And I got the most awesome presents from my wonderful family.
I have no idea where my husband found me a copy of the History of Hand Knitting, but he's amazing, and he did. I've wanted it for so long. Thanks Mark!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Merry Christmas
In Germany, they call this second Christmas Day. It really was for me. We've all been just hanging around the house enjoying the privilege of doing whatever we want and enjoying our new presents. The weather outside has been perfect for Christmas. This is the view out my window:
And I got the most awesome presents from my wonderful family.
I have no idea where my husband found me a copy of the History of Hand Knitting, but he's amazing, and he did. I've wanted it for so long. Thanks Mark!
And I got the most awesome presents from my wonderful family.
I have no idea where my husband found me a copy of the History of Hand Knitting, but he's amazing, and he did. I've wanted it for so long. Thanks Mark!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Knitting
Who has time to blog (or to knit for that matter) during the Christmas season? I've decided that in the future, I need to finish all necessary knitted gifts by the end of November.
But of course, it's the knitting that's my therapy during this season. I've finished two fabulous hats. They're both made of KnitPicks Biggo.
They gave me one skein free, and I liked it so much I bought the second. It's soft, squishy, bouncy, and washable. It acts like it will pill easily, so I guess we'll wait and see on that. My only complaint was that it was easy to split the yarn with my super pointy KnitPicks needles.
The first pattern I did was the Zombie Killer Slouch. I knit loosely, so after swatching, I cast on with size 8 needles for the beginning ribbing. I switched to 9s for the body of the hat. I decided to knit it inside out so that I could k2, p1, which is faster for me, so when I got to the increase row, I did k1fb, p1, all the way around. It looks really nice from the right side.
After getting 2/3 of it done, I realized there was no possible way I’d have enough yarn, and that even on size 8s, the hat was huge for my niece’s head. I ripped it all out.
Started again, CO 64 with size 7s. Switched to 9s for the body. Went till I was almost out of yarn and then did an inside-out modification of the less yarn cast off. (k3tog, p1, etc)
It’s a cute hat, but not as slouchy as the pattern. I blocked it by hanging it over a large pan lid sitting on a tall glass. As long as it stays on her head, it will be great!
I knew after knitting the Killer Zombie Slouch with this yarn that I would barely have enough for the next hat, Giftie Slouchie Beanie. I cast on with size 7 needles for the ribbing. Switched to 9s for the lace pattern. I charted the pattern to make it easier to read while knitting. They I lost my chart and mostly did if from memory. Once you set up the first row correctly, it goes smoothly from there. I had to knit the crown three times to have enough yarn to finish. In the end, I started modifying things on row 27 (7th row of the lace). I did the k2togs and ssks, but left out the yos. This started the decreases. I did the same on row 29, but knit 28 and 30 even.
I didn’t like the way the pattern decreased to end the hat. I wanted something that matched the established pattern better. I did this: p1, knit to 2 before next purl column, k2tog, p, ssk, knit to next p column, repeat. I did this till there were only 16 stitches left. Then I did k2 tog all the way around, then pulled the tail through the last 8 stitches. I love the way the crown turned out.
I debated about whether or not to block it, because it was so squishy and fun, but I decided to block it to show off the lace pattern better.
The beautiful model is my eldest daughter. She is a joy to have around, and very patient!
But of course, it's the knitting that's my therapy during this season. I've finished two fabulous hats. They're both made of KnitPicks Biggo.
They gave me one skein free, and I liked it so much I bought the second. It's soft, squishy, bouncy, and washable. It acts like it will pill easily, so I guess we'll wait and see on that. My only complaint was that it was easy to split the yarn with my super pointy KnitPicks needles.
The first pattern I did was the Zombie Killer Slouch. I knit loosely, so after swatching, I cast on with size 8 needles for the beginning ribbing. I switched to 9s for the body of the hat. I decided to knit it inside out so that I could k2, p1, which is faster for me, so when I got to the increase row, I did k1fb, p1, all the way around. It looks really nice from the right side.
