String and a couple sticks

First finished project of 2012

2012-01-08T21:35:00.004-05:00

I knit the last stitch and tucked in the last end on January 1st. It took much longer to dry though and the pictures are bad. There hasn't been any good daylight for pictures, when I was home, all week. I will really be glad when the days are finally long enough that there is decent day light in the morning or evening.

The pattern is Klukka from Lopi.

I made mine using Cascade 220. It's beautiful. Now I just need to find some where to wear it.

I was doing really well on the stash reduction but I bought yarn for socks and mittens at the year end sale at Personal Threads. The first sock is almost finished and as soon as I find the other skein of yarn I want I can start the mittens.

The new year looks promising.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T16:37:00.002-05:00

I've had quite the year.

If I'm lucky and can stop falling asleep I might finish my first sweater of the year on the first day of the year.

I spent last night with friends celebrating the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. I slept in this morning. I've managed two naps already and I've only been out of bed for 8 hours. I suspect I'll be calling it a night early tonight as well.

I had planned to knit a pair of socks today, that isn't going to happen. Maybe tomorrow.

I think my New Year Resolution is:

2011-12-18T21:52:00.002-05:00

KNIT ALL THE THINGS.

I have cast on another sweater - Dogwood Blossom. My mother very kindly bought me the kit from Knitpicks last year as a birthday gift. It's a lovely green and pink colorway. I have one cuff done the second cast on. Then I will knit both sleeves at the same time. I am hoping that isn't crazy-making.

I have used a full ball of the main color in Klukka and I've almost used a whole ball of Gloss in Thermal. Great progress on both.

I was going to start Faery Ring, but I'm thinking about working up another pattern. It will be a great challenge since the pattern is very general with charts and for a size much larger than I need. (sorry Mom - but I'm still going to make a cable coat - does that make it okay?!) Or maybe not - maybe I'll just make Faery Ring.

Small Catch Up

2011-12-11T13:52:00.002-05:00

October knitting that didn't get posted due to moving:

Socks for the Tour de Sock

Another pair of Tour de Socks socks

There is a third pair but I'm having trouble loading the picture.

And this mystery shawl from Goddess knits. I haven't washed and blocked this yet, just pinned it out for the picture. Then packed it away for moving. Once I get settled and find it I will have to do a proper blocking and get some better pictures.

Finally Back to What Passes for Normal

2011-12-11T13:27:00.003-05:00

I have the knitting lust again! I feel the need to knit all the patterns!

Thursday I have cast on a dress in Cascade 220. A dark green and white without the colorwork section. I have the white part nearly finished and I am ready to add the green.

Yesterday I cast on Thermal. A lovely dark blue shade of Gloss. I love this yarn. I made my mother a hat and a shawlette with it last winter. I have been wanting to make this sweater for a long time.

And I've made decent progress on Stockholm for my mother as well as finishing the matching hat.

It's much too dreary for pictures today and I don't have any decent lighting in the new place yet. But I hope to get some decants pictures soon.

I bought a lovely skein of lace weight last week, finished the sweater for my brother and sent it to my mother so she could put the zipper in and in October I knit 3 pairs of socks and a shawl. This only matters because I am finally in the knit more yarn that I bought for the year. Good news!

WOAH!

2011-12-05T20:33:00.002-05:00

October flew by in a flurry of packing. November flew by in a flurry of near disaster in moving. It seemed like every plan required a fall back to Plan F. I'm finally in, settled, mostly unpacked and ready to start thinking about knitting.

I've found the yarn for Thermal and, although, I have to borrow a ball winder (still haven't found the packed one!) I'm going to make it my December project.

The new job is okay. Today I felt like a complete moron, but I'm sure once I learn my way around it will be okay. In fact some times I've even understood what they were talking about.

This weekend I plan to write a decent update with pictures of actual knitting. There was some knitting in October that needs to be caught up and I made a hat during the last two weeks (the only knitting that really happened in November was the garter stitch band of the hat and that took almost 10 days. I'm not sure why it took two weeks to finish the hat, the pattern while nice, is not that difficult. But I just couldn't seem to make progress. I finally get to weave ends in this evening.

I'm looking forward to a peaceful year end and a wonderful 2012.

Holy Bananas!

2011-09-21T17:54:00.002-04:00

September was going along all quiet and smooth, like September wants to do and then BOOOM! It all blew up.

I was offered a new job. In Omaha NE. I am lucky. I'm getting lots of time to pack and move. I have friends there who are willing to help with logistics and it's really exciting. It's also very over whelming and a little bit frightening.

I am not getting much knitting done. I'm fighting the inertia from being slightly overwhelmed by all the stuff I need to do. Plus a lot of what I need to do involves emptying boxes and repacking them and decided if I REALLY need to keep that widget or not.

I don't expect there to be a lot going on here until I get settled in my new digs, sometime around Thanksgiving.

Prepare for fall

2011-09-11T19:11:00.002-04:00

I have cast on three new projects this week. I cast on a DNA Scarf for my friend Jeff. Jeff's wife is allergic to wool (the horror!) so I am using acrylic (ick). Impeccable from Loops and Threads isn't actually bad, even if it isn't wool.

I also cast on Cambridge Jacket for my brother. This is going to be a boring knit. Thus the bonus of knitting the scarf. One boring pattern with lovely yarn and one interesting pattern with crappy yarn. No picture of this project to link to but the pattern is from Interweave Knits.

AND I also cast on another (!!!!!) pair of socks. These are from a kit for breast cancer research fundraising from Knitter's Brewing company. This yarn is marvelous. I really needed to find another source for beautiful yarn.

There isn't enough progress on any of them for a decent picture, but later this week there should be. Stay tuned.

I tried to make a pair of slippers (it is going to start getting cold again, soon - very, very soon). I made 4 different slippers, none of which turned out (this on top of my new shoe search was REALLY frustrating). So I still have no new slippers. I was hoping to use up a bunch of the acrylic my father bought me at a garage sale (or auction, can't remember which). That way I could make many pairs and just throw them in the washer/dryer when ever I felt they were dirty. I love my nice wool ones by they need special care so they don't felt down too small and waiting for them to dry on cold days is slightly annoying. I will be continuing in my efforts to find a nice slipper pattern.

My mother and I are preparing for a knitting retreat with Annie Modesitt. We are both very excited. A nice mother/daughter weekend spent knitting at a lovely lakeside resort, sounds awesome doesn't it? I'm sad it's only a few days.

We are also going to start a KAL making a lovely cabled sweater/coat. I have 40 skeins of yarn sitting in my living room waiting for us to divvy up and start knitting. I can't wait. I hope we like them. The yarn is beautiful.

I signed up for another mystery shawl. The first clue is due to be released September 24. I'm going to put off starting until October 1. I'm 1 for 2 in starting and finishing. I'm hope to be 2 for 3 after this one. Maybe then I will also get busy and finish the first one. I'm nearly half finished with the 4th clue of 5. I love the shawl, but the pattern requires constant vigilance and I've been too easily distracted lately. After tinkling back two rows for a missed yarn over I'm unwilling to work on it if I feel flighty.

I really need to get all the things started this month done before Oct 1. (which is also part of why the shawl will wait) if only to keep the queue under control. I was down to 6 active WIPs just a few short days ago. And now I'm creeping up into double digits again.

September, already?

2011-09-03T16:49:00.005-04:00

September snuck up on me.

I had planned to finish this cardigan in August, but I ran out of August. It took me almost a week to find buttons I liked. fussy fussy. Now the weather can get cooler, I'm all set.

I also managed to get one of these socks completely done. Words and All! One more to go. It is knit past the heel turn, but none of the duplicate stitch has been done. It will take a while.

I wish I had something pithy to say, but I'm in dire need of a nap.

August is nearly gone!?

2011-08-28T08:18:00.004-04:00

I can't believe it's almost the end of August already.

I am making decent progress on getting WIPs/UFOs finished.

I have managed to almost finish the lopi cardigan.

I would be finished except I'm still looking for buttons. Part of the issue is I don't know what kind of buttons I'm looking for, this is both better and worse than KNOWING what you want. I can't just go look for a button (and probably not find it) I have to look for something I like and then think about it for THIS sweater. Of course even if I do find something I like then I also have to hope they have 6 of them. I found some I thought would work in the 'button box' (I love my button box, I wish I'd taken the ones of my grandmother's I was offered - what the heck was I thinking!?). Unfortunately there were only 4 of them.

While I'm looking for buttons I've also been working on the duplicate stitch for these socks.

I have turned one heel, but I thought I'd focus on getting the duplicate stitch done before I focus on finishing the feet. The designer recommends doing the duplicate stitch as you finish each band. This really is a great idea. But I don't mind the duplicate stitch (as much as I will complain about it) it's certainly better than weaving the ends in on color work.

I don't know if I mentioned these socks recently (or ever) but they are Hogwarts sock by Ann Kingstone. I am making the largest size (they are children's socks, no adult sizing) and they are going to fit me. I'm so very excited. I had expected that I would finish them and then start looking for a worthy kid. (I guess I'm the worthy kid?)

My mother and I are going to Annie Modisett's knitting retreat the end of September. It should be a great time. I think we are both really looking forward to it. I've never attended one of Annie's classes (other than knitting camp (Meg Swansen) I've never attended any knitting classes that I recall) before but she and I have corresponded via email a few times and she sounds like a fun person.

