Last post was during a frigid cold snap. It is not quite so cold any more, but the snow is still solidly on the ground. I'm reminded of a conversation I had with my cousin from Louisiana over the summer. We were talking about the winters of our childhood when it seemed the snow fell in December and stayed around until March. There may be a brief thaw, but it was quickly remedied by another 6 - 8 inches of snow.
This winter, it seems the snow is sticking around more than I recall from the past 20 years or so. We usually have some ice build up in right outside our back door, from icicles above. This year, the build up is 4 - 6 inches thick and the salt is not making much of a dent. It is treacherous for little feet to negotiate!
I'm looking forward to everyone feeling healthy again so I can take the kids sledding. We should make the most of the snow -- right? By the end of the week we should be able to go, and I just may remember to bring along a camera.
I've been unmotivated to post lately. The school days are blending together with not much notable going on. I'll mention trying yet another approach in math for the Artist and the conclusion of second grade math for the Engineer.
Knitting is moving along, but the sweater I'm making for the Artist at the moment is rather complicated and it is slow going. When the TV is too distracting or the project is too unwieldy to be portable I seem to slow way down.
I find myself longing for spring more than in past years. In the mean time, The Portrait of Dorian Gray (Wilde), The Sorrows of Young Werther (Goethe) , or The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe are giving me plenty to think about. And I'm mostly successful at logging 10,000 steps a day on my pedometer.
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Gift
There is a special feeling you get when you receive an unexpected package in the mail. You are more excited when you see that it came from a far away friend. What can top the feeling you get when you find it turns out to be a present for you? I'm treasuring that feeling now with much thanks to my dear friend Lene at Dances With Wool and Fine Stitches.
She sent me two beautiful skeins of yarn. Sadly, my lighting options and camera do not do them justice.
I'm already enjoying them, and I'm still in the very beginning of the imagining-what-I-can-make-with-them stage. I think the green might want to be a pair of socks, but maybe not. They are beckoning the lace needles too.
And look at this lovely bag! It is large enough for a sock or kitchen towel project, and small enough I may be able to stick it in my suitcase for an upcoming trip.
Thank you, Dear Leena!
She sent me two beautiful skeins of yarn. Sadly, my lighting options and camera do not do them justice.
I'm already enjoying them, and I'm still in the very beginning of the imagining-what-I-can-make-with-them stage. I think the green might want to be a pair of socks, but maybe not. They are beckoning the lace needles too.And look at this lovely bag! It is large enough for a sock or kitchen towel project, and small enough I may be able to stick it in my suitcase for an upcoming trip.
Thank you, Dear Leena!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Catching Up A Bit
Due to the many ways I found to inflict minor injuries on myself in April I only managed to get 13.05 miles logged on the treadmill. I'm thankful I'm feeling better and I'm thankful Rick suggested we go buy ourselves new shoes. Every little bit helps!
I plan to get my regular walk schedule back in gear for May. I'll need to keep it up as I'll be missing several days when we are out of town.
Just for you, Polly, I've graduated to 11 push ups. It is most disconcerting to do them when your hand is on a squeaky spot on the floor! Well, 20 still seems very far away. But if I can keep up with adding (a measly) one every couple of weeks I'll get there eventually.
A little while ago I mentioned that I was going to read Rhett Butler's People. (Is it cheating that I never have read Gone With the Wind? I saw the movie long before I knew of the book.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was vivid and gripping. In parts it was genteel, and base in others, the whole mix making a well-rounded view of life in the South immediately before, during, and immediately after the Civil War. I found myself wondering when a movie might be made of this story! I liked it enough to request Gone With the Wind from my library. It is waiting there for me to pick it up now.
By the way, I'm so glad I read March first. Rhett Butler's People contains no tearing down models of good character, creating dirty laundry for the sake of exposure.
Finally, I made five kitchen hanging towels and ten dish cloths for various households in my family. Then I wrapped them up and shipped them off to my cousin's house where I'll be staying in a few weeks. The whole time I was knitting I had planned to get some photos when I was done. Of course, in the end, I forgot.
I plan to get my regular walk schedule back in gear for May. I'll need to keep it up as I'll be missing several days when we are out of town.
Just for you, Polly, I've graduated to 11 push ups. It is most disconcerting to do them when your hand is on a squeaky spot on the floor! Well, 20 still seems very far away. But if I can keep up with adding (a measly) one every couple of weeks I'll get there eventually.
A little while ago I mentioned that I was going to read Rhett Butler's People. (Is it cheating that I never have read Gone With the Wind? I saw the movie long before I knew of the book.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was vivid and gripping. In parts it was genteel, and base in others, the whole mix making a well-rounded view of life in the South immediately before, during, and immediately after the Civil War. I found myself wondering when a movie might be made of this story! I liked it enough to request Gone With the Wind from my library. It is waiting there for me to pick it up now. By the way, I'm so glad I read March first. Rhett Butler's People contains no tearing down models of good character, creating dirty laundry for the sake of exposure.
