All Purpose

The stash numbers to the right aren’t looking so great anymore. I have been staying in my budget, but I have still managed to add a lot of yarn to the stash so far this year. You see I got some good deals on destashes in January and February and then I bought some stuff for specific projects in March. Then I had this gift certificate from xmas for my LYS that I HAD to spend like now. I needed a pick me up what can I say. Then Webs had the exact yarn I wanted for a tank top on sale. I’ve racked up 8347 yards of new yarn so far this year (including sock club). That’s a lot. I need to ease up for a while.

I mean I have 14 sweaters worth of yarn now, and I have yarn (with attached projects) for every season. I really should not need any new yarn for a while. Right?

I have finished two projects so far this month, but they were small (only subtracting about 383 yards from the stash).

I finished some more socks and a hat that I don’t have a picture of because it really ended up being a mistake, but I’ll wear it.

I also started 3, no four new projects. I started a Lace Ribbon Scarf, some Leyburn socks, a Lush and Lacy Cardigan and another attempt at a plain ribbed hat for M.

I also really want to try to finish my Ribs and Lace tank from last summer up this month. I ad a very unfortunate incident with it. See I twisted the work with I joined to work in the round and at first I was like “oh I can just fix that whenever”, because I’ve twisted socks before and been able to recover (I also always noticed after one round and fixed it right then). Then I tried fixing it and it just wouldn’t untwist. So then I thought “well when I get to the part where I start working flat I’ll be able to fix it”. Then I got there and the darn thing still wouldn’t untwist. Then I Googled it and realized, to my horror, that no, unless you untwist in the first few rounds you are pretty much screwed. Yep. Then I read this enlightening post from the Yarn Harlot and learned I could fix the problem without starting over, all I had to do was do a steek, untwist and seam. Ta ha. Right. So I put the whole thing on hold while I got up the courage to try the steek, and I’m almost ready. Almost.

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting, stash, work in progress | tags: 2009, finished object, harlot, knitting, stash, steek, work in progress. | #

So since it’s been so long I have several project updates and a lot of stash enhancement to report…at least I have photos to make it more fun.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Vaa colorway
Needles: US 8 (straight)
Notes: My first Clap, I liked the pattern. It was simple and the effect is very nice and looks fancy, but isn’t really. I think the lace made a nice substitute. I wish I’d had the time/patience to use both full skeins of lace. I could have made it slightly wider and longer, but it turned out pretty good as is. I was totally sick of it by the time I finished, I think if I didn’t have decreases at the end (so I was knitting progressively faster) I would have been really cranky. But that’s just me. I totally plan on making one of these for myself using some Dream in Color Baby I got a couple of months ago.

Pattern: Thuja
Yarn: Cascade 220 in a charcoal gray
Needles: US 5 (1 29″ circular for Magic Loop)
Notes: Easy peasy pattern that knits up super fast when you use worsted weight. I hope the socks fit M, we’ll see I guess. My only issue with this was that the circular I used was I think 29″ and it wasn’t really long enough to do Magic Loop, so when I did the first sock I had some slight laddering, but it seems fine now that it’s done.

So that’s it for what I finished. I also started another pair of socks (Hedera) and while I love the yarn, the pattern has been a pain in the ass. But it looks great so I can’t complain too much. Hope to finish these by end of the month, but who knows.

And I’m still chugging away on the tank, but of course I haven’t picked it up since I’ve been back. I hope to finish it in November so I start my very own February Lady Sweater in Malabrigo, yum.

So now to the stash enhancement. I did ok on the trip. I spent more than I budgeted, but I didn’t go totally bananas overboard either. Here’s what I got…

In Ketchican I got these:

Kureyon for a travel blanket. I’ll collect single skeins of Noro Kureyon as I travel and them incorporate them into a blanket, probably a log cabin or Lizard Ridge. The color for this one totally reminded me of the rain forest hike we took in Ketchican.

Pink Carrot Creations is a lady from Ketchican who drives a truck part time. I have no idea what I’ll do with this…

The yarn is from Maryland, but I thought the colors were great so had to have it.

