Knit Knat Knutz

Elegant Babies Need Elegant Blankets

2011-07-11T23:58:00.004-05:00

I know what you're thinking. I still subscribe to this blog?!?

Pattern:"Baby Chalice Blanket" by Karen S. Lauger, available as a free pdf on Raverly
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted - 100% superwash merino wool
Colorway: Monkeyshines
Mods: CO 103, as suggested by fellow Ravelers
Blocking Dimensions: to 32" x 47"

Plus: The expectant mother for whom I knit this has a rather unusual (and totally AWESOME) color palette for a baby girl: gray, chartreuse, cream, and cranberry. While I was not able to accommodate the last color, I was thrilled to find this very posh color combo in my favorite baby yarn! I love how muted and modern this looks, like an item from DwellStudio. In fact, I kinda just wanted to keep it for me....

Delta: I hate, hate, hate that diamond, argyle, pooling that Lorna's Laces does. I hate, hate, hate that I never learn my lesson and just knit every two rows from a separate skein.

Well, I'm playing around Dallas for the summer, eating lots of Mexican food, visiting with friends, reading, floating in the pool, sleeping in, knitting, and generally being obnoxiously hedonistic. I have tried to balance this freedom and fun with a steady dose of mind-numbing math, since I am prepping to retake the GRE. Current plans are to begin an Education Specialist in Reading and Literacy degree at UVA in the spring after I finish my current masters in Secondary Education. Why I have to relearn the Pythagorean Theorem for that is beyond me.

The only other damper on this summery wellspring of joy is that Jake and I are still apart; he's down in hot, nasty Houston, working for that federal judge. Oh, and we're dirt poor. This is all building character, strengthening our bond, deepening our appreciation for the other's quiet contributions to making one's house a home, reminding us that the best things in life are free, blah, blah, blah. It pretty much sucks no matter how you spin it.

I'm All Traditish!

2011-05-08T13:13:00.002-05:00

Pattern: "Swallowtail Shawl" by Evelyn A. Clark, available for free here
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace (100% single-ply merino)
Colorway: Oceanos

Plus: I made real, live lace! Estonian style. I'm glad I learned how to make nupps (apparently pronounced "noops" not "nuhps"). The first go round, I approached it like a regular bobble but was unable to p5 on the wrong side to close it up, resulting in sweaty, shaking hands and eventually broken yarn. The trick is, as far as I can tell, knit the increase 5 with fingers looser and sloppier than wet noodles. Then, on the way back, stab, wriggle, curse, and grunt until you shove your needle half a millimeter through all five and whisk that sucker through before it realizes you're winning. Repeat. Simple, right? It's worth it for the texture.

Delta: While the semi-solid hand-dyed effect muddles the clarity of the stitch, it was probably a good choice for my first lace project. Though I don't see any glaring errors now, I lost count of how many times I fudged the stitches, increasing here, decreasing there, trying like hell to keep the overall graphic images aligned. Also, I started out really suffering on this project, working it on size 4 bamboo. It was so tight and sticky on the needle! I eventually switched up to a 5 on my Knit Picks harmony wood interchangeables, and the difference was PROFOUND. I guess lace of this sort just needs slick, big, and pointy. (hehehehe. I'm so mature.)

I'm sending this to my very glamorous aunt-in-law who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. I really hope she likes it.

For Sweet Adeline

2011-04-10T17:55:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "No Gauge" blanket, hat, and socks by Kristin Spurkland, available in from Blankets, Hats, and Booties to Knit and Crochet
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy
Colorways: Some Summer Sky; Cool Fire; Tea Party; Happy Forest; Chinatown Apple
Mods: Added 1.5 inch log-cabin garter stitch border

Plus: The beauty of this "no gauge" pattern is that you can use what ya got! Knit up and out from one tip of the diamond until you use half your yarn, decrease back down to the other tip. I bought two skeins of Dream in Color for the blanket (one for each half), and threw together the hat, shoes, and border with scraps from the stash. Brilliant.

Delta: My "cute" idea of adding this border gave me a great deal of trouble. The blanket fabric is super stretchy, and I had to experiment with how many stitches to pick up along the side. 1 for every row--too tight. 2 for every row--too loose and ruffley. 11 for every 10 rows--too tight. 6 for every 5 rows--finally!

Well, lot's been going on around here! Jake got two full-time jobs for the summer. One is as a PAID research assistant for a W&L professor, work he can do from anywhere. The other is as an unpaid intern for Judge DeMoss of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals!!! That is especially exciting because Jake dreams of becoming a federal judge; he basically couldn't have found a more perfect job than working for one all summer. It is especially depressing, however, because the judge works in Houston, and they need him starting the first week of May. My last day of work here in Lexington in June 7th. That leaves FIVE DREADFUL EMPTY HORRIBLE GODAWFUL weeks of being here alone. Lord help me.

I completed my first 10k race. It was so exhilarating, so empowering, so emotional. It's hard to believe that after 27 years of being a sweat-phobic couch potato, I've been able to strengthen my heart and legs to this point within just a year. I can't wait until I can start training for my first half marathon! It's a whole new world. And that world has a much perkier butt.

I also sang with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and 250 choral members from the Shenandoah Valley area in a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. As I try to capture how magical this experience was, I find words are terribly inadequate. Suffice it to say, I will have to continue this practice of singing with community choirs. I need more art in my life.

A Spiritual Quest for the Perfect Poncho

2011-03-13T16:49:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Lace Cotton Ponchette" by windloop, available as a free pdf here
Yarn: Rio Grande Hand-dyed Superwash Merino Sport, purchased here by my lovely mother-in-law while on vacation

Plus: So...my m.i.l. is a big ole hippie. After requesting a poncho in vague terms for several years (which I pretended not to hear...in fact, I shuddered just think of it) she returned from a trip to Taos with two heavenly skeins of sport weight merino. Great! Shall we make a socks? A scarf? Gloves? I'm sorry, you want me to make a whole poncho from this?! HECK NO!

Well, I spoke too soon, because the knitting stars aligned once again for the perfect project to meet the perfect yarn. I had less than a yard leftover after seaming up the edge, and some of the required length had to be coaxed into reality through the magic of blocking, but doggonit, we made it happen! And you know what, I think it's pretty cool. It's TOTALLY the kind of thing one wears a bra under.

Delta: There's definitely a major error in the written instructions. The chart is fine, and you can find the errata in the Raverly pattern comments. Just a heads up. And sorry for the crap pictures. Blame the husband.

An Oldie but Goodie

2011-03-13T16:47:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Rusted Root," by Sarah Johnson, available on Ravelry for a $6 download
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton and Silk (83% cotton/17% silk)
Colorway: Papaya

Plus: I actually finished this way back in November, but--being a self-conscious girl in general--have been loathe to dress up and do a proper photo shoot. I've been wearing it like crazy, however. I found it especially comfortable and appropriate in Dallas, where a cozy, short-sleeved, breathable sweater is exactly what the doctor ordered on a "cold" (read 50 degrees) evening. Now that it's spring here in Virginia, I plan on it becoming my official wardrobe.

Delta: Though I felt pretty daring and conceited while knitting a medium in this pattern, I think I could have gotten away with a small, or at least done more decreases to the waistline. Now that I've lost 63 pounds (!!!) that's actually a big problem when it comes to my handknits. I've tossed out 3/4ths of my wardrobe in favor of trimmer duds, but when it comes to a sweater I've painstakingly knit by hand...let's just say, I'm hoping to find them good, adopted mommies.

I have an Ingenue knit up to a 41" bust with a few extra inches of length; a Split-Neckline Cap-Sleeve Tee at 41" with many extra inches of length; and a 41" February Lady Sweater (version for broader shoulders). Any takers? Swappers? Barterers?

Designers Who Hypenate Their Names

2011-02-13T19:30:00.005-06:00

Pattern: "An Unoriginal Hat," by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (my bff in an alternate universe), available for free on her blog here
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Apricot (80% acrylic/20% wool)

Plus: I've been meaning to use up the rest of this plasticky crap for years. Yay.

