Sittin and Knittin

Yak Tunic

2009-08-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

A continuation of the last post from Sock Summit. Blogger is getting very testy. It would not let me post anymore photos. I wonder if anyone else has this much trouble with the program. Anyway, back to Sock Summit. I spent some time at the Bijou Basin booth. They make this lovely Yak and Bamboo yarn. Yak! who would have thought it would be so soft and blended with the bamboo it really is soft and has a lovely drape. I am making the Sweetheart Lace Tunic designed for this yarn. It is just lovely to knit with. A few days before departing on our road trip to Montana via Portland, my new Zephyr needles arrived. These are the latest interchangeable needles from Knitpicks. The points are nice for lace knitting, but they take a little getting used to however. What bothers me a little, and I am getting used to it now, they are clear so you see the back side of the yarn on the needle. At first it made me dizzy knitting with them because I had to focus my eye on the front of the needle so intensely, now I have gotten used to that so it isn't quite so bothersome. They are a little flexible and they definitely hold the yarn, maybe just a bit too much. They would be wonderful for really slippery yarns like rayon and bamboo. They are a nice addition to my collection of needles.

Sock Summit Market

2009-08-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Portland the last day of Sock Summit 2009, just in time to check out the last hour of the Market. I found this wonderful basket from Lantern Moon which is just perfect for a small project...socks!

The market was a little sleepy, but it was also the last hour of it. Lots of interesting booths to explore with unusual yarns. I didn't even see one knitting celebrity, perhaps they were preparing for the Luminary Panel, which I did not attend.

Another view of the bag. The fabric lining is beautiful cross-dyed silk.

I also purchased this soft bag from the same vendor.

A State of Bliss?

2009-06-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Alphabet Blanket if FINISHED!

As with most Debbie Bliss patterns, I love her designs, I hate her instructions and this project was no different. I should have read ALL the entries about this project on Ravelry. As with most complicated lace patterns it is very important to keep your attention on what you are doing, no TV watching [listening is okay], no wine and no interruptions! Period! This project took me almost 2 months to complete. While I didn't work 100% on it [always have other things on needles to distract me] I did spend a great deal of time with it everyday. A lot of those days were spent ripping back maybe 10 or 15 rows of mistakes from the evening before. The old go forward 10 steps and take 20 steps back. So frustrating to say the least.

Last night I gave it a soak and spent a long time blocking to get the ruffles out from too many stitches picked up on the sides. I followed the pattern, it said to pick up 227 stitches - just too many. The edge has 258 stitches, you would think that picking up 227 would be okay...I read from another person's post on ravelry that made this blanket and they picked up 187...why didn't I read her post earlier. I am so disappointed with the edges I could scream. All that work, all that time!

This morning I looked at the blanket and it looks okay. The edges are still not the way I wanted them to look, but it will be fine. I just hope that when the blanket needs to be cleaned it doesn't turn into a nightmare for my niece...after all this is a baby blanket and it will need to be cleaned. I hope she enjoys it.

On a side note, does anyone else have so much trouble with Blogger. The editing is wonky, it keeps deleting pictures that I upload. So frustrating!

I am now going to work yet another Debbie Bliss pattern...will I ever learn!

Time to Let it Go!

2009-06-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

Why can't I just send this away? It's the Helena sweater and Bunny for baby-to-be Katherine.

I love the tag I made from a vintage photo of a little girl knitting.

Just love looking at the package.

Just Flying By

2009-05-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Okay...tomorrow is June 1st and why is this year going by so fast? Before you know it there will be all those summer sales in the stores before summer ever gets going. Where I live it never feels like "summer" weather until August.

I am still making the baby things but after the blanket is finished I am movin' on to other things. I actually started an intarsia project but I will save that for another post.

This sweet little jacket is called Helena. It is a free pattern from knitty. I finished it a couple of weeks ago. Now it is all boxed up and ready to be sent away.

The yarn is Baby Bunny from Plymouth. A nice combination of Pima cotton, modal and angora. I changed a few things on the pattern to suit my taste and to cover up a boo-boo.

I made the lace skirt one less repeat long. I wanted it to look more like a sweater than a long coat. I changed the edging around the neck and front to match the transition between the skirt and the bodice and I changed the closure.

Ah, the closure. The pattern called for 2 sets of ties on the bodice. I decided early on I wanted to do a button and button loop closure. Well, after I did that I couldn't get it to close very well without it gapping. I accidentally cut live yarn when I tried to remove the button. The button on the left is placed over the hole that ended up. I picked up 3 stitches on the opposite side and did I-cord for about 4 inches and ended it with a leaf. The leaf pattern is from Nicky Epstein's book of felted flowers. On the left side is a button loop to complete the closure and another button added to balance the entire look. I think it works but will it work when there is a squirming 1 year old wearing it???

And THE BUNNY

I had just enough yarn left over to make this sweet adorable bunny. The amazing thing is the bunny is constructed out of one knitted square and then sewn into a bunny shape. The ears are made separately and attached.

Now back to the baby blanket!

Now I Know My ABC's

2009-05-03T12:41:00.001-07:00

I am knitting a very special baby blanket for my niece's new baby girl. It is from this book by Debbie Bliss. I have a couple of other Debbie Bliss baby books with nice patterns but this book has some really special, heirloom quality knits in it.

The pattern I have selected is called The Alphabet Blanket.

It is the kind of pattern that you first look at and get totally overwhelmed by the complexity of the charts. Four full pages of charts can look very skeery.

Now that I am about a third of the way into the pattern, it really is very easy, but you have to be really mindful - no wine, no new movies (they require you to watch) and it really is helpful if no one is around to distract you and mess up your counting. And if everything goes according to this plan, no ripping out mistakes, I should have this finished by the end of the month.

I am knitting it with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in neutral soft white. There is a triangle edging that goes around all the edges that I have decided not to knit. It is just too fussy and really a pain in the ass to knit....easy decision there. After it gets its border and blocked...it will be quite lovely!

Katherine's Dress

2009-04-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

The sweet pink dress for Katherine is ready to be sent away.

This is really the first "baby" thing I have ever knit. I am going to hold onto this through the weekend, just to keep looking and touching it, then it will be packaged up and sent to my niece, Katherine's mama-to-be.

The pattern states it is for a 3 month old. I guess I don't know baby sizes very well, cause this one looks a lot larger to me. I guess that is a good thing since babies grow fast. The booties on the other hand are really small and will probably only fit the first few weeks after being born.

Check out these cute little buttons! The perfect finishing touch.

I am on the hunt for more baby things to knit. Thinking of an heirloom blanket!

Pretty In Pink

2009-04-22T14:04:00.001-07:00

A sweet pair of mary jane booties for Katherine. Katherine is my niece's baby. She is due to arrive July 24th. The size of these booties is s.m.a.l.l. and I mean small. Katherine will be able to wear them about a week if we are lucky - after that I guess they can be put on a doll. The pattern was so easy and the results are fantastic.

I found the pattern through Ravelry which had a link to this website. The pattern is well written and knits up fast. There is a bit of seaming involved but not too much. I made the first one and fell in love with it...I guess too much. I was making the second one for the right foot but didn't realize until all the way to sewing on the button - I MADE THE SAME FOOT! Just a minor setback. They are finished and ready to be boxed up and sent away.

The yarn I used is Baby Bamboo made by Sirdar Snuggly. This yarn is so soft and lovely to knit with I can't wait to purchase more. The color range is nice too.

A separate post for the sweet little dress shown in the upper corner of the picture.

The White Elephant

2009-04-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

Elephante is the pattern...

I made my white elephant out of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. A few years ago I ordered a bunch of this yarn with the expectation of making a baby blanket. I worked on the blanket for a while but never finished it. It was frogged and all this yarn was just living in a plastic bag in the stash bin. I still have lots left but this was a wonderful way to use some of it.

White elephant is knit on US#3 DPs. The pattern calls for the ears to be crocheted but I just don't do crochet other than simple "crab" stitch. I suppose that might be because I am left handed. I followed the pattern for the ears from the Rainey Sisters. I like the knitted ears better than the crochet ears - all the same technique on the little guy. He was fun to knit but assembling him was another thing. The feet were so fiddly to get them placed just so.

The last thing I want to do is make a small scarf to go around his neck then he gets sent away to a friend's new born boy!

Finished, Just In Time

2009-03-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

Kingscote. I am very pleased with this sweater - it actually fits!

Yesterday was a chilly early Spring day and it was perfect for wearing this sweater. I am so happy I got to wear it at least once before the weather warms up, which will be this week.

The buttons are clay with a light glaze and are from Incomparable. So cute!

And yes, I have a "Hand Knit by" tag to give it a completely finished look.
I ordered the tags from Charm Woven Labels. This company has lots of labels to select from and also the option to create your own.

I have joined the crowd on Twitter. I selected the name "alwaysknitting" only because "sittinandknittin" didn't fit. You only get 15 characters. Alwaysknitting is what I do anyway, so it works!

I am trying needle felting - more on that later.

Spring Fever

2009-03-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

The sun is out and the sky is blue and I have been bitten with the Spring Fever bug.

I just ordered this book...can't wait for it to arrive some time in April.

More Fun at Stitches West

2009-03-01T15:26:00.000-08:00

Okay, I went a little over board at Stitches West. I just attended the Market on Friday and came home with this.

Brooksfarm Yarns: 3 skeins of Duet,
5 skeins of Solo Silk in a yummy minty green, 2 skeins of Solo Silk in a variegated green/brown/lavender color.

