Intoxicating update!

Have finished the front and part of the back.

I'm posting this in progress as I wanted to show a colour modification I made within the front of the top:


I'm not sure how clearly it comes out in the photos. However, I reversed the colour patterning midway through the top, so that colour A (brown) became colour B (teal) and vice versa. This was borne out of practical necessity because otherwise I was going to end up running out of the brown!

Partway through the back as well, which introduces colour D (the mystery colour).

I'm really enjoying knitting this one. The various patterns will keep it from becoming boring, I think!

sheer and utter lusciousness...

...because I detest the term "yarn pron" (although really and truly that's what this is if I take a good hard look in the mirror!)

1. Lace Silk

I, Kristina "I will never, never, ever, and I mean NEVER knit lace" B, have just acquired ... get this ... a skein of Handmaiden Lace Silk and TWO sets of Addi Lace needles.


The yarn looks to be in the Origin colourway although I can't always tell.

2. Silken and... Beads!


My beads arrived today from Earthfaire much quicker than I thought they would - thanks, Ellen for the great service. Aren't they lovely! I'm hoping to use knitting with beads as my September challenge for the Do Something New KAL... that is, if the blogmistress Tina will let me deviate from my original September challenge (learning to knit cables without a cable needle)! I'm so fickle. Either way, I plan to make the River Rock scarf by Sivia Harding in the No Sheep For You book.

Here is another container of beads I bought from Earthfaire and I like them ever better in person than I did on the website.


I'm thinking they will look very nice on the fringe for my Montego Bay scarf (says She Who Used to Detest Fringe). Fickle AND inconsistent. Hmm.


3. Sea Silk

This has been in the stash for some time now (if one can count a couple of months as "some time" in the parallel yarn universe). It is in the Ocean colourway (I think). I had originally intended to knit the Goddess top from Stitch Diva with it. However, I've gone off that idea and will probably make something lacy with it instead. I'm really far gone on the lace path, I think.

4. vintage Coats Crochet Cotton


I came across this when trying to impose some order on the stash. It was rescued from my yiayia's (grandmother's) house some time back - I originally intended to use it in needlework but am not doing any at present. It is extremely fine gauge and I don't know whether I can use it for lace or not, but will have to find something to do with it just because I love the colour.

And then there's all that Super 10... sigh. Far too many projects and too little time, methinks. Maybe my 6/49 numbers came up on Saturday... ?

lace galore!

Not one, but two new lace scarves!!!

1. Victorian Lace Today - p.80 Scarf with Striped Border






Specs:

Pattern: Victorian Lace Today, p. 80
Dimensions: 6" W by 62" L
Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk - about 3/4 of one skein
Needles: 4.5 mm Addi Turbo
Start Date: Wednesday 5 September
Finish Date: Saturday 8 September
Intended recipient: my mother

Notes: I really enjoyed working on this pattern. I did however make a mistake when putting on the second border, and by the time I noticed it had woven in the ends... but it still looks nice to me! I would never have thought I'd get into lace knitting - but it is very satisfying.

I went with the pattern as written except that it is a bit less wide and quite a bit shorter (to modify the width, I went with the instructions in the pattern to reduce by 12 sts).

2. Three in One Aztec Sash





Specs:

Pattern: Lacy Little Knits
Yarn: J&P Coats Mercer-Crochet Blue Label, approx 200 yards (vintage crochet cotton)
Dimensions: 3 1/2" W by 40" long, approx.
Start Date: Saturday 8 September
Finish Date: Sunday 9 September
Intended Recipient: my mother

Notes:

Now I can do elongated stitches!!! I had only one 100 yd skein of each colour used here, hence the two colours in the pattern. The yarn was rescued from my grandmother's house some time back - I initially intended to use it for needlepoint.

This pattern was quick and quite easy to knit, although I got a tad bored with it by the end.

The book shows it being used as a headband, although I can't really model it like that as my hair is not long enough. I'm hoping my mother will use it that way, but I think it will also make a cute scarf.

I think I am becoming addicted to lace. I have 5 balls of the Coats crochet cotton in red as well, so who knows what might come next... ?

Victorian Lace Scarf - finished!

... and hopefully I'll meet the deadline for gifting (tomorrow) as it's currently blocking.

One booboo... er, design feature, in the knitting (I messed up the edge but I think blocking will cure it).

I have fallen in love with the Victorian Knits Today book. So, I guess this will mean yet another expensive habit... sea silk and Addi Lace needles! SIGH.

