Unraveled

Avocado Gelato

2011-02-28T12:15:00.001-05:00

I have lately been inspired to try more new recipes. I have always loved to cook, but with my small kitchen and work schedule and I am sometimes not in the mood for innovation in the meal prep department.

I broke out the ice cream maker attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer last night to make this unusual Avocado Gelato.

The original recipe is here.

I substituted 1 tbsp fresh lime juice instead of the vitamin c tablet and grated the peel of 1 small orange instead of the strips. I left the peel in instead of removing, but this makes the orange taste a bit overpowering, so if I was to make again I might not use as much peel or I might try to strain it out after cooking.

Over all, this has an unusual and enjoyable flavor and delightful color!

Sidetracked

2010-12-18T21:41:00.001-05:00

Just a quick one today. Those of you who are EZ fans should recognize this one.

And yes, this means the baby Mary Janes are on hold for a bit. I just couldn't get excited about them with those Size 0 needles and K1 P1 ribbing. This new project was a welcome diversion and I have already made quite a bit of progress in just one day.

Getting closer.....

2010-12-05T12:33:00.000-05:00

I am dangerously close to having no projects on my needles, except for the long-term Never-ending Sock Garden Blanket, that I expect will be a project for years to come.

Today I show you my completed Electric Fruit Loop Socks, which are now dry after blocking.

Pattern: Fruit Loop by Kristi Geraci from Knitty, Spring 2008
Needles: US 1 Circular
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Superwash Merino/Nylon Fingering Weight - hand-dyed with Kool-Aid (for details on how to dye your own see my tutorial)
Started: October 24, 2009
Completed: December 3, 2010

The yarn is delightfully squishy and soft knitted up and I think the hand-dyed yarn worked well for this pattern. And just in time for some very cold weather, I will definitely be getting some use out of these socks sooner rather than later.

Another One Bites the Dust

2010-11-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

I have been frantically working on Lotus Blossom Tank over the last several weeks. I am not sure if it is the weather (I love the brisk fall days) but I have really been on a knitting kick over the last month.

I am not sure why I liked this pattern, as like many others, I found the pictures in the original pattern to be ill-fitting in a boxy sort of way.

I have worked the modifications that Lickety Knit describes on her blog. These modifications make the tank longer and give it a much more feminine fit.

The only additional modification that I made was to make the armholes a full inch smaller than the pattern called for (versus the 0.5 inch modification that Lickety Knit made), to make the armholes 7 inches instead of 8 on the 39 inch size. In keeping with the smaller armholes I picked up slightly less stitches for the armhole edging (86 stitches per armholes) and 32 stitches for each side of the neck. I solved the disconnected flap that is formed by the picked up neck edging by knitting it together at the junction with stitches from the top of the knitted on front edging.

Although this pattern took me awhile to complete, it is actually a very quick knit, and once my summer knitting hiatus was complete (reading a book was just more appealing to me when sitting by the pool), it knit up rather rapidly.

Pattern: Lotus Blossom Tank by Sharon Shoji
Size: 39 inches
Made for: Me
Yarn: Artful Yarns Cliche, 7 skeins
Needles: US Size 4 for body, US Size 3 for front neck bind-off, and US Size 5 for first 9 rows of the pattern.
Started: April 29, 2010
Completed: November 19, 2010

The yarn is a linen/cotton/acrylic mix, and I love the color and thought the fiber content perfect for a summer tank, but it was prone to splitting. I got a great deal on this yarn at Slip Knot in Newtown Square, when the yarn was discontinued.

I worried that the 39 inch size might be a bit big for me, based on comments from some other knitters, but it ended up being a pretty good fit. I could have tried to modify it the be a custom size, but going down a full size would have likely been way too small.

Sorry for the indoor photos, but I couldn't stomach an outdoor photo in a tank top with the recent cold weather.

All I have left on my needles right now are two pairs of socks, so it will be time soon to pick my next big project. I am thinking of doing an easy Elizabeth Zimmerman sweater that would provide hours of stockinette which although boring, does allow me to give my attention to other things at the same time (namely reading a book). I have a perfect yarn whose beauty lies in the variations of thick and thin, but could not easily be used for say lace or cables for the same reason.

I also have enough yarn for two other sweaters that could be more patterned. Plus some shawl options! I need to think about what I want to do next.

In the meantime, I may be starting some baby knitting for friends soon. I love starting new projects!

Kool Socks

2010-11-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

A quick one today. My fruit loop socks have been in hibernation for a bit but were pulled back out and I completed the first sock and cast on for the second sock today.

I am actively trying complete all my UFOs.

Bell Sleeves Waiting for a Zipper

2010-11-07T12:51:00.002-05:00

Par for the course, Bell Sleeved Jacket has been finished for awhile now and waiting for a zipper. I have even worn it a few times. But alas no pictures were taken until the zipper was in it's place (and that place is not on my bookshelf collecting dust where the zipper has sat for months)!

Well, the final task is done and here are the photos to prove it.

The yarn was something I picked up on sale at knit picks and I love the color and stitch definition, but it is a little itchy. Not such a problem as this is a jacket, and will almost always be worn with a long-sleeved shirt underneath. It should see a lot of use this fall and winter.

This was my first attempt at a Vogue Knitting Pattern, and I do have to express my dissatisfaction with the many pattern errors that were not even listed in the Errata. I also was shocked that the pattern's largest size was only a medium!?!? I added stitches on each side to make what I call a medium plus size. I kept all other sizing the same (I am petite, but a needed a bit more room through the bust).

Pattern: Bell Sleeved Jacket, Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006
Size: Medium Plus (modified medium)
Needles: US Size 7
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes - Color Hush 15 skeins
Started: January 2008
Completed: November 6, 2010

I Dream in Green

2010-11-03T09:49:00.001-04:00

After a relatively unproductive summer of knitting, the cool weather has me in a fiber-friendly mood. I have been working on Lotus Blossom Tank over the last few weeks.

Too bad this is a summer top. I always seem to be a season off when finishing projects!

I am hoping to have this completed by the end of the weekend.

The Neverending Story

2010-11-02T09:30:00.000-04:00

I have had my eye on a pattern for awhile that is perfect for sock yarn scraps. I cast on for it last night, although I forsee this being a long-haul type of project that is pieced together a little at a time as I acquire more sock yarn scraps.

The pattern is Bobby's Garden, which is available for sale on Ravelry. I changed to size 2 needles due the lighter weight of the yarn.

Likely will be a baby blanket size, as I think any larger in fingering weight yarn might be maddening, or I might still be working on it when I am old and gray!

Not Quite Ripe 5/52

2010-06-06T21:06:00.000-04:00

This week's photo is a bunch of bananas we picked up at the grocery store today. Not quite ripe, just the way we like them. I thought they made an interesting subject through the lens of my 50mm f1.8 lens.

Homemade 4/52

2010-05-29T17:07:00.000-04:00

Strawberries are in season, so this past week I decided to make my first attempt at homemade jam. I was supprised by how well it went and that all of my jars sealed on the first attempt.

Jam is deceivingly simple: fruit, sugar, pectin and a little water boiled up into deliciousness. If I were to do this again though, I might add more pectin than 1 packet as the jam is a little thinner than I was expecting.

And of course when I had completed the canning process, I had to snap a picture. I just love mason jars!

Blue Mountain 3/52

2010-05-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

On the way back from North Carolina, hubby and I took a detour to drive a section of the beautiful Blue Mountain Parkway in Virginia. Although it made our drive back long, it was well worth it for the stunning views!

Relaxing 2/52

2010-05-18T21:16:00.000-04:00

Despite being on vacation last week, I took very few photographs and did not blog at all. We visited friends in North Carolina last weekend and I snapped this one of their dog, relaxing while we all enjoyed catching up.

52 Weeks in Photographs: My Morning Ritual 1/52

2010-05-03T08:15:00.000-04:00

I love the idea of the 365 days in photographs that I have seen on many blogs as a way to improve your photography skills and look for creative subjects. Perhaps my photo foray to Tyler Arboretum this weekend has inspired me. However, I know that a photograph every day is just not feasible for me. On my days off this is not a problem, but I work 12+ hour shifts and on those days it is tough to muster enough energy to feed myself, let alone find a suitable photography subject.

It then dawned on me that I might have an alternative that would serve the same purpose, but not be quite as time consuming and demanding.

What if I did one photograph per week? This would give me flexibility to shoot on my days off, but still give me the benefits of improving my skills.

So here is the first of what I hope will be a year in pictures.

I thought I would start off with one of my favorite times of day: my morning cup of coffee. I love coffee, and having a cup in the morning is in my opinion the best part of the day. I love the smell, the taste, the caffeine. I am both a coffee snob and a coffee junkie. I prefer freshly ground whole bean, and luckily have a machine that does all the steps for me (grind, brew). But given a tight spot, I will drink almost any coffee.

Spring Photo Foray

2010-05-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was the Spring Photo Foray at Tyler Arboretum. I thought I would share a few of my photos with you. It was nice to be out with others who linger to get a good shot. The hubby doesn't appreciate it in the same way.

Its often hard to believe such a beautiful place is right around the corner!

In preparation for summer....

2010-05-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

I have started Lotus Blossom Tank, a pattern from The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years .

I am using yarn I bought from my LYS, Slip Knot that I got on sale and couldn't pass up. It is Cliche by Artful Yarns.

I only have 7 skeins of the yarn, and after completing almost 1 repeat, I am a little worried it may not be enough. A Ravelry search for yardage used by other knitters put me at ease a bit, but I am also planning to do the modifications described by Licketyknit, which includes adding lace repeats and length to the stockinette portion.

We will see. I am hoping the switch after Row 9 to smaller needles will eat up less yarn.

Alaskan Mobius

2010-04-30T17:50:00.000-04:00

This blog comes a bit late, as this has been complete but not photographed for awhile. This was my Ravelymics project.

