It's a Grey Day Outside. And Inside Too.

I don't know who I'm kidding, I'll never block these: Pattern: Selbu from Folk Mittens Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes, grey and Cloud They're not perfect, but since it was only my second attempt at stranded colorwork, I'm okay with them. I'm sure that with wear, they'll stretch into place. But wait! There's more! Pattern: Basketweave Pullover, Interweave Knits Fall '04 Yarn: LB Woolease, charcoal grey I started this last summer with the intention of having it finished in time for fall. Well, it's almost spring. In fact, I mentioned it to him and he had completely forgotten about it. I had alot of issues with this sweater. First, it took forever. Second, I kept messing up the seaming. Third, I couldn't find the right needle and it took me two months to go out and buy it. Fourth, when I finally had said needle, I didn't feel like doing it. Fifth, I had to reblock the dang thing two times. Just so ya'll know, if using acrylic in a highly textured pattern, don't expect it to block out. I had to steam it into submission. Now, it's behaving nicely and I just hope that he likes it afterall.

Hurt?

I grabbed these up at the Interweave Press' Hurt Book Sale. The bottom corner on both is "slightly" bended. I've gotten worse condition quality from Amazon, so I was pretty impressed. I had tried ordering Folk Knitting back in December, but was notified a few weeks after placing my order that they were out. Great customer service! So, when I saw it, I had to have it. Tons of inspiration in both books, but have put them away for future use... The weekend afforded me some time to finish spinning up a few bobbins and plyed them up. Between the two skeins I've got 8 ounces and 613 yards. Only 24 ounces to go! Below is a better shot of the colors. Not much else to talk about. I still haven't decided upon a pattern for my sock pal and have yet to start the baby blanket. There is a project on the needles, but I'm not sure how well it's working out yet. I've made alot of changes to the pattern and fear that blogging about it will doom it's fate. By the end of the week I'll know if it's a keeper or not. Knit on Olympians, I'm cheering for you!

Jake

Pattern: Jake from Rowan Junior Yarn: Cotton-Ease, Cherry Red-2 1/2 skeins I know I said that a certain other sweater would be done first, but I really got into this one and just wanted to finish it. With a model as cute as this, can you blame me? This was a nice easy knit and my first time working with Cotton-Ease. Now I understand why everyone was upset and went into hoarding mode when it was discontinued. It knits up lovely and is a great substitute for All Seasons Cotton. If you have the pattern book, you may notice that the sleeves are different. They're suppose to have a reverse stockinette block in the middle of them. I only didn't put them in because I kinda forgot and then decided they looked fine without. I made the 2-4 year size so that he can grow into it. Actually it fits quite well except for the sleeve length because he's so chunky! Here's two more pictures: All the roving I ordered a few weeks ago is here and I'm back into spinning mode. Needless to say, I think I've got plenty to keep me busy for awhile. Between both orders it came out to be 5 pounds. I ended up with Cotswald, a lamb and alpaca mix, Columbia, Shetland, merino and silk, and house wool mix. I can't wait to try out all of these fibers to see how they behave. But first I need to get some of the Maple Sugar out of the way.

Twist and Shout

Woo Hoo! Twist is done! Pattern: Twist Yarn: Peruvian Collection Highland Wool, Tuscan Green, 12 balls used Sorry about the crappy picture above, but it best represents the actual color. The following photo is much better at showing the details. I'm quite pleased with how this sweater turned out. I guess all those other sweaters that never got finished taught me some important lessons on what I need for my body frame. Granted, I'm not getting a really good look since it's being stretched over a very large belly, but it seems to fit in the important parts. The only thing is that I would have made the sleeves a full inch shorter instead of just a half. Also, I did not do the fringe on the collar. I'm just not a fringe kinda gal. Okay, now that this one's done, I can get onto those UFOs awaiting impatiently!

Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out

The following can only mean one thing: The blocking boards back in action!!! There's quite a bit waiting for it's turn. First, Twist, followed by the Basketweave Pullover, the Selbu Mittens, and then Samus. I had mentioned last post that I'd been busy. Well it started when I had been looking for a needle. This forced me to go through the UFO basket/pile. I had no idea that so much was lurking in there. I spent a few minutes reevaluating some of them and quickly went to work. So far I've ripped a sweater, a sock and wove in the ends to a potholder. The Easy Garter Stitch Scarf is no more-right into the garbage. It was done with scraps so no big loss. Still to be dealt with is a Clapotis that just needs a blocking and the Heart-Motif Sweater. Granted, the little girl will never fit into the sweater anymore, but surely someone will have one soon enough that I can gift it to. All this progress has left me to feel that something needed to be actually knitted on. The red is Jake from Rowan Junior in Cotton Ease. The two balls in the corner will become a blanket for the baby. Yes! I am actually starting something for him. In spinning news, I practiced at some more Navajo plying. I think I got it! The last batch came off perfectly balanced and evenly plied. Yay, this pleases me immensely! Oh, and if you're wondering, the New England socks did NOT fit. Well, they wouldn't go over my ankle. Darn it!

Productive Weekends Make Me Happy

Yarn: Lana Grossa Mega Boots Stretch, color 709 Pattern: My standard top-down I had to force myself to sit down and finish these. I'm not sure why. If you notice, they don't match. The color repeat shifted halfway through the first sock and I really didn't feel like pulling out a ton of yarn to find the same repeat. I just had to let it go, besides they look cool enough as it is. I also used 68 stitches instead of my usual 64. I find that when I knit with stretch yarns that my tension tends to be a bit tight. After wearing them around for a whole day I found that I didn't need to do this. At least I know for the next pair. The completion of those socks left my needles free for another pair to be started. I just don't think they're going to fit. Tomorrow I'm going to put the stitches onto some thread and see. Fingers crossed that I don't have to rip it all out! Of course there's been a whole lot spinning... Let me just say that this yarn does not want to be photographed. I took nearly 100 (yes, I'm serious) photos under every conceivable light condition and CAN NOT get an accurate one. Let's just say that it's freakin' gorgeous! I chose this particular shot because it shows the balance coming straight off of the wheel. Of course there are spots where the spinning or plying could have been better, but it's making me very happy. In the end 8 oz yielded me about 400 yards with most being about worsted weight. Here's the Maple Sugar in action. I'm liking it so much that I went ahead and ordered another pound of it. Since I can't guarantee the same dye lot, I'm waiting to ply it until the rest comes in. Oh, I may have ordered some other fibers to try out while I was forking out money. (And I may have not been satisfied with that and went to another store too. Full details to follow at a later date.) While I'm waiting, I pulled out the remaining 7 ounces of corriedale from when I first learned to use the drop spindle. I wanted to practice both thick singles and navajo plying again. This is what resulted. For an 1 1/4 oz I ended up with 24 yards and the best job I've done yet. I am determined to get this technique down. The idea of no leftover singles has gotten the best of me I'm afraid. There's much more to report, but haven't gotten to taking pictures yet. Besides it'll make a nice long post by itself. I'll just hint you with this: the Basketweave Pullover is involved!