Delta: I guess my row-gauge (something I never bother to measure) was off, because I ended up with a really LONG hat. It looks okay on my big 'ole head, pulled way down over my ears and eyebrows, but when my friend Temple tried it on, she used the word "conehead" and I silently thought "condom." Unsurprisingly, It was not adopted by anyone this Christmas and went right back into the "potential gift drawer."

Pattern: "Incognito" by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark, available free on Knitty here
Yarn: Spud and Chloe Sweater (55% wool/45% cotton)
Colorways: Splash, Grass, and Chipmunk

Plus: I am really pleased by how this came together. I used all three tiny leftover bits from Kellan's baby blanket, and once again, I think these colors rock. Spud and Chloe knows adorable. I was worried that the stripes would fight the mustache as focal point, but the 'stache won, hands down (you duplicate stitch it with the yarn doubled for a really plump look). This pattern has so many nice touches, particularly the knitted-in turned hem. It has a tailored, rather than hand-made, charm.

Delta: The sewn-in turned hem is much tighter and less stretchy than the knitted-in one (duh), and I wish I had embroidered the mustache on the knitted end. I didn't like that the inflexible part pulls right across your mouth.

Isn't my sister beautiful? Doesn't her camera rock? Don't you wish the rest of my blog looked this fantastic? Well, get over it. You're stuck with me. ;-)

In other news, I've been working on the vocal equivalent of a marathon with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Good stuff. I get great satisfaction out of participation in ancient rituals. I love the depth of history and feminist traditions linked to knitting. I'm hungry for the mystical knowledge and instincts of motherhood. And I feel emotional and grateful to participate in the sacred rite of resurrecting Beethoven's 9th symphony.

I also got my first blog comment from a crazy person. Now, I feel like I've really made it.

Mitts by Request

2011-02-12T16:00:00.002-06:00

Pattern: "Veyla" by Ysolda Teague, available in Whimsical Knits 2
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Wool Bam Boo (50% wool/50% bamboo)

Plus: True to form, Teague's pattern was elegant and thoughtful from beginning to end. I truly felt that I was creating a work of art. I took a risk and used a DK weight yarn in this pattern designed for a fingering weight yarn because the recipient wanted something thicker looking. It was a great deal of stress on the hands, but I hit gauge just fine.

Delta: The intended recipient, Jake's law school friend Christina, has teensy tiny midget hands, so these really needed to be modeled by HER. Unfortunately, that meant that I had to put a non-knitting male in charge of snapping the modeled picture. So this is the only shot available to me. Boo!

Pattern: "Susie's Reading Mitts" by Janelle Masters, available as a free download on Ravelry
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Stella (60% silk/20% cotton/ 20% rayon)

Plus: I was really proud of this yarn selection. The recipient, the wife of one of Jake's law school friends, has multiple allergies and particularly struggles with wool. Though I had a hunch that a nice merino wouldn't cause her any problems, I didn't want to disregard her only request. She had liked the organic cotton and bamboo in her local craft store, but I could not see the point in making COTTON mitts, especially in a state that gets a respectable amount of snow. Stella, with it's cotton-y feel and silk-insulated warmth, was the best of both worlds.

Delta: This pattern really disappointed me. Even though I achieved gauge, the smallest size seemed huge, even on my large hands, with the exception of the thumbs which were crazy tight. Since the wrist to hand transition has no shaping or ribbing, it really needs negative ease to fit. I ended up ripping out the entire first mitt and adapting the pattern to have six fewer cast-on stitches but followed the directions for the small sized thumb. That fit pretty well, but her slender wrists might have enjoyed an even snugger fit. Ah well.

Watts' Family Afghan of Everlasting Torment square #36 of 36!!!!!! I made it! I made it! Oh, God! The glory! The relief!!!!

Wait.

Now I have to sew the stupid thing together.

Late Gifts

2011-02-12T12:24:00.007-06:00

Pattern: "Sid Beanie" by Georgie Hallam, available as a free download on Ravelry
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK (80% bamboo/20% wool)
Modifications: Many! A long-time friend of my mother's expressed her admiration for this hat on Etsy, but was not crazy about the $45 price tag! (Go figure.) I did my best to improvise the whimsical crown shaping, using the above pattern as my guide on gauge/sizing.

Plus: Look at how cute and happy this fella looks! Thanks to Maria, the proud mama, for the awesome pictures. There are plans for matching mitts in the works.

Delta: I totally picked the wrong yarn. The family lives in Texas, so I wanted something not too hot and certainly machine washable. The bamboo sounded like a good fit, but I think it made the hat too slouchy, rather than springy and sproingy, and there was simply no graceful way to jog the stripes--every technique I tried showed puckering due to the bamboo's inelasticity. Of course, I was also frustrated to have to reknit the crown a few times, but that should be expected when making your own pattern.

Pattern: "Drop Stitch Scarf" by Christine Vogel, available as a free download on Ravelry
Yarn: Cloud City Fibers Sock Yarn: 100% superwash merino wool
Colorway: Daffodil

Plus: This scarf was especially meaningful to me because the yarn I used was locally procured on last summer's amazing trip to Breckenridge, Colorado with my family. It was such a relaxing, restorative week, and every interaction with this fiber, hand-dyed from 40 miles from there, brought little wisps of respite to an otherwise busy day. The pattern is simple to memorize and easy to put down at a moment's notice without losing your place.

Delta: I should have used bamboo rather than metal needles, because I frequently felt that the combination of slippery surface and intentionally dropped stitches gave me a sense of being out of control. I also stubbornly knit every single inch, holding to my premise that there's no such thing as a scarf that's too long....only too make the world's first too-long-scarf. Ah well. A few more wraps about the neck won't kill anyone.

Yes, it's a tad late for reporting on one's Christmas gifts, but I was out of town for the holidays, and January was a really hard month in the Lewis house. Things are better and calmer now, so look for a few more postings in quick succession (especially if my sister emails me the pictures of her cowl and her husband's gloves).

Dude Stuff

2010-12-12T20:05:00.006-06:00

Pattern: "Knotty but Nice" by Natalie Larson, available free here
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (color #300500) - 55% merino wool/33% microfiber/12% cashmere

Plus: Really well-written, highly addictive pattern. This yarn makes a really nice pairing since cables pop so beautifully in this round, plumpy yarn. To make everything that much sweeter, I found the yarn a few weekends ago in the 50% off bin at my LYS.

Delta: I had so much fun doing this, I got major hand cramps as I powered through round after round, saying, "I'll stop after this row...."

Pattern: "Stacked Wedges" by Lynne Barr, available in Knitting New Scarves
Yarn: Spinning Rainbows Handspun Yarn

Plus: This scarf flew off the needles in a flash. The short rows broke up the monotony of garter stitch; the garter stitch balanced the counting required for the short rows. All in all, a fun but easy scarf. I think I've mentioned before that Lynne Barr is kind of a rock star.

Delta: This yarn, a gift from my mother, was a rather difficult customer. I was anxious to find an appropriate home for this unique, local handspun, but it took more than a few false starts to find its match. To begin with, the rustic two-ply ranged from dk weight to bulky from foot to foot, inch to inch, making gauge a nightmare. Furthermore, the wool is minimally processed, thereby leaving it a lanolin-rich treasure trove of hay and stickers, both of which I tried my best to pick out as I went. Finally, the ply was quite crisp in some areas, while nearly felted and fuzzy in others, rendering any fancy stitchwork a total waste of time. Thus, I had to think non-fitting, industrial, and geometric, respectively. I think I managed it here and, as a result, honored the gifts and charm of the fiber.

Alrighty, so that's two more Christmas gifts, which I can add to that green hat, the blue beaded hat, the orange fingerless mitts, and the pink/orange cowl. I've also got a girl scarf and some boy mitts on the needles, along with a special order ponchette for my mother-in-law and a special-order toddler hat for a dear friend of my mother. So, if I finish everything I've started so far...that's ten gifts. Doesn't seem like many, and I'm beginning to panic. There are many more available yarn+project pairings in the stash, but what I'm short on is time. Adding to the sticky, I'm flying into Dallas on Sunday, so I'll have to choose my last-ditch-effort projects in advance, weighing speed of completion (super-bulky weight hats?!) against space in my bags (oh, uh, lace shawls). Blimey! If only I had MONEY for Christmas this year. Hopefully family and friends will understand.

