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November 30, 2005
Christmas knitting
I told myself I wouldn't do any Christmas knitting this year -- too stressful! But I was feeling a little bored after the turkey fest last weekend, so I wandered down to the LUS to see if anything inspired me. I decided I wanted to play around with some Cascade 220, which was determined to be the perfect yarn in the perfect handknit project going on over at Mason-Dixon Knitting.
I decided a hat wouldn't take too long... and I was right. I knit this in about two days, using the Basic Cable hat pattern from SNB Nation. I did lengthen the hat a little by adding one more twist in each cable (six rows).
It was a quick and easy knit -- and non-knitters are always so impressed with cables!
(Don't worry about the fact that there is a mountain man standing in my kitchen. I promise he's a nice guy under all that scruff!)
Posted by zarah at 12:53 PM | Comments (1)
November 28, 2005
Yarn & Chocolate...
Look what I got in the mail! Jeannine was nice enough to respond when I put out the call for yarn to finish the toes of the beautiful possum socks I am making for my husband. I wanted some nice wool but it had to be washable, since that's the reason I bought the possum yarn in the first place! She rummaged through her stash and came up with this lovely dark gray Muskoka, 100% merino wool -- and mailed it all the way from the Netherlands! Being the nice girl that she is, she also sent delicious dark chocolate. (When my husband saw that, he decided the time I spend blogging isn't wasted after all!)
Here are the socks that lack toes. I am notorious for trying to save on the heating bill by moving the thermostat "just one degree lower" in the winter, so I figured the least I could do was make my husband some nice socks to keep warm around the house. They are knitted with worsted weight yarn so they go super fast -- I should have a finished product soon!
I think they will be much warmer with toes!
Posted by zarah at 6:02 PM
November 21, 2005
Finished... just in time
Just in time for the cold weather! (But I still look good, right?)
In a sea of knitting frustration... there is hope. Hope, I call thee "finished object." No weaving in, no little bits to sew... really, really done.
Project Details:
Pattern: "Midwest Moonlight," Scarf Style by Pam Allen
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed, 4 skeins
Needle Size: 6 Straights
Skills needed: knit, purl, yarn over, decrease
Pattern Modifications: None (although it might be a little longer than the pattern calls for -- I just knit until I ran out of yarn)
Time to knit: Approx. 2 months, very off-and-on
Final impressions: I really enjoyed knitting this pattern. It was interesting without being too difficult, so it was a relaxing knit. The yarn behaved very well, no knots or other surprises inside the skein. Also, it is very smooth and non-scratchy to wear.
I'll do an update at the end of scarf-wearing season to see how the yarn behaved after a season of wear.
Posted by zarah at 12:42 PM | Comments (3)
November 20, 2005
Mitred whatsit?
So... I was playing around and I decided I was going to try to make a mitred square. I followed Julia's instructions (2 k2tog's in the center of each knit row), but this is definitely not a square. Is this normal? Can it be fixed with blocking?
Posted by zarah at 5:59 PM
November 18, 2005
S E X X Y
Jeanie's new project, Sexy Knitters Club, is turning out to be quite an inspiration for me! The original idea behind the group was to dispel the myth that all knitters are grandmas in rocking chairs -- in fact, we are a bunch of pretty rockin' chicks!
Right now, we are nominating patterns for our first SKC knitalong. I am just so impressed with the number of beautiful and affordable patterns out there, all very flattering the the female form. Whatever we choose for our KAL, here are some of the patterns I hope to knit:
Giraffe, maybe with a slightly down-sized neck.
Posted by zarah at 5:00 PM | Comments (2)
Cutie pie
Just in time for pumpkin pie... This is the small pumpkin from knitty.com -- it's one of the Fall 2005 surprise patterns. I think it's really cute. It is sitting on a stack of saucers (and the salad/dessert plates are below them), if you want to get an idea of size.
I made it using Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes -- very affordable and great for felting. I used less than one skein of each color.
The pattern is very simple to follow, although if I make it again (which I probably will, in the large size) I would make a few changes:
1. Knit another round on the "stem" portion, making it slightly bigger. It worked okay for the small pumpkin, but it will probably be too small for the larger size.
2. Cinch the top together slightly before felting. I just left it hanging wide open while felting and drying, and it was a little hard to close up small enough to get that little green top sewed on there.
3. Figure out a better way to attach the stem -- there are no instructions in the pattern. I just used some green thread and kind of "basted" it onto the orange part. People always want to pick this thing up and squish it, and I have to tell them to be careful with it, which is no fun.
Posted by zarah at 1:05 PM | Comments (1)
MIA
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. But, an urgent knitting project has come up that is taking all my attention. It's a secret project, so I can't say too much about it here. (I don't think the recipient reads this, but one can never be too safe!)
That said, the major knitting rush is coming to a close, so hopefully I'll be back soon. (And don't worry -- I'll tell you all about it when the surprise is revealed!)
