Sunday, January 01, 2012

2011 Recap

For the past several years (okay, since 2002-wow, that long?) I have journaled my knitting, both here and on paper and then stuck the FOs into a spreadsheet and tracked number, weight of yarn, and yardage.

This year was no different, though the numbers are (at best) disappointing. It's been a b*tch of a year, and as a result, crafting took a back seat to work (you know, the stuff that gets the bills paid) and exhaustion.

Things are looking up now, and I am hoping for some improvement on all fronts.


My "resolves" for 2012 include:

*weaving a rug (even if it's just a bath mat) and trying a new (to me) weaving technique. I have the tee shirts; I have the Rotary cutter; I have the linen rug warp. Bring it on!

*12 in 12 (sweaters) and making at least 1/4 for me!

*random acts of knitting/crafting gifting

*25 (at least) catnip mice for my favorite local animal rescue charity

*there's something about removing 10% of my body weight again this year (back to South Beach--started today) and destashing bunches. We shall see.


So, I know you've been waiting and here's what 2011 saw:

11 sweaters (I am counting 10 actual sweaters and one baby dress)

18 afghan squares for charity
1 complete full-size afghan
1 bag (woven)
2 holiday banners
10 baby bibs
9 pairs of booties
1 Christmas stocking
10 face/dishcloths
2 doilies (fair entries)
9 hats
2 baby blankets
3 pairs of mittens
2 woven napkins
1 pillow
6 woven placemats
1 felted potholder
2 baby caps
1 scarf
2 shawls
3 pairs of slippers
1 pair of socks
2 toys

That's 100 FOs all together. Better than last year (86) but the second worst year since I've started tracking. I used a total of 389 ounces of yarn (24+ pounds)--25,611 yards, or 14.5 miles (3 miles less than I drive to work each day. Maybe that should be my 2012 target--17 miles!

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// posted by Ann @ 1/01/2012 09:33:00 AM 1 comments

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Definitely Eleven (or maybe 12)

Ribbon-o-round from Knitters 104

Okay, it's finished! The 11 in 11 is done with hours to spare.

Yarn is Filatura Lanorata Wool Heathers from Smiley's.

Modifications--the obvious--I didn't make it in multi-colors (original pattern is shown in black with bands of purple, yellow, green, and red on the yoke). I also lengthened the sleeves. Original pattern calls for elbow-length, and while I like that, not in outerwear wool.


I'm pleased and it will definitely get worn. Maybe even today if the weather cooperates.

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// posted by Ann @ 12/31/2011 07:19:00 AM 3 comments

Monday, December 26, 2011

Number 10 (or 11)


So, when I went back to check the number of sweaters I have completed in 2011, I counted 10 (or possibly 9) completed making the green heathery sweater I am working on for me officially Number 11 (or possibly number 10). That pushed me to immediately cast on a sweater for the current youth campaign for A4A. (See last post.)

It took me no time at all to realize the error of my ways. . .

Hello. Adult (albeit small adult) size sweater. What was I thinking?

So I put it aside. It can be the first sweater of the new year (where I have committed to 12 in 12--call me crazy!) or one of them.

Baby sweater! That's the ticket! Initially, I thought I would go to my go-to pattern--the 5-hour Baby Sweater.

But the yarn I wanted to use. Nah. Not that one.

Wendy Peter Pan DK, a lovely soft nylon/ack blend in bright, bright, bright baby colors.


And here's the finished sweater.


I do believe I might have a new go-to sweater, because this one also took just about 5 hours and just about 300 yards of yarn. Pattern here with modifications (as always).

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// posted by Ann @ 12/26/2011 11:51:00 AM 0 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, February 06, 2011

Three Down; Eight To Go



After several false starts (I think I taste-tested at least 4 patterns with this yarn including lace, cables, and a combination thereof), I finally hit on the solution: Let the yarn speak!

And it did!

