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January 31, 2006
Olympic Event Selected!
Guess who called me today? Jeannine... from Amsterdam! (It's not every day that I get international calls.) =)
In the true spirit of international cooperation that the Olympics represents, we are going to compete in the 2006 Knitting Olympics by knitting each other a One-Skein Wonder! We agreed to keep the details a surprise, so no pictures until the end. (Sorry!)
I've never gotten anything handknit before... I'm very excited!
Posted by zarah at 5:56 PM
Olympic Event Selected!
Guess who called me today? Jeannine... from Amsterdam! (It's not every day that I get international calls.) =)
In the true spirit of international cooperation that the Olympics represents, we are going to compete in the 2006 Knitting Olympics by knitting each other a One-Skein Wonder! We agreed to keep the details a surprise, so no pictures until the end. (Sorry!)
I've never gotten anything handknit before... I'm very excited!
Posted by zarah at 5:56 PM | Comments (1)
Only 1 more day...
Until photos! (It's really hard to have a knitting blog without pictures... trust me.)
Of course I couldn't wait to cast on for my Clapotis-inspired scarf. The yarn I bought at the Knit-In is actually blue, silver, and green. I had to steal the picture off the Mango Moon website for my last post and it wasn't the right color. The scarf is looking very nice, I think it will be great for spring. I just hope it will be long enough!
Apparently a gift from my Secret Pal is on its way... I can't wait to see what it is!
Guess what I'm going to do this spring?
(Actually I'm only running the Half-Marathon. But I still think that's a good challenge. My friends Emily and Meredith are going to run it with me. Fun fun! In case you were wondering, I've run 4 half-marathons... no full ones. My knees thank me!)
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (2)
January 27, 2006
The Knit-In... was Awesome!
Woo hoo! Kudos to Carol for hosting an awesome 1st Annual Knit-In tonight at Simply Fibers, a great yarn store here in Springfield, MO. There were about 20-30 people there the whole time I was there, just knitting away. Then... drum roll please...
At 9pm she announced the special Knit-In Sale -- 30% off all yarn in the store. I am somewhat restricted budget-wise (just bought a house) but this is truly the chance of a lifetime, right? So I bought some really beautiful yarn from Mango Moon to make a Clapotis.
(It was still expensive, but it's made by a women's collective in Nepal. That's gotta be good karma, people.)
I also got a couple balls of Trekking XXL -- some really nice sock yarn from Germany. Here's a preview:
This might be a nice surprise for my Secret Pal, what do you think?
I got to meet Brianne in person! I think she's going to some knit with my knitting group this Sunday.
Posted by zarah at 10:22 PM | Comments (5)
January 26, 2006
Conwy the First - Done!
[Picture removed -- major computer problems]
Well, what do you think? I finally made something that fits! I'm so excited. I can't wait for the other one to be done. But first, I'm going to try to finish up Picovoli.
I won't be having any more pictures until Feb 1. I maxed out my flickr account because apparently I was taking the largest format pics with my new camera. At some point I guess I should read the manual, but learning along the way is so much more fun. At the wedding last weekend I discovered "night mode" which still uses a flash but still makes the room look dark. Also, everything is a little blurred unless it is absolutely still. I got some pretty cool pictures of people dancing. Stay tuned!
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (5)
January 24, 2006
Random stuff
Lolly has an interesting project
planned starting in March -- it is all about using color. That is oen thing I am not very good at, whether in knitting, decorating my house, or even coordinating my own wardrobe. (Sometimes I have to ask my husband if I'm fit to leave the house.) =) The other neat thing about her project is that it incorporates all kinds of arts and crafts, all based on color. She has different colors picked out for each month starting in March.
I was in my husband's sister's wedding last weekend. I have some pics to show you, but my stupid flickr account is full for the month. I'll have to work on that.
Simply Fibers, a yarn shop here in Springfield, is hosting a "Knit-In" this Friday night from 6-midnight. I'll be there, will you? (If you haven't been there before, it's on South Campbell behind Andy's Custard.) It was also featured in this month's 417 Magazine!
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (6)
January 23, 2006
New Blogger in the Neighborhood
Let's all give a warm welcome to Brianne, a knitblogger who recently moved to my neck of the woods. She looks might prolific -- and she takes pictures in the yarn shop I go to (so maybe the owner thinks she's even crazier than me!)
Posted by zarah at 10:34 AM | Comments (3)
January 22, 2006
Picovoli is almost done!
I have finished all the increases called for in the pattern, but I think I'm going to add a few extra since my hips are big compared to my chest. I am also planning on making this quite a bit longer than the pattern calls for. I am using a t-shirt that I like to compare the length.