Finally, I made five kitchen hanging towels and ten dish cloths for various households in my family. Then I wrapped them up and shipped them off to my cousin's house where I'll be staying in a few weeks. The whole time I was knitting I had planned to get some photos when I was done. Of course, in the end, I forgot.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Kitchen Knits
The Millicent socks still wait patiently while my fingers ply cotton around straight needles making some kitchen knits.
When I was in Tennessee I left my hostess with two hasty dish cloths. I'm making her some more and some for the other homemakers in my family.
So far, I've finished one hanging hand towel and four dish cloths. The hand towel pattern I've made before for myself and I like it very much.
I think I'll be making all the towels of this pattern.
I really like the left most dish cloth too. It is called the Checked Slip Stitch Cloth. I think I'll make several more of these, at least one for each homemaker. They look nice and they scrub dishes well.
The peach and brown cloth in the photo is my first attempt at the Honeycomb Washcloth (Thank you, Hakucho, for the recommendation!). It took me some doing to figure out the trick, but then it was off to the races. I think I may write out the pattern for myself in a language I understand because I had learned how to do this same knit-under-the-loop stitch several months ago for a scarf and it did not stick with me. It looks like this cloth will stand up to scrubbing too. Next time I yarn shop I'll have to look for a darker solid color to make with this cloth. The only solid color I had on hand when I began it was the ecru.
The small cloth used up the last of a ball of yarn. It is a simple one in moss rib stitch.
This ecru cloth is a US Coast Guard dish cloth for my cousin's oldest son's family. He is serving in Florida at the moment. Soon he should hear whether or not that will change.
I'm starting to watch for some knitting I can bring on an upcoming trip. I'll need to call the airline to see what I may be allowed to bring on the plane.
When I was in Tennessee I left my hostess with two hasty dish cloths. I'm making her some more and some for the other homemakers in my family.
So far, I've finished one hanging hand towel and four dish cloths. The hand towel pattern I've made before for myself and I like it very much.
I think I'll be making all the towels of this pattern. 
I really like the left most dish cloth too. It is called the Checked Slip Stitch Cloth. I think I'll make several more of these, at least one for each homemaker. They look nice and they scrub dishes well.The peach and brown cloth in the photo is my first attempt at the Honeycomb Washcloth (Thank you, Hakucho, for the recommendation!). It took me some doing to figure out the trick, but then it was off to the races. I think I may write out the pattern for myself in a language I understand because I had learned how to do this same knit-under-the-loop stitch several months ago for a scarf and it did not stick with me. It looks like this cloth will stand up to scrubbing too. Next time I yarn shop I'll have to look for a darker solid color to make with this cloth. The only solid color I had on hand when I began it was the ecru.
The small cloth used up the last of a ball of yarn. It is a simple one in moss rib stitch.
This ecru cloth is a US Coast Guard dish cloth for my cousin's oldest son's family. He is serving in Florida at the moment. Soon he should hear whether or not that will change.
I'm starting to watch for some knitting I can bring on an upcoming trip. I'll need to call the airline to see what I may be allowed to bring on the plane.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Audrey Cardigan
I added more buttons than the pattern calls for because I want to wear the sweater as a top.
Last night I found a spool of thread in my grandmother's spool chest that is a closer match than I could have hoped for. I used that to attach the shoulder pads. I'm thrilled with the way the buttons look, and I found the perfect tank to wear under it on Ebay for 99 cents. The yarn has such a luxurious feel -- I'm glad we still have a few colder days left so I can begin enjoying the wearing of this garment right away.
The yarn is Knit Picks Cadena in Neptune; 70% wool, 30% superfine alpaca. I used nearly 8 skeins.
In March I walked 19.31 miles, only slightly more than the 19.20 in February. I also shoveled a lot of snow early in the month. Especially the day Rick and I had to clear 4-6 inches of the stuff every three hours because we were expecting guests!
Our kids and the neighbor's kids both spent an afternoon sledding down the slopes in our back yards! 
At the urging of Mossback Meadow I changed the 45 ยบ push ups I'd been doing to traditional push ups, and made a little more commitment to actually do them, at least on the days that I walk. I'm still plateauing at 9.
Last night I found a spool of thread in my grandmother's spool chest that is a closer match than I could have hoped for. I used that to attach the shoulder pads. I'm thrilled with the way the buttons look, and I found the perfect tank to wear under it on Ebay for 99 cents. The yarn has such a luxurious feel -- I'm glad we still have a few colder days left so I can begin enjoying the wearing of this garment right away.
The yarn is Knit Picks Cadena in Neptune; 70% wool, 30% superfine alpaca. I used nearly 8 skeins.In March I walked 19.31 miles, only slightly more than the 19.20 in February. I also shoveled a lot of snow early in the month. Especially the day Rick and I had to clear 4-6 inches of the stuff every three hours because we were expecting guests!
Our kids and the neighbor's kids both spent an afternoon sledding down the slopes in our back yards! 
