Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tippi is waiting
Tippi is seamed, but she is waiting the delivery of her buttons. This sweater is turning out to be one of the ones that should see lots of wear, so I wanted perfect buttons. I asked my Mom to dig through her button box, but nothing was available that would work. I decided on these:
The number 20 wooden spoke is from Mission Falls. I ordered these from an ebay seller in Canada, so it might take a while to get here. Soon, though, I will have a FO!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Bless is Underway
I cast on and started Bless (from Rowan's Cork Collection) this weekend. I'm making the M (36), which generally seems to give the perfect fit in Rowan's patterns. So far Cork is proving a nice yarn. It is a woven yarn (shaped like a little stretchy tube). That was strange to knit with at first, but I'm enjoying it now that I've figure out the stretch, pull. It is knitting very nicely, light with some loft.
Here's the back:
Here's the back:
Bless Back
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
I cast on for the back and am just starting the cables. More soon!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Tippi
Tippi is in progress. I tried a different way to stitch up the shoulder seams, thanks to my handy Vogue Knitting book. This one is more invisible but a little thicker and hardier. I think this sweater will get a lot of wear so I'm willing to take a thicker seam. Plus the seam finish in the pattern makes for uneven ends and it would look oddly if those ends weren't hidden a bit.
Tippi
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
This happened in the middle of the photo session. Wouldn't want to have a moment when the child is not the center of the world...
Pay attention to me!
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
And you know, I finally found a good use for diaper pins. I marked four sections of the cardigan front so that I picked up the right number of stitches. I added button holes on the right side, as well. My Mom promises to pick through her button box to see if there are some antique pewter buttons to grace Tippi.
Tippi
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
In case you missed the hubub, Stephanie has launched The Knitting Olympics. I am not the best at KALS, but couldn't resist the challenge--one challenging knit, 16 days. I'm going to try Voyage. Yes. I'm nuts.
Perhaps I need another vacation... We took a mini break this past weekend. Hubby had to work in San Antonio, so the child and I tagged along to play. We went to the San Antonio Zoo and played with the animals. One of the animals that we found truly amazing was the clouded leopard. They leopard was in a natural habitat environment behind a window that you could look through. There was a little area to sit at in front of the window. Either we looked like something to play with or (more likely) like a snack, the leopard spent about a half hour stalking us, launching herself at the window with mouth wide, claws extended. I'm glad that the window was there! Anna found this behavior amusing and spent the entire time laughing with glee.
We stayed at a new hotel on the Riverwalk which is now occupying my favorite in San Antonio spot: Hotel Valencia. This hotel is modern and funky inside, with soothing waterfalls and candle light. It is a great location--on the Riverwalk but away from the loud noisy insanity of a weekend night.
Perhaps I need another vacation... We took a mini break this past weekend. Hubby had to work in San Antonio, so the child and I tagged along to play. We went to the San Antonio Zoo and played with the animals. One of the animals that we found truly amazing was the clouded leopard. They leopard was in a natural habitat environment behind a window that you could look through. There was a little area to sit at in front of the window. Either we looked like something to play with or (more likely) like a snack, the leopard spent about a half hour stalking us, launching herself at the window with mouth wide, claws extended. I'm glad that the window was there! Anna found this behavior amusing and spent the entire time laughing with glee.
We stayed at a new hotel on the Riverwalk which is now occupying my favorite in San Antonio spot: Hotel Valencia. This hotel is modern and funky inside, with soothing waterfalls and candle light. It is a great location--on the Riverwalk but away from the loud noisy insanity of a weekend night.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Tippi in Pieces
While I am becoming more and more of a process knitter, I think that product does have its place. I'm always looking for that perfect sweater that goes anywhere, kind of the sweater that you can wear to a fancy restaurant or to over your pjs in the morning. Right now, this is my favorite perfect sweater:
My favorite sweater
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
This sweater has been all over Europe and Asia, as well as over pjs and in Michelin starred restaurants. The zipper made it easy to breastfeed and the loose fit made it around a pregnant belly for a number of months. I did not knit it. I think I picked it up for something like 10 bucks at TJ Maxx. It is a acrylic wool boucle mix with a little collar and front zipper. I normally don't wear acrylic but this is really soft and dries overnight--key to my minimal travel approach.
