June 2006 Archives
blankie, 38% done
Here we are, 11 days from delivery, and the blankie has grown to 38% complete (32 of the 84 diamonds).
On a more important note, I heeded all your great advice and weaved in all my ends. I now have a few more again, but still, those were a lot of ends!
I'm also knitting in the end that starts the color change. So, I've halved the total number of ends. Again, because you all pushed me and made me realize that I should! I don't often (ever?) do much with multiple colors of yarn so it just didn't dawn on me to do this.
I am, yet again, losing steam on this project. But, I'm staying on task and I haven't picked up the needles to knit anything else.
The baby is due in 11 days. If I knit 4 diamonds a day I will make the deadline. And -- almost as important -- I will not have my 4-day July 4th vacation consumed with baby blanket knitting.
You all continue to leave me great, encouraging comments -- and I love them! Blankie is taking a LOOOONG time to knit.
I've come across these links in the past few days and I thought they might be new to many of you, so here they are. A few of my recent favorite finds...
Rowan Fall Preview
My LYS -- Rosie's Yarn Cellar -- posted a few pics from Rowan's fall line. Very interesting stuff. Lots of cables, and a few new yarns (including 2 self-striping ones).
Lisa is also teasing us about a new Koigu product but she didn't say what it was. Hmmm, now that's not playing fair, Lisa!
Top-Down One-Seam Teddy Bear Pattern
Johanna received a comment from blogless winniegirl about this free pattern for a One-Seam Teddy Bear. How adorable and clever! It really caught my eye now that I'm in baby-knitting mode.
Old Needlework Book available as a PDF
Someone on the LJ Knitting Community posted a question about historically accurate knitting patterns. Someone linked her to Beeton's Book of Needlework published in 1870.
The instructions are a little difficult to read because the style of instructions and the words are different from what we use now, but I was able to decipher most of the instructions (with a little patience). There are tatting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and netting patterns. There are stitch patterns, counterpanes, socks, a knitted purse, and lace d'oyley (love that spelling!) patterns just to name a few. And my favorite pattern if for a really cool knitted and braided medallion type piece called "#319 - Rosette for Antimacassar". I think I'm going to try and knit one just because.
If you love reading through old needlework books this one will be a real treat. Anyone know of a good resource for such material? not that I need more things to want to knit
The Blankie Pattern
Several of you have asked if I designed the blankie. I wish!
It's the Entrelac Throw from Vogue Knitting On The Go's Baby Blankets 2.
OK, dear readers, you were right again. Several of you implored me to weave them in as I go.
I really didn't want to do that though. As we all know, if the knitting is done, we can claim an FO.
well, not really, but doesn't it FEEL like an FO?
Then I did a little math.
always, always, trust the math
84 diamonds * 4 ends per diamond = TMFE*
So, I've started knitting in the ends that get created when I start a new diamond. That halves the total number of ends.
And then, I've been occasionally weaving in some ends just for fun.
not really for fun, but certainly for good my sanity
Here's the latest shot. It's a little over 25% done -- which means it's officially growing at a speed several times faster than baby p.
too many fucking ends...336 to be precise
Thank you all so much for your suggestions and general good vibes that you sent my way! I haven't had a chance to reply to them because all free time has become blankie-time. So, here's a big public thank you to you all!
I had a lot of great ideas to consider. In the end I've decided to
- Knit exclusively on the blankie. Any other knitting right now wouldn't have the same meaning. I have 2 cute sweaters sketched out for the baby but they're not being done in a day (one is a gansey and one is an aran).
- Look at the store to see if any of the coordinating items for the baby's room are available. There are a few really cute ones that I could wrap up and be very happy with giving as a gift.
- Put together a gift for Kelly -- bubble bath, candles, etc. She's had to live with my brother's baby inside her for almost 9 months. She can use a little pampering.
- I may also make a few bibs or burping cloths from MSD after finishing the blankie. I really like them a lot. I chose not to go this route for the shower only because it feels like cheating to hit the Saturday deadline.
Two things that several of you said that made me decide this path were the fact that a) the baby isn't born yet. Kelly is scheduled for a c-section on July 7th, and b) they're my brother and SIL and will DEFINITELY understand.
