tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77040102024-03-19T08:58:32.882-04:00Needling AboutMy forays into the world of knitting...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-58516871866834041592007-04-18T14:47:00.000-04:002007-04-18T14:54:42.886-04:00Green SocksThese socks have been knit... I don't know how many times. The gauge advertised online when I bought turned out to NOT be the gauge that the yarn actually knit up to. So it turns out that I had much less yarn that I originally thought when I started knitting these socks. After numerous attempts at my usual top down sock pattern, I gave up and switched to a toe up pattern so I could actually have a whole foot. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7qVSyP1ViP1kzyJ-SA1N24Dr6IfCBTDsLEKn70KPE9TcTPcvUJ41ws64UMnom3Zy4vi00XiFQePAF7g7Kg8Sn4Q9kibmbLosNCMAJBBJ1Ms8R2XNKgJLGV4DXu-cY94Ikqlr/s1600-h/PICT0773.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7qVSyP1ViP1kzyJ-SA1N24Dr6IfCBTDsLEKn70KPE9TcTPcvUJ41ws64UMnom3Zy4vi00XiFQePAF7g7Kg8Sn4Q9kibmbLosNCMAJBBJ1Ms8R2XNKgJLGV4DXu-cY94Ikqlr/s320/PICT0773.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054842353608044594" /></a><br />Notice that the green stripes on the socks are reversed. This is a result of me starting the socks on different ends of the skein. I wish I could claim that I did it on purpose to give the socks a little character... but that would be a lie. I got fed up with the one sock and decided to just start knitting from the other ends and unravel my work as it knit it up again. Indecent, I know. Oh well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4oEP3Lee2N9ux9Wtg_QtdVghBXAXwZrVrgKwqbmw4IdFLPWitYCC7q40tC7PrKmjTCNxFHAxoD4gJBxriBmNmGdJPx_57oq_DHBWiwmY3UvbsVYsWzZKAXPs34SoSNTwxChL/s1600-h/PICT0775.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4oEP3Lee2N9ux9Wtg_QtdVghBXAXwZrVrgKwqbmw4IdFLPWitYCC7q40tC7PrKmjTCNxFHAxoD4gJBxriBmNmGdJPx_57oq_DHBWiwmY3UvbsVYsWzZKAXPs34SoSNTwxChL/s320/PICT0775.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054842357903011906" /></a><br />Not my favourite pair of socks. But handknit socks are handknit socks and I'll still wear them. I'll wear them and think of the number of times I almost cut them into shreds...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-60966404858276403832007-04-15T18:15:00.000-04:002007-04-15T18:27:18.902-04:00Bridal ShowerMy friend is getting married in May and this afternoon was her bridal shower! The theme was lingerie. So naturally, I decided to knit something a little naughty and a little nice. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWPSTWxNE4cHDMDoJmKEwaT4pesagpeir59z3RdNNb2Fg0LqPNx7sU5QheuSDroIQsEhcnRM0XTip17DB0sVAjm4kPuq9UMdwPys0GXpobt0dCFT1AnGpZMRy4QDUyGJc86vQ/s1600-h/PICT0765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWPSTWxNE4cHDMDoJmKEwaT4pesagpeir59z3RdNNb2Fg0LqPNx7sU5QheuSDroIQsEhcnRM0XTip17DB0sVAjm4kPuq9UMdwPys0GXpobt0dCFT1AnGpZMRy4QDUyGJc86vQ/s320/PICT0765.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053783601219907618" /></a><br />Voila! <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/PATTpetitchou.html">Mon petit chou from Knitty</a>. <br /><br />I had to knit it rather quickly and was able to finish it in a week! That's quite a record for me! One minor complaint though. The pattern is mighty difficult to keep track of since every row is different and on the screen it's just a big jumble of letters and numbers. I know I should have printed it out and kept track on paper... but I'm cheap and want to save paper and ink (and the environment!)<br /><br />I'm rather proud of the end result. (Especially since I was up early this morning putting finishing touches on it and I'm pretty sure it was still a little damp when I wrapped it up.) But I hope the bride to be will enjoy it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-58838274540025466472007-03-22T13:20:00.000-04:002007-03-22T14:11:21.584-04:00Back from AfricaSince I graduated, my school has generously disabled my email account and along with it all of the images I had uploaded for my very academic blogging use. The unfortuate result is that I no longer have any of the images I used on this blog and so I decided on a redesign.<br /><br />But because I'm really not that html/css savy, I just went with one of Blogger's tried and trusted pre-designed templates and attempted to modify it as much as I could to make it my very own. It's not ideal, true, but I've given up trying to make the computer do things that it obviously doesn't want to do... and it looks like I don't know the magic words. Oh well.<br /><br />Alas! No fear! (I've always wanted to say "alas". But I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm not using it right...) I do have knitting content in this post.<br /><br />May I present Dashing from Knitty (link found in sidebar). Apparently, I have bad circulation. So when I sit in front of the computer for a long time (as I am oft prone to do), my hands turn into icicles. Especially my right hand. Probably because my left hand gets the pleasure of being tucked under my large bum for warmth while my right hand is left with working the mouse. Just a theory. Thus, my attempt to keep my hands warm:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAGs7ytPyd0S9i7F0wjmAmMn5sv8QaOS-4zZUfuChfN2FjZZDwFMZ5mtva8ucRs7xzLad8t4UaYqvWdxp1Ncqxqh2DJMbdTKrAAvyVLfXeOC1mfAv0drRgW1k7pAHqWctZ31p/s1600-h/IMGP0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAGs7ytPyd0S9i7F0wjmAmMn5sv8QaOS-4zZUfuChfN2FjZZDwFMZ5mtva8ucRs7xzLad8t4UaYqvWdxp1Ncqxqh2DJMbdTKrAAvyVLfXeOC1mfAv0drRgW1k7pAHqWctZ31p/s320/IMGP0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044811059927364466" /></a><br />The second one is half way done. No picture because it looks like the one above... except only half.