Cobwebs And Dust...

All of the cobwebs are cleaned up and I've dusted and swept. Amazing what happens when something is left untouched.

It's been awfully busy around here. Not that anyone would know. I haven't really had any inclination to write or update, but now there are some things worth mentioning.

First, I have two patterns coming out in a book, Off The Cuff, which will be available around October 1st. It's currently available for pre-order. You can preview some of the designs here as well as order. Both of my designs are on the cover! How exciting is that? Has me grinning ear to ear, but I can't help myself. They're also having a contest for anyone who is a member of Ravelry's Fingerless Gloves Fanatics Group. Pre-order a book by September 15, give your Rav name and be entered to win $100 worth of yarn and goodies.

On a calmer note, but still very excited, I finished my Chevron III. I can't believe it's off the needles. And so pretty.

Knit with Austermann Smaragd Classic from Elann.com. Great yarn and price. Washable too. This is for the lovely Omega. I meant to have it done by last Christmas, but hey, at least it's done before Christmas '08, right?

The next BIG thing I finished was my Kusha Kusha Scarf. Over one year on the needles. It was tedious, but I love the end results.


Finally, for now, my Luna Moth Shawl. On my needles since May '07, I really didn't think I'd ever get the gumption to finish it. But I did. And I love it!

Knit in Elann Callista, a rayon/ cotton/ linen blend. It hasn't been blocked yet, I'll get pictures when that's done. It's just been too hot to do anything like that for a while.

Special thanks to the Ravelympics for the motivation to finish these three items. I'm so glad I had a last minute change of heart and decided to join the WIP Wrestling team rather than cast on something new (which I do all of the time anyway).

I have quite a few more finished objects, but I'll get to them later. Ravelry takes up some of my time, and I have a couple of other projects keeping me busy as well. Other than that, all is well, the usual ups and downs, but life goes on.

It's About Time

I've been busy, I really have, but just not inspired to write about anything.

Just finished a pair of Bronte's Mitts for a Ravelry KAL. Loved the pattern. Such an easy knit for a very pretty pair of girly mitts. I knit them in Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply, which is so soft and pretty. The only mods I made were to use size 3 & 5 needles rather than the recommended 4 & 6, and added a row just before knitting the thumb waste yarn. Otherwise it's a great pattern and a very quick knit. I did make a mistake on one of the cuffs and had to redo it, but that was my fault. It's all fixed now.

I finally blocked my Chevron II. Well, not exactly blocked, but gave it a good steaming. Turned out very nice and drapes very nicely. The reason my blocking or steaming had come to a halt was because my iron was missing. How does an iron get on the "missing - nowhere in sight" list you ask? I bought a new iron, just before my home renovations, and had no idea where it was. My daughter and sisters helpe me with clean up after everything was done, and I was afraid it may have been tossed in a Goodwill bag by someone. I know, I could've bought another one, but I always had hope. Anyway, it's found and works beautifully.

Also finished this slouch hat for my sister Jasmine for her birthday, which was April 12. Yeah, I've been away for a while. She's quite glitzy when she wants to be and pulls it off with class. She loved it. Well, I should hope so, since she picked the yarn and all.

So much more to talk about and show. I probably should write while I'm in the mood, but it can wait.

Keep creating!

Call Me Crazy

It wouldn't be the first time. I started a new Chevron Scarf. Solid red. Lovely. For my daughters girlfriend. I missed the Christmas deadline, but she'll get it in enough time to use while it's still cold. Not only am I zippiing right through, but the yarn is just great. It's Austermann Smaragd Classic, 100% Superwash Wool. Knits up beautifully, looks and feels great. And you can't beat the price. Good ole Elann.com comes through again.


So my nephews youngest LOVES Spongebob Squarepants. Searcing around for a hat pattern I came across this. Pure genius, I thought. It inspired my little hat for Aidan. I knit the hat using my tried and true pattern, used I-cord for the legs and nose, and took the lazy way out and used felt for the face embellishements. I did use Kody Mays pattern for the arms. Needless to say the look on his face when he saw it was priceless.


