knit what? purl who?tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2008://12008-01-13T16:32:27Za self-taught knitting disaster and her yarn eating dogsMovable Type 3.34Looks like I took a little breaktag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2008://1.232008-01-13T16:30:32Z2008-01-13T16:32:27ZI wasn't planning on it. Oh, well. Lemme find some knitting pictures and maybe I'll post em!...
I wasn't planning on it. Oh, well. Lemme find some knitting pictures and maybe I'll post em!
at long lasttag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.222007-08-05T00:34:47Z2007-08-05T00:59:56ZWithout further delay... A brown sweater. Pattern: my own, using Elizabeth Zimmermann's percentage system. Yarn: Cascade 220, some heathery brown color Needles: US 8 Knitpicks Circulars Here is a poor picture of somebody wearing it. Despite loathing any picture that...
A brown sweater.
Pattern: my own, using Elizabeth Zimmermann's percentage system.
Yarn: Cascade 220, some heathery brown color
Needles: US 8 Knitpicks Circulars
Here is a poor picture of somebody wearing it.
Despite loathing any picture that contains myself, I love this sweater and wear it all the time. Cascade 220 is surprisingly softer than you might think, and is affordable. I plan on making some basic turtlenecks for the fall from it this year.
My mom's sweater is back from the seamstress, but I got bored in the three weeks it took her, so I had to start some new things. I've started Orangina, and Flicca. My friend from work and I are having a mini Flicca-Along (it's just the two of us), using Rowan Yorkshire Tweed. The pattern calls for a chunky weight yarn, I'm using an aran weight and I've already had to rip it out beacuse I was afraid it wouldn't be wide enough across the shoulders. It's already long enough for a dog to sleep under...
and on top of...
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An elephanttag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.212007-07-15T20:08:44Z2007-07-15T20:32:10ZTo prove that I actually do accomplish things... Pattern: jumbo elephant from Knitted Toys Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, I forget the color, but it's bright yellow. Needles: US 2 straights Modifications: Used smaller needles (pattern called for US 3),...
Pattern: jumbo elephant from Knitted Toys
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, I forget the color, but it's bright yellow.
Needles: US 2 straights
Modifications: Used smaller needles (pattern called for US 3), put a couple of jingle balls inside. I used fabric instead of felt for the ears, I put a piece of card inside them, and a little bit of fluff so they would be soft, but keep their shape withiout getting too puffy. I didn't use buttons for eyes like the pattern says (for a baby?, get real.) I just used regular yarn, doubled it, made a colonial knot and stitched that down. Hopefully the baby can't eat it.
I love this book. I think the pattens are adorable. Cotton fleece is yuck, in my opinion, to work with, but it makes a good knitted toy, and should clean up well.
Here's a side shot.
Here it is hanging out with a knitted babe.
That knitted babe was the project that got me re-obesessed with knitting. About two years ago, a co-worker showed up at work with that book, and a few of us decided to make one, just for fun. As you can see, it's bright pink, and has no clothes, except for some strategically placed iron-on flowers. It's also propped up against a can of baked beans in this picture. Oh, well. Here's where it usually lives.
Riding bareback on the duck decoy. Sheesh.]]>
today's project...tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.202007-07-08T23:37:31Z2007-07-09T00:00:51Z Some stitch markers with no dang dangle. I'll admit to having lost most of my little plastic ones in couch cushions and dog bellies. The red sweater for my mother is at the seamstress (otherwise known as my friend...
Some stitch markers with no dang dangle. I'll admit to having lost most of my little plastic ones in couch cushions and dog bellies.
The red sweater for my mother is at the seamstress (otherwise known as my friend Tina with the working sewing machine who is capable of sewing in a straight line.) being prepared for the big steek. I used a crochet steek for my wool sweaters, but since this one is cotton/silk, I figured I'd better machine steek it.
It's been really hot this week (like 106 degrees) and it's wildfire city around here, not the right setting for a picture of the brown sweater. Someday, people (Secretly, I'm hoping to be a size 4 before I take the picture. It could happen).
