November 2004 Archives

I've started a photo album for my stash sale. I still need to image quite a few, but this is a good start.

Leave me a comment here or email me at savannahchik AT yahoo DOT com if you're interested in anything.

Looks pretty similar to yesterday, right?

When I got home last night I faced the music and ripped what I had done. I didn't like the increase I chose -- kf&b. It works fine for a plain raglan, but I didn't like the look framing the cables. Plus, the increases weren't symetrical.

So I restarted, this time using a lifted increase. Much better!

Here's a closeup of the cable:

The observant among you may notice I'm knitting with an Inox circular. This little fact says a lot because I HATE INOX. They just don't let the yarn move like other needles. But to get the exact gauge I wanted I needed a US 9, and the only one I have is the Inox. I'll be making a pit stop at Rosie's or the Tangled Web on Friday to trade up, but for now I'll deal because I'm really into knitting this sweater now!

Stash Sale

Based on yesterday's comments, I'll post my stash here before going to eBay. Just so you guys have an idea of what I'm planning to put up:

• Manos in a solid Navy Blue and a variegated Navy/Orange
• 3 cones of Donegal Tweed in Teak, Dark Grey, and Dark Blue (I think those are the colors)
• Dale Baby Ull in a variety of colors to make the ladybug sweater
• A variety of superwash sportweight wool
• 4 balls of Kureyon color 92
• 7 balls of Silk Garden in the popular reds variety
• A few hanks of Araucania in Navy Blue
• A few handdyed hanks of sock weight merino and boucle
• Some Gusto -- mostly off white, but with a few balls of navy as well
• 4 or 5 balls of DB Cashmerino Aran in a tan color
• A whole lot (12? 15?) of Lamb's Pride Bulky in a Sable (a brown heather)
• 15 or so balls of Plymouth Baby Alpaca in off white
• Rowan felted tweed in Gray and Navy
• Rowan linen drape in dark red

I know there's more but that gives you an idea. I'll try to take pics of everything in natural sunlight over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Speaking of, this will be my last post of the week. I'll be working from home tomorrow trying to get 5 days' worth of work done in three!

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. See ya Monday!

I've been planning to put a bunch of my stash up on eBay over Thanksgiving weekend. I have more than I'll ever knit, and while it's all really good stuff, some of it I just have no interest in using at this point.

I've had two cashmere cones from School Products that I just didn't know what to do with. They were a great buy, but I just don't know what to do with them. So I considered putting them on eBay.

Then last night I got inspired to make a sweater for me out of at least one of them. I've been wanting to make a big, cushy, weekend kind of sweater for a while now. You know the kind -- minimal shaping, loose, the kind you could tuck your knees under while watching a movie.

The cashmere seemed perfect.

I swatched and washed and wow! Huge difference after it was washed. It fluffed up and the gauge grew from 4.5 to 4spi. I suspect it will get even softer with some conditioner.

The washed swatch is on top. I think you can slightly tell the difference. In person it's much more dramatic.

I cast on for a wide-necked top-down raglan. Very basic, with just a simple 2x2 cable done every 4 rows at the raglans. I may taper the sides in about 2 inches at the waist and then go back out. But that's it. Just a big ol comfy sweater to wear for years to come.

Oh...the challenge? I'd like to finish this before working on anything else. If I work on just this sweater I think I can get it done by Friday in a week by Christmas?. Who am I kidding?

Soon. I'll finish it soon.

After I wrote about the Perfection Leaf Lace yesterday, I just couldn't get my mind off of it.

I needed to do some work, but I really wanted to make it into an all-over lace pattern. How cool would it be to make a wrap with those scalloped edges along both sides?

I played with some graph paper for a while, moved around some K2togs and SSKs. I think I'm close. Here's a closeup of one repeat. The swirlies are going in the right direction, and both edges have that scallop (I know it's hard to tell, but believe me it's there).

