Sunday, June 08, 2014

Trying to Catch Up

I'm afraid to look to see how long it's been since I posted. I report in weekly on one of my email lists and promise "film at 11" but never seem to get around to 1) taking pictures and 2) posting them.

This is an attempt to get back up to speed.




Afghans for Afghans is having a baby shower this month. Needed are socks (real socks with turned heels) and baby hats for the approximately 85 new babies born each day in Kabul.

Imagine! 85 new babies all entering the world, stark naked!
I'm really pleased with the way the self-patterning pair came out! No, they aren't identical, but they are close and that's what I was hoping for.

Here are all of my offerings. Baby sockies are so quick to make. If it weren't for other deadlines looming, I'd devote my summer (or at least June) to baby socks!

And here's one of the deadline projects.

This one is destined to be a fair entry then it will be the Purple Warrior Princess's Christmas sweater.

Buttons are coming. The pattern suggests toggles. I am tempted to go buy them, but my button stash is probably bigger than my yarn stash, so I am considering faux leather or some cross-cut antler. I think it needs something more natural than plastic.

On the health front, my spine surgeon has cut me loose. The Physical Therapists, ditto. I have to continue exercising and walking, probably for the rest of my life. The pain in my legs (except for the arthritic knee) is gone. I'll take it!

On another note, I am seeing a cardiologist regularly to deal with my blood pressure (not a new issue) and atrial fibrillation (that manifested during surgery). Three new medications and it is getting under control.

Getting old is not for the faint of heart!

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// posted by Ann @ 6/08/2014 08:51:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Definitely 3

I wove in the last of the ends tonight and packed this sweater up with the first one I finished for Afghans For Afghans.

I'll be mailing both of them after work tomorrow.

The particulars: Pattern is Cottage Creations' Rialey's Sweater. Yarn is worsted weight Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride (wool and mohair blend), the yellow, green, and light blue, and odd bits of Patons Classic Wool, the red and darker blue. Size 5 and 7 needles.

Knit top down, in the round. Minimal finishing (unless you count all the ends.


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// posted by Ann @ 1/22/2012 07:49:00 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 15, 2012

This Will Likely Be 3

I started another sweater using odd balls of various colors of Brown Sheep Lambs Pride and Patons Classic Wool.

The colors in the picture at the left are pretty true to life. Yes, really that bright! I am loving working with these jolly hues! Just saying.

But I digress. Yeh, yeh, I know.

The reason for the really, really huge photo is to call attention to the raglan increases. The pattern is Rialey's Sweater which carries a range of 2-10 child from Cottage Creations (my favorite go-to pattern company for nearly every occasion).

Take a look at that increase . The technique is described (and shown) in the booklet, so I'm not repeating it here, but I am genuinely stoked at how cool it looks!

This photo shows it as it's worn.



And this one shows it as it's knit.

It's top down.



Here's how far I've gotten. If I finish this week, it will go in the mail with the other A4A sweater next weekend.

I am using the basic sweater pattern and striping it since I need a bigger size and my stashed yarn is limited to 2 skeins each of the gold (wild mustard) and the green (evergreen) and smaller amounts of the other 3 colors.I think the next one will use the great graphics that Cottage Creations intended to be knit into this sweater.

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// posted by Ann @ 1/15/2012 01:55:00 PM 0 comments

Monday, January 02, 2012

One

Let the countdown (or up) begin!


Patons Classic Wool in Denim Marl, Burgundy, and Evergreen, well-aged stash. Approximately 1000 yards (14 ounces) total. Pattern is a modification of Rich Designs Kids to Grown-ups Seamless Sweaters "tunic" in the smallest adult size.

Recipient: Afghans for Afghans sometimes abbreviated A4A for their current youth campaign.

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// posted by Ann @ 1/02/2012 02:54:00 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ten? Or Maybe Eleven?


Back in January (nearly 12 months ago now), I committed to knitting 11 sweaters in 2011. When I count up my FOs for the year, I sincerely believe that the sweater currently on my needles (for me) is Number Eleven.

But when I look for actual proof I am at a loss.

There are photos and descriptions of ten including this one (eyes left)--Ribbon-O-Round from Knitters 104. I decided to forgo the horizontal stripes and knit the whole thing from a sage-y heathery wool yarn (Filatura Lanarota) from Smiley's. In a fit of modification (now there's a surprise!), I am making the sleeves full length.



And just in case, this sweater is actually Number 10, I cast on a top down sweater for A4A using my go-to booklet, Kids to Grown-Ups Top Down Sweaters in the smallest adult size.

The current campaign is shipping in February. It will be done by then for certain.

Yarn is Patons Classic Wool in classic colors from the odd ball bag.

