next challenge

Still with the Goodwill sweaters... this is one I had picked up some time back but given up on because my (baby) sewing machine doesn't handle the sewing. Or maybe it would if I ever used it instead of going to the seamster...

(someone on a mailing list told me that the suffix -ster originally denoted the feminine. This in response to my wondering what the gender neutral term for "seamstress" is).

This time I'm trying to make a bulletin board to jazz up my (NGO beige) office. Work in progress...



I will spare you my rant on how much I hate sewing and how bad I am at it. However, I thank the kind people on the Knitty board and on the Woolly Thoughts mail list, some of whom were patient enough to read this rant and then kind enough to post suggestions and response. I have decided to sew this one using a matching thread and use it as a practice piece for the funkier coloured one I plan to do next.

recycled sweater bags

I was very happy to come across several wool sweaters in my (biweekly) pilgrimage to the local Goodwill. Here are my stabs at two bags made out of one sweater. Not completely sold on them, but it was fun to work on them and a break from blankie knitting.

1. Ocean's 13 (working title )


stats:
- background is deeper teal than it looks in the photos with the cheapo digital camera and the apartment lighting
- edging done with Noro Kureyon (lost label and don't have colourway) in crochet - hook size 4 mm
- starfish and other details mostly with same Noro in crochet
- I intended the handles to come out wavy but am not 100% on the look
- thanks to DH for his deep sea suggestion...

2. starfish up close



3. Neckless (I know... groan!)


stats:
- same sweater as above
- edging done in crochet with Brown Sheep Burley spun -Strawberry Patch, handdyed
- detail flower in Burly Spun - Orange you glad and can't remember the red colour, maybe Red Baron

4. detail on trim



This is rather addictive, actually. I hope to refine my technique shortly. Perhaps if I weren't doing this work in front of CTV Newsnet shouting at politicians it would be easier... at least I'm not inclined to pitch my mug at the screen that way!

there was a man and he did sing...

c-c-c-c-c-c-COLD!!!

But I digress... here is my latest chill buster, just in time for the (late) January deep freeze. The synthetics create super warmth without itchiness, strangely enough:



Yarn: Bernat Disco and some leftover DK blue wool from my stash (can't remember the brand)
Needle size: 6.5 mm - DP and circular
Time to knit: 1 1/2 hours approx
Pattern: mine

fuzzy Lara hat!!!

I am very pleased with this hat, which I whipped up in about an hour and a half after an excursion to Zellers - where I saw some cheap eyelash yarn. It will go very nicely with my new winter coat (reversible with a black plush side) - although I am quite bothered about the fact that half the buttons popped off the coat first time I wore it! My attempts to re-sew were disastrous - so will just have to wear this hat tomorrow with my black leather jacket.

The pattern is from "Hip Knit Hats" by Cathy Carron. It is meant to be designed after Lara's hat in Dr Zhivago... but I added some colour:

works in progress...

An update (for myself if no one else) on what I'm working on right now:

(a) Curve of Pursuit - log cabin style



This is my third attempt at using this huge lot of yarn I had bought originally for a Kaffe Fassett sweater many years ago and given up in complete disgust (with myself). I DETEST intarsia. I think all of the yarn will get used up this time! :-)

Yarn = Paton's decor. Needles = Addi Turbo (5mm - I'm trying to get this big enough to use as a bed cover)

(b) Diamonds geometric wall hanging



I am liking the way this is turning out, but the sewing is tedious.

... and a detail from the next row of diamonds...



(c) Glitzy scarf



Bernat eyelash yarn ... the colours do not look as "Hallowe'en" in non-digital land (not that Hallowe'en is a bad thing... !!!)

compulsions, redux

The knitting seems to be getting just a wee bit out of hand. Housework suffers (doesn't it always?), food (which I usually enjoy preparing) has become whatever I can excavate from the freezer and throw into the crockpot. Am (barely) managing to get to work in the morning - refrain from taking knitting on the (1/2 hour) commute because would risk staying on the tram and riding the rails all day.

