Spiralstitch

Peterborough

2011-02-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

I'm currently having a quiet, heart flutter over a new Norah Gaughan design, Peterborough.

I inherited 7 skeins of Berroco Softwist last year,

and just bought 6 more skeins from a fellow Raveler's stash, so that I'd have enough to make this cardigan.

I'm waiting for my LYS to let me know that they've got the book in, so that I cast on! The dye lots are different, so I hope they match well enough!

Cute and Useful

2011-02-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

While at my LYS for knit night, I was easily persuaded to buy the cutest and most useful stitch markers I've ever seen! Each marker has an abbreviation on it - so it's easier to remember what stitch is next!

I was worried that they would be too sticky to move along the needle, like some rubber stitch markers are - but I tried one it worked great!

And Oops! How did this wind up in my shopping bag?

3 skeins of Misti Alpaca Lace in Dark Tan. Perfect for a Hannah Fettig pattern like Wispy, or another Whisper Cardigan (but longer in length, with longer sleeves).

Fur Is on Its Way

2011-02-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

Christine did an amazing job - she spun 100% of the fur - nothing was added. There will be enough to make a scarf out of each one. I was a little verklempt when she sent me the pic. I can't wait to get it!

Straw Into Gold

2011-01-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

After many years of collection, I finally found someone to spin my bunnies' fur into yarn for me!

I sent the package to Texas at the beginning of October - the wait time is 10-13 weeks. I'll post an picture when the yarn arrives!

back safely

2010-04-24T13:53:00.001-07:00

Yay!
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thought for a second

2010-04-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

That this day may never come.
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au revoir, Paris

2010-04-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

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a beautiful spring day

2010-04-23T06:50:00.001-07:00

We ate our last dejuner and are now sitting and enjoying the Seine.
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Hello, Echarpe.

2010-04-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

We'll always have Paris.
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knew we were close

2010-04-22T06:11:00.000-07:00

When I heard someone singing Riders on the Storm to themselves.
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we are at an Irish bar the Latin Quarter

2010-04-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

And I have an orange glow stick. Yay!
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the louvre

2010-04-21T07:16:00.001-07:00

From the 6th arrondisment
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nos familie

2010-04-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

A la maison.
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le fins du nous dejuner

2010-04-21T05:12:00.001-07:00

Isn't it cute? It's a spoon cookie from Poilane!
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sacre coeur

2010-04-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

We spent the late morning in Le Marais and then hopped on the Metro to the 9th to check out a famous chocolate store. Then we walked uphill to see the last two windmills in Paris and the Montmartre vineyard. We're sitting in a park just below sacre coeur.
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studying French

2010-04-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

Isn't he cute? :-) he was looking up the word sweet because he needs to buy the right butter to make fettucine Alfredo tonight. Why yes. It is comfort food.
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it's quiet

2010-04-19T05:11:00.000-07:00

In our apartment and we've stayed in this morning watching CNN International. Dave went out to the market to buy fruit and pastries and to buy an International phone card to call our cell phone company to extend our service. I can't get the usps website to work on my phone to have our mail continue to be held - which is frustrating. We have our apartment until Saturday but if we can't fly out I don't know what plan C is. I'm a little freaked out.
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eiffel tower at night

2010-04-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

From ecole militaire. This should have been our last night but our stay has been extended until Saturday. We are hoping to see the light show tonight.
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Let the bets begin!

2010-04-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

We just received our new flight info.
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canceled

2010-04-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

want to start taking bets on when we'll make it home?
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the louvre

2010-04-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

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my new favorite beer and cheese

2010-04-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

the cheese is Saint Nectaire and the beer is Belgian, 9 percent alcohol :-)
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the boudoir de Marie Antoinette

2010-04-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

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sheep

2010-04-17T04:39:00.000-07:00

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the boudoir de Marie Antoinette

2010-04-17T03:35:00.000-07:00

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gardens of versailles

2010-04-17T01:41:00.001-07:00

Still unsure if our flight home will be allowed...
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venus de milo in the louvre

2010-04-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

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Dear Jason

2010-04-16T02:20:00.000-07:00

They are playing I'm Yours at this cafe right now.
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notre dame en soir

2010-04-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

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Why I moved to France

2010-04-15T11:46:00.001-07:00

http://mobile.thestar.com/mobile/world/article/795721

Oh ... And there was a fourmi in my drink. They offered to make me another. I said non merci.
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in the Latin quarter wondering about volcanic ash

