November 26, 2007
Battle of the Bamboo
Just about everyone knows I love cotton yarn. But coming in a close second is bamboo, since it has all the cool properties of cotton plus some groovier ones (like antimicrobialism! I totally just made up a word!). My favorite use for bamboo yarn is washcloths.
Last year I made a batch of washcloths using SWTC's Bamboo (Rav link) shown on the left in white. They have held up amazingly well--no breakage, pilling or wear. They are a bit thin and if I were to make these again, I would double the yarn. They are not soft but they are very scrubby. I got five washcloths out of one ball, but they are kind of skimpy (which is why the dude requested I knit bigger ones).
That request led me to buy some Rowan Bamboo Tape (also Rav link) shown on the right in blue. I soon remembered why I hate tape yarns for their twisting and curling, but since it was just washcloths I could live through it. I got three out of two balls, so obviously these were much bigger and heftier. The Rowan is softer when it's dry than when it's wet--which is when you're using it--so these are not a favorite in our house. Plus they get really heavy when wet and you feel like you're washing yourself with a whole towel. I could not imagine a garment knit from this--it would be so bulky, heavy and unflattering. The yarn has held up well, with no breakage or pilling.
Relentless in my pursuit of awesome bathing, I got some Be Sweet Bamboo shown in aqua in the middle. This stuff is amazing once it's knit up, but working with it is a total bitch. It is several strands very loosely plied so it's really splitty and catches your needle a lot. Taking that into consideration I would still knit with this again before I used the other two (which are woven, not plied). It is unbelievably soft but yet still scrubby as a washcloth. It's very soft when wet and quick to dry (nice things for your naked body). The yarn has held up very well through lots of use and laundering and it comes in a trillion colors. I got three washcloths out of two balls.
I am certainly not done experimenting with bamboo since it gives me an excuse to try more yarn! And of course you can never have enough washcloths. I should also add I made a dishcloth out of some SWTC and it worked GREAT on cleaning dishes since it is the least soft and most scrubby.
Do you knit dishcloths and/or washcloths?
Last year I made a batch of washcloths using SWTC's Bamboo (Rav link) shown on the left in white. They have held up amazingly well--no breakage, pilling or wear. They are a bit thin and if I were to make these again, I would double the yarn. They are not soft but they are very scrubby. I got five washcloths out of one ball, but they are kind of skimpy (which is why the dude requested I knit bigger ones).
That request led me to buy some Rowan Bamboo Tape (also Rav link) shown on the right in blue. I soon remembered why I hate tape yarns for their twisting and curling, but since it was just washcloths I could live through it. I got three out of two balls, so obviously these were much bigger and heftier. The Rowan is softer when it's dry than when it's wet--which is when you're using it--so these are not a favorite in our house. Plus they get really heavy when wet and you feel like you're washing yourself with a whole towel. I could not imagine a garment knit from this--it would be so bulky, heavy and unflattering. The yarn has held up well, with no breakage or pilling.
Relentless in my pursuit of awesome bathing, I got some Be Sweet Bamboo shown in aqua in the middle. This stuff is amazing once it's knit up, but working with it is a total bitch. It is several strands very loosely plied so it's really splitty and catches your needle a lot. Taking that into consideration I would still knit with this again before I used the other two (which are woven, not plied). It is unbelievably soft but yet still scrubby as a washcloth. It's very soft when wet and quick to dry (nice things for your naked body). The yarn has held up very well through lots of use and laundering and it comes in a trillion colors. I got three washcloths out of two balls.
I am certainly not done experimenting with bamboo since it gives me an excuse to try more yarn! And of course you can never have enough washcloths. I should also add I made a dishcloth out of some SWTC and it worked GREAT on cleaning dishes since it is the least soft and most scrubby.
Do you knit dishcloths and/or washcloths?
