Knitting In The Rockies

Its really April 12?

2009-04-12T13:33:00.003-06:00

Geez... its April 12th and I haven't posted anything since 2008. Sorry to anyone who reads my blog. I have been trying to figure out why and what has happened to the knitter in me.

One thing - my 93 yr old Mom passed last December. I spent the next month or so staring at the wall. Even though she lived a long life, it left such a big hole in my world. I lost 14 lbs and stopped everything. One wonderful thing is that my old friends from my teenage years reconnected with me and now I have them back in my life.

But that doesn't explain everything. Coming out of the fog - all I have wanted to do lately is read. I had a week off and finished reading 3 books. Did very little knitting. I think its that I can get lost in the books - don't have to do any thinking and I want to get lost. And going back to work - I have been working long hours including an all nighter last Friday night for a release. No energy left to knit.

So what is this all about? I think it is partly because I started knitting the "Festjakke jacket" by Solveig Hisdal. If you have knit it - it is a fair isle pattern using Fingering weight yarn. 355 stitches. Takes an hour to do one row (for me). I am struggling to pick it up. But I don't want to start something else until its done.

I also realize that I'm not as inspired as I once was. I think its partly due to Ravelry... yes Ravelry. I used to peruse the blogs with all their daily photos and information. Lots of new yarns and projects. Now - more and more have stopped blogging and spend more time on Ravelry. I just don't have the time to spend going through all the Forums - mostly without photos. I like using Ravelry when I have a project which I didn't know which yarn to use, or a yarn which I didn't know which project to use.. but I don't use it to get inspired. Maybe its just me.

Anyway - after this long spiel - I have very little to show you. I finished knitting one pair of plain Ranco Multi socks (that I started last year) and started a new pair with BlueMoonFibers STR yarn. Just stockinette toe up.

I hope I get inspired again one day. I have a whole stash to knit and if I don't start soon it will never get done. If it ever starts again I will post here. Otherwise I don't want to bore you with my gibberish!! Hah!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

2008-12-24T07:19:00.001-07:00

This will probably be my last post this year. Have a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah everyone! And I'll see ya in 2009!

Me and Splitty yarn!

2008-12-14T09:03:00.005-07:00

I decided yesterday I wanted to finish the Part Cashmere Autumn socks I have been knitting since Sept (arghh!!). I did the gusset, the wrapped stitch part, and was almost at the end of the section where you pick up the stitches at the end of each row. Then I noticed that I had dropped a stitch. I really really tried to fix it. But darn - this yarn was so splitty and also very sticky.. that I couldn't sort out the stiches after awhile. I admire those of you that can work with this stuff. I guess if you never make any mistakes??

If the 1st sock had fit better I may have tried longer. In fact - I ripped it back all the way back into the gusset.. but once again, when I tried to get the stitches back on the needles - it split all over the place. That was it. Bye bye socks. And I've learned that - me and spitty yarn don't get along - at least with size 1 DPN's.

But now I'm happy. I started a new pair this AM with normal yarn, nice soft, non-splitty yarn. I think the color is Navaho.. but I wound it up last summer and can't remember the vendor. It may be Lime & Violet or Araucania Ranco Multi but I can't be sure. But I sure like it:

I also learned that I cannot start a new pair of socks and watch The Dark Knight. sigh.. And that I prefer the wood DPN's to the metal ones despite the fact that brown yarn is very hard to see with the Harmonies.

Need to go out and shovel soon.

One more week until vacation! Yay!

Later: I dug the Autumn sock out and managed to get it back on my needles about 14 rows into the gusset. so all's not lost. I am going to do the heel REALLY slow the next time so that i don't make any mistakes.. I'm a sucker..

Monkey See! Monkey Do!

2008-12-07T15:05:00.005-07:00

Unlike the Yarn Harlot I'm not even going to suggest that I don't knit things based on what everyone else is doing. In fact, since the Internet, my stash has grown in leaps and bounds so that I can follow the leader.

When everyone did Kauni, so did I. When everyone was doing Hanne Falkenberg's Mermaid, so did I. So I had to try the Noro 1x1 ribbed scarf. I found some Noro Silk Garden on sale and tried to pick out coordinating colors. Having finally gotten to the point on my blue wrap cardigan where I would have to block it before I could do anything more - I decided that I needed color in my life. Something relatively mindless with lots of color.

What I loved about the Kauni was the surprise of finding the combinations of color. This shawl has that same property - which is why I think everyone is so drawn to it.

So here I present the start of mine:

I love it.. love how the colors blend. Magic. But don't try to frog this yarn. I actually knit twice this much today, realized afte rabout 3 inches that I had dropped a stitch on the edge. Ripped it out and started over again. Noro Silk Garden has all these little threads wrapped around the yarn and when you frog it - they get unwrapped. I had to pull a lot of the threads out since they were all tangled up. Oh well - I think it still looks fine. Oh - Noro also has lots of knots in it. I unknotted them and reknotted them with longer ends so I can weave them in easier. What a pain. but worth it!

Two weeks until my Xmas break! YAY!

Bye Bye Cable Needle!

2008-11-30T13:51:00.006-07:00

Ahhh.. I finished the last of the cabling on my Jo Sharp Wrap Sweater. Bye bye cable needle - I am not going to miss you at all. You just slow me down. Maybe one day I will learn to do cables without a cable needle.

Here are the finished sleeves (I'm so glad I did both at the same time):

Now I have to block it, seam it up, then do a bunch of ribbing which sounds wonderful to me right now. But I think its time for a break. I probably won't get to any of that until Xmas break. Here's a photo of the 5 pieces. This is such a big sweater it wouldn't all fit into one photo!

I have had a really good Thanksgiving week off. But I'm also recovering from an allergic reaction to Zyrtec (actually happened twice before I figured out the source). Woke up with my face and eyes swollen and on fire. No breathing problems so I decided to treat it on my own. I can't take hydrocortisone so the first 5 days I used antibiotic ointment, Benadryl cream, and aloe vera gel. That helped but it wasn't going away 100%. I still looked like I had a bad sunburn. Yesterday I did some googling and found Aquaphor Healing Ointment (by Eucerin). Geezz.. this is a miracle cream. I guess it is mostly used for diaper rashes - but its fabulous for adult rashes too. And a big jar is only $9 at Walgreens. I am using it over Oil of Olay Sensitive moisturizer. The red is almost gone. I'm still a little itchy but I think the worse is over. I look human again.

Have a good week!

Break time

2008-11-28T12:01:00.003-07:00

I really need a break from all this blue.. so I took this photo:

I've done about 32.5 cm and the pattern calls for 44 cm total (I may shorten it by an inch) - so I don't have too much more to do. It will be nice to do something other than these unending cables.

And that is all for today.

I'm grateful

2008-11-27T14:03:00.003-07:00

Not a lot of knitting going on around here (or at least not any that looks any different from what I have been posting since last August - hah!) - but its all about Thanksgiving today:

I am very grateful:

1) For living in this wonderful country where we have so many blessings and freedoms.
2) For almost 31 years of employment with a career that gives me challenges and the ability to learn from others.
3) For 35 days a year of vacation which gives me time to get away from #2 when I need it (hah!)
4) For my family (especially my 93 yr old mother) who puts up with my quirks but nourishes me with love, encouragement and other things I need.
5) For my beautiful home and backyard which takes up a lot of time but gives me a haven from the world and peace.
6) For peanuts and Victor mouse traps which helped me rid of 5 mices (so far)! I thought the photo was relevant since I have been naming them (Minnie, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Uncle Scrooge thus far).
7) For my amazing Charlie, Belle, and Jesse - my life revolves around you - and without you I would be empty. You make me laugh, make me crazy, make me happy.

I have so much and on this day - when so many in the world are suffering and in pain - I am so grateful and thankful for all these blessings.

Having said that - I wish this face rash which I got from an allergic reaction to Zyrtec would go away@!!!!

27 inches of blue!

2008-11-16T13:11:00.002-07:00

FINALLY - I finished the back of my Jo Sharp Wrap Cardigan - all 27 inches of her:

Wowsa.. I don't think I've ever knit something this long. Not sure if I would ever do it again.. hah! Here is a closeup of the cabling:

And now - do I go directly to the sleeves or put it aside until I feel like it. Haven't decided yet.

But I did start the second sock:

Decided to try using the Options DPN's so I could see the yarn better. They are better but the reflection sometimes makes it hard to see the yarn too. Must be my middle aged eyes.

One week of work and then I am off work for a whole week. Can't wait.

By the way - Minnie (and her friend Mickey) are no longer in residence. After many failed efforts - I found a website where there were a whole lot of ideas. I ended up glueing a half peanut to the bait tab.. and sure enough - each was lured to it to their demise. It was hard to see Minnie especially - she was a cutie, but now I was able to clean out the mess they had made under my sink. And HOPEFULLY - that is all for the season. If not - I have more traps, peanuts and glue. Hah!

Later: So at least I did start the sleeves. Its going to be a long holiday season but I will be home more so might just make it by Xmas??

I actually finished something.

2008-11-09T13:48:00.005-07:00

With my new found enthusiasm for life (yes I have been half braindead for the last few months) - I actually finished something. Well - maybe half of it anyway. Here is the finished sock made of the Knitterly cashmere/merino blend in autumn:

I love the yarn but as I thought - it's not very elastic. In fact I struggled to get it on my foot:

I'm hoping - with my sock blocker - it will stretch some. It really is so autumny!

And - I only have 21 rows to go to finish the back of my wrap cardigan:

This is the longest sweater I've ever knit. But it will be nice when its done.

My weekend has been productive. Not just knitting - I raked 8 bags of leaves from my backyard.. I have this huge backyard since I'm at the end of a cul-de-sac (pie shaped yard). So at least now I can find the dog poop. I will need to do more raking before the season is over, but I put in a good dent.

Plus I bought myself a treat. The pattern and yarn for this:

Love it, love it, love it. I think some of my boredom with my wrap cardigan is the monotonous single color. I have been using variegated yarns or doing fairisle a lot lately and the wrap is so blue.. only blue. At any rate - a fairisle appeals to me a lot right now. But I promise, I will finish the wrap. Maybe...

I also have a new pet. Her name is Minnie and she is the smartest mouse in the world. She has managed to evade 3 regular traps (with peanut butter put out three times), 2 no-kill traps, and a homemade trap. I am very impressed.

If you notice, I haven't mentionned anything about the election. I didn't vote for Obama but I do hope he is a good president. Our country needs help and we cannot afford a bad one. So we shall see what happens. His chief of staff sure is cute.

It is really really over!!!

2008-11-07T13:05:00.001-07:00

Communications Workers Ratify Agreement
Friday November 7, 2:24 pm ET

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q - News) workers represented by the Communications Workers of America ratified a tentative agreement reached between the company and the union last month.

Now I can have my life back.....

One more week??

2008-11-02T11:26:00.004-07:00

Well - due to the election mail - the organization that is counting the union's votes to ratify their tentative agreement with Qwest has negotiated a one week delay in counting the ballots. So - here I still am not knowing if I have to be on my way to Salt Lake City to work 12 hr days/7 days a week. Hopefully by next week I will know but I have been telling myself that so many times I am not confident anymore. I fear they will come up with something to delay it again..

But thankfully - I have my Knitting bug back. I am into the 4th repeat of the back:

You can see how much more I need to knit (15 rows into the 5th repeat) when I put it against the sides. This is a LONG sweater:

I think I will knit both sleeves together or I may never finish them. I'm still thinking about taking a break for some fair isle. I am craving something less monotonous.

And I also turned the heel for my socks. This fabric feels stiffer than some of my other socks. Hope it fits:

And finally - here is one third of the real joy of my life. Isn't she a riot! Keeps me laughing!

Taking a blog break

2008-10-19T12:48:00.002-06:00

I don't write this blog so much for others (hah! I don't think I have very many readers) - but for myself and to avoid having to email photos to my sister. .hah! But it is obvious to me that I'm in a knitting slump.

Not sure if it due to the monotony of yards of cable, due to fatigue from too many late nights waiting for union related news (why they can't announce things at noon rather than midnight I don't know), due to fatigue from late nights watching election related stuff, or lack of sleep from worry over having to leave town in two weeks in the event of a strike (which will cost me $500/week for pet care). But I'm having to force myself to knit these days- and I am not enjoying the knitting I'm doing.

My wrap cardigan is moving so slowly (I am near the end of the third repeat and I still need to repeat 4 and 5 rows into repeat 5) and I still have two sleeves after thatn and the lapel. Part of me wants to stop it and maybe knit some fairisle.. but I know I won't get back to it.

Bottom line is that I am going to take a blog break for awhile - and maybe a knitting break - until I start enjoying it again. I want my life back. We will know Oct 31st what is to happen. Maybe I will be back then. Maybe not.

Yes I'm still here again!

2008-10-12T16:42:00.004-06:00

Well - they did reach a new Tentative Agreement Friday night so I'm here. I just wish I had a crystal ball come Halloween night. That is when the votes will come back from the union. If they vote the new TA down - that will mean immediate strike. I read the Message Boards and its my opinion, thanks to some of the more cooler minds, that it will pass. Primarily due the economy and the fact that a no vote means a strike. They have so much to lose this time around. But I remain on call to leave if it happens. And this is definitely getting old.

SO - having stayed up late on Friday - I functionned on 2 hrs of sleep yesterday, not doing much. Today I did knit. Almost through 2 repeats on the back of my wrap cardigan:

It looks like a lot - but here it is next to one of the fronts - which includes more than 4 repeats so I'm not even half done:

Amazing that I don't quit projects just from the repetition. I wish I was better at cabling and didn't need to use a cable needle. I tried doing it without one and keep dropping stitches.

And here are my wonderfully soft The Knittery part cashmere Autumn socks which I adore (can't you tell):

Well - at least I'm home for another 3 weeks. nahh.. they won't strike.

Hoping I'm back next week..

2008-10-05T15:05:00.005-06:00

It has been a hard week for me. We found out on Wed that the CWA union didn't approve their tentative contract agreement. so - here we go again. They are going back to negotiations this Thurs. If they don't reach an agreement by Friday midnight - they may go on strike and I will need to work 12 hr days/7 days a week in Salt Lake City. Waaahh... I thought this was all behind me. This also costs me $500/week in pet sitting expenses (non expensible).. So I have been trying not to think about it but its the white elephant in the room.

On Sat - I decided to finish my first Monkey sock. Counted my stitches and I was short one stitch. Found it WAAAAYYY down - about 30 rows. I really tried to pick it up but the stitches are so small - I finally gave up. Then I realized that frankly I didn't like the socks. I don't like to knit cuff down, it was too busy, and I wasn't looking forward to doing sock 2 anyway.

So - its gone! hah!

And I started my personal recipe for a toe up sock - using The Knittery Merino Cashmere yarn (4 ply) - in Autumn. LOVE the color, the yarn is a little splitty but I am liking it so much more than the Monkey.. here is the start (there is more green in the yarn than shows - but you get the idea):

And today I completed the first repeat for the back of my Jo Sharp wrapped cardigan:

I will get more done after I finish the blog.

I also did a lot of reading this week. Read all of "Gone But Not Forgotten" by Phillip Margolin - and older book but very good. Too bad it isn't available for the Kindle. I realized I don't like to turn pages.. hah!

Well - it may be awhile before I'm back again. This is the pits. If I'm home I promise I will be in a better mood next week.

