yamamama

2006-12-01T07:17:00.001-08:00

I joined the Stranded KAL!

This KAL came along at the right time for me. I recently knit my first color work project: Selbu Mittens from Folk Mittens. The first mitten was full of mistakes, but a good size. The second mitten was perfect...except it was too small. I'm calling them practice mittens.

Now that my practice mittens are behind me, I'm ready to start the gift version in traditional black and white-I'm using Plymouth Galaway, which is surprisingly soft at the suggested gauge.

I'm also considering one of Bea Ellis' hat patterns.

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Stranded: The Colorwork Challenge.

Hi, my name is Jen

2006-01-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted since September! Ugh. Well, I've been busy knitting socks, but not much else, I'm afraid. Hopefully I can get a few pictures snapped and posted this weekend.

In other knitting news, I'm teaching a few friends to knit socks after work on Wednesdays. Last night was the first meeting and it went pretty well. Both of the ladies I'm teaching have many years of knitting experience, so it was a breeze.

Long overdue post

2005-09-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

These socks were completed just before the Sockpal2za cut off and were sent to my pal, Anne-Marie, September 17th. I hope they fit!

I also knit a pair of Fixation anklets in navy blue and sent along some beautiful Koigu in a warm autumn colorway (shown in my last post.)

I was the lucky recipient of these beautiful socks, knit by Liz of Lizbethknits.

And, she sent along some stitch markes that I love! They are little margarita and martini glasses!

What a great sock exchange. Thanks Alison!

Sockpal2-za

2005-09-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

My sockpal2-za socks are finished! Unfortunately, my digital camera is in Seattle with my husband...He is returning late on Tuesday night, so I'm hoping to snap some pictures of my sock pal's socks on Wednesday. However, I will say this: My sock pal mentioned that she doesn't care for wool socks because they itch and the thought of wearing wool on her feet makes her crazy. As a former wool sock hater, I feel it is my duty to introduce her to yarn that made me a believer.

Photos of her Meilenweit Cotton Multiringle socks and Fixation anklets will follow shortly.

In other sock news:
Koigu socks for my mom in a simple 2x2 rib pattern. I took this picture before I left for work and finished the last toe on my lunch hour.

Simple Fixation socks for my favorite little girl, Tallulah.

Cable and Rib from IK Autumn 05 in Louet Gems Merino. I love this pattern and will use it again and again.

mwhaaa haaa haaa!

2005-08-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I asked my sister what she would like for her birthday. She said a learn to knit kit....mwhaaa haaa haaa....she's comin' over to the dark side!

I've looked at the learn to knit kits my LYS carries, but they aren't terribly exciting. I think I'm going to make a learn to knit kit out of beautiful Colinette or gorgeous recycled silk sari yarn and a set of knitting needles. Easy knit + beautiful yarn = junkie.

So where was I?

2005-07-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah...ripping Mia. Well, I've decided to put Mia on the back burner for now. I'm not sold on the yarn or the gauge, so I'm moving on to other projects for the time being.

Right now I'm working on this little sweater from Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits for Beginners. I'm knitting it in the 9-12 month size out of Cashsoft in lilac. The yarn is so soft and the pattern is so easy that I'm having a hard time setting it down so I can work on my mom's birthday socks. I have some muted pink, blue and yellow Koigu (can't remember the colorway) that I plan to use. I'm undecided about the pattern though. Do I go with ribbed socks? Conway? Witby? Cascading Leaves? Pretty Petals? I had originally thought of the padded footlets from IK Summer 2005, or Go With the Flow, but she doesn't want anything too short or lacy. Decisions... Her birthday is in two weeks, so I can't wait much longer.

I also inherited some deep red Lamb's Pride from my mom. She started a pullover in a knitting class, but had some trouble with it and has since asked me to rip it out and make a cardigan for her. I'm thinking about Lara, Mia, Sam or the Must Have Cardie to start. I'd love to knit the Tweedy Aran Cardigan for her, but I can't find the Winter '01 issue of Interweave Knits anywhere! Ugh. If anyone has a copy he/she would like to sell, trade, loan, etc., please let me know. Has anyone knit a sweater from LP? I've only used it for a Seaman's Cap, but was curious about how well it worked with sweaters, spefically what patterns do or don't work well with the yarn. Would a ribbed or cabled sweater be too heavy in LP?