2010-04-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

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rodin's the kiss

2010-04-15T03:44:00.001-07:00

So beautiful
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louis vuttion on champs elysees

2010-04-15T02:45:00.001-07:00

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arc de triomphe

2010-04-15T01:50:00.001-07:00

Albeit under constrction
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les marroniers

2010-04-15T01:06:00.000-07:00

the et cafe avec un spirale
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monet's nympheus at orangerie

2010-04-14T04:17:00.001-07:00

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musee d'orsay

2010-04-14T03:21:00.000-07:00

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statues in front of musee d'orsay

2010-04-14T01:58:00.000-07:00

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dave on the telephone with robyn

2010-04-14T01:55:00.003-07:00

nos Amie en strausbourg
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dave and the pantheon

2010-04-14T01:55:00.002-07:00

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the seine at ile de la cite

2010-04-14T01:55:00.001-07:00

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view of Eiffel tower from montparnasse

2010-04-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

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basket of yarny goodness

2010-04-12T08:32:00.001-07:00

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first yarn store

2010-04-12T08:31:00.001-07:00

Closed :-(
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view of ecole militaire from the Eiffel tower

2010-04-12T06:57:00.001-07:00

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European dinner!

2010-04-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Artichoke tapenade, brie and saint nectaire cheeses, fresh bread, bourdeaux, green olives, brouchettes avec champignon et olives de noir, and of course butter
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the line for the best falafel in Paris

2010-04-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

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view from sacre coeur

2010-04-10T23:38:00.000-07:00

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view from sacre coeur

2010-04-10T09:44:00.001-07:00

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knitting with beer

2010-04-10T07:43:00.001-07:00

In the 16th rue Mozart
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spiral dessert

2010-04-10T06:38:00.001-07:00

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rue de passy

2010-04-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

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the louvre!

2010-04-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

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bike tour

2010-04-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

We just had lunch and are on our way to the louvre
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eiffel tower!

2010-04-10T01:36:00.001-07:00

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petit dejuener

2010-04-10T00:53:00.001-07:00

un the et croisssst
waiting for our cheese omelet
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my first spiral

2010-04-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

On the train from the airport to the city.
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Watch This Space!

2010-04-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

My knitting blog will be transformed into my Paris Vacation blog in less than a week!
I'll be mobile blogging what I see, as I pretend that I'm Parisian for 10 days!

I'm taking Reversible Lace Ladders with me.

I'm using the gorgeous Zen 2-ply, masterfully dyed by Melissa.

This project started out with a bit of a hitch. I was putting together the KP Harmony needles (that I had just purchased) and cable together and one needle didn't have the proper threading. Thank goodness I checked in advance, I was able to call them and have them replace the needles, which arrived on Friday. Anyone else notice that the quality of the new Harmony needles is not as good as previous needles? The finish isn't as smooth...

And here is what I've been working on. Rill. Seven miles of stockinette finally finished, and now knitting up the short sleeves!

I'm using Elle Cotton Fields. I got a great deal on this yarn from Elann. I wasn't really into the yarn that the patterns calls for - it was shiny and slippery, I wanted something more natural looking.

Sorry that I haven't been keeping up with my blog. It's been pretty busy around here - planning for my husband's 40th birthday party (last month), and then getting ready for our trip. Plus, I've been on Ravelry blabbing about CG in the Naturally Curly Crafters Group - helping people to step-away-from-the-shampoo-and-silicone and embrace their curls.

I made these (Picot Edged Cashmere Gloves) to take on our trip, to match the silk scarf that I'm bringing.

I used Spud & Chloë yarn.

A few months ago, I was in Ikea and I saw a woman wandering around, wearing a sweater that I HAD TO HAVE. Actually it was her whole outfit - the sweater, jeans, and super cute tan riding boots.

I searched high and low for the best pattern I could find.
Here it is, semi-finished. I haven't put buttons on it yet, and haven't done the belt. Not sure that I want/need it...

The best thing about this cardigan - it was done in Plymouth Encore (which I re-purposed after ripping out my Pasadena) - so it's machine washable!
I love the shaping in the waist. And the uber long ribbed sleeves. It's REALLY warm!

I'm not a big fan of knitting cables, but for those of you who like cables, here's a close up.