<br /><br />I've also had a lace shawl project going for a very long time (Candle Light Shawl from Knitpicks, link also in sidebar). It's only now just beyond the half way point so there's still lots to be done. Despite the lengthy process, I'm quite enjoying this knit. I'm excited to block it out and see it in all its glory finally. Two shots: one to actually see the thing and another one because I was trying to be artistic and obviously failed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zI_OUhyphenhyphen9UHV_wHddY4qAm4mFi_TfG_XsIFJV_Q1tF-yB92w_8Ko-mBZAHcutRpGEnMbxmJT-SHXvuM9R4mfdPSYtxRb1LE2fv1MN4xs8bi8orq9pK6wyd6sH4r6FzlrNdSf9/s1600-h/IMGP0027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zI_OUhyphenhyphen9UHV_wHddY4qAm4mFi_TfG_XsIFJV_Q1tF-yB92w_8Ko-mBZAHcutRpGEnMbxmJT-SHXvuM9R4mfdPSYtxRb1LE2fv1MN4xs8bi8orq9pK6wyd6sH4r6FzlrNdSf9/s320/IMGP0027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044811051337429858" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdDgL5ZYgYW-Y8xjY9F7WIpLeLXpgJ3qUOc3JTGs368oKjeCh2l-XEXUUm2PIUHsqxb2cpCScqRHrpY_Y12o-irbpdN61Ydb2uRhrR3ZDUic945rOApHhGPeb8JEsacazElSm/s1600-h/IMGP0024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdDgL5ZYgYW-Y8xjY9F7WIpLeLXpgJ3qUOc3JTGs368oKjeCh2l-XEXUUm2PIUHsqxb2cpCScqRHrpY_Y12o-irbpdN61Ydb2uRhrR3ZDUic945rOApHhGPeb8JEsacazElSm/s320/IMGP0024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044811038452527954" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-54627250968909264042006-12-12T06:37:00.000-05:002006-12-12T06:50:37.438-05:00Village LifeSome pictures of knitting life in the village.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77yc39gCitQIzZkWptmgsdxz3AYYh0s_uHf-uAMnZIeTHIZGBQJdcOjxfcZszb5l6k5ZsVzwO-66ZYcoSO4bcfVHG9PeTIFa1EKA4lMUcZQ4wf68-8zfMTSj7sH4WMZG-lpiE/s1600-h/rhoda+learning+to+knit+on+sock.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5007605717687656082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77yc39gCitQIzZkWptmgsdxz3AYYh0s_uHf-uAMnZIeTHIZGBQJdcOjxfcZszb5l6k5ZsVzwO-66ZYcoSO4bcfVHG9PeTIFa1EKA4lMUcZQ4wf68-8zfMTSj7sH4WMZG-lpiE/s320/rhoda+learning+to+knit+on+sock.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Rhoda learning to knit on my sock... yes that's the same sock from a couple of posts ago. Yes, I realize that was quite a few months back. My only excuse is that it's the other foot and I've had a lace project that I've been knitting on quite a bit. </p><p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajMzg6NDBdDVgB9cLG47tgj26kGopVgnuGa5fdN8tlfgqzQ-np8iWhPl09rehbU145rUpNbRpFN4o5JuxsdIeD7RInKXlLKUjxvQ1yywZjiKGxi-cvYICi2ZTUfHv6UFWIln2/s1600-h/eileen+with+kids+of+mwangoloto.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5007605717687656098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajMzg6NDBdDVgB9cLG47tgj26kGopVgnuGa5fdN8tlfgqzQ-np8iWhPl09rehbU145rUpNbRpFN4o5JuxsdIeD7RInKXlLKUjxvQ1yywZjiKGxi-cvYICi2ZTUfHv6UFWIln2/s320/eileen+with+kids+of+mwangoloto.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Me with a bunch of kids from the village and Rhoda still holding the sock in the background.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-13074476237236157222006-12-11T08:57:00.000-05:002006-12-11T09:05:40.765-05:00Greetings from KenyaNot sure if anyone reads this anymore since I haven't updated in a long time. I just wanted to share the news with the world that I have brought my knitting obsession to the rural villages of Kenya.<br /><br />Yes, that's right. I am living and working in a rural village in Kenya, complete with mud huts, firewood cooking, dam water fetching, carrying stuff on heads, and no electricity. It is the quintessential African village.<br /><br />But I brought my sock along for the ride because how could I go anywhere without something to knit on and now the teenage girls are just as obsessed as I am. Luckily for me, my office had a shopping bag of knitting supplies donated to them a little while ago that they had no idea what to do with. (Apparently, 20-something African men don't knit.) So I've taken it upon myself to teach the villagers how to knit.<br /><br />This is a little bit of a paradox since it's a consistant 30+ degrees celcius in Kenya and I have a complex everytime I want to knit. Do I want to die from lack of knitting? Or do I want to die from excess heat from the wool? Regardless, the babies and children all wear knitwear and sometimes, when there's a nice cool breeze out, the adults wear knitwear as well.<br /><br />So they're all into knitting and there's one lady in particular who is interested. She already crochets so knitting isn't that much of a stretch for her. My plan is to teach as many people as I can to knit and then hand the bag of knitting supplies over to this one lady and put her in charge of distributing it appropriately. Hopefully a village knitting committee will spring up and maybe they could sell their projects for extra income, or knit electricity lines or piped water or something. <br /><br />Anyways, just wanted the world to know: knitting is now in rural Kenya. If I do nothing else in my time in Africa, at least I've done this much.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1156534950906838232006-08-25T13:44:00.000-04:002006-08-25T17:45:37.766-04:00Socks, AgainSimple stripes in needles that are larger than my normal (ie. 2.75mm as opposed to 2.25mm). <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/PICT0031.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/PICT0031.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I'm not certain that I like the result, although, the sock will definitely not be too small. In fact, it may be too large. I was actually aiming for 2.5mm needles but I can't seem to find them anywhere (this is a little misleading since I only looked in one place). Who would have guessed that 0.25mm would make such a big difference? Crazy!