tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19239004983982656172024-03-14T02:53:59.713-04:00yarnmule"Knitting is very conducive to thought. It is nice to knit a while, put down the needles, write a while, then take up the sock again." - Dorothy Dayyarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-9427223806986812972009-10-25T10:43:00.006-04:002009-10-25T11:51:05.304-04:00Rhinebeck ReduxThis was my third year at Rhinebeck, and I went in with my third different strategy. <br /><br />The first year I went in almost completely planless, and let the veterans who brought me guide me around. I knew I needed a white laceweight, but since I didn't know what to expect, I didn't want to limit myself going in. I was completely overwhelmed, and I actually had to check the blog to figure out what I bought that year. As it turns out, I have knit all of it, so not bad.<br /><br />Last year I went in with plans. I had a shawl and a stole I knew I wanted to make. I had to get something for a scarf for BBMM. I did quite well actually; I got those three items, and only one extra skein of sock yarn. Somehow, though, it wasn't as FUN as the first year. Or rather, the festival was just as fun, but my focus seemed to distract me from the pretty.<br /><br />This year I went back to planless, almost. The fact is, I have several sweaters worth of yarn that I have plans for, but haven't touched. Sock Summit ensured that I have reached critical mass in sock yarn. I still have last year's stole on the needles, so no needs on that front. I just had no idea what I could possibly find to buy.<br /><br />BWAA HA HA HA HA! Oh silly girl, of COURSE I found something to buy.<br /><br />Anyway, although planless, I did go in prepared. I brought the Ann Budd's Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements, and a calculator. I wanted to make sure if I found something that grabbed me, I would have enough to make whatever it told me it wanted to be. I got a hotel reservation for Saturday night. I didn't want to feel frantic (like I usually do); I wanted to shop slowly, browse copiously, and not brave insane crowds for some of the more popular booths. I will say that I will never, ever do this in one day again. Staying over is totally the way to go, and I'm booking the hotel for next year right away.<br /><br />So, what was my haul? Small, but much beloved!<br /><br />First, the pay-off for my strategy. We showed up right at 9 on Saturday morning, and headed straight to the A and B barns; yarn mecca as far as I'm concerned. <a href="http://www.handspinning.com/thefold/yarn.blue.html">The Fold</a>'s booth was already packed, although not as bad as usual (I have never once been in their booth, because the crush of people generally drives me away). We kept checking back during the day, and by late afternoon the booth was almost completely empty. And, there were some <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=182_4">Socks That Rock</a> mill ends left. Oddly, I have never, ever knit with this yarn, so I thought it was time I see what all the fuss is about.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SuRkorBLRxI/AAAAAAAABM8/WXDbCtTYNVU/s1600-h/IMG_0660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SuRkorBLRxI/AAAAAAAABM8/WXDbCtTYNVU/s320/IMG_0660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396548903401899794" border="0" /></a><br />This is the lightweight, and I'm really excited to knit with it. I've been using mostly semi-solids lately, or handpaints with very short color bursts, so this will be a departure. I think I know what I'm making, it just needs to wait for a quiet moment to get everything ready.<br /><br />Next, something that just grabbed me. Another skein of sock yarn, in my usual colors. The colors reminded me of a very specific sunrise I saw a few weeks ago from my apartment window. I figure if something gives me an intense sense memory, it's really trying hard to come home with me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SuRkfsb9c0I/AAAAAAAABM0/hHv8-h4SmQY/s1600-h/IMG_0668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SuRkfsb9c0I/AAAAAAAABM0/hHv8-h4SmQY/s320/IMG_0668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396548749163852610" border="0" /></a><br />This is from <a href="http://www.ellenshalfpintfarm.com/">Ellen's Half Pint Farm</a>. This is her wool/nylon base, and I really like it. It's a very skinny fingering weight, nice and squishy.<br /><br />And finally, the big fall. <a href="http://www.maplecreekyarn.com/">Maple Creek Farms</a> is one of the booths that grabs me every year. i think their colors are incredible, and they have such interesting yarn bases. Somewhere during the day, I started thinking about getting a sweater's worth of yarn, in something soft enough to be next to the skin. I found it here.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SuRk0B3omYI/AAAAAAAABNE/YPD-GWPRyIc/s1600-h/IMG_0672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SuRk0B3omYI/AAAAAAAABNE/YPD-GWPRyIc/s320/IMG_0672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396549098514454914" border="0" /></a><br />This is a superwash merino/nylon/donegal blend. Hmm, that content makes it sound like sock yarn, doesn't it? Yeah. I bought a sweater worth of fingering weight. That's a whole lot of yarn. I may be insane, but this stuff is irresistible. It's unbelievably soft; I keep squishing it, then checking the label to make sure it doesn't have silk or tencel or something in it. I couldn't get the real color of it in the photos; it's a little more teal than it looks. It's a semi-solid, so it's also got some grey and denim blue in it. I said that I wouldn't cast anything on until I finish another huge project I'm working on, but you can see evidence of my failure above. I actually wound the yarn Saturday night, knit the gauge swatch on my way back to the festival Sunday morning. You know, because I needed needles. Ahem.<br /><br />I found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/apres-surf-hoodie">the perfect pattern </a>earlier this week, and I accidentally cast on Friday. My other huge project is not done. Whoops.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-81803445227225384452009-10-19T21:51:00.009-04:002009-10-19T22:18:59.978-04:00Campfire Socks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0X8MOyK9I/AAAAAAAABMM/j_cH_lp_bT8/s1600-h/Torch+Cover+Shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0X8MOyK9I/AAAAAAAABMM/j_cH_lp_bT8/s320/Torch+Cover+Shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394494251502545874" border="0" /></a><br />It would seem that I have accidentally become a sock pattern designer. I have a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/yarnmule-pattern-shop">Ravelry pattern shop</a> and everything!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0Y_qgffhI/AAAAAAAABMs/JHYpJwPDPXM/s1600-h/Two+feet+front+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0Y_qgffhI/AAAAAAAABMs/JHYpJwPDPXM/s320/Two+feet+front+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394495410681118226" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/campfire-socks-2">Campfire Socks</a>, a pattern designed especially for hand-painted yarns. It's got a slip-stitch sole and a garter stitch base, both of which make it extra warm and cozy. After a chilly, wet weekend at Rhinebeck, they seemed especially perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0Yi1PbZgI/AAAAAAAABMU/rASZD_KOjrc/s1600-h/Heel+and+sole.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0Yi1PbZgI/AAAAAAAABMU/rASZD_KOjrc/s320/Heel+and+sole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394494915346130434" border="0" /></a><br />This sock was truly a labor of love. I bought the yarn well over a year ago, and have spent the entire time searching for a pattern that would showcase it. I couldn't find one, despite starting at least a half dozen socks with it. Finally, I realized I was going to have to figure it out on my own. I swatched stitch patterns until I finally found a combination that made the colors pop instead of obscuring them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0Yr0UJ2hI/AAAAAAAABMc/JBY3XdnJpwA/s1600-h/Closeup+side+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/St0Yr0UJ2hI/AAAAAAAABMc/JBY3XdnJpwA/s320/Closeup+side+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394495069716339218" border="0" /></a><br />A few rounds of thank yous, first to BBMM. He took the photos, as always. He assisted with some artful prose. And, I went to Sock Summit and Rhinebeck in the span of two months, and he didn't complain. Next, to my two test knitters, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/tripointknitter">Ilona</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/likelyyarns">Sandy</a>. These women were amazing, and this pattern is ten times better because of them.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-61074136013666322242009-09-07T19:22:00.003-04:002009-09-07T19:29:35.451-04:00A Joy IndeedGuess what arrived in the mail?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SqWV_JvdSbI/AAAAAAAABL8/jZ2Ct8539j4/s1600-h/Front+Cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SqWV_JvdSbI/AAAAAAAABL8/jZ2Ct8539j4/s320/Front+Cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378870242143193522" border="0" /></a><br />My complimentary copy of this book. Although the listed publish date is October 6, I believe it is available now, at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Sox-30-must-knit-designs/dp/1600592856/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252365597&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> or a LYS near you.<br /><br />And why was I graced with a free copy?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SqWWJ7hXy5I/AAAAAAAABME/Qiu-t4XC7iw/s1600-h/IMG_0632.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SqWWJ7hXy5I/AAAAAAAABME/Qiu-t4XC7iw/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378870427304577938" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, those are mine. The first pattern I've had published in a real live book. It also happens to be the LAST pattern in the book. That'll teach me to start a pattern name with a Z.