Funny Quote

2011-08-18T07:10:00.001-04:00

A friend wrote this and every time I see it I laugh. We've all been there.

Gauge swatches are lying liars from Liarsville, who all shop at FlamingPants.com.

August comes in with a bang!

2011-08-08T22:08:00.003-04:00

I am trying to focus on finishing UFOs/WIPs in August. So far I have done a great job. I have finished this sweater for my mother:

It's a Philosopher's Wool kit she bought and I started this while I was at her house over Winter holidays. Making all the color decisions made this both fun and taxing. I also mixed the pattern rows from two or three different sweater patterns from their book Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified. This book is fabulous and I really love their yarn. I'm glad it's done, it fits her beautifully and she likes it a lot.

I also finished these socks:

I started them in March. The pattern is Vellamo. The yarn is something I bought as a sock of the month kit, I started the socks and didn't care for the pattern so I frogged them and then the yarn languished in my stash for a long time. I had thought I should knit one in reverse (after seeing how much yarn was left after the first sock) but I forged ahead and ran out of yarn about halfway up the leg on the second sock. I managed to find some leftovers in my stash that was very close to the same color and proper weight. It does vary a little but not a lot and I'm happy with the socks and will certainly wear them.

I would post more links - but I find so many things on Ravelry and I don't want to post links on my blog that people can't reach.

This certainly should help my destash numbers, except she and I are going to do a knit along and so we bought new yarn this weekend. It's not here yet and I'm going to not add it to my totals until it shows up.

In the Pink!

2011-07-30T19:20:00.003-04:00

My bonus is finished! It's much too warm to wear until winter, in spite of how very light it is.

I plan to spend August getting all my WIPs caught up. Well not all, there are only 31 days in August, after all. But I would like to get the number of them down to a dull roar. Then I can focus on getting some more of the sweater stash made up.

And thus I have, of course, cast on a Lopi cardigan.

Pictures just as soon as it's more than just cast on.

How is it possible?

2011-07-25T21:24:00.003-04:00

July can't be a week from over! It seems summer has only just begun.

I have finished my Corset Tank. Annie Modesitt writes lovely patterns - but this is a lot (LOT) of buttons.

Also a little crochet. I like coasters - this is a nice pattern. Pretty and functional. And I have lots of left over bits of cotton yarn.

I've also started a new cardigan and I have developed a new decorating scheme. I've placed storage bins of yarn on the top of the living room book cases. It gives me quite a bit more room in the sewing room (which is much too packed) and allows me to admire the stash I worked so hard to acquire. Sort of like standing and looking at the shelves full of sweaters I've knit. I feast for the eyes and pleasure for the heart.

I'm making excellent progress on my Bohus. I have only a few inches of the lower body left. Fingering weight yarn makes a few inches take a lot of time but the sweater will be glorious to wear.

July - so far festive.

2011-07-17T10:12:00.004-04:00

Sorry I missed posting last week. I've been trying to post weekly, but last Saturday I broke a tooth and blogging was the furthest thing from my mind.

The tooth has been removed and healing is on the way. There has been a LOT of sleeping. Waste of good knitting time, sleeping. Not much that can be done about that though.

There has been a little bit of finishing.

I made this hat:

The yarn is Wool of the Andes, in Hyacinth and Pumpkin. The pattern is one I made up. The shaping of the top needs some work.

I have also finished the knitting on the corset sweater. I bought buttons yesterday and I hope to get them sewn on today. The it will be finished. Yay! I can barely wait to try it on.

The pink Bohus is nearly finished as well. The second sleeve is about 1/2 done and the body is about 1/3 done. Hopefully it won't be long now.

I have also been busy washing up all the knits from the winter. I need to throw another load in today, maybe even a load of socks. I may also need to purchase some wool wash.

And plotting my next knitting project. I have narrowed it down to Thermal and Lopi sweater from Best of Interweave (the pic is about halfway down on the right). And August is finish WIPs month. I have several pairs of socks that need finishing. (second sock syndrome? me?)

Spinning and Knitting

2011-06-26T17:42:00.004-04:00

There has been much spinning and this month I finished up the wool/tencel for the Spin-off 25th Anniversary Sweater. I still have another 6 oz of other colors to spin and ply, but I might get to knit this sweater this year.

There has also been progress on the bohus sweater. I finished one sleeve, part of the body and the other sleeve. It's so pretty, it is so PINK.

I also worked on the sweater for my mother. I hope to get the knitting done this week and the sewing up the next.

In other news I was right about the Prussian Jewels sweater. I've put it on a couple times, but every time I look in the mirror I don't like the look of it. I promised my mother that I would wear it once for her to see so I will, but it will probably be unknit and the yarn repurposed. I really enjoyed knitting it though.

I guess I really am a process knitter, since I'm not really that upset about the thought of ripping it back and reusing the yarn.

Sweater for June

2011-06-16T21:29:00.004-04:00

Finished this.

Messed up the side fronts and had to undo all the finishing, knit some more and redo all the finishing. YUCK.

Pattern is Soleil from Knitty.com, the yarn is Muskat from Drops. For cotton the yarn isn't bad, but I hate knitting with cotton. This yarn is an exercise in attention, while it has a nice sheen it also splits something fierce.

I purchased this yarn at Yellow Dog, in Eau Claire WI. I intended to make something else, but after starting it and knitting for a while I realized what it would look like on me and decided that was a bad idea. The current sweater is quite nice and will be nice to wear. I'm quite pleased with the fit.

Now I have to just choose what to start next!

A new challenge

2011-06-14T18:03:00.004-04:00

I have decided, in the interest of managing my stash acquisition, that for the next 12 months I am going to push more yarn out than I take in. So from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012 I'm going to calculate yardage in and yardage out.

I hope this doesn't turn out to be has hard to do as I think it will. Focus is a problem.

On the knitting front I have made Ice Cream Cozies. These are cool. I'm going to make some more. I'm not sure I agree that a pint is a single serving, but there aren't melt rings on my table, my hand isn't frozen and my ice cream didn't melt as fast. These are all good things.

Adding - this pattern is from the 2011 Pattern a Day Calendar, designed by Heather Narbit Strawser (June 3). It's made with worsted weight yarn on size 6mm (I used US 6 and the pattern worked fine, fits the ice cream container to my satisfaction and if I make more I'll make them exactly the same)

How on Earth!?

2011-05-30T13:29:00.003-04:00

Can May be over already? It's unreal how quickly time is flying.

But when stitches fly off the needles the way this sweater has I can't really complain to much.

I finished this (and washed and blocked it) yesterday.

As soon as it's dry I'm going to try it on. I'm sure it will fit, I can't wait to see how it looks. I really hope I love it.

I managed to knit a few rows on my bohus and then ran out of yarn again. Some of the colors I have a lot leftover, some came out with very little left over, but the ones that have been short are very annoying. It's hard to keep project momentum up when I am forced to stop so often.

Did you ever?

2011-05-20T19:05:00.004-04:00

Start a project and even though you just keep knitting you are pretty sure you will never wear the item? I'm knitting this sweater:

(Prussian Jewels)

In these colors (sorry the picture is so dark - it's still raining here but I think we might get a little sunshine today):

The colors are too bright for me, I don't wear these kinds of colors. Even with all the lovely purple - will I wear it? I don't know. But some how, I just don't think I will. So why am I finishing it anyway? I can't even imagine what I'm thinking. I bet I finish it, wash it, block it and try it on. I might even wear it once. Then unknit it and repurpose the yarn.

Still I press forward. Because, after all, I'm also making this

(Bohus Sweater)

In PINK! I don't wear pink. I love this yarn (This kit is from Kimmet Croft, I wish they had a website). This yarn is soft and delightful to knit. I'm trying to decide if I should order one from Sweden to compare the yarn. Or just order another kit from Kimmet Croft and enjoy the yarn.

Have I mentioned lately that if I knit a sweater a month it would take me over 3 years to knit what's in my stash!? I haven't reach SABLE Status yet, I am however still stunned by it. It is a relief. I don't know about the socks though, that could take longer.

Spring has Sprung

2011-05-15T14:01:00.004-04:00

And it's time to stop pouting and get back to it.

I have shamefully neglected updating this and the only way to remedy that is to write something, no matter how inconsequential.

There has been LOT of knitting and even some finishing. In particular this:

Became this:

And here is a close up of the edge.

This was and awesome knit. I am thinking about making another one. Just as soon as I finish a few other things.

I have three pairs of socks on the needles. Two are second socks. The other is a pair of Hogwarts socks that I'm knitting two at a time.

I think that I want to spend this year knitting more out than in - So I need to tally up all the outs and all the ins and then find a widget that I can put on here that will report on how successful I am. I was doing pretty well until the last four weeks. I bought yarn for three sweaters: a Bohus, an entrelac sweater I've admired for sometime and a present for my mother.

I am also spinning up some of the fiber I've had in my stash for years. I'm not sure how that counts, since it's both in and out, but I can't wait to finish the spinning so I can start the knitting.

Next update will include pictures of current knitting, perhaps a brag post of all the other things I've finished the last few months and the initial confessions on the yards in and out year to date.

2011

2011-01-23T19:57:00.002-05:00

Already this year has run me over.

