Nana's Needles

TaDa! Too

2008-02-22T19:48:00.008-05:00

Well, Once I saw the wrap coming to an end I wanted another project. I was in love with the Katarina Cardigan http://www.cocoknits.com/knit/garments/sweaters/katarina.html I wanted to knit one for myself -who knows why, I certainly don't need it, but you know how that goes. We knit because we can, right? I went to Twist, my LYS and began hunting for yarn. I found that the pattern calls for a dk weight yarn, but at 4 stitches per inch. I didn't think that would happen, so I used Silk Garden Bulky in color B. It gave me the gague and I think looks great. Here is the finished sweater/jacket: The actual colors are more jewel tone and actually brighter than the picture. It was a fun sweater to knit and now I'm looking for another yarn so I can knit it again! I like the way the sleeves knit, cast on with provisional cast-on then knit down after finishing the sweater! This way the sleeves are the right length! Neat idea, huh?

Next project is the Sampler Afghan from Melissa Leapman's book, Cables Untangled. Here is a picture of it from a fellow Ravelry knitter. It will be a long undertaking, but knits in strips and blocks so that it will travel easily. I'm only on my second strip at present and hope to finish it by next year! I'm using Berroco Comfort in light blue.

Ta Da!

2008-02-14T10:18:00.004-05:00

Finished! I didn't work on the Borris Wrap for about 3 weeks due to travel for work. When I picked it up this morning, I was surprised to find that so little remained to be done, so I finished it while watching morning TV. Here is how it looks:

I can't wait to wear it and think it will look great with a black suit for work! The circle is actually a shawl pin that I got at Stitches Midwest from Gita Maria, web site http://www.gitamaria.com/ She had an awesome booth at Stitches and everything was beautiful - enameled silver work! I chose this one to go with the wrap.

I'm now knitting on the Katarina Cardigan - pattern found via Ravelry - using Noro Silk Garden chunky - it's going fast and hopefully will be finished by the weekend. I'll post if I'm finished. Next project for me will be the Sampler Afghan in Melissa Leapman's book, Cables Untangled. Can't wait to start is as it is done in squares and panels so it should make a good project to take with me out of town next week.

Irish knit

2008-01-26T09:40:00.000-05:00

When I was at Stitches Midwest in August, I saw the Borris Wrap by Maggiknits - who has wonderful Irish knits designs. I bought the kit, but hadn't done very much with it til this week. I finally started it, the pattern is a bit challenging, but the pictures in the book (which came with the kit) make it easier to follow the written pattern.

I think it is a work of art! The pics are in the blue colors, but I chose the black and red!
Anyway, here is my progress!

Why didn't I think of it?

2008-01-13T09:14:00.000-05:00

The more I knit the more I say, why didn't I think of that? My latest knitting project is definitely one in that category! When we visited your LYS in Macon, I bought the Plymouth Yarns Baby Alpaca Grande Vest pattern and enough yarn to knit it. It was truely an impulse buy but one of my best purchases. It is a bulky yarn which is knits fast and is very soft.

Just look at the finished vest!

It doesn't look too much like a vest in this picture, right? It really is a long piece with K2P2 on each end and K1P1 on 1/2 the stitches in the middle. Then it's folded over, like the picture and seamed just on the K2P2 part.

Clever! - Why didn't I think of that?

But here is the way it looks when you wear it! Looks different!

I wore it yesterday to Knittin' on the Prairie KAL (look for a blog by that name later) and everyone loved it. Part of the beauty of this is probably the softness of the alpaca which allows it to stretch. I decided to knit another using wool - actually Cascade Yarns Eco+ in 8448 Crushed Berry color. I'm hoping that the yarn will work and create another great vest.

Catching up - again

2007-12-24T07:19:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would blog since it's been a while. Have been too busy lately, but I guess we are all way over our heads with the holidays, work and trying to maintain some semblance of family life.
Last weekend Heidi participated in the local Christmas Ice Show. There were 4 songs in which she skated with 3 of the costumes provided, since they were group numbers and all the outfits had to look alike. She had one solo - skated to Once Upon a December from Disney's Anastasia. Lisa wanted the costume to be similar to the movie, yellow with a blue sash. Of course there is only one way to get that - make it. Luckily we have a great small shop that sells only knits - including Lycra - for swimsuits and leotards. But she didn't have any yellow, so the shop owner dyed the fabric to create the costume. I spent all day Sunday Dec 9 making the costume but It really turned out pretty and she skated so well. The costume really fit the routine and so many of her skater friends complimented her on the dress. I have a home-made video of the performance and am trying to learn how to upload it to the web (file is too large) so all the family can log on and view it. Meanwhile, here are some photos of her solo:

This is her spread eagle position - and here is the ending:

OK, now to my Christmas knitting. I finished the vest for Heidi and her American Girl Doll! I don't know if she will wear it or not, but it turned out cute. I have to get out today and find buttons - then wrap it for the tree.
I have a friend that I wanted to knit something for as a Christmas gift, and gave myself only a few days to get it done since I wouldn't be seeing her again before Christmas after last Thursday - 12/20. I thought the Tickled Pink scarf from the latest Knitter's would be great, but wanted to change it somewhat, varying the shades of the same color.

Well it was a disaster - butt ugly actually. Here is how far I got before I decided to abandon it.

Isn't it horrible? Looks like a bunch of snakes. Who would wear this around their neck?

Anyway I had some Rowan Wool/Cotton in a cream color and knit another scarf with the same pattern but didn't get it done in time. I'll have to give it to her after the holidays. The scarf pattern was easy to knit, once I put it on shorter needles. It is just 4 stockinette stitches knit from bobbins and occasionally twisting the yarns to join two strips for 4 rows. I really enjoyed knitting it, but since it is in such a bland color, I don't know if she will ever wear it. If I had time, I would try to dye it some color. Sorry that I don't have a picture of the finished scarf. Once blocked it looked good, otherwise it kinda just bunches up into a long skinny strip.

How is your knitting going. WFAT finished? I'm trying to decide what to bring along for my trip to your house. I have several projects going, but mostly with multiple colors - making it necessary to bring along more yarn than I want to carry.

Hope you have great holidays! Looking forward to our trip to your house. Next year, Kansas for Christmas?

WFAT - Underway

2007-10-28T22:08:00.000-04:00

WhereFore Art Thou (WFAT) is underway. I love the design of this pattern and the lace is easy to knit up. Today's fashions crack me up. Everyone is questionably expecting - it's why I've nicknamed this sweater WFAT. It could mean a lot of things - Wonderfully FAT. Wickedly FAT. Whoa FAT! Whoknowsmaybeshe'sjust FAT? In any case.... that's what this is becoming. I took this photo on Friday. I'm now through three repeats of the lace pattern. I secretly hope that I'm done with it by this weekend so I can wear it to the Steeplechase Races, but I'm going to be realistic. I'll have a back up outfit in mind - just in case.

Oh, and Ravelry is AWESOME. You should absolutely sign up if you haven't already. I bought some cheap chunky yarn to knit the girls snoods this weekend. A snood is designed to keep a greyhound's ears and neck warm in cool weather, as they have the tendency to catch a chill easily. A friend of mine calls my dogs "snake dogs." When he heard that I was knitting a snood for them, he asked if a snood was hood for a snake dog. Here's a picture of the snood I am making for them, thanks to a great new friend I've met on Ravelry.

Lizard Ridge and Gloves

2007-10-28T18:18:00.000-04:00

My local yarn shop is doing a Lizard Ridge KAL so I am knitting along with them, even though I can't make the meetings. Here is my progress so far! 7 of the 24 blocks done. The color isn't so good in the picture, but these blocks are ADDICTING! Don't start them unless you are really ready to spend all your time knitting blocks. They are a great portable project, in case you are traveling soon.

I am having fun with the blocks and the different Noro Kuyreon yarn! This blanket should really be warm! I just hope I don't felt it by mistake! I have an afghan that I knit for my mother in the 1960s out of some wool and I know she must have machine washed and dried it because it is slightly felted. Thank goodness she took it out of the dryer when she did or it might have been a potholder when she finished.

My other project has been the gloves from Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn. I've found that I would rather knit gloves than socks so I'm jsure these won't be my last. I have some Louet Gems sport weight that I'm going to use for some gloves as well. I haven't tied in the loose ends on this picture, so I won't be wearing them with the strings hanging!

I used the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd for the directions to knit the gloves. Do you have that book? It was the first place I looked when I thought I would knit gloves. Made the process easy.

That is so cooooool!

2007-10-25T09:42:00.000-04:00

I am so delighted to pass to you the "official black sheep of the family" baton! HAHAHAHAHA! OK, so do each of your aunts get one for Christmas?

Seriously, that is such a wonderful thing to do. Just think of the stories you'll tell. I can't wait to see it all! No pun intended. With your experience, maybe we can do one that is knitting related!

My alpacha gloves were cute but not too serviceable. The yarn doesn't have the stretch you need for the gloves to fit the hands. So,now I'm using some Colinette Jitterbug sock yarn to knit some gloves. To be on the safe side, I am using K1P1 from the cuff all the way to the fingers. The gloves look kinda strange, but they fit and hopefully will stay on.

Here is my latest finished project.

It's my red sweater from the Red Sweater KAL. I need to post the picture to that blog as well.
I have too many UFOs to even begin blogging about them.
I'll write more later, meanwhile keep the posts coming!

The Wait is OVER!

2007-10-12T23:56:00.000-04:00

I finally got my invitation to Ravelry on Thursday and the buzz is worth it. What an awesome site. My screen name is greytblackdog. So if you're on, come by and say hi. I've not gotten a ton of stuff added to my list yet, but it is an incredible community. The groups are awesome. I've only joined 2 so far, but I'm sure I'll find more. If you've not signed up on the waiting list to get an invite, you should do so NOW. It only took me 2 months to get mine!

So, here's my surprise. Check out the calendar 11 of my favorite greyhound women and I made this summer for 2008. It's getting a lot of attention in the greyhound community and we hope eventually the national media will pick it up (which we're working on). Maybe this will make the official black sheep of the family!

Glad you are back!

2007-10-09T18:51:00.000-04:00

I'm so glad you are back on the blog! I've missed you and what you are working on.
The current project looks great! I'll bet it works up fast and will make a cute vest. Where did you get the pattern?

At Stitches Midwest, I met 3 women from Wichita and we hung around together. Since then we've stayed in touch and this last Saturday took a day trip to Guthrie to the yarn shop there, S.W.A.K. for a day of shopping. This shop is wonderful with friendly staff and a fantastic inventory. She carries a lot of Berroco yarn and patterns. The shop has a spring workshop each year, this year in May and my Wichita knitting buddies and I are going to go to it this year. On the stash ehancement expedition, I bought enough yarn to do a sweater using Reality by Artful Yarn. The colorways are all named after TV Reality shows, Survivor, Amazing Race, The Bachelor, etc. I bought enough of the Amazing Race to knit a cool jacket sweater. Can't wait to get it started!
I just finished a pair of alpaca gloves for Heidi. When she ice skates her hands get so cold. She buys gloves (and of course looses them) wherever - WalMart,etc and they are all synthetic - not waterproof and not warm. I uses some Alpaca sock weight yarn - I think Cascade yarn but not sure. It was my first attempt to knit gloves which I did over the last weekend, but got the fingers too short, so I had to rip them down and re-knit the fingers. I could have started over and re-knit the entire glove in the time it took to rip and re-knit just the fingers! I enjoyed knitting them so much that on our yarn shopping trip I bought some Jitterbug by Collinette (sock weight wool) and am knitting another pair - only this time for me! I'll post a pic when I get home and can take one.
Just glad we are back to blogging now.

So Proud of You!

2007-09-28T13:04:00.000-04:00

First of all, I am so proud of you. I knew the first time I saw that wrap that it was going to be a huge hit! I only wish I could have been there to see you model it down the runway!

I've been delinquent on this site and to my knitting besides some baby items like hats and socks this summer. Between moving and work, I just haven't felt much like knitting or being crafty at all. Not sure why. But I'm currently working on Juliet, which I can't wait to finish. Being a yarn snob, I'm embarrassed to say that I'm using some Patton's yarn that's 75% acrylic 25% wool, but it was the exact color and weight I was looking for. Go figure. It's working up nicely, though so no complaints.

I love your new site. It's awesome. Have you checked out Ravelry yet? I've been on the waiting list since August 19 for an invite and I'm getting closer every day (I'm number 26,914 on the invite list and there's now only 7242 people in front of me!). I hope by early October to be online. You should jump in line too. I think I'm going to be addicted once I get in.

We also are fostering a greyhound right now. Check out our adventures with Charlotte at our greyhound blog GreytBlackDog. I'll also have a big surprise for you next week (no it has nothing to do with a baby or expecting one) so check back here on Sunday, October 7.

New web site

2007-09-27T22:34:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure what's happening here. I haven't seen a blog post from you in a long time. I hope it wasn't anything that I said or did. But thinking you are just too busy, I thought I would begin to blog again.

The motivating force for this is my new website! The owners of Cascade Yarns encouraged me to do a web site with my pattern for the Wright Wrap, so here is what I was able to get together. http://www.nansknitting.comFor some reason I can't get the hyperlink to work, but if you copy and paste, that should work.

I'm thrilled that I now have a website and the ability to pay for the pattern through Paypal, download it to a .pdf file and start knitting. You can also link to http://www.cascadeyarn.com
Cascade yarn since the wrap is made from Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn.

I was very lucky that my daughter has a friend who does websites professionally and through email she has created this web site for me. From it you can purchase the patterns for the Wright Wrap as well as the other designs I have published. I'll be working to add some other designs as well. Let me know what you think.

Stitches Midwest

2007-08-13T17:40:00.000-04:00

I went to Stitches Midwest this weekend. Flew into Chicago on Friday, shopped all most of the day on Friday in the Market. It was fabulous! Just when you think you can't possibly knit another thing, along comes wonderful stuff. I bought a kit to make a wonderful wrap designed by the person, Maggie (sorry I forgot the last name) who does the wonderful Irish designs! The kit came with her latest book! I had to ship it home since I am not going home til Friday of this week. Can't wait to start it. I bought enough Tango to make 3 scarves, and enough yarn to do 2 vests.

The greatest part of the weekend was that I chose to show my Wright Wrap - from our previous post at the Student Show on Saturday's banquet.