In Juneau I got this:

More Kureyon for the blankie, the colors are very Juneau.

In Skagway I got this:

Gorgeous Raven Frog Fiber Arts yarn (Elegante), it’s half silk half merino I think. The colors perfectly capture Skagway.

That’s it. I did buy one more skien of yarn in Skagway (Rabbit Ridge yarn), but it’s a gift for a friend it doesn’t count.

No Comments | In: finished object, gifts, knitting, stash, work in progress | tags: alaska, clapotis, finished object, hedera, juneau, ketchican, knitting, scarf, skagway, socks, stash, thuja, work in progress, yarn. | #

I got some yarn. I know, shocking.

I got something for the August xmas socks.

Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Lily Pond

Then I got some great indie dyed (or indie dyer, or indy??) yarn in a RAOK (random act of kindness) which is going to be perfect for another pair of xmas socks.

Wooly Wonka Fibers 100% Merino Sock yarn in Country Garden

Then I went to Long Beach and the yarn store I went to didn’t have any Noro Kureyon so I grabbed this instead, but I’m rethinking this purchase. In hindsite I see that should have just gotten the buttons and maybe looked for a book I’ve been wanting. You might see this up for sale soon, but we’ll see.

Lorna’s Laces Shepard Sock Multi in Mineshaft

I got this for another special gift for a mystery person. So gorgeous.

Malabrigo Lace in Vaa

And finally, I sold some stash and replaced with something I’ve been coveting for a while:

Dream in Color Smooshy in Dusky Aurora

So I’ve pretty much only got 1 xmas yarn purchase left to make (unless I make guy knitted gifts), but I’ve got 5 pairs of socks to knit still.

No Comments | In: knitting, stash | tags: dic, gifts, malabrigo, sea wool, shepard sock, smooshy, socks, stash, xmas, yarn. | #

So I got all my July stash enhancements (aka, project yarn) now so I can share them.

First, I traded my Araucania Nature Cotton (in purple) for sock yarn (enough for 3 socks).

I have sent the Wildfoote off to another knitter as a random act of kindness (RAOK), I feel lucky to be able to buy sock yarn every month for my xmas socks and I know that not everyone has that luxury now or ever so I wanted to share the sock wealth.

Then I got some lovely Araucania Ranco Multy (or Multi) from a fellow Raveler:

I originally bought this as xmas sock yarn for one of my unscheduled gifts (ie, not on the knitting calendar so no fixed date for yarn purchase), but then I got the Tofutsies in that trade so I’m going to use it instead. So I think the Ranco will be for either a scarf or some other type of gift since the colors aren’t me.

Then I got this lovely, lovely Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky in Japanese Plum for myself. I’m making the City Shawl with it (pics soon).

I have one last skein that I got for my sister’s xmas socks, but haven’t gotten the pic loaded yet. Next time.

No Comments | In: knitting, ravelry, stash | tags: gifts, ravelry, scarf, socks, stash, trade, yarn. | #

So. I finally totally finished Ella’s blanket. I’m very disappointed in how this project turned out. It’s a little sad because I put so much into that project and I basically didn’t really think the use of cotton + wool together through. I also got lazy at the end and threw the blanket in the wash (cold water, gentle cycle, low spin) but it kinda roughed up the wool and it didn’t help the cotton shrink back. So I feel like this is a failed project. My sister wants me to give it to Ella anyway though because she’ll like the textures, so I guess I will. I also have that crochet blanket I will finish soon that I can give her, but that feel so…I dunno I guess because it’s acrylic I’m a little embarrassed by it, but hey I got plenty of acrylic blankets in my closet from both my grandmother and one of my great-grandmothers so I guess it’s not the end of the world.

So, I did some work on that acrylic, aka striped, blanket and I’m not sure now if I can really finish it this month. My neck is killing me lately and I’m trying some new techniques for knitting/crocheting, but I’m slow right now. I also think I have more to finish than I originally thought. I guess we’ll see.

