Nubian Craftster

It's Time to Make A Change

2007-02-17T14:18:00.000-08:00

30 is fast approaching and its time to make a few changes... I have a new blog address at Wordpress AND a new blog name!

New Site Name is The Lint Knitter

New site address is
http://knitlint.wordpress.com/

I have made the move for a variety of reasons. Better templates, better organization and user interface, but primarily because I was tired of not being able to contact the wonderful people who are leaving comments on my site but blogger keeps saying "noreply-comment" when it comes to the e-mail address.

I hope this goes better on Wordpress and I can actually respond to your comments. For the few readers I have don't forget to update your bloglines or other feeds for my new address. Hope to see you over there soon

http://knitlint.wordpress.com/

I Needed A Present

2007-02-15T07:53:00.000-08:00

You know when you get into that mood where you need SOMETHING to make you happy, whether it be food, drink, or....I don't know....yarn? Well, I was doing pretty good, and still in based on the rules of the YFC and KFYS rules, however, I caved on the purchase of yarn. Now before you judge, listen to the circumstances.

On Wednesday, I went to Destash.com to do my daily review of what everyone is selling and I spot 2 skeins of Socks that Rocks for $12.00 including shipping. what WHAT!! I struggled with myself for about 5 minutes trying to convince myself out of it. Needless to say I caved and sent the e-mail to request the purchase. I waited all day, beating myself up for being so weak and then I got the e-mail....that said she sold it to someone else. I was both relieved and depressed about losing this wonderful deal.

However, fate had something else in store for me.

My Valentine's day was a little depressing. This is probably one of the few times I think about being single and it is only compounded by the fact that everyone is so lovey dovey and getting presents. PRESENTS!! Well, I wanted a present too, but was still on this nasty yarn diet so I suffered through the feeling until I got to my knit group.

One of our normal meeting places, Banana Berry, was closing and I specifically turned down an invitation to be the third wheel on my Sister's Valentine's dinner to be with my friends at knit group. My reward was that the owner, in a very CALM voice told me that all yarn in the store was $5.00. $5.00? I didn't believe her. I kept repeating it and looking around as if it was a cruel joke. I picked up yarn and looked at her, "$5.00?" I asked. She mouthed "5.00". I picked up another, "5.00?" Once again she said "5.00!". When another knit group member arrived I told her about the deal with the same reaction "5.00!!!"

So needless to say I used my Get out of jail free card for KFYS and my free day for YFC. To buy these goodies:

2 skeins Cherry Tree Hill to hopefully make the chevron scarf for the Scarfalong
and some of this:

7 balls ofRoyal Bamboo in a wonderful buttery yellow to make this

That was after 3 hours of mulling and shopping so that I didn't add to much to my stash. Technically, I was the picture of restraint. Here was the damage for one of my other knit group members which proves it could have been much much worse.

This is only one of 5 piles. MAN, I wish I was her!

Distraction Plan#1: Hey Look What I Got!

2007-02-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

No real WIP Weekend Update this weekend as the knitting was not that exciting. I finished the two sides of the Doctor's Bag after getting my shipment from WEBS and I am now reknitting the bottom. Should be seeming next week. The apricot sweater is progressing nicely as well.

What I will distract you with are my new purchases. Now this has been over the course of a few weeks I just neglected to blog about them. So here they are:

Weekend Knitting I have wanted for a while and got for 40% off at Michaels, The Interweave magazine which I have to make the Half Dollar Sweater, and the Fast Quilts for Fat Quarters Book because I am taking a quilting class so I might as well start the hoarding and collecting early.

The highlights of my recent purchases were the Phildar Magazines which I got for 40% off and were received really quickly after placing the order. Items I plan to knit are:

I also got Finishing Techniques for Hand Knitters which I think is an excellent resource. I have other finishing books but each one has their own unique perspective on things. I figure if I get two or three new ideas from it, it is worth being in my collection. This one has a section on lining jackets, zippers and taking care of garments. Yeah you can get this on the internet or from a variety of other finishing books but I like the presentation in this one.

Confession time...I have very little news to share on knitting because I have been doing this:

Amy Butler Clutch from In Stitches

My excuse is that I started my 16 week beginning sewing class this weekend. I temporarily have to bug for sewing. I think it may go back into hibernation come Monday but for now, I hope to finish this bag this weekend.

WIP Weekend Update - One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

2007-02-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Apricot Jacket: The jacket is making lot of progress both forward and backward this week. I finished the back and one sleeve so far. I love the sleeve as I was pretty consistent with the stitches and it went pretty quickly as I was truly in tune with the pattern.

I learned a few things on this sleeve:

Learned a new increase as I wanted them to be a little more discrete then the M1 and Bar increases. So I executed the Lifted or Raised increase. I think it looks pretty darn good. Actually it looks so good I can't really see it so that is even better
I have hated the stepped bind offs that occur with just binding off stitches so I took the suggestion made on the Rebecca site for a smoother edging on shoulder shaping and this is what I got:

Me likey!!

However, with all the progress made on the sleeve, I made none on the back. In fact I reverted back to the ribbing! I figured I would frog to the neck since the neck shaping was all wonkey. Then I realized I did the arm hole shaping wrong, so I would have to frog back to that point. And, since I was doing all this frogging, I thought I would take it one step further as I didn't like the length of the ribbing since it was too long and accentuating the not so positive...my posterior. So I now have about 15cm of ribbing on the back instead of the finished 60cm back panel. Oh well, I am not feeling that bad about it since this was pretty darn quick for me to knit up the first time. It can only look better the second time.

Doctor's Bag: The Doctor is out this week since I am still waiting for the 2 extra skeins I needed from WEBS. I still need to frog the bottom and reknit it so I am not too excited about that. Maybe more news next week on this one.

A Legacy Ends

2007-01-30T20:35:00.000-08:00

Today is a sad and happy day for this SP9 Participant. I am sad because this is the last gift I will receive from my thoughtful SP9 spoiler. She spent extra time personalizing each gift down to the last note. It is not often that you get treated so special by someone who does not even know you. Thank you very much Lynn.

The happy part is that I will finally get to meet my SP9 Spoiler...ummm...officially that is. See, I accidentally stumbled across her blog when I was looking at my referrals list on my blog counter. I always like to know how people stumble across my blog. I don't do it often, but every once in a while I do. It so happens that I came across her post when she was blogging about these...

They are my spoilers special scissors that she accidentally left in one of the packages she mailed off to me. You have to read the comments because they are so funny. Very Office Space like. Per her request I will be mailing them back but I have to say they made me giggle every time I looked at them

So go on over and meet a very wonderful lady at her blog. Thanks you again for making my SP9 adventure so wonderful.

WIP Weekend Update - One of These Things is Not Like the Other

2007-01-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

This weeks knitting was extensive. This whole two project things is kinda stressful because I guess I am very obsessive about the finished product of knitting even more than the process so I am speeding like a demon to get to the end of both of these. Hopefully next week I will mellow out a bit....breathe...

Doctor's Bag: My hands hurt. This project is giving me carpal tunnel. Big needles, double stranded, heavy knitting = yuck. The I see this:

One of these things is not like the other :O(

Well, it seems that the pattern may have some errata going on and since I have seen very little blogging on this bag, it may be that I am the first to find it.

Now I am no knitting expert but umm...that base sure is big. I have gotten measurements elsewhere that matched up pretty dang close, if not exact. This one is just HUGE. The pattern for this piece says to case on 78 sts but reading further in the pattern it tells me to pick up 60 stitches to attach it to the front. Well folks, where do the other 18 sts go????!!! ERRRRR!!! Did I mention my hands hurt? AND since this is knit lengthwise I have to do the whole thing over again. To top it off, I think I am going to run out of yarn! Me sad.

Apricot Jacket: I thank all those who came before me on this one because I am completely dependent on them. I even had to print out the pictures as my tool to follow more than the pattern itself. I am now at the shoulder decreases and need a minute to decipher the Engrish. So far I like the pattern but not a lover of cotton or cotton blends cause it shows so much stitch irregularity. I hope blocking and the slight blooming of the yarn that I experienced with the swatch will help with this.

Hee hee.. you can see my piggy banks booty in this pic

Book Previews - Knit 2 Together and Knitting Nature

2007-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have had this post waiting in the wings for some time. Bigger and better things came along since this post was written so they were blogged about and this went to the wayside. Well, today I have a lot to talk about but am obsessed with my knitting which I will talk about this weekend on the Weekend WIP Report. So without much more ado, here are some pictures from two books in my knitting collection.

Knit 2 Together - This is a great knitting book. I love so many patterns in this book that when I saw it at my SnB meeting I HAD TO HAVE IT. One pattern in particular is at the top of my list and that is the Herringbone Doctor's Bag (the red one below). That I am actually knitting right now.

Knitting Nature - This one has some interesting patterns. None are at the top of my list but I love the geometric construction of the patterns.

Denise Schmidt Quilts (no pictures) - These seems to have some fun beginner patterns that should be doable once I take my sewing class starting in two weeks. We shall see.

WIP Weekend Report

2007-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

So I am not very good with knitalongs but I think I will try to get the hang of reporting on my WIP. I really love looking at others progress during the creation process so I imagine that sooner or later someone will benefit from me showing mine. So one of my many resolutions will be to try and do this every (read: sometimes) weekend.

Knit Two Together Doctor's Bag

Here is the completed front panel of the Doctor's Bag. I have been wanting to knit this for ever since I got the book. This project, in fact, was the REASON for buying the book. Now I tried to knit this with Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky but the plied texture of the yarn detracted from the herringbone stitch pattern...plus I didn't like the color. Then I stumble upon Valley Yarn Berkshire from WEBS. This is really a great yarn that I will be using again. It is a 85% Wool, 15% Alpaca blend that just feels luscious AND it is inexpensive which is what I wanted in a yarn intended to be a bag. Below you can see a close up of the fiber. It does have the tendency to little white fibers come out but nothing to detract from its quality.

Rebecca 27 Apricot Jacket (a.k.a. Apricot Jacke in German)

You might remember this yarn as the recently retired Marnie sweater. I just couldn't deal with all the gaping holes created with the pattern on size 7 needles. So when I started thinking of the Apricot Jacket as a substitute (since GGH Java and GGH Samoa are very similar in gauge) I knew I would have a problem with the requested size 8 needles called for in the pattern. So I swatched..

Size 8 on left, size 7 on right

Here are the swatches that were made to test out the pattern gauge. Now I got gauge using the requested size 8 needles but to me it looked horrible! I couldn't be consistent with the 8 and cotton is very unforgiving when it comes to poor stitch tension.

Look at all those visible rows..yucky yucky yucky

So I swatched on 7's which gave me a better look but not exact gauge.

It was slightly under the 4" mark but bigger than the 3.75" mark. Now I am not shaped like the wonderful model for this jacket so messing with gauge may be my downfall, but for this I will take the chance..famous last words. I think it suits the yarn, suits my desire of difficulty, and gives me incentive to diet...All bases covered.

So here is my progress so far

Back Panel: past the ribbing and on to the eyelets

I am heavily dependent on those who came before me as the pattern for this jacket is harder than deciphering the Di Vinci Code! This also marks my divide from the knitting monogamy I normally have. TWO PROJECTS...blasphemy for me, normality for true knitters. I am one with the multi-knitters.

FO: Jaywalkers

2007-01-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Ta Da!!! My first socks done!! The sweet taste of de feet! These were pretty fun and I will definitely make more socks and probably more Jaywalkers in the future...since I caught the sock yarn bug and was buying up a storm a few months ago. I don't know how much "out of the house" use they will get because they are pretty thick in relation to my microfiber socks I normally wear. I wear thin socks because there is not a lot of leftover room in my already wide width shoe to accommodate a thick sock, but I do like them a lot.

Yarn: "Knit and Tonic" Vesper Self Striping Sock Yarn
Inspiration: Jaywalkers
Needles: Size 1
Yardage: Little less than 1 skein (approx. 350 yards)
Modifications: Used instructions for making a 9.75" circumference foot
Enjoyment Factor: 8

The Good:

The pattern: It was very clear and I was sooo happy that Grumperina posted instructions for making a larger sock. It made me actually have to think about the fact that socks actually DO come in different sizes and I had to measure. I would have been pretty upset if my first sock pattern did not fit.

Turning the heel: I LOVED turning the heel! This was the best part of the sock by far. Not only was it great fun building all those stitches and picking them up but it signified the home stretch on the sock. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT

The Bad:

The first try: Figuring out that I do not always have to go with the biggest size offered. This is normally my default mode as in clothes and shoes I am pretty much on the bleeding edge of normal sizing. Therefore, I first started out knitting the 10.5" sock and had to rip and reknit when I found it was going to be too big. Definitely not heartbreaking since these socks are pretty big already.
The heel: since I wasn't paying attention I knit the heal a bit too long on the second sock. I didn't take a picture but the heal on the other sock is grey. Woops! Oh well, they still fit fine though...just one better than the other.

The Ugly: Not much on these socks. I can't say I love the ribbing as it looks like it is just for show as opposed to keeping anything up since this is a fitted sock. I would probably have made them a little shorted to compensate for this since the circumference of my leg expand exponentially after about 4 inches.

Knit Time: November 24 - January 13

First sock BO: January 3, Second Sock BO January 13 - definitely a marked difference in knit time due to knowledge of technique and pattern memorization

Destructive Behavior

2007-01-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

Ok...I don't know what is wrong with me but I REALLY need it to stop. I have been the moodiest B*@%$ the past few days. I have waken up tired for more than 4 days despite my attempts at getting more sleep. I even varied the amount of sleep - some days 7, some days 8+ - to try and get rid of it, but still I am irritated and restless while still being tired. Which has resulted in major complaining at work - at least for me since I normally only complain to a select few, but this past week has been just general outward bitchiness with no holds barred - mental temper tantrums, and emotional eating. I just polished off a Western Bacon Cheeseburger with Crisscross fries. Normally I would have shunned this 1000+ calorie, God know how many fact grams, pig out but today despite my slight nausea, I am content.

But the destructive behaviour doesn't stop at diabetes inducing food comas and slightly scared co-workers. Oh no, it even extends to knitting. While working on the Marnie sweater I felt this sinking feeling and it looks like this

What are those little holes at the bottom all about!!! I got gauge, I thought I tightened up everything fairly firmly but lookie there!! At the top I tried to tightenen up even more between EVERY stitch until my fingers bled, be it stockinette or that irritating Purl tbl, but still you can see those little holes where I did the purl tbl. Before you get started, yes, I did try going down to 6s but it didn't help all that much and just made me miss the gauge measurements. Errr...I have already left it to marinate for a few days with the hopes of it looking better after a few days, but no more. To the Frog pond with you Marnie!!!

