Another present done

I've finished A's set, the knitting aspect anyway. I need to hit up the craft store and get some elastic because the ribbing is too broad for her. I also want to get some ribbon to spiffy it up.

I've started making Mike a cabled hat and made the pattern myself so we'll see how it works out when I'm done. I'd like to be able to put up some patterns, but I'll need to test knit again to make sure what I wrote down works.

I've finished half of A's X-mas present

She really wants socks, but her Christmas list asks for legwarmers and armwarmers. Well, actually it asked for leg & arm wormers but I'll go with what she wants rather than what is said. She also needs a warmer hat, so I've made the hat and started on the legwarmers tonight. I don't have the right dpns (well I do but they're metal) and I gave magic loop another try and didn't like that, so I'm making them flat and seaming them. I'm using the 220 in Country Rose, so that gets a yarn I don't like out of my hair and gets me A's presents without spending any extra cash which is uber rare these days. I probably won't be able to get the fingerless gloves done before xmas, but I'll make them for her before she goes back to school so she can have her whole set.

M wants me to make him a "yarn toy", so I've got to figure out what I can make for him. I'd prefer crochet since it goes faster for me, but I've got to find something a- I can do b- can do quickly and c- that he'll like. I'm sure I can find something if I just sit down and look.

All the updates and pictures I promised

Tons of stuff to post this time. I'm finished with my planned holiday gifts. Well, some still need to be washed and blocked, but the knitting is done!

Here's Lori's Shrug:


Here's Dale's hat, I had to dye the orange and I screwed up which blue to use, but it's a fun hat nonetheless.

Yarn:


Hat:


Sarah's Birthday Scarf:


This purple yarn is knitpicks gloss in cosmos, which I used for Mom's Shawl:


Nathan's Cardigan is coming along nicely. It's not finished, but I preemptively decided it wouldn't be done before Christmas, so hopefully it can be snuck in.


I also decided I would throw in some mug cozies for the kids' teachers, mugs still have to be purchased!


And I also made my first handspun!


Made myself a Bucket Hat which is the most fabulous thing ever! I wear it all the time and I've never itched once. I'm completely in love with malabrigio. Must buy more when I can!


I also made my first Thanksgiving meal last week. After 9 years of marriage I finally made a damn turkey.


And I started the shawl for Lori for her wedding gift. I have been busy. Keeps my brain busy so I don't have to think about all the other stressful things. Everyone's brain needs a break sometimes.

I've been a good knitter, but a horrible blogger

In fact, I'm honestly surprised that I've done this well at all. Blogging has never been in my nature and I only have a twitter account to see Casey's updates. I've been chugging along trying to get Christmas knitting done because it's going to be a hell of a tight holiday with things the way they are and the way they seem to be tanking around us. Everyone seems to be getting laid off which certainly isn't helping me find a job considering the last time I had one was four years ago. I don't seem to be too employable at the moment.

That being said, I'm still diligently working on Nathan's Cardigan. I really want to get it done before Christmas, but it's at the end of the list because Nathan's mommy knows my knitting list and will be happy to accept it even if it's not under the tree on the 25th.

I'm also working on a shawl for my mom made from Knitpicks Gloss Sock Yarn in Cosmos. It's just a plain garter stitch triangular shawl, but I do plan on running ribbon through the eyelets along the increases to make it prettier. I'm making her boyfriend a striped hat, like last year, but in the team colors he likes. I had to dye the "pumpkin" color to make it more orange-y (it was a darker paler orange) and it didn't take too well, so I'm going to have to give it another go tomorrow. The original color in the yarn came out some in the water, which I've never had a knitpicks yarn do, but I don't know if that affected anything at all.

I'm making my mother in law a shrug and am really keeping my fingers crossed that I can do both sides the same as I made some changes to the pattern. It is quite beautiful and I really want it to work out.

I also started a scarf for my sister in law, not necessarily a Christmas present, but I thought it would be something she would like and she does have a birthday just 5 days after Christmas.

I will hopefully get some pictures up soon. I've been lazy with the camera since my kitchen is kind of a wreck and that's where I get the best lighting. Once I give the batteries a charge tomorrow and get my counters all back in order, I have a lot of making up to do.

I think I am doing Christmas Knitting this year.

I just can't avoid it. I have more gifts I want to give than my budget really allows for, and there are people that I really do want to make special gifts for. So, since none of them are readers of my blog (and anyone that would read my blog won't find their details here, silly). I really really really really wanted to make stockings for Christmas but I really think it is just going to have to wait. I want to do gifts first and if I can then crank out stockings, I'll be a super hero.

