April 30, 2004
Fleecey
If fleecey yarn like Polarspun or Pixie had a mascot, it would be a giant cheek. His name would be PolarCheek and he'd come to your sporting event or festival with skeins and skeins of fleecey yarn and rub it on people's cheeks. Through the crowd there'd be a wave of "Ooh"s and "Mmm"s because it feels so soft and snuggly. Instead of shooting wadded-up t-shirts out of a cannon, he's toss scarves of Pixie into the crowd. He'd have a cheer to get the fans excited and it would go something like this, "What's fuzzy and light? What frogs without a fight? Polar!Fleece! Polar!Fleece! Rub it on your face! Nothing takes the place... of... Polar!Fleece! Polar!Fleece!"
Why are you looking at the screen that way? Surely I can't be the first person to envision that. Anyway, remember about a month back I was dying to get Weekend Knitting ? I simply had to make the flower washcloth out of there. Well, I started one in Polarspun. Then I had to set it aside because I didn't have the right size circs. I got the needle I needed, but I haven't really done any work on the flower for a while. I've had other things going on. Things I can show you soon! Well, I must admit the progress has also been hampered by the fact that I want to EAT this yarn. Every row I find myself stopping and rubbing the skein against my cheek, or burying my fingers in it. Is that bizarre? If you think it is, you have not worked with polar fleece yarn before.
So there are two petals out of five. When I'm done the next one, I'll slip them onto the circular needle. I think I'll do the center out of white, since I have so much white polar fleece. I'm thinking of other fabulous softalicious things to make with this. Too bad the colors are so ice creamy. I would give a limb to find a chocolate brown polar fleece. Mmmm, like fudge clouds.
Have you ever worked with a yarn you were so in love with it was distracting?
Why are you looking at the screen that way? Surely I can't be the first person to envision that. Anyway, remember about a month back I was dying to get Weekend Knitting ? I simply had to make the flower washcloth out of there. Well, I started one in Polarspun. Then I had to set it aside because I didn't have the right size circs. I got the needle I needed, but I haven't really done any work on the flower for a while. I've had other things going on. Things I can show you soon! Well, I must admit the progress has also been hampered by the fact that I want to EAT this yarn. Every row I find myself stopping and rubbing the skein against my cheek, or burying my fingers in it. Is that bizarre? If you think it is, you have not worked with polar fleece yarn before.
So there are two petals out of five. When I'm done the next one, I'll slip them onto the circular needle. I think I'll do the center out of white, since I have so much white polar fleece. I'm thinking of other fabulous softalicious things to make with this. Too bad the colors are so ice creamy. I would give a limb to find a chocolate brown polar fleece. Mmmm, like fudge clouds.
Have you ever worked with a yarn you were so in love with it was distracting?
April 27, 2004
Too many pictures!
Whoa! I'm running out of room on my server! I guess I need to move some pictures around. Any suggestions?
Speaking of pictures, here's a shot of the Homespun "Mediterranean" blanket I've been feverishly garter stitching for the charity. I wanted to have something to show on the tv interview Thursday, and since I had just donated all the blankets we made, I had to make something else. It's a lap blanket, it will be about 32"x40", I'm using #13's and I plan on edging it with gold Chenille Thick & Quick.
Today I signed up for the Debbie Bliss event at Knit Happens in June. I am interested in designing knit things, so it should be helpful to listen to her. And my new boss is like, "We want to support your textile interests, so if you need to take time off to go to a conference or something, go ahead." Kick ass, no?
What was your favorite knitting event you attended?
Speaking of pictures, here's a shot of the Homespun "Mediterranean" blanket I've been feverishly garter stitching for the charity. I wanted to have something to show on the tv interview Thursday, and since I had just donated all the blankets we made, I had to make something else. It's a lap blanket, it will be about 32"x40", I'm using #13's and I plan on edging it with gold Chenille Thick & Quick.
Today I signed up for the Debbie Bliss event at Knit Happens in June. I am interested in designing knit things, so it should be helpful to listen to her. And my new boss is like, "We want to support your textile interests, so if you need to take time off to go to a conference or something, go ahead." Kick ass, no?
What was your favorite knitting event you attended?
April 22, 2004
Get the Word out and Get a Move on!
