Thursday, June 29, 2006
Time For the Fun
First things first. The test it is over. The doctor has pronounced it "a little reflux." We are relieved.
I was whisked in so fast yesterday that all I had time to knit was:
The very basic beginning of a tiny sock. Same yarn as the matching mittens.
Cast on 36. Rib for 10 rounds. Work to 3", heel flap on 1/2 the stitches (18 if you're math impaired), turn the heel, knit the foot to 3", make a toe. Repeat.
So, tonight, I started this:
The pattern's an old Hayfield. It calls for mohair (as if!), but I am using some Bernat Ping Pong that I bought at the Tree a few weeks ago. I have brown and black too. They'll be a bear, I think. Maybe a brown bear with a black muzzle.
I'll get crazy with the scarf and hat on this snow guy. I'm thinking that fair isle or cables might be the ticket.
Ping Pong is nasty sparkly ack/nylon blend.
And on a floody note: Much of eastern and central Pennsylvania is under water or cleaning up from being under water. Our homeless shelter in Easton is flooded (again). Can you imagine the irony of being flooded out of a homeless shelter?
Hold a good thought, please.
I was whisked in so fast yesterday that all I had time to knit was:
The very basic beginning of a tiny sock. Same yarn as the matching mittens.
Cast on 36. Rib for 10 rounds. Work to 3", heel flap on 1/2 the stitches (18 if you're math impaired), turn the heel, knit the foot to 3", make a toe. Repeat.
So, tonight, I started this:
The pattern's an old Hayfield. It calls for mohair (as if!), but I am using some Bernat Ping Pong that I bought at the Tree a few weeks ago. I have brown and black too. They'll be a bear, I think. Maybe a brown bear with a black muzzle.
I'll get crazy with the scarf and hat on this snow guy. I'm thinking that fair isle or cables might be the ticket.
Ping Pong is nasty sparkly ack/nylon blend.
And on a floody note: Much of eastern and central Pennsylvania is under water or cleaning up from being under water. Our homeless shelter in Easton is flooded (again). Can you imagine the irony of being flooded out of a homeless shelter?
Hold a good thought, please.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
What's This?
The rains seem to have finally stopped (after what feels like 3 or 4 weeks rather than days). We are under a serious flood watch for the whole region, and I have an appointment for medical testing on my stomach in a little over an hour.
Having eaten nothing since midnight, I am more than a little cranky. The thought of postponing due to weather has not crossed my mind! If I can get there, I'll drink the damned barium and let them x-ray me!
So it came as no surprise thatthe sun is out this morning! There are blue skies, and the birds are singing.
However, the river is at flood stage (and hasn't crested yet). It could still be bad!
The flowers in the garden do not seem to be upset by all the water. In fact, they seem quite content.
There will be cleaning today, and knitting, and SOMA (sitting on my ass) recovering from the indignities of early morning testing.
There might even be the eating of ice cream, or Rita's.
Stay tuned!
Alert: I just found out that the Other Half will be home early. There goes a perfectly good SOMA day!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Dressing In the Dark
Here's what you might discover, as I did, when I was unlocking the door at work this morning.
At least they are both the same size and brand.
My socks match each other.
My pants are clean and pressed.
My polo shirt is white and bright.
But my sneakers don't match!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Rainy Days and Mondays
It rained all weekend.
Following the collective wisdon of my fearless readers, I have completed (except for the sewing of one button at the back neck and blocking), the little Hokey Pokey dress.
I think it looks so much better as a jumper.
It will be a lot less itchy, too.
I tried really hard to do a picot bind-off (JFGI), but though it was well-executed (if I do say so), it was just lumpy. And combined with the itch factor, it wasn't going to cut it under the chin.
Here's the finishing:
I used it on the neckline and the armholes.
Here's how.
Pick up the stitches. Work one row/round. K2 tog, yo around. Work 2 more rows/rounds even. Fold on the yo round and tack it in place on the inside, one stitch at a time.
There is no bind off in this method to keep it stretchy.
It's fiddly, but it works.
We have had a guest for the past several days. Do you see him?
We put out his favorite food (sugar water) and hope he will (as he has in summers past), brough his mate and children to visit as well.
There he is, on the Red-Hot pokers.
Do you see him now?
We watched movies.
Reviews:
Syriana will make you think. A lot!
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (on TiVo) is a fluffy teen chick flick.
Elizabethtown is a fluffy adult chick flick.
All were entertaining.
Following the collective wisdon of my fearless readers, I have completed (except for the sewing of one button at the back neck and blocking), the little Hokey Pokey dress.
I think it looks so much better as a jumper.