Watts' Afghan of Eternity Square #35/36 (Sweet Jesus, just one more!)

Snuggly necks and chic babies

2010-12-02T15:20:00.004-06:00

Pattern: "Darkside Cowl," by Sara Fama, available as a free pdf download on Ravelry
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb - single ply aran weight, 50% silk/50% wool/400% HEAVEN!!!
Colorway: Bittersweet

Plus: In the future, we'll all be born with our necks permanently swathed in Lion and Lamb. And everyone knows I'm a sucker for groovy textures and geometric designs.

Delta: The fun was over too soon. I see a few more of these cowls in my future. I also foresee being yarn-poor in that same future.

Pattern: "Knit 'Suede Baby Booties'," by Candi Jensen, available free but with minor hassle here
Yarn: Berrocco Suede and Plymouth Yarn Oh My! (both 100% nylon)

Plus: I couldn't help myself. These have been calling to me for years! And now I get invited to the shower of a winter baby? Bring on the baby Uggs!

Delta: I was overly ambitious/reckless in my timing of these and consequently made a mistake counting the rows which decrease the instep. I ripped back and corrected it, but the setback meant I had to show them just one bootie and provide an apologetic IOU for the pair at the shower. Totally lame.

I played hostess for Thanksgiving for the first time this year. My in-laws flew in from Dallas, and though they graciously took us out to restaurants or cooked many meals, I insisted on making every dish served on Thanksgiving. I followed Alton Brown's method for brining and cooking the bird, and it turned out scrumptious! Leftover white meat has been enjoyed in sandwiches slathered with homemade cranberry sauce for days. We're not huge fans of dark meat like wings, so I used all the leftover dark meat and bones in a lightened up adaptation of this soup. (I used 3Tbs each of flour and Brummel and Brown for the roux and substituted 3/4 c. fat free half and half for the 2 c. regular stuff--plenty rich enough!) It is ultra-comforting and delicious now that the temperatures are hanging around the 30s consistently. Yay for cooking victories!

Watts' family afghan of everlasting torment square #34/36:

Don't Get Yer Gloves in a Twist

2010-11-20T15:50:00.005-06:00

Pattern: "Lace Twist Mitts" by Debbie O'Neill, available in Knitscene, Fall 2009
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy (no, I do not think I use it too much, thankyouverymuch)
Colorway: Chinatown Apple

Plus: This easy-peasy lace chart mimics much a much more complicated twisted cable approach. I love anything that makes me look more clever or talented than I really am. I am also pleased with how the semi-solid enhances, rather than distracts from, the stitch pattern.

Delta: I hate this "after-thought" thumb style, where you knit with waste yarn, slip back then keep going with main yarn. 1) I always struggle to put the correct live stitches back on the needles and 2) I always, always, always end up doing lots of awkward doctoring on either edge of the thumb with tail ends, resulting in an ugly *pflgth* framing the join.

In the continuing saga of the brown bane....

I should continually emphasize that this is a learning experience. Now, what, exactly, have I learned? Well, I learned that if you're going to do something, freakin' DO it. Don't pussy-foot around. I wanted to lightly felt the sweater, so I neglected/altered many of the circumstances necessary for optimum felting. I used warm, rather that hot water. I used light agitation, rather than heavy. I opted out of the suds so I could check every five minutes and rescue it at any point, without worrying about rinsing. As it turns out, felting incorrectly results in badly abused woolens, NOT light felting. The sweater emerged BIGGER and covered in ratty pills. Did I then abandon my strategy, like a sane individual? Heck no! I did the exact same thing, hoping for a different result. Finally, I read, thought, prayed, cursed, and took the plunge, letting loose all the felting power my humble washing machine possessed.

Results are mixed: I still spent an hour pulling off ugly pills and the sweater sleeves are still far too long, the armpit way too deep. On the other hand, the sweater is more dense and snuggly now, so clearly, I was moving in the right direction...right?

The RUFFLES. The button band and collar did a funky thing, shrinking and pulling in such odd ways that a full-fledged ruffle now frames the individual wearing this dreadful thing. Not manly. So what's a girl to do? I can't go back--no time machine. I can't leave it here--too big and ruffly. So, go forward and felt it one more time? Obviously, the ruffle problem will only increase, but maybe once the rest of the cardigan is appropriately sized, I can sew/cut/pin my way out of that mess. So that's just what I did....to be continued.

Watts Family Afghan of Eternity Square #33/36 (really tough)

I Did a Bad, Bad Thing

2010-11-06T18:46:00.006-05:00

Pattern: "A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend," by Stephane Nicole, available free on her blog
Yarn: scrappy leftovers such as Berroco Comfort (acrylic/nylon), Queensland Collection Sugar Rush (sugar), and Sirdar Juicy DK (bamboo)

Plus: Quick and easy male-appropriate Christmas gift. I like that the simple design lends itself to horizontal stripes, which in turn lend themselves to stash-busting. I accidentally created a palette of colors perfect for sporting around a football game for my alma mater. Unfortunately, no one with whom I associate would ever attend such an event, even when we were students there. During the Homecoming Game one year, my group went instead to the theaters to catch the opening weekend for Fight Club. Good choice.

Delta: It seems a bit squatty to me, even after adding 1/2 inch extra before the crown decreases. Also, I think my plan for the stripes creates an optical illusion of the head flattening off abruptly across the top. Stupid idea, my fault entirely.

I'm married to the man of my dreams, so the "curse of the boyfriend sweater" should have no effect on me, right? Well, fate has found a way to reach around that inconvenient truth and give me a decent bitch-slapping anyway.

Oh, who am I kidding??? It's my own durn fault.

Meet "Smokin'" by Jared Flood. Let's talk first about what I did RIGHT, hmm? I carefully knit, frogged, and reknit until I achieved gauge. I measure Jake's favorite hoodie to determine which size to knit. I selected a yarn very close to the original requested--chunky, tweedy, wooly. I checked the website for errata before beginning and carefully noted those changes in the pattern. I worked on it dutifully and steadily for three months so it would be ready in time for fall in Virginia.

Now, the WRONG: I noticed that the sleeves looked humongous...but did nothing. I noticed that the fabric was floppy and slightly see through, despite Jared's comment in the pattern that the cardigan is knit at a tighter-than-usual gauge...but did nothing. I tried it on before attaching the button band/collar and saw that it could pass as a brown whale Halloween costume...but did nothing. In short, I ignored the signs that I was headed for trouble because I wanted to believe that if you select the right yarn, gauge, and pattern size, you're in the clear.

Then the really wrong thing: when Jake tried it on and saw that it was uncomfortably large in every way, I did not frog the sweater like a good little knitter. I decided...to try....and felt it.

To be continued.

Watts Afghan of Eternity Square #32/36

Haul Out the Stockings!

2010-10-30T16:10:00.002-05:00

Pattern: "Monkey" by Cookie A., available free online here
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy (a yarn I will gladly make-out with), 100% superwash merino in fingering weight
Color: Cloud Jungle

Plus: It's delightful--great yarn, brilliant pattern. If you're one of the few knitters left in the world who hasn't made them yet, submit, submit, submit.

Delta: I think I started the toe decreases just a smidge too early, so the heel flap pulls down a bit under my foot, rather than resting smartly at the back. Also, I decided to trust her judgment and knit a plain stockinette heel flap, but now I'm wondering whether I should have gone with a sturdier eye-of-partridge. I think I'll cry if these socks get a hole.

Jake is pretty much kicking arse and taking names up here in Virginia. His law school buddies have taken to calling him the "future editor of Law Review" and "the teacher." They frequently gather for study sessions in which Jake basically explains complicated cases or principles to them using a white board and marker, while they take notes and ask questions. He's also consistently scored the highest in the class on all assignments for Legal Writing. Unreal. I'm actually kind of disappointed. I was hoping that he was finally going to be in an environment which pushed him to the limits of everything he's got. Don't get me wrong, he's still working on law school about 80 hours a week....but he seems more like a kid in a candy store than an overworked, stressed-out student. Crazy, no?

