Warming Feet

Well for some reason I have gotten bit by the need to make socks. I completed another pair of socks for my honey. Third pair in a week and half ....started a fourth pair last night (almost done with one). I am hoping to be added to the Sock Madness competition, so maybe somewhere in my little mind I am warming up for it ...lol. I recieved an email today saying that I needed to message back ASAP if I wanted to join in but have not heard back yet to see if I have been added. It looks like a lot of fun and I think I have everything that is required for the competition.

Here are the socks I finished last night. I used Trekking XXL in colorway 28. I wound the yarn into a center pull ball and used it double stranded (a strand from the inside and a strand from the outside). This made the wieght as if it were thicker and I could knit the sock as if I were using a fat DK weight or worsted weight. Which for some reason works better for socks for my honey. I did not use a written pattern, just sort of used what I have learned from other patterns and put it together. I had the hardest time finding a pattern that would suit his feet. I think I found the right formula, I am going to write it all out so that it can be shared. I have alot of notes in my notebooks for patterns I have adjusted or re-written but I have yet to write up my own pattern. I want to be sure it makes sense. :-)

Here is the sock pictures. Let me know what you all think.

Charity Knitting 1

I have begun my charity knitting projects for the coming year. My idea is to make scarves and hats from stitch patterns that I want to learn out of junky yarn in my stash so that I can learn new stitches and techniques, use up the yarn that is of poor quality and end up with items that I can donate. I have completed two scarves so far.


For some reason I was given a lot of brown and orange yarn on cones. I have had it in my stash for a very long time and when I recently organized the stash I came across several cones of this acrylic stuff in the two colors. For acrylic yarn it feels very soft and is light weight. I wound some of each color together for the center strip and just sort of winged it for the scarf. It actually came out pretty nice. The picture doesn't show it well but th colors sort of have a metalic look to them so the scarf looks nicer then you would think. I am happy with the way it turned out. I did the orange stripping on both ends.


I have a ton of Red Heart yarn in red for some reason and would like to contribute some scarves to the Red Scarf project for next year. Even though I made this same type of scarf for my mother with Cascade Superwash I figured it would be a good scarf to use up some of the red yarn with.



So only two scarves so far but a good start I think.

Horcrux Socks

I joined in a sort of KAL from "I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can" and made the "Horcrux Socks". They came out great though the self stripping yarn does not show off the pattern on the leg all that well. I made them for my guy and thats the yarn he picked out. I am going to make a pair for me in a solid color so that the pattern shows up more. They are SUPER easy and fast to make. Made the first sock in a day.

My guy is always cold (being from Hawaii he gets cold easily) so I made him another pair of socks this week. I used Mode Dea Sassy stripes (in a different colorway). I didn't use a pattern, just did a generic sock except that it is ribbed from the cuff to the toe. Really fast. Seen seperately the colors look the same but seen side by the difference is easily discerned (at least it is for me lol). This yarn is nice to work with...it feels soft and is between and worsted and DK weight. Since I am working on other projects right now where the progress is slow it was fun to stop and make these and see the results quickly.

This weekend is "Stitches". Some of my knitting pals are there. I wish I could have gone it would have been fun but I just couldn't afford it this year. I hope I can go next year. I am looking forward to hearing from those that went, I hope they all have a great time.

Beatbox Flute Player: Greg Patillo

Yes I know this is a knitting blog and that this post has nothing to do with knitting. But the world has way too many talented people in it who do way cool things to not talk about them sometimes. I read ALOT of knitting blogs and some non-knitting ones...One of the blogs that I read that is not about knitting is Wil Wheaton's (yes the "kid" from Star Trek Next Generation, and YES I am a Star Trek geek...so what? wanna make something of it? hehehe)....today he posted a vid from youtube with this guy playing a flute while doing "beatbox". What is "beatbox"? For those of you who don't know...some talented people are able to make rhythmic sounds using there mouth (that’s a simplistic definition but close enough)...it’s pretty cool. So this guy does it but while playing the flute. He is a very good flutist but then he adds the beatbox to it and it is way cool. Wow. So here are some links.

Greg Patillo:
Seasame Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clcza815sao&NR
Mario: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oct_WsRdByQ&NR
Inspector Gadget: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59ZX5qdIEB0&NR
Peter and the Wolf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6SHsF1n9Qw&NR

I just love talented people! Especially those that step out of the box!

"Wooly Bullies"

Ok this is way funny...you have got to see this you tube video about crochet vs knitting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZcUjYpjKZs

...no pics to show

Ok I finished one of my favorite projects that I have done thus far and cannot share a picture of it because my digital camera is ...fubar (if you don't know what that term means then ask...can take the girl out of the Navy but can't take the Navy out of the girl...lol). I completed a really nice Entrelac bag this weekend in Noro Kureyeon. Felted and everything...you will have to take my word for it...it came out GREAT! I am so happy with it. I want to line it but I don't sew (hate sewing actually) so it may just stay as is for awhile.

I am deep into 4 lace projects (not to mention two sock projects)...one from Artic Lace, one from Victoria Lace Today, one I found online, and oneu from a Fiber Trends (AC-73 x: Cocoon Lace Scarf or Wrap by Evelyn A. Clark) pattern purchased at my LYS. As soon as I am able to take pictures of what I am making I will post them and more details about each.

I want to dye more yarn but need to purchase some more from Knitpicks...this time I want to get some different weights because last time I only purchased lace weight. I would like to make socks from yarn that I have died myself. My lovely Otter friend explained how to design my own self stripping yarn, its not as hard as I thought it would be.

