Finished Objects

Well, here are some pictures! This is my fake Noro Vest that I have been working on for a bit. Sorry that there is no picture of me wearing it. The one we took was distorted, we'll have to try again.


If I ever make this again, I would make the back a bit wider. I believe this one was only 70 stitches wide. And I probably would have made it just an inch or so longer. I seamed up the side about 9 inches to form the arm holes. I have worn this twice already and it fits wonderfully and is very warm.

Remember the Friday Harbro socks? Well, they are now Twin Rib from SKS book. I needed a simpiler pattern to work on. Having the vest and the sweater going at once, I needed an easy, quick project and I was struggling and not enjoying the chart. I guess it take a bit more learning to enjoy it.

Here is my top down raglan that I finished last month. After working on Rachels and making hers a bit longer, I decided I liked the way that one fit much better, so I ripped out the bottom ribbing and I knit 20 extra rows and I am now going to put the 25 rows of ribbing back on it. I am hoping that this will help with the "climbing up" this sweater was tending to do.

Here is Rachels sweater. I am almost done with the first arm and I can't wait to be done with it. I have gotten so many more ideas just from this sweater.

I have been very bad. I placed another order today with Yarn Country for more Cascade 220. Enough to use what I have in order to make 3 more sweaters.

Plus I ordered some Malabrigo in Lacy weight merino (I think that is what it is called) in Hummingbird. Mom will be gone a year next month and before she left, she had tried on my second pair of socks, made with Gyspy Girl Creations 100% Superwash Merino wool in Painted Desert by Stonebarnfibers. It was the first purchase I made of fancy hand dyed yarn and I completed them while mom was ill. She tried them on and I haven't been able to wear them or really haven't taken them out at all. They still sit in the bag I carried around with me, back and forth to the hospital and lived out of for weeks. Mom loved hummingbirds, and saw real ones at our house in WI. I am not sure what I will make with this yarn, but I figure, every year, I will choose a yarn and make something special to remember mom by.

Stash and Burn

Stash and Burn is the name of the podcasts that I have currently been listening to. Nicole and Jenny are really cute with their banter between each other. But I've been learning alot about different kinds of yarn. Also they talk alot of their projects, or rather, unfinished projects. They've also included some interviews that were very enjoyable. For someone who has never been to a fleece or fiber event, they did a great job with their descriptions of Stitches West and how hard it was for them to keep control of their buying. I could so relate.

I also like that they include web addresses for other on it. If you have a chance, go over to their website or to iTunes and look up Stash and Burn, it's really nice listening.

I am still progressing on my "noro" vest. I am hoping that once I am done it will fit properly, since I really don't have an actual pattern for it as I am knitting. It's all about learning. I have made some modifications to the pattern to fit my body.

I have stalled at the moment on my top down, just because I need to do some quick projects to have something done. I know as I knit I am finishing the top down, but it is just a longer knit.

I started using the Opal 6 ply in Owl from the Friday Harbor socks that I frogged. They are a part of my Mission Possible 08 list. I am using one of the patterns from Sensational Socks. I am doing them on size 3 two circulars, which is my preferred style for socks anymore.

I am sorry there aren't any pictures again. I have to get some taken of my current projects. That is what also makes me feel like I am making progress of the items I'm working on.

Still enjoying Ravelry alot. Come on over and check out my projects pages if you are a member, if you aren't, sign up. It's awesome!

I learned iTunes and Podcasts

It may seem silly, in this day and age to not know about such things. But as I said, I like to learn and while it can seem intimidating at times, the only way to over come it is to seek it out.

I have been hearing alot about these podcasts, and really didn't know what they were all about. So I talked with Matthew about iTunes and what that was all about. I also talked to him about iPods, because I just knew they were a small thing, like a Walkman (now is that dating myself or what?) Anyway, I don't have the money to invest in an iPod, so if I can do the same thing on my computer. That's great!

I am a very visual learner and so I figured that with the podcasts there would be video also, so this morning I have been watching "lets Knit2gether". I still have to check her website out, I've been too busy watching video and knitting.

I am so excited to learn this and to have something to listen to while I knit instead of the silence.

I don't have any pictures today, but I can say I have gone quite far on my "noro vest" and I am very pleased with the look of the Patons SWS so far.

I received my second order from yarncountry on Friday and I just love the colors of Cascade 220 that I picked out. I have to look at them again and decide what colors to use for some of the projects I have been thinking about. I know I said that I wasn't going to buy any yarn, but use what I have, but.......

More Finished Objects!

Here are the completed Campfire socks! I thought the second sock would never end. I don't know why they seemed to feel as if they took forever. I think I've decided that gift socks will have only fancy tops and stockinette feet.

They came out very nice. The end fabric feels so yummy. Rach was so happy she wore them today. I can't wait to see how they wear.

Here is my next project. It is Paton's Soy Wool Stipes in the Natural Plum Colorway. The pattern is one I got from Knitnride, she's on Ravelry. She had this pattern on her blog, using Noro, but I just couldn't afford that just yet. So when Michaels had their yarn sale, I thought I would try it using this yarn.