Last, but not least, I was able to track down a copy of Rebecca 27. I'm dying to make the lovely peach cardigan/jacket in the far right panel.
I've been salivating over the Jacket in Military (ASC) at Strikker, ever since she first posted about it. I'm debating knitting mine in the same color, or maybe navy? Has anyone used other yarn for this pattern? What works well?

Secret Sock pal...I still haven't knit your socks ...don't worry, though, I have the yarn in a very safe place!

RIP

2005-06-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Okay. I've decided to do the mature thing and rip Mia. I'm going to a smaller needle. It will look better in the end...it will look better in the end...

I'm also going to rip my anklets that started with some left over yarn. I'm trying to teach myself short row heels, but am failing miserably. I think these have been ripped about four or five times.

Oh well...

Mia, Mia, Mia

2005-06-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

So, I'm just about done with the back, but have kind of lost steam on this project. So soon you ask? Unsightly ribs. I'm not sure if it is the cotton-ease, my knitting, or what. I don't seem to have this problem with smaller needles or wool...I'm going to push ahead and try to finish this sweater, but I kind of want to move to Grace if the ribbing isn't going to be clean on Mia in the cotton-ease. Hmmmm....decisions.

Happy Blogiversary to me!

2005-06-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting for just over a year, and have enjoyed every minute of every project. It has been a great adventure.

Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.
-Joseph Addison

Socks!

2005-06-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

I know...original title. Anyway, I have been pretty busy knitting, but apparently not doing much posting. Oh well. I really enjoy knitting and reading blogs, but just never seem to make the time to work on my own blog.

I recently finished a pair of purple varigated, Cascade socks for my daughter, as well as a pair of Regia Jubilee in the India colorway for me. I started a pair of Conway Socks from Knitting on the Road in Lornas Laces Sheperd Sock, Rainbow colorway, but when I got to the heel flap noticed they are a bit too snug! Okay, a lot snug. I had to really tug to get them on and I wasn't sure they were going to come off. I haven't had the heart to rip them yet, so I redirected myself to Mia from the Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora book. Over the past two days, I've knit about 10 inches of the back. What am I using for yarn? Cotton Ease. I'm sure some of you are screaming in horror, but I am new to sweater knitting and can't justify spending much on something that will surely look hideous in daylight. At 30% off of $4/ball, I'm willing to try anything. When I'm done with Mia and the neckdown pullover for my son, I am going to move right along to Grace and a slightly lengthened Sam, both of which are also from the Cotton Angora book.

Of course, I plan to get back on the sock horse again; I've signed up for the second round of sockapalooza over at the Blue Blog. Yipee!

I've noticed around blogland that knitters seem to be uninspired...or have the post-project blues. In Minnesota, a lot of people tend to get a frantic as fall approaches, they know winter is coming and try to cram in every last warm weather activity known to man. At the end of the frenzy people are exhausted, but also a little blue because they know a long, cold winter is ahead of them. I wonder if the recent project frenzy out in blogland, followed by the lack of inspiration, is similar to the early winter blues. Is summer a knitter's winter?

Knitting Pure & Simple Knit Along!

2005-05-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited that I found the Knitting Pure & Simple Knit Along. I started knitting the neckdown pullover a few months ago and made great progress early on...only to come to a screeching halt when I got to the sleeves. I've had a terrible time picking up the stitches under the arm; no matter what I do I end up with gaps. I've tried picking up extra stitches, then lots of extra stitches, and finally ended up buying another circular circular needle to try using two circs instead of those huge dpns. I just hope that when I joined stitches for the sleeves that my M1 isn't too loose, in which case I would probably have to rip it out. Ugh. Anyway, I'm glad that I found a group of knitters who are working on the same project.

