Moonspinners is a guild for those interested in all types of fiber crafts with emphasis on spinning, weaving, dyeing and knitting.
*Programs exploring some aspect of fiber crafts are held at each regular meeting (The second Tuesday of the month). The guild maintains a library of books and magazines on a wide range of fiber subjects for member use. Carding and weaving equipment are available for guild educational/challenge projects and for individual member use.
*The Moonspinners guild gives numerous demonstrations throughout the year to educate the public, recruit new members, and generally promote interest in fiber crafts.
*Membership is encouraged (dues are just $15/year) and help provide funds for programs. However, membership is not mandatory to attend guild meetings.
Interested? Come check us out. We meet at the United Methodist Church of Sumner, 901 Wood Ave. Sumner, WA. Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm to 9:00 PM.
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Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Moonspinners Guild
This post is to help get the word out about the Guild I am a member of..
Saturday, February 7, 2009
LSG Traveling Scarves
This February is the one year anniversary of Lazy, Stupid and Godless group on ravelry.com. Don't let the group name fool you! Sure, some of us are lazy (I'd include myself in that category ;) and there might be a few who are stupid (not likely) and of course there are some who are Godless (not me). Why the odd name? Because we are also a group of ravelry members who love to be grownups. We cuss, and tease each other with epitaphs like 'twatweasle', support each other when we need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to bitch in.
From the group overview page:
To celebrate the one year of awesomeness that is lsg, some of us have decided to make traveling scarves. How it works, is that each person starts a scarf then mails it on to the next person, until each person in the group has knitted a 5 inch section (each group has less than 10 members- I think) and it gets back to whomever started the scarf. So not only will I have a finished scarf (actually two, I am knitting on a handspun group and a 'normal/scents ok' group) but it will have been knitted on by a bunch of awesome people :0 I'll have two completely original scarves to keep me warm next fall and winter ..
Here are my two sections I started:
From the group overview page:
This group heartily gives thanks to those who asked‘Is Swearing Allowed on
Ravelry?’ In this group you are allowed to talk about any kind of ‘bad’ behavior
you want, as long as you are usually funny.
Treat this group like a long weekend in Vegas, complete with hookers,
craps, and whole bottles of tequila. In other words, what happens in lsg, stays
in lsg.
To celebrate the one year of awesomeness that is lsg, some of us have decided to make traveling scarves. How it works, is that each person starts a scarf then mails it on to the next person, until each person in the group has knitted a 5 inch section (each group has less than 10 members- I think) and it gets back to whomever started the scarf. So not only will I have a finished scarf (actually two, I am knitting on a handspun group and a 'normal/scents ok' group) but it will have been knitted on by a bunch of awesome people :0 I'll have two completely original scarves to keep me warm next fall and winter ..
Here are my two sections I started:
malabrigo worsted Merino yarn in "Peach Tree"
knit on size 7us, cast on 37
handspun Merino, "Verdant"
knit on size 9us, cast on 36
Monday, January 19, 2009
For Cynthia
Note: Apparently, "Cynthia" isn't who she says she is, and her asking this info is more likely market research, as opposed to some poor college student doing an article. I'm not going to alter this post, as I don't think I've provided any info "Cynthia" couldn't find by 1) searching my blog, 2) searching the internet, or 3) freely joining ravelry.com herself and getting the info first hand.
Thanks for asking, I hope I can help...
Interesting questions! I'd be happy to help :)
1. I decided to join ravelry because the pattern and yarn database seemed like a wonderful tool as a knitter. I had not planned on becoming immersed in the forums, as I am a member of knittinghelp.com as well. However, I prefer the forums on ravelry for a couple of reasons. First, being the ability to directly reply to a person, and them being automatically alerted about your replies. Second, the agree/disagree/education/interesting/funny/love buttons on the bottom of every post enable a person to 'reply' without having to type "Oh ME TOO!" I also like the ease of linking to patterns, yarns and people when posting in the forums.
2. I first heard about ravelry on knittinghelp.com. The owners of that site have always been supportive and helpful, even of ravelry, when some might view them as a competitor. To me, they serve different functions. Ravelry is a database and personal notebook and happens to have a great forum attached :) KH is a site that is awesome for videos to learn techniques as well as a great place to get help when you need it.
3. For me, I have found ravelry to be a great way to keep track of my projects, my yarn and fiber stash, as well as have a chance to see what others have done with pattern and yarns. I've connected with a lot of really wonderful people and it's massive forums, with an outstanding array of specialised groups, makes it easy to find just about any info regarding knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and just about anything you can think of. It has been a great way for me to interact with others, as well as advance my abilities in knitting and spinning. With out ravelry, I probably wouldn't have joined my local Spinning and Weaving Guild (Moonspinners) or been so fearless in my spinning and knitting.
4. I never thought a hobby could expand and become such a big part of my life. I have always been drawn to creative arts. I used to draw constantly, and paint. However, painting takes up space, and with dogs and a little kid, it just doesn't seem reasonable to have an easel set up with a canvas on it taking up so much space. Someday, when we have our own place again, I'll get back into it! I love the portability of knitting projects, the texture and color. I love spinning for the same reasons. The incredible potential in each skein, roving and batt.
