Playing with String

Finally!

2012-01-21T12:49:00.000-05:00

Oslo Walk is done!

Since the FPU complained so much about modeling, I used a different model. I think this one didn't enjoy it either.

The Shawl with No Name

2011-12-31T22:09:00.000-05:00

Is named Musings.

It is the November 2011 Mythology Lace Club pattern from Holiday Yarns.

Prototype shawlette knitted in the Aphrodite colorway, which is more green than the finished shawlette suggests. Actual Muses colorway is blue. A picture of the full shawl in the Muses colorway can be seen in the KAL thread (ravelry).

This is the 11th shawl I completed this year.

Mother says I need a manniquin.

Number 10

2011-12-29T18:59:00.000-05:00

Number 10 is a test knit of the Faceted Shawl pattern. I started it right before my birthday and bound off on Christmas day.

The unblocked shawl is being modeled by little cousin E. The colors are better in this pic.

The blocked shawl shows off the pattern, but the colors are a little off.

Sometimes

2011-12-27T12:29:00.000-05:00

I may be crazy.

Way back in January, I decided that I would do 11 shawls in 2011. I actually got off to a pretty good start. I managed to get three done in January, 1 of them a big shawl.

It's now the last week of the year. I have only finished 9. Number 10 needs blocked. Number 11 -- about 1/3 of the way around the border. The border. I am not liking the border.

Mortal keeps bugging me about the Pole socks.

MUST FINISH BORDER.

MUST BLOCK.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-25T22:54:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, cherish and be grateful for what we have.

It is not the time to spend hours waiting in lines to maybe get a "hot" item. Maybe, instead of shopping, people should stay home and enjoy more time with their families.

And, for all those people that complain about the food, lines, etc at the restaurant they went to, they should prepare their own Thanksgiving meal. Do you really think we'd rather be there than with our own families?

Well, they both start with B

2011-11-20T22:03:00.000-05:00

The barbershoppers get together was this weekend. Mother made a comment that she thought I didn't like them. Apparently, she thought it was the banjo weekend.

Here's another peek at the shawl with no name.

Things

2011-11-19T12:18:00.000-05:00

The fiends are back to normal after Rose's solo trip to the vet.

The shawl with no name may have a name, and it is progressing nicely.

Things

2011-11-12T15:46:00.000-05:00

So, Rose has survived his sojourn at the vet. Of course, to Gil he smells all wrong, so Gil is having nothing to do with Rose. He's been hissing when Rose comes too close. I told the MPU that it was payback, as Rose did the same thing when Gil came back from a solo trip to the vet.

Gl did do better as only cat than Rose, ie he wasn't all clingy and needy. He basically did the same things he does every day.

I dug out the jersey knit sheets for the parental units, or I tried to. I found both fitted sheets and both sets of pillow cases, but no flat sheets. Hmmm, wonder where they went?

The shawl with no name progresses. I'm 2 1/2 repeats in. 1 1/2 repeats will put it at shawl être size, to get to full size, it will take another four repeats plus the border. The yarn is working well. I was not sure at first, but the accent colors are only showing up here and there and for just a few stitches, there has been no major pooling. Hopefully, I can make more progress today and tomorrow.

I dug out the recipe for the chocolate fruitcake that I have been meaning to make for the past several years. I am going to be making a few changes, I am going to take out the pineapple and swap the dates for cherries.

Now, I have to finish the laundry and make pie. Yum.

Not A Good Day

2011-11-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

Dear humans,

Please tell Mom to bring Rose back. I'm lonely without him. AND, there was no dinner last night and breakfast was LATE. TRAGEDY!!

And, Mom won't let me help with her shawl.

Gil

Rose went to the vet to get his teeth cleaned.

10 Things that Make You Go Hmm

2011-10-05T11:58:00.000-04:00

If "What" goes up, why does "Must" come down?
Why don't magazines include a number for customer service anymore?
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
Why do people ask the same question over and over?
Why is the darkest hour right before dawn?
Why are they cardinal points?
Why can't Comcast's website remember my zip code?
Why isn't there one website for the general public that will show all hotels in an area?
Why are there such things as "fat-free" sour cream and "fat-free" half & half?
Why does the state have a general ledger code for illegal drugs?

Random Stuff

2011-09-28T12:02:00.000-04:00

A new mattress has been procured for the day bed. It will be fiend approved shortly.

I finished the lace pattern for Oslo Walk and discovered that I don't have the correct number of stitches.

I finished a new pair of socks and have the pattern written. It will be up for testing soon. I'd post a picture, but the camera isn't working.

I need a new phone b/c the old one has a big crack across the screen.

Reservations have been made for Rhinebeck.

It is fall, my favorite season. It needs to cool off and above all, STOP RAINING!

Ophelia will need new front brake pads.

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-24T19:21:00.000-04:00

Devious and Dopey, aka Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are 6 today.

Stuff

2011-08-23T18:59:00.000-04:00

The daybed came today. It will not be set up today. Stuff still needs to come out of the craft room.
I have decided I need to go through the stash and make sure that the destash page is up to date.

I got some new stash.

I also caught a cold.

The Way Things Go

2011-08-18T11:50:00.000-04:00

So, I started Oslo Walk (rav) with the moldy pumpkin. Got the correct number of stitches cast on and everything! Beading is done on the wrong side rows. The holes in the (insert favorite word) beads are not consistent and don't all fit onto the crochet hook.
Now, these are size 8 beads (from a BEAD store) and it's a size 12 hook. I used the same size beads and the same size hook for Sun In Glory, and had no problems.
On to plan B -- which is to use size 6 beads - of which I only have 590. Yes, I know that's a lot, but I need 664 beads. So......more beads have been ordered. I'm going to use a mix of Root Beer and Topaz.
This was after it took me 2 hours to find the magazine that the pattern is in.

I got a call from a vendor who shall remain nameless about not receiving payment for a purchase order. They wanted to know why they had not been informed that the invoices were to be sent to a specific address. Facepalm -- it's on the purchase order!

The daybed is coming soon and I am not ready to set it up.

Back to the knitting

2011-08-01T19:22:00.000-04:00

Since TDF is done, I'm back to my knitting projects.

I have set a fiber goal of spinning at minimum 8 ounces a month.

I've been working on the sockses with pocketses and am almost to the toe on #1 (still need to do the pocket)

I also decided on my next shawl. I'll be doing Oslo Walk with the Moldy Pumpkin and some metallic gold iris beads.

The Finish Line!

2011-07-24T15:55:00.000-04:00

Week 3

LtoR:

Art batt, 1 oz, 60 yards (single)
Crazy Ball, 4.5 oz, 190 yards
BFL, 4 oz, 220 yards
Peruvian wool, 3.5 oz, 110 yards
BFL, 4 oz, 713 yards
batt/norwegian top, .5 oz, 40 yards

Close up on the Moldy Pumpkin (That's a quarter).

Total for the Tour de Fleece:

69.5 ounces, 9,099 yards of singles

Day 22

2011-07-23T09:44:00.000-04:00

Today I plied up the crazy ball and the BFL to free up the bobbins. I now am halfway through the Moldy Pumpkin.

Days 18 to 21

2011-07-22T21:26:00.000-04:00

So, I decided that a good goal would be to spin up 4 pounds -- and as of Day 17 (rest day), I only needed 12 more ounces to accomplish that.

This is a 4.5 oz crazy ball from Spinner's Hill. It is now 2 bobbins of singles for a heavy worsted to bulky yarn.

This is BFL from River Poet, colorway Event Horizon. This is some of my oldest fiber stash. It is now 2 bobbins of singles to become a worsted weight yarn.

This is BFL Swirl from Gale's Art in the Moldy Pumpkin Colorway. In a moment of insanity, I decided to spin this as fine as possible. I have almost 2 oz of singles, and 2 more ounces to go.

Day 17

2011-07-18T18:24:00.000-04:00

Week 2 wrap up

LtoR:

Falkland wool, 4 oz, 250 yards
Merino/Tencel, 4 oz, 325 yards
Merino/Tencel, 4 oz, 190 yards
Superwash Merino, 4 oz, 460 yards
Superwash Merino, 4 oz, 380 yards

Top:

BFL/Seacell, 4 oz, 95 yards

Day 16

2011-07-18T11:38:00.000-04:00

Today was a plying day.

I got the merino/tencel plied and I also spun up and plied some bulky weight yarn.

Days 14 & 15

2011-07-16T13:16:00.000-04:00

The Twister sock yarn is done! 2ply, 460 yards.