Cuteness Overload

First, let me thank everyone for their suggestions regarding boys patterns. I went ahead and ordered two Debbie Bliss books and Rowan Junior. I may also have let a few other things slip into my shopping cart. Woops! Honestly there hasn't been all that much knitting going on. Twist's main pieces are finished and are awaiting blocking. That will probably happen this weekend once I can get the blocking board set up. The socks are coming. Slowly. I just haven't felt like working on them. Crazy, I know. Speaking of socks, I got my pal's info this morning and have been poking around her blog. I really don't have a clue which direction to go this time, but I've got time. Then, the next sock was announced for the KOTR kal. I was hoping that New England would win because I happen to have the perfect blue yarn already in the stash. Spinning has taken up much of my free time. The Mountain Sunset roving is all plied up and is busy drying out. I tried to take some good pictures of it prior to it's bath, but with the lack of sunlight the past few days, it was either coming out purple or grey. In the meantime, I'm busy with this. Maple Sugar roving which I also got from Copper Moose. For this I went back to spinning a fine single since I can make a much more consistent yarn this way. I have a whole pound so it's gonna take me awhile. I realized that I haven't shown a picture of Connor in quite some time. So, here he is playing around with Reilly and Royd. Can you believe how big he's gotten? What I can't believe is that in two short months he's going to be a big brother. You know, I never thought in a million years that I'd have three little boys, much less two of them being so close together. Well, as they say, "Life happens". Or something like that. I don't expect my posting to be quite as regular the next month or so. Royd has once again left for field training and won't be back for six more weeks. So far we're keeping busy and I haven't felt like running away. Yet. Ask me again in two weeks...

I'm in Love

Look what was waiting for me at the Post Office yesterday: Finally! I only had to wait a month to get her, but was she worth it! I was worried that since I hadn't tried it out, it wouldn't be for me. Not so. She spins like a dream! I went ahead and got the complete model which included a jumbo plying head and a fast flyer. I'll get around to playing with those later. For now, I'm just making friends and admiring. I'm spinning up some Mountain Sunset roving I had purchased from Copper Moose. Mind you, this picture doesn't do the colors any justice at all. I'll try to get a better shot later. Well, excuse me, I've got some spinning to do. Have a great weekend!

Rockin' It

A common theme among many blogs in January is The Stash. I had previously mentioned that a goal this year was to stash smarter, not quit altogether. That's why I didn't join the Stashalong. In all honesty, it would be silly of me. For one, I rarely go to the yarn store. So when I do, I feel that if I see something I like I'm allowed to go ahead and get it. Second, my yarn allowance isn't all that huge. Therefore when a sale comes along with a yarn I've been wanting I go ahead and get it. What's my point? Well, I have to do something other than stash smarter. It just keeps growing and growing despite efforts to keep it contained. Okay, I know it's not that big compared to some of you... Recently Royd and I tried to organize the "wool" room because we need fit a bassinett and changing table in there in a few months. Just sitting there in front of it all made me realize that it's too much. So I started going through it, seeing what was what and all. I discovered that I have tons of acrylic that I will never use. I had been hanging on to it to knit for charity. But, with four boys* to knit for, I really won't use all of it anytime soon. This is what I pulled out that I have no intention of using. It'll be packed up and sent to a charity in need sometime soon. Now what to do with the rest... I figure there's at least five sweaters worth for me. Then there's the sock and lace container. I've discovered that most of the rest is odd balls of two or three. Enough for mittens or a scarf, but not much else. What I did pull out was enough for four children sweaters. Three balls of Cotton Ease for this cute little number. Of course my gauge is off, but it'll be easy to convert. I just need to find something for the trim. I have three each of these. Green Woolease for maybe a rollneck raglan. Red Tahki Donegal Tweed for what I'm thinking might be a great little cabled cardigan. No patterns yet. And then there's the greyish yarn from Carodan Farms. I think this would make a nice gansey. Obviously I've got a lot to plan out**. And I still need to make the baby something!!! Don't worry, the yarns on it's way. And in case you're wondering how the sweater is coming along, I have a back, the left front and half a sleeve done. Here's a shot of the cabley goodness: *Yeah, you read right. It's another boy. **Can anyone recommend a book or pattern collection that has some really nice designs for boys 4 and older? Since I don't have a local bookstore that's in English, I really need some help!