Posted by zarah at 6:02 PM | Comments (1)
January 20, 2006
Conwy update
Aren't they cute? Twins!
Conwy the First is coming along nicely. I am really enjoying the pattern -- interesting but not difficult. I am defintely coming around on the yarn, too. I thought it would pool, but the color is staying nicely distributed. (LL's Shepherd Sock).
How long should the foot be? My foot measures 9" from back of heel to end of toes.
I have been obsessed with socks lately. I've especially been drooling over the Socks that Rock yarn that Margene over at Zeneedle has been using.
Posted by zarah at 11:10 AM | Comments (1)
January 19, 2006
Sock cannibalism
Readers of beautyschooldropout know that no project is ever really over. Either it has a life of its own as a finished object, or it languishes in the bottom of a closet and eventually gets remade into something else. My frugal grandmother would be so proud.
That brings us to today's Reuse-Remake-Reknit challenge. Remeber these socks? They're knit out of some really great Cherry Tree Hill yarn, with my own pattern. Can you guess the problem? (Hint: Not the yarn.)
I just winged it on the pattern, since I couldn't find any patterns for worsted weight yarn. Well, the socks are way too floppy, even on my husband's big feet. So a-ripping we will go!
The frogged yarn gets a little soak in the hot tub (err... bathroom sink) to relax all those crimped fibers.
Then it gets hung up to dry, with some professional yarn weights =) to make sure it dries straight and not crumpled up.
Here's my plan for the yarn: Thuja! I still need to buy the needles, but I am declaring this my Olympic Knitting 2006 project. I have to finish BOTH socks during the Winter Olympics. Challenging, but not impossible. Stay tuned to see if I win a gold medal!
Posted by zarah at 10:30 AM | Comments (3)
January 17, 2006
You know you love a challenge!
Is anyone competing in the 2006 Knitting Olympics? It's a challenge cooked up by none other than The Yarn Harlot herself. Basically, the idea is to pick a challenging project and complete it -- start to finish -- while the Olympic torch is burning in Torino.
I love the Winter Olympics (all those sports I don't understand, plus figure skating is pretty!) so I think this could be a really fun project. I just need to come up with a project that is "medal-worthy."
If anyone's interested, we could do a swap -- each knit something during the Olympics and send it to the other person? I don't really know how these things are supposed to work, but let me know if it sounds fun.
Posted by zarah at 2:15 PM | Comments (1)
Socks for the new year
I know, I know. Everybody's doing it, it's this year's Crap-o-tee, etc. But I want to knit me some Jaywalkers. They're still really cool socks! And designed by Grumperina, no less. (Maybe just to prove that I knit cooler than thou, I shall dub them "Jayhawkers." The ultimate insult! (KU is my college rival, FYI.)
Posted by zarah at 10:16 AM | Comments (2)
January 16, 2006
Good morning
Not much knitting progress to report this weekend. I ran a lot (9 miles!) and worked quite a bit, so thatcut into my spare time. I'm at that middle stage on all my projects where I start to get bored and want to cast on something new.
My husband also went a little crazy with his new BBQ smoker, making ribs, brisket, AND a pork shoulder. (For only 6 people. We could have fed about 50.) It was very tasty, though, and now I have yummy BBQ sandwiches for lunch all week!
Posted by zarah at 11:30 AM | Comments (1)
January 14, 2006
Real-life bloggers!
I met one of my fellow Springfield bloggers in real life a few days ago. It's Bethany from rantings in red. She is my age and also fairly new in town. I've been reading her blog for a while and tt seems like we have quite a bit in common, so I figured, what the heck? She doesn't seem to be an axe-murderer. We should meet!
I didn't take any pics (oops!) but I think we'll probably get together again soon. She is a relatively new knitter, so I helped her find a cast-on that worked better for her and gave her some pretty yarn (KnitPicks Shine) to play with. I think it's so much easier to learn to knit when you like the yarn you're working with. If any beginners are reading this -- put down that nasty Red Heart from your grandma's basement and go get something you like! It doesn't have to be expensive -- just so long as you think it's pretty.
Posted by zarah at 2:51 PM | Comments (2)
Memememe (Meme of four)
Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. YMCA - front desk and scorekeeping
2. Anthropology Museum - rebagging and writing tags for arrowheads and other random stuff
3. Law Library - shelving books and putting on labels
4. Law firm - lawyer! (also legal research monkey)
Four movies I could watch over and over.
1. Legally Blonde
2. The Sound of Music
3. Grease
4. O Brother Where Art Thou
Four places I've lived
1. Chillicothe, MO
2. Columbia, MO
3. Springfield, MO
4. Pamplona, Spain
Four TV shows I love to watch.