Other then that, just been doing the school thing...work load still isn't that difficult to handle and going in the evening and at night is not as bad as I thought it would be. So far the only thing that really is a pain is the feeling like I am waiting to start my day.

Criminal Knitting Nuns

OMG! I just saw this on Yarn-A-Go-Go. "Greek nuns on the run, chased by bad debts." I am laughing so hard my face hurts. Knitting nuns turned into criminals because they couldn't afford to pay for the habit. (pun intended) LMAO!!!! They are hiding out in a monestary. Can you picture it...the cops surrounding the place, S.W.A.T in position, a negotiator on a bull horn yelling: "Ok Sisters put down your needles and come out with your hands up!" (While inside the Nuns are on their knees praying "Forgive me Father for I have knit and purled") RFLMAO.

This is just as bad as the news article a few months ago that talked about how a 60 year old lady was going around stealing yarn from yarn shops. She was wanted in several states, when they caught her they found yarn in bags from shops all over. Geez! Whish I had a copy of that one, read it at my LYS.

Is yarn addiction as bad as all that? Has it gotten this bad?

A DUH moment.

I have a great book that I purchased at a local bookstore, off their sale table for 50% off, called "Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns". Now, I know there are a ton of books for both knitting and crochet that are compilation stitch books out there. However, I liked this one because as a beginner (though I can say with everything that I have knit since I learned in July, I am well past beginner stage)...anyway...the book explain the stitches in words and not in graphs. I also have another book "200 Knitted Blocks". Between these two books are there are some really interesting stitches that I would like to try out, plus the myriad of free patterns I have found over the net (more about internet patterns below). I wanted to see what alot of these stitches do without having to test them on my nicer yarn in my stash and I also didn't just want to make a bunch of blocks or swatcheds that would just take up space. Yes I know then I would have physical references, instead of just the pictures in the books (that is besides the point lol). A few weeks back I finished organizing my entire stash (took months, some cursing, and a bit of a mess in the studio/office), when I was done I had huge bags of arylic yarn that was given to me or I purchased ages ago before I knew any better. Seriously some of this acrylic yarn I have had so long that the labels yellowed or from stores that no longer exist (like Woolworth's...east coast 5 and dime). I was going to donate this yarn to the library group in Spanish Springs when it I had a "duh" moment. I want to do charity projects for next year. My LYS is going to collect scarves, hats and gloves for next fall to give out to the homeless in our area. So why not save the acrylic and practice the interesting stitches and make notes about what I learn from them. This way I make something useful, get rid of the acrylic, and learn new things. DUH! lol I can take pictures and save the notes along side the pictures for reference. Sometimes I am just slow, sheesh.

Now about Internet Patterns:
Ok I think almost all crafters by now know that the internet has become an infinite source of free patterns for all crafts. The quality of the patterns is sometimes not all that great but a good majority are. I have amassed a collection of knitting and crochet patterns that is as out of control as my yarn stash. To date I have about 3k+ in knitting patterns alone, never mind crochet. Un-freaking believable. Every time I come across something new I save it, whether I think I will ever make that item or not. So if anyone is looking for a pattern and does not want to search all over for one or wants to know where to find something just send me a message I probably have it stored or can guide you to a good site to find what you are looking for. There is also good ole' Google. Doing a search for "free knitting patterns", or a search for a specific item such as "free sock knitting patterns" will give you a huge list of sites to look at. It is not hard to find a decent pattern. There are great sites abound that have patterns all ready collected and sorted at sites likeKnitting Pattern Central and Knitty (just to name two), but there are a ton of others that very little effort will bring up. If you find a great site with nice patterns please do share it with me because I will add it to my list. I do not want to be come a blog that just lists pattern sites because there are plenty of those out there but I can be resource if you are looking for something and haven't been able to find it. I even have patterns from sites that have long ago disappeared because I began searching for patterns over 10 years ago. Is this another sign that I am well entrenched yarn addict? lol

Updating!

I was told to update my blog...so here I am doing so. LOLOL...I have been busy with school crap ...umm... I mean... school work. My digital camera has issues as well. Sigh. Technology is great except for when it isn't. lol

I have been knitting but haven't completed anything lately. I have two pairs of socks I am working on and two lace projects. I made some more stitch markers as well. As soon as I have the camera situation worked out I will post some pics.

Wanted to mention some nice blogs I visit:
Wendy Knits
Knitty Otter
Dave Daniels aka Cabin Cove
The Panopticon
Yarnharlot (do I have to really link this one? lol)
Z Knits...and Sews
Reno Yarn Artists Club
Shut Up and Knit
Scout's Swag

There are some others but these are ones that I visit almost everyday...well every time they post anyway. lol...I use Bloglines.com which keeps track of all the blogs you visit and tells you in one place when a blog has been updated. I really like it.

Anyway...be good everyone I have to do homework. Blah!

Colorways of My Own Making

Stitch Markers

I recently thought I would try my hand at stitch markers. They came out pretty well if I do say so myself...and I do :-D. Pictured here are 8 different kinds, I made about 12 kinds, with 4 to 10 in each set. I forgot to take a picture of all the others I made...I have shared some. No fun making something cool if you don't share it.

