Longwool

Capelet

2010-04-18T17:49:00.004-04:00

Whoa, what happened? Oh yeah, my landlady calls me out of the blue in February and says she wants to sell the house we're renting and that she has another rental available April 1st to move us in to. Right. Well, here I am at the new apartment, but only temporarily because David graduates this summer and we're off to wherever he gets a job so we have to move again. Did I mention I hate moving?

But way back in March before all the packing craziness got into full gear I finished the Nordic Lights Capelet for a class I took at Webs.

Project details here (ravelry link).

This was my first major fair isle project, which is why I took a class in order to have guidance. I discovered that I like to hold both strands of yarn on two different fingers on my left hand. I tried two-handed, but my right hand just couldn't keep up. Two strands on the left felt much more comfortable. I also found that I was knitting way too tightly while doing fair isle and had to go up 2 needle sizes. I'm so pleased with the result and am looking forward to wearing it next Fall wherever I end up.

On a roll

2010-02-03T19:05:00.002-05:00

I'm excited to announce that after a year and a half of working on the Mystery Blanket on and off, it is finished!!!

Pattern: Mystery Blanket by Elizabeth Zimmermann from the Knitter's Almanac (April)
Yarn: Cascade Eco+ (red: 2 skeins) and Ecological Wool (brown: 3 skeins)
Needles: 10.5
Thoughts: I'd just like to add that I am AWESOME at weaving/grafting now.

Keeping warm

2010-01-30T13:26:00.003-05:00

Thanks for the sewing information. I'm excited for my new craft. But in the meantime, I've been doing lots of little knitting projects.

First, I knit Owen a matching hat and scarf from the wonderful rainbow yarn I purchased at Rhinebeck last fall.

Hat:
Pattern: Child's Cable Ear Flap Hat by Diana Jordan
Needles: Size 7

Scarf:
Pattern: Reversible Cable Scarf by Linda Daniels, modified to fit a child

Needles: size 7

More details are on Ravelry.

Finally I knit a Norwegian Star hat for me. I'm about to start a big colorwork project and wanted to practice my fair-isle.
Pattern: Norwegian Star Hat by Stephanie Taylor

Needles: size 6

a new craft

2010-01-26T11:43:00.003-05:00

Hey knitting friends who also sew:

I received a sewing machine from my sweetie for Christmas. I was wondering if you could recommend any sewing books or webpages, both how-to and patterns. I have never sewn before and this is all very new to me.

I just started my first project last night: a tote bag. We'll see how it goes!

2010-01-11T10:15:00.001-05:00

My first knit of 2010 was the Meret.

Pattern: Meret
Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair in moss, 1 skein
Needles: size 7
Thoughts: Fun pattern! I originally did an extra repeat of the lace to make it more slouchy, as is suggested in the pattern, but I found that I am not a slouchy beret person. In fact, I looked ridiculous. I took it out and omitted the extra repeat with much better results. Berets don't look as cute on me as they do some, but at least it is not ridiculous looking any more.

more on the February Lady

2010-01-11T08:52:00.003-05:00

This past Fall I took my very first knitting class at Webs. It taught by my good friend Annie and it was to make the February Lady Sweater, designed by Pamela Wynne (inspired, of course, by Elizabeth Zimmermann's Feb. baby sweater), but in the round with a crochet steek (Annie despises purling).

Here's a quick overview of how we made the sweater:

The sweater has a garter raglan top, so that was done back and forth (remember, no purling!) and then it was joined in the round for the lace part.

Then we crocheted on either side of the steek stitch. I choose to do mine in a nicely contrasting blue sock yarn I had in my stash. I really like the way it came out!

Then it was time to cut, which actually wasn't as scary as one might think.Finally the ends were whip-stitched down.

Ta Da!

And I found these awesome buttons at Webs that worked perfectly.

Christmas knitting

2009-12-29T16:38:00.003-05:00

I was very ambitious with my Christmas knitting, but I managed to finish everything... barely.

This year I knit sweaters for both my parents. Mom got a February Lady Sweater and my dad got a Cobblestone pullover.
Pattern: Cobblestone pullover by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade 220 heathers 2435 (brown), 6 skeins
Needles: size 7
Mods: none

Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne
Yarn: Cascade 220 heathers 2435 orangey-brown, 4 skeins
Needles: Size 7
Mods: I knit this in the round and then crochet steeked it. More on this later...

For my husband, I knit the Turn A Square hat
Pattern: Turn A Square by Jared Flood (available for free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Cascade 220 heathers gray, 1 skein and Noro Kureyon 196
Needles: size 7

For my MIL, a Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks scarf

Pattern: Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
Yarn:

Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino, 2 skeins
Needles: size 8

And remember that I knit Owen tiger slippers a couple months ago?
Well I had to knit another pair for Nathaniel. He loves cats and I still had lots of black in the stash so...

Pattern: Bunny Hoppers by Kathleen Taylor
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lambs' Pride worsted, < one skein
Needles: Size 8
Mods: Obviously lots since I knit cats instead of bunnies and I had to modify the size for my 18-month-old's feet

amusing

2009-12-15T20:31:00.001-05:00

The December page from my Edward Gorey "Neglected Murderesses" 2009 calendar.

Yes, I do enjoy wine

2009-11-30T19:06:00.002-05:00

Pattern: Korknisse
Yarn: Valley Yarns Northampton
Needles: size 5

My family is part German/Dutch so I made these for St. Nicholas gifts this year. It's a very addictive pattern. My dad just gave me a bunch of corks from his collections so there will be more!

2009-11-06T08:52:00.005-05:00

No, I haven't given up knitting, just blogging for a while. But I'm back now and we'll see how it goes.

Unfortunately, much of what I am working on is a secret, but I do have some finished projects to show.

First there were the babies born this summer. I knit the socks using leftover sock yarn from my stash (baby socks are so great for that!) and the basic toe-up pattern that I've used so many times before.

Then I finished my first Christmas present: felted tiger slippers for Owen.
I'm so excited to see these on his feet! Project details on
Ravelry

Finally, I have to share some Halloween pictures.
Here is Owen the ghost. I'm really proud of how awesome this costume came out. There was no knitting involved and minimal sewing, but he looked so cool.
Nathaniel wore the EZ Tomten cat costume I made for Owen 2 years ago.
Oh, and I quickly knit up a Hallowig for myself using leftover Valley Superwash.

Cabled vest

2009-07-16T09:11:00.003-04:00

I actually finished this a couple weeks ago, but my husband, aka the photographer, was in France on a business trip. Then we were on vacation for a week and, no, I did not bring the lovely woolly vest with me to the beach.

Pattern: Estes Vest from IK Fall 2008, 36"
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride bulky, tahiti teal
Needles: US 9 and 7
Mods: I lengthened it by one pattern repeat
Thoughts: I'm really happy with how it came out. It was the first time I ever did I-cord edging and I really like the way it looks. It went faster than I was expecting it to as well. The button staining was successful, too.

A busy week

2009-06-14T22:07:00.003-04:00

Last week began with a birthday. Can you believe my baby turned one already? The precocious little guy has been walking since Memorial Day weekend so we're in full toddler mode now.

The big knitting event of the week was that I finally finished all the knitting for the Estes Vest. Here it is blocking.
All it needs now are buttons. I had some difficulty finding toggle buttons. Neither of my local yarn stores had the kind I wanted. I was directed to the local fabric store, which is sadly going out of business, but they did have nice wooden toggles. The one positive of the store closing is that everything is on sale and I got 7 toggles (one extra) for about $3. They weren't the right color (too pale), but I'm experimenting with some tea staining.

before

soaking in tea

We'll see how it goes. As soon as the vest is dry and the buttons are on, I'll post again. I've been wishing it were finished already during all these cool rainy days so you can expect summer to truly begin in the Northeast as soon as it is finished.

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T22:06:00.002-04:00

Of course, around here in western Massachusetts, Memorial Day weekend means the MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair. The family and I headed over yesterday for a couple of hours. We all were very excited to see the sheepdog competition. We also spent lots of time watching our wool producing friends.

I seriously do not need any more yarn right now, but of course I couldn't resist this:It's from Sojourner Design.

I think I mentioned before that I've been going to a knitting group that meets on Wednesday nights. My most portable project was the Elizabeth Zimmermann mystery blanket squares (started last summer). Well, knitting this project regularly paid off and I now have the needed 24 squares.
The next step is to weave them all together. Sadly, the project is no longer portable, but I did manage to weave 8 squares together already. A third of the way there!

Ravelry is not a toy!

2009-05-05T14:08:00.002-04:00

This adorable 3-year-old boy happens to be a computer menace. He already has mastered the mouse and has recently graduated from the Jump Start toddler computer game to the preschool version. I just discovered that on Sunday night, shortly after returning home from a weekend trip, Owen found himself not being watched by his distracted parents for a few minutes and managed to LOG ONTO MY RAVELRY ACCOUNT. It appears he left a few blank comments and messed with my queue. I just had to delete a few items and the order is all different. GAH!
I think that is all he did before being discovered but let me apologize if you happened to be the recipient of a blank comment from me. That'll teach me to save passwords on the computer. Sheesh.