Pattern: Moebius Cowl by by Cat Bordhi
Needles: US 10 Circular
Yarn: Raven Frog Fiber Arts Marvelous Merino ; 1 skein
Started: February 12, 2010
Completed: February 28, 2010

I picked this yarn up on our honeymoon to Alaska, and it reminds me of the rich, earthy colors that surrounded us on this wonderful trip.
See my previous post for a video link for the cast-on.

I am glad I tried this technique, and it was a fun project with a beautiful result, but I don't think that I will be doing many mobius projects as they are somewhat limited in their scope of usefulness.

Ravelympics!

2010-02-13T18:53:00.001-05:00

Did anyone else notice the lovely hats and sweaters Team USA had on last night?

In the spirit of the Olympics I am participating in Ravelympics this year and have chosen a Mobius Cowl as my project in this lovely yarn that I picked up on my honeymoon in Alaska.

The colors remind me of the rainforest of Alaska and the Canadian coast of British Columbia, so I thought it a fitting choice given the Olympics location in Vancouver.

I have already made significant progress on this, and I think I will be done with it long before the Olympics are over.

I thought the mobius cast on would give me a bit more trouble than it did, but a great video here demonstrates it beautifully.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

2010-01-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

This is one that I have tried to read many times. I always thought that school interfered and found myself starting over when I had forgotten my place.

On the surface this appeared to be exactly the type of novel I would like: beautiful prose, immersion in another culture with tragedy and love. I wanted to love this book, but did not.

In the end, I did finally finish this novel, but it always felt like I was pulling myself through the pages. The language is beautiful, but I couldn't relate to the characters or the story. I am glad I finally finished it so I could move on.

On making progress

2010-01-18T14:36:00.001-05:00

Remember this?

I am on the collar of Bell Sleeve Jacket, and have been making steady progress while enjoying the HBO series Rome over the last few weeks. I love Netflix.

I am hopeful that this sweater will be done in time to get some use out of it while it is still cold. Almost there!

Reader's Indulgences

2010-01-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

This new stack of books are pure heaven for a reader to behold. I look forward to the hours curled up on the couch enjoying them.

Its cold outside, but in here it's electric!

2010-01-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here is a peak at one of my projects on the needles that I haven't shown off yet.

These are the Fruit Loop Socks from Knitty, Spring 2008.

They are being knit with my Kool-Aid dyed yarn in a colorway that I call
It's Electric.

Go to my instructional post to learn how I dyed the yarn.

On a roll.....

2010-01-11T09:28:00.000-05:00

The result of more seaming and finishing....

Pattern: Gavyn by Amanda Blackford
Made for: Baby C
Size: 1 - 2 years
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Solids; Colorway: Royal Palm
Approximately 0.5 skein (710 yards per skein)
Needles: US Size 9
Started: August 21, 2009
Completed: January 9, 2010

Because this is knit in an Aran/Worsted weight yarn, it is a very quick knit. I actually finished all of the knitting in just a few sittings, but again, it sat waiting for me to seam in the arms from the time I finished knitting in August until now.

The Bernat Cotton Yarn is so soft and I like this earthy green color.

The Gavyn pattern is one of the few sweaters I have found that is truly meant for a baby boy. Most baby sweaters are really meant for baby girls and are too frilly for boys.

I am quite pleased with how it turned out and will probably knit this sweater again as it is enjoyable and easy and looks great!

Seam away

2010-01-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

It has become apparent to me that I avoid seaming to the detriment of my unfinished projects. Remember when this was blocking back in August? Yes, August. I just finished seaming it up and sewing the ribbon and buttons on yesterday. It only took me 5 months to get to it.

I finally had to forbid myself to knit anything else until I buckled down and took care of this long overdue task.

And although I really don't like seaming, I love the end result of seaming and love watching the raw seperate pieces turn into a beautiful finished product.

Pattern: Smock Coat by Debbie Bliss from Simply Baby
Size: 12-18 months
Made for: Baby G.
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport; Colorway - Fedora
10 Skeins
Needle: US Size 2 and 4 Addi Turbos
Started: October 12, 2008
Completed: January 9, 2010

Shine Sport is so increadibly soft and I love the end result of this jacket, but the seed stitch was a little tedious at times.

Proof that I have been knitting......

2010-01-09T11:44:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile. Its been a little hectic, but this one has actually been off the needles for awhile and awaiting a photoshoot. I brought it with me on my 2 week Hawaiian cruise in October and did a lot of knitting on it during that trip. I really wanted to try to get some outdoor photos but the snow and bitter temps are not cooperating with my interests.
So here it is:

Pattern: Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn Clark
Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud - Colorway: Tide Pool;
3 skeins (knit with two strands held together)
Needles: US Size 6 AddiTurbo Lace
Started: March 8, 2008
Completed: November 15, 2009

Despite taking me a year and a half to complete, when I actually devoted some time to the project, it is a relatively quick and easy pattern. And the Tide Pool colorway is a rich mix of teal, blue and flecks of gold. Pictures just don't do its beauty justice.

The past week has been devoted to seaming and finishing up projects that have been neglected in finished but unfinished states. Perhaps the new year has convinced me to tidy up and finish the unfinished and move on to bigger and better things.

I don't think I did very well on my 2009 New Year's knitting goals, but let's see. Last year I resolved to:

1. Finish my unfinished business.
2. Knit more socks.
3. Knit my man a sweater.
4. Shop from my stash.
5. Try Mobius knitting.
6. Try Entrelac knitting.
7. Knit more, now that I have the time.

Well finishing unfinished business is an ongoing problem. I go through spurts with my knitting and hate seaming, so whileI did manage to finish some projects, I still have a few that have been in hibernation and haven't come out yet.

I finished 1 pair of sock this year and started another, but did not knit very many pairs of socks.

I did not knit my husband a sweater, mostly because I still have a sweater on the needles for myself that is unfinished.

I did do a bit better at not buying a lot of yarn. I think I realized that my yarn buying was far out pacing the speed at which I actually knit, and that if I did not slow down the buying, our small apartment would be overrun with yarn! Additionally, toward the end of the year, my husband and I developed a new resolve to increase our rate of saving for a house, and expensive yarn doesn't jive with that goal.

I did not try mobius or entrelac knitting. And lastly I did knit more at times, but my knitting time comes in spurts. One accomplishment I was proud of was learning how to read and knit at the same time (although both the knitting and the reading have to be reasonably non-challenging in their own right to combine such tasks).

So what are my knitting goals for 2010? Well this year I am going to make it simple.

First, I want to continue the ever present goal of finishing what is on my needles and make a new resolve to only allow myself to have three different projects going at any one time. I at times have had up to seven going in the past, and although this does give a project for any sort of mood, it also means I tend to work a little on each one and never finish any of them.

Second, enjoy the knitting!

And that is all. This year I am going to keep it simple.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

2009-08-30T10:17:00.001-04:00

Great story in my favorite genre, historical fiction. This is a tale of two girls who's lifetime friendship is tested by social class and misunderstandings in 19th century China.

I found the descriptions of foot-binding fascinating and horrifying. The story itself was endearing and I found myself constantly wanting to read more to see what happened next. I read this over just a few days.

Three Cups of Tea by Grag Mortenson and David Oliver Renin

2009-08-23T08:27:00.001-04:00

Incredibly inspiring and yet difficult to get through. This is the true story of one man's mission to promote peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan by providing a new generation a balanced education. Greg Mortenson truly understands what will provide lasting peace in this area and provide long-term security to the US, and it is not military action, it is education.

Despite the endearing story, I found the writing style at times difficult to read and this took me awhile to finish, as I had to be in the right mood to sit down and plod though.

Sneak Peak

2009-08-21T14:17:00.000-04:00

Here is a sneak peak at a secret project....

I love working with this soft cotton yarn.

Something's Blocking

2009-08-14T23:52:00.000-04:00

Haven't had a finished object in awhile but......something's blocking!

And tommorrow onto seaming. This is my least favorite part of a project, but I do find it satisfying to watch the crude panels of a project seam up into a beautiful finished item.....

Patchwork tote

2009-08-02T16:48:00.006-04:00

This past week, I decided that because I could not find the exact sundresses that I wanted for my upcoming trip to Hawaii this fall, I would make some.

I order to free myself up to work on sundresses (and my sewing machine) this got finished this week.

Pattern: The City Bag by Fabric Central

This lined bag was a project for which all the patchwork squares came pre-cut, allowing me to focus solely on my sewing skills. I sewed when I was younger, but like knitting, never had the patience for it to stick.

By the time I got to the end of the bag, even my top stitching looked even and impressive if I do say so myself. (There are a lot of inside seams that were less than stellar, but luckily they are hidden).

Overall, I am pleased with this project, although I may choose a heavier interfacing next time for a sturdier bag. However, it is a perfect knitting bag!

Slowly but surely....

2009-05-03T13:20:00.001-04:00

Baby Smock Jacket is coming along and the first front panel is going much quicker than the back. Perhaps because I have master the art of knitting and reading at the same time, which means I can work on this and read Eclipse at the same time!

This only works for ribbing, stockinette, or seed stitch, anything more complicated requires full knitting attention.

Snowflakes for Spring

2009-04-22T11:40:00.000-04:00

I promised pictures. These have been off the needles for awhile, but it took awhile to block them (I had to buy sock blockers) and then the weather was not cooperative for pictures.

Pattern: Snowflake Socks by Chrissy Gardiner (Interweave Knits Fall 2007)
Yarn: Reynolds Soft Sea Wool, 1 skein of each color.
Needles: Size 2 circular needles
Started: March 13 2008
Completed: March 29 2009

This was my first stranded project, and I used the opportunity to master the two-handed technique, using my right hand for the main color and my left for the contrasting color.

The first sock was knit a little tight as I got comfortable with the new technique. By the time I started the second sock, I had loosened up considerably, and therefore, the second sock ended up being significantly bigger. So much so that I had to block the second sock on a different sized sock blocker!

I should have gone down a needle size for the second sock; but alas, I did not realize until it was too late.

However, they are very warm and comfortable. I will definitely be wearing these around the house, different sizes and all.

And what stranded post would be complete without a little guts and glory! The inside...I think it is almost as pretty as the outside.