1. American Idol
2. Desparate Housewives
3. Seinfeld
4. Law & Order
Four places I've been on vacation.
1. Santa Fe, NM
2. Oregon
3. Hilton Head Island
4. Colorado (I could go here every summer. Love it!)
Four websites I visit daily
1. Slate
2. Bloglines
3. Google news
4. Weather.com
Four of my favorite foods
1. Dark chocolate
2. Risotto
3. Cheese dip
4. My grandma's sugar cookies
Four places I'd rather be
1. On the beach
2. At my parent's house
3. At my grandparent's farm
4. In the mountains
Four Albums I can't live without
1. REM - Green
2. Randall Goodgame - Arkadelphia
3. Garden State soundtrack
4. Dar Williams - End of the Summer
Posted by zarah at 9:09 AM
January 13, 2006
Decreases -- Test swatch
After my last post about the problems I was having with my decreases, I got several people suggesting I should try SSK “improved – slipping the first st knitwise and the second st purlwise (normally they should both be slipped knitwise). Here is a test swatch I knit to try out the difference:
SSK (slipping both knitwise) is on the on right.
SSK Improved (slip first knitwise and second purlwise) is on the left.
I think the SSK improved does look a little better, although they really aren’t very different.
Posted by zarah at 2:49 PM | Comments (1)
Big sweater
Some of my long-time readers might remember this sweater. It's the first sweater I've ever made, and it was pretty much a disaster from the beginning. The worst part, though, was the extreme stretchy-ness of the yarn. What looked like a normal sized sweater could stretch to hold three adults. I tried to salvage it, but nothing was working. Finally I decided that the awesome power of felting might just save it. After all, if the wool fibers locked together, then the stretchy fibers wouldn't be able to stretch. (The yarn is Merino Stretch by Schoeller + Stahl, for those who are wondering.) Well, turns out my theory was right -- it's not stretchy anymore. But there are some other major problems. For example, do you see a proportion problem? This sweater is now basically a belly shirt for an extremely large man with monkey arms. Apparently when knitted fabric felts, it shrinks more vertically than horizontally. Now I know!
As you can see, the sweater is also now very LARGE. Here it is compared to a store-bought sweater that fits my husband. It seems a bit strange that felting a sweater would cause it to grow, but I think it must have something to do with the fact that it's ribbed, and felting made the fabric lie flat instead of scrunch up with ribbing.
I'm not really mad at this sweater anymore, because it's just been laying bunched up in my knitting basket for quite a while. Now, I just have a good story for my first sweater. Any ideas on what I should do with this monstrosity?
Posted by zarah at 1:13 PM
January 11, 2006
Decreasing -- why so tricky?
Okay, so I'm knitting away on Picovoli, right? Easy pattern, great design, nice smooth yarn, delightful Addi needles. Lovely.
Now I get to the waist decreases. I put my stitch markers in the right place, and my k2togs are looking great. A nice smooth decrease.
But the SSK on the other side looks wonky. Instead of a straight line where the decreases happen, I have this little stair-step effect. Is this normal? Is there a different decrease that would be straighter? Experienced knitters, give me your advice. I still can't remember which is right- and left-slanting, much less make them match up. Ergh.
Posted by zarah at 10:10 AM | Comments (3)
January 10, 2006
I have conquered the Size 1 needles!
Lookee! It's Conwy from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush. It's got a twining rib pattern that looks like a little braid that runs down each rib.
My LYS had all sock yarn on sale last month, so I splurged and got some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn. I wish the color was a little more uniform, but overall I really like it.
Knitting with the tiny yarn and needles isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be!
Posted by zarah at 10:22 AM | Comments (4)
Conwy update
Isn't it cute? They're twins! Conwy the first is coming along nicely, if I do say so myself. I love the pattern. It looks really complicated (ooooh - twining!) but it's really pretty easy, once I stopped splitting my stitches.I am headed off to Kansas City this weekend for my husband's sister's wedding. I am in the wedding party, so I think there will be lots of waiting time (pictures, hair appointments, etc.) that should be prime knitting time. I would like to finish this sock and start the second one.
The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. I really like how it has stayed fairly even as far as color distribution, even around the heel. (knock on wood!)
Posted by zarah at 10:01 AM
January 9, 2006
Priceless
One skein Cascade 220 from your local LYS: $7.50
One pair Susan Bates needles, size 6: $2.13
Designing your own cable pattern: 2 hours
One happy Christmas gift recipient: PRICELESS!
Turns out all that stress over Christmas knitting is totally worth it -- Grandma LOVED her scarf!
Posted by zarah at 3:26 PM | Comments (5)
Picovoli!
