Frog Is A Four Letter Word

I hope to wrap up a couple knit projects this weekend--a wool scarf that will promptly be packed away until fall and my cotton tee which has become a cardigan. This will leave me with no bus/movie knitting and that is bad. The good news is people continue to procreate like idiots so I have baby knitting to do!

My brother- and sister-in-law are expecting a boy in October and my friend E is expecting something (an alien) in January. I really appreciate them having cold-weather babies so I can reduce my stash. Haha!

I have started to queue some of my fave baby patterns in Ravelry and I suspect I will use some of the oldies but goodies from Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits for Beginners. I've made pretty much every item from that book and not only do they turn out so cute, but they are easy enough for taking on the bus.

For lack of anything else to show, here's a quick trip down memory lane of my favorite projects from BKfB.









What are some of your favorite baby knits patterns or books?

Labels: FOs

I finished those orange socks this week! Toward the end I felt like they would never end, but we know better, don't we? Here's a crappy picture.



Since they're a gift, if you want all the details check out the ravelry entry. I want to thank Karen for generously giving me this yarn--without her these socks would not exist! In fact, several of my upcoming projects have Karen to thank. You're the best!

A Special Note! If you're in the Chicago area, go check out Arcadia Knitting at Lawrence and Ashland. There are many good reasons to visit, one of which is they are now carrying my buttons! How cool is that? They have a selection of my florals in a few sizes--perfect for baby cardis, bags and everything in between. And don't worry, I will update my etsy shop soon enough.

My next knitting project is a cotton tee. Thrilling, I know! Stay tuned, because it's moving along fast.

Labels: etsy, FOs, links, socks

This month has flown by! I keep forgetting this Sunday is Easter. Our big excitement will be hiding dog treats throughout the apartment and watching Dobby lose her mind (more).

I got a couple groovy books for my birthday! Perhaps when I fully explore them, I'll do a little review. My mom sent me Bag Style and I really want to pick out a fun summer bag. Asheley (and I'm not sure, maybe the other girls from knitting, too?) gave me Son of Stitch 'n Bitch since they know I like to knit for the dude. I have a feeling the stripper scarf will be his favorite. :)

Oooh and Ash also made me the coziest, softest neck warmer. I haven't taken a picture of myself wearing it, but here is the link to her Ravelry project page. I have been knitting on socks and a lace wrap. The socks are for someone who may read this, so you'll have to check out Ravelry.

Since I hate posting without pictures, here are some bunny egg cozies I made for the niblings. Have a good weekend!

Labels: FOs, goodies, links

First the really exciting news. I knit with Lynette on my lunch break today! I've been reading Passionknit long before I moved to Chicago and even though I've lived here for a year now, we just got together in person today.

Lynette is a sweetheart even though she must be lying about being old enough to have children in high school and college (look at that picture! I know, totally fibbing, right?). She is alot like me in the fact that we have been sucked into Ravelry at the expense of blogging. But there is only so much non-knitting time to spare, right? We lamented about lack of knitting commute time since she drives now and my bus ride is only 12 or 15 minutes. And hopefully we'll get a lot more opportunities to knit at lunch, especially when the weather is nice enough to meet in my courtyard at work.

Late last night I finished up the most boring 3x3 rib scarf for the dude. I started it in September thinking I could finish it for his birthday in October, then it sorta became a xmas present, and now it is just in time for celebrating the beheading of a priest! All the details on Ravelry, natch.



Creepy Alice has to wear her sunglasses indoors until I get a chance to cover her creepy eyes. But hey, she was only 89 cents! The hat she is wearing is one I made for the dude last winter, using the same grey as the scarf.

I'm off to start my Sarcelle and boy am I really in the mood for some lace after all that ribbing. Lates!

Labels: FOs, links

I need to stop waiting to blog until I feel I have something that is "blogworthy". Why can't this just be a pop in to say hi and a random thought? Make it so, Number One.

Sunday morning we actually had sunshine! I photographed a bit of my stash and posted it on Rav. Fondling some of that forgotten yarn has inspired me. Though it hasn't made me a faster knitter! I have also been adding a bunch of spring/summer projects like tanks and short sleeve cardis to my queueueue. Not only would starting those projects now make for timely completion, but the toasty thoughts keep me warm when we're having a mini-blizzard outside!

Random photo twins, activate!


