Neophyte Knitter

Friday Review - Knitted & Felted Toys

Knitted & Felted Toys by Zoe Halstead (July 2007)

This book has some adorable toys in it, containing 26 patterns some of which are felted.  It's a mix of fun animals and cute dolls.

Overall, this is a well put together topic book.  It has just a few pages of getting started information with some overview, basic shaping instructions, color knitting info and finishing information.  It also has a section on felting.  I particularly like that she included step-by-step instructions for felting by hand.  As someone who doesn't own a washing machine, this is something I appreciate.  Originally published in the UK, understandably the projects all use British yarns.

The projects are cute, beautifully photographed and bright!  I have a few I am adding to my queue. So If you like cute toys, the perfect project for those random skeins and leftovers littering your stash this might be a book for you!

And the FO's keep rolling in!

First off, let me say I love my new lunch options.  Even though it's only a few blocks away from old department, it's like a whole new world since I usually just go somewhere close to pick up food and eat at my desk.  In City Hall, this meant the sandwich place downstairs.  Here it means Little Tokyo!  Monday I picked up Korean BBQ (not Japanese cuisine but it was the first food place I came too) and had enough food for 2-days. 

Today, I went to the little Japanese market that had ready made food.  I really wish I had my camera with me.  It's full of things I have never seen before and can't begin to pronounce.  I stuck to familiar items today (Tuna on Sushi Rice and Seaweed Salad).  They have a big sweets sections so I did get a bit adventurous and got a Daifuku Mochi Shiro cake which is a sweet red bean paste in a rice based covering.  The insides were pretty good but I didn't care for the rubbery outside.  It was also highly caloric (300) so I only ate half.  I can't wait to explore the rest of the area which has bakeries, shabu-shabu, mochi and of course, sushi!

Back to knitting.  As I mentioned yesterday, after what felt like a long dry spell on actually finishing projects, I completed 4 this weekend.  In addition to the beautiful blanket yesterday, I also finished my Slippy socks.

Slippy Socks
Pattern:My Own
Yarn: Koigu PPPM P107B
Needle: Size 1
Knit: October 4, 2007 - November 24, 2007
Notes: After my documented three trys, I finally figured out a gusset that worked. Since it was again cobbled from a few places (which I can't remember/find now), I am posting it here for posterity.  It's a gusset heel where you don't have to pick up any stitches.

Work in pattern until work measures ~3inch less than length of foot. This is for 72sts.
Rnd 1: Work in pattern over instep; k1, m1, k to end of needles, m1, k1 (+2sts)
Rnd 2: Work all sts in pattern as set.
Repeat these 2 rounds 10 times more. (58sts / 94sts total)
Arrange the stitches for the heel (34 center sts) on one needles.
First wrong side row: slip 1, p to one stitch short of end. First right side rows: slip 1, k t one stitch short of end. Second wrong side row: slip 1, p to 2 stitches short of end. Second right side row: slip 1, knit to 2 stitches short of end. Continue in this manner until you have 12 stitches remaining.
Turning the heel: Return to center heel, right side facing. K6, *(k1 through back loop together with top loop of stitch 2 rows below it in ssk-style) [k1bl-2loop], * repeat to last slipped stitch. Incorporate 1st st of gusset with the last k1bl-2loop. [k3tog, ssk-style]
Turn, slip first stitch, purl to first of remaining slipped stitches, *purl slip st together with loop of st 2 rows below [p2tog-2loop]*, repeat to last of the slipped stitches and incorporate first gusset st in final stitch. Turn.
Heel Flap: Row 1 - sl1, *(k1,s;1)* across to last st, ssk last stitch with next gusset stitch. Turn. Row 2 - sl first stitch, purl 34, p2tog last stitch with next gusset stitch. Turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until all gusset stitches have been incorporated, and you are back to the number of stitches you had after the toe increases.

For the next two weeks I am working on some quick holiday gifts.  One of the other projects completed this weekend was a holiday gift so I can't show it yet just in case someone wanders by the blog.  It was a fairly quick knit taking me only a few days.  Here's a shot of it in case you want to guess what it is.  I also want to whip up two hats and some Mason-Dixon washcloths. They are not main gifts so if it happens, it happens.  No worries.  That's how all holiday knitting should be! 

Finishing is so sweet!

It's done!!  That's right.  Children at Play, the baby blanket that just kept kicking me in the ass is finished!  A victim of my very productive 5 days off from work.

Now just top recap, I had had the knit front done for at least a month.  It was the fabric back that was giving me trouble, mainly due to my utterly lack of any sewing skills.  I made a few trial runs and ended up having to rip my crocheted white border.  Then after consulting with my new sewing teacher (2 classes down), he advised me to hand sew.  In the end, I just couldn't face the idea of all that manual labor.  It was just too much.  So I said fuck it and used my dinky machine (it's undersized), kept the foot up and winged it. 