The directions are to CO 74, knit for 57 inches. Then for the back, pick up 82 stitches from the middle and knit 15 1/2 inches. There are no other instructions for it, but I think from the picture on her blog I should be able to duplicate it. At least, I hope so. It's all about learning!

I was bad. I have placed an order for needles from knitpicks and Ialso ordered some yarn. I went to Michaels and to ACMoore and neither store had exactly what I needed or wanted. So, they will come with free shipping sometime in the next two weeks.

Aches and Pains

Here is a snapshot of the top down raglan I am working on. Yesterday I did about 10 rows of ribbing before having Rachel try it on, and it was a bit short. So this morning I ripped back all the ribbing and have decided to do 12 more rows before beginning the ribbing.

My arms always give me trouble, so I tend to ignore them when it comes to my knitting. But as of recent is a pain in my neck that makes it nearly impossible to knit. I have been trying, over the past few days, not to put so much concentrated time into knitting and to move around more, in the hopes that this pain will go away. I don't know what I will do if it decides to stick around.

I have been holding off starting another project. I like to accomplish what I am doing. I have been looking at how many projects people have going at one time on Ravelry and I just can't understand how they get anything done. Well, really, it doesn't seem for some that they do get anything done, but for others, they have tons of stuff on their page.

I also realized this morning that it's been a year since I started to knit socks and to really take up knitting to keep myself busy in my free time. I look back and only wish that I had done it sooner in my life. But I did alot of crochet for so many years. Mostly just lap blankets and baby blankets. I enjoyed that. But now, I get to enjoy what I have made and to wear it myself every day. I just love opening my sock drawer and seeing all the lovely socks I've made this past year.

Objects in Progress

Here is the first completed Campfire Sock that I am making for Rachel. I said that this year I wanted to try new yarns and this is ONline Supersocke 100 Summer color #789 that I had in my sock stash since last years buying spree. It is a cotton/wool blend and I was a bit worried about the give it wouldn't have. But, this yarn and pattern have worked wonderfully together. The sock is very giving and very soft. We both just love the way it has come out. Even though, I must say it seems like I have been working on it forever. I cast on last week, however, I was not home the whole week, so really alot of the knitting was done over a few days, not the whole week. I will start the second sock today.


Now for some pictures of stash items that were ordered in 2007 but that didn't come until this week. Here are some lovely Cascade 220 Heathers, and one solid. I bought these for trying out hat patterns. I have several on my list and I need manly colors. The reds are not quite as pink as the picture shows. One is a brick and the other is a wine. All lovely colors. This order came from Yarncountry.com and it is my first order from them. I was so happy with it and they sent me a coupon for 10% my next order, but the deadline is today....

This yarn is the Reynolds Lite Lopi that I ordered to make the Lelah top I found a pattern for. Alot of people used this yarn for this top, however, upon receiving it, I am not sure if this is going to be an itchy top or not. But, I am willing to give it a try. New things, that what I am opening up for. New experiences with fiber.

Now, this is just wonderful and I can't wait to use it! It is Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool and I bought it for the Cozy pattern. It is the most dreamiest yarn I have seen in a long while and it is really what is tempting me to go and spend to get the 10% discount..... I have already seen several things to make with this lovely yarn.

This is the Malabrigo I ordered to make the Foliage hat. It is a bit pricey, at $10.75 a skein, but they say if you are careful you can get more than one hat out of it. So I am hoping. I believe the color way is crushed grapes. I can't wait to knit with it as if feels very soft to the touch. So many people seem to like it and love it. I just don't have the budget for it.

I am still working on my top down raglan and I am almost to the bottom ribbing. I have made this sweater a bit smaller than the last, however it is still coming out a bit big, I want a snugger sweater. I like doing top down, as I really don't like to do purl stitches as they hurt my wrists, and believe me, right now, I am having definite issues with my wrists, arms and neck!

But, I am obsessed with knitting and wanted to try new things and make new things that I almost can't stop myself.

Finished Objects

Now I have my own bag! This one is made out of the Araucania Nature Wool chunky, just like I made for Rose. I modified the pattern somewhat to make the bottom larger and the height a bit taller. I plan to use it as my travel bag.

In this picture you can see how nice the colors are done and that it looks almost like I used three different shades of blue, but I didn't. It was the same blue, number 103, but it seems this yarn does not have actual dye lots. I guess thats what causes the variations in color. I like it.
Here are my Cape May, Plain Vanilla Socks! I haven't worked on them since before thanksgiving, I think. I had one sock done up to the heel flap. I completed that sock on Saturday and began sock two on Sunday and completed it Sunday night. My shoulders are killing me for it, but i just wanted to get them done! I certainly learned something with these socks though. Take better notes. I put these down and somehow either I lost my pattern notes to myself or I didn't write any.... and I think that the heels on them are just a touch different inn the amount of stitches used. But, thats okay. I consider it something learned and they are socks for me.
This is how far I am on my Top Down Raglan out of Moda Dea Visions in Forest colorway. The picture does not due the color justice, I took it in the light of the room, no sunshine yet this morning.