I may still need to move around a couple of the YOs but that remains to be seen. I lost count on the next to last row of this swatch and I'm off by one stitch. At first I thought it was my chart but the chart's right. So, I'll cast on again tonight, knit up 3 repeats and see what I get. I can't wait!

Have a great weekend, everyone! Hopefully I'll post on Monday with my beautiful new wrap-in-progress!

Here's where I am on the KSH wrap as of last night. Since I last showed you the wrap a couple of days ago I've changed it twice. Once to try out a different stitch pattern (I love Barbara Walker but sometimes too many choices is not a good thing!) and then to change the needle size. My eyelets look like craters to me! Last night I met up with Ronni and Kathy and Ronni helped me see that my eyelets were normal and really not craters. Seems I've been looking at the lace too close up to tell what it's really going to look like. Thanks, Ronni! You probably saved me at least 3 more tries before I realized that one myself!

So I'm back to using the original stitch pattern. Today's problem? I think it's too narrow. I'm only halfway through a repeat so it's not the end of the world. But seriously, it'd be nice to make some real progress on this thing!

Did I mention I want to knit a big border along the narrow ends of the wrap when I'm done? Well, I've been searching around for pretty border patterns and came across a GREAT resource for free lace edgings and insertions. Some of the edgings could even be converted into all over designs for shawls or scarves.

I'm particularly fond of Amy's Double Leaf Lace and Perfection Leaf Lace. They're variations of each other, and I can't help but wonder if I'd be able to massage the pattern into an all-over.

Oh, one word of caution about some of the charts on the site. I noticed that the WS rows are charted the way you'd knit them on that row. Meaning, if in words it says Row 1(WS): Purl, that the chart shows purls. It should really show knits, since charts indicate what the stitches look like on the right side rows. I sent an email to the Sarah Bradberry to let her know as well. Seriously though, it's still an amazing resource and I'm happy to have found it!

Finally, a yarn I love and a color I adore! It's Cascade 220 in color number 4006. I never would have bought this had I not seen it in person. All the swatches I've found online look black. I was concerned about the cables reading well, but look -- they're lovely!

I suspect my row gauge is going to be closer to the pattern's, which will help immensely with the amount of yarn needed. I did buy 400 yards extra though. After seeing Rachael go thru AS yarn hell I was making sure I didn't.

In case you're wondering what I did last night...I knit up some more Kid Silk Haze. Christmas list be damned!

This yarn is like a drug to me -- while at work I anticipate getting home to my pretty. I've stayed up late 2 nights this week just to knit a little longer. And I'm already coming up with other excuses ideas for more KSH projects.

  

I started 2 new projects this weekend. The lacy one is a scarf out of Kid Silk Haze in a lace pattern from one of Barbara Walker's books. The repeat is really easy to remember and once you get going on it it's a breeze to tell if you're going wrong. I'm glad I tried this out because my Flower Basket Shawl has been giving me all kinds of trouble and I was about to swear off lace knitting for a while. I am considering restarting this scarf though and making it wide enough to be more of a wrap.

On the right is the beginning of a knee-high sock in Mountain Mohair. I've never tried MM before -- I just love it! It's gotta be one of the softest superwash sock yarns I've ever used. I'm doing it toe up so I can use up as much yarn as possible on each sock. For those of you who have done knee socks, have you done elastic just in the top ribbing, or throughout the leg? I ask because I have 2 pairs of commercially made knee-socks. The one with elastic just on the top seems to slip down, but the one with elastic throughout the leg doesn't. It could be coincidence and I really don't want to knit the whole leg with elastic unless necessary.

St. Brigid Yarn

I may have found a winner! I'm going to play around with a swatch a little more and if it's a go I'll show you pics in the next day or two.

