September 26, 2004
Thank you, Berroco!
Berroco: "No, no. Thank you."
Laura: "Thank YOU. I must insist."
Berroco: "Well, fine then."
Maybe everyone else on earth knew this except me, but Berroco patterns come in sizes X-Small to 3X. It's because they kick ass! I found some awesome pattern booklets today and was totally stoked to see that they don't come in ridiculous size ranges like XXS-S. They come in ALL sizes. Sorry, Fatto a Mano, even though I loooove your stuff, I am not a small.
So I found a possible pattern for my Eveninkwear--actually three possiblities--in Berroco #216 "Color and Texture". Bea is my favorite but I wished they showed the "bold racerback detail". The schematic in the book shows it unattached, so it's hard to picture. Fatima is my second choice, though it would look dorky with a shrug, which is my intention since the event is at the end of October. (That is, my intention is to wear a shrug. Not to look dorky.) Francine would do in a pinch, but doesn't have anything over Bea, really. And there are a couple other designs in this book that I would like to make, so it was definitely worthwhile.
What line of patterns do you like/dislike the most?
Laura: "Thank YOU. I must insist."
Berroco: "Well, fine then."
Maybe everyone else on earth knew this except me, but Berroco patterns come in sizes X-Small to 3X. It's because they kick ass! I found some awesome pattern booklets today and was totally stoked to see that they don't come in ridiculous size ranges like XXS-S. They come in ALL sizes. Sorry, Fatto a Mano, even though I loooove your stuff, I am not a small.
So I found a possible pattern for my Eveninkwear--actually three possiblities--in Berroco #216 "Color and Texture". Bea is my favorite but I wished they showed the "bold racerback detail". The schematic in the book shows it unattached, so it's hard to picture. Fatima is my second choice, though it would look dorky with a shrug, which is my intention since the event is at the end of October. (That is, my intention is to wear a shrug. Not to look dorky.) Francine would do in a pinch, but doesn't have anything over Bea, really. And there are a couple other designs in this book that I would like to make, so it was definitely worthwhile.
What line of patterns do you like/dislike the most?
September 25, 2004
Gone to Pot
They were cleaning out the kitchen at work and giving away the crockery part of a crock pot. The same size/style as mine, so I took it! You know what that means, one pot for food, one pot for dyeing!! I've been meaning to do some dyeing for the past couple weekends. Maybe tonight I'll get around to it.
I've also been trying to get to Sea Needles for a while, but today I fell asleep. If they weren't an hour away--sheesh! I need to get some #4 bamboo circs and look at patterns for my Eveninkwear project.
And here is the boucle I won on eBay last week. It's not as thin as I thought, which is GOOD! I'm ready for some chunkier yarn. This may actually just go to the charity, it would make a nice snuggly throw. The shot glass is for spatial reference only! I do not mean to imply that I was drinking while knitting or any such thing. If you want to see references to drinking while knitting, just view any post where I say I frogged something or blamed a pattern for being wrong. Hee hee!
Do you knit adequately after a few drinks?
I've also been trying to get to Sea Needles for a while, but today I fell asleep. If they weren't an hour away--sheesh! I need to get some #4 bamboo circs and look at patterns for my Eveninkwear project.
And here is the boucle I won on eBay last week. It's not as thin as I thought, which is GOOD! I'm ready for some chunkier yarn. This may actually just go to the charity, it would make a nice snuggly throw. The shot glass is for spatial reference only! I do not mean to imply that I was drinking while knitting or any such thing. If you want to see references to drinking while knitting, just view any post where I say I frogged something or blamed a pattern for being wrong. Hee hee!
Do you knit adequately after a few drinks?
September 20, 2004
Past Lives
Big thanks to everyone on the sock advice. I'll start shopping for the yarn soon, then I'll start working on a pattern.
I really wanted to go to Sea Needles on Sunday, but I knew I'd spend too much if I went. I needed some #4s that were either circular or much shorter than 14" and they couldn't be metal. I have some picked out online, but I wanted instant gratification. Instead I stayed home and went through crafting supplies given to me when an elderly relative was put in a nursing home.
Turns out she was a knitter. Lots of mystery things started (we can all relate, huh?) but never finished. Among them this sleeve (?).
