Socks turned Feather

I'm sure I have mentioned these socks before somewhere (I think). My brother Gabriel is a US Army soldier and is Iraq bound in November. He came home in June to visit and I said to him that I would make him a pair of socks, fingerless mitts, and a beanie. Well, its almost mid-October and I'm barley at the heel.

I am knitting them two at a time and I have a semi-good excuse. When he was here I had him choose the yarn. He chose Berroco Ultra Fine Alpaca which was a good choice. I made it up both insteps (also two at a time) on US0's and the yarn was a bit lighter than fingering. It was taking for-ever aaaand they looked way to small. I reassessed the socks and decided they weren't the right ones. I looked and looked for the right yarn. I also decided that the yarn should be a super wash merino. The only limit was that they had to be a charcoal gray for them to be appropriate to wear in the Army.

I finally found Cascade Heritage 150 (or something like that, cant find the label) in a charcoal grey from Paradise Fibers. I re-casted on with a US1 and am waaaay happier with this project. They are bigger and much quicker to knit up. I usually do the short row heel but decided I wanted a heel flap and gusset. I had never knit one before since all the socks I have made are toe-up with a short row heel. Rachel for the Knitcents podcast talked about how she had never knitted a toe-up sock and decided it was time and came up with a gusset and heel flap for her sock. So that's where I am.


In other news I have found a gorgeous simple lace weight cardi pattern. The Featherweight Cardigan. This happened around the same time that I was knitting my brothers socks the first time around. I normally don't buy patterns but this one had me sold instantly.

I love layering in my wardrobe especially sleeveless or spaghetti straps with light long sleeve tops. I went to two of my LYS's in search of a nice lace weight in black. Could you imagine no one had black lace or even sock weight? The only sock weight I found was Berroco sock yarn in acrylic and nylon.YUCK. So I decided to buy a new skein of the Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine (before deciding to frog the socks).

I was knitting furiously for days. I managed to get past the armholes and even begin a new skein (the new skein now was a frogged sock :))half way through the second skein and 3/4 done with the body I try on my cardi aaaaand...its super scratchy and itchy!!! I guess my skin does not like the alpaca. I was super sad when I laid my bare arms against the body and it just felt awful. I have not knit a stitch since and don't plan to. Now I have three skeins of this yarn that I don't plan to do anything with. I should probably just sell/trade them on Ravelry. I am now planning to save up to buy some lace weight cashmere in black and make it that way. Ugh, still bummed though :(

The Addiction

On my way to work, on my way home, my music and TV substitute to fall asleep, and definitely, definitely, while knitting. I listen to... Pocasts!!! Yup, and not just any podcasts, knitting podcasts. I am terribly addicted but it's just soooo good.

I dare you, Double dare you, to listen. They are now linked and listed on the right. You know you want too...

Simple Woman Daybook Sept. 9, 2010

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
Dark clouded night and the last glows of the days end.

I am thinking...
I need to knit knit knit! Perfect cool cloudy night for it.

I am thankful for...
Having my family so close even though we are so far apart.

From the kitchen...
Mommy making some yummy Frijoles Puercos (mexican style pork beans. Smells so good!! Thinking of grabbing a plateful with some Tortillas de Harina (flour tortillas).

I am wearing...
My work clothes still. If I change out Ill be to lazy to shower. Then Ill have to do it in the morning and then Ill run super late for work. Its a domino effect.

I am creating...
The Featherweight Cardigan. Super Excited to wear it!! Once its done.

I am going...
To shower and get cozy in my knitting corner.

I am reading...
I want to start The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or and Anne Boleyn book. I also want to re-read the Sookie Stackhouse books 1-5 or the Twilight Saga. MAN!!!

I am hoping...
That tomorrow is a light traffic day. (Good Luck!!)

I am hearing...
Will be hearing a good knitting podcast.

Around the house...
Yummy smells form the kitchen. Kitties lying in my knitting corner.

One of my favorite things...
Feeling the cool breeze and seeing the cloudy day of a first day of Autumn. Just wonderful.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Organize my soon to come Holiday self wish list.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...






