for this and love how it striped.

I think I've had enough Baby Surprise jackets for the moment...they're fun but I think they're best interspersed with more challenging stuff...

Capping Along and Interweave Knits Spring 2007

2007-02-21T16:53:00.000-05:00

Making good progress on the Cap Shawl (Victorian Lace Today)...now on row 156...need to finish 172 rows before the knitting-on of the border commences...hoping I have enough yarn...just started the third skein out of the four I have...eek.

The lace pattern part goes pretty quickly as it's interesting...unfortunately, 10 of the last 15 rows are plain knit or purl (6 eek!) so that'll take some muscling through, I think. I'm not sure I understand why there are no increases in the last 10 rounds, however...

Got the Spring 2007 Interweave Knits...new layout for patterns...seems ok. But really, not much of any interest in this issue in terms of patterns I'd ever knit. Most interesting/useful thing is the article on entrelac technique. Very clear and is accompanied by a nice entrelac sock pattern. Here are the other patterns in a nutshell:

Ribs and Lace Tank

To me, the proportions are all off on this tank. The rib increases at the bust give an odd "zooming" effect...very unflattering and the lace around the midriff add thickness at the waist and then it goes just too long. If it makes a thin model look thick, it won't work on a normal body.

Green Tea Raglan

Perfectly decent but ordinary ragan sweater. And you have to wonder if anyone really enjoys doing THAT much seed stitch. I know I sure don't. But other than that, a decent basic sweater. Not sure the belt adds to it at all, however.

Dollar and a Half Cardigan

Interesting interplay on front panels of horizontal vs. vertical stitch patterns. Have to wonder if the styling problems (namely, bad gapping/pulling at the buttons) is just a fit problem (although it doesn't look tight on the model) or something that is problematic with the design and how the contrasting stitch patterns affect drape.

Bonsai Tunic

Another design that only straight-as-stick, boy-figured women could really pull off. Must be layered as it's very low-cut and will probably have the same issue, in terms of flattering, as the Stitch Diva Simple Bodice pattern with how it emphasizes the waist, thus thickens the waist. Nice use of stitch patterns, however. Would certainly be fun to knit.

Swan Lake Cardigan

Very pretty design, delicate details...but I'm thinking the added tulle at the short sleeve edges would itch like mad. Certainly can be left off. The embossed leaf patterns with the vertical lines give flattering visual interest. The puffed sleeve might be a little too precious for some, however.

Indigo Ripples skirt

In a word, WHY? I don't know anyone who wears hand-knit skirts and this one is a bit vulgar because the lacy lower part comes up too high and leaves little to the imagination. Too much tootie showing.

Slanted Neck Pullover

Extremely basic and the assymetrical v-neck isn't extreme enough to be convincingly intentional. It really needs a bit more angle to the side to make it look like it's not just a knitting mistake.

Rose Halter Top

Again, proportion problems and makes the model look very thick at the waist and droopy in the bust. Quick knit in a chunky yarn but best left for a layering piece for a pre-teen body type.

Clementine Shawl

Nice basic wrap. Would be a good beginner lace project as it's not as vast as the typical lace shawl and it's done in a non-lace-weight yarn so would work up pretty quickly.

Eyelet Rib Bandeau

Major Fug here...hand-knit, button down tube top. Looks like someone hacked up their grandmother's cardigan.

Cable-Down Raglan

My fave in this issue by miles. It's worked in the round from the top, nice, not overdone use of interesting cables. 3/4 length sleeve, which I personally like and would work on a lot of body types with its flattering vertical lines.

Ruffled Surplice

This is the cover design. It's...okay. I think it's done in a too-heavy yarn and I think the cutaway aspect of the other-wise flattering wrap front makes hips look larger. I think a slightly shorter length would be more flattering. And again with the puffed short sleeve...makes it a bit "precious."

Keyhole Top

I don't dislike this from the front, but the back limits its wearability with its very open, low-cut back that prevents wearing a bra, which limits who could actually wear it. The front is actually pretty nice...the keyhole tasteful, the proportions good, but the pinafore back limits it. On the right person, could be done in a dressy/evening yarn.

Cocktail Capelet

Pretty. Just one of those random drapey sort of accessory pieces that would be nice for a strapless, not-terribly-dressy dress or top. Good cable and bobble exercise.

Angela's Apron

It's supposedly "a refreshing change from the ubiquitous tank"...but...it's an apron. It's not a tank substitute. Tanks can be worn on their own. This is an apron. It looks like an apron. Reminds me of junior high home economics projects.

Petunia Tote

Big floopy bag. I prefer knitted bags of this size to be at least somewhat felted so they can actually carry things without stretching all over the place and retain at least a little structure. To me, it looks like a pre-felting bag.

Bauhaus Fair Isle

Pretty straightforward very traditional fair isle sweater knitted in the round using steeks. Perfectly good first real fair isle sweater, if a bit uninspired in its color use. Not comparable to either Starmore's or Feitelson's color language, but certainly a worthwhile project for someone unsure they want to invest in fair isle-specific books or chasing down Starmore books at the high secondary market prices.

Merry Maiden's Dress

Cute child's dress, but I'd limit it to girls on the younger side...6-7 tops.

Rosa's Socks

Nice variation on ribbed socks. Uses the brioche stitch in a 3x3 rib. Not surprised I like it...Grumperina is the designer and she typically has good taste.

Florentine Pillow

Could use better color choices, but overall a cute pillow pattern and would be good for learning intarsia.

So, I'd probably only knit the Cable Down Raglan and the socks and might be motivated to finally try entrelac. Overall, I don't think it's as strong an issue as the previous one.

Squeee!

2007-02-13T19:54:00.000-05:00

There's just nothing cuter than small clothes. Color me behind the times, but I only recently discovered the works of Elizabeth Zimmerman and now I'm addicted. I just love how her brain worked and I finally got around to knitting one of her patterns, the Baby Surprise jacket (I used the instructions in her Knitting Workshop book. I love how her dislike of seaming (aka laziness) was quite the mother of invention for her...this jacket is done in one piece so that it looks like an amoeba...

...until you do a bit of simple origami and VOILA! it's a jacket...how cool is that?
And lookie! Booties! I had never made booties before...found a great pattern online, Christine's Baby Booties and I just love the sense of history this pattern has...

Used 2 skeins of Koigu KPPPM with just maybe 10 yards leftover...great way to use sock yarn when you're not in the mood to knit socks...

How I knit

2007-02-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

Wendy of Wendyknits posted today about how to cable without a cable needle and also showed her unique style of knitting. This got me thinking...how cool would it be for folks to show how they knit? I think many of us have been told at one time or another that we "knit wrong" regardless of the results being good. So, here's how I knit...I knit just like how I was taught as a small child. I never learned to thread the yarn around or through the fingers of my right hand to "tension" the yarn...I just feel the tension and my tension is very consistent. And it works for me.

If you have a digital camera, you might have the ability to shoot a short video...so, here's a shout-out...show us how YOU knit...

We will we will ROCK YOU!

2007-02-08T07:11:00.000-05:00

Nothing like a box full of Socks that Rock sockyarn to brighten one's day...
From left to right: Romancing the Stone (lightweight), Cobalt Bloom, Citrine, Flourite, Carbon Dating, Fire on the Mountain, Waterlilies and Saratoga (all mediumweight)

Yum.

Round and round the Cap goes...

2007-02-04T00:43:00.000-05:00

Making progress on the Cap Shawl...on round 98 already...just about 8 rounds into the more interested lace pattern. I'm liking this yarn for it...Knitpicks Shimmer merino...it's allowing for fast knitting.

