Not Gauge

So, let's face it, gauge is important. Right? Well, yeah. So, what I am going to tell you next is going to make you cringe. I never swatch. Nope, never. Therefore, I have no idea if I have gauge or not when making anything. No seriously.

Ok, let me explain. Most of what I make is baby/child clothes. I have two girls who are five years apart. Therefore, if it doesn't fit one, it's bound to fit the other some time. I also make socks. Socks generally are worked on a fairly standard number of stitches; therefore no gauge needed there either. And, up until just recently, I didn't make sweaters. Nope. Never.

Until now. Enter Emerald. So pretty. So soft. And, knit on such freakin big needles that I am having trouble getting gauge. I have tried going up an entire needle size (and trust me that's a huge difference between US 10 and 11). Luckily, the designer of the pattern is also my LYS owner, so after a quick call to her (and a brief refresher in how gauge works) and things are back on track. Hopefully.

I must admit, I am still nervous. It seems as though it may be just me overthinking things here, but sweaters have so many things which can go horribly wrong. The fit might not be right. The sleeves might be too short or too long. The dang thing might end up way too short. And, things like waist shaping and sort rows for the collar may not end up in the right place.

I love this sweater. I love the yarn. Please, Sweater Gods, help me to make this sweater fit perfectly.

Oh yeah, next post? Another unauthorized review of Cat Bordhi's new book and possibly a secret to share...

Random Thing Thursday

Just a few random things this Thursday to report.

1. Halloween was a hit at our house. I have one very satisfied and sugar bombed Turtle to prove it. Bunny & Daddy stayed out for an hour and a half(!) and only came home because the bag (and Daddy's pockets) was too full to shove any more candy into. Of course, Mommy took her usual cut of the candy...

2. The first Endpaper Mitt is almost off the needle. As soon as I have an hour to myself (and by this I mean without any children or Husband around), the tubular castoff will be learned, memorized, and completed and the next mitt will jump its way onto my needles. Wish me luck in finding that elusive hour...

3. I have a number of small things to finish on the baby cardi's I am working on. Steam blocking is required in one case - heh. What I want to know is who actually steam blocks a baby cardigan?!? Silly pattern designers.

4. I am working on a secret pattern design that may be avaliable soon to the general public. Can't discuss it just yet though. Stay tuned...

A Little Love (and sleep) Goes a Long Way

Sanity has been (somewhat) restored to my house. After getting two nights worth of (mostly) adequate sleep, a little understanding from TG, and some love from my friends - your comments were most appreciated and really made my day! - I feel so much better.

Although life still has its ups and downs (Bunny tipped Monkey out of her Bumbo chair onto her face today after school) we can all cope so much better when we are heard and supported. You all are the best!

And, because I did promise knitting content today - here is an in progress pic of a pair of socks which are destined for my sister for Christmas. Too cute and apparently the fit is perfect. She just couldn't wait...

Stash Busting? Oh yeah.

Well, the self imposed yarn diet is working. I have been simultaneously knitting from my stash and fending off yarn cravings. It's been tough, but I am making it. I even went to two yarn stores on Tuesday and didn't buy a single thing!!

I am also making tons of progress on the projects I have been working on. First up, the Chunky Monkey Cardigan from Knitting for Two by Erica Knight. This has turned out to be such an instant gratification knit. Knit in Summer Tweed on US size 6 needles makes for a fast knit. I think that this project may have been knit fast enough that it will actually even fit Monkey once it is done.

As well, I am working on Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. These are also an instant gratification knit and despite all the fairisle, are working up super quickly. I am not in love with the Italian Tubular Cast On, but once you get past that part, the mitts really speed along. There may be a class avaliable at my LYS in the near future - stay tuned for details.

Otherwise, on the baby front, both Bunny and Monkey are sick with colds again, which makes for some less than happy childrens. Will this ever end?? Or, am I in for a really miserable winter filled with sucky sick children??

