I heart this sweater

Chinese lace, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

Have I mentioned that I've wanted to make this sweater FOREVER. And now that it's getting close to being done (ok, so I'm on the first sleeve and we all know how me and second sleeves go...) I'm loving it even more. I actually want it to be cold out so that I can wear it. Seriously, in love.

The sleeves, however, are not so much in love with me. I spent most of Sunday afternoon attempting to cast on the first sleeve. I had wanted to do both at once, but that just wasn't going to happen. First I tried casting on for the lace portion. HUGE. I mean, 5 times the size of my arm huge. I know they're supposed to be bell sleeves, but this was ridiculous. So we looked at a bunch of the pictures of finished Chinese Lace Pullovers on Ravelry and I actually decided that I wasn't in love with the lacey bell sleeve. So then I tried casting on the # of stitches for the decreased ribbing. Not as huge, but still way too big for my taste. So I ripped that back and finally decided to cast on to smaller needles, but only for the ribbing. I didn't want to mess too much with the numbers... I was afraid it wouldn't work out for the sleeve caps. I may switch to larger needles as I get closer to the top too, just to see how that goes.

fell off the blog-wagon...

chinese lace pullover, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

So I was doing really well there, posting almost every day... but I had a lot of quick projects to finish up and then I had nothing. OK, so I still have those two sweaters (wicked and Mrs. Darcy. Although in my defense I'm still waiting for a friend to bring me some yarn to finish up that last 1/2 a sleeve on Wicked) but I really really wanted to start something new after finishing all that socky stuff.

SOOOOO.... this is the Chinese Lace Pullover by Angela Hahn. Ravelry page and purchase via blog page. I have been wanting to make this sweater for about a year. In fact, I attempted it once, in a different, handpainted yarn, and it just looked like Rainbow Brite threw up yarn into a sweater form. I think this is much better in a solid colour / semi-solid like the Malabrigo Silky Merino here. Which, by the way, is to DIE for so far. So soft, and silky... I cannot wait to wear this. Although I may have to the way the summers drag on down here.

So that's what I've been working on. I'm about 10 inches into it. Another 4 to go before possibly splitting off for the sleeve holes. I say possibly because it seems that sweater patterns are too short for me. I'm hoping this one is ok 'cause I really don't have even a yard of extra yardage.... Although I'm going to do the sleeves at the same time and if I start running out I'll adjust the length accordingly.

Sorry there isn't a better picture of the lace, I'm going to try it on when I split for the front/back and hopefully it will be easier to photograph then.

Another FO!

entrelac socks, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

Wohoo! I finally finished the entrelac socks. It took exactly 4 months to the day (according to my Raverly page I started April 3 and finished yesterday, Sept 3) but they're finally done! And, if I might say so, very pretty. And far too warm to wear right now.

Pattern: Entrelac Socks by Eunny Jang, from Interweave Knits Spring 2007

Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Panda Silk in green and pink (In reality I used a LOT less than called for, but I didn't make tassels)

Needles: Size 1 dpns

Mods: None, except for yarn substitution. If I were to make these again, however, I would definitely increase a bit earlier and a second time in order to make them fit my calves better. As it is they're fine, but it takes some convincing to get them on. Also, the cuff and especially bind off is a bit fussy but definitely looks very good and is a nice finish to the socks.

FO: Pomatomus

Pomatomus, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

yay! another FO. And more socks. Have I mentioned how sick I am of socks? Silly me only took sock yarn home to Canada with me this summer and wow am I ever tired of making socks. Good thing I'm teaching an intro to socks class next week...

Anywho, the details:

Pattern: Pomatomus
Needles: US 2 dpns
Yarn: Zitron Trekking XXL (with TONS left over)
Mods: Accidentally worked all decreases as k2tog rather than k2togtbl, continued the knits and purls across the toes and only decreased toes to 24sts instead of 12.
My ravelry page: here.

so close to wicked

so close to wicked, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

ack. I literally have 1/2 a sleeve left and NO MORE YARN. And because malabrigo had a huge fire a couple of months ago, the beautiful, beautiful yarn is in short supply. I've sent out the call around ravelry to see if anyone has any left overs... I really only need about 1/2 a skein to finish it, maybe even less. If I had followed the directions exactly to specifications then I would probably not need any more yarn but remember the first time I bound off the bottom?



Waaaaay too short. So, I added several inches (like, close to 10 I think) to the body, which would explain why I ran so short on yarn. Booo. Anyways, hopefully my search on ravelry will bring me an extra 1/2 skein, otherwise I'll have to troll the internet, hoping that one of the online stores has it in stock. (It's worsted weight, colour "Verde Adriana" if anyone has any...)

Fastest. Socks. Ever.

