Knitting Obsession

Moved!

2006-10-06T13:52:00.000-04:00

I'm all moved...please go to my new spot. I will not be posting here anymore...please change your bookmarks and bloglines. Thanks!

I'm moving...

2006-10-05T21:46:00.000-04:00

over to typepad. Things will look wacky for a bit while I try to figure out exporting. The new site is almost the same, just typepad instead of blogspot...here. I'll post here when it's all ready! Feel free to go over though it is definitely a work in progress.

Ahhh, Kerry....

2006-10-03T12:15:00.000-04:00

Doesn't Tootsie looked blissed out? I just want to bury myself in her fuzzy tummy. Thankfully you can't hear the sound effects of her snoring inelegantly in my ear. I've started the BWA Kerry KAL. If you asked me right now what I thought about the Kerry, I might respond with a vigorous eye roll. It feels like the stitches go on forever, and I've only done the three rows of ribbing! Next I increase (practically doubling the number of stitches) and will have 400-odd stitches on the needles (in order to accommodate the honeycomb pattern on the bottom of the sweater). Granted, to lace folk that isn't too much. But this is a lot more stitches than I am used to! The Weekend Pullover has a lot less than that...at least it feels that way. I think when I am doing more interesting stitches it will be better....I'll find out tonight. For Socktoberfest, I've decided not to worry too much about new pairs of socks, but to learn from everyone else and try to complete the two pair on needles right now (BRC toe ups and Gentleman's sock in lozenge pattern). I do have a pair of Evelyn Clark lace socks on needles too but I may or may not pick those back up...still debating. I have so much beautiful sock yarn that I want to use, but I really feel I should complete some first. This is where I am with the Weekend Pullover...I got a late start on the BWA KAL because I wanted to get to a point with the Weekend Pullover that I could put it away and know right where I am when I pick it back up. The back is completed up to the increases, ready to start armhole shaping. I still love this sweater and all of the different patterns. I do need some advice on how to get all of the lovely cat hair that I have knitted into it out! Hopefully it will come out with a good Eucalan soak. Or I can leave it in as a design element! This is the closest I have ever seen these two mortal enemies...they are usually at least a tail's length apart. Brynn's nose is cold again..... Amanda Cathleen just had her blogiversary. Hopefully some of you stopped by! She had a little contest, and it turns out yours truly was the winner! Whoo! Thanks Amanda! I really enjoy reading your blog and am so glad I found it... It's amazing when you think about how big the knitting network is getting. I really hope some of you are coming to Stitches East (which is literally right down the street from my apartment) so I can meet you "for real"!

Grandmother Purl's squares, plus one cute cat.

2006-09-26T23:03:00.000-04:00

While there hasn't been much blogging, there has been knitting. These are the squares for CAP's grandmother. The white one is made out of Bernat Cotton Tots in white (der). The pattern is the leaf lace panel from 365 Knitting Stitches a Year...I think January 30. The variegated one is Wool in the Woods Lava in Juniper and the pattern is a bobble rib from Mon Tricot knitting dictionary. You can't really see the bobbles but you can feel them...and I surprisingly didn't mind knitting with the cotton when making these. I thought it would make my hands ache but it didn't...so that was happy news. I also started one of the scarfs I am making for the Red Scarf Project. This one is in Caron Simply Soft Shadows, which I spotted at Michael's when making a needle run (I love Susan Bates aluminum needles!). It's supposed to stripe in shadowy ways (I'm guessing like Reynolds Fusion?) It looks like the color changes will be fun and it is indeed soft. I also found this new yarn.... Patons Soy Wool Stripes. I may be in love with this yarn. I may want to knit an entire garment out of this. There is something about the way it feels on my fingers...sort of a hairy softness....that makes my heart go pitter-patter. I don't know why I love it but I do! Bought two balls to play with and make a gender neutral scarf for the project. This is Navy Natural. I feel like I haven't been blogging as much as I want to, and I think it's because I don't like Blogger much. I picked it when I started blogging because it looked easy. I really don't know anything about HTML or coding or CSS or what-have-you. Blogger has been somewhat helpful with that. But it's not that intuitive and I have problems especially with downloading pictures to the blog (the process). I would like to upgrade, and really like the looks of Typepad especially with the photo albums. I also really like the look of Pretty Posies but I don't know nearly enough to use it, I think. So, reader(s), what platforms do you use? Which one would be good for a non savvy person like me? And which one is EASY especially with posting pictures? Thanks for your help! Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

2006-09-18T18:08:00.000-04:00

We're knitting a blanket for Crazy Aunt Purl's grandmother! Join the fun!

No new tale to tell...

2006-09-18T03:32:00.000-04:00

Not much to report in terms of knitting progress, but you all should know that the Masters Rowing Association is very, very nice. They shipped my camera back to me packaged very nicely, and I surely do appreciate it! As I said before, Princeton was so much fun. There was racing (my team members are wearing yellow and gold).... There was the Guinness beer garden....mmmm, Guinness.... Somewhat, but not entirely related to the Guinness beer garden, there was bobbing for beers.... This was the eventual "winner" of the beer bobbing, though as the co-instigator of the bobbing noted, it was really all about the zen of dunking your head in a tub of ice to get a beer. There are no winners in beer bobbing! And, of course, there was algae (why not?) It all was very fun. I had fun cheerleading but you can bet I will be racing next year. Maybe not in the FISA World Masters though...next year it's being held in Croatia. Although that would be a lot of fun!! In terms of knitting progress, here is a picture of the weekend pullover last weekend right before leaving for NJ. You've seen progress pics since then, but this is a better picture. Add about 7 inches and that is where I am now. I am in the middle of increasing back up to shape for armholes. I am going to keep going until October 1st when I will put the Pullover aside for the Kerry KAL...I need to swatch for that as soon as my yarn is delivered (I think it actually may be in the post office and I just need to pick it up). I am really looking forward to the KAL...and have gotten such good advice from everyone on the list. It is my first Aran but I am reassured by everyone's confidence that it is a good beginner pattern. I am on nights this week...at least in the beginning of the week. Thus the 4 AM posts! Then back to a "normal" schedule. If there is anyone out there going to the Aerosmith/Motley Crue concert this weekend I think you should know that

I am very jealous
I want to hear all about it

That is all. Have a terrific week!

