4.23.2007
Completed: Bunny
Specs:
Started: 2.24.07
Finished: 3.17.07~ish
Pattern source: Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Whatever the book recommended--I think it was two skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas 100% Sport Weight Alpaca, probably in Taupe or Light Tan, along with one skein of Joseph Galler Belangor in the light pink color
The pattern was very easy, and this was a very quick project. It turned out great, minus the neck, which is strategically covered by the scarf above. That was my fault though--I really liked the way the bunny looked less than fully stuffed, sort of flat, really, so I sewed it up like that. I didn't realize that it made the neck look really bad that way--if I gathered it like the pattern suggested, it had a bunch of pucker lines, and if I didn't gather it, it had a strangely wide neck. As it is I've left it ungathered and strangely wide but covered by a scarf. I wonder if I did the embroidery for the nose/mouth differently if I would like it more. Possibly. Anyway, it turned out cute enough, so I'm not displeased.
As a warning to those of you who may think about making this, I barely got the two skeins of alpaca to make it through the whole project. Actually, I did not--I ended up using a similar looking yarn to sew some of the bunny together, because I totally ran out of the alpaca. Oh, and as a side note, I think it is possibly my favorite yarn I have ever worked with...so so soft.
Labels: knitting
4.18.2007
Some Nothing
What I'm still working on after a long time:
kimono shawl
irish hiking scarf #2
What I've been thinking about working on for a long time:
book covers
On another note, I'm really loving yellow right now. I'm thinking about these shoes to go with this:
Thoughts?
kimono shawl
irish hiking scarf #2
What I've been thinking about working on for a long time:
book covers
On another note, I'm really loving yellow right now. I'm thinking about these shoes to go with this:
Thoughts?
Labels: knitting, sewing, stuff
3.13.2007
Completed: Squirrely Swedish Mittens
front
back
Specs:
Started: 12.25.06
Finished: 2.19.07
Pattern source: Elliphantom Knits, free pattern
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette, 1 skein each of Petal and Fog
Needles: Knit Picks DPNs and Knit Picks Classic Circular in 32", all size 1
I took a bunch of pictures and these were the best I got at the time--we don't really get good sunlight, um, ever. If I feel incredibly motivated, maybe I will try to take more pictures later.
This was my first time trying stranded color knitting. I thought this was a good, fun pattern on which to learn it. As you can tell, I had some difficulties--the mitten on the left is at least an inch taller (and significantly wider) than the one on the right. Oops, hehe. It's also very puckered. The one on the right is as well, but it's not quite as bad. I'm not going to go back and redo them either, because I am not a perfectionist knitter*. I do it for fun, and going back and re-knitting something is not fun to me--if I wanted great mittens, I would go buy some.
This was also my first time using Knit Picks Palette. I thought it was a good yarn, definitely for the price ($1.99/skein). It wasn't very soft, but then again I don't think yarns intended for stranded work are supposed to be soft, unless I'm mistaken. I thought the colors were good and vibrant for Knit Picks.
I also tried out two sets of Knit Picks needles in knitting this (and this is probably much of the cause of the size discrepancy). For the mitten on the left, I used aluminum DPNs. I found that to be kind of difficult (owing not in a small part to the fact that they were metal and not wood, which would have been smarter--duh). I knitted the one on the right with a circular needle using the Magic Loop method. I found that to be quite a bit easier, and then I didn't have to worry about two joins. Also, I was fairly impressed with the quality of the Classic Circular needles, though they don't quite measure up to the standard of Addi Turbos, IMO.
*Note: I am not insulting anyone--merely pointing out how all of us are looking to get different things out of knitting!
Labels: knitting
Completed: The Purl Scarf
Specs:
Finished: 2.19.07
Pattern source: This book
Yarn: Manos Del Uruguay in English E (2 skeins), Classic Elite La Gran in Honeydew (1 skein), and I *think* Rowan Kidsilk Haze (1 skein), though I'm not sure what shade it is. It was a tealy blue--Trance, maybe?
Source: Picked it up here on a visit to NYC
Needles: Denise Interchangeables size 13 or 15, I don't remember
I honestly don't remember much about knitting this. As you can tell, though it was an incredibly easy knit, I took forever procrastinating on it. I could've easily finished it in a week, but it took me about two months, then it took me another four months to add fringe to it and block it. Anyway, it's done now at least.
close-up
Labels: knitting
1.12.2007
WIPs
For posterity (and because I don't have the brain power at the moment to think of anything else to blog about), here is a list of my current works in progress:
Here is a picture to distract you:
- Kimono Shawl
- Squirrelly Swedish Mittens
- Punk Rock Backpack (or should I just give up on this one after a year and a half...)
