pokingmyeyesout

Last November, J and I made a trip to Little Knits for one of their sales. I didn't (and do not) need yarn, but I had never been. Little Knits is a lovely store, a little far to run there for everyday, but worth the trip occasionally. I couldn't resist the sparkles and picked up a skein of Dream in Color, Starry. I had no particular pattern in mind, just that it is a perfect color for a friend of mine.

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Damson is good match to this yarn - shows off the almost solid color, the sparkles are irresistible. It is just lovely. It is too bad the camera can not capture the true color of this yarn. (it has trouble with the red hue) I hope the recipient will like it ...

Posted by E at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

.... I called the sleeves "flap flap" in conversation with J when I was working on them. It is a fun pattern and needed no 'help' from me, except to re-enforced the bottom of the armhole. The tee is very cute, drapes nicely in linen/cotton, and fits well!

Posted by E at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I made a quick job-interview-trip to Cali, spent time with the parents, aunts and uncle ... I did not have a readily available travel project, so I packed a couple of crochet hooks and J's Mahou no tawash / Magic Scrubber Part 2 book (and the elephant pic on flickr). I managed a little simple one on Thursday night, with Daiso antibacterial yarn*.

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I made plans with Joanne (and Will), lucky me she had a holiday on Friday, so she and Will were in town. I talked them into going to Santa Cruz ( pics on flickr of food with parents & aunts & uncle and Santa Cruz). She is the recipient of all my tawashis, she has the genetic disposition to like cute.

me: (hands Jo the elephant)
Jo: Oh! an elephant. I haven't used the others. I did not want to dunk them.
me: Oh yea. I wouldn't want to dunk them either. (hands her the simple flower one) You want this one too? You should feel ok dunking this one.

Heh. We don't have any issues.

Saturday morning came too quickly, I sat down at the table after I finished packing. I asked Mom about the table cloth (prompted by J's comment on the tawashi pic)

me: where did this come from?
mom: oh, this? heh. I've got a story ... I got this in Hong Kong**, many years ago... finding a table cloth for an oval table is [more] difficult [than a rectangular table]. It was slightly bigger than the table so I trimmed it (I had noticed the edge is 'odd'). Then it shrunk and now it is too small. Oh and I was cutting cloth [for sewing] and accidentally cut the table cloth too. I've been wanting to replace it. Do you want it?
me: nah, not now, maybe after you found a replacement. You did not wash it before you trimmed it?

Mom is a very good seamstress and made many clothes for me when I was younger. She also wanted to try on the sweater I was knitting for her, to make adjustments, before wash. Sometimes, she really surprises me.

Then... she went OH! and proceeded to pull out ... a pile from the linen closet.

mom: I didn't know whether you like these [ol school crochet table cloth]. You never said anything.
me: well. I had no appreciation for them until I learned how to knit and crochet.
mom: These have been hoarding space in the closet. I had no use for them, and couldn't bare to throw them away. Here. Take them.

So while I dutifully stuffed the pile into my already packed-with-more-food-than-clothes suitcase, I reminded myself to be careful what I say to mom, and contemplated what I will do with this pile - see pic on flickr.

Btw, I was feeling both old and nostalgic when I saw black skinny jeans + doc marten + black flag t-shirt in Santa Cruz.

*why yes. I do have a Daiso antibacterial (ahem, plus other yarn) stash in my parents' closet.
** Hi! I can't wait to go back to Hong Kong, with empty suitcases for all sorts of goodies.

Posted by E at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... the first day of summer started in a classic Northwest style, reminds me of my first summer here - cloudy, 50s, with chance of drizzle. Combined with the post-surgery-pain-medication haze, I took a nap (aka passed the heck out!) on Saturday. I woke up just in time to clean up before J and N came over with LOTS of yummy food to feed us. She also brought me some 'girl' yarn for me to make a toy. I had picked out the cutest hippo.

The next day ... I was reading the hippo pattern and fighting off the sleepys again. But wait, I should be making the Sleepy Puppy.

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DH thinks the color says it is a Fox, "it is a Red Fox". Clearly, not what I intended, a Girl Sleepy Puppy.

Posted by E at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Two hats to sisters. When I knitted the watermelon hat, I was doing some wishful thinking that my friend would have a girl. (previously blogged). And she did! The Shores hat is for her sister, who is also the recipient of a cow :)

Super quick, super cute projects. Both knitted with destash & gift yarn from J and GD. Thanks for all the colourful yarn :)

Posted by E at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I brought this clover scarf and mom's cardi with me on our Memorial Day trip to see Brothers in law and their families (and bonus Bobby Bear!). I didn't really get a chance to work on them much. Kooler had a lower urinary tract infection. (Bladder infection. We were up all night and the couple nights before. No sleep for the weary. I found a vet open on $unday and couple of trips later, she got some meds and we were on our way to be better.)