At the urging of Mossback Meadow I changed the 45 ยบ push ups I'd been doing to traditional push ups, and made a little more commitment to actually do them, at least on the days that I walk. I'm still plateauing at 9.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Buttons
At long last I have found some buttons that will work with the Audrey sweater.
For three weeks I've been scouring Joann's supplies and found some perfect buttons that were too small and, no, I cannot order a larger size. Or I've found some absolutely beautiful buttons that I could use, but for the fact that I could only locate two. And, no, I cannot order more because the computer said they had more in the store. Why is it, if they get buttons on their truck every week, will it take at least two weeks for my order to come in considering I can only order things they stock on their shelves?
I finally opted for an internet search. I went for gold tone, because I didn't want to trust a color match on the screen. I bought this attractive scroll design.
There was a very similar floral button at Joann's, but they would not order more for me. The scroll buttons I found on line are less expensive, but because they come in lots larger than I need I ended up paying slightly more for 15 buttons than I would have paid for 5.
My needles have not been quiet through the button search. Slow progress is shown on the Millicent socks. I have eight more rows to go on the pattern chart of the second sock.
After that I'll have a new challenge. The instructions say to turn the work so you are knitting in the other direction. I'll have to figure out how that is going to work.
For three weeks I've been scouring Joann's supplies and found some perfect buttons that were too small and, no, I cannot order a larger size. Or I've found some absolutely beautiful buttons that I could use, but for the fact that I could only locate two. And, no, I cannot order more because the computer said they had more in the store. Why is it, if they get buttons on their truck every week, will it take at least two weeks for my order to come in considering I can only order things they stock on their shelves? I finally opted for an internet search. I went for gold tone, because I didn't want to trust a color match on the screen. I bought this attractive scroll design.
There was a very similar floral button at Joann's, but they would not order more for me. The scroll buttons I found on line are less expensive, but because they come in lots larger than I need I ended up paying slightly more for 15 buttons than I would have paid for 5.My needles have not been quiet through the button search. Slow progress is shown on the Millicent socks. I have eight more rows to go on the pattern chart of the second sock.
After that I'll have a new challenge. The instructions say to turn the work so you are knitting in the other direction. I'll have to figure out how that is going to work.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Deja Vu?
Well, It was darn close to a year ago that this happened, and this morning it happened again. Some differences...Rick woke up before I did. Last night, I didn't stay up too late to function well this morning, but I did take some Nyquil to help kick my cough and it took me a while to start thinking clearly.
I made Rick a ham sandwich and banana lunch then started looking around for the food bars he takes to work. Of course, we're out. And he probably will not get to stop at home before church tonight. And of course, there is no soup supper before services tonight. So I put some cereal bars and a pop tart in his bag. He may not be at top nourishment, but at least he will not starve. Oh, I say! I just remembered a single drumstick leftover in the refrigerator. I can put that into a container with some leftover boiled potatoes. That will be much more like it for a good lunch.
I got the extra food into Rick's bag just before he came downstairs to head off to work.
Next I'll concentrate of breakfast for the kids and for me. Dear Daughter will need to get her math lesson done before we head off to Latin. She needs to be done with all school before 2:30 this afternoon when we head off for her eye doctor appointment. Stay tuned... we'll see if she comes home with glasses one of these days.
Last night I knit 5 rows of lace, frogged seven rows of lace, and re-knit ten rows of lace. Alas, for where I could be (in the pattern) compared to where I am.
I made Rick a ham sandwich and banana lunch then started looking around for the food bars he takes to work. Of course, we're out. And he probably will not get to stop at home before church tonight. And of course, there is no soup supper before services tonight. So I put some cereal bars and a pop tart in his bag. He may not be at top nourishment, but at least he will not starve. Oh, I say! I just remembered a single drumstick leftover in the refrigerator. I can put that into a container with some leftover boiled potatoes. That will be much more like it for a good lunch.
I got the extra food into Rick's bag just before he came downstairs to head off to work.
Next I'll concentrate of breakfast for the kids and for me. Dear Daughter will need to get her math lesson done before we head off to Latin. She needs to be done with all school before 2:30 this afternoon when we head off for her eye doctor appointment. Stay tuned... we'll see if she comes home with glasses one of these days.
Last night I knit 5 rows of lace, frogged seven rows of lace, and re-knit ten rows of lace. Alas, for where I could be (in the pattern) compared to where I am.
Friday, March 14, 2008
You Won't Believe...
...What We Found!
I could not believe it myself. On my may to a morning appointment I passed this house. I though, out loud to myself, "That's the biggest snowman I've ever seen! The kids have to see this!"
He is taller than the house behind him!
I did go back with the kids and camera later as is evidenced here now. Those are small tires making up his buttons and his eyes.
After being through the washer once I set my Audrey shoulder pads up on the shower rod to dry because I thought they were too big. One more trip through a less crowded washer should do the trick. I did go button shopping. I found some nice buttons, but none I liked had enough in stock to finish my sweater. So I'm still looking.