Well, I can't help but be very excited. Today a reporter from a local tv station contacted me for doing a spot about Handknit Neighborhood on their "Our Town" segment. I'm trying not to get too hyped, because I know how these things can get canned if it's a busy news day. But it looks like I'll be doing the interview on Tuesday--no word on when it will air.
This would be a suuuuuper way to get the word out about the circle. We seriously need more volunteers to show up. More yarn donations would be nice, but I can always buy yarn. You can't just go to Michael's and buy volunteers or meeting places! On a tangent, but not completely unrelated, my mom bought Stitch-n-Bitch for me. The reason I wanted it was for the section on getting knitting circles together. I got to read some of it in Barnes & Noble, and I'm interested in reading the rest.
Well, the only knitting progress I've made is on the gift project, so you'll have to wait to see it! But I was thinking, since I just donated all the blankets we've made, I won't have anything to show on the interview. So I just grabbed the fattest yarn I had (Homespun and Chenille T&Q) and some #13 needles and I'll whip up a quick blanket to show on tv.
Do you have any stories on hiding knitty gifts-in-progress from friends and family?
This would be a suuuuuper way to get the word out about the circle. We seriously need more volunteers to show up. More yarn donations would be nice, but I can always buy yarn. You can't just go to Michael's and buy volunteers or meeting places! On a tangent, but not completely unrelated, my mom bought Stitch-n-Bitch for me. The reason I wanted it was for the section on getting knitting circles together. I got to read some of it in Barnes & Noble, and I'm interested in reading the rest.
Well, the only knitting progress I've made is on the gift project, so you'll have to wait to see it! But I was thinking, since I just donated all the blankets we've made, I won't have anything to show on the interview. So I just grabbed the fattest yarn I had (Homespun and Chenille T&Q) and some #13 needles and I'll whip up a quick blanket to show on tv.
Do you have any stories on hiding knitty gifts-in-progress from friends and family?
April 21, 2004
Feel Better
I stayed home from work today, felt so crappy yesterday and this morning. I think it's just a cold, but it's one of those where every symptom hits you at once. Nice. So I finished the orange blanket while watching movies on the sofa. Okay, I also slept quite a bit, but don't get jealous--the sleeping didn't make me feel any better.
This afternoon I delivered several blankets that Handknit Neighborhood had made to one of the charities we support, Coastal Hospice. It was a very productive meeting and they are excited to help me get the word out about the charity knitting circle. They're a large organization with tons of publicity, so HKN may get a newspaper or tv interview out of this, too. They were also telling me how much these blankets will mean to the recipients, who are hospice or home health care patients. That was the best part--not just keeping a sick person warm--but giving them something that was handmade with them in mind, even if we don't know their name.
What have you knit to give to a stranger?
This afternoon I delivered several blankets that Handknit Neighborhood had made to one of the charities we support, Coastal Hospice. It was a very productive meeting and they are excited to help me get the word out about the charity knitting circle. They're a large organization with tons of publicity, so HKN may get a newspaper or tv interview out of this, too. They were also telling me how much these blankets will mean to the recipients, who are hospice or home health care patients. That was the best part--not just keeping a sick person warm--but giving them something that was handmade with them in mind, even if we don't know their name.
What have you knit to give to a stranger?
April 18, 2004
Snooze
Man, these two blankets I'm working on are so boring, I want to take a nap. I did a few rows each on the Baby Blankie and the Gold Blanket over the weekend. My other more interesting projects were on hold for one reason or another, so I carried the blankets around with me. Here's what the Baby Blankie looks like now, not much different than the last update.
I just finished the first skein, so I could figure out how big I wanted to make this--it will be appx. 40" sq.--and how much more yarn I needed.
So my bf and I drove to Sea Needles today and I got two more skeins of the Encore Colorspun for the Baby Blankie. I also bought a couple needles: Inox 16" #6 circs; and short (8") bamboo #3's. I forgot to get somemthing cool for the prize for the charity circle next weekend. I'm kicking myself about that. They even had some groovy novelty yarns in the $1 basket. They were originally $9, but they were the very last ball of each type, so they wanted to get rid of them. I bought one for the bf's niece, but I should have got more for the prizes. Hmmph.