I laid out the post-wash clover scarf and spotted my mistakes - in the little squares and an extra clover at the end. DH gave it a courtesy glance and did not spot the mishaps. I always miss some when I inspect my work in progress. For example, I found a dropped stitch in Mom's cardi way back there after I bind off. This must say something about my brain-dead state of mind. Maybe next time, I will let the work in progress rest overnight and do the inspection in the morning, when my mind is fresh(er).

Posted by E at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Look, another FO in brown!

Mom: "why don't you like brown?". I like brown. As a matter of fact, I have some Silk Garden stash in Taupes & Black that I will knit up, once I find a pattern to match.

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The destash yarn is from GD, I bought additional two from webs and they happen to be the same dyelot (!). The button is from J. The yarn very nice and very squishy and it made a very nice and very squishy cardigan for mom. It is generously sized. We say Thank You!

Posted by E at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two prez projects for undetermined recipients.

The first one is knitted with a gorgeous saturated bright royal blue. I tried indoor, outdoor, all sorts of camera settings but still failed to captured the color of this yarn. (I also ran into the same issue with this burgundy too). I am very sad I can not capture the beauty of these colors. (But I am sure I should not run out to replace my trusty antique digital cameras right now.)

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And, for some quick satisfaction.I "had" to make this cute hat with the perfect color combination bits of leftovers Karabella Aurora 8 from J and GD. Thanks for enabling me!

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P.S. I had a couple inches of pink after I finished the hat. Big phew.

With all the little projects washed and drying, I stared at the empty project bucket, I (ahem, tried to) start a new project. First, I picked up bits of leftover blue Hamanaka Bonny and started an elephant. "Oh, I should have enough"). Clearly, I was in denial. I ran out after I finished the body. Oops. And finding Japanese Antibacterial yarn without a well stocked Daiso nearby is just plain difficult.

So this morning, I called Mom to talk to her about a project I had in mind for her ... much musing and helpful suggestion from J .. I still need to purchase a bit more yarn for that project.

Oye.

Posted by E at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I stashed Rowan 4 ply cotton a few years ago at Knit Happens closing sale. It sat in stash for a long time. I hesitated to tackle tiny. 4 ply. cotton. Somehow I got in my head that crochet is the way for me ...

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I found a cute free Japanese pattern and winged it with the chart. Rowan 4 ply is thicker than pattern suggested yarn. I ran into trouble with the shoulder strap / armsyce. It is wearable, just a little snug in the armhole. I also tried crochet buttons, but didn't find small enough buttons / too fiddle at smaller size. I ended up with purchased fabric buttons.

So this is in a 'almost there' project for me. Not exactly right. But not bad. I have more 4 ply cotton in stash to give it another go!

Posted by E at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Urban Aran, done up in a cardigan version. Pattern from Patons Street Smart booklet. This project took me forever. My hands were acting up with a severe break out where I couldn't knit. I really wanted a two way zipper about didn't find one in the right size and didn't feel confident I can alter one nicely. So ... I have a cardigan with one way separating zipper.

Posted by E at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

David Bowie's Blue Jean kept playing in my head when I was knitting this. So very strange since these jeans is for a boy. preview at Lala

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Cute denim for friend's newest addition.Thanks J for the orange cotton yarn. I like the Rowan denim yarn. Maybe I will knit me something in this yarn ... soon.

Posted by E at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Let me continue to sing the knit-from-stash song. This yarn has been in stash since Feb 2007 from J. It is squishy soft and gorgeous, not to mention tricky, colorway. It wanted a simple pattern and the Heather Hoodie was it. Buttons are from the same etsy seller that I found the Military Cardi buttons. It is very soft and very warm!

Posted by E at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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The Citron in Baruffa Cashwool Bordeaux is done. That was a lot of stockinette. The finished shawlette is light, warm, and very soft. I got more than the mindless knitting break I was looking for. But it is all in the pass now. It is wrapped up, put away, waiting, to go to its recipient.

Posted by E at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I finished the gloves and ended up only slightly cross eyed. That was a lot of cable crossing and a bit of frogging. The Cascade 200 Superwash made warm and slightly bulky gloves. The black heather colorway post wash looks like my well loved black clothes, laid back, slightly faded... These cabley gloves took approximately the same amount of time as sock weight plain ss gloves.

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Like all Vogue Knitting patterns, it required improvising, which became a few 'features' that I do not like in the leftie (first glove). Since they are for me, I will not be reknitting. I suggest anyone attempting Almeara Gloves to start with the right glove. The instructions are clearer and would made it easier to muddle through the left glove.

Thanks J for the yarn! I am still holding out (barely) from buying yarn for projects that I want to knit. Trying. Not. to. Buy. Yarn. for. Myself. Fortunately, the next project, the 100th project on Ravelry, is a prez.

Posted by E at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sometimes, when I stare at a word for a long time ... or read a word letter by letter .. it starts to look funny.

is one of those words. I checked and double checked and triple checked and asked the DH to make sure it was correct as I finish the dup sts. It is a huge sweater, with lots of ease DH requested. Although I am not a fan of the dup stitch, DH likes the puffiness. He even pet the sweater a few times while I was working on it. I am so happy that it is done and he likes it. Yay!

