All Purpose

I’m happy to report that I have finally finished the last of commissioned weaving pieces. I got a bunch of these from Rav a while back and I have finished the last one today (still have to dry and do the fringe, but weaving done)! So happy to have these done. I was clipping along and then work got really busy so I couldn’t weave during my work from home days and that slowed everything down.

I also finished a sweater this week, but I’ve decided to rip it back a little and make it a little longer so that’ll have to wait for another day. Here’s a progress shot though from like a month ago.

No Comments | In: finished object, knitting, weaving, work in progress | tags: commissions, finished object, work in progress. | #

I’ve been MIA lately, I know. I’ve been sick since like August it seems. Nothing serious, just allergies but it’s getting old, really old. So I’ve done a few baking things and some knitting stuff and even some yard work.

I made croissants. Real croissants. From scratch. They were really good and our neighbor, who’s mother is French, said they were very close to real French croissants (I need to get a full report about what was missing).

So I got this book, Baking, a few weeks ago and it has great step by step instructions for all kinds of baking stuff. I think it could be a baking course on it’s own. Anyway, I’ve been wanting to do something challenging so I decided to try croissants. It’s a lot of work, and a lot of butter, but they turned out great and the instructions were good and easy and had photographs to go with, which I love. Anyway, croissants!

I also made bread a lot lately, including my Rosemary Olive bread and Chocolate Cherry bread, which I got from this book . I’ve been making these breads for a while so nothing new, but nice to have fresh bread. I hope to make bread a lot more as it cools down for fall/winter here.

I’ve been knitting a lot and just finished a sweater (post to come soon) and started a new one. I’ve also started the long process of cleaning up and preparing the yard for fall/spring gardening. I cleaned out my dead tomatoes and can you believe that the basil I planted with them is still alive and is at least 4 feet, yes feet, tall. We’re planning on harvesting it all over the next week or two and making some pesto.

I’m going to try to do the Sweet Potato biscuits tomorrow (for Tuesday’s with Dorie) because they sound yummy and I need to master biscuits. I’ve had bad biscuit mojo the last few years.

No Comments | In: baking, garden, knitting, life | tags: basil, bread, croissnats, tuesdayswithdorie. | #

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. | #

So last week or maybe 2 weeks ago I mentioned being in a knitting frenzy or maybe just a stashing frenzy. I even said you could be the judge, but then I gave you nothing to base your judgement on. Sneaky of me, no?

So I’ve laid off the stash posts here because I started thinking they were probably really boring and my stash pics already clog up my Flickr to the point that I don’t think anyone looks at it anymore. So yeah, I didn’t want to alienate everyone. But I also think saying “hey look at all this stuff I traded, swapped, bought” (and folks it’s a lot of stuff) maybe made me a little uncomfortable because I might be out of control right now with the yarn. Maybe.

I don’t want to get all blow by blow here but here are some facts. As of June I had bought 11875 yards of yarn for the year. That’s some yarn. I think I’ve purchased almost another 10000 yards in the last 3 months, and I’ve got some stuff still in transit. On the other hand, I have projects lined up for every single thing in my stash (ie, not in transit) and I’ve managed to let go of some things I was really never going to knit. I also wore my Louet & Lacy cardigan for the first time in NYC last week (yay!) and can’t wait to knit some more cardigans.

So for those that care about such things here are some highlights of my recent acquisitions.

I have had my eyes opened to a whole new world of yarns in the past month, including the ever elusive Wollmeise.

I also discovered Squoosh Fiberarts

and Sanguine Gryphon (though no Bugga or Skinny Bugga yet)

and Sundara

and Pigeonroof Studios

and that’s just like half of it, but I won’t bore you. If you really love yarn porn check out my Flickr account.

I’m on a yarn budget. Starting in October. Really.

2 Comments | In: knitting, stash | | #

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.

2 Comments | In: finished object, knitting | | #

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. | #

So the oak is dusting the city with pollen this week, and this year it’s really bothering me. I’ve been sick since Monday, really Sunday night. I guess working all weekend in the yard and garage while the pollen was flying was not a smooth move.

We did manage to get the rose bed mostly prepped (except the holes haven’t been dug and fertilized). And I got the side and big front bed cleaned up, again mostly. I planted all my little succulents finally. I hope they do ok, I need to check them today when I get home. Now I feel like I can start a new collection of small things again.

We still need to plant the roses and I need to decide what to do with all the beds (3 in front and one on the side of the house). We also need to figure out the veggie garden plan. M is also promising the removal of the Mimosa tree in front this year. That would really open up the front for some fun maybe next year.

So since I’ve been sick and missed most of Monday and some of yesterday I managed to do some knitting chores too. I frogged the FLS and rewound all the yarn into cakes for a second try. I managed to finish both front pieces of the Lush and Lacy Cardigan, and now I’m kind of wondering if I could finish this by the end of the month (making it my third sweater FO of 2009!). Gosh and then what could I try to do in April? I will need to think about that.

I have worked some on the Ribbon Lace Scarf, but not a ton. It’s just a fill in really for when I’m bored with the sweater and the socks (Leyburns) aren’t doing it for me. I love, love, love the Silkie Socks that Rock, and I love how the scarf is looking and how it feels, but I think we are already past scarf weather anyway.

The Leyburns, well I’m working on them but I’m really into the L&L right now so I’m picking up the socks less and less and since I have a better chance of finishing L&L in March the Leyburns will probably get finished in April. Only a month past the KAL deadline, so not bad.

The last thing I’d like to do before the end of March is to steek that Ribs and Lace tank. I’m still nervous, but I know that the yarn is still on sale so worst case I can buy new yarn and start over. The color is so nice though I really want this work. I think I’ll make the steek a goal for Sunday. Wish me luck!

No Comments | In: garden, knitting, life, work in progress | tags: steek wip frogging gardening allergies oak pollen. | #

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. | #