I've not been getting as much knitting done as I'd like. The beaded faggoting on Shipwreck is slooooooowwww, and I've only really been doing it on the bus ride home, since the boy has been giving me rides to work, and I've been busy in the evenings. Oh well, that will improve with vacation! Anyway, that's why I haven't updated in a while: nothing interesting has been going on. But today, I came up with this. Ahem. *makes with the sexy Eartha Kitt pose*
Santa Baby, slip some Addis under the tree, for me.
I've been knitting too slow, Santa baby,
So hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Santa baby, a little bit of qiviut too,
In blue.
Give that musk-ox a shear,
Santa baby, and hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Think of all the yarns I've missed,
Think of the Alpaca Silk from Debbie Bliss.
Next year I could knit even more
If you'll check off my Christmas list.
Santa baby, I wanna swift,
And really I'm kind of miffed.
Been hand-winding all year,
Santa baby, so hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Santa honey, there's one thing I really do need:
Seed beads
Miyukis would be just fine,
Santa honey, so hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with some seacell
'Cause, well,
It's real swell in laceweight,
Santa cutie, so hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some Malabrigo (just a skein or three)
I really do believe in you,
Feel free to stay and stitch 'n' bitch with me!
Santa baby, forgot to mention madelinetosh,
Oh gosh!
And some Noro Kureyon,
Santa baby, so hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Hurry from the yarn store tonight.
Hurry, tonight.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 02, 2011
Little drops of golden honey
Last night, I did the doubling row, putting in a lifeline, and then broke the yarn to start stringing beads! So exciting! The beads are just perfect, with as much shine as I'd hoped they'd have. I had some issues with changing needles. Usually, when I need to change needle sizes and I'm working on interchangeables, I will just swap out the tips. It's easy as pie--when you're moving up or down a size or two. This time, I was moving up FOUR sizes, from a 4 to an 8. The stitches simply wouldn't go over the needles. I ended up leaving the size 4 tip on the left hand needle and putting a button thingy on the right side. Then I put a button on one end of my other 40" cable, and a size 8 tip on the other. I can get the tip of the 8 into the stitches enough to knit them, and I'm (slowly) working the knitting onto the new cable as I go. When I reach the end, I'll swap out the button on the new cable for the other size 8 tip, and things should be a little easier.
Pushing the beads along the yarn slows my knitting down considerably, but adding a bead every few stitches (I'm trying to be fairly random, and may end up increasing how many I put on) is fun. I'm excited about how it's going to look! I've pre-wound my next ball of yarn. It seems that this yarn is difficult to do a Russian join on with my chunky-ass Chibi needle, so I should get out my slightly more reasonably-sized yarn needle for that purpose. Still, once the join is in place, the stuff grips like iron and it's as solid as you could like. Awesome.
With any luck, this will not take me forever. I'm surprised by how much it's flown along so far!
Pushing the beads along the yarn slows my knitting down considerably, but adding a bead every few stitches (I'm trying to be fairly random, and may end up increasing how many I put on) is fun. I'm excited about how it's going to look! I've pre-wound my next ball of yarn. It seems that this yarn is difficult to do a Russian join on with my chunky-ass Chibi needle, so I should get out my slightly more reasonably-sized yarn needle for that purpose. Still, once the join is in place, the stuff grips like iron and it's as solid as you could like. Awesome.
With any luck, this will not take me forever. I'm surprised by how much it's flown along so far!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
New and improved
I was admiring a FO Shipwreck someone had posted on the Sanguine Gryphon forum on Ravelry (also done with Skinny Bugga, but in a different shade). She told me that from row 29 of the Madeira pattern on, she'd used an improved pattern developed by another Ravelry user that produces a more symmetrical-looking lace. I was on row 34 and had been following the pattern as written, but taking a look at my work, I decided that yeah, it WAS kind of off-looking, in spite of being technically correct. I had a lifeline in at row 31. This morning, while my boyfriend was driving me to work, I ripped back to that lifeline and started picking up stitches. When I finish that, I'll tink back to the beginning of row 29 and use the improved pattern.
Amusingly enough, when I went to look at the pattern improvement as described by its creator, I read this in her project notes: "Got to round 34 of the Madiera chart, didn’t like the way it was looking (fix from yesterday wasn’t a fix). Tinked back to end of round 29 and knit as follows[...]" Heh. Looks like we came to that decision in the same place!
Oh, the beads!!! The beads came in yesterday. They look lovely! I got two boxes each of the medium gold and light gold, and one box of the root beer. I figure I'll dump them all in a bag together and mix them up well for maximum randomness. They're going to look like little droplets of honey in a knitted honeycomb! (That's what this yarn looks like. It doesn't actually look so much like a bee, but it does seem to contain all the many amber-gold shades of honey. Beautiful.) I can't wait to start using the beads. I think I might even try just stringing some onto my next ball of yarn (ooh, I actually have to wind that skein into a ball, don't I?) this evening if I get a chance, just to see what they look like on the yarn. :)
Amusingly enough, when I went to look at the pattern improvement as described by its creator, I read this in her project notes: "Got to round 34 of the Madiera chart, didn’t like the way it was looking (fix from yesterday wasn’t a fix). Tinked back to end of round 29 and knit as follows[...]" Heh. Looks like we came to that decision in the same place!
Oh, the beads!!! The beads came in yesterday. They look lovely! I got two boxes each of the medium gold and light gold, and one box of the root beer. I figure I'll dump them all in a bag together and mix them up well for maximum randomness. They're going to look like little droplets of honey in a knitted honeycomb! (That's what this yarn looks like. It doesn't actually look so much like a bee, but it does seem to contain all the many amber-gold shades of honey. Beautiful.) I can't wait to start using the beads. I think I might even try just stringing some onto my next ball of yarn (ooh, I actually have to wind that skein into a ball, don't I?) this evening if I get a chance, just to see what they look like on the yarn. :)
Monday, November 28, 2011
So much progress while on vacation!
(This bit actually written on Saturday, 11/26)
I've come a really long way so far on the Shipwreck shawl! I've just put a lifeline through, halfway through the Madeira pattern. Vacations are good for my knitting. I'm finding this shawl a really enjoyable knit so far. The lace patterns have short repeats, which means I don't have to have the focus of a hunting eagle to zip through them. I can look at the pattern, memorize the repeat in a second, and just go. It's so much easier than the Aeolian shawl. It keeps my attention, but doesn't punish me if I let my thoughts wander for a moment. I haven't been doing it while watching TV, but I have been chatting a little with people as I go, and it's good that I can do that. The edging is going to be a lot more mindless, so it'll be a good settle-in-with-a-movie project.
I should plan out how I'm going to string my beads. I might see about asking my friend M if I can borrow her bead stringer. I think she'll know where it is. She usually tends to keep her jewelry supplies a bit more organized than the rest of her house. If that fails, it's possible my friend J has one too. If that fails as well, I guess I'll just have to buy my own. Fire Mountain Gems has them for cheaper than Amazon.com does.
(and this bit written today)
So yeah, still banging away at the Madeira. I'm only a few rows from the end. *searches frantically for wood to knock* I'd better start hunting down a bead spinner. I won't be seeing M for at least a week and a half, and I'm going to want to get started before then. Hmm. Well, it's not as though I even HAVE the beads yet. They'll be coming early this week, though. I wonder how difficult it would be to break the yarn and rejoin it, and have beads go over the join. Would they fit over a Russian join? I might need to try that when I get them.
I've come a really long way so far on the Shipwreck shawl! I've just put a lifeline through, halfway through the Madeira pattern. Vacations are good for my knitting. I'm finding this shawl a really enjoyable knit so far. The lace patterns have short repeats, which means I don't have to have the focus of a hunting eagle to zip through them. I can look at the pattern, memorize the repeat in a second, and just go. It's so much easier than the Aeolian shawl. It keeps my attention, but doesn't punish me if I let my thoughts wander for a moment. I haven't been doing it while watching TV, but I have been chatting a little with people as I go, and it's good that I can do that. The edging is going to be a lot more mindless, so it'll be a good settle-in-with-a-movie project.
I should plan out how I'm going to string my beads. I might see about asking my friend M if I can borrow her bead stringer. I think she'll know where it is. She usually tends to keep her jewelry supplies a bit more organized than the rest of her house. If that fails, it's possible my friend J has one too. If that fails as well, I guess I'll just have to buy my own. Fire Mountain Gems has them for cheaper than Amazon.com does.
(and this bit written today)
So yeah, still banging away at the Madeira. I'm only a few rows from the end. *searches frantically for wood to knock* I'd better start hunting down a bead spinner. I won't be seeing M for at least a week and a half, and I'm going to want to get started before then. Hmm. Well, it's not as though I even HAVE the beads yet. They'll be coming early this week, though. I wonder how difficult it would be to break the yarn and rejoin it, and have beads go over the join. Would they fit over a Russian join? I might need to try that when I get them.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The leap of faith
The second charted lace pattern in Shipwreck is "Bleeding Heart." It's a ten-row pattern, repeated twice. On that tenth row, there's a note in the pattern saying, "Move marker one stitch to the left before beginning this row." This was the source, for me, of much confusion.