Noisy ads, Backs, and Clubs

2008-09-28T13:13:00.003-06:00

I like some background noise going on when I knit. Nothing I have to focus on too much (or else I make mistakes) but something that entertains that part of my brain that is on pilot mode. But why or why or why - do some of the commercials raise the decibel level like 300%!!! Geez.. do they really think we will pay more attention if they break our eardrums? I just put them on mute. Excuse the diversion - but one just came on when I started this post and it really irritates me.

But I have made progress.. The two fronts of my Wrap Cardigan are fini:

And I have started the back which is just one big rectangle with no shaping:

Maybe I will get this done by Thanksgiving if I try. Hah.. too bad I don't have multiple projects going on at one time so I would be more interesting. If I did - it would take me years to finish anything.

But I have decided to try some new sock yarn clubs. Recently one of my new fav yarn dyer is the Sanguine Gryphon. I adore her Gaia yarns (Dk, Lace, and worsted) plus the new Kypria (so soft) and amazing color combos. SO - I signed up for 6 months of her Fairy Tale Sock club. Then I saw the Three Irish Girls in one of the latest grocery store knitting mags. Found out that her sock club - Sock Yarnista) is supposed to be one of the best so I will try that for 3 months too. Hoping they will provide enough stash enhancement to satisfy me. I really have been good lately tho - I only buy yarn paid for by Ebay sales of yarn that doesn't interest me anymore.

Have a great week!

Slowly but surely

2008-09-21T14:34:00.006-06:00

I am such a slow knitter.. That plus having a full time job and wanting to read again and two dogs which interrupt me every 5 minutes for something (they are whining at me right now because I'm sitting when they want to play) - I am almost embarassed to show my progress once a week.

But here is my Jo Sharp Wrap Cardigan - 24 rows to go on the right front before I start the decs:

And as my oldest dog sulks cuz I told him I was busy - here are my Monkeys (actually one Monkey):

So we move along. I also decided to cancel the rest of my Sundara yarn club subscription. Just too $$ right now. I'm sad that she won't be selling singles anymore on her website - and while I'm happy she has become so popular - its just too hard and $$ to afford her yarn. And I cancelled my preorder for the Addi Interchangeables.. Ordered Knitpicks Options instead since what I really want is something pointy I can use for lace and at least right now - the Addi's are more like the Turbos which are too blunt for lace.

I am reading a wonderful book - did you see The Bone Collector with Denzel Washington? That character is the basis of a series of books by Jeffrey Deaver. So now I'm reading The Coffin Dancer. Read half of it yesterday and I'm anxious to finish. That's my excuse for very little progress on my knitting. Hah! Good thing I enjoy the process since I don't have much product to enjoy.

Its the Monkees!

2008-09-14T15:19:00.003-06:00

Well - I got a little bored working on my wrap cardigan (all the lace knitting has spoiled my brain) and decided I wanted to make more progress on my Monkey socks. I'm past the heel and onto the foot. This is a neat pattern!

And something new to learn. After the heel flap it makes this point. I suspect this will make it fit snugger. TBD:

And finally another phone. I know how much I raved about my LG Decoy. I really did like the phone. But the Decoy's selling point (and its cost) is the built-in Bluetooth Headset that attaches to its back. Darn if it didn't keep falling out of my ear. How does anyone use those? So - I called Verizon and they exchanged it for the LG Dare. Yes - now I'm part of the trendy set now - an all touch phone. But geez - each phone is so different. I'm still trying to figure out how to scroll down a screen without the phone thinking I selected something. But it is gorgeous:

Busy week this week.. Eye dr follow-up, car dealership (that darned low tire pressure light came on again..what did we do before they had those? Guess I drove on low pressure tires.. hah!)

In Search Of..

2008-09-07T14:24:00.002-06:00

In Search of the perfect knitting needle.. I pre-ordered the new Addi Interchangeable Set which will be available next month! They are pricy but I am growing increasingly unhappy with my Knitpicks Harmonies because my middle aged eyes cannot see darker yarn colors with them. I wonder why they made them so dark.

My Denises are too blunt. So - I'm looking forward to the Addis especially since they will selling their Lace Addi as tips in the future. We will see.

And I really don't have much to "show and tell" this week. I finished one front of my Jo Sharp Wrap Cardigan and have done about 5 inches of the second. Same for the Monkeys socks - just more of the same.

But I did finish a really good book on my Kindle: Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown. It was so good I spent both days this weekend reading. My attempts to balance my life with more reading and less knitting are working! I still adore my Kindle. I have read more books since I bought it in July than I read over the last 2 years.

So - no pretty photos this week. Just words.

Done, done, done!

2008-09-02T09:32:00.004-06:00

I should be ashamed to take photos of myself without makeup and put them online - but I am not going to get dressed up just because:

Here is my blocking bee fields shawl:

And dry with grafting done (I really need to not let myself get distracted when I do this):

And the final one of me in it (without makeup or contacts.. hah!):

I even have my Southwest cardigan blocking. I almost forgot about that!

And here is the progress on my Wrap Cardigan.. I'm into the neck shaping of the left front. Love this yarn:

Something New!

2008-08-31T17:54:00.008-06:00

Its so much fun to cast on something new. I was thinking about that this week. It is a sense of renewal, of anticipation, of "another chance" to do it right. And the best thing about my next project is that the yarn is bigger than thread and I'm making a lot of progress. Its a good thing since I'm not a fast knitter. Here she is - the left front of the Jo Sharp wrapped cardigan in Cascade 220 Sapphire heather yarn:

I love the stitch definition with Cascade. I haven't used enough of this yarn. It is so soft but not drapy.

And I did a little bit of knitting on my Monkey socks:

And finally - another new toy. Qwest is migrating all their wireless customers to Verizon. My phone was on its deathbed so I decide to move over now. I love my LG decoy (it has a detachable Bluetooth headset - altho a bit too big for my ears). The phone is sexy - mirror finish. I love the downloads. I have my ringtone - Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and I add a Journey "Faithfully" ringback tone. The latter plays to caller while they are waiting for me to answer the call. Neat!

Finally - my heart goes out to all those people leaving New Orleans today on buses. After everything they went through 3 years ago it just isn't fair to have a repeat performance. I pray that Gustav turns out to be just a bad memory.

Tomorrow is a holiday and then I'm taking off Tues. Plan to block my bee shawl. Will post when its dry!

One last thing.. I am Ravelry'd out. I love it to find ideas for yarn or patterns but I have decided to "unjoin" both Sundara yarn groups. Seems that every thread turns into a "chat" with lots of silly things posted. Maybe I am getting old. I just dont' enjoy or have the time to wade thru all the silliness in order to read the minority of posts that are on topic. Oh well. I am getting old.

Bees are off the needles!

2008-08-24T13:30:00.006-06:00

I did it! I did it! Just finished binding off my Beehive Shawl. That was a lot of knitting. Still need to block it and graft the cast-on stitches (I will do that over Labor Day weekend) but here she is:

And a closeup of the last section:

I'm very proud of myself. I learned a lot of new things with this shawl including endurance.

I also started my first pair of Monkey socks. I agree with the others who say it looks a lot more complicated than it is. Very easy. Love the color combos too:

So - what now. I don't have the yarn yet to make the Starmore Oregon. I am thinking about doing this from Jo Sharp Contemporary Knitting Two:

I have enough really soft Cascade 220 in a clear blue to make it. It will be a good break from the lace. I'm all laced out!

Been watching all the crazies in Denver for the convention. I drive past Pepsi Center on the way to work everyday. Nahhh!!

Life is Good

2008-08-18T07:52:00.000-06:00

DENVER, Aug. 18, 2008 - Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q)
reached separate three-year tentative agreements with the Communications
Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW). The proposed contract will apply to nearly 20,000 CWA
members and nearly 200 IBEW members in Montana.

Now maybe if I can catch up with sleep.

I'm still here!

2008-08-17T15:56:00.007-06:00

So far so good but my fate is still not certain. CWA's contract with Qwest expired at midnight last night and now they are working without a contract. I read conflicting reports and the status. Some posters are ready to walk out, some say we are close to an agreement. Bottom line is that I still need to be ready to leave town if and when they strike. My only hope is that the closer we get to the Democratic Convention which Qwest is sponsoring, the lower the possibility of a strike.

So what does a stressed out knitter do? Buy yarn. Yes. I ordered myself a kit from Virtual Yarns to make Alice Starmore's Oregon cardigan in the Autumn Colorway:

This is the pattern from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2007 but I ordered the kit from Virtual Yarns which will also include the pattern.

And yesterday - since I knew I was going to be tired today from staying up till after midnight - I finished the socks (my recipe) I was making from Araucania Multi. Very plain and simple.

I really like this yarn. But I thought it was time to knit some more interesting socks so I started knitting Cookies' Monkey sock pattern last night - this is a Lime & Violet yarn - I can't remember the color since I tossed the label. Not a great photo but I will take more of them when I get further along. I am still on the twisted rib cuff.

But - even with only 4 hrs of sleep - I did make some progress on my bee today. I am done with the Bee In Fields 1 section and 3 rows into the 13 row border. At this rate - maybe I will be done by Labor Day assuming I am home. Yeah. it looks just like it did last week (the border is more of the same pattern from Bee in Fields 1):

So - its only 4PM here and I am so ready to go to bed. Nite..

The Joys of Being Vertically Challenged

2008-08-10T15:54:00.006-06:00

Yes I am vertically challenged. At last measure - I was 5 foot 1 inches tall. So I would consider myself to be petite. Yes?? Well as I was trudging along around row 25 of the Bee's in Field Part 1 of my Beehive shawl (near 400 stitches per row at this point) with 11 more rows to go, looking forward (not) to starting the section called Bee's in Field Part 2 (which is more of the same), I made a delightful discovery!

Anne provided alternative directions for petites versus talls. Well - I'm definitely not a tall. For the petite size, it meant I only had to knit 5 more rows of Bee's in Field Part 1, SKIP SECTION BEE's IN FIELDS PART 2 ALTOGETHER (YAY!), and go directly to the last section - which is the hem - do not pass go, do not collect $200. How many ways do you spell relief!! Not that I don't love this shawl but its getting so its taking me 45 mins to knit one row. And I would really like to knit something else at some point in time.

So here I am at the end of row 27:

And a closeup of Bee's In Field Part 1 (it really is pretty):

And - I know - I haven't blogged for awhile. I do have many excuses:

1. disgust with my knitting after the fiasco with Tidal Streams. Actually I did pull the yarn and the pattern out of the garbage, ripped it out to selvage the yarn, and plan to eventually reknit it alternating skeins.

2. I had to rip out 12 rows of my Beehive shawl and really didn't want to admit that it took me 2 weeks to get that back.

3. I spent time on my Kindle.

4. And mostly - I have been kinda depressed about the prospect of going on strike duty. I work for a unionized company and if and when the union goes on strike, I have to leave my happy home and work 12 hr days, 7 days a week. The last time it happened they assigned me to work from noon-midnight (me who normally goes to bed at 7:30PM). I was so worn out I collapsed one night and they had to call in the paramedics. My blood sugar was down to 30. This time I am assigned to work 7AM -7PM in Salt Lake City so it will easier if it happens but it is still a pain in the you know where. Being single - I have to make so many plans. I cannot just behave like it won't happen. So if I'm gone for the next few weeks - that is what happened to me. The contract expires at midnight Aug 16 (next Sat) - so say a little prayer for me and maybe I will be here next Sunday!

I Love Lucy, But....

2008-07-20T14:34:00.004-06:00

I don't know if I'm more upset with Lucy Neatby for creating such different dyelots, or the vendor who sold me two different dyelots in a "kit", or me for not knitting from alternative skeins.. but the bottom line is this:

Yep - my Tidal Streams is toast. I finished one skein (very pastelly), started the second one and even tho it is still Aquamarine.. the colors are bright. Not even close. Here is the culprit:

Can you tell it is bright (I confess I putzed with the computer to make the photo brighter but it was very noticeable in the fabric)? I hoped maybe it was just one section, but no.. the last 6 inches of my stole were definitely different. If I adored garter stitch that much I would have selvaged it but to be honest, I didn't like it that much. Not enough to knit it a second time. I will use the second skein for socks tho.

What can I say? I'm a klutz, Lucy isn't consistent, and the seller needs to be more careful putting their kits together. Sigh.. back to the bees..

I'm Home!

2008-07-13T18:25:00.004-06:00

I am back home again. Arrived yesterday. So today has been my "Saturday" and I am taking tomorrow off as my "Sunday". Need to get to know my pets again. Hah!

I had a great trip. The humidity is hard on me but I loved the lush green everywhere.

I finished my first "recipe" sock and today I started the second. But I knit mostly on my Tidal Streams.. Here is where I am today - finished 11 out of 16 repeats:

And a closeup of the border:

And the edge where I stopped today:

The pattern was easy after I realized she had included the errata page with the pattern. I had looked online and hadn't found one so I assumed the pattern was without errors. Silly me. Oh well - I guess I deserve that for not reading the whole pattern.

And my sister and I did some yarn store hopping. I bought this incredible black (or very dark grey) alpaca sport weight yarn. It is so soft I cannot believe it. Not sure yet what I will do with it . I also bought some Noro Silk Garden Lite.. it is so pretty.

I also used my Namaste Peacock Laguna as my bag/tote. Wonderful bag and made it so easy to knit on the plane. The bad news is that I also bought a medium GoKnit Pouch and proceeded to leave it on the plane. I hope a knitter finds it!

Its good to be back though. I missed my pets. Have a great week!

Happy Birthday Country!

2008-07-04T14:31:00.006-06:00

I love the 4th of July. I think I must have blogged that last year too. Its a happy holiday without all the guilt that comes with not being with family and sugary foods around. I would much rather have a grilled burger than jelly beans. And I sincerely love living in this country. We are so blessed.

Anyway - I am going to visit my family in Baltimore next week so I decided to blog today. And no - sorry burglars - the house won't be empty - I have a house/pet sitter spending the nights. I can't bear the thought of my babies waking up alone.

So here is my progress on Bee's. I FINALLY (with the help of Annmarie on Ravelry) did row 5 of the Bee In Fields section 1:

Its tricky. You CO 4 stitches, pickup 4 bars and knit one from your Right needle, YO, and then do another 4 bar PU and knit, then CO 4 more stitches. It makes a fancy bee. Hah!

And here is a good photo of the entire shawl:

I am on the second skein of yarn so I must be getting near the end!

I am also still in love with Kindle. I hope to get a lot of use of it on my trip. I had originally planned to knit the Bee on the plane but found out that TSA only accepts circulars <= 31 inches. The Bee is already on 47 inch circulars. Geezz... So I am going to start this on the plane. Its the Tidal Streams stole by Ilga Leja. Isn't it pretty? And I am using the same yarn as shown in the photo - Lucy Neatby's Celestial Merino yarn in Aquamarine. I will take my Denise needles on the plane just in case.

See ya when I'm back!

Swarm's Done!

2008-06-29T19:32:00.002-06:00

I just knit the last row of the Swarms section of my Bee Fields shawl. I would take a photo but I need to get to sleep soon or I will be out of it tomorrow. Still need to do the separation rows but then its on to bigger and better things.