I started working on these Merino/Tencel blends from Knitty & Color.

Days 11, 12 & 13

2011-07-14T20:50:00.000-04:00

I've been working on some superwash merino from Fiber Fancy. This is sock yarn.

Aprox 380 yards, 2 ply, colorway Burning Sunrise

This is the Twister colorway. It is currently being plied.

I also started the sockes with pocketses tonight.

Days 8, 9 & 10

2011-07-11T18:31:00.001-04:00

This weekend, I plied.

LtoR:

Alpaca batt/Norwegian top, 6 oz, 700 yards
Superwash BFL, 4 oz, 275 yards, chain plied
Spinner's Hill Crazy ball & Little Barn Not so Solid Solid, 11 oz, 194 yards (2 skeins)
Bamboo/Rayon, 3 oz, 100 yards

Bottom:

Superwash Merino, 4 oz, 140 yards
Superwash Merino, 2 oz singles will be plied with other 2 oz

Day 10 is a rest day.

Today was not good

2011-07-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

It started out well -- we got to explore the forbidden closet! It was great fun.

But, then the NOISY thing came. After the noisy thing went away, there was a great tragedy! There was no food. Not only was there no food, there were no bowls were there were supposed to be bowls. To make matters worse, we were shut into the bedroom and not let out for HOURS!

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

P.S. Mom made string and didn't let us help.

Days 6 & 7

2011-07-08T22:23:00.000-04:00

I've been working on 4 oz of superwash BFL from Spincerely Yours in the Delft colorway. I'm planning to N ply this for socks.

I finished the wave socks with the February Sock Yarn Cinema. Now I need to write up the pattern.

The Sun Also Rises

2011-07-08T18:09:00.001-04:00

Pattern: Sun in Glory, June 2011 Greek Mythology Lace Club from Holiday Yarns

Prototype knit with:
                       Yarn: Milk & Honey Colorway from the McMullin Fiber Company
                       Beads: Silver lined Orange

Available to the public: Early 2012

Mother thinks it would also be pretty in pale blue or gray as a moon shawl.

Day 5

2011-07-06T18:51:00.000-04:00

Today I finished the single of the black Norwegian top

Day 4

2011-07-05T21:04:00.000-04:00

I started this fiber Monday evening and finished the singles on Tuesday. This is a 7 oz Crazy Ball from Spinner's Hill. Some will be plied with the blue from Day 3 and the rest will be plied with itself.

I also started on this plain black Norwegian Top. This will be plied with the Henry VIII batt.

Day 3

2011-07-04T18:54:00.001-04:00

No plying yet, but I have some more singles!

This fiber, a Not So Solid Solid from Little Barn

Became these singles, this will be a bulky weight. I'm planning to ply this with some blue from Spinner's Hill.

I also finished the Henry VIII batt -- I need to spin the black before I can ply.

Tiger & I went to lunch at the 'rents. We had grilled items (veggies, shrimp, sausages) and cherry pudding. Well, 3 of us had cherry pudding.

Day 2

2011-07-03T20:09:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to decide which would take more effort. Winding singles into centerpull balls so I can use the bobbins to make more singles, or switch out the flyer so I can ply.

Decisions, decisions.

I managed to get the bamboo/rayon plied yesturday before I went to work. About 100 yards of worsted weight.

Today's spinning is 4oz merino, also from Fiber Fancy, for the Shaun of the Dead SAL. This is the semisolid coordinating fiber for Now Who's a Pretty Boy. The multi-colored has already been spun. This fiber will end up as stranded mittens, and maybe a hat as well.

Also on the wheel, an Alpaca + batt from Tomorrow Farm in the Henry VIII colorway for the Tudor SAL. This will be plied with plain black.

Day 1

2011-07-02T13:40:00.000-04:00

3 ounces of bamboo rayon from Fiber Fancy (picture of unspun fiber is her's)

2 bobbins of singles to be plied together

Busy, busy, busy

2011-06-27T12:31:00.000-04:00

I've been knitting like mad to finish a shawl.

I'm using this colorway and orange beads.

I finished the bindoff last night and hope to block tonight.

The test knitter was scary fast.

The Fiends are Silly

2011-06-25T10:58:00.000-04:00

Rose thinks it is time for snow.

Gil wants to help with the computer.

Playing with Food Color

2011-06-13T18:51:00.000-04:00

So, this weekend, I went down to Mortal's and we dyed fiber. We used Kool Aid and food coloring.

Take Two -- Wool, this was dyed useing the green that came off of the black.

Psychedelic Sunrise -- Wool, food color - a little of everything. (Mortal said it would probably be brown.)

Berries & Cream -- Wool/Nylon, food coloring

Covet -- Wool/Nylon, food coloring

The New Black -- Wool/Silk, food coloring

Going Green -- Wool/Silk, food coloring

Poison Cherry -- Wool, Kool Aid

Blueberry Cheesecake -- Wool/Nylon, Kool Aid

Random

2011-06-08T12:13:00.000-04:00

The computer hard drive crashed on Sunday.

The toy rat was well killed by Phinney the mighty hunter.

Rose & Gil were greatly perturbed by the sushi that I had (and didn't share) on Monday.

There is a dearth of calculators in the Philadelphia area - either that or people can't add.

The SAL fiber came, I've never seen the movie (nor am I inclined to), but the fiber's pretty.

Wilton makes sparkly icing gel.

No more scout meetings until the fall.

I need to buy Kool Aid.

FINALLY!

2011-05-26T11:57:00.000-04:00

The mystery shawl that I started in January and that has been done (except for blocking) since mid March is now blocked.

Yeah :)

This is a good thing, since it's almost time for the benefit!

Yarn: Zephyr, 50/50 wool/sillk
Pattern: Vigil Night (ravelry) by Mmario.

Here's a sneek peek at the next project.

MYB!

2011-05-07T09:47:00.000-04:00

Time to unwind the Magic Yarn Ball!

The whole package

Just the MYB

Amount of yarn wound off before anything fell out.

Investigation Time!

Final amount of yarn in MYB

All the goodies from the ball

So cute!

This is for Mortal

2011-05-04T20:44:00.003-04:00

In Greek mythology, the Persephone myth was the explanation for the changing of the seasons. Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and the wife of Hades. The common version is that she is kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld. While in the underworld, she eats a few (number varies) of pomegranate seeds. Because Demeter is so busy mourning and searching for her lost daughter, she is neglecting her regular duties and nothing is growing. Zeus has to finally step in and makes Hades let Persephone go before all the people die. Because Persephone ate some of the food of the underworld, she must spend some time each year there. While she is with Hades, Demeter mourns, creating fall and winter. Upon Persephone's return, Demeter rejoices and the world is fruitful again, with the coming of spring and summer.

For NaNoWriMo, Mortal wrote a novel about the Persephone myth. She told the story from the viewpoint that Persephone and Hades were in love with each other and not only did Persephone go with Hades of her own free will, but she would have STAYED in the underworld if Demeter had not cursed the earth so nothing would grow until Persephone was returned to her.

Mortal is a good writer, and I really enjoyed her take on it. I hope she gets it published. I'm not going to go into details, you'll just have to read it yourself.

Then I got an idea in my head about a Hades & Persephone shawl. After all, it is chilly in the underworld. The original idea was for more of a shawlette, but somewhere along the way it became just a Persephone shawl. I may still do the original idea though.

Seasons of Persephone is a circular (or half circle) shawl that starts with a ploughed ground for spring, then summer's wildflowers, autumn leaves and then the snowflakes of winter. It's finished off with a pomegranate border. The arrangement of the seasons in the version is based on Mortal's version of the myth.

I did my prototype as the half circle version and did nupps for both summer and for the border -- I was checking yardage.

I had about 5 stitches per inch (unblocked) with 6 repeats of the winter chart (but only 2 1/2 repeats of the fall chart due to math issues), with a final yardage of 790, wingspan ~ 6 feet. Mortal did a version with beads, gauge of 7 stitches per inch (unblocked), 7 1/2 repeats of winter chart, correct repeats for fall chart, final yardage of about 600, wingspan ~ 5 feet.

This shawl is the April 2011 pattern for the Greek Mythology Lace club offered by Holiday Yarns. It will be available to the public around August/September of 2011.

Bother, said Pooh

2011-05-03T19:48:00.000-04:00

Water continues to come out of the sky.

I have to get up early tomorrow and Thursday b/c of a training session downtown.