It's not perfect but I don't think it turned out too bad.  I just had to accept that my edges were not going to be sharp and defined.  Along a few of the edges there was some wandering in and out but it's relatively minor.  You have to be looking real close to figure it our.  Then i used some embroidery floss to connect it together.  I know there's a term for that, but I can't remember it right now.

What's really important is that I think the baby's parents will get a kick out of it.   Now I just have to mail it along with the other little gifties I have.  Since the wee one hasn't made in appearance yet, I call this a success.

Children at Play Blanket
Pattern: From Babies and Toddlers: A Knitter's Dozen
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn in Red, Black, White and Tangerine
Needle: Size 6
Knit: September 18 - November 25, 2007
Notes: I followed the pattern to a tee and ended with a blanket that is roughly 3 feet by 4 feet. The only thing I didn't do was the border due to the aforementioned backing.

In other news, I kicked butt over the break.  I didn't do anything for Thanksgiving since many of my pals including Jon were out of town but that was cool.  My sister was a bit horrified that I was having leftover Chinese Orange Chicken for my meal but I thought it was tasty.  It pumped me up for my Black Friday spree.  For only the second time in my life I was shopping at 6am the day after Thanksgiving.  And by noon I was done with 95% of my shopping.  I only have one more gift to buy.  I did cheat a bit and bought a few things on-line but it's still an accomplishment.  I also put up the tree, watched everything on my TiVo and finished a few more knit projects. 

I also geared up for my first day at the new office but familiarizing myself with about 500 pages of plans and another 1000 of specifications.  On the second day and I am still getting the lay of everything but I am very excited by the change and feel reinvigorated in my working life.  It will curtail blogging a bit.  I may have to scale back my Friday reviews to twice a month but maybe not.  I want to give it a few weeks to see what my workload will really be like.  But at least this week you will hear from me!  I have more FO's to share, some new gifts to drool about and some tidbits about my sewing class and my cool ass teacher.  Can you believe it...  me blogging!

Friday Review - Chic Knits for Stylish Babies

Chic Knits for Stylish Babies by Patricia Wagner (June 2007)

I think this book was originally published in French.  If not, there is definitely a foreign influence from the French editor and photographer.  It is different from the mass of knitting books that are published here in the US.  It uses recycled paper, has an impeccable layout and the photography is gorgeous.  However, it's the projects that make this book a standout - they are all outfits!  Cute ones to boot!

The projects are broken into three sections - "all-weather babies", "adventurous babies" and "smart babies."  Sizes are given for 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.  Each outfit is given a cute name like "English Style" or "Sugared Almonds".  Then instructions are given for every piece of the the outfit which could include jackets, cardigans, pants, hats, sweaters, overalls and boots.  Project write ups are detailed with the most exquisite schematics I have ever seen.  Yes.  I get excited over little black and white drawings but they have such character.  Much better than the generic ones everyone else has.

The projects themselves are adorable for the most part.  They are stylish without being over the top kitschy.  Just up my alley.  And I think any new mom would love to get these as a gift. This is a book I definitely will be getting.   

Best Laid Plans

I've been meaning to post....really i have but you know how it goes sometimes.  I usually post from work but that has been a bit crazy since I am training my replacement and starting to learn my new job at the same time!  So I have been shuffling back and forth between offices (only a few blocks a part) and trying to wrap my head around my new duties.  Finally full time over there next Monday after five days off. 

That's right...five glorious days of nothing but me time!  No plans for Thanksgiving at all since most of my close friends are heading out of town to be with there families.  I was invited in some cases didn't feel like being a part of someone else's family for a few days.  Instead, I was going to go to Vegas but couldn't find anyone who wasn't leaving town to feed my beasts.  So I decided that was a sign for me to stay in town and save some dough. Well sort of.  I plan on braving Black Friday to get all my Christmas shopping done since I am heading East in two weeks to do the holiday thing early with my family.  Actually flying on the holidays was just to insanely expensive for my semi-thrifty heart.  I just hate spending more than $300 to fly to New England so I am going in between and we will celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one glorious day.

So besides shopping, I have some other ideas for the weekend on what I want to accomplish.  The big thing being that damn baby blanket.  You remember, the one I was supposed to put a backing on two weeks ago.  Well I tried. And tried again.  Ripped the border off and tried again.  Slowly the realization came that machine sewing was just not going to cut it.  I have to hand sew this shiznit on.  Sigh. So a hand sewing I will go.  My new goal is to get this done in time to send for Christmas. 

