Tracking Knits

Kid Socks

2009-02-01T19:23:00.003-06:00

So I placed an order at The Loopy Ewe this past week for a new knitting bag and it's absolutely lovely (I'll post some pics later when I get the camera out). I also wanted place an order for some yarn for the kids' socks, but they didn't have what I wanted so I waited (my lys doesn't have any mal either and only the more muted colors of 220). While letting the kids look through yarn tonight they totally picked Cascade 220 (which is what I made our other house socks out of so at least I know my gauge) so I placed another order. I should have let them look before I ordered the bag so I could have included it on my free shipping order, but I was an idiot and totally forgot that kids never pick what you think they will or want them to. We'll just call it an idiot tax this time since it isn't coming out of my yarn budget.

In the end M picked Pesto and A picked Magenta. I think I'll only need one each but I ordered two because I liked the colors together. I'm either color blind or crazy. Not sure which but we'll find out!.

Fevers, video games, and not a whole lot of knitting

2009-01-26T18:38:00.003-06:00

Last week I got an earache that was compounded by all the pressure in my sinuses turning my normally black eye all sorts of weird colors (For about 3 or 4 years I've had a perpetual black eye, no one's ever figured out why). I managed to do a little bit of knitting on my clap but have been a little too out of it for hey teach. By thursday night M was acting odd and had a slightly raised temp but was fine Friday morning. By 5 am on Saturday morning he was 103.5 and miserable. Other than a little cough he's fine now but it drained the two days I was feeling better. Yesterday morning I had a sore throat but felt better by late afternoon.....and this morning the boy was all good to go to school but I feel crappy again. Seems my illness is trying to travel down my chest. I have a Dr's appt in the morning so hopefully all will be well soon assuming this isn't one of those things you just have to wait out. In the meantime, I still don't feel like knitting, but have taken solace in Left 4 Dead. In my marriage there isn't anything more romantic than duel weilding guns killing zombies with the one you love. So may clap may be a little stuck at the 5th dropped stitch, but the threat of zombie attack is minimal.

A scarf, a sweater, and final mittens

2009-01-20T18:55:00.002-06:00

Even though I clearly declared the mittens finished and moved the Ravelry project to "finished", I still had to take a picture with the mittens together as proof that I can finish a pair of anything. I know I have accomplished the feat before but it's so rare and often so difficult that I need constant proof that it isn't as hard as I think it is. Here's my proof.

Here is a close up of the cable, I don't think I had taken one of these yet.

I have also made progress on my Hey, Teach! I was a bit afraid with the armhole decreases while still trying to do the lace chart, but so far my way is looking good as well as not messing me up any. I can't wait to bind the back off.

And a more broad view:

And I decided to cast on for another clapotis. I don't really have enough of anything to make a full sized one, but I do have 2 hanks of lorna's laces in edgewater that didn't work out for what I wanted them for. I figure I'll use the rule of fifths and just make it as big as I can.

First half of my cabled mittens

2009-01-17T13:53:00.001-06:00

First half of my cabled mittens
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

First mitten done! I didn't even get lazy when it was time to do the thumb...usually that's where I suddenly become disinterested but I pushed through. I cast on for the second one last night and when I get my neglected laundry under control I'll hopefully get some work done on it.

As for size, it seems just right even though I didn't do three repeats of a row before around gusset set up time. I wasn't sure which row to repeat so I left it out. I also think I ended up well on the end, the pattern called for rows of the chart that didn't exist so I just started the chart over. Other than not ending up with the right amount of stitches (I somehow had one less) it all went well and I think it is a lovely mitten and I can't wait to wear them as a pair. I found myself laying in bed last night wondering if I should make a scarf and hat to go with if they're still making this color..... I'll have to shop around and see if I can find it when I have the $$. If not maybe a raveler is trying to destash my color.

Cabled Mittens

2009-01-15T19:03:00.001-06:00

Day Three? Cable Mittens
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

Oh how I love my cabled mitten(s) and can't wait until they're a wearable pair. It's unbelievably cold right now and I'd wear them around the house if they were done. I'd even take a break from knitting just so I could wear them! Hopefully mitt one will be done tomorrow!

A little winter, a little spring....

2009-01-14T21:10:00.003-06:00

I think my holiday knitting took a lot out of me. I haven't bought yarn in months and way more months if you count the fact that my last purchase was for Christmas presents. I think it's bummed me a little bit kind of the same way where everything you want to make for dinner is something you'd have to go buy. While I'm sorting out my feelings, I've started a few new projects to take my mind off things (and using the yarns my mom brought from my aunt's goodwill purchases).

I finished the other Better Bucket Hat that I was making for my mom and ended up giving it to my mother in law. I have another hank of the malabrigo I used and don't mind making the hats at all. Plus, my mom's climate is not as chilly as ours so it should get love much sooner.

My Hey, Teach! really hasn't made much progress but I'm looking at it as a spring knit, so I have some time.

Currently, this is my obsession. I really wanted mittens & they'll kind of match my hat in yarn and color, and by golly it'll probably be the only thing I wear this winter that could kind of look like it's meant to go together. I'm a lot further than this today, but haven't pulled the camera out yet.

One down, so many more to go....

2009-01-12T22:19:00.002-06:00

I finished my second Better Bucket Hat and it's soft and gorgeous. As soon as the camera stops being a twit I'll post a picture of that and my Hey, Teach!. It's made with a Rowan tweed that's a little rough on the hands so it's a little slow going. I am through the first bit of the lace chart, so we'll see how it goes. There's a blizzard warning tonight into tomorrow so I'm anticipating a lot of laundry folding and knitting. I'm quite sure I can manage to cast on for the mittens I want in that amount of time. :)

Finished Clap

2009-01-07T21:28:00.001-06:00

Finished Clap
Originally uploaded by Emmjae

I am so very happy that my Clapotis is finished! It was fun and easy and completely customizable for the size I wanted with the yarn I was using. I can't wait to make another one with a more delicate, drapey yarn, but for now this will keep me snuggly!

