First Quarter Ends with Knitting

Finished quite a bit of knitting in March. Sock Madness is in full swing and we've already finished two pairs. I can't wait for the third.

The first round was Sideways Socks (don't know what I'm doing with these, they won't fit me) -













Second pattern was Cool Beans socks. These are for a friend but I may make another pair for myself - but with a few design changes (hourglass heel and plain toe) -












and Cable Vent Cardigan for me. I even found buttons!

It just needs washing and blocking and it's all ready to wear. Now I just need some place to wear it.










I'm hoping to find a yarn store or two that will let me teach. I'm also making some knitting bags to sell at Etsy. I'll post pics when they are available. Still tinkering with the pattern.

Cable Vent Jacket - Progress

I have finished 1 1/2 of the fronts, two sleeves and the back. I might even get it finished by the end of the (GASP) month.

Alas I don't have the buttons chosen yet - but I'll find something.

I'm very fond of the sweater and the tension of my stockinette is getting more even all the time. There is nothing like acres of ss to make you find your technical faults. Even watching a movie couldn't keep me from fretting about the tension issue and fiddling with it. I wish I'd figured it out earlier. I'm not (no matter how compulsive I am) going to frog it and start over. But the next sweater will be better. Which is the thing, really. Live, learn and use what you learned to improve your next project.

I have been distracted trying to decide what I should make next. My stash is still so full of things that I can't wait to make. But I have to decide - Faire Isle? Stranded? Aran? Gansey!? Or - LACE!? Cardigan? Jumper? Vest?

Maybe I should just make 3x5 cards of all my projects and draw one? That would however require facing the true depth of my stash and that would take a stronger person then I am.

6 Weeks!?

Where did February go? It just flew by in the blink of an eye.

I have done some knitting though.

Some Toys:
These are all made from scraps









Sock Monkey Socks (made using Jawoll Sock):



Slytherin socks (which were altered to fit my father) I used some Trekking XXL that had been in my stash for a LONG TIME - color is 61 and no longer available, too bad too I LOVE it:



Socks for a friend (kool aid dyed):



Socks for Sock Madness (Cherry Tree Hill in Spring Frost)



Sophie Cable (I hope to finish this by the end of the month, I'm almost done with the second sleeve so there is hope):



Busy busy busy

Progress continues

Here it is - the first sweater of 2010. I have had this sitting and waiting to be finished for a very long time. I am really glad its finally finished. I did change somethings, ran out of yarn and made due and such.

Yarn and pattern were a kit I purchased at Yarn Over 2008. I started knitting it when I got it but I really didn't like the accent colors and that really slowed down my progress. The pattern is Box Sweet from Candace Eisner Strick at Strickwear. I really like the things she does with color. I plan to use the leftover yarn from this and the shawl I finished a few years ago to make a Baby Surprise Jacket. But first I have a couple of other UFOs to find and finish.

A week - in progress

There has been quite a bit of knitting this week - and even some things finished. And all with stashed yarn!

I knit two pairs of 'learning' socks from New Pathways for Sock Knitters. Both were made with stash yarn left over from other projects. Worsted weight with size five (3.75mm) dpns.

First is Little Sky Sock:



Second is Coriolis:



I also knit this lacy little number: The yarn is Douceur et Soie, and green 0/6 glass beads. The pattern is Ice Queen. I sure find a lot of nice patterns on Knitty. I only wish the patterns were printer friendly. I can't knit off the computer screen since I use pencils, post-it notes and pens to keep my place and take notes. None of those are good with computer screen.




So far I'm doing really well on my knitting from stash resolution. I've made quite a bit of progress on the sweater for my dad. I'm still waiting to hear about additional yarn for the Box Sweet. But I will probably use yarn I have next week and finish it up. All the ends are woven in so all I have to do is knit two bands of color and sew it up.

The Peril

The danger in letting things sit in your queue are many and varied. Last night the peril raised it's ugly head at me. I was busy knitting this which as been languishing in my queue for almost 18 months. And I had really planned to get it finished this weekend, it really was that close.

I had feared it would happen, since it appeared to be quite likely last week. But in the path of great knitters before me I tread on, with hope. But no - I have run out of one of the colors, in the last band I need it for.

I have contacted a few Ravelry knitters who also made this sweater in this color, perhaps one of them has a bit left over? I will hope. Otherwise? I will have to figure something out.

