Jamie Knits

Finally lost out to startitis

2012-02-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

Amigurami Donut

Striped Beanie in Vintage

Since January 22nd, I have finished a few things. There was a silly donut to go with the cupcake I made Kerry for her stocking. I also finished the Phinney sweater (see 1/22 post for a yoke close-up) and a matching beanie from the leftovers. Despite my fear of running out of yarn, I still have not knit a single stitch from the extra ball of teal I bought last fall when I was in panic mode.

By February 1st, I had completed 10 knitted and 1 crocheted project in 2012. Six of those were started in 2011, so my WIP pile was whittled down a bit. For a moment, I was feeling smug.

The WIP pile has since grown, and I am still a bit fidgety. I have four new projects on the needles: a Baby Wrap sweater (design by Churchmouse) in Koigu, a Spectra scarf (design by Stephen West) in Knit Picks Chroma and Stroll, a Mistake Stitch Rib scarf in Lorna's Laces Worsted (Miner -- think SF 49ers -- colorway), and a Central Park Hoodie in Classic Elite Waterlily. The baby sweater is about 25% complete, the scarves are about 1/6 done, and the hoodie has been swatched and the ribbing is barely started.

Spectra Scarf

Central Park Hoodie in progress

Close up of Baby Wrap Sweater

49er Faithful Scarf

I have also found myself with more yarn than I started the year with (how did that happen?) and have been lusting over designs in new magazines, not to mention Ravelry postings.

Maybe I just need to cast on one more project to calm myself down...

Sometimes it's hard to focus on knitting

2012-01-31T11:59:00.000-08:00

Last night our family dog passed away. We were lucky that the entire family was able to gather on short notice to say good-bye, even though I doubt Rocky really knew what was happening. We were also lucky that his system failure occurred so quickly that he didn't have a long painful end.

My husband and I went out to dinner on March 1, 1995 and came home with Rocky (totally shocked the babysitter). An animal rescue group happened to be in a storefront near the restaurant, and a worker there convinced us to "just try taking him for a little walk on this leash". We were instantly smitten with this little (~15 lb.) guy of indeterminate age and parentage and brought him home to be "Alex's dog".

We found out from the vet that he was at least one year old and was most likely a Sheltie/Jack Russell mix. His fur and coloring were more Sheltie-like and his personality was pure Jack Russell.

Owning Rocky was like having a bright, inquisitive, mischievous, non-verbal three year old in the house for most of the 17 years we had him. He was playful, affectionate, and everyone who knew him very well fell in love with him (including our vet and the staff at the kennel he went to when we were on vacation). He slowed down quite a bit in his last year (and started to develop bald spots), but still enjoyed children and food.

This picture was taken less than a year ago, I think. Pretty good looking for an old guy, wouldn't you say?

Rocky 1994(?)-2012

Something Old, Something New

2012-01-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Today I am wearing my brand-new, just-finished-last-night, Ribby Pink socks and a sweater I knit 16 years ago. The second sock was finished in one day (no second sock syndrome), and I am happy with the result.

Ribby Pinky Socks

I knit a lot (65-75 finished projects in a typical year), so it is unusual when I can remember many details of a particular project from the distant past. This one was special, though. I was less than a month from Justin's due date, sick of being pregnant, and had already knit him a mound of clothing. I decided to knit something to wear after he was born. Since he was due in February, I decided on a Valentines theme and knit a pink sweater with hearts all over it. The pattern is called Pansy, and it comes from an Annabel Fox magazine called Summertime (published in 1995). The pattern called for Rowan Cotton Chenille, but I used a Cascade 220-like yarn (no longer have the labels) that I bought from the sale bin on one of my pilgrimages to Straw Into Gold. Looking at the sweater today, I think the design has aged pretty well.

Pansy Sweater

Detail of Heart

Now I am back to working on the sleeves for Phinney. At this rate (hope I don't jinx it), I may finish 10 items this month and half or more will be 2011 WIPs.

Phinney's Yoke

Sleeves in Progress

Just in time to start attacking the projects that I ordered online this week...

Now what...

2012-01-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

I have finished sock number one from this week's start. The design is from The Little Box of Socks and is called Shadow Rib. The yarn is some well-aged Regia Color 4-ply in a mix of pinks and reds with a bit of gray, orange and brown thrown in. I have used this pattern successfully in the past, and this first sock fits well and will look even better after blocking (some of the rib wales are a bit wonky).

Ribby Pinky Sock

My big question for this afternoon is should I knit sock number two or finish the Phinney sweater first.

The other knitting option, of course, is to start yet another project. After all, I just found out that my pregnant friend has scheduled her C-section for next Wednesday (the baby was due about Valentines, but may pop out before Wednesday from the way she looks), and I haven't yet cast on my gift.

Better stop blogging for now...

Knitter, know thyself

2012-01-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

First, pictures of what I've finished since my last post.

Lacy Rib Socks

Silk Garden Stripe Scarf

Brushed Suri Mitts

Close-up of Purple Passion scarf

January being a startitis month, I have interspersed my completions of last year's WIPs with small new projects. So far, I have finished seven projects, four of which were started in 2011, the rest done entirely this year.

I've found for these "satisfy startitis" projects, it helps if they use less than 200 yards of yarn. The Lamb's Pride Hurricane hat and the Brushed Suri Alpaca mitts fell into this category; they were both finished before I got the itch to try something new AND I had renewed energy to go back and tackle another of the nagging WIPs.

The Purple Passion scarf (a gift for my MIL, who loves bright colors and sparkly yarns) at ~330 yards was just a tad too long. By the time I worked in the ends I was sick of the scarf and dying to try another new project (instead of finishing -- only two half-sleeves left! -- my Phinney sweater, the next WIP in the queue).

What did I cast on?

Socks...which means I might be able to finish one sock before feeling the need to move on.

Good Start to the New Year

2012-01-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

By the end of the 2nd, I had finished off two WIPs hanging over from 2011, the scarf for my nephew and a hurricane hat from leftovers. Both came out well, I think.

Tweedy Cashmere Scarf

Hurricane Hat in Manos and Vintage

I met with a group of knitting friends (Carol, Sylvia, and Jocelyn, plus new-to-me knitters Helen and Sue) over coffee at Panera in Campbell Tuesday morning. I cast on another hurricane hat, this time in Lamb's Pride left over from the blanket I knit for my brother and his wife. I finished the rib and 1/3 of the pre-decrease section of the cap by the time we left (2 hours later). The finished hat is below. It is actually a slightly brighter green than it appears.

Hurricane Hat in Lamb's Pride

At our meeting, we talked about winnowing down our stashes this year, and also about Uncommon Threads sale that started that day.

I went to Uncommon Threads in the afternoon and bought enough Classic Elite Waterlily in a nice raspberry to knit a Central Park Hoodie, a project I've had my eye on for some time.

So much for stash reduction...