There has been a lot of knitting.

I made myself this hat. The pattern is Temple cats from Knitpicks. The yarn is JoSharp and Rowan dk weight wool.

I started this sweater for my mother, it's a Philosopher's Wool kit that she bought. For a pattern I've been using various charts from Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified and shaping from EZ's EPS.

I have also made a pair of mittens, a pair of slippers and finished a pair of socks.

My current fascination is with Veil of Isis. I'm knitting it with Knitpicks Bare in laceweight. It's been really nice to knit with and I'm so pleased with how the lace is turning out.

There has also been a lot of snow and cold. I'll not subject you to pictures of that. It's hard to get decent pictures of that much white.

Snow

2010-12-11T15:16:00.004-05:00

It's stormy today, wind is blowing, snow is falling and I'm stuck at home watching bad TV. This is a picture of the daughter's second floor bedroom window.

(no the snow isn't up to the second floor but it's piled high on the stoop). It is about waist deep at the front door. Should be fun to try getting out later.

Being stuck inside means - KNITTING!

I am making a Christmas stocking for my nephew.

I also made him a little hat to keep his head warm. It might be overkill since he lives in California. But it's CUTE and alpaca so it's soft.

There is also this shawl which is a mystery shawl from Ravelry. I'm into part 3, but just barely. Part 4 was released last week. Sigh. I never can keep up with these things.

I am also making progress on Jeanne. The back and both sleeves are done. The front is 1/4 completed.

Wicked little vest is coming along quite well. I'm almost half finished with the back arm holes. It's a pretty quick knit, not difficult and mildly entertaining.

At some point today there will be cookie making. The gingerbread is all mixed up and waiting in the fridge. As soon as ambition strikes (and daughter is mobile) there will be delicious smells filling the house! I think I'll go hurry the daughter along.

Alas - so close

2010-11-28T19:30:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving proved to be my downfall.

So, even though I have more kits I could put up, I'm going to return to posting my finished works and random yarn talk.

I'm making good progress on the Camp Hoodie for Liz. I've finished the front and nearly finished the back, I have about 3 inches left before I join the shoulders and knit the hood and facings. Although the yarn isn't bad I'm not fond of it and I'm pretty sure it's all to do with the cotton content.

I tried to do a jogless technique on the patterned part. I'm not at all pleased with how it's turned out. Might as well have suffered with the jog.

I have about 6 inches of the back of the Wicked vest done as well. It makes a nice break from the acres of st st the Hoodie requires.

Nov 24, 2010

2010-11-24T22:36:00.002-05:00

I have, in my copious stash a variety of lopi light, which I bought instead of the regular lopi I needed .

I have finally found a pattern that will use nearly all that yarn! The lite lopi pullover from Interweave Knits.

And really - who needs 47 pairs of felted slippers anyway?

Nov 23, 2010

2010-11-23T23:18:00.002-05:00

I'm too busy knitting to put up a kit this evening.

I want to see if I can get all my WIPs finished up before the end of the year (that is so not going to happen). It would help if I got at least a few of them finished.

Nov 22, 2010

2010-11-22T20:21:00.003-05:00

Dale of Norway always creates lovely designs.

Ingeborg has always been one of my favorites.

I have the yarn (in my own color selection of course) Dale of Norway Daletta. This is a really beautiful yarn. I made a swatch hat using these colors and yarns to test them before committing to a whole sweater.

Pretty spiffy if I do say so myself.

This yarn was purchased at a going out of business sale.

Nov 21, 2010

2010-11-21T23:14:00.003-05:00

This yarn will become Green Mountain Gardens Cardigan. I attempted to find a pic of this sweater online, off Ravelry (to which no everyone wants or has access) but failed.

I am now busy knitting my daughter a sleeveless hoodie for her holiday gift. She chose the pattern and the yarn. It's knitting up very quickly. The yarn is Spud & Chloe Sweater, wool/cotton blend. Not my favorite, but I think it will make a nice sweater. The colors aren't something I would have chosen either - but since I won't be wearing it, it's not my problem.

I am not sure why, but I can't seem to knit button bands on my father's cardigan. I knit 3 different ones today and none of them turned out. I finally frogged them all and put the cardigan back in the workbasket.

Nov 20, 2010

2010-11-20T20:00:00.004-05:00

Finally finished sewing up St. Brigid. I was so pleased I wore it all day. The front is closer to the true color of the yarn. I wish I had used a provisional cast-on and grafted the neck back together. Other then that - it's a perfect fit and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

Today's sweater kit is a friend's destash (thanks Nancy!). I've had this yarn for years, over a decade. I've decided to use it to make the Wicked Eyelet Rib vest. I have made several of this fancy little sweater vests and I really like them. I'd never have thought so before I made the first one.

Nov 19, 2010

2010-11-19T22:38:00.002-05:00

This yarn is from Black Water Abbey.

It was purchased to make a cabled sweater, but the yarn is so dark the cable-work couldn't be seen. This was very disappointing.

I am searching for a pattern with some texture, but not much, that will show this yarn off to it's best advantage. The color is absolutely exquisite.

Nov 18, 2010

2010-11-18T22:29:00.002-05:00

No sweater kit today. I'm busy sewing up St. Brigid and spending time with my daughter.

We have spent an entire evening playing video games and making dinner.

Nov 17, 2010

2010-11-17T20:25:00.002-05:00

Some people go on vacation or to exotic locations and buy souvenirs. I do too, except I buy yarn. I purchased this yarn in Montreal (I was there for work) The shop was quite fantastic. If only my french had been better!

I want to make a sweater with the same general shaping as this one but I also want to change the colorwork patterns that are in it. I still haven't quite decided what changes will happen. But one day I will have a Montreal sweater to remind me of my trip and the fun and interesting things my co-workers and I did.

Nov 16, 2010

2010-11-16T20:10:00.003-05:00

This yarn is finally all caked and ready to start knitting. This yarn is VERY fine knit holding two strands together. There are also beads to add. The only real question is - should I make this hat?

This is called the Square Necked Cardigan. This is another clearance/sale find.

I think out of print books and sale kits is the main cause of my SABLE status.

St. Brigid is currently being sewn together!

Nov 15, 2010

2010-11-15T18:50:00.003-05:00

This yarn is destined to become Tempest.

I used Jaquard dye to create the lighter purple one myself, I was very pleased when it was finished, it was exactly the color I was trying to make. The darker is the Amethyst colorway. Both are Fleece Artist BFL 2/8 weight. When I ordered them I ordered a blue one - called Storm (I think) as the darker. It didn't have as much purple as the picture made it appear and the Amethyst was ALOT darker then it looked.

This is the trouble with online shopping. It's so hard to judge color, and even harder to judge how well they go together. I was concerned when I bought the yarn, but no yarn store near me carried this yarn so an in person review wasn't possible. I know I could probably have returned one of them, but I wanted to knit a swatch to see how they would go together, just in case they'd work.

Nov 14, 2010

2010-11-14T18:55:00.002-05:00

Poetry in Stitches and a sale strike again. This was too cheap to pass up, since I had the book (this kit didn't include the book) and the book had gone out of print and was hard to find. If I recall correctly it was cheaper then the cost (to the store).

This yarn is lace weight and very fine. Lovely hand and color.

I have less then 20 rows left before I finish my St. Brigid. I really want to get that finished so I'm going to make this a shorter post than usual.

Nov 13, 2010

2010-11-13T19:50:00.003-05:00

In the continuing line of my delight in Starmore Designs - Zauberflote.

Unfortunately it isn't available on the Virtual Yarns website anymore. Too bad really, it's a lovely piece.

As you can see I have started caking the yarn. The yarn is quite lovely, soft and with great color.

Nov 12, 2010

2010-11-12T20:44:00.007-05:00

Today's edition is the Lopi edition. Ah lopi, a hearty yarn that doesn't get nearly enough credit. I have made several lopi sweaters, some out of other yarns for the more delicate members ofmy family. I adore the sweaters I have made using lopi, in spite of (or maybe because of) how hairy they are. I find them warm, but not too warm. All of this yarn was purchase 75% off or is left over from a kit I bought a couple years ago. Isn't it annoying when you only just break into the last skein, use a few yards and are all done?

The only problem is deciding which sweater to make. I have enough yarn to make two of the patterns in my pattern collection. Today's choices are:

But there are at least three others that are always neck and neck in the running.

Maybe I should just put the main colors in a bag pattern numbers in another and do a random draw. Luckily, I have enough other things to work on that I don't have to decide today.

Also - mustn't forget. I finished this hat last night.

It's a gift for my mother. (well, she bought the yarn, I did the knitting) The pattern is Swirly Gig from Knitpicks. The yarn is Gloss, in fingering weight.

Nov 11, 2010

2010-11-11T22:11:00.003-05:00

I love this sweater:

This is especially amazing when you know that I really dislike the color yellow. (except on kitchen walls - I have no idea why that is, it just is) But in this case there is just something visually appealing about the color combination. The pictures is from Fair Isle Sweaters Simplified. The chart is there and I have what I think is the proper yarn amounts.