Ok, seriously, these don't even count in the "I'm not going to cast on anything new" category. I started them Wed. night, and here we are on Friday morning, with two, yes, TWO completed socks. Too bad that I wouldn't wear worsted weight socks very often, or I'd make all my socks this way.

Pattern: Easy Boot Socks
Needles: US 5 dpns
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash Paints in colour 9862
Mods: I worked the pattern on size 5s rather than size 6 - I wanted to make sure that the knit was tight. Also, worked on 5 dpns rather than 4 - the math just make more sense to me this way. The pattern is rather loosely written, I had to scratch my head and think hard about a couple of things, so if you try this pattern out and are having a hard time, shoot me an email or a comment here and I'll try to help you work it out.

If I were to knit these again (which I might, since they were a request and if the recipient likes them I will probably be making her more at Christmas time) I would definitely make the heel-flap longer.

More details on my ravelry page: Fastest Socks.

Mother Bear Project

I've made a bunch of bears for the Mother Bear Project and the latest, Georgie, has been stuffed and sewn together:



I finished him yesterday and went back to the store today to get a picture of him. Not the greatest picture, but it will do.

I also got a picture of "Nathanial", another bear that I made a while ago (before I went to Canada for the summer) but never got a picture of. He's in the latest batch of bears that will soon be sent off to Africa, 'cause the "bear wall" at the store is pretty full:



I also might have started a new project last night, but only because it's not for me and there is a deadline (aka birthday) coming up soon:



I swear, these are the fastest socks ever. I started yesterday evening and already have one completed sock and the cuff of a second. Details to come soon...

WIPs round-up

OK, so I'm back state-side and it's time to take an inventory of all the WIPs - those coming back from Canada with me and those left to hibernate over the summer, waiting for my return. My goal is to finish up at least 3/4s of these before starting on something new...

First up: Mrs. Darcy



This is the last WIP photo taken of her, back in February. Since then she has been seamed and one sleeve has been completed. She needs 1 more sleeve and some buttons to be finished.

Next: Wicked



Wicked came out short the first time round (as seen here), but has since been ripped back and made longer - to a non-navel-gazing level. It also has 1 (almost) complete sleeve. (Seriously, what is with me getting bored with the second sleeve? Unless something dire happens to me I'm going to need a second sleeve to keep my other arm warm...)

Cleopatra Wrap:



Sadly I didn't even get through one repeat of the chart with this. But it is very pretty and I will go back to it eventually...

Entrelac Socks:



These are so close to completion it's almost ridiculous. I ran out of the contrast yarn with 3 squares (not TIERS, SQUARES) to go. I have more, but it's been sitting here, patiently waiting for me.

Pomatomus socks:



This is the completed first sock. I'm now past the heel on the second sock and decreasing along the gusset.

Last, but certainly not least: Georgie



Georgie is all but finished. All he requires is some stuffing, a face, and perhaps a jaunty scarf. As soon as I can get my hands on the polyfil he'll be done.

So, it's looks like I've got some serious knitting ahead of me! Good thing I'm meeting up with some local knitters for some drinks and stitching on Thursday!

Etsy Sunday

Taking a note from Sock Pr0n I bring you a showcase of some of my current favorite items on etsy. If you haven't heard of etsy yet - have you been living under a rock? - stay far, far away. It's quality handmade goodness of every thing you could possibly imagine. I myself have an etsy shop that I sell both patterns and handknit items in. I have also purchased a decent number of things from various etsy sellers, some of which I have already showcased on this blog.

So, since my own knitting right now (sock two of the Pomatomous) isn't very interesting, and in the interest of spreading the love to my fellow etsy-ites, many of whom are actually trying to make a decent living doing what they love, I bring you my etsy favorites - or, things I would buy myself if I had lots and lots of money:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade gradschoolknitter.etsy.com

Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie...

Georgie, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

I don't know why but when I went to name this guy in my ravelry projects, that nursery rhyme about King George popped into my head. So his name is Georgie. He'll be sent off to the Mother Bear Project via Lovelyarns, just as soon as I'm back in town. Which is in just slightly more than a week. Weird.

I modified the pattern again, before I've worked the legs in double knit fashion (post outlines how to knit the bear in the round) but this time I tried casting on the feet as you would with toe-up socks. Much the same results, I suppose. I also cast on more stitches and worked more rows so that he would be a decent size since all the yarns use are left over sock yarns, on size 2 needles. He would have been a very small bear otherwise.

Sadly, though, Georgie will have to wait until we get home to be stuffed and finished up. In his current state he will fit much more easily into the suitcase... but we don't talk about that 'cause he's not very fond of dark spaces! :P

FO: mint and blueberry mittens

mint and blueberries, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

These were finished on Saturday night but so many other things have been going on that I just haven't had time to post about them. I really like the way they turned out, especially with the colours being switched on the 2nd mitt, which can probably be seen better in this picture:



Pattern is Vanilla Fingerless Mittens by my friend Elinor. The pattern was great, but I increased too soon and then too much for the thumb. But that's my silliness, not hers.

