QA-Girl And Her Knitting Blog

Snowy Cable Socks

2009-01-17T20:54:00.004-05:00

So I've finished my first pair of patterned socks, and I LOVE them. I found the pattern in the November - January Issue of Cast On Magazine. I was a little hesitant to knit them since no one on Ravelry has knit these socks and I really like to see others results for projects before I knit them. But I decided to just go for it and I'm really really happy.

I used the Colinette Jitterbug yarn and I'm hooked. The yarn is fantastic!! It's so soft and so freakin squishy. I just want to live in these socks.

The bonus also about being the first person to knit this pattern on Ravelry is that now my picture of my socks is the post picture for the pattern.

Winter Light

2009-01-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

So the winter light or lack there of is really putting a strain on my Ravelry/Blog updating. I leave for work Monday through Friday and it’s just before sunrise. Then I get out of work each night just after sunset. So Monday thru Friday I’m missing the sun all together. And my home lighting situation is just not adequate for good (or even decent) photography after dark. So all my pictures need to basically be taken on the weekends; but again this pose some issues with lighting also, I’m limited to photograph between basically 7:30am(I don’t think I’ve ever seen 7:30 am on a weekend) and 4:30 pm. But the cloudy days and bluish tinge to the light that winter has makes even these times difficult. So I post with out pictures and my Ravelry page just stays the same.

2009 Sock Kal

2009-01-05T14:51:00.001-05:00

I’ve decided to join the 2009 sock kal. Although I’m not sure that I’m going to be in this for the full 12 month knitting since some of the months don’t get me all hot and bothered. So the agenda for the year is as follows

January : Red/Pink socks

February : Socks for a Cause/Charity

March : Lace socks

April : UFO socks

May : Cable socks

June : Green socks

July : New technique socks

August : Send a Skein

September : Unsocks

October : Pick something from my stash socks

November : Knitty pattern

December : Pick a designer month (tbd)

I’m actually excited to get the ball rolling on this one. I went over the weekend and bought some Casacade 220 in a pretty pink color for the January Red/Pink socks. I’ve chosen the travelers sock pattern which I found through Ravelry. I really like the pattern. I just think that I would like the socks to be just a little longer since these are my house/slipper/all the time feet keeping warm socks and I plan on changing the pattern to cuff down though. I did a gauge swatch and once I pick up an extra needle tonight on my way home I’ll be good to go on these.

So I’m definitely doing the January socks. February not so much, March sounds good. I’ve got some pretty Madelinetosh yarn that I think would be great in Lace or if I’m feeling super fancy I would love some more of the Jitterbug yarn. I love love love the feel of the socks I’ve just made with that yarn. I think after March I’ll have to see what happens. I love the idea of the year of socks and all that goodness, I just don’t know if I want to spend all my time knitting socks.

New Year, New Blogger, New FOs

2009-01-02T13:47:00.004-05:00

New Year New Blogger or I hope to be at least a little better then I have been recently. It’s been almost two whole months since I last posted. I feel guilty. I don’t know how it happened. I don’t want to make any ambitious goals for 2009 like I’m going to blog everyday, or three post a week for ‘09’ since I don’t want to force myself into blog slavery (blogavery) but I do want to have a better track record with posting items. So I’m just going to aim to be a better blogger. Period.

What’s off my sticks:

I’ve completed two Habitat hats (his and hers). The pattern was great and the end results are fantastic. I love mine. I used the Homestead Farms yarn for mine in pinkish shades. For the “his” I used the Manos in a charcoal color. For the man’s version I used the longer M/L version of the pattern. I have to give the pattern two very enthusiastic thumbs up. I love it! Love It!

I finished my first pull over sweater. I finally finished my Golden (Green) Gables Hoodie (without the hoodie). I decided I would never wear the hood up and I looked at a lot of the FO’s and decided I wasn’t loving the look of the hood when the hood was down….so I left it off. I really am pretty pleased. My only issue is with the sleeves. I had tighter tension on the sleeves since I used the magic loop method. Only I did not check the gauge again since I had gotten gauge the entire body piece. So the arms are snugger then I would like. Certainly not too tight to wear or even uncomfortable; it’s just that I cannot wear anything under the sweater that is too bulky. I did wear the sweater for Christmas people were surprised that it was a handmade sweater so I’m thinking that’s about as good as you can hope for. I think when it comes too all my hand knit items that is what I strive for, store bought appearance.

