August 26, 2006
Killer fun!
So even though I don't usually knit socks or join swaps, I just signed up for SOCK WARS! It sounds like my kind of game--it has knitting, assassins and prizes. I foresee a Kill Bill marathon coming up while I work on my "deadly socks". I know, it is sort of silly that I've never finished my first pair of socks and I'm joining a death-by-sock marathon, but everything else in life is crazy right now, why not my knitting?
I was just reading through all the smack-talkin' on the forum and I realized that people with small feet may be killed off quickly! Yipes! Perhaps I should have lied and said I wore an 11 or something (but then I'd have to give the socks to my mom). Let's hope my victim wears a 6 or 6 1/2.
I was just reading through all the smack-talkin' on the forum and I realized that people with small feet may be killed off quickly! Yipes! Perhaps I should have lied and said I wore an 11 or something (but then I'd have to give the socks to my mom). Let's hope my victim wears a 6 or 6 1/2.
August 22, 2006
Knit Lite review
Along with strapping summer interns, it would appear that I am developing a thing for pointless, novelty needles. My new Knit Lite needles are another chapter in this tale. If nothing else, let my weird interests serve as a consumer guide for you!
So I went into the store to get a spool of thread and just had to cruise around the yarn area, natch. When I saw the display for light up knitting needles my first thought was--I shit you not--how those could help me get holiday knitting done faster. Like, doesn't everyone sit around in the dark wishing they could be knitting xmas gifts instead of, say, sleeping? And when, oh when will they make either knitting needles that light up or affordable night vision goggles? Because then they could market them as Knit Vision Goggles! Back to reality...
Under normal circumstances, The Knit Lite appear to be normal, cheap plastic size 8's.
It should be noted that even though I was 99% monetarily irresponsible in purchasing these, at least I bought a size that I didn't already own in 13" straights, thank you very much.
When you turn off the lights, as I am apt to do in the middle of knitting, that's where the magic begins! A simple twist of the clunky end where the battery compartment is hidden by a loose lid that will no doubt get lost the first time you throw these in your knitting bag and then you'll be forced to wrap tape around the end to keep the teeny batteries from falling out, and Ta-Da!
Knitting the way it was meant to be, in the dark! Car rides, movies, slumber parties, bad school plays, midnight walks on the beach, brownouts and stalking will never be the same! And now through the power of an old camera and some free image hosting, you can almost be there with me as I do what I normally do with the lights on. Feel free to make light saber "woh-woh" noises.
Okay, sorry. On my computer the video is not working. But you are really not missing anything. Except my slow and extraneous hand movements while knitting. Watching myself knit was the the video equivalent of listening to your voice in a recording and thinking, "Do I really sound like that?" I couldn't believe I knit so slow and awkwardly!
So there you have it, The Knit Lite. Mark your calendars and I'll make sure to let you know when the batteries die, when the tip breaks off, or when I lose that little lid for the battery compartment. That is, if I ever use these needles.
So I went into the store to get a spool of thread and just had to cruise around the yarn area, natch. When I saw the display for light up knitting needles my first thought was--I shit you not--how those could help me get holiday knitting done faster. Like, doesn't everyone sit around in the dark wishing they could be knitting xmas gifts instead of, say, sleeping? And when, oh when will they make either knitting needles that light up or affordable night vision goggles? Because then they could market them as Knit Vision Goggles! Back to reality...
Under normal circumstances, The Knit Lite appear to be normal, cheap plastic size 8's.
It should be noted that even though I was 99% monetarily irresponsible in purchasing these, at least I bought a size that I didn't already own in 13" straights, thank you very much.
When you turn off the lights, as I am apt to do in the middle of knitting, that's where the magic begins! A simple twist of the clunky end where the battery compartment is hidden by a loose lid that will no doubt get lost the first time you throw these in your knitting bag and then you'll be forced to wrap tape around the end to keep the teeny batteries from falling out, and Ta-Da!
Knitting the way it was meant to be, in the dark! Car rides, movies, slumber parties, bad school plays, midnight walks on the beach, brownouts and stalking will never be the same! And now through the power of an old camera and some free image hosting, you can almost be there with me as I do what I normally do with the lights on. Feel free to make light saber "woh-woh" noises.
Okay, sorry. On my computer the video is not working. But you are really not missing anything. Except my slow and extraneous hand movements while knitting. Watching myself knit was the the video equivalent of listening to your voice in a recording and thinking, "Do I really sound like that?" I couldn't believe I knit so slow and awkwardly!