We shall see if she comes back or is reincarnated as another knitting pattern. Probably more of the latter than the former.

When I am not so irritated I will post my finished Jaywalkers and show you the Doctor's Bag I started. For now, back to my glass of whine...I mean wine.

FO: Easy Peasy Bag

2007-01-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon Camel/Red 05
Inspiration: Louisa Harding Easy Peasy Bag
Needles: Size 15
Yardage: 2 skeins
Modifications: None
Enjoyment Factor: 5

The Good:

Very easy as it is just a seamed rectangle on 15s. The ribbon is really pretty and I got it during a great sale at Tall Mouse for $2.94 a skein.

My hand stitching went well although tedious. The yarn made my stitching look even better because you can barely see any traces.

The Bad:

The hand stitching of the lining. One of the major reasons this was not finished back in September when I started was the lining. I HATE do not like hand stitching that much so the prospect of doing the whole lining with the fraying satin fabric was just not that appealing. Here enters my new sewing machine, which made the seaming of the side and a reinforcement seam to stop the fraying much more satisfying to my psyche.

My seaming is a little off on one side so that the handles do not stay perfectly aligned, however, that will be fixed right after this post.

The Ugly: The amount of time it took me to finish this project. I found this project while reorganizing my yarn. This was in a bag at the bottom of another bag on the side of my couch. THIS is just one more reason I need not accumulate more yarn. This was suppose to be the simple distraction knit. I guess it was but not this time. Other than the timing, there was nothing too bad on the finished project. It is simple and I like it. Will I use it?Mmmm probably not, but my sister likes it so it may be a present to her.

Knit Time: September 24 - January 13 (Actually knitting and seaming time about 4-5 hours maybe. Pretty sad huh?!)

Are You Out There?

2007-01-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

I just found out from Big Pink Cookie that this week (Jan 8-12) is National Delurking Week. Although the official end would be today, feel free to announce your presence, if anyone is out there.

Hello? Hellloooo? Just what I thought... Oh well, I tried.

Two Timing

2007-01-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

As my fellow SnBers have discovered, I am a pretty monogamous knitter. I do not carry too many WIPs because (1) I have an insatiable urge to finish once I start a project and (2) if I become distracted at all I have a tendency to forget about it and feel guilty while knitting something new. So I normally keep it simple and "git 'er done".

However, I was carrying around a ball of the Samoa I got at the Yarn Lady Bag Sale and decided to swatch for Marnie from Hot Knits. I have had this book in my knitting library for some time so I was glad to find a fitting match to my new yarn.

It is a pretty simple pattern and is working up quickly. Please do not smite me knitting gods for saying that. I just started it last night after my eyes kept wandering from my Jaywalkers to surrounding projects. The second Jaywalker sock is almost done so my attention is definitely somewhere else. Besides, I already know what they look like from the first sock, so there is no mystery there. Probably why I won't be too obsessed with sock knitting.

Anyway, I leave you with a picture of the stitch pattern this sweater calls for:

Pretty simple and it finally got be off by duff to figure out cabling without a needle. I know...I know... Everyone has already proclaimed the eye-opening effect of cabling without a needle, but I am a slow bloomer. Sue me! Actually please don't...I don't have enough money for yarn AND a defense lawyer.

No...It's Not a Stocking

2007-01-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

No. It is not too big.

No. I will not be felting it.

No. It is not a Christmas stocking.

Yes. That is the size of my foot

Yes. They DO fit!

Sorry for the outburst there but these are just some of the questions and answers my first Jaywalker has solicited from fellow knitters and non-knitters alike.

As you can see from the picture this is no ordinary sock. This is the sock that brings out all the insecurities of a large size foot. Before I casted on I had researched the Jaywalker and hear of regular sized feet having trouble with the fitted design of the sock so I knew I had to do something. Grumperina came to the rescue with the larger size modifications. I originally casted on for the largest size (10.5" circumference) but ended up ripping out and going with the 9.75".

When I casted on I was amazed at the size. As I continued to knit, I was appalled by the size. This is like walking past a mirror and realizing that your butt is about 2 sizes bigger than you imagined it. THIS IS THE SIZE OF MY FOOT. If you ever wondered what a size 12W looks like, here it is! I was even in the Payless a few weeks ago and saw a mid-40, possible cross dressing man trying on shoes in my section!! Normal people would have been shocked to see a man trying on woman's shoes, but I was more angry that this 6'2", 200+ man fit into MY size shoe. Is there no relief!

Now don't get me wrong. I love my first sock. It came out wonderfully and fits like a rather large glove. I have already begun the second sock and am working diligently to finish.

But sometimes I want to have those really cute shoes that everyone else has. Oh well, we all want something in this life. I am just grateful that my height and shoes size provide me with excellent balance. Tree pose ain't got nothin' on me. And if I can ever stretch this far, I am sure I will rock the Lord of the Dance Pose too.

Yarn + Money = Broke OR Why Not To Buy Yarn 2007

2007-01-07T22:24:00.000-08:00

When I saw this button I knew I had to have it. It exemplifies my goals for 2007. Since calculating ball of yarn just seemed too much of a trial I decided to track and calculate my destashing another way. I would use the tried and true scale to determine stash fitness. Since the home scale would not have been that great for this task, I borrowed one from work.

This is the stash as of 1/7/07

34.50 LBS of yarn

The sad part of this is that on August 2006 I said:

"Thus my resolution begins... On this August 4, 2006 I, Monique, fight the urge to buy yarn as much as is possible for an obsessive personally and will bust at least half of this stash before this time next year. This includes any new yarn so that I am at 50% capacity by next year."

Umm...folks, this is the same resolution I have right now and if I had measured the stash back then it would have weighed much less. But with a new resolve,
I WILL BUST THIS YARN!!

It's Better to Receive...hee hee

2007-01-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

Ok... so it is January and I still have not finished all my Christmas giving. Grr....I am really starting not to like this holiday again. Between the guilt, the stress, the sweatshop laboring, and the "tit for tat" buying sprees. I just want it to be over.

Then I get gifts as thoughtful as this and remember all the time I put into my own gifts and I know that next year will start the gift giving juices flowing again.

So my wonderful SP, who I can't respond to because the stupid blogger not giving me the e-mail address, has sent me another mailbox surprise

It's a Winter Wonderland!!!

I received my wonderful package on Tuesday this week so it was the perfect start to the year

Inside was a plethora of goodies including some crocheted snowflakes, new ornaments for my tree next year, some candy apple body powder, a wonderful homemade card, and a pattern for booties to use with the Lambs Pride snowball she sent me. She even made some pom poms to add the the booties!!

On a funny aside, SP, if you are looking for your scissors I found them in the shipping box. Umm, they are a little dull, so what exactly were you using them for? I figure they were relegated to only paper cutting or something like that. I felt a little like I was looking at modern art - appreciative but not really seeing how it went with the theme. If I am completely missing the point of the wonderful yellow handled scissors, I apologize in advance. I just thought it was very funny when I realized what might have happened :O)

Some other cool gifts I received this year were

Singer 8280 Prelude

A sewing machine of my very OWN!!! My lovely sister bought this for me. I immediately ran out and bought way too much fabric to start the stashing process, then felt guilty, then felt angry, and now plan on making purses in two weekends (too busy this weekend). But it is out and sitting on my kitchen table and welcomes me home everyday with eager anticipation.

My friend Jilly made me this crocheted necklace. It is very pretty and I believe it was loosely based on a pattern in the 2005 Interweave Crochet Magazine.

Little Miss matched Socks

These were also a hit with me. My friend bought me these socks. Can't really say they are a pair as they purposefully do not match which is the cool part. I think the idea is lost on many, but I loved them. We even went shopping at a hospital gift shop because I wanted to get more and couldn't find them anywhere while I was up in Nor. Cal.

Because it was so funny, I had to take proof of our insanity

Anyway, I hope the holidays brought you lots of joy and you are now relaxed and ready for the New Year! I hopefully will be by the end of this weekend.

Welcome to 2007 (5 days late)

EXTRA!! EXTRA!!! Read All About It!!

2007-01-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

The new Winter 2006/07 Vogue Knitting Preview is up.

Sad to say, I don't think I like any of the designs that much. Here are the best of the bunch in my opinion and that is not to say that they are really all that great.

Hopefully the rest of the magazines for 2007 are better

Year in Review - Crafting 2006

2006-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

1. Yuletide Gnome; 2. London Beanie #1; 3. Fetching Gloves; 4. First Apron; 5. Downtown Purse; 6. Snake Charmers; 7. Odessa; 8. Sunrise Circle Jacket; 8. Shedir; 9. Perdita; 10. Lady Eleanore; 11. Clapotis

2006 was a pretty short knitting year for me as the I spent the first 6 months unmotivated to knit. Finally the bug hit with during the July 4th weekend where I began knitting the Lady Eleanor Stole. After that is was an exercise in finding more and more complicated knitting projects. These were, of course, time consuming projects so this year was a reflection on quality versus quantity. Here are some of the items I finished up for 2006. I have a few more that still need to make it to there destination so I will have to add them later (more for my benefit than yours)

So taking a page from Lolly's book, here is a little questionnaire regarding my year in knitting:

What is your absolute favorite project you've ever knit (one that fulfilled both process and product)?

That would have to be my Sunrise Circle Jacket. This has been my pride and joy this year as it was my first sweater and fits like a dream. I have received many compliments on it

Which of your hand knits do you wear the most often?

Once again it would be the Sunrise Circle Jacket, hands down

What was your favorite gift to knit?

Definitely the Yuletide Gnome. I had a hard time giving that one away. He was soooo cute. I didn't think I would like him at first but now I am a little sad to have seen him go.

Which of your hand knits are gathering dust your closet?

I am sad to say my Lady Eleanor has not seen the light of day since she was knit. I pull her out every once in a while to see if I can figure out how to wear her properly, but inevitably she finds her way back to the closet.

Which of your hand knits have you gotten rid of?

Ahh...the never finished Kyoto Sweater, which would have looked like a sac on me, was frogged to make way for the Green Mimosa. Hopefully the Mimosa will survive the dreaded hiatus state cause this yarn has been reincarnated too may times already.

If you've knit socks, what is your favorite pattern?

Well, I started my first sock this year so by default it would be the Jaywalker sock pattern

What have you learned about your craft in 2006?

That I shouldn't be too afraid of the unknown technique as they can all be figured out if I don't think TOO hard about it. They normally go bad when I start second guessing myself.

What events/sites have you particularly enjoyed in the blogosphere in 2006?

I am not much of a knitalong person, more of a finish and show along type, but I have to say I have enjoyed watching the Knitting Olympics, Sock Wars and Socktoberfest

What would you like to make in 2007?

Wow this question isn't a hard one, just a really long one. I have a full list of things I would like to make in 2007 that reflect a wide world of new techniques for me. Here are my current top picks for 2007:

FO: Yuletide Gnome

2006-12-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Can I tell you how excited I am to have made this gnome?!! He is so cute! I happened to stumble upon the Knitting Gnome KAL and had to make him. I have seem so many cool gnomes since then. This one was made for my best friend who loves gnomes so I thought it would be perfect as one of her Christmas presents.

Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino Wool in Grey and Red, and random acrylic for face color.
Inspiration: Simply Knitting 05 Yuletide Gnome
Needles: Size 3 for gnome, Size 6 for beard
Yardage: Ummmm...not a whole lot. You can probably make 3 gnomes out of the yardage in the Paton's Yarn balls
Modifications:

I knit the brim of the hat differently. This was pure accident though
I knit the beard on 6's. This came to mind after checking out the posts over at YummyYarn

Enjoyment Factor:10!

The Good: Everything about this pattern (except for maybe the seaming) was good. It knit up fairly quickly in between my other Christmas knitting. I absolutely love the way this gnome came out. I had to play with him a little...so here he is

Mr gnomey was tired after a hard first day of life

So I made him a cup of coffee and we talked about life as a gnome

The Bad: I would have to say the seaming is a bit much especially with the little thumbs. But I don't mind it SOOO much so it was okay.

The Ugly: No so much an ugly as an unexpected. This gnome is HUGE. I did knit the large size and probably should have paid more attention to the finished specs but I was still amazed at how big it was. Here is a picture for comparison

Knit Time: December 13 - December 23

** Since this has come up in the past I would like to add this little disclaimer: since this is not my pattern I cannot distribute it so please do not ask. Thanks in advance

FO: London Beanie

2006-12-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Berrocco Pure Merino in Husk and Chocolate Brown
Inspiration: London Beanie
Needles: Size 5 for the ribbing, Size 8 for the rest
Yardage: 1 Balls and few yards of the Chocolate Brown
Modifications: Many.

No cable cast on because it was not stretchy enough
I casted on for 81 instead of the 72 and increased to 90 stitches because the initial numbers were WAY too small for an adult male head as this was one of the few knitted xmas gifts of the year.
I decreased further before closing off the top than the pattern specified because there just seemed to be too many stitches left over

Enjoyment Factor: 6

The Good: Another instant gratification project. It only took about a day to knit this up and it feels great. Did I tell you how much I LOVE this yarn....well, I do.It is thick and soft and very swishy.

The Bad: This pattern is made for a kids head, not an adult head...my apologies to those with small heads. I ripped out once and then made many modifications to this pattern. I would use it as a LOOSE guideline to what you need to do to make a beanie, but definitely not follow it to a "T".

The Ugly:So I wanted to make a jogless color change. Well, the first time I actually picked up the bar of yarn instead of the stitch to make the color change. Here you can see the difference - lower bar=wrong, upper bar= right. I left it because (1) it is a hat, (2)I am not that anal and (3) I consider it one of those imperfections that it is handmade. Nice technique to know for next time though.

Knit Time: December 20 (1 day)

Knit From Your Stash 2007

2006-12-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

I am scared!! I am very scared as this is something I know needs to happen but makes me feel as though I will fail. But as Henry Ford stated

"Whether you think you can, or thing you can't,
You're Right."

So I am taking the "can do" approach with the Knit From Your Stash 2007. I had a destash in mind for 2007 anyway and I will continue with my thought out approach of weighing my yarn and trying to reduce it by half (in lbs that is). However, I think that the support group idea that will inevitably materialize within the knitting bloggerspere will help to strengthen my resolve.

So here are the rules to this group destash-along and my addendum:

The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through December 31, 2007 -- a period of TWELVE months. - I modified this a little as I just need to get this stash widdled down and my Stitches event comes in February.

We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

Sock yarn does not count- Okay, sock yarn does count for me as this could just spiral into another dependancy cycle
If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift - This one should not be too hard as I don't really gift knit...yes, I am stingy
If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project - I definitely agree on this one
We each get TWO "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time - I added another as I will be extending my destash for 12 months instead of nine. Stitches West is not counted as one of the two GOJF cards.