You turn me right-round, baby, right-round

2007-01-30T04:42:00.000-05:00

Since I'm stuck here spinning my wheels, I thought maybe a circular shawl would be a good idea...

From Victorian Lace Today, the Cap Shawl...doing it in Knitpicks Shadow, 100% merino in the Jewels Heather color. Had started the Large Rectangle from the same book in Jaggerspun Zephyr but just wasn't having any fun with it. Dunno if it was the back-and-forthness of it, or if I just wasn't enjoying the yarn on metal needles, or if the pattern was just boring or if it was because I had decided to do their "Easy" lace pattern to try out a knitted-on border for the first time so it wasn't really something I "wanted" to make...dunno...but I wasn't feelin it. The first 2/3 of this is not an "interesting" lace pattern but I'm already liking knitting it better, so there...pfffft!

Big Hat

2007-01-25T00:13:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling a little stir crazy...been off work this week due to a pinched nerve and have been working on the purple Cactus Flower but it's straight stockinette so of course has put me in the endless black hole where no matter how much you knit, no progress seems to be made. So I had to take a break and work up a quick hat in Rowan Biggie Print...killed an hour...
Guess it's back to the endless purple...

Kiri eleison

2007-01-23T22:22:00.000-05:00

Kiri is done! Second Kiri Shawl I've knit, this time in Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester in their Ivory colorway...it's a christening shawl for my best friend's impending clone...

Couldn't initially figure out why this one seemed to be taking so much longer, but then I realized I'd done 3 additional repeats...so it's nice and big...not huge, but about 6' wingspan...first time I got to use my lace blocking wires too...still a bit of a pain to get the knitting on the wires but then pinning it to the board goes much faster and a lot straighter...
Just cast on the Cactus Flower Sweater from Knitty.com...

And a quick finished object...lengthwise scarf out of a ball of Be Sweet's Magic Ball in the Nemo's World colorway...nice way to spend an hour...

Ooh How lucky am I??

2007-01-07T11:17:00.000-05:00

Now, you're asking, "What's so special about these pictures?"

Well, I got this yarn on sale...from 2 different online stores. Neither had enough for my project and so I bought the bulk of it at one store and made up the difference at the other with the idea that I'd just have to do the alternating-rows-from-2-skeins thing...but look at those tags...just LOOK at them. HEE! No alternating required! Same dye lot! How lucky am I??

Anyhow, I think I'm going to do a Zimmerman percentage sweater with it...it's such pretty yarn and knits up with a lot of color texture so a plain sweater is probably best anyhow...

One of the current WIPs: Celtic Vest from Fleece Artist in the Mermaid colorway. How much do I love this Scotia Silk? It's just scrummy and I love the colors...and of course, it's on huge needles so working up super fast. Yay!

And looky looky...been wanting this for AGES...and I managed to find one for less than the usual secondary market price AND in pristine condition...

No Stash Diet Here...

2007-01-05T15:48:00.000-05:00

I've done some stash enhancing this week...mmmmmm yarrrrrrrnnnnn....

Buffalo yarn (yes, from Buffalo down...2 2oz skeins of fingering weight...hmmm what shall it be when it grows up???)

Tilli Thomas Pure & Simple and Rock Star in Jade for the Stitchdiva Sahara sweater

Ooooooh...Socks that Rock...

From left: Tanzanite, Torridon (both for one of their fair isle sock patterns), Puck's Mischief, Chapman Springs, Nodding Violets

The first 2 FOs for 2007:
Swirl Scarf (very short, ack! considering that the last 6 rows were 1600 stitches long...gyahhhhh) out of ~~Cracksilk~~ Kidsilk Night.

Fetching fingerless mitts from Knitty.com in my own homespun!

2006 in Review

2007-01-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

Here's a sampling of my Finished Objects of 2006. I didn't get photos of everything (ack!) but it's a general idea LOL

My creation
Originally uploaded by operakatz.

Christmas Knitting Part 1

2006-12-25T05:58:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update since at this point it'll pose no spoilers:

Vaila Vest is done!

Haiti is done!

Lite Brite is done!

Retrograde is (almost) done! LOL

The Consumer-Friendly Yarn debate

2006-12-11T21:48:00.000-05:00

I have been getting caught up on listening to the Cast On podcasts and she's been talking about the consumer-friendly yarn issue. The cattalyst for this issue coming to the forefront apparently was due to Tilli Thomas Yarns having an issue with Sarah's Yarns (see Sept. 5 entry) selling their yarn at a discount. Tilli Thomas, as well as a good number of other yarn manufacturers, insist their retailers sell at keystone pricing, aka setting market price.

What is keystone price, you ask? It is: A pricing method of marking merchandise for resell to an amount that is double the wholesale price. Some of the yarn vendors specify that their yarn must be sold for no less than, oh, 85% of keystone, for example, but are still setting a minimum price for their product. It's not "MSRP"...it's not a suggestion. "Suggestion" means just that...not a hard, fast pricepoint, but a suggested pricepoint. What happens is that if a yarn vendor gets wind of a retailer selling below their set price, they cancel their wholesale accounts.

The big player in all of this, of course, is the internet. Online yarn stores without the overhead of a brick and mortar are more able to afford to discount and brick and mortars without an online presence can't afford to compete.

This discussion is being held over at Consumer Friendly Yarns blog. I also encourage you to read Sarah's blog entry and the comments made to it as a starting point. There are many issues to consider. Some people have decided to purchase yarns made only by consumer-friendly (meaning no keystone/set-price practices) yarn manufacturers. The Consumer Friendly Yarns blog is also compiling a list of manufacturers that do or don't adhere to these keystone policies.

Make up your own mind about it, of course...some of these keystone companies include some of my favorite yarns so I'm not going to be immediately jumping onto the "consumer-friendly yarns only or bust" bandwagon, but these companies may be hearing from me about their practices.

Forever and a day

2006-11-19T09:05:00.000-05:00

I know, I know...I've been wretched about posting lately, but that's mostly due to the upcoming holidays...Too many surprises that could be ruined so can only post non-gift items from here on out, so that basically is, well, not a whole lot...just socks, as those fill my commuter time...

Here's Lucy!

I'm thorougly addicted to Socks That Rock from Blue Moon at the moment. There's something so squeegy-yummy-sproingy about their yarn that's just fun to knit. The colorway was designed around Wendyknits' cat Lucy and I've had Siamese so I had to get it...pools and flashes bizarrely but that's ok...turned out a wee bit long/big so not entirely practical for wearing with shoes but they're fantabulous as bed socks...almost like heating pads for the feet, so I like them...and no...I am not that flexible...for those not paying attention, those are my hands in the socks...

Got the newest Interweave Knits mag and reviewing the patterns seems to be the thing to do these days, and considering the lack of other content, here goes:

Cardigan for Arwen: Okay...probably will have a knitalong in blogland, but I don't personally like to knit sleeves sideways for fit reasons and drape reasons. Nice use of plaited cables and the hoodie aspect is nice. Needs a closure (easy enough) and personally, I'd like it a smidge longer.

Venezia Pullover: Gorgeous. My pick of litter for the issue. Some folks are intimidated by the small gauge needed for the fair isle work and by fair isle in general, but folks, really, it's not hard...only 2 colors per row, so it doesn't matter if the pattern calls for 2 or 30 colors...never more than 2 at a time. Unlike most fair isle sweaters, this is nicely shaped so much more flattering than more traditional designs. Kudos. This is good stuff.

Equestrian Blazer: Nothing particularly equestrian about it, but it's a cute design. Not something that I'd wear because it would look terrible on me, but I'd knit it for someone with the right body type for it. Also not sure if the thin shawl collar would behave well.