Knitting Again...

2005-03-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

After a brief knitting hiatius brought on by work-related travel and a plague-filled house, I have been able to work on some of my WIPS.
I finally finished my Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk ribbed scarf and I'm just about done with dh's birthday socks (yes, his birthday was in February-bad wife, bad wife). I just have to finish up the toes and I can say good bye to the socks that caused me so much heart ache. Talk about a comedy of errors! I had to rip out the heels at least three times per sock! Each and every time I picked up stitches on the second side of the heel flap I would get a horrible gap where the gusset and the instep met. Then, there is the sweater I'm knitting for my little boy...I'm having trouble picking up the stitches under the arm. What seems to be the trouble? Gaps! Ugh.

Books! Books! Books!

2005-03-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

I love to read! Here is a very short list of my favorite books. This meme was initiated by Kerstin. Go see who she's reading.

Five (+1) Favorite Books:
Waiting, Ha Jin
Mill on the Floss, George Eliot
Comfort Woman, Nora Okja Keller
Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison
Hunger, Knut Hamsun
Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

On the nightstand:
Life of Pi, Yann Martel
The Crazed, Ha Jin
One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Sidharta, Hermann Hesse
Ulysses, James Joyce

Current Projects

2005-02-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

A scarf for me...I am about 3/4 of the way there...

This is a sweater for my little boy using the neck down pullover pattern (9371) from Knitting Pure and Simple in Plymouth Encore navy blue. I am knitting it in the size 2-4, but I think it might be closer to a size 2 than a size 4. You're probably wondering if I bothered to swatch...well, no... I didn't.

This is the first half of my second Sock It To Me KAL sock, knit in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Blackwatch. I am knitting this pair for my husband and they are taking much longer than I expected...for some reason I ran into a few problems with the heel and had to rip it out a few times. I'm not pleased with the way the toe turned out, so I will probably redo it when I make more headway with the second sock.

Help!

2005-02-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this is one of my oldest UFOs. It isn't too old, as I've only been knitting for about a year, but it is one of my first projects! I knit a million little squares and have yet to seam them together. I guess I have a massive case of seamitis, but I really want to finish this blanket. It was intended for my little boy who was eight months old at the time and I'd like to finish it in time for him to actually use it. I read somewhere that you can crochet seams together. How well does that work? I know I should probably suck it up and use a mattress seam so I'm well prepared for seaming a sweater some day.

Sundown Socks

2005-02-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

These socks were knit for my youngest sister who is going to college in North Dakota. I thought she could use a pair of cozy socks knit in Limbo Mexiko Sundown to keep her feet happy and warm.

Cozy Mittens

2005-02-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

Wow, I swear these looked better in person! I guess pictures don't lie about the size of the thumbs, though! Anyway, these were a Christmas present for my sister. They were knit in Debbie Bliss Soho #8 using size 7 needles.

The mitten pattern is by Teresa Gaffey and was purchased at the Yarnery in St. Paul. The yarn is Reynolds Odyssey #443 orange colorway. This is the yummiest, squishiest yarn, and I am so glad I chose it for a pair of mittens so I can feel this wonderful yarn on a regular basis. I am planning to make another pair in the bright blue colorway to go with the scarf I am knitting for myself in light blue Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk. I hope to finish the scarf in the next day or so.

Irish Hiking Scarf

2005-02-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

Cascade 220 in charcoal grey.

Misty Garden

2005-02-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

I finally finished this scarf for my mother in-law the first week of February, but was having some camera problems so I wasn't able to post about it sooner. I loved this yarn and pattern so much I had a hard time giving the scarf away.

*Post Update: This scarf was knit using the Misty Garden pattern in Scarf Style using Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Infusion Kid Mohair in Rosehip.

Tallulah Socks

2005-02-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

I knit this pair of socks for my favorite knit recipient, my daughter. She loves these socks and has pretty much worn them out. I knit these for her earlier this winter using Lorna's Laces sock yarn in Rainbow using two size 3 circulars. I love the colorway so much, that I went back to the store to pick up two skeins to knit a pair for myself...