We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn - ok, here is my own personal rule that I will get to use up my $50.00 Michaels Gift Card for the purchase of yarn since the card itself was given as a gift.

My add on rules or exemptions are:

I will get to buy yarn at Stitches West in February - This has been planned out for some time so there is no way I am travelling all the way there and NOT buying yarn. This is NOT part of my 2 get out of jail free cards.
I will not beat myself up if I become weak and break the rules of this destash - I will instead get back on the horse and try to make it to the finish line.
I will be doing a stash enhancement before January 1, 2006 - as I have a few project set for 2007 but will be limited to 3 projects worth.

Wish me luck! And for all you fellow destashers I wish you all the strength that luck for 2007!

Hmmm...next, the list of project paired with yarns as the picking will be slim for the next 9 months.

Finished Object: Fetching Gloves

2006-12-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Berrocco Pure Merino in Chocolate Brown
Inspiration: Fetching Gloves
Needles: Size 5 for the wrist, Size 6 for the rest
Yardage: 1.5 Balls
Modifications: I knit another cable twist at the top of the glove to lengthen it a bit and did a regular cast off instead of the picot bind off. Below you can see the modifications clearer

with the Birthday Girl playing peek-a-boo

Enjoyment Factor: 7

The Good: These gloves are in the instant gratification as they work up so quickly, that is if you don't stop on them like I did. I also really liked how the cables came out. I decided to bind off regularly as I didn't like how the picot bind off flared. Lastly the yarn! Oh, the yarn was like butter! It is thick and soft and very swishy. I would definitely recommend it and plan on making some hats as Christmas gifts out of it.

The Bad: Picking up those damn thumb stitches. Know I have done gloves AND a Lady Eleanor Stole which should make me a Kung Fu Master at picking up stitches but I swear I must have knit and reknit the thumb at least 6 times because I was dissatisfied. This project also took longer than it should have because I put down the project (1) becauseI am a procrastinator so I figured I had a month until I really needed to finish as her birthday was not until this month and (2) THAT DAMN THUMB!! I also should have continued on the size 5 needles for the remainder of the gloves so that it had a snugger fit (my hands are gianormous so I should have known to go down a bit). They are not bad by any means I just noted this for the future...besides my gift recipient still liked them and that is what matters.

The Ugly:Nothing really. I really like how the gloves turned out, with a little help from double stitching over the slight holes that were left after picking up the thumb stitches.

Knit Time: November 7 - December 12

My Secret Pal Strikes again

2006-12-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Secret Pal,

I love you! After my relatively hard week it was great to come back to such a wonderful surprise. I would like to show everyone just how cool my secret pal is!

Look at this gorgeous bag. She made it for me! I love handmade presents. They just embody so much love and effort that you can't help but love them back.

And guess what was inside.

Tea, Noro Kujaku yarn, a Geisha Pen and matching notepad.

More goodies! She based it on an Asian theme so you can see what great taste she has as I love Asian items.

She also enclosed a pattern for a tea cozy made from the Noro yarn and a yarn requirements pamphlet. It was so thoughtful in every respect.

I immediate commenced to having a cup of tea (shown with my favorite teapot) to wind down and cuddle with my new presents.

Thanks Secret Pal

Small Town

2006-12-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be

- John Mellencamp

Last week I had some family business that took me to Indiana. This is the kind of family business that comes with an notorious early morning phone call and hastily made travel plans. Although these times are never what you want, they often bring you gifts that you would never have expected or thought to wish for.

My gifts were meeting a family that I had never met, both related and unrelated to me. I met a quilter who participates in quilted postcard swaps and is designing her own quilt pattern. I experienced the freezing weather of a small town (never above 25F, and reaching as low as 11F before we left), and the culture that goes along with it.

While there I took some pictures to remember my small town visit and the wonderful family that I will always remember and hope to visit again.

Yarn Lady Bag Sale 2006

2006-12-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

So I decided this year that i would go to the Yarn Lady Bag Sale. The last time I attended a Bag Sale back in June of 2005. Last time I was a newbie - slowly deciding on yarns, immediately throwing back if I wasn't 100% sure, and floundering as the veteran Bag Sale knitters piled their bags high with impulse grabs and widdled the lot down after casing the racks at least 3 or 4 times.

This year, however, I was the veteran. I got there and grabbed, grabbed, grabbed. Before I thinned the herd of yarn bags I swear I must have had $1000 in the blue Ikea bag of doom. But coming to my senses, I ended up buying enough yarn for two sweaters. Here is the loot:

Some Fare Baruffa - 7 Settembre and GGH Samoa.
**Cats were not included

One of the highlights of the sale was meeting Mrs.Hipp who is a new addition to the knitting blog universe. Our meeting happened as I was grabbing wildly for bags when I heard "are you the Nubian Craftster?" Although I have never been called by my blog name I immediately answered with an ear to ear smile of "Yes!". She knew me by my Sunrise Circle Jacket, which I of course was wearing. We chatted a while as we continued to throw bags around in search of the perfect colors.

This is just one more example that the world is so much smaller with the internet in action. Needless to say you should take a moment to go visit her and encourage her to knit knit knit...so that we can read read read about it. Thank goodness for Bloglines.

Finished Object: Amy Butler Downtown Purse

2006-12-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has been so long since my last update. Returning from the holiday season in Florida, left me a little jetlagged and getting backing into the swing of things was not the easiest to do. However, during my super relaxing vacation with V we crafted. How great is that! I have never had a vacation where I was sedentary and enjoyed it! Does that mean I am getting old?? Well, whatever it means I had a wonderful time...thanks V.

So without further ado, here is my first purse, the Amy Butler Downtown Purse

Pattern: $12.99
Fabric: $10.00
Timtex: $4.50
Total: $27.49

Modifications: A few. One major modification was the size of the bag. We shrunk the pattern to 78% on copier because we both thought it was too big at original size. We used quilting batting instead of the sewing interface for the handles, because we are cheap, and I had stitched on the handles on. I added two more pieces of velcro to the inside because I did not like how the edges of the top flap stuck out a little.

Enjoyment Factor: 8, I will definitely do this pattern again.

The Good: Loved the construction of the purse. The instructions were pretty damn good once I stopped over thinking what she was trying to tell me. Hee hee, V's gazillion dollar sewing machine was also a plus as it threaded the bobbin, an cut the thread when you pressed a button which was pretty cool. Will not buy a sewing machine, will not buy a sewing machine....

The Bad:Ok, a couple of times I thought Amy was smoking something when she made this pattern. One was the fabric requirements. Even if we had made this full size the fabric requirements she called out was for at least two purses. Second, was the use of Timtex. I think it gave the bag a great look but it made the seams pretty bulky and needed LOTS of triming. Third, was stitching the handles. WTF Amy!!! It is impossible to stitch these handles onto the bag using the machine once you have the bag fully constructed. It is too thick and too unwieldy. I twisted, I turned but the gazillion dollar sewing machine was not having it. So if the gazillion dollar machine was laughing, my hand- me-down machine would spit this idea back in my face. Needless to say Amy's name past my lips a couple times during this period and they were not words of praise.

The Ugly: My cutting of the excess Timtex was a little close on the flap and I think I may have weakened it at some points, but you can't tell unless you look closely but some of the fabric frayed and separated. White thread on black velcro and inside bag, but since it was my first bag, I didn't feel like investing in more thread before I was sure I could do it.

Time: November 25-28

Things I am Thankful for in 2006

2006-11-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for my friend V who let me spend this gluttonous holiday with her and her family. The food was excellent and she prepared it using my first sewing project - the apron. Here are some "America's Next Top Model" shots for you.

No, she does not normally practice ballet while cooking.
The camera makes people do crazy things

I am thankful for all the food that we were blessed to have on this day. I was especially thankful that V's mother cooked greens which is a very southern, african american food that just rings in the holidays for me. She made a good pot of collards and candied yams to go with it. MAN!! I am hungry again just thinking about it.

I could only get one set of models to look at a time

Look at all that great food and that wasn't even half of it!

I am thankful for all my family and friends that presumably forgave the fact that I was so late in calling them for the customary well wishing on this holiday of thanks. I am so bad at this that I have to call my brother today, the day AFTER Thanksgiving because my cell phone ran out...or at least that is the excuse and I am sticking with it!

I am also thankful for yet another year of good health - minus the two months of bronchitus that I am still not over - and the great things that I have accommoplished both in life and craft :O)

Last but not least I am thankful for all you who read and comment so often in my blog. It is amazing that you can build such a community nowadays without ever meeting those you begin to know and love as cyber family and friends.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to reading about all your holiday treats.

Giving Thanks the Knitter's way

2006-11-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

Today I am giving thanks for all the things, including those things knitterly. Since the last time we spoke I...

Finished my snake skin (a.k.a. Mermaid gloves). I will have to give more detail and better pictures when I have time, a photographer other than self-timer, and adequate sunlight. In the meantime here is one:

I also started my first socks, which is the every popular Jaywalkers. I got some Vesper Sock Yarn in Knit and Tonic last week so I was so eager to start. Here is a picture of my sock in the Denver airport

since this picture I worked another 4.5" into the pattern, ripped it out because it was way too big (I am using the extended pattern sized because my feet are so big) and have reknit about 2" into the pattern again. My heart bled when I had to rip but this yarn was too expensive not to.

And here is a picture of the snow capped mountains in Denver. They are beautiful, but I do not like the cold.

Which brings me to the subject of how freaking cold it is here in Tampa, Florida where I will be spending my Thanksgiving. It was 55 degrees when I got here! It seems as though the cold snap happened the morning of my arrival. I guess I wished too hard for the weather to not be hot and humid. Instead I have been bundled up for 3 days now.

I will be back with some Thanksgiving pictures tomorrow. Have a great Turkey Day.

Meet my SnB

2006-11-19T10:36:00.000-08:00

These are the moments that make me REALLY miss being in Berkeley, Portland, Long Beach, or any other place with a semblance of culture (a.k.a. not Orange County)

In my last post I mentioned that I got a new camera. My old point and shoot was not completely dead but it was having problems with opening and closing the lens. This had been going on since July and finally I had to say enough. Especially since I will be going to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit a friend and don't always like bringing by big DSLR everywhere.

So, my new photographic baby is the Canon SD700IS. Man this things is great. I did a lot of research before I chose my camera. Now it is not the latest version, which incidentally is SD900, but it was the one that suited my particular photographic needs. The selling point for me were, the Image Stabilizer (IS), the 4xOptical zoom - since I normally zoom out as opposed to taking wide shots, and the price - about $100 buck cheaper than the other models.

Since this is a knitting blog - I already have a photography blog - I decided to stretch my new camera's wings at my SnB meeting. Along with the photos at the start of the entry, in which I used the very cool color accent feature, the ones below will show you what the camera can do and also will give you an idea of why I travel 30 minutes from my house to the Long Beach SnB instead of going 5 minutes to the one by my house. The sacrifices I make for diversity and knitting.

Our SnB Cafe Called Viento y Agua

Cafe w/o and with flash

Nubian Craftster Gets a New Look

2006-11-14T23:40:00.001-08:00

I have moved over to Blogger BETA and with that comes its fair share of problems and new cool discoveries. Since I am very HTML deficient I have to rely on the kindness of Blogger hacks to make my site a little more presentable.

I will try and make the random Bloglines updates as minimal as possible, but since I am a newbie to this whole system I can't guarantee anything.

Knitwise - I hope to have some finished object pictures of the Lizard Skins (a.k.a Mermaid Gloves) taken from my new camera this weekend.

Material Girl

2006-11-11T18:53:00.000-08:00

...and I am living in a material world as I am a collector. Of what you say? Of just about everything. Not to the extent that people will see newspapers piled to the ceiling when I die (it would actually be more like magazines anyway), but I do have a sizable collection of things that are either past or present hobbies/loves/future careers. I will give you a peak into the madness. Please be warned that quantities viewed in pictures are only a fraction of the true extent of the problem..I mean collection

You all know I stash yarn...I am a knitter for God's sake! I would not be able to hold my head up in blogger land without a stash bordering on S.A.B.L.E (Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy.

So I guess I also have C.A.R.E.S (Cookbooks Approaching Ridiculous Eating Standards). Here is a small glimpse of my cookbooks and magazines that I acquired during my desire to be a cook. I loved cooking but it just did not pay the bills.

P.A.L.M.S(Photography Love Accentuating Material Stashing). Here is a little of my photo magazine and book collection. PDN is such a great trade magazine. I took classes after college and continue to take classes on and off to improve my skills. I have been kicking around the idea of going back to get my Associates/Bachelors in Photography. Still thinking on that though.

So there should be no surprise that I have contracted F.A.U.N.A.S (Fabric Acquired Under New Addiction Stimulus). Since I am rapidly approaching the end of my sewing class, with only one more class to go, I thought I would show you a WIP picture of my sewing.

Look at those stitches...on a curve no less!! Given I was sewing as slow as a molasses after my debacle on the second day of class but man am I proud.

I have been web/blog surfing and finding new sewing ideas but of course this requires a machine. I hope to squash my urge for a machine by using my mom's old White Sewing Machine until I decide if this is a permanent addiction. But the true addiction is the fabric.

Such wonderful colors and patterns. There was a 30% off sale at my local craft store and I bought these beauties, along with In Stitches by Amy Butler which has seemingly easy patterns for the beginning seamstress. I should break out my badge now for my support group

"Hi my name is NubianCraftster and I have a problem. I am a chronic collector..."

Giving You The Finger

2006-11-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

Ummm...sorry posted that on accident before it was ready so for all of you bloggers who are deeply offended by my title there is more to the story...just wait a moment while I continue to write

So here is my first finger ever...

I have made fingerless gloves before, which I now think should be called digit less gloves, but I never had to actually make fingers for them. Of course I had to pick a lace pattern to try and figure this part out. I thank goodness for craftoholics roadmap for this glove, but was still a little shy when it came to the thumb gusset and the fingers. This procrastination, I mean foresight helped me to cast on for the second glove before finishing the first. Therefore, I am soooooo close to finishing both of these I can taste it. And man do I want the glory of a FO so I can start something else. I already have visions of the Knit 2 Together Doctor's Bag or a pair of worsted weight Rapunzel socks...or maybe I should get started on some of that xmas knitting with only 46 more days to go.

Ok back to the gloves....

Dear SP9 Pal...Thanks for Bringing on the Baking

2006-11-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

Dear SP9,

The Package

I received a notice of your package in my mailbox on Monday and was uber excited, so excited I stayed home until the 9am pickup time from the Post Office. I was subsequently late for work but it was worth it. The first thing I saw was the wonderful stickers. They were great to see especially because I am missing Oakland, my old home town in Northern California, so the Golden Gate sticker brought on a bit of nostalgia.

