Finished Project: The Dinosaur Sweater
Project Specs:
Pattern: Roll Raglan in crewneck by Yankee Knitter Designs
Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa 501 in colors 132, 163, 170, 2188
Needles: US 7 Addi Turbo circulars, US 7 14″ straight Brittany needles for the intarsia, and US 6 & 8 Addi Turbo circulars for the neck
Size: Childs 8
Pattern Alterations: Instead of the rolled cuffs and bottom, I used the same hem as I did for my NBaT. And I made the sleeves and body one inch shorter.
My Blog Links: The Beginning of the Dinosaur Sweater, Bad Gauge & Good Heels, Dinosaur or Ostrich?, Satisfied Recipients
OK, so this is way too big for Liam, but I wanted him to be able to wear it for awhile. I know my three-year old doesn’t normally wear a size 8. I hope he likes it and is not too itchy for my delicate flower. He’s always complaining about things being too itchy. This yarn actually feels pretty soft to me. Before I blocked the pieces, the intarsia looked terrible. But blocking once again did its magic. And even though the seaming took awhile, it actually went quite well. Hooray, I like the sweater.
Knitting for the Obsessed
As some of you may have already figured out, the knitting thing has become an obsession for me. What better way to fuel the obsession than starting the Expert Knitters Certification Program at Webs. I’m now officially a part of the program. And I signed up for classes for the new session: Stitches II Terrific Textures, No More Ugly Sweaters Color Workshop, and a mini class on zippers. I’m so excited for my new classes.
Finished Project-Big Blue House Socks
Project Specs:
Pattern: I made this one up too, but I used Wendy Johnson’s article from Knitty.com to figure out the short-row toes.
Yarn: Rowan Cork in the dark blue and Jaeger Chamonix in the light blue
Needles: two sets of Addi Turbo circular needles, US 6
Size: hopefully a men’s 14
I started these socks and got well past the toes on both and realized there was no way two balls of Cork would be enough. On top of that, my short row toes looked good on one side and terrible on the other. Almost as if I had knit that side inside out. Off to Webs I went hoping to find a compatible yarn for the Cork and to find some short row help.
What a successful yarn store visit it was. They actually happened to have Cork as a closeout. What a surprise. But they only had light brown and tan. I wasn’t so sure how that would look with the dark blue. But they also had the Chamonix as a closeout and in more colors. This yarn is SO similar to Cork. The biggest difference is that it has angora and is therefore even softer. I saw the light blue and knew that it would work in the sock. I love when mistakes work out. I think I like the socks more with the contrast color toes, heels and cuff tips.
And then I needed to figure out what I was doing wrong with the short row toes. I figured the problem was that I was picking up the wraps incorrectly. Cirilia thought that The Knitter’s Handbook had a detailed description of short rows in it. Yes it did, with very clear illustrations. I discovered that I was picking up purl side wraps from the wrong side of the fabric. Problem solved. I’ve finally mastered the short-row toe.
Finished Project-Wind Stopper Hat
Project Specs:
Pattern: my own but inspired by the Live Dangerously, Don’t Swatch Hat (Time was an issue and I needed to just get knitting.)
Yarn: Shetland wool
Needles: two sets of US 10 1/2 circulars
Size: loose on me, too snug on my husband, hopefully just right for the recipient
OK, my main goal for this hat was for it to be really warm and to cover those frost-bite susceptible ears. After knitting it, it was too big. So it got a bit felted to a better size. Then I added a fleece lining including the earflaps. I hope hope hope that it fits the special someone and I hope it doesn’t look too goofy on him either. But who cares when you’re in the middle of a lake ice fishing. As long as you’re warm. Right?
Knitting Marathon Day
I’ll be a mad woman today knitting like a fiend. I’m mailing packages tomorrow so today is the day to finish up those knitting projects that are getting mailed. I’ve got a hat and a pair of socks to finish. I’ve got the earflaps and finishing for the hat. Plus I would like to add a lining to it since it’s not the most soft yarn. And the socks I’ve got the cuffs and weaving in the ends. So I’m getting close. And then there are all of the gifts to wrap and the packages to put together. It’s all doable, I just need to stay focused.
I’ll also be busy burning the CDs for our annual CD compilation. Here’s the final song list:
Goods (All in Your Head) – Mates Of State
Sing Me Spanish Techno – New Pornographers
Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games – Of Montreal
Wonderful Night – Fatboy Slim
Blood and Peanut Butter – BC Camplight
Vega-Tables – Brian Wilson
Jesusland – Ben Folds
There’s a Story in Your Voice – Elvis Costello
Common People (featuring Joe Jackson) – William Shatner
Section 12: Hold Me Now – Polyphonic Spree
Ohh La La – Ditty Bops
Tricycle – Lunch Money
Side 2 – Dressy Bessy
How We Know – The Thermals
Van Nuys (es Very Nice) – Los Abandoned
Kelly Nicoll – The Salteens
Got A Message – The Latebirds
Just Pretend – Ben Kweller & Ben Folds & Ben Lee
The Littlest Birds – The Be Good Tanyas
Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World – Ben Rudnick and Friends
The Magic Stone – Ella Childs
I’d add links for the songs, but no time. Must knit.
Finished Project: Silk Knitting Needle Cases
(mouseover to see the inside)
Project Specs:
Pattern: my own, I think I figured it out by the third case
Fabric: beautiful silk from Delectable Mountain Cloth
Size: about 27 inches across and 15 inches tall
My Blog Links: Count Down to Vacation, Needle Case Fabric
OK, they are finally done. My sewing machine kept trying to die on me. The thread broke a lot, and I was having a lot of problems with loose and uneven stitches. I think it’s time to have someone look at the machine.
But now that they are done, I feel so good. And I can stop focusing on all of the mistakes. Why do I keep trying to take on projects like this when I hate to sew? It’s so stressful.
Now it’s time for a big glass of wine and to think about how I’m getting the four other holiday gifts done on time.
Safety First!
I’ve noticed that ever since I started wearing my new gloves while driving, I find myself staring at the gloves admiringly and not paying enough attention to the road. I think I need to only wear them for walking for a while, just until the novelty wears off.
Thanks to Bill for the warning label generator link.
New Needles and Ribbon
This past week, the Gracie and Company needles I had ordered finally came in the mail. I first saw them at Pixie Sticks and couldn’t resist checking them out. I decided on the complete set (US 4–35) of Vineyard needles since I have a thing for purple. I haven’t had a chance to use them much yet, but I like the really pointy tips. I would like them a bit smoother though. I may rub a little fine sandpaper on a set to see the difference.
And I finally found some great ribbon to use for the silk needle cases I’ll be sewing this weekend.
Finished Project-Red & Purple Broadripple Socks
Project Specs:
Pattern: Broadripple Socks by Rob Matyska from Knitty.com
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Needles: 2 sets of US 3 Addi Turbo circular needles
Pattern Alterations: These are an anklet version of the Broadripple socks. One other change from the pattern (which was a mistake), I did not work the even rows of the toe. But they looked fine and fit well, so I went with it. Again, this is another gift for a special person.