It will be a lot less itchy, too.
I tried really hard to do a picot bind-off (JFGI), but though it was well-executed (if I do say so), it was just lumpy. And combined with the itch factor, it wasn't going to cut it under the chin.
Here's the finishing:
I used it on the neckline and the armholes.
Here's how.
Pick up the stitches. Work one row/round. K2 tog, yo around. Work 2 more rows/rounds even. Fold on the yo round and tack it in place on the inside, one stitch at a time.
There is no bind off in this method to keep it stretchy.
It's fiddly, but it works.
We have had a guest for the past several days. Do you see him?
We put out his favorite food (sugar water) and hope he will (as he has in summers past), brough his mate and children to visit as well.
There he is, on the Red-Hot pokers.
Do you see him now?
We watched movies.
Reviews:
Syriana will make you think. A lot!
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (on TiVo) is a fluffy teen chick flick.
Elizabethtown is a fluffy adult chick flick.
All were entertaining.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Already?
When I get a sufficient stash of odd balls and odd bits, I cast on a "scrapghan." I usually make one a year.
The last one I made was pronounce "finished" on April 19. This year.
So, where in the holy hell did all of this stuff come from?
There;s quite nearly enough there to start another and it's only been (counts on fingers) two freakin' months! (yes, I'm shouting)
I guess that it's time to cast on another!
If it's gonna be your birthday in a few days (like, say, early in July) stop reading!
Here's a cute little number I cast on and finished last night. It goes with the book. The pattern is here.
It's meant to be worn as a sports band (to keep sweat from your eyes, if you are inclined to exercise).
I tried it on.
Didn't want to stretch it out.
I'm thinking that I might just make one for me. Just for gardening. And to accessorize my role as Queen of the Known Universe.
Maybe in purple.
Must do something about the hair. And the toothpaste on the mirror.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
How Cute Is That?
I made incredible progress on the Hokey Pokey Dress this week. Had a good long sit down opportunity with the (mindless stockinette) skirt on Thursday and a great session Friday night and this morning with the bodice.
The skirt part is essentially a tube then there's a dramatic (1/3) decrease at the underarm and an eyeletround that's intended to encase a ribbon (I don't think so--see my commentary in previous editions regarding poms and such). The bodice is further pulled in by a sorta-rib (rib on the WS, knit across on the RS--I know this stitch has a name, but I'm too lazy to look it up.
This is the hem. It's called Triangle Lace, and I guess since there are yarn overs, it is technically a lace pattern.
So here's the deal.
This piece has no intended recipient. It will doubtless become a "community" (thank you, Carol Anderson, for that term) piece as there are no little girls this size in my circle at the moment. But for now, it's a fair entry (#10, FSM be praised!)--"Children, Knit, Dress."
So, I am seeking your opinions, Gentle Readers.
Here's how it looks right now. Obviously unfinished. The pattern calls for long straight sleeves. I'm thinking that it has the look of a pinafore (think little turtle neck sweater or pretty white blouse with a round collar underneath).
What if, instead of long sleeves, I do little short row cap sleeves and finish them off with a lace edge like the one at the hem, or even a ruffle just on the top at the shoulder?
Of course, then it becomes more of an "over dress" rather than a complete "outfit" for a community child.
Here's a photo of the original.
It's in cotton. Mine is ack. It's not especially soft (though a little softener/hair conditioner might help that).
The ribbon's gotta go, though.
Opinions?
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Moving Along
I've had a request for the pattern for Diamond Patch. I did not design this sweater, I am only the knitter. Therefore, I refer anyone interested in his/her own copy to Elann. Please click on "products" then on "patterns." From there, you can scroll (though you will need to page through screen after screen of Classic Elite "classics") page by page, or click "all" and wait a minute while all 1400+ pictures load. I am certain that there are other sources for this pattern. I suggest that readers JFGI on "Just One More Row" "Diamond Patch" with the quotes.
If you are perusing Elann's patterns, scroll down to "Just One More Row." On the way by, check out "Effectiveness By Design," "Fiber Trends," and Heartstrings." When you are finished, look at "Knitting Pure and Simple" and "Oat Couture."
These are just some of my favorite pattern sources. Over the next few months, I may begin actually using some of the great patterns and yarn I have stashed. (What a concept!)
In other news: I have started another fair entry, this time in Red Heart ack (Hokey Pokey that's been stashed for a while). It's a little girl's dress (18 months) with a cute (and very simple) lace hem, plain skirt, long sleeves, patterned bodice. I have already begun modifications (switched it to "in the round" as there is no way in hell I am knitting 9+ inches of 140 stockinette stitches back and forth). The sleeves will be picked up and knit as well. Down with seams! This will be #10. Then I really can get started on the fun stuff."