D wants a hat with Denver Broncos colors and I think that is completely doable with Cascade 220. I am a bit nervous ordering since I will only see it how my computer shows it, but I will perhaps get some Ravelry input.

I want to make Mia for M and maybe L, but I'm really not sure what yarn to go with yet. I'd like to use some DIC smooshy, but I worry about how much I'll need because I really can't go over 1 hank each.

For A, I want to make legwarmers and a hat that I have in a magazine (and I just can't remember which one right now!)

And little M loves toys, so he'll probably get some of those.

And I'd really like to make S and super chunky cabled scarf and hat, but we'll have to see, that may be a bday present.

and I do have super pictures to show, including Nathan's Cardigan, but I need to scoot for now!

I had to just reorganize what I want to do

Sitting and thinking last night, I decided to put things away and prioritize for the fall knitting season. Here's to hoping it all works out. My house is clean (and even pretty organized) so perhaps I will even get a chance to get holiday knitting done. We can all hope.

I've just lost steam

This week, E was off work and we took this wonderful time to clean house. And I really do mean clean house. I think I've sorted through and washed every article of clothing my children own, gone through every toy that they own, and nearly everything else in our home. Ok, so we didn't hit our room, but that happened not too long ago and it just needs a good clean up at the moment. The boy's 6th birthday is today, and his party is tomorrow so the living room and the kitchen got a good thorough cleaning as well, ok, they aren't quite finished but they will be before anyone gets here. That takes me to the knitting, or well, lack of. I am just so freakin tired of the cardigan that I just can't do it right now. It looks fabulous, it fits, but I'm I just can't bear to work on it anymore. I have other projects to do, a ton in fact, and I also wanted to make some stockings for Christmas. There's so much to knit and just not enough time. And the fact that I don't have a job yet makes me anxious (no extra for the income yet) and happy (means I still have time to knit!).

• I think the Cardi goes on the back burner, I'll deal with it when I crave it again.

• The firefighter socks are coming along delightfully. The 9" circ is fabulous with the exception of the join not being as 'perfect' as I've heard. Perhaps I have a funny one or I just have a differing opinion of perfect. Either way I knit quickly enough on them that any negative is outweighed by such a huge positive.

• I received some ultra alpaca from a Ravelry destash and I'm very excited to make myself a scarf and hat set, but I think that has to wait until I do....

• The kids hats and scarves. They picked out yarn awhile ago and I just haven't even started. I do also need to find my 12" size 7 circ. It seems to be missing though it shouldn't be far.

• I also want to make L a skinny bias knit scarf from the red and turq brown sheep yarn

• I want to get at least one stocking done (I really want 2) before Christmas, but I don't know what yarn (blend or acrylic, they do have to go in storage

• And I want A Better Bucket Hat done out of my Malabrigo.

• And I've decided that I'm going to ask for gift certificates for the holidays from KP, TLE, and my LYS, Sheep's Clothing. We usually get GC for the holidays within the family, so it's nice to pick where to. I could really use to stock up on some cascade, and I would like some lace.
  

I really did get the body done!

I got the body done on my Plath Cardigan . Looks like it's going to fit and all that fun stuff, so my next thing to tackle is the sleeves. I can't honestly say I'm a fan of sleeves. Like to wear them, don't care so much about making them. Shamefully I still have to go and hunt down all my harmony needles and I'm hoping that perhaps my sz 6 12" will help me out because all I have are metal dpns in size 6 (well I have Brittany's but the dog incident, you know) and it's just too slick and heavy for the metal. In the meantime, I've started crocheting Mason an Octopus.

Generally I can't say I've done much besides blankets and scarves. Tunisian crochet scarves were a staple while I lived with my mom and I really only learned that because I wanted to learn how to knit so badly. I've always wanted to learn how to do all the fun amigurumi creatures but figured it was well past my crochet knowledge. Come to find out the Octopus pattern is nothing I don't already know how to do, and in my usual style I still found it necessary to alter. I'm just too damn lazy to figure out how to seam something in crochet and still have it be aesthetically pleasing. (Are there seaming methods in crochet?) I have 7 more legs to go and then "Squiddy" (as Mason has named his Octo) will be all ready to go.

I also started making Erik socks on the Hiya Hiya 9" circs. I like it but I'm also torn because my crampy little fingers get a little grumpy and I've already dropped two stitches (immediately picked up, no worries). It will be interesting and in the long run I do think it will be beneficial to getting them done in a timely manner vs doing them on circs. The man just has ginormous feet.