Hats

2005-02-21T07:49:00.000-08:00

Seaman Cap knit in Lamb's Pride in light grey on size 7 needles using a pattern found online...I can't remember where, but will search for it and post it here when I find it again. This hat was knit for my husband, but I have been wearing it instead. It turns out the mohair and wool are very itchy and bother the skin around his temples. We can't have that while he's driving or shoveling snow, can we?

I've knit several baby hats for new arrivals over the last several months using pattern from my LYS and whichever delicious skein of Koigu jumps into my arms. The pattern is very similar to the Seaman's Cap, but with a two-three inch brim. This hat was not a gift hat, but a hat for my little boy.

Sock It To Me Socks

2005-02-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

Sock It To Me KAL socks knit in Cherry Tree Hill yarn in Birches. I cast on 72 stitches and knit in 2x2 ribbing from the cuff down on a 12" size 2 circular needle. These socks turned out a little bit big, but because they are the first pair of socks I knit for myself, I didn't want to give them away or start over. Instead, I wear them to bed or when I knit on the couch. I love this sock yarn, as it is so soft, but next time I will cast on with fewer stitches as the socks seem much bigger after the initial washing.

I am halfway done with my second pair of Sock It To Me socks. They are intended for my husband and are knit in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport yarn in Blackwatch.

Knitting Clutter

2005-01-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

How do you organize your yarn? What about needles? Currently, I am storing my yarn in a few plastic tubs in my closet. I keep my newly acquired stash with current project yarn in a basket next to the couch for quick access. All of my needles have ended up in a small fabric bag, but it is a complete disaster. I dread having to retrieve stitch markers or a tapestry needle because of the tangled mess I have to search through. I am looking for a new way to organize my knitting clutter. So, what do you do to keep the clutter under control?

Year in Knits

2005-01-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Well 10 months to be exact...I feel like I've completed more projects, but maybe I'm thinking of all of the projects I intended to start...pictures to come.

Socks (all variations of the Classic Socks pattern)
~My first socks: Plymouth Encore, grey (for my little boy, Mr. Man)
~Cascade Fixation: green/blue/white (for Mr. Man)
~Lana Grossa Meilenweit, not sure of the name of the colorway (for my daughter, Tallulah)
~Lorna's Laces, Rainbow, Classic Socks pattern (for Tallulah)
~Limbo Mexiko, Sundown (for my youngest sister)

Scarves
~Funny Fur?, per my mother‚Äôs request. She taught me how to cast on and knit, what can I say? No?
~Irish Hiking Scarf, Cascade 220 in a heather grey (for my elderly grandfather)

Hats
~Seaman‚Äôs Cap, Lamb‚Äôs Pride, Light Grey (intended for my husband who proclaimed it too itchy to wear so I've claimed it as my own)
~Rolled Brim Hat (2) using Rowan All Season's Cotton (one in light blue and the second in varigated pink) from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight
~Tiny Topper in white, merino (can't remember the brand name, but super yummy) from Vogue Knits (beginner book)
~I've knit several baby hats for new arrivals over the last several months. The hats and booties were knit using pattern from my LYS and whichever delicious skein of Koigu jumps into my arms. The pattern is very similar to the Seaman's Cap, but with a two-three inch brim.

Mittens
~Teresa Gaffey pattern purchased at the Yarnery in Reynold‚Äôs Odyssey #443 orange colorway. This is the yummiest, squishiest yarn, and I am so glad I chose it for a pair of mittens so I can feel this wonderful yarn on a regular basis. I am destined to make another pair in the bright blue colorway. This was my belated Christmas present to myself.
~Store pattern purchased at Three Kittens Yarn Shoppe in Debbie Bliss Soho # 8. (for my younger sister)

Baby Blankets
~Garter Stitch blanket in Plymouth Encore, Navy Blue (for one of my oldest friend's little boy)
~BBBB in Plymouth Encore, Kelly Green (UFO)
~Patchwork blanket in Plymouth Encore, khaki and army green-yet to be seamed (UFO)