As soon as there's something to show, there will be pictures!
I've started another hat for Ship Support, and work continues on a pair of mittens (plain, blue, wool/ack blend). Branching Out is this [] close to being frogged. I love the pattern, love the yarn (cash/silk, what's not to love?) , hate the color (Salmon. Not pink, not orange.) Frog Pond is calling!
And now, it's "later":
This is the third start on the little dress. We had trouble counting, yes, we did.
Yarn is Red Heart Hokey Pokey "periwinkle." The pattern is from House of White Birches Knitting for Babies and Kids. The pattern calls for cotton, but all my worsted weight cotton is simply "too mature" for a baby/toddler dress.
And I'm not in the market for more yarn.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
It's Finished
It occured to me as I prepared to wear Diamond Patch for the first time "out" so to speak, that I had not posted a final picture.
And so, for your viewing pleasure, I give you Diamond Patch, in the rough, and in the mirror.
The pattern is Just One More Row "Diamond Patch." The yarn is Filatura di Crosa "Sarah" in a color called Moroccan Oasis. It's 75% cotton, 20% Ack, and 5% nylon. The color changes are long.
I modified the pattern (check the archives for my size/gauge rant) and I am satisfied with the fit.
All together, I used a little over 400 g./1000 yards (there are 5 full balls and a bit left of my original 15).
Pattern and yarn were purchased in November 2003 from elann.com. A quick Google search does not turn up additional sources.
By no stretch of the imagination was this my oldest stashed yarn, or even my oldest Elann yarn.
A quick look at the spreadsheet tells me I have miles to go.
We took a little walk in the back yard tonight and someone found something tasty in the herb bed.
It would seem that after many years of dormancy, the catnip lives!
And the cats are doing their damnedest to see that it is dormant again soon.
Buzz, anyone?
And in yet another corner of my world, the Asian lilies are in bloom.
The Other Half insists on calling them "day lilies," which, clearly, they are not.
Let's leave him his delusions, shall we?
Monday, June 19, 2006
Same Old, Same Old
It would seem that my doctor (the joker) has declared that I must be pregnant. (I told you he was a joker!) Um, I went out of that particular business several years ago. So, no. There's no need to plan a cyber-shower (or any other kind unless it involves soap and water).
He actually thinks it might be the beginning of an ulcer and has ordered that nasty test (the one that involves drinking barium on an empty stomach). The Other Half offered to come along. I declined. I don't need a witness.
I also need to reschedule it from Wednesday (two days hence) because a coworker scheduled other stuff that conflicts.
I don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
That yellow stuff? That's lemon ginger tea. Soothing.
And the knitting du jour is a baby bootie. I'm still refilling the bootie box from which all presents flow. There was a run on baby presents this spring.
(I'm glad other people are multiplying and I'm not!)
This is just my memorized easy pattern in variegated baby ack with some fuzzy white stuff for the foot.
Impressive and easy. And fast.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
How Close Can We Get?
The Regia mittens are finished! I did my very best to match them exactly and I think I got it pretty close. There's a tiny glitch in one of them (look at the tippy top) that was caused by the slight variation in the self-striping.
But all in all, I'm satisfied! And taht puts me one entry closer to being ready for the fair!
The pattern is from Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar: Wednesday, November 1, 2006. Yes, I worked ahead! Bite me!
Look at this! Even the thumbs match!
I "lost" a few yards of yarn so that I would start at the same spot on the cuffs, then I "threw away" a few more yards to get the thumbs to start at tht spot in the pattern repeat.
So, Carrie and Janice, still wanna watch me pull my hair out?
There will be no ranting from me over this pair o' mittens. I'm pleased as punch. Then some.
And on a similar note: Response to the "6 in 2006" is phenomenal (okay, I'm easily pleased--see above). Jump on in, the water's fine!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Did Someone Say Mittens?
I bought this colorway of Regia sock yarn from Elann.com when they were closing out some cool colors. I planned to make socks for me.
Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I have since decided that (in the words of Rabbitch ) it makes socks that look like boiled ass.
I decided that it would be better as mittens. They're wool (so therefore, should be warm) and colorful. Yep, better as mittens.
And maybe a hat.
Now to make them match.
And, there's always a hat on the needles. We call this mindless car knitting. It travels in a little tote.
This time, I cast on 90 stitches.
The yarn is Phildar (are they still in business?) Pegase. Three colors. Using up odd balls that look good together.
For Ship Support. Naturally.