Yarn is Koigu KPM and needles were US size 2 dpns... which meant that I worked the thumbs separately after the hand was complete, not as specified in the pattern.

Also, the response to the baby leg warmer pattern posted yesterday has already been phenomenal over on Ravelry. I guess if I really want to get into the biz of designing, baby is the way to go! So, much thanks to all those who have already queued and favorited the pattern so far!

baby leg warmers

baby leg warmers, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

I made these up yesterday while having a lazy day to myself... we had some friends of Dr. BF's over on Friday night to watch the repeat broadcast of the Olympic opening ceremonies and one of them mentioned that she saw some leg warmers for babies in a baby store and would love some for her little girl and joked that maybe they could commission me for some. They're getting married at the end of the summer and Dr. BF is attending (I'll be back at school already for meetings and can't go... booooo, especially since it's happening in Nova Scotia), so I'm going to send a couple of pairs along with him for baby Sophia.

Yarn: Koigu KPM
Needles: US2 dpns

Pattern:

CO 36 sts. Divide evenly on 4 needles.

Work 10 rounds of k1p1 ribbing in colour 1
Switch to colour 2, work in st st until measures 6" from cast on edge.
Switch to colour 1, work in k1p1 ribbing for 10 rounds.

Use EZ's sewn bind-off to ensure a stretchy edge.

You can, of course, modify these for bigger or smaller babies by adding or subtracting stitches and length. Of course, I haven't tried these on her and won't really get a chance to do so, but they look like they might fit. She's 8 months but very small for her age.

Mother of 3, Also Paints

I've started a blog for my mom to showcase her work. So far there are about 10 pictures up, some of her older work, but more will be up soon. Please, please, please go check it out and, if you like what you see, leave her a comment. If you don't, well, clearly you are out of your tree! :P

Mother of 3, Also Paints

Why I love mittens

Mint and Blueberry Mitten #1, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

Because they're so fast and easy compared to socks. And cute. The first is finished (albeit unblocked) and I likes it. I'm thinking about switching up the colours (starting with green ribbing this time) for the second one.

New Look

I've been working on and off for the past 2 days on improving the look of the site. I'm pretty happy with it for now... but you won't see a difference if you use a blog reader... so if you have a minute please click over and let me know what you think!

Also, I'm going to be helping my mom set up a site for her artwork soon. Anyone who has advice on purchasing a domain vs the various blog creation sites will be forever adored for any and all input!

finally

S1050264, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

It took a while, but I think I've finally found a mitten pattern that works for the koigu. The pattern is Vanilla Fingerless Mittens by my friend Elinor. I like the way this is knitting up but I'm thinking that the stripes could have been a bit smaller... I did 10 rows of each colour and I probably could have done fewer... maybe 6 or 8. But all in all I like them and I'm not frogging a fourth time.

In any case, I've decided they're not for me. I think I'm going to give to them to a friend for her birthday later this month.

Help please!

ETA: better picture.

Here's what the Koigu from the last post have begun to be:



Eunny Jang's Anemoi Mittens. Unfortunately I'm starting to feel that the colours are just too close together. It's hard to distinguish one from the other. So at this point it's either go forward or rip back to the ribbing and stripe them.

So I thought I'd ask the internet: what do you think? Is it subtle and pretty or... not?

close...

almost entrelac, originally uploaded by gradschoolknitter.

but no entrelac socks for me... yet. I ran out of my contrast colour with only 1 and a 1/2 cc tiers to go. So frustrating! I have more yarn, but it's back in Bmore... I should have brought another skein but I really thought I had enough. Le sigh.

What I should now do is cast on the 2nd Pomatamus sock, but I think I'm at the point where I can't be bothered with another sock for a while. Unfortunately all I brought with me was sock yarn and there's no room in the budget (or in my suitcases) for more yarn.

So, if not socks, can you guess what these two skiens of Koigu are about to become?

The difficulty of photographing one's foot

So it took me 3 or 4 days to graft the toe, but finally, here is the first finished Pomatomus sock:

Side view:


Top view:


Why is it so hard to take pictures of your own foot?

Mods: I kept the purls and knits going across the top of the toe... looking at various pictures on ravelry I felt like the toe rather abruptly changed to stockinette... so I decided to follow the pattern as set, incorporating the decreases. Also, I only decreased to 24 sts, rather than 12. I felt like 12 would be rather pointy, and at 24 they already fit my feet perfectly.

Pomatomus Progress

These are coming along nicely, even with the mistaken decreases! I am still loving the way that the self-patterning yarn looks in different stitch patterns.

In something completely unrelated, you should watch this: Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long blog. I saw this earlier on Spud says hi and it is HIGH-larious. But apparently only available until Sunday. Enjoy!