OK, maybe a little, but I needed a simple project that wasn't 100% Icelandic wool. I'm meeting with a new SnB group on Thursday night (yay!) and the BMP socks are too complicated and the Red Cross Army Vest would be too hot to work on in the park in the middle of July. So I started the Honeymoon Cami. I'm going to stripe the Phildar Cotton from my secret pal in red and blue. More red than blue I'm thinking... and I've changed the waistline. I'm going to do seed stitch (or moss stitch depending on who you ask) instead of the lace rib.
The BMP socks are coming along, slowly but surely. There are 3 different space invaders on the first sock.
And my ravelry invite is still far away:
* You signed up on June 25, 2007
* You are #11046 on the list.
* 5013 people are ahead of you in line.
* 6975 people are behind you in line.
* 32% of the list has been invited so far
I heard about it months ago but never got around to signing up, until more recently. That's ok though, 'cause I have a lot of work to do before I should get too deeply involved in something like that... from what I hear in the blogosphere, it's sort of all-consuming. I started writing my last paper today (got a page & a 1/2 in an hour or so and then shut down) and I'm hoping to get it done in the next week or so. I have until the end of the month, but I'd like to have it done sooner rather than later.
Pictures of the BMP sock and Honeymoon cami to come... when there's some better lighting out.
P.S. I added some stuff in the side bar... a couple of patterns that I've worked on and a technique. I'm possibly going to work up a post on the way I work my floats into the back of the colour work too.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
I'm not a sock knitter
Seriously. I'm not. (Me thinks the lady doth protest too much!) Somehow, though, that's all I've knit for the last week or so... and now I have this:
A pair of monkeys! (Only 1 pair, I just took two different shots...) I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out... they fit well, they're very warm (I'm wearing them currently, because even though it's 25C / 77F outside right now, my feet are always cold and we have the air conditioner on in the apartment...) and the yarn and pattern compliment each other well. I'll have to practice a bit more to get a nicer grafted toe, but all in all a good result for the first try, I think!
And, from last night and this mornings hard work:
The beginnings of the BMP sock. I think that the monkeys allowed me to believe in the top-down knit sock and now it's just the stranded colour work that I have to get over. I've never done any colour work (striping doesn't count) so that's probably the most challenging thing about this pattern. I've sort of figured out my own way to work the extra strand into the back, instead of just letting it hang loose back there.
A pair of monkeys! (Only 1 pair, I just took two different shots...) I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out... they fit well, they're very warm (I'm wearing them currently, because even though it's 25C / 77F outside right now, my feet are always cold and we have the air conditioner on in the apartment...) and the yarn and pattern compliment each other well. I'll have to practice a bit more to get a nicer grafted toe, but all in all a good result for the first try, I think!
And, from last night and this mornings hard work:
The beginnings of the BMP sock. I think that the monkeys allowed me to believe in the top-down knit sock and now it's just the stranded colour work that I have to get over. I've never done any colour work (striping doesn't count) so that's probably the most challenging thing about this pattern. I've sort of figured out my own way to work the extra strand into the back, instead of just letting it hang loose back there.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Swallowtail Shawl
Managed to finally get a couple of pictures of the Shawl I did for my mom's birthday on lighter backgrounds. Unfortunately it was getting dark out so there was no natural light and I had to use the flash. True colour is somewhat darker - royal blue bordering on navy. In other news, I'm past the heel on the second Monkey sock... no SSS here!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Monkey off my back
Well, I did it. I got Cookie A's Monkey off my back. At least, one of them. I have another to cast on and knit up to have a completed pair, but I feel good having gotten at least one of them done! Now maybe I can focus some of my attention on things that have been languishing... like dishes and laundry and *gulp* school work! I'm not going to let them fall into SSS though... I plan to cast on for the second tonight when I finish cleaning the place up a bit.
What makes this pattern so addicting? Hard to say, really. No doubt it has something to do with the fact that it is so well written, with both charts and written instructions, but for me I think it was the learning process. This was my first cuff-down sock, along with my first non-short row heel and grafted toe. It took some searching to find a good tutorial on how to "graph toe stitches", but I finally realized it was the same as kitchener stitching and followed this great tutorial from Knitty Summer '04.