Later today, or perhaps tomorrow, I will do a little rant.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
One Of Those Days
Dudes, don't ask.
The stories I could tell are not my own. I sure wish I could tell them. But no one would believe them. Not any of them. None. Not a one.
So I'll just talk about mittens.
This just in: Pairs 4 and 5 are underway. Pair 4 is the mindless, knit-in-a-tube-add-the-thumb-later blue one that's almost finished. It's sort of on the right.
Pair #5 is the show-off-what Regia-can-d0 pair on the left.
I'm starting to wish I had bought mittens for the challenge! (And chosen something else to enter in the fair.)
But I'm in this deep, so I figure I'll knit a bit and bitch a blit. Then I'll start on the snow people and Santa and such. The fun stuff.
So far, I am fresh out of fresh ideas, so I'll probably rely on Jean Greenhowe for inspiration.
I just have one question: Is it possible for a man to be the victim of gender discrimination?
The stories I could tell are not my own. I sure wish I could tell them. But no one would believe them. Not any of them. None. Not a one.
So I'll just talk about mittens.
This just in: Pairs 4 and 5 are underway. Pair 4 is the mindless, knit-in-a-tube-add-the-thumb-later blue one that's almost finished. It's sort of on the right.
Pair #5 is the show-off-what Regia-can-d0 pair on the left.
I'm starting to wish I had bought mittens for the challenge! (And chosen something else to enter in the fair.)
But I'm in this deep, so I figure I'll knit a bit and bitch a blit. Then I'll start on the snow people and Santa and such. The fun stuff.
So far, I am fresh out of fresh ideas, so I'll probably rely on Jean Greenhowe for inspiration.
I just have one question: Is it possible for a man to be the victim of gender discrimination?
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Steal This Button!
Monday, June 12, 2006
The Mitten Quest Continues
Tonight I knitted mittens!
The "color block" pair is finished. Either they are camel and claret with khaki palms, or claret and camel with khaki backs. Not exactly what I was planning on (poor planning on my part), but warm and colorful. Something that I hope will appeal to a young teen.
Of course, no matter which way they turn out, they still need to be seamed. And a little blocking wouldn't hurt!
For, it seems, seaming is one of the facts of life when you knit mittens on two needles.
It matters not whether they are knit side to side (like these) or bottom to top (or top to bottom).
Someday, you've got to sew them up.
That's just the way it is.
And that's enough ruminating from me.
The obvious solution to the seaming issue should be very clear (see photo to the left).Knit the blasted things in the round!
I have no idea what yarn this is. Probably Encore (wool and ack). It feels soft. It knits nice. I'm planning to get a little pattern thing going with some white Red Heart "with Wool" (seriously, that's the name of the yarn-- "with Wool") as soon as I get finished with the ribbing thing. I'm thinking a snowflake. Too girly? Or some swirly stuff. Something to break up the wild blue yonder!
Definitely not stripes. Not white stripes on kid-mittens. Even machine washable kid-mittens. I'm even wondering about the snowflake!
These are knitted in the round in a tube with an afterthought thumb thing. I will post pictures as I progress. The pattern idea belongs to Anami , though there's no recent mention on her blog.
I'm sure she'll be posting pictures of the ones she's making for the Mitten Challenge very soon.
Two pairs finished! Yes, indeed, I will be able to meet the challenge myself!
This is always a concern. I issue mitten challenges to force myself to knit them! I really don't like knitting mittens. Two of them. It's worse than second sock syndrome!
But these are cute. And small. I should have put something with them for perspective.
I did a little gardening yesterday.
Well, I bought the plants on Saturday. Petunias, dianthus, zinnias (the tall kind) if anyone cares.
Then I weeded the big beds in the front and moved a few plants around. The balloon plants are overwhelming the sage, so I moved the sage to a better spot.
And what in the wide, wide world of sports is that black-eyed Susan doing in that particular spot? So I moved it, too.
And I planted some gladiolas. Maybe they'll bloom in 6 or so years (that's how long it took the first batch).
Sparky was no help at all, but she sure enjoyed the sun.
We were all enjoying the sun until I found this. If its former owner is poisonous, I do not want to know!
I'll leave you with the peonies. They perfume the air outside our bedroom window.
So sweet.
Oops! I almost forgot the movie reviews.
This weekend, we saw Sound of Thunder which is a sort of Jurassic Park meets Jules Verne. Fluff with a bit of futuristic sci-fi thrown in. It was okay.
Hoodwinked was the first "don't bother" we've seen in a while. Really. Don't bother.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Mitten Challenge!
The Other Half and I were talking about mittens yesterday (really, we were).
