Archive for knit/crochet
November 4, 2005 at 1:34 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
A while back, I bought the book A Treasury of Magical Knitting. It was fascinating, but a little intimidating. I don’t know how many times I read the page about casting on, going through each step in my mind and trying to picture how it would work.
Today, after getting coffee, vacuuming, paying the bills and balancing the checkbook, I decided to finally give it a shot. As the book warned, the first half round is awkward and tricky. But I kept at it, and lo! I have a project on the needles. Not that I didn’t have anything else to work on.
October 21, 2005 at 12:11 pm · Filed under knit/crochet, moon (rachel)
Yep, I’ve finished the Ravenclaw POA scarf, and I think Moon is pretty happy with it. She wants to be suitably attired for the opening of the Goblet of Fire movie. We’ll be attempting to get tickets for the first day, since school will be out for conferences. I can’t wait. Over the summer, Friday was typically our movie day — I’ve missed going to the theater with the kids.
Moon re-read the sixth book as a warm-up. I’m reading the first book over again, and my plan is to read the second, third and fourth one before November 18. That might be a bit ambitious, but oh well. (I mean, didn’t most of us read Book 6 in 24 hours or less?)
Now I’m working on a scarf for Peter. At first, he was asking for Slytherin colors … but he thought the better of it and went with Hufflepuff instead. (Maybe he was afraid people would throw stuff at him in the movie theater?) I’m really liking the colors and how the stitches show up in the butterscotch areas. I think I might make one of these for myself with the leftover yarn. Hufflepuff is my house, too, you know.
I really like this photo. It makes all those hours of stockinette worthwhile.
October 10, 2005 at 10:01 am · Filed under knit/crochet
This is the thing that has been occupying my evenings and weekends. I pretty much pick it up every time I sit down in the living room.
The scarf will be around Moon’s neck when we see the new Harry Potter movie in November (notice the colors — Ravenclaw, naturally). I’m predicting that I’ll finish it by next weekend. But my needles won’t have a chance to rest, because I’ll be casting on a Hufflepuff scarf for Peter.
It’s easy stuff, but lots and lots of stitches. Let’s see… 90 stitches per round, times 38 rows per repeat, times 11 repeats so far … 37,620 stiches and growing.
September 30, 2005 at 3:52 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
I’m testing out my cool new WordPressDash widget. It’s a beautiful day outside, and I spent a few highly enjoyable hours with Nichole and Kari at Lakeside Fibers. I think it’s the first time I’ve gotten together with anyone expressly for knitting (crocheting, in Nichole’s case). Lakeside just added a coffee bar, and it was lovely to sit outside with a mug and my knitting.
This is exactly why I so love having Fridays off work.
September 24, 2005 at 8:17 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
I figure it’s time to show you some evidence that I’ve been knitting. Some days I only do a row or two, but I daresay I pick up the needles every day.
Bad Penny, which I’m modeling here, took me weeks to finish. First, I broke my size 5 Denise needle when I was coming home from vacation. (Remember that?) Then when the replacement arrived, I became frustrated working in the round using the smallest Denise needles. The cable is nearly as big around, and it was a pain because it was so difficult to slide my work along. I was much happier when I switched to Addi Naturas.
To get gauge, I had to use size 5 for the body of the sweater, and size 3 for the ribbing. Cotton-Ease is a bit thicker than the yarn called for in the pattern. Those little stitches kept me busy through many DVDs, but I was glad to be able to work on baby stuff periodically as a break in the routine.
Speaking of baby stuff, Sister #4 is scheduled to deliver her second baby (and first daughter) in a few days. I decided to make a sweater and some booties for the little one. (Click to see the full-sized photos, of course.)
The pink booties ended up being much bigger than I had expected them to be. SpiritMan says the baby’s 3-year-old brother could probably wear them, but that’s an exaggeration. I’m having trouble visualizing how big baby feet are supposed to be, but I’m guessing they’ll fit in about a year. I decided I needed to make a smaller pair, so I knitted the multicolored ones. They look a little big, too.
Truth be told, I can’t really remember how big newborn body parts are. I have a vague idea of the overall length and heft, but otherwise I’m lost. That’s what happens when you get to the point where your kids can look you in the eye. (And borrow your shoes.)
August 22, 2005 at 8:42 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
No pictures yet, but I’m thisclose to being finished with the baby sweater from the Summer 05 IK. I just need to add the ribbon closure. (The ribbon is in a bag on my dresser.)
With the half ball of yarn left over from the sweater, I started a pair of booties. It was the perfect amount for one bootie, which means I’ll be putting in another Knit Picks order. Of course I’ll need to get some extra stuff so I can spend $30 and get free shipping.
As a quick and easy distraction, I made a Special Companion from some yarn ends in my stash. It was nice using size 10.5 needles for a change, although they felt like baseball bats after not knitting on anything larger than a size 3 for two weeks. I’m using it for SpiritMan’s business cards. I think I’ll knit up a few more – pink would be perfect for my own cards.