I had been watching some fabulous pieces be shown, absolutely beautiful lace - which is really hard to do, so I was getting embarassed about showing the wrap and wished I could back out, but couldn't. My right arm is in a splint due to a tendon injury, so I got someone else to model it for me. I was so surprised when she started on the runway at all the applause! Then she turned around to show the back and you could actually here the audience do a collective gasp. Needless to say, I was so proud. Then at the end of the show they decided to give 3 prizes and they called my name as a winner of one! They were polite enough not to name them 1st, 2nd and 3rd, so I really don't know what they thought except it was a winner! I received a certificate for $100.00 off a 2008 Stitches event. But an even better situation is that I met the owners of Cascade Yarns and they were thrilled that the wrap was made from Cascade 220. So thrilled that Jean told me to send her the pics for her to put in their company newsletter. I hads stopped by her booth on Friday and showed her the pictures of the wrap. She thought the pics were great but told me after the show that the real object was so much more breathtaking. She also said that they always had extra yarn, (seems they bag into bags of 10 but the suppliers don't always send an even number of skeings) so for my next piece she can give me all the yarn I need to make it! Others were taking my picture in the wrap - which I had to model on stage in order to get the prize. Others stopped me after the show and on Sunday to tell me how much they liked the wrap, including some of the instructors who had stayed for the show. Needless to say, I am still pretty excited. This was an awesome moment in my knitting career.

Craftster.org

2007-02-17T20:58:00.000-05:00

OK, I should never have looked at this web site, I found the knitalong sites and am hooked! There are too many great patterns and projects that I want to do. I found the Irish Hiking Scarf Knitalong and pattern. I didn't join the KAL, but bought Knit One, Crochet Too, Gourmet Collection, Creme Brulee DK Superwash Merino and knit the scarf. Here is the finished scarf. I love it and think I will enjoy wearing it.

I've knit too many scarves this winter. Not sure why except they are easy and fast to knit.
Any thoughts about going to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival? I'm still thinking about it.

Too funny

2007-02-06T21:53:00.000-05:00

That's too funny. You know what? I found the book on sale at Herrschner's and ordered a copy last week. I'm looking forward to knitting some matching sweaters.
I'll post those later.

I've also joined the Red Sweater Knit Along. I wanted to knit a jacket so I liked the thoughts of red and a knitalong. This is the first one I've joined and hopefully I'll have a jacket at the end. I swatched and cast on just before the Super Bowl.

Here is my pattern and progress so far.

I chose Knit Picks Elegance - 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk in Barn Red.
I'm also joining the Traveling Cables Cardigan Knitalong. I'm using the same yarn in Silver. I'm looking forward to this challenging pattern. Here's the picture of the pattern.

I haven't started this one yet, but I'll post progress to both the Knitalong and our blog.
Now, I think we should plan a trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May. I went in 2001 and really enjoyed it. It would be fun to go and perhaps meet some other bloggers and podcasters. It's a great wool and yarn event.

The Perfect Knitting Book for You

2007-02-01T21:56:00.000-05:00

Mom and I found the perfect knitting book for you and Heidi, Knits for Girls & Dolls. We thought you would have fun knitting matching sweaters for Heidi and her doll, Sasha. As far as knitting books go, this one is as reasonably priced as they come! $13 bucks! How can you beat that. I can't wait to see what you create. I looked at all the major retailers to find a copy of this book without luck. The Home Sew catalog that my mom buys doll shoes and such out of for her cloth dolls was the only place I could find a copy.

I've finished all the pieces of the Fisherman's Shrug and now the assembly begins. I hope to start sewing tomorrow night. Then all that is left to do is pick up the stitches around the collar and knit the ribbing. Not too bad. It's been cold enough to wear it the last few days. Maybe I'll be able to finish it and enjoy it next week.

Looks good to me

2007-01-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

There is something to be said for finishing a project. I think the dishclothes are perfect for that. I must say that I haven't ever knit one. Isn't it a good feeling to finish a project and without all those seams to sew and ends to weave in?

My mother, your Nana, not only knit them but also crocheted dishclothes. I am sure it must have been the same reason, just to have a project finished in a short time. She also did some pot holders - I think crocheted - but I still have a couple that she made. I haven't used them very much so they are ratty from use. They should last many more years that way.

Dishrag Diva

2007-01-20T20:31:00.000-05:00

Well, I've got several unfinished projects in several bags laying around my office/knitting room - the Einstein Coat, Fisherman's Shrug and Clapotis to name just a few. But, this week I've focused on knitting up five (count em') five dishcloths that will be a gift.

I have to admit, I've become slightly obsessed. I'm knitting dishcloths like they are going out of style, starting on number six this afternoon - for no good reason. Maybe it's because I have so many unfinished articles laying around that it makes me feel good to finish something in just a couple of hours. It sure isn't because I like to do dishes!

Happy New Year

2007-01-13T17:37:00.000-05:00

Sounds as if your new year has been busier than mine. I'm so glad you have learned how to work the knitting machine. Would you recommend it to other knitters? I've thought about getting one, but it's never gotten beyone thinking about it. Next thing you know you'll be turning out sweaters faster than you can buy yarn to support the habit!

My new year hasn't been too great so far. I went to Jersey City on Jan 2nd and worked a few days. I didn't feel well - felt as though I was getting a cold all week and by last weekend had a full blown cold. I was due to leave again on Tuesday for Jersey City again, but didn't feel like going. I've spent all week at home and finally decided on Thursday that I needed to finish some knitting projects. The only reason I wanted to finish, of course, was so I could start a new one! I did complete the Nora Gaughan sweater from Interweave knits. I made it in black Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks. There are one row of eyelet stitch on each side of the front and back. I chose to weave some satin ribbon through the eyelets. I think it looks pretty good. Today I made a couple of boot length skirts to wear with the sweater. I'm hoping that it will work for me to wear at work.

We're having a weekend of bad weather - sleet storms and expecting snow tomorrow. It was 70 degrees here on Thursday afternoon, then didn't reach 20 during the day yesterday. We had one sleet storm yesterday and another today. Expecting snow tomorrow. So the knitting weather is great. I started the Harmony sweater with Louet Gems Merino. I'm using the blue colors which I don't think show up right in the picture. This is the right front, started the left back today. It requires concentration to keep up with the rows, but I like the way it is looking at present.

Can't wait to see how the finished sweater looks.

I'm due to leave tomorrow for Spartanburg SC, late in the afternoon. I'm not sure that'll happen, given that the weather is calling for 3 - 6 inches of snow tomorrow. I can't take this sweater with me, since there are so many balls of yarn. I wouldn't have room for clothes, but if I can find a way to take it, I will do so.

Christmas was so great, thanks for all you and your family did to help us enjoy it. Heidi still talks about wanting to live in NC. I'm not totally opposed to that idea, as I am getting pretty tired of flying from Wichita. I can't seem to be able to make a connection to save my life. This last trip to Newark arrived 1 hour late on the outbound flight and then I missed my connection on Chicago - due to a delayed flight from Newark to Chicago, so I had to stay overnight in Chicago on Friday. I'm just as glad to be home sick this week. At least I don't have to deal with the delayed and missed flights.

Nothing Has Happened

2007-01-06T10:55:00.000-05:00

In spite of a motivational rally cry from a perfect stranger, I've made no additional progress on my Claptois. So in the absence of knitting to share, I though maybe a little caffeine motivation would help get things going. So, if I were coffee, what kind of coffee would I be? Let's see what the all knowing Internet has to say?

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern

At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent

You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet

Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

It is true - the Internet does know all! I hope to have knitting progress of some sort to show later today.

Let's Make Something Happen

2007-01-03T23:04:00.000-05:00

I'm not as positive of a person as I want to be. I want to be positive. I really do, but I'm more of a realist. You know, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst kind of outlook on life. But today, I sat next to a very positive businessman who let you know he planned to rub some of that positive energy off on every person he talked to on the phone.

I was sitting at a B&N while a colleague finished up a business meeting before we went to the airport and the positive businessman sat down at the table in the cafe next to me. At first I thought he was talking to someone he knew when he answered his phone "Joey Brown, Let's Make Something Happen." How many people answer the phone with a rally cry? While I thought this was a one time fluke, he proved me wrong by answering the phone 25 or more times over the next two hours the exact same way, sometimes asking someone to hold and picking up call waiting on the other line this exact way. So here's what I figure:

1. He has great self-esteem
2. He truly believes his product/service can make things happen. What that product/service is, I have no idea. I never heard him say. Obviously a soft sale kind of guy.

I attempted to "make something happen" with my Clapotis on the flight today. I'm slowly but surly getting there. It took me about 30 minutes to figure out where I was in the pattern, but I got things back on track and did a couple of the straight row repeats. I hope to be starting on the fourth section by the return trip home.

On the Road Again

2007-01-02T23:04:00.000-05:00

I leave for Scottsdale, AZ tomorrow for the rest of the week. While I didn't take the time to pack my actual luggage for tomorrow's trip tonight, I did spend 20 minutes deciding what I would take with me to knit.

I bought new yarn, a new US 5 circular and printed out the instructions on how to knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles for this trip over the weekend. But when it came down to packing time, I decided I wanted to finish my Clapotis that I started oh about six months ago. I just hope I can figure out where the hell I am in the pattern. So in she goes for my trip to Scottsdale tomorrow along with some directions, an empty floss case and my iPod with new music to jam to and podcasts to catch up on. I should be set for my 4.5 hour flight there and back, right?

I'll get to the sock thing on next week's trip.

New Year Tension

2007-01-01T20:34:00.000-05:00

This year has been full of tension, so far. Knitting machine tension that is. I've enjoyed playing with my new Christmas toy - an Ultimate Knitting Machine.

Now that I think about it, it's been a long time since I got a real toy at Christmas. I really don't remember the last time I got something that I could play with. I think that it might have been a badminton/volleyball set that was a gift to both me and my sister when I was 15. Now, I'm not athletic in the least bit and I'm not sure why my parents thought it would be a good gift. Maybe they were hoping that I would suddenly become coordinated or graceful. While neither of these two things happened, I do remember playing with it, so maybe it wasn't a bad choice after all. When it comes to gifts, I'm more of a clothes, jewelry and music kind of girl.

This year my mother made another good choice and gave me an Ultimate Knitting Machine. I thought I'd like to have something to use to knit things that require a lot of stocking knit or large pieces, like blankets. After playing with it while being banished to my sewing room for two days straight while my husband watched football, I think it will be perfect for those two things.

I knit 200 rows of 50 stitches in about 20 minutes, and that's with screwing up several times. It made me want to open the window and shout - "I'm the fastest knitter in the world." Prior to this 20 minutes of success, there were plenty of lessons learned. The most important - tension is EVERYTHING! Even the smallest amount of tension on the yarn impacts the needles. When there is too much tension in the wrong place, the needles hang up. When there isn't enough tension in the right place, the stitches fall off the needles and you have a mess on your hands.

I've experimented with making cables, changing colors and doing a bit of fair isle. It really is very easy. The hardest part is really doing the ribbing. The machine knits with the wrong side facing you, so all the purls are facing you. In order to create a knit stitch on the side facing you, you unhook the stitch, unravel and reladder it so the stitch is now basically reversed. I stink at reladdering normally, but with the weighed hem that hangs on the bottom of your knitting it's not so bad, but it is time consuming. Right now I think I could hand knit ribbing faster than I could reladder it on the machine and evidently a lot of people think this because there are instructions for how to remove your knitting from the machine and hand knit the ribbing in the instruction guide.

I'm using Caron Simply Soft right now to experiment and make baby blanket. It's wicked cheap and the machine likes it - which is the most important thing right now. Of course the edges curl into a tight little tube without any blocking. I think I have figured out a way I can create a garder stitch boarder while it is on the machine, but this requires me having to reladder four or five stitches on the left and right sides of the blanket, then pick up the bottom and top hems and do those by hand. Being a total yarn snob I'm trying not to think about all the acrylic that my hands are touching and just focusing on the fact that people who have babies need something they can wash over and over again and they won't care that it isn't a natural fiber - although, the sweaters and booties I will hand knit will be of a cotton blend I'm sure.

Needless to say, I have a lot of playing to do to decide how I want to use this new toy. There's a lot of details and handwork involved in this machine, even though it is every quick for basic kind of stuff, you've obviously got to know what you're doing to make anything useful. More tomorrow. Happy New Year!

2006-12-19T16:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I can certainly appreciate your migraines. I have a friend with those and she is incapacitated more often than she would like. Glad yours are under control. I'm sure that you don't like taking the meds but its better to take meds than experience the headaches. I wouldn't be knitting either if I had a migraine, so it's understandable.

I'm still working on my sweater and on Lisa's. I really enjoyed frogging her sweater and knitting it again. I also altered the pattern to knit it in one piece rather than 2 fronts and one back. I've completed everything but the sleeves. I'm starting those right after the holidays.

My sweater from Interweave knits is turning out great. I decided that I wanted to make long sleeves, instead of the 3/4 length sleeves in the pattern. I hope they work out. One sleeve is done the other just needs the shaping at the upper end. So after the holidays I'll work on finishing that sweater as well.

You know, I am on the road this week, not to return home til the 30th. Because of this I had to have something to knit on. Neither of the sweater projects that I just wrote about are portable at this time, so last night I drug out some yarn and started a scarf for my hairdresser. I'm too late for Christmas, but I have a hair appointment for Jan 6th, so I'll have a scarf to take her as a gift. I played with the yarn and created a pattern that I like. Then I got some knitting time on the plane today. Here's what I've done so far. What do you think? I just started knitting without a plan in mind, I'm sure that violates all we've read about knitting, and Steven Covey - Start with the end in mind, right?

I think it will end up OK. The yarn is the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, which I've heard that despite the label doesn't contain any cashmere. Don't know what makes it so soft without cashmere. At least it is a knitting project for the trip when nothing else would work.

Oh, I still have the socks, that I'm working to finish. I just got caught up knitting the sweaters and dropped the socks. They are in my briefcase, so I can finish them this trip as well.

Looking forward to sharing Christmas with you, Heidi, Kevin and your mom. We'll see you Thursday or Friday somewhere. My Heidi is taking skiing lessons, 10AM - 3:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, so you know where to find me. Knitting by the fire and watching her progress. See you soon.

