pokingmyeyesout

... was the size of the growth on my foot. I had outpatient surgery today and it is gone!

my foot, iced, on the ottoman

The doctor called to follow up a few hours later.

doc: .... ... ... I sent it off to pathology...
me: oh good. maybe they can determine whether it is alien
doc: (cackle laughter) yea. they will know whether you belong on Earth
me: ut. I hope they dont send me home

I had anticipated a similar experience, like the last two times at outpatient surgery (stop it recurring issue on foot!) - check in, wait, go there, check in, and wait ... stickers, iv, nurse, different nurse, etcetc ... This time, it was a lot smoother and a lot less answering the same questions. And coincidentally, I am just at the beginning of the front and back (the ztzt part) of Camellia.

nurse: (reads my blood pressure) are you alive there?
me: er. what? (looks up at 100 / 58) oh, that's lower than normal
nurse: yea. what's your normal?
me: last week was 110 / 68
nurse: you are alright. blood pressure is lowest in the morning (it was .. just after 5:30am). It is the highest in the afternoon.

So after I situated in room, I pulled out Camellia. My primary nurse came in and we started chatting .. she is a ballroom dancer and a crocheter. Although she has not found time to crochet, 3-4 times / week ballroom and competition dancing will do that. Then my doctor walked in ...

doc: "are you knitting in the round?"
me: "no, I am knitting front and back at the same time, separately, then seam. I need the structure for this"
doc: "how do you do that?"

Seriously. No "Hi, How are you?". She has been my podiatrist for over four years and I've seen her many times. The conversation went on to more crafty. "I saw this cute crochet hat with flowers at Salmon Days, and I copied it for my daughter." "oh, you! reverse engineered a hat!". We had quite an extended conversation about crochet and knitting. Not only did she reverse engr a crochet hat, she also is on her way of steeking a baby sweater. She said knitting is harder, to which, I replied, crocheter thinks knitting is more difficult, and knitters thinks crochet is more difficult.

Heh. It was all good today. Ice is on my elevated foot. Knitting is nearby. Although, I feel an impulse 1-yr-old-girl project coming on.

Posted by E at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ravelry link

This one is a Mouse Blanket.

Work in progress can be so much fun, especially when I ask DH what it is, which I like to do, and he guesses correctly some of the time.

In other news, I tried a crochet button for an almost finished crochet cardigan ( pic and ravelry link), but the smallest button I found was too big and heavy and did not work with the 'button holes'. So I went the lazy route and bought fabric covered buttons on etsy. Waiting... and hoping they will work.

Posted by E at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week, DH and I were sitting on the sofa, me knitting, him reading. After a bit, he looked over,

G: *click* *click* *click*. I can hear your clicking.
me: Yes. The needles are bigger than my last project. They make more noise.

Seriously. The US 10 Addi Turbo makes a hollow click sound, vs the US 6 Addi lace needles, which barely make any noise.

Posted by E at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DH and I used to get lunch and grocery shop on Sundays. (Actually, he used to share house chores on Sundays too.) We cut Sunday lunches when we went on a tight budget. And some time last year, he started golfing or "hitting the balls", then complained that we do not both need to go get groceries ... so now, I split my old Sundays into house chores on Sundays and grocery shopping on weekdays ( "less crowded" oh yea, I've fell into that routine, being unemployed.). I also side step the DH complain that he is done, ready to go home, no more stores.

Today, I was generally frustrated and not happy with the job search. I took a break and went grocering, after getting kibbles from generic-strip-mall-pet-store, I went next door to Trader Joe's. Why, yes, I've been going to that pet store for 10+ years but have only managed to stop at TJs a handful of times (see DH's no more stores). I got a few things and then wander over to the wine isles for no good reason. I was just browsing ... then I saw it - Black Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon "Fat Cat". I smiled. I grabbed a bottle ... ah. It has been many life times since I had this wine. I just hope it is as good as I remember it.

So, to honor this reunion, I named the project I started today, with Baruffa Cashwool, in Bordeaux Burgundy color "Fat Cat" (ravelry link).

Posted by E at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am half way through the Almeara Gloves by Jared Flood (ravelry link). The gloves are lovely. The pattern is ok. My end result is passable, to keep for myself, not gift. I muddled through the index and thumb. I used the tried and true method of crappy camera phone pic (see entry on the hockey jersey) to obscure the uneven stitches, the was-that-really-suppose-to-be-a-purl-stitch-in-the-middle-of-the-cable ...

Posted by E at 6:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

Another example of me not paying attention. J knitted a mitten with 2 color cast on and 2 color braid . So purty ... anyways, I am making another prez.. I made up some numbers last night and cast on - 96 stitches with Karabella Aurora 8, US 7.