Leaving my brain in New Jersey

2006-09-11T19:45:00.000-04:00

As well as leaving my camera in New Jersey. I was at the FISA World Masters Regatta over the weekend cheering on the Baltimore Rowing Club as they did very well against the rest of the world. I was pretty psyched to find a regatta fleece on sale and in my excitement seem to have left my digital camera at the booth....the people running the booth tell me they found it and gave it to the regatta organizers who should be getting in touch with me tomorrow. Here's hoping! I liked that little camera and there are some terrific pics on there. The pics on today's post are from my camera phone, so the color quality is not too great, and in fact neither is the picture quality. But better than nothing, and certainly better than my last camera phone! On the drive up I made quite a bit of progress on the Weekend Pullover: and have now completed the shaping at the bottom. I am about to start the increases at the top and will then shape for armholes. I am really enjoying this knit. I haven't made any sort of progress on any of my socks as I am so into the sweater...and I went ahead and ordered my yarn for the BWAKerry KAL in Quartz, which looks to be a lovely pinky-brown neutral. I had pretty well decided that I didn't want the stress of knitting Christmas gifts for everyone this year but do want to do a couple of things...my mother's gift, my brother's, and probably the Nemo sweater for my nephew if I can find a pattern. That may be it unless I suddenly turn up the speed of my knitting. This must be why the cables are "eccentric": but I just think they're quirky. Brynn and Tootsie are so peaceful on my bed....5 seconds later, Chloe jumped up here and lambasted both of them with her velvet paws of doom. Never a moment's peace around these parts! Lots of catching up to do on bloglines today...it seems the blogging world is picking up from the doldrums of summer. Everyone is making beautiful sweaters and other things... I am still really excited about socks even though I have taken a little break from them. Pure Knits sent me a sweet little package: These pictures hardly do the yarn justice. Left, Yarntini in Pure Fall. Right, Yarn Pirate in Cannon Beach. They are both beautiful and so fine and delicate looking. I almost don't want to knit them up. Underneath is some HandPainted yarn laceweight I relieved a fellow knitter of in a stash busting sale. It was super inexpensive and is truly gorgeous. Why is yarn so pretty???!?!? It just makes me want to buy and buy, even when I don't have specific plans for it. This is not really an acceptable way of life...how do you manage your stash enhancing tendencies? Or do you not? I hope none of you are as sunburned as I am right now...NJ on the water and no sunblock = bright pink Suzanne. 5 years ago, I was living in Boulder, Colorado. I worked in Lakewood, near Denver, so had a 45 minute commute on the best of days. My cable had just been cut off and I couldn't find my rabbit ears...no early news for me that day. I was running late as usual and as I drove to Lakewood I listened to KBCO. One of the DJs was going on and on about a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I remember thinking that I couldn't believe navigation would let a plane down like that. The DJ said "Oh, they're showing it again!" It was pretty quiet for a second and the second DJ said "I think that was another plane." I was getting close to work and kept looking around at the cars around me on Highway 36....surely they were listening too, but everyone seemed to be going about their business. Once I got to work, I ran inside and went to the only place I knew I could make a long distance call, the nursing station of the locked psychiatric ward. All I wanted to do was talk to my mom. It took 20 minutes or so to get through to her. The whole rest of the day was spent glued to the TV, and I don't remember if any of us in administration ate a thing. The newspapers in Colorado put out special editions around noontime Mountain time. I still have them, dusty and yellowed, but I haven't looked at them since that day. When I got home, I threw the contents of the linen and junk closet on the floor and found the rabbit ears....just in time to see President Bush's evening statement. I know that I didn't sleep well that day, and the next day and the day after that....the world was just so different. Tonight I watched the real time coverage of that day on CNN (the videos are still available). The feeling of nausea and disbelief is just as strong today as it was then. Will it ever go away? Should it?

ahhh, much better

2006-09-05T05:51:00.000-04:00

Wowee! That's some bright yarn! Rest assured, this is not the actual color of my sweater. I took these lurvely shots using my brand spanking and apparently psycho camera Razr phone. The beee-right first shot is my progress now, through row 16. This knit is so much fun! I am really enjoying it, I think because of all the different stitch patterns. I've already learned some things about shaping and the importance of Post-It notes. Ahh, Post-It notes. I have to keep track of the actual row I am on as well as the other real row I am on....two of the patterns have an 8 stitch repeat and one has a 26 row repeat. The fourth is simple enuff as it is just right side, wrong side. Yay simple! Anywho, I wrote a highly complex formula out which has been invaluable (once I realized that 8 doesn't actually come after 14. Der!)

This beautiful shot is a little closer to the actual color though my stitch markers are not made of uranium. This is a close up of the Van Dyke lace in the center panel of the sweater. And this is a close up of the so called Eccentric Cable (really...what did the cable do? Why is it eccentric? No need to label!!) and the Lacy Rib. I really dig the Lacy Rib. So Kristin is an enaaaabler. I have signed up for the Kerry KAL. I am awaiting my color card and pattern from Black Water Abbey to make a color choice and will then order the yarn. It appears that this is a pretty good pattern for a new Aran/sweater knitter.

No sock progress. Also, no love life progress but I have found that it isn't so bad to watch a baseball game and not call someone to gloat about the score. When hockey season starts I will be able to harass my friend about the Washington Capitals suckitude (sorry, Caps fans out there) whenever they play the Flyers and the Flyers kick their heinies. Flyers rule! I am going to the Caps opener against the Carolina Hurricanes, which is where my all time favorite player Rod Brind'Amour runs the ship. I will be wearing my vintage Flyers Brind'Amour sweater despite A's assurances that this will cause me to be killed by a bolt of lightning in the Phone Booth's parking lot.

And can I say how bummed I am about Steve Irwin? I really liked watching him and his family rassle crocs.

whoopsie daisy

2006-09-03T22:50:00.000-04:00

I lied, I'm totally a perfectionist or somewhat like one. Annkari found some errors in the weekend pullover pattern and...yes, I ripped. Ripped back to the start of the pattern itself (but not the ribbing) and restarted, and I can tell a difference. I knew it would drive me nuts if I didn't fix the Harris Tweed! I might add a picture in a bit if I can figure out how to do it from my cell phone. Hope everyone is having a good Labor Day!