Cat Bordhi, You are a Genius... (my unauthorized review of her new book)

Two weeks ago, I managed to get one of the last copies of Cat's new book - New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One at my LYS and it was such a treat to open the book and know instantly that almost every single sock design (and let me tell you, there are a ton) was something that would not only give me a beautiful and well designed pair of socks, but would also expand my knitting skills and open my mind to a completely new way of making socks.




The best part of the book, in my opinion, is that every time I work a new sock, I am being challenged to work the construction of the sock in a new and completely different way. Cat has reworked the standard sock heel and introduced new methods for working the gusset of each sock so that patterning and textures can be introduced where none was possible before.




Also, Cat Bordhi has ensured that knitters of all skill levels are able to work the sock patterns in her book by introducing the patterns in smaller versions (designed in baby sizes) using worsted weight yarn. As well, she ensures success by using well placed and easy to understand diagrams of each technique, lettered markers, and separate instructions which outline the major techniques (such as how to conceal short row wraps) which need to be mastered in order to complete the sock.


In short, a well designed and thought out book! I can't wait to continue my way through the book. I suspect that this book will expand the ability of sock pattern designers and we as sock knitters will begin to see the construction techniques making their way into more and more new sock patterns.


I have worked two of the sock patterns in this book so far and intend to continue to unofficially review each design in this book as I move along.

Busy Bee, Busy Me

So much has happened in the last nine days. We have all had the flu, myself and Monkey included, which has contributed to the lack of blog posting. Also, I have been gearing up to teach my sock class 101 that I committed to teaching at Make One on Monday nights. Concidentially, I taught my first class while at the height of illness and was running a fever at the same time. Talk about being out of it. I am apparently very good at faking being ok as I called my best friend after the class and she let me know that I sounded a little euphoric and not at all like my usual self. I did manage to get everyone knitting in the round (and not backwards apparently) by the end of the class so, I guess, all's well that ends well. Right? Right.

I do have some finished projects and some that are nearing completion to show you. After seeing some of the baby sized Odessa's on Ravelry, I decided that I desperately needed one right now and cast on last week. This is the end result and I must say, I am very pleased with the results.

Incidentally, I have no idea what the dangling threads are hanging out of the bottom of the hat. Rest assured, they do not exist in real life. I am chalking them up to photography error.

I also picked up Cat Bordhi's new book and I love all the sock designs. So, I have decided to work my way from the front to the back of the book. The minute I got the book home, I cast on for the Baby Sky socks. They are such an amazingly well written pattern and so interesting to knit. I know it will sound incredibly cheesy, but this is the best sock book I have ever bought - and I have only knit the first pattern.

Finally, I returned the yarn that I was originally going to use to make Emerald (I fell out of love with the color) and in accordance with the watch agreement, was able to pick up four skeins of Tilli Thomas Voile de la Mer in American Beauty. Totally Scrummy! I am planning to use this to make the Hanging Garden stole by Sivia Harding. Apparently, this is a very good beginner lace project - we shall see. I figure if I set aside 30 minutes each night and retreat to another (kid-free) room, it will be done by this time next year.

Goodbye Old Friends

Well, the cats were delivered to their new home on Saturday night. I have been assured by TG that they have been delievered into a very nice home with very nice people. Still I am sad. I had a bit of a minor meltdown on Saturday night as TG was carting them away and have not been able to bring myself to phone the nice people who have taken them and see how they are all getting along. I really do miss them and it's so hard not to have them here with me, snuggling in bed and purring away.

Anyway, despite all the sad, I have managed to get my Monkey socks done. I love the way that they turned out.




Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Socks That Rock - Walkin on the Wild Tide
Needle: 2.75mm (US 2)
Modifications: I made the leg a little shorter by doing one less repeat of the pattern and since the yarn has no nylon in it, I substituted a slipstich heel for the short row one which will hopefully make for longer wearing socks. Next on the sock needles - a plain cuff down sock knit in Cherry Tree Hill Merino in the Quarry Hill colorway. These will be my demo socks for the sock class I am teaching at Make 1 starting Sept 24.