Berocco yarns, purchased at WEBS: 11 skeins of Pima Cotton for my Flower Child Top, 10 skeins of Seduce in a blue/green color, 10 skeins of Mica in midnight blue,and 8 skeins of Seduce in the Colorway Rye.

And a large skein of baby alpaca.

And of course, BUTTONS...BUTTONS....BUTTONS...

I have never seen so many fiber folks all in the same area. The line to buy a ticket was so long it took 35 minutes to get to the front of it. It just seemed that there were so many more people this year than last. Lines, Lines, Lines at every booth. I had a good time, saw friends and spent way too much money.

Spring Fever

2009-03-01T14:54:00.000-08:00

My favorite knit wear designer...Norah Gaughan. The new vol.4 is out and loaded with fun Spring/Summer tops.

I have cast on using Berocco Pima, the specified yarn. I am going to make the shorter version of this lovely top and may or may not lengthen the sleeves.

The pattern is intriguing, as are most of Norah Gaughan's designs. This one is comprised of triangular shapes that sew up into a beautiful garment with just enough embellishment to make it interesting. I purchased the yarn from WEBS while I was at Stitches West. With all my other projects staring me in the face I came down with a terrible case of startitus. Bad girl. I just couldn't resist starting.

I usually don't like knitting with cotton, but let me tell you this Pima is a different animal. It knits beautifully with just a slight bit of splitting going on, not enough to be bothersome. I love the color so much, of course! It's green.

After reading the Yarn Harlot's post on her February Sweater I have decided to finish mine. I just have that last sleeve to do and sew on the buttons. Funny, I started that sweater February 2008.

Kingscote is blocking. It's still Winter so I hope I get to wear it at least once before our weather turns warm - around here in Northern California that will be in a few weeks.

I went to Stitches West on Friday...I got carried away and came home with a bundle.

Happy Knitting!

Catch-up

2009-02-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Sunday's seem to be for blogging and catching up on all kinds of things...hanging out on Facebook (my newest time suck), doing the laundry, knitting......

Current projects on the needles:

Kingscot. That is the name of the pattern, however it is spelled incorrectly. It should be Kingscote. The designer Norah Gaughan realized after it was published the spelling was wrong. But who really cares about that minor detail. The pattern is lovely..

The yarn: Berroco Ultra Merino DK Purchased from WEBS

The Color: Teaberry

The Needles: US Size 6 and US Size 4.

I was a little side tracked last week with making myself another pair of felted slippers. These took a couple of days to whip out. I have a front loading washer so it makes the felting process really hard to control. I am going to put them through one more time to shrink them just a bit more. I don't like being able to see the knit stitches and they're just a bit too big.

The Pattern: Mohair Felted Slippers from Felted Knits

The Yarn: Plymouth Outback Mohair and Cascade 220

The Colorway: Electric Blue

The Needles: US #13

I Can't Bear It Anymore

2009-01-29T17:05:00.000-08:00

Harry Bear II. He's sustainable too, inside and out! He is knit with the suggested yarn for the pattern, Berroco Chinchilla (it's Rayon). Colorway: Fawn. Stuffed with Bamboo. I have never tried bamboo fiber fill before. It is nice and squishy.

I am getting so side-tracked with these stuffed animals. It is time to put them aside and continue with my other projects on the needles. 1. Nora Gaughan's Kingscot. I am half finished with the back. 2. Nora Gaughan's Flow. I have completed the back and getting ready to cast on the front. 3. Luscious Lace Scarf...hanging out waiting to be picked up again.

So...happy knitting

Pardon Me But....

2009-01-26T12:41:00.001-08:00

you have a cute butt!!!! Couldn't resist. Harry Bear II.

Side Tracked

2009-01-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

The other day I was poking around on the Berroco website for possible errata for Flow (I came across something in the pattern that didn't make sense) and stumbled upon this cute critter. This is Harry Bear. I immediately fell in love with him and dropped everything I was working on - Norah Gaughan's Flow and Kingscot.

Harry knits up really fast. I went to one of my LYS and found the suggested yarn, Chinchilla and lots of other fun alternatives. I decided to start the first one (I told you I fell in love with this bear) with this yarn:

Sprinkles made by King Cole

Yep it is 100% Polyester (just stay away from the fire)

Color: Koala

65 yards to a skein. The pattern calls for 77. So I had to buy 2 skeins and have a ton of yardage left on the second one...oh well.

The yarn is a bit tricky to work with because of all those textural loops. I went slowly so I didn't make a mistake because there is no way to tink your way out of it.

Success! I whip-stitched the pieces together and you would never know it. It looks seamless.

I raided my stash and found this chenille from Crystal Palace Yarns. Not a very good choice at all. It knit up sloppy. You could see all the short rows and after I stuffed it you could see that too. It also knit up really tiny compared to Harry above. It was a good excercise to work through the pattern. He will end up in the frog pond.

Happy Knitting!!

Going With The Flow

2009-01-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

Norah Gaughan's Flow that is...

Last week I ordered Seduce from Webs...it came so fast via usps. A couple of days before that I ordered yarn for another Norah sweater (more on that another day) and it still isn't here. Webs sent that yarn UPS, or slow boat to China. I guess if it weighs a certain amount they go with the cheapest route. Who knows, who cares. I am just happy I have something to work on now. After receiving it yesterday I promptly went to work on Flow. This will be my second Flow. I love the patten so much, fits well, looks great, etc. The last Flow I made was with Berocco's Soft Twist. It turned out okay and was a suitable substitution but now I am making Flow with Seduce the way it was designed. The yarn is luscious. I love the color green and this hue is just my shade.

I have about 4 inches into it already. This is a super easy pattern to knit. The pattern calls for us#8. When I started out with the size 8 it was so sloppy and gauzy I went down to a size us#6 and have gauge and like it much better.

The yarn is a mixture of rayon and linen with little bit of nylon for strength. It is slippery which is why I am using my Knit Pick Harmony interchangeable needles. So not a problem.

Tomorrow is the MLKJ holiday so lot's of knitting time.

Fingerless Mitts - Quick and Easy

2009-01-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

What's not to love about fingerless mitts. I wore these cute pink ones the other day and a woman mentioned to me how much she loved them but they were so hard to find and when you did find them in a store they cost over $40. We knitters are so lucky to be able to whip out a pair in a day and have the cost be less than $10, depending on the yarn used.

This pattern is easy and fun and can be found for free on Ysolda's blog. I already mentioned the particulars on another post so I won't repeat here. I am planning on making a few more in different colorways using the same Rowan Felted Tweed yarn. I think one of the things I like the most about this pattern and the yarn is the mitt is not bulky so you don't feel like you have "paws" on your hands.

This mitt below I made-up the pattern. I had bought this alpaca yarn to make a sweater last Fall...well, I never made that sweater - didn't like the pattern. The yarn just sat around and after poking around in my stash I decided that a pair of mitts would be perfect. I doubled the yarn to get a worsted weight and improvised as I went along. They are friendly mitts but sort of on the "paw" side. I actually love them to throw on when I go for my afternoon walks, which lately have been very chilly.

The yarn is Drops Alpaca knit on #5 dpns. I started with a garter cuff and worked into stockinette body with no additional increases. I like thumbs with gussetts so that is included. Easy and quick, soft and warm. My basic fingerless mitt. There are lots of options you can create with this basic pattern.

Happy Knitting!!!

More Needles

2009-01-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

One can never have too many needles. My husband gave me Addi Clicks for Christmas!

My box doesn't look like this picture however. I have 3 compartments where the cords are and there is a cool needle sizer in there too.

I haven't really had an opportunity to really use them other than a quick cast on just to give them a test drive. They are really nice. I thought the connection between the blue cord and needle would be a problem because when you run your finger over the join it isn't completely smooth, but the yarn doesn't get hung up there so that is a good thing. My biggest disappointment is there is NOT a size US 5. What's up with that! I am working on two projects right now that I am using #5 needles. I read reviews from Knitter's Review, the newsletter that Clara Parkes writes and she mentioned that a #5 is going to be manufactured to add to the kit. I think it is sort of weird that the #5 was not included. They could have omitted the #15 - how many times do you knit with that size? Me, very rarely. But I am happy over all with the product. Can't wait until they come out with the lace tips!!!!!

Happy Knitting!!!!

I've Really Got to Make a Choice

2008-12-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know I said I was switching back to Blogger from Wordpress....I did a post about these on my wordpress blog...click here to read. Eventually, I will sort all this out.

Another Birthday

2008-12-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

A Return to the Old

2008-12-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

I think I am switching back to Blogger! But until I completely make the switch...go to www.sittinandknittin.wordpress.com to see what I am up to. Happy Knitting!

A New Home

2008-05-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have moved my blog to a new home. You can find me here. A new sittinandknittin. See you there!!!
www.sittinandknittin.wordpress.com

Let's Go Shopping

2008-05-19T12:41:00.001-07:00

Elisa's Nest Tote is finished!

This free pattern from Ravelry is a fun fast knit.
I finished making the handles this morning and boy are my fingers sore from all that i-cording. I did it on US#3 DPs to make it dense so it wouldn't stretch too much when it is fully loaded with farmer's market goodies or anything for that matter. I am very pleased with the finished results even though I did make a few boo-boo's along the way. I will probably be the only one that will notice so I am not too upset with my efforts. And anyway its a veggie tote which will probably end up getting stained from cherries or some other juicy fruit!