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-52719210270191133872009-08-16T14:10:00.017-04:002009-08-16T15:45:40.239-04:00Sock Summit part 1: StashYep, I went to Sock Summit. I hopped on a plane by myself to go to an event where I didn't know anyone, and I had an incredible time. I met some awesome people. I took some amazing classes. I went to wonderful special events. I ate quite possibly the best <a href="http://voodoodoughnut.com/">donut</a> I've ever eaten. And I shopped. Oh yes, I shopped.<br /><br />The marketplace opened for students only on Thursday evening after classes, for two short hours. My first stop was the <a href="http://www.dyenamicsyarn.com/Site/Periwinkle_Sheep.html">Periwinkle Sheep</a> booth. All three of the skeins I bought there are a 80% superwash merino 20% nylon blend. The owner had dyed colors for each member of the Luminary Panel, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Doctors Without Borders. I bought two; Priscilla's Blue With a Kick (for Priscilla Gibson-Roberts) and Sophisticated Nancy (for Nancy Bush).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohPpVtDm-I/AAAAAAAABJM/jWHSUDJP8Ek/s1600-h/IMG_0604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohPpVtDm-I/AAAAAAAABJM/jWHSUDJP8Ek/s320/IMG_0604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370630127258672098" border="0" /></a><br />The color of blue jeans, with shots of a golden brown that perfectly matches the stitching. Awesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohP1EMFW7I/AAAAAAAABJU/1dhqHfIMP7I/s1600-h/IMG_0602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohP1EMFW7I/AAAAAAAABJU/1dhqHfIMP7I/s320/IMG_0602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370630328715402162" border="0" /></a><br />This one's a semi-solid with shades of burgundy and rose. There was also a basket of Potluck colors for half price. I had to pick up one of those. I am sure that there is some reason that these skeins were considered a "mistake", but I can't for the life of me figure it out. This might be the most interesting colorway I've ever seen. It doesn't photograph especially well, but it's a seafoam green mixed with an orchid color that almost looks overdyed. Gorgeous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohQ-M21MWI/AAAAAAAABJk/_gPHuDDivE8/s1600-h/IMG_0603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohQ-M21MWI/AAAAAAAABJk/_gPHuDDivE8/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370631585172631906" border="0" /></a><br />My next purchase was from a new vendor: <a href="http://www.vanderrockyarns.com/">Van Der Rock Yarns</a>. Their booth had a nice, clean, spare aesthetic, and it seemed like an oasis from the chaos of the marketplace. Again, I bought a superwash/nylon blend, in the Coumarin colorway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohTIqOcvZI/AAAAAAAABKI/5dDEVc98foI/s1600-h/IMG_0599.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohTIqOcvZI/AAAAAAAABKI/5dDEVc98foI/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370633963878268306" border="0" /></a><br />Again my photography skills are not doing this justice; the colors are a little more variegated that it seems. It's a blend of blues and purples, with little shots of fuchsia. Frankly, it looks like a delicious bowl of berries, and I'm having a hard time not licking it.<br /><br />The last purchase of the evening was from <a href="http://www.bbknits.com/">Beyond Basic Knits</a>. Again, a superwash/nylon blend, in the most appropriate color name ever: Rapture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohVL3q2v3I/AAAAAAAABKQ/qHXvnCrh3Hk/s1600-h/IMG_0597.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohVL3q2v3I/AAAAAAAABKQ/qHXvnCrh3Hk/s320/IMG_0597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370636218049937266" border="0" /></a><br />It's a very light fingering weight, and it's unbelievably soft. I considered sleeping with it on my pillow.<br /><br />When I got back to the hotel I laid out my new loot and realized that 3 of the 5 skeins I bought were the same colors I always buy; blue and red. I decided my goal for the rest of the weekend was to attempt purchasing other colors. Because seriously, how many more pairs of blue socks do I really need? OK, plenty, but nonetheless some new colors were in order.<br /><br />I did fall back into the blue pile a couple more times. My next purchase was a mini-skein from <a href="http://www.craftsmeow.etsy.com/">Craft's Meow</a>. Her store is so fun; the yarn bases are all named after ice cream. I bought the Ice Cream Sundae base, my usual SW merino/nylon blend. The colorway is Midnight Craving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohXQLb25aI/AAAAAAAABKY/xKn1DLYjDn0/s1600-h/IMG_0609.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohXQLb25aI/AAAAAAAABKY/xKn1DLYjDn0/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370638491098473890" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, I know, it looks pretty blue. But it's really at least half purple. Honest.<br /><br />Next stop was <a href="http://www.girlontherocks.com/shop/">Girl on The Rocks</a>. Please be seated; I don't want you to hurt yourself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohX-j6pVhI/AAAAAAAABKg/C-FbaIDr9u0/s1600-h/IMG_0608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohX-j6pVhI/AAAAAAAABKg/C-FbaIDr9u0/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370639287944042002" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, that would be orange. International Orange, to be specific; named after the color of the Golden Gate Bridge. I actually wound this skein about 10 minutes after I bought it, I liked it that much. I might be swatching already. I also picked up some great stitch markers at this booth; a decrease set imprinted with SSK and K2TOG, and an increase set with M1L and M1R.<br /><br />The next stop was <a href="http://www.serendipitousewe.com/">Serendipitous Ewe</a>. This is their Chance Sock base; superwash/nylon of course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohZp2H1p2I/AAAAAAAABKo/u_A6fpZPIBQ/s1600-h/IMG_0600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohZp2H1p2I/AAAAAAAABKo/u_A6fpZPIBQ/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370641131077216098" border="0" /></a><br />The color is called Pumpkin Pie, but it really reminds me of marigolds, yellow and orange and gold. Not blue, and not red.<br /><br />My next booth was <a href="http://yarny-goodness.com/store/goodness">Yarny Goodness</a>. She carries a wide variety of indie dyers; this skein is from <a href="http://www.sereknity.com/">Sereknity</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohakqF6TPI/AAAAAAAABKw/iYKG8ajqRt8/s1600-h/IMG_0605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohakqF6TPI/AAAAAAAABKw/iYKG8ajqRt8/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370642141460188402" border="0" /></a><br />The colorway is Green Pastures, and it looks exactly like spring.<br /><br />One of the classes I took was Chrissy Gardiner's Textured Colorwork Socks. During class, we swatched with worsted weight yarn, but I decided I needed some solid sock yarn immediately. I walked directly from class to the marketplace and skipped lunch in order to pick out colors. I am nothing if not obsessed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohbSdEeC2I/AAAAAAAABK4/wOali6VPVXk/s1600-h/IMG_0595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohbSdEeC2I/AAAAAAAABK4/wOali6VPVXk/s320/IMG_0595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370642928238463842" border="0" /></a><br />This is Simply Sock Yarn, from <a href="http://www.simplysockyarn.com/">Simply Socks Yarn Company</a>. Colors are Silver Lining, Mocha, and Merlot. That's a tiny 24-stitch swatch attached to it.<br /><br />My last purchase of the summit was something I had been stalking all weekend. I tried not to buy it (really) but in the end I couldn't help myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohdTCab6wI/AAAAAAAABLA/QfYmFVkntII/s1600-h/IMG_0606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SohdTCab6wI/AAAAAAAABLA/QfYmFVkntII/s320/IMG_0606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370645137285966594" border="0" /></a><br />That's pretty blue. Jay Blue, from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5169054">Hazel Knits</a>, in her Artisan Sock base. It's a deep ocean color, and it's super-saturated, and there was no way I was going home without it.<br /><br />So the final tally:<br />Blue or mostly blue: 3 skeins<br />Red: 1 skein<br />Might be considered blue but I'm saying purple: 1 mini skein.<br />Seriously not blue or red: 5 skeins.<br />Things I regret buying: 0.<br /><br />Not bad for a weekend's worth.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-56324258268795209212009-08-10T14:58:00.005-04:002009-08-10T15:10:36.373-04:00Something To Talk AboutSo it would seem that I've taken a rather long break from the blog. Whoops. Life, you know, getting in the way.<br /><br />I've been doing a lot of "secret" knitting for the last several months. Since I can't talk about that, and I haven't been doing much else, knitting blog fodder has been hard to come up with. Finally, though, I can tell you a bit about what I've been doing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SoBvLqtxpWI/AAAAAAAABIs/X6-5xnRASrc/s1600-h/Treetop+Socks+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SoBvLqtxpWI/AAAAAAAABIs/X6-5xnRASrc/s320/Treetop+Socks+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368413002061161826" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer09/PATTtreetop.php">Treetop Socks</a>, now in the latest issue of Knitty. I'd be thrilled if you checked them out, and even more thrilled if you knit them. You can see current projects at <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/treetop-socks/people">Ravelry</a>.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-54635034311303597842008-11-03T06:37:00.007-05:002008-11-03T06:47:20.271-05:00Alternative KnittingThe shawl/blob is, admittedly, taking most of my knitting time. It's progressing nicely; I'm through the first two sections, and have moved on to the biggest baddest main section. The markers are multiplying, the rows are taking longer, but the rhythm is really getting addictive.