What makes this pattern so addicting? Hard to say, really. No doubt it has something to do with the fact that it is so well written, with both charts and written instructions, but for me I think it was the learning process. This was my first cuff-down sock, along with my first non-short row heel and grafted toe. It took some searching to find a good tutorial on how to "graph toe stitches", but I finally realized it was the same as kitchener stitching and followed this great tutorial from Knitty Summer '04.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
2 packages in 2 days!
My Secret Pal was the best. You can find her blog here but it is mostly in French, just so you know. I received two final packages this week, one right after another.
The first package was more yummy French yarn + yummy almond nougat:
So far no set plans for any of this but the brain is in motion. The royal blue yarn is 100% bamboo, 2 skeins of 89 yards - ridiculously soft. The tweedy-looking yarn is 52% cotton, 37% linen and 11% bamboo. 4 skeins @ 87 yards each. Plus the nougat, one bar of which has already been consumed.
And package the second:
Knitpicks Telemark (100% Peruvian Wool) in colour "Aubergine" 3 skeins @ 103 yards and 2 skeins of Knitpicks 100% Merino Gossamer, colour "Red Hat". No plans yet for the red hat, but the Aubergine just might do the trick for a scarf pattern that has been brewing in my head for a while. I thought about using it for this scarf, but I don't have quite enough yardage. Beautiful, eh? Check out her other patterns, they're gorgeous. I also picked up this pattern from her and I'm seriously eyeballing this one as well. But I think my to-knit list is long enough for the time being. That and the yarn budget is stretched thin lately. I'm going to try and get through this amazing stash I've accumulated before I buy anything else! (Yes, I know, the dreaded yarn diet...)
Speaking of de-stashing:
The first Monkey sock. I'm past the heel and I have to say that this is a truly addicting pattern. And that's coming from someone who is a self-proclaimed non-sock knitter. This is, by the by, the destashing of the schaefer anne yarn for anyone who's keeping score.
And the close up on the stitch pattern:
And, finally, a pic of the lacey rib anklets on the sock blockers:
Just in time to force me to continue destashing, there's going to be a Wheat Ear Cable Yoke KAL!
The first package was more yummy French yarn + yummy almond nougat:
So far no set plans for any of this but the brain is in motion. The royal blue yarn is 100% bamboo, 2 skeins of 89 yards - ridiculously soft. The tweedy-looking yarn is 52% cotton, 37% linen and 11% bamboo. 4 skeins @ 87 yards each. Plus the nougat, one bar of which has already been consumed.
And package the second:
Knitpicks Telemark (100% Peruvian Wool) in colour "Aubergine" 3 skeins @ 103 yards and 2 skeins of Knitpicks 100% Merino Gossamer, colour "Red Hat". No plans yet for the red hat, but the Aubergine just might do the trick for a scarf pattern that has been brewing in my head for a while. I thought about using it for this scarf, but I don't have quite enough yardage. Beautiful, eh? Check out her other patterns, they're gorgeous. I also picked up this pattern from her and I'm seriously eyeballing this one as well. But I think my to-knit list is long enough for the time being. That and the yarn budget is stretched thin lately. I'm going to try and get through this amazing stash I've accumulated before I buy anything else! (Yes, I know, the dreaded yarn diet...)
Speaking of de-stashing:
The first Monkey sock. I'm past the heel and I have to say that this is a truly addicting pattern. And that's coming from someone who is a self-proclaimed non-sock knitter. This is, by the by, the destashing of the schaefer anne yarn for anyone who's keeping score.
And the close up on the stitch pattern:
And, finally, a pic of the lacey rib anklets on the sock blockers:
Just in time to force me to continue destashing, there's going to be a Wheat Ear Cable Yoke KAL!
Monday, July 9, 2007
FO, Pattern and Reassessment Part the 2nd
**Edit again Jan 8, 2008** Now available as a downloadable pdf hosted by ravelry.com!
**Edit** This pattern was added to Knitting Sutra's No pool for you list of sock patterns that don't pool. It's in the "Jury's still out" section because there isn't enough photographic evidence of their pool defying ability. If you knit these and take a photo (flickr, blogged or potential to email) let me know! I'd love to see them.
**Edit** This pattern was added to Knitting Sutra's No pool for you list of sock patterns that don't pool. It's in the "Jury's still out" section because there isn't enough photographic evidence of their pool defying ability. If you knit these and take a photo (flickr, blogged or potential to email) let me know! I'd love to see them.
