WIP Wednesday - a bit of everything

Instagram has captured what I have worked on this week.  I finally cleared out my garden beds. After a not-so-successful garden last year (the weeds won), I left everything there over the winter. I figure it gives a little bit back to the soil. This year, with the sole exception of green beans, we're going to try and have a flower garden. This will give the soil a break from our usual attempts of general vegetables. Our house came landscaped, which is great and all, but I miss seeing the blooms.  Hopefully this will also attract butterflies!


The body of my Morning Coffee sweater is done and I love it! I have started a sleeve and it is slowly but surely moving along.  Speaking of coffee, I tried a coffee "recipe" I saw online - this particular blogger raved about coffee + coconut milk + cocoa powder, so I gave it a try. And I will not be doing that again - ugh! I will stick with my cream and sugar.



The weather has taken such a nice turn over the last week or so, we've been getting outside just about every day! Yesterday I was so tired at the end I didn't even want to pick up my knitting, or crochet! Shocking! Thankfully I have another craft in the works. I think I mentioned being bit by the cross stitch bug - I have the Woodland Sampler and the Springtime Sampler, both from the Frosted Pumpkin. I am behind on both, and I am not fast at it, but I really enjoy it. One little stitch at a time.

I haven't been reading much, a few fluff magazines is about it, but I am expecting a few books to arrive soon to help with my toy box project! I also really need to get moving on a few custom-request items, so hopefully I will have some fun to show on Friday!

WIP Wednesday - Ombre Coffee

I've been really pushing myself on my Morning Coffee sweater. I would like to be able to wear it a few times before fall! The body needs one more inch or so and then several inches of ribbing. I should be able to start the sleeves next week! Except for the first skein which was used to knit most of the yoke, I have been alternating skeins. You can see there is a slight ombre effect going on here, but I'm ok with it. I have added what feels like 2398754 more things to my mental queue - the beginning of the month is always like that, but this month we have the added excitement of my baby (19 months now!) being awake a lot more when I need to get work done! Also, I am going to be an aunt this summer! My niece is due to arrive in August sometime! I am very excited and I've coordinated with my SIL (who is not just a knitter but the daughter of a knitter too) with special-request items.  Lucky for my blog readers, I am sure to have multiple projects going so I won't have to just show teaser pictures between now and then!

Too much stuff - Yarn Along & WIP Wednesday

Let's just sum up by saying I have a lot of stuff. I have a lot of projects going on, I have to keep track of a lot of details for my work, my home & family. I may be reaching a tipping point.  Today I started the washing machine and left the top open; luckily once it's filled and bubbly it doesn't continue on with the cycle unless the top is down! Later, when I went back to move things along I opened the machine to find it completely empty.  I didn't bother to actually put the clothes into the machine! This week I've worked on 2 cross stitch projects, my Morning Coffee Sweater, my Carousel sock, a slug and a secret project. I have a really hard time doing one thing at a time. I feel bored and antsy if I do not have a choice of projects. Some nights I need plain stockinette or garter stitch, other times when I have a moment to work stitches I want to tackle a cable or two.  I started reading "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" by Agatha Christie.  I've been a long time fan of her mysteries and this one, somehow, I had not read before. I thought it was going to take me longer as the typeface on each page is tiny, but I am already a third of the way through the book.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to try and salvage what's left of this afternoon and my to-do list, with two little ones adding to the chaos!

Yarn Along - January 9

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ yarn along





This week I have been reading Pippi Longstocking. For whatever reason, I could not stop thinking about this book, so I borrowed it from the library.  I couldn't remember if I had read it as a kid, but now that I am halfway through I think I did; so much of it is familiar and enjoyable. This was a good way to get back into the reading groove! I've been working on several things.  The Snuggly Monster buddy is ready for eyes, ears & limbs.  The belly is done in yellow and the eyepatch is on the needles. I think the ears / limbs will be solid teal and solid lime green.  I hope to get this done in the next day or two so that it can be given to a brand new baby! On the right is a sample sweater. The same sweater on which I already broke two needles! Knock wood, so far so good and my new needle set arrived today.  In the middle is my current "ooh shiny!" project.  I found the NaKnitMittMo group on Ravelry and immediately had to start a pair of mittens for me.  That didn't take long at all! I pulled out my Cast On, Cast Off book to try the "Provisional Tubular Cast On" for a stretchy cuff. It was a bit fiddly, but not terrible once I got going!

Charleston Tea, finished!

Just today, I put the Charleston Tea in the mail, to return home at Good Karma Farm up in Maine. I know that I have said it here before but it is worth repeating: I love this yarn! It is a new blend and weight for them, and I am hoping to purchase more at Rhinebeck in a few weeks.

