gemmy knits

The time of little knitting and Thank you Brooke!

2006-03-19T07:23:00.000-08:00

After a furiously productive 6 months of knitting, I am suddenly knitting a row or two a day, if that. I am drawing again, though, so my creative energies are being spread around now instead of all going into knitting. I feel more balanced, though sometimes I miss the quietness that knitting brings. Right now I have lovely merino wool socks on my feet, keeping me warm (because, yeah, they *say* tomorrow is the first day of spring, but "they" haven't been to Michigan now, have they?). There's snow outside, and sunshine, but it's like 25 degrees. When we build a house, I'm insisting upon a sunroom with lots and lots of windows facing the south.

In this time of little knitting comes the most luscious silk/wool blend in caribbean colors, sent to me by my secret pal (7), Brooke. Thank you! I love the little felted purse (and am glad you tackled the zipper!) and the goodies inside. Those are some tiny knitting needles!!! (6" long size 1 dpns!) I suppose I shall have to sit down and do the tiny sock yarn thing, since I have quite a bit of it and now I have the needles I was missing. (I do so love dpns in wood/bamboo - they just feel soooo nice in the hands). The chocolate bunny came during PMS - he didn't make it long once the box was opened. :)

I'll be going Florida in a couple weeks and staying there for a couple months (yay for escaping the winter!!!). I believe the Chelsea yarn will come with me to become Florida socks. I'm so glad you let it come to me. I keep fondling it in a most unseemly fashion. It should make some most lovely socks indeed, and should be nice to knit in the warmth. I shall also be taking some cottons along, and probably the Cotton Ease I bought up when it was discontinued and put on sale at Joann's, back when I had a good Joann's. The one in Cadillac blows. Anyway, Florida bound, non-wooly knitting is a must. Looking forward to our little adventure. It will include some sailing, cutting up a boat with a Sawzall, sewing cushions for a boat, lots of sanding, but also some relaxation and quiet times of reflection, and living in a short bus with my sweetie, two cats, a hyper border collie and a cockatiel. It should be an interesting time indeed.

Note to Secret Pal

2006-02-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

As far as what I'd like - I love the possibilities of a new yarn. But I also don't have anyone around me who knits, so if I want knits, I have to make them. It would be rather exciting to receive something already made. And in Michigan, it will be utilized! Alpaca is my personal love, but wool is good too. I have discovered that acrylic just isn't warm enough for outdoors here. It's fine for California and Washington (where I lived before here) but here it just doesn't warm like the fuzzy creature stuff does.

That said, I leave it to you. :)

The secret pal begins!

2006-02-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Good stuff in the mails. A new knitting magazine - no, hadn't even seen that one before, so completely new to me. I'm still trying to figure out why it has crochet patterns in there, though. And why the things I like best are crocheted...

A very cool bag that had lovely notecards in it. The cards were promptly removed and my knitting widgets moved from one bag to the new one. The new one is a see through mesh like bag, so I can see my things in it, instead of digging around blindly. It is, indeed, a fine bag for knitting widgets. Love the cards, too! And I adore stitch markers. Just love them.

Thank you, SP7!

In other knitting news, I have been busily knitting away, just not writing about it, as I should. In January, I knit the following:

The Cheshire Kitty hat, which was a gift.

A Spacious Show n Tell Moebius bag from Second Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bohdri. I knit it in Knitpicks Merino Style, which felted MUCH better than I expected it to (but what a joy to knit with - soft and springy yarn). The bag itself isn't so spacious due to the aggressive felting, and the strap was much too short. After doing some math, I figured out how much more strap to knit and did so, then cut the ends and sewed it all together. I love the bag, but don't consider it giftworthy. So I am keeping it. Tuesday I got some Paton's Classic Wool, another merino, to make another bag, as I still want to give it as a gift. I love the strap on the bag, and how it sits so comfortably on my shoulder. It holds my wallet, phone and iPod perfectly, with room for some knitting, so it's a good size for me.

A black kitty hat for ME

Finished Coronet from Knitty.com. I had knit the cabled band in November, I think, but didn't have a set of either #8 DPNs (took care of that Tuesday with a visit to an actual Yarn Store - oh the joy!) nor a 16" circular #8. That got taken care of with Christmas and the acquisition of my Denise interchangeables. I love those needles. I love the hat, too, which I knit in Manos in a blend of browns. Also for me, as wool hats are a necessity here.

