August 30, 2004
Shhh
Well today kicked off Secret Pals 3 and not only did I get the info for my Secret Pal, but my other Secret Pal contacted me! How exciting. Now I can lurk and leave cryptic messages on someone's blog, tee hee!
Have you been in a Secret Pals, Stash Redistribution, Passalong or other such interactive knit/blog thing?
Have you been in a Secret Pals, Stash Redistribution, Passalong or other such interactive knit/blog thing?
August 29, 2004
Design It Yourself
There is a new proverb in the knitting world..."If you want a pattern sized right, design it yourself". Knitters out there who do not happen to wear an extra-small know what I mean.
I went to Yarn Garden for the first time on Saturday and was very pleased with their store. Lots of groovin' yarn, books and supplies. I was on a mission to find a pattern for an evening ensemble using my Neon mohair mix.
They had tons of cool pattern books, leaflets and magazines and I finally found an awesome top in Fatto a Mano #146. However, the pattern started with an XXS (that's two X's) and end with a M. No L, no XL. Some of the other patterns in the book had a large, but of course not the one I wanted. So I figured out what it was about the pattern that attracted me and I have decided to make it myself.
I've been wanting for a while to design a couple patterns but lack of time has prevented me. I have them designed in my head, I just need to test knit them a couple times and write out the pattern. So this will be my first project. I will start after I finish my mom's shawl and the Madeleine sweater or by October 1st, whichever comes first.
I did buy a few things at the shop. 1.)A pair of Bryspun flexible needles in size #9--my only size #9's were aluminum and these are a vast improvement. 2.) A set of point protectors, nothing exciting there. 3.) And OnLine's Winter 04 magazine. There are some cool patterns in there and I can brush up on my German at the same time.
Have you designed your pattern for knitwear?
I went to Yarn Garden for the first time on Saturday and was very pleased with their store. Lots of groovin' yarn, books and supplies. I was on a mission to find a pattern for an evening ensemble using my Neon mohair mix.
They had tons of cool pattern books, leaflets and magazines and I finally found an awesome top in Fatto a Mano #146. However, the pattern started with an XXS (that's two X's) and end with a M. No L, no XL. Some of the other patterns in the book had a large, but of course not the one I wanted. So I figured out what it was about the pattern that attracted me and I have decided to make it myself.
I've been wanting for a while to design a couple patterns but lack of time has prevented me. I have them designed in my head, I just need to test knit them a couple times and write out the pattern. So this will be my first project. I will start after I finish my mom's shawl and the Madeleine sweater or by October 1st, whichever comes first.
I did buy a few things at the shop. 1.)A pair of Bryspun flexible needles in size #9--my only size #9's were aluminum and these are a vast improvement. 2.) A set of point protectors, nothing exciting there. 3.) And OnLine's Winter 04 magazine. There are some cool patterns in there and I can brush up on my German at the same time.
Have you designed your pattern for knitwear?
August 26, 2004
Neon Swatches
So I swatched the Neon mohair mix just to get an idea of how it works up.
Using #9 needles, I got 14 sts x 19 rows to 4".
Using #7 needles, I got 16 sts x 22 rows to 4".
Nothing extraordinary there, but now I can shop for patterns. I could even use a #5 or #6 needle, because the swatches were a bit transparent. That's okay though since it's ... "evenink vear, verry nice..." Sorry, had to bust out the 19 year old Wendy's commercial there.
Do you buy patterns based on their recommended gauge or do you wing it?
Using #9 needles, I got 14 sts x 19 rows to 4".
Using #7 needles, I got 16 sts x 22 rows to 4".
Nothing extraordinary there, but now I can shop for patterns. I could even use a #5 or #6 needle, because the swatches were a bit transparent. That's okay though since it's ... "evenink vear, verry nice..." Sorry, had to bust out the 19 year old Wendy's commercial there.
Do you buy patterns based on their recommended gauge or do you wing it?
