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August 31, 2006
Decisions on the Baby Stuff
Thank you all so much for all of your help. I don't know what I'd do without you guys. And you know that me being me, I'm going to change my mind. Originally I was going to knit the little sweater I showed you yesterday with the cabled hat. Then I considered the Cable & Rib Sweater with Hood (ok, in all honesty, I gave it a whole lot of thought) and the Cabled Coat With Hood (another one I gave serious consideration to). I also looked at a lot of yarns and called in the expert for advice. At some point last night reality set in and I realized I really didn't have time to knit an elaborate cable sweater by September 16th. So, I went back to the drawing board and came up with this raglan sweater in Louet Gems Topaz (I hope it's soft enough - even though those in the know assure me it is). Then I'm going to go get some Baby Ull for the Cable hat. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I promise.
In other news, I got a part-time job. At the local yarn store. Cool, huh. I wasn't looking for a job, but it just came to me. The owners are dissolving their partnership and the lady who is keeping the store needs someone to work every once in awhile when she has something going on with her kids. So, she called me to see if I was interested. With the holidays coming up, who couldn't use a little extra money and if it involves any sort of discount on yarn or supplies, so much the better. I'm working from 1 to 6 on Saturday. I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm still working on the sleeves of the Sundara sweater. I won't have very much time to knit tonight because of karate, but I did knit quite a bit last night (while I watched Project Runway). Plus my weekend plans involve knitting, knitting, and knitting. Exciting isn't it (I know you all agree with me that it is indeed exciting). The only other news is that I've subscribed to a new magazine - this is the second issue - and I really like it, so I thought I'd share. The magazine is called Blueprint. It's published by Martha Stewart and it's a nice combination of DIY, fashion, home, and health. Just a little bit of everything in one place. I really like it and while it isn't a knitting magazine, I thought some of you might want to check it out.
Posted by Stephanie at 1:56 PM | Comments (12)August 30, 2006
Baby Yarn Questions
Hello all my knitting experts. Brace yourselves. I'm planning and I need help. Thanks for your input on the baby knits. I very much appreciate it. The sweater I want to knit is super simple stockinette stitch pullover w/ a slit in the back from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight. Here's a picture (and as an aside, isn't that the cutest baby!)
I was originally going to make the pants too, but some of you said pants aren't good, so now I'm wondering about just knitting the sweater and the booties. What do you think? The pattern calls for 4-ply yarn and the one in the book is knit with Jaeger cashmere (I can't even find a site to link to). I want something soft and machine washable. I think the tension for the Jaeger is 28 sts and 36 rows to 10cm using 3.25mm needles. What do you think would be a good substitution? Oh, and I think I want navy blue.
The other pattern I want to knit is Purly's Hat Pattern. It would be a good pattern for a boy if it was done in gray wouldn't it? Mom wants a cabled hat and I had to promise I'd knit her one to keep her from buying one at Gap. So, the hat is a must. The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Any recommended substitutions? Or maybe I should use that for all of the pieces? What do you think?
And the most important question of all - how long will it take me to knit the sweater and the hat? Could it be done in a week? If I figure in time to order yarn, I might be cutting it close. The local yarns shops have Dale and Brown Sheep, but I'm not very familiar with those lines. I think Baby Ull is too fine for the patterns and I don't know about Dale's other yarns. Any ideas? However, if I figure out what I need and order the yarn this week, I should be fine. I won't have the Sundara sweater done before the weekend for sure. So, it will probably be at least sometime next week before I have time to spend on the baby knits. The bottom line is, I'm open to whatever as long as it's machine washable. Thanks for your help and for putting up with my crazy ramblings.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:41 AM | Comments (16)August 29, 2006
I'm Feelin' The Itch
What itch? The itch for socks. I haven't knit a pair of socks since... well, I guess the last ones were the stripey Wyoming Cowboy ones for my mom. Look at the date on those puppies - June!! No wonder I'm getting twitchy. So, the obvious solution is to wind some sock yarn from the stash and scratch the itch. Well, life cannot be that simple. You know it as well as I do. I have the Sundara Yarn sweater to finish - on a deadline no less. Then there's Trellis. Do you remember Trellis? I barely do. Poor Trellis was derailed by the broken Holz & Stein needle, but the replacement landed in my mailbox weeks ago and yet I haven't even looked at the poor thing. Trellis may just be on vacation for awhile longer. And of course there is the lovely Butterfly. I really want to work on it because it's coming along so nicely and I'm actually getting the hang of the 2-handed thing, but the test sweater must come first. Oh, and then I have a baby shower for a very good friend in a couple of weeks and I would love to knit her a little sweater and pants and maybe a cute cabled hat. I haven't a clue when I'm going to find the time to knit those projects. She may just get a sweater and hat and no pants. All you baby people out there (because we all know I don't have a clue), if a baby is born the middle of October, what size sweater would a mom want for winter? Three month?? I swear, even when I don't have a list of projects they sneak up on me.