The expression on my face belies the love in my heart for this vest. I don't even take it off to shower. Oh yeah.


With the green, already! This is the first of three gift projects you will see in the next couple days. The gals at knitting tonight got a preview of Gift Two in all its phallic glory.

That's right, you'll stay tuned now.

Labels: FOs

Happy New Year all! This year better be an improvement over last year or I'm going to demand a refund. Haha. I'm not hungover this morning--I'm an old lady. I only had a few drinks and went to bed around 1:30.

So there has been a lot of knitting around these parts (those parts being mostly hands). I have been eating, sleeping and dreaming fingerless mitts lately. I finished one pair for xmas and I have a couple more in the works.

The first pair I made for my boss. He had mentioned something in the fall about seeing these in J Crew, so I just made them my own. It's hard to tell in the pic but they are navy and grey.



I think it's kind of weird that the only people who got handknit gifts from me this year were my mother-in-law and my boss. What does that mean? Although, I was so busy in November and December for work that even if I planned to knit more, it wouldn't have been completed. The payoff to that is my boss is giving me a supersized incentive for December because of my "extraordinary performance". That's awesome and I can't help but wonder if he was wearing the gloves when he made the decision. HEE!

So the other fingerless mitts are birthday presents for my SIL and oldest niece. They are both celebrating birthdays this week and the gloves for my SIL are almost done but I haven't started the pair for my niece. Pics soon--since I have the day off and it's snowy and cold I predict finishing them today.

Oh and here's the handknit for my MIL. It's just a simple cowl knit sideways then seamed. You know I hate seams, so I may try this again later and graft it or something. I hope she enjoys it and isn't allergic to wool or anything. She is a jewelry maker so I know she appreciates handiwork.



Details for both projects are on Ravelry. I used Malabrigo for the first time and I'm smitten. I want excuses to go get more! I have been committed lately to going through my stash and making it work. Tim Gunn would be proud of me! The gloves for my boss were from leftover sock yarn solids and the Malabrigo had been destiny-less for almost a year. The other mitts I have going are being equally useful at using up stash.

Are you hungover?

Labels: FOs

Hey everyone! Don't mind me, I'm just recovering from my fall off the face of the earth. So Happy Holidays to you all. Be safe and eat lots. I have to work today but then I am looking forward to three glorious days off. I shall fill them with knitting, eating, watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and sleeping--some of those simultaneously!

I made several crafts for xmas gifts but I haven't shown any here because, really, Ravelry is so much easier than blogging. But here's a project that I didn't put on Ravelry. It's a patchwork blanket made from recycled sweaters.



I have bags and bags full of thrifted sweaters and several "collections" of those are in the same color families. Some of them are slightly felted, hence why there were in Goodwill, and some were fine--just too small for me. I made this one for my new bro- and sis-in-law. Here is a closeup of the serged edges.



It took two evenings to cut the squares and one evening to serge everything together. I used four sweaters and I paid an average of $1.50 for each. Ta-da! Easy and snuggly.

Well, I'll post more later about my other holiday crafts, but if you're on Ravelry go check them out now. My username is skiddoo. Have a great weekend!

Labels: felt, FOs

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?

Labels: FOs, links, review

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?

Labels: FOs, wips

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.

Labels: FOs, links

Hey everybody! There hasn't been much going on here except sock knitting. No halloween or costume parties, no harvest or wool festivals. Just boring ribbing on tiny needles. But the good news is the dude's birthday socks are done!



Only six days late! I made him try them on the second I cast off, so this picture is before I wove in the ends or washed them. They fit although the ribbing is a bit loose. He says he doesn't mind at all, but what does he know? Haha.

I used two skeins of Jawoll Cotton Jacquard and Wendy's Generic Toe-up Pattern like I usually do. I need to branch out and try some other sock patterns like when I make myself something out of that Koigu.

Now I want to immediately cast on for another project--I need a bus project for this week's commute. I'm thinking a hat or scarf for myself or someone on my holiday list. I'll keep you posted!

Labels: FOs, socks

Finally, the curse of the endless elephant has been lifted! I sewed on the tusks and the eyes this evening after dinner. But maybe I shouldn't have put that tab under my tongue before I did the eyes...



The peepers are a bit surreal, but of course I'm joking. If I were tripping I would sewn the eyes on where the tusks go!



I should have put something else in this picture to give you an idea of the size of this beast. Let's just say it's lifesize. The Field Museum wants it when I'm done to replace one of their displays.