2 squares of the afghan I began quite some time ago. Only 20 more to knit. Sigh. This is for David, for the truck.

2 pairs of Lace Up Armwarmers from Alterknit. My last secret pal gifted me with this amazingly lush Artfibers yarn called Kantuta, which is 100% baby alpaca. I had just enough to make both pair of armwarmers. The lacing was to be a bias cut silk ribbon, but at $3 a yard, I chose another route. I found a silky scarf (may be silk, may be polyester - not sure) at the Salvation Army for 50 cents. The colors match perfectly and it has an interesting dotted center with a paisley like border. Cut on the bias, it made lovely ribbon. I tried a regular satiny ribbon, but it was too stiff. It does need the bias cut silkiness to hang correctly. These are very warm and soft, and I love them. I kept one pair and gifted the other.

A pair of thrummed mittens. I was gifted at Christmas with some Cascade 220 in a deep bluish red that matches my winter coat very well. I used alpaca roving for the thrums, making these the warmest ever mittens. I couldn't conceive of wearing such mittens in California, or even in Washington. But here in Michigan, they are PERFECT. After I finished, I still had a bit of yarn so I made a small felted bag to keep my iPod in, along with the FM transmitter I have for it. Both of these are for me. I did so much knitting for others at Christmas, I feel it's my turn. But I am nearing a knitting saturation point.

I also started the Tri-angle Aran wrap from knitty.com. I finished one repeat of the seven required. There are a couple errors I've made (I'm having problems with the purl to knit yarnover, so one side isn't always getting an eyelet) but I don't feel like frogging it for that. It's mainly to wrap around me at home, so I think I'll live with errors at the bottom. It's turning out quite lovely in spite of that - I like cables!

That's it for my knitting creations for January. I will, once I get them uploaded, add some pictures...

Kitty hats!

2006-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

This is the gift kitty hat - I call it the Cheshire Cat Kitty Hat - as modeled by the lovely Phoebe, who is very patient. It's going to be mailed soon - should prolly just do it today. I made one for me (finished yesterday) from the same yarn, different color (but no picture). Mine's black with grey and white wisps. The yarn is Angel Hair from Joann Fabrics. 20% wool, 80% acrylic. It's amazingly soft, rather lofty and light. Also quite warm. It knits up to gauge for the kitty hat, which is the important thing, and looks very cute.

Started the strap extension for the Very Well Felted project. Sat down and did maths for it and everything, to make sure it would be long enough. Am figuring out the maths so that when I make this for ME, I won't have to cut and graft the strap. grr.

Haven't been working on the arm warmers. Probably because we actually have some decent enough weather. 15 degrees above normal, which is still about 10 degrees below what I'm used to in Washington. Strangely, I don't miss Washington all that much. Probably because of everything I have here. It's good here.

Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire

2006-01-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Because I love the whole Secret Pal thing, here we go again...

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

I am something of a yarn snob, but I don't avoid any yarns...unless they're really squeaky acrylic. Oh, and that free ball of Disco yarn was just icky icky icky to knit with but it did make a very cute hedgehog...I do prefer natural fibers. Cotton in blends preferred. Love silk blends, alpaca, wools.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

One of my goals this year is to learn my spinning wheel. I do not crochet. I have tried. We do not get along, crochet hooks and I.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a few needle rolls and am making a holder for my circs now.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Been knitting for a few years now (actively). I would consider myself high intermediate. Not quite advanced, but figure I may be by the end of the year if I do the things I plan on this year.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I do have an Amazon wishlist and one at Knitpicks.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

I love the smell of cinnamon, linden, citrus (especially lime and grapefruit). EXTREME CAVEAT - I am allergic to artifical scents/perfumes. My neck swells up and they make me dopey and sick. So, while I love these scents, they must be in their natural forms. No artifical scents, please.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have a huge sweet tooth. However, I once again gave up sugar and do not eat candy, as much as I want to.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

Sheesh, what don't I do. Oh, crochet. What I do: draw, paint, soft sculpture, leatherwork, photography, rubber stamping, sewing, woodworking (to a small extent), etc etc. I don't do many other needlework things, though I have tried them. They were too slow for me at the time, so I gave them up.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I literally love all music. Some extremes (like gangsta rap or really really heavy metal which sounds like screaming and tortured guitars) I don't like so much, but I have a very eclectic collection reaching from Hispanic to opera to thrash metal to classical to celtic to cajun to pop and rock etc. I'm always looking for something new so if you have some obscure little thing you love, I'd love to hear it. My computer and walkman both play MP3s, and I have an iPod now.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

blue/green/purple and orange. I also love rich warm browns. Prefer darker colors to the pale and rich colors to pastel. Being an artist, there isn't a color I don't like, I don't think.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my amazingly wonderful sweetie, two lovely cats, a cockatiel and the amazing wonderdog, Phoebe (acquired in October last).