Pink things make the world go round

2006-09-03T02:51:00.000-04:00

Yaaay, I got my pink Razr: Chloe is attached to it already. She has good taste! She is not usually tinged green. I am camera challenged at 3 in the morning...these are the times when I stay up all night in prep for going to night shift for the holiday weekend. After only two nights, though, I am off for 8 days...woot! Looking forward to a nice break. I, as the official cheerleader of the BRC since I haven't been able to row myself, will be going to Princeton to cheer my peeps on as they race against the world. The thrill! The agony! The Guinness beer tent! I did finally start the Weekend Pullover from the Fall 06 IK. I was waiting for a yarn shipment to be sure I had matched dye lots, and since the dye lots matched....nothing to do but cast on. I've gotten through the ribbing and have started the main body. There is already shaping which is throwing me into a tizzy. I'm fairly certain that I have screwed this up already because the Harris Tweed stitches, which are the first and last 30 stitches, don't look like my gauge swatch yet which is in the same stitch. However! I may be wrong about my screwiness (in the context of the sweater at least) as I think the swatch didn't look like anything for a couple of repeats too. Who knows! As [some] of my gentle reader(s) know, I am NOT a perfectionist. In fact I am more of a "looks pretty good to me and who will really be able tell"-ionist. Anywho, here is a close up of both my big head shadow and the so-called "eccentric cable" which as far as I can tell hasn't done anything to deserve such a title. I may change my thoughts on that when I've, you know, completed more than 10 rows of the sweater. Not a snap judger or anything there! AND, there has been progress on the sock: Busy, busy, busy. Must keep self busy! This is helping the recovery period from finding myself, alas, alone again and serves the dual purpose of preventing the spending of rent at Yankee Candle. Dude, that place is addictive with the autumn scents and little scarecrow tart holders. Well, now I think I can let myself go to sleep...the cats are mighty curious about what I'm still doing up. Have a happy, safe Labor Day!

Fancy socks, not so much

2006-08-30T21:26:00.000-04:00

Well, I took everyone's advice (good advice all! Thanks!) and rrrripped the Anne and cast on for the Fancy socks in Lana Grossa Meilenweit in a pretty heathery green. The pattern was coming along nicely and was so much more visible. I was really enjoying knitting along....tra la, when YF called me up and gave me the big kiss-off because he isn't "ready for a serious relationship." Grr! This left me with bad feelings for either the yarn or the pattern, not sure which, so...... bye bye, Fancy Socks. I was behind on the Vintage Socks KAL anyway, so I cast on for another pair of socks that have been done before, the Gentleman's Sock in Lozenge pattern and I am clicking along on these. Another fun pattern from Nancy! Hopefully no negative vibes will be associated with this pair. I assuaged my hurt feelings in retail therapy, and bought another lot of yarn in a matching dye lot (I HOPE....should be arriving soon) to start the Weekend Pullover from IK Fall 2006. I also may have done a little damage on eBay. That place is lethal! But only to the tune of about $10 for two skeins of Koigu Kersti...not bad, not bad at all! AND I upgraded my phone to a pink Razr which should also be arriving soon. I love me a pink Razr. So, back in the saddle again. My mother tells me that if she had only known for sure she would get married and have children, she would have been able to have a lot more fun at this time of her life. I have to say I agree. I would rather be able to know. Brynn says, maybe just sleep on it. Things always look better with a little perspective.

Advice please!

2006-08-20T23:18:00.000-04:00

So I have joined the Vintage Socks (by Nancy Bush) KAL and have started this month's socks, the Gentleman's Fancy Socks. I have the Anne called for in the pattern, which I really wanted to use, but it is highly variegated and I think it is obscuring the pattern. Should I bag this? The Anne cries out for a pretty basic rib or stocking pattern, which this is...but I don't know. I need help deciding. In the book, the example is so pretty and differentiated and with my crazy yarn it just isn't as "fancy." Not bad, just not fancy. What do you think? Rip it? I do have a mostly solid yarn from an ebay seller and one from sweetgeorgia yarns that could be alternates. Just would need to figure out gauge as these yarns are definitely not as fine as the Schaefer Anne. Good things:

I love the Anne. It is so nice to knit.
I now know that I love Inox grays.

Let me know what you think!

Socks!

2006-08-15T23:12:00.000-04:00

Whilst watching the Orioles cough up a hairball on their pitcher's hard work at Yankee Stadium, I finished the socks! The firstest pair of socks! Woot! They do not match even a little bit! Somehow I don't think Mom will mind. I had a really hard time taking these off. What is it about handknitted socks that makes them so darn comfortable? I really don't know. I do know, however, that I may well wear them to work tomorrow since I have to wash them anyway (Mom does love her grandcats, but I need to wash the cat collective fur out of them). Specs: Pattern: Lacy Mock Cable Socks Yarn: Lion Brand Magic Stripes in Regatta Stripe Needles: US size 2 Clover DPNs Gauge: 8 sts to 1 inch Start: according to el blog, May 28th, 2006 Finis: August 25th, 2006 with a month long break and several short breaks in between. Conclusion: love the pattern, surprisingly love the yarn. Would definitely make these again. It does seem to be my pattern to jump around from project to project. I don't know that I should keep track of start and finish dates unless I actually work at one project at a time...but where is the fun in that? Plus I do get distracted easily. Today I was bopping around between washing the towels, making meatloaf, and finishing the socks rather than just sit and knit. I can't sit for that long! But I did sit and pause the game while Kitchnering the second toe. I wanted this one to be better than the first. Nice Kitch, baby.

mmmm, cashmere

2006-08-12T23:53:00.000-04:00

Doesn't this kill you? What sweet packaging. This came to me from Pure Knits and there are many things that I love about it.

tied up with a pretty brown bow (have I told you how much I love pink and brown together?)
Sample of Fable Handknit, my new obsession and quite possibly softer than Brynn's tummy (shock! awe!)
lurvely little handwritten note from Yahaira
and......

ooooohhhhhhhh 100% cashmere yarn. on SALE. I have been thinking hard about making myself a sweater...an actual grown up sweater. This will be my first really big project...I've done baby sweaters, so have an idea about construction but that's about it. I like this maybe-maybenot Jaeger that I got from an auction on eBay and decided to use it. I also really like the pattern for Weekend Pullover from Fall 2006 IK. However, it is made from the mysterious Reynolds Revue, either non existent (it's all in their heads!) or not available yet (somehow I lean towards that). Also, I need to use some of my crazy stash. So! Experiments! Math! Rulers! GAUGE SWATCH! Reynolds Revue gets 11 wpi...my Faeger or Jaeger or whatever gets 13. So I decided to go down a needle size from a 5 to a 4 and just swatch the Harris tweed stitch and hope to get 4 inches from 24 stitches. Cast on 30 so I could have a little 2 stitch garter border and have my multiple of 4 (24) plus 2 (26). Did three repeats and two more rows of knit stitch then cast off. I have 4 inches! Sweet! At least, it seemed like 24 stitches and 4 inches. It was a little hard to count with the Harris tweed stitch. Why can't every gauge swatch be in stocking stitch??? Didn't EZ say every designer should knit a little stocking stitch gauge after the project is complete using the same needles and yarn? Anyway, I washed the swatch and it is reposing on a towel in the cat's bathroom right now. Will re-measure in the AM when head is clear. Bored yet? When in doubt, take a nap. Naps can fix ENNYthing. Have a great weekend! The weather is killer right now. YF has his guard weekend and then starts his two weeks annual training at Andrews AFB. I'm really glad it isn't so hot and muggy right now, and hope it stays that way for him (and for all of you)!