Long tail cast on with 2 colors, knit 1 row alternating colors

First row twist in front

Second row twist in back ..

Moving on to a few rows of plain stockinette .. then pat. Maybe this hat will get a name ....

Posted by E at 7:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The pat specifies pre-felt size of 11"x13". I used Big Wool (in stash!) and mine turned out to be about 14.5"x12.5"... We will see about finish size.

With all the stress (and time) on my hands, knitting has helped me focus and not spiral deep down into worry-mode. :) Last time I was in this state, I took up beading .. I still have all the accessories for beads and thinking about picking it up and combining it with knitting. Keyword here .. thinking!

Until then ..the next quick proj will prob be a hat... prob with a braid and Norwegian eight-point star...

P.S. I was not thinking straight. That size is very wonky. Er. Crap. "It is a feature"

Posted by E at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... and I quote J. Why yes I am! I did not consider that Paton yarn will felt differently and did not do a test swatch. "Too Lazy" was my answer. I am about half way through the knitting. The width is ~11.5', which makes it slightly smaller than my original flying-by-seat-of-my-pants calculation. (I had counting issues when I CO) . Crossing fingers .... :D Oh, and in a fit of insomnia, I came across an article that said "... white yarn does not felt .. due to the bleach ... ". er.

Posted by E at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I started Three cornered and long shawls (Ravelry link) so I can occupy my mind with knit stuff instead of other stressy stuff. I started with US 3 (on the right), and was unwieldy. I was having a hard time counting (no really) and un-knitting was almost impossible. So I ordered US 4 and started again last night ... they look the same in the pics, but it is slightly more open in US 4. Hopefully it goes more smoothly. It is a very enjoyable and purty pattern. Addi lace needle is a perfect match for this project.

Posted by E at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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)

In progress pic of the Noro jacket for mom - back, sleeves, left front, and parts of right front. The stripes do not match .. oh no, no such luck for me.

In other good news .. the Cowboy

Posted by E at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Working with Noro is like ... all relationships .. (or is that like a box of chocolate?!). You never know what you are going to get - moments of happiness or moments of ugh. Just when I thought I was resolved to just let whatever be, be .. Sleeve #1 turned out to be very neat 2 rows stripes. Sleeve #2 so far is much subtler stripes. Bah.

Anyways, enough about Noro, for now. Psst see J's Noro fun. This is sleeve 1.10 of sweater #2 for Mom. This time I opted for a quick(er) chunky knit in a simple and cute sweater pattern (and very popular Drops 103-1 Jacket on Ravelry ). I am crossing my fingers and knees (ouie!) to see how the sleeve and body turn out.

Posted by E at 6:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I started Cheesylove back in feb(?). That's a sleeve. I put the hearts on the sleeve, instead of bust ...er. yeah.

These two photos are swirly mittens start, 40 rows of st st cuff, to be folded in half. Louet Gems :)

Posted by E at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy birthday to the fuzzies. They are nine today :) This is now their preferred position - sleeping. (sorry, I woke up Winter when I took the pic).

Also progress on the Bird in hand mitten. It is painful to knit worsted weight wool in tiny gauge. I am also unhappy with cuff and will frog and redo, but I will have to wait until I find (or buy!) more needles. Speaking of ... I did a little therapy today and bought more Patons Classic Wool Merino. It was on sale and I need some sweater (mindless) knitting. And . ahem... stash is .. well.. too much work to dig in the boxes.

Happy New Year!

Posted by E at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I needed something small, simple and easy ... For the last few week, my brain hurts from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed. There is a lot happening between work, house... G is working long hours. The juggling is a ... er... a huge handful.

So perhaps this little knit of Endpaper Mitts will help me unwind.

Posted by E at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Plain St st is a good car knit. I finished the cardi back and started cardi front w/pockets. Donegal tweed is pretty but is a little tough on my fingers.

Posted by E at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sloooooow progress on Nicole. I ended up ripping up one of the pattern repeats of the yo's. I added a repeat below the waist yo's, and more inc in the top.

Posted by E at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have two WiPs now.. both of which will be coming with me on a driving trip to MT. First one is a cardi for Mom in Tahki Donegal Tweed (US #7).

Second one is Nicole from Chic Knit. J pointed me to Nicole. Thanks J! I am knitting in Debbie Bliss Cathay (US #6).

Posted by E at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Third time may be a charm. I ripped three times .. once due to too many stitches, once because I didnt like how the pink & brown transition ... I sincerely hope it looks better once blocked. Now I am on to a good way to do the button holes...