I’m rocking along on the Koigu socks, and should finish one this week so those shouldn’t be a problem. Since I think I’ll finish these pretty quickly I’m thinking of doing a Calorimetry for my sister for our Alaska trip and a scarf for my Mom. I just got some pretty Araucania Ranco Multy from a Ravelry purchase (for socks, but then got a better yarn in a swap) that would probably make a good Lace Ribbon Scarf. I think I’ll use some leftover sock yarn to make the Calorimetry.

I also got some Fleece Artist Sea Wool for socks (I have 2 pairs of socks that don’t really fit into my knitting schedule so I’m buying yarn as I can for those two and will knit when I have time).

I also traded my Araucania Nature Cotton in purple for 4 skeins of sock yarn. I know. I got a skein of Tofutsies, a skein of Regia Color 4-ply and 2 skeins of Wildfoote from Brown Sheep. The Tofutsies is for a pair of xmas socks and the rest are just for the stash for now.

I also ordered 2 skeins of Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky so I can do a City Shawl for myself for the Alaska trip, my last personal yarn splurge (besides the Noro I’ve budgeted) until December.

I’ll be getting all this stuff this week and I’ll post pics soon.

No Comments | In: crochet, finished object, gifts, knitting, ravelry, stash, work in progress | tags: blanket, gifts, ravelry, socks, stash, xmas, yarn. | #

So I did manage to finish one thing in June (w00t).

I give you my Charade socks

Pattern: Charade by Sandra Park
Yarn: Claudia Handpainted Yarns Fingering in Plumlicious
Needles: US 1 40″ circulars (Magic Loop)
Notes: These took me forever to get started, which is why it took me about 2.5 months to actually finish them. I kept making mistakes when casting on and doing the first bits of the first sock. Once I got going though they went pretty fast and the pattern is easy to follow. The yarn was nice. It was a little splitty, but not horribly so. I think the colors are nice and it definitely pools a lot less than everything else I’ve used so far. So thumb’s up on the Claudia’s Handpainted Fingering. These are destined to be a xmas gift for someone.

So other than that nothing done. I did get VERY close to finishing Ella’s blanket. I have about 5 inches of the last piece of trim and then seaming the trim on and I’m done! I will definitely finish that in the next week (I hope). I am also aiming to complete that striped crochet blanket this month as well (it would knock 4840 yards out of the stash!) as well as a pair of xmas socks. I am also swatching for the the Ribs and Lace Tank and really hope to get cracking on that.

No Comments | In: crochet, finished object, gifts, knitting, stash, work in progress | tags: blanket, finished object, gifts, planned projects, socks, stash, tank, work in progress, xmas. | #

So I got my stash enhancements last week.

Remember, I got the Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton in #09 (Forest).

Elann’s Callista in black.

And Elann’s Coto Canapone in Medici Purple, the purple is much darker when not in direct sunlight like the photo.

So that’s all making me very happy. The Nautical Cotton is a great color as well and I’m probably going to start with it and the Ribs and Lace Tank. I’m swatching for that now.

I’m also wrapping up my Charade‘s (hope to finish tonight so I don’t goose egg for June). And I’m ready to start my July socks, which will be the Slip Up Socks from Posh Yarn. I’ll be using that Koigu I got in June for these.

So many pretty yarns now, so little time.

No Comments | In: gifts, knitting, stash, work in progress | tags: 2008, gifts, socks, stash, work in progress, xmas, yarn, year of the sock. | #

Uh, so I have no idea why I would sign up for a stash busting thing on the one hand and then 1) comb through every inch of my stash to document MORE stash that I didn’t count, 2) go to HCW’s and buy yarn and 3) Even look at the Elann and Little Knits sites leading me to purchase 3 sweaters worth of yarn. True I got three sweaters worth of yarn for $100, which is pretty good, but damn it I’m not supposed to be spending any money.

*sigh*

I have been (mostly) careful about the yarn purchases I’ve made, trying only to get things that were unique and/or highly desired for a long time (oh black purl I love you) or were needed for xmas knitting. How that Noro slipped in last time I have no idea.

