July 2006 Archives

Do you ever feel like you get in a rut, just doing the same things over and over? This weekend I broke out of my rut - I went camping and canoeing with friends I hadn't seen in almost a year!

Given the choice, I will always take air conditioning and a bed over a sleeping bag and a tent... but you know, sometimes you just need to change things up a little.

My husband and I drove about an hour to the campground after work on Friday, and just hung out and toasted some marshmallows while we caught up on all the news from our friends. We camped out Friday night, then we awoke bright and early when the trout fishing siren went off, letting the fishermen know it was all clear to start fishing.

We whipped up some yummy breakfast burritos (camp food is not haute cuisine but it always tastes so good!) and drove a couple of miles another campground to rent our canoes, since all the canoes at the state park were already reserved.

I guess that should have been the sign that it would be a busy day on the river! Floating on most rivers in Missouri is essentially like attending a frat party in boats. I'm not a big partier, but it did make for some interesting people watching. Despite the crowds and partiers, the river is really beautiful and we enjoyed a relaxing float with plenty of stops to play in the water.

It's really rejuvenating for me to get out and enjoy nature, but I always think I have to plan a trip to Colorado or New Mexico for it to be worth it. The best part about the trip was that we got to spend time with old friends and have a lot of fun without spending much money or even going very far from home! (And, I got to take a shower and sleep in my own bed the next night, a very good thing indeed.)

Photo credit to j o s h via flickr

Sorry kids, the end of July snuck up on me!  It's time again to sign up for the Project Spectrum Hand-Dyed Yarn Swap.  It's the last month of Project Spectrum, so if you've always wanted to join the swap, you better do it now!  The colors for August are black, white, and neutral.  Leave a comment if you want to join.  Entries are open until August 1, since I got started late. 

I don’t usually post on Fridays. That’s because most of my knitting, and most of my opportunities to take good pictures, are on the weekends. So by the time Friday rolls around, I’ve used up all my pictures from the previous weekend. Since Fridays are normally quiet around here, I’m thinking about starting a new feature each Friday – Running Fridays.

Other than knitting, the only non-work activity I do regularly is run. However, when I’m not training for a specific event I become a real slacker. So, to motivate myself I will post each Friday about what I’ve done that week and my plan for the next week. If you don’t care to read about it, just don’t stop by on Fridays!

The next big event I am planning on running is the inaugural Route 66 Half-Marathon in Tulsa, OK in late November. I’m planning on following the novice Half-Marathon Training Plan from Hal Higdon. It’s only a 12 week plan (I need to start August 28), so until then I’m focusing on regaining my fitness level from my recent bout of slackitude.

This week’s workouts:
I ran/walked for about 30 minutes with my running buddies on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings before work. We ran 2 minutes and walked 1 minute intervals. It was really humid out, but I felt okay since we were going nice and slow.

Next week’s plan:
I won’t be able to run this weekend because I’m going on a float trip at Bennett Springs State Park. But next week I want to run at least 3 mornings during the week and do a slightly longer run on Saturday. I also want to move up to a 3 min run/1 min walk interval.

I have a not-so-surprising news flash. Men's sweaters are boring to knit. They're just so... rectangular! At least I have my little bits of ribbing at the sides to keep it slightly interesting. But I did cringe just a little when the instructions set up the foundation row and there's no change for FOURTEEN INCHES. Seriously.

At least the colors are pretty!

I am having a bit of concern about the rolling action in the middle. I probably should have added some ribs along the bottom, but I didn't think of it until it was too late. Dropping down that many stitches always ends up looking messy, I think. So, will a single crochet border really stop the rolling? I guess I can always go back and add ribbing along the whole bottom edge after its all seamed up.

Okay, okay... I know the blistering heat that's been roasting the entire country probably tipped you off.  But guess what?  It's SUMMER! 

Do you know how I know?  

My tomatoes are ripe!  I LOVE fresh tomatoes from the garden.  Last night I ate sliced tomatoes with cherry tomatoes on top.  I love good tomatoes so much that I refuse to eat tomatoes from the grocery store when they're not in season.  Sometimes (and I would never tell her this) I plan my trips to visit my grandma based on when I think her tomatoes will be ripe. 

So yes, I'm a bit obsessive about my tomatoes.  Plus, I really liked how this picture came out.  

 

I guess I can't write a post completely about tomatoes, huh?  (Well, I probably could but I will spare you.)  This blog is supposedly about knitting and all...

 

 

 

I started another Mason-Dixon dishcloth, since I still have some Peaches & Cream yarn hanging around the house.  My friend Laura was at my house last week, and one of our other friends decided she wanted to learn to knit.  Laura knits continental, so I decided it would be the perfect time for me to learn a different knitting style.  This dishcloth was my practice piece, but I gave up and switched back to "regular" English knitting style after a few practice rows.  I just can't keep the tension while knitting with the yarn in my left yarn.  Either it's way too loose or I finally get a grip on it and I never let out any slack.  Any suggestions? 

I've received some fun stuff in the mail lately... wanna see?

This is the package from my Vacation Swap Pal Rebecca from Australia.  She does lots of different crafts, including beading.  She sent me a bracelet and earrings.   

