Pleasing a Tough Customer

It's been awhile; blogging is getting harder to fit in to my life, but it is so nice to do it when I can. So here goes.
I have probably written before about knitting for my family versus for me. My husband, daughter and son all love hand-knit socks (doesn't everyone, once they experience what it feels like to wear a pair?) Other than socks, my husband has specific wants in terms of sweaters, and he did recently wear his Woodsy Ribs Vest for the first time post-summer, and it looked great! I could tell that he likes it too. My 13-year-old son doesn't wear sweaters, but does like a knitted hat every once in awhile. My 15-year-old daughter, who favors Abercrombie, Hollister and American Eagle, has not been a fan of hand-knit garments, although she does like knit bags and I have made her a couple of wraps to wear with dressy clothes. I knew she'd like the Staghorn Cabled Tunic when I saw it in the WEBS catalog, and she did. I am thrilled to say that she loves the completed garment, and it fits her PERFECTLY!

I agonized over the sizing, settling on the 32 as written. She even wants the same buttons as those in the picture, so the pattern designer, Kirsten Hipsky at WEBS, kindly steered me to them. It is so wonderful to make something that my style-conscious daughter will wear with pride!
Also, a word about the yarn, Valley Yarns Northampton--I LOVE it. I have 2+ skeins left and will probably make a scarf for charity. I am eager to use it again, and to try other Valley Yarns products. They are an excellent value and of course, who doesn't want to support the wonderful folks at WEBS?
So now I am intent on finishing--or at least getting much further along on--my Muse Wrap. I have 180 rows done; the pattern calls for 400 rows but given my height I think I will be fine with less, maybe 300-350.
Now that I am in the groove with it, I am enjoying it immensely, it just has to be a stay-at-home project because it's not the type of project that you can put down in the middle of a row. I'll go back to my Sweetpea Socks for take-along knitting, although I need a refresher to get me back in the groove on those!

Pleasing a Tough Customer

It's been awhile; blogging is getting harder to fit in to my life, but it is so nice to do it when I can. So here goes.
I have probably written before about knitting for my family versus for me. My husband, daughter and son all love hand-knit socks (doesn't everyone, once they experience what it feels like to wear a pair?) Other than socks, my husband has specific wants in terms of sweaters, and he did recently wear his Woodsy Ribs Vest for the first time post-summer, and it looked great! I could tell that he likes it too. My 13-year-old son doesn't wear sweaters, but does like a knitted hat every once in awhile. My 15-year-old daughter, who favors Abercrombie, Hollister and American Eagle, has not been a fan of hand-knit garments, although she does like knit bags and I have made her a couple of wraps to wear with dressy clothes. I knew she'd like the Staghorn Cabled Tunic when I saw it in the WEBS catalog, and she did. I am thrilled to say that she loves the completed garment, and it fits her PERFECTLY!

I agonized over the sizing, settling on the 32 as written. She even wants the same buttons as those in the picture, so the pattern designer, Kirsten Hipsky at WEBS, kindly steered me to them. It is so wonderful to make something that my style-conscious daughter will wear with pride!
Also, a word about the yarn, Valley Yarns Northampton--I LOVE it. I have 2+ skeins left and will probably make a scarf for charity. I am eager to use it again, and to try other Valley Yarns products. They are an excellent value and of course, who doesn't want to support the wonderful folks at WEBS?
So now I am intent on finishing--or at least getting much further along on--my Muse Wrap. I have 180 rows done; the pattern calls for 400 rows but given my height I think I will be fine with less, maybe 300-350.
Now that I am in the groove with it, I am enjoying it immensely, it just has to be a stay-at-home project because it's not the type of project that you can put down in the middle of a row. I'll go back to my Sweetpea Socks for take-along knitting, although I need a refresher to get me back in the groove on those!