Relaxed it is about 10" x 12". The i-cord handles are 18" long stretched making it very comfortable to sling over the shoulder.

You can see how it really stretches when it is loaded up.

I am planning on making more of these to use up all that Sonata yarn from Elann that I purchased months ago. Sonata is just too stiff for clothing but for totes it works so well.

Another Try

2008-05-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Does everyone who uses blogger have so many problems with it? I was working along on the last post and blogger started acting really strange. It wouldn't let me use the space bar as I was typing and it wouldn't let me post another photo....very irritating.

This is the other project I am working on - a shopping tote! I am making this for a friend as a thank-you gift. This is a quick knit. I am using up some cotton I bought at Elann that I planned to use for summer tops. I really don't like the feel of Sonata against my skin but it is great for this application. Just a few more inches then I can add the i-cord handles. I knit this in the round and did a 3-needle bind off on the bottom so it would be very sturdy to hold all those farmer's market goodies.

The finished unstretched size will be 8" x 12" and when loaded it will probably be twice that size.

(I see my toes through the glass table top!)

Hotter then HELL

2008-05-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

This heat wave is killing me...no a/c in this hot house. I live in Marin Co, just north of San Francisco and we are in the midst of a killer heat wave. Yesterday it was 98 outside and 88 in the house. I work out of my home office so I don't have the opportunity to hang out in an air conditioned work environment...not a very productive day and today is just a carbon copy!

A couple of things I am currently working on - Mr. Greenjeans cardigan from Knitty.com. I call mine Ms. Periwinkle Jeans. The photo does not accurately represent the color at all. It really isn't that gray looking. This is a fun knit, top down all in the round - no seaming!!!! I just have the sleeves to finish up and it is wearable, and by the time they are finished I hope this heat wave is too. I decided not to do the button that the pattern called for so I could leave it open or add one of my favorite pins if I wanted it closed. The cool thing about knitting in top down you can try it on as you go - no unwanted surprises in the end.

Happiness....

2008-05-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

you could never tell by the expression on my face, but yes, I do love this cardi and the way it turned out. My husband took lots more pictures and this one is the best (most flattering). I wore the sweater yesterday and thought it would be perfect timing for a photo shoot...wrong. He had five minutes to produce professional (ha-ha) looking photos before preparing for his class, the wind was blowing and the sun was just too hot. Not good makings for a relaxed photo shoot. So this will have to do.

This is the Flutter Sleeve Cardigan from the Spring issue of Interweave Knits - 2008. I used the suggested yarn and made only a few modifications. 1. Three buttons instead of two. 2. Horizontal button holes instead of vertical. 3. Tacked the roll-up cuff to the sleeve. I never did block this and I probably won't. I don't think it really needs it because of the nature of the yarn. So what you have is a nice summer sweater!

A few more shots.

Finishing

2008-05-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I accomplished a lot. I finished my Camo Tuscany Wrap and my Strawberry Flutter Sleeve Cardi. Flutter sleeve will be posted later so Camo will have center stage.

The yarn is Glacier Bay Sock Yarn - 3 ply merino, hand dyed. When I purchased the yarn at Marin Fiber Arts a couple of weeks ago, I immediately fell in love with the dye. I was concerned that the final knit up would be too stiff and scratchy for a wrap since it was sock yarn and the variegated dye would be too overwhelming for a lace shawl. When I was finished knitting it and after a 10 minute soak in the sink, the fiber bloomed deliciously soft and supple . When I took it off the needles it was so "springy" and "tiny" but after blocking it grew almost twice its size.

There are a lot of different opinions circulating out there in the knitting world about what type of yarn should be used to knit lace shawls or lace in general. In particular some think that variegated yarn will complete distract from the lovely intricate lace details...well, I will have to say I don't agree with that completely. Yes, this shawl would have been beautiful in a plain yarn and the lace detail would taken center stage, but with Camo, I think the yarn works extremely well in harmony with the pattern. I will have to add that Tuscany is a very simple pattern repeat and its simplicity lends a balance to the richness of the yarn. Some lace shawls have way too much pattern going on with them that a plain yarn would only be the way to go to show off all that hard work. In this case I think it works well and I am so pleased with the way it turned out.

This detail really shows the beauty of the dye with the light parts juxtaposed to the dark creating an almost 3 dimensional quality.

I can't wait to wrap myself up in this.
Off the needle size 25" x 55"
Blocked size 27" x 80"

Trying to Move On

2008-04-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Today is one week since Theo passed on...I have been slogging my way through life this past week trying to get on with it...I still can't bring myself to pick up the cookie crumbs he left behind on the floor or vacuum the carpet because the little paw print indents will be gone forever.
He was sent down to Monterey to be cremated and I guess he will be back sometime this week in a little urn. It will be hard to go into the vets to pick him up when he arrives.

A big Thank You to all of you for your warm thoughts. It is so hard to lose your best friend. Knitting helps a lot. Seems that is all I can productively do these days.

I am still working on the Flutter Sleeve Cardi, actually almost finished with it. I have the last sleeve cuff and sewing the side seam up and attaching the buttons left to do. I got a little side tracked on Sunday when I went to Marin Fiber Arts grand reopening...I looked at all the lovely new yarns and played on the spinning wheel (they were having spinning demos) I know how to spin, not particularly my most favorite fibery aspect of all things fiber - hurts my back too much, anyway it was fun to spin on a different wheel than mine. I got into a little trouble, I purchased 4 skeins of this lovely 3 ply merino - (actually sock) yarn but I am making shawls with it.

I started Amy R. Singer's Tuscany shawl from No Sheep for You...what a fun, and fast pattern. I started this yesterday and I can't seem to put it down.

I have my own little Tuscany right here on my porch!!! Really no replacement for Italy but a close second!

In Loving Memory of Theo

2008-04-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

November 1, 1992 - April 14, 2008

Zoom Zoom

2008-04-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Now that I am finished with the Printed Silk Cardi I am starting another knit out of the Interweave Spring magazine...the Flutter Sleeve Cardigan. I ordered the yarn from Webs and as usual they deliver fast! I received it this past Monday afternoon in the mail and cast on just an hour before dinner. I am 2/3 finished with the back...it is a lot of stockinette but there is something addictive about the pattern with just enough stitch change in between to keep from getting boring. Here it is Thursday morning, at this rate I will have this finished in about a week, if all goes well with my time. The pattern is actually extremely easy, no complicated stitches to memorize or get tricked up on. So far the only change I plan on making is adding 3 buttons to the front instead of the 2 the pattern calls for, and changing the direction of the button holes from vertical to horizontal.
The yarn is wonderful to knit with too.
Classic Elite Silk
The color way is called tomato but it looks more like strawberry.

I Do Wear What I Knit

2008-04-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

It fits!!! (Since no one was around I used the self-timer...turned out okay).
Here I am sitting in my office, wearing my new blue cardi!
Just love those hand carved buttons.

Ever Feel Like Alice?

2008-04-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

Always running...about to slide down the tube....will I end up in Wonderland? Lately that is the way it feels to me.

Finished

2008-04-07T10:25:00.001-07:00

My beautiful blue cardi is finished!!! I don't have snazzy photos of me modeling the sweater(maybe later), but you can get the idea...it turned out very nice and I am very pleased. The organic nature of the yarn is growing on me more and more.

It fits me better than I anticipated and the finishing is so professional!

There are lots of people knitting this pattern on Ravelry and commenting on the bottom edge rolling too much (and coming up with all kinds of strange alternatives to the original pattern) - that's why knitted pieces are blocked. Yes, my bottom edge rolled and look at it now after blocking...smooth and flat. After a project is knitted there is more to do than just sewing it up and moving on to the next thing. So many projects I see on Ravelry don't take the finishing step seriously and they end up looking home made instead of hand made.

I steam blocked instead of wet blocked since there is a combination of wool and silk. I will most likely be dry cleaning this one when cleaning time comes around even though when I did do a test for color fastness and shrinkage, and the dye didn't run and it didn't shrink.

I am stalled on Yosemite - just so much of the same boring pattern. My intention was to have it finished in a couple of weeks so I could give it to my sister for her birthday!!! I have knit half of it and it just sits there staring at me with a punitive glare (if a sweater could actually do that) screaming at me to pick it up. I snubbed my nose at it and raided my stash and started another sweater in spite! I went to my knitting library and flipped through a few books and found the perfect alternative to Yosemite, at least for now. I won't say what it is just now but will reveal it after I have made more progress on it.

Stress Kills

2008-03-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Stress and fatigue can be very dangerous. They always say...stress kills. I have now experienced the power of stress and what a toll it has played on the body. This past week I developed mastitis. No, I don't breastfeed (to old for that) and contrary to what most people think about this illness, anyone can get it. So I am taking high powered antibiotics, resting a lot and I am plugging away on the knitting when I feel some energy.

I am half finished with the right front and then the last sleeve to do. I am getting anxious to finish this cardi so I can wear it. I am still enjoying the pattern but I have found myself drifting to other projects. I just can't sit still when there is so much to knit out there. I see something on Ravelry, or in a magazine and I get this incredible urge to start it...now! If I could focus and just stay with it I think I would have finished this up by now...but that's the way it goes.

I still love this yarn and have gotten used to the striated effect which seems most noticeable on the stockinette part. There is a big pool on the back, which is unfortunate, but just a characteristic of the yarn.

Love these buttons. I picked them up at Stitches West for another project in mind at the time, but these work perfectly for this sweater. Just the right size...just the right color...just right!