Pewter Coat: Really like this with the exception of the too-wide collar (probably fixable). Very nice cabling and seems to be a flattering shape with the not-typical-in-fancy-cables shaping. Would be fun to knit.

Enid Cardigan: Another really lovely design with its quasi-retro yoke pattern but modernized with the dropped neck and roll edge cuffs.

Retrograde Pullover: I like it. I know a lot of folks don't but I think the styling of the photo hurts the design. I'd also not make it as long. There's actually something quite retro and classic about it, funked up with the reverse stockinette thing going on. I'd also use a cleaner looking ribbing for cuff and hem.

Nantucket Jacket: Another very nice design...Again, I think the styling of the photo gets in the way...I actually like the 3/4 sleeve but could see it in a full length sleeve as well. Lots going on without looking too busy.

Refined Raglan: It's actually a good design, again with a problematic photo. This is something that needs Ann Margaret styling...a little 50s/60s hostess sweater. Needs a 3/4 sleeve, a better (read, not flat orange) color, to be the right size for the model and over some slim black pants. I'd also very slightly crop the sweater for a better proportion.

Rambling Rose Cardigan: Um. Hard to really tell about this one because it's so obviously way too small for the model, but it's really busy...the scallop shell detailing on the hem and cuffs are overkill...that sort of thing needs to be a standalone element, such as on the Dale of Norway Haiti sweater...combining it with the panels of lace and the two-tone business, well, as Nina Garcia would say, "I'm not sure the taste level is there." Coco Chanel would recommend taking something away...It's just too much.

Provincial Waistcoat: I know a lot of folks really like this, and I guess I see their point to a degree, but my problem with it is the chunkiness of the gauge. I just want it to be finer scale...not a lot, just a bit...like the next yarn weight down. It loses the delicacy I think the designer may have been trying to achieve and I think it wouldn't be that flattering for many...It makes the model look thick so that doesn't bode well for the average woman.

Corded Yoke Pullover: I like the concept of the design but can't see it as wearable for many. Sweaters just don't look good over strapless bras and anyone over 20 would end up looking a bit silly...very interesting use of i-cords but I doubt many will bother with it.

Cabernet Ribs: Another design with great concept but dubious wearability for real people. I love the idea of the "vest" part being 2 strands of the kid mohair and the sheerer long sleeve "under" it as being just 2 strand and having it all as one piece, but it fits like a leotard and even kid mohair itches when next to the skin so...well, there it is.

Touch Me Tunic: Bulky highly textured cami-tunic that makes the model look like she has a might love handle. Um. No.

Thrummed Mittens: Absolutely nothing original about the design or concept. Fine for anyone who doesn't already have 42 variations of this pattern.

Arctic Diamonds Stole: Nice lace piece inspired by Alaskan Native parka trim patterns. Don't like the color of the yarn they chose, but sure, I'd make it...would also be a great first project for new lace knitters.

Rustic Holiday Stocking: Not one of the better knit holiday stockings I've seen but it's ok. It's NOT ok, however, as a hat. Just cuz it fit on someone's head doesn't make it a hat, folks...well, not unless the egg nog was mightily spiked...then everything's a hat.

Jawbreaker Cardian: Ick. The assymetrical collar thing simply doesn't work here (rarely does but this is much further from working than usual).

Wine and Roses Mitts: Love these and I'm not a huge fan of fingerless gloves (aka "I was too lazy to do the fingers so I stopped halfway up the hand"). They're delicate which makes it obvious they're not intended to be glove/mitten substitutes and a nice size project for pricey cashmere yarn.

Cable and Bobble Headband: No no no no. Especially no to the pom-poms. This isn't 1972 folks...and it wasn't cute then either. I don't know anyone who'd wear this, aged 6 or 60 or anything in between.

Cowgirl Slipper Socks: Simply an excuse to write a pattern calling for Buffalo yarn which is about $100/yard (well, not quite that pricey but it's up there in terms of yarn, so you don't want projects that require much of it). They're slipper socks so obviously not meant to act like normal sock socks. And yes, the feather and fan pattern on socks has been done to death, but these would work up very fast in any worsted weight yarn so a nice last-minute gift for someone you wouldn't commit as much time as knitting real socks in fingering gauge.

Tweed Beret: Berets aren't my fave, but as far as berets go, this is a nice one, with the recommended yarn being one with enough body for the thing to keep some shape without the felting that real french berets undergo.

There you have it...overall another worthwhile issue of my favorite knitting mag...I don't know why I even bother subscribing to Vogue Knits and I know I won't be renewing that subscription as there's never anything to knit in them...

Bluueeee Mooooooooon

2006-10-27T18:04:00.000-04:00

If you haven't heard that Blue Moon has updated its site with some wunnerful new Socks That Rock colorways, GO GO GO...

And then there was lace...

2006-10-26T19:01:00.000-04:00

Sorry for no updates for a while but I've been obsessed with lace knitting...finished 2 shawls, the Swallowtail mini-shawl from Interweave Knits magazine and the Kiri shawl...here's the complete Swallowtail...Kiri is residing at the office at the moment...Swallowtail was done in Knitpicks' Alpaca Cloud in Iris...

Finished the Falling Leaves socks and finished the first of the Socks That Rock Lucy socks...

Progress on Haiti sweater...knitting 2nd sleeve then just have to assemble and do the scalloped edge on the neck...

Resuscitation...

2006-09-18T05:26:00.000-04:00

Ok...achieved heeldom on a toe-up that I don't hate. Whew. And it looks normal. I don't like stressful socks. Especially very large stressful socks.

I was very VERY good this weekend...did not enhance my yarn stash or fiber stash at all. YAY ME!

Falling Leaves have fallen and they can't get up

2006-09-17T02:16:00.000-04:00

I'm beginning to think these socks might just not be meant to be. This is now the second time I've had to do some serious frogging back. First, tried a short row heel...came out looking like a codpiece and I followed the directions perfectly. Got to the point where I was about to start the picot edge and just couldn't stand them. Frogged to before the start of the heel. Then I managed to mess up the lace pattern without realizing it for about 2 inches, so frogged back again. *sigh* If I have to frog a third time, I'm frogging the whole thing.

Now back to our regular programming...

2006-09-11T05:57:00.000-04:00

Ok...Angel scarf done...that was refreshing. It's almost 6' long and cast off with about 30" to spare wheee

So, back to Vaila and the Glacier/Falling Leaves socks, etc. Vacation's over...

Cleansing the palate

2006-09-09T08:14:00.000-04:00

Yes, I have a Vaila update...but I had to take a break and do something fairly mindless and on big needles before finishing the next 9 rows (which is where I get to start all the fun of armhole and vee-neck steeks and figure out how the pattern breaks around them). Plus, well, the Handmaiden was screaming to be played with...so started the Angel scarf out of the Silk Rumple/Angel Hair yarns in Rose Garden...

And Vaila...beginning to look like a sweater...

Now to bore you all...

2006-09-07T22:20:00.000-04:00

Yup, another progress pic of Vaila...

But...I did have a small stash enhancement episode...unfortunately, I think I may be becoming addicted to Fleece Artist/Handmaiden yarns...

On the right, Fleece Artist Thrummed Moebius kit in aran-weight blue face leicester with mohair thrums in Tropical something...and on the left 600 meters of delicious Silk Cashmere lace-weight from Handmaiden in Mermaid...

On the right, Angel Rumple scarf kit with Silk Rumple and Angel Hair in Rose Garden, middle, Thrummed Mitten kit in a blue/grey/green Blue-faced leicester wool with mohair thrums, and left, Silk Maiden (50/50 silk/wool single ply) in Lily Pond...