Prodigal Yarn
Yesterday the alpaca finally arrived! It's very soft and yummy, now I just need a project for it. Perhaps the slow shipment was due to the weather in Florida, but the seller didn't say anything about it. She didn't even answer my question when I asked about a ship date. Turns out the yarn wasn't sent until the day I sent my email! Hmmph.
I also swatched the Neon yesterday. Not that I'm going to start making something out of that before I finish other things, but I need to know the gauge so I can find a pattern at The Yarn Garden on Saturday. I've never been there but I hope they have some cool pattern books.
Do you get your pattern books at a book store, a yarn store or online?
I also swatched the Neon yesterday. Not that I'm going to start making something out of that before I finish other things, but I need to know the gauge so I can find a pattern at The Yarn Garden on Saturday. I've never been there but I hope they have some cool pattern books.
Do you get your pattern books at a book store, a yarn store or online?
August 23, 2004
Awesome and Awesomer
Yesterday was the baby shower and the sweater did not get finished. So she got some nice breastmilk storage containers and some lanolin. But when I got home, there was a huge bag of knitted items hanging from my doorknob! My friend E had dropped off some blankets for the charity and also this groovy hat for me!
The pattern is from an Interweave Knits issue (not sure which one) and this is the yarn. She made it as a thank you for helping her learn to knit. Awesome, no?
Then today I get home expecting my alpaca to have arrived (it did not--rant to follow soon) but the fancy glittery mohair blend was here! Awesomer! The name is Lanas Lauria with an I which is why I couldn't find it online. It's very soft and feels like it will be fun to knit. I want to make something out of it for my boyfriend's class reunion in late October, maybe a sleeveless turtleneck and a shrug.
What dressier items have you knit?
The pattern is from an Interweave Knits issue (not sure which one) and this is the yarn. She made it as a thank you for helping her learn to knit. Awesome, no?
Then today I get home expecting my alpaca to have arrived (it did not--rant to follow soon) but the fancy glittery mohair blend was here! Awesomer! The name is Lanas Lauria with an I which is why I couldn't find it online. It's very soft and feels like it will be fun to knit. I want to make something out of it for my boyfriend's class reunion in late October, maybe a sleeveless turtleneck and a shrug.
What dressier items have you knit?
August 20, 2004
Mo Yarn
Well, I haven't done much knitting this week, except for a few rows today in the drive through line at lunch. But I did buy some wicked cool mohair blend yarn and it's called 'Laura'! Even if these are teeny little balls (50 gr), this should be enough to make a sweater, don't you think?
Oh, and I'm adding links to the right. ------>
Not done yet, but it's a start.
Do you have a project or pattern you'd recommend for some glittery "evening" yarn?
Oh, and I'm adding links to the right. ------>
Not done yet, but it's a start.
Do you have a project or pattern you'd recommend for some glittery "evening" yarn?
August 16, 2004
Books
Shannon's been talking lately about getting knitting books from her library. So today while I was in the library checking out Help, My Dog is Psychotic and other similarly titled books, I looked at their knitting book offerings. Sad. There were four or five books in the knitting section. Where exactly is my tax money going, people? I'd like to think that there are more knitting freaks in this town who have checked out the hundreds of awesome knitting books that my library offers and that's why they're not there right now. But what are the odds of that...
I did get Zoe Mellor's Animal Knits and I wouldn't mind making everything in there. A lot of the cute patterns would turn out great in MY FAVORITE yarn--Cotton Tots of course. Jeez, I have all these adorable baby/kid patterns to knit and the kids in my life are growing up waaay too fast! That's why blankets are always a safe bet.
Do you get knitting books at your library?
I did get Zoe Mellor's Animal Knits and I wouldn't mind making everything in there. A lot of the cute patterns would turn out great in MY FAVORITE yarn--Cotton Tots of course. Jeez, I have all these adorable baby/kid patterns to knit and the kids in my life are growing up waaay too fast! That's why blankets are always a safe bet.