And what was it on? Short #4 flexible plastic needles! I finished the row so I could get the needles out and as I was working on it, I decided to make it into a shrug! There's lots of the yarn (she was probably planning on a sweater) and the pattern is easy, 5x5 cables with 4 purl stitches in between, cabling on every 10th row.
What would someone think if they went through your wips and stash right now?
I really wanted to go to Sea Needles on Sunday, but I knew I'd spend too much if I went. I needed some #4s that were either circular or much shorter than 14" and they couldn't be metal. I have some picked out online, but I wanted instant gratification. Instead I stayed home and went through crafting supplies given to me when an elderly relative was put in a nursing home.
Turns out she was a knitter. Lots of mystery things started (we can all relate, huh?) but never finished. Among them this sleeve (?).
And what was it on? Short #4 flexible plastic needles! I finished the row so I could get the needles out and as I was working on it, I decided to make it into a shrug! There's lots of the yarn (she was probably planning on a sweater) and the pattern is easy, 5x5 cables with 4 purl stitches in between, cabling on every 10th row.
What would someone think if they went through your wips and stash right now?
September 18, 2004
This Proves It
For those of you who thought I might be crazy, I am about to remove all doubt. Last winter I was visiting my brother and mentioned I wanted to knit some socks. "Well, don't bother making any for me," he said, "I wear through socks on a weekly basis." My brother wears boots and hikes around the wilderness for a living, so I don't doubt his statement. But I saw this as a challenge, not a deterrent. So what would be the best wool or blend to use and what do I use to reinforce the heel and toe, that he says "blow out" long before the rest of the sock?
Here's the crazy part! My brother wears a size 17 shoe. Yes, his name is Sasquatch. Not only that, his foot is very narrow, so the sock must be snug around his instep and heel. I imagine this is part of the reason the heels blow out on his socks, because they are baggy and get too much friction than if they fit correctly.
So sock gurus out there, what yarn wears like iron? And should I use a sport weight given the magnitude of the project? And where the hell do I find a pattern for size 17 socks?
Here's the crazy part! My brother wears a size 17 shoe. Yes, his name is Sasquatch. Not only that, his foot is very narrow, so the sock must be snug around his instep and heel. I imagine this is part of the reason the heels blow out on his socks, because they are baggy and get too much friction than if they fit correctly.
So sock gurus out there, what yarn wears like iron? And should I use a sport weight given the magnitude of the project? And where the hell do I find a pattern for size 17 socks?
September 17, 2004
Maybe I Should Knit
No knitting to show. But here's my ebay wool that arrived Wednesday. It's a nice dark pomegranate color and is destined to be something for a niece.
So I got a bonus yesterday and I need not say what I'm going to do with it. I have some ebony needles picked out for myself and some patterns and yarn picked out for my Secret Pal. All this shopping and nothing to show for it! I should really sit my ass down and KNIT something. I vowed that September would be Finished Objects Month and so far there is one item--a washcloth! Damn job, sucking up all my knitting time. Although were it not for the job and the bonus I wouldn't be online shopping right now.
What is your average FO rate?
So I got a bonus yesterday and I need not say what I'm going to do with it. I have some ebony needles picked out for myself and some patterns and yarn picked out for my Secret Pal. All this shopping and nothing to show for it! I should really sit my ass down and KNIT something. I vowed that September would be Finished Objects Month and so far there is one item--a washcloth! Damn job, sucking up all my knitting time. Although were it not for the job and the bonus I wouldn't be online shopping right now.
What is your average FO rate?
September 15, 2004
I'm Not Worthy!
My Secret Pal gift arrived today and I must say my Secret Pal is the best gift shopper on earth! She/He's soooo awesome! My SP is from France, but I'm not going to try to guess who it is, it's more fun this way! Trust me when I say I don't deserve these. But here they are anyway!
An adorable card with a tiny knitted sweater. Some Belgian chocolate, get out! I will never want nasty Hershey's chocolate again! And a chew bone for Dobby, she'll love it! And SP, don't worry about Charlie stealing it or wanting it--he doesn't have any teeth!