I also am gathering yarn for my trip to visit my family in Baltimore next weekend. Lots to do.. get ready for my pet/house sitter, decide what to wear, what to knit. I know I will never finish Bee Fields so that is a given. I may finish the "Ricki's recipe" sock tho.. so I am going to attempt knitting a Monkey Sock using STR in Dixie Chick (or maybe one of my other 3 cakes I plan to take).

Also wanted to report on my Kindle. I am still in love. I easily read Executive Privilege in 1.5 weeks. Now I'm reading the new Lincoln Rhymes book by Jeffrey Deaver. I love this way of reading. I think its faster and more comfortable than turning pages. Love it, love it, love it!! I wish I didn't have that stack of books I haven't read yet and can't justify rebuying for the Kindle.

I am also sadly recovering from an eye dr appt last week. Found out my optic nerves have worsened (I have had borderline glaucoma since last summer). My dr first tried adding a new eye drop but it made me very dizzy. So he decided to do a laser trabulectomy. They put 100 holes in your eye with the laser to promote drainage and to lower the eye pressure. I had my right eye done on Friday. It really wasn't as bad as I imagined but the drops I was given to use over the weekend - once again - have made me dizzy. So I have spent most of the weekend flat on my back trying to relax. I have the left eye done when I'm back in town.

So Happy 4th!! and I will be back soon!

Nearing the end of swarms..

2008-06-22T14:00:00.007-06:00

Well I'm nearing the end of the bee swarm section of my Bee Fields shawl.. have 8 more rows. Then two more sections to go:

I love this but it does get kinda tedious after awhile. The rows are taking about a half hr now and I can't seem to get through a row without finding my count off in one or two sections. I either forget a YO or I don't do a decrease. I need to focus. I also found out - hah! I have been doing my SSK's wrong for a LONG time. I always did the slips purlwise, guess I should have been doing them knitwise. Oh well - the next time. Guess I'm twisting the stitches.

Here is a closeup of the bee swarm section:

I finished The Appeal by Grisham. I thought I knew how it would end but I didn't. I was surprised by the ending. Usually the good guys win.

But here is my baby - an Amazon Kindle:

How many ways do I love thee? I love being able to make the text font big for my old tired eyes. I love (note in the photo) how easy it is turn a page. I don't even have to move my hand from its location when I'm holding the book. I love being able to get a new book in 1 minute at anytime. This Kindle rocks!!

And here is my latest favorite yarn in the whole world. The Autumn colorway - Arabian Nights from the Sundara Season's Yarn club. Its a luscious brown with brownish-red variegation.

I plan to make Anne Hanson's new Elm Row scarf with it.

A Balanced Life

2008-06-16T17:20:00.003-06:00

I have no knitting photo's to show. I am on row 26 of the Swarm section of my Bee Fields Stole which looks just like the rows I showed last week so I won't bore you.

Instead I am going to blog about the fact that I think Knitting has taken too much of my free time. I haven't read a book since the last Harry Potter came out almost a year ago. I don't have a lot of free time but I have devoted all of it to knitting.

Well - I suddenly became intrigued by this. I'm thinking that if it is more convenient to buy and move books around maybe it will result in my reading more. I do miss reading. So - I spent part of today (I took a day of vacation) to read 60% of The Appeal by Grisham. Felt good. I need more balance in my life.

I'm not going to stop knitting. In fact - I also bought a pair of these this week. I found them on Ravelry to show off handknitted socks. I went up a half size and they are so neat!

FYI - I did seam up my Antique Lace vest. Love it. I will post a photo (I took one this AM for my family but didn't think it was suitable for my blog.. hah!)

Have a good week!

I see bees!

2008-06-08T13:56:00.004-06:00

Yes, there are bees! Can you see bees?

At first I thought they were in the yarn but then I realized they were in the spaces between the yarn. Hah!

I just finished row 21 of a 24 row repeat (I do the 24 rows twice + another 4 rows for the swarm section). It seems to be going so slow now but the rows are long and the Purl tog thru the back loops are really slowing me down:

And to have some mindless knitting.. I am also doing my sock recipe using Araucania Multi - I really love the color combos for this yarn:

I think I may do something fancier for my next sock.. Maybe a Monkey sock pattern.

I finished my Mr Greenjeans by June 1st so The Loopy Ewe gave me 20% off my next order of Dream In Color. Love that yarn. I bought 5 skeins of ChinaTown Apple. Isn't it pretty? I may make the Central Park Hoodie.

Sorry everyone is having hot humid weather. It is 67 degrees here altho it is humid for Denver. I can't complain tho. Have a good week!

Onto the swarm!

2008-06-01T13:27:00.004-06:00

I've finished the bee hive section of my Bee Fields stole and started the swarm section which is a bunch of bees!

Do you see them yet? I don't see them.

Maybe next week. This swarming is hard. There are a bunch of P2tog TBL. Geez.. I had never done that (I can barely do it thru the front loop). Found it online (YAY!) and now I can do it but I'm limping along. And the rows are getting VERY long. I still love it. Seeing the other ones on Ravelry, this shawl is gorgeous.

And I got the Knipicks Lace Sampler bug. Yes, I ordered one of each colorway. They are selling 6 different skeins of lace wt yarn in coordinating colors. SO pretty. I want to find patterns (Charlotte's Web?) where I can use all the colors together.

I also got my WII Fit this week so I really need to finish this and exercise! Hah!

Buzzzzzzzzzzing Along!

2008-05-25T15:37:00.005-06:00

I have the stitch marker move down and I'm buzzzzing along on my Bee Fields shawl. Here I am around 50 rows (they are taking longer now with more repeats):

And another closeup - such a pretty pattern:

And here is moi and my blocked Mr Greenjeans. I think I would go up one size the next time. It fits but I would prefer more ease. It is pretty though. I found a silver dome button with a deer carved in it - very artsy.

And I am blocking the Antique Lace:

You block it all stretched apart and then sew a seam up the sides to form the sleeves. Brilliant!

I watched Lucy Neatby's DVD on Intarsia (number one) today. The actual knitting looks easy - all the stuff you do to fix the back looks really tedious! But I'm willing to try it. I won an Ebay auction for Kaffe Fassette's Foolish Virgins yarn kit. The yarn is gorgeous and the pattern is wonderful too.

So I have one more day off! Hoping to get thru the Beehive section of the shawl. Maybe?

Loving the Four Day Weekend!

2008-05-23T12:21:00.012-06:00

I am so loving the 4 day weekend I planned. Decided I need time to catch up with my blocking and knitting since my major yard work was done.

But then.. I looked outside my kitchen window where I have an eyesore everyday. There is this big ugly old evergreen that keeps falling over (I had a rope holding it up). So - optimistic me - went out with my saw and chopped it down. Hah! I beat it! The remains aren't pretty but they will die eventually and I plan to replace it with one or two Rose Of Sharon trees:

But then - what appeared to be a somewhat reasonable size tree became a real chore. I had to drag this humongous heavy tree to the side of the house. But I persisted and here it is:

So then I could really relax. I blocked two pairs of socks:

and:

And I blocked my Mr Greenjeans - Love it! (hoping it will fit around me when its done):

And then back to my Bee Fields shawl. I think I've finally figured out the rationale behind the stitch marker changes. I am up to row 27:

And here is a closeup of the pattern. I am on the section called Beehive.. I guess it does look like beehives:

If anyone out there has any suggestions on how to prevent a YO from jumping a stitch marker please let me know. This one has a lot of YO's at the start and/or end of a repeat - I keep losing them into the next repeat.

So it has been a good day. And the best part is that I have 3 more days!

I was thinking the other day how much Ravelry has changed blogland. I'm not sure if the bloggers have gone away or if I am just not spending as much time on them. But where I used to be constantly inspired and seduced into making things.. I'm not as much anymore. Maybe its cuz I have so many project in my queue. Not sure. I still enjoy blogging tho.. I find it easier than using Ravelry (with Flicker) plus I can talk about a lot more things. Like ugly evergreens. hah!

Just a note on how tragic the tornado was yesterday in Colorado. It was North of where I live so there never was concern about my home. But we normally don't get those giant ones here.. just smaller ones. A mile wide! Amazing.

Three times a charm!

2008-05-18T18:12:00.003-06:00

Well, it took me three times to get this far on my Bee Fields Shawl:

Yes - I frogged it last night once and once again today after getting almost as far as I am now.

I take everything so literally and want my patterns to leave nothing to be implied! The pattern says to move the stitch markers 6 stitches away but then doesn't tell you from where. Eeek!! I finally figured it out though by doing the next row, praying I did all my YO's, and putting a marker when it said to slide the marker. Guess that will work. Just frustrating. I need everything spelled out for me and lace charts just don't do it. I can do charts for color but not lace.

Oh well - it is pretty.

Wow!

2008-05-17T16:44:00.004-06:00

I just finished the Antique lace.. I think - despite all my rants - this is the prettiest thing I've ever knit. Really. I am so excited I couldn't wait until Sunday to blog.

I need to block it, seam the sides (the pattern says to seam it as high as you want) and weave in the yarn - but it is just gorgeous. I am taking a 4 day weekend over Memorial Day so that will get done.

Here it is so far:

And a closeup (the shoulders are closed using a 3 needle bind-off):

This would be lovely in white or ivory. I think I'm in love.

Less Is Sometimes More

2008-05-11T16:57:00.010-06:00

I am really in love with this Antique lace pattern and intend to wear it to death when I'm done but I really, really, really wish that Ilga had created fewer charts/written sections for each piece. When I am knitting the V-neck - for one row - I am having to read three different sets of directions (each with different numbering conventions) - and sometimes the directions are on different pages or different sides of the same page. So it is taking me forever to do one row. Oh well - what can I do. I do love it.

And here is the back:

And this is where I stopped. The right front is done (waiting to be attached to the back) and I'm about 9 rows from the end of the left front:

But I do love it.

And I won't bore you with all my yard photos: but here are a few (please ignore the lawn. It rained here on the day my mower guy comes so the lawn is sorely needing to be mowed):

And here are my peonies..and one lonely bleeding heart (I would love to move it but I'm afraid it will die since I tried to separate it one year and the offspring didn't make it). This flower bed is the only part of my yard that isn't as dry as the rest since it gets the shade of my house in the hot afternoon sun.

Here is my terrace. I planted hostas around my trees and two new "basket of gold".

Here is my hill. I trimmed the hedges, pulled out grass and lamb's ear that had grown into it, and mulched, and planted annuals (some of which have already been dug out - guess who)

My body still hurts from all the yardwork but it feels good to be done.

Have a great week! I have to go back to work, darn.

so what's next? I started a simple sock using Araucania Multi. But my next big project is this gorgeous Anne Hansen Bee Fields shawl

I am knitting

2008-05-04T18:26:00.003-06:00

Despite popular opinion, I have been doing some knitting since last weekend.

I started my Antique Lace which is moving slowly but surely. I find it easier to work from written instructions than a chart - so that's how I'm doing it. This yarn (Lady Godiva in Stone) is gorgeous and easy on the fingers. At first I thought the variegation would be too much for the lace but the more I do - the more I think it is perfect. Looks like granite in the sun with so many colors reflected.

So here is my progress:

I have done 7 repeats out of 11 over two days. But I'm also doing yardwork (I already have a blister on one hand to show for it) I'm on vacation this week - and my schedule is to work outside in the morning and knit in the afternoon. We'll see how it goes. Maybe it will snow and I will have to knit all day. Hah!

I will be back when Spring is over!

2008-04-27T09:49:00.004-06:00

Not really (the title) but my yard has taken control of most of my free time.

Part of the issue is that my sprinkler system isn't turned on yet. My sprinkler guy was supposed to turn it on April 18th - but the next day I knew I had to work from 11:30 PM till who knows when and when the sprinkler guy was late - I cancelled the appt since I had to get a good night's sleep on Friday (I go to bed at 7:30PM - I know I'm weird). Anyway - my yard is humongous. So I am going out every 15 mins to move the manual sprinkler.. and it needs to be moved about 8 places. He will be here again this Wed - so hopefully next weekend will be easier.

I wish I was one of those people who liked to knit in short spurts but I'm not. If I don't have a big block of time to knit - I don't knit. I would rather surf the internet.

Plus I have started doing the annual yard work. Need to pull out a bunch of dead bushes (also a bunch of roses) - fill the holes the dogs dug, reseed my yard where I killed the wild strawberry, try (again) to plant on my terrace, pull out a bunch of grass and unwanted stuff on my hill, plant some annuals, mulch, etc. etc.

Luckily I am off work the week of May 5th so maybe this is all possible. Maybe not. I also want to put up some wallpaper border I ordered for my master bathroom.

I did finish my Mr Greenjeans last week but Its not really showable until I block it. And I plan to finish my second Opal crazy sock before I start the Antique Lace (one thing I realized that the Lady Godiva color I'm using is Stone and not Glacier - my bad - I have Glacier but its not going to be used for Antique Lace). I'm close but its not going to happen today with the yard work. I'm beginning to wish I lived in a condo!

I beat Lou!

2008-04-13T13:05:00.005-06:00

Yay! I beat Lou (Guitar Hero) on Easy mode and I've progressed to Medium Mode. Argh!! Now I have to use 4 fingers and the notes are coming faster! I keep losing where I placed my first 3 fingers everytime I have to use the 4th one. My hands are just too small! Hah! I can only take about a half hour at a time. My hands get so tired.

On a happier note... here is my Mr Greenjeans. I finished the first sleeve and I'm well into the second:

Here is a closeup of the sleeve cuff. It is moving fast since it uses size 8 needles for the body and size 7 for the cables.. So pretty:

Right now - the sweater looks too small but the direction say to open up the cables when it is blocked so I'm hoping it will open up a lot.

And what is next? I need to finish the Opal Crazy socks (one is almost done, and I have the second) and I plan to start this:

"DELETED"

I haven't decided on whether to use my "Straw" Lady Godiva or my "Glacier. After working with Peach I am thinking I want to do the "Glacier". Here it is:

I think that will be perfect for the summer!

3 more weeks and I'm taking a week off from work. I have to work on my yard a lot but I'm hoping to put a dent in my knitting too.

Have a great week!

Good stopping place!

2008-04-06T11:39:00.005-06:00

Its a little early for my blog post but I just bound off the edges of my Mr Greenjeans body and I really wanted to get a photo here before I start the sleeves. So here is the front:

And the back:

The color is much more authentic than last Sunday. don't know why. This yarn is so soft. I gave up on doing the cables without a cable needle since the stitches kept twisting before I picked them up. Maybe a stiffer yarn wouldn't twist. It still moved fast. At this rate I may finish it within a month. A record for me!

And I did a little on my sock but not enough to boring anyone.

I think - if my sister isn't ready to do Antique Lace - I may start one of the Anne Hanson shawls. They are all wonderful. Can't decide which one. Maybe Bee Fields? I ordered the Tupelo Gold yarn used in the photo on her web site. A nice summery shawl!

Have a great Sunday and week!

So much progress!

2008-03-30T12:31:00.008-06:00

I am so proud of myself. Usually - after doing most of the knitting on a garment I would set it aside until maybe during my 2 week December vacation when I finally did all my finishing. But in one week - I finished my Mermaid and I finished my Southwest. Well the Southwest still needs to be blocked but here it is:

Once I block it I will model it (which may not be until next December..hah!)