Bunny Candy Tuesday

I managed to convince Bunny to try on the dress yesterday and let me take some photos. Actually, she was more than willing to wear the dress - she would wear it to bed if I let her - but the photos, not so much. So, without further ado; here is the dress...

Wild Monkeys (all worn out)

Well, we went to the wedding this weekend and while it was a wonderful affair, I am extremely tired and so is Husband. And the kids? Exhausted. Seriously. They actually slept all the way home which gave Husband and I an hour and a half of relative relaxation.

It was quite the weekend, between trying to pack for four people, making sure the formal clothes, gift and all baby/ child related accessories made it to the hotel for the Big Night. No small feat, let me tell you. And, forgetting anything was not an option as the hotel was an hour and a half away!

So, given the fact that I was responsible for packing everything, making sure that all four people were properly outfitted and on time for every part of the evening, this should explain why I didn't get a single picture taken of anything all night. Nope. Not a one. Jeez. Not a single picture of the happy couple, not a picture of the beautiful venue, and most upsetting, not a single picture of Hubby, myself, or the kids. Sigh. Fortunately, I am almost positive that the good friends that were there with us did take copious photos of the evening, so, hopefully one of them took a photo of the dress I made for Bunny. I will let you know soon.

Otherwise, I completely missed the deadline to get my SAM4 KAL socks in for August. I should have them done in a few days, which I guess will make them September's socks. Oh well. I really wanted a pair of Monkey's for myself since I sent my last pair to my Sockapalooza4 buddy. I did a search on Ravelry and stumbled across the most beautiful pair of Monkey socks, which were knit using April's Rockin' Sock Club yarn. Totally amazing.

I do have a photo of the first finished sock on my Ravelry site, but, I really wanted show the close up of the slip stitch heel, which I find to be the perfect heel for most cuff down socks. This type of heel is much stronger than the average stockinette or short row heel, and in my opinion, produces a very neat pattern because of the slipped stitches. Basically, when you work a heel like this, instead of knitting all the stitches on the knit rows, you slip every second stitch purl wise. And, you purl all stitches on the purl side.

I am calling these socks my Wild Monkey's as the colorway for April was "Walkin on the Wild Tide". Pictures of the finished socks as soon as they are done. Although, Bunny starts Kindergarten on Tuesday (gasp) so, hopefully I can see to knit through my tears... my little girl is soooooo big!

Baby Steps

It's finally been cool enough for Monkey to wear the baby sockettes that I knit for her out of left over sock yarn back in April. I absolutely love these and they kept her little feets super snuggly and warm while we were out at the lake this week. I am so glad that they still fit as she is growing like a little weed. As a matter of fact, at her last dr's appt this week, she was almost 10lbs!!



Pattern: Better than Booties: Baby Socks (Spring 2006 Interweave Knits)
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock - Hawaii
Needles: US 00
Modifications: none - but I wish I would have made the cuffs an inch or so longer

As well, this week, two new and muchly anticipated packages arrived at our house. I was so excited to receive my Sockapalooza4 socks and thankfully they arrived this week so I didn't have to wait too long for them. Aren't they colorful? Thanks sockpal!! She also included a ton of amazing smelling hand cream and some handmade stitch markers. I can't believe how much work she put into my swap goodies!



Finally, this week I got my August shipment from the Rockin Sock Club. While I don't love the pattern, I really like the colors of the yarn this month and will be searching high and low for a pattern that will show off the variation of the yarn to it's fullest.



Otherwise, I have been chronically sleep deprived for the last two weeks as I am not quite used to getting up 2-3 times a night with a newborn and taking care of a five year old at the same time. As well, the housework and cooking won't take care of itself, so my computer time has been somewhat limited lately and I anticipate that it will continue to be this way for the next few months. That means that posts won't be as frequent in the meantime. Hopefully this won't last too long...

