Stashless...

Before I get into ranting and raving over this blog's title, I would like to share my FO's and my WIPs!!!

First up is my Baby Top. Love it. I can't wait to have a little one to put it on. Was contemplating giving it to you, T, and my godbaby, but it's got so many oop's in it, that I would be too embarassed to give it away. But I love it just the same.

Next is some of the yarn I bought at IKnit. It's DK Merino Undyed. And That's only 2/3 ok. So I dyed it...using Koolaid. Took me an afternoon. I'm so happy with the results. There's 450 yards of it, and it's going into something knit for me, so now I just have to figure out what...It knits up really cooly (I know, not a word) on size 6 needles across 20 sts in Stockinette Stitch. I did a swatch to see what i had :) The blue and green knit up as solid stripes alternating with the white and burgundy as varigated stripes. It's awesome. There's more white than I wanted, but as it's only my 2nd dye job ever, I think it turned out perfect :)

I finished a bracelet (no pic at the moment)for Lindsay for her birthday (which was in July, I'm late). And this earring frame. I can't wait to give it to her. It's a mini Modern Log Cabin blanket by Mason-Dixon. Great pattern.

This is a WIP but so darn close to being a FO, so I'm gonna call it a FO for the moment. I'll post finished pics later. This is my Leafy Cardi for mom. I am completely done with it with the exception of the collar. And the collar is giving me a headache. I think I'm to the point on this pattern that I just can't mentally correct any more problems. Seroiusly, God bless Calista for being patient with me. I think the only section where I haven't ran into an error or crutial info that was omitted was the front left. Sigh. I have everything sewn up and done, except the collar, and the buttons. But I haven't even bought the buttons, so that will be on the to do list for tomorrow's outting.

I've started on Daddy's pullover. It's about 12 inches into the back (I need 25 for that piece) and it seems to be going very quickly. The wool is a bit rough to work with, but the fabric is coming out soft and you can feel the lanolin still in the wool, so I'm pretty sure it will soften up more with a good hand wash. No pics though :)

I'm trying hard to get my Juliet/February Lady sweater done. It's taking up 2 of my interchangeable cables, and I need those bad boys. especially for the collar of mom's sweater. The lace I picked for it is knitting up very quickly (I'm 2 1/2 inches in) and is easy to memorize, so hopefully it'll get done fast. I shouldn't work on stuff that isn't Christmas, but i need those needles. I guess I could put it on scrap yarn.... (not a current pic btw)

Adam's hat is coming along. It's been on hold for a little while, but I need to work on it as it's a super simple knit and seems to go quickly if you can keep the tiny balls of colorwork in order...Here are pics of my favorite thing on the needles....These are my lacy stockings from the Vogue Knitting Spring/summer 2009 issue. Love them. But they are so far back on the back burner that they won't get picked up again until after Christmas is over. The only socks I need to be working on are the ones for Matty. I still have the original Frat Feet sock so I'm going to give the 2nd one another try. 3rd time's a charm, right?

So on to my ranting a raving.

I read a post from some random person on Ravelry about being stashless. About only purchasing yarn for a specific project, and not getting more yarn until that project is finished. Now, as you can tell, I don't have that will power. But apparently many people do as there were many many commenters on how fantastic it is to have zero stash. They were ragging on us stashers. Now, I have to admit that I like to de-stash every once in a while. Really sit down and give purpose to some of the yarn that I've purchased. But I can't even imagine not wanting a stash. I adore being able to go upstairs, pull out my stash and touch yarn I haven't felt in a while. I puchase yarn that I believe is beautiful. It's color, fiber, ply, it's just beautiful. And when I buy it, sometimes I have an idea of what it's for, but more often than not, I just want it. I buy what I can afford, and then I find it's destiny later. Or I love getting a knitting magazine or book and finding a pattern that I have to have RIGHT NOW, and it's awesome to go upstairs and find the wool/cotton/silk that makes that pattern perfectly mine. I don't always have to go to the LYS (which is good b/c the owner hates me) and hunt up what I want before I can CO.

