My favorite local yarn store, The Point, is going out of business! It was really sudden. They lost their lease. Unfortunetly, they won't be reopening. I am really sad as the staff was super friendly and helpful. I am really depressed to see them go as they are 2 blocks from my office.
I had said I wouldn't spend any yarn money because I am going to Maryland Sheep & Wool on Saturday. But they are selling off everything for 30% off. So I figured it was worth stopping by.
The store opened at 11. I got there are 11:15. It was mobbed! It isn't a huge store to start with. But I looked around. I ended up getting a book of baby patterns, 'Essential Knits' by Debbie Bliss, some recycled cotton yarn, buttons & some Soak soap (haven't tried it but I figured it was worth it given the discount).
The problem is I am now completely exhausted. I was only in the store 45 minutes and now feel like I need a nap! *sigh* I am stunned. I really didn't think I was that bad. But NYC is very hot. The store has AC, but it still did a number on me. All I want to do is curl up now.
Unfortunately, I missed yoga class because I got back too late. *pout* It would have been good for me. And I can't go Wednesday as I have an eye appointment at 3:00. Ah well.
I think I made a mistake buying 'Essential Knits'. I want 'The Expectant Mother', but they didn't have any copies left. I saw a couple cute things in 'Essential Knits' so I decided to get it. I admit that I am tempted to see if I could return it. I might sell it on the Amazon Marketplace. *shrugs* After getting it back to my desk I realized that the patterns I like are very similar to ones I have found for free. And a lot of them are sweaters that require seaming pieces which I loathe. *shrugs* So I am not sure what I will do with it. Ah well.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Announcement, Pattern Suggestions and FO
It is official. My husband and I are expecting a baby girl.
The due date is Sept. 20th, 2 days before Paul's birthday. (Which of course means some time around then. *grin*)
Though, I keep crying - "no pink"! *laugh* Hey, purple is great! That works. *grin*
(There was testing done so we know it is a girl for certain. It isn't based on an ultrasound. So there shouldn't be any surprises in that department. I am sure there will be plenty of others to make up for it. *grin*)
So I am hoping to get some good baby pattern suggestions from knitting folks I know. Any suggestions?
I have been told a lot not to bother with more than 1-2 pieces in the 0-6 month range. By all accounts a baby will only get to wear them once or twice before they outgrow them.
I am also making sure anything I was is machine wash & dry. I have picked up some Knit Picks Sport Shine in cherry (cotton/modal) and Essential Kettle Dyed in eggplant (superwash wool). I figure Maryland Sheep & Wool will be mostly about baby friendly yarns, though I also know it will be in part about fiber as that is harder to get beside mail order.
Here is the finished object I mentioned. And yes, I will be redoing the pattern for my new addition.
Sweater for New Addition to George Jr.'s Family
Cast On:
March 28 2009
Completed:
April 1 2009
Pattern:
Soft N Seamless Baby Sweater by Lynda Ward
http://www.knitlist.com/96gift/giftsoft.htm
Made for:
New Addition to George Jr.'s Family
Size:
0-3 months
Needles:
US 8 / 5.0 mm Knitpicks Options
Yarn:
Bernat Silky Soft in 135 - Navy
~0.7 skeins = 192.5 yards (176.0m)
Purchased at Smiley's Yarns Sale (2007?)
I wanted a quickie sweater that would be easy to knit during my work conference. I also hate seaming. This fit the bill perfectly.
I have to admit, I didn’t care for the increase for the raglan. It is a m1, yo, m1. I tried it, but the hole just doesn’t seem right to me for a raglan seam.
Also, I clearly didn’t get what the author was saying about the increase placement. I had finished the increases. However, I had to frog the entire thing after discovering that because I had increased in the wrong place, the raglan line was not diagonals on two of the four increases.
I took the pattern as a template and used a typical raglan increase. I placed a marker before & after the center stitch of the raglan so there was no confusion on my part. I lifted the bar on the left before the marker and knit into it, k1, then lifted the bar after the marker and knit into it. So I got an even increase that was closed.
It was very simple and quick. I was glad I could give it to them when I saw them.