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// posted by Ann @ 12/20/2011 06:00:00 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 23, 2011

All Those Ends

One hundred twelve. Ends To Weave In.

Usually, I would weave as I knit, but not this time. Narrow tubes on double pointed needles. Nah. It's hard enough to keep from losing stitches.

All in all, though, a pretty good sweater. It should warm a child nicely. It will go out in the mail on Monday or Tuesday with some other stuff I need to mail.

The particulars: Worsted weight wool odd balls including Patons Classic Wool, Lily Sugar and Cream 100% Wool, and Panda Woolbale. Pattern from Ann Budd's Handy Book of Sweater patterns. Size 30" chest. Size 7 needles.



My concern about the jog at the color changes was (mostly) unfounded.

The purl bumb disguises it somewhat and it's under the arm (down the side), so not "front and center."

I have lots of wooly stuff left, but other deadlines to meet, so this will be my last effort for this campaign. If you have the time, wool, and inclination, won't you consider warming a child you may will never meet?

And now, for something completely different. . . Stay tuned!

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// posted by Ann @ 1/23/2011 08:47:00 AM 2 comments

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Ready To Mail


This little vest (about a size 8) was a great stash-buster. I used up 5 balls of yarn (about 800 yards total), 4 of them chunky/bulky weight, the 5th, sock yarn.

I used the pattern found here and made the vest version (scroll to the bottom).

It was fast, easy, and warm.

Mailing off to Afghans For Afghans for the current campaign.

This is sweater #14 that I have knit this year, all from yarn I had stashed. I made my goal (10 in 2010) and might actually try for 11 next year!

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// posted by Ann @ 11/10/2010 01:29:00 PM 0 comments

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Some Finished Stuff

Here's a picture of the next three woven dishtowels. I hesitated to post this so soon, as they were just put in the mail to the intended victim recipient earlier this week.

But what the heck. If I wait, I'll forget and my loyal reader will never get to see them.

Same as before: long warp, then differeing patterns for the weft.

Cotton chennille.




And here's a stash-busting mitered square blanket that I will be putting in the mail to Afghans For Afghans as soon as I finish the sweater that's on the needles. Fall campaign for youth is in full swing. Blankets, sweaters, socks and mittens are the most requested items.

This one is odds and ends of wool and other animal fibers. I believe there's a tiny bit of soy silk in a couple of the squares.

Worsted weight, size 8 needles.

Sadly (or gladly) I have at least as much odd bits of wool left as I used.

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// posted by Ann @ 11/06/2010 05:21:00 AM 1 comments

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Progress of Sorts


Once the Very Quick Vest was finished, I poured heart and soul into the Very Plain, Miles of Stockinette Stitch Turtleneck Sweater which actually was my first start (unless you count Hey, Teach) for this Personal Challenge.

It is Very Plain, with only the variation in dye that sparks it up, and frankly, that doesn't Make the Plain Knitting More Interesting (no matter what "they" say)!

But concentrated monogamy has allowed me to make progress. 1.5 sleeves from now, I'll give this a wash and block and send it (and the vest) on their merry way.

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// posted by Ann @ 1/24/2010 08:06:00 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

One of Ten

The first sweater of my (personal) 10 in 2010 challenge is finished:




Cute sweater vest from Fons & Porter Love of Knitting Summer 2009, modified (of course) to suit my needs (and yarn availability).

I eliminated the overall "quilt" pattern and left just the border band, thinking that it's more uni-sex that way.

This one's for A4A's current campaign (7-14 year olds and is a 32" chest (size 8?).

I am progressing on the turtle neck, slowly but surely. . .

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// posted by Ann @ 1/19/2010 07:47:00 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A Little Entry About Little Stuff



Now, don't get me started. This needs to be short because I will be putting on my Game Face again tomorrow for the 4th time this week! (Yes, I know it's only Tuesday!)

A girl needs her beauty sleep.

I just had to post pictures of these adorable hats that I just finished for the current Afghans for Afghans campaign.

This one's for the babies and if you are disinclined to follow the link, they need Warm Wooly Hats, Socks, and Blankets for newborns.


Oh, heck. Follow the damned link. Can you spare some animal fiber? Baby things are so tiny and knit up so fast.



The striped hat is the Top Down Bonnet w/Anime Character in a strangely lovely sock yarn called Reggio Exclusive. The red one is In a Flap Cap in Panda Woolbale.

I'm betting if you dust off your googling finger you can find those patterns in a flash. Please do, because I am too tired and lazy to link 'em for ya.

Smiling all day takes a lot out of you, and I get to do it all again tomorrow.

By the way, these are being sent in honor of the Once and Future Grand who should be arriving ver' soon!

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// posted by Ann @ 11/13/2007 08:43:00 PM 1 comments

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