My name is Sarah, and I'm a yarn freak

knit_and_verve @ 2005-08-01T14:39:00

2005-08-01T18:18:13Z

Please...give me some inspiration. Help me find a way to get my knitting back on track? I have a bunch of unfinished projects!

knit_and_verve @ 2005-06-28T09:34:00

2005-06-28T13:36:37Z

Ah, vacation is over, and I did far less knitting than I thought I would.

I was, however, greeted by a package from my Secret Pal!

I got some really neat stuff...a skein of a gorgeous navy blue merino (assuming I know my wools lol) that is already on the needles, thanks to the book she sent me (a Vogue Knitting book of weekend projects). Two skeins of a yummy cotton/wool blend from Cascade, in my absolute favorite shade of green! A bag of kitty treats (the children are quite thrilled with that one!), a little clay pot with a fishy on it (soo cute!), a pair of Clover needles (in a much needed size) and a lovely card. How awesome was that? My secret pal ROCKS :)

So, on the needles:
- The soaker in the (hopefully) correct size, just needs to be bound off (using 3 needle bind off but forgot to take a third needle with me to accomplish it...silly me).
- The stole for D., which still needs one more skein of yarn added to it before I can finish it (I may run out today & get that).
- My rainbow socks (I'm about one inch from turning the heel on the first sock)
AND
- The mohair that my SP sent, being knitted into a drop stitch pattern scarf, which at this point is destined to be given to my friend D. on the occasion of her first New York show that she has designed the costumes for.

Now, back to finishing up my morning :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-06-19T22:54:00

2005-06-20T02:54:15Z

My Cleo haltertop is so close to being finished, it's not even funny. All I have to do now is to sew in the second piece of elastic, and weave in two or three ends that I held off on til the very end, then my first pieced garment is complete! I'll post pictures tomorrow, hopefully.

I've stockpiled a few more projects for going to camp Tuesday - I'm taking the in-progress socks (currently about four inches into the first sock), wool & pattern for two soakers, and a "stash buster" pattern for a stuffed tiny kitten that I want to knit a bunch of for holiday presents (in colors as varied as pink, yellow, blue, and lavendar, because that's what I have that folks have given me in the right gauge range). The stole will wait til I get back to get finished up.

I am looking forward to getting some knitting done at camp. I certainly won't have the urge to do anything complicated, which is why I'm taking the stuff that I'm taking (it's all very simple, stockinette stitch or garter stitch, minimal shaping and nothing fancy for me to have to *think* about.

I am just so proud of this halter top. I didn't know I was capable of making something that pretty!

knit_and_verve @ 2005-06-14T11:16:00

2005-06-14T15:05:50Z

Update:

The socks are finished :) I just put a new pair on the needles for my friend Bear - they'll be all brightly colored and obnoxious. I'm going to make the ribbing go a bit farther down the leg than I did on the previous pair, and I'm doing a 2X2 rib.

I finally got the right needles to start the bottom half of the Cleo halter top; I'm going to do it with one strand rather than two, as I want something with a little more "openness" to it (and I may not have enough yarn to finish it otherwise).

I finished one ear flap on the devil hat last night; just have to do the second ear flap and the horns, then that one will be put to bed.

I also illicitly started a fourth piece last week, just a simple stole that I need one more ball of yarn to finish (I'm using some funky eyelash yarn for it).

I'm trying to figure out what projects I want to take to camp with me next week, since I'll hopefully be finished with all of the above except for the socks. Obviously, I'll take the socks. I have a bunch of yarn that doesn't have an assigned project yet; the one I'd like to get to is the Unspun but the wheels are too big to be easy to take with me. So that leaves me with figuring out what the heck I want to work on now. Hats? Scarves? I don't feel like knitting a scarf, but I can do a hat or two or whatever. Eh. Suggestions would be appreciated :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-06-10T21:47:00

2005-06-11T01:49:53Z

Update...

Nothing new on the halter top. Both boobs are done, but the bottom panel needs work.

About 1/3 complete with the devil hat.

Just started knitting the heel of the sock tonight, so I'm likely to burst-speed on it until I get through the gusset.

I also threw some fun fur-type yarn on the needles a few days ago to give me something utterly mindless to knit (it's one of the ways I keep myself occupied when I'm tired or down).. It's already been earmarked as a Channukah gift for one of my friends - these are her colors and will look stupendous on her :)

I got two knitting mags tonight. I really should get a subscription to one of them but I don't really have a "favorite" yet. I keep seeing things that I don't think I'm up to knitting yet, and it's a bit of a turn off. But I try to inspire myself :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-06-04T23:45:00

2005-06-05T03:45:25Z

Current Status:

On the needles:
-- Second sock of the pair, almost through with the top 1 3/4" of ribbing, then I get get into the nitty gritty fast part!
-- Devil hat (based on the one in the SnB book) in black acrylic; about 2" into the hat itself
-- Cleo top from www.knitty.com in FdC "Elena" cotton tubular ribbon yarn in a deep navy blue, half of top done (aka one boob finished)

Up next:
-- Kittyville hat from SnB (same as devil hat above) that will be done in Manos cotton with cherry dangles and red insets in the ears, gift.
-- Another soaker, once I know what size to make
-- "Carnival" colored wool socks
-- More stuff than you can shake a stick at!

knit_and_verve @ 2005-06-01T22:44:00

2005-06-02T02:44:46Z

I put a new project on the needles tonight - I'm making the "Sexie" halter top with a lace-up back for myself for LR.