Oh, and public service announcement: no more ex-boyfriends, relatives, friends, STUDENTS or knitting bloggers are allowed to get pregnant this season. Enough, people. I know that it's something normal people manage to do every day, but to someone like me, it's like watching everyone you know win the lottery at once. I'm happy for you, blah, blah, blah, now QUIT. Thanks. :-)

Watts' Family Afghan of Eternity Square 31/36

From My Cold, Dead Hands

2010-10-02T13:12:00.004-05:00

Pattern: "Thorpe," by Kristen Kapur, available as a free download on Ravelry
Yarn: Noro Iro - bulky single-ply; 75% wool, 25% silk
Colorway: 57 (I think)
Mods: Rather than using contrast yarn for crocheted edge and braids, I used more of the same yarn

Plus: I adore this. It looks fabulous, sassy, and vintage on me. It's my new favorite hat.

Delta: It was NOT supposed to be for me. I intentionally picked what I thought would be a masculine colorway and knit the largest size so that it would be a generic, male-appropriate gift for this Christmas. No dice. This baby is MINE!!!!

Mama's got a brand new bag...and it's got intimidating, metal parts and an LCD screen. Yikes. I already broke one needle in half and bent a second one pretty dramatically. Oh well. It's all part of the learning process.

This is my first finished object, a "stitch-sampler tea towel," instructions available in the Sew Everything Workshop. Oh yeah. I'm clearly on my way.

In the meantime, I'm starting to struggle with loneliness here. I dragged myself to a "Tuesday Night Ladies Club" event for the wives/girlfriends of W&L law students, and it was okay. The girls seemed nice, but I didn't really make any instant connections. I had planned on attending a knitting group gathering at Panera in Charlottesville on Wednesday night, but it was so rainy and cold that I bailed. Jake had made tentative weekend plans with some guys from school who also have wives, but that fell through a few minutes ago.

On the bright side, we discovered the wonders of Roanoke two weeks ago: Abuelo's Mexican food, Barnes and Noble, Target, Starbucks, a mall....pretty much heaven for this city-starved girl. Jake and I woke up this morning hankering our traditional donuts/Starbucks/couch-reading Saturday morning (which we haven't really done since I started Weight Watchers in March). Of course, the nearest Starbucks in 45 minutes away, but we figured Jake could make coffee while I ran to a donut shop. Alas, the nearest donut shop is also 45 minutes away. Donuts, y'all. Donuts.

Watts Wedding Well Wisher Afghan: square #30/36 (this was pretty challenging for me)

Over-achiever

2010-09-06T18:27:00.003-05:00

That's right. I've finished the first of my (hopefully) many Christmas offerings. I'm going to use my approach from last year: make as many items as possible in a variety of styles and colors, alternate male and female sizing/style, and lay them out at a party for people to take what they want.

Pattern: "Odessa," by the brilliant knit blogger Grumperina, available as a free pdf download on Ravelry
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino - dk weight single ply with 51% silk/49% merino wool
Colorway: Matisse Blue

Plus: If you haven't tried a project with beading yet, don't be shy; it's a cinch. The hardest part is threading the beads on the yarn before you start, but one can find a great tutorial on Knitty. The pattern, to no great surprise, is clear, clever, and succinct. If you don't follow this girl's blog, you really ought to. It's one of the few that spends a great deal of time on process, knitting math, intimidating techniques, reviews, etc., because she's NOT trying to save up designs and ideas for a book.

Delta: My only big problem stemmed from the fact that I printed this pdf on my home printer, which was out of color ink. I knew the pictures would disappear, but who cares, right? Well, I was at my in-laws, chatting and knitting up the ribbed brim, when I pulled out the pattern to examine the next instructions. They made NO SENSE. I read, stared at my knitting, read, stared.....my Titi Dolly (a novice knitter) started making comments along the lines that patterns never make sense to her, either. Oh, hell no. I can read patterns! I had Jake pull up the pdf on his iPhone, and there was the answer. Half of the IMPORTANT words in the pattern were written in purple so as to grab my attention. In my colorless copy, of course, they were entirely absent. Woops!

Watts afghan square #29! 7 more...Lord help me. I need to start thinking about a border for this thing. I could go boring and just do basic i-cord. Or I could go high on effort and time with a mitered corner garter stitch. What say you, fabulous knitters?

So, I'm kind of in love with my job. Sure, there are some frustrating aspects. My students' computers still have not been hooked up to the network. I have no access to the building at night or on the weekends. The "teachers' lounge and workroom" is locked 24 hours a day, and we don't have keys. I've discovered 4 different varieties of spiders that consider my room home. Students cuss me out when they're in a bad mood. But....all those issues aside, I feel ALIVE with inspiration, purpose and challenge.

These kids, tenth and eleventh graders, are literate only in the most basic sense of the word. I'm regularly asked how to spell words like "read" and "coach," and I can assure you that these are not second language learners. On the first day of school, most told me that they "can't" or "don't" read. Their writing follows few grammatical conventions, and they don't seem to sense any distinction between their spoken dialects and formal written English. Getting them to make an inference, even an obvious one, about a piece of literature on their grade level is akin to torture. There is clearly a lot to do, and it is my professional opinion that the best thing for them is total immersion in, and a fierce, vital connection with, excellent literature.

I spend my days helping kids find books that let them know they are not alone in the world. I read 2-3 books a week in order to keep up with their demand to pick "another good book" for each of them. This rag-tag group of 31 non-readers have already finished about 9 books in 2 weeks, and every one of them seemed genuinely surprise to have loved the experience. The core of my class time goes to independent reading, with at least 100 minutes a week of required reading time. When I told the kids about that time commitment at the beginning of the year, they freaked, pleading with me to understand that they could NEVER read for that long. Lo and behold, most days they beg to read LONGER, and on Fridays, when they can choose from a long list of literacy related activities, every one of them settles down with their book to read for the entire hour.

Many teachers would see these struggling readers, read through the Virginia standardized test, and start digging through worksheets and canned reading drills to reinforce basic reading habits. But that's NOT how kids who pass the tests with ease got to that point! They breeze through those tests because they're readers. It's obvious to them what the text says or infers, how it's organized and what is it's intent. It's obvious, because they read so much, their brains have learned to detect and organize important distinctions and patterns like that. MY kids have not had that luxury. Their brains see very little in a written passage that is familiar, and with every passing year, they get MORE behind, for reasons that completely elude me. Well, not on my watch. I am honored by the immense responsibility and humbled by the chance to make a real difference in someone's life.

The only problem is that I want to spend every dollar I've got now on books, portable cd players (for books on cd), comfy rugs and pillows, etc. so I can turn my room into a well-stocked reading oasis!!!!

Home Sweet Home

2010-08-29T21:48:00.001-05:00

Pattern: "Frock Camisole," by Katie Himmelberg, available free here
Yarn: Louisa Harding Cinnabar - worsted weight; 30% viscose, 25% cotton, 15% acrylic, 10% silk, 10% Linen, 5% Nylon, 5% Acetate (whew!)
Colorway: 6

Plus: This simple, cool-to-the-touch project was great to pull onto my lap during stressful moments as we were moving. Only the very top strap portion requires moderate attention to the pattern. I love the feel of this drapey, metallic, slightly slubby yarn against my skin. It's truly the perfect match for this cute tank. I love the cut of the top itself and find it universally flattering.

Delta: I feel like it looks outstanding from the front, okay from the back, and a little sloppy on the sides. I wonder how one would tidy that up without messing up the way the front lays. Decreases along the center back?

Okay, we need to talk about how skinny I look in these pictures. I've lost 40 freakin' pounds, people!!! If I can do it, then truly, anyone can. I jog/walked my first 5k on July 15, and I'm planning on jogging an entire one on September 12th with Jake. In addition to increasing my activity, I've been using Weight Watcher's clever POINTS system to make sure I'm eating the right amount for my needs each day. I still have tacos and ice cream and cheeseburgers, so it's more like a paradigm than a diet.