The Right Project for the Right Time

It's been almost a month since I've blogged...sorry to anyone who is awaiting new material!
Our vacation was fabulous and I actually got a fair amount of knitting done. No one confiscated my needles at an airport, and I was careful to knit mindless projects when I was somewhere that required concentration (such as listening to a tour guide or navigating those unfamiliar roads while my husband drove), while I worked on my Muse Wrap while in a quiet setting where I knew I'd be able to finish a row uninterrupted!
Now that I'm back, I've been busy going back and forth to doctors appointments with my mom, who is about to have surgery. The Staghorn Cabled Tunic, which I started for my daughter, is my project of choice for these occasions--it's an easy, fast-moving pattern and if I stop in the middle of a row, it's no big deal. She is excited about it too, which is awesome for a 15-year old!

In the world of socks, I finished my Saucy Socks on the trip and I'm really pleased with them. I'm now at the beginning of the Sweetpea Socks from Knitty, using the Silkie Socks that Rock Yarn all the way from the 2007 Sock Club! I read too many negative reviews of the openwork pattern that came with this yarn and was reluctant to knit it, even though I liked the look of it. Too much going on to do a frustrating pattern!
I'm also awaiting my box for Dishrag Tag...hope to receive the box this week before I head off on a long car ride for the holiday weekend.

The Right Project for the Right Time

It's been almost a month since I've blogged...sorry to anyone who is awaiting new material!
Our vacation was fabulous and I actually got a fair amount of knitting done. No one confiscated my needles at an airport, and I was careful to knit mindless projects when I was somewhere that required concentration (such as listening to a tour guide or navigating those unfamiliar roads while my husband drove), while I worked on my Muse Wrap while in a quiet setting where I knew I'd be able to finish a row uninterrupted!
Now that I'm back, I've been busy going back and forth to doctors appointments with my mom, who is about to have surgery. The Staghorn Cabled Tunic, which I started for my daughter, is my project of choice for these occasions--it's an easy, fast-moving pattern and if I stop in the middle of a row, it's no big deal. She is excited about it too, which is awesome for a 15-year old!

In the world of socks, I finished my Saucy Socks on the trip and I'm really pleased with them. I'm now at the beginning of the Sweetpea Socks from Knitty, using the Silkie Socks that Rock Yarn all the way from the 2007 Sock Club! I read too many negative reviews of the openwork pattern that came with this yarn and was reluctant to knit it, even though I liked the look of it. Too much going on to do a frustrating pattern!
I'm also awaiting my box for Dishrag Tag...hope to receive the box this week before I head off on a long car ride for the holiday weekend.

Vacation Knitting

I am about to head out on vacation, but got in under the wire to sign up for Dish Rag Tag, round 2, today! (see button link in sidebar) I have been addicted to dishcloths this week (here are some samples):

and am taking a couple with me for some mindless knitting.

I will be the navigator in a foreign country so I can't bring too much complex knitting in the car, so I've packed projects in a variety of complexities to satisfy any situation I may encounter! For the plane, I've packed a dishrag and another project on needles that I wouldn't mind having confiscated; we are flying on a foreign carrier and I've heard some horror stories of knitting needles being taken despite the fact that the TSA allows them.

I'll let you know what happens when I return in a couple of weeks!

Vacation Knitting

I am about to head out on vacation, but got in under the wire to sign up for Dish Rag Tag, round 2, today! (see button link in sidebar) I have been addicted to dishcloths this week (here are some samples):

and am taking a couple with me for some mindless knitting.

I will be the navigator in a foreign country so I can't bring too much complex knitting in the car, so I've packed projects in a variety of complexities to satisfy any situation I may encounter! For the plane, I've packed a dishrag and another project on needles that I wouldn't mind having confiscated; we are flying on a foreign carrier and I've heard some horror stories of knitting needles being taken despite the fact that the TSA allows them.

I'll let you know what happens when I return in a couple of weeks!

One Sock Down, Too Many Projects in my Head!

