Knit it, Violet!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Swallowtail Shawl takes flight...and Kables for Kellen
I kept imagining beautiful shots of the swallowtail resting gently on spring blossoms. however, it doesn't appear that the rain will EVER STOP here. such is the way of humboldt county. anyway, i'm eager to get the shawl off to grandma, so off it goes. here's one action shot though:
and a close up of the nupps:
Pattern:Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A Clark. Interweave Knits fall 2006. yarn: knitpicks alpaca cloud in horizon. NeedlesKnitpick's Options, US 4, 36" circular. these needles are amazing. other people had problems with the nupps (p5tog, it made me a little faint when i first read it...) but i had no problems whatsoever, at least when i went slow enough. the tips are sharp, the joins are smooth, and the purple cable is cute.notes: it took me a little (A LOT) longer than i had hoped to finish. this is grandmas's Christmas present. it's the end of february. oops. but really, this shawl was a joy to knit and i think i might knit myself one for kellen's brother's wedding. i hope grandma likes it!
in other news, Brittney, Karla, and i are all going to make the Bzzzz hat from SNBN, so i bought a quicksilver US 7 16" circular. (my last 7 16" circular got chewed on!) anyway, i love quicksilvers and i have the yarn and i'm dying to start. but we're knitting together so i decided to cast on another hat so i couldn't use the needle. behold, kables for kellen:
excuse the bad picture. kellen was playing a video game and couldn't be bothered. you might also notice a few other things in this picture, which reveal my organizational style. (i think it's called creative chaos?) pattern: modified basic cable from SNBN. yarn: leftover lamb's pride from felted clogs. i *think* this color is called dark charcoal? Needles: aforementioned quicksilver, US 7 dpns. Mods: subbed garter stitch for the ribbing at the bottom. mock cables instead of ribs between the cables. extra cable repeat. notes: even with the extra cable repeat (and getting gauge) this hat is dorkily short. it barely covers the top of his ears. i know that's the style of the pattern, but when i make it again, i'll do two extra repeats. i would have done that this time, but i ran out of yarn! i considered getting more, but the whole point was to use up leftovers.
On The Needles: mon petit chou, bublegum sock, kellen's sweater sleeve.
and a close up of the nupps:
Pattern:Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A Clark. Interweave Knits fall 2006. yarn: knitpicks alpaca cloud in horizon. NeedlesKnitpick's Options, US 4, 36" circular. these needles are amazing. other people had problems with the nupps (p5tog, it made me a little faint when i first read it...) but i had no problems whatsoever, at least when i went slow enough. the tips are sharp, the joins are smooth, and the purple cable is cute.notes: it took me a little (A LOT) longer than i had hoped to finish. this is grandmas's Christmas present. it's the end of february. oops. but really, this shawl was a joy to knit and i think i might knit myself one for kellen's brother's wedding. i hope grandma likes it!
in other news, Brittney, Karla, and i are all going to make the Bzzzz hat from SNBN, so i bought a quicksilver US 7 16" circular. (my last 7 16" circular got chewed on!) anyway, i love quicksilvers and i have the yarn and i'm dying to start. but we're knitting together so i decided to cast on another hat so i couldn't use the needle. behold, kables for kellen:
excuse the bad picture. kellen was playing a video game and couldn't be bothered. you might also notice a few other things in this picture, which reveal my organizational style. (i think it's called creative chaos?) pattern: modified basic cable from SNBN. yarn: leftover lamb's pride from felted clogs. i *think* this color is called dark charcoal? Needles: aforementioned quicksilver, US 7 dpns. Mods: subbed garter stitch for the ribbing at the bottom. mock cables instead of ribs between the cables. extra cable repeat. notes: even with the extra cable repeat (and getting gauge) this hat is dorkily short. it barely covers the top of his ears. i know that's the style of the pattern, but when i make it again, i'll do two extra repeats. i would have done that this time, but i ran out of yarn! i considered getting more, but the whole point was to use up leftovers.
On The Needles: mon petit chou, bublegum sock, kellen's sweater sleeve.
Labels: FO
¶ 5:39 PM 4 Comments
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
rain, rain, go away...
things have been wet and gray in my neck of the woods, so i've been unable to get a good shot of the swallowtail. i've really wanted to post about it though, so here it is blocking. i straightened it up a bit after i snapped this shot but you get the idea.
more details when i get a good picture, then it's off to grandma!
more details when i get a good picture, then it's off to grandma!