I also made these - as prizes in a knitting thing I'm doing. Sorry the pic sucks - I really need to take pictures in the day time. but I never want to wait.

I was reading about and easy light box, but I have no where to store such a thing so that isn't really an option. Maybe summer will come soon and there will be more day light (although that's unlikely to help at 11pm)



And since I was making those I also made these for my friend Terri who LOVES tea and especially Teavana.

Socks

Thus far this week I have finished two pairs of socks. Which really amounts to knitting 3 socks. One pair has had second sock syndrome so long I don't remember when I knit the first one.

So without further ado: Schaeffer's #304 Spiral Socks. I love this yarn. But it takes forever to knit, so fine is it. This pattern is quite lovely and appears quite easy. But the combination of the fine yarn and the dark color made this a difficult knit. I am delighted they are finished and can't wait to wear them.







We also have - Kertzer Fair Isle socks. These were a nice knit once I figured out how to adjust the pattern so they would actually fit a real person. So will be on their way to their new owner sometime today.

There are two more pair of sock wips in my queue that are on target to be finished. Then I think I will be free to start new ones. How exciting!

Catch up!

Last week I used some stash to knit this. I think it's quite cute. The pattern is one I made up from a few others I found that I liked but they weren't quite right. The skull/crossbones is duplicate stitch designed the same way. The yarn is leftover from a prior project and is Brown Sheep.













I have challenged myself to knit a sock a day for the month of January. We will see how that goes. It could turn out to be more than I can manage. But here is the first installation. These socks have quite the story - to whit:

These socks might be cursed. We’ll see (I think the toe might be 1/4 short). My mother and I were buying stuff together from the Patternworks catalog. She liked the socks I liked the socks she bought the yarn I bought the book I’d make her socks. This was a LONG time ago.

I had time to make the socks. Found the yarn, but no pattern. I looked everywhere. We talked about ordering a new on from Patternworks next time we wanted enough stuff to order and went on. Months later I saw the pattern in a store, bought and went home to cast on the socks. Looked everywhere, couldn’t find the yarn. I did however find the other pattern.

Fast forward to last week. I knew where the pattern was, found the yarn and thought - Wouldn’t this make Mother happy? Tickled event?! So I cast on and knit and knit. I kept thinking ’ this seems small’. I checked my gauge, it’s right. But knitting stretches - right? Yeah not that much.

I know what size Mother likes her socks based on how big my foot is so I tried it on to see if I should start the toe. There is no way this sock will go on her foot. I did some simple math, stomped my feet. This sock was approx 8 inches around, in stranded work, which doesn't stretch so much. It looked smaller then it felt when I put it on. What adult medium leg/foot is 8 in? I did a small survey on Ravelry, couldn't find anyone this sock would fit. grumble grumble.

RIP! back to the cuff. I changed needle size, knit a pattern set tried it on. No go - RIP! I added a pattern set of stitches, went up a needle size and TADAH! This one will go on her foot and not cut off all circulation - SOCK FOR DA MAMA!

Happy new year

I spent all of yesterday sitting on my bed knitting. How decadent! (also baked bread and made dinner but we aren't talking about that - WE are talking about knitting!)


I made a hat. It's a very nice hat (made from STASH yarn!)
The pattern is from EZ, the yarn is anybody's guess.

It knit up in about an hour which is shamefully quick. Also when worn it looks like a soft serve ice cream.













I also made gloves to protect my delicate knitting tools. The yarn is mystery yarn from a swap package. It feels like silk/wool so I have decided, without further ado, that is what it is. It's the best shade of purple imaginable in real life. Rich and deep purple. The pattern for these is called Strata and includes instructions to made additional layers such as fingerless gloves and wrist warmers. Some where in the stash is some angora left over from a prior project. When I find it I will make the wrist warmers to go over these.


I have also been busy finishing up UFOs. I was pleasantly surprised at how few I had: 3 pairs of socks, 3 sweaters and a lace shawl. Considering the state of my piles last year this time I'm doing very well. I can't even remove as many UFOs from my stash this year as last. So I'll focus on getting these few out, and keeping it that way!