The yarn is from Philosopher's Wool. It's their two-ply. The 'pattern' isn't in the book exactly, but in keeping with the Philosopher's Wool philosophy (Choose your colors yourself) I plan to 'follow' the pic and make my own version. I also plan to use Elizabeth Zimmermann's EPS system and make a more fitted/less baggy style. I will still knit it in three pieces and steek. I will also need to knit all three pieces in tandem in order to keep the band sequences similar, just in case I'm wrong about the amounts I need.

It's amazing to me how much less scary that thought is after you survive the first one.

Nov 10, 2010

2010-11-10T21:18:00.004-05:00

Today I bring you a submission from Poetry in Stitches.

I thought this sweater was lovely, except for the colors. Orange is just not one of my favorites. However, one day I was browsing the clearance rack at one of my favorite local yarn purveyors and found this:

It is New England shetland in grey and two purple shades.

Poetry in Stitches is a particular collection of lovely knits that will be making a repeat appearance or two.

I have already made a lovely red and white number, which will be knit again. The first one, while lovely was too big for me and I just never wore it. On those few rare occasions when I did I felt like the 4 year old who'd broken into mother's closet. I considered ripping it back or steeking and making it smaller. Since I couldn't decide which would be preferable I did neither and in the end gave it to a friend. She wears it often (or so I hear) and loves it to pieces. Perhaps the next one will be blue and white.

Nov 9, 2010

2010-11-09T20:27:00.000-05:00

Sometimes life and the heart call for a simple project. This sweater is a simple classic. I am sure that I will find the endless ribbing to be mind numbing. But I'm going to make it.

And in honor of my inner geek I'm going to make mine in Ravenclaw colors. I admit I'm a Harry Potter geek. My daughter loves it so I may as well enjoy all the time I get to spend watching the movies and discussing the stories. If Harry Potter isn't your thing it will also pass for the Indianapolis Colts colors, if that's your brand of geekage.

Tonight was Shepherd's Choice Mystery book club. It is a great deal of fun and we almost talked about the book this time. We choose our next book and are having a holiday theme next time.

Nov 8, 2010

2010-11-08T20:24:00.003-05:00

Pictures do not do the colors in this yarn justice. It's a lovely brown with tweeds of orange. This is one of the very few yarns I bought without a project already in mind. I have MANY skeins.

It didn't take me long to find a project for which it is perfect: Thermal, from Knitty.com. It will be perfect when made from this. Knitty.com is a great source of interesting patterns. I'm not sure how many patterns I have knit from there - but I usually check there when I'm searching for inspiration and I am seldom disappointed.

Initially I had planned another project to post today. Then I saw this yarn and I decided to cast it on, while I waited for the extra skein of Black Water Abbey 2ply to show so I can finish St. Brigid.

Nov 7, 2010

2010-11-07T20:14:00.004-05:00

Today's edition of 'holy crap I have a lot of yarn' is Starmore's Beadwork. A pretty bit of texture knitting. If nothing else this exercise is making me pretty sure I don't need to buy any yarn next year. Certainly not any sweater-worth quantities.

The yarn I selected for this is Scottish Fleet from Frangipani in Greystone. This is a lovely company to work with and having swatched this I can tell you the yarn is fabulous. The colors are vibrant. I fondle the sample card on a regular basis.

I have been forced to stop work on St. Brigid, at least until later this week. As I feared, I am going to run out of yarn. I estimate that I am about 1/4 of a skein short. Luckily I was able to locate someone who had a skein they were willing to get out of their stash. It should arrive later this week. I can only assume that promptly after receiving the replacement I will find an additional skein in my OWN stash. This would be pretty typical for me.

Hopefully pulling all this yarn out and reorganizing it will help me with that little problem. As I'm posting these up they are being bagged together and placed on the 'sorted' shelves. Perhaps January 1 will result in a picture of the organized work room.

Nov 6 2010

2010-11-06T22:06:00.004-04:00

Meg Swansen and Elizabeth Zimmermann are my knitting heros. I freely admit to a love affair with the baby surprise jacket. Attending Knitting Camp did great things for my fearlessness at knitting (well that, Alice Starmore and Philosopher's Wool).

Today's edition of 'view my stash' is this lovely number by Meg.

The yarn is Cascade, and what keeps this sweater from being completed is - my fear that this sweater will be so large that I will never wear it. The finished measurements are more than 10" larger then I am. But I am also deeply in love with it.

Maybe I should buy dk weight? Will that work? And although the yarn is listed as being worsted weight the sweater is knit on size 3.5mm (US 4) needles. Which implies sport/dk weight already, right?

But the gauge is 20 stitches to 4" which IS worsted weight - on size 4.5 (US 7) needles. And so, even though I already have the working copies of the charts and I have read the pattern a few times and can remove 4 inches from the circumference without messing up the design I am too uncertain to start. Even the swatching gives me pause.

Nov 5 2010

2010-11-05T21:27:00.003-04:00

For a very Festive Friday I give you BLUE

This lovely royal blue knitpicks palette is set aside for Myrtle Cardigan.

It is quite lovely, both the color and the pattern.

This has been a useful week for getting things together and sorting out my work room. I need to get some additional storage containers. Since I'm going through all the work of pulling this yarn together it seems a shame to let it return to the mess it became because of all the moving.

There has also been knitting. I am about 1/3 finished with the back of St. Brigid. I plan to complete it by the end of the month. I think I'm right on target for that!

Nov 4 2010

2010-11-04T21:34:00.006-04:00

What joy I have found in Norwegian knitwear design.

A couple years ago I went to Yarn Over and purchased this

on clearance from one of the vendors. (I also purchased the kit for Box Sweet at the same event.)

This is a beautiful sweater - but I want to make it smaller (that over sized sweater issue again) and skip the collar. I pulled this kit out a month ago, thinking it would be a good time to start it. Then I read the instructions.

Nearly all the color work is done using swiss darning. Hmm - fiddly work after the knitting is done. I know me well enough to know how that will work out. On the other hand it isn't so much of an annoyance that I've put it back in stash. I keep thinking I should just cast this baby on and start knitting.

Hey - it could happen

Nov 3 2010

2010-11-03T20:42:00.005-04:00

For today's sweater we have Silk Ribbed Lace Corset designed by Annie Modesitt.

The yarn is Passion from Yarn Source. It is 100% silk and has great sheen. I purchased this yarn from Lambkin's Hideaway. Their customer service was great.

Nov 2 2010

2010-11-02T21:59:00.003-04:00

Today's installment is a lovely bit of fair isle from Alice and Jade Starmore. Frankly I think it's fair to say that these are some of my favorite designs. Their book Tudor Roses has inspired a lot of my knitting. I've already completed Anne Bolyn and Elizabeth I and I have only the sleeves remaining on Mary Tudor.

Mary Tudor was quite a challenge. The pattern is a cardigan, which for some unknown reason I am not fond of, so I decided it should be a pullover. Shaping the neck and knitting the neckband took a really long time, around a couple years. And I have yarn set aside for one more of them: Margaret Tudor. The hold up on this one is the buttons, I'm still looking for the perfect buttons.

This lovely pattern is call Katherine of Aragon. I have the yarn to make either version I'm leaning toward the pullover. But that changes everything I contemplate casting it on. I will not be casting this one on until I finish the sleeves on Mary Tudor.

Nov 1 2010

2010-11-01T21:12:00.004-04:00

In the interest of getting back into the habit of posting and in honor of nanowrimo (which is crazy, by the way, all due respect to those who dare). I am going to attempt to post every day and in order to 1) give myself something to blog about 2) get a grip on my stash and 3) get a good look at the cool stuff therein I plan to post on sweater kit from my stash each day.

First up we have one of my Philosopher's Wool sweaters. This one is Colour Your Own in Fall colorway.

I love these sweaters, the yarn and the designs. They have really helped me to grow as a knitter. It's scary to choose the next color, the first couple sweaters. But what they say is true, if you have a matched palette you can't go wrong. Even the one I made with leftovers from other kits turned out quite well. I'm still a bit nervous when I put my own palette together, but I'm not as paralyzed as I once was. I have made probably 5 of these to date. I have started changing the shaping a little for the last few and will probably make more shaping changes to this one when I make it.

I also used this yarn the first time I fixed a mistake. I grabbed the wrong yarn, didn't notice right away and had to removed the cuff and three inches of the sleeve and reknit it. It was a bit scary, but worked out well.

Something finished

2010-10-31T21:33:00.001-04:00

Since this didn't get blogged yet I'm going to drop it here.

I finished my Liz I sweater. It's beautiful. I did have to rip back the top and shorten it so that it fit me, but it's a great fit now and I love it!

Prior to the adjustment it looked like this:

It's hard to see in this picture but the armhole starts under my bust about 5 inches down from my actual arm. It felt like I was 4 wearing my mother's clothes.

I really love Alice Starmore's designs. But they are always oversized for me. In many cases this is not a big deal. In this case, I think I'd like it better if it was a closer fit. However, not enough to make all the changes that would be necessary to adjust this pattern.

Fall is falling

2010-10-26T18:40:00.003-04:00

well - Rain is falling.

A lot of things have happened since my last post. I started a new job, found and moved into a place of my own and I have been trying desperately to get all my stuff moved in, unpacked and put away. There are a few things that I can't find. I hope they show up but I'm not holding out much hope.

There has been quite a bit of knitting and I will get pictures up soon.