To each his own, I suppose. Everyone works differently, but I can't imagine wanting to be stashless. It would be like a painter going out to purchase paints everytime he wants to recreate the sunrise....

IKnit take 2

Off to IKnit Weekender in London this weekend! Woooohooooo! This is the same convention I went to last year to see our dear YH, but sadly there isn't anyone on the schedule who I'm aching to see. Nevertheless, I am pumped and mentally ready to go! Physically is a whole other story, however.

WHAT DO I TAKE TO KNIT???????

Last year I worked on a pair of socks for Brett. Black wool. Apparently too itchy for him. They've been ripped out. Oh, well. Gave me something to do. I have a bizillion projects that I should do that day, but most of them are color work, bulky, or have intricate charts.

I thought about knitting those same socks for Matty (obviously bigger) as I'm having issues with the second frat sock. If I cable them, the cables don't look right on the second sock for some reason. If I don't cable them, the sock looks sasquatch big. Thought about ripping them out all together and making an afghan for him or something out of the yarn. But I have the black wool to use and I bet Matt would wear them. Even if they're hot. Maybe.

Wanted to get my juliet top finished to wear on Saturday, but I doubt that's going to happen. First off, I finally am getting the first sleeve for mom's birthday present accomplished. I say accomplished, not done, as it's taken me 4 times for it to actually work out. The first 2 times are pattern issues. The 3rd time was a Carli issue. So I tackled it a 4th time, this time marking the chart as I work the stitches. Much better. Hopefully I will get through one sleeve tonight...cross your fingers. Secondly, there just isn't the time. I could knit on it like a crazy woman to get it done, but as I have too many other presents that NEED done to push that hard on one that doesn't NEED done. I should be pushing that hard on Mom and Adam's presents. Not a convention top.

We'll see.

Well, off to knit and nurse a headache. Lots to do before we're off to London!

I'm here, I'm here! :)

Hi Everyone! I'm sorry that I have been completely absent for awhile, but as Carli previously mentioned, I have been put on bedrest since June. For awhile, I had NO desire to knit. It either made me sick, or just antsy. I am back to knitting which is good, but not doing anything too exciting. I am doing a lot of baby knitting just to psych myself up. Don't get me wrong, we are happy for the baby coming, just have had a lot to deal with, so baby knitting keeps me in a good frame of mind! :) So, I have knit 3 baby hats, 1 baby sock (I should cast on for the other today) and about 1/3 of a baby blanket. We do not know whether we are having a boy or girl, so I am making some pink stuff and some blue stuff. I have about 7 friends that are preggo right now, so I'm sure that someone will have whatever we don't so I can pass it on to them. The baby blanket is black with silver sparkles in it. I am going to get a pink or blue ribbon to run through the eyelets (it is just a simply dishcloth blanket pattern) after the baby is born. Layla really likes it.
Let's see, what else? I ripped out my dad's cable scarf. After I was realistic with myself, I knew that I was probably NEVER actually going to finish it. So, he and I agreed that a hat would be better for him. So, I CO for a simply rib hat for him, which I am slowly working on. Although I think I handle ribbing a little better than Carli (I've never found myself huddled in the corner because of it babe!), it does get old after a while. I hope that he likes it whenever I get it finished.
There are a lot of things that I WANT to CO for, but just haven't had the gumption, but soon. One exciting thing (at least for me) is that I found a GREAT bag. I wanted a new diaper bag that wasn't actually a diaper bag, more of a big purse. Well, I found one that has 3 different compartments, one for baby things, one for my things, and one for a knitting project! I am thrilled. It is not from Jordana Paige, but it very much her style. It is orange and VERY cute! I love it!
Well, I hope that you are all doing well. We are 31 weeks today and making it one day at a time. I should be off bedrest in 3-5 weeks then whatever will be will be. Watch, all of the junk we have been through and this kiddo will NEVER want to come! :) I will try and get pics soon of the baby things!
Love,
Theresa

Knitting...not blogging

Well, I am anyway. Poor Theresa is stuck in bedrest (we're just going to pretend she's behaving) with no desire to knit. I remember feeling that way when I was preggo, too, so I don't blame her a bit.