Simple Woman's Day Book

Deliciouse Spinning

I have a new found love and it is spinning. I have only just bought my second spindle but I am so smitten. I started with some alpaca leftovers and a basic spindle sent to me in a knit swap by fellow Ravelrer (is that the correct word?). It was hard at first and I have up after a few tries. I picked it up again a few times over but I just couldn't get the hang of it.

In a later knit swap I was gifted a 2oz batt of some beautiful Twilighty Merino/Silk blend fiber in black and red. This was about 5 months after my first tries at spinning. I decided to give it a whorl (pun intended:)). Once I twirled my first few spins onto the leader and started on to the actual fiber it just felt like buttah through my hands!! Oh was so rich and just plain yummy. It was like sinking my teeth into a moist chocolaty chocolate brownie. Oh my!:). And after spinning my first mini skein of thick and thin yarn in a black with wisps of reds here and there I was just in love.

I could have bought boatloads of fiber online. Fortunately I am not an online shopper. I have probably purchased a handful of things here and there through the Internet. And fiber and yarn is something you just have to feel and smoosh to buy. I looked and looked online to find something to really catch my eye and convince me to order.

Luckily for me an LYS store that recently moved has decided to sell spinning supplies including fiber, spindles and even spinning wheels! I had never been since it was not really on my way to anywhere but I made a special trip. Very pretty fiber and has things I haven't found at my usual LYS. They offered special wool wash, dyes, special knitters lotion, and other pretties. But the first thing my eyes caught was the pretty bright pink fiber. I immediately chose the right 4oz bag and claimed it. I also picked up all I needed for a small knit swap: some Noro for a one skein hat pattern, a cute "rather be knitting" magnet, Utter knitters hand lotion, Hiya Hiya needles, and 4 travel packs of Eucklan wool wash. All done!!! (look for a whole blog on all swaps that have been had (:)

So I took my cloud of pinkness home and just started spinning away on my spindle. Not much could stop me (another reason why my knitting WIP's are a little unfinished) and before I knew it I was ready to ply my first batch of lace weight singles. I decided to Andean ply but honestly it was a big kinky mess once I got it off my finger (and regained all feeling to my middle finger). Once I started to ply the kinked singles kept pulling my hairs on my arms!! Kinda like when you get your eyebrows threaded. Ouch!!! Anyways, I figure I might was well keep going since all these singles are already the way they are. I finished plying and it is a nice more thin than thick fingering weight. My second attempt at Andean plying was even worse. Somehow it got tangled and now my half way through plied yarn is just sitting there waiting for me to have the energy to pick it back up. As of now I am content with my 2nd addition to my spinning collection. A Schact spindle top and bottom whorl and an actual notch!! (yup my first one didn't have one). I am spinning the rest of my fiber on it. I have to fix my mess of Andean plying that is just mocking me though... I'm planning to make a shawlette out of the finished yarn. Cant wait:)

So now I am into buying an actual spinning wheel. Jane at my new found LYS was sweet enough to let me use her Schact Ladybug. I had a blast and caught on pretty quick after a few tries. I feel its is a great wheel and I was right about me wanting a double treadle. It is to cute for words and reasonably priced for a spinning wheel. A Schact at that. However, as I am going to talk about in another blog, I plan to give up my daily lunch buying and actually pack a lunch to save up for the wheel. Kicking a bad habit and rewarding myself in the end. It can only be a win win situation right??

Summer Lovin'

OK so apparently I took a summer vacation. But I'm back!!! Much knitting and more knitting with some delicious fiber on the side. :drools:

I was definitely taking a forced break from knitting. I had several rounds of relatives visiting for about a month and a half. When some relatives left others came in. In between all this my Mom left on her vacation and left me alone to entertain!! While I had to work. I managed to take two weeks off but not much knitting accomplished. Well, as much I as I loved seeing my family which included my Grandmother and one of my favorite Uncles, I'm used to a quiet home which was not to well obtained when little ones are involved in the visits. Oh how I missed peace and quiet with a good project on the needles and a good podcast on the Itouch!!! OK so I'm done with the "woe is to me" and explaining why I had disappeared. That and I'm sure you guys weren't waiting on the edge of your seat LOL.