Inside were some great gifts. Loved everything, especially the cup, tea cloth (featured in back), the yarn and soap. Uhh...Everything in fact.

The Result

I was inspired by all the great gifts that I had to put them to immediate use. So today I set about baking. Which consisted of baking Banana Bread and Double Chocolate Muffins.

I especially like making Banana Bread because it was one of the first recipes I tried to perfect. The technique that I like to do to make the batter a little less dense is to separate the yolk and whites of the eggs, beat the white into a soft meringue and then fold them back into the batter. This make a lighter, more cakey bread which I prefer.

Today I was too lazy to beat the whites or bring down the KitchenAid mixer so I just made regular Banana Walnut Bread. The bread was good and I had a piece with green tea in my new cup (I was out of earl grey which I was craving and would have been great with this bread).

Second item, because I was in the baking mood were the Double Chocolate Muffins courtesy of Ghiradelli Muffin Mix. My best friend got me hooked on these puppies. I finally got around to making them for myself because they were looking at me from my cabinet as I pulled out the flour for the Banana Bread. So I said "what the hell" and whip them up too.

Lastly, I shower using my new soap, you can see the pictures here...just kidding no picture of that but it smells really good and is 82% organic. I can hear my environmentalist best friend thanking you now.

Now what to make with the lovely super soft Merino Wool that was also included?? If you or anyone else has an idea for my 175 yards of pure joy, don't hesitate to comment. Until then I will have to sleep with the yarn...in a "just friends sort of way"...Geesh the minds of knitters.

Anyway, thanks for all the great gifts and inspiration

Your SP9 Spoilee

Umm...Maybe I Will Stick to Knitting

2006-11-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

So you know that post a few weeks ago where I talked about being a Perfectionist as it applies to me. You know where I worry about doing things because I think I will not be good at it. Well...my fears of sewing were slightly confirmed. For reference in this story here is the pattern, maybe not so aptly names Kwik Sew (I wonder if this will be like the Lion Brands One Hour Scarf that took me a week plus when I first started knitting).

(Here is the specific pattern I am attempting to do)

Now to compound my Perfectionist nature, I am also competitive, a bit of an overachiever and very rule oriented. Now don't get me wrong, I am flexible and creative in my own right, but before I go adding my two cents to inventing the wheel, I want to do it right the first time, you know the way it was intended and then expand from there.

Anyway, back to the sewing. So the class is quite full with only one teacher for 12 deeply dependent students. We got right to work on the pinning of the pattern, then the marking of the pocket and then the cutting. This is where my sewing actually ended because the next hour and half was spent felling kinda dumb.

The teacher showed us how to thread the bobbins which was pretty cool, but when it came to my machine it was different, so she threaded it for me. Then she threaded the machine which was far more loops around this and that for me to have caught on anyway. Next I began to sew, I put my fabric in and slowly pressed the peddle. I WAS SEWING!!!! For all of 4 stitches because subsequently my machine jammed and ate my fabric. I was horrified!! My fellow student turned around and within seconds figured out my error and lowered my pressure foot. But by then it was too late. I called the teacher over who was already pretty overworked with the students and she began to fiddle with it. About 5 minutes later I was told to ditch this machine for another one and start again.

Well remember that whole thing about the teacher doing all the threading? Well, I proceeded to wait for another 30 minutes for her to get back to me for help. She set me up and wallah....I had to pressure foot on this machine (guess I can't have the same error if I don't even HAVE a pressure foot this time). So we quickly find a foot, she threads my machine, I run a line of stitches and the class was over. 2.5 hours of sewing resulted in a cut, pinned and marked pattern with 4 stitches on a practice piece of fabric.

Man, talk about trailing the pack. I felt like I hit every hurdle at the Olympic race. BUT!!! I tell myself that this is BEGINNING sewing, I am supposed to make all these stupid mistakes..right? RIGHT?!! Given I think I should be sewing quilts like Kaffet Fasset by now, but in the world of realistic expectations, I now know PRESSURE FOOT DOWN!!!

So I licked my wombs and consoled myself in the fact that I am a damn OK knitter.

Letter to my SP9 Pal

2006-10-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Pal,

Thank you for you words of wisdom on the sock yarn size. However, as you can see I am a glutton for punishment and was not able to heed your warning.."USE THE BIGGER YARN, LUKE!!" because I had already casted on for the Pomatoumusee sock.

As you can see from the last post it is going well, but as you predicted a little slow as my fingers are not yet made for size 1 DPNs. Luckily I am not actually making a sock this time, but instead making gloves. Which comes with its own challenges as I have never REALLY made a thumb gusset or fingers so instead of meeting the challenge head first, I have decided to do another pattern repeat to stave off the inevitable new techniques.

As for you suggestion of the All Things Heather Sock Yarn...you have got great taste my SP9. I loved all the colors she had! I have been lusting over them at the Loopy Ewe and plan to buy some BIGGER size yarn when I finish this sock/glove. Which at this rate may not be until the end of November as the Christmas knitting that I have not started is weighing heavy on my crafting soul.

Think I can finish 2 hats, 1 cabled scarf, 1 lacey shawl, 2 wristlets, 1 felted hat, 1 hat with short rows, and a pair of fingerless gloves?

Yeah me neither. And for all of you who said yes, you are the people who just can't look away from an accident waiting to happen. Don't get mad because I outed you! I too am one of many who would have said "yeah, do it!". Why? Because I am masochistic that way. It's a sickness people!!!

Ok SP9 Pal, just thought I would send you a little impersonal letter to say thanks for the suggestions and the comments.

EDIT: Dear SP9 pal, Per your question in my last post, I LOVE teas. I actually wanted to be a tea sommelier at one time in my life. I have only heard of two restaurants in the U.S. that have such a position but one can hope. My favorite flavor is Early Grey. But I like to experiment and try new flavors all the time. Hmmm...in fact I am going to have a cup right now. See!! My SP9 pal is full of inspiration.

Your SP9 Spoilee

Mr. Miyagi where are you!!

2006-10-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

I need some Mr. Miyagi kung fu training for patience. I need to wax on and wax off to learn that rushing to the finish line is not the goal, but to enjoy the journey as well. Signs that I need help:

1) My Pomatomus Sock/Glove: working on size 1's was not the best idea for me. Given, I can do it and I AM doing it but second glove syndrome may be right around the corner.

But who can resist the calming waves of the Pomatomus Sock/Glove? BTW, I have not been able to say the name since I started always coming out Pomitomus or PomUtomuses or PAmotomus. Finally I decided to figure out what the Hell this was. On my way to finding the phoentic spelling of Pometonmuses. I found this picture:

With such a pretty pattern I imagined this to be a much prettier fish. Oh well, at least my sock/gloves look better than that fish.

2) Battlestar Galactica: I have fallen in love with this show ever since adnor got me hooked. Now the third season has started and I am without cable (have been for 2.5 years which is the first and longest period I have been without it). I am reliant on either my mom's TiVO or iTunes. Instead of waiting a week to see the episode, I instead paid $1.99 because I just couldn't wait!!

4) My sewing: I say this as though I have taken more than one class. I started the class on Monday. As the teacher was describing the various aprons we could make and their various skill levels. I picked one of the hardest ones, of the easy skill level that is, to try and do. Then she asked how much sewing I had done. Ummmm....

So after swallowing my overachiever nature, I settle for one of the two she had mentioned for my skill level (read: no sewing skill at all). But I vowed to myself that I would get the apron done AND make the potholder DAMN IT!!

3) My driving: I probably drive too fast. Given I do have good reflexes and can anticipate the stupid moves of other drivers (this comes from years of video game play). But sometimes I find myself yelling at people in my car because they are driving the speed limit when no one else is. I can't believe that I am yelling at them for obeying the law. Makes me sad to think this as I speed past them leaving them in the dust.

So patience is a virtue that I do not possess and if Mr. Miyagi was here I would be waxing cars for quite some time. But until then I expect that age will temper my impatience.

Now when is that sock/glove going to be done....ERRRR!!!

The Sock Yarn List

2006-10-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

First I have to say thanks to my SP9 spoiler for the wonderful welcome. I wait eagerly in anticipation. No pressure, since I often do. I just love mail.

I also sent a little special welcome for my SP9 spoilee. They were very happy to have such a special welcome which made me glad. I hope I am a good SP9 pal.

Ok, so on another front, I have gone ga ga over sock yarn ...really this post is more for me than for you. Over the past few weeks I have been lusting over sock yarns. I love seeing the beautiful sock pictures from brooklyntweed and bitter purl so much that I have been a little inspired. Given I have been inspired before and never followed through so I am not promising sock pictures any time soon. But I thought I would compile a list of yarns created by bloggers and blogged about by fellow bloggers so that I can actually find these places again when the mood hits. If you have any yarns that you just love, leave a comment so that I can check it out.

Also, since I currently have not experience with sock yarns, this is not in order of priority and any excluded yarns are for lack of knowledge as opposed to lack of love. If I actually get some of these and use them, I will add some comments for other newbie sock knitters in search of a good list of yarns.

In the meantime, I will add an asterisk to each yarn that receives a positive comment from someone who has bought or worked with it. Check out the comments section for what they have to say.

The Sock Yarn List (Updated: 10/21)

Sundara Yarn**
All Things Heather*
Sunshine Yarn's*
Yarn Pirate*
Sweet Georgia*
Yarntini*
Piece of Beauty
Vesper Yarn
Socks That Rock
Ideal Sock*
The Sweet Sheep (A one stop sock shop)
The Loopy Ewe*(A one stop sock shop)

Please God Make My Fingers Move Faster...

2006-10-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Because there is just too much to knit!!

Interweave Winter 2006 preview is up and I have some new must knits. The list keeps growing...

The Damage is Done...

2006-10-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

Now I do realize that I was kinda asking for help in vain. 1) It is was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and most people are out an about, not blogging about needing to stay at home and 2) my plea for help was kinda like asking practicing alcoholics to be your AA sponsor. I am not saying that knit blogger don't have control or drink heavily, I am just saying that going to the knitting world and complaining about yarn was just not the best of ideas.

So, because I am weak are now the first to see my new stash enhancements.

New Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006

I have been waiting for this for weeks. I thought I would have to wait until Tuesday but behold, Yarn Lady had it. The patterns I previewed are still the ones I liked the best. The other are not really that great in my opinion.

3 balls of Koigu KPM -

These are for the Mermaid Gloves by Craftoholic which is an adaptation of the Pomatomus sock. Since the Fetching gloves don't need to be done until December, these are going to be casted on for today.

3 wooden cable needles and size 1 DPN

I was pretty excited about these as since one of my SnB group members and fellow knit blogger mentioned these to me. I almost forgot about them until I was shopping around and saw them. Perfect timing since I am working on the Fetching gloves which have cabling involved.

I also bought some cheapy Susan Bates double pts so I could get started on the gloves.

Internet buys

To top it off the knitting accumulation spree, I also placed an order for Knitpicks needles mentioned in last post and a copy of Hip Graphic Knits

Unrelated Shopping

In addition to the knitting haul I also stopped at Ross and did some shopping. It wasn't too bad, just some stuff for work. The funny part was that I was also looking for a shirt to match my new yarn. I did find a great dress though. Anyone who knows me has fainted in disbelief as I don't wear dresses but I think it will also look great with jeans underneath. That will be the closest I have come to a dress since graduating from high school (read: a long time).

So all in all my wallet is lighter but so are my spirits...thanks yarn.

S.O.S - I Need an Intervention

2006-10-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for you wonderful comments on my Sunrise Circle Jacket both here on my blog and on Craftster. I have never had such compliments showered upon my knitting. I am such a sucker for a compliment and I have to admit that I am smiling from ear to ear like a proud momma.

This leads me to my next problem. The need for yarn. It came over me late last night while knitting the first of two Fetching gloves and trying to figure out what to do with my Saturday. With no plans on the horizon the thought of the Yarn Lady popped into my head.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" I screamed (actually it was pretty quiet because this is still all in my head) because Yarn Lady = potential bankruptcy. I would go in search of sock yarn only to find more things to buy. I might even actually be good enough to escape with nothing and then that brings me to the internet.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" I screamed again. Because my desire for more of the Knitpicks Options Needles is just as great as my need for more Elann Yarn - Baby Cashmere and the new color cards for Sierra Aran and Pure Alpaca. I am on a sinking ship here. One that is already filled with cotton, wool, and various other fibers that are already in my stash. I need an intervention because I obviously do not have the strength to help myself.

Something has got to give...and it's probably going to be my wallet. Send help soon!

America's Next Top Model meets Sunrise Circle Jacket

2006-10-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

So since I could not find a stand-in with the proper build I had to be the model. I have to give props to those who take such great pictures modeling their knits. I am much better behind the camera but I gave it a go. I have to thank my friend Syl for taking such great shots. Here are my America's Next Top Model submissions where you can see all sides and the back shaping.

Finished Object: Sunrise Circle Jacket

2006-10-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Elann Highland Peruvian Wool - Harvest Heather
Inspiration: IWK Sunrise Circle Jacket
Needles: Size 7
Yardage: 10.5 Balls
Modifications: Knitted the Hem as I went for the sleeves and bottom of the back
Enjoyment Factor: 8
The Good: Loved the construction of this jacket, it was amazing to watch it come together. I also liked that the sleeves and the front were knitted as one piece so you didn't have to seam and it felt like I finished so much faster
The Bad: The nothing much. Guess I could say the M1L and M1R kinda got tedious after a while. I have to say that my KnitPicks Options Needles saved the day because they are so sharp they make this a lot easier.
The Ugly: My seaming. This was the first time I had to really do any serious seaming and my mattress stitching, although easy, started to become a little crooked toward the end, I had to make up for it with some MacGyver techniques. But you can't really see it so its okay. My crocheted loop aren't the best either. I may have to redo them sooner or later
Knit Time: September 12 - October 11

I loved this pattern. It kept me going for one month straight. I couldn't wait to finish. In fact I nearly killed myself in the pursuit. The construction of this was ingenious and well written for even the novice knitter. I have to say that all the tips given by my fellow SCJ KAL members was indispensable. There were warnings of the sleeves being too long and that worried me throughout the process, especially because my gauge was not quite perfect. But I said my prayers to the patron saint of knitting (is there one?) and kept my needles going in the hope that this would not be my first and possibly last knit sweater. However, it all worked out in the end and I couldn't have planned for a better fit. You can check out the modeled photos here.

The Details

The buttons were a bit of a trial. I had originally planned to use some stone buttons that one of the SnB members makes, but since she would not be at SnB this week I was possessed with finding a replacement. 2 hours in JoAnn's later I found the perfect substitute. These buttons are a great match in my opinion. The placement was a little more trial and error but finally came together nicely.