<br /><br />There's a bit of extra fabric behind the ankle area. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. While I'd rather not have extra fabric hanging around anywhere, my other socks were too tight around the ankle. So the extra-ness might help with the "I-need-10-min-to-pull-on-my-socks" problem. Or I might try go down some stitches to make up for the looser gauge. <br /><br />Hey, I thought socks were supposed to be easy to knit. And after 5 pairs, who would think that I'm still messing with gauge? I still haven't found that "perfect" sock needle size to number of stitches formula. Argh.<br /><br />In other news, I'm headed off on a 6 month contract job with Samaritan's Purse. I'll be roughing it in Africa while working on a water sanitation project. The next 6 months will consist of building sand filters and educating about community health and hygiene and HIV/AIDS. Blogging may be sporatic. Oh wait. Blogging is already sporatic. Sorry... Not even sure if I'll get much knitting time in. I'll try my best to keep you updated, though. Cross your fingers for me!<br /><br />Until next March...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1156263225019237672006-08-22T11:47:00.000-04:002006-08-22T12:13:45.813-04:00More Knitting, FinallyHere is a finished Sheer:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0002.7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0002.7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The Peruvian Baby Silk feels like heaven on my skin. Unfortunately, I ran out of yarn before I could finish the pattern. But the beauty of the pattern is you can get away with no knitting the whole thing. The only drawback is my cast off edge is too tight and I can't lift my arms past a few inches away from my sides. Oh well. I thought about ripping the bottom and casting off looser. Or I could just leave it as it is.<br /><br />And I bought yarn! Sock yarn from Knitpicks because of my recent obsession with socks. <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420135/yarn_display.aspx">Parade in Daffodil</a> and <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420113/yarn_display.aspx">Simple Stripes in Autumn</a>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0011.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0011.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I've cast on with slightly larger needles and now I'm paranoid that the sock is too large. Seems as if I'll never get it right... <br /><br />I think the colour of Simple Strips is a little off. The "brown" colour is definitely much more purple, which makes the stripping look rather clownish. Now that I've knit with it, I don't think I like the colour very much. But I guess it's going to be on my feet and no one else is really going to see it, right?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1155223117912735132006-08-10T11:08:00.000-04:002006-08-10T11:18:37.960-04:00Finished SocksThese socks took an inordinately long period of time to complete. Also, I have gotten lazy at posting. I seem to be lacking knitting inspiration. The other strange thing is that every subsequent pair of socks I knit seem to be more poorly made than the previous pair. Either my feet are getting fatter, or I'm knitting tighter or I'm improperly ignoring gauge. Regardless, these socks are a tad tight around the ankle/heel area which is threatening to cut off circulation to my foot, but I refuse to rip them because I'm lazy. So if that means I will risk amputating my feet, so be it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0005.5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0005.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Other than the fact that they are slightly tight, I'm rather happy with them. Yay! I'm also itching to knit more socks. Maybe I'm subconsciously trying to prove that I can knit a pair of socks that will fit properly...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1152481085507228272006-07-09T17:24:00.000-04:002006-07-09T17:38:05.610-04:00I Have Forgotten How To KnitAfter a couple of days away from knitting (due to an unfortunately misplacement of a double pointed needle) I have honestly forgotten how to knit. There I was, staring at the Tiger stripped sock, not really sure what I was looking at. Multi-coloured string with some pointy sticks and I had absolutely no idea what to do with it. <br /><br />Which hand does the work start in?<br />How does the needle go into the first stitch?<br />Should the working yarn be in front or behind the needle?<br />Which is the right side and which is the wrong side? <br /><br />What in the world am I doing?!?!?!<br /><br />After staring at the thing for a couple of minutes and quite a few false starts, I finally figured out how to knit again. <br /><br />No pictures, sorry. The cord for my camera has gone missing. I hope I don't forget how to use it when it reappears.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1151157795835242562006-06-24T09:48:00.000-04:002006-06-24T10:03:16.996-04:00Progress, FinallyOne <a href="http://www.ptyarn.com/rainforest.html">Opal Rainforest Tiger</a> <a href="http://www.chicknits.com/socklove.html">sock</a>, done!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0008.6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0008.6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0005.3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0005.3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sorry about the yellowish pictures. I can't seem to find a good balance between too little sunlight making things all dark and too much sunlight making things all yellow. Still working on it...