2007

Hope y'all have a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve.

And here's hoping my knitting mojo comes back to me soon.

A slippery slope

So my first international yarn order arrived today! It is two skeins of the Supersport Merino in Violet's Pink Ribbon from... LISA SOUZA! I have heard tell of her marvellous yarn but this puts all stories to shame, shame I say! And the worst part? I. Want. (nay, NEED) MORE! It is soft like all get out and at 375 yards (4 oz.) for $16(US) I am so sold. And of course, the colour is awesome. And no, I'm not a big wearer of pink, but this is for someone else (and that is a secret, shhh), but I get the joy of using the stuff.

How happy is this guy with the yarn? He is my new yarn model and he just makes me so happy! (My brother got him for my mother as a gift, and we might stash him in the garden when the weather clears up, ooh, and my mother wants to give him coloured robes and a gilded bellybutton. Don't ask, this is my family)

Blech

I'm sick. (which sucks)
And done gift shopping. (last minute? me? never!)
And unemployed now too. (there are pros and cons)

I ran into a hitch on The Helm, but I'll have it done in a day or two, especially now that I have free (sick) time, and then I will try to post photos and stuff n' such. I've just been too busy and wound up to knit lately, but that should be passing soon.

So Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and a belated Happy Hannukah to those (like me) who celebrate it (I got kicked right over by work and busyness). And of course, best wishes for the ass-end of this year, and the coming one as well.

-michael (who is off to knit and consume "recovery" food)

A day late

I said I'd post yesterday, oops. Oh well!
Progress as of this afternoon on The Helm (much further now, going to join the hem this evening in fact).














My provisional crochet cast-on. You know, the one that you pull and it magically disappears, leaving live stitches? Well, it wasn't that one, it was the kind that you have to unpick every. Single. Stitch. Thankfully I had Kirk to entertain me, and apparently influence my speech.

Black and (winter)white Mission Falls 1824 Superwash Merino for Mr vonA's pirate mittens. Can you tell I'm hooked on this stuff?














And finally, all the leaves, stacked in their signatures, waiting to get bound into a book. Will either become my journal, knitting book or cookbook, or some Frankensteinian collaboration of the three.

Exam on Saturday.

We're venting steam, cap'n!

One more exam done, and one more to write on Saturday. But being done this one really eases off some pressure.
I started The Helmet again (the name comes from the fact that it was knit almost entirely to power metal, and anything less would not be metal enough), here's hoping it goes better (went down to 4.00mm from 5.00mm needles, am doing the hem PROPERLY), but I have realised that not only has my stitch gauge changed, but so has my row gauge, and I might need to include another pattern repeat or something. I decided not to go through the pain of frogging the old Helm quite yet (I have enough on my plate right now as is), and thankfully I had only used 2 of the 4 balls I had purchased, so I'm knitting the new Helm from fresh yarn, and as an added bonus, I can easily compare the two to see if I'm changing everything properly!

I also got some black and white Mission Falls for a pair of pirate mittens (from HelloYarn, I think I'll be using) for my excellent buddy Mr. vonA. Those will be commenced after my second exam, or after I finish The Helm, if that happens first.

Miss Violet's Pink Ribbon Along is somewhat booming! (info in a prior post), and last I heard, Lisa Souza had sold over 120 skeins! Which is about half of Miss V's deductibile. Way to go people, you are all amazing! (I bet the count has grown since, too)

I need help! I would greatly (greatly!) appreciate any tips/tutorials on avoiding/reducing the jog when knitting circular colourwork, as it is something that takes away from my Helm, which saddens me.

Also, if anyone can think of any somewhat kooky and/or (maybe ironically) punk-rock patterns (hat?) or ideas, I would be thrilled to hear from you. I can't say much more, as it is for someone who may or may not be reading this blog, but, well, yes, if I say anymore I might give it away.

Photos tomorrow! (I think I might give myself a day off of studying, and I have the day off work) Hopefully I will have some other crafty things to show of the linoleum print and bookbindg varieties.

Happy knitting peoples!

Quickie.

A super quick post today. I am now running the 'Miss Violet's Pink Ribbon' knit along, found here http://violetsribbon.blogspot.com/
There is more info on the Lime and Violet blog ( http://limenviolet.blogspot.com/ ), but please, come out and show your support. If you would like to register, see the information here http://limenviolet.com/mb/viewtopic.php?p=9979#9979

Back to the study.