Notice my new purchase in the above photo. I got these lovely sock blockers from the Loopy Ewe. I made a deal with myself if I finished these socks I was allowed to buy these, as blockers are especially needed with stranded projects. I bought a pair in my size and a single blocker in all the other sizes they had so that I can block socks for anyone else I knit for. I love the sheep at the top.

Twilight

2009-04-05T21:12:00.001-04:00

I stayed away from this series for a long time because it was geared toward adolescents. However, after it seemed like everyone I know recommended reading them, I decided to take the plunge and immerse myself in the Twilight saga. I was pleasantly suprised. This was an engaging page-turner that I really enjoyed. Many have compared the series to Harry Potter, and though not as good, they have the same appeal of being a thrill-packed, engaging story that though geared toward a younger crowd, can also be enjoyed by adults.

Before I was halfway through the book I had already bought the remaining 3 books in the series, knowing that there was no chance that once I finished the first that I could stay away from finding out where the series would lead.

I will be adding the movie to my Netflix queue soon. I can't wait to see how they translated this one to the screen.

As the risk of being cliche: I've been bitten.

Tangled Basket

2009-03-30T21:15:00.000-04:00

In taking of stock of where I am with finishing the projects on my needles:
a) Secret Gift Project AKA Hemlock Ring Blanket Finished
b) Snowflake Socks Finished (pictures to follow soon)
c) Bell Sleeved Jacket (65% complete)
d) Flower Basket Shawl (45% complete)
e) Baby Mary Janes (10% complete)
f) Smock Jacket (30% complete)

I have been making a serious commitment to FBS over the last few weeks and am up to 275 stitches. Unfortunately when I started the first row of the next repeat I noticed that one of my flower baskets from the previous round was not quite right. Feeling supremely confident in my lace knitting abilities, I decided that instead of ripping out the whole last round back to my lifeline (and then re-knitting all those stitches), surely I could just drop the affected section and knit it back up again on double points, leaving the rest of my perfectly correct flower baskets intact?

Alas, after 5 attempts last night, my malformed flower basket is still in disarray. It was not as easy as it might seem. I finally walked away from it and into the warm comfort of some Twilight reading. Once my mind is rested I will return to the basket and perhaps be able to do what I set out to do. But for now, it is only vampires for me.

Shades of Grey

2009-03-29T10:46:00.005-04:00

This has been complete for awhile now, but was a secret and needed to get to its intended recipient before I posted about it.

Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool 2 skeins (956 Yards) Color 8049 a dark grey
Started: December 13 2008 Completed: January 18 2009
Needle: Size 10

I am quite pleased with the final project and am yet again amazed by the power of blocking lace, even with worsted weight yarn.

This was a wedding/shower gift for friends who were married in November, but I have a feeling I will be knitting one for our home in the future.

I basically just kept knitting as far as the two skeins wound take me for a slightly larger lap blanket, and almost payed for it. I finished with 6 inches of yarn to spare.

I took the pattern to Row 75 of the Charted feather and fan pattern for a total of 121 total rows.

Resolutions kept and broken

2009-02-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

So I continue to buy yarn, despite my resolution to shop from my stash, but this one is for a gift, so in my mind it doesn't really count anyway.

This is Frog Tree Picoboo, a cotton-bamboo mix that comes in a variety of somewhat tradional, but rich versions of baby colors. It is delightfully soft.

I also played around a bit with my light box for this one. This photo is taken with a lamp shining through from above, and the camera flash from in front. If you are interested, see my posting from last year about my homemade version and where to find more info online to make your own.

In other news, I completed my second of six projects on my needles. Snowflake Socks are done, but need a good blocking. I think I am going to break down and buy some sock blockers for these. I am also making steady progress on the Smock Jacket.

Our trip to Italy next week should provide me with ample plane and train knitting and reading time.

Simply Irresitable....

2009-02-15T21:29:00.000-05:00

I took a trip over to Wool Gathering the other week in Kennett Square on my way to meet my husband to watch a swim meet followed by dinner in West Chester. I couldn't resist this colorway of the Be Sweet Magic Ball called Camouflage.

And of course picked up two skeins of Manos del Uruguay in a green colorway. I may make a My-So-Called-Scarf with this.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

2009-01-31T11:45:00.001-05:00

This is one of the best books I have read in awhile. A story about an orphaned vet who mistakenly ends up on a circus train during the depression, I could not put this one down. I finished it in less than 5 days.

The story is well researched and has a twist. From the opening, you think you know where the story is going, only to find out that you only things aren't as they seem.

I alternately loved and hated the characters, and found myself reading for hours on end just to find out where the story would lead.

I did not realize the parallels with the biblical story of Jacob until the end. It is certainly not the story of Jacob, but does use some twist on biblical names, and some of the events that happened to Jacob in the bible are similar to events that happened to Jacob in the book.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

2009-01-28T21:18:00.001-05:00

Darker and more mellow than his previous books, I did not find this one as laugh out loud entertaining as some of Sedaris' previous work. Still an entertaining read, I especially enjoyed the 'Smoking Section'.

Progress

2009-01-25T20:00:00.002-05:00

No pictures to show, but my weekend was filled with a fair amount of knitting due to my husband being in Annapolis this weekend for a tux fitting/ghost pub crawl, and the fact that I wasn't feeling all that well, so I didn't push myself to do my usual weekend workouts.

I worked on three different projects: I did a few repeats of my Flower Basket Shawl, for some lighter knitting during movie watching I worked on the Smock Jacket with some easy moss stitch. Today I worked a bit on my Snowflake socks and am now through the heel and into the gusset. I need to free up my size 2 circulars for later in the Smock Jacket.

My husband has charged himself to help me in my resolution to finish what is on my needles by discouraging me from starting any new projects. Except, or course baby gifts for some upcoming little ones on the way. For this he will whole-heartedly encourage me to cast-on.

New Toy

2009-01-24T13:30:00.000-05:00

This arrived on Wednesday. So far, so good. I haven't sewn in awhile, so I grabbed a precut project to do to learn how to use my machine.

Lucky

2009-01-18T22:01:00.000-05:00

This is how much yarn I had left over at the end of my secret project. The ball was looking like I had a lot to go, but about halfway through the castoff row, I started to worry. That skein was looking awfully small. Would I make it of have to rip back? With 600 stitches in the last round, this would be no small feat. And with the 600 stitches translating into 3600 bind-off stitches, I had no way to accurately judge if I had enough yarn or not....Luckily I made it, with 6 inches of yarn to spare.

It is blocking now and is lovely.

In other news, I went into Joanne Fabrics to buy blocking pins on Saturday and walked out having ordered a sewing machine. I couldn't help myself, I found fabric that would make the perfect drapes to match my new bedding, and I have been unable to find the perfect drapes anywhere. But not owning a sewing machine presents a problem. I could do the project on my mother's machine, but she doesn't live here, and our visits are usually too short to accomplish such a project. So I meandered to the sewing machine section intending just to look....I should have known I would buy one as soon as I saw that just too perfect fabric.

When the cat's away....

2009-01-05T23:03:00.000-05:00

Saturday was a lovely day. Hubby had to go to work, so I planned out a wonderful day for myself while he was away. In the morning I went running in Fairmount Park with the Philly Runners and went to the coffee shop with the group after my 8.5 miles and had a cup of hot cocoa and caught up with some friends.

Then I spent the afternoon at my favorite yarn shop Slip Knot working at the large back table on my Mary Jane baby socks. And of course, I no sooner made the resolution to shop from my stash than I found this:

Artful Yarns Cliche
A cotton/linen/acrylic blend in this stunning green.
And, what? It's on sale!? Seven skeins later and I had made my first yarn purchase of the year.

I even had a project picked out for it before I even left the store:
Lotus Blossom Tank by Sahron Shoji
From the Best of Interweave Knits Book

I will probably knit it with some modifications as laid out by Lickety Knit to increase the length of the tank and make the bust shaping more flattering.

Of course this is more of a summer/spring project, so this will not ruin my resolution to finish what is already on my needles.

My husband stared in disbelief when I came home with my spoils and just said, "But, we have so much yarn already." Exactly.

The Gathering by Anne Enright

2009-01-02T22:39:00.001-05:00

This was one of the more disappointing books I have read in awhile. I am one who actually does often judge a book by its cover, or at least pick a book by its cover, and this one looked intriguing and even won an award. Who could go wrong? Although Enright's use of language is beautiful, the plot of this story about grief and deception in a large Irish family is lacking at best. I also found the main characters inconsistencies and contradictions to be distracting. While I realize that her inconsistencies are purposeful (so as to show the nature of childhood memories and the imagined stories we develop about our ancestors), I didn't trust the narrator's story because of it. This took me awhile to get through, but I finally did complete it and am glad to move on to the next book.

A leap of frog and a lot of unfinished business.

2009-01-02T11:30:00.001-05:00

Here is a recent finished project of mine. This frog hat was knit for a coworker's child so that she could match dad's outfit for Philadelphia's Mummer Parade.

Pattern: Frog Hat (Free Cascade Yarns Pattern)
Yarn:
Filatura Di Crosa Baby Zarella 1 ball each in colorway 1 & 15, plus some scrap worsted weight black yarn
Needle Size: Size 8 for Cast-on and Size 6 for body of the hat
Size: 6 months

Next are two projects that probably you probably won't see for awhile, as I am trying to finish a secret gift project, and have many other projects on the needles that need to be finished.

This one is a pair of Mary Janes from pattern 18305 in Dale of Norway Baby Designs/ Dalegarn #183 knit with what else but Baby Ull

Next is the Smock Coat from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby Book knit with Knit Picks Shine Sport.

Since it is the beginning of the new year and I had set a few goals for myself last year, I decided to revisit those goals and see how I did and make some new knitting goals for 2009.
In 2008 I kept my knitting goals simple due to my crazy school schedule. They were:

1. Try fair isle - I already have some yarn and all the tools I need.
2. Finish at least 1 sweater
3. Delve further into lace knitting : I plan to try the flower basket shawl, and have yarn to do at least 1 more shawl (maybe a Niebling)

Well I did try fair isle with my snowflake socks, and actually had some success. Unfortunately these socks remain unfinished, but as I will discuss later in the post I have a plan for my unfinished business.