And as a tribute to CO, here is the tiny tail-io action.



If anyone would like a skein and three quarters of light grey Classic Elite Spotlight, they are welcome to it! Otherwise it will be promptly burned. Not that it isn't a fabulous yarn, but I never want to see it, smell it or touch it again.

At this point, I don't even remember what pattern this is. I think I mentioned before that it was from Tracy Chapman's Toys to Knit, but I stopped using the pattern right after I made the head. The next stuffed toy I make will be MUCH smaller and have fewer pieces to seam. Like the Heartstrings Bunny, upon which one cannot improve.

Well, you guys have a bitchin' weekend. I have four days off and big plans. Anxiously await the photos!

Labels: FOs, links

There are two additions to my family this week, can you believe it? Any occasion is an excuse for new handmade gifts, I say.

Today my bro and sis-in-law arrive home from Ethiopia with my new nephew. I can only imagine how crizazay their house will be today when they arrive after 24 hours of traveling to a house with three kids and my mom.

Nibling #7 is already about six years old so no little baby hats or booties to knit. I was thinking of knitting him a hoodie or socks or maybe whipping up a quilt, but quilts are Mom's territory. I will probably go meet him within a month, so socks seem more possible.

And then my new bro-in-law is getting married this week so I'll have another sis-in-law! Fortunately, I got to see her house and decorating style this summer so I knew exactly what I wanted to make for the handmade part of their wedding present.



Please excuse the horrible cell pic. It's a brilliant copper, light green and emerald green--I'll try to take a better pic tonight. I crocheted another of these silk-strip baskets in December. The crocheting takes no time at all, but cutting and joining the silk strips is a pain in the ass. But since I have yards and yards of silk sitting around, I thought it would be a fun experiment.

When Karen saw the hank of silk strips last weekend, she asked how I control the fraying edges. They are somewhat controlled by the crochet stitches capturing the loose strands and you can give it a haircut when it's finished. But for the most part you let them be.

Speaking of Karen, I can't fail to mention what a sweetheart she is! I visited her last weekend and she insisted that I take home a bunch of groovy sock yarn. A fabulous green and a tropical orange for myself and some manly charcoal for the dude. They are all neat brands or indies that I have never knit with before--should be a treat! Three guesses what my next project will be, haha!

Labels: FOs

When I was four or five years old, I watched John Denver and Kermit the Frog sing "Sunshine in my Eyes" but Kermit's version said that it made him sneeze, not happy. Now that's the only way I can hear or sing that song. And there you have a portion of my brain that has been unavailable for any useful information for twenty-five years.



My awesome new hat keeps the sunshine out of my eyes in classic Laura style--colorfully. The best part is that the yummy cotton yarn was a gift from a friend, so I was thinking of her the whole time I knit the hat! She can also appreciate a nice shade-providing hat. The pattern is from Knit.1's Spring '07 issue--I'll have to get back to you on the yarn.

This pic was taken on my back deck and you can just barely see some of my flowers. I need a decent chair out there and then it would be the perfect spot to knit. What summery things have you knit recently?

Labels: FOs

Knitting ahead of the season is a great concept, but I think I went a little overboard. While sitting in the air conditioning in shorts and a tee, I finished up a gorgeous wool scarf and I hope to make a hat and dog sweater to match with the leftover yarn. I am usually dying to wear or use my latest FO, but once I blocked and wove in ends, this little beauty was folded and stored with the rest of my winter gear.



The yarn is Dream in Color's Classy superwash and the pattern is Crystal Palace's Eyelet Panel scarf. Somehow my scarf looks nothing like the one pictured with the pattern, but I'm perfectly happy with it.

I think these colors will look great on Dobby, too. Now that I think about it, that damn dog looks great in everything. Perhaps I should dye my hair red. Nah, but I did dye it purple yesterday! Why not, you know? I'm starting a new job in a couple weeks and the temporary dye should wash out by then. We all need a little summer fun, even if it involves wool and dye. :)

Labels: FOs, lace, links

It's been like 900 years since I posted, right? I know! I finished my grandmom's socks weeks ago and finally sent them to her last week. They turned out really sweet--I love the yarn paired with the lace pattern.