This colorway, which I believe is "Artichoke", was left to do its own thing. I did not bother to alternate the skeins and there was no instances of flashing. The cable and lace portion probably helped to break that up. There is a little bit of striping activity on the hood, but it still looks good.



I am considering knitting this again, for me. Now that's saying something! If I do decide to do that, I will be lengthening the body and sleeves and losing the hood. And those are rather minor modifications. I would also wear a more appropriate shirt underneath.

I love this photo. I can't put my finger on why, because it doesn't show the sweater very well, but something about it works, I think.

Feels Good

Way back in early 2010 I started to knit a sweater. It was a test knit and I managed to get all the pieces knit, and I even found buttons.


When I started to seam it up, I encountered major shoulder issues. There should have been a bit of cute puff on the shoulder, but instead I had pointy shoulders. It looked like an odd outfit you might find on Star Trek.


This is one instance where I really did not enjoy test knitting. When I made contact with the designer I was told, "Ok, I'll look at it, but really you should just reknit it". UM. That's not professional or helpful. My gauge was good. I'm testing a pattern to bring potential issues to your attention. I offered a few thoughts on what I thought would work. I was told, "That sounds good. I appreciate your notes." But that still doesn't help me with my sweater. I was so frustrated that the sweater sat. And sat. And sat. I never did try to redo the sleeves because I was just annoyed. Beyond the initial pattern revision due to a math issue, I never saw a revision of the pattern or even the final version so I don't even know what that is like. Anyway. 

Hello Ravellenic Games event, Frogging Trampoline. I have my yarn back.  I have great buttons to match! Now I need to find a better sweater.  I'm thinking maybe Snow White (no buttons needed), Arm Candy, Samovar, or even Notre Dame de Grace.


I am very surprised at how I felt ripping all that work out. It was addictive and therapeutic. And I can tell my seaming skills are getting better as it took me a while to find my ends! Here's to starting over!! 

Gemini

I knit and knit and knit and truly intended to have my Gemini sweater finished to wear to TNNA.  I was successful in getting all the knitting done on the Thursday before I left. However, in true gemini form, I could not bring myself to weave in the ends and actually finish this project in time! And sure, it is an excuse, but we were also in a stretch of early heat waves (that have continued) and I was not too keen on the idea of wearing a wool sweater, even if it is short sleeved. I wove in the ends when I returned and finally took a few photos of my new sweater last night.  I absolutely love it!

Knitting the small size used less than four skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool! The lace portion at the top was easy and interesting, and the body was smooth sailing. The sweater could probably do with a little light blocking, but I do not think that is neccessary. I'm undecided if I like the lace better on the front or the back, big surprise there. It is falling apart a bit in this photo, but this is pretty much my new favorite way to wear my hair now that the weather is so icky. I have a lion's mane of thick hair that is wavy and layered. I went hunting and found a sock bun tutorial for my kind of hair and it rocks. With a little bit of help from hairspray, bobby pins, and yes, a sock, even I can pull off this casual up-do. If you know of other styles / tutorials for thick-short-wavy-layered hair, please share! I am really trying to break out of my usual hairstyle rut!

A little of this and that

It's been something like 2 weeks since I posted! What's been going on?
Well, the Lorax started driving...

Ok, not really.

I finished a sweater, for real - for me! Iced by Carol Feller (one of my favorite designers). I wanted something cozy that I could wear around the house - something that I could toss on and not worry about any manner of baby / kid / dog / my own klutzyness goop getting on it. Also, I wanted something that I could wear now with a growing belly as well as in the fall while nursing. I am quite pleased with the result and have gotten in a lot of wear already.


For now I am going without buttons because it just doesn't make sense. The yarn is an acrylic yarn that I really really like, "Jarbo Duo" - it's squishy and warm and light. Love the shades of blue that showed up in this. This is probably not the most flattering sweater I could have made for my body type, but I wasn't looking for that.

I have also been sewing! I could not resist the kitchy call of a Peeps Bunting -



What have you been up to?

Packing Paralysis

Today I have been trying to get packed and ready for the Knitter's Review Retreat - a weekend full of yarn and knitting! A packing occasion for which it is perfectly acceptable for me to bring "ALL the yarns" and yet I still can't decide. What do I want to work on while I am there? What yarns and things do I want to bring for swapping (without seeming greedy? but it's a great opportunity to share the stash with others!)? What knits do I want to wear? Decisions, decisions. I'm driving up, so there is plenty of room in the car for all the things in my "Maybe." pile.

