Finishing

That's the theme around these parts lately and I'm loving it! Don't tell my boss though, he might think it refers to the work projects I have in queue and we all know how that could affect my knitting productivity.

In August 2006, I met my knit buddy Cindy and she gave me this beautiful Sangria sock yarn that she had dyed herself. Now, this was at a time when I didn't even know that people had such talents with fiber, so I was especially grateful and really impressed. She has probably been looking forward to this FO about as much as I have, so I'm proud to present, my Sangria socks - finally a pair!

yarn: Sangria from Cherry Blossom Fibers
source: Cindy

pattern: Garter Ribs, a 4-stitch pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks

This pattern is a breeze. Just really a K2 P2 rib row followed by a straight knit row. But it makes the ribbing look just a little different, subtle, but cool. I also really liked the slight change up on the gussett for these. On both sides of the heel flap, you knit a 3-st garter border. I like to think this will work wonders for reinforcing that area. That Charlene Schurch knows some neat little tricks I tell ya!

Look ma! No pooling!

needles: Size 1 1/2 (2.5mm) dpsn and circulars - I used ALL the knit in the round techniques to get these done.

A bonus: Thanks to these socks, I met my goal for the June KAL over at stashalong. For those of you who haven't tried socks yet, let me join the chorus and say that there is NOTHING quite the same as a pair of handknit socks. I tried them on last night, and when I took them off, my feet missed them immediately. If you find just the right pattern, heel shaping and fit for you, you won't be sorry.

We're on vacation until Monday, so lots of knit time in the car. I believe my next adventure will be a winter pullover for one my girls to wear on a trip we have planned to Canada.

What's on your pointy sticks? Has the finishing fairy been to visit you too? If so, treat yourself to some swag by entering Amanda's Contest!

Super Saturday & Ravelry

Woo hooo!!!

I got my Ravelry invite in my email today and I had to laugh at myself for how excited I was. It was like opening a present and you sort of know what's inside, but some of it is hidden and you can't WAIT to explore it all. Great day in the mornin'! I'm hooked. Must save some of this for the wee hours when I can really indulge....Get your email addy on the list quick so we can be neighbors over there! Go go go!

Our latest Super Saturday adventure was a family trip to Sea World in Orlando.

Del made a funny comment recently about how Floridians take their vacations to other Florida cities and that made me giggle because it's all too true. The girls had no CLUE this trip was coming, and that just made it all the better. The sound of their screams when they realized where we were was worth the price of admission and then some. I'll let the pictures tell the rest...

For a closer look at the photos, check out our Flickr Slideshow.

Another Shrug? Sure, Why Not

You'd think I have secret plans to move to a remote arctic village or something the way I'm craving (and finishing) wooly sweaters lately. Working for a NJ-based company certainly helps to justify my winter fibers collection somewhat, but as for the rapid succession of sweaters joining my to-do list lately (when it's 94 degrees on a cool day here), well...I really can't speak for it. Some of you are knitters and crafters, you understand the compulsion. The rest of you are still scratching your heads as to why I knit at all! Ha! :)

Well, if you've been reading here for a while, you know how I feel about supporting local artists - and by local I mean those in my expanding circle of friends and loved ones. To my delight, yet another superstar has popped up in my circle - she's not a newbie by any means, but she's new to me and I'm glad! Introducing Sarah Wilson.

Sarah's a featured designer now at my LYS, and one of the newest members of my InStitches knitting group. Sarah doesn't know it, but her latest design, the Girl's Best Friend Shrug has come to the rescue of my stash in a BIG way. Here are some shots from the pattern:

Now I know EXACTLY what to do with those 4 delicious skeins of Malabrigo that I bought at Stiches Midwest last year. YAY! Nearly 800 yards will be gobbled up by this beauty, and I can't wait! If you like this one too, just CLICK HERE to download the FREE PDF.

Enjoy! I'm sure we haven't seen this last of this lovely lady's talents.

Knitting as Therapy

I've heard small bits of information on the topic of inmates knitting, but this article gives some interesting insight and "insider" commentary. There is something to be said about people repaying their debt to society and turning out charity items for others. Good on them!