Striped socks

2009-04-29T21:59:00.002-04:00

I finished these socks just in time for a heatwave. I only put them on for the picture.
Pattern: Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett, colorway 4253
Needles: size 2
Thoughts: Self-striping yarns are so much fun to work with, but the results leave me feeling a bit disappointed. Certainly I'll wear them, but on the whole I prefer solid or mostly solid sock yarns. The Yarn Harlot's recipe is great since it really made me think about the construction of a sock. I'm especially proud of the heel I did this time.

Bad Spot!

2009-04-26T18:33:00.002-04:00

Last night I was reading, for the umpteenth billion time, Happy Birthday, Spot by Eric Hill, one of the many sequels to Where's Spot? There is always one page that really annoys me in this book and I decided to share it with you.

Do you see what it is? Why is the yarn ball not attached to the knitting? Is it just sloppy illustrating or did that rambunctious Spot just break the yarn? I always wonder about this and either answer is upsetting.

Project update

2009-04-02T13:35:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the long absence, but I haven't finished anything in a while.

For those of you who guessed that I was starting the Estes Vest from IK Fall 2008, you were correct! Unfortunately, I haven't gotten very far. Lately I haven't felt like knitting anything that requires much concentration.
I have been working a lot of the mystery blanket that I started last summer. I only have 4 more squares to knit before the weaving begins. My progress is largely due to a Wednesday night knitting group that just started (thanks Annie!). I will finish it in time for next winter, if only to keep my husband from complaining about how cold he is while sitting on the couch.

However, all my works in progress might have to be dropped because I just got home from my LYS, which is having an anniversary sale.
I'm afraid most of what is in that bag is a secret for now, but I can show you this:
I'm super excited to knit the Vintage Vest.

New bag

2009-02-25T19:00:00.002-05:00

Pattern: Felted Tote Bag from Hip to Knit by Judith L. Swartz
Yarn: Cascade 220 (the orange and beige were new, the blue from the stash)
Needles: US 8
Thoughts: Felting is so fun! I'm eager to try it again.

Already the new bag is being put to good use. Can you guess what my next project will be? (Hint the yarn is the one called for in the pattern and I even chose the same color as the sample. Boring, I know, but you can't mess with a good thing).

Toasy Topper

2009-02-23T18:36:00.004-05:00

My friend Bia made Nathaniel a toasty topper for Christmas and it is such an awesome hat that I had to make one for a friend who is expecting a baby boy in June (shower next week).
Pattern: Toasty Topper
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Cashel Blue
Needles: US 8 & 7

My model wasn't very cooperative. I think he knew it wasn't for him so he didn't want to wear it.

Finally, I leave you with some naturally occurring poetry I saw today: the bicycle icicle!

Twin blanket 2

2009-02-12T14:30:00.002-05:00

Here is twin blanket #2. It's the fraternal twin of the first. My parents are visiting this weekend so I'll be able to send the blankets home with them. Hopefully they'll soon be keeping 2 little babies nice and cozy.

Pattern: Sheldon Baby Blanket (sans pocket and Sheldon himself)
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine worsted in apple green, bachelor button, and cream
Needles: US7

Now back to more exciting knits!

Winter blahs

2009-02-05T16:18:00.005-05:00

Recently I was feeling the frustration of having 2 small children in the winter. Going outside to play is often not an option, particularly with a baby, and tensions tend to run high. And of course getting ready to out anywhere also takes so much longer. I think it is easier to stick a cat in a carrier to go to the vet than to put a toddler in a winter coat when he doesn't want to.
Then I thought of all the things I like about winter (in no particular order):
fires
sledding
ice skating
snow days
hot cocoa
knitting with wool (not that I don't at other times of the year, but it's more cozy in the winter)
wearing wool (I am currently wearing my green hooded pullover and conwy socks)
shoveling (at least the first couple of times and mostly when it is light and powdery)

Feeling better about winter I pulled on my snow boots, bundled myself and Nat (Owen was at school), and went for a walk. This was last Thursday and it was the morning after a snow/sleet storm. I was walking past this old mill building when an avalanche of snow fell off the roof on top of us.
We're fine. Amazingly we escaped with only cuts and bruises and a sore back for me since that I bore the brunt of the snow and ice falling on us. Two really nice men who saw it happen helped us out and called for an ambulance. The experience was horrendously terrifying. All I can say is ROLL ON SUMMER!

Projects old and new

2009-01-18T18:43:00.004-05:00

Ever since I finished my Christmas knitting, I've had the itch to cast on many new projects. I even have the yarn for most of them in my stash and I hear its siren call. I promised myself I could only start a new project if I finished one of my works in progress. The winner was the Backyard Leaves scarf, started January 2008. I finished half of it last Spring and then it got put aside while I did things like knit other projects and have a baby. The biggest problem I had with the pattern was that you had to repeat the main part of the pattern 11 times for one half of the scarf and then again for the other half and it was not a pattern you could memorize. Even though I could knit the pattern very quickly after a few times, it was tough mentally to start it all over again right away so I always put it down. Well, I persevered and, one year later, it is finally finished.

Pattern: Backyard Leaves by Annie Modesitt, from Scarf Style
Yarn: Valley Yarns Valley Superwash
Needles: US 8

My new project? A felted tote. I am ridiculously excited to felt for the first time.
Oh, and these socks, too. I am weak.

Baby Blanket 1

2009-01-15T11:49:00.003-05:00

I finished the first of the twin blankets! I'm really happy with the pattern I chose: it was quick, easy, and attractive. Plus it is soft and cuddly for a baby (and machine washable!).

Pattern: Sheldon Baby Blanket (sans pocket and Sheldon himself)
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine worsted in apple green, bachelor button, and cream
Needles: US7
Now for the second one. My plan is to reverse the green and cream colors for number two. Get it? They will be fraternal twin blankets!

New Year, new project

2009-01-10T14:00:00.003-05:00

My first completed project of the year is a hat for me. You might remember my mom did a little Christmas shopping at Rhinebeck for some Longwool yarn from Cranberry Moon Farm. I'm happy to report that after naming my blog after the Longwool sheep, I have finally knit with Longwool yarn. The yarn actually turned out to be a bit sticky, but I think that was probably the result of the dye used. The stickiness was gone after washing and the yarn has a wonderful luster. All in all, I'm quite pleased with it.

Pattern: Chunky Cabled Hat (somewhat modified to fit my gauge)
Yarn: Cranberry Moon Farm Leicester Longwool (Charles)
Needles: US 8
I'm not the only one with a new hat. Bia made this lovely hat for Nathaniel.

I've also been hard at work on the baby blankets and should have one done soon.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T15:27:00.002-05:00

This year I only knit presents for my 3 boys. I'm happy to report they were all finished on time and well received.

Pattern: I did matching socks for David and Owen. David's are the Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. Owen's are also in the Ringwood pattern, but using the basic toe-up recipe I always use so I wouldn't run out of yarn.
Yarn: Gems Super Fine Merino in Indigo
Needles: US 2 DPN
Thoughts: Good yarn, good pattern. Tragically after only a few hours of use, David's toes broke through and unraveled the toe. Sigh. I am now knitting them a few rows longer, but I think the main problem was the round toe. It isn't a good idea to have the pressure point right at the big toe. I'm doing a flat toe with a grafted end instead. I think that will be stronger. The next step will be, of course, to cut David's toes off.
I was pondering what to make for Nathaniel, but a trip to Webs solved that. I saw the Woobie hanging up on the display and bought the yarn and 2 days later I had this:

Pattern:Woobie
Yarn: Valley Superwash
Needles: US 5
Thoughts: Very fun. This is the 4th(?) project I've used with this yarn and I'm a big fan. I didn't use buttons for eyes and tools as Nathaniel is so young. Owen picked out the yellow felt that I used instead.

I think he likes it!

Socks socks socks

2008-12-09T10:35:00.002-05:00

Today I'm sharing some Christmas knitting I've been doing. I'm pretty sure my husband, who is in Vancouver right now at a conference, is not checking my blog.

I decided to make him the Gentleman's Half Hose from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. I picked up some Gems Merino in indigo at Webs a few weeks back. I've only been able to knit during the day while my husband is at work, which means only during the boys' nap times. I was able to finish one sock already. The only good thing I can think of about his being away this week is that I can work on the second sock at night after the boys go to bed.

I have to say this pattern is awesome. The Ringwood pattern is deceptively simple. I think he'll like it. I hope he likes the calf shaping, too. My plan is to make matching socks for Owen with the leftover yarn and maybe socks for Nat, too, if there is enough. I do need to get going on these because my dad, in the meantime, has commissioned me to knit 2 baby blankets for a colleague of his who is expecting twins in March. Eep!

Knit for Nat

2008-11-15T14:18:00.006-05:00

I've been feeling guilty. Since Nathaniel was born I haven't knit him anything. I had good reasons: it was the summer, other people knit him great stuff, and he had hand-me-downs from big brother Owen. Remember this jacket?

