Wonderland Knits

For Consideration

2008-09-07T20:45:00.003-05:00

I knit with purpose. I enjoy picking out yarn and a pattern that I think someone might like. I think about things I've seen my loved one wear and colors I know they admire. I enjoy making socks for people since they are useful, attractive, and relatively quick. There are lots of other reasons I like making socks, but their perfection as a present is undeniable.

I've found that men need more consultation in this process. Female knitters need barely anything - they understand the work that went into a gift, and they would accept an acrylic bobble scarf with squeals of joy and appreciation. Female non-knitters are almost as easy to please, simply because it's easier for me to tell what they might like. Women shop together, talk about clothes with each other, and frequently friends like similar things. Men are different. Men need "manly" things. Apparently certain shades of blue, green, grey, brown, and black qualify as manly. All other colors and combinations of colors (including those colors in the manly category) are "unmanly" and therefore unacceptable. I've learned that as soon as I think I recognize a pattern in taste, my brother will reach for a skein of yarn that I never would have thought would fit. The pattern is equally vexing. It must be "simple" and "not gaudy." I have no real idea what that means. The only solution is consultation.

So I take these consultations and considerations into account. I dig through my stash or (let's face it) buy new yarn. I work for weeks and emerge with a physical manifestation of my care and affection. So what happens if, during the creative process, my relationship with that person changes? There are people in my life that are appropriate to knit for (immediate family, closest friends, knitting friends, babies of all kinds) and those for whom a knitted gift would be too personal (my dentist, exes, people I only see at parties, the guy who bags my groceries). What happens when I've begun a project, and the object of my wool-love changes to an innapropriate recipient?

It's awkward at best. Heart-wrenching at worst. I feel weird re-gifting the project to another person. It almost feels tainted. At the same time they person no longer gets to have the socks (it's usually socks). You don't just get socks. Socks are given out of love and care. If that's no longer mutual... the socks go into a twilight zone: I've made socks for someone and they don't deserve them anymore. What to do? Unlike emotional hurt, which one can hide or let time heal, knitting creates a thing that must be dealt with in some immediate way. In my case, because I'm an optimist, I keep them. I put them in a box, and put it on a shelf, waiting for time to make the relationship balanced enough to finally make the gift appropriate again.

A girl's gotta hope.

Torture

2008-07-29T10:51:00.003-05:00

It happens all the time. I'm sitting in a circle of people I don't know intimately, chatting. It doesn't matter where... a bar, some one's apartment, a car ride lasting more than 10 minutes. Anywhere. Everyone else in the conversation is perfectly satiated. They have the entertainment of bright compatriots, discussing current events, pop culture, or research design methods.

I'm in hell.

Not because I don't enjoy conversation. Quite the contrary. Not because I don't like learning about new people, or that I don't want to make new friends. No - I am experiencing excruciating torment because I know what I could be doing. I see the corner of my knitting pouch peek out of my purse. There's a brightly colored sock inside, begging for me to finish the gusset. I know I could knit and carry on a conversation at the same time. It's stockinette, for God's sake! I don't even really need to look at it. And I totally care what you're talking about... it's just that I could be even MORE productive. I could be multi-tasking! I can hardly hear what people are saying. My finger brushes the side of the vera bradley pouch, and for a moment I weaken.

"No!" I tell myself. "I can be a normal person who doesn't need to knit all the time!" I mean, other people seem to function quite well without it. I have no idea what other people do when they're stressed or waiting or chatting... but apparently it works. I will stay strong. But all I want to do is quietly start knitting. Maybe no one will notice! It's such a small movement, and it stays right in my lap...

I cave. I pull the pouch from my bag, and unzip it, while I nod in agreement with the conversation. I set up my circular needles, and get out my project. Heaven. I'm only about 15 stitches in, when it happens. The jig is up.

"Are you... knitting?" The conversation immediately changes focus to me, and my project. I explain that yes, I am knitting. No, it isn't hard. No, it doesn't require all that much patience. Socks. I'm knitting socks. Yes, really. No, it's not cheaper than buying them in the store. Maybe if you're very nice to me and we become friends I will make you a pair one day.

The real trouble is that the world is not aware of how totally normal and important knitting is. My best friends are no longer phased when I pull out my sock-in-progress at a movie theater, or waiting for a concert to start. They understand that it's a force of nature and there's really nothing that's going to stop me. I think it helps that they sometimes receive woolly gifts. What we need is to inundate all these non-knitters with knitting in public so that I'm not disruptive and shocking when I pull out a neon colored self-striping sock. I dream of the day when, instead of being confused by my knitting and offended because they think (mistakenly) that I don't care about the conversation, the people around me take it as a cue to pull out their own projects and knit on.

Knit on, knitters.

Different Shades of Knitting

2008-07-16T21:28:00.008-05:00

I like to think of myself as a diverse knitter. Sure, I usually have a pair of socks on my needles, but I've also experimented with cables, lace, color work, and novelty items. I'll take on multi-month projects like cardigans, and patterns that only take a couple of hours. I like to learn new techniques, and there's a strange joy I get from sitting with a book, or better a teacher, and figuring out some fiddly new way of creating a beautiful design. In my knitting class it was almost a running gag how excited I would get to have Debra teach me a little trick of the trade, like leaving a long tail on a sleeve and using it to sew up the sweater so it was already attached.

