Thursday, May 24, 2007

Summer Goals

With the unofficial start of the summer season coming tomorrow (a child of the beach, that means Memorial Day weekend), I'm heading down to the shore with my summer knitting goals on my mind. Courtesy of Ali and her Summer Knitting Goals contest, here are my summer goals:

1. Finish my Sockapalooza socks before my trip at the end of July
2. Start at least one more pair of socks, preferably two, to make a dent in my sock yarn stash
3. Finish my BonBon tank
4. Decide what to make with my Noro Silk Garden and start it
5. Start my Manos Afghan--at least one square complete

I think those are reasonable goals, although some of these projects are kind of hot for outdoor knitting. Why don't you enter the contest at Ali's blog? Just go to her site and read the directions. Don't forget: when you comment and sign up for the contest, tell Ali that I pointed you to her and I'll get an extra entry! Good luck to all of us!

Summer Goals

With the unofficial start of the summer season coming tomorrow (a child of the beach, that means Memorial Day weekend), I'm heading down to the shore with my summer knitting goals on my mind. Courtesy of Ali and her Summer Knitting Goals contest, here are my summer goals:

1. Finish my Sockapalooza socks before my trip at the end of July
2. Start at least one more pair of socks, preferably two, to make a dent in my sock yarn stash
3. Finish my BonBon tank
4. Decide what to make with my Noro Silk Garden and start it
5. Start my Manos Afghan--at least one square complete

I think those are reasonable goals, although some of these projects are kind of hot for outdoor knitting. Why don't you enter the contest at Ali's blog? Just go to her site and read the directions. Don't forget: when you comment and sign up for the contest, tell Ali that I pointed you to her and I'll get an extra entry! Good luck to all of us!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

A Proud Frogger!

I was going along smoothly on my BonBon tank, using my Great Adirondack Silk Noir in the Chagall colorway, when I noticed some big blobs of pink pooling. I kept going, but it bothered me as the blobs (one on the front, one on the back as I am knitting in the round) kept getting bigger. Today I surfed around a bit and saw lots of advice about alternating balls of yarn with handpainted variegated yarn. I kept wondering if I should just keep the pooling--you know, it gives that hand-knit character, blah, blah, blah. I came home and took another look and decided I just couldn't live with it, so I bit the bullet and frogged about 20 rows, tangling a little bit of the frogged yarn beyond saving in the process. Then I started alternating balls, and after about 4 rows done, it looks soooo much better. I forgot to take a "before" picture, but here's what it looks like now:

It was just bothering me too much to go on! The plus was that I wasn't sure how the fit was going to be, and while I had it off the needles, I tried it on and I think it will fit fine. I learned a good lesson, and now I'll know about this trick for the future.
It's funny--the pooling never bothers me on socks, but with a garment like a close-fitting tank top, it could look awful.
This is somewhat of a cursed project--this is the second time I've frogged it--but I'm still glad I strove for perfection. Back to knitting.

A Proud Frogger!

I was going along smoothly on my BonBon tank, using my Great Adirondack Silk Noir in the Chagall colorway, when I noticed some big blobs of pink pooling. I kept going, but it bothered me as the blobs (one on the front, one on the back as I am knitting in the round) kept getting bigger. Today I surfed around a bit and saw lots of advice about alternating balls of yarn with handpainted variegated yarn. I kept wondering if I should just keep the pooling--you know, it gives that hand-knit character, blah, blah, blah. I came home and took another look and decided I just couldn't live with it, so I bit the bullet and frogged about 20 rows, tangling a little bit of the frogged yarn beyond saving in the process. Then I started alternating balls, and after about 4 rows done, it looks soooo much better. I forgot to take a "before" picture, but here's what it looks like now:

It was just bothering me too much to go on! The plus was that I wasn't sure how the fit was going to be, and while I had it off the needles, I tried it on and I think it will fit fine. I learned a good lesson, and now I'll know about this trick for the future.
It's funny--the pooling never bothers me on socks, but with a garment like a close-fitting tank top, it could look awful.
This is somewhat of a cursed project--this is the second time I've frogged it--but I'm still glad I strove for perfection. Back to knitting.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Worth the Wait

Today, my One-Piece Lace Pullover (from Spring 2006 Interweave Knits) returned from its journey to my contracted finisher. There had been a bit of a mix-up on the finishing instructions, but the sweater is now back to me and is one of my favorites among sweaters I've made. Take a look:


I also received my "groovy" new DPN protectors from Sherry's Etsy Shop, 3 Owls Knitting. They are compact and functional, as well as beautiful with pretty crystal and polymer clay beads in a lovely deep green. Sherry provided really quick service. These will be great, especially for airplane travel, as they are just beads and plastic, no metal like the bulkier DPN holder I was using before.
They are on my just-started Hederas now:

Back to knitting...have a great weekend, everyone.