More pics tomorrow when it's blocked. Now onto a lace sash from Lacy Little Knits... and then back to the Intoxicating!

rubber duckie, you're the one...

...who gets to spend quality time with my latest knit while I'm slaving away over a pile of books and a hot computer at WORK. Grr...

Just kidding. Really. But I do wish that I could teach the duckie to knit!

This is a pattern from Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby (the Scarf with the Striped Border at page 80, i.e. the easiest pattern in the book). So far so good, despite the fact that I had to frog everything that I did on the TTC this morning because I got overzealous with the YOs (and I'm shocked at the fact that I could actually look forward to anything involving YOs, quite frankly).

Yarn is Handmaiden Sea Silk (what else)?

This is the knitted border:

And here is the centre of the scarf:

Please wish me luck as my deadline for completion is Sunday at 10:00am approx. I started last evening. SIGH.

knitocracy?

Autumn is approaching, bringing with it that unmistakable and ever so common scent of... ahem... fertiliser wafting its way through the clear Toronto sky from Queen's Park. Yep - it's that time again in Ontario... back to the polls!

So, the promises are flying fast and furious and so is the cynical rhetoric. As I sit here mulling over the thought of yet again traipsing my dutiful way to the polling station come October, to check off yet another box next to yet another name of a person or party who has the potential for doing the least damage (and right now, quite frankly, no party comes to mind), I had a brilliant idea.

And thus may well be born Canada's newest political party. The Marijuana Party? The Communist party? The Pay No Taxes and Get Full Services Party? No, no and no. Something far more productive and exciting than any of those options...

Knitters' Action League (a.k.a the KAL)

Before you drop your needles on the floor and start either laughing at me or shaking your head... bear with me. It's my view that a knitting party is better placed to rule the province than any other party in recent... heck, any history ... for the following reasons:

- knitters tend to learn from their mistakes rather than repeating them over and over again;
- knitters always remember their promises (and, most often, fulfil them although sometimes this may take years... for proof, just check the back of your closet!);
- knitters know how to make economies when they have to, and also when it is important to go all out and spend;
- knitters are kind, gentle and civil to one another and to others and tend not to engage in useless self-aggrandizing shouting matches in public or print;
- have you ever seen a television advertisement in which one knitter disses another?!
- knitters have patience and tenacity;
- knitters as a group have a tremendous skill set. We are lawyers, doctors, accountants, homemakers, shop assistants
- knitters are charitably minded. They also play well with others.
- just think how much more fun it would be to watch the parliamentary channel if all of the suits were replaced by cheery and colourful knits!

The only downside I can think of is that some knitters experience problems with balancing a budget, for example, when they lay their eyes on that must-have pile of Handmaiden Sea Silk in teal, bright blue and raspberry (did I say that?!?). However, perhaps we could relax our standards and import one or two non-knitter economist types to point out that we can't spend the entire budget for the 2008 fiscal year on, for example, enough Super 10 to cover the whole province in a big log cabin blanket!

It's obviously too late now to get this act together for the upcoming election. However, there may very well be a federal election coming this way soon - so let's put on our thinking caps! Any suggestions, platform ideas, etc. welcomed.

intoxicating all right!

The latest WIP... Intoxicating by Kristi Porter in the No Sheep For You book. Uncharacteristically (for me) more muted than the original, inspired by some lovely yarns sent to me in a swap (as a "bonus" for my birthday!) by Stitch-ay Woman (Natalie):

SWTC Bamboo


SWTC Oasis (100% soysilk)


The white yarn in the photo is Handmaiden Sea Silk, natural colour, from the stash. There will also be a secret colour, which shall remain undisplayed until the top is finished.

Really enjoying this knit so far. I must confess I didn't swatch... but so far so good (and hopefully the Tension Sample Goddess is not about to throw some lightning bolts...! I really don't like the smell of burning yarn [don't ask!])

Gaia top

While ruminating on to sew or not to sew (see "party frock" post below), I managed to whip up another top! I reckoned that anything made with a Handmaiden yarn couldn't go wrong... and I was right!




Specs:

Yarn: Handmaiden Silk Spun (100% silk), 1 skein each of two similar shades
Needles: 5.5 mm Clover Bamboo
Pattern: "Gaia" by Haley Waxberg of Knitomatic. (available with purchase of the yarn)
Start Date: 2 September 2007
Finish Date: 3 September 2007

Check out the lovely colours!