So, I finished the Lacey Rib Anklets today, which means I can scratch another thing off my summer to-knit list. However, I complete forgot that I bought the yarn (on sale, yeah!) for the Wheat Ear Cable Yoke Sweater on the cover of the summer '07 Interweave Knits a while back.
So, the Summer To-Knit List now looks like this:
1. Finish the Vest (only reason it's taking so long is that it's too hot to have pure wool sitting on your lap... ugh.)
2. BMP socks
3. Schaefer Anne Destash: potentially Monkey Socks
4. Wheat Ear Cable Yoke Sweater
5. Destash, destash, destash... all of which includes:
5a. Rowan Summer Tweed shrug
5b. Phildar stripy cotton tee
5c. Kidsilk sweater
So, the pattern for the lacey rib, is as follows:
Materials: US Size 2 (2.75mm) needles (either 5 dpns or 2 circs)
1 tapestry needle
1 skein Knit Picks Memories (I used redwood forest)
Notes: I always use K2togtbl instead of SSK. If you are more comfortable with SSK feel free to substitute SSK for K2togtbl, as they look pretty much identical. Also, these socks can be made as short or long as you like. I made anklets because I was unsure as to how much yardage it would actually take up. I have put a picture at the bottom of the post that shows the finished sock and the left overs from the skein.
Using the Toe-up formula found in Knitty's summer 06 edition Cast on 24 stitches. Knit one round.
2nd round: *K1, M1, K10, M1, K1* repeat.
Continue these 2 rounds (adding 2 stitches where round 2 says K10 each time to account for new stitches) until there are 60 stitches
Knit one round
Begin Lacey Rib pattern:
Round 1: *K2, P1* 10 times. K30 (underside of foot is simple stockinette)
Round 2: *K2, P1, K2tog, yo P1* 5 times, K30
Round 3: *K2, P1* 10 times. K30
Round 4: *K2, P1, K2togtbl, yo P1* 5 times, K30
Continue in these 4 Rounds until approximately 2 inches less than desired foot length, ending with round 4 before the K30.
Short Row Heel:
(Working on only the 30 st sts on the bottom of the sock)
K 27, Wrap and turn (Work W&T by slipping two stitches as if to purl from left to right needle, bring yarn to front of work, turn work to look at wrong side, slip one st from left to right needle, bring yarn to front of work.
P 27, W&T
K 26, W&T
P 26, W&T
Continue working short row, knitting one less stitch each time. Stop after P12, W&T.
Next: reverse the W&T rows, beginning to add one stitch each time (i.e. K13, W& T / P13, W&T, K14 W&T, P14 W&T, etc) Continue until you have worked P27 W&T.
Knit to end of Round.
Work Round 1 of Lace Rib
Work Lace section of Round 2, K1, K2togtbl, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
Work Round 3 of Lace Rib
Work lace section of Round 4, K1, K2togtbl, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
Work Round 1
Work Lace section of Round 2, K1, K2togtbl, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
(Six stitches decreased)
Begin working lace rib continuously through every stitch of each round
Work for about 1 inch for anklets or the length you desire, end with round 4.
Switch to k1p1 ribbing for 4 rounds.
Stretchy bind off:
Measure a tail of approximately four times the circumference of the sock and cut. Thread through a tapestry needle and work bind off as follows:
Thread needle through first two stitches as if to purl without removing from needle. Thread needle back through first stitch as if to knit and remove from needle. Repeat until there is only one stitch left. Thread needle through last stitch as if to knit and secure ends.
Let me know if there's any problems or if anything needs clarification!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Reassessment
It's time to reassess my Summer Knitting Goals. I've finished 1, 5 and 6 (gave my mom the shawl yesterday but didn't have the opportunity to take a picture of it on yet), which leaves 2, 3, and 4. I've been working on #2 (Vest for Dr. OSCBF) intermittently, and I attempted to start on #4 (schaefer anne destashing). #3 (BMP Socks) Seems a little too daunting right now. I also still have one more paper to write before the end of the month. #4 didn't go exactly as planned. I cast on for the Silk Cami from LMKG but I ran through almost half my yardage in about 5". Plus the variegated yarn didn't look all that great in the lace pattern - too much going on I think - and I didn't like the way the stockinette was knitting up... the stitches looked too loose. I'm think I might just give in and jump on the Monkey bandwagon. I'm not a huge fan of knitting socks, but maybe I just haven't found the right pattern yet. We'll see... I just don't know what else I can do without more yardage.
