Sirdar Denim Ultra

Left to right: patterns 2085, 8411, 8410 and 8440

I have a nice amount of Sirdar Denim Ultra hanging out in stash and with all the tiny needle projects going on I thought I would work on reducing stash and enjoying a quick knit at the same time. I really like the Sirdar Denim Ultra, but underestimated how far the yardage would go. I actually have more than I need. I knit this Rebecca 26 sweater(on the left) using Sirdar Denim Ultra color 503. Interestingly enough it was meant for some GGH Sierra color 1 I have in stash, but wanted to try this all in one piece side to side in a less expensive yarn that rips a bit better since I was unsure if I could knit this last year though it turned out to be one of the easiest knits to date. It has really held up well in the wash considering I have not been kind to this fiber at all when washing.

I think I am going to start with the creme I have for the cardi for mini using the first pattern. Upon arrival of these patterns I didn't find that they reflected my personal style (not that I am claiming to have any, hehe) as I did in the wee hours of the morning when I ordered them. I do like the basic look of the one for my mini though and plan on knitting the others as well. I admit now that I should have been a bit more resourceful in finding a pattern that met gauge requirements in some mags in stash (I forgot that I had subbed this yarn for sierra), but I just wasn't feeling it at the time. See any similarities between the first and last pattern. Not so good to order patterns in the wee hours of the morning when one is half asleep.

Knitting Slump...What knitting slump?

Hope all celebrating had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The great knitting vibes that came my way, a little bit (make that a lot) of turkey and kind words can cure just about anything. The knitting slump is officially OVER! Woohoo!

Though I am not participating in any of the official secret pals, roak or any of the other great knitting swaps going on, I really enjoy watching it as yarn and other goodies get many frequent flyer miles and knitters exchange goods along with a whole lot kindness. However, I am really enjoying my not so secret pal unofficial roak swaps status at the moment. Knitbloggers and knitblog readers are just too cool and generous. Even though I'm not in the official fab swaps, I see what all the hoopla is about. I just received a fabulous package from Sophie (the real frog, hehe. you totally crack me up that Sophie). You picked out an amazing project for me. I was immediately drawn to that project the moment I saw it. Merci beaucoup! How did you know that would be perfect?

Marie Claire Idees~Phildar leaflet~yarn~buttons~la droguerie post card~very cute note

This has got to be some of the most amazing yarn and gorgeous buttons that I have ever seen. It is destined to be this beautiful project. I am even enamored by the la droguerie bag and post card. I always like to keep the many projects being jostled around in my bag separate from each other to reduce wool wear and this cute little bag will have a project in it shortly (much more stylish than my usual ziploc's, hehe). Sophie, your timing was perfect and it helped snap me out my slump. And super big thanks for the extra goodies and thoughtfulness that landed this package at my door.

Another highlight this week was my meetup with Stinkerbell at Knit Happens. It was so fun to meet her and see in person why I think her blog is great and just downright hilarious. How could it not be? She's a riot!

The knitting table at KH, as always, was fun and full of great knitters. Carol, Erica, Kristine, Phyl and Wendy were all there. It was quite encouraging to knit with them and feel a bit better about a few projects that were just in their beginning stages. They are all very helpful and extremely skilled as I sat there with only my little "am I doing this yo-thing right?" and "hope I can get this chart thing down" to contribute. But lucky for me I left the table with much more knowledge than I walked in with (and I know that is not that hard to do, lol). Thanks guys! I had just started a couple of new projects and that was just the boost I needed to really get me going.
Here are my two recently started projects: Kate's beautiful Clapotis and scarfStyle Backyard Leaves

Artyarns Supermerino in color 106 and Rowan All Seasons Cotton in color Fern

Clapotis has just been the perfect knit to pick up after that "knit gone bad" issue earlier this week. I am getting the hang of the pattern and it is a very relaxing knit. Clear, concise instructions are really a plus right now. I'm enjoying every minute of it. And I just love this Artyarns Supermerino in color 106 I picked up a KH a lit' while back .