- Shark
Here is a picture to distract you:
the view from our window during some weird cloudy weather
1.03.2007
Catching Up
So, in an effort to get quickly reacquainted, here's what I've been up to (brace yourself for a photo-heavy post):
We left here:
to go here:
We traveled here:
here:
and here:
I made this:
this:
this:
and these:
Got this stuff (yay!!):
(as well as this and this),
and am currently making this:
Hope you had a great New Year's, and hopefully I'll post again before the next one! (haha)
We left here:
to go here:
We traveled here:
here:
and here:
I made this:
this:
this:
and these:
Got this stuff (yay!!):
(as well as this and this),
and am currently making this:
Hope you had a great New Year's, and hopefully I'll post again before the next one! (haha)
7.06.2006
Completed: Jacket with Seed Stitch Bands
Specs:
Started: 6.26.06
Finished: 7.3.06
Pattern source: Baby Knits for Beginners, by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, two and about a half skeins
Yarn source: A Stitch in Time
Needles: US Size 3 for the body and sleeves and US Size 2 for the bands
Well, I had intended to post more on this project while it was in progress. But it went so quickly that I ended up finishing the sweater before I even started a post. It took me seven days from starting the gauge swatch to sewing on the buttons, and there were a couple of days in there that I didn't work on the sweater (to be fair I didn't sew on all of the buttons yet). I think this could easily be done in a few days though.
Baby Knits for Beginners is the first knitting book I ever looked at, and the first book I used to try and learn to knit. I think I first checked it out of the library almost exactly one year ago. I loved almost all of the projects in it, and it became something of an ideal in my mind. I was extremely intimidated by all of the projects except for perhaps the Garter Stitch Scarf (which was, incidentally, the first knitting project I ever made...it looked like a dog bone). Also, I fell in love with the idea of using Debbie Bliss yarn.
Now that I feel somewhat more confident in my knitting skills, I have lately been eager to try another sweater, and to move on past acrylic-blend yarns and poor quality wools. I thought of that book which made me fall in love with knitting, and the tiny projects in it on which I could practice my skills, use lovely yarn, and not be spending much time or money on it. Since the only yarn that is both in the book and stocked at my LYS was Baby Cashmerino, I chose the only project that used that yarn: the Jacket with Seed Stitch Bands.
I am not sure about those buttons yet, which is why I've only sewn on half of them. But overall, I think I'm quite pleased with it.
Started: 6.26.06
Finished: 7.3.06
Pattern source: Baby Knits for Beginners, by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, two and about a half skeins
Yarn source: A Stitch in Time
Needles: US Size 3 for the body and sleeves and US Size 2 for the bands
Well, I had intended to post more on this project while it was in progress. But it went so quickly that I ended up finishing the sweater before I even started a post. It took me seven days from starting the gauge swatch to sewing on the buttons, and there were a couple of days in there that I didn't work on the sweater (to be fair I didn't sew on all of the buttons yet). I think this could easily be done in a few days though.
Baby Knits for Beginners is the first knitting book I ever looked at, and the first book I used to try and learn to knit. I think I first checked it out of the library almost exactly one year ago. I loved almost all of the projects in it, and it became something of an ideal in my mind. I was extremely intimidated by all of the projects except for perhaps the Garter Stitch Scarf (which was, incidentally, the first knitting project I ever made...it looked like a dog bone). Also, I fell in love with the idea of using Debbie Bliss yarn.
Now that I feel somewhat more confident in my knitting skills, I have lately been eager to try another sweater, and to move on past acrylic-blend yarns and poor quality wools. I thought of that book which made me fall in love with knitting, and the tiny projects in it on which I could practice my skills, use lovely yarn, and not be spending much time or money on it. Since the only yarn that is both in the book and stocked at my LYS was Baby Cashmerino, I chose the only project that used that yarn: the Jacket with Seed Stitch Bands.
I am not sure about those buttons yet, which is why I've only sewn on half of them. But overall, I think I'm quite pleased with it.
Labels: knitting
6.27.2006
Completed: Jaywalkers
Specs:
Started: 5.5.06
Finished: 6.2.06
Pattern source: MagKnits
Yarn: Vesper Sock Yarn in Tartan
Needles: US size 2 40" Addi Turbo Circulars
I had a fun time making these. The yarn was part of a graduation present, which also included a hank of Vesper Sock Yarn in Antigone, and this gem (!!!). I almost completed the first sock during the drive to and from a wedding we attended in Ohio (thirteen hours away from home...oh for a plane ticket). It took me almost a month to finish the pair, but I feel like I hardly worked on it during that month. It really didn't take much time.