I will be wearing my new sweater at some point this weekend. (And tonight to SnB. And for Thanksgiving. And many times after that.) I finished Dorflinger Tee by Mandy Moore, from this year's fall issue of Knitscene. Obligatory headless sweater shot:


I love this sweater. Big yarn makes for a quick project! This particular big yarn is Schaefer Yarn's Esperanza (sadly discontinued!!) in the Pomegranate colorway. There is a subtle tonal variation but it works nicely with the lace here. I haven't bothered to block the sweater and I don't think that I will - I would rather wear it. I find that I do pull at the bottom of the sweater, so maybe it will get a little blocking just to lengthen it a smidge.


And wouldn't you know? The little Lorax who won't wear most of the handknits, wants to be in the photos - look at that pose! When I held up the sweater to show her she thought it was a dress. Would love to try it on her, but I would also rather have smiles and hugs than tears.


Maybe one day I can get her to take the photos!

Somebody will wear my handknits!

Almost by surprise, the weather has turned windy and cool - very fall like, and we knew (and hoped) it was coming, but somehow it is a shock to the system. The heat is on and I have been pulling out my handknits to wear - I love to layer with the scarves and shawls-as-scarves. I've posted many times about how the Lorax absolutely refuses to wear pretty much anything I knit for her, so my most recent knitting accomplishment has been for Jackson. I usually pop his cowl on him, but figured it was time to make him something new. Behold, the Wurstwarmer!

Someone is camera shy, or possible just ticked off. I used Sirdar Snuggly DK for most of the sweater - it was less than a full ball, when it was used up the last two inches or so are knit with Berroco Comfort DK. Both machine washable acrylic blends.


This is a great pattern. Obviously, the designer totally *gets* dachshunds and what odd little creatures they can be. I really appreciate how the pattern guided me through several measurements and then options as well relating to peculiarities of your dog: male / female, harness opening, to cover their little bum or not. This sweater stays on him pretty well - he was able to step out of it after doing a "squirrel" trick - his little legs fold up and then they are tucked into the sweater. If I knit this again, actual sleeves may help (a pattern option I opted out of) or casting off / on fewer stitches for the armhole opening.


The Lorax was helping me get Jackson to do his "squirrel" trick to take the photo. She is finally taller than the dog! Also, the Tinkerbell pajamas? A gift that her daddy picked up for her when they went out to the store while I was at Rhinebeck.


Stay warm little doggie. And learn to love the handknits - I will be making this again!

Hello September!

While I have some difficulty wrapping my head around the fact that it is indeed September, I am more than ready for it. I love summer, I really do - but heat waves I cannot stand. I have had enough - I am ready for cool breezes, layers, cups of tea in the afternoon and evening, eating warm foods and baking in my oven! September also means that sweater weather is coming! And I have finished a new sweater for the Lorax.
Jackson a version of Willie.

I used Plymouth Encore Chunky (which is fantastic! I love this yarn!) in a mottled grey-brown for the dachshund part which is a pretty good color match to some of Jackson's dappled spots. Same yarn for the body, in a cranberry-ish red. I used Patons Canadiana held doubled for the cuffs and trim.

I think my favorite part of this sweater is the ear. Totally makes it. I didn't bother to block the ear flat because I like how it curves or flips up - gives it some dachshund attitude.

Jackson snuggled up (and under) the sweater. I tried to get the Lorax in it (even with the promise of her favorite candy, Ms. But she runs away from me shouting "I Don't Want To Wear It!" - and we've had a rough week. Lots of whining. Lots of meltdowns. I'm not looking to start another fight and I'm tired of the tears (crocodile or otherwise). I think that this is going to be long on her - almost like a coat instead of a sweater, but that's fine - maybe we can get a wear or two out of it as an extra layer, this year or next.

Exhale.

Remember that sweater that I thought I could be so ambitious with and seam up in a jiffy? Yeah, well the humidity / mini-heat wave that came through slowed that down to a near halt and it took almost a full week to seam up! I am so thankful that Mother Nature is giving us a little bit more of chilly spring weather - means I can wear my sweater!


The pattern is Cardigan Neutral from AwareKnits. (You can also get this particular pattern for free at the Caron.com website, here).


The yarn is O-Wool Balance. I adore this yarn. I had some trouble with gauge, so I did the math, followed the pattern for the XL size and held my breathe as I knit away and hoped I would end up with the medium size. I am really pleased with how that worked out - the armpits are the slightest bit more snug than I would like, and there are a few flaws that I think I'll be the only one to ever know about or notice, so we'll just leave it at that.