As well, I seem to have swapped my yarn-purchasing habit (oh really? What about those 2 skeins of Cotton Fleece earlier this week?!? hmmm) for a needle fetish. In 2007 alone I have bought Denise needles and 5 (!) sets of Addi Turbo (having learned that I far prefer Addis to Denise needles). I fear I will not stop buying Addis until I end up forced to sell all of my clothing and drape myself in felted bags and blankets in order to scrape together some money to throw at the landlord in order to continue housing myself and my stash (not to mention DH!).

Did I mention, by the way, that I pay for all of my various habits by working as a tenant advocate? But I digress...

My stained glass and other mosaic tools have been moved to the storage locker to make room for the stash, which is slowly (well, not so slowly) taking over the spare room. I have swapped the pleasures of gleaming, smooth glass for the comfort of cotton and wool. Sometimes this saddens me, but I imagine the mosaic muse will strike again when least I expect it.

And then I'll *never* leave the house...!!!

AGGHGHGHGHGHGHG...

wall hanging - (almost a) quarter done!

I say "almost" because I ran out of patience in sewing the rest together this evening (I must confess that sewing in general rates on the "preferred things to do" list somewhere between cramming into a super-jammed streetcar in 35 degree heat, or is that 43 degrees with the humidex?... and going to the dentist for my 16th root canal. I must further confess that I'm not very good at it [sewing, that is!].

But I digress:

I am quite proud to have finished 1/4 of the knitting involved despite limited time of late (and despite whipping up yet another buttonhole bag, which I forgot to photograph before giving it away... oh well...).




Specs:

- pattern by Woolly Thoughts (a variation of Tilting at Windmills)
- each square is 6'x6'
- there will be 48 squares in total (really, there will be! If I keep telling myself this it will be true. Actually, the knitting is a pleasure. It's the sewing I'm not too fond of... did I mention that already? ahem).
- yarn = Super 10 mercerised cotton
- needles = 4 mm Addi Turbo 16" (started with 42" or something, but far too unwieldy so had to go buy some more...)
- TV viewing of choice: endless reruns of Law and Order (we all have our weirdnesses, don't we?)

first finished object of 2007!

I finally finished the mohair sweater. For some reason the neckpiece hasn't turned out properly - probably my fault as I put a double strand of mohair in that section thinking it would strengthen it. So, I'm going to embellish/fill in gap with some crochet or ribbon yarn.




Pattern by Interweave Knits - Winter 2006 issue - "Cabernet Ribs"
Yarn: Zara
Needle Size: 4.5 mm.

PS. Have done a fix on the neck insert - 1 row of single crochet and some stitching.

today's work...

I managed to sketch out a pattern for the Tilting at Windmills blanket which I will start whenever I have finished wrestling with the mohair (I have promised myself this much although am sorely tempted to abandon it)...



... and here is the cursed mohair. Might as well be trying to knit with cotton candy!



PS. (edited 8 January) I have already made a colour change to the pattern as I saw "imperial teal" at the LYS and couldn't resist... starting knitting tonight:

happy (belated)...

new year 2007!

A little progress/setback update:

- stopped working on the advent blanket because other projects beckoned (see below 26 December). Will probably take it up next year again!

- also stopped work on the log cabin below due to a frogging mishap and also inherent dislike of the yarn I was working with. Am stashing it in the storage locker for possible future rehabilitation.

- work in progress: a lovely frou frou mohair/merino sweater in hot pink... I feel like the knitting alter of Marilyn Monroe!



...and in detail...



This is a pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2006 called "Cabernet Ribs". Yarn by Zara. I suspect it will end up rather form-fitting (ahem)... but isn't that what being a "sweater girl" is all about?!?

Right now have started work on sleeve 1 (in the mohair only). To be honest, this is slowgoing work for me - the first time I have worked using mohair only, and probably the last. However, I think the end result will be worth the taedium.

- another anticipated work-in-progress: a BIG blanket (to cover a queen-sized bed. It will be based on a pattern from the Woolly Thoughts web site (http://www.woollythoughts.com) but I'm not sure which one yet as I just ordered three. This project will help me cope with my ever-burgeoning Super 10 Butterfly stash...