Jeremiah was a bull-

frog. But he ain't no friend of mine.
I can't do it, no degree of fudging will make this work. The only possibility would be unpicking the cast-on edge, ripping backwards to a certain point and going from there, but I think it'll be simpler just to redo the whole thing, properly this time. It might have to wait for a while, exams now have priority, and I might be quiet for a while because of that.

Until I am sane and back (wish me luck with Russian and Latin), I'll just post this http://lisaknit.typepad.com/tiltawhirl/2006/12/rising_to_the_c.html and say that I've ordered a skein, and am sending good boobie vibes (see the limenviolet messageboards for context there).

See you on the 17th! (unless studying goes easily for once)

I knew it.

You know what Murphy, you can go in the other room and... well, you know, and you can do it alone.
.
..
...
....
.....
Do I hear someone inflating an air mattress? I guess you DO spend enough time on my back that it's easier to move it, cut out the commuting.

[copied from the LimeNViolet messageboards]
To fudge or to completely redo, from the very very beginning (possibly regraphing and all), but do it all properly?

-my gauge tightened up from 5st/inch to 6st/inch over what was supposed to be a cylinder, and it is now much more conical. (this can be countered by running a yarn through alllllll the stitches on the bottom edge and cincing them in just a little, it was done slightly in the photo, as I was expecting my hem to pull in more than it did, I can also try the hem again)
-my hem is completely wrong. well, not completely, but it IS an afterthought hem. (I now know the proper way to do these, and if I restarted, I would use and intentional hem, likely somethin a-la Zimmerman)

Those are the two main issues, and I am not sure whether to fudge it and deal, or frog and go again. As a side note, this took under one ball of each colour, and I happened to buy two balls, so I could knit it fresh from those (I don't know if I want to see more of these colours though - I could exchange them for two new colours). I am also not sure whether knitting at the tighter (more natural for me, apparently) gauge is enough, or whether I need to reduce the stitch count (5-6st/inch, 120 stitches).

*happy dance*

So I am going to forgo further in progress photos, but I am at the moment quite pleased. I am done the bulk of the hat, and I owe Christopher (http://skogknits.blogspot.com/) a big basket of cookies for his help with the decreases (which look excellent if I do say so myself). I just need to settle on my edging method (still taking suggestions), and figure out if I want earflaps (at the moment, leaning away from them). With any luck, this will be DONE tomorrow!

Knit to Kamelot/Dragonforce/Edguy...

So last time I only showed my gauge swatch, which by the way, apparently was yesterday. I'm through my first major motif now (not even 15 rows, but about 2"), and it is zipping along (about... 2 hours time-wise so far). I know that means that Murphy is waiting to barge in with his second clause: Too Good To Be True. But for now, I am in denial, and am producing an amazingly soft (and hopefully as warm) greek motifed merino earflap cap.



















I'm happy with it so far, but there is much to do yet.



That being said, anyone know any neat "pick-up-and-knit" edgings that will take care of the stockinette curl? (seaming the edge over by a stitch or two is also a possibility, I don't mind the added bulk around the edge)














If I keep this up, more tomorrow!

Love Thyself!

My ears are cold!
"Good for them" I hear you say.

Anyway, we've had quite a bit of a cold snap for the last week, but due to the end of term, I have had NO time to knit. But I had my last class today, and the cold front is passing, so now I can knit, baby!

I'm cooking up a fair isle ear flap hat for myself. That being said, if anyone has any good info on decreases for hat shaping (mostly rate of decreases), I would love to know (I'm working with 120 stitches around at the widest bit right now). I'm doing all the designing on my own at the moment (referring to the odd pattern for ratios), and gosh is it fun!

BAddi Turbos

I know the hype, I even caved that one time. But tonight was the eve of judgement for my Addi Turbos. I know it's bad to pass judgement so quickly, that I should give them more time... Sorry St. Brenda, sorry to all you Addi fans, but they don't work for me. I knit FUNNY. I usually have one end of my working needle braced againts my belt, chest or stomach, depending on if it's straight or a DPN, and on the weight of my clothing. It's HORRIBLE form, and I really would like for someone to re-train me with a less back/neck damaging method. As a result, I'm used to that braced, lopsided, left needles waving around in the air technique. I don't think I can use circular needles. At all. Which is fine for now, I like DPNs, but it limits me from sweaters, large lace projects, etc... Also, Addi Turbos are small, so very very small. I present photographic evidence of the needle to hand ratio below. I can barely get a grip, let alone try to knit at any reasonable gauge with these things. I feel a right fool.