<br /><br />And progress on <a href="http://www.magknits.com/archive.htm">Sheer</a> (done in <a href="http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Peruvian+Collection+Baby+Silk&Cat=&ProductType=5&Count=3"> Peruvian Baby Silk Moroccan Olive</a>) as well:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0014.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0014.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0016.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm totally excited about this shawl/poncho/wrap thingy. It looks rather small at this point and I hope it'll somehow grow into something that fits. But since I didn't swatch... it'll be a surprise!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1150762826931785222006-06-19T20:13:00.000-04:002006-06-19T20:20:26.943-04:00I Am A Slow KnitterAfter 5 weeks with one project, I am this far...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0008.4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0008.4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />That is the first sock of a pair... slow going, eh?<br /><br />But my slow knitting has not detered me from starting another project:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0002.5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0002.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This will become Sheer from <a href="www.magknits.com">Magknits.com</a>. This yarn has seen so many incarnations that I've lost count. But hopefully this time it'll work the way I want it to!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1147729834750270582006-05-15T17:41:00.000-04:002006-05-15T17:50:34.903-04:00Socks!Socks, I have decided, are the perfect travel project. They`re small and portable with varying patterns and colours. The different parts of the sock require different techniques that always keep things interesting. They`re perfect!<br /><br />The greeny socks I just finished were made from <a href="http://www.fleeceartist.com/kits_merinosocks.html">Fleece Artist sock yarn</a>. Absolutely gorgeous. Soft and silky and feels like heaven on your feet.<br /><br />Now? I`m working on another pair of socks with <a href="http://www.angelyarns.com/opal-yarn/opal-sock-yarn.php/yarn/86">Opal Rainforest sock yarn in Tiger</a>. It strips like tiger fur. So cute! I`m not sure how it feel on feet yet, since I just started, but I`ll be sure to let you know once I do.<br /><br />Pictures will be scarce since I`m saving camera room for scenery pictures while in beautiful Quebec. But I promise to show them to you come mid-June.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1147387808828670892006-05-11T18:39:00.000-04:002006-05-11T18:50:08.963-04:00Long Time No PostBesides being completely overwhelmed by school and work, I guess there's another reason why I haven't posted in months. Reason: I've only knit one thing since the end of January. Wanna see?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0001.5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0001.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Pretty eh? I thought so.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0005.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0005.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I especially love <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTpomatomus.html">the pattern</a>. It reminds me of seashells.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0007.3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0007.3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Speaking of school. I have officially graduated from university! Absolutely terrifying in every way imaginable. But I'm glad it's over and I'm looking forward to a relaxing summer of travels, fun and friends before settling into the job hunt come September. <br /><br />I'm off to the lovely province of Quebec tomorrow for a month stay in Jonquiere, a couple hours north of Quebec City. I hope I'll run into some lovely yarn stores while I'm there and stock up on stash. Posting might be limited, though, since I won't have my own computer and knitting time might be slightly limited, too. But I'll do what I can. See y'all when I get back!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1138594180782422522006-01-29T22:30:00.000-05:002006-01-29T23:09:40.836-05:00School Just Gets In The WayIf only school didn't get in the way of knitting. It's not like education is important or anything... sheesh... <br /><br />Okay, update on the goings on of my knitting life.<br /><br />This is done! At least the knitting part is, anyways. It's a little scrunched up at the moment, but hopefully a good blocking will fix that. Note that the stripping of colours remained fairly consistent throughout. All without manipulation on my part either. Very nicely done. And notice that the size is good. (Not that you can tell from the picture. But take my word for it, it's a good size.) Rather proud of this one, if I do say so myself. Now I just have to will myself to block... hum...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0006.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0006.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Greeny socks are sure taking a long time to knit. I suspect it's that wonderful (but rather time consuming) seashell pattern. I'm not complaining though. It's beautiful and I love it. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0007.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0007.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The one thing I thought I had conquered, but obviously haven't... laddering between the needles. I don't know why, I just can't make it go away. I pull yarn tight, I tug at the neighbouring stitches. Everything that USED TO work, has now failed me. It's like the yarn is purposely trying to foil my attempts at perfection. Or it's like bacteria that grows immune to antibaterials. Gotta find a new drug...