What's your biggest yarn buyer's remorse or non-buyer's regret?
I just finished the first skein, so I could figure out how big I wanted to make this--it will be appx. 40" sq.--and how much more yarn I needed.
So my bf and I drove to Sea Needles today and I got two more skeins of the Encore Colorspun for the Baby Blankie. I also bought a couple needles: Inox 16" #6 circs; and short (8") bamboo #3's. I forgot to get somemthing cool for the prize for the charity circle next weekend. I'm kicking myself about that. They even had some groovy novelty yarns in the $1 basket. They were originally $9, but they were the very last ball of each type, so they wanted to get rid of them. I bought one for the bf's niece, but I should have got more for the prizes. Hmmph.
What's your biggest yarn buyer's remorse or non-buyer's regret?
April 16, 2004
Gimme a Hug!!
Did you hear that cork popping? That was me, finishing the Hug. For such a simple, straightforward project this one was a monster. Remember, this originally was going to be a shrug. But after using incorrectly marked needles and winding up with a hammock not a shrug, I frogged the whole thing and decided on the Hug from MagKnits. Well, it got frogged several more times before I finally got it close enough to be worn. I didn't take into account my massive Polish shoulders and back, so I had to make the sleeve seams about 2" less on each side. So here it is!
Please note, there is no natural position which would show off this piece, so excuse me for looking like a mannequin dork.
Much better, get my goofy head out of there and just show me the hug!
Since the decreases are done at the edges, when you sew up the sleeve seams, you get this cool angled rib. I know, I'm easy to entertain. But you're the one looking at my rib seams.
I'm thinking of making another one of these. To quote Yarnharlot, "What am I, a masochist?". Yes I am, but I just can't let this pattern get the best of me! I like the idea of warm sleeves to wear over tees or tanks on cool summer nights. And Patons' Melody, which is exactly like the Wendy's Wild Spice, comes in sherbety goodness like Yellow and Melon. And now I know what to do and what not to do. Trust me, I won't whine as much on the next one. Deal?
If you don't mind, I'm going to drink a bottle of wine. So what was your longest running WIP?
Please note, there is no natural position which would show off this piece, so excuse me for looking like a mannequin dork.
Much better, get my goofy head out of there and just show me the hug!
Since the decreases are done at the edges, when you sew up the sleeve seams, you get this cool angled rib. I know, I'm easy to entertain. But you're the one looking at my rib seams.
I'm thinking of making another one of these. To quote Yarnharlot, "What am I, a masochist?". Yes I am, but I just can't let this pattern get the best of me! I like the idea of warm sleeves to wear over tees or tanks on cool summer nights. And Patons' Melody, which is exactly like the Wendy's Wild Spice, comes in sherbety goodness like Yellow and Melon. And now I know what to do and what not to do. Trust me, I won't whine as much on the next one. Deal?
If you don't mind, I'm going to drink a bottle of wine. So what was your longest running WIP?
April 14, 2004
Felting Isn't Taxing
Well, I spent the evening felting when I should have been working on taxes. Oh, but I got both of them done, don't worry. Here I am peeking out from under the oatmeal monster pre-felting.
And here is the finished hat straight out of the washer, soaking wet with a few fuzz balls still attached.
Grandmom said she wanted her hat smaller than Mom's with a smaller brim. I definitely accomplished the "smaller" part, since I had to stretch the hat over my head while it was still wet to shape it. But I think she'll like it, I hope she gets some use out of it before it becomes too warm.
Have you ever felted an item too much?
And here is the finished hat straight out of the washer, soaking wet with a few fuzz balls still attached.
Grandmom said she wanted her hat smaller than Mom's with a smaller brim. I definitely accomplished the "smaller" part, since I had to stretch the hat over my head while it was still wet to shape it. But I think she'll like it, I hope she gets some use out of it before it becomes too warm.
Have you ever felted an item too much?
Bought Some Time
Well, Shannon had a false alarm with the labor. As of 11:30 last night, she was not in labor. I'm not going to say anything else lest I be wrong!! I don't want to be Miss Information. This also means I have more time to finish knitting her baby gift, and that's what is really important. haha!