Do you get knitting books at your library?
Sleeve
Here's the finished Madeleine sleeve.
My goal in doing the back and one sleeve was to see if I had enough yarn. I have just enough of the solid pink and I think I'll have plenty of the pink/tan linen. The linen is a slightly larger gauge, but it doesn't look too obvious. The patern also said to bind off the last stitches of the sleeves and the body piece, but I'm leaving them live. Since this is a raglan, those are the neckband stitches, and it would be smoother to just continue knitting live stitches instead of having a ridge there from bound off stitches, especially on a baby sweater.
Do you prefer to leave stitches live?
My goal in doing the back and one sleeve was to see if I had enough yarn. I have just enough of the solid pink and I think I'll have plenty of the pink/tan linen. The linen is a slightly larger gauge, but it doesn't look too obvious. The patern also said to bind off the last stitches of the sleeves and the body piece, but I'm leaving them live. Since this is a raglan, those are the neckband stitches, and it would be smoother to just continue knitting live stitches instead of having a ridge there from bound off stitches, especially on a baby sweater.
Do you prefer to leave stitches live?
August 14, 2004
When it rains, I'm poor
Well, it's been raining pretty hard all day, so I was bored and staring at the computer. You can see how this quickly turned into an eBay situation. I was very good, I only bought one thing and it was exactly what I was shopping for. I guess I have fall in mind because I've been in the mood for alpaca lately.
In non-knitting news, I have my own house elf now as the dog is officially Dobby. You cannot deny the resemblance!
Are you an alpaca fan?
Post Script: Oh my god!!! Knitting Animals sheet sets!!! As soon as I win the lottery, I'm buying these.
In non-knitting news, I have my own house elf now as the dog is officially Dobby. You cannot deny the resemblance!
Are you an alpaca fan?
Post Script: Oh my god!!! Knitting Animals sheet sets!!! As soon as I win the lottery, I'm buying these.
August 13, 2004
Knizzle!
What I need is a good long evening of knitting. Been stressin' and losin' sleep and all would be right with the world again if I could just k1p1 for a while. Ya know? I need to get my knizzle on!
This evening looks like a good night for that, and for working on the Madeleine sweater a little more. Next weekend is the baby shower, yikes! I have most of the back and most of one sleeve done.
For a baby that will be born in October, is it okay to make it a sweater in size 6 mos?
This evening looks like a good night for that, and for working on the Madeleine sweater a little more. Next weekend is the baby shower, yikes! I have most of the back and most of one sleeve done.
For a baby that will be born in October, is it okay to make it a sweater in size 6 mos?
August 10, 2004
For Myself?
After seeing Sarah's most recent post, I am totally into making Glampyre's Mini-Sweater for myself. Although we all know it will be for someone else, unless it turns out horribly wrong, then I will wear it.
So busy day tomorrow. Wendy/Dobby/Killer has to have the rest of her tail removed. If thy left hand offend thee, cut it off. Oh my, is that from the Bible? Where did I get that? Then it's rush to work to interview two more people, then rush back to pick up the dog, sans appendage. Dammit, I wish I could knit while I drive, 'cause I'm racking up serious road time here. I need a chauffeur.
I wanted to take a picture of the Patons Kingfisher I bought on eBay, but can you guess what happened when I took it outside? The Evil One claimed it and decided to liberate it from the bag. So I just had to get a picture of it. Yes, I realize this is only teaching her to play with yarn and that I'll never ever ever break her of this habit now. But it's cute.
What should I make out of 7 skeins of bright yellow sport weight acrylic (besides a straightjacket for my dog)?
So busy day tomorrow. Wendy/Dobby/Killer has to have the rest of her tail removed. If thy left hand offend thee, cut it off. Oh my, is that from the Bible? Where did I get that? Then it's rush to work to interview two more people, then rush back to pick up the dog, sans appendage. Dammit, I wish I could knit while I drive, 'cause I'm racking up serious road time here. I need a chauffeur.