Posted by E at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Some days I really get tired of trying ... last Friday was one of those days. I had another interview in SF and it went as I expected. With that said, I did choose the long shot it would turn out differently ... I am not complaining, I am just tired.

I did take advantage of a few hours of free time in SF (half a dozen shots on flickr) before meeting Mom back at the Oakland BART station. I took a walk down to the Ferry Building, then back to the Powell Street Cable Car turnaround, (the cable car operator smiled at me while I took these pics. aw. I miss SF!) then into San Francisco Centre (part of Westfield Mall now) to look for some earrings ..

Earrings ... I wanted some dangle earrings for an event last Saturday, you know, the kind of event one has to put on a dress. It has been many years since I looked for earrings. I have a few pairs of earrings. I do not know where most of them are, and if I find them, none of them would be right. I visited (in two different cities) - Nordstorm Rack, TJ Maxx, Target, Nordstorm, Something Silver, Bloomingdales, and Macy's. I failed to find what I want at the price I want. What to do? MAKE THEM MYSELF of course... and J encouraged!

Continue reading "A faux whine" »

Posted by E at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Side note: "yes, you should be able to comment now, on all of the posts."

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In another notes, just to re-enforce that 'no good deed goes un-punish" ... DH was gone for both days of the weekend, doing absolutely-no-housework-no-idea-what, while I finished my weekend chores and started his sweater (ravelry project). Go figure.

Posted by E at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... to de-lint a black Peace Fleece sweater, that took over a month to knit, in a house with two fuzzies?

(ravelry link)

well, about two dozen sheets. There were bits of vegetation from the yarn, lots of fur, and small amt of piling (from the spin cycle). It is all done. I really like the knit and the buttons. The buttons took a long time to find. I finally asked a [commercial seller from HK] on etsy to source it for me. Now that it is out of my system ... I will stop procrastinating and go back to what I should be doing.

Posted by E at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Oh yea. I am continuing this monologue since comments are still broken, with no fix in sight.

A few weeks ago, J (& W) and I were strolling around on main street in Half Moon Bay .. J was admiring these gorgeous blown glass pumpkins. I had no idea she liked pumpkins :) This one is nothing in comparison to those but it is a fun little thingie... I will either mail it to her or bring it on my next trip.

In other note. I finally sew in ends and washed the other Calorimetry I finished on a few trips back. And I just received buttons I purchased from Natural Resouces on etsy - horn buttons, dome buttons, etc. woo ...

Posted by E at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

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COMMENT IS STILL BROKEN. "IT guy is busy." :(

Last time I was in Calif, I stayed up late to lengthen Dad's sweater (flick pic). This time I stayed up late knitting a ribbed scarf for mom (to balance the karma or something). It is leftover Noro Chunky from her sweater (flick pic) Mom: "I can wear this with the sweater". Er no. no matchy match!

Anyhoo.. another mindless travel knit for another trip. I am fresh OUT of travel projects. argh.

Posted by E at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

COMMENTS is BROKEN sorry ... no comments for me :(

I have been making short trips to Cali. (Translate: tiny projects for travel) but wait.... I have to tell a story.

Last night, I packed my notion bag, two circular knitting needles, crochet hooks, some yarn, books, glasses + clip ons, change purse, mouse ... in my suitcase, along with my clothes and shoes. This morning at airport security screening... I took off belt, shoes.. put them and laptop in a bin to run through x-ray, along with my carry-on. I've seen some puzzle TSA-xray-screener ... and I thought I read a screener's lips "circular needles" along with hand motions in previous trip. This time, TSA-person yelled at me.. "whose shoes are these? absolutely NOTHING on top of the laptop." WHOOPS. not paying attention, it is really early in the morning and I have not had coffee. "Nice pink laptop thought!" .. er.. "Thanks. Sorry.." Then they stopped my carry-on...

TSA-searcher: "do you have any sharp objects?"
... finds notion bag (and mouse and change purse ..) in carry on ...
me "no" (I reviewed the TSA list. I have ALL of my tools .. including my little scissors.)
"what is this?"
me: "a row counter, you click it to keep count of the rows?"
"you a knitter?" ... "how long have you been knitting?"
me: "a few years... I have to fix my dad's sweater when I get there."
"have you been to that ... Renaissance Yarn in Kent"
me: "yes! it is a very nice shop."
.... she digs up the glasses case and etc... "ah.. they should be pack flat, so we can see [through x-ray]" .. she takes everything and run through again. returns..
me: "thanks. sorry. You should go to Renaissance Yarn. It is very nice!"
"I don't know how to knit."
... the end...

Clearly, I should pay more attention when I am packing and putting my stuff through security. I know better. doh. anyways... back to some travel and knits ...