I also finished some think men’s worsted weight socks using the Ann Budd Pattern for the Ladders for Life. They are from what I hear very warm and get used daily. I’m pretty sure that it’s a good sign when the item is worn daily. It was an easy pattern, very easy to memorize and when it comes to socks that is really what I’m looking for. I like patterns on the socks but I don’t like to have to have the pattern in front of me at all times and constantly be paying attention to the pattern. So these were great. But I have to say I would not knit this pattern for me or any women for that matter. The pattern has a very masculine look and feel to it, which was great since it was in fact for a man.

On the needles: Titled Duster, Snowy Cabled Socks, and Irish Hiking Scarf more of this to come later.

Feels like forever

2008-11-08T09:19:00.004-05:00

Wow, this feels like forever.

On the knitting front a lot has been going on and on the personal front too.

I’ve been gift knitting recently. Currently on the needles is a pair of socks in worsted weight yarn. I’m using the Ann Budd’s Ladders for life stitch pattern. I’ve done my first short row heel on these. I like the process, the heel looks a little so so but I’ve taken a finishing class since and picked up some great tips and advice there.

I’ve finished a Habitat hat also for the same gift. I used Manos for the first time. I like the end result but I was a little disappointed in the yarn. I found four knots in the yarn and used less then 200 yards.

Mystic Earth is on the back burner. I got thru all of the first part and half of the second and was just not having fun with it. I’m not sure if it was the yarn or the pattern but it’s on hold. Maybe some other time I’ll pick it back up.

I’m still trucking away on my sweater. I have most of a sleeve done and the body up to the arm pits. I’ve done the magic loop method for the sleeves and love it. It’s giving me a much nicer sleeve then the 12” circulars were.

So in other news I finally got back my pc from HP. It took close to a month for that whole ordeal to be resolved and I got back the PC just days before I left for a business trip in the Chicago area. But I was very glad to have it back. I had just gotten the new iPod touch for my birthday and was dying to try it out. It is great. I loved my iPod classic but the touch is a whole new world. The applications are so cool and the wi-fi is amazing. I love that I can go on the web and check my email right from my iPod.

In other birthday news I got an amazing swift and ball winder. I’m in love with it. It’s great. It’s a table swift so it just sits on the table and it’s beautiful. I’ve been knitting up a storm just to wind more yarn. I also got a sewing machine for my birthday and have been learning the ropes on that one. So far I’ve been making bags to hold my knitting projects.

Finally the spoils

I went to three yarn shops in the Chicago area and bought the following items:

From a lovely shop in Oak Park “Chix with Stix” 2 skeins of Jitterbug in Velvet Olive, 2 skeins Dream in Color Smooshy in Spring Tickle.

In Downers Grove “Knitche” Hand Maiden 1 skein Cashbah, 2 skeins Araucania Azapa (so soft, so very soft) and one very cute sheepy tape measure

In Glen Ellyn “The String Theory” 8 skeins of Peace Fleece in the gorgeous color way of Lauren’s Coral.

Pumpkins, Cactus and Succulents

2008-09-29T11:02:00.012-04:00

My littlest niece turned two last week and for her birthday I decided to knit her a hat. So feeling the fall I went with a pumpkin hat. It was a quick little knit with a simple rolled brim pattern and a 7 X 1 ribbing. I did adjust the pattern to decrease alternately between K2Tog (just before left side purl) and SSK (just after purl on right side). I felt so funny, well almost ashamed, buying the yarn for this project but it was the colors that looked the best for the pattern. It's Lion brand 100% Wool in Pumpkin and Patons Merino Wool in Olive Green. But I do have to admit the colors work really well.

The thing that I found the weirdest about making the childs size hat is that the average 2 year old's head is 19". What's so odd about that? I measured my head and it's 20". I thought that was just insane that a two year olds head is just 1" smaller then my own.

Not so much knitting but....I think they're really cool. I took some pictures this weekend of my newest cactus and my Lithops (Living Stones).

Cactus

3 Lithops aka Living Rocks

When Knitting Fights Back

2008-09-22T10:46:00.005-04:00

This is my second (see below for the details about the first) Mystic Earth Swatch on Size 4 Bamboo needles.

Well I had a really rough night on Thursday. Well my day was great, I had a fantastic day at work. That isn't that common either, but I did have a spectacular day at work. Then I went home all excited to swatch out my Mystic Earth Swatch and that is when trouble began. I did the entire swatch on size 3 needles and was binding off when I realized the BO was way too tight so I began to undo the BO but the combination of the metal needles and super fine lace weight yarn made for a disaster. Stitches dropped and the Swatch died. It completely unraveled before my sad eyes.

So, very frustrated for spending a couple hours on that I decided to pick up the sweater and calm myself with a little sweater knitting....and disaster strikes again. I accidentally repeated two rows in the pattern. Now I was on the edge of tears. I took the needles out of the sweater and pulled out the two rows of knitting to get back to were the pattern was correct.