Spud & Chloe

2010-02-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

on its way to becoming another pair of fingerless gloves!

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almost done with kalajoki

2010-01-22T15:31:00.000-08:00

Testing mobile blogging
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I really love my job

2009-11-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

And I know that a lot of people can't say that....

But I really do.

The ONLY bad thing about my job is that it takes away from knitting time! :-P

Being able to knit for people I work with is really fun, too. Especially when the recipient is as grateful and adorable as this one.

Sarah came to visit us at work today and she was kind enough to bring along the blanket that I knit her AND a smile for the camera.

So freaking cute.

It's October? Really?!

2009-10-21T15:56:00.001-07:00

There's something a little weird about knitting mohair

in 80 degree weather.

That up there is one of the sleeves for Lucetta.

I've decided to follow another Raveler's suggestion to knit the sleeves first and forgo the shaping for the waist. I tried to follow the directions, but the maths didn't make sense. The Raveler also said it looks better without the shaping. So, I'm crossing my fingers. I'm about a third of the way up the back.

Meanwhile...

I have a queue full of things I'm restless to knit:
1) The Lightweight Pullover (that Fresco yarn looks YUM-MY!)
2) Another cardigan (using Plymouth Baby Alpaca)
3) Baby-doll Cardigan (I've got the silk yarn and the beads all ready to go)

anticiparcelation

2009-09-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

First off, thank you to everyone who sent their thoughts and prayers to us after Wendy passed.
Your kindness is very much appreciated.

It's still weird that she's not "here." The latest KnitPicks catalog came last week announcing a book sale and my first thought was, "Oh! I wonder if Wendy needs any books..." We're all getting used to the new normal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am having about my Sexy Vesty.

After running out of yarn - oh yes - running out of yarn - but not just any yarn, a discontinued yarn, I went on to Ravelry to see if anyone had it in their stashes for sale. No luck.

So I posted an ISO post and within 12 hours TWO PEOPLE had contacted me!

A very nice woman from Canada said that she had two bags of the stuff and put it in the post last Monday.

I have been not so patiently waiting for the two skeins to arrive and e-mailed her last night to see how long it takes yarn to travel from Canada to California. Apparently 7-10 days (I've been so spoiled by Elann and their priority shipping...).

I am super eager to see if the yarn matches - it wasn't the same dye lot - but closer in number than the other offer - I don't know if that means anything...

Unfinished Knitting

2009-09-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

When Wendy, my sister-in-law, first saw me knitting she knew instantly that she wanted to learn. That day, we drove to Beverly's so that she could pick out yarn and a crochet hook. She wanted to crochet a blanket.

She became a regular at her local yarn store and quickly learned knitting.

She loved knitting. She gushed, "I've been searching for so long...I have finally found my passion."

Whenever we would visit, we would share what we were working on with each other.
Birthday gifts to each other always included something yarny.
She gave me the yarn, bamboo DPNs, and a pattern for the first socks I ever made.

Wendy adored my husband, she was 13 when he was born, and he was really like her first baby. While he was still very young, she got married and had two sons of her own, who are now both in their 20s.

Wendy graciously agreed to be my bridesmaid. She was kind and generous, she held my bridal shower for me at her house. I asked her to say the blessing before the meal at our rehearsal dinner, and she spoke beautifully, quoting from The Song of Songs. She danced all night at our wedding. She said it was the funnest wedding she'd ever been to.

And she always had something nice to say. She would tell me that my hair looked nice, she would ooh and ahh over whatever FO I showed her. She devoured whatever my husband cooked for her, especially his breads, pastas, and pies.

Wendy passed away yesterday after a long, three-year struggle with lung cancer. It was the kind that Christopher Reeve's wife, Dana, had. She wasn't a smoker. She endured misdiagnosis, thousands of pills and pain patches, Prednisone, and multiple courses of chemo, each more toxic than the next. She coughed constantly and ate very little.

The beginning of the end was about three weeks ago, when she went into the ICU. Her husband fought to get her out of the hospital as quickly as possible, and she decided to stop fighting the cancer anymore, she just wanted to be in her home.

No matter how much we mentally prepared, it was still a shock when the call came in.

We went to her house immediately to be in the comfort of friends and family and really her - because her house is her. Everything you see is something she created, decorated, arranged - just so, and it is so her.