I'm happy to report it is still being used:

As we fast approach the next clothes size, I realized there would be a knitwear gap as Owen was a winter baby and it was summer when he was 6-9 months. I decided to go with the Ribbed Baby Jacket hot off my Ravelry queue. It's super cute and will be perfect this winter.
Pattern: Debbie Bliss's Ribbed Baby Jacket, size 6-9 months
Yarn: Valley Superwash in colonial blue
Needles: US 7 and 8
Thoughts: It was a fun pattern and I'm pleased with the result. The color looks great with his blue eyes. (It is mysterious to me how 2 green-eyed parents ended up with one brown-eyed child and one blue-eyed child.)

answer

2008-11-06T11:05:00.004-05:00

This post is in response to a reader's question about the dinosaur hat I made, specifically how I used my heel flap knowledge to turn the hood. The pattern does tend to be awkwardly worded.

Where it says "Rejoin yarn to [c]enter 12 stitches, and continue working for about 18 rows..."
is where instead I ignored the previous directions of binding off the side stitches and began using short rows. Basically you are starting with all active stitches divided into three sections. I do not remember how many stitches you have at this point, but you should have 12 in the center and an equal number (18?) on each side (remember this doesn't include the seed stitch borders). You will now "grab" a stitch from each of side sections until they are gone.
(row 1)With the right side facing, first knit across the first 2 sections. At the 12th stitch, knit 2 together (the last stitch of the middle section and the first stitch of the next section).
(row 2)Then turn the work and purl back and at the last stitch of the middle section purl 2 together.
Turn and repeat the last 2 rows until all the side section stitches are used up. You'll see that the side sections will naturally turn up and make a hood.

Here's what the end result looks like with the side and middle sections denoted.
Good luck! I hope this helps and if you have any more questions please give me your email address.

Did you?

2008-11-04T12:16:00.000-05:00

Anne sweater

2008-11-02T15:20:00.002-05:00

The Anne of Green Gables inspired sweater is finished!

Yarn: Bartlett Yarns 2 ply in Mountain Blue, 4 skeins, purchased at NYS Sheep and Wool
Needles: US 6
Pattern: My own, inspired by a cardigan I saw Anne wearing in the Anne of Green Gables movie. I used Elizabeth Zimmermann's EPS system and instructions for a seamless raglan.
Thoughts: Love it! It's just what I was imagining. The lace detail is a nice touch. I am unhappy about that color change halfway up, which I only just noticed when photographing it. I made sure when I bought them that all my skeins were from the same dye lot. It seems less noticeable when I'm wearing it (I think).

For the first time I used Elizabeth's Zimmermann's phony seam. I like the way it looks, though I don't know if I'd do it again.
I got these cool buttons at Webs. They look a bit like Roman coins.

Halloween fun

2008-10-31T21:20:00.005-04:00

Here are the boys in their costumes. It didn't occur to me that Owen's costume could be confused for a dragon costume until lots of people thought he was one. I guess now that I think about it, dragons and stegosauruses are similar looking. I guess it's the snout and fire breathing that give it away and that just wasn't part of the costume. Hey wait! And wings. Owen's costume did not have wings. Come on people, that's definitely a stegosaurus.

The night was a huge success: we paraded, trick-or-treated, and ate lots of candy. A big shout out to my mom for doing the sewing portions of Owen's costume. Some day I'll learn to use a sewing machine!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-30T23:32:00.002-04:00

I'm happy to report that little Nathaniel is doing really well with his new sleep regimen. Consequently I have been getting more knitting time in and suddenly my Anne cardigan is finished! It's blocking now and I still need to get buttons so more about it once it is completely done.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm really tired of hearing about Joe the Plumber. However, this past weekend, while selecting a pumpkin from a local farm stand, we came across this guy. Too funny.

I'm so excited for Halloween. I just put the finishing touches on Owen's stegosaurus costume. Pictures soon!

Yay Rhinebeck!

2008-10-22T09:07:00.003-04:00

The weather was perfect. The trees were gorgeous. The yarns were tempting. The pumpkins were chucked. All in all, a very fun day!

Me with little Nat all decked out in knitwear (he was admired by many).

The gang. My dad (who took the photo) came for the first time this year.

Parading llamas.

The little guys wearing matching hats that Bia knit.

The eponymous blog sheep!
Christmas presents may or may not have been purchased here by my mom. I've already forgotten.

My little pumpkin

2008-10-09T22:22:00.002-04:00

Little Nathaniel turned 4 months old yesterday. Time is flying by. Thankfully we seem to be settling into something resembling a sleep routine now so most days I do get some knitting time in. I finished his Halloween knit the other day: the pumpkin hat. I do have a pumpkin costume I inherited from a friend, but I'm not sure if I'll force him into it on the day or not. But with the hat he'll definitely be in the Halloween spirit!

Pattern: My own though inspired by some Ravelry browsing. I did borrow someone's clever idea of putting purl stitches every 10 stitches to make the pumpkin ridged.
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece from the stash for the orange and leftover Valley Yarn Superwash in green from Owen's dinosaur hat.
Needles: US 5

I have finally started by Anne of Green Gables cardigan (I think I'll just refer to it as the "Anne cardigan" from here on out) though I don't have any pictures yet. It would be awesome if I could finish it before Rhinebeck, but my husband just sort of laughed when I asked if he could take all of next week off so I could knit.

Stegosaurus on the loose!

2008-09-29T15:15:00.004-04:00

I was browsing through projects on Ravelry a few months ago when I came upon this dinosaur hat. Owen, like any good toddler, loves dinosaurs so I knew I had to make him a dinosaur costume for Halloween.

Pattern: Toddler Dinosaur hat by Julia Farwell-Clay
Yarn: Valley Yarn Superwash (green) and Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted (orange)
Needles: US 8
Mods: I thought it was odd in the pattern where it says to bind off the sides and continue on the middle 12 for the top of the head and then sew up the sides. I've knit enough socks to recognize when I'm knitting what is essentially a giant heel flap so I just did short rows instead. Quicker and neater.
Thoughts: I'm so pleased with how it came out! Now to make the body (which I won't be knitting)!

Oh, and remember this baby with his wonderful sweater knit by Bestitched?

Check him out now. It fits!

A cowl for me!

2008-09-22T14:55:00.002-04:00

Last Spring I started noticing a lot of really great cowls showing up on blogs and I had to have one. I found Fawn Pea's pattern and treated myself to some Malabrigo chunky and now I have a cowl!

Pattern: Quickie Cowl by Fawn Pea
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky in marron oscuro
Needles: size 10
Mods: I read on Ravelry that someone used a provisional cast on and did a 3 needle bind off at the end and that sounded good to me. I’m glad I did because I ran out of yarn at 18 inches (it's supposed to be 19") and grafted the ends together in order to save yarn. I barely made it, but even though it’s an inch smaller, I think it works fine.

Schemes

2008-09-09T18:34:00.003-04:00

I am a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables. During my preteen and teen years I read all that L. M. Montgomery had written, but the Anne series was by far my favorite; especially the first book. It's the sort of book you just want to live in. I was fortunate enough one year to influence my family's vacation destination with a memorable week spent enjoying the beauties of Prince Edward Island as well as the tacky tourist traps (Marilla's Pizza anyone?).

I also love the 1985 tv movie of the book starring Megan Follows. I was watching it for the gazillionth time last year, but my first time with a knitter's eye. There is some really nice knitwear in the movie. There is one cardigan in particular that caught my attention. It's a blue raglan with a lace pattern running down from the shoulders on the front.

Here it is (images captured from youtube):

I decided I would try to recreate it. Here is my swatch made with yarn purchased at Rhinebeck last year. With any luck I'll find time to start it soon!

Another boy

2008-08-21T08:51:00.002-04:00

I know of nine women in this town who got pregnant in the past year, including myself. Some found out the sex of their babies from the ultrasound and some waited to find out at the birth like myself. Well, all of us had boys, the last one arriving this past Saturday. There must be something in the water here!

Anyway, one of those boys is getting this hat and thumb-less mitten set.

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8 ply tweed (leftovers from the baby surprise jacket I did last winter for another one of those boys)
Pattern: I followed Ann Budd's recipe for the hat and just winged it with the mittens. They fit Nathaniel with room to grow so should be fine for this winter.
Needles: Size 5

Baby bolero

2008-08-13T17:21:00.003-04:00

Gah! Babies really suck up all free time. Here it is the middle of August and with no new finished knits to report. However, my mom recovered well from her carpal tunnel surgery and was able to finish the baby bolero she started last May. I believe the pattern is from Leigh Radford's One Skein and she used Blue Sky Alpaca organic cotton.

Here's little Nathaniel modeling:

And here is the bear my mom got to wear the bolero once Nathaniel grows out of it:

Vest!

2008-07-05T13:27:00.003-04:00

The pleated vest is finished! It's actually been done for a few days, but today I finally got David to take pictures of me wearing it *and* I have a free minute to blog. Crazy!

Pattern: Blue Sky Alpaca's Pleated Vest
Yarn: Cascade Eco Wool in brown (it only took 1 skein!)
Needles: size 10 and 8
Mods: None, except I used a bulky wool instead of doubled sport weight as the pattern calls for. Also, my gauge was a little off so I knit the largest size, but it's more of a 36" bust after blocking. It's a bit snug now, but normally I'm not quite so busty so it should be fine once I'm no longer breast feeding.