Then I decided it was time for something easier. Here is the start of Mr Greenjeans (Knitty pattern) in Dream in Color Classy - color Giant Peach:

The color in the photo is brighter than the actual yarn. I futzed with my image software but it still looks too bright. This pattern is very easy - done top down - mostly stockinette. Nice change after the fairisle and Mermaid. I'm using Harmony Circulars from Knitpicks for this. They are perfect points.. not so pointed that they are jabbing my fingers which tend to push the end of the needle but pointy enough to make it easy to knit.

I mentionned earlier that I fell in love with Anne Hanson's patterns. This week I found a yarn she recommends for her Morning Glory shawl - Briar Roses Fibers Wistful:

These colors are gorgeous - blues/browns/greens. And very soft. I have seen a lot of hanks on Ravelry and I know this won't be my last purchase.

We have snow again in Denver this AM - but I guess winter is lasting long into the spring in the midwest too so I can't complain!

Oh - and I beat Slash (Guitar Hero on my WII) yesterday! Hah!

Size 2 did the trick!

2008-03-27T07:18:00.006-06:00

I normally don't post during the week but I've been dizzy all week so decided to take a full day off today to rest. Resting doesn't preclude knitting so I just bound off the first buttonband on my Southwest.

I took Anne Bourgeois's advice and went down one more size.. knit the band on size 2's and I think it looks so much better than my Traditional.

Here is the result so far:

And a closeup:

And here you can see that I knit the neckband and buttonbands to match the top stripes rather than my original ribbing for the body and sleeves but I think it will still be OK. I plan to do some crocheting around the bottom too:

So I'm hoping I can get the second band done today. Other than my Opal sock its time to plan my next project. I have decided to knit Greenjeans. I have been eyeing that pattern ever since the Ravelry LoopyEwe group created a KAL using Dream In Color Classy. So I will be making it using this.

Just the right color to put me into a Spring mood!
Enjoy your day.

Later: still have to crochet the edge of the bands and do some weaving, but the hard stuff is done and the front is cut! Voila!

I'd model it but not when I'm sick! Hah!

Slow Ride! Take It Easy!

2008-03-23T13:20:00.007-06:00

This has been a productive and fun weekend. First of all I wasn't paged at 4AM on Saturday and then I set up my Guitar Hero! I haven't had that much fun in years. I know - my life is dull - but this thing is a real kick! It took me about 30 times but I finally got thru "Slow Ride" on Easy Mode. Hah! If any of you were like me - the last people on earth who hadn't heard about it - the game rolls colored notes to you and you need to push the same colored buttons while you strut to the song. The notes roll faster and faster (I can't imagine how this can get any harder in higher modes). If you don't do very well - they stop the music, the crowd boos, the lead singer rings out his hair and the guitarist who represents you cries. It really is funny.

Well - that wasn't all I did this week. My mermaid is woven and done!

Here is another photo of me in it - again not the best view:

It fits beautifully. This sweater has taught me a lot: 1) I don't like garter stitch: It goes too slow since I find it hard to put my needle into the purl stitch 2) I need to think ahead: I should have done a provisional cast-on for both the sleeves and the I-cord edging. I gave up on grafting the I-cord and just made a seam. Aside from all that - the final product is gorgeous. Hanne Falkenberg is a genius!

And then I also spent some time on my sock:

And my last item to be finished is my Southwest Philosopher's Wool cardigan. Steeks are sewn, sleeves are seamed, and I'm adding the neck band now:

Here are some closeups:

And the neck:

(Later: Hah! Realized I was supposed to do ribbing on the neckband so I just ripped it all out!)

And I have recently discovered another amazing knit designer. Anne Hanson of Knitspot. I found her designs on Ravelry and I am diving in with both feet.

I have bought yarn and downloaded these beauties:

Snowflakes

Gust

irtfa

I'm so impressed. If any of the yarns I ordered for these arrive by the time I finish Southwest that project is next on my list. If not - I'm sure I'll find something!

Happy Week!

One sleeve to go! WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!

2008-03-16T16:11:00.012-06:00

After getting woken up by a page Sat at 3AM - I wasn't awake enough to do much more than knit my simple sock but this AM I decided to tackle the seams on my Mermaid. Sigh.. The sleeve was easy compared to the rest. The two sleeve seams went fast. Then I knit the attached I-Cord. After spending an hour - I realized I was supposed to do them from the wrong side of the sleeve. Oh well - I think they look fine.

But then I started the other seams. I had to do every one of them twice because the yarn kept tearing when I give it a tug. Sigh.. So frustrating. I would have been done by now but all I can show you is one sleeve done. Here is a clear photo of the garment:

And here are two very fuzzy photos of me wearing it. Don't ask me why my camera is taking such fuzzy photos thru the mirror. I finally gave up trying to get a good one.

Well here is a one armed Mermaid on a fuzzy lady (I am wearing a navy long sleeve tee shirt under it which is what you see on the right side of the photo). The photos aren't good. The sleeves aren't as short as they look - they are being pulled up by my tee shirt sleeve.

And one more - please ignore the clutter in my bathroom:

As you can see - I still have a lot of weaving to do and I need to graft the ends of the I-cord but I'm getting close. This one has potential if the yarn would only behave. For those of you who are thinking of knitting this.. it fits very much like a fitted jacket. I will get a lot of use out of it at work. Altho - I don't really enjoy garter stitch that much.

And here is the Opal Crazy simple sock. I love this yarn. its fun wondering what comes next:

And since I was feeling sorry for myself yesterday after that page. I decided to join Queen Elizabeth and ordered myself one of these:

Yes its a Nintendo WII! And I have to confess I really bought that so I could buy this:

Hah! And Jesse says oh no - Momma is regressing. It will never be peaceful around here anymore!

Maybe next week I will have a whole Mermaid!

Later: second sleeve is done.. but I think I'll put it aside for awhile before I tackle all the weaving:

Anyone ever seam two vertical garter stitch edges?

2008-03-09T14:23:00.006-06:00

I finally finished the second Mermaid Sleeve but now I'm puzzled. Puzzled on how to sew a seam when both edges have been vertically gartered stitched. I cannot find any help anywhere - I have looked at my books, my DVD's, the internet. There are directions for one vertical and one horizontal - but not two verticals. I asked for help from the Hanne Falkenberg KAL - but most knitters did a provisional cast-on at one sleeve edge and then a 3 needle bind-off to join the edges together.

So.. HELP! If nobody has any advice - I will just wing it. My sister reminded me that this seam will be under the arm and not too noticeable which is true but I would like it to be at least decent.

So here are my sleeves.. Please don't tell me you can tell that the one on the right looks a little shorter than the one on the left. It can't be true - I think they will be OK after I block them which is the next thing on my list:

It feels good to get that knitting done. I find that I don't enjoy knitting rows and rows of garter stitch..especially with yarn that isn't very soft. I'm not a fast knitter normally - but with garter it takes me longer to get my right needle through the bump. Maybe I need to use my KnitPicks Harmony's which are pointier. But they are done. Now its just finishing!

And is anyone feeling like we shouldn't be eating dinner this early? It always takes my body a week to adjust to Daylight Savings Time. I think we all should petition Congress to just forget it. Just forget it! Geezz..

Later.. I blocked the Mermaid and then realized that unless I sew my Southwest steeks I had nothing to knit all week! Eeekk.. Sorry Judy - but I don't want to start the Antique Lace before I finish the other two. So I shopped my stash and out popped this: Opal Crazy. This yarn is so much fun, changes irregularly. I don't know why I haven't used it yet. I decided to follow my toe up recipe - very simple and mindless. Here is the start:

Mindless knitting is good!

The next day: I did some more searching and finally found a description of how to seam vertical garter to vertical garter in Sally Melville's "A Knitting Stitch". Looks pretty simple.

Embossed Leaves are off the needles!

2008-03-02T17:36:00.004-07:00

Yes - I finished something.. Well maybe I still need to weave in some loose yarn but it feels like I finished something. My Embossed Leaves Socks in Dream in Color Smooshy. Ta da!

And a closeup:

I love these! I've been wondering why some bloggers say this is a fast knit but it has taken me 2 months to finish these. I think part of it (in addition to the fact that I knit slowly and don't have much time to knit) is that I did it with fingering weight yarn on size 1 needles. I know - I'm making excuses but I am constantly impressed on how much knitting other bloggers accomplish. Then again - I also worked on my Southwest cardigan in between socks.

So - my next goal is to finish my Hanne Mermaid. Only one sleeve to go and then the finishing. I'm going to set a goal to finish it by the end of March. I think that is realistic. Then I will finish my Southwest my the middle of May. Right?

I have a day off tomorrow. Have a doctor appt at 9AM but plan to get a good start on the Mermaid sleeve. It will feel good to work with larger needles again.

Have a great week!

Its a winner!

2008-02-24T17:33:00.005-07:00

Well - I haven't posted for a week partly because I wasn't feeling well, partly because I was down about something that happened at work, partly because I was feeling like I wasn't making much progress on anything.. but all that has changed (well maybe not the work thing).

I feel a lot better and here is the completed body tube for my Philosopher's Wool Southwest cardigan!

It took a lot longer than I expected. Its bigger than my Traditional - because I made the sleeves too wide at the top (10 inches) and I didn't start the armholes soon enough. I had to keep going until I knit 10.5 inches above the start of the armhole steek. Here is a better photo of the top:

And you can see how the stripes at the top will coordinate with the stripes at the tops of the sleeves:

I'm pleased. I plan to put the stitches on waste yarn so it will be easier to sew the steeks and then do a 3 needle bind off at the shoulders. The pattern doesn't say to do that - but I think that is what I did for my Traditional.

And you ask how I add a neckline? With the PW method.. you sew an oval where you want it to fall and then cut the yarn above the sew line. So easy.

And the sink hole has been repaired! Life is improving.

My next goal is finish the second Embossed Leave sock. Then the Mermaid.. Then I will come back and do all the work for the Southwest. My sister and I plan to do the Antique Lace vest for the summer so I better get busy. But for now - my hands need a rest.

Surviving on little sleep!

2008-02-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am one of those souls who is much more productive in the morning than the evening so I like my mornings to be long. The side effect of that is that I go to bed VERY early in the evening and most days - I am up by 4AM.

Well - Murphy's law struck last week. I came down with some kind of virus. It hit my stomach first and then my sinuses. I stayed home for 1.5 days from work and then went back but was very tired. Thursday night I left work a little early wanting to get home so I could crash. Then this happened:

Yep - that is a hole. A sink hole on one side of I-25 which I innocently drove onto Thursday night as I do every night. A big water main broke under the highway (why in the world they put one there in the first place??) and the pavement caved in. It took me 2 hrs to get home!! What was maddening is that there are HOV lanes and they didn't decide to open them up until later that evening.

So Friday I took the side streets home - but guess what - so did the rest of N. Denver. So that took me 1 hr to get home.

Bottom line is that I am not getting the sleep I need to kick this virus and I'm not doing much knitting either.

I left my Embossed Leaves socks at work.. but here is my cardigan.. I am about 3 inches into the armholes. It is pretty but takes a lot out of me when I'm this tired.

Please say a little prayer for me that they get the sink hole fixed by rushhour tomorrow? I think they have opened up a few lanes but rushhour traffic in Denver needs 5 or 6!

And just a final risque view of my little Belle.. I think she is sleepin but she has no shame!

Have a better week than I did!

A Delightful Day!

2008-02-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

I finally made it to the Denver Creative Festival on Friday and had a wonderful day! I spent more $$ than I was going to but had a great time.

I met Anne and Eugene Bourgeois - the owners of Philosopher's Wool and took her class.

They took a photo of me (I hope I was smiling OK) and I asked a nice lady to take photos of me along with Anne and Eugene. Here is me and Anne (I'm the one with funny thing going on with my smile.. now how did I do that?) and yes I am wearing her Traditional sweater in Colorway Deep Sea:

Here is me and Eugene. He suggested that - instead of using my Addi 16 inch circulars for my sleeves (which cramp my hands) - to try the 2 24 inch circulars (like they do for socks). I will try that for my next project.

Both of them are delightful.. I brought my Southwest and asked Anne about the vertical bands I saw in the sections which contained purls. She told me that they added interest to the sweaters and not to worry about them. She signed my book:

Her only suggestion was to go down more in size when I do my button bands and collars.. since mine gape and would eventually get worse. Then I bought another one of their kits (this is their new pattern Light And Easy in Hollyberry - so pretty). They gave me a free tote bag as well as their Shawl book since Eugene said - being so petite - I must have a lot of extra yarn left over after I finish a sweater. Yep!

But to my surprise - there was more at the Festival.

I met Cheryl Oberle of Folk Shawls fame - she is writing a book called Folk Jackets. I told her that my sister and I had made her peddlers shawl together. She asked if they were red.. I said yes - of course! I ended up buying her Celtic Roses pattern (so pretty and it won't be in the book):

I tried it on in blue but decided that I preferred her pink/purple yarn. This yarn is wonderful - very soft with very saturated colors:

And there were so many sewing related booths.. I didn't think I would be tempted..but then I found Faux Chenille. You layer fabric - put tissue on top with stitch lines, sew through all the layers and then cut the top layer between the stitch lines.. It turns into this wonderful chenille like material. It was so amazing. You really have to see to believe. Here is the purple/red silk fabric which is layered over black rayon. I purchased a pattern for a short collared jacket with vertical stripes (501 on her website):

Here is Nannette's website on Faux Chenille

So it was a wonderful day for me. It was good to be inspired by sewing again. Its been a long time since I've done much with it other than steeks.

And I jumped back into my Southwest. I'm about 3 inches away from starting my armhole steeks. I'm psyched!

Now if I could only stay home all the time and work on my projects. And for those who are wondering why I am buying more kits.. I sold about 8 of my kits on Ebay over the last month so I feel justified. Hah!

Something is finished!

2008-01-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

One of the disadvantages of knitting multiple items at the same time - is that it seems forever until one thing is finished! Even me - the process knitter - began to get edgy that I had so many partially done things on needles - my Embossed Leaves socks, my Southwest Philosopher's Wool Cardigan, my Mermaid, Deli (hah! I was trying to keep that one to myself), even a Dale sweater I started years and years ago and I don't have the heart to throw away.

So - I decided to drop my Southwest for awhile and concentrated on the socks. And finito! At least one.

I love them! And they fit fine. May even be a little small. I lengthened the pattern to compensate for using smaller needles. So now I know - I can even handle a 64 stitch count with smaller needles. Such a pretty pattern. And no kitchener at the end. You just pull yarn thru the last 8 stitches. My kind of toe!

But I did make a little progress on my cardigan:

I'm happy with that too.. but sometimes the stiffer yarn is hard on my fingers. Smooshy is a lot easier to handle.

So I'm back to regular work hours starting tomorrow. Good thing. Getting up at 3:15 so I can get online by 4AM was getting really old.

I don't do a lot of whining (other than about yarn) on my blog.. but I really wonder if I am the only single person with a large mortgage who doesn't understand why the tax laws seem to think that a single person only earns 50% what a married person makes? This normally hits me at tax time when I check the tax table and see what % of my salary I owe compared to a married person's %.. but this time it came last Thurs when they set the upper limits for the tax stimulus checks. The upper level for single people was 50% that for a married couple (whether or not there were two breadwinners).

I'm not implying that I need as much money as a married couple with children but I know its more than 50%. My largest expenses are the same. I own my own home with a mortgage, I need to heat it, and I need to pay significant property taxes on it. I make a good salary (after 30 years) but my married coworkers that make more money than me get the rebate and I don't. And its not all about the money. Its about fairness and discrimination. I think we need change the tax laws to deal with each household rather than the marital status of the taxpayer. Wishful thinking - huh? Well that's all I'm going to say about that!