Daily Vaila Status

2006-09-04T22:13:00.000-04:00

As this is the only thing I'm working on right now, well, it continues to grow...I would say that anyone wanting to learn Continental style knitting, do Fair Isle cuz you'll get a lot of practice before having to fly it solo...

It's growing...yup.

2006-08-31T04:07:00.000-04:00

That's all I have to say about that.

And growing...(figured it didn't need its own post...it's just...growing...)

Slogging along

2006-08-27T07:19:00.000-04:00

Actually, almost done with the corrugated ribbing on Vaila...3 rows/1 color left...wheeeee! Nuff said...back to the needles, slave!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

2006-08-25T07:13:00.000-04:00

Bits and bobs on the needles...

Got my wunnerful stash enhancement from Jamieson & Smith in the Shetlands...3 sweaters' worth of 2-ply jumper-weight Shetland wool. Had to immediately cast one on...Vaila Vest

from Ann Feitelson's The Art of Fair Isle Knitting. Great stuff...loving these colors...slogging through the corrugated ribbing...will go faster once I get to the actual pattern.

And yes, folks, there ARE socks on the needle...a couple pairs, actually...but most active are the Falling Leaves from Knitty.com in Fleece Artist Merino Sock, colorway Glacier.

Haiti from Dale of Norway Dalegarn 122 is coming along nicely as well...it's been my commuter project and is just a few rows away from starting the underarm shaping...

Shrinkage Redux

2006-08-21T05:15:00.000-04:00

Had to do another Kristina...Apparently Cascade 220 felts/shrinks just about identically to the Elann yarn...good to know...I actually wasn't sure about this one though...didn't like the colors knitted up...but I love it after felting...go figure.

Before:

After (obviously):

Shrinkage

2006-08-19T02:05:00.000-04:00

I guess I'm in a felting mode...whipped up another bag...Kristina from Black Sheep Bags in Elann.com's Peruvian Highland Wool Summer Fuscia (which felts like a dream, I think better even than Cascade 220) and Noro Kureyon #95. Fun little basic fair isle pattern...was a good size when I knit it up...

Well, apparently I have extremely hot hot water cuz 1 cycle shrunk this puppy down to about half its original size...smaller than the pattern's post-felting finished size. Oops. But, hey, it's a cute little thing...just need a sweater shaver which will make the fair isle pattern show up a little better...

Worry not...Trinket and Fearless are still being worked on, as is the Haiti sweater (which is my commuting project)...

Booga-y Nights

2006-08-14T00:48:00.000-04:00

I finished a Booga Bag wheeeeee Discovered my washer gets nice hot water and both my bags felted in 1 cycle perfectly. Probably having a bunch of other stuff in there with them helped...The other is a Noni Baguette bag, smallest size, and still needs lining and zipper and handles before it can appear in public.

Booga from Nori Kureyon 139B...Great quick tonic for breaks from longer, bigger projects and felting is kinda like Shrinky-dinks only with wool...fun stuff.

Oy. Vacation is over. Why oh why didn't I take 2 weeks off?

Now for a Brief Commercial Break

2006-08-10T05:42:00.000-04:00

Took a break from Fearless and Trinket to whip up a quick Mason-Dixon Washcloth (got a stash enhancement from WEBS today hehe)

What a great quick little knit this is...I used WEBS' own brand Valley Yarns Windsor cotton for it...very nubby and organic, in Spring Green. Will have a nice exfoliating quality to it. Figured a few of these would make great stocking stuffers...

One down 3 to go...

2006-08-08T08:18:00.000-04:00

Got through the first repeat of the Fearless pattern...3 more to go...will have to look at another cardi pattern to figure out how to do the decreases next to the steeks for a cardi because this is a pullover pattern...shouldn't be a problem...hopefully...

Trinket's growing nicely too....

I really need to finalize Christmas present projects so I can see what sort of timetable I'll need to see if I'm being even remotely realistic and have some backup quickies just in case...eek. Only 4 1/2 months til Christmas...eeeeeeeeeeek Better start knitting!

Fearlessly plodding along...

2006-08-06T07:30:00.000-04:00

Got into a decent groove with the Fearless cardi...still struggling a bit with tension, but I think it'll sort out with a good blocking/steaming...

Ordered a wooly board...looks a bit like a torture device for sweaters....

Does make it easier to block sweaters with cats around...they can't lie on them mid-blocking...

Speaking of cats, poor Trinket had a feline-related accident...she was found out by someone...somecat, more specifically, stolen from her drawer and dragged around the downstairs...the knitted part is okay but the feline-who-shall-not-be-named managed to destroy more than half the ball of *gasp* Kidsilk Haze so I've had to email around to see if any of the shops have an addition ball in that dyelot...

Off from work this week...goals are relaxation, some much-needed late spring cleaning, a bit of yard work if it's not too hot and organizing dolls and yarn stash...will probably mean an IKEA run for some bins or cabinet sorts of things...wheeeee

Ooooooooh shiny

2006-08-03T22:46:00.001-04:00

Ok, maybe not shiny but oooooh...Trinket. It's like when someone's easily distracted by a shiny object...pretty fluffy beaded ruffly thing made with ~~Cracksilk~~ Kidsilk Haze...

WIPs? What WIPs??? TRIIIIIINNNNKEETTTTTTTTT

Rut roh.

Trudging along

2006-07-31T04:11:00.000-04:00

After having to stop work on the Fearless Fair Isle because I discovered I'd neglected to order 1 color, I made some progress on it this weekend. It's actually very entertaining...I really thought working a sweater on small needles would be terribly tedious but it's really not and the fair isle patterning is nice and symmetrical so easy to memorize for that row so you just plow along.

Also decided I needed a good foil for small needles so started a Noni Baguette bag...wheeee size 11 needles...

is going to this when it grows up...

Using Elann's Highland Wool...nice and soft...

Fearless

2006-07-23T06:17:00.000-04:00

Well, a big box of yarny sorts of things arrived from Knitpicks on Friday so I had to pause the other projects and cast on my practice Fair Isle sweater...decided that Wendy's Fearless Fair Isle (but with blues instead of purples). Now, I know that fingering weight Peruvian wool (Knitpicks Palette) isn't Shetland wool, but it'll do for practice while I wait to get the real stuff for a fancier sweater...it's still fairly sticky wool so I'm not too worried (eek) about the steeks.

Despite checking twice, I made a classic mistake that I didn't discover until about 13 rows into the corrugated ribbing...I'd managed to twist the stitches on the circular so was knitting a moebius. I can't bear the idea of undoing that much of this ribbing (which I really don't mind knitting as I'm practicing the 1 color in each hand so one hand's throwing and the other hand's picking thing) so I added some steeks and it'll end up a cardigan. Probably better as a cardigan anyhow...

I'm gonna order Jamieson Shetland wool for a couple of sweaters from Ann Feitelson's Art of Fair Isle Knitting...it's amazing how inexpensive the stuff really is, especially compared to some of the pre-fab fair isle kits available...for the price of one Alice Starmore kit, I can get enough yarn for 3 sweaters...yeesh. But it's fun...and I'm working on (brace yourself) wooden needles...ebony to be specific...my nickel plates are just too slick for enough control for colorwork...wheeeee

Tutti Frutti

2006-07-21T08:18:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update since I've been lacking in the posting department...been back in a total knitting thing...working on a project with one of my handspuns...but doesn't look like anything yet so not worth photographing...