FO Alert

Yarn: Sport and Strumpf 6-ply, black Pattern: Knitted Helmet Liner Finally, I managed to con Royd into modeling his new helmet liner. Unfortunately I could only manage one picture before he took it off. I guess you get the idea of what it looks like. Yarn: TMA Quick and Easy, 100% acrylic Pattern: Lion Brand Hooded Knitted Sweater Reilly ended up with a new sweater this weekend. I had to put the mittens away so that I wouldn't be distracted by them so that I could finish this up. I'm sure ya'll know how bad I am about seaming and all... He of course is delighted. Yay for four year old enthusiasm! I may have also started a few new projects. Personally I like having my next major project already in the works for a seamless transition. I hate that feeling of "Now what?" Of course, a sock in Lana Grossa Mega Boot Stretch. Then we have Twist in Elann Peruvian Highland Wool. The yarn and the pattern have been sitting together on a shelf for quite awhile now, just waiting for their turn. I'm happy to say that after two days, she's shaping up nicely and I should have a finished back by tomorrow evening. I feel like I'm forgetting to talk about something here, but it's time to start dinner and I guess it'll just have to wait for next time. Until then!

Smitten

One finished, one to go! As much as I'd like to have both done, I can't sit and stare at a chart all day. My children won't allow it either. In a recent stash plunging expedition, I pulled out some blue chunky acrylic that had been bought with the intent of a sweater for Reilly. I wanted something simple that would be quick and easy. This is what I've come up with so far: Usually I don't enjoy knitting on large needles (these are 7.0 mm), but after working so many fine gauge projects I'm finding it quite refreshing. I figure that I can get this done this weekend. I just need to figure out my next project. I've got several I'm thinking about, but can't decide. Chrissy tagged me and this is my first meme. I'll admit I had a hard time coming up with some of these answers. Here goes. 4 jobs you've had restaurant manager telephone surveyor beginning knitting instructor grocery checker 4 movies you could watch over and over Goodfellas National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation The Princess Bride I honestly couldn't think of another, since I usually only watch them once 4 tv shows you love to watch (very hard since I rarely watch any, but when I do...) House Lost Friends reruns Headline News (I know, how boring) 4 places you have been on vacation Jamaica Switzerland California France 4 websites you visit daily Bloglines MSN Elann my bank 4 of your favorite foods (why just four???) chocolate chip cookies dim sum anything Italian real gelato 4 places you would rather be right now in bed sleeping Target a yarn shop a home that is ours and not govt property 4 bloggers you are tagging (of course this is completely optional!) Keri Rachel Kimberly Tracy

Manly Knee Highs

Yarn: Super Sport Strumpf 6-ply Pattern: my own I took a picture of them with a twelve inch ruler for a sense of scale. These babies are huge! Most importantly, he loves them and has asked for more. I told him that I'd be happy to oblige, but not right now. I'm kinda burned out on stockinette in black yarn. The Helmet Liner? That's done too, but I have to wait for a modeling. I have to admit, I wasn't completely faithful to his stuff. I needed something to stimulate my mind. Enter the Selbu Mittens, from Folk Mittens. Can you spot the mistake? I'm not fixing it. I'm also having major tension issues, but I suppose that comes with lots of practice. Not that I mind, I'm having a blast knitting these. I could use some suggestions though with one thing: This is where I change needles. The last stitch is puffy and the first on the new needle is practically lost. I'm wondering how much this will work itself out in blocking or if there is something I should be doing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. In other news, I signed up for this knitalong. One sock a month for six months. What could be easier when I don't have to do anything special for it!

One

One down. Gotta love sport weight socks.

