I finally have a chance to take a breath at work. Not saying there isn't still tons to do, but I am getting help on the major project. Also, they are giving us the week after New Years to work on it. So I am not as frantic. Hooray!

So I am catching up on pics of FOs and WIPs. Whee.

I will probably do these a couple at a time from oldest to newest so I post these as I get a chance today. I am hoping to get all caught up today. But that may not happen as I have work that needs to get done. So here goes!

Christmas Tree Dish Towel

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Cast On:

November 25 2008

Completed:

November 29 2008

Made for:

Big George

Needles:

US 7 / 4.5 mm

Yarn:

Lily Elite Cotton

Purchased at Smiley's Yarns sale in NJ

Size:

Prewash - 12" x 12" (including flap)

The tree chart was created with KnitPro by microrevolt.org:

http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/

I was going to use the towel top from the Christmas Lace Kitchen Hanging Hand Towel.

http://wishingiwasknitting.blogspot.com/2008/04/christmas-lace-kitchen-hanging-hand.html

However, I tried that top and ripped it out. That top cuts in very sharply which was obscured the pattern on the towel. Because of the way it pulls in, it was making the top of the tree disappear in the folds.

So I improvised the decreases on the top to not obscure with the design on the towel portion. It is some basic decreases taking into account the seed stitch pattern I had been using. I think it worked out fairly well.

I am planning on posting the finished pattern on my blog when I get the time.

Basic pattern:

Cast on 58 sts.

4 rows of seed stitch in green

At each edge, do 4 sts in seed stitch.

RS Row:

K1, P1 2x

WS Row:

P1, K1 2x

For the center of the towel, follow the chart.

Note:

If you want less bobbins floating around, you can either eliminate the seed stitch edge or do it in the background color.

6 rows of seed stitch in green

Now, start decrease for the top of the towel.

RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK twice *K1, P1* repeat to last 8 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog, K1, P1 (54 stitches)

All WS Rows:

P1, K1 across

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK four times *K1, P1* repeat to last 16 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog three times, K1, P1 (46 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK four times *K1, P1* repeat to last 16 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog three times, K1, P1 (38 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK three times *K1, P1* repeat to last 12 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog two times, K1, P1 (24 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK three times *K1, P1* repeat to last 12 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog two times, K1, P1 (18 stitches)

Next RS Row:

K1, P1, SSK twice *K1, P1* repeat to last 8 stitches, K2tog, P1, K1 K2tog, K1, P1 (14 stitches)

Tab for loop & buttonhole:

The length on this can vary to what you want. I like it to have a loop that is big enough to be buttoned over an oven door dowel or a drawer pull. So I made mine large enough to do that. But you can vary it to whatever size works for you.

Here is what I did for mine:

Repeat seed stitch for 3" then create buttonhole.

Button hole -

RS Row:

K1, P1 three times, bind off 2 sts, K1, P1 to end

WS Row:

P1, K1 three times, cast on two stitches, P1, K1 to end

I cast on using the knit on method. It is a little more rigid than some other cast on methods which I find useful for the button hole. I like them to stretch some but not too much.

Continue in seed stitch for 3/4".

RS Row:

SSK, *K1, P1* to last 2 sts, K2tog (12 sts)

WS Row:

K1, P1 across row

RS Row:

SSK, *P1, K1* to last 2 sts, K2tog (10 sts)

WS Row:

P1, K1 across row

Bind off stitches.

There can be a lot of variation with this. That is the beauty.

Other notes:

I find it very useful to place markers every 10 stitches when doing the chart. It makes it much easier to easily find your place in the pattern.

I used brown for the tree stem because I had some. It is easy enough to remove it from the chart or just do it in green.

I like the seed stitch for the tree. I find it gives a nice texture that echoes an evergreen. However, if you find it simpler, I am sure the tree would look good in stockinette as well.

I also thought about adding some embroidered ornaments or such. But I decided not to given the recipient. However, you could make it more fancy if you like.

The one confess I have to make is about the chart. I goofed when charting it. I selected the cross stitch grid, not the knitting one. Oops. So the tree is more squat than I intended. But it is still nice. I think when I do the pattern to post here, I will redo the chart as well. Though that might mean I never get around to posting it. So I might change my mind. *laugh*

Scallop Scarf in Three Bags Full Handspun

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Cast On:

November 22 2008

Completed:

November 25 2008

Pattern:

Scallop Scarf by Wendy Johnson

from Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn

http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Knits-Never-Ending-Adventures-Yarn/dp/0452287324/

(Picked up book on free shelf at work)

Made for:

Me Probably

Size:

62" x 6" (could have been 85" x 5" but reblocked to make shorter)

Needles:

US 13 / 9.0 mm Knitpicks Options

Yarn:

My Handspun made with Three Bags Full Silk and Wool Roving in the Midnight Magic

0.88 skeins = 154.0 yards (140.8m)

Purchased at Rhinebeck 2008 (think from Carolina Homespun but not 100% certain)

http://carolinahomespun.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CH&Category_Code=3BF-ROV

Super simple pattern. Easy to memorize. And given the bulky yarn, it was very quick to knit.

I debated a lot what I wanted to do with this yarn. I really love how soft and squishy it is. It feels lovely with the silk and has a subtle sheen to it.

I wanted something that would highlight the yarn. But I couldn't do anything too complex because the yarn isn't very even. Also, I didn't think given the woolen spin on the yarn that anything with a lot of stitch definition would work well.