Now for the Yarn:

All of these are destined for specific projects. The purple and the green are going to projects from "Victorian Lace Today". I purchased all of this yarn from Knitpicks "Dye Your Own Yarn" line. The swatches knitted up really nice and are very soft, so I know that the lace pieces are going to come out nice. I do have a little bit of a problem with the yarn however. I did not ball up the yarn prior to dyeing it (of course)...it came already in hanks so I do it as it came. After it was throughly dyed I then wound it from Swift to ball winder. I was a bit upset when I did this...I dyed two skeins per colorway so that I would be sure to have more then enough with left overs for each project...almost each skein was cut in pieces...no it didn't break it was clearly cut in pieces and the pieces were wound into the hanks. So of course I did not realize this until I wound them into balls. So now I am not sure if I will have enough of each colorway for my projects. Sigh...cross your fingers for me.

As for the dyeing of these: I did something a little different then when I dyed the first group. I first soaked each skein in Kool-Aide (Cherry, Grape and Lime Green) so that I would get an over all even base color. I then laid them out and "painted on" deeper colors with Wilton's Food colors. The pictures really don't show the color variations. The colors really came out the way I was hoping. My favorite is the green. The purple still smells like grape Kool-Aide lol.

In this set the first one is Brown Sheep's "Lamb's Pride". I have to say that I REALLY loved the way the dyeing came out with this yarn. The dye laid the mohair down in the yarn...so that it now seems to have a tighter twist, but it is still soft. It also gave it a really nice sheen that makes it look like some of the more expensive yarns that are out there. The second one is Cascade 220 and the colors really came out bright and deep. It doesn't show up as well in this picture but the dark color is brown and there are shades going from brown, red to yellows; fall colors. I have already made something with some of it and will post the pic soon.

Well there ya go...a bit slow in posting my pics but here it is. I have more yarn to dye but will concentrate on knitting for a bit. It was a lot of fun dyeing the yarn and making the stitch markers. It was more fun sharing what I made with my yarn addict friends. :-D It really made me happy to give the stitch markers to others and see them enjoyed.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hey all,
Sorry that I have been remiss in posting. Been a bit busy...not with schoolwork, the work load so far as been light (I am sure that will change soon)...I have been knitting and doing things that support my habit. Dyed alot of yarn last week and made a bunch of stitch markers...also have been knitting. Even made a piece with some of the yarn I dyed. I am planning on taking pictures tomorrow...I know I said I would do it this past weekend but didn't have time sorry...but will remedy that soon. Nighty night all.

All the Buzz!

Hey have come across some new knitting type things that I think will soon be all the buzz soon.

Ok first is our ever wonderful knitting guru, The Yarnharlot, she went to the Madrona Fiberarts retreat and has a fabulous post on a new technique that she learned there. I WANT TO LEARN THIS BADLY! Piecework's special knitting issue had an article about a turn of the century knitter (Marta Stina) who had a similar technique. The technique that Ms. McPhee learned is called "Mittens of Rovaniemi"....well that is the title of the project, not sure what the technique is called, it is from Finland and I guess it is like doing Fair Isle but with alot more colors and without tangling the bobbins. Why do I want to learn this or other techniques of this type? Well I would like to combine my paintings with knitting. In other words I want to create knitted paintings. Why? beeeeeecaausssssse I want to combine both of my passions. Techniques such as these will allow me to use a variety of colors to creat depth and shading just like in an oil painting as well as texture.

Also, my wonderful knitting pal, Christelle, pointed me to the Knitty site today to a really fun two color hat with a wonderful geometric circle pattern. I want to make it (so does she lol). If you haven't visited Knitty before, it is a free online knitting magazine with patterns, tutorials and interesting knitting articles. Its really wonderful....best of all....its ALL FREE. lol

Lastly, I want to tell you about a wonderful new yarn by those inovative people at SWTC. They have a new sock yarn line called TOFUtsie. The pictures of the colorways do not do them justice online. They have to be seen. My LYS (Deluxe Yarns) just got it in two days ago and it is flying off the shelves. The colors are out of this world, I had the hardest time just choosing one. Each skein is 460 yards...a little more then double what you usually get in a skein of sock yarn, so the price for it is extremely affordable. Also the weight of it is between Lace and usual sock weight (i.e. its a little "heavier" then normal lace weight and a little "lighter" then normal sock weight) which makes it a yarn not only for socks but for a fun funky lace projects. Which is what I want it for, two skeins will give you more then enough for a good size lace project...3 skeins for a large project. This is what is so unique about this yarn (besides the colorways) its 50% wool, the other 50% is made up of cotton, soysilk and Chitin. Chitin is made from shrimp and crab shells! Can you imagine? This is some of the softest feeling yarn I have ever come across.

I am still working on several projects (now add the Tofutsie socks lol)...as well as night before last I made stitch markers (picture coming this weekend) and dyed more yarn last night with Wilton's food coloring (see my post on how I do it). Today before leaving for school I left some Lace Weight dyeing yarn, from Knitpicks, soaking in bowls of Kool-Aide (Knitty has a good how to on this one). Tonight or tomorrow in the a.m. I am going to further play with the Kool-Aide dye yarn because Kool-Aide does not dye intense colors (not to my liking anyway) and I am going to further dye the yarn with Wilton's so that I get a variegate effect. I am doing one in greens, one in reds/oranges/pinks, and one in purples. I was having a hard time finding lace weight in the colors I wanted for specific projects so I am dyeing them myself and figured that it will make the projects are the more special. They will be gifts for the next holiday season...and since they will be lace I am starting early so that I will get them all done...lace takes time or so I am finding out. Anyway, by the end of the weekend I will have 6 newly dyed lace weights and 4 worsted weights (which I did last night, two in Brown Sheeps Lamb's Pride and two in their Nature Spun). Will post pictures of everything this weekend.