Well, what do you think? I told you I'd been knitting during my blog-downtime! The pattern for this cute little top is at magknits.com. I'm doing a knit-a-long of Picovoli with the rest of the gang over at Sexy Knitters Club! I'm knitting it in KnitPicks Shine, a cotton/rayon blend. It's really soft and hopefully it won't stretch like 100% cotton.
Posted by zarah at 10:15 AM | Comments (1)
January 8, 2006
The Official SP7 Questionnaire
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I admit it, I am a totally yarn snob. Although, I'm currently knitting Picovoli in a cotton/synethic blend, and I really like it (and hopefully it won't stretch too much.)
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Nope, just knittin' for this chica.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
An ugly paisley needle rool my mom bought for me. (At least she tried!)
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Intermediate. I'm mostly a self-taught knitter and so I progressed really fast at first, now I'm learning hard stuff and it's taking more time.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yep -- here you go: Wish List
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Ginger, rosemary, citrus. Natural but not flowery.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Dark chocolate. Peppermint. Or both!
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I don't really do any other crafty stuff except knitting, unless you count decorating my house.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
MP3's - yes! I pretty much like all kinds of music except country (except I like Dixie Chicks. Random.)
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like all colors, but right now I am trying to get away with everything in red or pink and branch out to more muted colors, like dark greens and blues.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married, no kids, one mini dachshund! (Lucy)
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, that's about it.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Anything in nice subtle variegated colorway. I always buy superwash sock yarn.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Acrylic
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Nancy Bush socks (Knitting on the Road) and trying to learn how to make a decent looking sweater!
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Scarves and hats
17. What are you knitting right now?
All stuff for me! (Post holiday entitlement, you know!) Picovoli from magknits, Cutaway sweater from Bonne Marie Burns, and Conwy socks from KOTR. Maybe a baby hat for my new friend's baby.
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Sure, why not!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I like both.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Depends on the project, but I actually like metal most of the time.
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope -- I wish!
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mom taught me to knit and purl about 3 years ago, I taught myself the rest from books.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 6 months.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Buttercup from Power Puff Girls.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
(Does my birthday count?) I'd say Easter.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Nope.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, but I'm hoping for Interweave Knits for my b-day.
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Plenty of books -- see Amazon wishlist.
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes -- cabling without a cable needle and short rows.
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I wear size 8 1/2. What other measurements do you need? (Clearly, I have not knit too many socks!)
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
March 20.
Posted by zarah at 8:47 AM | Comments (2)
January 7, 2006
Back in Action
Look! I finished the back of Cutaway! (get it? Back! I know, I'm a nerd.)
(Flickr is being wierd, you'll have to imagine it right side up). I actually knit the majority of this a few weeks ago, while at my MIL's for Christmas. We stayed the whole weekend -- Friday evening to Monday afternoon -- without a whole lot planned. So knitting was the solution. I'm really glad I brought it, since having something to keep me occupied probably kept me from getting into fights like the rest of the family. (Ahh, the Christmas memories. Yeah, right.) Anyway, that's over now. Whew!
I actually have made some progress on the first side of Cutaway. But some *new projects* have been taking my attention. TBA soon!
Posted by zarah at 6:53 AM | Comments (1)
January 6, 2006
Secret Pal Seven
I joined my first Secret Pal swap... I think we get our secret pals tomorrow! I'm super excited.
Posted by zarah at 3:29 PM | Comments (3)
January 5, 2006
Sorry for the interruption
Zarah will be returning to her regularly scheduled blogging soon! The stomach flu is BAD. I have lots of holiday knitting to share... don't miss it!
Here's a preview:
1. Cutaway... the little sweater that could. You never knew family discord could be so productive.
2. More socks... really good yarn... yum.
3. A sexy little knit with the Sexy Knitters Club... you know you want to see!
Welcome to everyone who stopped by via the link from Pink Monkey Knits.
Posted by zarah at 7:19 PM | Comments (3)
January 2, 2006
My So-Called Scarf
I've seen this pattern quite a bit, and it might finally help me overcome my fear of vareigated yarn! I give you My So-Called Scarf!
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (2)
January 1, 2006
Happy New Year!
I love New Year's Day -- that feeling of a fresh beginning is great, even if it doesn't last very long. But, with that optimism that comes with a clean slate, I give you...
Zarah's 2006 Resolutions
- Read more books, watch less TV
- Knit a garment that fits the intended recipient.
- Go to a yoga class once a week (I already belong to a gym that offers them for free, so there's really no excuse)
- Learn to dye
- Take a knitting class/Learn new knitting techniques, especially "finishing" techniques that make the finished project look more finished.
- Get to know (in person) more knitters in my area (I'm looking at you, Bethany!)
Posted by zarah at 8:45 AM | Comments (1)