Here is the progress on the felt hat as of yesterday evening. I was a few rows into the decreases for closing in the top, right after I switched to the dpns. I meant to post this yesterday, but things like dinner and laundry got in the way. (It's done and felting now, but I'm one blog behind, so bear with me.)
Am I the only one who hates dpns?
Here is the progress on the felt hat as of yesterday evening. I was a few rows into the decreases for closing in the top, right after I switched to the dpns. I meant to post this yesterday, but things like dinner and laundry got in the way. (It's done and felting now, but I'm one blog behind, so bear with me.)
Am I the only one who hates dpns?
April 11, 2004
Hurry up and Knit!
Well, Shannon has probably had her baby by now, she posted that she was in labor at 6 this morning. YOU GO GIRL! Wishing her luck, I'm sorry I wasn't around to email her before she left. I hope she packed all the knitting she wanted to take. I am making her something, which I obviously haven't been blogging about, and thought I had plenty of time. HA! I will have to hurry now or else, knowing me, it will never get done. Oh, like that Encore baby blankie that was going to be for my nephew for Easter, that will now be his birthday present in July.
But my grandmom's hat is going well. I seriously cannot stress enough how much I love working with Lamb's Pride. I've only ever used the Bulky, so maybe it's fluffier than the Worsted, but this stuff is so soft. My nephew was even playing with it this weekend, and it earned the approval of his baby soft skin. He also found it drool-worthy, literally!
Saturday on our way out of town, I stopped at one LYS and got more Wendy's Wild Spice to finish the hug. I also got some yellow Lopi to go with the pink and green I bought last month. I think this will become a cute felted bag. Anyone have a suggestion for a bag pattern using a thicker-than-worsted-weight wool? I guess it doesn't matter much if I'm felting it.
And a pleasant surprise when I came home... my friend E was watching my dog and she left me some cool hand dyed wool! Isn't that a sweet deal? I go out of town, she does all the work, and then gives me yarn! This came from a yarn shop in NC--I'll make sure to get the name from her--and the shop owner dyed this wool herself. She may have even spun it. Anyway, must decide what to do with this, it's dk/sport weight and I have about 300 yds. A cute little bag? A lacy hat? Felt it?
So what's your favorite knitty gift to knitty friends?
But my grandmom's hat is going well. I seriously cannot stress enough how much I love working with Lamb's Pride. I've only ever used the Bulky, so maybe it's fluffier than the Worsted, but this stuff is so soft. My nephew was even playing with it this weekend, and it earned the approval of his baby soft skin. He also found it drool-worthy, literally!
Saturday on our way out of town, I stopped at one LYS and got more Wendy's Wild Spice to finish the hug. I also got some yellow Lopi to go with the pink and green I bought last month. I think this will become a cute felted bag. Anyone have a suggestion for a bag pattern using a thicker-than-worsted-weight wool? I guess it doesn't matter much if I'm felting it.
And a pleasant surprise when I came home... my friend E was watching my dog and she left me some cool hand dyed wool! Isn't that a sweet deal? I go out of town, she does all the work, and then gives me yarn! This came from a yarn shop in NC--I'll make sure to get the name from her--and the shop owner dyed this wool herself. She may have even spun it. Anyway, must decide what to do with this, it's dk/sport weight and I have about 300 yds. A cute little bag? A lacy hat? Felt it?
So what's your favorite knitty gift to knitty friends?
April 08, 2004
Is This Thing On?
A policeman spots a woman driving and knitting at the same time.
Driving up beside her, he shouts out the window..."Pull over!"
"No," she shouts back, "a pair of socks!"
Hee hee. That's courtesy of the Halcyon Yarn catalog. I received my Lamb's Pride Bulky today, and they included two drool-worthy catalogs. I did NOT need to get these in the mail the same day as my paycheck, you know? I swatched up some of this Oatmeal color to see how it would felt. Shannon is also working on a felt project with LP, but using the Cream color. She said it was not felting up by hand, so I was a bit worried that mine wouldn't felt--because of the light color. I put the swatch in the washer and I think it turned out okay.
Before Felting...
After Felting...
So I will be starting my grandmom's hat tonight while watching CSI. It's the Fiber Trends "Felt Hat" pattern with the Flat Brim variation. I'm using size #11 circ and dpns. It would be nice to finish this up over the weekend, then felt it on Monday, and ship it to her on Tuesday. Tuesday's her birthday so it would only be a day or two late.