Rally Warmer

2006-12-13T10:12:00.000-05:00

Football in the south is a religion and it really doesn't matter what level of football you're talking about - high school, college or professional. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Championships are this weekend and my alma mater, Northside High School, is in the AAAA State Championships for the third time in six years and the second year in a row. The Eagles have a great chance to bring it home this year and we lucked out and won the coin toss to host the game this Friday night.

Now it's been a little cool out in the evenings these last few games. Last week, the semi finals were held indoors at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, so no winter gear was needed. Thank goodness for indoor football since it was an unseasonable 16 degrees last Friday night. But this week it will be 30 something at game time and I felt like I should make something blue and white for the occasion.

The new winter issue of Knitty was out and this cute little head scarf seemed to be a quick and easy answer. Then two things happened that I never thought would:

1. I was in Walmart buying groceries and saw this cheap and perfectly colored blue and white colored yarn, which I thought would be interesting. I'm kind of a yarn snob. I really don't like acrylic and I knew, since it was at Wally World, it was acrylic, but I figured it was for a once in a while kind of thing, I'd take a second look.

2. The yarn, upon further inspection was actually camouflage colored yarn. Yes, camo yarn. I never in my life have liked anything camo colored. But this yarn seemed interesting to me. And I still can't quite figure out how blue and while qualifies as camo, I mean, maybe if you're hiding in an ocean or tropical area, but not in Middle GA.

Anyway - I bought the yarn. Acrylic, camo yarn to make this great pattern.

Now, I didn't make a gauge swatch. Why should I? There really wasn't a size. It was just a head scarf. I guess if I wanted to make something that didn't end up the size of my youngest cat, Nomie, I should have made a gauge swatch. Although, my finished measurements do match up to those of the pattern, the size is way too big and I hated the way it looks on me.

So, first try was no good. Second try I cast on 90 stitches instead of 120 (yes I know that 90 is not divisable by 4, but neither is my head), and it came out great. So, now I have a great head scarf to rally my Eagles on to a win on Friday night. I'll be sure to have my DH take a photo of me in it as we cheer the guys on to a victory.

Oh - by the way, both of our college alma maters are in the IAA National Football Championship Game this Friday night. UMASS (my husband's school) and Appalachian State play each other at 8p in Chattanooga, TN. It was a hard to decide which game to go to, but since we have cheered the Eagles on all season and we could both sit on the same side of the stadium, we decided to go to the NHS game.

Bad Blogger... Bad Knitter...

2006-11-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

I'm ashamed of my neglect of this blog. I couldn't believe how long it's been since I posted here. I've been struggling with migraines lately and now that it seems that I have those under control, thanks to some new meds that I take everyday, I am back up to speed. But for about three months there I was struggling with as many as 8 or 9 headaches a month, which really interfered with my knitting time, not to mentioned made me pretty much useless in general. Things are much better now.

I did finish a few things since my last post:

1. My Somewhat Cowl is now complete. Photo to come later. I hate finishing. I really need a class on this to feel more confident.

2. A great hat and fingerless mittens. Photo to come later.

On the needles:

1. My Einstein Coat - yes, I'm still working on this darn thing. It gets so darn hot in GA during the summer that I can't work on it or else I burn up. I want to have it done by Christmas. I WILL have it done by Christmas. I'm 1/2 way there.

2. The Fisherman's Shrug - even though I've read that people continue to have trouble with this pattern online, I've started the large size of this pattern as it is written, while using the revised measurements and keeping my fingers crossed. I'd like to try and finish this in a couple of weeks. We'll see. I got a great deal on the Lion Brand Yarn at Handcock Fabrics a week ago when it was 2o% off the regular price and I had a coupon for an additional 10% off.

I'll drag the camera out tomorrow and take a few photos of the finished objects. The good news is I have two new work assignments in Orlando and in Phoenix this winter - two places warm enough to wear short sleeves in January.

Knitting again

2006-11-25T15:28:00.000-05:00

I've really enjoyed being off work this week, so I could do more knitting. I finished the sweater for Lisa, but was disappointed that I had made it too large. So I got to rip-it out and start over again. In a way that was good as I was able to improvise a little. I decided rather than knit it in 3 pieces, back and 2 fronts, to cast on enough stitches to do it in one piece to the underarms, then split it for fronts and back. I have done that and am now working on the back separtely. I will knit the 2 fronts at the same time, but that will need to wait a while.

I got really fed up with the Sunrise Jacket. It wasn't working out with the row gauge. The stitch gauge was OK, but my rows count was off. This sweater requires too much math and too much time for it not to work out great. I decided to frog it as well. About that time I bought the winter Interweave Knits and fell in love with this Nantucket Jacket on the front.

I thought the black Wool of the Andes yarn that I was using for the Sunrise Jacket would be perfect for this. So, I started it as well with the frogged yarn. I have knit about 6 inches on the back and I really do like the pattern. I hope that I like the finished jacket and don't find my self frogging it.
I really should get back to my pair of socks, but frankly haven't been too interested in finishing them.
OK, so much for the knitting or frogging of this week.
Here is the scarf that I did a couple of weeks ago from the front of Vogue Knitting. I used Lion Brand Wool Ease and it's OK. Color is great, but it isn't as soft as it could be if I had used another yarn. I'll be glad to use it for the winter and it really stands out on a black coat. It was so much fun to finish - can't believe I'm saying that. I hate finishing, but the weaving of the long tubes to produce the scarf was amazing.

Catching up

2006-10-30T16:11:00.000-05:00

That You Tube video was too cute. I really identified with that poor lady. She must have been knitting the scarf from the front of the new Vogue Knitting When I got the magazine, I was so impressed with it that I went right out, purchased ome Lion Brand Wool Ease (I know, but I wanted to start it right away and since I really don't have a good LYS I decided Wool Ease would work.) Well the scarf is clever, but seems to go on forever. Seems that it is knit as gigantic "I" cords, 9 sitiches each on 2 sock needles. I spend more time changing needles than I do getting into a knitting rhythm. There are six of the cords each about 90 inches long. So far, I've finished 4 of the cords. When I finally finish all six they are braided.

I thought I would post the pictures of my latest finished projects. Here is the baby sweater I knit for a friend of mine. I used a ribbon yarn called Phoenix from Yarn Market.

Now I am working on the scarf from Vogue and some socks. Here is what the socks look like.

I'm using some Cascade Fixation yarn, very colorful and I think will look great with my Crocs flip flops over the winter months. I used the Jaywalker pattern for the top and then I'll use a pattern for summer socks for the foot portion. I'll post again when I finish them.

I've finished the Selkirk jacket from Ram Wools.
The yarn is great, but full of pieces of straw, sticks, weeds, etc. I was constantly picking all that stuff out as I knit. The yarn softened up when washed for blocking. It also "bloomed" and makes my knitting look great. I did like knitting with it and think the finished product will be super, once I get time to finish it. I would much rather knit than finish, right?

I'm also doing the Sunrise Circle Jacket from Interweave Knits, using some great wool from Knit Picks. I wish I could post a picture of that project, but can't. I got the pattern free with a subscription to the Interweave Knits on line magazine. It's a pretty good deal, free and has free downloadable patterns. I'm hoping I can wear it for work, since I'm making it in black yarn and the style is fairly professional.

Now, to work on the socks tonight, before going to work tomorrow. I've got the socks and yarn in my brief case and since there is nothing to do in this location (near the airport in Newark, NJ), it will be a good night for knitting. I'll be doing an engagement here for the next few months, so maybe I'll find your favorite yarn shop in Manhattan. If you are going to be here, let me know and we'll plan a dinner and yarn shopping trip.

No FO

2006-09-28T12:12:00.000-04:00

That's right - it shouldn't be a shock that I have not finished my Somewhat Cowl sweater. I feel like the slowest knitter in America. I read all of these blogs with people who finish sweaters in three nights. I can't finish three inches in a night, much less any significant progress. The good news is that it does fit and I'm almost done with one sleeve. By the end of the weekend I hope to have the other done and at least pick up the stitches on the neck. We'll see.

So instead of looking at my finished sweater, a good friend of mine sent me a link to this great Knitting Animation on You Tube. Enjoy!

Closer and Closer

2006-09-10T20:36:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm down to the bottom ribbing of the Somewhat Cowl sweater. All that's left is the sleeves and neck. I'm hoping that maybe by this time next week I may have a completed sweater to brag about. But of course, I'm already looking for other things to work on.

I joined the Sexy Knitters Club (SKC) and I think I'm going to start their KAL for either Sizzle or the Simple Knitted Bodice (SKB). I love both patterns and I've enjoyed Wendy's top down pattern for the Somewhat Cowl sweater. It really all comes down to yarn. I've not found a substitute yarn for SKB that I'm crazy about. I cannot spend $140 on the yarn that the pattern calls for. Finding something for Sizzle would be easier, but even though it won't be cool enough around here to wear something with long sleeves until November, it will take that long for me to finish either of these pieces with the work schedule I've been keeping lately.

I did treat myself to two knitting magazines today: The new BHG Knit It! and the newest Vogue Knitting. Hidden in the editorial section was a note that there was a pattern correction to the Fisherman's Shrug pattern from the Winter edition of this magazine. I loved the pattern when I first saw it - chunky yarn, big needles - sounded like instant gratification to me. Plus the yarn called for was inexpensive and looked like something I could throw on even around the house. Well, while lurking in the Blog-o-sphere, I found out that there were SEVERE problems with this pattern and it required way too much math for my math-challenged brain to figure out. Needless to say I didn't attempt it. Maybe this corrected pattern will be easier to follow than redoing all of the math.

Fingers crossed - we will have a FO photo to post here next week...

I'm In the Same Boat

2006-08-27T20:24:00.000-04:00

Well, I've neglected this site as well during the summer. I've not had the energy to knit since I've been working 60 to 70 hours each week. I hope that this insanity is coming to an end soon, but I'm not so sure that is going to happen.

I've picked up the needles, determined to finish my Somewhat Cowl sweater that I started in March. I've knitted about an inch or so after the join. I like knitting from the top down so far. Here's what it looks like so far (sorry for the bad photo).

I may wish that I had knit this in a size smaller, but it seems to fit fine, just seems big right now in the arms. Maybe that will be better determined once I actually do the knitting on it.

Oh, I have to introduce you to my newest "child." This is Clyde. He is the new love of my life. He'll be 2 in November, so too young to ride, but I'm doing a lot of ground work with him right now. I work with a trainer once a week with him and it is amazing to watch a 1000 pound animal learn like a child would. It's the one thing I really force myself to make time for once a week and I just love my time with him. I'll have a reason to knit some cute hats, scarves, sweaters, finger-less gloves, etc. to wear at the barn this winter!

Mea Culpa

2006-08-05T16:51:00.000-04:00

I am feeling like the worst blogger on the face of the earth. I haven't posted here in forever, but I guess that is because I haven't been knitting either. This summer has been like a blur to me and now it is about over. Of course with the heat, it sure doesn't feel like summer is anywhere near ending. Today it is supposed to be 101, right now it is 97 and tomorrow's high is forecast to be 105. Somehow, I can't get too excited about knitting while it is baking outside.

Part of the problem with the weather is also how it affects flying. Due to the weather and forcing me to miss connectioning flights, I have been stranded for the night twice in Denver, once in Houston and once in Pittsburg. I hate summertime flying. In the winter they keep the runways clean of snow, de-ice the plane and off it goes. But in the summer, let there be a thunder cloud anywhere in the vicinity of take off or landing and the pilot keeps the plane on the ground. I hate summertime flying, or did I already say that?

I've also been too busy with work to have any free time to knit. I used to knit in my hotel room at night, but this summer I have had so much work to do, analysis and reports that I've been putting in some very long days work. I've got to get my priorities straight and put knitting farther to the top. I have been working on a baby sweater which is almost completed. I will see the new father this week, so I plan to finish it tomorrow. It is a pattern from Yarn Market called Nana's Hooded Baby Jacket.
The yarn is a ribbon in a cream color and the size is supposed to be 1 - 2 years old. It looks a little small to me, but then it's been a while since I've been around a baby. The baby who is getting the sweater is a few months old but lives in Chicago, so the sweater should come in handy this fall.
After the weather cools down, I want to knit a sweater coat for Lisa. I picked out a kit from Ram Wools. It is wool so I am definitely waiting til it is cooler to start it.
Will try to be a better blogger in the next few weeks. Keep adding to your stash. The urge to knit always hits at the oddest times (usually when the LYS is closed!)

Stash Flash

2006-07-09T11:53:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are the newest additions to my stash.

Prior to my trip to Boston, I bought Jaeger Siena 4-Ply in black for Orangina. I hope to get started on her soon. I really want to finish my Jaywalker socks before I start this. I'm flying to Raleigh for the week of the 18th and then Kevin and I will be in San Francisco on vacation the following week - so I'll have some air time to make some progress

In Boston, I visited one of my favorite shops in Newburyport, MA called Three Bags Full and purchased a skein of awesome pink, brown, and cream striped Trekking XXL sock yarn and some J.Knits turquoise, grey and black striped sock yarn. They are both really different, I love the colors and I can't wait to find the perfect pattern for these two.

We took an impromptu trip to Boone, NC for the Fourth of July (yes, I do work) and I visited a new yarn store in town, Laura's Yarn-Tastic. I went in just wanting to look around and came out with four hanks that were died in Mountain City, TN. How could I pass up local products? The yarn, died by Miss Babs is really different. I came home with two skiens off superwash sock yarn, one in pinks, purples and olive tones and the other in , bright purples, blues and greens (I thought of you, Nancy. Totally your colors). I also came home with a skein of her 100% Merino Wool in really cool shades of brown and gold. I will use this with some Cascade that I have and felt a neat bag with it.

The last skein I spotted while checking out (isn't that where all the best stuff is?) was in the half-price bin. It was a skein of Miss Babs 100% wool in the neatest shades of black, grey and navy blue. You may be able to see the colors in this close up. I think this combined with some Cascade 220 I have in gray, I should come up with something neat.

I'm Jaywalking, Too

2006-07-08T23:47:00.000-04:00

On my flight to Boston, I started the Jaywalker socks that everyone seems to have made by now. I was a little late to the party, I guess. I made a lot of progress during my trip and I'm almost done with the first sock. I like the way they are turning out. I've never used size 1 needles, I've found they are pretty easy to use.

Here's a close up of the stitch patern. It's really easy and gives a great effect.

I've added to my stash and boutght yarn for Orangina. I'll give you a sneak peek into my shopping spree in Boston and Boone tomorrow when the weather is good enough to take photos outside.