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)
November 15, 2005
Meme! Meme!
You've all seen it, now it's time for the Zarah edition of the world-famous knitting meme!
(Keep in mind that I am a new-ish knitter, so these answers only reflect my experiences so far.)
All-time favorite yarn to knit with? Hmm... I really haven't used too many that I couldn't live without. I guess my favorite would have to be Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed. I used it to knit Midwest Moonlight and I ordered something similar (another tweedy DK) to knit Cutaway... which I promise I will start soon!
Your favorite needles?
I do love Addi turbos, but I'm too cheap to own very many pairs. As soon as I realized I was going to be knitting on a regular basis, I bought myself the Denise convertible needle set. I really love it -- I can knit anything (almost) without having to buy new needles! I use them to knit flat and circular. The only problem... I'm starting to knit things on smaller needles, and they only go to size 5.
The worst thing you've ever knit?
I bet regular readers think they know what I'm going to say to this one. But no, I am holding out hope that the Men's Zipped Raglan will not be a total loss, despite its many negative characteristics. I would have to say that my worst project was the Honeymoon Cami -- nothing against the pattern, but it just wasn't flattering on me. I redesigned the straps and neckline about 7 times, and it still looks BAD. It was the first non-accessory clothing item I knit, so luckily I did it in some cheap cotton (which was also unpleasant, but that's another story.)
Your most favorite knit pattern?
I love the simplicity of Midwest Moonlight from Scarf Style.
Best knit book(s) or magazine(s)?
Right now, I would have to say Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. I think I will eventually knit almost everything from that book.
Your favorite knitalong?
Umm... I've never done one before. I'm currently signed up for Peaceful Palms over at Nona's, but I'm still looking for the perfect pattern. Any suggestions?
Your favorite knitblogs?
Oh, so many! Actually I try to keep it trimmed down to about 40, which include biggies like Yarn Harlot and Crazy Aunt Purl and others with a more personal connection, that I write to often, like Dances with Yarn, Cake Addict, and Unwind.
My new interest has been knitblogs in Spanish. I figure it's a good way to keep my language skills fresh (I spent a year in Spain during college) and be prepared for yarn shopping if I ever go back. For this, I have been reading Cafe con leche, por favor and Waltzing Knitilda (bi-lingual).
The knit item you wear the most?
I'm still working on that one. Midwest Moonlight is my proudest knitting moment so far, but I still need to weave in the ends before she's ready to leave the house.
I tag: Jeannine, Stephanie, Coffeygirlb, and Whitty.
(Update: Links are done!
I took out some of the questions that I didn't have answers to -- for the complete meme, go see Mason-Dixon Knitting.)
Posted by zarah at 12:09 PM | Comments (2)
November 14, 2005
Never-Ending Sweater Update
I've been finishing things like crazy lately... so of course my camera would be lost. I'll add photos later.
Many of you followed the saga of the Men's Zipped Raglan sweater I am knitting for my husband. First I ran out of yarn, then I sent it out to have the zipper sewn in and it was done wrong, and now all that stuff is fixed but it ridiculously stretchy. The yarn itself has some stretch to it, but I guess if you combine that small amount of stretch over a whole sweater, it becomes super-stretchy. My husband and I could fit in it together if we tried. The main problems seems to be the armholes and the neckline -- I think if they were less stretchy, the rest of the sweater would behave.
So, my idea is to sew some non-stretchy hem tape into the neck and armholes and connecting them all together (the armholes meet at the neck, since its a raglan). Basically, it would be like a little harness for the stretchy sweater. Has anyone ever had this problem before or know if my solution will work?
Posted by zarah at 10:10 AM | Comments (1)
November 11, 2005
Cozy
Purly Whites' version of Cozy is so pretty -- it's definitely going on my "to-knit" list.
Posted by zarah at 3:32 PM | Comments (1)
November 10, 2005
Same old, same old
I've been working a little bit on Midwest Moonlight, slowly watching the last ball of yarn dwindle down to nothing. It pretty much looks the same, so no new progress pics to show. I think the weather is going to cooperate with me, and turn cold right about the same time as when I finish. I really started liking to knit this scarf as soon as I started remembering to put in all the YOs. Ripping back to fix one is a pain when there are lots of other YOs on lower rows.
I haven't started anything new in a while, even though my yarn for Cutaway showed up a week or so ago. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to knit any Christmas gifts this year. I haven't really been in the Christmas spirit lately, what with the 80 degree weather and all. My LYS is having a Christmas party at the beginning of December, so I need to get my butt in gear and knit a little ornament for the gift exchange. Does anyone have any suggestions for cute knitted ornaments?
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (2)
November 8, 2005
Pretty please?
I ran out of yarn for the socks I'm knitting for my husband -- I bought it from a bargain bin and there's no way I'm going to find any that matches. Luckily it's just the toes, so even if I have to knit them in bright red, I'll just tell him it "adds character." Anyhoo... I was wondering if anyone out there had some spare worsted weight superwash yarn -- any color will do! I just need enough to do two sock toes.