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0009.3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0009.3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And lastly, I've been commission to knit a big red scarf for a play happening at my school. (Play as in dramatic production.) It's big. It's red. It's 100% acrylic. It's killing my hands. The only upside? I get complementary tickets and I'm practicing my continental knitting. (Okay, I guess that's two upsides.) <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0013.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A question for anyone who regularly knits continental-style. Does it hurt your left hand? I find after a while my pinky gets really sore from holding the needle and adjusting the tension on the yarn at the same time. And right at this moment, my left thumb is killing me. I don't know if it's actually related to knitting continental... but I'm gonna blame it on the knitting anyways. <br /><br />Lately, I've been craving a large, cabled cardigan to pull on when it gets chilly. Hum... large, cabled cardigan...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1137104360091481402006-01-12T16:34:00.000-05:002006-01-12T17:22:10.550-05:00I Suck At Taking PicturesIs it me? Is it my camera? I don't know. But either way... I suck at taking pictures. I mean, really suck. Hum...<br /><br />The mitts are done done!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0002.4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0002.4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And I've moved on to other things. A sock from <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTpomatomus.html">here</a>:<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0001.4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0001.4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And a closer (but blurryer) shot of the pattern:<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0006.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0006.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I really like how the colour goes with the pattern. The colour variations are still very distinct and doesn't get lots in the pattern and vice versa. Very seashell-y. And even though it takes me forever to knit it (I think that's because the pattern is worked every round rather than every other round), I really like the result. Just gotta knit faster, I guess!<br /><br />And I must have knit and ripped this thing 4 times! First it was a mistake rib scarf. <i>Rip!</i> Pattern's too plain for the cool varigation. Then I tried some short-rowing scarf a la the multi-directional scarf. <i>Rip!</i> The fabric was getting wonky 'cuz I tried something new and it didn't work. THEN I tried for a triangular shawl similar to <a href="http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/">this one</a>. <i>Rip!</i> I couldn't get the bottom (or top?) edge to form a straight line. <i>Rip!</i> Finally, I figured out I have to increase on either end of the row as well as down the middle... so voila!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0008.3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0008.3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I'm liking it! It'll need a good blocking though... In my attempt to make it reversible, I alternated stockingette and reverse stockingette stitch every six rows. But the wonders of blocking should save me from the curling up, so I'm not worried.<br /><br />So that's where I am. And knitting time definitely decreases as school time increases, an unfortunate inverse relationship that we must find some way to conquer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1136439564146150332006-01-05T00:24:00.000-05:002006-01-05T00:39:24.233-05:00Mittens Are A CurseThe left mitt is done!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0002.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0002.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Pretty, eh? I think so. Several complaints, though. My ssk's are UGLY. I mean, UGLY. You can sort of see a row of them on the top right side of the mitt. See the UGLINESS? It's UGLY. But I can't get them to stop being UGLY, so I just left it. <br /><br />Also, I seem to have a problem with thumbs. The last pair of fingerless mitts I made had funky thumbs that pulled at the palm. It happened again. See? Right there. Where the thumb connects to the palm of the hand. See the slight pull? It's annoying. Especially when it's on my hand.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0003.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0003.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The problem goes away when I twist the mitt a bit so that the thumb is more to the side of the palm. But then the decreases at the top get twisted, too, and the cable doesn't go down the centre of the hand. Oh well, I'm too lazy to rip back and fix it. Hopefully I can figure out a solution for the right mitt. (Which has been cast on to avoid the second sock/mitt syndrome. But I'm definitely feeling the repetitiveness... I wanna knit something new!)<br /><br />Oh! And I complete forgot to show you this! Turns out I did do some knitting shopping on boxing day.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0008.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0008.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978074075037&Catalog=Books&Ntt=stephanie+pearl+mcphee&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1">Bookbookbook2</a> by <a href="www.yarnharlot.ca">Ms. Stephanie herself</a>. I love how it's small. I've been carrying it with me since I got it and whipping it out to read a couple of pages when I have time. Gotta love her writing. She's genius. Genius, I tell you! So genius that I haven't worked up the nerve to email her yet... one of these days... promise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1136341923297315672006-01-03T21:19:00.000-05:002006-01-03T21:32:03.313-05:00That Was FastIt's Done!