<br /><br />The shawl stays at home though, and there's got to be something else to do on the subway, in the car, and and knitting night.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQ7jjZgfxDI/AAAAAAAAA78/byRzcx1HA2s/s1600-h/IMG_0293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQ7jjZgfxDI/AAAAAAAAA78/byRzcx1HA2s/s320/IMG_0293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264395211724801074" border="0" /></a><br />And so, the Christmas knitting begins. These are teeny tiny little tree ornaments (that's a quarter in the middle), one for everyone who will be at the cabin for Christmas this year. Really, they're just miniature socks with little crocheted loops added.<br /> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQ7jqUcfZnI/AAAAAAAAA8E/foAL4rtBFPc/s1600-h/IMG_0294.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQ7jqUcfZnI/AAAAAAAAA8E/foAL4rtBFPc/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264395330624906866" border="0" /></a><br />Those are short-row heels and toes, and a little turnback hem. The girls get picot hems:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQ7jx3b3DaI/AAAAAAAAA8M/vRGCKpni0ts/s1600-h/IMG_0296.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQ7jx3b3DaI/AAAAAAAAA8M/vRGCKpni0ts/s320/IMG_0296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264395460276587938" border="0" /></a><br />I did spent the better part of a weekend attempting to embroider names, dates, etc. onto these. It was rather disastrous, and please note they are now plain. I'm calling them finished.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-3191893563032561532008-10-26T17:38:00.007-04:002008-10-26T18:03:39.075-04:00And We're Off<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQTjq0tlwZI/AAAAAAAAA7s/DOClNbrc1R0/s1600-h/IMG_0288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQTjq0tlwZI/AAAAAAAAA7s/DOClNbrc1R0/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261580589519454610" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, I started <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/irtfaa-faroese-lace-shawl-p-74.html">Irtfa'a</a>. In fact, I think I started within five minutes of my last post. Of course, it's nothing but a blob, and will remain so for a very, very long time. I think by next week I'll at least have enough on the needles to be able to pin out a section. In the meantime, I'm just pausing now and then to bunch it up and gaze at the colors.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQTjkJlRb9I/AAAAAAAAA7k/fwJckZ0AaCI/s1600-h/IMG_0287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQTjkJlRb9I/AAAAAAAAA7k/fwJckZ0AaCI/s320/IMG_0287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261580474862628818" border="0" /></a><br />It's going well; the <a href="http://www.briarrosefibers.net/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BRF&Category_Code=FAF">yarn</a> is amazingly easy to work with, considering it's lace weight. It's not prone to splitting or snagging at all. The pattern looks hard, but is actually really intuitive, so I'm not as glued to the charts as I thought I'd be. I've only felt the need for one lifeline. Markers though? Those I'm using plenty of.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQTnbtfSb8I/AAAAAAAAA70/mUbgVCC4qmA/s1600-h/IMG_0286.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SQTnbtfSb8I/AAAAAAAAA70/mUbgVCC4qmA/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261584727928893378" border="0" /></a>yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-71820293522074181062008-10-19T19:25:00.001-04:002008-10-19T19:26:35.621-04:00Laser FocusThis year, Rhinebeck was not about cute sheep and alpacas. It wasn't about chicken pies or caramel apples (although it might have been about cheese for just a minute). No learning about fleece for me. This year, Rhinebeck was about the yarn, the whole yarn, and nothing but the yarn.<br /><br />I went in with a plan, but immediately fell down and bought something I had no reason to buy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPuwYN0U1HI/AAAAAAAAA6U/mXwr6NJK534/s1600-h/IMG_0273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPuwYN0U1HI/AAAAAAAAA6U/mXwr6NJK534/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258990919957664882" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.spirit-trail.net/">Spirit Trail Fiberworks</a>. They get me every time. Last year, I bought the yarn for the <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/02/too-late-for-fall.html">Pumpkin Socks</a> there; I got there late in the day, and there wasn't much left, but I managed to find something I loved. This year, I went early. I'm still amazed I managed to walk away with only one skein.<br /><br />This yarn (Alexandra) is a different base than what I bought last year; it's 100% Superwash Merino, with no nylon. The twist is a lot tighter and more defined as well. Of course, none of that matters, because it is all about the color. Just look at that:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPuwfOB9djI/AAAAAAAAA6c/PIm-mR6RKMg/s1600-h/IMG_0275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPuwfOB9djI/AAAAAAAAA6c/PIm-mR6RKMg/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258991040273937970" border="0" /></a><br />Denim blues and olive greens, with transitions so smooth I can't tell where the blues end and the greens begin. No matter how many pictures I took I couldn't capture both the warmth in the greens and the cool of the blues.<br /><br />My next purchase stayed firmly against my cheek for a solid fifteen minutes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu1u8DN_hI/AAAAAAAAA6k/xnSBS7oFoCQ/s1600-h/IMG_0267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu1u8DN_hI/AAAAAAAAA6k/xnSBS7oFoCQ/s320/IMG_0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258996807883423250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was a utilitarian purchase; BBMM wants a gray scarf. He has no special requirements, but I came across what might be the softest alpaca ever at Times Remembered.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu2xHwjK4I/AAAAAAAAA60/L_5f4zJBj0w/s1600-h/IMG_0266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu2xHwjK4I/AAAAAAAAA60/L_5f4zJBj0w/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258997944897710978" border="0" /></a><br />Charcoal grey, with one thin ply of a lighter grey. Eight ounces (about 600 yards) of sport weight, for a ridiculously low price. I hate knitting scarves for the miles of repetition, but this stuff will be so nice to work with I'm almost looking forward to it.<br /><br />The next purchase was bought for a specific project; <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTjeanie.html">Jeanie</a>, from last winter's edition of Knitty. I've always been intrigues by this pattern, but had never found yarn that seemed right for it. Now I have.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu5wQwZs-I/AAAAAAAAA68/VIp-bPMOhHk/s1600-h/IMG_0280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu5wQwZs-I/AAAAAAAAA68/VIp-bPMOhHk/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259001228668023778" border="0" /></a><br />Fingering weight Merino/Tencel, from <a href="http://www.maplecreekyarn.com/">Maple Creek Farm</a>. The drape on this stuff is incredible; it's going to be a perfect match for the pattern.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu6H5Rgs6I/AAAAAAAAA7E/ryVdT587pvA/s1600-h/IMG_0285.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu6H5Rgs6I/AAAAAAAAA7E/ryVdT587pvA/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259001634681303970" border="0" /></a><br />Browns and greys and cream, all with a really nice sheen; the darker colors almost shimmer.<br /><br />Finally, the Holy Grail of yarn. I have wanted to make Anne Hanson's <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/irtfaa-faroese-lace-shawl-p-74.html">Irtfa'a Shawl</a> since the first time I saw it. I've been looking for the perfect yarn ever since. I didn't want a truly black-based color, like the original. I wanted something more like smoke; subtle, natural greys and blues, not too much contrast. I searched all day. It was the one thing I was determined to find, but by late afternoon I thought I might be defeated. I had found a lot of maybes, but nothing that was perfect. Then I found the <a href="http://www.briarrosefibers.net/">Briar Rose Fibers</a> booth.<br /><br />When I first glanced in the booth, I saw a lot of earth tones, a lot of deep saturation, a lot of subtle color changes, and my first thought was ohmygodwhereisthelaceweight. It was late in the day, and there were only about eight skeins left, but I found exactly what I had been looking for.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu7r2DEQ_I/AAAAAAAAA7M/RZA8IA5rcOI/s1600-h/IMG_0262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu7r2DEQ_I/AAAAAAAAA7M/RZA8IA5rcOI/s320/IMG_0262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259003351802332146" border="0" /></a><br />Extremely fine, light as air laceweight. 100% alpaca. 2500 yards in the skein, so I can make an entire shawl with no joins. Deep and smokey and subtle.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu8DiCjTSI/AAAAAAAAA7U/6Iq5rkAiz4E/s1600-h/IMG_0263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPu8DiCjTSI/AAAAAAAAA7U/6Iq5rkAiz4E/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259003758748323106" border="0" /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_SpellCheck" title="Check Spelling" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);BLOG_spellcheck();;ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span></a><br />The picture looks really blue, but there is a lot of lavender and silver in there, and a little bit of black. This was not a difficult decision. About two minutes after I bought it, I saw Anne Hanson in the next booth. I took that as I sign. (No, I didn't say anything. Walking up and saying "I just bought yarn for your shawl" just seemed a little too stalker-y to me, and I was worried the gleam of fresh purchases in my eye might be misread as a different gleam altogether.)<br /><br />You might notice that it's already wound. What you can't see is that it's already swatched, and washed and dried. Cast-on begins in approximately five minutes.