Thursday, September 29, 2005
look at me!
i'm finally to the point where i can comfortably put the knitting down and go do all things i've neglected this morning, as i've fixed my latest mistakes, and knitted beyond .... pretty sock! a sock that will need blocking to even out the wonkiness of the lace.
title?
just ask Schmutzi Meilenweit.
in knitting news, i did rip out my 4 or 5 rows of sock, and haven't sat back down to get the stitches back where they belong. i've never had so many problems with a sock before. it's not hard or difficult, i just get going and keep going 'round and 'round, and forget to pause and do the plain areas in between. i plan on getting a fair amount of knitting done tomorrow on the plane, so i need to quit making this same mistake so i can make some progress! in preparation for my trip, i got a new stitch gauge! see!
i think i own about 5 or 6 of these things now. but, i only know where one of them is. i'm determined not to lose this one. i think some of my old ones are stuffed into books somewhere on the knitting shelf ....
i leave very early tomorrow morning for vermont. i had planned on having a cardigan knitted by now, to wear to the festival. instead, i had 3 new pairs of socks. what happened? oh yeah, i moved and had a lot on my mind, and couldn't commit to a sweater.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
things are coming along
i'm still trying to figure out the relationship between my pc and my blog ... i can't figure out how to crop ! ooooh, the growing pains! well, i should have learned by now that wine and knitting don't mix, at least when it comes to lace. but, for some reason, i keep trying. and so, here it is --- a grand mistake, requiring ripping --- i knitted beyond my repeat, and must rip back to include the plain rows. UGH! (AGAIN!). i use to knit lots of stockinette st. socks --- and i wore them, and i wear them, but i get so much more satisfaction from more patterned socks. now, if i can just knit the suckers w/o mistakes!
goobers test
yes, goobers. because i've already posted this picture once before, and i'm testing my new connection with my computer and camera ... and i've (maybe)figured out the kinks. (fingers crossed)(the superstitious knitter)
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
avoidance behavior
... it certainly has its benefits, just look at how much sock i've knitted!
i spent some time on the sofa watching stupid shows, but that was okay because i was also being productive ! i was so productive, i did not notice that i had skipped a repeat of the plain knitting rounds between my last two sets of scallops. ugh! so, a ripping i went this morning. i had actually knitted the heel and was a few rounds into the gusset when i noticed my mistake.
i'm using size 1 dpns on some stash koigu. i think the pattern would be easier to see with a different colorway, but my other stash koigu has been earmarked for other projects, so, i can't touch it! and i can't have more koigu, at least not until after (or during) my vermont trip. who made up these rules ?!
i still have not tried to reinstall my camera software. i spent some serious time yesterday on my computer, wiping out its harddrive and reloading all the programs. (yes, that's the punishment for when the computer is misbehaving --- wipe out its memory!) i did reinstall my dsl (duh), printer and scanner, oh, and norton. i'm feeling very picture deprived as i've yet to get my camera and computer to be friends. in the meantime, i guess the scanner will work as my "camera".
and have you seen this book ? i want it! right now i'm thinking i need a knitted crown. don't we need crowns?
and lastly, interweave press has a new special issue magazine coming in october, knitscene. of couse it's on my i want list! i'm a big interweave knits fan!
i spent some time on the sofa watching stupid shows, but that was okay because i was also being productive ! i was so productive, i did not notice that i had skipped a repeat of the plain knitting rounds between my last two sets of scallops. ugh! so, a ripping i went this morning. i had actually knitted the heel and was a few rounds into the gusset when i noticed my mistake.
i'm using size 1 dpns on some stash koigu. i think the pattern would be easier to see with a different colorway, but my other stash koigu has been earmarked for other projects, so, i can't touch it! and i can't have more koigu, at least not until after (or during) my vermont trip. who made up these rules ?!
i still have not tried to reinstall my camera software. i spent some serious time yesterday on my computer, wiping out its harddrive and reloading all the programs. (yes, that's the punishment for when the computer is misbehaving --- wipe out its memory!) i did reinstall my dsl (duh), printer and scanner, oh, and norton. i'm feeling very picture deprived as i've yet to get my camera and computer to be friends. in the meantime, i guess the scanner will work as my "camera".
and have you seen this book ? i want it! right now i'm thinking i need a knitted crown. don't we need crowns?