Is this really Jaeger?

2006-08-10T20:33:00.000-04:00

It looks like it to me but I may be clueless. The reason I am wondering is because I have been searching for pattern support and have been coming up short....maybe it's discontinued? I just don't know. Any ideas, reader(s)? I also am still debating the great VK question...do I renew or not? It's a tough question. Most of the garments in this issue were, to me, hideous. However, the socks section was so great that I have a hard time dumping the magazine. If each issue had at least one pattern I wanted to knit, it would be worth it to me.... I'm craving Rowan 40. May have to pick that up next time I am at a LYS. I looooove Rosa. The KSH ball gown kind of cracks me up in a "but I really, really want to make it out of Pearl and get married in it if I was getting married which I'm not" way. You know what I'm talking about. Got the hair snipped today. Love it! Cute, shorter, sassy. Made up for PT in which I had to have the dread electrical stim with ice and added bonus ultrasound. Why are nurses such crummy patients? Enjoy the weekend! No snoring!

2006-08-03T23:11:00.000-04:00

I got back from sunny California on Tuesday night...much refreshed and in good spirits, only to walk smack headfirst into sweltering, boiling heat. I know that it isn't news to any of you. Also, it's pretty funny that most of us in blogland are coping with the heat by knitting wool or wool-ish socks....well, at least they aren't sweaters. I got my copy of "Vogue Knitting" today and started sweating as soon as I opened it and saw all of those sweaters. I have to say, the section on socks was terrific and awe-inspiring (arch shaping!) but I didn't see much in the way of garments that I would make....did like some of the "Grey's Anatomy" sweaters. My subscription is running out with my next issue and I need to decide if I should renew or not. I still like flipping through VK but have yet to REALLY WANT to knit something out of it (with the exception of one thing...tell you in a sec). So, loyal reader(s), should I renew? Give them one more year to impress me? California was terrific if only for the fact that my nephew is so darn awesome. It really tears me up that I can't spend more time with him. He is currently really into "Finding Nemo" and I think I want to knit him a bright orange sweater with black and white accent stripes for Christmas. His mother, my sister-in-law, is just taking up knitting so we brushed up her skills and I taught her how to knit in the round. She purchased a great pattern for felted fish and we got Nature Spun colors for Nemo, Dory, and Gill....it was fun. This all took place at Monarch Knitting and Quilts in Pacific Grove (near Monterey)...this store is now my favorite California store (that dog! Sikora, I think...lays there like he's dead waiting for a belly rub. Works every time someone walks in). I nearly had a heart attack there...but I restrained myself and only bought one yarnivir: Schaefer Anne in such a fun colorway: This yarn took me by surprise when I saw it wound. On the skein the color repeats looked much longer but they are about 10 inches or so each. Will be so cool!! We also went to Uncommon Threads in Los Altos....my sister-in-law also wanted to learn how to knit hats and she wanted different wool for that. She has a great eye and went right for the Jamieson's. I spotted a Koigu colorway that was irresistible and some Lana Grossa Meilenweit in solid colors...have been wanting to try this yarn: Lest you think that all I did was shop, I did make progress on Mom's sock. I turned the heel (went much better this time) and am now working my way through the gussets: and I think it is going well. For my first pair of socks, not bad. Then!! Then, after a miserable flight and shuttle ride home, I checked my mail...what do I find but my contest prize from Kristen! Holy smokes! I was fondling Misti Alpaca for hours at Monarch! I couldn't believe my eyes. The color is perfect for me, and I think I know what I am going to knit out of it...Meg Swanson's lace scarf design from VK Fall 2005. I will need to pick up a contrast color (I'm thinking charcoal grey or a brown) and figure out gauge. Are these buttons the cutest?? Thanks Kristen! Hope your birthday was terrific. Stay cool and hydrated! ps....can you tell me what species of jellyfish that is at the beginning? I took the picture here but of course didn't write any names down.

California Dreaming

2006-07-28T13:56:00.000-04:00

In sunny (and not as hot as last week) California visiting my brother and sister-in-law and my extremely gorgeous and wonderful and smart nephew. Back next week, hopefully with completed socks! Have a terrific weekend!

Seeking: Koigu advice

2006-07-22T20:27:00.000-04:00

Tootsie, big and beautiful. She doesn't care that she doesn't quite fit! It's raining yet again...but I don't mind it too much because my plants needed it. I have found that if I go and water them it will then pour and they will get over watered...today I was thinking about watering them and a torrential downpour opened up. The power of the mind!!!! Right, now that I am over myself, I need a little advice. I have three skeins of lovely Koigu: I need help with an idea for what to make with this. I don't want to do socks, since I have three skeins, and I don't want a lone skein left over. Any suggestions? Hmm...wonder what I am going to make with this Lion and Lamb? :) I am behind the times, as I have said before, and think I might actually make Clap-o-tee if I can stomach it. It is such a pretty knit and looks so cozy, and this yarn is truly ridiculous in it's softness. I am flashing stash today: this is lovely Melody from eBay that wants to be a shawl. I have 2200 yards of this and am looking through "Folk Shawls" for an idea. It's a gray/greenish variegated fingering weight yarn. Pretty and so soft! Brynn says...."this time I'm going to EAT the mouse. No more of this silly batting around! Get in my belly!" Meanwhile, Chloe's just chilling:

WIP: now with Fun Fur!!!