Travel Tales / Super Saturday

Yesterday I returned from a 7-day trip away from home. Another one of my classic leisure/business combos. I found out that my friend Gia was going to DC for a conference and so I hitched a ride with another friend of ours from New Jersey into DC. We had a good time catching up and exploring some places in the city. We also spent some time with another couple of friends and their adorable baby Zora. Korey and Kishanna are expecting again this fall and it was great to see them.

DC festivities on a hot Saturday afternoon


The lovely Ms. Giavanni


Tunde & I with my knitting in public on World Wide Knit In Public Day


Kishanna, Korey, and little Zora

From the knitting bag, 2 main projects kept me company during the trip, the Forever Jacquard self-striping socks



and sock #2 in the Sangria Sock pair. Because the blue socks have both my KnitPicks size 1 (2.5mm) circulars in use, I ordered another 32# size 1 and will attempt to complete this sock using the Magic Loop method. My status over at the Stashalong depends on it. Wish me luck!



How are things in your neck of the woods?

May I Present: The Hot Lava Cardigan

You have been patient dearest reader, and I will make you wait no longer.
After about 3 weeks of knitting on and off, plus 1 full day of blocking, my Hot Lava Cardigan made its debut in our photo studio yard on Friday.

Pattern: Hot Lava Cardigan by Blue Alvarez Designs
Needle: US Size 10 ½ (for collar) and 11 for sleeves and body
Started: May 15, 2007 / Finished: June 4, 2007

If you’ve perused my sidebar lists, you’ll see that this is one of the items on my “I Can’t Wait to Make These” list. I couldn’t add it to my progress bar list of course, because that would have spoiled the surprise. This shrug (it doesn’t really strike me as a cardigan) has been on my wish list for more than a year. It’s actually one of the first projects I downloaded from the web and stashed away to make. The only delay all this time has been to find just the right yarn – enter Noro Iro.

Yarn: 5 skeins Noro Iro, Color # 43?
Purchased at Knit NY in January 2007
Retail ~ $19.99 per skein (I won yarn money in Atlantic City – hee hee)

Noro’s Self-striping blended yarn is 75% wool and 25% silk, and if you’ve ever felt Kureyon or some of the other Noro yarns, you know that that little bit of silk can make the difference between “mmmmmm” and “yes, it’s a gorgeous colorway, now get it off my skin!!”. But I digress.

This yarn was mostly great to work with. I have to qualify that because the fiber itself was wonderful. There wasn’t too much slubbiness so my gauge stayed on track most of the way through. And the colors flow well into each other. That is until you come across a knot. And in 5 skeins of this, I came across at minimum 3 knots per skein. Uh huh. You know what that can mean for a sweater knit in the round that you’re cruising along with – unexpected and unwanted stops and starts.

Two things about the knots: On the one hand, it didn’t allow me to predict color changes in the striping as I would have liked. But I gave up a notion of perfectly symmetrical sleeves and fronts right from the beginning, so that was fine. On the other hand, coming across my first knot jolted my memory about using a felted join. Because these are all natural fibers, I was able to undo the knots, wet the two ends of the yarn and rub them together to felt them – then I just kept knitting away. Well, the major triumph here of course is that I used this SAME technique for joining a new ball of the yarn. And what does that mean? I only had THREE ends to weave in when I was all done. Beauty!

Sleeves knit using the Magic Loop method (very clear instructions!)
Shoulders/shrug knit back and forth on 24” circular
Back and front of the bolero section knit in the round on two 24” circulars

The other technique this sweater allowed me to really put to the test is blocking. It would have been difficult to show this in before and after shots, but trust me when I tell you that the shrug part of this was cutting off circulation and airways. After I blocked it, I could breath and smile and love it again. If you make this, you'll definitely want to try it on as you go - the shrug needs to fit well across your back, and the bolero section needs enough increases to fit around your back and curve just right toward to front to avoid curling. Knit and learn darlings, knit and learn!

That's all the news that's fit to print. If you're considering this project, do let me know!