First, I attempted it while I was working on DPNs. When using DPNs, I can't put a marker between the last and first stitches of the round, because that's generally at the end of a needle. So, I put it after the first stitch. Was it already in the right place? Who knew? But before I could actually get to that round, I bollixed up something badly enough that I had to start over. OK. I figured that in the absence of specific directions about where to place a marker initially, it made sense to put it between the last and first stitches, and that would be easier if I switched to circulars before beginning the Bleeding Heart chart. On Take 2, that's what I did.
Then, I understood about moving the marker one stitch over. I didn't understand, though, whether I was supposed to start row 10 AFTER the marker, or before. Before didn't really make sense, and looking at some forum posts on Ravelry confirmed this: I was actually changing the starting place of the row by one stitch. Good enough. But...what was I to do with the stitch that had been the first stitch and was now, thanks to the movement of the marker, the last stitch? It wasn't part of the previous row's pattern repeat, it was just extra. Did I knit it? Slip it? I elected to take off the marker, slip that first stitch onto the right needle, then put the marker on again. I took a deep breath, and took the leap of faith. Round 10 worked up in perfect alignment. Yay!
Next, I was faced with the question of whether or not I was supposed to put the marker back where it had been before beginning the next round. It was not stated to do so in the directions. To be certain, I counted stitches, and sure enough--I needed to just leave it where it was! No need to replace it. Fine by me. I'm in the middle of that second set of Bleeding Heart now. I just wanted to make sure to note down all this stuff so that maybe someone else who's as confused as I was might see it someday on Ravelry!
First, I attempted it while I was working on DPNs. When using DPNs, I can't put a marker between the last and first stitches of the round, because that's generally at the end of a needle. So, I put it after the first stitch. Was it already in the right place? Who knew? But before I could actually get to that round, I bollixed up something badly enough that I had to start over. OK. I figured that in the absence of specific directions about where to place a marker initially, it made sense to put it between the last and first stitches, and that would be easier if I switched to circulars before beginning the Bleeding Heart chart. On Take 2, that's what I did.
Then, I understood about moving the marker one stitch over. I didn't understand, though, whether I was supposed to start row 10 AFTER the marker, or before. Before didn't really make sense, and looking at some forum posts on Ravelry confirmed this: I was actually changing the starting place of the row by one stitch. Good enough. But...what was I to do with the stitch that had been the first stitch and was now, thanks to the movement of the marker, the last stitch? It wasn't part of the previous row's pattern repeat, it was just extra. Did I knit it? Slip it? I elected to take off the marker, slip that first stitch onto the right needle, then put the marker on again. I took a deep breath, and took the leap of faith. Round 10 worked up in perfect alignment. Yay!
Next, I was faced with the question of whether or not I was supposed to put the marker back where it had been before beginning the next round. It was not stated to do so in the directions. To be certain, I counted stitches, and sure enough--I needed to just leave it where it was! No need to replace it. Fine by me. I'm in the middle of that second set of Bleeding Heart now. I just wanted to make sure to note down all this stuff so that maybe someone else who's as confused as I was might see it someday on Ravelry!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Bees! Bees! Bees!
Two posts in one day, wow!
Upon finishing Memere's Multnomah, I decided to cast on for Shipwreck. I took out my swift and ball winder, and turned one of the skeins of Skinny Bugga! into a perfect little yarn cake. These guys wind their skeins nicely: this one didn't give me any trouble at all with tangles or knots or breaks or anything.
I started out trying to cast on as instructed in the link provided in the pattern, but many attempts confused the FUCK out of me, so I decided to try a regular knitted cast-on. Well, that left a big and un-fixable hole right in the middle. So, I started digging around. Hey, I'm a researcher. It's what I do. Anyway, in one forum on Ravelry, I found a few links to similar cast-ons. Eventually, I got the hang of one of them, and started knitting. Then, I realized I'd not been paying attention, and had blithely skipped a number of rows. Oops. I frogged (it was only about 10 rows), and cast on again. This time, I've gotten up to row 29, where I'm about to start the second lace pattern. It being after 11 p.m., I've decided to save that for later. I know my limits.
I admit I'm mostly a product knitter. I see stuff and think, "Ooh, that's pretty. I want that." But it's also nice to have some variety in a pattern, and to learn new skills while knitting a new pattern. This one has already taught me that very nice cast-on for circular shawls. I'm really pleased with how it turns out. The process of doing it is a bit of a pain in the arse, requiring some serious twisting around of the hands, but it works.
The yarn is just beautiful to work with, and I can't wait until I have it on my nice Harmony Options needles. So far, at 144 stitches, I'm still on DPNs. It's looking nice, though. I'd LIKE to knit more tonight, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea. I'll pick it up again tomorrow--maybe even while I'm at the Knitting Kumquat's birthday party (a.k.a. Comfy Cozy Kumquat Day). I'll at least have to show her the yarn and the pattern, because I KNOW she's a Sanguine Gryphon fan, same as I am. It's sad that they had to split into two companies just as I was getting to know them, but I'll get to know the two new companies, too. :)
Upon finishing Memere's Multnomah, I decided to cast on for Shipwreck. I took out my swift and ball winder, and turned one of the skeins of Skinny Bugga! into a perfect little yarn cake. These guys wind their skeins nicely: this one didn't give me any trouble at all with tangles or knots or breaks or anything.
I started out trying to cast on as instructed in the link provided in the pattern, but many attempts confused the FUCK out of me, so I decided to try a regular knitted cast-on. Well, that left a big and un-fixable hole right in the middle. So, I started digging around. Hey, I'm a researcher. It's what I do. Anyway, in one forum on Ravelry, I found a few links to similar cast-ons. Eventually, I got the hang of one of them, and started knitting. Then, I realized I'd not been paying attention, and had blithely skipped a number of rows. Oops. I frogged (it was only about 10 rows), and cast on again. This time, I've gotten up to row 29, where I'm about to start the second lace pattern. It being after 11 p.m., I've decided to save that for later. I know my limits.
I admit I'm mostly a product knitter. I see stuff and think, "Ooh, that's pretty. I want that." But it's also nice to have some variety in a pattern, and to learn new skills while knitting a new pattern. This one has already taught me that very nice cast-on for circular shawls. I'm really pleased with how it turns out. The process of doing it is a bit of a pain in the arse, requiring some serious twisting around of the hands, but it works.
The yarn is just beautiful to work with, and I can't wait until I have it on my nice Harmony Options needles. So far, at 144 stitches, I'm still on DPNs. It's looking nice, though. I'd LIKE to knit more tonight, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea. I'll pick it up again tomorrow--maybe even while I'm at the Knitting Kumquat's birthday party (a.k.a. Comfy Cozy Kumquat Day). I'll at least have to show her the yarn and the pattern, because I KNOW she's a Sanguine Gryphon fan, same as I am. It's sad that they had to split into two companies just as I was getting to know them, but I'll get to know the two new companies, too. :)
Finished Memere's shawl
I finished the large-size Multnomah I made for my Memere today. After binding off last night, I steam-blocked/killed it today. Turned out nicely. I didn't melt it, and it did keep its shape. Yay! I hope she likes it. The three balls of Wool-Ease were plenty for ten repeats of the F&F pattern, though I was pretty sure it wouldn't be enough for eleven AND a bind-off. I quit while I was ahead, and trusted that blocking would help. It did. Man, I'm so glad I blocked it. The difference is night and day! I'm going to throw it in the washer and dryer to soften it up and fluff it a bit, as well as to give it a nice scent from the fabric softener (because it smells of wet sheep now). I'm going to wait until Christmas to get pictures, on Memere. Oh, except...I won't BE at Christmas this year, with my family. I should ask Papa to take a few. His will be better than mine would be anyway. Maybe I can convince my sister to buy a shawl pin to go with it. Romi's cat-shaped one might be a good choice--the non-sterling ones are only about $30 each.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Bees and beads!
I just bought some beads for a Shipwreck Shawl! I ended up getting them from Fire Mountain Gems, which sells 8/0 round seed beads in 40-gram bags. I bought five of them. That should be enough, even given that the brand I bought seems to have fewer beads per gram than other Japanese 8/0s. I got transparent glass beads with silver lining, in light gold, medium gold, and root beer (a medium brown). I think they'll be great with the Honeybee yarn!
Chances are I'm going to start Shipwreck over Thanksgiving. I think it's likely I'll finish Mémère's Multnomah before then. I'm on repeat #9 of the F&F pattern, I believe. I hope it'll be big enough! I wonder, if I DID block it, how much would it stretch?
Chances are I'm going to start Shipwreck over Thanksgiving. I think it's likely I'll finish Mémère's Multnomah before then. I'm on repeat #9 of the F&F pattern, I believe. I hope it'll be big enough! I wonder, if I DID block it, how much would it stretch?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Moving on...