(Corrected Sweater)

All in all not a great knitting night. But I survived.

Gretel, Ohio and more...

2008-09-16T09:52:00.006-04:00

So I have a FO to share. I started and completed my Gretel Slouchy hat. I love the pattern, but my tiny head is not fitting in the hat so good. It's just a little too big. But I can still wear it and I will. The pattern is beautiful, but you have to HAVE TO read the directions carefully. I had it happen a couple times where I didn't read the directions as good as I should have and had to tink back. But it still is a nice looking hat.

I also finished the Punk Rocker Girl Socks. I love them. But the weathers been a little too warm still to use my hand knit socks. I think in a couple weeks I'll be wearing more and more of my creations.

I've started the Green Gables (mines a Golden Gable) hooded pull over from Vogue knitting fall magazine. I love it. I've got through the first pattern repeat and the sweater is about 8inches or so. It's knitting up fast and not too difficult, however the pattern and key had some issues but once I checked out the errata it was all good. The yarn is cool and funky and knits to gauge beautifully.

I've not been blogging recently for a couple reasons. Firstly I got sick. So for three or so days I was in rough shape. Then once I got better I had to go to Ohio on business. The trip went well and the training I gave was great and provided a little time one day for some sight seeing. So I've attached a lovely picture of one of the lighthouses on Lake Erie.

News: I've got a message from one of the members of the SnB that this weekend the farmers market in Coventry is having a "Fiber Twist" so there will be vendors with fiber goodies. I think I'll head out for a look and hopefully some good local treats. I like being able to get locally grown produce.

Sock Sock Sock

2008-08-27T08:27:00.005-04:00

So lately I've been knitting socks. I realized today that I've neglected to post pictures of my socks. The last pair of socks I finished (by finished I mean finished both socks) was the watermelon socks. These socks are made from the remains of the Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn in the Happy Forrest Color way with some Madelentosh in Pop Rocks. I really like them. I wanted a shorty sock and I finished these back in the middle of summer so these were my summer socks.

Then I cast on for my Firelights socks. These are on hold but I really am liking the progress. I've used a braided cable up the sides with 5" cuffs and Cherry Tree Hill Brights sock yarn in a color way that almost matches my Mystic Lights Shawl.

I've been working now on the Lady Punk Rocker Socks. These are using the Madelintosh Pop Rocks yarn with a simple black sock yarn for a funky rocker punky look. I love them!! I've finish one so far. I kinda hit a road block when life threw me an opportunity I couldn't refuse. But I'm plugging away on the socks and it shouldn't be too much more. I took the idea from a pattern in Stitch and Bitch Nation. Only I've done simple 6" cuff socks and the Pattern is for leg warmers.

Ooo Oooo another Mystic KAL

2008-08-23T11:28:00.006-04:00

I've found out this spring that I'm in love with the KAL. I first joined Mystic Lights in March. And I've been reflecting now that it's a good thing that mystic lights was free to join because that was really the entry I needed to get me hooked to Anna's designs for life. Hello My Name is QA-Girl and I'm a knitaholic. Well not quite that bad, yet.

So I've now signed up for Mystic Earth. I'm really very excited. At first I wasn't thinking I would sign up for Mystic Earth when it came around. Mostly because I was think this was going to be another triangular shawl, and although I love my Mystic Lights I just don't really think I'd use another triangle shawl. While I love the mystic meadows shape and design I find the wool a little scratchy so I often use mystic lights since the yarn is so nice.

So here comes this pattern for a rectangular shawl in lace weight yarn. Which I just so happen to have more then 1600yards of this fantastic Lacey Lamb Wool in the most beautiful peachy tangerine orange color that I've been loving since I bought but haven't had a pattern for. So, I'm in.

I'm not too sure what it is about the KAL that I love so much, but I do love them. I think it might be the time line and the challenge. Or maybe its all the groupness about it. What ever it is I'm glad I've discovered them.

When life throws you a....

2008-08-20T11:22:00.002-04:00

Well life through me in a strange sort of direction recently. I've had to deal with my life and its movements alot in that past few weeks and although I feel that I'm going in the right direction I've been neglecting my knitting :( So sad.

But an update on my projects is still needed. I've decided against the sweater. Although I bought the beautiful yarn and was all set to get started I just don't have the time needed to devote so much energy to that right now. I hope once life slows back down and there's only a half dozen items on my plate (versus the million on there now...okay might be exaggerating a little there.)

But I have nearly completed a sock for the sock put. I've been working on these punk rocker cool socks with Hot pink socks and black toes heels and stripes at the top of the cuff. I also have finished the cuff of another sock but have left that be until the ravelympics are completed. So for now it seems small projects might be my forte. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Who doesn't need hand knit socks.

