Nov 2 2010

Today's installment is a lovely bit of fair isle from Alice and Jade Starmore. Frankly I think it's fair to say that these are some of my favorite designs. Their book Tudor Roses has inspired a lot of my knitting. I've already completed Anne Bolyn and Elizabeth I and I have only the sleeves remaining on Mary Tudor.

Mary Tudor was quite a challenge. The pattern is a cardigan, which for some unknown reason I am not fond of, so I decided it should be a pullover. Shaping the neck and knitting the neckband took a really long time, around a couple years. And I have yarn set aside for one more of them: Margaret Tudor. The hold up on this one is the buttons, I'm still looking for the perfect buttons.

This lovely pattern is call Katherine of Aragon. I have the yarn to make either version I'm leaning toward the pullover. But that changes everything I contemplate casting it on. I will not be casting this one on until I finish the sleeves on Mary Tudor.

Nov 1 2010

In the interest of getting back into the habit of posting and in honor of nanowrimo (which is crazy, by the way, all due respect to those who dare). I am going to attempt to post every day and in order to 1) give myself something to blog about 2) get a grip on my stash and 3) get a good look at the cool stuff therein I plan to post on sweater kit from my stash each day.

First up we have one of my Philosopher's Wool sweaters. This one is Colour Your Own in Fall colorway.

I love these sweaters, the yarn and the designs. They have really helped me to grow as a knitter. It's scary to choose the next color, the first couple sweaters. But what they say is true, if you have a matched palette you can't go wrong. Even the one I made with leftovers from other kits turned out quite well. I'm still a bit nervous when I put my own palette together, but I'm not as paralyzed as I once was. I have made probably 5 of these to date. I have started changing the shaping a little for the last few and will probably make more shaping changes to this one when I make it.

I also used this yarn the first time I fixed a mistake. I grabbed the wrong yarn, didn't notice right away and had to removed the cuff and three inches of the sleeve and reknit it. It was a bit scary, but worked out well.

Something finished

Since this didn't get blogged yet I'm going to drop it here.

I finished my Liz I sweater. It's beautiful. I did have to rip back the top and shorten it so that it fit me, but it's a great fit now and I love it!

Prior to the adjustment it looked like this:

It's hard to see in this picture but the armhole starts under my bust about 5 inches down from my actual arm. It felt like I was 4 wearing my mother's clothes.

I really love Alice Starmore's designs. But they are always oversized for me. In many cases this is not a big deal. In this case, I think I'd like it better if it was a closer fit. However, not enough to make all the changes that would be necessary to adjust this pattern.

Fall is falling

well - Rain is falling.

A lot of things have happened since my last post. I started a new job, found and moved into a place of my own and I have been trying desperately to get all my stuff moved in, unpacked and put away. There are a few things that I can't find. I hope they show up but I'm not holding out much hope.

There has been quite a bit of knitting and I will get pictures up soon.

Now I am working on an AS aran sweater. I'm quite pleased that she decided to reprint that book. It's quite lovely and the library copy is nice, but quite inconvenient when you decide you want to use a certain yarn but aren't sure what to do with it.

So far I have finished the front and one sleeve. The pattern is St. Brigid, the yarn is from Blackwater Abbey, 2-ply in Autumn. It's a lovely color and a fantastic yarn. I'm very pleased with it. I can't wait for it to be finished so I can wear it.

.

How did it get to be July already!?

Today is the last day of knitting camp. We had a great time. I'm all stuffed full of enthusiasm and ideas. If I get any of it done I'll be impressed but I'm so EXCITED.

I finally got brave and cast on the sleeves for my Elizabeth I (Amy said I was chicken - she's probably right). This took a great deal less time then last time I attempted to alter a sweater pattern. I was busy counting and fretting and Amy D made me show the class what I was working on. It's a bit nuts but I'm less worried about cutting steeks then I am about adjusting a pattern.

I'd put up some pictures but I'm not getting nice pictures this morning (stupid camera only does flash at one level (OVEREXPOSED!).

Finally Pictures -


Mother and I had a great time and plan to enter the lottery next year as well. I hope we apply to Camp 2 or one of the retreats. I will actually pack up some of my knitting and bring it next time. (meant to this time - but forgot - well forgot and I'm not that impressed with my knitting, I don't really think it's extra special) Maybe I will get the shetland shawl done (actually starting it would help that happen).

I was naughty and bought yarn. I'm going to design and make a Norwegian style sweater. I am unclear why that is less scary then changing the sleeves on Elizabeth I. I suppose in some way however it comes out is what I planned?

I also need (NEED - snicker) the Armenian Knitting book. I want to make the Lily jacket but put in a poppy instead of the lily.



Better get moving. Good bye Breakfast is shortly and I need to pack.

Post dated post

In the interest of keeping this in some sort of order here is a post that SHOULD have been made in June.

Behold the shawl I made for my mother, as a retirement present, while I was waiting for the floor I was tiling for her to dry and set. The yarn is BLF 2/8 from Fleece Artist which I hand dyed to make Tempest. The color was all wrong - but the second skein I dyed is perfect!

The pattern is Laminaria (from Knitty.com).



The center section:



The border:

Knitting, soon with pictures

I had a good weekend knitting wise. I finished a sweater for a friend. It was self designed, mostly as I went, top down with a lace yoke. It turned out really nicely. I'd consider writing up the pattern, except I don't want to do all the math to get it multi-sized. Now the LYS I'm trying to teach at wants me to consider doing it as a class.

I am still doing Sock Madness. I have finished the first knee-high and started the second, but I have not spent much time on it the last few days. The pattern is great, if imperfect. I'm watching several knitters have the same complaints I had last year (patterns aren't always well proofread and occasionally there errors). Last year I removed myself from the competition over my reaction. I'm doing much better this year at remembering the designers are often producing their first written pattern, sometimes their first complicated pattern/design, and there are only a very few test knitters. PLUS its all volunteer and unpaid/free.

I made some more 'use up yarn' kitchen washing items. These ones use up acrylic yarn. (sorry for the Ravelry link - for all those not on Ravelry - I haven't seen this pattern off Ravelry.)

I also made 1/2 of a pair for the sock class I'm hoping to teach in May. This is just a plain sock pattern, perfect for a new sock maker. So far no students are signed up. I'm willing to wait until Friday to make a decision. But I'm a little disappointed.

I also put a few of my knitting project bags on Etsy. Go - buy them. These are small (pair of socks project size). If they don't sell I will put my sock projects in them and throw away the ziplock bags they are in now.

My next project will be to dye some yarn. I have two skeins that will be for Tempest and the rest will be up for grabs on Etsy. I'd like to do that tomorrow.

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.