I've been pretty productive this summer, I have to say. Made a few hats for Hazel, made a cardi for a friend's birthday, made an earring holder and bracelet for my gorgeous SIL, Lindsay, several dishcloths, and a few little items for H's wardrobe. I can't remember what all I've done, so it's not fair to post about them all. I'm really proud, though!

My current WIPs are.....

1. Re-doing the Frat Feet for Matty as I can't seem to get the second sock right. I know it's a knitter problem and not a pattern problem, however, I must subconscieously be screwing them up b/c I just can't get it right and so I ripped them both out and am knitting him some plain vanilla socks with a cable up the center. something for pizazz but pretty basic. That way he'll get them before Hazel's old enough to learn to knit.

2. Still working on the lacey socks I'm supposed to be knitting with a friend. Margaret, however, has admitted defeat for the time being and has put them to the side for something a bit more paletable. Mine are simply hibernating b/c I've got to get started on Christmas this year if I want to actually get it all done.

3. For the first time EVER, I got a magazine and CO for one of the featured projects the next day. It's called Leafy Cardigan, and it's out of Yarn Forward Issue #17. Designed by Ms. Calista Yoo (who btw is an absolutely fabulous person...she's just really cool and fun to talk to and a very very very patient person). I thought it would look amazing on mom. And I had some chunky yarn, so here we go! I'm through the back panel, not without some serious help with it from Calista (did I mention how patient she is??). YF Mag left out a necessary chart legend, which they quickly corrected, but left out the legend for the WS of the chart, which confused things...again. I know how to read a chart, and God bless Calista for not being slightly rude about my confusion, like the mag editor was. I know she's stressed out about getting the new issue out, but patronizing me wasn't necessary, ya know? Anyway, Calista and I got that straightened out, then it came to the neckline. Now, let me follow by saying, the tech editor took the original pattern and chopped it up, making it more "suitable" for magazine print. Losing some of the complicated pattern in the process. Most of the conversations between Calista and I involved her being confused at what they had done to her pattern b/c it was originally one large chart, and chopping it up was causing a bit of confusion. Anywho. They forgot to inform all that when you get to a place in the pattern where the decreases eliminate any room for YOs to compensate for a double decrease, then eliminate all decreases outside of the raglan decreases and simply st st them. Wouldn't that be helpful? Don't you think? Poor Calista is so mad. Bless her heart. I'm seriously contemplating boycotting the magazine as they've treated her so badly and to be quite honest, I can't bare supporting a magazine that doesn't treat their contributors well. But that's other news. I'm through the back and 1/2 through the left front panel, so hopefully this will be something that gets to mom for her Birthday so she'll get more wear out of it! If not then we'll be giving it for Christmas :)

3. Some how. Lord only knows how. Probably cuz I love her to bits. I got talked into knitting hearts for Michelle's wedding fair booth so she can hang display cards on them. And we aren't talking 5 hearts. We're talking, like, 30. I have 4 done. I hate them. I'm knitting them with crap yarn b/c it's in my stash and needs consumed somehow and they're the colors she wants, but it's like knitting with, well, crap yarn. I am, however, going to let her weave in all the ends. Because I'm just not that generous. :) Actually, wouldn't that make it really evil? I don't want to be evil, but I have too much to do to sit down and knit 30 hearts and then weave in all the ends. So, I will do the knitting, she can weave. Enough said :) Plus I frogged 2 hearts just figuring out how to make a pretty knitted heart. so techinically I've made 6.

4. I found the coolest hat on the newest edition of Knitty. It's called Urbanista and I'm about 35% done with it. Probably more than that. Anyway, go check it out. Fabulous hat, knit flat, sided to side, all short rows, color work, and then you graft the ends together. I love it. I really don't love the tangle of colors as you have to have 6 balls of color going at the same time (well, by the end of one section), but the cool thing is it's just plain knitting, with all this stuff going on that makes it incredibly interesting. That's Adam's Christmas present.

