All Purpose

Another pair of socks done, and in record time.

Pattern: Eurydice by SpillyJane for the Sock Yarnista Club at Three Irish Girls.
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Beckon Merino in Auspicious colorway
Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) circular using Magic Loop
Notes: This pattern was super easy and went really fast. I think they turned out really great. This was my first time working with the 3IG yarn, I have been a club member off and on for a while, and I really liked it. The colors knit up beautifully I think, and I’m excited to knit up some of my other club scores soon.

However, I think I’m taking a small break from sock knitting, just for October maybe. I really want to get at least one sweater done this fall and one done this winter (before the new year) and sweaters take me a while so I need to focus. So I’ve restarted my February Lady Sweater, and that will be my first one and then I might try to also do the Honeybee Cardigan because that seems like it would be fast and it’s perfect for Austin weather I think.

I’d love to also keep a smaller project on hand, in case I get the wild urge to take my knitting out in the world, but I think I’ll maybe do a scarf. We’ll see.

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting, work in progress | tags: cardigan, finished object, knitting, socks. | #

I’ve been remiss in posting here. I’ve been remiss in baking for my Tuesday’s With Dorie gig. I promise to get better though. I’m going to try really hard to bake 2 things this month for TWD. I’m also going to try to just write something every few days no matter what. I will not worry if it’s all about knitting. Some of you like knitting, right?

I’m totally obsessed with knitting right now. I go through these phases where I really latch onto things (OCD much?) then gradually it fades and I just have normal feelings towards any one hobby. Right now I’m in a knitting frenzy, or maybe it’s just a yarn stashing frenzy. You be the judge.

I finished a pair of socks for August, so my project a month goal plods along.

Pattern: Pomatomus Socks
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in Dusky Aurora (love!)
Needles: US 1 [2.50 mm] circular (Magic Loop methods)
Notes: I resisted these socks for a long time because I thought they looked bulky and I love lace socks. Glad I finally gave in to this pattern. I really like the look of these, but they are slightly big. I probably should’ve used my other 1′s (2.25 mm) needles or maybe 0′s. I’m hoping a soak and block will help, we’ll see. The pattern is great though and the yarn is fantastic! This color is just amazing.

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I managed to finish something for July, with plenty of time to spare even.

Pattern: Liesl by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton in Indigo
Needles: US 10/6 mm circular
Notes: Easy, easy pattern. I think this would be great as a first sweater project because it’s in the round, the pattern is easy to understand and it goes by really fast. It did take me almost a month to knit this, but that’s because I haven’t been knitting a lot lately. I didn’t do buttons at all, and I did the green version (low neck, half sleeves). I’m definitely making a winter version of this later this year maybe with some Malabrigo, because my Malabrigo stash? It’s getting out of hand.

The yarn is nice too, very soft and the colors are amazing, but it does shed. A lot. I’m hoping a wash will get rid of the excess fiber and the shedding will die down, otherwise I’ll have to only wear it with black.

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting | tags: 2009, cardigan, cotton, feather and fan, finished object, knit, knitting, lace. | #

I might not be cranking out the knitting, but I sure am on a yarn buying frenzy. So many sales…so many destashes…so little will power.

The good news is I did manage to finish something in June, yippee.

Pattern: Ribbon Lace Scarf by Veronik Avery
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silkie Socks that Rock in Lagoon
Needles: US 4 (circulars because that’s how I roll)
Notes: Easy pattern, but you know it’s a scarf so it does seem to drag on, and on. The yarn is super yummy, so soft, would definitely like to work with this again. I’m not sure it would hold up great for socks, or at least for socks that actually got worn with shoes, but it’s really nice for something like a scarf or wrap or even a sweater. You can see more info on my Ravelry page (login required).

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting, ravelry | tags: 2009, BMFA, finished object, scarf, silk, STR, wool. | #

Hey, I’ve been knitting. Surprise! I have been in slump, it happens when the weather starts getting really hot. I didn’t finish a damn thing in April, knitting blahs. However, I did finish my Lush and Lacy Cardigan (rav link) in May.

I think it turned out pretty good, even if the pictures could use a little more focus.

So check out the Ravelry link for details. I think this might be my first really well done sweater. It fits, the seaming isn’t weird (well too weird), and it’s flattering on me. I will definitely wear it when the weather cools off, like in 6 months (ok really 4 months).

The Lace Ribbon Scarf (rav link) is coming along and will hopefully, probably, be the FO for the month of June.

I have almost finished the first Leyburn sock (rav link). Srsly, I have no idea why this is taking me so long. I think that the pattern is pretty easy, but does require some thinking so perhaps that’s why it’s not flying off the needles. I really hope I can finish these soon. I need them to be done so I can either take a real sock break or start something I like better.

I also started my Traveling Log Cabin blanket (rav link) with the Noro I got in New Orleans. I have 3 more balls of Noro already (some of my recent trips have not been Noro productive) so at least I can start getting an idea of the block size.

I finally admitted defeat on the Ribs and Lace Tank (rav link). I realized it would ruin the lace pattern to steek it so I frogged. The. Whole. Thing. So sad. I started again but am just not digging it right now.

I’m thinking of casting on a different summer project, one that might be faster and look better on me right now. I just got some Blue Sky Dyed Cotton (I know, we’ll talk about the stash later) in a nice Navy/Indigo color and I think I might make a Liesl with that. I’m also interested in doing a Hey Teach cardigan, but not sure about the yarn (stash or new, etc.). I’m mostly working on the scarf anyway and will probably push to finish that before I start anything new.

So yeah about the stash. I did cancel my sock club membership. It was fun, and I really like the yarn and colors and everything that I got. I was not as excited about it after the first couple of packages though so decided to take a break.