Worth the Wait

Today, my One-Piece Lace Pullover (from Spring 2006 Interweave Knits) returned from its journey to my contracted finisher. There had been a bit of a mix-up on the finishing instructions, but the sweater is now back to me and is one of my favorites among sweaters I've made. Take a look:


I also received my "groovy" new DPN protectors from Sherry's Etsy Shop, 3 Owls Knitting. They are compact and functional, as well as beautiful with pretty crystal and polymer clay beads in a lovely deep green. Sherry provided really quick service. These will be great, especially for airplane travel, as they are just beads and plastic, no metal like the bulkier DPN holder I was using before.
They are on my just-started Hederas now:

Back to knitting...have a great weekend, everyone.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Socks Do Rock

I finished the Pittsburgh Steelers Socks. They look great and my little fan loves them.

Now it is on to my Sockapalooza socks--I want to make sure I finish them in plenty of time. I have decided on Knitty's Hedera, a pattern by the awesome Cookie A. I had started a pair last year and felt that the Socks that Rock colorway I was using was too busy. I am going to use Socks That Rock again, in the Mustang Sally colorway from last year's Sock Club. It is mostly reds--gorgeous, deep hues--and I think these socks will look great in this colorway.
So now, with my tank ready to be re-started, I'm back up to three projects at once. But they're all great, and I'm happy.

Socks Do Rock

I finished the Pittsburgh Steelers Socks. They look great and my little fan loves them.

Now it is on to my Sockapalooza socks--I want to make sure I finish them in plenty of time. I have decided on Knitty's Hedera, a pattern by the awesome Cookie A. I had started a pair last year and felt that the Socks that Rock colorway I was using was too busy. I am going to use Socks That Rock again, in the Mustang Sally colorway from last year's Sock Club. It is mostly reds--gorgeous, deep hues--and I think these socks will look great in this colorway.
So now, with my tank ready to be re-started, I'm back up to three projects at once. But they're all great, and I'm happy.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Finished My Scarf


While awaiting my KnitPicks circulars so that I can re-start my tank top, I finished my One-Skein Scarf from One-Skein Wonders, which has been my #3 project and has taken about 3 months to finish. It came out nicely, and I will donate it to a charity, either the World War II Museum's Knitting Project for Veterans that I'd heard about awhile back, or if they have what they need, I'll find another. What's good about this scarf is that it's a style and color suitable for a man, which I know a lot of the charities are seeking.
Now I will probably start a scraf from Scarf Style out of the five balls of KnitPicks Merino Style , in the Moss Colorway, that I bought two years ago!

Finished My Scarf


While awaiting my KnitPicks circulars so that I can re-start my tank top, I finished my One-Skein Scarf from One-Skein Wonders, which has been my #3 project and has taken about 3 months to finish. It came out nicely, and I will donate it to a charity, either the World War II Museum's Knitting Project for Veterans that I'd heard about awhile back, or if they have what they need, I'll find another. What's good about this scarf is that it's a style and color suitable for a man, which I know a lot of the charities are seeking.
Now I will probably start a scraf from Scarf Style out of the five balls of KnitPicks Merino Style , in the Moss Colorway, that I bought two years ago!

Sunday, May 06, 2007

One Step Forward, One Step Back

I am cruising along on my Pittsburgh Steelers socks for my son. It is also nice to have such an enthusiastic recipient! He readily tries on the socks at various stages (now that Sock #1 is done, we won't have to take as many measurements), and can't wait to wear them to a football game in the fall.

Sock #2 should be finished shortly, and then I will move on to my Sockapalooza sock.

Speaking of Sockapalooza, I have left a comment on my sock pal's blog, but haven't heard yet from the person who has me. I'm sure I will, in due time.

As for my BonBon tank, it is now this:

I had thought I had gotten gauge, but as I knit in the round, even though the stitches were bunched up on the circular needle, it looked kind of big after about 3 inches were done. I took the stitches off the needle and put them on a piece of yarn, and WOW--this thing was at least 4 inches too wide! For a tank that is supposed to be close-fitting, I don't think this will do. I carefully knit another swatch on size 3 (rather than size 4) needles, and I think that will work best, AND I will go down a size. Watch it be too small now! Anyway, as I didn't have a nice set of #3 circs in my collection, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to order one from KnitPicks as a test to see if I like their circulars--if I do, I will probably treat myself to the Options set. Everyone seems to love them so much! Once the #3's arrive, I will swatch again just to be sure, and then begin the tank again. In the meantime, I will get a lot done on the sock and the scarf that's been languishing for awhile.

One Step Forward, One Step Back

I am cruising along on my Pittsburgh Steelers socks for my son. It is also nice to have such an enthusiastic recipient! He readily tries on the socks at various stages (now that Sock #1 is done, we won't have to take as many measurements), and can't wait to wear them to a football game in the fall.