Christmas is over and life is slowly back to normal

2009-01-05T21:56:00.003-06:00

Well if normal means that a lot of things seem to be going wrong at once.....

My mom surprised us with a visit on Christmas night. I haven't seen my mom in about 8 months, I think. Our visits average about once a year especially with gas prices as high as they were and us both in tight financial situations. My house was a disaster since we had tore through presents on Christmas morning and then headed to my MILs, back for a shower, and off to my FILs. So we got home and did an emergency super clean up and visited with my mom and her BF for a little while. The next day my mom wanted me to make spaghetti (supposedly I make good spaghetti, but it's not something I like) and after the oven had 'preheated' I found out that my oven was all but cold.

We had to replace our ignitor thingy which wasn't too expensive but was a pain in the rear to shop for. I ended up calling around and Sear's wouldn't give a price unless I gave them my name and all my personal info (which I refused), but a peek on their website got a price without signing over my first born. Their price was almost 20 dollars higher than I paid with a local business (would have been over 20 more with shipping I imagine- local place rocked and they have internet ordering if anyone needs it!). Lowe's was only a wee bit more expensive but shipping was unnecessary if I could get the part locally. So on New Year's Eve we got our part and E changed it out without incident and I once again have a working oven! He got lots of lizards for that one.

My mom brought me a load of thrift store yarn from my aunt which included yummy yarns including some I had never purchased because they're a little too pricey for my usual budget and some I didn't know existed. It's nice to have a surprise of stash enhancement since I haven't had the $ to purchase in awhile. So I started making my mom a better bucket hat (it's almost finshed now)

and will make her a Brighton Bag. I'm planning on making R a scarf, but I'm kind of waiting until he buys the coat he's after. I want to make sure it matches.

But first and foremost I'm working on a clapotis for the Newer Knitters Clapotisphobia KAL. Anyone is free to join us, we just started and it will run through March.

Another present done

2008-12-13T11:35:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-07T00:49:00.002-06:00

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

2008-12-02T19:21:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-15T23:47:00.003-06:00

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.

2008-10-10T19:52:00.003-05:00

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

2008-09-14T15:11:00.002-05:00

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

2008-09-12T23:31:00.005-05:00

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!

2008-09-07T13:29:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-03T18:55:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-02T14:15:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-30T10:19:00.002-05:00

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.

2008-08-24T12:53:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-08-21T16:14:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-12T21:47:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-04T16:38:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-28T15:41:00.003-05:00

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

2008-07-26T16:06:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-25T16:51:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-24T17:47:00.001-05:00

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

2008-07-24T17:46:00.001-05:00

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

2008-07-24T16:04:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-07-21T16:05:00.002-05:00

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

2008-07-13T23:58:00.001-05:00

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

2008-07-07T13:32:00.001-05:00

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!

2008-07-01T19:04:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-06-28T12:36:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-06-25T14:39:00.005-05:00

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.

2008-06-24T16:25:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-15T17:31:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-14T22:34:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-13T14:44:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-11T17:59:00.003-05:00

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

2008-06-11T15:17:00.002-05:00

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

2008-06-11T14:52:00.002-05:00

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.

2008-06-11T14:49:00.003-05:00

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

2008-05-20T17:59:00.003-05:00

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

2008-05-17T15:11:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-04-28T09:19:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-04-19T13:49:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-04-06T17:51:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-03T16:01:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-26T19:06:00.003-05:00

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

Update again lowering head shamefully

2008-03-24T12:06:00.002-05:00

The last two months have been busy. I've been knitting and spending some time with the xbox and have quit smoking. It helps to have two hobbies that require two hands so you can always keep busy.

I've made quite a few new things and did finally get my yarn organized in a happier fashion. They are in happy storage cubes, and decently full. I wonder how many scarves it will take to get rid of all this yarn I don't really know what to do with? I wonder if I could find an afghan that wouldn't bore me?

Since I don't want to fill up the page with a ton o pic links, here is an easier way to see what I've been up to if you don't have access to Rav.

The first 4 or 5 rows handles the last few months :)
View some Fo Goodness!

I think I'm losing my mind.....and my knitting.

2008-01-05T16:00:00.000-06:00

I went through my yarn and my 'knitting corner' today. I have more yarn than I plan to use...well, maybe it's not that there is too much to use, it's just that I don't have use for it...but I just can't let it go. I did manage a paper bag (grocery sized even!) of yarn I plan to give to a friend and the kids. But it pales in comparison with the super sized storage bags full of yarn. I seperated plain old acrylic-worsted weight from the novelty and mixed acrylic from the natural fibers. It's scary. There's a lot I'd actually like to get rid of, but then when I can't afford to buy new yarn I'd be stuck in yarn drought and that is a scary, scary place to be. I also have more knitting needles than one human being needs, but I won't get rid of those. Seems like it's just not right. I can collect needles right? If my husband can have boxes and shelves of superhero and comic book figures why can't I have a stash of knitting needles? Mine take up less space at least.

On to the even more frightening part. I can't find my "my so called scarf" wip. It's been in the second drawer of my knitting cart since before X-mas, patiently waiting for the holiday to be over so it could come back out. It must have gotten tired of waiting because it has disappeared (needles, yarn, project and all). If anyone has seen my lost WIP, please return to owner, no need to get the knitting police involved. I have more of that yarn, but I'd really like to not start over, especially since the needles went with it, and I really like those pointy needles even if they are aluminum.

Hmm, a review?