As I learn new ways to knit, I've noticed that I employ certain techniques for different purposes - knitting as a process instead of knitting as an end. Here are some of my observations:

Plain Vanilla & Simple Pattern Socks
Perfect for commuter knitting. I keep mine in a make-up bag, complete with a tape measure, tapestry needle, and spare needles. I'll knit on the metro, in cars, or anywhere I have a few minutes to myself. Waiting a jiffy-lube? yes. I got to the bar early? yes. Watching a movie with my friends? clearly. Knitting on the go makes me feel like I'm being active even when sitting still, and that I'm taking advantage of every minute. Simple socks have easy milestones, which help me feel victorious multiple times in a single pair: Finished cuff! Finished heel flap! Turned heel! Finished gusset! Finished foot! Finished toe! Grafted toe! I live in a world of papers, readings, and presentations. I deal with ideas and conversations. While that's also rewarding, it's a great feeling to have something that I have physically overcome, and can hold in my hand.

Cables
There is something I find very comforting about cables. Maybe it calls to my Irish heritage, something deep in my dna. Maybe it's the knowledge that cabling is a form of double knitting, which makes any garment thicker and warmer, I have no idea. It's work that I need to pay attention to, but it comes pretty naturally to me. I also find cables enchanting, and they make me happy. I knit cables when I want something interesting, challenging, but that I don't find too all-consuming. (Please note I've only just begun my work with cables... it's highly possible I'll be all-consumed at some point.)

Lace
Ah lace. Where cables come naturally, lace requires all of my attention. I've learned I need to do it on pointy metal needles, or it's a no go. I've learned that it really, honestly matters if you're doing your yarn overs completely wrong. I've learned humility and patience through more frogged rows and re-dos than I can count. So why do I do it? Why do I sit in silence, bent with terrible posture over my lacework, carefully counting each stitch, any laying in lifelines? Am I masochistic? Other than my desire to create beautiful lace stoles, and work with fine laceweight yarn, the answer is that I find lace knitting to be therapeutic. There are very few times when I feel completely separate from my thoughts. I am constantly running things through my mind, and when I'm trying to deal with anything difficult, sometimes I need a break from my mind. Knitting lace is such an intense exercise for me that I have no room for external thoughts. I can forget what I'm dealing with, and just focus on the stitches. I have a hard time meditating, since my imagination and inner dialogue won't shut off, but I think knitting lace is a similar sensation.

Knitting is comforting, challenging, relaxing, frustrating, and validating. The different techniques illustrate the many shades of the process.

Baby it's cold outside...

2008-02-29T15:47:00.004-05:00

But it's springtime in my apartment!

Knitting on the Central Park Hoodie is underway. I'm trying to do at least one cable per night, which works out to ten rows. So far I'm on schedule. I tend to work on it really late at night after I get home from class or meetings. It's the perfect de-stress knitting because it's easy and also makes me feel clever because there are cables.

I've done one more twist than these photos show. Can I just express how much I am loving this cardigan? The color is like a faded pair of jeans, and the patten is so simple and elegant. It's practically just knit and purl, with some really easy cables thrown in so I don't get bored while I'm watching Law & Order.

I'm using no 8 metal needles. They are bright blue and spectacular. They're super cheap, pointy, and smooth, which makes the cables much easier. I really enjoy the feel and warmth of bamboo, but I think for stockinette and cables metal makes more sense... unless I'm working with slippery yarn like mohair... then I need all the grab I can get.

Advent of Wool

2008-02-15T15:34:00.004-05:00

The wool has arrived! I haven't been feeling great, and I had a stats session with my friend on Wednesday. I can't even explain the joy I felt when I came home at 10pm after battling SPSS and this UPS box was waiting for me.
I ended up choosing Plymouth Tweed, 100% Virgin Lambswool from Webs. It was on sale, so all 14 skeins were about $75. Honestly, more than I can really afford, but i think it'll bring me more than $75 worth of entertainment. It's this great light blue color. The picture on the Webs page looked more grey than it is in person, but I actually like it even better. What do you think? Here's another close up:
I made a swatch already, and I've determined that I need to go buy US 6 needles. Oh drat. ;-)

Materials

2008-02-12T08:29:00.000-05:00

After many yardage calculations, and gauge estimate comparisons, I picked the yarn for my cardigan. With the help of three friends, I picked the color. The package may come today or tomorrow, so I'll post pictures then.

I have to say, ravelry was so useful in substitution yarns. I went to the pattern I'm working on, and checked out other people's projects. There were certain yarns that picked up the cables better, or colors I had never considered before calling my name.

I'm not 100% sure I have the right needles for the job. I did my fingerless gloves on metal needles instead of bamboo, which is my standard. I liked how pointy the metal ones are, particularly in cabling when you have to knit into some pretty tight loops. I'll do some swatching once my yarn gets here, but then i might need to to some needle stash enhancement. Oh Drat. ;-)

Abby, do you ever read the yarn pirate's blog? She's been making all this amazing baby stuff, since she's due any day now. I've been checking every day to see if she's finally met her son :-) Her blog is highly recommended.

Semester of Cables

2008-02-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

I have a dream. In my dream, I look into my drawers 10 years from now, and pull out a beautiful cabled cardigan. I smell the wool, and smile as i feel the softness against my cheek. "I made this during my second semester of grad school", i think to myself.

I am going to embark upon a semester long journey: The cabled cardigan. I realize more accomplished knitters who don't regularly get home at 10pm from campus might say, "but alice! certainly you can finish one little cardigan before MAY?" That might be true, it might not. But you have to understand I'm working with a schedule where it's difficult to figure out when I'm going to have a moment to buy milk, let alone knit two panels, a back, two sleeves, and a hood. It's totally gotta have a hood. I'm too in love with the idea not to do it. It's time to throw caution to the wind and knit my little tuchus off.