So there you have it, The Knit Lite. Mark your calendars and I'll make sure to let you know when the batteries die, when the tip breaks off, or when I lose that little lid for the battery compartment. That is, if I ever use these needles.
August 21, 2006
So many things
Hey gang! It's been forever, huh? Cliffs notes: quit my job to help care for grandparents and am back to textile freelancing. Now that we're all caught up, let's check in on the pneumonia shawl.
Moving along steadily and I'm already planning my next few lace projects. I have some white laceweight linen I bought at Springwater's Super Bowl sale that is begging to be dyed and made into a wrap. And then the Cherry Tree Hill loveliness I just received from Toni.
I know I haven't blogged much, but that should change, too. I have a new Top Ten List in the works (two, actually!) and if I can figure out how to link to video there will be a special treat tomorrow! Seriously, you'll hardly sleep tonight, won't you? haha.
Meanwhile, check out this super great podcast, Math4Knitters. Why did it take me this long to finally listen to it? Y'all know I love the math! And the knitting! And the internet!
When we chat again, we really need to discuss holiday gift knitting--pros v. cons, schedule, intricacy of projects, etc. Talk amongst yourselves.
Moving along steadily and I'm already planning my next few lace projects. I have some white laceweight linen I bought at Springwater's Super Bowl sale that is begging to be dyed and made into a wrap. And then the Cherry Tree Hill loveliness I just received from Toni.
I know I haven't blogged much, but that should change, too. I have a new Top Ten List in the works (two, actually!) and if I can figure out how to link to video there will be a special treat tomorrow! Seriously, you'll hardly sleep tonight, won't you? haha.
Meanwhile, check out this super great podcast, Math4Knitters. Why did it take me this long to finally listen to it? Y'all know I love the math! And the knitting! And the internet!
When we chat again, we really need to discuss holiday gift knitting--pros v. cons, schedule, intricacy of projects, etc. Talk amongst yourselves.
August 13, 2006
Top Ten Beginner Lace Shawls
It's been too long since I did a top ten list. You can always tell where my head is when I make my lists, too. I am definitely in a lace shawl mood, but narrowing it down to ten would be impossible! So I thought I'd stick to patterns that would be a good first or second lace project. As always, I tried to find as many free patterns as possible. Wrap yourself up in...
Laura's Top Ten List of Beginner Lace Shawls
1. Ella by Wendy Wonnacott available free on Knitty.com. I love, love, love the shape of this wrap and the fact that it looks amazing in a variegated yarn. Not many lace patterns can say that, as I found while looking for something to make my pneumonia shawl. The pattern looks really long, but hey, just take it one row at a time.
2. Cobweb by Emma Crew available free on Magknits.com. It says it's an intermediate pattern, but I bet half of that is just working with the mohair.
3. Gothic Leaf Stole by Sivia Harding available for purchase on her website. Another gem for using handpainted yarn, this bold pattern can handle it. And the rectangular shape would be great if you don't want to try to conquer lace and shaping at the same time!
4. Snowdrop Shawl (pdf!) by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee available free on her website. I had to include this for sentimental reasons because it was my first lace shawl. And hey, if I did it, it must be easy. Plus it's a really easy pattern to make whatever size you want, since you start at the bottom point and work up. I also learned how to do an i-cord bind off with this shawl.
5. Streaming Leaves Shawl by Cat Bordhi as seen in Interweave Knits Summer 2004. The look of this linen just makes me want to wrap up and nap in this shawl. Mmmm, nap. I don't know if I'd go for the hem the way Cat has designed it, but it looks great.
6. Flower Petal shawl by elann available free on elann.com. I admit, the model looks like a Cicely Mary Barker character called the Alpaca Fairy or something in this photo shoot. And that's part of the appeal. Don't we all want to look like the Mohair Fairy or the Silk and Soy Fairy? Yes.
7. Perfect Pie Shawl by Veronik Avery as seen in Weekend Knitting. Sorry this is not a free one, but so many people own this book that even if you don't, I bet your knitting buddy does, or most likely your library will, too. I have always been attracted to the smooth merino edging as a textural contrast to the mohair and the shape looks like it would fit a lot of people.
8. Knotted Openwork Scarf by Wannietta Prescod available free on the CKDA website. This is called a scarf, but all you have to do it make it wider, right? Very delicate, pretty pattern, looks like it would be easy to memorize.
