It's a . . . . BEAR!!

This is the latest addition to the family . . . a teddy bear and the answer to the "what is it" below!! He's made from the free yarn so many knitters got recently . . . with a bit extra purchased from the store. Took slightly more than 3 skeins, but he's still adorable!


Isn't this the wildest color you've ever seen?

Remember my jaywalkers? This is the same yarn! Then I must have tried another 5 different patterns before admitting defeat and just going with this, which is a slip stitch cable. Am pleased to say I added probably another 1.5" after taking this pic, and fully intend to complete the first stock tomorrow!

Omigod! What IS it????

I know, it looks like something hairy died on my carpet. I've been knitting on this a week or so, and am thrilled. Am almost done! Take your best guess . . . . and I'll post a picture of the finished article once it's completed!

No - it isn't a toupee . . . . although it might make a really nice hat for someone needing hair . . . .

hehehehehe

Another 2006 FO

As first seen in the Flash Your Stash post, Adriene's baby blanket is now finished! I'm so happy!
I think I'll knit a sock!

That's it on the back of my sofa - the big, white thing . . . . .









And here's a closeup - basically a feather/fan stitch, but looks impressive as a gift.

FLASH YOUR STASH!!!

Well - here's my first attempt at flashing my stash, with an OTN thrown in for good measure!!

Jaywalker Blahs

Ok - you saw the picture of the jaywalker sock on the tall white plastic glass - when I tried it on, it went nearly to my instep. So, I frogged it and started over. Instead of the 1s, I used 2s. Looked beautiful! Got about 5" long, and tried it, and it barely fit over my heel. Not sure whose feet the pattern is written for, but obviously not mine. Never thought my feet were particularly strangely sized, but there's no way this thing is sizeable for my foot. On the 2s, the cuff is too loose and the leg too tight. I can only imagine what would happen once I start doing the body of the thing. A regular sock is 68 stitches and I make those on 2s and they fit everybody great. This pattern calls for 84 stitches and the leg is still too tight. So, if I upsized it by using 3s next, the foot and cuff would droop and the leg would just barely fit.

I officially give up . . .

Just Sockin' Around

After starting the Pomatomus socks in Jawoll Superwash - in a beautiful (although the colors in the picture are anything BUT accurate!) deep maroon, brown, and dark gray - almost black, I've decided I'm not amused with this sock. The pattern is too stretchy, the yarn too stripey. I don't know. Probably going to frog the whole thing (when it isn't still quite so new!) and do it in some other color yarn.

Wendy's been dying the see the Jawalker socks I've started in KnitPicks Hawaii. Although it's slow going (not used to using 1s), ultimately, I believe it will be beautiful!

You also gotta love the "leg models." Fly with me in your imagination!! Yes, the cheesy QuikTrip and white plastic drinking glasses are standing in for - a lovely leg. As for the Jaywalker image, would have to be Olive Oyl or stick woman . . .
But thought it would be cool to be able to see a design. Unfortunately, computer's still off it's feed so am unable to lighten up that crappy image of the Pomatomus sock. Sorry!

Totally Ruined!

Now I know I'm totally ruined! I finished the shawl and decided to make socks. Not just any socks, but the Pomatomus socks currently shown on Knitty. And - to top it off - I would use the beautiful Koigu yarn I got from niece Gwen for Christmas. It has been a fixture in my brain since Christmas when I got the yarn and saw the pattern. It is an intrigueing one - looks like fish scales when finished, and should work beautifully in the Koigu.

So, tonite, I cast on some plain yarn on larger needles to work through the pattern and see if I can actually read a chart. Once I got going, it wasn't tough at all, so I frogged all that, tossed it aside, grabbed my #2 dpn's and set to work . . . . . and couldn't bring myself to start the Koigu! Waaaaaaaaaaaah!

So, I am now knitting them with some yarn I've had about a year in a dark red/black/brown color and it's looking pretty nice. Perhaps once I finish a pair of these, the Koigu will bite the dust . . . . will just have to see.

I've always chuckled at my niece when she buys a really nice yarn, then can't bear to actually knit it into anything. She says "nothing is wonderful enough for it." I think I'm beginning to understand.

FLASH YOUR STASH!!!

Coming 1 Apr 06!! Something new and different (at least for me) to try!

FINALLY! A Finished Michigan Upper Penninsula Shawl

a.k.a. - the Pacific NW Shawl. Still needs to be blocked, but couldn't resist crowing just a TINY bit! It took a month, and allowed absolutely NO mistakes, but I think it was worth it!