I have more new goals, most of which have to do with destashing. I've convinced myself that yarn will be easier to transport (when I move back south of the border for school at the end of August) if already in knitted form. Plus, some of the stuff is staying here as gifts for people, so that will make it easier too... rather than taking the yarn back with me, knitting it there and then shipping it back.
For instance: I have the Rowan Summer Tweed sent by my Secret Pal, which I'm considering making into some kind of short-sleeved summer shrug; and the two different colours of cotton which I'm thinking would make a nice stripy something... t-shirt most likely since I probably don't have enough for a full sweater. And there's the Kidsilk Haze, which I think I will use for Portland Pullover from interweave knits fall '06. Only I want to modify it so it has less of a turtle-ish neck... maybe a boat neck?
So, to break it down:
1. Finish the Vest (only reason it's taking so long is that it's too hot to have pure wool sitting on your lap... ugh.)
2. BMP socks
3. Schaefer Anne Destash: potentially Monkey Socks
4. Get over second sock syndrome with lace-rib socks and write out pattern for those who might be interested
5. Destash, destash, destash... all of which includes:
5a. Rowan Summer Tweed shrug
5b. Phildar stripy cotton tee
5c. Kidsilk sweater
I've been itchy with startitis for about a week now so I'm going to go and cast something, anything, on.
I have more new goals, most of which have to do with destashing. I've convinced myself that yarn will be easier to transport (when I move back south of the border for school at the end of August) if already in knitted form. Plus, some of the stuff is staying here as gifts for people, so that will make it easier too... rather than taking the yarn back with me, knitting it there and then shipping it back.
For instance: I have the Rowan Summer Tweed sent by my Secret Pal, which I'm considering making into some kind of short-sleeved summer shrug; and the two different colours of cotton which I'm thinking would make a nice stripy something... t-shirt most likely since I probably don't have enough for a full sweater. And there's the Kidsilk Haze, which I think I will use for Portland Pullover from interweave knits fall '06. Only I want to modify it so it has less of a turtle-ish neck... maybe a boat neck?
So, to break it down:
1. Finish the Vest (only reason it's taking so long is that it's too hot to have pure wool sitting on your lap... ugh.)
2. BMP socks
3. Schaefer Anne Destash: potentially Monkey Socks
4. Get over second sock syndrome with lace-rib socks and write out pattern for those who might be interested
5. Destash, destash, destash... all of which includes:
5a. Rowan Summer Tweed shrug
5b. Phildar stripy cotton tee
5c. Kidsilk sweater
I've been itchy with startitis for about a week now so I'm going to go and cast something, anything, on.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
The Morning After
Dear Yarn,
You've been warned before: Yarn and Beer don't mix well. Oh, sure, Beer tastes good, and it makes you feel invincible: you could become anything in the world. And knitting a few rows after a Beer or Two (Beer always invites friends along you know) isn't so bad, usually it all turns out ok, if not a little looser than usual. But winding... oh, trying to wind yourself into a ball with Beer's help never works out. So stay away from Beer or next time I won't help you out after you've gotten mixed up with a bad brew.
Sincerely, Gradschoolknitter.
P.S. Maybe part of this is my fault. Perhaps I need to find you a good winder and swift to play with.
You've been warned before: Yarn and Beer don't mix well. Oh, sure, Beer tastes good, and it makes you feel invincible: you could become anything in the world. And knitting a few rows after a Beer or Two (Beer always invites friends along you know) isn't so bad, usually it all turns out ok, if not a little looser than usual. But winding... oh, trying to wind yourself into a ball with Beer's help never works out. So stay away from Beer or next time I won't help you out after you've gotten mixed up with a bad brew.
Sincerely, Gradschoolknitter.
P.S. Maybe part of this is my fault. Perhaps I need to find you a good winder and swift to play with.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Almost forgot...
I almost forgot something very important! Interweave Press is having a back issues sale!! On all their magazines. No, I'm not associated with them or anything, I just think this is great and I'm probably going to end up ordering a bunch, even though I really shouldn't... and it's not just Interweave Knits, it's allllll their mags. I just thought I'd share this for those of you who aren't on the email list!
FO: shawl
The swallowtail shawl for my mom has been finished for 2 days now, but I finally got a chance to block it. I'm not a huge fan of blocking - don't get me wrong, I understand the principle behind it and I know that it makes things look better... but I also think that all projects have to be blocked to look good. I'll come clean, but totally deny it if you tell anyone: I never blocked this.