And it was there in the living room that I saw her knitting basket and lost it.

For me it's a symbol of all the things she'll never be able to finish, and the things she'll never be able to start. And the unfairness of it all is unbearable at the moment.

Before we left last night, my nephew asked if I had gotten my knitting mojo back. And I said, yes, more or less. ;-) He said, "Because Mom was working on a sweater for Brittany (his girlfriend)...and you're the only knitter I know...I wondered if you'd want to finish it?"

I said, "Of course I would. I would be honored."

Pets - 4, People - 2

2009-08-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

I never posted a FO pic of my pullover - you know the one that got all sandy from being knit on the beach in Mexico ;-)

I really like how it turned out!!

I knit the hood doing the smallest size.

The Elann Camila yarn was a PERFECT substitute.

Besides how poorly I felt the pattern was written - I am really glad I knit it.

I finished Dave's German Cabled sweater; it's blocking.
If I like how it looks on him after it dries, I'll show you a pic. If you never see a pic, it's because I've hidden my head in shame.

The front and back looks really nice - but I'm concerned about the armholes....

And this may be part of the reason of my inability to focus on my knitting:

We've spent the past month getting her acclimated to the house and trying to introduce her to our resident cat. We adopted her from a local shelter - she's a Maine Coon. Her name is Chloe!

I cast on for Snezi on Friday and I'm about 50% through it.
Ravelry link for the one that inspired mine.

Knitting MoJo, where are thou?

2009-08-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

I've spent the past few weeks knitting.
And ripping.
Knitting.
And ripping.

Evidence #1:
Look! Socks! Almost done! Right?
Second sock was not without its troubles - the heel was too big, I couldn't remember what I had done for the first sock - modified the pattern - but how?
I ripped the heel out twice.
Look - I'm almost to the top!

I was even going to turn the other way every time I looked at the toes.
Look! They're different! One I did on the plane without a pattern.

But then I looked at the heels again.

The seond sock on the left has a nice stockinette heel (which is still too big).
The first sock has a nice K1, Sl1 ribbing.

These will both be frogged today.
And I will never be knitting one sock at a time ever again.

Evidence #2.
German Cables sweater for Dave.
Look! The back! I finished it!! Great!!! Right?!

Please examine more closely! You will see what I affectionately call - Donuts.

Right at the armhole - the wrong part of the pattern or the right pattern off by eight stitches - has created donuts across the fabric - where donuts are not needed.

The only bit of joy in this exploration of missing mojo - the front of the sweater. I ripped out the armholes, oh, about three times. No, maybe four, if you count yesterday.

This looks much better.

I'm going to put the front on hold and rip out the back and knit it again before I forget what I did yesterday.

Wish me luck.

I'm just sayin'...

2009-08-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

The only yarn I Really REALLY want in the whole wide world is available as a custom-dye job.

That is all.

Vesper

2009-07-28T09:41:00.001-07:00

This project could not have been completed if:
1) A very nice Raveler hadn't've sold me her left over yarn.
2) I hadn't ripped out the Drops pattern because it was WAY too big.
3) Or I hadn't followed Roko's mods (now there's a talented knitter!).

Mmmmm box pleats!

Et Voila! Zee back!

Used Elann Lara, it was a fantastic substitute.

It's serious.

2009-07-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

I am over-the-moon in love with knitting.

This pattern really sent me over the edge.

And yes, it's because of the knitting bunnies.

I have this mug. My very kind neighbor brought some back for me from Finland.

I gave one to knitting friend JoKnit because she is the only person I know who loves knitting AND bunnies as much as me.

I immediately plunged into my stash knitting pictures on Ravelry, and although I don't have the yarn picked out yet, I got a little giddy imagining which yarn would be perfect for these socks.

I hope you get to swoon over your knitting (or crocheting) today, too.

Era bueno

2009-07-05T08:32:00.001-07:00

Adios!

2009-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Where you might find me this week, on vacation.

thanks to everyone who voted on the yarn color - it's a tie between moss and orchid!!

Vote for a color -->

2009-06-08T11:05:00.001-07:00

This cardigan is in my Ravelry queue:

ETA: this pattern is from Knit.1 Spring/Summer 2009

and I really want to try Patons Silk Bamboo.

But I can't decide on a color!
What do you think?

I'm thinking about adding beads, as that's an option for the pattern.