I have been spending more time working on my Saucy Socks, and finished sock #1 while watching "Into the Wild" with my husband last night (great movie and even better book). I broke my second DPN on these socks--the set was old and bending, and I think because these socks are made with 4 DPNS instead of 5, I had trouble trying the sock on with just 3 needles around. I ordered a set of KnitPicks Harmony DPNs to replace this set; it will be a good way for me to try out the Harmonies and also finish Sock #2 without a struggle.
The Muse Wrap is coming along now that I have ripped and reknit it--I can "read" the pattern MUCH better now and have caught a few mistakes before they become too serious (in other words, before finishing a row!). However, this project is long--I am on row 78 of 400 projected--and does require some concentration. So my mind has been wandering in a couple of other directions:
1)Ready,Set Knit Podcast is going to be doing the Staghorn Tunic as a knitalong. I showed my daughter the pattern while visiting her at summer camp, and she liked it! So I've ordered the yarn and thought it would be fun to knit along with Kathy and Pixie.
2)Dishcloths--this has never really been my thing, but I do like the Peaches & Creme cotton that I've used for various projects and I have decided I would actually like to start using dishcloths rather than sponges in my kitchen. So I joined the Yahoo and Ravelry Peaches & Creme Cloth of the Week groups and may buy a skein or two to take with me on vacation. This will, however, put my Four Seasons Throw even more on the back burner.
The dangers of the Web, and more time on my hands to surf while the kids are at camp! But good problems to have.

One Sock Down, Too Many Projects in my Head!

I have been spending more time working on my Saucy Socks, and finished sock #1 while watching "Into the Wild" with my husband last night (great movie and even better book). I broke my second DPN on these socks--the set was old and bending, and I think because these socks are made with 4 DPNS instead of 5, I had trouble trying the sock on with just 3 needles around. I ordered a set of KnitPicks Harmony DPNs to replace this set; it will be a good way for me to try out the Harmonies and also finish Sock #2 without a struggle.
The Muse Wrap is coming along now that I have ripped and reknit it--I can "read" the pattern MUCH better now and have caught a few mistakes before they become too serious (in other words, before finishing a row!). However, this project is long--I am on row 78 of 400 projected--and does require some concentration. So my mind has been wandering in a couple of other directions:
1)Ready,Set Knit Podcast is going to be doing the Staghorn Tunic as a knitalong. I showed my daughter the pattern while visiting her at summer camp, and she liked it! So I've ordered the yarn and thought it would be fun to knit along with Kathy and Pixie.
2)Dishcloths--this has never really been my thing, but I do like the Peaches & Creme cotton that I've used for various projects and I have decided I would actually like to start using dishcloths rather than sponges in my kitchen. So I joined the Yahoo and Ravelry Peaches & Creme Cloth of the Week groups and may buy a skein or two to take with me on vacation. This will, however, put my Four Seasons Throw even more on the back burner.
The dangers of the Web, and more time on my hands to surf while the kids are at camp! But good problems to have.

Lazy Days of Summer

After making the Clementine Shawlette in less than a month, I am now adjusting to the fact that my next major project, the Muse Wrap from "The Very Gorgeous Sublime Kid Mohair Book," is going to take quite a bit of time! I cast on a week ago and after a few days and just 17 rows, I had to rip out the whole thing. Not an easy task with mohair, mind you. This is the type of project that is difficult to rip out a few stitches or part of a row, and I just hadn't had the feel for the pattern, so there were mistakes every few rows. After casting on again, I feel that I really know the pattern and can tell as I knit across if I am making a mistake or on the right track, so frogging shouldn't be necessary again (I HOPE!) I am now back to row 18, where I left off.

That's the good news. The bad news is that this pattern is supposed to be 400 ROWS long! Since I am short, I expect that I won't have to knit that many rows, but nevertheless, this will not be a quick project. It is also not the type of project that is easy to put down mid-row, so I think it will be strictly at-home knitting. The yarn does feel luscious, and the pattern is knitting up very pretty, so I know I'll enjoy the finished product, it's just far from an immediate gratification item!
This means my Saucy Socks are getting more attention--I'm about ready to turn the heel on the first one, and the Socks That Rock feels soooo nice as a contract to the fuzzy mohair--and I may even pick up my long-ago started Manos Four Seasons Afghan as another alterative, on-the-go project as well. The afghan isn't even in my Ravelry projects, it's that much of an afterthought at this point. I do hope to give it more attention, and the slow pace of the mohair may cause that to happen.