2008-01-04T17:13:00.000-06:00

Troubled waters were hit yesterday in the land of knitting. My 32" knitpicks cable came out of its join. I immediately popped it back in and kept on knitting, but with each stitch the goobery thing kept twisting (though it stayed in the join, gotta give some love). I called last night and with no problem and quick service a replacement is on its way. It took me awhile to get on the Knitpicks bandwagon, but I'm there. I've only placed one order, but it was a pretty good sized one in my opinion, and I have had nothing but pleasant customer service the two times I've phoned them. So what, my cable has a boo boo, shit happens. The important thing is that it is corrected properly without putting anyone out. I feel like that has happened fabulously.

I'm not sure if I ever gave my new Harmony Needles an official review, but I don't really feel like I have to. I've only ever used Boye interchangeables before (they just aren't for me - and that's putting it politely). I love how slick the needles are, yet I don't lose stitches. It's like magic. Knitting magic is my favorite. The cables are everything that everyone has raved about. So far they are at the top of my list. Boy cables are SUPER stiff, Clovers are better, and the SB Quicksilver are pretty nice....unless you've used Knitpick's. As soon as you pop those puppies out of the package they unfurl into a nice straight line and just Gumby their way into whatever shape you need....and then they forget about it. It's fabulously covert and I love it. And one other note, I've never had to retighten my tips, and that's with all the covorting with the afghan I'm making. I think my other X-mas money is going to venture into more yarn and Harmony DPNs.

I also finished the Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting and I really enjoyed it. It's been my bathtub read since Christmas, and hopefully she'll forgive my making her book a bathroom read, but I never take my knitting to the tub.... I'd wholly recommend it (the book, not bathtub knitting) to any knitter, or someone thinking about knitting. I even found myself needing to read excerpts to my husband just so maybe he'd finally 'get it'.

Hats, Socks, and Scarves, OH MY!

2008-01-02T13:48:00.001-06:00

For Christmas I received more money, so I've spent a little and have some saved for probably another knitpicks order. I wanted to wait and see how I liked the yarn I purchased from them first (love it!) I returned a couple needles I bought at my LYS and picked up some others for some sock knitting along with some additional colors of yarn I bought during my previous outing. I would say I'm slowly beginning to feel like a yarn snob, but that's not accurate at all. I switch between my wool mix socks and acrylic blanket with ease, it's just that I'm beginning to enjoy wool more and more. The least expensive pure wool I can use is paton's merino. It's not a joy to slide along my fingers, but it doesn't bother them enough to make me stop.

I started knitting "Harry Socks" out of the "Dobby's Socks" section of Charmed Knits. I really never thought I could knit on size 1 needles, but I didn't have any trouble, not even during the cast on and first couple of rounds (and I really, really hate beginning with ribbing). I'm past the heel now, and I can't say I enjoyed the heel of this sock. I've never had any problems with slip stitch heels and one other variety I've tried, but this has the wrap stitches and either I didn't do them right, or it just makes a looser edge. When I was finished I had to pick up 4 extra stitches on each side to make them less gappy. Hopefully either the second sock goes better or I just learn that I don't like that kind of heel. I've never had trouble picking up gusset stitches before, I can always go back to that. I'm still kinda searching for a sock pattern for E. I bought knitpicks Essential for him too in a different colorway, but I can't find a pattern that seems to go up to his size. I think I'm feeling a little too chicken to change one on my own. We'll see how I feel after this pair.

Mr. Nathan's Tea Cozy Crown looks absolutely adorable. I don't think I have ever been more pleased with a hat in my life. As soon as his busy mom gets a happy picture of him, I'll post it. It's cute, he's cute and boy does the whole darn thing just go together so well. I really liked the yarn too. That was probably one of the fastest projects I've done, but had no signs of sloppiness or hurry in it (not that I was in either state of mind).

Oh so many goodies!

2007-12-24T12:21:00.000-06:00

After a little mis-shipment, I got my knitpicks package. I got a set of Harmony Interchangeables 5-11 with 3 different lengths of cables. I also got the Harmony Cable needles and the ID tags. I bought some sock yarn for me and E (my first real sock yarn purchase!) and the Harry Potter Knits book.

The Harmony Needles are great, and so far no issues. One had a rough spot where you put the key, but I got out metal fingernail file and fixed that in a matter of seconds.

I finished knitting (but not seaming) one of the girls' hats, and started the mod blanket from Lionbrand. Little thing about that...they took it off their site. I had started on it and was only working on it when I needed some mindless garter stitch time, but when I went to pick it back up again I couldn't find my printout. I wrote them and could luckily give them all the info since I have my lovely ravelry account and they sent me the pattern through email. I was quite impressed, I got the email super fast and with all the info I needed. I couldn't be happier.

I got some cash for a Christmas present, so I went to Sheep's Clothing today since they were open for a couple hours.
I bought:
2 skeins of Blizzard

2 skeins of Cascade 220

2 skeins of Encore Chunky

Some sz 3 dpns & flex needles, a row counter, and Knit Socks!

Sadly (?) I have and will have more gift money to spend, and it's really hard not to want to spend it on knitting stuff. I really need to go through my yarn and donate what I don't want anymore to the girl (I do still want to buy her a knitting loom). Well, I should probably wait to do that until after I make my afghan. I want to use up as much of my old acrylic as I can on the afghan and maybe some toys.

Still waiting on my Knitpicks box

2007-12-18T18:50:00.000-06:00

I ordered last Tuesday and was excited that by Friday night, my package had left Wisconsin and I assumed would be on it's short little way down here- I even thought it might make it here before the estimated delivery date of today. Well, the package left Friday night and so far hasn't been tracked to anywhere else. I find it incredibly hard to believe that a package that made an 8 hour trip through half of Ohio, across Indiana (and through my county), and into Wisconsin still hasn't made it back to Indiana in those 4 days. I'm disappointed, I'm bummed, and I have no urge to knit. Good thing I got Dale's hat finished over the weekend. Mom's Christmas package goes out tomorrow once I buy one more thing to stick in there.