Sock #2 should be finished shortly, and then I will move on to my Sockapalooza sock.

Speaking of Sockapalooza, I have left a comment on my sock pal's blog, but haven't heard yet from the person who has me. I'm sure I will, in due time.

As for my BonBon tank, it is now this:

I had thought I had gotten gauge, but as I knit in the round, even though the stitches were bunched up on the circular needle, it looked kind of big after about 3 inches were done. I took the stitches off the needle and put them on a piece of yarn, and WOW--this thing was at least 4 inches too wide! For a tank that is supposed to be close-fitting, I don't think this will do. I carefully knit another swatch on size 3 (rather than size 4) needles, and I think that will work best, AND I will go down a size. Watch it be too small now! Anyway, as I didn't have a nice set of #3 circs in my collection, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to order one from KnitPicks as a test to see if I like their circulars--if I do, I will probably treat myself to the Options set. Everyone seems to love them so much! Once the #3's arrive, I will swatch again just to be sure, and then begin the tank again. In the meantime, I will get a lot done on the sock and the scarf that's been languishing for awhile.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

A Great Source of Knitting Help

I just finished reading through When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters, a great new book by Marion Edmonds & Ahza Moore, who "together have more than 100 years of knitting experience between them." Their funny, non-threatening and extremely helpful approach to knitting problems have produced a book that is a welcome addition to the library of all knitters, from beginners to experts.

The book is divided into four sections:
"Emergency Prevention" (how to prevent problems from happening in the first place by developing good habits, such as the right way to make a gauge swatch and the items to include in your knitting bag);

"The Secret Language of Knitting Patterns," which had a very comprehensive and user-friendly section on how to alter patterns for different sizes and gauges--something I definitely want to try. At 5'2", I often find that my sweaters, and especially sleeves, are too long because I hesitate to deviate from the written pattern. This book has made me feel confident enough to try some alterations. After all, isn't that what makes a hand-knit special in the first place?

"Good Knitting Gone Wrong," a section that helps fix mistakes without too much pain. I've already used this section to help me through ripping out several rows of my lace pullover last month.

And finally, "Don't Let Finishing Finish You Off." As someone who is not fond of finishing, I found that this section made it look easy.

The book has nice, clear illustrations and as I mentioned, it's funny. I loved their commentary on grafting, for example (maybe because for some reason, this is something that I've always been good at): "It's a great status symbol in the knitting world. When you know how to graft, you can boast about it (in an offhand, nonchalant sort of way) and watch nongrafters' eyes widen in admiration." That just made me chuckle!

I highly recommend this slim volume as a useful, accessible addition to your knitting bag!

In other news, I got my Sockapalooza pal information yesterday and I've been obsessing over which socks to make for her! I have several options in terms of patterns, and two beautiful yarns from my sock yarn stash that would both be perfect. I just have to decide which one I want to part with! Once I finish up my son's Pittsburgh Steelers socks (almost done with Sock #1), I will get cracking on the Sockapalooza project. It seems like a great group!

A Great Source of Knitting Help

I just finished reading through When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters, a great new book by Marion Edmonds & Ahza Moore, who "together have more than 100 years of knitting experience between them." Their funny, non-threatening and extremely helpful approach to knitting problems have produced a book that is a welcome addition to the library of all knitters, from beginners to experts.

The book is divided into four sections:
"Emergency Prevention" (how to prevent problems from happening in the first place by developing good habits, such as the right way to make a gauge swatch and the items to include in your knitting bag);

"The Secret Language of Knitting Patterns," which had a very comprehensive and user-friendly section on how to alter patterns for different sizes and gauges--something I definitely want to try. At 5'2", I often find that my sweaters, and especially sleeves, are too long because I hesitate to deviate from the written pattern. This book has made me feel confident enough to try some alterations. After all, isn't that what makes a hand-knit special in the first place?

"Good Knitting Gone Wrong," a section that helps fix mistakes without too much pain. I've already used this section to help me through ripping out several rows of my lace pullover last month.

And finally, "Don't Let Finishing Finish You Off." As someone who is not fond of finishing, I found that this section made it look easy.

The book has nice, clear illustrations and as I mentioned, it's funny. I loved their commentary on grafting, for example (maybe because for some reason, this is something that I've always been good at): "It's a great status symbol in the knitting world. When you know how to graft, you can boast about it (in an offhand, nonchalant sort of way) and watch nongrafters' eyes widen in admiration." That just made me chuckle!

I highly recommend this slim volume as a useful, accessible addition to your knitting bag!

In other news, I got my Sockapalooza pal information yesterday and I've been obsessing over which socks to make for her! I have several options in terms of patterns, and two beautiful yarns from my sock yarn stash that would both be perfect. I just have to decide which one I want to part with! Once I finish up my son's Pittsburgh Steelers socks (almost done with Sock #1), I will get cracking on the Sockapalooza project. It seems like a great group!