Whoops

I finished Ms O's fingerless mitts and handed them off to her last night. But being the good blogger I am, I forgot to take photos. Whoops. I will work on getting some though, as soon as I can, but no promises as it's been overcast. Scrap that, it's snowing! I mean Victoria snow, so... it's actually sleet. Whatever.

I have also discovered the joy of block printing (my art education class is awesome), and now I really need input! What would be a fitting slogan for this image? (sorry about the poor quality, I'm working from a very small original) I don't want to say excatly what I am up to, but it is in the 5"x7" size range. Slogans can be in any language (ideally one I know, or at least can make some sense of, English, French, Latin, Hebrew, Russian, because some of those would look very cool). So please give me ideas, and help suppor the Knitolution.

The Good and The Bad

Good: Ms. O's mittens are nearly done, I tore through about 75% on the second one during my break on campus. Will try to finish tomorrow I guess. Then onto mine

Bad: This meme (swiped from Lolly). I am just now realising how negative it sounds. Oddly enough, if I had filled it out at about 4:30, it would have been way different (Art Ed. was WICKED, and I am really bad in the evenings, I just can't handle them). Ah well, here goes anyway, I think clicking will make the image larger.

[EDIT] Proudest moment is now receiving a creative writing award from my high school tonight. It's not a big one, but it means more to me than any of the financially large academic ones, as it's a memorial award. My friend and I were joint winners.

Actually

So you know how I was stressing about my week? I forgot that one of the papers and two of the tests would be done today, soooo I have more time than I estimated. Picked up some 4.00 and 5.00mm needles (bamboo) today. Met Ms O. yesterday evening, and I have a go (green gloves for go!) on glove number two. It's not that I have Second Mitten Syndrome, but rather that I'm kind of apathetic and exhausted all round... Also, looking for a neat colourwork design for my gloves next.

Quickie

Just a quick note to assure y'all that I'm not dead. I'm seeing my friend tomorrow, and hoping that her fingerless glove fits! If not... well, at least I'm only halfway into the pair. I'm moving into an insane week of school, so I'll be lucky to eat enough, let alone knit or blog. Oh, and a new friend made me go shopping, and I am now the owner of my first pair of jeans! Haven't worn them enough to be entirely sold, but this girl does indeed know her clothing stuff....

...I tried to be good. I said no. They would have none of it.



















I tried to leave, but they followed me home! Ah well, I need a pair of (fingerless?) gloves anyway. And fair isle WILL be twice as warm. And the yarn is so very nice... But I have to finish Ms. O's project first!




















I think I can safely mention that I'm making fingerless gloves at my friends request. They *were* in two-tone cabling which I scrapped because I couldn't figure it out. I then switched to some fair isle which is just zipping along! And of course, when I got accosted by the Mission Falls in my LYS today, I found information in the Vogue Stitchionary (book 3 - colourwork) allll about two-tone cabling. Oh sweet yarn, I want those books so very very badly, they are a real source of ideas for me. Anyway, I REALLY have to go write that paper now...

Ow, my jaw

See that? Everyone knows what curly yarn means, right? Yep. No, no, not completely, just the bit that wasn't working. I'll figure out textured colourwork when I have the time. For now, I'll just do the colourwork. Assuming all goes well, these should whip along. (And with that statement, I'm sure I have called down the wrath of the knitting gods. And it's raining, so I can't even properly burn any any virgin wool to satisfy them)

Buggery...

Maybe there was a reason I had a hard time finding information on the technique I had in mind.
I can admit that. But I'm not giving up yet.



















Can anyone guess what I'm trying to do? (technique, not item, but that's not hard either)