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

yes, yes, YES! (it's cold in Michigan!) and no...prefer shawls, though I do have a hooded capelet I made.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Alpaca, hands down. Although I did love working with the merino from Knitpicks. Almost as much as alpaca.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

The really squeaky acrylics like Disco. Funfur wasn't bad, but the Disco drove me nuts! (and I still have half a ball...eep)

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Moebius stuff. And I really really want to try lace next with laceweight yarn.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

bags. hats. toys.

17. What are you knitting right now?

the spacious show and tell bag from The Second Treasury of Magical Knitting. A kittyville hat for ME at last. A pair of armwarmers from Alterknit (in luscious alpaca!). I am also STILL on the sleeves of Sonnet. Why won't I finish this???

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Love love love them.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Depends. I just got a Denise Circular set for Cmas. I'm learning to like them, but I also like DPNs. I guess I don't really have a preference per se - depends on what's needed.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

bamboo or wood preferably. I should've maybe gotten an interchangeable bamboo set, but I forgot they were out there when I requested the Denises.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No, sadly. I have great need of them, though. :)

22. How did you learn to knit?

Taught myself from a Teach Yourself to Knit book and subsequently perfected things from other books. Learned to purl from a 1912 Book of Knowledge for children. For whatever reason, other books failed me til I saw that.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Working on a year now. Damn you Sonnet!

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Love all birds (big birder here) and animals.

25. What is your favorite holiday?

I'd have to say Christmas, though when I ate candy, it was Easter.

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Penguins, I guess. Not much else other than yarn and art supplies.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I just signed up for IK Knits.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

The pattern for the Peacock Shawl from Fiddlesticks. I haven't seen Sally Melville's 3rd book yet (the one on color) and want to because colorwork is a goal this year.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Colorwork - intarsia and Fair Isle.
Intricate lace - I made Branching Out this year and enjoyed it. I have the fixings to make the Pacific Northwest Shawl and plan to this year.
Machine knitting - got a machine for Cmas.
Spinning.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I knit socks. Measurements will follow (they're in an older post (SP6) and I don't have any measuring device handy at the moment...)

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

May 6.

too busy knitting

2006-01-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

To come blog about it. And no pictures because either a: forgot to take them before gifting the item or b: it's a gift not given yet (just took pictures of those).

I knit a lot last year. Freaky lot more than I thought! Sat down to write things down as best I could remember. Then promptly started a paper journal where I am keeping track of when I started, what yarn I'm using, when I finished.

Yesterday I discovered that Knitpicks Merino Style felts beautifully. And too well. The sekrit project I am working on now has to be fixed...it has a strap that's supposed to be about a foot longer on each side than it currently is. As I still have a skein of yarn, I will knit and felt said strap amount, then cut and graft the ends together. For some reason, this bothers me not in the least.

So, I will be endeavoring to keep this a leetle more up to date...

Thank you, not so Secret Pal Gary!

2005-12-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

What fun this secret pal experience has been! Today brought a box with a knitting calendar (a pattern a day! joy!), some Cmas crackers from Britain, amazing salad servers from Tanzania - a thing I really needed but did not have! It's really fun to get things from someone else's travels. Gary, you were/are a wonderful pal. I thank you! (and have gone off to sign up for SP7 because this was so much fun)

Christmas knitting

2005-12-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

Because I am yarn rich and cash poor at the moment, I am knitting most everyone on my list something. I still have 4 1/2 presents to go. And I'd like to be done by next weekend so I can mail everything. I'm pretty sure I can do it, assuming I sit and do it and not wander off to play on the internet for an extended time or just sit idly watching TV. Generally I knit while watching, so no problem there. Most of the gifts are 6-8 hour knits, based on my speed.