I'm doing it in Filatura Di Crosa "Elena" in a gorgeous navy blue. It's a cotton tubular ribbon yarn and it has a nice sheen to it - I hope it'll be as pretty as I think it will! I will do the trim in one of the other ribbon yarns that I have in abundance but only one skein of each - a good way to use them up.

Tomorrow night, I'll cast on the devil horns hat (basically the kitty hat but with horns, not ears) for a hot chick I'll see at LR later this month. That will bring me up to my requisite three projects.

I did get my order in yesterday from elann.com - GREAT prices, folks. I got some sock yarn, two skeins in a bright multicolor variegated colorway, and two balls in alaskan blue (a light grey-blue) that are hopefully destined to make socks for a sweetie's holiday present. I'm really impressed with the yarns, and will definitely be ordering from them again.

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-31T19:36:00

2005-05-31T23:40:11Z

So, last weekend I finished up the soaker, the shawl, and the first sock. Currently I'm casting on the second sock.

I *hate* the baby blanket pattern. I've started it twice and after seven or eight rows, I just end up frogging it. I think I'm just going to put it aside for a bit.

I also got my order of sock yarn in - I have some variegated multicolor that will make some fun socks, and the blue-gray for some holiday present socks.

So, I get to put TWO projects on the needles. I think I'll figure out what those might be tonight. I need to make two kitty ear hats, so that might end up being one of them. The second...who knows :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-26T13:21:00

2005-05-26T17:09:00Z

Status of the UFO's

Completed:
Baby blanket in Baby Teri - finished size about 5' X 3', was given to the parents of the baby last weekend with no border or edging (I ran out of time & steam). It got happy compliments.

Still UFO:
Soaker - need to finish about 20" of I-cord, then it will be done.
Shawl - need to knit another 7" of tie, then block, then it will be done.
Socks - 40% complete (in other words, one sock is 90% complete, the other will be started once that one is done)
Recieving blanket - 5% complete (I'm 8 rows in)

Up next:

Not a clue. I am looking at maybe doing Cleo from Knitty, or coming up with something else. Regardless, something's gonna go on the needles the beginning of next week, because I'll finish up the shawl & the soaker this weekend :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-25T18:57:00

2005-05-25T22:58:52Z

Yeah, that's it.

I just finished the soaker with a three needle bind off. Not seamed. Not Kitchener stitched. Three needle bind off.

All it needs is an I-cord, which I'm going to try & finish off before I go to sleep tonight so that I can say it's *totally* completed! I will, however, give it to the mother-to-be so she can look at it & tell me if she wants the other one to be bigger or smaller than this one - this one looks kinda big for a little baby.

But yeah. Three needle bind off. I rock :)

Secret Pal Questionnaire!

2005-05-25T14:27:12Z

If you're my secret pal, here's the questionnaire that I am supposed to post :)

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I prefer natural fibers, especially cotton, but will happily work with Lion Brand things like Homespun, etc. I just prefer to not work with the more "crunchy" acrylics

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No, and no.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Smoke and lots of heavy floral perfume irritate me, but if they're on washable stuff I can manage

4. How long have you been knitting?
Only about six months, but I'm along the "heavy beginner/intermediate" range now.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Green Tea, Vanilla, Sandalwood/Jasmine

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Sadly, yes. Especially for chocolate type things.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Knitting is taking all my focus these days. I have more than enough craft supplies for other things I do (like making candles and counted cross stitch).

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, I can play MP3's, and I like a wide variety of music - pretty much everything except gospel and country music. I'd like to have more big band music than I do; ditto with 70's and early 80's R&B.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love fall colors - burgundy, hunter green, navy blue, browns. I *really* can't stand corals & oranges.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with my boyfriend and we have three cats - Bit, Galileo, and Tesla.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Winning the lottery, Raising a family. The usual :)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I adore Lion Brand Landscapes, and love making felted bags with chunky cheap wool yarn. I love cotton yarns (especially the now-discontinued "Dance" by Artful Yarns). I actually *like* mohair, too!

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Crunchy acrylics (aka Red Heart), though if the color scheme is unmatchable (their camoflage colored yarn, as an example) I'll happily use it.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Knitting is it's own obsession! I am scaling up my skills little by little.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Don't really have a favorite - I tend towards smaller projects in general. Hats, purses, etc.