This was my first time knitting socks using the Magic Loop method. I've heard some negative things about it, but I really enjoyed making the socks that way, and I'm sure I'll do it again.
Also, not to be a walking ad, but I really liked the Vesper yarn. The vibrancy of the colors and the fact that they changed every couple of rows added to the fun. I'm looking forward to using the Antigone...I'm thinking knee-highs in stockinette for that one.
All in all, this was a very successful knit. I think these socks are the first thing I've made that actually fit well! I look forward to cold weather for a chance to get some wear out of these suckers.
Labels: knitting
5.29.2006
Completed: Meema's Felted Marsupial Tote
pre-felting
Specs:
Started: 1.2.06
Finished: 1.5.06
Pattern: SNB
Yarn: Brown Sheep Company Lamb's Pride Bulky in Old Sage and Roasted Coffee.
Needles: US Size 15 (I think) Denise Interchangeable Circulars, I don't remember what length...probably whatever the pattern specified.
This was my first experience felting. I enjoyed making this, not least of all because it was very quick. The bag started out pre-felting at 13" wide and 16" tall, and is now...uhh, I haven't measured, but...significantly smaller than that. I am so accustomed to failure that I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the bag did indeed felt, and seemed to do so with a fair amount of success. I will say that the colors did not turn out as I had hoped. I found Lamb's Pride's selection of browns to be disappointing to say the least. I was not hoping for the bottom half of the bag to look red--it will always feel like a Christmas bag I think. Nevertheless, I admit (despite all apparent good taste) to be slightly proud of it, and as such it is currently in use as my (probably temporary) knitting bag.
post-felting
the bag holds its head up high while carrying my current knits
Started: 1.2.06
Finished: 1.5.06
Pattern: SNB
Yarn: Brown Sheep Company Lamb's Pride Bulky in Old Sage and Roasted Coffee.
Needles: US Size 15 (I think) Denise Interchangeable Circulars, I don't remember what length...probably whatever the pattern specified.
This was my first experience felting. I enjoyed making this, not least of all because it was very quick. The bag started out pre-felting at 13" wide and 16" tall, and is now...uhh, I haven't measured, but...significantly smaller than that. I am so accustomed to failure that I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the bag did indeed felt, and seemed to do so with a fair amount of success. I will say that the colors did not turn out as I had hoped. I found Lamb's Pride's selection of browns to be disappointing to say the least. I was not hoping for the bottom half of the bag to look red--it will always feel like a Christmas bag I think. Nevertheless, I admit (despite all apparent good taste) to be slightly proud of it, and as such it is currently in use as my (probably temporary) knitting bag.
post-felting
the bag holds its head up high while carrying my current knits
Labels: knitting
5.26.2006
Completed: Construction Hat
Specs:
Started: 1/11/06
Finished: 5/2/06
Pattern: My own
Yarn: Caron Wintuk in Baby Blue for the hat, and Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Denim, Black, and Grey Heather for the digger.
Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars US Size 6, 16" length
This is certainly not a project that should have taken me four months. It did, but only because of school and major procrastinating on figuring out a plan for making the digger. At first I tried to graph it on my computer using pictures from the web, but that became more complicated than I wanted to get. I ended up just winging it. The most disappointing thing wasn't the digger, but the hat itself in the end. I couldn't find a basic kid's pattern that I liked, so I made that up too, but ended up messing up the decreases. The hat is slightly pointy on top and a little too long. Oh well. Overall, I'm fairly pleased.
the recipient--my littlest brother
Upon receiving the hat, my little bro thanked me, then told me something to the effect of, "This is nice, but construction isn't my favorite thing anymore. I like animals now." Anybody know how I can get a good chart of a mole? (Side note: What little kid likes moles???)
Labels: knitting
1.06.2006
Christmas Recap
I have been meaning to post a little bit about Christmas, but haven't remembered until now. Here are the knitting-related items I was given:
I did get more yarn than shown, in case anyone was wondering what one could make with three skeins of different color and weight. The purple (Wild Violet) Lamb's Pride Worsted was for the Kittyville Hat, the green (Old Sage) Bulky was also accompanied by Bulky in Roasted Coffee for a Meema's Felted Marsupial Tote, and the yarn on the right is KnitPicks Andean Silk in Hollyberry, for the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I also got a case of Denise Interchangeables (yay!) as well as the Knitter's Handbook, and Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, for pattern haxing.