Continue reading "Small things ... " »

Posted by E at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When grabbing for travel projects, I always try to bring backup.. for those situations where a little something is required - hats for babies, finding myself with more project time, etc. I managed to grab some kitchen cotton and crochet hooks for this trip..

This time was a scrubbie.

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Continue reading "Back up plan" »

Posted by E at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

That was last Tueseday morning. I was so confused. What could be making my fingernails red. I did not give it more thought and continued with usual job hunting and knitting ... Then it suddenly hit me, twelve hours and may rows on habitat later, it is the red Araucania Nature Wool! er. yea.

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Continue reading "My fingernails are red" »

Posted by E at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Selbu beanie is used some yarn J gave me a long time ago. I've wanted to knit Selbu for a long time. It is a fun pattern and easily converted into a beanie (that is just a touch long). There is not as much contrast as I originally thought. It turned out ok. Not entirely as expected.

Then I found myself doing more travel time to pursuit employment. That means another travel project. I did not have a lot of time and just quickly grabbed something. Flora is a very cute pattern and I like Lamb's Pride' Superwash. It softens a lot after soak. Both quick, fun, and simple projects. More knitting = less time go mad :D

Posted by E at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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The last couple of months have seen a few crochet projects (eleven so far this year, many of them very small) - a couple on the recent car road trip. I am not so sure it is easier to crochet on road trips (vs knitting). True that there is one less needle to drop in those hard-to-reach car crevices. Then again, I did drop my hook and had to reach under the seat ... my fingers found the hook and some gooey brown substance (ew!).

I may be ready to get back on the knitting wagon. With this warm weather, perhaps a small colorwork project ...

Posted by E at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Sometimes...when I am working on a project, especially an ambiguous part, I would ask the DH

me: what is this? [holding up the alligator head]
DH: a pine tree?

(ravelry link)

Continue reading "What is this? " »

Posted by E at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

for a girl :) (Ravelry link)

.... a few nights ago, I was working on body of bear ... DH and I play this guessing game, to see if he can guess what it is that I am working on. I am always amazed that he can so easily identify what it is.
[...]
DH: it is a jumpsuit .. or an outfit
[looks at the pattern...]
DH: See, I was right. He is ...
me: He is a boy?
DH: Yes.
me: Why is 'it' a boy?
DH: Cause of the color
me: [picks up the pattern]
are they all boys?
DH: no, the white one is a girl

Posted by E at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... is my way of living in the moment, think positively, and not dwell on what I can not control. It is my strategy on coping, along with more crafting (more gardening, more baking, more cooking, more walkies, more reading, more family, etc!) Translation: more everything to prevent the broken record that would otherwise play in my head and drives me insane. Well, enough of that ...

I finished a cute little lacy scarf (Ravelry link)

After a glance of my posts, I realized I forgot to post Chanson Capelet. whoops. (Ravelry link)

Posted by E at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

... also used as window decorations.

G: How many of these are you going to make?
me: I dunno.
[pause, G looking at the window]
G: You will need 33 to [fill up the window].

So G picked the next one, the Penguin ... and immediately picked another one (without me asking!) alligator.

I did finish the sweater Dad ordered :)... mmm. a lot of stst. (ravelry link)

Posted by E at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After this bit of success with crochet. I went head first into tawashi-land with J ... The fun yarn is an anti-bacterial bulky acrylic Japanese yarn, mmm acrylic. Ravelry link

Posted by E at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On the brighter side of unemployment, there is time for road trip and knitting. In mid-April, I went to Vancouver BC (Vancouver set on flickr) with my Mom and Aunt. I worked on Inspired by Ruffles ( Ravelry link ).

In beg-May, I went to Kalispell (Kalispell set on flickr) with DH, in-laws, to visit his brother & family. On the drive, I finished a pair of booties (pic on flickr), soap cozy for G (pic on flickr) . The next morning I started a string bag (pic on flickr) (Ravelry link) with yarn from GD ... The chair where I spent most of the week is very comfortable and has a gorgeous view to The Swan. At that pace, I would run out of projects. So, I dragged everyone to Camas Creek Yarn - I selected a simple Araucania Ranco Solid for the Lace Ribbon Yarn. I managed to finish it before we were on the road again. On the drive back, I finished the string bag and took a nap... a. lot. of. knitting. time.

Posted by E at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've been keeping my head down to try to mange the continual stress. So what is better than to dive into projects. They occupy the mind and hands, and keeps the spin down. FOs are just side effects.

First, Gawain (Ravely link). it is a gorgeous pattern and I had to knit it. It totally jumped the line and move to head of the queue. I love the neckline and and the center panel of asymmetrical cables. Lovely sweater.

Second is a pair of booties for twins - boy and girl. (Ravelry link) Small quick project to spread some love. Thanks GD for giving me navy yarn :)

What to do when hands and wrists are achy from all the knitting? Why try crochet?! I've been wanting to learn more crochet. So I started Queen Anne Lace scarf (Ravelry link). WIth help from J, the Internets, Harmony Guide to Crochet, and a lot of frogging. I think I am on track now.