After getting 2/3 of it done, I realized there was no possible way I’d have enough yarn, and that even on size 8s, the hat was huge for my niece’s head. I ripped it all out.
Started again, CO 64 with size 7s. Switched to 9s for the body. Went till I was almost out of yarn and then did an inside-out modification of the less yarn cast off. (k3tog, p1, etc)
It’s a cute hat, but not as slouchy as the pattern. I blocked it by hanging it over a large pan lid sitting on a tall glass. As long as it stays on her head, it will be great!
I knew after knitting the Killer Zombie Slouch with this yarn that I would barely have enough for the next hat, Giftie Slouchie Beanie. I cast on with size 7 needles for the ribbing. Switched to 9s for the lace pattern. I charted the pattern to make it easier to read while knitting. They I lost my chart and mostly did if from memory. Once you set up the first row correctly, it goes smoothly from there. I had to knit the crown three times to have enough yarn to finish. In the end, I started modifying things on row 27 (7th row of the lace). I did the k2togs and ssks, but left out the yos. This started the decreases. I did the same on row 29, but knit 28 and 30 even.
I didn’t like the way the pattern decreased to end the hat. I wanted something that matched the established pattern better. I did this: p1, knit to 2 before next purl column, k2tog, p, ssk, knit to next p column, repeat. I did this till there were only 16 stitches left. Then I did k2 tog all the way around, then pulled the tail through the last 8 stitches. I love the way the crown turned out.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Judith's Studio and Hurricane Sandy
I assume many people who read this blog are active enough in the fiber arts world to have heard of the loss of Judith MacKenzie's studio to fire. It seems like such an irony while worrying about crisis on the east coast to have this little tragedy on the west coast. I say little not to diminish the loss to her and many who stored their wheels and looms in her studio, but because compared to loss of homes and life, we have to maintain perspective, even though I might not always feel that way.
It's a bit ironic, because as I've been listening to those trying to while away they hours and days without electricity in the east, I try not to be jealous. Idealistically, I picture myself knitting and spinning to my heart's content in a chilly, boring apartment. I think of so many hours to play with my fiber. Assuming I still had fiber, of course. The truth is, Hurricane (or Super Storm) Sandy was not that nice. It didn't gift people with extra hours. Instead, it was devastating in destroying all that many people owned. It's hard to imagine what that would really feel like. Surrounded by too much stuff, and unable to part with it, I know that I would be devastated and blessed by such an event. I hope that most are able to rebuild. I was moved by this video of the Mormon Helping Hands doing a bit of good on one day in one community in New York.
And meanwhile, the warm hearts of knitters have come together to rebuild Judith's studio as much as is possible. They are 73% of the way to the needed donation. I hope that many more good people join in helping all those in need wherever they can help.
And there's one more good turn in the knitting world I'd like to mention today. Craftsy is sponsoring a Keep Out the Cold drive to provide warmer winter clothing to homeless children in the U.S. You can donate handmade items or money. Their goal is 10,000 donations! I'm going to make a kid's sized Monmouth cap out of a fun color. They're the warmest hats I make, so I hope one can bless someone else.
What are you donating time or money to this season?
It's a bit ironic, because as I've been listening to those trying to while away they hours and days without electricity in the east, I try not to be jealous. Idealistically, I picture myself knitting and spinning to my heart's content in a chilly, boring apartment. I think of so many hours to play with my fiber. Assuming I still had fiber, of course. The truth is, Hurricane (or Super Storm) Sandy was not that nice. It didn't gift people with extra hours. Instead, it was devastating in destroying all that many people owned. It's hard to imagine what that would really feel like. Surrounded by too much stuff, and unable to part with it, I know that I would be devastated and blessed by such an event. I hope that most are able to rebuild. I was moved by this video of the Mormon Helping Hands doing a bit of good on one day in one community in New York.