I finally gave into temptation and ordered the KnitPicks Options needles. They sure are slow to send things, very annoying especially when you want it now! They give you the 5 to 14 day shipping window (waiting time)...it took all of those 14 days to get them and not including the 3 days before when I actually placed the order. Webs on the other hand is fast, fast, fast! I ordered some yarn and it arrived in 3 days, including the day I placed the order. Now that is customer satisfaction.

After I received the needles I had to take them for a test drive, and since I have developed a cable obsession lately I started this sweater. The needles are really nice to knit with. They have a nice taper and point to them. I really don't like blunt tips, makes too much work.

This is the start of the sleeve. The pattern has tons of texture and richness. Now enough of this rambling and back to the knitting.

First Day of Spring

2008-03-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Pretty day for the first day of Spring!

Blossoms from my garden.

Cherry Blossoms....

Pink Peach Blossoms...

More Pink Peach Blossoms,

and what's on my traveling needles, aka mindless knitting. I really like knitting with this yarn and I think any kind of stitch pattern would become lost in the texture so just plain stockinette works fine. Not exactly spring knitting, but socks of some sort are always on the needles at any time of the year.

I am making good progress on the Printed Silk Cardigan. The back is finished, one sleeve finished and half of the left front. I would like to have that sweater finished in a couple of weeks so I can move on to the next queued sweater. I ordered a bunch of cotton/tencel yarn yesterday from WEBS for the Yosemite top that I am making for my sister's birthday. I have one month to get that started and finished. I plan to modify the pattern slightly and not do the sleeves. I think this top will look great on Lisa. She is thin and has big boobs and with the negative ease (the pattern says 7 inches...that's a lot) it will be perfect for her.

Always Learning More

2008-03-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

This past week has been very trying, but I have managed to keep up with my knitting, if anything for my sanity. Very old dog Theo (he's heading towards 16 years) had another stroke. Absolutely freaked me out as he was going through this episode. It was different from the one he had over a year ago. Needless to say, restless and sleepless nights the past few days.
I have immersed myself with work on The Printed Silk Cardigan. The pattern has a very addictive nature to it. First, written well and easy to follow without any sneaky upsets along the way. Second, new techniques that are going to stay in my knitting repertoire for future projects.
Take this sleeve for instance, the cast on edge is worked
in a tubular cast on. I have never, ever seen that before. Some of you may have, but not me. It makes a perfect edge for the ribbed sleeve.

Another new way to knit the shoulder edge, instead of the usual BO that creates that funny bumpy uneven edge (albeit hidden in the seam when you go to sew it up) this technique uses short rows to create a gradual and smooth edge. Love it!

Both these techniques are explained in the latest issue of Interweave Knits - Spring 2008.
I have finished the back section. When it was time to add a new ball of yarn - look what happened. It looks like I used different dye lots. It is only in this section at the center back a couple of inches from the BO...

The yarn has a subtle dye variegation to it and this is how the two of them lined up. I couldn't tell this was happening until I had about half an inch knit. I have decided to keep it because who knows what it would look like if I started farther into the ball of yarn! I usually won't settle for this kind of discrepancy, but I am this time.

Must Be The Yarn

2008-03-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Green Soleil Tank...
Finished March 7th, 2008
I am quite pleased with how this tank knitted up and finished up. I used Cascade Pima/Tencel Cotton. The feel of this yarn is super soft, so that makes it a pleasure to feel next to the skin. It washed up wonderfully too and I even put it in the dryer to speed up the drying process. Because it has cotton in it when it was wet it was heavy and hard to block without it becoming extremely distorted. I took a chance and put it in the dryer on low for about 15 minutes until it was damp dry. Since that was a success I will wear this top and know when it is time to wash it I have nothing to fear that it won't reshape well.

As with the orange tank, the one with the unfortunate yarn choice, I made the same modifications to the pattern, mainly with the arm hole size and strap width size. I also edged both armholes and neck with 2 rows of garter stitch instead of crochet. Since I am left handed that hook is so awkward for me to use. I don't like armholes that are so tight that my antiperspirant rubs off on the fabric and you get this unsightly white dust on it...

One other thing I would change with this pattern is the plunging neckline. It just barely conceals my bra. The orange top didn't seem so low so I didn't even consider modifying that part on the green top. My husband on the other hand thinks it it wonderful!

And on a sad note, I found Carlos dead yesterday. He is still out on the driveway. I am surprised that he has not been picked off by a bird or some other roaming critter in the garden.

Carlos

2008-03-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

This magical creature lives in my yard. This is Carlos. We have named him after Carlos Castaneda. He is a Western Bluetail Skink!

My husband first spotted Carlos months ago but only a brief sight of the blue tail. I thought he was on something and dismissed this sighting to pure hallucination or just exhaustion. I was working in the garden last fall and I too spotted the elusive blue tail. So that confirmed that...he was real.

The other morning, just a few days ago, my husband saw him out on the driveway...quickly he snapped this photo with his iPhone. A bit blurry, but you can clearly see that fluorescent blue tail. I think he was trying to look like a twig to hide...Carlos is only about 4" long from nose to tip of tail.

And, on a knitterly note, I do have some things to show next post later today. Just finishing up the Soleil Tank Redux and progress on the silk cardigan.................................................

How Did The Bear Cross The Road?

2008-03-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

So, how did the bear cross the road?
This is an incredible story. Read to the end to see the photos.
A bear was walking across the 'Rainbow Bridge' in Truckee California, on the I-80, California / Nevada State line, when two cars also crossed the bridge from both directions. The bear was so scared, with no place to run, made a leap over the side of the bridge.
The motorists stopped their cars in horror of what just happened and ran to the edge to see how badly the bear was injured. To their amazement, they saw that bear had somehow grasped the lower ledge of the bridge support as it fell and pulled itself back up.
The authorities were notified that night and after making an assessment, they decided there was nothing that could be done until the following morning.
Authorities returned at day break to find the bear sleeping on the ledge of the bridge support. A large, construction style, safety net was hung under the bridge and the bear was shot with a tranquilizer dart then safely lowered to the ground below.
The first line sounds like the opening of a bad joke but here are the pictures...

--

And that is how the bear crossed the road.

I received this email and had to share this amazing story....nothing to do with knitting but sometimes thats the way it goes.

Spring Fever?

2008-02-29T12:08:00.000-08:00

It seems a bit odd that I would be so excited to knit gloves when the weather is so warm and beautiful for this time of year in the Bay Area. I am being seduced by this new book and the exciting innovative patterns throughout, and mostly by this cashmere yarn I just purchased from Marin Fiber Arts blowout sale. It is so absolutely gorgeous I can't put it down. I will pretend it is not Spring, the weather is sunny, the air is warm and fragrant...nope I will completely forget all about that.

I bought 4 balls of the teal and 2 balls of the olive. I wanted more olive yarn but I waited too long to pick it up. There were 8 balls in the bin, I picked up two and went on about looking at the other yarns...less than 30 seconds later I decided I should pick up 2 more balls. I went back to the cashmere bin and it was all gone. GONE...and in the hands of someone else at the check out counter. She saw how excited I was over this yarn and swooped in like a hawk when I stepped away...My loss.

Tension

2008-02-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

Finished the Soleil Top last week. Two things wrong with this knit.
First the pattern. I modified this pattern so much that the only original part is the lace detail. I added more length from the cast on edge to start of armhole. I am 51 and showing my navel isn't my idea of a great look! I increased the length of the armhole from 7.5 inches to 8.5. After adding the crochet edging it is a nice 8 inches. I also narrowed the shoulder by an inch. The start of the vee neck is quite plunging so instead of a crochet edge I pickup the stitches and did several rows of purl to add 1/2".

Second the yarn. I ordered the cotton yarn from Elann, same yarn as the pattern calls for. Geez, and I ordered so much of this stuff, different colorways, lots of summer knitting all lined up, well shame on me for not just ordering enough for this project to test drive it! The colors are not at all like what is shown on line. The texture of this cotton is like knitting with fishing line, stiff and plasticky. And the color...hate it. It reminds me of those orange peanut shaped marshmellows.

TENSION issues. This yarn was so unforgiving.
I thought it would soften after a wash and block...nope!
Just the same stiff top as it was before the wash.

The top fits nicely, just doesn't feel all that great.

I do like the lace detail. It adds so much to this basic top.
I think I will make this (my) pattern again but with a nice soft cotton. Don't know what that will be yet.

When I think about the cost of this item I guess you get what you pay for. $10.

I have lots of wash cloths in my future!

A Love Affair

2008-02-24T16:21:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with this yarn...the touch, the feel of silk gliding through my hands makes me just plain giddy.
The yarn is a bit more variegated than it looks in a ball which makes it even more lovely. I am working on the Printed Silk Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio in the latest issue of Interweave Knits - Spring 2008. This single ply 50/50 silk/wool is a perfect substitution for the suggested yarn. I purchased this at Stitches West in Santa Clara a few days ago from Brooks Farm Yarn. The unfortunate thing is they sell their yarns only at these shows. They are starting to sell some of their other lines of yarn on-line but sadly not this Solo Silk.
Almost time for the Academy Awards!!!!