Now I am working on an AS aran sweater. I'm quite pleased that she decided to reprint that book. It's quite lovely and the library copy is nice, but quite inconvenient when you decide you want to use a certain yarn but aren't sure what to do with it.

So far I have finished the front and one sleeve. The pattern is St. Brigid, the yarn is from Blackwater Abbey, 2-ply in Autumn. It's a lovely color and a fantastic yarn. I'm very pleased with it. I can't wait for it to be finished so I can wear it.

How did it get to be July already!?

2010-07-05T07:30:00.006-04:00

Today is the last day of knitting camp. We had a great time. I'm all stuffed full of enthusiasm and ideas. If I get any of it done I'll be impressed but I'm so EXCITED.

I finally got brave and cast on the sleeves for my Elizabeth I (Amy said I was chicken - she's probably right). This took a great deal less time then last time I attempted to alter a sweater pattern. I was busy counting and fretting and Amy D made me show the class what I was working on. It's a bit nuts but I'm less worried about cutting steeks then I am about adjusting a pattern.

I'd put up some pictures but I'm not getting nice pictures this morning (stupid camera only does flash at one level (OVEREXPOSED!).

Finally Pictures -

Mother and I had a great time and plan to enter the lottery next year as well. I hope we apply to Camp 2 or one of the retreats. I will actually pack up some of my knitting and bring it next time. (meant to this time - but forgot - well forgot and I'm not that impressed with my knitting, I don't really think it's extra special) Maybe I will get the shetland shawl done (actually starting it would help that happen).

I was naughty and bought yarn. I'm going to design and make a Norwegian style sweater. I am unclear why that is less scary then changing the sleeves on Elizabeth I. I suppose in some way however it comes out is what I planned?

I also need (NEED - snicker) the Armenian Knitting book. I want to make the Lily jacket but put in a poppy instead of the lily.

Better get moving. Good bye Breakfast is shortly and I need to pack.

Post dated post

2010-06-30T08:42:00.000-04:00

In the interest of keeping this in some sort of order here is a post that SHOULD have been made in June.

Behold the shawl I made for my mother, as a retirement present, while I was waiting for the floor I was tiling for her to dry and set. The yarn is BLF 2/8 from Fleece Artist which I hand dyed to make Tempest. The color was all wrong - but the second skein I dyed is perfect!

The pattern is Laminaria (from Knitty.com).

The center section:

The border:

Knitting, soon with pictures

2010-04-28T22:11:00.002-04:00

I had a good weekend knitting wise. I finished a sweater for a friend. It was self designed, mostly as I went, top down with a lace yoke. It turned out really nicely. I'd consider writing up the pattern, except I don't want to do all the math to get it multi-sized. Now the LYS I'm trying to teach at wants me to consider doing it as a class.

I am still doing Sock Madness. I have finished the first knee-high and started the second, but I have not spent much time on it the last few days. The pattern is great, if imperfect. I'm watching several knitters have the same complaints I had last year (patterns aren't always well proofread and occasionally there errors). Last year I removed myself from the competition over my reaction. I'm doing much better this year at remembering the designers are often producing their first written pattern, sometimes their first complicated pattern/design, and there are only a very few test knitters. PLUS its all volunteer and unpaid/free.

I made some more 'use up yarn' kitchen washing items. These ones use up acrylic yarn. (sorry for the Ravelry link - for all those not on Ravelry - I haven't seen this pattern off Ravelry.)

I also made 1/2 of a pair for the sock class I'm hoping to teach in May. This is just a plain sock pattern, perfect for a new sock maker. So far no students are signed up. I'm willing to wait until Friday to make a decision. But I'm a little disappointed.

I also put a few of my knitting project bags on Etsy. Go - buy them. These are small (pair of socks project size). If they don't sell I will put my sock projects in them and throw away the ziplock bags they are in now.

My next project will be to dye some yarn. I have two skeins that will be for Tempest and the rest will be up for grabs on Etsy. I'd like to do that tomorrow.

First Quarter Ends with Knitting

2010-04-07T16:10:00.007-04:00

Finished quite a bit of knitting in March. Sock Madness is in full swing and we've already finished two pairs. I can't wait for the third.

The first round was Sideways Socks (don't know what I'm doing with these, they won't fit me) -

Second pattern was Cool Beans socks. These are for a friend but I may make another pair for myself - but with a few design changes (hourglass heel and plain toe) -

and Cable Vent Cardigan for me. I even found buttons!

It just needs washing and blocking and it's all ready to wear. Now I just need some place to wear it.

I'm hoping to find a yarn store or two that will let me teach. I'm also making some knitting bags to sell at Etsy. I'll post pics when they are available. Still tinkering with the pattern.

Cable Vent Jacket - Progress

2010-03-23T20:56:00.002-04:00

I have finished 1 1/2 of the fronts, two sleeves and the back. I might even get it finished by the end of the (GASP) month.

Alas I don't have the buttons chosen yet - but I'll find something.

I'm very fond of the sweater and the tension of my stockinette is getting more even all the time. There is nothing like acres of ss to make you find your technical faults. Even watching a movie couldn't keep me from fretting about the tension issue and fiddling with it. I wish I'd figured it out earlier. I'm not (no matter how compulsive I am) going to frog it and start over. But the next sweater will be better. Which is the thing, really. Live, learn and use what you learned to improve your next project.

I have been distracted trying to decide what I should make next. My stash is still so full of things that I can't wait to make. But I have to decide - Faire Isle? Stranded? Aran? Gansey!? Or - LACE!? Cardigan? Jumper? Vest?

Maybe I should just make 3x5 cards of all my projects and draw one? That would however require facing the true depth of my stash and that would take a stronger person then I am.

6 Weeks!?

2010-03-18T20:06:00.003-04:00

Where did February go? It just flew by in the blink of an eye.

I have done some knitting though.

Some Toys:
These are all made from scraps

Sock Monkey Socks (made using Jawoll Sock):

Slytherin socks (which were altered to fit my father) I used some Trekking XXL that had been in my stash for a LONG TIME - color is 61 and no longer available, too bad too I LOVE it:

Socks for a friend (kool aid dyed):

Socks for Sock Madness (Cherry Tree Hill in Spring Frost)

Sophie Cable (I hope to finish this by the end of the month, I'm almost done with the second sleeve so there is hope):

Busy busy busy

Progress continues

2010-02-01T14:45:00.005-05:00

Here it is - the first sweater of 2010. I have had this sitting and waiting to be finished for a very long time. I am really glad its finally finished. I did change somethings, ran out of yarn and made due and such.

Yarn and pattern were a kit I purchased at Yarn Over 2008. I started knitting it when I got it but I really didn't like the accent colors and that really slowed down my progress. The pattern is Box Sweet from Candace Eisner Strick at Strickwear. I really like the things she does with color. I plan to use the leftover yarn from this and the shawl I finished a few years ago to make a Baby Surprise Jacket. But first I have a couple of other UFOs to find and finish.

A week - in progress

2010-01-30T19:45:00.004-05:00

There has been quite a bit of knitting this week - and even some things finished. And all with stashed yarn!

I knit two pairs of 'learning' socks from New Pathways for Sock Knitters. Both were made with stash yarn left over from other projects. Worsted weight with size five (3.75mm) dpns.

First is Little Sky Sock:

Second is Coriolis:

I also knit this lacy little number: The yarn is Douceur et Soie, and green 0/6 glass beads. The pattern is Ice Queen. I sure find a lot of nice patterns on Knitty. I only wish the patterns were printer friendly. I can't knit off the computer screen since I use pencils, post-it notes and pens to keep my place and take notes. None of those are good with computer screen.

So far I'm doing really well on my knitting from stash resolution. I've made quite a bit of progress on the sweater for my dad. I'm still waiting to hear about additional yarn for the Box Sweet. But I will probably use yarn I have next week and finish it up. All the ends are woven in so all I have to do is knit two bands of color and sew it up.

The Peril

2010-01-24T08:44:00.003-05:00

The danger in letting things sit in your queue are many and varied. Last night the peril raised it's ugly head at me. I was busy knitting this which as been languishing in my queue for almost 18 months. And I had really planned to get it finished this weekend, it really was that close.

I had feared it would happen, since it appeared to be quite likely last week. But in the path of great knitters before me I tread on, with hope. But no - I have run out of one of the colors, in the last band I need it for.

I have contacted a few Ravelry knitters who also made this sweater in this color, perhaps one of them has a bit left over? I will hope. Otherwise? I will have to figure something out.

I also made these - as prizes in a knitting thing I'm doing. Sorry the pic sucks - I really need to take pictures in the day time. but I never want to wait.

I was reading about and easy light box, but I have no where to store such a thing so that isn't really an option. Maybe summer will come soon and there will be more day light (although that's unlikely to help at 11pm)

And since I was making those I also made these for my friend Terri who LOVES tea and especially Teavana.

Socks

2010-01-12T08:55:00.002-05:00

Thus far this week I have finished two pairs of socks. Which really amounts to knitting 3 socks. One pair has had second sock syndrome so long I don't remember when I knit the first one.

So without further ado: Schaeffer's #304 Spiral Socks. I love this yarn. But it takes forever to knit, so fine is it. This pattern is quite lovely and appears quite easy. But the combination of the fine yarn and the dark color made this a difficult knit. I am delighted they are finished and can't wait to wear them.