I'm now trying to finish another WIP holdover, a Noro stripe scarf in two shades of Silk Garden (#252 and 268); 268 is the pastel version of 252. It feels like a good companion piece to the scarf I knit in Kureyon (#258 and 259) in December.

I think I will try to finish my Phinney sweater next (body is complete including neckband, both sleeves are half done), and then move on to a new project.

Noro Strip Scarf in Silk Garden

Noro Stripe Scarf in Kureyon

2011 By the Numbers

2012-01-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

This year I finished somewhat fewer projects (65 versus 69 in 2010), but at least half a dozen 2010 projects were items needing less than two hours of finishing that had languished in the stash. I more than met my goals on gift and charity knitting (goal was at least 12 in each category) and almost met my goal for socks (10 pair completed versus 12 as goal). I made progress on (in some cases finished) some projects that had been in timeout for a while.

I did, however, buy more than I knit (once again). I also started some projects in 2011 that are not yet complete.

Here are the scarves that are WIPs. The scarf for Clay is now at five feet and should grow to six before I run out of yarn (and patience for the project). The Noro King scarf is slightly over three feet long and about halfway done. The linen stitch scarf is slow going (I may decide to be done at 6" wide). The last two scarves are at the beginning stage.

Tweedy Cashmere scarf for Clay

Noro King Scarf

Koigu Linen Stitch Scarf

Noro Stripe Scarf (Silk Garden)

Kidsilk Stripe Scarf

These Panda Soy socks should have been finished months ago, but for some reason they suffer from second sock syndrome. The Rockin' Sock project is very complex and needs good light as well as great focus, so it has been in timeout for awhile.

Panda Soy Socks

Rockin' Sock Club Socks (May 2011)

This hat will be knit from leftovers from my Phinney sweater (a WIP holdover from 2011) and Kerry's Manos Maxima cowl.

Hurricane Hat (leftovers from sweater and cowl)

I also have three sweaters in the works that I started last year: Phinney from Berrocco Vintage yarn (I ran short of yarn and by the time I got another ball, Christmas knitting was upon me), the Rafik cardie (I stopped about halfway up the back), and the Mondo Cable cardie in Noro Retro (which has been hibernating since May). Phinney's body is complete (including the neckband), and I have been working both sleeves simultaneously (they are about half done), so maybe I can have a new sweater soon!

Year End Wrap Up

2012-01-01T11:27:00.000-08:00

2011 ended in a flurry of knitting, mostly for Xmas gifts. After the Noro King shawl, I finished a Moderne Log Cabin blanket for Robin and Karen (Xmas plus wedding gift -- since they eloped, it was okay to be late) that grew to roughly 4 feet by 5.5 feet. I next made a sweater for me (Moravia from Berrocco yarns) that was a quick and fun knit. After that, I made 4 cowls, 3 pair of fingerless mitts, 2 hats, 2 scarves, and 1 toy -- all but one hat and one scarf were/will be given for Xmas gifts!

Kidsilk Creation Scarf for Kerry

Moderne Log Cabin for Robin and Karen

One Cable Mitts for Mom

Simple Hat

Simple Hat for Dad

Fingerless Mitts for Joe

Fetching Mitts for Amanda

Manos Maxima Cowl for Kerry

Silk Garden Cowl for Anna

Paloma Cowl for Sable

Cashmere Cowl for Amanda

Calm Before the Storm

2011-12-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

I've finished wrapping, which means I've finished Xmas gift buying and knitting, at least for everything to be opened tomorrow. The menu is planned and food has been purchased. The house is reasonably neat.

I still need to get a present for a two year old nephew that I won't see until next week (his sister's present is wrapped and ready to be delivered).

I still need to finish a scarf for my nephew (probably will see him in January) and knit a cowl for my son's girlfriend, who will visit for New Year's. Yarns have been purchased, so I am good to go.

I am busy on a stealth project which may be gifted tomorrow, or might wait a few days. Joe is busy fixing a dead hard drive, so he is too distracted to notice what I am knitting.

All three kids will sleep here tonight (hooray!). We will have 14 guests for Xmas dinner, 7 sleepover guests, and 10 for breakfast on Monday (plus the 5 of us).

I can hardly wait.

Photos to follow.

In which math failed me and all seemed lost

2011-11-22T09:23:00.001-08:00

I did some serious shopping at the Labor Day weekend sales this year, including buying two balls of Noro King for a shawlette. My basic geometry rule for right triangle shawls knit from the center neck outward is each successive ball of yarn will create half as many rows as its predecessor. This was a basic garter stitch shawl: cast on 3 stitches provisionally, knit 3 garter ridges, pick up 3 stitches from one side, pick up the 3 cast on stitches, and knit every row (right side rows are increased a few stitches in from the each end and on either side of the center stitch, wrong side rows are knit plain).

The shawlette was progressing quite well. It became clear after I had started ball number two that blocking could be a challenge due to fiber content (it is only 20% wool and not particularly stretchy), so I decided to instead bind off with a garter lace edging that was knit sideways. I calculated the number of stitches needed for the edging and worked backward from my calculated total row count to come up with my new bind off row.

Just to be safe, I stopped two rows early to give myself extra yarn. I also made the edging a few stitches narrower for the same reason.

I ran out of yarn with less than 6" of edging left to complete.

The only thing I could figure out might have happened is that Noro is sometimes less than precise in its windoffs (I once bought a ball of Silk Garden Sock that weighed 82 grams), and maybe ball #2 had less yarn than #1.

I returned to Yarndogs to buy another ball (they had several more when I left the sale), but they were all sold out.

At this point I contemplated ripping out my entire edging and reknitting it slightly narrower. I thought about how that might make the yarn look worse. I thought about how much I liked the way the shawl looked now.

I decided to search the net for other balls of this colorway of King. Turns out it is fairly uncommon, but Webs had a few balls.

I bought the two balls (thinking the leftover could be a scarf) and was pleasantly surprised when they arrived. The colors looked very similar to what I had, and I was able to finish the shawlette quickly.

I only noticed after I finished that they were the same dyelot. Massachusetts and California -- what is the likelihood of that?

Travel knitting revisited

2011-08-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

My final packing decision: the Cuvier scarf, the Phinney sweater, the Rockin Sox WIP, 2 balls of Panda Soy, 1 ball of Regia (Fassett) Random Stripe, a baggy with leftover sock yarn, and another Universal scarf that I started Friday night after finishing the rest of my packing.

I never touched the Cuvier scarf, the sweater, or the socks in progress.

That doesn't mean I didn't complete any projects.

First, my non-knit projects:

From top to bottom, a decorated tote bag, a gecko made of seed beads strung on copper wire, an Anthropologie-style necklace from beads and fabric, some modular origami, and duct tape wallets.

I learned how to crochet well enough to make this slouch hat in Bamboo Ewe:

I also finished knitting the Universal Scarf (this one is in Plymouth Encore), a beaded necklace called Butin Collar, and a beaded cuff bracelet called Thrice (2 views). The latter two were designed by Laura Nelkin and were published in her Adorn Collection.

