Knitting Wits

Woo-hoo!

2008-02-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

I was meeting with KK yesrterday afternoon, showing her the stuff she missed last Wednesday. I had tossed my felted alpaca mittens in too. Lots of ooo's and oohhs.

The bonus happened when Favorite Children's Librarian came over, saw the stuff and offered to pay me for teh mittens and a scarf for Soon-to-be-Retired-Librarian! Woo-hoo!

I want to knit a new mitten seeing as how the ones I have on hand are not the same size. And the scarf will be a snap.

FCL also hinted broadly enough for me to catch it that she would like a recycled sari yarn scarf. I dunno if she'll offer money for that, but who cares at this point. With what she offered for the mittens and scarf, I'll recoup the cost of the alpaca.

6 skeins paid for. Oh to count what I have left to go makes my head spin......

2008-02-23T00:26:00.000-08:00

Woo-hoo! New camera works great! Here's some pics of the latest projects:

Socks using a K2, P2 ribbing in Knitpicks Essential in Peacock Multi. I cast on more for the leg and decreased every 10 rows. It is fanning out more than I would like. My next pair, I only added 8 sts for the leg. We'll see if that makes a difference. They are fuzzing up a little fter a wash, but then I was warned about that.

Next are the felted bowls . I used Paton's Merino Wool in Harvest with 2 strands as one. I needle knitted the third one using the One Skein pattern. It felted nicely. But of course, I want to see what the Knifty Knitter can do. I used the yellow, red and blue. The fourth one was from the red loom, I think. It has a great spiral coloring to it. Next time I make these I will only knit up about 5 inches worth of bowl. I like the squattier ones better. It took two cycles in the wash to get the textures I wanted. Oh, I'll also use Lion Brand wool for the next set. Different colors, brighter.

Next are the alpaca felted mittens using the Vogue Gloves and Mittens book. The camera makes them look way more purply than they really are. I used alpaca from a company that is closing down. *sigh* Three strands as one. They knitted up very close to size. The felted seemed to only break the fleece down, not shrink the mittens too much. I cast on a little too tight. And no, they are not the same size. I bungled the second one somehow. Or maybe the first one. I forget. Anyway, the first one I tried to get all fancy and Kitchener the hand and oof! So the second one I knitted to spec. But now the second one looks a wee bit nipply on the hand and thumb. Oh, and I used the felted measurements but the basic mittens instructions so the mittens would be interchangeable.

Ah yes, our last entry is the Jayne Cobb hat. I sed Red Heart acrylic. My Brown Coat Friend felt that Mrs. Cobb would have used cheap yarn. And since it was what I had on hand, then so be it.

Anyway, the pattern is from yarndemon. I used two strands as one and discovered it was thivker than the bulky yarn specifed in the pattern. But I used the measurements as listed. I like the depth of the hat but the ear flaps are too long for my happiness. She tosses in some short rows in the ear flap to help with the flip out. That was cool. She also has the forehead in stockinette. I don't know if I'll go with that next time. But the pattern was well and clearly written.

And no one else in the family will wear it. I'll ask my Brown Coat Friend.....

New Yarn and a new Camera

2008-02-17T02:58:00.000-08:00

Whoo-hoo! My Valentine's Day present from Himself was delivered today! KnitPicks yarn and a tape measure. Here's a list of what I got.

Daffodil Wool of the Andes
Pumpkin Wool of the Andes
Firecracker Heather WotA
Meteor Twist Essential
Russet Essential Tweed
Clematis Heather Palette
Red Palette
Verdant Heather Palette
Spring Tape Measure
Shoreline Twist Essential
Purple Palette

Yes, mostly sock yarn. But some for a Jayne Cobb Hat. Yeah!

I've started the cable sock again. Much better when the cables go the way they are supposed to. The next pair will be a four-st garter rib. I'll even try two socks on 2 circs. ooooOOOOoooo, AHHHHHhhhhh.

OH! The camera. Yes, Himself spent a chunk of the tax refund on a new digital camera. The battery needed charging. I'll see waht pics I can snap and post this weekend.

A-felting we will go

2008-02-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

I was sick yesterday. (I almost typed "in bed all day," and it being Valentine's and all, but that's not why I was in bed.....)

The Girl watched Redwall over and over again. I got to knit. I finished my mittens and they are felting right now. They knitted up close to size so maybe alpaca doesn't shrink as much as wool does.

I am also felting 4 wool bowls. I think I have a loom knitting pattern for them too. Pretty wasy, though. The felting would be the new territory covered in the pattern.

Maybe I'll get a new camera with the tax refund. Or I could post a wanted on Freecycle.

I also frogged the pair of socks I had started. I cabled the wrong way on the first repeat and decided I didn't like it. I also don't like the way my leg decreases went. So, I'll redo it all.

I am about halfway done on Katybug's prayer shawl. It's gonna be big. I hope she like blue....

I think my camera is dead sigh

2008-02-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

It is freaking out as I turn it on. Maybe, just maybe it's the batteries. I hope it is not dead. My tax refund is slated for beaucoup gobs of other things..... like yarn.

I finished a pair of socks using Knit Picks Essential Peacock Multi. I used a K3P2 rib and heel flap and all that stuff.

I thought the socks looked big, but they are comfortable. The cotton/elastic blend socks I made are a little small. So i guess I have to figure out what my ideal fit is.

I again cast on 20 more than the pattern asked for and decreased 2 sts every 5 rows until I got to the pattern's required number of sts.

I took a stab at the heel turn on my own and it turned out wonky. Too many sts on one end. I didn't want it frog the second one, so I know it's wonky and will strive to not point it out. "Hey! I made these socks, but the heel is wonky." Nope, not gonna so it.

At Wed night's knitting circle (welcome to Debbie, our newest member), I asked Knitting Kathy what the deal was. She explained the general idea of knitting/purling over a number of sts and when you turn your work, you want to go that number back but need to include the sts on the end in your count. She even drew me a picture I'll glue in my sock book to help me pull my head out when I brain-cramp.

Now I have to choose which pattern and which yarn to use next. *sigh* decisions, decisions.

I made 15 rows' progress on Katybug's prayer shawl. The kids were around for part of it and then my husband brought up the sore subject of baseball, so there may be a couple of rows I'll need to re-charge before I am done.

It looks like this'll be a 3 skein project. It'll be long, it's already wide. I am hesitant to add fringe to it. The Lion Brand Homespun doesn't hold up well with a cut end.

Next time I do a prayer shawl, I'll use a KK long loom. Maybe it'll go faster. Or maybe I'll have better focus.

Then there's the mittens. No real progress on that.

And the felted bowls are coming along. I knit one using the One Skein pattern, That went well, until I realized I don't have two #11 circs. Thanks to Knitting Kathy who suggested I use a 10 and an 11. It's all going to be felted anyway.

Then I switched to the red KK, using a slightly modified drawstring cast-on. It knitted up well. So I took it to the blue and then the yellow KKs.

The project from the Blue has a cool broad color spiral. The one from the yellow also has a spiral going, but it is much thinner as the yarn is covering a significantly larger area.

When I have enough laundry that'll hold up to a hot wash (hm, maybe it *is* time to do the towels), I'll felt them all.

I would like to get a pic of them though.

*sigh*

It helps to have frends in the library

2008-01-23T22:04:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night knitting group unreaveled early tonight. The coffee shop we descended upon claosed at 7! After my bad day with the kids (you can go to my LiveJournal entry for that part), I didn't want to go home. I headed over to Border's bought clearance stuff and knitted.

At least the knitting group was impressed with the felted bag. And a friend of mine in Texas wants one too!