I've decided that I am NOT knitting anything for Christmas gifts this year. And I was thinking about knitting a sweater for Travis, but I found a great Ralph Lauren cashmere/wool fine gauge black sweater for 75% off when I was visiting my sister. It fits him and isn't bulky so I'm not knitting him a sweater for awhile. Socks maybe, but no sweaters. He likes the super fine, light weight sweaters and I just don't feel up to a sweater of that size on a size 1 needle. Oh, and I forgot. I told a friend that I'd knit her a pair of socks (with cashmere! - see the motivation?) in exchange for a couple of free massages (I'm pretty pleased with the trade, thank you very much). She hasn't picked out the yarn, but I need to do those before I knit any socks for myself. Although, it will be sock knitting and should technically scratch the itch, I'm thinking I might find some time to knit myself some socks in ... November??
Posted by Stephanie at 9:58 AM | Comments (19)August 28, 2006
You're Not Gonna Believe This
But I actually made some progress on some projects over the weekend. I finally, and I mean finally finished a project bag I started over a month ago. I wanted a cute little bag I could put my current project in and then throw in my big work bag. I found a tutorial over at crafster and dug through the stash to find some fabric. I started on it and then I just abandoned it (along about the same time I abandoned everything else too). But, yesterday I decided I'd finish it.
I'm not completely happy with it, but I've decided to look at it as a learning experience. I like the overall shape and the fabric, but I'm not happy with the lining. It's a bit smaller than the bag itself - too small actually. And, this was my first attempt at a button hole and it's less than perfect. But, whatever. It works for my purposes and I can always make another one. Right?
I also got some quality knitting time in yesterday. I went to a friend's house to help her turn the heel on her sock and I worked on my Sundara Yarn sweater. It's coming along nicely.
August 23, 2006
Not A Thing
I am quite ashamed that I don't have a single thing to tell you. I've only knit about 2 rows on my latest project since Sunday. I had plans to knit at lunch today, but I spent my lunch hour buying t-shirts and iron-on letters for our office picnic team. The picnic is tomorrow afternoon and I've completely lost my mind because somehow I volunteered to be on our division's "team." I'm not even sure what that means. It has something to do with those little games we used to play as kids - sack races and stuff like that. But the problem is that the exact games are top secret. So I've volunteered for something I don't know anything about. Sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? I really hope there aren't any pictures of this fiasco, but if there are, you know I'll share with you. Anyway, there are 4 of us on a team - 2 guys and 2 girls - and we needed matching shirts so that's what I did over my lunch. Long story short, no knitting. Spinning and sewing have suffered the same fate. It's pretty sad around here. To add to my no-knitting dilemma, we moved karate to tonight because I have the picnic and everyone else has some music thing tomorrow. I'll keep my fingers crossed for knitting tomorrow. If you have a couple fingers to spare, I can use all the help I can get.
Posted by Stephanie at 2:32 PM | Comments (13)August 21, 2006
Good Knitting Time
The Bar Convention is good for one thing - knitting time. I sat in lectures for 3 days and knit. My progress was slowed by my frogging everything I did on Wednesday, but I finished the back of my Kimono Sweater and have just started the sleeves.
Excuse the dog hair - Riley just can't help himself. I do so love a nice simple knit. This pattern is so wonderful. The construction is one I've not used before, but so far, I'm really liking it. I can't show you more than little snippets, but I promise it will be worth the wait.
This weekend was marvelous. I didn't do a thing. Well, I went to the grocery store and I made chocolate chip cookes, but otherwise I putzed around the yard, watched a couple of movies (and knit) and read a book. I really feel a lot better than I've felt in a long time. I think I really needed a nice relaxing weekend at home.
I am seriously behind on my blog reading and I apologize to all of you. I owe almost everyone some comments. I've been out of touch for too long. So, I'm going to try to get to visit every one over the next few days, but it might take me the week to visit everyone! I hope you all are well.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:27 AM | Comments (16)August 17, 2006
Aprons & Swatches
I've been at the bar convention for the last couple of days and my home computer is tempermental to say the least. I had a funny and charming post all ready to go this morning (ok, I'm making the funny and charming part up) and then my computer had a system error and shut itself off. And there went my post. Lovely. Just lovely.
So, anyway, here's the supercute apron Angela made for me for our apron swap.
The fabric is white with little red cherries - I just love it. It goes great in my green and red kitchen (and no - it doesn't look like Christmas in there!). If you want to see the apron I made, go check out Cyndi's blog. She has a full picture of it.