Round and Round We Go

Endless stockinette. Mindless, awful, boring, knitting. My fingers are sore and they long to cast on something more intricate and fun! I am officially sick of the Crumpets dress that I cast on for Bunny to wear to the wedding we are attending at the end of the month. The pattern called for 25" of stockinette stitch knit on 360 stitches using worsted weight yarn. As of this afternoon, I have only 8" left to go. That's 17" of stockinette stitch people!! More than I care for. And yet, I am so anticipating the finished dress, that I am working on this pattern pretty much exclusively so that it will be finished in time. And, since, as I have said before, mindless stockinette stitch makes for boring photos, I will attempt to once again distract you with something more interesting.




Pretty? Oh yes. I am in love with this sweater and think it will make an amazing addition to my wardrobe this winter. You can also see a small preview of the color I will be making it in if you look to the top left of the photo (hint: it's also the same color as the one the model is wearing in the photo). So, now, it's a toss up between this and Emerald - I really can't decide which one to cast on for first. I have the yarn for both and need some help with the decision. So, to that end, leave me a comment and let me know which one to cast on for first...



Oh, and if anyone can help me figure out how to get my month old (today!!!) daughter to take a bottle (or soother for that matter), please leave me a comment and let me know. I have to start teaching classes soon and if she doesn't take a bottle, I don't know what I'll do, but I do know I'll be in trouble!

Edited to add: Hubby managed to get her to take a bottle today without much trouble. Apparently, I need to be out of the house so she can't see or smell me. I think we will just give up on the soother... Beggars can't be choosers. Right?

Knitting Related Injuries

I am making some progress on Bunny's Crumpet Dress. I really loved this pattern to begin with, but the endless, mindless stockinette stitch is truly driving me crazy! And, my initial impressions of Lion Brand Cotton-Ease have been reinforced. The yarn is splitty and terribly hard on the hands. I am not enjoying working with it at all. I actually have knitting related injuries caused by the coarse nature of the cotton plies. It's almost like working with rope. What you can't really tell from these photos is that the skin is actually split open where the arrows are pointing. Hurts like the dickens when I stab myself with a knitting needle there.

I am about half way done the dress which needs to be ready for wear at our good friends wedding on August 31. I am therefore, working through the pain... oh, the things I do for my kids.

What I really want to do is cast on for another pair of socks. Make1 just got in their first ever shipment of Mama E C*eye*ber Fiber Sock yarn and it is amazing. So, of course, I had to get a few skeins. I picked up two of the Merino/Tencel and one of the Merino/Silk yarns. Yummy.

I signed up for Sock a Month 4, so really, I needed some more yarn to make socks with. Afterall, I have committed to knitting a pair of socks each month for the next 6 months... I may not be as ambitious as YouKnowWho, but still, it's a start right??

Sockapalooza Pal... Your Socks are On Their Way!!!

Oh yes, the finished socks are currently winging their way to my sockapalooza pal and I can't wait to see if they fit. These were a fun knit and the pattern was so well written, they literally just flew off my needles!




Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Mama E Cyeber fiber in Peppermint Twist
Needles: Size 1 US DPN's
Modifications: I went with a slip stitch heel instead of the short row one called for in the pattern.

I also sent the rest of the yarn.. hopefully my pal will be able to find a good use for it.

Ok, now when will my socks get here???

True Friends...

Are very hard to come by. I am so lucky to have the wonderful group of friends that I have made at my Tuesday night knitting group! Last night (on my "official" due date), I decided that instead of sitting at home in the plus 30 degree heat, I would head down to my LYS and join the SnB that I have been a regular at for the last six months or so.

Let me tell you, these ladies are the best! This is the combined effort of many knitters who have made mitered squares out of their left over sock yarn. Then, Michelle collected, blocked and sewed the squares together and sent it over to Liza who completed the blanket by attaching the amazing flannelet backing. The result? A perfect little heirloom. Lucky me!! Thanks ever so much ladies!! You all are the best.

I have also been working on some of my own projects while I wait for baby to arrive. I am halfway done one of the dresses that I am working on for Bunny. I am designing this dress out of some Sari cotton and Elann Sonata and I think she will love it once it is done.