I did frog what I had of my peacock multi sock. I was trying to be cute on leg decreases and they looked horrible. Then there were the odd added/dropped stitches. Even I couldn't blow them off. This new edtion is much better.

My knitting friends work at the library. They are wonderful. They brought me two of Cat Bordhi's books. I am jazzed about her Moebius technique. My wedding band is a Moebius strip. ooooOOOOOooooo. So I want to make a hat and maybe some baskets or mukluks with that.

I just want to sit in the tub and knit.

Seems to be a color pattern

2008-01-20T23:30:00.000-08:00

Here's my first attempt at felting. And I must say I am really happy with it. It's the Messenger Bag pattern from Knitting for Peace. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Shamrock in Callahan. So it was this cool purply blue with a strand of pink through it.

This pic is of the bag before felting. I followed the directions - mostly. I knit the bottom according to spec and the sides and flap to spec. The strap was the the asked for 44". I used all 10 skeins of yarn I had purchased and was *this close* tp ordering more. Of course, if I ordered more, it would have been another batch of a bazillion balls. I really like the yarn.

And here is the bag just after I pulled it from the wash. OK, well, almost as soon as I pulled it out of the washer. I swped one of Himself's storage show boxes and coered it with a Tarjay bag to help it shape up. I ran it twice through the cycle. The fabric is solid. I had to stretch the flap a bit to get it to cover the bag. But it wasn't any major problem. The strap is perfect for me. One i use it a bit, I'll decide if I'll line it all to help stop any stretching out from usage.

Even my friend WhiskeyJack was impressed. Well, not impressed but she did like the result.

These are the coks I knitted up for the Girl. I made myself a pair using Cascade Yarns Fascination. Stretchy cotton, what a concept. It's a blue, purple and teal color scheme. (Yes, I do like the cooler colors. Wat 'til I finish my next pair of socks......)

Anyway, I made myself a pair of sock with a larger than asked for leg section because of my firm well-developed (GRRR!) calves. I cast on what? 66? then decreased by two every 10 rows to get to 56. I was using the Sensational Knitted Socks 4-stitch pattern chart. I made them both with a K2P2 ribbing.

I finished mine with 2 partial balls and a whole ball left. I thought, "Sure I knit up a pair for the Girl." She agreed, but wanted knee socks. Man, it was tense on the second sock. I knit so tightly on that one just to make sure I had enough yarn left, the sock is smaller than the first one. I did have yarn left - about a yard. The second toe is all messed up. Never parent two 4 - 5 yos while you are working the Kitchener stitch.

My next projects are:
- a Jayne Hat on a Knifty Knitter. I'll use my leftover acrylic on that.
- 2 prayer shawls. I have started one ofr my friend, Katy in TN. I am using Lion Homespun in Colonial for those. And any others until I use up the on sale 10 skein batch I bought a while back.
- more socks. This first pair will be with KP's Essential in Peacock Multi. Then another in Risata. That'll be a cable sock. And another in another multi color scheme that I don't remember.
- and any more of those messenger bags.
- More Jayne hats in proper wool if I let WJ have her way
- dishcloths as I feel like it and soap bags.

Hm, I'm not bored, that's for sure.....

2008-01-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

Found this pic at http://www.oceanwindknits.ca/sectionpage2.asp?blog=knitting-patterns-whimsies&id=59&cmts=yes. At first< I thought, what a hooty hat. Well, you readers may have caught it before I did. It's a tea cozy. But I think it would make an awesome hat - spout and all.

Just when I was about to be too fed up.

2007-12-13T15:24:00.000-08:00

I just posted an old entry that I had posted to LJ because BS wouldn't post it. So today I am *this* close to letting this blog go when it works.

*sigh*

So we'll keep trying.

My external hard drive is upstairs. Heaven forbid I should buck up and go get it to upload some knitting pics.

Let's see, what are we working on....

A poncho for Sparky. Long blue KK loom, stockinette stitch. Red Heart Royal blue, bright red, sun yellow and ever green. Very bright and Sparky-ish. Working on the last color.

I made my first pair of slippers on needles. I have been unsatisfied wiht the KK slippers. Way too big. So Knitting Kathy taught me to make socks. These were out of a varigated wool ease. They are still too big, but look cooler since they are a needle sock pattern.

I am also needle-ing a sweater for the Girl using the Orphans for Orphans Sweater pattern from Knitting for Peace. Front and back panels, then picking up side stitches, adding a neck edge, picking up other side stitches. Knit for a bit for teh shoulder, then start decreases for sleeve, knit a bit more for wrist, then a non-rolling edge.

I learned the Kitchener stitch for the side seam. When I got it rght, it looks awesome. Where I didn't get it right, ACK! KK keeps saying, "At least it's under the arm." Yeah, but the Girl will never be able to raise that arm.

I started picking up stitches on the second side and started a new row when I couldn't make it work right. So I frogged it and will try again later.

I found a snowflake pattern on the Berroco site. Cast one 158 sts, then work cables and twists, YOs and 2togs for 28 rows. I have tried twice to get it started but wind up frogging it on the first row. Another "no-children/movie/distraction" pattern.

I have my new #2 circs for socks. I already have 6 skeins of burgundy alpaca, 6 skeins of (dollar store) Moda Dea crayon striping and 3 balls of elasticized cotton for a total of about 7 pairs of socks. So what do I do? I cruise Knitpicks!

We travel for Christmas this year. Since Himself had a flight all to himself last month, I told him that I get a flight without having to parent. Meaning I'd love to have 8 solid hours to knit. Our seats are all together though.

We'll just have to see....

Well, there's another pattern in K4P for a messenger bag that calls for a feltable yarn. All that cotton won't do......

Then there is all that cotton. I've been knocking out some diagonal increase/decrease dishcloths. Those I *can* do with kids/movies/distracions.

Still working on my soap bag design for Blue Sun Soaps.

Addendum: I'll try to add a sock monkey pic.

It's been so long

2007-12-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

And I don't know where my pics are.

So I've made two practice socks on needles: cuff down and toe up. I understand how toe up is great when you have a limited amount of yearn. So I'll never run short.

I made a pair of slippers on needles. The yarn was wool-ease. It was too big for the proper size needles, so I knitted them up on 6s and called them slippers. I am waiting on the Knit Picks order with Knitting Kathy to get my 2s. I have some burgundy alpaca that will become socks for me and my husband.

I am working on a poncho for my 7yo on the blue long loom. He wants royal blue, forest green, bright yellow and christmas red. I'll sew the short side of the blue to the long side of the yellow for the back and the short side of the red to the long side of green for the front. Using the long loom in stickingette is producing a thick double knit.

I am using the Orphans for Orphans sweater pattern in Knitting for Peace to make a sweater for my 5yo. Purple Patons Merino wool as a double strand to make guage. (I actually cared about gauge!) I have the front and back panels done. I'll wait until Monday maybe to get with Knitting Kathy about the next step. Or maybe I'll just read the book!

Last Wednesday Library Kim, Knitting Kathy and I met at the library's espresso cafe (LEC) for knitting. Seems the local knitting store (LKS) is casting a snobby eye upon us. When KK asked me if I had perceived some lack of courtesy from them, I told her I have been on the fringe for so long, like all my life, that rudeness from folks in the mainstream is de rigeur. I usually return to such situations to let the snobs know they have no power over me and I'll show up just to piss them off.

When one of the LKS employees leaned on the flimsy card table, her hip/butt stuck way out and fist resting on it and asked, "Is that REAL knitting?" I turned my best "let me teach you some tolerance, bitch" smile and said, "Why, yes. And this is a knit stitch."