Notes:
- this was a very quick knit and the yarn (not surprisingly) feels great to work with
- the pattern is one-size. I made some slight mods to shorten the body and worked on smaller needles than called for. I also added some decreases in the front and back to narrow the waist.
- I think this will make a lovely vest in wintertime in addition to a "fair weather top" (but hopefully not a fair weather friend...!)

party frock... bit of a cheat

I have decided that this outfit deserves the title of "frock"... it does have that look to it, especially when paired with my fuschia cowboy boots:




Despite the encouragement of others, I decided not to sew these two pieces together at this point. Official reasons: the skirt is a bit large on me, I'm looking for a complementary colour, etc. etc. Real reason: scared of sewing. So, will ask my mother to show me how to do this next time I visit her....

In the meantime, check out the fab colours! I am now a convert to Cascade Fixation, I must say.

Specs:


Yarn: Cascade Fixation (cotton/elastic) - 4 skeins of the multi, one (only a little bit used) of black.
Needles: Addi Turbos: 4, 4.5 and 5mm

Pattern: adapted from two patterns by Joan McGowan-Michael in Knitting, Lingerie-Style - Party Dress with Knit Bodice and Racerback Tank with Mesh Sides
Model: Aphrodite
Start Date: 30 August 2007
Finish Date: 2 September 2007

Notes:
- absolutely loved the yarn (had not been so enamoured of it when trying out the leggings from the same book first... but the pattern was great and I guess it just took a bit of getting used to.
- the bodice pattern is excellent although I had to do quite a few mods given that the yarn called for was very different than that I used.

I'm not modelling this as yet as I'd like to wear it for a party I'm co-hosting a couple of weekends from now and prefer the element of surprise. However, I must say that I feel quite Mae West-like with it on. ;-)

bodice dress... almost done!

Now I'm just trying to figure out why Aphrodite looks skinnier than me although we have the same measurements now (I binge fed her over the weekend...).

And... ahead is the hard part - sewing the skirt on (it might help if I could figure out how to operate the mini sewing machine my mother gave me years ago!). This I think I will leave until tomorrow, the aptly named "Labour Day". ;-)

Stay tuned for the FO - I am determined not to let this beauty languish like the two bags in my spare room which still await sewing up after ... well, after a long time, let's just put it that way.

lovely long weekends...

I'm taking a break from my latest project to reflect on the loveliness of summer long weekends in Toronto. We have not hit the roads like many of our friends because it's quite lovely sitting here on the balcony and enjoying favourite pastimes: JJ reading the weekend papers, me knitting... after a leisurely morning, a trip to Crappy Tire, and lunch at my favourite local italian eatery, the Eden.

Anyway, here is the WIP, started yesterday, together with my first mosaic project and my beverage of choice:





The WIP is going swimmingly. It is displayed here on the non-public side, with the public side peeking out. It will be a bodice for a dress, based on the Dress with Knit Bodice in the Knitting Lingerie-Style book. I'm making a lot of changes (some perhaps misguided... I'm not sure it will fit, and perhaps I've been overly confident about the stretch properties of the Cascade Fixation (which I am very much enjoying). By tomorrow, if all goes well, I'll have the answer to this question. ;-)

And, it's simple enough to knit while drinking Keith's IPA! What more could someone ask for in a long weekend pattern?

Happy Labour(less) Day to all. I won't be watching the telethon (if it's still being aired, that is...)

Kristina's first lace!

And yet another new arrival... meet the Santorini Scarf!




Detail: Right Side



...and, last but not least... the Magical Upward Travelling Fringe!


Specs:

This was knitted as part of the August challenge on the Do Something New KAL. Thanks to Tina in Wonderland for setting it up and Natalie (Stitchay Woman) for pointing me in the right direction.

Pattern: Montego Bay Scarf, Amy Singer, IK Knits Summer 2007
Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk, Paris colourway (I think, anyway. They don't label the yarn), 1 skein, 100 g = 400 m
Needles: 5 mm Addi Turbo and 5.5 mm bamboo for castoff
Start Date: Monday 27 August
Finish Date: Thursday 30 August
Size: 74" long x 6.5" wide
Name Change: I do not have a burning desire to go to Montego Bay. I would, however, like to go to Santorini.

Notes: I would recommend this pattern for anyone who wants to try out lace knitting. I was a HUGE sceptic due to a long term hatred of yarnovers (I have converted afghan kits to log cabin blankets in past because of this).

The pattern was very simple and intuitive to follow. I only had to rip a couple of times and saw the mistakes right away - due to the larger needles it was easy to put the yarn back on the needles

My only modifications: smaller needles than the 5.5mm called for (I thought the openwork looked too big in the swatch); regular fringe instead of braided (because I'm lazy... er, innovative!).