Fun At Stitches West

2008-02-22T16:57:00.000-08:00

I had some fun at Stitches West. The drive down was long, but worth it. Stopped by the Ravelry booth and bought some BOB swag. There were so many people hanging out there that I had a hard time just paying for the stuff.
I have never been to Stitches before so my experience was like a kid in a candy store! I have been to other conventions before but a long time ago. When I was weaving it was Convergence...back in the late 70's. I was surprised that there was a couple of booths devoted just to weaving....
I tried to be good.....I bought buttons and yarn. And only buttons and yarn. I could have gone seriously crazy there and put myself into bankruptcy...there are so many wonderful yarns out there.
Wouldn't it be nice if Bob, in person, could attend these events!!!!
Cute Malabrigo free samples. Lots of free stuff handed out like nail files...guess you never know when you're gonna get a snag.

Yesterday's Love

2008-02-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

Chocolates and Roses. How perfect! I gave the candy and he gave the flowers. My sweet husband...xoxoxo

Happy Tuesday

2008-02-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

I am actually trying to put a picture into the title above...just can't figure it out. Any suggestions?

2008-02-12T12:53:00.001-08:00

Alex, Dear Alex

2008-02-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

Alex is all finished, the buttons sewed on, the ends woven in, the whole thing blocked...and you know what???? it's too big! I guess I shrunk some from the time when I started this sweater to now. I suppose I could go back and adjust the seams some but that just seems like a lot of work that I am not really wanting to do. I would have modeled it but it is Sunday and I am not ready for public exposure today. The buttons are lovely. They seem small compared to the pattern picture but any size larger would not have gone through the button hole. If there is any weak link to this pattern I would say it is with the collar. There is a whole lot of fabric there and it is a bit fiddly to get it to stay just were it should without it curling at the edge.

I feel just a bit deflated with this project to be quite honest. So my philosophy is: put it away for a while and revisit it and see if I feel the same. If I do, frog it. That seems really severe but why waste all that beautiful yarn on something that is just going to end up folded in a drawer!

I like these buttons.

More Christmas Gifts

2008-02-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

I just finished the "first" hat of A Warm Hat by Elizabeth Zimmerman. This is a Christmas gift for my stepson Ryan. He is in Shanghai opening a new Lawry's Prime Rib Restaurant (he is a chef and a good one too) and will be back here in the states the middle of March....then off to go skiing for a week at Mammoth Mountain. I promised him this hat for Christmas but never made it in time for him to open before he left. This will be perfect for spring skiing!

I have the second one to make next. I think instead of a complete reverse of colorway and fairisle pattern, I am going to keep it simple with a few stripes at the bottom and a solid body. The hat only took a couple of days to make but I really don't feel like repeating the fuss again. So simple solid it will be.

I used Knit Picks Telemark yarn. This is the first time I have used this yarn...it is okay, just okay. Not in love with it. The "hand" is a little rough but I think it will wear well for a hat.

Hmmmm....the spell check isn't working. Sorry for any typos!

Just Waiting....

2008-02-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

The selection is great...the wait is not. Online ordering is a fantastic way to find things you can't run out and get from your LYS or fabric store, but I get so impatient - I want it now. I am expecting the buttons to arrive in the mail today so I can finish up Alex. In the mean time I am working on The Ice Queen and it is coming along nicely. The yarn, Rowan Kidsilk Haze is amazing to work with. I usually have a hard time with mohair, the fuzz sticking together making yarn overs and ktog too much work, not this stuff. And is it soft...this will feel so sublime around my neck. I am wearing this on Valentine's Day dinner with my darling husband. After all these years we still act like newly weds!

On Your Toes knee-high socks. This is my after dinner and wine evening knit. A no brainer sock with self striping yarn. I have never made knee highs before so that in it self will be interesting. Interesting in that I hope it fits. The pattern says to knit 18" from CO to before the heel is worked...seems a little long to me. But I will follow the pattern, like cooking, follow the recipe once the way it is written then make adjustments. The yarn has aloe vera applied to it. It feels like Lorna's Laces but I wonder what will happen to the feel after it is washed. I would think the aloe would wash out and it will be just like any other superwash wool.

Barely Made It

2008-01-31T14:54:00.000-08:00

Alex is now all knitted up. I ended up with very little yarn left but just enough to sew seams and the buttons on. I pinned the sweater yesterday and tried on and so far it's a winning fit! I went on a button search yesterday at Joannes - what did I expect - junk. The few I did like, and only a few, there weren't enough of them. Just as well. I went to a LYS, omitting the name for various reasons, she had some nice buttons and some that would possibly work too - but the price tag was ridiculous. I came home and googled and nothing interesting was coming up so I tried a group in Ravelry and sure enough I found a source for some really great buttons and great prices too! I ordered 24 buttons for about the same price as the LYS was going to charge me for 6.

Alex, by Debbie Bliss. I used Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed - 12 balls. I always find I need a ball more than what the pattern calls for with Debbie Bliss Patterns. This was an easy knit. I needed something somewhat mindless to do after 2 fairisle hats. I started this January 16th and here it is just over 2 weeks later and almost finished. Can't wait for those buttons to arrive!

Some Days Are Good

2008-01-25T11:07:00.000-08:00

Finished the Amanda Hat by Gina House last night. This photo is not showing the beautiful colors or yarn of Noro Silk Garden very well. The problem could be with the dark and gloomy, wet and windy weather we have going on outside. I found this pattern from my Ravelry friend Monika. This hat knits up fast and its fun too.

The furnace died yesterday so I have been sitting in a house with no heat other than the small space heater that my husband bought yesterday to keep us sort of warm. A house that is 4000 sf is really hard to heat with one small space heater! I have it now in the bathroom heating it up so I can go and take a shower when the room gets nice and toasty...unfortunately, where I am now is not in that warm room but here freezing at my computer. My fingers are stiff. The repair man is coming between 2 and 4PM today, I hope. The weather is really bad, flooding, etc. I really hope he doesn't call with bad news of not being able to make it here!!!! and worst, hope the power doesn't go out.
I am still cruising along on Alex by Debbie Bliss. The collar is taking longer than I had expected...lots of short rows.
I am just too cold to sit here any more...off to the shower!

Mid-Winter Blues

2008-01-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

Just finished my Blue Plate Special hat, aka Red Light Special by Jared Flood. It turned out quite nicely and I believe it will actually fit my husbands large head! I was heading out side this afternoon to clean up the mess from last week's storms but I am losing my interest rapidly. The sun had faded away to high clouds making everything look steely grey and down right chilly out there. Maybe tomorrow will be a nicer day?

So, the hat...used #3 for the ear liner and #5 for the body. The pattern calls for 4 colors but I used what I had on hand as this was a test to see if I wanted to change anything or even liked the pattern before I knit it up, as promised, for my stepson...a late Christmas present. We will be skiing in March so I have plenty of time to get this done. The Blue Plate Special only took a couple of days so no sweat. I am going to order the Telemark Yarn from Knit Picks this week so while I am waiting I can work on a few other WIP...i.e. trying to finish up The Russian Coat and all those socks I have started.

Just In Time

2008-01-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

Just finished the Inga Hat...purrrfect timing. The Sierra's have so much snow now from the last few storms. This hat is the perfect ski hat. I was a little concerned that the hat would end up too small and the braided edge would forever roll but after a gentle blocking with the steam iron it smoothed right out and the fit is great. It is snug but for a ski hat that is what you want. I am not modeling because it is Sunday and my day off...aka no makeup and straggly hair day. I used a size 3 needle throughout the entire hat. The pattern suggested doing the body in a size 5 but after reading all the comments on Ravelry about this hat being too big I decided to stick with a 3. Now the second one I am planning on making I am going to use a 3 for the braid and 5 for the body. The yarn I used is GGH Wollywasch 100% wool. I am quite pleased with this hat! Now finished with this...time to clean the house. What a mess from what the dog brought in after the storm. Lots of yard leaves and twigs.

New Year Turkeys

2008-01-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

After riding out one of the worst storms I have experienced here (Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area) what should appear after the hurricane force winds and sideways rain subsided- Turkeys! Hope that isn't any indication of what my new year will be filled with! They are so prehistoric looking, something you might find at Jurassic Park.

The power came back on last night around 2 AM after being out for almost 12 hours. I tried to knit yesterday afternoon in the dim storm day light but didn't get much done before my eyes and body gave out...hard to get going from no sleep and all the tension from that horrible storm.
I live in Fairfax, CA...on a hill surrounded by over 30 very large oak trees and lots of California Bays and Madrones...I was terrified that one of them was going to fall on the house or take out a window. I wasn't too afraid of flooding because we are on a hill of rock, just the wind and it's damaging force. I lost only one oak that fell and at least it was on the back side of the house and fell down hill away from any structure. I haven't walked around the rest of the house to see if there is any other damage...shingle house. I did find a few shingles in the driveway but they look like an easy repair.
Now we are into the next storm. Started just about an hour ago and so far it is like a baby version of yesterdays nightmare, there is wind and lots of rain and hopefully the power will stay on. I was so cold last night.

Knitting wise I am trying to finish up another pair of Dashing Mitts for my stepson so he can take them with him to Shanghai when he goes next Sunday and I am half finished with the Inga Hat. Pictures later.
What a start to a New Year! But ya know, I think its going to be a good year, I really do.

What I Would Rather Be Doing

2007-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

With all the stress of this season, the running around to get everything finished for the big moment, [tree decorating, menu planning, gift buying,wrapping, attending holiday parties,etc..etc..] all I want to do is sit and knit. There is a good weather window this morning so I must get on out there and SHOP, along with everyone else. If I didn't participate would it really matter???