I decided this was simple yet pretty. I think it will come out well. I just hope it doesn't roll too much. But I think the garter edge will help it to stay flat.

I think it looks good. I was concern that there is enough to make a decent length scarf. I actually have about 1/2 an oz left.

I had to redo the blocking. The first time it was too long (85"). I didn't want that much length as this is a decorative scarf. So I reblocked it. It is now 62" which is a much better length for a decorative scarf. Though it doesn't show the pattern as much, it looks good.

Two for now. I will post more later I hope.

I Got a Wheel! I Got a Wheel!

I have been very interested in trying out a Babe wheel. They are PVC and a good deal less expensive than most wheels. The closest wood wheel in price I found was a Fricke that Cathyz from Ravelry mentioned to me. The S-160 was still around $75 more than the Babe. Mind you, the Fricke seems like a great wheel. But I really didn't want to spend too much given I am new at this. I don't honestly know if I will fall in love with spinning or not. So I figured as long as the Babe wheel worked well, that is what mattered most.

On Sunday, I went to meet with the woman who is listed on the Babe site as a dealer. She is this sweet woman named Sherry. Unfortunately, she had to close the business for personal reasons. But she was willing to have me come into her home to try out the Babe Double Treadle Production wheel she had. She was so accommodating and kind about it.

She showed me her wheels. She has 11! She did explain some were her daughter's who doesn't have the space currently. But still. Wow. There were some amazing pieces including pendulum and walking wheels. Amazing.

She had me try treadling on the Babe Double Treadle Production wheel as that is what I came to see. I tried it in both directions to seeing how I liked the feel of the wheel. She seemed impressed that I continued to treadle as she introduced me to her husband. The wheel moved very easily and I found I was able to switch directions. It felt good. She suggested I should practice treadling when watching tv and such to get a good feel for it.

She then offered me some fiber to try out on the wheel. It was brown/grey & pretty sticky with lots of crimp. I forgot to ask what it was, but my guess would be Romney as it was similar to the Romney I have. And why give a newbie the good stuff? *laugh*

So we are talking and she says something about if I like to take it home. *blink* I really thought I would be ordering it through her. Not leaving with the one she had. So I asked her what she wanted for it. It was around $75 less than it would have been new! And I would have it that very day.

Of course I said yes!

Isn't it lovely?

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Okay. So for most traditionalists, it isn't lovely. But it is lovely to me!

I actually sorta like it being a geek. It seems very creative to use PVC and wheelchair wheels for this. It is super light. Also since it isn't wood, I don't have to stress about humidity changes and such. Mind you the apartment is pretty dry, but you never know what will come in the future with the places I live.

More details about this wheel:

http://www.babesfibergarden.com/production.html

Sherry was so sweet about what I was producing. She kept saying it was "designer yarn" with all the slubs, plus the irregular thickness. *chuckle* I am definitely overspinning the fiber which is a super common beginner's problem. It is definitely not pretty stuff. But hey, I am learning.

She also gave be some fiber to take home with me. It is marked Finn. But of course did I use that? Nope. I used some roving that I picked up at the Yarn Tree. (More about that later.)

So here is a picture of my first spinning wheel singles!

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It isn't ideal. But hey, I still like it. I don't know what I will do with it yet. But I am hoping to figure that out. *crosses fingers*

CathyZ from Ravelry mentioned that I could ply with some thread. That way it would give the strength of plying without adding more thickness as another ply would. There is a Knitty.com article about doing that. Though that does say it is a more advanced technique and I should be good at plying before trying it. Though that may not stop me from trying. *laugh*

Just gotta say again. "I have a wheel!" I kept saying that all the way home in the car with my husband. He was so good natured about it. He said it was fun the way I was bouncing! I was just sooo excited. *grin*

I also wanted to mention my trip to the Yarn Tree on Thursday. *sighs happily* Another great recommendation from CathyZ. She is taking classes there (which I would love to do some day). She suggested I could go there to get different fibers and see what I enjoy spinning with and what works best for me.

Of course, I went saying I would just pick up an ounce or two of 3-4 different things. Just enough to test. Well... I did end up with 4 different types of roving & a beautifully colored silk hankie. *sigh* There was a colored roving that was only $2 an ounce so I decided to pick up 4 oz with the hopes that I could use that to create enough yarn to create something I can knit.

I also got a Kundert butternut spindle. I really didn't like the spindle I got from the kit from Ebay. I was struggling with it a lot and felt it really wasn't good about maintaining a spin. So I decided to splurge and get a new spindle. I am sooooo glad I did. It really makes a huge difference. The one I got spins longer without as much effort.

I spent a good deal of time on Friday trying some of the fibers I got. I decided to try the Kona merino/mohair blend I got. It was beautiful to work with. *sigh* I am definitely getting some more of that. Of course, I didn't draft it out enough so I ended up with the thick/thin issue again. But it is better.

I think then I tried the pencil roving that CathyZ gave me. It is still too thick but it is definitely better. It really helped that it was drafted out already.

Then I tried...*sighs happily* the silk hankie. Oh man. I wish I could spin this stuff all the time. The fibers are super long so I could pull it way out and make it thinner than anything else I had spun. So I finally got some much thinner yarn. Though again, it is definitely bumpy. But there is definitely improvement. I wish I could spin that stuff forever. But at $17 for the 1 oz hankie I bought, I am thinking I need to rethink that. *laugh* I kinda knew I would love that. I adore pretty much anything silk.

So here is a pic of my singles so far:

I am so happy.

Just gotta say it again... "I Got A Wheel!" *grin*