December 26, 2007
An embarassment of riches
Oh how I love Christmas presents.... yes, I am a little embarrassed to say it, but my parents (and other family members) still spoil me rotten, and I love it!
They know how much I love knitting, and my gifts this year definitely reflected it:
Simply fibers gift certificate,
Knitting books,
Fun knitting notions,
AND customized labels for my knitting (and sewing) projects!
Thanks Mom, Aunt Jeanette, SIL Sarah, MIL Denise, and Uncle Don!
Stay tuned.... I'll reveal my BEST PRESENT EVER tomorrow!
Posted by zarah at 9:16 PM | Comments (4)
July 2, 2007
FO: Turquiose Socks
First, I want to send out a special thank you to my knitblogging buddies Tammy and Brianne. We met up yesterday at Tammy's house to knit, and I never would have finished these socks so quickly without the delightful distraction of their company and conversation. (In fact, I was complaining while I was there about how long they were taking to finish. Then, all of a sudden, I was ready for the toe decreases!)
It's always fun to meet up with other knitting fanatics, because you get to see and play with stuff that you're too cheap to buy (yet). For example, Tammy had a couple new books that I really wanted to check out: Charmed Knits and Arctic Lace. I only briefly flipped through each, but my impressions were this:
Charmed Knits has some good basic patterns, but I already have plenty of books and magazines with good basic patterns. I am a Harry Potter fan, but I probably won't be knitting myself a sweater with a big H on it anytime soon. This is a book for diehard fans (or parents of diehard fans - lots of cute kids stuff).
Arctic Lace is a book that I didn't expect to like. I have knit lacey patterns, but never what I consider to be "true" lace - tiny needles with laceweight yarn. This book was really interesting because it's more of a history/anthropology lesson about lace knitters in the Arctic, and also a great resource for lace knitting, including a section on designing your own lace patterns. There aren't a ton of patterns, but this would probably be a great book for anybody who is really into lace knitting.
But enough with the book reviews already... let's get to the finished project!
Project Details:
Pattern: Child's First Socks in Shell Pattern, Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Tess Baby/Sock Superwash in turquiose, 1 skein (100 grams) (with tons left over!)
Needle Size: Size 1 - 5 metal DPNs
Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, yarn over, slip knit psso, knit 2 together, picking up stitches, cast off
Pattern Modifications: I added six rows to the heel flaps (16 chain stitches instead of 13) after seeing several socks made from this pattern that looked like they had really short heels. Then I decreased these additional stitches away in the gusset decreases.
Time to knit: April 07 - July 07.
Final impressions: =) The yarn is great and the pattern isn't too shabby, either. The socks are a little snug - when am I going to learn to add a few stitches to Nancy Bush's patterns? But I'd rather have them snug than too loose.
I can't wait to wear all my handknitted socks with my psychadelic clogs next fall!
Posted by zarah at 7:15 PM | Comments (13)
May 22, 2007
Okay, then
Back to your mild-mannered knitblogging. Superarmadillo begone!
So.... am I the last knitter on earth to get this book? So good.
The Jaywalkers are coming right along. It's amazing how misplacing one project and dreading fixing a mistake in another one can turn into amazingly quick knitting. I'm almost to the toe of the second sock!
Posted by zarah at 7:45 PM | Comments (7)
October 16, 2006
My crafty cousin Amber
The sewing bug is biting again!
Last weekend I went to my cousin's wedding and got to see lots of relatives that I haven't seen in a long time, like second cousins an first cousins twice removed and stuff. The wedding was really beautiful, but I forgot to take my camera so you'll just have to imagine.
Anyway, the morning after the wedding the whole family was sitting around eating breakfast at the hotel and catching up. My cousin Amber got these awesome sewing magazines out of her bag and starting passing them around. I knew she had some cool job in New York, but I didn't really know what. Turns out she's the editor of Threads magazine! I loved flipping through the pages and seeing all the great projects. Apparently they work for a year on all the articles to make sure that they're perfect, no mistakes. I'm no great seamstress, but they had some ideas for adding embellishments to clothes you already have and stuff that even I could probably do. Hmmm.... what to sew?
I'm still waiting on my Funky Scarf Swap package, but it's coming all th way from Canade so I'm trying not to be impatient.
Posted by zarah at 10:08 PM | Comments (10)
October 14, 2006
One of a Kind Woolen Gifts
I couldn't find a good link to it, but just FYI - there's a great article/how-to in Martha Stewart Living (Nov. 06) on making felted items (gloves, hats, pillows, etc.) by felting thrift store sweaters. If you're feeling Christmas gift guilt* already, this is a great way to give your family and friends the knitted love without spending hours doing it yourself! (I'm all about the low-stress holidays.)
