It's that time of year again. I'm drowning in school, but I've also been spinning:
And baking:
It doesn't look like much, but this was delicious apple cobbler. The apples were gifted to us from our knitting group organizer Velma and the delicious recipe came from here.
And of course, the gift knitting:
I wish I had pictures of these modeled, but it's quite difficult to take pictures of your own hands, and Kellen is at work. But you get the idea.
Pattern: Fetchings from Knitty.com
Yarn: Noro Kureyon, color no. 188
Needles: US 5, Susan Bates dpns
This is my second pair of fetchings, first pair blogged here. I absolutely love this pattern, and in the noro, they're squishy and wonderful. I hope the recipient likes them! (I'm not going to reveal recipients on the blog, just yet...)
Again, sorry they're not modeled, but you get the idea.
Pattern: Corazon Mittens from Knitty.com
Yarn: Telemark from KnitPicks in Passion Heather and Drift.
Needles: US 3s and 4s. Susan Bates dpns.
I'm not totally thrilled at my tension on these, but I think they still came out pretty nice. The chart keeper Kellen got my from Knit Picks for Christmas last year helps a lot with colorwork. I find it super enjoyable but I defnitely could use more practice. I hope the recipient doesn't mind!
Finally, a WIP:
This is a sock leg, distorted because I photographed it on my hand. It's the Almost Argyle pattern by Susan Lawrence. It was available at Knitpicks, but is now discontinued. I knit these once before, for Kellen, but I'm not sure if I blogged them. You can see them on Ravelry, though. I enjoy this pattern, but with all the other Christmas knits on the list, we'll see how much I like it by the end of the second sock.
So that's about it for now. I'm off to do some homework, and think about how much I'd rather be knitting.
Labels: Christmas, FO, spinning, WIP
¶ 12:47 PM 1 Comments
At the begining of the month, I made two Halloween-y FOs, though. One for my Secret Pal and one for me.
Pattern: Punkin Dishcloth (ravelry link).
Needles: US 5, clover bamboos.
Yarn: Dishcloth cotton from Handmade Memories. I think it's Bernat?
Karla made this pattern last year and it was so cute I had to make one. Quick, easy pattern, although there are a few typos in the pattern. They're easy to make sense of if you really look at your knitting, though.
Other than that, I've been spinning.
This is a bit of merino I spun up. I'm still getting used to my wheel (it's old and almost as cranky as I am) but we're starting to learn to work together. All my practice yarn (including what I spun on the spindle a few years ago) is slowly being knit into an "artsy" (aka crappily spun yarn) scarf. I think it might look cool when it's done...whenever that will be...
And then of course, there are xmas gifts. I'm hoping to have another FO this week...I'll keep you posted!
Labels: Christmas, FO, spinning
¶ 7:19 PM 1 Comments
First up were these Cabled Footies for Kellen's Stepmom. I've knit this pattern three times now and I'm always pleased with how quickly they knit up and how comfy they are. I got this pair out of only one skein of yarn, and I had enough left over that I probably could have done another cable repeat on each cuff. Good to know, since there may be more of these in my holiday knitting.
Pattern: Cabled Footies by Leigh Radford from the book One Skein.
Needles: US 7 Susan Bates dpns
Yarn: Dark Horse Fantasy, 1 skein
Next up, I finished my mom's socks. (I doubt she's reading this, but if you are Mom, stop!)
Ha! I just realized I took an upclose shot of a glaring error. Oh well, don't judge me. Nonknitters probably won't notice.
These were knit out of yarn my mom and I won (one skein each) at the Handmade Memories creative retreat this summer. After a few attempts, I decided on this pattern, and let me tell you, it was not very popular with some of the ladies I knit with. I got, "What a nice pattern; I would have used a solid yarn," a lot. Yes, they're loud. Yes, the lacey pattern might have looked better in a solid yarn. But I like them, and I think my mom will, too. They're super comfy and the yarn is very nice. If a bit clownish. And I really like the wavy edge at the top.
Pattern: Peaks n Valleys by Besty Lee McCarthy from the book Knit Socks!
Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote, in Rock n Roll, 2 skeins
Needles: US 0, Susan Bates dpns
Modifications: Cast on only 63 stitches, because 72 is big enough to make socks for Kellen; it would have been way too big. Then, just followed the stitch pattern and went from there. It's an easily memorized, two row repeat.
Happy Socktoberfest...only 60 days until Christmas!
