No wonder there isn't much knitting going on...

I keep losing knitting related things.

Somehow over the move back to California this summer I lost the pattern for the Diagonal Triangle Tank. I can't find a store in California that carries the pattern, and I hate to order just a pattern online. This might be an excuse to order other things, but I'm really trying to not buy more yarn as I contemplate moving everything to Hawaii in May.

I cast on last month for the infamous Clapotis. I've had the yarn (Lion & Lamb in Black Purl) for ages, but every time I think to start on it is when I want a semi mindless pattern for travel knitting, but then I remember that the hanks haven't been wound into balls. Well, in the last trip to Hawaii I decided to just go for it. I knew we'd be spending a lot of time LAX because our flight was canceled (the put us on another flight- but it meant spending 5+ extra hours at LAX and missing the Thursday Aloha Knitters). We wound one hank by hand while standing in line to "check-in" for the cancelled flight. I made decent progress on it, despite not doing much, but then I forgot it at my mom's house over Thanksgiving. I could have her sent it to me, but I should be doing school work (finals!!), so I think I'll just get it over Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, I've decided not to do too much Christmas knitting (maybe the fact that it is December 4th decided that for me). I need to finish up the slippers I made for my mom which were supposed to be a Christmas gift at least two years ago! They are mostly done, I think I just need to finish sewing on the soles. The only other thing I think I'll attempt is a mobius cat bed (from the Second Treasury of Magical Knitting) since my mom just got a new cat, Max. This leads me to the next knitting thing I can't find: my set of Denise Interchangables. The must be somewhere in the apartment, but I can't find them. I think they are going to have to wait until after finals to be found. Or, I could use this as an excuse to order some of the interchangables from Knitpicks.com. Hmmm....

The Last Knit

Not sure exactly what the message of the film is, but worth a look (and a listen)...

Embossed Leaves (and the Hedgehog)

I hit a knitting slump after returning from Hawaii. I lost the pattern for the Diagonal Triangle Tank, and couldn't find any of my small DPNs to start socks with (the two are probably somewhere together). I just wasn't in the mood to work on anything else. Finally I bought more small DPNs (and some yarn- who wants to pay for shipping) from KnitPicks.

A few weeks back I cast on for the embossed leaves with the KnitPicks Essential Tweed in Plum. I'm really liking the yarn, but as these are my first socks I don't have much to compare it to. It is a bit splity at times as it untwists sometimes after ripping, but overall I'm rather happy with it, but we'll see how it wears.

Here is my progress after some knitting (two flights, one night of Aloha Knitters, and a few hours of TV). The cast on took be a while to figure out, and the first twisted ribbing at the top seemed to take forever, but the lace part is enjoyable and I feel like I am making progress.


I've got about 15 more rounds before I start working on the heal. I've heard that the heal in this pattern is a bit odd. I'm not sure if I should just go forth with the pattern or try to do some adaptations. As this is my first sock I feel like I shouldn't mess too much with the pattern. I may leave this for a time when I can have some guidance and fellow knitters with me.


Also, here is the final version of the hedgehog. I'm so happy with it and my mom loved it. I'm thinking I might make a crazy colored one for my sister. I highly recommend the pattern (Fibertrends 228), it was fun, quick, not to difficult (plus felting hides many mistakes), but still interesting. The shaping is done with short rows, much like the Fibertrends Felted clogs. I tried some eyes that I had bought, but they just looked strange, so I needle felted the eyes on. I have to say it was kinda fun to sit there and stab away at the critter to get the needle felting done. I may have to try using this technique more.

A bit of knitting and life in general....

I just finished what I think might be the cutest knitted thing ever....


He still needs eyes and a nose, but he's almost ready to be sent off to my mom for her birthday. He's from a pattern by Fibertrends which I picked up at Isle Knits.

Here are some prefelting pictures...