The knitted hem was ingenious. I would have hated to do all that seaming post-knit so the knitted hem was an answer to my prayers. It came together like butter as my needles slid through each stitch marrying it together. Can't wait to do it again!

I have to say that I love my first finished sweater. I have already worn it this morning but it is a little too hot to be sporting it all day. It is a little fuzzy due to the heathered yarn but seems to stand up pretty well so far. Next will be to get in action photos to show the fit, but no promises on when that will happen since photographers are scarce in my world.

Next Knit: Fetching gloves

It's 4:38am. Do you know what your knitting is doing?

2006-10-09T04:44:00.000-07:00

I do. It is laid out in triump as I finally finished seaming my Sunrise Circle Jacket. I normally am not this obsessive with finishing a project but the adrenaline was so high I didn't realize it was so late until I looked up and it was 2:00am. At that point I wasn't tired and just kept going. Now the the jacket is seamed, adrenaline has worn off, and the sleepiness has set in.

Which present the problem of work. I normally go in later around 9 am but since I am already too far into today to get the sleep I should have started on yesterday, I decided it would be best to forgo sleep and drag my sleepy booty into work so that I can leave early and crash.

I am consoled by the fact that I can now stop worrying about whether my sweater will fit. I don't think I could have planned it to fit any better that it did. I was worried the entire time as the curve and build of the sweater made it far too hard to imagine the fit. I pretty much had to just keep going and hope for the best. I am not 100% finished because I still need to get the buttons but the hard part is over. Now I get to accessorize!!

I probably won't have pictures until this weekend but you can just imagine the grin of triumph for my first knitted sweater finished in under 1 month.

SP9 Questionnaire

2006-10-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks goodness they posted the Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire so that I have something to blog about. Just so you know, I am still trudging away on the Sunrise Circle Jacket. But for my Secret Pal, here are my details.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Hmm, my favorite yarns... Well I like S. Charles Ritratto Yarn, Elann Highland Wool, Touch Me...pretty much everything except Acrylic. Now I have had my share of Lions Brand knits but they always seem to pill or feel scratchy and plastic like so I will pass.

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

Um, well they are in my makeshift,poorly made needle case that I made. I need to find a better way to store them but for now they are all together. I got some cool needle markers from Knitpicks so at least I can identify the sizes, but I need to get more as the needles keep appearing from UFOs

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for 2 years now and I learned in a Beginners knitting class. I would probably consider myself an intermediate knitter but I love the challenge of hard projects. I have even been accused of wanting only to knit the hardest pattern in a book. Talk about masochism.

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

I actually have my wishlist on the sidebar of my blog with links

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

I love scents!! I love scented lotions, oils, bath products, and perfumes. I am not much of a candle person because I am afraid of my cats catching on fire and burning down the apartment (not necessary happening at the same time)

My favorite scents are roses, flowers, coconut, lime...pretty much everything but musk.

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

Not a huge sweets fan. But I do love the Godiva Raspberry Caramel Duets. I have to get one every time I see a Godiva store

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

Photography, cooking, and I will be taking a sewing class in October. Nope, don't spin.

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

All kinds, except Country. Yup, I can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Favorites: Lime Green, Dark Reds, Dark/Burnt Orange, Brown

Don't Like: White, Pink (at least solid pink),

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

Single with two cats. And I have to say, if you can mail be Taye Diggs or The Rock, you will be the best secret pal ever!!

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

Love scarves!! Not really a hat, mittens or poncho type of gal

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

Scarves, but I am branching out into sweaters which I am enjoying immensely

13. What are you knitting right now?

Sunrise Circle Jacket and the IWK Pink Mimosa Vest

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Love them!! Especially is the maker truly has me in mind when making it.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Metal Circulars, KnitPicks Options to be exact. Love love love them. I also like bamboo, but not a fan of plastic.

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

A ball winder..yes. Swift...No, but I need one.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Just ripped out my year old Kyoto Sweater to make the Pink Mimosa

18. What is your favorite holiday?

The ones where you get a day off. Not really partial to any holiday and have found a new dislike for Christmas due to the headache and ingratitude from gift recipients

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Oh boy, is there anything I DON'T collect? I am materialistic. I love things. I collect Star Trek action figures, Magazines (Photography, Knitting), cookbooks

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Check my wish list cause I have lots! However, I don't have any knitting magazine subscriptions but wouldn't mind one for Vogue Knitting or Interweave

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

Sock knitting and getting better at lace.

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

Not yet, but I kinda want to start. I have a 12W in Women, size 11 in Men so that is why I am a little scared of the whole knitting socks thing. Also, I am either a self-striping or a slight variegated solid sock yarn kinda gal. I REALLY don't like Regia or Lorna's Laces type of yarns that have funky colors cause if I knit socks I want to do the cool pattern (read: Pomatomus and Ripple Weave)

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

March 4th. I am a Pisces by birth but have decided that I am more like a Taurus.

Red Alert, Red Alert!

2006-10-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

Lower your shield and prepare for new knitting because the Holiday 2006 Vogue Knitting Preview is up!!

They're Here...They're Here!

2006-09-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Two pattern that I have been waiting for were recently released by some great knit blog designers - Chinese Lace and Scarlet Woman. They look fantastic!

Those who cannot do, should blog the hell out of someone else who can. So here you go ladies! Gotta love original design!

Nope...Still No WIP Pics but Check These Out!

2006-09-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

But have you seen these double pts from Blue Sky Alpaca? I know I may be late to the game on this but I am loving the case. I know that is no reason to spend $28.00 for a set of double pts, but I think Blue Sky has a winner with this really beautiful looking case. If it came down to it in my LYS and they had these, I would probably dish out the extra bucks for them. But since I have not seen them in person I can resist by pretending that they are an online mirage that I will click away from and they will disappear.

And like that...they were gone.

Bad Blogging Does NOT a Bad Knitter Make

2006-09-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

So I have not been as diligent in my updates. Everytime I see another bloglines update from my fellow knit bloggers, I feel a little guilty. However, I am reading their blogs while trudging away at the Sunrise Circle Jacket. I finished the Left Side on Wednesday at my SnB meeting and immediately casted on for the right as I am now obsessed with finishing. Besides I need to finish this jacket soon cause the weather is getting chilly, so much so I kinda wanted a scarf around my neck during the night tonight. However, I am in Southern California for Pete's sake and I feel a little silly having a scarf on in September.

I am also not a very good polygaknitter. My green mimosa is calling out to me for seaming which I promised myself that I would do this weekend. Actually that promise doesn't really count because there was no one to keep me accountable...hee hee.

I am also a lazy sewing crafter, because instead of doing a little hand stitching for my bag, I decided to get a Singer Stitch Sew Quick at Target for $14.99 to do the hard work

In conclusion, I have no knitting pictures or real knitting content but like a true knitter I am putting the knitting first! So I declare...Bad Blogging Does NOT a Bad Knitter Make!

Come back soon for some finished pictures...or at least some better WIP pics

Getting A Head

2006-09-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

So normally when I am away from Blogging it is because I have nothing to blog about and since this is a knitting blog that essential means I have not been knitting.

HOWEVER...in this case it is exactly the opposite. I have not blogged because I have been knitting wildly for days on end with the hopes of having some finished product and or more finished pieces at least. But alas I am without something knitwise that is blog worthy. Besides I am not much for WIP photography unless it speaks to me and motivate me to take a picture. So here is the knitted hem of my Sunrise Circle Jacket which I am loving.

I keep trying it on as I knit the Left Front which is as far as I have gotten so far.

On my Green Mimosa (aka pink mimosa), I have all the main stockinette pieces but have to get to the seaming. Deadline will be this weekend for seaming.

My Easy Peasy Bag was just that until the seaming was necessary. That too has taken a backburner due to finishing.

On other fronts, I received my yarn of the month samples and am loving the Karabella Soft Tweed. I was kinda sad that I did not use it on the Sunrise Circle Jacket, but then I looked up the cost of the yarn and once again realized why I chose the much more inexpensive wool alternative.

In other news, I have acquired more knitting accessories.

Hedera's Introduction

Everyone meet Hedera, my new African American hat model. As you can see she is currently modeling Odessa for her introductory shoot.

I found her at the Long Beach Antique Market which I loved. I went with a fellow knitter from my Long Beach Stitch and Bitch group. It was great. We walked almost the entire 20 acres of "Stuff" resulting in exhaustion and dehydration. There was just so much to see I couldn't pull myself away from going down "just one more aisle". Afterwards we ate at Open Sesame in Long Beach and had the best Fried Potatoes. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the area.

Adrienne Vittadini Arrives

I have been waiting for my copy of the Adrienne Vittadini Fall 2003 pattern book for a week after purchasing it off of Destash for Cash. I was so happy when it came because not only did it have the pattern for one of the future knits but also had some other patterns that I will add to my might knits.

Which all in all makes this pattern book a great buy

Lord Of the Yarn (gratuitous kitty alert)

My kitties fought over who would get to play with my yarn as I knit my SCJ.

As you can see Kira won

Knitting and Mail...A Match Made in Heaven

2006-09-11T19:58:00.000-07:00

I LOVE mail! I have loved mail since I was a kid. Given, I have never liked writing letters but I loved receiving them. 'Til this day I love coming home to magazines, packages, and have even loved receiving an occasional bill or two! So what have I been doing this weekend? Feeding the knitting monkey on my back.

Yes friends and fellow bloggers, I have combined my love of mail and knitting with:

Online Shopping

This weekend was a wonderful weekend of shopping. I bought lots of new things via Elann and Knitpicks as you can see below:

Picture 1 - Zarone for the Diagonal Cables Sweater from Rebecca 28
Picture 2 - Highland Wool Yarn from Elann in Harvest Heather for the Sunrise Circle Jacket

Picture 3 - Highland Wool Yarn from Elann in Spiced Wine. I love this color
Picture 4 - Knitpicks Wool of the Andes which I was not so excited about

I also bought a set of size 7 Knitpicks Options needles which I am addicted to know and some Elann Peruvian Collection Quechua in Teal which is really pretty too and featured in a new Knitty pattern called Ivy

Secret Pal 9

Now I hesitated with the Secret Pal 9 signup because as I explained in my last post I am a bit of a perfectionist and fear not being a good enough Secret Pal. I see all the cool stuff that others have gotten and hope that mine will be appreciated as much as theirs. So on a whim I signed up and am already looking at other peoples stuff to make sure I get good presents for my pal when it starts in October.

Yarn of the Month

Ok, this was definitely a spur of the moment thing. It was late, I wanted yarn and didn't want to spend lot of money so I figured this might get the knitting monkey off my back for a while by feeding it tidbits of yarn a month to play with. It was better than the Elann subscription because it was yarn I liked, which sometimes Elann's yarn is quite weird, and also a monthly thing so I can unsubscribe when I want. Can't wait to get the first package.

Knitting News

I signed up for the Sunrise Circle Jacket KAL and was one of the last members to be added as they closed the KAL right after they sent me the invitation to join. Guess I better get cracking on this jacket so that I at least post once or twice.

Since I got my yarn from Elann I can start on the Sunrise Circle Jacket. I also must block the front pieces of the Green Mimosa before bed. But first...must check out the new Fall 06 Knitty magazine that came out

Finishing Line

2006-09-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

Now when I say finishing line it has a bit of a double meaning. I am nearing the end on green mimosa, having knit the back and side panels, but now the finishing begins. I hear that this is where a project is made or broken for some people so I am a little hesitant to proceed. I mean it would stink to have gotten all this way to have crummy seaming going on. Now on minor projects like the bag, which I will be getting handles for on Wednesday, I seamed that baby with no concern as I didn't really put more than a day into it, but with a 3 week vest/tank thing I am a little more concerned about how it looks. Admittedly, I am also a bit of a perfectionist. Not in the since that I am perfect or everything necessarily has to be perfect but more like:

"A person with perfectionistic demands hates failure of any type. They will often avoid challenge that they determine as too difficult rather than take the chance of failing."

I have found my knitting line in the sand and its name is finishing. So on that note, I am going to block my pieces and start on the Sunrise Circle Jacket while I get out of the perfectionist rut I am in on finishing.

Here is the color I chose

It is the Peruvian Highland in Harvest Heather from Elann. It is much more beautiful in person as is the Spiced Wine color I sampled. I love these colors!

I order enough for the jacket which should get here in Monday or Tuesday and a few extra balls of yarn for some future project, including the Olive Night for the cabled jacket from last post.

Instead of Knitting....

2006-09-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

Knitting Thought

I am thinking about future projects to knit. Yes, while I am knitting the green mimosa I am also dreaming about future sweaters, which all require future investment of non-knitting allocated moneys. Even better, instead of knitting on the green mimosa I am making flickr mosaics to compare the different yarns that I am thinking of.

Even worse is that this was not even part of my Future Projects List until today. Geesh! I need to finish before I plan for future projects. This would be an adder of $44.80 to the stash. Now...which color to knit?

Actual Knitting

On the Green Mimosa, I am working on the Left Front and am past the decreases and about 1/2 the way to finishing the side. This is boring stockinette so I am chomping at the bit to get to the lace. Not so hot about the seaming though.

To take a break I decided to knit up the Easy Peasy Bag from Louisa Harding with the Sari Ribbon I purchased on the cheap. I just need to seam and add lining and buy handles. Hmmmm....that actually means I am even not close to finishing and have 75% more work to put in it as it was pretty much stockinette stitch on 15's but at least the knitting is done.

First Sweater Jitters

2006-08-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

I guess I should say first "not a scarf, hat or shawl" jitters as it doesn't necessarily count as a sweater since it has no sleeves. Is it a vest, or tank, or...I don't know. It is my first big project that I am focusing energy on.

So I blocked the back to the green mimosa and she looks kinda big. Not enormously so, maybe only 1-2 inches bigger than my fitted shirts,but it is kinda scaring me as this is also one of the first times I have had to block anything to an actual critical dimension. (By the way, I work in manufacturing as a project manager so this critical dimension thing is all to familiar as something that can make or break a project).

It is also longer than expected. Yes, I know, I should have looked at the dimensions a little better to see if it needed to be shortened, but as my first large project I decided I would not tempt fate with my non-existant tailoring skills

I also thought I would show you the booty that will be added to my Stash from the weekend. This was all my discount yarn from Tall Mouse. Tomorrow I will have to fight yet another tempation as our Stitch and Bitch meetup with be at Banana Berry, a local LYS, and they are having a sale. Geesh, this could be bbbaaadddd. Wish me luck.

Today is my lucky day!!

