A blog about my life, knitting, and other stuff.

November 30, 2008

My Husband, the Rabble Rouser

He wants us to do more about the AIDS crisis than buy specialty coffee drinks.

A Possible List

In no particular order.

  1. Araucania Nature Wool for BPT or possibly Drops 103-1

  2. Baruffa 7 Settembre(needs to be dyed) for Sylph Cardigan (longer without the ruffle)








  3. Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran for Saddle-Shoulder Aran Cardigan WG 63/SO 49


These are just sweaters that I have the yarn for in my stash. I have enough yarn for a three or four more but they are all fingering weight so it's not at all realistic. There are also my three sweaters still on the needles, GLMC, Auburn Camp Shirt and Marianne, all knit in fingering or lace-weight yarn. I'd also love to knit the February Lady Sweater and/or Bountiful Bohus during this challenge and probably a dozen more sweaters so there will definitely be a lot of shuffling of this list. But this is the start.

These are all Ravelry links. At this point I assume everyone has joined.

November 29, 2008

Syncopated Cap



Pattern: Syncopated Caps by Kate Gilbert, Summer '07 IK
Yarn: Blue Moon Socks That Rock Medium-weight in a Rare Gems colorway and undyed Henry's Attic Kona Superwash
Needles: Crystal Palace US2 circulars and dpns
Notes: When I started the pattern I thought, "The ribbing's done on the same needle? Won't that be a problem?" I then promptly ignored that thought and knit the hat. Yes, the ribbing section is a little baggy. Overall I'm really happy with my stranding. My tension is very even and I love the way the pattern looks with this yarn combo.

November 28, 2008

It's Crazy But It's My Kind of Crazy

For the last few days I've been wrestling with a dilemma. To join or not to join NaKniSweMoDo. Can I knit 12 adult-sized sweaters in a year? Yes, definitely. Do I want to? I think I maybe kind of want to. I also know that if I don't do it and start reading about it on everyone's blog in January I'm going to wish I did it. I have been known to be a knitalong whore. I have resisted the lure of a knitalong for a long time. I started to resent feeling like I "had to" knit something. But now I think I might be ready to jump back in. And it will be a real joy to finally knit up all that sweater yarn in my stash. Anyone else thinking of joining?

November 27, 2008

Thursdays are for What the Hell is This? Thanksgiving Edition

The people have spoken. Everyone has been emailing me all week. I hear you. Here you go.



I thought it was the same at my '06 post but apparently that one was knit and this is crocheted. Which you can see makes a world of difference.

Happy Turkey Day!

November 26, 2008

Syncopation



With my socks and baby dress and all the kid knitting done I was ready to start a new project. I have been promising Wes another hat for a while. I had planned on making this hat. After looking at the sizing and reading the comments about it on Ravelry I didn't think I would be able to make a hat to find Wes's huge head without completely changing the pattern. Instead I turned to Syncopated Caps by Kate Gilbert from the summer '07 IK. I'm using a skein of Socks That Rock in the medium-weight and some Henry's Attic Kona Superwash. The STR is a Rare Gems skein I got at OFFF this fall. The Henry's has been in the stash for years. I'm liking it and feeling hopeful that it will fit.

November 25, 2008

Evening Stockings for a Young Lady



Pattern: Evening Stockings for a Young Lady from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Wasonga by Curious Creek
Needles: US1 Addi Lace
Notes: I knit these pretty much as written. I shortened the top ribbing slightly. I also shortened the heel flap. The yarn obscures the pattern more than I was expecting.

Little Sister's Dress





Pattern: Little Sister's Dress by Tora Frøseth Design
Yarn: Handspun Navajo-plied merino (fiber from The Artful Ewe)
Needles: US3
Notes: This is a very simple, fun little project. The yarn was spun by me. Very badly spun. I overspun the singles. I underplied the yarn. It biases very strongly which you can see in the bottom photo. The colors, dyed by Heidi Parra, are still wonderful though.