Jake and I are all settled in our new little townhouse, with which we are ENTIRELY in love. Since we rented it sight unseen, we were preparing for the worst, but this place is AWESOME. Hardwood floors, beautiful molding, huge garden bathtub, tons of storage, lovely tile on back-splash and bathrooms, two bedrooms so Jake can have an office, and two-and-a-half baths so Gracie's litter box can sit somewhere I never, ever have to go. There are a ton of law students living in this development, particularly a lot of people in Jake's class, which has helped us make some connections in town quickly. There's even a couple a few doors down, in which the wife is a drama major who knits. (!!!)

My new teaching job is incredible and life-altering, but I will speak more of that next posting. For now, enjoy the newest Watts afghan square, #28/36

Friendly Yarns

2010-08-06T21:27:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Parallelograms" by Lynne Barr, available in Knitting New Scarves
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy - worsted weight, 100% superwash merino
Colorways: Happy Forest and Tea Party
Mods: I carried the non-working yarn up the sides of the stockinette sections, wrapping around the working yarn. I'm not into weaving in when I don't have to!

Plus: I heart Lynne Barr. Her designs rock, and her instincts for texture and geometry always thrill me. Even though the pattern is somewhat hypnotizing to stare at, it was simple, instantly memorized, and lightning fast! Jake requested that I make a cool, masculine scarf for one of the high school students he worked with last year at Berkner. There were a few months when Jake was on the lookout for the perfect satchel for law school, and he noticed this kid's bag. Upon complimenting its style and inquiring where he could get one, Jake was startled as the kid emptied the bag of its contents and handed it to him! The student insisted that he was finished with it and was about to switch to a new bag anyway, but Jake was so touched by this generosity that he insisted I make him a fabulous thank you gift. (p.s. The kid is gay and always raves about Jake's handknit sweaters and accessories. Too cute.)

Delta: I think that it would look better even wider. I actually did not use a needle size as big as called for, because the fabric was too floppy at that gauge, so maybe it's meant to be wider. If I knit this again, I would work with at least 25 stitches, instead of 20.

Pattern: "Owl Coffee Cup Cozy," by Sabrina Thompson, available free here
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
Mods: I only added safety eyes to one owl cable instead of all 5. I skipped the beak embroidery because the more I tried, the harder it sucked.

Plus: My dear friend Sonya requested this one after seeing a previously finished coffee cozy. I've been meaning to try out one of the zillions of owl cable projects out there, and this was a perfect use for a 1/4 of a skein of cashmerino.

Delta: I think these are kind of dumb. Unless it's a felted version, these simply stretch and slip too much to be useful. I've now created one with the cable running vertically and one with a horizontally situated cable; doesn't matter--they stretch and slip. For the last one, I ended up weaving in tons of elastic thread along the inside and cinching it tight, a pain in the rear which led to negligible improvement. For this one, I ran out of time and left it as it, but I suggested to Sonya that she could a) use fabric glue to attach it to a regular cardboard sleeve or b) use the elastic thread method or c) wash and dry it regularly. We'll see. I won't make another.

Some Babies Have All the Luck

2010-08-05T21:47:00.004-05:00

Pattern: "Rose Leaf Blanket, Bonnet, and Booties" by Kristan Spurkland, available in Blankets, Hats, and Booties to Knit and Crochet
Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh dk - 100% superwash merino wool
Colorway: Coral
Mods: On booties, when binding off the five stitches, I left the first (slipped) stitch intact. This created an eyelit pattern rather than the creepy, elven-looking triangles. I think it fits the style of the set much better.

Plus: This leaf motif is so delicate and classic, if not for the hip, hand-dyed yarn, people might think these were antique heirlooms. Once blocked out, the effect is truly breath-taking. I'm so happy to have this book that coordinates layette sets like this. It saves me the hassle of finding three different patterns for the same yarn or trying to rewrite patterns so the stitch motifs are aligned.

This set certainly garnered a great deal of lust. My knitting buddy Shelley did all but promise me the deed to her house in exchange for this yarn (her signature color, which she did not find quite right in subsequent dye lots). Another knitting buddy Hannah implored me to think of anyone who deserved these items more than she; promises of instant tears and constant use NEARLY won me over. When I finally presented the woolly darlings to my pregnant friend Danielle, her sister's eyes widened, and she suggested that since I'll surely be bored in Virginia, I can spend all my time knitting sweaters and blankets for her. It's good to feel wanted.

Delta: Once I started the lace border, this project went pretty slowly. It's not a difficult lace--I could tell immediately if something went awry--but I never quite memorized the chart. Additionally, I would suggest to any future knitters of this blanket that they use a provisional cast-on (rather than cabled) when beginning the lace border to avoid an ugly seam there when finished. I was kind of annoyed with myself for not thinking of that at the time, but I have never done a blanket construction like this before, and I was mystified as to what in the world was happening. Additionally, I found the booties pattern pretty confusing and sometimes, outright wrong-headed. If you're familiar with top-down/heel-flap sock construction, feel free to read ahead and rewrite to your tastes.

My favorite part of the WHOLE project was the "beaded bind-off" across the back of the bonnet. Do you see how the bit across the nape of the neck makes pretty little scallops? Neat-o.

Well, we are officially relocated! After brief overnight visits with my parents in Richardson, then his parents in Plano, then my sister in Nashville, we made our way to Lexington, Virginia, our home for the next three years. Our townhouse is PERFECT for us in every single way, and we're working hard to get everything unpacked, hung, decorated, etc. Once we're finished, I'll definitely share some pics. For now, just know that:

Everyone here is extremely friendly
The bugs are huge and plentiful
You can see a bazillion stars from our back porch
I panic every now and then thinking about how far I am from a Starbucks or Target

Drool Worthy

2010-07-14T18:15:00.006-05:00

Pattern: "Chevron Scarf" by Joelle Hoverson, available in Last-Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino - 100% superwash wool, fingering weight
Colorways: p623 and p136
Mods: Only one skein of each colorway, rather than two. It was plenty long, both the scarf and my relationship with it.

Plus: Umm....have you been looking at these pictures?! This thing is freakin' fierce!!! This pretty thing is for my old college roomie Emily. Long, long ago, when we lived in the second poorest neighborhood in St. Louis, she fought off the stress of finals by crocheting me a super-duper long, thick scarf out of that Lion Brand Homespun acrylic yarn you can get at craft stores. It sounds dorky, but the colorway truly was cool, and I was utterly touched. I still have (and occasionally wear) it now, and I decided it's high time I return the favor. Not long after I learned to knit, I wrote her and told her I wanted to makes something. She told me she "wears the crap out of scarves" and can never have too many. She's pretty eloquent for a professor of political science, huh??? Her adorable husband is an artist whose work fills our current apartment, so I thought this painterly project appropriate. Perhaps they'll be so moved, Darick will send more art.

Delta: Blocking was a tad frustrating. It's incredibly wonky right off the needles, and it remained wavy and curled after the first wet-blocking. I re-wet-blocked....then steam-blocked it...and finally just ironed it within an inch of its life. That did the trick.

The pieces are coming together for the big move to Lexington, Virginia! Jake has a law school. I have a job. We've got a respectable collection of sturdy boxes to start packing. The rental truck is arranged. Now, all we need is a HOME. For some reason, these laid back country types don't feel especially obligated to return phone calls or reply to emails. We've been bugging I don't know how many realtors, apartment complexes, and property owners....all to no avail. Boo. I hope we don't end up somewhere that blows simply because we had no time left to deliberate.

Watts Family Afghan of Infinity Square #27....9 more!!!!

Shawrf

2010-07-04T23:30:00.003-05:00

Yes, I've noticed that I'm going through a ruffle phase....

Pattern: "A Little Ruffle," by Jennifer Lang, available free here
Yarn: Locally handspun yarn from The Old Oaks Ranch Fiber Arts Center in Wimberley, Texas - 100% fingering weight 2-ply alpaca

Plus: I wish I had a macro lens on my camera so I could highlight the buttery texture of this thing. It's pretty heavenly in its simplicity and gracefulness. A very close friend requested a silvery-gray accessory of some sort for her mother, a striking Cuban with an adorable salt-and-pepper bob. Around the same time, my mother-in-law visited this ranch in just outside of Austin and picked up this very special and GIGANTIC skein for me. It took me awhile to find just the right pattern, particularly one that would use tons and tons of fingering weight, but once I pulled this one up, I knew it was a slam dunk. Similar to the Clapotis, this scarf/shawl thingy works well draped in a number of different ways and styles. Got to love that.