I've been bitten by the colorwork bug...been picking up some Alice Starmore books, prepping for my first serious foray into Fair Isle...but in the meantime, decided to practice stranded work with a quick, thicker-yarn project, so did up a quick hat pattern from Knitpicks using their Merino Style, which is a really nice 100% merino for the price...soft and squoogy...needs a hem, ends dealt with and some steaming but not a bad first attempt, I think...

Also started into my Christmas gift knitting...so can't say who it's for LOL won't even hint at the size (so don't ask!)...but it's fun to knit...well, was at least during this fun little fan lace bottom border...the rest is stockinette til I do the sleeves...pattern is Haiti by Dale of Norway, and I'm working it up in Valley Yarns Longmeadow which is a cushy cotton/microfibre blend...just a bit cooshier than the Svale the pattern calls for, so it's nicer on the hands as it has just a weeeee bit of give to it...

Back to the needles

2006-07-07T06:13:00.000-04:00

I decided to take a break from spinning this week as I was not getting much done on any of my knitting projects, well, except for the Haiku sweater (from Knitty.com) out of the blue homespun...

I was determined to finish at least one UFO, so dug out the Bombshell sweater...I think I stopped where I did because all that was left was the bottom border, sleeve borders and neck border...all seed stitch...my favorite...NOT. Seed Stitch Time is like Stairmaster Time...each minute is exponentially longer, each row, three times as many stitches as in reality...bleh.

So, Bombshell is done. Had to redo one of the sleeve borders because I did the blonde thing (even though my hair is, for the moment, brown-ish) and did it with the same size needles as the rest of the sweater instead dropping a few sizes. Bleh...even more Seed Stitch Time limbo. But it's done. I'm not entirely sure I like it on...it's comfy though...guess I'll wear it around the house to see how I feel about it after a while. I am pleased with how the fit turned out...although I could probably drop it down a size next time...and yea, I think there will be a next time, in a nice cotton blend (something springy like a touch of wool, or Rowan Calmer...yum).

Speaking of Rowan Calmer (yum), I'd started the i-cord for the cast-on for the Curvalicious Cardigan, also from Big Girl Knits a while back, so decided to get that fully on the needles. Never done i-cord before, much less an i-cord cast on but it was easy enough and does make for a very charming edge...

I'm doing mine in black and aqua...found the stuff on a wee bit of a sale with a UK seller and free shipping, so off it goes...

Hazy shade of summer

2006-06-24T23:45:00.000-04:00

Yes indeed summer is upon us. After a wonderfully mild and temperate spring, the moment Memorial Day came, the temperature went up. Ick.

And rain...raining like cats and dogs today (only don't tell my cats as they'll want to go and see...) so what better to do on a rainy day than spin...yea i know...I could clean house but what fun is that? Spinning and knitting are much more fun...The rust is a wool/alpaca blend...the roving comes as a soft red with streaks of brown, but blends to nearly solid when spun...the greenish one is a wool/mohair blend that started out as lime green, blue and russet...spins up very quickly and has a lovely haze after plying...

In case anyone was wonder, yes, I do have socks on the needles...Gryffindor socks to be exact...snagged some of Sunshine Yarn's hand-painted Gryffindor sock yarn and decided to finally try 2 socks on 2 circs...it's much slower and a bit clumsier, but they do match and it will avoid Second Sock Syndrome...my only dislike about these is that this yarn seems to be designed to work best with 72 stitch or fewer cast-on...these are 80 stitches on my size 1s getting 8 stitches/inch...next pair (managed 2 skeins of the stuff) I'll try with 72...oy.

Three, three, three plies in one...

2006-06-20T08:24:00.000-04:00

I'm not very happy with how the bright sunshiney stuff is plying as 2-ply. Can't get the skeins consistent in terms of how the colors work together, so I figured maybe Navajo/Chain plying might work better...so I grabbed the bobbin with one of my first attempts at a single, and massacred (kinda) that to learn then did the bobbin of the hand-dyed merino I started spinning today...yup. Much better...wheeee!

Today's gratuitous cat pic...Ru chillin on the TV as only an Oriental can...total wet noodle...

Moody Blues and Some Crazy Sunshine

2006-06-18T22:47:00.000-04:00

The blue is all done, plied, washed, dried...ready to knit...

Now I just have to find a project that takes about 517 yards of DK-ish weight yarn...hmmm

Started spinning up a hand-dyed blue-faced leicester...very VERY bright...totally insane when plied...I like it...it's SO HAPPY...

Leeeeeeeeeet the sunshine in, leeeeeet the sunshine in, the suuuuunnshine innnnnn (EVERYBODY SING!)

Three Little Skeins...

2006-06-18T03:35:00.001-04:00

Three little skeins from school are we
Pert as a school-skein well can be
Filled to the brim with skeinish glee
Three little skeins from school

Everything is a source of fun
Nobody's safe, for we care for none
Life is a joke that's just begun
Three little skeins from school

Three little skeins who, all unwary
Come from a wooly quadripary
Freed from its genius tutelary
Three little skeins from school

(Apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan)

Can't you just see their little parasols????

Started plying the blue hand-painted wool/mohair blend...206 yards for the first skein, approx. DK weight yay!

And then there was YARN

2006-06-12T03:31:00.000-04:00

I swear, I'm gonna bronze this...

Presenting....

DRUMROLL....

My first real handspun skein from my wheel...176 yards of 2-ply...

TA DA!!!

She came, she conquered

2006-06-11T05:10:00.000-04:00

The Rose came yesterday...had to wait (eeep!) to assemble her because I was too dumb to think of charging my drill ahead of time...but she went together no problem and has been spinning for me ever since...did some practice bits, and now am working on a multicolored roving...merino multicolored wool..

That's all I have to say about that...

Wheeeeeeee

2006-06-04T20:29:00.000-04:00

I've been spinning all weekend...can't wait for my wheel to arrive...this drop-spindle stuff is tiring...my arms and hands HURT...but I have TWO BALLS OF YARN!

Lookie what I did!

2006-06-03T04:05:00.000-04:00

My very first spinning *sigh* ain't it boo-tee-ful????

A little stash flashin and Bombshell progress

2006-06-01T06:46:00.000-04:00

I totally missed the Flash Your Stash Day thing...so here's part (yes part...probably, oh, 2/3 maybe??) of my sock yarn stash...

Only put out 1 of each of the Koigus and Lorna's Laces to save space for the pic...plus have another box partially full that I didn't even dig into...

I do finally have socks on the needles again...snagged some of Sunshine Yarn's hand-dyed Gryffindor (yes, Harry Potter) sock yarn...self stripes divinely and perfectly for the Hogwarts look...

Bombshell...getting there...works up really fast and I haven't gone too mental with so much plain knitting round and round. What's really great about this pattern (and any pattern totally done in the round, is no sewing up at the end. The sweater is sort of an oxymoron though...it looks like a summer sweater, right? But the pattern calls for Lion & Lamb which is not a summer-weight yarn. The Karaoke I'm using is also not summery. So I think it's too warm for summer but it's short sleeved. Might make the sleeves more 3/4 length to make it more cool-weather wearable, plus never did care much for my upper arms...

Should be done by end of week regardless. I think my next cast-on will be the cute hoody also from Big Girl Knits, or a tank/cardigan set out of Elann's Sonata...something ACTUALLY summery. Gettin hot out there...

Oh, I'm ordered my Majacraft Rose today! Means I should have it sometime next week. Lookout spinners, here I come!

Cat picture of the day...from a professional sitting at a show, CH, GP Operakatz Griffelkin of Winterfrost (left) and GP, RW Operakatz Rusalka (right) This final shot came after some very very very BAD kitten behavior, resulting in photographer tipping over backwards in full-blown hysterical laughter...but finally, they behaved just long enough for 1 good shot...oh, they were 5 months old here...