I'm excited to try and add them using the crochet hook method. Hooking Beads As You Go.

I finished the Wide Rib Hoodie, which required completely different-sized needles than the pattern called for.
I used US 11, US 10.76, and US 10.
The yarn is Schachenmayr nomotta Extra Merino. I had 12 skeins and I barely had enough to finish - only got to knit 4 inches of the ribbing vs the 4.5 inches required.

I washed it yesterday and it got VERY stretched out :-(
It's drying now - hopefully it didn't completely lose its shape.

The yellow yarn project was ripped out.
It was way too wide.
I started my own personal pattern - the idea was to have a fitted waist, scoop neck, fluttery sleeves.
I knit most of a front (or back) and part of a back (or front) and sewed it together to see what it looked like on me - it was Meh.

It sort of deflated my knitting mojo.

I switched to crochet this weekend for (another) sooper seekrit project - I'm crocheting spirals!!!

I've got two done and will just keep on keeping on until the yarn is almost gone.

I have two projects planned for my vacation.

I'll be knitting a pair of very simple, but finely ribbed socks using the Crystal Palace Panda Cotton (below) and this pullover.

Just waiting for my KP bamboo needles to arrive...(US 0, 1, 2, 3, 4).

when needles lie

2009-05-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

My favorite knitted item to date:

Provence Marl Empire Waist Cardigan

Whisper Caridagn #2:

Knit Picks Shadow in Papaya

Diagonal Baby Blanket for co-worker Ethan

Sugar and Cream, Butter Cream

RosiG's A Little Nightcap

Dave thinks I look very ethnic is this thing that makes my head look ginormous because I have so much freakin' hair.

Used leftover Brown Sheep Cotton Fine in Alpine Lilac.

This.... this is a mess. knit about 10 inches and decided to iron it to see how wide it actually is.

It's 40" in diameter. When I can stomach it, I'll rip it out and figure out what the hell I want to do. At this moment in time, it just makes my head hurt.

On to bigger and better headaches. Pebbles Wide Rib Hoodie.

This is from the same pattern book as the Empire Cardigan.

I'm using Schachenmayr nomotta Extra Merino.

The pattern calls for DK double stranded, US 8 to get 10 sts/ 4 in.

I swatched - I don't know why - but I did.

US 8 didn't work. I got at least 14 sts/4in.

So I tried US 9, then US 10, then US 10.5, and finally US 11.

US 11 is pretty spot on.

There are three needle sizes used, they claim that they are US 8, US 7, US 6.

I had an AHA one morning this week - I think they transposed millimeter sizes with US needle sizes as US11 = 8 mm, etc.

So I e-mailed them and they responded right away - said they'd re-check.

It will be interesting to figure out how I'm going to come up with a 7 mm needle.

Butterfly 2.0

2009-04-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

I originally started Butterfly at the end of July in 2008.
I got all the way to the end, put the elastic in, did the crochet edging, tried it on.
It was WAY too big.

I was so disheartened. I put in a plastic bag and stuck it in my closet with my more well-behaved yarn to let it think about what it did wrong.

About six months later, it told me that it might be willing to be unraveled and start again.
I took this under consideration.
I started looking at other people's Butterflies on Ravelry. What yarn did they use? Did they get gauge? What tips or tricks could I garner from their lovely Butterflies?

Then one day, I stumbled across someone's FO. They mentioned that the sizing was based on the circumference under the bust.

I then realized why my Butterfly never took off.
I had knit the incorrect size, based on my bust circumference.

So out came the Butterfly and the ball winder and the yarn was wound back into little cocoon balls.

On March 20th, I began again.
On March 31st, Butterfly 2.0 took flight.

I omitted the crochet edging on the arms and bottom.

Knit Picks Shine Worsted, Laurel
Addi Turbos US 9

Remember Nutkin?

2009-04-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

It turned into Coin Lace Scarf.

While I was finishing that, I also knit Retro Rib Socks in Araucania Ranco Multy.

And for my co-worker that I'm teaching how to knit: Mr. Mousey, stuffed with catnip. An un-felted version.

Kihei hides the mouse and brings it out from time to time and drops it at her feet.

Also, Pasadena, which took a wrong turn on the Raglan I-5 and wound up in Armsyce Hell.