Delta: If I could do it again, I would rewrite the p-wise slip stitch followed by a yarn over, because when purling back that way on the wrong side, it's pretty much impossible to purl those stitches gracefully. I ended up knitting that yarn-over through the back loop, an action which tightened up the hole and made it more difficult to see what I was doing as I picked up those million stitches along the edge. Speaking of, this is a major time commitment, and a mindless knit. Sometimes you really need one of those, and sometimes they make you hate knitting. Choose wisely.

I GOT A JOB! I'm teaching at an alternative school (read: kids who have been kicked out of their public school for behavior or truancy) which has adopted some really progressive and exciting approaches to dealing with kids who don't fit well within the traditional school model. I'll be teaching 9-12 grade, thought not all at once, and I've already been having a ball, planning curriculum and trolling the used bookstores for appropriate resources. Weee! It feels so good to know what I'll be doing (and earning) once we make this big move. The hardest part of the move left is saying goodbye to my amazing group of friends here....or figuring out how to stuff them into the moving van.

The never-ending Watts afghan part 26 of 36:

Ab-Fab

2010-06-22T22:03:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Spring Forward," by Linda Welch, available free on Knitty here
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy - 100% plied superwash merino wool
Colorway: Petal Shower

Plus: Um, I'm utterly nutzoid crazy bonkers in love with this pattern! The lace looks complicated but is SO simple and intuitive and soothing. I relished working on this project more than any other project I've done in a long time. Can't recommend it enough. Go knit some right now! And the colorway? Quite ladylike (rather than babyish, as feared) when paired with this elegant lace.

Delta: Well, I'm in love with wool socks. And it's summer. In Texas. I'm picturing myself this fall, reclining in a wooden chair on a balcony in Virginia, looking down on the fiery burst of colors tumbling across the Shenandoah Valley. I've got some silky, meditative knitting in the lap and a hazelnut latte in an over-sized mug on the table next to me. As I tend to do when feeling totally relaxed, my legs are stretched out and up, so that my heels, wrapped in woolly clouds of strawberry and cream lace, rest on the guardrail edge. Yeah. You want hand knit socks now, too.

We visited my husband's Grandad in the hospital today. He just had open-heart surgery due to a recently discovered 90% blockage! That poor, sweet man has had the worst luck. Only 70, he's already fought back cancer four times and already manages arrhythmia, severe tremors, chronic pain, and diabetes. When we were preparing to drive back to Dallas from Breckenridge, Jake got a call saying that Grandad was in the hospital, and we should brace ourselves for the worst: his heart was barely functioning and the lymphoma was probably back as well. Jake and I drove all through the night to get there as quickly as possible, but by then, things were already looking up. Lymphoma was a negative and the surgeon thought him strong enough to recover from open-heart. That man never ceases to amaze me with his strength and grace. I keep wanting to grab his hand and whisper, "Now, you just hold on! I really want you to meet your great-grandchild, so just hold on."

Watts' family afghan square #25:

More Baby Crap

2010-06-18T16:14:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Baby Sweater on Two Needles," by Elizabeth Zimmerman, available in the Knitter's Almanac
Yarn: Rowan Calmer - light worsted weight, 75% cotton/25% microfiber
Colorways: Vintage and Drift

Plus: Since I still had the Gull Lace stitch memorized from the big girl version of this sweater, and because my friends are procreating like mad, I figured it was a good time to make this classic Zimmerman design. I was also pleased for the opportunity to completely use up every last inch of this boring pastel stuff. When I went to drop the sweater off at the recipient's house, I was greeted by a perfectly matching lavender tinted nursery. Sweet.

Delta: Zimmerman's "pithy" directions, while no doubt revolutionary and liberating at the time, lack a modern girl's demand for clarity now and then. I was a little confused if the length of the hem should be measured from the neck or the armpit. In the end, I stopped when I ran out of yarn, a time which conveniently overlapped with the moment it looked about right. I'm ambivalent about the fact that the neckline gapes open; Z's instructions have you putting the button hole after the first inch or so, but I noticed many people adapted that to put it earlier, thereby avoiding that gap. I don't know. Babies have big heads and often need some leeway in the neck area. In the same way, I dutifully followed Z's directions to knit the sleeves flat, even though most people now have avoided the seam-up by working those in the round. I guess I wanted the authentic Zimmerman experience, wild and flawed though it be.

The weight loss journey has continued to be a positive one. I have lost a total of 23.6 pounds, and I'm currently in training to (mostly) jog a 5k on July 18. Woot! I have a lot more that I still want to accomplish, but the momentum is building. I'm discovering the athlete within. I even just rewarded myself with a fantastic new toy, a Polar FT4.

Still no job in Virginia, but I finally nabbed a real interview over Skype! Who knows if anything will come of it, but it's a relief that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE has picked up my resume and thought, "Hmmm...let's call this one." Send positive thoughts, dudes.

Watts Family Afghan Square #24:

This square kinda makes me hungry....

Now that's teamwork!

2010-05-30T19:22:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Patchwork Carriage Blanket, " by Tara Jon Manning, available in The Knitter's Book of Yarn
Yarn: Spud and Chloe Sweater - aran weight 45% cotton/55% superwash wool
Colorways: Grass, Splash, and Chipmunk

Plus: Considering our intentions and circumstances, this blanket could not have been more perfect. My knitting buddies, Hannah and Shelley, and I selected this pattern as a baby shower present for our long-time (like, since 5th grade) friend Jessica. The pattern consists of 6 strips of 6 squares each, which are then seamed together and crocheted around the edge. Perfect, right? Hannah, Shelley and I each knit two strips; Shelley (seaming diva) mattress stitched the thing up; we roped our friend Temple (crochet amigurumi enthusiast) into adding the edging; finally, I (aggressive blocker) stretched and prodded the poor thing until you could not tell that it was made by four very different (but fabulous) women. Ta da!

We loved this cuddly, mom-friendly (read: machine-washable) yarn, and the colors are wonderfully modern and spunky This pattern was just the right balance of challenge and ease for a project to be shared among knitters of varying experience levels. The cables kept the advanced ones mildly amused, while the tons of stockinette and seed stitch made it doable for a novice to complete quickly.

Delta: It's really more our fault than the pattern, but we were really thrown when reading the helpful diagram alongside the helpful written instructions....because they did NOT seem to match up. We hemmed and hawed and stared and were even more frustrated when we could not find errata anywhere. Oh....wait.....knitting works from the bottom up. Right. Duh.

Finally, Watts afghan square #23, by far my least favorite thing to ever knit EVER. Hate. Loathe. Get out of my sight, stupid square!

I apologize (to my two readers, hehe) for my extended absence of late. School has become rather demanding as the year winds down, and the 10-11 hour work day has become default. Additionally, I have been re-purposing some of my usual weeknight knitting to getting into better shape. More on that later!

Dude Looks Like a Lady Sweater

2010-04-26T18:19:00.004-05:00

Pattern: "February Lady Sweater," by Pamela Wynne, available as a free download on Ravelry
Yarn: Knit Picks Kettle-dyed Wool of the Andes, worsted weight 100% Peruvian wool
Colorway: Grasshopper
Buttons: Amazing, aren't they? Genuine Bone. Jo-ann's, of all places.

Plus: What's not to love about this design? Simple, flattering, easy to try on as you go. It's no wonder that Ms. Wynne's adaptation of the Zimmerman design is such an obsession in the knit world. I was thinking the other day about what I would do if I saw some chick out and about wearing this sweater (it's bound to happen soon). Do I hug her? Ask her if she throws or picks? Open with a comment on her hot mods?