He comes from a big family (#6 of nine children). And lived "up north" (Pennsylvania). I, on the other hand, was an "only" and lived in the Deep South (Alabama) as a child. This "mitten moment" is his.
1) Kids who live in Snow Country hate, hate, HATE wool mittens. Snow sticks to them. OTOH, wet wool stays warm. USE WOOL (or a wool blend) if you can.
2) You know those cute mittens with the buttons and beads sewn on? They scratch your nose when you use your mitten as a handkerchief. Don't saw "ewww!" You did it, admit it!
3) If you are part of a big family, you want to be "first out the door" in cold weather (or any weather). First kid out the door is always best dressed. Last kid out the door often has mis-matched mittens, those nasty brown cotton work gloves (which the Other Half assures me are totally useless in cold weather, and his father bought by the case), or (worst of all) socks! on his hands.
The charity group I help moderate strives to provide warm things for the kids at Cheyenne River (Lakota Sioux) Reservation in South Dakota (you think Pennsylvania's cold!) . We've just started a challenge that I proposed!
Mittens! Warm, wooly, what-could-make-your-heart-sing-more, mittens.
My fearless readers are invited to participate along with the group! (They're also invited to join the group, but that isn't necessary to participate in the challenge. )
Here's the challenge: Between now and October 1, make (knit, crochet, sew from fleece or felted sweaters, 6 pairs of mittens. That's 1 mitten (not pair) a week with time off every 4 mittens for good behavior.
Mittens can be plain or fancy, wool (preferred) or not, any color, any style. They need to fit kids ages 0-18.
Mail them to me (email me at amcmanus@ptd.net for the mailing address) in time for me to mail them on to the reservation by the first week in October.
Anyone who sends 6 pairs (or more) that I receive by October 1, will be included in a drawing for a nice prize.
To get you started, here's my current favorite pattern.
They are knitted side to side in garter stitch.
This one is some acrylic baby weight knitted up on size 2 needles. They are red. Red does not photograph well!
Really, I was just testing out the pattern (got the fair on my mind).
Here's how it looks folded, but not seamed.
I figure that fingering weight will get me a nice pair fit for a toddler (say around 2). That's when they start needing thumbs free, isn't it?
These go very fast.
And they are a great way to use up odd bits of stuff. (See previous entry on how to divide a ball of yarn in 2.)
I've made bunches since I started on Friday.
The little blotchy ones are Emu superwash, left over from sock knitting. I used a size 3 needle. They are pretty much the same size as the red ack ones.
Then, I started a pair of "color block" ones with my odd ball Kool Wool.
I think I will devote tonight to finishing.
Penny is unimpressed. Cats don't wear mittens.
And in Other news:
It's been a while since the ceiling was painted.
Yes, we are replacing the dead ceiling fan.
He comes from a big family (#6 of nine children). And lived "up north" (Pennsylvania). I, on the other hand, was an "only" and lived in the Deep South (Alabama) as a child. This "mitten moment" is his.
1) Kids who live in Snow Country hate, hate, HATE wool mittens. Snow sticks to them. OTOH, wet wool stays warm. USE WOOL (or a wool blend) if you can.
2) You know those cute mittens with the buttons and beads sewn on? They scratch your nose when you use your mitten as a handkerchief. Don't saw "ewww!" You did it, admit it!
3) If you are part of a big family, you want to be "first out the door" in cold weather (or any weather). First kid out the door is always best dressed. Last kid out the door often has mis-matched mittens, those nasty brown cotton work gloves (which the Other Half assures me are totally useless in cold weather, and his father bought by the case), or (worst of all) socks! on his hands.
The charity group I help moderate strives to provide warm things for the kids at Cheyenne River (Lakota Sioux) Reservation in South Dakota (you think Pennsylvania's cold!) . We've just started a challenge that I proposed!
Mittens! Warm, wooly, what-could-make-your-heart-sing-more, mittens.
My fearless readers are invited to participate along with the group! (They're also invited to join the group, but that isn't necessary to participate in the challenge. )
Here's the challenge: Between now and October 1, make (knit, crochet, sew from fleece or felted sweaters, 6 pairs of mittens. That's 1 mitten (not pair) a week with time off every 4 mittens for good behavior.
Mittens can be plain or fancy, wool (preferred) or not, any color, any style. They need to fit kids ages 0-18.
Mail them to me (email me at amcmanus@ptd.net for the mailing address) in time for me to mail them on to the reservation by the first week in October.
Anyone who sends 6 pairs (or more) that I receive by October 1, will be included in a drawing for a nice prize.
To get you started, here's my current favorite pattern.
They are knitted side to side in garter stitch.