Boy this was a long week! Work has been CRAZY and I've barely had time to knit. On top of it all, I arranged a potluck for work today and I had to cook up four pounds of meatballs (plus sauce) last night. So even though I got home relatively early I had zero time to knit. That'll change though -- this weekend it looks like I'll have 2 solid days of knitting. Paul has to work, I have a full TIVO, and I'll stock up on firewood tonight and be good to go. Knitting, the fireplace, and my favorite shows. Can't beat that.

Thank You

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on yesterday's post. It's funny, when I wrote it yesterday I really wrote it for myself. And when I posted it I thought "Today will be a no comment day." Boy was I wrong! It was great to read your comments and get your emails. I'm always surprised when something I write elicits a response. As the girl who was all math and science all the way through high school and college, I'm amazed when something I write actually evokes emotions in others. So -- thank you for letting me know how it made you all feel! I enjoyed reading the comments as much as I enjoyed writing the post.

Dear Dad,

On days like this, when stories of wars and heroes flood the airways, I often think about your time in the service.

You rarely spoke about your time in the army. I grew up knowing that you were a World War II veteran, and a POW in Germany. Still to this day I don't know much more than that.

I know you went to boot camp in Oklahoma. I remember the day you shared your boot camp "yearbook" with me. We flipped through pages and you'd tell me stories about some of the men in the pictures. I remember giggling at the one of you and your two closest friends -- you in the middle, and (at only 5'2") flanked by two men well over 6 feet tall. It was obvious the way you looked at that picture that those two men meant alot to you. I never had the courage to ask you if they made it back to the States.

I don't know much about the time you spent fighting in Germany. I know you were a POW for more than a year. While you didn't often talk about those times, there's a story I recall you sharing many times -- of men trading their only food (a potato) for a few cigarettes. That experience was etched in your mind and you'd share it with me as a great lesson for why I shouldn't ever start smoking. To this day I haven't, and I'm sure that was at least in part by your sharing that painful moment in hopes that it would teach me a valuable lesson.

I know your feet were badly hurt by the frostbite you suffered, and its effects were with you the rest of your life. While it made you uncomfortable (and sometimes it was even painful) you never once complained about the time you had given to your country. You were silently proud. So silent, that your brothers had to tell me that you had been awarded a purple heart and a bronze star. While I'll never know what actions earned you those medals, I'm immensely proud of the person you were.

I also remember how fondly you'd remember your time returning to the States. When you got home you were shipped down to Atlantic City, where at first you were hospitalized, and later stayed there for some R&R before going home. I can only imagine the jubilation you felt stepping foot once again on American soil. Your face would light up when you talked about that time. About seeing friends for the first time. About reuniting with family. To this day I can't drive to Atlantic City without thinking of you and what a happy place that was for you. And while I know you loved to gamble a bit, I suspect those happy times were some of what made you take so many trips down there in your later years.

When I look back on the sacrifices you made for our country, I am both proud and humbled. I can no longer joke about moving to Canada to escape what this country has become. When times got tough, you certainly didn't quit. And neither will I.

And while you're no longer here to share your thoughts with me, your silence continues to teach me many things -- never give up, never settle, never take the easy way out, and never take anything for granted.

Thanks for such wonderful lessons,

Your loving daughter

Thanks to Ashley I found out about the Green Along. Given my three main sweater projects* are all green I had to join. Maybe it'll be enough to get my butt in gear and at least finish one of them. Afterall, I cast on for Paul's green sweater on January 1st! I really don't want to ring in 2005 with it still as a WIP.

The People Paul Has Spoken

An IM conversation with Paul yesterday:

Paul: So I saw your little poll on the blog today
Me: Yeah? Did you vote?
Paul: No, it doesn't matter how the vote turns out. I don't want the cables.
Me: Are you sure? I think they'd look great.
Paul: I'm sure.
Me: Hmm
Paul: I read the comments too. Do all you knitters think we men can't decide for ourselves? I know what I like. I have vision. I don't want the cables.
Me: OK, OK...no cables :(

Last I checked the poll, with 69 votes, it was 55% in favor of no cables. So, no cables it is *sigh*

Cool Pattern Book

Oshun left a comment this morning about a new pattern book for Araucania. Bodal and Eka caught my eye because they're a bit different, and Taltutten (knee socks) sound cool because I've been obsessed with knee socks. I'm going to have to see if I can find it locally.