These two scarves are from Knitting New Scarves...I am particularly attracted to them since my profession is architecture...Tilted Squares is a very easy knit and fun. Twisted is a bit more complex but after understanding the structure it has a very addicting nature to it. The Noro Silk Garden works exceptionally well with both patterns.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

One Week To Go

2007-12-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

The panic is starting to set in. The tree is in the stand but no lights are on it yet, not to mention finding the ornaments and stockings in all those boxes out in the garage. The two holiday parties we went to this past weekend really cut into tree time...I still have to finish the tilted squares scarf...the second fetching is almost finished...I won't make it to the other two scarfs, and the Dashing fits me so I know it won't fit my stepson...geez, and no time to knit up a larger pair. I am in a panic...
I am happy with the results of the red hot slippers. They felted up nicely and will fit a size 8 foot...purrfect for the recipient...At least that one is a go!

Little Pleasures

2007-12-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Whipped these slippers out in a couple of days, including the felting and drying time. I used the Felted Slippers Pattern from Felted Knits. I used up some of my stash yarn and was a bit short when I came to finishing up on the soles. The purple soles really don't show that much, and anyway these are for me, so who cares! Yesterday I went to my LYS and purchased wool and mohair to make up a few more, the woman at the counter made a funny comment about how bright the yarn was...I thought to myself, hey these are slippers, fun things to slip on your flippers. I thought that was a weird comment seeing as she had no idea what I was actually going to make. Oh well...

Slow and Steady

2007-11-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Russian Coat is starting to become a thrill, yes, a thrill. It is on gauge and the measurements are matching up nicely. I do have a few things to correct on the right side of the coat. Two of the hexagons need a couple of last rows removed to get rid of that nipple effect, then I can move onto the cuff for that side and then the big sew up time begins. I always get nervous at this stage in game...I have just one and a half balls left of the Jasper. I need at least half a ball to finish the cuff...I sure hope that the ribbing takes only one ball...from the picture in the magazine it looks fairly wide and I have to go all around the neck and front...scary!
I have worked on this coat starting on Nov. 6Th...all the other projects have taken a back seat while I have diligently knitted away on it,so finishing this up this weekend will feel good...but I think I am catching a cold. I feel really run down and have a stiff neck and scratchy throat. Woke up at 5AM this morning to the clanking sound of the garbage collectors. I don't understand why they can't start at 6 AM or at least try to keep the broken glass noise to a minimum....then the dog wanted to go out at 5:30. Can't I ever get to sleep anymore? I was so tired I missed my yoga class too. This weekend I plan to start dragging out the Christmas decorations and then next week the dreaded Christmas shopping! It's the most wonderful time of the year...not.

Surviving The Turkey

2007-11-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

I am glad Thanksgiving 2007 is over. A lot of cooking and repeat dinner, AGAIN. I was going to make turkey enchiladas but I have so much of the "other" stuff still to eat...really looking forward to dinner tonight - not! This was the first year I brined the bird...a must for the future. I was impressed how flavorful and moist it is. And you know, not a big deal either. Get the brining bags at Williams-Sonoma and use the brining recipe on the box. The bags are a bit pricey, but you can reuse them.

The skirt on the Russian Coat is finished. I started the bodice pieces on the other side yesterday. The hexagons I originally worked on will need some work to get rid of that "nipple" effect. This coat has consumed my time lately. I have not even touched anything else on the must finish list. We were going to travel over to Mammoth Lakes for turkey day weekend but Theo got sick. While I was packing things up I had all my WIP bags all neatly tucked into the knitting tote...how unrealistic I was actually thinking I would even touch them...lots to do before Christmas starts swamping me.

Just a Few Works in Progress

2007-11-19T09:43:00.000-08:00

Rainy days on Mondays...
The pressure is on for the Turkey Feast this week, so much to do to get out of town and head over the hills [big mountains] to enjoy all that turkey. Menu planning is happening, ingredient shopping lists are being generated and what to take to entertain me! Lots of car time for knitting on the Russian Coat and Clapotis. Mammoth Mountain is open, sort of...if you call the beginner run fun! They can't even make man-made snow because it is not cold enough at night. So I guess lots of hiking and fishing and knitting will happen this week, not to mention eating.

The Russian Coat is coming along. I am past that endless black hole hump. With all those decreases it is now starting to go really fast towards the end. I thought I never would get past the first 5 inches as it just kept sucking the yarn into it. I followed the color way that is featured in the magazine and it looks nothing like the picture. I am also going to frog the first 3 hexagons because they nippled...

New Lorna's Laces I picked up at my LYS, just waiting for the perfect sock pattern...

Panda Yarn. I have never knitted with this before...it knits nicely. And I have never knitted with 2 circulars before. I am a dpn sock knitter. I have been very curious to try circulars. I will have to say the socks knit up faster, so far. I will see when it comes to the heel.

Onward through the rain I go...

On The Clap Wagon

2007-11-13T11:50:00.000-08:00

Started my Clapotis this past Saturday. So far so good. I have reservations about the yarn choice for this project.Jo Sharp -Silkroad Aran Tweed. Great for a sweater...may be too thick and rough for a wrap. Time will tell how I really feel about it. The pattern itself is easy and very addicting, and at the same time frustrating...so much repeative work and all that waiting for 12 rows to get a rush of excitement dropping that one stitch! I was in my LYS yesterday and I actually found myself looking at yarns for the next one, so I must be lovin' it!

No pics of the Russian Coat progress...but I did really go on a departure from the pattern steps. I am working on the skirt...it is sucking so much yarn up. I am just about a couple of inches away from starting the Peruvia body and I have already gone through 3 balls of Jasper. I got a little bored with the bodice and a little frustrated with the pattern. My hexs are getting that "nipple" on them. I really hope I don't have to rip out what I have done. I think I will try the next one and take Norah's direction, leave off the last two rows of the final decrease. It is knitting to guage so I really don't understand why this is happening, unless it is just another Vague Knitting error with the pattern.

My husband came home with this miracle drink yesterday. Mona-Vie. comes in a wine bottle with a screw cap. Tastes okay. Expensive. The new answer to eternal youth.

Russian Coat

2007-11-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

What an addicting pattern this is. Thank you Norah! The yarn arrived on Tuesday, right on time. Opened the box up and thought to myself...this doesn't look like the colorway featured in the magazine, which is what I ordered since I ordered the yarn on-line and no way to actually check the colors in person, I went with it. I checked the tags and yup it was right. It is amazing how light/camera/printing ink,etc. can change reality. It isn't what I expected but it is growing on me. It's a good thing I love the color green because there is a lot of it in the yarns. The Jasper is wonderful to knit with, as it glides through your hands and the excitement of watching the color develop as it goes along. Peruvia is nice to knit with too...it is a solid so pretty predictable, pattern wise.

I look at my current "load" of knitting and everything is taking a back seat right now during my infactuation stage with this project. Since it is a one-size-fits-all...hope it fits!

Fetching...

2007-11-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

I finished one Fetching yesterday. Hmmm...looks okay in these pictures, actually quite lovely, but let's critique:
1. Either I have really large hands [average]or there is something wrong with this pattern as written. I may be in the minority here after reading all the fetching entries on Ravelry. I had to increase the length by ten rows and I should have gone on to 15 rows. I added an extra cable repeat to the end...and did not do that picot bind-off [just too stretchy and sloppy]. I still think the length is too short and does not conform to the human hand.

2. The thumb does not take into consideration any gusseting for comfort, it just pokes out on the side. And here again, if I had stuck to the 4 rounds the pattern suggests, I would have had barely enough to keep my thumb warm. I did 10 rounds and I could have gone to 15.

3. The wrist cables are lovely, again I would have repeated one more cable repeat.

4. The anatomy of a human hand: the wrist is smaller than the palm and tapers smaller near the fingers. This pattern does not take that into consideration...so you end up with a very tight mitt around the knuckle area and too wide at the end.

With all that I think I am going to frog and redux with alterations. Oh! and I forgot to mention: I used Plymouth Alpaca/silk DK on a size us#4. I can get this on and it is snug but does that mean if I used a yarn equivalent to what the pattern suggests, would it have been way to big?

We're Having a Birthday

2007-11-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! He's really old! My sweet baby boy is 15 today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEO!

What's on the needles

2007-11-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

My WEBS order is due to arrive on my doorsteps next Tuesday. Can't wait to dive into that Russian Coat pattern from the newest issue of Vogue Knitting. In the mean time I am working away on these socks. I started the "Envy" Jaywalkers a day ago...addictive pattern with this yarn. I can't wait to see how it continues to develop with the stripes. The Baby Fern Poppy is moving along but not as fast as Envy. I think partly because I have no surprises left with it. The yarn is a solid and the pattern continues on as is...but it is lovely. The psycho sock is what I work on when my mind has had it with thinking about ANYTHING.

Woolly Buggers

2007-10-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in light of the recent and ongoing fires in So. Cal I decided I should take pictures of my work that I finished at the beginning of the year...[I will be photographing the contents of our house too, but I will spare you].
So the start is with these afghans. I was in a Colinette Ab Fab obsession then. I tried my own version, same fan and feather pattern but with just two simple yarns, bulky wool and mohair. The texture and dying is what makes Colinette yarns what they are. It is really hard to go to LYS and replicate them and think you are going to save $$$...doesn't happen. That one ended up costing actually a tad bit more. I love them all. When I was gathering them up this morning to photo them, what should I find on one of them....WOOLLY Bugs! Those nasty wool, silk, anything natural fiber-eating monsters. I have had cashmere wraps ruined from them. They are carpet beetle larvae...I have almost eradicated them from the house but now that the weather is getting cooler they are reappearing...SMASH...DEAD...and then I find another. It just goes on and on.