The Honeymoon is Over

2006-06-18T10:07:00.000-04:00

I've always wondered why clothing designers didn't cut their clothes larger so that women would be forced to buy a smaller size. Talk about brand loyalty. I don't know many people who wouldn't be drawn to a specific brand if the size on the tag was at least one size smaller than all the other pairs of jeans, shorts, skirts, etc. in their closet. The ego boost of a smaller number on the tag is really unbelievable, even if it doesn't happen very often.

Maybe Bonnie, my Honeymoon Tank, was trying to give me an ego boost. I measured myself, measured my swatch, adjusted the pattern, frogged it and adjusted it again and even though she measures right when flat, as you can see, she's a little big on me. I guess she's just trying to make me feel better about turning 30. I'm guessing it's the weight of the cotton I used that didn't allow it to drape like it should and instead she is a little saggy. I tried to block some of that out of her, but it really didn't help much. You live you learn I guess.

I'm not going to frog her. I'll be able to wear her around the house, outside while tending to my flowers and maybe to the pool. I don't think she'll become a staple in my wardrobe. I do think I will actually make a size smaller in a sweater than I think I should if she is supposed to be close fitting.

I'll apply this concept to Orangina, who I'm going to start while we're on vacation next week. I really like the way it looks and based on some of the results the girls at the Sexy Knitters Club have had with this pattern, I think this will look awesome in black. They did this as a KAL in April and I really like the finished product. I'm on the search for the right yarn and I hope I'm successful before we get on the plane on Wednesday night. Knitting with cotton really hurts my hands, but Orangina is also made of cotton, so maybe the soreness is just making my hands stronger.

Until then, I'll keep plugging away on my Somewhat Cowl. The back and forth knitting is so slow, but I know it will pick up once I join the round. But, for a little instant gratification, I made this little cosmetics pouch for my purse last night. Easy and it only took a couple of hours to finish.

Bonnie Blue

2006-06-06T08:02:00.000-04:00

I've been pretty busy knitting this weekend and I'm almost done with the blue tank. I think I will call her Bonnie. Real original, huh?

I finished the right side yesterday and hope to make the same kind of progress on the left side tonight. I still have the i-cord straps to do, but I think I'm going to try it on first and then knit the straps based on the fit. I like the decrease method used in the pattern, so I learned something new.

I wonder if I'll have the guts to wear it when all is said and done. Maybe with another tank under it or something. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have a finished product up for review. The cats are unimpressed, as they think mom suddenly made them a blanket for them to relax on while sunning on the back deck.

Today is sad for me. Sasha, the dog I got when I was 16 years old, has gotten too sick for us to stand by and watch her suffer through her last days. We're taking her to the vet today at 11:45a to say goodbye. She's been a good dog for 14 years and was my father's devoted companion. It's going to be a tough day, but my mom and I know it is the right thing to do. We're going to bring her ashes to Boone and spread them at the graveyard so she can be next to dad. Here's a photo of my girl just a few months ago. It's not the best picture of her, but it's the only one I had this morning.

First Official Day of Summer

2006-06-02T07:24:00.000-04:00

Each morning I usually go upstairs and run on the treadmill. It's too hot in Georgia, no matter what time of year it is, to run outside, so I run while I watch the morning news. Today is the first official day of summer for our house because school is now over for the 2005-06 school year and my husband is home now and is sleeping in as I write this, which interrupts my morning routine.

I work from home. Kevin will be home all day, too. I'm not sure how this is going to work.

My current plan is to run from 12:30 until 1p each day on my "lunch hour" and use my quiet morning time to knit. Between my morning knitting and my pre-bed knitting I may get this darn tank done after all.

30th Birthday Blues

2006-05-30T21:15:00.000-04:00

So, I turned 30 on Saturday. All of my friends and my husband are all older than I am, so I received no sympathy. I was stressed about it as the date grew closer, but it really wasn't a big deal after all.

Someone told me that their 30s was when they really figured out who they were. I hope that's true, because I have no idea. I just keep waiting to wake up one day and someone has figured it out for me, but I guess what I'll really come to grips with in my 30s is that the only one who can figure it out is you.

I'm trying to cure myself of my knitting ADD, although I've not done a particularly good job of it. I bought some craft store yarn to make the Honeymoon tank from the Knitty archive. Once I did the swatch I found that it didn't match the gauge called for in the pattern - so I knit a swatch on a size 7 needle (up one size) and although it gave me my gauge, the fabric didn't have the look I wanted. So, I decided to alter the pattern using the new gauge and knit it based on my measurements.

Let's pause here for a moment to realize that I don't do math. I hate math. I despise math. I hate everything about the possibility of adding two, two-digit numbers together without a calculator. Yes, I married a math teacher, who I use as my human calculator when I need him, but he would be little use to me in adjusting this pattern. Oh - and let's not forget that I've never finished any garment that I've EVER started.

So, I did some math (with my husband mocking me the entire time) and did a pretty good job in adjusting the stitch count as necessary. Even the decreases seemed to really work out, but when I got to the second set of increases I decided that I should try this thing on and see if it fit. I used some waste yarn to keep all my stitches in tact and slipped it on. The bottom wasn't too bad. But something had gone wrong when increasing. It was way too big. I liked the way it fit at the last set of decreases, so I decided to frog the thing back to there and continue to knit without increasing for the remaining of the tank. I think it seems to better fit my body type and I certainly don't need extra room in the bust.

I'm 1/3 of the way done before dividing for the v-shaped neckline. I was hoping to be almost done by my 30th birthday, but I guess I missed that deadline. I hope to have it done by the time we go to MA for vacation. I do have 8 hours coming up in the car when we go to Memphis in two weeks, so there's hope.

If it's true what they say about finding your true self in your 30s, I guess I confirmed for myself this weekend that I don't do math.

What day is it?

2006-05-17T16:36:00.000-04:00

I know what you mean about Monday. Kinda like the movie "Ground Hog Day", right?

I'm not even sure what day it is or where I am. My travels are out of control as well as my WIPs. Since I last blogged it has been like this...Youngstown OH, Chicago, Youngstown, Bryan TX, Youngstown, Byan, and Youngstown. I'm really glad to get the work, but give a woman a break. How can I knit with all this traveling? I have to have time to yarn shop! I used to knit on planes, but lately have been either completing work from last venue or preparing for the next place while flying. So, I've got to get it under control and have more time to complete the knitting projects.

This past week of travel was absolutely the pits! I was flying from Houston to Denver to home. Got to Denver OK and the gate agents announced there were mechanical problems with our plane, then they proceeded to load Portland OR passengers on our plane (it was in our gate) and send them on our way. We waited for them to fix the Portland plane so we could take off. At 11PM they finally tell us they are cancelling the flight. I was re-booked on a 4PM flight on Saturday. Well there were about 60 of us booked on the Friday night cancelled flight, so 5 of us rented a car, left Denver at 12MN and drove 8.5 hours to get home. I was beat and am still fuming at the airlines. I really hate flying United and take all pains to avoid them whenever possible. I still haven't written my letter to the customer relations department of United, but believe me, I will. I don't usually get all bent out of shape about the trials of flying, but for them to outright lie to us, make us wait 3 hours before cancelling the trip and then don't have anything to offer til 4PM the Saturday afternoon! Meanwhile, I couldn't knit at all on the road trip home that night, it was pitch dark in the van all the way down the interstate in CO and KS.

I've frogged and restarted the ecru shell that I was knitting with the Cascade Yarn, then put it aside because Lisa wanted me to knit something for a silent auction that the ice skating club is having to raise some money for the club. She specifically wanted a ballet sweater. I found an adult pattern on the Lion Brand web site for free, got the Lion Brand Color Waves yarn while in Bryan and started the project. The pieces of it are finished but not put together. The yarn isn't the greatest, but the sweater will be washable and that is what the ice skaters will need. Maybe someone will buy it, but I'm totally prepared for it not to bring even the amount of the yarn. Next time, I'll just donate the amount of money that I would have spent for yarn and forego the knitting project.

Then I wanted to knit a scarf (the balloon pattern) from the Interweave Knits Scarf Style book for a very dear friend. I wanted "good" yarn, so I went yarn shopping at home. I really don't like my LYS but have nothing better. The lady there is really into weaving and always treats me with a snotty attitude. (Maybe that is a pre-requisite for owning a yarn shop, who knows.) I finally ended up with some silk/cotton/merino blend and began the scarf. After only a few rounds, I found that the yarn didn't really show the stitches, so I frogged that and started another scarf from the book. I don't remember the name of the scarf and don't have the book handy. It's shown in a really nice blue yarn. I knit for a while and didn't like the width of the scarf, frogged that and started over. I'm into skein #2 on that one. I like it but probably won't use it. I may put it in the silent auction as well. There is no way it will bring what I paid for the yarn, should've just donated that amount, right? There's a pattern of behavior developing here.

Meanwhile, I ordered yarn from Knit Picks to do the balloon pattern scarf for my friend. I'm really glad that I did! The yarn is great (again don't remember the name and am at work with the ball band in my hotel room a few miles away), it's soft, a color called Mulled Wine, and the stitches look great. I started that scarf last night in the hotel room. The pattern is a 42 row repeat, so I'll probably never have it memorized and the knitting will progress slowly. Glad it's spring and she won't need it til the fall/winter. This one isn't going in the silent auction. It's turning out too pretty. I'll post pictures when I get home (strike that - IF I get home this weekend).

So, I'm not sure what day it is, I am still in Youngstown and will probably be back here next week, with our without getting home this weekend.

I'm ready for a knitting retreat, Camp Stitches????TKGA conference????? Stitches Midwest or Stitches East????? What about you? I swore I wasn't going to one this year, but I'm getting itchy fingers and of course, I don't travel enough so this would be an excuse for a trip! HAHAHAHA Maybe we should plan something...Camp Stitches is June - in North Carolina, TKGA is July, Stitches Midwest is August, Stitches East is November. Lots to choose from. Last year was so much fun.

It's Still Monday

2006-05-03T19:41:00.000-04:00

Ever had one of those weeks where it feels like Monday every day of the week? Well, I've had one of those weeks for the last three weeks. Last night was the first time I actually got to knit anything that I really wanted to work on. All I have to show for three weeks time is one baby sock. ONE BABY SOCK! How horrible. I really want to knit a cute tank to wear while I'm in Boston this summer. So, this weekend I plan to go and buy yarn and start this tank - come hell or high water.

On top of me missing my knitting terribly, Kevin and I have decided to start eating better, so I'm cranky and hungry. ARGH. It's still Monday, isn't it?

Baby Things

2006-04-19T22:33:00.000-04:00

I love the cute hat. What yarn did you use? I got an email today that a co-worker's wife delivered yesterday so I need to make a baby gift as well. I haven't given much thought about what to knit. What do you think new parents would like to get?
Am finishing the shell that I started with Cascade Fixation. I chose to short row some bust darts since I am ample in that department. It was a challenge, even for a master knitter! ;-) I got the instructions for figuring out how to make them from Margaret Righetti's book on sweater designing. It's a great reference book. The shell is very comfortable because of the elastic in the yarn. I think I'll wear it a lot for work.
I really admire your confidence to experiment and knit without instructions. That is very difficult for me to do, but am trying to stretch my ability and knit freely with just an idea of what I want the finished piece to resemble. I can learn a lot from you about freeing up my knitting.
I'm on the road for several days now. I'm in Youngstown, OH this week, will be in Chicago over the weekend, Mon and Tue then back to Youngstown for the remainder of next week. I'll be in Texas for the first 2 weeks of May which might be good knitting time, if I can decide what to make. If you will be there, maybe we can meet for dinner or something.

I'm No Master Knitter, But...

2006-04-14T12:34:00.000-04:00

First, congratulations on completing your work to become a certified Master Knitter. That's so exciting. I have thought about looking into starting this process, but I'm a little nervous. We'll see.

I've been collecting baby patterns over the last couple of weeks. We have friends who are due this summer and I thought I would have time to knit a few little things before their due dates. When we came home from vacation, we found out our friends who were due at the end of April/early May delivered on March 31. Britten Taylor was 6 lbs 10 oz and 18 inches long when she was born - a little on the small side, but can you imagine how big she would have been if she was born five weeks later! I made this little hat by combining several patterns and I'm almost done with the baby socks.

I don't like booties. They look silly and never stay on. And after they come home from the hospital, who puts these things on their kids. I ordered a book on baby socks off of e-bay that should be here any time now. Baby things are so remarkably small. I knew this before I started, but I kept looking at the hat thinking that it would never fit. But, it did.

I hope I can stay ahead of everyone else's birthdays so I will have a gift to take to the hospital. Britten and mom are doing fine and she's been home for over a week now.

Vacation Knitting

2006-04-10T21:07:00.000-04:00

I was on vacation two weeks ago and being a road warrior for work last week, so I've not had time to post. In fact, my husband chose a vacation spot with no internet access and very little cell coverage in an effort to make me slow down. I really think it did more harm than good since I almost had a nervous breakdown without my e-mail or web access for a week.

I can admit it. When packing for vacation I had illusions of grandeur. I packed all of the yarn I needed to complete my Somewhat Cowl sweater. I packed enough yarn to make two pair of socks. I also packed some kitchen cotton to make my cute purse. I thought I would have all of this time to lounge around and knit. I guess I also thought that I became the fastest knitter in the world overnight. Needless to say I made progress on all of my projects - some more than others - but progress on each.

Somewhat Cowl Sweater: I've found out that the ragglan sleeve measurements may be off and I'll need to alter this to be sure it isn't too loose.

Mulligan Socks: I've frogged this damn thing four times now. I hate the way the heel is working out and I need to frog it AGAIN.

Polly Purse (Cute Purse): Polly was easy, but hard on my hands. I've got the embroidery to finish (four flowers) and I think I'm going to line this before I seam it up. We'll see how that goes.