However, with a shawl done almost entirely in lace (i.e. every right side row at least has yo's and other lacey bits) I needed to block. Before blocking the OSCBF (who, by the by, is now officially Dr. OSCBF... he defended his thesis about 3 weeks ago and handed in the final draft to grad studies last week!) asked if I really thought my mom could wear it as a shawl... it looked more like a small triangular doily. So here are two pictures of it blocking... it's still smaller than I would really like to see it but I ran out of pins while blocking and had to run to the tailoring store across the street... so it was a bit dryer and I didn't want to rip anything... I know it can take it, but let's face it, I was getting annoyed and didn't want to go back and re-pin the whole thing. Can I soak and re-block in a day or two??
Apologies about the dark pictures... rainy, grey day + indoors + blocked on top of a garbage bag (I heard it helps it dry quicker plus it keeps the carpet from getting wet and potentially smelling like wet alpaca... which basically just smells like wet dog...) = not very good pictures.
I'll try to get a picture of it on my mom when I give it to her, hopefully this weekend, depending on the number of times I attempt to re-block.
The last few days I've been itching to cast on, and I want to keep within my summer knitting goals so I am using the schafer anne yarn (on the left side of the picture) to make the silk cami from LMKG. It was the original intent for the yarn, although I've hemmed and hawed over it... I mean, it is techincally merino, mohair and nylon, but I've paired it with a strand of bamboo... it's not that summery and the tank is. However, I'm almost always cold so maybe I'll be happy to have a pretty tank to go under v-necks and cardigans in the winter that also keeps me warmish... we'll see. I'm just not really a sock knitter. I don't mind knitting socks once in a while, but they aren't the projects that keep my attention. Remember this sock? Her partner is only about a 1/4 finished and that was APRIL when I posted the first one.
I'm going to reassess my summer goals and add new ones based on the yarns I've acquired more recently in the next day or two. Stay tuned, same bat time, same bat blog.
However, with a shawl done almost entirely in lace (i.e. every right side row at least has yo's and other lacey bits) I needed to block. Before blocking the OSCBF (who, by the by, is now officially Dr. OSCBF... he defended his thesis about 3 weeks ago and handed in the final draft to grad studies last week!) asked if I really thought my mom could wear it as a shawl... it looked more like a small triangular doily. So here are two pictures of it blocking... it's still smaller than I would really like to see it but I ran out of pins while blocking and had to run to the tailoring store across the street... so it was a bit dryer and I didn't want to rip anything... I know it can take it, but let's face it, I was getting annoyed and didn't want to go back and re-pin the whole thing. Can I soak and re-block in a day or two??
Apologies about the dark pictures... rainy, grey day + indoors + blocked on top of a garbage bag (I heard it helps it dry quicker plus it keeps the carpet from getting wet and potentially smelling like wet alpaca... which basically just smells like wet dog...) = not very good pictures.
I'll try to get a picture of it on my mom when I give it to her, hopefully this weekend, depending on the number of times I attempt to re-block.
The last few days I've been itching to cast on, and I want to keep within my summer knitting goals so I am using the schafer anne yarn (on the left side of the picture) to make the silk cami from LMKG. It was the original intent for the yarn, although I've hemmed and hawed over it... I mean, it is techincally merino, mohair and nylon, but I've paired it with a strand of bamboo... it's not that summery and the tank is. However, I'm almost always cold so maybe I'll be happy to have a pretty tank to go under v-necks and cardigans in the winter that also keeps me warmish... we'll see. I'm just not really a sock knitter. I don't mind knitting socks once in a while, but they aren't the projects that keep my attention. Remember this sock? Her partner is only about a 1/4 finished and that was APRIL when I posted the first one.
I'm going to reassess my summer goals and add new ones based on the yarns I've acquired more recently in the next day or two. Stay tuned, same bat time, same bat blog.
Monday, July 2, 2007
how to...
I saw this on Wikihow last night and thought some of you might enjoy it: How to sew a knitting needle roll up.
Enjoy!
I got the paper done yesterday, now to just finish and block the shawl...
Enjoy!
I got the paper done yesterday, now to just finish and block the shawl...
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Happy 140th Canada!
I wanted to write something witty and / or cute in honour of Canada day, but the yarn harlot beat me to it. Go check it out... it's very funny and very Canadiana. Happy Canada Day, eh?!