November 24, 2008

Titanic





I took a bunch of photos of Isabella this weekend with the camera resting on the floor. (Note: Next time I do this I should clean the floor first.) I love these because they really convey the enormity of this dog. Plus her silly and sweet disposition.

It's Gone Now, You're Safe

The super red and super blue yarn is all used up. When I handed my son his hat he slipped it on his head and asked, "Is this a set?" Yes, dear, it's a set. A set that nearly blinds all who gaze upon it.

On the plus side he is actually wearing the sweater. He has worn it every day since I finished it. He kind of views it as outdoor-wear so he puts it on when he's going out. This morning when I came down to breakfast he was wearing it! And he's wearing the mittens too. He probably would have worn the hat to school today too if I had woven in the ends on time.

I'm so excited about this that I want to make him another sweater. I almost asked him a few times but held myself back. If he's still wearing the sweater all the time in a few weeks I'll check with him about a second one.

Now I'm back to finishing up some projects. My socks have just an inch to go before the toe. My baby dress is packed to take to knitting tonight. If I have a good night of knitting I might complete them both.

Little Blue Leftovers Hat



Pattern: None
Yarn: Leftover Madil Merino Mix 100 and Lana Grossa Bingo
Needles: US5 and 8 Addi Turbos
Notes: I knit the blue section at the movies and ran out of yarn twenty minutes before the movie ended. I had intended to do stripes in the top portion. When I got home I began the red section and found a few yards left of the blue to throw in. I decreased steeply because I was worried about running out of yarn.

November 23, 2008



Pattern: Target Wave Mittens from Knitting Nature
Yarn: Lana Grossa Bingo and Madil Merino Mix 100
Needles: US6 Addi Turbos and US8 Britanny double points
Notes: If I knit these again I would knit the cuff and the top in the round then pick up the "target" area and knit that in the round as well. I would also eliminate one stripe from the thumb as it's too long. Otherwise a very easy though intriguing pattern.

November 22, 2008

What's Worse Than Seaming?

Seaming stripes. Ugh.

Bohus in Minnesota

I wanted to let you all know about an upcoming Bohus exhibit at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis (.pdf). There will be several events including Susanna Hanson teaching her all-day Bohus Stickning class. You should definitely check it out if you are in the area.

Target: Mittens



I had yarn left from the super bright sweater so now I'm making some matching super bright mittens. This is the Target Wave Mittens from Knitting Nature It's an intriguing pattern but has some drawbacks, like seaming. Who wants to seam mittens? Not me which is why this seam has yet to be sewn. I also think the thumb could be a few rounds shorter.

November 21, 2008

Red Red Raglan




Photos taken before the ends were woven in.

Pattern: Seamless EPS Raglan
Yarn: Madil Merino Mix 100 and Lana Grossa Bingo
Needles: US7 and 8
Notes: I whacked this together with very little thought or planning. The front of the neck could be lower but I'll live. I used a tubular bind off on the neckline which makes for a very stretchy edge.

When One Door Closes Another Opens?

Pushing Daisies has been canceled. It's a travesty. Finally a creative, inventive, sweet, fun and gorgeous show comes to television and they can it. My only consolation is news that the Arrested Development movie might be a go.

November 20, 2008

Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?

Big Ass Knits have been discussed pretty thoroughly on Thursdays. I have pretty much sworn off writing about them. But then the Victoria's Secret "fashion" show took place this weekend. I think you'll forgive me for delving into this subject once again.



Your eyes are not deceiving you. That is a (very young) girl in a bra and tap pants with suspenders wearing a titanic garter stitch scarf. If I might make a suggestion to any of you who find yourself chilled while lounging in your dainties you might consider putting on clothing instead of a huge scarf. Just a thought.

November 19, 2008

See?

It's really, really red.

November 18, 2008

Why Must They Torture Us?

Yet another Harry Potter trailer.



Only 8 more months. Sigh...

Doubleknit #12

It's up.