And meanwhile, the warm hearts of knitters have come together to rebuild Judith's studio as much as is possible. They are 73% of the way to the needed donation. I hope that many more good people join in helping all those in need wherever they can help.
And there's one more good turn in the knitting world I'd like to mention today. Craftsy is sponsoring a Keep Out the Cold drive to provide warmer winter clothing to homeless children in the U.S. You can donate handmade items or money. Their goal is 10,000 donations! I'm going to make a kid's sized Monmouth cap out of a fun color. They're the warmest hats I make, so I hope one can bless someone else.
What are you donating time or money to this season?
Monday, October 29, 2012
Learning Socks
I am currently knitting actively on 3 projects. And spinning for another. I have the TV project (Radiating Star Blanket), the complicated project (It's a stole that's been on the needles forever--I keep making it longer), and a portable project, which is currently my daughter's leg warmers.
The leg warmers are the portable project that replaced the sock's I just finished while up at Bear Lake. I wasn't sure I was going to like them, but I've been wearing them constantly since. The pattern is just from a simple sock recipe.
I’m calling these learning sock, as in learning a lesson. I got this sock yarn from my wonderful friend Valerie when I was in distress. She showed up at my house with two types of sock yarn, and offered me my pick. Is that not friendship? Trouble was, I had trouble picking. I loved the one yarn more, but this yarn would match a favorite pair of shoes perfectly. I waffled, and generous Valerie gave me both. I’ve felt guilty about that for a few years now, and I’m finally finishing these socks just as those shoes wear out.
Lesson for self: just love what you love and admit it. Don’t try to optimize every equation.
The leg warmers are the portable project that replaced the sock's I just finished while up at Bear Lake. I wasn't sure I was going to like them, but I've been wearing them constantly since. The pattern is just from a simple sock recipe.
I’m calling these learning sock, as in learning a lesson. I got this sock yarn from my wonderful friend Valerie when I was in distress. She showed up at my house with two types of sock yarn, and offered me my pick. Is that not friendship? Trouble was, I had trouble picking. I loved the one yarn more, but this yarn would match a favorite pair of shoes perfectly. I waffled, and generous Valerie gave me both. I’ve felt guilty about that for a few years now, and I’m finally finishing these socks just as those shoes wear out.
Lesson for self: just love what you love and admit it. Don’t try to optimize every equation.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Plugging away in chaos
If I could only ever finish a coherent thought, let alone a task...
I'm supposed to be putting up my pears (I decided to dry them, right?), making plum jam, and doing something with all those impossible almonds from my almond tree. Instead, I dream of more knitting while driving the kids everywhere, trying to decide how often to cross the cable on those leg warmers...
Speaking of leg warmers, I can't even get knitting out of my mind while exercising. I've got plans for a series of ballet knitting patterns. Mostly the classics, not something crazy and new. But today in ballet I stared at the teacher's sweater trying to decide if I'd rather do a provisional cast-on with a folded hem, or a tiny bit of ribbing on the bottom edge when I designed the sweater. I completely missed the combination she was teaching...
Last night I made some progress on the Radiating Star Blanket while watching the Presidential debates. There is no better description of how I feel about it than this Non Sequitur comic by Wiley Miller. If only...
But all in all it was still a good day. The fall leaves have been amazing, and it snowed last night! I got to dance, have lunch with my 3rd grader, have dinner with my sister and her kids, and now listen to my children chattering while they're supposed to be asleep. And my hubby will be home from his trip tomorrow!
I'm supposed to be putting up my pears (I decided to dry them, right?), making plum jam, and doing something with all those impossible almonds from my almond tree. Instead, I dream of more knitting while driving the kids everywhere, trying to decide how often to cross the cable on those leg warmers...