I'll send a surprise to whoever can help me out.
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM
November 7, 2005
Hiking in Hercules Glades
This Saturday my husband and I went hiking in Hercules Glades. It's part of the Mark Twain National Forest, near Bradleyville, MO (about an hour and 15 minute drive from the south side of Springfield, MO). We have been having usually warm weather for this time of year -- I think it was in the upper 70's -- and all the fall colors are out, so we figured it would be a perfect time to go.
We hiked part of the Coy Bald trail, which begins on the back side of wilderness area, off of Highway 160. It is less developed and has fewer trails than the main access, but fewer people go there so we figured we would give it a try! We saw a few people packing up their campsite when we first arrived, and one bow-hunter out of the trail -- other than that, it was just us.
The area really nice for hiking because there are there wierd little "glades" interspersed with the normal deciduous forest. The land in the glades is really rocky, so no trees grow there except cedars. The pictures here are in a glade on the top of one of the hills -- there was a pretty good view since there weren't any big trees.
After hiking on the trail for a while, we decided to go "off-road" and basically started wandering through the woods. Thank goodness we had our little GPS, or else we probably would have been stranded out there for days. =) We didn't have topo maps of the area, which proved problematic (we found the stream, but we were on a bluff 40 feet above it -- that's no good). Knitting update: I worked on the Midwest Moonlight scarf on the car ride there and back -- I just joined the final ball of yarn -- 3/4 done! If this warm weather holds out it will be ready in time for the first frost.
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)
November 4, 2005
Yarn-Anon
Yes, that is a ball of yarn on fire. (Don't worry, it didn't come from my stash.)
Zarah, you ask, why is your friend Justin sacrificing a ball of yarn to the knitting gods?
That is an interesting question. He is actually receiving his prize from a summer-long poker game that has been taking place at my house each time I meet with my knitting group (Yarnaholics) -- all the boys associated with the knitters come to my house and gamble. (My husband cooked this up one day when as I was leaving to go knit.) But they weren't playing for money -- oh no, they were playing for the PRIZE. You see, they call their little group Yarn-Anon: "for those coping with yarn- and yarn-related addictions." (Hee hee! I have to admit it is pretty clever.) So it is only fitting that the winner of the tournament would get to have a ritual sacrifice of the one thing that cause them all so much misery -- YARN! (That is, when they're not enjoying their lovely new woolly hats and socks and things.) =)
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (5)
November 3, 2005
Midwest Moonlight
Wow! The fall colors this year are really spectacular. I can't recall ever seeing a light blue tweed on the dogwood before.
Slowly but surely, I am making progress on Midwest Moonlight (from Scarf Style). I just joined the third ball (out of four) of yarn -- so, I guess I'm half done! This is a scarf for me, so I'm not in any big rush... although every time we have a chilly day I am motivated to knit on it when I get home from work.
I think I have raved about Scarf Style before, but it is a really great book. I would knit and/or wear almost everything in it, which is very unusual for me.
A few weeks ago, I asked if anyone had any knitting book recommendations for me. I ended up buying Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush, mostly because I know people love her designs and it was the right price to get me to free shipping on KnitPicks. (My husband did not think this was adequate justification for buying more knitting stuff, but oh well.)
I haven't started anything out of it, but it looks like a really good book. And I do love to knit in the car, so the design (sprial bound so it lays flat) is really nice.
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (3)
November 2, 2005
Yallow scarf
Here I am with my latest creation... no, I didn't graft two dogs together to make a super-long one, that's just my dachshund, Lucy. I'm talking about Maize, my latest scarf for sale at Art & Souls (a local art gallery). I'm trying to be "artsy," so I wanted to come up with a unique design. I wrote about my design process here. I think it is pretty cute, even though I originally didn't like the color very much.
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (2)
November 1, 2005
Zarah is crafty!
Don't tell my yarn stash, but I've been doing other crafts! Last Friday most of the girls I knit with got together for a Fall Craft Night. The original plan was to just do some glass etching. Supposedly it was really easy, although none of us had ever done it before. All you do is cut the designs you want to etch out of contact paper (or slap on some stickers), block off the edges with tape, smear on the etching cream, and wait five minutes. As you can see, I managed to make a fairly passable candle holder with some autumn leaves on it. The hard thing is cutting those little leaves out of contact paper and making them look decent. Also, I washed the etching cream off a little too soon so the etching is not very uniform. But I still like it.
Since we thought the etching was going to go really fast, we also got supplies to make candles. We used scooped-out acorn squashes as the molds for the candles. I must admit that this project idea cane from The Martha. It actually worked quite well, although it was pretty easy to accidentally poke through the bottom of the gourd, which turns into a real mess if you then pour hot wax into it (and subsequently down the kitchen cabinets. Oops.)
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)