The War on UFOs

Apparently this is what we are currently experiencing. The green/brown Philosopher's wool sweater is done and yesterday I drug this out of the queue. The hold up was deciding what to do with the neck. The pattern is for a cardigan and while I had made a pullover into a cardigan I had never done it the other direction before. So 10 pattern rows from the neck shaping it got relegated to the end of the line while I figured it out. That was 3 years ago. Since then I have had a little more time to learn a few more tricks. (I think making more than one of the Philosopher's Wool sweaters where the neck shaping is all done after the knitting is finished helped me get over the fear - ALOT.) And gotten either more brave or shamed about how long this had been sitting there.

So yesterday I got brave, wrote out a plan and started knitting. This of course took longer than anticipated. But it's done. The steeks are secured and cut and I am ready to pick up the stitches for the sleeves and neck band. All very exciting.

Now my mind is turning to Beadwork. I'll have to find it, of course, and figure out where I left off. This might be a good time to find all the UFOs, and line them up.

Maybe January 1, 2010 would be a good day to line them up, post them and then see how many I get finished by the end of the decade. It could be quite a challenge.

End of the year catch up

There was much knitting going on here this last month. I made several holiday gifts.

The green sweater is for my son. He isn't likely to come here so I can safely post this here. I hope he likes it.

The pattern is Tradition from Fair Isle Simplified. I used leftover yarn from other Philosopher's Wool sweaters I've made. I think it turned out quite beautifully.

Next is Bella Paquita. I had some issues with this pattern but I'm very pleased with the sweater. The yarn is Rowan Magpie I bought in a clearance sale most likely at the Sheepy Yarn Shop in White Bear Lake Minnesota.

Mother should stop reading now.

Is she gone?

She better be.

Okay -

I made her a scarf, very simple pattern using Sari Silk. As pretty as this is I am unlikely to EVER buy this yarn again. It was full of grass and other matter and several very thin spots that broke during knitting. The pattern is from Charmed Knits. Albus has very kindly assisted by holding the scarf for the pictures.

Since there were storms and work foo I didn't get to drive all the way to Minnesota and visit so I'll have to mail these things on Monday.

No new knitting

Well - not so much true. There is new knitting, but it's holiday gift knitting and can't make an appearance here until after it's been seen by the recipient.

I have completed a pair of socks which could be shown - but I need to wash and block them.

I hope the presents are a hit. You never can tell.

Hello!

I've been gone so long I hope you haven't forgotten about me. But I have been knitting

I have finished Alamere Falls pullover.

The yarn is Plymouth Homestead. I can't find the label now, of course. So I'm not sure what color it is. I hate when I do that and I do it all the time. The pattern is from Simply Shetland 4: at Tomales Bay. I bought the book so I could make Venezia but I haven't done more than knit swatches for that.

and Honeycomb vest.

This pattern is from Knitty. The yarn is Elizabeth Lavold Silky Wool. I really like this yarn. It's a little rough to knit with but it sure knits up pretty.

They were very nice knits and I can't wait to wear them.

Swapping and Spinning

Here is the really cool Swap package I received from my Secret Swap 14 pal. Some great yarn, a sweet treat and some nice tea. You can't see the card - but it has some CUTE kittens on it. I think I'll make a hat with the yarn. And in the lower right corner - buttons:

Here is a close up - aren't the sheep perfect!

Today I finally finished spinning plying and skeining some yarn.

It's been in my stash for a long time! I really like the red yellow colors but the plying is not good. Very annoying and I'm not sure what the issue is. I plyed the blue skein last week and it went together perfectly. Otherwise I'd be concerned that I'd lost my touch.

Kelly also received her sweater. She has promised pictures and hopefully she will feel up to it soon. She had a horrible weekend last week and I wish I could give her a big hug.

Finished Object = OUT OF MY QUEUE

Here it is - the end of the cotton is at hand. Orangina is completed. Now I just need to mail it to the recipient.

Here it is modeled by my very thin daughter. I hope it fits Kelly better. Maybe she will post pictures for us. We can only hope.

Stagnation!

I am still knitting Orangina. It feels like forever! It's only been a couple weeks though. Having that information on Ravelry certainly is useful. I am about 1 inch from joining the front to the back and knitting the ribbing on the bottom.

I am going to participate in a Harry Potter knitting competition, based loosely on the Tri-wizard Tournament. I'm quite excited to see how it will work. It starts September 5.