I have usually been at the table that laughed louder than the others, startling the mundane zombies into consciousness. There was the time at a high school retreat when we spent a dinner session hanging spoons from our noses and having a royally fun time. Delia later berated me and broke my heart when she said how appalled and embarrassed she was when we went on like we did.

I wish I knew then what I know now. I would not have grieved that friendship so. I would have thanked her for her input and offered the suggestion that she step out and find other, calmer friends. But no, I cried for what we had.

So, now, I say screw 'em if that can't take a joke. (I really don't feel like dropping the f-bomb right now, so you'll hvae to insert your own. My LiveJournal entry will include it, however.) If these people think they are better than us, and just look at knitted thong hanging outta her pants and the one who admits to her OCD and the one who declares "you need a man" numerous times during the evening.

They believe their fun requires a bottle of Yellow Tastes Like Tail wine. We are content to sit, chat, ok made snide whispered remarks about thongs, catboxes, etc., knit and then put our own chairs away. No, we don't buy every time. Frankly, I have yet to purchase anything from them because they are so bloody expensive.

The Library Espresso Cafe was great! More comfortable chairs, great coffee, decaf, too. And other knitters. There were even some LARP'ers there, we think. Or maybe they were working on homework. I dunno. Then I went through the library, found some withdrawn books for sale and the dvds we have on hold. The decaf latte was free because I can fill up a frequent buzz card with my kids in less than three visits and the books are 50 cents (the cent sign is no longer on the keyboard, have you noticed that?) a piece.

A two dollar evening and I figured out what I did wrong on my slipper.

Fuck em.

I am not a slug

2007-10-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

I check the dates on my blogs and see it ahs been a while since I posted last. Well, what wth homeschooling, knitting and driving everywhere, I haven't had much time to post. So this is a "ketchup" posting of what I've done. Boy, are you in for it.

This is a dishcloth using a yarn forward on needles. I like it. I could point out where I messed up, but you either don't care, or can see t anyway.
A needle knit pattern of a rose done on needles.
Same needle knit pattern done on a loom.
Soap scrap bags for WhiskeyJack.
My first dishcloth on needles knitting 2 together and picking up a bar. The motion was fun. This discloth shows my propensity to switch right side during knitting Pretty annoying but I think Knitting Kathy figured out what happens. I put doen the work, then pick it back up and repeat the last row I did, thereby switching everything around. *sigh* Please notice the lovely angle I managed to kniot in. No, I'll never tell how I got it to happen ('cuz it's some screw-up and I don't know *how* it happened.

And this one is a short row circular. The middle sticks up like a cone but, hey! it's a dishcloth.

I am working on a twisted cable dishcloth that I want to adjust for the loom. I also want to make a simple pullover sweater and a complicated aran knit sweater. I'll start socks too soon.

New dishcloth

2007-09-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

So maybe I do have too much time on my hands right now.

But I did get my brain, camera and dishcloth in the same place. We tried a seed stitch on the eyes and nose to make them "pop" out. I dunno. And it looks like there are earpieces pon the ends. So I knitted when I shoulda purled. Don't make fun of my bespectacled Jack.

So now I am working on the next surprise dishcloth. It'll be simple. Then I'll work on the one with interesting variations. Then I wanna do a tiki head!

Dishcloth and picks

2007-09-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

I found a picture of a circular dishcloth which had been knitted with *needles* (remember that mocking tone, now). So I wrote up a pattern for my own. I like the pattern. Next time, though, I'll cast on 19 sts.

The original used 16. It was too small. When conferring with Knitting Kathy and Kim, they showed me examples of a circular doily done *on needles* with 31 sts cast on. When I did it on the loom, it would have made a dishcloth about 16 inches across. Just a wee bit big. So I played with, casting 21, then 17. This is the 17 sts version and is a little smaller than I would like. So, as I said, next tme, I'll CO 19.

Here is our foray into the Land of Fimo. It's a slightly oily place, but when baked, it's better than I thought. The four long things on teh left are our replacement loom pick handles. Sparky and the Girl contributed their talents to #1 and #3. I did the twisty ones. The fourth one used a short pick and didn't have enough pick to hold on to.

So, I'll use these and when I am able to wrestle the purple plastic handles off my other picks, I'll go for it again. I also made the bracelets. (Why do I wonder that the Girl wants them? Oh yeah, jewelry!) Then long white thing is Sparky's sled. It has already broken and been repaired. The second long thing in the lower right is -- uh, I don't what it is. The Girl made it. It hasn't been broken, nor has it been used for any crime or shoe putting on.

The Girl also made christmas ornaments with the remaining clay. They will probably topple our puny fiber optic tree over as they are made by a 4yo whose perception of proportion is still, well, a 4yo's perception of proportion.

Finished another dishcloth last night. Nope, brain, dishcloth and camera are not in the same place - yet.

Here's one from the archives.

2007-08-21T21:25:00.001-07:00

I found this picture of The Girl wearing one of my favorites: the blue sparkly ponytail hat. So on lists on which someone asks for a ponytail hat, they mean one through which you can string your own hair. But this one is, to me, my choice.

Dishcloth-a-rama!

2007-08-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

Am I a freak? I have been designing dishcloths a lot. I have 8 designs, three of them actually test knitted. Then there are the 2 dishcloths that work a particular stitch. And I am conniving with Library Knitter to translate needle stitches into loom stitches.

The pictures I have for now are:

Sitting Goddess. I have adjusted the pattern to make a shorter cloth (fewer frame, head and bowl lines). I love this Sugar and Cream yarn. It has dots of color along the yarn.

The yarn over, knit 2 together shows up all right here. You can see where I dozed off in the pattern and the columns "sway." But the variegated yarn doesn't confuse the design.

Here's a case of the right yarn with a fun design. Finally! Sugar and Cream pink with a heart design. The design is symmetrical so I could use my stitch markers to mark every 10th stitch to help me keep track of where I was.

Where did this come from? Oh yeah, 4yo daughter stuffed this into her suitcase while we were camping and I just found it. Done with, yes, Sugar and Cream yarn on the ProvoCraft Straw Knitter. It worked up quickly and I only had to restart twice!

I have a bag of glass beads that I have been working on stringing for Isela's cool I-cord bracelet. but the beading goddesses seem to be testing my patience and commitment to the project. I have not strung enough beads, then as I restrung them, I cut through my elastic thread. *heavy sign* So, I'll keep working on that and will let you know.

For now I am working on an instant gratification sort of dishcloth that can be found at http://www.jimsyldesign.com/~dishbout/kpatterns/pebble.html. The loom knitting is not turning out as fine a k2tog as needles would. But I've only done 12 rows. We'll see.

Thanks to Library Kathy for helping me figure out needle stitches and then translating them to the loom.

Lattice Bookmark

2007-07-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

I finally have found a way to use the varigated yarn! *Huzzah! Throwing babies in the air!*

Many thanks to Stephanie McElheran for designing and sharing her pattern with LoomClass!

It took my a couple of times to get the YO, K2Tog thang. I thought it happened to two separate stitches, but NOOOOoooooo, it's all about one stitch. SO! Once I figured that out, it was very smooth sailing.

I like this stitch so much, I am making a wash cloth using the rest of this yarn and a FG 40 peg sock loom!

The only thing that gets me is my lack of finesse with the Cable Cast-on. I think the FG is too small for me to make that cast-on happen. I am sure someone of greater dexterity and experience has nailed it, but nope, not me.

But hey! I know a new stitch! I know a new stitch!

Finally Finished Projects!

2007-07-19T16:10:00.001-07:00

I finally got my brain, projects and digital camera in the same place last night. As you can see, I am quite enamoured with variegated yarns right now. And I need to use it sparingly and in appropriate projects.