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0002.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0002.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Probably one of the fastest patterns I've ever made. 3 days! That might not seem like such an accomplishment for some of your super-knitters out there, but it's certainly an accomplishment for me. I got the pattern from <a href="http://domesticaffair.blogspot.com/2005/11/sucess-second-time-round.html">this lovely lady</a>, and I must say that I would never be able to create a pattern like that on my own. I have enough trouble fudging numbers so I don't have to change gauge! And instead of the suggested number of stitches, I followed <a href="http://www.marmalade.ca/">this lovely lady's</a> lead and cast on 90 stitches for an extra pattern repeat. <br /><br />On to the mittens!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0009.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0009.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />These will be made to match (hopefully!). Numbers are taken from the <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978076112818&Catalog=Books&Ntt=stitch+n+bitch&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1">Stitch 'n' Bitch book</a> and fudged so compensate for the cable and different gauge.<br /><br />Too much to knit and too little time! I can't believe I started classes today... it seems just like yesterday that I finished exams... such a shame.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1136265463275339342006-01-03T00:09:00.000-05:002006-01-03T00:17:43.286-05:00Cable HatAs soon as I got my hands on my circular needles, I cast on for this <a href="http://domesticaffair.blogspot.com/2005/11/sucess-second-time-round.html">Cable Hat</a>. It's so pretty! <br /><br />Now, be warned. I usually look HORRIBLE in hats. They just don't sit on my head properly. I want them to cover my ears (otherwise my head is still cold and then there's no point in wearing a hat), but then it looks like I'm getting my head eaten by some giant knitted creature. Not a pretty sight. But hopefully the cables will tame the overflow of yarn a little bit and it'll look more like a hat on my head... <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0004.3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0004.3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I've tried it on my head already. Doesn't look half bad! But I don't want to get my hopes up until it's all done and finish. Then we'll see how head-eating-knitted-creature-ish it looks. <br /><br /><i>ps. I must continually apologise for blurry pictures. I have to admit that my camera is rather old... and doesn't seem to like taking good pictures anymore. That... or I just don't know how to use the thing properly. Either way, a thousand apologises.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1136166930967035282006-01-01T20:36:00.000-05:002006-01-01T21:09:14.460-05:00StashingThe day after boxing day was earmarked for yarn shopping. (Boxing day was filled with pushing through crowds, a trek through Toronto and no yarn shopping.) While I promised myself that I would be "conservative" with the buying, I ended up spending so much more than I had anticipated. Funny how that happens, eh?<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0010.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0010.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />From the top: Yummy <a href="http://www.fleeceartist.com/kits_merinosocks.html">Fleece Artist sock yarn</a> in a greeny colour way; <a href="http://www.missionfalls.com/WoolFrame.html">Mission Falls 1824 Wool</a> in a grey/beige colour (I'm working on expanding my colour palette... doesn't seem to be working, eh?); <a href="http://www.yarnfwd.com/tosca.html">Lang Yarns' Tosca</a> in a variegated white/baby blue/pink colour way (there's the expanding colour palette attempt). <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.fleeceartist.com/kits_merinosocks.html">sock yarn</a> will become... well... socks. The <a href="http://www.missionfalls.com/WoolFrame.html">Mission Falls</a> will become a hat and mitt set, hopefully. And the <a href="http://www.yarnfwd.com/tosca.html">Tosca</a> will become a scarf, I think. <br /><br /><a href="www.yarnharlot.ca">Snowdrop Shawl</a> update. It's big. See the foot for comparison<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0007.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0007.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />See the prettiness?<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0004.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0004.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately, I've run into a wee problem. I can't tell from the photo how wide to make the shawl. And I can't seem to understand the instructions either. This has me quite worried because <a href="www.yarnharlot.ca">Stephanie</a> wrote the pattern. And even though I have never met her, I feel like she would be pretty clear in her patterns. I feel like she understands the frustration of not understanding a pattern and would be extra careful in making everything clear. But I just can't decypher how many repeats to go... <br /><br />And so I decided just to move to the next step... but I'm not good with the picking up stitches unless the number of stitches I need to pick up match exactly the number of rows I can pick them up from. Make sense? Nevermind. It does in my head, but that doesn't always mean much.