This one is some acrylic baby weight knitted up on size 2 needles. They are red. Red does not photograph well!
Really, I was just testing out the pattern (got the fair on my mind).
Here's how it looks folded, but not seamed.
I figure that fingering weight will get me a nice pair fit for a toddler (say around 2). That's when they start needing thumbs free, isn't it?
These go very fast.
And they are a great way to use up odd bits of stuff. (See previous entry on how to divide a ball of yarn in 2.)
I've made bunches since I started on Friday.
The little blotchy ones are Emu superwash, left over from sock knitting. I used a size 3 needle. They are pretty much the same size as the red ack ones.
Then, I started a pair of "color block" ones with my odd ball Kool Wool.
I think I will devote tonight to finishing.
Penny is unimpressed. Cats don't wear mittens.
And in Other news:
It's been a while since the ceiling was painted.
Yes, we are replacing the dead ceiling fan.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Belated Reviews
Movie reviews: We saw these last weekend.
Fun with Dick and Jane is a funny (slapstick funny) romp with Jim Carey as an out-of-work PR guy from an imploded company. Pretty much what you'd expect.
The Family Stone, however, is not a comedy (no matter what the Name Brand stars (Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson) and anything written on the box would lead you to believe.
The Other Half and I each said, "Omygawd, that's your family." Well, yes, it's probably yours as well. Touching, bittersweet, with some funny scenes, but not a comedy (at least not in my opinion.
I'd recommend either or both to my friends.
Breaking News: Diamond Patches is done! Let me get it blocked and I'll post some pictures.
Now I can give my full attention to Branching Out (did you hear that, you whiner?). (Or I can start something new for the fair.)
Fun with Dick and Jane is a funny (slapstick funny) romp with Jim Carey as an out-of-work PR guy from an imploded company. Pretty much what you'd expect.
The Family Stone, however, is not a comedy (no matter what the Name Brand stars (Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson) and anything written on the box would lead you to believe.
The Other Half and I each said, "Omygawd, that's your family." Well, yes, it's probably yours as well. Touching, bittersweet, with some funny scenes, but not a comedy (at least not in my opinion.
I'd recommend either or both to my friends.
Breaking News: Diamond Patches is done! Let me get it blocked and I'll post some pictures.
Now I can give my full attention to Branching Out (did you hear that, you whiner?). (Or I can start something new for the fair.)
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Who Said?
Whoever it was that said "gauge isn't important" was talking through his/her hat!
However, whoever said "I can't get gauge with the needles the pattern calls for" has just learned a valuable knitting lesson.
Case in point: Two identical booties.
Same pattern (from the Newborns in Need website-JFGI, it's too early to link), same yarn (Pingofrance). So what's the difference?
The blue one was knitted up on size 3 needles (the size I "always" use for this pattern). 6 stitches to the inch, approximately 11 rows to the inch. Big enough for a 1 year old possibly.
The raspberry one (not pinque, Janice! Not pinque!) on size 1s. Seven stitches, 14 rows to the inch. Size 0-3 months. Much better.
My "baby gift box" is filling up quite nicely, thanks.
(These will probably be "embellished" with cute buttons, beads, or (in the case of the raspberry ones) little flowers of some sort.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Strange Doings
Okay. I came home this afternoon, like I do every day. This semester, the Other Half teaches Tuesday nights, so he wasn't home, nor was he expected.
I know that he was here at some point mid-day, because when I looked up, this is what I saw on the bedroom ceiling.
Yes, those are wires. and such.
I emailed him, but so far there's been no response.
Sure would like to know what's going on. . .
And here's a new bit of car knitting. Booties for the bootie stash, seeing as how everyone we know is either reproducing, or has child who is.(Happy Feet cleaned me out.)
This one (a favorite pattern I memorized long ago) seems to be going horribly wrong. I mean, these things are huge! Like big enough to fit a one year old. Oh! They get that big, don't they?
I pretty much know how the Harlot feels. Fortunately, they grow into our gifts if we wait long enough. This is a very good thing!
Fair knitting is progressing nicely. I am all but finished with the basics and getting ready to move along to the fancy stuff.
I fear that I need to buy yarn to finish up, though. I have no "elephant color" in anything but wool, for example, though a wool elephant might be okay.
Hmmm.
Closing In
Please direct your eyes to the Yarn Coundown overthereontheright.
Please es'plane how I can subtract (net) 15 balls (actually 23, because I added a prize of 8 balls of yummy Annabelle Fox DK weight superwash) and still have over 56 &*%$# miles of yarn in my stash! Defies all logic!
Okay. I feel better after that little rant.