17. What are you knitting right now?
One baby blanket, a pair of wool socks on 2.5 mm DPN's, a mohair shawl, a soaker.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Run away! Bad! Blech!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Why yes, I do! ~grin~

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo or Birch

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yep!

22. How did you learn to knit?
A little bit left over from mom trying to teach me when I was a bitty child, mostly learning on my own with help from friends.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
it's the one item I didn't put above - a blanket made out of teeshirts cut into strips. I've been working on it for four months. I'll be happy if I *ever* finish it.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love Hello Kitty!

25. What is your favorite holiday?
May day or Halloween :)

26. Is there anything that you collect?
In my house, there isn't enough space for me to display my Carnival Glass collection, so I'm not adding to any collections...hah

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Nothing in particular but I'd love a book with fast gift type patterns!

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-24T22:39:00

2005-05-25T02:41:20Z

I swear, if I *ever* finish the shawl I'll be amazed. My urge to complete it has just fizzled out. I did finish the first tie tonight. That leaves me with one 8" tie to finish up. It's not hard or even time consuming. It's just not wanting to be done.

I did break my own three-project rule and I put a lacy honeycomb baby blanket on the needles (using up some Jamie variegated yarn that my friend Jen gave me). I figure, given that I know at least two pregnant women, baby stuff is a safe bet.

I'm halfway down the foot part of the first sock :) I'm also getting ready to do the gusset shaping for the soaker I'm making out of the Fingerlakes 3 ply wool. It's knitting up *really* tight to get gauge - this thing is going to be totally waterproof *lol*.

But I'm going camping this weekend, which will either mean that I'll get a lot of knitting done or none at all. And the odds of me having the soaker ready to finish before or during the weekend are pretty good, so that's the rationale for casting on a new project.

Off to knit a few more minutes, then to bed.

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-21T19:22:00

2005-05-21T23:24:38Z

Project Update:

Off the needles is the purse for Sweets. It'll go in the mail to her with some leftover craft stuff in the next couple of weeks.

Almost off the needles is the shawl for my MIL. I have two more inches of the first tie to knit, and the other tie after that (approx. 8 inches). I've already woven in the ends on the shawl so it's just blocking work, then it'll be all finished up.

I'm through the instep decreases on my first sock. It looks like a sock! I'm so excited :)

Just put on the needles a soaker for rdhdsnippet and scherzoid's soon-to-be-arriving baby. I'm using some yummy purple heathery three ply wool on size 8 circular needles, getting about 5 stitches / inch. It's going to go pretty fast, I think.

I want to have the shawl off the needles by Monday evening or Tuesday. I'm not sure what my next project will be - for thoe of you who are wondering why I'm already contemplating it, I usually keep three projects going at a time. I'd do a second soaker but I only have one size 8 circular needle.

I'm getting my spouse to take some photos of my FO's later today; hopefully I can get them up so y'all can peek at them soon :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-21T12:27:00

2005-05-21T16:28:57Z

http://www.madewithlovebyaliberal.org/index.html

Just wanted to file this away for my own future use. What a fantastic idea!

Heels Ahoy!

2005-05-20T13:39:26Z

I read a quote yesterday in a Knitty article that said until one got
more used to knitting with DPN's, they were a bit like having an
unruly hedgehog in your hands. I'm getting better at it evidently -
the hedgehog is taming up well :)

I rejoined the heel flap last night and am doing instep decreases.
I've found myself a number of times having to just stop and read ONLY
the next instruction or part of instruction in the pattern. Seeing
too many capital letters and numbers all jumbled together feels like
trying to read fortunes in my alphabet soup.

I think this is going to be okay. My only concern is that, along one
side of the heel flap (where I picked up stitches), it looks a bit
"open" (the stitches aren't very snug).

I'm so wierd. It was exciting to try the sock on and feel the heel flap curve in the right place :)

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-18T16:01:00

2005-05-18T19:46:54Z

I cannot believe that I just started the heel flap on my first sock. This is going faster than I thought it would. And on US 1.5 needles, too.

~glee~

knit_and_verve @ 2005-05-16T12:58:00

2005-05-16T16:46:35Z

Welcome to my knitting blog!

Current UFO's:

- Pair of socks in variegated blue wool yarn on size 2.5 mm dpn's, currently 3" of the first sock knitted.
- "Tie One On" shawl from www.knitty.com in Ritratto merino wool & Opal lavendar poly ribbon yarn, currently 95% complete for main panel and 0% complete for the ties.
- Funky knit bag in Kujaku by Noro, rib knit on size 9 straight needles, currently 75% complete.

Still to be finished off:

- Baby blanket in light blue Baby Teri yarn, need to weave in ends & *possibly* crochet an edging on it if I can figure out how.
- Felted bag, need to add a handle.

Next up:

- Soakers from Fingerlakes 3 ply wool, either teal or purple