I did finish 1 sweater with my FLS, but I also have an unfinished Bell Sleeved Jacket to complete. I just couldn't resist the bandwagon for the FLS!

As far as the lace knitting goes, I finished my Branching out Scarf and started a Flower Basket Shawl, but alas this project too remains in the unfinished category. I have delved into some worsted weight lace, such as FLS, and my current secret gift project as well. As for Niebling, well.....I purchased a Niebling pattern (Lyra) while I could get my hot little hands on it at a reasonable price. Maybe someday I will knit it.

Okay, so I tried out a lot of my resolutions, but have had a little trouble with follow through.

My knitting resolutions for 2009? Well number 1 is no surprise, but here they are:

1. Finish my unfinished business. I have many projects on the needles that I need to finish before I get swept up in all that new project fever. In order of how I will do this
a) Secret Gift Project (70% complete)
b) Snowflake Socks (65% complete)
c) Bell Sleeved Jacket (65% complete)
d) Flower Basket Shawl (20% complete)
e) Baby Mary Janes (10% complete)
f) Smock Jacket (10% complete)

Of course, I always like to have about 3 projects on my needles at all times anyway, so there may be some overlap. Usually I have 1 lace project, 1 sweater or bigger project and 1 small project like socks that is very portable on my needles at all times to fit different knitting situations.

2. Socks. I have developed a habit of collecting skeins of sock yarn. Everywhere we go, I find the local yarn store and find a skein that reminds me of the place we visited or that has a simply beautiful dye job. I need to get in the habit of using these skeins to make even more beautiful socks to keep my feet warm.

3. Knit my man a sweater. Gasp! I have been married for over a year, and have not knit my husband anything except a hat. Although my husband is generally not into sweaters, I did find a pattern that appeals to him in the Best of Interweave Knits book called Cambridge Jacket by Ann Budd. I think it is about time to knit my man a sweater. (And maybe some Dashing mitts as well).

4. Shop from my stash. I have a lot of yarn. Probably not as much as some of you, but even so. I currently have enough yarn for 3 sweaters in addition to the yarn to finish the sweater on my needles. I also have enough yarn to knit about 9 pairs of socks, and 3 shawls. I also have a lot of skeins that would be great for smaller projects.

5. Try Mobius knitting. I have had my eye on the Cat Bordhi Mobius Cowl for awhile, and already have a skein of variegated yarn picked out for it.

6. Try Entrelac knitting. I may start with a pair of socks, but I also have the Forest Path Stole in the back of my mind.

7. Knit more, now that I have the time.

There are a lot of other things I want to accomplish, but for now this seems like a reasonable list of goals. I look forward to a year of knitting in 2009.

Back to my usual

2008-12-14T21:27:00.000-05:00

So it is official! I passed my nurse practitioner boards last week, and am now getting back to my usual knitting, reading, running self after a bit of a hiatus. Here are a few of the yarns I picked up at Stitches East last month.

I was particularly impressed with WEBS selection and will most likely order from them in the future. Other highlights included a bin of discounted free-for-all yarns and some very interesting stitch markers. There was less than adequate spinning materials, which may have been a blessing. I might have walked out with a wheel had there been any there.

More knitting and yarn postings to come. I am glad to be back.

It's Electric!

2008-10-28T11:53:00.005-04:00

So last week, I ventured for the first time into hand dying. And I used, what else, but Kool-Aid! I decided that I would show you a bit about the steps of dying with Kool-Aid, complete with pictures. And dying with Kool-Aid is not that messy. The only thing beside my yarn that got dyed were my finger tips!

I followed the instructions found at Knit Picks and also consulted a tutorial on Eunny Jang's website for additional tips and tricks.

1. The first step is to purchase a plain undyed yarn. I chose Knit Picks Bare Fingering Superwash/Nylon Blend. If you prefer, you can chose Eunny's route and pick a pale color and over-dye only in certain areas. The only trick is it must be an Animal Fiber.

2. The next step is to split the yarn into thirds and mark each section with scrap yarn. This creates three different areas for various colors. If you want to get really technical and create exact strips, consult Eunny's tutorial, she tells you exactly how to accomplish this.

3. Next, wash the yarn with wool soap and lukewarm water. I particularly love Friendly Products Sweater Soap. I got mine at Slip Knot but I am sure you can find it elsewhere if you don't live near Newtown Square, PA. The lavendar scent is divine.

Rinse to get the soap out.

4. Prepare your solutions. I used Mason/Glass Jars and 2 packets of Kool-Aid for each jar mixed with plain old tap water. The next time I do this I will probably use 4 packets per jar, to get a little more color absorption to the center of the yarn. The two pick colors ended up being a little to similar, so I put a few extra orange packets into one of the pinks in the middle of dying to give it a nicer color.

5. Next, put the yarn in the jars and the jars in a large pot filled with water. Now, turn up the heat. You want the water almost boiling. Once that happened I turned off the heat and covered the pot for about 30 minutes. Make sure to stir frequently throughout the heating process. Additionally, you can avoid too much white gaps between the sections of yarn by moving intermediate sections between the two colors periodically to create a "transition". Warning: your yarn will smell delicious, please try to resist the urge to gobble it up in the middle of dying.

6. Let the yarn cool in the pot uncovered.

7. Wash your yarn again and rinse several times.

8. Hang to dry. My bathroom door provided the perfect spot.

9. Cut the temporary scrap yarn and twist into a skein. Take photos of your hand-dyed creation and scheme up a project for your yarn. Name your color creation. I call mine It's Electric.

I think a pair of Fruit Loop Socks would be perfect for this yarn. I have one more Bare skein at home, and finally found some blue and green Kool-Aid Packets at my grocery store, so look for more Kool-Aid creations in the future.

Sea Shrug

2008-10-20T11:20:00.001-04:00

I finally blocked and seamed up the baby shrug for Charlee, a coworkers child. This was a really quick project. The actual knitting only took a few days.

Pattern: Baby Shrug from Debbie Bliss Simply Baby
Size: 12-18 months
Needles: 7 for the body, 6 for the edging and 8 to bind-off.
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy 3 Skeins
Color: Sea Foam

The Comfy is delightfully soft, but does show tension variations unmercifully. Thankfully, this was evened out with some blocking.

Construction

2008-10-02T13:39:00.001-04:00

I had to show you all the construction of this baby shrug. I don't know why I am so facinated by it, but I really love the shaping of it. It is knit all in one piece and I have am almost done! Just have to knit the border and seam it together. Woo hoo! This is one of the quickest projects I have ever knit.

Some commisioned work

2008-09-29T14:09:00.000-04:00

Now that FLS is done, I moved on to some commisioned baby projects. One is a secret, so I won't show it here. But I will show you a peak at a Baby Shrug I started this morning. One morning's worth and I am more than a 1/4 through it! This is a Debbie Bliss Pattern. The Yarn is Knit Picks Comfy in a color called Sea Foam. The color is actually a bit litghter than this photo appears.

Who's that Lady?

2008-09-26T13:52:00.001-04:00

My February Lady Sweater is Complete! I managed to sneak a photo shoot in between rain storms today and here she is!

Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne (AKA Flint Knits)
Size: Small
Needles: Size 9 and Size 10.5 for the Cast Off
Yarn: Rowan Calmer 6 skeins
Modifications: Not many, but I did try a suspended cast-off for the first time. Very stretchy! Usually my bind off is way too tight, so I was happy to find this method.

I am very happy with how this sweater came out. The Rowan Calmer is so soft to work with and wear, and the sweater is light enough for spring/fall or even a cool summer night. I may redo the buttons, as they pull a little bit. This sweater has turned me onto Elizabeth Zimmerman and I recently picked up Knitting Without Tears and the Knitters Almanac.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory

2008-09-16T20:52:00.001-04:00

I couldn't put this book down, although it felt a bit cyclical at points. This is the story of Mary Boleyn, a mistress to Henry VIII and sister to Henry's second wife Anne Boleyn.

Many have lamented that Gregory took many liberties in telling this story, but I think those people are forgetting that this is a book of fiction, albeit based on real events. Gregory did not set out to write a history book, but rather to imagine what might have gone in the bedchambers and court of Henry VIII. She tells an intriguing story of betrayal, love and greed and gives us the thoughts of a character in history about which not much is known.

One of the themes I found most interesting was the exploration of how a woman in these times had no property, land or money of her own, and all her interests were tied to that of her husband or family's success. It almost seems that to be a poor farmers wife held more power than being a rich courtier. As a farmer, you were a partner in a family run business; as a courtier, you were whatever the men in power told you to be. Ultimately Mary successfully breaks free of this, and although Anne tries to exert her power, ultimately men decide her fate for her.

I never stop buying yarn.....

2008-09-10T17:33:00.000-04:00

Here is a peek at a few of my recent yarn purchases. There is more listed in my ravelry stash for those who are interested.

First is some Cascade Ecological Wool I picked up at Saybrook Yarn on a recent trip to CT over Labor Day. I plan on using the two skeins for a blanket. Which one? The Hemlock Ring blanket seen over at brooklyntweed.

Next is some Cascade Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn. I could not resist the deep greens when I saw this at Saybrook Yarn.

I also ordered some Knit Picks yarn for some commisioned work I will be doing this fall. This first one is Comfy in Seafoam. This will become the Baby Shrug from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby.

Next is some Shine Sport in Fedora. Fedora is a deep brown that reminds me of dark chocolate. Mmmmm, delicious. This will become the Smock Coat from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby.

In other news, I have one sleeve left on FLS. Going to the Media Knitters Group tonight, so I should make some progress there. Maybe I should stop shopping and start knitting!

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

2008-08-19T15:22:00.001-04:00

This is a quick page turner about an apparent teen suicide and its aftermath. I appreciated the nuances of the characters and the development of the close childhood friends turned lovers, and the conflict that Emily felt in dating someone who she grew up with and felt was more a brother than a lover.