I have a stash

2006-05-30T05:50:00.000-04:00

Oh yes, I've officially achieved stash. Yup. Including some yarn for no particular project whatsoever. Real stash. In fact, I may have run out of yarn to buy. I've had a field day between WEBS and Elann.com. I cannot resist a sale. Just not possible.

I've been too busy to blog because I've been buying yarn and knitting my fingers to nubs. Finished all the pieces of the Unplugged Cables sweater...now just have to block on my new blocking board (SALE SALE!!) then *shudder* sew it together...And I'm down to the waist ribbing on the Bombshell sweater from Big Girl Knits. Making it from loverly Karaoke from Southwest Trading, colorway Intensity. It's a lovely and less expensive alternative to Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb...not quite a slippery but very soft and hits gauge almost identically so YAY.

Bad bad fellow knitters and fiber artists...bad BAD BAD...enablers, you all are! I've decided I must spin. MUST SPIN. It's soon bonus time at work, so I'm puttin some into a wheel...I think I've decided on the Majacraft Rose.

In the meantime, I've ordered a drop spindle, book and bits of fiber to play with although I'm told spinning on a wheel is a totally different beast and not to assume I stink as a spinner if I can't figure out drop-spindling...

Now I want fluff stash *sigh*

Random cat picture of the day (finally gonna start this...my cats are feeling neglected)

Boris...with Ru (left) and Rhapsody (his mom, right) looking bemused...or embarrassed...never sure...

My Mother Taught Me

2006-05-14T20:49:00.000-04:00

My mom taught me to knit when I was very very young (probably 4 or 5 years old). I remember her sitting me and my best friend from next door down on the front step. She presented each of us with a set of Susan Bates aluminum needles. Mine were blue. My friend's were pink (I really wanted the pink but oh well). And she taught us to knit.

I've been an on-again, off-again knitter ever since, up until this past year where it's really taken hold of me via the discovery of sock knitting. And I've learned a tremendous amount since then. The only cast ons I knew prior to socks were the simple loop cast-on (what my mom taught me as a youngster) and knitting on (which isn't very useful). I discovered the act of finishing projects (a benefit of socks) and the joy of knitting with high-quality yarns (something I'd not thought of trying). Lace patterns, compex cabling, short rows, turning a heel, the importance of gauge. All now obsessions. I'm more than halfway done with my first fully-planned sweater (I knit an impromptu sweater for a boyfriend in college...turned out fine, by pure luck but no pattern, no gauge, etc.) Haven't attempted a sweater since.

I'm teaching myself continental-style knitting to endure a marathon of seed stitch. You see, I sort of learned to knit "wrong"...I knit with a very simplified english/throw method...never learned any particular way to thread yarn around my fingers...I just hold yarn between my thumb and forefinger and throw. Fortunately, I've met others who do this who are accomplished knitters, so it doesn't hold me back. I don't lack tension control. I don't lack speed. But I still knit like a small child in many ways. Just the way my mother taught me.

Sunrise, Sunset

2006-05-06T22:49:00.000-04:00

Well, had a gauge catastrophe with my first attempt on the Sunrise Circle Jacket (see link in sidebar). Despite making a good swatch, the Tahki Donegal Tweed just won't hold to row gauge when it makes stitch gauge and it gets longer...it's such a fitted precise design, there's no room for error and it's tricky to adjust, so I'm going to frog it and use the yarn for the Natalie Coat in Big Girl Knits and do the Sunrise down the road someday.

So instead, I cast on the Power Cable Unplugged sweater from Inspired Cables by Fiona Ellis.

Found a steal on the Rowan Summer Tweed from a seller in the UK...clearing some discontinued colors, which, luckily for me, I really liked. Working in "Morning Glory" right now...

Also looking for yarns for this yummy jacket/cardigan, also from Big Girl Knits:

Found an alternative to the suggested Noro Kureyon...a plummy Shannon by Tahki...won't give as strong a stripey thing in the front but will work and it's loverly...

Big Girl Knits

2006-05-01T23:58:00.000-04:00

Must continue my gushing about this book...it's great even if you're not a big girl...there are classic and straightforward fitting techniques and ideas about what flatters various shapes that no real woman (stick insect figure types can ignore this, of course) should be without.

Why oh why oh why?

2006-04-29T14:33:00.000-04:00

Why is it that the moment you find a great local yarn store (LYS) that it disappears?

I wandered over to Handknits in Englewood NJ yesterday after finding out they carried Zelda bags...was wanting to indulge in some instant gratification (based in some necessity, yea yea that's the ticket) for a knitting bag and, after much googling, determined that the Zelda bags were the type I wanted... This is a great store, great people, great sales and selection...AND THEY'E MOVING TO VERMONT IN A MONTH.

Arg.

It's less than 3 miles from me...and it's leaving.

Bah. Humbug.

I did score a Zelda...ended up with the Tote, which is one of the medium-sized bags as the Grand's straps just weren't comfy and I worried I'd outgrow it too fast and you don't want to outgrow the usefulness of a not-inexpensive bag anytime soon. Plus didn't like any of the colors/fabrics on the regular and Grand bags they had (that was, however, quite secondary). The instant gratification thing was (yea yea!) related to having a $50 Amex gift cheque from work for Staff Appreciation Day (nice nice gift!) and thus allowed me to better justify the high-end bag. I ended up with a teal speckle bag with plum vintage velvet contrast, and I lurves it...

Also scored some sale yarn...they were clearing Rowan Cotton Tape for 60% off (got it in a mauvey-lavender) making it just over $3/skein (yay!) and some Southwest Trading Phoenix in Parrot colorway (a yummy 100% soy silk tape yarn) for about 20% off.

Amazon order also came in with the copy of "Big Girl Knits" by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer that I ordered. THIS IS A FABULOUS BOOK! I haven't knit up any of the patterns yet (well, obviously) but there are so many designs I want to make, the text is humorous, the information very very needed for the knitting/fit needs of plus-sized women, nothing boring/old/staid, lulcious yarn recommendations, variety of difficulty, recommendations for size selection (such as about how much ease to factor in when selection which size to make), etc. If you're over a size 14 and have been frustrated by the lack of patterns available, tired of doing a ton of math to try to scale patterns up and/or have been bored with the overly-conservative/boring "designs" (aka bulky, tent-like) out there, this is the book for you.

Done done, Close Encounters of the NYC Kind

2006-04-23T00:44:00.000-04:00

Kaspar's done (Knitty.com "Kate" pattern...) This pattern is really a lot of fun to work up and goes very quickly...really loved working with the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted...gonna have to buy more and do something else with it...yummy stuff. I think my little cousin will love him.

Casting on the Sunrise Jacket (see sidebar) in the most delicious wool by Takhi...Donegal Tweed in color 845 which is a deep tweeded eggplant.

Yarn Harlot was in my office building this week...I was reading her blog and she showed a photo of an office building on Avenue of the Americas, mentioned the Martha Stewart Sirius radio show...Sirius is in the same building...so I had 3 floor proximity to the Yarn Harlot...would've been a more typical NYC Close Encounter had we shared an elevator, but hey, close enough.

I've been on a total yarn binge ever since branching out from my gateway drug of socks...you see, other than sock yarn, I had no stash...need stash. The purchases haven't been totally random...there are actual patterns/projects that have prompted the binge, but I'll be knitting a year before I'm close to done with what I've bought...but the internet...such bargains to be had...just picked up 2 batches of Rowan Summer Tweed on closeout from a UK seller...2 discontinued colors that I just happened to like..one, "Legend" was being cleared for $42.50/bag of 10 skeins...that's less than 1/2 price...and the other was $5.50/skein (Morning Glory) so I couldn't resist that either...the latter will be for a cabled sweater from a new book, Inspired Cable Knits" by Fiona Ellis but I couldn't resist the second batch which will give me more than enough for anything I want to do with it. Also placed a bit of an order (yea yea a bit uh huh) with Elann.com...trying out some of their house-brand yarns...enough yarn for 2 tanks/shells and a long-sleeve cable sweater (same book) for under $100...can't beat that...