Lazy Days of Summer

After making the Clementine Shawlette in less than a month, I am now adjusting to the fact that my next major project, the Muse Wrap from "The Very Gorgeous Sublime Kid Mohair Book," is going to take quite a bit of time! I cast on a week ago and after a few days and just 17 rows, I had to rip out the whole thing. Not an easy task with mohair, mind you. This is the type of project that is difficult to rip out a few stitches or part of a row, and I just hadn't had the feel for the pattern, so there were mistakes every few rows. After casting on again, I feel that I really know the pattern and can tell as I knit across if I am making a mistake or on the right track, so frogging shouldn't be necessary again (I HOPE!) I am now back to row 18, where I left off.

That's the good news. The bad news is that this pattern is supposed to be 400 ROWS long! Since I am short, I expect that I won't have to knit that many rows, but nevertheless, this will not be a quick project. It is also not the type of project that is easy to put down mid-row, so I think it will be strictly at-home knitting. The yarn does feel luscious, and the pattern is knitting up very pretty, so I know I'll enjoy the finished product, it's just far from an immediate gratification item!
This means my Saucy Socks are getting more attention--I'm about ready to turn the heel on the first one, and the Socks That Rock feels soooo nice as a contract to the fuzzy mohair--and I may even pick up my long-ago started Manos Four Seasons Afghan as another alterative, on-the-go project as well. The afghan isn't even in my Ravelry projects, it's that much of an afterthought at this point. I do hope to give it more attention, and the slow pace of the mohair may cause that to happen.

Shawl Time

As summer moves more quickly than I'd like (as it always does), I have found more time for knitting. I zipped through the Clementine Shawlette in about 3 weeks. This was a fun, easy project and it looks really fantastic in my mix of Tilli Tomas Rock Star and Tilli's Pure & Simple. The rattan color coupled with the golden beads gives this a really dressy, pretty look. I was holding my breath that I'd have enough yarn, even though my Ravelry friends had assured me I would. And I did. just a tiny bit of Pure & Simple and NO Rock Star left, so it's perfect. You wouldn't want to have a lot of this pricey yarn left over. I am looking forward to wearing this Shawlette for a nice summer evening out
I finished the grafting of the shawlette during a very long drive back from a weekend at the Beach for 4th of July. I then worked on my Saucy Socks for awhile, and got back in the groove on those. I should be up to the heel on Sock #1 very soon. I will continue to use these as my "second of two" projects, but at least I have my sock mojo back.
Tonight when I got home I cast on for the Muse Wrap, from the Sublime Yarn "Very Gorgeous Sublime Kid Mohair Book." I bought this yarn a year ago at the Wooly Monmouth in Red Bank, NJ, also on a trip home from the beach. It is a yummy pale green and I fell in love with the wrap, which was featured in the store's window. I'm not sure how I'm going to like knitting with the Kid Mohair--it is a bit slippery, and this pattern has it knit on large needles, but I think the finished product will be lovely, and perfect for my chilly, air-conditioned office.
All of this productivity feels good--I had hoped to stop in a yarn shop on a trip to the Berkshires that we took at the beginning of the weekend. My goal there was to buy yarn to make the Printed Silk Cardigan from Interweave, but it will be nicer to stock up for that long-term project once I whittle down my stash a bit.
Happy Summer Knitting!