The fiends' dinner is in the car (see above).

On a plus note -- I got the beads to go with the yarn for my next shawl :)

Yarny Mail Day :)

2011-04-27T17:53:00.000-04:00

To be clear -- the box came on Saturday.

My box from the Yarnaholics Annonymous Spring Swap.

There's no catnip in it. Does not merit close investigation. Also, is to small for sitting in.

Decadently Divine Moonlight Lace -- 75% sheep, 20% silk and 5% SPARKLY

My new sweater! St. Patrick sweater from A Fine Fleece. Three Irish Girls Lindon Merino in the Padraig colorway. And one poor lonely skein of sock yarn in the Collins colorway.

Sigh

2011-04-23T13:07:00.000-04:00

It is raining. At least it's just misting and sprinkling, not like the deluge from last Saturday.

There will be lilies at church on Sunday. Apparently I'm the only one who is affected by them -- yeah, right.

I added 16, 16 and 8 -- for a total of 48.

I went to finalize the Persephone pattern and discovered that I'd emailed the WRONG version to myself. Craptastic. I have the right pdf version, but I can't make the changes I wanted to.

Sometimes

2011-04-18T12:26:00.002-04:00

I wish I worked downtown. Not often, mind, the last time was when the new gov was sworn in.

A water main broke. The people downtown got to go home.

We have to stay.

Bummer. I don't have flippers, so I should get to go home as well.

Rainy days

2011-04-17T18:36:00.000-04:00

when you don't have to be anywhere are good for knitting.

Horrible for picture taking, but good for knitting.

I finished the socks with no name yesturday.

I haven't decided if I'm going to write up the pattern or not.

I got to the border on Persephone and I should get it finished today. I have 3 1/2 border repeats left. Then I have to do math to figure out yardage. Dang.

Persephone

2011-04-16T20:28:00.000-04:00

The Hades and Persephone shawl has become just a Persephone shawl. Full circle or half circle, knitter's choice.

It's gone for test knitting and tech editing. Of course, tonight I found an error.

Mortal flat out told me she was going to test it. She's going to bead :)
A hint.

And you wonder why

2011-04-13T16:17:00.002-04:00

we have no budget. The feds cannot do math.

HELP!!!!!

2011-04-03T17:08:00.001-04:00

Somebody, anybody who can open doors help me!

There is no food in my bowl!

Another 1 bites the dust

2011-02-19T15:22:00.000-05:00

Annis is done!

1 full skein plus about 15/20 yards of a second skein of Socks the Rock lightweight.

I had a little help while taking the pictures.

I still haven't finished clue 3 of the mystery shawl. I hope to get through at least clue 5 over the weekend. This maybe a possibility because the new tsock hasn't come yet.

Squirm and I went to the West Shore Farmer's Market today and then headed over to Borders. We may have bought some books.

I think I need more bookshelves. Oh, wait -- Borders will be selling their bookshelves eventually!

Fiber Update

2011-02-07T12:17:00.000-05:00

My hat for the Mad Hatter Swap is done! S requested ears, and I think that I fulfilled that request. My mother kindly modeled it for me. She is now annoyed because I never made her a hat with ears. She has never asked for one. She says that she didn't know that was an option. She tried to keep this one.

I went to the Souper Bowl sale at the Yarn Garden with Mortal. She got a sweater and a shawl. I got a shawl and a pair of socks.

I borrowed a mannequin to get a better pic of the medallion shawl. Mortal came up with a better name. It will be called "Girl's Best Friend", since diamonds are a girl's best friend. I like that song.

I have 2 1/3 clues done on the mystery shawl. Clues 4 & 5 are out.

I started an Annis using STR. I orginally started with Noro lace, but I didn't like the fabric.

I won a box from the FIX drawing.

Diamond Shawl

2011-01-31T12:17:00.000-05:00

The Diamond Medallion Shawl is done!

Now I just need to finish the directions and find some test knitters!

I'm hoping that I can get some more "artsy" shots soon.

This thing is HUGE! The final wingspan is 8 feet.

Fiber

2011-01-28T16:12:00.000-05:00

I went to the Farm Show and saw bunnies! The daughter of one of my co-workers shows Jersey Woolies and I got to pet...

This guy was just plain cute.

I spun this fiber from the Charlie Brown SAL (colorway, Snoopy Ice Skating)

To this yarn

Which became this scarf

And the Absinthe Tsocks are done!

Things progress

2011-01-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

I'm now up to 133 rows on the Diamond medallion shawl.

The mystery shawl has not progressed.

All I have to do on the Liquor makes you sicker tsocks is the sugar cubes on the second one.

I got my Mad Hatter swap package. S asked for a hat with ears.....

Off to a good start!

2011-01-18T12:17:00.000-05:00

Shawl 1 done -- Traveling Woman, Zauberball Sock

Shawl 2 done -- 198 Yards of Heaven, handspun yarn, fiber from Rhinebeck, bulky weight.

Shawl 3 -- clue 2 done, MMario Mystery 3, Zephyr lace

Shawl 4 -- 78 rows, Diamond Medallion, White Sparkly yarn

I'm debating if I really want to bead Oslo Walk, it would be practice for Evenstar though.....

Poseidon is done!!!!! The fiends were really annoyed because I shut them out of the bedroom while I blocked it.

Finished!!!!

2011-01-15T10:19:00.001-05:00

I FINALLY have a quilt. It was finished on Epiphany, just in time for the Farm Show. Milkshakes, yummmm.

It was supposed to have been a high school graduation present. It's a little late. It wouldn't have been so bad if she'd been working on it, but she just started working on it in January of 2010!

Close up of the ladybug buttons :)

Oh dear.....now Mother is back on the knit list....bummer.

I have GOALS!

2011-01-07T12:19:00.000-05:00

and maybe, just maybe, I'll succeed. After all, 2010 was supposed to be the year of the sock, and that didn't exactly work out.

Anyhoo, I went ahead and joined the 11 shawls in 2011 group. I have also decided that these shawls will be knit from stash. (The yarn that I ordered and hasn't come in yet counts as stash).

So far, I have planned:
Travelling Woman -- Zauberballe sock
Clapotis -- Noro (cotton, silk, wool blend)
Oslo Walk -- Noro Lace
Hades & Persephone -- Skinny Ewe in embers (this one is still in my head)
Diamond Medallion -- White sparkly (this one is partially written down)
Merope -- Malabrigo Sock

198 Yards of Heaven
Pretty Maids
Queen Jane
Queen of Winter
Evenstar
Bitterroot
Lady Bertram
Poinsettia
Icarus
Ruatha
Advent Calendar
Gwendolyn
Irulan
Haruni

Oh, wait, that's more then 11.

I still have to finish Poseidon and Blackbird.

Honeycomb Lace Scarf

2011-01-03T12:32:00.000-05:00

Christmas Knitting!

Pink one went to the co-leader of the Brownie troop, Mardi Gras one is going to my mother -- when I get a quilt.

Pattern (and charts) as pdf is available on Ravelry.

HONEYCOMB LACE SCARF

This pattern can be worked with any weight of yarn to whatever size is desired.

Yarn: Pink Scarf used 200 yards of fingering weight. Mardi Gras scarf used 150 yards of sport/dk weight.

Gauge: Somewhat irrelevant. Pink scarf had 5 stitches to the inch. Mardi Gras Scarf had 4.

Needle: Pink Scarf used US 7. Mardi Gras Scarf used US size 10.5.

Use a needle size that will get you a loose fabric.

Cast on a multiple of four stitches. 24 stitches were used in the pink scarf, 20 stitches in the Mardi Gras scarf. This is the only math required!

Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 4 rows.

Decide if the scarf will be stockinette or garter and continue with the appropriate lace pattern.

Stockinette Honeycomb Lace: (shown in Pink Scarf)

Written:

Row 1: K2, (K2tog, YO, YO, K2togtbl) repeat to last two stitches, K2

Rows 2 and 4: K2, purl to last two stitches, K2. For the double YO’s, purl the second YO through the back loop.

Row 3: K2, (YO, K2togtbl, K2tog, YO), repeat to last two stitches, K2

Garter Honeycomb Lace: (shown in Mardi Gras Scarf)

Written:

Row 1: K2, (K2tog, YO, YO, K2togtbl) repeat to last two stitches, K2

Rows 2 and 4: Knit across. For the double YO’s, knit the second YO through the back loop.