Ok So on to the blog

I have many new WIP's which does not help with the ones already on the needles. The only thing I managed to finish is a 2ply skein of beautiful bright pink Merino/Silk blend Louet fiber I spun on my drop spindle. Its sooo pretty but Ill talk about it on another blog soon to come. Yup that's all I've finished. However I have learned some things and casted on others and am wanting to start new and fun things. Like I have previously mentioned I have started and seems like I can now actually spin. But this autumn and winter to come I have decided I will do more baking and with that also do some cooking.

So basically this is just an intro to my return and my new found determination to keep this blog going. I want to consistently blog from here on out at least once a week and with this I want to decided if I want to start a podcast or not. I realize I want to say so much in one blog but I feel its sooo much reading you may get bored. But we'll see what happens from here to the end of the year and maybe into next spring. Its only and idea among many others I am having.

I will be posting a blog sometime this week about some actual stuff with actual pics :)

Pink Honey

I have now started a new Personal Pattern project. I am using Knitpicks Telemark sport weight in hot pink and black. I have made the bottom in black and have now started the color work. Making the sides in pink and black at every other stitch. Making the front and back with black border to pink diamonds. I had first opted to follow someone elses pattern in the color work portion but it was not what I wanted it to look like. I have now created my own pattern to the project and Im quite proud. I have had to learn how to "pick". I have always been a "thrower" and having to learn to pick at the same time as throwing while using two different yarns for my first color work is quite a challenge. However, it is a project I am really enjoying!! I hope to have this felted soon so I can have pics up along with a pattern. I am so excited!:)

My firsts

-Color work I think it's fairisle
-Picking (continental style)
-Picking and throwing at the same time
-Felted
-Zipper
-Lining my knitting (or anything)
-Adding pockets or sewing


I just finished my first pattern repeat and it looks awesome!!

Pretty Satchel

The Lacey Leaf Satchel is in the new Interweave magazine for Summer. I have decided to use the Berroco Mica in a gold tone. Very pretty and I wanted it to look more like a golden leaf than a green one. A more Autumn-y look. I first tried it with the Lion Brand Cotton in a Brown Brown. It was to bland and it kinda had a faded look. Not what I was going for at all. The Mica is a little more expensive but as I have been knitting up a swatch it has just the look I was going for.

The way the pattern works is you are going off two charts at once. I have never tried this before and I don't like charts much so I had to write out the patterns. I can much better handle that. Im thinking I might add a snap or zipper to actually close the back afterward. Also, I might use another straps instead of the wood handles. Not sure yet.

I am measuring gauge by knitting one of the sides first instead of the the front/back parts. That way I can measure gauge and if it is good then I can just keep going and get that out of the way. Two birds, one stone. Love it!!!


ETA 06/15/2010

Additional info left out:

I forgot to mention this is a hopeful Christmas gift for my sister. This is the first knitted Christmas gift I have ever planned and its great cause Im so far ahead (knock on wood). LoL I might end up weaving in ends on Christmas Eve if my procrastination is the same as ever. I want to knit up at least one of the sides and front or back by early October so I can start looking for the lining. Im thinking Chinese Silk. Also I have come up with a new closure idea: a magnet snap button. And some pockets on the lining. Oh so many ideas a-brewing...

Many WIP!!!! Whoopeee!!!!

Iv been more of a monogamous knitter since I began. I felt like I needed to finish something before starting something. And if I did decide to knit something else my current project was to be frogged cause I knew I wouldn't finish it. WRONG!!!! Who knew you could have many WIP's at one time? Apparently everyone else except me. The more I listen to pod casts the more I realize how much more I can do with my knitting. It's so exciting. From casting on socks ahead of time to be picked up when I like to. To having many sweaters in progress and picking them up as I wanted. You don't have to have a pattern to knit socks. Vanilla is the word! Hallelujah Iv seen the light LOL.

So after I have discovered this profound knitting mystery (not so much) I have alas many WIP's!!

My first Vanilla sock for Mindless knitting: Simple 3x1 rib pattern Berroco Sox in black for toe, heel, and cuff and the Patons Kroy in the red colorway

My first Cardi: Autumn Leaves Cardigan with Patons Classic Wool in Berry and Woodrose pink.