Here's the main problem (other than time restraints, and the possibility that I'll give up and stop): Yarn costs money. I firmly believe that knitters should be allotted a "yarn allowance" from wealthy patrons, seeing as how we provide the important service of hand-knitted items gifted upon our friends and family. However, until Stephanie Pearl-McPhee succeeds in rallying all knitters together to take over the world... it's not gonna happen.

So since a cardigan takes way more wool than a pair of socks, there is some major stash enhancement in my future. I'm thinking sales at WEBS or knitpicks. You can usually get skeins of very lovely things for around $3. Definitely within my budget...ish.

What will be knit? Behold!

The Central Park Hoodie

I need to pick color, and the right substitute yarn, but I'm jumping in. It's time.

Besides, my dad saw my cabled fingerless gloves, and pulled out the beautiful aran sweater my nana knit for him in the 70's. I was inspired... and he wants another one.

I told him i have to make one for myself first, and then I'll make one for him (gotta get the kinks out... and I like my own work). He looked at me expectantly, so the next time I see him i wanna be making cables. Step 2 will be to pick out a manly pattern for him.

Just For Abby

2008-02-05T22:39:00.000-05:00

Something glorious has happened in the world of knitting. Ravelry. The name alone is enough to draw solitary knitters into the warmth of the online community. Try mentioning it near the craft section of your local bookstores, and knitters from all walks of life will pop up and wax poetic.

There is one problem: It's too easy.

Why create an entire blog post if all I have to do is upload some photos and say what needle size and yarn I used? The yarn even pops up for you! You don't have to gumblingly find labels and figure out the gauge. It's a miracle. Sometimes it's hard for blogger to compete. I have to type things, and use their clumsy picture posting software... It's not specifically designed for knitters, so it's slightly more effort. I had all but abandoned my little journal in cyber-space.

But then. Abby.

Abby is my friend from... everything. Elementary school, college, singing, knitting, traveling the world. We've done it all. She and another friend and I make up a dangerous blone-redhead-brunette trio that journeyed to europe and back, sanity somewhat in tact. I can yell "Mumok ist frei!" and she will laugh. That's saying a lot. It's not really that funny.

So when Abby has strong opinions about the course of my life, I tend to listen. Abby loves the blog. She read it at every update, and even uses some kind of technology to tell her when it updates. So I can't let her down, right? She sent me frowny-faces over g-chat! How can I ignore her?

For now, here's my response:

Clearly I've been busy over the last six months. Socks galore, mittens, the coolest fingerless gloves on the history of the planet... Things are happening. Abby's right. This needs to be documented for all the world to see.

Or at the very very least, just for abby.

Long Overdue

2007-07-21T14:26:00.000-05:00

I can't wait any longer to post more pictures of the beautiful package I recieved from Katja, my very generous sock-swap pal. I just moved, and I still don't have internet at home so i'm posting from a coffee shop. That's how much I want the world to see the beautiful things she sent. :-)

Gorgeous, no? Not only did I get dark AND milk chocolate, but she also sent lovely bamboo needles and beautiful dangily stitchmarkers so I can show my ravenclaw pride.

Of course the star of the package was the amazing pair of Ravenclaw socks she sent. They fit like a dream, and I can't wait to curl up with them on my toes and crack open book seven!

Oh Happy Day

2007-07-01T10:59:00.000-05:00

I just got a notice that some of the "extras" I ordered for my sock swap buddy are on their way. I hope she likes them! I need to finish everything before July 15th or so to make sure everything gets delivered before the last book comes out. I'm still knitting away on my Hogwarts socks, but in the meantime here's a photo of the finished condom cozies
I knit them as one long strip, with the ends in seed stitch and the body in stockinette. I sewed up the two side seams, added a button, and voila! Instant (ish) condom cozy. I used a US size 6 needle, and worsted weight yarn. I did most of the work on a plane ride to Boston.

Other passengers: Oh! How lovely! What are you making?
Me: Um... I haven't decided yet.

Ok, it was a white lie, but it avoided a potentially very awkward situation with my seatmate.

My Turkish Carpet socks are coming along. I'm about to turn the heel, which is clearly the best part of sock knitting. Here's the best photo I took, color-wise:
All the other photos I took were washed out and gross. I got lucky with this one.

Back to my Hogwarts socks! Ah, deadline knitting...

Major Mojo

2007-06-28T08:41:00.000-05:00

This post is long overdue. A wonderful, magical thing has happened: I finished Preston's sweater!

Oh yeah. Totally worth the wait. I borrowed Debra's blocking board to stretch out the center cables. See those sleeves? I re-did them 3 times. Now they are complete, sewn, and done forever.

Here's the back:

Here's a money-shot of the collar:
And the proud Uncle Matt:It looks like it won't quite fit him... but in a few months it will fit toddler-sized Preston. This is a big knitting milestone - the first sweater. Life is good.

Other projects I finished in the last month:

1. Alice's (not me) wedding present
I made her a lovely blue lace scarf that will be useful even in Arizona. It just so happened to match the bridesmaid dresses and cake, which was a happy coincidence. She sent me a kind thank-you note in response.

2. Three Condom Cozies
Yes, condom cozies. Alice didn't get to have a bachelorette party, so I made these gag-gift condom cozies. They each hold two condoms (included with the gift) and I used heart or smiley-faced buttons for the added hilarity. I made one for Alice, one for Kelly, and one for me. I even wrapped the one for me.