I finished my hat on Thursday night, just in time for some cool and windy weather. It's good and warm, and looks pretty cute! Tonight, I picked up the large-size Multnomah I'm making for my Memere again. I had been a bit irked by the fact that I had somehow messed up a few rows back, but I tinked back and re-knit those rows with no problems or confusion. Awesome. It's good to make progress. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, but I think I'll bring my knitting to work with me anyway. I would like to get this done. The hat was a nice break, I admit, but I'm looking forward to something a bit more delicate. Question is, do I start talking to my mom about doing a shawl for her? Maybe get it done for her birthday? Or do I start something for me? Maybe both. Maybe having two projects on the needles at once isn't such a bad thing. You know, like having two boyfriends at once. :)
I think my mother wants a rectangular stole. She'll probably want a biggish one so that there's plenty of wrap room. My Seascape would be too small for her. I'll poke around and see what I can see.
Oh, and by the way, here's the hat!
I think my mother wants a rectangular stole. She'll probably want a biggish one so that there's plenty of wrap room. My Seascape would be too small for her. I'll poke around and see what I can see.
Oh, and by the way, here's the hat!
Monday, November 07, 2011
Hat trick!
OK, so there's no trick. But I've started a hat. I chose the South End Knitter's Hat pattern. It's a nice cabled-and-ribbed one, and it's knit long and with the cables on the inside. That way, you can fold up the bottom so that there's an extra layer of warmth. Nice! I'm using stashed Lamb's Pride, left over from the still-unzippered Samus cardi I made lo, these many years ago. I was going to use the Nuna (that's the merino/silk/bamboo blend) I had, but when I realized that 1) it was sport weight, not worsted, and 2) it didn't actually include alpaca as I thought it did, I decided it wouldn't be quite warm enough if a wind happened to blow. Also, the red is a color I'm more likely to want to wear frequently. I'll find something to do with that pretty Nuna, though. Maybe a lace scarf?
I started the hat on Friday night. I'm making good progress on it. With luck, it'll be finished before the end of the week. I'll post pics when I have 'em!
I started the hat on Friday night. I'm making good progress on it. With luck, it'll be finished before the end of the week. I'll post pics when I have 'em!
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Frustrations, daring, and warm ears
Yesterday, I realized I might have messed up in adding a repeat of the F&F pattern on my Mémère's shawl a few rows back. It's frustrating! I need to figure out what I did, but I may well have to tink back 5 rows. And these rows are getting big. *grumble*
So, I really need a new knitted hat. The Fur Hat Of Doom will have its day again, oh yes, but it's not quite cold enough yet for that. I l do love my Corona (MALABRIIIIIIGO!), but it's really too big, and it's starting to get slightly ratty. I keep saying, "Maybe I'll try felting it just to see what happens," but I haven't yet dared. Maybe when I actually have a new hat to wear, I might work up the courage! I'm pretty sure I'm going to use this pattern. The large section that gets doubled over means a double layer of warmth, and I like the cables. I may end up using that skein of navy blue yarn I've been keeping forever--the one that's merino, and...alpaca and silk? Alpaca and bamboo? Something like that. Cozy and soft, anyway. I'm fairly sure that one skein will be enough. If it's not quite, I might add another color near the crown. I might want to take a brief break from the shawl to get started on this hat, or I won't have it while the weather is right to wear it. I have until Christmas to finish the shawl, anyway.
My cousin's wife sent me a thank-you card today for the sweater I knit her baby-to-be. She was really happy to get something handmade. I think the design of that little cardi is good for babies--it's just one button, so it's easy to get on and off.
Man, I'd rather be knitting right now than working...
So, I really need a new knitted hat. The Fur Hat Of Doom will have its day again, oh yes, but it's not quite cold enough yet for that. I l do love my Corona (MALABRIIIIIIGO!), but it's really too big, and it's starting to get slightly ratty. I keep saying, "Maybe I'll try felting it just to see what happens," but I haven't yet dared. Maybe when I actually have a new hat to wear, I might work up the courage! I'm pretty sure I'm going to use this pattern. The large section that gets doubled over means a double layer of warmth, and I like the cables. I may end up using that skein of navy blue yarn I've been keeping forever--the one that's merino, and...alpaca and silk? Alpaca and bamboo? Something like that. Cozy and soft, anyway. I'm fairly sure that one skein will be enough. If it's not quite, I might add another color near the crown. I might want to take a brief break from the shawl to get started on this hat, or I won't have it while the weather is right to wear it. I have until Christmas to finish the shawl, anyway.
My cousin's wife sent me a thank-you card today for the sweater I knit her baby-to-be. She was really happy to get something handmade. I think the design of that little cardi is good for babies--it's just one button, so it's easy to get on and off.
Man, I'd rather be knitting right now than working...
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Laceweight? Fingering? Did I say that?
It looks like I've got yet another worsted project on the needles! On the plus side, it doesn't involve DPNs, and it's not in a cotton yarn. I do love the slip of that organic cotton, and the soft hand it has (oooh, SO soft), but it doesn't have much stretch. Right now, I'm working in...Wool-Ease. Yes. And it's not for a baby.
I decided I should knit a shawl for my Memere for Christmas. I didn't want her to have to worry about special washing or drying or re-blocking instructions. This is MEMERE, after all. She's the sweetest person alive, but...yeah. Bless her heart. Also, she doesn't really have room in her tiny apartment for laying a shawl flat to dry. I figured a washable, dryable yarn would be best. I need it to go fast, because, well, I have less than 2.5 months to do this. I do want it to be a full-size shawl, though. I decided to do something in worsted weight. After a great amount of dithering and posting on Ravelry, I saw that there were a number of people who'd done Multnomah in worsted, following the pattern as written, and ended up with a full-size shawl. This, after someone cleverly reminded me that Feather & Fan looks very nice in a thicker yarn and doesn't really need blocking to look good. Oho, I said. I got the yarn after work today at Windsor Button. I picked out a sort of dusty rose color that looks to be right up Memere's alley. I cast on while watching X-Files on DVD, and am now on my way. I know it will go fast because I've done it before, and it took me no time at all. Really, like two weeks. Less. Since I'm using the same number of stitches, rows, and repeats, it shouldn't take me too long. It will help that it's something I can do pretty easily while watching TV or chatting with people. Also, tomorrow I'm going to stay overnight with friends. I'll have plenty of time to hang out and knit the next day before our class starts in the afternoon. YAY. I'm going to recommend to my sister that she get Memere a shawl pin for Christmas. Dunno what I'm going to do for Pepere. He doesn't wear scarves, and I'm not sure there's anything else I could knit him in time for Christmas that he'd actually wear or use. Guess I'll have to ask Papa for some ideas that don't involve yarn.
Man, I wish I were going to Rhinebeck or Stitches East this year...
I decided I should knit a shawl for my Memere for Christmas. I didn't want her to have to worry about special washing or drying or re-blocking instructions. This is MEMERE, after all. She's the sweetest person alive, but...yeah. Bless her heart. Also, she doesn't really have room in her tiny apartment for laying a shawl flat to dry. I figured a washable, dryable yarn would be best. I need it to go fast, because, well, I have less than 2.5 months to do this. I do want it to be a full-size shawl, though. I decided to do something in worsted weight. After a great amount of dithering and posting on Ravelry, I saw that there were a number of people who'd done Multnomah in worsted, following the pattern as written, and ended up with a full-size shawl. This, after someone cleverly reminded me that Feather & Fan looks very nice in a thicker yarn and doesn't really need blocking to look good. Oho, I said. I got the yarn after work today at Windsor Button. I picked out a sort of dusty rose color that looks to be right up Memere's alley. I cast on while watching X-Files on DVD, and am now on my way. I know it will go fast because I've done it before, and it took me no time at all. Really, like two weeks. Less. Since I'm using the same number of stitches, rows, and repeats, it shouldn't take me too long. It will help that it's something I can do pretty easily while watching TV or chatting with people. Also, tomorrow I'm going to stay overnight with friends. I'll have plenty of time to hang out and knit the next day before our class starts in the afternoon. YAY. I'm going to recommend to my sister that she get Memere a shawl pin for Christmas. Dunno what I'm going to do for Pepere. He doesn't wear scarves, and I'm not sure there's anything else I could knit him in time for Christmas that he'd actually wear or use. Guess I'll have to ask Papa for some ideas that don't involve yarn.
Man, I wish I were going to Rhinebeck or Stitches East this year...
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Oh, the sacrifices we make for family
When last we saw our heroine, she was purchasing yarn to make a sweater for the first member of the next generation of the family. Yeah, my cousin and his wife are having a baby. I've been working on the sweater on and off--I got especially distracted by my man coming home from Afghanistan--but right now I'm ready to bind off and weave in the ends. Then I'll sew on a button, crochet a loop to fasten it, and give it a gentle wash in the sink. The shower's on the 22nd. Should be good by then! Oddly, I ran out of the main color of my yarn before I could do the button band and collar. That didn't happen last time. I am substituting one of the contrasting colors (periwinkle blue). Looks fine. I will actually be able to return one of the skeins of yarn I bought for the project: the cream-colored yarn I had from my old skein was sufficient for the project, so I didn't need to wind the new one!
When this is done...hmm...start my Shipwreck? Talk to Mom about doing her a shawl for Christmas? (Might be late...) Finish those goddamn socks that have been sitting in the drawer for literal YEARS? (Probably not.) Whatever, working with thick worsted weight yarn seems downright WEIRD to me right now, and I'm eager for some sock-weight-or-lighter lace again. :)
OH! The sacrifice. Yeah. The shower, as I said, is on the 22nd. That is the weekend of Stitches East. I'd assumed my friend the Knitting Kumquat wouldn't want to go, having just given birth a month ago to Baby MC^2. I figured, "Oh well, I'll miss it, but it's not like I'd have been able to go without her anyway, since she's my ride there." Last night, she e-mailed me to say, "Do you want to go?" ARGH. Oh well. Maybe we can make a road trip to WEBS sometime.
