Frog Is A Four Letter Word

Mmmm, wool in July

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:29:00 +0000

Hey gang! Where has the summer gone? I'm already thinking about which wool sweaters to knit for Chicago Winter '08/'09!

But we did have a great 4th of July. We went camping at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin. I didn't think I'd ever set foot in the state of Wisconsin, but then I remembered on a trip to Duluth we crossed some bridge into Superior, WI. Anyway, it was a gorgeous place and the weather was perfect.

And I had coffee and yarn, which means there was definitely no reason to complain. I even got to visit an adorable yarn shop in the town of Baraboo called Ms. Vicky's.

I took with me a knitting project that would require no pattern or chart, could be done by feel or by campfire light and could be washed after it came home smelling like smoke and Deep Woods Off. I chose Maryse's Gathered Scarf (Ravelry link!) using some handspun handdyed wool I received as a gift years ago.

I'm almost done and then it will go in the holiday gift pile. DUDE, I know. Let's not even think about the fact that there are already gifts in that pile. So, I have another small FO to show you soon.

What did you do for your long weekend?

Blooper!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:30:00 +0000

My Sarcelle shawl is coming along nicely. I love working with this vibrant blue wool. I was knitting in front of the computer the other day and decided to look at other people's Sarcelles on Ravelry.

Ooh, pretty... Nice, nice. Like their choice of yarn... Hey! My lace doesn't look like anyone else's. How did everyone else get those nice lines of yarnovers?

DUDES.

I was totally reading the odd rows of the chart backwards. As in, this has patterning on both sides of the work but I was reading every row from right to left. I KNOW. What, did I just learn to knit last week? Is this my first lace shawl?

But y'all know I didn't even consider redoing anything. I laughed at myself and then calmly continued knitting in the correct way. It will be, like, a story to tell every time I wear this shawl. Well, only a story other knitters would find amusing. Here is my Sarcelle pre-blooper discovery. I'll make sure to take a pic that shows the Point of Knowledge once I make enough progress.

What's your most painful and/or entertaining knit blooper?

Small, satisfying

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:22:00 +0000

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?

Expert opinion

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Yesterday's bus knitting compliment came from a retired steelworker who's grandmother taught him to knit. (Don't ask how I got all this info. He was chatty to say the least.)

"Dat's nice."

Uhm, thank you. Your grandmother must have also taught you an appreciation for fine yarns, because this is Dream in Color. "Nice" barely scratches the surface.

Hey, while you're still reading this, hop over to Karen's blog and wish her a Super Duper Happy Birthday!! Hope you're doing something fun! It's also Rachael's birthday so if you're on Ravelry, pass her a note!

Long weekend, short sweater

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:37:00 +0000

Hey there! I just wrapped up a three day weekend. I find I am only productive on the first day of any time off and this was no different. The last two days we spent outside in the sunshine and relative warmth hiking and picnicking. Fortunately the beginning of my weekend was chilly and rainy, so I stayed close to home and finished up a comforter cover I've had marinating for years.

It's a block printed cotton from Bagru that I picked up at a textile conference years ago. The dog was picked up several years later, but is clearly a part of the fabric now.

Lucky for you her bad eye was facing away from the camera. It's probably true that I'm the only one who thinks she's cute, but that's okay. My opinion is the only one she cares about. Back to the comforter cover--once it gets warmer, we'll put away the comforter and this will become a bedspread. It has a really groovy navy and orange batik on the reverse side.

Oh! and I finished knitting my purple cotton tee, but it's a bit too short. Just an excuse to buy another skein of 2nd Time Around cotton. I will add it onto the bottom and then I'll take some photos!

So how do you allot your time off? Chores first or last?

Cotton

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:27:00 +0000

Howdy! I've been knitting cotton lately and damn does my wrist hurt! But it's going to be worth it. I'm working on a really cool tee and it's actually going to fit and look good. (As always, the details are on Ravelry--I'm skiddoo.)

Ugh! Too bad the tee can't make ME look good in this photo. Let's just pretend it's poor lighting. Don't worry, the finished piece will shrink and fit better than this. Anyway, I did lots of swatching and math and I'm really pleased that it will pay off. Because the alternative would involve frogging and cussing.

Monica just finished a really cool vest in the exact same yarn. We're cool kids. Well, just Monica really because I haven't actually completed my garment.

Now I'm craving orange sherbet

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:09:00 +0000

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.

Deals we make

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:50:00 +0000

One of my tools of procrastination for not doing my taxes was cleaning up the office, or "yarn room" which is more appropriate. I promised myself I would start on my taxes just as soon as there was order in the court. Now the deal I've made is I can start Katrina (ravelry) as soon as the taxes are done.

I had purchased a neat little cubby cabinet back in the fall while visiting my family in Missouri. I had taken the train that trip and since then, so two weeks ago was the first chance I had to bring the cubby home. It works great and as you can see I have the Roy G. Biv in full effect. (Okay, I can't say Roy G. Biv without thinking of Bell Biv Devoe...Now You Know. That yarn is pooiiissson!)