Now I just have to find places to stash the flood of stash coming in...I have cats, you see...they lurves yarn...

Annie's an Evil Enabler

2006-04-17T17:38:00.000-04:00

Yup, yup she sure is.

She HAD to have a link to the Sunrise Jacket knitalong...

She had to whip up Bob (aka Kate the Cat)...

So of course, I fell in love with both projects and subsequently have ordered yarn...did it stop there? Oh no...

I have to make this now too...Dogosaurus Rex sweater from Patons:

Attempting to make it fit a Whippet, that'll be a treat...

So let's not talk about the 4 other Clapotii I need to start/finish...or the Debbie Bliss denim aran sweater that's oh-so-slow going...or the fact that I never seem to have the right needles for whatever I want to start so constantly order more...or the two more sari silk bags I need to get going on...

It really makes me wonder why anyone would be opposed to cloning technology...I'd love to put my other self to work...

Tigger, Tigger, who's got the Tigger?

2006-04-17T01:06:00.000-04:00

Been taking a quick break from solid Clapotis knitting to work up a quick baby sweater for my new-ish 2nd cousin...she's 6 months so I wanted something that would be good for the fall...so am doing the Tigger pattern from knitty.com...had to find alternate yarn for the main color since the called-for yarn has been discontinued but I'm pleased with the result even after having to adjust for a smaller gauge (working the 4 yr old size to get the 2 yr old size measurements LOL)

Only have the other sleeve and other front to do then fun with blocking and sewing together...that means only have 1/3 of Mom's Clapotis and 1/2 my brother's sock to finish by next weekend as well...should be a piece of cake.

Unfortunately, stepping away from the sock thing has opened the floodgates and now I want to knit everything so my stash is growing at an uncontrollable rate and the thing about projects bigger than socks is that they take a whole lot more yarn so more cost and more space for all that yarn. But, it's keeping me out of trouble and I'm even starting on next Christmas' stuff already so hopefully will have a nice array of gifts if I can manage to not give them before the holidays...

I've also found that I can happily knit on the bus...I'm no longer driving into work so have a 30-40 min. bus ride and a 20 min. subway ride to fill up and although I love reading, I don't do well reading on moving vehicles...but I can knit!

Claprogress

2006-04-04T02:18:00.000-04:00

It's growing...very fast...Made a slight booboo by not reading the whole pattern first to adjust for stole so I'm just going to keep knitting til I run out of the skeins set aside for the straight section so it'll have to grow a lot more...

But I'm chomping to get done and blocked cuz the good stuff came today...decided to do a Clappy in Lion & Laces and it's sublime and I wanna cast on but can't can't can't til this is done so it's gotta grow fast...

Falling onto the Clapotis Bandwagon

2006-04-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

I had to do it...everyone's knitting Clapotises (Clapotii?)...

A Clapotis is a lovely bias-knit with nifty fun dropped stitches to create openwork...looks complicated, actually really really easy but not boring to knit...

Problem with the pattern as written is that the yarn it calls for is stratospherically expensive (Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb which you can get on ebay for about $26-$28/skein but retails for about $31/skein and you need 3-4 skeins of the stuff...). Fortunately, there are tons of alternatives that folks have tried. I decided to give my first Clapotis a whirl in Noro Silk Garden Lite #2015...yummy blend of 45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair, 10% Lambswool and divine colorways...the drop stitches don't really want to drop so each has to be encouraged row by row to open up but otherwise, it goes quickly and feels great on the hands...using Addi Turbo circular US6 and ooh they're slick and of course, I've gone overboard and decided to knit one for way too many people in a fairly short time period...Mom's the only one getting one in Lion & Lamb but moms deserve $120 wraps...

Closeup of first few drops...will all look more civilized once blocked...

Three broken needles and 17 callouses later...

2006-03-26T21:28:00.000-05:00

This thing gave my hands a heck of a workout, I must say...but I'm really happy with it and will make it again, but I've now got cast-on-itis for the Debbie Bliss sweater...or a Clapotis if that yarn comes first...

Now back to our regular programming...

Look Mom, No Socks!

2006-03-25T23:06:00.000-05:00

Ok...I've broken out of the mold...this is not a sock...

It's an Unbiased Hobo Bag from knitty.com...made from recycled silk sari yarn which is um, interesting to work with...for one, it's all over the place in terms of thickness, especially between skeins since each skein is totally unique and it's kinda dirty...having to wash hands frequently and created quite a dust storm on the swift...but thankfully it's quite washable in finished object form...have broken 2 needles on it so far...guess I really don't like bamboo needles...

Stepping beyond the world of socks

2006-03-20T19:32:00.000-05:00

Ok brace yourself...I have 3 projects lined up now that are NOT SOCKS. Incredible, eh? I do prefer socks...I like the smallness/portability, the relative quickness...they're just good for my natural tendencies of having trouble finishing projects as by the time I'm bored with it, they're already done.

But...

There's a sweater I must make...It's Anne Marie's fault I got "Weekend Knitting" (wanted the Petticoat Socks pattern she did for the Knitting Olympics)...there's a really great Debbie Bliss denim-aran sweater in the back. And it's going to kill me, I'm quite certain as it's 95% in seed stitch which is basically just 1x1 ribbing which is about the most tedious thing one can knit en masse...but I need this sweater (not in child's sizing of course, but this pattern has a full range of sizes)...

I gotta say, it's rather intimidating to order 28 skeins of yarn for a sweater (they're teeny skeins...can't believe they're $7 state-side...thank goodness for ebay and lovely UK sellers with free shipping...got it for $4.31/skein wheeee)

Then...Clapotis...must make one...maybe more...one of my co-workers (yes, Kathy, it's your fault!) made one out of this lovely soy silk stuff and gotta make it...just the idea of purposely dropping stitches/unravelling seems like major fun factor...So joined the Clapotis yahoogroup to find yarn alternatives/yardage to the Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb (which I would like to eventually work with but damn, it's $28/skein and you need 4 of them gak! that's a lot for a shawl/scarfy thing)

It will be very strange working on needles larger than US2...maybe I'll even foray into bamboo/wooden needles...hmm

2006-03-14T05:45:00.000-05:00

Oy, tagged by MKMonahan (I'll get you, my pretty! and your fat cat too!)

Four jobs in your life:
1. Opera singer (still the dream job...hard to make a living though unless you're very very lucky)
2. Legal word processor/helpdesk thingymabob - Excellent McJob...great bennies, very Euro-style...
3. Editorial Assistant (first job out of college - fell into it by accident...NY Times...not too shabby)
4. Retail (High school/college breaks)

Four movies you could watch over and over:
1. Lord of the Rings, the whole damned thing
2. Strictly Ballroom (NO NEW STEPS! NO NEW STEPS! ARMS, CLARI!)
3. Ever After (yes I know...but I still love it)
4. The Princess Bride

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. House MD
2. South Park
3. Grey's Anatomy
4. Project Runway

Four places you have lived:
1. New York, NY
2. Miami, FL
3. Wooster, OH
4. Valhalla, NY

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Lake George, NY
2. Kansas City, MO
3. Quebec, Canada
4. Buffalo, NY

Four websites you visit daily:
1. Prego (Doll board)
2. Socknitters (yahoogroup)
3. Go Fug Yourself
4. Television Without Pity

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Bait (oh...I mean sushi)
2. Chocolate
3. Zucchini (preferably home-grown in dad's garden)
4. Cosmopolitans! (grey goose of course)

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. Paris
2. New Zealand
3. Alaska
4. Bed

Four favorite types of yarn:
1. Koigu KPPPM
2. Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock
3. Opal sock yarns
4. Mountain Colors Bearfoot

Four bloggers I'm tagging:
1. Annie's Knits
2. Yarn Harlot
3. Grumperina
4. ...