My first knitted Xmas gift: Lacy Leaf Satchel with Berroco Mica in a pretty shimmery gold for my sister.

&

My First Personal Pattern: A small clutch to experience my first zipper, felting, color work and, of course, my first design. Using Knitpicks Telemark in black and pink sport weight.

I will post individual blog posts for each item as I tend to get off topic if I have more than one thing in the same blog. As I'm about to do for the Satchel ;)

Kashma with Alice

A long time ago I had seen Ashley Green (who plays Alice Cullen in the Twilight Saga movies) wearing a really cute beanie in a picture. It was blue with hearts using YO's and such. I had posted in a thread on Ravelry about how cute it was and if anyone could come up with a pattern. Well someone heard my prayers (or most likely just loved it just as much as me) and came up with a pattern. I had queued in my Rav account but could not find the yarn I wanted. I stopped by Jo-Annes one day for God knows what (probably nothing in particular) and saw this beautiful red yarn called Kashmira by Sensations. It's 100% wool, super squishy and springy in a sport weight. I loved it and knew right then and there it was meant for my Ashley Hat.

I casted on with my Addis in which, besides the US0 I have for socks, I had recently bought US2 and US5 for no particular reason at my LYS. It was perfect cause that's what the pattern called for. I casted on in magic loop which was a little tedious since my stitches twisted twice before I finally got it going. However, in my haste and eagerness to start the pattern after the ribbing I forgot to stop and think. I went 11 rows into the pattern with the US2 instead of switching to the US5's. Rip, rip, rip, rip, rip....

Now finally after a few days I have my Ashley hat!! In a perfect beautiful red!! It turned out I made it a little to small. Its ok cause it was very fun to knit up. Very addicting Funny though, I was in a Twilight themed knit swap and my partner made me one in a cream color. Much better than mine cause it was bigger and baggy. Very cute. The one I made is being gifted to my niece. Very good knitting turn out :)

The Ripper Returns

I plan to make this a (well not exactly plan) sequential blog. I'm sure, just like any, there will be a bad sequel after this. But for now I leave you with this horror...

I love Sockpixie's Le Petit Trianon baby sweater. The first one I made was with the Bernat Cashmere blend (5% Cashmere lol) in a charcoal gray. When the heck does a baby were charcoal gray??? Ripped back and made into the Cashmere Hat.

My second attempt went much better. I made it from the Bernat baby 1lb yarn in blue. Instead of the ribbon opening though I used buttons. However, it was a baby shower gift and no pictures are available to prove I was succesful.

In my last attempt I was inspired by a yarn I saw and purchased in my last yarn binge. The Karabella Forresta. Very pretty brights and subdued vintage colors. When I saw it I knew that I would love to knit this particular pattern with it.

Now the horrific part...

I somehow casted on 100 stitches instead of 90!!! Aaaand Im already into the decreases of the sweater!!! AAAAAaaargh!!! So I have to rip out the whooooole sweater!! And to make matters worse I use a stitch marker at every 10 stitches so as to not lose count. How the heck could I mess this up?? I wondered how I was already into my 3rd ball of yarn. Duh!!


It's not like it took me that long to knit. It's bulky yarn on 10 1/2 US needles. I didnt like the gauge either, it's to tight. So now I am going to rip back and re- start with bigger needles and fix that also.

From This To this Back to this

Stashed Up

I am participating in LAL (Learn Along) from the Knitcents Podcast and Ravelry group. Basically, you have to learn something new. Even better if it helps you save money, save the environment, and any other which way you can figure out. Here was my post the LAL thread:

"Ok here is my contest entry

Non-knitting

I learned how to use dish soap, salt, vinegar, and baking soda to clean lots of things:

• For the bathtub I plug the drain then pour some baking soda all over then the vinegar. I let the fizzing do the work for a little while. I then pour some salt and start scrubbing with a brush. The vinegar and baking soda disinfect and whiten. The salt adds a lot of friction and super cleans the tub. To finish I boil some water (pleeeeeeease be careful) and pour over the tub. All the grime and oil comes right off better then any fume ridden chemical for the bathroom. Saves you money and you save the ozone layer!!! Double win!!! You can also use for the toilet.
• In a spray bottle mix 1 cup vinegar, 1tbls dish soap, and then fill the rest with water serves as a great glass cleaner and counter disinfectant. Save more money!!!!