The first one is the hot pad as taught by Amber Gamble through LoomClass. This is the version as done on the purple long loom. I used a super chunky yarn in cool colors. The yarn is thicker than what she called for, but I do like the weight. My 7yo was concerned about that whole burning fingers thing that a thinner yarn would encourage. Luckily, I don't let the 7yo pull stuff outta the oven.

So now is the "what I would do differently" part: I would leave a longer ending tail and not use the starting yard for my single crochet loop. I would use a solid yarn so you could see the checkerboard pattern Amber was going for. I still like the weight of the yarn, so I would leave that as it is. That means I won't complain when I have to wrestle with the yarn.

Next is my first dishcloth. This is not the Summer Delight, but my original chart, Nile Goddess. I used Sugar 'n Cream cotton in the pink. Again, the variegated yarn makes the pattern impossible to see. I'll redo it in a solid color next time.

I learned a lot about charting a pattern with this one. Using a dish rake from Lynn Markman, I realized that the Excel sheet I created is not the same scale as the rake was. I had to make numerous tweaks to the pattern so she would come out too short and squatty. But this experience has spurred my creativity in designing some other dishcloth patterns. I'm working a new one now.

The last variegated yarn project is this rug. (Potential long story alert!) I found some cool yarn on eBay. The story I was given (not saying I don't believe it as it is a great marketing point if I should want to continue working with this yarn, though) is that the yarn is made by Tibetan widows with families to support using the cast off threads from silk saris in Nepal. The colors are vibrant, the yarn has an amazing lack of consistency and it throws threads all over the place. I LOVE IT! (I had better love it as I bought 30 skeins of it.) I made this using the blue long loom as a flat panel.

On a sad note, one of the pegs on my blue loom broke - just as I found a great market bag pattern using the blue long loom as a round. *sigh* I have email ProvoCraft to see if they see replacement pegs. No answer. I don't want to buy a new set (even though Joann's has a 50% off sale going on, but who needs two sets for one peg?) I have asked my husband if he could fabricate a dowel to fit the spot. Probably so.)

Lastly, my finally completed Mystery Project #1. I know, I know, I ought to do that I-cord handle, but it took me this long to finish this baby up! Again, the project itself didn't take long, but that whole get my act together thing get tougher to pull off these days.

Yes, I know, my scissors are slightly too big for the holder. But I was able to toss the whole thing into my bag to show off to a needle knit friend at the Library. But - she left before I got to talk to her.

Next projects are dishcloths to test drive. I have a couple of kids' hats ideas I sketched out and that I-cord class is needing to be finished.

And maybe I'll try some sewing - hah!

Semi-cicular shawl and more

2007-06-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

The Shawl is done - again! I frogged it the first time because it was too short for my tastes and I am over winter white. I used one strand of teh winter white with a denim blue and sky blue. So there are a few color changes there. For home use, I am very happy with its woolly warmth.

Thanks to Graciela Worth for coming up with the pattern. Well worth the money.

Now I have an idea for a wavy shawl using her techinique.

(Geez, how many shawls does a body need? LOL)

Thanks to my LJ friend, WhiskeyJack, for forwarding the link to these lovely projects at
http://www.bellaknitting.com/page/shop/catalog/readyToKnit.php?col=391&rtk=392&cat=51&path=1,1,0,0.

I LOVE THEM! If I cared any more about my high school whose mascot was a viking, I'd be contacting my old school mates through Classmates.com (What is it with the product placement today?) and offer to make them for everyone.

As it is, I'll work on a pattern for these for the KK anyway. They are just too hooty not to explore. I know the wings on the girls' hat will be a challenge for me, but still, just too hooty for words!

Shawl with semi-circular back

2007-06-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

I finished Graciela's shawl with semi-circular back. I learned so much from this pattern. Not having much experience with the long loom I was eager to complete this project.

I used Paton Merino Wool in winter white. Almost 6 skeins. 2 strands as 1 and followed her directions.

It took me several days to complete the project. But I learned the lucet casy-on (that was my choice), short rows and to bind-off. Using the 2 as 1

wechinique gave me a heavier weight shawl that will keep me warm on these cool summer evenings here. I really like the ruffle effect on the back.

As pleased as I am with the shawl, I will be frogging it. I want the front bits to be a lot longer. I'll even use two colors when I re-do this. I hvae loads of the wool in blue - light and denim - so, I'll see what white and one of the blues looks like.

Thanks to Graciela for designing such great patterns.

I am not a slacker

2007-06-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe with my blog. And I know as I start to list off all I've been doing, I'll get winded and want to fall into bed.

On the textile front, I worked on my son's first grade plays, Froggy and Frog and Toad. Kudos to the Kiwi Mom who wrote the scripts. I am a bit envious of her. I did get to edit the scripts for her, but really, it's not the same.

Anyway, I made the sparrow cape, dragonfly wings, some frog heads and approved a whole lotta thrift store buys.

On the knitting front, I am halfway through Graciela's shawl with the semi-circular back. She has taught me so much about long loom knitting. And the way she accomplishes the semi-circle bak was well worth the price.

No, I won't tell you how she does it. You'll have to buy the pattern.

Cable Knit Shawl

2007-05-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

ACK! I have to behave now. My cable knit class is scheduled to start June 11. Breathe deeply. Slow exhale.

Here is are two pictures of the shawl.

Cable Knit shawl pattern

2007-05-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

I have finally determined how much yarn one would need for my cable knit shawl pattern. The pattern is updated and submitted to the LoomClass. Mark something off the to-do-list!

As I was knitting the shawl, however, I got bored with the stitch. I hauled out my copy of Anne Bipes' Loom Knitting Stitches, Vol. 1 and turned the shawl into a stitch sampler! I have made it through Vol. 1 and am halfway through Vol. 2. Vol. 3 includes cable stitches, but is much more interesting than what I used.

Once this sampler shawl is done, it'll probably be about 14 miles long. That'll be long enough.

I have also tackled some mending. I figured when the kids' clothes need mending, if I wait long enough, they will outgrow the item and therefore, not need the clothes mended. BUT when my clothes need mending, well, I gotta get a move on it!

Winding up for the Sew-a-thon

2007-04-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have almsot completed my pattern for the cable knit shawl. I need a final detail which is how many skiens this baby is gonna take.

I have two lengths of I-cord waiting to be transmorgrofied (it's my word, so I'll spell it as I please, I guess) into projects for Loom Class.

I am also working on clearing my sewing table so I can tackle some long-put-off projects. I went through my drawers of patterns and have a bag's worth of "I am never really going to make this" stuff. Some vintage, some dolls, some a couple of years old.

To give me that "oomph" I need, I made Kabloey's no-sew SeaHawks blanket. The fabric wasn't really on my table, but it was an easy enough project to do without having to unload the whole thing.

Now I'll work on mending and finishing up my shawl so I can let everyone know how much yarn they'll need.

Merry Easter Bunny

2007-04-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a sample of each of the yarns I used to make Brenda from GA's Easter eggs. It gave me the much needed opportunity to use up yarn that I am less than crazy about, yarn that I am crazy about but didn't have enough to make a huge project and yarn that I loved but didn't want to make yet another hat for the Girl.

No, I didn't make notes on the types of yarn. The upper left was a nice purple with sparklies that varied in width. The black with rainbow varigation was quite slippery. The hot pink was the same yarn I used for the baby bonnet. The headache green is Sugar 'n' Cream cotton. The lavender was a dollar store purchase that was reallllllly thin. The Rainbow above it was nice to work with. The center egg was my least favorite yarn but was easiest to work with.

I tried to make an egg using the bumpy yarn I used on the Girl's poncho. Frogged that one as the bumpy yarn was impossible to gather.