Master Knitter

2006-03-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

I DID IT!!!! I've achieved the official title of Master Knitter. I got the final letter this week, with congratulations from the Master Knitting Committee! It was a lot of work. I did the Level 1 work in 2002, had some swatches to re-do but basically got through it OK. Then in 2004 I did the work for Level 2. I started Level 3 late in 2004 and sent off the swatches, hat and sweater along with the written work in March 2005. I got the review back with a lot of swatches needed to be re-worked. My mistake was using Lion Brand Wool Ease so the tension was a mess. I had worked some swatches in a Lamb's Pride wool and they were passed as submitted. After the Christmas holidays, I used either Lamb's Pride or Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn and re-did all the required swatches. Then the hat had to be reknit. It was a Fair Isle and the review committee didn't approve my technique. I finally got all the re-work mailed off in late February. One swatch of the re-submission needed some re-work this time. It was the invisible bind-off technique. The commitee chair was very helpful in mastering this technique. I re-did that one and mailed it off a couple of weeks ago. Finally, I have passed all the work and can consider myself a Master Knitter. I sometimes wonder what my mother would think of this. She wasn't much for guilds or clubs. So I think she is probably laughing at my thrill for passing the work. I'm pretty proud though. I would recommed that every knitter do the course. It is sponsored by The Knitting Guild Association and can be found at the TKGA.com web site. TKGA has a national conference in PA in July. I am thinking of attending at least part of the conference. I know I said I wasn't going to a knitting conference this year, but as the time approaches, I get itchey to attend. We had so much fun at Stitches East, maybe we should try to attend this one.

Your last post mentioned knitting magazines. Did you get the latest Vogue Knitting? There is a dress that I think you should try for yourself. It is made of Cascade Fixation, one of my favorite yarns. I have decided to work out a pattern for a top that I can wear with my St. John's suits. Will keep you posted on that.

I've finished the Dazzling Knits vest that I posted a few weeks ago. I'll add pictures later but right now am looking for buttons for it. I've also finished the knitting of the Catherine Lowe Body Wrap. I need to block it and will post pictures of it later as well. So I'm looking for projects again. Always need someting on the needles, right?

Super Cute Summer Purse

2006-03-21T19:26:00.000-05:00

In preparation for our beach trip I checked out the 10 day forecast. Unfortunately, it looks like I won't be getting a suntan since the high is supposed to be 68 degrees. So it looks like I will be getting a lot more knitting done than I expected and that's not bad news.

Over the weekend I purchased two new knitting magazines and I've been saving them to enjoy them while I'm on vacation. I didn't think looking at my mom's new knitting magazine was cheating and while I browsed the pages of the Family Circle Easy Knitting magazine, I found the cutest spring/summer purse. It's hard to find a cute, non-felted, purse for warmer weather. The best news, it's knit in kitchen cotton and it seems really easy.

I think I'm going to do this in yellow with blue and white flowers, so it won't show dirt so badly. Big needles, big yarn... I'm guessing it won't take too long to knit. We'll see how it comes out. I'll post a photo later. I thought FCEKnitting would have a photo of it on their site - but it hasn't been updated since 2005.

I've also done some research about LYS at my vacation spot and there's one right downtown. This map was very helpful. Pretty neat for travelers.

Socks and Jocks

2006-03-18T23:15:00.000-05:00

I've gotten a lot of knitting done this weekend, thanks to the NCAA Basketball tournament. With a house full of guys cheering for or against one team or another, I've had to busy myself with something other than television. Don't get me wrong - I love college basketball, but there simply wasn't room for me to comfortably sit, enjoy the games and knit all at the same time. So here's what I've been working on:

My Mulligan Socks:
Ready to start the heel on this one. I'm going to do short row heels on these socks because I think I'll like the look a lot better. I hope to have at least one heel done before I go to the beach.

My Dorthy Scarf:
This is the emerald green scarf that I frogged last Sunday night while watching the Soprano's. I started the so-called scarf pattern that evening and the goal was to finish it before I left for my trip to NYC this week; however, my trip was postponed so now there's not a lot of rush. I will say that the stitch pattern is addictive and produces a woven, cloth-like effect with the yarn.

I'm a Ball-er:
I dragged out my ball winder on Friday night and wound the hanks of Blue Sky Alpaca I ordered for my Somewhat Cowl sweater. I will knit the swatch before heading to the beach so I'm not trapped there without the right size of needles. I hope I make a lot of progress on this project while I'm there. While the winder was out, I went ahead and wound other hanks in my stash.

I'll Take a Mulligan - Or Two

2006-03-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

Well, make that three. Last week I visited my sister in Boone and went to the LYS in Blowing Rock - Nan's Yarn Nook. I went in to buy the Addi Turbos for knitting my Somewhat Cowl sweater and I made the mistake of looking at the sock yarn. I bought enough to make two more pairs. I enjoyed my first pair and they are so darn portable, they fit my travel lifestyle.

So after a long day, I started a new sock. I was lazy and got cocky, so I didn't knit a swatch. I know. I know. Don't even go there. I really shouldn't be surprised that it was too small when I had the chance to slip it on.

So, I frogged it. It wasn't too painful - this time. Now you would think that I had learned my lesson and would have taken a little bit of time to knit a swatch before starting over. Of course not. I prefer to simply guess, keep my fingers crossed and get as far as turning the heel before I realize that I still didn't have enough CO stitches.

So I'm on my third try. I'm hard headed, but I eventually took time to knit a swatch last night, measure it and figure out the exact measurements I need for my socks. I will cast on tomorrow just to have something portable in the works.

Speaking of portable, the emerald green scarf that I knit on the flight to NYC has been calling my name recently. I really don't like the way it came out. Maybe it's because I never added fringe. Maybe it's because I don't like the way the variegated yarn almost striped when knit on the vertical. No matter what it is, I think I'm going to frog it tomorrow and start this "so-called scarf" pattern. I think the outcome is really cool and I think the variegated shades of green will really look cool in this pattern. I just love the color of this yarn too much to hate the project that it is used for.

I'm winding balls of yarn tomorrow. My Blue Sky Alpaca and the el-cheapo cotton that I ordered from Webs arrived on Thursday. Maybe I'll frog the scarf and wind it while I have the materials out. I'll post more tomorrow - with photos.

Olympic Non-participant

2006-02-28T15:11:00.000-05:00

There were many more watchers of the Olympics than participants, right? Well, at least I'm using that to justify my position of not knitting in the Olympics. I am still working on the vest from Dazzling Knits that I posted a few weeks ago. I don't take it on the road with me so my knitting is limited to only my days at home, lately that has been all too few. I'm getting ready to finish it though as it looks as if I will be staying at home with Grandmother Duty for 3 days one week and 5 days the following week later this month. I'll post when that is finished. I'm also still working on the Body Wrap by Catherine Lowe. It is 4 large triangles of which 2 are completed and the 3rd is on the needles.

This body wrap may be my never ending project. I decided to opt for the kit when I realized that I could spend almost as much money picking out yarn only to get a second rate product. The yarn is finger weight silk, wool and mohair. The dying is fabulous so the color is very even. I couldn't get her gauge with the size 6 needles and dropped to size 4s. This is hurting my hands, but at least it is on target with gauge. The funny thing is that I had a lot of yarn left over when I had completed the required number of rows and stitches, so I changed the sizing to a total of 423 stitches instead of the 375. I do like the density of the fabric better than if I had used the size 6 needles, even if it takes more stitches to get to the measurements. It's all a matter of taste, right, but its a LOT of stitches that I would have to frog and a lot of re-knitting I would have to do if it doesn't turn out right.

Your Olympic Socks are great! You live in a climate where you can wear the socks with clogs or sandals all winter. Have you tried to knit any socks with Cascade Fixation? The yarn is great for socks, although a little larger yarn than sock yarn. The yarn has some elastic spun into the fiber so it stretches. Makes a great fitting sock that doesn't bag or stretch out of shape. They have wonderful colors and great colorways in the yarn. Try this web site http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-fixation.asp It is inexpensive, costs less than $5.00 a ball and requires only 2 balls to make a pair of socks. I get one sock with less than one ball, but will start the second sock with the second ball to avoid having to start the second ball halfway through the second sock.
When I first returned to knitting a few years ago I did a google search on knitting. I found a plethora of web sites with hand knitted socks. After spending a few hours online looking at a lot of the posts, I decided I must be the only person in the world not knitting socks, so I had to try my hand at them. I've made a few pairs, they make great gifts (where else is the recipient going to get a pair of hand knit socks) but aren't too practical for my climate. I have a friend who is an outdoor person and loves the socks with her boots. Not for me...How can I be outside, wearing boots and knitting. Just doesn't fit. I do wear them with my Berkinstocks in the fall and spring. They always get someone's attention, giving me what we all like, a chance to say, "Thanks, I knit them."

So maybe in 2 years during the summer Olympics I'll knit something, at least I can deram of what I would like to do. How about a summer cardigan, cotton, white, lacey??? I've got plenty of time to think about that one.

I like your choices in tops and can completely understand that pacing oneself with knitting is impossible. Maybe even an oxymoron, Pacing and Knitting, totally incompatible. I truely believe the saying, so much yarn, so little time.

A Successful Pair of Socks

2006-02-25T21:23:00.000-05:00

Yes, my olympic knitting socks are complete. In fact, I'm wearing them right now. I'm pretty happy with the way they came out. I'm not sure the heel is quite right, but they fit. On my next pair of socks - yes, I think there will be another pair - I hope to try a more complicated pattern and maybe it will have a different way to turn the heel.

The yarn is ordered for my Somewhat Cowl sweater, as well as cotton for my "beach knitting sweater." I'm afraid that I'm going to have a bit of withdraw without something to be focused on until the yarn arrives. I've got plenty of yarn to knit dish cloths for the next week, so I may try a complicated pattern to practice a few new stitches.

Olympic Knitting - Days 9, 10 & 11

2006-02-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

I'm almost done with sock number 2. All I have left is the remainder of the foot and grafting the toe. If I can find some time over the next two days, I'll be in good shape. I know - socks aren't that challenging and required no blocking and such, but it was somewhat of a challenge for me. I don't like the way my stitches look when I pick up stitches, so I need practice or suggestions, or lessons or something. I just don't like how they look, so I'm doing something wrong, I'm sure.

It's important that I get this right because I have found my next project, The Somewhat Cowl, and I've got the yarn ordered - so this is a commitment. I found this pattern by accident when browsing Olympic Knitting blogs and I not only love this pattern, I really enjoy reading her blog. There's also a cool link to The Garter Belt. Some neat, modern, attractive patterns are available. I thought it was a good find. So, cancel the other two projects I mentioned last time - I have such knitting A-D-D right now it's horrible. So scattered about projects I want to complete that I get so overwhelmed that I can't even figure out the best place to start.

One Sock Down, One to Go - Olympic Days 6-8

2006-02-17T18:13:00.000-05:00

I'm half way there! One sock complete, one more to go.

And the first one fits.

I'm babysitting tomorrow night for a little one, and after he goes to bed I'll have some uninterrupted time to dedicate to sock number 2. While completing the matching sock (fingers crossed), I'll have to think of a name for these girls (I think green and purple socks have to be girls).

I've really enjoyed knitting these socks and I'm excited to cast on the second one tonight. I'm already looking for my next project since I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with these socks. I'm thinking about this bandeau top. I thought it would look cute for spring, maybe with a white t-shirt and jean jacket. It's cute and it is a beginner's fair isle pattern.

Another choice is this cute tank from knitty called Honeymoon . It's a good pattern to practice my shaping and it will be cute to wear with jeans or, if I dare, under a suit.

I've not forgotten about my Einstein coat. It's just so hot here this winter (82 today) and I'm burning up with it just laying in my lap. I cannot imagine wearing it this year. So, once we turn the A/C on in the house - I'll get back at it.

Knitting Olympics - Days 4 & 5

2006-02-14T20:56:00.000-05:00

I'm working on the foot of the sock. After successfully turning the heel and in the middle of knitting the instep, one of my brand new Brittany needles cracked and eventually broke. I had enough length on the needle to continue to work, but I will have to make a trip to the LYS to get another set.

I was a little shocked by the break, since I have other Brittany needles and they are such high quality, I really didn't expect this to happen. But I believe that the true sign of a good company is how they handle problems and Brittany has this covered. I happened to notice on the needle pack that the needles are guaranteed for five year s. I went to the website and all I had to do was send an e-mail with the needle information and they would replace my needle within two weeks! How fantastic. While I will still need to purchase a new set, eventually I will have two complete sets. I guess I better get good at knitting socks.

Could this be equated to Kerri Scruggs in the 1996 Summer Olympics when she hurt herself on her first vault, but went back out there and nailed her second vault to win the gold for the women's gymnastic's team? Ok, that might be pushing it, but I am making progress. I just hope they fit after all is said and done.

Knitting Olympics - Days 1-3

2006-02-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

I'm making progress. I hope to finish the heel tonight, but here's what I've learned so far in my three short days of the Knitting Olympics:

1. Knitting with toothpicks takes some getting use to. However, I love my size 2 Brittany needles and after a few rounds I've gotten the hang of it. I can't imagine what working with size 1 or 0 might be like.

2. I'm not knitting socks for church. In the process of working the leg, I missed a stitch and had a hole in my sock. Not good.

3. Frog in circles. I tried to ladder down to fix the hole, but being a novice at making teeny, tiny stitches, I had little success at fixing my mistake. I ripped back, but didn't rip an entire round, so after a couple of rounds I realized that the end/beginning of my round was no longer the end/beginning.

I need to get moving on this heel if I want to try and stay on schedule. Only 13 days left.

Update

2006-02-09T16:33:00.000-05:00

Its great that you are knitting in the Olympics. I was so amazed with some of the projects when I visited the web site. I thought about joining, but couldn't decide what I wanted to knit. So, I'll be anxious to follow your progress with the socks. I have knit a few pairs and find them a lot of fun to knit, but not nearly so much fun to wear. I agree with you, can't wear them to work, don't wear work boots and since I'm always traveling the Birkenstocks don't travel with me. I find that when I'm at home, I do wear the socks with the the sandals around the house. So I get some wear out of them.
I haven't started anything new lately. Still working on the vest from Dazzling Knits. It is so much fun to knit but can't work on it while on the road as well. I am traveling with the Catherine Lowe BodyWrap from the kit I bought. It will take a long time to finish it. I find the knitting difficult since the yarn is lace weight and the wrap is so large, however it is all garter stitch and is meditative knitting. Stress reducing after a long day.
I'm in Newark this week, going to Texas next week. If anyone reads our blog I'll bet they think we must work for the same company, both going to Texas at about the same time. I'll be in Bryan/College Station, what about you?