I've started over with the purple yarn that was to be for the jacket worked in rounds. I think I may have to rip it out again. It fits, but isn't the fit I really wanted, and to be honest, I'm feeling a little schizophrenic about what I want it to look like in the first place. There is a pattern in the Rebecca magazine that might be the thing, but I CAN"T FIND THE MAGAZINE! My significant other works nights (and , duh, sleeps all day) so I can't go on a giant cursing, screaming, rip the house apart rampage like I really want. And I still have to find the right thing for my lovely Malabrigo. The Mystery Stole is working out all right, I'm finished with the first clue. If my printer had ink in it I would have printed out the second clue and statered working on it and would have just bought some more plastic stitch markers. Instead, I am making a hundred little stitch markers (which are totally cuter than the plastic kind) and brooding over the purple sweater and the missing Rebecca magazine. And the dogs are pouting because they want to go for a W-A-L-K. What a weekend.]]>
A little breaktag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.192007-06-25T04:34:26Z2007-06-25T05:19:27ZIt's been a while since I've posted anything, and while I'd like to say it's because things have been crazy, it's mostly because I've been lazy. I still haven't taken a picture of the brown sweater, but I'm wearing it...
de-li-cious yarn to make the Jacket Worked in Rounds. I flew through it, and had about six inches of the second sleeve left and I ripped it out. I tried it on, and while the yarn is soft and wonderful and great to work with it wasn't a very flattering look on me. So, I started something else, we'll see how that goes. This stuff is so soft, even if I have to rip it out and start again I won't mind. I've also acquired about a sweater's worth of Malabrigo in the butter colorway. I've got a pattern in mind for that, too, but you know how plans can change.
While I was visiting my parents in South Carolina, I took my mother, who does not knit, to her LYS so that she could pick some yarn for a sweater for herself. Hooray for her, she picked some Rowan Summer Tweed in a red color. It's my own design, which means a lot of ripping, but it's going well. I will confess that, while very atteractive, this yarn is a little hard on the hands.
Sounds like the sockapalooza people are all way ahead of me, I finally decided on a pattern, and I'll tell you if you promise not to laugh. My sock pal mentioned that she's not into really lacy patterns, and she lives in Minnesota. In an attempt to be different, I decided on the cabled footies in the One Skein book. They'll be nice and warm in a worsted weight for those Midwest winters. Hopefully that's not too lame. For some reason, I feel like they need to be orange, so I am on the hunt for some orange yarn that's not ugly. The good news is that they won't take very long to knit.
I've also joined the mystery stole knitalong. I got some yarn, I can't remember what it is off the top of my head and I'm too lazy to get up and look. Now, I don't knit lace, and she specifically said that this pattern isn't for beginners, but somethimes I like to pretend I'm a superhero.
I also really want to make something from hemp this summer.
In keeping with my laziness you'll notice I haven't included any pictures. I promise I'll take one of the brown sweater soon!]]>
Miss Mabeltag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.182007-05-14T00:41:59Z2007-05-14T01:17:05ZThe brown sweater is blocking on the office floor. I really wish my camera was here because the sweater is looking pretty sticking good, if I do say so myself. I even nade a trip to the sleazy local JoAnn...
The pattern is Mabel from Berroco pattern booklet #261. Now, my thighs are not quite as small as the model's, but my dogs are definately cuter, so I feel ok about that. I'm debating on how flattering this would be on a size 8 someone.