I will be ripping this apart at some point and re-doing all of the pieces down to the arm holes. Why? Because I'm crazy like that. I used Plymouth Encore Worsted.

Can't go to work without socks! Patons Kroy sock yarn (Summer Moss Jacquard), basic toe-up sock pattern with 3 x1 ribbing. One sock down, one to go.

The Whisper Cardigan in Argosy Luxury Yarns, Haiku 2-ply, Wedgewood.

And my current project - which is going REALLY well.

Provence Marl Empire Waist Cardigan in Filati Torre Lino (a PERFECT yarn sub) from Florence, Italy.

That's one sleeve, I've knit across the back and started down the second sleeve today.

Sooper Seekret Project

2009-03-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

for his birthday, dave is getting a new coat.
his old one, a very nice gap coat, disappeared when we were remodeling.
bags of coats from our closet somehow got mixed in with a giveaway pile.

what do scraps have to do with his birthday present

can you tell now?

what he'll find when he puts his hand in his new coat pocket:

the prez!

Chunky Cabled Tam #13

2009-02-07T15:28:00.001-08:00

Cast on last night, knit it in about 5-6 hours today.

Knit.1, Fall/Winter 2008
Manos del Uruguay, Heather #50, @2.5 skeins
Addi Turbo US7 and KnitPicks Options US 11

I couldn't find three consistent dark skeins at Purl Soho, so I mixed in the lighter one as the last one.

Dave asked, "Is it warm?"
Yep.

things on my mind

2009-02-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

This Drops Lace Top:

Will my 5 skeins of Lara be enough?

This hooded pullover (and what the perfect* DK cotton substitute will be) is haunting me,

when I'm not anxiously awaiting my next visit to PurlSoho to exchange this Manos in Goldenrod,

for this Manos in Heather,

for this hat,

which is also haunting me.

Because how freakin' cute would it be on these curls?

Yet how wholly unnecessary when it's 84 degrees outside in February.

*perfect: affordable, right color [Linen], just enough drape [Fibre Content: 50% Viscose Rayon/ 25% Cotton/ 25% Linen]

what t-shirt are you?

2009-01-27T18:15:00.000-08:00

Sleep Eat Knit

I knit because I am smarter than you.

There is a very fine line between hobby, obsession and "mental illness."

Proud to be knitter.

Peace Love Knit

You can find these and more at zazzle.com

it's not all a loss

2009-01-24T17:35:00.001-08:00

This is a Drops pattern.

US 6 & 7
Plymouth Encore DK

The color looks great on me!

The shawl collar was fun - short rows!
And the sleeves are super poofy and fun!

The only thing that needs some work is the bottom hem is very flippy.
Pat, who I knit with, recommended grosgrain ribbon.

I think first I'm going to try and do some sort of crochet thing and see if I can get it to lie flatter.
If that doesn't work, I'll try the ribbon.

just so you know how crazy I am

2009-01-22T20:47:00.000-08:00

A moment of silence for Nutkin, please.

I've been working on this sock at work since Dec 11.
I decided to omit the YO in favor of a M1, and I think this was the beginning of the end.
It was difficult to pull over my heel.

Oh and the heel - a German short row - I was eager to try it.
The stitches pulled apart from each other.
I thought to myself, I'll just stitch it up on the inside when I'm done.

So I kept going.
And finished the toe today.

A short row toe.
The first thing I did wrong, besides knit it incorrectly three times last night, was start the short rows on the wrong side.
I didn't realize this until I'd finished, but thought, no big deal, I'll just kitchener it together.
But the stitches spread apart on the short rows here as well.

And last but not least, the whole thing, when on my foot pulls to the left.

In short, I can't stand it. And as soon as I finish typing, I'll be ripping it out.

when "good" gauge goes bad

2008-12-15T14:13:00.000-08:00

I was happily knitting along, 13 inches completed...when I discovered that I had picked up an extra stitch a few rows down when my needle caught on a few plies of yarn.

when I dropped the stitch to remove it, the gap was way too big.

so I decided to rip back to where it all started.

when I took the piece off of the needles, something wasn't quite right.

it's supposed to be 42" in diameter.

*sigh*

More yarn?

2008-12-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

I had a weak moment a week ago, when Webs was having a free shipping special.

ok. seven weak moments.

Araucania Ranco Multy-goodness.