When this is done...hmm...start my Shipwreck? Talk to Mom about doing her a shawl for Christmas? (Might be late...) Finish those goddamn socks that have been sitting in the drawer for literal YEARS? (Probably not.) Whatever, working with thick worsted weight yarn seems downright WEIRD to me right now, and I'm eager for some sock-weight-or-lighter lace again. :)
OH! The sacrifice. Yeah. The shower, as I said, is on the 22nd. That is the weekend of Stitches East. I'd assumed my friend the Knitting Kumquat wouldn't want to go, having just given birth a month ago to Baby MC^2. I figured, "Oh well, I'll miss it, but it's not like I'd have been able to go without her anyway, since she's my ride there." Last night, she e-mailed me to say, "Do you want to go?" ARGH. Oh well. Maybe we can make a road trip to WEBS sometime.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Where the sea meets the shore
Last night, I blocked my Seascape Stole! I'm so happy. I think it's going to end up being just lovely. I hope to have some photos soon. I'd REALLY love to get some outdoor shots, particularly in a beachside setting, but I doubt that's going to happen since it would require coordinating with someone else, and probably on short notice.
I did the seventh repeat of Chart B, which I'm pretty sure was a good idea. Six would have made for a quite short stole. I wet blocked the thing, and used wires along each edge. Wow, rectangles are SIMPLE. :) I actually finished the knitting late last week (Friday night, I think), but haven't had the time or the wherewithal to block it until now.
The funny thing is, I figured this was going to be my go-to wrap for wearing on nice occasions with nice dresses. Now, before I even unpin it, it has competition. My boyfriend got me a beautiful pashmina for our eighth anniversary! It's deep red, olive, and warm beige--a gorgeous combination of colors that look fantastic on me. It's made of pure cashmere (in Kashmir!) and is soft and cozy. Hey, now I have options! :)
Now, I'm going to Windsor Button this evening after work to get some organic cotton yarn for a sweater for my cousin's baby. I've decided to do the same Super Natural Stripes sweater that I did for my coworker's baby a few years back. I still have some pretty periwinkle blue organic cotton yarn left over from the stole I made my boyfriend's mother, so I think I'll use that for one of the contrasting colors. (Actually, I have leftovers of the cream and beige I used in the first sweater too, but I don't know if I have enough). Working with that yarn and the size 7 needles is going to be WEIRD after the KSH and size 4s. But it'll be a good project to have on hand for my vacation--less delicate, easier to work on while chatting with people, etc. than my usual lacy stuff.
I need a new knitting bag. I'm sorely tempted by the gorgeous ones from Jordana Paige, though they are PRICEY. *sigh* But I will have to do SOMETHING about that soon, because the old Boogie Bag one I got at Woolcott...seven years ago? is falling apart. I'll worry about that later, though--the one I have now will be fine for my vacation.
I did the seventh repeat of Chart B, which I'm pretty sure was a good idea. Six would have made for a quite short stole. I wet blocked the thing, and used wires along each edge. Wow, rectangles are SIMPLE. :) I actually finished the knitting late last week (Friday night, I think), but haven't had the time or the wherewithal to block it until now.
The funny thing is, I figured this was going to be my go-to wrap for wearing on nice occasions with nice dresses. Now, before I even unpin it, it has competition. My boyfriend got me a beautiful pashmina for our eighth anniversary! It's deep red, olive, and warm beige--a gorgeous combination of colors that look fantastic on me. It's made of pure cashmere (in Kashmir!) and is soft and cozy. Hey, now I have options! :)
Now, I'm going to Windsor Button this evening after work to get some organic cotton yarn for a sweater for my cousin's baby. I've decided to do the same Super Natural Stripes sweater that I did for my coworker's baby a few years back. I still have some pretty periwinkle blue organic cotton yarn left over from the stole I made my boyfriend's mother, so I think I'll use that for one of the contrasting colors. (Actually, I have leftovers of the cream and beige I used in the first sweater too, but I don't know if I have enough). Working with that yarn and the size 7 needles is going to be WEIRD after the KSH and size 4s. But it'll be a good project to have on hand for my vacation--less delicate, easier to work on while chatting with people, etc. than my usual lacy stuff.
I need a new knitting bag. I'm sorely tempted by the gorgeous ones from Jordana Paige, though they are PRICEY. *sigh* But I will have to do SOMETHING about that soon, because the old Boogie Bag one I got at Woolcott...seven years ago? is falling apart. I'll worry about that later, though--the one I have now will be fine for my vacation.
Friday, August 05, 2011
Getting there!
I know, I know, I am a bad blogger. I'm hardly saying anything these days. But really, how many times do you have to hear, "I'm about halfway through repeat #X of chart B of my Seascape Stole?" Anyway, I figure it's OK to say that I am now on the final row of the final repeat of chart B of my Seascape Stole! Huzzah! When Chart C is done, Numfar will do the dance of joy. :) Then it's blocking time. Hmm. By the time I finish, my boyfriend might be home from Afghanistan. Which means that the bed in Spare Oom might need some cleaning off so I can use it for blocking again. Maybe I can finish before he gets here, though, provided I don't dawdle or set it aside.
Hmm. I hope this FITS on the bed in Spare Oom. :(
Man, I really need to start planning a baby sweater for cousin-child. I think the kid is due sometime in...January? But it'll be nice to get it out of the way and be able to pick up some more LACE. My mom is now thinking she'd like a lace shawl. Heh. I will have to go over some ideas with her. I think that I'll make it a fingering weight so it goes faster.
And then, of course, there's always...Shipwreck. *swoon*
Hmm. I hope this FITS on the bed in Spare Oom. :(
Man, I really need to start planning a baby sweater for cousin-child. I think the kid is due sometime in...January? But it'll be nice to get it out of the way and be able to pick up some more LACE. My mom is now thinking she'd like a lace shawl. Heh. I will have to go over some ideas with her. I think that I'll make it a fingering weight so it goes faster.
And then, of course, there's always...Shipwreck. *swoon*
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Keep on truckin'
I haven't posted in a while because nothing new has been happening. I'm plugging away at my Seascape, sometimes more quickly than others. I got a little sidetracked by A Game of Thrones (the book, not the TV series), which I'm reading for the first time. It cut into my knitting time a bit. I'd do three rows on the bus and then say, "Oh, I'll read the rest of the way!" But I've started leaving the book at home and only reading it before bed, so I'm getting a bit more knitting done. Not a TON more, because I've been busy, but I did do about a dozen rows today, so...yay!
I can't believe I was thinking about frogging this and starting something new. It's really not so bad. I think I'm getting better at memorizing pattern rows and at reading my knitting. I love the way it's turning out, too. I can't wait to see it done and blocked! Hmm...guess that proves I'm a product knitter more than a process knitter. :)
I think that when I reach the end of the pattern repeats on this, I'll order beads for my Seascape. I also need to get started on a baby sweater for the boy-cousin and his wife's little one, who's on the way. Better start looking at what's in my stash, and figuring out a convenient pattern!
I can't believe I was thinking about frogging this and starting something new. It's really not so bad. I think I'm getting better at memorizing pattern rows and at reading my knitting. I love the way it's turning out, too. I can't wait to see it done and blocked! Hmm...guess that proves I'm a product knitter more than a process knitter. :)
I think that when I reach the end of the pattern repeats on this, I'll order beads for my Seascape. I also need to get started on a baby sweater for the boy-cousin and his wife's little one, who's on the way. Better start looking at what's in my stash, and figuring out a convenient pattern!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Well, that's not so bad.
Having finished my Vernal Equinox, I decided it was time to pick up my Seascape stole again. I couldn't remember what the hell I'd messed up, or figure out how to fix it, so I ended up ripping back to the last lifeline (~12 rows back). That was the hardest part. Not emotionally--I wasn't even sure I wanted to keep working on this pattern, so I had little attachment to it. Physically, though, it was a bitch. Frogging Kidsilk Haze? Not. Fun. The yarn ripped in a couple of spots, it was so sticky. Anyway, I managed to get back to the lifeline and picked up all the stitches without much trouble. The one good thing about that stickiness was that the stitches didn't slip down to pull up tight against the lifeline, so they were easy to grab. Since Saturday evening, I've done 15 rows. It goes pretty quickly, actually. I do have to keep more of an eye on the pattern than I did on the Vernal Equinox, because it's not a multi-repeat thing. Still, the pattern is symmetrical and not too hard. The most obnoxious thing is the M1R and M1L, especially with this yarn. But I feel like after all that work on the Vernal Equinox, I have my eye in for lace. It's become second nature to read my knitting as I go, checking to make sure things are lining up properly. That means I don't keep going for long if I make a mistake. If I skip a decrease, I realize, "oh, I was supposed to have only two stitches before than next YO, not three. What did I miss?"