* I know they look more brown than green, but trust me -- they're all green. Natural light is a controlled substance around here in the mornings!

click for the full frontal shot*

I like this project more and more. I'm a few inches up the back now too, but since it's just 2x2 ribbing I'll spare you the shot. The sleeves are supposed to be a single panel of the cable (as opposed to the 3 that's on the front) flanked by 2x2 ribbing. I've been considering making the sleeves just ribbing. What do you think?

poll closed! thanks for voting!

* imagine the riff raff that'll encourage

This weekend I made sure I got some R&R.

Friday night we had a lovely time at the Melting Pot.

Saturday morning I realized that apple picking season has long gone in this neck of the woods. So instead, we stayed in Jersey and went to Delicious Orchards. We took back roads the whole way and the drive was lovely -- lots of rustling leaves and colorful trees. Paul drove and I knitted most of the drive. We stopped by an outlet mall and I picked up 3 new sweaters from Bass. At 20 bucks a piece I couldn't resist. The yarn would cost more than that! They're 100% wool but they have a mohair haze to them. Maybe they're fulled slightly? Saturday night I crashed and went to bed at 7. I slept for 11 hours (I usually get up around 6 on the weekends so that's not unusual for me).

Sunday I spent the entire day at home. Other than a run out to the supermarket I didn't leave the house. And it was wonderful! I started out by test-knitting a new pattern for Kate Gilbert. Luckily I had something in my stash that was perfect.

Then I did some work on Paul's Cabled Sweater (pics tomorrow). The front is now 100% done! And I have a couple inches of the back done too.

And then I pulled out my Phildar Cabled Hoodie and did a few rows on it as well.

A few things I realized about my favorite projects this weekend. I love green -- all shades of green. And I love a nice, basic, plied wool. I was knitting on 2 shades of Cascade 220 and one shade of Araucania. And I loved it! So I think I'm going to be very happy with the Elann Peruvian Wool I ordered last week. I can't wait to see the colors!

As you probably noticed I took the day off from blogging yesterday.  I just didn't have it in me to put together anything other than a negative, bitter and bitchy post.

So what's a girl to do when she needs to lift her spirits?  Shop, of course!

I probably don't need to tell you all about the great deal going on at Elann for their Peruvian Collection Highland Wool.  I know I'm on a yarn diet but I caved.  Here's what I got:

0743 grape heather to make mart for paul for christmas	0726 mid indigo heather st. brigid!!!

 
0744 harvest heather
for one of these designs
from adrienne vittadinni or debbie bliss

I noticed yesterday that Cascade 220 describes itself as 100% Peruvian Highland wool. Does anyone know if the Elann and Cascade yarns are the same? Both color palettes are extensive, but I haven't felt the Elann one in person yet.

This Weekend

In addition to some quality knitting time, Paul and I have a few things planned this weekend. We're doing dinner tonight at The Melting Pot. This was where we had our first date and we always have a wonderful time together. The dinners usually last around 3 hours and the booths let you sit close together and just enjoy the night. I've been looking forward to sitting close to my honey, sipping wine and enjoying a yummy dinner. Tomorrow we're going to Lancaster County to do some apple picking. It's supposed to be sunny and in the low 60s and it should be a perfect and relaxing day! I'm sure we'll come home with plenty of apples and squashes and I'll probably bake up something apple as well.

And one final jab at the election...

This correlation between IQ and voting pattern is funny, sad and scary all at the same time. Just further proof that Tim Russert's comment about appealing to the public's intellect doesn't get you in office.