My only problem: finding a plain white t-shirt to photograph it against (I do own white blouses, which are crumpled in the back of my closet together with the rest of my lawyer drag from business-dress days)!

Do go with this yarn if possible - it is a joy to work with! I will most certainly be making one or two of these for gifts in future...

Happy knitting! Next up for me: the Poofy Dress with Fitted Bodice from Knitting Lingerie-Style (that's not the real name, but I'm too lazy... er, innovative, to reach across the table and grab the pattern book!)

swap heaven

This week was a lucky week for me - I received three swap packages at work! (the coworkers all shake their heads).

Many thanks to Robin, Soapy (from Knittyboard) and most especially Natalie (Stitchay Woman) for their ends of the bargain! The only downside - now with all this new stuff I don't quite know where to turn, project wise... I know, I know... "cry me a river". It is all quite the embarrassment of riches.

Thanks again, ladies!

my new arrival...

... meet Aphrodite!

For now she is the newest addition to my workplace. I think the co-workers will like her for the following reasons:

- she is far less rowdy and disruptive than I
- I suspect she is smarter than me
- she won't hoard all of the landlord/tenant texts from the library
- she doesn't listen to Greek music incessantly in the office
- she won't send global e-mails as the acting self-appointed office social convenor exhorting everyone to come to the pub/join in on the book swap, etc, and... last but not least...
- she doesn't mess up the kitchen!

All that, and she has the same stellar fashion sense as I! :-)

Stats:

Age: unknown - probably in the 60-70 range
Adopted by: Kristina
Adoption Date: 29 August 2007
Legal Name: Acme A-D-J-U-S-T-A-B-L-E Dressform
Parents: Acme Dressform and L&M Adjustable Form Co.
Weight at birth: unknown
Weight at time of adoption: don't know. Office postal scale too small
Fingers and toes: none (but I'm not concerned)
Size: A
"Vital Statistics": 32-40" bust, 25-33"waist, 35-43" hips (talk about "hourglass"!)

And now for the requisite baby shot without clothing for the proud adoptive mother to show to guests and humiliate her forevermore (my own mother entered one of me in a contest when I was two and it was actually published in the Kingston Whig-Standard, but I'M NOT BITTER...!!!):



(Time to sign off. I'm starting to worry about myself.)

weekend warrior

1. Victory over the Goddess

Bowed and bloodied, I present to you... the Goddess by Stitch Diva!

Front:

Back:

Detail: neckline:

Detail: border and hem:

Cannot say I enjoyed knitting this too much, largely because of the very slippery yarn. This caused me to tune out and make silly mistakes, which then of course were virtually impossible to rip. Verdict: liked the pattern, hated the yarn. This was on commision from a fellow co-worker. I am modelling it although it is a tad bit small for me. As yet unblocked.

I will likely make one for myself using Handmaiden Sea Silk...

Specs:
Yarn - Lang Opal Maxi, Chestnut (nylon blend) - 6 50 g skeins
Needles - 3.75 mm and 3.0 mm
Time spent - way too long (2-3 weeks)

Notes: do not use the yarn called for (Lang Opal) unless you are a far better knitter than I and not prone to booboos. I modified this pattern slightly by using a different stitch pattern on the hem (because I was sick and tired of an instruction that said "knit through the back loop twice" for every 2 stitches...

2. Morrigan - beware!

So, I decided, having just finished battle with one goddess to take up the sword (my trusted Addi Turbo lace needles) against another one... the Morrigan by Jenna Wilson in No Sheep for You.

Despite all enthusiasm, I lost Battle Number 1 when I misread the first pattern sequence:



... but, thanks to Laura's kind help (from the NSFY blog) I finally got on the right path:





I suspect this will actually be quite fun, in the masochistic sense of the word, to knit. I have started with sleeve #1 because (a) it is smaller than the body; and (b) having seen Laura's body of Morrigan completed, I suspect I would be tempted to just leave it as a vest otherwise! ;-) I also think I'll finally have to teach myself that "cabling without a needle techniqu.

This will most certainly not be a "TV knitting" project. As such, it will likely take me several months.

I'm using Rowan Calmer in blush colour, Addi lace needles 3.25 mm size and Clover bamboo 3.0 mm size.