I'm going to see my parents in June. I attempted to make a throw for my father for Christmas last year. I almost finished, but not quite, and I had to take it back home with me. It's basically just sat here, waiting for me to finish it. Now, I will brag just a little and say that my knitting skills have been improving very quickly over that past 6 months or so. I don't even want to look at the thing, it's full of mistakes I know how to fix now, but didn't then. I was trying to be economical, and my mother hates wool, so I bought some inexpensive acrylic, that has been looking worse and worse just sitting there. I don't even want to think about what it would look like after washing it. Problem is, I think my dad secretly really wants it. But I cringe whenever I touch it. I was looking at patterns the other day and found this:
The pattern is from Knitpicks, and it is made using Crayon which is 100% cotton. It's made in squares, so it would be nice and portable, and the squares are knitted together, so I wouldn't have to sew. The color pattern was apparently a free-form thing, and that is the problem. I can't have blocks that don't look exactly the same, I'm way too uptight, and I'm trying to figure out a way to make them all identical before I go ordering any yarn. I'm undecided, which is never good because I need a new project now!]]>
cameras get a vacation, but I don't...tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.172007-05-09T20:27:42Z2007-05-09T20:53:17ZWell, my camera has gone on vacation again. Again, sadly, I can not go with it. Too bad, too, because the brown sweater that was only about an inch long in my last post has grown a couple arms, and...
Aahhh... the Jacket Worked in Rounds from Rebecca No. 32. Worked in rounds sounds like an idea I can get behind. Minimal sewing. Here it is in the window of Loop:
and its sister:
Makes me wish it wasn't MAY. Maybe if I turn the AC up real high...
Stay tuned for more future project wannabe and adorable dog pictures whilst the camera enjoys his trip to Iowa!]]>
Oh no she didn'ttag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.152007-05-01T02:00:11Z2007-05-01T02:31:12ZYeah, I did. Cast on for another EZ cardigan, that is. Long sleeve this time, and a couple other changes. Wait, who's the little fella in the backround looking for attention? Well, I'll be damned! It's a sock! I was...
Wait, who's the little fella in the backround looking for attention?
Well, I'll be damned! It's a sock! I was briefly distracted by something green, but I'm over it now and I finished this sock. I'll need to make a little buddy for it soon.
I have a little problem. Well, it's not really a problem, but one of my good friends is graduating from medical school which, I've heard, is kind of a big deal. (Those of us 26 year olds that drive ninety minutes each way over a mountain pass EVERY DAY retaking freshman college classes just to get into dental school wouldn't know anything about that, dammit. My nursing degree counts very little in the way of dental prerequisites, don't you know.) In any case, I'd like to come up with a simple gift to make for her, but I don't have any ideas, and she can't have my sweater. She's starting her residency in Washington D.C. (about as far away from Washington state as you can get, right next door to my parents in South Carolina.) so there will be cold weather for knitted items.
Any ideas?
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EZ, it is izitag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.142007-04-29T19:02:06Z2007-04-29T19:58:06ZMy chemistry professor is from Poland, and apparently, izi is Polish for easy. At least I hope so, he puts it at the end of half his slides. Anyway, there was a lot more izi in this sweater than on...
Pattern: I used EZ's percentage system and raglan shoulder decrease from Knitting without Tears. I used Eunny's crocheted steek tutorial, and I was inspired to start the thing after I saw Brooklyn Tweed's Saddle Shoulder Aran
Yarn: Cascade 220 Quatro 5019 stolen from the Kenobi Jacket (sorry, pal)
Needles: US 8 circulars from my Knitpicks Options set
A lot of firsts in this project: First sweater without a real pattern (second sweater ever), first attempt at steeking, and should I give away my ignorance/laziness and confess this is the first project I've blocked? Heh, heh. I forced myself to do it this time:
Note the dog head in the bottom corner.
This project was really fun and fast. In fact, I'm planning another long sleeve in brown, probably with Cascade 220 again, which fits into my budget, especially if I have no pattern and I'm going to cut the thing. Cardigans are great to throw on and I'll wear it through the summer beacuse it get's cold in the evenings in Washington state, even in the summer time.
Overall, I'm really happy with how this turned out. Next time, I'll be sure to use a smaller crochet hook, the steek was a little lumpy before blocking. I couldn't find a smaller one, and I was too impatient to actually go get a new one. I still haven't put in any button holes (I showed this to someone and they asked me if I knew how to make buttonholes "Please, woman! You obviously haven't done your reading.") I want to try EZ's afterthought buttonhole.