Many people who recommended this book to me loved it. While I liked the novel, it does not earn my coveted 5 star rating. It was a great story and I would recommend it, but it is no Kite Runner.

Lancaster Goodies

2008-08-11T21:55:00.000-04:00

Today was our first wedding anniversary and to celebrate, hubby and I went to a Bed and Breakfast in Lancaster called the King's Cottage for the weekend. It was just the getaway we needed. Of course, there was no getting out of the area without stopping at a yarn store. These hand-dyed goodies are from Labadie Looms in Bird-In-Hand, PA. This was a wonderful shop with a selection of weaving and spinning supplies and yarn, much of which the owner dyes herself.

This is approximately 425 yards of Hand-dyed Merino Superwash. It seems like fingering weight to me.

This is approximately 400 yards of a Hand-dyed Silk Blend. It seems like a Sport weight to me. It also happens to be our wedding colors, lavenders and greens.

Walking through this store made me want to start spinning as she had lots of colorful rovings and stunning wheels on display. A drop spindle may be headed my direction if the stars are in alignment.

Running With Scissors

2008-08-04T21:47:00.001-04:00

I finished Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs today.

I realized when I started reading this book that I must have read it before. Although as a rule I don't read books more than once, with a movie recently made based on this memoir, I decided to read it again.

This is a memoir about a boy who's mother sends him to live with his psychiatrist and the unusual childhood he endured.

Written in a comedic style and yet with a hint of a child/adolescent's perspective, this memoir is unique. Burrough's writing style and content can be a bit rough and in-your-face, but totally appropriate for the content.

I was a bit perturbed at the ending, and without giving too much away, will say that I did not feel the characters got any sort of resolution at the end. The end felt rushed and incomplete. This is somewhat softened by the listing of characters in the epilogue and the paths life took them. Additionally, if you read Burroughs memoir of his adult years, Dry, you do get a bit more resolution.

I have the movie in my Netflix queue, and the previews look hilarious. I may enjoy the movie more than the book for once!

Branching Buttons

2008-08-01T11:29:00.000-04:00

Here are the buttons I picked up at SlipKnot for My FLS. What do you think?

Adventure in Lititz

2008-08-01T11:26:00.000-04:00

My friend and bridesmaid, Katie, came to visit this past weekend, and to say the least, we had a bit of an adventure.

On Friday, we went downtown and walked around. We passed by Independence Hall and went to the Liberty Museum.

This was one of the pieces of artwork at the museum.

On Monday we drove to Hershey, PA and then drove around an area called Lititz, PA so that Katie and her brother could see where their family was from.

Shortly after taking this picture, we heard an awful screeching noise coming from the back of my brand new, less than 1 month old car. After pulling over and trying to discern the problem, I decided to take advantage of our AAA membership and had the car towed. Unfortunately, the tow truck couldn't take all three of us, which left us stranded with no car in the middle of nowhere. With hubby in class, we were looking at a nice long stay at the Sunoco Station in the middle of nowhere! Luckily, I made a few phone calls, and a friend was able to come and retrieve us. In the meantime, we settled in for some dinner at he picnic table in the parking lot.

It turns out that there was a pebble stuck in my brake between the rotor and the backplate, and a screw in my tire. Seems I would have had a flat if I kept driving anyway!

Lacy Lady

2008-07-13T15:42:00.001-04:00

I managed to accomplish some knitting this weekend, and my February Lady Sweater is coming along at a steady, but slow pace. I have completed four repeats of the lace thus far. I love this sweater....

I brought it along with me to hear one of our favorite local performers, David Stone: The Johnny Cash Experience. They played a free outdoor concert last night at Rose Tree Park as park of their summer concert series. David Stone plays the part well, and even had his own June Carter that sings with him....

It was quite a different experience from seeing them in a crowded pub downtown, but they were great nonetheless.

I did get a few eyebrows at intermission when I was knitting away. Rest assured, the bust has more give than these pictures imply, but not without falling off my needles.....

Buttonhole Blues

2008-06-25T21:23:00.003-04:00

Well, I have made a little progress on the yoke of the February Lady Sweater, and I have to say, I am not a big fan of the buttonholes that were suggested. I found that an extra hole develops next to the one-row buttonhole suggested in the pattern. I used a 4 stitch button hole, and have ripped back 2x now to get each one right, even now that I know about the problem. I am unknitting right now back to the 2nd buttonhole. It is lucky that there are only 3 of them in the sweater. Otherwise, I am loving this pattern. I have never done a raglan before, and I have to say, the construction is genius!

A Sweater for a Lady

2008-06-19T20:40:00.004-04:00

I have been making some progress on Bell Sleeved Jacket, but was feeling the the wool sweater was not exactly ideal for summer knitting. Just when I needed a summer sweater to work on, the perfect one came along!

I am officially jumping on the bandwagon, this time while the wagon is still rolling. I am knitting the insanely popular February Lady Sweater. The pattern is free on either Ravelry or at the link above. It is based on EZs February Baby Sweater.

Last night I went to the very first knit night at the brand new store Slip Knot (sorry no website yet) in Newtown Square. There I picked up some Rowan Calmer in a soft blue to start my Lady Sweater. When I got home, I immediately started a gauge swatch, and cast on this morning on the train (sans coffee...apparently, coffee machines need a little thing called water to make coffee. The nerve!). Never have I seen a pattern and started a project so quickly!

I can't wait to see how this turns out!

In other news, an envelope arrived in the mail today containing this:

How divine! If you have even a small itch to knit this Niebling, I would purchase it now, because Laci's has it for a whopping $7. Prior to that, the only way to get it was to bid on Ebay for a back copy of Anna July 1986 for a whole lot more than $7. I was a bit shy to spend a hundred dollars or more on one pattern, so imagine my excitement when I discovered that Laci's had republished it. Get um while they're hot, ladies and gentleman, because I have no idea how they got the rights, and it very well may be a limited edition.

I probably won't knit this for awhile, but this was one pattern I wanted to be sure was in my library!

Reading has stolen my knitting time!

2008-06-12T18:03:00.004-04:00

After the move to the burbs and my newfound train ride time, I thought for sure I would be whipping through knitting projects in no time!

However, with the train ride has come a renewed love of reading. In the morning, I am almost always drinking coffee and have found it nearly impossible to juggle my coffee and knit on the train. In the afternoon, the train is often crowded, and I feel when I knit, I almost invade others space on the train even with the small motion of my arms.

I have always loved to read, but the last few years have been busy, and a lot of the free time I did have was spent knitting. In the last month I have read 3 books:

The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

None of them were " 5 -star" such as some of my favorites such as The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Life of Pi, but they were good reads nonetheless. I particularly liked Eat, Pray, Love and My Sister's Keeper.

I am currently reading The Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler.

Not to fret though, I have managed to finish the first snowflake sock and cast on for the second. Here are a few pre-blocking photos.

Snowflakes Falling

2008-05-01T13:05:00.000-04:00

Now that my final is done, I was able sneak in a little knitting time this morning to work on my snowflake socks....I have turned the heel, and may officially be addicted to colorwork.

They are a tad tight, but I can get them on, and with a little blocking, I think they will be fine.

Now I have to get back to packing. We are moving in a week, and there is still a lot to do!

Lace baskets

2008-04-15T08:44:00.001-04:00

I haven't posted in a little while. I have been busy writing my Masters thesis. Although I have been knitting a bit in my spare moments.

Here is my progress on the Flower Basket Shawl. I am up to 135 stitches, but still have a long way to go.

I love this pattern. It is so easy to follow and very repetitive.

Here I pinned out one of the flower baskets to show you what they look like. Pretty, no? I probably won't post about this project again until it is complete, as lace just doesn't look good until its all blocked and bloomed. I already have multiple future lace projects picked out. For those who like Evelyn Clark, until May 14, Interweave Knits top 5 Readers Choice Patterns are free in a 30 page booklet, and the Swallowtail Shawl is part of this booklet. I also love the Nantucket Jacket and might knit it in the future.

Cables, Cables

2008-03-20T10:54:00.001-04:00

Here is a peak at one of the front panels of Bell Sleeve Jacket. I am done with the back and about half done with the left front panel.

Jaywalkers

2008-03-16T11:53:00.000-04:00

I completed my first Jaywalkers.
Pattern: Jaywalkers by Grumperina, MagKnits
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino Color: P436 (also the yarn in my blog header)
Needles: Size 1 Addi Turbo Circulars
Modifications: I shortened the leg to 5.5" because I was worried about running out of yarn. I probably could have squeezed another 0.25-0.50" into the leg, as I had a bit of yarn left over.

This is a really cool pattern, and I will most definetely knit it again. It works well with varigated and self-striping yarns, but also has large areas of stockinette knitting, making it good when you need that mindless knitting. It also fits my foot really well.

Fair Isle!

2008-03-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

Two nights ago I cast on for Snowflake Socks by Chrissy Gardiner from Interweave Knits Fall 2007. This is my first Fair Isle attempt and actually it is going suprisingly well. I am knitting with the main color (blue) in my right hand and the contrasting color (white) in my left. The Continental still feels a little awkward because I am a English style knitter. No puckering and it looks nice and even, although it might be a little tight. I can get it over my heel, so it probably will be okay, but I am going to try to keep my strands a little looser.

Branching Out Complete!

2008-03-12T17:52:00.002-04:00

As promised here are my completed photos of Branching Out. I am very pleased with how this turned out, and although I struggled at the beginning (mostly because I didn't know what a yarnover really was), it did get easier once I got the hang of it.

Pattern: Branching Out
Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Stream Heather Less than 1 skein (about 0.5?)
Needles: Size 8 needles

Now that I am knitting the Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn Clark, I realize just how challenging this scarf was, especially as a first lace project. There are many unusual stitches in the lace, although it was nice to only have 25-31 stitches on my needles at one time! Less counting!

I also want to say that I adore this yarn. The subtle heather colors, the softness, the bounciness....