Ok friends, have to go study maps for a Poli Sci quiz (blah). Have a really great day all.

Projects Galore 7

Here are some of the things I made for Christmas. Yes still sharing the things I made for gifts. Sorry about that, I am doing it in stages because of how difficult it is to insert pictures into posts.

This is one of the gifts that I made for my honey. I used Lorna's Lace Worsted Weight in the "Black Purl" colorway. The pictures do not do it just. I have to tell you this is the softest and most luxurious looking and feeling yarn. It comes in about a 200 yard hank. The yarn has as lovely sheen to it and thought the scarf I made was a simple k2, p2 it was just right to show off this yarn. It felt so very nice in my hands to work with. I have purchased more in the Vera colorway, cannot wait to make something with that. My honey loves this scarf but says its more like a dress up scarf to wear to a special occasion (sheesh I just want him to wear it lol). Honestly it has the look and feel of something that one would by in an expensive men's shop. I also have some Lorna's Lace Sock yarn...two hanks to be exact. Not enought to make something other then socks but I want to find somethign else to make with it because the colorways are just gorgeous. Sigh, what a delimma....to have such lovely fiber and not know what to make with it....lol (wink)

Alrighty I made this my friend's mother who has been really good and sweet to me and when I was far from my family and did not have a home ...it was nothing to her to just include me into her family and take me into her heart (Hi Ms Lucy! waving...she told me she reads my blog all the time). You should all know that is one special lady. I have made her something every year...she is a great lady and I cannot imagine anyone who meets her not liking her. I choose the scarf from what I saw on Knitty Gritty (Crossover Scarf the page has a very nice video on how to do the crossover technique) I changed it up a bit by doing two Xs in one row and then 3 in the next crossover row. Just to make a little more interesting since I was using worsted weight Caron's Simple Soft in a nice antique rose color. I left off the fringe because when I was finished with it, to me it didn't seem to needed. After it is blocked the entire patter oppens up and the effect is this nice orderly set of geometric X lace patterns. Really lovely in this yarn because it is so soft and has that nice sheen that makes it look like a higher end yarn. For some reason it just seemed like the right one for Ms. Lucy. I love you Ms. Lucy....those Xs are the kiss for you. Maybe next year she gets the xs and os scarf that I saw the other day so that she can get the hugs too lol.

I can't believe that I have not posted these yet. Though many of the things I made came out better I am proudest of these and they also gave me a nice lovely happy feeling to make them. Yes they are just simple mittens but they have the distinction of being my first ever mittens. I also created them in Wildfoote hand dye sock yarn. The colors are absolutely brilliant and warn and happy. These were made for sweet, handsome nephew....whom when asked what he would like for Christmas from me said to "Well are you making things for everyone else Aunt Vikkie? " , "Yes sweetied but maybe you want a toy?" and said "I want you to make me something too, MITTENS, I want mittens." With the biggest smile on my face and when I asked what color he said "RAINBOW, like you r car!" (Yes I drive a car that is a rainbow, truth). What else could I say, I HAD to make mittens. They were a joy to make and when they were done I happily parted with them and sent them to my sweet nephew to give him a smile and help him remember that his Aunt "Bikkie" (as he says, hehehe...isn't it cute) loves him! BTW the pattern came from Ms. Florrie at Deluxe Yarns. THANK YOU FLORRIE

Ok my friends enough of the computer for me tonight spent all day reading documents on line today and my eyes are rebelling. Be well all.

Learning, Learning, Learning

School started but the learning I am talking about is not school stuff lol. A few posts back I said I had a list of things that I want to learn. I was going to take a class in February on Entrelac at my LYS (Deluxe Yarns the website will be updated soon) but of course life has to intrude and I can't take the class so I am teaching myself. I am also doing my first intricate lace project from "Artic Lace by Donna Druchunas" (page 136). I am making it with sock yarn however, YES, sock yarn lol. Even though the pattern is called "Chevron Scarf" it looks like hearts so I am using Shaefer in a lovely red varigated colorway (sock weight). Shaefer has a lace weight but my LYS got in some of the sock weight. Shaefer is pretty expensive HOWEVER all of their yarn is hand dyed and a hank has a good amount of yardage (sock yarn = 560 yards). When I saw this beautiful yarn there was no way I was going to make socks with it lol. IF I have any left when I am done I MIGHT make some sock so as not to let it go to waste (LOLOL that is too funny I can' believe I said...yarn go to waste? YEAH RIGHT). I purchased two hanks so shall see what I do with it when I am done with the project. So far it is coming out beautiful. This yarn is so soft and I am using a size 8 circular that its coming out airy but with enough structure in the knit sections that the yo sections will stand out.

So my list has 3 items ticked off of it. Yeah me! The more I knit the more I keep coming up with a feeling of calmness and satisfication that I never felt when I was crocheting. I was pretty far gone with my yarn addiction while I was crocheting but knitting has taken me to a different level. There is a real artistic need that is met with knitting that I did not get with crochet. My artistic outlet was my painting but I have not been able to really paint in a long time but the need for creating art was still there. Knitting isn't exactly the complete artistic outlet that my heart needs (yet) but every time I learn a new skill or technique or solve a problem my creative ideas increase. I have ideas for taking knitting and turning all my new found skills not only into garments and the like but pieces that might be framed and displayed as art. I can actually see my knitting turning into knitted paintings. Hard to imagine? lol maybe I am strange but I see it clearly. I can see knitted pieces in some of my geometric designs and full on portraits with an abstract bent that are textured and have movement. So I just feel a push in my heart and mind to keep learning so that I can make my artistic ideas come to fruition.