and lastly, interweave press has a new special issue magazine coming in october, knitscene. of couse it's on my i want list! i'm a big interweave knits fan!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
knitting is easier than blogging
i say this because after my computer being in storage for the last year+, i hardly remember how to use it. i tried to install my software for my digital camera, but it "didn't take". now, i need to uninstall, once i figure out how to do that, at an acceptable time of day.
but, in knitting news, i did start a new pair of socks! i'm knitting with some stash koigu in a shade of yellow with splotches with the lacy scallops sock pattern on the sockbug's website . i'm using size 1 dpns, and have 72 stitchs on my needles. so, it's a wavy kind of pattern, scallops, like feather & fan, or a chevron, so, it shouldn't be so big, but ... it's looking big. i'm going to keep knitting and see what happens though. (trying to be the faithful knitter)
the other reward koigu got put aside. it's too precious because it's fresh koigu. i'm a freak.
but, in knitting news, i did start a new pair of socks! i'm knitting with some stash koigu in a shade of yellow with splotches with the lacy scallops sock pattern on the sockbug's website . i'm using size 1 dpns, and have 72 stitchs on my needles. so, it's a wavy kind of pattern, scallops, like feather & fan, or a chevron, so, it shouldn't be so big, but ... it's looking big. i'm going to keep knitting and see what happens though. (trying to be the faithful knitter)
the other reward koigu got put aside. it's too precious because it's fresh koigu. i'm a freak.
Friday, September 23, 2005
toxic socks
well, it's electric ! or, it just looks that way because the scan i did was so dark and dingy, i had to liven things up. so, though unnatural, the colors are pretty nice, though false. but, look at the texture! you can actually see the stitch pattern, and that was my ultimate goal. pretend the yellowish color is actually a jewel toned green, and the other colors are not so toxic.
i did reward myself yesterday with two balls of koigu ... in a lovely girlie shade of mixed golds/peach/pinks/greys. i decided i'm tired of knitting dark socks. i need some happy lace socks now. i started a sock yesterday (so, i prematurely started)(which, is probably why it didn't work out), but need to find a different lace pattern. isn't it funny how one can spend so much time contemplating the sock vs. knitting the sock? yep, that's me. the theoretical knitter.
i'm connected !!!
goodness! it's been too long since my last post. i have been offline for a couple of weeks, but just installed bellsouth dsl this morning, and it works :)
my next step will be trying to figure out how to make my camera speak to my computer.
in knitting news, my yarn and i have a new home. i have so much stash. i shouldn't need anymore yarn, but i am going to a sheep & wool festival next weekend, and i don't know how you don't buy yarn, especially when you have to fly all the way to vermont to see it. i don't know what to expect there, but plan on having plenty of space in my luggage for just in case emergency yarn purchases.
on the homefront, i am almost finished with another pair of socks. i will post a picture when i figure out how to do that again. i figure at worst, i can smush it on my scanner. that might actually be a better image than a photo, as i keep using these dark rich colors that don't really translate well with my picture taking skills and photoshop. having photoshop is one thing, knowing how to use it is something quite different.
the yarn i'm using is brown sheep's wildfoote handpaint. the color is called 'rhapsody', and it has rich shades of purples, blues, green, and fuschia. i loved it at first, but now i'm over it. i am using the diagonal rib sock pattern from the subscriber pages of interweave knits. if you choose to do this sock, just be aware that the stitch pattern is a sock yarn guzzler. i had minimal amounts of leftover snippets.
i have a lot of catching up to do on blog reading, and posting.
my next step will be trying to figure out how to make my camera speak to my computer.
in knitting news, my yarn and i have a new home. i have so much stash. i shouldn't need anymore yarn, but i am going to a sheep & wool festival next weekend, and i don't know how you don't buy yarn, especially when you have to fly all the way to vermont to see it. i don't know what to expect there, but plan on having plenty of space in my luggage for just in case emergency yarn purchases.
on the homefront, i am almost finished with another pair of socks. i will post a picture when i figure out how to do that again. i figure at worst, i can smush it on my scanner. that might actually be a better image than a photo, as i keep using these dark rich colors that don't really translate well with my picture taking skills and photoshop. having photoshop is one thing, knowing how to use it is something quite different.
the yarn i'm using is brown sheep's wildfoote handpaint. the color is called 'rhapsody', and it has rich shades of purples, blues, green, and fuschia. i loved it at first, but now i'm over it. i am using the diagonal rib sock pattern from the subscriber pages of interweave knits. if you choose to do this sock, just be aware that the stitch pattern is a sock yarn guzzler. i had minimal amounts of leftover snippets.
i have a lot of catching up to do on blog reading, and posting.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
the great imposter
these questions are from 'secret pal 6', which, i am not participating in, but i just wanted to answer the questions!