Overall, I think ravelry is such a huge success because of the way it allows its users to search projects, yarns, and forums. It provides SO MUCH information. The way Casey and Jess have set it up to be used in so many infinite ways. The way they are accessible and open to suggestions. The way a user can choose to participate in every facet, or none.
I do love ravelry. <3
Thanks for asking, I hope I can help...
Thing is, I am writing a piece on Ravelry for my college magazine. Topic is WHY Ravelry is such a huge success. I need opinions from fellow Ravelers like you to back up this claim I am making.
These are the questions:
1) Why did you choose to join Ravelry?
2) How did you learn about Ravelry?
3) What does Ravelry give you that other sites don’t?
4) Absolutely anything else you’d like to share with me on this subject.
My quandary is this: I love the site and come here almost every week to look for knitting tips and ideas. (I haven’t joined yet, as I am too shy to talk of my own work…)
I want to understand why others do the same. Each person must have his or her own reason and I am very curious to understand this trend.
Once I write the piece, I intend to send it across to Bob the dog. Maybe, he will post it on the site to encourage newcomers or even use it for other promotion purposes.
Thank you in advance
Keep writing, keep sharing, keep creating
Warmest regards
Cynthia
Interesting questions! I'd be happy to help :)
1. I decided to join ravelry because the pattern and yarn database seemed like a wonderful tool as a knitter. I had not planned on becoming immersed in the forums, as I am a member of knittinghelp.com as well. However, I prefer the forums on ravelry for a couple of reasons. First, being the ability to directly reply to a person, and them being automatically alerted about your replies. Second, the agree/disagree/education/interesting/funny/love buttons on the bottom of every post enable a person to 'reply' without having to type "Oh ME TOO!" I also like the ease of linking to patterns, yarns and people when posting in the forums.
2. I first heard about ravelry on knittinghelp.com. The owners of that site have always been supportive and helpful, even of ravelry, when some might view them as a competitor. To me, they serve different functions. Ravelry is a database and personal notebook and happens to have a great forum attached :) KH is a site that is awesome for videos to learn techniques as well as a great place to get help when you need it.
3. For me, I have found ravelry to be a great way to keep track of my projects, my yarn and fiber stash, as well as have a chance to see what others have done with pattern and yarns. I've connected with a lot of really wonderful people and it's massive forums, with an outstanding array of specialised groups, makes it easy to find just about any info regarding knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and just about anything you can think of. It has been a great way for me to interact with others, as well as advance my abilities in knitting and spinning. With out ravelry, I probably wouldn't have joined my local Spinning and Weaving Guild (Moonspinners) or been so fearless in my spinning and knitting.
4. I never thought a hobby could expand and become such a big part of my life. I have always been drawn to creative arts. I used to draw constantly, and paint. However, painting takes up space, and with dogs and a little kid, it just doesn't seem reasonable to have an easel set up with a canvas on it taking up so much space. Someday, when we have our own place again, I'll get back into it! I love the portability of knitting projects, the texture and color. I love spinning for the same reasons. The incredible potential in each skein, roving and batt.
Overall, I think ravelry is such a huge success because of the way it allows its users to search projects, yarns, and forums. It provides SO MUCH information. The way Casey and Jess have set it up to be used in so many infinite ways. The way they are accessible and open to suggestions. The way a user can choose to participate in every facet, or none.
I do love ravelry. <3
Musings
I've been putting off blogging for awhile. Probably because I just feel like there isn't anything interesting enough to blog about. Oh well.
I've been thinking about what to do with my etsy shop. My current thought is that I am going to see if my LYS would be interested in selling my stuff on consignment. I am also going to switch over to rovings and batts, and maybe expand to yarns again, if it goes well. I need to get the roving here and dyed up, then approach my LYSO, if nothing else, I'll be listing them on etsy. Stay tuned.
I've also been getting out of the house more often :) Knitting at the LYS on Fridays, Moonspiners guild every 2nd Tuesday, and recently, I've started taking Peanut with me to meetup at Rachels home for a spinning group (there are 4 of us). It is a LOT of fun to spin together, chat and let the kids play together! I even got the Mr. to come along this past Saturday. He admitted he had a good time, and Rachel asked if we'd be interested in joining them next time they have a poker night. :) MORE grown up time! WIN! I'll also be starting to go to a Tuesday night bible study with my sister at our chuch. Hopefully it won't be too crazy. I prefer my christianity simple (Love one another, golden rule type stuff, not 5 million rules).
Also, I am realizing what generous, wonderful people I've met and have in my life. Friends I have met through knit night (Hi Lee, Lana, Rachel, Kimberly ect. ;) and friends I've met through ravelry (Hi LSGers!) Some of these friends are people I get to meet up and hang out with IRL, and others are people I talk to on ravelry and have become a tight group. It's amazing to me how having such a simple hobby (knitting; and from that, spinning) has made my life so much richer and emotionally satisfying.
Now, fingers, and stuff, crossed that it works out doing consignment at my LYS!
A recently finished yarn:
handdyed, handcarded, handspun
2ply romney with angelina
180ish yards, 4 ounces
I've been thinking about what to do with my etsy shop. My current thought is that I am going to see if my LYS would be interested in selling my stuff on consignment. I am also going to switch over to rovings and batts, and maybe expand to yarns again, if it goes well. I need to get the roving here and dyed up, then approach my LYSO, if nothing else, I'll be listing them on etsy. Stay tuned.