Will have a full report on the Denver Creative Festival next week!

The Sweater of Many Colors

2008-01-20T14:13:00.001-07:00

I've made good progress on my Philosopher's Wool Southwest cardigan. I'm very pleased. I think the body is looking better than the sleeves even. Here ya go:

My only frustration.. is that - even tho I am giving the yarn a tug in the purling sections in the middle of the cross - the background color is still showing thru from the back. But lucky for me I have signed up to take the Bourgeois' seminar at the Denver Creative Festival on Feb 1st (as long as it doesn't snow like it did last year) so I will find out what I'm doing wrong.

One of the beautiful parts of a fair isle is the inside.. so I had to take a photo of that too:

The PW technique weaves every other stitch so it is a very thick fabric. There is only one steek stitch done with a double yarn purl which makes it so easy when it comes time to finish. No need to create facings. And you can see the stitch to be cut so easily from the back. And you weave all the yarn in as you go so there is really very little weaving. My kind of sweater!

And here is the small progress I've made on the Embossed Leave sock:

I'm feeling a lot more comfortable that this will fit when I'm done since the patterns pulls in a lot. I will wear them anyway. Hah! They are too pretty to give away. I'm not getting much done - since last Friday and all of this week I am working from home from 4AM to Noon to help our offshore (India) system testers. I'm not taking knitting breaks and I'm too pooped to knit when I stop. This too shall pass.

This AM.. I decided to take an inventory of my kits. Well.. if I knit 3 of them a year I have enough kits to last into my 70's. So that's that.. NO MORE KITS. And I'm not even considering the other yarn I bought without a project in mind nor the sock yarn (which is my current "crack" hit) and the lace yarn. I promised myself to pull out that inventory whenever I am tempted by blogland.

Hope you have a great week!

Much better!

2008-01-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

My Southwest body has improved 100% since last week. I started from scratch, used a cable cast-on and I'm past the ribbing and onto the first pattern (6 rows of triangles):

But then last night, after my ribbing was done I took out the chart and tried to figure out how to center the pattern at the front since I am converting it to a cardigan. I also needed to figure out where to put the single steek (PW sweater use a single steek) The main graph pattern repeat is 11 stitches and the total number of stitches is 220. It would work fine if I was doing a pullover, but to center the repeat - would mean that I would have 5 stitches to the left of the steek, the steek stitch which would take up the center stitch of the repeat, and then 5 stitches to the right of the steek. Fine - I can do this. I took out Excel - and charted out where I would be after adding the steek stitch - and of course - now that the total number of stitches = 221 - I was no longer at a multiple of 11. I decided to do a dec in the middle of the back and like Magic - the main pattern will fit perfectly.

But what do I do about the triangles. Those repeats are a multiple of 6. Even for a pullover - there was no way I could make those fit perfectly. So - I decided to focus on the front, I centered that - and the pattern doesn't match on one side. Later - I was thinking I should have let the pattern divert equally on each side - but I don't have the patience to rip it all out again. If anyone complains - they are looking too close! Hah!

And I'm delighted with my "day" knitting.. Here is the gorgeous Embossed Leaves sock in Smooshy:

Its such a pretty pattern. I'm hoping it fits. Even if it doesn't - I've sure enjoyed knitting it!

Have a great week!

Not much accomplished this week!

2008-01-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

Good thing I'm a process knitter. So what if I have to start something all over again.

The only thing I have to show for myself this week is the start of the Embossed Leaves cuff:

The Smooshy yarn is wonderful.. so soft and such a nice blend of blues. And the best part is that I learned something new - a 1x1 rib cast-on. It was so easy that I decided to try it for my PW body.

Hah! I had to cast on 170 stitches.. and of course something interrupted me and I ended up making mistakes (I ended up with the wrong type of stitch at stitch 170). So I decided to just do a long tail cast-on.. and then spent the last two days working on the ribbing. I was at the last stripe just awhile ago, looked down, and realized I hated the cast-on.. it was way too loose for a sweater - with big loops hanging down. Sigh.. I really need to evaluate my knitting a lot earlier before I spend time adding to it.

So I just threw it all away (I have plenty of PW yarn).. and I will start over. I think I will just do a cable cast-on and assume that will take me the rest of the day! But I'm a process knitter so what difference does it make - right?

Charlie continues to improve.. One of his wounds is scabbed over - the other will soon. So glad!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Happy 2008 everyone!

This year is going to be a good one. I insist on that. I normally don't do resolutions but I have made one. I am not spending money on yarn (other than my current Sundara yarn subscription) unless I sell something I already have. With that in mind.. I sold a bunch of my yarn kits this past week on Ebay. I really don't think I will ever knit a second Hanne Mermaid, my sister had too many problems knitting a Kimono for which I had bought a bunch of Tilli Tomas yarn, I'm still having too many hot flashes to wear the two Poetry In Stitches pullover kits I bought, and frankly - I don't enjoy knitting dark colored yarn (my two Bohus kits)..

So I allowed myself to indulge this week (plus using the Blue Moon Fibers gift certificates I got for Xmas). I don't have everything in my little hands yet - but here is my favorite so far:

I really wish the Internet had "touch-a-vision". This is the softest cotton yarn I have ever felt. This is Hifa Luxor Cotton yarn (the same manufacturer that makes the yarns for all the Poetry In Stitches garments) in ice blue. I bought the yarn from here to make this - Poetry In Stitches - page 128:

I love the long sleeved version (the book also contains a sleeveless version). It will be high on my list for next summer.

I have also ordered Handmaiden's Lady Godiva yarn in color Straw and this pattern to make the Ilga Leja Antique Lace cardigan. This is the same designer that did the gorgeous Fleece Artist vests and jackets:

And a Sivia Harding Shetland Garden Shawl kit using Nature's Pallette Merino fingering yarn in seafoam:

And Tilli Tomas's new Voile de la Mer yarn (Burnt Orange as per below) and the new Mystique Shawl pattern:

So - I've been busy replenishing my stash with my Ebay winnings. So much fun!

As for my Southwest - I just finished the second sleeve:

This is NOT a portable project. The pattern involves 9 colors - which change every two rows and the skeins are huge. Rather than lug it into the office tomorrow - I decided to start this:

Yes - it is the Embossed Leaves sock pattern from Interweaves Favorite Socks book and the yarn is Smooshy. Yes - I'm in a blue lacy mood. The pattern is done over 64 stitches (rather than my normal 56) - but if I can't adjust the pattern down - I have decided to try it since I adore the pattern. If it is really too big - I can always give them away or reuse the yarn for something else.

So - my vacation ends but my mind is finally relaxing (Charlie is still fine) and maybe work will help me to get my mind on something else.

This vacation has taught me something. I'm not sure I will be content retiring 100% and not doing anything outside of the house. As much as I love to knit and read - I think I need more mental stimulation. Not sure yet exactly what that means and maybe I'm just reacting to the stress I've been under with Charlie getting sick. But I'm actually kinda looking forward to work tomorrow. Go figure!

Happy Blog Anniversary To Me!

2007-12-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

I don't have any new photos to show today but I wanted to wish myself a Happy 1 Year Blog Anniversary! I can't believe I've been doing this for a whole year.

I know I don't post as often as some bloggers - but I also don't have as much knitting time as some bloggers. I do what I can and still juggle all the other responsibilities in my life.

This blog has been good for me. It has given me an outlet to express myself - not only creatively through my knitting but in other parts of my life. I probably am not 100% open (I have an employer to think about) but having a blog is much like having a diary. It puts a lot of things into perspective and I feel more in control of my life.

Thanks to all of you that read my blog. I don't get a lot of comments but I appreciate that so many of you find time to stop by my little corner of the world. I hope to "see" you in the new year.

I have been working in the computer industry since 1978 (I just hit my 30 year anniversary) - before we had PC's - back when we used to hand write our code and then type it directly into a single console in the computer lab. I was blessed to work on the first Enhanced 911 system for AT&T. My program looked up your address when you dialed 911 and sent it to the police station. That program has been since rewritten in newer technology but it was the highlight of my career. We received so much kudos when it was first deployed regarding lives that were saved. It made me feel that I did something socially meaningful in an industry that was mostly technical and business oriented.

Since then - my assignments are not as exciting but it constantly amazes me how the computer industry has reached out to everyone. The PC and the Internet touch everyone now. These blogs make our world a little smaller. I feel blessed again that I can be part of that interaction!

And Charlie is doing fine! He got a new soft bed this AM and is peacefully sleeping!

Have a wonderful 2008!

Amoxicillin and 24!

2007-12-30T13:43:00.001-07:00

Thank you everyone for your kind words about my sweater.

Its been a long week. My long planned vacation (to get so much done) was turned into a lot of worrying and traveling back and forth to my vet in snowstorms. Unfortunately the ride to my vet includes some very steep inclines. So - as you can imagine, despite my wonderful new CR/V with AWD and new Blizzak's - my cowardly self was white knuckling it. I haven't made a lot of progress on my sweater.

On Thursday - my vet called me to say that Charlie was still not eating and maybe he would eat if I was there. So I drove (in a snowstorm) to the vet. He wouldn't eat for me either.. So I drove back home (in a snowstorm).

On Friday - my vet called to tell me that they are force feeding Charlie - he wasn't vomitting so they would let him come home and I would have to force feed him at home. I drove (the day after the snowstorm on snow packed roads) and picked him up. Got him home - took him out of the car, went in to get my dogs behind a gate, came back into the garage and Charlie had escaped from the soft carrier I bought. By the time I got him from under my car - my two dogs had jumped over the gate. I tried to carry Charlie in the basement - but he jumped out of my arms when he saw that the dogs were loose. Alas - Belle caught him - got him in her mouth and was shaking him. I was a mess. I FINALLY stopped the attack, got the dogs upstairs and retrieved my poor cat from behind the washing machine. I cleaned up his wounds and put antibiotic ointment on them. I also managed to force feed him and gave him more Amoxicillin.

I was a wreck. Am still feeling SO GUILTY to put him through all this. I should have put the dogs in the backyard.

But the good news is that later that night I gave him some new cat food I bought (Whiska's Purrfection ) - and he is EATING on his own!! He loves it. I only had to force feed him once.. which is a good thing since it is not very effective. I had more food on me than him.

By this AM - he is doing a lot better than me. He is eating, playing with his toys, and his wounds are still not infected. I figure he still has so much Amoxicillin in him from last week (I still have about a day's worth to give him) - that he would fend off any infection if he does get one but he looks fine. I know - I keep checking.

So - I still have 2 more days of vacation but its been nerve wracking. Somedays I think I should find him a new home without prey-drive happy border collies - but then he is 8 yrs old and I just don't think He would be happy. He might just try to find me.

So - I sit here today - watching the Season 5 "24" marathon on WGN (they just found out that President Logan was helping the terrorists!) and still working on my PW Southwest sleeves. For some reason - using Addi 8 16 inch circulars is giving me hand cramps. I cannot knit for long periods of time. I don't remember having such problems when I knit the traditional. I must be getting old. Here is where I'm at. I did end up putting some stripes at the top since my measurements were off:

So - I am praying that my pet life improves this week. And maybe my next vacation will be more productive??

Two repeats!

2007-12-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

I am close to finishing the first sleeve for my Southwest.. and it is looking fine:

I only need to do 9 more rows of triangles (as I did at the bottom). The pattern calls for random stripes at the very top of the sleeve but I am planning to shorten the sleeve per the measurement I used for my Traditional (about 1 inch shorter) so I will probably leave off the random stripes.

I have some good and bad news for Charlie. The bad news is that he still hadn't eaten as of this noon - so I took him back to the vet The good news is that the vet did bloodwork and everything is normal. The bad news is that he needs subcutaneous (under the skin) fluid injections so that he won't get dehydrated. And since they are predicting another snow storm tonight - I decided it would be best for him to stay at the vet. I can't take the chance that I can't get him back there tomorrow. So I feel a lot better about Charlie now - I know he is in good hands and will be home soon.

Maybe the storm will pass us by? It has happened before. I loved having a white Xmas - but enough is enough!

One repeat!

2007-12-25T09:22:00.001-07:00

Merry Xmas and Happy Chanukah everyone!

Its been somewhat stressful for me. Charlie (my kitty) is sick (he stopped eating on Sunday). I took him to the vet yesterday. He doesn't have a fever and the vet thinks it is either hairballs or a mild stomach infection. He is on antibiotics (I have two deep clawmarks to show for - when I give it to him) and I'm still waiting for them to work. As of this AM - he sniffed his food but still isn't eating. I need to take him back for bloodwork if he isn't better by tomorrow.

But I am making slow progress on my Southwest. I have just finished one repeat thru the color chart:

I love the result - but my hands are sore from so much weaving plus having to stop and tug the yarn to make sure it doesn't show from the front. There are so many colors with so much contrast that it is slow work to keep the back color from showing in the front. But I still love it! The final sweater will be a work of art!

I splurged this week and bought a Prime Rib to make today with Yorkshire Pudding. Yum!

Love these colors!

2007-12-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

I don't have a lot to show (I had to start over again yesterday after realizing the cuffs were too big and my memory is too bad to remember how I did them last year when I didn't take copius notes - arghh!!) - but here is my first sleeve for my Philosopher's Wool Southwest cardigan in colorway Navaho. Aren't the colors marvelous!

This technique weaves every other stitch so it is slow going but very satisfying. No weaving at the end which suits me just fine.

I also spent part of the day starting to clean my garage.. I am hoping that I can at least clean it well enough to move some of the appliances I have parked on top of my dog kennel in my dining room! Hah.. as if I ever use that either. My house is very cluttered. I have a collection of small TV's that don't work , old PC's, and lots of cans of dried latex paint. I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of all this. The curse of living in a house for 20 years. When I used to move more often - I had an excuse to get rid of things.. now I don't and it just collects dust.

But that is what vacations are for - right?

Later: I decided to rip out about 15 rows of the sleeve... at this rate I will be doing this thru next summer. I didn't like the way the yarn was showing thru the sections of the fabric where I have alternating purls and knit stitches (and still weaving every other row) . Now I'm tugging the back yarn which is working much better.

Onto bigger things

2007-12-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

I decided to get them all done before I posted a photo.. so here they are! I think they are the prettiest socks I've done so far! They are "Gingerbread Dude" light STR yarn in plain stockinette:

Some knitter have complained about the pooling but I kinda like it.. adds to the variety in the color.

And I have finally decided what next:

I think I need to get more PW under my belt before attempting the Cossack I bought for Xmas. Actually this one is called "Southwest" and is the same pattern as Cossack - just up and down. Tonight I'm going to watch the PW DVD again as a refresher course.

In the meantime - my Kauni and St Moritz are all done too. ends woven, etc. That's one nice thing about PW patterns.. no ends to weave.

I love vacation! Still have 12 more days off!

So so busy!

2007-12-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm alive but just barely. I always plan to do "big" things when I'm on vacation. This year it was pulling down all the wallpaper in my master bathroom and painting it light rose. I have very high ceilings so I had to get up on a ladder with a roller or paintbrush at the end to reach them.

I am very pleased:

Good thing I got it done in one day. My muscles hurt so much I couldn't climb a ladder if I wanted to.