Asymmetrical Cardi - sort of

2008-12-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

I omitted the cables and used the funnel collar stitch instead

but the whole thing really came out a bit larger than I would have preferred

it's made of Vanna's Choice Yarn, in Taupe. US 9.

this is what it looks like when I scrunch it all together in the back ;-)

it's very warm, and the Wal-Mart buttons are really cute!

and I got a lot of compliments on it when I wore it on Wednesday!!

My father requested a scarf from me, he wanted a machine washable red and grey variegated yarn, but I wasn't able to find anything that was suitable.

So, I bought Caron Simply Soft Eco (Wine Country and Charcoal) - it's made with 20% recycled plastic bottles - and it's REALLY soft! And hey - I'm saving the planet - what could better than that?!

I'm doing the Scrunchable Scarf, he wants it to be 10" wide and 60" long, I may need to buy some more skeins!

I started to knit Aquaphobia with my Lorna's Laces yarn in Tuscan, but it looked all kinds of crappy, so I opted for Nutkin instead. I'm much happier now!

Since I had already cast on with the K1/P1 ribbing, I just ripped back to there instead of doing the foldover hem that Nutkin indicates. I'm also omitting the YO and doing an M1 instead. I saw someone on Ravelry do that and seems to be OK so far, the sock is a "little" tight over my ankle.

Socks? Done.

2008-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Finished Primavera last week.
Wore them yesterday!

maths deflation

2008-12-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

Rip.

Roll.

Drip.

Then I knit a gauge swatch and psyched myself up for 'rithmatiking.

It consisted of this
20...x
-- = --
4....42

20x = 840
CO = 210

I've now knit over six inches of stockinette in the round. And the fabric looks so much better.
...pondering over hem yarn...

let 'er rip

2008-11-26T10:58:00.001-08:00

Many, many moons ago, I knit Dave a sweater.

There were so many things wrong with this sweater, most of which were a result of my newbieness to knitting - I read the yarn label and saw the needle icon with a '5.' So I used a US 5.

It wasn't until I was unable to put the pieces together myself, and the "professional" finisher asked me what size needles I'd used, that I realized I should have used US 8/Metric 5.

I've refused to let Dave wear the sweater in public, and it has languished in its tight-knit fabric state for four years.

Then I saw PugMama's sweater on Ravelry (non-ravelers can see brooklytweed's here).

So I immediately purchased my very first Elizabeth Zimmerman book.

And this long holiday weekend *sigh* (I can't wait!), I'll be ripping, reading, and rithmatiking.

I'm excited about the other patterns in this book, too! The Tomten Jacket. The Seamless Raglan Sweater. The Snail Hat. What is this Zimmerman Scarf all about? And a reversible hat?

All I need is four more hands.

the woman dressed in velvet

2008-10-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

when it was 90 degrees yesterday, because her office was too cold, would probably like a pair of these

have I posted this picture before? This is from a Phildar email that I received today.

The pattern looks ridiculously simple.

Impromptu (fingerless gloves)

K2,P2 ribbing in the round.
Knit to length desired for arm coverage.
Knit back and forth (splitting after a K2).
Knit enough rows for thumb to fit through comfortably.
Rejoin knitting in the round.
Knit enough rows for desired finger length.
Bind off.

an italian-themed sock

2008-10-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

This week I cast on for Primavera.

Playing with Colinette Jitterbug in the Toscana colourway, that I purchased at Stitches West earlier this year and using Addi Turbos, US1.
I'm letting my finger heal from being poked by my KnitPicks circulars.

I have finally joined my last skein of the afghan - I figure as long as it's 90 degrees outside, Adrienne won't be needing the blanket finished any time soon. :-P

I have fallen in love...

with this woman's sweater.
She is from Poland and has done a beautiful job with this Drops pattern.
She used a Polish yarn called Oliwia which is 25% wool and 75% acrylic and size 4.5mm needles.

I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on that yarn - but I sure will have fun researching a substitute!

And I am having second thoughts about starting Lucetta next.

I have started thinking about doing the Cozy
(again, RIP: the first one that I washed and felted)

in my orange Norma yarn (from France) instead.

the little scarf that could

2008-10-25T12:24:00.001-07:00

my pattern (that one over there on the right -->) was born over two years ago
originally designed for a friend who was moving to france
it was withheld from the general populace due to "photo inadequacy"
and had quite a drama attached to it

it's now been set free and warmly welcomed into the open arms of Patternfish

its original pattern name has been removed to protect the innocent and its new name "says it all."