TNNA San Diego?

I've changed my mind and am considering going to TNNA in January. Is there anyone out there who is going who might like a roommate?

November 17, 2008

Promiscuity Will Get You Nowhere

I've been dabbling all week. Flitting from one project to the next and back again. I've done lots of knitting though. (My camera battery just died while I was out taking photos so you'll have to use your imagination for this post.)

Evening Stocking for a Young Lady: I have turned the heel on the second sock. Just need a few hours to finish this one off.

Hexagon Blanket: I have squared up two sides. This took a lot of time and trial and error to understand what spaces needed to be filled in to make a rectangle. I believe I know what I need to do to complete this project. This makes me feel like it should already be done since I've already completed it in my mind. Instead I think I still have about a third left to knit.

Merino Baby Dress: I reknit the body and cast off last week. It's been sitting waiting for me to finish up the edging on the the armholes and neck opening.

Sock Yarn Blanket: I pulled this guy out of the trunk last night when I went to the movies. It's getting really big but I still think it won't be done for a few more years.

Red Red Raglan: On Friday my younger son told me that he wanted a sweater. A red sweater. I pulled some REALLY RED yarn that I got for him a few years ago and cast on for a seamless raglan. I started it on Saturday afternoon. The body is done and I have just started the sleeves. The yarn, Merino Mix 100 by Madil, is discontinued. It's a real shame. It's a wonderfully squishy, drapey yarn that knits up beautifully and is machine-washable. I'm glad I stashed this one. I'm a little worried that I won't have enough to complete the sweater so I brought my son by the shop yesterday to pick out a color of Bingo to use for stripes in the yoke. He picked a very bright blue to go with the intensely vivid red. It's a color palette that proudly declares, "I was selected by an 8 year old boy!"

So which project should I work on tonight at Purlygirls? I can't decide so I'm bringing them all.

November 16, 2008

Now Knotions

What a week. A new Twist, new IK and now a new Knotions.

November 14, 2008

That's What I Meant

Scene: Leaving the house for dinner

Younger Son: Mom, can you help me? My zipper is damned.
Me: Jammed?
Son: Uh...yeah.

Interweave Winter Preview

It's up.

November 13, 2008

Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?

I imagine some people think styling a photoshoot is a pretty easy job. You take a pretty model, put her in a pretty location, slap a handknit on her and badda-bing-badda-boom you have a great looking shoot.

Just remember when you're slapping that handknit on to put it on right side up.



Otherwise you end up with a model looking like a demented elf.

November 12, 2008

One Year Later



One year ago we brought Isabella home. 30-40 pounds later she has become a part of our family and gives us so much joy.

Cthulhu



Pattern: Cthulhu from Creepy Cute Crochet by Christen Haden
Yarn: Renaissance by Classic Elite
Hook: Size F
Notes: Instead of gluing on Fimo eyes as shown in the book I bought some matte, flat buttons and a paint pen. It was quick and easy and I'm less worried about Cthulhu losing an eye while playing with the boys.

Over-Dye Success



Ahhh. Much better.

November 11, 2008

Now It Relates to Knitting

Grosgrain does these completely insanely over the top kid costume giveaways. But this week it's fiber-related.

Straighten Up and Knit Right

Last night as I headed to Purlygirls I realized--with a shocked gasp--that I had left my knitting at home. But, as you should know by now, I always have emergency knitting in the trunk so I wasn't too upset. When I opened the trunk to pull out my sock yarn blanket I realized that my hexagon blanket was in there too! Excellent.



I discussed on the last podcast that I wanted to knit the half-hexagons on one edge so I would have a straight line and some kind of guidepost about where to go next. I've been knitting pretty randomly on this thing and can't ever seem to get my bearings. Of course the first half-hexagon I knit went in the wrong place. Ugh. I ripped it out. By the time I went to bed last night I had two done and the start of a straight line. It needs some steam because it doesn't look too straight yet.



