Well, I scanned posts back to January a couple weeks ago, and realised I had forgotten "things".
So here's what I've done (or not done) with some of the knitting and gardening.
Gardening - nothing. My garden lies ignored. I hadn't planned on it, but things happened and I got distracted from the garden. I'm hoping I'll fix it next year. I'm not going to start work on it now because I'd need to start seedlings and it would get too cold for harvest for some of the plants.
Knitting. Ok.
(Jan 2012)
Cable-icious ear-warmer/scarf - I'm knitting erratically on it. It should be finished by now, but it's not. I don't know why as it's a fun knit and completing it would mean I would have finished off the set.
Not-so-Raspberry-as-Cherry Dream Stole - I completed 2 1/2 repeats on it and put it to one side to work on later, but later hasn't arrived yet. Again, I don't know why I'm not working on it. It's fun.
Mochi-Mochi Elephant, Chickens and Hearts - Well, The Elephant is at a fiddly stage. I need to do the legs and tail. I'm not in the mood to mess with them. The Chickens need stuffing (I stuff them as I make them) and with no stuffing, I can't make anymore. I will buy stuffing on Thursday (27th April). The hearts aren't working out. I made 2 sides and they look pathetic. More work needed on them.
Eyelet Gloves - Well, I just got overwhelmed. While the yarn is 4-ply, the needles are tiny and it seems like I knit a million rows and knit an inch of glove (lovely warm fabric, though). I'll work on them eventually. I like them.
Mitered Vest/Jacket - I said I was going to frog and re-start it. I haven't frogged it yet, don't know why.
(Feb 2012)
Indiski Shawl - I'm chugging along. It's a bit better than the gloves. With lace work, the light fingering yarn and small needles don't seem too bad. I feel like I'm making somewhat acceptable progress. I'm still on the first set of borders. I'll be glad when I start work on the second set of borders.
Patchwork Jacket - Well, I'm sewing in an end or two every week. It's heavy and too warm in my lap (for all the lovely soft alpaca yarn) and I'm dreading blocking it. I'll get all finished eventually.
(March/April 2012)
Blue Leaf Shawl - It's just been finished and blocked. I love it. It came out bigger than I expected (I did end up using 5 balls insted of the 4 expected in the pattern), but it's great. All resolved itsself wonderfully, and the beads in the border are perfect.
Reading Shawl #2 - Well, I fixed the hole, but I need to weave ends in and I was wrung out fixing the hole (tiny area, lots of pins to keep loose stitches in place so I knew where to go and multi-strand black yarn - it doesn't seem like a big thing, but it was).
Brea Bag - I've finished knitting the pieces, and skeined the rest of the yarn to finish off and seam the pieces. Dyeing needs to be done next. I've worked out the ratios of dyes I'm using (2 greens and 1 blue from Dylon) as the yarn weight exceeds the amount by weight a single packet of dye will cover. I'm using 66% Green #1, 66% Green #2 and 12.5% Blue.
This bag is part of the Cable Knitting I wanted to start doing more of. I haven't found a pattern for a beret I like enough, and I still need to find the right yarn in order to start the cabled yoke cardigan that I want to make. I'm not having any luck so far.
Kerchief Cowl - Done, blocked and with the rest of my "winter" knits. I'm planning on making a pair of flip-top mittens with the remainder of the yarn. It'll be a nice set. I had thought of a making a hat, but I've more than enough of those.
I've just re-started work on the Mariposa shawl in the last entry, as I wanted something "new" to work on, but didn't want to start a NEW project. Right now I REALLY want to work on old projects. It's not a matter of finishing them, it's more a case of wanting to feel less like being stuck-in-a-rut. Stagnant. So if I'm making progress on them, all is well.
By the way, my "inner knitter" (go read Yarn Harlot's journal entry for April 11th, it's perfect) is all better. She's in the mood to knit now. She's being a pest, in fact, but I'm just managing to ignore her. I have other things I need to do...like...
I had caught up on my reading 3 days ago, but I looked at Goodreads last night and I'm behind again *sigh*. The reading never ends. *dramatic (with hand on forehead) sigh*. Never mind.
I "won" a givaway in Goodreads, and it arrived Friday (20th). I'm now off to start reading it. It looks interesting -in a good way.
Later.
25 April 2012
16 April 2012
Frustrated, frustrated, frustrated. It happens sometimes...
Well, so far this month, I've not finished a project without incident. I was going to finish off 3 projects that were close to completion (or quickie project) for the month of April and feel smug doing it.
I think it was the smugness that undid the plan....
It's the 3rd week of the month, and I had to re-knit the first project - 98-12 DROPS shawl - (from it being 70% finished) because I didn't have enough yarn and had to order a new batch +2 balls - the new batch was just different enough in tint. . . I added beads to the new knit and then had to frog back 4 rows because I didn't like the way they looked. It still needs blocking as I don't want to deal with it. It'll get done next week.
The second project - Mariposa shawlette - is sitting in a heap, pulled off the needles in mid bind-off row because I didn't have enough yarn to finish it - even with having to miss out the last two rows of the border. After getting over the frustration, I'll re-knit it on smaller needles (3.5mm instead of the 3.75mm I used). I'm a bit miffed at this point....But it sort of helps the project that I'm using Knit Picks/Pro Harmony needles on it and I'm using the 120cm cable on another project so it'll be awhile before that gets started. . . . . . . .
drat.
The 3rd project was a pair of should-have-been-a-quick-knit yoga socks that don't have a heel or toe. I've only done the first sock and I hate it. It's a bit scruffy and the cast on stitches for the leg/ankle section looks like hell and I just don't want to frog it back and re-do it. They're stuffed into a baggie in a bag nearby. I'll might/probably pull them out next month (or I might not - I'm putting all possibilities in here) and do the odious job and finish them off in 2 weeks.
There's nothing else on the needles that are far enough along to finish in the next 2 weeks.
Nevermind. It happens sometimes. I think I'll take a bit of a break from knitting for the rest of the month and catch up on reading for my annual Goodreads challenge as I'm 3 books behind (I should be reading 2 books a week). It'll also probably help my inner knitter as she's sulking in the corner, snacking on chocolate pudding with a shovel.
Later.
I think it was the smugness that undid the plan....
It's the 3rd week of the month, and I had to re-knit the first project - 98-12 DROPS shawl - (from it being 70% finished) because I didn't have enough yarn and had to order a new batch +2 balls - the new batch was just different enough in tint. . . I added beads to the new knit and then had to frog back 4 rows because I didn't like the way they looked. It still needs blocking as I don't want to deal with it. It'll get done next week.
The second project - Mariposa shawlette - is sitting in a heap, pulled off the needles in mid bind-off row because I didn't have enough yarn to finish it - even with having to miss out the last two rows of the border. After getting over the frustration, I'll re-knit it on smaller needles (3.5mm instead of the 3.75mm I used). I'm a bit miffed at this point....But it sort of helps the project that I'm using Knit Picks/Pro Harmony needles on it and I'm using the 120cm cable on another project so it'll be awhile before that gets started. . . . . . . .
drat.
The 3rd project was a pair of should-have-been-a-quick-knit yoga socks that don't have a heel or toe. I've only done the first sock and I hate it. It's a bit scruffy and the cast on stitches for the leg/ankle section looks like hell and I just don't want to frog it back and re-do it. They're stuffed into a baggie in a bag nearby. I'll might/probably pull them out next month (or I might not - I'm putting all possibilities in here) and do the odious job and finish them off in 2 weeks.
There's nothing else on the needles that are far enough along to finish in the next 2 weeks.
Nevermind. It happens sometimes. I think I'll take a bit of a break from knitting for the rest of the month and catch up on reading for my annual Goodreads challenge as I'm 3 books behind (I should be reading 2 books a week). It'll also probably help my inner knitter as she's sulking in the corner, snacking on chocolate pudding with a shovel.
Later.
01 April 2012
Been busy
I didn't mean to miss a post in March.
I've just been busy reading and knitting. I've set myself a challenge for the next 6 months to get as many projects and books finished as I can. I've taken one day off knitting and one day off reading in the last month.