In progress: iPod cozy #2 and Bad Penny (awaiting my replacement Denise needle). The weather was nice enough (read: almost fall-like) for me to consider taking out my bulky wool and starting the second sleeve of Banff. But I think I need it to be another 10 degrees cooler first.
August 7, 2005 at 10:10 pm · Filed under knit/crochet, vacation
When I was packing, I had a tough decision to make. Do I put extra needles and yarn into my knitting bag, or should I assume I’ll just work on one project during the flight home? I was only about an inch or so into Bad Penny, so I figured it would be a waste of space to tuck the other stuff into my bag. I left the Addis and the Shine in my checked luggage.
Less than an hour into our flight, I broke a needle. $#%@! Four hours sitting on a plane, with no project between my hands.
I’ve put Bad Penny aside while I send my size 5 needle to Denise for a replacement. I cast on for the super-secret Shine project (okay, a baby sweater for Sister #4’s progeny-to-be) as soon as I finished unpacking.
Murphy’s Law, anyone?
August 5, 2005 at 1:10 pm · Filed under knit/crochet, vacation
I’m sure you’ve noticed that something has been missing from this week’s posts. Yes, I’ve been knitting – did you have any doubt? I actually finished my second sock during the flight (not that I had much left to do – I’d already turned the heel). Here are the twins in their glorious finished state. Of course I brought the first sock along. It didn’t seem right to separate them.
Now I’m working on Bad Penny in blue Cotton-Ease. Unfortunately, I haven’t finished much of it. In my optimism, I brought three balls of yarn PLUS pink sock yarn and two Addi Turbo circulars. They’re all still in the suitcase.
Here’s something else I haven’t shown you. My bodacious knitting bag. She. Is. Awesome. I’ve had many compliments from non-knitters, even though she seems a bit lengthy for a regular purse. The color is perfect. I’m so glad the first Zelda was too small, or I would have never scored the last Molasses Dot Zelda Grand in stock at DreamWeaver Yarns. (Wanna peek inside? I’m sure you do.)
July 29, 2005 at 10:06 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
Of course I knitted an iPod cozy. Are you kidding? After I finished, the openings seemed to call out for a bit more oomph, so I tried out my new single crochet skillz.
The cool thing is that it cost next to nothing. I used up some Kureyon left over from my Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers.
I’ve been buying toys for the Huskie, too. This and this. I think we’re ready for tunes on vacation now. And lots of photo storage.
July 16, 2005 at 9:54 pm · Filed under books, knit/crochet
To the relief of everyone in the house, the new Harry Potter book came in today’s mail delivery. (My shipping confirmation email had indicated an arrival date of July 19, so Moon was a bit worried.) But there was something else in the mailbox as well: a package for me, me, me!
Several weeks ago, I received a mysterious postcard from someone in England. I suspected a RAOK (random act of kindness) on the part of a Knitty forum member. Today’s package was the follow-up. How fun!
Inside was an assortment of Wallace and Gromit characters. (Did you know we own the boxed video set? We do.) Also note the ball of DK wool, which looks perfect for a dying experiment. I also found a silver gel pen in the package after I took this photo. You know, it’s such a rush to get real mail.
In other news, Moon is probably going to finish the Harry Potter book tomorrow, if not tonight. She keeps making little noises and expressions, lamenting that she can’t talk about what she’s reading. I’ll be grabbing the book as soon as she finishes, so she won’t have to be silent for long. Peter picked up Moon’s copy of Order of the Phoenix and is busy reading, too. It’s odd to have such a quiet house on Saturday night.
Here’s another look at one of my favorite knitting icons. Cute, cute, cute.
July 4, 2005 at 5:10 pm · Filed under animals, family, knit/crochet, shopping
- Dragging Pete and the kids to War of the Worlds (despite it not being a Pete-friendly movie). Overlooking my current distaste for Tom Cruise enough to enjoy the kickbutt alien tripods.
- Being sung to by restaurant employees and hoarding my free birthday mug.
- Unwrapping the book I wanted
and a gift certificate to Lakeside Fibers.
- Accompanying Patti (with Peter) to Petsmart to look at the shelter kitties there. Falling in love with a cat named Morty, who is going to come home with Patti in two weeks (yay!).
- Driving around trying to find a good spot to watch Rhythm & Booms. Pulling over and putting the hazard lights on next to James Madison Park. (We weren’t the only ones.)
- Taking my parents to Hubbard Avenue Diner and Olbrich Gardens.
- Trying yet another spectacularly good flavor of Michael’s Frozen Custard (PB Crisp).
- Starting a new knitting project. Ripping a huge chunk after losing my place and creating an inadvertent jog in the lace border.
- Getting the nerve to wash my recently completed T3 sweater, after looking at it nicely folded on the sofa for several days.
- Working on web stuff but obviously not updating my own site.
- Deciding that a lame list will have to do.
June 15, 2005 at 6:24 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
Yep, I finished my One Skein Wonder, and I love it, even though I’m not as cute as Stefanie. I’m also totally enamoured with Lorna’s Laces yarn. Once upon a time, I didn’t think I could wear wool because I was under the belief that all wool was scratchy and uncomfortable.