Labels: FO, swallowtail
¶ 7:20 PM 3 Comments
Thursday, February 15, 2007
quick FO fix
Things have been really stressful for me lately (don't even get me started. . .) but let me tell you, chunky wool on wooden circulars is perfect zen knitting. i can even do it while i read for school! this is what i whipped up tonight:
Yarn: Lion Brand Lanscapes, color #227/country sunset. Needles: US size 13 16" clover bamboo circulars, then US 13 Brittany dpns. Pattern: basic, off-the-top-of-my-head roll brim recipe. CO 48 stitches, knit for a goodly amount, then start decreasing every 8 stitches (then 7, then 6, etc.) I swear it looks cuter in real life. any one else fed up with this lack of natural light to take good knitting pictures??
also, the swallowtail has been done for over a week! i'm holding out until i can get a picture that does her justice. no crappy bathroom pics for the swallowtail!
Yarn: Lion Brand Lanscapes, color #227/country sunset. Needles: US size 13 16" clover bamboo circulars, then US 13 Brittany dpns. Pattern: basic, off-the-top-of-my-head roll brim recipe. CO 48 stitches, knit for a goodly amount, then start decreasing every 8 stitches (then 7, then 6, etc.) I swear it looks cuter in real life. any one else fed up with this lack of natural light to take good knitting pictures??also, the swallowtail has been done for over a week! i'm holding out until i can get a picture that does her justice. no crappy bathroom pics for the swallowtail!
Labels: FO
¶ 11:56 PM 1 Comments
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Secret Pal 10 Survey
it seems like i always miss the sign ups for secret pals, but not this time! i'm super excited. i'm also sick right now, so hopefully my answers are coherent.
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1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm really anti yarn snobbery. I like knitting with wool. lamb's pride is a favorite. i like merinos. alpaca. silk. but i also do a lot of knitting for kids/babies/hand-washing-impaired, so i'm not opposed to acrylic and blends. i like plymouth encore for these purposes. i'm not a HUGE fan of novelty yarns but some are okay. (i prefer thick 'n thins to eyelash, for example)
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? i keep my straights and circulars in two wine bottle holders. dpns go in a pretty glass. maybe i'll post pictures one of these days.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? i taught myself how to knit about four years ago, using a tutorial i swiped from a martha stewart living. i had purple hair at the time so the irony amuses me. i would consider myself an adventurous intermediate knitter.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? i have an amazon wishlist. there's a button link to it in my sidebar.
5. What's your favorite scent? i like what i guess you would call "baking scents" vanilla, cinnamon, buttercream, "sugar" scents...i also like some fruity scents too. strawberry, pear, etc.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? i think all my teeth are sweet teeth! i love chocolate. reeses. i'm not a big fan of sour candies though.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? i sew a lot, make jewelry, and paint a little bit. i also do blockprinting, embroidery, and other crafts when i have time. I garden as much as an apartment dweller can. I spin very crappily on a drop spindle, and i recently acquired a wheel, so hopefully i'll be spinning successfully on that.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) i listen to a lot of different music, but mostly in the punk and indie genres. i have some of my favorite bands listed on my blogger profile. i can play mp3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? i like pink, purple, blue, black, and silver a lot. i used to pretend that i didn't like orange, but i love it with pink. yellow and brown aren't favorites, but combined with other colors, i like them.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? i live in an apartment with my boyfriend of almost five years. my parents live about half an hour south of us; they're separated. i have a younger brother (11) and an older brother (25). we don't have any pets living with us here, sadly, but at home with mom we have two dogs (a chihuahua, my baby, and a blue heeler), a cat, and a turtle. animal gifties would be appreciated, since i visit them as often as possible.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
i wear scarves, hats, and mittens often, especially to school where it gets chilly. i've never met a cute poncho, but if one exists i would wear it.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
what a hard question! socks, baby items, i've recently got the lace bug. i also like knitting quick hats. all different things. i guess i'd have to say gifts! i like knitting for others.
13. What are you knitting right now? a raglan sweater for the boy, socks for me, a noro scarf, and the swallowtail shawl (which is two rows away from finishing!)
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
i LOVE handmade gifts, but don't often receive them. i'm also cool with thrifted things (in decent condition, of course) especially vintage knitting booklets.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
i like straight aluminums for most knitting. i do like wool on bamboo though. circulars are good if the project doesn't fit comfortably on straights. and i've never used a plastic needle that didn't suck. (although i'm sure they exist!)
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
i do! they were a christmas gift from my boyfriend, along with a new sewing machine. (i know, i know, he's wonderful. he crochets, too.)
17. How old is your oldest UFO? only a few months. i did a cleaning sweep and frogged or finished all the older ones. although i think there is a rogue legwarmer half finished on the loose at my mom's house. we won't speak of that.
18. What is your favorite holiday? i always say halloween. but i love christmas and thanksgiving too. and i'm a totally sucker for "spring" themed things.