I've also been getting out of the house more often :) Knitting at the LYS on Fridays, Moonspiners guild every 2nd Tuesday, and recently, I've started taking Peanut with me to meetup at Rachels home for a spinning group (there are 4 of us). It is a LOT of fun to spin together, chat and let the kids play together! I even got the Mr. to come along this past Saturday. He admitted he had a good time, and Rachel asked if we'd be interested in joining them next time they have a poker night. :) MORE grown up time! WIN! I'll also be starting to go to a Tuesday night bible study with my sister at our chuch. Hopefully it won't be too crazy. I prefer my christianity simple (Love one another, golden rule type stuff, not 5 million rules).
Also, I am realizing what generous, wonderful people I've met and have in my life. Friends I have met through knit night (Hi Lee, Lana, Rachel, Kimberly ect. ;) and friends I've met through ravelry (Hi LSGers!) Some of these friends are people I get to meet up and hang out with IRL, and others are people I talk to on ravelry and have become a tight group. It's amazing to me how having such a simple hobby (knitting; and from that, spinning) has made my life so much richer and emotionally satisfying.
Now, fingers, and stuff, crossed that it works out doing consignment at my LYS!
A recently finished yarn:
handdyed, handcarded, handspun
2ply romney with angelina
180ish yards, 4 ounces
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A simple Scarf
Ruffles, ruffles every where! Perfect for the girly-girl in your life! Or you ;)
I knit this for my niece and she loves it...
I knit this for my niece and she loves it...
Ruffle Scarf
by Jeanie Stave
Scarf is worked Length wise. You can substitute any bulky yarn, or knit with two strands of worsted at the same time. You want your stitches to be more loose than normal, to give your scarf a nice drape! If you are normally a tight knitter, go up a size, and if you are a loose kitter, you should be ok.
Skills needed: Knit, Purl, Yarn-overs (yo), casting on and binding off
materials:
Lion Brand Homespun Yarn (or other bulky weight yearn)
10.5 (6.5 mm) circular needle, 40 in (100 cm)
Directions:
Adult Size
Cast on 131 using Long Tail method.
Row 1- Purl
Row 2- Knit
Row 3- Purl
Row 4- Knit 1, *(yo, Knit 1)*
Row 5- Purl
Row 6- Knit
Row 7- Purl
Row 8- Knit 1, *(yo, Knit 1)*
Row 9- Purl
Row 10- Knit
Row 11- Purl
Row 12- Bind off loosely
Child Size
Cast on 101 using Long Tail method.
Row 1- Purl
Row 2- Knit
Row 3- Purl
Row 4- Knit 1, *(yo, Knit 1)*
Row 5- Purl
Row 6- Knit
Row 7- Purl
Row 8- Knit 1, *(yo, Knit 1)*
Row 9- Purl
Row 10- Knit
Row 11- Purl
Row 12- Bind off loosely
(c) 2008, Jeanie Stave.
Permission to knit as many as you like, but please do not sell any scarves made from this pattern. Making copies is ok!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
RE:" What to Knit?"
So.. I think I am going to pick up Fitted Knits. There is a cute little shrug (the Two Tone Shrug- contrasting cuff and neckline ribbing) that might fit the bill. I just hope I have enough! And maybe if I knit fast enough (LOL) I can wear it to the family Thanksgiving.
If not, then I like the idea of mittens and a scarf. A 'My So Called Scarf' would be nice in the Peach Tree, then mittens in the Red Java with Peach Tree on the cuffs :) I think I'd make the mittens first, and maybe do the first bit of the scarf with the red java to have it as edging on both ends. My mind is racing! I love the planning stages of knitting! :D
If not, then I like the idea of mittens and a scarf. A 'My So Called Scarf' would be nice in the Peach Tree, then mittens in the Red Java with Peach Tree on the cuffs :) I think I'd make the mittens first, and maybe do the first bit of the scarf with the red java to have it as edging on both ends. My mind is racing! I love the planning stages of knitting! :D
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
What to Knit?
Ok dear readers... I need some help!
I have these three skeins of Malabrigo Worsted (100% wool).
Peach Tree (2 skeins- 430 yards)
Red Java (1 skein-215 yards)
Do they go together? The colors in the photos are pretty dead on. Also, pattern suggestions? I have been scouring ravelrys' pattern search engine and haven't had any luck. *sigh*
I was thinking of knitting a shrug or short sleeved vest/tank using the red java as the ribbing.. and the peach tree as the body. Maybe something knit sideways and alternate for verticle stripes? Horizontal striping is out (looks baaaaad on me lol)
Thanks for any help!
.
I have these three skeins of Malabrigo Worsted (100% wool).
Peach Tree (2 skeins- 430 yards)
Red Java (1 skein-215 yards)
Do they go together? The colors in the photos are pretty dead on. Also, pattern suggestions? I have been scouring ravelrys' pattern search engine and haven't had any luck. *sigh*
I was thinking of knitting a shrug or short sleeved vest/tank using the red java as the ribbing.. and the peach tree as the body. Maybe something knit sideways and alternate for verticle stripes? Horizontal striping is out (looks baaaaad on me lol)
Thanks for any help!