Posted by E at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Work in progress baby cardi in KP merino from J and Trekking 126. Adorable! "Babies (not mine)"!!!

Posted by E at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Periodically, I interact with the DH about knitting.. he knows and is interested a little on my projects.

A few weeks ago.. I held up two balls of yarn - green and orange to DH:

"Look, a new project"
DH: "What's that?"
"mmm. an animal .. but it doesn't actually exist"
[time lapse, a few days later after I finished a few parts"
DH: "It is a dinosaur!"
"Er. almost :)"
DH "Well, no real animal is that color"

...

Continue reading "What are those.... green and orange things?" »

Posted by E at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After untangling 15 balls of Debbie Bliss Cottn Angora, playing with steek, and a scarf .... and two weeks of contemplation. I started Audrey last night.

A few rows of black yarn on a circular needle looks really exciting.

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

I tried steek with the Purple Donegal tonight.. using the Crochet Enforced technique in Winter 2006 IK. It took a couple of tries on the Crochet part ...

Continue reading "Testing.. testing..." »

Posted by E at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Thanks to J who talked me through the thumb gore/gusset ... I now have almost a thumb. Never mind I didnt check gauge and this will be a huge mitten! oh, and lets not talk about how many times I frogged cause I couldnt follow the chart. (I blame it on the meds!)

Posted by E at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

.. from Folk Mittens with Dale Heilo

sz 2, Crystal Palace dpns

Posted by E at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

GD invited DH and I over for dinner and a date with her top loader washing machine. Her DH cooked while we experimented.

Continue reading "Fulling ..." »

Posted by E at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Here is progress on the Jo Sharp Aran Tweed vest on US 7 needles.This is almost two balls. I am freeforming this vest. It is 204 stitches on 5 st/inch gauge.

and a sort of funny story about this vest...

Continue reading "Aran tweed vest" »

Posted by E at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

AKA..What do you do when you have a conf call at Sunday Midnight?

Well, you start an icord after dinner .. and stop at 11:57am. Here is the icord and the body of the purse. GD and I got plastic bottom and a swivel hook (for key) this weekend ...

Oh, btw, did I mention there is a black yarn shortage? Here is a pic of Rowan ASC - Slick. The top ball is from Woolworks in OR. The bottom ball is from JBW in NV. Phew. I am hunting for a few more balls in this lovely shade ..

Posted by E at 12:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I am usually not a felted thingie person, but a long time ago .. in a land far away. (ok, Bainbridge Island!), GD and I saw this really clever purse at Churhmouse.

On my way home on Friday, DH said he was making somethingsomething in the kitchen .. and after a long day at the office and the prospect of somethingsomething in the kitchen, I decided that I should call GD who was working on a ahem.. 80's Halloween thing. We met at PF and picked out new colors.

I was really tired when I got home, but I started it anyways. I plan on making it slighly shorter and slightly skinnier.It looked like this the next day, half of a repeat. It goes slow.Good thing this is in the round, cause I have completely spaced everything elsed I learned in that colorwork class we took.

Continue reading "Purse?!" »

Posted by E at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Finally, here is the baby sweater in progress. The back and half of one of the fronts took two balls of yarn. So I went to Cultured Purls and picked up two more balls yesterday. But I forgot to get buttons. So I started on the sleeves instead.

Here is a view of the back and sleeves. Now I am worried the sleeve opening is too small. argh.

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

.. since my last post. The calendar on my desk says "June 8", we skipped the whole month of June on the calendar in the kitchen.

My craft and personal time has dwindle to almost non-existent. I did manage a sum total of about six hours of knitting (since mid-June) to show a few row of the sleeves. And a couple pieces of fabric for various project. Pics of those some other time.

Posted by E at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I finished the aran front last night. Below the aran is an Old Navy Favorite T, part of my regular uniform. I am crossing my fingers, the size and length seems to look ok. :)

Oh, and true to my lack of attention and ability to follow direction, I totally screwed up the dec on the neckline. I will deal with it when I pick up stitches for the rib collar. Sleeves, seam, and collar to go ... This is taking me forever.

Posted by E at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I found a mistake yesterday on the aran back. I was so obessive about it that I fixed it last night. Then ... I noticed another .. ahem.. problem. I ..er. yeah. am .. too .. embarrass ... to talk about it ...

Continue reading "...mistakes .." »

Posted by E at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

... one hundred and twenty something for the aran top. No pics. It looks just like the back :). I am knitting as often and fast as I can! Knitting time is really limited right now and I am trying my best to not stray into other projects.

UPDATE:
*CRY* I just noticed I made mistakes in the (finished) back! Will frog and redo.