Pics to come, right now I'm trying to clean house and have a massive overhaul of the kids' rooms. They have too much crap and we have a birthday party in 6 days.

Ok, here's the pictures I owe:
Cardigan:


Squiddy:


Socks:

Well, the pictures are on the new computer

They just haven't been fixed on my blog yet because new ones also needed to be added to flickr. It's coming. While it's not like I have a huge blog following, it is a goal that I need to complete. And I really, really want to finish the body of the cardigan by the end of tomorrow. That goal comes first.

New yarn coming my way

I've never used Malabrigo before. I feel it in the store and it just doesn't feel as great as other things I've used but people just go crazy for it, so I've ordered some. The Loopy Ewe had some Hiya Hiya 9" circs listed and I know people either love them or hate them and they may not work for socks for me, but they will work for socks for my husband and some other projects I enjoy. However, I didn't want to pay 6 dollar shipping just on needles so I decided to throw some yarn in. I'd love to make a larger purchase, but I try to only use my paypal money, that way it's more like recycling my fiber goodies than purchasing new. That's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it!

I promise I'll have the pictures fixed soon. I'm still currently contemplating how I'm going to get my ass load of pictures from my laptop to this computer in the shortest amount of time. If only my laptop had a dvd burner it could go much smoother.

The Big Changeover

So I finally got a new computer. The old one, not to old in human years, but in technology years, a dinosaur. A laptop dinosaur to boot. I have the new computer now, so all my pictures need to be moved over and then I will actually get the blog pictures fixed. I also have to finish up plans on the next Newer Knitters swap, which I have promised to post by Monday. I have all the info from the surveys and have the plans, I just need to get it all typed out. Hoping to have myself back to normal by Tuesday because this week is the week to go through the kids' rooms and throw away and store things they just don't use anymore. It's going to be a busy week!

The Beer Hat is done.

The Beer Hat is finished and I'm still working on the cardigan. So far things are going well, though I don't think I'll have enough yarn to make the wedding blanket as large as I want. I think Jo Ann's has the Vanna's Choice on sale 2/$5, so I'll just get some more. And I really need to start on my mother in law's wedding shawl. Pictures to come soon!

My Bobs arrived!

I ordered a Bob Ravelry sticker & a Bobicus Ravelympics pin. I know, I didn't participate in the event this year, but I am watching the progress and enjoyed the 50% profit donation to the special olympics. Here's the thing. I afraid to use either my pin or my sticker. I was going to put my sticker on my laptop, but it's dying and I hopefully won't have it a whole lot longer. And my pin, what if the back comes off, or it snags on something? I really need to work out these issues. And I think I need the daily dose of fiber bag.

As for project updates, I have three strips of the wedding blanket put together, I've started the bust decreases on the plath cardigan, and I'm still not done with the hat.

The Beer Hat

So E's company picnic was this past Saturday, and while I know a few people there (including some of his family), I still took my knitting. Granted after last week's dog episode, I was a little more cautious about what I took, but boo boos still happen. Meet Boomer & his beer.

Though not the same beer, Boomer spread beer all over the table, me, and my blue/green spiral hat. All of us were ok, the beer will of course wash out, and as a clumsy one myself (wasn't even his fault, he was bumped) I know accidents happen.

Blue/green hat shall now have it's name changed from 'Another spiral hat' to 'Beer Hat'.

Missing Old Pics fixed soon

I'm currently in the process of trying to get all my photos to one place. So there is currently a lack of pics in some of the old posts, though I did fix the Imperial Logo Hat already just in case someone somewhere uses it.

One day the pictures and I will truly be organized and I will actually have all of my personal old photos scanned into the computer for preservation. One day. When I have a scanner that will scan to my computer and a portable hard drive to store them all in. One day.

So I'm giving it another go

The Plath Cropped Cardigan is in the works again. Still going about in the step laddering though. I just like it for some reason. So far so good but I'm taking my chances and knitting it one size larger since the last one was turning out a bit too small.

The Kashmira is pretty springy but at the same time, I don't care too much for the twist. Really doesn't matter in the long run though.

When there is enough of it up, I'll snag a picture.

I had another yarn accident

I took the kids to Jo-Ann's to get some foam (and I forgot magnets again, dammit!) and ended up having them pick yarn for their winter scarves and hats. They go through a few store bought but I also make 1 for each winter as well. The girl picked some Debbie Mumm clearance yarn and the boy wanted some lion brand chenille business but I talked him out of that and ended up with their big ol skein of acrylic in green. One day they'll appreciate the warmth of wool, but right now it's all about color.