I've also made some progress on the Diagonal Triangle Tank. This picture doesn't even come close to doing justice to the gorgeousness of the yarn.




And, in non-knitting news, I got engaged last month. I just got the ring yesterday (it was being resized) and here is a picture I took today.




Yesterday was my last day at work for the summer, I'll be here in Hawaii until next Friday getting to play tourist and have some fun before school starts.

Thursday was my last Aloha Knitters Meet-up for the summer. I just want to say thanks to all the wonderful ladies I've met this summer. It was great to get out and knit and hang out with people. I will miss our Thursdays (not to mention the Lemon-Spinach Crepes). And, and extra big thanks to Barb, who gave me these gorgeous earrings she made. I'll be wearing them tonight at Casino Night.

Tanks...

I cast on last week for the Diagonal Triangle Tank. After trying my size 7 Denises, I decided to go down a size and switch to bamboo. The silk yarn sticks a bit on the Addi Naturas I'm using (I normally use Clovers, but all those are in California for the summer), but it is so much better than the Denises were.

I haven't made much progress, but it is moving along. The yarn is so lucious, and the colors are wonderful. The pattern, at least so far is pretty basic, and good TV knitting. I have very high hopes for this project and this pattern.

I started the Diagonal Triangle Tank because I need to figure our what I'm going to do with the Round About Leaf Tank. I have an idea to add a bit of shaping to it, but I need to work out the details a bit more. I'm thinking about adding in some short rows to add waist shaping on the rounds near the waist. I've never done short rows (except in the Fibertrends Felted clogs- but those were different) so I'm a bit nervous about it all. But, I'll just have to add a lifeline and remember that I can always just rip back. More details about what I pan to do and/or how it works out should show up in a post here or at least on the KAL.

Pictures of my progress on both of these should be coming soon. My camera made it back from Germany, and should be on its way from California to Hawaii now.

Lace Nomenclature

In the current issue of Intereave Knits, Amy Singer (yes, of Knitty.com "fame") informs us that there is a difference between the terms "knitted lace" and "lace knitting."

According to her, when you "work a pattern with lace forming stitches on both sides" what you produce is "knitted lace." However, when you knit a pattern where the lace stitches are only on the right side (thus the wrong side has all purl or knit stitches) this is called "lace knitting."

Now, the odd thing about this is that the terms she is comparing are different parts of speech. One is a noun (the thing you produce- "knitted lace") and the other is a verb (this thing you are doing - "knitting lace").

Note: I've been rather out of the loop this summer as to what is going on in the internet knitting communities (I can't even remember the last time I checked my bloglines or the various knitting LJ communities - it might be more than a month for LJ) so I have no clue if there are discussions going on about this distinction.

I understand the difference between what is being produced, and honestly, if anyone is brave dedicated enough to undertake creating "knitted lace" they probably deserve to have a term to set their work apart from those of us who rejoice in the one row without a pattern.

But, what I'm wondering is if anyone had ever heard of this distinction before? Any sources? I'm aware of the technical differences between fulling and felting (which doesn't mean I actually follow the "correct" usage), but this is a new one for me.

Not much knitting to report. I've made a bit of progress on the Roundabout Leaf Tank, one more leaf, I've got about 5 more inches before I join it.

But, in stash acquisition news I just bought some Noro Lily Multi in #126. This is one of my favorite yarns. Not sure what I'm going to make, possibly a hood-less BPT.

A bit of progress....

I managed to knit a few more inches on the Roundabout Leaf Tank this weekend. Not too much, but a bit of progress. It isn't really anything worth photographing and sharing, but even if I wanted to take pictures, my digital camera is on vacation in Germany for the World Cup! Lets just hope it (and the boy who took it) make it back safe.

However,I'm thinking of switching to the Diagonal Triangle Top. I think I could actually get it finished before I could finish the Leaf Tank, maybe even before the summer is over. And, once it is finished I think I could wear it to work under a suit. Hmmm....