I have put more-than-a-little time into Diamond Patch since Saturday. I really, really, really want to wear it before it's too hot and muggy for layering here in eastern Pennsylvania. Looks like I might get my wish.
One more short row sleeve cap, two tiny seams (under the arms) and about a gazillion ends to weave in.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Please es'plane how I can subtract (net) 15 balls (actually 23, because I added a prize of 8 balls of yummy Annabelle Fox DK weight superwash) and still have over 56 &*%$# miles of yarn in my stash! Defies all logic!
Okay. I feel better after that little rant.
I have put more-than-a-little time into Diamond Patch since Saturday. I really, really, really want to wear it before it's too hot and muggy for layering here in eastern Pennsylvania. Looks like I might get my wish.
One more short row sleeve cap, two tiny seams (under the arms) and about a gazillion ends to weave in.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Aftermath
The aftermath of the weekend's financial success (not!) is that "my room" is a worse mess than usual.
So I spent the better part of the day attempting to make some sense of the disarray.
On a fairly regular basis, I round up all my runaway circular needles and get them back into their cases and in some semblence of order.
This time, there was a definite method to the madness as I also logged them in to their own spreadsheet. A friend is scouting for nylon ones, so I really needed to know where the gaps are.
My analysis says "take all you can lay hands on!"
And I finished a pair of bedsocks/footies/slippers for Ship Support.
They're Kool Wool--claret, khaki, and camel.
Cast on 36, join, make a sock. You know the drill.
And isn't this lovely?
No, I didn't, but I wish I had. On my screen, it's only slightly larger than real life.
Top to bottom, it's less than 3" high, and less than 1.5" wide. There are something like 40 x-stitches to the inch in the rose portion. The little lilac flowers are about 1/4" wide.
My mother worked this (and the crocheted lace around the edge) on a linen handkerchief more than 50 years ago. I have a couple of others that she did (white on white cutwork).
I'm thinking about framing the embroidery.
So I spent the better part of the day attempting to make some sense of the disarray.
On a fairly regular basis, I round up all my runaway circular needles and get them back into their cases and in some semblence of order.
This time, there was a definite method to the madness as I also logged them in to their own spreadsheet. A friend is scouting for nylon ones, so I really needed to know where the gaps are.
My analysis says "take all you can lay hands on!"
And I finished a pair of bedsocks/footies/slippers for Ship Support.
They're Kool Wool--claret, khaki, and camel.
Cast on 36, join, make a sock. You know the drill.
And isn't this lovely?
No, I didn't, but I wish I had. On my screen, it's only slightly larger than real life.
Top to bottom, it's less than 3" high, and less than 1.5" wide. There are something like 40 x-stitches to the inch in the rose portion. The little lilac flowers are about 1/4" wide.
My mother worked this (and the crocheted lace around the edge) on a linen handkerchief more than 50 years ago. I have a couple of others that she did (white on white cutwork).
I'm thinking about framing the embroidery.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Matching Pairs?
Sometimes, you just want to use up a bunch of odd balls.
Sometimes, you'd like them to be, oh, mittens, or slippers, or socks, or booties. You know, things that are best made in pairs that at least look like they came from the same state (red or blue?).
So what's a knitter to do?
If you don't have an over-abundance of the same identical leftover yarn the obvious solution is to somehow divide the yarn from one little ball into two even smaller balls and work from there.
I have to say that the writing out in words takes a lot less space than the show-and-tell way, but show-and-tell is so much more, well, graphic.
So, show-and-tell it is!
Start by unrolling the single ball into a very loose (and messy) pile of yarn.
Warning: if you have furbabies that like to play with yarn, wait until they are 1) eating, 2) asleep, or 3) on the other side of a tightly closed door before you start this process. Two of three would be even better, but why press your luck?
Find the two ends.
Match up the whole length of yarn
so that you find the exact center of the strand. (Okay, close to the center, like within a foot or so of the exact center, will work unless you have a very small amount -- a couple or three yards, for example).
Tie a loose, overhand knot like the one to the left there.
Start at one end and roll a little center-pull ball
When you get to the knot, stop.
Repeat from the other end.
This will give you two nearly identically bits of yarn rolled into two balls.
You can cut them apart if you want. I don't simply because, if I don't use the whole half (oxymoron alert!!) , I am not stuck with two stupidly small bits, but rather have one slightly longer bit with a knot in the middle (which is easily removed because I tied it loosely (see that step up there where the knot was tied.
Oh, there's another one!
I have several of these lying around as I am gearing up for another Mitten Challenge.
Okay, today you got knitting content when you really wanted to know how the sale went.