Once I realized I could make an egg in less than twenty minutes, I went on a loom knitting rampage and knocked out over 30 of them. Yes, 30 eggs.

The Girl took a basket full to the Library Thursday. We caught the last story of StoryTime. We gave eggs to our favorite children's librarians. Then the Girl passed eggs out to strangers. I finished another egg to show a mom how easy it was and the Girls passed that one out too! All told, there were 13 eggs handed out at the Library.

A side note: one mom muttered about how they don't celebrate Easter. Then she saw me and became all smiles. Well, I don't celebrate Easter either. But I missed Ostara. Graciousness still counts, though.

I still have to take pics to add to my cable knit shawl pattern. And I have a couple of ideas for what to do with I-cords. Stay tuned.

Hats

2007-03-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here's Sparky in a Lee's Lattice Hat made with Lion Brand Incredible yarn. Since completing the ribbon bag as posted by Graciela in the LoomClass, I L.O.V.E love it! Then I found it on clearance for $2 a skein at Michael's! Woo-hoo Big Score! So I have, what, 6 or 7 balls of it left.

BWA-HA-HA-HA...

(BTW, I think that kid is pretty stinkin' cute. But then again, I might be biased.)

So here's my second original design. (The first one being a cable knit shawl for which I don't have "in process" pics yet." Hm, come to think of it, I don't have a finished project either. Add that to the chekc list.")

The hat! Ah, yes, the hat is made with Sensations Life yard. Rainbow or Carnivale or whatever multi-colored yarn it was. Double strand. (Yes, I *do* take good notes, huh?) I used a woven bag bottom for the top. Had to frog it the first time as it was waaaaaayyyyy too tight. BTW, yarn does not like to be repeatedly pulled around and through other yarn. So I had to get it right the second time.

Anyway, woven top with ewrap rows for the sides. Long single strand tassels with rainbow paillettes on the end. I had tried the flat knit stitch, even with the U-wrap and it looked like a poofta. All wrong. I tinked it and started again with the ewrap at a point as closeto the end of the basket weave as I dared. I'm pretty happy with it.

The colors bring to mind a friend of mine. I showed the hat to her while it was still on the loom this afternoon. She said it would be too big for her. Really? Yes, she can wear her 7yo son's hats. But now his hats are getting to big for her. That is one small head.

So now, I have a few ways to go: Cable knit shawl pics, barrel bag, clean house for incoming in-laws, cut out fabric, or hang out wiht my fez on.

New socks, hat and old placemat issue

2007-03-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

I finished my ginormous wool toe-up socks. I realized they could be a thneed that everyone wants 'cause everyone needs (Dr. Seuss).

I'll be felting them this weekend with special attention to the ankle and heel areas. With the extra stuffing, I hope to have enough room to fit my foot in without struggling with it.

I used Paton's Merino Wool in dark olive green. It took me about two and a half skeins. I changed the pattern in that I knitted 10 rows then 5 rib rows at the ankle, not the original 15 + 5. I started off with two skeins. I wasn't done with the second sock, so I called my Michael's (since I knew Joann's was out). I then found Lion Brand Incredible Ribbon Yarn on sale for $2/roll. Bought way too many of them.

Under my Toe Up pattern, I found "Lee's Lattice Hat" pattern. Simple enough. You ewrap and knit off 18 rows, fold over for brim. Then ewrap two pegs at a time, knit off. It made a small cap then what I normally make, but it cute and I used up the rest of teh third skein, AND I made it in about 2-1/2 hours.

I sure like immediate gratification knitting.

I frogged the placemat again. Two strands do make a difference. One side is still droopy, not as bad as when I was using one strand. I also did not cast on as tightly as I had before. And I continue to keep the ends slightly tighter than the middle.

We'll see what's what.

Placemat issues

2007-03-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

Here's my placemat. Yes, yes, I know, the loom is to large, but it's what I have. The stitch is airier. I like it, though. And since the Girl has already pegged it as hers, I'll make it longer to make it a runner of some sort.

So, now, my question to Graciela is why is my right side long? The left side, where the switching of yarn happens, has the potential to be too tight with pulling up the new working yarn. Once I got that, the left side is fine.

But the right side? Could it be I am not wrapping the end tight end, keeping enough tension on that side? Long loom kniotting is new to me, so any ideas are appreciated.

And this is the fabric I have earmarked for sewing. I was hoping the picture would capture the monumental stack in a what seems to me to be reality, but it doesn't. *sigh*

OK, so now I have to exercise self-discipline and "get off my duff," as the Girl puts it.

Aw, maaaaaannnnn.

Ribbon Bag

2007-03-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

Here's my lovely ribbon bag. Thank you, Graciela, for this great class! And thank you LoomClass members who asked the questions I needed answers to. This baby loomed up quickly and easily.

I used Lion Brand Incredible. Rainbow, of course. I frogged it once because it wasn't stretching across the loom easily and my working yarn was in the wrong place. When I tried to unstretch it to add a row, I dropped a mess of stitches, so it was partly frogged anyway.

I think Graciela's model had two handles on it. I thought, for my purposes, it would make a better single strand draw bag. I am happy with how this project loomed up. And yes, the Girl has already got her eye on it.

I have started the honeycomb place mat. Right yarn, wrong colors (for me) and wrong loom. But since I am eager to learn how to use the double rake, I'm going along with what I have. It's loopy, to say the least. Using the Sugar and Cream on the KK blue long loom is making for an airy stitch, to say the least.

Joann's had S&C on sale. I got there the last day of the sale and yes, you snooze, you lose. I managed to find Hot Green and Hot Pink, which are not my first choice in colors, but since the other cotton yarn I have is varigated, I had to find something to help me see the contrast for what I am doing.

I may just keep on it until I get a Girl-style table runner. Then, she can us it for her tea parties.

Baby Bonnet

2007-03-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here's the baby bonnet. I used Bernat Popcorn. It's a deep pink with sparklies and bumps (that's the popcorn part) through it. The model was gracious enough to have a small enough head and sit still. I couldn't help about the collogen lips an over the top make-up. Heh. (Girl wouldn't sit long enough for me to have everything I needed to take the picture on hand at the same time.
I like Pam's technique of throwing in a purl row to make the forming of the brim easier. I didn't get what she was trying to
accomplish until the foldover row. And then the section in which she switched from a one over two to one over one to get the lace through row. Wow! That is the sort of thinking I want to have on hand.

I am still futzing with my cable knit shawl pattern. It's written up for the yellow KK loom, but with the purl rows, it is not as wide as I want it to be. So I frogged it and have started it again on the KK blue oval loom as a flat panel.

I also have ideas for a hat and a barrel bag, but I guess I need to do more research about the flat woven bottom. I know there are a lot of purse patterns out there. I saw a girl at the library carrying a little bag that could be made from three flat panels and an I-cord.

Maybe a dissertation on how to look at projects with looming in mind would be worthwhile.

Sock Update

2007-02-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

They didn't fit my large footed friend. *sigh*

I'll make another pair based on Graciela's pattern. I just won't add the extra rows.

WAH!

THis is a cool idea: Felted Soaps

2007-02-12T10:02:00.001-08:00

Ahhhh, a melding of two of my crafts: soaps and yarn.

9. felted soaps
Posted by: "Lisa Ross" moonlightlisa@look.ca moonlight_lisa
Date: Sat Jan 6, 2007 9:47 am ((PST))

These make a nice, easy craft and are good to give as gifts. The wool surrounding the soap makes the soap last longer and will lather up immediately when it gets wet, so it's soap and wash cloth in one.