Posted by E at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Allow me to procrastinate for a moment and post some progress. It is going very slowly due to lack of knitting time. This is a close up view of the pattern - half diamond w/bobble, braid cable, and berry stitches. I like Cascade Sierra mostly. The 20% wool makes a good cable, but you can see all my uneven tension thanks to the 80% cotton. A full view of work to date. I am about half way through the 8" of the armhole. Slooooowly making my way....

Posted by E at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Row 12. Progress has been slow. Knitting aggravates my wrist and forearm.

Continue reading "Michael Kors ss aran - progress" »

Posted by E at 10:35 AM | Permalink

From Holiday 2005 Vogue Knitting. I started it with tubular cast on with Cascade Sierra US sz 8 needles.

Continue reading "Michael Kors ss aran - CO" »

Posted by E at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, let me name a few ...

Continue reading "What's wrong?" »

Posted by E at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Row 2 of the neck split. I couldnt figure out the direction in the pattern so I winged it. Er. Hope it works out!

Posted by E at 10:23 AM | Permalink

I started Soleil around the first day of spring, hopefully in time for a long season of wear in this lovely weather. Debbie Bliss Cotton DK with US sz 7 needle. This is 1+ most of a ball (minus a swatch I did last summer). I hope I have enough!

Posted by E at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I was totaly unprepared and did not pack a travel project for the trip DC -> Knoxville. J took advantage of the situation and gave me purty meilenweit multiringel (that she has try to unstash on me for a while!) and taught me an elastic cast on, loan me needles ... THANKS J!

Continue reading "One jaywalker" »

Posted by E at 9:03 PM | Permalink

I need one more arm before friday morning ...

Posted by E at 10:34 AM | Permalink

The body is finished. I picked up stitches on one sleeve and realize I dont have the right length circulars. duh. All the trips to LYS last week and I didnt think to pick up shorter needles.

Continue reading "Slow progress" »

Posted by E at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

J sent me some sqs.Lookie ... oh please oh please I am freaking out I wont have enough time to finish. And the colors wont work together. argh.

Posted by E at 11:38 PM | Permalink

Square #19 is woven pattern from VK and eyelet flower that I borrowed from IK, or is it VK mag. Er. I dont remember!

Posted by E at 11:35 AM | Permalink

I barely escaped the house, I had to buy yarn and borrow needles from GD. Phew. I am glad I went. It was very good. Part two of the fair isle class is picking up the strands on the knit and purl side. Here is a pic of the back.

Continue reading "Making a point" »

Posted by E at 4:21 PM | Permalink

Square #17 is the Luckenbooth madallion from Jena. And #18 is a daisy from Knitting stitch bible... White on white is fabulous, you cant see any details.

Posted by E at 9:12 AM | Permalink

Nosegay from Knitting stitch bible. I mod'ed the top one to have a bobble.

Posted by E at 10:21 AM | Permalink

Black berry from Knitting stitch bible. I misread the pattern, so this may be the extra.

Posted by E at 10:20 AM | Permalink

Diamond and rib from Knitting Stich Bible.

Posted by E at 10:18 AM | Permalink

Beaded Rib from VK big book.

Posted by E at 10:15 PM | Permalink

"XO" from VK big book.

Posted by E at 10:14 PM | Permalink

Square #11, Flying Geese from VK book. It looks better blocked. Honest!

Posted by E at 10:08 PM | Permalink

Square #9 and #10. Heart from VK big book.

Posted by E at 10:05 PM | Permalink

Square #9, clam shell from Knitting bible. You can see k(&) to the right and my faux sheepskin in the foreground. Oh, and the cute karabella sweater in from VK winter '06.

Posted by E at 9:41 PM | Permalink

Square #7, clover eyelet from Barbara G Walker Book #1.

Posted by E at 10:00 PM | Permalink

Square #7 in basketcable. 1 ball of cashmerino = ~2 squares. Cable patterns take up more yarn. So I need a little bit extra for this square bur somehow, I managed to misplace the extra bit from the first ball. gah.

Posted by E at 1:02 AM | Permalink

I don't mean to sound philosophical, but what does R[ight]S[ide] mean? Is it the side you think should face you, or the side the pattern say to face you, or am I just too lame to figure out what's right and what's wrong?

Continue reading "Bamboo corset bust dec WS/RS" »

Posted by E at 12:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Valentine and Little cable from Barbara G book #1
CO 42: cable portion = 8+16+8=32
5+ [ 8 (side cables)] + [16 (valentine) [+ 8 side cables] +5 = 42

Posted by E at 12:47 AM | Permalink

Happy new year! Er. Pic of a black WiP looks like a blob. Ball 5, after Chart C - bust decrease. Bamboo is slippery yet wonderful to knit with. It is easy to spot the mistakes. Also, it splits a little, but overall very pleasant to work with on addi US#7.