I've only started 2 new patterns in March (a cowl (Kerchief cowl) and a bag (Norah Gaughan's Brea Bag), I've only completed 2 projects (Reading shawl and Kerchief cowl) I "punched" a hole in the reading shawl while washing it before blocking (obviously didn't happen, I just dried it flat). I'm still repairing the hole - I've got it done, but have to sew in the ends - and I'm then planning to get it dry cleaned, then I'll dry block it and spray it 'til it's damp. I really hope all goes well. It's a nice shawl.
The Brea Bag is going relatively quickly considering I hate knitting moss stitch. I've got 1side done, part of the gusset and I'm working on the other side. The yarn I'm using (Drops Lima) is gorgeous. SO soft. I'm hoping it stays soft after it's dyed (I bought off white ayrn and I'm planning to dye it a medium slightly blued green).
As for the rest of the knitting, in April I'm planning to concentrate on finishing a Drops shawl (I call it blue leaf) knitted in Drops Alpaca yarn so I can wear it to a third cousin's christening on the 29th. I'd like to take the bag with me also, as I'm expecting that the knitting will be finished in the next week (or so), but, I need to find large D rings and a strap (I'm NOT knitting a strap as I don't have enough yarn). I don't know quite what I'm looking for, but I'll look around for cheap (leather) handbags and if I see a sutable strap and I'll buy it. I'm also going to line the bag in this lovely cotton with a leaf pattern on it I had planned for a reversable shopping bag. Yum. I can't see all that being finished in April. No way. I'll settle for the shawl being finished - at least that's realistic.
I'm also (still) working on other shawls and sewing in the ends of the Patchwork Jacket. It's long time it was finished. I really think it's more of a case that I'm scared of blocking it. It's a heavy monster and it's not going to get lighter when damp/wet. *sigh*. I'm tempted to get it dry cleaned and block it after I've let it air out for a bit. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. More news on that when it happens.
On that note, I think it's time I quit for the night.
Later.
I've just been busy reading and knitting. I've set myself a challenge for the next 6 months to get as many projects and books finished as I can. I've taken one day off knitting and one day off reading in the last month.
I've only started 2 new patterns in March (a cowl (Kerchief cowl) and a bag (Norah Gaughan's Brea Bag), I've only completed 2 projects (Reading shawl and Kerchief cowl) I "punched" a hole in the reading shawl while washing it before blocking (obviously didn't happen, I just dried it flat). I'm still repairing the hole - I've got it done, but have to sew in the ends - and I'm then planning to get it dry cleaned, then I'll dry block it and spray it 'til it's damp. I really hope all goes well. It's a nice shawl.
The Brea Bag is going relatively quickly considering I hate knitting moss stitch. I've got 1side done, part of the gusset and I'm working on the other side. The yarn I'm using (Drops Lima) is gorgeous. SO soft. I'm hoping it stays soft after it's dyed (I bought off white ayrn and I'm planning to dye it a medium slightly blued green).
As for the rest of the knitting, in April I'm planning to concentrate on finishing a Drops shawl (I call it blue leaf) knitted in Drops Alpaca yarn so I can wear it to a third cousin's christening on the 29th. I'd like to take the bag with me also, as I'm expecting that the knitting will be finished in the next week (or so), but, I need to find large D rings and a strap (I'm NOT knitting a strap as I don't have enough yarn). I don't know quite what I'm looking for, but I'll look around for cheap (leather) handbags and if I see a sutable strap and I'll buy it. I'm also going to line the bag in this lovely cotton with a leaf pattern on it I had planned for a reversable shopping bag. Yum. I can't see all that being finished in April. No way. I'll settle for the shawl being finished - at least that's realistic.
I'm also (still) working on other shawls and sewing in the ends of the Patchwork Jacket. It's long time it was finished. I really think it's more of a case that I'm scared of blocking it. It's a heavy monster and it's not going to get lighter when damp/wet. *sigh*. I'm tempted to get it dry cleaned and block it after I've let it air out for a bit. Yes, that sounds like a good idea. More news on that when it happens.
On that note, I think it's time I quit for the night.
Later.
01 March 2012
Changing and changing my mind....then changing it again.
I've spent 3 days (in chunks) putting my ravelry queue back to chronological order.
Luckily, I didn't have to guess at that, since the dates the projects were chosen sit right underneath the project picture. I have NO idea how I'd have chosen to organize them if I hadn't had that. I have put "labels" on them, but since there's multiple ways to organise a list of knitting projects, that would have driven me even more crazy. So I decided on the simplest (and most obvious) method.
I think the basic reason I decided to do this is because after a search through the queue for a project to start, I realised that I hadn't started some of the first projects I'd queued, and furthermore, I didn't remember how many I'd queued from the start of my joining Ravelry (I think in September 2007).
I usually spent hours deciding what the start next. I'd go back and forth from page to page, looking and usually going "hmm. maybe" before going to the next page.
That was futile. It IS futile. I like all of the projects in my queue, whether I decide to knit them or not, there's an aspect of all of them that pleases me.
But.
I have to shrink the knitting queue faster than I have and picking the next in line (unless the yarn I buy, on impulse, screams for a specific project) is the easiest way to do it. My ADD touched brain might not like it, but that's just too bad.
That's it. (I hope).
Later.
Luckily, I didn't have to guess at that, since the dates the projects were chosen sit right underneath the project picture. I have NO idea how I'd have chosen to organize them if I hadn't had that. I have put "labels" on them, but since there's multiple ways to organise a list of knitting projects, that would have driven me even more crazy. So I decided on the simplest (and most obvious) method.
I think the basic reason I decided to do this is because after a search through the queue for a project to start, I realised that I hadn't started some of the first projects I'd queued, and furthermore, I didn't remember how many I'd queued from the start of my joining Ravelry (I think in September 2007).
I usually spent hours deciding what the start next. I'd go back and forth from page to page, looking and usually going "hmm. maybe" before going to the next page.
That was futile. It IS futile. I like all of the projects in my queue, whether I decide to knit them or not, there's an aspect of all of them that pleases me.
But.
I have to shrink the knitting queue faster than I have and picking the next in line (unless the yarn I buy, on impulse, screams for a specific project) is the easiest way to do it. My ADD touched brain might not like it, but that's just too bad.
That's it. (I hope).
Later.
19 February 2012
A cold is NOT condusive to knitting. . .
Not last time, not this time, not ever.
I'd much rather be curled up in a cosy blanket, with continuous hot tea (herbal or fruit) and lots of sleep.
I caught this throat wheezing beauty from my youngest godson. (many thanks, Darryl. *humph*).
I'll whine and grumble for a while, I'll take lots of supplements, and I'm planning on a shower tomorrow.
Having grumbled, I must admit that it's getting better in the past day or two - as colds do.
Later. *grumble, cough, wheeze*
(I'm not asthmatic, btw, it's goo.)
I'd much rather be curled up in a cosy blanket, with continuous hot tea (herbal or fruit) and lots of sleep.
I caught this throat wheezing beauty from my youngest godson. (many thanks, Darryl. *humph*).
I'll whine and grumble for a while, I'll take lots of supplements, and I'm planning on a shower tomorrow.
Having grumbled, I must admit that it's getting better in the past day or two - as colds do.
Later. *grumble, cough, wheeze*
(I'm not asthmatic, btw, it's goo.)
29 January 2012
More knitting. Hopefully faster.
Well, I've started another shawl, finally. It's one of the primary 16 on my internal set - and my queue on Ravelry.
I'm just happy right now. I have been in a foul mood for a few days and I'm gratefully through the other side. I'm hoping that it's going to last a few days and I can knit in emotive peace.
The shawl is a beautiful Orenberg shawl "Olga's Indiski [Indian] Shawl" designed by Galina Khmeleva (in Piecework magazine May/June 2009) and it's glorious, honestly glorious. I'm using Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace (55/45 merino silk), colourway 501 (cherry). It's a ripe cherry colour, with hints/shadings of brown and blue that change as the light source changes. At this time, I'm sitting under an energy saver bulb and the colour's a medium/dark blued-pinky-red. Hard to name.