2006-07-17T01:46:00.000-04:00

You read that right...I am working on a Fun Fur project. And it isn't made from Tootsie's fun fur, that's for sure. I forgot how....INTERESTING...the polyester plastic (is that an oxymoron?) feels on my fingers. Rest assured, it is for a good cause and I will be done with it in about 3 hours. I'm staying up as late as I can tonight as I go onto a long stretch of night shifts at the hospital starting tomorrow night. I really hate night shift, but at least I won't have to be up during the extreme heat scheduled to come down on us this week. It's Kristen's birthday month...I just spent some quality time in her archives trying to come up with answers to her questions for her contest. Go visit her!

What a terrific weekend!

2006-07-10T22:56:00.000-04:00

This is a picture intensive post! First off, on Friday....well, maybe this isn't terrific. This is more like confusing as all heck. I as working away on the toe up sock on the 00 needles when I noticed a little something weird. Do you see it? It seems my gauge suddenly and spectacularly tightened up. There is a very clear demarcation where the stitches are much smaller and they stay that way. The gauge there was 9 sts/inch so I moved up to the 0 needles to keep 8 sts/inch...but the stitches still look tighter. I have a feeling I was knitting loosely for some reason when I was doing the toe and my brain turned back on suddenly on one row. I decided not to rip and try the toe again...after all, I will be trying the toe again soon on sock #2! But I will definitely start with the size 0 needles and make more of an effort to knit to my usual gauge. Brynn held still for the 2.5 seconds needed for her closeup: I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was certainly busy! I went to Yankee Fan's and on Saturday we drove up to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park: If you look really closely you can see a eagle or hawk in the middle there looking for lunch. I choose to believe that it was an eagle but he didn't come close enough to us humans to tell for sure. These are some lovely wildflowers....or possibly weeds. Again, I don't know for sure, but I choose to believe they are lovely wildflowers. There were certainly a lot of bumblebees bumbling around in them. On Sunday, we went to the Nationals game where we watched in horror as they blew a 5 run lead, but were with my sister and her BF who then fed us a yummy BBQ so it was all good. Then, when I got home Sunday, it was to find this box of loveliness: This is a spectacular box of Sweet Georgia Handpainted sock yarn fresh from Vancouver....oh the joy!!! From left to right, this is saffron, mango, black orchid and river. Heavenly stuff!!!!!!The river and the black orchid are my favorites so far but only because I'm in a blue/purple mood. When I am ready for it, I will go wild for the gorgeous yellows and golds and oranges. My camera can't possibly capture the beauty but you hopefully get the idea. Now to find some patterns that will do these justice! I think I definitely want to try some of Nancy Bush's patterns so will look again through those. But I have to remember that I have 80 million projects on needles so should concentrate on those. Stitches East class registration is up now, so I have to think hard about which to take. I am leaning towards two color knitting with Sally Melville....I have to go Thursday or Friday as I am working that weekend. Which classes are you taking?

Macro Mode, part Deux...(read the other one first)

2006-07-06T19:23:00.000-04:00

Still working on the practice Featherweight Fanstasy. Got through one of the four main repeats and I really like this pattern. I haven't cast on for the mohair one because I need needles for it...I swatched with my plastic/bakelite needles last week and the brushed mohair is really almost a bulky weight. So I need size 13 or 15's and I don't have them. I may end up with Addi circulars because, despite the blunt tip, they are speedy. Susan Bates cords are so stiff, and I'm afraid the Bryspun needles won't feel substantial enough for this yarn....I know I could use bamboo, but I think it will stick a lot to the mohair. Look what came today!! I got both of these for truly ridiculous prices on eBay. The Jaeger is not speaking to me yet about what it wants to become...any suggestions?? Wonder what's in Rowan that I want to knit...it might have something to do with the Kid Silk ~~crack~~ Haze that's coming next week...... Bookends...Chloe's fuzzy face. Brynn isn't ready for her close up yet, Mr. DeMille.

Macro Mode!!

2006-07-06T19:08:00.000-04:00

Much experimentation follows. It was an adventurous week. It's hard to photograph animals in macro mode with my camera I guess because the auto focus doesn't work well with fur. But look at that pretty pale pink nose. Tootsie is such a sweetie. Minutes before this she was snoring...really snoring...loudly. I don't know if I should be concerned or not about this...she is sometimes loud enough to wake me up!! I found this yarn at A Good Yarn and had to get it because it is in the colors of my rowing team, the Baltimore Rowing Club. I decided last night to try Wendy's toe up pattern (you can find it on her website, link is in the sidebar under Wendy Knits). It was an adventure, mainly because in order to get gauge on this Regia 4 ply I am having to use US 00 needles!!! Ow! Also, I am afraid I will bend them. So this is my first short row toe: pretty hideous. But not bad for a first time. I never got what the big deal about short rows was before, but then I never realized you had to wrap before. They still aren't too hard for me, but awfully fiddly. Some progress on Mom's sock. Wait! One more post to come.

Ha!

2006-06-30T22:29:00.000-04:00

What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?

You will perish of fits. Repeat this to yourself: "Things can work out even if I don't get my way. Things can work out even...." Take this quiz! Hmmm...this is rather accurate. Almost down to the name. Scary, eh?? Not much to report in the knitting world. I've made a little progress on the second sock, and have ignored the practice shawl for a couple days as it got on my nerves two nights ago after I had to rip the same row twice. I'm pondering starting one of the Merino Oro shawls, or maybe starting the mohair one if I can find needles that I like since I seem to have the hang of the Featherweight Fantasy pattern. Ponder, ponder.... Have a very happy and safe Fourth of July!!

Ahhh, Stash Enhancement

2006-06-25T19:57:00.000-04:00

Twinkletoes! From lotusblossom on eBay...such pretty, pretty yarn. This is Rose Garden 2 and Peach Pie. I am now trying to decide patterns for them. This was a delightful and speedy transaction...I highly recommend! From what I can tell of reviews, the yarn knits up well too. Unfortunately, I located All About Yarn today. For this, I blame Eunny since I read her blog yesterday. I read her archives, where she talked about her beautiful shawls, and I may have fallen down onto some Merino Oro and a couple of patterns. However, these will be Christmas gifts, so it isn't all bad, right? I have ~~delusions~~ no doubt that I will actually accomplish my Christmas knitting this year. Since I am thinking about it in June, this only reinforces my convictions. Also, if you're counting, and I am, that makes 5 yarn stores within 30 minutes and 1 at Yankee Fan's. Ack! I have to keep remembering that Stitches East is coming in November and I should be saving my yarn budget for THAT rather than....you know, beautiful-gorgeous-can't-wait-to-cast-on cobweb yarn. Progress report...some of you were kind enough to remind me of second sock syndrome. I started Mom's second sock three days ago, and am well into the patterns. I may have almost matched the stripes. Yay! The practice Featherweight Fantasy stole is going well, and I made a little progress on the Lorna's Laces socks while at the doctor's office the other day getting bad news about my foot and its lack of healing. It has been raining non stop for two days...hopefully we will have some sun soon. Back to work bright and early Monday morning!