I also bought 6 skeins of Kashmira on clearance for 1.97 each. I think I might be ready to tackle the Plath Cropped Cardigan again. Maybe.

I'm also debating the Ravelympics. I need to decide pretty soon.

Prairie Silks

Today I went to get my eyebrows done. There are only two reasons that I usually go to Valpo for business and one is eyebrows while the other is my LYS. So as you can see, these two things often go together. (This also keeps me from only coming home with yarn from the LYS every month-6 weeks)

I came home with the Yarn Harlot 2009 calendar (of course only 5.5 more months until I can use it) and some Prairie Silks yarn by the Brown Sheep Co. I don't usually like silk blends or mohair but considering this is 72% wool, I think I can manage. I think it will become a striped scarf. The turquoise and red will look mighty good together.

Groovy Scarf Stripes

Groovy Scarf Stripes
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

When we went to Chicago, I went to Loopy and picked up this lovely blue cascade 220 to become the final installment on my groovy scarf. Since I have to make 5 of them, I'm splitting them up during some tedious tv watching.

Ugly Scrap Blanket

Ugly Scrap Blanket
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

After commenting to my husband that it is always ugly blankets that survive in our house, I decided to use the acrylic scraps that I'm not giving mom for a blanket. I hate knitting blankets. All those stitches on the needle at once or piecing it all together sends chills up my spine, so I crochet the blankies. So here is my ugly scrap yarn crocheted blankie. Here's hoping it works out well.

Laurel Hill Knitting Needles

I was sent a pair of 10" Forest Palm Laurel Hill Knitting Needles in US size 7 to review (retail $12). I didn't knit any specific project with these, however I took the opportunity to try out multiple stitches with multiple fibers and sizes. I'm normally a circ & dpn girl, but miss Kellim and I talked about the products they carry (and that I wanted them to carry lol) and she encouraged me to try them out and give some feedback (I'd love to have dpn's that looked and felt like this!)

I tried cotton, wool, & bamboo, all with success. Fibers slid along the needles as they should have because they are polished well without becoming too slippery. Decreases such as k2(3)tog went well despite the fact that I wasn't sure the tips were pointy enough. The only time that became an issue was when I did increases such as kfb. And I'm not entirely sure that it can be blamed on needle tip alone. Since I am used to knitting on circular needles, my knitting on straights just isn't as well honed and my movements are far from fluid. I never felt the needles bowing or bending and they were weighted very well. And the aesthetics can't be ignored. These are beautiful needles that make you proud to pull out in public and wonder who is going to compliment them.

After experiencing their handmade needles, I plan to purchase some crochet hooks (3 different varities available) for myself and for gifts this Christmas. (Great shipping rates, I might add are another plus!)

If you'd like to read more about the Laurel Hill Company or check out their items for sale through Crown Distributing please click on the links and read up. Nothing better than an informed purchase.

So much to catch up on!

This week was kind of a busy knitting week & a mini vacation all at once. I decided to make another hat and came up with a fun swirly hat that gives a nice visual from the top when you keep continuing in pattern through the decreases.





I also started some handwarmers to go along with the bare beanie and I really, really hope I have enough yarn.



When we went to Chicago, we went to the Field Museum and of course I had map quested some close LYS. Found Loopy was the closest & E didn't complain at all and even seemed to enjoy looking through the yarn with me. I grabbed some blue 220, and then some green & orange alpaca. My rule is that I have to get something I haven't tried before, so the alpaca was it. I started to feel guilty but didn't. It's been awhile since I've splurged on something new. The orange is becoming the diagonal rib scarf from the Misti Alpaca site and the green will be a matching hat (here's to hoping I have enough for what I want to do!)

The Bare Beanie

The Bare Beanie
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

I love hats. I wear hats and scarves often and generally even when the weather isn't quite appropriate for such things. Personally, I say as long as I remain comfortable while wearing, that is all that matters.

Earlier, I was tired of knitting without much gratification. I've failed miserably at a few attempts of things and while I think it was just lack of patience, it still seemed to damage my little knitting ego. Hence the easy hat. The sock keychains are all finished, but I needed something functional that I could make on my own. It's just a stockinette hat with 2x2 ribbing, but it's all mine down to the hand dyed yarn.

And please excuse the scary eyebrows, I haven't been taking care of them lately, which means another trip to Adele is in order.