Dale's Hat from a Lionbrand pattern, slightly altered.

Oops, It's Been Awhile!

2007-12-11T23:55:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately some things have kept me away from knitting, but everything is back to normal now.

I had to completely frog my Tempting, but I have the notes around here somewhere when I'm ready to cast on again. I'm currently trying to finish all my Christmas knitting, particularly things I have to ship out. I made this little beauty for my mom:

Now I'm working on a hat for her boyfriend and trying to finish up the girls' hats and the washcloths, but I have until the 30th to get those done.

My MIL gave me a visa gift card today and I of course ran to purchase the Harmony Interchangeable set, but it is backordered until next month. I ended up buying everything separately plus some extras. Price ended up about the same, but I wont have the pouch to put my stuff in, I'll have to find something to take care of that problem. I will be sure to put up a pic when I get the goods. Keep your fingers crossed that it gets here before X-mas! I doubt it will, but a girl can dream.....

Some finished, some started, and some in between....

2007-10-25T19:52:00.000-05:00

I've started making Tempting for the Tempting KAL on Ravelry. The picture makes the color look brighter than it is, but I don't think I'm going to have enough so I'll probably start over with some clearance yarn this weekend.

I've also started some washcloths for the holidays to make some gift baskets. It gives me a way to try out some different stitch patterns and not get bored.

And I picked up some yarn at Joann's yesterday that I love. I started making My So Called Scarf. I don't get bored with the pattern, but I had to use some metal needles to get the pointy help. Hopefully I can push through achy hands and get it done decently soon.

I finished my test mitt for the Fingerless Mitts. I really like it and with some minor alterations it should fit my hands.

Hopefully I can get this all balanced out and get myself going to make the kids some mittens. Last year they lost them a lot and that makes me a wee bit nervous about taking the time to make them....

My Ughs!

2007-10-22T15:32:00.001-05:00

UGH!

Click to view the atrocities :P

They're horrible, ugly things that will hide away forever. Enjoy, laugh, cackle, or share the frustration!

My Newest Hat

2007-10-22T14:54:00.000-05:00

It's super duper comfy. I made it large enough to completely snuggle my head and any hair I decide to tuck underneath.

Unfortunately I can't find my notes at the moment, but as soon as I do, I will post the pattern.

It was made with recycled yarn from a chunky knit shrug. The ribbon was purchased at Hobby Lobby about a year ago.

My Newest Knits

2007-10-22T14:46:00.000-05:00

I finished Cece's scarf, but I won't be posting a picture of that until I can take one with her wearing it. It's just a stockinette stitch scarf, if she wants fringe or tassels, I'm sure she can manage that without me.

I did do Jess's Hat:

It looks adorable on her, but she was pukey so I decided to crop the pic, and I'll get a better one when I see her next.

I also made two different Calorimetry headbands. The first was made on 8s with a 90 st cast on and barely any repeats that were called for. It's still rather large, but is definitely more of a headband.

The second was on 6s with the full 120 CO. I did apx 15/12 of the repeats called for. It's a lot larger and will cover my ears and keep them snuggly when a full hat isn't necessary or desired.

Oh the FOs

2007-10-19T21:51:00.000-05:00

I've made to calorimetries (hmm, not sure of the plural on that one) and some random hats. I'm pretty satisfied with both and I even got myself to completely finish them. I will definitely post pics tomorrow.

I'm nearly done with Cheryl's scarf, so after that is done I will make her cabled hat. I'm afraid to give it to her this weekend. I made mine when I was sick, Jess got sick the night I gave hers to her, no cursing Cheryl. Not before her first date in many a year.

Will do updates with photos tomorrow after the horribly weekly grocery shopping is done!

Ear Warmth

2007-10-11T16:24:00.000-05:00

It's chilly here, chilly enough to pull out coats, hats, and scarves. Last night I got a little obsessed with warmth (I've been wearing 2 pairs of socks this week). I made a prototype I guess of my own headband/earwarmer. It's nice, cute, but needs tweaking. I made it on circs and am now debating changing how I did it to accommodate some things I don't like. Needless to say I'll try other varieties, (I do finally have calorimetry in my queue) but I want to finish my own first. One other thing I would change is using wool instead of acrylic. There's just something too lightweight about it.

Ok, tried again and much better fitting. End result is about 21", but I haven't measured the gauge yet.

I used 2 yarns, both red heart super saver. The Main Color is Country Rose, CC is Med Thyme.

I did a CO of 80 with the MC and knit for 5 rows
Beg with a purl row, do stock st for 3 rows
Change to CC and continue stock for 6 more rows
Change back to MC and cont for 3 more rows
Next row, BO 10, purl across
Next row, BO 10, knit across
Bind Off, weave in ends and seam.

If you're concerned about size you could add I cord, CO additional stitches, or do another closure.

October and Pink

2007-10-11T16:10:00.000-05:00

I've been desperately trying to go through my stash. It's not like I have money to buy new if I do use it up, but one day I will, and I would like to get through all this regular acrylic I have. I don't mind the blends, and the acrylics I do have are soft when knit particularly (not to0 tight and not too bulky) but I have some garments I'd like to make and none of my yarn is what I want, but I don't have the needles to do it anyway. I was hoping for the knit picks harmony set for my birthday or x-mas, but they're so backordered that I don't think it will happen even if anyone did do their shopping well in advance.

So onto the projects..... I wanted to use up some of my recycled yarn. I have some ideas for certain things, but others were proving difficult. So, it's October which means YAY for Breast Cancer Awareness month, so I pulled out a couple of different pinks and went to town on something fun, easy, and a bit funky. No pattern, no sameness, just some random knits.

Blue Matching Snarf

2007-10-08T16:49:00.000-05:00

I decided to make the Holey Rib scarf found here as Lacy Scarf 2.0.