Shawl Time

As summer moves more quickly than I'd like (as it always does), I have found more time for knitting. I zipped through the Clementine Shawlette in about 3 weeks. This was a fun, easy project and it looks really fantastic in my mix of Tilli Tomas Rock Star and Tilli's Pure & Simple. The rattan color coupled with the golden beads gives this a really dressy, pretty look. I was holding my breath that I'd have enough yarn, even though my Ravelry friends had assured me I would. And I did. just a tiny bit of Pure & Simple and NO Rock Star left, so it's perfect. You wouldn't want to have a lot of this pricey yarn left over. I am looking forward to wearing this Shawlette for a nice summer evening out
I finished the grafting of the shawlette during a very long drive back from a weekend at the Beach for 4th of July. I then worked on my Saucy Socks for awhile, and got back in the groove on those. I should be up to the heel on Sock #1 very soon. I will continue to use these as my "second of two" projects, but at least I have my sock mojo back.
Tonight when I got home I cast on for the Muse Wrap, from the Sublime Yarn "Very Gorgeous Sublime Kid Mohair Book." I bought this yarn a year ago at the Wooly Monmouth in Red Bank, NJ, also on a trip home from the beach. It is a yummy pale green and I fell in love with the wrap, which was featured in the store's window. I'm not sure how I'm going to like knitting with the Kid Mohair--it is a bit slippery, and this pattern has it knit on large needles, but I think the finished product will be lovely, and perfect for my chilly, air-conditioned office.
All of this productivity feels good--I had hoped to stop in a yarn shop on a trip to the Berkshires that we took at the beginning of the weekend. My goal there was to buy yarn to make the Printed Silk Cardigan from Interweave, but it will be nicer to stock up for that long-term project once I whittle down my stash a bit.
Happy Summer Knitting!

Just About FO!

I have finished all of the knitting on the ChildHood baby sweater for my cousin's yet-to-be-born little one. I LOVE how this came out--I have also picked out a couple of different button choices which I will decide upon once I know the baby's gender in August. I continue to absolutely love working with Rowan All Seasons Cotton, and this pattern was a lot of fun to knit, even if the striping with two sleeves at once did get a bit tangly; this yarn untangles beautifully. I think this is the fourth garment I've made with this yarn and other than the fact that it's difficult to keep the ends tucked in, I would use it a million times more!

I am also getting much more comfortable with seaming, and though my seams still come out a bit thick, they are neat and straight and invisible on the outside, so I think--unless crocheting is involved--I can pretty much put my own projects together now no problem.

So now I'm down to just my Saucy Socks and a newly cast-on item, the Clementine Shawlette from Interweave's Spring 2007 issue. I am using the 2/3 skein of Tilli Tomas Rock Star that I have left from my ruffly purse, along with a coordinating skein of Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple. I wasn't sure about knitting the little tabs that are at the ends of this shawlette, but I decided it's part of the "look" of the pattern, so I'm going for it as written. I hope I end up liking and wearing this shawlette; I agonized over doing this versus a scarf, but I think the yarn is special enough that I needed to make something elegant...this should fit the bill. I'll keep you posted!

Just About FO!

I have finished all of the knitting on the ChildHood baby sweater for my cousin's yet-to-be-born little one. I LOVE how this came out--I have also picked out a couple of different button choices which I will decide upon once I know the baby's gender in August. I continue to absolutely love working with Rowan All Seasons Cotton, and this pattern was a lot of fun to knit, even if the striping with two sleeves at once did get a bit tangly; this yarn untangles beautifully. I think this is the fourth garment I've made with this yarn and other than the fact that it's difficult to keep the ends tucked in, I would use it a million times more!

I am also getting much more comfortable with seaming, and though my seams still come out a bit thick, they are neat and straight and invisible on the outside, so I think--unless crocheting is involved--I can pretty much put my own projects together now no problem.

So now I'm down to just my Saucy Socks and a newly cast-on item, the Clementine Shawlette from Interweave's Spring 2007 issue. I am using the 2/3 skein of Tilli Tomas Rock Star that I have left from my ruffly purse, along with a coordinating skein of Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple. I wasn't sure about knitting the little tabs that are at the ends of this shawlette, but I decided it's part of the "look" of the pattern, so I'm going for it as written. I hope I end up liking and wearing this shawlette; I agonized over doing this versus a scarf, but I think the yarn is special enough that I needed to make something elegant...this should fit the bill. I'll keep you posted!

The Vest is DONE!

After 4+ months, the Woodsy Ribs vest is done!!! I did end up enjoying this project, especially since it does fit my husband beautifully. All of that measuring along the way did pay off. The V-neck is a bit too shallow for his liking, but I am strenuously blocking that part of the vest while letting the rest of it smooth out gently, and we'll see what happens.