And, in a fit of start-itis, I also cast on for another dress for her which she can wear to a wedding we are attending at the end of August. The pattern is Crumpets and it was designed by Libby Baker. I absolutely love this pattern and it's my first time knitting with beads. It's simple enough that it doesn't require too much thought, but still interesting enough to hold my attention. I am not enjoying using the Cotton Ease. It seems to be rather sticky to knit with and somewhat splitty, but for the price and wash ability, it can't be beat. Plus, Bunny picked out the color and I have to admit, it does look nice with the beads.

Otherwise, there is still no baby. I do have a dr.'s appointment today, so I may have more news after that. Stay tuned.

Little Knits

Well, baby watch 2007 continues with no sign of the littlest little making its way into the World. As I am typing this, Husband is sanding the change table and he swears that it will be finished by the end of tonight. I sure hope so. I would really like to get the baby clothes out of the crib and into their proper place.

I seem to have caught a horrible case of start-itis and have cast on for a zillion projects in the last little while. I worked almost non-stop on the drop stitch socks that I was designing, but things haven't quite worked out the way I thought they might, so I have put them in time out for the time being. I have also cast on for two little projects that I thought might help me pass the time and not be too thought intensive as the temperature (and my tummy) continues to rise.

I absolutely love these little booties and am hoping that they will actually fit since I accidently used a size 00 instead of the size 0 needle called for in the pattern. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get to find out.

**Please excuse the terrible picture. I wanted to get a blog post off just incase I wasn't able to later and the sun wouldn't cooperate.

I also cast on for the Cotton Hat in Last Minute Knitted Gifts using Mission Falls 1824 Cotton and I am really enjoying this knit. I like how the yarn is somewhat slubby looking as it adds a needed texture to the hat. I am opting not to add the I-cord as I want to make this hat as unisex as possible.

I wish I had more to show, but really, between hair cuts, pictures, and naps, there has not been a lot of knitting progress. I imagine that soon all knitting will cease as extreme fatigue sets in once again. I guess I had better get my butt in gear then, hadnt I?

Contractions?

Not here. I am still waiting. Now, granted, this baby has 11 days left before I begin jumping up and down to force the baby out, but there doesn't seem to be much happening here. Of course, my OBGYN has ordered me to do some walking, but who wants to walk in this heat?? Good grief. Too hot.

Even the knitting is slowing down. I am working on a new pair of socks out of Art Yarns Ultramerino 4. I love this yarn. I realized the other day that I own enough Ultramerino to make 8 pairs of socks and I have never actually knit anything with it. Silly me. So, when I was at my LYS the other day, I found myself buying 4 more skeins of this yummy yarn. I cast on as soon as I got home and fell in love. The colors are vibrant, the yarn itself is soft and squishy and it knits like a dream.

Otherwise, I also cast on for a new dress for Bunny. It seems as though she was feeling a smidge left out and is now a little happier that she has something coming off of my needles in the next little while. I am also making some progress on the entrelac baby blanket, but since neither of these projects have been worked on enough to make for a good picture, I will hold off on a pic until there is something interesting to photograph.

Oh, and daytime television bites... Ugh. How do people stay home all day and watch this crap??

Tuesdays...

I used to think that Tuesdays were the most underwhelming day of the week. I mean, Tuesday, it's not Monday (which we all dread as the start of the work week), it's not Wednesday, the porverbial hump day, and it's not Thursday or Friday which signify the end of the week and start of the weekend... it's not really note worthy on it's own at all. Right? Wrong. Now, it's SnB night for me at Make1 (my LYS) and that means an entire night to myself. Sigh. Except for last week and now it looks like this week may be a miss as well.

Why? Because I have an exam to write. Yes, you heard me right. An exam. Why? Because just before I became pregnant, I decided to take another degree and signed up for distance learning which (if I passed the courses, would be paid for by my work). Of course, if I don't pass, work doesn't pay, and I am out about $550.00 for the course. So, here I am, long story short, cramming for an exam that will happen in 2 days. Dumb? Yes. Absolutely.