Besides being crazy, I must have masochistic tendancies. I knit up another pair of wire votive sleeves. This time a little harder on the fingers than I remembered. But they turned out lovely and my nephews wife loved them. Her favorite colors.


Needing some mindless needlecraft, I crocheted this trivet for my niece. She saw one I had made years ago, at my sister's, and wanted one. Lily's crochet cotton works for me. I have the pattern from an online source a few years back, but I can't find it online anymore and don't know if I can reprint the pattern here or not.

And, if you see this in time, there's a contest going on here. Hurry, the deadline to enter is December 31. I just found out about it today. Sadly, it's only open to residents of the U.S., Canada and D of C.

Happy, healthy, safe New Year to everyone. Let's make it a stellar creative year.

I Have Learned...

1. I am not Superwoman. Anymore.
2. Five day work weeks suck the big one.
3. I can let things go and not worry about them so much.
4. I can get so relaxed, I don't give a damn about anything. (without the aid of drugs or alcohol)
5. Chrome coffee carafes make crappy tasting coffee.
6. Time flies much too quickly.
7. Home renovations are a pain in the ass. (but worth it!)
8. White floors are a also a pain in the ass. (not so worth it)
9. Letting go of material things gives me a great feeling.
10. My daughter is a priceless gem!

There's more, but that's quite enough for now.

My Chevron the Sequel is done!. Presented here ends still not weaved in, jelly roll style, because I still don't have the appropriate space to do the blocking.

My Gentlemens Socks are still languishing, but will be done. Eventually.

And up top, my "next sock" yarn. Fleece Artist hand dyed merino. I may start them before I finish the above socks. Who knows.

Update or How To Rehash The Old

The knitting of the Kusha scarf came to a temporary halt. I just couldn't get my knit groove on with my needles on hand. The 14 inchers were not comfortable, circulars didn't cut it, metal or otherwise. So being that I can be anal meticulous about some things, I ordered new needles so I can continue. They're Crystal Palace Bamboo. Had a hard time finding 9" needles, so I had to wait for them by mail. It was worth the wait and made all the difference for me.


In the meantime, with the trauma and drama around here of late, I almost lost my knitting mojo alltogether. These socks are driving me nuts. I love knitting socks and don't know why it's taking me forever to finish these. But heels are turned and I think I'm finally on my way.


My Chevron the Sequel is almost there. But... almost isn't good enough.


So what do I do? I start to crochet a purse. The quick fix of fiber crafts, for me. I've had this cotton yarn around forever, and I do mean F-O-R-E-V-E-R! I bought the yarn 15 years ago, I kid you not. Originally to make me a top, then decided to make a bikini for my daughter, then it was going to be a shawl, then... on and on. Now it's going to be a purse. I'm winging the pattern, fashioned after one of my favorite bags, which is so worn out, but I still love it. More on this soon.


In the meantime, the heat is killing me. And it's only mid-July. I just don't do well with the heat anymore. Or is it the humidity? Who knows. Who cares. It's a drag, any way you look at it.

Completion

My Chevron Scarf, completed! Here, modeled by the lovely Omega, worn as in the Last Minute Knitted gifts book. Thank you Omega for your time and making my scarf look so good. All in all, though I may have complained a tad here and there about this NOT being suitable for a last minute gift, it was really an easy knit. I just never stayed with it long enough to finish quickly. As is my habit, I jump from project to project and some things just get neglected for a while. And speaking of taking time, if you think knitting this scarf takes time, wait til you pin this puppy for blocking. It took almost as long to pin it as it did to knit. Well, I kid of course, but it's a long one.


Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts STR Medium Weight in Cracked Canyon & Rocktober.
Needles: Size 5 (3.75mm)
Modifications: None, except I didn't knit until the yarn finished. It's quite long enough as is.
Finished Measurements: 6" wide x 74" Long after blocking.

I probably won't wear it as in the photo anyway. And who knows, I may even gift it somewhere in time.


Next up, my second Chevron Scarf, cast on and knit for about 4" shortly after I started my first one. I'm working on it now, have progressed to 18" in length, and hope to have it done by the end of the week. Operative word here "hope". This is knit in Regia and Lane Cervinia sock yarn.