The pattern is Falling Leaves on Knitty.com by Jessica Landers. I picked it because it was a toe-up pattern and was shown using a variegated yarn. Speaking of the yarn, it's handdyed merino I got from Kristin's etsy shop. It was a dream to work with and the coloration went perfectly with this pattern.



I have been working on that stripe shrug (scroll down to the 28th) I set aside months ago. However, I tried it on last and it is too big for me. So if anyone would like to trade a shrug made in DB Cathay for something, let me know.

Labels: FOs, lace, socks, wips

There is something about using up every last inch of yarn that is satisfying. It's also convenient because you aren't adding leftovers to your stash. Another quality is that it takes freakin' forever!



I started these socks for Dude's birthday in October and I just finished them last week. The yarn is OnLine Supersocke Highland and I didn't really use a pattern this time. Just a short row toe and heel and 3x3 rib on the leg. I like the Supersocke because it comes with a little spool of reinforcement yarn. I used the entire skein and you can see how high it comes up on his leg (the foot is a men's size 10).

He absolutely loves them--even more now that they've been washed and softened up. I bought some cotton/wool to make him a summery pair to wear under his work boots. He says he doesn't want to tear them up by wearing them to work but I'm interested to see how they hold up, an experiment of sorts.

How do your handmade guy socks stand up to use?

Labels: FOs, socks

Dobby isn't thrilled about her new sweater. In fact, it was difficult to get her to model it long enough to take these pics. That's probably because it's so warm now, but I guarantee if we get another cold snap, she will love it!



The multicolor wool was a gift from moustache-lovin' Carrie at Girl on the Rocks. She had dyed it to match her blog but it didn't quite pan out. Her loss is Dobby's gain becuase the colors look freakin' fabulous with her red hair.



The green ribbing is Cascade 220 which isn't even close to the same gauge as the body yarn but you can't tell. Yet again I used Esther Bozak's pattern for a perfect fit. I need to send that lady some baked goods or something for her generosity.

A couple other knit items and some groovy buttons have managed to finish themselves around here, so I will share pictures with you as soon as Flickr realizes I paid for a pro account. I had a couple cute Easter things planned for the niblings and then I realized it's next week. Don't hold your breath on any of those ideas cropping up as finished objects. My next project will be purple birthday socks for my grandmom using the handdyed merino I bought from Kristin. Now you will be seeing those finished soon since her birthday is the 13th!

Labels: FOs, links

Taking this picture I felt as if I should be wearing elbow-length gloves and smoking a Virginia Slim from one of those holders. I had such a fun time making this necklace. I would giggle every minute or two. Far more entertaining than a drab cocktail party.



Here is a closeup of the felty goodness. I made these beads with Lamb's Pride Bulky in Oatmeal. I wet felted them first, then needle felted them into perfect pearl shape once they dried. So they would stand out, I strung teeny clear beads on the elastic in between each pearl.



I love this look--much more my funky taste than real or faux pearls! I was going to do a quick tutorial, but there are already a few good ones out there. I think I'll make another one that's longer and then a few with brighter colors. Ooooh, grey and black as if they were black pearls!

Labels: beads, felt, FOs, links

You have to love Cute Overload. It's impossible to know how many lives they've saved by lowering blood pressure and making people smile. Today they featured a kitteh wearing a teeny sweater. It's hard to see, but it might be handknit!

Ooh, it just started snowing here! I mean, you have to hold still and stare really hard to see the flakes falling, but I'll take it! I'm glad I got all my errands done yesterday and this morning so I can snuggle up with a fat cat and movie. Don't be jealous, come on over--she's fat enough to keep several laps warm at once.

Thanks for all the comments on the Republic hat. As much as I love hats, it is annoying to have to take down my ponytail whenever I wear one. So I pondered on what I could knit that would keep my listening devices warm but not mess with my hair. Of course, Calorimetry!



I had one skein of Berroco Lavish that M gave me a while ago. It was like a unicorn sitting in my stash, so soft, sparkly and unique. I knew I had to use it for something small but special and an earwarmer/headband thing would be perfect.



The only adjustment I made to the pattern was for gauge. The first time I cast on, it was far too large and the gauge was too loose. Then I cast on with fewer stitches and smaller needles but it was obvious I wouldn't have enough yarn. So, how could I stretch the yardage? I doubled it up with some black acrylic yarn which let me go waaaay up in needle size and waaay down in stitch count!