I also started a pair of Lacy Rib Socks (from the Little Box of Socks) in the Stained Glass colorway of Panda Soy. Last night I finished sock #1. The lace doesn't show up that well in the photo but should be obvious when I wear them.

Now that I'm home and I'm almost caught up with non-profit and household work, I plan to get back to my 10 rows per week goal on the Moderne Log Cabin and finish the above socks before starting anything new.

Travel knitting

2011-08-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

Our annual trip to Fallen Leaf Lake is coming up, and I have been so busy with other activities that I haven't yet figured out what knitting to pack. Last year I took a partially finished Moderne Log Cabin for my niece Amanda and yarn for the Skeldon cardigan from Berrocco Campus. I finished the blanket and got about 2/3 of the way through the sweater during our week at camp. As added insurance, I also brought yarn for socks for my Mom (cast on at camp, but completed January of this year), and Handwerks yarn for a scarf (knit about 10" at camp, then decided to rip and reknit in a different pattern; stuck at 16" in current pattern and shown below).

I know from past experience that I am happiest with a variety of projects to choose from, both in yarn weight and type of knitting.

I am planning on bringing a scarf for nephew (Christmas present) in Ultra Alpaca Light, one or two pair of socks, and a sweater for myself. The scarf, Cuvier from Berrocco Men, is kitted up, but not yet begun; it has a lot of texture, but no lace or cables. I have two different pair of socks at the partway through cuff of sock #1 phase, but am not yet convinced if either will make the cut. The first sock is from the May Rockin Sock shipment; this design is heavily textured and includes cables. The other is from Sock Knitting Master Class by Ann Budd; it will be a French Market Sock and is knit in 3 colors of shetland wool.

Similarly, I have two partially completed cardigans (Rafik in green and Mondo in navy), but am leaning toward starting something else (maybe with some colorwork instead of just texture). As you may be able to see, both are cabled, but the Mondo is mostly stockinette.

I am thinking that I may have too much similarity and/or complexity here. Maybe the Phinney top from Berrocco #302 (I have the yarn in dark teal (body) and deep raspberry (yoke)).

Maybe I should finish last year's scarf instead of one pair of socks (it is lace).

And maybe I should stop overthinking this.

Great tip for "endless" knitting

2011-08-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

I was reading the current issue of Knit 'n Style, and an article by Jack Lewis caught my eye. He wrote about how some projects can seem impossible to finish because there is so much more knitting to be done (and how that is a likely point of abandonment).

His solution is to break down large projects into smaller pieces and tell himself something like: "Just 4 more rows and I'll be done with the waist shaping.". He says he breaks down a sweater into 20 or more components and ALWAYS takes a break after finishing a "section".

I thought about the Moderne Log Cabin and its seemingly endless rows of garter stitch. I analyzed what was left to knit, and realized that if I knit 10 rows every week, I would be done in early December, plenty of time before Christmas.

I decided to start today. Instead of knitting 2 rows a day for the next 5 days, I knit 10 rows today. The blanket has been put aside for now, and I am that much closer to finishing it.

The best part is I feel a sense of accomplishment, and I look forward to my next 10 row installment (I will finish block #8 at that time).

Nothing Lasts Forever

2011-08-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

Certainly not my mindless knitting jag. I was able to finish my lovely cowl (on the needles last post).

I also finished my Pebble Beach top, which was mindless other than minor shaping once I passed the armholes. Thanks to Carol O. for the great picture!

I managed to get partway through block #8 out of 10 on the Moderne Log Cabin blanket I've been making for my brother and his wife when it hit me: this is ENDLESS! The problem with this project is the last few blocks are significantly larger than the rest, so the blanket drags on forever in its final stages. I've decided they will receive it for Christmas, which gives me plenty of time (as long as I budget about 10 rows per week).

I have moved on to fun stuff. The twins turn 23 this week, and I have knit amigurami for each (both from the Mochimochiland site). Kerry gets Flushie and Professor Plunger and Alex gets Error. These were fun, fast knits that took less than a week to complete despite numerous distractions.

Mindless Knitting

2011-07-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

We knitters, being normal humans, like to classify our world. The yarn and projects we have are classified as stash, UFOs, and WIPs, and become FOs when they go out of the project room and into the closet or into a gift recipient's hands. We also tend to classify the difficulty of our projects.

Currently, I am on a mindless knitting jag. I have a mindless portable project, perfect for bringing along for car rides and endless soccer/hockey/name-your-sport games. This cowl is in Noro Chirimen (a finer gauge version of Taiyo) and is a 2 row lace pattern that is a 3 stitch repeat. You can't get much simpler than that, and since it is a one ball project, it certainly qualifies as portable. My rule for mindlessness in portable projects is that I need to be able to figure out where I am in the pattern within a minute of putting the project in my hands. This guy falls into the 10 second category. The other qualification (which also goes for the nonportable projects) is that I should be able to avoid staring at my knitting. I do look down at this one, but I can knit a fair amount in the dark.

This cowl is living on my bedside table when it isn't in the car.

I am also working away on a mindless project which quickly grew out of the portable phase. This is the Moderne Baby Blanket (Mason-Dixon Knitting) that I am making for my brother and his wife. Since it is pure garter stitch, the mindless factor is high. I only need to look at what I'm doing when I'm picking up for a new color.

I hope the enjoyment of mindlessness lasts long enough to finish this big guy off.

Knitting Progress and Redirection

2011-07-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

The good news is I have finished almost everything listed in my last post as "current projects". Here is the Universal Scarf in Classic Elite Princess and another in Trekking Fach (leftover from the February Skacel knitalong project).

I also finished the June Trekking knitalong project (some cuffless socks).

Here are the March Rockin' Socks Club socks. I knit Merry Socksters and each sock is slightly different (I didn't notice until I finished the second sock). They are still cute and comfortable.

The only WIP I mentioned last time that is still unfinished is the Pebble Beach top in Classic Elite Sprout. It is, however, about 80% complete. I got impatient and added the scarf at the neckline even though it weighs down the knitting.

Dad's birthday was July 3rd and he always likes a new hat, so I knitted him one from Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash (denim blue). It is soft and very thick with so much texture.

Although Dad's hat distracted me from my goal of finishing the Pebble Beach top for a few days, the bigger distraction came from my brother. He has been dating Karen for 10 years and introducing her to everyone as his fiancee for the past 8. A few weeks ago they eloped (they are both in their 50s and have been married before, so I guess they decided this time to be a bit more casual). After getting over the shock, I spent at least a week trying to figure out what to get them. I settled on a throw, then spent days going through every book of afghan designs I own. I finally remembered that the Moderne Baby Blanket (from Mason-Dixon Knitting) always looks great and that I had a dozen skeins of Lamb's Pride (5 colors) that I could make it from. I just started block #4 tonight. My goal is to finish it before our family party on July 30th.