New Tunes

2007-10-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

What a great combination of both...

Alison Krauss is fantastic and Robert Plant is a fav from my younger days.

Can't keep from thinking about the S.Cal fires...feel so badly for those folks.

Haven't picked up the needles yet today. I tucked Odessa in my purse as I headed out this morning to the outpatient lab for my blood tests and EKG, thinking I would have lots of time to knit while I waited to be poked. Didn't even sit down for less than 30 seconds and it was time to roll up my sleeve. And...the unfortunate "homework" assignment...why is it that after 50 you have to endure all these icky procedures...poop smear collection. I suppose it is a little better than the full blown colon invation...which is down the road in my future. Yuck!
And on that note...I think I will go and sit and knit....

Another Odessa

2007-10-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

The first Odessa [sorry no pic] I made turned out just so-so. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino left over from a UFO baby blanket project..just way too spongy for this pattern. And it really was too small from edge to top of crown and too big around. I went to one of my LYS [Dharma Trading Co]and purchased this beautiful Alpaca/Silk. Time will tell if this hat fits too. I am going to lengthen it .5". The pattern is fun to knit and the beads add so much. I have too much hair so this hat is for my stepdaughter. She looks fabulous in hats.

What is it with me and those circular needles. I am trying to teach myself to use 2 circulars to knit socks. The gauge keeps coming out too loose. Hmmmmm. Cat Bordhi's new book arrived yesterday! New Pathways for socks! Wow! Can't wait to get into that book.

Go away fires! I was looking at the pictures of the wildfires in S. Cal...tears over whelmed me. I feel so sorry for all those people and their losses....it could happen to any of us at any time.

I'm In

2007-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Wowzers!!!! I got my invite yesterday, but found out this morning...I am in Ravelry!
I have been cruising the site, and talk about overwhelming...so much to learn and so FUN!
I am currently knitting the Odessa hat and had no idea there are so many other knitters knitting the same project too! It is truly amazing. I can't wait to get "up and running". I have my work ahead cut out for me!

Finished Olives

2007-10-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

I have more olives than I know what to do with. I made the pickle brine [equal parts vinegar to water and salt]this morning and spooned those plump delicious olives into their brine bath. In about a week we will sample and hopefully they will be perfect! What a great year for stone fruit, even my peach tree made tons of fruit.

I found a hat pattern with beads to knit into...I am having trouble finding beads in my bead box with a hole large enough to get a needle and the yarn through. I may have to drag myself to the bead store later and find ones that work. I only have about 60 beads and the pattern calls for 110...hmmmm...what to do.... And, for some reason I decided to learn to knit socks on 2 circulars. Don't know why other than for the experience. I am quite happy with dpns. I find that I knit really loose on the 2 circulars and that seems to be a problem with the sock I am making. I see a trip to the lys to buy a smaller size. Anyway it is a beautiful Saturday, and the yard work is calling my name,knitting for later.

Moving Along

2007-10-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins of all kinds.
Finished Socks and quite pleased with the match.
Moving along with the Poppy Sock...

Chilly Days Ahead, just gettin ready

2007-10-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Fingerless Mittens

Worsted Yarn
Sample used: Manos Del Uruguay
Small Adult #4 and #6 DPN
Med Adult #5 and #7 DPN
Large Adult #5 and #8 DPN

Cast on 36 sts using long tail cast-on with #5 dpn
Knit one round
Ribbing: k2, P2
Continue ribbing for 15 rounds

Inc to 40 sts
Change to larger needles and work st st for 7 rounds (total 8 rounds including inc. round).

Knit 17 sts PM, K2, PM, K round
Add two stitches every other row between markers until you have 14 stitches. Put these 14 stitches on a holder for working thumb later.

Continue working st st adding 2 stitches under thumb once (co 2 sts). Work in st st for 8 rounds. 9th round decrease 4 sts. Change to smaller needle and start K2, P2 ribbing for 10 rounds. Bind off in rib.

Thumb
Slip 14 stitches onto larger needle with RS facing K2, M1 knit to last 2 stitches, M1, K2. Work 16 stitches for 9 rows. BO in knit. Leave a long tail to sew up seam.

Weave in yarn ends
Make 2

Olive Curing Day

2007-10-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

This year my olive tree provided me with almost 2 gallons of olives. I have mostly green ones and maybe a few cups of semi-ripe ones. I am going to cure both stages in lye in a little while, after I get over the nerves. I don't know why I am apprehensive about this step. The last couple of years I have avoided the lye cure like the plague using just a salt cure and without very good results. So this is the year to try lye. I have purchased 100% lye from Ace hardware and a couple of heavy plastic buckets and a heavy plastic spoon (OXO) to stir them. I am about to take the plunge and see what happens. After looking at various websites regarding curing methods I think I am ready. So off I go to the garage.

Poppies

2007-10-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Another sock!
Lorna's Laces Shephard Sock Yarn - Poppy
Picot edge detail and baby fern pattern.
It is still raining - hard!

Rainy Day Work

2007-10-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

The middle of October and I swear...it looks like winter, feels like it too. They [those weather people] indicated that this storm would happen last night and be finished by this morning. Well, here it is after 11AM and pouring, and expected to be that way all day. I had unimportant errands planned but now since they are not that necessary they are going to wait for tomorrow, which is forecasted to be sunny! Sure it is. I just washed the car a few days ago and maybe that really is the reason I don't want to go out. After all it's not like I am going to melt.

I am just so pleased with this sock. The stripes are matching up almost perfectly. Get's a bit tricky with that picot edge detail.

And I am slowly coming along with this one.

Here Comes The Big One

2007-10-09T15:50:00.000-07:00

I can't see Mt. Tam...rain and wind there. At my house I am waiting for the rain "they" [those weather folks] said would be here at 3 PM. Well it is definitely on its way. Our first storm of the season! So today while the weather was decent I ran around doing errands, to the bank, to the post office, to the market, to the yarn store, and now I am pooped. I just finished the Picot Edge Sock...turned out nicely, only one small problem...small it is! I should have gone about 1/4 to 1/2 inch more on the length. I guess these will be going to someone else who has a smaller foot than me. I have to keep up the enthusiasm to finish the second one now that it doesn't fit me and all that excitement of a new pair is dashed. I know, I could rip out the toe and keep adding some length to it - but I am not.

Ohhhh Baby!

2007-10-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Another Finished Pair

2007-10-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Yoga this morning was just what the doctor ordered. After 6 weeks of recovery from that flying Cuisinart blade accident I finally got to return to my class and enjoy it and see my yoga buddies and experience a lovely class with my teacher.
This self striping sock turned out great...and the stripes line up almost perfectly from sock to sock. I started another self-striping pair yesterday with a picot edge detail. That was a bit difficult to do especially on dpn. But I did it!
Can you believe it, already there is a light dusting of snow in the Sierra's. The weather dudes announced a frost threat tonight - I will have to get out those sheets and cover the plants later. Seems a little early for such chilly temps to me.

Two Of My Favorite Things

2007-10-04T09:32:00.000-07:00

FOOD and Knitting...Check out these cupcakes.

Finished the self striper sock last night...picture to follow soon. I am off to walk in the cool morning air and run errands. Back then.

SOCK it to ME

2007-10-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Updates on the socks...the self stripers are really looking like a totally matched pair. I like that. The stripes are lining up almost purrrfectly with each other. I had to skip ahead on the yarn...hope I have enough to finish the toe. By the look of what's left on the ball it will be very close.
The Italian Chain sock is coming along nicely and slowly. The pattern takes a lot of concentration so there is definitely no knitting on this after the cocktail hour! There is just something so wonderful knitting with Lorna's Laces Shepard sock...can't wait to get my feet into these.

All Day Long

2007-09-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Why was this so hard to get the lining in the bag? Geez, it took me most of this Sunday, frustrated at times, but I finally got it to work. I guess I was off on my initial measurements of the interior and after the first try it was way too big...it still is, but at least it really won't show to the world that way. It has 2 nice interior pockets for stuff and lots of little folds to hide things (not necessarily by choice) and two black leaf zipper pulls. All in all...a success!

I don't know why it keeps photographing SO BLUE...it really is a lot more purple than these photos suggest. And, it is somewhat smaller in reality too.

The First Felted Bag

2007-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

I forgot about this bag...my first felted one.

Evening Urban Bag

2007-09-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well that's what the pattern calls it. I adapted this pattern [only the body] from the Noni Urban bag series. Not quite certain why this is called an "evening bag". I always think of evening bags as small. Although this one is the smallest of the series, far from an evening bag. It looks bigger in the photo than in reality. I finished the pain-in-the-ass zipper a short while ago. Hate putting zippers in, hate it.
I am going to carry it this afternoon and see what comments I get...still need to line it and maybe, maybe embellish it just a bit...and maybe not! It certainly is chilly enough outside today to carry a wool tote!

15th Wedding Anniversary Flowers

2007-09-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Today is our 15Th wedding anniversary. It is a hot day just like it was that day we married at the Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford. I actually think it is hotter today and thank goodness I am not wearing that beautiful long silk gown...
My Mom sent these flowers to us today...thanks Mom they are beautiful. Dinner out tonight to complete the celebration of the day!
Today I have been working on the new sock with the Lorna's Laces and the blue/purple Noni evening bag. I am making more headway with the bag today than the sock. The pattern on the sock is a bit tedious but beautiful. It takes so long to get through the repeated pattern that it seems like it will take an eternity to finish just one! I got the Vogue Ultimate Sock book yesterday - tons of great ideas there for the other Lorna's yarns.