.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
I do still knit!
Ha. So I knit a vest for Peanut. But not just any vest...
I designed it all by myself! It was made for a design contest held by my LYS (Lambs Ear Yarns in Tacoma). I used Manos del Uruguay 100% wool (now called "wool clasica") in the color #29 (which looks like a nice blueish pine, but is called 'steel'). I love knitting with this yarn! I made it in two sizes, but it's pretty easy to upsize by adding stitches in multiples of 4. Apparently nobody else entered the contest (as of this morning) so it looks like I am winner by default, LOL.
Winner wins an instore gift certificate and thier pattern will be sold in the shop. Peanut had fun playing red light green light as I took pictures. I'll be bringing in the vest on Friday (I origionally brought it in yesterday, Aug. 30, but Roxi asked if I would mind taking it home to get some nice pictures, I obliged!) I am so excited that knit group is starting back up! I miss that group!
Green Light!
I designed it all by myself! It was made for a design contest held by my LYS (Lambs Ear Yarns in Tacoma). I used Manos del Uruguay 100% wool (now called "wool clasica") in the color #29 (which looks like a nice blueish pine, but is called 'steel'). I love knitting with this yarn! I made it in two sizes, but it's pretty easy to upsize by adding stitches in multiples of 4. Apparently nobody else entered the contest (as of this morning) so it looks like I am winner by default, LOL.
Winner wins an instore gift certificate and thier pattern will be sold in the shop. Peanut had fun playing red light green light as I took pictures. I'll be bringing in the vest on Friday (I origionally brought it in yesterday, Aug. 30, but Roxi asked if I would mind taking it home to get some nice pictures, I obliged!) I am so excited that knit group is starting back up! I miss that group!
Green Light!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
More Love! and TDF update
Have I mentioned how awesome the women are in my knit group? They are. First, one lends me her handcards, and now, another bought me two books for my birthday! (they arrived today :) Big Girl Knits and More Big Girl Knits. I am excited about them, because they will enable me to alter generic patterns to fit my body shape best. That is so exciting! Especially for someone who was JUST complaining to her sister about how hard it is to find flattering clothes.As for Tour de Fleece, here is where I am at:
Goals:1. Spin up all of the targhee merino rolags, "Iceberg", into a 2 ply sport weight yarn.
2. Spin up the Miss Babs BFL, "Melon", into a 2 ply fingering weight.<--halfway!3. Spin up approximately 120 yards of bulky weight targhee. Possibly single ply.
4. Spin up one art yarn from my cotswold (I have some koolaid dyed locks and some other breed locks to use as well as silver thread)
I am half way on the BFL! I halved the roving yesterday and started spinning the first single. I LOVE how it is coming along. I finished the first single today, and am stopping for now. My right shoulder is a little sore! That was a lot of spinning.
We have this huge, old cherry tree in the backyard. This tree looks as if it has hardly ever been pruned, and I would venture to guess that it is at least as old as the house (1978). The husband and dad have decided it needs to come down, which saddens me since I love the fruit it gives. Last year however, it hardly fruited, and what it did fruit, the birds and bugs got. So today, I realized, we could prop the ladder against the play-set, and cut the high branches down to get some great fruit.
I propped the ladder, and fully extended it. My mom then climbed up and used the branch trimmer to cut two branches down. After that, we sat on the porch and gathered the yummy cherries off the branches and ate a few too! I will miss the tree, but tomorrow, I'll be cutting a few more down ;)
Friday, June 6, 2008
knitting meme
1) Bold things you’ve done,
2) Green thing you are currently doing
3) Red out things you’ve abandoned or will never attempt
4) Italicize things you want to try
Afghan
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)- maybe if i ever learn two handed colorwork
Baby items
Bobbles
Button holes
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Cardigan
Charity knitting
Continental knitting
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Darning
Designing knitted garments
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Drop stitch patterns
Dyeing with plant colors (Just to try.. I love my acid dyes lol)
Dyeing yarn
Entrelac
Fair Isle knitting
Freeform knitting
Fulling/felting
Gloves
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street) - TREE SWEATERS!
Hair accessories (Calorimetry and Dream Swatch)
Hat
Holiday related knitting- Maybe funny hats for kids or toys. Not Intarsia Sweaters with reindeer.
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
I-cord
Intarsia
Jewelry- Wire knitted bracelets and cuff are so pretty!
Kitchener BO
Knitting a gift
Knitting and purling backwards
Knitting for a living
Knitting for pets- maybe a sweater for my moms dog as she is a big wussy.
Knitting for preemies
Knitting in public
Knitting items for a wedding
Knitting socks
Knitting to make money
Lace patterns
Long Tail CO
Machine knitting- would be nice for making "sock blanks" ala' Flat Feet
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Moebius band knitting
Norwegian knitting
Olympic knitting- I am a bad bad KAL'er and not so good at competitions. Still trying to figure out why i joined Summer of Socks!
Participating in a KAL
Pillows
Publishing a knitting book- hey, it could happen!
Purses/bags
Rug- Mariwai Bath mat and a round rug for my room eventually when I get some sweaters done first ;)
Scarf
Shawl- someday....