I made these sexy black pleather buttons to close the deal. It even does double duty as a neckwarmer! Though I think it would work best in a smaller gauge like the pattern calls for, I am perfectly happy with my unicorn and will wear it a lot. Here are a lot of other Calorimetries on Flickr.

Can you see the snow in the pics? Haha, it looks like I have out of control dandruff. Anyway, now it's coming down steadily and settling on cars, rooftops, grass. Have you had snow yet where you live?

Labels: FOs, links

Oh happy day! I picked up my car from the shop today and it looks fabulous, darling. Actually, it looks better than before I got hit since they detailed it inside and out. It hasn't been that clean since, uh, the day I bought it!

I'm not someone who looooves their car, but I did pick mine because it had all the things I wanted--great gas mileage, hatchback, modern amenities such as power windows, haha. Those were things I definitely missed while driving the rental for a month. Who knew they still made cars without power windows or locks?

Even though it's dark and rainy today, I wanted to show you my new Republic hat! It just so happens I have my light-colored interior, dry, mobile photo studio back so I can share these pics with you...



The yarn is Plymouth's Handpainted Wool with a bit of Lamb's Pride Bulky mixed in since I was short on the main color. The only adjustment I made to the pattern was for gauge. I picked up the button at The Fine Needle a couple weeks ago. The pattern is Nik's Republic Hat (click here to download the pdf).



This pic shows the inside where I changed yarn every third row. Instead of changing at the same point in the row and having this line of floats all in the same place, I staggered it so it was less noticeable to the eye (or the head for that matter). A nice new squooshy hat just in time to keep me warm!

(The title is a quote from my boyfriend's movie, Gladiator. Actually, both of my boyfriends are in that movie--no wonder I love it so.)

Labels: FOs, links

I spent most of the day powerwashing mold from the pine trees off my house, so it was appropriate that I finished the Mold vest this evening. The siding now looks great but, unfortunately, the vest does not. Note my displeased expression--I really was trying to smile but the vest wouldn't let me.



It's not wrong in any way, I just don't like it. Through no fault of the pattern or the yarn, it is simply not flattering on me. I will let it marinate in the closet until I decide how to fix it. I have already considered putting sleeves on, cutting it up the front and making it a cardigan.

It's odd, because I love vests. Maybe I love knitting them but not wearing them? I'm sartorially vexed. I enjoyed working with the Gedifra Distrato and Dalegarn Freestyle. My gauge with those two substituted yarns was dead on to the pattern, U-Neck Vest #10 from the first issue of knit.1. Speaking of knit.1, if anyone has Fall 2006 they could part with, I'd love to buy it or swap for it! Maybe I'll trade it for an unworn green vest.

Labels: FOs

Now those are socks. Just what kind of socks is really in the eye of the beholder. The adjectives that pop into my head are: finished; tall; colorful. But mostly finished. They feel amazing and I bet they'll be even more comfterbuls after I wash them.

For those of you out there losing sleep at night because you need to know how far a skein of Regia 4 ply will go, here is your answer. That is one skein per sock--your mileage may vary of course. I made these following Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock Pattern with 2x2 ribbing on 2.25mm needles.

I started them like ninety-seven years ago and kept referring to them as "my first socks". But time passed and I started and finished other pairs of socks since then. So now I guess they are just January Socks. They are a belated birthday gift for my oldest niece whose given name is January (though she goes by her middle name which is equally unique), so I guess it suits.

I perfected my magic loop with these socks, but it's going to take a lot more practice to perfect my short rows. I did reinforce my belief that taller socks are better. And that I hate with a fiery passion leftover yarn.

'Til next pair!

Labels: FOs, socks

Grandmom decided to stay home from church this past week to be extra sure she was recovered. But I know once I give this to her she will be itching to wear it out and show all her church friends. Old ladies are competitive that way, you know. Always bragging on their grandkids and one-upping each other. Haha.

I am pleased with how the Get Well Shawl turned out--more than I thought I would be. It's the tricky nature of lace to look sort of ho-hum while you're working on it. Then you wash it, block it and BAM!



Almost enough to make me want to wear a lace shawl. The pattern was put together by Laurie Osborne and is called Wave and Shell, a variation of a couple different lace motifs. In my innernets searching, I found there had been a knitalong like three years ago (I'm not behind the times much, huh?). And here is a beautiful blue and purple one I found on flickr, which she also made for her grandmom who has the same name as mine!