On a different note, M got possibly the best (to him) Christmas Eve surprise ever:
Circuit City had some 360s available either the Wednesday or Thursday before Christmas for something like ten minutes before they sold out, and somehow he managed to snag one. M waited and hoped for it to arrive before Christmas like a wide-eyed child. The miraculous part is that it did. FedEx delivered it on Christmas Eve.
Speaking of M...he's the best:
I feel whole again
I want to give a special shout-out to Ox, my new Uglydoll knitting buddy
I did get more yarn than shown, in case anyone was wondering what one could make with three skeins of different color and weight. The purple (Wild Violet) Lamb's Pride Worsted was for the Kittyville Hat, the green (Old Sage) Bulky was also accompanied by Bulky in Roasted Coffee for a Meema's Felted Marsupial Tote, and the yarn on the right is KnitPicks Andean Silk in Hollyberry, for the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I also got a case of Denise Interchangeables (yay!) as well as the Knitter's Handbook, and Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, for pattern haxing.
On a different note, M got possibly the best (to him) Christmas Eve surprise ever:
ah, sweet victory
Circuit City had some 360s available either the Wednesday or Thursday before Christmas for something like ten minutes before they sold out, and somehow he managed to snag one. M waited and hoped for it to arrive before Christmas like a wide-eyed child. The miraculous part is that it did. FedEx delivered it on Christmas Eve.
Speaking of M...he's the best:
I feel whole again
Labels: knitting
1.05.2006
Completed: Kittyville Hat
i have great love to wonky pompoms
Specs:
Date: 12/26-1/05
Pattern: SNB
Yarn: Brown Sheep Company Lamb's Pride Worsted in Wild Violet, less than one skein
Needles: US size 7 Denise Interchangeable Circulars 12" length and US size 7 Clover bamboo DPNs
Overall I'm very pleased with this hat. I refined my skills picking up stitches and working in seed stitch, and also learned to make i-cord. This was my first time working with Lamb's Pride, and I really liked it. I think I got better stitch definition with it than with other yarns I've worked with. It was softer than I thought it would be, which was pleasing. The only problem I really have with the hat is the ears. In truth, the whole thing defies every aspect of my ideal taste--the purpley-ness, the campy kitty ears, the pompoms. If I were just having a fun day in the cold, I could get into wearing a funny little earflapped hat. And maybe I could even deal with it being purple. But I really may take those ears out. This reminds me, I meant to mention sooner that though it seems every new project I finish is from SNB, I really don't like the projects in the book. I think the book is a good tool for a new knitter as far as its reference material is concerned. But the projects....oy...gimme a break, people. Anyhow, I think I feel a sense of obligation to make some of them because I bought the book. Oh well. I'll keep telling myself it's part of the learning process. Any thoughts on getting rid of the ears?
Labels: knitting
Finished Objects 2005
Here is the final list:
12/05: M's Socks
12/05: Panta
12/05: Failed M Hat
11/05: Harry Potter POA scarf: Ravenclaw
10/05: Stocking Mini
10/05: Basic Cable Hat
10/05: Powerful Wrist Protection
9/05: Straight Neck Pullover
9/05: Harry Potter POA scarf: Gryffindor
9/05: iPod Shuffle Cozy
8/05: Non-scarf HP Practice Piece
8/05: Cricket's Technicolor Cellphone Cozy
7/05: Hot Head
7/05: Fuzzy Green Scarf
6/05: Garter Stitch Scarf
Labels: knitting
Completed: M's Socks
These socks are the first thing I've knit for M. He had said something awhile ago about wanting argyle socks, but as I was in a rush and had never completed a pair of socks anyway, I made up a rib pattern. I gave them to him for Christmas.
picture quality is something we here at wif would say we're working on
picture quality is something we here at wif would say we're working on
Specs:
Date: 12/19-12/23
Pattern: My own.
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Charcoal, 2 skeins.
Needles: I used US size 2 aluminum DPN's for the cuffs, and US size 3 bamboo DPN's for the rest.
I was very pleased with how these turned out, until M tried them on. They're rather loose on him. I'm either going to try threading some elastic through the cuff, or if I feel crazy enough just frogging them and completely redoing them. I dread the thought. But all in all, I think they were a success. I just realized I finally completed a pair of socks!!
Date: 12/19-12/23
Pattern: My own.
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Charcoal, 2 skeins.
Needles: I used US size 2 aluminum DPN's for the cuffs, and US size 3 bamboo DPN's for the rest.
I was very pleased with how these turned out, until M tried them on. They're rather loose on him. I'm either going to try threading some elastic through the cuff, or if I feel crazy enough just frogging them and completely redoing them. I dread the thought. But all in all, I think they were a success. I just realized I finally completed a pair of socks!!
Labels: knitting
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