What's the lightest color wool you've felted?
Driving up beside her, he shouts out the window..."Pull over!"
"No," she shouts back, "a pair of socks!"
Hee hee. That's courtesy of the Halcyon Yarn catalog. I received my Lamb's Pride Bulky today, and they included two drool-worthy catalogs. I did NOT need to get these in the mail the same day as my paycheck, you know? I swatched up some of this Oatmeal color to see how it would felt. Shannon is also working on a felt project with LP, but using the Cream color. She said it was not felting up by hand, so I was a bit worried that mine wouldn't felt--because of the light color. I put the swatch in the washer and I think it turned out okay.
Before Felting...
After Felting...
So I will be starting my grandmom's hat tonight while watching CSI. It's the Fiber Trends "Felt Hat" pattern with the Flat Brim variation. I'm using size #11 circ and dpns. It would be nice to finish this up over the weekend, then felt it on Monday, and ship it to her on Tuesday. Tuesday's her birthday so it would only be a day or two late.
What's the lightest color wool you've felted?
April 07, 2004
Bottom of a Tank
Yee-ha! Shannon is back online! I can get my vicarious sock fix once again. No, I haven't actually started on any socks. I was waiting until Shannon was back online so she could be my safety net if I goofed up. But now I think I should wait until after she's had her baby. Ha, ha, you know, wait until she comes home sleep-deprived and twice as busy, then bother her with my trivial sock problems. Actually, I have enough "urgent" projects to keep me busy for a couple weeks. My grandmom's hat, the ribbon tank and some charity blankets.
Speaking of that tank, here is the bottom of the front (or back, they're the same). I'll take a better close-up later, this ribbon is very "springy" in stockinette. Also, the hem in garter stitch refuses to lay flat. I hope some light blocking will fix it.
And speaking of the charity, we had another circle last night. It was fun and relaxing. I got to teach a friend's younger sister how to knit, and she picked it up so fast! I think kids just learn everything faster. I gave out the prizes for most blanket squares made--hooks and needles. And the prize for bringing the most friends was a skein of Noro something (two-word name)--wool/silk/mohair--that I almost didn't want to give away! :)
So how do you schedule your knitting projects if you have a birthday or deadline coming up?
Speaking of that tank, here is the bottom of the front (or back, they're the same). I'll take a better close-up later, this ribbon is very "springy" in stockinette. Also, the hem in garter stitch refuses to lay flat. I hope some light blocking will fix it.
And speaking of the charity, we had another circle last night. It was fun and relaxing. I got to teach a friend's younger sister how to knit, and she picked it up so fast! I think kids just learn everything faster. I gave out the prizes for most blanket squares made--hooks and needles. And the prize for bringing the most friends was a skein of Noro something (two-word name)--wool/silk/mohair--that I almost didn't want to give away! :)
So how do you schedule your knitting projects if you have a birthday or deadline coming up?
April 05, 2004
Splitting Atoms
"Hello?"
"Yes, hi. I would like to buy several balls of whatever yarn you have that is the absolute worst at splitting."
"That would be the Crystal Palace Deco-Ribbon."
"Really? A ribbon yarn that splits horribly? I'd love some!"
So that's how the Ribbon Tank is going.
I forgot to mention that, as expected, Ben Franklin Crafts did not have any 100% wool for my grandmom's hat. So I ordered some this morning from Halcyon Yarn. At least it's on the east coast, so maybe it will get here this week. I played it safe and just got more Lamb's Pride Bulky, same thing I used for my mom's hat. I just loooove the softness that the 15% mohair adds. You can't tell once it's felted, but working with it sure is a pleasure.
And why didn't anyone tell me there's a new Knitty!! The only thing I really want to make is the Bad Penny sweater. I haven't had a chance to read the articles yet.
Okay, besides Lion's Microspun, what is the worst splitting yarn you've used?
"Yes, hi. I would like to buy several balls of whatever yarn you have that is the absolute worst at splitting."
"That would be the Crystal Palace Deco-Ribbon."
"Really? A ribbon yarn that splits horribly? I'd love some!"
So that's how the Ribbon Tank is going.