Aberdeen

2008-10-19T17:14:00.001-07:00

Knitpicks US2
Sensations Soles and More, 1 skein and a tiny bit of a second.
I am very pleased! Especially with getting the pattern to match up for each foot!
Yay! Socks and flip flops!

somebunny's going to be very happy!

2008-10-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

In our Ravelry Bunny Lover's Group we had a Bunny Swap!

Oh yes, we had fun discussing how our bunnies would travel to each other's houses if we mailed them.

This really what we meant though...

And below finished socks - merino and silk - Mmmmm.

Sensational Knitted Socks Pattern
Argosy Luxury Yarn, Hanna Sport, Latte & Roses, 2 skeins
KnitPicks US 3

leftover sock yarn bits

2008-10-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

I'm smitten with this scarf pattern

another good reason to check out
the Random Stripe Generator

I just need to knit more of the sock yarn that I have so that I can more leftover bits!

look at me, I changed my template!

2008-10-15T09:00:00.001-07:00

I was driving home last night and looking at the Saddleback Mountains and I just fell in love with them all over again.

I think living by the ocean would be nice, but there is something very grounding about being so close to parts of the earth that are so big and solid.

Searching for images of the mountains last night, I found this one.

When the wind isn't whipping through the canyon practically pushing my car off the toll road, this is a very nice place to be.

I know I haven't posted any knitting updates in awhile - we've been working hard to get our house back in order post-remodel.

I have one more skein left for the lapghan for Adrienne and I'm getting ready to turn the heel on my second Aberdeen. The first sock is so freaking cute - I can't wait for the weather to hurry up and turn cold so I can wear my socks!

I'm anxious for the lapghan to be finished - next up....Lucetta!

bad news/good news

2008-09-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

The bad news is that I won't be able to knit at work anymore.

The good news is that I start a new job on Monday!

The bad news is that I can't knit at jury duty.

The good news is that I was EXCUSED!

The bad news is that this yarn is on backorder.

The good news is that good knitting friend Joice just happened to have two skeins (Seven Dwarves) in her stash and was willing to part with them!

Feet First

2008-09-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

This is what I was talking about!

This pattern is called Aberdeen, from Berroco #275, Feet First.

I ordered mine from Patternworks!

four-day weekend

2008-09-01T09:16:00.001-07:00

I took Friday off from knitting, I mean working.

But, I haven't done much knitting.
I've done a lot of sleeping. Cleaning. Moving appliances. Eating potato chips and onion dip in bed while watching, "Shrinking the World's Heaviest Man." That was my dinner last night.

I started this project two Thursdays ago.

This is my second Tura Maeve.
They've made the pattern corrections since the first time I made it.
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport, four skeins.
Needles: Knit Picks Circular US 4.

Just finished putting the buttons on today.

I cast on for these socks yesterday, using Argosy Luxury Yarns, Hannah Sport in Latte & Roses. I tried a lace pattern, but it didn't please me. Plus the K1, P1 ribbing was loosey-goosey.

So I ripped it out and did a twisted K1, P1 and stockinette to let the beautiful yarn colors be displayed.

Ahh much better.

Here is the yarn that my sister-in-law got me for my birthday (months ago...)!

Rio de la Plata.
She also gave me a book!

While I was buying buttons for the baby dress yesterday, I HAD to wander over to the yarn section. Lookie what I founded!

I'm thinking of making a pair of socks that I can wear with flip flops - you know, the kind with the separate big toe?!

impromptu baby gift

2008-08-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

For one of Dave's co-workers.
Errr...rather for her impending bundle of joy.

Hat, socks, yarn.
US2, knitpicks 32" circular, magic loop method.

what I get paid to do

2008-08-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Get-together Cable Socks
Moda Dea Washable Wool
US 2/US 5
Very soft!

Adrienne's Lace Wrap/Afghan
...what I knit while I sit in front of the command center hotline waiting for issues to be called in.

Sure...it looks pretty nice on the outside.

But I'm having a hard time with the finish work - the bias tape and elastic look ridiculous.
I haven't touched in this in about three weeks.

another moment of weakness

2008-07-23T20:49:00.000-07:00

rowan kidsilk spray
$9.30/skein @purl soho

intended for lucetta