Labels: Christmas, FO, socktoberfest
¶ 3:17 PM 1 Comments
Remember back in June(!), when I said I'd post more details as soon as we were all finished. Well, ask Karla what happened. Anyway, here's mine. It's gotten lots of wear this past winter. Pattern: Bzzz Hat for Queen Bees from SNBN. Yarn: Wool Ease by Lion Brand. Needles: US 5 Susan Bates circ and dpns. I actually knit this twice, once on 7s, then frogged and reknit with 5's in an attempt to reduce the gappy-ness of all the purling on dpns. It didn't really work, but the hat is still cute. As the daughter of a beekeeper, I'm pretty much in love with anything bee related, and very much concerned about the future of our honeybee. So the hat makes a great conversation piece. Plus, it's pretty damn cute!
Now for something else old:
Pattern: Fuzzy Feet from Knitty.com. Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in Mulberry. Needles: Brittany DPNs, US 10.5. These, believe it or not, were Christmas gifts, and they are sitting on my counter as I type. I actually knit them on time, but I handfelted, which I realize now works great for toys and bags, but not so much for slippers, which sort of need to be the same size. So, they sat in a drawer for awhile, until I remembered to toss them in with a load of laundry. I didn't even worry about checking on them, since they were so wonky to begin with, so I just ran them through the whole cycle and viola! Perfectly felted, just the right size. This still isn't my favorite slipper pattern, but with one skein of LP you can't complain. They're off to their recipient this weekend. Nothing like Xmas in April, right?
And now to the present:
A top secret pair of socks (Okay, you can probably already tell they're the Embossed Leaves pattern, but I'm not telling who they're for!) and Fetchings for me. The Fetchings were totally spur of the moment. I took a midterm at 8 AM this morning and my hands were freezing, so I decided I needed some handwarmers that would allow me to write. So, this afternoon I came home and cast on.
I think that's just about it from me, how are you?
Labels: Christmas, FO, self portrait, WIP
¶ 4:19 PM 2 Comments
Now for the knitting...
Travis' Volcano Socks. Yarn: Knitpicks Essential Twist in Volcano. Needles: US size 0. Pattern: Basic Sock Recipe, standard heel flap. Men's size 11. The fact that these are shown posing with the Halloween pumpkins shows how long I was knitting them...and unfortunately my gauge revealed it too. When it came to hours of marathon knitting mid-December, I apparently loosened up and one sock was bigger than the other. I thought he wouldn't notice, but being an older brother, it was the first thing he pointed out. I still like them, and I hope he does too. They're his colors, after all. 
Okay, to be honest, those socks were supposed to be for his birthday. Here's his actual Xmas present. Pattern: Hello Yarn's There be Pirates hat. Yarn: Knitpicks Telemark in Black and Squirrel Heather, with Shine Sport cotton lining in Cherry. Needles: US 3 for hat, US 1 for lining. I Loooved knitting this. It was my first "big" stranded knitting project and it was so much fun. I want one for myself.
Grandma's Fairly Easy Sweater. Yarn: Lion Brand Jiffy in Turquoise. Needles: US 10.5. Pattern: Fairly Easy Fair Isle (minus the Fair Isle) in SNBN. I really loved knitting this. The buttons have real pressed flowers! The yarn is acrylic, but very cozy. I didn't get a pic of Grandma wearing it, so you'll have to settle for a shot of me at 2AM. 
Mom's Sweater. Pattern: Sitcom Chic from Knitty.com. Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Autumn Red. . .or Harvest Red. I forget. Needles: US size 7, knitpicks Options. This was the first sweater I ever knit and I really enjoyed it. It went fairly quickly too! 
Auntie's Monkeys. Pattern: The ubiquitous Monkey from Knitty.com. Yarn: Knitpicks essential multi in Blue Violet. Needles: US 1 dpns. I really loved knitting these. I think the pattern is perfect for variegated yarn like this. The different pooling was really interesting. But, like Travis' socks, my hours of knitting caught up to me and the second sock was bigger. The good thing is it's superwash yarn and hopefully they'll shrink a bit to size. I was pretty devastated when I grafted the toe Xmas Eve and realized the discrepancy. My aunt fuels my knitting addiction and I really wanted the socks to be gorgeous (and wearable!) Hopefully they're loved anyway. 
Dad's Griswold Hat and Scarf, left. Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in Edwardian. No pattern. Needles: US 10.5. Leslie's Kittyville, center. Pattern: Kittyville from Stitch n Bitch. Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Coal and Austermann Metropolis, which is the shiny stuff. Needles: US 7. Mason Dixon Washcloths, right. Pattern: Mason Dixon Washcloth, from Mason Dixon Knitting. Yarn: Sugar and Creme from the stash. Needles: US 7, maybe 5? I gave these to my aunties with bath stuff. All three of these gifts were quick and fun. Obviously I didn't get any pictures of them with their recipients, which is why you're looking at my mug.Whew! I think that about wraps up Christmas, only two months late. As usual, you can see more details on My flickr, and My Ravelry Page. Hopefully I'll be back soon, with more current knitting! I've got a lot on the needles, as usual. ¶ 12:02 PM 1 Comments
A Christmas Meme
1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags?