Actually, my goal is to finish well before then so I can knit other things this month besides garter stitch!

PS: Spotted some yarnbombing at Menlo School the other day.

Been busy lately?

2011-06-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

I have.

Not just knitting, by the way. May has become almost as big a month for nonprofits as October around here, so I've been running around to events, PLUS all the nonprofits I'm involved with seem to have something big going on. For Peninsula Bridge, we're knee deep in the process of hiring a new executive director. I'm on the hiring committee, and I think we're finally close to making a decision. Our board meetings are also more frequent as we manage this transition. I signed up to be a lead partner (used to be called liaison) for SV2's latest education grantee, Partners in School Innovation, and in addition to what I did in May I have at least 2 more lengthy meetings in the next few weeks (wrapping up the contract and analyzing their fundraising program). I also was involved with the international grant round and am on the consulting team for their grantee, Blue Planet Network. DCP just had their 8th graduation; I announced the scholarship winners (our committee spent numerous hours in April and May evaluating the candidates and making our decisions). Kids in Common was the quietest of my nonprofits (mostly emails and phone calls this month). Dana and I are interviewing a prospective board member on Monday and will be planning the next week's Vision Council meeting agenda as well. Friday of Memorial Day weekend was Menlo School's benefit, and as assistant treasurer I spent many hours posting credit card transactions, making bank deposits, and making sure everything tied out. The money is still coming in, but it should soon slow to a trickle. I'm also on an ad hoc committee of nonprofits, schools, government agencies, funders, and community volunteers working to increase the number of first generation students to graduate from college. We've been at this about a year now, mostly doing research and trying to decide how we could be most effective; a great opportunity dropped into our laps (College Day across all of San Jose Unified School district from kindergarten through 12th grade) and we are now scrambling to make the most of it.

To be able to sleep at night after all this excitement, I have been knitting routinely. Here's what I've done:

Finished the April socks from the Trekking KAL:

I also finished the May socks. It may not be visible here, but the back of the leg is eyelet rib and I mirror imaged the lace design on the top of the foot and front of the leg.

I also finished the Almost Saintly socks.

I made another baby surprise jacket. Joe says I can't give this one to charity, but need to save it for someone who'll appreciate the sophisticated colors.

I also made a few scarves. This is a honey cowl (thanks to Carol Glasstone for alerting me to this lovely design) I made for Joan, the woman I volunteer for at Menlo.

I finally finished the first of four "nano" scarves from Morehouse. These designs are all based on microscopically close color photographs of living things and knit in laceweight single ply merino. The one below is based upon diatoms.

Another cowl, this time in my own lacy pattern in Noro Taiyo (cotton silk blend). It's a good weight for a late spring /early fall accessory.

And finally, a Universal Scarf (Vicky Square design from last week's Knitting Daily post). This is in navy (not the bright blue it seems to be) Crystal Palace Iceland.

What am I knitting now? Another Universal Scarf, this time in mint Classic Elite Princess, the June Trekking socks, the March Blue Moon kit (Merry Sockster socks in Electric Koolaid Acid Test), and a top in lime Classic Elite Sprout (Pebble Beach from a new CE booklet).

Finally banished the boggarts!

2011-04-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

It took awhile.

First, as my friend Suzi put it, I needed a "palate cleanser". Two baby hats and one baby sweater later, I was finally ready to plunge ahead full speed on the March Trekking socks.

This time, I went with needles just a bit smaller than called for, test fit the first sock every few inches, and IT WORKED! I finished the dreaded design a day before the contest deadline and got confirmation from Skacel that I had submitted in time. Here's a snap of the finished socks:

I like this colorway (a gently striped green Pro Natura) better than the suggested yarn (a bright rainbow), and will definitely get a lot of wear from these socks.

Here is a picture of the sock monkey I knit in March (my only FO for the month -- I told you the boggarts were persistent!). As you can see, it is quite large.

I am making progress on other socks now. Here is the first completed Almost Saintly Sock:

The April Trekking Knitalong sock is coming along nicely. I am up to date with the instructions published so far (and yes, I've tried it on). Here's a pic:

Last night I was able to knit and relax with a few knitting friends. I was the only one working on socks. The sweaters, skirt, and baby blanket were all lovely; I think it will soon be time to get back to larger projects.

Of course, there is that Rockin' Sock club March shipment calling to me...

Boggart attack!

2011-03-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

As fans of Harry Potter may remember, boggarts are malevolent household sprites that do things like make milk spoil and steal small items. I have decided that this house has a boggart who took a liking to my March Trekking socks.

I was through the cuff and heel on my fourth try at sock number 1 when I took a good, hard look. The sock was approximately the correct dimensions, but all that ripping and reknitting had seriously compromised the yarn. In a word, it looked ratty. Since I did not think I had enough untouched yarn to knit a fresh pair of socks, I did something I haven't ever done before: I tossed the WIP and its attached yarn in the trash (removed the needles and marker first, of course).

After giving myself a few days to recover, I returned to Green Planet for replacement yarn. They did not have any more March yarn in stock, of course, so I went with a slightly striped Trekking Pro Natura in greens and blues. I cast on for a FIFTH time a few nights ago on size 2.75 mm needles and made it through 2 repeats before going to bed. The next day I picked up my knitting to find that one needle had disappeared. It turns out that the one size of sock length dps I have ZERO extras for (go figure) is 2.75 mm.

I searched for the boggarted needle for two days, knitting (much slower than usual) on three needles before breaking down and buying a new set of needles today. Five repeats into the cuff for sock #1 it finally looks decent.

Wikipedia says if I hang up a horseshoe I can keep the boggart away. I may need to try that.

PS: My output this month was negligible. One sock monkey, half an Almost Saintly Sock, a quarter of a Mondo Cable Cardi (from Noro Retro purchased at Stitches), and a minimal amount of my March Trekking sock. On top of that, I seriously added to my stash at Stitches and the latest Rockin' Sock Club shipment arrived yesterday (Electric Kool Aid Acid Test -- 'nuf said).

Pictures to follow once I actually finish something.

Three times was NOT the charm

2011-03-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

The cuff on version 3 of the sock fit (barely) after a few repeats. It still fit (barely) after a few more.

I then remembered that sometimes socks, even those out of super wash wool, shrink slightly in the washer. Instead of taking the risk of not being able to wear the socks after the first time, I ripped again.

Since the cast on seemed plenty loose, I left it and the initial rows (all garter) intact. My new plan is this:

Cast on, all garter sections, and sole of foot will all be knit on size 2 1/2 mm needles.

Chevron sections will all be knit on size 3 mm needles.

Thus far, I have knit 4 repeats on the cuff. The cast on garter edge no longer ruffles and the circumference is a comfortable 8 1/4". It also stretches more than it did when I knit the same pattern on smaller needles.