I've decided that the most difficult thing about this stole is definitely the yarn. It's not the kind of thing I could work on in a stitch-n-bitch--I couldn't socialize while doing it--but the pattern itself is easy enough when I'm not trying to divide my attention. The yarn is a bit of a bitch to work with, though. Still, it makes a lovely, airy, gossamer-like fabric, so I can't hate it too much!
I've decided that the most difficult thing about this stole is definitely the yarn. It's not the kind of thing I could work on in a stitch-n-bitch--I couldn't socialize while doing it--but the pattern itself is easy enough when I'm not trying to divide my attention. The yarn is a bit of a bitch to work with, though. Still, it makes a lovely, airy, gossamer-like fabric, so I can't hate it too much!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Hooray! It's FO time!
I finished binding off my Vernal Equinox shawl yesterday, on the bus ride home from work. W00t! I put it in the sink to soak with a little knit wash before dinner, and after dinner, I took it out, rolled it in some towels to get most of the water out, and pinned it out to block. I do my blocking in Spare Oom, a.k.a. the guest room, where kitty is not allowed to go. In that room, we have a futon that's opened out to bed-shape. One set of sheets we have for it is plaid, which means...uniformly-sized squares! I use T-pins to pin the shawl to the futon. I also have some blocking wires. This time I used three of the wires to hold the straight edge of the shawl. Dang, that thing has GROWN with the blocking. It's supposed to block out to about 76" wide, but I just didn't have that much room on the bed! It's about 72" instead. One day, I'll reblock it to its full size. Anyway, it took me an hour and a half to pin it out. I didn't even use as many pins as I'd have liked. I want the curves edge to be little scallops instead of little points, but didn't have enough pins for it. Also, I didn't have enough room on the futon to stretch the shawl out big enough to spread those scallops out to their full extent. Still, it's opened up nicely, and should be plenty big enough to wear. And hey, have some glamour shots!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
So close, I can smell it.
I finished the charted portion of the Vernal Equinox shawl this evening. Now, since I've decided to do the knitted bind-off, I have 4-5 rows of plain knitting ahead of me. Then, of course, comes the blocking. That will not be easy. It will take a lot of pins. On the plus side, since it's a semicircular shawl, the diameter of it is a straight line, so I can use my wires for that bit. That will save time as well as pins. Man, this is the biggest shawl I've done yet, and it's only a semicircle. I don't know what I'm going to do when I make my Shipwreck. Well, I do, really: I'll get some of those foam floor tile thingies, like my friends have for their toddler son.
I spent some time the other day thinking about whether I want to say "fuck it" to the Seascape Stole and start over with a simpler-to-me (i.e., short repeats) pattern. I might just do that. There are some nice ones out there. I don't think I adore the Seascape pattern enough to sweat over it. Iris is also gorgeous, and looks very simple. Like, almost mindless. Mindless might not suck. It means I can start something else too. Like...Shipwreck! Plus, it's on bigger needles, so that means it'll knit up faster.
Now, I am going to have to remember that it will soon be time to knit another baby sweater again, too! My cousin's wife is pregnant, and sort-of-Aunt Laura is going to have to make something cute!
I missed knitting more than I realized when I was taking a break from the shawl. I've really been enjoying it lately. It's just so satisfying watching the shawl appear on the needles, and so much fun forming the stitches. It'll be more fun still when I'm working with nicer yarn.
I spent some time the other day thinking about whether I want to say "fuck it" to the Seascape Stole and start over with a simpler-to-me (i.e., short repeats) pattern. I might just do that. There are some nice ones out there. I don't think I adore the Seascape pattern enough to sweat over it. Iris is also gorgeous, and looks very simple. Like, almost mindless. Mindless might not suck. It means I can start something else too. Like...Shipwreck! Plus, it's on bigger needles, so that means it'll knit up faster.
Now, I am going to have to remember that it will soon be time to knit another baby sweater again, too! My cousin's wife is pregnant, and sort-of-Aunt Laura is going to have to make something cute!
I missed knitting more than I realized when I was taking a break from the shawl. I've really been enjoying it lately. It's just so satisfying watching the shawl appear on the needles, and so much fun forming the stitches. It'll be more fun still when I'm working with nicer yarn.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Yan pirate booty
I'm currently dating (again! Yay!) a guy who does antique dealing and estate sales and auctions and stuff. Yesterday, he announced that he'd been hired to take care of the estate of a local woman who recently passed away, and who'd been a knitter. Her stash was quite huge! He's thinking that with the yarn, he's going to simply offer it and ask for donations to charity (I guess the heir(s) don't care about making money from the yarn). He asked me for my opinion on what he should say if people ask for a suggested donation per skein. I was a bit flummoxed, because yarn prices can range so wildly. From the big-picture shots he showed me, it looked like there might have been some nice stuff in there. I told him that he ought to start by looking at fiber content, and gave him a gradation ranging from all-manmade stuff (acrylics, etc.) up to all luxury fiber (silk, cashmere, etc.). I also suggested that he look for words like "handpainted" as keys of higher value, too. I couldn't begin to think of what kind of actual amounts he should suggest, mostly because I don't know what kind of percentage of value he's hoping to get. I just advised him that generally, knitters know their yarn, and know the value of what they're getting. Most of the knitters around here, especially when a charity is involved, are not going to be dicks and cheapskates, trying to grab up everything and throw fifty cents in the jar.
Of course, I am DYING to get my hands on some of this yarn, myself! When he announces the sale/donation event, I'm going to be right there, you may depend on it. :) YARN. OMG. YUM.
Of course, I am DYING to get my hands on some of this yarn, myself! When he announces the sale/donation event, I'm going to be right there, you may depend on it. :) YARN. OMG. YUM.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Light at the end of the tunnel
Yesterday, I put in my lifeline at the end of Clue 6a of Vernal Equinox! I'm now on row 213, the third row of the VERY...LAST...CHART. Yes, folks, the end is in sight. I might not have finished it by Beltane, as I'd hoped, but I will finish it by Litha. In other words, my Vernal Equinox will be complete by the Summer Solstice. :)
But with the approaching end comes a question: knitted or crocheted edging?
I really love the look of the crocheted edging, but...I don't crochet. I have no doubt I could learn to do the very simple stitches required to complete the shawl, but I'm not so sure I could do them with the evenness of tension and neatness required for the edging to look really good. I guess I'm answering my own question right now: I'll go for the knitted bind-off, and just be creative when it comes to blocking the edge.
This shawl is going to be AWESOME for stuff like over-air-conditioned movie theaters and the like, this summer! I'm especially looking forward to wearing it with my brown-and-green dress, with which it will go perfectly.
When I'm done with it, I ought to go back to that Seascape Stole. Or...do I frog it (ARGH, KIDSILK HAZE FROGGING) and start something else, maybe something with a shorter pattern repeat that's easier to keep track of? Maybe I'll give it a shot and see how it goes for a while.
And then...Shipwreck? Possibly! I also have that Supersock Lace burning a hole in my stash...
But with the approaching end comes a question: knitted or crocheted edging?
I really love the look of the crocheted edging, but...I don't crochet. I have no doubt I could learn to do the very simple stitches required to complete the shawl, but I'm not so sure I could do them with the evenness of tension and neatness required for the edging to look really good. I guess I'm answering my own question right now: I'll go for the knitted bind-off, and just be creative when it comes to blocking the edge.
This shawl is going to be AWESOME for stuff like over-air-conditioned movie theaters and the like, this summer! I'm especially looking forward to wearing it with my brown-and-green dress, with which it will go perfectly.
When I'm done with it, I ought to go back to that Seascape Stole. Or...do I frog it (ARGH, KIDSILK HAZE FROGGING) and start something else, maybe something with a shorter pattern repeat that's easier to keep track of? Maybe I'll give it a shot and see how it goes for a while.
And then...Shipwreck? Possibly! I also have that Supersock Lace burning a hole in my stash...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I know, I know, it's about damned time!
When last we left our heroine (yeah, delusions of grandeur, I know), she was angsting over her Vernal Equinox shawl. A mistake had necessitated frogging the shawl back to the most recent lifeline. Not SUCH an arduous task, perhaps, but...(dun dun DUNNNNN!) the lifeline had slipped out of the last twenty or so stitches on the needle! Noooooo! With this yarn and this pattern, fixing this would be iffy at best. Would our heroine have to unravel to the PREVIOUS lifeline? Would the entirety of Chart 5 be lost?