*******************************************************
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? i AM a yarn snob, though, i will knit with acrylique when the project dictates. rowan is my FAVORITE yarn ... maybe it's the presentation, all those yummy books with pretty european models.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? i tried spinning once, but it didn't "take". now, crochet -- yes i do! i've not embraced crochet for garment making, but do love it for afghans and trims, ... oh, and snowflakes. oh, and scarves. and wraps (really, mini-afghans).
3. Do you have any allergies? yes. i'm allergic to dogs & cats, trees, chamomile (sp?), and lots of other things. i'm very sensitive to the smell of cigarette smoke.
4. How long have you been knitting? goodness! you think i'd be a master knitter by now ... 16 years!
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon
6. What's your favorite scent? fresh cut grass.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? no, i'm savory.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? i also machine knit and sew, sometimes string beads, or make shrinky dinks, and would like to get around to my marble magnets.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? music ... hmmm ... i like lots of kinds of music, but mostly music that either raises the roof with a great rhythm, or something soothing. i'm not so sure about the capabilities of my computer, but i know my computer and cd player like mixed cd's, ... my "stereo" is an 18 yr. old 'boom box'.
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 green, and funky shades of yellow, oh, and pink and red, and purples. browns are great too, as are blues and oranges. my color mood changes on a daily basis. but, i do lean towards cooler colors for wearing. oooh, lipstick colors!
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? i live solo w/o any pets. i hope to pick up (win) a goldfish when the fair comes to town.
12. What are your life dreams? serenity and balance.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? ROWAN! and, wool (in general).
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? crap scarf knitter yarns --- fur, eyelash, component yarns. (maybe this falls under 'synthetics'?)
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? i'm obsessed over finishing overdue projects ... but making lots of socks at the moment, and really want to get underway with a fall cardigan.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? shawls & wraps ... because they always fit, and i don't think of them as granny, but hot and fashionable.
17. What are you knitting right now? a swatch for the next pair of socks, a rowan jilly cardigan, a phoebe capelet, a christmas stocking, a .....
18. What do you think about ponchos? ugh. ick.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? i like straights for small projects and circs for larger projects, though, i will use whatever i have on hand.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? yes. again, i will use what i have, and if i have multiple sets, i will go for whichever has the nicest point or whichever the yarn prefers.
21. Are you a sock knitter? yes.
22. How did you learn to knit? Self taught
23. How old is your oldest UFO? i don't know. i'm sure i have some that are as old as i've been knitting.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? i love the alien from a toy story and i love baby anteaters.
25. What is your favorite holiday? is 'december' a holiday?
26. Is there anything that you collect? no. i did. but, i have too much stuff. i collect things i can use, not things that just sit around collecting dust.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? i subscribe to interweave knits and rebecca. when there's more cash flow, i've subscribed to metalsmith and piecework. i use to subscribe to threads before i got tired if it only being about sewing, i've considered vogue knitting, and let my knitters subscription die a proper death. i NEED to subscribe to rowan, but have been procrastinating. (you know, they send you some free 'gift' yarn for subscribing!)(FREE YARN!)
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? YES! check out my amazon wish list. i'd really love a copy of _knitwear in fashion_ by sandy black. it's not available on amazon, but i think i saw it somewhere on the rowan site, or somewhere over there.
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?? i'd love to get the 'pick up sticks' patterns for felted flowers.
*******************************************************
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? i AM a yarn snob, though, i will knit with acrylique when the project dictates. rowan is my FAVORITE yarn ... maybe it's the presentation, all those yummy books with pretty european models.
2. Do you spin? Crochet? i tried spinning once, but it didn't "take". now, crochet -- yes i do! i've not embraced crochet for garment making, but do love it for afghans and trims, ... oh, and snowflakes. oh, and scarves. and wraps (really, mini-afghans).
3. Do you have any allergies? yes. i'm allergic to dogs & cats, trees, chamomile (sp?), and lots of other things. i'm very sensitive to the smell of cigarette smoke.
4. How long have you been knitting? goodness! you think i'd be a master knitter by now ... 16 years!
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon
6. What's your favorite scent? fresh cut grass.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? no, i'm savory.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? i also machine knit and sew, sometimes string beads, or make shrinky dinks, and would like to get around to my marble magnets.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? music ... hmmm ... i like lots of kinds of music, but mostly music that either raises the roof with a great rhythm, or something soothing. i'm not so sure about the capabilities of my computer, but i know my computer and cd player like mixed cd's, ... my "stereo" is an 18 yr. old 'boom box'.