<br /><br />Anyways, I've needed to set the shawl aside for a little while to get it out of my system. I might even work up the courage to email <a href="www.yarnharlot.ca">Ms. Stephanie</a> to ask for help... we'll see how well that goes. <br /><br />Happy New Year!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1135795456212404312005-12-28T13:26:00.000-05:002005-12-28T13:44:16.226-05:00Update #6I've had <a href="http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Peruvian+Collection+Baby+Silk&Cat=&ProductType=5&Count=3">Peruvian Baby Silk</a> from <a href="http://secure.elann.com/frames.asp">Elann</a> sitting in my stash for a while and I couldn't figure out what to make with it. Frankly, I still can't. I thought I'd make a short sleeved t-shirt, but the pattern lost it's appeal and I ripped. Now, I've cast on for a shrug using ideas and numbers from <a href="http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/?page_id=397">here</a> and <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTbadpenny.html">here</a> while fudging the rest. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0011.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0011.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Since the photo was taken, I've started raglan decreases. But it's not really growing on me either... I keep thinking it'll be too small. And it probably will be... argh. Maybe I should just rip it? The gauge is much more suited to lace and shawl type projects... maybe I should try for a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTella.html">small</a> <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTtieoneon.html">shawl</a>? Hum... such a dilemma! This is what happens when I buy yarn on impulse... I end up agonizing over what to make it into. It's really stressful!<br /><br />The other day, my friend and I made our way to <a href="http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home">Michael's</a>. There was supposed to be a sale... but I didn't see anything interesting (and cheap!) enough to buy. I did find this though...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0003.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0003.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />(Sorry... really bad picture that doesn't show the important part... she's got mitts on her hands that are still attached to a ball of yarn sitting in her left hand. There are needles sticking out of the ball.)<br /><br />For only $1!! Totally snatched it up and glared at anyone who would have thought to take it away from me... too bad no one really cared, it might of made an interesting scene. Oh well. <br /><br />Anyways, I don't usually DO cards... so now I don't know what to do with the pack of 8. Do I send them to friends, even if they don't knit? Will they appreciate the meaning? Or should they be reserved only for knitters? Hum...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1135541270669028172005-12-25T14:53:00.000-05:002005-12-25T15:07:50.736-05:00Update #5For some very strange reason I've had an overwhelming urge to crochet. I don't understand it. It's unprecedented! I <i>don't like</i> crochet. I've tried to before and I <i>don't like</i> it! But it's like a complusion... I MUST CROCHET...<br /><br />Fortunately, my mother crochets. This never meant much in the past since my mother only knows the name of the stitches in Chinese and I need to read patterns in English and the whole language translations thing was too much to handle. But this time, because of my <i>overwhelming urge</i> to crochet... it wasn't a problem anymore. She showed me the basics, I did some <a href="www.google.ca">googling</a> and matched up the descriptions with what she showed me and VOILA! I can crochet... sort of.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0004.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0004.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Don't ask me what that was... I have no idea... doesn't matter, though, it doesn't exist anymore. <br /><br />But like knitting, crocheting random squares (or rectangles) isn't nearly as much fun as making something pretty. And since I've been seeing TONS of <a href="http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/flowers.php">crocheted flowers</a> everywhere, I <a href="www.google.ca">googled</a> some patterns (I love <a href="www.google.ca">google</a>, it's a great invention).<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0005.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0005.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The white block of something was ripped and re-crocheted into <a href="http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/4054/zermamfc.htm">another flower</a>, same as the purple one. I tried a couple of other patterns, too... but since I'm sort on yarn right now, I had to rip and re-crochet.<br /><br />**It's entirely strange and unfamiliar for me to type "crochet" rather than "knit." I feel like I'm a traitor, betraying something. But what?! No clue... it's just strange.**<br /><br />Anyways. The plan is to use up scraps of yarn and make pretty little flowers and then sew them into a funky scarf. Who knew I'd be a crocheting girl? Strange...<br /><br />Merry Christmas!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1135463118543077352005-12-24T17:14:00.000-05:002005-12-24T17:25:18.553-05:00Update #4My office at work is FREEZING. And although it is in the middle of the building and my co-worker and I have a little portable heater in there, it's still FREEZING. Probably because it's also conveniently right next to an outside door that gets opened a lot. (Yes... I know that's a confusing description. No worries. The important thing to know is that it's FREEZING. Capital letters.)