Row 3: K2, (YO, K2togtbl, K2tog, YO), repeat to last two stitches, K2

Continue in the lace pattern until the yarn is running out or the scarf has reached the desired length, ending with row 2 or 4. Unless, like me, you get sick of it and want to stop sooner 

Work 4 rows of garter stitch.

Bind off.

Block if desired.

© 2010 by rosegil

This pattern is for your personal use. Please do not use this pattern for mass production. If you have any questions, please contact me via Ravelry.

Lined Thrummed Hat

2010-12-28T11:59:00.002-05:00

My father has always maintained that he is never warm and will never be warm. In an effort to help him be not as cold, I made a thrummed hat for him for Christmas. The hat is lined so that the thrums do not agravate people or cause bad hair days with the static.

Lined Thrummed Hat (pdf available on Ravelry)

Materials: 220 yards worsted weight yarn – I used almost 1 skein of Cascade 220 Superwash

1 ¼ to 1 ½ ounces roving – I used 2 ½ pigtails from Greenwood Fiberworks

Needles: DPN’s and 16” circular – US size 8 or size needed to obtain gauge. I recommend using 5 dpn’s – this will make increasing and decreasing easier.

Gauge: 4 ½ stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch

Instructions:

Using DPN’s cast on 8 stitches, join, being careful not to twist.

Increase rounds:

Round 1: Knit 1 front & back (kf&b) around ( 16 stitches)

Round 2 and all even rounds: knit around

Round 3: (k1, make 1 (m1), k1) x 8 (24 stitches)

Make 1 by inserting the left needle from front to back under the strand between the last stitch and the next stitch and place it on the left needle. Knit it through the back loop.

Round 5: (k2, m1, k1) x 8 (32 stitches)

Round 7: (k3, m1, k1) x 8 (40 stitches)

Round 9: (k4, m1, k1) x 8 (48 stitches)

Round 11: (k5, m1, k1) x 8 (56 stitches)

Round 13: (k6, m1, k1) x 8 (64 stitches)

Round 15: (k7, m1, k1) x 8 (72 stitches)

Round 17: (k8, m1, k1) x 8 (80 stitches)

Round 19: (k19, m1, k1) x 4 (84 stitches)

Switch to the 16” circular, placing a marker at the beginning of the round.

Knit every row (plain stockinette) until piece measures 6 ½ inches from last increase.

Purl 1 round (this will be the turning round)

Knit 1 round plain.

Increase round: (k6, kf&b) x 12 (96 stitches)

Knit 1 round plain.

Begin Thrum pattern.

Round 1: (k3, place thrum) repeat to end of round

Rounds 2, 3, & 4: knit

Round 5: (k1, place thrum, k2) repeat to end of round

Rounds 6, 7, & 8: knit

Continue in thrum pattern until 9 thrummed rounds have been completed (you’ll end on round 1 of the pattern).

Knit 1 round plain.

Begin decrease rounds, switching to dpn’s when necessary:

Round 1: (knit 2 together through the back loop (k2togtbl), k10) x 8 (88 stitches)

Round 2 and all even rounds: knit plain

Round 3: (k2togtbl, k2, place thrum, k3, place thrum, k2) x 8 (80 stitches)

Round 5: (k2togtbl, k8) x 8) (72 stitches)

Round 7: (k2togtbl, k2, place thrum, k3, place thrum) x 8 (64 stitches)

Round 9: (k2togtbl, k6) x 8 (56 stitches)

Round 11: (k2togtbl, k2, place thrum, k2) x 8 (48 stitches)

Round 13: (k2togtbl, k4) x 8 (40 stitches)

Round 15: (k2togtbl, k2, place thrum) x 8 (32 stitches)

Round 17: (k2togtbl, k2) x 8 (24 stitches)

Round 19: (k2togtbl, place thrum) x 8 (16 stitches)

Round 21: k2togtbl x 8 (8 stitches)

Thread tail through remaining 8 stitches and pull tight, leaving tail on the outside. Check that your cast on tail is on the knit side of the hat.

Fold hat at purl round, putting lining up into hat and matching the cast on point with the bind off point.

Using a tapestry needle and bind off tail, sew the top of the hat to the top of the lining. Tie end of bind off tail to cast on tail, weave in ends.

If desired, tack the lining to the outside closer to the turning round.

Thrums:

Thrums are thin pieces of roving (unspun wool) about 2 -3 inches long and about the width of a pencil. They provide extra warmth and insulation.

To place thrums, fold a thrum in half and loop around needle in place of working yarn. In the next round, knit thrum, pulling ends down if needed.

© 2010 by rosegil

This pattern is for your personal use. Please do not use it for mass production. If you have any questions, please contact me via Ravelry.

10 Things I Have Learned

2010-12-23T12:22:00.000-05:00

While getting ready for Christmas this year.

Anise Oil crystalizes at 59 Fahrenheit
Rose Water has a very interesting flavor
French vanilla pudding, while very tasty, is not the best choice for a peppermint pie
A can of pie filling will work well to crush candy canes
The Bookery is an excellent place to do Christmas shopping
It is much better from a sanity point of view to pick things up throughout the year
Things would be much less stressful when one sticks with the original gift idea
I really do need to improve my aim with a dart gun
December isn't the best time for holiday concerts
There is knitting wrapping paper

Es Schneit!

2010-11-28T09:49:00.001-05:00

Really!

I went to get the mail at lunchtime yesturday (Saturday) and it was flurrying. It didn't amount to anything and it didn't last long, but it was definately snow.

Oh crap

2010-11-22T12:03:00.001-05:00

I think I'll be short on beads.

I'm finally at a point where it is more feasible to count the beads for the Chambered Nautilus (Ravelry). I don't think I'm going to have enough to finish the shell.

Uh Oh

2010-11-08T12:03:00.000-05:00

All pattern links are to Ravelry.

Somehow, 4 shawls got started in the last week.

Percy Shawl, in sock yarn

2 Crow Prints Shawls, 1 lace, 1 fingering

Chambered Nautilus, lace weight yarn with size 8 beads. There's 6 feet of beads that I prestrung.

This is in addition to:

Liquor Makes You Sicker tsocks

2 plain vanilla pairs of socks, on 2nd sock for both

Rhinebeck Black Hole

Fylingdales

I think I have project ADD.

Mom is Mean

2010-10-29T12:17:00.001-04:00

Mom is mean. She put us in boxes and in the car.

She took us into the building with the yucky smells where there are DOGS!

She let the even meaner lady stick the thing in ears. The even meaner lady hurt our tummies by pressing HARD on them. We told her to LET US GO, but she didn't listen. She then stuck a sharp thing in us!

Mom says that we will get even less food b/c the meaner lady said Gil was too heavy. Gil is not a big puddy, he is a little puddy. Grandma said so.

Grandma gave us a treat when mom FINALLY took us home.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern

Rhinebeck!

2010-10-24T14:16:00.000-04:00

The third weekend in October is the New York Sheep & Wool festival, aka, Rhinebeck.

Mortal and I went up again. Mother abandoned us for a breast cancer walk.

The weather was nicer than last year. No snow :)

I did not finish the black hole in time. I am aproximately 11 inches up the body. I haven't even switched to the plain stockinette yet. This is not boding well. I did 4 rows in the car, but that was it.

Let the record show that I did volunteer to drive and I even asked Mortal at numerous times if she wanted me to drive. She said no. I wonder if this had anything to do with the minor incident that occured last year.... I needed to slow to a gradual stop, so I took my right foot off of the gas and went to put my left foot on the clutch and my right foot on the brake. Except, there was no clutch and both feet came down on the brake. This wouldn't be a problem if her car had the correct number of pedals.

Our first stop was to ooh and ahh at the judged items. There was a beautiful beaded Evenstar there. The grand champion item was this gorgeous shawl. I also saw these really cute felted mice.

I had to remind Mortal that the hotel did not allow pets.

This is the fiber haul. I also got a skein of laceweight, 2 skeins of sock yarn and three tsocks.

Right before we left, the fiber for the Monster Mash SAL came. Meet Nessie, two coordinating batts. They will be a shawl, eventually.

The day before Rhinebeck, this lovely laceweight came. 1400 yards of blue with a little bit of green here and there. Colorway, Poseidon. Destined to become the Chambered Nautilus shawl.

Now, does anyone know how to alter the space time continum so that I can get the two sweater WIP's done, Nessie spun, Absinthe tsocks finished, milk bag designed and finished, HAED finished, beads for Nautilus and Evenstar strung and the shawls knitted, the Embers and GwtW shawls done, and the poleworth for October Frost spun?