4th of July

100_3426
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

I took my knitting with me to the fireworks on Friday. (Well, I took it to the parade too, but didn't get anything done.) I managed to finish a key chain before the show started. The fireworks were kind of a let down compared to last year. They started about 20 minutes earlier than scheduled and the sky hadn't completely darkened yet. You could still see the light from the sun set. They also seemed to be a lot lower than last year, and every burst was caught in the view of power lines. I really don't remember that happening last year. I know I would have voiced disappointment were that the case. We also took the camera and used the fireworks setting thinking that the camera knew best. It didn't. Too long of exposure and way too long for a processing time. We didn't have the steadiest of hands, but E managed to get this picture (I think it was E's) and I love the way the power line and tree seemed to make a face in front of the explosion. I hope everyone else had a lovely weekend!

I swear, I am knitting at least I little bit!

I'm so frustrated with knitting right now. I knit and knit and knit, but it seems like nothing ever gets done (yes, with the exception of the key chains). I'm already thinking about the holiday season. I usually don't knit much for gifts, they just aren't appreciated as well as a hand crafted item should be. However, this year, I think there are a few people that I will definitely knit for since they appreciate what I do. I just can't bog myself down too much in the beginning or it will never get done. I also wanted to make stockings this year, so that's on the plate as well. I just haven't decided what yarn I want to use.

I think I need to buy the Yarn Harlot's new Calendar. And knitpicks has books on sale. Perhaps I need some new things to perk up the imagination.

Teeny Socks are fun!

These wee tiny socks are great fun and super quick to make. I really, really wish big people socks were that fast. I'd have socks for every day of the week, and every outfit I could wear.

The Rav swap seems to be going well so far. I've got two thank you notes & keychains all ready to go out in the mail on Monday for the two people who have gotten their packages to their destination.

I'm still trying to get in the mood to go back to my WIPs, but I'm just not there yet. The wee socks are currently filling my desire for instant gratification, and I do hit a few rows on the groovy scarf each night. I believe I'm currently around the three foot mark, and will be quit happy to mindless make I-Cord when the time comes.

I'm ready to put in an order to the loopy ewe. I sent my wishlist to E, hoping perhaps he'd send a surprise package my way, but I doubt that would happen. He's not inclined to buy me yarn, even though I have non yarn items on my list. I probably shouldn't blame him much considering he walks by my stash any time he goes to the kitchen or bathroom. He did bring me some beautiful gerber daisies home last night. Now I have something pretty to look at while I knit.

It's blocking!

I've finished the test knit and it's blocking. Now I'm trying to decide what exactly to work on next. It was kind of nice to have a little break and not think about my current WIPs that aren't going anywhere.

The Gerda Stole is still in time out, well, I guess I'm the one in time out, it's not done anything wrong. The scarf I designed is sitting, waiting on another try while I try to figure out how you can F up something repeatedly that you designed yourself (the pattern is sound, I've had other eyes peep it for me). My jaywalker socks are still sitting in their bag not getting knit. I'm not sure why I'm having such a problem with that pattern. I'm very tempted to frog and just make myself some happy plain socks. I hate the kfb at the beginning of a needle for some reason, so they're just sitting, not getting done.

I wanted to go to open knit at my LYS today, but E informed me that I was mistaken about which day he had to go in early, so I just got up with him and started the day's housework. I wish the little elves would do it while I sleep, but so far they've been strangely absent.

I dyed some yarn with the girl last night to make wee sock key chains for the people participating in my Rav group's swap. Once it gets dry and I can wind it, I think I'll start on those. Seems to be some pretty instant gratification (even if the yarn is less than perfect, it was dyed with the love of an 8 year old).



I will get up some pictures somewhat soon. I'm not sure why, but I currently don't know where the camera is and my counter isn't nearly cleaned up enough to take things in there in the good light to photograph. Hopefully I'll get around to doing that tonight.

So I just haven't made many stitches.

It's been a hell of a week and I can't imagine that I made too many stitches lately. The only thing I've worked on is a pattern that a member of my rav group is having test knit. I do wish I had a better yarn for it, but it's still turning out nicely and if I could actually get a chance to sit down and knit, I'd have it done in no time.

Friday I chatted online with a far away friend I haven't talked to in awhile and Saturday the kids went to their grandpa's. I got side tracked by a phone call on my way to the yarn store, but it needed to be done and was all good in the long run. Went to a pretty late lunch with E and then we did some shopping and went to the drive in. I think I managed to knit about three rows on the groovy scarf before I got totally side tracked. I don't knit when I've paid to watch a movie, so the knitting remained in the bag for the double feature. We saw Kung Fu Panda (Loved it!) and The Incredible Hulk. Hulk was much better than the one they made 5 years ago and this one will easily transition into the Avengers, which I'm certainly looking forward to. Marvel really has their act together with this movie thing finally.