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-60282509353892547502008-10-12T16:52:00.011-04:002008-10-12T17:31:59.489-04:00Mosaic Yoke JacketAnother FO, and this one is almost the love of my life.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJlUSJizrI/AAAAAAAAA5s/_10modJm_CA/s1600-h/IMG_0252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJlUSJizrI/AAAAAAAAA5s/_10modJm_CA/s320/IMG_0252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256375114238447282" border="0" /></a><br />You may be wondering why "almost". Well, notice it is being modeled by the floor, not me. <br /><br />Yep, another sweater knit, finished, and washed, only to not fit. This one is at least a size too small, maybe a size & a half. I haven't even bothered to figure out why. Probably a gauge problem.<br /><br />I can't take it out on the sweater though. Just look at it. There's the main stitch pattern, which is both interesting to look at and to knit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJlfRUBceI/AAAAAAAAA50/cta4LwXP_nI/s1600-h/IMG_0254.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJlfRUBceI/AAAAAAAAA50/cta4LwXP_nI/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256375302992523746" border="0" /></a><br />There's the mosaic yoke. This was my first experience with mosaic knitting, and I have to say, I'm a big fan. It's really fun, and knits really fast. This one was done in garter stitch, and the effect is just beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJloGNtwcI/AAAAAAAAA58/f14RDOLnh1k/s1600-h/IMG_0255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJloGNtwcI/AAAAAAAAA58/f14RDOLnh1k/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256375454632100290" border="0" /></a><br />Then there are all the little details, which are always my favorite part of a good pattern. First , the shaping on the upper part of the yoke.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJm_NVcdkI/AAAAAAAAA6M/hTWllcJBx50/s1600-h/IMG_0258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJm_NVcdkI/AAAAAAAAA6M/hTWllcJBx50/s320/IMG_0258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256376951192188482" border="0" /></a><br />Isn't that nice? There's something similar going on at the side "seams":<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJm2ZgBs4I/AAAAAAAAA6E/AvvmD-UjdN4/s1600-h/IMG_0256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SPJm2ZgBs4I/AAAAAAAAA6E/AvvmD-UjdN4/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256376799838974850" border="0" /></a><br />I had so much fun knitting this. It might fit my mother-in-law, and if it does she gets it. If not, I actually may re-knit the whole thing. I would even mind. It was that good.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="htthttp://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mosaic-yoke-jacket">Mosaic Yoke Jacket</a> (Ravelry link), by Veronik Avery. It's published in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Color-Style-Innovative-Traditional-Inspired/dp/1596680628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223846415&sr=1-1">Color Style</a>, but was excerpted in the most recent issue of Interweave Knits. Again, a brilliant pattern with lovely details.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn & Needles:</span> All stash yarn for this, perhaps another reason I'm not super upset about the failure of it all. A few skeins of black Bernat Lana, two different shades of grey Paton's Classic Merino, and several leftover bits of Cascade 220.<br /><br />Most of this was knit on a size 4 aluminum circular, with the yoke in size 6 aluminum circular. The sleeves were knit on size 6 bamboo DPN's.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods:</span> Yes, but none that I'd recommend. The hems on this are doubled; the pattern tells you to bind off and then seam them on the inside. In my infinite stupidity, I thought it would be cleaner to do a grafted seam instead. Can you say tedious? Also, the inside didn't lay as flat as I would have liked, since I misjudged the amount of room the grafted seam would take. Bad idea.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I Could Do It Over:</span> Oh, you know.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-24535238802261971452008-09-28T18:23:00.008-04:002008-09-28T19:03:57.943-04:00The Next Big Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SOAGWOYDaZI/AAAAAAAAA5k/RgWAGwp03C8/s1600-h/IMG_0243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SOAGWOYDaZI/AAAAAAAAA5k/RgWAGwp03C8/s320/IMG_0243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251204144399870354" border="0" /></a><br />It's nearly 70 degrees outside today, so I thought it might be a good day to start Christmas knitting. Heh.<br /><br />This is actually a re-do project. A very long time ago, as one of my very first knitting projects, I made Christmas stockings for the family. Everyone coming to Christmas at the cabin got one. I used <a href="http://www.annieswoolens.com/StockingKitsPatterns.php">these patterns</a> (which are fabulous). Unfortunately, I also used a popular discount-store worsted weight acrylic yarn (whose name I won't bother to denigrate here). The colors were a little garish, but that wasn't even the worst part. If you've ever done any colorwork, you know that you want your yarn to have a good deal of spring. Acrylic doesn't play that game. So what I have are stockings with a slightly different gauge for each section of patterning. I also have stockings that won't stretch to accommodate all the little gifts I want to stuff them with. So I had a Christmas fit over the weekend and decided they all needed to be re-done.<br /><br />I ran off to <a href="http://www.knittycity.com/">my favorite LYS</a> and picked myself up a bunch of Cascade 220. I've got a lovely heathered forest green (color # 9447), a nice warm cranberry red (8884), and a naturally sheepy heathered oatmeal sort of thing (2442). I'm swatching tonight, and will be knitting by tomorrow (if I can wait that long). The last time I made these, they went very quickly, and I like to think I am a better and faster knitter now. The only way I won't finish in time is if I succumb to another fit of cast-on-itis. Which, given my recent track record, could happen the moment another knitting magazine shows up at my doorstep.<br /><br />Oh yeah,my last project is finished, and soaking as I write this. Next time, there will be pictures of a FO.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-84843621067787426702008-09-22T20:58:00.004-04:002008-09-22T21:28:09.078-04:00Blob... In Color!So I've gotten a pretty good swath of knitting done in the last few weeks, but as I mentioned last time, it's still blobby.<br /><br />I recently got a subscription to Interweave Knits, and when my first issue arrived, I was immediately smitten with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mosaic-yoke-jacket">Mosaic Yoke Jacket</a> (Ravelry link). This was one of those that I had to cast on Right Now. I had an approximate bushel sized load of black Bernat Lana in the stash, so I grabbed a skein and went. In less than a day I had continued the stash-dive, come up with a whole new set of colors, and was on the way.<br /><br />The original pattern has black and dark grey as the main color: I had those. The colored yoke called for a whole mess of colors I didn't have, didn't want to wait for, and didn't particularly love. So...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SNhC-wxTKpI/AAAAAAAAA5c/gvliyUXlOFA/s1600-h/IMG_0187.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SNhC-wxTKpI/AAAAAAAAA5c/gvliyUXlOFA/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249019011711314578" border="0" /></a><br />Instead of the rust/gold/white, I went with red/beige/white. And where the original had black/beige/blue, I went black/blue/light grey. Was I afraid of the red/blue transition? Yep. But you know what, I think it works, in an Eddie Bauer Americana sort of way. The blue should go well with the jeans that I will inevitably wear with this. All of the colors except the black, red and white are heathered, which I think softens the transitions a little. <br /><br />I've been doing a lot of small needle knitting lately, so this worsted thing flew by. I think I finished the knitting in about two weeks. It's been at least another two since then, and I'm still crawling my way through the finishing. The hems are all doubled and sewn, and the tedium may kill me. I haven't even allowed my mind to wander to the weaving in of ends yet. Ugh. My current plan is thirty minutes every evening until I'm done. Except maybe tonight. Writing about finishing fulfills that quota, right?yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-4199031989237020372008-09-17T22:01:00.003-04:002008-09-17T22:11:33.235-04:00Oh HaiI can haz blog now?<br /><br />It's been a long summer. What have I been up to (other than not blogging)?<br /><br />- A wedding and a funeral, not necessarily in that order.<br />- Three secret knitting projects, the last of which is nearly completed.<br />- A truly killer run of twelve hour days at work. <br /><br />All of this has led to the longest stretch of "nothing to blog about" that I could have imagined. I have recently, however, started and nearly finished a sweater. Sadly, I'm in the phase of finishing that makes everything look like a blob. Soon, my dears, soon, I will have moved on to blocking and picture-taking. There is real live blogging on the horizon.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-34766458954466901292008-05-19T20:29:00.010-04:002008-12-09T19:45:06.881-05:00Signs of Spring?There has been some excitement here, though virtually none of it is knitting related.<br /><br />About a week ago, BBMM spied this, two floors down on the fire escape:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDId-Gq_-NI/AAAAAAAAAqU/ucBsGm6vpxs/s1600-h/P1000956.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDId-Gq_-NI/AAAAAAAAAqU/ucBsGm6vpxs/s320/P1000956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202253472346405074" border="0" /></a><br />We spent a couple of days checking the window every hour or so, trying to catch Mommy away from the nest. Two days later, we saw these:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDIdm2q_-LI/AAAAAAAAAqE/TLohknr_D5s/s1600-h/P1000952.