2006-08-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

Man, so much has happened over the weekend. I mean, nothing related to actually seeing people or existing in a community (remember future spinster here). I mean in the, I spent all time by myself sort of way.

1. I posted some stash on Destash for Cash and have managed to sell all but one item! How cool is that. I have already sent and collected the booty. Only problem is that is supported the next 4 items...

2. I bought yarn on Elann and Knitpicks for the first time. I know I just did the equivalent of changing from heroine to crack but everyone got an addiction mine is yarn, not necessarily healthy but definitely not deadly...I don't think. I will post the pictures when I actually get the new stash...I mean specifically project purchased yarn.

3. I bought 8 more balls of Queensland Llama Seta in beige, a light green, and a ball of purple for $1.98 per ball and some Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon for $2.94!!!!

4. I found a pair of $3.74 shoes that I love. They will match my green mimosa when it is complete. Now this is almost bigger than the $1.98 yarn as I wear a 12W. Shoeboxes are the next size up.

5. Last but not least...I have finished the back of the Green Mimosa! I feel like my own self managed sweat shop. I have imposed a 3 week deadline for finishing this project. So far I am on track but I think I will interrupt the mindless stockinette by making the Louisa Harding Easy Peasy Bag with the Sari Ribbon purchased during lucky moment number 3. See!!! I am trying to stick to my project on purchasing of yarn.

The only bad part is that my bronchitis is still here, I feel horrible and feverish and it has been 3 weeks. What did I do to you body to deserve this? Was it the fried chicken? the skipping gym workouts? the evil looks at the scale? What??? I just don't know! Whatever it was I don't deserve this. Gimme a break... k?

Check Out my Future Projects...Flickr Mosaics Rock!!

2006-08-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

Future Projects, originally uploaded by MoPix.

1. brown cami, 2. Wisteria Sweater - knititude, 3. roses and leaves, 4. pink ruffle scarf, 5. deep V Argyle Vest, 6. Rhapsody in Tweed, 7. Pullover flair, 8. Juliet Pullover, 9. Floral Felted Bag, 10. Tubey, 11. sunrise circle jacket, 12. shimmer shrug, 13. mermaid gloves, 14. lace leaf scarf, 15. klaralund, 16. kimono styled sweater, 17. grey4sm, 18. danica scarf, 19. branching out scarf, 20. basketweave dress, 21. amelia earhart aviator hat, 22. Pullover-Vogue-Knitting, 23. Peacock Shawl, 24. KnittedBodice, 25. ITW-SM05 - Leaf sweater, 26. Indian Summer Jacket, 27. Diagonal Ribs and Cable, 28. Cables Toad, 29. Flame Stitch Cardigan, 30. Embellished Sweater, 31. Cabled bag, 32. 30739110, 33. Buttony neckwarmer, 34. union square pullover, 35. Round Neck Lace Pullover, 36. pink mimosa

I am loving the flickr mosaic maker! Here is a collage of quite a few of my planned future projects. One is already in the works and that is the pink mimosa (picture 36). Photo mosaics....ahhhhhh

Destashing - The four step and counting program

2006-08-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

So have you heard of Destash for Cash? Well I have and I am trying to sell off some of mine. Given I LOVE my stash. It kills me to part with it, but I know that I must. I am a stuff hoarder and I admit I have a problem (first step, people!!) so I am parting with some parts of my stash (second step...taking action). If it goes well there may be more, but no promises. Here is what I have up for sale, so come take a look (third step...asking for help). Man, I am on a roll!!!

SOLD!!! - 4 balls GGH Velour Suede - $20.00

SOLD!!! - 4 Skeins Steadfast Fibers Marvelous Mohair - $25.00

SOLD!!! - 10 balls Jo Sharp Dessert Garden Aran Cotton - $27.00

SOLD!!! - 6 Skeins Rowan all seasons cotton - $25.00

SOLD!!!- 4 Skeins Mission Falls 1824 Cotton - $20.00

Escape the Chair!!

2006-08-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

I must escape the chair! If you don't know what I mean check out this Reebok commercial which explains EXACTLY how I feel right now.

Now I know I am a bit of a nerd and a recluse but this is getting ridiculous. I have spent the past 5 days holed up in my house, with the exception of minor stints at work. My chair and computer have completely sucked me in. Between knitting and reading blogs, which has become an addiction, I have sat in this chair for the majority of my waking hours.

I do have an excuse though as I wasn't feeling well and found out that I have Bronchitis to blame it on (Note: box of tissue in picture, cup of tea, and Vicks container). Since I never go to the doctors when sick, only for the annual checkups, I didn't even know where to go and get my prescription filled. Thank goodness I stumbled on a RiteAid with a big sign that said PHARMACY.

Knitwise, I started on the Pink Mimosa Tank from Interweave Summer 2006.

Not very many people are knitting this on the web but I did find a very lovely blue one here and a grey one in progress here. Hmmm....I guess mine would be green Mimosa. Although it was not on my list, I had an epiphany at the end of the Shedir hat that this pattern would go well with the Green Cotton Twist yarn from my now dead Kyoto Sweater.

Yes, I did say that Kyoto was dead to me. The would be first sweater is now being dismantled for the sake of a newer knitting idea. I just couldn't bring myself to do finish it. The measurement, although a loose fitting sweater anyway, would have been too big as I casted on for that about a year ago and have since lost 20 lbs. So I felt justified in killing it off. I also killed of the Criss Cross Shrug that was on Hiatus because one, I am pass the garter stitch stage of my knitting and two, it appeared on You Knit What? and I am just a little too vain to let that go.

Speaking of new projects, I am also eyeing Knitpicks Wool of the Andes for use on the Sunshine Circular Jacket. Hope it is not too scratchy or at least not more scratchy than Noro, but I may have to order a sample skein. Anyway I am making progess on the back of the Mimosa and will keep you posted.

Finished Object: Shedir Hat

2006-08-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed - Whisper 141
Inspiration: Knitty Shedir
Needles: Size 3
Yardage: 1 ball
Modifications: Yarn style and only 4 repeats instead of 5, but still turned out long enough to cover my ears. 3 repeats would have been better.
Enjoyment Factor: 7 - Good: Cabling was fun and kept my interest, love the pattern, Bad: Needle issues, 5 repeats of the cables is way too much, P2tog tbl (see yesterday's entry) enough said!
Knit Time: August 14 - 20

The shedir pattern is not for the faint of heart. It took me 7 days straight knitting to finish up. The size 3 knitting was not as bad as I thought it would be and went fast until I reached the decreasing. That is when all hell broke lose. The decreasing was long, my hands hurt, the needles were constantly a problem and I was on a mission to finish ASAP.

I took a lot of inspiration for the hat from Eunny (kinda feels like name dropping,as though she is my best friend) in terms of using the felted tweed, however, I should have followed her lead with only doing 3 repeats because mine came out long and I only did 4 repeats. I will do the pattern again, but not anytime soon. I highly recommend learning to cabling without the cable needle . I discovered this a quite late in the process but would have helped me immensely.

All Needles are NOT the same and Who the Hell Thought up P2tog tbl!!

2006-08-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

I know that the title may be a little misleading. I really like the Shedir pattern. It was a great knit that kept me entranced for a week straight, but this pattern was a Bitch at times.

Needles

Now I KNOW all needles are not created equal. Eunny spells it out in her Majoring in Lace Part II but when in need I tend to pick the best of what choices I have when a project arises. But this project has taught me a big lesson that you really have to pay attention to your knitting tools.

First mistake was buying the Addi Naturals. These looked great at first sight - bamboo material, fairly sharp point, good joint - but when I began knitting on them I kept getting stuck. On closer inspection I noticed this:

(click image for larger view of gigantic chasm in needles)

What the hell is this? Why would you need an enormous ridge in your needles? Could this be for lace or for people who can't keep the stitches on the needles? My carpal tunnel and irritated wrist were cursing me for not looking closer. This made knitting slower and more wrist work as I would forget and wonder why my stitches were becoming harder to move so I would have to tug the stitches over the great divide to continue.

Next I needed Double Points. So I rushed to my LYS to buy needles and all they had was the Brittany's. So in my desperation I bought them. Well the damn things are blunt. You can see the difference between the Addi's and the Brittany's in the picture.

(left side Brittany, right side Addi Natural)

I might as well tried to stick my finger between the stitches because it was as effective as trying to P2tog TBL with those damn Brittany's. I HATE BRITTANY NEEDLES!! It basically resulted in the mess below in which I am trying to pick up the stitches with my sharper Addi's.

P2TOG TBL

This little acrobatic move was made the ending of this pattern massively laborious. I had to look it up to find out what the hell I was supposed to do. For those of us who still need the tutorial it can be found here. With my hella blunt needles I had to twist and bend nearly my entire body to get this to work. Was it worth it? I have no clue. The funny part is there are only two rows that call for this and that is all I can remember now. I will definitely be on the look out for this maneuver in other patterns and then decide if I really want to knit it.

So these were my troubles with knitting the Shedir. I am finished now and will post pictures soon.

Who am I? I am an ISFJ of course...

2006-08-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

My Bloginality is ISFJ!!!

As an ISFJ, you are Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging.
This makes your primary focus on Introverted Sensing with Extraverted Feeling.

This is defined as a SJ personality, which is part of Carl Jung's Guardian (Security Seeking) type, and more specifically the Protectors or Nurturer.

In blogging, your journal will always be immaculate and have a touch of style. You may also feel overwhelmed because you want to be a part of everything going on. Because of your wonderful memory, other bloggers may come to you to ask about things you posted months before.

Wow, I feel a little naked..I mean personality wise. This fits me to a "T", which is kinda scary for this impersonal test to be so accurate. And yes, I know that is it kinda like horoscopes in that you can pretty much find yourself in every sign if you look hard enough (By the way, I was born a Pisces, but decided that I was really a Taurus), but this is surprisingly me. You have to take this quiz if you have not already. This is exactly me, which is kinda scary to be pinpointed to accurately.

Knitting News...

I ripped out what I had done on the Shedir hat. I was unsatisfied with how the cabling was getting all mottled in the tweed of the yarn so I took Eunny's approach and did the twisted knit stitch (aka knit tbl) to get greater stitch definition. So the real start date for Shedir begins today. I will try to have the hat done no later than Sunday. I think this may be fatally optimistic but I am up for a little knitting challenge as I have so many new things to try before the year is out.

Nubian Craftster gets a facelift

2006-08-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

No...not me...my blog. I was inspired by so many nice looking blog sites that I decided to make some updates to my own. They are not all that obvious and you might not ever pick them out, but making these tiny little changes has given me blogging peace of mind that my site is not the worst looking in town.

The bad part was that this took me hours due to my non-existant knowledge of HTML. I figured it out through trial and error so after hours of looking for fonts, adding borders to pictures, centering text, locating HTML colors, and finally getting my comments to show up, I am pooped!! The worst part is that I was keeping me from quality time with my Shedir hat which I casted on yesterday.

This pattern is proving to be harder than I thought. Mainly due to the size of the chart which I need to enlarge at work tomorrow. The yarn is also making it a little hard to see the stitches being that it is so small and tweedy.

By the way, I am falling in love with tweed. Especially because of the wonderful FO from brooklyntweed. Gosh I wish I could knit like that.

Finished Object: Odessa Hat

2006-08-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

(Click for Larger Image)

Yarn: Queensland Collection Llama Seta
Inspiration: Magknits Odessa by Grumperina
Needles: Size 5 throughout (because I was too lazy and cheap...uhh frugal to bye more)
Yardage: 1.25 skeins (approx. 110 yards)
Enjoyment Factor (1 to 10): 8 - beads and pattern detail were the highlight of the knitting. Had trouble with the beading at first and the ending decreases dragged on forever.
Knit Time: August 6 - 11

Odessa took 5 days of knitting to finish up. For this one the devil is in the details so I took appropriate pictures. I enjoyed the bead knitting immensely. I think I have gotten through the phase now. The pattern was excellent and easy to follow. I used Queensland Collection Llama Seta yarn that I bought a slew of during a Tall Mouse sale for $4.00 so this hat cost about $6.00 which is pretty cool. It is also beautifully soft and I loved touching it through the entire knitting process.

I can also say that I have kept my stashbusting oath and busted a ball...uhhh you know what I mean.

Tilkkupeitto - Fair and Square

2006-08-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

Tilkkupeitto - Fair and Square

These blankets are amazing. I have been lurking on blogs all night as I knit away on my Odessa hat. I especially love blanket number 95. This woman is on a mission!

On a Knitting Mission

2006-08-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

Odessa is moving along smoothly. I think I am well on my way to my goal of finishing it by this weekend so that I can start the Shedir hat. I even already bought my #3, 16" Circulars so I am rearing to go.

My other knitting related project for this weekend is to make a circular needle case. I have seen so many variations on the internet but decided to go the cheap...I mean inexpensive route by taking a placemat and napkin from Target and stitching them together. Sounds weird, we you will see the finished project come Sunday so you will have to wait and see.

I am hoping this will quench my desire to sew for a little while. It keeps coming up as a crafting alternative but I know that I am obsessive and will have to have every gadget and fabric on the planet. Delving into this new universe of crafting would definitely put me off my goal of budgeting.

Must resist...but resistance may be futile (if you didn't already know I am a HUGE Star Trek fan)

O....dessa

2006-08-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

I am completely in a beading phase thanks to the Perdita's. I finished my 3rd Perdita on Sunday and decided that I had to take a forced break and move on to something else, especially because that embroidery yarn was not whiddling my stash significantly. So, I started back on Odessa. I will count Sunday as the start date because I had to rip out my first attempt as my beading technique was incorrect then I casted on AGAIN and the stitches were twisted. I nearly gave up because I hate doing the same thing over and over again. But having struck 110 beads I knew it would have to happen sometime.

So I am back in the saddle with Odessa slowly progressing to the end. Hope to have her done by the weekend so that I can start on the Shedir hat. I will be making with my Rowan Felted Tweed. At least that is the next project today...who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Finished Object - Perdita Wristlets

2006-08-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

(Click for Larger Image)

Yarn: DMC Perle Cotton
Time: August 5 - 6 (approx. 1 day)
Inspiration: Knitty Perdita - Lily of the Valley version
Needles: Size 1 (The smallest I have knit with yet)
Yardage: 1.5 skeins
Enjoyment factor (1 to 10): 10 for quick, inexpensive, gift giving, and pretty
Knitting Time: approx. 1 day

This was the Perdita I made for myself. Please ignore the HUGE hand in picture. taking pictures of ones on arm is very hard. I commend anyone who can do it and have it look nice. Hence the intentional bluring so that you focus on the Perdita. Loook at the Perdiiitttaaa......