In the evenings I've been keeping at the knitting, but getting used to the chart for the Millicent socks is hard work. I have been through the chart once on one sock (two more times to go) and I'm one third of the way through the first chart on the second sock. Thankfully it is going much faster and I'm making much fewer mistakes on the second sock. I'm looking forward to getting through the chart work and beginning the legs of the socks. They were the most intriguing part for me. 
I could not believe it myself. On my may to a morning appointment I passed this house. I though, out loud to myself, "That's the biggest snowman I've ever seen! The kids have to see this!"
He is taller than the house behind him!I did go back with the kids and camera later as is evidenced here now. Those are small tires making up his buttons and his eyes.
After being through the washer once I set my Audrey shoulder pads up on the shower rod to dry because I thought they were too big. One more trip through a less crowded washer should do the trick. I did go button shopping. I found some nice buttons, but none I liked had enough in stock to finish my sweater. So I'm still looking.
In the evenings I've been keeping at the knitting, but getting used to the chart for the Millicent socks is hard work. I have been through the chart once on one sock (two more times to go) and I'm one third of the way through the first chart on the second sock. Thankfully it is going much faster and I'm making much fewer mistakes on the second sock. I'm looking forward to getting through the chart work and beginning the legs of the socks. They were the most intriguing part for me. 
Monday, March 10, 2008
Shoulder Pads
Last night I made two shoulder pads for my still-buttonless Audrey cardigan.
After looking at some patterns on the web (Thank you Gina in LaLaLumay Land) I decided to venture out on my own and make some similar to those I'm used to wearing. I think I buck the current trends (imagine that!!!) and I actually prefer shoulder pads.
I experimented a few times and came up with a design that I can fold in half to get double thickness.
This approaches the thickness I'll need to achieve.
Tonight I hope to tack them in place and check the fit. After that I may decide that I'd like them better a little firmer. If that is the case I'll remove them, felt them and then sew them back into place.
I'm testing a tiny felted swatch to see how it might hold an arched shape when it is dried. The poor thing does look a bit like it is being tortured. On the other hand this photo captures the actual color of the yarn better than any I've posted yet.
If I do felt the shoulder pads I can block the fabric onto an old favorite pair of shoulder pads hiding in the back of my sock drawer. They'll look like a pair of frightened blue porcupines while drying.
After looking at some patterns on the web (Thank you Gina in LaLaLumay Land) I decided to venture out on my own and make some similar to those I'm used to wearing. I think I buck the current trends (imagine that!!!) and I actually prefer shoulder pads.
I experimented a few times and came up with a design that I can fold in half to get double thickness.
This approaches the thickness I'll need to achieve.
Tonight I hope to tack them in place and check the fit. After that I may decide that I'd like them better a little firmer. If that is the case I'll remove them, felt them and then sew them back into place.I'm testing a tiny felted swatch to see how it might hold an arched shape when it is dried. The poor thing does look a bit like it is being tortured. On the other hand this photo captures the actual color of the yarn better than any I've posted yet.
If I do felt the shoulder pads I can block the fabric onto an old favorite pair of shoulder pads hiding in the back of my sock drawer. They'll look like a pair of frightened blue porcupines while drying.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Four Oh!
Happy birthday, Rick!
Rick's co-workers were enthusiastic in their birthday wishes!!!
They also treated him to a taped-shut coffee mug, a tape-disabled mouse, and a telephone receiver taped to its base.
I want everyone to know you did not ask for this snow for your birthday. As we joked last night, he was not specific in anything he wanted for his birthday, but neither was he specific about what he didn't want! The first forecast I heard yesterday was for 5-7 inches. Then it changed to 6-10. This morning I'm hearing 8-12. That's sounding pretty lion-like to me.
I still have not been out button shopping, so the Audrey Cardigan is in limbo. I am happy to report that all the ends are woven in, so she just needs those buttons.
It must be that I enjoy a challenge in my knitting every now and then. The Millicent Socks are providing one. Wednesday night I knitted the first three rows of the chart and before I went to bed I ripped them out because I could not tell where I had lost track and I could not come up with the correct number of stitches.
Thursday I (hopefully) anchored myself more securely to the track by moving a life line with my knitting row by row, and putting a stitch marker in between each repeat of the chart This will be slow going, but these socks will be worth it.
Rick's co-workers were enthusiastic in their birthday wishes!!!
They also treated him to a taped-shut coffee mug, a tape-disabled mouse, and a telephone receiver taped to its base.I want everyone to know you did not ask for this snow for your birthday. As we joked last night, he was not specific in anything he wanted for his birthday, but neither was he specific about what he didn't want! The first forecast I heard yesterday was for 5-7 inches. Then it changed to 6-10. This morning I'm hearing 8-12. That's sounding pretty lion-like to me.
I still have not been out button shopping, so the Audrey Cardigan is in limbo. I am happy to report that all the ends are woven in, so she just needs those buttons.
It must be that I enjoy a challenge in my knitting every now and then. The Millicent Socks are providing one. Wednesday night I knitted the first three rows of the chart and before I went to bed I ripped them out because I could not tell where I had lost track and I could not come up with the correct number of stitches.