Also, I was at Costco yesterday and I picked up Mason Dixon Knitting. I may have to find some cotton yarn to make one (or more) of the Ball Band dishcloths.

Finally made it, kinda....

Well, I finally made it to a meet-up with the Aloha Knitters group. Unfortunately, while I was there, my knitting wasn't. Turns out I had just left it in my car, but I thought I might have left it at work or at home. Well, there is always next week.

But it was nice to meet some of the local knitters. I occupied myself by winding some yarn and glancing through Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

Still no knitting to report about. The closest I came was when my little sister (who I (re-)taught to knit in March) called me to help her cast on for a new project. She was on her way to Europe (France and Spain) with my mother, and there I was, stuck at work!!!

She's working on the Bridgetown Belt-Bag from Interweave Magazine (I think it is from the Spring 2006 issue). While a lot of people aren't big fans of the patter (or more the finished object), my sister is a bit of an odd girl when it comes to fashion, and somehow I think she'll be able to carry off this look. I think she wants it for wearing to crazy concerts where she doesn't want to carry a bag (or much clothing in general). Let's see if she actually finishes it. I should have brought my copy of the magazine with me this summer and maybe I could have done one in another color for her.

Me, crochet, what....?

I'm thinking I may want to take up crocheting too. I know it is something I need to learn, if for nothing more than finishing knitted objects. But, here in Hawaii crocheting leis is really popular. They are often given at graduations (which are a huge deal here).

I quickly stopped in to a small little yarn store (well, mostly it had Christmas stuff) the other day in Kailua because we had breakfast across the street. I just wanted to see what their selection was so that would know if it was worth coming back for a more serious visit. Turns out that almost all of what they had (which was suqeezed into a small closet like room was eyelash stuff and some other basics. Mostly, I'm assuming, for making leis.

There are a ton of books dedicated to making the leis, and I have to say, I think this is probably the best use of furry yarns out there.

Well, the minisweater wasn't finished in time for the wedding. But soon, I promise.

Not much knitting has been going on lately. I'm just so exhausted when I get home. But tomorrow I'm going to try (like I unsuccessfully tried the other two weeks since I've been here) to make it to the meet up of the Aloha Knitters. We'll see if it happens.

Just pictures... No new knitting

I've been too lazy to do any knitting the last few days, but here is the progress on the Roundabout Leaf Tank I made on the plane this week.

After working on the MiniSweater I was starting to hate purling, so I was concerned that I'd be frustrated with this tank. However, I'm realizing I don't hate purling when it only comes 20 or so stitches at a time. The Minisweater had much longer rows, and the purling was driving me crazy, but this isn't bothering me at all.

Aloha...

I arrived in Hawaii last night, it is strange to believe I'll be here for three months. I've got a lot to do before I start work on Monday, but hopefully I'll be able to meet up with the Aloha Knitters tonight.

I knit a bit on the plane, and am making progress on the Roundabout Leaf Tank. I'm a few inches past the second leaf. Unfortunately, no pictures now because I haven't yet set up my computer for internet access here.

It was hard to decide what knitting/yarn to bring for the summer. I bought the MiniSweater with is almost done (just needs buttons and other finishing), the Roundabout Leaf Tank, yarn and pattern for the Diagonal Triangle Top, and some sock yarn. I'll probably have to have other stuff shipped up to me, or (more likely) I'll just go buy more stuff here.

Finals are officially over!!!

Now lets have some fun!

Clematis

My clematis finally fully bloomed today. This is supposed to be a vine, but for some reason (probably due a bit to my neglect) the blooms (there is one more bud just behind this one) are coming almost from the main stalk very close to the ground.

Just Starting to Open (Thursday 5/4/06)


Almost Open (Saturday 5/6/06)


Open! (Sunday 5/7/06)




(and growing below it in the pot is a bit of cilanto from some seeds I sprinkled in)

Diagonal Triangle Tank from Artyarns

The yarn and pattern for the Diagonal Triangle Tank arrived yesterday. I can't believe that is enough yarn.