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDIdm2q_-LI/AAAAAAAAAqE/TLohknr_D5s/s320/P1000952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202253072914446514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Four eggs, nothing hatched yet. The next few days were a vigil for all of us; she sat on the nest, and we tried to catch her away from the nest. We would get a glimpse every day or two, usually only for a minute, sometimes less. Still eggs. Still a very attentive mother bird, who would come swooping back at the first sign of a pigeon getting too close.<br /><br />We went away for the weekend. We got back Sunday, and checked the nest as soon as we got back. And look at that:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDIeMWq_-OI/AAAAAAAAAqc/aCEPJfn0sJ8/s1600-h/P1000983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDIeMWq_-OI/AAAAAAAAAqc/aCEPJfn0sJ8/s320/P1000983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202253717159540962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We think that's three babies, and one unhatched egg. But it could be four babies and some shell remnants. We didn't get too much time to look; within a few seconds we got this:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDIdzGq_-MI/AAAAAAAAAqM/JN_K9eBL2rU/s1600-h/P1000985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SDIdzGq_-MI/AAAAAAAAAqM/JN_K9eBL2rU/s320/P1000985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202253283367844034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />How cool is that? Yeah, the picture is pretty terrible, but still, that's REAL LIVE NATURE. Right here in NYC, on a fire escape covered with pigeon poop.<br /><br />We'll be checking back on the babies, but I suspect at this point we won't see much until we get an empty nest.<br /><br />Oh, and that knitting thing... Well...<br /><br />Here's the deal. I am working on three projects. They all have deadlines. I am knitting frantically, but I can't tell you about any of it. The tank I was going to make? Yeah, that got put on the back burner during the swatching phase. I have nothing. <br /><br />So, I'm going to make myself scarce for a bit. I'll pop in occasionally for bird updates and other such random happenings, but the actual knitting content will be scarce. Hopefully, when I'm back for GOOD, I'll have fun things for you. In the meantime, just imagine me hunched over charts and instructions with frantic flying fingers.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-53032153621301174652008-05-04T19:27:00.004-04:002008-05-04T19:38:02.834-04:00So BoringI have absolutely nothing interesting to show you. I finished the stole, and then seemingly took a break from interesting knitting.<br /><br />I am still working on the Brooks Farm Chevrolace, but that's about it. You've seen the Chevrolace about a billion times, so I won't bore you. I will say this though; that Brooks Farm is some pretty, pretty stuff. I'm worried that it won't hold up in sock form; it's very soft and very loosely plied, and I am afraid. I am knitting it as tight as my little fingers can handle, so that should help. It's also knitting up to be quite a thick fabric, so maybe they will be house socks. So if I can avoid wearing them with shoes, and I can keep them out of the dryer, they might be OK.<br /><br />It seems odd that I'm not working on anything else. Well, I am, but it's a secret, and so far it's just scribbling; no stitches have actually been formed yet. That makes for the most boring blogging ever.<br /><br />I do have a possibility though. <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/Galleries/bonus/summer_2007/tuxedoshirt.asp">This</a>. I think I got this issue of Interweave at last year's Mets Stitch n' Pitch. I've been eyeing that tank ever since, and it's finally hit the point where I must knit it. I am attempting to use yarn from the stash, and I do have a couple of possibilities. This means, of course, a multitude of swatches.<br /><br />Sigh. At least next week I can show you those.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-62558072461638036592008-04-21T21:20:00.000-04:002008-12-09T19:45:07.682-05:00ScheherazadeI preface this entire post with a quote by BBMM: <span style="font-style: italic;"> "You hate all of the finishing it and washing it and taking care of it. You just want to knit it and be done with it." </span>When he says things like this about me, he is pretty much always right.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">_________________________</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><br />We have an FO, and right on schedule. I finished the knitting on Saturday night, and decided to wash and block it before bed.<br /><br />Now, I read a lot of knitting blogs, and every once in a while I'll find an entry by a knitter who loves blocking lace. They make it sound like a fun little party, this lace-blocking process. I've never had a good time blocking before, but hey, I'd never knit lace before either. I was ready to believe it.<br /><br />I got out my blocking wires, which I purchased thinking maybe they were the cake & ice cream of lace-blocking parties (not required, but is it really a party without them?). Also because they were rumored to create perfectly straight edges, and there is nothing I like more than a perfectly straight line. I got out my <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/01/like-alice.html">super-lame blocking mat</a> and assembled. I poured myself a Bailey's and coffee, figured that liquored up and wide awake was the best way to approach the project.<br /><br />I washed the stole, let the extra water drain, laid it out, and started threading the wires through the edges. That was a lot like a party, if by "party" you mean "the most tedious thing I have ever experienced". Granted, it was first time doing this, so I was really bad at it in the beginning, and had to re-do it several times. And granted, I had laid the blocking mat out on the floor, so I was kneeling on the ground the whole time. And of course, I was terrified to damage the thing, so I refused to lift it more than three inches off the mat. And then there's my eyesight, which is not good, and forced me to lean over until my eyeballs nearly merged with the thing. OK, all of that is really my fault, and not the fault of the knitters who lie about how fun blocking is.<br /><br />So a couple of hours later, I finished threading the wires through. I had another drink and started pinning it out. This part was not so bad. A pin here, a pin there, measure, pin, have a drink, measure, pin again. This I can do. Especially the part where you line up the wires so they are exactly perpendicular to each other. Oh yes, the anal-retentive geometry part; this I am good at. This, of course, was all very narrow-focus, inch at a time type work. When I finally finished, I looked up, and oh my. What had been, just hours before, <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/01/halfway-home.html">this crumpled mess</a>, now looked like this:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00DTi0A-I/AAAAAAAAApk/iFKSkyAe9PM/s1600-h/P1000918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00DTi0A-I/AAAAAAAAApk/iFKSkyAe9PM/s320/P1000918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191863176818590690" border="0" /></a><br />So yes, I can see where that would be worthy of a party. I've already given you the money shot, so I might as well zoom in for the edging:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00-ji0BBI/AAAAAAAAAp8/iHdCDCG0bks/s1600-h/P1000922.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00-ji0BBI/AAAAAAAAAp8/iHdCDCG0bks/s320/P1000922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191864194725839890" border="0" /></a><br />The hearts in the edging slay me; I didn't know they were there until after I bought the pattern. It's for a wedding, so it's appropriate, but gawd, how cheesy.<br /><br />Most of the other blocking shots didn't turn out as well, what with the brightly colored letters and numbers. After it was dry, I couldn't help but lay it out on a dark background and snap away.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00fDi0A_I/AAAAAAAAAps/LL2OMuAZ8jQ/s1600-h/P1000924.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00fDi0A_I/AAAAAAAAAps/LL2OMuAZ8jQ/s320/P1000924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191863653559960562" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, more hearts. They're upside down, but they're there. Here's the center motif:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00wDi0BAI/AAAAAAAAAp0/fZDjmXa5by0/s1600-h/P1000926.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/SA00wDi0BAI/AAAAAAAAAp0/fZDjmXa5by0/s320/P1000926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191863945617736706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I will admit, I can now see where the blocking excitement comes from. I too was very excited to be finished blocking. The result was well worth the effort. And there WAS liquor. Maybe next time I'll hang a disco ball or something.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scheherazade---mystery-stole-2">Scheherazade</a>, by Melanie Gibbons (that's a Ravelry link; sorry if you can't get to it!). Again, this is my first lace project, so I have no comparison, but I can tell you this: this was one of the easiest patterns to follow I have ever used. There was nothing confusing or ambiguous or frustrating. The charts are large and clear and easy to read. It seemed almost easy to knit (almost). It's also a great first lace pattern, because the wrong-side rows are straight purl stitch, so you get a little break from the tough stuff. I loved knitting it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn and Needles: </span> Alpaca with a Twist "Fino", 70% baby alpaca, 30% silk. I used 2 100-gram skeins, and I have plenty left over for a scarf. Lovely stuff; it's almost weightless, but pretty warm. I knit it on size 2 metal circulars; pretty small needles for lace, but the tighter background made the YO's pop really well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods:</span> Oh no, not this one. This may, in fact, be the first time I have ever knit a pattern without changing a single thing. Huh. I might mark that in my calendar.