When I bought the yarn, I had only glanced at the yardage requirements and gauge and hadn't realized that I needed only half of what was required because the original calls for yarn to be doubled. Finding myself with an extra skein of Eco Wool, I did what I had to and bought 5 more skeins in brown and deep red for my next project: Elizabeth Zimmermann's April Mystery Blanket from the Knitter's Almanac. I'm only getting about 1 hour of knitting time per day right now so knitting bulky weight is perfect as I have a lot more to show for my hour's work.

Oh, and here's a gratuitous baby shot. Enjoy!

Lucky baby

2008-06-21T15:32:00.003-04:00

Thank you for all nice comments about Nathaniel! We're all doing well, despite sleep deprivation, as we adjust to being a family of four. This week I've even managed to get some knitting time in!

This post, however, is about the knitting of others. Little Nathaniel has already received some fabulous knit gifts.

Socks from Rachel, which fit perfectly now.

Socks from Annie, which will be great this Fall and Winter! Plus there is a matching hat in the works (I got to see it briefly).

My sister, Nicole, made this adorable chick.

And for all you readers of the Bestitched blog, don't be too jealous that my Nathaniel got the awesome hemp February Sweater.

It's a little big now, but should be perfect next winter!

Baby!

2008-06-10T18:52:00.002-04:00

I'm pleased to announce the birth of my son, Nathaniel Robin, on June 8 (2 weeks early!). He's a tiny little guy, weighing in at birth at 6 lbs 12 oz.
We just got home from the hospital today and are doing well.

Covered back

2008-06-04T13:09:00.002-04:00

Being pregnant with my second child, I find myself thinking quite a bit about what Owen was like as a baby and what I will do differently this time now that I have experience. For one thing, this baby will take naps in the crib! I admit I was a wimp and consequently Owen was terribly spoiled and got to have long feeding/snoozing sessions rather than naps in the crib.

One thing that I didn't like about breast feeding in public, or at least not in the privacy of my home, was back exposure. I felt that lifting my shirt up wasn't so much of an issue because I was holding my baby and usually a blanket so my breasts and belly were pretty well covered. But my poor back was exposed, which brings me to my latest knitting project: Blue Sky Alpacas' Pleated Vest. I think this will be the perfect solution to my problem. Cardigans would work too, but I think the vest will be nice for the summer in air conditioning and early Fall. I'm using Cascade Eco Wool, which I'm finding lovely to work with.

That picture isn't too exciting, but here are some nice pictures from the MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair, which I went to on Memorial Day Weekend.

Nice, fluffy angora rabbit.

Owen and David making a yarn octopus.

Ninja sheep!

More baby stuff

2008-05-31T16:44:00.003-04:00

I finished the Anouk pinafore dress. I'm really pleased with how it came out. Its color scheme is very different from the original, but I was working from the stash and this is what I had. I had been intending this for a friend's expected baby girl, but I am tempted to keep it for myself if I have a girl. The friend isn't a knitter so I feel that justifies my actions somewhat.

Pattern: Anouk, size 12 months
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Needles: Size 7
Mods: Just colors

I also made a pair of Stay-on Booties for my baby. I made a pair of these for a friend's baby last January and I was very gratified to see the little guy wearing them whenever I happened to see them. The lighting is a bit weird in this photo -- the green isn't quite so vibrant.

Pattern: Stay-on Booties from Knitting for Baby by Falick and Nicholas
Yarn: Valley Yarn Longmeadow
Needles: Size 3

Baby sack

2008-05-24T16:33:00.003-04:00

I made a baby sack, aka Pompom papoose, for the new baby. I'm hoping it will be just the thing to keep the baby snuggly warm in air conditioning this summer. Although it was extremely boring to knit a huge stockinette rectangle, some days I found it was all I could handle. This past week, as I enter my ninth month, I started feeling some Braxton-Hicks contractions and was very motivated to finish this project.

Here is Owen's baby modeling the sack:

Pattern: Pompom Papoose from Erika Knight's Knitting for Two
Yarn: Valley Yarn Longmeadow in Linen and Lettuce
Needles: US 5 and 3
Mods: Nothing too drastic: I didn't bind off the hood end, but chose to graft it together instead of seaming. I also didn't add the pompom.
Thoughts: The yarn is nice and soft though it did pull a gauge trick on me even though I knit a gauge swatch. The result is that it is about an inch and a half wider than it ought to be (I just couldn't face starting over once I realized). I don't think it will make that much of a difference.
I'll let you know how it works!

And here is Owen showing what a great big brother he is going to be (and that's a hedgehog doll he is holding in the other hand, not a hairball). Owen is convinced that he is going to have a baby brother. I have no feelings whatsoever in regard to the baby's sex. I just hope Owen won't be too disappointed if it does turn out to be a girl!

Secret project revealed

2008-05-17T13:22:00.003-04:00

My friend Bia, who taught me to knit, announced she was pregnant last Fall. I knew I had to make something extra special for her baby boy, who arrived a couple weeks ago. I met the little guy this past week and gave him his Pea Pod sweater. It's big now, but should be perfect next Winter!

Pattern: Pea Pod Baby Set, a free pattern from Interweave Knits, though sadly no longer available, size 12 months
Yarn: Knitpicks Swish DK in asparagus
Needles: size 5
Thoughts: Great pattern!

Socks for Mom

2008-05-11T09:43:00.003-04:00

My mom, a May baby, also gets to celebrate Mother's Day this month. Coincidently, her favorite flower and scent is May's Lily of the Valley. When Knitpicks recently offered a Susan Lawrence pattern for Lily of the Valley socks, mom dropped a few hints that she would like them. I immediately ordered the pattern and yarn. I finished them last weekend and got them in the mail in time to arrive for Mother's Day. Here are Mom's happy feet!

Pattern: Lily of the Valley Socks by Susan Lawrence, available on knitpicks.com
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare - Merino Wool/Silk Fingering Weight
Needles: Size 2
Thoughts: This was certainly a fiddly pattern, but well worth all the effort. For those familiar with the pattern, the 5-nupp defeated me. I didn't have the patience or dexterity. I substituted the 3-nupp for the entire sock, which worked fine.

Here are a few shots of me modeling them (don't worry Mom, I did wash them afterwards!).

Deadlines!

2008-04-24T11:28:00.003-04:00

I'm suddenly finding myself with 2 months to go with this pregnancy and so much knitting to do, both for my baby and friends' babies. I doubt I'll get much knitting time in after the baby is born so I feel very time pressured to finish all my projects. Luckily baby stuff is usually pretty quick to knit.

For a while now I have been working on and off on an Anouk pinafore dress for a friend's baby. Ironically, this friend was my college roommate and she and I are both due on the same day. Kind of freaky. Obviously she knows she is having a girl.

I just cast on for the Pompom Papoose from Knitting for Two for my baby.
I thought this cotton yarn in nice summery colors would be perfect to keep Baby warm enough in air conditioning this summer.

Go with the flow

2008-04-06T13:13:00.003-04:00

I finished my Go With the Flow socks last night. Just in time for Spring and warmer weather to arrive it seems, but I live in New England so there are sure to be many cold days left this Spring to necessitate the wearing of wool socks.

Pattern: Go With the Flow socks in Favorite Socks by Interweave
Yarn: Ancient Threads Merino Wool Fingering Weight in logwood purple, purchased at Rhinebeck
Needles: size 2 DPN
Thoughts: loved the yarn and pattern!!

Pants for baby

2008-03-29T12:36:00.005-04:00

No posts for a while is a sure indication that I am working on a secret project. I did take a short break from it to knit my first project for my new baby, who is due in June. Once again we chose not to find out the sex of the baby so I probably won't be knitting much for him/her until I find out in June. However, these baby bell bottoms were too cute to resist and I already had the yarn required in my stash.

Pattern: Baby Bell Bottoms (free pattern!), newborn size
Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in cream
Needles: US 6
Thoughts: Fun pattern and easy to knit! I'd definitely make these again.

New projects

2008-02-22T13:55:00.003-05:00

I actually started working on Annie Modesitt's Backyard Leaves scarf (from Scarf Style) over a month ago, but haven't mentioned it yet -- mostly because it is slow going and doesn't look like much now. I tried to dry block it a bit for a picture. You can see the leaves!
I am enjoying this project, but have not been faithful enough to it to finish it for this winter. It's the type of pattern that requires all of my attention so it's hard to get a chance to work on it uninterrupted.

I've also cast on for some "Go with the Flow" socks from Interweave Knits' Favorite Socks (a birthday present). I'm using Ancient Threads sock yarn I got at Rhinebeck last October. I love love love the color.

My boy is feeling much better this week and even let me put on his new orange raglan yesterday, though he wasn't too thrilled to have his picture taken.

For my boy

2008-02-16T17:00:00.003-05:00

After finishing the Anastasia socks for me, I noticed I had quite a bit of yarn left over. It wasn't enough for another pair of adult socks, but luckily I know someone with small feet.

Pattern: my favorite toe up pattern
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Needles: size 1

I also knit a seamless orange raglan for my boy. Unfortunately, he refuses to try it on so far. He's been really sick this past week so I'll excuse him for now. Hopefully I'll get a picture of him in it soon.

Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann's seamless raglan pattern from Knitting Workshop
Yarn: Lamb's Pride worsted in Tiger Lily
Needles: US 8

Anastasia socks!

2008-02-08T11:54:00.001-05:00

Pattern: Anastasia Socks
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Needles: size 1 DPN
Mods: The pattern as written was a little too big for me with this yarn even though I got gauge so I decreased the number of stitches between the spirals.
Thoughts: Cool pattern! It's interesting how it works without a heel gusset.

Not my fault!

2008-01-25T14:03:00.000-05:00

My friend J's due date has come and gone. With a rush of guilt I wondered if the baby was waiting for me to finish his Baby Surprise Jacket. It's cold out there! Anyway, I don't want to be blamed for an overdue baby so I quickly sewed up the seams, added a collar, and sewed on buttons. Phew. You can come now, little baby!

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket in Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop
Yarn: Cleckheaton Country Naturals 8 ply in 1812 (3 balls) and 1825 (2 balls)
Needles: US 4
Mods: I added a collar

Fun knits

2008-01-14T18:26:00.001-05:00

The first finished project of the year are a pair of baby booties. These are for a friend's baby who was born on January 1. I haven't met the little guy yet, but I'm ready with a wee gift for when I do.
Pattern: Stay on Baby Booties in Falick and Nicholas's Knitting for Baby
Yarn: Valley Yarn Longmeadow
Needles: US 3

I've also started a pair of Anastasia socks for me. I'm using the Trekking XXL yarn I got for my birthday last year. I'd like to have them done in time for my birthday this year (2/7).
Another friend is having a baby boy this month. This is the friend who had the connections that allowed us to get our apartment after the huge struggle last summer so a special project was in order. I decided it was time to knit my first Baby Surprise Jacket. As you can see, I've finished the knitting, but haven't sewn the shoulder seams or added buttons yet as I'm having too much fun folding and unfolding this jacket. It's so cool how it works. The baby isn't born yet so I figure I have some more time to play with it before finishing.

Another sweater

2008-01-03T15:33:00.001-05:00

I feel like such a show off to report another finished sweater in just a week, but I must confess that this sweater has been 90% completed for a while, but I had to put it aside and concentrate solely on the aran in order to get it done for Christmas.

Here is the Sirdar Denim Chunky Sweater:

Pattern: Sirdar #8459 Denim Chunky Sweater
Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, 8 balls
Needles: US 9 and 10.5
Mods: I modified the pattern to do it in the round. Let me tell you, after seaming the aran, having no seams to do on this sweater was a relief. I also added waist shaping.
Thoughts: It came out a bit longer than I would have liked, but it is a very warm sweater and I was very grateful for it warmth and length today as I ventured out in the freezing freezing cold to get food for my family and some yarn for me (the necessities of life, right?).

Here are pictures of me modeling it. Can you tell that I've also been working on a secret project?

Yes, I am pregnant again. Baby number 2 will be born in June.

Presents!

2007-12-27T19:15:00.001-05:00

Christmas was good. Owen got a big red barn and has barely moved from it since.

David, of course, got a handknit aran sweater.

Yarn: Times Remembered Inverness 50/50, purchased at Rhinebeck in 2006
Pattern: My own. I selected the cable patterns from The Harmony Guide to Aran and Fair Isle Knitting and I followed Elizabeth Zimmermann's EPS system.
Needles: US 4 & 6
Very handsome, huh? I'm just so happy it fits. I did have to make one post-gifting fix, which was to make the neck a bit longer. Luckily I had those tiny bits of yarn left.

I did finish the second stocking on Christmas Eve as well. Same yarn and pattern as the other one.

And here is my loot: beautiful lace yarn purchased by my mom at Rhinebeck from the Briar Rose tent. I'm very excited to knit with this. I just have to find the perfect shawl pattern for my first foray into lace knitting.

Free at last

2007-12-24T20:42:00.001-05:00

Hey! It's not even 9 pm on Christmas Eve and I'm finished with the aran for David!!!!!! Here it is all ready to be wrapped up. More pictures in better light soon!

And this is the yarn I had left over: less than half an ounce.
Kind of scary. I'm lucky (for many reasons) that David didn't grow a beer gut since buying the yarn.

Merry Christmas!

Last minute FO

2007-12-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

I was feeling very guilty that I didn't have a stocking for my boy. My sister lent me a pattern for a stocking when she was here last weekend and thanks to some Cascade 220 in my stash, Owen now has a stocking!

Pattern: Mary Maxim #8399
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needles: size 7
Mods: None, except I didn't do the intarsia snowman and did my own color patterning.

Now, I hadn't made a stocking for Owen before because I have a stocking kit for him. The only problem is that it is a counted cross stitch kit. You see, before I was a knitter, my craft of choice was cross stitch. I did a beautiful stocking for David a few years back and, when I was pregnant with Owen, I had bought 2 more kits so we all could have matching stockings.

The problem that arose is that I just don't have the patience to cross stitch any more. In the same amount of time I could knit a stocking, for example, I probably could only cross stitch a 1 inch square with 6 color changes. Knitting is way more satisfying. Now if I can just finish a second knit stocking in the next 2 days so that I can have one too! Oh yeah, and seam that aran :)

2

2007-12-16T19:43:00.001-05:00

Look who turned 2 yesterday! Owen was very into the apple cupcakes with caramel frosting. Mmmmm

Speaking of 2, I finished one sleeve of the aran and have started the second. The front and back are finished and blocked. I think I can do it in 8 more days!

Baa Baa brown sheep

2007-11-29T15:03:00.001-05:00

I've promised myself that I will finish Dave's aran for Christmas. Barring any tragedy, I am in good shape: I have a front and back sans neck/shoulder shaping as I must do some careful planning first. I am flying through the cables at this point. It used to take me about 1.5 hours to do 4 rows and now I can do 8 rows in that amount of time or less. Did I mention how awesome cabling without a cable needle is? Anyway, that is why I haven't posted recently. Nothing exciting to report as all other projects are on hold until I finish the aran.

However, I did come away with some nice loot over Thanksgiving weekend. I have an aunt and uncle who have 2 sheep. Every year the sheep get sheered and the wool gets bagged and put into the barn. They finally found someone to process that wool into yarn. All the knitters in the family received a skein from the first batch. I choose the brown wool from Wilbur the sheep. I think he'll make a nice hat or mittens.

Emergency knits!

2007-11-13T18:22:00.001-05:00

It suddenly got quite cold out and poor Owen didn't have a hat or mittens. Luckily I had purchased some yarn just for that purpose from Morehouse Merino at Rhinebeck. Here they are:

Yarn: Morehouse Merino 2 ply
Patterns: Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, toddler sizes
Needles: Size 5

Yeah, he won't wear the mittens. I hope when it gets really cold enough he will learn to appreciate them!

Knitting on the go

2007-11-03T13:32:00.001-04:00

Check out this awesome small projects knitting bag Annie made for me!

Now I can easily knit on the go!

Thanks again, Annie! And no pressure, but you haven't blogged in a while ;)

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T15:27:00.000-04:00

Here are pictures of my black cat. He was a somewhat reluctant cat, not liking the hood and barely letting me draw on a nose and whiskers, but he sure is a cute one! The best part is when you ask him what kitty says and he goes "Hisssssssss". Can you tell my 2 real cats are not getting along these days?

And my biggest secret for this costume? I added real cat fur for authenticity.

Ready!

2007-10-30T20:05:00.000-04:00

Pumpkins carved? Check
Pumpkin muffins baked for party? Check
Candy bought? Check
Cat costume finished? Check

Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann's tomten jacket, 28 inch toddler size
Yarn: Valley Yarn Amherst in black, 5 balls for project, 6th ball needed for cat details
Needles: size 7
Mods: Cat ears and tail

Come back tomorrow to see pictures of the costume in action!

Oh, and I probably should mention that I'm on Ravelry now so I can get some friends! My username is Nefertiti (it's a family nickname: jenNIFER -- NEFERtiti. Get it?).

Rhinebeck 2007

2007-10-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

This was my fourth year going to NYS Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. I have yet to be disappointed. This year the weather cooperated with a sunny day. It was a little too warm for sweater wearing, but I did wear my cotton cardigan from a few years ago. Dave even said he was glad I didn't finish the aran yet since he would have worn it and suffered in the heat. Phew. I knew I was slacking on that for a reason.

I went with the family and met my mom and sister there.
I got to see some friends, notably Amy, Bia, and Annie. I also saw blogless Deidre and Jen R. & Co. who came on the Webs bus. I don't have pictures of anyone because the camera was mainly with Dave and Owen who split off to check out the animals.
Here's my loot from this year. I'm planning another cardigan for me, socks for me, and hat and mittens for Owen.

A finished sweater

2007-10-19T13:09:00.001-04:00

I may not have finished my sweater or David's aran for Rhinebeck, but I did finish the guernsey for Owen! Here are pictures of my sweetie. He wouldn't stand still for a shot, but I think you can still see how perfect this sweater is for him!

Pattern: Guernsey with Ribbed Yoke from Debbie Bliss's Great Knits for Kids
Size: 2-3 years
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft 4 ply (a Webs closeout)
Needles: Sizes 2 and 3
Thoughts: Love the sweater, but hit me over the head if I decide to knit a sweater, even a baby sweater, with size 3 needles again.