Voila! Donesies!

Gold Medal!

2006-02-28T22:01:00.000-05:00

We all stepped onto the podium today (world's biggest podium, to accommodate a few thousand knitters) for our gold medal ceremony...

Ain't it purdy??

Crossing the Finish Line!

2006-02-26T13:33:00.000-05:00

They're done they're done they're done they're done!!!! And none too soon! Woot woot woot WOOT!

Now I can sleep...oy...that tink/off-course bit really stole some time...but they're DONE DONE DONE!!!

Overconfidence = falling on the Lutz

2006-02-26T06:59:00.000-05:00

Gyaaaaaaaaaaaagh!

I sprinted with overconfidence on Pomatomus #2 and it took 6 rounds before I realized I left out a CRUCIAL yarnover and instead of 36 stitches on the instep, I had about 28...was thinking "Wow, I've really got the hang of this, this is going so much faster!" until I actually examined the pattern more closely and realized I wasn't doing the stitches tagged onto the Chart B left side (you have to see the chart to understand). So, I was totally off course, and had to backtrack (just like that Nordic Skier who went off course...no way to cut across) and struggle to the finish line...

Overconfidence...that'll teach me...

Olympic Progress - 1 1/2 down, 1/2 to go

2006-02-24T05:45:00.000-05:00

Have forgotten to update the progress...finished Pomatomus #1 on Monday (thanks to the lovely presidential holiday) and cast on #2 on Tuesday...

And done (horrid pic taken from the snazzy cam built into my spanking brand new dual processor iMac wooot (sorry...but, well, it's hot...it's schweet...it's dandy!)

Now, the designer of the Pomatomii says these are very stretchy...hope so...from other blogs, seemed like using US2s made them too big, so I went down to US1s and I think they'll have to be for someone with skinny ankles...ain't gonna fit cankles like mine.

Almost done with the leg of #2 which is the horridest part to slug through...the foot goes much faster since half is stockinette (YAY HOORAH BOOYAH!) but I still think I'll be skidding over the finish line just in the nick of time...

Finally, the torch is lit...

2006-02-15T07:36:00.000-05:00

A few days late (had to finish the Valentines Socks), but off to a good start...the Pomatomus socks from Knitty.com...

This is just one wade-through the pattern repeat...ack...have to do it twice more before I can have the relief of a heel...

Oh...and the yarn...haven't worked with this before but OH it's yummy...Mountain Colors Bearfoot, colorway Mountain Tango...pooling interestingly but I kinda like it...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2006-02-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

Finished the Valentine's Socks just in time for V-day...they're being raffled off for fun at my office...

Now, finally, I can cast on my Knitting Olympics socks (going to do the Pomatomus socks from knitty.com). Still waffling between 2 yarns though...might need to take a little time to decide...

Valentine's Socks

2006-02-12T22:25:00.000-05:00

I haven't cast on my Knitting Olympics socks (knitty.com Pomatomus socks) due to needing to finish (ack) the Feather and Fan lace socks from Socks Socks Socks that I'm doing for a raffle at my office:

Gotta say, this pair has been a breath of fresh air before finishing the 2nd Leaf & Tendril (and yes that's been cast on and about 1/3 done so shaddap!)

2006-02-12T22:23:00.000-05:00

It's DONE, it's DONE!!

Finally finished the first of the ~~damned horrible~~ lovely Leaf & Tendril socks

The Neverending Sock

2006-02-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

No matter how much I do on this sock, it never ends...it just keeps going and going and going and I have no idea how I'm ever gonna manage another one...

So if you're looking for a completely insane sock project, I recommend this...Cat Bordhi's Leaf & Tendril sock, aka The Neverending Sock...

I surely hope I have enough yarn...

Christmas Chloseups

2006-02-12T22:17:00.000-05:00

For my nephew (biiiig Mets fan), Go Team Go (Six Socks Knitalong on yahoogroups.com)

For mum, Unst socks (Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road) out of a hand-dyed merino

My niece got Denmark socks (also Knitting on the Road) out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport Bittersweet

Dad, in the tradition of Princeton alumns everywhere, got Princeton colors in a basic sock (Opal Rodeo)

Sis-in-Law got Cat Bordhi's Columbine Peak socks in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Denim

And my SIL's sister got my first attempt at short row heels (poor thing) in Opal Lollipop...thankfully her feet are as weird as the socks, so they fit perfectly...completely by accident

It's probably serendipity that I never took a picture of my brother's sock (was an unfinished pair, ran out of time) because it was too tight so am making him a completely different pair, much nicer I think...

Socks on the Small

2006-02-12T21:45:00.000-05:00

So, there I was...not quite satisfied with knitting human socks...I had to try miniaturizing them for dolls. Now, that's my other nuttiness...I collect dolls. Fashion dolls, such as Tonner's 16" Tyler Wentworth line and 22" American Model line, Integrity's Fashion Royalty by Jason Wu and Asian Ball Joint resin dolls (BJDs). They all needed socks. They all screamed for socks.

First, I made socks that fit either 17" Matt O'Neill (male accessory to Tyler) or the 22" Grawp, err, American Models...

Somehow, I got it into my head that cables would be a good idea *sigh*:

It's actually a relief to let my brain bleed a bit on the Leaf & Tendrils...at least they're human sized...

Down the Rabbit Hole

2006-02-12T21:40:00.000-05:00

These days, I only knit socks. I learned to knit when I was 3, so have been knitting for about 35 years now and never really accomplished much with it...until I discovered sock knitting about 4 months ago. There is a wake of abandoned projects over the years because I, well, just got bored with whatever I had started or just went off knitting for a while in general. But then came socks.

It took a good book to turn me onto sock knitting, specifically, A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber which revolves around a sock knitting class, using the socks on 2 circular needles technique. Now, the most likely reason I never considered socks before reading this book was that I always loathed working with double pointed needles. I just can't knit fast enough with them and was always losing one thus rendering the set useless and the project abandoned.

I'm not a patient person. Nor do I have a particularly good attention span for projects.

Socks are a small, very portable project. And there's no endless expanse of mind-numbing knitting before you get to the next fun part. By the time you're ready to chew walls with the ribbing of the cuff, you get to start the leg...by the time that gets dreary, whee, there's a heel to create and all the interesting stages of that process, then, by the time you're tired of thinking about the heel, you have a nice easy stretch of foot and by the time you get bored with that again, voila! a toe to shape.
The only downside is that once you finish the first sock of a pair, you have to do it all over again unless you're one of those who knits 2 socks simultaneously on circulars. I haven't tried this yet as I've not suffered too badly from "second sock syndrome" but may give it a whirl to shake things up at some point.

Since mid-October, I've knit a grand total of 18 human socks and 4 pairs of miniature/doll socks...I knit 6 pairs of varying complexity as Christmas gifts for my family (they were a huge hit).

Currently on the needles are Cat Bordhi's Leaf and Tendril socks. These have made my brain and fingers hurt, but I think they'll be nice in the long run...working them in Opal Uni 1264 (Teal).