Neophyte Knitter

Sucessful Monogamy

I can't believe it!  I have been totally monogamous for over two weeks! That's right.  I am working on only one project.  And I am happy.  No swatching or looking longingly at the stash for another project too start. 

Just plugging away on Abotanicity.  As you can see I am through the bodice ribbing and am doing the lace.  This picture represents just a little under 4 balls or 924 yards so based on the estimate of 10 balls I am 40% complete.  At my current rate of output I have another 3 weeks before I am done. 

You may notice that I went with a different lace pattern.  Since I am toting this around on the bus (that's my monogamy in action), I didn't want to have to rely on a chart and I wanted it to be a bit more solid. 

I went digging through my stitch pattern books and settled on Rib Fantastic from my Barbara Walker book.  It's a version of the Zigzag Rib Trellis.  It was exactly what I was looking for, a more peekaboo lace so you would not be seeing all skin when worn (or tank top) and simple enough to memorize. I am very pleased with how it's looking.  So hereafter I am renaming this sweater Abot Fantastic!

Summer Movie Season has Begun!!

I kicked off my summer movie experience last night with one of the first screenings of Iron Man!  It did not disappoint.  It was entertaining, fast-paced and action packed.  And a great superhero movie!!  I can't attest personally that the adaption from the comic is perfect (not really a Marvel girl) but I have read that is does better than your average bear with only a few updates to make it relevant to the audience who aren't geeks.

In addition to the good script and the spectacular yet realistic looking special effect wheat really made the movie for me was the impeccable casting.  Robert Downey Jr. steps smoothly into the role of Tony Stark, the arrogant playboy who learns that his actions really do matter in this world.  And Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, his cool as cucumber assistant with that girl next door flavor is perfect.  I have a girl crush on her!

Other summer movies I am looking forward too include:

• The Dark Knight - This is more for my roommie who I may have mentioned once or twice is a Batman fanatic.  And the viral advertising they have been doing is very entertaining.  Heck, - I have a "Vote Harvey Dent" sticker on my hard hat now.
• Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull - Really.  Who is looking forward to seeing Indy back up on the screen.  Shia's no slouch either.
• Get Smart  - I have seen some footage and it looks to be very funny.  And Anne Hathaway and Steve Carrell are just too cute in person.
• Wall-E - The latest Pixar film.  Again thanks to comic-con I have seen early footage.  This will be one for the whole family to love and enjoy!
• X-Files 2 - I really hope we finally get the truth!  I am tempted to add every season to my Netflix queue but its really too late to try to rewatch everything before the movie comes out.  I'll plan on doing it afterward!

What I really need to focus on is the perfect movie knitting.  I was working on the Abo last night before the movie started but once it started I had to put it down or risk missing an increase.  I need to get off my lace kick first though.  Lace like my most recent FO.

Traveling Vines Scarf
Pattern: My Own
Yarn: Knit Picks Bare - Merino Lace Weight
Needle: Size 5
Knit: March 28 - April 20, 2008
Notes: I picked a lace pattern out of one of my dictionaries and then just did some garter edging.  I had an unknown amount of yarn in my ball so I knit until I ran out and ended up with a scarf 8" x 48" blocked.  The perfect length for a little wrap. Of course it looks better blocked.

This was another stash buster.  This yarn was part of swap ages ago.  At one point, over 2 years ago, my cats got into it.  This is the only time they have ever done that and I am still not sure which one it was.  I am sure it was more a retaliation gesture since I was in Mexico at the time and it was the first time they had been alone overnight (I just had someone coming in and feeding them).  Anyway, untangling it involved a lot of cutting and in the end I had two balls, one of which I used for this project. 

Another new thing I did this weekend was attending a singles wine tasting meet up in my effort to start dating again as well as make some new friends.  It went well.  It was just a big friendly get together and I talked to a few gals and guys that were normal, nice and interesting.  I didn't exchange any digits but I like the vibe of the group and will attend more gatherings in the future.  I was going to do another ladies meetup tonight and go dancing but I am PMSing and just want to curl up at home and knit.  So I will. 

Hat of Blocks

Last week I completed a quick project as a pick me up.  Three days from start to glorious finish.  I have to throw these in between the forever lace and large projects to keep my knitting pep up.

Block Hat
Pattern: Sheep & Wool Hat from "Say What?"
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn
Needle: Size 6
Knit: April 20 - 23, 2008
Notes:  This was a total stash busting hat.  I had small balls leftover from an earlier project that I wanted to use up.  Initially because of the colors I was thinking of making a knit penguin but decided to do some color work instead.  A quick search of Ravelry and soon I was zipping along on this hat. 

I knit this for my head (22" Circumference).  I made some minor deviations from the pattern including using a provisional crochet cast-on to make turning the hem under easier and I put a solid color row between the color work.  Nothing major.  And I love this hat.  I think the simple color work is striking and due to the stranding, it is a nice warm hat.

Of course its in the 90's in Southern California right now.  A winter hat isn't exactly something I will be able to wear. But I am one of those knitters who pays no attention to what season it is when I choose my projects.  So its of no surprise that the project I just cast on for is a sweater. I think its crazier that I am knitting a sweater on size 3 needles. 

Yup.  I am working on Abotanicity from Knitty - Winter 2007. I really don't know what I was thinking.  A sweater made of sock yarn.  It's going to take me forever!!! But it seemed like a good idea when I was buying the yarn. And I am in love with the shape and construction.  It will be a great jeans sweater for next winter.