Knitting:

I'm stash busting since I've spent too much money on yarn. Here is how:

Since summer is coming and I’ve been seeing a lot of moths and critters lately I have decided to Ziploc all my natural fibers. Don’t want a perfectly good ball of wool or alpaca to go to waste.

And to stash bust I have decided to make each bag a kit by putting all the yarn together and adding a pattern in the bag. So next time I want to start something new all I have to do is pick up a Ziploc bag and start casting on!!

Hope these tips are helpful!!"

The bathtub one I couldn't try. For some reason here in Tijuana (or most of Mexico) people don't have bathtubs, just showers. But I did use it on my friends tub lol. It worked really well!! I unfortunately didn't take pictures but it was so pretty and white. The vinegar and baking sodas fizziness disinfected (reminded me of the volcano in grade school lol). You could feel the salt really working as you scrubbed. The boiling water just melted all that grime and junk and as a plus the boiling water helps the drain from clogging up. It must have felt so nice to shower in it afterwords.

I did get a bottle and made the cleaning mix with vinegar. I just it on my giant glass coffee table and no streaks. Nice and clean. You could smell the vinegar but it went away right away. That and I looooove to light my scented candles after I clean.

For my knitting project

I have finally organized my stash!!! It's nice and pretty. I decided to "photograph" and put it all up in my Ravelry Stash. The reason I put photograph in quotations is cause I used my cell cam to do the job. I still haven't gotten around to getting a digital camera. It worked though and as long as something can do the job I need it to do I rather save the money to add to my stash (oh wait I didn't say that. Trying to de-stash). I even took all my skeins to my LYS and got them all wound into balls (all except for one straggler that got away, and thanks for the help Kathy!!!) so now I can't get discouraged on using yarn from my stash due to unwound yarn.

Anyways, it's all up. Now I have to start picking some patterns out. I had already picked out some patterns for some of my newer yarns and I wrote about it in my Confession blog entry. It was me trying justify my impulsiveness, but it's helpful now.

I went out yesterday and bought the Jumbo Ziploc bags and even XL bags. The jumbo ones are actually Hefty brand but it works just as well. I also splurged on a set of mini speakers for my Ipod to listen to podcasts as I'm getting these kits together. I hope it will help me stay focused and get the job done. Here some pics of my organized stash:





Now I'm off to find patterns and start getting those kits together!!! After I have breakfast...

Alive!!

So I was super sick last week!! I was at work on Monday but towards the end of my shift I kinda felt funny. By the time I got home I was not feeling well at all. I was knocked out for 2 whole days!! That Tuesday though I went to the Dr. thinking I had the mumps (I had a swollen cheek). Turns out it was my parotid gland (random) got swollen and infected. I had a 100.7 temp when I was at the Dr.'s office. Not good. I got some antibiotics and felt better to get back to work on Thursday but this parotid gland is still swollen. Got a CT scan (also an ultrasound) to make sure my salivary glands were clear (no stones to block them). So random are ailments but no mumps. Whew.

So because I felt so sick I really didn't knit much. Yes, I was that sick. I would start a row and start falling asleep. I mean my soccer team was playing and I didn't even get excited that they won!! That sick. Anyways woo to me lol. Back to actual knitting...

I did finally finish my 2fers!!! Yay!!! I just need 2 more rows of ribbing and bind off. They are sooo pretty and well worth the effort. Two Socks!! Still really stoked about that.



Yarn: Karabella Aurora 4 in coral ( it says DK/sport but I say more fingering)
Needles: Susan Bates US2 32'' circulars
Pattern: Don't Box Me In


Also I will be adding all the podcasts I listen to in my sidebar. I started listening to more and now I'm super hooked. I listen to them in the morning rather than my usual radio show. I've now started to listen to Knitmore Girls and Stitch it!!. Ill add links in the sidebar.