P.S. I shared some of your compliments with hubby regarding the photos of my CPH, let’s just say he was VERY happy to get out in the yard and snap pictures of this project yesterday. Thanks you guys!!

Tidbits

The mystery knit is now complete and will be blocked in the next couple of days, then pictures will soon follow. I'm about 80% happy with this one, but that should change if the blocking affects the fit the way I'm hoping it will. Much of my glee comes with having used 655 yards up from the stash and completed it in under a month!



I had a mini crisis moment last night when I nearly ran out of yarn for the bind off, but then the Yarn Harlot came to my rescue (an old post, but OH SO valuable). I didn't end up using this technique because I frogged a few rows to salvage some yarn (grrr). But knowing that this was available if I ran out mid-way kept me sane.



The tidbit that's left.


Once I show you the mystery knit modeled, I will try to remember to cover some key points:

- Pattern/Technique Specifics (the wooly details)
- Spit felting (sounds so ick, but works like a charm - less ends to weave in!)
- Manhandling wool - Do blocked knits really have more fun? (or at least get more wear?)




In the mean time, pull up a chair at the table, the discussion is going quite well and will only get better once you show up.

Passion or Pastime: Why Do You Knit? Let's Discuss...

Good time for another go 'round the table? I think so. But first! THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your wonderful compliments on my Central Park Hoodie. Whooooweee do you guys know how to make a knitta feel good! I'm really touched by those of you that keep coming by here to see what I'm going on and on about, but having some new names in the comment list was this week's extra special treat. I'd wrap you all in cashmere if I could! As I said to some of you by email and comments, I'm very happy to help in anyway I can if/when you decide to start on this pattern. I got by with a lot of help, and I'd love to offer that back to you.

Another housekeeping item; for those of you who tagged me for my 7 random things, I'm not ignoring you darlings. I acutually did this over at the BriarRose Fibers KAL - and you can read that (and ogle great yarns) at this link. It does appear though that I've waited past the decent time frame for tagging others because everyone I would have picked already has their list posted. If you do leave a comment and you have posted your 7, let me know because I would like to check them out.

Okay, chat time. This morning I knit a few rounds on some socks out on the patio. It's particularly stormy and damp down this way lately, which puts me in a pensive state. I got to thinking about what it is that makes me reach for my needles first thing in the morning when I get up, and again right before I crawl into bed at night. More and more I find that my packing for any trip - long or short- is not complete without a project bag crammed with yarn, needles, more yarn, a pattern, my knit notebook and a magazine...and another ball of yarn (we call this project delusion). I acknowledge that I don't have any real "down time" because every spare moment is spent pattern browsing, stash fondling, blog posting, taking project pictures, soaking up a podcast or (gasp!) actually knitting. Where did this obsession come from? And how come it has hit me so hard?

As usual, I won't give my own answer just yet. I want to hear from you! Share with me and with the others here at the table - why do you knit? If you had to label it, would it be your Passion or your Pastime, or is it some wonderful mish-mash of both? If you're one that is new to knitting - welcome! Why did you choose this handcraft over the many others available? If you're a sticks veteran, what has kept you interested this long? What makes you keep at it stitch by stitch until the next thing comes off the needles? And if you don't knit, but you do put your hands to use in some other passion or pastime - tell us about it, and why you keep at it. Go philosophical if you like - it's totally allowed.

To add to the dialogue, I'd also love to hear about why you knit or make specific things. If socks float your boat, enlighten us about their magnetism. If baby knits, lace, or charity knits really do it for you, give us reason to join you in doing that.

As usual, share freely and share whenever you like, no time limits. I like these semi-regular chances to open the floor to you out there and to learn from you. And if you'd like to know why other people pick up their pointy sticks and cast on again and again, tell them to come on by! Give them this link and they'll come right to this post:
http://thebrownberry.blogspot.com/2007/06/passion-or-pastime-why-do-you-knit-lets.html

So, why do you knit?

Let's discuss....