5. I'm still working on baby things. In hopes that we'll have another baby. I know, I know. In God's time. I know, I trust, I really do, but I'm also losing patience. I hope God knows that by losing patience doesn't mean I want him to give in. I just wish my heart ache would lessen, ya know? Anyway, I'm still working on my Ruth's babytop. Love it, but I'm tired of ribbing as it's just seems endless. Can't make adult sized stuff with endless ribbing, you'll find me huddled in a ball in the corner with my knitting, drooling and muttering, "K2, P2, K2, P2, repeat. K2, P2, K2, P2, Repeat." Luckily I have about 15 more rows of ribbing and then 8 rows of garter stitch. Once I take a break from it for a week or two, It'll get done quite quickly.

Amazingly, that's it. I ripped out a scarf I started for my mom, and am contemplating ripping out the scarf I was making dad (for 3 years) and making them both something else, but until I get a bit more caught up. Problem is...what?

Long year!

Can't believe it's the end of July already! I don't even know where to begin on the things I've finished. So I won't. All of them are on Ravelry, though!

I've got severe startitus. SEVERE. I have 3 projects going. My Lacey Stockings are gorgeous, but slow going as they're severely complicated lace. I've made my way 1/2 up the foot and am taking a break from them before I mess them up. I really really enjoy the knitting, though. The charts are a bit scary, but I really like following them (though I'm only on Chart #1, we'll see how I feel about it once I'm on the dreaded Chart #4). I'm knitting them with my friend, Margaret, who is just in love with them and determined to knit them as they're part of her hubby's fetish. She's struggling, so we're going to work on the together. I think I'm going to knit 2 feet, then move on, I'm fairly comfortable (though cautiously so) with the foot, as it took me 3 times to get through the toe, so I thought it might be safe to keep with that frame of thought. I've also given into a lifeline as I fear ripping them out in entirety. There's just too much work required to rip them out completely and I'm not good at ripping back on DPNs.

Project #2 is Ruth's Babytop. I love it. I am getting a bit bored by the 2x2 ribbing, but I've only got 1/2 of the back left and then the neckline (which is like, 4 rows, so it'll go quick). Plus the fact that it's no brainer knitting. K2, P2, K2, P2 across with the exception of the garter row on either side. Can't wait to have a little person to put this on!!! Not to mention the fact that it's stash busting in case we move home in December. A top is easier to pack then a ball of yarn.

Project #3 was supposed to be for Theresa, but after literally 4 different patterns and 2 attempts at each, I frogged it all and am making a cardi for me out the wool. I will end up making you something, my dearest friend, but apparently it wasn't in the cards for this yarn. I found a cardi in a magazine that I love and have just enough to make the size that SHOULD fit me, but we'll see. I've yet to make anything that SHOULD do something and have it turn out. Even when I get gauge.

I need to start on Christmas presents as I have a gazillion to do this year and have 4 1/2 months to get them done. I'm very concerned that I won't have enough time, but we'll see. Some of them should only take an evening. Plus the fact that I have several presents to churn out in the meantime. Plus I really need to finish Matty's Christmas pres from last year. Poor guy.

Well, I'm off. Precious hazel snuggling time is wasting away!!!

Shower Poof

I LOVE shower poofs. After years of using one, showering just isn't the same when I don't have one. That being said, I HATE buying them and then tossing them away. And I don't want to any more. I just imagine all the many many many "poofs" in the landfills that I've contributed to, and I say, NO MORE! Especially when I can make one, right?

This is my first attempt at one, and it's super duper (yes I said it) simple. I can't wait to make more, ones with a little more fluff, but for the moment, this one more than lives up to it's potential.

The Shower Puff

Needle: Straight sizes 6, 8, and 10 1/2 (4, 5, 6.5 mm)

Yarn: I used Schachenmayr nomotta Crazy Cotton but as it's discontinued, any 100% cotton will do...this is sportweight, so keep in mind heavier weight means bigger needles, means bigger poof.

Gauge: Not important this time, folks...it's a shower poof. Be happy in a no gauge pattern.