Yippee! Another Pattern to Drive Me Mad!!!

The "Tina Shawl" - I have to thank my niece, Wendy, for the pattern for this awesome shawl. It is a birthday gift, and I cringe just looking at it!!

I know secretly, she's trying to drive me insane, although I'm not sure why . . .

I admired this pattern about a year and a half ago, before I started knitting so much lace, and she remembered and is now terrorizing me with it. Anyway, I have the pattern, and once I finish the Pacific Northwest (aka the Upper Penninsula) shawl, I may have a go at it!

Keep your fingers crossed and a good thought for me that I don't end up with something that looks entirely different from the pictures on here!

More Shawl Progress

Guess it's been a while since I posted a Michigan Upper Penninsula lace shawl update! About 18 days, and as you can see, there's been LOTS of progress! Needless to say, I'm thrilled! The edging is about a quarter finished, then comes the fun - washing and blocking!! Yippee!





Here's a close-up shot where you can get an idea of the edging, bubble lace, fish, more bubbles, water ripples, and flowers. The shot on the right is the entire thing and probably a bit closer to the colors. Sorry for the picture quality. My computer's dead so I don't have a way to crop or fix the color, but thought you'd like an update!

Will post more shots once it's completely finished, then blocked!

Update - I Have Strayed . . .

Somehow, the curtains I made for my office/guest room didn't seem to do it for me, so I made a cute set of valence ruffles and hung them today. Had also had to buy another set of hardware to hang the other rod, so now the set of curtains is complete!

Shawl Progress

Am still chugging along on the Upper Penninsula (aka Pacific NW) shawl. I have completed the seagulls, the pine trees, and those pesky little "sand dollars" that only live in salt water. Actually, now that they're finished, I'm certain they look precisely like a lovely little Upper Penninsula flower! Yes, that's it - they're flowers! Whew! Anyway, began the water pattern tonite and will most likely be working on that for a while.

The darned thing is getting a bit bulky to try and take a picture, but may try taking some of individual patterns sometime soon to post on here. So far, haven't had to frog any more for a while. Must be getting better and catching mistakes sooner! hehehe

Ta-Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

So, here is a glimpse of the new curtain(s). Yes, there's another one idential to this on the other side of that window. Actually, this picture came out pretty dark - the wall is a nice yellow, and the curtains look terriffic in here!


Also of note: the Pacific NW shawl is finally gaining ground! I've worked through my yarn and stitch count issues and the seagull pattern portion is complete and the pine trees are growing. Actually, being a gal who spent enormous amounts of time in Michigan, in my mind this is really the Upper Penninsula Shawl - the "starfish" pattern will have to become the "life preserver" section or something . . . .

I Have Strayed . . . . . . .

Yes, even though I am still plugging along on my shawl, there's really no point in taking a picture of the progress I made this week. Unfortunately, it's been mainly knit a row, rip out three or four, knit another row, rip a few more. I don't know what's going on with it. Guess I'm not making the transition between socks and shawl too easy! At any rate, hopefully you get the picture (at least in your mind) that there is presently LESS shawl than there was a week ago when I snapped the picture. Sigh. Hopefully more later.

But, there is other needle progress to note. Last weekend I found some great GREAT plaid fabric ON SALE to make curtains for my office/guest room. Now, you have to understand, I bough this house three and a half years ago . . . and have been searching all this time for the perfect plaid. I had a picture in my mind - and finally found it. With one yard at remnant price and the whole thing 50% off!!! the total came to $8.41!!! HEE HEE and they say I can't shop!!!

So, over the weekend, I dragged out my quilting mat, circular cutter and straight edge and chopped out four panels. Tonite - further progress - I returned the mat, cutter, and straightedge to their spots, grabbed thread and bobbins, hauled the sewing machine out of the bathroom closet, and actually put the side seams in the panels. Tomorrow nite - the tops!

I'll take a picture once they are finished and hung.

Happy Birthday, Gwyndy!

Ok - just for you - you wanted a pic of the shawl, so here's the first one!

Lace-Weight Yarn - Can be a Nightmare!