I didn't want an entirely holey scarf, so I changed some things. I started and ended the scarf with 3 sections of the 2(x2) stitch repeat followed by 6 rows of stockinette. About halfway through the scarf I added another single repeat of the stitch pattern. I also had one end 4 stitches wider than the other. It's a shorter scarf and I seem to like it better when you tie it and a narrower end lays on top of a wider end. Maybe it's some throwback to a reverse necktie....

In the pictures I don't have the scarf blocked, so it's curled, but the close up of the stitch is hand flattened so it looks much wider than the rest of the scarf. It's not, just the lack of blocking for the rest.

Another Hat FO

2007-10-05T21:25:00.000-05:00

I pounding out hats like no bodies business lately. There are a few garments that I would love to make, but as of now, no money to get the yarn needed and I don't have the needles either. I always felt like I was swimming in knitting heaven. Now my knitting has advanced and I don't have the means to do what I want. And what I wouldn't give to fit into these small sizes so I wouldn't have to buy 3 sheep worth of yarn. I'm not sure I could have ever fit into a piece that only went up to a size 36 bust.

and more hats probably to come. I really want to get rid of a good chunk of my stash. I'd like to be able to fit everything into the drawers that sit by the couch.

Christmas Gifs

2007-10-04T17:27:00.001-05:00

Money's tight around the holidays, so this year I'm going to knit for the kids and then the adults if I have time. If you're friends don't like your hand mades, who will?

I'm thinking of making bags and headbands for the girls and no clue what to do for the boys. A. might make do with a toy better than anything else so I'll have to see what I can come up with. Might have to make another Furryness.

And boy do I really need to start writing up patterns for the stuff I make. It sure is simple, but it would be nice to remember exactly what I did.

Cheryl's Hat & Scarf

2007-10-04T17:24:00.000-05:00

Cheryl mentioned not having time to knit her hat and scarf so I offered up my services if she brought over her yarn. I have the hat finished, and am slowly getting through the scarf. I made it pretty wide since it isn't a very dense fabric that way she'll get a good wrap and some warmth.

Kid Hats

2007-10-02T14:07:00.000-05:00

I started a hat for myself, the only things I've made myself were a garter stitch hat and scarf that were my first knitting projects. Of course new hat didn't work out well either. I had bought some Nob Hill Jewel sparkle yarn when ordering some needles online and decided to pull them out all these months later. I was disappointed to say the least. It was a thick n thin yarn and hat some green dye on it. No where on the package or the website did it say that it was thick n thin, just bulky, and the green parts looked like a marker had bled all over the pink yarn. I managed to pull most of the green parts off (they seemed to only be located on the 'thick') and knitted up the bulky hat pattern with the only sometimes bulky yarn.

It really is a cute hat, good for beginning fall or spring, but it just didn't go as far down on my head as I wanted it to, so I gave it to the girl and started working on a scarf to match it. ~~As soon as the little weasel figures out where she put it, I'll take and post a picture.~~

Mason's Hat started out as a hat for me too. Thought I'd improvise and didn't plan any part of it out. Yeah, as usual I ended up with an oval with a flat top. So I added crocheted earflaps and gave it to the boy.

Lori's Sweater

2007-10-02T13:55:00.000-05:00

Lori's Birthday sweater is probably my proudest so far. I had to knit the entire thing twice, but it was well worth it and despite being done with an acrylic/wool blend, it's actually quite soft. I just hope it holds well enough over time.

I made the Stepping Out Coat from Hip Knits and I have to admit I'm not a fan of the way the patterns are written. The paragraph form kind of annoys me (which is just personal preference) and I find it harder to keep my place. The sizing didn't work out, even though the final measurements did which is what resulted in the frogging and second knitting of it. I ended up making the XL for a size 4-6 woman, but it fits so all should be well.

I used appx 7.5 skeins of Lionbrand Thick N Quick in Charcoal and did change the 1x1 rib to a 2x2. The pockets and collar were custom sized because they just weren't big enough in the written dimensions in my opinion. The picture below doesn't show the pockets because I hadn't added them yet.

Time to Catch Up

2007-08-20T18:12:00.000-05:00

Most of my knitting information is on ravelry now. I keep pretty updated there (my account) with pics and project information, not to mention how well I've kept up with my stash. I've all but completed the pieces for Lori's Birthday Coat, I'm currently blocking the pieces while I finish the knitting the collar. I've reorganized my stash and put almost all of it away in the closet with the exception of the yarn for ongoing projects and hat/scarf/mitten yarn. I'd like to make enough for me and the kids and then make additional sets for the winter donation they will have at Aes' school. Speaking of school, it resumes wednesday, so the days will be a bit calmer to get the housework done and spent some time knitting! Yay!

Ravelry consumed my day....

2007-07-16T20:16:00.000-05:00

So ravelry ate my day, but all my yarn is now in my stash... I think. After awhile it all seemed to run together. I still have some WIP to add, but I'm so tired of my camera and flickr that it can wait until tomorrow.

I started a group for newer knitters, didn't think I'd have any members until Jess showed up, but I woke up with quite a few. At least it won't be a lonely wait!

Yay for Big Things!

2007-07-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

Got my computer back from the shop on the 4th but because of my finger I still couldn't do much knitting. I finally picked up the other day and knitted Baby Matney a new blanket (I just didn't like the old one, maybe I looked at it too long). It's 3 strands of off white virgin acrylic (garage sale stash) along with a strand of red heart symphony in blue, and a light green yarn on size 35 needles (I'll edit specifics in later). I was always a little intimidated with the big needles thinking what could possibly look good on them and didn't people just use them for a quick way out. But I love them! While the blanket certainly went by fast, it allowed me to add quite a few strands without being too tight or bulky and give it a lot of color and texture which I think is great for a baby blanket. Plus while it's heavier it's also a loose knit so little fingers can just grab on anywhere and drag it around. I'd never been able to accomplish this blanket with those strands on smaller needles, it just wouldn't have given me the look I wanted. So I had some black sparkly, bulky acrylic that I just didn't know what to do with along with some nobby fun fur type stuff I had been given as a gift. Never knew what I'd do with either so I threw them on the 35s and started a scarf. With the bigger stitches, the fur isn't too overwhelming and the black glitter business isn't so thick that it's uncomfortable or tight. Definitely not a winter scarf to keep you warm, but will be a nice accent to an outfit somewhere on someone.