I'll be at Rhinebeck only on Saturday this year so maybe see you there!

Costume progress

2007-10-12T19:24:00.000-04:00

If you're wondering why it's been a while since my last post, take a look at the sidebar. Yes, all my works in progress are sweaters. It's slow going I'm afraid. But I did finish the Tomten sweater, except for the zipper and Halloween details (ears and tail) I still plan to add. Here's a preview.

Luckily I haven't washed or blocked it yet as my little darling decided to wipe his nose on the sleeve.

I was worried about running out of yarn, which is why it's a little on the short side. I ended up with 1 skein left to do the ears and tail so I should have plenty to add a few more rows to the bottom. Or maybe I should break down and buy another skein. I'll see how the blocking goes.

New Projects

2007-09-19T19:40:00.000-04:00

Yawn. I should be at my knitting group now, but things conspired against me tonight. I could go now for the last hour, but I'm feeling too lazy. But not too lazy to write about my newest projects!

First of all, I realized that all I had on the sticks were sweaters for Owen and David. Nothing for me. That's just wrong! I had been promising myself I could start a sweater for me that I've had the yarn for since last February (a birthday present from Mom) as soon as I finished enough projects. This is what I am knitting:

It's the Sirdar denim chunky sweater. I've been lusting after it for a while, especially after Ms. Bestitched made a similar sweater a while back. I got some Valley Yarn Berkshire Bulky in "wine" for mine. So far I just have the bottom ribbing done so it's not exciting enough to photograph. I'm doing a huge modification of the pattern though: I'm doing it in the round (Annie, are you proud of me?).

If that wasn't enough to keep me busy, I cast on for an Elizabeth Zimmermann Tomten for Owen. This isn't just jacket, as it will double as a Halloween costume. I'm thinking just add ears and a tail and you have a black cat, right?

With any luck I'll make enough progress on these projects to have something worthy of a photograph soon.

Italy and Wales Hybrid

2007-09-10T21:35:00.000-04:00

What happens when you mix Tuscany yarn with Nancy Bush's Conwy pattern?

Nice, huh?

Pattern: Conwy by Nancy Bush in Knitting on the Road
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Tuscany (though when I think of Tuscany it's more orange and green)
Needles: Size 1 and 2 DPNS
The pattern only called for size 1 needles, but my feet are kind of on the wide side so I discovered after finishing the first one that I could use more room. For the second sock, I switched to size 2 at the foot. Perfect. Yes, I did go back to the first, ripped out the foot, and redid it.
Thoughts: Great pattern. Like I said before, I love the yarn and the color, but not the pooling. I would use Lorna's Laces again, but only in a solid color.

Shout out to Annie

2007-09-06T12:41:00.000-04:00

My friend Annie just started blogging! She is an awesome knitter. Check her out at Annie in the Round!

Bring on scarf season!

2007-09-02T13:22:00.000-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it is September already. This summer really sucked, that is until we found an apartment and moved. I am very happy to move on to Autumn -- especially if it means I can start wearing my latest finished project!

Remember this scarf I started last Christmas in a knit-along with my mom? Well, mom finished earlier this summer, but I had a nice car ride out to Boston this past week that allowed me to finally finish mine.

Project: Misty Garden scarf from Scarf Style
Yarn: Rowan Tapestry in Rustic (color #174)
Needles: size 6
Thoughts: Love it! The project only took 2 skeins though I had calculated I would need 3. I was thinking I could make a matching headband or something with the third skein.

Confession

2007-08-18T12:10:00.000-04:00

I have been keeping something from you. Remember the aran sweater that I am making for my husband?

Well, the reason I haven't posted about it since last April is that after many weeks of denial I finally came to terms with the gut feeling that my needle size was too big and sought help.

I turned to June of Twosheep, who is currently working on an aran for her husband. I sent her pictures.
This was her reply:

"Well, white is inherently see-through - and the
same fabric density could look considerably less translucent if the
yarn was a dark color.

How does the fabric feel? Does it feel drapey and stretchy (what EZ
called "sleazy")? If it feels too loose, then your gut feeling is
correct and US9 may be too big."

My husband can be called many things, but "sleazy" is definitely not one of them. I knew it was wrong. I knew I had to start over.

After a period of despair, I began swatching with smaller needles and finally
decided size 6 was perfect and began again.
Here is my progress so far:

Here are the two side by side. You can see there is more ribbing on the new
version. Since I was starting over, I asked my husband if
there was anything he wanted changed and he asked for more ribbing at
the bottom. Definitely an improvement.

In case you were wondering what sleazy looked like, here is a nice visual:

All together now: "Ewwww, Sleazy!"

I do find it embarrassing that I made such a silly mistake like choosing
a needle size that was way too big. I was very careful in my process too.

Here's how my needle selection process worked so perhaps you can avoid my mistakes:

I bought the yarn at Rhinebeck last year. All the label said was that it was worsted weight, so nothing about recommended needle size, etc. Here I was embarking on my first ever sweater design and I knew I wanted it to be perfect. Contrary to my impatient nature, I knew I needed to take the time and swatch. The yarn seemed more heavily worsted than other worsted weight yarns so I did a stockinette swatch in both size 8 and size 9 needles. Both looked fine in stockinette. My reasons for choosing size 9 definitely had to do with finishing more quickly with bigger needles. Then I did a pattern swatch, which I washed and blocked. I thought that looked fine too, but maybe I was a little too eager to start at this point. Or maybe it looked okay because it wasn't very big (I only did 2 pattern repeats). My denial stage was ignoring the fact that the fabric did seem drapey and see-through. However, I plodded on for 5.5 pattern repeats until I decided to wash and block it to see how it was looking. Um, very see-through.

It kills me that I was so careful but still made a dumb mistake like that. I guess the moral of this story is trust your instincts and if, like me, you are at a loss when the yarn doesn't specify a needle size, ask the person who is selling the yarn for a recommendation. Or ask your friendly blogging community for advice :)

I'm happy to be back on track again. I have even forgiven the sweater because it is looking so nice now. My biggest disappointment is that with this setback I don't think I'll finish it before Rhinebeck this year, which was my goal.

Phew, it's good to have that off my chest.

Back in business

2007-08-05T19:41:00.000-04:00

Hello from my new home! The move went well, despite the unbearable heat. Things are still a bit chaotic, but we're settling in nicely.

Here are some pictures of the main room:

And here is Owen in his own room!

I've even found some time to knit and finished the picovoli!
Pattern: Picovoli
Needles: Size 4
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay
Thoughts: Love the pattern!

No knitting, but we found a home!

2007-07-30T20:14:00.000-04:00

Did you all hear my sigh of relief this morning when our new landlord handed over the keys to our new apartment? After seeing 18 apartments and experiencing rejection over and over again, we found this place through a friend of a friend. It's even better than anything else we had seen.

We're moving tomorrow so I'll be off line for a few days. When I locate the camera and the cable I'll have to put up pictures. It's a single family house that was originally a 2 room schoolhouse. You can even see the places on the floor where the desks were bolted down. It's so cool. I'm so excited!!

Project closure and some WIPs

2007-07-18T14:36:00.000-04:00

I had a long distance call from England on Monday. The throw arrived and my friend loves it. She said it perfectly matches her couch (I told you her favorite color was purple). I couldn't believe that it cost $18 to mail it to England. Apparently they don't do surface mail anymore and this was the cheapest airmail price. It was amusing when I had to put a value on the throw for the customs' form. I ended up just putting down $50, which was the cost of the kit. Thank goodness it made it safely though, because there is no way I'm knitting that again any time soon.

Now that the throw is done, I'm back to my other projects like the Conwy socks:
I have to say, I love the Lorna's Laces yarn, but not so much the weird color pooling. It's a shame Webs doesn't stock the solid colors at this time.

I also started another picovoli for me. My mom, the great stash enabler, was visiting last month and I saw Debbie Bliss Cathay was on closeout sale at Webs. There were 5 skeins of this orange color left so it seemed like fate that it had to be a picovoli. I love my other picovoli from last year and have been wearing it a lot this summer.

Still no apartment. :( We do have a good lead on a single family house for rent so everyone please cross your knitting needles that everything works out!

Throw!!!

2007-07-05T22:28:00.001-04:00

Pattern: Squared Up the Circle Throw
Yarn: Knitpicks' Mix and Mingle Kit in "jewel"
Needles: 10.5 DPN, 24 inch circular, and 40 inch circular
Mods:

I used a provisional cast on so I wouldn't have to pick up stitches on 3 sides of the center rectangle.
I inadvertently did not make decorative holes at the increases because I automatically twisted the made stitches. It looked fine so I just went with it.

The pattern says "Change colors according to the Color Change Pattern until you run out of yarn. In our sample we repeated the Color Change Pattern 4 full times." When I finished the fourth color change round, I still had not used whole skeins of yarn so it was a no brainer that I would keep going. What they should have mentioned was, if you go beyond 4 color change patterns, YOU WILL RUN OUT OF WOOL OF THE ANDES BULKY HAND DYED as you bind off. Hmph. Luckily there was one other bulky yarn, Sierra, so I continued to bind off with it. Then I ran out again with more than 25% still to bind off. In my despair I remembered that the Yarn Harlot wrote a few months back about a sneaky way to bind off without using more yarn (sorry, I don't have it in me to search for the link right now). Basically you just pull the loops over each other as you would if you had knit them and then just tie the last loop down. Which is what I did. The arrow in the picture points to where I ran out of yarn and continued to bind off. It worked.