I also got a little felted pouch, a fan, and handmade card, some nice lotion and sugar scrub, and........

2 issues of YARN magazine, which is a super-cool Australian knitting magazine.  It's a lot smaller than Vogue and Interweave, but it has lots of patterns and really nice photography.  It's available to US subscribers, but I don't know how much $55 Australian Dollars is.  Hmmm... that's what the internets are for, silly!  Okay... $40 US for 4 issues is probably a little steep for me, but if you're a knitting magazine addict, it's worth looking into!

 

Just a few days before receiving my Vacation Swap package, I got this hand-dyed yarn in the mail!  I was a little worried at first.  I run a monthly Project Spectrum yarn swap, and I had to do a lot of rearranging this month to accomodate late sign-ups.  Originally, Penny of Penny Lane was my swap partner, but I gave her to someone else when we had an uneven number.  Anyway.... she sent me some yarn and this cute little notebook anyway, just cause she's so nice!  She sells yarn in an etsy shop, if you like it. 

I love getting presents!   

I got a new computer not to long ago, and I keep finding cool new features! This picture was taken using the Photobooth application that came with my MacBook.

It's a picture of yarn from Penny over at Penny Lane. She is participating in the July Project Spectrum yarn swap, and was nice enough to send me a skein, even though she's not my pal!

Here's some more pictures from Photobooth.

Ahh.... there is nothing like casting on for a new project. For me, it ranks right up there with making lists: so much potential! Now I just have to click click click back adn forth on those stitch til I'm done.... just like checking thing off my to-do list. Sometimes I put things on my list after I've done them, just so I feel like I accomplished something!

Anyway, for those of you who asked, I'm knitting the Cambridge Jacket from the Summer 06 Interweave Knits. I just started my subscription to this magazine, and I have to say, so far it does not disappoint!

What's your favorite knitting magazine?

I took everyone's advice and decided to get a jump start on the sweater I am knitting for my husband. My goal is to finish my his birthday in November, but men's sweaters take FOREVER so I think it's good I'm starting now.

Except I haven't really started, have I? Nope, that's four, count 'em, FOUR swatches I had to knit before I hit gauge. I had to go down three whole needles sizes to get the gauge the pattern called for. I was very excited about knitting the sweater on size 9's, but size 6's? That's a lot of stitches!

But, the yarn is pretty, huh? It's the Tess yarn I bought at Maryland Sheep & Wool. Supposedly a new yarn shop that is opening in my area is going to carry it. That would be pretty exciting, but I would really like to try my hand at dyeing my own yarn for a sweater. I can get undyed yarn that I almost identical to this Tess yarn, so sometime I would like to make myself a sweater with my own hand-dyed wool.

But first.... I must continue to work on the stash! How's everyone else doing on their Summer of Stash?

Wow - my first photo shoot out on the town.  Springfieldians should be able to guess where I am:  outside my favorite south-side coffee hangout, Kaldi's! 

Project Details:

Pattern: Carla, It's a Tape Thing by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan

Yarn: Rowan Cotton Tape, 6 skeins (one skein less than recommended - I'm livin' on the edge, baby!)

Needle Size: Size 11 and 13, knitting flat with my Denise circular needle set

Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, yarn over, weird weaving technique on sleeves, cast off, creative seaming

Pattern Modifications: None!  I'm not sure if the sleeves were supposed to be 3/4 length, but it's a good thing because I would haev run out of yarn otherwise.  I think this is the first knitted item that was long enough on my torse without making modifications.  Thanks Miss Hargreaves! 

Time to knit:   About 2 weeks, including seaming.  I really liked the instant gratification of knitting with this thick yarn on big needles. 

Final impressions: I really like this pattern - I wore it out tonight and it wasn't too hot even though it has long sleeves - lots of breathing room! 

And now the question.... what to knit next?  I think I should swatch for my husband's sweater, but.... merino wool in July?!?!? 

I saw The Devil Wears Prada last weekend.  I really enjoyed it - great clothes and shoes, and I think everyone can relate to having a demanding boss or difficult job from time to time (hopefully not as bad as the main character's, though!)

I'm sure the point of the movie was not to make me more interested in fashion, but it kind of did.  (I promise, I'm still the same sweet Zarah you know and love, not a workaholic maniac.)  Anyway, I zipped over the the Vogue website today and noticed that you can sign up for several free rss feeds.  I clicked on the "fashion trends" one, and what showed up in my bloglines but an article about new cable knits for fall! 

At this point in my knitting, I'm still trying to master technique and fot, but it certainly doesn't hurt the wearability of a sweater to have it coincide with what a famous designer is doing.  I am no trendsetter when it comes to fashion, but my experience living in Spain (where the shops are a little more fashion-forward) taught me that "designer" looking clothes will still be stylish for normal Americans a good five years after the fact.  Anyway, it's no big revelation but just a interesting thought. 

PS - Speaking of fashion, don't forget the 3rd season of Project Runway starts tonight! 