Last year my skills were still newer. This year I have cabled and done lace and some larger projects. I know I knit well. So, Christmas knitting.

Next year I'm starting much earlier though!

Pictures to follow after Christmas, since some who are being gifted may read here...

I have the best secret pal!

2005-11-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

I received some amazing yarn from my secret pal recently. Some was so intriguing I simply had to make something, and so I did!

This is one of the pair of spiral rib wrist warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The yarn is Naturally Merino and Fur, which is an amazing blend of 70% merino, 30% possum. Now, don't be thinking big ratlike virginia possums here. These are Australian possums, and if this yarn is any indication, they're fuzzy soft creatures. I adore this wool! So now, since I still have a bit over a skein left, and I love the way the spiral rib looks, I'm thinking of a matching hat.

Oh, and this wasn't all! I also got three balls (around 300 yards) of a variegated purples 100% *baby* alpaca from Artfibers, which is one of my favorite places to stop and drool. I'm trying to decide what to make with that cushy soft yarn now. A new clapotis - the one I made already is nice, but will probably be gifted to someone for Christmas. It's too...pale for me, I guess. I love the darker colors. I have some lovely blue yarn (the stuff I made the catbed from) that would also make a lovely clapotis. I want to make it bigger, though, and I think I only have enough yarn for the smaller one...

Anyway, THANK YOU to my wonderful globetrotting secret pal - I do envy your travels!

And in private non-knitting life, we got a dog! Phoebe is a border collie rescued from the shelter. She's the best, most amazing dog I've ever known. She makes my days alone ever so much easier.

baby palooza!

2005-10-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Baby Ariel was born 10/7. She is getting a lot of knit goods!

The fish blanket is DONE. And a pillow to boot (knit with double stranded yarn on #15 needles. Very cushy pillow and blankie).

A silly looking rabbit from http://www.schmeebot.com/nid/307.htm I knit mine on smaller needles. He's about 6" tall.

Oh, the tiny socks! Made from Regia sock yarn, and I'm so in love with them. These were knit up over yesterday and this morning. I want to mail the box today.

Also included is Haiku, which I believe is listed somewhere else on the blog, plus Miss Dashwood. I also knit up some wee booties, another pair of socks (the pink/white ones earlier in the blog - couldn't find the yarn to do the second rosy pink one), a washcloth, an umbilical cord hat from Stitch n Bitch. Yes, I went a little nuts with the baby knits. But they were so very fun!!! I love the Regia so much I think I want to knit Devan in *it*, with black as the solid color. Actually, I want to knit a black body sweater with Regia rainbow arms...how pretty will *that* be???

I love knitting!

self portrait of feet

2005-10-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

I consider it knitting content because it's a contest from another knitblog, http://mimknits.blogspot.com/

Secret Pal THANK YOU!!!

2005-09-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

I received the most wonderful package from my Secret Pal. I would've said thank you sooner, but the previous post explains why I haven't. My heart is so very heavy right now.

I don't know if I will use the lovely Trekking XXL and Cherry Hill yarn for Devan or not. It would make an amazingly beautiful sweater. Maybe if I was making it for my own child (which I don't have) so I could continue to enjoy it...but it's sooooo pretty. I don't think I could give it away after knitting it. I think I'll end up making socks for (greedy) me. The No 1 Crystal Palace bamboo needles are wicked looking and I definitely want to make something on them. I just love bamboo needles - these are the first Crystl Palace I've ever seen. Places I go only have the Clover Takumi ones (which I also enjoy - I have quite a few of those in DPNs). The colors of the yarns are luscious and I know I will enjoy whatever I make from them. Thank you so very much!! I do plan to make Devan still because it's a lovely little sweater.

Cat beds

2005-09-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

I finished the cat bed from the 2nd Treasury of Magical Knitting (the second thing I've made from the book - first was just a small Moebius scarf from a luscious handpainted alpaca). I finished it Wednesday, the 21st of September

This is Schmooey, testing it out before it's felted. Sadly, this is the last picture I have of my dear Schmoo. He suffered a blood clot Thursday caused by a bad heart, and Friday morning at the vet's, he was suffering from congestive heart failure and I made the choice to not make him suffer for my sake. So he never got to see the catbed felted. He would've liked it. The other two do...