- I have also started work on my first real "art" project... something using free form knitting/crochet. This is proving a real challenge as I have until late been a stickler for patterns! Stay tuned...

- I also have plenty of Brown Sheep worsted (in various blues) so will likely be churning out a felted bag or three in the near future.

- for Christmas a friend of mine gifted me with a funky mini shelving unit with about 40 spaces for small curios. I am going to turn this into a mosaic wall hanging with tiles. Again, stay tuned.

Lifewise (aside from knitting) I have just started a new job... a 3 month legal research gig. This is a welcome change from the hectic pace of my regular job. Also, it has the benefit of having an office located down the street from Loomis and Toles, where I spent too much money yesterday... buying graph paper for the blanket project plus any amount of sundry things for mosaic.

Everything else is low key as befits January ... although I certainly am enjoying the temperate weather! Sat on a patio the other day for lunch, of all things!

And that's about it...

log cabin blankie in progress...

Needing something simple to work on (what with all this festive cheer!), I hauled out this project which I usually reserve for commuting on the TTC. I have given up on the advent blanket for now as I prefer the colours in this. It is being made from part of my grandmother's former stash... a 100% acrylic kit from the 1970s! Needle size 3.75 mm.

Happy Boxing Day!

... which I am celebrating not with a trip to the mall (AGH) but by making boxes. Three, to be exact. Leftover Lamb's Pride Bulky. The remaining one is done but awaiting felting.

Bowled over...

... by a herculean knitting effort over the past two days. Spent Christmas Day watching Law and Order reruns and using up spare Lamb's Pride Bulky. On Christmas Eve, knitted a new beret out of the blue. Please find below.

1. Fruit Bowl (hiding chipped bowl inside). Pattern from Leigh Radford's "One Skein".



2. Wee bowls. Pattern from "One Skein".



3. Beret. Yarn is Jo Sharp Silk Tweed. Pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2006.



4. Purse. Pattern from "Knit One, Felt Too" by Kathleen Taylor with some modifications.

baggage...

A couple of photos of a bag I made for my mother some time back and which she brought to town with her...

Knitted in Lamb's Pride Bulky. Pattern from "Knit One Felt Too" by Kathleen Taylor.

what I want for New Year's

A non-knitting post for a change (well, slightly):

What I want for New Year's:

(a) in altruistic form:

- world peace
- banishment of the Harper government for some kinder gentler regime (I know not what in this bleak bleak land)
- failing all of that, an income for everyone which covers a basic cost of living

(b) selfishly speaking:

- Denise needles
- a lottery win for my work group pool (but then again, I haven't checked any of our December tickets...)
- a trip to England and Scotland

(c) what I've actually received for Christmas/New Years (partly because me and partner have decided to give gifts all year...) or what my household has received:

- fabulous drapes
- Blundstone boots
- a new winter coat
- a leather bag (advance nameday gift from my mother)
- a surprise gift at my staff holiday party today from my former articling principal/current colleague: a t-shirt stating that "I took up knitting to keep me out of trouble"

Plus we have a new car to drive. So I really can't complain.

new hat!

The fun just never stops around here ..:-). Here is a felted hat - it doesn't look as coneheaded on as off. Brown Sheep bulky and mohair (one strand mixed in). Appliques in Brown Sheep bulky as well.



And a slighly morphed picture of me wearing it...

other December gifts for myself...

... because one can only truly enjoy the spirit of giving if one gives generously to oneself! (that's what I keep telling myself anyway...)

1. Silk Road yarn by Jo Sharp (together with the pattern I plan to use it for) - colour "opal". The yarn feels sinfully luxurious. The pattern is from the Knit Today magazine (a british mag I just came across).



2. Curly Locks yarn by Fleece Artist (they were kind enough to send me a pattern for a shawl by Email).



At least I can be assured a happy knitting start to the New Year!

Last Christmas gift FINISHED!!!

At least, it's the last Christmas gift other than for myself...!

It's the blanket based on the Nina shawl pattern in the MDK book - except I-cord edging, no ruffle and and I-cord border. Thanks to Phyllis for a lovely pattern - and despite some low-level cursing at the time, the chequerboard was worth the effort.
See below for specs if interested.