I can't say enough good things about the place I ordered it from, Fabulousyarn.com. The price was great, plus free shipping, no sales tax and an extra 10% off (if you sign up for their mailing list). Plus, when I made a mistake in the order they were so helpful in fixing it and the shipping was fast!

I really want to cast on for this now, but should wait until I finish a few more things, or at least until finals are over. I also need to read what people have said about in here to see if there are any issues with the pattern.

Tags: Diagonal Triangle Tank_

Green Suede Shoes!

Project Spectrum for May: GREEN



This are probably my favorite item of clothing right now. I've recently become smitten by green, particularly bright grass green. So, these shoes where hard to resist last month at the Adidas Outlet, I even tried to put them back but someone talked me out of it.



Hopefully I'll also have some things I've actually created to share too. (Does it count if I started them before I even joint PS?)




Tags: Project Spectrum_

Minisweater - only the sleeves left!

I bound off for the bottom of the minisweater today. I did 2x2 ribbing instead of the garter stitch. I tried to find an interesting edging in Knitting On The Edge, but the only ones that really interested me were for the cast on edge (some of the picot edging).

But, I have to say, that I hate binding off on purl stitches. It is just so fiddly, and it is even worse in ribbing because I have to switch back and forth.


Tags: Minisweater_

Knitting Nature KAL

I've just started a Knit Along for projects in Knitting Nature. Please join us!

Spring!

Just a quick picture of the first bloom on the lilikoi (passion flower) vine I have growing on my balcony!

Stash Enchancement

So, there was some major stash enhancement in the last few weeks. It started with the Webs Anniversary sale and went downhill from there.

Then my mom visited and we had some time to kill, so we went to Knit Cafe. I'd never been before, and it was an overall pleasant experience. I ended up with some Pehuen from Arucania in 07 (greens and browns) and 05 (pinks and purples) and some Regia Color for socks. I also picked up Knitting Nature the new book from Norah Gaughan. It is one of the most interesting and beautiful knitting books I've seen in a while. It is a great intersection of math, biology and knitting. I think my first project from it will likely be the Knitaround Leaf Tank, but there are so many gorgeous patterns.

Then, yesterday I visited Stitches From the Heart. I doubt it would ever be my favorite yarn store, but I enjoyed the experience and will go back. The store is a non-profit organization, the proceeds go to provide knitted items for premature babies. They have an interesting selection of yarns. There are a number of the cheaper acrylic, a lot of Berroco yarns, and a wide variety of other stuff, including a pretty large pattern selection.

And, in online stash enhancement, I've been trying to buy the Diagonal Triangle Top from Art Yarns in a store, but hadn't yet found it. I wasn't going to use the suggested (very expensive) yarn, but when I found it online for a good price, with free shipping, no sales tax and 10% off (new customers) I decided to splurge and give it a shot. It was hard to pick a color, but I finally decided on the Pink Dawn. I love the more green/blue colors, but wasn't sure how they'd look with jeans or with black, but the pink dawn should be good with jeans or under a suit.

Olive Madness

So, for some reason the two main things I have on the needles right now are olive colored. One is the Biker Jacket in the olive Felted Tweed, and the other is the Minisweater in the olive Noro Lily. Both are getting closer to completion.

I've only got a few more rows to go on the Minisweater before I do the edging and then switch to the sleeves. The pattern has you do the sleeves flat and then seam them, but I think I'll just do them on DPNs. I might also add in a bit of detail like on the sleeves on this Kim Hargraves pattern.