This is neat

2010-10-18T12:06:00.002-04:00

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

All the possibilities here.

Stacked Rib Socks

2010-09-25T14:13:00.002-04:00

Gauge: 8 stitches to the inch in stockinette

Needles: 2.25 mm, US 1

Yarn: 50% superwash merino, 50% tencel, 380 yards of fingering weight. Sample socks used aprox 320 yards.

Size: Women's medium

Rib Pattern: Rounds 1 thru 8 - (K2, P2), repeat to end of instep/round.

Rounds 9 thru 16 - (P2, K2), repeat to end of instep/round

Directions: Using Turkish or Figure 8 cast on, cast on 32 stitches, 16 on each needle. Knit 1 round plain. Place marker indicating start of round. The first 16 stitches are the instep stitches, the second 16 are the sole stitches.

Round 1: (K1, Right leaning increase, knit 14, left leaning increase, K1), repeat for sole stitches.

Round 2: Knit

Round 3: Instep: K1, Right leaning increase, knit to 1 stitch before end of instep, left leaning increase, K1.

Sole: K1, Right leaning increase, knit to 1 stitch before end of sole, left leaning increase, K1.

Directions for increasing can be found on Knitty, here.

Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until there are 60 stitches total, 30 instep and 30 sole. To make socks larger, continue repeating rounds 2 & 3 until desired size is reached.

Work 8 rounds plain.

Begin Rib Pattern on Instep stitches only.

Continue in pattern until sock is approximately 1 1/2 inches short of desired length (a little past the ankle bone when tried on.)

If you wish to add extra ease stitches for the heel, add them to the sole stitches.

Work across instep stitches in pattern, then work short row heel on Sole stitches only.

Row 1: Knit 29 (or until 1 sole stitch remains), wrap the last stich and turn. (Bring the yarn to the front between the stitch just worked and the next stitch, slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle, turn work around).

Row 2: Slip first stitch as if to purl, purl 28 (or until 1 sole stitch remains unworked), wrap the last stitch and turn. (Move the yarn to the back betwen the stitch just worked and the next stitch, slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle, turn work around).

Row 3: Slip first stitch, Knit to 1 stitch before wrapped stitch, wrap as in row 1 and turn.

Row 4: Slip first stitch, Purl to 1 stitch before wrapped stitch, wrap as in row 2 and turn.

Repeat rows 3 & 4 until 10 stitches remain unwrapped.

Next Row: Slip first stitch, Knit to first wrapped stitch, knit that stitch, wrap next stitch as in row 1 and turn.

Next Row: Slip first stitch, purl to first wrapped stitch, purl that stitch, wrap next stitch as in row 2 and turn.

Repeat these last two rows until only 1 double wrapped stitch stitch remains.

Repeat Knit row only.

I do not knit my wraps as I like the effect, so the directions do not include this step.

Resume knitting in the round.

Work in pattern across 30 stitches. Begin pattern on next 30 stitches on round 1 or 9 of rib pattern.

If extra ease stitches were added, decrease them away in the first 2 to 3 rounds.

Continue working in pattern until sock is desired length, ending with round 8 or 16.

Work a Yarn Over bind off as follows:

Knit first stitch, (YO, K1, pass first stitch and YO over the last stitch worked), repeat until no stitches remain.

Weave in ends.

Copyright 2010 by rosegil. Please use this pattern for your personal use and not for mass production.

Yarn used was handspun fiber from Fiber Optic in colorway "Honeysuckle Rose", 2 plies.

Schrodinger's Cat

2010-09-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

may or may not be dead.

Gil thinks that his cat should have been more sensible and just smooshed in the top of the box.

The Quantom Paratsox are done! However, my feet have insufficient length to put a box on the foot. If I had, the end of the box would have been at the toe. The boxes were illusion knit in the round, with a technique that the Tsarina call "festive illusion". Festive illusion is a method that does not involve weaving floats the entire way around. I did 4 boxes, 2 on each tsock, 1 question mark and 1 cat per tsock

The Tsocks

A box

And the question is...

With a cat -- alive or dead?

Is the cat alive or dead? Depends on how you look at it!

But, everyone knows that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

Fiber to garment

2010-08-29T16:26:00.001-04:00

I finally finished the Brattleboro Hat (ravelry) and the Maine Morning Mitts (ravelry). The pink yarn is 2 plys of the pink, 1 ply of the white and 1 ply of glow in the dark sewing thread. I also held a second strand of the sewing thread with the yarn as I knit. The plain white fiber I had gotten at Mannings. The yarn is Navajo plied.

The camera was being VERY uncooperative, and wouldn't take a picture in the dark when the yarn was glowing, but trust me, it glows.

The Hat

The Pink Fiber

The Pink Yarn

The Mitts

This is NOT good

2010-08-24T12:02:00.001-04:00

Knit Picks now has spinning fiber.

Weird, or is it Wierd?

2010-08-16T17:43:00.002-04:00

I can never remember. Whichever it is, that's what this past weekend was.

At 3:56pm on Friday, I got a call from someone whose calls normally involve major thought. This one didn't. He was just calling to say that he appreciates what we do.

On Friday and Saturday, there were tickets in the bin for people who had the same names as people I work with.

Saturday evening, a guest asked me if I was a Girl Scout Leader because she'd seen me at Indian Echo Caverns that day.

On Sunday, someone at church said (to me) that "you girls are just growing so much". OOOKKKAAAY. Someone's hamster isn't doing well.

And, finally, the girl at Panera's had my order in the computer before I was even to the counter. Either I go there to often, or I need to change what I get.

Nightmare!

2010-07-30T11:57:00.003-04:00

I finished the Nightmare Socks!!

They are the May Tsocks. More info on the pattern is available here.

I did 4 rounds between the gold lines on the cuff. I was trying the socks on as I went, and when I had done two repeats of the clock pattern, I felt that a third repeat would make them too long. (This ended up being incorrect, but I'm not frogging.) Another consideration was the fact that I need to make very long heel flaps.

My heel flaps still ended up a little short, mainly because I completely forgot how knitting shrinks vertically when I put the socks on -- this also played into the length of the leg.

Anyhoo, the socks are done. The bicycles are done. The clocks are done. The clocks are not great nor are they symetrical, but they are done. These tsocks are even safe from Mother. She said she didn't want them and that my bicycles did not have enough of a frame.

I didn't do any french knots because french knots and I have NEVER EVER EVER gotten along.

Now it's on to the evil mobius tsocks. mwahahah. Mother wants them, in a different color.

According to...

2010-07-27T12:18:00.003-04:00

the online Sorting Hat, I am in....

Get Sorted By The Hogwarts Sorting Hat!

What about you?

Phat Fiber!

2010-07-26T12:06:00.006-04:00

The computer cooperated this month and I managed to get a Phat Fiber fluff box.

Here's a pic of the whole box.

And here are close ups. I couldn't spread everything out, I had already had fiend issues when I was looking at the box when I first got it, so I didn't want them to stick their noses in.

I did take a close up (or try to) of the stitch markers and buttons. I love the little sea horse one! It looks like a good size for socks.

Now to figure out what weight to spin and what to make from the finished. I'm also trying to figure out a way to work some full size fluffiness into my budget.

What have YOU been doing?

2010-07-08T11:37:00.003-04:00

Me? I've been working on stringy things -- as usual!

I completed the mitts for S, using the Maine Morning Mitts pattern from The Knitter's Book of Yarn. I have some yarn left, so I'm going to make a hat also. I don't have enough of the pink, so I'll combine it with some white.

The May sock club shipment included a pattern that went from Baby Bootie to Adult. I did the booty size in some left over yarn. I think I'll be making a few more pairs....

I go some new fluffy stuff from Dragonfly Fibers on Etsy. It is 65% merino and 35% silk. I think it has a loverly sheen to it. I'm currently working on spinning it up. I divided it roughly in half and then divided each half into 16ths. Half of it has been spun into a fingering weight -- my first Navajo ply!

I went down to see Mortal on the 4th, she modeled the fishie socks for me. Then, she had the audacity to be annoyed that she couldn't keep them. She could have gotten them then, if she had bought me another skein of yarn from Holiday Yarns. She didn't want to, so they are a Christmas present.

I've been working on my HAED. I took a break to play with the merino/silk fluffiness. The closeup shot isn't that great.

Here Fishie Fishie.....

2010-06-29T11:41:00.003-04:00

The Fishie Socks are done!