I think, if there's one bad thing I can think of about this shawl, it's that I've got a Kindle, and I want the charts on it.. So, I'm having to type up the charts into text (.txt) files so I can upload them to the Kindle - I don't have a way to transfer them to pdf files. But, luckily for me, the body chart had an error, so Interweave press re-pubished it on their website as a .pdf file, so that was a sanity saver *whew*. I'm only halfway through typing up chart 1 - and that took a day. Eek.
Anyway, I'm going to fix the last row of the edging (I accidentally pulled the needle out), finish up typing chart 1 (and start on chart 2) then I'm back to knitting on the shawl. Yum
I'm itching to knit, and so off I go.
Later.
I'm just happy right now. I have been in a foul mood for a few days and I'm gratefully through the other side. I'm hoping that it's going to last a few days and I can knit in emotive peace.
The shawl is a beautiful Orenberg shawl "Olga's Indiski [Indian] Shawl" designed by Galina Khmeleva (in Piecework magazine May/June 2009) and it's glorious, honestly glorious. I'm using Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace (55/45 merino silk), colourway 501 (cherry). It's a ripe cherry colour, with hints/shadings of brown and blue that change as the light source changes. At this time, I'm sitting under an energy saver bulb and the colour's a medium/dark blued-pinky-red. Hard to name.
I think, if there's one bad thing I can think of about this shawl, it's that I've got a Kindle, and I want the charts on it.. So, I'm having to type up the charts into text (.txt) files so I can upload them to the Kindle - I don't have a way to transfer them to pdf files. But, luckily for me, the body chart had an error, so Interweave press re-pubished it on their website as a .pdf file, so that was a sanity saver *whew*. I'm only halfway through typing up chart 1 - and that took a day. Eek.
Anyway, I'm going to fix the last row of the edging (I accidentally pulled the needle out), finish up typing chart 1 (and start on chart 2) then I'm back to knitting on the shawl. Yum
I'm itching to knit, and so off I go.
Later.
22 January 2012
SOPA shelved
SOPA's been shelved!
I had no idea it was making me so uptight until I read the info via a google search and I jumped up and down with the news. Unlike my impetus before the news, I'm very happy to knit now - and I've a lot of projects to catch up on.
Whew.
I hope SOPA never leaves the shelf, and disintegrates where it is. . .#
Later.
I had no idea it was making me so uptight until I read the info via a google search and I jumped up and down with the news. Unlike my impetus before the news, I'm very happy to knit now - and I've a lot of projects to catch up on.
Whew.
I hope SOPA never leaves the shelf, and disintegrates where it is. . .#
Later.
18 January 2012
Re-starting a project.
A while ago - a LONG while ago, I started a colourful mitred jacket/vest with removable sleeves. I wanted it a bit big, so I made the squares 18-20 stitches wide and long.
This picture is an early shot of the bottom half of the left front.
At the time I started it, I was on the way to becoming a size 18 (quite happily, as I just wasn't seeing my body change, and had things continued, I might have gotten to a size 22.). Later that year, I walked in front of an office building, caught sight of my winter glory in the mirrored windows and noticed I looked like a weeble. It was quite the eye opener.
I've lost weight and inches since then and am at a size 14 (average). I'm hoping that eventually I'll (slowly) get down to a size 12 - I'm really not one for exercising like a fiend or starvation dieting (I'm using a mixture of exercising 3 times a week and removing 95% of all dairy products (I'm now lactose intolerant) and it helps that I'm a pescetarian.
Since I'm 47 now, and only 5'4", I'm most focussed on reducing my waist measurements (more a ratio of waist measurement/height - I forget the exact ratio) in order to prevent me becoming (at all) insulin dependant or glucose intolerant. I'm determined NOT to become dependent on a regiment of pills to control blood pressure/cholesterol/glucose (I'm fine, and healthy, but I worry).
Anyway, all of this means that the mitered jacket I started is now big on me. I'm going to have to rip out all the knitting and re-knit the squares in a different size. It helps that I found a free pattern on Ravelry (Freyalyn's Modular Vest) with a different style of mitred square and I'm going to use it instead. The new squares are actually about half the size (I think) of the original ones and I like the orientation of them better than the ones I originally made. I don't know at this point how I'll design/engineer the sleeves - again, removable - but it'll happen one way or another.
So.
I'm off to frog a vest. I'm a bit sad and frustrated, but I'm not going to work on it as it is. So frogged it will be. The "yarn" deserves to be something nice/pretty.
Later.
At the time I started it, I was on the way to becoming a size 18 (quite happily, as I just wasn't seeing my body change, and had things continued, I might have gotten to a size 22.). Later that year, I walked in front of an office building, caught sight of my winter glory in the mirrored windows and noticed I looked like a weeble. It was quite the eye opener.
I've lost weight and inches since then and am at a size 14 (average). I'm hoping that eventually I'll (slowly) get down to a size 12 - I'm really not one for exercising like a fiend or starvation dieting (I'm using a mixture of exercising 3 times a week and removing 95% of all dairy products (I'm now lactose intolerant) and it helps that I'm a pescetarian.
Since I'm 47 now, and only 5'4", I'm most focussed on reducing my waist measurements (more a ratio of waist measurement/height - I forget the exact ratio) in order to prevent me becoming (at all) insulin dependant or glucose intolerant. I'm determined NOT to become dependent on a regiment of pills to control blood pressure/cholesterol/glucose (I'm fine, and healthy, but I worry).
Anyway, all of this means that the mitered jacket I started is now big on me. I'm going to have to rip out all the knitting and re-knit the squares in a different size. It helps that I found a free pattern on Ravelry (Freyalyn's Modular Vest) with a different style of mitred square and I'm going to use it instead. The new squares are actually about half the size (I think) of the original ones and I like the orientation of them better than the ones I originally made. I don't know at this point how I'll design/engineer the sleeves - again, removable - but it'll happen one way or another.
So.
I'm off to frog a vest. I'm a bit sad and frustrated, but I'm not going to work on it as it is. So frogged it will be. The "yarn" deserves to be something nice/pretty.
Later.
08 January 2012
A small change in Focus
I'm still knitting. I think I'll always knit from this point on - not necessarily every day, but as often as my psyche is comfortable with. If it wants to take a break, that's fine too, as there's more than enough knitting to sew up when I don't want to knit. . .
Anyway - the change in focus. I'm primarily a lace knitter and love, love, Love lace, but, I'm finding the beauty and delight in cables. Soft, squishy, textural cables. I want to knit more cables.
I'm looking for patterns with cables. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to do a full cabled garment, but a persistant pattern is lovely. I'm delighted with the 6-piece plated cable accessory set I'm almost (about 2 weeks to finish the last piece, a gartered scarf) done with.
I'll be sad when it's finished. I've already been thinking about the next cabled piece I want to do, and at this point, I'm pretty sure there's going to be 2 - 3 of them - definitely a beret (piece 1) and a wrap/shawl with either a cabled edging or central panel (piece 2). I know for a fact I'll end up giving the beret away, but I want to knit one and why not one with cables. The developing pattern will be fun. (Yes, I said fun.).
Even as I'm typing this, I'm also thinking about knitting Eunny Jang's cabled yoke cardigan (I'm pretty sure it's in an issue of Interweave Knits). I've had it in my queue for what seems like ages, and I think that this is the year (not sure when, as is usual for me) I'll be starting it (- there's piece number 3) Whee!
One of the other "big" garments I'm planning on knitting and will definitely buy is a pattern for a moss stitch coat from Vogue Knitting (I'm pretty sue I've mentioned it in the past, but like the cardigan, I can't remember the issue or even the designer). As far as I know, it's for sale on their website, and they had it last month on sale, but I just didn't have the opportunity to get it (no credit card). I'll have it bought for me as I'll send the money for it with my Father when he goes on his yearly trip. Hooray!
Anyway, I'm off, as I'm in the process (slowly) of knitting a pair of toe-up sock-lets (no toes or heels) for yoga. I'm tired of my feet cramping because of the cold. I'll probably have them finished by spring *grin*.