May I Present: The Central Park Hoodie

Pattern: Central Park Hoodie from KnitScene Fall 2006
Size: Knit in Med (size 36" bust)
Cast On: December 31, 2006
Cast Off: May 30, 2007


This knit was a great way to dive into cables. Both right and left twist cables are included, and though I've done them before, keeping track of which goes where was a great mental exercise.Next time I would knit the body, the fronts and the hood all at once.


The pattern is made to fit very close.If you knit this, I would go up one or even two sizes from your typical measurements.



Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 in Color #23
Needles: US8 for body, 7 for button band, 9 to cast off





I picked up 324 stitches for the button band and knit the ribbing using two US Size 7 circulars (32" cables on both). This allowed me to knit the ribbing continuously. No button holes in my button band, and that's intentional. I'll be on the lookout for just the perfect single closure - a toggle or really cool button perhaps. For now, a size 3 bamboo dpn works just fine.



Many thanks to my hubby who played photographer this morning and got up early to help me catch the best natural light. All foliage and landscaping are courtesy of his handiwork!

Thanks to all the other Hoodie knitters on the Knit A Long site for your tips, and your inspiring photos. It sure feels good to have a grown-up garment all my very own!

And thanks mostly to YOU faithful readers. Just knowing that I could come here and do show-and-tell to such a wonderful group has kept me smiling all morning (even when I was weaving in the ends!).

MWAH!

Altercraft

The sewing bug bit me SO HARD this morning it was downright scary. I'm not a seamstress by any stretch, but I do admire the usefulness of sewing and I have friends who are superb at it, and they always inspire me to at least give it a try.

My machine is from the 1940's and the only thing I know how to do right now is make straight lines of stitches. That was all I neededto make these next few projects though.

Oh! I'm on a recycling track lately too, not to mention that and I'm determined that all hand made productions from this household must be made with materials that already reside here (quite comfortably so and usually undisturbed).

(all photos enlarge when clicked)

A toddler sized skirt made with material from a queen sized (bed) skirt





Easy kid pants (for baby up to children's size 7 ) made with tutorials found here and here. I'm sad to say that these were actually too narrow for Mizan to wear - seems I didn't account for enough seam allowance when I traced out the pattern from a pair of her pants. These will either be donated to charity, or I may cut them down into shorts and make them a baby gift if my sister delivers me a neice in October.



One snuggle blanket for the Snuggles Project. I cut off the bottom half of a large crocheted coat that I bought at the thrift store for $3.49 last fall. My intention was to unravel and reuse the yarn as suggested here. Instead I just cut away this lower portion and machine stitched the edges together for a fluffy Snuggle. The other half of the coat became this:


A cropped shrug that I will likely give to my mom. I did a single crochet edge around the bottom to keep the stitches from unraveling. The single crochet border is done with some vaguely matching Encore wool/acrylic yarn. If she doesn't like it, I will donate this to charity as well.

Non-work related productivity feels rather good on a day off!

Take Time Off

Remember to take some time this weekend to enjoy the company of those you love the most (be sure to put yourself on that list too)

Well I'll Be

CPH Progress Report Day 1479 (or something like that):

I've had a nearly phobic apprehension to the attachment of the sleeves to my Central Park Hoodie. Not for any good reason...just because this technique is very new to me and, like all brand new knitting adventures, it has the inherent potential to go very, very wrong.

But this time, it went right.

I give credit for this success to:
*This wonderfully clear tutorial on Knitty (I used the weaving technique plus mattress stitch)
*The tip I heard on the Stash & Burn podcast about finishing where Nicole suggested that it's easier to attach a tube to a tube - in other words, seam the body and the sleeve to the armhole first, and then attach them to each other. Worked like a charm, and no bunching!
*Dreamy David - the golden-voiced Aussie over at Sticks & String...with his show playing in my ITunes, I think I could be soothed into trying any new knitting technique. *swoon*

While we're on the subject of sleeves, if you're going to knit the CPH (Cindy, Nicole), be warned - the sleeves fit snug! No, let me rephrase - the sleeves in your selected size WILL BE TIGHT. If you look closely at my arm picture, you'll see my skin peeking through. Cozy and warm, yes. Flattering? No. Knit and learn darlings! I suggest either factoring in more increases or just knitting the sleeves one size up - much easier to take in any extra bulk if needed.