I also got my invite for ravelry.com today. Quite made my day with all the stress over E's party. Once all that business is over I'll definitely start updating all my stuff. Not so happy that you have to use Flickr since I have a photobucket account I pay for, but it will hopefully only mean some double uploads. I don't have any desire to pay for two photo sites and I believe I prefer PB.

Pictures will soon follow along with details!

Updating

2007-06-19T18:49:00.000-05:00

I'm finished with the sweater vest for now, I did the edging on the neck and messed up by binding off too tight, and picked up stitches on the wrong side of the arm so I just cant bring myself to finish it right now.

At a later date I'll get myself to finish the other arm and do all the seaming and weaving. Now is definitely not that time.

I made a baby sock and it turned out really well, but it hurt my left ring finger and it's making knitting pretty uncomfortable today.

I found a cardigan pattern that I think I'd like to try, I have enough yarn if I do it in a stripe pattern, at worst, I waste 7 bucks of yarn, so I think I'll try it out.

Bebe Sweater

2007-06-15T23:35:00.000-05:00

So here's the picture from the book

Here's my front

and back,

all I have left to do is the edging and seaming and weaving.

Sorry for the blurriness, used the scanner instead of the camera

Oh The Jackpot

2007-06-15T16:19:00.000-05:00

I went to Hobby Lobby Today to get some ribbon and decided to take a peek and see if they had any of lionbrand's microspun. On my way back to the yarn I noticed an out of place aisle that had yarn in it, by golly it was clearance! So I went back to get a cart and then got quite a bit of goodies!

I got a pr of Lionbrand us 35 needles for 3.33 (i always see afghan projects for these needles but never wanted to spend 12 bucks on them)
pr of balene 14" #6 needles for 1.49
pr of susan bates 14" #11 for 1.15
3 skeins each moda dea dream in airforce,leaf,& waterlilly for .59@
3 skeins each moda dea lazy daisy in wavy navy, bubblegum & sea grass for .59@
1 skein lion brand wool ease in wood 232 for 1.48
1 skein lion brand watercolors in sunset rose for 1.06
1 skein lion brand landscapes (no color listed) for 1.06
1 skein yarn bee soft delight in red for .49

regularly all that would have been 70.96 but I only paid 20.68

I'm quite the happy camper today :)

When the computer dies.....

2007-06-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

Big Bob's screen ran into a lighting problem, so I'm unfortunately stuck on wee bob with none of my files at hand.

I've recently finished a scarf made from yarn from two sweaters I ripped apart. I took two strands of the pink/white yarn and added a strand of the maroon and it came together quite nicely.

I'm currently trying to finish the baby matney blanket as well as work on a baby sweater vest from Knits, Knots, Buttons, and Bows. Right now it's looking damn cute and it will be my first attempt at a garment. I'm hoping I can use it to feel comfortable with armhole shaping for when I make Lori's sweater this fall.

Hopefully I can get Big Bob fixed soon and get back to posting pictures!

I Confess.....

2007-05-24T19:27:00.000-05:00

I admit it, I haven't got much knitting done lately, but I have frogged 3 adult sweaters and 2 kid sweaters. E thinks I'm more into destruction now instead of construction...lol It's been so hot lately and I just haven't felt like doing much. I have 2 books on the way that I ordered from an online bookstore, and the final day of delivery window should be tomorrow, so hopefully they actually mailed them when they were supposed to.

I also ordered some bamboo needles (4 prs) and 3 skeins of yarn, for 20 bucks (including shipping), and I'm really excited to get that as well. I will be a really happy camper when I don't have any metal needles anywhere but in storage.

Another Library Trip

2007-05-14T22:09:00.000-05:00

This library trip was much more fruitful than before, probably because I just looked at what they had instead of depressing myself about what I couldn't find.

I came home with 5 knitting books, 2 of which were good enough that I ordered used copies online. One being a baby book, and the other a 'gift' style book. I'm not so sure that I know a lot of people who would want such gifts, but the patterns and charts were just too nice to pass up.

Monster Update

2007-05-14T11:05:00.000-05:00

Ok, I still wasn't able to make antennae, so I had pig tails installed.

So I made myself get on it and I sewed up the monster, got her eye on and embroidered her mouth (very hard to see with all the fluffy yarn). The only thing I can't seem to manage are the antennae. I'm not sure if it's my newness to the dpn's, or just my stiff fumbling hands, but either way I've yet to accomplish it.

Project Update

2007-05-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

So I'm about half way done with Baby Matney's blanket, and 99% done with the pieces of the Monster. All that's left is the antenna and sewing all the pieces together (which I'm not so looking forward to now.) I'm trying to find some projects to use up the stash, though I've frogged two of Aes's sweaters, so I'm kind of adding to it. At least it's free, right? Unfortunately some other sweaters that I would like to dismantle have horrid seams, so I'm not so sure they can be taken apart without just making a mess and having tiny pieces. Hopefully I'll find more when I finish going through my clothes.

Library Made Me Sad :(

2007-05-02T16:12:00.000-05:00

Looked online at the library's catalog and wrote down books I wanted to get.... Got there and found 2 out of 10. Mind you I am quite capable of using the library system to find what I want, especially in the teeny library we have here. There wasn't even room for the books I couldn't find, nor is anyone there friendly enough for me to personally ask any questions of. So I'll put in an email request for the books and hope that works. What I wouldn't give for a decent library.....