I wanted to take a picture of the Patons Kingfisher I bought on eBay, but can you guess what happened when I took it outside? The Evil One claimed it and decided to liberate it from the bag. So I just had to get a picture of it. Yes, I realize this is only teaching her to play with yarn and that I'll never ever ever break her of this habit now. But it's cute.
What should I make out of 7 skeins of bright yellow sport weight acrylic (besides a straightjacket for my dog)?
August 09, 2004
Wendy
I've been waiting for the yarn stealing dog to name herself and it looks like she has chosen Wendy. Literally. I can barely knit with the Wendy Linen and Cotton because she is so obsessed with it. "Must hold it in my mouth! Must snuggle it and pet it. My precious!" So obviously progress on the Madeleine sweater is slow. I have the back done to the raglan shaping and I've started a sleeve. No pictures, just use your imagination. :)
Other choices for the new dog's name include Venus ('cause she's stealthy and deadly like a venus fly trap) or Dobby (from Harry Potter, because she's constantly beating herself up). I am also open to other names like Beeyotch or Sending-my-Vet's-Kids-to-the-best-College. Cast your vote!
Other choices for the new dog's name include Venus ('cause she's stealthy and deadly like a venus fly trap) or Dobby (from Harry Potter, because she's constantly beating herself up). I am also open to other names like Beeyotch or Sending-my-Vet's-Kids-to-the-best-College. Cast your vote!
August 06, 2004
Little stitches
I started a little sweater for my cousin-in-law's baby shower. I'm using the Wendy and Cindy gals shown a few posts ago. The pattern's from the latest FCEK, #28 (I'm too lazy to scan it). It's a cute little raglan sleeve crewneck (but with shoulder buttons for babies' melon heads) with purl ridges throughout the body and a seed stitch yoke. I thought these two yarns would be too textured for good stitch definition, but so far the ridges look good.
They told me the name of the baby and I've already forgotten. That's what I should start calling the sweater. Oh, Madeleine. Or some spelling version thereof. So this will be the Madeleine sweater. Well, it's a good night for a Johnny Depp movie and some baby sweater knitting.
What's your fave knitting movie?
They told me the name of the baby and I've already forgotten. That's what I should start calling the sweater. Oh, Madeleine. Or some spelling version thereof. So this will be the Madeleine sweater. Well, it's a good night for a Johnny Depp movie and some baby sweater knitting.
What's your fave knitting movie?
August 01, 2004
Another deadline
Well, I've been relaxing and rv'ing all weekend. And since it rained, I got a bit of knitting done. I am 34.8% through with the shawl. Unfortunately, my mom's birthday was yesterday. I'll be seeing her on Wednesday, so I got her some neat quilting books and I'll show her the shawl-so-far.
I found out that the baby shower baby is going to be a girl so I definitely want to make her something. There is a super cute little cardi and bootie set in the latest FCEK. If it works out with the gauge of the pink stuff I just bought on eBay, then I'll use that. Otherwise I may need to buy some yarn (dang!). The shower is Aug. 22, so I better decide soon. I will be rv'ing again later in the week and it just happens to be near Sea Needles and Knitty Gritty (which doesn't have a website. Hello, the 20th century called and wants its marketing back.) so that will give me opportunities to find something.
Do you get disappointed when businesses don't have websites?
I found out that the baby shower baby is going to be a girl so I definitely want to make her something. There is a super cute little cardi and bootie set in the latest FCEK. If it works out with the gauge of the pink stuff I just bought on eBay, then I'll use that. Otherwise I may need to buy some yarn (dang!). The shower is Aug. 22, so I better decide soon. I will be rv'ing again later in the week and it just happens to be near Sea Needles and Knitty Gritty (which doesn't have a website. Hello, the 20th century called and wants its marketing back.) so that will give me opportunities to find something.
Do you get disappointed when businesses don't have websites?