3. Kristina's First Lace!



This is the beginning of the Montego Bay Scarf by Amy Singer in IK Summer 2007 issue. About 10 minutes worth of knitting. Started this at about 9 last night but it took me about 45 min. to cut 200 strands of yarn off for the fringe. My personal challenge (as posted on the Do Something New blog) is to have this finished by Sunday.

It has also helped me realise that I've been knitting YOs wrong all these years! SIGH...

Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk - one skein - Paris colourway (I think)
Needle Size: 5 mm

more questionnaire fun...

I can get quite addicted to these online questionnaires... maybe should set up a "meme" but I don't want to hassle others. So, if you're interested, why not cut and paste into your own blog or Email me if you don't have a blog...?

This one is from Joan's weblog (FugueStateKnits - link in the sidebar)

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

Preferences: My all time favourite is Butterfly Super10 (known as Takhi Cotton Classic in the US) - best for me in terms of affordability, sheen and colour range. However, I've developed a love for Handmaiden silks (I know, not too original).

Detestable: Right now, Lang Opal. I am working with it and HATE it. I am also not fond of curlicue novelty yarns.

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

Straight Needles (which I don't use and haven't for years. Will take any offers! :-D): a Toronto Public Library bookbag.

Circular Needles: a fancy sturdy shoebox (I have another one for notions. My mother works in a high-end shoestore...!)

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

I learned to knit 25 years ago. Have been obsessive with it for the past 10 years or so. I would consider myself advanced in most regards. (perhaps, to paraphrase Joan, "pretentious advanced".

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Didn't know such a thing existed. I rarely shop on line.

What's your favorite scent?

Vanilla; "bounce" laundry sheet smell (the regular)

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I have a salty tooth. When I have sweets, they are usually jelly beans/jujubes and other stuff like that. I also love Portuguese custard tarts. Not a big fan of chocolate, but don't let me near the chip aisle in the supermarket!

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

I don't spin (except when I've had one too many alcopops!). I do a bit of crochet, and have also done needlepoint tapestry and counted cross-stitch. My major alternate craft is mosaic with stained glass, tile, old plates, etc.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?

I listen to a lot of greek music and classical on CBC radio. I like pretty much everything aside from rap, hip hop, opera and punk. My stereo is too antiquated for MP3s but my computer plays them. I also have an iPod nano.

What's your favorite colour(s)?

This week, deep blues, periwinkle and purple. Last week, scarlet and orange. Next week... who knows?

Any colors you just can't stand?

beige, yellowy-toned greens.

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

"married but not churched" for the past 3-odd years with JJ (not that they've been odd except where my behaviour is concerned). No kids and no desire to have kids. No pets. Just the yarn. I would perhaps have a bird but am too careless re. leaving windows open in the apartment.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves and hats for much of the year. Mittens: no. Ponchos: none too flattering for a 5'1" individual, so no.

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

Depends on the day of the week. Overall, I really like knitting blankets, actually.

What are you knitting right now?

Finishing the Goddess tank from Stitch Diva at present (with the dreaded Lang Opal yarn). Also working on a log cabin using scraps and one-skeins from the stash. Next project after the Goddess is done: the Montego Bay scarf from IK Summer 07.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Depends on what the gift is, doesn't it? ;-)

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

circular (I can't see ever using straights again). Bamboo or AddiTurbo, depending upon the type of yarn.

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No. JJ helps out in a pinch!

How old is your oldest UFO?

1 year or so old.

What is your favorite holiday?

Any holiday that lets me stay home from work with pay and doesn't involve seeing relatives
;-)

Is there anything that you collect?

Does yarn count? :-). I also collect items made from blue glass.

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

If I had unlimited funds, I'd get every size of needle that Addi Turbo sells. Yarns: I'm intrigued by Hempathy, Needful Ceramic and cotton/linen blends but right now have a (necessary) yarn spending moratorium. Doing pretty well with pattern books right now - I just got Norah Gaughan's Knitting Nature which I had coveted for some time.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

None. I buy them at the LYS. I am pretty consistent in buying IK. Other mags I only get if I see at least one "must make" pattern in it... i.e. about 1/2 to 1/3 of the time.

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

Lace. I'll be starting my first lace project tomorrow if all goes well...

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

I have knitted exactly one pair of socks. I have since divested myself of all sock yarn and sock sized needles, never to return. My foot size is 8 Cdn ladies/6 Cdn mens/37 european.

When is your birthday?

16 August (the day Elvis died, apparently, but a few years before that earth-shattering event).

Are you on Ravelry?

Yes - just got on last week. I'm KristinaB over there.