We also have - Kertzer Fair Isle socks. These were a nice knit once I figured out how to adjust the pattern so they would actually fit a real person. So will be on their way to their new owner sometime today.

There are two more pair of sock wips in my queue that are on target to be finished. Then I think I will be free to start new ones. How exciting!

Catch up!

2010-01-10T07:41:00.004-05:00

Last week I used some stash to knit this. I think it's quite cute. The pattern is one I made up from a few others I found that I liked but they weren't quite right. The skull/crossbones is duplicate stitch designed the same way. The yarn is leftover from a prior project and is Brown Sheep.

I have challenged myself to knit a sock a day for the month of January. We will see how that goes. It could turn out to be more than I can manage. But here is the first installation. These socks have quite the story - to whit:

These socks might be cursed. We’ll see (I think the toe might be 1/4 short). My mother and I were buying stuff together from the Patternworks catalog. She liked the socks I liked the socks she bought the yarn I bought the book I’d make her socks. This was a LONG time ago.

I had time to make the socks. Found the yarn, but no pattern. I looked everywhere. We talked about ordering a new on from Patternworks next time we wanted enough stuff to order and went on. Months later I saw the pattern in a store, bought and went home to cast on the socks. Looked everywhere, couldn’t find the yarn. I did however find the other pattern.

Fast forward to last week. I knew where the pattern was, found the yarn and thought - Wouldn’t this make Mother happy? Tickled event?! So I cast on and knit and knit. I kept thinking ’ this seems small’. I checked my gauge, it’s right. But knitting stretches - right? Yeah not that much.

I know what size Mother likes her socks based on how big my foot is so I tried it on to see if I should start the toe. There is no way this sock will go on her foot. I did some simple math, stomped my feet. This sock was approx 8 inches around, in stranded work, which doesn't stretch so much. It looked smaller then it felt when I put it on. What adult medium leg/foot is 8 in? I did a small survey on Ravelry, couldn't find anyone this sock would fit. grumble grumble.

RIP! back to the cuff. I changed needle size, knit a pattern set tried it on. No go - RIP! I added a pattern set of stitches, went up a needle size and TADAH! This one will go on her foot and not cut off all circulation - SOCK FOR DA MAMA!

Happy new year

2010-01-02T13:06:00.003-05:00

I spent all of yesterday sitting on my bed knitting. How decadent! (also baked bread and made dinner but we aren't talking about that - WE are talking about knitting!)

I made a hat. It's a very nice hat (made from STASH yarn!)
The pattern is from EZ, the yarn is anybody's guess.

It knit up in about an hour which is shamefully quick. Also when worn it looks like a soft serve ice cream.

I also made gloves to protect my delicate knitting tools. The yarn is mystery yarn from a swap package. It feels like silk/wool so I have decided, without further ado, that is what it is. It's the best shade of purple imaginable in real life. Rich and deep purple. The pattern for these is called Strata and includes instructions to made additional layers such as fingerless gloves and wrist warmers. Some where in the stash is some angora left over from a prior project. When I find it I will make the wrist warmers to go over these.

I have also been busy finishing up UFOs. I was pleasantly surprised at how few I had: 3 pairs of socks, 3 sweaters and a lace shawl. Considering the state of my piles last year this time I'm doing very well. I can't even remove as many UFOs from my stash this year as last. So I'll focus on getting these few out, and keeping it that way!

The War on UFOs

2009-12-28T12:33:00.004-05:00

Apparently this is what we are currently experiencing. The green/brown Philosopher's wool sweater is done and yesterday I drug this out of the queue. The hold up was deciding what to do with the neck. The pattern is for a cardigan and while I had made a pullover into a cardigan I had never done it the other direction before. So 10 pattern rows from the neck shaping it got relegated to the end of the line while I figured it out. That was 3 years ago. Since then I have had a little more time to learn a few more tricks. (I think making more than one of the Philosopher's Wool sweaters where the neck shaping is all done after the knitting is finished helped me get over the fear - ALOT.) And gotten either more brave or shamed about how long this had been sitting there.

So yesterday I got brave, wrote out a plan and started knitting. This of course took longer than anticipated. But it's done. The steeks are secured and cut and I am ready to pick up the stitches for the sleeves and neck band. All very exciting.

Now my mind is turning to Beadwork. I'll have to find it, of course, and figure out where I left off. This might be a good time to find all the UFOs, and line them up.

Maybe January 1, 2010 would be a good day to line them up, post them and then see how many I get finished by the end of the decade. It could be quite a challenge.

End of the year catch up

2009-12-26T14:21:00.005-05:00

There was much knitting going on here this last month. I made several holiday gifts.

The green sweater is for my son. He isn't likely to come here so I can safely post this here. I hope he likes it.

The pattern is Tradition from Fair Isle Simplified. I used leftover yarn from other Philosopher's Wool sweaters I've made. I think it turned out quite beautifully.

Next is Bella Paquita. I had some issues with this pattern but I'm very pleased with the sweater. The yarn is Rowan Magpie I bought in a clearance sale most likely at the Sheepy Yarn Shop in White Bear Lake Minnesota.

Mother should stop reading now.

Is she gone?

She better be.

Okay -

I made her a scarf, very simple pattern using Sari Silk. As pretty as this is I am unlikely to EVER buy this yarn again. It was full of grass and other matter and several very thin spots that broke during knitting. The pattern is from Charmed Knits. Albus has very kindly assisted by holding the scarf for the pictures.

Since there were storms and work foo I didn't get to drive all the way to Minnesota and visit so I'll have to mail these things on Monday.

No new knitting

2009-11-29T22:47:00.002-05:00

Well - not so much true. There is new knitting, but it's holiday gift knitting and can't make an appearance here until after it's been seen by the recipient.

I have completed a pair of socks which could be shown - but I need to wash and block them.

I hope the presents are a hit. You never can tell.

Hello!

2009-11-09T19:49:00.003-05:00

I've been gone so long I hope you haven't forgotten about me. But I have been knitting

I have finished Alamere Falls pullover.

The yarn is Plymouth Homestead. I can't find the label now, of course. So I'm not sure what color it is. I hate when I do that and I do it all the time. The pattern is from Simply Shetland 4: at Tomales Bay. I bought the book so I could make Venezia but I haven't done more than knit swatches for that.

and Honeycomb vest.

This pattern is from Knitty. The yarn is Elizabeth Lavold Silky Wool. I really like this yarn. It's a little rough to knit with but it sure knits up pretty.

They were very nice knits and I can't wait to wear them.

Swapping and Spinning

2009-09-19T23:19:00.003-04:00

Here is the really cool Swap package I received from my Secret Swap 14 pal. Some great yarn, a sweet treat and some nice tea. You can't see the card - but it has some CUTE kittens on it. I think I'll make a hat with the yarn. And in the lower right corner - buttons:

Here is a close up - aren't the sheep perfect!

Today I finally finished spinning plying and skeining some yarn.

It's been in my stash for a long time! I really like the red yellow colors but the plying is not good. Very annoying and I'm not sure what the issue is. I plyed the blue skein last week and it went together perfectly. Otherwise I'd be concerned that I'd lost my touch.

Kelly also received her sweater. She has promised pictures and hopefully she will feel up to it soon. She had a horrible weekend last week and I wish I could give her a big hug.

Finished Object = OUT OF MY QUEUE

2009-09-01T19:28:00.005-04:00

Here it is - the end of the cotton is at hand. Orangina is completed. Now I just need to mail it to the recipient.

Here it is modeled by my very thin daughter. I hope it fits Kelly better. Maybe she will post pictures for us. We can only hope.

Stagnation!

2009-08-29T18:31:00.002-04:00

I am still knitting Orangina. It feels like forever! It's only been a couple weeks though. Having that information on Ravelry certainly is useful. I am about 1 inch from joining the front to the back and knitting the ribbing on the bottom.

I am going to participate in a Harry Potter knitting competition, based loosely on the Tri-wizard Tournament. I'm quite excited to see how it will work. It starts September 5.

There is also a dishcloth swap I joined that starts soon (I hope). It's a great concept. 12 of us knit 1 dishcloth a month and then each month one of us receives a dishcloth from the other 11 knitters. I imagine I will knit all 12 using the same pattern. I really like it. I've already knit 20 or 30 of them and I'm still not tired of the pattern yet.

Ravelry certainly has made my knitting life busy. I love how easy it is to find new patterns and yarns there. No matter what I'm thinking about doing there is someone else who has made it or is thinking about it. I can look at the item knit in different colors and different yarns. Some people put great notes up on their 'project' page, which can be really helpful. I wish I was better about putting notes up.

I made more bread today. This time I made a medium rye and english muffin. The rye needs to be darker but the recipe is tasty. The english muffin is really cheater bread - it was made in the bread machine. It is also quite tasty. Both recipes came from King Arthur Flour.

I found another dark rye recipe, that I plan to try next week, on another site. I've had good and bad luck with that site. So next week, if the test bake is a success I'll post a link to that.

And with any luck at all I'll have a new project to talk about.

And we have -

2009-08-23T17:35:00.007-04:00

Bread, beautiful bread:
This bread recipe was developed to celebrate the North Dakota Centennial. It's quite tasty and I haven't made if for several years.