Monster Butt!

2007-05-01T10:18:00.000-05:00

I started my first dpn project last night. Rupestur of Livejournal has created some cute items, and I completely adore the monsters. So far the only project that made me pick up the dpns.

I've generally been a little fearful of the dpn's and this took me three tries before I got the hang of it (yes, too stubborn to look up the details). First time I was holding two strands together as the pattern calls for, but my knitting is too damn tight. I tried again with one strand and got myself all screwed up...but the third time was the charm and the monster butt has begun. I've already messed up a time or two but all fixable screw ups.

The Monster Butt Has Begun!

Monster Body Complete!

I also started teaching the girl how to knit. I always thought I'd wait until she was 10 or so, but almost 7 seems to be the right age to introduce the needles. She's doing a lot better than I thought and also knows when she messes up, which means even if she does do it wrong she knows as she does it instead of looking at the piece and finding mistakes later. Of all the wrong ways to hold needles, I swear she's found them all. But I realized that she doesn't do a lot that requires much of her hands, so perhaps this is a good thing. I remember when we used to be practicing routines in high school and there were girls who never paid attention to hands and you'd end up with 1/3 of them looking like they were making puppets instead of dancing.....

The Pictures I Promised

2007-04-26T21:38:00.000-05:00

Here is the blanket for Baby Matney, Knit on 13's with Lionbrand in blue and grey.

Here's my test fish, this one is about 10 inches long, but I bought Lionbrand Microspun today and plan on making them on different sized needles to give me different sizes.

And more projects....

2007-04-23T14:49:00.000-05:00

I'm still working on the pink and green scarf, but my hands became incredibly tired of the 6s so I started making some other things and I swear the list keeps growing. I started a small blanket for Baby Matney as well as some knitted fish to decorate his present at the baby shower. Though I don't really know what could be done with them afterwards, they're easy to make and will look cute hanging from a basket handle or some other present wrapping.

I'm in the process of making a lapghan for my grandma, though it's getting warmer out, she's in a nursing home now, so she has to sit in her wheel chair and sit in line for dinner and what not, so I thought that might be a nice little blanket to keep with her. I just need to find a yarn that won't be so hot, and a stitch that will be aesthetically pleasing enough for her to realize that it's not just a scrap of fabric.

I don't have any FO's at the moment other than my one test fish, but will get some pics up of the wips when the camera's batteries are recharged.

Past and Present

2007-04-03T15:55:00.000-05:00

While bored, I made this drop stitch and garter scarf. Made on 19s with the same yarn as the slippers except green. I like the way it curls so I have no plans to block it.

One of my current projects is a chevron scarf. I found a few chevron stitches that were completely wrong (either people can't count or have no idea what a chevron is) but I found one in a stitch handbook I purchased at Half Price Books.

It's made from the slipper yarn in pink and green.

and I started the bottom and cut off one row of purling to create a chevron ridge. It added a bit of texture and has stopped it from curling. Next thing to figure out is if I want to do the other end the same way and just deal with the overlapping yarn line.

I think this is my favorite scarf and I'd love to make a blanket out of these two, but I don't think I could stomach doing it on 6s. I'd probably have to go up to 8s at least.

Wavy

2007-03-20T11:09:00.000-05:00

Finished the Wavy Snarf today. It knit up very quickly and is so soft.

Currently....

2007-03-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

My fingers got incredibly sore from the slippers so they are going to have to wait until I buy bamboo needles in the size and length I need. The aluminum ones are making me feel like I have the hands of an 80 year old.

So I started the wavy scarf from Stitch N Bitch Nation. I used the creamy colored soft delight yarn with two strands held together and so far it looks nice and feels even better.

I also need to get myself going on Ember's birthday present. I'm kind of torn between two things and I'm afraid of screwing up either one.

My Yarn Stash

2007-03-17T13:53:00.000-05:00

That's most of my yarn stash, I still haven't discovered any better way to store it, but I did rearrange it and baggie it by color. At least now I can see how many different textures and styles I have in each color instead of just having it sorted by brand/style.

I definitely need new baggies, so we'll be off to the dollar store soon to get some baggies and snacks to make it through our organizing day.

So the slippers didn't get done....

2007-03-16T17:58:00.000-05:00

The slippers didn't get done in time unfortunately, but the viewing ended up being a day earlier than I thought it would be, so they'll go in the mail with some papers I have to send my aunt.

On the way back home, I stopped to get my mom a book she was trying to locate for a friend and ended up buying myself Stitch N Bitch Nation, I felt like I deserved a little treat. I looked through it today and found confirmation that the other drop stitch scarf I tried to make was wonky. At least I don't feel so crazy now.

I need a better solution for storing my yarn stash. As soon as I transferred it to a new container it was already at the top, so my additional purchases are still sitting in a bag. I'd also like to make them decently accessible but not necessarily in the spot they are now. Later this evening I think I'll lay them all out take some pics and then try to get them packed up better. I'm also hoping to finish the slippers tonight so I can maybe start on something else. The only other thing I have going right now is a needle case that is going take forever since it's just 3 feet of stock that I have to felt.

Slipper Fun

2007-03-13T20:29:00.000-05:00

I made my slipper and it is so freakin cute, not to mention incredibly soft.

I started the second one last night and will hopefully finish it tomorrow. My uncle died today and since I will be going back home presumably this weekend, I would like to be able to take my aunt a pair of slippers as well. It's not a lot of consolation, but hopefully it will give her a little bit of snuggle.
When I gushed about the sale at hobby lobby today, Erik handed me a 20 and sent me off to the store. I bought some more of the slipper yarn and also what I needed to make Ember's Birthday present.