I've got a new discussion topic in the works, so be on the look out for that. Tomorrow I'll post some more shots from the yard to start our long weekend off with some cheer.

Thanks as always for stopping by!

Keeping me in stitches

I've recently started going back to regular knit nights with my local knitting group (Our Yahoo group name is InStitchesWPB - you can join us by clicking the title of this post!). We meet once a week at Panera's (oooooh the tempations!!)

I guess I'm giving away my answer to the solitary vs. social knitter discussion topic, huh? ;)

Click any photo to go to my Flickr page for details.

As you can see, the mystery knit is coming along quite nicely....muhuhahahaha! :)

New Knit

I've made some good progress on my next project and as I was getting ready to write and share with you what it will be, I got the urge to keep this one under wraps. Not because it's a gift or because I want to tease you guys with suspense. More because I think a big reveal at the end of several weeks will just be more fun. There's a lot of color in this knit and I think I'll just give you a glimpse for now. I'm loving it so far. It's being done on my Size 11(8mm) Options needles in Noro Iro (no spoilers if if I mentioned this to you before).

This yarn has such a nice even flow of stripes and because it's all natural fibers, I use the spit felting method to add new skeins and just keep knitting, knitting, knitting. When this project is finished, my knit wardrobe will be up one garment and my stash will be down 660 yards - assuming I use it all up. Whatever doesn't make it into this project will become a scrap bag or a modified Calorimetry.



Progress Report: My Central Park Hoodie is now hooded! I am at the point in the hood where I would normally bind off the row and then seam that row later to join the top of the hood. Thanks to suggestions over at the Knit A Long I'm going to leave the stitches live and use Kitchener stitch to join the two sides instead. I left live stitches on the shoulder seams for a 3-needle bind off after doing short row shaping for the shoulder edges, and I really prefer this to the traditional bind off seam. You can read some more about that here, or email me if you have questions on doing this for your own project. The remaining items to get this hoodie on my back - sleeves to set in (shudder), and a ribbed button band to pick up and knit. I have decided against making actual button holes, so this should be fairly standard ribbing. Like a good knitter, I have already marked off my rows in sections of 20 stitches to make it easier to know how many stitches I will need to pick up in between each marker. The trick will be re-calculating that stitch number now that blocking has...shall we say "extended" my row gauge quite a bit. Note for next time - wash the swatch.

Love it when you come by, let's do this again real soon, ok?

Wow

This article makes me want to be very conscious about not complaining too much when I just can't understand something on the first (or fifth) try:

Read about Ann Pruitt

Yarn Shopping: Online or In-Store? Let's Discuss...

I was so impressed with the turnout for our last round table discussion that I thought I'd pose another question this week. Call me nosey, but I love hearing from you guys instead of just rambling on and on about what I haven't finished knitting yet :)

Another topic that has come up among my knit buddies is the option they choose most often when shopping for yarn, needles, and notions. At one time I was convinced that knitting and crochet are completely tactile hobbies; that in order to know if you'll enjoy knitting with a fiber, and if it's right for the project at hand, you've to to "be there" with it. Now that I'm more exposed to the online yarn peddlers, I often feel that I can get plenty of information about a yarn and how suitable it is just by doing a little research at my computer. Fantastic distraction from productive work, let me tell you.

Sites like Yarndex and the Knitters Review give a wealth of information about a yarn: it's fiber content, suggested needle sizes, gauge, and colors. On the Review site, you even get...well, reviews from those who have actually tried it out. Buying online also makes it fairly easy to comparison shop. With all the options available, you could have shopping carts ready and waiting all over cyberspace until you've found the deal that's worth snatching up. That would be tough to do in real life, even if you lived in a place littered with local stores (and if you do, please send directions ASAP).

But what about kicking the tires? I've heard from some stitchers that it's just not the same if they can't see the colors "live" and slip the skein through their fingers to get the real feel of it. Heck, in some of the friendlier yarn shops, you can sit right down and do a gauge swatch before any money changes hands. There's also the human factor - talking face to face with a shop owner about what you'd like to make and if a substitution will work well. Should you get 6 skeins or 7? Does this particular shade of green on you say "spring!" or "hangover!"?