Finished sweater: Hooray!]]>
morning breathtag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.132007-04-27T14:35:02Z2007-04-27T14:37:45ZAnyone seen my toothbrush? I can't seem to find the damn thing. Oh yeah, and there's something green blocking on my office floor......
Anyone seen my toothbrush? I can't seem to find the damn thing. Oh yeah, and there's something green blocking on my office floor...
I steeeeeeeeked it!tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.122007-04-23T14:30:06Z2007-04-23T14:43:06ZWell, I'd hoped to have ol' greenie done this weekend. I knitted the shit out of the thing on Saturday, and by Sunday, I was tired and had homework to do. Anyway, lookit: The blue lines are single crochet (a...
The blue lines are single crochet (a la brooklyn tweed and eunny) Have I done this before? Nope. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Take a deep breath and here goes...
My hand's not really pink.
A cardigan! Hooray! It hasn't fallen apart yet either. Stay tuned for finished object!
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hello... what's this?tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.112007-04-21T17:51:10Z2007-04-21T18:09:40Z My camera (unfortunately not myself) went on vacation, and I have been busy with jobs and classes, but here's the short version of the story: I finally checked Knitting Without Tears out form the library. There's really no need...
My camera (unfortunately not myself) went on vacation, and I have been busy with jobs and classes, but here's the short version of the story:
I finally checked Knitting Without Tears out form the library. There's really no need to explain any more than that, is there? I was immediately inspired, so I "borrowed" some yarn from the Kenobi sweater and got to work. I'm not going to say what my finished plan is, maybe because I don't know yet. Or maybe I do. I love this because it's knitting up really fast, and there will be minimal finishing. There's no need for me to go on and on about all the great ideas and advice in this book. (And I probaly shouldn't mention that I went ahead and bought all her boooks, including this one.) I also want to say that Knitpicks Options are (great birthday gifts- thanks Josie!) the perfect needles for a sweater in the round.
Well, time for a dog walk. Here's a picture of Pirate Bob and his new peg leg:
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sock-a-holictag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.102007-04-08T18:15:15Z2007-04-08T19:09:07ZFinally! Elizabeth will get a birthday gift (only a month and a half late), and I have finished my first pair of socks! Pattern: Beginner's Lightweight Socks from Knitting Pure and Simple Yarn: Tofutsies Sock Yarn color 718 Needles: 4...
Pattern: Beginner's Lightweight Socks from Knitting Pure and Simple
Yarn: Tofutsies Sock Yarn color 718
Needles: 4 Lantern Moon Rosewood dpn's size 1 on the first sock, 5 replacement Lantern Moon Blonde dpn's size 1 on the second sock.
Here's a close up of the color pattern:
I suppose I could have blocked them before I took a picture, but too bad. Since Elizabeth doesn't read this I can say I'm glad she expressed an interest in these, because the color is a little too Easter egg (I know I said I was turning over a new leaf with this sock thing and was going to stop being so picky, but still...). I will also say that I only want to use Lantern Moon dpn's from now on until forever. I have a small collection of bamboo dpn's from Empress, which I like a lot better than Clovers, and Empress dpn's are like $6.00 a set. I don't know if I'll ever be able to use them again, the Lantern Moons were definitely superior. There's something about using beautiful, spendy needles that makes a project seem special, even if it's just a pair of socks that look like they were thrown up by the Easter Bunny.
Since I am dontating the Easter vomit socks to Elizabeth (I actually do like them, despite their looking like vomit), I started a pair for myself. As with most things, I am loving the colors right now:
Strange how this color (728) stripes while the other blew chunks in a spiral pattern (honestly, I like them). You can see the colors better in the ball than in the sock, I think I'm eclipsing the light. Interestingly enough, when I originally took a poll at the yarn store between these two colors, everyone voted for the vomit because it was 'more colorful'. All right.