I know it's not ecofriendly and all, but I really love cute wrapping paper (and I try to reuse whenever possible). I do use gift bags when the gift is an awkward shape, though.
2. Real tree or artificial?
I always loved real trees, but it was more practical and economical for us to get an artificial. It's about a 4 footer or so, and pre-lit, so we get to go straight to the fun part, decorating!
3. When do you put up the tree?
Generally, the first part of December.
4. When do you take down the tree?
By the begininng of January, when I realize I can't keep Christmas around forever.
5. Do you like Egg Nog?
I like Soy Nog even better, because it's got a lighter flavor, but yes, I love it.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
My American Girl dolls, by far. I still love them.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
No, but I'd like to get a really creative one. Kellen's not a fan, however.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
I really enjoy gifting for everyone. My grandpa can be a challenge, though.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Kellen and my mom.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I've never really gotten a bad present that I can remember. Oh, maybe that bit of knotted rope from a friend in high school. That was weird. I've gotten some gifts that "weren't me" but they were all well intentioned.
11. Mail or email Christmas Cards?
Mail, all the way. Not everyone knows how to work Ecards in my family!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
It's a Wonderful Life and Charlie Brown Xmas, but I also watch The Grinch (cartoon) every year.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year long. Really! But more seriously in November.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
There's no shame, as long as it's tactful. Better than being wasteful!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My grandma's mashed potatoes. Okay, maybe we usually have them at Thanksgiving, but they're my favorite thing to eat, period. After that, cookies!
16. Clear lights or colored?
Colored, but clear can be pretty too.
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! (it never snows here)
18. Travel or stay home at Christmas?
Stay at home. I worry about traveling in bad weather.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeer?
Of course! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen (and Rudolph, if you count him). That was without cheating! I used to have "The Night Before Christmas" memorized, so that's how I learned them.
20. Angel or Star on the top of the tree?
Either
21. Open Christmas Eve or Morning?
Both!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Grumpy people in crowds.
23. What’s the corniest family tradition you do or miss doing?
Watching our taped Xmas cartoons. The tape finally died a few years ago. My family is dorky, but we don't have many corny traditions.
24. What’s the worst thing you’ve seen related to Christmas?
I try to avoid the terrible things.
25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees?
I like theme trees, but not in my house. Homey all the way.
26. Gingerbread or Sugar Cookies?
Gingerbread.
27. Do you like fruitcake?
I bet there are ways to make it delicious. I have faith in the fruitcake!
Labels: Christmas, not knitting
¶ 1:36 PM 0 Comments
I sent out my Christmas cards: 
And we made gingerbread houses:
Well, Jaime made a gingerbread fort, and it was made of cinnamon graham crackers, but still...
My house is on the left, Kellen's is on the right. Apartently, Kellen missed his calling as an architect. I practically had to stop him before he installed a working garage door. My walls are made out of gingerbread, but being the queen of chewy cookies, I didn't bake it long enough, and it collapsed shortly after construction. Oh well, we had fun.
And that's the important part, right?
Labels: boys, Christmas, Holidays, not knitting
¶ 3:08 PM 2 Comments
NOTE:What looks like a pile of crap is actually Kellen's present. I blurred it on the off chance that he'll read this. That said, what you see here is 2 unfinished sweaters, 1/3 of a branching out, a sock and a cuff, a sock and a half, half of a stuffed animal, one finished hat, 10 rows of a matching scarf, a half finished fair isle hat, one unwound skein(!) which may or may not be actualized as a trellis scarf, and a partridge in a pear tree. . .
Think I'll make it? Keep in mind I still have things to sew... At least most of my holiday *shopping* is done...
In other news, I'm finally getting off my lazy ass and posting pictures of the fabulous package Karen sent me for the Fall into Autumn Dishcloth swap!
Very lovely handmade lotion, lip balm, and soap in great scents, a handy little container filled with my favorite cotton yarns, a little notebook and crayons, a pink rubber ducky,a dishcloth pattern booklet (which I neglected to take a picture of) and best of all, a beautiful handmade washcloth. It's in my favorite colors, and so gorgeous I haven't wanted to use it yet. Check out the detail:
There was also some candy in the package, but that vaporized long ago. Thanks so much, Karen! I love everything!
I promise I won't stay away so long in between posts. The next three weeks will be finishing up school, finals, and then nonstop knitting. Wish me luck!