A few tips for those looking to try lace:

1. I would not say that this is a good first lace pattern (even though the pattern says it is). There are a lot of different stitches, and there are easier patterns out there. I might try an Evelyn Clark Pattern first or the Airy Scarf out of Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. You could probably do one of these in no time and be better prepared for a more adventurous lace project with a basic understanding of yarnovers and how needle size affects the look of the piece.

2. I used the recommended Size 8 Needles. This results in a fairly open scarf, but if this is not what you are looking for either go down a size or 2 (or 3) and see how that looks. Or double the yarn or use fingering weight instead of lace. Actually, for a first lace project, fingering is probably not a bad idea in general.

3. Check out Eunny's Majoring in Lace Tutorial before you start and probably during the project too!

4. Use lifelines, especially after you get comfortable with the lace. I found that just as I got comfortable, I would go 4 repeats without putting a lifeline and then realize that I had the wrong number of stitches somehow or find a major error somewhere. Lifelines will save you from having to rip out your whole project. The stitches in a lace project are very hard to see and especially as a new lace knitter, virtually impossible to pick up if dropped. I am getting a little better at it now, but my current project also uses doubled yarn and smaller needles, which makes the stitches easier to see. Waxed Dental floss works great and is easy to carry in your project bag. I would put a strand of floss through the stitches on my needle at the end of a repeat when I knew I had the correct number of stitches. If I messed up, I just inserted my needles into the spaces (stitches) where the dental floss was, counted and viola, I was ready to start knitting again without ripping out my whole project or tediously unknitting all those stitches!

5. Your project will look like a hot mess. You will wonder if it will ever look like the beautiful projects you see on everyone's blogs. It will look uneven and you will have trouble discerning the pattern. Blocking takes care of all of this and makes your lace mess into a beautiful piece. Do not despair!

5. Lace blocking wires are fantastic. Knitpicks sells them as does Joanne Fabrics.

Not much to look at....

2008-03-06T18:08:00.000-05:00

I was so excited after finishing my Branching Out lace scarf that I cast on for Evelyn Clark's Flower Basket Shawl last night. Not much to look at yet, but isn't the yarn color scrumptious? It is Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in TidePool. A lovely blue green blend. I am knitting this lace weight yarn double for a slightly more substantial shawl.

It took me a little bit to get used to these Size 6 Addi Turbo Lace needles. I knit my last lace project on bamboo, and these are a little bit slicker. The taper on the needles is nice though, and once I got used to them, I figured out how to avoid stitches accidentally slipping off the needles.

A Caterpillar Transformed

2008-03-04T17:51:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I think that lace may officially be worth knitting just to block lace. This is an amazing and relatively easy process. Here is my finished (finally!) Branching Out scarf. It is a sad looking thing.

My pre-block dimensions were 58" long and 5" wide.

Then I soaked the scarf in some mild detergent and cold water for about 45 minutes. A thorough rinse followed and I rolled the piece in a towel to remove the excess moisture. Then I used my brand new blocking wires (I am so happy I purchased these...so much easier than string) and inserted them into the edges along all sides. A little stretch in every direction and some blocking pins to hold the wires in place and voila!

Is that the same heap of yarn from the first photo? Ah, blocking lace is amazing! My post-block dimensions are 74" long and 6" wide.

I promise I will post some photos later this week of Branching Out that are not pinned out on my floor. I want to start more lace knitting after seeing how beautiful this turned out.

Library Addition and a Jacket for My Husband

2008-03-03T20:53:00.001-05:00

I received my copy of The Best of Interweave Knits today. So many great patterns!

I may have even found a sweater to knit my husband that he will actually wear: The Cambridge Jacket. I showed it to him today and he said that it wasn't too "sweatery" and that he though the zip up design would be nice. Phew, just when I was feeling bad for being the only knitter to never knit her husband a sweater!

I also love:

Simply Marilyn
Marseilles Pullover
Icarus Shawl
Forest Path Stole
VIP Cardigan

In other knitting patterns, the new MagKnits was up today, and I was sorely disappointed in this months patterns. The new format is also taking me a bit to get used to.

Isn't She Lovely?

2008-02-28T22:38:00.002-05:00

Isn't she lovely? Meet my newest knitting tools.... a swift and ball winder.

They showed up in the mail today to greet me after an especially tough day at work. Of course I had to try it out right away and show you all. I purchased them from Joanne Fabrics on a ridiculous sale with a coupon. I just couldn't pass them up!

I am in Love!

2008-02-26T23:09:00.001-05:00

With my new camera lens. Here are some test shots. Bell Sleeve Jacket. A frog holder for my tape measure and other accessories. And last, but definitely not least, a little cheer me up I picked up from the yarn store yesterday.....Selbuvotter!

Love the lens, and I have only had it 4 hours!

On the subject of photography

2008-02-24T21:49:00.001-05:00

A collage of some of my favorite photos that I have taken. A large number of them were on my honeymoon in Alaska.

I shoot with a Nikon D80. Love it. Still a novice. Perhaps someday I will take photos like Brooklyn Tweed. Every time I go to his blog, I am wowed!

Yarn Photography (and a sneak peak)

2008-02-24T20:41:00.000-05:00

So the days when I have schoolwork to do are the days that I always come up with some crafty project that must be worked on immediately lest the idea leave me forever.

Yesterday, I ordered a brand new lens for my camera. A Nikkon 50mm f 1.8 lens. It hasn't even arrived, and I am already getting excited about using it. It should be great for portraits, low light photography and you guessed it....yarn and knitting photography.

In anticipation of the lens arrival, I was researching tricks for photographing yarn and came across a tutorial for creating a light box. Basically this is box that disperses light to create a softer picture with less harse shadows. You can buy these (for a lot of $$$), but I decided that by making my own the worst that happened was to waste a perfectly good Cardboard box. And perhaps the opportunity to stop using my ugly carpet as a backdrop!

These photos are a few of my first test shots. I need to pick up some poster board to make the box more useful, as right now it is two pieces of paper taped together which does have a seam that is visible with larger objects. In addition, I also will make a reflector of tin foil and a leftover box piece to help get rid of more shadows. Also, the box I made is pretty small, so I might be making a larger one in the near future. It takes all of 20 minutes to make.

I really need to get photoshop, but for now, a little editing in Picasa, and here they are.

You might notice that one of the photos shows a WIP, my Jaywalker socks I am about to turn the heel on the second sock, and with a little train knitting time tommorrow, they should be finished soon!

Once I get my new lens, I will post some more photos to show it off.

Bell Sleeved Jacket Progress

2008-02-23T12:40:00.001-05:00

DSC_1340, originally uploaded by suntheim.

I haven't posted in awhile. As many of you may have guessed or known, I am back in the swing of school, and the blog has taken a backseat. However, I am still knitting a little bit.

Here is the progress I've made on Bell Sleeve Jacket. I have about 7 inches left on the back. I have made some modifications to the pattern which I will outline once I am done with the sweater. The biggest of these was to make a bigger size than the pattern instructions go up to. Even with that, I still wasn't convinced it would fit me. Once I pinned the edges out to take the photo though, my gauge is dead on, and I am pretty sure it will fit.

So much fun to knit!

Warm weather means....

2008-01-11T20:40:00.001-05:00

DSC_1281, originally uploaded by suntheim.

Sweater time?

Two nights ago I cast on for Bell Sleeve Jacket from Vogue Knittings Holiday 2006 Issue.

This is the beginning of the back. I am using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in a color called Hush. The yarn is a little rough to work with, but actually softened up to my hands as i knit with it a bit. I really love this color.

2008-01-08T10:02:00.000-05:00

This past weekend my husband and I went to Connecticut to hang out with my family and take advantage of some free massages that were part of the package we got by having out wedding at a Resort and Spa near my parents house...

On Saturday we did some yarn shopping. We went over the the new Connecticut Yarn and Wool Company store. They carry mostly Farmhouse Yarns, which are very pretty, but also a little bright to make a whole sweater or large project from.

From there we went over to Yarns Down Under where mom found a pattern and some Cascade Tweed to make herself a lovely seed stitch sweater in a dark/olive green. I picked up the last skein in the same color to hopefully make my husband a pair of Dashing fingerless gloves. I showed some surprising restraint, spending less than $10.....perhaps the fact that we will be house hunting this weekend has convinced me I am in need of a yarn diet....

I also sneaked in a bit of knitting time while I was up there. I made significant progress on Branching Out and also worked on my Jaywalker Socks.

Being the beginning of the year, I suppose I should verbalize my knitting resolutions/goals for the year:

1. Try fair isle - I already have some yarn and all the tools I need.

2. Finish at least 1 sweater

3. Delve further into lace knitting : I plan to try the flower basket shawl, and have yarn to do at least 1 more shawl (maybe a Niebling)

I can think of a lot of other goals, but because I am in school right now I will leave it at this for now.....

I cheated

2008-01-03T11:47:00.001-05:00

DSC_1275, originally uploaded by suntheim.

I told myself I would not start anymore projects before Branching Out was complete, but last night before bed I cheated and cast on for a pair of Jaywalkers. I know I am like the last person (well maybe not) to jump on this bandwagon, but the pattern was just too cool to pass up. I am using Koigu (the skein that is the header of my blog). So far I like the yarn a lot it is soft and has gorgeous variegation.

Red Striped Socks

2008-01-02T09:29:00.000-05:00

Another project down! I actually finished the knitting of these before the new year, but did not graft the second toe and weave in the ends until yesterday.

Pattern: Yarn Harlot Basic Sock Recipe
Yarn: Reynolds Swizzle 1 ball
Needles: US 1 Addi Turbo 16" Needles
Gauge: 8 Stitches per inch

I am pretty happy with how these came out, being my first fingering weight socks, but I am not sure I will knit them again, as they were a little too plain. I like a little bit more excitement in my patterns. I think my next pair of socks may be a pair of Jaywalkers.

I might try a wider toe, this one is 16 stitches ( 8 and 8 grafted together). Its not bad, but I think it could be more comfortable. I like the slip stitch heel, although I ripped it out 3 or 4 times, before I realized I was reading the directions incorrectly, and finally got it right!