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I Could Do It Over:</span> I would not change a thing. Except I'd put the blocking mat on a table.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-78397219453791551192008-04-14T09:13:00.005-04:002008-04-14T09:20:43.313-04:00ProgressAll I've got for you this week is a progress report, sans pictures. It's a doozy though.<br /><br />The body of <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/01/halfway-home.html">the stole</a> is complete! All that's left is the edging, and I should have no problem finishing this week.<br /><br />Now that I've cursed myself with THAT deadline, I might as well go full steam ahead. Next week, there will be pictures. They will probably be blocking pictures, but at least I'll finally get to stretch it out and show it off! I've realized that you haven't seen pictures of it since January, when it was at the halfway point. The poor thing is just crying out for attention.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-52198086141602938832008-04-07T06:45:00.008-04:002008-12-09T19:45:08.163-05:00Brought To You By The Letter FYou know what's <em><strong>f</strong></em>un? When you do something knowing it's going to be a mistake, but you do it anyway, and then it ends up being a mistake. Then you kick yourself, and that hurts a little, but not as much as knowing that you are an idiot, albeit an idiot with foresight. Yep, that's <em><strong>f</strong></em>un.<br /><br />When I <strong><em>f</em></strong>irst created Chevrolace, I spent a lot of time looking for the right yarn. I knew that a true stripe wouldn't work. I knew I didn't want it to be solid. I bought some multi-colors with short color bursts, thinking they would work. They didn't; too much bright color obscured the pattern, and the darker colors didn't photograph well. I <em><strong>f</strong></em>inally settled on the Ivory semi-solid from <em><strong>F</strong></em>leece Artist. Light color to photograph well, a little bit of interest, but not so much that it detracted from the pattern. I loved the color, I loved the sock, it got published, and they were my pride and joy.<br /><br />Well. I'm the type of girl that will only buy sock yarn if it's machine washable, because I know that I will never, ever have the time and/or patience to hand wash socks. Now the label on the <em><strong>F</strong></em>leece Artist CLEARLY states that you can machine wash, but lay flat to dry. Of course, the very <strong><em>f</em></strong>irst time I washed them I accidentally threw them in the dryer. Lo and behold, no problem. They were <em><strong>f</strong></em>ine. The second time I accidetnally threw them in the dryer, still <em><strong>f</strong></em>ine. In <em><strong>f</strong></em>act, the only evidence of wear was a little <em><strong>f</strong></em>uzzing on the heel, where my shoe rubbed against it. Again, no problem. I soon <strong><em>f</em></strong>orgot all about the washing instrcutions, and started treating them like all of my other socks. Sadly, all my other socks contain at least 15% nylon, and these didn't.<br /><br /><em><strong>F</strong></em>ast <em><strong>f</strong></em>orward. I honestly don't know what happened; too much heat in the washer or dryer, or maybe just the cumulative effects of months of abuse. Here is how they look now:<br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R_n7moJIlQI/AAAAAAAAAoM/C1pKtKLvqdA/s1600-h/P1000912.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186453086923166978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R_n7moJIlQI/AAAAAAAAAoM/C1pKtKLvqdA/s320/P1000912.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>FELTED</em></strong>. Not completely <em><strong>f</strong></em>elted, but mostly. They go on this <em><strong>f</strong></em>ar, but no <em><strong>f</strong></em>arther. The ribbing still stretches, but the rest of the sock doesn't. They are <em><strong>f</strong></em>inished, merely a bad memory of my lack of interest in taking special care of hand-knits. <em><strong>F</strong></em>*&%$*)((*&!!!</p><p>Clearly, another pair of Chevrolace is in order. I can't go through life without a pair of my very own. So I've started over, with a new yarn, which I haven't checked care instructions on yet (some people never learn). Here's sock 1 in progress:</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186453383275910418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R_n734JIlRI/AAAAAAAAAoU/15uLc71r81o/s320/P1000915.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Pretty, no? And so soft. The yarn is Acero from Brooks Farms, and is a blend of superwash merino, silk, and viscose. Please note that there is NO NYLON. Why did I buy it? Because Brooks Farms colors are like CRACK, that's why, and I was at Rhinebeck, and it was all so tempting... Just look at those colors, and how they blend seamlessly.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186453555074602274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R_n8B4JIlSI/AAAAAAAAAoc/7mzCQANIzOM/s320/P1000917.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>I can't wait to wear them. I may, however, pay someone to wash them for me.</p>yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-6966980942602914082008-03-24T13:10:00.001-04:002008-12-09T19:45:08.660-05:00StripeyAnother FO! This one is long overdue; I finished the knitting well over a week ago, but I couldn't seem to motivate myself to weave in all the ends. I finally finished this week, and threw it in the wash over the weekend.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R-eHyYJIlNI/AAAAAAAAAn0/p05PM2aUBG4/s1600-h/P1000900.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181259195857016018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R-eHyYJIlNI/AAAAAAAAAn0/p05PM2aUBG4/s320/P1000900.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Pattern:</strong> All from my little head, with some help from Elizabeth Zimmerman's percentage method. I worked it hem-up in the round, joined at the underarm, then raglan decreases to the bottom of the front neckline. Some short row fun, then a turtleneck, and voila!<br /><br />Details; I worked the hems and the turtleneck in 3x3 rib. The hem depth is about four inches on each, and the turtleneck is six inches long total. I continued the ribbing up the sides of the body (7 ribs) and the sleeve (3 ribs). The raglans are also three stitches wide; one center stitch, and a K2tog or SSK on either side. Yarnmule likes symmetry. Here's a shot of the ribbing on the side:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181258749180417218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R-eHYYJIlMI/AAAAAAAAAns/jTlRJRmtFAs/s320/P1000904.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />And here's one of raglans and the turtleneck:<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181259668303418594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R-eIN4JIlOI/AAAAAAAAAn8/FUjorbBGJ0g/s320/P1000902.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><strong>Yarn and Needles:</strong> For some reason, I was sure that I would run out of yarn on this. I actually calculated the number of stitches at one point. Let's just say that math is devious and dastardly. Either that or I cannot count.<br /><br />All the yarn was Suss Cotton. I used almost 3 jumbo skeins of red, less than 1 skein of brown, and about 1/2 each of khaki and teal. This leaves with two untouched skeins, and a whole bunch of partials. I really liked working with this yarn. It's a single loose ply of cotton, but it's wrapped with a tiny thread that appears to be mercerized (it's kind of shiny). This gives the yarn a little texture, and it also seemed to give it a little more bounce than your average cotton yarn. I didn't have any trouble with snagging on the needle tips, and it knit quickly.<br /><br />The needles are a story all their own. I swatched with size 8 and size 7, and decided on the 7's (I've had about enough of floppy stretchy cotton sweaters). I worked the body on a Boye interchangeable metal circular. Then I worked the sleeves on Bryspun DPN's. After I joined it all, it went back on the metal circ. After I finished I started the post-project clean-up; bagging up the leftover yarn, putting away the needles, etc. I twas then that I realized I had done the body on size 7 and the sleeves on size 8. In all honesty, I tend to knit a little tighter on DPNs than on circs, so the difference is completely unnoticeable.<br /><br /><strong>If I Could Do It Over:</strong> You've probably already read <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/03/thats-better.html">The Story of the Ugly Stripes</a>. Obviously I'd do that right the first time. I also had a sizing issue that I'm not going to fix. Every cotton sweater I have ever knit has grown in the laundry or on the body. When I say grown, I mean GROWN; we're talking sleeves that are three inches too long, bodies that could be classified as dresses, the whole deal. When I calculated my measurements for this one, I took that into account, and worked everything about an inch shorter than I really wanted. Lo and behold, the thing shrunk in the wash. After a full day of wear, the body is fine, but the sleeves can best be described as 3/4 length. Not what I was going for. In the end, I tend to push up my sleeves anyway, so I'm going to keep it as is. The sleeves are a little tight too, but only in the forearm. In the end, I tend to push up my sleeves past my elbows anyway, so I'm going to let it go.<br /><br />The only other minor quibble is with the raglan decreases. I did the standard "decrease on either side of the marker every other row" raglans. This works fine, and if this were a bigger, baggier sweater I'm sure it would be great. But in this slightly fitted version, the sleeve is just a wee bit tight over the shoulders. Shoulders are pointy, after all. Next time I might try to plan the raglans a little more carefully to compensate.<br /><br />All in all though, I'm pretty pleased. It's a great weekend sweater; very comfortable, pretty well fitted, and more attractive than my average T shirt.