P.S. I'm going to do some much needed updates to the sidebar and maybe make some colour changes, so don't be too shocked!
P.S. I'm going to do some much needed updates to the sidebar and maybe make some colour changes, so don't be too shocked!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
last day of secret pal10
Well, it's the last day of Secret Pal 10... it's been fun and I've gotten some super cool stuff from my pal. I also sent my last / reveal package to my pal a couple of days ago. The last package I sent her seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way (which sucks, especially since we only live one state apart when I'm on the south side of the border) so I'm tracking this one to make sure that Canada Post doesn't screw up. Again. (Unrelated screw up... I'm just not having any luck with posting things lately...)
I should also find out who my secret pal is soon... she said she would send me a reveal email today and that my reveal package will be on its way in the next week or so!
In actual knitting related news, I tried mission: knitting impossible to get the bday present done for my mom in time for yesterday and failed. I'm about 1/2 way done, but it's a much more difficult pattern than I had thought originally. It's the swallowtail shawl from Interweave Knits Fall '06... It's beautiful but very intricate (I'm pretty sure I might have messed up a couple of times, but it's so hard to tell with the tiny stitches and tiny needles... and I just couldn't bear the thought of ripping back on lace... no, I don't use lifelines, but perhaps I should learn how). In any case, I don't know who Evelyn A. Clark thinks she is (other than a torturer of knitters who love beautiful lace) but purling 5 together - especially when those 5 stitches were previously a K1 yo K1 yo K1 worked from one single stitch... well, it's damn near impossible. I can get 4 stitches picked up purlwise all at once, but 5 is just one too many. Occasionally I'll get it on the first try, but most times it takes me anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes to convince all 5 stitches to get on that needle. I'm hoping to be done within the next week... although I'm also hoping to be done another paper left over from the Spring Semester today too... I'm all full of false hopes! I'll post celebratory posts if either happen in the next little while.
Happy Knitting!
I should also find out who my secret pal is soon... she said she would send me a reveal email today and that my reveal package will be on its way in the next week or so!
In actual knitting related news, I tried mission: knitting impossible to get the bday present done for my mom in time for yesterday and failed. I'm about 1/2 way done, but it's a much more difficult pattern than I had thought originally. It's the swallowtail shawl from Interweave Knits Fall '06... It's beautiful but very intricate (I'm pretty sure I might have messed up a couple of times, but it's so hard to tell with the tiny stitches and tiny needles... and I just couldn't bear the thought of ripping back on lace... no, I don't use lifelines, but perhaps I should learn how). In any case, I don't know who Evelyn A. Clark thinks she is (other than a torturer of knitters who love beautiful lace) but purling 5 together - especially when those 5 stitches were previously a K1 yo K1 yo K1 worked from one single stitch... well, it's damn near impossible. I can get 4 stitches picked up purlwise all at once, but 5 is just one too many. Occasionally I'll get it on the first try, but most times it takes me anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes to convince all 5 stitches to get on that needle. I'm hoping to be done within the next week... although I'm also hoping to be done another paper left over from the Spring Semester today too... I'm all full of false hopes! I'll post celebratory posts if either happen in the next little while.
Happy Knitting!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
When did you learn to knit?
Skeins her way is having another contest! All you have to do is post what age you learned to knit... I wrote 9, but to be honest I think it might have been even earlier than that...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
no knitting... but new hair!
I have this dorky side that likes to do crazy things with my hair... as a teenager you could tell when I had been bored or needed to feel change because my hair would change radically over night. I think that's kind of a normal teenage thing, right? I've had it all kinds of colours, and from the time I was 14 until I was about 18 or so, it just kept getting shorter and shorter and shorter, until my high school graduation photos, in which I had the shortest hair of my life - cut but barely above the "shaved head" look. Anywho, a few of years ago I dyed my hair pink... and I loved it. I wanted to do it again but my brother got engaged and I was in the wedding party and I started my master's the year afterwards and I felt like I needed to be a bit more "professional" in order to teach... especially since I don't look that much older than most of my students - and in fact, sometimes I am actually younger than them. So I haven't done anything wild and crazy in the last few years... and I was just in a friend's wedding a week ago, so I had been growing my hair out for that as well.
So, courtesy of my mac's photo booth and without further ado, I give you "craziest haircut I've had in 4 years":
Hope this distracts everyone enough to forget about the lack of knitting related posts lately!