I just need to find a dainty shawl pin (maybe at The Fine Needle's sale tomorrow?) and I will box this up for Grandmom and give it to her Friday. I know I missed Christmas and her birthday isn't until April, so I'm not waiting for an "occasion" to give this to her. She's getting it just because she appreciates my handiwork.

Labels: FOs, lace, links

I really like to travel, but I don't always do well when I travel with other people. In fact, if that other person happens to be my mom then I totally lose it. You know how it is. You could have the most patient, least annoying mom on the planet but you'd still get fed up with her soon because she's your mother.

Well many moons ago, before I learned this Most Important of Lessons, I went to a textile conference with my mom in Northampton, Mass. By day three I wanted to weave a parachute or hanglider out of the silk we were studying so I could fly out of there. But instead I went for a walk and found a yarn shop.

Right? Of course. It's Massachusetts. They're pros about this whole cold weather warm clothing thing. And although Northampton is home to Webs and Valley Yarns, it was tiny and cozy Northampton Wools where I found some peace. I picked a ball of handspun, handdyed wool whose label was in German so I can't tell you what is was. I then bought a ludicrously large plastic crochet hook and sat down to destress.



This hat is what I had in an hour. I know, it's no museum piece. But I wasn't going to let lack of a pattern or internet access keep me from relaxing. I sent the hat off to Nibling #4 who looks to be one and a half or two years old in this picture. Well she's like seven now so that tells you how old this FO is. And both my mom and I lived to travel again.

But not together.

Labels: FOs

...or Good boys do fine always.*

My bf has a couple teenage sons who are seriously the best boys in the world. It always seems, though, that around their birthdays or xmas I am short on cash/time and can never get them the kind of gift I wish I could. Well, you know, they're teenagers. The kind of gift they want is green and folds.

My knitterly soul cannot just give them cash, though. I have to make something and put the cash in it. So a couple simple hats in chunky yarn will do the trick!



There wasn't really a pattern for this, I just cast on a reasonable number of stitches, ribbed some, stockinetted some then decreased by 8's. This yarn (more like roving) is some super-yummy Handpainted Wool from Plymouth. My mom gave me two skeins a while ago and this just barely broke into the 2nd skein. I'll use the rest of it for a Nik's Republic Hat. I even bought a button already! And I included my hair in this pic to show M what a redhead wannabe I am.



This hat is even more basic, but that's what guys like, right? The yarn is Chunky U.S.A. and again no pattern. This is the third hat I've made out of one skein of that yarn and it cost $2.50! So I'll just pin some bills to the inside of the hats and everyone will be happy.

Happy Xmas Eve! If this isn't your holiday, then enjoy your weekend!

*Get your sheet music on here.

Labels: FOs, links

I knit at work almost all day today. It wasn't even like getting paid to knit--it was better. Because I was getting paid to stand there but the knitting was a guilty pleasure. I almost finished a xmas gift, so maybe I'll show that to you tomorrow.

Today we have another old FO--a crocheted hat and scarf set. In case you couldn't tell, I used to be all about the crochet. I still enjoy a good ch 6, sl to form circle, 8 dc in circle as much as the next gal. I'm just waiting for the patterns and designs in crochet to become as appealing as knit ones.



This pattern was from one of those "97 Hats and Scarves to Crochet" booklets. Maybe you can't see it in the pic, but it had alternating rows of cute little bobbles. The yarn is Lion Brand's Imagine in some sort of blue. Oh sweet, sweet Imagine. Why have they stopped selling that? I still hear rumors of it floating around, but it's not available in the Mid-Atlantic. I suppose that is why we have eBay, but I don't want it that bad. I gifted this to someone, maybe one of my SIL's.

Tomorrow I might have two real-time FO's to show you. It depends on my success at finding my last couple gifts after I get done work. Til then.

Labels: crochet, FOs

Here's a cute little idea for stocking stuffers that are quick to make--camp soap! It's soap and a washcloth all in one!



I got some unloved soap from T and grabbed some of the fibers I bought at MDS&W this year and made this little bar while watching the previews before a movie. You might think that needlefelting into soap would junk up your needle, but for whatever reason it doesn't. But you know what does slow you down? When you get too engrossed in the movie and "needlefelt" your hand or thigh by accident.

This particular bar is for a young friend of mine in California who loves camping and fiber arts, but doesn't really love soap. Maybe this will change her mind! Or maybe you just have to grow into an appreciation for soap.