As for the biker jacket, I finished one sleeve, and the body pieces are seamed up. I'm worried the sleeve will be bigger than I want. Looking at the pattern the sleeves are pretty loose, and I'm actually knitting a bit tighter than the suggested gauge (suggested is 18 stitches and I'm getting about 19 per 4 inches). So, just one more sleeve, and then the waist and sleeve bands, then the rest of the seaming, and sewing in the zipper. I've never sewn a zipper in anything, so that is a bit worrisome. I haven't yet bought a zipper, I keep forgetting to take a sample of the yarn when I go to the fabric store. Hopefully it won't be too hard to match, but I may have to make a trip to the Fashion District.

Colors....

I joined Project Spectrum today. April is for oranges and yellows, probably the only two colors I never wear. Somewhere I've got some orange Cotton Ease, otherwise I'm going to try to have to find some stuff around. The following months however, should be a lot easier.





Tags: Project Spectrum_

Smooch Frustrations

I "finished" the Smooch tank the other day, but I'm really not liking the eyelets on one side. The directions were a bit lacking, and just said to reverse the shaping of the other side of the V-neck, but I wasn't really sure how to reverse the YOs and the decreases. The decreases on each side are so different, and it bugs me. A good wet blocking might fix it, but I don't think it will. This thing has languished for so long on the needles, I really want to get it done, but right now I'm just too frustrated.



Right now I can't even remember what I did to get them to look like that it was so long ago. I should go check the blue blog because I think she messed with the eyelets on the trim to make them look the same, so there might be some advice for me there.

Also, I knit the front pieces way too long, and I seamed them with the back about 10 rows below where they actually end.

Tags: Smooch_

Fishy

I finally finished the fish from JudyKits. I was a bit worried about the shape of the fish, before putting on the fins it really looked too long and skinny. But, once the fins were attached it looked a lot better, though I think the nose is still a bit too pointy.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the fish. The original plan was to gift it to our friends for their soon-to-be-born son's ocean themed bed room. Well, they've moved and the son is at least two now and he's got a baby sister now.



Yarn: Hand dyed cotton (included in kit)
Needles: Bryspun, 6s
Pattern: Clownfish from JudyKits.com

Opps, I just realized he isn't yet a true FO, he's still missing a mouth. But I'm still going to count him as a FO.


Tags: FOs_

MiniSweater Progress

I cast on last Wednesday (on the flight) for Glapyre's Minisweater. I'd been searching for a cardigan or shrug to wear with this dress, but was having a hard time finding something in olive color. I'd just about given up when I remembered that I had some yarn in the color and that I might be able to whip out something quick.

I was hoping to get it finished so I could wear it to a wedding on Saturday, but I realized I'd need to deal with getting a button and I decided that my time should be spent better on school work. But, I'm still progressing along nicely, with the hope of being able to wear it to a wedding over memorial day weekend (yes, it is the season for weddings). I separated out the arms last night and am progressing nicely, so it shouldn't really be a challenge to get it done on time.






Note: The yarn I'm using is Noro Lily that I bought a while back on sale, and I'm loving this yarn. It is so soft and luscious. Bonus note: In real life I don't look that busty and/or lopsided.


Tags: WIPs_,
Minisweater_

Biker Jacket Seaming

I worked a bit today on seaming the Biker Jacket. Things are going much better after blocking, it makes it much easier to see the stitches I want to sew into.

I'm using the mattress stitch, which I wish I'd taken the time to learn before. I've never done much seaming, the most I did was on the Octopus, and there was so much there, but I didn't really do anything specific. But, now that I've learned the mattress stitch it makes things so much easier and better looking. And, once you get going it actually goes rather quick.

But, I'm having trouble seaming with the yarn I'm using. It keeps breaking, but I'm not sure if that is because the piece was so worn out from being ripped out so many times. I'm going to start over tomorrow with a new piece and hopefully that will work better.

Tags: Biker Jacket_

KSSP Questions

KSSP questionaire

1. We know you prefer natural fibers, but which ones do you adore? On the same note, what yarns make you absolutely cream yourself?
As I currently live in Southern California, but am in the process of moving to Hawaii (it is a long process, which includes working there this summer), I'm trying to get more in to cottons and silks and away from the warms wools, alpacas, etc.