Backyard leaves however, is another issue and not as a result of the pattern. I'm a newbie to chart reading and this presents a new challenge to me. I have used charts in basic sweater design, but nothing this complex. To me all the boxes seem to have a different symbol in them (and yes I know I am exaggerating greatly). It's just such a s l o w process for one knitting at a snails pace. I keep having to refer back to the symbols. I still think my leaves are more leaf like than actual leaves (and I only showed the one that I like since I couldn't get a good pic of the bad ones, yeah right), but I guess they could look like that in someone's backyard, lol. And hopefully it will improve as I progress. I'll get the hang of these knit and purl or purl and knit in the same stitches. This is only my second repeat. But I do wish at times someone had asked me for a symbol for knit and purl. I would have sure voted for 'K' and 'P' hehe. Now I only say that cause I can remember the clear box (knit) and box w/dot(purl) on right sides and reverse for wrong sides, but sometimes after I look back down from whatever else I am doing I start doing everything according to the right side regardless of the side I am on (I know, don't watch subtitled movie while knitting this scarf again, user error, duh). I'm knitting only a few rows every time I pick it up so I think this is going to take a very long time. Hey, does anyone know how long it takes to knit a very long charted scarf at about a couple rows a sitting when one looks at the symbol legend on almost ever box. Never mind, that's an unfair question. Knitting hasn't even been around as long as it is going to take me to knit this scarf, so how could you know? Yes, I know. Extremely exaggerated to the nth degree, but somehow my embellishment seemed more humorous than "I'm a lame chart reader".

Step away from the knitting

I'm taking a 'lil break from knitting this week. I have to say that I have never been so put out by balls of yarn 'til Audrey. Thanks so much for the well wishes. In regards to ripping, I would only have to rip the top front and back down to the unsightly rib end and try to figure my way back up and if not, then back to the middle it would go (that's if I rip). But the bad thing about it (in my opinion) is that this calmer doesn't really like to be ripped. I knit the lace so many times that at some points I only had a piece of elastic just waiting to snap. So I'll have to get around to Aud later, much later in fact. It's put me in a knitting slump. I'm going to baste the lace to the body at some point, but for now I don't even want to look at her.

So even though I don't feel like knitting today, I do feel like blocking. Here is Flo's back and left front.

And remember Bright Autumn or shall we say Bright Fuschia Autumn. Well, I think I should take note next time odd knitting events start to go awry. I decided to Russian Join when I got to the end of a ball. Check this out. Nice Russan join right? W r o n g, why exactly is my end still sticking out at the top? Well, it was in my lap when I joined it and I obviously grabbed the wrong end (see the bottom right of photo). So I unjoined and rejoined. It's not the cleanest join but once it was seed stitched in, I couldn't even find it. I finished the neck and it came out 47 inches long when I ran out of yarn instead of the 60 inches it should be. I'm hoping I can block it out, but think it is highly unlikely that I can't stretch 13 inches out of it, duh. So after I block it as much as I can, I'll have to just pick up the sleeves and work something out. I am tempted to buy another skein, but I am determined to make this a stash buster (okay so really I went to the yarn store and they didn't have anymore in fuschia which I didn't expect since I did buy this over a year ago). Fuschia, definitely a new color for me. I guess I could just make the sleeves longer and work some seed stitch at the top of the sleeves (possible design element maybe?). I had hoped to find something in my stash for the sleeves, but as of yet cannot find anything suitable. Was hoping that I could use some of the elann peruvian wool left from a bag for a chicknits cardi, but missed out on the extra balls of yarn while perusing the site (see last post). Ok, my needles must need a break cause they seem to be working against me at the moment so I'm not picking them up 'til this weekend (how likely is that?).Here's hoping the long holiday weekend will energize me to pick up the needles and knit through this. Send some harmonious knitting vibes my way. I'm in need of some.