I want to also start some kind of progress bar or icon for my Sock Summit 2011 goal. I have never been to any kind of yarn or fiber festival. And recently I have been listening to all these podcasters rave about Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. So I have decided on an X amount of money that I would need to cover the trip, room, and spending. I want to keep track and maybe inspire others to do the same. Maybe even get some people together to share a room and have extra money to spend?? ;) Just a though.

Will be blogging a lil' bit more now that Im up and about. Now to get to binding off those socks...


FYI

All finished!! So pretty

In progress

I have now finished my Lemony Blues scarf and is all nice and prettily blocked. It's wrapped in tissue and ready for it's recipient to wear. I'm sooo excited. Now on the other hand, my 2fer socks have been very naughty. Not naughty in a sexy way but naughty to the point of me wanting to rip them all out and just re-stashing this yarn until I decided what to do with it.

I guess I shouldn't be to hard on these socks since I am the one who's knitting them. The major trouble is that I can't seem to get past the 2nd 1/2 of the pattern repeat (which is right after I finished the heel) I have ripped back those 4 rows so many times I'm scare my yarn won't hold up much once I start wearing them. The YO and SSK are falling right at the end of the turns. I keep forgetting that the YO are actual stitches. I have even considered just finishing on DPN's. However, I can't find my US2 Crystal Palace set that I'm sure I bought 40% off a while back. I swear I bought size US 1, 2, & 3 but I can only find the 1's and 3's. Head scratcher.

Anyways, today is the make it or break it day. I am going to count the stitches and have a certain amount on the first 1/2 so that I have to knit about 2 or 3 stitches before each turn and no YO or SSK or K2tog are at the ends :crossing fingers so it works: .


Until then this is all I am really thinking about. I have other projects in the noggin' but these socks are taking up all my time right now until I can get them figured. I'm soo close!!!

My Fave Knitting Podcasts

I felt a need to blog about my new addiction in the knitting world. Knitting Podcasts!!! What better way to spend your time as your knitting than listening to other knitters talk about knitting or watching knitters showing you about knitting in podcasts!!

The very first one I came across after I realized there could be such a thing as knitting podcasts was: Letsknit2gether with CAT and edited by her husband Eric. This is a well made video podcast and it's just like watching a knitting show only they're a bit shorter. It was through her I discovered all the awesome fiber festivals like Rhinebeck and the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. She takes us on her fiber trips showing us awesome fibers, yarns, competitions, and so much more. She also has awesome tutorials and shows us all about felting, illusion knitting, and even jewelry knitting amongst so many other things. I also learned about Qiviut yarn, I watch this episode from time to time just so I can drool over the cone of Qiviut she shows us. I definitely recommend this as a must watch.

It took me a while to find another knitting podcast I took a liking to since seeing all the things someone is talking about is much better than listening to it. However I recently discovered Fiber Beat with Wonder Mike. Normally this is a audio podcast but about once a month he will release a video podcast which is very fun to watch. I've enjoyed the Cookie A interview, watching a spinner be super creative with her yarn spinning, along with tutorials.

I recently started listening to my first, all audio, knitting podcast: KnitCents with Rachel. Love her! I've only listened to a few episodes but I love her soft spoken voice and anything I hear about I can see on her KnitCents Blog. She has many money saving tips, awesome yarn reviews, and many great knit-alongs with fab prizes!! I can't wait to start participating since I only just started listening.

There are sooo many more out there that are yet to be discovered. You can find many by searching "knitting" in the podcast section of Itunes. Enjoy!!!

This Is My Confession

My LYS Border Leather (which is a 1/2 and 1/2 leather and yarn store) was having a super sale and I just couldn't resist. Had to buy the rest of my Berroco Jasper in Capao Bonito for my Central Park Hoodie!!! I finally have all the yarn!!! Im so excited and hope to finish for this coming winter. This is the first project that is planned for myself and the yarns feel and color is just so beautiful I just knew it was meant for this project. I'll buy the pattern Friday and start beginning June.