Training for the Ravelympics: Yarn Shopping

2008-07-31T12:56:00.001-04:00

So I’ve been kinda going back and forth with what exactly I’m going to knit for the Ravelympics2008. I’ve already put in a sweater and joined that event. At first I was thinking I’d do the Ribbed Zip Cardigan in Last minute knits. But I’m really not feeling that just yet. What I do want to knit, or should I say desperately want to knit is the Green Gables Sweater from the Vogue Fall/Winter 08. I’m fearful that this may be a bit too ambitious. Can I really knit that in such a limited time?

So in preparation for this attempt…if I can keep up my nerve and actually attempt this borderline insane plan. I’ve purchased the yarn for the project. I’m actually really excited over the yarn I bought. I ordered from Webs yarn.com, Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky Tweed. I really wanted a golden like color and thought this yarn will be great. Plus the yardage should be right on and best of all it was on sale.

So now all I have to do is wait for the yarn…..waiting really isn’t one of my better skills but what can I do.

Back up plan: I’ve joined the Sock Put too. I figure if the Sweater is too ambitious there’s always plenty of socks and sock yarns.

Ravelympics2008

2008-07-29T10:39:00.005-04:00

Well I may not be an athlete in the Summer 2008 Olympics but I am a Ravthlete in the Ravelympics. I decided I really don’t have too much going on right now and the excitement of deadlines and time constraints kind of suits me so I’ve joined the flock.

I debated a great deal with this idea because I don’t have too much that I thought would be a change for this time frame. I desperately want to knit the Gretel pattern. I bought the pattern and I bought the yarn, but I know that the time involved in that would not be that much. I estimate it would be less then a week. So I didn’t want to choose that project. I do want to knit some socks but I don’t think I want to do that on a deadline. Socks for me are more the portable easy project. Not something to rush to finish and spend all my time on. So the only other things I want to knit is sweaters.

So I’ve joined the Sweater Sprinters Event on Ravelry. The team I chose seems to be a fitting team for this kind of task….Team HO, aka Team Hopelessly Overcommitted. Plus the team’s icon is killer.

So my mission is to Knit a sweater start to finish in the time span of the Summer Olympics, or die trying. Okay maybe that’s a bit dramatic maybe just do some series damage to my fingers from trying to knit a million miles an hour and perhaps a little heat exhaustion from have a wool sweater on my lap during some of the hottest days of the year. I guess there’s always the chance of dehydration caused by my drive to just knit one more row just one more row.

July's February Lady Sweater

2008-07-28T09:45:00.001-04:00

I did it! I finished my first sweater. It’s the February Lady Sweater. I used Knit Picks Shine in the terracotta color. It’s a cotton worsted weight yarn. I really like the sweater I think it looks good. I made the smallest size available on the pattern and went up a size in the needles to the size 9s. The only thing I question about mine is the width of the sleeves; the sleeves are pretty wide and I’m not sure I would repeat the sleeves the same way if I was to re-knit the sweater but even so I’m really happy with the results. The lace pattern is really nice. I’m thinking this might require some matching socks!!

I actually got the opportunity to wear the sweater which in the middle of the summer is an impressive feat in itself. My nephew’s birthday party was at an ice skating rink. It must have been my lucky day because I had just finished off the sweater the day before. No pics just yet though.

It did become apparent while knitting the cardigan that the yarn has some strong tendencies towards shedding. I noticed this fuzz layer accumulating all over my clothes. It almost looked like change of seasons in Fraggle Rock. So I gave the sweater a good washing and tired to dislodge any of those remaining stragglers. I have the sweater blocking but I’m thinking all that yarn and the damp air… it might take some time to dry and finally get some decent pictures.

And on the job front……..
Well over a month after I applied and the decision still has not been made on the position. I did at least get a call back to let me know this information though so I guess that’s better then sitting here waiting.

You know what grinds my gears….

2008-07-14T11:52:00.001-04:00

So this all began way back in May, that’s right I said May. I applied for an internal job. I talk with the hiring manager she says the recruiter will be calling me that they’re going to want to interview me. So then I wait, weeks go by and so does my hope for that interview. Then it happens, more then a month after I post for the job I get the call, that yes they want to meet me. Whoo hooo. So I go for the interview it goes fine and as the day is coming to a close I ask the normal question

“So when can I expect to hear from you?”

I get the response the week of July 7th, but you’ll probably hear back sooner. Okay so now this is a normal thing to ask and to want to know right?? The answer great I can deal with that two weeks is okay, if I have to wait I guess. But then the week of the 7th happens and nothing NOTHING. So I’m left feeling insecure and crazy.