I forgot to mention that, as expected, Ben Franklin Crafts did not have any 100% wool for my grandmom's hat. So I ordered some this morning from Halcyon Yarn. At least it's on the east coast, so maybe it will get here this week. I played it safe and just got more Lamb's Pride Bulky, same thing I used for my mom's hat. I just loooove the softness that the 15% mohair adds. You can't tell once it's felted, but working with it sure is a pleasure.
And why didn't anyone tell me there's a new Knitty!! The only thing I really want to make is the Bad Penny sweater. I haven't had a chance to read the articles yet.
Okay, besides Lion's Microspun, what is the worst splitting yarn you've used?
April 04, 2004
A Revelation
I realized when I got home from the craft store today that there are four types of yarn buying. 1.) buying yarn with a project in mind. 2.) buying additional yarn for an existing project (also know as the Underestimator's Regret) 3.)Buying yarn as a gift--my fave. And finally a type of buying I never truly understood until this afternoonn 4.) buying yarn just because you like the yarn. I know, can you believe I'm just NOW grasping this concept?! I guess that was the influence of my fabric-holic mother, as she would always say "this fabric is for that blouse for your brother's graduation" or some other random project. She never allowed herself to buy fabric just because it was beautiful. So even if she knew subconciously that she would never make that blouse, she had to trick her conscience out of guilt by having good intentions.
The yarn that prompted this revelation was Patons' Divine--apropos-- in "Halo Blue". When I saw this yarn, it immediately grabbed my attention. Now, I've been struck by yarn before, sometimes physically. We were in the store for about 45 minutes and I kept walking by the yarn, wondering for what project I could employ it. I finally decided to get two skeins (they are generously sized) and worry about the project later. At home, as I was unpacking my goodies, I realized that I just like this yarn and did not need another reason to buy it. Of course this has opened a new, dangerously expensive, door to my yarn obsession. But perhaps by letting the beautiful yarns just hang out and get acquainted, they will reveal their true calling to me. "I long to be that soft furry v-neck vest you desire", "I am machine washable, make me for your niece", "I am easy to frog, why not learn to make lace with me?". And then when they haul me away for believing that yarn can talk, my friends can fight over the lucious stash.
I also got some Patons' Pixie in white and then realized I already have a skein of Polarspun (pretty much the same thing) in white. Ah well. I am going to see how it will work up into wrist warmers to cover my supports. I also bought some #6 dpns, because I know I needed them for some project, but now can't remember what is was.
What yarns in your stash do you consider "guilty pleasures"?
The yarn that prompted this revelation was Patons' Divine--apropos-- in "Halo Blue". When I saw this yarn, it immediately grabbed my attention. Now, I've been struck by yarn before, sometimes physically. We were in the store for about 45 minutes and I kept walking by the yarn, wondering for what project I could employ it. I finally decided to get two skeins (they are generously sized) and worry about the project later. At home, as I was unpacking my goodies, I realized that I just like this yarn and did not need another reason to buy it. Of course this has opened a new, dangerously expensive, door to my yarn obsession. But perhaps by letting the beautiful yarns just hang out and get acquainted, they will reveal their true calling to me. "I long to be that soft furry v-neck vest you desire", "I am machine washable, make me for your niece", "I am easy to frog, why not learn to make lace with me?". And then when they haul me away for believing that yarn can talk, my friends can fight over the lucious stash.
I also got some Patons' Pixie in white and then realized I already have a skein of Polarspun (pretty much the same thing) in white. Ah well. I am going to see how it will work up into wrist warmers to cover my supports. I also bought some #6 dpns, because I know I needed them for some project, but now can't remember what is was.
What yarns in your stash do you consider "guilty pleasures"?
April 03, 2004
Spring Swatching
Since I spent all morning spring cleaning, I decided to spend some time this afternoon spring swatching! I had several projects in mind, all of which involve substituting yarn, and I wasn't sure if the yarns and patterns would match up. Usually, I follow Murphy's Law--when in doubt, read the directions-- and only swatch after something doesn't work out. But I thought I'd start these projects out on the right foot!