Thursday I (hopefully) anchored myself more securely to the track by moving a life line with my knitting row by row, and putting a stitch marker in between each repeat of the chart This will be slow going, but these socks will be worth it.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Lamb and Lion
There is the old saying that if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb, and that if it comes in like a lamb it will go out like a lion.
What I have never understood is how many days are included in that coming in portion, and how many can be included in the going out?
I don't recall any significant weather either direction on the first or second.
The third was lamb-like and balmy! The kids got to enjoy recess outside for the first time in ages. We re-inflated all the basketballs and they worked on their skills.
Yesterday the rain was gradually subject to cooler and cooler temps. By the time I was sitting on the couch with my knitting the Wednesday school closings were listed on a crawl on the bottom of the TV screen.
This morning, the list has grown exponentially due to the lion-like conditions. For the first time in ages a number of colleges and court houses are also closed due to the ice storm.
The Artist's actual birthday is today. If they are open, we will still make it up to the library to get her library card.
Knitting updates: I have cast on for both Millicent socks, and completed the ribbing on both of them. And the Audrey cardigan is nearly complete. My fitting fears were alleviated when I tried it on to find where the buttons should go. But at that time I also decided I'd like to knit, felt and attach some shoulder pads into the garment. All that is needed are buttons and the shoulder pads. I have not looked for a shoulder pad pattern yet.
What I have never understood is how many days are included in that coming in portion, and how many can be included in the going out?
I don't recall any significant weather either direction on the first or second.
The third was lamb-like and balmy! The kids got to enjoy recess outside for the first time in ages. We re-inflated all the basketballs and they worked on their skills.Yesterday the rain was gradually subject to cooler and cooler temps. By the time I was sitting on the couch with my knitting the Wednesday school closings were listed on a crawl on the bottom of the TV screen.
This morning, the list has grown exponentially due to the lion-like conditions. For the first time in ages a number of colleges and court houses are also closed due to the ice storm.The Artist's actual birthday is today. If they are open, we will still make it up to the library to get her library card.
Knitting updates: I have cast on for both Millicent socks, and completed the ribbing on both of them. And the Audrey cardigan is nearly complete. My fitting fears were alleviated when I tried it on to find where the buttons should go. But at that time I also decided I'd like to knit, felt and attach some shoulder pads into the garment. All that is needed are buttons and the shoulder pads. I have not looked for a shoulder pad pattern yet.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Delightful Duo
Oh Happy Day!
I'm listening to the Cleveland Indians on the radio.
and
My latest purchase, 40-inch circular needles in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 arrived in the mail today.
I can listen to the game while completing the button band on my Audrey cardigan. Hooray!
I'm listening to the Cleveland Indians on the radio.
and
My latest purchase, 40-inch circular needles in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 arrived in the mail today.
I can listen to the game while completing the button band on my Audrey cardigan. Hooray!
Monday, February 25, 2008
New Footies
These new footies are no masterpiece, but they are warm and they fit the bill as a quick project for me. This photo is not so hot, sorry! They are not much to look at anyway -- K1P1 ribbing and all the rest plain stockinette. 
I found the circular needles I needed to finish the Audrey cardigan, and they are on their way to me now. I also took a quick look at the buttons in one store and was encouraged that I will be able to find the right buttons for this project. Next time I'll have to bring the sweater with me so I can be sure I'm pleased with the look before I buy. In the meantime, when the needle arrives, I can knit the button band.
When the Audrey cardigan is completed, I think I'll begin the Millicent socks by Cookie A. next. I've been looking forward to them for a long time. Don't you love the anticipation of the next project?
School is all off schedule again, meaning that I'm working without lesson plans this week as I have not had time to make them out. Rick took the day off today so we could take the Engineer to the doctor again. His asthma has been so severe this winter we need to find new ways of working with him to keep him out of the hospital.
I found the circular needles I needed to finish the Audrey cardigan, and they are on their way to me now. I also took a quick look at the buttons in one store and was encouraged that I will be able to find the right buttons for this project. Next time I'll have to bring the sweater with me so I can be sure I'm pleased with the look before I buy. In the meantime, when the needle arrives, I can knit the button band.When the Audrey cardigan is completed, I think I'll begin the Millicent socks by Cookie A. next. I've been looking forward to them for a long time. Don't you love the anticipation of the next project?
School is all off schedule again, meaning that I'm working without lesson plans this week as I have not had time to make them out. Rick took the day off today so we could take the Engineer to the doctor again. His asthma has been so severe this winter we need to find new ways of working with him to keep him out of the hospital.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Tutorial
The first footie is finished. I've come to think of this as my tutorial pair of footies because the method of creating the heel is different from the heel flap methods I have used previously. On the photo that came with the pattern it looks very nice. On my sample, it needs a little tinkering. Even with picking up two extra stitches I was left with a sizable hole on one side of my foot. On the other side I did a little better. Instead of a large hole there are two smaller ones. 
I'm not motivated to rip back and repair these, however. They are 100% wool and low enough on my ankle that they do not itch my skin. They probably will not fit inside my shoes. They are not for showing off, they are strictly for function, to wear inside my slippers or to wear to bed.