I knit it from Arunica Naturewool, which isn't quite a thick enough wool, so the edges don't stand up. Doesn't stop kitties from loving it, though. Next I'll make them a small felted blanket, to further save the couch from fur. And maybe a second small blanket for the ottoman...

Secret Pal 6 Questionnaire

2005-09-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed SP5 so much, I simply had to sign up for the next one!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Yarn is yarn... I prefer softness and lovely colors over everything. I am amazingly fond of alpaca, though.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I sorta spin. I have a lovely wheel. We're trying to figure each other out right now.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
smoke and perfume. Technically I'm allergic to anything green or fuzzy (according to the tests) but only smoke and perfume make me ill.

4. How long have you been knitting?
a few years now.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
yes I do.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Linden.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
yes. Normally this is where I might say I have given up sugar, but I would be lying...

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Pretty much everything. Not much needlework anymore, except silk ribbon embroidery. But I paint, draw, sew, do photography, make books, am learning woodworking and sailboat renovation, along with hanging drywall and inside the house renovations.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love world music, dance music, guitars, piano, cello (going through a YoYo Ma thing right now and have just gotten his Silk Road Project CDs and am in loooovvvveeee!) My computer and walkman both play MP3s. I like all music and am constantly looking for new stuff.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
blue/green/purple is my favorite colorway. I also love orange. I prefer rich saturated color to pale colors, though they have their place as well.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
living with my sweet man and three cats, a cockatiel and betta.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
to make a living being creative, to sail the world with the above mentioned sweet man

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
alpacas. Homespun. A combo of the two is heaven!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Haven't found one yet. The squeaky acrylics make me flinch.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
still trying to do something lace. I have the Fiber Trends Pacific Northwest Shawl and am working on that once I get my latest alpaca lace weight into balls. Also loving mobeius strip knitting.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Don't really have one. I'm new enough to have only done a few of any one thing. I enjoyed the mittens I made, the hats, the scarfs. I'm working on my first sweater (still), a cat bed, a baby blanket. I suppose I do love socks and baby things more than most other things because they work up so fast.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Knitty's Sonnet
a cat bed from Cat Bohdri's second book of magical knitting
socks
a baby blanket composed of tesselating fish (1/2 done, 45 days til baby is due)
dish cloths

18. What do you think about ponchos?
eh. Prefer shawls

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
straight or DPNs

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
bamboo, wood, nice plastics (especially vintage ones)

21. Are you a sock knitter?
yes!

22. How did you learn to knit?
taught myself from a book.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
a year and a half or so now. I have a half finished sock, an old baby blanket. Someday they will all be done!

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
favorite animated character - Daffy Duck
favorite animal - cats, border collies, all birds

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas - I love tiny lights!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
yarn. non-aluminum knitting needles.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
none

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Alterknits.
the first treasury of magical knitting by Cat Bohdri

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?
Fiddlesticks Peacock feathers shawl

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I measured based on the instructions in Twisted Sisters Sock book
I like any socks.
foot length: 10 1/2" (I wear a size 10 shoe)
foot width (measured all the way round at widest part): 10"
instep line: 7"
bottom of heel to top of desired cuff: at least 7" - it gets cold here in winter, so I prefer there not be too much gap between pant cuff and sock cuff

That's all!

in knitting news

2005-09-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

*Sonnet's sleeves are waiting for me to feel like knitting sleeves. Weather is starting to turn autumny already, so it shouldn't be too long
*I finally reattached the arms on the Haiku baby sweater I had made. I had originally seamed them like I would a sewn garment, right sides together. That looks bad in garter stitch. Redid them correctly and it looks So. Much. Better!
*am halfway through the fishy baby blanket numbers-wise. Have 1/3 sewn together (2 rows of 7 fish) and it looks pretty cool. New goal is at least one fish a day, and I'm seaming them together as I go, so when I knit the last fish, I will be nearly done with the blanket!
*started a Moebius loop catbed, which will be felted when done. Diva has arthritis in one shoulder pretty badly, and the days are already cooling down here. Some mornings she is in obvious pain. Last week, David was playing with her and misread the signals that said "back off man!" and she fanged him good, chomping all the way down on his index finger. He recognized why she did it, so didn't get too angry - actually felt bad for her. So this led to some researching on kitty arthritis, which led to the making of a felted wool catbed. Will also be getting a widget called a "Snuggle Safe", which is a microwaveable heating pad that stays warm for 12 hours. Giving her a polar fleece blanket to burrow in has helped some as well. I figure I'll end up making more than one bed, as there are bound to be fights over who gets this one. That's the problem with three cats!!! They won't all fit in one bed, though I'm sure they will try! So far, I'm binding off the loop, and will soon be on the body of the bed. It's a lot of knitting, but it's on Addi Turbos, so seems to go pretty fast.
*am preparing to order from Knitpicks - want some merino for a christmas gift, as well as some sock yarn. David said "grey" when I asked him what color. I'll do grey, then think about getting some sorta muted stripey-ness. Grey indeed - he really should know better. Also want to make a baby sweater with the self-striping superwash yarn. Knitty.com's Devan is really cute, and since I have a baby to knit for, might as well!!!