The Newest Knit-lete

2006-02-08T16:07:00.000-05:00

I decided to challenge myself over the 16-days of the Olympics, so I signed up for the Knitting Olympics, just prior to the deadline of midnight last night. However, I decide not to tackle the sweater I posted previously. I plan on knitting this sweater over Spring Break at the beach (yes, when you're married to a school teacher you still get spring break). Due to lack of funds to buy the yarn required for the sweater and the threat of a ton of travel in February, I've decided to complete a basic pair of socks as a part of the Knitting Olympics. I figure that if I am sent back to Texas over the 16 days of the event (totally likely), that socks will be easier to manage on the plane.

I'm going to use this pattern from Vogue Knitting, Fall 1992. It gives good directions (believe it or not) and I like how basic the pattern is (I'm not all that keen on fancy socks anyway - I can't wear them with heels and a suit, so why bother). I'm going to do my best to update each day.

In other news, I've felted my free-form purse. I don't know what I will use for handles, but what I do know is that they won't be knitted. I'm going to try something different. Who knows what I'll come up with. I'll post photos later once the handles are on - whatever they turn out to be.

Podcasts & Knit-letes

2006-01-29T19:24:00.000-05:00

I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow evening and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to take with me. I think I'm going to try my hand at making another sock. The purse I'm working on has gotten too big for me to drag along. I do have a new guilty pleasure while flying. I've really gotten into a knitting podcast called Cast-On. It is fantastic - like NPR meets Debbie Bliss. She uploads each Friday and I have a new edition in my ipod to enjoy each week. You can download on your computer as well if you want to listen to them while you work. Check it out. She's really great.

I read the Yarn Harlot's blog pretty regularly - not just for the great knitting, but for her fantastic sense of humor. We heard her speak at Stitches and she's written a couple of books. For the 2006 Winter Olympics, she is organizing the Knitting Olympics.

I've toyed with the idea of joining in to participate, just to challenge myself. All of the rules are listed on the site, but the gist is to begin knitting something on Feb 10 and have it finished when the Olympics conclude 16 days later on Feb 26. It might be a good way to force myself to finish a sweater. I've started at least three and have finished none.

So, I've had my eye on this sweater from last summer's Family Circle Easy Knits. I thought it would be cute for spring and I can use it while I'm in MA boating this summer. I have no idea what color I will do it in, but it's easy enough to complete while sitting in front of the TV at night and if I'm traveling it may not be too big to tag along in my bag.

I'm going to make my decision on whether or not I'm a worthy Knit-lete this week.

Latest projects

2006-01-29T18:07:00.000-05:00

I've been working on the Concha Vest from the book Dazzling Knits by Patricia Werner. This is the most fun project I've had in a long time. Knitting a "shell" goes very fast and you can't wait to see what another shell will add to the look. I find myself knitting longer than I plan every time I pick it up. I'm using Debbie Bliss Cotton and Angora that I got on sale. What do you think? Looks good, huh? I've never been a big vest person, but I think this will look good with black pants and turtle neck.

I'm also knitting on the Body Wrap from Catherine Lowe that we saw at Stitches East. The yarn came a couple of weeks ago. It's a lace weight, so progress is slow. Nevertheless, I'm about done with one triangle. It will make a great road trip knitting project so it will go with me to Texas this week and to Newark the following week. It feels great to have another road trip project! I traveled to Texas, Seattle and Newark the first 3 weeks of January and didn't have any projects. I worked too many Sudoku puzzles instead of being productive with work or knitting.

Hope your week is a good one. Where are you off to this week?

Another Week, Another City

2006-01-17T22:57:00.000-05:00

I'm on the road again this week. This time it is the great state of Texas. I will be doing this commute regularly now. On the plane I finished the long, emerald green scarf I started on my trip to NYC in early December. I'll take a photo once I take care of the loose ends. I'm looking for ideas to finish the fringe. I'm thinking about spiral fringe, but we'll see if I can come up with any other options. I don't know that this trim is the best option, but it does need something.

I also started a felted purse tonight. I've got the base completed and I'll cast on three times the amount of stitches I started with and join in the round to complete the sides. I'm not using a pattern, just experimenting as I go along. I'm using the bright yarn that I used to make the fingerless mittens. I'm curious to see what it will look like felted. I hope pretty neat.

I was making great progress on my Einstein Coat until I found that there's a hole in my knitting a pretty good ways into the panel. I guess I split the yarn and it pulled loose to make that darn hole. I'm going to sit down and figure out exactly which stitch the problem child is located in and rip that stitch all the way down and fix it with a crochet hook. I was shown how to do this in my cable class at Stitches and I've used it a few times, but just for a few stitches - not 75! I'll let you know how it goes. Fingers and toes crossed.

Amazing

2006-01-07T23:07:00.000-05:00

The Wright Wrap is AMAZING! Both beautiful in design and detail. It lays beautifully when worn. I hope you wear it out. It's just beautiful. I'm sure the pattern is way out of my league, but it is something to aspire to. I wonder what it would look like in a different color pallet. I'm sure Interweave will love it. Who wouldn't? I love that it is knit in Cascade 220. What wonderful colors they have and such a range to choose from. I wonder what it would look like in brown/earth tones? Maybe more pastel for spring.

I've been knitting a lot this week. I'm almost done with my first sock. I have to admit that I don't think I'm a sock person. Maybe the second pair will be better. I'm considering frogging this one and starting over, but I'm almost ready to start the decrease rows for the toe. Here's a photo of the top portion that I took earlier this morning. I turned the heel and knit the instep this evening. I'll just finish it off and consider it practice, then rip it out. While I love this yarn, it's the same I used for Mandy, I don't like the way it looks for socks. I have a few balls of Sock Garden from KnitPicks that I may dig into for my next practice sock. I don't have enough of one color to make a pair, but I have enough to practice with. I'm back on the road week after next, so I may just have to get good at socks so I have something to do while I'm gone since my Einstein Coat is too enormous to manage on a plane.

I'm almost done with the bottom portion of the Einstein coat. I've completed 115 rows of 160. I took a photo for proof. Maybe by tomorrow evening I'll have it done and be ready to pick up stitches to start the front. I've got a really busy week ahead of me next week, so I've got to get my knitting in this weekend.

Ophelia!

2006-01-02T21:51:00.000-05:00

I think she is just beautiful and the mittenettes are great. I am still working with the yarn that I got at Stitches, plus the other yarns. I did an afghan for Lisa for Christmas and finished the sweater I was working on at Disneyworld. I'm also re-working my master's level submission. I had to re-do a lot of the swatches, mainly because I didn't use a good quality wool so the swatches didn't turn out with consistent gauge. Perhaps I'll be able to get the re-worked submission in the mail soon. I wanted to finish before I had to return to work, but that isn't happening. I leave tomorrow but I'm not looking forward to it. I've been at home for 3 weeks, so going back to work is really difficult. I would rather stay home and knit. At least I'm not going North at this time of year, but am going to Texas for the week, back to Seattle next week.
I'm glad to see you knitting continental style. It really does build up speed and allow you to finish projects faster, which means you can get on to the next one! Somehow, we never run out of projects.
See you soon in the blog.

Inspiration Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass window

2006-01-02T21:37:00.000-05:00

Inspiration window

This is where it all started. I bought this faux stained glass window in 1998 and knew for several years that I wanted to knit something from it. Now I have the wrap!

Front view

2006-01-02T21:36:00.000-05:00

Wright Wrap front view

And this is the way the front looks.

Wright wrap wrapped

2006-01-02T21:35:00.001-05:00

Wright Wrap wrapped

This is the way the wrap looks when wrapped across the front.

Wright Wrap Finhished!!!

2006-01-02T21:35:00.000-05:00

Wight Wrap back view

Well, I'm sorry to do 4 separate blogs here. I can publish more than one picture, but didn't take the time to review how to do it.
I wanted to share my masterpiece! It turned out even better than I expected. In this view you can see the back. It is knit with Cascade 220 in stockinette stitch with duplicate stitch to create the "lead" lines from the inspiration stained glass window.

I've emailed the pics to Interweave knits for consideration for publication. Problem is that I don't intend to ever knit it again, and magazines usually expect the designer to knit it in the colors they want. We'll see.
Hope you like it.

Behold Beautiful Ophelia

2005-12-31T14:46:00.000-05:00

Here's Ophelia in all her glory. I'm happy with the way it came out. The directions say to put thin wire in every piece of that fringe, but I think it will be fine as is. I'm not sure when I'll get to wear it since it is 70 degrees here today. But I finished her before the new year.

While looking online for a new pattern to work on, I read one of my favorite blogs, Midnight Knitter, and decided to try these mittenettes. I really have no reason and I'm sure I won't ever wear them it gave me an excuse to do two things:

1. Use my new ball winder that my mom gave me for Christmas
2. Practice shaping and I've never tried to do something with a thumb.

I used the great wool that we bought at Stitches in those grab bags for $15. The ball winder was a necessity. There has to be 400+ yards in one of those hanks. I think they look pretty neat. I finished the first last night in about two hours. I worked the left this morning in about an hour and a half and all I have left is the top ribbing and the thumb. I'm no longer throwing my stitches and I can definitely knit a lot faster.

I wonder if my sister would want something like this to use while driving. We'll see. It made me think that I might want to try a pair of socks next. The yarn was easy to work with. I'm not sure what the other 350 yards will become, but after looking at the way the colors came out, I may try felting something in it. We'll see.

Yes, I'm still working on the Einstein Coat. I've completed another 50 rows on the bottom. Only 67 more to go before picking up the stitches to start the top of the coat.

Ophelia Lives

2005-12-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

Yes, except for blocking, Ophelia is complete. I have to say I was pretty scared pulling out those last five stitches, but it worked like a dream. Not one problem. I didn't have quite enough yarn, so instead of 16 rings, I only did 15. I'm glad I cut it short because it gave me enough yarn to embroider the daisies in every other ring. I'm excited to post it. I'm in search of another cable pattern to start soon. I'll let you know what I find.

Also on the needles, a green variegated scarf that I started as a travel project. I've neglected my Einstein Coat, so I've recommitted myself to get back to this pattern. I really need to do something more than scarves. I think once I successfully complete a sweater, I won't be so hesitant. After the blocking, I'll post photos of Ophelia.

Comfort Wrap

2005-11-15T18:11:00.000-05:00

This is the wrap I finished for my friend.

I thought you might like to see the wrap I created for my friend. I've had great knitting time on this trip and finished it on Sunday. The picture isn't the greatest. My computer has a small camera built in and I used it to snap the pic. Had to use the motel room lighting, which isn't the best.
The shawl was a simple pattern, 66 stitches, and a 4 row repeat creating a subtle pattern in the design. I used a yarn from Michael's that's so soft, size 11 needles, knit til it was fingertip to fingertip in length, then created a crochet chain fringe. I think it turned out pretty cool. I wanted something similar to the "prayer shawl" and think I got a good wrap that I hope she will enjoy using.

Great flower

2005-11-14T15:27:00.000-05:00

I think the flower is fantastic! Glad that you told me about the size. I haven't started mine yet, but the yarn, needles etc are in my carryon bag. I got the impluse to knit what we called years ago a "stole", now a shawl or wrap, for a friend of mine who's mother died a few months ago and her father died in October. I wanted her to have something to wrap her arms around when she feels she needs a hug. So I brought that project and finished it last night (I didn't get to travel home this weekend). It is really pretty and unfortunately I don't have a camera with me that will take a decent picture. I plan to send it to here before I go home on Thursday. Now that the wrap is finished, I'll do the flower tonight.

I'm also finishing a sweater that I'm knitting for Heidi for Christmas. I think I wrote about it earlier.

What are you knitting now that you have finished your flower project? Can't wait to see the finished Ophelia. When it comes to doing the fringe, just take a deep breath and do it. Does the pattern speak to blocking before you do the frings? I think you will end up with kinky fringe if you do that and I thought the picture was very straight. Is that right?

Airplane Knitting

2005-11-09T22:05:00.000-05:00

I brought along my flower pattern and thought it would take me this evening to complete it, but I finished this ginormous flower in about an hour on the flight to Dallas today. I think the next flower I do, and I will do more, I'm going to reduce the pattern. It's too big to wear comfortably, but perfect for decorating a purse or worn low on a sweater (on the side or something). I'm happy with it and I'm excited to look for more color combinations. The lighting is horrible, but you get the idea.

I'm Getting There

2005-11-06T00:02:00.000-05:00

I'm getting closer to being done with Ophelia. I've completed 10 rings - only 6 more to go, then embroidering the daisy in every other ring, blocking and then unraveling the garter stitches on the right side to create the fringe (which I'm nervous about). I'm guessing it will take about 10 more hours to finish her. I won't be wearing her in Georgia any time soon though. It is supposed to be 80 degrees here every day next week!

I've ignored my flowers, but I am flying to Dallas this week and I plan to bring this project with me. I have my first evening completely unplaned, so this should supply enough time for me to make headway on it. I'm sure that once I start knitting with that Touch Me yarn, I'm not going to want to put it down. I'm still kicking myself for not buying this yarn for a scarf. Maybe after the holidays.

Touch Me Peony

2005-10-31T10:36:00.000-05:00

Remember the Touch Me yarn that we bought at Stitches East? I have knit the Peony and finally got the beads for the center completed yesterday. It looks funky in the picture, because the leaf doesn't look like a leaf at all. It looks better in real life. Am at home today, so I can Trick or Treat with Heidi tonight, so I'm off to Michaels to get a sew-in pin-back for the peony pin. How is your pin coming along. Have you done the other pin yet. My yarn is sitting here, waiting to knit that one as well. I think the pins are unique. We for sure won't ever see another just like them. Can't wait to see Ophelia when she is finished.

The Touch Me Peony Pin is much better in real life. Here the green leaf doesn't look too good.

Christmas Stockings

2005-10-31T10:35:00.000-05:00

My knitting time has been taken up with this project that I wish I had never said I would do. A friend of Lisa's "Kate" wanted me to duplicate her hand-knit Christmas stocking for other members of her family. In addition, in the area where the name is on the front, had a date that she wanted changed. Not an easy task. I wasn't able to find yarn that matched exactly, but this is close. "Chip" is my coy. I think it turned out OK. Now to do Chas and Vivi stockings. I hope to have them completed before Thanksgiving. I'm due to go to Seattle for about 10 days in mid November,so this will be my knitting project for the road.
In addition, I am knitting a sweater for Heidi out of the Debbie Bliss Cotton and Angora. It is so soft, but leaves fuzz everywhere (from the Angora) so I learned to put a towel on my lap while knitting. It is knit from the top down and in the round, all stockinette so it is mindless knitting.