Well, that's what I was afraid of, anyway. I put aside my knitting for a while. Like, um, a month. OK, more than a month. Five or six weeks. Stupid, really. I finally got my act together this evening and took a stab at replacing the lifeline. I seem to have gotten it! My work is now back on the needles! I even switched to a longer cable, to make my life easier as the shawl gets bigger. Now, I can attack this thing again and hopefully be able to wear it during the summer, as planned! It'll be my first full-size lace shawl, and I think it'll be perfect as an "in the air conditioning" layer. I'm so relieved. Now, I'm anxious to get going again. :)
It's funny...when I put my knitting aside like this, I get to the point where I'm reluctant to look at Ravelry. It's like, I feel like since I'm not knitting, reading and talking about knitting makes me a poseur. Silly, I know. it's not like I'm no longer a knitter. It's not like I've considered giving up on knitting for good. Still, though. I occasionally looked at the Bust Line group (because that's about bras and shirts and stuff, not just knitting), but only once or twice did I even glance at anything else. Hey, now I have another time waster again. :)
Well, that's what I was afraid of, anyway. I put aside my knitting for a while. Like, um, a month. OK, more than a month. Five or six weeks. Stupid, really. I finally got my act together this evening and took a stab at replacing the lifeline. I seem to have gotten it! My work is now back on the needles! I even switched to a longer cable, to make my life easier as the shawl gets bigger. Now, I can attack this thing again and hopefully be able to wear it during the summer, as planned! It'll be my first full-size lace shawl, and I think it'll be perfect as an "in the air conditioning" layer. I'm so relieved. Now, I'm anxious to get going again. :)
It's funny...when I put my knitting aside like this, I get to the point where I'm reluctant to look at Ravelry. It's like, I feel like since I'm not knitting, reading and talking about knitting makes me a poseur. Silly, I know. it's not like I'm no longer a knitter. It's not like I've considered giving up on knitting for good. Still, though. I occasionally looked at the Bust Line group (because that's about bras and shirts and stuff, not just knitting), but only once or twice did I even glance at anything else. Hey, now I have another time waster again. :)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
YARN!
Yarn yarn yarn yarn yarn!!!
I actually bounced in my chair. :)
Yes, the Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga! in Honeybee has arrived! It's just what I was hoping for--a rich golden medley of ambers. I think it will make a beautiful Shipwreck shawl. I need to buy beads now, of course. And blocking boards, though I doubt I'll need those for at least another year...
Last night on my way home, I realized there was a big fuckup in my Vernal Equinox. I don't know how the hell I'm going to fix it without ripping back to the lifeline. >:( Then again, that's what lifelines are FOR, right? There go my first four or five rows of Clue 6A. Meh.
But...YARN. OMG. I would like to be able to take a good picture of it to show off. In the meantime, here's a crappy webcam shot at work:
I actually bounced in my chair. :)
Yes, the Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga! in Honeybee has arrived! It's just what I was hoping for--a rich golden medley of ambers. I think it will make a beautiful Shipwreck shawl. I need to buy beads now, of course. And blocking boards, though I doubt I'll need those for at least another year...
Last night on my way home, I realized there was a big fuckup in my Vernal Equinox. I don't know how the hell I'm going to fix it without ripping back to the lifeline. >:( Then again, that's what lifelines are FOR, right? There go my first four or five rows of Clue 6A. Meh.
But...YARN. OMG. I would like to be able to take a good picture of it to show off. In the meantime, here's a crappy webcam shot at work:
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Travel = knitting progress
Yay, TSA didn't give me a hard time about my knitting! I transported my shawl on the cable, but took the needle tips off and put them in a small compartment of my backpack to keep them safe. I had button ends on the cable. When I settled down somewhere, I'd take the buttons off and put the needle tips on and get to work. I ended up finishing Clue 5 and starting Clue 6a. The rows are starting to get loooong! I keep looking at the shawl and going, "Holy CRAP this thing is getting big." It might take me a while to get through the rest of this, but I will definitely be wearing it this summer.
My Skinny Bugga! should be coming in SOON! I got an e-mail saying it was shipping! *does happy dance*
My Skinny Bugga! should be coming in SOON! I got an e-mail saying it was shipping! *does happy dance*
Friday, April 08, 2011
Knitting at 20,000 feet
Don't modern planes fly higher than that, usually? Anyway, today will be the first time in ages that I'll be bringing my knitting on a plane, provided TSA doesn't mess with me. I've got my Vernal Equinox on the cable, with button-ends to keep it on. The needle tips are in a separate compartment of my bag, to keep them from getting damaged. I've got my cable key, my stitch markers, my dental floss for a lifeline, and my yarn needle, too. There's actually a Ravelry forum dedicated to flying with your knitting, and from what people there have said, it sounds like my departure and destination airports (Boston Logan and Washington National--I refuse to call it Reagan) are not usually problematic for knitters, nor is the airline I'll be using. Yay! Also, wooden or bamboo needles and circular needles seem to be less "threatening" to TSA agents than metal needles or straight needles. That's convenient, seeing as I'm using Knitpicks Harmony Options!
I'm terrified that my Skinny Bugga! yarn is going to arrive at my house while I'm away and get stolen. :( I hope that doesn't happen! Of course, I don't even know if it's shipped yet. The status says "processing" or something. We'll see.
I realize I haven't said much about how I feel about the Vernal Equinox pattern itself, yet. I'm enjoying it very much. The fact that there are seven charts to work through means there's a variety of different stitch patterns involved. Each of the patterns has so far been reasonably simple, but entertaining. The pattern is well-written, very clear. The half-pi shaping method seems very simple. I do have some experience with the pi method, since I made my cat a Kitty Pi bed, which is basically a very small and unlacy pi shawl knit in bulky yarn and felted. You know, maybe that Shipwreck won't be so difficult--after all, the biggest section is just faggoting stitch, which is quick and easy and mindless. So all the more complex work will be done in the smaller sections of the shawl.
I'm terrified that my Skinny Bugga! yarn is going to arrive at my house while I'm away and get stolen. :( I hope that doesn't happen! Of course, I don't even know if it's shipped yet. The status says "processing" or something. We'll see.
I realize I haven't said much about how I feel about the Vernal Equinox pattern itself, yet. I'm enjoying it very much. The fact that there are seven charts to work through means there's a variety of different stitch patterns involved. Each of the patterns has so far been reasonably simple, but entertaining. The pattern is well-written, very clear. The half-pi shaping method seems very simple. I do have some experience with the pi method, since I made my cat a Kitty Pi bed, which is basically a very small and unlacy pi shawl knit in bulky yarn and felted. You know, maybe that Shipwreck won't be so difficult--after all, the biggest section is just faggoting stitch, which is quick and easy and mindless. So all the more complex work will be done in the smaller sections of the shawl.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Some thoughts
1. Holy CRAP, people who want Sanguine Gryphon yarn have fast fingers. True story: I was on their site this morning at 9:30, hitting "refresh" every couple minutes to catch when the Little Traveller in Hotel Tassel went on sale. The first time it refreshed to being on sale, there were only THREE SKEINS left. I thought, "Whew! JUST made it! I need three!" Then I put them in my cart, and by the time I hit the "check out" button, I got an error message saying they didn't have enough stock left. Yep. They were down to ONE. But Gryphon said they will re-dye these colors over the next six months, so I will wait and get it later, rather than buying the (much pricier) Skinny Bugga!
2. But oooooh, it's just SO pretty. I'm now really dying to make the Shipwreck shawl in that colorway, with gold, bronze, and amber beads. I know it will take forever and a day, but...damn. Gorgeousness and gorgeousity, as my little droog Alex would say.
3. Why is their other 100% superwash merino fingering weight yarn (Eidos) $25/skein for less yardage? I am confused. I'd have to buy FOUR skeins of that to make Shipwreck.
4. I'm really pleased with the progress I'm making on Vernal Equinox. I think it's going to turn out lovely. I'm almost done with my fifth row of Clue 5 now. The crochet bind-off is going to be challenging. I might have to ask a crochet-skilled friend for help. I can't wait to wear it later this spring/this summer!
5. I should still be able to block Vernal Equinox on the futon in Spare Oom, but when I do finally make Shipwreck, I'm going to need to get some foam tiles. That thing is BIG.
6. Annnnd now. I must edit this. Reason being, I broke down and bought the Skinny Bugga! I can still use just three skeins to make Shipwreck. If I'm careful. (There's a 30-yard bumper, but...) I think what finally did it for me was looking at reviews, trying to find out which base was better, and if it was that big a difference. I still don't know, but I do know that people said over and over again that Skinny Bugga! DOES NOT SPLIT, EVER. Considering that I am currently knitting Vernal Equinox with THE SPLITTIEST YARN IN THE WORLD, EVER, I think I am entitled to this nonsplitting wonder yarn. Yes. Thinking about my weak will with regards to this yarn, I came to a conclusion: they could have kept me from breaking down and getting it if they'd named it after some icky spider instead of the glorious honeybee. Really. The Honeybee name gave me just enough of a pull to the yarn. A spider's name would have given me just enough of a push away from it.
Buzzzzzzzzzzz....
2. But oooooh, it's just SO pretty. I'm now really dying to make the Shipwreck shawl in that colorway, with gold, bronze, and amber beads. I know it will take forever and a day, but...damn. Gorgeousness and gorgeousity, as my little droog Alex would say.
3. Why is their other 100% superwash merino fingering weight yarn (Eidos) $25/skein for less yardage? I am confused. I'd have to buy FOUR skeins of that to make Shipwreck.
4. I'm really pleased with the progress I'm making on Vernal Equinox. I think it's going to turn out lovely. I'm almost done with my fifth row of Clue 5 now. The crochet bind-off is going to be challenging. I might have to ask a crochet-skilled friend for help. I can't wait to wear it later this spring/this summer!
5. I should still be able to block Vernal Equinox on the futon in Spare Oom, but when I do finally make Shipwreck, I'm going to need to get some foam tiles. That thing is BIG.