Sunday we picked up the kids and had lunch at E's dad's place. I think I *might* have knit yet another 3 rows on the groovy scarf, but too much conversation led to me putting my knitting back in the bag.

Yesterday and today I've been running errands and cleaning house (my kids have WAY TOO MANY TOYS!) and getting rid of things we certainly don't need. It's going well, but it's just not leaving me much time to knit. Which brings me to the head scarf I'm test knitting. I started it yesterday, and am well over half way done. Should be done soon, and then I can go back to not getting my regular knitting done. Well, at least until the house it cleaned up and we have way less stuff than we used to.

Rav Day at the LYS

My father in law is taking the kids next Saturday around noon for a sleepover, so I'll be going to my favorite LYS, Sheep's Clothing for a little meet of Indiana Ravelers. I should have a lil bit o yarn money to do some purchasing of something that I haven't tried yet. While I like going to the yarn shop to pick out yarn for projects, it's always nice if I have a little extra to pick out some yarn that I just haven't had the chance to knit with yet. That's also why I keep a wishlist at The Loopy Ewe, but that has to be when I'm ready to make a larger purchase to make the shipping feel ok (as well as the wait time).

E and I should also be going to the drive in on saturday, which means some lovely mindless knitting time waiting for the feature to start as well as between movies if I decide to use the lights.

I don't get kidless nights very often, so this is going to be one fun weekend for me!

Shhh... I bought more yarn

I bought some Lion Brand Sock-Ease today.






My Hobby Lobby only got one of each color of Red Heart's Heart and Sole in, even though you need 2 to make a pair of socks. They also only got in one of each of the Sock-Ease, but one ball for one pair, so I went ahead and bought the grey and the pink. I had a coupon, so it was barely over 10 buck for both together and that's just a deal you can't pass up. $10 bucks for two pair? I'd be crazy not to take advantage of that.

I didn't knit a single stitch

Yesterday my hands were so swollen and stiff if it was utterly ridiculous. I wear a super thin wedding band because it works better with the swelling I deal with through the year, but yesterday was bad enough that I had to take my ring off for awhile. It was a pretty safe bet that I wasn't going to knit without causing myself some pain, so I took a day away from the needles. It's a total bummer, knitting makes my hands better in the grand scheme of things, but when they're tired from something else (like typing) not even knitting can help me out.

I don't really have much planned for today either, the boy isn't feeling too hot and neither am I. I think I'm going to fix some soup and see what's piled up on the dvr this week. Hopefully I'll get back to the knitting tomorrow. I really need to see a few of these WIPs progress or I'm going to start losing steam.

The Gerda Stole

We seem to have this love hate relationship going on. I don't care for charts, that begins the descent into madness with lace. I can read charts, it is just more difficult for me to not lose my place. I end up with a mad collection of post its, 2 across the bottom of the row I'm working on and then a post it flag for stopping points along that row. This in itself is not the issue. The post its work just fine for what they are supposed to do. I however, still end up losing my place. I only knit on the pattern when the kids are outside, the tv is off, and the dog is sleeping. I don't answer the phone and I make sure that I've gone to restroom and filled my drink (non-alcoholic; friends don't let friends knit drunk). Somehow I've managed to have to frog the pattern 3 times. Granted I don't get too far in, but 20 rows of lace still manages to be quite the time investment for me.

It's a beautiful pattern that I wanted to make for Lori for her wedding. I got a very pale blue in case she wanted to wear it on her day. It's a surprise gift and the wedding isn't even planned yet, but I figure it will still take me that long to make it.

I talked to A about lace for a bit, thinking that I would break down and buy a sampler from Knitpicks, but then I dove in with some beautiful Cashwool from the Loopy Ewe. My cast on sucked, but I got that worked out. Then I had some trouble with only counting on one side of the chart, making the assumption that the two sides were symmetrical when they aren't. Then I got restarted yet again and managed to do the same chart row twice. No big deal. I asked on the forum and it seemed, collectively, that no one would be the wiser. Then I had an extra stitch. I pinned the work out and found, not where I had f'd up, but where I could k2tog without incident. Then after fixing that, I found a dropped stitch. I frogged. I generally enjoy the process and don't get stressed out about minor flaws, but this is a special, special knit for me, and I'd like it to be as close to perfect as possible.

I'm taking yet another leave of absence from the stole. It deserves better than I can seem to give it right now. I even committed some knit adultery and went looking for another pattern, but my heart is so set on that one.