Ms. O., and New Skills

Mystery project Green And More Green. Is working. Although I think the cuff is going to be way too big. but it's working so far. I really, really like the look of two colour ribbing. There is a gentleman I went to school with for a few years who is a phenomenal (phenomenal!) drummer, and is in a local band which is swiftly gaining popularity. I hadn't seen him in about 18 months, but while I was with another friend (whom he knows as well) for coffee, he came over and started chatting. I was knitting. He watched me cast on out of the corner of his eye (two-colour long-tail cast-on). He said "wow, that looks complicated" I just grinned and said "oh, I'm just getting started". So we chatted for another while, and I finally got around to joining the four needles, at which point both of my companions turned. And gawped. "Holy [knit] that is [freaking] crazy". The rest of the cafe turned now as well. Then the guy said "as a drummer, I seriously respect the dexterity and intense focus that has got to take. And it looks hell of cool." Then he looked over at my charts and notes. "What do those say?" "Cable 4 back, slip 1 back, knit 2, purl 1...." "Stop, just... stop. I'm going to liken it to some drum rhythms I know. Very cool." "Thanks." We all keep chatting and I keep on knitting. By the end of the evening I'm 6 rows in (conversation slows me down, and in my defense, it's about 50 stitches in texture AND colourwork). Guess it doesn't take all the concentration in my body after all. But I think I cast on too many stitches (I cast on too few last time). We shall see.

Beowulf: For Your KNitting Pleasure

So as I said, I'd write up my Beowulf pattern. I'd just like to say that this IS my first written pattern, and I misplaced a few of my notes (for the Tapered End Caps), so I'm sure there are a number of errors. I fear there are also mistakes in the Cable Repeats B and C, but I THINK I did it right... Oh whatever, if you can udnerstand my pattern at all, you're smart enough to figure out any mistake I may have made. That being said, if you find any errors, from typing to gross pattern, do let me know? I wish I had photos to illustrate some things, but it's been raining nearly non-stop for the last three days, I have no idea when it will stop, and I don't want to wait to put this up. Please only use this for personal use, yadda yadda and... Happy knitting! As an(other) aside, if anything needs clarification, further explanation or anything, leave a comment either here or e-mail me, and I'll try to help. Lemme know what you think!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PATTERN
Beowulf

SIZE
Just the one, assuming you follow all directions. It is very easy to make longer or shorter. Width is tricky to change.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: Looks like somewhere in the 6’6” range.
Width: ~6” (but it stretches out really wide, I am a highly inexperienced blocker)

MATERIALS
2+ balls of Van Dyck in red. There wasn’t much used of the 3rd ball. (Gosh, I hope it wasn’t one more than I remember…)
I think… 6mm needles?

GAUGE
About 4sts/1.25” But honestly, it’s a scarf, the dimension are large enough that even it shrinks by a foot, or maybe even 2, it’s not a disaster.

PATTERN NOTES
-The whole project was fairly made up as I went, so the directions I’ll give with result is (hopefully) a nicer looking scarf.
-This might not be the best pattern to learn how to cable on, but I did, so who knows.
-You will need to use a provisional cast-on of some sort, be it knit or crochet. Well, I’m sure some clever person out there can figure out how to do it without, but I tacked on my tapered end caps as an afterthought, so this is how I did it.
- On my scarf, I was a moron. I worked those 3 outside stitches in stockinette. I realized my error too late, so continued with the “design element”, and at the end “flattened” the sides by flipping the stockinette over onto itself and seaming it down. In the end, I really like the extra weight added by the “rolled edge”. In this pattern, I’ve written them do knitted in garter stitch, which will give you a wider scarf (by about an inch I imagine), though you can be like me and choose to alter it after.
- The cable is really meant to be repeated. The result of this is that the ass-end of the cable will be left uncabled unless you adjust the design (which I have included). Again, I noticed this too late and it became a “design element”, as such I will include 2 different designs: my scarf, and what I actually had in mind. Although I sort of prefer mine.
-The alternate (correct) version only differs in the End sections (1 and 5), and is marked by the “correct” repeat bolded and in parenthesis.
-Cable Repeats are written out at end of pattern.

DIRECTIONS
Cast on 32 stitches using any manner of provisional cast-on. (Optionally, just cast on flat if you do not want any sort of ends)

Section 1 (End)
Work Cable Repeat A (B)
Work 8 rows of ribbing (knit the knits and purl the purls as you see them)
Work Cable Repeat A (B)



Section 2 (Long boring ribbed section)
Work 80 rows of ribbing, cabling each 8th (RS) row. Here I flipped a coin for some “chaos theory”. I flipped for each of the 3 cables to decide whether to cable then, and if so, then again to decide which direction left or right). This gives a result of certain cables being snaked, some cabled, some going for long straight stretches, etc… Yes I fudged it now and then. It would look excellent with a more structured system as well, although I would not suggest cabling more often than every 8th row, as the design is structured around 8-row repeats. But then again, it might look amazing.