For one soap, you need a large handful of carded wool. The kind sold for needle felting would be ideal. Use two or three different colours overlayed toget a nice marbly efffect. Set out the wool so it lies flat, with the fibers going in two different directions. Wrap thoroughly around the soap. If you use the right kind of wool it should cling together pretty well just from shaping it with your hands. Wrap the other colours of wool around the first to make bands of different colours, being sure to wrap them all the way around the cake of soap.

Fill a bowl with hot water. With your hand, dribble some hot water on the wool and gently pat it in. Do this a few more times until the whole thing is wet. Keep patting all over and in a minute or so you will notice the wool getting a little tighter and holding its shape around the soap.

At this point you can start rubbing instead of patting. Rub it all over vigorously to felt the fibers. It takes about ten minutes to felt it. You'll know when you have a cohesive mass that holds its shape and has no excess fibers sticking out.

At that point, rinse it under cold water to get the lather off and mat the fibers further, then set it on a towel to dry for a few hours. The first time you use it it takes a few moments to work up a lather, but ever after it will lather up right away because the lather stays in the wool.

Sparky's shawl and my sock

2007-02-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

OK, so white wool for a 6yo is, well, ill-advised, stilly, stoopid? At least I was able to talk him down to a shawl intead of a poncho. The poncho would go outside and be a wreck. Or I would be a wreck if it went outside.

I finished the one panel and asked Sparky to let me measure it on him. Then, I started in on how if it was a shawl, I could finish it in five minutes and he could have it. (Am I evil to prey upon the 6yo's "immediate gratification" nerve?)

Anyway, I am happy with it. Paton's Merino wool in a garter stitch on the yellow KK. The only thing I would gritch about is the final cast off stitch is a little tight and makes one end crinkle. Oh, and the poorly concealed yarn add-ons. But those are things I notice. And another knitter. But you all are so forgiving. Right?

And now I WILL make myself some socks. It's an online pattern using an ankle to toe direction. Unlike Graciela's Toe-up socks. I was able to use Graciela's "move the dash to another peg" instructions to close up the holes in the heel of the sock. And I've already tried this one on. It *will* fit.

And you can see my yarn already tangled up at the top of the photo. *sigh*

What's next? The cable shawl pattern. I've written the pattern up, but want to make the shawl again so I can take pictures. I frogged the first one beucase I messed up adding yard and dropped way too many stitches to receover with my sanity intact.

Then I must sew. The 200 pounds of fabric waiting to be cut is hurting my eyes.

The Girl's Poncho

2007-02-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

What a sassy looking girl.

Anyway, this is the Girl's poncho. Made with Paton's CiCi yarn. The color is called Carneval. It is definitely a novelty yarn. Every inch and a half or so,there's a tuftof fibers. It makes the garment soft, true, but IU had to pay attention while knitting to make sure the tuft placement was such that it didn't make for tight stitches.

Used the KK purple double rake, but as a single rake. Cast on all the pegs. I also used teh Moch Crochet Stitch. With this yar, the stitch doesn't show as well as a smoother yarn would.

I knitted it in two panels, sewing up the front and back part way.

I'll start Sparky's framed shawl using wool. That should knit up quickly. Then onto the cable knit shawl, so I'll have pictures to submit with the pattern.

From Absurdly Huge to Laughingly Large

2007-01-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest with the felted socks. Right now they are about a size 15. I washed them this morning and there is hope that I'll be able to wear them myself! I showed them to a friend of mine who called them "intense." Some serious substance.

The next washing blurred the stitches even more. I'llhave to stretch the ankles a bit to get my foot in. My 10yo size men's 12 footed son struggled wiht them. Honestly, I wasn't about to give these socks up to him.

Here's to hoping they work out!

Absurdly huge socks

2007-01-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Behold the bigger than your head socks! Cower with Fear!

Since making Graciela's Toe Up Sock, I have been hankering for some slippers of warm socks for me. So - - - -

I took Graciela's fabulous Toe Up Sock pattern, transferred it to my green KK loom. Both require 36 pegs, that's why. I used Paton's denim blue wool yard. I added 6 rows to the long tube part, thinking it would need the extra rows for adequate shrinkage during the felting. I also added an extra row of ribbing, again, to compensate for shrinkage.

I'll be washing them today and hoping they shrink A LOT! Otherwise, my girl friend with size 14 feet has scored herself a new pair of socks.

On the dork front

2007-01-13T16:29:00.000-08:00

I watched "Tap" starring Gregory Hines today with my tapping 6yo. Brought my knitting with me to the couch in hopes of backtacking some on my wool shawl and working in a new cable stitch pattern. No such luck *wah*. I dropped too many stitches and frogged the whole thing.

I'm sitting there trying to remember the pattern and write it out. I go blank. Luckily I too a picture of it so I may be able to remember what I was trying to accomplish.

Under the heading of "Because I Can":
I got two sweaters from freecyle this week. I am unraveling them to get some cotton yarn.

The one on the left doesn't have colors I would kill for, but I'll convince myself that the practice is good for me. The one of the right, though, I really like the colors. It is also the one with the cable pattern I want to re-create. Of course, that is the one I've already finished taking apart. (See? I told you dork alert.)

Here is the pattern. I'll have to enlarge it so I can see it better here. But I want to redo my shawl in this pattern. It looks like four cables with A and B switching twice, B and C twining four times and C and D switching twice. That also means the number and placement of purls changes.

Aw man, now I gotta think!

New pics

2007-01-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

OK here we go for an upload extravaganza!

Sparky was cleaning up his room and found the other sock! These look so good, I think I'll try my own set.

Here's Sparky's blanket that I redid a while back. This one uses a double strand of Lion Brand Homespun in four colors in a one over one e-wrap. Actually 5, since I ran out of one of the colors, didn't have much more to do and snuck in a wee bit of the gothic purple. I'm so honest, though, I owned up to Sparky and he said that's ok. *whew*

I also took the time to measure the panels so that they are pretty much the same size.

Here's the Girl in half her poncho. I found the Paton's Cici yarn on sale at Michael's and grabbed some. The neon colors are great for her. Especially the pink. I am using the purple KK loom as a single rake. (The double rake stuff is escaping me. I'll have to ask in my groups what's what.) BUT! I am using a single strand mock crochet stitch. The CiCi has little tufts throughout the yarn, so that can be a challenge. But if I do it right, the tufts force me to keep my knitting really loose. Therfore, the mock crochet-ness is a little more visible.

I've just started the other flat panel. Another chance for me to measure so I can assure the panels are the same length. I haven't decided jsut how I'll sew them together. It'll depend on how big I need to make the hole for her head.

These are the front and back views of my wool shawl. I have
finally been able to make the cable stitch work. Paying attention and keeping the stitches loose are the keys. I have one edge row that is knit instead of purled. I just noticed it last night. It's about 10 rows down. Am I gonna frog it? NO! I'll claim it is the Turkish Flaw in this piece.

I am using Paton's all wool in a nice demin blue. Double strand. Knit and purl stitches. I bought 4 skeins at the time. But being me, the "Buy it in Bulk" girl, I also bought 4 skeins in white and another 4 in light blue. I think Sparky has tagged the white yarn for himself .

Gee with the pile of fabric I have waiting to be cut out and the socks for me, probably slippers, too, and a poncho for the girl and a shawl for Sparky, I have no real excuse to play Cubis any time soon.

We have a pair!

2006-12-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

I finished Sparky's other sock. No pic of the set because Sparky took the first sock and now we can't find it. *sigh*

I'm now working on a wool cable knit shawl. I actually sat down and diagramed what I was seeing. (That's a first.)

I also had an idea for a cable knit scarf, but not in a typical way. I'm thinking to not use the standard purl and knit combination. I want to make it all knit overs, with the cable switches happening through out, maybe in a diagonal configuration.