I'm all fired up to get this done now!

November 10, 2008

Back in the Pot!



I can't seem to capture the super-glow-in-the-dark-screaming-neon-hold-me-mommy-I'm-scared-toxic-waste aspect of this yarn on camera. But, believe me, it's there. I put it back in the dyepot and will try to tone it down with a bit of black.

November 9, 2008

The Great Cthulhu Requires Eyes



That went fast. Now he needs eyes. The ones in the book are made with Fimo then glued on. But the boys would knock them right off. We've discussed buttons and they are interested in painting buttons to look like the eyes in the book. Need to go to the craft store for supplies.

Yellow Plus Black Makes Green

Did you know that? I always thought that you needed yellow and blue to make green. But a few years ago in a dyeing class with Judith Mackenzie-McCuin she pointed out that polar yellow combined with black will create a great green. Last night I tried it by over-dyeing this grey shetland I spun up in April with yellow. Too much yellow, unfortunately.



A little eye-searing. I'm going to wait until it dries and see if I can live with it. Otherwise I toss a little black over it to tone it down.

November 8, 2008

Doubleknit Podcast #11

It's up.

My World is Green (Except for the Scarf)



My first scarf is off the loom. It's got some issues. I do love the colors though. I need to get started ASAP on my next and final class project.



100% angora handspun from a hand-dyed roving purchased at The Artful Ewe. It was a pleasure to spin. I'm happy with my plying. Now I need to wash it and beat it up a bit to full it and fluff it up.



Evening Stockings for a Young Lady. The first one kind of dragged on. The second one is knitting up really quickly. I will have loads of yarn left and am thinking up something fun to do with it.



My younger son has been begging me to make a Cthulhu doll for him for months. Finally got started this afternoon.

Would you say I'm in a green phase?

November 7, 2008

LOL Friday

funny pictures of cats with captions
more animals

November 6, 2008

Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?

There is only one thing to say about today's photos.







Pierre Cardin has lost his shit.

November 4, 2008

Grateful

As the news of Barack Obama as our next president begins to sink in I am so grateful that my children will grow up in an America where a multi-racial person can be president. It is a great day and I am very thankful.

Drill Baby Drill and Twill Baby Twill

I'm a week behind on my weaving class work. I bought a beautiful hand-crafted boat shuttle at my retreat (sorry, no photo right now) and was told that the end of the bobbin would fit in an electric drill to wind.



Then I started weaving my scarf. This is a warp-faced twill.



My beating is *ahem* a tad uneven. I blame the partly textured warp for some of that. The rest is my fault.

I'm off to work. Go vote is you haven't yet.

November 3, 2008

Oh man, the power just...

Oh man, the power just went out. listen

Powered by Jott

November 2, 2008

Knitting for Obama

C Jane Knit has been a very busy Obama knitter. She brought many of her great items to the retreat. Here's just a sampling.



Check out her great sweater too.

Peanut the Second Has Found a Home



Peanut was given to Susanna at the retreat. Here he is on her bed blending right in literally and figuratively.

Hola Amigos

That's what my younger son said to me when I got home.

What a great week.

We stopped at FOUR yarn shops on the way to the retreat. The first was The Artful Ewe. I gave in and splurged on 3 ounces of hand-dyed angora top. I was a little anxious about how well I could spin it but it was so easy to work with. I was able to spin and ply the whole thing during the retreat.I ended up with about 210 yards of sport/dk yarn. It's really soft and lovely. I'm very pleased.

I finished the baby dress. Then I realized that you shouldn't do centimeters to inches conversions in my head at 2 am. The dress is several inches shorter than it should be. I can't decide between ripping out the last 15 rows and bind off and reknitting or cutting them off and grafting them back on later.

I worked a lot on my hexagon blanket. It's getting bigger and more blankety.

I bought a lot of yarn at the stash sale.

I bought a lot of books and magazines at the stash sale.

I had a wonderful time. Next year I'm going for a full week!