<br /><br />Anyways, since I need to type and move a mouse and write, it's a little difficult to do my job with mitts on. So I made up some fingerless mitts from scrap yarn. (Notice a trend? I'm using up scrap yarn 'cuz I'm poor and I can't afford to buy shiney new stuff. By the way, it's Bernat Satin something. Cheap acrylic, but still very soft.)<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0002.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0002.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The pattern is a blend of numbers from the Stitch 'n' Bitch book and Interweave's editor's mitts thing and some fudging on my part. So while it was a quick knit, I had to rip it out several times to get it right. It's still not perfect, but I can live with it. See how the thumb attaches to the hand in a strange way? The hand gets pulled a little... strange. But I couldn't figure out how to make it stop, and since it still works.... meh, oh well.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0001.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0001.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I have made the other hand, but I still need to rip it out and change a couple things for the two to match up. And since I needed one hand to hold the camera, I decided not to show the unfinished one... good plan, eh?<br /><br />Stay tuned... more to come tomorrow!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1135387109574911342005-12-23T20:10:00.000-05:002005-12-23T20:18:29.586-05:00Update #3I was in the mood for a quick knit one day... and it just happened to be the same day that the new <a href="www.knitty.com">Knitty</a> came out. Okay... maybe a couple of days after, whatever.<br /><br />Anyways, I found some scrap yarn and come with <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTknecklace.html">this</a>:<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0014.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />See how the little loops are messy? It's driving me insane. Some of them are fine and lie nice and flat and pretty. Other ones are devious and evil and twist and curl on me. It was worse. And then I did some makeshift steaming over a pot of boiling water. (One must be creative when lacking essential tools.) I haven't gotten around to steaming it properly so I'm hoping that the devious loops will straighten themselves out by then. Anyone have ideas of other reasons why the loops hate me?<br /><br />Funny how things never look as nice as the pictures when I knit them... hum... something to think about...<br /><br />I have lots to show, still!! But I need to do a photo shoot before anything can be posted... more tomorrow!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1135295666199921762005-12-22T18:47:00.000-05:002005-12-22T18:54:26.210-05:00Update #2The other major project I was working on before I dropped off the face of the earth was the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Snowdrop Shawl</a>. Unfortunately, I have very bad photography skills (you should know that by now... when every single picture is blurry... there's gotta be something wrong), but this is the best I could do.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0001.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0001.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The last time I kept track, it was taking me an hour to knit 4 rows. Yes, that's how sad it is. The shawl is beautiful, it's just my slow knitting speed that is sad. Next shawl I knit, remind me to try something that gets gradually narrower rather than gradually broader. Otherwise, I'm loving it!<br /><br />It's also taking much less yarn that I thought it would... I've got three hanks of the stuff and I've only worked my way through half of one. So I think I might have lots left over. Or will it all suddenly disappear at the end? No clue...<br /><br />Sorry, this post is rather random and not very coherent. Maybe I should just stop before I say something I'll regret... <br /><br />More pictures to come tomorrow!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704010.post-1135216930070350532005-12-21T17:45:00.000-05:002005-12-21T21:35:13.306-05:00Update #1A little while ago I was whining about knitting socks. I loved them, then I hated them, then I loved them again. There was something about consistently making them too small. Highly unfortunate.<br /><br />I am glad to show you, however, that I have overcome the "making socks that are too small" syndrome and have completed one pair that I had a particularly difficult time with. I hated the colour. It was retro... I don't do retro... but I found a <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTfallingleaves.html">lace pattern</a> that obscured the retro-ness enough to make the socks bareable. The consequence is that the lace was obscured, too. I guess I can't have everything my way. <br /><br />Here is it in all it's retro lace glory!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0008.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0008.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And a side view to better see the lace... sort of...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/1600/DSCF0009.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2997/301/320/DSCF0009.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />As you can see in this picture, the sock is a little too lengthy for my foot. It fits perfectly if I wiggle my foot around and spread my toes out and try to make my foot even fatter than it already is. If I don't... it's a little roomy. But that's fine. The leg part that goes around my ankle is a little tight, so there's the trade off.<br /><br />I really need to learn how to knit socks that fit. <br /><br />More photos to come soon...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0