The only thing out of place are my rocker cushions. They need to be primary colors, no? Yesterday was our first sunny day in a while, or at least on my day off, so I took tons of pics. I am planning to update my etsy shop with some springy and summery things soon. I'll keep you posted!

Wages garnished for paperclip, qty 1

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:49:00 +0000

Not that I would ever do this, but if someone you knew were knitting socks at work and dropped a stitch, here's a tip. A paper clip bent into the world's tiniest crochet hook works just fine!

I'm putting a call out to my knitting, magazine-hoarding peeps. I would love to borrow your copy of Interweave Knits Spring 2004 and/or Summer 2006. You're the best! And hey Ravelry buddies, did you know you can add your magazines to your library just like your books? It's big fun and it would help your lame magazine-borrowing friends know who to pester!

My treat--should I complete my taxes this weekend--is to start a fun springy knitting project! What are the odds that I start the project regardless of tax progress? Hee.

Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:30:00 +0000

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!

The bizarre and the cool

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:46:00 +0000

Holy shit, you get some weird stuff when you search for knit doll clothes patterns. Niece #2 is turning 7 in a couple weeks and she's had this 14" doll for years. She's so attached to it that instead of replacing it, we all just give her new clothes for the it. Of course being the crafty auntie I wanted to knit the thing a sweater and some other accessories. The pattern choices are scary and sparse, so I'll have to make some up myself!

But the cool thing--well, things actually--are that a friend tipped us off that movies at Logan Theatre are only $3 and this is what you see when you come out of the Logan Square el in front of the theatre.

It's been there all winter and it certainly looked better when it was fresh, but the cool thing is that it's still there!

Here is the blog for Micro-Fiber Militia, the group claiming responsibility.

This is the most beautiful thing I've seen all winter!

Hat Personality

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:22:00 +0000

Public transportation is like a chocolate bunny filled with mystery nougat for those of us who like to peoplewatch (and isn't that all of us?). It's always a treat and usually surprising.

And winter time in Chicago is a veritable easter basket of knitwatching. I entertain myself by guessing people's personalities by the hat they're wearing. I know it's completely inaccurate but damn it's fun!

Today on the train there was a guy wearing a ubiquitous black beanie with a thin red stripe. He wanted to fit in but was just fading away. There was a woman with a purple beret and matching scarf that had just a smidge of lace. She likes being proper but frostbitten ears aren't the least bit proper so it was a good trade off between warm and ladylike.

Another guy with a thick red beard was wearing a rustic oatmeal hat with colorful fair isle at the bottom. His sister bought it for him during her semester abroad and it keeps him warm. An Ugg(ugh!)wearing blonde had on a thin boring hat with a HUGE label right across her forehead. It was neither about staying warm or looking stylish, only about announcing where she shops.

After my ride of course I had to turn the hat scrutiny on myself. What do my hats say about me? They are all !!COLORFUL!! so maybe I am needy and want attention. Most of them are handknit so maybe I'm cheap (ha! they've never priced yarn) or have such a boring life that I have nothing better to do than knit. They almost always match my hat and gloves so I clearly need to be more flexible and unpredictable.

Try this game sometime. Even if you don't ride public transportation, you can still play it at the mall or on the road. I find the crazier I imagine the person's story to be, the faster my commute goes. :)

Not red, but still special

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:04:00 +0000

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!

And so ends needing a reason

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:08:00 +0000

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.

Mitts!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:30:00 +0000

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?

Easy and snuggly

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:14:00 +0000

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!

Battle of the Bamboo

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:53:00 +0000

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?

Scarfing up everything in sight

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:02:00 +0000

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?

Eyebeams and unwoven ends

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:58:00 +0000

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!

We all need closure

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:21:00 +0000

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?

The first casualty of winter commuting

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:28:00 +0000

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?

An obstinate knitter

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:47:00 +0000

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.

Day of the Dead

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:07:00 +0000

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.

Belated birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:38:00 +0000

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!

Fake Rhinebeck in Purples

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:33:00 +0000

I know it's fall and everyone is hankering for browns, rusts and golden hues. But as I was digging through my stash for Carrie's Fake Rhinebeck party, I realized I have so many gorgeous pinks and purples. I don't want to overload you with yarn that hasn't become something grander yet, so here are just two of my "purchases" from Fake Rhinebeck.

Two skeins of Koigu PPPM in purple (maybe color #165?). I intend for this become the first pair of socks that I keep for myself. I am putting no timeframe on this project, but my feet think this winter would be nice.

Cotton is always in season! This is Flake Cotton by Ironstone Warehouse, hailing from Las Vegas, New Mexico--NOT to be confused with Las Vegas, Nevada, those posers! Karen had to twist my arm (uh huh) to buy this fun cotton for an OSW and so it still may become.

That's all I "spent" this weekend at Fake Rhinebeck and I can honestly say I have a clear conscience about my yarn budget. :)

For those dying to know--today was the dude's birthday and no I didn't finish the socks. They are incredibly close, though, and I could probably bind off, wash and block them tomorrow or Wednesday. Once they dry I'll get modeled photos.

See ya soon!