I would have been much better off being a blind follower.

Three times a charm?

2011-03-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to participate in all six months of the Trekking knit along sponsored by Skacel. January and February went very well, and were completed without a hitch before month end. The challenge was to finish each by the 15th of the following month. No problem, I thought.

I may have changed my mind.

I started a complex Lucy Neatby sock pattern in late February (a Stitches purchase from Shelridge Farm) as I waited for March to be posted. I was flying through this sock so the knit along would be a snap. No problem.

I cast on for March with the suggested needle size (3 mm), even though that seemed awfully big. The designer said this particular chevron pattern knitted up tightly. My sock cuff was 9 1/2" around without any stretching, so I decided some serious needle reduction was needed. I went down to 2 mm. It looked good, was about 7 1/2" around (smaller than I expected), so I knitted through the heel and started the foot.

I finally got the brains to try it on.

I couldn't. There was zero stretch in this chevron pattern.

I ripped out (AGAIN) and tried with 2 1/2 mm needles. This time the cuff fits (barely) and it isn't as sloppy as the first time.

Wish me luck.

PS: I finished the sock monkey (it is WAY cute), got most of the way through sock number one of the Neatby project, and got several inches below the armpits on a top down cardigan in Noro Retro (another Stitches purchase). All three of those are more complex than these socks, but all have gone much more smoothly. Go figure.

Snow in Saratoga! (California, that is)

2011-03-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

I finished Rocky's sweater (see previous post) a day before the snow arrived. He really needed it!

Here are a couple of views at our house. These pictures were taken at around 6:30 am, before the sun was up sufficiently to start melting the snow. The snow was less than an inch thick at the deepest point.

You can see Justin having a grand time before going back to bed for another 4 hours (he is a teenager, after all).

Flurry of FOs in February, Spring Startitis, and Stitches West

2011-03-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

First, the good news: I actually completed seven items this past month, despite a slow start. As I stood in line for Stitches West's market on Friday, I completed a shawl collared vest which I wore the rest of the day. This is one of the hot knits these days at Green Planet Yarns; mine is in Lamb's Pride Bulky instead of the called for Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande. Here it is in progress, and after completion:

I also finished Rockin Sock Club January '11 socks, Social Network by Lucy Neatby. I showed them to the ladies in their SW booth, and they said it was the first completed pair they had seen. I really enjoyed making them, and they are very comfortable to wear.

I made lots of purchases at Stitches, as usual, but have already finished a Kerr Cowl (in Berrocco Borealis) and Ali's Cap (in Marion Foales 2 ply) from my new stash. The latter was sold as a kit to benefit a wildlife fund; you can see me posed with Ali MacGraw (the inspiration for the design) below.

Another FO for February was the Trekking Knitalong project, a pair of fingerless mitts. The "cable" is made with twisted stitches so it went very fast. I have not yet cast on the March project, but expect to within the week.

Our dog, Rocky, is quite elderly (we got him as an adult rescue dog a little over 16 years ago) and has lost some of his muscle mass in the past six months. The vet says he needs to wear a sweater, and loves this one I knit him a week and a half ago. He used to bite and pull off any sweater we'd try to put on him, but now he seems to look forward to having it on. This is the standard sweater from Dogs in Knits.

With the leftover yarn, I knit a hat for charity, just in time to meet my resolution deadline.

I've had a bit of startitis lately, and don't know how much is due to the yarn fumes from Stitches' market (and my new purchases) and how much is due to anticipation of the onset of spring. All of the February FOs were started and finished during the month, so I had no impact on the number of items on my WIP/UFO list. This month, I've started a sock monkey, something I've always wanted for some strange reason (maybe because Mom said no way would she let me cut up a perfectly good pair of socks to make a toy). The ears, muzzle, arms, and tail are complete, and I'm stuffing the legs/body unit as I go.

This weekend, I started a pair of socks (another Stitches West purchase). They are Lucy Neatby's Almost Saintly Socks (because they are so "holey") in Shelridge Farm's sock yarn (the variegated is a one-off). I stuffed the cuff with tissue to make the design clearer.

A later post will include a few more pictures and notes from Stitches.

Forgotten Resolutions, WIPing along, and an fo (not an FO)

2011-02-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

I have a few more resolutions for 2011 that I forgot to list in the last post.

Knit at least one item for charity each month. In January, I made the five Special Olympics scarves plus I delivered some baby hats to Green Planet Yarn to send off to Save the Children's Caps for Good program (the hats were knit in December).

Complete at least one pair of socks per month. Since I'm not as organized as the Yarn Harlot, I have not pre-kitted any projects, but I would like to decrease my sock yarn stash a bit. Again, I did well in January with three pair finished.

In both of the above cases, my version of the resolution does not allow for knitting ahead, so every month is a fresh start.

I was happily knitting away on a WIP from late last year, the Sag Harbor Cardigan (a

Tahki design) in Berrocco's Blackstone Tweed, when I got the urge to finish off the Barn Raiser Quilt Square (see last post) in Tofutsie. It then occurred to me that I could probably make an entire BRQ square from the emergency sock yarn samples Blue Moon sent with the 2010 Rockin' Sock Club shipments. I was just finishing with the last bit of that yarn (short by a few rounds) when the January 2011 shipment arrived. The first kit of the year is colorwork socks, so there were TWO mini-skeins -- just enough for the rest of the square! This is my "fo" (as opposed to FO).

As for the lovely Sag Harbor, it has been tossed aside

(temporarily, I hope, since I could really use it). The colorwork socks were just too hard to resist (and I DO have that sock knitting resolution), so I started those a few nights ago. There were two patterns provided; I chose "Social Network" by Lucy Neatby. I think it works particularly well with the colors (unfortunately, they don't reproduce well in photos), and it uses slightly less yarn than the other option (given my size 10 feet, that was definitely a concern). I've finished the first cuff, which you can see here.

The Trekking February Knitalong has begun, so I have now completed step #1 for the first of

the fingerless gloves. I learned the German Twist cast on (I've done this once before, but I think incorrectly, as I was trying to follow written instructions translated from German), and really like the way it looks and feels. The cables are attractive and quick to memorize. Here's my cuff.

Knitting Resolutions/Best Intentions and a Few FOs

2011-01-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

Last year I vowed to knit more than I bought. It was clear by the time I finished with Stitches West Market, I was not going to achieve that. Since last February, I have catalogued my stash (at least the yarns and kits) with the idea that self-knowledge is power. I ended the year knitting up only slightly fewer projects than I bought, but I added more yarn to the stash than I knitted up. I also reduced the number of WIPs and UFOs, mostly by finishing them off.

This year, I have the following knitting goals:

Complete more knitted projects than I purchase. Based on last year, I don't think this should be a stretch goal.
Knit up (into finished projects) more balls/skeins of yarn than I purchase.
Do not buy or start any sweaters in linen stitch. Completing one already in progress would be more than okay.
Decrease the number of WIPs/UFOs by at least 10%. This could be major league difficult.
Continue to catalog my stash, WIPs, and finished projects. Photograph as many as is feasible.