I never realized wool could be so soft and cushy. The Bazic Wool I used for the trim is pretty comfy, too. (You can see other pictures here and here.)
Now I can wear a tank top to work without breaking any rules.
June 6, 2005 at 4:19 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
Here’s evidence that I was not in bed Saturday morning. Need I say how inspiring the whole experience was? Or how happy I was to be a part of it?
I also have two newly-finished items to wear around my neck: the scarf you see at right, and my second Clapotis in a lovely summerweight bamboo. If you’re so inclined, you can see several photos of each while you’re clicking around at Flickr.
Now I’m working on Glampyre‘s clever One-Skein Wonder pattern, using the lusciously soft Lorna’s Laces shepherd worsted that I bought from Jane. (How ’bout those internets, eh?)
May 6, 2005 at 7:21 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
And now I have a cozy warm wrap to wear during those chilly May evenings. Must admit, I wore it for a while today, even though it must have been 70 degrees out.
I already miss working on the pattern, but the good news is that I have three skeins of bamboo yarn just waiting to become a Clapotis. A summer Clapotis. Because knitting is a year-round activity, don’t ya know.
April 18, 2005 at 3:54 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
I’ve been knitting along with my Himalayan wool/silk, and I’m almost finished with my first skein of yarn. Yay! But I can’t help wondering what a Clapotis would be like with various other yarns. Like, say, bamboo. Specifically, bamboo yarn that I saw marked down 25 percent.
Maybe I need an assortment of Clapotises (Clapoti?).
April 7, 2005 at 3:06 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
I’m almost midway through Banff (my first sweater), and I’ve started another wristband for Moon. I finished my first sock (no pictures yet, but I’ve tried it on and ohhhhh it’s comfy) but I need to buy more yarn before I can make its companion.
And the bobble-y pillow has been set aside for now. I actually might put off doing the Banff sleeves for a while, since I don’t have an urgent need for a big, bulky sweater. The yarn for Tempting is sitting in my closet. And it is tempting… I could actually wear it in this weather.
But there’s more. I’ve been looking for the right yarn for Clapotis, and I found it. Now if only I could stop looking at Knitty patterns… but wait! They just posted a new issue!
March 25, 2005 at 8:03 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
Hey, at lunchtime I was hungry for the first time in days. Days! So I had a brilliant idea… brunch at the Pancake Cafe, where I indulged in pecan Belgian waffles. Which is exactly what I’d craved.
Now I’m urpy. I went to the supermarket with Pete, and I almost didn’t make it through the store. The sight of food (even crackers) made me feel all queasy.
After a few phantom heaves, I had a frozen lemonade pop and I’m surviving. Did I ever show you the sweater piece I finished last week? I didn’t? Okay, look. I’m most of the way through the ribbing for the front piece now. (This is the back.) Guess what? It’s supposed to hit 60 degrees this week.
March 16, 2005 at 4:25 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
It’s Jodi’s favorite president’s birthday. Since he’s also the namesake of my favorite town, I thought I’d give a shout out.
I know I haven’t posted any new knitting pictures lately, but it’s not for a lack of projects. I’m working on – count ‘em! – three projects right now. The pink tweedy Banff sweater. My first socks. And a bobble pillow out of nasty Jiffy acrylic.
The socks are a great portable project. I should call them my socks-in-waiting, because I’ve done a few rows while waiting for a movie to begin, waiting for Moon to finish her bass lesson, waiting in the dentist’s office…
Speaking of which, Moon had a dentist appointment yesterday, and our favorite hygienist ran out to the waiting room, note pad in hand, to talk knitting with me. She’s been trying to teach herself, and was excited to hear that I was self-taught through the power of the written word. I recommended Knit Wit and told her about Stitch ‘n Bitch and knitty.com.
Apparently Moon was asked if I was still into my dolls, and answered, “Now she’s all about the knitting.” Yikes! I guess I need to brush some plastic hair and change some teenytiny clothing. Wouldn’t want to be neglectful.
February 28, 2005 at 1:56 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
I finished making this armband for Moon while we were watching the Oscars last night. (Jamie Foxx’s speech was the best, but what was that about the beatings? Gramma was rough!) Anyway, the toothpick-sized needles and all those little beads were quite a challenge, especially with my attention divided by all the razzledazzle. I made a few small mistakes, but screw ‘em.
In other news, I’m going to be seeing Green Day in concert with Moon and friend. (Am I not the best parent in the world?) Moon, of course, is over her namesake about this.
February 25, 2005 at 12:41 pm · Filed under knit/crochet
Well, I nixed the whole pink socks thing, but I’ve still had the urge to knit something pink. So this time I’ve settled on a sweater pattern. The helpful folks at KnitPixie will be stocking this yarn for me in a bulky weight. As soon as it’s in, I’ll be ordering. The challenge will be to see if I can finish the project in time to wear it this winter.
This morning I was called to fill in for a last-minute cancellation at Campus – which means I had a massage. Nice way to spend my morning off!
« Previous entries ·
Next entries »