So, knitting has halted for the time being. I have, however, made some progress on my Sockapalooza4 socks.

And the baby blanket that hopefully will be finished by the time baby arrives.

I have been working almost non-stop on these two projects exclusively as I am sure that I will deliver early with this baby (although I have probably just jinxed myself) and I want to ensure that my sock pal gets her socks on time and the baby has something to wrap up in that is snuggly and warm.

However, for the next few days, it appears that all I will be doing is studying. Bah.

It's Good to be Free

I am done work as of 4PM today. I almost can't believe it. What a serious marathon - between trying to make sure my workload is going to be covered, to packing up my office and getting things in order for the person who will be taking over my office in the time that I am gone - life has been hectic and stressful. Blissfully, it is all done and I can now focus on my family.

And, I have been knitting, but only working on small things for the last while. I have so many projects to start working on, but have felt unable to meet the task of committing myself to something larger. I have, however, been using Ravelry to the fullest to keep track of all the projects that I want to get started on. If you are a knitter, then you will no doubt be aware of the amazing genius that is Ravelry. Truly, this site is like Facebook for fiber artists! It also keeps track of my works in progress; one of which is a rolled neck sweater for the new baby.



I am making this out of Dream In Color Classy yarn in the Deep Seaflower colorway and although the picture doesn't actually show it, I am finished the sleeves and am just putting on the neck finishing. It was an easy, somewhat mindless knit, which was exactly what I needed right now. I loved this yarn, it was so soft and really squishy, but am thinking I might buy some Lorna's Laces Worsted to make a second one. I would really like to see this in something a little less muted.

I really only have one other active project on the needles right now. The Scokapalooza4 socks are to be done for August 2 and I intend to meet this deadline. Of course, what with the baby on the way, I really only have until mid July (if all goes according to plan), so I have been working here and there on the socks that I picked for my partner. I was originally going to choose a pattern from the Interweave sock book that came out this year, but after hearing such good things about Monkey, I changed my mind. Monkey it is. And, I really do think the Monkey pattern sets off the Mama e C*EYE*ber Fiber yarn that I am using.

Babies Everywhere

Another day and another baby project done. Seems like there are babies coming out of the woodwork these days. So, because we know for sure that there are two baby girls in the family (one of which arrived last week and the other is still baking - due in September), I have spent some time knitting some pink things. Pink things are cute. Baby things are cute. Pink baby things are uber cute.

Pattern: 5 Hour Baby Sweater (Last Minute Knitted Gifts) & Ruffled Hat

Yarn: Mission Falls Worsted in Raspberry

Needles: Size 10.5 US (sweater) & 9 US (hat)

Size: Newborn

Modifications: None

I also stopped off at my not-so-local yarn store on my way home from a meeting in that area of town and picked up some of the things that I can't get at my fave LYS. I got a Phildar pattern book with some itty bitty and not so itty bitty patterns for Bunny and the new bean. The cool thing is that the book has a hooded jacket that I can make in sizes which will fit both kidlets. And, before anyone comments, yes, I realize that this makes me one of those moms. I know and yet, I don't care. Matching stuff is dorky, but cute. I promise not to knit a ton of these. Don't want to mess up the kids forever.

I am planning to make the baby size in Butterfly Super 10 Cotton that I bought today at the not so local LYS and the big girl version in some Sari cotton that I have hanging around from a sweater I sent to the frog pond.

Otherwise, one week of work left before I can start living at my LYS and knitting all day... I can't wait.

Spring has Sprung...

...for the most part.

Ok, not withstanding the fact that it snowed a lot last weekend, I managed to get some planting done this weekend. This is our first summer in this house and I am so loving how the yard looks now that the grass is mowed and the flowers are in. I stepped out this morning and took some shots of the new hanging pots and boxes that Hubby made me.

And, thanks to the snow, I did get the Jaywalkers off the needles. I am so happy to be finished these now that spring is here.

Pattern: Jaywalkers from Magknits done toe up

Yarn: Lily Petal from HL Miller Yarns.