Now on the needles:
1. Hogwarts socks
I'm almost done with the first sock, and I'm loving them. I'm using a chart for the first time, and it's going very well. I'm using a pattern from interweave, and I promise to post pictures as soon as my pal receives them. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Now I need to buy dpns and stitchmarkers to go along with the socks.

2. Tickled Pink Socks
I'm stalling at the heel because I don't like the way the pattern wants me to do it. It wants me to break the yarn and restart on a knit row instead of just purling across once. I think I'm just going to merge this pattern with one I like better and do it my way. I do love the colorway and the stitch pattern though. They're for me, so I keep putting them on the back burner. It's time to get back on the ball.

3. Baby Bolero
My friend Meg is going to be an aunt any second now and, as I tend to do, I'm making her niece a present from auntie alice. It's designed for a newborn, so it's knitting up quickly. I just need to finish the second sleeve and sew it up. I should be able to finish it this weekend.

4. Turkish Carpet Socks
These are my basic "commuting socks" and they're coming along nicely. I have a recipient in mind, which is helping my motivation.

So there's a lot going on in Alice's knitting world. So much so that I haven't gotten to play around with ravelry or post as much as I should. However - I'm about to go from working full time to working 20 hours per week, so there should be more time for my vast array of knitting pursuits.

Just a little pride...

2007-04-12T13:34:00.000-05:00

I'm
a Ravenclaw!

I started sewing up Preston's sweater Wednesday night! I can't even explain how excited I am to finish that up and send it off to baby Preston. This thing has taken months, but it is my first sweater and I am damn proud.

You may be aware of the huge media frenzy surrounding my next milestone: I finished the java socks! I'm finishing things left and right around here. I almost think this cold weather was sticking around to give me motivation to warm up my daddy's feet with wonderful, snug socks. (Ok, weather? They're done. Get to the spring already!) I just hope they fit. Of course, if they don't my brother has even *bigger* man feet, so they'll get put to good use.

Here are some pictures of the production:

My favorite part about knitting socks is turning the heel. I just feel so accomplished!

My stress ball at work helped me get the shape right for that last photo.

I took this one this morning... all that's left is the toe shaping!

And the finished product!

Here's all that was left of the Cherry Tree Hill yarn:

I have an idea for little favors for my friend's upcoming wedding. She didn't really get to have a bachelorette party, since she lives so far from everyone, and I think I can spice up the atmosphere a little bit. I just need some happy face buttons and I'll be in business.

I ordered the sock yarn for my hogwarts pal! No photos, clearly, just know that they're going to be fantastic to work on.

Off to Boston! More when I get back.

Ravenclaw, Represent!

2007-04-09T12:57:00.000-05:00

I [heart] nerds. Mostly because I am one. ;-) You gotta embrace it.

The latest is that I've decided to participate in this fantastic idea. I love Harry Potter, and this is the perfect way to get excited about the final book coming out this summer. My very first knitting exchange project! I can't wait.

As my roommate said when I told her about this new project: "you are a nerd, but that's kind of adorable."

Right on.

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Ravenclaw

2. Shoe size?
US Women's 8

3. Foot Length?
9.25 inches

4. Foot Circumference?
8.5 inches

5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
a. Crystal Palace Bamboo DPNs, 6 inch
b. man i'm a newbie
c. not to have more favorites...

6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
I'd love to! I'm not all that well versed in needle brands... I like wooden needles, and I mostly own bamboo ones. I knit socks with US sizes 0 to 3.

7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
I guess the book, but I'd be happy either way. :-)

8. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
Sure thing! As long as shipping costs aren't too bad for this soon-to-be grad student. ;-)

Bad knitter

2007-04-03T09:22:00.000-05:00

I really tried. Well, ok. I tried as much as i could given the completely insane nature of my weekend. However, because of my attendance at two choir concerts, walking 15 miles, and singing at church...

i didn't finish my dad's socks in time for his birthday dinner. I'm a punk. right here.

I really thought i could get them done in time. Especially since his birthday was actually saturday, and so I had 2 extra days to knit. But no, I had to go be cultural instead of sitting at home, netflixing and knitting. My plan *was* to knit on the roof during my lunch break, but we're going out as an office today and free food trumps my sunshine plans. I will finish them soon though! I'm almost ready to turn the heel, and then it'll be knitknitknit all the way to the finish line.

this afternoon i defeated the futon

2007-03-24T14:08:00.000-05:00

It was acting up, but my roommate and i showed it who was boss. rar.

My momma's birthday is today, so the midnight socks will be with their owner soon. I have a pretty box to put them in, and one of my "handknit for you by" cards from the loopy ewe. I think those little details make all the difference.

The first java sock is done!

I'm loving the subtle tones in this colorway, and the tight spin of the Cherry Tree Hill yarn is becoming a fast favorite. It doesn't fuzz up like some yarns do, and it makes for very neat socks. Now i have to knit like mad to get the second one done by next saturday... then i get to pick a new project! It might be time to re-try the lace shawl, or maybe start something completely new.

Contemplative Knitting

2007-03-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

My knitting universe is coming together. That's the only way I can think to describe the sequence of events that have recently taken place.

In November I read Bernadette Murphy's book Zen and the Art of Knitting: Exploring the Links Between Knitting, Spirituality, and Creativity which was given to me for my birthday by two of my closest confidants, my mom and Aaron. I had put it off for a few novels, but I figured it was worth the time to read it if two of the people that know me best thought it was appropriate for me; I loved it.