There is also a dishcloth swap I joined that starts soon (I hope). It's a great concept. 12 of us knit 1 dishcloth a month and then each month one of us receives a dishcloth from the other 11 knitters. I imagine I will knit all 12 using the same pattern. I really like it. I've already knit 20 or 30 of them and I'm still not tired of the pattern yet.

Ravelry certainly has made my knitting life busy. I love how easy it is to find new patterns and yarns there. No matter what I'm thinking about doing there is someone else who has made it or is thinking about it. I can look at the item knit in different colors and different yarns. Some people put great notes up on their 'project' page, which can be really helpful. I wish I was better about putting notes up.

I made more bread today. This time I made a medium rye and english muffin. The rye needs to be darker but the recipe is tasty. The english muffin is really cheater bread - it was made in the bread machine. It is also quite tasty. Both recipes came from King Arthur Flour.

I found another dark rye recipe, that I plan to try next week, on another site. I've had good and bad luck with that site. So next week, if the test bake is a success I'll post a link to that.

And with any luck at all I'll have a new project to talk about.

And we have -

Bread, beautiful bread:
This bread recipe was developed to celebrate the North Dakota Centennial. It's quite tasty and I haven't made if for several years.

My Secret Swap 14 package:
Should have put up these pictures a long time ago - but life got busy. This yarn is lovely and I just can't decide what to make with it. There was also some really great chocolate but it didn't make it to picture time. We ate it long before there were pictures.

And new yarn:
This is the yarn I bought to make the Tempest Sweater. This is my incentive to focus on finishing Kelly's Orangina.

Now you'll have to excuse me while I go eat some of the bread - it smells delicious!

A long quiet week.

Last week's bread baking was full of fail. I'm going to give it another go tomorrow.

I have done some knitting this week, but nothing has been finished. I did finish the lace portion of the back of Kelly's Orangina and started the front. I have about 2 inches of the front started.

I also found another baby sock pattern to try. So far I just haven't been happy with the ones in my library and new patterns are ALWAYS a good option.

Cross your fingers that tomorrow's bread baking turns out a wee bit better than last week.

Today - not knitting

Today I am doing something not knitting - baking bread.

I threw together a sponge, opened the grain grinder, ground the grain (the mill works great - with a lot less dust flying out of it then the old one - best declutter I ever took off someone's hands) and now I'm waiting for this to raise:


I hope it turns out well. I haven't got my recipes here so I had to scour the intertubes. This is not a terribly pleasing experience - except for this - King Arthur Flour.

This site has a lovely recipe section. I know the catalog is fraught with peril but the website is worse! Totally delightful but give the bank card to the spouse (or someone else you trust) and send them out for about 6 hours, while you browse. I have about 6 recipes I'd like to try but we don't really need 18 loaves of bread in the house.

Lopi Love

Here is another sweater. I finished this one in the car (except for tucking the ends) in the car on the way to and from camping.

It's design 36 from Lopi 18. The yarn is Alafoss Lopi. It should be nice and warm this winter.

I found the pattern and the yarn for Kelly's Orangina and I cast that on this morning. I've finished three pattern sets (it's a four row pattern repeated for 15 inches). So far so good! With any luck she will get it sometime this fall - just in time to put it in the closet for NEXT summer.

Camping and knitting

It could happen.

Pattern is Raspberry Lemonade by Adrienne Fong, in Regia 4-fach (a grey and a multi). This was a great camping knit. The pattern was easy to remember and knit so the pattern could stay safe and dry.

Now we are home doing laundry. That could take the entire weekend.

Mid year review

Yes folks - it's time for a little progress checking. I believe I am a bit of a slacker (gasp).

I am four pairs of socks behind for the 52 Pair Plunge.

Last night I did graft the toe of a sock and contemplate starting it's mate. It's too bad the contemplation of knitting doesn't get the socks done. I wouldn't have nearly as much stash and I'd have many more pairs of socks.

I am three sweaters behind on the Sweater a month challenge.

I have about 6 inches on a sweater before I join the sleeves and knit the yoke. If I can find the pattern I have found the yarn for the Oragina I am going to make for a friend. I also have yarn for the Honeycomb Vest and I could start those at any time. That would get me all caught up and then one behind (Assuming I get those done in August)

I am on the final shaping rounds on the kitty pi for the new kitten. When we felt that we can also felt the mice we made. The new kitten will have many new toys and a snuggly bed.