My Secret Swap 14 package:
Should have put up these pictures a long time ago - but life got busy. This yarn is lovely and I just can't decide what to make with it. There was also some really great chocolate but it didn't make it to picture time. We ate it long before there were pictures.

And new yarn:
This is the yarn I bought to make the Tempest Sweater. This is my incentive to focus on finishing Kelly's Orangina.

Now you'll have to excuse me while I go eat some of the bread - it smells delicious!

A long quiet week.

2009-08-22T20:08:00.003-04:00

Last week's bread baking was full of fail. I'm going to give it another go tomorrow.

I have done some knitting this week, but nothing has been finished. I did finish the lace portion of the back of Kelly's Orangina and started the front. I have about 2 inches of the front started.

I also found another baby sock pattern to try. So far I just haven't been happy with the ones in my library and new patterns are ALWAYS a good option.

Cross your fingers that tomorrow's bread baking turns out a wee bit better than last week.

Today - not knitting

2009-08-16T10:23:00.005-04:00

Today I am doing something not knitting - baking bread.

I threw together a sponge, opened the grain grinder, ground the grain (the mill works great - with a lot less dust flying out of it then the old one - best declutter I ever took off someone's hands) and now I'm waiting for this to raise:

I hope it turns out well. I haven't got my recipes here so I had to scour the intertubes. This is not a terribly pleasing experience - except for this - King Arthur Flour.

This site has a lovely recipe section. I know the catalog is fraught with peril but the website is worse! Totally delightful but give the bank card to the spouse (or someone else you trust) and send them out for about 6 hours, while you browse. I have about 6 recipes I'd like to try but we don't really need 18 loaves of bread in the house.

Lopi Love

2009-08-10T20:44:00.004-04:00

Here is another sweater. I finished this one in the car (except for tucking the ends) in the car on the way to and from camping.

It's design 36 from Lopi 18. The yarn is Alafoss Lopi. It should be nice and warm this winter.

I found the pattern and the yarn for Kelly's Orangina and I cast that on this morning. I've finished three pattern sets (it's a four row pattern repeated for 15 inches). So far so good! With any luck she will get it sometime this fall - just in time to put it in the closet for NEXT summer.

Camping and knitting

2009-08-08T08:29:00.003-04:00

It could happen.

Pattern is Raspberry Lemonade by Adrienne Fong, in Regia 4-fach (a grey and a multi). This was a great camping knit. The pattern was easy to remember and knit so the pattern could stay safe and dry.

Now we are home doing laundry. That could take the entire weekend.

Mid year review

2009-07-31T13:48:00.003-04:00

Yes folks - it's time for a little progress checking. I believe I am a bit of a slacker (gasp).

I am four pairs of socks behind for the 52 Pair Plunge.

Last night I did graft the toe of a sock and contemplate starting it's mate. It's too bad the contemplation of knitting doesn't get the socks done. I wouldn't have nearly as much stash and I'd have many more pairs of socks.

I am three sweaters behind on the Sweater a month challenge.

I have about 6 inches on a sweater before I join the sleeves and knit the yoke. If I can find the pattern I have found the yarn for the Oragina I am going to make for a friend. I also have yarn for the Honeycomb Vest and I could start those at any time. That would get me all caught up and then one behind (Assuming I get those done in August)

I am on the final shaping rounds on the kitty pi for the new kitten. When we felt that we can also felt the mice we made. The new kitten will have many new toys and a snuggly bed.

I also need to knit a Pudorosa for my daughter. I will make sure to get it done before Labor Day! That way she can wear it to school.

Another sweater

2009-07-26T09:26:00.003-04:00

Here is Steve's sweater - all finished. Lovely cables and it fits, which is the best news EVER!

We are both glad it's finished and ready for fall hunting season.

SSSP - Revealed!

2009-07-19T21:23:00.004-04:00

For your viewing pleasure - my two favorite girls in their new sweaters!

Since I had to go to St. Paul to see my father I decided to bring my SSSP for the recipients - my mother and my daughter, both of whom really like horses. I saw someone wearing this sweater many years ago at the Minneapolis Horse Expo. After a great deal of searching I finally found it - thanks to the power of Ravelry. I bought the kit at Camilla Valley Farm. They have great prices and excellent service.

And now for something totally different

2009-07-15T13:00:00.003-04:00

Last night I picked up stitches for the last sleeve on Steve's sweater. Since I have to make a sojourne to St. Paul I might as well finish the sleeve and deliver the sweater while I'm there.

I started a new sweater last Saturday. I'll put up pictures later. I have one sleeve done, ready to join and will start the second sleeve soon.

For commute knitting I've been making washclothes. I have finished one ginormous skein of cotton yarn and started another. This might be a nice holiday present sort of thing to have around. They are handy, quick and a painless knit. I bought the yarn (worsted weight cotton) on sale (clearance I believe) for $1 a skein (1 lb) so this is cheap and stash busting. I also have some left over from a rug I crocheted years ago that will also become washclothes.

Photos later - promise!

Some things done

2009-07-12T08:22:00.003-04:00

I finished the SSSP.

Turned out very nicely if I do say so myself.

I think I will make a couple pair of socks this week - just like that. In truth - I have a couple pairs started that need finishing.

No pictures today - since the only finished thing is the SSSP and showing it off will ruin the secret.

Socks - two new pair

2009-07-06T20:13:00.006-04:00

I finished two more pairs of socks. Both of which sat in the UFO pile for months and needed only the second sock to be finished. The pattern is just a basic sock, I used no real pattern.

The first pair was made using Opal in the Draco Malfoy colorway from the Harry Potter collection. My daughter bought the yarn herself and I made her the socks. She is very patient waiting for them to get finished.

The second pair is Kaffe Fasset collection in Mirage colorway. I meant to order Pool but somehow requested the wrong number. Still nice yarn though and a great pair of socks. I meant to use this yarn to learn a new heel but forgot to grab the directions on the day I reached the heel so I just used a standard heel and gusset. Since waiting to get home and find the pattern was out of the question.

I have also done a lot of work on my SSSP. I may even finish that this week. That will be so very very exciting for me.

Secret Pal 14 Questionaire

2009-07-03T21:42:00.005-04:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I prefer basic yarns; Cascade, J&S, Louet gems, natural fibers are the bomb unless we are talking about cotton.
I don't like acrylics and novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have many different things, my Options are in the binder, but other needles are in fabric cases or totes

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting since I was a child. My mother taught me when I was 4 or 5, but she says I wasn't serious about knitting until I was 7. There isn't a technique or pattern I haven't been able to manage or that I wasn't ready willing and able to take on.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I do - Amazon is ndeplazes

5. What's your favorite scent?

amber and vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not really, but I like dark dark chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I haven't met a craft I didn't like. I have a wheel and many, many spindles.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like a lot of different music. I have an iPod where I keep my music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like purple best but all other colors are good too.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Two kids (one 23 and one 17) and no pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves, hats and mittens but no ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks and sweaters

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks and sweaters

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circulars and dpns. I like all kinds of materials but I don't care for Pony plastic needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

yes - both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

years and years, let's not talk about it, shall we.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

Swiss Independence. My family is Swiss.

At my house we refer to the winter holidays as the National Retailer's Cash Cow Holiday. The standard ones are really all too commercialized.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Pocket Dragons

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Not at this moment (there are a couple of Alice Starmore books I'd like to have - but I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on a book - ever!). Interweave Knits, Cast On and Verena Knits

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

not at the moment

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I love knitting socks. My feet are square - 9 inches around and 9 inches long

23. When is your birthday?

January 7

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

I am knitknot

July - Already?

2009-07-01T22:01:00.001-04:00

I can't believe that it is July already.

Nothing new on the knitting front. There is progress on many fronts but nothing is finished yet.

But after the weekend there should be socks and maybe, just maybe, a new sweater.

And another one done

2009-06-29T22:32:00.004-04:00

Well it is finished, washed, blocked and drying.

After I took the pic I had to repin the points. I looked for buttons today but I couldn't find what I wanted. What a bummer.

Perhaps I'll try another store later this week.

This was a nice quick and fun knit!
Yarn is Jo Sharp Silkroad DK in Boheme on a size 3.25mm needle.

Otherwise nothing is new here. It's been a lovely Monday, if Mondays can actually be lovely.

WOW - a double header!

2009-06-28T19:52:00.002-04:00

This morning I put my knitting aside, got in my car and drove north a LONG way. My father's family (his mother's family) was having a reunion. So I figured - heck why not - I've never met any of them before, but it could be fun.

The drive was beautiful. Alas I couldn't find the farm. I saw two farms that looked promising - one had 6 cars in the yard (it seemed odd - I thought the family was larger - but okay) however there were only two people in the yard standing about talking. Hmm - I didn't see the promised sign, in fact the only sign was a No Trespassing sign on the gate. Best drive on! The next farm look more likely - there were about 60 people in the yard, children ran about everywhere. Only one problem. They were all Amish. I believe my mother would have mentioned when she suggested I attend the reunion.

I drove up and down the stretch mentioned in the directions for about 45 minutes and then gave up the ghost and headed for home. I tried to salvage the trip with a stop at yarn store on the way home. This was not to be. Apparently all the yarn stores in Indiana are closed on Sunday.

Oh well - At least it was a lovely day for a lovely drive.