Don’t they know what this is doing to me?????

Can’t they tell I’m the world’s most impatient and insecure person? Are they toying with my emotions?

So as my sanity slowly slips further and further from my grasps I am left to wait…. because the decision will not be made till the end of the week.

Watermelon

2008-07-10T13:04:00.001-04:00

So I left work on Wednesday feeling a little bummed. I’ve interviewed for a new position in the parent company of my current employer. I had hoped to hear back about the job. So when it came time to leave feeling a little depressed and doubtful about the prospect of the new position I decided I needed a pick me up. So I stopped at the LYS for a little fiber fix. And OMG did that work like a charm. I bought a skein of bright pink yarn Madelintosh Pop Rocks and decided I would pair that up with the remainder of a skein of Dream In Color Smooshy yarn in Happy Forrest. I’ve named them Watermelon. Well I went right home and balled up the yarn and cast on for the socks. I’m loving the color combo. I’ve knit three rows at top in the Green, then switched to the pink. I’ve decided to knit the cuff in the pink; which won’t be too big since I really like ankle socks much better. Then I’m thinking a couple more rows of green before I do the heel in pink. The foot is going green and the toes in pink. I think these are gonna be some fun little sockies!!

Mystic Meadows is off the needles

2008-07-10T11:40:00.002-04:00

Well I’ve finished Mystic Meadows. I really enjoyed knitting this project and really feel much more comfortable in my lace knitting and in fact knitting all together after this project. I feel like now with the lace charts, I can read my knitting and fix it much much much easier. So in that sense this project was a great success. However, (there had to be a however right) I am more then just a little disappointed with the yarn. I bought 3 skeins of the same yarn, same dye lot and everything and have three very different looking variegation of that color way. In skein form they all looked the same but in fabric form not at all. I am a little heart broken because the shawl when spread out looks absolutely horrible; it looks like I used three different yarns. So I think my advice for this is when using Araucania Ranco only use it on projects that use a single skein or that require striping because the results are more then a little bad. But as long as the shawl it's laid out flat it doesn't look that bad.

I'm still struggling for a picture. Hopefully one to come later.

Mystic Meadows Clue Three

2008-07-01T21:27:00.003-04:00

Well my hopes of catching up and finishing the project in the four weeks were not meant to be. After traveling for two out of the four weeks of Mystic Meadows, I just couldn't catch up. I'm still plugging right along though and hope to be finishing the project this upcoming holiday weekend. I'm a little disappointed in the yarn though. I bought two skeins in the same dye lot and there is a very noticeable difference in the colors from one skein to the other. So my mystic meadows is going to be one color on one end and another at the opposite end. I guess that will have to do because I'm thinking there is nothing I can actually do to change that. It still is turning out to be a beautiful project.

Clue Two

2008-06-22T20:48:00.003-04:00

Well my hopes for catching up on the knitting and getting back on track for clue three were shot to hell. In the past 21 day's I have been away on business for 10 of them. I did however finish clue two just in time for the forth clues release :( I'll survive. The good thing is I won't be traveling for a little while at least so I can finish up the KAL. Just not quit as quickly as I would have liked. I do like the pattern though it looks great and is really shaping up nicely and without too much struggle too. I am also learning a few new things as I go. The wrapped stitches and bobbles are a whole new world, but I like the effect. The picture however is not so nice. It was taken inside and at night so the clarity just isn't what I would like. But.....oh well.

Clue One and it's Done.

2008-06-10T21:49:00.007-04:00

I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get this clue done before the release of clue 2 but I have plenty of time to get back on track for clue three's release. I'm loving the pattern. I love love love the leaf and flower design. I think the yarn choice is really showing off the pattern as well. Although I'm thinking that a non variegated yarn might even highlight the design better. I suppose there's always the remaining Mystic Elements ;)

Stripe Those Socks

2008-06-01T11:08:00.002-04:00

I’ve now completed my second pair of socks and in a slightly shorter time period as well. Less then a month, YAY!! I used a K3 P1 pattern for the cuff and plain old stockinette stitch for the foot. I like the socks but not loving the fit. They fit snuggly around my feet but getting them on and off makes me feel like they are a bit too tight. I actually had finished the first sock and put it on only to feel like it was too small in length. So I ripped back to the toe decreases, picked up the stitches and started again. So In the end the sock is still feeling a bit too short. I’m a little surprised but I think it’s the difference in both yarn weight and needle size from the first pair of socks. But this won’t stop me from wearing them because they still fit and are pretty cool. Nor has this stopped me from knitting socks. I’ve already cast on the next sock adventure and this time I’m even being a bit adventurous and using a ZigZag Pattern. More to come on this later.