An incredibly awesome pattern/yarn catalog, Bergere. Dude, the French are a zillion times more fashionable and this magazine proves it! Every single design is awesome, there are no dogs! I have already ordered some of the French male models for my friend M's birthday. >:) I haven't seen anything that has this many groovy designs in it at any yarn shop here. What's up America? Why are you dull?
But wait there's more! My SP knew I liked to make stuff for munchkins, so they sent this snuggly Sheep pattern/kit from Phildar. How cute is that? I'll tell you how cute, very! SP even translated the entire pattern for my non-French ass. And don't think I won't be posing with my Phildar bag all over town, too.
Some of my eBay yarn arrived today, too, but who cares! I also bought/made some stuff for my Secret Pal today, and I really need to send it off to her. Of course I'll show you after the whole deal wraps up. Thanks again SP, you're the best!
Do you prefer imported patterns?
An adorable card with a tiny knitted sweater. Some Belgian chocolate, get out! I will never want nasty Hershey's chocolate again! And a chew bone for Dobby, she'll love it! And SP, don't worry about Charlie stealing it or wanting it--he doesn't have any teeth!
An incredibly awesome pattern/yarn catalog, Bergere. Dude, the French are a zillion times more fashionable and this magazine proves it! Every single design is awesome, there are no dogs! I have already ordered some of the French male models for my friend M's birthday. >:) I haven't seen anything that has this many groovy designs in it at any yarn shop here. What's up America? Why are you dull?
But wait there's more! My SP knew I liked to make stuff for munchkins, so they sent this snuggly Sheep pattern/kit from Phildar. How cute is that? I'll tell you how cute, very! SP even translated the entire pattern for my non-French ass. And don't think I won't be posing with my Phildar bag all over town, too.
Some of my eBay yarn arrived today, too, but who cares! I also bought/made some stuff for my Secret Pal today, and I really need to send it off to her. Of course I'll show you after the whole deal wraps up. Thanks again SP, you're the best!
Do you prefer imported patterns?
September 12, 2004
¡Loco!
What do you get when you mix a crazy dog with a crazy scarf? About ten fewer rows than you had before you got in the shower. I told you she keeps frogging my work! Haha, but this time she wasn't subtle about it at all. There was a needle on the floor, a needle in her mouth, the scarf between her paws and a ball of yarn running into the other room. It was very cute and since it's just a scrap scarf I didn't get upset.
From the top:
Bernat Cotton Tots
Wendy Wild Spice
Lion Microspun
Crystal Palace Choo Choo
Lion Chenille T&Q
Some handspun wool from Germany
Wendy Velvet Touch
What scrap projects have you made?
From the top:
Bernat Cotton Tots
Wendy Wild Spice
Lion Microspun
Crystal Palace Choo Choo
Lion Chenille T&Q
Some handspun wool from Germany
Wendy Velvet Touch
What scrap projects have you made?
September 09, 2004
Much Better
I was having a crap day so I hopped onto eBay and bought some yarn. I didn't even really want the yarn, but it was cheap.
I may dye some of this or play around with it. Who knows but it was, like, a dollar a pound!
Again, super cheap. I like how they say "No label. Just wool." Taking a chance on this one.
In case you were wondering my day improved drastically when I picked up my little package of insane dog (Dobby) after a brief return to the rescue. My Secret Pal was asking for a picture of all my pets together, but Charlie and Karmann are the only ones who get along. So you can see Charlie a few posts ago modeling the flower washcloth and here's a picture of Karmann. I seriously do not have enough bandwidth to post a full body picture of her, she's so huge.
Do you buy yarn when you're in a bad mood?
I may dye some of this or play around with it. Who knows but it was, like, a dollar a pound!
Again, super cheap. I like how they say "No label. Just wool." Taking a chance on this one.
In case you were wondering my day improved drastically when I picked up my little package of insane dog (Dobby) after a brief return to the rescue. My Secret Pal was asking for a picture of all my pets together, but Charlie and Karmann are the only ones who get along. So you can see Charlie a few posts ago modeling the flower washcloth and here's a picture of Karmann. I seriously do not have enough bandwidth to post a full body picture of her, she's so huge.
Do you buy yarn when you're in a bad mood?