The double decreases along the top of the shell pattern made them to tight for me, but they did fit Mortal, so they'll be a Christmas present for her.

I did give her the option of having them now -- if she gave me replacement yarn. She didn't go for that.

I also spun up some milk fiber I got on etsy from knittyandcolor

It was interesting to spin. It tended to break more easily. I ended up with 94 yards of light fingering.

This and that, again

2010-06-15T13:23:00.003-04:00

The HAED progresses. Page 1 is basically done and progress has been made on page 2. Total number of chart pages? 36

I fixed the Cloning Anemone socks (ravelry) that my father put a hole in. That'll be his Father's Day gift. That took a while.

The shawl for the cancer benefit is blocking at this time. I should have the ends woven in by the weekend.

I made some truffles last week and I need to make some more.

Camp is this week. I am not looking forward to it.

This & That

2010-06-01T11:53:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe it is June already. Is anyone else having that problem?

Update from May:

I got 2 of the fibers from MDSW spun and plied. I even set twist! They're drying in the bathroom now. Haven't figured out what to make with them, but that will come.
I did 2 squares for a baby blanket, crocheted no less.
The Daisies were in the Memorial Day parade. There were no major calamities. The horse in front of us had a bag.
I got the fabric partially gridded for the HAED, and started. This is going to take a while.
I finished 1 fishie tsock and sent down with the 'rents for Mortal to try on.
The bumblebee socks have been finished and gifted to Mother. Note to self, need to get a picture.
I decided on a pattern and yarn to make a shawlette for the cancer benefit in July.
I got internet from the cable company and the computer was acting weird, so Tiger has it now.
There was a spider and web inside my computer.
I fixed the glitch in the center of my fountain pen shawl. It turned out really large.

MDS&W

2010-05-04T11:53:00.003-04:00

The Maryland Sheep & Wool festival was this past weekend. Of course I went.

I did manage to finish knitting the Fountain Pen Shawl before the festival. I blocked it on Friday evening and left it home on Saturday. I left it at home because it was just to hot. It was in the upper 80's, it may have even reached 90 (32 Celsius).

We didn't stay as long as we probably would have if it had been a cooler. We also didn't visit all the vendors. It was just to hot.

Here's the new items!

The 4 bags of green in the back will be a sweater, eventually. I found the lace weight I was looking for. Would you believe that's the only yarn I bought? I bought absolutely no sock yarn.

I have no definate plans for any of the other fiber I got. It is not stash. It is fiber. The government says we need more fiber. Therefore, this was necessary!

I did get 2oz of really hot pink fiber for spinning and I've already spun it.

It's also already been plied -- I plied it with some white and some glow-in-the-dark thread. It will be something for S. She needs to let me know what she would like though!

Because of MDS&W, I missed the final brunch for the Guardian Angel program at church. I did finish both items in time and gave them to someone else to take.

This is the Angel Lace shawl closeup. It went to the lady who had my name.

The lady I had loves Halloween. I've been giving her various Halloween items throughout the year and for the final gift, I made the October is for Spinners scarf.

Random

2010-04-24T07:17:00.002-04:00

Well. The fountain pen shawl doth progress. Current status?
6 repeats done, 239 stitches.

End point?
10 repeats plus border, 467 stitches.

Festival I want to wear it to?
May 1

On another note, I got a 40% discount at the Yarn Garden in the March Madness drawing. I had originally planned to use it later (it expires in July), when Mortal was up. However, mother & I went to Yarn Garden to look at a substitute for her linen yarn, as the yarn she had originally picked is hopelessly back-ordered with no availability date. We're going with hemp. I say we b/c I'm the schmuck that has to knit this. Well, H had the audactity to tell mother that I had the coupon. Mother being mother informed me that I needed to use it towards her yarn. People thought I would have gotten more. I didn't get more b/c I wasn't ready to get more. Besides, MDS&W is next Saturday!

I had a Pampered Chef party last Saturday. The fiends were abnormally good. I can't help wondering that they are planning something truly heinous.....

Stringing along

2010-04-12T11:55:00.003-04:00

The socks from h e double knitting needles are finally done! I love the color. I love the yarn. I do not like the pattern. I don't like bobbles and I don't like purling. These socks had both.

I finally finished stitching the fall pillow band. I prefer my pillows functional, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it or if I'm going to keep it. Someone suggested putting on the outside of a journal.

I also have started gridding for my next project, Fireside Fairytales. The definition of gridding is about halfway down this page.

I'm almost done with the Wings shawl (Ravelry). I need to have this done, blocked and wrapped to give to someone on April 25th. It won't go to the final recipient until May 1st, but I already have plans for May 1 and can't make it to the brunch.

I started the Fountain Pen shawl (Ravelry) for myself. I'm hoping to have it done and blocked in time for Maryland. We shall see.

An Update

2010-04-03T18:48:00.003-04:00

The first bobble sock is done. Well, technically I still need to Kitchner the toe. I have 1 cuff repeat done on the second. I am not liking these socks.

I have completed stitching the bow and leaves on the autumn pillow band that I started in 2006. I have also completed the beading for the acorn tops.

After I finish the heinous blue socks, I am going to start the fishy socks and a pair of socks for Mother. She really likes the blue ones, but they aren't for her. Why am I going to do socks for her? See this picture? That is my quilt!!!!!

The blocks are sewn together with the exception of the 4 corner blocks. All the pieces are laid out in position. It will be ready in time for summer. Just when I need a quilt.

Meet Leroni

2010-03-27T18:47:00.003-04:00

Leroni is my spinning wheel. I got her in January with the combination of money I had saved and Christmas money. I had been thinking Odette or Odile for the name, but she didn't like either of those. She did like Leroni though. Suitable, as she is magic! Why is she magic?
Because she can take this

and turn it into this

So far, she's also plied this and this

And, she just finished this . Well, technically, that is a bobbin of singles. The finished yarn is a 2 ply.

This firey yarn was a bit odd. I was winding the yarn off the bobbin into a center pull ball (courtesy of the ball winder). I was about halfway done, and the ball flew off of the ball winder. And no, the cat wasn't helping! Also, I had 1 very full bobbin of singles, but once plied, it took up way more then 1 bobbin.

Dangerous Website

2010-03-13T22:37:00.002-05:00

Through threads from the Cross Stitch group on Ravelry, I have discovered a new and very dangerous website, Heaven and Earth Designs.

Why is this dangerous you ask? Wellllll, it is dangerous b/c there are far too many patterns on it that I want.

And this is just the stuff that really really spoke. I'm sure, given time, I could find lots more.

I have decided

2010-03-12T12:13:00.002-05:00

that 2010 is the year of the sock. Those of you who know me, and I'm presuming that most of you reading my forlorn little blog do, know that I knit socks.

Yes, I know you can purchase socks at insert store name here. And, I do have some storebought socks. I have a pair with red and green snowflakes that I really like. I have numerous pairs of trouser socks. I also have multiple pairs of no show socks to wear in the summer. But, I prefer hand knit socks.

So far, I have finished the Concrete Socks, and another plain vanilla pair out of yarn from Creatively Dyed, the November 2009 socks, and the Wonderland socks that were my 2010 Olympic project.

I am currently working on Cascadia (ravelry), sock 1 from January 2010. This year, the Rockin Sock Club is getting 2 patterns and 1 yarn. I have a blue rare gem for Flabella (ravelry), sock 2, and it's in my queue, but I'm not sure I'm going to do them. They have bobbles. They have lots of purling. I don't really like them for me. And, last, but not least, the Fishy sock kit came.

Olympic Project

2010-03-03T12:16:00.002-05:00

For the Ravelympics this year, I made the Wonderland Socks (ravelry). The socks are striped, illusion knit. I decided to make mine knee socks.

I used Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in medium weight. 1 skein Ravenscroft and 1 skein Branwen.

I was supposed to start the illusion knitting on the foot. I decided not to, since very few people would see that part. I started the illusion knitting after I turned the heel.

I also added a cat on the back of the sock as well as the front. Progress was made, I was actually doing pretty well, even though I took an entire Sunday to make a pair of fingerless mitts.

I did the socks at the same time. I would do 10 stripe sets on sock 1, then the same number on the second sock. I was almost done, 1 sock was done and I had just the cuff ribbing on the second. It snowed. Normally, this would result in more knitting time, but I ended up having to work an weather activation. Still, the socks got done! I finished them with about 2 days to spare.

I like.

Let the games begin!