Less than a month into the year, I'm happy to report that I'm not doing too badly. First off, the FOs (all since January 1st):

Trekking Knitalong January socks (mine are in Trekking Pro Natura)

Two more pair of socks (those on left are for Mother's Day gift for Mom and those on the right are my own toe-up design in Kroy FX)

Five scarves for Winter Special Olympics (I still have a small amount of Red Heart Super Saver if anyone wants it)

A Fair Isle tam knit in Fresco (Jared Flood design) which will be a present

And one more Barn Raiser Quilt square (this one is in leftover Tofutsie)

In comparison to my goals, I've completed 3 more knitted projects than I've bought (two of the pair of socks were from yarn purchased this year, and I don't count the BRQ square as a completed knitted project), I've decreased my WIPs by 2, and I've only bought 1 more ball of yarn than I've knit (I just couldn't resist buying the pattern and yarn to make sock monkeys -- I've wanted one since I was a little kid).

Not bad, but the January Rockin' Socks shipment is likely to arrive tomorrow and Stitches is coming up VERY soon -- so, back to knitting!

Christmas wrap-up

2011-01-15T19:20:00.000-08:00

I'm finally emerging from my post-holiday recovery.

Christmas went very well. We hosted dinner with 33 in attendance. The age range was 2 to somewhere in the mid to upper 80's. There was much craziness, including a White Elephant gift exchange in which Justin received a pair of collectible bears. That in itself would have been a poor choice for a teenage boy, but they also played music (Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing) and moved their mouths in time to the song.

Justin did not complain much when I regifted the bears to Goodwill.

Christmas knitting was kept to a manageable level this year. Amanda liked her alpaca cowl/scarf (the design was from Chicago's Loop, extra appropriate since she's attending school in Chicago). Mom was very happy with her hat and tried to take Dad's two hats plus mitts. Dad was happy that the mitts and at least one hat are way too big for Mom.

My mother-in-law was wearing a scarf I knit for my father-in-law a few years ago. I wonder how long before I start swiping Joe's clothes?

Kerry liked the cowl and capelet I knit her in her favorite colors (a mix of purple, burgundy, and brown -- bruise colors per Joe).

I was glad that several times a year I knit things "on spec". Sometimes I really want to try out a pattern or yarn, but don't need the item I knit and don't have a specific recipient in mind. The morning of the 26th, my parents and in-laws came over for breakfast. My brother, his girlfriend, and her mother were last minute additions. Since we had planned to give the older generation gifts that morning, I needed something quick for Robin, Karen, and Lurene. Robin got wine from our cabinet, Karen got a cowl, and Lurene got a keyhole scarf. All seem pleased.

Procrastination pays off!

2010-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, it pays to let a project sit a bit.

About one ball into reworking the back of the Iro jacket I was able to detect the repeat. Since Iro comes in skeins, not balls, I had not wound all the balls in the same direction. It is an even split between pulling from the inside and unwinding from the outside if I want the repeat to go in the same direction (I do).

Then I looked at the completed sleeve. Knit in the opposite way from the sweater body, of course.

That was the last thing I needed to motivate me to rip and reknit (it is 2 stitches too narrow).

Turns out my UFO was, in effect, an unstarted object (the gauge was right, at least).

Scatter brained

2010-10-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Fall weather is finally here. After a month of fairly productive knitting, I am suddenly antsy again. Somehow a major weather change makes me want to drop everything and try something new.

Sometimes more than one new thing.

I'm trying to deal with this in a way that will actually result in more than half a dozen new UFOs.

Approach #1: I've pulled out my Barn Raiser Quilt squares (I've finished 34 so far) and my version of Shelly Kang's Sock Yarn Blanket and put them neatly in a linen box from Storables along with needles and leftover sock yarn. In the past few days, I've added 7 squares to my SKSYB and gotten halfway through BRQ square #35.

Approach #2: Instead of starting something brand new, I pulled out a jacket I started last winter in Noro Iro. I had stopped this one after one sleeve and half a back because I realized that to make it as long as I wanted, I would need more yarn. By the time I got that yarn, I was, of course, on to another project. It is a good thing I let this one languish because a quick measurement led me to rip out the back and start with a different size.

The good thing about Iro is it is big yarn, so progress is visible in a short time.

Approach #3: I am also rotating through what had been my current projects: a tweedy cardigan (Tahki design, Berrocco yarn), socks (simple slipstitch pattern, Lorna's Laces yarn), and two scarves from kits (one laceweight from Morehouse Farms, one cashmere from Jade Sapphire). This gives me a variety of techniques, colors, gauge, and texture to choose from.

Approach #4: When I needed an emergency birthday gift for Joe (he had gone and bought himself presents AGAIN less than a week before his day), I got yarn for a ribbed hat for him. I couldn't resist also getting yarn for Xmas knitting. From that purchase, I've made Dad a pair of fingerless mitts and matching hat (both from Knits Men Want), a Soft Structure Cowl for Kerry, an Inside-Outside Cowl (my cowl version of the Inside-Outside Scarf from Knit One Below), plus another hat for Dad from stash. From that purchase, I still have yarn for a hat for Mom (and a vest for myself, but that doesn't count), plus I have stash earmarked for a scarf for my mother-in-law and a hat for my father-in-law. I may shift to one of these when I feel the need for quick gratification.

Approach #5: Charity knitting from stash is my other current option for a brief change and quick sense of accomplishment. I've knit four preemie hats for Save the Children in the past month, all from stash. I've also finished several adult sized hats. The nice thing here is it decreases the amount of storage space devoted to leftovers, and does it faster than approach #1.

I may acquiesce to my impulses anyway. After all, the holidays are coming up and I have this wonderful dressy Rowan sweater that I have all kitted up and ready to go...

Impossible achieved!

2010-06-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was smugly cruising along on my Flabella sock (Blue Moon Rockin' Socks Club January 2010 project).

Smug because:

(a) I had finished sock #1 and it fit well.

(b) I had resisted temptation to put the project aside for something that didn't require such tight tension or focus, thus preventing my WIP/UFO count from rising further.

Cruising along, of course, is a relative term, especially applied to such a fiendish design. I checked stitch count every row, and all was well.

Or so I thought.

Partway through the cuff, I decided to flip my knitting inside out to make sure none of the bobbles was an "innie" instead of an "outie" (if you've knit these socks, you know this can be an issue). I was shocked to find that I had managed to achieve the impossible.

Without making any error in stitch count, I managed to drop two stitches. While ripping back 10 rows and reknitting, I had a lot of time to ponder how I could have done this. My best guess is that the stitches were dropped in a decrease row (I did a k1 instead of a k2tog) and the whole thing held together just long enough for me to miss the mistake. By the time I found it, several more rows had unravelled and multiple stitches were now dropped due to decreases in previous rows.