Speaking of leg warmers, I can't even get knitting out of my mind while exercising. I've got plans for a series of ballet knitting patterns. Mostly the classics, not something crazy and new. But today in ballet I stared at the teacher's sweater trying to decide if I'd rather do a provisional cast-on with a folded hem, or a tiny bit of ribbing on the bottom edge when I designed the sweater. I completely missed the combination she was teaching...
Last night I made some progress on the Radiating Star Blanket while watching the Presidential debates. There is no better description of how I feel about it than this Non Sequitur comic by Wiley Miller. If only...
But all in all it was still a good day. The fall leaves have been amazing, and it snowed last night! I got to dance, have lunch with my 3rd grader, have dinner with my sister and her kids, and now listen to my children chattering while they're supposed to be asleep. And my hubby will be home from his trip tomorrow!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Christmas in Progress
I should know myself well enough by now to know that a quick and easy knit gets harder if you think it's so quick and easy that you forget to pay attentions. That's what's been going on with my Mother-in-Law's mini blanket. The pattern, Radiating Star Blanket by Alexis Layton, is beautiful and simple. It shouldn't have been a problem.
The first thing I did was cast on over two needles using the long tail cast on. I do this almost as a rule to make sure my cast on edge isn't too tight. Well, I got the center star finished and decided that the circular hole in the middle was really big and loose. I ripped out for the first time and started over, casting on over only one needle. It looked much better.
I finished the first skein of yarn and the second star pattern about a week ago. I used a spit join because I hate weaving in ends and kept on going. I was trucking along and things looked great. About 14 rows later, I realized that there was a mistake about eight rows back...but I couldn't figure out how that was possible because the pattern seemed to line up. I dropped about 8 stitches and unraveled and knit them back up correctly. But now there were really more problems. I stared for a long time. I unraveled and fixed a couple of other places. I looked at the loose stitches and the additional problems. What had I done? I had made multiple mistakes on 7 of the 8 repeats. Ugg. I ripped back 8 rows and started again. I finally got back to where I'd ripped out...and found another mistake six rows back. Luckily, it wasn't too bad, and I was able to fix it without all the ripping back this time.
Now I've marked the beginning of the round, and I will pay more attention--even if I'm watching TV with my husband!
The first thing I did was cast on over two needles using the long tail cast on. I do this almost as a rule to make sure my cast on edge isn't too tight. Well, I got the center star finished and decided that the circular hole in the middle was really big and loose. I ripped out for the first time and started over, casting on over only one needle. It looked much better.
I finished the first skein of yarn and the second star pattern about a week ago. I used a spit join because I hate weaving in ends and kept on going. I was trucking along and things looked great. About 14 rows later, I realized that there was a mistake about eight rows back...but I couldn't figure out how that was possible because the pattern seemed to line up. I dropped about 8 stitches and unraveled and knit them back up correctly. But now there were really more problems. I stared for a long time. I unraveled and fixed a couple of other places. I looked at the loose stitches and the additional problems. What had I done? I had made multiple mistakes on 7 of the 8 repeats. Ugg. I ripped back 8 rows and started again. I finally got back to where I'd ripped out...and found another mistake six rows back. Luckily, it wasn't too bad, and I was able to fix it without all the ripping back this time.
Now I've marked the beginning of the round, and I will pay more attention--even if I'm watching TV with my husband!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wingspan is Finished
Like many others, I was totally caught up by Wingspan. What a clever little pattern, and how many people have made so many gorgeous versions! I started one this summer, and finished all but the weaving in. I finally have the ends woven in just in time for fall.
Now the real question is, do I keep it for myself or give it away for Christmas?
The yarn is Knit Picks Chroma Fingering in Theatre. I took pictures at my mom's cabin above Bear Lake, Utah.
I wanted to be able to finish it with just one skein of Chroma, so I only cast on 81 stitches for the initial triangle. I had enough yarn in the end to finish 9 triangles, but then not enough for a nice finished edge, so I ripped back the last triangle and had a bit of yarn left over.
Now the real question is, do I keep it for myself or give it away for Christmas?
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