Number One Sock!

2006-06-18T18:20:00.000-04:00

Yay! Finished my first real sock. Not too shabby. The toe...well, I need a little work with Kitchener but it turned out pretty good. Feels very good on my foot...the pattern is a rib so is quite snuggly. A better angle of the toe.... And a close up of the stitch pattern. I was at Yankee Fan's this weekend and it turns out that right down the street (literally) is....Knit Happens. Uh-oh!!! I had a moment. I knew we were going to be watching the Yankee/Nationals game later, and I had forgotten Mom's sock, so I NEEDED a new project. Picked up Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in brick and the Raindrop Lace pattern and needles...and then saw "Folk Socks." Didn't get too far on the sock as I was interrupted rudely by a 7 run inning (CRAZY game) and also my seeming inability to count on Saturdays. YF was intrigued by the "tiny needles" and thought it was funny when I threw it across the room after ripping twice in a row. Also, picked up some big Turbos to put the shawl/scarf on as the aluminum circular ones had a really stiff cable that kept whapping me in the face. The Turbos are really heavy!!! Plus I didn't look too closely at the tip and they are a little blunt. But they are not hitting me in the face, so bonus. Saw The Legwarmers in concert Friday...so much fun!! I highly recommend. Dig out your blue eyeshadow and jelly shoes if you go.

Wierd Science

2006-06-15T22:39:00.000-04:00

Crisis over, I restarted (due to massive error when I was a beginner and excessively tight gauge) the featherweight fantasy shawl that I started two or three years ago with mystery yarn won on eBay. The yarn was advertised as "I think it's silk" but when I got it and started knitting with it I was certain it was acrylic as it had that....feel about it. Then, last night, as I tinked and frogged 5 or 6 times total due to....massive error, I noticed the yarn was....felting? Or at least developing a nice halo from all of the friction. Thinking that it wasn't behaving like acrylic, I decided to use the Harlot's advice from her most recent book "Knitting Rules" on how to tell what your fiber (or if I was Harlot, fibre) is. Observe: This is a bowl of bleach with dissolving yarn, a little ball of felt, and some dry crumbly ash. Thus.....wool! Thanks, Stephanie! This makes the shawl a little easier going, knowing that it won't melt into a sticky mess. Reknitting the set up rows eighty million times, surprisingly, has not made me want to stop and throw the shawl off the balconey. Sock progress....about to start decreasing the toe. Whee! Must remember to start the second sock immediately despite imminent arrival of bee-yoo-ti-ful sock yarn from lotusblossom on Ebay. Twinkletoes!!!!!

What to do when faced with a (minor) crisis

2006-06-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

1. Plan next million projects. This entails reviewing every blooming knitting magazine and book in my possession and listing all of the projects I want to do. It turns out there are a lot of socks I want to make that involve solid colored sock yarn. Mine is all variegated. This means only one thing to me: I need more sock yarn. Also finally decide on a pattern for Meditation lavender scented yarn to make up a lightweight scarf for Mom by Monday. Feel only mildly worried about completing said scarf by Monday. 2. Work on sock. Not much to report but I am pleased with how these are turning out. I do like the way these stripe and look with the pattern. 3. Graft the toe of the &^*$@# cottage sock. Note that it looks nothing like it should. Weave in ends anyway. Realize that NO ONE has mismatched feet like these and thus will not want to wear them. Reclaim all five of my ludicrously sized 9.0 mm Brittany DPNs which will, let's be honest, probably never be used again. 4. Despite presence of matching feet, try the socks on anyway. Feel overcome by sudden urge to don hockey skates and body check someone into next week. 5. Recognize snuggly warmth of ridiculous socks and stuff them in sock drawer for next winter. Anticipate much mocking. Check out that fab heel!! 6. Make pita pizzas and pour a glass of VivaSangria from Boordy. Decide between Bridget Jones and Captain Jack Aubrey. Sorry, Bridget..."Lucky" Jack wins tonight.

I am behind the times

2006-06-08T02:32:00.000-04:00

No pictures today, but I am here to tell you that I am finished with the gussets for the sock and am now knitting along till I get to the toe shaping. I tried it on today, and I love the pattern, but it is a little puffy. But nice and warm and hopefully will keep my mom's toes toasty. I registered for a class for socks on two needles at The Celtic Knot and can't wait to start. Not till July though! On a wee yarn diet for a bit. In other news, I realize that I am behind the times. Way, way behind. Look...over there on the left. My brand spanking new progress bars (click on the link below to get 'em! Super easy!) and my upcoming projects. See some familiar names there?? Clapotis, Jaywalker...I've always been a late bloomer. I didn't put the Irish Hiking Scarf there but you know I want to. And I kinda like Charlotte. REALLY like Clapotis but don't know what to knit it from....must wait till some smooth yarn calls to me. No more awesome new designs till I'm caught up, ok? In the meantime...where's that Koigu?

One Heel to Turn

2006-06-05T17:27:00.000-04:00

Whee! I turned the heel on my first real sock. I even remembered to wrap my short rows (except for one, but we don't talk about that). I think it's looking pretty good. The yarn is splitting a little bit which is aggravating at times, but otherwise I like it. The colors are relaxing and the striping is fun. I don't want to stop knitting just because I want to see what will come next, even though I kind of already know. I am now in the process of decreasing back down to my toe...and realizing that I didn't check gauge and am getting 8 sts/inch instead of 7!!!! Oh, dear...at least my mom's feet are small. Hope they fit! The weekend was terrific, with decent weather for the most part. Cooled down quite a bit, and I got to Camden Yards Saturday to see the Yanks beat the O's. The person I was with was a Yanks fan, and so was the entire section, so it was fun to hear the crowd. Some of the people around us were definitely rowdy...nothing like Philly fans but still let everyone know what they thought. Back to night shift at the hospital tonight!!!

Danger, Will Robinson!!!