Section 3 (Neckband) (the same for both patterns)
Work Cable Repeat A
Work Cable Repeat B
Work 8 rows of ribbing
Work Cable Repeat B
Work 8 rows of ribbing
Work Cable Repeat A
Work Cable Repeat B

Section 4 (Long boring ribbed section #2)
Same as Section 2

Section 5 (End #2)
Work Cable Repeat C (B)
Work 8 rows of ribbing
Work Cable Repeat C (B)

Section 6a (Tapered End Cap)
*note* C4B every 4th (RS) row (3 times) on the knit portions (there are 3, they are the cables)
Work in ribbing as set, K2tog at the start of each row for 8 rows
Work in ribbing as set, K2tog at the start and end of each row for 6 rows
BO fairly loosely, as the scarf has a lot of stretch, might as well try to keep it uniform

Section 6b
Pick up 32 stitches from provisional CO
*note* C4B every 4th (RS) row (3 times) on the knit portions (there are 3, they are the cables)
Work in ribbing as set, K2tog at the start of each row for 8 rows
Work in ribbing as set, K2tog at the start and end of each row for 6 rows
BO fairly loosely, as the scarf has a lot of stretch, might as well try to keep it uniform


FINISHING
Weave in your ends.
Optional: Pull a me and seam the edges over. Not at all necessary.

Cable Repeats
Cable Repeat A
Row 1: k3, (p4, k4) 2 times, p4, k3
Row 2: p3, (c4b, p4) 2 times, c4b, p3
Row 3: Same as row 1
Row 4: p2, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, (sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 form cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn) 2 times, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p2
Row 5: k2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 6: p1, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p3, c4f, p4, c4b, p3, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p1
Row 7: k1, p2, (k4, p4) 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 8: p1, k2, p3, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 form cn, p3, k2, p1
Row 9: k1, (p2, k3) 2 times, p4, (k3, p2) 2 times, k1
Row 10: p1, (k2, p3) 2 times, c4b, (p3, k2) 2 times, p1
Row 11: Same as row 9
Row 12: p1, k2, p3, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from sn, p3, k2, p1
Row 13: Same as row 7
Row 14: p1, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p3, c4f, p4, c4b, p3, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p1
Row 15: Same as row 5
Row 16: p2, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, (sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn) 2 times, sl 1 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p2

Cable Repeat B (note, this is just Cable repeat A, with Rows 1&2 added onto the end)
Row 1: k3, (p4, k4) 2 times, p4, k3
Row 2: p3, (c4b, p4) 2 times, c4b, p3
Row 3: Same as row 1
Row 4: p2, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, (sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 form cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn) 2 times, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p2
Row 5: k2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 6: p1, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p3, c4f, p4, c4b, p3, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p1
Row 7: k1, p2, (k4, p4) 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 8: p1, k2, p3, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 form cn, p3, k2, p1
Row 9: k1, (p2, k3) 2 times, p4, (k3, p2) 2 times, k1
Row 10: p1, (k2, p3) 2 times, c4b, (p3, k2) 2 times, p1
Row 11: Same as row 9
Row 12: p1, k2, p3, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from sn, p3, k2, p1
Row 13: Same as row 7
Row 14: p1, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p3, c4f, p4, c4b, p3, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p1
Row 15: Same as row 5
Row 16: p2, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, (sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn) 2 times, sl 1 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p2
Row 17: k3, (p4, k4) 2 times, p4, k3
Row 18: p3, (c4b, p4) 2 times, c4b, p3

Cable Repeat C (note, this is just Cable Repeat A, with Rows 1&2 moved to the end)
Row 1: k3, (p4, k4) 2 times, p4, k3
Row 2: p2, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, (sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 form cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn) 2 times, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p2
Row 3: k2, p2, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p2, k2
Row 4: p1, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p3, c4f, p4, c4b, p3, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p1
Row 5: k1, p2, (k4, p4) 2 times, k4, p2, k1
Row 6: p1, k2, p3, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 form cn, p3, k2, p1
Row 7: k1, (p2, k3) 2 times, p4, (k3, p2) 2 times, k1
Row 8: p1, (k2, p3) 2 times, c4b, (p3, k2) 2 times, p1
Row 9: Same as row 7
Row 10: p1, k2, p3, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from sn, p3, k2, p1
Row 11: Same as row 5
Row 12: p1, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, p3, c4f, p4, c4b, p3, sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p1
Row 13: Same as row 3
Row 14: p2, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn, (sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p2 from cn, sl 2 sts onto cn and hold at front, p2, k2 from cn) 2 times, sl 1 sts onto cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn, p2
Row 15: k3, (p4, k4) 2 times, p4, k3
Row 16: p3, (c4b, p4) 2 times, c4b, p3