Just Couldn't Wait

2007-09-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

I got a call from my lys on Saturday evening, just about the time they were closing and not open on Sunday...just couldn't wait to get in there yesterday (Monday). If I had more $$$ I would have bought the entire colorways, so I settled on these colors. I just couldn't wait to get my needles into a sock when I got home. There is something really special about Lorna's Laces, the way it slides through your finger when you knit with it...the softness. A bit pricey, but worth it!

Sunday Felting Fun

2007-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

The other day I was rooting around in a closet and guess what I found? At least 5 years ago I started this felted hat and got about 3/4 the way finished, got bored I guess and put it into a tote bag with the pattern and some other interesting items [won't mention those]. I wondered what ever happened to my 24" #11 needle...yesterday I decided to finish the hat and I ended up with only 6" of yarn left...scary! I was sweating bullets thinking after all this time and I can't finish this hat. Didn't keep the info band so I have no idea what the yarn is and after 5 years it probably would never be available anyway. Felted it up - took 5 times to get it to felt in my front loader but it did finally make it's way into a wearable hat. Looks better on my head than honey bear's.
In between the looks into the washer for the felting and shrinking process I started the Noni Evening Bag with a few changes. I made it a little deeper than the pattern and I am going to change the handle so that it is all one piece instead of attaching it in pieces with rings...the bright color is more purple than the photo shows. That was a fun day of knitting while my husband studied law...I am a law widow.
Now mundane Monday...and bill paying time!

Make Me A Bird So I Can Fly Away

2007-09-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

The finished Pie R Not Square Shawl. You know for just plain old knitting, garter stitch, this came out nice. It is so soft, so light and airy and very warm. Can't wait for Fall and chilly temps to wear it. Yesterday, if I did have wings I would have flown away. Not a great day for me...but today, another day with all kinds of opportunities ahead.

Sweater Weather

2007-09-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

It's starting to feel like that time of the year to start thinking about sweaters. These two are from last year, but still looking okay. Both are Debbie Bliss patterns with a few slight changes I made in the sleeves. The green sweater's color is funny looking on my computer screen. It is not quite as drab looking as it appears. I will have to say that lately I enjoy knitting other things, like Afghans, shawls, purses, etc. Last year I was into sweaters. Love them, but not so far this year.

Pie R Not Square Shawl

2007-09-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is really hard to photograph to do it justice. It really looks great on, but alas...no one around to capture it for me, and I certainly will not put it on since I am not officially dressed for the day, yet. Later, if I am lucky, I will ask my husband to photo it.
Now, off for a walk in the morning fog...

Finished Felted Tote...

2007-09-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

Tah Dah!!! What a success. It took 4 washing cycles to get this to felt. I have never used Cascade 220 before, always Patons yarn to felt with. I will have to say that Patons, at least from my experience, felts faster and less fuzz in the dryer and washer. But, all in all, a great success. The color of the photo below is more true to the color, which is just like peat moss. The pics I took outside grey the yarn more, but you can see the detail better.

PEAT MOSS TOTE - before

2007-09-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

Just finished knitting the tote! It is in the washer as I write this, felting away to transform itself into an unbelievable bag. The size of the unfelted bag is about 15" x 13". Hope all goes well in the wash.

What You Do On A REALLY HOT Day!

2007-09-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

You knit with wool...I stated this tote and just got too hot and sweaty working on it, so...I am passing along my pattern, adapted from another. It really is just too hot in this house...86!!!!!

Double Bottom Felted Tote
Yarn: Cascade 220 or Patons (5 Skeins)
Needle: Size 11, 24” circular
Spare circular in Size 9 (for 3 needle bind off)
Notions: Markers, 4 stitch holders, tapestry needle
BOTTOM
With #11 circular needle, loosely cast on 80 sts. Place marker and join. Being careful not to twist sts.
Rnd: 1 Purl.
Rnd:2 K1, *M1, k1 and mark this st with a split marker. M1, k36, M1, k1 and mark this st, M!,
*k2; repeat from *to* once, end k1 - 88 sts.
Rnd:3 Purl.
Rnd:4 Knit to first marked st, M1, k1, M1, *knit to next marked st, M1, k1, M1; repeat from
* 2 more times, knit to end of rnd - 96 sts.
Repeat Rnds 3 and 4 until there are 112 sts. Purl 1 Rnd.
BODY
Knit even in St st (knit every rnd) for 64 rnds. Adjust if necessary the number of rounds knitted to change
The depth of the bag. Knit 6 rounds in Garter st (knit one round, purl one round).
TOP
BO 10 sts, put 8 sts on holder, BO next 20 sts, put 8 stitches on holder, BO next 20 sts, put 8 sts on
Holder, BO 4 sts, place next 12 stitches on holder, BO 4 sts, put 8 sts on holder, BO last 10 sts to end.
HANDLES AND TAB CLOSURE
With #11 Double Points or Circular needle slip first 8 stitches from holder to needle. Knit every row
(Garter Stitch) for 3 ridges or 6 rows. Start I-Cord handle strap on these 8 sts for 90 rows. Knit 3 ridges
Or 6 rows. Using kitchener stitch to attach I-Cord to stitches on holder same side as just worked. Work
Opposite side to match. Slip center 12 sts onto #11 needle. Knit every row (Garter Stitch) for 21 rows.
Slip 4 sts to holder, BO 4 center sts. Make I-Cord closure with 4 stitches approx. 4” long. Attach to 4
Stitches on holder using kitchener stitch.
SECOND BOTTOM PIECE
With circular needle, cast on 80 sts. Place marker and join, being careful not to twist sts. Work same
As the first bottom until there are 112 sts. Purl 1 rnd. With spare smaller circular needle, pick up the top
Loops of the last purl round of the tote bottom. Place the second piece on top of the tote bottom. Holding
Both needles in your left hand, and with the bottom of the bag facing, work a 3-needle bind off.
FINISHING
Weave in loose ends on WS. Felt Piece. My technique: first wash: fill sink with approx. 3” deep of very
Hot water and ¼ soap. With rubber gloves to protect your hands agitate piece for about 5 minutes. Do not
Rinse, transfer tote to washer. Place in with tote a pair of old jeans. I use a front loader. There will be
Enough soap from the first washing to be sufficient. Turn machine to the Wool and Silk cycle setting (on my machine it runs for 30 minutes). After that cycle is complete check the shrinkage and felting results.
I usually give it another repeat but on the Rinse and Spin cycle (approx. 17 minutes). After that is
Complete check to see if the desired amount of felting and shrinking has occurred. I shape the tote
By stuffing it with plastic garment bags. Leave to dry.
Sew on a big button and enjoy!!!
Adapted from Felted Knits by Beverly Galeskas

Works In Progress

2007-08-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

This heat wave is starting to become unbearable. It is just 12:30 PM, the outside temp is 92 [expected to reach triple digits], inside my unconditioned home it is 84...I have fans blowing lots of hot air around the rooms, but it is very uncomfortable. I can't knit all that well either because the sweat from my hands makes the yarn "stick" to the kneedles and that drag is a drag.
Since my Cuisinart accident a week ago last Monday, I just hobble around the house - house bound. Starting to get a little stir-crazy. I haven't mustered up the courage to take the steri-strip off the wound but I think I really need to do that today or at the very least tomorrow. Who knows what is lurking under that make-shift stitch.
I am using up the last couple of balls of the wasabi shawl yarn to make a HAND towel...ala Mason/Dixon book. And trying to knit lace, Miss Lambert's Shetland Shawl. Ooooh, I have to concentrate so hard on the pattern so I don't mess up the stitches. I have really never knitted lace before, well I have knitted sort of lace scarves but nothing this elaborate. I have one repeat sequence finished - 47 more to go and that's just the middle section, then I have to edge the damn thing.

Which One Shall I Work On Today?

2007-08-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

Another Sleeping Beauty

2007-08-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

Look what he has done to my sofa! Geez it is scratched up and filthy

Wasabi Shawl

2007-08-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Looks a lot like a spider web...the pattern calls it a flower petal shawl - don't think so. Minus a few mistakes it turned out okay. I finished it last night around midnight and was so excited to see it blocked and pinned out. This morning I took out the pins and put it on. Not bad...It blocked to the specified size on the pattern, however, if I were to knit this pattern again I might select another edge treatment. Those pointed edges really enhance the "spidery" look, perhaps a little too much.
I was eating some wasabi peanuts...the color of the treated nut is exactly the same as this shawl.

Moving on the the next project on the kneedles...the pie r square modified shawl. And what to do with the extra yarn from Wasabi...guest towels!!!!!!

He Can't Help It

2007-08-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

Some how it always starts my day off in the wrong direction. He can't help that he is old...

He tries hard everyday to be a dog; sniff, eat (always seems to be hungry) and sleep and most of the time makes it to the yard to do his business. Well, not this morning even after being outside for nearly 1/2 an hour. I was making the bed and turned around and sure enough there was a yellow stream of pee all over the carpet. That poor carpet...really needs to get professionally cleaned. And this is what he does the best...sleep!

I still love him and care for him, but please....stop that behavior!

Knitting this morning on the petal shawl, pictures later. I am getting really close to finishing the body and starting the edging...it sort of looks like a giant cob-web.