In knitting news, I've been swatching. And swatching. And swatching.
I was having a bit of trouble getting gauge for the Sundara sweater, and at this point the addi #4's are the best. Let's see - that would be the smallest swatch - the others are the addi #5, the holz & stein #4, and the addi #3. I've been knitting and soaking the swatches and that has made a slight difference in my gauge. I thought the numbers were off on that swatch as well, but when I checked again this morning after it had dried, it actually appears to be right. Go figure. So, I cast-on while listening to a lecture on the art of legal reasoning. Riveting, let me tell you. After I get more than an inch done, I'll show you a little bit of how she's looking. Tomorrow is more lectures and an eye doctor appointment. If I get a chance and get anything done, you'll be the first to know about it.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:58 PM | Comments (17)August 15, 2006
What Day Is It?
Wow. I can't believe I've been away so long. I've missed you guys! The brief from hell is finally on the big boss' desk for review, so no more blood, sweat, and tears on it for at least a day or two. It's times like this, after a couple of weeks like I just had, that I really think I ought to think seriously about a future career as a waitress. But I doubt I could afford my fiber habit on tips alone. You'd think that I'd have some knitting and sewing and spinning news after my rather long absence, but I don't. I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but I've only knit one gauge swatch since I got back from New Mexico. Butterfly has been neglected, Trellis is still waiting for the replacement needle, and I have a new project I'm still swatching for. It's a secret project, but I'll show you the yarn.
Gorgeous isn't it. It's Sundara Yarn. I'm test knitting a sweater pattern for Purly and I just love the color she dyed for me. I knit one swatch Saturday night and my gauge was a little off, so tonight I'm going to try again and see if I can't get it right.
Other than that, I haven't done much. I did go shopping with a friend on Saturday. I really needed to get away from my brief for a few hours. We had a lovely morning. I bought a couple of pairs of pants for work from the Gap and a new bra and undies from Gap Body. That's the first time I've tried any of their lingerie and I have to say that I was impressed. Cute styles, good size selection, and decent prices - very impressive.
Tomorrow I'll have pictures of the very cute apron I got from Angela in our little apron swap! So cute. Travis thinks it's cute too, but I'm not going to tell you (or take pictures for that matter) specifically what he thinks about it! Have a great day.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:42 AM | Comments (16)August 7, 2006
Whirlwind
Where does the time go? I can't believe it's been almost a week since I blogged. The trip to New Mexico was a success. Stacy turned 30 and had a great time at her party.
We shopped and had fun even though it rained most of the time we were there (although it didn't rain a drop on Stacy's birthday - someone was obviously looking out for us). I was good. I bought a couple of things for Travis, but saved my money for the camera I want to buy. Blogging is more important than a new wardrobe, right? Oh, I did have to buy Riley a Corgi Cannoli at the dog store.
Butterfly made the trip to New Mexico and I managed to get a fair amount done (I'd have gotten more done if I hadn't had to work while I was there, but what are ya gonna do?). We did run in to a minor snag. One of Stacy's dogs thought the yarn looked really fun, even through the little plastic ziplock bags. And I have to admit, it looks like he had fun.
But most of it was fixable. I spit spliced the larger chunks back together and kept the little pieces in case I need them down the road. I'm almost finished with the 3rd repeat and I think I may be getting better at the whole 2-handed thing.
I'm still working on my brief and probably won't have much free time until the end of the week, but I'll try to get around and see what you all have been up to. Have a great week.
Posted by Stephanie at 8:36 AM | Comments (21)August 1, 2006
Drive By Blogging
Hi Guys. Sorry I've been absent, but it isn't going to get much better until some time next week. This weekend was hot (really, really hot!) and busy and I didn't do much knitting (and, ahem, no spinning). The broken Holz & Stein has put Trellis on hold. I've managed to order another one, but mail from Germany isn't exactly overnight. I might try to knit a bit with the Addi Naturas until it gets here, but we'll just have to see how that goes. Sunday I worked on my apron for our little apron swap and I actually managed to get it done. Here's a sneak peak, but I can't show you the whole thing until the recipient has it in her hot little hands.
The only other thing I worked on this weekend was a new project bag for my on-the-go knitting. I found a tutorial over at Craftster and modified it to be a bit larger. I still need to attach the bands for the top and a button, but it is a simple project that I used stash fabric for!
Tomorrow I'm headed back to New Mexico. My little sister is turning 30 on Thursday and my mom's throwing her a huge birthday bash. So, it will be a quick trip and I'm taking work with me - why or why do I have a supreme court brief to write and family things at the same time? I'll have a computer, so I'll try to blog while I'm gone. I'm also taking Butterfly and I hope to get some evening knitting done - always the optimist! Have a great week.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:04 AM | Comments (17)