Short rows
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Slip stitch patterns
Slippers
Socks: toe-up
Socks: top-down
Steeks
Stockinette stitch
Stuffed toys
Swatching
Sweater
Teaching a child/adult to knit
Textured knitting
Thrummed knitting
Toy/doll clothing- awfully sure I won't do this.
Tubular CO
Twisted stitch patterns
Two end knitting
Writing a pattern- Currently writing one for a contest for my LYS and the SOX Hot Psot contest :)
Feel free to copy and paste if you haven't already! It was sort of fun to do.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Needle Storage!
So, I ordered the knitpicks Options Interchangeable Knitting needle set. IF you don't know about these, go look, I'll wait.
See how cool they are? And the Harmony Set are very pretty ... maybe i can get a set for Christmas?
The thing I don't like, is that the case they sent (no longer sending the pretty binder...). One is worth the $19.99, and one, well, isn't. Can you guess which is which? ;)
So inspired by a couple of posts on ravelry, and this blog, i decided on my latest trip to wally world to pick up a worm wallet.
About $6, and lots of pockets.
It may not be girly, or handsewn. And I don't think the manufacturer would have thought it would ever be used for this sort of storage.
As for how i am using it, the mesh pocket is holding all the end caps and screw keys (in the tiny zip bags still) as well as a needle gauger, pair of scissors and plastic hair bands (I use them for markers- cheap and colorful!) I left the needles on the cardboard holder, until I get around to buying or making pretty needle size signs for the pockets. I just bent the cardboard in half and it fits perfect in the pockets. The cables are stored by length. It works great :)
See how cool they are? And the Harmony Set are very pretty ... maybe i can get a set for Christmas?
The thing I don't like, is that the case they sent (no longer sending the pretty binder...). One is worth the $19.99, and one, well, isn't. Can you guess which is which? ;)
So inspired by a couple of posts on ravelry, and this blog, i decided on my latest trip to wally world to pick up a worm wallet.
About $6, and lots of pockets.
It may not be girly, or handsewn. And I don't think the manufacturer would have thought it would ever be used for this sort of storage.
As for how i am using it, the mesh pocket is holding all the end caps and screw keys (in the tiny zip bags still) as well as a needle gauger, pair of scissors and plastic hair bands (I use them for markers- cheap and colorful!) I left the needles on the cardboard holder, until I get around to buying or making pretty needle size signs for the pockets. I just bent the cardboard in half and it fits perfect in the pockets. The cables are stored by length. It works great :)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I know!
Sorry for the lack of pictures.. my camera made a run for it in the car somewhere on the trip back from Idaho. (No pictures from the trip, except of my aunt and mom with BAAAD highlights. ugh indeed.) ahem. I still need to search the van for it. when i do find it, pictures for everyone! YAY!
updates on the home front:
I still hate housework. truly and deeply.
I dyed my hair. It was *supposed* to be a rich auburn (after using the clairol.com try-it-on studio). Instead, my roots are a medium auburn and the rest is a dark auburn brown. I plan on getting a box of the loreal colour rays in red and 'handpainting' highlights. I have always wanted bad-ass hair, but never did it for personal fears that i will not be able to pull it off. Considering that i am very much a jeans and t or sweater girl, i feel like it will look too contrived since i don't dress the 'part', KWIM?? Same reason i feel out of place at a tattoo shop, even though i love tattoos and am in desperate need of getting my back finished. *it's about a 4-5 hour job, and i only have 1 hour of work done- outlines a a touch of shading..so saaaad :(
Updates on knitting:
I finished the birthday dress for DD. It's lovely and soft (crystal palace bunny hop yarn). It is also way to big. I got to the waist, did the two rounds of decrease, then you are supposed to do an increase round, and then another decrease round. i thought it looked to big. she REFUSED to try it in, so I rechecked my gauge on the skirt on about 6 places. Spot on 5 SPI. So when i finished the back and straps, i weaved in and trimmed all the ends. Very proud of my work, i tricked her into trying it on by telling her it was jammies. I could cry. The armscythes are HUGE and the top is so baggy. I am going to measure her, then figure out how many stitches i need to decrease the top by. I am also going to increase the number of rounds i do before casting off for the armscythes. They look like those muscle T’s from the 80’s. sigh I was so looking forward to her wearing this. it is adorable if she had gorilla arms and a wide chest.
Knitting DH a hat, The Boy Hat by Elizabeth Heath-Heckman. I am using the left over suri alpaca/merino yarn from DD christmas sweater. The main body will be dark grey, and I am using the dark green to add some stripes. I am pretty sure I will run out of yarn if i made it all grey. Should be very warm, and man approved ;)
I also plan on knitting Kirkcaldy from Berroco, using either a skein of Peace Fleece Dk in Antarctica White, or some soft BFL yarn i bought on ebay. I'll probablt do the kirkcaldy toe up, two at a time so I don't run out of yarn. That means they will most likely not be as high. I think I'll use the Peace fleece and use the skein of Sakhalin Salmon (Peace Fleece) to do the toes and heels. They won't be as soft as the BFL, but should wash up nice and last alooooong time :)
updates on the home front:
I still hate housework. truly and deeply.