Posted by E at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Ravelry link) I really like Converse All Stars Chuck Taylors. I have had many pairs and am sad that I can not wear them anymore (due to my foot issues). These are for my cousin's boy. They were fiddlely but very adorable.

Posted by E at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(ravelry link) My second pair of Coconut Candy gloves. I made these without the fingertips so I can use the touch screen. Er yea. Freezing temperature and snow in march required drastic action!

Posted by E at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(ravelry link) The owls did not like to be photographed. I stopped after spending too much time on it. So here are some poor pics. Owls was a very simple project. I think the searching and sewing for eyes took longer than the actual knitting. hooot! hooot!

Posted by E at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(ravelry link) used left over trekking xxl coconut brand candy yarn and matched with some cascade heritage sock yarn to make my first pair of gloves. very good learning experience. the next pair is for me ... my fingers are so cold that I cant type correctly :D

Posted by E at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shalom (Ravelry link) cardi for GD with her Negotiation Gray Peace Fleece. Made with lots of love. Also included is a Citrus Kiss from Rainy Days and Wooly Dogs (Etsy shop) when we were at Madrona.

Posted by E at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ravelry project detail Veste Everest from Interweave Knits F2005, knitted with traded leftever from J's (N!) Cobblestone. I've been wanting to use this Peace Fleece for a long time. Over T-day, J handed me the fourth ball and I couldn't wait to knit something with it. After a bit (a lot!) of deliberating ... this is the result. I absolutely love Peace Fleece. I am also warming up to warm grey. I definitely see more Peace Fleece in my future... maybe very very very soon.

Posted by E at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Project notes on Ravelry) I finished this a few days ago. Lay flat to dry took a while, and the sun is out today! The yarn is very spongy and reminds me of Rowan's Calmer. It is a good working yarn. It will be pair with cute ss top (like the one in the photo) and will make a good spring/transition weather top.

The last few days have been a lot unpleasant (directly related to work and DH). And in trying to un-stress myself, I want to use leftover Father's Grey Peace Fleece from J. After HOURS (sorry J) and countless sweater J showed me on Ravelry. I stumbled into Cafe Bastille Cables Sweater (Ravelry link) from IK 2003. I have the back issue checked out from Bellevue Main Library (yay library!) Still contemplating ...

Posted by E at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

notes re: Bear on flickr

We went to N & J last night - tasty dinner (huge salad, cheeses, russian dumplings (*pelmeni), salmon ... mmm), felt hats and play Bean game.

Hats pre-wash were huge. I knitted mine bigger than pattern suggested to ensure a proper fit and to accommodate a velvet ribbon lining. There was no worries that it will shrink too much. J - "It is more like an art". J's Cascade 200 Heather turned out really purty :) woot, hats!

Posted by E at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spring Beret (Ravelry link) made for my good neighbor Loretta who took care of the fuzzies when I was stuck in hospital with G during the snow storm. She wears a slouch beret when she works in her garden. I hope she likes it. And as always, J finds the good patterns.Thx J!

Posted by E at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A long time ago (back when I know little - how to work with variegated yarn, angora / mohair, amount of yarn required, etc) .. I picked up a few balls of this Angora 70, "oh, this is so soft and they are mom's colors", from the sale bin at Pacific Fabric (that is no longer) in Issquah. They sat in my stash. After I finished Silk Garden jacket (pic on flickr) and Flannel, I ventured a little further into variegated yarn. I wanted a pattern that requires a small amount of yarn, very simple pattern, on the bias ... After a bit of searching on Ravelry, I happened upon this lovely pattern. I worried how angora will soak and block but it handled both beautifully. It is all wrapped up in the FO/prez box :)

Posted by E at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I finished it with a few hours to spare. I unpinned it on New Years day. It is a very simple and lovely pattern. High reward per unit of 'work' :). I am unsure about the edge. I put it away for now. I am now project-free and looking forward to starting something. I stumbled on to another very purty one on Ravelry. Hrmph.

Posted by E at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I started this sweater (details on Ravelry) when I was sitting with DH in intensive care. It was most frightening. He is home now but who knows what the future will bring. I didn't manage to do any lace for the last few weeks. I've been trying to straighten out work, trying to manage budget, and driving to/from hospital & medical appointments in biggest snow storm of the last few decades. Good friends and good neighbors helped me a lot, and my mom and special SiL have been very supportive.

I will return to knitting lace soon. And a huge welcome back to J! I am so happy you (and N) are back. Our first fun crafty trip was to the Japanese bookstore in Uwajmaya Village and I got a couple of books Couture Knit #12 and Knit Concerto. It was quite a splurge :D

From one of my all time favorite movie ... Tempted by Squeeze

Posted by E at 9:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dumpling is very cute. The pic is a little blurry. It was a bit cold outside. I like how Rowan Big Wool felted. It is very dense and uniform, but a little fuzzy. Bonus that it knits up fast! I will definitely contemplate another felted project with Big Wool. I have misgivings about the magnetic snap, really, does the magnet have to be that strong. The eyelet is not quite done yet. I will finish them as soon as I get to GD's. Heh. She is finishing her KISS purse for a prez.