I'll play with it after this shawl.

OK, let's take New Year's Resolutions:

Become adept at the knitting board (my FABULOUS DH gave me the KK oval looms for Christmas)

Develop my own designs for 2 projects. The Floating Cable Knit Scarf is one. Let's see what else I want to have.....

Thanks again LoomClass.

My Sock

2006-12-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

Graciela's sock pattern using cotton yarn. I really like it. And it fits my 6yo! So I am eager to start the next one. If I'm a good girl, the socks will match!

Knit Kitty and glasses case

2006-12-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

I feel so accomplished these days.

The knit kitty is a triple strand thing. THe yarn was sooooo thin. Two strands of a lavendar cum magenta chenille and a multi color blend with a white cotton mesh around it. It's very soft but the mesh-covered yarn liked to get in the way of my needle as I was sewing the pieces together.

Of course, my DD LOVED it! I think she loves anything she receives. Which can be nice.

Next time, I'll not stuff the tail so much. There's a couple of gaps waiting for inquisitive fingers to make bigger. Definitely use different yarn.

Overall I love the pattern and the alternate animals other loomers have made. I am sure my 6yo would love a snake. With the looms I have, it would be pretty big!

Next on the agenda is newly added. My DH called this morning to ask for a matching scarf for his dad's dog sweater. I'll do that one as simply and speedily as possible.

I have marked my sock loom as the pattern recommends. So I am one step closer to starting my sock.

OK, I found my first LoomClass project. By the washer ?????

Anyway, this is the first project. It used the garter stitch and side seaming. Yeah, the ends are too tight as is the side seam, but the garter stitch rocks.

A note to readers: Yes, I point out what I do not like about my projects. Still being new to it, I want to note what I can do to improve the next one. And seeing as this serves as my notebook, this is where the notes go.

Please don't think I am always this poopy about my work. I am not. But this is a learning experience for me.

And as previously noted, the next project is a scarf for my FIL. No, it will not be simple and speedy. Go figure.

I decided to use Graciela's cable stitch method. It it looks good! (See, I told you I wasn't always poopy about my work....)

Pup-sicle sweater

2006-12-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

Here's the dog sweater. Sorry for the poor lighting. The pattern was great! I got it on the first try! And the second....

I used Red Heart Saver in royal and silver (more of a dark grey) because my FIL has a kick dog (this spoken by someone who has only owned dogs over 50 pounds, so we are the kick owners....). My FIL's favorite football team to sweat at is the Dallas Cowboys.

I made the first one in about 3 hours. My DH showed me this toy dog my DD has and says the real dog is about that size. My first sweater was the directed 9 inches long. The real dog is 9 inches long. The sweater was too big!

So I frogged it and remade it, recycling the yarn for the most part. The section that needed other yarn, I used fresh from the skein. The other unrecycled yarn, I'll use in other projects calling for waste yarn.

As far behind as I am in the projects, I have made three Christmas gifts, thanks to this class (2 framed shawls and the dog sweater). I'm now working on the Knit Kitty as a stocking stuffer for my DD.

Thanks again, Loom Class!

Throw on Sweater

2006-12-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

This is my first throw on sweater. Baroque Homespun. Double Strand. I didn't do the ribbing at the bottom of the sweater body because I didn't consolidate all the notes from the list. Next time, I'll do the bottom edge ribbing.

I am not sure about the collar. More than likely it was operator error. I think the next time I'll make teh collar wider.

Since this pattern was for a 12 - 14, my next sweater will be larger. It'll be warm enough, to be sure.

I like the thought of making a sweater on a loom. I had the idea to make panels and dew them together. The ribbing, folding over the front edge and the collar are inspired from this newbie's POV. I will be refinging my techniques on this project.

Thank you, LoomClass.

My shawl

2006-11-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am quite happy with the shawl. So happy, I am sending this one off to my exSIL.

I am now working on teh "throw-on sweater." I am happy with that too. And my sister will get it for xmas. I will need to make a larger one for me. I think I'll even make a shawl for me too. But first I need to learn the sock pattern.

I have quite a stack of fabric on hand to cut and sew. A friend just had her baby girl, and I offered to make her oldest girl a costume as a "big sister gift."

So boredom is not allowed here for quite awhile.

Now what?

2006-11-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

So with three capes left to sew, I have picked up my knitting again. I finished Sparky's blanket.

I had made one using Lion Brand Homspun (I *really* like that yarn), using a single strand one over one stitch. It came out fine, then the squids got a hold of it and it stretched too much for my happiness. So I recycled the yarn and made a new one. Double strands this time and better measuring for evenness. The bulk is cozier and it looks like it won't stretch near as much. But then I have underestimated my squids before....

I got a wild hair to make reading shawls. Those ones with the ends turned up to make pockets. I thought I could make some for my two sisters, my exSIL and maybe some simple scarves for my nieces. But of course, I have to make one for meself first. Gotta work out the kinks before I do real work.

Well, I want to try cable stitches on my yellow KK, but for now, it is not working out. I have asked Graciela from LoomClass to clarify what I need to do to get it right.

I bought this great wool yarn in shades of blue and cream (Paton, brand, I think). At first I was going to make a felting project, but I like this yarn so much, I want a shawl out of it. So I'll wait for my answer and then we'll go from there.

Embellishments to Hats

2006-11-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

Pam Kelville, owner of the LoomClass yahoo group is fabulous. She is working to open up room on the group's files. So I am posting the Embellishments class I developed here. BTW, thank you Pam for working so hard on the group.

So you’ve made hats, scarves, placemats, a sweater or two. You know the difference between knit and purl, stockingette and garter. You have amassed a stash of yard beyond your spouse’s comprehension: eyelash, bouclé, homespun, acrylic, wool, pebble, sports weight, baby soft.

Or maybe not. Maybe you’ve just started and are lucky to use the knitting tool without puncturing your finger or eye. Maybe your skill level is rank beginner and you want something easy to do that still looks fun. Maybe you’re advanced enough to be able to knit the Statue of Liberty but want to add something “je ne sais quois” to it.

Embelllishments! They’re easy. Adding beads, paillettes or using different combinations of yarn can add pizzazz to your projects. Brighten them up from ho-hum to wow!

What you’ll need:
A project – for the sake of this class, let’s make a hat.
Yarn – Any type of thin yarn will do. This is a great opportunity to use that blasé stuff you bought on clearance.
Pony beads – those larger sized plastic beads you can buy by the bag at craft stores
OR
Paillettes - flat sequin like bits. The ones I saw at my friendly neighborhood craft store had holes that were too small. There are many online outlets for purchasing those.
OR
Crazy yarn - I’ve seen some that looked more like ribbon
OR
Jingle Bells
OR
Letter beads
OR
Whatever strikes your fancy
Yarn needle
Knifty Knitter Loom for hat size
Knitting tool

1. Decide what size hat you want to make. My daughter had a “bead” on this one. So I’ll be using the green KK. (I am using a thin yarn with no stretch, so I have to go a KK larger than normal.) I recommend you use the fold-under brim style so that your bead embellishments are not rubbing on your head.

2. Before you start casting on, string your beads/paillettes to your yarn (yes, it is as simple as that). If you are string your beads on the end of your yarn that will be the start of your project, string them on in reverse order. If you string them on the end of your yarn, then go in the order you’ll use the beads. Remember, some beads have an alignment to consider. Fish go sideways, or stars have a top. Keep this in mind when choosing different shaped beads.