19. Is there anything that you collect? teapots! and teapot themed goodies. typewriters, too, but i don't really need any more of those! i also "collect" different teas. i have a whole cupboard full of different teas to suit my moods.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? that's another great question. the books are all on my amazon wishlist, so you can check there. i've never tried bamboo yarn, so that would be fun. no particular needles. i do want to get the fiber trends felted hedgehog pattern, but that's the only one i can think of off the top of my head. i have a subscription to Interweave Knits, but i also purchase vogue knitting, knit simple, and knit1 whenever they look good.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? steeks (am i brave enough?) and i'd like to knit a toe up sock, just to expand my horizons a bit.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
yes. my feet are about 9.5" long, and the "cuff" part of my shin is about 9." most women's Medium patterns fit well. i wear a size 7 shoe.
23. When is your birthday? May 13.
------------------------------
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm really anti yarn snobbery. I like knitting with wool. lamb's pride is a favorite. i like merinos. alpaca. silk. but i also do a lot of knitting for kids/babies/hand-washing-impaired, so i'm not opposed to acrylic and blends. i like plymouth encore for these purposes. i'm not a HUGE fan of novelty yarns but some are okay. (i prefer thick 'n thins to eyelash, for example)
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? i keep my straights and circulars in two wine bottle holders. dpns go in a pretty glass. maybe i'll post pictures one of these days.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? i taught myself how to knit about four years ago, using a tutorial i swiped from a martha stewart living. i had purple hair at the time so the irony amuses me. i would consider myself an adventurous intermediate knitter.
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? i have an amazon wishlist. there's a button link to it in my sidebar.
5. What's your favorite scent? i like what i guess you would call "baking scents" vanilla, cinnamon, buttercream, "sugar" scents...i also like some fruity scents too. strawberry, pear, etc.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? i think all my teeth are sweet teeth! i love chocolate. reeses. i'm not a big fan of sour candies though.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? i sew a lot, make jewelry, and paint a little bit. i also do blockprinting, embroidery, and other crafts when i have time. I garden as much as an apartment dweller can. I spin very crappily on a drop spindle, and i recently acquired a wheel, so hopefully i'll be spinning successfully on that.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) i listen to a lot of different music, but mostly in the punk and indie genres. i have some of my favorite bands listed on my blogger profile. i can play mp3s.
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? i like pink, purple, blue, black, and silver a lot. i used to pretend that i didn't like orange, but i love it with pink. yellow and brown aren't favorites, but combined with other colors, i like them.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? i live in an apartment with my boyfriend of almost five years. my parents live about half an hour south of us; they're separated. i have a younger brother (11) and an older brother (25). we don't have any pets living with us here, sadly, but at home with mom we have two dogs (a chihuahua, my baby, and a blue heeler), a cat, and a turtle. animal gifties would be appreciated, since i visit them as often as possible.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
i wear scarves, hats, and mittens often, especially to school where it gets chilly. i've never met a cute poncho, but if one exists i would wear it.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
what a hard question! socks, baby items, i've recently got the lace bug. i also like knitting quick hats. all different things. i guess i'd have to say gifts! i like knitting for others.
13. What are you knitting right now? a raglan sweater for the boy, socks for me, a noro scarf, and the swallowtail shawl (which is two rows away from finishing!)
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
i LOVE handmade gifts, but don't often receive them. i'm also cool with thrifted things (in decent condition, of course) especially vintage knitting booklets.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
i like straight aluminums for most knitting. i do like wool on bamboo though. circulars are good if the project doesn't fit comfortably on straights. and i've never used a plastic needle that didn't suck. (although i'm sure they exist!)
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
i do! they were a christmas gift from my boyfriend, along with a new sewing machine. (i know, i know, he's wonderful. he crochets, too.)
17. How old is your oldest UFO? only a few months. i did a cleaning sweep and frogged or finished all the older ones. although i think there is a rogue legwarmer half finished on the loose at my mom's house. we won't speak of that.
18. What is your favorite holiday? i always say halloween. but i love christmas and thanksgiving too. and i'm a totally sucker for "spring" themed things.
19. Is there anything that you collect? teapots! and teapot themed goodies. typewriters, too, but i don't really need any more of those! i also "collect" different teas. i have a whole cupboard full of different teas to suit my moods.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? that's another great question. the books are all on my amazon wishlist, so you can check there. i've never tried bamboo yarn, so that would be fun. no particular needles. i do want to get the fiber trends felted hedgehog pattern, but that's the only one i can think of off the top of my head. i have a subscription to Interweave Knits, but i also purchase vogue knitting, knit simple, and knit1 whenever they look good.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? steeks (am i brave enough?) and i'd like to knit a toe up sock, just to expand my horizons a bit.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
yes. my feet are about 9.5" long, and the "cuff" part of my shin is about 9." most women's Medium patterns fit well. i wear a size 7 shoe.
23. When is your birthday? May 13.
Labels: secret pal
¶ 6:24 PM 2 Comments