Next up .. Chart D and established pat for ~10 inches.

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

Square #5 in Staghorn cable from Barbara G Walker book #1. CO 40, 9 rows bottom border, 7 repeat of 6 cable pattern, and ended with 7 rows + bind off.

Posted by E at 11:42 PM | Permalink

Corset is worked from the top down and I am at 3.75" (~54 rows tot) measured from the start of ribbing. Here is a closer up of the lace and the ribbing.

Continue reading "Bamboo corset progress" »

Posted by E at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From Barbara G book. #1, pg 102 English Diamond Quilting Pattern. It is a bit small. gurr. The next And #3 block'ed. On a side note, I pinched a nerve and I cant really turn my head. argh.

Posted by E at 11:32 PM | Permalink

Square #3 in double moss stitch.

Continue reading "Square #3" »

Posted by E at 9:10 PM | Permalink

Row 44 (2.75" into the ribbing).

The bust decrease starts at 3.75". The rib pat is not difficult, but it is a little tricky- WS does not equal to RS stitches. I found two mistakes tonight. I am almost done with Ball 3 of bamboo. CEY Bamboo is 77yds a ball. eek.

Posted by E at 10:47 PM | Permalink

Sq #2 : DB cashmerino in White/Cream - Plain St st (together with Sq #1)

I CO 38, garter stitches for 8 rows, and 5 stitches on each side. 36 rows of St st. I blocked Sq#1 and Sq#2 and there isnt a noticible difference in the texture. I will check on the fabric once they are dried. I did, however, notice a problem I have with cast on and cast off edge - the 8 rows of garter are not matching up. gurr.

In other note. I am debating whether to make a olive + cream version of the same pat. Hrmph.

Posted by E at 2:30 PM | Permalink

CO tonight and worked 18 rows. The next row is the bind off for the sleeve opening and the following is the "CO". Er. I need to look that up.

Posted by E at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sq #1 : DB cashmerino in Olive/Green - Plain St st.

I CO 40, Garter stitches for 6 rows, and 6 stitches on each side. duh. That didnt work. I didnt have enough garter stitch border on the bottom. I miss read J's notes. After 13 rows I pulled it off the needles and it was too big.

So I errorred on the side of smaller (blocking :) ) Take 2. I will try to make one just like J's.

CO 36,
Garter stitches for 8 rows, and 5 stitches on each side.
36 rows of St st in the center.

It ended up smaller than I thought it would be. However, it will block to 8". Hrmph. Should I CO more or work with 36 so we are at the same stitch #s?

-12/23

Posted by E at 10:42 PM | Permalink

A quick swatch: CO 4+22+2 and 28 rows with US#7. CEY listed Bamboo as 4½ - 5 sts/#6 or 7 needles. ModeKnit's Corset gauge is 22 sts x 24 rows = 4” / 10cm in ribbing.

Continue reading "Corset, swatch, sleeve, and misc" »

Posted by E at 12:57 PM | Permalink

So while I was taking pics of Rogue this morning. The puppies were "patiently" waiting.

Posted by E at 11:02 AM | Permalink

Here are the parts.

Continue reading "Rogue relaxing" »

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

So J asked whether I know how much time I've spent on Rogue (and I added the deadline of december 21st). Here is my SWAG:

Continue reading "Time formula" »

Posted by E at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have been missing Rogue. I havent worked on it since t-day weekend. I ignored the pres'sy tonight (bad me!). I am on row 30 on the hood ( of ~75 rows). Knitting body + hood in one piece is a little awkard. Each turn takes a little more work. However, that means less seaming! My goal is to finish it before Winter Solstice - 8hrs of daylight. I am so looking forward to that (finishing Rogue AND the shortest day of the year).

G, (&), and (&) are all snoring .. I am behind on pics.. they will just have to wait. Tis bed time for me.

Posted by E at 12:11 AM | Permalink

I started Storm when I was in Cali. On US#13 needles, Equinox Stripe is a breeze. It makes simple & fast presents Attach label and it will be all set.

Posted by E at 10:24 AM | Permalink

I finished knitting both scarves. Latte is washed and dried .. I will post pics of both of them later (once Storm is dried and I trim the fringes). I like Nashua Equinox. It is fast and smooth.

Continue reading "Storm + Latte ... and mom's cardi" »

Posted by E at 11:32 PM | Permalink

I started Halley from Marnie on the plane on the way to Cali using leftover DB cashmerino Dusty Pink.CO 8, split into four US#8 needles is not a simple task on an airplane tray :) I am at the 'repeat until desire height' portion of the pattern.