I will probably NOT bring the blankie with me to the shower. I want it to be a surprise in its completed form. Kelly used to read the blog but I had asked her to stop (and she's so cool that I am positive that she did!) so I want the completed blankie to be the first time she sees it.
She already knows I won't be finished. My brother told her last night and she called me and told me it wasn't a big deal.
See, I told you...she's very cool.
Now if you got this far you deserve a pic of the blankie. Here it is, all 17 squares of it.
The texture that has come out in the past day pleases me to no end. I've decided not to line it, which means every end has to be woven in as well as they can be (no hiding them inside the lining!).
Those of you who know me well know that I take it as a good sign that I fell asleep last night knitting the 17th square*. And I'm using that to tell myself that weaving in the ends won't be so bad either.
I know, but let me live this lie for a little longer.
* it's a prime number!
My brother IMs me at work yesterday and we start talking about the crib that he's making.
this is of interest for 2 reasons, the obvious one, and the fact that it's supposed to be the main attraction at the shower and he wanted to drape the blanket on it so it's not just a big piece of wood sitting in the middle of the yard
He tells me that he's sweating it out because it needs a few more coats of shellac and the garage door broke the other night and so he really has to work on that first.
So I suggest, finish the crib on Saturday, then do the door on Sunday while we're all at the shower. Simple, and both will be done by the end of the weekend.
here's where the problem arises
Small issue with that...the shower is on SATURDAY.
I have no idea how I fabricated that it was on Sunday, but after a panicked call to my mom I confirmed that the father-to-be of my blanket-to-be was right.
So, dear friends, thank you for all the encouraging words. But, unless the encouragement comes with a flight to Philadelphia and an all-night knitting party on Friday night, it's not going to happen.
It is mathematically impossible.
So, I have 3 choices:
- Finish whatever I possibly can, and giftwrap it with a little "in-progress" note. Shudder when she opens it up in front of everyone
- Make a small complimentary pillow, stuff it, wrap that with a little "blankie-to-come" note.
- Knit up a quick baby sweater. I keep reading on other people's blogs that they got a garter stitch baby jacket done in a night. Is that crazy? I've never knit a baby sweater but that seems optimistic
What would you do?
Pangs of guilt hit me on Sunday and I pulled out the blanket to work on for a bit. I only got 1.5 squares done.
Then last night, after dinner, something clicked. This blanket is for my brother's baby. The baby for whom he's spent the past 6 months building a crib. My little nephew. The guy who will carry on the family name.
That's when I realized: he cannot enter this world without a blankie from me.
We were sitting outside and it was already pretty dark, but I just had to knit a little. I knit a couple squares before I couldn't see a thing.
I love the design more than ever. The little garter stitch edges give it a great tactile feel, and the RYC Cashsoft is so soft.
The shower is Sunday. Let's just hope my motivation kicked in soon enough.
I had hoped to show you all a pic of a larger baby blanket, but it just hasn't happened yet.
Instead, I am asking you all for advice. Kelly (recipient-to-be of the blanket) just ordered some 100% wool nursing pads.
They sell a Lana Lanolin Soap that is supposed to replenish the lanolin, keeping the pads soft and absorbent.
It's about 4 times the price of Eucalan. What do you all think? Is the Lana worth it? Or do we knitters just get a better deal on the Eucalan? She doesn't mind paying for it if it's worth it. And if it's not, I'll buy her a big jug of the Eucalan.
Fall Designs
Garnstudio published a preview to their fall/winter line earlier this week. There are some really nice designs. Go check it out! Link courtesy of LJ's knitting community.
The yoke is just about done. Just to make sure I tried it on. It's about 3/4" above my tank top at my underarm.
I'm going to do 2 more rows and then cast on underarm stitches and join the body. When I did Somewhat Cowl I joined when I hit the top of my tank top and I found that it got lower afterwards. So I think this will make a slightly better fit. The armhole depth should be about 3/4" shallower than Somewhat Cowl.
As many of you know, I'm obsessed with armhole depth. I think it's one of the crucial measurements that makes or breaks a well-fitting top. Most patterns have armholes that are too deep in my opinion. I'm not sure why. Stylistic preference? Easier for mass-fitting? Lack of knowledge? Or maybe I'm just really short? Not sure.