All in all, not a stellar project performance here. I do hope I improve on the second footie. So far, I'm only half way through the ribbing on that one, but it does move quickly.
I received Mason Dixon knitting from the library a few days ago and I had a chance to crack it open yesterday. I'm getting some ideas for replacing my kitchen curtains. Nothing definite yet though.
I'm not motivated to rip back and repair these, however. They are 100% wool and low enough on my ankle that they do not itch my skin. They probably will not fit inside my shoes. They are not for showing off, they are strictly for function, to wear inside my slippers or to wear to bed.All in all, not a stellar project performance here. I do hope I improve on the second footie. So far, I'm only half way through the ribbing on that one, but it does move quickly.
I received Mason Dixon knitting from the library a few days ago and I had a chance to crack it open yesterday. I'm getting some ideas for replacing my kitchen curtains. Nothing definite yet though.
Monday, February 18, 2008
While On Hold
The Audrey cardigan is temporarily on hold. I have picked up all the stitches up one side of the button band, around the back of the neck and down the other side of the button band. And that is where it will rest until I can buy a pair of the correct size circular needles. At a little over 200 stitches, there is no way I can fit them onto any needles I currently own. I picked up the stitches with a needle one size too small, but I don't want to knit with that one.
So for three days I hardly knew what to do with myself! I read a little, and did some puzzles and felt that I missed knitting something awful. I checked my supplies again to be sure I didn't have another circular needle hiding anywhere. Nope.
My big stein-o-needles still has plenty of room for more!
Then I was inspired by Hakucho to fins some leftovers yarn and make a pair of footies. She has some lovely sock pictures posted lately using a heel method I've been hesitant to try. The one heel I've turned so far does not have the nice finish that Hakucho's photos show. I have some uneven gaps that I need to work on on one side and some ugly-looking wraps on the other side. Maybe I can fix some of that on the second sock. I know I'll be wearing these footies until they get holes in the soles anyway.
I had purchased a sock pattern from Cookie A last year, but I didn't, at the time, have the needles to make them either. I'm looking forward to the big challenge they will be for me. And then there is Cookie's 2008 to beguile me too.
Well, when I do get the opportunity to shop for that needle to finish Audrey I'll look for some buttons for her too. I'm curious to see what options are out there.
So for three days I hardly knew what to do with myself! I read a little, and did some puzzles and felt that I missed knitting something awful. I checked my supplies again to be sure I didn't have another circular needle hiding anywhere. Nope.
My big stein-o-needles still has plenty of room for more!Then I was inspired by Hakucho to fins some leftovers yarn and make a pair of footies. She has some lovely sock pictures posted lately using a heel method I've been hesitant to try. The one heel I've turned so far does not have the nice finish that Hakucho's photos show. I have some uneven gaps that I need to work on on one side and some ugly-looking wraps on the other side. Maybe I can fix some of that on the second sock. I know I'll be wearing these footies until they get holes in the soles anyway.
I had purchased a sock pattern from Cookie A last year, but I didn't, at the time, have the needles to make them either. I'm looking forward to the big challenge they will be for me. And then there is Cookie's 2008 to beguile me too.
Well, when I do get the opportunity to shop for that needle to finish Audrey I'll look for some buttons for her too. I'm curious to see what options are out there.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Half Way There
I have some progress to show on the kitchen and on the sweater I'm making.
The kitchen floor is in! And some of the stairs and finished.
The counter tops will be ready Thursday or Friday. (Good-by Orange!) The sink and new kitchen faucet are here. Our contractor gave us the name of a scratch and dent dealer who sells new appliances with factory warranties so we can shop for a replacement for my dear friend the dishwasher. My old friend leaks on the floor and her top shelf will fall down if I am not most careful with it. I hope I am very impressed with the promised savings compared to the list prices.
Sunday's knitting was rather frustrating. I kept making errors in the pattern. I had some trouble with the first six inches of the meandering cable pattern making it necessary to knit the first six inches of the pattern three times before I got it right. After that things took off. Tonight I expect to be finishing the pack piece and casting on for the next piece.
As I watched this piece take shape I'm getting the idea that it might not fit. Isn't that a nice feeling? I have never made a cardigan larger than toddler-size before and I'm having trouble seeing in my mind how this will fit me when it is done. Also, it is supposed to be a fitted garment -- something else I have not much experience with. I'm allowing the doubt to continue in my mind, so that should it not fit me well, I can rip it and begin again making the next size up.
The kitchen floor is in! And some of the stairs and finished.
The counter tops will be ready Thursday or Friday. (Good-by Orange!) The sink and new kitchen faucet are here. Our contractor gave us the name of a scratch and dent dealer who sells new appliances with factory warranties so we can shop for a replacement for my dear friend the dishwasher. My old friend leaks on the floor and her top shelf will fall down if I am not most careful with it. I hope I am very impressed with the promised savings compared to the list prices.