My intention with this sweater was for days like this - a short sleeve tee underneath or even a thin long sleeve (A good portion of my t-shirt wardrobe seems to be of the tissue tee variety) and a light sweater - good for keeping out a bit of wind or a early summer evening chill. I adore the sleeves especially - cute lace pattern on each cuff end, nice length - though they came with a headache - the sleeve directions in the book are wrong, and I could not find any errata online. The version of the pattern posted at the caron.com website has proper sleeve directions.


The lace pattern is on one of the fronts. And there is a small garter stitch edge along each of the front edges. I think I like how the sweater rolls a bit. I plan on getting a lot of use out of this sweater!

Covered.

My sweater is making progress - as of a week ago it was here:

(excuse the iphone claw hand).

In the last week I have finished the body of the sweater, right down the to the bottom cable and lace patterning and even bound off! The sleeves await me now - I need to go dig through my needles to find another set appropriately sized - I want to knit them at the same time.

Not too bad, needs some blocking. The back looked a little "swingy" to me (most likely just from the fact that while I was knitting I switched sizes unintentionally and I wasn't going to rip it out and redo.) - but I turned it around so that the back was in front and I think I might like that fit a little better. Hrm.


Lorelai has also taken initiative to be covered up. On Saturday we were doing our thing when, pet-owner duty called and we had to take Jackson outside for a bathroom break. When we came back in, Lorelai picked up her hat and asked me to put it on and then we went right back to coloring. Um, ok. I'm not going to deny the kid from wearing a handknit hat, ever!


Photos in this post were all iPhone photos - not the best quality - quick and dirty that's for sure. I took a great class this weekend, "Photography for Knitters", lead by Gale Zucker - it was great and I learned a lot! Photos in the future will be much better - I'll get out of the bathroom, promise! I wore my Central Park Hoodie hoping to get a decent shot of me in it and I know that several of the other participants did, so I hope to share those soon. Here are a few of my favorite shots I captured during the workshop:

Ishbel - knit by Brenda (fourpeass on Ravelry).


Seahorse in Orange Yarns - I knit the seahorse. He's still missing his eyes. I am going to keep him and knit a different one for friends that are expecting - I'll use cotton, even though I love the Vanna's Choice, it does have a bit of fuzz and babies don't want to chew on fuzz. I think I have figured out how to make it a crinkly toy as well. More to come.


Purple yarn on yellow fabric background - love that little piece of the skein that is squirming out, beckoning... Knit Me. Now. You know you want to.

Distractions

Lately I've been distracted by other things than what's on my needles - I'm enjoying working on my bat shawl and on my Trellis and Vine sweater, but I'm heeding the call of other projects.

Exhibit 1 - I can crochet! Is this the dark side? I can do a basic chain, single crochet and double crochet and make a ring, and now I'm browsing Ravelry for crochet patterns! Amigurumi here I come! It started with a custom knit request from one of my aunts for one of my cousins for a sort of headband that they saw in a shop. After conversing with my sister-in-law, Virginia, who is way more up with these sorts of fashion things than I am, I decided that even though it was crochet, Headband with Flower was the best choice.

Ravelry details - I used some cotton yarn from my stash, and it was done in an afternoon. Crochet is pretty cool and I like that it has rejuvenated how I browse patterns!

Exhibit 1a: I told you I couldn't stop crocheting. I made the another crochet flower and attached a clip to the back - haven't been able to get Lorelai to wear it yet.

Totally not blocked, the yarn is Schaefer Yarn "Laurel".

Exhibit 2: I went digging in the bags of projects I keep near my computer. So sad to have hibernating projects! I finished up a loaf of bread!

Ok, not really. This is better:

It's one of the Pile-able Pups from Mochimochiland - so cute. It was cute, but I think I have lost my momentum on this project and it may just be the one pup. But he's still pile-able, see?

Stuff on my dog. Other details about this are on here.

Exhibit 3: This sweater, Peace Baby has been in and out of hibernation for a while. I finished all the seaming and have to now go back and do the neck trim and the little design on the front.


I've also be distracted / inspired by these websites - go check them out!
*Craft Hope
*Sharing Our Gifts: 50 Gifts, 50 States
*ReadyMade's A Week Without Spending - written by Virginia - I really admire her taking on this challenge and look forward to her tips and revelations!

In the world of Lorelai, she's been really cute lately - this is a fun stage - there's been a lot of mimicking me throughout the day and her "helping" to clean or whatever.

Oh, and we're obsessed with the potty. Not actually using it, but playing with it. Using the cushy tushy part as a big bracelet, or something to look through, or pretend to drive a car...