* If you are, it's totally normal. To quote Martha herself, "There is something about the holiday season that makes me crazy with creativity, crafting, and do-it-yourself projects."
Have a great weekend!
Posted by zarah at 11:03 AM | Comments (3)
July 12, 2006
Knitting fashion
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!
Posted by zarah at 6:11 AM | Comments (6)
June 21, 2006
You Knit What?
So... I got this email the other day, promoting a new yarn line or book or something, and this was the picture they chose to showcase the whole collection. Now, I normally think the whole You Knit What? thing can be a little mean sometimes (although other times downright funny), but seriously. WHO would wear this thing, much less knit it? Can you imagine, all the work to knit a floor-length cardigan and it ends up looking that THAT?!?!?! People, that is just bad with a capital B.
PS - you know your knitting obsession has hit a new low when you start getting knitting-related spam. Although it's better than the alternative, I guess!
Posted by zarah at 6:15 PM | Comments (4)
May 17, 2006
Yippee! A New Book
I love knitting books just as much as the next knitter. Which I think means that I have far more books & patterns than I'll EVER be able to knit. But I keep buying them anyway. I think my favorite part of getting a new knitting book is seeing the same basic stitches we all know transformed into someone's unique artistic vision. Mason-Dixon Knitting is definitely no exception: these ladies know what they like. (Apparently, they like squares. And cotton. And thus, what they love most is the perfect embodiment of those two elements: the warshrag).
I certainly never thought of myself as the kind of person who knits washrags. I have limited knitting time, after all. Shouldn't I spend it knitting with luxury yarn? and only the finest garments? Of course, that's not reality, I have a budget just like everyone else and not everything I knit comes out looking wonderfully. So why the discrimination against washrags? I do use them after all, so they're just as practical as knitting socks.
Okay, sorry for the rant. But I have to admit I AM biased against knitting washrags, but if gals as classy as Ann & Kay do it, then it must not be that bad. I wanted to try a pattern out of the book, so I admit I broke down and started one.
I also really love the blanket patterns in this book, but don't they take FOREVER? I guess I actually do have one blanket in progress right now - it was inspired by the log cabin blanket on the MDK website, but I'm just using leftovers from finished projects, so it will be a while before I ever finish it. Actually, I've got a few odd and ends to add - maybe I'll post a new picture of it tomorrow.
Oh... I forgot to mention that the reason I have this book is because Ann & Kay''s book tour stopped through Kansas City and I made her go get it for me .... it's autographed! Thanks Mary!
Posted by zarah at 6:51 AM | Comments (8)
March 24, 2006
Birthday Haul
So I turned the big 2-7 last Monday... such an old lady, i know! =)
I actually love birthdays and love making a big deal out of them - so of course I expect my friends and family to do the same for me. My mom made me my favorite cake (carrot cake) and I had strawberry-rhubarb pie at the office (we always order pies for birthdays... yum.)
But the real question... presents! I did get several yarn-related gifts this year, so I figured I would share a little about each one. My mom knits but is not quite as obssessive as I am, so I pretty much told her exactly what I wanted when it came to knitting stuff. But hey - I definitely wasn't disappointed! She tried to order me some Socks That Rock yarn, but apparently the owner is swamped with orders and wasn't able to ship in time. (oh well, there's always next year!)
In the knitting book category, I got The Knitter's Handbook by Montse Stanley. This isn't really a "sit down and read it" kind of book, but I have heard a lot of people rave about it. One of my knitting resolutions was to work on improving my finishing techniques, and I think this book will be able to help me a lot. I also got Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I have Knitting on the Road and I love it, so I knew I had to have KVS too. I can't wait to try out one of the patterns - thank goodness I have a limited number of size 1 and 2 DPNs or I would never finish anything, only start new projects.
My friend Crista also gave me two knitting magazines, Vogue Knitting (Winter 05/06) and Knit.1 (Winter 05/06). I found some beautiful sweaters in Vogue (which I normally don't buy) but Knit.1 was a little out-there for me. It does have a few bags and accessories that I might make, though. It would be great if you area teenager or tween or you are knitting for one.
Last but not least my friend Bethany got me a gift certificate to Simply Fibers - shopping spree this weekend! I need to get the needles for Orangina and maybe some yarn for another summer tank.
Edited 4/11/06: Because I am the most spoiled sister ever.... last weekend when my sister was visiting for her bridal shower, she brought me ANOTHER knitting book - Handknit Holidays - and some yummy Rowan yarn to make the cabled sock pattern (I think she might be hinting for a Christmas gift!) I have got to get to KC to visit her, she says the yarn shop there (Overland Park area?) is awesome (and she hardly even knits!)