6. Annnnd now. I must edit this. Reason being, I broke down and bought the Skinny Bugga! I can still use just three skeins to make Shipwreck. If I'm careful. (There's a 30-yard bumper, but...) I think what finally did it for me was looking at reviews, trying to find out which base was better, and if it was that big a difference. I still don't know, but I do know that people said over and over again that Skinny Bugga! DOES NOT SPLIT, EVER. Considering that I am currently knitting Vernal Equinox with THE SPLITTIEST YARN IN THE WORLD, EVER, I think I am entitled to this nonsplitting wonder yarn. Yes. Thinking about my weak will with regards to this yarn, I came to a conclusion: they could have kept me from breaking down and getting it if they'd named it after some icky spider instead of the glorious honeybee. Really. The Honeybee name gave me just enough of a pull to the yarn. A spider's name would have given me just enough of a push away from it.
Buzzzzzzzzzzz....
Monday, April 04, 2011
Temptation
First, the progress report: I finished Clue 4 of the Vernal Equinox shawl! Yay! It's really coming along. I started Clue 5 today on my break. I took a couple pictures of the WIP the other day, but haven't yet had a chance to connect the camera to the computer and see how they came out. If they're any god, I'll share 'em!
Now...temptation! I think I need some Sanguine Gryphon yarn. I'm leaning towards getting enough of the Little Traveler in Hotel Tassel to make myself a Shipwreck Shawl. Gods help me. I love the sound of the Skinny Bugga! but the Little Traveler is SO much cheaper, and I'd have way more room for "oh no I screwed up!" because of the longer skeins. Nothing wrong with pure merino, right? Though I will still and always think of the color as "Honeybee," which is what it's called in Skinny Bugga! because I love honeybees. Think how gorgeous that would be with some amber, brown, gold, and bronze beads! *swoon*
OTOH, I do have a lot of yarn already.
I think...I think I need to have a stash swap or something. Or just say, "TAKE MY YARN, PLEASE" to my friends. I think my wool-averse friends will like my brightly colored acrylics bought for baby clothes. And there's just so much random stuff in my bins. I definitely want to keep my Sparkle, my Cherry Tree Hill Lace, my merino-silk-bamboo(?) blend of navy worsted that feels so nice...not sure what else, though. Some cheap stuff just for practice (I do, after all, need to practice knitting continental and then try fair isle, and also learn intarsia.) Time to purge! And make room for more!
Damn it all, lace has gotten me UTTERLY HOOKED on buying yarn. But I can't be mad. I love it too much. :)
Now...temptation! I think I need some Sanguine Gryphon yarn. I'm leaning towards getting enough of the Little Traveler in Hotel Tassel to make myself a Shipwreck Shawl. Gods help me. I love the sound of the Skinny Bugga! but the Little Traveler is SO much cheaper, and I'd have way more room for "oh no I screwed up!" because of the longer skeins. Nothing wrong with pure merino, right? Though I will still and always think of the color as "Honeybee," which is what it's called in Skinny Bugga! because I love honeybees. Think how gorgeous that would be with some amber, brown, gold, and bronze beads! *swoon*
OTOH, I do have a lot of yarn already.
I think...I think I need to have a stash swap or something. Or just say, "TAKE MY YARN, PLEASE" to my friends. I think my wool-averse friends will like my brightly colored acrylics bought for baby clothes. And there's just so much random stuff in my bins. I definitely want to keep my Sparkle, my Cherry Tree Hill Lace, my merino-silk-bamboo(?) blend of navy worsted that feels so nice...not sure what else, though. Some cheap stuff just for practice (I do, after all, need to practice knitting continental and then try fair isle, and also learn intarsia.) Time to purge! And make room for more!
Damn it all, lace has gotten me UTTERLY HOOKED on buying yarn. But I can't be mad. I love it too much. :)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Seasonally appropriate knitting
I finished Rhomylly's Marram hat on St. Patrick's Day. Being able to knit without fucking up is one big advantage to not getting drunk out of your mind on St. Patrick's Day. :) The following day, I frogged my Vernal Equinox shawl back to the last lifeline and put it back on the needles, so I could start the CORRECT chart (Clue 4). I worked on it over this Vernal Equinox weekend, particularly on Saturday morning while at my friends' house when they were chatting with an architect and I had nothing else to do. It's a pleasure to be knitting lace again. This chart has a very simple pattern with a short repeat, so it's not too taxing to the brain, and I feel like I'm making progress quickly. I am becoming very fond of the yarn color as time goes on, and this really is a lovely pattern. I still don't like the fact that the yarn is SO loosely spun, and so splitty as a result. I think that in future, I'll be more aware of that sort of thing. I didn't really know quite as much about yarn when I bought that stuff a year and a half ago.
Speaking of yarn, I'm really looking forward to Sanguine Gryphon's new releases! I hope they go on sale soon, AND that I don't forget about this and miss all the colors I like best. That happened with the last release. Their stuff is pretty pricey--$28/skein for most stuff, as far as I can tell. I think I'll stick with a single skein of sock yarn (they have the most yardage) to make a shawlette. Haruni, maybe? Oooh. Or Traveling Woman. Or something.
Speaking of yarn, I'm really looking forward to Sanguine Gryphon's new releases! I hope they go on sale soon, AND that I don't forget about this and miss all the colors I like best. That happened with the last release. Their stuff is pretty pricey--$28/skein for most stuff, as far as I can tell. I think I'll stick with a single skein of sock yarn (they have the most yardage) to make a shawlette. Haruni, maybe? Oooh. Or Traveling Woman. Or something.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Hair today, gone tomorrow
My friend Rhomylly is undergoing chemo right now. She's a knitter herself, and has asked her fellow knitter friends to make hats for her, so that when she loses her hair (it's already getting brittle after her second dose), she can cover up with cute stuff. I volunteered to make one. I recently frogged a baby sweater I was working on: the baby is now too big for the size for which I bought the yarn, and I can't see myself getting back to the rather obnoxious pattern. The yarn is perfect for a chemo cap: a soft microfiber (Berocco Comfort DK). I selected grapey purple and screaming lime green to make a hat with a slip stitch color pattern, Marram. It's a lovely subtle pattern when you use subtle colors that are only slightly different from one another, but it's kind of funky and psychadelic when you use such bright and contrast-y yarns. Hopefully, it'll be nice and comfy and will cheer her up when she's feeling crappy.
The hat is simple to knit (so far), and it's a nice break from my shawls. I have to confess, I've been neglecting them. I don't want to rip out back to the last lifeline and then pick up all the stitches again on the Vernal Equinox (I did indeed skip a chart, damn it), and I apparently screwed something up on my Seascape that needs fixing, and gods, do I ever HATE undoing and fixing stuff in Kidsilk Haze! GAH! I love, love, love the way it knits up, but I think that in future, I will only do very, very simple lace in that kind of yarn. You know, the kind of stuff that has maybe a 12-stitch repeat that becomes rhythmic over time. I should make a point of fixing that up this week, though. One of the shawls, anyway.
The hat is simple to knit (so far), and it's a nice break from my shawls. I have to confess, I've been neglecting them. I don't want to rip out back to the last lifeline and then pick up all the stitches again on the Vernal Equinox (I did indeed skip a chart, damn it), and I apparently screwed something up on my Seascape that needs fixing, and gods, do I ever HATE undoing and fixing stuff in Kidsilk Haze! GAH! I love, love, love the way it knits up, but I think that in future, I will only do very, very simple lace in that kind of yarn. You know, the kind of stuff that has maybe a 12-stitch repeat that becomes rhythmic over time. I should make a point of fixing that up this week, though. One of the shawls, anyway.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thank the gods for lifelines!
GAH!!!!! Moron! *smacks self in the head*
So, the past couple of days, I've been happily working away at my Vernal Equinox shawl. I started Clue 5 after I picked up the stitches on the lifeline. I had the right number of stitches on my needles to do it, and everything. Only, I didn't look carefully enough at the work I've done so far. I'm pretty damned sure I forgot to do Clue 4, which requires the same starting number of stitches. What an idiot. I want to check this very carefully one more time to make sure I'm correct, but I'm pretty damn sure I have to rip out the last six rows I've done (and these are 245 stitch rows, folks) and then start on Clue 4.
Note to self: you need to own more than one row counter if you have more than one project on the needles at a time, woman. Time to hit up the LYS.
So, the past couple of days, I've been happily working away at my Vernal Equinox shawl. I started Clue 5 after I picked up the stitches on the lifeline. I had the right number of stitches on my needles to do it, and everything. Only, I didn't look carefully enough at the work I've done so far. I'm pretty damned sure I forgot to do Clue 4, which requires the same starting number of stitches. What an idiot. I want to check this very carefully one more time to make sure I'm correct, but I'm pretty damn sure I have to rip out the last six rows I've done (and these are 245 stitch rows, folks) and then start on Clue 4.