I made another one for my best friend Jill in a burgundy color, and another in fushia. I am addicted to these patterns. They are easy to knit once you get the hang of it, they finish up fast and are inexpensive. So far I have done the Lily of the Valley and Lilac, still have to do Bluebell. I found the yarn on sale at Micheal's so I couldn't resist. This is the cheapest....I mean least expensive knitting project that I have ever done. Love love love this pattern. Highly recommended.

Finished Object - Clapotis Scarf

2006-08-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

(Click picture for Larger View)

Yarn: Schachenmayr La Nova Ribbon Yarn
Time: ?? Don't remember
Inspiration: Knitty's Clapotis
Needles:10
Yardage: approx. 6 balls
Modifications: Did fewer increase, decrease an straight repeats, making it thinner and shorter

Finally got around to posting the pictures of my scarf length Clapotis. This was a stash buster for me. Well, I had 4 balls and had to buy 2 more to finish her off. I needed more at the end but I just decreased more rapidly to end the ball just before it was too late.

Normally I would have a shot of it being worn but (1) I don't like it that much as it is not quite big enough and it's stripey which is not really my thing and (2) I am too lazy to go back and truly showcase a project finished months ago. Instead I am making another Clapotis that is the actual Stole size and will show that one when it joins the FO listing.

My Stash - How did it get so bad?

2006-08-05T00:04:00.000-07:00

(Click Here to view Photoset)

So I got my annoucement that Tall Mouse was going to have a 40% off entire purchase sale today. Well, my mind began reeling. What would I buy? More Noro, some cotton yarn, some wool for felting, glitterspun? There were so many options until I started thinking about....The Stash. I hadn't inventoried the stash in months and never in the capacity in which I was about to embark and I felt bad about not knowing my inventory

Now don't get me wrong, I still went to Tall Mouse and searched for 1.5 hours for the special buy that I just had to have that I would wake at the crack of dawn and buy at the Saturday morning sale. But despite my search there was nothing. I was not overtaken with the purchasing urge as I normally am. Instead I was just tired and bored with the search. I ended up spending $5.00 on beads and velcro.

This lack of buying desire immediately peaked my guilt again and I began to inventory my stash, I took pictures of nearly every yarn I have. Now the picture above doesn't look like much but it takes up two laundry baskets.

I was embarrassed to even think about buying anymore yarn. I must bust the stash!!!

Thus my resolution begins... On this August 4, 2006 I, Monique, fight the urge to buy yarn as much as is possible for an obsessive personally and will bust at least half of this stash before this time next year. This includes any new yarn so that I am at 50% capacity by next year.

Gratuitous Kitty

2006-07-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ok...this is a blog entry to feature my kitty Keegan since I happened to take a pretty good picture of him for once.

He is a pretty lovable kitty although he bites and gets into things way too much. He loves going in kitchen cabinets and getting my attention by hanging on my clothes and waking me up at 6am in the morning.

Sounds like a bad kitty, well he is, but I love him for it.

Finished Object: Lady Eleanor Stole

2006-07-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Drum Roll Please.....may I present, Lady Eleanor!!!

(Click on image for larger view)

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden - Color way 205 and 213
Inspiration: Scarfstyle Book
Needles: Size 10.5
Yardage: 9 balls = 1098 yards + a little more, probably 1150 yards
Enjoyment Factor (1 to 10): 9.9 - The Good: Entrelac was a wonderful experience that made me feel like a seasoned knitter and knitting with Silk Garden was wonderful. The Bad: The yarn was expensive, this sucker is LLLLOOOONNNGGG
Time: June 30 - July 22 (approx. 3 weeks)

Ok, finally it is under 100 degrees outside (approximately 82F) so I figured it was time to post for Lady E. This was a really well written, easy pattern. I thought it would be mind boggling looking at how detailed everything looks but once you get going it goes by in no time. The pattern was also easy to memorize. I was a little disappointed after I blocked it as I blocked it too tight so it lost some of its rustic appeal, but I love it none the less. I think Lady E. was also an inspiration for me cleaning my patio because you have to have something elegant while knitting outside...right? Now if it only dropped below 95+ this weekend....

Feng Shui Weekend

2006-07-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, this weekend has been highly productive and very good for my Feng Shui. I have gotten so much done and enjoyed the silence of the weekend with no where to be except where I want.

I did have a personal project this weekend and that was to redo my patio area. I was so eager to get started I forgot to take before pictures. Suffice it to say that it did not look as good as it does now. The mission was to redo the patio and stay within a $40.00 budget. Well that proved harder than I thought.

How I was Good - I found so many things at HomeGoods that I normally would have bought without hesitation but had to put back. All in all, I bought 5 houseplants - that I adopted from the unwanted bin for $.49 each, a table, and 5 plants for outside, 2 of which are flowering so they may be the first to die.

I also lucked out when the OSH guy gave me an extra bag of potting soil. Today I will take back the bag I actually bought and get my $7.99 back. I also got a break since the Dollar Store had nice $1.00 pots!

How I was Bad - I did the math and discovered that I had overspent by $10.00 despite all my good intentions. And with Murphy's Law in effect I got a notice from our apartment building that they are restuccoing the outside of our buildings so everything on the walls and balcony will have to be moved off for 3 weeks. Can you believe it? I finally am inspired to make my patio look nice and wammo they are redoing the STUCCO!!! Well, I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Damn Internet!!

2006-07-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

OK...if this doesn't work then I give up.

This is the third time I am writing this post. The first time it was gone because I was checking pictures, second time was because I tried to use spell check, so here is the bulleted version of what I was going to say

1. Lady E. complete. Will post pictures when it is not 100+ degrees outside. It is steadily 80+ in the house with the air conditioning on, so you can see my hesitation in modeling Lady E.

2. Casted on for Lelah Top, Odessa Hat, and Perdita Wristlets. Yes, I have become a polygaknitter. See links to the right if you want pictures

3. Knitting with beads is not that hard but understanding the instructions so that you don't have to frog it 3 time is.

4.Here are some pictures of me out with some friends drinking tea in 100+ degree weather a few weekends ago.
Damn English tea is expensive!! Didn't know a lunchable size meal could cost 27 dollars and I didn't even get a Juicy Juice!!!

Did you also notice the Red Hat Lady Tea cozy? Either someone is telling me I am headed to a life of excentric spinsterhood or that I am destine to be a weird cat lady who gets eaten by cats (single female, with two cats, knits, and goes to tea...you do the math).

Ok...if you see this post that means this has actually worked out for me. Third time is a charm!

Who knew I was so powerful?

2006-07-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

You scored as Jean Grey. Jean Grey is likely the most powerful X-Man. She loves Cyclops very much but she has a soft spot for Wolverine. She's psychic so she can sense how others are feeling and tries to help them. She also has to control her amazing powers or the malevolent Phoenix entity could take control of her and wreak havok. Powers: Telekinetic, Telepathic

Jean Grey

80%

Cyclops

75%

Rogue

75%

Iceman

60%

Colossus

55%

Storm

45%

Emma Frost

45%

Gambit

45%

Wolverine

45%

Beast

30%

Nightcrawler

20%

Most Comprehensive X-Men Personality Quiz 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

I am in LOVE...

2006-07-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love my Lady E. Stole. Not done yet, but the closer I get the more I love her. I had a lot of reservations...the colors were too bright, the stole was too large, but I am already ready to cuddle up with her. The only problem is that she is now consuming every wakin moment of my life. I have to schedule my working out and eating around my quest to get back to the knitting. Must knit faster so that I can go back to my regular no obsessive knitting (as though that exists). The only problem is that it will be WAY too hot to actually wear her for at least 5-6 months. Must go somewhere cold so I get good use out of here sooner.

Since I have been inspired though, I think I will move on to the Lelah pattern with some modifications to add sleeves since I just got a great deal on some Queensland Llama Seta (80% Alpaca 20% Silk)for $4.00 a ball at Tall Mouse (which is like a Michael but with really good yarn like Noro with the occasional 40% off coupon). I was very excited since I have not bought any red yarn before. Should be fun.

Saved By The Lady Herself....

2006-07-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

(Click on Image for Larger View)

So it has been a loooooonnnng time since my last post. This is mainly because I have not been knitting. I know! A knit blogger who has not been knitting? Yes! I am a seasonal knitter. I admit it. When the weather is 95+ nearly everyday the urge to knit mysteriously escapes me. But, I have come back in the middle of the blazing heat to knit Lady Eleanor. I have been wanting to knit this stole for some time but couldn't justify the expense of the Noro Silk Garden or thought the Entrelac pattern would be too much of a challenge. However, anticipating the 10+ hours car ride to Eureka last weekend and having got my first two balls of Silk Garden for $6.89. I figured I would start. And she has been addicting ever since. Lady Eleanor has possibly saved me from the knitting abyss that is summer. She has also helped me to knit in public at my local coffee shop so that I can commune with people and knit too.

Thanks Lady E!

Knitting in China

2006-03-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

So I apologize for not updating my blog since the Olympics. After the Olympic push, which I did not finish of course or else I would be posting like a Champion as opposed to sulking and putting my interest into another project and activity completely.

Since the Olympics, I turned 29 , had my first surprise birthday party ever, had my second birthday party ever, and decided to visit Beijing, China for my 29th Birthday. I figure I will celebrate out my Twenties and into my Thirties, when supposedly I have to start making those grown up, lifelong decisions!!!

You can read about my adventures at my travel Blog Black Travels - A Travel Blog

I always new I had superhero tendencies

2006-02-25T07:48:00.001-08:00

You Are Catwoman

"Life's a bitch. Now so am I."

What Superheroine Are You?

...but never new I was catwoman. Now that it has been revealed to me I kinda like it. Given I like the Michelle Pfeiffer version better than the Haley Berry version but I could definitely live with Haley's body.

Hey...Catwoman...just thought about it. My side kicks Kira and Keegan who are my cats. Hmmm...their powers. Kira had superkittie laziness but is quite intelligent, choosing to act only when absolutely necessary in her best interest.

Keegan has superkittie litter poo and can drop a bomb that would make you clear the room. He also tends to bite a little and disappear into the weirdest places.

This is my superhero team! Now if I just had superspeed I could turn back time and have more of it to finish by Olympics knit. No news on that front because it is sooooooooo pitiful.

KO Day 4: Must Remember the Pledge

2006-02-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

Total Hours Knitting: 0 hours
Total Rows Completed: 0

Sorry there has been no knitting content as of late, since there has been no knitting at all. I have been too exhausted to pick up needles every night. I just have way too much to do. But I have resolved that today I will get right back into the swing and get by knitting booty in gear...I still have 9 days plus some hours. However, I shall also remember the pledge that I committed too before the start of the games. Below was directly from the Yarn Harlot:

The Knitting Olympics Athletes Pledge

I, a knitter of able hands and quick wits, to hereby swear that over the course of these Olympics I will uphold the highest standard of knitterly excellence.

I will be deft of hand and sure of pattern, I will overcome troubles of yarn overs and misplaced decreases. I will use the gifts of intelligence and persistence (as well as caffeine and chocolate) and I will execute my art to the highest form, carrying with me the hope for excellence known to every knitter.

I strive to win. To do my best, and to approach the needles with my own best effort in mind, without comparing myself to my fellow knitters, for they have challenges unique to them.

While I engage in this pursuit of excellence and my own personal, individual best, I also swear that I will continue to engage with my family in conversation, care for my pets, speak kindly with those who would ask me to do something other than knit, and above all, above every stitch thrown or picked, above every cable, every heel stitch, every change of colour, I swear this:

That I will remember that this is not the real Olympics, that I'm supposed to be having fun and that my happiness and self-worth ride not on my success....

but on my trying.

KO DayThree and Four: Knitting Hokie Pokie

2006-02-14T17:06:00.000-08:00

Total Hours Knitting: 6 hours
Rows Completed: -6 (I knit 6 and ripped them out)

So the past two days I have been playing the knitting hokie pokie with my Olympics project.

You knit four rows in...
You frog four rows out...
You knit two rows in...
Then you purl it all around...
You drop a stitch a few row
and you cry and then you shout
That's what it's all about!

So I knit 6 rows of the Chart 1A and came up with 54 stitches on one side and 58 stitches on the other. This was bad since they are supposed to be the same, but even worse because I was supposed to have 59 stiches on both sides. ARRRRRRRRRGH!!! But if you want to check where I am in the pattern see KO DAY TWO

So basically I have lost a day of knitting AND I have quite a bit to do in my non-knitting life so I am falling behind more and more. Must remember....this is just for fun....

KO Day Two: Still not enough knitting

2006-02-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

Total hours knitting: 5
Rows completed: 23 rows (Finished chart One)

So I was exhausted this morning as I stayed up until 3am on Friday and work up at 8am this morning for a haircut appointment. It was good though because it got me started with my errands and chores. Cleaning house, grocery shopping....but sadly no knitting. It kept looking at me, taunting me, but I had to have clean clothes and a clean house to feel good about the knitting that was to come.

I also did some volunteer work at a transitional home for homeless people and their kids. My friend started a volunteer group where we do crafts with them, mainly knitting. I arrived a little late but it was fun once we got the hang of it. It was only an hour, but it was great. Everyone was excited and wondering when we will return. I did other knitting but still no peacock knitting.

I finally started back on the shawl around 7pm. I got the bright idea to color code my pattern which has helped immensely with following the various slash sections of the pattern. It was another late night though so I have to sleep in tomorrow.

KO Day One: The Olympic Beginnings, Peacock is calling

2006-02-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

Total hours knitting: 4
Rows completed: 28 (if you count the frogging 45)

I symbolically casted on 2 stitches exactly at 2pm. I then, with pattern in hand took a lap around my workplace first floor showing my knitting coworkers my finally KO project. During the processional, I was told my my fellow knitter that they too were joining for the good of the country. One is doing a baby sweather top down. She is an excellent knitter but has limited time to participate. The other is conquering her own challenge with a drop stitch scarf.

Then life got in the way. Normally, I am an unengaged homebody with oodles and oodles of time to knit. Then life snuck up on me.

I didn't leave early as I thought I would, I then went to Salsa class which was very fun and didn't get home until 10pm. 8 hours of knitting lost to a wonderful night out.

I then began knitting, making excellent progress when (1) my kitty tripped on my yarn, snapping it it two pieces, which meant mending it back and (2)I wasn't using lifelines at the time and on row 17 I had to frog back due to a mistake. Needless to say, leason learned and lifeline inserted.

The countdown is here...1 Day, 6hrs and counting

2006-02-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

I don't think I could be as nervous or in as much anticipation if I was a real US Olympian. I feel as though I am on the starter blocks of the 400yrd race - Not quite as fast as the 100yrd but still goes by pretty quick.