I dyed my hair. It was *supposed* to be a rich auburn (after using the clairol.com try-it-on studio). Instead, my roots are a medium auburn and the rest is a dark auburn brown. I plan on getting a box of the loreal colour rays in red and 'handpainting' highlights. I have always wanted bad-ass hair, but never did it for personal fears that i will not be able to pull it off. Considering that i am very much a jeans and t or sweater girl, i feel like it will look too contrived since i don't dress the 'part', KWIM?? Same reason i feel out of place at a tattoo shop, even though i love tattoos and am in desperate need of getting my back finished. *it's about a 4-5 hour job, and i only have 1 hour of work done- outlines a a touch of shading..so saaaad :(
Updates on knitting:
I finished the birthday dress for DD. It's lovely and soft (crystal palace bunny hop yarn). It is also way to big. I got to the waist, did the two rounds of decrease, then you are supposed to do an increase round, and then another decrease round. i thought it looked to big. she REFUSED to try it in, so I rechecked my gauge on the skirt on about 6 places. Spot on 5 SPI. So when i finished the back and straps, i weaved in and trimmed all the ends. Very proud of my work, i tricked her into trying it on by telling her it was jammies. I could cry. The armscythes are HUGE and the top is so baggy. I am going to measure her, then figure out how many stitches i need to decrease the top by. I am also going to increase the number of rounds i do before casting off for the armscythes. They look like those muscle T’s from the 80’s. sigh I was so looking forward to her wearing this. it is adorable if she had gorilla arms and a wide chest.
Knitting DH a hat, The Boy Hat by Elizabeth Heath-Heckman. I am using the left over suri alpaca/merino yarn from DD christmas sweater. The main body will be dark grey, and I am using the dark green to add some stripes. I am pretty sure I will run out of yarn if i made it all grey. Should be very warm, and man approved ;)
I also plan on knitting Kirkcaldy from Berroco, using either a skein of Peace Fleece Dk in Antarctica White, or some soft BFL yarn i bought on ebay. I'll probablt do the kirkcaldy toe up, two at a time so I don't run out of yarn. That means they will most likely not be as high. I think I'll use the Peace fleece and use the skein of Sakhalin Salmon (Peace Fleece) to do the toes and heels. They won't be as soft as the BFL, but should wash up nice and last alooooong time :)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
other updates
I've been fairly busy with the home front. we finally have dd's room in order. prior to the 'makeover', it was a mess. About 4 years ago i had painted the room a nice light teal. and for added interest, on one plain wall i painted a gingham check pattern in 24" squares using the same light teal, a dark teal and a peach. i also randomly placed 24" squares on the other 3 walls making it seem like they 'escaped' the gingham wall, and used the light teal as the main color. it was very cool. ;) trust meto get it ready to be our dd's room, we scrapped the ceiling smooth (it was popcorn crap), and ripped the carpet out. Next we primed the walls and ceiling.
I then taped off the walls to create a top and bottm, and on the plain wall, i made a mural of hills with a stream. I lucked out and found wall stickers from the $1 store.
(see the old light teal color near the ceiling?)
after all the tape was removed, i added adorable wallpaper boarder (also found at the $1 store). i also scored some cordinating wall stickers to add near her window.
In between the painting and decorating, DH and BIL put in floating laminate floors (same as the rest of the house, they did a great job!
somewhere in all this, i managed to finish her drive-thru sweater, and knit her a christmas curly purly soaker, complete with needle felted hollyberries!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
knitting update
wow! it's been a month since my last post, so i thought i would break this up into a knitting post and an 'other' post.
recently finished projects include a lacy scarf for baby sister. I used the Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Brushed Alpaca in Rose that i received in a KH swap. Lovely, charming, warm, soft, divine stuff! i would live to knit a whole sweater in this stuff! Seriously!
I cast on 220, knit 4 rows. then knit2, *[yo, k1, k2tog]* to end or so. knit 4 rows, then repeat. I also added fringe with stone beads for added glamor. sis loves it and it knit up super quick! I have learned the need for blocking wires though, so when i finally finish a stole, i'll be making a trip to Home Depot to get some steel wires to use. it's got to be easier than using quilting pins.
I've also knitted my BIL a balaclava (no real pattern) using 2 balls of cascade 220 superwash wool. one in black and one in grey. He loves it and really needed it for work. he works at a paper mill and occasionally gets burns from the large, HOT drums that presses the paper (now he can keep his face pretty lol)
also, i have cast on and have in progress "bee stripe" (lorna's laces shepherd sock) socks for mom and some donegal tweed bare (from knitpicks.com) that i dyed in "I like Lello" for my niece. No progress pictures today. I'll try to add some tomorrow. Both are simple stockinette because i wanted the yarns to shine, and not be too fussy. I love how they both are turning out.
I have taught myself to crochet! Yay me! I am crocheting a giant granny square out of some lovely Plymouth Bella Colour (i think it's been discontinued...) yarn as a present or my DH's coworker (they had a baby boy). I wanted to learn primarily to crochet wool soakers for our dd, since it'll be thicker and more absorbent with out having to knit then felt one to get a similar results. I used the tutorial from crochet cabana.
She has great pictures and teaches you to learn how to understand a pattern as well.
here is the blanket after one ball of yarn (i am starting on #3 currently)
I knit dad a pair of fiber trends clogs as part of his Christmas gift (it also included a robe, pajama pants and dark chocolate!) They are a hit, and now mom wants a pair... I used Patons classic wool merino for them.