November 25, 2007
Scarfing up everything in sight
I totally just ate pumpkin pie and ice cream for dinner. But I did walk around town for a few hours today, so it all evens out. Oh, except I ate a huge breakfast and then went to brunch with some friends, which puts me right back in the "bad" column. Haha!
I am doing a bit of handmade holidays here since we are broke. I am not going to give myself carpal tunnel by knitting everything, but I plan to whip up a few scarves. Here is the first.
I used the most luscious Misti baby alpaca super chunky. The pattern is the Villandry lace scarf by Angela Roberge. I didn't add the fringe but I made it a bit wider. I did NOT want to take this off after photographing it. Mmmm, bebeh alpaca.
I am still working on my chunky vest--I ripped out both fronts and rearranged the stripe sequence so it looks nicer. I'm on the back now and am just hoping I have enough yarn.
What are your holiday knitting plans?
I am doing a bit of handmade holidays here since we are broke. I am not going to give myself carpal tunnel by knitting everything, but I plan to whip up a few scarves. Here is the first.
I used the most luscious Misti baby alpaca super chunky. The pattern is the Villandry lace scarf by Angela Roberge. I didn't add the fringe but I made it a bit wider. I did NOT want to take this off after photographing it. Mmmm, bebeh alpaca.
I am still working on my chunky vest--I ripped out both fronts and rearranged the stripe sequence so it looks nicer. I'm on the back now and am just hoping I have enough yarn.
What are your holiday knitting plans?
November 20, 2007
Eyebeams and unwoven ends
Knitting--and everything else--has been slow this week because I had a cold. Not bad enough to keep me in bed, but enough to make me unproductive. Anyway, I had a couple projects that were lingering because I ran out of yarn.
Luckily for me, I was near Arcadia Knitting Sunday morning and I picked up a skein of Classy. I need this to finish Dobby's sweater and make a scarf for me. Here is Dobs trying on her sweater before I have done the leg ribbing or woven in ends.
Pardon the eyebeams, it was rainy yesterday and I had to use the flash. Doesn't the cable down the back make her look like a dinosaur or something? She is so cute in this sweater, plus I know it will keep her warm. I'm glad I made it extra long--dachshundated!
The other project I had on hold was just a simple scarf using some chunky baby alpaca. I was trying to save money by using things out of my stash, but one ball was not enough to make the scarf as lush as I had envisioned. Fortunately, Nina's birthday sale was this weekend and I got the second ball for 20% off. It was the last one in that color, shew!
So hopefully I'll finish up Dobs' sweater in time for a turkey day photo shoot in the park. Although we may possibly get snow Thursday, that will just make it more appropriate! Cheers!
Luckily for me, I was near Arcadia Knitting Sunday morning and I picked up a skein of Classy. I need this to finish Dobby's sweater and make a scarf for me. Here is Dobs trying on her sweater before I have done the leg ribbing or woven in ends.
Pardon the eyebeams, it was rainy yesterday and I had to use the flash. Doesn't the cable down the back make her look like a dinosaur or something? She is so cute in this sweater, plus I know it will keep her warm. I'm glad I made it extra long--dachshundated!
The other project I had on hold was just a simple scarf using some chunky baby alpaca. I was trying to save money by using things out of my stash, but one ball was not enough to make the scarf as lush as I had envisioned. Fortunately, Nina's birthday sale was this weekend and I got the second ball for 20% off. It was the last one in that color, shew!
So hopefully I'll finish up Dobs' sweater in time for a turkey day photo shoot in the park. Although we may possibly get snow Thursday, that will just make it more appropriate! Cheers!
November 15, 2007
We all need closure
You know what I've really enjoyed about Ravelry lately? Checking out my friends' activity. Like yarn they tried to sneak into their stash without admitting to splurging. I see you! Haha. Or adding new projects to their queue. This one we have to be careful of if we're making holiday gifts for a knitty friend! But it's a super quick way for me to feel up to date with my buddies when I only have two minutes in the morning.