Not such a good week so far for knitting or turkey's for that matter.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be back with a full belly and a better mood after giving thanks. I have a lot to be thankful for. Definitely need to stop complaining. Knitwise, I am overjoyed with the friendships that I have made as a result of knitting and blogging. Its so nice to come in contact with such people that are so selfless with their help and just overall genuine kindness. Knitter's truly rank high. I feel better already just thinking about that. Thanks guys!

Gobble, gobble!

Posted by froggy at 04:56 AM | Comments (24)

Highs and Lows

Well, I finally finished Audrey's collar. Woohoo! She needs to be blocked in a big way. And I'll just throw her on a holder. I'm not binding off until that collar is on there. So it'll a be a sew and go until I know for sure that I have enough repeats to make it all the way around seamed. I see many, many pins and a spray bottle running outta water in my future. I must have been so tense knitting her that I lost a lot of the lacey detailing on the bottom. You can only see it if you s t r e t c h her out! There will be no reknit for this one though. No siree. And she's not blocking yet. I just couldn't wait to use my new blocking pins. Aren't they cute. I just love the little case too. I'm such a sucker for packaging. Clover notions rock. I wouldn't mind more of the cases for other notions.

Well, before I could get the victory dance in full swing (note to self, forgo all future victory dancing in regards to knitting), I decided to just do a quick pin and see to get an idea of the fit with the collar. Gasp! What is this. How could I have not seen this before (now let me stop fronting, I've not noticed worse than this, lol) . The ribs just stop and not at the right spots. I must say for this sweater this seams a bit odd as I have been lookin' at her f o r e v e r. Sometimes I feel like this is the sweater that will never be. Oh now I remember. While seaming I decided that I liked the wrong side bottom increases better than the right side. The side seams looked much better this way too. Guess I neglected to think about the top increases.

Do you see them?
The right side top increases are now on the inside.

What to do, what to do? I can't bear the idea of unseaming the entire sweater AND ripping the front and the back (yes it's the same way) , but I can't look at those other decreases when I know I prefer these.

UGH!

(sometime in a previous life i had a monster falling out with a girl name audrey and she has come back in the form of blue calmer with a VENGEANCE!)

ADDED: And on top of that low I have been ROBBED. Just went to my shopping cart and when I pressed continue to checkout this message popped up: We apologize, but while you were shopping the available inventory of item Peruvian Collection Highland Wool was purchased by another customer. 7 are currently available and this number has been included in your cart. Please review your order before proceeding. If you would like to remove this item from your cart, enter 0 for quantity (Qtty) and click update

I wanted 10, but I guess I only really need 7 for the pattern, humph. But still, after this audrey incident that's a low blow!
So much for a fiber remedy, hehe.

Posted by froggy at 01:44 AM | Comments (34)

knitting at work

conference room with great lighting don't you think?

I always love to read the great knit at work posts over at LollyKnittting Around and though I only have one co-worker that knits at my office (I'm working on a few others), I'm always happy whenever we can squeeze a knitting lunch in. Now I just love knitting with newbie knitters and they always open my eyes to things I wish I had grasped early on but another thing that gets me it their ingenuity in creating a notion when they don't know that one has already been developed. Just damn creativity at its best. My friend has started two projects and is hunting down yarn for another (future multiproject knitter, woohoo) but had expressed the need for another set of needles since the two projects require the same needle size. Well before I was able to find a spare pair and some holders in my stash, we met up and she claimed she didn't need the needles or any stitch holders anymore. I inquired if she had purchased a holder and before she could answer she pulled out this! I guess who needs a stitch holder if you wear underwire. I found this absolutely hilarious and proceeded to fall out of my chair laughing (yes, I am easily amused). So before you throw out that brassiere, pull out that wire 'cause you never know when you may need a stitch holder. From boobholder to stitch holder....haven't seen that in any knit tip section of a magazine. And here is her poncho that is currently occupying those needles now. I can just tell that I am going to en...joy knitting with her.