Sunday's knitting was rather frustrating. I kept making errors in the pattern. I had some trouble with the first six inches of the meandering cable pattern making it necessary to knit the first six inches of the pattern three times before I got it right. After that things took off. Tonight I expect to be finishing the pack piece and casting on for the next piece.
As I watched this piece take shape I'm getting the idea that it might not fit. Isn't that a nice feeling? I have never made a cardigan larger than toddler-size before and I'm having trouble seeing in my mind how this will fit me when it is done. Also, it is supposed to be a fitted garment -- something else I have not much experience with. I'm allowing the doubt to continue in my mind, so that should it not fit me well, I can rip it and begin again making the next size up.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Nostalgia
Thank you, thank you, to Everyone who left me comments on my knitting dilemma. Last night I spent my time making a larger swatch to be sure I got the most accurate measurement possible. I used a US 10.5 needle, (6.5mm) needle and got the magic number, 13 stitches per four inches, that I was looking for. At 17 rows per four inches the row gauge is coming up a little short, but I'm going with it, I can take frequent measurements to make up the difference.
Last night I also cast on for the hem on the first piece of the cardigan. But then I had to stop. The only US 10.5 needles I have are only about nine inches long. Not nearly long enough to hold the number of stitches I need. So I might be on hold here, right from the beginning. I'll need to see who has US 10.5 long needles in stock. If I have trouble finding them, I'll probably order some and cast on for one of the front panels first. The front panels might be narrow enough to squeeze onto the smaller length needles.
While I was doing this knitting last night I was getting nostalgic for the Sunday Evenings of my childhood. It all started when the Artist's library request for Little House on the Prairie, season one, came available.
Last night I picked it up. We watched just a little bit of it together before bedtime, but it was enough to hook me again. After she went to bed I watched the entire first DVD.
When I was little this was a Sunday night family ritual. Mom would sit on a high chair behind her ironing board and press clothes while we watched. The rest of us would enjoy the show. Mom and Dad took the occasion of the commercials to discuss with us anything they thought was warranted.
I must say I cannot abide ironing and much prefer knitting while watching the shows. (I guess all the Thomas Hardy I've been reading lately is seeping out my fingertips. I don't recall ever hearing myself say the words "I cannot abide" about anything before.)
Last night I also cast on for the hem on the first piece of the cardigan. But then I had to stop. The only US 10.5 needles I have are only about nine inches long. Not nearly long enough to hold the number of stitches I need. So I might be on hold here, right from the beginning. I'll need to see who has US 10.5 long needles in stock. If I have trouble finding them, I'll probably order some and cast on for one of the front panels first. The front panels might be narrow enough to squeeze onto the smaller length needles.
While I was doing this knitting last night I was getting nostalgic for the Sunday Evenings of my childhood. It all started when the Artist's library request for Little House on the Prairie, season one, came available.
Last night I picked it up. We watched just a little bit of it together before bedtime, but it was enough to hook me again. After she went to bed I watched the entire first DVD.When I was little this was a Sunday night family ritual. Mom would sit on a high chair behind her ironing board and press clothes while we watched. The rest of us would enjoy the show. Mom and Dad took the occasion of the commercials to discuss with us anything they thought was warranted.
I must say I cannot abide ironing and much prefer knitting while watching the shows. (I guess all the Thomas Hardy I've been reading lately is seeping out my fingertips. I don't recall ever hearing myself say the words "I cannot abide" about anything before.)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Revisiting a Project from the Past
Back in September of 2006 I thought I'd use an old favorite sweater as a pattern to fashion a new sweater. I have some pictures here.
After carefully measuring and calculating how many stitches and rows I'd need in each of the strips joined to make this sweater, I started knitting away, a happy fool!
After completing three strips of the same counts I realized they were giving me three different measurements and I resolved to come back to the sweater when I had more experience and more gumption.
Last week I began ripping back and rewinding those separate strips. I began again, starting back and the measuring and calculating stage.
This time I decided it would be less risky to make the four front strips and the four back strips
together in two panels. It is less convenient to knit with four colors, but it makes me happier than I'd be if I had to abandon this project. So far I have the back panel completed and I have just begun work on the front.
I have tried something else new, and so far I am quite happy with it. I have added a hem to the sweater. In the past, all my work has had either a lace edging or ribbing at the hem. This is another finished look that I like. I need to thank the writers at Pickin' and Throwin' for their wonderfully clear instructions and great photos. I first saw this technique there, and now I've finally had a chance to use it. 
Along the way (about 13 inches along the way) I figured out that the way I wrap the yarn to change colors was not exactly right, as this photo also shows. At that time I was too invested to rip out the 13 inches. After the front is complete I'll see how I like the back again. If I cannot live with it I will have had the distance needed to rip it and begin again.
For now, the front panel is coming along, and I am doing the wraps correctly this time.
So far I have the pattern worked out up to the point where I need to shape the shoulders and neck front. I enjoy the knitting much more than the pencil and paper part, but it is good for me to learn how all the pieces need to fit together.
If it all works, I'd like to make another one going back to the original colors from the pattern sweater.