Mystic Meadows Swatch

2008-05-23T18:32:00.002-04:00

Well I wasn't sure if I was too happy with the look of the swatch just after I completed it. I even cast on a second swatch with the next size up needles. But when I looked at the blocked swatch today I'm actually pretty happy with the look. I love the teal color and the slow changes back and forth between the shades of the color. I think I've found my yarn for Mystic Meadows, YAY!!!

ipod sock = Instant Gratification

2008-05-23T10:56:00.004-04:00

Well I guess it’s as instant as you can get with knitting. With knitting nothing happens all that quickly. First there is the process of picking out the pattern, shopping for yarn and then the time consuming act of actually knitting up the object. But with this little project I decided to make the ipod sock on Tuesday and was done on Wednesday. It felt like instant gratification. The yarn’s look is growing on me now too. I used Noro cotton wool blend and its kind of a lumpy and bumpy yarn. I like the gradual color shifts and I’m thinking I might use the rest of this ball for more ipod socks too. I mean you can never have too many ipod socks right.

Ipod Sock Pattern

Yarn: Noro Matsuri Colorway 5
Needles: Size 3 DPNS

Cast on 40 Stitches and divide evenly over three needles.
Pattern: K3 P1 Ribbing
Knit pattern until piece measures 5 inches or until desired length.

Knit the First 20 stitches, continuing the ribbing pattern on to needle 1 and the remaining 20 stitches on to a second needle. Cut yarn leaving a long tail approximately 20 inches. Using a Kitchener stitch, graft together the bottom of the sock. Weave in ends.

For a little extra security I used a closure clip and the extra yarn from the cast on to create a small drawstring closure about ¾” from the cast on edge, weaving the yarn in and out of the 4 stitch pattern.

Learning to let it go

2008-05-15T17:38:00.003-04:00

Well I guess this week this applies to more then just my knitting...lets just stick with the knitting. I have now started and ripped out a scarf from the Victorian Knitting Today for my mother 3 times. Before this I had never frogged a project just a swatch. But I'm learning more and more to let it go. However long I've spent on those projects it doesn't matter because if I'm not happy with how they are now, chances are that I won't be happy with them 100 hours and 400yards of yarn latter either. So today I will be casting on the diamond pattern wide border scarf AGAIN. I've now switch needles 3 times and yarn twice.....maybe the fourth time will do the trick? Well at least I'm still optimistic, kinda.

thE wHat nOt wiTh the WhoSe iTs

2008-05-03T15:57:00.004-04:00

The on and offs:
Well Mystic Lights is done, block and dried. It was an amazing transformation. I cautiously removed the shawl from its pins last night and to my amazement it still looks the same. I think in some ways I was expecting it would all coil back on itself, reverting back to the mess I had seen when I first cast off. But no it didn’t. It still looks beautiful. (Big sigh of relief)

The socks, oh those socks, the socks are DONE!!!! I finished those up but it almost was a tragedy. While I went to shower my dog decided to take out her frustration on the weather, or maybe it’s the lack of dog walking, on my knitting. She demolished the size two needles…with the socks on them. I had gotten all the way to the toe decrease too. Well after yelling at the dog and nearly crying. I sat down and pulled back the row picking up each stitch as I went. It was saved. Thank god…for the dog’s life that is.

What’s next?
I’ve balled up the Ranco in preparation and have chosen one of the wide border scarf patterns from the Victoria Lace Today book . Then I cast on and it’s going much faster then Mystic Lights. I also am having a much easier time with the knitting. I feel like I can finally read my knitting and understand the pattern.

Mystic Lights Is DONE!!!

2008-04-28T18:41:00.005-04:00

Well it's done and .....they were all right. The shawl really came to life once I started to block it. It's amazing the transformation that it goes through. In the end I'm pretty happy with my end result. I think it was a great introduction to lace and I'm super excited to dive into my next lace project.

Seventh Day Update

2008-04-23T19:25:00.003-04:00

A.K.A Wednesday Weekly Whatnot
What’s on my needles? Mystic Lights is…but not for too long. Clue 5 was released today and I’m ready to go. I’m very excited to be finishing this up. It’s not that I don’t like the project because I really am growing to like it very much it’s just that I’m excited to get started on my next project. And since my queue keeps getting larger and larger I’m thinking it’s about time to move one of those projects into a WIP. I also am still trucking along on the basic 8 stitch per inch socks.

Which leads me into…
What’s off my needles? The first of the basic socks socks. I finished the first of the pair and now am working, not all that quickly I might add on the second. But it’s still exciting to have one off the old needles.

... I call him Octoknitter

Tit Knitting!