back on line!

2005-09-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

My modem died - newer computer, hardly ever used modem, but it died. Took us awhile to figure out it was the problem, but it has been fixed!

In the intervening time, my secret pal (hello, secret pal Allison!!) completely and totally spoiled me with such a box of goodies! I was completely floored, as was David, who has never seen secret pal stuff in action. THANK YOU!!!!

Cashmere blend laceweight. Baby *alpaca* laceweight. I am in yarny heaven! I waited to open the yarn last because I love yarn. I think my Pacific Northwest Shawl will now be in Stream baby alpaca - a much better color choice than the burgundy I was using- which has been frogged due to errors. *sigh*

I also got a copy of the bookbookbook - the Yarn Harlot's "At Knit's End, Meditations for women who knit too much" Found a lot of truth there :) Plus a wonderful box, card games, another book, an amazing little candle lamp from Ikea with star cut-outs in the top of it, so it is so going in the bedroom loft, once the paint's done there. All manner of lovely little thoughtful goodies and I feel amazingly spoiled. I hope I helped my pal feel as good as Allison made me feel.

Sonnet and wee fishies

2005-08-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

The body of Sonnet is done! She looks lovely, and better yet, she fits! I found fat wooden buttons for it, and I think they're perfect with the handpainted yarn. I cast on the first sleeve, but have had to leave it for the time being in order to pursue the knitting of many tesselating fish...I do want to make a baby blanket of said fishies, so have been working on them. One or two a day, and I should be done by the end of the month, plenty of time before the baby is due. I realized the red yarn I was using was just the tiniest bit finer (18 stitches per inch, instead of 17) and so have made 4 of those for the corners, which won't throw off the whole blanket. The rest will be pink (coral) and orange. Having made so many (8?) in the past few days, I have now memorized the pattern, which comes in handy. So fish it is.

Home at last!

2005-07-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

First off, a big THANK YOU!!! to my Secret Pal. When I arrived last week (still gathering myself from the move, but getting there), there was a package awaiting me, saying "welcome home!" I can't decide what I like best - the lovely green handspun from Collinette (which will make my eyes even greener and gives me hope for my own spinning efforts - once I get the wheel set up again), the fuzzy orange loveliness or the Michigan birding book (which I have been going through nearly daily). There were also some lovely candles and a wonderful little necklace - hibiscus flowers made from polymer clay. I love everything! THANK YOU!!!

Knitting - have been working on Sonnet. I've been riding along with D in the big truck, and last week he needed naps before we got home. Since I'd already slept, I ended up waiting in the drivers seat for a few hours, which meant great knitting time, listening to audiobooks or music and knitting along. Then I ran out of yarn, and hadn't discovered where I'd packed the other big ball for Sonnet. *sigh* Dug up an old baby blanket - blue, so not helpful with the current crop of girl babies expected - and worked on that. Started a Big Bad Baby Blanket from Stitch N Bitch, but messed up on the seed stitch and need to start again...*sigh* again. Then Sunday I found the big ball o yarn for Sonnet, so I'm back with that. I'm on the front panel now, then just need to do sleeves and my first ever sweater will be complete!!! It's turning out quite lovely - the variegations in the yarn (which I recycled from a thrift store aran, and handpainted with a combo of Koolaid (so it still smells sweet) and easter egg dyes) are working into lovely variations.

It is much more humid and warm here - I didn't realize how wonderful the Pacific Northwest was for year round knitting... but if I chose my times well, I can also do it here. Mainly, I'm just amazingly happy to be here - it's better than I ever expected it to be and I am just blissed out.