The due date is Sept. 20th, 2 days before Paul's birthday. (Which of course means some time around then. *grin*)
Though, I keep crying - "no pink"! *laugh* Hey, purple is great! That works. *grin*
(There was testing done so we know it is a girl for certain. It isn't based on an ultrasound. So there shouldn't be any surprises in that department. I am sure there will be plenty of others to make up for it. *grin*)
So I am hoping to get some good baby pattern suggestions from knitting folks I know. Any suggestions?
I have been told a lot not to bother with more than 1-2 pieces in the 0-6 month range. By all accounts a baby will only get to wear them once or twice before they outgrow them.
I am also making sure anything I was is machine wash & dry. I have picked up some Knit Picks Sport Shine in cherry (cotton/modal) and Essential Kettle Dyed in eggplant (superwash wool). I figure Maryland Sheep & Wool will be mostly about baby friendly yarns, though I also know it will be in part about fiber as that is harder to get beside mail order.
Here is the finished object I mentioned. And yes, I will be redoing the pattern for my new addition.
Sweater for New Addition to George Jr.'s Family
Cast On:
March 28 2009
Completed:
April 1 2009
Pattern:
Soft N Seamless Baby Sweater by Lynda Ward
http://www.knitlist.com/96gift/giftsoft.htm
Made for:
New Addition to George Jr.'s Family
Size:
0-3 months
Needles:
US 8 / 5.0 mm Knitpicks Options
Yarn:
Bernat Silky Soft in 135 - Navy
~0.7 skeins = 192.5 yards (176.0m)
Purchased at Smiley's Yarns Sale (2007?)
I wanted a quickie sweater that would be easy to knit during my work conference. I also hate seaming. This fit the bill perfectly.
I have to admit, I didn’t care for the increase for the raglan. It is a m1, yo, m1. I tried it, but the hole just doesn’t seem right to me for a raglan seam.
Also, I clearly didn’t get what the author was saying about the increase placement. I had finished the increases. However, I had to frog the entire thing after discovering that because I had increased in the wrong place, the raglan line was not diagonals on two of the four increases.
I took the pattern as a template and used a typical raglan increase. I placed a marker before & after the center stitch of the raglan so there was no confusion on my part. I lifted the bar on the left before the marker and knit into it, k1, then lifted the bar after the marker and knit into it. So I got an even increase that was closed.
It was very simple and quick. I was glad I could give it to them when I saw them.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Finished Objects & WIPs
I just realized that with work being so busy I hadn't gotten around to posting pics of some finished objects!
Work has been kinda crazed. I had a work conference in March/April so it means I was away for a week. So that always throws things off. On top of that, the time leading up to conference and the time after are busy. So this got lost in the shuffle. I am hoping that most of the post conference work is wrapped up so I can post more regularly again.
I did take pics of a baby sweater I made for my nephew and his wife (It isn't as weird as it sounds. He is mid 30s.) But I didn't seem to email them to myself. So I don't have them to post yet. Maybe Monday.
Though I swear I have been knitting! Here are some pics to prove it.
Woven Ridge Socks for DH
Pattern:
Woven Ridge Socks by Cat Bordhi
from New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One
http://www.amazon.com/New-Pathways-Sock-Knitters-Book/dp/0970886969
Made for:
My hubby Paul - 9 1/2" smallest point, 10" long
Needles:
US 1 / 2.25 mm Knitpicks Options & Harmony - 2 socks on 2 circs
Yarn:
Spirit Trail Fiberworks "Helen" ~ 100% Superwash Merino Yarn
~ 400 yards
Colorway - Harbor Fog
Purchased from The Loopy Ewe http://www.theloopyewe.com/
I decided I wanted to do a Cat Bordhi pattern for the March Sock Knitters Anonymous KAL. I hadn’t done one of her patterns since my Coriolis socks a year ago.
I confess that I forgot just how much math was involved. The spreadsheet I have definitely helps. But I nearly made a huge error when I miscounted the number of stitches & thought something was very wrong. Luckily, I realized my miscalculation before I did anything bad.
But on the flip side, because so much of the pattern is stockinette, it goes really fast.