Posted by zarah at 6:38 AM | Comments (11)
February 19, 2006
Drop-stitch scarf for April
I ran across an easy drop-stitch scarf pattern using yellow ribbon yarn that is almost identical to something I have sitting in my stash. The pattern is here. I think it will be perfect for a cute spring scarf. I found this on a blog that has all kinds of crafts, including knitting, Craftlog.
Just for reference, here's the colors for each month of Project Spectrum:
March - Red & Pink
April - Orange & Yellow
May - Green
June - Blue
July - Violet & Purple
August - Neutrals / Black & White
Posted by zarah at 6:46 PM | Comments (0)
February 1, 2006
I heart free patterns
A new Magknits is up! (now, with more knitted sushi)
Posted by zarah at 10:39 AM
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)
October 26, 2005
Awesomely wierd knitted toys
Check it out! I'm no expert on kids, but I would think that these would make great gifts. I had a hand-sewn toy elephant (named Ellie, of course!) that my grandma made for me as a kid -- I dragged it around everywhere. One of the reasons I liked it so much is because I knew she picked the colors just for me.
Posted by zarah at 5:00 PM | Comments (1)
Knitting at the Library
I was looking through some knitting books at the library the other day. It's a really good way to get my knitting book fix without spending any money. Anyway, I was flipping through Magical Knitting, and decided to use the Moebius strip idea for my next Art & Souls scarf. I really like the cabled scarves I've made so far, but I get the feeling that the shop owner would like it if I made something with a little more emphasis on design.
I joined the three longest sections of my Denise circular needles and cast on what felt like a million stitches. I'm planning on doing a garter stitch section on each side, then a ribbed section in the middle -- except of course the ribs will be running horizontally when you wear it.
I wasn't sure how my design idea would turn out, so I decided to use the yellow yarn that I didn't like too much. I've cast on about four times with this yarn, but nothing looked good. I am beginning to think that certain yarns are just meant to become certain things. Well, this yellow yarn was destined to become this Moebius scarf. It's bulky yarn on thick (10 1/2) needles, so I'm almost done. Completed object pics tomorrow? I think it can be done!
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM
October 17, 2005
Yarn Harlot
Yarn Harlot is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's latest book. It is really funny, although a bit scary at times: Should anyone have that much yarn? I guess my knitting addiction isn't nearly as bad as I thought! Perhaps this is a good books for all those non-knitting loved ones to help put a few skeins here and there in perspective!
Posted by zarah at 5:00 PM
Feeling Like Fall
I love the felted pumpkins in the new Knitty surprise!
Posted by zarah at 5:00 PM | Comments (2)
October 14, 2005
Knitted Robots!
This is too good to pass up -- knitted robots! The scary thing is, I foudn out about this from my husband! (He secretly loves that our living room is covered in yarn, Iswear!)
Posted by zarah at 2:21 PM
October 13, 2005
My Wish List 2
So, I go to the bookstore to peruse the knitting section after getting some good recommendations from Jeannine (blogless?). Nothing was striking my fancy, but I did find this little bookbookbook2 hiding on the shelf. Now the difficult decision... knit or read?
I cast on a new Art & Souls scarf tonight. I really like the red yarn I used for Red Rocks, so I figured I would go ahead and finish up my supply of it.
Photos soon, I promise! Sometimes it takes me a while to decide whether I like the pattern I've decided on.
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)
October 12, 2005
My Wish List
My knitting library is pitifully small. I taught myself everything beyond knit and purl (thanks Mom!) from a book, mostly Stitch 'n' Bitch. So of course, I also had to buy Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation, although I don't think it's nearly as good. My only other knitting books are:
1. Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. I love this book. The photos are gorgeous, and it has so many patterns that I actually want to knit. I say "actually," because I am a practical knitter and if I'm going to shell out the bucks for good yarn, then I'm going to make something I will actually use.
2. Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting. Good illustrations. No patterns to speak of.
3. Big Book of Knitting. This was a gift. It's a little outdated as far as the sample patterns go, but it's been useful for learning how to knit cables.
I think it is clear: I need more knitting books. I have taught myself almost everything I know out of a book, and they're getting stale. I don't feel the need to go crazy with fair isle or steeking just yet, but I'm ready to learn some new stuff.
So, any suggestions? Remember, I am boring and practical. So no matter how cool those pictures in Loop-d-Loop are, I'm not going to buy that book. I am not a woodland sprite so I don't need to dress like one.
Posted by zarah at 10:00 AM | Comments (3)
September 26, 2005
Shawls?
There are many blogger who knit beautiful shawls. I am so impressed by the tiny stitches and beautiful designs. But I keep wondering... does anyone really wear those things? Aren't shawls for grandmas and Italian war widows? Apparently I was wrong.
Posted by zarah at 6:11 PM