Okay, I might as well tell you about the "secret project" using the Crystal Palace ribbon. It's for a friend's birthday present, so if she somehow managed to find and read this blog, she just ruined her own surprise!! Well I wanted to find a simple tank top to showcase this gorgeous ribbon. I didn't need a fancy stitch or pattern, because the ribbon is special enough to hold its own. I left my Vogue Knitting for this summer at M's house last weekend, so I looked through Vogue Knitting Sp/Su 2003 and found these two tops. They are both Tahki/Stacy Charles designs.
This pattern called for a gauge of 13x20 on size #13 needles. The ball band on the Deco-Ribbon says 12 sts on size #10.5, but I thought I'd try it anyway. Well, I got 12 stitches on the size #13 needles, which wasn't too far off, but I didn't care for how open the fabric was. One would have to wear an "invisible" bra until this tank.
This pattern called for a gauge of 16x21 on size #8's, and that's what I got with the Deco-Ribbon. I'm going to use this pattern, but according to the yardage requirements, I will just barely squeak by with the 5 balls I have. Which sucks because I wanted to make this tank a wee bit longer. You know how you always wind up with extra yarn, though, when you buy the amount the pattern says. Since this pattern starts at the bottom, I'm going to be a risk taker and add an inch to an inch and a half. It won't kill me to have to buy one more ball.
The next two projects are for my two youngest nieces. They're sisters and I wanted to be the dorky aunt and make them matching outfits. But they are 4 mos. and 3 years old, so it was most challenging to find an infant pattern and a toddler pattern that we nearly the same. So I found patterns that match each other and match the gauge of the yarns I wanted to use, unfortunately, the colors I wanted to use are not the ones in my stash. So these projects would require all new yarn purchases. They will both be made in the purple/mix colorway of each yarn, since purple is my SIL's fave color on her girls. The color mixes are not exactly the same, so if I don't like the two together, I may go with solids.
This is the "Dress with Eyelets" from Baby Knits for Beginners. It calls for a gauge of 25x34 on #3 needles, and I am using Patons' Grace for this. Shown is the "Tangelo" color, but I want to use the "Lavender".
This pattern is the "Jumping Dress" from Miss Bea's Playtime. The gauge it calls for is 20x28 on size #6's, and that's what I got with the Patons' Fresco. Shown is "Sol", but I will want to use "Veryberry". I'm heading up to Ben Franklin tomorrow, where they have Patons' yarns, so I will take a look at these two yarns together and make a color decision.
Was anyone wondering why I'm starting a new project? Does this mean I finished the Hug? No. I have run out of yarn on the Hug, with two or three inches to go. It's too much of a difference to just shift the seams to even it out. So I'll buy another skein, because I'll need it to do the seaming and there's a little bit of edging along the back. And it would always make a cute hat. I called my LYS and she has plenty of the Wild Spice, but she's not open on Sundays, Mondays, or from Wednesday through Friday next week to do her taxes. So it looks like I won't be picking that up until next Saturday on our way to visit family (remember my LYS is an hour away!).
My mom wore her blue felt hat up to my grandmother's this week, and my grandmom absolutely loved it and has requested one for her birthday--8 days from now! Making it won't be the problem, it's getting to a store that has decent wool that's the problem (see above paragraph)! My only hope is that Ben Franklin has some 100% wool, and I could pick it up tomorrow. But my grandmother has also requested a specific color, beige. Now I realize you can't felt white wool, but what about off white, beige or natural?
So are you a conscientious swatcher, or do you only swatch when you suspect there will be a problem?
Okay, I might as well tell you about the "secret project" using the Crystal Palace ribbon. It's for a friend's birthday present, so if she somehow managed to find and read this blog, she just ruined her own surprise!! Well I wanted to find a simple tank top to showcase this gorgeous ribbon. I didn't need a fancy stitch or pattern, because the ribbon is special enough to hold its own. I left my Vogue Knitting for this summer at M's house last weekend, so I looked through Vogue Knitting Sp/Su 2003 and found these two tops. They are both Tahki/Stacy Charles designs.
This pattern called for a gauge of 13x20 on size #13 needles. The ball band on the Deco-Ribbon says 12 sts on size #10.5, but I thought I'd try it anyway. Well, I got 12 stitches on the size #13 needles, which wasn't too far off, but I didn't care for how open the fabric was. One would have to wear an "invisible" bra until this tank.