Finally, I'd like to thank all you guys who comment on my projects and, today especially, Jenna who was my 1,000th commenter! I really like hearing from everyone almost as much as I like leaving silly comments on your blogs.

Labels: FOs

Is there anything that says "Here's hoping that you don't freeze to death but if you do, your corpse will look stylish" better than a handknit scarf? I doubt it. Especially when that scarf is knit in a subtle yet clever bamboo stitch with some yummy angora yarn.



The yarn is TLC's Cara Mia which, granted, only has 13% angora, but you can feel it, my friends. The pattern is the bamboo stitch scarf from the Holiday 2006 knitsimple. I love the craft magazines this time of year. They break it down for you. "You have one month to finish your holiday shopping. But since you probably picked up this issue while you out shopping, make that three weeks. You're going to be unrealistic and want to knit everyone a sweater. But guess what--we didn't put any sweaters in here. It's all scarves and baby booties since that's all you can handle right now. Now pick one and get knitting."

So this scarf is for N#1's girlfriend who lives in the GREAT STATE OF ILLINOIS and hence needs a 68" scarf. But she also has a bitchin' job in the bridal fashion biz so I know she'll appreciate a pink fuzzy scarf. I'm going to gift it with the Not Spring Yet hat I made earlier this year.

I washed the scarf after I took this photo and it is currently blocking. As a knitter, one advantage of my textile work is that I have a gigantic padded table at my disposal for blocking such things. I doubt my 4' by 8' table will fit in my new apartment, but I'm taking it with me anyway.

Of other knitterly interest, if you're in the mood for some gorgeous colorful inspiration, check out Cosmicpluto's Log Cabin blanket made from her own hand-dyed, handspun yarn! A few other things that get me in the mood to knit are: the calorimetry pattern by Kathryn Schoendorf; the awesome yarns in my own stash; the cinnabar scarf by Angela Hahn; and the weather report for Chicago.

Labels: FOs, links

I'm amazed by the knitbloggers out there who are cranking out handknit gifts every day. Amazed... and a little suspicious. Did you really whip up a Manos scarf during two movies or did you make that back in August and only just now revealed it to us? And a pair of socks in three days? More likely a pair of socks and three child laborers.

Haha, I kid with you because I have only managed 2" on a scarf all week and that makes for blasé blogging. The fabulous reason for that is that my house has been shown 12 times in the past week!! That's excellent but it also means just when I get home from work, I have to go find something to do elsewhere for an hour. Then yesterday a young fellow (eep! Who let my mother write a blog post?) in a very large truck smooshed my little car. Now my back hurts and my head hurts from all the paperwork ahead of me. But of course the only way to fix my car, mend my back and sell my house is to sit here and knit while I watch movies.

While I'm doing that, why don't you meditate on the lush softness of a scarf in afternoon light. This was a gift for either M or one of my SIL's a few xmases ago. It was dark green Noro something held together with the tanned carcass of Oscar the Grouch worked in garter stitch. Incredibly soft but not entirely cruelty-free.

Labels: FOs

It was a busy week here and before I could sit down, it was time for the company party. Now, where I work is a Christmas shop and we've been decorating trees and playing carols since September so when we have a holiday party it's all booze and rock-n-roll. In fact, none of the gifts we exchanged with each other were even remotely holiday-themed. Which is fine, because we're all pretty much holidazed and we still have two weeks to go.

I made a little basket for my recipient and then filled it with winter survival essentials (although, not booze). But really the container was the special part. I like to call her Helena Handbasket and it would be so much fun to make a million of these. In reality, I'll make at least a couple more so I can write and photograph a tutorial for you guys.



If you're lucky enough to have lots of silk lazing about, this is a great way to use up some of it. If you don't have silk leftovers, you really only need about a yard and a half of drapery-width silk to make one of these beauties. Stalk the remnant table at your nearby fabric store or just buy half a yard of various colors when they're on sale!

So the gift was well-received and I got a great idea for future projects. But not until after the holidays. Haha, as soon as I typed that I remembered I was going to make another of these silk baskets for a hostess gift for next weekend! Crack open the booze and pass the silk.

Oh, postscript! I'm trying the Blogger Beta so I can FINALLY have categories (or "labels" as they call them) so let me know if anything looks fucked up.

Labels: crochet, FOs