9. Bed of Roses by Debbie O’Neill available free on elann.com. This says it's an intermediate pattern but let's face it, if you are doing a lace shawl--even your first one--you probably have a smidge of skill. I think it looks gorgeous in the smooth rayon/cotton and may even work with a handpaint or variegated yarn, too.
10. Allegro by Candace Eisner Strick available for sale on Earthfaire.com. Personally I think $8 is a lot for a shawl pattern, but then again I've spent $30 on books when I haven't knit a thing from them! I do like the generous--nay luxurious--proportions of this shawl.
So I hope you get a chance to knit at least one of these. There are just so many great patterns out there, I couldn't possibly report on all of them. But consider this a starting place.
Laura's Top Ten List of Beginner Lace Shawls
1. Ella by Wendy Wonnacott available free on Knitty.com. I love, love, love the shape of this wrap and the fact that it looks amazing in a variegated yarn. Not many lace patterns can say that, as I found while looking for something to make my pneumonia shawl. The pattern looks really long, but hey, just take it one row at a time.
2. Cobweb by Emma Crew available free on Magknits.com. It says it's an intermediate pattern, but I bet half of that is just working with the mohair.
3. Gothic Leaf Stole by Sivia Harding available for purchase on her website. Another gem for using handpainted yarn, this bold pattern can handle it. And the rectangular shape would be great if you don't want to try to conquer lace and shaping at the same time!
4. Snowdrop Shawl (pdf!) by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee available free on her website. I had to include this for sentimental reasons because it was my first lace shawl. And hey, if I did it, it must be easy. Plus it's a really easy pattern to make whatever size you want, since you start at the bottom point and work up. I also learned how to do an i-cord bind off with this shawl.
5. Streaming Leaves Shawl by Cat Bordhi as seen in Interweave Knits Summer 2004. The look of this linen just makes me want to wrap up and nap in this shawl. Mmmm, nap. I don't know if I'd go for the hem the way Cat has designed it, but it looks great.
6. Flower Petal shawl by elann available free on elann.com. I admit, the model looks like a Cicely Mary Barker character called the Alpaca Fairy or something in this photo shoot. And that's part of the appeal. Don't we all want to look like the Mohair Fairy or the Silk and Soy Fairy? Yes.
7. Perfect Pie Shawl by Veronik Avery as seen in Weekend Knitting. Sorry this is not a free one, but so many people own this book that even if you don't, I bet your knitting buddy does, or most likely your library will, too. I have always been attracted to the smooth merino edging as a textural contrast to the mohair and the shape looks like it would fit a lot of people.
8. Knotted Openwork Scarf by Wannietta Prescod available free on the CKDA website. This is called a scarf, but all you have to do it make it wider, right? Very delicate, pretty pattern, looks like it would be easy to memorize.
9. Bed of Roses by Debbie O’Neill available free on elann.com. This says it's an intermediate pattern but let's face it, if you are doing a lace shawl--even your first one--you probably have a smidge of skill. I think it looks gorgeous in the smooth rayon/cotton and may even work with a handpaint or variegated yarn, too.
10. Allegro by Candace Eisner Strick available for sale on Earthfaire.com. Personally I think $8 is a lot for a shawl pattern, but then again I've spent $30 on books when I haven't knit a thing from them! I do like the generous--nay luxurious--proportions of this shawl.
So I hope you get a chance to knit at least one of these. There are just so many great patterns out there, I couldn't possibly report on all of them. But consider this a starting place.
August 11, 2006
Breezy
Snuck out early
On a Friday afternoon
Swaying in my hammock
With a gin and tonic
Knitting a little lace
In between dozing
Awakened by dogs
Licking my toes
Seriously, folks. Best afternoon ever! The temperature was perfect and there was a gentle breeze. The best part about my hammock is that it is really far from the street so mostly what you hear are birds, squirrels and the snoring of a dog or two beneath you.
Last night, right before ripping out all my progress on the Pneumonia Shawl, I decided to weigh and measure it. Weeelll, good thing I did. It turns out that 21" isn't too wide after all. If my calculations are correct (I love saying that!) it will be 60" long. Which is a modest size for a wrap. If my grandmom doesn't like it, I can always see if she likes the other laceweight I just got from Toni.