I stayed up way later than I should have last night. I'm running on about 2 hours sleep. I just could not unglue myself from the TV. I didn't even knit. My stomach was in such knots that I just couldn't even relax enough to knit. I found myself daydreaming about taking the day off in January to go to DC if Kerry was being inaugurated.

While we're still waiting for an official winner to be declared, I thought I'd share with you a few thoughts.

Things that Make Me Happy or Proud

• NJ remained democratic


• PA did too!


• People in Ohio waited out a 10-15 hour wait just to vote. They understood how important their vote was and they made the sacrifice


• CA passed its stem cell research bill


• Nader did NOT decide this election

Things that Make Me Sad and Embarassed

• To paraphrase Tim Russert - While John Kerry clearly won the debates, it's not enough to appeal to people's intellect.


• 11 states passed measures to ban same-sex marriage


• My brother would have voted for Bush yesterday had he been properly registered. I don't even know what to say to this.

I worked on a bunch of different projects this weekend.

First up, the Friday Harbor sock:

This is Spirit Trail DK/Sport/Light Aran sock yarn. I had to adjust the pattern because it was written for a much finer gauged yarn. And after a few days of staring at it I don't like it. I like the yarn. I like the color (although I never would have bought it if I saw it in person!). I like the pattern. But I don't like the yarn with the pattern. I think this yarn needs to be a more basic ribbed boot sock. So to the frog pond it goes.

Next up is a quick and easy Manos Scarf:

It's just a diagonal, randomly striped scarf. I'm knitting it on 13s and it's making a nice drapey fabric that I think will still be very warm. And I expect the Manos to bloom when it gets a dunk too.

Am I crazy for creating all those ends? Probably, but I really wanted a striped scarf and I didn't like any of the self striping options out there. I do however feel the need to point out that I'm weaving as I'm going. I have about half the ends already woven in. *happy dance*

And lastly, a hat for Paul:

I'm using Marnie's Pismo hat pattern and DB Cashmerino Baby (which is knitting up SO SO soft!). I used a tubular cast on for this one (I feel so grown up now!). I've been avoiding the tubular cast on because I thought all methods required the use of a provisional cast on and knitting and picking up stitches 3 rows down and all sorts of nonsense. I mean, who wants to plan to frog their knitting right from the start?

I found a version of the cast on in Montse Stanley's book that is similar to the long tail. You tie a slip knot and leave a tail about 4 times the length you need. Then you do this thing where for the first stitch you loop the tail end of yarn around the needle. Then, the next stitch you loop the yarn connected to the ball around the needle. It's really simple but I can't seem to find an illustration on the web. If you have Stanley's book definitely check it out. It feels really strange at first but once you get a rhythm going it's pretty easy. And it makes a beautiful and professional looking edge.

So I blocked my neckwarmer. It was too big. So I misted it well with water and encouraged the ribbing to pull in again. Hopefully I got it right this time. It's still drying so I'll show you all in the next day or two (assuming I actually got it right this time).

New Socks

True to my word (as if there were any doubts) I started a sock from Knitting on the Road. I pulled out my Spirit Trail sock yarn and picked the Friday Harbor pattern. No pics today, but here's a link to a finished pair.

One big difference though. My yarn is aran weight, and the pattern called for 5.5 spi. I altered the pattern to suit the yarn but I didn't do a perfect job. I had to shorten the length of the leg because they were too tight to go up very high. So I'm considering frogging them and starting over. We'll see.

One thing I keep meaning to mention. I've been using the cable cast on for handpainted yarn lately. Why? It uses a single length of yarn, as opposed to the long tail which uses 2 lengths. The difference is with a single length you don't get one color across the loops and another color below them. Here's an example of using the long tail cast on with variegated yarn. See how the bright blue goes into the purple and brown? That's because I used a long tail cast on. Every time I look at that scarf it bothers me. I plan to frog the beginning anyway, so I just consider it a good little lesson.