It might have a contender. Here's Tippi in pieces:
It might have a contender. Here's Tippi in pieces:
I soaked and blocked her yesterday and will start sewing her together this evening. The pictures above isn't good, so here's a close up so you can see the lovely colors in the Rowanspun chunky.
Rowan Chunky
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
Too much Rowan?
Can you have too much Rowan? The great thing about the start of a new year is that I get to think about all of the possibilities. Part of that involves stash enhancement and pattern perusal. Yum. So, I bought these lovely packs:
First the Cork. I am so disappointed that Rowan has discontinued this yarn. It is light enough for winter wear in Texas and a little chunkier for a fast knit. I bought the grey last year with the Cork Collection Book. The green was a bargain through ebay ($30 for the pack!).
Rowan Cork
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
Here are the patterns that interest me:
This is Bless. I bought the grey to make this since it looks fairly classic and, big plus, cables!
And I think that Martha will look really nice in the blue:
This is Bless. I bought the grey to make this since it looks fairly classic and, big plus, cables!
And I think that Martha will look really nice in the blue:
I'm not sure what to do with the green.. But there is always that cute cabled sock pattern in Holiday Handknits.
And, a little late in the denim parade, I want to use this:
Rowan Denim
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
To make this cool little jacket:
That's the two color Voyage from Denim People. That just looks fun. Plus, I want to test out the denim before I commit to making a sweater for my husband. He needs to take a touch test of the fabric to see if it works...
That's the two color Voyage from Denim People. That just looks fun. Plus, I want to test out the denim before I commit to making a sweater for my husband. He needs to take a touch test of the fabric to see if it works...
Rowanspun Chunky
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
This lovely yarn is discontinued, but it continues to amaze me as I work with it. It has nubby little flecks of bright green, blue and red that show up every once in a while. I'll get a better shot of the knitted fabric next week. And, here's what it will be:
This is Tippi from Rowan's A Season's Tale. Right now I'm on sleeve island, but should finish the pieces this weekend. Pictures soon!
This is Tippi from Rowan's A Season's Tale. Right now I'm on sleeve island, but should finish the pieces this weekend. Pictures soon!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Post Holiday Musings
So, yes, it is January and I'm a little slow. But I'm finally able to chronicle the holiday. The family did pretty well this year--there were power tools, dollhouses (the full Madeline house, dolls and furniture courtesy of Santa and the Grandmas), food from Zingerman's Deli (yum--real Pastrami Reubens delivered to your door that my New Yorker hubbie declared amazingly good--better than his favorite place near Wall Street. He was actually hiding the fixings in the refrigerator...).I had quite the haul as well. A beautiful new jewelry box:
I actually wear some of the pretty pieces that I have collected over the years now that I can see what I own. The grandma costume jewelry is especially fun to rediscover.And there was this cool gift in my stocking:
What can I say. How could you not love a 60 GB video ipod? All I need to say is video footage of the baby panda cub walking from the Washington Post. Free. Downloaded through iTunes podcasts. Aww.And my Mom delivered a knitting gift. From Nordic Fiber Arts a Faroe Island sweater kit. Here's what the sweater will look like:
The pattern is from a back issue of Interweave (Winter 2000/2001). The yarn suggested is Vamsegarn in three colors:- 3-ply bulk knitting
- Nm 5/3 weaving yarn
- 100% wool
- 80 meters/50 gram ball
- 4-4.5 st/in on size 5.0 mm - 5.5 mm needles
The pattern is knit in the round and steeked. This should satisfy my need to complete some more difficult colorwork. And Mom even picked out these gorgeous pewter buttons.
buttons
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
Monday, January 09, 2006
The Last of 2005
I finally was able to get my husband to take a quick picture of the cabled hat (as we were both trying to run out the door for work). I really enjoyed learning how to complete a cabled knit without a special cabling needle. I'm ready for more! See this post for information on the lovely Peace Fleece yarn (loved it!) and the pattern (excellent for beginners).