The Poof:

With size 6 needles, CO 25 st.

Working entirely in Garter stitch (knit every row), knit as follows...

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Kfbf (Knit in front, then back, then front again of same st) in all stitches. (75 stitches)

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Kfbf (225 stitches)

Row 5-10: Knit

Row 11-14: Switch to size 8 needles. Knit

Row 15-16: Switch to size 10 1/2 needles. Knit

Bind off loosely.

Finishing

With length of yarn and a tapestry needle, starting at one end and on the CO edge, weave yarn through approx. 5 sts and then through the first st again, creating a circle. repeat this step again to create a firm circle. next, twist the next 7-8 sts of CO edge the opposite direction and stitch down in a manner similar to the first 5 sts. Continue in this manner (remembering to switch directions after each segment) for the remaining length of ruffle until you have all of the ruffle gathered and stitched together forming a ball-like flower. Run needle and yarn back and forth through center of ball 3 times, tie off and weave in ends.

You can add a length of i-cord to the center of the ball to hang ball in shower. I did a 3 stitch I-cord for about 7 inches, folded in half and attached.

Have fun!

It's been a while!

Well, I obviously got zero blogging done while we were at my parents' for 3 weeks. To be quite honest, very little actually got done at my parents', and that includes knitting. I knitted up one of mom's Alpine Slippers which are painfully boring to knit up. I think mostly because of the gazillion short rows. It's like you knit for hours on the toe and get no where. Oh, well. I knit up one, am waiting for mom to crochet on the side detailing and then I'll sew them up and felt them to see how they are. At the moment they are dreadfully large, but hopefully a few felting rounds and they'll be perfect!

I got the twin sheets tie-dyed for Lindsay's Bath Mat which I'm in love with. The tie-dyeing to all evening to do and then the next morning to dry the sheets on the line outside. I managed to get one of the sheets torn into strips and joined (there's a special rag joining technique from Coco knits) but the tearing of the sheets did something to my shoulder and it hurt for a few days after. Needless to say, the other sheet is sitting prettily in tact. I'm glad I got most of the hard part done, knitting it up should go quickly. Once I actually have the stuff (it's at mom and dad's).

I was able to knit like, 2 rounds, on Matty's poor socks. Well, I have the toe of the 2nd complete and am about 5 rounds into the instep, so I just need to make myself do it to get it to him, ya know?

I decided to try my hand at dyeing some wool while I was home. After some research, I decided to go with Wilton Cake Dye as my coloring, using the citric acid and extra color boost of Kool-aid as back-up. Apparently Wilton won't do it alone. I didn't ask, I just obeyed. The first techinque I used was one to make a verigated in the microwave. Didn't work. So I decided to just do a big blue batch on the stove...and I threw in the botched verigated. Why not? Right?Let me begin by saying, the resulting peacock like coloring was GORGEOUS. For the most part, the wool was teal, but in areas where the red and black from the botched verigated touched, it had some varied hues within the teal and was just AMAZING.

I knitted up Star Crossed Slouchy Beret with it and I'm in love. I hated every single cable row, but the result was VERY worth it. I have enough left over that I think I could make Hazel a matching one. I think. But I'm in love with mine either way :)

Last weekend Brett took me to Londonderry (a small town in the northern most corner of NI) and let me wander around a wool shop for my birthday! I got 5 skeins of Kign Cole Mirage and 2 skeins of pure Irish wool (can't remember the make and am too lazy to go look). I decided to knit up the KC Mirage into something for ME (it is 1715 yds of wool after all). Took me 2 days to figure out what. I decided on one thing, swatched, realized that I was way off and switched patterns. Finally settling on a Lacy Star Motif Pullover. I haven't swatched, yes I admitted it, but the gauge calls for knitting up the back panel anyway, so I thought I would just start (as the back panel is the first piece in the pattern) and measure as a I get a ways in and see where we are. I've screwed up on the panel, anyway, but as it's the back panel, I don't think it'll be too noticeable.

Well, I should be off. Time to figure out what's on the schedule for today....