2010-02-13T22:39:00.002-05:00

The Olympics began yesturday evening.

I have cast on my Ravelympic project, the Wonderland Socks.

Snow the Second

2010-02-12T11:47:00.003-05:00

Well, we got about another foot in the second storm.

More snow, equals more knitting.

I finished the second Raven Swirl Sock, worked on yet another Odessa (ravelry), did a repeat on the Angel Shawl (ravelry), wound off the Teddy Bear single into a ball for plying, and started spinning the dark blue multi top. I also set the twist on the numerous skeins that were sitting around. This fascinated the fiends.

I also got the yarn for the Wonderland Socks (ravelry) split and wound the yarn for the January socks.

Snow was also shoveled and dishes were washed.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2010-02-08T11:32:00.004-05:00

I like snow. It is best when I don't have to go anywhere. We had snow on Friday night into Saturday morning.

I also had wind Friday night.

There's another storm that's supposed to hit Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Box and String

2010-01-19T12:52:00.003-05:00

A box came into the house the other day. It was not allowed to be investigated for worthiness to enter the house. The box was hidden behind the door that gets shut in our faces. We then forgot about the box. The box and STRING were brought out from behind the door. The string was laid out and pictures were taken.
I like this skein.

Or maybe this skein.

Then the string went round and round. There was a lot of string that went round and round. The stool was moved and we could not reach the moving string. We were not allowed to play with it. This is wrong.The string has changed. It looks odd.
The box was given to us. It is too small for sleeping in. The box is not worthy. We would rather have the string.
Sincerely,

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern

They say..

2010-01-07T11:51:00.001-05:00

Save things to the network because the network is backed up and that way you won't loose everthing when your computer crashes. (It also helps if you're at another computer, you can pull stuff up.)

This did not help yesturday. The entire network was down.

On a depressing string note, I have completly given up on the no SSS socks. I ended up completely frogging them and just gave the entire skein to Mortal.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T11:58:00.007-05:00

And Merry Christmas! Yes, it is still Christmas. Today is the 11th day of Christmas.

We're still celebrating, how about you?

Today is technically Mortal's day to give gifts. However, she went back to VA yesturday, so she and I both went yesturday. We had to go together because we did joint gifts to Father and Squirm. Kilt hose!

I got a book entitled We are the Cat. And, a skein of yummy handspun. Mortal says there are about 600 yards.

Mother got some handcare items from Mortal and a sweater from me. It is the one hand knit item that she will get until more progress is made on the quilt.

On another note, the concrete socks are done.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T11:43:00.002-05:00

December 25th marks the start of the season of Christmas for the Christian community, aka, the twelve days of Christmas. The Christmas season ends on January 5th and January 6th is when, according to Christian tradition, the wise men brought their gifts to the Christ Child.

Christmas is a time to not only celebrate the birth of the Saviour but also to celebrate the gifts that we have.

As I thought about my Christmas wish list several months ago, I realized that there weren't a lot of material things on it. While the stove is on the fritz, the computer monitor is dying, the toaster oven is acting up and I would really like a spinning wheel, all of those things are not absolute necessities. But, I did ask for a wheel!

I have my family and friends, the majority of whom are in good health. I have the roof over my head, enough to eat, and I am still gainfully employed. I have Christ, my Saviour.
Most important -- I know I am loved.

Celebrate what you have.

Veni, Vidi, Steek

2009-12-21T11:40:00.003-05:00

I overcame my trepidations and steeked the steeks on the Scandinavian Star Vest (Ravelry).
For those of you unfamiliar with the term, steek is both a noun and a verb. A steek is the extra stitches that you cast on and knit and the process of cutting those extra stitches. Steeks are most commonly used in stranded (or multi color) knitting so that you can maintain the pattern. It also helps maintain the color variations with self striping yarn.

This vest has three 5 stitch steeks. 1 for the front and 2 for the armholes. The directions said to alternate the stitches in the steeks every row, creating a checkerboard effect. Were I to make this again, I would do vertical stripes, to make it easier to do the guideline and reinforcement lines. You put a guideline in a contrasting color down the middle of the steek (I used white), and reinforce the steek on either side, if desired. This being my first steek, I greatly desired to reinforce. I sewed 2 lines on either side of my guideline in yellow. After I sewed the reinforcement lines, I put the grocery ad in the vest (so I wouldn’t cut any floats) and then cut the steeks. In the below pictures, the first one is before I cut and you can see my guidelines. The second one is after the steeks were steeked.

I am using Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Noro Kureyon. I started the bottom with one skein, and then when I finished the first chart, I switched skeins for the body. I am on the fourth skein of the Noro and the third skein of the Berroco. I did the main part of the vest with 3 skeins that basically started and ended with the same color. I’ll be using the end of the third skein for the collar and am using the fourth skein for the hem band and the front bands.

While I really like this pattern, and there are other patterns in this book that I plan on making, I do have some issues, 3 in particular.

For most of the patterns, the only way to change the size is to change the gauge. While this is fine and dandy, there are no yarn recommendations for the looser gauges.

There are no diagrams of the patterns, showing the finished dimensions.

The arm holes seem huge. The pattern calls for 2 repeats (24 round repeats ) and 20 rounds for the armhole. This would put the size I made at an armhole depth of 10 ½ inches and this doesn’t include the stitches you put on a holder! The stitches on the holder was more than I would have thought was needed.

No SSS here!

2009-12-16T11:44:00.002-05:00

SSS (Second Sock Syndrome for you muggles).

When we went to Cedar Lakes, I took the September socks, the Flyingdales sweater, an extra skein of sock yarn and a pair of mitts. After I finished the September socks, I started on the extra skein of sock yarn (Jingle Bell Rock in STR lightweight from Blue Moon).

I decided to do a swirl pattern. I got almost done with the foot, and realized that I didn't like how the swirl pattern was biasing. Frogged back to toe. Reknit foot plain, turned heel and started swirl pattern on cuff. Really liked it. Finished sock, wove in ends.

Realized that swirl pattern made cuff so tight that only a small child could get it on. Frogged to heel. Increased 4 stitches and decreased number of swirls to 4. Went a little bit, then increased another 4 stitches. Almost done. I had someone try it on. Sock was 2 rounds to short in the foot and the first part of the cuff was to tight.

At this point, I was so fed up with the sock, that I started the second one, cuff down.

Mortal was bored and had no knitting with her (no, I don't know what was wrong) and volunteered to frog the first one. She frogged the cuff and the heel and then was still bored, so then knit the two rounds and turned the heel.

The socks are 50% done. Normally, when one has a pair 50% complete, you have one whole sock. Not this pair! I have the foot and heel of one sock and the cuff of the second.

Old People Do Scenic?!

2009-12-07T11:55:00.003-05:00

Mother and I went to a weeklong workshop on basket weaving at Cedar Lakes last week (more on that later). It started on Sunday and went until Friday. It's about a 7 hour drive from home so we planned to leave on Saturday. Then, Mother decided she wanted to go to Green Valley. I looked at the map and we decided that if we left EARLY (6amish) on Saturday, it would work, as Green Valley is somewhat on the way.

So, Mother, Mortal & I left Saturday and headed down 81 to Harrisonburg. We got to Green Valley around 10. By the time we had done the first room, Mother's books were to heavy for her to carry, so we paid and faithful sherpa (me) took them out to the car. By the end of the day there were four boxes of books in Dmitri. The small one was mine. The 3 large ones belonged to Mother. When we got to the hotel, we took 2 of the not full large boxes in to combine them so there would be room for 2 people in the car.

Sunday morning, we left for Ripley after church and breakfast, around 10am. I had looked at the map and planned to go south on 81 to 64 then west to 77. Mother disagreed, she had 33 on the mind. She looked at the atlas and saw that 33 runs from Harrisonburg to Ripley. The info we'd gotten from Cedar Lakes had specifically said not to take 33, because it would take so long. Since we had to be there between 4 & 5, Mother felt we had enough time to take 33, as "old people do scenic".

The road went up and down mountains with lots of turns. We saw snow and scattered houses. Any collection of more then a couple of houses was rated a town.

Well, at 1pm we stopped at the McDonald's (first one since Harrisonburg) in Elkins for a bathroom break and lunch. We were about 1/3 of the way to Ripley. The decision was made to stay on 33 until we got to 79 and then take 79 to 77. We got to Cedar Lakes around 4.