Before we could gather up our things and leave the conference room another co-worker walked in to ask how his favorite hookers were. Even though I have explained that there are crocheters (not knitters) that refer to themselves as such I continue to hear that word thrown about. However, my new knitting bud (and did I mention I taught her to knit, hehe) , who also crochets by the way, found this amusing along with the other looky lu's (and I know I used that phrase incorrectly, but it just feels right in this case) in the room. I continued to work on my sleeve for Chrissie and then was immediately asked why I knit with nunchaku (interesting spelling, don't you think). The things you learn from blogging. Would have never checked the spelling if it weren't for this post. I won't embarrass myself with the way I originally spelled it, lol. I'm probably the only one surprised by the spelling. I think I have even seen it misspelled in print. Wait a minute. Did I just misspell "misspell" Thank goodness for Merriam-Webster Online. All Merriam (yes we are on a first name basis) needs to do now is just add aka US17's to the definition. At this point in my at work knitting session someone just had to do a Japanese fight move imitating the motion using a nunchaku. Knitting at work has turned out to be a bit more interesting than I imagined.

images in mirror are darker than they appear

Well at some point I also was able to knit on a new project, Bright Autumn. It has turned into the perfect knit on the go project with its 350+ rows of seed stitch and no shaping to start. The ideal NPR (no pattern required) project. I originally fell for this project when I saw it at Gidget Cast On. Leave it to Mindy to find some of the coolest patterns that I have ever seen. And when I saw it as a finished knit (scroll down a bit), I knew I had to have one. I am using Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted. I originally purchased it for a Marsupial bag from Stitch 'N Bitch, but it never knitted itself up on its own so I decided to use it when the designer indicated that she had used this yarn for her Bright Autumn(I don't think this is indicated on the pattern, just the gauge). Though this is not a color (fuchsia) or fiber that I would ever have chosen for this piece, I am really lovin' it now. It's not as bright as in the pic and I am hoping that it softens in the wash. I don't have anything in this color and I am anxious to see how it works out. Hoping to dive in the stash and find something for the sleeves too though I am not using the suggested mohair in the pattern. I'll have to see what I can find.

(and yes i have used all the parentheses and run-on sentences alloted for this year. so i plan on dipping into next years for future posts, hehe)

And a supersized thanks for the kind words regarding mini and her molly.

Molly

Project Specs:
Pattern: Molly from Junior Knits by Debbie Bliss
Yarn Suggested: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
Yarn Used: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease Color 101 Strawberry Cream
Needle Size: US 6 & 7 bamboo circs
Gauge: 18sts/4" St. st

click to enlarge photos
I really like how the collar worked out on this bolero and I am most happy with the fact that my mini loves it. As soon as I finished, she indicated that she would be wearing it to school and can't wait to show everyone (awwww!). I'll just do anything to see that smile. I may have to knit another. Actually, I wouldn't mind having one for myself.

Planned vs. Actual

Planned
Misty, Flo, Nellie the Sheep

Misty is waiting for me to get comfortable with the fact that I am going to have to invest in and actually knit with US 0's. Flo is getting me used to the idea of knitting on US 2's and 3's as opposed to the suggested 5's and 6's and Nelle the Sheep has completed baffled me and left me screaming for a schematic. It's such a fussy little thing and I can't seem to grasp how the little pieces are going to come together. Right now I can't even get past the first leg. I'll get it, eventually. At least that is my hope.

Actual

Flo's progress is coming along though she is desperately needs to be blocked. I've got some wonky stitches going on. I just love this wool cotton, though. This last pic is pretty true to color. It's amazing how hard this color is to photograph. I'm working on Chrissie using Rowan Big Wool Color 11 from Rowan Big Wool (13 designs by Kim Hargeaves). I can't wait to wear this cardi but it's a bit bulky to carry along with me. I am currently working on a sleeve. It's a stash busting choice to replace the other two that fell by the wayside. And I have come pretty far on Molly from Junior Knits by Debbie Bliss. Here's where she is now. She just needs some ribby cuffs and bottoms, a good blocking and she will be ret' to go. Now I just need to cast on for a good travel knit. Hmm...Which leads me to the following update:

On the sticks...
Rowan 30 Flo
Rowan Big Wool Chrissie
Junior Knits by Debbie Bliss Molly
(now that is a surprisingly small list, gotta do something about that,lol)
Waiting in the wings...
Rowan 33 Misty
Debbie Bliss Baby Style Nellie the Sheep

Who'd knit that?

