The feats and foibles of a fiber fanatic.
11/18/2004
Well, I cast on for the Retro-Rib socks from the latest issue of Knits. I adjusted it for the Northern Lights Lamb’s Pride Superwash I had picked up for a second pair of socks for my dad. I’m waivering, however. I’m thinking the pattern is not going to be one I can easily memorize or execute while talking or listening. Since my sock projects go with me everywhere - restaurants, car, movie or game nights with friends etc. I’m not sure about it. But, I’m falling in love with this color and wouldn’t mind having a pair for myself in this color and I do have one pair done for my dad. So, I think I’ll perhaps press on and if it doesn’t get done in time to mail for Christmas I can either send them to him later or keep them for myself :-)
I didn’t resist the urge to design a scarf for my sister, LOL! I’m sure you’re all surprised, right? ;-) I am a little disappointed in that the best stitch for the main body of the scarf ended up being the good old garter stitch. I guess that means it’ll go quicker. The end is an exaggerated and slightly oversized ruffle in some coordinating novelty yarns. I really like it. I hope it isn’t too unique for my sister. I am going to ask her to be candid with me and if she doesn’t think she’ll wear it, I’ll take it back. It’ll look nice with my charcoal pea coat and there is no sense in all the yarn and hard work (it took me 5 times to get the ruffle like I wanted) to waste. This scarf wants to be seen!
I’m at DH’s work all day today because his car is in the shop and my back/neck were not up to making the round-trip commute twice today. I’ve been catching up on my blog reading which as been neglected lately and I brought a movie with that I might pop in and watch on my laptop while working on the Retro socks.
11/16/2004
48 Sts, Sz 5 needles, Beaded Rib
Lambs Pride Superwash Midnight Pine
These might be just a tad snug. I think the second pair (if I get that far) I’ll knit about 1/2 inch longer before starting the toe. But, I knit about 3 rounds, did the heel flap, turned the heel, completed the instep and the toe all yesterday! Yeah, computer admin days! I ran all my various scanners yesterday so that took a couple hours then we had SnB as well.
I don’t think there’ll be a ton of knitting time today. I should be at knitting tea right now, but I don’t know which store they are at this week since they left the rotation last week and went to one of the gal’s houses. Plus, I have a bunch of proof reading to get done and then make the necessary changes, save as txt and PDF files, upload them to the classroom and add assignments and forums etc. for tomorrow. So, that’s okay. I hope to sneak away in the later afternoon to knit at Textiles A Mano tomorrow.
On Saturday I also finished the knitting portion of my sister’s BUBH…
Pre-fulled Bottom’s Up Bucket Hat
Lamb’s Pride in Deep Charcoal
I’m suspecting and hoping that the brim portion won’t really felt much since it’s double stranded and on smaller needles… Otherwise I think I might have a second hat that doesn’t fit her :-} But, since I can’t felt here at home I have to just proceed with the one for my mom and full all three hats at the same time. So, I’m crossing my fingers. Hopefully I’ll get to cast on for mom’s this evening…
11/10/2004
I am having one crap of a week! I can’t believe it is only Wednesday! This had better turn around or this will be the longest week in history.
Knitting isn’t going so bad, though because the week has been so horrible there hasn’t been much of it. I did get to go to Stitch ‘n Bitch on Monday night where I completed the brim of the Bottoms Up Bucket Hat for my sister. But, computer glitches kept me from going to Knitting Tea on Tuesday or to the gather at Textiles-A-Mano today. :-P So, I’ve picked up the knitting while waiting for the computer and have about 2 inches or so of the cuff done on my dad’s second pine sock and about an inch or so on the main portion of the BUBH for Amber. That isn’t much. But, it’s all quite boring stuff to look at so I’ll save the bandwidth and hope for a better end to my week with more knitting excitement.
I am having a hard time holding off starting on one of those double-knit scarves (though I still haven’t picked which one I want to do) and the mohair lace scarf I want to make for my grandmother. I think I settled on the Fishtail Lace pattern from Jan 15 of that perpetual calendar of knitting stitches. And, in the last day I had the brilliant idea to not only do the racing stripes double knit scarf for DH in charcoal and burgandy, but I thought I could full him a burgandy beret since he is always talking about the one he had and lost before he met me. Now, I do have until Jan 25 for that, but really, that isn’t much time when you add in all the other gifty things between now and then…
Speaking of that my gift goal list…
To be done and ready to ship by December 10th if at all possible
- Two pairs of socks for Dad
- Felted BUBH for Amber with coordinating gloves and scarf if time allows
- Felted BUBH for Mom with hat band to coordinate with her scarf she sent me to match and possibly long wristed golves if time allows
Completed by January 25th if at all possible
- Racing stripes double knit scarf for DH’s birthday in Charcoal and Burgandy
- Matching felted tam/beret in burgandy for DH’s birthday
Completed and shipped in early February if at all possible
- Fishtail Lace Mohair scarf for Grandma’s birthday
- Felted tam/beret in charcoal or tan for Grandpa’s belated birthday
Plus, it sure would be nice to knit something for myself! Here I thought I was getting such a head start on everything casting on for those socks and the multidirection scarf a few weeks back, but I’m starting to panic already!
Anyone else bite off more than they can chew on the hand knit gifts for this season? What knit gifts are you making this year??
11/8/2004
As of today, I’ve been knitting for one year!
In that year I have knit approximately:
- 9 hats
- 6 scarves
- 4 pairs of mittens
- 3 1/2 pairs of socks
- 1 purse
- 1 shawl (though it is headed to the frog pond)
- 1/2 tank top
DH is amazed that I’ve stuck with it. But, while I make and teach art for a living I still needed a hobby. Plus, in the last 10 months or so I’ve met the most lovely of ladies which was also something I really needed. I needed to have people to socialize with instead of staying in my basement working alone all the time. Then there is the added benefit he has of my staying awake when we watch a movie or a TV show.
So, raise your glass to knitting today! :-)
11/6/2004
If you look over to the right you will notice a new Art By The Inch button. The second 2004 ATBI began November 1st. Inspired by Ruth Temple, I’ve set out to make a 5-inch mandala a day for the entire month to help me reach my goal. How does this apply to knitting you say?
Well, it seems in the year (almost, as of Monday) that I have been knitting that my nature photography has fallen to the wayside. The majority of my photographs residing on my computer (I can only keep a years worth on my hard drive at a time) seem to be of knitting projects, LOL! So, most of the Mandalas I’ve made so far have been knitting related.
So, for your viewing pleasure…
Click on any of the above to open a new window and view the full size versions…
If you’re interested in keeping a watch on my ATBI progress check out my LiveJournal. All art-related posts are public there and include not only knitting but bookbinding, collage and more.