Later.
Anyway - the change in focus. I'm primarily a lace knitter and love, love, Love lace, but, I'm finding the beauty and delight in cables. Soft, squishy, textural cables. I want to knit more cables.
I'm looking for patterns with cables. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to do a full cabled garment, but a persistant pattern is lovely. I'm delighted with the 6-piece plated cable accessory set I'm almost (about 2 weeks to finish the last piece, a gartered scarf) done with.
I'll be sad when it's finished. I've already been thinking about the next cabled piece I want to do, and at this point, I'm pretty sure there's going to be 2 - 3 of them - definitely a beret (piece 1) and a wrap/shawl with either a cabled edging or central panel (piece 2). I know for a fact I'll end up giving the beret away, but I want to knit one and why not one with cables. The developing pattern will be fun. (Yes, I said fun.).
Even as I'm typing this, I'm also thinking about knitting Eunny Jang's cabled yoke cardigan (I'm pretty sure it's in an issue of Interweave Knits). I've had it in my queue for what seems like ages, and I think that this is the year (not sure when, as is usual for me) I'll be starting it (- there's piece number 3) Whee!
One of the other "big" garments I'm planning on knitting and will definitely buy is a pattern for a moss stitch coat from Vogue Knitting (I'm pretty sue I've mentioned it in the past, but like the cardigan, I can't remember the issue or even the designer). As far as I know, it's for sale on their website, and they had it last month on sale, but I just didn't have the opportunity to get it (no credit card). I'll have it bought for me as I'll send the money for it with my Father when he goes on his yearly trip. Hooray!
Anyway, I'm off, as I'm in the process (slowly) of knitting a pair of toe-up sock-lets (no toes or heels) for yoga. I'm tired of my feet cramping because of the cold. I'll probably have them finished by spring *grin*.
Later.
02 January 2012
Old Year, New Year.
Well, here's the overview of the knitting of 2011. It's what I've been working on the most. I've got old projects that haven't been finished, and I'm planning on getting a couple of those done this year, but here's what has been accomplished:
Projects completed in 2011:
Felted Slippers (DROPS Design)
Bamboo Circular Vest (Shelly Mackie/Elann.com)(needs to be adjusted, but it's wearable)
Wisp #1 (Cheryl Niamath/Knitty.com)
Cabled Kindle Cover (adapted from pattern by Emily Nimz)
Summer Shawlette (Wendy Knits/Ravelry knit-along)
Seafoam Shawl (Sarah Barbour)
Growing Leaves Shawl #2 (Lankakomero)
Iris Shawl (Krazee Kitty/Ravelry knit-along)
22 (BIG) Leaves Shawl (Lankakomero)(knitted with aran yarn)
Bamboo Dishcloth (own pattern)
North Roe Shawl (Aux Dentilles Dodile)
Nightsong (for the Day) Shawl (Nightsongs)
Thrummed Mittens (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee)
Amurigumi Cephalopod (own pattern, based on Tiny Mermaid pattern from Teeny-Tiny Mochi-Mochi Book)
Braidy Cowl (Maryse Roudier)
Braided Mitts (Tera Johnson)
Almost Finished in 2011:
Hooded Snow Scarf (Nikki McGonigal) (I decided at the last minute to make the hood detachable. it's been knitted and blocked. Buttons and loops need sewing on)
Clapotis #2 (ends -LOTS of ends- need sewing in) knitting finished 29 Dec. 2011 (started June 2007)
All Over Cables Hat (Lindsay Koehler) (just needs crochet edging)
Projects Started in 2011:
Cable-icious Ear Warmer (Scarf) (Kate Black)
Raspberry Dream Stole (Dagmara)
Mochi Mochi Tiny Elephant (Anna Hrachovec) (Tiny Chicken and Tiny Elephant from Teeny-Tiny Mochi-Mochi Book)
Mochi Mochi Tiny Chicken (a flock has been started) (Anna Hrachovec)
Eyelet Gloves (Cara Jo Miller)
Reading Shawl #2 (Danielle Landes)
Mariposa Shawlette (Dutch Knitting Design/The Knitter Magazine)
Moonlight Sonata Shawl (Shui Kuen Kozinski/Elann.com)
Growing Leaves Shawl #1 (Lankakomero)
Mermaid Jacket (Hanne Falkenberg kit, colourway #7)
Classic White Shirt (Sian Brown/Knitting Magazine)
Knitting Planned in 2012:
Shawls, a sweater, some baby clothes.
Projects completed in 2011:
Felted Slippers (DROPS Design)
Bamboo Circular Vest (Shelly Mackie/Elann.com)(needs to be adjusted, but it's wearable)
Wisp #1 (Cheryl Niamath/Knitty.com)
Cabled Kindle Cover (adapted from pattern by Emily Nimz)
Summer Shawlette (Wendy Knits/Ravelry knit-along)
Seafoam Shawl (Sarah Barbour)
Growing Leaves Shawl #2 (Lankakomero)
Iris Shawl (Krazee Kitty/Ravelry knit-along)
22 (BIG) Leaves Shawl (Lankakomero)(knitted with aran yarn)
Bamboo Dishcloth (own pattern)
North Roe Shawl (Aux Dentilles Dodile)
Nightsong (for the Day) Shawl (Nightsongs)
Thrummed Mittens (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee)
Amurigumi Cephalopod (own pattern, based on Tiny Mermaid pattern from Teeny-Tiny Mochi-Mochi Book)
Braidy Cowl (Maryse Roudier)
Braided Mitts (Tera Johnson)
Almost Finished in 2011:
Hooded Snow Scarf (Nikki McGonigal) (I decided at the last minute to make the hood detachable. it's been knitted and blocked. Buttons and loops need sewing on)
Clapotis #2 (ends -LOTS of ends- need sewing in) knitting finished 29 Dec. 2011 (started June 2007)
All Over Cables Hat (Lindsay Koehler) (just needs crochet edging)
Projects Started in 2011:
Cable-icious Ear Warmer (Scarf) (Kate Black)
Raspberry Dream Stole (Dagmara)
Mochi Mochi Tiny Elephant (Anna Hrachovec) (Tiny Chicken and Tiny Elephant from Teeny-Tiny Mochi-Mochi Book)
Mochi Mochi Tiny Chicken (a flock has been started) (Anna Hrachovec)
Eyelet Gloves (Cara Jo Miller)
Reading Shawl #2 (Danielle Landes)
Mariposa Shawlette (Dutch Knitting Design/The Knitter Magazine)
Moonlight Sonata Shawl (Shui Kuen Kozinski/Elann.com)
Growing Leaves Shawl #1 (Lankakomero)
Mermaid Jacket (Hanne Falkenberg kit, colourway #7)
Classic White Shirt (Sian Brown/Knitting Magazine)
Knitting Planned in 2012:
Shawls, a sweater, some baby clothes.
14 December 2011
Getting better.
Well, the last part of the year has been nicely productive - that is, in terms of reading and knitting/craftwork.
I had, for the last couple years, planned on reading at least 50 books a year. I can, if I want to, easily read that amount. A book a week is no problem for me. I read multiple books - with my ADD, I'll read a chapter or 2 (or more) from 3 or 4 books a day - and if you've ever seen my "currently reading" shelf on Goodreads, You'll notice that there's plenty to choose from.
Unfortunately, for the last couple years, I've not been doing so well. I really cannot depend upon myself to just "do something" because I should. I need a push. A reason. An old-fashioned "kick up the pants".
Thank goodness Goodreads has come to the rescue and helped me with that. They brought out a widget/"competition" book reading challenge thingy for your homepage and you get to set (and manipulate) a target book amount. I don't remember exactly when I first noticed it, but my original target was about 35 books, and I kept increasing it. I finally set it (about 2 weeks ago) to 52 books and I got there last week. It was a fun challenge. I think, really, what clinched me finishing the challenge was the e-mail I got from Goodreads saying that there was a page "medal" you would get if you'd gotten to your target - and I'm a sucker for a prize. *grin*.