Delta: Oh, Knit Picks, it's a love/hate thing, ain't it? It's hard to resist the prices, but you're also buying plenty of flaws to fret over. One, the "kettle-dyed" effect seems to be wildly inconsistent from one skein to another, some looking 100% solid, some being quite variegated and watery, others being a downright different green altogether. If I had been smart, I would have alternated skeins every two rows like pretty much every good knitter recommends. One day, I'll be that smart. Notice the "band of stupidity" right under my boobs, about 3 inches deep. As for the texture, apart from the totally expected roughness of this wool, Knit Picks makes some odd, hard, gnarly, enlarged "splices" which are totally infuriating! I had the same problem with the Cadena wool/alpaca blend used for the bridesmaid shawls of Becca's wedding.

Do I look skinnier in these pictures? I should, for I--lover of all food Mexican and all activities still and air-conditioned--have lost 11 pounds. Pretty soon, I'll be taking all knit-related pictures in a bikini. Then, my blog will REALLY take off!

And of course, afghan square #22!

And Thanks Again!

2010-04-11T16:15:00.003-05:00

A final thank-you gift for another recommendation letter.

Pattern: "Candy Wrapper Sachets" by Leigh Radford, available in One Skein
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, 100% silk DK weight single ply (colorway #11)

Plus: These were a perfect last minute gift! I've had a random skein of silk and this particular pattern stashed away for just such an occasion for months, and it finally paid off. The recipient does not seem like the handknit wearing type; she almost always wears black, brown, or gray, and I cannot recall a single accessory she's worn. But everyone wants their undies drawer to smell nice, right? I was able to knit one of each pattern variation a night during the week and build the sachets over the weekend.

Delta: I had to get creative with the construction, because I could find neither silk tea bags nor loose dried lavender anywhere locally. In the end, I bought a couple of those cheap drawer sachets that come the in paper envelopes, the kind with the scented clay pellets inside, and poured them carefully into a draw string organza pouch. To make sure nothing spilled, I tucked that pouch inside a second one, drawstring side down, before cinching the whole thing up in the silk wrappers. I found all the provisions at my neighborhood Joann's: the ribbon in the sewing section, the organza pouches in the DIY wedding aisle, and the sachets near the candles and potpurri. It wasn't the classiest set-up, but I think they turned out okay.

I really need to snap some shots of my finished February Lady Sweater which has been finished for weeks. I'm just not in the most to be all posey-posey in front of a camera, but it's really time to suck it up.

I just returned from a fun trip to an alpaca farm in Wimberly, Texas. They had an "Open Farm Day" with demonstrations of shearing, spinning, felting, and weaving. I had really planned on buying a drop spindle while there, but they had sold out before we arrived. No matter, for I fell in love with another unnecessary gadget: a Cricket table-top loom. Must have. Birthday, perhaps? I also got to hug an angora bunny and tease some naked alpacas. Good times.

Behold, afghan square #21:

Thank You, Thank You

2010-03-27T19:30:00.002-05:00

The lamest part of Jake's imminent entry into law school is my scrambling, stressful search for a job. Several people have helped me out by writing beautiful letters of recommendation, and I just had to thank them with some fiber.

Pattern: "Ruffle Lace Scarf" by Suzie Blackman, available free here
Yarn: Knit Picks Suri Dream - 74% brushed suri alpaca/22% Peruvian wool/4%nylon
Colorway: Hollyberry

Plus: For such a big-impact, lush scarf, this took surprisingly little time. I think this yarn, leftover from the shawl extravaganza of my sister's wedding, is a perfect pairing with this pattern. The lace, when lightly stretched, appears much more complicated than it is, almost like more of an "old shale" look. Despite the mohair look, this thing is heaven directly on the neck.

Delta: This so isn't me, the yarn or the project. They're both so flamboyant! My former department head Sonya looks great in fun, bold-statement accessories. RED is just her personality. However, I'm still a little worried that it won't play nicely with the rest of her wardrobe.

Pattern: "Just Enough Ruffles" by Laura Chau, available for pdf purchase on Ravelry
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (aka knitter's crack)
Colorway: Sauternes

Plus: I cast this darling on one Saturday afternoon when I was bed-ridden and feeling utterly pathetic. Something about the luscious texture of the fiber, combined with the zen-like simplicity of the pattern...I could not put it down. It was like chicken soup for my knitterly soul; all my other projects looked rough or difficult or irritating in comparison. The whole thing flew off the needles in about 24 hours, and only the 600 stitch bind-off felt like a chore. I'm quite sure I'll be ordering more Malabrigo and settling in for some cozy merino therapy again very soon.

Delta: You always take a certain amount of risk ordering hand-dyed yarn online. I was hoping for a softer sunlight yellow (a color I happen the think the recipient looks amazing in), and this had a touch more orange than I had anticipated.

Jake visited Washington and Lee last weekend for an open house for admitted law students. I think he really fell in love with the place, which is a good thing, since it's currently the front runner. There are still ELEVEN schools to hear from, but he's expecting rejection or wait-list from most of those. Anyways, he took lots of pictures of the town for me, capturing its boho/intellectual charm. Independent bookstore and coffeeshops, local yarn shop, natural foods grocer, AVEDA salon, beautiful 19th century churches, red brick sidewalks everywhere, farmers markets, vineyards....yeah, I could handle it. ;-)

Stargazing With the Wool Over My Eyes

2010-03-16T15:14:00.005-05:00

Pattern: "The Clutch You'll Never Give Up" by Leigh Radford, available in One Skein
Yarn: Fiesta Watermark (Tequila Sunrise) - leftovers from Easy Wave
Mods: After reading Ravelled comments, I decided to go a bit bigger all around and just use the pattern as a guideline. In the end, I CO 80 stitches and increased 4 stitches every 12th round a total of 4 times. I also added an extra row after finishing the handle. I obviously needle-felted a stargazer lily onto one side.

Plus: I cannot believe how perfect the dimensions came out. It fits my wallet, keys, phone, and lipgloss perfectly. Nothing spilling out, nothing getting lost. You can't plan for perfection like that. It is granted. I was especially lucky since I didn't babysit the process like last time, hovering over the washer and pulling it out every 10 minutes to check the size. I set it for a hot and aggressive wash and then walked away, totally zen about whatever would come to pass. Go figure. I am further delighted with my first foray into needle-felting. It was fast and intuitive, and most importantly, I didn't stab myself ONCE.

Delta: Ummm...I wish I could have figured out how to needle-felt tiny fuchsia dots like on a Stargazer. Whether I manipulated the yarn or the roving, it was too blunt and blurry to work.

I'm still playing with my scraps to make some toys like this one: "Fuzzy Mitten Lamb," by Barbara Prime, available as a free download on Ravelry here. I used Knit Picks City Tweed in Orca (leftover from Jake's Cobblestone) and Sirdar Juicy DK (leftover from my terrible Spring Beret). The latter was not an ideal choice since the gauge was different, but I've absolutely got to get that stringy crap out of my stash.

Last, but certainly not least, Watts family afghan square #20, my first entrelac technique. I heart this mucho. Need to work on making the edges straight, though.

Share Time

2010-03-10T17:39:00.006-06:00

Modern Ma'am has flattered me with a request: reveal seven facts about myself and then pass the love on to seven other fabulous bloggers. First, the TRUTH.

Though my bachelor's degree is in Literary Studies, I originally majored in Musical Theatre at a relatively prestigious conservatory. I was kicked out sophomore year due to excessive suckage.
I am a whopping 6'0 tall.
My beautiful, intelligent, sensitive husband Jake is bipolar type 2.
I spend every evening leaning on a heating pad due to my own stupid affliction, endometriosis. The good news is that since my surgery last June, I no longer tote that heating pad with me to work.
I have only been knitting for about a year and a half, and I am completely self-taught. I think I mainly picked it up to soothe my anxieties related to not being able to get pregnant.
I cannot control myself around Mexican food.
I own every Will and Grace episode ever made. I watch a few other things because my husband insists that we add a little more variety to our routine.

Now, the DARE. I wanna hear more about....
famous the cat
Reckless Glue
Labor of Love
Ignorant Bliss
The Yarniad
Blue Garter
Pepperknit

And on to the knitting:

Pattern: "Round or Pinwheel Baby Blanket" by Genia Planck, available free here
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - worsted weight, 75% cotton/25% acrylic
Colors: Almond, Azalea, Taupe, Maize, Pistacio (pretty yummy stuff)
Mods: added a three-stitch wide i-cord bind off

Plus: Mindless, fast, low-pressure way to burn through the rest of my cotton-ease stash, left over from Temple's blanket.