I did finish one thing in the past few weeks, Sheldon.
Pattern: From Knitty Winter 2006
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport in Violet and Hydrangea
Needles: US 4's
Knit: September 2-15, 2007

I like the pattern, I just don't like my execution of it.  I overstuffed him so that made everything a pain.  The instructions say not to do that and you should listen.  Really!  So because I am a bit meh about it, he may not be a gift as planned instead residing at mi casa.

I also am on the last inch of my Koigu socks so it's time to pick out my next commuting project.  Actually, I am trying to figure out my next few projects.  I did do some stash enhancement at Michael's since I can not resist a super sale with 40-50% off yarns!  So some LB Cotton-Ease and some other things snuck in my basket.  And as I was putting things away, I realize that I still have too many odd balls in my stash so I think it might be time for a rash of small projects.  It would be nice to have a bunch of FO's and I might need to restock my knitting basket after the holidays.  I think a few of my "Misfit" projects will find new homes.

Yes.  I made a Rudolph reference! That's my favorite part about this time of year, all the great Christmas shows.  That's one of the things I plan to do on my American Thanksgiving!  Happy Gobble Day every one! 

Friday Review - The Well-Knit Home

The Well-Knit Home by Gina Macris (July 2007)

This book is dedicated to knits for the home like pillows, vases, coasters, bowls and wash-clothes.  It starts out well, with an index with a thumbnail photo of every project.  Love the smart little details like this.  The focus is home accent projects - those little touches or items that make a space uniquely yours.

The book starts out with a section the author calls "Knit Knowledge" and leads off with an essay on design where she urges exploration of new ways to use yarn and stitches.  Then its on to the techniques that are used in the projects.  On the surface they are a bit random and discombobulated - demonstrating stitches next to a discussion on chenille then showing bobbles and how to insert a zipper- but all tie into the projects.

   

The projects in this book are broken up into five sections - "Living Knits" "Dining Knits" "Bedroom Knits" Baby Knits" "Bath Knits".  I have to say that a lot of the pages are dedicated to multiple photos for each project with close-ups and multiple angles.  The patterns have all the necessary information including written directions and charts where applicable.  The patterns are basic with fine elements and easily customizable to your home.

This book just doesn't ring my bell. Everything is too boring a blah or too over the top.  I expect accents to pop.  These all seem to fizzle.  Like plain felted coasters or vase covers.  Or the other extreme which uses way too much novelty. If you decorate with a strict conservative style or like frizz and fuzz, you might like this book.  Everyone else could skip it.

Friday Review - Classic Knits

Classic Knits by Erika Knight (January 2007)

 

The cover of this book really lured me in.  A classic sweater that is unfussy and beautiful - that's my kind of project!!  True it would be a boring knit but I hoped to find a wonderful book focusing on classics with little details to make them special enough to knit.

Then I opened the book and my bubble burst.  The set up is different.  The book starts with 30 pages of color pictures of the projects.  Two for each.  Pictures are beautiful but in some cases extremely useless in really showcasing the project.  The pictures are blurred or projects are shown in pieces or even folded. There are very few which I feel give a good clear picture (which I show in this review).  You know what that means according to EZ - there are problems with the garments that required creative pictures!

   

I'm not sure if that is truly the case since I don't plan on making these especially considering the definite problem with the project instructions.  There are no schematics!  I hate that.  Such a simple thing and so useful in judging the shape and seeing if it will suit you.  She does give a large range of sizes but since you can't really get a good idea of the projects, I am not so sure that matters.

Even though the projects are nice they seem too almost too basic.  I know that seems a bit oxymoronic considering my previous statement but I like classics looking garments that still have enough details to make them an interesting knit. These seem like I could have picked them up at the Gap (and in some cases I am sure I have!).  So I would say skip this book unless you have the urge to actually knit a boring stockinette sweater instead of picking one up on sale!

Monogamy Is Overrated

I have been so, so good but I am sick of it!  For the past month my main knitting has been the baby blanket.  The never ending blanket.  I have no idea why it's taking so long.  It is a decent size piece of fabric and it's on US 6's but I still feel like I should have finished this thing by now!  Monogamy is driving me crazy.  I am spending hours browsing Ravelry and drooling over fiber on-line, barely resisting the urge to whip out the credit card.

The only reason I have been able to keep my pledge to remain faithful is my daily commute (and the shower deadline of next week).  Luckily I get to have a booty call (get the pun!) working on my socks.  I did have one day of craziness when I cast on for Sheldon the Stuffed Turtle but I only worked on it  that one day before guilt hit me.