September 08, 2004
This is Secret Pal
Hey gang. My Secret Pal sent me an e-card! Cool, yes? And she asked more questions so I thought I'd answer them here (sorry SP3, I couldn't reply to the card). Because I know everyone else is also dying to know more about me. Har.
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? Everything has its purpose. So I use acrylic, cotton, mohair, just about everything.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? I have crocheted for years longer than I've knit because again it has a purpose. And I'm dying to learn how to spin on a drop spindle first, then move on to buying an entire spinning factory in an industrial park.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)The smell of cigarette smoke makes me sick. But that's it.
4. How long have you been knitting? Knitting for over a year, crocheting for about 10 years.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, but I forget how to get to it! Probably under my email address or name and town.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Dog. Oh and slightly fresher scents like Mr. Clean, Tide, mint and lemon. I also use lavender when I sleep.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? My entire mouth is full of sweet teeth. Anything with sugar is good for me. Heck, just sugar.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? My vocation is textile artist, so that includes everything like sewing, dyeing, printing, weaving, tassle making. I also dabble in scrapbooking and cardmaking. I enjoy beads and use them in all the above mentioned crafts. I love gardening almost as much as knitting. And I do quite a bit of home improvement stuff out of necessity.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?I have not idea what kind of music I like but I know it is not whatever they play on the radio. The only tape (that's right, cassette tape) in my car at the moment is Simon and Garfunkle's greatest hits. And my computer and my cd player both play mp3s.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have an ancient dog, an insane dog and a grumpy cat.
12. What are your favorite types of knitting project?Definitely kiddie clothes or blankies. Least favorite? Things that have lots of seams.
13. Is there anything you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t? Hitchhike across the U.S. Why not? Something about people saying I would get killed....
14. If you could travel anywhere at all, where would you like to go and why? I would go back to the Netherlands because I loved it so much. I would stop by Japan on the way, too, because hey they invented Zen.
15. What do you like to read? Short stories.
16. What languages do you speak? What languages do you read? I used to speak a little Dutch and read/speak quite a bit of Spanish. Now I'm rusty at both.
Shew! So there's me in a knitshell. tee hee. I am seriously the least picky person on earth, so I hope those answers don't sound like I'm all fussy. I just like hanging out at home and getting things done, doesn't really matter what they are.
Which do you enjoy more, the design and planning of knitwear, the process of knitting, or the finished good?
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? Everything has its purpose. So I use acrylic, cotton, mohair, just about everything.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? I have crocheted for years longer than I've knit because again it has a purpose. And I'm dying to learn how to spin on a drop spindle first, then move on to buying an entire spinning factory in an industrial park.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)The smell of cigarette smoke makes me sick. But that's it.
4. How long have you been knitting? Knitting for over a year, crocheting for about 10 years.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, but I forget how to get to it! Probably under my email address or name and town.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Dog. Oh and slightly fresher scents like Mr. Clean, Tide, mint and lemon. I also use lavender when I sleep.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? My entire mouth is full of sweet teeth. Anything with sugar is good for me. Heck, just sugar.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? My vocation is textile artist, so that includes everything like sewing, dyeing, printing, weaving, tassle making. I also dabble in scrapbooking and cardmaking. I enjoy beads and use them in all the above mentioned crafts. I love gardening almost as much as knitting. And I do quite a bit of home improvement stuff out of necessity.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?I have not idea what kind of music I like but I know it is not whatever they play on the radio. The only tape (that's right, cassette tape) in my car at the moment is Simon and Garfunkle's greatest hits. And my computer and my cd player both play mp3s.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have an ancient dog, an insane dog and a grumpy cat.
12. What are your favorite types of knitting project?Definitely kiddie clothes or blankies. Least favorite? Things that have lots of seams.
13. Is there anything you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t? Hitchhike across the U.S. Why not? Something about people saying I would get killed....
14. If you could travel anywhere at all, where would you like to go and why? I would go back to the Netherlands because I loved it so much. I would stop by Japan on the way, too, because hey they invented Zen.
15. What do you like to read? Short stories.
16. What languages do you speak? What languages do you read? I used to speak a little Dutch and read/speak quite a bit of Spanish. Now I'm rusty at both.