Note to self: you need to own more than one row counter if you have more than one project on the needles at a time, woman. Time to hit up the LYS.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Going green
I've been making decent progress on the Seascape stole. I finished the first repeat of Chart B, and have done six rows of the next repeat. Today, though, I decided to get my Vernal Equinox shawl back on the needles. Fortunately, it appears that I started picking up stitches with the Denise needles at the more difficult side of the row, so the hard part was out of the way already. I slipped all those stitches onto the Harmonies, and then finished picking up the rest of the row. Miraculously, I found I had exactly the right number of stitches on my needles when I was done. I'm now working on Chart 5 for that pattern. I'm finding that while I do love the Seascape and the Kidsilk Haze (oh, it makes such a pretty, frothy fabric!), it's none the worse for a change. I don't think there's any chance of my actually finishing this shawl by Ostara/the Vernal Equinox, but I should be able to finish it this spring.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Truncated
1) I still haven't fixed my damn Aeolian! Now that I know I can knit again (see #3), I need to remember to do that when I get a chance.
2) I DID, however, fix the tiny hole I found in my Seascape. It was a dropped stitch, though I seem to have picked up something above it to keep the same number of stitches. Somehow. I dunno. Anyway, I feel kind of bad because it was a fudge-fix: I took a small length of yarn from another ball, passed it through that dropped stitch, and wove it through surrounding stitches to secure and hide it. It's a cheat, yeah, but it means SOOOO MUCH less work, especially with that persnickity Kidsilk Haze.
3) So, Saturday night, I maimed myself. I sliced the tip of my right ring finger off with a mandoline slicer while making dinner. Ow. I couldn't knit at all for the first two days because the bandage the ER put on me was HUGE, and made my finger look like a chicken drumstick. But now I just have a normal Band-Aid, and the position in which I hold my hands to knit doesn't bother it. Yay! I'd had a bad cold for a while before I hurt my finger, and didn't have the energy to deal with fixing stuff before doing actual knitting, so that prevented me from getting any work done for about a week in total. I got a couple rows done on the bus this morning. I'd have done more, but there's this guy who's on my bus who introduced himself to me yesterday (he lives in my neighborhood), and likes being chatty. At least I've let him know I have a boyfriend.
4) I need to knit my friend R. a chemo cap of some kind. She is someone I know only online, but I've known her online for a while. She has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and is going to start chemo soon. She's a knitter, too, and has requested hats from her fellow knitter friends. I'm thinking maybe a Hallowig. :) Man, I hope she's going to be OK. She has a young daughter who I'd hate to see grow up without her mom around.
5) I also need to get my Vernal Equinox back on the needles. I managed to put one of my Denises about halfway through along the last lifeline, but the cable on that is so thick, and the tips are so blunt, that it's a real bitch. Now I have my new Harmony Options tips, and can throw it on those. Weekend projects!
2) I DID, however, fix the tiny hole I found in my Seascape. It was a dropped stitch, though I seem to have picked up something above it to keep the same number of stitches. Somehow. I dunno. Anyway, I feel kind of bad because it was a fudge-fix: I took a small length of yarn from another ball, passed it through that dropped stitch, and wove it through surrounding stitches to secure and hide it. It's a cheat, yeah, but it means SOOOO MUCH less work, especially with that persnickity Kidsilk Haze.
3) So, Saturday night, I maimed myself. I sliced the tip of my right ring finger off with a mandoline slicer while making dinner. Ow. I couldn't knit at all for the first two days because the bandage the ER put on me was HUGE, and made my finger look like a chicken drumstick. But now I just have a normal Band-Aid, and the position in which I hold my hands to knit doesn't bother it. Yay! I'd had a bad cold for a while before I hurt my finger, and didn't have the energy to deal with fixing stuff before doing actual knitting, so that prevented me from getting any work done for about a week in total. I got a couple rows done on the bus this morning. I'd have done more, but there's this guy who's on my bus who introduced himself to me yesterday (he lives in my neighborhood), and likes being chatty. At least I've let him know I have a boyfriend.
4) I need to knit my friend R. a chemo cap of some kind. She is someone I know only online, but I've known her online for a while. She has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and is going to start chemo soon. She's a knitter, too, and has requested hats from her fellow knitter friends. I'm thinking maybe a Hallowig. :) Man, I hope she's going to be OK. She has a young daughter who I'd hate to see grow up without her mom around.
5) I also need to get my Vernal Equinox back on the needles. I managed to put one of my Denises about halfway through along the last lifeline, but the cable on that is so thick, and the tips are so blunt, that it's a real bitch. Now I have my new Harmony Options tips, and can throw it on those. Weekend projects!
Friday, February 04, 2011
Hey, how'd that happen?
I was eating breakfast at my desk this morning while wearing my Aeolian, and spilled a little yogurt on it. Not the end of the world. I went to dab it with a wet paper towel in the ladies' room...and was shocked to find three stitches at that spot that were unraveling! Wow! Looks like I flubbed a decrease somewhere and dropped them. Grr. I took off the shawl, and managed to catch them on a paper clip (no stitch holders in my bag right now), so it's at least stable. There's no way I can actually fix this properly (i.e., by undoing the bind off and bringing those stitches up to where they're supposed to be). I'll have to wing it, somehow. I can figure out a good fudge, I think. It pisses me off, though! OTOH, I can't believe it lasted this long without getting completely messed up and unravelled. Nifty.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
No pictures, but an update
I realized it's been a while since I posted here! Since my last writing, I have received the new Harmony Options tips and cables I'd ordered. I also got the lace book I'd ordered. I haven't yet looked through it, but just a quick flip looked very interesting!
While I was waiting for this stuff to arrive, I hit up my good old LYS, Windsor Button, and picked up not one, not two, but THREE balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Mmmmm....Kiiiidsiiiilk Haaaaaaaze. *drool* I used the gift certificates my manager gave me last year and this year for the holidays. I wanted to get the yarn in a smoky grey, but when I was at the store, they didn't have it in that color, or any color I really wanted. I sort of liked the idea of using the white they had, but was terrified of getting it stained. I asked the staff if they had any in grey in the back, and much to my surprise, they had a whole bag of it! I got my three balls and left, delighted.
I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do. I was thinking of trying Ice Queen and maybe something else, but ended up choosing the Seascape stole. It's a beautiful, delicate, elegant pattern that goes well with anything. So far, it's enjoyable to knit with the KSH, but any time I need to UN-knit, it's a huge pain in the ass. On the plus side, though, if I drop a stitch, that same stick-to-itself quality means that it doesn't go far.
I've finished Chart A, and have started Chart B of the Seascape stole. I figure, I'll finish one repeat of Chart B (there are 7 in all), and then maybe do some work on the Vernal Equinox shawl. Or knit my friend R a chemo cap of some kind. Probably a Hallowig. Poor woman, she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. She's got a little girl, too. I don't know her in person, but we've been friends online for a while, and I want to give her something.
Anyway, the knitting does proceed apace. I haven't had one of those, "AAAARRRRGHHHH! I can't stand it! I'm putting this away and not touching it!" moments in quite a long time. My only break in knitting was by necessity, and it was short.
While I was waiting for this stuff to arrive, I hit up my good old LYS, Windsor Button, and picked up not one, not two, but THREE balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Mmmmm....Kiiiidsiiiilk Haaaaaaaze. *drool* I used the gift certificates my manager gave me last year and this year for the holidays. I wanted to get the yarn in a smoky grey, but when I was at the store, they didn't have it in that color, or any color I really wanted. I sort of liked the idea of using the white they had, but was terrified of getting it stained. I asked the staff if they had any in grey in the back, and much to my surprise, they had a whole bag of it! I got my three balls and left, delighted.
I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do. I was thinking of trying Ice Queen and maybe something else, but ended up choosing the Seascape stole. It's a beautiful, delicate, elegant pattern that goes well with anything. So far, it's enjoyable to knit with the KSH, but any time I need to UN-knit, it's a huge pain in the ass. On the plus side, though, if I drop a stitch, that same stick-to-itself quality means that it doesn't go far.
I've finished Chart A, and have started Chart B of the Seascape stole. I figure, I'll finish one repeat of Chart B (there are 7 in all), and then maybe do some work on the Vernal Equinox shawl. Or knit my friend R a chemo cap of some kind. Probably a Hallowig. Poor woman, she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. She's got a little girl, too. I don't know her in person, but we've been friends online for a while, and I want to give her something.
Anyway, the knitting does proceed apace. I haven't had one of those, "AAAARRRRGHHHH! I can't stand it! I'm putting this away and not touching it!" moments in quite a long time. My only break in knitting was by necessity, and it was short.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Interim
So I still haven't placed my Knitpicks order for new needles. I suppose I should do that tonight, after I've had a chance to recheck my Options and see if I am in fact missing one of a pair of needle tips (on top of the pair I know I'm missing, the cable that was attached to them, and the pair that's broken). I don't remember now if I discovered that the lone needle was in fact the broken one, or if it was another size altogether.
I have, however, knitted a pretty spiffy necklace.
I did order another knitting-related thing today: a copy of Creating Original Hand-Knitted Lace, by Margaret Stove. Apparently, it's very good for learning about how lace is constructed. I'd love to design my own shawl, stole, or scarf someday!
I have, however, knitted a pretty spiffy necklace.
I did order another knitting-related thing today: a copy of Creating Original Hand-Knitted Lace, by Margaret Stove. Apparently, it's very good for learning about how lace is constructed. I'd love to design my own shawl, stole, or scarf someday!
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