Meanwhile, I still wanted to play with lacy patterns, so I made my own and am currently test knitting it. I thought I'd have it done by last night but just didn't get the time to do it and today I spent my time outside with the laptop and also next door trying to get M to get in their pool. I think I've failed at just about everything today. I don't even have the housework done, but I guess that isn't a total surprise.

Groovy Scarf

WIP2 Groovy Scarf
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

I apologize ahead of time for the piss poor picture. It certainly do this any justice. I use E's antique standing lamp as my main source of lighting in my knitting spot. It's tall, has two bulbs and a huge lampshade that I use as a swift for just about everything (though the Lorna's laces hanks are too huge). Bad thing is that the lampshade is Yellowish (I tried to make a good match for the age of the lamp) and gives very bad light.

The pattern is super easy to memorize, which makes it funny that I paid for something so simple (though I absolutely do not mind supporting designers in their pattern sales; it's the simplicity that makes me giggle). That means that this is a project that I can take with me anywhere without a pattern, without screwing anything up, and I always know where I am without a row counter. Surprisingly it also means that I don't get bored with it because of the variation of hand movements. Totally a good thing.

Unfortunately my colors are boring. That's a sad thing in comparison to the one pictured with the pattern, but those are colors I had on hand in quantity needed, so it'll be the first. I imagine that I will make this in a variety of colors, weights, and maybe fibers. Seems a fun way to enjoy such a funky pattern.

Stitch Marker Earrings

Stitch Marker Earrings
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

These beauties are fabulous. Some snipping with my wire cutters and I now have 60 stitch markers. I bought some silver jump rings at Michael's so I can have sock size and mid size. I really, really wish they would have had a variety sized pack, but because they didn't I only bought 2 bags of 2 sizes. And now I have an ass load of extra rings, but I suppose they will eventually end up used anyway.

The Cardigan and I just didn't get along.

WIP1 Plath Cardigan
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

I really, really, really wish that Ravelry had a Blog this! function in the notebook. I think it would keep me blogging much easier than doing it like this. I'm just that lazy, you know?



I started working on the Plath cardigan and let's just say we have a mutual separation going on. While the finished product is gorgeous (not mine, the designers) there are just things I wish I'd known because I probably wouldn't have purchased the pattern. It's just not going to fit me right without me totally redoing the pattern myself and keeping the designers stitch pattern (which I already changed). Things weren't explained all that well on page, and we all have our preferences for how a pattern is written, but I think there were some basic key points that were missing and hopefully since the pattern is in use now on Rav there will be some good feedback for her to update. It'll eventually get made, for me, I hope, once I get some yarn I don't totally and utterly despise. Freakin mauve?!? I have no idea what in the hell I was thinking. Scarf, hat, maybe. Enough knit to cover my chest? No f'n way!

Weather confusion

I seem to suffer from some sort of weather delusion. When it's cold, I want to make light springy things, when it's hot (or at least starting to get that way) I start making cardigans and scarves. I have no desire for it to be cold. I hate the cold in ways that many can't imagine. Cold hurts. But I swear when I get this cropped cardigan and scarf done I will wear them around the house with pride. Maybe it'll only last 30 seconds, but they will be born. Maybe movie theater trips will have to happen so I can wear them. Theaters are so damn cold, it's necessary to layer.

Will post some pics soon. I'm having some issues with my camera today, and I think I'd rather go back to knitting instead of trying to deal with it.

Ok, so I'm a bad blogger

I've been trying to get a lot of knitting done, a lot of house cleaning done, and of course have soccer season and other things keeping me busy. It's hard to have a minute where I'd rather blog than take the opportunity to keep on knitting.

I went through my yarn and have given some to Jess and some to my mom, and then I of course have bought more on Ravelry and at my LYS. At least it's yarn that will have a use for me instead of sitting around looking sad because I'm not doing anything with it.

I'm currently knitting a pair of Jaywalkers and am about to start two other projects. The unfortunate thing about summer is that I don't generally have much use for things I knit, but at least they'll be done by the time my tootsies are cold.

I also bought a Jenkins Turkish Drop Spindle today. Total beauty, let's hope I make good use of it!

Too Many WIPs!

I seem to have way too much on my plate currently, I suddenly feel like knitting is a job instead of my favorite pastime. I finished a shawl that I gave to T for her birthday, and I'm doing a two tone shawl for my mom for mother's day and I think I'm doing one like T's again for L for mother's day. That is unless I happen to find something else that catches my eye. I really want to make a felted bowl for some reason.

The baby jacket laid around long enough that I felt the need to wash it again and I also made some washcloths for the mom. Once everything is dry again, I'll get all the goodies bagged up and passed along.