3. Cast on your favorite way. For a folded brim, I usually e-wrap two rows on.

4. Knit in the round for several rows without placing beads. This is the fold under part.
5. When you get to the point where you would have the actual fold, knit off a 2 – 3 more rows. Then start adding your beads between the pegs. If you have a specific image or pattern you want to make, graph it out in paper first. If you want random placement, then place beads where you please.

6. When you reach double the length you want for you brim, loop the bottom row onto your current row, knit off.

7. As you wrap the remaining rows, continue placing beads where your plan or whim decides. I found when I did an every five peg beaded hat, I got a cool spiral design. My paillette hat, using the mock crochet stitch was all in columns. It’s up to you.

8. To finish, gather and tie off per KK instructions.

9. Other embellishments:

a. Use letter beads to spell out your name.
b. Thread a jingle bell on your gathering/tie off yarn for a topper.
c. Combine a yarn with a ribbon yarn for interesting contrast.
d. Add beads or charms to the halfway point of your brim for a fringe effect.
e. Make I-cords and add beads as you go to make a necklace, bracelet or anklet.
f. Make I-cords with beads, loop them up to make flowers to add to purses, shawls, hats.
g. On a finished hat, make a long tassel to tie off the top of a hat as a “ponytail.”
h. Tie pieces of ribbon yarn randomly on your hat for a “flyaway look.”
i. Sew buttons randomly on your hat. (Buttons are another buy by the bag thing from craft stores.

Pics and updated tally

2006-11-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

As you can see, I was able to post several pics today. Yippeee! That leaves three capes from this initial cutting session to assemble. I think Kabloey has said he didn't want a cape since he got his cool traveling cloak for Halloween. The capes are so easy to put together, I'll assembly line the project and have an extra on hand for "just in case."

Where does that leave the sewing fiend total?Two broomsticks skirtsOne red and white Girl skirt
Two Girl dresses
Two red and white shirts
Two firelick shorts
Two firelick pants
One stripedy pants
One stripedy shorts
Two more Girl dresses
Two Halloween cloaks
One pink puppy costume (only counts as half since the pants and jacket were store bought)
Two button front shirts
One slip on shirt
Four pairs of African pants
One fire lick jacket (netting. So it's for display more than useful)

I think that's it.

I already have planned a collared and a "gambler" style vest for Himself, a pink penguin robe and a couple more dresses (like she needs them) for Girl, a tulle skirt and accessories for Bina.Once I finish the capes, I'll go through my fabric stash to sort and plan some more.

Now if I could just get as fired up about making applesauce.

My Sewing Tally so far - no pics yet

2006-10-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Two broomsticks skirts
One red and white Girl skirt
Two Girl dresses
Two red and white shirts
Two firelick shorts
Two firelick pants
One stripedy pants
One stripedy shorts

I am now working on three pairs of African pants (Folkwear). Two for me and one for PS ("I love gussets!")

I broke down and bought The Girl a pink sweatsuit with hoodie so she can be a "pink dog" for Halloween. I need to add ears to the hoodie, make some mittens and spats to pinkify her completely. I have to check my stash to see if I have a bubble gum pink fabric. I know I have hot pink, but then that would clash.

The Girl is excited t\aaht I will put dog make-up on her for the whiskers and nose.

Why I am not Knitting this Year

2006-09-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

I have scored a shameful amount of fabric. Gleaning, freecycle and flat out buying more than I need. So I have been sewing. I went on a cutting jag for a few days. My family will get pants, shirts, Halloween costumes, and in the case of the Girl, lots of dresses and skirts. Here are pics of what I have finished in the past 10 days.

Who ever told the girl that the broken neck look is attractive must have a thriving photography business in a small town in Texas.

This fabric turned out to be too sheer for wearing by itself. Be glad I deleted the photos that proved it. I'll wear it when I MC with some cool pants underneath.
Barbershop pole skirt.
Kabloey has worn this short once. Sparky? We had to pry it off him. Go figure.
This navy blue shows up brighter in the pic. I'll not too crazy about it, but a comfortable skirt is always welcome. I'll probably wear it under aforementioned diaphanous skirt or bumming around the house.

My Sad Hobo Bag

2006-08-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

I would love it if all my creative endeavors worked splendidly the first time. But no, I must say my hoobo bag is fraught with operator error. I must consult with the pattern creatrix to see where I spooged it up.

I love the cotton yarn I used. Number 1: it was on clearance for a buck. Number 2: The purples, blues and greens are a very soothing combination for me.

Next time, I think I'll make the bag section deeper.

See from this pic, it doesn't look all that bad.

But smack in the middle of this one, you can see where
I dropped a stitch.

Then the next one will show you just how bad my stitch work to fasten the handles together are.

Mind you, I probably wouldn't mind so much, but this is one of those things where you say proudly, "I made it" and folks look even closer at it. So I gotta work on some technique. And ego too.

Loom Class project #2

2006-05-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Offending verbal image alert! But I'll save it til the end.

A French Market Bag. Using 4-ply cotton yarn. Learned the exceptionally cool I-cord and simulated mesh stitch AND the most useful stretch across the loom flat bottom technique. I frogged (rip-it! rip-it!) this one once when I was using a single strand. I thought I had done something wrong because it was so long. So I restarted it with a double strand. Then I washed and dried it hoping it would shrink up. Turns out the pattern was long. Next time I do this pattern, I'll not knit so many rows.
Leave now if you are easily offended. I'll give you a minute to decide.

OK? Only stout-hearted folk left?

I don't know whether to name this one saggy boob or limp dick.

Loom class project #1

2006-05-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

Eye glass case in Red Heart red. Darling Daughter took the case. So I don't have it to post. When I find it I will. I did learn several stiches and not to whip stitch so tight.

Past Projects - part 3

2006-05-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

A nine patch blanket for my 3yo girl. Some sort of fluffy baby yarn. Probably a one over two stitch. I knitted until I ran out of the skein. Taught me to measure my squares before stitching them together. But the girl loves it.

6yo in rainbow brimmed hat made with inexpensive 4-ply yarn. Used a double strand, one over two stitch. He loves it. Made a waffle stitch tube scarf for him too. (I'm still learning this stuff, so, yes, some of my choices are a bit goofy.)A friend of mine like it so much, she "ordered" one for her daughter. I think the mom liked it more than her daughter did.

My 10yo's "Gryffindor" blanket. Red Heart Burgundy and Sunflower yarn. Double strand. One over two stitch. HEAVY! I am using my newly acquired measure before stitching together skill. DH suggested I use the long stripe horizontal pattern. That way I can add as my little giant grows. I hope I can keep up with him!

Past projects - part 2

2006-05-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

I made a lot of projects using the Lion Brand Homespun. I like the softness and ready bulk. I made a blanket for my 6yo. Don't have a picture of it yet. I used a one over one stitch on it. Very open weave and in the hands of a 6yo, even opener. Will add picture when I get one.

12/24/06 - update. The blanket had to be redone. It stretched too much. I need to get a pic of the new version now.

Past projects - part 1

2006-05-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Started Loom Knitting before Xmas 2005. I blem my friend Amy for it. She had been loom knitting for months prior and I watched her, fascinated. So before I went on teh bi-annual trek to the Lone Star State, I picked up a set of Knifty Knitters on sale. Here is some of what I've been able to accomplish:
Cap and scarf from Gothic Lion Brand Homespun using a mock crochet stitch. I mad ethe scarf first intending it to be a hat in a scarf, but it wasn't wide enough to cover my big ol' haid. So I am happy with the resulting hugely long scarf that wraps several times around my neck. A lot like any Bob Cratchit you may see in any Scrooge movie. The hat is brimless. I strung a mess of purple paillettes on the yarn and placed them regularly throughout. It may be a wee but too long, but adds to the "flapper look."