This is Moda Dea Silk 'n Wool Blend (85 wool/15 silk) and of course, it's no longer available. It held up remarkably well through several trips to the frog pond.

Pattern is Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown Summer Cardigan (221) . I modified by adding 2" to the sleeves and a little to the length.




The fabric is lovely. Buttons are from my stash.

Color in this close-up is closer to reality.

And in case I feel like I haven't knit enough purple lately, I've started Sweater #4. A Wonderful Wallaby. In eggplant!

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// posted by Ann @ 2/06/2011 07:30:00 PM 2 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

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Odds and Ends

A call for additional warm woolies (especially sweaters for 7-16 year olds) from A4A prompted me to dig into my wool odd ball bin for some coordinating yarns.

What I found was some well-aged Patons Classic Wool in Evergreen, Navy, and Burgundy, and some slightly less-aged Rich Red.

I teamed those up with some Lily Sugar and Cream 100% wool (talk about well-aged!) in Dark Green, and some Panda Woolbale, also navy.


Next, I dragged out Ann Budd's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns and checked to see how big I could make my sweater with the yarn on hand (30", it turns out, so somewhere about a kid's size 10-12 depending on ease).

Then, I cast on. And you can see where I am going with random stripes on the body. (Click on the picture to make it bigger.) I'm almost ready to bind off the underarms and start the sleeves.


Okay, confession: I started one sleeve and finished the cuff (car knitting) but I still have about 12" of tube to knit and another to make before I join everything and I still need to decide: round yoke or raglan. . .

Here's how I am creating the pattern: using random numbers of rounds of each color, I purl the round when changing colors. I like the purl bump change over. The texture is neat! The only side issue is, well, the side. I haven't figured out a good way to do a jogless jog at the color changes when the stitch is p, not k.

We are experiencing a snow day (or rather an ice day) here in eastern Pennsylvania. The Other Half ventured out to drive to work. I am sitting and knitting because we have a 2 hour delay at my work. It's pretty nasty out there.

Have I ever mentioned how much I despise winter?

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// posted by Ann @ 1/18/2011 07:00:00 AM 0 comments

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Committing

Since I have now committed in public (okay, bloglic) to making 11 sweaters this year from stash, I guess that I had best start figuring out what they will be.

The requested sweaters are a no-brainer.

1) a Wonderful Wallaby (Cottage Creations) in a lovely machine wash woo/bamboo blend in deep purple

2) a summer cardigan in Moda Dea Silk 'n Wool (also purple)

3) February Lady Sweater (this one has been in the planning stages for at least 18 months, possibly longer) in Needful London Tweed in a dusty rose color.

4) simple top-down for A4A using up either Patons Classic Wool odd balls (burgundy, green, rust) or some stuff I kool-aid dyed several years ago (shades of reds, golds, orange)

5) something for TPO

6) something (Rambling Rows?) for TPT


It's a start.

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// posted by Ann @ 1/15/2011 07:40:00 AM 0 comments

Friday, January 14, 2011

Mission Accomplished


Last year's 10 sweaters project was so successful (and helped reduce stash so effectively--not!) that I decided to host a re-do.

This year, I'll call it 11 in 11 and attempt to use stash to make 11 sweaters, (and this is new) at least 5 of them for charity (though a lot of last year's batch were donated.

Here's Number 1--the front.



And the back.

The pattern is Rambling Rows Jacket (Cottage Creations). The yarn is Red Heart Classic leftovers from the 9-patch blankie.

This is easy in-the-car or watching mindless TV mindless knitting once the various sections are set up. It's a relaxing knit.

There will be a hat. And once the hat is finished, the trio will be a Fair Entry. (Yes, I really am starting early this year.)

I have requests (from family--I don't take requests from friends or casual acquaintances) for at least 2 more sweaters, but I'm thinking that Tiny Prince Two/Too might be in line for one of these. His will be washable wool, though.

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// posted by Ann @ 1/14/2011 06:50:00 PM 0 comments

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