My pattern is staring at me daring me to start...just daring me. I keep debating on whether to take half the day off tomorrow. I just got my pattern and yarn a few days ago as I decided to change my mind again and go back to my original idea of the Peacock Feathers Shawl. I was all ready to do the sweater when I saw that I had actually signed up with Yarn Harlot to do the Shawl. Once I saw that I was committed, no turning back.

The pattern is a little daunting as I have never had to read a chart before, let alone backwards. I will be using lots of lifelines and calling on the goodness of (1) my local knitting shop - Alamitos Bay Yarn Co. and (2) my local SNB Long Beach for both advice and moral support.

I also found some kindred spirits as we are not only on the same team (Team Lace USA) but running the same race (Peacock Feathers Shawl)
Allison - Peacock Feathers Shawl
Felicia at sweetgeorgia - Peacock feathers shawl
Jeanne - Peacock feathers shawl
Lisa A. - Peacock feathers shawl

In order to finish this, I will have to knit 17 rows a day. This might not sound hard but in the end the shawl is 88" in with and has 240+ rows which means those last few days are going to be a bitch to knit my quota. I can do this....I can do this....just breathe!!

Yarn Brings a Family Together

2006-02-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

So a lot has happened over the week that I have not had time to blog about.

First great thing, I met the Long Beach Stitch and Bitch Group on Wednesday. I found out about them from a fellow blogger and had to meet some local knitsters. It was absolutely wonderful. It was nice just getting together with some other people in the area to discuss everything knit and much much more. Can't wait for next Wednesday or the Wednesday after that or....

Second,I finished my Clapotis scarf/shawl. I will post pictures soon.

Third, Tall Mouse is having a Super Bowl sale. Today was 20% off your purchase and tomorrow is 40% off one item. This is where my family comes in. I have enlisted everyone, including my 10 year old niece to buy me yarn tomorrow as the 40% off coupon is for one person, one visit, one receipt. I may be late to the game, but I just discovered the Tall Mouse, which is in between a yarn shop and a Michaels. They have Noro and Louisa Harding Angora yarn so I must break my stashbusting and increase the stash. I already did by buying more yarn at $1.99.

I am so bad...

Lastly, I got my Peacock Shawl yarn today in the mail and am just waiting for the pattern to land in my mailbox. The color was not really what I expected, a little more plain blue than I thought, but it will do.

So that is the weekly update of all things knit..

Boys and Knitting

2006-02-03T14:04:00.000-08:00

So I was knitting during lunch today...preparing for the Olympics by testing my lunchtime knitting strategy. Bring Lunch, bring laptop to conference room, save a Netflix movie only to be watched at work, and knit for an hour. I figure this will give the edge when the time comes. While enjoying my knitting, the boys (my team at work) decided to visit.

It started with the word "Knitty" which you can only imagine what that rhymes with. Then the amazement with how I was knitting with just two sticks, and then what was that thing in the middle (the wire from the circulars), and why did I need that. It was absolutely hilarious listening to talk about yarn. Here you can see what happens when the average boy tries to knit....

May I present the Knitty Committee...

2006-01-30T00:14:00.000-08:00

So these are the knitty committee members. They were wonderful enough to pose for our group picture.

We meet once a month at work to knit during lunch. But knit talk happens every other day of the week, especially if we are sporting our new knitted attire. All the guys at my job stop by to ask (1) What the hell we are doing (2) Pretend as though they aren't interested (3) Try and convince us that they would also knit if it included beer consumption and (4) Ask us to either knit them a sweater or a vest out of Kevlar (bullet proof material). Just like a group of boys

This month we are doing a scarf swap and some will be donating to the Knit for the Cure so we are keeping busy. These are truly my knitting sisters. Knit on ladies!

My Olympic Event has Changed...but my Teams Allegiances Stay the Same

2006-01-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

So I was going to knit the Peacock Feathers Shawl, but who was I kidding. My first time knitting in lace and finishing a shawl that measures about 80" in straight lace. Not even I am that delusional...well...

So I decided to look a little further and found this round neck lace pullover from one of my knitting magazines, Filatura di Crosa Fall/Winter 2004 Collection.

This is the magazine where I got my shrug idea from too. This will still provide quite a bit of challenges as (1) I have never done lace (2) I have never done this level of finishing (2) I have not yet finished a sweater. This will also allow me to bust some stash by using my Rowan Felted Tweed yarn for the top portion. The bottom may require new yarn though.

I was also happy to bring the Knitting Olympics out of the cyberworld to the LYS knitting world in Orange County. It is funny how close knit (hee hee check the pun) the online world is...so much so that I forgot that some people don't even know about the Knitting Olympics. I told the shop owner at my local LYS and she said she was going to check it out.

I also have a special thanks for JenLa for granting my request for a Stashbusting Team Button.

This is my goal for this Olympics as well. I am glad I have all my online buddies to keep me company.

Creativity Validated!!

2006-01-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

Oh happy day. I have to admit the day started out pretty crappy. Just a lot of unfortunate events culimating into a slightly bad attitude. I don't think anyone else noticed but I was not feeling very perky today.

One main reason was that I thought I lost my keys since I had not seen my main set since Sunday. I was kinda okay with it until I realized this morning that it would cost over $100 to replace my apartment and mail keys. I said because this is going to cost me an arm and a leg. So I resolved to find them by doing a full cleaning of my house. I ended up finding them under a pot holder in a drawer...very random. However, this did allow me to open my mailbox which had two VERY good things:

1) The two balls of yarn I need to finish my clapotis. This was a stashbusting project that I had to buy more yarn to bust. Kinda contradictory but what are ya gonna do.

2) I just found out the my photograph was selected as a finalist for the Photographers Forum Best of College Photography Annual 2006. Here it is if you want to see it. Out of 28000 photographs mine was in the top 5%. Who would have guessed? I will get published, for the first time, and could even win the 1st through 4th prize. Wish me luck because if I win, I am using my winnings to go to Stitches West 2006 in Santa Clara!

Ohhh The Shame....I am Knitting Fugly

2006-01-25T20:36:00.001-08:00

So I was searching around on knit blogs...which I have been doing way too much lately when I stubble upon You Knit What?, which is a blog that points out the uglier side of knitting. I don't mean knitting needle injuries or LYS hiests...no I mean the ugly patterns that show up in Knitting magazines and yarn websites. Well, while going from post to post laughing every click of the way, I found that I TOO was committing Fugly knitting in my excitement about the Criss Cross Shrug (see this post). You can see their posting here.

Now, knowing that I was committing this atrocity you would like I would be intimidated by the laughter of 15 commenters agreeing with the blogger's assessment of my beloved criss cross shrug, but NO. I have pulled up my sleeves and will knit faster to finish and wear my shrug.

However, despite my dedication to finishing my fugly knit. I highly recommend this site as a daily read. It is amazing what they ladies come up with. I laughed for over 30 minutes. I mean speechless laughing! Just next time I will check to make sure my beloved knit project has not already been deemed fugly.

Everyone has to choose sides

2006-01-24T22:44:00.000-08:00

Well I have Chosen.

I Team USA first and foremost but Lace Team USA is my competing category of choice. Even if the Peacock Shawl proves to be too much for this athlete my allegiances are strong and I will stay with lace. I have yet to solidify my choice as I technically should be stashbusting and the Peacock Shawl is probably too difficult. Some basic training over the next 15 or so days will be:

(1) Learn how to knit Continental Style - this will help with the speed of things

(2) Make sure I understand the pattern - Every athlete has to know the course they are about to navigate and cannot cop out just because the colors are wrong

(3) Make sure the pattern is a challenge - In the Olympics you are competing against the best in the World. The knitting Olympics is no different, well a little since you are really just competing against oneself for a gold medal button not sponsorship with Wheaties.

(4) Try and find a Stashbusting project - the more stash busted the better

(5) Tell others - This actually is already occurring and the looks are mixed with amazement, pity, and praise. I am a knitter and proud of it!!

Now to find the perfect pattern....

I am going to the Olympics...

2006-01-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

Knitting Olympics that is. Yes, I, the Nubian Craftster is going to the Knitting Olympics. When I saw the post I debated on whether I should join or not. My common sense said no due to my obsessive personality, however, that said personality has won and I shall join for the hardest 16 day bootcamp knitting project for 2006.

Then began the debate of what to knit. Of course it had to be something I hadn't knit before and that posed quite a few challenges to keep me interested. I first thought I would do the lace leaves scarf from my future projects list as it was (1) lace (2) grafted (3) was pretty long so would challenge me time wise.

However, once again my obsessive personality has won over and I want to make the Peacock Shawl from Fiddlesticks.

This however is pure insanity. (1) I have not done lace before (2) I have not done lace before (3) the timeline is very limited for something like this (4) I value my sanity (5) I am trying to stashbust and may or may not have a yarn suitable for this (6) This looks like the mother of all patterns for me right now.

But....maybe I will be the Justin Gaitlin of the Knitting Olympics, surprising everyone with my Gold Medal Finish. Or just one of the people who make it to the Olympics but never quite medal, being lost in the crowd of 3 through 7 place winners but still a winner in comparison to all the people who didn't even make it. Who know but tonight I think I will make Gold with the Peacock Shawl. USA Lace Knitting Team...here I come!!!

Stashbuster Pattern - Criss Cross Shrug

2006-01-23T07:18:00.000-08:00

Garter Stitch + Old Homespun Yarn in my stash = Criss Cross Shrug

I have been wondering what to do with all the Homespun I have in my stash. Walah!! This shrug. I was so excited to see it that I am blogging before work. A very big no no as I am notorious for being late.

Reasons I love this idea (1) I have been wanting another shrug (2) It is easy and a quick knit which is a must for stashbusting (3) I would actually wear it. (4) I have got to buy more Homespun for the project because apparently if you buy more Lion Brand Yarn, Needles, or the latest knit1 magazine you get one of these free...

<

I wonder if they come in different colors, because I could buy a LOOOOT of Yarn :O)

Now to get some time....

I am not buying yarn but.....

2006-01-22T20:59:00.000-08:00

I am buying knitting accessories. I found these great bags at TJ Maxx and they are perfect for knitting and making a fashion statement. When I saw them I absolutely LOVED them. I bought the large water tote and smaller earth bag for myself and the smaller water bag for my knitting friend up North. The sad part is my knitting accessories are starting to rival my stash. And look, I have already put it to use with my new clapotis!!!

Finished Object - Leaves and Mohair Scarf

2006-01-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

(Click on Image for Larger View)

Yarn: Rowan KidHaze (70% Super Kid mohair30% Silk) and Berroco Cotton Twist (70% Mercerized Cotton, 30% Rayon)
Time: Way too long - probably 2 months off and on
Inspiration: Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer Issue Mohair and Leaves Scarf
Needles: Size 5
Yardage: Not quite a full skeing of KidHaze and barely any of the Berroco Cotton Twist yarn

This scarf was a bear for me because of the 3 color yarn for the leaves. They slowed down the knitting because I kept twisting them as I knit. Very annoying. I have to say it was a pretty fun pattern seeing the leaves materialize in the kid haze background. I think I will prefer to wear it this way like a Neckerchief because it rolls despite my blocking, which admittedly I am not that great at. The last pic is with my sister again. She is modeling one of my earlier projects.

Finished Object - Bobbalicious

2006-01-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

(Click on Image for Larger View)

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (Acrylic 80%/Wool 20%)
Time: 1 week
Inspiration: Knitty.com Bobblicious
Needles: Size 15
Yardage: 6 skeins = 108yd/98m per 170g skein

This was a pretty quick knit considering I am a very slow knitter. At first I wasn't sure if I liked the pattern but I did like the idea of making the bobbles. I started it the day after Christmas because JoAnn's was having a sale on the Lion Brand yarn. I knit during my week off at Christmas and finished it I believe on 1/4. It is very warm and VERY heavy. My sister liked it and is featured here modeling my knitwear. It looked better on her anyway...

Finished Object - Peacock Shrug

2006-01-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Noro Lotus (57% Rayon/23% Nylon/12% Acrylic/8% Cashmere)
Time: About 3 days knitting, 4 weeks sitting before becoming a shrug
Inspiration: Filatura Di Crosa 127 Print Crochet-Look Capelet
Needles: Size 19
Yardage: 3 skeins = 165 yards

This project definitely go a second life as I was going to frog it on Wednesday. I really love the yarn and the colors so I wanted to accentuate the color changes. It started as the Crochet-look capelet from Filatura Di Crosa but I didn't think I would ever wear it. So I tried it on one more time and then thought...wow I could make a shrug. Then i thought hey cool scarf....hence the dual life of a once froggable creation. Now this is my favorite accessory. May I present...Peacock.

Finished Object - Flora

2005-12-25T03:38:00.000-08:00

(Click on Image for Larger View)

Yarn: Artfibers Kyoto (silk 69% superkid mohair 25% exrafine wool 6%) and Finlandia
Time: 1 week
Inspiration: Knitty.com Flora
Needles: Size 8
Yardage: About 3/4 skein Kyoto, barely dented the Finlandia

This is my friend's new christmas present. She is featured here modelling with her new neckwarmer. She is also quite a good artist/craftster, you can see her here with a painting she created about 8 years ago. The neckwarmer was a fairly quick knit, but had just enough pizazz to keep my interest peaked. I love the elegant stylings and how well she wears it. The pattern is Flora from Knitty.com. I used two different colors - abeige Kyoto yarn from Artfibers that has been in my stash for about 6 months that I have been dying to use, coupled with the blue shimmery Filandia yarn from my June 4th update that I bought at the Yarn Lady Sale.

1920s here I come....!

2005-06-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

Here is me in my cool new knitted bowler hat made by my best friend Jill at Faulty Logic. We used a fur lined hat for my cool 20's look.

Damage Done, Yarn Sale Purchases

2005-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

So I woke up like it was Christmas. 6:30 am my eyes opened and I jumped out of bed in anticipation of my great buys. In the shower and out of the door to arrive in Laguna Hills by 7 am. Too early to start...but I was scoping the area. After eating a quick breakfast I joined the other ladies to rummage through mounds and mounds and mounds of yarn. I was in yarn HEAVEN!! So at 9 am after looking and relooking, I starting adding up my new acquisitions....$500!!!!!!!!

After resuscitating myself from the hard attack, it took me another 2.5 hours to widdle down my bag to under $300. Exact purchase total was forgotten through the trauma of giving the salesperson my credit card. The only consolation I got was that the woman before bought $800 worth of yarn and the salesperson said one woman broke $1000!!!!! So I was feeling pretty good with my relatively small investment. See my posts below for details on the damage.

2005-06-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

The kitties checking out the new finds..."Anything for us?" says Kira

2005-06-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, the new additions to the Stash...10 balls of Goa, 10 balls of Finlandia, 8 balls of Touch Me.