First FO of 2006

Pattern: Jaywalker Yarn: Wolle Rodel Sport & Strumpfwolle (70% wool & 30% silk) Yay, finally done! They only took me almost four weeks, a new record for a pair of socks for me. Initially I had started the smaller size and had been halfway done with the foot. After repeated try-ons, I concluded that they were just too tight. Soooo I ripped and restarted with the larger. Now, they're a bit loose in the ankle but at least I can get them over my heel. Yes, I'm aware that this yarn looks like Opal Petticoat but it indeed is not. I've noticed that Wolle Rodel does alot of knock-offs at a slightly better price. It's always fun to go in at the beginning of the season and see what you might find. Now I'm onto some deadline knitting. Royd goes to the field in three weeks and put in a few requests. The helmet liner I had made him was kind of a test knit. After it was finished he wore it around and we both figured out how to improve upon it. The neck portion will now be 8 inches vs. 6, a provisional cast on will be used for the hat part and there will be more decreases around the face in the final ribbing. I'd love to show you what I mean, but there is something screwy with the picture I took. I'll have to get another one. He also wants a pair of socks. No problem right? Uh, he wants the legs to be between 14 and 15 inches. Thank goodness the yarn I'm using is sportweight (also the same as the hat) and will make it go a bit faster. Wish me luck. All this black yarn is starting to make me blind. I need color! Any guess as to how long it takes me to break?

Playing Catch-up

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that the holidays found you happy and with people you love. Sorry to have dropped off the planet for awhile, but blogging just wasn't a priority for a few weeks. Honestly, there wasn't even that much to talk about. But with my mom now gone and Royd going back to work tomorrow, life will be getting back to normal. This past weekend was pretty quite and allowed me to get some knitting done for what seems like an eternity. Reilly's socks were finally finished, and a pair of Jaywalkers are almost finished for me. There was also a Knitted Helmet Liner, but for some reason the photo isn't uploading correctly, so I'll try again another day. Christmas presents this year resulted in lots of knitterly goodness There may be more, but we haven't gotten all our packages yet. Can we just say that I'm in Heaven, I love new books, especially ones that are informitive and interesting. But my main present, hasn't even shipped yet. It's backordered and I have no one to blame but myself. If I had just picked up the phone one day earlier, it would be here by now. I guess I can wait. Oh, yeah, I have no choice... In reading other blogs, I've noticed that many people are making resolutions. Not here. That's just saying what I won't be doing this year. Instead, I'd like to make a few goals: more colorwork finish an adult sized sweater stash smarter (note I didn't say stop) spin with a project in mind - limited to only one finally get rid of the two bins of acrylic that I'll never get around to knitting charity items with See? Not unrealistic. I can do these. And if I miss one, oh well, they were only goals!

Can I Have My Week Back?

Time sure is flying. Every year it gets worse. Remember when you were a kid and the weeks following Thanksgiving seemed to drag and drag? The anticipation of Christmas made each day seem like two or three. Now, entire weeks could be contained in one day. I'm behind. The shopping isn't finished, packages aren't mailed and decorating has yet to commence. Then to top everything off, we are waiting for parts for the car so that it can be fixed. I have to drive to Frankfurt in two Mondays to get my mom. I may have to rent a car. Nothing like extra expenses at this time of the year. On the bright side of things, I do have some finished objects to show! Here is the Shaped Triangle in all of it's blocked glory. It spans the entire length of my couch and it could have been even bigger. I ran out of room on the carpet. I wasn't about to move heavy furniture. Closeups of the edging and body follow. Next, I finished Whitby for the KOTRkal. They only took about four days to finish. I used Knitpicks Merino Style. Although the pattern calls for a sportweight and Merino Style is dk, I easily got gauge with 3mms. They ended up being a nice thick, tight sock. The color is actually bright mossy green, but for some reason I couldn't catch the true color with natural light or flash. And yet another horrible picture... The Irish Hiking Scarf has been blocked (not that it helped at all) and a pair of mittens were knit to match. This yarn is a tweedy chocolate brown from Peacock Yarns. On the needles now are a pair of socks for Reilly and a garter stitch leftover scarf for myself. I'm also contemplating which pair of socks to start next. My choices are Friday Harbor, Jaywalker, or Pomatomus. OR I may try to do a pair of mosaics or color stranded. I just don't know.