The book, as the subtitle explains, is a series of interviews and case studies of people that use knitting to find "the zone" - that mental place where time loses its structure, and the task in hand becomes the whole world. As a form of meditation, knitting can decrease one's heart rate, slow breathing, and have lasting positive effects on the body. As a person who has on more than one occasion stayed up for some last-minute, ohmygodhisbirthdayistomorrowandihaven'tfinishedthesesocks! knitting, it's clear not all knitting creates a calming reaction, but the point is that it can.

I notice that when I'm knitting on the bus, I'll look up and suddenly be home. It's an activity that lets me turn off my active thoughts, and become completely enveloped in the subtle movements, and the feel of the yarn and needles. My Godmother Elizabeth teaches a class on contemplative prayer, and I found that it has a similar effect. Her meditations can create a feeling of selflessness, and a powerful sense of spirituality. I knew that knitting was relaxing, but Murphy's book put that state of mind in the context of religion, and the spirit.

For Christmas this year, Elizabeth was kind enough to give me Susan S. Izard & Susan S. Jorgensen's book Knitting into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry. The Susans wrote about their own journeys with contemplative knitting, and the creation of prayer shawls. The idea is that with every stitch, and every row the knitter is praying for a particular person's joy or heartache so that as the shawl grows, so does the body of prayer. The shawl becomes a physical manifestation of the knitter's intentions towards the person in need. Each stitch, like beads on a rosary, can be tracked back to the prayer, mindfulness, and love from the knitter to the recipient. Knitting into the Mystery provided a very simple k3p3 seed stitch pattern, and suggested prayers for both sad and happy occasions. They told stories of knitting for friends overcoming illness, celebrating a marriage, or accepting death.

In the most moving and important times in our lives words fail to express the true emotions behind them. When my very dear friend's father was diagnosed with cancer, I wanted to do something with my own hands to express my sympathy and support. I had just received Knitting into the Mystery, and I took it as a sign to combine knitting and the healing power of prayer to create something that would be a comfort to my friend, Lauren. I chose the mantra "Health - Family - Love" for each k3 or p3, and it gradually turned into "Healing - Family - Love" which i realized was even better. That was exactly what I was looking for, Family Love that Heals. I recited the Our Father every few rows, and a prayer I found specifically for cancer patients and their families. The shawl grew with my prayers.

I was able to present the prayer shawl to Lauren this week. It was very moving to be able to explain the meaning behind the yarn, the color, and the stitches. My efforts to show support through my actions were welcomed, and now she has a lovely shawl to comfort her during this difficult time. I know that it was not an accident that I received two books on the spiritual gifts knitting can provide at the same time Lauren needed to know she is loved and supported. I am thankful I was able to use my craft to provide her with a small amount of comfort.

Cables make me feel better

2007-02-25T17:05:00.001-05:00

Time for a FO Happy Dance!

Midnight Socks

I finished my midnight socks, and mini-pippin insisted on showing you them himself:
Here's a clearer view:
I shortened the cuff from the recommended 7 inches in the pattern to 4 inches. I was needlessly concerned about having enough yarn to finish the pair, but I ended up having quite a bit leftover. There may be some log cabin knitting in my future... (scroll to feb 15, 2004 for a description)

Purple Footies

After my YO fiasco, i needed some comfortable knitting. I used a beautiful skein of alpaca that I bought in seattle to make my own footies:The yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca in color 6238... not very descriptive color name, I realize. It's a deep purple, which is a color that's been showing up in a lot of my work lately. Strange. Perhaps this is my purple phase? The yarn is 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool, and it's luxurious to work with. It develops some fuzzy little mohair-like strands as you work with it, but it didn't split on my needles.

I completed my pair in about 4 days, as opposed to the two weeks that aaron's took. It's nice to work for little feet! The snow days we've been having in the DC area have help as well. :-)

Of course, I've already cast on a new project,
Java Socks:

Cherry Tree Hill Java Socks! For another very special recipient. I think the name alone will be enough to amuse him, but hopefully he'll also like his first pair of hand knit socks. I really like the tight twist of this yarn... I was worried it would be too thin on US 2 needles, but it's creating a very nice fabric.

Now if i can just face preston's sweater...

Progress

2007-01-30T21:46:00.000-05:00

After planes, cars, and long movie nights, I've had some major progress on my WIPs.

Midnight Socks:
Sock One = Complete! I'm trying to push through "second sock syndrome" and get them both done. I love the colorway, but I need to try something a little more interesting than your basic stockinette sock to keep my interest. I've found a few interesting patterns at the loopy ewe and I might need to go a little wild with my next order.

Speaking of, I also found these at my new favorite online sock yarn store:

Wooden, sheep sock blockers!! I had to have these for sock-finishing purposes. Which I am clearly going to need. Lots of finished socks will be coming from this knitter.

Preston's Sweater:
Sleeve number 1 is (almost) done!

I'm noticing a pattern in my half-done-state. However, it's good to know that I have corrected my yarn over fiasco, and can now create perfectly placed holes in my knitting.

On the potential new projects front, I found a basic pattern for fingerless gloves from knitty. And of course the lust scarf.

But I will finish at least 2 of my projects before going on to a new thing. I've got the re-do of the forest canopy shawl, midnight socks, and preston's sweater. (and maybe 1 or 2 little things on the side...) knit knit knit!

Deadly Sin of the Day:

2007-01-30T12:39:00.000-05:00

Lust.

I lust after this scarf, and I want to make it immediately.

Ropes and Ladders Scarf

must...not...swatch...

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

2007-01-26T09:54:00.000-05:00

It is freezing outside today. This morning, I literally spent 20 minutes under the covers trying to convince myself to get out of bed and greet the dawn. Actually, the pre-dawn because i woke up (for the first time) at 6am.