This pattern called for a gauge of 16x21 on size #8's, and that's what I got with the Deco-Ribbon. I'm going to use this pattern, but according to the yardage requirements, I will just barely squeak by with the 5 balls I have. Which sucks because I wanted to make this tank a wee bit longer. You know how you always wind up with extra yarn, though, when you buy the amount the pattern says. Since this pattern starts at the bottom, I'm going to be a risk taker and add an inch to an inch and a half. It won't kill me to have to buy one more ball.
The next two projects are for my two youngest nieces. They're sisters and I wanted to be the dorky aunt and make them matching outfits. But they are 4 mos. and 3 years old, so it was most challenging to find an infant pattern and a toddler pattern that we nearly the same. So I found patterns that match each other and match the gauge of the yarns I wanted to use, unfortunately, the colors I wanted to use are not the ones in my stash. So these projects would require all new yarn purchases. They will both be made in the purple/mix colorway of each yarn, since purple is my SIL's fave color on her girls. The color mixes are not exactly the same, so if I don't like the two together, I may go with solids.
This is the "Dress with Eyelets" from Baby Knits for Beginners. It calls for a gauge of 25x34 on #3 needles, and I am using Patons' Grace for this. Shown is the "Tangelo" color, but I want to use the "Lavender".
This pattern is the "Jumping Dress" from Miss Bea's Playtime. The gauge it calls for is 20x28 on size #6's, and that's what I got with the Patons' Fresco. Shown is "Sol", but I will want to use "Veryberry". I'm heading up to Ben Franklin tomorrow, where they have Patons' yarns, so I will take a look at these two yarns together and make a color decision.
Was anyone wondering why I'm starting a new project? Does this mean I finished the Hug? No. I have run out of yarn on the Hug, with two or three inches to go. It's too much of a difference to just shift the seams to even it out. So I'll buy another skein, because I'll need it to do the seaming and there's a little bit of edging along the back. And it would always make a cute hat. I called my LYS and she has plenty of the Wild Spice, but she's not open on Sundays, Mondays, or from Wednesday through Friday next week to do her taxes. So it looks like I won't be picking that up until next Saturday on our way to visit family (remember my LYS is an hour away!).
My mom wore her blue felt hat up to my grandmother's this week, and my grandmom absolutely loved it and has requested one for her birthday--8 days from now! Making it won't be the problem, it's getting to a store that has decent wool that's the problem (see above paragraph)! My only hope is that Ben Franklin has some 100% wool, and I could pick it up tomorrow. But my grandmother has also requested a specific color, beige. Now I realize you can't felt white wool, but what about off white, beige or natural?
So are you a conscientious swatcher, or do you only swatch when you suspect there will be a problem?
April 01, 2004
Hot Pink
Here's a shot of the Hug now. I just safety pinned the sleeve seams so I could try it on. I am frighteningly close to the end of my yarn, and I still have about 8" or 10" of the second sleeve to do! Oh well, I could always shift my seam placement slightly to make both sleeves even.
I decided that if I have to wear the ugly wrist braces to work, I should knit up some funky wrist warmers in different colors to wear over them. I had bought some Berroco Furz in hot pink to make wrist warmers for my birthday. Well, my mom bought if for me as a birthday present. It was meant to go with the Wendy's Wild Spice above, before it became the Hug. I may pick up some other fun yarns to make wrist covers, because it really doesn't take much yarn, and I could make several sets to match many outfits.
And since everyone else photographs on bamboo, I thought I'd give it a try. There you go. It's really a sushi roller, but it makes a pleasant background. So have you ever knit something to cover a cast, brace or splint?
I decided that if I have to wear the ugly wrist braces to work, I should knit up some funky wrist warmers in different colors to wear over them. I had bought some Berroco Furz in hot pink to make wrist warmers for my birthday. Well, my mom bought if for me as a birthday present. It was meant to go with the Wendy's Wild Spice above, before it became the Hug. I may pick up some other fun yarns to make wrist covers, because it really doesn't take much yarn, and I could make several sets to match many outfits.
And since everyone else photographs on bamboo, I thought I'd give it a try. There you go. It's really a sushi roller, but it makes a pleasant background. So have you ever knit something to cover a cast, brace or splint?