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-60507107721044578582008-03-16T16:49:00.001-04:002008-12-09T19:45:09.970-05:00Short-Row Argyle SocksAnother set of socks finished, and again, they're for BBMM. I do believe they're his favorite yet.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R915lOQkMrI/AAAAAAAAAnE/QxnVmqah0m0/s1600-h/P1000889.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R915lOQkMrI/AAAAAAAAAnE/QxnVmqah0m0/s320/P1000889.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178428826935636658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> I'm a little blown away by this pattern. It's argyle, of course, but it's not done with intarsia or stranding. Every diamond is knit individually with short rows. There's no stranding on the back, no stress about gaps at color changes, and most importantly, no seam. Look at how smooth the color joins are:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R916IOQkMuI/AAAAAAAAAnc/JScq7_QV86c/s1600-h/P1000895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R916IOQkMuI/AAAAAAAAAnc/JScq7_QV86c/s320/P1000895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178429428231058146" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/ArgyleSock/ArgyleSockOrder.html">This link</a> will take you to the Short-row Argyle Sock calculator, created by Lucia Liljegren. It's a completely customized pattern; you enter foot measurements and gauge, and it will give you complete instructions. It's a brilliant pattern, but it's not easy. I found that it didn't make any sense at all until after I had knit a diamond or two. I will say this though; if you don't like working short rows, don't make this sock.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn and Needles:</span> Aussie Sock, 90% superwash Aussi Merino, 10% nylon, 400 yds/100 g per skein. I used nearly a full skein of Moca (color WS06) for the main color. The contrast is Oak Moss (color WS040). I used less than half a skein.. I used size 1 aluminum DPNs for the whole sock, but I think this would be much easier to knit on two circulars. For most of the sock you are only working on half the stitches, and I had a lot of trouble with held stitches sliding off the needles. I ended up with tiny rubber bands on the needle tips I wasn't using. It worked fine, but sliding the stitches back and forth would have been a lot easier without six rubber bands to undo every time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods: </span> Only one, to the pattern. The originl calls for the diamonds to be on the leg only. When I was done knitting the diamonds I didn't really want to stop, so I added one more on the top of the foot. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R915--QkMtI/AAAAAAAAAnU/whLumMF8wZg/s1600-h/P1000893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R915--QkMtI/AAAAAAAAAnU/whLumMF8wZg/s320/P1000893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178429269317268178" border="0" /></a><br />It was not an easy modification; I was knitting a little blind, and I definitely made some mistakes because of it. I'm ignoring them though, because I like the finished product.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I Could Do It Over: </span> Oh, I will. I already want a pair for myself in black and grey. I know BBMM would like a pair in greys as well. They're a great stash buster; 50 grams or less for the contrast diamonds, and just a few yards for the crossing lines. I will probably leave my modification in; I don't like the idea of the pattern stopping at the ankle.<br /><br />One more picture. This one is in purely for the "Where's Waldo" nature of it. Hint; it's orange and furry, and looking right at you.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R915zOQkMsI/AAAAAAAAAnM/y0JyrOrcSy0/s1600-h/P1000892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R915zOQkMsI/AAAAAAAAAnM/y0JyrOrcSy0/s320/P1000892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178429067453805250" border="0" /></a>yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-62243844534134759882008-03-09T22:10:00.000-04:002008-12-09T19:45:10.241-05:00That's BetterAs expected, I ripped out the stripes and re-did them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R9SUieQkMpI/AAAAAAAAAm0/43c8C2_QZac/s1600-h/P1000880.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R9SUieQkMpI/AAAAAAAAAm0/43c8C2_QZac/s320/P1000880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175925191714550418" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://snitnknit.blogspot.com/">Mary</a> left a comment in my last post with a link to <a href="http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2008/02/color-texture-and-ribbing-without-icky.html">this;</a> it's an explanation of why knitting the first row of a color change (instead of purling) eliminates the ugly. You can see there is one place above where I couldn't do it; there's a wee bit of ugly at the single-round red stripe. There was the single red round, which I knit. But the next round was another color change, and had I knit that it would have been two knit rounds in a row. That would have interrupted the ribbing, which I thought would be worse than a little bit of dotting. All in all, it's quite an improvement. <br /><br />Again I'll marvel at the speed at which worsted weight yarn on size 7 needles works up. I will always love knitting the socks, but the sweaters are good for my ego; at least I can think I'm a fast knitter once in a while. I worked on this for most of the weekend, and the knitting itself is done. This does not mean the sweater is done. There's still all this:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R9SUJOQkMoI/AAAAAAAAAms/dTBbVEDxr6A/s1600-h/P1000881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R9SUJOQkMoI/AAAAAAAAAms/dTBbVEDxr6A/s320/P1000881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175924757922853506" border="0" /></a><br />If you'll excuse me, my needle and I are going to go have a party.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-73883389735281343592008-03-02T18:40:00.000-05:002008-12-09T19:45:10.921-05:00Just One More RowI dreamed about knitting the other night. I'm a little obsessed over a new project and I actually dreamed about knitting it. In the morning when my alarm went off, I had a bizarre moment where my dream and reality collided. In my dream, I was saying "just one more row" over and over again. In reality, I was hitting the snooze bar.<br /><br />This is my new obsession:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8sykGc4htI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZjxAyBhsvXg/s1600-h/P1000872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8sykGc4htI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZjxAyBhsvXg/s320/P1000872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173284192753583826" border="0" /></a><br />Admittedly, it's not much yet. When it grows up, it's going to be a boxy raglan turtleneck with ribbing all the way up the sides and a wide multi-colored stripe.<br /><br />I bought a ton of Suss Cotton when they closed the NY Suss store. I ended up with four jumbo (182 yard) skeins of red, two (118 yard) skeins of brown, one of teal and one of khaki. I thought this would be plenty for a sweater, but at the time I was thinking v neck. When I decided to do a turtleneck instead, I had to calculate the amount of red yarn I would need very carefully. I am praying my math will work out, otherwise it may be back to a v neck after all.<br /><br />Here's the body; four inches of 3x3 ribbing at the hem. About six inches worth of ribbing travels up each side, otherwise it's plain stockinette. It won't finish getting striped until both sleeves are ready to attach.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8szDWc4hvI/AAAAAAAAAmc/QxQ7GUadobE/s1600-h/P1000875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8szDWc4hvI/AAAAAAAAAmc/QxQ7GUadobE/s320/P1000875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173284729624495858" border="0" /></a><br />The first sleeve is done to the armhole. Again, the hem is four inches of 3x3 ribbing, but only three inches continues up the inside of the arm.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8syymc4huI/AAAAAAAAAmU/obFOJm1GaAA/s1600-h/P1000874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8syymc4huI/AAAAAAAAAmU/obFOJm1GaAA/s320/P1000874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173284441861687010" border="0" /></a><br />I've discovered the first flaw in my evil scheme here. Stripes + ribbing = ugly.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8s4zWc4hwI/AAAAAAAAAmk/dv6RwFxtut8/s1600-h/P1000876.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8s4zWc4hwI/AAAAAAAAAmk/dv6RwFxtut8/s320/P1000876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173291051816355586" border="0" /></a><br />None of the ends have been woven in yet, so it might get a little better, but not much. I haven't decided if I can live with it yet. I'm guessing I can't. So I'll rip back and try the trick of knitting all the way across the first round of every color. I don't think I can do that when I only have one or two rounds of a color, but at least the bigger blocks would look better.<br /><br />I think I just figured out what I'm working on this evening. I hope I don't dream about it.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-48612800263085811952008-02-25T07:36:00.012-05:002008-12-09T19:45:11.258-05:00Sneak PeaksI think I vaguely remember saying something about extra posts last weekend... not so much, huh?<br /><br /><br />Frankly, I only have the vaguest of updates. I did, in fact, get both of the baby sets finished, wrapped, and given away. Unfortunately, the finishing happened at about 1:30 on a Thursday morning, so I didn't get any pictures. You can look <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/01/trellis-and-friends-v-10.html">here</a> for details on the first, blue set. Then envision in a lovely beige and you'll get the idea of the second one.<br /><br /><br />As far as my other knitting, I should be working on the wedding stole. My day job, however, has been kicking my butt for a couple weeks, and I just don't have the mental capacity to knit lace. I managed a couple dozen rows this weekend, but I also made several counting errors, so I decided it's best if I set it aside for a while. I've switched to easier, more non-thinking projects.