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 green, and funky shades of yellow, oh, and pink and red, and purples. browns are great too, as are blues and oranges. my color mood changes on a daily basis. but, i do lean towards cooler colors for wearing. oooh, lipstick colors!
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? i live solo w/o any pets. i hope to pick up (win) a goldfish when the fair comes to town.
12. What are your life dreams? serenity and balance.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? ROWAN! and, wool (in general).
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? crap scarf knitter yarns --- fur, eyelash, component yarns. (maybe this falls under 'synthetics'?)
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? i'm obsessed over finishing overdue projects ... but making lots of socks at the moment, and really want to get underway with a fall cardigan.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? shawls & wraps ... because they always fit, and i don't think of them as granny, but hot and fashionable.
17. What are you knitting right now? a swatch for the next pair of socks, a rowan jilly cardigan, a phoebe capelet, a christmas stocking, a .....
18. What do you think about ponchos? ugh. ick.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? i like straights for small projects and circs for larger projects, though, i will use whatever i have on hand.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? yes. again, i will use what i have, and if i have multiple sets, i will go for whichever has the nicest point or whichever the yarn prefers.
21. Are you a sock knitter? yes.
22. How did you learn to knit? Self taught
23. How old is your oldest UFO? i don't know. i'm sure i have some that are as old as i've been knitting.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? i love the alien from a toy story and i love baby anteaters.
25. What is your favorite holiday? is 'december' a holiday?
26. Is there anything that you collect? no. i did. but, i have too much stuff. i collect things i can use, not things that just sit around collecting dust.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? i subscribe to interweave knits and rebecca. when there's more cash flow, i've subscribed to metalsmith and piecework. i use to subscribe to threads before i got tired if it only being about sewing, i've considered vogue knitting, and let my knitters subscription die a proper death. i NEED to subscribe to rowan, but have been procrastinating. (you know, they send you some free 'gift' yarn for subscribing!)(FREE YARN!)
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? YES! check out my amazon wish list. i'd really love a copy of _knitwear in fashion_ by sandy black. it's not available on amazon, but i think i saw it somewhere on the rowan site, or somewhere over there.
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?? i'd love to get the 'pick up sticks' patterns for felted flowers.
slow motion
i have been wrapped up more in the moving process vs. the knitting process. i have temporarily abandoned some of my larger projects to knit socks --- why? socks are smaller, more portable, and don't require as much thinking .... you know, stalling. last winter, i bought a yummy hank of yarn made by mountain colors. it's a sock yarn, called 'barefoot'. the colorway is called 'rosehips', but i just couldn't get the colors to translate with my photos. the colors should read as a deep wine with blips of a brighter red, and subtle variations in between. also, in the interest of interesting knitting, i used a broken cable pattern. just imagine a checker board, and all the black blocks are reverse stockinette st., and the reds are the 2x2 cables.
this yarn has a high mohair content. (i've lost the label, but i think it was something like 20% or 25%) not that i want to handwash socks, as the yarn is superwash, but i can just see the mohair grabbing every bit of lint in the wash and making my lovely socks look like old towels. i slept in them the night i finished them, and my toes were toasty warm!
the joyful thing about moving is seeing all my stuff again! (especially the books) i knew before i moved in that this is where the knitting library would be ... leta knew too, as when she helped me move the first batch of boxes with knitting books, she immediately dropped the boxes infront of the mantle. us knitters just know.
i know this doesn't look like much ... just a bunch of clutter infront of a closet ... but guess what is STASHed inside that closet? yep! YARN! lots of yummy touchy-feely YARN! i'll show it off another time ....
this yarn has a high mohair content. (i've lost the label, but i think it was something like 20% or 25%) not that i want to handwash socks, as the yarn is superwash, but i can just see the mohair grabbing every bit of lint in the wash and making my lovely socks look like old towels. i slept in them the night i finished them, and my toes were toasty warm!the joyful thing about moving is seeing all my stuff again! (especially the books) i knew before i moved in that this is where the knitting library would be ... leta knew too, as when she helped me move the first batch of boxes with knitting books, she immediately dropped the boxes infront of the mantle. us knitters just know.
i know this doesn't look like much ... just a bunch of clutter infront of a closet ... but guess what is STASHed inside that closet? yep! YARN! lots of yummy touchy-feely YARN! i'll show it off another time ....
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