Now I will finish up the http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/PATTchildHood.htmland pick my next project from my stash.

The Vest is DONE!

After 4+ months, the Woodsy Ribs vest is done!!! I did end up enjoying this project, especially since it does fit my husband beautifully. All of that measuring along the way did pay off. The V-neck is a bit too shallow for his liking, but I am strenuously blocking that part of the vest while letting the rest of it smooth out gently, and we'll see what happens.

Now I will finish up the http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/PATTchildHood.htmland pick my next project from my stash.

Goodies from my Scarf Pal!

Today I received my package from my ISE6 Scarf Swap Pal, Betsy. I received a beautiful scarf in Cascade's Lana D'Oro, a 50% wool, 50% alpaca yarn that is just yummy and will be very warm and cozy for winter. It's a pretty cabled pattern that I love. The color is called "Starry Night" and is a beautiful teal color.

Betsy also sewed me a patchwork sock project bag! I love it! And, since she knew I was a sock knitter, she also included the Sock Blocker keychain and pattern. Goodness knows I have enough leftover sock yarn to make a wardrobe for that keychain!

Thank you so much, Betsy--this has been a fun swap, as usual.

P.S. My Woodsy Ribs Vest is almost done! I'd say definitely by the end of the week--details to follow...

Goodies from my Scarf Pal!

Today I received my package from my ISE6 Scarf Swap Pal, Betsy. I received a beautiful scarf in Cascade's Lana D'Oro, a 50% wool, 50% alpaca yarn that is just yummy and will be very warm and cozy for winter. It's a pretty cabled pattern that I love. The color is called "Starry Night" and is a beautiful teal color.

Betsy also sewed me a patchwork sock project bag! I love it! And, since she knew I was a sock knitter, she also included the Sock Blocker keychain and pattern. Goodness knows I have enough leftover sock yarn to make a wardrobe for that keychain!

Thank you so much, Betsy--this has been a fun swap, as usual.

P.S. My Woodsy Ribs Vest is almost done! I'd say definitely by the end of the week--details to follow...

The Ruffled Evening Bag

I have been working on the beautiful Ruffled Evening Bag, designed by Nicky Epstein in the Spring/Summer 2008 Vogue Knitting, for a month.
It was a lovely little project, even if it did mean I had to splurge for a second ball of Tilli Tomas Rock Star AND may now HAVE TO buy a skein of Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple to make something with the leftover Rock Star!

The bag, which will be used for a forthcoming special family event, came out just lovely. As I am not a sewer and the few other examples of this bag on Ravelry showed it with a fabric lining, I took it to my seamstress to line it with a pretty matching satiny fabric, and it made all the difference in the world, giving the bag body and making the remaining hand-seaming quite easy. I am going to love using this elegant bag!

In other knitting news, still plodding along on the Woodsy Ribs Vest, but I am almost up to the armhole on the front, which is a V-neck, so once I get there, it should be smooth sailing. Remind me that the best thing to make for a 6-foot tall man is socks!

The Ruffled Evening Bag

I have been working on the beautiful Ruffled Evening Bag, designed by Nicky Epstein in the Spring/Summer 2008 Vogue Knitting, for a month.
It was a lovely little project, even if it did mean I had to splurge for a second ball of Tilli Tomas Rock Star AND may now HAVE TO buy a skein of Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple to make something with the leftover Rock Star!

The bag, which will be used for a forthcoming special family event, came out just lovely. As I am not a sewer and the few other examples of this bag on Ravelry showed it with a fabric lining, I took it to my seamstress to line it with a pretty matching satiny fabric, and it made all the difference in the world, giving the bag body and making the remaining hand-seaming quite easy. I am going to love using this elegant bag!

In other knitting news, still plodding along on the Woodsy Ribs Vest, but I am almost up to the armhole on the front, which is a V-neck, so once I get there, it should be smooth sailing. Remind me that the best thing to make for a 6-foot tall man is socks!