I'm now hoping that it's a permanent thing and so people can set reading challenges every year. Maybe I'll eventually read over 100 books a year. But I can't see that happening in 2012 - though you never know. . .
Now for my knitting:
The only target I'd set (around June) was to knit every day. I've been doing well. Some days I only knit a few rows, but for the most part, I'll knit about 40-60 rows (mostly spread over a number of projects). If I'm lucky, it'll be between 2 projects. On phenomenal days, I'll actually finish a project and start another. At this point in the year, I'm now firmly addicted to knitting (I have commented on this in a previous entry, but at the time it was an addiction to finishing a particular project...). I HAVE to knit something every day, and I can't do just a couple of rows - I now have to finish to a set point (not a big one, or I'd never get to eat or sleep).
In any other field (e.g. eating), I'd be upset about this. I've a mildly addictive personality and the thought of becoming addicted to anything gets me a little upset. But. (and it's a significant BUT.) There's a moderatly soporific affect that knitting has upon me (affect IS the right word). It's a nice feeling. I'm being creative, I'm being productive, I'm feeling good and I'm happy. It's a win-win-win situation when I'm knitting. I think the only downside is that getting yarn and knitting supplies isn't free. If yarn was truly free, then it'd be win all-around. *laughter*.
So, 2011 is good on two fronts. I'm reading more (and ploughing through the walls of books in my house) and I'm knitting more (and ploughing though the pile of projects in my house). Hurrah!
I had, for the last couple years, planned on reading at least 50 books a year. I can, if I want to, easily read that amount. A book a week is no problem for me. I read multiple books - with my ADD, I'll read a chapter or 2 (or more) from 3 or 4 books a day - and if you've ever seen my "currently reading" shelf on Goodreads, You'll notice that there's plenty to choose from.
Unfortunately, for the last couple years, I've not been doing so well. I really cannot depend upon myself to just "do something" because I should. I need a push. A reason. An old-fashioned "kick up the pants".
Thank goodness Goodreads has come to the rescue and helped me with that. They brought out a widget/"competition" book reading challenge thingy for your homepage and you get to set (and manipulate) a target book amount. I don't remember exactly when I first noticed it, but my original target was about 35 books, and I kept increasing it. I finally set it (about 2 weeks ago) to 52 books and I got there last week. It was a fun challenge. I think, really, what clinched me finishing the challenge was the e-mail I got from Goodreads saying that there was a page "medal" you would get if you'd gotten to your target - and I'm a sucker for a prize. *grin*.
I'm now hoping that it's a permanent thing and so people can set reading challenges every year. Maybe I'll eventually read over 100 books a year. But I can't see that happening in 2012 - though you never know. . .
Now for my knitting:
The only target I'd set (around June) was to knit every day. I've been doing well. Some days I only knit a few rows, but for the most part, I'll knit about 40-60 rows (mostly spread over a number of projects). If I'm lucky, it'll be between 2 projects. On phenomenal days, I'll actually finish a project and start another. At this point in the year, I'm now firmly addicted to knitting (I have commented on this in a previous entry, but at the time it was an addiction to finishing a particular project...). I HAVE to knit something every day, and I can't do just a couple of rows - I now have to finish to a set point (not a big one, or I'd never get to eat or sleep).
In any other field (e.g. eating), I'd be upset about this. I've a mildly addictive personality and the thought of becoming addicted to anything gets me a little upset. But. (and it's a significant BUT.) There's a moderatly soporific affect that knitting has upon me (affect IS the right word). It's a nice feeling. I'm being creative, I'm being productive, I'm feeling good and I'm happy. It's a win-win-win situation when I'm knitting. I think the only downside is that getting yarn and knitting supplies isn't free. If yarn was truly free, then it'd be win all-around. *laughter*.
So, 2011 is good on two fronts. I'm reading more (and ploughing through the walls of books in my house) and I'm knitting more (and ploughing though the pile of projects in my house). Hurrah!
01 November 2011
Lost for words - sort of
I'm knitting. I seem to be always knitting right now. I've got the "multiple projects" thing still going on, but my brain seems to want to decrease the amount of UFO's hanging around.
It's (obviously) never bothered me before, and to be honest, it doesn't now. But it seems like there's this lizard on the back of my brain getting hissy at the mess - the untidyness, the waste of time of it all.
So we'll see what happens on this front in the next 6 months.
I've recently finished 2 wool triangular lace shawls - one brown and one pink (I'veobviously forgotten the names and hopefully will rectify that in the next post).
But I've only started one new project yesterday to replace them - a pair of Thrummed mittens to go with a cabled hooded scarf I'm working on(started last month). I figure I might get both of them finished at the same time, considering the repeats on the scarf are 16 rows, and, I haven't gotten the thrum lengths finished (I'm using two different leftover roving yarns for the thrums and there's a lot less of the preferred colour than the other). so I need to pre-cut the lengths and divide them equally into baggies (suitably marked "L" and "R").
Later. I'm off to pre-draft thrums. It's turned out to be more difficult to do than I thought it would be. The yarn isn't cooperating. Drat.
It's (obviously) never bothered me before, and to be honest, it doesn't now. But it seems like there's this lizard on the back of my brain getting hissy at the mess - the untidyness, the waste of time of it all.
So we'll see what happens on this front in the next 6 months.
I've recently finished 2 wool triangular lace shawls - one brown and one pink (I'veobviously forgotten the names and hopefully will rectify that in the next post).
But I've only started one new project yesterday to replace them - a pair of Thrummed mittens to go with a cabled hooded scarf I'm working on(started last month). I figure I might get both of them finished at the same time, considering the repeats on the scarf are 16 rows, and, I haven't gotten the thrum lengths finished (I'm using two different leftover roving yarns for the thrums and there's a lot less of the preferred colour than the other). so I need to pre-cut the lengths and divide them equally into baggies (suitably marked "L" and "R").
Later. I'm off to pre-draft thrums. It's turned out to be more difficult to do than I thought it would be. The yarn isn't cooperating. Drat.
12 September 2011
Pondering on projects
I'm amassing a large queue of projects on Ravelry.
Some of them are clothes I love the look of and would like to have the ability to be an ultra fast knitter so I could knit them and wear them almost as soon as they go on the list (an even better wish is the possibility to amass a great weath so I can hire many people to knit them for me *grin*).
But neither of those prospects are for me, so I'll have to trudge along, slowly knitting along and hopefully be able to live to 100 or better so I can knit them all (and wear them at least once).
There are, of course, a few projects listed that are filler/speculative/springboard projects - there to give ideas of what I really want. I'm never going to knit them.
There are a few that I have listed that are possibles - I think I like them, but I'm not sure.
Then there are the poor little projects listed that would like to be knitted, but they're actually what I call "candy floss" projects. These little items are projects who need to be knitted with the designated yarn. Special yarn that costs upwards of $20 dollars a ball. Now, honestly, I will occasionally splurge every 6 months and buy a skein of silk/merino space dyed lace or fingering weight yarn that costs about £16 a skein (better if it's less), but that single skein will make an item. The projects I have listed as "candy floss" need at least 6 balls of yarn per project, making the bill come out to over $100 an item (there's an project I made last year that was in the Vogue Accessories book, and if knitted with the designated yarn, would have cost over $400! I made it with yarn that I bought on sale for £5.99 for a pack of 10 balls and I think it came out absolutely lovely - I forgot the name. *grimace*). They're NOT getting made unless I find a suitible substitute yarn (it happens every-so-often). I'd be afraid to wear them at all, never mind wering them outside my house. Whew.
The finally there's also a 5th category of items in my queue on Ravelry. The "might-make-the-grade" projects. They're projects that are sort of akin to an item I want, but I think I might make if I don't find anything better within my own designated timeframe for that item. Sometimes I get lucky and find exactly what I want, sometimes I don't. It's a frustrating project list.
The reason is this: I constantly have a mental list of items I'd like to cook/design/make/knit/sew. They're not things that I know exist in reality, but I list projects/get items/research techniques to either figure out how to make what I want and/or constantly peruse patterns/photgraphs/books/items of all kinds to see if one day I can get lucky and either figure out how to make it - or - find that someone else has had the same idea I have and so design a pattern/kit for it - both things have happened before, and I'm sure will happen again. But, for all my skills, I don't have the ability to mentally draft knitting patterns on the fly like my grandmother did (that woman had KNITTING and CROCHET SKILLS).