You can see the neckline that I chose to try with this one. A smaller height in collar but a longer depth in the V neck. I really like this yarn, but I haven't washed it yet to see what the after sweater will look like. No, I don't plan to felt it, just want to see how it looks after washing.

On Ravelry, I finally joined a list! I joined "Mission Possible 2008" You had to list 12 things that you needed/would get done in 2008 and if you don't get them done you either have to donate them, or burn them and make a video of it for YouTube. You are supposed to do UFO's that you have, or only use yarn that is in your stash. I thought this would be a great list for me to keep me accountable for some of the things I want to get done this year. I can already check one off, my Cape May socks!

I try not to have too many things going at once as I like the sense of accomplishment of finishing. It helps to keep me going. Though I LOVE to look at all the patterns and yarns and dream!

Bags, I-Cord, and Felting, Oh My!!

Well Booga Bag has struck! I was trying to figure out what to make for Rose and the girls for christmas (of course only about three days before) and I happened upon this pattern on Ravelry and thought I would give it a try. Have I learned alot! This bag is done out of Patons Classic wool and I made it for Samantha. It will be a nice size for her with shorter handles. I used the yarn doubled through out for this bag. As you can see it did felt, but all the stitch definition did not go away. but I am happy with it for a first try.

This one is actually my fourth bag, done for Rachel. We went to Michael's the day after christmas and I wanted to try the Patons SWS yarn. She chose the colorway and I made this one for her. I am still, even four bags later, trying to get this felting thing right. Part of my problem is I have a front loader. I have begun the felting process with boiling water in the kitchen sink and that seems to help some. I hope to be able to line this bag for her to give it a bit more structure. I did cut a piece of plastic canvas for the bottom to give it some definition.
This is prefelted for Rose. It is made from some Araucania Nature Wool Chunky that I picked up at AC Moore that was on clearance. Still not cheap, but a much more affordable price. I really like the way this one came out. If used just about all of three skeins and this line does not have dye lots, so even though the label said the same color, it ended up with a lighter stripe in the middle. I have to take an after picture of it so you can see how nice it came out.

This is the one I made for Amanda, prefelted. I did this double stranded and I also added a few stitches to the bottom and went a few rows further. I also made the I-Cord handle a bit longer. She is a young teen and I am sure she will be wanted to put lots of "stuff" in here.

Learning to do the I-Cord was easy. Watched a video on knittinghelp.com. I just love that website. I am a sight learner for the most part. The thing with i-cord is, I don't have double pointeds in a size 10 or 10.5 so I had to use my circulars to do them. Which, really wasn't bad, but it was such a time user. Plus, being new to it, I was very slow with the first 2 and a half and they seemed to take all day! But, I don't mind doing them now.

The New year has arrived and I have been thinking for days on to what to do. I don't usually do resolutions. I pick things that I want to do and then I do them. Last year, it was to learn how to knit socks. And I am so glad I did! But I've been learning so much more than just socks that I haven't knitted a pair since Edward's went off the needles.

I have done a few things towards making a list of things I'd like to make this year. And after I chose them, I went shopping on line for wool that I have never used before so as to expand my horizons. So I guess that is one new thing to add. Try new yarns throughout the year.

I also went through my queue in my notebook at Ravelry and printed off those things that I ordered the yarn for so that I would have the patterns handy when the yarn arrives. This way it will help me to be more organized and the yarn won't get appropriated to another project.

Would I say that I am going on a yarn diet? Knitting only from my stash? Well, yes, and no. I did order the above yarn before the end of the year, with christmas and birthday money, and I did have a project in mind. Several. Will I buy any more yarn for a while? Probably not, unless there is something that I really HAVE to make and I don't have some yarn already. As for knitting from my stash, I have TONS of socks yarn right now and I really need to just get making some for me as well as for others. Share the joy! Right?! However, I only have colored sock yarn and some people I would love to make a pair for are not colored yarn people. So, if I really, truly need to order, it can only be a solid color.

How long do I plan to keep this up? Well, I'm not really sure. But for now, I will say for three months. From now until April 1st I will not purchase any impulse yarn. The only yarn I will purchase has to have a specific purpose, such as a gift for someone.

Something else that I have also decided to do is to update this blog every Monday. It seems to be the only day of the week where I know that I am going to be at home. I like the idea of having a blog and recording the things I learn and make, even though no one actually reads it yet, but me. If there is someone reading, please say hi!

Currently on my needles are a top down raglan sweater made from Moda Dea Visions. This one is in the Forest colorway and I have made the v-neck of this sweater longer than the previous one. I have just cast off the arms and I am working on the body now. I love how it is coming out and I can't wait for it to be finished. I have been wearing and enjoying the other one I made from this yarn and I will probably purchase more of this yarn for other projects. (Though I haven't washed it yet)

Well, I am going to close here. I am so glad to have gotten this much accomplished and I will write again on Monday.