The Search Begins
I was so close to finishing my Hemlock Ring Blanket, and then this happened.
I ran out of yarn with only a few stitches left to bind off. This bind off eats up the yarn and is time consuming. I don’t want to rip back and try the bind off on smaller needles. And I can’t bear to buy another 478 yards just to finish this little bit of knitting. I’m going to try to find someone who can spare just a little yarn, maybe a few yards will do.
Anybody have some Cascade Ecological Wool color 8095 in any dye lot? Pretty please?
Same Story Here
Yes, I’m still very busy at work. There’s lots of new spring yarns coming in every day. And we’re starting to get ready for Stitches West. This is the first time I will be going along.
And with the busy holidays, there was essentially no blogging time. Whole months go by now without me noticing. Well and Ravelry has taken about what little blogging time I do have. My stash is all up there now, all 56,000 yards of it. All my projects are up too, but not with all the details. That will happen over time.
I have two projects I’m really focusing on right now. Most important is the sweater for Bill. I’ve got the back done, and the front has a few more inches to go. The DK ribbing on a men’s large sweater is going so slowly. But I’m determined to finish soon.
The other project I’m working on is the Hemlock Ring Blanket. It’s a fun and easy pattern. It’s moving along quickly. I’m trying to keep up with the Ready, Set, Knit! Podcast.
And with working full time this last year, my movie watching dropped tremendously. But I did manage to watch enough to compile my annual Best and Worst lists. I absolutely loved The Lives of Others and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Go see these movies, now.
Finished Project: April in December
Project Specs:
Pattern: April in December by Melissa available soon as a Valley Yarns pattern
Yarn: 3 skeins of Valley Yarns Southwick, color Flamingo
Needles: 4
Size: 6 months
This is a cardigan I finished last month for my new niece. I can’t believe I never got around to blogging about it. Thanks Amy for pestering me about the blog.
Finished Project: My First Towels
Project Specs:
Pattern: All-Purpose Waffle-Weave Towels from Handwoven’s Design Collection 18 by Marilyn Murphy
Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotlin colors 8176, 6256, and 5604
epi: 24
Size: 24″ x 19″ before washing, 20 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ after washing
Pattern Alterations: I changed the color striping in the warp. I cut off the plain weave section of the towels before sewing. With it, the plain weave ends didn’t shrink at the same rate as the waffle weave and they were really wavy.
I should have chosen a much easier project for my first independent one. And I shouldn’t have added the extra pressure of it being a gift. I had problems with this project every step of the way. I started winding the warp way back in June. Finally I am finished. My first towel was awful. The second a little better. And the third even better. I no longer want to burn my new loom.
I do really like the texture of the towels. And the 8/2 Cotlin washes up so nicely.
I Love Homemade Gifts
This large box is what has been tormenting me ever since it arrived. I had absolutely no idea what it could be. All I know is that it was from my folks and Bill was in on it.
Finally I was able to open it Christmas morning. This is what I found.
This is what my dad wrote:
“July of this year, Bill e-mailed me wondering if I’d be interested in building a new gate for you since the one you had was in very poor condition. I told him I’d be happy to take on the project. During my visit in October, I discussed the gate with Bill. When I returned home, I began designing the gate in my mind. I concluded the original gate design really did not suit the style of your home or your family. The gate I built is my vision of what the gate should be, four parts of a whole with the whole being the family. It depicts four different personalities in your family, each going different directions, but held together as a family unit – The Childs.
The cedar used in building the gate was originally the beams in our basement bar room. The cedar is clear, heart wood, old growth cedar timber. When we remodeled the basement level, I saved the beams and recycled them for the green movement.”
I was completely shocked and touched by his gift. Homemade gifts are the best. Thanks Dad!
Blog Catching Up
A mighty quick recap since I feel like I’ve been blogging all day…
Halloween
Jane Goodall, and A Hairy Eyeball, and why not?!
Knit Crochet Party-Nov. 16th
Thanks to everyone who came. It was so much fun, and relaxing. It was great to break in the new room.
Grandparents Visits in November
Ella’s Sweater Photo Shoot in October
One of my favorite pictures from Ella’s photo shoot.
Current Project Updates
Really Bill, I’ll finish this before you die.
A cardigan for my new niece.
This project isn’t done yet. I WILL finish it.
Whew! All caught up. Now maybe I can be a better blogger. I blame Ravelry.
Finished Project: Tangled Yoke
Project Specs:
Pattern: Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed
Needles: 0, 3, 4
Size: 36″
Pattern Alterations: 1/2 ” longer in the sleeves, otherwise followed the pattern.
The buttons are too heavy for the flimsy button band. If I was doing this over, I’d pick up fewer stitches for the button band. But I may get around to sewing some fabric or ribbon to the inside of the band, and attaching lighter weight buttons. Otherwise I love this sweater. It’s very comfortable.
My Blog Links: Tight Tangled Yoke Neck, Tangled Yoke Errata?, , Tangled Yoke Errata?
Finished Project: Sharlene Scarf
Project Specs:
Pattern: Crocheted Woven Stitch Pattern with fringe
Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel and Brooks Farm Riata
Hook: J
Size: 60″
Sharlene at work is an amazing crocheter. She came in one day with a finished scarf I knew I just had to make. This is my version of it. I finished this in one weekend. Could I possibly be turning into a crocheter?
Finished Projects: The Rhinebeck Guilt
Feeling a little guilty about my fun weekend, I knit two things while at Rhinebeck this year for Ella and Liam.
Project Specs:
Pattern: Woodin
Yarn: Scrap yarn
Needles: 10.5
Project Specs:
Pattern: DROPS Design Headband
Yarn: Leftover Lorna’s Laces Worsted from my raglan sweater
Needles: 7
Ella’s wearing this ALL of the time. She love’s it.
I never get around to blogging about Rhinebeck. Must be a busy time of the year for me. Here’s the one photo I took. It’s of the pre-opening tailgate party our group had.
Finished Square: 9
Horizontal Chain
Still don’t love slip stitch. But it blocked out nicely.