Mother may feel that "old people do scenic", but really, old people go on motorcoach tours with name tags and tourguides! :)

A string update

2009-11-27T12:56:00.006-05:00

My Fireside sweater is done! I made the size medium but did large sleeves. I ended up with a couple of design elements. I haven't decided if I'm going to put button or buttons on it yet.

Since the Fireside is now done, I started on the Star Vest (Ravelry) from Folk Vests. I'm using Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Noro Kureyon. I really like how the stars look. You can't really tell in this picture. I am a little nervous about steeking though!

Mortal came up for Thanksgiving and helped me set the twist on my handspun. We soaked it in hot water in the sink and then took it upstairs to drip dry over the bathtub. I moved the shower rod back so it was completely over the tub and hung up the various skeins.

The long one on the right is Tussah and I didn't like spinning it. The 2 small dark ones are a dark green blend that was, with the exception of the small amount of fiber that came with the spindle, my first yarn. The coral/orange is the fiber that my mother bought in the Falklands. I have 1 skein of major thick/thin that is a single and the remaining three skeins are a two ply that is still a little thick/thin but is mainly worsted weight. So far, the fiends have not bothered the yarn.

On a plus note, the November sock club shipment came today!!! Before I left for a weeklong workshop! Yeah!! Of course, I need to finish (start) September....

What about you?

2009-11-07T20:32:00.002-05:00

I just read The Memory Keeper's Daughter. It was very interesting. The main gist of the story is that the doctor's wife has twins and the girl is born with Down Syndrome. The nurse is told to take the girl to an institution and leave her there, but she can't do it. She takes the baby and raises her. The father tells his wife that the girl died.

I don't know. Which path would I take? The father or the nurse? Would I keep the child or throw it away? I think, that if that happens, that it isn't an issue, I would keep the child. What about you?

If you don't vote, don't complain

2009-11-05T16:07:00.000-05:00

I hope people remembered to vote. I’m not putting much confidence in this, at least not in PA. Actually casting my ballot took longer than the wait – there was none. I didn’t even need any knitting to pass the time. I just wish the people that man, or would it be person?, the polls would get their act in gear.
The books are sorted alphabetically. A-L and M-Z. Last year there were two different lines that began in the lobby. This year, it was one line with two tables side by side, but you could skip ahead to the M-Z, you didn’t have to wait for the A-L’s to finish. Previously, it didn’t matter if the people in front were A-L, you still had to wait for them to finish before you could go to the M-Z.

I always vote. I may not be the most informed voter, but I always vote.

String Update

2009-10-26T11:57:00.002-04:00

White Witch Mitten 1 is complete. This would be the right one. It is green. The left one will be red. I decided that the right one would be green because the song says “Starboard shines green and port is glowing red”. A couple of my coworkers have commented that the mittens aren’t going to match. They will match. They are Christmas mittens. They are supposed to be red and green.
I started my Fireside (Ravelry link). I’m using Cascade Eco in a yummy raspberry shade. I like my sweaters on the longer side, so I added two inches before the waist shaping. The charts are clearly written, but I still managed to miscross the bottom left cable of the big cable for the right front. When did I discover this you ask? When I was about to do the bust increases! I will deal. It is not a mistake, it is a design element.
Since certain people (and you know who you are) feel that I have too much yarn, I am working on some stash buster projects. A while ago I had gotten some black Caron simple soft shadow stripes with the intention of a sweater. Well, I decided that horizontal stripes would not be good, so I’m making a winter set with them. So far, I’m working on the hat. I’m holding two strands together and it looks neat.

Rhinebeck Procurement

2009-10-22T16:36:00.005-04:00

Buttons!
“Walmart couldn’t afford my socks”
“I was a nice girl before I started all this knitting.”
“Armed with sharp pointy sticks…” I forget what the remainder says.

Mortal got one that says “Spinning because knitting isn’t weird enough.”

Socks!
The York & Lancaster Socks.
I saw these socks last year on the Tsarina’s blog, but since it was a Tsock Flock pattern, it was not publicly available until this year.

Shawl/scarf
Beautiful blue green merino and silk laceweight. I'm thinking maybe the Mystic Star (Ravelry link).

Varigated purple mohair.

Roving
A purple night type that has bunny in it.

A neat multi-colored one that dyer creates to use up dye.

This reddish/purple, white, green that people at work want and so do people in choir.

And, I procured a small niddy noddy.

I also saw some interesting books to procure later. The Enchanted Sole and The New Stranded Colorwork.

Rhinebeck!!

2009-10-22T16:19:00.006-04:00

Mortal and I left Friday around noon for New York. We would have left earlier but the fiends went to the doctor Friday morning. They were so thrilled to go! Gil did major hissing and also made odd gurgling sounds.
We saw snow on the ground as we went north. The weather was supposed to be cold and wet. However, when we woke up on Saturday, it was sunny. It got cloudy, but stayed dry. Excellent. It was still cold though, but this is why God invented wool. We each had our hand knit socks, hats, hand coverings and sweaters. Mortal wore her Rhinebeck sweater and I wore my Nubby Cardigan – which I have finally put the buttons on!

I managed to finish the July socks, aka gloves Friday night, so I had them for Saturday. I also cast on a hat in the car on the way up – bulky weight alpaca yarn. I got about 1 ½ inches done in the car and I continued to work on it at Rhinebeck as I walked around.
Mortal went ecstatic over the angora bunnies as usual. She did buy some angora to spin.
There was a gorgeous tree. (Sorry, it's sideways!)

We went into the museum building this year and saw an old style camper.
We looked at bunnies and also got to pet a bunny that was being given a hair cut.

We also saw sheep.

These particular sheep remind me of Greyflake. Greyflake was the 4H market lamb I had one year.

We also saw alpacas.

We checked out the Sheep Incognito booth. "Global Warming really caught my eye!

Neither Mortal or I entered anything for judging, but we did check out the entered items.
We both thought this tam was gorgeous.

These mittens were rather interesting.

This shawl was really neat.

Mortal got a Turkish spindle and did some spinning on Sunday at my place. Gil was entranced.

I finished my Austen sweater.

Maybe a vacation?

2009-10-22T16:13:00.005-04:00

Last week I took off from work. Sunday, after church, I went down to Mortal’s via Grandma’s. I spent some time with my grandmother and also enjoyed lunch with her and her sister. There was grapenut ice cream available for dessert. Yum. The lovely lady on my left is my grandmother and on my right is my great-aunt. My aunt also knits. She has made Christmas stockings for the entire family.
Shortly after I got to Mortal’s, we left again for the Sunday Knit Night at Panera’s. While there, I completed the cuff of July sock, aka glove number 2 and worked further on the Austen Sweater. It is the green sweater on the cover of Mother Daughter Knits.
Monday we emptied the stash room and taped. We taped the stash room and the hall space for the entire house: upstairs hall, stair landing, main floor hall, front door landing and ground floor hall. Then we went to get paint. We painted the front door wall and the window wall of the stair landing to match the living room, as the living room wall continues into those 2 spaces. We also painted the stash room. The stash room is the smallest bedroom. The previous owners had painted it a dark blue. Mortal has nothing against dark blue, but it does make the room seem a lot smaller. So, pale grey paint was procured to do a nifty technique over the blue. We painted with yarn. After putting paint on the rollers, we wrapped yarn around them and then applied to the walls. It is very cool looking. There are no two sections that look alike. There are places that look like clouds, aran cable, dna, etc.

Tuesday we painted the hall. That took basically the entire day. After the paint dried, Mortal decided that a second coat was necessary. She’s looking for volunteers.
Wednesday we were going to paint, but the duct guy called Tuesday and said he’d be over on Wednesday. So, we didn’t dress in paint clothes. When the duct guy didn’t come, Mortal called, and discovered that he had misspoke and that he was indeed coming on Thursday morning. Well, at that point, there wasn’t much point in changing to paint. The weather was also not paint conducive. So, after lunch we went to do the necessary errands and then went shopping at the outlets.
One of the errands was a stop at a hair salon that someone had recommended. They had a cancellation and a running late so they could fit us both in. We both got haircuts and donated what was cut off.
I had great luck at the outlets. I got 2 pairs of jeans on clearance for under $10 each and 4 tops for about $10 each. I also got some headbands for my new hairstyle. Then it was off to Wednesday Knit Night. I finished the one sleeve of the cardigan and started on the second. A productive evening.
Thursday, when the duct people came, we went to Borders. I read some knitting books and magazines and then checked out the clearance. I found a knitting book on 24 hour knits and a Moosewood.