Either way, I'm glad to finally have something knitted to give to Elizabeth, it gives me more opportunities to give dirty looks to the half finished pile of mitten in the yarn basket. Sadly, I know a little someone who will be sorry to see the socks go:
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a swatch to keep my feet warm... BRILLIANT!tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.92007-04-05T03:17:47Z2007-04-05T03:40:18ZA completed swatch: I've decided this project may have to be donated to Miss Elizabeth. It's only fair since her mittens are still, at this point, mitten. She mentioned that she wanted "someone" to knit her some socks (actually, she...
I've decided this project may have to be donated to Miss Elizabeth. It's only fair since her mittens are still, at this point, mitten. She mentioned that she wanted "someone" to knit her some socks (actually, she probably meant her mother, who finishes gifts) and she liked the colors in this yarn. I'm actually enjoying this pattern, and it might even get finished. To resist the temptation of keeping them for myself, I made them 1/4 inch shorter than they should be for my size. I'm hoping that makes up for the fact that she wears a half size smaller shoe than I do.
Did you notice anything sad about the picture above? Like the broken rosewood dpn? I'd like to pay a compliment to my LYS. I went in the other day (to get some more sock yarn for moi) and mentioned the broken needle, Judith got right on the horn with Lantern Moon, and I walked out with a brand new set of replacements. Pretty slick. I guess I'd also like to pay a compliment to Lantern Moon for standing behind their needles (cause they ain't cheap), although I emailed them before I went to the yarn store, and I haven't heard back. I'm just a little sad that they don't have any more rosewood, my replacements are blonde.
Good news on the Twinkle front. The lovely Miss Anja (my friend who looks just like the model in the book) has expressed some desire for the Karate Sweater, and it is definately more her style than mine. I just couldn't bring myself to rip it out. I think I might have enough yarn left over for the Best Friend Sweater. I was a little harsh on Twinkle in one of my previous posts. I'm not mad at her, I'm mad at myself (I should have gone for the Rockefeller the first time, I think). I am willing to try to rekindle our love affair via the Best Friend (minus the bobbles- they look too much like teats for my taste). Will our love last? Only time will tell...]]>
wake up and smell the socks (aka: sock-a-doodle-doo)tag:www.knitwhatpurlwho.com,2007://1.72007-03-31T21:04:49Z2007-03-31T22:17:32ZI'll admit it. I read a lot of knitting blogs. There seems to be a common theme. If you're thinking 'cats', you're right, but that's not what I'm talking about. Socks. I'll admit it. I never wanted to knit socks....
TOFUtsies yarn every month? I should buy a 'sample' ball now, you know, for research. You think I'll probably use size 1's for most of the projects. Hmmm... maybe you should throw a set of Lantern Moon dpn's in my bag, too, beacuse rosewood needles will definitely keep me excited about socks. I should sit down and have a cookie and knit a little right now? Okay!
I'm now a proud member of the sock club, which starts in June. So I figure I need to make a practice pair before June, and I should probably make a swatch right away to see if I like the yarn.
So the, uh, swatch looks pretty good. I think it'll be pretty good. Actually, the color is a little more Easter-egg than I would prefer (here I go again...), but I took a poll at the yarn store and this was the winner (it was between color 718 and 728).
Then there was this little issue about whether or not I should wind it. This one customer thought it was terrible that I would even THINK about winding it and don't even get her started about pulling form the center. You know, she's probably a lot smarter than me, and she's probably right.
Oh well...
People who know me well (and let's face it, they're the only ones who read this) won't be suprised at my total disregard for her 'advice'. I know I shouldn't be so stubborn, but she was kind of obnoxious about it, so I didn't bother to ask her why she thinks it's better to do it her way. I like to wind them. They're pretty that way. I like to know if I'm going to get ten yards into it and there's a big knot and it turn's out there's two pieces (which, by the way, there was). I like to know if there's a really ugly color right at the almost very beginning of some self striping mitten yarn that's going to end up as the cuff and look awful (again, from experience). Plus I like how they look like beehives when you're partly through.