So, this is one of those measurements I've been paying a lot of attention to in terms of how it will play out in the patterns that I write. I've scoured books and the internet for "standard" body measurements (all over the map!), I've compared sizing of some popular brands (just as many differences) and realized that this is an issue that a lot of designers struggle with getting right.
I've been considering giving 3 sets of directions for armhole and body shaping -- petite, "average", tall. It would mean more work, and it would mean I'd probably opt for a pattern price of $6.50 versus $5 or $5.50. What do you think? Is it worth it to you? I think it would be, but as the one creating it my opinion is far from unbiased.
Landscaping Update
Remember the grass planting from last month? Well, take a look here and here. Yes, we have grass! The side by the house has been planted for almost 5 weeks, and the side by the street for almost 3 weeks. When school finally lets out, I think we'll be able to remove the stakes too. They're tacky, but were totally necessary. After the first day without them there were a dozen footprints scattered among the seeds.
Now that I've joined and have knit a few rows in the round I'm feeling confident a bit confident better.
The front neckline has the shape I was hoping for (yay!), and the center diamond will not be too big (I think).
Deadline Check
14 days until baby p's baby shower -- and yes, the blanket still looks pretty much the way it did on march 30th.
17 days until summer
Care to guess which one I'll be knitting on tonight?
Last time I wrote about this top I said I wanted to get it done in time to wear for spring.
Well, last week it was in the 90s -- hot and humid -- all week. I had the week off of work and thought I'd do a few days of yard work and then several days of knititng.
No such luck. I didn't get to knit until yesterday.
Looks a little different, right?
I frogged the one I had going. The lace just wasn't right. Instead, I went with a diamond motif. The beginning of the diamond follows the line of the raglan -- a little design element I really like. I wish I could claim great planning, but really, it wasn't until I started knitting that I realized how well it all lined up.
Here's the neckline. I'm going for a wide V.
I'm considering working a single smaller diamond where the V connects. I think I'll have to try it out and see. It might be a little too low for a few eyelets.
The neck edge will need some sort of knitted/crocheted edge to look tidy and lay properly. I'll figure that out when more of the top is done. Maybe an eyelet? Maybe some single crochet followed by reverse single crochet? I'm not really sure.
One thing I am certain of though -- I still love this yarn. It reacts really well to frogging, and is knitting up quite nicely at 4 SPI, even though its stated gauge is 4.5-5 SPI. I went with the larger gauge to lighten it up some more. I usually go the opposite way and knit something tighter than normal so this could all still backfire. My hope is that the larger gauge will be a little more open and therefore lighterweight.
If I need to wear a tank underneath it I'll be fine with that.
And if I have to frog this top again, I'll be less fine with that. Because, damnit, I want to wear this thing!
Countdown - 2 weeks and 4 days til first day of summer.
Like most of you, I got the Berroco newsletter in my email this morning. It's for their Fall/Winter 60-07 Line
Usually I don't say anything about it, and instead look forward to seeing what Jessica chooses for her next "Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?" installment.
But this week, there's something worth mentioning. These designs aren't half bad! And a couple of the yarns are even, dare I say, nice.
Here's my review. I'm leaving the more "interesting" designs for Jessica. I wouldn't want to steal her thunder.
Trixie and Tara from Booklet #254 Trilogy.
The yarn is a new yarn also called Trilogy. Berroco describes it as "a feminine alternative to tweed". It's 32% wool, 28% cotton, 40% nylon. It looks a bit shiny for my taste but I'd have to see it in person. The nice thing about both of these designs is that it will showcase many lovely yarns.
 |  |
| trixie - LOVE the shape | tara - a classic jacket |
Then there's Mimsie from Booklet #253 Smart Mohair.
mimsie -- fun shape!
Smart Mohair, the yarn looks quite promising. It's 41% mohair, 54% acrylic, and 5% stretch polyester. To quote Berroco "Why is this yarn smart? It's a soft and lofty mohair blend with elastic memory."
With that much acrylic the jury's still out, but it does have promise. I know, some of you are purists, but for me it's all in how the yarn feels in my hand. There are certain kinds of silks that I just won't buy because it feels funky. If it feels good, and I'll feel good in it, then I'm all for it.
A couple other notables include Keltic a slowly variegating yarn that reminds me of a thick Trekking. See it worked up into a few patterns here in Book #249 Keltic.
And finally, does this look familiar? coughClapotiscough