My lace shawl is on hold until I finish a few things that have been on the needles for a while. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of completion of a project. Well... of course, there are many things quite a bit more satisfying, but this is a knit blog and we won't go there.

I Didn't Mean To Be MIA for So Long

Here it is, in all it's glory. This was probably one of the most difficult pieces I've ever had to photograph. Because it's so big. My Ripple afghan ended up measuring 56" x 72". Larger than I expected, but I am so pleased with it. It's cuddly and soft. I used acrylics. Red Heart Soft, which actually has a nice feel. I know, you're cringing, but it's yarn I had on hand and didn't know what else to do with. It's a fast crochet really, but I just didn't have the time to work on it non-stop so to speak, so it took a while to finish. It's ready, just in time for summer. I used the Easy Ripple Afghan pattern. The only change I made was to start with chain 162. Then I kept on switching colors until what I figured was about halfway. In the middle I repeated 2 colors then continued to repeat the first half in reverse. I ran out of one color, but substituted with an oddball color. No one will really notice, except me, I think....

And on to my Chevron Scarf. I don't have too much more to go to finish. But it's a slow go as well. Life's been a little hectic and I haven't been knitting quite a much as I would like. But here's my scarf progress.

It's about 55" long at this point. Though I have more than enough yarn, I probably won't make it as long as the pattern suggests, 78". I'm only 5'3" tall and that's a lot of scarf for my height.

I so need to knit some socks now. I have a lot of lovely sock yarn and great patterns on paper and in my head. Just need to get it going. My sewing has been a slow go too. What is it with me buying yarn and fabric, spending so much time planning, then not executing? Please tell me I'm not alone in that.

And here's a photo of my kitty, who found my scarf and open book while I was away from my work space, and decided to take a nap.

The scarf is under there, somewhere, all 55" of it.

Maybe It's The Heat

There hasn't been a lot of knitting going on. I think I inundated myself with yarn and now I'm having a hard time centering. So many projects lined up. Not to mention, the 90 degree weather we've been having has left me a tad listless. So instead I've been sewing. Yes, I saw the lovely ruffle apron online and had to make one. I'll have pictures when I'm done.

My Chevron Scarf is about 1/2 done. I love it so much that I started a second one. The olive is Regia sock yarn and the variegated is unknown bargain basement sock yarn that just didn't feel good when I tried to knit a sock. The size 5 needles help give it a little softness.



I've washed and blocked my Touch Me scarf. It looks beautiful. As worried as I was about the hot water wash process, it ended up looking like vintage velvet. The picture doesn't do it justice.



Other than that, I'm shaking off the knitting blahs by visiting this Clairol website. Trying on different hairdos and hair colors. If nothing else, it gave me a good laugh.

Can I Just Say...

I love my new STR yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts . I love the feel, the weight, the colors, which are Rocktober and Cracked Canyon. Of course, I should give credit to the source for my getting on the Chevron Scarf Bandwagon. I no sooner read Dr. B's post and was off to buy the yarn and book. Now I'm happily knitting away. I have to say, the scarf really isn't suitable for a Last Minute Knitted Gift, but have no doubt the end result will be gorgeous. And, if you haven't knit with STR yarn, do it. I can't say enough about how lovely it is.

I've been binging a bit with yarn purchases. I bought the most lovely Claudias Hand Painted Yarn in Black Walnut from Simply Socks Yarn Company. And some Elsebeth Lavold SIlky Wool. And more. But I'll save those for another time.

And another rave for Simply Socks Yarn Company, besides all of the yarns they have to offer. I needed size 1.5 dpn's for gloves I'm knitting and couldn't find them locally, so I ordered them online, Friday evening. The yarn and needles were at my door on Monday. What can I say. Now that's excellent customer service.

Apparently the last cup of coffee I had, Northwest Blend and French Roast mix, has me buzzing. So, though I could go on and on about my goodies, I'm going to stop and get back to knitting. I leave you with some of my latest crocheted menagerie.

Floppy Puppy pattern can be purchased here.

Pockitty pattern can be found here.

Bunny pattern can be found here. I made some adjustments to this pattern as I went along and used a size F crochet hook instead of H.

I'm done. For now.