Well until that happens I have homework to get done so that I can knit! LOL

Projects Galore 6

These are fingerless Gloves that I made for myself. The first things I have made for myself! lol HOWEVER, there is a problem with them. Each pair has one glove which does not fit correctly at the top because for each pair i bound off to tightly...sigh...and...I did not try them on BEFORE weaving in the end. As a testament to how well I am able to weave in so that it invisible I cannot now back it out so that I can loosen the bind off. So one of each set is uncomfortable to wear. I do have more of each skein but it is not yarn that I can get more of because they were one time dye lots. One from Cherry Tree Hill and another whose label I lost (I know, I know...duh). I purchased this yarn last fall when I went to visit my sister in CA last fall. The yarn is just gorgeous the pictures do not do the colors justice...also can you see how there is a subtle patterning to the colorway? That was a fun surprise. As for the pattern, it is part a pattern from online somewhere (sorry, don't remember and I am usually so good about keeping notes in my notebook but for this project I just went a bit air-heady lol), the other part of the pattern came from Ms. Florrie (at Deluxe Yarn) and my own adjustment for the thumbs. I want to make another pair from different yarn and now can't find what I did with my notes. The title of this post should be "Air-head Project" lol....geez

As for other projects: Finished my first Moebius from Cat Bordhi's Magical Knitting Book 1. Great book, easy, easy, easy to follow and fun. I just made the first time beginners scarf. It came out a bit longer then and thinner then I wanted but I learned and know what to do next time. Also working on two lace projects, Jaywalker sock from MagKnits.com , struggling with a pair of socks in worsted weight for my honey (they are just coming out wonking, have ripped them back 6 times now grrrr), a blanket (for honey lol) and another scarf. I get bored and have to have several projects going at once, can you tell? lol

On the school front, shifting myself to an evening/nightime schedule is difficult but doable. I worked nights for most of the time I was in the Navy so you would think I would be used it lol. Wish me luck tonight is my long night, 4 pm to 9:45 pm. lol YIKES! Speaking of which time to do some reading for class tonight...can you believe that its only the 2nd class meeting and I have a test? This is a new one for me lol. Take care all.
Everyone play yarn nicely please. :-)

Back to School...Sigh

My classes start up again today...winter break went way too fast. Blah...I am not too happy with my schedule but I had no choice. All of my classes start at 4 pm. My first class tonight goes from 4 to 6:45...gross...it gets hard for me to focus at night so shall see how this goes. Two of my classes are once a week for 2 hours and 45 minutes. On the up side I get to sleep in...lol...maybe depending on the work load.

On the knitting side of things...went to the Sunday library knitting meetup...it was a nice visit but way too short. It should go for 2 hours because there just doesn't seem to be enough time for the "class". I also completed a moebius scarf from Cat Bordhi's: "A Treasury of Magical Knitting". It was pretty easy except I ended up making it too long and not as wide as I wanted but I learned. The book is really nice in that the intructions are clear and every time a new technique is to be used there are step by step pictures to follow. REALLY NICE! I made my scarf in Brown Sheep's "Blue Blood Red" Lambs Pride and their "Handpainted Orignals". Pictures coming soon.

Well off to get ready for school, wish me well all. In the mean time be kind to yourself.

Always Forget Something!

After I post I always seem to remember things I wanted to blog about. Sheesh! Last night I had a REALLY fun time at the Bi-monthly meetup of the "Knit 'n Rip" Group and my LYS (Deluxe Yarns). It was just a plain good time. Sharing knitting, advice and laughs with some really nice people. The lovely Knitty Otter was present and so was the lovely lady from Chipping Away (check out her blog and look at the gorgeous shawl she made as a gift for her mother and the super fun fish mittens she made, she brought them last night and they are way fantastic!). I really enjoy the group meetups but starting next week until the end of my spring semester I will not be able to attend the 3rd Thursday meetups and will only get to attend one hour of the first Monday meetups. Sigh...I don't know what it is but it is so funn to sit and play yarn with others. Is it the communal thing or sharing the passion of handmade art with others? Not sure but I enjoy the connection. :-)
HAPPY KNITTING!

Dyeing Yarn

I have been trying my hand at some dyeing. This was my first one. It was alot of fun though the colors came out more mutated then I really wanted. I still like the colors and the way It came out. I used white peruvian wool Cascade 220 to start with.

These two were also Cascade 220 wool. Again the colors came out mutated. I was being too conservative with the ratio of dye to water/vinegar solution. I also tried to do two balls at the same time so that I could have enough yarn to make something with the colorway. The first one I used only one skein of Cascade 220. These two add up to about 440 yards of Cascade however even though they were died with the same colors at the same time they came out different. Sheesh! lol

This is my favorite and also the fourth one I did. I finally got the intensity right. The colors came out vibrant. I used Brown Sheep's Wildfoot whose base color was a pastel pink. I used two skeins and wound them together so I have about 430 yards of sock weight yarn but I do not want to make sock with it because I want it to be seen.

I can't wait to do more but have to get some more dye and containers to mix the different colors. I used Wilton's Icing Dye and Mccormik's Food Coloring for this first time dyeing. Would like to also try the Kool Aide process as well, though from what I have read the Kool Aide colors come out light and I like intense jewel tone colors the best. It was surprisingly easy and fun to do...though messy.