I have really managed to rack up some stash though. I think I last talked about this in March and yeah, I got more yarn. So now I’ve bought a total of, holy shit, 11875 yards this year. Plus when I was looking for my fabric stash (yeah, still haven’t found it) I found 2180 yards worth (2 bags) of Reynolds Lite Lopi that I got I have no idea when (or what for) so that also added. I’m totally trying to sell the Lite Lopi though. The numbers are growing, though at least with the exception of April (so far) I have managed to finish a project every month so far. So I guess it’s good.

Anyway, I’m knitting again. It might be slow going over the summer (I think it’s going to be a brutal one), but it’s going at least.

No Comments | In: finished object, gifts, knitting, ravelry, stash, work in progress | tags: 2009, cardigan, finished object, socks, work in progress. | #

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 I’m behind here, again. I really am going to try harder. So let me start with a recap of my January and February knitting (yep it’s still mostly knitting around here, but look out).

In January I only finished 2 things:

socks

and a doomed sweater

In February I only finished a vest/cardigan thing that found a home elsewhere since it was too small for me. I’ll try to get a picture of that on it’s new owner.

I also bought some yarn. I got some Dream in Color Class in a destash.

it’s going to make a great February Lady Sweater, after I frog and reknit the Malabrigo one.

I also got some lovely Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere in a destash.

and it will make a great Mary Jane pullover I think.

Then I bought some Elann Nilo.

which is going to be the #12 Skirt by Norah Gaughan in the Knit.1 Spring/Summer 2008 issue.

Plus I got sock club yarn, I love the club btw!

So despite my slow knitting I have managed to finish a sweater each month so far, and my goal is to finish something every month. Stay tuned for a March update!

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting, stash | tags: 2009, cardigan, finished object, frogged, socks, yarn. | #

So I know the posting around here has been pretty sparse. I’ve been thinking about this blog and trying to figure out how to either maintain two blogs (one for crafty stuff, one for everything else) or how to better make this a blog about me and not just my knitting. So I’ll be working on that over the next month or so because I’m leaning towards changing the name of the blog, maybe freshening up the look too.

So even though this is not JUST a knitting blog I do want to spend some time recapping my knitting accomplishments from 2008. I had a really productive year. I finished 15 things in 2008, and of the things I started in 2008 I only have 4 WIPs left. I have a total of 3 UFOs (2 were started in 2008) and 5 WIPs (2 were started in 2008). That’s not bad. My biggest regret of 2008 is that I only finished one sweater. I would really like to increase that number this year.

I didn’t really decrease my stash in 2008, I actually grew it a little bit overall, but I’m ok with that. I ended up having a total of 30334.8 yards in my stash at the end of the year (yes I did go on kind of a binge at the end), with 25961.5 yards being the actual working stash (4373.3 yards are up for sale or trade). I have weeded out the things I don’t like as much and what I have left I either really like OR it’s a great standard yarn that is good to have on hand. I, of course, fantasy yarn shop still but since M and I are trying to pay off all our credit card debit this year (w00t) I will be living on a strict monthly allowance. So I’m making no promises not to buy yarn, I just have to live within my means.

So since sock clubs were such a big temptation in 2008 I finally joined one for 2009. I joined Three Irish Girls Sock Yarnista Club. It’s great because you can do month to month and you get a choice between two yarns every month plus a pattern and goodies. I’ll be getting my first package this week I think. So that’s awesome.

I learned a lot of new stuff in 2008. I learned sock knitting, magic loop, kitchner (or is it kitchener) stitch, figure 8 cast on, magic cast on and knitting sweaters in the round. I hope to continue this year and get more comfortable with adapting patterns to fit me, to be knit in the round (because that is just so awesome), and I’m kind of getting a lace bug.

I totally discovered knitting podcasts in 2008 and now I have a list of regular listens which keep me inspired to keep knitting and to blog more. I have added a list of my regulars in the sidebar.

No Comments | In: crochet, finished object, knitting, stash, work in progress | tags: 2008, finished object, work in progress, yarn. | #

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’m so behind with FO’s and WIP’s and stash busting counts, that I think I’m just going to add up my numbers and call it a day. No, I guess I’ll show what I finished in July, it was a busy month.

First, I finished Ella’s B, which I already blabbered about enough.

Then I finished the City Shawl.

Pattern: City Shawl by Stefanie Japel
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky in Japanese Plum
Needles: US 15 (circular)
Notes: I’m not too happy with the size and I think I’m going to order one more skein of the yarn and add to it. Maybe. It’s not in the budget though. The pattern is super easy though and the yarn is nice even with mohair I think I can wear it against my skin or with a light layer.

Then I finished a Calorimetry as a gift for someone…mysterious. Need to sew on the button still.

Pattern: Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf
Yarn: 1 skein of Malabrigo Merino Chunky in Paris Night
Needles: US 9 (straight, Bryspun)
Notes: The Malabrigo has a following for a reason, the colors and softness of the yarn is amazing. I really love working with both the Worsted and the Chunky. I have worked 2 colors and have 2 more in my stash, so I guess I’m a junky. This is a super easy pattern and this makes a nice little gift for someone. I CO 88 and did 5 repeats instead (as several other Ravelers using Bulky weight yarn suggested).

Then in the last day I finished my July xmas socks (Impressionist Socks).

Pattern: Impressionist Socks by Closca de nou
Yarn: Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino in P117
Needles: US 1 circular (Magic Loop)
Notes: Love, love, love the Koigu; the colors are so beautiful. Would definitely like a pair of Koigu socks for myself. The pattern is pretty minimal, but also not too hard to figure out in the vague spots, and it really shows off the Koigu colors.

No Comments | In: finished object, gifts, knitting, ravelry | tags: blanket, calorimetry, finished object, headband, knitting, shawl, socks, wool, wrap. | #