Oh. That. I know I'm on MOST!EXTREME!BUDGET! but Toni just added some stuff to her Virtual Yard Sale and I am compelled to help her destash. I got the cashmere lace weight with my grandmother in mind--because it's confession time. I love the Pneumonia Shawl and want to keep it! Oh thank god I said that, it was getting kind of awkward when I would knit on the P.S. and make up all sorts of excuses as to why grandmom wouldn't like it. But really, it's up to her to decide. Who knows, maybe I'll like the colors of the replacement yarn even more! And I'm supposed to be keeping her healthy, not being greedy!
But it is so beautiful.
On a Friday afternoon
Swaying in my hammock
With a gin and tonic
Knitting a little lace
In between dozing
Awakened by dogs
Licking my toes
Seriously, folks. Best afternoon ever! The temperature was perfect and there was a gentle breeze. The best part about my hammock is that it is really far from the street so mostly what you hear are birds, squirrels and the snoring of a dog or two beneath you.
Last night, right before ripping out all my progress on the Pneumonia Shawl, I decided to weigh and measure it. Weeelll, good thing I did. It turns out that 21" isn't too wide after all. If my calculations are correct (I love saying that!) it will be 60" long. Which is a modest size for a wrap. If my grandmom doesn't like it, I can always see if she likes the other laceweight I just got from Toni.
Oh. That. I know I'm on MOST!EXTREME!BUDGET! but Toni just added some stuff to her Virtual Yard Sale and I am compelled to help her destash. I got the cashmere lace weight with my grandmother in mind--because it's confession time. I love the Pneumonia Shawl and want to keep it! Oh thank god I said that, it was getting kind of awkward when I would knit on the P.S. and make up all sorts of excuses as to why grandmom wouldn't like it. But really, it's up to her to decide. Who knows, maybe I'll like the colors of the replacement yarn even more! And I'm supposed to be keeping her healthy, not being greedy!
But it is so beautiful.
August 10, 2006
Small stitches
Well, there is good news and less-good news about the lace shawl. Good news--so beautiful! The pattern looks great and the colors are splendid.
Less-good news--so narrow! This will never ward off pneumonia!
The needle (which the eagle-eyed out there will recognize as my ebony. mmmmmm) is a 24" so you can see that even par-blocked this shawl is only 21" wide. And since I belong to the "Leave No Yard Behind" camp of yarn usage, I'm afraid at that rate it would be 9 feet long and that's not the shape I'm going for.
Recap: Shape and color good; size bad; more frogging necessary. I will probably add at least four more horizontal repeats. But that's okay because now I know how gorgeous these colors are and working with my ebony needles is always a joy.
I'll leave you with a teaser of something that is moving along smoothly and quietly.
Less-good news--so narrow! This will never ward off pneumonia!
The needle (which the eagle-eyed out there will recognize as my ebony. mmmmmm) is a 24" so you can see that even par-blocked this shawl is only 21" wide. And since I belong to the "Leave No Yard Behind" camp of yarn usage, I'm afraid at that rate it would be 9 feet long and that's not the shape I'm going for.
Recap: Shape and color good; size bad; more frogging necessary. I will probably add at least four more horizontal repeats. But that's okay because now I know how gorgeous these colors are and working with my ebony needles is always a joy.
I'll leave you with a teaser of something that is moving along smoothly and quietly.
August 08, 2006
Ability to count to six a must
Hello and welcome to Laura's self-ridiculing lace blog! I foolishly mentioned to someone last week that I "could really get into this lace thing" and immediately knitters around the world felt the hair on their arms stand up for no reason. People, you do NOT taunt the lace gods like that and walk away!
So to get right to it since I didn't take pictures before I frogged (I KNOW!) I'll tell you my problem. I apparently cannot count to six. Why did they ever let me pass kindergarten? Can I blame all my lace problems on Sister Mary Lois? I would like to have these answers.
You see, the pattern I'm using is so simple, I had false confidence that stitch markers or counting wouldn't be necessary. Did you hear that, lace gods, "wouldn't be necessary"? Like I'm the one who makes that call. Ha! The pattern group is 18 stitches long, and they want you to...
[K2tog three times, (YO, K1) six times, K2tog three times]
...so that you decrease and increase all in those 18 stitches. Tidy! Well instead of putting stitch markers ever 18 stitches, I just barrelled forward. And progress was slow. And my YO's weren't matching up. And there was no real pattern that I could distinguish. And, wow, these rows are just taking forever to complete, maybe I should count my stitches or something? I should have 116, but it sure is taking a while. So on row 12, not even a full pattern repeat into this thing, I count my stitches. People!