I don't really even have the ability to re-draft written knitting patterns I like. For some reason I just can't make my brain do that. I don't know why and I wish I could turn it on.
I can draft up beading patterns and I can redraft sewing patterns with help from books (I can't remember the mathematics for them and I get in trouble trying to wing it). I can make up recipes (and remember them) from scratch and do VERY well.
I CAN easily memorise the stitch patterns within knitting patterns and I can make-up and re-design stitch patterns themselves, but making a whole knitting pattern is a whole different kettle of fish.
For me, it's like trying to draft a sewing pattern in 3D AND figure out how to spin the fibre and weave the fabric all at the same time. It just isn't going to happen. I'm envious of those people that can do that and I'll happily give my money to them - provided their design matches what's in my head. Bless them all.
Whew. This entry isn't really what I wanted to say and I don't have the power to re-draft it now so it goes up as-is. . .
My brain needs food.
Until later.
Some of them are clothes I love the look of and would like to have the ability to be an ultra fast knitter so I could knit them and wear them almost as soon as they go on the list (an even better wish is the possibility to amass a great weath so I can hire many people to knit them for me *grin*).
But neither of those prospects are for me, so I'll have to trudge along, slowly knitting along and hopefully be able to live to 100 or better so I can knit them all (and wear them at least once).
There are, of course, a few projects listed that are filler/speculative/springboard projects - there to give ideas of what I really want. I'm never going to knit them.
There are a few that I have listed that are possibles - I think I like them, but I'm not sure.
Then there are the poor little projects listed that would like to be knitted, but they're actually what I call "candy floss" projects. These little items are projects who need to be knitted with the designated yarn. Special yarn that costs upwards of $20 dollars a ball. Now, honestly, I will occasionally splurge every 6 months and buy a skein of silk/merino space dyed lace or fingering weight yarn that costs about £16 a skein (better if it's less), but that single skein will make an item. The projects I have listed as "candy floss" need at least 6 balls of yarn per project, making the bill come out to over $100 an item (there's an project I made last year that was in the Vogue Accessories book, and if knitted with the designated yarn, would have cost over $400! I made it with yarn that I bought on sale for £5.99 for a pack of 10 balls and I think it came out absolutely lovely - I forgot the name. *grimace*). They're NOT getting made unless I find a suitible substitute yarn (it happens every-so-often). I'd be afraid to wear them at all, never mind wering them outside my house. Whew.
The finally there's also a 5th category of items in my queue on Ravelry. The "might-make-the-grade" projects. They're projects that are sort of akin to an item I want, but I think I might make if I don't find anything better within my own designated timeframe for that item. Sometimes I get lucky and find exactly what I want, sometimes I don't. It's a frustrating project list.
The reason is this: I constantly have a mental list of items I'd like to cook/design/make/knit/sew. They're not things that I know exist in reality, but I list projects/get items/research techniques to either figure out how to make what I want and/or constantly peruse patterns/photgraphs/books/items of all kinds to see if one day I can get lucky and either figure out how to make it - or - find that someone else has had the same idea I have and so design a pattern/kit for it - both things have happened before, and I'm sure will happen again. But, for all my skills, I don't have the ability to mentally draft knitting patterns on the fly like my grandmother did (that woman had KNITTING and CROCHET SKILLS).
I don't really even have the ability to re-draft written knitting patterns I like. For some reason I just can't make my brain do that. I don't know why and I wish I could turn it on.
I can draft up beading patterns and I can redraft sewing patterns with help from books (I can't remember the mathematics for them and I get in trouble trying to wing it). I can make up recipes (and remember them) from scratch and do VERY well.
I CAN easily memorise the stitch patterns within knitting patterns and I can make-up and re-design stitch patterns themselves, but making a whole knitting pattern is a whole different kettle of fish.
For me, it's like trying to draft a sewing pattern in 3D AND figure out how to spin the fibre and weave the fabric all at the same time. It just isn't going to happen. I'm envious of those people that can do that and I'll happily give my money to them - provided their design matches what's in my head. Bless them all.
Whew. This entry isn't really what I wanted to say and I don't have the power to re-draft it now so it goes up as-is. . .
My brain needs food.
Until later.
31 July 2011
But for all the boredom, go I . . .
Right after the last post, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps, gave myself a good talking to and got knitting. I'm still knitting steadily.
I completed and blocked 4 shawls within the last 2 weeks.
I'm rather impressed at myself.
The shawls were:
Summer Shawl knitalong pattern by Wendy Knits
Growing Leaves shawl by Lankakomero
Iris knitalong by Krazee Kitty
and
. . .
I can't remember. I washed it and pinned it out. . .come on - it's the shawl that was being described in the previous post . . .
oh!
Seafoam Shawl by Sarah Barbour.
Whew. (Not because I did all that work, but because I remembered).
I'm hoping beyond hope that I can continue this rate of knitting and pattern completion. Now, concidering that I've got 4 patterns that just need sewing up and blocking, there's a very good possibility I can actually do it.
But. There's a small metal blockage that's preventing me from sewing up those patterns. I don't know why. It's not as if I have to do complex mathematics or physical gymnastics in order to thread or hold a needle. *sigh*
I really want to complete one of them. I'm not so happy about another one, and a third is just a bit fiddly. The last one. . .
The last one. I'm not sure why I'm so reluctant to get the last one finished, but I'll go look at it again and post the reason in a future post.
I've got to go knit - GOT to.
I love this productivity, really, I do.
I'm SO happy.
Later.
I completed and blocked 4 shawls within the last 2 weeks.
I'm rather impressed at myself.
The shawls were:
Summer Shawl knitalong pattern by Wendy Knits
Growing Leaves shawl by Lankakomero
Iris knitalong by Krazee Kitty
and
. . .
I can't remember. I washed it and pinned it out. . .come on - it's the shawl that was being described in the previous post . . .
oh!
Seafoam Shawl by Sarah Barbour.
Whew. (Not because I did all that work, but because I remembered).
I'm hoping beyond hope that I can continue this rate of knitting and pattern completion. Now, concidering that I've got 4 patterns that just need sewing up and blocking, there's a very good possibility I can actually do it.
But. There's a small metal blockage that's preventing me from sewing up those patterns. I don't know why. It's not as if I have to do complex mathematics or physical gymnastics in order to thread or hold a needle. *sigh*
I really want to complete one of them. I'm not so happy about another one, and a third is just a bit fiddly. The last one. . .
The last one. I'm not sure why I'm so reluctant to get the last one finished, but I'll go look at it again and post the reason in a future post.
I've got to go knit - GOT to.
I love this productivity, really, I do.
I'm SO happy.
Later.
17 July 2011
Bored yet again. This too shall pass....
Well, I'm exercising patience in all my knitting. If I'm honest, I'm really not in the overall mood to knit, but I know that I must knit. I must overcome and demolish this reluctance to knit, for the rewards will be happiness and pride in myself for completing a project - any project. Plus, I'd then be able start another project to get bored with.
It's funny in it's absurdness, really.
I don't know exactly what I would like to be doing other than knitting, but I think the primary problem is that the project I'm presently finishing (1 1/2 rows before bind-off) is a ruffle edging for a plain but pretty shawl and it is excrusciatingly, mindnumbingly boring. I'm working on the final row of endless knit front and back into the same stitch (kfb).
This is the third time I've had to do this (non-consecutively) for the ruffle. To construct the ruffle, there are rows of knit, purl and kfb in combinations. The initial cast-on knit row was approximately 70 inches long, and while the first row of kfb was boring, doubling the original length, I'm now working on what feels like endless, eternal inches of knitting.
Though amazingly, in the process of typing this complaint of mine, I feel enormously guilty that I'm not working on it. I think it's time I return to my self-imposed torture.
I hope I'm not going mad.
Later.