Ergo, all I want to be doing is knitting at home under my quilt. I love my quilt. It is multi-colored and bright, unlike the dull gray color of my cubicle. Instead of sitting here shivering, I could be next to a space heater, under the fore mentioned quilt, knitting little warm things.

For example:

Preston's sweater
It is so close to being done. Just finishing two tiny baby sleeves, and then sew it up, under debra's direction of course. Then my first sweater EVER (albeit a mini size) will be complete. Celebratory drinks will be necessary.

Midnight Socks
These socks are coming along nicely. I love love love the fleece artist colorways. All of them. I started this pair on my plane ride to San Diego on Jan 8, and I'm almost done with the toe shaping of the first one. Every sock knitter on earth is correct: Socks are the best portable project out there. They are small, relatively simple (if you're doing a basic, stockinette sock, that is) and you can stop at any time. Perfect for bus knitting.

Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl
Ok. Now, I'm sure all knitters make mistakes. Especially if you (me) thought you (me) could teach yourself to knit from books, instead of going to a beginner knitting class. But... you'd think that I would check my lace techniques with Debra before jumping right in. She is a professional knitting instructor. She is really really good at what she does, AND (even more rare) really good at explaining how to do it. But no. I had to try it myself. And yeah, I did think my shawl looked small... and less "holey" than it should. I told myself that it would all be fixed with blocking, that i'm just a tight knitter, and that it would be fine.

I was wrong. Specifically, my yarn overs were wrong. Completely wrong. I misread the diagrams, and was doing them 100% wrong.

There are a few directions I could take this. I could just keep going with my wrongness, and finish the project. My problem with that is that it's unfair to the pattern and the yarn. I want to wear this shawl proudly, as a display of my new lace techniques. I don't want it to end up shamefully buried in a corner.

I'm going to frog the whole thing and start anew. Soon. I'm kinda depressed about the whole thing, so I'm going to finish the two previous projects and then start fresh on the shawl.

Possible New Projects:

1. I was complaining to my co-worker about how cold our office is, and she had a brilliant recommendation - Fingerless gloves. My hands are freezing right now, and they would allow me to be warm and type at the same time. I've seen tons of very pretty patterns, but I never really understood the point before now. "Wouldn't my fingers be freezing?" I would wonder. Not if i'm inside! Fantastic.

2. My friend meg is going to be an aunt to a lovely little *girl*. Finally! Girl-baby knitting! I have the perfect pattern picked out for Miss Molly Rose. However, I can't start it until I finish a few other things.

3. My own pair of footies. I've got the yarn, and needles, now i just need time. But my feet cry to me in the night, so this really needs to get done.

Merry Christmas Indeed!

2006-12-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

So many wonderful knitting-related things have happened! First, here's an update of my progress on Socrates:

This is the back, front, and a tiny bit of sleave at the top of the picture. I'm particularly proud of the neck shaping, as it was my first attempt. I had to re-do it once, but under Debra's guidance it went well.

I picked my next project!

And yes, it did require me to buy new yarn... Whoops!

I decided to follow Wendy's advice and knit Susan Lawrence's Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl as my first lace pattern. I ordered the recommended yarn, Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool Quarters (only one skein!) from knotanotherhat.com in the mountain twilight colorway. I love the shades of blue, purple, brown and black, but I was dissapointed that there was a break in the middle of the yarn. I knit through it, but for $18 a skein it was frustrating to find a flaw. I don't blame the store though... they were very pleasant, and the yarn came right away. I'd definitely order from them again.

I just finished the body of the shawl. It's been slow since I have to really count each stitch. I've enjoyed it though. I love figuring out new techniques, and losing myself in the intricacies of the stitches. Of course, my new copy of vogue knitting is helping me learn more. That book really is the knitter's bible!

Anyway, here's my progress:

I still need to figure out how to do the edging... I think I just pick up the stitches along the non-hypotenuse sides, but I'm not sure. I'm sure Debra's knowledge will come in handy.

What?? Even MORE yarn??? Yes, it's true.

I bought this sock yarn, and this set of needles from the Loopy Ewe. It's a fantastic store for sock knitters. I also got some adorable "Handknit for you by ___" cards to include with my gifts. I'm in knitting heaven. The yarn is Fleece Artist brand in "Autumn" and "Midnight" colorways and Cherry Tree Hill in "Java." I'm thrilled with my purchases! They came with a hand written note from Sheri, who runs the Loopy Ewe, and a few small free gifts. How nice is that?! They just made a life long customer. :-)

History Project

Here's the latest installment of a completed gift from my past.

I gave this mohair scarf to my friend Meg for her birthday in July of 2004. It's so... HER. I love it. Very delicate and feminine. I used a broken rib stitch so it wouldn't bunch too much. I knit it while I took a summer class during college. There was very little to do there, so I spent a lot of time knitting. Not a bad life!

Pictures Galore

2006-12-09T17:26:00.000-05:00

Here are all the pictures I promised in my last post. The first two photographs were taken by my neighbor and friend Morgan.

Here I am with Aaron, who is clearly enjoying his new toasties. Happily, they fit! They are warm, fuzzy, and they show my appreciation for Aaron by keeping his toes from freezing. All in all, a complete success.

The next present was for (throw the yule log on) Uncle John. They aren't just booties but, as John is modeling, they make lovely finger warmers. Gotta love the christmas themed bows. I made them out of washable wool, to help momma out.
Here's a close up of the booties:

This is technically the second pair I made. Today I gave them to my co-worker for his expected baby. They decided not to find out the sex of the baby before birth, so the red and green colors worked pretty well. Apparently they've been getting a lot of yellow.