Shew! So there's me in a knitshell. tee hee. I am seriously the least picky person on earth, so I hope those answers don't sound like I'm all fussy. I just like hanging out at home and getting things done, doesn't really matter what they are.
Which do you enjoy more, the design and planning of knitwear, the process of knitting, or the finished good?
September 06, 2004
Crazy Scarf
You can tell I'm really bored with the Madeleine sweater, because I keep finding other things to work on. Yesterday I picked up my mom's Snowdrop Shawl, worked a few rows and put in a new safety line. I am now 38.08% complete and hope to have it done by the time it's cool enough to wear it. This is what I told my mom on Saturday, that the shawl is not done because it's too hot to wear it right now. She believed that as much as I did.
I also started a crazy scrap scarf (say that ten times fast) after reading Spinning Athena's mention of one on her blog. Why haven't I thought of this before? Most of the leftovers I have are in the same color family (red!) so it will be funky yet not ugly. I used my new Bryspun needles and man I love these tips! Now I want to get them in different sizes and lengths. Since this photo I've switched the scrap scarf to my Lion kiddie needles which are perfect for scarves!!
Do you have a favorite specialty needle or hook?
I also started a crazy scrap scarf (say that ten times fast) after reading Spinning Athena's mention of one on her blog. Why haven't I thought of this before? Most of the leftovers I have are in the same color family (red!) so it will be funky yet not ugly. I used my new Bryspun needles and man I love these tips! Now I want to get them in different sizes and lengths. Since this photo I've switched the scrap scarf to my Lion kiddie needles which are perfect for scarves!!
Do you have a favorite specialty needle or hook?
September 04, 2004
Fast Little FO
I was knitting away on the Madeleine sweater last night and it was getting boooring. So I picked up the Polarspun flower washcloth and finished it up. Actually I finished the petals last night and the center this morning. Here it is almost complete...
And here is the longsuffering Charles modeling the finished object...
Things I will change next time I make this. (FYI this is from Weekend Knitting)
1. I would like to use Baby Teri from Redheart to make more of these. I used the Polarspun simply because that's what I had. But I think the Teri will make a more towel-like washcloth.
2. I will make the center much smaller. A washcloth does not need to be this huge.
3. I will find a way to avoid weaving in 12 ends! Come on, people, this is a little washcloth, don't make me spend as much time weaving in ends as I did knitting it!
But it's soft and squishy and it's a FO! You may notice this is my first FO since June. I'm pathetic, I know. And I must be the world's slowest knitter. But September is looking like a great month for finishing projects so hang on.
Have you used Polarspun or Baby Teri?
And here is the longsuffering Charles modeling the finished object...
Things I will change next time I make this. (FYI this is from Weekend Knitting)
1. I would like to use Baby Teri from Redheart to make more of these. I used the Polarspun simply because that's what I had. But I think the Teri will make a more towel-like washcloth.
2. I will make the center much smaller. A washcloth does not need to be this huge.
3. I will find a way to avoid weaving in 12 ends! Come on, people, this is a little washcloth, don't make me spend as much time weaving in ends as I did knitting it!
But it's soft and squishy and it's a FO! You may notice this is my first FO since June. I'm pathetic, I know. And I must be the world's slowest knitter. But September is looking like a great month for finishing projects so hang on.
Have you used Polarspun or Baby Teri?
September 02, 2004
I wouldn't lie
I bet you think I haven't been knitting. Well I have, but the progress has been so unbelievably slow, there's no point in showing you. I believe the dog has learned to frog my knitting while I'm gone and carefully put the needle back in.
I am still working on the Madeleine sweater. The back and one sleeve are complete and the front is 50% complete. I showed it to my mom yesterday and she thinks it will fit my 9 month old niece, who is--how to say this--wider than she is tall. Good news since I don't know any other baby girls and I'm not frogging it.
Have you ever taken so long to knit a baby item that the baby outgrew it?
I am still working on the Madeleine sweater. The back and one sleeve are complete and the front is 50% complete. I showed it to my mom yesterday and she thinks it will fit my 9 month old niece, who is--how to say this--wider than she is tall. Good news since I don't know any other baby girls and I'm not frogging it.
Have you ever taken so long to knit a baby item that the baby outgrew it?