It's funny in it's absurdness, really.
I don't know exactly what I would like to be doing other than knitting, but I think the primary problem is that the project I'm presently finishing (1 1/2 rows before bind-off) is a ruffle edging for a plain but pretty shawl and it is excrusciatingly, mindnumbingly boring. I'm working on the final row of endless knit front and back into the same stitch (kfb).
This is the third time I've had to do this (non-consecutively) for the ruffle. To construct the ruffle, there are rows of knit, purl and kfb in combinations. The initial cast-on knit row was approximately 70 inches long, and while the first row of kfb was boring, doubling the original length, I'm now working on what feels like endless, eternal inches of knitting.
Though amazingly, in the process of typing this complaint of mine, I feel enormously guilty that I'm not working on it. I think it's time I return to my self-imposed torture.
I hope I'm not going mad.
Later.
29 June 2011
Back to taking photos. . .
I missed it.
I'm only using the Samsung camera phone right now, mainly because I can't edit any photos on my netbook due to the simple fact I've no photo-editing software on it.
My Olympus digital camera takes photos that are just too large to upload -unaltered- to any website at the resolution I have the camera set to. I'm also not going to change that resoultion because I've found that at lower resolutions, the photos look "bad". Therefore, me using only the camera phone it is.
I'm not 100% happy I can't edit my photos (I'm not even close to being 50% happy if I'm honest), but I'm doing the best I can in the shooting of them. I'd much rather take the photos and have to reshoot/replace some of them in the future, than not take them at all (it's very hard to retake photos of knitting-in-progress when the project's long been finished and blocked).
surprisingly, It's really fun relearning to shoot photos like this. I forgot how much fun photography can be with equipment that's a bit "raw".
I'm off to take more photos. I've a lot of knitting to shoot.
I'm only using the Samsung camera phone right now, mainly because I can't edit any photos on my netbook due to the simple fact I've no photo-editing software on it.
My Olympus digital camera takes photos that are just too large to upload -unaltered- to any website at the resolution I have the camera set to. I'm also not going to change that resoultion because I've found that at lower resolutions, the photos look "bad". Therefore, me using only the camera phone it is.
I'm not 100% happy I can't edit my photos (I'm not even close to being 50% happy if I'm honest), but I'm doing the best I can in the shooting of them. I'd much rather take the photos and have to reshoot/replace some of them in the future, than not take them at all (it's very hard to retake photos of knitting-in-progress when the project's long been finished and blocked).
surprisingly, It's really fun relearning to shoot photos like this. I forgot how much fun photography can be with equipment that's a bit "raw".
I'm off to take more photos. I've a lot of knitting to shoot.
20 June 2011
Yahoo!
Well, I've finally got a mobile phone that'll take decent pictures - it's not fantastic, but it'll allow me to at least get photos of projects online (an Samsung E2550).
I don't have the money to afford a smart phone (and to be honest, I don't want one - I'm not busy enough to warrent having one). So I just waited until "regular" phones had better cameras.
It's about time.
I just need to remember to clean the lens/skin apature before taking pictures. That's not hard.
Later
I don't have the money to afford a smart phone (and to be honest, I don't want one - I'm not busy enough to warrent having one). So I just waited until "regular" phones had better cameras.
It's about time.
I just need to remember to clean the lens/skin apature before taking pictures. That's not hard.
Later
12 June 2011
Found a pattern - possibly
Well, I recieved the new issue of The Knitter (#33) and there's this lovely garter stitch shawl in 4-ply (called Mariposa).
I really like the construction, but unfortunately for the Manos, I don't have a pair of 4.5mm needles free in order to to a test knit (not a swatch, as I don't actually care about matching the gauge as it won't happen with the Manos DK yarn). Well, if I'm truthful, I've got a pair of needles (interchangeable tips) free, but I don't have a long enough cable free to use with the needles. I know that if the test knit works, I'll just want to continue with the pattern, and I won't want to wait to do that. I'll lose the impetus to continue, and it's not a big shawl.
Now, there's a small problem with the cable I want to use for the Mariposa shawl. It's currently in use on the Seafoam shawl, and then I want to use it on the (presently hibernating) first Growing Leaves shawl I started. I could, if I'm honest, just frog that first G.L. shawl, but I think I want to give that shawl away - depending on what it turns out to look and feel like when I've washed and blocked it - if it's ugly and scratchy/squeaky in feel, I'll keep it to use when the weather's cold. If it's pretty and soft, I'll put the photo on Facebook and ask Friends/Family if anyone wants it, and if that doesn't pan out, it'll get donated to the local charity shop.
So, seeing how the Seafoam shawl is being a bit slower to knit than I thought it would be (the yarn is slubby and a teeny bit sticky for 100% cotton, so each ssk takes more time than expected to make), and the Growing Leaves shawl is a bit quicker than I thought (the second shawl, despite each row getting longer, is practically flowing off the needles when I spend any time knitting it), I think I'm looking at about 3-6 months before the Mariposa shawl even gets started.
That's being wildly optimistic, if I'm honest, although that might be a good thing - since it gives a better chance for me to find another pattern or two to use on the Manos yarn - not that I'm being hopeful about that since it took over 6 months to find just one I liked enough to even seriously consider knitting.
Later. I'm off to knit.
I really like the construction, but unfortunately for the Manos, I don't have a pair of 4.5mm needles free in order to to a test knit (not a swatch, as I don't actually care about matching the gauge as it won't happen with the Manos DK yarn). Well, if I'm truthful, I've got a pair of needles (interchangeable tips) free, but I don't have a long enough cable free to use with the needles. I know that if the test knit works, I'll just want to continue with the pattern, and I won't want to wait to do that. I'll lose the impetus to continue, and it's not a big shawl.
Now, there's a small problem with the cable I want to use for the Mariposa shawl. It's currently in use on the Seafoam shawl, and then I want to use it on the (presently hibernating) first Growing Leaves shawl I started. I could, if I'm honest, just frog that first G.L. shawl, but I think I want to give that shawl away - depending on what it turns out to look and feel like when I've washed and blocked it - if it's ugly and scratchy/squeaky in feel, I'll keep it to use when the weather's cold. If it's pretty and soft, I'll put the photo on Facebook and ask Friends/Family if anyone wants it, and if that doesn't pan out, it'll get donated to the local charity shop.
So, seeing how the Seafoam shawl is being a bit slower to knit than I thought it would be (the yarn is slubby and a teeny bit sticky for 100% cotton, so each ssk takes more time than expected to make), and the Growing Leaves shawl is a bit quicker than I thought (the second shawl, despite each row getting longer, is practically flowing off the needles when I spend any time knitting it), I think I'm looking at about 3-6 months before the Mariposa shawl even gets started.
That's being wildly optimistic, if I'm honest, although that might be a good thing - since it gives a better chance for me to find another pattern or two to use on the Manos yarn - not that I'm being hopeful about that since it took over 6 months to find just one I liked enough to even seriously consider knitting.
Later. I'm off to knit.
01 June 2011
Getting better
I love my brain. . .
I finally read the other entry and saw that I'd forgotten to mention a few projects.
A Seafoam shawl (pattern from Ravelry) in 100% cotton yarn (Patons) colour: bright turquoise. I'm about 40% percent finished with the body. I'm not really looking forwards to knitting the ruffle I have to pickup from the edge for, but it'll look great.
The "Classic White Shirt" pattern from the March 2011 issue of Knitting Magazine. It's in the required yarn for the pattern (I think it's Rico cotton essentials, DK weight, white). I'm going to dye it another colour once finished, or I'll only wear it once. I'm unlucky that way with white clothing.
The Patchwork Jacket is still languishing waiting for its ends to be sewn in, but I've found buttons for it and they look good. Not looking forwards to blocking it, though.
The lace wrap cardigan is in a similar postion. I'm feeling a bit "iffy" about my body and I'm not convinced I'll fit in to it in a couple months. I hate the way my brain works (or not) in this way. *bah, humbug*. I'm definitely losing weight and inches - all over. Unfortunately, I can't "see" the weight loss due to that all over loss. *grumble* Dratted brain.