So, courtesy of my mac's photo booth and without further ado, I give you "craziest haircut I've had in 4 years":
Hope this distracts everyone enough to forget about the lack of knitting related posts lately!
Friday, June 22, 2007
I'm sad to admit that there hasn't been much knitting going on lately. Despite that, I have acquired some beautiful yarns recently (both from my secret pal and some things that jumped into my arms at a recent sale...) I just haven't had any time to use them.
I have been slowly working on #6 on the Summer Knits List but it's a surprise, so I'll save it for when it has been finished and delivered. Also, the progress has been very slow, so I'm just hoping that it will be finished before its "deadline" in a weeks time!
I have been slowly working on #6 on the Summer Knits List but it's a surprise, so I'll save it for when it has been finished and delivered. Also, the progress has been very slow, so I'm just hoping that it will be finished before its "deadline" in a weeks time!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
secret pal package!
I got a package from my secret pal today! I don't have a lot of time to elaborate so I'll cut to the chase:
The goods:
3 balls of Grey Rowan Kidsilk haze (70% Super Kid Mohair, 30% Silk) 229 yards each; 3 balls Red Phildar Licorne (100% cotton) 131 yards each; 2 balls of Blue Phildar Detente (100% cotton) 153 yards each; 3 skeins Beige Rowan Summer Tweed (70% silk, 30% cotton) 118 yards each.
And the close ups:
The astute observer might notice that (especially in the close up on the Red Licorne) that the yarns look dull or even whiteish... this is not from the camera or the lighting... it's from the fact that my package took quite a beating between France and Canada and so a package of bath bubble stuff sort of exploded all over the place. Luckily it was dry bath bubbles, so it didn't ruin everything but the cottons do still have some stuck in them. I figure that once I knit something up and wash it there will be some brightening of the colours. Miraculously it came out very easily from the kidsilk. Also not pictured: 2 jars of french jam, papaya body scrub and a small pot with mini sunflower seeds to plant!
Thanks secret pal!
The goods:
3 balls of Grey Rowan Kidsilk haze (70% Super Kid Mohair, 30% Silk) 229 yards each; 3 balls Red Phildar Licorne (100% cotton) 131 yards each; 2 balls of Blue Phildar Detente (100% cotton) 153 yards each; 3 skeins Beige Rowan Summer Tweed (70% silk, 30% cotton) 118 yards each.And the close ups:
The astute observer might notice that (especially in the close up on the Red Licorne) that the yarns look dull or even whiteish... this is not from the camera or the lighting... it's from the fact that my package took quite a beating between France and Canada and so a package of bath bubble stuff sort of exploded all over the place. Luckily it was dry bath bubbles, so it didn't ruin everything but the cottons do still have some stuck in them. I figure that once I knit something up and wash it there will be some brightening of the colours. Miraculously it came out very easily from the kidsilk. Also not pictured: 2 jars of french jam, papaya body scrub and a small pot with mini sunflower seeds to plant!
Thanks secret pal!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
new pictures, old projects
I'm staying with my dad and sister this week while the OSCBF and my mom are both out of town (just to clarify, they went on separate trips!). In any case, I'm using my old laptop to check email and the like. I didn't want to be moving tons and tons of stuff for just two days, so I left my Mac at the apartment.
So I found some new knitting photos to share. Ok, they're not actually *new*... they're photos of things I knit as gifts last Christmas, but since I forgot my camera, I never took pictures of people wearing them. Apparently my mom did, but never sent them to me. In any case, they're new to most of you and it distracts from the fact that I haven't done much new knitting lately...
Drop stitch scarf from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. Handpainted ribbon from Stitches East '06. Gift for Nana, Modelled by Mom.
Berroco Touche "Cashmere" Cowl... not so cashmere but still soft and warm! From LMKG. Gift for and modelled by Mom.
Back of the "nightie"... I did it to specifications but it was (obviously) quite short. But she wore it as a tank top Saturday night and it looked awesome!
And a shot of the front...
And a better shot of the "edible undies", on the lingerie line at the bachelorette party Sat. night.
Blogger and internet explorer have teamed up to annoy me tonight (I heart my Mac) and so this is the second time I've written this post... cross your fingers that it works this time!
So I found some new knitting photos to share. Ok, they're not actually *new*... they're photos of things I knit as gifts last Christmas, but since I forgot my camera, I never took pictures of people wearing them. Apparently my mom did, but never sent them to me. In any case, they're new to most of you and it distracts from the fact that I haven't done much new knitting lately...