I also bought some Addi's (who could resist those) and some other miscellaneous yarn:

• Karabella Foresta in pinks/purples/&blues for Le Petite Trianon by our own knitting blogger Sockpixie.
• Berroco Blackstone Tweed in plum for the Whirligig Baby Shrug from Interweave Knits Weekend 2009
• The Alpaca Glimmer in midnight blue for either the Drop Stitch scarf or maybe the Crossover Scarf from Knitty Gritty. Aaaaand...
• Araucania Nature Wool in a dusty vintage rose (I love this color) for some felted baby booties. Maybe these Suede Baby Booties pattern.

Needless to say I felt a little (just a little) guilty. I think my hand shook a little as I handed over the cash (I think Kathy may have noticed LOL). But in my defense it was yarn I was gonna buy anyways, I just happen to buy it all at once (that's what I'll keep telling myself). Ill just refrain from buying for a month or so. All these projects should keep me busy anyways. Here are some pics of my new stash additions. Welcome to the family!!

The Ripper

AAAArrgggg!!! I hate ripping back. But tinking was gonna take me forever. I'm working on my first 2-at-a-time socks and they were going great. But I forgot that in order for the pattern to go all the way around the leg correctly I had to do the pattern consecutively around the whole round. Not just across the top then start over across the back. It caused me to miss a box on one side of the leg. I ripped back to the heel and then decided that since I hadn't been too happy with the heel (I kinda miscounted somewhere in the slipped stitches of the short row pattern) so I ripped back some more. Bad idea. Now I'm trying to pick up itty bitty stitches that dropped from the ripping. The smallest crochet I have is a little to big, but I managed to get them all back.

I already finished the first re-doing the first heel and am ready to start ripping the next heel and re-do that one. I know, How is that if its 2-at-a-time? Well since I was miscounting trying to do the 2 heels at the same time I decided to do each heel separately.

I guess it wasn't such a bad idea since I'm loving the new heel I made and all the stitch counts matched. If I'm gonna spend this much time making something for myself I might as well do it right, right?? Anyways, off to start ripping...

My initiation

I have finally decided I'm no longer a novice knitter. After my last completed project that is no longer an accurate status. Yaaaay!!! It all started when my co worker found a knitting book at a book store (maybe Borders) called Easy Baby Knits. She loved the baby patterns and wanted me to get some done for her (she is a crocheter) for her new and 1st granddaughter . We also showed the book to another co worker and she also wanted me to make a sweater for her little two year old granddaughter. And they would pay me for my work and time!!! Wow!

I started with the 2 yr old's sweater, the Double-Breasted Knit Coat. I had never made anything that was knitted separately. And I had only ever made an infants sweater that was for practice, was never worn and it was knitted seamlessly.

It took me about 3 weeks to complete knitting the seperate pieces and it was soooo pretty. I had chosen an Encore Plymouth yarn in a dusty rose color. Very vintage looking and it seemed very appropriate to the pattern. My co worker had also wanted a Beanie to match which I kinda had to improvise. Very intermediate if you ask me ;). I finished and stood back to admire my work. Beautiful. I took out my new 5 dollar puzzle mat from Wal-mart and started blocking. I realized I need to buy blocking wires. Life would have been a little easier.

The hardest part about this pattern was the seaming! I kinda held off for a few days, but the impending job was always looming over me. It was not till I finished the project did I realize I could have modified the written pattern to knit most of it seamless up to the raglan decreases. Would have saved myself a lot of grief. I finished one side all nice and pretty with a few snags in the process here and there. I figured the second side would be much simpler since I already had the knack to the mattress stitch (yup, first timer on the mattress stitch). I started the second side at around 11pm. I went about half way up the "sleeve" until I noticed that the sleeve was much wider than the first one!!! Had I knitted off gauge?? Nope, I had just seamed the front of the coat together instead of the actual seam. Brilliant. I un-seamed for about 45 minutes and started the actual sleeve.

La-dee-da, I'm seaming as neatly and effecietly as I can without distractions Done!! But alas I never realized.... I had seamed on the wrong side!!!! My inside seam was on the outside of the sweater!!!! It was 2am at this moment and I just buried my head in the mismatched seam sweater fighting back tears. Oh the pain!! I contemplated un-seaming then and there that way I could wake up the next morning ready to seam. But my vision was blurry being that I was 4 hours past my bedtime and exhausted at looking at stitches. I put it away fighting back the urge to toss the darn thing and very kindly and gently put it away. I figured if I was nice to it, it would treat me better at my last attempt to seam it.