This time I feel like I’m justified because while most of the time I can tell myself “you don’t need it now, it will still be there in a month, or six”. However, my near past experience with Elann has already taught me if I am interested in one of their house yarns and I like a particular color that I might want to buy it then because in a week, when I’m “allowed” to spend the money the color I want might be gone. The Little Knits purchase was more like, this is a great deal and color and yarn so I should not pass it up. Is that making excuses? I guess it is a bit and I will be definitely NOT buying yarn the rest of the summer (except 1 ball of Kureyon in Long Beach if I make it to a yarn store there; and xmas sock yarn once a month) or the fall, or the winter. Seriously, I’m going to try.

But now let’s talk about what I ordered (such a poor example)…So from Little Knits I ordered a bag of Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton, it was $24. For a bag, I mean really how could I say no! I got the wonderful darker green (#09). I think this is going to be a Ribs and Lace Tank from IK Spring 2007.

From Elann I ordered 10 skeins of Callista in Black (8990) which I think is going to be a Josephine from IK Summer 2007.

I also got 10 skeins of Coto Canapone in Medici Purple (10) which I think is destined to become the Surplice Lace Top from
Nashua Handknits: North American Designer Collection No. 4 (Rav link).

So between that and deciding to repurpose my Louet Merlin for Aleita Shell and the Lush and Lacy Cardigan I think I have enough big projects to last me through the warm months, and then I have plenty of wools in the stash for some projects in the fall/winter. I really might be set for the year.

No Comments | In: knitting, stash | tags: future projects, knitting, money, socks, stash, yarn. | #

So I signed up for June’s Bustin’ that Stash (Rav link), and of course the minute I agree to 1) knit 1000 yards of stash AND 2) not add to my stash I suddenly find all this yarn I haven’t counted. Another 1421.5+ yards unaccounted for to be exact…sheesh.

Here are the things I “forgot” to put in Ravelry:

The yarn I got in Boston at Newbury Yarns, not tagged no yardage so really doesn’t count in that total even though it’s now in Ravelry.

4 balls of this that I swapped some yarn for…maybe swapping is bad.

I think I bought this to make some amigurumi animals, which I’d still like to do sometime.

Plus I had several 1-2 skein leftovers from various projects.

Ok, ok and I bought 4 skeins of yarn. Two skeins were a legit purchase for my next pair of xmas socks:

But then I saw this, which I have been coveting since I first saw it on Ravlery. There was only 1 skein left so I couldn’t leave it there:

And I decided to start my Noro Kureyon collection in anticipation of casting on for the Lizard Ridge blanket after I finish my other 2 blanket projects:

I think this project will be a great travel yarn project, so whenever I travel I will have a “souvenir” yarn to focus on and after many travels I’ll have a blanket. Pretty cool.

In other news, I also documented some of my older projects (ponchos!) and I’ve made some progress on Charade:

No Comments | In: knitting, ravelry, stash, work in progress | tags: charade, ravelry, socks, stash, work in progress, yarn. | #

So I realized this morning that I never did a wrap up post for March. So here it is.

I finished the Jitterbug socks, the Ovaltine cardigan, the Amelia Earhart hat (same post as Ovaltine), and the Brownie hat which I forgot to do a real FO post for.

So I finished 4 projects (yippee!) and got very close to finishing Ella’s blanket, and I knit through 1167.8 yards of yarn in March (only counts yarn used on FO’s, not WIP’s), and 294 yards of it was from my stash. Not too shabby.

I also cast on for 2 new projects: Monkey socks and the Catherine’s Mini Cardi (Rav link). I really haven’t done anything on the cardi except knit 3 rows and decide I need to frog and CO with smaller needles, but I haven’t frogged it yet. The Monkey socks are close to halfway done.

So all in all a very productive month I’d say. I probably am not going to be nearly as productive in April with everything going on, but I’m hoping if I do stall on my knitting that it will be a short break while I get organized and back into a routine that incorporates all the family stuff going on right now.

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting, life, work in progress | tags: 2008, finished object, march, numbers, stash, work in progress, yards, yarn. | #