A Single Manly Tear

Fecthing: Done. No photos, save some on a friends computer, will try to acquire. They were immensely well received and are now in Vancouver before a 6:30 flight to Australia tomorrow, layover in Fiji (possibly Hawaii as well), etc... Man, those gloves will have travelled farther than I have come their touchdown on Sunday... Also, I lied, not a single manly tear but rather some near-blubbering. A very dear friend of mine (Ms. L.) of the last five years is moving back down under, and I'm taking it much harder than I initially anicipated.

Ok, enough sap. *sniffle*

Secret project Orange And Black: Er, now back on the needles following the Fetching-induced hiatus. Progress is being made. Colourwork skills are advancing (can now manipulate both colours with one hand simultaneously. Ace.), but I have a hunch I botched something a few rows back, might scrap the design, make them into gloves. Yes, this would be version 3.0 of this project.

Secret project Green and... More Green: In the design process. Yes, design. All I'm saying for now is two-toned green cables. Need to review/recheck colourwork gauge for textured knitting, as I am not knitting for a baby... Also, if anyone knows any excellent glove patterns (ladies sized) in the 26-32 stitches per 10cm/4" range, I would appreciate it greatly. Oh man, do I love cables.

Not so secret project Beowulf: Due to interest on the Lime & Violet messageboards (you are all a bunch of liars and flatterers I'm convinced) I will be writing up my Beowulf pattern for use! Ideally I will include directions for modification of any "simple" cable design into a themed scarf/other project maybe. I said I would do it today, but as mentioned in the fetching announcement, I am beat. And I have a Russian test tomorrow. And Hebrew lessons tonight. Ahh! Any info on legality pertaining to knitting designs (I'm slightly concerned about copywright as I pulled the main cable design from a sitch dictionary, although I have seen it in multiple ones, and various projects across the web and such. I just do not want to mess that up) would be so very much appreciated!

Photos: No, no and no. I'm tired, it's been raining for a few days, and I don't want to jinx the secret projects (though they seem to do that fine all on their own).

Podcast: Am toying with it. Not too seriously so far, but I like the idea, I'm very much into spoken word and such lately. We shall see.

A side note: I'm getting sick I think. Shoot.

As always: I love feedback, opinions and commentary, have at me!

Knit, Knit, Knitting away.

So I was up on campus, as I tend to do be during the day, and I had hunkered down into a corner bench, bundled in my scarf to keep out the biting wind. There were a few other people scattered around, most listening to music or eating or talking casually amongst themselves. And I was knitting. Clickity clacking with my metal needles. Nobody seemed to mind, I really wasn't very intrusive.

Then a young lady (I presume another student) meanders into the little ring of benches, talking quite loudly on her cellphone: "So, he was like totally into me? And I was all, we should get together? And he was, oh, so, totally?" I'm sure you know the type. Now I didn't mind this, everything in the vicinity gave everyone else the same "just ignore her, she'll leave on her own" grin, and I keep knit, knit, knitting away.

But then, she turns to me, and I shudder, anticipating the "Oh, like, that looks SO totally complicated, I've always loved knitted things? And like..." As I said, you probably know the type. But no, something much more surprising comes out of her mouth: "Ummmmm, excuse me? You are like, being SO totally rude? I am trying to have a conversation here?" I give her my patented skeptical over-the-glasses-query look. No effect. "Ummmm, excuse me? Did you like, not hear me?" Oh yes, yes I heard her, and all about her, and how she like 'totally wanted to jump his bone?' (My apologies for the indecency, but my life is not censored, neither is my blog). And you know what, everyone else in the ring heard her, and, at this point, most of them were paying attention to our interaction. I look up, flash a grin, then keep on knit, knit, knitting away.

"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm, exCUSE mE? Did you like, not hear me? I am trying to talk to someone?" Funny, I thought she was doing, well, I have no idea what. "Can you like, just stop that, or like, ummm, go away or something dude?" This time, I give the over-the-glasses-query look, followed by a knowing grin. And I speed up my knitting, which, for me at least, results in noticeably louder clickity clacking, and I keep on knit, knit, knitting away.