2008-04-23T16:30:00.001-04:00

I've joined a new knit along. I'm a bit late to the start but I think late is better then never. Here's the link. http://www.flickr.com/groups/knit-tit-along/

Finally Coming Around

2008-04-20T22:57:00.003-04:00

I'm really starting to come around to my Mystic Lights Shawl. After finishing clue 4 I really am starting to like the progress. I've heard (and read) now numerous times (and from multiple sources) that the lace work won't truly pull together until it is blocked so I'm going to take everyone's word for this and keep trucking along. The good thing I suppose is that I'm starting to love the look even before the blocking....so hopefully I'll be even more ecstatic once that final blocking really shows off all that lace work. At the beginning of this clue I was very intimidated by the patterning on both sides of the piece but I found this to be no more difficult and in fact this clue took me the least amount of time to knit. All in all this has been a great knitting adventure.

What Is IT???

2008-04-17T13:44:00.002-04:00

While eating animal crackers at lunch today I stumbled on it. It may not be knitting related but its still kinda fun.

Not so Wednesday but still a Weekly Update

2008-04-17T09:54:00.002-04:00

What’s on my needles….

The mystic lights shawl. I’m feeling better about the over all appearance of the shawl. I did get a lot of words or encouragement after I posted clue 3 and that was great. I’ve thought more and more about the project and this being my first lace project so I hope to learn as much as I can from this and take that to my future lace projects. Since I’ve already planned out future lace projects it can’t be that bad right.

My socks, A.K.A the never ending socks, this isn’t a bad thing though. It’s just with the KAL and my desire to stay on track (or my fear of falling behind & never catching up) and that annoying obligation to support my hobby by continuing to go to work each day, I haven’t been able to devote as much time to the socks as they deserve. But they are coming along. I have turned the heel and completed the instep and am now on the straight knit to the toe, and making some good progress too.

What’s off the needles…..

Off the needles??? What is this craziness you speak of? No but really nothing is off my needles.

Favorite things I’ve found this week. I’ve been listening to podcast’s for a couple months now and this past week I went on a search for new listens. I downloaded a bunch new knitting podcast, or rather “new to me”, and found some really great new ones. This week’s new finds are:

Stitch It!!
Knitters Uncensored
Sticks & String

Lots of hard work mixed with a little disappointment

2008-04-12T23:11:00.002-04:00

So I’ve finished clue three and it’s feeling a little bitter sweet. I’m finding that I don’t have the stitch definition I would like. I see the other beautiful shawls being posted and I’m a little disappointed with my own. I like the yarn and I highly doubt that the yarn choice is to blame for the lack of stitch definition. I’m pretty sure that my lack of experience is at fault, but this being my first lace experience I’m trying to take it as a learning experience.

Wednesday Weekly Whatnot

2008-04-09T19:04:00.004-04:00

Clue 3 is out today. I guess I won’t be leaving the house for the next few days.

What’s on my needles?
Mystic Lights Shawl of course.

My Socks: My first pair of socks; these are the socks in the Dream in Color Smooshy yarn in Happy Forest. The yarn is great, love the colors. I’m making a little bit of progress too. I turned the heel on the first one last night. This being my first time and it being kinda late at night it took a few attempts. At first I struggled at picking up the stitches at the heel flap. So I tried it once, I tried it twice and then finally the correct number of stitches and the spacing looked good, so I was just about to knit the stitches for the instep when it hit me. I had picked up the stitches to the right instead of the left. So after all those attempts I still had to pull out the stitches and try again….on the other side of course.

What’s off my needles?
The Yoga Bag!!!! I finally finished up the Yoga bag and actually used it for class on Monday night. I’m fairly happy with the final result. I’m dissatisfied with the color combination of my mat and the bag. So I think I may buy a new mat (Less time then making a new bag plus I had my eye on a really nice one at the store….) I followed the pattern and used the length suggested for the strap only its too long and too stretchy so I’ll either have to rip back some of the strap to try and make it shorter or maybe re-make the strap or even try and tie it somehow. I’m really not too sure how I’ll solve this problem just yet.

What am I just longing to put on my needles?
I’m just dying to cast on that Shibui self striping sock yarn. I really really want to see how it looks knit up. But I’m going to practice a little self restraint and wait until I’ve finished the Dream in Color Socks before I cast on the Shibui.

Two Down, Three to Go

2008-04-05T22:45:00.005-04:00

It’s done!!!

So I’ve finished clue two. It’s getting so large I’m having trouble photographing it, and there’s still three more clues to go! It’s really a beautiful pattern. I can't wait for the next clue...but since I've been neglecting everything else in order to knit this clue its probably a good thing I have to wait until Wednesday.