I just finished "reminding" my friend Jeanne how to knit. She learned a while ago, so this was like a refresher course. I thought it would be nice to knit baby hats for Save the Children, so we used their pattern. I think they turned out quite well.

Mine's the one on the right. Didn't Jeanne do a great job? She really took to it quickly. The hat is made flat, and then sewn up the side. I've only made hats by knitting in the round, so it was nice to learn a different technique. I prefer the round, since it's sew-free, but knowledge is power. Here's another view of my hat:

I really like the idea of knitting for charity. It combines knitting and service in a very productive way. Highly appropriate for the Christmas season. What shall my next side project be?? I'm still working on Socrates, and I've finished the front. But I've found it's good to have another project to work on at the same time. It shakes thing up, and gives me options when I'm in a knitting mood. I'd really like to make a bolero for myself, and I'm searching around for a good pattern. The problem is that I have limited funds for a new project, so i should try to use the yarn I already have... I don't have enough of any one thing for a large project though... Maybe more socks?

Wasting away in margaritaville...

2006-11-28T22:39:00.000-05:00

My vacation was lovely. Family, new friends, good times. On the knitting side of life, I'm happy to say that I finished Aaron's toasties! More pictures will be posted shortly. I was also able to finish my first pair of this season's baby booties. (i'm going for 3) The pattern is called "High-Top Baby Booties" and it's from my set of Knitting to Go cards that my roommate gave me for my birthday. Each pattern is on a separate, folding card, which makes it much more portable than lugging around an entire book. I usually make xerox copies of whatever pattern I happen to be working on, but this is a lot nicer.

Slight problem - the pattern calls for binding off and then "rearrange stitches with 13 on two needles." Well, I already binded off! there are no more stitches on any needles. I did the seam a different way, just by sewing the two edges together, since i couldn't make any sense of the directions. Maybe I'm blind and there's a logical explanation for it, but it seems to me that the pattern is flawed.

It's easily fixed, though, and creates highly cute booties! Mine are in washable dark green wool with a red accent bow (left over yarn from my friend's superman scarf) around the cuff. The completed pair was sitting on my coffee table, and my roommate proclaimed them the "cutest things ever." That's pretty much the sentiment I was going for. (Pictures soon to follow)

This pair went to my friend John, who is a brand new uncle. My friends' siblings seem to be multiplying at a fast rate lately! Will the knitting keep up?!?!

Italia + Toasties

2006-11-18T10:57:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of my friend Andy somewhere in Italy with the scarf I made him for his 22nd birthday. It's olive and khaki, which i thought were good corporate, masculine colors. Part of the fun of designing something for a friend is figuring out what they would actually *like* and be willing to wear. I'm not trying to force magenta ruffles on anyone! I like walking into my LYS, and pretending I'm another person. I buy what they would like, not what I think is cool. (usually... ;-) )

The scarf is wool, so it's very warm. I made it pretty long since Andy wears his scarf in that "loop style" you see in the picture. I did it in broken rib stitch and blocked it to make it wider. I'm very pleased with the results.

I'd love to finish Aaron's toasties before I go on vacation (!!) next week. I've turned the heel on the second one, and finished the instep decreasing.

I don't know if I'll get it done, but I'm pretty far along. If i don't finish today I'll definitely finish on the plane tomorrow.

I wonder if there are any yarn shops in key west?

Here's a close up:

Who's cute ankles are those?? why mine of course!! Once they're done I'll take a picture of them on Aaron, which should look better since these slippers basically eat my tiny feet.

Speaking of my tiny feet, I've decided that I like this pattern so much that I'm going to make some for myself! I already have some yarn (alice, you are NOT allowed to go buy yarn. seriously. your bedroom is not big enough for a proper yarn stash!) and I'm pretty excited about it. It's Cestari brand 100% wool in "Burgundy Heather. The picture represents the color pretty well. After all this grey, cream, and brown, i need some PINK in my life!
Updates to come after my vacation. Happy Thanksgiving!

Prestooooone

2006-11-15T22:39:00.000-05:00

Knitting class was exactly what i needed today. I got home late, and rushed out the door without dinner, but sitting and knitting made my stress melt away. I finished the slip stitch weave section

and I'm now about to start shaping for the neck and armholes. This is where the fun begins!

Here's a close up of my progress:
It's blurry, but just know that I'm even more motivated since little Preston was born to happy parents yesterday. Uncle Matt sent us pictures, and he's a cutie. One day he'll actually fit in the sweater, but for now he's too tiny. Preston + way too big Socrates =Adorable.

I was showing my big brother the first toasty I made.

Brother: So... what size are they?
Me: 10 1/2. I'd let you try them on, but I don't want you to stretch them out.
Brother: Don't you mean they're 11 1/2? *hint hint*
Me: These are not for you!

It was a nice compliment though. Aaron will be the envy of the neighborhood. Or at least, my brother.

Here's my progress on toasty #2

I'm done with the heel flap, and I'm about to pick up the stitches along the sides and turn the heel... which is my favorite part of sock knitting. I love shaping without sewing!

I've pretty much been knitting this toasty on my busride home from work. I've noticed some different reactions from the other passengers:

1. "What a nice young lady. I will smile approvingly whenever she looks up."
2. "What on earth is she doing? KNITTING?! Oh man, I'm going to stare blatently."
3. "Ooo... I'll steal glances whenever I don't think she's paying attention."
4. "I love my ipod."