2006-06-02T16:22:00.000-04:00

Destination: The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop. Left the city at 1208. Arrived at 1233. This means that there are FOUR yarn shops within 25 minutes of me. For real!! Here are the others . It's not really as good as it sounds because it may be bad for my budget. I went today for the express reason of getting an extra ball of Skacel Meditation for my mom and left with that plus more...of course: A beautiful ball of Opal Petticoat in pinks and creams and browns (discontinued yarn! Very limited supply!), two balls of Cascade Fixation in pink and a Cascade Fixation sock pattern sheet. Plus, I had my Misty Mountain Farms handpainted mohair and the sock yarn from eBay wound into center pull balls. Woot! Woot! I'm pretty psyched about the Opal as it will be my first time knitting with it. I loved this yarn store. It was in a beautiful building and the layout was terrific. A great selection of yarn. The owner, Carole, was exceedingly helpful and spent a lot of time with me finding things and petting yarn. It may be my favorite out of the four now! Progress of the sock: I finished the cuff and have started the yarn flap. I really like the pattern and surprisingly the yarn. And finally: ??????????

Good time, good times

2006-05-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

Made a little bit of progress on the sock and have gotten past ribbing into the pattern. It is a great pattern, and I may make a pair of these for myself later. This pair is for my mom..the colors are great. Brynn is indifferent to the colors. She wants to know where the tuna is. Close up of the stitch pattern...a little blurry. Wow, what a fun weekend. Got to spend some quality time with many of the people I love. Yesterday, I drove down to Bethesda to see one of my best friends Kyleen and her lovely sister Mary (and her lovely bf Andy), and we ate out at my new favorite restaurant Jaleo which has a location in Crystal City too...Dorothy, I'm looking at you. Afterwards, we browsed Barnes and Noble and I got some new books for my library which...you can never have too many knitting books, am I right? There's always something more to learn. I already browsed through"Knitting Vintage Socks" and am well into "Knitting Rules." I love the Harlot. Kyleen, moi, and Mary...beautiful night, great food and company. Worth the drive every time. Today, my parents came down from PA with my aunt and uncle who live in Spain and are visiting for a little while. We went out to Donna's and then walked around my neighborhood in Baltimore...until it got too hot to stand anymore. Look! My parents are the Cutest Parents In The World. I cannot get the hang of posting pictures! Can't seem to get them where I want them, thus long posts since I can't get them side by side without things getting wonky. It would be an odd day for me if SOMETHING didn't go wonky though, so all is right with the world.

Start of the socks

2006-05-28T16:35:00.000-04:00

Whee! I cast on for the socks today. I am pretty psyched that I remembered the little trick for joining without a jog (I think it's EZ's...cast on one more stitch then called for then knit it together with the first actual stitch) but I am having some ladder issues. I am tightening the first and last stitch on each needle but still have a little ladder. Hopefully will resolve with some blocking. I'm using el cheapo Magic Stripes which I actually kind of like in Regatta blue stripe and the Lacy Mock Cable Socks pattern. Obviously I'm still on the ribbing! I'm off to dinner tonight with my best friend from way back in the day, kleenerweener (nickname courtesy of her brother I believe! Hi Lew!) and her lovely sister. I haven't seen her in quite a while, I think since her brother's wedding two years ago. One of the best things about deep friendships is that you can pick right up where you left off no matter how much time it's been. Plus: sangria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chloe says...settle down, I'm napping AGAIN. I remembered to thank the veteran in my life today...Happy Memorial Day to all!!!

dang it, forgot something

2006-05-27T20:43:00.000-04:00

I knew I forgot something when I posted earlier. I would like to make the Ribby Cardi (talk about behind the times) but I want to make it in Reynolds Saucy since it's summer...don't want to use wool for a big project. I think I have gauge...Wondering if it will work. Also, I may be a bit dopy, but with the requirements it says the sleeves and trim are 1/3 the total yardage....I'm hoping this means I only need about 1000 yards of the main color (for the largest size which takes 1550 yards total). I REALLY hope this is true because I only have about 1225 yards of Saucy in this color, and was planning on getting a different color for the contrast. I think I will check with my LYS next week if I don't hear from anyone.... Enjoy the weekend!

Nothing but the stash

2006-05-27T18:08:00.000-04:00

Nothing but the stash

This is my stash. Ack! Maybe this will shame me into not buying any more yarn till I use some of it up. Hi Mom! Here's the rest of it. Yeesh!

Blogging IS fun!!

2006-05-27T00:56:00.000-04:00

I want all 2 or less of you reading this to know that I have spent about 3 hours with "code" and "templates" and "HTML" and oh, yes "CSS" digging their way into my noggin. I still don't have the first clue what I'm doing, but it's fun nonetheless. Pretty flowers!

Two tired cats, one more sock yarn

2006-05-26T22:29:00.000-04:00

Don't you wish you had the life of a cat sometimes? I know I do. Although I do sleep a lot as it is.......maybe not THIS much though. I forgot that I had one more sock yarn coming from Ebay! It arrived today, from a terrific seller, kbrece. Beautiful merino dyed in reds and purples. BUT it needs to be wound into a center-pull ball so it won't be going on my needles soon...going to the LYS Monday and will be taking this and a lovely big hank of brushed hand dyed mohair to be wound whilst I shop for some yarn for my mom and a goodie to reward myself for making it through Phase 1 of South Beach.

Brrr....cold nose

2006-05-26T01:13:00.000-04:00

Brynn's nose was cold. These are some stitch markers I made...I had such fun making them and finding the beads. They are a lot more fun to use then the plastic ones.

WIP to FO, yay!

2006-05-26T00:38:00.000-04:00

Here is the finished Headhugger Cable hat. Looks pretty good on Gump, yes? It was fun to do, of course the decreases to finish it were tiresome. I have found that the needles I was using (Addi bamboo) don't have a very sharp tip which is good for my finger tips but make it a little hard to knit 2 together. Another view. The decreases did seem to end up a little blunt. But on it looks great. The color looks like it will be good for a guy....I plan on giving this one to a fellow rower who needs a wool cap for rowing in cold weather. These are the choices for my next project...socks. The only socks I have made have been made with very bulky yarn (cottage socks). Since they were done on big needles, it wasn't too bad. However, when I did the short row heel I didn't know anything about wrapping...so I just knit and turned, knit and turned. I look forward to doing it right next time. These are the yarns I need to pick from: left to right, Jawoll Jacquard superwash in pinks, black, gray, and white; Brown Sugar Wildfoote in Brown Sugar; Koigu PPPM in a very pretty brown/amber/green/blue colorway; Regia Mini Ringel in lovely greens and blues; and two different options of Lion Brand Magic Stripes, one in regatta which should stripe and one in sea blue which is one of the fair isle patterning ones. I'm tempted to use the Magic Stripes since it is inexpensive and if I mess up on the tiny needles I won't be so upset. Which should I use? Need some advice!

blogging is....fun?