Following is what I did with the food coloring:

1. First skein I used the yarn dry but the second set I soaked the yarn over night in a solution of water and vinegar. Soaking it seems to work better because the yarn soaks up the dye solution faster.

2. Then mixed color with a solution of warm water and a teaspoon of vinegar.

3. Using sponge brushes I painted the yarn with the coloring.

4. After I was satisfied with that all the yarn had been saturated with color it was wrapped with Saran Wrap (like a suasage) and coiled on the turning plate of the microwave.

5. The yarn was then "cooked" for four , two minute intervals with about a two minute break in between each.

6. Once it was "cooked" I let the yarn sit for a bit to cool enough to handle.

7. I then took it into the bathroom and unwrapped it and rinsed it with cool water until the water ran clear.

8. Finally I just hung it in the shower to dry and wound it up the next day.

All in all it took about 2 hours from start to finish to do two skeins. Not counting the clean up afterwards lol. Oh and btw I did not do it alone my honey got into it with me and it was fun to share it with him. :-) yeah!

Charity Knitting

I am discovering that manny knitters around the world (crocehters also) are generous souls. They enjoy their fiber arts so much that they wish it to be shared with others. I think that Charity Knitting accomplishes two things: 1. The knitter gets to explore their passion and share it. 2. The person who recieves it gets a unique handmade item to comfort them or keep them warm. I can't think of better reasons! So I am offering a list for charities in which knitters may be a part of. Just so everyone knows I am not associated with any of the programs listed in any way. I just thought it would be nice to offer an easy way to find charity knitting groups if people were looking for them. That is all.

Knitters Without Borders: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html

The Dulaan Project:http://www.fireprojects.org/dulaan.htm

Project Linus: http://www.projectlinus.org/

Red Scarf Project: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/red_scarf_project_2007/

Knitting for a better World (list of links and addresses for charities): http://www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp

Hats 4 the Homeless: http://www.hats4thehomeless.org/

Prayer Shawl Ministry: http://www.shawlministry.com/

Socks for Soldiers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socksforsoldiers/

Hugs for Homeless Animals: http://www.h4ha.org/snuggles/

Warm up America: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/warmup.html

The Preemie Project: http://www.thepreemieproject.com/

Lion Brand's Free Charity Knit Projects: http://www.lionbrand.com/charityPatterns.html

Charity Knitting Patterns (free): http://www.culturedpurls.com/charity.htm

Stitches from the Heart: http://www.stitchesfromtheheart.org/

Mother Bear Project: http://www.motherbearproject.org/

Knit for the Cure: http://www.knitforthecure.com/

There are lots more out there, these are just a few that I have seen mentioned regularly on shows and by others. I am going to participate in two that resonate with me. If all the knitters did participated in at least one then a lot of people could be comforted.

Fun Places for Knitting

Hey here is a blog whose author does podcasts:
BeanCast
http://knitspinbean.podomatic.com/

Also there is the Knitty Chat:
http://knittychat.sadevil.org/cgi-bin/irc.cgi

Almost Forgot!

I cannot believe I have not posted anything about this yet! I scored very nicely a couple of Sundays ago. I went to the bi-monthly meeting/class for the Clickets group at the Spanish Springs Library. At the end of the class when things were being put away I noticed a very nice knitting bag (monogrammed with SMW, but no matter). I asked one of the ladies "Whose bag is that?", "Oh it was donated to the group, but we don't really have the storage space for it, want it?". Of course I said yes. Well took it away with me and on the way home I opened it and found another surprise (honey was driving). Inside was a matching needle case (no needles lol) and 3 skeins of Irish wool in a nice warm colors. SCORE! Also that day I scored dpns and some old needles including some green bakelites! Again things that people had donated to the group. Now its not as good a score as the one made by Franklyn (The Panopticon) but for me it was pretty nice!!!! Yippy for me! It is late now and don't want to do pics but I will soon.
Off to dream land now.

Projects Galore 5

Orange Warming Set:

This is the set I made for my honey for Christmas. The hat is a modified cable hat pattern from Stitch n' Bitch Nation. I added extra pattern rounds, made the cable brim longer so that it would fold. The book's pattern called for a short ribbing prior to the cabling but it is too short to cover the ears. So I made it longer and then when the hat was done I picked up stitches around the edge and so that it would fold neatly. As for the scarf, I took the cable pattern for the hat and figured it out so that it would be a flat pattern. I love, love, love how it came out. I am really proud of this scarf, it looks like something that would be found in an expensive store. Finaly I made him fingerless gloves. I used Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride worsted weight in orange. I just love this yarn. It isn't expensive and knits up so nice. The colors are really bright and varied. I wish they made variegated colors. The yarn is perfectly suited to variegation. I have also been told that it felts wonderfully. I am hoping to make something for felting with it.

Speaking of felting I was told also that Patons SWS felts really nicely as well. It comes in really nice colors and has a nice sheen to it. The variegations are done so that there will be a stripping pattern. I am going to buy some soon.