I've blocked the Lace circular waistcoat/vest, and worn it both ways a few times (no true top or bottom). I now have discovered the back of it right between the armholes needs to be sewn in smaller due to the yarn stretching (bamboo yarn - known for its stretching. *sigh*). I'll use bonded nylon thread due to it's stability. Luckily the rest of the vest will be cute even if it stretches a bit more overall.
I think that's all.
I'm generally feeling better. I should be back to "normal" health within the next week.
Later.
I finally read the other entry and saw that I'd forgotten to mention a few projects.
A Seafoam shawl (pattern from Ravelry) in 100% cotton yarn (Patons) colour: bright turquoise. I'm about 40% percent finished with the body. I'm not really looking forwards to knitting the ruffle I have to pickup from the edge for, but it'll look great.
The "Classic White Shirt" pattern from the March 2011 issue of Knitting Magazine. It's in the required yarn for the pattern (I think it's Rico cotton essentials, DK weight, white). I'm going to dye it another colour once finished, or I'll only wear it once. I'm unlucky that way with white clothing.
The Patchwork Jacket is still languishing waiting for its ends to be sewn in, but I've found buttons for it and they look good. Not looking forwards to blocking it, though.
The lace wrap cardigan is in a similar postion. I'm feeling a bit "iffy" about my body and I'm not convinced I'll fit in to it in a couple months. I hate the way my brain works (or not) in this way. *bah, humbug*. I'm definitely losing weight and inches - all over. Unfortunately, I can't "see" the weight loss due to that all over loss. *grumble* Dratted brain.
I've blocked the Lace circular waistcoat/vest, and worn it both ways a few times (no true top or bottom). I now have discovered the back of it right between the armholes needs to be sewn in smaller due to the yarn stretching (bamboo yarn - known for its stretching. *sigh*). I'll use bonded nylon thread due to it's stability. Luckily the rest of the vest will be cute even if it stretches a bit more overall.
I think that's all.
I'm generally feeling better. I should be back to "normal" health within the next week.
Later.
28 May 2011
Been busy . . .
Another month where time passed quite a bit quicker than I sensed.
Between the exercise classes, choir and taking time out to relax, it wasn't until the last three days, where I've forced myself to take it easy, I've discovered it's almost been a month since my last post.
Nevermind.
I'm doing mon-wed exercise (Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi) then thursday is choir, and I spend the next three days shopping, catching up on paying bills, laundry (I go out to a laundrette, since I've no space for either a washer/dryer), cleaning and knitting. If I'm lucky, I get a day to relax.
Due to a minor amount of stress, a cold sore started this last wed. night, and a chest-cold/cough/sore throat started on the following night. So, I've forced myself to take a couple days of rest and do nothing but be a (moderate) couch potato and do my standard cold-busting routine:
(hot as possible showers, hot/spicy soup to make me sweat, hot herbal teas, daily echinacea/goldenseal/zinc/1g vit-c tablets and honey and vinegar gargles (I swallow them, as I think they'll kill the virus in my gut) once-a-day. really, it's all a bit of a pain, but I think it works to busting the cold a day quicker. It worked on the last one I had.
So, within the last couple weeks I've been knitting on a couple new projects - a kindle cozy (I now have a kindle, all ready with stuff downloaded from among stuff pre-found and downloaded to my netbook) and a new shawl I'm knitting along to WendyKnits' (user name on Ravelry) spring/summer shawlette Ravelry knitalong.
The two shawls I mentioned in the last post are two copies of Lankakomero's "Growing Leaves" shawl. One is in a softened camo-coloured sock yarn, and I then started another one in a solid medium green sock yarn. I'm trying to work on both equally, but I'm finding myself working more on the solid green one. If I'm honest, it's prettier to me.
I've still not found a pattern that jumps out to use the Manos silk blend on, and I've taken a break from the Mermaid Jacket for a month.
I still love it, but the miles of garter stitch were finally getting a bit boring. I want to be happy to work on it, so I thought a rest was needed. It's working well so far. I've had two weeks of rest, I see it and I want to work on it. Two more weeks to go and then it's back to it.
I've started planning winter knitting:
Besides starting work on the Muir Wrap in october, sometime before winter snows strike (I'm thinking I'll start in September), I'll knit a hooded scarf for the winter snows. as the last two we had had days of blizzard-like conditions, and I want a combined scarf-hood item I can roll up the scarf over the bottom of the hood (if you can visualize what I mean) and use it to cover my nose and mouth without worrying about it falling down in the wind. I hope that the design I've picked from the available ravelry pattern choices will work - the final choice won't be revealed until I'm more than half-way through.
I now have a couple new knitting books I've been hoping for the last three years:
The quartet of Barbara Walker pattern books,
Elisabeth Zimmermann's "Knitting Workshop" and
Alison Jeppson Hyde's "Wrapped in Comfort".
The last book is the one I'm a bit happier than usual to receive, since it went out of print a while ago. It was bought for me via a phone call to the Purlessence store. I wouldn't have received it otherwise.
Anyway, I'm off to rest a bit and . . .
*sigh*
. . . cough up things out of my lungs.
yum.....
Between the exercise classes, choir and taking time out to relax, it wasn't until the last three days, where I've forced myself to take it easy, I've discovered it's almost been a month since my last post.
Nevermind.
I'm doing mon-wed exercise (Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi) then thursday is choir, and I spend the next three days shopping, catching up on paying bills, laundry (I go out to a laundrette, since I've no space for either a washer/dryer), cleaning and knitting. If I'm lucky, I get a day to relax.
Due to a minor amount of stress, a cold sore started this last wed. night, and a chest-cold/cough/sore throat started on the following night. So, I've forced myself to take a couple days of rest and do nothing but be a (moderate) couch potato and do my standard cold-busting routine:
(hot as possible showers, hot/spicy soup to make me sweat, hot herbal teas, daily echinacea/goldenseal/zinc/1g vit-c tablets and honey and vinegar gargles (I swallow them, as I think they'll kill the virus in my gut) once-a-day. really, it's all a bit of a pain, but I think it works to busting the cold a day quicker. It worked on the last one I had.
So, within the last couple weeks I've been knitting on a couple new projects - a kindle cozy (I now have a kindle, all ready with stuff downloaded from among stuff pre-found and downloaded to my netbook) and a new shawl I'm knitting along to WendyKnits' (user name on Ravelry) spring/summer shawlette Ravelry knitalong.
The two shawls I mentioned in the last post are two copies of Lankakomero's "Growing Leaves" shawl. One is in a softened camo-coloured sock yarn, and I then started another one in a solid medium green sock yarn. I'm trying to work on both equally, but I'm finding myself working more on the solid green one. If I'm honest, it's prettier to me.
I've still not found a pattern that jumps out to use the Manos silk blend on, and I've taken a break from the Mermaid Jacket for a month.
I still love it, but the miles of garter stitch were finally getting a bit boring. I want to be happy to work on it, so I thought a rest was needed. It's working well so far. I've had two weeks of rest, I see it and I want to work on it. Two more weeks to go and then it's back to it.
I've started planning winter knitting:
Besides starting work on the Muir Wrap in october, sometime before winter snows strike (I'm thinking I'll start in September), I'll knit a hooded scarf for the winter snows. as the last two we had had days of blizzard-like conditions, and I want a combined scarf-hood item I can roll up the scarf over the bottom of the hood (if you can visualize what I mean) and use it to cover my nose and mouth without worrying about it falling down in the wind. I hope that the design I've picked from the available ravelry pattern choices will work - the final choice won't be revealed until I'm more than half-way through.
I now have a couple new knitting books I've been hoping for the last three years:
The quartet of Barbara Walker pattern books,
Elisabeth Zimmermann's "Knitting Workshop" and
Alison Jeppson Hyde's "Wrapped in Comfort".
The last book is the one I'm a bit happier than usual to receive, since it went out of print a while ago. It was bought for me via a phone call to the Purlessence store. I wouldn't have received it otherwise.
Anyway, I'm off to rest a bit and . . .
*sigh*
. . . cough up things out of my lungs.
yum.....
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