I've been really scattered brain. I've got work-stress in the background. But I did manage to finish some prezs, a needlecase for Addi Lace needles, baking, and gathering schuff for Christmas dinner. I am still working on Hyrna Herborgar. I am on the the third and last chart. I've wanted to hold off on starting the next project (a sweater with stash yarn) until I've made more progress on Hyrna Herborgar.

Fuzzies think it is sooo nice outside. And Kooler was 'helping' me, she took my prop - the little twig that I was using to position Dumpling. It is the coldest I've experience since moving here almost 8yrs+ ago.

Posted by E at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Very soft alpaca and silk Flower Scarf ( Ravely link ) with destash yarn and borrowed needles from J. I started it at J&N's when I ran out of habitat and fetching project on the trip. The fisherman's rib is very fluffy, I like it a lot. The flower was a p-i-t-a. I did it twice. The first one had giant gaping holes in between the dpns and the opening was too small for the ball I knitted. I mod'ed the flower pattern, co more and then a more gentle inc in the first round. I had to dig through all my needles to have enough to do the flower. The yarn is a little prickly but may be ok. I may even wear it ;-)

And another quick prez. Fetching from Knitty Summer 2006. This one has to make it in the mail soon. I think I am going to stop on the prez for this year. I made a few little things. Perhaps next year I will get more organize and do more than little thingies.

The last few days I took a break from knitting in the last few days. I browsed through a few Nicky Epsteins books from the library and do a little catch up on my magazines. Last night I made the sub-recipes for Triple Chocolate Trifle. The 'Handmade Candy Canes" I got had a chocolate colored centered, so they are duds. Sigh. I need to find new candy canes or skip the peppermint all together. Bleah.

Posted by E at 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DH and I visited family and friends in DC metro area. I exchanged prez for some yarn and patterns :) (click on photo to see details on flickr or My Projects page on Ravelry) (<- lazy)

SiL liked her fingerless mitten - Dashing. She especially like the the fingerless part. Woo! FiL said "You are getting good at knitting. This is like store-bought". Er. Heh. My SiL commented "That's a Lapland pattern". I think I have a name for that hat now. :D MiL was puzzled at the cupcake, but thats ok. She appreciated it. The next morning, FiL was looking for the hat so he can wear it jogging, but it was nowhere to be found. We think MiL put it away for 'safe keeping'. J immediately put on her scarf :D Nola, the recipient of Tomato, promptly took the hat off as soon as Mom put it on :D. She is adorable :) and looks a lot like her proud parents.

The yarns are trades from J. She is doing a lot of destashing and cleaning to prep for moving back here. Yay :) See you in a few weeks!

We visited Aylins Woolgathering in Falls Church and Uniquities in Vienna. I rescued (ahem) some pattern books, including Dale 187, a couple of back issues of Interweave Crochet magazines, and Debbie Bliss Rialto Classic.

I came home to a [dried] Dumpling, that is ready to be finished. J and I didn't find appropriate fabric at the usually reliable G Street for lining. So the search continues. I also finished Fetching (prez) and Habitat (more prez). (finished shots later). I used the newly acquired J destash Knit Picks Elegance yarn to start a small project - flower scarf. I didn't like how the flower turned out, so I will be ripping and re-doing the flower.

Phew. It was a good crafty week - lots of airport, visiting family and friends knitting time. Kooler has an eye infection so we will be going to the vet this afternoon.

Posted by E at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The sleeve is dried. It is a little small. I thought when DH said the book is the exact size, he meant 'exactly the correct size". So when I tried the sleeve on the book (at the laundromat), I use it as the exact measurement - it hangs over a little. I should have checked myself ;-). That's my lesson for the day.

On ward to my big Dumpling. Posting that next ...

Posted by E at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

.. I said tomAto. Tomato hat for a prez. Yarn and pattern are gifts from J a looooong long time ago. P.S. will link to Ravelry later .. hiding hat from recipient.

Posted by E at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I copying GD's cupcake . And made one (of many?! maybe) for a prez. All of a sudden, I was craving cupcakes. And I only have one left .. and I wanted to take picture with both of them together. What a dilemma! J, being wise, said .."you can always make more cupcakes". But I didn't eat my prop ... I can now :)

Posted by E at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Quick proj for prez ... I like how these fit. If I did not have such an aversion to making the same thing twice, I may just knit some for myself.

Posted by E at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Hi Kooler, didn't mean to disturb your nap). I absolutely adore it. It may be because it took me many mental hurdles - two years worth. GD and I felted it on her ol'washing machine. I bought the fabric when we visited J the T-day after I finished it.