Even thought these were boring to knit, I think I may be an official sock addict. As I was knitting them, I picked up more yarn to knit 4 more pairs of socks, and already have some patterns picked out. I was especially pleased with knitting on two circular needles. I find it to be much easier than double points, and makes for less laddering between needles. It is actually a fairly easy technique. You can find a video about the technique here.

Secret Project Complete

2007-12-24T19:36:00.001-05:00

DSC_1263, originally uploaded by suntheim.

Here is my completed Pea Pod baby Set for my niece. After not really blogging much about it, I was so far behind that when I got to Cincinnati for the holiday weekend, I actually told my sister in-law that it was for her baby, and proceeded to finish it at my in-laws house over the weekend.

Actually I finished the knitting of the sweater in the Philly airport when our flight was delayed by more than 2 hours on Friday, then cast-on the hat when I was done. The rest of the weekend was spent knitting the hat, the seaming, buttons ect....

Weaved in the last end about 5 minutes before hubby was ready to get in the car to drive to airport, and snapped a quick picture before heading back to Philly.
I was very happy with how this came out.

Pattern: Pea Pod Baby Set (free) by Kate Gilbert
Size: Sweater- 12 months, Hat -17.25"
Needles: Size 5
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport in Grass Color 6 skeins

A few things I would change in the future when I knit this again (and I will). I might put another button hole on the collar or a snap.
I also picked up the neckline a little unevenly, but all in all it didn't come out too bad.

Love the yarn, so soft, and machine washable.

Onto more loose ends, I am now about 1.5 inches into my second sock of the red Harlot socks, and hope to finish those over the next few days.

Lace Obsessed

2007-12-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

Some recent lace yarn I obtained at Rosie's Yarn Cellar today. Misti Alpaca....so soft, and doesn't break the bank either.

I also ordered the flower basket shawl along with some other patterns for future projects from Fiber Trends today.

I have recently become obsessed with Lace. Show me your most recent project, you may ask? Well that is the problem. I have no time to knit.

I have an exam this Wednesday and am hoping to finish my super secret project for my new niece after that is done. I also have one more sock to do to match my previously posted red Harlot sock.

In the meantime I discovered the most beautiful shawl I have ever seen here:

http://lacefreak.blogspot.com/2007/10/herbert-nieblings-lyra-who-is-that.html

Unfortunately, the pattern is not readily available, but can be obtained by purchasing an old Anna Magazine off E-bay for an arm and a leg. It is by Herbert Nieblings, my new favorite person, if one can be so dearly attached to a dead shawl/doily designer whose shawls I have never knit, but fawned over through Ravelry and blogs.

I was seriously considering asking a friend of my husbands, who travels to Germany occasionally to go into every knitting store he could find in Germany and ask them for all of Nieblings patterns so that I might personally translate them, just so I could have them.....until that is, my husband told me I was not allowed for fear of said friends masculinity if he dared enter a knitting store. Ah why can't more men understand this obsession?

I think Niebling patterns may need a surgeon generals warning: Knitting this shawl may be addictive.

Instead I may try Frosted Ferns, a free-pattern. For a yahoo group dedicated to him that includes a chart and notes on the Frosted Ferns Pattern go here.

More potential projects

2007-12-07T11:05:00.000-05:00

The new knitty is out!

I love the beaded Ice Queen cowl.

An I am sure I will be making the Azure Socks. A cable that is not really a cable? Scrumptious!

Okay, back to writing my powerpoint presentation.

Strawberry Cap

2007-12-06T19:17:00.001-05:00

These photos don't do it justice, but here is a strawberry cap I made for a baby shower.

Pattern: Ann Norling's Fruit Cap #10
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic
Needles: Size 8 DPN
Size: 6 Months

I finished it late last night, and snapped a few pics before wrapping it up and giving to the mom-to-be today.

Christmas Fun

2007-12-04T22:51:00.000-05:00

Saw this on another blog and thought it was fun so here goes:
'Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? shortly after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? Whenever I get around to it, but usually by the 1st or 2nd week in January
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Too many to choose
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes a beautiful Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, a gift from in-laws
8. Hardest person to buy for? DH
9. Easiest person to buy for? CS
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? It must have been bad enough that I never used/wore it because I can't remember.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch, of course!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year it was October, but I am usually last minute (like the last week before Christmas, unlike my crazy husband, who likes to go Christmas Eve!)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, I would feel too guilty
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Godiva Chocolate and my dad's pancakes when I wake up. Oh and duck....definitely duck.
16 Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Prefer to stay home, but travel right now to be with family since both my hubby's parents and mine don't live in the area.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? _Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Doner,Rudolph, Vixen, Cupid, Blitzen....I don't think thats all of them though.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither, a pointy ceramic thing
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? So many people in the stores, and the christmas stuff thats been out since about Labor Day. I want to appreciate Christmas, not be inundated with retail merchandising for 6 months out of the year.
23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? My parents always used to give my sister and I matching pajamas on Christmas Eve. It was the only gift we got to open on Christmas eve, and it was always the one from Mom & Dad instead of Santa.
24. What is the worst thing you've seen related to Christmas?- I hate the inflatable lawn ornaments. So corny!
25. Which looks best theme trees or homey trees? Homey
26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Sugar
27. Do you like Fruitcake? Nope. Definitely not a tradition in my family.

Irresistible Alpaca

2007-12-01T15:16:00.001-05:00

DSC_1231, originally uploaded by suntheim.

I purchased 4 skeins of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande at Saybrook Yarn's new shop (across the street from their old shop) when I was up in CT. The new shop is much bigger and brighter, and the Alpaca was on a significant sale. I may make a shrug or a lacy shawl, but I am not sure yet. So soft and a great deep green.

Thanksgiving Knitting

2007-12-01T15:05:00.001-05:00

DSC_1224, originally uploaded by suntheim.

Now that I am knee-deep in research project I am missing my Thanksgiving knitting time. Here is a photo of my first real fingering weight sock! It fits so nicely and will actually fit inside my regular shoes!

No, I haven't finished the second sock yet.....and I won't until probably the end of December when I have some time off from school. And since these socks are for me, any free knitting time will be spent working on gifts for new babies.....

We met my cousin's new girlfriend at Thanksgiving, and it was a fun scene when I brought out my sock to work on, and discovered that I had initiated a trend. The other knitters (including the new girlfriend) also pulled out their respective projects and we had a knitting party in the den after dinner.

Stash Building

2007-11-21T15:50:00.001-05:00

Here are my recent yarn purchases. If you are thinking it looks like a lot of sock yarn, you'd be correct. For some reason I have been especially drawn to sock yarn lately. I especially love the Koigu in the front with the lavenders, purples and greens. Perhaps this is because these were my wedding colors. Here is a close-up.

There is also som Reynolds Soft Sea Wool in Navy and Cream for some fair isle socks, Regia silk and some Lorna's Laces....

So much yarn, so little time.

Socks Revisited

2007-11-13T10:45:00.001-05:00

DSC_1133, originally uploaded by suntheim.

I had a lot of trouble with socks. These ones have been cast on and ripped out about 8 times.....I attempted these almost 2 years ago, and ripped them out so many times, I finally gave up and stashed the yarn away. I successfully completed a pair of worsted weight socks about a year ago, and have recently become enthralled with all the cool socks there are to knit, and been on a bit of a sock yarn shopping spree!

I really wanted to try the Yarn Harlot's Sock Recipe, so after a few more false starts, here we are! I chose to use a knit-on Cast-on, despite the Harlots advise to avoid it, because I find my long-tail cast-on is way, way too tight for most garment, but my knit-on seems a lot more flexible. Perhaps in the future I will try another method for casting on, or cast on with larger needles. Not bad though, and stretches enough for my foot.

Socks on 2 circs

Pattern: Yarn Harlot's Sock Recipe

Yarn: Reynolds Swizzle

Needles: Size 1 (2.5 mm) 16" Addi Turbos (2 of them)

Gauge: 8.5 Stitches per inch (a little off from the Harlot gauge of 7.5 stitches per inch, but they fit my small feet just fine!)

Baby hat frenzie

2007-11-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

Here are my two latest editions to the baby hat frenzie.

The first is yet another fruit cap

Pattern: Ann Norling Fruit Cap
Needle size: 8
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic

DSC_0912, originally uploaded by suntheim.

DSC_0911, originally uploaded by suntheim.

The second is a pattern that a friend found in a parenting/pregnancy magazine and asked me to knit.

Pattern: Bunny Beanie
Needle Size: 9
Yarn: Baruffa Maratona & Phildar Kid Mohair for the pink fuzzy inside ear

DSC_1112, originally uploaded by suntheim.

DSC_1114, originally uploaded by suntheim.

Not feeling well is good for my knitting

2007-11-02T17:40:00.000-04:00

Haven't posted in awhile. School is kind of kicking my butt, so I haven't had much knitting time. However, yesterday I was feeling very dizzy and out of it, so I went home sick, and although I did not do much knitting yesterday (I mostly slept), I did pick up my needles today, as I am feeling somewhat better, but not well enough to focus on schoolwork. I doubled the length of Branching Out. Tonight I am hoping to finally finish Bunny Beanie for a baby that was born about a month ago.

I am also a new Auntie (again) to a beautiful baby girl, and have a project on my needles that won't be revealed until later for the new baby. But if you are on Ravelry, you can check my WIPs and see pics of the secret work there.

I also never posted pictures of the finished Not Your Standard Issue Sweatshirt which has been complete for awhile. I am wearing it often, now that the weather finally got cold. So here you go! Knit in Knit Picks Main Line on Size 10.5 Needles. The perfect lounge-around sweater for fall!

Also recently finished is a pair of Fetching Fingerless Mittens made with left over Main Line on Size 6 Double Points. I loved the pair I made for my sister for Christmas last year, that I wanted a pair for myself.