Gadget

2006-11-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

these are sincerely cool. The whole needle lights up like a halogen light bulb. I could use these for night knitting, which as you know is an issue.

I wonder if they get hot. I'm going to have to explore this website more.

nightknitting

2006-11-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

It's highly possible that I'm an addict.

Last friday I came home after a swanky party, and tv time with friends at around 2am. A normal person would have crawled into bed. Of course, I never said I was normal.

Instead I watched last friday's episode of Numb3rs and worked on aaron's first toasty until 3:45am. I haven't stayed up that late since I went legit (read: graduated) and got a job. Good news: I finished it! Bad news: my internal clock was way off on saturday. But i think it was worth it:

Cute, no? I need to block it, but I feel good about my progress.

Back to my documentation project. My lovely friend abigail, who has been my friend since we were wee, got married to her man last May. In celebration, I knit the couple a tea cozy, which is a gift that only abby, my knitting partner in crime, could really appreciate. I also gave them a teapot to go underneath the cozy, but abby has found another use for it:

I think it makes quite a nice hat, don't you?

My creations!

2006-11-10T12:09:00.000-05:00

For historical purposes I've decided to share the projects that I'm currently working on.

1. For my fantastic knitting class with debra (my knitting guru) I'm making her toddler sweater sampler. I've never made a sweater before, since it tends to be pretty complicated and time consuming, but I figured it was time to buckle down and learn shaping. plus toddlers are wee, so it's not as time consuming as, say, a giant man-sweater. It's a "sampler" because you learn some really fun stitches, as well as making sure to cover the basics. I'm going cable crazy and loving it. I'm working on the front and the back at the same time (two different sets of needles) so that when I'm done I'm ACTUALLY done, and not just starting section two. Of course, then I have to make the sleaves, sew it together and block it...

Since I don't have any kids (clearly) i'm making the sweater for my friend matt's brother's expected baby. Little Preston will be born very soon, and he'll have a nice (way too big) sweater to grow in to. I love that knitting can create heirlooms, and things that real people need. Plus I've been meaning to knit something for Matt for quite some time now, so this is a great (though indirect) present.

Here's the progress I've made so far:

I know it looks like it's not a perfect rectangle, but blocking/sewing will fix all that. It's debra's design, so I can't take credit or post the pattern, but it's really beautiful. My camera doesn't do the color justice... it's this lovely light light brown wool.

Right now I'm working on the slip stitch weave section, and it feels so weird!! You have to slip stitches purlwise with the yarn in back, and it feels like you should be knitting, not making the motion to purl. I keep doubting myself since it feels so funny, so the section is coming slowly. It's good for me though... It's really a pretty stitch once it all comes together. You can also see some close ups of my cables. :-)

Project 2 has been in the making for a while. My friend Aaron has been asking me to make him socks since he found out I was learning to knit. When I protested that socks are one of the hardest things to make, he said he was happy to wait for my skills to catch up to his needs. Oy.

So now I'm making him slippers. not exactly what he asked for, but too bad! He'll really like them... they have pretty cables going down the top, and they will keep his size 10.5 feet warm all winter.

The pattern is from Leigh Radford's book One Skein, which is definitely worth purchasing if you like quick projects. Or if you're short on cash and you don't want to buy 20 skeins of yarn to make something fun. I chose a light cream color, and I'm making it on larger needles than they suggest, since aaron's feet are larger than the largest size they provide. Because of this, it's pretty much taking one skein per slipper, but I'm going to make another pair for my tiny feet so I'll see if the pattern lives up to its name.

Here are some more pics with mini-pippin as the model:

You can't even handle the cuteness...

I know that a lot of bloggers name their projects, and I want to fit in so I thought I might start...

Project 1 will be... Socrates, since I'm getting back to the fundamental lessons of kntting.

Project 2 will be toasties, since all I can think about is how warm they'll be on aaron's feeties.

Let's start in the very beginning...

2006-11-08T23:54:00.000-05:00

I started knitting during my junior year of college. I read an article about Debbie Stoller's now famous book, Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook, and I was intrigued. Here was a woman taking an old craft and making it relevant. The patterns were fun and edgy, and it called to me. I can't explain it. The closest hobby I know about is running: people who run NEED to run. Well, I need to knit. As I held the book in my hands I knew it was something I needed.

When I was in middle school my babysitter taught me some basic crochet stitches. Thus began my love-affair with yarn. But it wasn't until reading Stitch 'N Bitch that I understood the subtlties of fibers, and the joy of finding the best LYS in my area. (that's Local Yarn Shop, for ye uninitiated.) I felt connected to generations of women who used knitting to create useful art, and relax after a hard day of fighting bears, and smoking hams, and whatever else people did in those days.

I completed "baby's first swatch" which is clearly full of holes, but I love it.

Then I made my very first knitted project:

It is the "ribbed for her pleasure" scarf from Stitch 'N Bitch. I made it with a wool blend that I found in a fabric store, and knit on US 8 needles. (bamboo, if you were curious.)

I love it, and I still wear it.

The end that I started with was clearly made by a novice, but by the end I had that k3 p3 ribbing DOWN.

Post 1A

2006-11-08T17:27:00.000-05:00

I've realized that since I tend to give my knitted creations away to my friends and family as gifts, I don't have any way to document the hours of work I've devoted to each project. When recently asked for pictures of my scarves/mittens/socks/etc, I had to confess that I had none.

Time to change all that.

The first few posts will be me playing catch-up. I'm going to try to track down the friends who have my work, to take some "look what I made" pictures. After that, I'll be able to post as I go.