So anyway, I said I would take pictures of the convertible mittens. I'm partially keeping my word.
Here is a picture of the convertible mitten. As in there's still only one. I surrender- I'm a bad gift giver. Hopefully they'll be done this weekend.]]>
A brown sweater.
Pattern: my own, using Elizabeth Zimmermann's percentage system.
Yarn: Cascade 220, some heathery brown color
Needles: US 8 Knitpicks Circulars
Here is a poor picture of somebody wearing it.
Despite loathing any picture that contains myself, I love this sweater and wear it all the time. Cascade 220 is surprisingly softer than you might think, and is affordable. I plan on making some basic turtlenecks for the fall from it this year.
My mom's sweater is back from the seamstress, but I got bored in the three weeks it took her, so I had to start some new things. I've started Orangina, and Flicca. My friend from work and I are having a mini Flicca-Along (it's just the two of us), using Rowan Yorkshire Tweed. The pattern calls for a chunky weight yarn, I'm using an aran weight and I've already had to rip it out beacuse I was afraid it wouldn't be wide enough across the shoulders. It's already long enough for a dog to sleep under...
and on top of...
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Pattern: jumbo elephant from Knitted Toys
Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, I forget the color, but it's bright yellow.
Needles: US 2 straights
Modifications: Used smaller needles (pattern called for US 3), put a couple of jingle balls inside. I used fabric instead of felt for the ears, I put a piece of card inside them, and a little bit of fluff so they would be soft, but keep their shape withiout getting too puffy. I didn't use buttons for eyes like the pattern says (for a baby?, get real.) I just used regular yarn, doubled it, made a colonial knot and stitched that down. Hopefully the baby can't eat it.
I love this book. I think the pattens are adorable. Cotton fleece is yuck, in my opinion, to work with, but it makes a good knitted toy, and should clean up well.
Here's a side shot.
Some stitch markers with no dang dangle. I'll admit to having lost most of my little plastic ones in couch cushions and dog bellies.
The red sweater for my mother is at the seamstress (otherwise known as my friend Tina with the working sewing machine who is capable of sewing in a straight line.) being prepared for the big steek. I used a crochet steek for my wool sweaters, but since this one is cotton/silk, I figured I'd better machine steek it.
It's been really hot this week (like 106 degrees) and it's wildfire city around here, not the right setting for a picture of the brown sweater. Someday, people (Secretly, I'm hoping to be a size 4 before I take the picture. It could happen).
I've started over with the purple yarn that was to be for the jacket worked in rounds. I think I may have to rip it out again. It fits, but isn't the fit I really wanted, and to be honest, I'm feeling a little schizophrenic about what I want it to look like in the first place. There is a pattern in the Rebecca magazine that might be the thing, but I CAN"T FIND THE MAGAZINE! My significant other works nights (and , duh, sleeps all day) so I can't go on a giant cursing, screaming, rip the house apart rampage like I really want. And I still have to find the right thing for my lovely Malabrigo. The Mystery Stole is working out all right, I'm finished with the first clue. If my printer had ink in it I would have printed out the second clue and statered working on it and would have just bought some more plastic stitch markers. Instead, I am making a hundred little stitch markers (which are totally cuter than the plastic kind) and brooding over the purple sweater and the missing Rebecca magazine. And the dogs are pouting because they want to go for a W-A-L-K. What a weekend.]]>
The pattern is Mabel from Berroco pattern booklet #261. Now, my thighs are not quite as small as the model's, but my dogs are definately cuter, so I feel ok about that. I'm debating on how flattering this would be on a size 8 someone.
