All Purpose

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. | #

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. | #

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. | #

So one of the better ideas I’ve had was to create my own “sock club” a few months ago by taking the few sock yarns in my stash, pairing them with a pattern and putting them in a little tub so when I finish one pair I go pull another pair out. I’d been doing about a pair a month until May when I didn’t finish anything. So around the same time I decided I wanted to try to do socks as my present for xmas this year and it dovetailed nicely with me also wanting to try various yarns. I decided that for the xmas socks I could not repeat patterns or yarn so it gives me a nice excuse to look at patterns and try to match to the various yarns I want to try.

I also wanted to be flexible with the yarn purchases since there are so many different yarns I want to try and I want to try to keep my costs down. That’s why I decided to purchase yarn each month, so this month I bought the yarn for July’s xmas socks.
So this way I can scout Ravelry for swaps/sales and check out my LYS’s monthly sale and BOLO (be on the lookout) for other sales.

I also wanted to try to stick to patterns I have already (in magazines or books) or that are free, though I would consider purchasing standalone patterns from independent designers. It’s been pretty fun to fantasize about yarn and pattern combo’s and since the yarns aren’t set in stone after I make a selection I reselect the pattern. So lot’s of knitting fantasy and planning going on, which is good.

So far I’ve finished one pair:

Monkey‘s with ShibuiKnits Sock in Jewel

and I’m working on another:

Charade‘s with Claudia Hand Painted Fingering in Plumilicious

I also just purchased yarn for the July pair (Koigu KPPPM in P117) and now need to find a pattern.

I’m hoping to try the following yarns: Austermann Step, Trekking Pro Natura, Socks that Rock, Smooshy, and I’d love to throw in some independent yarnies as well.

Since I’m trying all these yarns I’ll try to comment more on the yarns as I work through them so look for more year of the sock updates.

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

So not much knitting in May. I didn’t finish anything at all. I started the Charade socks (like 5 times) and a crochet shrug, but other than that not much movement.

I did manage to get my garden started in May though and now I’m ready to really start busting out the knitting/crochet projects.

I have no idea why the Charade (Rav link) socks are taking me so long, except that my iPod died last month so no more podcasts. I got a new nano last week though so I’m hoping that will motivate me to get moving on the knitting. I am almost done with the leg portion of my first Charade and I’m hoping once I move past that I’ll be back into sock utopia knitting.

I have made decent progress on the shrug (Rav link), I’m starting the repeat for the back. I had been planning to buy yarn for a summer project, like a tank or something. But now I’m not sure if I’ll do that or just try to finish some of my larger projects, like the Ella blanket and the crochet blanket, and bust out some xmas socks. I do not want to be knitting socks feverishly the entire month of December.

No Comments | In: crochet, garden, gifts, knitting, work in progress | tags: crochet, garden, gifts, ipod, knitting, socks, work in progress. | #

Not much is going on actually, I have started/frogged/started a new sock project like 3 times. First it was going to be Jaywalkers, then the swatch looked like ass (completely my doing not the patterns) and it wasn’t doing it for me. Frog. So I found Charade and started that, then I realized I forgot the cuff. Frog. Started again, got almost done with the cuff found a dropped (but also extra??) stitch 5 rows down. Frog. Started again last night. Hopefully the third time is a charm. The Claudia yarn I’m using doesn’t seem to like the frogging too much so it better be the last frogging or I’m going to have to cut off the used portion before I CO again.

I’m also dreaming and scheming for my next sweater/tank/cardi/pullover/tee project even though I know I probably won’t realistically cast on for it until later in May or even June depending on how things are going with the family stuff. I had swatched for the $1.50 Cardigan back in March I think. I finally was able to get gauge, but got disenchanted with the project, probably just because of everything going on.

I thought then that I wanted to do a smaller project first and swatched and then cast on for Catherine’s Mini Cardi (Rav link), but after a couple of rows realized despite my swatch results I needed to go down a needle size. Then I really started debating whether the cardi would look good on me, and now I’m thinking I’d rather do something else with the yarn, like maybe Sahara. Of course I’d need more yarn for that. Ah, I just had a brilliant idea…I could make Sahara for my sister and then I think I’d only need 1-2 more skeins. I still can’t buy the yarn or pattern until June though.

I also thought I might do my Fern Wrap Sweater, but I’m doing this in wool so even though it’s short sleeves I know I’m not going to be wearing it until like December. I really want to do a tank/tee for ME for NOW, but I really don’t have the yarn for that right now so I guess I’ll keep making notes on yarn ideas and patterns and if I find myself in the position to start a bigger project before June I’ll go back to the $1.50 Cardigan, since it’s in pieces and has lace and is done in a wool/linen blend yarn it shouldn’t be too terrible to knit it.

2 Comments | In: fever, gifts, knitting, work in progress | tags: knitting fantasy life, project ideas, socks, work in progress. | #

I have finished the Monkey socks! Behold:

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
Yarn: ShibuiKnits Sock in Jewel (#4401)
Needles: US 1 40″ circular (can’t remember brand)
Ravelry: More details here (Rav link)
Notes: This was a pretty easy and fast knit. The cuff seems a little tight, but other than that the fit is good, better than the Jitterbug socks I made last month. I liked the yarn, very soft and springy. But the colors did pool a lot as the pictures show. I don’t mind so much and I doubt my stepmom will care either though so no problem. I did this top down using Magic Loop and a Kitchner graft on the toe.

No Comments | In: finished object, gifts, knitting | tags: finished object, gifts, kitchner, knitting, magic look, shibuiknits, socks. | #