Drop stitch scarf from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. Handpainted ribbon from Stitches East '06. Gift for Nana, Modelled by Mom.
Berroco Touche "Cashmere" Cowl... not so cashmere but still soft and warm! From LMKG. Gift for and modelled by Mom.
Back of the "nightie"... I did it to specifications but it was (obviously) quite short. But she wore it as a tank top Saturday night and it looked awesome!
And a shot of the front...
And a better shot of the "edible undies", on the lingerie line at the bachelorette party Sat. night.
Blogger and internet explorer have teamed up to annoy me tonight (I heart my Mac) and so this is the second time I've written this post... cross your fingers that it works this time!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
naughty knitting
I don't know how many of you might have seen the naughty issue of Knitty from Summer '04, but it's kind of funny, and fun, and not really that naughty. Anywho, tonight if a friends bachellorette party and we're supposed to bring underwear that symbolizes us and she's supposed to guess who's is whose. So I thought... I should really knit some underwear. I know, I know, I've said before that I draw the line at knitted underwear, but I couldn't resist, and I figured I'd just use up some of my stash and it would be a fun joke. So I thought I'd search around for a quick pattern and came up with this: 302 calories. Edible, knitted underwear: finally, someone has brought together two loves: food and knitting. Licorice thong string, not so much... in fact, it's sort of really totally icky when you think about it. But it took about 20 mins (well, not if you count the two days of driving around the city attempting to actually find licorice shoe strings...) and it's going to be hilarious. So, I give you my version of 302 calories:
(Sorry about the crappyness of the picture... I had to find somewhere that I could hang it and the lighting is really really bad in the bedroom... I'll try to get better ones tonight.)
Also in related naughty crafting news, I was recruited by the sister of the bride to be to make a very special item... keep in mind that this is a cowboy themed bachellorette:
Yes, that's what you think it is... and yes, I made it myself. It will go great with the cowboy hats we ordered!!
(Sorry about the crappyness of the picture... I had to find somewhere that I could hang it and the lighting is really really bad in the bedroom... I'll try to get better ones tonight.)
Also in related naughty crafting news, I was recruited by the sister of the bride to be to make a very special item... keep in mind that this is a cowboy themed bachellorette:
Yes, that's what you think it is... and yes, I made it myself. It will go great with the cowboy hats we ordered!!
Friday, June 1, 2007
After the Wash
Well, I can check #5 off my summer knitting list! (No one said they had to be done in order did they?!)
Here are the Baby Denim Drawstring Pants post-wash & dry:
They're still a bit damp so they're now hanging with the rest of "do not tumble dry" laundry. But they definitely shrank (which is good... everyone kept saying they looked odd... the legs were ridiculously long pre-wash) and all ends have been woven in and the drawstring is firmly where it is supposed to be. One problem with my modification (4 st i-cord instead of 2) is that it was harder to get into the slot for the drawstring... I didn't take that into consideration ahead of time. It still works, but it doesn't tie into the best bow ever... still, I think overall a thicker i-cord is needed to hold up baby pants. If I were to make them again I might try 3 sts. The baby shower is next weekend, so there is lots of time for them to dry out! Unfortunately I already had plans to be away that weekend, so I won't make the actual shower, but I wanted to do something for her anyway... hopefully these fit the little guy on the way!
Stay tuned later today (or possibly tomorrow) for some content considerably more "adult"!
Here are the Baby Denim Drawstring Pants post-wash & dry:
They're still a bit damp so they're now hanging with the rest of "do not tumble dry" laundry. But they definitely shrank (which is good... everyone kept saying they looked odd... the legs were ridiculously long pre-wash) and all ends have been woven in and the drawstring is firmly where it is supposed to be. One problem with my modification (4 st i-cord instead of 2) is that it was harder to get into the slot for the drawstring... I didn't take that into consideration ahead of time. It still works, but it doesn't tie into the best bow ever... still, I think overall a thicker i-cord is needed to hold up baby pants. If I were to make them again I might try 3 sts. The baby shower is next weekend, so there is lots of time for them to dry out! Unfortunately I already had plans to be away that weekend, so I won't make the actual shower, but I wanted to do something for her anyway... hopefully these fit the little guy on the way!
Stay tuned later today (or possibly tomorrow) for some content considerably more "adult"!
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