My very first sewing project since... 9th grade?  Perhaps my mom will stop by the site and remind me.  She doesn't comment, but sometimes she sends me email asking me if a particular knitting project is for her! 

Anyway, I bought two coordinating upholstery fabrics to make this bag.  I like the color combo of purple and green, and they were on super closeout at Hancock Fabrics.  The purse is completely reversible, but I like this one best so we'll call it the outside.  

I didn't use a pattern, but I did roughly follow this tutorial.  (Thanks to whipup for the link.)  However, I had a hard time following the instructions and  I didn't want two handles (although I would have preferred one that ran the other direction) so it threw the instructions off a bit. 

Anyway, here's the other side, nice for those days when you're feeling stripey. 

This was a fun first project, but I am looking forward to trying something with a pattern next time.  Hopefully the girls over at Sew?  I Knit! will pick a good project that I can try out.    

Also, for anyone else out there interested in learning more about sewing, Mistress Stash Enhancer recommended a book called Kwik Sew Easy Sewing, which is apparently quite good but also totally 80's.  I'm going to keep a lookout at my local bookstores.  I can certainly use the help, and it looks like the 80's are coming back into style.... eek.  (Step away from the leggings and shoulder pads.  They are bad news!)

As promised, here is a picture to prove I really am making progress on Carla.  I love the way this sweater is knitting up, I just hope I can put it together right!  I found the Carla-Along website, so I'm going to read through the entries for tips on seaming and doing the fancy stitchwork on the arms. 

This is also the debut of my craft room!  (Or crap room, as my husband likes to call it - he's so sweet:  "Zarah, where are you?  Are you crapping in the crap room?"  "Yes dear....")  Sheesh.  

At this point, I have an old couch moved in and a little folding table for the sewing machine.  I arranged my yarn stash and knitting book collection in the closet.  It's very functional but not too pretty just yet.  

Ah, yes... you caught me.  I said sewing machine.  Back in olden times (elementary school and jr. high) I was in 4-H, and I actually entered sewing projects for the county fair 6 or 7 times.  But truth be told, I'm pretty sure my mom did all the hard work and I just sewed a few seams.  I really don't remember anything.  But I'm very good at reading instructions, so I've got the sewing machine book out and I am trying out my rudimentary  sewing skills.  Of course, I didn't want to spend too much money on this crap craft since I'm not good at it yet, so I bought some fabric and thread and that's it. 

I've been working on a purse from an on-line tutorial, and I've learned a thing or two. 

    A:  I need good scissors.  Or maybe a rotary cutter. 

    B:  I need a good place to lay out the pieces while I measure them.  The ironing board isn't working for me.  I will probably need another table in the craft room. 

    C:  I need some kind of storage system for all the sewing gadgets - the sewing machine pieces alone are creating a big mess on my tiny table.  My mom used to have this tackle box-looking thing except for sewing... I think I need one.   

    D:  This no-pattern thing isn't good for a total beginner.  I need some structure, then if I want to improvise a little, it's all good.  For example, I had to change the way the handle attaches on my bag because I sewed the side seams too far up before I attached the handle.  Argh.... 

Anyway, hopefully I'll have some pictures of the little purse I made tomorrow.  It's reversible.... and it's Project Spectrum-y! 

Sorry about the little blogging siesta, friends!  I have just been having looong days at work where I come home and just need to veg.  But I have still been reading everyone else's blogs - I'm especially enjoying seeing everyone's vacation pics! 

I have been doing some knitting and dyeing since the last time I posted.  Carla is coming right along, I'm up to the raglan decreases on both sleeves right now.  I hope to finish them this weekend and I'll have an update for you Monday!

On the dyeing front, I decided it might be nice if I actually READ THE DIRECTIONS for the acid dyes I bought, and tried dyeing again.   

This time around, I'm using some nice fall colors and some sportweight superwash yarn that is perfect for that quick-knit pair of socks or even a hat or gloves.  My first batch is done and ready for sale at Simply Fibers here in Springfield.  (Not all of the hand-dyed sock yarn is mine - ask Carol to point you in the right direction!)

I'm still getting the hang of dealing with the chemicals, but I was really happy with the colors this time around.  

 

 

 

 

 

And here we have the finished project hanging out in my dogwood tree to dry.  It dries so much faster outside, but I always get a little paranoid that the birds are going to find it and either (a) poop all over it or (b) snip it to bits and make little hand-dyed nests for their chickies.  Luckily it is just paranoia, and the yarn survived quite well. 

I will probably do a bit more dyeing this weekend - I have a few skeins that need overdyeing - both are a little light for my taste - and one more skein that is a totally blank canvas.   

Last note on dyeing:  I have sent out matches to everyone involved in the July installment of the Project Spectrum Hand-Dyed Yarn Swap - if you signed up and haven't heard from me, please let me know.  Happy dyeing!  (This month is purple.... I had a little purple overload last winter, so I've been trying to branch out a bit.  I don't have any purple projects planned at the moment, but I'll see what happens!)

I hope everyone gets to enjoy a day off, family, fireworks, and good food sometime over this holiday weekend! We have thunderstorms in the forecast for tomorrow , but I have some crafting plans in case the weather is bad.