<br /><br /><br />First up, since I finished the <a href="http://yarnmule.blogspot.com/2008/02/too-late-for-fall.html">Pumpkin Socks</a>, another portable, subway knitting project was in order.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170895909555259954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8K2buOPyjI/AAAAAAAAAlg/KtIrCTu3bPw/s320/P1000869.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />You have probably guessed already that these are socks. And you would be right. It's the construction of these that make them fabulous. I do want to wait until I'm close to finished before I reveal more, but know that argyle is my new favorite thing.<br /><br /><br />This still leaves the stole as my only at-home project, and that just wouldn't do. I needed something for TV and movie watching. Again, you only get a glimpse:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8K2oeOPykI/AAAAAAAAAlo/E3FXB7l7L80/s1600-h/P1000871.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170896128598592066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R8K2oeOPykI/AAAAAAAAAlo/E3FXB7l7L80/s320/P1000871.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ah yes, stockinette and wide ribbing, in the round. Worsted weight yarn. So simple, and soothing, and speedy! Projects like this make me feel like a knitting master. If it continues to move at its current pace, I should be able to have a REAL update for you next weekend.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-13321389469379900832008-02-17T12:31:00.000-05:002008-12-09T19:45:11.578-05:00Too Late for FallI've gotten a bit behind on the blogging. in honor of President's Day (or really, a day off work) I'll post a few things over the long weekend.<br /><div><br />First up, a catch up post. The Pumpkin Socks are finished! I actually finished them on Super Bowl Sunday, but haven't had time to pictures since.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R7huXuOPygI/AAAAAAAAAlI/v8IzWL1Ixfg/s1600-h/P1000864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R7huXuOPygI/AAAAAAAAAlI/v8IzWL1Ixfg/s320/P1000864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168001926231476738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> From Sensational Knitted Socks. I used the Garter Rib stitch and the traditional cuff down heel flap method.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn and Needles:</span> The main yarn is Spirit Trail Fiberworks yarn/color # CO-07-09-03. It's 80% superwash Merino and 20% nylon, so they should be quite sturdy. This was an odd yarn to work with for socks. It's extremely soft and squishy in the skein, and I was really excited to make BBMM some "luxury" socks. When first knit up though, it loses a lot of the softness. I think because it's so loosely spun it doesn't hold its squish as well. Very technical explanation, I know, but it's the best I can come with. I was pretty disappointed as I was knitting them, but once I washed them all softness was restored.<br /><br />The cuff and toe were knit with Aussie Sock, color WS04, Oak Moss . This one's 90% superwash Merino, 10% Nylon. It retained its softness and squishiness quite well, thank you.<br /><br />The needles were US size 1 aluminum DPNs. I used 80 stitches for these, and they are actually a little loose.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods:</span> Just a couple of tweaks here and there. I tweaked the heel placement a bit so the garter rib would be continuous down the heel flap. I also decreased along the gusset in a different place than recommended, again, to keep the ribs flowing continuously.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I Could Do It Over:</span> I probably wouldn't actually do these over, but I did learn a thing or two. This was the first pair of heel flap socks I have made for BBMM. I prefer knitting short row heels, so all of hs previous socks have had them. I have realized that for me, the heel flaps fit much, much better, so I decided to knit him a pair. However, he has a very shallow arch, and the heel flap doesn't really fit him. It gets all bunchy at the top of the heel. Proof here:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R7huneOPyhI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/PSmLf967uIg/s1600-h/P1000867.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R7huneOPyhI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/PSmLf967uIg/s320/P1000867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168002196814416402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So it's back to short row heels for him; fine with me as I prefer knitting them.<br /><br />I was pretty worried about running out of yarn on these. I've always knit BBMMs socks toe up for that very reason. After the first heel turn, I actually considered ripping back to redo the heel in solid. I'm not a huge fan of how that looks in heel flaps, so I let it be and kept my fingers crossed. I ended up with plenty of yarn leftover (probably about 10 grams).</div><br /><div> </div>As I mentioned before, these are actually a little loose. For his next pair (you'll see a glimpse soon) I am using the same needles over 72 stitches. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that would be enough stitches, but it works, and I probably should have done 72 for these. At least the ribbing keeps them from falling down.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-87523585767147262242008-02-12T07:21:00.000-05:002008-02-12T07:28:53.795-05:00KnitknitknitknitknitThe baby sets are due Thursday. This was kind of a last minute decision, but in lieu of a baby shower, we are having a "Valentine's lunch" on Thursday at work. Both of the bursting-with-baby mothers will be given gifts in our best "it's not a shower but we love you both" sort of way. This means sets need to completed before I leave for work Thursday morning.<br /><br />Here's where I'm at:<br /><br />The blue set is completed, blocked, in a box and ready to be wrapped. This would not be the problem.<br /><br />The taupe set:<br /><br />1. The fronts and back are done, blocked, dry and waiting to be seamed.<br />2. The sleeves are pinned out (remind me to write a post about the joy of blocking wires. i heart them) and still wet. They should be ready for seaming when I get home tonight.<br />3. The booties; main section are also drying.<br />4. The i-cord for the booties has not yet been started.<br />5. The hat is two earflaps and some seed stitch ribbing. No actual hat part has been knit.<br /><br />The way I figure, all knitting needs to be completed and given a bath before I go to bed tonight. That's one hat and about 24 inches of i-cord. Then, everything will be dry when I get home from work tomorrow. I can spend tomorrow evening seaming and wrapping.<br /><br />Did I consider calling in sick today? Yes, I did. But in the end, two of my six employees have strep throat, my boss is leaving town tomorrow morning, and there's just no way.<br /><br />But if you see someone on the subway today knitting i-cord and tearing up, that would be me.<br /><br />Knitknitknitknitknit.yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1923900498398265617.post-79963857954394502742008-01-29T07:03:00.000-05:002008-12-09T19:45:11.917-05:00Like Alice...I feel as if I'm late, for a very important date.<br /><div> </div>I didn't manage to get a post up this weekend, as I was attacked by an unscheduled wave of exhaustion Sunday night. Frankly, I have very little to write about anyway. I didn't finish anything, start anything, or even accomplish much in the past week.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>I did, however, purchase something that confused my husband very, very badly.</div><br /><div> </div>I have never owned a blocking board. At my upstate cabin, I've always used a towel on the floor, which has worked swimmingly. At the city apartment, things get a little more complicated. We have a cat, so blocking on the floor is out of the question. I have generally only been able to lay out small items (like the baby sweaters) on a towel on my dresser. This makes aggressive blocking (again, the baby sweater) difficult; when I pin the garment to the towel, there's a good chance the towel will just crinkle up and the finished item will be too small.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>You all know I am working on the wedding stole. I've bought blocking wires, but it occurred to me that I would NEED a blocking board for this; it has to be stretched aggressively, and it's so delicate that any crinkle of the towel would make for ugly crinkly knitting. I priced out some blocking boards. I need something that will be about seven feet long. That's a lot of blocking board, and a lot of money. I am pretty averse to spending a lot of money on things unless it is absolutely necessary, so the mind starting working, the fingers starting googling, and I came up with an alternative option. This weekend, I went and found it.</div><br /><div> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R58UAHcptzI/AAAAAAAAAk4/aUUx3t6nIlo/s1600-h/P1000859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R58UAHcptzI/AAAAAAAAAk4/aUUx3t6nIlo/s320/P1000859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160865690221655858" border="0" /></a><div><br />Perfect, right? Rigid enough that I can set it just about anywhere, soft enough that I can pin directly into it, and in its own handy-dandy carrying case. That's 36 square feet of blocking real estate right there. Also, about $20 on sale at a discount store.</div><br /><div> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R58US3cpt0I/AAAAAAAAAlA/RJeKSkjsWT8/s1600-h/P1000860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Rky_RKApdwQ/R58US3cpt0I/AAAAAAAAAlA/RJeKSkjsWT8/s320/P1000860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160866012344203074" border="0" /></a><br />Plus, I can learn both the alphabet AND numbers! Heh.<br /><br /><div>Let me say this though; if you don't plan on having children, and you purchase items that are clearly meant for children, don't let your husband discover them accidentally. Heart attacks were narrowly averted.<br /></div><div> </div>yarnmulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471752264877354379noreply@blogger.com2