Posted by E at 10:28 AM | Permalink

Latte multi-directional scarf is almost done. I couldnt figure out the last bit of direction so .. after frogging a few times .. i ... er ... made up the ending.

Continue reading "Latte equinox ..almost" »

Posted by E at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After much fussing, J convinced me I should finish seaming and see how WC fits before I take ANY action (aka frogging the shoulder). So I finished seaming WC last night .. the shoulder/armpit/armhole is just a little too small [as expected].

I blocked the shoulder/sleeve cap seam and the top of the shoulder. I pulled diagonally on the shoulder/sleeve cap seam and tried not to stretch out the body .

[crossing fingers that WC will be ok with this blocking]

Continue reading "WC shoulder blocking" »

Posted by E at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[insert embrassed face] I try to keep to TWO projects in progress - Rogue's hood and watching WC while it dries. So I really shouldnt CO another.

Continue reading "Latte Equinox - CO" »

Posted by E at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here it is - Wet Cat body ... with plaited cables. Mine definitely doesnt look anything like the one in the mag .. somewhere I screwed up the neck dec.

Continue reading "WC body" »

Posted by E at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Happy t-day!

Phew. Row 24 chat B just before the neck split ... I changed the metering on the camera to see if I can get better black knittery pics :)

Oh! I 'tried' it on over a cami and it seems to fit alright .. whoo! Now tis time to take care of fuzzies and finish t-day treats .. that would be 2 gallons (36 cups) of eggnog. (There is a pecan tart cooling its heels in a safe place. ;-) )

Posted by E at 1:27 PM | Permalink

Sleeves are done. Hopefully they fit.

On an unrelated note .. my newly acquired SD card for the compact camera decided that it is write protected. er.

Posted by E at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Row 70. The body side cables are completed. I need to go to LCS to get stitch holder to proceed ..Ugh. Taking picture of a black thing is terrible at best!

Posted by E at 8:48 AM | Permalink

"WC" aka Wet Cat ...

I started WC last night when I had to stop on row 70 of rogue.

US 15 addi turbo
8 rows of Big wool tuft and 7 rows of Big wool later

... It is looking like a cuff. I am off gauge (as usual), but I think it will work out ok. You can see the two different colors of black, but it doesnt bother me (hrmph, not now anyways).

Posted by E at 8:42 AM | Permalink

Bad pic. a little progress ...

Posted by E at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am on row 14, which is where I frogged. Here is a recycled pic of about where I am. I checked, no twist. There is a small hole at the bottom of the cable loop that is bugging me .. but not enough.

Posted by E at 10:46 AM | Permalink

Two balls of DB cashmerino and Charlie is .. well.. almost done. Hand washed and lay flat to dry. :) I have plenty left over for a hat, socks, or ...

Posted by E at 12:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am two rows in the actual body. Second time may be a charm. We will see. :) Read on if you want glory details ..

Continue reading "Body count ...again" »

Posted by E at 11:02 PM | Permalink

Rogue body was frogged tonight with the help of DH. I found a couple of problems that escaped me...

Continue reading "That was.. er... practice" »

Posted by E at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here is the beginning of the body cables .. row 10. 216 st per row. phew. The 32" inch long addi is a little too short now, it should be alright after a few more decreases.

Posted by E at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

216 stitches. Oh boy ... I CO 216 stitches with a crochet hook. Knit 2 rows ... [insert good brunch break] then finished off the remaining 4 rows. so far so good eh?

Continue reading "Body count ..." »

Posted by E at 11:12 PM | Permalink

OK. I managed to get stitch gauge (18st per 4") on US8 needles with the DB Cashmerino Aran. My row gauge was off -- yarn specifies 24 rows, but I get more like 26.

I cast on 36 stitches, used 5 stitches per side for the vertical border (36-5-5 = 26 pattern stitches).

I worked 8 rows of garter stitch at start and end with 36 rows in between -- 36 + 8 + 8 = 52 rows total.

One square was 23g, so we should be able to get at least 2 squares out of a ball (plus change).

This is a nice plain red st st square -- ~1" border all around.

Cables and ribs pull in more, but the cables can be blocked flat so they still have the different look but less texture.

Are lace squares okay, or should we only do cable/rib/etc?

Continue reading "square information and a question" »

Posted by jess at 8:37 PM | Permalink

Here is Charlie. (The zigzag stripe reminds of Charlie Brown's sweater. Yes I have strange association.) US#8 bamboo needles on DB cashmerino aran in dusty pink. This also doubles as gauage swatch for the squares.