Labels: Christmas, dishcloth, swap
¶ 12:24 PM 2 Comments
The Brother Sock. Okay, to be fair, this was a birthday knit, but I accidentally only ordered one ball of yarn, so only one was done on time. Okay, not entirely done. But why bother grafting when you can't start your second sock? I really need to order that second ball. I am a bad sister. oops. 
The Other Monkeys. These are a Christmas gift, but I won't say for whom. It only one sock, but I wanted to give you a front and back view so you can see how the yarn is working up. I'm digging it. 
Christmas Sweater #2. I'm quite a few inches into the body of this baby and so far so good. I hope the recipient likes it! I'm finished with the body of Christmas sweater #1, but after getting cocky with my sleeve modifications, I had to frog the entire sleeve, so it's on a shelf for awhile. I really need to get going on both, so I can start more gifts! I'm definitely feeling the pressure, but compared to the midterm pressures I've had going on this past month (I've gotten A's on all my midterms, and an 89% on another exam, by the way!) knitting pressures are pleasurable.
In other news, I went to the Midnight Madness S&B at Handmade Memories on Friday night with Karla and Kellen. It was a ton of fun, and it was great to meet other Humboldt knitters that I had previously only known through blogs and Ravelry. I also picked up a yummy skein of yarn for my Secret Pal's October package.
Speaking of Secret Pals, I got a sweet e-card from the person sending to me, who gave me some migraine tips, so I thought I'd update on the Migraine Situation. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and got samples of Maxalt and Frova to try out. Then, luckily, I was headache free for a few weeks! This morning, I woke up with a monster one, though, so I took a Maxalt and it really helped! My only gripe is that it took quite awhile to kick in and it made me a little drowsy. I was able to go to work and school, though, and that's all I ask!
Okay, I just wanted to catch my little blog up on what's been going on in my neck of the woods. There's a lot more, but it's so hard to blog secret knits!
Labels: Christmas, headaches, secret pal, SnB
¶ 5:05 PM 2 Comments
I'm lucky enough to live in very beautiful Humboldt County where the weather is mild year-round. This means I don't knit cotton in the summer and wool in the winter, but all the good stuff year round. My main focus as the weather turns cooler, as you know from reading my previous few posts, is Christmas knitting. This means I get to knit a variety of things for the variety of people I love. Wool hats, acrylic kidswear, superwash socks, alpaca shawls, cotton dishcloths, etc.
Sorry this is such a short post, but I need a nap! I'm halfway through the first volacno sock, details on that soon!
Labels: Christmas, dishcloth, swap
¶ 3:57 PM 1 Comments
Christmas. Or the yarn-y makings of it. If you peek at my Ravelry queue you can probably guess what most of these are going to be. I don't want to reveal too much and spoil any surprises, though. Oh, and I lied. It's not entirely Christmas. See that blue cotlin? That's a Rusted Root for me. Just watch.
Happy Knitting!
Labels: Christmas
¶ 3:09 PM 3 Comments
Plus, a very large Knit Picks order should be on its way to me soon. Also on the needles are some RPMs for me, and Jo-Ann's is having a button sale, so maybe a Buttony is looming in my future? There's some Cotlin in that Knit Picks order for a Rusted Root, though, and one look at that Christmas countdown reminds me that maybe sweaters for me should wait a little bit.
That's it for now. I just wanted to quickly check in. Between the Christmas Project and homework, I'm pretty swamped!
Christmas knitting has commenced. I know there are a few family members that spy on me show their interest in my life by reading my blog, so I've thought long and hard about how to blog about Christmas gifts without ruining the surprise. So, here we go. I'll post some progress shots, but I'm going to be vauge about exactly what I'm knitting and who it's for. If you hang in there until December, I'll be posting it all before it's gifted, though. I'll also be posting details on Ravelry, since my family won't be able to peek there. Anyway, I'm a few inches into the above pattern and I'm loving every second of it. So easy! I got to knit on it while enjoying coffee and chocolate with The Girls today. I also snagged a copy of The Knitter's Almanac at the local used bookstore. Yay!
God, this is an AWFUL picture, but I was tired and it was the best I could get. Bear with me! Since we were stitching out on the town, I needed a cute outfit, so I whipped up another Built By Wendy/Simplicity 3835 top. By "whipped up" I mean cursed the neckline and wanted to set the whole damn thing on fire, but I perservered. It's an easy peasy pattern but something just wasn't working. Kellen took me out for ice cream, which helped. I think it turned out pretty cute, too, and the girls and I all matched in our polka dotted cuteness!
¶ 5:51 PM 1 Comments