I added some ribbing to the back side of the sock so it will have a better fit. I find that all stockinette legs have a tendency to slide down too easily.
The weird thing is that I goofed on the Woven Ridge pattern. I don’t know why. But after I finished the heels, I thought I remembered the pattern as it is really simple. But I goofed. I slipped the stitches without bringing the yarn forward. *sigh* It was about 2" into it before I realized the mistake. I asked my husband if he wanted me to rip back. He said it was okay. So I just switched back to the correct stitch. So there is the correct stitch on the foot, then the wrong one, then the correct one again. It almost looks like it could have been intentional.
My hubby is thrilled I made him socks. *grin* This is his second pair. They are definitely his colors. He really loves them.
Works in Progress
I have two real works in progress. I say real because I still have a purse that has been sitting around since before Xmas that needs a button & maybe some lining. It is for a friend I haven't seen since October. I hope to see her. And when I do I will finish it.
One is the long time alpaca sweater. It is from the yarn I bought at Rhinebeck in 2007. I finally cast it on in Sept. 2008 so I could justify buying more yarn at Rhinebeck. *laugh* The sleeves are done as well as about 6-8" of the body. Though I gained weight since I started it. So I am still debating what I will do with it. Given I am doing it in pieces, I can create panels at the sides to add in if I need it. I still pick it up now and again.
Also, I have a pair of Gothic Temptress socks on my needles. The Sock Knitters Anonymous KAL for April is underappreciated patterns or knee highs. This actually fits into both categories.
The pattern is free on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gothic-temptress
It doesn't seem to be available elsewhere.
I have the feet and about 3-4" of the leg done so far. Again, lots of stockinette so they are going pretty quickly. I definitely like them. Simple but pretty.
Here is a pic of the one's made for the pattern:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8089512@N02/2960378155/in/photostream/
I am spinning too. I try to do a little each weekday morning before work. I find it calms me and sorta helps me focus for the day.
I was working on the luscious merino/cashmere/silk blend that winderwoodfarm.etsy.com made especially for me. It is yummy.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13566446
But I needed a break. It spins super thin and thus takes a long time to spin. I have about 3-4 of 10 oz. spun into a single.
I got this beautiful batt called That Old Black Magic from butterflygirldesigns.etsy.com. So I decided it needed to go on the wheel. It is superwash merino/bamboo blend. So it has a lovely sheen. It is only 3.7 oz. So it shouldn't take as long to spin. But I have found I need to pause when I am spinning. There are nubs that didn't seem to get blended. I probably should have just done more of an art yarn with it. But it is sooo lovely. Black & purple. My kind of colors. I do like spinning it though. It just takes a bit longer than I had anticipated.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14510202
She seems to sell these batts now and again. She also has occasionally had similar colors in sock yarn which I need too.
I am still in love with my Babe wheel. It definitely is a great little work horse. I picked up 4 more bobbins for it so I can switch around things if I want to put something else on my wheel.
I have to confess however that I do want to try out some wheels when I go to Maryland Sheep & Wool. I wanted to try wheels at Rhinebeck. But I didn't actually try any. So heaven knows I might not at MD either. But we shall see. *evil grin*
So I am ending this now so that I will actually post it today! *grin*
Hopefully, it won't be so long before the next post.
Work has been kinda crazed. I had a work conference in March/April so it means I was away for a week. So that always throws things off. On top of that, the time leading up to conference and the time after are busy. So this got lost in the shuffle. I am hoping that most of the post conference work is wrapped up so I can post more regularly again.
I did take pics of a baby sweater I made for my nephew and his wife (It isn't as weird as it sounds. He is mid 30s.) But I didn't seem to email them to myself. So I don't have them to post yet. Maybe Monday.
Though I swear I have been knitting! Here are some pics to prove it.