Pictures

2005-06-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is the second sockling. Now I have two single socks and a plan to knit their mates during today's race - I get a lot of knitting done during races!

And the three fish I have done so far. These are the colors I'm using for the blanket - it'll look very warm and rich this winter. Each fish is 6 inches long, about 4 inches wide. They're being knit in TLC acrylic yarn (the red is "Lustre") which is very soft and cushy acrylic.

Various adventures

2005-06-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

1. Have somehow messed up my lace pattern. Fortunately, just before I did, I had put in a lifeline, so I will be able to frog it back...but not happy about this at all, so I am most decidedly ignoring it at this point.

2. Second sockling done. Picture to follow.

3. Obsessed with tesselating fish at the moment. Picture to follow. What a cute little blanket these will be!!!

4. Renewed my love of Sonnet and am knitting away there as well.

picture to come

2005-06-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

But oh, how cute is a tiny sockling with contrasting colors at toe and heel???

Clapotis hmmmm

2005-06-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

So, I just looked at the pattern again, and in the picture it's obviously not blocked. I blocked mine because it was so curly, and now it appears maybe I should've left it curly as design mode...

hmm...

Not that I don't love my Clapotis. I tote it with me now instead of a pashmina (since I graduated from 1/2 yard lengths of polar fleece to warm the cold spot between my shoulder blades). I like the way it looks blocked, and it's bigger. Guess I should just hush.

Started another wee sockling. Not the mate of the one pictured. Soon I shall have 2 wee socklings needing mates. Too bad there isn't eharmony for socks.

How cute is this?

2005-06-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Lace took a rest while I knit this up. Now to do the other one...

lace knitting

2005-06-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

Why did I become so fascinated with the idea? I don't even know if I'll wear a shawl - though I suspect I will, especially once I move to Michigan and winter comes.

So, Monday last week I saw a post in the LJ knitting community about someone destashing. I always look, but generally don't see anything I like. This time was different indeed...a one pound cone of sport weight alpaca (and oh, how I love the alpaca!) in burgundy for only $8. Eight. Dollars! I have spent twice that for a mere 50g hank of alpaca (albeit handpainted, but still). I emailed immediately, paid 10 minutes later. It arrived Saturday, and oh, my, what a lovely little yarn it is. It cried out for lace, and so I went searching. Ended up in the LYS yesterday (the snooty one, since it's closer) and they only had a few Fiber Trends patterns, but one was the shawl I had considered, The Pacific Northwest Shawl. I am considering it my homage to living here, to remind me of it when I'm in the depths of a Michigan winter. http://www.wendyjohnson.net/knit/pnw.htm">"Here" is a picture of a completed one. Mine will be burgundy, and alpaca. Not quite laceweight yarn, but the pattern is showing up. I've done one set of gulls, and it looks like it's supposed to.

So, I'm excited about this, enjoying the laciness, and looking forward to doing more. Fiber Trends has a number of amazingly beautiful shawl patterns to choose from, so I will, no doubt, be heading back that way again. I also want to make their felted WoolPak hat - felted wool hat + Michigan in winter = happy me.

Clapotis is done!

2005-06-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

And here is a picture of the stitch detail:

And this is how it looks draped over my shoulder.

I was up until 2am Friday morning finishing - I just *had* to finish. Now to figure out what to knit next!

2005-06-08T10:29:00.000-07:00

I should finish Clapotis today! Work is so seriously cutting into my knitting time...I very much didn't want to come in today. Of course, since I only have 18 more work days left, it's hard to justify calling in. :) I'm on the decrease rows, with 4 repeats left. Dropping 2 stitches per repeat is fun and makes it feel all the quicker. Pictures as soon as I get done!

spinning adventures

2005-06-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

My wheel appears to be an Ashford Traditional. It has but one spindle, and nothing else. It does work rather well, however. So far I've spun up some simple wool roving (again, dyed with Kool-aid) into some rather chunky yarn. I'm working on getting thinner. Right now my drafting is a challenge. My brother picked up some books for me from the library, but they aren't helping a lot. He also requested a video which should be here tomorrow. *That* I know will help...