Cabled Hat
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
I would say that the hat is a positive end to a busy knitting year. I've looked at my gallery from this year and from last year and things are looking up (links on sidebar to my flickr account). In this past year I've not only been more productive (26 knitted items vs. 18 knitted items the previous year), but I've been more adventurous. I've made a lace item (Flower Basket Shawl, various scarves), basic color work items (Gingham Sweater), Socks, and cabled items (purse and hat). I have been able to try lots of new techniques and have some great items to wear. My favorites? These socks, this wrap, and this sweater.
That doesn't mean that I have finished all the projects hanging out in my basket. The Rebecca bolero that I stupidly sewed the sleeves on backwards is waiting to be ripped. I've ribbed a bit, but the fuzzy yarn is not the easiest to work with. I want to wear the sweater, so it will happen eventually. And, there always seems to be one project that doesn't make the season change--this time it is Rowan's Arabella tank. When it starts getting warm I'm sure that I will want to finish the project.
And for next year? I think that my interest in cables will continue. I've been part of the St. Brigid KAL, but haven't even begun to think about the project. That should happen. I think additional colorwork would be lots of fun as well. Should be interesting!
That doesn't mean that I have finished all the projects hanging out in my basket. The Rebecca bolero that I stupidly sewed the sleeves on backwards is waiting to be ripped. I've ribbed a bit, but the fuzzy yarn is not the easiest to work with. I want to wear the sweater, so it will happen eventually. And, there always seems to be one project that doesn't make the season change--this time it is Rowan's Arabella tank. When it starts getting warm I'm sure that I will want to finish the project.
And for next year? I think that my interest in cables will continue. I've been part of the St. Brigid KAL, but haven't even begun to think about the project. That should happen. I think additional colorwork would be lots of fun as well. Should be interesting!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Cabling Frenzy
In the waning days of 05 I was struck with the need to cable. It was on my list as a technique that I wanted to learn in 2005, so, with a few weeks to go, I plunged in to learning to cable without a cable needle.This is Berga:
Berga is from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton's first Noro book. It uses Cash Iroha, which is a wonderfully soft yarn. Here's the back:
Purse back
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
This purse is the perfect size to throw a credit card, phone and ipod into--about the size of a CD case. I thought that the pattern was fairly easy to follow for a first time cabler, though I had to rip the decrease flap out a few times and am still not totally happy with it. It looks a little uneven, but it will do.
When you sew up the bag you sew the icord handle in the sides to give it a little more definition, certainly a smart design technique given how soft the Cash Iroha feels and how little definition that bag has (very floppy!). One little complaint: I read the pattern directions and it said it uses 4 skeins of the yarn. I bought 5 but only used 2. That leaves enough for another purse or hat or other goodies!
When you sew up the bag you sew the icord handle in the sides to give it a little more definition, certainly a smart design technique given how soft the Cash Iroha feels and how little definition that bag has (very floppy!). One little complaint: I read the pattern directions and it said it uses 4 skeins of the yarn. I bought 5 but only used 2. That leaves enough for another purse or hat or other goodies!
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
Remember the hat pattern from the other week? Here's the start of the hat. It is actually finished, but I haven't yet had a chance to have a photo shoot.
The beginnings of a cabled hat
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Happy New Year
Happy New Year, y'all! I hope that you had an enjoyable holiday, no matter what you celebrated. We returned from rainy California and are now attempting to get back into some sort of schedule. Expect normal blogging to resume shortly. But, a quick review of the Los Gatos yarn store that I visited.I went to Yarndogs in downtown Los Gatos to pick up a few essentials. The shop is small but cozy, located near the high school. They had a good selection of needles (bamboo, Addis, etc.) and other tools (I bought some Clover blocking pins that I like). The yarn was a strange selection--lots of novelty yarns, some basics like Cascade, a smattering of really high end cashmere and some interesting Scandinavian yarns. I'm not big on novelty yarns, but the Scandinavian yarns really intrigued me. Their pattern selection was small but good and the person working was friendly and helpful. So, a good small yarn store to visit!
Some finished projects tomorrow!