I went into this sale intending to unload a lot of crap, notto make a load of cash. This is a good thing. Because I did not make a lot of cash. It rained most of the night, much of the morning, and on into the afternoon.
I recovered my "table rent" (or permit fee) and got a little extra. But the dehumidifier is gone! The mattress and box spring, ditto. A bunch of interesting tschatchkes are gone, too.
At 2 o'clock, I rolled the garbage can in and started pitching things-of-Limited-Value (old golf balls, really old golf balls), Glasses with someone else's initials etched on them.
I moved the typewriter (really!), the antique desk chair (complete with auto-pinch seat), and 3 plastic sleds to the curb. (Twenty minutes later, the chair was gone. I have high hopes for the rest!)
Everything else (except for 2 pieces of furniture), I bagged or boxed and stuffed in the trunk of my car. I'll let my coworkers root through and anything they don't want, I'll put in the dumpster.
Thus ends another yard sale.
Sometimes, you'd like them to be, oh, mittens, or slippers, or socks, or booties. You know, things that are best made in pairs that at least look like they came from the same state (red or blue?).
So what's a knitter to do?
If you don't have an over-abundance of the same identical leftover yarn the obvious solution is to somehow divide the yarn from one little ball into two even smaller balls and work from there.
I have to say that the writing out in words takes a lot less space than the show-and-tell way, but show-and-tell is so much more, well, graphic.
So, show-and-tell it is!
Start by unrolling the single ball into a very loose (and messy) pile of yarn.
Warning: if you have furbabies that like to play with yarn, wait until they are 1) eating, 2) asleep, or 3) on the other side of a tightly closed door before you start this process. Two of three would be even better, but why press your luck?
Find the two ends.
Match up the whole length of yarn
so that you find the exact center of the strand. (Okay, close to the center, like within a foot or so of the exact center, will work unless you have a very small amount -- a couple or three yards, for example).
Tie a loose, overhand knot like the one to the left there.
Start at one end and roll a little center-pull ball
When you get to the knot, stop.
Repeat from the other end.
This will give you two nearly identically bits of yarn rolled into two balls.
You can cut them apart if you want. I don't simply because, if I don't use the whole half (oxymoron alert!!) , I am not stuck with two stupidly small bits, but rather have one slightly longer bit with a knot in the middle (which is easily removed because I tied it loosely (see that step up there where the knot was tied.
Oh, there's another one!
I have several of these lying around as I am gearing up for another Mitten Challenge.
Okay, today you got knitting content when you really wanted to know how the sale went.
I went into this sale intending to unload a lot of crap, notto make a load of cash. This is a good thing. Because I did not make a lot of cash. It rained most of the night, much of the morning, and on into the afternoon.
I recovered my "table rent" (or permit fee) and got a little extra. But the dehumidifier is gone! The mattress and box spring, ditto. A bunch of interesting tschatchkes are gone, too.
At 2 o'clock, I rolled the garbage can in and started pitching things-of-Limited-Value (old golf balls, really old golf balls), Glasses with someone else's initials etched on them.
I moved the typewriter (really!), the antique desk chair (complete with auto-pinch seat), and 3 plastic sleds to the curb. (Twenty minutes later, the chair was gone. I have high hopes for the rest!)
Everything else (except for 2 pieces of furniture), I bagged or boxed and stuffed in the trunk of my car. I'll let my coworkers root through and anything they don't want, I'll put in the dumpster.
Thus ends another yard sale.
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![[mittnz2008buttin.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkbBquqYIEHAWQxsnQtaptULuJ-jj-mlpdjbffH9r1n1liR1r8yRRkXMgJLBxbeo0x3w2wU_gLhjFzrxzKrMmVgUGSqAzkP89jlWOA04Xhr2pWmVGIDgt8VGWAK-FZMfwB6j6/s1600/mittnz2008buttin.jpg)
![[heet2009-1.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SiW5ds26X6RV2guuohZ5nCdtljV9Pj8cVQCebCBg8EYaQR_DXHlIgLihx-5ddowYTS8hM11_JCwqlbN0qLGhUHjIsea9xw5v9tu4Cdnn0dHCRU5NXLAN-VH_o7jT1WW3w74R_w/s320/heet2009-1.jpg)
![[mittnz 2009 button.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuGtaAayAUpfk3b8FnVyyIvB5jI1YxPMmcN2M9PyQo9MfDK9JVxgFz2z7rLFuGjebz7CBV-frRyUYMXFzFLmwtP_xmCwd9HEgKylZaZwzwfSV8xTZ5a6vayaG0oEbFxgjYFTa5w/s320/mittnz+2009+button.jpg)