Thoughts: Love the pattern. The yarns were awesome and it really kept my interest during what would have been a really boring project otherwise. I definitely recommend the kit and pattern.

Oh, and still no apartment. :(

Never ending throw

2007-06-17T22:27:00.001-04:00

It's all about knitting the throw these days. I must get this project done and move on to smaller and more exciting knits! That being said, it has really only been the final stripe repeat (25 rows) that is killing me. Otherwise, as predicted, the yarn change every few rows kept my interest until now. Here's its current state. It will definitely be finished by the July 25th wedding.

More exciting to me right now is my CSA farm share this week. Check out the 3 quarts of strawberries we picked!
And look at my boy enjoying them. Mmmmm.

Oh, and can you believe that I still don't have an apartment? And our current apartment has already been rented. STRESSFUL!

Socks for Dad

2007-06-06T22:19:00.001-04:00

I actually finished these socks with plenty of time to spare since they are for my Dad for Father's Day.
Pattern: Lichen Ribbed socks from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Needles: size 0 DPNs
Mods: I got gauge with size 0, but had to increase the CO to 68 stitches since the pattern is written for women's size 8-9. Therefore I had to change the toe to a wide toe since the Star Toe was for 60 stitches only.
Thoughts: Loved the yarn! I find its striping more subtle than other striping sock yarns. I think my dad will be pleased with the manly ribbing pattern. The Welsh heel was interesting to knit. Not my favorite, but it's cool. I was pleased to try something new.

the Welsh heel

the wide toe

Now that the socks are out of the way, it's time to return to the throw. I'm at the stage now where it takes over 2 hours to complete a 4 row pattern repeat. Time to rent some DVDs and get cracking! The wedding is July 25th.

A non-knitting rant

2007-06-05T23:32:00.001-04:00

It's apartment hunting time again. My life seems to revolve around desperately pressing the reload button on my browser window to see if Craig's List has updated. I hate this. The rental market is insane right now. I've been attending open houses for apartments and having interviews with potential landlords. Does this seem crazy to anyone else? These are apartments! In the past, my apartment searches have consisted of checking ads, seeing many duds, seeing the perfect place, filling out a form, writing out a check, and moving in. Sure, there have been credit checks, etc, but now I'm in fierce competition with other apartment seekers, trying to stand out as exceptional in a field of would-be tenants. In this landlord's market, all the gems are being snatched up and I'm left considering things like this one:
$1012 / 2br - Great Aparmtenr with gym-poo-free cable-free internet

First of all, would it kill you to proofread your ad??? But a poo-free gym you say? I admit, I have standards about my gyms and being poo-free is one of them. I think I'll take it.

Come back tomorrow -- I may have a finished pair of socks to write about. That is, if I'm not ingratiating myself to landlords.

Pictures from the Calvin

2007-05-30T21:46:00.001-04:00

I had a great time at the Calvin tonight! Stephanie was brilliant and being in the Calvin was very cool. I was at Webs earlier today to drop off my charity donation and buy a pre-signed book. They already had lots of food and hats at 4 pm so I imagine they did quite well tonight.

Here's Stephanie receiving a beer from Steve Elkin before she started.
Stephanie fielding questions.
I wish I had taken more photos, but I was busy knitting my afghan square and was a little out of it from the Cosmo my friend Annie got me (yes, there was a bar there too). There were many many knitters there, though we didn't fill the Calvin to capacity. I can only imagine what it must be like at Webs now. I'm glad I went earlier today. Good times!

Bears and Harlots

2007-05-29T22:44:00.001-04:00

Just got my email reminder from Webs about the Yarn Harlot event tomorrow evening (as if I'd forget). Wow. 600 people. Wow. Makes me glad I live within walking distance to the Calvin. Should be pretty awesome. I think I may skip out on standing in line to have my book signed in person this time. Last year I just babbled uninspired things to Stephanie.

I wonder if this event will overshadow last week's surprise visitor to downtown Northampton: the bear. While I did not actually see this bear in person, I was walking downtown with Owen in the stroller at the time. When a policeman stopped to tell me that there was a bear on the next street, I booked it out of there. That bear must have been seriously lost and I wasn't about to tempt it with my tasty morsel of a baby.

Aside from taking my baby for walks in bear-infested downtowns, I have been knitting. Not much to show, but a did finish a sock tonight. I'm really liking the Trekking XXL. More on this once I finish its mate.

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T17:35:00.000-04:00

My mom was up visiting a few weeks ago and of course we went to Webs. I told her to pick out some sock yarn and I would make her a pair of socks for Mother's Day. She chose Mega Boots Stretch Softcolor yarn and I set to work. I wanted a fairly easy pattern so I could finish them quickly. I did and they were sent off on Wednesday. I spoke to my mom this morning. She loves them and they fit. Yay!

Yarn: Lana Grossa Mega Boots Stretch Softcolor
Pattern: my own using the figure 8 cast on toe up start, Wendy's short row heel, and the April 29th pattern from the 365 Knitting Patterns a Day calendar (Vandyke Lace panel 2).
Needles: size 2

Thoughts: I love the figure 8 cast on! I'm never completely satisfied with top down socks because my toe grafts always look a bit too squared at the ends of the graft. Not a problem with the figure 8 cast on. This was my second short row heel now. I'm becoming a fan. The yarn okay, but I don't think I'd get it again. There are nicer ones out there. I do like the color my mom picked out though. It will look very nice with jeans. Now for some socks for my dad. I'm all about giving wrong season gifts this year.

A few WIPs to share

2007-05-06T15:14:00.002-04:00

Hey, it's me. I'm afraid things have been a bit stressful lately and I just haven't had the time or will to blog. But I have been knitting. Unfortunately, the one project I have been working on the most is a secret project. The other projects are all in varying stages of boring-ness. But here are a couple you haven't seen yet.

First is a guernsey for Owen. I started this during the Nor' Easter when it seemed that winter would never end. Now that Spring (or has it jumped straight to Summer?) is here, I'm feeling less inclined to work on it.
It will be "Guernsey with Ribbed Yoke" in Debbie Bliss' Great Knits for Kids.

I'm also knitting another pair of socks for myself. It's another Nancy Bush pattern: "Conwy" from Knitting on the Road.
I like this pattern a lot. The fact that I've been to Conwy makes it extra meaningful. Here's a picture of me at Conwy Castle back in 2002.
I highly recommend a castle tour of Wales. They have the most intact castles that I've seen. We want to bring Owen to see the castles in a few years when he's a bit older. Speaking of the little guy, here's a picture of him wearing his striped cardigan. It's still a bit big.

Aran update

2007-04-16T19:24:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've discussed the aran. I'm still working away at it, although there are now lots of other projects that have been distracting me.
I've finished 5.5 pattern repeats. I had calculated that I needed to do 10 repeats, but after putting it up to one of Dave's favorite sweaters, I think I'll only need 8 or 9. Hmmm, better go check those calculations again...
And for those of you who have been burning to know whether I converted to being a chart-reader or stubbornly stuck to my written out pattern, well, I am now reading off of the chart. I don't feel it is entirely accurate to say I am a chart reader now since my switch to the chart coincided with my near-memorization of the pattern. I only glance at the chart now from time to time for reassurance. I will definitely chart out my next complicated cable design to see how quickly I can read and memorize off a chart for real.

Shell-socked

2007-03-29T21:56:00.000-04:00

Pattern: Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Heather in Highland Mist
Needles: Size 0 DPNs
Mods: Nothing really except some gauge fudging. The pattern is for women's US shoe size 6.5 -7.5. I am an 8. With size 0 needles, my gauge was still off, but it worked out that it was off by just enough to fit my feet.
I love the pattern and love the yarn!

Creative interpretations

2007-03-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

I started the throw this weekend. To start it, the pattern said to knit a 20x10 rectangle in stockinette and then pick up stitches around the 3 non-live sides and start knitting in the round. Aha! I thought to myself, wouldn't it make more sense and be prettier if I did a provisional caston and would therefore have 2 live sides of the rectangle to start with?

The answer is yes.
I am proud of realizing that. I am less proud of the fact that missed something else in the pattern. While it is not really problematic, it is less aesthetically pleasing. Can you see it?

Yes, mine has no decorative holes radiating out from the center to the corners. I automatically started twisting the made stitches so as not to make holes without thinking about it. Then I looked at the picture and wondered why mine wasn't making holes. Oh yeah. Right. I'm too committed to the throw to start over now (I cut the yarn umbilici already). This is why I shouldn't watch tv and knit at the same time.

What is better than a package full of yarn?

2007-03-23T14:19:00.000-04:00

Swish. Thump. The lovely sound of a package being delivered. I knew without checking that it was for me because I had ordered the KnitPicks Mix and Mingle kit last weekend. I was right!