Projects I am currently working on:

1. Shawl (page 20 of Victorian Lace)

2. Socks (in Mag Knits "Jaywalker" pattern with one of Opal's new colorways)

3. Socks (in Modea Sassy Strips, no pattern just my own thing)

4. Afghan (no pattern, just my own thing, using Lion Brand's Homespun and Caron's Simply soft carried together)

5. Butterfly Bag (my own pattern for the bag using a graph for duplicate stitch a friend gave me)

6. Dyeing yarn (did my first try tonight, colors did not come out as deep/bright as I wanted, but it was a first try, skein is hanging in the shower to dry; I used Wilson's food coloring dyes)

New things I want to learn: (some of the links for examples of what I mean are from Knitty Otter, whom is extremely talented and has completed pieces that are excellent examples of the kind of work I want to do as well)

1. Intarsia

2. Cabled type sock pattern

3. Mobius Scarf type project

4. Intricate Lace pattern

5. Faire Isle

6. A sweater

7. Entrelac

8. Making something with sock yarn that isn't a sock. lol

Sigh and school starts back up next Monday. The break went way too fast for me.

Knitty Otter

Hey everyone!
For months have been knitting in a group with a wonderful lady and just today figured out that she is the "Knitty Otter"! Geez I am slow...been to her blog many times and didn't put it together. duh! She is way cool and very talented!

Projects Galore 4

(Projects Galore 1, 2, 3)

Scarves:

This one I made for my Mom from Cascade 220 Superwash Wool (worsted weight). the yarn is soft and nice to work with. I created the scarf from a stitch called "The Faggot Stitch", really simple to do but the look comes out really classy. The picture does not do the stitch or the yarn justice. I am going to have to make a another scarf or at least a sample of the stitch to keep for reference because it is really nice.

This one I created for my friend Katherine. Its made with the ladder type ribbon yarn. I have had several balls of this stuff in my stash for a long time but didn't know what to do with it. I used size 13 straights and just began with two stitches casted on and increased untill there were about 20, knitted in garter until I thought it was long enough and then decreased. I didn't use a pattern just made it up (so simple that there really wasn't anything to make up lol). She really liked it and she wore it against a black blouse and it looked really dressy.

I made this one for my Math research partner. I used Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride in worsted weight with Brown Sheeps Handpainted Originals carried along with it. Once again the picture does not do it justice because the colors are great and the scarf came out really soft and cozy. I just love Brown Sheep. All of their yarns (Lamb's Pride, Handpainted Originals, Nature Spun , Cotton Fleece and Wildfoote Sock Yarn) that I have used thus far are great to use. The colors are vibrant and the yarn has the look and feel of more expensive yarn. I have felted with their Nature's spun and I was extremely happy with the results (pictures to come).

I am currently working on a blanket for my honey, two pairs of socks, a new bag that will be felted (with a new technique for me, duplicate stitch), a bag done in cotton. I have finished several other projects and those pictures will come soon (3 felted bags, re-cycled sari silk bag, funky scarf, 2 pairs of fingerless gloves). So much yarn, so little time, sigh.

I am working on learning lace but am having a hard time finding lace weight yarn in my area and may have to buy it online. I HATE buying yarn online when I have never felt and seen the yarn. I want to know what I am buying before I buy it. Then if I don't like it I have to go through the hassle of sending it back, which is a pain in the ASS. No other way to put it because that is what it is! I am going to check with a LYS that is about an hour and a half away. But there are two close to me, the one I hang out (Deluxe Yarns) and another that I refuse to do business with (because they are WAY over priced and rude to customers, won't mention the name because that is just not nice but most locals know it because of their poor reputation). I think I may not have a choice though. My LYS hang out does carry some lace weight yarn but not what I am looking for. I have 3 projects that I want to make for next Christmas and would like to start soon (as you all know lace can be time consuming), so I need to get my hands on the yarn I want rather quickly. There is also a money constraint. Any ideas from anyone would be appreciated.

Ok have a great weekend, bye for now!

Projects Galore 3

This is the 3rd post concerning my holiday projects (see Projects Galore 1 and 2 here).

Sierra's Scarves:







My lovely niece told me that she loves scarves so I made her 5 scarves. Yes 5...to be honest only one was a challenge. The first one pictured here was created with Brown Sheep's Handpainted Originals in Mountain colorway. It is absolutely fabulous yarn to work with, it has a lovely sheen and is slightly fuzzy (80% Mohair, 20% Wool). I used the left overs from another scarf and created this super skinny scarf in garter stitch and really big needles so that it would be really strechy so that it could be used as a belt, tie, head band or what ever she wanted.
The second scarf is a feather and fan stitch. This was a bit of a challenge because I had to create my own pattern from the stitch directions I found in the Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns. The yarn I used was in my stash and its band was missing when I went to use it. It is a Mohair that has been plyed with a skinny rainbow ribbon type yarn...I know that it is from Stacey Charles but I cannot remember for the life of me the name of it. I know it is still made and comes in a variety of colorways. I am pretty proud of this scarf because it was my first try into a lace type of piece. I enjoyed making it and it was also the scarf out of all 5 that I sent which my niece mentioned specifically saying it was gorgeous. She has discerning tastes (lol that is the polite way of saying she is a picky teenager...lol which she proudly proclaims herself to be!), if she says she likes it then thats teen speak for "I love it! Its so me!" (or least that is what I am choosing to believe it means lol). I am in the processing of learning some new techinques such as complicated lace and entrelac in order to make some high end looking pieces just for her.