Woven Ridge Socks for DH
Cast On:
March 6 2009
March 6 2009
:
March 22 2009
March 22 2009
Pattern:
Woven Ridge Socks by Cat Bordhi
from New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One
http://www.amazon.com/New-Pathways-Sock-Knitters-Book/dp/0970886969
Made for:
My hubby Paul - 9 1/2" smallest point, 10" long
Needles:
US 1 / 2.25 mm Knitpicks Options & Harmony - 2 socks on 2 circs
Yarn:
Spirit Trail Fiberworks "Helen" ~ 100% Superwash Merino Yarn
~ 400 yards
Colorway - Harbor Fog
Purchased from The Loopy Ewe http://www.theloopyewe.com/
I decided I wanted to do a Cat Bordhi pattern for the March Sock Knitters Anonymous KAL. I hadn’t done one of her patterns since my Coriolis socks a year ago.
I confess that I forgot just how much math was involved. The spreadsheet I have definitely helps. But I nearly made a huge error when I miscounted the number of stitches & thought something was very wrong. Luckily, I realized my miscalculation before I did anything bad.
But on the flip side, because so much of the pattern is stockinette, it goes really fast.
I added some ribbing to the back side of the sock so it will have a better fit. I find that all stockinette legs have a tendency to slide down too easily.
The weird thing is that I goofed on the Woven Ridge pattern. I don’t know why. But after I finished the heels, I thought I remembered the pattern as it is really simple. But I goofed. I slipped the stitches without bringing the yarn forward. *sigh* It was about 2" into it before I realized the mistake. I asked my husband if he wanted me to rip back. He said it was okay. So I just switched back to the correct stitch. So there is the correct stitch on the foot, then the wrong one, then the correct one again. It almost looks like it could have been intentional.
My hubby is thrilled I made him socks. *grin* This is his second pair. They are definitely his colors. He really loves them.
Works in Progress
I have two real works in progress. I say real because I still have a purse that has been sitting around since before Xmas that needs a button & maybe some lining. It is for a friend I haven't seen since October. I hope to see her. And when I do I will finish it.
One is the long time alpaca sweater. It is from the yarn I bought at Rhinebeck in 2007. I finally cast it on in Sept. 2008 so I could justify buying more yarn at Rhinebeck. *laugh* The sleeves are done as well as about 6-8" of the body. Though I gained weight since I started it. So I am still debating what I will do with it. Given I am doing it in pieces, I can create panels at the sides to add in if I need it. I still pick it up now and again.
Also, I have a pair of Gothic Temptress socks on my needles. The Sock Knitters Anonymous KAL for April is underappreciated patterns or knee highs. This actually fits into both categories.
The pattern is free on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gothic-temptress
It doesn't seem to be available elsewhere.
I have the feet and about 3-4" of the leg done so far. Again, lots of stockinette so they are going pretty quickly. I definitely like them. Simple but pretty.
Here is a pic of the one's made for the pattern:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8089512@N02/2960378155/in/photostream/
I am spinning too. I try to do a little each weekday morning before work. I find it calms me and sorta helps me focus for the day.
I was working on the luscious merino/cashmere/silk blend that winderwoodfarm.etsy.com made especially for me. It is yummy.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13566446
But I needed a break. It spins super thin and thus takes a long time to spin. I have about 3-4 of 10 oz. spun into a single.
I got this beautiful batt called That Old Black Magic from butterflygirldesigns.etsy.com. So I decided it needed to go on the wheel. It is superwash merino/bamboo blend. So it has a lovely sheen. It is only 3.7 oz. So it shouldn't take as long to spin. But I have found I need to pause when I am spinning. There are nubs that didn't seem to get blended. I probably should have just done more of an art yarn with it. But it is sooo lovely. Black & purple. My kind of colors. I do like spinning it though. It just takes a bit longer than I had anticipated.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14510202
She seems to sell these batts now and again. She also has occasionally had similar colors in sock yarn which I need too.
I am still in love with my Babe wheel. It definitely is a great little work horse. I picked up 4 more bobbins for it so I can switch around things if I want to put something else on my wheel.
I have to confess however that I do want to try out some wheels when I go to Maryland Sheep & Wool. I wanted to try wheels at Rhinebeck. But I didn't actually try any. So heaven knows I might not at MD either. But we shall see. *evil grin*
So I am ending this now so that I will actually post it today! *grin*
Hopefully, it won't be so long before the next post.