Or so I think.

Maybe it was just the knitting gremlin getting on my case for being smug.

Olympic Update

2010-02-19T13:13:00.001-08:00

This will be quick, since I'm already WAY behind on my self-imposed schedule. Between last post and this, I finished my cardigan (except for buttons) and another Barn-Raising Quilt square. I also did an extensive gauge swatch prior to the torch lighting and ended up dropping two needle sizes. My plan was to complete the sleeves (1/3 of the knitting) by the end of the day on Wednesday.

If I knit like a demon for the rest of the day and evening, I might finish the second sleeve before bed.

That's two days behind :(

My problems:

I forgot that a tight cast on is imperative for linen stitch (actually the first 10 rows or so as well) to avoid ugly flare. I ripped out and redid all of the opening night knitting.

I forgot that if I lengthened sleeves from 3/4 to full length and tapered the wrists, I just might have to change the rate of increases. Luckily, I caught this error by the elbow of sleeve #1, was only off in my increase positioning by 10 rows (gauge is 25 stitches and 42 rows to 4"), so speeding up the increases was my solution. Looking at sleeve #2, I think a small amount of blocking should make the discrepancy between the sleeves indiscernable.

I had other (non-knitting) activities planned for these two weeks, and none of them seem to be going away.

On the other hand, the fabric thus far is GORGEOUS! I will post a photo at some point.

Back to work...

Knit Olympics here I come!

2010-02-10T20:45:00.000-08:00

An hour and a half after Stephanie Pearl-McPhee posted the sign up list for this year's Knitting Olympics, I signed on. In the spirit of faster, higher, better, I chose a cardigan knit entirely in linen stitch (lots of knitting per inch), that will use roughly 2200 yards of yarn, and that has set-in sleeves (and the body is knit in the round -- the hardest kind of sleeve to make look good). Out of the 17 days (16 24 hour periods), I will spend three out of town visiting a BFF who doesn't knit, one at Stitches West, and at least one full day's worth of time on various non-profit projects.

Not to mention that linen stitch can get very boring very fast. I'm even having difficulty finishing the swatch -- not a good sign.

Lots of challenges, admittedly, but I really think this sweater will be a great addition to my wardrobe, so here goes.

Update on my resolution challenge:

finished the 3 ball scarf for Sloan (in the positive column again for projects and balls of yarn)

blocking a cardigan for myself (6 1/2 balls of yarn) -- hope to finish tomorrow

New Year's Resolutions

2010-02-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in ages, but that doesn't mean I haven't been knitting. My excuse is that I've been far busier with volunteer work than I was two years ago -- I now work one day a week at Justin's school, have moved from Treasurer to Board Chairman of Kids in Common, and spend much more time and effort with SV2. The real reason is that with more limited free time, I'd generally rather knit than write.

Every January, I make a few resolutions. Along with some general platitudes about losing a few pounds and exercising more regularly, I usually have something about getting my stash under control. I have tried "knit more", but didn't necessarily have more completed projects to show for my efforts. I tried "complete more projects", but I seemed to buy faster than I knit, so that didn't help much either. Last year I tried "complete more projects than I buy", but I bought mostly yarn in quantities for sweaters and finished mostly smaller projects. Yarn diets haven't worked for me either (just like starvation diets, there is an overwhelming tendency to binge).

This year, I have a new approach. My goal is to end the year having completed more projects than I bought AND to use up more balls of yarn in those completed projects than I buy. Partially completed projects won't count toward my yarn use goal, since that yarn hasn't yet moved completely out of storage. Balls of yarn used are counted in half ball increments.

I've made the decision not to go out of my way to control the book/pattern portion of my stash, at least not this year. I did weed out a number of books and magazines last fall, and will probably do the same again at some point in 2010.

One month into 2010: where am I?

Bought: 8 projects, 22 balls of yarn

Completed: 8 projects, 21.5 balls of yarn

Close, but not quite where I want to be. The January shipment from Blue Moon's Rockin' Sock Club put me over.

One of the completed projects took a January purchase (one ball, meant for a lace scarf) and combined it with 2 balls from stash (meant for a hat) and repurposed the yarn for a cowl for Kerry. I counted it as one project and 3 balls, but seriously considered cheating and taking credit for another project completed or subtracting a project from the "bought" column. This is the same logic I can use with food diets...

I should finish a 3 ball scarf for my friend Sloan today which will put me back in the plus column for both measures (hooray!).

I have a lot more knitting to complete in the next few weeks if I want to attend the Stitches Market with a reasonably clear conscience. Wish me luck!

PS: I will post photos again soon.

I actually finished my Christmas knitting! *

2007-12-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I didn't finish the three gifts I added to my knitting list on December 23rd in a burst of overly optimistic enthusiasm. Nor did I touch the two "extra" projects (a sweater each for my two older kids) I had in my queue just in case I finished the rest early. BUT I did finish knitting and wrapping every gift I needed to complete for Christmas Day by the morning of Christmas Eve (I don't know if I've ever done this before)! My scarves for friends Dawn and David were wrapped and mailed in time for my daughter to hand deliver them before flying home from college last week.

Here's my FO list (gotta gloat):

2 pair Greenaway Gloves for my two nieces (see previous post)

Reversible Cabled scarf for Dawn (see previous post)

Chattahoochee scarf in DiVe Autumno for David (design in 1/08 Creative Knitting)

identical scarf for my father-in-law

Mistake Stitch Rib scarf in Bouton D'Or Ksar for family friend Douglas

Mistake Stitch Rib hat in Blue Sky Suri Alpaca for my dad (photo coming soon)

Triple Cable scarf in Peruvian Tweed alpaca for my brother

Branching Out scarf in Curious Creek Omo for my brother's fiance

That's six scarves, one hat, and two pair of gloves, all between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I also sewed several gifts: an apron for my daughter, a pair of hotpads for my husband, and a set of placemats and napkins for hubby. I sewed a handful of gift bags as well in my attempt to be a bit more green this year. All but the apron was made in December.

The gifts that I didn't finish? Fetching gloves in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk for my daughter, Dashing gloves in Mission Falls 1824 wool for my older son, and ribbed fingerless gloves in Mission Falls 1824 wool for my youngest son. We're going out to dinner as a family on the 30th, so I plan to give them out then. I've finished my daughter's gloves, am on glove number two for my youngest, and need a few more yards of yarn to finish the dashing gloves for Alex.

Good news and bad news

2007-12-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

The good news is I was invited onto Ravelry today. It's every bit as fun (and addicting) as I thought it would be. The bad news is that it is so much fun exploring and setting up my account that I got no knitting done so far today (as of 8:45 pm).

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my photos and weblinks set up, but I at least have a few rudiments up and running.

Joe's back went out Saturday night. Today was the first time he tried driving anywhere; he lasted a few hours at work. From what I gather, his behavior is typical for sick husbands.