I really want to get these things done so I can start on socks for myself. I can't let myself get distracted when I have deadlines.

Man thong is going to have to go on hold for a wee bit until I get size 4 needle tips, otherwise I think I'm going to be off gauge by too much in the long run.

*will post some links in a bit, Rav is currently down.

Yay for LYS day!

My lys was having a sale, so I got my butt up to get over there during the early part of the day. I was unaware of the mini-marathon going on through the middle of town, and normally I wouldn't mind walking, but I was a little disoriented with the parking and it was raining. Got there, spent more than I should of. I don't really feel guilty though-but I was shy about telling E how much it was.

I could have waited on the sock yarn I bought at full price, but I really wanted something new and that didn't really take me out of the ball park figure I had set for myself. I bought some Kpppm for socks. I really wanted DIC Smooshy, but they had only 2 colors and neither were what I really wanted. Perhaps for a gift, but I was picking yarn for me. While looking through the yarns I hear some ladies scoffing at paying 20-25 dollars for a pair of socks. I've been there, at one point in time I didn't get it either. Then I made a pair. It was a pair with knitpicks essential (which I would never put down, I love that yarn), but it made me a believer. If I love $7 socks, why wouldn't I pay 20 bucks for a different yarn that I also loved? If you think about it and subtract the entertainment portion of the cost (I mean hours of knitting and in the end, you have socks!), the socks themselves don't end up costing that much. How much would I pay to rent enough movies to go through the hours it costs to knit a sock...a lot. Well, ok, I have netflix, but you see my point. I have hope, she was spending about 45 dollars on yarn for a scarf, perhaps she'll figure it out.

I ended up buying the 2 hanks of KPPPM in a beautiful colorway, 3 skeins of Reynolds Utopia from the clearance bin, some Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo (that's going for some delicates), some wool wash, and got the spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits. I probably should have bought a couple of issues, they were 40% and I'm sure there are some people out there who would like to pick up a back copy. Maybe I'll go back this week.

I finished the baby jedi sweater last night. It's currently blocking & drying so I will get a picture up later before it gets gift wrapped.

It works! It finally works!

So, as a quick backstory, I bought a sewing machine shortly before my dad died in 2004. Right after my dad died, the sewing machine starting being a jerk and I was told I needed to get a new bobbin case because the tension was off. I've been toting my sewing machine around all these years even though it was barely used and unusable. FF to last night, I went to L's to help her set up her sewing machine as she had only sewn by hand before. It all went without a hitch and I decided that maybe I could try to reconcile with mine. Lo and behold, not using the self-threading aspect of my machine seemed to make the difference. The bobbin case is still a little angry, but so far it hasn't screwed up anything. This means I have reason once again to pick up cool fabrics and make things out of what I already have. I've already made 2 small project pouches (I just need some matching ribbon), and I have so much fabric waiting to become something. I'll post some pics once I get ribbon.

On the knitting front, I bought beads for the mother's day scarves and cute spring baskets to put them in. I can't decide if I should go ahead and start and get it done, or if I should wait until the Jedi sweater is done. And I should be getting a package in the mail soon with some Rav destash yarn... and my LYS is having a fabulous sounding sale in a couple weeks. If I have some extra cash (which is laughable, right?) I might try to take advantage and see if I can get some things going to open an etsy shop. I'd love to be able to make some extra cash with my craft, who wouldn't?

I'll also get up pictures of my newest hand-dyed yarn. It's absolutely gorgeous, it looks like color just dripped off of fall leaves and onto my yarn.

It didn't work out, so I'll make it again

My Baby Jedi Sweater didn't work out even though the gauge was spot on throughout and I really do know math. It ended up being fine for a baby, just not the baby and the size I wanted it. I frogged and will make it again (it's such a super fast knit!). It's my first attempt into making my own pattern, so I definitely feel like it's worth it no matter how many times I have to re-knit it.



On the other hand, I ended up making this for the girl. It went through a few changes from the hat it was supposed to be, but it turned out well.


more views can be seen in my flickr account

I did dye two more yarns, one I love, one I don't.
Love:


Don't:

(it's up for trade on Ravelry)

I've also added some other yarns for trade.

Some Yarny Fun

I decided to post some of my fun yarn dyeing pictures. This has been a blast, but I know I really need to pay better attention to what I use for what colors so I can duplicate it should the desire strike.

The Blue/Red/Pink Cake


The Orange/Yellow Cake


The Purpley Cake


The Tropical Punch Cake


This is the only project I've recently started:
Mitered Bib in some cotton I dyed


which is now happily resting in my new project bag