Wednesday Weekly Whatnot!!

2008-04-02T18:46:00.000-04:00

What’s on my needles???

First Clue Mystic Lights KAL

I’ve finished the first clue in the Mystic Lights KAL. The pattern is just gorgeous. I’m finding it’s really slow going and I have to pay extremely close attention but I’m slowly pushing my way through. It’s been a lot of fun too. The second clue was released today so I hope to get going on that real soon.

The Yoga bag’s body is complete. Only I fear it’s falling into the pit of UFO’s. I still need to complete to strap before I can put it to good use. This all seems very familiar….market bag??? Someday I’ll have to spend an entire day just knitting the straps for all the bags I’ve already finished. I feel less guilty about this bag versus the Market bag though because I actually have started the strap and have a good 5 or 6 inches done. Only 23 more to go!! I hope to finish this up before Monday’s yoga class.

The Sock (or someday will be)

I’ve cast on my first pair of socks. I absolutely love the yarn. It’s Dream in Color Smooshy yarn in Happy Forrest color way which is a beautiful array of greens. I’m using the Basic Sock Pattern from the Getting Started Knitting Socks Book by Ann Budd. I’m using the 7 stitch per inch sock directions. I’ve decided to do a K3 P1 pattern, as suggested by Knitty Nora on her Podcast “Knitty Nora’s Knitting Natter”. It’s a nice break to switch from the Lace Shawl that requires so much attention to detail and careful knitting of each and every stitch, to the relaxing laid back knitting of the sock.

What’s off my needles??
Nothing ….just more on my needles.

I did get a new book and it’s fantastic. It’s Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. I’m looking forward to several of the patterns for future projects.

Yarn Buys:
I got two pretty skeins of ShiBui Sock Fluids in Spectrum 51301 as well as two skeins of Araucania Ranco in teal. I bought both at the Brand New Location just opened today Sit-n-Knit in Bloomfield CT. The store is great!! The new location has a much bigger store and a great new selection of yarns.

SHIBUI

Ranco

And that’s all for this weeks update.

Wednesday Weekly Update

2008-03-26T18:34:00.000-04:00

Its here its here!!! The first part of the Mystic Lights KAL was released today, looks to be an interesting knit. It’s my first Lace project as well as my first KAL and I’m super excited. I’m already enjoying the community aspect of this project. Its great to have some experienced knitters there to answer all the questions, but it’s even better to have some novice knitters there to ask the questions for me!!

Yoga Bag WIP

What’s on my needles:Well lets see what’s been doing this week. I’ve been moving right along with the Yoga Bag. I accidentally changed the basket weave stitch on the top rim of the bag while trying to convert the stitch from straight needles to the round. However I really like the results so I won’t be complaining anytime soon. The bag itself is about 80% done, then it’s just the strap and hopefully I’ll be toting my mat to yoga class next Monday in my new Yoga Bag.

New (atleast to me) Stitch

What’s off my needles:Well I devoted a fair amount of time this week to the several attempts to swatch out the Mystic Lights pattern. After about four start-overs I was finally able to get going and really learn a lot about the process as well as the pattern. I certainly wouldn’t say that the swatch is with out its faults because…..well its got plenty. However the loveliness of the yarn at least makes up for some of the errors in technique. Either way this was a practice swatch to get me going and I’m feeling better about starting to project now.

Mystic Lights KAL Swatch

I made a yarn purchase just yesterday at my LYS of some fantastic sock yarn. It’s a hand painted Merino Superwash in these wonderful shades of Green. Dream in Color Smooshy Sock Yarn. I’m looking forward to casting on my first pair of socks with this, once I get it balled up. But with the release of the first part of Mystic Lights and my impending finish to the yoga bag (and the self pressure to get it done for class on Monday)….just not sure how soon that will be.

The FO's

2008-03-19T17:59:00.000-04:00

Wavy Gravy

Felted Colorwork Handbag

Welcome!!

2008-03-19T14:04:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Weekly Update:

What's on my needles:

Not too much. I have the knittingdaily Market Bag just about complete. The strap is not done yet. But its looking good. I've just cast on for a Yoga Bag. Using the pattern for the Market Bag as a jumping off point I'm making a Yoga Bag. The Bag is being knit in the round.

What's off the needles:

This week I've had a couple projects finish. The Wavy Gravy Scarf is now complete. Using the pattern from Stitch and Bitch Nation and Paton's SWS wool. The scarf looks kinda cool. Its self striping yarn in warm colors; Pinks, Reds and Browns. I've also finished a handbag. This bag is my first colorwork piece. I used a colorwork chart from Berroco and the Emma Bag (slightly altered) to create this bag.