2. What other crafty shit do you do? (ie, spin, crotchet, bead, put babies on spikes, etc)
I've really forsaken most other crafts since I started knitting. But I do a bit of sewing, beading, soap making and paper crafts. Oh, and cooking- I think that counts as a craft!

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Nope

4. What yarns do you absolutely hate?
The normals- crappy acrylics and novelty yarns.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon
Wists

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla and florals, fresh fruity (but not overly sweet) things.

7. What do you like to eat? You know you want chocolate!
Unformtuanly, I'm trying to do South Beach Diet, so I'm supposed to stay away from most sweets (limited amounts of dark chocolate are okay).

8. What are your pet peeves?
Can't think of any right now- but I know I have a ton, but most are related to the stupid behavior of people.

9. What's your favorite thing to knit?
I don't think I could pick one thing, depends on the mood.

10. What are your favorite colors?
I wear a ton of stuff in purples, also like reds and pinks. Recently I've been getting into grass green.
I pretty much like all colors except orange and yellow.

11. What new knitting technique do you want to learn?
There are so many. I've kinda hit a rut where I just don't want to slow down to learn new things, but up on my list are cables and colorwork as well as socks.

12. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Particular brand?
I knit almost exclusively with my Denises, so I guess the answer is circulars (much better for traveling)

13. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I was a big bamboo fan, but now I knit mostly with my Denises. I tend to dislike metal, but I've only tried the crappy craft store metal ones.

14. Any crap that you collect obsessively to fill a void in your life?

I would say yarn and knitting books- but that isn't crap. Otherwise, not much else.

15. Any books you've been dying to have?
See the wish lists. Here is a (I think uptodate) list of all the knitting books I do already have (dosen't include pattern booklets without ISBNs)

16. What is the air-speed velocity of a swallow carrying a coconut?
No clue

17. Are there any yarns that you'd like to try but aren't available to you for one reason or another?
I recently fell in love with Regia's "Candian Color" which doesn't seem to be available in the US.

First Post

As this is here mostly to talk about food and knitting, I'll start off with a list of my current WIPs...

Debbie Bliss Biker Jacket
- in the suggested yarn, Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed, in that same olive green
- I've finished the body pieces, which are waiting to be seamed. I've also knit most of one sleeve, but it seems way too big, so I need to recheck my gauge and maybe knit the sleeve in a smaller size. After that will be the other sleeve, the rest of the neck band, the waist band and the wrist bands.

Smooch Tank from Rowan
- In (discontinued) Lion Cotton Ease, sugar plum
- This was started so long ago, and has been set aside and re-picked-up so many times, right now I'm almost done, I just need to finish a few inches on one side of the neck shaping. But I've been having a hard time reversing the directions which is why it keeps getting set aside. But it is so close, I should pull it out now that summer is nearing.

Clown Fish from JudyKits
- This is so close to being done. I just need to sew on a few of the fins (which I guess makes this really an UFO, not at WIP).
- I think I might use this pattern again to make another fish in wool and then felt it. The cotton is so hard to get a dense fabric from because it is hard to knit tight so the stuffing shows through a bit- but the fish is still really cute.

Just One More Row Pacific Grove Pullover
- In Endless Summer Collection Pasticcio from Elann.com in the same Stone Tweed color shown.
- This was supposed to be a gift for my mother, but it has been set aside to work on other things. Plus, she has lost a ton of weight and it might be too big now (don't worry- I hadn't gotten that far)

Dunnaway by Berroco
- This also was started some time ago. I haven't worked on this one in a while, I think I might be done with two stripes, maybe three...?
- I'm using the Optik in Tiffany, and Cotton Twist (as opposed to the suggested Soft Twist) in Pool Party.

Tags: Biker Jacket_, Smooch_, WIPs_