So today is back to knitting.

I also save all my "finishing" work for vacation. Today it was my Kauni. Wove in all the loose ends and tacked down the facings. Tomorrow is my St Moritz and then I need to weave ends in on two shawls. My camera battery is recharging so I will show photos later.

And did I say how much I love "Gingerbread Dude"! I am into the gusset of the second sock and will show photos of those later too!

What is next? I'm not in the mood to finish Mermaid. I really want to do some colorwork. But haven't decided what yet. Maybe a Poetry In Stitches? Maybe Philosopher's Wool? Maybe Starmore? Maybe Autumn Roses? What to do??

This Gingerbread Dude is Cool!

2007-12-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

A special post for a special dude:

This is STR lightweight in Gingerbread Dude. Don't you love it! I'm so enjoying it without any special patterns. Just plain stockinette Dude!

4 days and counting!

One more week to go!

2007-12-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

I'm in countdown mode.. only 5 more days until my end of the year vacation and I can't wait. I am so anxious that I am behaving very irrationally. I almost don't want to admit it..

We had snow last night. The first shovelable (is that a word?) snow this year. But hah! no fear - I have a snow blower. I took it out - plugged it in with my new cold proof electric cord - and ran it for the length of my driveway. Turned around - thought I had moved the cord out of my path and started again. Suddenly I heard a bump and of course.. I ran right over the cord. It was VERY stuck in the belly of the snowblower. I spent the next half hour - cutting the electric cord, using my wire cutter to take the outside wrap off the wire so I could pull it away and getting VERY cold and VERY wet. Sigh.. Luckily - I found another cord and was able to finish the task at hand. Oh well. its just a cord and at least I saved the blower.

Then I finally reached the point in my Mermaid sleeve where I only had to knit all the YO's with the following stitch. I dropped a stitch. I REALLY tried to save it but managed to put this big hole in the sleeve. What's a girl to do - but rip out about 15 rows... luckily short ones. But I got that done and all that is left is the bind off. I have sent the final size small spreadsheet to Amy to be distributed to those who have already bought the kit.

Once I finish that.. I plan to do another pair of socks (no lace pattern please). Haven't decided what yarn to use but it will be something autumny. More on that next week. I also decided that I want to learn the Cat Bordhi circular needle method for socks in the not too distant future.

Every year I buy myself a Xmas gift. Last year it was the electric yarn winder which thankfully I got back into working order. Two years earlier I bought a Lendrum spinning wheel and then decided that it wasn't something I could ever teach myself and if and when I retire with time to do things like take classes - I would buy another one. In the meantime - I would rather sell it on Ebay and use the money for yarn!

So - I pondered what to do this year and decided to get this:

Ain't she purdy! Eugene with co-owns Philosopher's Wool - wrote me to ask about my experience with their patterns. I guess this is one of their more challenging ones. I hope I'm up to it. I think I will. This will really be more of a coat than sweater and their heavier yarns should work out well with this.

5 days and counting!

The Return of the Yarn Monster

2007-12-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

This has been a good week yarnwise! I won't get into my work headaches - they give me a headache.

First of all - my Baudelaires are done!

I'm pleased with them but found that I didn't enjoy doing lace on socks as much as I expected. Too much to think about. I think I prefer plain stockinette. Plus the fact that I can't find many patterns (other than ribs which I hate) for my smaller stitch count. Not many patterns with a multiple of 7 or 14.

And then - I decided Friday night to see if I could redeem my yarn monster. If you recall - a few months ago - my $$ electric yarn winder made a mess of my Kauni yarn. This is the wonky shaped skeins it was making - not pretty:

So I pulled it out and tried to analyze what was wrong. The motor was still working and the core was still turning so what could be wrong. I tried tightening some screws to no avail. Then I compared what my manual one was doing compared to the electric one. The cone of the manual one had a stronger angle. The rim was closer to the base. So I pushed down a lot harder on the cone of the electric one. And voila!

I couldn't be more pleased. The cone must have loosened up after I pulled so hard to remove the Kauni mess. I will still use my bigger manual one for things like Kauni which has a ton of yarn on it - but this will be so much easier for normal size skeins. Fixing this really was the highlight of my week!

And then I decided to I-cord around the front edge of my Mermaid body and work on my Mermaid sleeves. I am making them 10 stitches shorter than the pattern calls for - since there are so many KAL posters who said the sleeves grow when you block it. Since I'm so petite - I don't want to deal with that. I am creating the spreadsheet to match the original pattern in case anyone doesn't want to shorten the sleeves.

And here is where I am today:

These will take awhile - and knowing me I will probably take a break between sleeves but at least the spreadsheet will be done.

Two more weeks until Xmas break! Its a good thing. Work is really beginning to annoy me.

Have a good week!

Where did the week go?

2007-11-25T13:21:00.001-07:00

Back to work tomorrow (wahhh..) and I thought I would be further along on my Baudelaire's than this:

The longest part was doing the leg where the pattern wrapped around the whole sock. I figured out that eliminating one stitch at each end meant I had to eliminate the cable stitches between the front and back but it is still time consuming to do the pattern on both sides. Good thing I'm a process knitter and am not too impatient (hah!) about getting them done.

And I don't know what is wrong.. but for the first time in a long time - I am losing some of my passion to knit. Maybe its cuz I have stopped doing much anything else. I haven't picked up a novel since Harry Potter. Or maybe its just that I don't know what to do next. I OUGHT to finish the Hanne Mermaid if only to provide the sleeve pattern to Amy to add to the spreadsheet. I also OUGHT to finish the objects that are off the needles but not 100% done. My plan is to that over Xmas break (I have 2+ weeks off) as I did last year.

Part of me is thinking about Fair Isle. Maybe start one of my Philosopher's Wool kits or maybe one of my Starmore kits. Don't know. After the Baudelaires - I'm not in a mood for socks anyway.

I have been perusing the internet for toe up sock patterns. My problem is my 56 stitch count. I've found that there aren't as many patterns that can be easily adjusted down.. Most are multiples of 8 or 16. If I continue the pattern across the back - I need an even multiple so we are talking about 64 stitches. How do I get that down to 56? I considered using a smaller needle but I'm already using size 1's. Not sure I want to use toothpicks. If anyone reading this knows how I convert these patterns down to 56 stitches.. please help!

So - I think that maybe after these socks are done - I am going back to what I used to do - read my books on Sat's, knit on Sundays and lunch breaks. Maybe some balance will help my mood.

I ended up with 16 big bags of clothes to donate after my closet cleaning. Amazing. I am getting to the point where comfort is more important to me than fashion so I had so much in my closets that I don't wear anymore. I put the items (after photos and tallies) into my Its Deductible (TurboTax) program and it added up to over $2000. Wow!
I'm babbling today. I love vacations but its so hard to go back to work when they are over.

Have a good week. I will try!

Things don't disappear!

2007-11-20T12:31:00.001-07:00

I have just spent the last hour looking for my last two pairs of knitted socks! I remember taking photos of them (my STR ones on sock blockers) but don't have a clue what happened to them after. I went through all of my project totes, my new sock yarn, my piles of "things" (yes I'm a packrat!)

When I was about to accept the fact that I accidentally threw them away, I moved a bunch of "things" from one of my cardboard drawers (my clothes runnoth over a few years ago) - I FINALLY found them behind them. They had fallen over - don't ask me when. Sigh.. I am so absent minded. So I just washed them for the first time and set them aside.

And here is my progress on my Baudelaires. I just finished the gusset. Much truer color.

And another! I love this pattern!

I decided to order a set of Knitpicks Harmony needles - after having my Denise set fall apart on me. I swapped my Options with another knitter awhile ago since they were too pointy for my knitting style so I'm hoping these aren't as pointy. I tend to push the tip of the needle with my left hand so its deadly if they are too pointy. I also ordered their DPN's.

Tomorrow I get new Blizzak's put onto my new CR/V. Just in time - they are predicting 3 inches of snow tonight and 2 more inches tomorrow. I have AWD on the car but I want to feel as safe as possible. I'm a big chicken driving on snow/ice especially with all the hills I drive over on my way to work.

I am also spending my vacation cleaning my closets. I haven't been this resolute about tossing stuff in years. I have been experimenting with my 2007 TurboTax Its Deductible program and I should be able to deduct quite a lot towards charitable donations. So far - with 8 bags (and I haven't started cleaning my winter clothes) - my tallies total over $1000. I just don't wear so much of it!

I love vacation!

Who would have thought?

2007-11-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

A year ago if anyone asked me if I would ever knit socks I would have told them never. I struggled enough having to use DPN's to knit the cuffs on my sweaters. But look at me now!

Not only have I knit 4 pair of socks (2 toe up) - now I'm venturing into patterns. I love this pattern - it is Cookies Baudelaire pattern on Knitty.com. And the yarn is Aunt Maude's Mauve Handpainted Fingering Superwash Yarn from ThreeWatersFarm. So pretty.

The actual color is not as bright as the photo. It is more pink than red. The mauves are more brownish. Actually - this photo does not look like the yarn at all! Hah! I will adjust the color when I take another photo!

I was nervous about doing this since my stitch count is 56 and most patterns provide the smallest count to be 60. But this one had 4 stitches on either side of the pattern so I just changed it to have 3 stitches on either side. So easy! Not sure if some of the other patterns I have been oogling will be as easy to adjust.

I would have posted yesterday (I'm home on vacation this week so I have no excuse). I was tooling along, had a good 4 inches to show, and then noticed a section of fuzzy yarn (already knitted). Silly me thought I could pull out the fuzz. I pulled it out so much that the yarn broke and a huge hole exploded! Wah! So I started to pull out a few rows thinking I could recover at least some of my work. I tried twice to pick up the stitches without any success. So - I just pulled it all out and started from scratch. Today's photo is my second attempt. From here on - I check out the yarn before I knit it. This yarn is gorgeous but may have some more sections that aren't well spun. What's a new sock knitter to do!

Yes - I stopped working on the Fleece Artist triangular shawl. I think you are supposed to use the entire skein in one shawl - but around 8PM Friday night I realized that it was not meant to be. I rationalized it by telling myself that I'm petite and don't need more humongous shawls, right? So it was bound off and I went on to bigger and better things.

Its so good to have time off. I am cleaning out my closets (hit my downstairs coat closet this AM). Embarassed but this is the first time I REALLY have cleaned it out for maybe 15 yrs? Hah! There were lots of old dog leashes, a bunch of broken hangers, and old gloves. I found jackets I forgot about and FINALLY tossed some oversized coats with big shoulders that I can't believe I ever wore. Now I can actually see the floor. Tomorrow I start on my upstairs clothes closets. I think its finally time for me to accept the fact that I want to be comfortable and will NEVER wear those clothes I used to wear. It will go to charity.

About all for now.. I will blog more often this week. If not - happy Thanksiving to all!

It's all about the yarn!

2007-11-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

This Fleece Artist Goldielock's yarn (color = FruitPunch) is so pretty! I am up to 118 stitches and over 2 feet across the top (I want to take it up to 225) and its just mindless knitting.. creating this fuzzy fabric of color.

If there is anyone out there who has knit this.. did you block it? Seems that it doesn't need to be blocked.

Here is the result:

On the other hand - I find myself wanting to put it down. In fact - I got my whole backyard raked this weekend. Kinda strange for me since I haven't done much anything but knit over the last few months. Could it be that I'm kinda bored - Doing a Church Lady gaze look.. I'm thinking that it could be!!

So - unless this moves faster - frankly the larger it gets - the slower it goes - I will probably start my Baudelaire socks next weekend!

Hah!

Later: Whoa!! That was close. I love Denise needles for shawls because you can keep making the needle longer. But I hate Denise needles because they can sometimes come apart. And - yes - they just came apart on me! This yarn is not easily rippable - so I had to undo one stitch at a time to put them back on the needle. Its back in one piece now but I think that's it for me today!

New things to learn

2007-11-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

I normally don't blog twice in two days but I'm so excited about my Fleece Artist Goldielocks shawl I had to post a photo (easier than emailing my sister...).

I brought it to work today and struggled for a half hour trying to figure out how to do a YO at the beginning of a row. I finally gave up and decided to just do a K1 and then YO.

But then I found a website (can't find it right now) that explained - if you do this - to hold the yarn in the front (purlwise) before you start. Voila! It works. I had been holding the yarn in the back and was basically wrapping the yarn around the needle twice in the first stitch making a very large big hole at the end but now I have corrected my technique! So here is my lovely start. Isn't it purty! The YO's create a scallop along the edge. I LOVE it!

13 rows to go!

2007-11-04T15:47:00.001-07:00

I am going to make a real effort to finish the Mermaid body tonight.. but with the change in time I have a feeling I'm going to zonk out early. I am so close to the end but yet so far. The size small pattern is definitely done (body only) and my last minute edits have been sent to Amy. So here is the current state of affairs. As you can see its getting hard to fit it in one photo:

And a closeup of the final section. I know - I still need to do the applied I-cord but that is going to wait until I take a break:

And to those that wonder what is next.. here is a gorgeous skein of Fruit Punch Fleece Artist silk Goldilocks yarn that I bought on Toadal's (Love that site) Ebay shop to make the triangular shawl:

Then I'm planning to knit the Baudelaire socks (Cooky) from Knitty.com. I think that will be enough of a break to come back and finish the Mermaid. Maybe its time for me to start knitting more than one thing at a time anyway..just to break up the boredom. I guess the total time in hours/garment won't change but I will be happier. I really do get bored with anything that takes longer than 2 weeks.

I was thinking that this is the reason I enjoy software programming. Every day is different, the problems changes, and I am never bored. Doesn't mean I want to do it forever but it has been a good career. At least for now. Retirement still sounds a lot better!

I'm awaiting my first Zen Art Sock Yarn shipment.. supposed to arrive this week. Can't wait!

Wish me luck tonight.. I can finish this if I stop blogging now!

Later: YAY!!! It's done!

Size small body pattern changes are done

2007-10-31T11:59:00.000-06:00

A short blog to let anyone who is waiting that I have mailed the complete body pattern - size small Mermaid to Amy. I just knitted past row 600 so I may find errors. I want to take a break before I do the sleeves.. but I'm suspecting they will be easier than the body.

Good luck and let me know if you find any problems. I paid more attention to stitch counts than ridge counts - so the ridge counts may not be 100% accurate.

Down the home stretch!

2007-10-28T13:03:00.001-06:00

This weekend was a lot more productive than last! I have finished the back and now I'm into the arm gusset. Spending a lot of time working on the spreadsheet since I have to reverse my previous work for the rest of the pattern. This is where size small diverges a lot from size medium, fewer stripe ridges, fewer decs (or incs), different ridge where the decs (or incs) start so its easier to just compare each section with my previous work than to use anything from Amy's spreadsheet. I'm close.. very close. I think the pattern should be done within a week or so. I am probably not being 100% mirror image since that would take comparing every row to every previous row and I don't have the patience. But I'm satisfied with the results and I hope others can benefit from the time I've spent on this.

Here is where I'm at:

And a closeup of the back:

I feel so bad for the Rockies! They were doing so well and now they can't do anything right. Oh well - there's always next year!

Have a good week.

One of those days...