For the holidays, as I have previously mentioned, I recieved gift certificates for books, with them I purchased 4 books. One is the "Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters"... all I have to say is WOWIE ZOWIE what a great book. It is a sociology book and history book of knitting in Alaska as well as a lace teaching book. Unbelievable. The author (Donna Druchunas) has a knack for simple easy to understand lessons. The book is not just a pattern book...it teaches you how to design your own lace patterns as well. Really fantastic! The Native Alaskan Knitters discussed in the book use a type of yarn (Qiviut) that comes from Musk Oxen (which I learned are not related to Oxen but sheep). The fiber that comes from them is rare (because the animal was close to extinction at one point but are now carefully and lovingly cared for), so as you can imagine the yarn is extremely expensive. The cheapest I found it was online for about $50.00 for a little over 200 yards. YIKES! Expensive yes but the pieces that are created from it is absolutely gorgeous. One day I will get myself a couple of skeins, one skein would not be enough to make something with would need at least 2. Yes I know, I know...$100.00+ for two skeins of yarn????? Sigh, I must be an addict/fanatic to even contemplate the purchase. LOL

Anyway thats all for today. Take care to all!

Knitting Chat

I do not know why I am surprised but I am for some reason...I found an online irc chat channel setup for knitting chat! Check it out " http://knittychat.sadevil.org/cgi-bin/irc.cgi "

Knitting Graph Paper

Just found this! An online program that lets you input the number of stitches and rows for a 4 inch square and returns graph paper for charting out the pattern to fit your gauge. Really nice tool for designing. ABCs of Knitting - Actual Size Graph Papers.

Have You Met Franklin?

Ok I was just reading The Yarnharlot's blog and found a link to "The Panopticon"...a blog by a gentlman named Franklin who is a knitter, writer, artist, photographer, cartoonist and funny as all HELL! You must check out his blog and his carictures of knitting, especially Dolores! I about split my sides! His blog will be one of my daily reads from now on. He has lots of links to many other creative knitters/writers (many of which I had not come across before).

Also have to mention the blog of a youngwoman that I came across months ago (before I had a blog of my own) who is from "Da Bronx"... where I originally hail from. Her name is Sara Briscoe and her blog is "SistahCraft". Smart and talented woman!

Just had too!

Yes two posts in one day. I forgot that I have these new pics of my pets.

Pic 1: Patches taking snooze.

Pic 2: Princess Lilly on her throne!

Pic 3: Mis Nani! Does that look comfortable? Not to me and she was out cold. Notice her back leg under her head? What is this that about? LOL

Projects Galore 2

Here are some more projects that I created as Holiday Gifts:

Maria's scarf: Ok this has a cool sort of wrap pattern that the cannot be seen well in this picture. I used a pattern stitch from "Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns", using a stitch pattern called "pillar stitch" I then wrote my own pattern for the scarf. I used Caron's Simply Soft Yarn. I am not a big fan of acrylics but this is one of the exceptions. The yarn is extremely soft and has a sheen that is usually only seen in higher quality carns. It is a comfortable yarn to work with and knits up beautifully, makes gorgeous scraves and sweaters and hold up really well. As with all acrylic yarns its a bit difficult to block and should be taken to the cleaners to be steamed pressed in order for it to lay flat. My sister in NYC was the reciever and she told me she loves and now wants socks. LOL of course.

Robert's scarf: This one I made for my brother-in-law (Maria's hubby). Though I haven't heard it from him my sister tells me he loves it and its the perfect color for him. Its made from the same yarn that I made my sister's from. It is just a simple K2, P2 rib. I did not use a pattern I just casted on about 36 stitches and went for it, stopped when I thought it would be long enough. lol Again because of this yarn, the sheen gives the scarf an upscale look.

As a side note: I happen to have a ton of Caron's Simply Soft Yarn in my stash. Why? Well, a few years ago (actually about 10) Walmart put all their Caron Simply Soft on sale because they said at the time they were not going to carry it any longer (they didn't for a long time and recently began to again). The sale was too much to pass up, $0.50 a skein. Now I ask you, how could any true yarn addict pass up a sale like that? NONE I say. LOL Suffice it to say I went to town and purchased as much of every color that I could afford. OF COURSE.! Now this week I will be going through my stash and removing things I will absolutely never crochet or knit with but not of what I will be donating will be the Simply Soft. Cannot part with it, sorry, no how, no way! lol

Ok...thats it for today. I hope everyone had a happy and safe new year!

Good wishes to all.

"The Knitting Way"

I have lovely friends who know me all to well and know that if they give me yarn, books (or gift certificate to buy books) or art supplies I will be a happy girl! So I was given two lovely gifts of certificates to the bookstore...yesterday I purchased two new knitting books. One was "Scarf Style" which contains patterns for the MOST gorgeous scarves and I can see myself creating more then half of the projects.

The second book I purchased was "The Knitting Way" by Linda Skolnik (founder of Patternworks) & Janice MacDaniels. I was looking actually for "Mindful Knitting" ... I am interested in learning how to connect my internal self with my passions (knitting and art) in a meaningful way to grow as a person. The store didn't have "Mindful Knitting" so I almost put "The Knitting Way" back. I AM SO GLAD THAT I DIDN'T! This book is fantastic.

The writers are knitters, business woman and philosophers. This book is not what I expected. I am only into chapter 2 and it is one of the deepest books I have experienced. Yes there is knitting and patterns but it so much more then that...its difficult to explain. I am already finding myself thinking and examining the ideas and questions that I have read so far while I am knitting. Already I am purposely slowing my knitting down so that I can think about it, feel it and feel myself. Seems like a no brainer but if it was then what wasn't I doing it to begin with. This book is about connectedness, with oneself and others. Even if you knit this book can be used to help someone examine what they are doing as well as how and why.

I will keep reading it and post more about it. I am so amazed t hat it has hit me this way. I am an avid reader (thank you Mom for giving me a love of books) and I haven't come across a book such as this in a long long time. Thank you to the author's, I needed this.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!