It is a pattern of stockinette and garter. The stitches arent laying flat so they look funny.

Posted by E at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Garbage bag shot of lace blocking on garbage bag on top of the foam chair ;-)

Continue reading "Lace w/CTH super sock CO - blocking" »

Posted by E at 8:48 PM | Permalink

I finished the sleeves one minute before midnight .. phew. I realize I may have miscounted the bind off in the last four rows .. they will be ok. The four rows of bind off does not seem to make a smooth curve. They are funny looking :)

But heck, these are my first sleeves!

Posted by E at 12:08 AM | Permalink

I think we are almost there ...

Continue reading "Lace w/CTH super sock CO #2" »

Posted by E at 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No pics tonight. Lame me couldnt get WS dec to pair correctly.

But I did complete 2+16=18 rows ... 26 more rows to go on the sleeves. They are picking up lots of fuzzies fur .. A quick glance tells me I am knitting at about the same gauage. Phew. With the exception of a SSK slipping off the needle .. so far so good.

2 + 8*2 + 4 * 3 + 0 + 2 * 5 + 4 + bind off

Posted by E at 8:10 PM | Permalink

Lookie. What's red? squish? crunchy? and wiggly?

Continue reading "Lace w/CTH super sock CO #1" »

Posted by E at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This weekend was mostly house work and errands and etc ... I only got couple of hours of St st in. I am at row 102 of sleeves. Next row should be shape cap ... gurr.. oh. so I am holding it up to my arm .. the sleeve is almost to my armpit. I think I am on target?

Posted by E at 11:27 PM | Permalink

I cant figure this out. ugh. There is only one diagram ... and well. ugh.

Posted by E at 7:58 PM | Permalink

This is a test ... this is only a test ...

Continue reading "Lace w/CTH super sock CO" »

Posted by E at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Completed chart D (row 54), and 63 st on the needle... the trouble with knitting black yarn .. it just looks like a blob.

Continue reading "Sleeve chart D completed" »

Posted by E at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Heh. I can recycle my first CO pic.

Continue reading "Sleeves ..." »

Posted by E at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The trip home was very relaxed...

Continue reading "Adventure of the Owl Socks ... almost final installment" »

Posted by E at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Owl sock wasted no time in explording Gackle, North Dakota....

Continue reading "Adventure of the Owl Socks ... cont" »

Posted by E at 4:27 PM | Permalink

After a long night on US 2 through Eastern Montana ... Owl sock woke up and saw sunrise at snow covered western South Dakota on Interstate 94...

Continue reading "Adventure of the Owl Socks ... cont" »

Posted by E at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Once upon a time ... there was an owl sock .. who set off to a place far far away to search for his brother.

Continue reading "Adventure of the Owl Socks ..." »

Posted by E at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

DH helped me frog both sleeves tonight.. I wanted to do that before I become too obessive. Also, the yarn will have a chance to rest.

J helped me worked out the gauage issue. I am about 15% over on stitch gauage. So... since I would like to stay with the needle size US#8, Pastaza, and the lovely fabric.

• I have to loosen up, really. I know I need to do that anyways.
  
• I will knit the larger size to accomdate the 5+a little stitches/in
  

Posted by E at 9:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here's the stats. (Without wash/block and while sitting on sofa ...)
Addi turbo US8, Cascade Pastaza
Gauge: 5 st/6 rows per inch
Cuffs: ~9.5 inches

Continue reading "Gauge, cuffs, sleeve increases...and mod" »

Posted by E at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

What a crazy stitch. argh.

(page 19) Centred double decrease (knit). I did it ok on WS .. When I tried to do it on RS ... I ended up taking too many stitches off the needle ..(TWICE! on both sleeves). So I frogged ... tried it again .. ugh... tried again ... is there a benefit in doing a crazy double decrease? Obviously...

BUT ..

I am still not liking the results.

Posted by E at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Opal Rainforest Owl socks! CO 80 stitches on tuesday. sz 3 needles.

10 rows of 1x1 cuff. k4 p1 rib for 40 rows. The only problem is that the yarn is the same color as the bamboo needle. gurr...Work 32 rows of heel back ..heel front last night. These sosks will be traveling to ND with me :)

Posted by E at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bouton d'Or Cordelia 2x2 rib scarf in Bruyere (Purples and Olives) . I picked up this random yarn at Skein's sale. That's one ball, and I think I will use all three I have for a long chunky scarf with long fringes.

Posted by E at 7:50 PM | Permalink

Swatching the sleeve ...ugh. I am not getting M1 correctly on both size and I managed to screw up a decrease somewhere ..