"Like, oh-em-gee, some people are so rude? I can't believe this guy? Like, ugh?" ANd she hustles off on her merry way in quite a tizzy. I once again reduce my knitting to a comfortable pace, smile at everyone in the ring, everyone grins at everyone else, and I keep on knit, knit, knitting away.

-----

Photos in a day or two, I have a big Latin test and a large Art Education assignment due tomorrow, as well as a farewell party for a very dear friend.
I'll just include a link to a post I made on the Lime & Violet message boards about another rant of mine, something that happened to me the other day, which put me in a much fouler mood that my exchange with the young lady this afternoon.
http://limenviolet.com/mb/viewtopic.php?t=944
Happy Hallowe'en.

Hahahahahaha....

I have your time, and now you will never get it back!

Ahem, moving on.

So I finished one half of something with that red wool. That something is another pair of Fetching (no photos right now). They are for a dear friend of mine who is moving back to Australia. On the 3rd. Her farewell bash is the 1st.

Anyway. I finished one of the "gloves", and was elated, wow, only three days! But something felt amiss... I sat and stared at it for, quite literally, fifteen minutes. Did I miss a cable? No. Laddering? Nope. Poor finishing? Yes.... I mean, no, I just don't like the thumb directions. Oh. There we go. I only have ONE. I sh-kn-it you not, I spent fifTEEN minutes figuring this out. There is a reason I do not take maths courses. I'ma go knit, I mean, write my Psychology paper. I mean knit. Yea, knit.

Life, love and the prosciutto happiness

I think they call this startitis.

I used to be such a good, monogamous knitter.




















This project has a deadline. Oy.

An experiment

So I've been doing a lot of studying and paper writing, as well as a little knitting.

I have abandoned one mystery project. Well, not abandoned, but it has been changed from PPs to PMs, as I think I would have a nervous breakdown due to the accumulation of stress lately if I had to keep on trying to design it, there were just too many factors against me. Maybe I'll try again when the situation is more favourable.

I stopped by my not-so-LYS because I was in the neighbourhood (re: downtown) picking up a travelling tube for my art education class. Apparently they carry Addi Turbos. Which I have never tried. And I recall my mystery pattern book saying that it could be worked on 12" circulars. Apparently the smallest they carry is 16". So I said 'what the heck' and bought them. Yea... not so smart. But now I have a pair of Addi Turbos to play with. If I ever start a project requiring 16" circs... Any suggestions?

...Is there any sort of ritual I can perform to purge bad knitting karma?

One. Is the loneliest number that you'll ever be..

I'm not actually lonely, and neither are any of my knitting projects!

I'm afraid to post everything here, in case it goes pear shapes (see my last post about the socks. I'm convinced it was due to overconfidence).

I finished off a gift for a friend, Knithulhu. Check out the Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft if you are confused.



Also, I got gauge after two days of trying for my latest project. Yay! Fair Isle (two colour) is nowhere near as hard as I had anticipated.


Hopefully I'll have some blog-worthy progress in a few days.

SPC October -- 01

The theme for Self Portrait Challenge this month is "imperfection". I've really spent a lot of time thinking about it. In fact, too much so far, my classes are suffering. I've also been busy and this is the first moment I have had to compose something. I decided to just jump right in with something heavy.

You can't see it in the first photo there, I just chose to include that one because I like it. But it sets the mood as well. I am swaddled in my bed, you can see a corner of my favourite red wall behind me, I have my head resting on my left bicep/arm, a very common position for me. In short, I am in a place of comfort. You may wonder how comfort fits in with imperfection, but it does, trust me.



You can see it there, on my upper arm. That tiny little scar. It's only 2 inches long. It is hidden by even my shortest t-shirt sleeve. I am not embarrased to have a scar on my arm, accidents are a way of life. Well, I wouldn't be ashamed either if it were from one of life's little hiccoughs. That little scar has faded a lot over the last, what's it been, 4, 5 years that I came by it? It also used to be accompanied by a host of other scars and blemishes, some smaller, some bigger, but this little one is the one that decided to stay.

It all came from a place of comfort (you see my tie-in?). A place of artificial comfort, a way out of the hassles of the day, a time to relax, and just... slip back, much as most people do with a hot bath, letting restfulness wash over them. It's not a place I turn to any more, but once it's in your blood, it's hard to get out. It serves to remind me, and nag me, and tempt me, and chide me. Comfort me, debase me, build me up, tear me down and spit on me.