These are the stockings. The ?Kate? one is the original and ?Chip? is my copy

Catching Up

2005-10-23T00:22:00.000-04:00

I've been slow on knitting these last couple of weeks. I did finish Mandy this week and I'm excited for the weather to change so I can wear her (it was 89 here twice this past week). I'm making some progress on my Einstein Coat, but I will admit that I've neglected him badly. I've completed eight repetitions of the cable on Ophelia. I received a reprint of the pattern from Patternworks earlier this week in the mail. I'm glad to see they made the necessary corrections.

My goal this week is to complete three more sections on Ophelia and finalize my list of knitting projects for the holidays. Oh, I bought the most wonderful 100% llama yarn at an arts and crafts festival last weekend. It was spun with black and natural colored fiber and no dyes. It is so amazingly soft. She had a skein of solid black that I'm wishing I had bought as well. I've got her card, so I may have to have her send it to me. I'm unsure of what I will do with it, but it felt so good and the black and natural combo was too hard to pass up.

Wow

2005-10-06T12:44:00.000-04:00

Your cables are great and you sure are speedy with the knitting! You must be having fun! Are you using the left handed yarn method or throwing the yarn over the needle with the right? I haven't read the pattern for the scarf so I didn't know about the dropped stitches. Where are they? The ones that look like ribbing in the photo? I'm on a mailing list from Herrschners Yarn Shop and each week get emails with sales. Today I purchased Debbie Bliss's Cotton and Angora yarn for $3.47 a skein (usually 7.50). Can't wait to see it! I figured I couldn't go too wrong with that blend. I got a variety of colors and hope to knit a sweater for Heidi as well as the top from Dazzling Knits. I don't ofen buy from Herrschner's, but couldn't resist the Debbie Bliss yarn this week.
Keep me posted on your progress with Ophelia. I love the way you name all your projects.

Dramatic Ophelia

2005-10-06T10:16:00.000-04:00

Here's where I am. I'm a little obsessed with getting her done. I hope be at least half way (8 circles) by the end of this weekend. I'm a little nervous about the finishing and slipping all of those stitches to create the fringe. I have nightmares of everything unwraveling itself.

Cable Crazy

2005-10-05T16:51:00.000-04:00

I'm having a blast making my new scarf. I started on her when I went to the beach and I am 1/4 of the way through the pattern. I am so glad I took the cable class. There were so many mistakes in the pattern (the first row was even wrong) that I wouldn't have been able to figure out what I should do to correct it. I've got it straightened out and after frogging her twice, I think it's correct. Whether it is what Ms. Epstein meant for it to be or not, I will never know, but it will be my version. It's really frustrating. I will take a photo after I work on her tonight. I think I may call her Ophelia, since she is very dramatic.

Closer to Stitches

2005-09-20T10:41:00.000-04:00

I love Mandy! What a name and what a great pattern. No wonder you are enjoying knitting it. Where did you get the pattern? If you can do that I am sure you can do the other scarf. You will love cables and will be surprised as to how fun + challenging they are to complete. I worked out a way using Excel to keep up with the patterns. Actually that is the subject of the article that is supposed to be published in the upcoming holiday issue of Cast On magazine. I don't know for sure if it will be published, but they haven't returned the sweater so I assume they are using it for pictures for the article. We'll see.
I'm getting excited about Stitches. I have packed my bag with a couple of sweaters I finished lately since I think the weather may be cool enough to wear them. I will be going to Seattle after Stitches so I am sure the sweaters will come in handy there. I got my homework swatches completed, except the felted swatch. I didn't get a chance to do that. I may do it after I get there, since the class isn't until Saturday.
I finished the knitting on the Wright Wrap I am making. Now to do the finishing work which consists of sewing the panels together, duplicate stitching to form the "lead" as in leaded glass windows and do an edging for it. Knitting it was a challenge and I'll hope to complete the finishing work during the fall.
Can't wait to see you and to visit the Stitches market with you. I have signed up for several classes and of course the fashion shows. It will be so great to spend time with you, see some knitting buddies from Tulsa and meet new ones.

Getting Longer

2005-09-17T23:40:00.000-04:00

My scarf, that I now refer to as "Mandy" since I have lunch with her at least two times a week, is getting longer. The color in this photo doesn't show the fabulous teal and camel colors in the yarn. The more I work with it the more I love the color. I hope to have her done before I leave for Atlantic City on Thursday. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, taking my cables class and going to the fashion show on Friday night. I'm excited!

My goal will be to have the guts to start this Nicky Epstein scarf when I get home. I just love the feminine quality of the cable pattern and all of the fringe. It really makes a statement. We'll see if I get the confidence to start this.

I'm still working on my Einstein Coat, but I'm getting bored with the garter stitch pattern. I'm traveling the entire week after Stitches, so I'll bring it along in the car to hopefully make some progress.

Northwest Knitting

2005-09-08T00:33:00.000-04:00

I';m blogging tonight from the Seattle area, actually Edmonds, Washington. I finally got a few minutes to go into the downtown Edmonds area last week while out here. It is absolutely a wonderful place that anyone would love to see. I got about 15 minutes to browse at the yarn shop, Spin A Yarn . I wish I had more time to spend there. It was wonderful. A great yarn shop with wonderful yarns. I plan to go back soon to spend more time. Problem is they close at 5PM and I usually am at work til at least that late. I bought a couple of skeins to knit a scarf. Hope to get it started soon. It will take big needles and it should go fast.

Looks like you are really doing a great job with the felted purses. I'll bet they are fun to knit, but you are right about the swatch. I all too often skip that step because I am too anxious to get right into the pattern. Knock on wood I haven't had a bad problem yet. You know it is only a matter of time til I do. If I were smart, I would learn from your mistake.

Counting the days til Stitches East. Can't wait to get with knitters again.

Little Bag Teaches Big Lesson

2005-09-05T19:54:00.000-04:00

I've finally finished Heidi's felted Lucy Bag. I love this pattern, it's really easy - great for mindless knitting - and the style is great.

This is the I've made four Lucy Bags with three different brands of yarn. The first two, made for my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, were made with Lion Brand's Fisherman's Wool. The second one, my mother's bag, was made with Lamb's Pride. This bag I used Cascade 220. The first three bags felted after four or five washings and they shrunk, but not too bad. This bag shrunk a lot in only one washing! When I went to get it out of the washer I was shocked. I had anticipated that the final outcome would be bigger, but what I have made is a smaller version of the bag. At first I was disappointed because I really liked the size of the first three bags, but the more I look at it, and try and carry it in a variety of ways, I kinda like it. Heidi doesn't really carry a big bag anyway, so it will be perfect for keys, a wallet, lipstick and a phone. What else do you need in a purse anyway?

Lesson learned - I should always felt a swatch when I use a new yarn. Emma doesn't look too impressed with the final product, does she?

I'm making a lot of progress on the ruffle scarf and I'm at the halfway point on the bottom of the coat. I hope to be done with the scarf this week and I'll post photos when I have it ready to wear.

Scarf and Coat Pictures

2005-08-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

Here are the most recent photos of the ruffle scarf and the Einstein Coat.

I have a long way to go on both, but I find myself knitting some on each every night before bed and I bring my scarf with me to work to knit at lunch. Maybe in a week or so I'll have more progress to share.

New Favorite Yarn Store

2005-08-22T12:10:00.000-04:00

I'll admit it - I've got a new favorite place to shop for yarn! I had a blast at the Threaded Bliss Yarn Shop in Nashville last Wednesday evening. I bought some great Cascade 220 in a wonderful camel, teal tweed-like color that I thought would make an interesting ruffle scarf. I hope I get to go back soon. The store Sheila has created is more like a community than just a shop. I'm so jealous that they are so far away.

My Einstein Coat is coming along. I'm almost done with the bottom section. Man - I'm sick of a garter stitch, but I love the color I chose. I'll take photos of it and the ruffled scarf tonight for posting tomorrow. That ruffle scarf works up fast and I am really having fun with the pattern. It's just what I needed. More tomorrow.

On the Road Again

2005-08-15T21:52:00.000-04:00

I found a new store, Threaded Bliss Yarns, to visit while I'm in Nashville for the next three days. I've found quite a few things that I want to add to my "gotta knit" list including a new bag for me, a sweater for my friend's son (who I am baby sitting on Friday night so I can secretly take his measurements), a poncho for my niece, a ruffled scarf for a couple of people at work and a shrug for me for this winter. I've started on my Einstein Coat. It's a huge undertaking and I'm not even through one ball of yarn yet, but I'm riding in the car a lot this week so I hope to accomplish a lot of knitting while I'm in the car. It's easy and mindless work, but it's a ton of knitting. I hope I can get it done before I go to Stitches. I'm really looking forward to it. I kinda feel like I should start a shrug too so I might have something to wear while I'm there. I'll let you know what I see at this shop in Nashville.

Airport knitting

2005-07-20T08:11:00.000-04:00

Well, where has this summer gone? I can't believe that next week is the last week in July and I have very little to show for it in the way of knitting. My traveling has picked up and I will be spending part of each week in Lincoln, NE and the other part of the week in Seattle WA for the remainder of the year. I'll need to find something that is portable knitting. The wrap that I am working on uses too many colors on each row and the pattern requires too close observation for me to feel comfortable working on it in the airport.

I am seeing more and more knitters in airports. Are you? On Monday's trip, I saw 2 women knitting in the Minneapolis airport and one on the same flight I was on into Lincoln. It is fun to see a craft that I love so much being enjoyed by others.

I envy you the shopping trip in Massachusetts. Yes, you can drop a paycheck on yarn without batting an eye. A couple of years ago I was in Stevens Point Wisconsin and found a yarn shop with a great warehouse sale. I had a shopping cart full before I stopped. I'm still working on some of that yarn, but still buy more. My motto is going to be.."She who dies with the biggest yarn stash, wins!" I'm sure that it applies to more than me when it comes to a yarn stash.

How did your summer wrap turn out? I'm so glad you bought a copy of Knitter's. It is one of my favorite mags. I've subscribed to it for a few years. You know there are people who collect all the back issues. I know someone in Tulsa who has a complete set! Every issue! It has taken her a while to collect them all, but Ebay has helped.

Successful Yarn Shopping

2005-07-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

I was on vacation last week and Kevin and I took a trip to Western Mass to visit one of my favorite yarn suppliers. I spent two hours in Webs and bought yarn to complete my Einstein Coat as well as some interesting muted cotten out of the bargin bin and some red wool for a purse. I had a blast!

One Purse Wrapped Up

2005-06-19T00:02:00.000-04:00

I still do not have the yarn for my wrap, so it's safe to say that I won't have the wrap complete for my trip to Boston. We leave a week from Tuesday, so I doubt that the yarn will come in and I'll have the time to work on it prior to our departure. Much like you, I'd like to support my new LYS, but it is frustrating to know that I could have ordered the same yarn online and had it in just a few days. It's been two weeks. Oh, well. I'm going to take your suggestion and work on a swatch with some cotton yarn I have to prepare to work on the wrap. Maybe by September it will be ready!

My interim project was the SOHO Purse from one of my new books, Bags, A Knitter's Dozen. You can wear it in three different ways. I thought is was a fun casual purse for the summer. I'm always wanting something to just throw my keys and id in for a day out. I just bought some kitchen cotton, which worked pretty well. It may not have longevity, but I can say the same for 90% of the purses I own - no matter what they are made of.

Things I learned while completing this little bag: 1) how to complete a three-needle bind off; 2) how to sew in a zipper in a knitted piece; 3) why you should allow for major stretch of the i-cord strap when you have things in the bag - I over shot this by a lot. I'll probably redo the cord on this one.

Here's a look at the finished product.:

I'm not sure if I'll do another one of these bags. A couple of people I've shown it to have been less than thrilled with the look of the bag. I guess it's a little to hippy or crunchy for them. I still want to knit one with a flap that folds over like a messenger bag.

Pattern and Wrap

2005-06-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

That's a great pattern and I think you can do it. If you are like me, I want to start knitting as soon as I can after deciding to knit the pattern. Why don't you get some yarn that you have left over from another project and appropriate sized needles, cast on about 3 multiples of the wrap's pattern stitches and practice the stitches. It will make the real project soar when your real yarn arrives, since you will already have worked out the stitches in the pattern. It will make the pattern flow much easier when you get the "good" yarn.

I finished the child's sweater and have already mailed it to Cast On. I will be writing the article to go with it, hopefully over the weekend. It's a great load off my mind to have it finished. I made a size 8 so hopefully when I get it back it will fit Heidi and she can have it for the winter.

I'm real excited to have started the ruana wrap that I designed. It is fun to knit it using all the colors that I selected. I am using intarsia since the color is in large blocks. It is not conducive to travel since I would have to carry too many balls of yarn. I'm hoping that I can enter it in a design contest later this year.
Did you get the brochure for Stitches East? I have it in my briefcase and will make my class choices soon. I hope you are still planning to go. It will be a fabulous experience for you. My first trip to a Stitches event was so great.

Step 1 - Buy Yarn

2005-06-05T14:16:00.000-04:00

Ok - it's taken me all week to complete step one of the knitting process. I took my pattern over to my new knitting store to select just the right yarn. I'd looked at a lot of different types of cotton on-line, but when you're buying 1400 yards, you also have to consider price too! Even though her store is new, the owner helped me to select just the right yarn Plymouth Fantasy Naturale, which she thought would have the right gauge, would hold up over time and would wash best. I selected a raspberry color (8016) and I hope to have the yarn in hand by next weekend so I can make up for a lot of lost time. I guess I'll have to do my housework since I have nothing to procrastinate with this week!

Commitment

2005-05-30T19:37:00.000-04:00

I treated myself to a new knitting magazine this weekend and purchased the latest issue of Knitters. It's a magazine that I don't usually buy because I never feel like I can make something in it, however; this time I just bought the magazine without looking through it. I was surprised to find quite a few adorable, knit-able, summer wraps that I think I can make. The Sunset Wrap on page 76 is so cute and would be perfect for me to take to Boston, where the summer evenings are too cool for this Georgia girl. So, I've made a commitment to make this wrap over the next month. Tomorrow I will go to my LYS to buy the 1400 yards of yarn I'll need as well as a new size 8 circular needle. I'd like to find a nice, neutral color so I can use the wrap into the fall, but I have a tendency to really dislike a blah color after working on a project for two weeks. Let's hope this goes quickly. I leave for Boston on June 28th. It looks challenging, but the outcome looks worth the effort. I'll take photos of my progress and let you know how I'm doing.