I woke up the next morning (Sunday) refreshed, rested, and ready for the task at hand. I got myself ready to un-seam and re-seam with out a problem. Finished and finished!!! Now I handed it over the the grandma who wants to pick out the buttons for it. Im just waiting for her to pick them out and I will sew them on for the final product. I even made a label for it "Couture knits by Jessica" with a pic from Word that is a ball of yarn and two needles stuck in it. I feel so professional :).



Credits for the Pattern : Easy Baby Knits by Claire Montgomery

Knits and Knits

Wow haven't posted in a while...

Very excited cause I have finally been brave enough to start working on 2 knitting projects at a time. I am working the 2fers, my first two-at-a-time socks. And the Lemony Blues, a beautiful drop stitch scarf with a very beautiful Malabrigo worsted yarn. The others On My Needles are kinda in the beginning processes. I hope to finish these two by next week sometime. Havent worked on them all day though.



I have been busy swatching for the Matinee Jacket for my friends daughter baby. I also need to start on a Baby Bib for my co-worker Bethany's bun in the oven. Its gonna go on a little clothes line with other bibs to decorate for her baby shower.

Wow lots to do and not to much time to do it in. I also wanted to get started on the Central Park Hoodie in the Berroco Jasper in Capao Bonito. Such a pretty color and reminds me of Twilight for some reason LOL.

Aaaaand I want to start my first felting project for my good friend and co worker Debbie. She gave me the leaflet for it over a year and a half ago and I still haven't started it. Some friend I am. But I have plenty of Patons Classic Wool in my stash and my LYS is having a sale next Friday where I plan to buy more Patons for the felting job and the rest of the Jasper for my Central Park Hoodie.

Whew... Lots to do. I am thinking now that these projects listed on this blog will be projects I will commit to finish for this year.

2nd Post

Outside my window...
Sunny with a cold wind..brrrrr

I am thinking...
I hope my sister and niece visit today

I am thankful for...
Piece and quiet

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
Hmmm.. have to figure out what this means

From the kitchen...
Left over pasta with mushrooms and improvised garlic bread (regular wheat bread toasted with butter heehee)

I am wearing...
mixed pj's. Pink Eyor pants with orange Tinkerbell night shirt

I am creating...
A swatch for a baby sweater

I am going...
To try and relax before work tomorrow

I am reading...
random pages of New Moon

I am hoping...
To finish my swatch today

I am hearing...
Dogs barking there heads off. Why do neighbors have dogs they cant control or take care of for that matter.

Around the house...
Morning mess

One of my favorite things...
Sunday morning movies

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Still need to Mail out mittens and scarf to Mandy
Still Need to Finish fixing up my car
Still need to Pick up my taxes
But finished Starting, Knitting, and blocking Sally's scarf, whew!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My First Day Book Entry

I have always wanted to keep a diary but I have always been really bad at it. I never know what to write. So today while I was surging around Ravelry I found this: The Simple Woman's Day Book. So here is my very first entry:

FOR TODAY
February 14th, 2010...

Outside my window...
The sun is setting on another Sunday afternoon

I am thinking...
I rather buy the carne asada then going throught the trouble of making it,

I am thankful for...
Another peaceful day

From the learning rooms...(if this applies)
Hmmm.. have to figure out what this means

From the kitchen...
Just had a cupn' noodles

I am wearing...
Blue Jeans, white and pink Pumas, and a layered black top

I am creating...
My very first ever blocked scarf and its going to Mandy

I am going...
To my Tia Rosa's house for Valentine's Day

I am reading...
Need to start reading my next Sookie Stackhouse book. I think it's either 5 or 6.

I am hoping...
For the weekend to come soon.

I am hearing...
My niece and her little friend argue over Jenga

Around the house...
Many Jenga blocks on the floor

One of my favorite things...
That laundry was done without having to use the dryer. Nice sunny day did two loads of laundry

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Mail out mittens and scarf to Mandy
Finish fixing up my car
Pick up my taxes
Start, Knit, and block Sally's scarf

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...