After carefully measuring and calculating how many stitches and rows I'd need in each of the strips joined to make this sweater, I started knitting away, a happy fool!
After completing three strips of the same counts I realized they were giving me three different measurements and I resolved to come back to the sweater when I had more experience and more gumption.
Last week I began ripping back and rewinding those separate strips. I began again, starting back and the measuring and calculating stage.
This time I decided it would be less risky to make the four front strips and the four back strips
together in two panels. It is less convenient to knit with four colors, but it makes me happier than I'd be if I had to abandon this project. So far I have the back panel completed and I have just begun work on the front.
I have tried something else new, and so far I am quite happy with it. I have added a hem to the sweater. In the past, all my work has had either a lace edging or ribbing at the hem. This is another finished look that I like. I need to thank the writers at Pickin' and Throwin' for their wonderfully clear instructions and great photos. I first saw this technique there, and now I've finally had a chance to use it. 
Along the way (about 13 inches along the way) I figured out that the way I wrap the yarn to change colors was not exactly right, as this photo also shows. At that time I was too invested to rip out the 13 inches. After the front is complete I'll see how I like the back again. If I cannot live with it I will have had the distance needed to rip it and begin again. For now, the front panel is coming along, and I am doing the wraps correctly this time.
So far I have the pattern worked out up to the point where I need to shape the shoulders and neck front. I enjoy the knitting much more than the pencil and paper part, but it is good for me to learn how all the pieces need to fit together.If it all works, I'd like to make another one going back to the original colors from the pattern sweater.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Presents
I can just see King Neptune's sweeping sea-weedy tresses filtered through blue ocean light when I look at the beautiful new yarn Rick and the kids gave me for Christmas. It is KnitPicks's Neptune Cadena. 
The color is more true on this close up.
Rick had logged on to one of my yarn store accounts and purchased the yarn from their My Stash feature, which works like a wish list. He placed the skeins of yarn side by side in a sweater box and wrapped them up and put them under the tree. I was so tickled to open that box!
It is exactly what I wanted. I'm looking forward to using this yarn for several reasons. First, it is a bulky weight yarn. I have never worked with any yarns heavier than worsted weight before. I have passed up some attractive sweater patterns that I can now re-visit when I select a pattern.
Second, the yarn is a 70% wool 30 % alpaca blend. Whatever garment I make, it will be warm!!!
Finally, I surprised myself at being more excited to receive yarn than a completed garment in this case. I will thoroughly enjoy the process of creating the garment. And when it is completed, it will represent victory over all the design complications I've conquered thus far in my knitting career.
My brother also gave me a treasured gift. Lots of dreaming and scheming will go into using my gift card to Soft n Sassy, the closest LYS to my house. The prospects are endless as I do not have a project in mind. I will take my time exploring the store and come home with the yarn that inspires me most. I feel even luckier than the kid in the candy store.
Santa got into the knit gift act too. He put a U-shaped cable needle in my stocking. It is so much easier to use than that large uncoiled paper clip I happily tossed in the trash.
The color is more true on this close up.
Rick had logged on to one of my yarn store accounts and purchased the yarn from their My Stash feature, which works like a wish list. He placed the skeins of yarn side by side in a sweater box and wrapped them up and put them under the tree. I was so tickled to open that box!It is exactly what I wanted. I'm looking forward to using this yarn for several reasons. First, it is a bulky weight yarn. I have never worked with any yarns heavier than worsted weight before. I have passed up some attractive sweater patterns that I can now re-visit when I select a pattern.
Second, the yarn is a 70% wool 30 % alpaca blend. Whatever garment I make, it will be warm!!!
Finally, I surprised myself at being more excited to receive yarn than a completed garment in this case. I will thoroughly enjoy the process of creating the garment. And when it is completed, it will represent victory over all the design complications I've conquered thus far in my knitting career.
My brother also gave me a treasured gift. Lots of dreaming and scheming will go into using my gift card to Soft n Sassy, the closest LYS to my house. The prospects are endless as I do not have a project in mind. I will take my time exploring the store and come home with the yarn that inspires me most. I feel even luckier than the kid in the candy store.
Santa got into the knit gift act too. He put a U-shaped cable needle in my stocking. It is so much easier to use than that large uncoiled paper clip I happily tossed in the trash.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Labels
I have some hand sewing ahead of me! Some people gave me these labels for my birthday and for Christmas.
And this is a pile of sweaters I have made, many of which now have a safety pin indicating the back of the neck. 
This is much more fun than sewing buttons or fixing hems! I'm also wearing an every-day sweater I finished last night. It is a navy yoke sweater with a brick and yellow yoke. I love the colors, and it is comfortable. 
Happy New Year!
And this is a pile of sweaters I have made, many of which now have a safety pin indicating the back of the neck. 
This is much more fun than sewing buttons or fixing hems! I'm also wearing an every-day sweater I finished last night. It is a navy yoke sweater with a brick and yellow yoke. I love the colors, and it is comfortable. 
Happy New Year!
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