(a) blocking



(b) just about finished (colours here are truer as in natural light)



Specs:

Yarn: Super 10 Butterfly (mercerised cotton, 125 g = 230 m)
in colours sunflower, chestnut, chocolate, paprika and unnamed [I call it light chocolate]
Needles: Addi Turbo (first time using them, and I loved it!)
Size: 52" long by 42" wide

(and why is it that I weigh in metric but measure in imperial anyway? Hmm. I MUST be Canadian!).

advent-ageous!

Recovering from a cold - which meant I had to take Friday off and recuperate... ahem... knit myself into oblivion.

The latest instalments toward my advent blanket:

4. Wide rib (deep burgundy)



5. Horizontal wrapped rib (coralberry)



6. Moss zigzag (lavender) - in progress



Seed stitch in light blue was, alas, left at my office on Thursday. Oh well.

advent blanket

Well, immediately I get the yarn in to finish my mother's blanket, I decide on another blanket idea for myself ... !!! (at least I managed to get in quite a bit of work on my mother's blanket before taking this one).

FINALLY using some Paton's Decor from my stash which has been sitting there... well, I don't want to say... let's just say it was part of a big Kaffe Fassett project that I gave up 10 years ago!

One panel a day to usher in the new year 2007...

Each panel is 10x10. Knitted on 4.5 mm needles - 49 sts by 80 rows. This will be a "sampler" blanket taking stitch patterns from Debbie Bliss's How to Knit book:

Chequerboard


Double Parallelogram


Diagonal Garter Ribs

handmaiden textured scarf

Here is the scarf I knitted tonight thanks to Handmaiden's lovely kit - I deviated a bit from the patterns given by them mostly because I am too lazy to do yarnovers ;-). Colours are a bit deeper than they come out in the photos. Length of scarf: 57" long by 6 1/2" wide.



... and detail...

finished rug!

All that agonizing for nothing! :-)

winter is icumen in...

...llude sing goddam!

Apologies to the middle english person who wrote the original poem. Actually, pursuant to the suggestion of a friend a long time ago, I am trying to find the key to not detesting winter - i.e. associate it with positive activities. Hers were skiing and other outdoorsy stuff. Mine... well, the obvious.

And now I have discovered the joy of knitting hats and scarves (which is surprising to me, given that I have been knitting for over 20 years!). This has led me to become obsessive with buying yarn over the last couple of weeks.

It has also led me to start work on the following items: a fuzzy hat. Not as warm as I thought... when I wore it to the wind tunnel that is known as Yonge/Sheppard intersection in Toronto today, the wind whistled right through. So, have started on a headband (in mission falls merino, light pink) to put inside.

I have also started on the following:

- another hat (in Debbie Bliss Merino Aran)
- a fuzzy and funky scarf (courtesy of Fleece Artist/Handmaiden's Textures2 scarf kit)
- a pillbox felted hat (in the washer as we speak)

May post pics of these in progress later. Really can't right now as my lover is home and I do not wish to confide the extent of my obsession to him (although I suspect he's figured it out. The two and a half blankets in two weeks might have been the first clue. I must say, though, that he is not complaining about his cardigan!).

As if THIS weren't enough, I stopped at the LYS on my way home from work today, ostensibly to look for some 20 cent buttons (that's what I told myself). Instead I spotted some kid "Curly Locks" yarn by Fleece Artist in hot pink and just had to have it... for yet another scarf, I suspect. However, it WAS on sale ... (at least that's what I keep telling myself...)

Off to knit now.

the stress... ahem, joy... of felting!

As I type, I am attempting to felt a very large project (31" x 27") rug in one of the (front-loading) washing machines in my apartment building. This causes me to hyperventilate (well, not really, but almost...) as I'm worried about ruining the rug, which I loved in its unfelted form. Here it is below, for posterity...



This was knitted in Brown Sheep Burly Spun and was found in a book by Beverly Galeskas called "Felted Knits" (which I recommend very highly).

Well, there goes the timer for round 1 (I also have a hat in there). Wish me luck...