Neophyte Knitter

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.

      

Book Review - KnitKnit:Profiles & Projects from Knitting's New Wave

KnitKnit: Profiles & Projects from Knitting's New Wave by Sabrina Gaschwandter (September 2007)

Wow!  I am constantly amazed by the creativity of people.  I envy those who are truly artistic - their creativity,  unique ideas, and amazing creations.  Even though I knit and create, I don't really consider myself an artist.  I enjoy the process and engineering of knitting and don't feel the urge to create unique pieces. 

This book focuses on artists who use knitting and the creation of projects as their creative outlets. Artists from all over the world and different facets of the industry - designers, dyers, spinners - who use the same medium to translate their visions in so many different ways.  Each profile is a few pages with colorful pictures of the artists, usually in their studios. You will recognize some of the names as the hand-knitting elite and some are artists that I have never heard of.  It's fascinating to read about their lives, experiences, and inspirations as well as to to get a feel for their aesthetic.

Each artist also contributes a knitting pattern.  Patterns that are as varied in composition, color and type as the artists themselves.  Some are functional and some are art.  Some are useful and some are just beautiful.

I particularly like this hat and sweater, both of which have been added to my Ravelry queue.

This is definitely a book I recommend.  It's just so inspirational as well as eye opening and you will see knitting in a different light after perusing this book.

Stemming the Tide

OK. If you are a Ravelry addict and haven't taken time to donate a bit to help Jess & Casey out, now is the time.  Fricknits is hosting a Ravelraiser and the prizes are quite spectacular!!  I donated a bit way back when but considering how much I use the site and the number of projects, amount of stash and other vital details it is organizing for me, Ravelry has definitely earned a bit more of my money!

And since my credit card was already out and it is pay day, I did a bit more Internet shopping.  First stop was Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs for some unique, amazing scents.  I was turned on to this company ages ago by Glampyre and a few months ago made my first purchase of some samples (called "Imp's Ears" by the company).  I fell in love with two of them (Unicorn & Croquet) so it was time to purchase the bigger vials.  I also used as an excuse to get some more samples!

Then it was fiber time.  I am really try to knit from my stash.  Really.  But if I don't add a little something to it now and again, I binge.  Anyway I spent way too much time figuring out what I wanted to knit and what yarn I wanted to use.  I was so excited. Then I tried to order it and discovered it was on back order.  So I have to wait to buy it.  I took this as a sign that my shopping was done for the day.

What I really should spend money on some grooming for my beasts.

 

They are so dirty!  I swear all they do is roll around in dirt all night. I have the photographic evidence above of what they do during the day.  Well its dirt and catching mice.  Yup.  It's spring and in my house that means little animals being killed in the house.  Clou-dee brings them in as offerings, either to me or her brother.  I thought catch them was all she did as I have never seen her commit mayhem but the vet pointed out all the bones in my little huntress stomach on an x-ray a few weeks ago.  She was quite impressed with her apparent prowess.  Gus on the other hand prefers the house as his killing ground, provided he doesn't lose them which he is prone to do.  I can't tell you how many time I have woken up to his wretched cries to find him staking out a piece of furniture that the mouse is huddled behind.  Sadly for him, I have become very proficient at catching them when this happens and setting them free.  My only gripe is that its always at 2am. 

I had one more thing pop up that going to cost some dough - an emergency dentist appointment this afternoon.  Thanks to the power of google, I am pretty sure I have an abcess in one of the teeth I had a root canal on a decade ago.  It's this bump in my mouth that just isn't going away that I have been ignoring because there is no pain.  And after reading all the horrible things that could happen if the infection goes anywhere, I thought maybe its time to get a professional opinion.  Oh joy is me! 

Book Review - Knitting with Beads: Stunning Shawls & Wraps

Knit With Beads: Stunning Shawls & Wraps by Scarlet Taylor (July 2007)

This book focuses on the different techniques of bead knitting demonstrated by simple projects.  The specific knitting techniques are

• Knitting with Beads in Garter Stitch
• Knitting with Beads between Purl Stitches
• Slip-Stitch Beaded Knitting
• Knitting with Beads Through a Stitch
• Knitting and Beads on a Yarn-Over
• Hook Beading
• Stitching Beads to a Knitted Fabric
• Knitting with Sequins

This book is mostly made up of the patterns with each of the different technique being explained clearly on a single page with pictures.  This is nice though in some cases a bit brief.  The patterns that follow utilize the technique and seem well written with schematics and charts.