Most people never notice that little scar, let alone think about where it came from, and even if they do, it's always ascribed to one of life's little hiccoughs.

I'm sorry if you came here looking for knitting today and got this little rant. I know a lot of (knit)bloggers fight with themselves about how much to include. I don't think I've put too much here, but I think it is enough. As always though, if anyone is unclear, or has questions or, well, anything, feel free to ask in the comments box. Given the nature of this post (and this month), definitely feel free to e-mail me privately as well, I know some people would be happier off not having to read more about this.

Lets see what I can find for next week. (as always, visit www.selfportraitchallenge.net)

Grumblemumblegrumble

Harumph. Bah Humbug. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrragh. Hulk Smash.

I don't know what's up, but I guess I'm just not in a productive headspace.
Those dishcloths? I'm 3/7 of the way done.
I've also started a Knithulhu for a friends birthday.
Have also agreed to design a pair of pogies by winter-time, or as soon as possible.
And those socks? They have gone all pear shaped.
In the photo below, the giant glowing white splotch is my pattern, and right now, it makes about as much sense to me as the formula on the blackboard. That is to say, with enough focus, I can make progress, but there is a reason I'm not taking any maths courses in school.

Busy bee

Oy. I have not forgotten my blog. There just hasn't been much to blog about per se. BUT! It's October. Meaning... Socktoberfest! No, I have not forgotten that either, but I have had a very very busy week. For now I shall just give you photos of my pattern modification. I won't know if it fits properly until a few more rounds in, and I don't have time right now. At present, it's very much on the fence. I can see it working or being frogged. For the record, it's 78 stitches on 3.0mm needles, the pattern calls for... 66 on 3 neeldes, I'm at 78 on 4. Oy. headaches.

Because I am bored and frustrated...

What kind of knitting needles are you?

You are pink aluminum.Retro, straightforward and fun, you love classic things. If they're 99 cents at Goodwill all the better! You are moved by striking colors and tasty morsels, and you like a stitch-n-bitch session in the sun. Just remember, while you're being kitschy cool, don't get too cold. Ice cubes are best kept in your cocktails, baby!
Take this quiz!








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I am squishing your head.

So. Damn. Gah. Yay. Blast. Huzzah. Stop staring at me.

That sums up my last few days of knitting. (apparently I can draw attention by knitting on campus. It makes me friends!)

I'm trying to adapt Knitty's Lickety Split to my big feet. I've cast on for the large toe cap about 3 times now. And I think I've got it down. I'm now working on the big toe cap. Or I would be if my co-worker hadn't taken ill, thus requiring me to go to work on my one day off.

I've also become addicted to LimeNViolet, they have topped DFA 1979 on my knitting list. I listen to them on campus, and even at my best, I can't fully muffle my laughter and giggles at their podcast. Add that to me showing countless emotions over a sock, and well, I'm a big of a spectacle. They also have a forum at www.limenviolet.com/mb I am a member, it is fun. Go give them some love.

SPC September -- 03

...I definitely just deleted a huge post. Beans...

























Here is my grandmother and I. I'm too frustrated to retype it all.

header-post

backdated for header

Socktober 2006!

*sings* You and me, and me and you...mumblemumble so happy togetheeeeeeer*/sings*



















I just really really like these two colours together. Am I weird that way?
First dishcloth in blue/teal in "Basketweave", and excellent simple easy in between class knit. Secondly, "Plaid". And may I just say "Oh my. Oh my yes." The pattern is nice, also inter-class worthy, but the texture of this knit up is just. Oh wow. My fingers have never been so happy. Actually... it's the texture of the BACK of the pattern. If noone else is willing to knit it themselves, I will be willing to mail it to you to feel. It is that good. Really.














Ok. So. October is fast approaching (September, where did you go?). And with October comes... Socktober 2006! It sounds delightful, in fact I have signed up already. There is no competition, so swaps, no deadlines, simply a celebration (public and private) of socks. Hey. I love socks, so why not?



















I picked up some yarn for Socktober from the delightful LYS today (I wonder if they know I blog. I doubt it. Should I tell them?). It is Schoeller Stahl, Fortissima Socka in what I, at first thought was grey with red tinges, but turns out to be purple with red and green tinges in daylgiht, as well as a red for contrasting heels/toes. Oh boy. More later.