I also need to knit a Pudorosa for my daughter. I will make sure to get it done before Labor Day! That way she can wear it to school.

Another sweater

Here is Steve's sweater - all finished. Lovely cables and it fits, which is the best news EVER!

We are both glad it's finished and ready for fall hunting season.

SSSP - Revealed!

For your viewing pleasure - my two favorite girls in their new sweaters!

Since I had to go to St. Paul to see my father I decided to bring my SSSP for the recipients - my mother and my daughter, both of whom really like horses. I saw someone wearing this sweater many years ago at the Minneapolis Horse Expo. After a great deal of searching I finally found it - thanks to the power of Ravelry. I bought the kit at Camilla Valley Farm. They have great prices and excellent service.

And now for something totally different

Last night I picked up stitches for the last sleeve on Steve's sweater. Since I have to make a sojourne to St. Paul I might as well finish the sleeve and deliver the sweater while I'm there.

I started a new sweater last Saturday. I'll put up pictures later. I have one sleeve done, ready to join and will start the second sleeve soon.

For commute knitting I've been making washclothes. I have finished one ginormous skein of cotton yarn and started another. This might be a nice holiday present sort of thing to have around. They are handy, quick and a painless knit. I bought the yarn (worsted weight cotton) on sale (clearance I believe) for $1 a skein (1 lb) so this is cheap and stash busting. I also have some left over from a rug I crocheted years ago that will also become washclothes.

Photos later - promise!

Some things done

I finished the SSSP.

Turned out very nicely if I do say so myself.

I think I will make a couple pair of socks this week - just like that. In truth - I have a couple pairs started that need finishing.

No pictures today - since the only finished thing is the SSSP and showing it off will ruin the secret.

Socks - two new pair

I finished two more pairs of socks. Both of which sat in the UFO pile for months and needed only the second sock to be finished. The pattern is just a basic sock, I used no real pattern.



The first pair was made using Opal in the Draco Malfoy colorway from the Harry Potter collection. My daughter bought the yarn herself and I made her the socks. She is very patient waiting for them to get finished.









The second pair is Kaffe Fasset collection in Mirage colorway. I meant to order Pool but somehow requested the wrong number. Still nice yarn though and a great pair of socks. I meant to use this yarn to learn a new heel but forgot to grab the directions on the day I reached the heel so I just used a standard heel and gusset. Since waiting to get home and find the pattern was out of the question.





I have also done a lot of work on my SSSP. I may even finish that this week. That will be so very very exciting for me.

Secret Pal 14 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I prefer basic yarns; Cascade, J&S, Louet gems, natural fibers are the bomb unless we are talking about cotton.
I don't like acrylics and novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have many different things, my Options are in the binder, but other needles are in fabric cases or totes

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting since I was a child. My mother taught me when I was 4 or 5, but she says I wasn't serious about knitting until I was 7. There isn't a technique or pattern I haven't been able to manage or that I wasn't ready willing and able to take on.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I do - Amazon is ndeplazes

5. What's your favorite scent?

amber and vanilla

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not really, but I like dark dark chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I haven't met a craft I didn't like. I have a wheel and many, many spindles.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like a lot of different music. I have an iPod where I keep my music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like purple best but all other colors are good too.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Two kids (one 23 and one 17) and no pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves, hats and mittens but no ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks and sweaters

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks and sweaters

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circulars and dpns. I like all kinds of materials but I don't care for Pony plastic needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

yes - both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

years and years, let's not talk about it, shall we.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

Swiss Independence. My family is Swiss.

At my house we refer to the winter holidays as the National Retailer's Cash Cow Holiday. The standard ones are really all too commercialized.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Pocket Dragons

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Not at this moment (there are a couple of Alice Starmore books I'd like to have - but I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on a book - ever!). Interweave Knits, Cast On and Verena Knits

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

not at the moment

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I love knitting socks. My feet are square - 9 inches around and 9 inches long

23. When is your birthday?

January 7

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

I am knitknot

July - Already?

I can't believe that it is July already.

Nothing new on the knitting front. There is progress on many fronts but nothing is finished yet.

But after the weekend there should be socks and maybe, just maybe, a new sweater.