I really enjoy felting and will try it as soon as possible. Perhaps another purse or laptop sleeves .. or or or :)

Posted by E at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Just a quick pic to show Mom what her sweater looks like. It still needs a wash and we are waiting on the buttons :)

* Updated finished pic on flickr.

Posted by E at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Super quick bracelet Rav link to pat made as Thank you gift for a very sweet coworker who brought a book for me from Paris. :)

Posted by E at 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apparently, this cow boy is going to a girl :D

I put myself on the sofa on labor day and made most of the parts, then finished it this week. Tendinitis + planter fasciatus + ACL makes a lot of sitting down time. I am trying my best to stay off my feet. I haven't taken walkies with fuzzies, gardening, or do the usual house chores.

Anyhoo .. I may as well take advantage of the stationary time to make .. another sweater

for mom. In Silk Garden Chunky, two balls at the same time. I am off gauge from the pattern I am following .. mmm more math. It is so overcast and foggy that the flash went off at 9am in the morning outside, I love this weather!

Posted by E at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phew. Cheesylove is finished. I mod'ed it (of course I did!) and put the hearts on my sleeve. I discovered that 19" sleeves are way too long for me, and this rib sweater grew in the wash. Overall, I am glad I finished it, off to do something else!

Posted by E at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Amazingly, I finally finished a project (Ravelry link). Phew. It took forever since we have a little house (re)move-in the middle. Not really sure what is going to happen to this pair of mittens. The original mission of these mittens is a trade .. we will see.

Posted by E at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, the football playoffs have been really good. And I got some knitting done, like these mittens. mmm mittens.

(go Tom Brady and Eli Manning!)

Posted by E at 7:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yes! Mom sent me pictures of her and dad in their sweaters. She called yesterday asking for something something recipe... and she finished her BIG WOOL sweater! Yeah. I gave her wash and dry instruction, with the nice smelly SOAK I sent her.

Here is one of in-prog pic in the mirror and she picked up stitches for the collar on her first try. She knitted for us when we were little, but this is her first sweater in a long long time. Yay mom :)

Posted by E at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Another knitting emergency... a baby hat for another niece.

Posted by E at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phew! I finished the mittens. You will notice that on one of them, the colorwork looks different. The reason is that it has been so long since I picked it up that I switch the color I carry on my left/right hand.

Posted by E at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Over T-day, I did a little emergency hat knitting for a little niece who didn't have a hat. So I went to a LYS and bought a skein of Pink and a skein of White Berroco Comfort. It is a quick icord with ear flaps and white ribbon (from MiL). I didn't end up using the white ... oh, did I mention the LYS didnt have addi turbo in the size I need, so I am now in possession of a new Lantern moon Destiny circular needle. doh

Posted by E at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It took me about 2 years ... Mom should have her cardigan soon. I boxed it up today. This was quite a journey. I took measurements 2 years ago December. Then I picked out a wonderful brown tweed for her that ended up as a vest for my dad. Well. It is finished in all 2lb 4oz (including box :) )

Posted by E at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

G took this pic of Sheldon. He is a really cute turtle. I think he is going to go to a good home. The trouble with knitted toys is that I want to keep them all. Bad!

Sheldon from Knitty.
KP DPN #4(?)

I have been spending more time on Ravelry and posting there and here and keep up with my local copies of stuff is a bit tedious. I haven't decided whether I am going to do anything about that.

Posted by E at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is what miles and miles of plain St st in a plain crew neck plain body plain sleeve plain pockets plain cardigan looks like :)

Tahki Donegal Tweed
US sz #7
~6.75 balls

Posted by E at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I finished Nicole over the weekend. Woo! It is very cute over a shirt or tanks. I can't wait to wear it out.

Continue reading "Here is Nicole" »

Posted by E at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Phew. All done. It is adorable, if I do say so myself! Hope the recipient will think so too!
Here is a full view.

US#2, with Trekking #126 and KP merino from J

Posted by E at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Finally, Audrey pic.
Rowan Calmer, a little over 8 balls.
US 8 Addi

I adjusted the size of bust and bottom to fit me. I did 12 repeats of lace and the collar is just smaller than a boat neck.

I love rib. It is very forgiving. I love Calmer. It is a wonderful yarn. And well.. I love this sweater. :)

Posted by E at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a make-up sweater for a the sent-to-wrong-address sweater and DH kidnapped dragon

Rowan Cashsoft DK
Simple Raglan from RYC Classic Baby
US sz 6

Posted by E at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I am having possibly the most terrible few days in my recent memory. In between the terribleness, I distracted myself with putting the dragon together. His head has a silly tile and he has bad teeth.

Posted by E at 1:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

In between all the hurry up and wait for work one day, I cut up fabric and sew a small DPN case for the ultra-sharp KP DPNs. I recycled a ribbon (GD, does that look familiar? :) )

I did not even both to turn the fabric the right direction (see the doggies bone going different directions!).