Enough said.

I finished another Christmas gift yesterday, the scarf for family friend Douglas. It is in Mistake Stitch Rib (K2 P2 over a multiple of 4 + 3, ending K2 P1). I used Bouton D'Or Ksar, which is a 50/50 blend of wool and camel hair. It is soft, pale blue, and fairly masculine looking. Four down, and umpteen to go.

Off to knitting the next gift...

Been a busy week

2007-12-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

This was a heavy week for nonprofit work. I had several multi-hour meetings, wrote a meeting summary and action list for a colleague, edited and submitted a two page overview of our grant making group (for marketing purposes), and wrote/submitted a one paragraph version including a calendar (for other marketing purposes). Most of our group's work due before year end is now out of the way, which means I can focus on other non-profit work (and getting ready for Christmas).

I'm making progress on my holiday gift knitting. Since Tuesday I have finished the reversible cabled scarf for Dawn and two pair of fingerless gloves (for my two nieces).

The reversible cabled scarf is based on a class I took the winter of 1992 from Lily Chin. The idea is annoyingly simple: any pattern that looks the same on the front and back will still look the same if you space cables evenly across it. The best effect is from K2P2 ribbing since the purls completely disappear. Knitty.com has a few scarf patterns using this technique (theirs have seed or garter stitch separating the cables, so the resulting scarf is not nearly as thick as mine).

Lily gave her students these guidelines for reversible cables, which I followed in my design:

1) Use much larger needles than usual, since this technique makes for a firm fabric. I used a size 9 needle (5.5 mm) for yarn that called for 3.25-3.75 mm needles. The scarf is still a bit firmer than most scarves, but it does drape pretty well.

2) Use a yarn with at least a bit of a halo (mohair is great). The stitches get a bit distorted in this technique (fuzz makes that less obvious) and big needles means larger air spaces needing some fill in. I used an alpaca yarn with a pronounced halo.

3) Follow the general rules for cables or space them even further apart. The general rule for a cable is to cross it every "x" rows, where "x" is the number of stitches in the cable. For example, a 3x3 cable should be crossed every 6 rows or it will be too tight.

4) Buy lots of yarn. A good rule of thumb is to get twice as much yarn as you normally would for the same length/width scarf. I used 4 balls of light worsted weight yarn (110 yds each) for a scarf that was a little smaller than 5"x6'.

5) Use a split ring marker to mark the front side. Since this is reversible, it is easy to miscount rows and cable on the wrong row. I used a long tail cast on, which has a distinctive right side, to help me keep track.

Here's my pattern. Please send me an email if you like it.

Dawn's Reversible Cabled Scarf

4 skeins Blue Sky Alpaca 100% Alpaca (110 yds, 5-6 st/in)
5.5 mm (US 9) needles
cable needle

Finished size: ~5"x6'

C8L: Put next 8 stitches on cable needle and hold to back of work. Rib next 8 stitches from left hand needle, then rib 8 stitches from cable needle.

Cable repeat:

Row 1: Rib 16 sts, C8L, rib 16 sts.
Rows 2-8: Rib.
Row 9: C8L, rib 16 sts, C8L.
Rows 10-16: Rib.

Cast on 48 stitches.

Knit 11 rows K2, P2 rib. Start cable repeat on row 12.

Continue until you are running low on yarn or are happy with scarf length. End scarf with a row 1, then 11 rows of rib. Cast off in rib.

I made my scarf with 20.5 repeats and ended with less than 1 yard of yarn left over.

Here's a close up of the cables.

For the fingerless gloves for my nieces, I used a web pattern (from Purl Bee) called Greenaway Gloves. The original was knit in Alchemy Sanctuary; I used Alchemy Migration (same yardage, same gauge; 30% silk, 70% merino). One skein should be enough for three gloves (1.5 pair). This yarn is so gorgeous that I plan to use up every yard of left over (maybe as cuffs for other pairs of gloves).

I hope the gloves go over well. Justin says fingerless gloves are considered fashionable at his school (a good sign, I hope).

Christmas came early this year

2007-11-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

When Alex was home for Thanksgiving break, Joe asked everyone what they wanted for Christmas. Justin was the first to answer (with a video game, of course). Alex and Joe hemmed and hawed a bit, then I piped up that I'd like them to set up a blog for me and tutor me on particulars (like uploading photos). There was stunned silence at the dinner table, then several comments along the line of "well, I didn't expect THAT, did you?"

Less than a week later, here I am with my new toy. Wonder if they'll have anything for me under the tree (I have more than a few ideas)?

I've been keeping a diary of sorts of my knitting projects (in the works and/or completed) for years. Early on, the diary included detailed how-to notes, which were great for reference use. I became a lazier writer as years went by, and I started only listing completed projects. My how-to notes moved to post-its which eventually would get lost or lose their meaning to me; I have several self-designed or heavily modified projects I began years ago that have been sitting half finished since I can't find my notes and haven't taken the time to recreate them.

My intention is to use this blog for both purposes.

What's on the needles now:

I've dropped several projects for me (the Modern Quilt Wrap from Folk Knits and the Ella Jacket from Simply Shetland 4) in order to try to crank out as many Christmas gifts as possible in the next four weeks. I am almost done with the first item, a reversible cabled scarf knit from sportweight alpaca for my friend Dawn. Here's what else I hope to finish:

fingerless gloves for my two nieces
a lace scarf for my brother's fiancee Karen
a camel/merino (Ksar) scarf for family friend Douglas
scarves for my father, father-in-law, and brother, all of alpaca or alpaca/merino blends
scarf for Dawn's husband Dave from stash yarn I received from his mother's estate

If the above are finished quickly, I'll work on the sweater-from-hell for my daughter Kerry. This is the sweater she requested in early 2005; I mistakenly said "yes" before hearing what she wanted: solid black, 6 stitch to the inch or finer, covered in cables, and machine washable (but not cotton). She won't accept a machine knit sweater from a store, and every design I presented required some pattern changes (has to be hip length, fitted, v neck, and 3/4 sleeves). I'm on my second attempt (about halfway up the back, no other pieces knit).

No matter how far along I am, this sweater will be put aside the moment she returns to college (I despise knitting this sweater only slightly less than I love my daughter). Do others have projects they hate, but must complete for whatever reason? How does one get through to the end?

My mother-in-law received the Daisy scarf from Rowan #36 (knit in sportweight alpaca/silk from Blue Sky) for her birthday last week, so she gets store bought gifts this year. My youngest announced last month that "only nerds wear sweaters these days", so, having learned my lesson when the twins were younger, I won't knit for him this year. My mother usually complains about what I give her, so I decided to go almost exclusively store bought for her presents (it seems to lessen the pain a bit). Joe is making presents for his sister and her husband, so that's two more off my "to knit" list.

Since Alex and Joe both know about this blog, I won't post hints about what I might or might not have planned for them.

Back to my needles...