And as much as I love the Trekking it was originally done in, I am budgeting these days so I am doing mine in Knit Picks Essential.  So far I am pleased with the feel in the hand and softness.  And it's machine washable.  A total requirement for any sweater of mine from now on.  I just don't do hand washing. I have shrunk one too many garments. 

I am totally happy with it so far. It's mindless ribbing at the moment and due to its small size, it is serving as both my TV and commuting project.  I finished my first ball last night so I have hopes that I can do the whole thing in a little over a month.  I realize that's more of a pipe dream but that's the kind of mood I am in.      

Book Review - Knitted Gardens

Knitted Gardens by Jan Messent (November 2007)

This book is pure whimsy.  I have never really been one to create art with my knitting, much preferring functional projects but I have to admit i do admire it. 

This book is all about creating knitted three dimensional gardens - complete with cottages, trees, bushes, flowers, fruits and vegetables and little people.  It's quite an interesting concept.

To make all the 3D elements, you do need to use a few other things like foam block, heavy card stock and miscellaneous tools.  Directions are detailed with plenty of schematics to show you how to construct everything. Along with suggestions on how to customize everything. 

The coolest thing about doing this type of project is that it's all about utilizing lots of different yarns and in small quantities.  Bushes and grasses change with the different colors and types of fiber.  And since you can make up small plots and join them together, this could be a project you do in stages to use odd balls and remnants from your stash!

Inspiration can come from your own garden, walks through the park or anywhere else in nature. The only limit to the beauty of your garden is your imagination!  So if this is something that appeals to you, pick this book up and begin knitting the garden of your dreams!

Friday Review - Knitting Classic Style

Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery (September 2007)

Veronik Avery is a well known designer.  If you have been knitting for a while you have seen her designs in the knitting magazines. Her style has always been very classic with beautiful details.  They tend to be things you would find in an upscale boutique.  Nothing outrageous.  Nothing with lots of loud color. Just understated and elegant.

In this book she reinterprets classics taken from four themes - women's wear, menswear, ethnic costume, and sportswear or as she calls it - Fashion Mavens, Tomboys, Global Travelers and Thrill Seekers.  In this book, she is very much a "fashion" designer. All of these designs are based on specific iconic pieces none of which I was familiar with.  My only education in high fashion comes from Project Runway.

The formatting reflects the designer with clear pictures, complementary styling and beautiful models.  Projects instructions are also given for multiple sizes in great flattering lines. I do have an issue with the fact that two of the projects are knit in black.  Black does not photograph well.  It's hard to see the projects itself let alone the details.  Beautiful choice for an actual garment but not for a sample project.

Overall I am a bit meh on the book.  The garments are beautiful but the ones that interest me are so classic they would make a boring to knit.  Now don't get me wrong, I wear this type of clothing but I can find it in many stores and buy myself "classic" to save me the time since I want a bit of verve to my knitting projects. But if I ever had to knit my own wardrobe, this would be a great book.

Other Craftiness

A few months back I posted about my dyeing adventure.  Not yarn but a formal dress.  I finally got a chance to wear it a few weeks ago so I wanted to share a before and after with you.

I love the dress.  It's so glamorous.  And love the peach color even more than the white.  I think I will definitely get a few more wears out of it.   

Weekend Smiles

I had a good weekend.

I fixed my computer which has been running slow as molasses and making funny noises for months.  Based on some advice from some pals who are computer gurus, we got a new Power Supply Unit.  It took a fruitless trip to two electronic stores before I finally figured out that Sony makes "proprietary" units that have one extra hook up and a weird size so you have to order it from them.  And there units are about $100 more than the generic ones.  Grrrrr.  Still it's cheaper than a new computer.  Then thanks to google, I diagnosed my slow issue as a lack of available RAM.  I have 512MB which should be plenty for my glorified internet/email station so I mucked around a bit to find out which background process was the hog.  Out went one of the two internet security programs that was running (damn roommate downloads things willy-nilly) and suddenly things are back up to speed!  I feel like superwoman for not paying a "specialist" like I was originally going to.  Probably saved myself a few hundred bucks.

I also have an FO and another so close I can taste it (its blocking!)

Trekking Blueberries
Stitch Pattern: From Blueberry Waffle Socks from KnitList
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Needle: Size 1
Knit: March 20 -  April 20, 2008
Notes:  These are milestone stocks.  For the first time ever, I used the Magic Loop method.  And I am converted.  It was so easy.  Ridiculously so. And the one needle thing is so much easier for my commute.  Another first was the Trekking and I am impressed again.  It feels nice, I love the colors and it has a freaking lot of yardage.  I made my normal behemoth size and had a nice chunk left over. 

What made those socks even better was that I finished them watching a mini Battlestar Galactica marathon with a friend.  We saved the first three episodes of this season so we could watch them all at once to have a bigger fix.  So it was Jamie Bamber, pizza and knitting on Saturday night.  It could not get much better.  I also saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Friday night and it was hilarious.  I highly recommend it. It also cemented my crush on Jason Segel which started when I saw him and the cast promoting this movie at WonderCon in February.  I mean he stages a Dracula puppet musical in the movie and he is writing the script for the next Muppet film!!  Really.  I heart him.