Maybe I'll have better luck next time!

Two forward, one back

2009-06-28T07:52:00.003-04:00

The Honeycomb vest is no more. I wasn't going to have enough yarn and I wasn't happy with it anyway. If I have to buy more yarn I'm going to try to find what I wanted in the first place. So instead I ripped back and started Pudorosa. So far a very calming knit. I have the first one almost done. The FIRST ONE you many very well ask. Why yes.

Everyone, being all interested in what I was knitting, asked; I sent the link. They liked. They said they wanted one too - please!? Now they are all knitters and COULD make their own. But, I have 4 balls of this yarn.

If I had my library from home I could make these but I don't (and I could buy the pattern, but I already have it - in MN). So why not. It's a pleasant knit, I have the yarn and the time. (lots of time) And they are all knitters and will appreciate the gift. Two birds, one stone. (Well three but who, besides me, is counting.)

And for our next adventure!

2009-06-27T09:46:00.002-04:00

I have cast on for the Honeycomb Vest not that I have finished anything to justify starting something new. I have about 1/2 the back completed. So far it is an interesting knit. I'm looking forward to wearing it.

I am also nearly finished with a pair of socks. I have only half the foot of a second sock to finish. This is a pair that had been suffering from second sock syndrome since last fall. The 52 Pair Plunge and commute knitting have really been useful for getting projects off the UFO pile.

After I finish the vest I will have to get back to the Anniversary Mystery Shawl. I think two more weeks of steady work would finish that.

And then the second sleeve on Steve's sweater. Can sweaters suffer from second sleeve syndrome? I believe mine do.

Looks like an agenda to me!

Another week bites the dust

2009-06-22T12:21:00.002-04:00

Sunday was a mixed blessing. Saturday we got new internet, which was win, but that meant that Saturday's agenda got pushed back to Sunday and Sunday's agenda got round filed.

There was knitting, where I discovered that I must have snagged the needles from a sock UFO for something else and put a different set in to hold the stitches. Of course I didn't notice this for 5 inches of sock leg. (rip rip rip)

Drove to West Chester (OH) to the IKEA, bought a bed and mattress. Yay for bed! Four hours driving and two hours shopping. Had fun, and saved about $800 over anything I saw in Indy (and that was just the mattress!). I think that covers gas.

So now we start a new week.

Lace, Socks and Sweaters, Oh My!

2009-06-21T08:16:00.008-04:00

The internet has been out - but there has been knitting!

Finally finished Clue 3:

I think it's turning out pretty well. The pattern requires attention but is not to difficult. A really lovely knit.

And two pairs of socks for the 52 Pair Plunge:

What I've been calling my Raspberry Swirl sock are finally finished. I started these a LONG time ago and then more than once.

Baby socks knit in sets of three. Why? Who knows but mother's who have them like it.

And there is progress on Steve's sweater - One sleeve down and one to go!

WOOHOO!

2009-06-18T09:48:00.002-04:00

Internet access should reappear on Saturday! I just scheduled a new provider to come and do the install.

And boy to I have some knitting to show you! I have socks and lace and sweaters (oh my!)

I hope you all are as excited as I am (both of you!)

2009-06-15T10:09:00.002-04:00

Still no internet at the house. Really annoying. And makes it very hard to do my paying job. VERY HARD, like as in nearly impossible.

1/2 of SSSP is complete. Rather nicely too, if you ask me.

Also finished a pair of baby socks. Cute with a capital Q.

Must make phone calls to internet providers today. TDS is full of fail. They will call us in 24 - 48 hours if they fix it, and we should be home during those times in case they stop by and need to come in, cause we don't work - right? Apparently this means they will call Saturday afternoon on the house phone, to ask us to do more 'troubleshooting' even though they were given cell numbers since we wouldn't be home. UHM WTF!? More trouble shooting? We have been doing that for weeks. This does not give me warm fuzzies.

Perhaps a little demented?!

2009-06-10T09:31:00.002-04:00

Is it a little off center that I am thinking I should learn to knit in German? Maybe, but I think I have to have this book so I can make these socks. Or even these.

I learned to knit in French so I could use patterns from Phildar, because not so long ago (okay 15 years ago) you couldn't get all the cool patterns in English.

This is one of those days when I really question my sanity.

SSSP* - update!

2009-06-09T22:33:00.002-04:00

The SSSP has moved along quite fabulously. I am now at the interesting part. WOOT!

I have let it take knitting time away from the Anniversary Mystery Shawl. This will put me even further behind, but I'm too excited to care.

There is also future project planning - I gave my Rogue sweater to my daughter so I think I will make another one for me.

I also really like the Honeycomb Vest from Spring 2008 Knitty.

First I have Steve's sweater and the SSSP to finish though.

* sooper sekret skirrel projekt

And - Pictures!

2009-06-07T08:30:00.008-04:00

I finally finished Clue 2 of the Anniversary Mystery Shawl.
The side panel:

The center panel:I planned to have this much done yesterday - but the fridge was out in the morning which resulted in trips for ice, packing of coolers, waiting for the service guy, getting the new (used) fridge and emergency cooking. Still have to make jelly with the strawberries that were in the freezer.

I stayed up until after midnight trying to finish up but went to bed with two rows left. I thought that it would be better to call it a night rather than having to frog back mistakes in the morning.
After a bit of breakfast today I will start clue three. Maybe I will finish clue three before clue 5 is released.

I also need to knit a couple pair of socks this week.

Still knitting lace

2009-06-05T23:29:00.005-04:00

I still have rows and rows to go before I finish the second clue.

It is turning out very well - but I am not dedicated enough to catch up.

I have too many things I NEED to work on and too little time.

Tomorrow I hope there will be pictures here. I can't guarantee knitting pictures - but some pictures.

Dinner with friends

2009-06-04T21:20:00.002-04:00

Is fun.

I am very lucky - my coworker with whom I car pool doesn't mind driving so I get to knit on the way to and from work. I get quite a bit of boring knitting done. All this leads to -

Today on the way home I reached a happy place in my sooper sekret skirrel projekt (SSSP). I'm very pleased with it. Soon I will be at the interesting part of this project.

There will be no pictures of the SSSP here though - since that sort of defeats the purpose. I am taking pictures and I will put them up just as soon as the secret is broken. Something to look forward to, and perhaps to keep you coming back?!

Once I get the SSSP to the not boring part I will start knitting socks on my commute. Socks for the 52 Pair Plunge. There shall be much knitting.

More Lace - well - not so much

2009-06-03T21:43:00.005-04:00

Knitting should be happening right now - instead I give you - PIE!

It was a decent trade off for knitting - the smell is lovely and I'm sure it will taste delish!

I'm still waiting to hear if I get to be one of the 100 official 52 Pair Plunge participants. I am not patient, but heaven knows I'm trying.

So now - the pie is nearly done, the kitchen is clean and I am going to try to get a few rows done on my shawl. The only way I'm going to finish the second clue before the fourth clue is released is to stay up all night Friday night and anyone who knows me knows that is not going to happen.

Getting back in the groove

2009-06-02T19:23:00.004-04:00

Starting to get back into the groove. Woohoo.

I need to get busy and finish some knitting. I am focusing on the Anniversary Shawl for now at least until I catch up. Then I have to pick up and knit the last sleeve on Steve's sweater. And socks - if I'm going to do the 52 Pair Plunge I'm going to have to get busy and finish some socks. I have many pair in progress. Hopefully I'll manage to focus and get some of these things done.

If I work really steadily tonight I could finish clue 2 of the shawl, maybe. And maybe I'm just delusional.

We shall see - Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Adventures in Knitting!

Clue one - done!

2009-06-01T17:57:00.003-04:00

Finally finished clue one for the Anniversary Mystery Shawl. I'm only two clues behind!
I have made progress on a couple of other projects and joined the 52 Pair Plunge. Unlikely I'll manage to do that, but I'm going to try.

Turn About is Fair Play

2009-05-25T16:21:00.003-04:00

Setembrina, friend and knitting companion extraordinaire, talked me into a KAL. I have received my yarn and I'm trying to catch up. I am about 1/2 done with the first clue.
Not too bad, if I do say so myself. (This is after Row 20) Clue one is 64 Rows.

And I better get busy and get Clue One finished so I can start Clue Two. Because after that I need to get back to Steve's sweater. I have 8 rows of the hem left and then one sleeve to pick up and knit. Keep your fingers crossed - this sweater could (maybe) get finished in this lifetime!

Knitting ADD

2009-05-18T19:11:00.002-04:00

I swear I have it! I unplied 172 yards of tapestry yarn so I could swatch the mystery KAL. And you may well ask - So, aren't you supposed to swatch? Yes, but with the yarn you intend to make the item with, not with stash yarn you purchased to do needlepoint. Then I ripped it back and put the ball back in the stash. I believe I'm nuts, but a good kind of nuts, maybe?

Today the patterns my mother found for me and mailed arrived. I am going to go and find the yarn just as soon as I finish the last 4 rows on Steve's sweater, and maybe the set up row for the hem.

My loom also came in the mail and I HAD to try it out. Didn't I!? Of course I did. It does help that I had warped a temporary loom over the weekend, so all I had to do was attach the weaving to the new loom. It appears to work well - but I've only used it for 15 minutes.

Today was crafter's delight at my house.