This past week I saw two huge trends. The first one being all the Chicago area knitters adding oodles of Bonne Marie's patterns after her fashion show at Loopy on Friday--Lynette, I'm looking right at you! Hee hee.
The second trend being that everyone able to wield needles seems to have added Oblique to their queue or to do list. A comfy, snuggly looking sweater to which I can only add...you're going to need some fantastic buttons soon.
Or some whimsical buttons.
Or whatever type of big button you need to close yourself up in your Oblique or other cardigan, chances are I can make it for you! So immerse yourself in your yarn and come see me to get some closure. I am still donating a portion of sales to The National Hospice Foundation and I will probably switch over to a new charity soon.
If you had to pick a favorite Ravelry feature, what would it be?
This past week I saw two huge trends. The first one being all the Chicago area knitters adding oodles of Bonne Marie's patterns after her fashion show at Loopy on Friday--Lynette, I'm looking right at you! Hee hee.
The second trend being that everyone able to wield needles seems to have added Oblique to their queue or to do list. A comfy, snuggly looking sweater to which I can only add...you're going to need some fantastic buttons soon.
Or some whimsical buttons.
Or whatever type of big button you need to close yourself up in your Oblique or other cardigan, chances are I can make it for you! So immerse yourself in your yarn and come see me to get some closure. I am still donating a portion of sales to The National Hospice Foundation and I will probably switch over to a new charity soon.
If you had to pick a favorite Ravelry feature, what would it be?
November 11, 2007
The first casualty of winter commuting
Well I'm really glad I took a picture of that multi-pink scarf a couple weeks ago because I left it on the bus yesterday. Oh noes! I had been having a shitty day already and losing that scarf was the icing on the cake. What puts the salt in the wound is that as I was standing at the bus stop I realized I could use the extra length of the scarf to unravel and use to finish Dobby's sweater.
BUT! Since Murphys are optimists, I have found three good things about this.
1. Yesterday is over and shall not be repeated.
2. Hopefully someone picked it up and it's keeping them warm.
3. Actually, the scarf wasn't all that warm so now I can buy a ball of the peach Classy to finish Dobby's sweater and make myself a warmer neck gaiter or something.
That's not to say that if I see someone on the #65 bus wearing my scarf I won't tackle them and pry it from their hands. But besides that, I'm over it. Until I get a chance to pick up another ball somewhere, I can do the ribbing on the legs for Dobs' sweater or any other various wip's I have.
What's your favorite handknit item that you've lost or has been destroyed?
BUT! Since Murphys are optimists, I have found three good things about this.
1. Yesterday is over and shall not be repeated.
2. Hopefully someone picked it up and it's keeping them warm.
3. Actually, the scarf wasn't all that warm so now I can buy a ball of the peach Classy to finish Dobby's sweater and make myself a warmer neck gaiter or something.
That's not to say that if I see someone on the #65 bus wearing my scarf I won't tackle them and pry it from their hands. But besides that, I'm over it. Until I get a chance to pick up another ball somewhere, I can do the ribbing on the legs for Dobs' sweater or any other various wip's I have.
What's your favorite handknit item that you've lost or has been destroyed?
November 08, 2007
An obstinate knitter
The dude often laments about being bored or not having anything more productive to do than watch tv. My reply is always the same, "I can teach you to knit." He consistently refuses and I continually offer. He is a talented guy and when he skillfully ties flies or lures on his fishing rod with slippery line, I often visualize him picking up dropped stitches for me or some other thing at which I suck.
This weekend I was showing him the progress on Dobby's sweater when he glanced at it and said, "You should have put the leg holes in a couple inches ago." Instead of marveling at his keen tailoring eye and thanking him for saving me a lot of trouble, I snapped, "Shut it. Who's the knitter?"