2007-10-21T13:42:00.000-06:00

Well I had just completed the striped section and the first hem gusset after the back neck gusset - counted my stitches and Waaahhh... I had two extra stitches. I ripped out the gusset and I still had the wrong stitch count. Then I noticed the bottom of the striped section before the gusset.. it was angling out. So - I had to rip out 4 stripe ridges too. How I did that I don't have a clue but I have been watching movies all day and knitting and apparently didn't pay enough attention. Sigh..

Oh well - I would have had more progress to show you but I don't.. Here is where I am now:

And a closeup of the back neck gusset - very pretty:

So - I'm a little further than yesterday but not much. Some days aren't good knitting days. I have revised the pattern up to row 608 (730 total) - so I do see the light at the end of the tunnel patternwise. I do still need to do the sleeves but how hard can they be? I probably shouldn't ask.

Have a better day than me!

Catch-22

2007-10-19T17:46:00.001-06:00

I had an "aha" moment today. A year ago I decided to "knit from my stash" along with "Wendy Knits" but I failed miserably. In fact - the worse part is that I used to be happy with $3/skein yarns on sale at Elann. In fact the "aged" section of my stash is full of that. But no more.. no siree not me. Now I lust after silk/mohair blends that run for $30/skein or more. And I long for (and satisfy my longing for) sweater kits that cost a lot more $$ - I'm too embarassed to admit - Bohus, Fleece Artist, Poetry In Stitches, Starmore, etc. And now I even pay for Int'l shipping. Geezz Ricki.

I know I have only myself to blame - but the internet, all the blogs, ravelry, have given me a window into others' projects and I want what I see. I know - I'm old enough to know better.

Well - I'm now 58 and a half years old now. And - Waaahhh - I want to retire!! I don't hate my work but it really does chew up too much of my day.

The dilemma is - even tho I have a wonderful pension in my future - if I don't stop buying yarn and start saving more.. I will not be able to afford to retire anytime soon - and that means I will never get enough time to use all this yarn. Catch 22!

Sigh..

So - other than the two yarn clubs that I recently joined (ArtWalk from Zen, and Sundara's new "Seasons" club) - I REALLY REALLY REALLY am going to stop buying any other yarn until I'm retired. It shouldn't be a hardship. Just my kits should keep me occupied. And those monthly tidbits should keep me happy. Right?

So PLEASE everyone - stop blogging with all these amazing photos of your new projects with links going to every online knitting store in the world.

Hah!

Doing socks spoiled me!

2007-10-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

I realize now - that after being able to finish a pair of socks so quickly, I'm spoiled. I've been working on my Mermaid maybe 1 month - I'm nearing the middle of the body and it seems like an eternity! I love the results but all this garter stitch is beginning to get to me. I WILL finish it but I think I may have to break my rule of "one project at a time" and throw in some socks in the middle.

I have decided its time to do some patterned socks. Haven't decided which ones but I have some gorgeous Dream In Colors smooshy yarn in Ruby River. Do I dare knit two things at once?

Here is where I am on the Mermaid:

Four gussets in all:

And I am about 6 rows into the back gusset:

I have modified Amy's pattern up to row 384 - the end of the gusset. From that point Hanne's instructions are to reverse what you just did. Argghhhh!!!! Thank goodness I have Amy's size medium to compare with (not the best grammar!). As much as I admire Hanne's work and I know the final product will be magnificent - it isn't the easiest pattern to follow.

Well - it is 41 degrees in Colorado - snowing in the mountains and they are predicting a mix of snow/rain here tonight. I had the A/C on last week. Geezz..

Have a good week and stay warm!

Version 1 of Amy's Spreadsheet - size small

2007-10-07T13:41:00.000-06:00

I emailed the first version of Amy's Mermaid spreadsheet for size small to her this AM. She has agreed to handle the distribution. Not sure if she will just add it to the size medium spreadsheet or keep it separate. The body pattern is finish up to row 340 and I have knit up to row 255:

I love the way the Mermaid is shaping. All kinds of curves. Here you have a better photo of the armhole gusset:

If it fits as well as it looks it will definitely be one of my favorite creations. So glad I have the yarn to make one in coral/tomato too - so pretty.

When my life is tied up in one project- my mind starts looking at other ones - despite the large number tbd in my stash. I bought the book Lacy Little Knits by Iris Schreier and fell in love with this:

Its made up in Artyarns Silk Rhapsody which is a mohair/silk blend and VERY $$. I almost think I would prefer it in something less hairy.. but definitely silky soft. Not sure what yet. But love the look.

Fall has finally arrived in Denver. Only 57 right now after a week of 85+ days - I'm ready. Brought in my barbecue, doggy swimming pool, and chaise lounges. Love this time of year.

Go Rockies!

How do I love thee?

2007-09-30T14:13:00.000-06:00

Let me count the ways.

After throwing my money away on that expensive electric ball winder I am so pleased that I found something for less than $20 that has organized my life!. It comes with a bunch of plastic baggie like inserts (I bought some extras) and I have all of my DPN's and circulars organized. Luckily - I use my Denises for large sizes so I didn't have to get them in it but here is the top layer:

I love, love it!! So cute and I don't have to go searching when I need something. Plus I won't go out buying something I already have. Now if they could do this for my yarn stash!

And I'm into the first armhole of my Mermaid:

I'm not normally a garter stitch lover but there is so much going on here at the same time - its good to have something mindless in the mix.

Here are two closeups of my first two flares (or gussets as Hanne calls them):

And here is the neckline edge:

I was thinking this week - that my blog must be very monotonous since I spend so much time on one project. The alternative is to spend twice as much time on two projects. Can't help the time.. Things will get better in 7-8 years after I retire. Hah!

I have decided to join a new socks club - Here is their blog. I quit redknits - at the time I was trying to cut back on my yarn spending - ahem... but frankly, I wasn't that excited about my first two kits - I don't get my first artwalk kit until Nov 1st but it looks really interesting. She has another club called the Harmony Sock Club but that doesn't open for membership until Jan. This gal does amazing color work and I'm looking forward to getting her kits.

Back to the Hanne!

Slow progress

2007-09-23T16:20:00.001-06:00

I'm still moving forward. I'm spending half of my time reading and reworking one section of the spreadsheet at a time until I'm comfortable that it reflects Hanne's directions and then the other half of my time knitting it. I'm almost done with the first striped section - have 4 more ridges to go - and then I'm ready to tackle the first gusset (my spreadsheet is ready for that section).

Here is my progress today. As you can see - I have already done the cast off that ends the collar at the neck edge.

It really is a nice design. If I can keep my nose to the ground - hopefully I can get this right.

The gal who is running the Hanne KAL has asked me to contact Amy before I provide anyone with the size small pattern. I'm thinking now that I may just send it to Amy if and when I get it to work and if she is interested - she can add it to the one she has already created. If not - that is OK too. I will just have it for future knitting.

I FINALLY received my invite to join Ravelry. I was so excited to see what the hoopla is all about. One more thing to surf. What did we do without the internet? Talk to each other? Hah!

Have a great week.

Can I do this?

2007-09-22T18:04:00.000-06:00

I am slowly getting thru the first rows of my Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid (number 3) - but I'm wondering if I'm smart enough to do this! The yarn is gorgeous (the turquoise has flecks of green) and the fabric resembles boiled wool:

But the pattern is not clear at all. Lots of "AT THE SAME TIME" sections. And she doesn't tell you when to start counting where to start the decreases.

I thankfully have the spreadsheet that Amy did for the KAL - but that is for size medium and I am trying to adapt it for size small. So I need to first understand why Amy did what she did in order to modify it. I'm spending hours just figuring out the pattern.

I know this is worth it.. after all this I will definitely make more of these- but I sure wish Hanne was more prolific!

Here is the long first edge.. this is knit from left to right all in one piece except for the sleeves

I think I can , I think I can, I know I can , I know I can.... I hope I can, I hope I can..

I also ordered one of these in burgundy this week along with extra inserts.

I only knit with circulars and DPNS and they are all over the place in their original plastic for fear that I will not be able to tell the difference between a 3.25 mm Addi and a 3.5 mm Addi. So I have decided I need to get organized. Love this bag.

May post tomorrow or not.. depends on whether I completely destroy this pattern. Say a prayer!

No Worries!

2007-09-16T16:26:00.000-06:00

For those that wonder if you can knit a pair of socks using 1 hank of Sock That Rock lightweight yarn (360 yds)- I am living proof that it is possible. You can see that I had plenty left over. Here are the results:

Maybe it wouldn't be enough for a fancy pattern - but it sure wasn't an issue for plain stockinette. I knit a gusset followed by a short row heel - per Cookie's patterns on Knitty Gritty.

I'm hoping that the yarn softens up some after I wash them. It is much stiffer than any of the sock yarns I've used up till now. On the other hand - the plies didn't separate at all which made it easier to knit.

So now that I have knit two pairs of Toe Up socks (and found them a lot easier and better fitting) - I am going to put my sock addiction aside and start my Hanne Mermaid. I have added blog buttons with links on the right side of my blog.

I also joined the Eunny Yang Autumn Rose KAL. Such a pretty interpretation of fair isle. I will get to that one day too!

Dogs are barking at me to pay more attention to them! See ya!

Money Down The Drain!

2007-09-09T12:03:00.001-06:00

Do you ever feel like kicking yourself for spending a lot of money on something that breaks after 3 uses? Yep - that is me yesterday.

I finished my Juliet Fondly yarn first toe up socks - I'm very happy with them altho I think I am going to take out the bind off and make the cuff longer:

So it was time to break out my first hank of Socks That Rock.. in Minestone. Gorgeous! Well it was a mistake. I thought my electric ball winder had time to heal since the Kauni fiasco and would perform. Not! I ended up with this big mess of a ball of yarn. Lucky me though - two week ago I forgot I already had a hank of Minestone in my stash when I ordered a second one - I know my stash is so big I don't know what I have anymore. Anyway I planned to give the extra one to my sister. Well - I knew she would understand my predicament so I said a fond farewell to the overpriced yarn monster -

and wound the second hank with my old manual Royal. It worked just fine.. And I started a new sock. This yarn is wonderful - here is the start of a new sock:

Then I decided I really need to do something about this ball winding issue. I have more large hanks of Kauni and its too hard - when you have a large number of small balls - to remember which ball ended and which ball started at the same place. I had insomnia last night so I got online and bought one of these:

Its a Jumbo Ball Winder by Royale - is manual so hopefully it won't break and it has received super reviews. Colorsong says: "I can't begin to tell you how much I love this ball winder - winding has become one of my favorite parts of knitting! Unlike smaller winders, the action is smooth, steady, and simply entrancing to watch." So I think I will like it.

Then my insomnia was so bad that I stayed up till midnight untangling my blob of STR - got it all done, rewound it manually, and sending it off to my sister.

I think - once these socks are done I am going to FINALLY attack one of the Hanne Falkenburg kits I bought awhile ago. Its a Blue/Green Mermaid. They are supposed to have complicated patterns but Amy on the KAL has created an easy spreadsheet to follow. The yarn is to die for - very soft.

It will probably be a couple week until I start since right now I'm exhausted and plan to plop.

Has anyone seen The Last King of Scotland. I netflixed it and Forrest Whittaker is amazing as Idi Amin. Sad movie but so good.

Have a great week.

Wooly Board Part 2

2007-09-05T07:28:00.001-06:00

I'm on a roll.. plus today is my last day of vacation. So I decided to wooly board (is that a verb?) my Dale of Norway St Moritz. I really do eventually finish things albeit not as soon as I planned:

Love this sweater. Now that my hot flashes have subsided (I had to go off a high level of Premarin about 3 yrs ago) I can FINALLY wear pullovers again.

Back to my socks!

After a lot of questions on what exactly do I look like when my face is not behind a camera and urging from my sister - I dug out a photo where I wasn't smiling funny (see my profile). This was taken about 2 years ago. I go back and forth between shoulder length and short hair - between highlights and solid colors. I haven't aged a lot since then. I have great genes (my Mom is 92!) and I'm an indoor girl (what else would you expect from a knitter!). I also decided to change my template! Getting bored with the old one.

Its dry!

2007-09-04T15:51:00.001-06:00

Living in Denver has its advantages. Our humidity is so low here - a sweater will dry on a Wooly Board in 8 hrs.

So here it is! Not the best photos of me (when I'm on vacation I will not wear makeup and I will not wear my contacts).. but I am very happy with the result. I may reblock the sleeves to make them a bit longer but the cardigan turned out to be cropped and I love it like that. I am very short waisted so its wonderful!

Here I am:

And another one (its so hard to take a photo of yourself in a mirror! )

Wooly Booly, Wooly Booly!

2007-09-04T07:52:00.000-06:00

Wooly Booly! Wooly Booly!

Yes I'm a child of the sixties. All I could sing as I put my Kauni on my Wooly Board (the first time I've used it) - is Wooly Booly, Wooly Booly. I suspect some of you don't have a clue what I'm singing but some of you will.

So - I've cropped off some of the clutter but couldn't get rid of everything. I basted the cardigan together so it would stretch evenly ( the next time I will do this before I cut the front steek ). My main objective is to stretch the front. I measured my Philosopher's Wool sweater and stretched the Kauni to that width. I tried not to stretch the arms since the corrugated ribbing won't stretch back. Hope it works!

A tribute to .Sam The Sham and the Pharoahs:

Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro
Matty told Hatty about a thing she saw.
Had two big horns and a wooly jaw.
Wooly bully, wooly bully.
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully.
Hatty told Matty, "Let's don't take no chance.
Let's not be L-seven, come and learn to dance."
Wooly bully, wooly bully
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully.
Matty told Hatty, "That's the thing to do.
Get you someone really to pull the wool with you."
Wooly bully, wooly bully.
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully

Later: Here is a brighter photo. I have a question for those of you with Wooly Boards. How in the world do you get it to stay up? It is so top heavy - the slightest bump makes it fall down. Can you say - border collies?

The First One is Done!

2007-09-03T18:14:00.000-06:00

Voila.. its a toe up sock on my new sock blocker! I think I should have made it taller but it will do as the first time. I really really really like this style - think it looks better than the first two socks I knit from cuff down. And I think it fits better

I followed the elastic bindoff in the Sockknitter.com tutorial - which is an adoption of the E. Zimmerman technique. So easy - use yarn needle.. put thru two stitches purl wise from right to left - then thru first stitch knit wise from left to right and take that stitch off the needle - except for the first time where you put it on the needle to the right. Very stretchy. But I should have used more yarn - it was getting close to the end.

So now to sock two plus I plan to use my wooly board tomorrow on my Kauni. Photos coming on that! I love taking vacation.

I gotta heel!

2007-09-02T18:03:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I gotta gusset and I gotta a short row heel!

On the foot (you can see my ghastly long toes!):

And off the foot:

It really isn't that hard.. in fact - I think its a lot easier than cuff down - once I finished ripping the gusset back twice after dropping a stitch, and then picking the stitches up off center - since you don't have to pick up stitches around the heel flap (which I hate to do) and there is no grafting at the toe (which I hate to do). So while I started this so I can use my 360 yd Sock That Rocks yarn without fearing running out of yarn - I have found a better sock for me!

The rest is downhill right? I understand that I need to find a loose bindoff - but I'm researching that right now.

One question if anyone knows - what is the purpose of the wraps? Not sure what they accomplish - but they sure are purty!

