Whew. What a couple of weeks it's been! First off, we've moved. Moved to bigger place in an older building. Our first apartment with a kitchen large enough for a table, it's own washer and dryer, and two floors. We also have a guest room, which we are referring to as the play room. Because it will hold our games, toys, and hobbies. YARN ROOM! YARN ROOM!
After three days of hauling furniture (including a one day trip to ikea), I jumped on a shuttle to the airport where I hopped on a plane to San Diego where I boarded a shuttle to my hotel room where I dragged myself into the room and ordered room service. I watched the sunset over the Pacific and then some tv, then got up in the morning, gave a conference presentation and then traveled home. In and out.
Wednesday was back to work. Except I didn't stay at work because I caught the flu. What flu, I don't know. All I know is that I was running a temperature of 100-101 degrees and felt like death. My fever broke this morning and I feel awesome! Still not able to do much without being winded and I'm hounded by this horrible hacking cough, but I don't need to nap every moment of the day and I can imagine doing things.
Long story short, not much knitting been happening 'round here.
So far I've adhered to my "finish what's started before starting something new" goal. I've knit a bit on each of the four active projects, with the focus being on the cardigan. The socks are closest to completion - I could probably finish them in 2 hours work.
Since we're certainly not headed out tonight, I will have the chance, and the energy to get a little knitting done. Stay safe tonight everyone!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
FO: Damson Shoulder Shawlette
I finished my Damson Shawl, a pattern from Ysolda. I began knitting it while finishing up my Diamonds and Triangles stole. I had seen Veronica's finished Damson on Ravelry and lurved it. I figured it might be just the thing for the Trekking Hand Art (color 503!) that I had been hoarding.
So Damson became my mindless knitting relief. And now it's finished and off the blocking board and onto my shoulders.
It took almost exactly the full hank of Trekking - I don't think I could have knit another full row with the tiny bit I have left over. I love when that happens, but it's nerve wracking. I was mentally going over my sock yarn scraps for a possible match at the end there.
While I loved this yarn in the hank, I'm not 100% in love with how it pools as it knits. I think it would have been better in socks. But since this is a scarf, I can handle the pooling. All in all, I think variegated yarn in scarves is best in a Montego Bay type pattern.
Blocking was interesting. I wasn't really sure what shape the shawl wanted to be, so I kind of felt like I was forcing it into this shape. I think I achieved more or less what the shawl wanted to be.
Although it was a very simple shawl overall, and easy to knit, I learned something new! The loops at the edge have an unusual construction. I had assumed, from looking at pictures, that it was a crocheted bind of, but no... far more interesting than that.
Now that this is off the needles, I only have four projects on the needles, three of which are active. I'm knitting the Amelia Cardigan lightly modified, the Laminaria shawl, a pair of stockinette socks, and the lap blanket my mom started some time ago. I have this crazy idea. The idea is to finish all four of these projects before beginning a new one.
This idea may be impractical - I do have some air travel at the end of the month, and I usually like to bring a pair of socks in addition to a lace piece. So there may be another sock cast on before I finish everything. But then I would finish those supposed socks before starting new projects. I don't recall a time while I've been knitting when I didn't have something in the works. Should be interesting...
So Damson became my mindless knitting relief. And now it's finished and off the blocking board and onto my shoulders.
It took almost exactly the full hank of Trekking - I don't think I could have knit another full row with the tiny bit I have left over. I love when that happens, but it's nerve wracking. I was mentally going over my sock yarn scraps for a possible match at the end there.
While I loved this yarn in the hank, I'm not 100% in love with how it pools as it knits. I think it would have been better in socks. But since this is a scarf, I can handle the pooling. All in all, I think variegated yarn in scarves is best in a Montego Bay type pattern.
Blocking was interesting. I wasn't really sure what shape the shawl wanted to be, so I kind of felt like I was forcing it into this shape. I think I achieved more or less what the shawl wanted to be.
Although it was a very simple shawl overall, and easy to knit, I learned something new! The loops at the edge have an unusual construction. I had assumed, from looking at pictures, that it was a crocheted bind of, but no... far more interesting than that.
Now that this is off the needles, I only have four projects on the needles, three of which are active. I'm knitting the Amelia Cardigan lightly modified, the Laminaria shawl, a pair of stockinette socks, and the lap blanket my mom started some time ago. I have this crazy idea. The idea is to finish all four of these projects before beginning a new one.
This idea may be impractical - I do have some air travel at the end of the month, and I usually like to bring a pair of socks in addition to a lace piece. So there may be another sock cast on before I finish everything. But then I would finish those supposed socks before starting new projects. I don't recall a time while I've been knitting when I didn't have something in the works. Should be interesting...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Moving sale
Are you on Ravelry? Would you like to buy some yarn? Then check out my Ravelry destash page.
I'm letting go of my Denise needle set, my CTH Suri alpaca laceweight, some Cascade Eco+, and more.
I'm letting go of my Denise needle set, my CTH Suri alpaca laceweight, some Cascade Eco+, and more.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Hat Attack!
Finished object!
Pattern: Quincy by Jared Flood
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 8 ply
Needles: Knitpicks options size 10.5
The weather turned cold here and I was struck by the urge to whip up a hat. It took me two evenings in front of the teevee to knit it up.
You know, I was really skeptical initially about using a size 10.5. But I think what happened is that I work so frequently with such lightweight yarn and wee needles that bulky yarn seemed small and the 10.5s seemed enormous. But it worked out, just about perfect. Even though I didn't swatch. Because it's a hat. Fate was on my side... this time.
The pattern is excellent. The construction is clever. You knit a strip in garter with built in i-cord edges, graft it together as a mobiusm then pick up stitches from the i-cord edging and decrease. It took me a while to wrap my brain around the construction, particularly picking up the stitches, but eventually I got it. It's nifty.
The yarn is... well, the yarn is fabulous. I was practically giggling while knitting with it because it is soft and scrumptious and amazing. I got it for a steal on clearance. And I have more! A thought which makes me nearly giddy.
The only problem is that my ability to graft could really use some improvement. It really shows up at this gauge.
Pattern: Quincy by Jared Flood
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 8 ply
Needles: Knitpicks options size 10.5
The weather turned cold here and I was struck by the urge to whip up a hat. It took me two evenings in front of the teevee to knit it up.
You know, I was really skeptical initially about using a size 10.5. But I think what happened is that I work so frequently with such lightweight yarn and wee needles that bulky yarn seemed small and the 10.5s seemed enormous. But it worked out, just about perfect. Even though I didn't swatch. Because it's a hat. Fate was on my side... this time.
The pattern is excellent. The construction is clever. You knit a strip in garter with built in i-cord edges, graft it together as a mobiusm then pick up stitches from the i-cord edging and decrease. It took me a while to wrap my brain around the construction, particularly picking up the stitches, but eventually I got it. It's nifty.
The yarn is... well, the yarn is fabulous. I was practically giggling while knitting with it because it is soft and scrumptious and amazing. I got it for a steal on clearance. And I have more! A thought which makes me nearly giddy.
The only problem is that my ability to graft could really use some improvement. It really shows up at this gauge.
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