And on to the current projects

2007-03-12T15:07:00.000-05:00

Now I'm working on slippers. I found a pattern here and since I'm afraid of double pointed needles, I was happy to find a two needle version that would seam up nicely.
So I dug into the stash for some of last years left over red heart and set about making a test model. Although my guage was right, something somewhere went a little wrong. I ended up with a cute looking little shoe, but definitely not the size or stretchiness it was supposed to be.

I didn't seam it up all the way, but you get the general idea. Somehow mine ended up looking like a colorful wooden shoe.

So I decided to use some different yarn (Yarn Bee Soft Delight Fushia), knit a little more loosely, and use 9s instead of 8s. So far it's looking like it's going to be one comfy slipper for someone. Hopefully it will be for me instead of my daughter.

I'm also going to make this when I can afford the yarn for it. I love the green and it looks so comfy!

My mother in law requested a sweater from Hip Knits for her birthday (September), so once she picks her colors and I have the money, I will definitely be starting that. It uses a super bulky yarn, so hopefully the hardest part will just be understanding the pattern. I really like the garments in the book, but I'm really not fond of the way they are displayed. All the patterns are written in a paragraph form and I'm a line by line girl. Give me the stats and I'll go for it. No need for rewording or making a pattern look like literature... it should look like some cryptic math.

And lastly, a birthday present (May) for Ember. I have the plans all drawn out and the math finished, I just need to purchase the yarn and a longer circular needle.

Erik's Imperial Logo Hat

2007-03-12T15:00:00.001-05:00

I used Lion Brand Jiffy Yarn True Black 1 Skein, Natural Cream 1 Skein
Size 9US Needles

Guage 24 st/ 28row = 4"

Rows 1-6: Rib (k2, p2)
Begin Stockinette
Row 7: knit
Row 8: purl
Begin Pattern:
1: 34B, 8W, 34B
2: 32B, 12, 32B
3: 30B, 4W, 3B, 2W, 3B, 4W, 30B
4: 29B, 3W, 5B, 2W, 5B, 3W, 29B
5: 28B, 2W, 4B, 8W, 4B, 2W, 28B
6: 27B, 3W, 2B, 12W, 2B, 3W, 27B
7: 26B, 24W, 26B
8: 26B, 2W, 1B, 8W, 2B, 8W, 1B, 2W, 26B
9: 25B, 2W, 2B, 8W, 2B, 8W, 2B, 2W, 25B
10: 25B, 2W, 2B, 3W, 2B, 3W, 2B, 3W, 2B, 3W, 2B, 2W, 25B
11: 24B, 2W, 2B, 3W, 4B, 2W, 2B, 2W, 4B, 3W, 2B, 2W, 24B
12: 24B, 2W, 2B, 4W, 12B, 4W, 2B, 2W, 24W
13: 24B, 2W, 2B, 5W, 10B, 5W, 2B, 2W, 24B
14:24B, 2W, 2B, 6W, 8B, 6W, 2B, 2W, 24B
15: Repeat ROW 14
16: Repeat ROW 13
17: Repeat ROW 12
18: Repeat ROW 11
19: Repeat ROW 10
20: Repeat ROW 9
21: Repeat ROW 8
22: Repeat ROW 7
23: Repeat ROW 6
24: Repeat ROW 5
25: Repeat ROW 4
26: Repeat ROW 3
27: Repeat ROW 2
28: Repeat ROW 1
Continue Stockinette until 8 inches long ending on purl
Begin descrease
knit 2 tog through row
purl row
knit 2 tog through row
purl

*If I did this again, I would probably decrease another row but I had stitches so I stopped*

cut off substantial tail of yarn to pull through loops and seam

Click the thumbnail to view full chart

Up Until Now....

2007-03-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

Ember taught me how to knit this last fall, and for once it seems I have stuck with a hobby. I learned to crochet when I was 10, and continued doing it off and on until I learned knitting. I could never pick up crocheting enough to make anything other than scarfs and small blankets, so I'm pretty impressed at how well I've done with knitting and moved beyond those two projects.

The first thing I made was a scarf for Aeslin. Plain ole garter stitch scarf, it's not the most attractive thing, but if she ever gives it up, I'll probably hole it away somewhere as a point of reference. I've made the kids each scarfs and hats and the first nicer thing I made was a scarf for my friend Steff. Unfortunately I don't think I ever took any pictures of it, or else I'd post those for reference as well.

After making Erik a scarf (which he rarely wears), I decided to make him a hat.... and one he would actually wear. I found some Star Wars charts, but nothing he liked, so I had him make me one. Our first attempt was an interesting one. The chart was way too big and I was trying to adjust a hat pattern to go with it. We ended up with a gigantic hat that looked like it belonged on King Kong or some other appropriate sized primate.

Since the logo itself was too big, I ended up cutting the hat short (which really didn't help any) and it just made it look all crumpled at the top. And after giving myself a chart reading break, I had Erik make a new downsized chart which worked out a whole hell of a lot better. I made my own pattern for the hat based on the way he wanted it to fit him, and that made both of us happier. He's actually worn it other than when I took the pictures. In fact he wore it around the house for a few days after I made it.

I'll post the pattern and the chart in a different Entry for anyone who wants to use it. I'm quite sure my husband isn't the only Star Wars geek out there.

I haven't really made anything else that was too substantial. I made my mother in law a scarf to match her new winter coat, and have also made some scarfs out of some random yarn I had purchased.

this one worked out so fun, i just played with the number and stitches and needle sizes until it worked out into something that looked happy and since the yarn is so funky, it didn't really matter how many times I frogged it.

This bag was unfortunately my own pattern and I set myself up for way too much seaming, so the very last handle hasn't been sewn on yet because I'm quite tired of looking at it.

Made with Lion Brand Chunky.... little less than one skein.

Since I'm now on to projects I'm currently working on, or plan to start when I have the money, I'll put those in a different post.