But the next morning I tried the sweater on Dobs and... SONOFA. He was right. On the bus I ripped out two inches of progress and then called him when I got to work. "You were dead on about Dobby's sweater. I can't believe you don't want to knit--you'd be so good at it!" "I don't want to be good at it!" Too bad, mister. I didn't get to pick who I fell in love with and you don't get to pick your skills.
So the sweater is fixed and has progressed even past the point where I ripped. I hope to get to the ribbing and finishing this weekend. All I can say to the man is that I hope he applies the same dedication and stubborness to his future knitting projects as he has to denying his knitterly soul.
This weekend I was showing him the progress on Dobby's sweater when he glanced at it and said, "You should have put the leg holes in a couple inches ago." Instead of marveling at his keen tailoring eye and thanking him for saving me a lot of trouble, I snapped, "Shut it. Who's the knitter?"
But the next morning I tried the sweater on Dobs and... SONOFA. He was right. On the bus I ripped out two inches of progress and then called him when I got to work. "You were dead on about Dobby's sweater. I can't believe you don't want to knit--you'd be so good at it!" "I don't want to be good at it!" Too bad, mister. I didn't get to pick who I fell in love with and you don't get to pick your skills.
So the sweater is fixed and has progressed even past the point where I ripped. I hope to get to the ribbing and finishing this weekend. All I can say to the man is that I hope he applies the same dedication and stubborness to his future knitting projects as he has to denying his knitterly soul.
Labels: wips
November 02, 2007
Day of the Dead
I made a cheesecake last week and when I was washing the ancient tupperware pie carrier in which to store it, I turned it over. It had my grandmother's name written on it in her handwriting and I bawled my fucking eyes out, people.
She would smack me for saying I regretted something, so okay, I really wish I had learned more from her when she was around. Natch, she was a crocheter and knitter. I mean, how could she be so awesome and not be crafty? Hers was the only funeral I've gone to on my own accord because I really wanted to celebrate her life. My mom asked her one time how she managed to work and raise three children as a widow in the 50's (or any decade for that matter) and she answered, "I was always praying, either on my knees or on my feet".
That was my remembrance on this Day of the Dead. But it also has something to do with my latest finished objects. I don't think I would have taught myself to knit if it weren't for my grandmother. I taught myself because once she was gone, I thought it would be disloyal to have someone else teach me. Anyway, here is a hat and scarf (I finished the scarf this spring) I finished up.
I used the Asminah's hat pattern by Kody May Moore because the eyelet pattern was very similar to the scarf.
The scarf pattern is Crystal Palace's Aran Print Eyelet knit scarf pattern and it's free also! I finished this scarf a while ago and now I'm going to make a matching sweater for Stubbs. The dude doesn't understand why I need to make another dog sweater when I just made her one last winter.
"Because everyone saw her in that sweater last season!" DUH.
She would smack me for saying I regretted something, so okay, I really wish I had learned more from her when she was around. Natch, she was a crocheter and knitter. I mean, how could she be so awesome and not be crafty? Hers was the only funeral I've gone to on my own accord because I really wanted to celebrate her life. My mom asked her one time how she managed to work and raise three children as a widow in the 50's (or any decade for that matter) and she answered, "I was always praying, either on my knees or on my feet".
That was my remembrance on this Day of the Dead. But it also has something to do with my latest finished objects. I don't think I would have taught myself to knit if it weren't for my grandmother. I taught myself because once she was gone, I thought it would be disloyal to have someone else teach me. Anyway, here is a hat and scarf (I finished the scarf this spring) I finished up.
I used the Asminah's hat pattern by Kody May Moore because the eyelet pattern was very similar to the scarf.
The scarf pattern is Crystal Palace's Aran Print Eyelet knit scarf pattern and it's free also! I finished this scarf a while ago and now I'm going to make a matching sweater for Stubbs. The dude doesn't understand why I need to make another dog sweater when I just made her one last winter.
"Because everyone saw her in that sweater last season!" DUH.