I just want to finish something!!  It's been weeks upon weeks.  Luckily I think I can finish the blanket tomorrow.  I have finished the main part last night and after trying the edging directions as written and finding it too fiddly and not to by liking, I decided a crochet edging was the way to go.  Much neater and more importantly...faster! Expect pictures soon.  Especially of first attempt to sew a fabric backing on.  That should be a barrel of laughs! Not.

How Many Monkeys?

I have been plugging away slowly on my Slippy Stitch Socks.  I just realized yesterday by browsing through Ravelry that my original design (no pattern, just winging it as I go) is basically a recreation of the Slipped Stitch Sock found in Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Church.  This really brings home the point is there really anything new in knitting?  Especially socks.  The design really doesn't change, just elements of it.  It doesn't make me love them any less.  It just made me laugh!

I am introducing a new sheep rating system for my Friday book review.  I wanted a quick way for me (and anyone else) to see if I like it or not.  It's on the 4-sheep scale. 

Despite the tone of my last post, my birthday ended up being really great.  I had dinner with one of my oldest friends and her husband at Pizzeria Mozza, a new place by Mario Batali that I have been dying to go to for months!  It didn't disappoint.  The food was delicious.  Then we went across the street to the Red Pearl Kitchen for some yummy cocktails.  Then I went to the Magic Castle and had more cocktails.  I was a very happy girl.  Since I didn't make it to bed until 2am, I took some last minute vacation time in the morning to get a bit more sleep.

Then last night, Jon and I hung out, the transition to best pals going well.  At my request, he picked up some shawerma, chicken tarna, and roasted chicken with hummus and tabouli from my favorite Mediterranean place (Zankou Chicken) for my birthday dinner.  He also gave me my gifts doing a spectacular job.  He went to the Knit Cafe and picked me up 2 skeins of Noro Kochoran, a copy of Fitted Knits and one of the Barbara Walker books.  He also got me the next volume of the Jack of Fables comic book.  And two bags of Halloween candy, flowers and a little bear.  Very nice.

The yarn is gorgeous.  I wouldn't have bought it for myself being such a thrifty crafter.  No way would I spend that much cash on just enough yarn for a scarf.  Of course given where he got it, it had a wee bit of a problem with inflated prices.  It's expensive to have a shop in LA and the yarn is marked up accordingly.  One of the reasons I shop on-line so much.

Anyway, Jon left this morning for a month - traveling to the Midwest for 2 weeks before heading to Malaysia.  So I have the whole place to myself for a while.  I am looking forward to a weekend of TiVo, knitting (I need to finish this blanket!), and maybe one or two social events.  I'm on the prowl for my rebound guy.  Sounds calculated but for me the best way to get over a guy is have a nice, light relationship with another!  I have made some headway in this past week having met a few candidates.  It's not nearly as hard as I remember.  Maybe my older self is way more confident this time around.  A good thing about hitting my 30's!   

Friday Review - Fitted Knits

Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel (March 2007)

This author is one whose wok I have admired for years!  She had one of the first knitting blogs (at Glampyre) I ever started reading having found her through her gorgeous leg warmer pattern in the Spring 2003 issue of Knitty.  So I was really excited when I heard she was coming out with a book.

I think it is well known that Stefanie is all about fit and flattering the body you have!  This is a design philosophy that I wish everyone shared.    She also focuses on sweaters knit in the round from the top down.  This simple construction allows more time for the details and a focus on shape. Instruction and guidelines are given for shaping that can be incorporated at the yoke, bust, waist, hips or sleeves.  This book is all about knitting to your measurements and Stefanie encourages altering the patterns at any point to fit you.

This book has 25 designs.  The projects are divided into 4 sections, "Tubes, Tanks and Tees", "Shrugs, Cardigans and Wraps", "Sweaters, Vests and Coats" and finally "Dress-Up Clothes". 

   

The patterns are written to help make changes, being broken up into the different sections of a sweater.  She also has a wide range of sizes with most written for at least 5 sizes.  Schematics are included and each pattern shows the definitions of the abbreviations.  Very useful when you copy a pattern to use on the road. My only minor quibble with the projects is that a lot seem to use the same design element (ribs on bottom) and are pretty much the same design with some changes.  There's nothing wrong with that, I just would have hoped for a bit more variety from this exceptional designer.

I love the layout.  It's fresh and modern. It also has exceptional photos showing details.  I think Stefanie had a lot of input into this book from the lack of things I could find wrong with it!  Yarns are basic but nice in a decent range. 

The projects are all the type of thing I would wear - nothing garish or fugly here.  Everything is looks elegant (the models help).  There is a dress that I absolutely love.  I just wish my big child bearing hips didn't prevent me from wearing such a thing.  Instead I think the simple v-neck is more my speed.

I am definitely adding this book to my library soon and have added a few of the projects to my queue!