Posted by E at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Let me say how unbelievable that phase is ... I don't think I have ever heard that phase spoken. Ever. NOTHING is 'exactly what I want" ... or what the other person want .. or what you think they want ... so ..

Continue reading "".... it is exactly what I want"" »

Posted by E at 9:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

My first mittens! These were a good experiment. Color work with DPNs is tricky. I can see the uneven tension on the joins. And I just noticed I have mismatched dec. I am happy I finished them. They are 'artisan' ;-) ha ha.

Posted by E at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jo Sharp aran tweed vest based on pattern from mom's drawingw.

just under 7 balls
addi turbo 7

I just noticed the neck line is just a little higher than the pattern. Oops.

Posted by E at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

J gifted the yarn to me on a trip to DC in March! I started the second one in April.

So nearly half a year later. I finished them. Thanks J!

Posted by E at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mod'ed Trellis from Knitty.
Filatura di Crosa Zar One, 5 balls
Addi Turbo US #10

Whee!

Posted by E at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I got crazy this weekend and wanted to do the needlecase. I started by cutting fabric and sewing the plastic pockets to the interior fabric. Then I made a pocket and put batting inside.

Here it is. Now the sushi one from the Organized Knitter has a friend :).

Posted by E at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Finally ... after six billion years and whinning about no knitting time ... frogging and reknitting the neckline. VK Michael Kors Aran (from Winter 2005) is finished. The sleeves are actually the right length .. but the body is just a -><- wide. That is well .. maybe ... a little dryer heat.. may fix. Overall, I am happy with the sweater. It is straight forward and interesting knit.

Posted by E at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Finished Soleil with crochet neckline. I have issues with Soleil. I really like it and all, but I goofed on measuring. I will be sendng it away (to find a good home).

Posted by E at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

J posted her entry on the secret project. Phew, I don't have much to add .. except

Continue reading "Quil-ghan" »

Posted by E at 12:05 PM | Permalink

It is off the needle. I finished the sleeve while sitting in J's living room on wednesday evening. She helped me wash and offered a fan to dry the sweater overnight. I sewed the buttons in the car on the way to Knowville .....

But ...

Continue reading "CEY Bamboo Annie Modesitt Corset - FO" »

Posted by E at 10:22 AM | Permalink

J visited us for a few days. But I can't say or show you what we did. I just can say it total'ed ~230 hours for both of us. Oh, we went to yarn shops and stuff too...

Continue reading "I can't tell you or show you ..." »

Posted by E at 3:24 PM | Permalink

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with a wife of an exworker -> friend. I knew she knit at some point but it came up during our conversation that day. We made another date to go play with yarn - that was wednesday.

Continue reading "Making snow" »

Posted by E at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I finished Rogue with ~2hrs to spare. It is 9:51pm and my goal was Winter Solstice. Phew.

Continue reading "Rogue FO!" »

Posted by E at 9:52 PM | Permalink

A few of the stuffies wanted to model the hat :) This one won the gig. I simply washed the hat, didnt block it. And a shot for the top.

Posted by E at 10:29 PM | Permalink

Both of the Equinox scarves are finished! While I was at it, I also put the label on WC :)

Posted by E at 12:28 AM | Permalink

Wet Cat in the Wild.

Continue reading "WC - FO" »

Posted by E at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Since Charlie is a gift, I didnt want to subject it to more fur than it already has. So here is Charlie with one of the Siberians in the house... one of the non-sheddy ones.

Posted by E at 10:44 PM | Permalink

Finished the ends .. all set! Now it just needs a label, ribbon, a box .. Platnium millennium Gund Bear included for size ;-)

Posted by E at 8:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Owl socks home at last!

Continue reading "Home at least" »

Posted by E at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The super fast super easy 2x2 rib scarf is off the needle. 3 (*66yds) balls of Bouton d'Or Cordelia.

Posted by E at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Feather and Fan socks in Lorna's Lace Sheperd Sock Mineshaft. Mom tried the finished sock when I was home last. They fit and she likes them!

Posted by E at 7:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Phew!

~95" x 35"
5 skeins of Mtn Colors Mohair in Midnight Sapphire.
Sz 9 clove cir.
Lace Stole from Lace Dream by Knitter's mag.
Started on July 24, unpinned from blocking a couple of hours ago.

Continue reading "Mohair lace stole - FO" »

Posted by E at 8:05 PM | Permalink

Continue reading "My first pair of socks" »

Posted by E at 7:16 PM | Permalink

Noro kureyon yarn knitted into a double basketweave for mom :)

Posted by E at 9:07 PM | Permalink

in a basket weave.

Posted by E at 6:56 PM | Permalink

Second project I finished. It is a hat with gather and stockinette stitch with a decrease.

Posted by E at 5:43 PM | Permalink

Almost the first knit project I finished. This is a black and white Berroco Hip Hop line in plain knit stitch. The yarn is thick and thin.

Posted by E at 5:40 PM | Permalink