Gusset And/Or Heel Flap And/Or Short Row Heel

2007-09-01T06:15:00.000-06:00

A very short post with a plea to those who understand. My head is spinning. I have been going over patterns for toe up socks. So - if you do a short row heel does that mean you don't do a gusset? Wendy's simple pattern only does a short row heel. But the tutorial I found always does a gusset and then she gives an option for a flap or a short row. So far - I haven't found any clear description of a short row heel but it looks like something I want to learn. Does ANYONE have a clear explanation of how to do all those wraps, etc?

I must have yarn rabbits

2007-08-31T11:43:00.000-06:00

I don't have a clue how this happened. I bought new baskets to hold my yarn in place of the old flimsy ones I was using. This AM I took all the yarn out of the old cubicles, disassembled the old cubicles, assembled the new baskets and tried to organize my yarn. Alas - the new ones only held a fraction of my yarn. They are smaller - plus the shape does not hold many large bags. And I have putting my yarn in large Glad bags so I remember why I bought it.

So I decided to reassemble only a few of the old cubicles. I ended up having to put ALL of the old ones back together to hold everything and find some new spots to put everything.

I am clueless. My yarn is expanding when I'm not watching. I have yarn rabbits.

Now for those of you that think you have a lot of yarn.. I am flashing my stash. Everyone should do this every so often as incentive to stop buying more yarn.

Here are the new baskets. Aren't they pretty? I just wish they were bigger. The white and green ones in the middle are just sock yarn, and the three on the left are just shawl yarn. The aqua cubicles are my old containers that I was hoping to throw out. Sigh

And here is the rest of it.

In the next photo - the brown boxes hold my fabric stash - yes I used to sew and keep telling myself that maybe when I retire:

So thats it for another year. And I'm not buying anymore yarn.. ever ever..

This shouldn't be so hard

2007-08-30T05:30:00.000-06:00

I have spent the last two days trying to learn "toe up socks". Geez this shouldn't be so hard!

I gave up on the Sensational Sock book since the only toe up pattern wasn't a plain sock and I really need to start simple. And I couldn't figure out which "number" I needed to cast on. I know - I have a graduate degree in Biochemistry - but I couldn't sort out the sizes. Duh.

Then I found some other "tutorials" on the net. I pulled out my fancy smancy new Lantern Moon Rosewood size 1 DPN's. Snapped two within the first min. Forget those! I pulled out my Crystal Palace Bamboo's (size 1) - and was able to do a couple of rows- but the stitches are so small and you start with so few of them - I dropped a couple of stitches (I guess I should do my first pair on bigger needles but I'm stubborn and want to use my pretty Juliet yarn). Tried a few more times but then I realized that these directions used 4 DPNs for the stitches and I like using 3. I need SIMPLE!

My search continued. Came home and watched Knitty Gritty. Wow - they were showing Toe Up socks! But alas - she also used 4 DPN's. What's with this 4 DPN's? Just more sticks flying every which way.

I FINALLY found a tutorial here . Ahhh - very nice. Lots of pictures and uses 3 DPN's. After a few attempts - I am now a proud owner of 3 rows! I'm so proud:

And I forgot to say a big Thank you for all the kind words on my Kauni. Yes - I will model it along with my Dale St Moritz if I ever find time to finish it. This may not be until xmas so don't get too impatient!

Off the needles!

2007-08-27T18:40:00.000-06:00

My Kauni is FINALLY done.. at least needle-wise. Still needs to be blocked (right now it looks more like a child's sweater) and I need to tack down the edges and weave in the ends. But after lots of rework its done. IT's DONE!!!!!

This was a fun knit (except maybe for last night...) - and I learned a lot of new things. thanks so much to everyone for all the help!

Ricki

On a Happier Note

2007-08-27T05:38:00.000-06:00

Well - I only have about 2 more rows of buttonband to go. I knit until I couldn't see anymore last night ( I was just prescribed Travatan for borderline Glaucoma last week and I had to use the drops) - and then I put it aside in case I made another mistake.

But I also got this ready. Isn't it pretty (please excuse my camera this AM - it isn't cooperating)? This is Juliet yarn by Yarn Love in colorway Fondly. The name makes me smile

And I pulled this out to learn toe up socks:

This yarn has 495 yds so I won't have a problem with running out of yarn but I want to learn the technique before I use my yarns with 350 yds.

I will get Kauni blocked when I'm on vacation next week but I think its time to set it aside.

Have a good week!

I am such a dolt!

2007-08-26T14:09:00.000-06:00

I was so happy.. almost done, sewing on buttons. But something didnt' seem right. Well - the buttonband (you know the hard one with the holes in it) - didn't go all the way up to the neckband. Hah!

So what do you think folks. Can I do a section of corrugated ribbing and seam them together. Anything is possible right?

Here is a prettier photo of both sleeves done.

I ended up only making 4 buttonholes using the 2-color technique in "Sweaters From Camp" since I had some nice red buttons - but only 4. The thought of doing it all over makes me cringe. I am going to try to selvage it but may have to.

Only 4 days of work this week! YAY! I am taking Friday off and then 3 days the next week after Labor day -- 6 days in all. Hope to finish this freakin thing!

Later: well - my attempts at fixing it didn't work. So I took the band off and will reknit it. I only lost 1 day of knitting so I shouldn't be too upset. right?????

EEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yellow wants to be Green!

2007-08-19T16:08:00.000-06:00

I was hoping I would be showing you a completed second sleeve but that was not to be. Instead I have about 2/3 done and here it is!

As you can tell if you scroll down to sleeve 1 - I decided not to even try to get the two sleeves to match. It would have driven me crazy. Also - I decided to wanted the second sleeve to have more greens and blues. Boy did I end up with green! I thought I started with an orangish-yellow/green combination - isn't that what it looks like to you?. But my orangish-yellow decided it didn't want to be yellow very long and it decided "its good to be green". My poor green was moving tortuously slow towards blue and I decided I had to help it. So I cut the yarn and moved the green along to aqua and now everything is copacetic. Whew! I am still convinced that I got a bad batch.. I had the same problem on the body. My greens lasted forever!

But all is well again. I adore this yarn. So much that I have decided that I want to make one of these:

Isn't it gorgeous! This is the same designer who designed the sweater I'm knitting. I love the one on the left - with the red/orange leaves. Not so sure about the peblum but I can work around that. If you like it too - you can download it here.

In the meantime - I'm making "another" promise to myself to take lunch breaks this week so I can knit at work. I'm also promising to start exercising again. Four years ago I was doing "The Firm" 3 times a week - could work thru a 55 min tape with average effort. This AM - I got thru 30 min huffing and puffing. This has to change. I'm not that old am I?

Don't answer that!

One sleeve down, one to go

2007-08-12T17:05:00.001-06:00

I just finished sleeve one on my Kauni cardigan. The good news is that I'm pleased about how it turned out (it fits perfectly and I didn't have to adjust the pattern) and I'm always grateful at this point that I only have two arms.

The bad news is that I have a predicament - Where do I start the next sleeve colorwise.. Not sure if it is obvious - but the color combinations in the sleeve are definitely not the same as the body:

I spent most of the body with a 1 color difference but I spent most of the sleeve with a 2 color difference. The color repeats are so long with this yarn - that it is almost impossible (I know.. The Yarn Harlot did it but I'm not close to her level of expertise..) - to determine exactly how to match a combination. PLUS - with one sleeve mostly purple/red/orange.. I think I want greens in the other one.

So I think I should not even try to get a match. If I try and I'm a little off it will look worse than if I don't try.

I'm getting kinda tired of working on Kauni. This always happens to me since I don't get much time to knit and it takes me so long to finish something. But I WILL get this done and then go back to some socks.

I also ordered some of these this week:

I was tired of my old stackable storage bins falling apart whenever I moved anything around. These seem very sturdy. I will "flash my stash" when I get it reorganized. That may not be until Labor Day tho - when I'm taking time off work.

When did a cul-de-sac stop being a street?

2007-08-05T17:09:00.000-06:00

I lost it today! I live in the back of a cul-de-sac which has always been hard to get in and out of since all the driveways point to the middle. That plus my driveway is immediately next to the driveway of my neighbor to my left. That neighbor thinks the cul-de-sac is a parking lot where all their friends keep their cars and I have to maneuver around.

But today - another family (not in the cul-de-sac) has decided that the cul-de-sac is now a playground. I'm sorry. I know I'm single without kids and maybe I just don't have enough empathy but I'm tired of trying to drive home and having to circumnavigate around kids on bikes and boards racing around the cul-de-sac. They even have this wooden thingy they put in the middle of the cul-de-save that lets them leap in the air with their bikes. This afternoon my dogs were barking like crazy. I look outside and there were two of these kids running up and down my driveway. I lost it. Went outside - told them that my dogs were barking because they were running up and down my driveway and I would really appreciate it if they stopped. It worked - but I'm sure my neighbor thinks I'm a blue meany. Geezz.. when I was a kid - we went to a playground to play. Maybe hopscotch in front of MY house - but not at other's homes.

Oh well - in spite of my rants - here is my progress on Kauni:

There is a small mistake (in the back - I picked up one stitch in the wrong bar)- but I didn't notice it until I was far enough along that I wasn't going to start over.

If you notice - I deliberately chose the colors to move in the opposite directions of the body so the arms when hanging down would be in the same direction. But since the sleeves are smaller - the colors are changing slower.. plus I know that I didn't start the two colors in exactly the same place so I'm expecting different combos than the body. that's OK - I think it will be fine.

I learned something new today.. had never done an underarm gusset. It was kinda confusing since the pattern isn't detailed enough to tell you when to use K2Tog versus SSK - so I found a pattern in "Sweaters From Camp" - and now I'm doing K2Tog at the beginning (to the left of the gusset) and SSK at the end (to the right of the gusset). Hope its right.

And if anyone does this pattern. I hope you can read German. I am finding out that the German pattern is different than the English one. Thanks to my KAL pals - they are interpreting it for me..

And the pups are nagging me to show them off!

Have a good week!

I knit, I sewed, I cut

2007-08-04T19:02:00.000-06:00

Ahh.. got the body of my Kauni done. I just sewed (a little too close to the edge but I think it will be OK since the yarn is rough enough to stick together) the steeks and cut them open. Now I'm onto the sleeves.

Here is the front:

And here is the back:

I found out after the fact that the original pattern called for decreasing around the front and back neck edges every row 7 times. The english pattern said to decrease every other row in the front - and it was not specific for the back. SO.. me who takes everything literally - did both every other row. It looks fine. Too bad the pattern isn't clearer.

So - tomorrow I start the first sleeve.. I need to think about this first tho..
what color I want at the top. I do want to have the same color combos tho - just in the opposite direction.

I was so shocked about the Minneapolis bridge collapsing. My company's building is very near the bridge and no many of my coworkers cross it everyday. Luckily nobody was hurt. I was working at home when it happened - felt much like I did on 9/11 - but fearful that it was due to terrorism. My heart goes out to all the families who lost love ones.

More tomorrow!

Later- I decided to cut the front steek (I was going to wait until the collar was done but then I decided I'd rather do the sleeves first and it would be easier with the front open).. and tried it on. ARGH!! it fits wonderful except for my hips. I wouldn't be able to close it without making the button band 5 inches wide. SOO..I will definitely use my wooly board on this when I'm done and hope it gives me the diameter I need. Whatever happened to my gauge???

And so it ends

2007-07-29T14:38:00.000-06:00

I just put down Harry Potter 7. It really is an amazing book and end to the saga - filled with much more action and emotion than the others. The end is wonderful, the book is wonderful - but I have this overriding sadness that the trip is over. No more to read. I also think the book is very dark in sections.. not so sure its that good for young ones but this senior (or close to be a senior) loved it. Good bye Harry - we all loved you!

And I did do more Kauni this week. Was too tired to read much after work but I could slog thru some Kauni stockinette. I'm past the start of the neckline so I see the end of the body ahead.

This is another activity that I will miss... it is so much fun seeing the colors change. Enough that I decided - some time in the future I plan to do one like Jeannie on the KAL. She is mixing Rainbow Kauni (EQ) with Teal Kauni (EZ) and is using her own pattern instead of the boxes.. So pretty:

See this:

I've been bad this week - ordered three kits I have really wanted for a long time:
A Wild Apple Bohus - go here and click on Nyheter and scroll down

and this Poetry in Stitches kit

and this !Henry VIII by Starmore

My hot flashes have subsided and I decided I want pullovers. So that is that for me and yarn this year.. No more until I work my stash down some. Except for my "sock of the month club"! Heh, heh,.. joined the one at RedKnits.

Have a great week!

Potter Break!

2007-07-21T12:21:00.000-06:00

Well - I worked REALLY hard this week to get as much done on Kauni as I could - since as soon as my "chatty" mailman arrives (he LOVES to sit and talk to all the neighbors) I will be taking a Potter break.

Here is my cardigan. I am REALLY happy with the color combinations now. I get to a "2 color difference" for awhile which changes to a "1 color difference". So now I am at a "blue/violet" section. So pretty!

And here is a closeup showing my current section:

I have decided - once I get to the sleeves which are done from the top down - to reverse the yarn direction so that the colors change in the same direction when you are looking at the sweater. Subtle difference but I think it will look better. Not sure if I have enough yarn to start them at the same place - I'll see after I finish the body.

So... I had a bout of vertigo this week (my dr said its from allergies and the "stuff" dripping into my ear canal) - was at the grocery store to get a Singulair RX filled.. and saw the latest issue of KnitSimple. I fell in love with this and had to get the pattern! It is a Louet pattern called Madisson. They suggest Louet Merlin Worsted - but its very pricey. Not sure what I will use.

I thought it was so pretty.. the lace, the shawl collar.. not so sure about the peplum. But why or why - do they not show an entire sweater when they advertise a pattern? Why does she have her arms covering half of the front? Geezz..Of course my imagination took over and that didn't stop me.

I think tho - I will go back to socks for awhile after Kauni. I'd like to try one of the fancier sock yarns this time.. I ordered some Socks That Rock yarn which I am anxious to try.

Once again. so much yarn and so little time to knit! I need to retire soon!
Well - it may be awhile before I'm back. I'm not about to leak out the ending but I may be tempted to peak.

Ricki

Pushing through the uglies

2007-07-15T16:12:00.000-06:00

Well - yesterday I almost tossed my Kauni. I hit an orange-red violet combination and frankly - it was pretty disgusting. I almost tossed (in fact I ordered 2 new skeins of the yarn which I have since bequested to my sister). After a pep talk from my KAL buddies - I closed my eyes and pushed thru the ugliness and came out through the back door only to find this pleasant surprise:

This sweater takes a lot of "blind faith" and stamina. But I think it will end up to be a masterpiece. Maybe? I have about an inch to go before the armhole steeks and there's no turning back now. And note that the corregated ribbing is still curling despite the German twisted cast-on. Oh well - hope that some steaming will take care of that.

Also wanted to flaunt another new addiction of mine - Vera Bradley Java blue.. In the last month - I have purchased a Lindsay, cosmetic bag, wallet, and checkbook. All but the last on ebay. Can I say I LOVE this print? Here is my collection:

These items are so nicely made. Very sturdy, can be washed in the machine. I think I can use them all year round. The print isn't too summery. LOVE THEM!

I am trying to kick a stomach bug this weekend. Who knows where I picked it up - maybe at the doctor last week (had my blood drawn for cholesterol test). Some days I think I need to just stay home.

Have a great week! Since next week is the Harry Potter book 7 release - I need to get lots done before then. I will be immersed in HP once it comes and Kauni will come second!