Knitting Mags and Books

2007-09-06T00:44:00.000-04:00

After scoping out some pictures online, I headed over to Rosie's Yarn Cellar to pick up the Spring and Fall issues of Interweave Knits. I have recently added many sweaters to my ravelry queue and the latest are Spring's Cable Down Raglan, and Fall's Counterpane Pullover and Snowflake Socks, an inviting two-color fair isle pattern that is simply beautiful.

I also grabbed a copy of The Yarn Harlot's At Knit's End. A funny book of sayings, advice and humor surrounding the knitting culture. Awesome!

I was somewhat disappointed in Vogue Knitting's Fall 2007 25th Anniversary Issue patterns, so I chose not to buy it, but after a friend received 2 copies, I found myself with a copy of the magazine, and although I am still not enthralled with the patterns, it is worth picking up for the articles which include two set of interviews with the "Old-Guard" and "New-Guard" of knitting. I really liked the different perspectives from some very big names in the knitting world.

I also snagged a copy of Summer 2007's Interweave and Want to make the Wheat Ear Cable Yoke and Oriel Lace Blouse.

So much to knit! So little time....especially since I started school again this week.

Package

2007-09-04T12:14:00.000-04:00

I received my Knit Picks package in the mail late last week. In it was 8 skeins of Shine Sport for a secret project.

In addition, I purchased 3 skeins of Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in a beautiful color called Tide Pool. I am hoping to make the Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I have had success lately with my Branching Out scarf, and am now itching for bigger, better lace projects.

Also in this delightful package was a chart keeper with ingenious magnets to keep your place in lace or cabled charts and a fair isle yarn keeper to aid me in keeping the yarn untangled when I venture into fair-isle.

Frogged!

2007-08-24T15:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a first for me. Ever finished an entire project and then frogged the whole thing!?

My most recent fruit cap was frogged and restarted this morning. I think I must have made an accidental decrease or just simply cast on the wrong number of stitches in the beginning. I attempted to m1 to fix it so I would have the correct number of stitches going into the leaves at the top, but in my haste I did it incorrectly and ended up with a large hole. This combined with some earlier stitches that looked funny, I attempted to rip back to before that funny stitches (about half the hat, only to discover that I still had the wrong number of stitches and ripped out the whole thing and recast-on. Luckily its a small and quick project, so it won't take me too long to finish it again.

In more happy news, I am finally feeling like I am getting the hang of lace knitting. I worked on Branching Out for awhile last night, and I feel like I am starting to understand what I am doing, although I still don't think I would do well at unknitting mistakes, so I am still using dental floss for lifelines.

We're Blocking

2007-08-23T22:56:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I am blocking Not Your Standard Issue Sweatshirt (NYSIS). I am not really an experienced blocker, I have done it twice before (one time steam, one time wet). Actually, NYSIS looked pretty good without blocking, but I wanted to add some length to the body. It was just ever so slightly too short for my taste. I know blocking purists would gasp to see that I am blocking after I sewed all the piece together, and a only used a few pins. But I am not a purist, and so here it is in all its glory. If I decide I really love blocking, perhaps someday I will invest in blocking board. But for now, my living room floor with towels and garbage bags to protect the carpet will have to do.

I still can't believe NYSIS is done! I am itching too start my next sweater, but I have some gifts I need to work on first.

One project down.....

2007-08-23T02:00:00.000-04:00

Well maybe two...the wedding is over and was perfect.

Secondly, I intended to have the Not your Standard Issue Sweatshirt done for the honeymoon, but alas, it was not meant to be. I was so close. I am now done except I have to make and attach 2 tassels and I am going to do a rough block just to stretch the length a little bit. I have not quite readjusted to East Coast time, so I may do the blocking tonight.....Once that is done I will post pictures. I just love the Knit Picks Main Line that I used to knit it. It is soft and bouncy!

I am almost done with another fruit cap for a coworker, and also started another pair of Fetching fingerless mittens for myself using some of the leftover Knit Picks Main Line Yarn I had after finishing Not Your Standard-Issue Sweatshirt. I loved the pair I made my sister for Christmas and really want a pair for myself for the fall.

I finally got my invite to Ravelry; I have now put in all my projects and stashed all of my yarns. I love it! It speaks the the super-organized person that I am, especially now that all the wedding planning is behind me and I have more time on my hands. Look me up, I am Hausknits.

Although I left the knitting at home for the honeymoon, I did purchase a beautiful skein of hand-painted yarn in Ketchikan, Alaska. It is from a company called Raven Frog Fiber Arts out of Sitka and it is simply gorgeous. The color is called River Bed, and it reminds me of all the colors that we saw in the landscape in Southeast Alaska. I can't wait to see how it knits up. I haven't decided what to make with it yet, but I don't think I will do socks. I am thinking about a Soft Drawstring Pouch from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts.

Our Alaskan honeymoon was amazing. Everyday we looked around us and we amazed that there are places in the world that are so awe-inspiring and amazing. I am currently sorting through the 1400 pictures that I took so that I can give friends and family the "best of" version and not all 1400 pictures!

I finally finished the last Harry Potter book on the honeymoon. It was a little predictable, but I loved it anyway! I then started A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. He also wrote The Kite Runner, one of my favorite books. So far, I am about a hundred pages in, and this one is a very good read. I will reserve saying it is as good as The Kite Runner until I finish.

I also never posted about The Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick. I finished this awhile ago, but with all the wedding stuff, I stopped posting for awhile. I enjoyed the book for a few reasons, the first being that I am decended from Issac Allerton, one of the men who sailed on the Mayflower, so pretty much anything related to that, I find interesting on a personal level. However, Issac Allerton does not have a lot written about him in history and was rather unscrupulous in his business practices within Plymouth Colony and ended up leaving the colony at some point, so there was not much in Philbricks book about Allerton. However, I thought Philbrick did an excellent job in portraying some of the darker history of the Plymouth colony and the subsequent war that ensued between the Natives and the early English settlers in New England. The Pilgrims we not always so nice, as many might think from the traditional Thanksgiving story. Overall though, I thought this book was a bit dry and tough to read at points. Especially when compared to Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea which really took the whaleship Essex story and really made it read like a fictional novel that rally kept my interest.

Well that's all for now.

MIA

2007-08-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

Been a bit MIA on the blog scene lately. I just got married on Aug 11, and things have been a bit hectic. I am currently exploring Ravelry, as I received my invitation while I was away on my honeymoon. I will post more soon!

Trip to Connecticut

2007-06-30T22:55:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, I headed up to Connecticut to do some wedding planning. I was hoping to get some quality knitting time in on the train, but having just come off night shift, I pretty much slept the whole trip up to Connecticut. Almost everytime I come up here, I manage to sneak into a yarn store. There is one about 1.5 miles from my parents house in Old Saybrook called Saybrook Yarn that I love to pop into. Especially since I really don't have to go out of my way at all to get there.

Another place I love to go up here is Yarns Down Under in Deep River. They have the most luxurious yarns. I love touching all the yarns in this store and the staff has been very helpful everytime I go in.

My sister, Becky, who knits but doesn't believe in patterns and doesn't understand the merits of high quality yarn mentioned another yarn store that she had passed by in her travels of the backroads in Connecticut. She offered to show me where it was on Thursday. So I went and picked up my grandmother (also a knitter) and we all went over the this beautiful yarn store in Haddam called Woolie Bullies. It is in this beautiful old church on a hill, and you would almost miss it if you weren't looking. The woman who owns it runs it out of the front of her house. She works mostly by appointment, but luckily was around when we stopped by, as we had no appointment.

Woollie Bullies has a large selection of yarns and a lot of things I had never seen before. They also had Farmhouse Yarns, which I learned about recently in a podcast I was listening to. Such beatiful hand-dyed yarn. It was about $18 for a 200 yard skein though, so I decided to hold off. With a lot of wedding expenses in the last few and upcoming months and the current size of my yarn stash, I decided that the Farmhouse Yarn could wait for another day.

I did pick up a skein of Maratona Extrafine Merino and a skein of Kid Mohair for the Bunny Beanie Hat I am going to start on soon. I will post pics of the yarn when I am at my own computer. My sister also discovered Alpaca, and spent a lot of time pinning over it in the store.

I also received some knitpicks yarn in the mail before I left Philly. I ordered a variety of colors of Shine Sport for Fair Isle Cardigan from Debbie Bliss Simply Baby, and 19 skeins of Wool of the Andes for the Vogue Knitting Bell Sleeve Jacket.

To top off the weekend, in the midst of the programs, checking in with the tux place, the favors, the trial hair run and the wedding gown fitting, I managed to get a fair amount of knitting done this weekend in the car and while waiting for it to get dark enough to go see the fireworks on Long Island Sound tonight. I am about 3 inches from finishing the hood for Not Your Standard Issue Sweatshirt and then it is just the I-cord and a small amount of seaming to do and it will be complete. I should be done with the knitting after the train ride back to Philly tommorrow.

What type of knitter are you?

2007-06-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

Here is my knitting personality.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.http://marniemaclean.com
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I want it!

2007-06-15T16:49:00.000-04:00

I don't wanna wait! I want Ravelry now! Okay, so I understand why I have to wait, but I am very excited to get my invite for Ravelry. They are only releasing about 150 invites per day, so it may be a little while. However, just from the screen shots, I can already tell it will be my new obsession once I do get my invite. It looks like it does everything one could possibly want and more. It tracks projects, organizes stash, links you to other projects completed by other users with your yarn, and the same projects from different users. You can import your book library and it will show you the patterns you already have all in one interface. Plus it will "read" your blog so that you can use both together!

Easy Poncho

2007-06-13T22:48:00.000-04:00

Done! This pattern is Easy Poncho from the back of the yarn label of Caron Simply Soft. The Caron Simply Soft is Acrylic (eeekkkk!) but is soft and has a nice drap and sheen to it. I bought it a few months ago when Dave was unemployed and my yarn budget was, oh, $0. It is knit using size 13 needles and the crocheted neckline with a size M-N (9mm) crochet hook.

As easy as it is to do, I have decided I hate fringe. Not only do you have to cut all the strands and attach them, then you have to cut them to even them out! What a pain. Looks nice though.