Currently Knitting
~Here and There Cables from Scarf Style in Debbie Bliss Cashmere Alpaca, light blue (for me!)
~Misty Garden (?) from Scarf Style in Jo Sharp using the colorway pictured in the book (for my MIL)
~Socks in Cherry Tree Hill Birch, using the Classic Sock pattern. (for me!) Yes‚Ä¶I need to branch out‚Ä¶

After reviewing the list it has become apparent to me that I need to do a number of things, such as, try new patterns and projects, and blog about them so I can watch my progress and hopefully stay on track. From my list you would think I didn't own at least a half dozen knitting books! I will branch out, I will branch out, I will branch out...

not so sock-cessful...

2004-09-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm fairly new to knitting...but have managed to knit quite a few projects over the last 9 months, or so. I've knit about 5 baby blankets, a few scarves, several bootie and hat sets for friends who've had babies, one incredible shrinking washcloth requested by my six year-old daughter, and now I'm on to socks. I've knit three pairs of socks and I am noticing a problem that I'd like to fix: I end up with small holes when I pick up the gusset stitches. I've tried adding stitches, using smaller needles to pick up the stitches and I'm not seeing much improvement with the hole dilemma. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix the problem? Currently, I'm taking left over yarn and stitching up the gap...which isn't fixing the problem, just the sock.

Beyond the Square

2004-07-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Aside from the bbbb and getting this whole blog-thing down, I am working on a few additional projects. Or, not working on them as the case may be. I've had a patchwork blanket that has been on the back burner for a while. I have to work up the energy to sew all 63 khaki and olive green squares together. If anyone knows of a painless way to accomplish this, I would love to hear it.
I also have some red Plymouth Encore for a cozy blanket for my one year-old, but I think I'm going to wait for the weather to cool off a bit before getting started.

To be honest, I'm getting a little bit tired of blankets now that I've figured out how to knit hats and booties, and have ventured out beyond my Plymouth Encore stash to try some new yarn. I recently saw a Web site that requested chemo hats, and they had some patterns for men that called for worsted weight Plymouth Encore. I have a couple of skeins left over from the patchwork blanket that might have to go to this hat project. Decisions, decisions.

The booties and Tiny Topper from the Beginners Basics of the Vogue knitting series turned out to be way too big for the petite July baby, so I bought some pink yarn for some smaller booties and picked up some Rowan All Seasons Cotton varigated pink yarn to make a newborn size Rolled Brim hat from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies, which I knitted up last night. All I need to do is seam, block and ship.

Another friend of mine is expecting a boy in early September, so I am going to knit a hat and few pairs of booties out of some beautiful blue Koigu I picked up at my LYS yesterday. I loved the way the Tiny Topper and the Rolled Brim Hat turned out so I might remake them for the September baby, as well. I also really want to try to knit a simple boat neck sweater for the September baby, but I need to catch up on current projects first. Oh, and I picked up some purple sock yarn and purple fizz for the cuff to make some super feminine sleeping socks for my five year-old. Once I've conquered her socks, I will attempt some nice wool socks for my husband..then on to more socks, winter hats...

BBBB update

2004-07-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I've made it to the halfway point with the bbbb. I'm knitting it with one strand of worsted weight Plymouth Encore. I plan to give it to some friends who are expecting a baby any day.

BBBB

These booties were knit using Koigu and will be given to the same baby. They are almost finished-I just have to sew the cuff and sole. This was my first pair of booties and I was surprised by how easy they were to knit.

Booties

I am planning on knitting another pair of these booties using this yarn.

Booties-to-Be

I love knitting...there I said it.

2004-06-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about starting a blog for the last month or two, but procrastinated for a number of reasons ...until today when I read a post on crafster.org about a new Big Bad Baby Blanket knit-a-long, bbbbalong.blogspot.com. I recently started knitting a BBBB (Plymouth Encore-kelly green) for some friends of mine who are expecting a baby in July and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to start blogging.