I'm going to see my parents in June. I attempted to make a throw for my father for Christmas last year. I almost finished, but not quite, and I had to take it back home with me. It's basically just sat here, waiting for me to finish it. Now, I will brag just a little and say that my knitting skills have been improving very quickly over that past 6 months or so. I don't even want to look at the thing, it's full of mistakes I know how to fix now, but didn't then. I was trying to be economical, and my mother hates wool, so I bought some inexpensive acrylic, that has been looking worse and worse just sitting there. I don't even want to think about what it would look like after washing it. Problem is, I think my dad secretly really wants it. But I cringe whenever I touch it. I was looking at patterns the other day and found this:
Aahhh... the Jacket Worked in Rounds from Rebecca No. 32. Worked in rounds sounds like an idea I can get behind. Minimal sewing. Here it is in the window of Loop:
Wait, who's the little fella in the backround looking for attention?
Pattern: I used EZ's percentage system and raglan shoulder decrease from Knitting without Tears. I used Eunny's crocheted steek tutorial, and I was inspired to start the thing after I saw Brooklyn Tweed's Saddle Shoulder Aran
Yarn: Cascade 220 Quatro 5019 stolen from the Kenobi Jacket (sorry, pal)
Needles: US 8 circulars from my Knitpicks Options set
A lot of firsts in this project: First sweater without a real pattern (second sweater ever), first attempt at steeking, and should I give away my ignorance/laziness and confess this is the first project I've blocked? Heh, heh. I forced myself to do it this time:
The blue lines are single crochet (a la brooklyn tweed and eunny) Have I done this before? Nope. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Take a deep breath and here goes...
My camera (unfortunately not myself) went on vacation, and I have been busy with jobs and classes, but here's the short version of the story:
I finally checked Knitting Without Tears out form the library. There's really no need to explain any more than that, is there? I was immediately inspired, so I "borrowed" some yarn from the Kenobi sweater and got to work. I'm not going to say what my finished plan is, maybe because I don't know yet. Or maybe I do. I love this because it's knitting up really fast, and there will be minimal finishing. There's no need for me to go on and on about all the great ideas and advice in this book. (And I probaly shouldn't mention that I went ahead and bought all her boooks, including this one.) I also want to say that Knitpicks Options are (great birthday gifts- thanks Josie!) the perfect needles for a sweater in the round.
Well, time for a dog walk. Here's a picture of Pirate Bob and his new peg leg:
Pattern: Beginner's Lightweight Socks from Knitting Pure and Simple
Yarn: Tofutsies Sock Yarn color 718
Needles: 4 Lantern Moon Rosewood dpn's size 1 on the first sock, 5 replacement Lantern Moon Blonde dpn's size 1 on the second sock.
Here's a close up of the color pattern:
I've decided this project may have to be donated to Miss Elizabeth. It's only fair since her mittens are still, at this point, mitten. She mentioned that she wanted "someone" to knit her some socks (actually, she probably meant her mother, who finishes gifts) and she liked the colors in this yarn. I'm actually enjoying this pattern, and it might even get finished. To resist the temptation of keeping them for myself, I made them 1/4 inch shorter than they should be for my size. I'm hoping that makes up for the fact that she wears a half size smaller shoe than I do.
Did you notice anything sad about the picture above? Like the broken rosewood dpn? I'd like to pay a compliment to my LYS. I went in the other day (to get some more sock yarn for moi) and mentioned the broken needle, Judith got right on the horn with Lantern Moon, and I walked out with a brand new set of replacements. Pretty slick. I guess I'd also like to pay a compliment to Lantern Moon for standing behind their needles (cause they ain't cheap), although I emailed them before I went to the yarn store, and I haven't heard back. I'm just a little sad that they don't have any more rosewood, my replacements are blonde.
Good news on the Twinkle front. The lovely Miss Anja (my friend who looks just like the model in the book) has expressed some desire for the Karate Sweater, and it is definately more her style than mine. I just couldn't bring myself to rip it out. I think I might have enough yarn left over for the Best Friend Sweater. I was a little harsh on Twinkle in one of my previous posts. I'm not mad at her, I'm mad at myself (I should have gone for the Rockefeller the first time, I think). I am willing to try to rekindle our love affair via the Best Friend (minus the bobbles- they look too much like teats for my taste). Will our love last? Only time will tell...]]>