Speaking of my LYS, there's a new yarn shop in town! I just stopped in for a few minutes at Creative Yarns, but I have to say my brief experience was very positive. Friendly staff, interesting knitting opportunities and, most importantly, an eagerness to draw in younger knitters. In glancing at her class schedule, I'd like to take her color class. I do fine with just one color, but when it comes to switching colors, carrying each color along the back, etc., I have some trouble. I hope I can make the dates of the class work. Instruction aside, I'd like to have the opportunity to knit with other people. Since I'm never home, and when I am I don't want to leave, I rarely have the opportunity to knit in a group. I think it would be good for me.

Flowers!

2005-05-23T09:38:00.000-04:00

I love the flowers! I'll bet the beads took a while to do, but they really add to the flower. I can't wait to make some myself. You should think about selling these at Mossy Creek. Can you do that?

Well the sweater and the written directions must be finished by June 10th so I am working under a time frame. I'm knitting as fast as I can. I've let the master level work sit untouched for the last 2 weeks as I work on the sweater.

I haven't received anything about Stitches East, but I know it is Sept 22 - 25 and at the Atlantic City Convention Center. I agree it would be fun to stay at a Trump Hotel. Selfishly, I would like to use frequent stay points to stay free, but I'll bet that won't happen isnce my points are Marriott or Hilton points. You can go to the web site and sign up to have brochure sent to you, but I don't think it is ready yet or I would have gotten it. I got the Stitches Midwest brochure a few weeks ago and it is in August in Chicago. I can't wait to see what classes they are offering and select the ones I want to take. These events are so great, I always learn a lot and leave inspired to work on a new project.

I'm at home the first part of this week and will finish the sweater today, I hope. Wish me luck on that. I'll send pics later.

Stress-less Stitching

2005-05-21T22:59:00.000-04:00

There's no reason to stress. It stinks that you have to start over on a couple of the pieces, but at least it isn't the sweater! There's no timeframe that you have to have them complete is there? If not, if you don't get everything done in one week, no big deal.

I finally finished two flowers. They are super easy and fast. The beading takes the longest. Here's a photo of the two that I've completed:



It feels good to actually finish something. It even made me pull out my magazines and look again at a sweater that I've had my eye on. Nothing started, but the thoughts are there. You've gotta start somewhere - right?

My follow through has been horrible lately. I've got to make more of a commitment to knit at least every other night during the week. Unfortunately, I think my dog and I look a lot alike these days during the evening - wiped out! I've got to find more energy to commit to my needles. We'll see how successful I am.


I've not received any information from the event in Atlantic City in September. I should go back to that site and see if they have posted a brochure yet. Even though it is four months away, it will be here before you know it! Let me know if you get anything. I wonder if the event will be at a Trump hotel. Atlantic City is so cheesy. It would be fun to stay in a super cheesy hotel!

Stressed Knitting

2005-05-20T12:19:00.000-04:00

I loved the web site with the flower patterns. You've inspired me to knit some flowers for my suits. I think they will add a neat touch. Thanks for including the web link.

I've been a bit stressed lately. Got too much going on. First, my submission for master level III came back with a lot more work needed. My sweater passed, but several of the swatches need re-knitting as well as the cap. I got started on that right away, since I didn't want to quit nor let it sit on the shelf forever waiting for me to get time to complete the work.

Then I got an email from Cast On accepting my offer to write an article for the magazine. The topic is using Microsoft Excel to help in knitting Aran sweaters. They agreed to publish the article in the winter/holiday 2005 issue but wanted a design to go with the article. I didn't have one ready, so 2 weekends ago I worked out a design, bought yarn and started an Aran pullover for Heidi (little Heidi, that is). I've completed the back and am past the armholes on the front. I'm using a washable DK weight yarn so that it won't be too bulky for a 6 year old. The sweater has to be done by June 10th and the article by sometime in August (I forgot the date).

Add to that, I am now working on 2 engagements, one in Nebraska and one in Illinois. I could be adding one in Washington before the summer is over. That is keeping me hopping! On top of that I do some work with a professional orgainzation (item writing for an advancement exam) and I have 15 questions due in August. These have to be researched and meet a lot of requirements to assure that they are testing the right knowledge. No easy task, how did I get talked into that committee?

I have grandmother duty next week Mon - Wed and then go to IL on Thursday and Friday. I hope to finish the sweater, write the pattern and plan 3 work relatedpresentations before I leave here on Thursday morning. Don't think there is enough time to get all that done! Needless to say I am a bit stressed. I thought summers were supposed to be fun! What happened.

On June 4th am going to Kansas City. It is my semi-annual trip to the periodontist there. We have perios here in Wichita, but I have been going to this guy in KC for about 7 years so I proposed to keep going to him. Lisa and Heidi will go up with me since we will be spending the weekend in the indoor water park that Heidi just loves. If the sweater isn't done by the time I go I'll have to spend some time in the hotel room, knitting. When it is done, the stress should lessen for a while.

Now I want to knit some flowers jut for fun and as a de-stresser! Will that work? Needless to say the Master Knitting re-do will just have to wait. May be fall before I get back to it.

One Flower Down

2005-05-14T23:38:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally finished something - kind of. I used my sock yarn from KnitPicks to knit the second flower from the most recent issue of Knitty. All I have left to do is bead the center and attach the pin back. It looks cute and I'm debating on whether or not to add a leaf. I'll take a picture this week and upload it. I hope to find time to make a few more to give away just for fun. They are very easy and work up really quickly, so it keeps my hands busy and lets me feel like I can accomplish something.

I'm 80% of the way there on the shawl that I started two weeks ago. Needless to say I didn't wear it in Boone last weekend. I've just not found the time to dedicate to a long period of knitting. Tomorrow night I may make more progress on it. I've just got a case of knitting ADHD, I guess.

I received my first issue of Cast On in the mail on Monday of this week. I'm now officially a member of TKGA. I enjoyed looking at the photographs, although I have to admit I've not really had time to read very much in it. Same goes for the new issue of Interweave Knits. I'll get to them soon.

Heidi has left for her trip to London for the week. I've trusted her to pick out some fabulous yarn for me while she is in York. I'm excited to see what she brings home for me.

Too Much Travel, Not Enough Knitting

2005-04-30T23:31:00.000-04:00

I've neglected our blog badly these last few weeks. I've been spending a lot of time in Memphis during the week and then busy doing various things during the weekend, so I've been a bad blogger.

I'm currently knitting a wrap in some handspun wool that I bought at Mossy Creek, an arts and crafts festival that mom and I work at twice a year. This time they had a woman demonstrating spinning and she had some wool with her that she had spun. Her prices were more than reasonable. I bought approximately 600 yards for $27! I'm working on a simple little garter stitch wrap using the wool which is an interesting color mix of a light lavender and kelly green. Forgive me, these photos aren't that great, but you'll get the idea.

It's just beautiful, very different, soft and it knits like a dream. I'm using size 15 needles so the thin parts in the yarn have a lacy feel. It's easy and not very challenging, but it's what I need to distract me in the evening and on the short hop I make to Memphis twice a week. I hope to have it complete before I go to Boone on Thursday so I may get to use it before the fall.

I've started a few things, the pink sweater, Heidi's purse and this wrap, but haven't had a finished project in awhile. I need to focus on something in cotton after I complete my wrap. I've found a nice, easy, raglan sweater pattern in a Family Circle knitting magazine. It seems simple. I've also got plans to do some flowers using my yarn from KnitPicks. I'm dreaming, I know. My goal is to dedicate more time to knitting over the next month. I'll let you know how it goes!

Traveling, models and summer knitting

2005-04-28T10:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry that I haven't posted anything lately. I am busy with traveling. Last week was in Lincoln, NE and then Chicago for the weekend. Returned home on Sunday and left again on Monday for Lincoln. These weeks that have weekday and weekend travel are so hectic. I did a little knitting. Am working on the sleeves for the pullover from sock yarn. I really like the weight of the finished pieces and am looking forward to finishing it. If I like it I may knit another from a different color. I chose a blue/gray/black/cream multi colorway since it will work with jeans so well. But would rather have a brighter colors for another. The yarn I am using is also from Knit Picks and I like knitting with it. The price is right and quality is good. I'm sure I'll order from them again. I ordered yarn from a local yarn shop in Lincoln about 6 weeks ago and it still isn't in. I'm not real pleased with the fact it has taken so long. I try to patronize the LYS (local yarn shop) whenever I can feeling that if we don't support them then they will go out of business and where will I be able to go and squeeze yarn? But if the service is this poor, why bother? I could have ordered the same yarn on line and would already have been knitting with it. Oh, well. Live and learn.

I had knit the Wild Forks shell and cardigan last year for publication in Cast On magazine. After the mag has photographed it I get it back. Knitting for the model is a different size than I wear so I gave the sweater to my friend in TN. She and I attended the same meeting in Chicago this weekend and she wore the sweaters. They looked so great on her and I was delighted to see her wear them. She gots lots of compliments on them as well. I almost lost the buttons on my blouse! I was so proud of the finished garments and the reception she got when wearing them.

I'll keep knitting throughout the summer. What about you? I especially like knitting with cotton yarn in the summer, but don't have anything planned. I need time with magazines to dream a little. My latest issue of Cast On came just as I was leaving the house on Monday, can't wait to get home tonight to read it. Maybe I'll get inspired by it.

Plane Reading

2005-04-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

I'm not traveling this week, but will probably be back at it next week. I get more knitting done on the road, so not a lot was accomplished on my sweater this week. I've finished the back and I'm half way through with the left side. I guess just three and a half more pieces left before assembly begins. It looks a little big based on the back measurement, but maybe it will come together nicely.

I've gotten into the habit of buying a knitting magazine or book before most of my trips and I read on the plane since most of my trips are short hops, not long journeys. I'm headed to Toronto in May, so that will be a knitting trip. My favorites so far are Vogue Knitting and Interweaves. Both serve as a dream book for me. I love to look at the photos and think about the possibilities. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a magazine, but I love to read knitty, an on-line magazine. It's got great designs, but the best part is the writing. It is so well written for an on-line publication. If you've not read it, you should check it out. They have great flower patterns in the spring issue which will be perfect for some take along knitting over the next month.

I ordered yarn from KnitPicks and it's great. I love the colors. I just bought a single ball of a lot of different colors just to see what it looked and felt like. It will be perfect for knitting up some flowers.

I found a pattern for a greyhound sweater, but it has cables and it looks kind of masculine. I'll have to get some good measurements of her so we can create something special for her.

Magazines

2005-04-13T07:43:00.000-04:00

Gosh, I too haven't had time to do much knitting. First was the onslaught of spring allergies. I was really having a rough time last week, but thankfully the Bradford Pears are shedding their blooms. That usually signals the end of my spring allergies and I am finally feeling better. Hopefully I'll be doing OK from this point on.
The greyhound coat sounds like a great project. When we spend some time together this fall, perhaps we can work out something that will work. Meanwhile begin to think about what you want it to look like. More later on that project.
Which magazines have you decided you like? My favorites are Knitter's Magazine, Cast On, Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting. I guess my real favorite is Knitter's. Their patterns are usually unique and stylish. A lot are more challenging and require that you learn new techniques.
I didn't bring any knitting on the road with me this week. Can't believe I left home without needles and yarn. I'm having a little withdrawal.

Greyhound Sweaters

2005-04-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

Well, I've not had much of an opportunity to actually knit this week. I've done a lot of dreaming and looking at a variety of sweaters in three different magazines that I have my eye on. While I'm always looking for any knitting magazine, I'm starting to get a better feel for the ones I like and the ones that are cheesy. I'm now on the look out for a dog sweater pattern that fits a greyhound. Kevin and I adopted a former racer today - Solitary Seka (we're calling her Seka) - and they usually wear sweaters or coats or something during cooler weather due to their thin skin and lack of body fat. I'm excited to try my hand at something for her, but I have all winter to really find something that will fit her in the end since she is such an unusual shape.

Great start

2005-03-21T17:48:00.000-05:00

Looks like you have a great start on your sweater! I hadn't seen the magazine with the pattern, but it looks like it will be a cute one. Congratulations on doing a gauge. That is the smart thing to do, and you have compensated well for the extra 1/2 stitch realizing that it will be a tad bigger around because of it. I can't wait to see the finished sweater.
I finished the ballet sweater I was making for my Heidi. I'll give it to her for Easter and hope that it will work for her. I finished last night just before bed time, so I didn't get to take a picture. I left on a 6AM flight this morning. Needless to say, I didn't have time to take pics this morning either.
I got the wild notion on Saturday to crochet the Coming Home (Martha Stewart) poncho from Lion Brand. Their web site has a pattern to download for free. I had enough skeins of black Homespun to make one and thought it would be good for travel in a few weeks, when you only need a light jacket. So I started it on Saturday and finished on Sunday! Looks pretty good. I am shorter so it hangs a little long on me. I'll send a pic of it as well. It is a fairly easy project and you can tell it goes fast. Do you crochet?
I'm still working on my pullover out of sock yarn. That is my airplane and hotel knitting at present. I did work out a gauge and started my graphs for the Wright Wrap. I'm getting a little nervous about knitting it, wondering if I will like it, if it will look OK, etc. and the big question, will I use it? Who knows? It is always the burning question when knitting, will I like it and will I wear it or will it be an exercise in knitting only to be on the shelf for the remainder of the yarn's useful life? Oh, the philosophy of it all gives me a headache.
I'm sorry that we had to cancel the TKGA conference, but I am looking forward to Stitches East in October. Keep looking a the web site, so we can get early picks on classes before they fill up.

Sweater Start

2005-03-19T23:39:00.000-05:00

I started the pink sweater I've been talking about for weeks now on Thursday. I've got a good start on the back, as you can see.

My swatch was a half a stitch bigger than what was called for, but since I was in-between sizes on the size chart, I thought it would be ok. I may pay the price in the end, but I guess I'll live and learn. I'll be happy if it looks like it is supposed to when complete and save actually fitting for the next try :).

I still have the straps to finish on Heidi's purse, which I must finish this week. She'll be here for Easter, so I want to have it done so she can take it home with her.
By next Saturday I hope to have pictures to post.