Ok - started on my Pacific NW Shawl last night after finishing my hand-dyed socks (yes, a set of two!). Since I've never knit one like this before, was quite a trial, but managed to get going after a few false starts, and was getting thrilled with the results. Got past the initial wobbly center by ripping and restarting, and so on, up to the first pattern - the seagulls. Ok. Going good now . . . . and then . . . . no yarn. Mind you, this was a ball of 880 yards that we dyed last August - beautiful light and lighter blue. And suddenly! Looked like it had just been cut! Ok. So, I ripped back to the beginning of the row, tied back on and started knitting. A couple more rows later, the same thing. Picked up the ball, looked closely, and saw it was like it had been stabbed with a knife! I ripped off yards and yards, about eight more breaks worth, and finally figured I'd found the last of it. Happily knitted some more - more seagulls - and another break. Along the way, I'd also noticed several spots where the yarn was barely holding together. Sheesh! It is now about three inches long from the beginning, and has about four knots! I picked up the ball and couldn't see any more breaks, but decided it was time to get tough. Began hand-winding a ball of the stuff and found two more breaks in it, although quite a ways down. So, have given up for the evening and am trying to decide whether to start over with the other identically dyed ball, or press on with what I have and hope that the knots won't be too obvious.

Guess that decision will be made tomorrow nite . . . .

2006's First Finished Objects!

It's only one week into the New Year, and I have progress to report already! Finished the first sock and actually started the second one of my hand-dyed sock yarn socks. Did this in Viv's Lacy sock pattern, and think the first came out looking fantastic.

Knitted up the Foxy yarn I bought just before New Year's weekend, and made this really cute scarf. The picture doesn't do it justice - my camera's not quite good enough to get the bright red color of the yarn. You'll have to believe me, it is drop-dead gorgeous!


Also bought the needles required for the Pacific Northwest shawl, so should be starting on that sometime soon. Know it will take some heavy-duty concentration, though . . . so may be a bit. Might just have to finish that other sock first! hehehehe Hope your New Year knitting is very enjoyable!

Aprés Christmas 2005 . . . . .

Christmas was wonderful!!! My aunt loved her hand knit socks to keep her footsies warm! My dad loves his soft wool/flax scarf . . . See?? He's smiling!! Holding it up and admiring it! It was so tough not being able to post it on here until AFTER the holidays! He even asked if I was putting it out there beforehand . . . HA!

And it was certainly a knitter's Christmas! My niece got me some Koigu at Stitches last summer, and managed to not say a word until after I'd opened the gift!

And now, an update - the sassy striped socks are finished, my needles (yes, ALL of them!) were empty, so I started on last summer's dyed sock yarn. Below is a shot of some new lacy socks in progress:

The pattern will continue on the top of the foot. I remember when I first dyed the yarn and how it positively screamed "GREEN!" But now that it's being knitted, more of the beautiful shades of blue are more obvious. Can hardly wait to see these finished. Just hope they don't turn my feet the same color my hands were when we dyed the wool!!

So - today, 30 Dec 05, was a quiet one at the office. I did what I could and left around 2:15 to head homeward . . . . but somehow the Weaving Department at Meyers House beckoned and I had to swing by there. There's still those two balls of lace weight yarn we dyed last summer, and I'm "dying" to try a lace shawl in that! So I got the Fiber Trends Pacific Northwest shawl pattern below. Then, out of the blue (or, red?). . . . a wonderful "Foxy" brilliant red yarn called to me. It has fringes in red and other strange tags of stuff on it and when knit looks like a bright feather boa. HAD to have that!!! So, my Christmas cash was spread a bit today (see my stained glass blog for more "spreading of the Christmas cash!").
















Hope your Christmas was everything you hoped for and more, that your handmade gifts were opened with glee and the lucky recipients know the time and love that went into each article!

Naughty or Nice Knitter??

It may be a tiny bit contrived, but I received the following notice:

Christmas Naughty or Nice List I am on the The Nice Knitter List After checking the North Pole database I had : 1,550 nice entries 83 naughty entries Check your name on the Christmas Naughty or Nice List at JokesUnlimited.com

I am sure it has something to do with the fact that every knitting needle in my possession is now entirely empty! Yes, I managed to complete EVERYTHING that was started, and get to begin again after Christmas! I finished the gift scarf, the second of the sassy stripes socks, my own mohair scarf, nine of the twinkley, tiny eyelash scarves, and a bunch of other stuff. I know Niece Wendy has a nice, clear, concise list on her blog of completed projects. I am not so organized as all that. Perhaps next year . . . .

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy Knitty New Year!

~Blu