I too had a great knitting related Christmas! Dad got me a nifty swift (the table top one) it's so much nicer than the one i made this summer, and much easier to use. DH got me a set of Denise interchangeable. I really wanted the KnitPicks Options set, but i do like the Denise set 200% better than the Boye Needlemaster i bought off of ebay.I might get the Options as a birthday present, along with some of the new longer length traditional circs for magic loop sock knitting.
recently finished projects include a lacy scarf for baby sister. I used the Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Brushed Alpaca in Rose that i received in a KH swap. Lovely, charming, warm, soft, divine stuff! i would live to knit a whole sweater in this stuff! Seriously!
I cast on 220, knit 4 rows. then knit2, *[yo, k1, k2tog]* to end or so. knit 4 rows, then repeat. I also added fringe with stone beads for added glamor. sis loves it and it knit up super quick! I have learned the need for blocking wires though, so when i finally finish a stole, i'll be making a trip to Home Depot to get some steel wires to use. it's got to be easier than using quilting pins.
I've also knitted my BIL a balaclava (no real pattern) using 2 balls of cascade 220 superwash wool. one in black and one in grey. He loves it and really needed it for work. he works at a paper mill and occasionally gets burns from the large, HOT drums that presses the paper (now he can keep his face pretty lol)
also, i have cast on and have in progress "bee stripe" (lorna's laces shepherd sock) socks for mom and some donegal tweed bare (from knitpicks.com) that i dyed in "I like Lello" for my niece. No progress pictures today. I'll try to add some tomorrow. Both are simple stockinette because i wanted the yarns to shine, and not be too fussy. I love how they both are turning out.
I have taught myself to crochet! Yay me! I am crocheting a giant granny square out of some lovely Plymouth Bella Colour (i think it's been discontinued...) yarn as a present or my DH's coworker (they had a baby boy). I wanted to learn primarily to crochet wool soakers for our dd, since it'll be thicker and more absorbent with out having to knit then felt one to get a similar results. I used the tutorial from crochet cabana.
She has great pictures and teaches you to learn how to understand a pattern as well.
here is the blanket after one ball of yarn (i am starting on #3 currently)
I knit dad a pair of fiber trends clogs as part of his Christmas gift (it also included a robe, pajama pants and dark chocolate!) They are a hit, and now mom wants a pair... I used Patons classic wool merino for them.
I too had a great knitting related Christmas! Dad got me a nifty swift (the table top one) it's so much nicer than the one i made this summer, and much easier to use. DH got me a set of Denise interchangeable. I really wanted the KnitPicks Options set, but i do like the Denise set 200% better than the Boye Needlemaster i bought off of ebay.I might get the Options as a birthday present, along with some of the new longer length traditional circs for magic loop sock knitting.
Monday, November 19, 2007
CDind & knitting
we have started (about 2 weeks now) cloth diapering our dd! Its a different, but simple change. Instead of trashing every diaper, we dump the cloth in the 'wash' bucket, and dd's bum is a bit bulkier than before ;)
my only issue is this:
She gets what looks like bruising at the top of her thighs, where the prorap cover back wraps to close in the front. I would love to afford a softer cover, but we can't. We do have to change her a little more frequently, but i only do a load (or a bucket full) about every 3 days or so. And using a pre-fold with a flat as a doubler at night means no nighttime changes! I love how simple this has been.
My other issue is using wool soakers in place of the prorap. Why is this an issue? beacuse of compression leaks. which means when ever she sits on our lap or the couch (or anything) it gets wet. sucks, cause they are so cute and look adorable on her! Any suggestions??? am i not lanolizing them enough? or is this just a 'live with' issuse? Thanks.
On the knitting front:
I have started knitting a drive-thru cardigan ($5.50) for dd! It is so cute, and easy! I highly reccomend this pattern for any beginner. More advanced knitter could probably figure this one out if they have already knitted a bottom up sweater before. it really is that simple!
here is the latest pic of it:
I have since knitted a couple inches more on the sleeves, in the lighter green. I am so afraid i will run out! The yarn is Indiecita Suri Merino (an alpaca merino blend), a Plymouth Yarn brand that i purchased from fabulousyarns.com.
my only issue is this:
She gets what looks like bruising at the top of her thighs, where the prorap cover back wraps to close in the front. I would love to afford a softer cover, but we can't. We do have to change her a little more frequently, but i only do a load (or a bucket full) about every 3 days or so. And using a pre-fold with a flat as a doubler at night means no nighttime changes! I love how simple this has been.
My other issue is using wool soakers in place of the prorap. Why is this an issue? beacuse of compression leaks. which means when ever she sits on our lap or the couch (or anything) it gets wet. sucks, cause they are so cute and look adorable on her! Any suggestions??? am i not lanolizing them enough? or is this just a 'live with' issuse? Thanks.
On the knitting front:
I have started knitting a drive-thru cardigan ($5.50) for dd! It is so cute, and easy! I highly reccomend this pattern for any beginner. More advanced knitter could probably figure this one out if they have already knitted a bottom up sweater before. it really is that simple!
here is the latest pic of it:
I have since knitted a couple inches more on the sleeves, in the lighter green. I am so afraid i will run out! The yarn is Indiecita Suri Merino (an alpaca merino blend), a Plymouth Yarn brand that i purchased from fabulousyarns.com.