Here is it after looking at the videos on www.knittinghelp.com with most of the
sleeve cable. 5 Stitches 6 row per inch St st.

Continue reading "Rogue swatch" »

Posted by E at 11:10 AM | Permalink

http://www.pokingmyeyesout.com/rogue/roguers/eda/

Posted by E at 11:10 AM | Permalink

Mohair blocking on the guest twin bed. This is the first time I block lace. The fiber content is mohair, wool, and nylon. I spritz it with good smelly linen water. Oh yeah. I need more pins. Thats only about 1/3 of the stole.

Dry cleaner plastic bag, red checked fabric and a lot of pins ... Here is the mohair before blocking ... and another shot.

And here is the tiny bit of yarn left.

Posted by E at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Phew. Countless hours later. It is barely fitting in the tote bag. I am on the fifth skeins ... I originally planned on two. eek. Dramatic mistakes. I hope it will turn out alright.

Here it is on July 30th.

Posted by E at 1:27 PM | Permalink

August 30 - approx 4 weeks of knitting
is about ..~41' long ... ~36' wide .. Third skein and third 32 rows repeat.

Posted by E at 1:07 AM | Permalink

August 12th... progress almost done with gusset

Posted by E at 1:33 AM | Permalink

August 1 - I did not cast on another sock ...swatching doesn't count. :) J was having some issues with feather and fan and I was trying the pattern out.

Lorna's Lace Sheperd Sock in Mineshaft ...
size 1 CO 64st
split 32st, 16st, 16st on each needle

Knit 4 rows
Gather stitch 4 rows (I have personal bias against gather stitch, this way the top curls just a tiny bit.

Repeat pattern twice, switched to size 2. (I knit tight)

Posted by E at 1:31 AM | Permalink

July 28 & 29 - fourth and fifth sitting - 7hrs
I stopped on row 16 on July 28th. The first part of the ostrich was starting to be visible and .... I FOUND MISTAKES. Oh well. I wasnt frogging back. This will teach me not to swatch :)

July 29th (Friday) whoo! I stayed up way too late knitting but I finish the pattern repeat on row 32. Here is a close up...

Posted by E at 1:10 AM | Permalink

July 27th - third sitting - 3 hrs
After consulting with J, I changed to a larger size needle for the body - size 10. Here it is. The pattern is starting to be visilble.

Posted by E at 1:12 AM | Permalink

Lace Dream from Shawls and Scarf in Mtn Colors Mohair in Midnight Sapphire.

July 24th - first sitting - 2 hrs
CO 115. St st for 8 rows.
Size 9 circular needle.

Then yo, k2tog eyelet row. The camera refused to focus on fuzzy mohair ... eek

It looks like a furry snake.

Then more St st, folded over then knit together to form the scallop edge.

Posted by E at 1:15 AM | Permalink

After the disappointing start. I CO the sock with a larger needle (size 3) on the way to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland on July 9th. We saw Richard III and Twelfth Night.

Knitting while Glen aggressively negotiates the turns after Grant's Pass was a bit difficult .. otherwise, knitting made me a good passenger ;-). I finished the cuff, leg on the way to Ashland ...

Tangent: Breakfast at Morning Glory! I had dark cherry ricotta stuffed french toast!

on the way back .. I finished the heel (short row), shaped the gusset, and 1/3 of the foot on the way back.

I saved the rest for the sock knitting for "day trip" to San Diego (yesterday).

Tangent: As a reward for a 17 hour day, Drew (co-worker and fellow Californian) and I ate at Tadashi (Glen's fav sushi) on Prospect in La Jolla. I was thrilled when I finished the foot & toe during the trip.

I closed the toe tonight and here it is! It is a little small for me, which should be good for my mom! See close up of toe, heel, cuff, and on my foot.

Yarn: Mtn Color Bearfoot - Moon dance
CO 60,
Cuff 1x1 rib - 10 rows,
Leg 2x2 rib - 25 rows,
Heel St st - 30 st x 30 rows.
Gusset - decreased 10 rows (to 18 st, 18 st, and 30 st (wider foot))
Feet - 40 rows
Toes - decreased to 8 st

Posted by E at 12:20 AM | Permalink

After a careful 1x1 rib cuff (10 rows), and 2x2 rib leg (30st x 30 rows) .. I turned the heel... I started the gusset and knitting along .. doh! the sock was inside out. After much pouting, I gave up and restarted the sock.

Posted by E at 12:04 AM | Permalink

J visited and we went to all the fun fiber shop (Weaving Works and Hilltop were my fav). She walked me through sock instruction and helped me with my first sock.

Posted by E at 11:59 PM | Permalink