Yes, I decided to knit the throw for my friend who is getting married in July. Purple is her absolute favorite color, which is why I chose the "jewel" kit. Look at these babies sparkle:

I am deliciously excited to start (we'll see how I feel in a few months about this project).

Snow day

2007-03-17T09:52:00.000-04:00

Here are some views from my window when I got up this morning.
Unfortunately, that is not my driveway that's been plowed, but the neighbor's. I hope mine will get done soon.
Still, it is views like that that make me glad that I can just stay inside and cast on for sock number two (just finished the first one last night).
You may recognize the sock yarn is one of my purchases from Rhinebeck and the pattern is the "Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern" from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.
I love this pattern! I looks awesome in the in the blue yarn.

My other foot is jealous (and cold) so I'm off to start sock #2.

Gift ideas

2007-03-10T18:41:00.000-05:00

My friend A and I ditched our kids and were sitting in a coffee shop knitting today after a trip to Webs in which we bravely did not purchase anything (though there was some serious yarn fondling). A was telling me about an afghan she and a bunch of others are knitting for a friend who is getting married this summer. Suddenly I remembered that a good friend of mine is also getting married in July. Sadly I can't go to the wedding (it's a destination wedding in Turkey). However, I'd love to knit the happy couple a gift. An afghan or throw appeals to me, except that 1) they are large and I grow bored easily and 2) while I like the idea of an afghan made of squares, the thought of all that seaming and end weaving in makes me ill.

I found this Square Up the Circle throw pattern on KnitPicks.

First of all, I like the pattern. It is knit in the round so no seaming. Also, it is made using a "Mix and Mingle" kit, which is 7 different yarns in coordinating colors. I'm thinking I won't be as bored if I get to change the color AND yarn every few rows. Has anyone knit using this kit? If so, would you recommend it? Or are there any other afghan or throw patterns you'd recommend?

Still knitting along

2007-03-06T07:58:00.000-05:00

My parents were visiting this weekend and I realized it was time for a Misty Garden knit-along update. My mom is winning the race so far (not that we're really racing). It turns out that I am a much tighter knitter than she is. In retrospect, I probably ought to be knitting with a size larger needles. My scarf is the one on the right.

I was asked recently about the Knitting Workshop DVD I got for my birthday. I have watched it in its entirety now. To answer the Crocheter's question, I would say that the book is stand alone and if you were only to get one, the book is the better choice if you wish to get more information about knitting. The DVD, however, does clarify skills explained in the book. I would not rely on it alone as it is an amateur filming effort and sometimes the camera does not follow or focus on Elizabeth's hands quickly enough so that things are missed. I highly recommend the DVD though for the experience of watching EZ in her element. I learned a lot from watching it, but when it comes time to knit a yoke sweater, I will turn to the book first. I hope that answers your question!

How I spent nap time

2007-02-28T20:01:00.000-05:00

The majority of people responded in favor of charts to my question of whether charts or written out patterns were preferred. Well, there must be something to them then so this is how I spent Owen's nap time today (sorry for the crappy picture):

I finished, washed, and blocked the swatch so it is time to start the sweater! I'll let you know if I convert to chart reading...

Stripes!

2007-02-24T08:48:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Garter Stitch Cardigan from Knitting For Baby by Falick and Nicholas
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Needles: Size 7
Thoughts: Knitting For Baby, while it has many cute patterns, drives me crazy. It is geared too much for the novice knitter, writing instructions on how to knit in the middle of the pattern: k2 yo (that's knit two and then yarn over). Very irritating.

I did the 24 month size so it should be no surprise that it is a bit big on my little guy right now, but he's a growing boy! It's so hard to take photos of him now that he's a fast moving target, but he stayed still long enough for me to take these:

Shhh.. concentrating

2007-02-19T20:13:00.000-05:00

If you see me working on this, please do not talk to me or make any distracting noises. Terrible things could go wrong if I lose concentration for one second.

As you can see, at long last I started the aran sweater for Dave, or rather, I started the gauge swatch of the pattern.

All the cable patterns I chose to design this aran (in consultation with Dave) were from The Harmony Guide to Aran and Fair Isle Knitting, by Debra Mountford. This book is an excellent resource, especially for a first time aran knitter like me. She has arranged all the patterns by the number of rows it takes to make them and suggests, for sanity's sake, that you make sure that all the patterns you choose are divisible by the longest one. In mine, the middle celtic knot pattern is 16 rows so the three other patterns I chose are 16, 4, and 2 rows each.

I'm happy with the way it is looking so far. The pattern is pretty wide so I don't think I'll have to add too much double moss stitch at the side.

Another nice thing about the book is that it gives each pattern written out and charted. In my eagerness to start, I totally ignored the charts as I am unfamiliar with the symbols and thought it would be a drag to have to keep looking up what they meant. Presumably, I would learn what they were after a few repeats, but for some reason I found I liked reading the pattern written out more. So write it out I did, or rather I typed it out. Here's a bit of it.
You will notice that I changed color for each section for ease of reading. So far this system is working well for me, but I am wondering if I ought to chart it is as well. Do most of you cable knitters out there prefer charts or written out patterns?

30

2007-02-08T12:10:00.000-05:00

It was my birthday yesterday. Yes, each candle on the cake represents a decade.

Of course my birthday meant getting some good knitting-related loot. Dave got me Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop dvd! I watched the first lesson last night. She is so amazing and fun to watch. Of course I learned a couple new things from her even though the lesson was just casting on. I can't wait to watch the rest.

As for knitting, here is a striped cardigan I started for Owen with some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. Last spring he got so much use out of the cotton cardigan I had made for him while I was pregnant that I wanted to make another for this year. I'm doing the 24 month size so he should be wearing it for a while. This yarn and the RYC cashsoft that I used for the Endpaper mitts were part of an early birthday present from my mom when we went to the Webs sale after Christmas. There also was some yarn for a sweater for me too, but I'll blog about that some other time.

Mitts for me!

2007-02-01T19:19:00.000-05:00

This was a great first project of the year. My hands seem to be perpetually cold in the winter. I'll definitely be wearing these as I knit. I'm even wearing them now as I type this.

Pattern: Endpaper Mitts
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft 4 ply
Needles: 2 and 0
Size: Small, though I'm actually a medium, according to the pattern, but I don't have a set of 3 mm DPNs and so I did the small size on size 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs and it fits fine. Hooray for stretchy yarn!

And here's a picture of the inside just because I thought it looked cool.

Hello from my sick bed

2007-01-24T21:40:00.000-05:00

Hah! As if I could have that luxury. I made the terrible mistake of taking Owen to the family center in town two weeks ago. He had a blast and managed to pick up some nasty flu bug. My baby was so feverish and sick, it just broke my heart. Finally last Friday his fever broke and that's when I started feeling sick myself. Then on Sunday, after bringing me to the Urgent Care (asthma complications), Dave gets it. If you happen to be in the neighborhood and want to drop by: DON'T! Save yourselves. If you see us walking down the street: RUN!
And damn it, I want my $60 back from those flu shots we got last November.

There has been some knitting.

This is the first of a pair of Endpaper Mitts I started a couple of weeks ago, before I got sick. There hasn't been too much progress. Either I'm not feeling well enough, or someone else isn't.
Hmph. Just looked at the original again. It seems the ribbing part ought to be in the main color, not the background color of the colorwork. Oh well. I like the way mine looks anyway.

Hoodie Pullover

2007-01-12T17:02:00.000-05:00

Pattern: I followed the design of the "not your standard-issue sweatshirt" from Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits, but knit it seamlessly in the round, which included following Elizabeth Zimmermann's instructions for "Set-in" Sleeve Seamless Sweater with V-neck (Spun Out #21) though I choose to go back and forth once I got to the V-neck rather than keep it in the round and steek later
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needles: 8 (the gauge worked out so I could follow the large pattern sizes but was the same dimensions for the small size, which was perfect for me)
Thoughts: I am so pleased with how the hoodie came out. I made the I-cord too long, but haven't gotten around to doing surgery on it yet.

Here are some design elements of which I am particularly proud:

Weaving the sides of the hood together so that it would also be seamless. The seed stitch border was a bitch, but I'm glad I realized right away that I would need to make both ends match so when I wove them, the seed stitch would look correct.
The seamless set-in sleeves.

The short rows across the back of the neck to insure that the sweater would lie properly.

Almost there!

2007-01-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

And it finally feels like winter so I'll be able to wear it as soon as it's done blocking!

Knitting along with Mom

2007-01-04T17:21:00.000-05:00

My mom had been admiring the Misty Garden scarf from Scarf Style for a long time, but did not think she was ready for a lacy pattern yet. I took a look at the pattern and saw it was a feather and fan pattern. Definitely doable. I told my mom that I'd make one too and we could have a knit-along. I received 3 skeins of Rowan Tapestry under the tree (thanks, Mom) and the knit-along commenced on Christmas.

Here is mine so far:

And here is my mom's:
This yarn is so beautiful. My mom is annoyed because so far her skein had 3 knots in it and, as you can see from the photo, it changed color to blue abruptly after a knot. For the price of Rowan, you'd expect better. Still, it looks beautiful.

I've never participated in a knit-along before, nor started one, but if anyone wants to join this one, feel free! We haven't made too much progress yet.