Friday, November 2, 2007
bad for bloggin'
i'm just sayin'.
I love ravelry, and KH.
why are they baaaad? cause i spend my time updating my stash, my projects, and keeping up with swaps (for fun and for destashing), and then there are the forums and pattern browsing. *sigh*
it makes it awfully hard to update the blog as far as knitting goes. but here are a couple of recent Fo's:
the curly purly soaker. Plan on making lot's of these :) already started #2
dd in her halloween costume. she was a piglet (not the Piglet) I knit a 2x2 short cuff, then plain hat. I added craft felt ears, stitched into place. very cute. very warm, and she wore it all night! and she was cute sayin' "thank ewe", and "welcome" when she got candy. :)
I am on the look out for a nice simple coat pattern. I have about 2600 yds of a nice light mint DK weight yarn. I want a sort of feminine 'pea' coat. minus the long length, and not too fitted, as i'd like to wear more than a t-shirt under it. also, i don't want to felt or full a jacket. just a nice tight gauge.
and i have 4 skeins of louet riverstone chunky. i think i'd like a top, but i don't know if i have enough yarn to make one to fit ME. it may end up as another soaker, and some handdyed to sell in my etsy shop. I already dyed one skein for a soaker. It will be #3, the colorway name is 'Perfect Peri". I will take pictures tomorrow, as it's still drying ;)
I am hoping to actually sell stuff, but apparently i am crappy at self promotion, or sumpin'. I want to start a stole, with beads. problem? i need to sell at least one more yarn and then i can buy beads. *sigh*
I love ravelry, and KH.
why are they baaaad? cause i spend my time updating my stash, my projects, and keeping up with swaps (for fun and for destashing), and then there are the forums and pattern browsing. *sigh*
it makes it awfully hard to update the blog as far as knitting goes. but here are a couple of recent Fo's:
the curly purly soaker. Plan on making lot's of these :) already started #2
dd in her halloween costume. she was a piglet (not the Piglet) I knit a 2x2 short cuff, then plain hat. I added craft felt ears, stitched into place. very cute. very warm, and she wore it all night! and she was cute sayin' "thank ewe", and "welcome" when she got candy. :)I am on the look out for a nice simple coat pattern. I have about 2600 yds of a nice light mint DK weight yarn. I want a sort of feminine 'pea' coat. minus the long length, and not too fitted, as i'd like to wear more than a t-shirt under it. also, i don't want to felt or full a jacket. just a nice tight gauge.
and i have 4 skeins of louet riverstone chunky. i think i'd like a top, but i don't know if i have enough yarn to make one to fit ME. it may end up as another soaker, and some handdyed to sell in my etsy shop. I already dyed one skein for a soaker. It will be #3, the colorway name is 'Perfect Peri". I will take pictures tomorrow, as it's still drying ;)
I am hoping to actually sell stuff, but apparently i am crappy at self promotion, or sumpin'. I want to start a stole, with beads. problem? i need to sell at least one more yarn and then i can buy beads. *sigh*
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
stash and yarn swaping
i realized today that knitting is a dangerous hobby.
thats right. i said DANGEROUS. be warned!
if you are a hoarder or a pack rat, or just like pretty things, back away slowly from the yarn. put down the needles. put away Elizabeth Zimmermann's opinionated books, dont open the vogue stitchionary. and for goodness sake, do not go to knittinghelp.com! they are all enablers! (i love you guys!)
is there any hope for me??? i think i need more circular needles ...
as for yarn swapping. so fun so far! i am awaiting the beautiful malabrigo to arrive for my yarnee. i bought my yarnee two organic chocolate bars and i am going to make her some pretty stitch markers. i bought some colorful large jump rings and pink beads. i think she will love them (i hope!)
thats right. i said DANGEROUS. be warned!
if you are a hoarder or a pack rat, or just like pretty things, back away slowly from the yarn. put down the needles. put away Elizabeth Zimmermann's opinionated books, dont open the vogue stitchionary. and for goodness sake, do not go to knittinghelp.com! they are all enablers! (i love you guys!)
i love knitting, even if i am achingly slow. i love the feel of the yarn, i love watching the fabric come into being. i love that there are literally endless possibilities when it comes to knitting patterns, stitches, colors, textures. i am in love.
i am a pack rat. i save anything that *might* be useful one day.
which has now manifested itself in the guise of yarn. i need this yarn because i am going to make little faux suede booties . so i ordered it this morning....
and isnt this tank top pretty? i have 6 skeins of lionbrand microspun in mind....
and my dh needs a summer vest for golfing. now i need a pattern, cause i already ordered 10 balls of bamboo sahara yarn.
and i want to knit cool socks. now i need a sock book, cause i already bought 20 balls from jojoland on ebay and 3 more skeins from hancocks on sale.
is there any hope for me??? i think i need more circular needles ...
as for yarn swapping. so fun so far! i am awaiting the beautiful malabrigo to arrive for my yarnee. i bought my yarnee two organic chocolate bars and i am going to make her some pretty stitch markers. i bought some colorful large jump rings and pink beads. i think she will love them (i hope!)
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