2006-05-23T16:46:00.000-04:00

Wow, I don't know a darn thing about blogging. Have been spending some quality time reading the FAQ and learning about "HTML" and "cache" and suchlike. Who knew?? You would think a 31-year-old would know this stuff since I grew up in the age of the computer or some nonsense. How much have I gotten accomplished on my WIP? None at all. Last night was spent catching up on some Betty Neels (the source of my blog address....I am a 90 year old grandmother trapped in a 30 ish body) and also catching up on some "Sopranos" and "House". Good times, good times. Also checking obsessively for comments, of which I have none. My life may well be interesting to no one but myself!! Also maybe the cats. Meet the girls: Chloe, Tootsie, and Brynn. Note how two of them love sleeping and rolling around and one is a spaz. The spaz (that would be Brynn) is a darling but a leeetle high strung. We are embroiled in an odessey to unstring her. So far, not so good but making progress. Don't tell the others, but she's kind of my favorite too.

WIP-Headhuggers Cable Knit Cap

2006-05-22T23:39:00.000-04:00

This pattern has been very fun...my first real cabling experience. This is in Patons Classic Wool in evergreen on #7 needles. I just finished the body and started the decreases. I am still on the circs because I am a little stubborn about transferring to DPN's until I absolutely have to. The wool forgives me for this. Close up of the cables...done without a cable needle, tra la Brynn is helping. Note the tongue...that means she is working REALLY hard.

Mini Cables

2006-05-22T23:36:00.000-04:00

This is a baby cable hat and scarf set. This was my first time cabling, although technically not really cabling....more twisting. Fun! Made in a lovely grapey Classic Merino Wool on #8 needles with a gauge of 4 stitches/inch. Funny how my gauge changes around. Same needles, same wool but with the Checkered Band Hat I had a gauge of 4.5 stitches/inch. Anyway, this is also the scarf I "designed" to go along with the hat. Hat pattern is free on the web: http://www.knitlist.com/99gift/baby-ribbed-hat.htm Also: Brynn "helps." I can't really remember how I made the pattern, but I think I did a 3 row garter border (so 3 stitches on either side along with 3 rows of garter at the beginning and end). I can't remember anything else like how many stitches I cast on or anything. I will dig the pattern notes up if someone wants them, but you will probably figure it out on your own because you are a smart knitter.

Merino Chunky...yummm

2006-05-22T23:35:00.000-04:00

This hat was made from the fabo rolled brim hat recipe from Crazy Aunt Purl. While you're there, check out her blog which is hilarious and touching. I made this from Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky wool...LOVE this yarn. Love it, love it, love it. So darn soft. I made this on #10.5 16" bamboo needles and my gauge was 3.5 stitches/inch. A little surprise...I knitted an extra couple of rounds of light blue before finishing the hat. So cute! It's only a surprise for people who are 5'9" or taller though! I also like the way the decreases made a kind of starfish pattern.

more FO's

2006-05-22T23:34:00.000-04:00

This was a fun hat to make but ended up quite a bit smaller than I wanted. It doesn't quite fit my head with all my hair. The pattern is free on the internet at http://knithats.tripod.com/id8.html I made it in Patons Classic Wool in black and gold on #8 16" circular Addi bamboos. My gauge ended up at 4.5 stitches/inch...I think I knitted a little tight, and the woven nature of the fabric does not allow for much stretch. This hat is so darn fun but was a truly brutal pain to make. The decreases and rounds went on and on and on and on....I was very thankful to finish it. I made it to take along to the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston when our rowing team went there. Our colors are, shockingly, black and gold! It was a lot of fun (the regatta), and the hat kept numerous rowers and coxswains warm. I made it with this pattern http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/hatlongstockingcap.htm and I used Patons Classic Merino Wool. Knitted on #7 16" circular bamboo needles and had a gauge of 5 stitches/inch. The best part of the hat...the telescoping tassel.

FO, FO, it's off to knit I go

2006-05-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

This was made from Dazzle and Flutter yarns for a Christmas party. It's just done in garter stitch which made it nice and stretchy and quite cushy. Close up of the furry fancy. Ohhhh...Noro Kureyon. I love this yarn for its beautiful colorways and also the random bits of fiber/twigs that you get in every ball. No one gets enough fiber in their diet. The hat pattern is from Simply Noro by Jane Ellison. A beautiful book...I really want to make Fletcher from the same book. This was my very first hat! It was done flat rather than circularly and then seamed. The seaming sucked!

Meet Gump!

2006-05-22T23:30:00.000-04:00

This is Gump. Gump was a gift from Emily in college. Thanks Emily! Gump is going to be my model....isn't he handsome? I made this in Colorado before I moved back east. This was when I first learned how to crochet before I learned how to knit. I took up crochet to help quit smoking without gaining a lot of weight. Along the way I accumulated a brutal stash of acrylic yarn and at the time I hated wool. Der! Now I can't stand the feel of acrylic. I also made nine million cotton crochet dishclothes that I use constantly. Anyway, this pattern is from Lion Brand...can't remember the exact pattern but it had a matching scarf. I made it in Chenille Thick and Quick...fun to make and so warm, but the yarn does tend to kind of shred off the end so I remember I had to tie knots in the ends to prevent severe fraying. Oh, yes. This is Oscar. Oscar was CROCHETED with Gedifra Techno Lungo or something like that and Lion Brand Homespun. One of my first scarves, albeit crocheted. You can imagine how dense the fabric is with those yarns and a much too small hook. Also, I had to knot every blooming fringe to prevent excessive shedding. However, Oscar still likes to leave little remnants behind every time I wear him. The cats love him; he is very soft!!

welcome to my bloghouse

2006-05-22T21:42:00.000-04:00

All righty! Here goes nothing. Think it should be fun to have a place to document my knitting journey...and hopefully keep me motivated to complete all of the UFOs lying around. Soon to follow...my WIPs and FOs..and possibly some kitties. There is no way I can document all of the UFOs I have lying around, I REALLY REALLY am going to finish them...soon. Looks like (unless I can figure something else out) I will be uploading these in little files...groups of two or three. Yay FOs!!!