Where do you shop most of the time? Are you always just a mouse click away from a UPS delivery? Or do you prefer the touchy feely part of yarn hoarding collecting? What things help to determine the decision when you are ready to buy?

Are You a PayPal Junkie or Local Shop Regular?

Let's discuss!

ETA: It's never too late to join the discussion! Thanks to all of you who have chimed in already. Speak up whenever you choose, and encourage others to do so as well. There is much to be gained by examining the perspective of another person, and you're welcome to do that here any time. :)

There's Hope!

Hmmm...It would seem that I might just survive this "eating right for better health" thing after all.

P.S. I knew you guys wouldn't let me down - our knitting discussion in the comments has been a real pleasure for me to read. Thanks for weighing in!!

Knitting: Social or Solitary?- Let's Discuss...

I'm part of a few forums and groups online, all yarn related of course.
I don't always have the time to actively participate in some the discussions that go on, but every now and then a topic gets me to come out of hiding (lurkdom) and make a statement to these "strangers" in my online knitting community.

This was the case recently when a thread member posted the question:

Are you a social or a solitary knitter?

Now, the person who originally posted the question submitted her position first (solitary knitter by choice), then she opened it up for discussion to the group. I found the responses fascinating!

So I'm throwing this one out to you dear readers. How do you prefer to stitch - solo or as part of a group? Are you a Knit Night Junkie, or do you do your best work in the solitude of your own space? If you do love to Stitch 'n Bitch, what do you love about it? If you don't go for the group thing, enlighten us as to why.

I'm going to resist posting my own answer here for now (though I'm thinking most of you could guess); I don't want your answers to be a reaction to mine - I would just love it if we could stack the comments with a good conversation on this point.

Let's discuss!

Friday FO: That's a Scrap!

Whew!! The titles just get hokier as the week draws to a close don't they? Mercy.

Anyhoo...new visitor/commenter Amanda asked that I show some of the scrap bags I make as I knit my way through the stash.

Happy to oblige, Amanda!

After a couple Episodes of the Gilmore Girls (Season One DVDs, I'm catching up)...

After watching this week's episode of Lost online, then a knit quick lunch...







Stats:
Yarn: Made with leftover bits of
Paton's Classic Wool - the gray; this was left from my Irish Hiking Scarf
Cascade 220 - the dark brown; leftover from my sister's clogs
Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed - the light brown stripe near the top; also featured in my Katia lace scarf.
Needles: Size 8 (5mm) dpns; my gauge was a bit tighter than recommended, but I think this is just a suggestion, you can make this bigger or smaller, dense or loose.
Pattern: This Cider Moon pattern is simple! It's like making a hat in the round, but with eyelets in the "brim" for the I-cord straps.

Hmmm..I could see these done sooooo many ways. Felting them, adding buttons, some eyelash trim, beaded cord handles. Go crazy - there's hope for those remains and one ball wonders after all! If you do make some of these, I wanna see!

And if not scrap bags, then try something smart and lovely like Nicole did.

Thanks for stopping by! MWAH~

Scraptastic

What stash is complete without a load of yarn scraps? You know - the little odds and ends. The loose bits from the end of the ball. That "not quite enough" yardage that ends up tossed to the bottom of the bag, or into a scrap box like at my house. We've all got them. And in this case I must learn to love mine. See, I didn't add them to my yardage count, but that doesn't make them any less here. Though I wish it did just kind of dissolve them into nothingness since they're not on The Sheet. No such luck.

They do serve a good purpose though They are a great reminder that you have actually MADE things. That things have been knit and crocheted and in some cases even made and then gifted. It can restore your confidence that you are not in fact the world's worst pack rat.

So what to do with them?

Well, I'm going to start with making some of these to start. Goodie bags, gift bags, yarn totes. Call them what you will, I choose to call them Stash Busting Beauties! Care to join me?

The pattern is right here.

How are you using your scraps and bits? I love small, manageable projects like this for my "in between" projects knitting. What do you prefer?