I'd knit that!

Project Specs:
Pattern: scarfStyle by Pam Allen Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham
Yarn Used: 5 balls Rowan Kid Classic color 827 (juicy)
Needle Size: addi US 5's
Gauge: 20sts/4" in k3,p3 rib slightly stretched

I'm really quite pleased with how the shrug turned out. And I can't tell you how surprising it was to get such supportive comments regarding my project. And would I knit it again, yeah boy...eee! I really appreciated the words of encouragement. As it turns out, I have a halloween pic that shows my appreciation and a few words that sum it up perfectly in my opinion. Thank you. Thankyouverymuch (I could not stop laughing everytime she said it which was everytime someone gave her candy). And no, it was not a costume I chose. And I don't know where she came up with the idea, but it sure was a riot! Definitely didn't run into another kid with the same costume, lol!

Holiday Season

Halloween just ended and I already hear the buzz of busy holiday times. I feel a bit behind and Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. I received my Anthroplogie Gift 2004 mag last week and as always, it is filled with inspirational knits. Aren't those cover knitted cupcakes great! For starters there is this sparkle cardigan embellished with a gorgeous ribbon and I just adore this flowing gentle waves sweater coat. And I am always lovin' an oversized collar especially with embroidery in this garden sweater. There is also a cable pullover I find particularly interesting. Among the sweaters there are also knitted ornaments and how about these sweater ornaments. Soo cute! And to top themselves they even have knitted doggie sweaters. Check out those pearls! And gorgeous kid sweaters. But I have to say those knitted cupcakes are just delicious. My Boden Winter 2004 catalog also arrived which has a French Collar Cardi that reminds me of to one of my current projects, Flo. (I really need to update my on the sticks). Where is that sweater anyway? They also have a version with cables that I like.

Received the latest Vogue Knitting Holiday 2004 in the mail, too. I actually thought my subscription had run out so its delivery was quite a surprise. Though there were some interesting designs, I don't have any to add to my must-knit list from this issue. Not to say that there were not knits worthy of a cast on, but the few that I liked look similar to items currently on my list. However, I was quite taken with an article on British designers that featured Delphine...Wilson...designs. I am fascinated by the mere construction and beauty of her pieces and hope to find out more information and view other pictures of her work. Most of the other designers have been featured in past issues of Knitting. Also mentioned in this issue was Knit.1 which I first heard mentioned in Amy's post. I actually saw that mag this weekend in an unsuccessful search for the current Interweave Knits. I know my subscription has run out on that one. It seems like I end up buying every issue one year of a mag and then figure it will be more cost effective to subscribe, but then the moment I subscribe I end up with issues that I probably would not have purchased at the newsstand price. Ugh, a vicious cycle of sorts. But I forgot about IK altogether when I spotted Marie Claire Idees. I absolutely love that mag and hardly ever see it. I came out in Sept and it's taken 'til Nov for me to finally get my hands on it. This mag is never a disappointment. Now that was a long tangent. Though Knit.1 looked interesting it was not a must-buy for me as I have similar projects in other books or mags. I did, however find the cute, tiny, fit in the palm of you hand size very cleverly designed for fitting in any knitting bag. Vogue Knitting Holiday 2004 also gave mention of the upcoming R2 Autumn 2004. I am very curious to see this issue. And another ad has me pondering whether I should invest in sweater wizard 3.0. I've been thinking about it so long they have come out with a new version, lol.