Two hundred and thirty-three stitches!! How did I almost DOUBLE my stitches in 12 rows? That's just crazy talk. I couldn't figure it, so I just frogged. Then I cast on again, placing markers and counting everything twice. When I got to the first K2tog/YO row, I knew what happened! I was ignoring the fact that the repeats start AND end with K2tog! I would do the decreases and just follow it up with the increases! You see? That's how I was getting twice as many stitches! Duh, because I was increasing twice as much as I was decreasing.
All I had to do was count to six, but I guess some things just need to be left to the lace experts or gods. Much more humble photos to follow. Meanwhile, I am making progress on the handquilting, because I am a sewing expert. *hair on arms stands up*
So to get right to it since I didn't take pictures before I frogged (I KNOW!) I'll tell you my problem. I apparently cannot count to six. Why did they ever let me pass kindergarten? Can I blame all my lace problems on Sister Mary Lois? I would like to have these answers.
You see, the pattern I'm using is so simple, I had false confidence that stitch markers or counting wouldn't be necessary. Did you hear that, lace gods, "wouldn't be necessary"? Like I'm the one who makes that call. Ha! The pattern group is 18 stitches long, and they want you to...
[K2tog three times, (YO, K1) six times, K2tog three times]
...so that you decrease and increase all in those 18 stitches. Tidy! Well instead of putting stitch markers ever 18 stitches, I just barrelled forward. And progress was slow. And my YO's weren't matching up. And there was no real pattern that I could distinguish. And, wow, these rows are just taking forever to complete, maybe I should count my stitches or something? I should have 116, but it sure is taking a while. So on row 12, not even a full pattern repeat into this thing, I count my stitches. People!
Two hundred and thirty-three stitches!! How did I almost DOUBLE my stitches in 12 rows? That's just crazy talk. I couldn't figure it, so I just frogged. Then I cast on again, placing markers and counting everything twice. When I got to the first K2tog/YO row, I knew what happened! I was ignoring the fact that the repeats start AND end with K2tog! I would do the decreases and just follow it up with the increases! You see? That's how I was getting twice as many stitches! Duh, because I was increasing twice as much as I was decreasing.
All I had to do was count to six, but I guess some things just need to be left to the lace experts or gods. Much more humble photos to follow. Meanwhile, I am making progress on the handquilting, because I am a sewing expert. *hair on arms stands up*
August 03, 2006
Triple digits
One hundred sixteen.
Think I'm talking about the temperature? Please, I'm just as tired of talking about the weather as I am of the weather itself. No, one hundred sixteen is the number of stitches I cast on for a new lace shawl.
You see, I have the wool crocheted rug and the Aunt Dot quilt going on, but neither are portable or sweat-resistant. So I need a small and light project and therefore decided to cast on for my grandmother's shawl, or as T and I have dubbed it, "The Pneumonia Shawl". P.S. for short.
I am using a old fashioned Wave and Shell pattern, but if Kristi releases her Sarcelle pattern soon, I may have to rip out and give that a shot. I just thought the colorway I'm using--orange and purple--was a bit on the modern side for my grandmother and I would counterbalance that with a tried and true stitch motif.
Side note: There will be some high and tight budgeting going on here at Four Letter Word until the end of the year. The good news is I have so much fucking yarn and fabric and there are so many awesome free patterns, that I should be all set for making gifts and updating my wardrobe. If nothing else, it will be entertainment for you! Because it's all about you.
Think I'm talking about the temperature? Please, I'm just as tired of talking about the weather as I am of the weather itself. No, one hundred sixteen is the number of stitches I cast on for a new lace shawl.
You see, I have the wool crocheted rug and the Aunt Dot quilt going on, but neither are portable or sweat-resistant. So I need a small and light project and therefore decided to cast on for my grandmother's shawl, or as T and I have dubbed it, "The Pneumonia Shawl". P.S. for short.
I am using a old fashioned Wave and Shell pattern, but if Kristi releases her Sarcelle pattern soon, I may have to rip out and give that a shot. I just thought the colorway I'm using--orange and purple--was a bit on the modern side for my grandmother and I would counterbalance that with a tried and true stitch motif.
Side note: There will be some high and tight budgeting going on here at Four Letter Word until the end of the year. The good news is I have so much fucking yarn and fabric and there are so many awesome free patterns, that I should be all set for making gifts and updating my wardrobe. If nothing else, it will be entertainment for you! Because it's all about you.