I have already knit my newly spun yarn into a needle cozy, as featured in Cat Bohdri's 2nd book of Magical Knitting, which I picked up (autographed) in Friday Harbor. It is a fun book - have already made my first Moebius Loop scarf (from luscious lovely handpainted alpaca from the same store in Friday Harbor) and the needle cozies (5 so far) I want to make some for all my needles, then knit up the knitting quiver she has at her website, since I have the book and can follow the directions now. I'm thinking I shall have to get the Denise Interchangeables, with extra long cords, just so I can continue experimenting with the Moebius loops...they fascinate me! And no way do I want to pay $20 for a set of Addi Turbos in that size, when for $45 I can get the Denises....

Clapotis is about 1/2 done now. I'm getting a little tired of her, but at the same time excited. Started around the back of Sonnet, and need to spend some more time with that as well. It'll be a lovely sweater when complete. The yarn from it came from a 99c thrift store find I dyed (Kool-aid!!) and unraveled. The front sections of the sweater had been knit then cut to size, so those got sewn together to be a cat blanket...they love it.

such is my yarny world today...

SP5 Questionnaire

2005-05-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

prefer wools and natural fibers. But I like anything soft.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

No crochet. I'm learning to spin

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

smoke, perfumes.

4. How long have you been knitting?

consistently and well for 2 years or so now. Taught myself 9 years ago and spent 7 years on one chenille item... :)

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

amazon

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

non-scented. Although if they are natural scents (and they must be natural...anything chemically based hurts me) I love linden

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Too big of one. Sugar is not good for me. I had to give it up, sadly.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

Uhm, everything? I paint, draw, write, sew, rubber stamp, do collage/altered books/journals, bind books, am working on refurbishing a sailboat with my man.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

yes, I can play mp3s. The answer to what kind of music would again be, Uhm, everything? Literally. I like everything that is music. I have a certain fondness for cajun, Kate Bush, celtic, bel canto opera, Metallica (that should give you an idea of the eclecticness that is me)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

blue/green/purple and orange. I love all colors and non colors (white/black/grey). Very favorite color is blue, especially ones that look like night sky or Bahama seas

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Currently in a long distance relationship that will only be long distance for another month, then I'm moving to Michigan to live with him. 3 cats, a cockatiel and a betta.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

sailing around the world with my delightful man

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

alpaca! I *LOVE* alpaca...soooo soft.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

haven't found one yet...except for scratchy cheap acrylics.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

socks, moebius loops

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

socks and moebius loops right now. Oh, and baby sweaters - too cute!

17. What are you knitting right now?

the ever popular Clapotis from Knitty.com. A Sonnet sweater also from Knitty. a couple socks. And I'm going to be knitting a tank top - probably Chicknits Ribby tank.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

eh. Prefer shrugs and shawls.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

depends on what I'm knitting...

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

wood. :) Brittany Birches are so yummy. I do have a pair of Addi turbos and do like those.

21. Are you a sock knitter?

yes

22. How did you learn to knit?

From a book.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

a year now? Have a half done sock that I keep forgetting about.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Dolphins and wolves. All birds (I'm a birder)

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?

yarn? :) Bird guides.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

none

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Something about lace shawls...Stahman's Shawl and Scarf perhaps. And The Knitting Experience, The Knit Stitch. I keep checking it out of the library, have made the Baby Albert coat, and want to make more. I have the Purl Stitch and like it alot.

What goes up...

2005-05-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

This is how I was told my spinning wheel had finally been brought to me...
"What goes up, must come down... and what are the next words?"
"Spinning wheel!!!"

backstory; a couple months ago I decided I must have a spinning wheel. I had made myself a nice little drop spindle and spun some lovely Brown Sheep roving I had dyed with Koolaid. It turned out thick/thin, but overall, pretty nice. Definitely yarn. I knitted one hour baby booties from the yarn (had *just* enough) . However, spinning with a drop spindle seems to aggravate my mouse injury (sore shoulder that repetition gets to aching) so I decided spinning wheel. I was showing my yarn to a coworker and telling her I needed a spinning wheel.

"I have one I could sell you," says she. I squeal *YES* and then the waiting commences...Finally, today, she brought it in, and it shall go home with me tonight. It's currently in her car, and she's going to give me a ride down the hill to home.

**Squee**

Now I can figure out how to spin together the 8 oz each of alpaca and tussah silk for the most amazing yarn ever!

Yes, I needed a knitting blog!

2005-05-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

Because it seems like the thing to do. Which is, of course, how I got roped into blogging in the first place. Sometimes it seems rather weird, but overall, I like the whole blogosphere...