Overall this book is not one I would recommend.  If you are just starting with beads or want to learn about the many different ways they can be used, I just think there are more comprehensive books out there on the topic.  Also the projects do not appeal to me.  This may be something work looking at if you just want a small taste of beds in knitting or if any of the patterns are to your taste.

Sunny Skies

It's beautiful here in LA today with sunny blue skies.  One of the many reasons I live here.   And I am very much in TGIF mode.  I have just been off this week.  Unable to concentrate on work or get anything substantial done.  So I surfed a bit too much Ravelry and Facebook. 

Add that to the fact that something is up with my left arm.  I have started to get numbness and tingling in it all the way done and including my hand.  I get twinges when I am knitting, when I grab things or just at random.  It's not consistent but it is troublesome none the less.  I have done the requisite web search and it could be a few things including carpal tunnel.  Luckily, I already have a check-up scheduled for next week so I will be sure to bring it up then.  But I really hope it's not the knitting.  Otherwise, I might have to stop creating cool shit like this.

EZ Baby Surprise
Pattern: From Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn: Misc Kool-Aid Dyed Wool
Needle: Size 5
Knit: March 13 - 24, 2008
Notes:  Wow!  The construction of this was amazing.  I could not believe the blob was going to become a cardigan but I kept the faith and followed the instructions.  And I could not be more pleased.  Since I was really knitting this for the process, I didn't bother with gauge.  Or buying yarn.  I just went stash diving and came up with ball of generic wool I dyed with kool-aid almost 5 years ago. What a blast from the past!  Then when I ran out of that, I dug some random orange before heading back to a different kool-aid skein to do the button bands.  And the buttons were culled from my vase of buttons.  All in all I think it looks pretty cool.  It was a bit crunchy being vintage wool and kool-aid dyed to boot but I soaked it with some Euclan for a while and it softened up but it's still definitely cold winter wear.  I'll have to save it for a winter New England baby.

Started a new project - a lace scarf.  Actually I started it 5-different times.  This project evolved from a desire to use up some of leftover lace yarn.  I have a pink and a natural.   My design process went something like this.

Decdied to knit with both held together.  Crocheted something.  Didn't like.  Ripped.  Searched Ravelry.  Found a pattern.  Cast-on and did a full repeat.  Didn't like.  Ripped.  Tried it with just the natural.  Still didn't like.  Ripped again.  Searched Ravelry again.  Found two possible patterns, one knit & one crochet.  Cast-on.  Knit.  Rip.  Repeat but with crochet.  Then I started scouring my stitch dictionaries.  Found a lace pattern I liked.  Cast-on.  Liked!  Translated the written directions into a chart.  Knit merrily for 5 repeats (or 60 rows).  Realized I had made a mistake on my chart.  Ripped back and started again.

Now I have about 9-inches done.  It's competing with my Ugly Blanket for TV knitting.  I did a little stash organization last week and found a few oddballs that were too cheap/ugly/weird to sell or even donate.  Into the Ugly Blanket pile they went to add some new stripes.  I finished the first strip (15" x 90") and have started on the next one.  I love how its coming out and the fact that I am using up scraps and random balls.  When it's finally done (probably another year) I will probably have it forever as its got quite a bit of apocalypse proof acrylic in it. Pictures of both soon.

And on the commute and in the random meeting, it's my Blueberry Socks.  I am sooooo loving the Magic Loop method.  It's easy and the lack of less dangly needles is a definite plus. I have no idea why I haven't tried it before now.  And the Trekking is nice too, especially the colors. 

Tomorrow night I am gussying myself up and heading over to the Beverly Hilton as a stand-in for Jon.  He's up for a magic award (the one he won last year) but since he's out of town working(woo-hoo, house to myself!), he gave his complimentary tickets to me.  I'm taking my bff.  We'll be the two hot single gals hitting on the C-List celebs. And if he wins again, I get to bring the wand home.  No speech though.  He got another pal to agree to accept it with some witty words on his behalf and that's a good thing!