Delta: I ran out of time before I ran out of yarn, and I did not have the opportunity to block it properly...or....you know....at all. Hence, a tad on the small and wrinkly side, much like its intended recipient. One of my coworkers, when the blanket was pulled out of its gift bag, said, "Oh, you made them a doily. That's interesting." He got a nice kick in the shins under the desks.

Here's a rapidly regressing sixth grader getting it nice and germy before I wrap it up. This picture is important for two reasons: 1) you can tell how small it is and 2) you can see the insanity I work with every day.

Lust for Color

2010-03-06T18:14:00.004-06:00

Whether it's the playfully modern, graphic artistry in patterns like paper dolls and little birds....
Or it's the whispers of ancient feminist wisdom in traditions like bohus and selbu and fair isle...
Or a feverish desire to have a fancy pair of fingering weight stranded mittens for every day of the winter....

I WANT FIERCE COLORWORK SKILLS, AND I WANT THEM RIGHT NOW!

Sigh. Alas, I'm just not there yet with control over my left hand. Everything ends up wonky and puckery. I'm decided that I'll devote some considerable time over the summer to practicing continental method and stranded knitting swatches. Until then, anything I attempt in the way of colorwork falls pathetically short of expectations.

Until now. Enter "mosaic knitting" method. I would never have ventured into this strange new land had it not been for this latest afghan square. But now that I'm here, I'm simply wild about it. It's so flippin' easy and fun!

I've since been gathering together mosaic colorwork patterns I can tackle next. My top picks:
Mosaic Yoke Jacket
Blooming Cotton Scarf
Mimico

Oh dear, I soooo excited, I could just pee a little.

I've also been indulging in a bit of low-stress toy-making/scrap-busting.

Pattern: "Knitted Bunny" by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, available free here
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Lush

Pattern: "Grumpasaurus" by Kat Lewinski, available free here
Yarns: Classic Elite Yarns Lush; Shibui Knits Worsted; Berroco Comfort

They're each a wee bit flawed in its own small way, but the beautiful thing is, I don't care.

All's Well That Ends Well

2010-03-01T21:06:00.009-06:00

Breathe, lady, breathe! It's over. You can stop hyperventilating. Go ice up your poor wrists.

First, the Ravelympics Dance o' Victory!

Pattern: "Aria" by Lynne Barr, available in Knitting New Scarves
Yarn 1: Debbie Bliss Pure Silk - single ply DK weight, 100% silk
Colorway 1: Aqua (21)
Yarn 2: Araucania Itata Multy - sturdy 4-ply, 70% wool/15% silk/15% bamboo
Colorway 2: 1014

Plus: Pure silk directly on the neck--how did I live without it? I've always been crazy about this pattern; it's one of the main reasons I bought the book. I respect most of the unique (often bizarre) designs on some level, but this one just said, "Baby, I'm yours." I held the two yarns together to create my version of the perfect handpainted yarn--depth, not dashes. Barr developed this undulating, slippery thing with laminaria seaweed in mind. Hence, I wanted a really flowing, drapey result, so I intentionally planned the gauge to be a bit more open than instinct would have led me to. I think I overshot that goal a bit at the beginning with a US10.5; about 1/4 of the way in, I went down to US10 and the whole thing just CLICKED into total happiness gear.

Delta: Jake pointed out to me that the Ravelympics seems like a stupid excuse to enjoy your hobby less. I'm starting to think he's right. I cast this thing off at exactly midnight, even though I was longing for another foot. I wasn't about to pass up my chance at the gold.....er....red...... rectangle:

Why couldn't they have made it look like a MEDAL?! Sigh.

As for the mitts and the blanket, a post is coming soon about each. Just know that everything ended up just fine, with a special thanks to Jill at the Woolie Ewe for saving my sorry behind. I'll tell the full story later, but just know: SHE IS A SAINT!

Square #18 (half-way! WOOT!) (wait, only half-way?! Grunt.)

Knitting Emergency!

2010-02-25T11:00:00.005-06:00

Oh, sweet Jesus! I have never before seen such a perfect storm of knitting problems in one week.

First, deadlines:

1. Melanie--tiny, sassy, rocker chick--requested some charcoal gray fingerless mitts for wearing while she plays her bass guitar at outdoor venues. She needs them by Saturday night.

2. Baby Adler--not yet born daughter of English department colleague--needs comfy and colorful rainbow blanket. The baby shower is this Friday afternoon.

3. Ravelympic Gods--mean, spiteful deadline pushers--demand that I finish my Aria scarf by the end of the winter Olympics. This Sunday night.

4. Grades are due for 2nd trimester next Tuesday.

Second, stupidity:

1. I cast off my "Nereid Mitts" two nights ago, tried both on, and then screamed bloody murder. There are 10 more rows of ribbing on one cuff. THE CAST-ON EDGE OF THE CUFF! Twisted knit ribbing and lace. Fingering weight yarn. Help. Me. God. Several people argued with me that I should just give them over, flaws and all. But Melanie is a triple Virgo. I might as well just spit on her hands and call it a mitt.

2. Blankets (even the baby sort) are big and time consuming. I am stressed. Not a good combo. I should have gone with booties.

3. I scheduled a major paper and a spelling quiz due in the last week of the trimester, both of which must be graded by next Tuesday.

Third, solutions:

1. I CUT out the lower ten rows and am currently attempting (unsuccessfully) to shimmy 60 consecutive stitches onto some needles so I can bind it off. I'm going into my LYS today, my head hung with shame, to beg for assistance.

2. The blanket is worked from the inside out and bound off whenever you feel like it. I'm thinking this will be a small blanket. I don't know this colleague that well, anyway.

3. There's always Sunday for Ravelympic stress. Yeah, I can look forward to that....

A difficult scarf for some difficult hair

2010-02-21T15:17:00.008-06:00

Pattern: "My So Called Scarf" by Allison Isaacs, available free here
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend - single-ply DK weight, 30% silk/70% merino wool
Colorway: Prairie (3104)
Mods: CO 36 on US10 to compensate for gauge differences

Plus: My, oh my, what a fine lookin' stitch! It's a pretty bizarre set of motions, and I can't imagine trying to figure this thing out without the helpful video, but after a few slow starts, my hands just knew what to do. I loved working with this yarn, far more than the rather rough Wool Classica. I have to give thanks to my knitting bud Shelley for gifting me with two skeins of this lovely fiber for Christmas.

Delta: A warning to fellow timid knitters: this is not a rip-back friendly scarf. Although it doesn't look like lace, I recommend treating it as such and using a lifeline (note, this is not advice I followed myself). Somehow, half-way through the scarf I noticed that my total number of stitches had decreased from 36 to 30!!! I can't imagine how I would accidentally decrease in this pattern without an outright dropping of stitches, but there it was. A Hanukkah miracle! After considering the possible merits of a lopsided scarf, I decided to make metaphorical lemonade--increase back out at the same rate to a total of 36 for an impressive hourglass-type-shape-thingy. This was easier decided than done since the stitch pattern is so funky. However, I am proud to report that the sneaky increases look....abysmal. Don't try this at home, kids. Count your stitches; use a lifeline.

This is a dreadfully late holiday gift for my dear friend Jessica (a crocheter, so she may understand). At our Christmas party, as my handknits were snatched up quickly by various folks, she waited patiently and calmly like the classy dame she is. Unfortunately, the only item left over was the Easy Wave Scarf, and the dear girl drooped her lovely auburn head and sighed, "Um, I can't...wear...pink." I'm thinking these colors with complement her trademark tresses beautifully, so beautifully that no one would dare say, "Hey, is it just me, or does that scarf have a waist?"

I'm currently gripped in the throes of the Ravelympics, by far the nerdiest place my knitting has taken me so far. The idea is to challenge one's knitting prowess and dedication, as inspired by those maniacs currently wiping out on the snowy mountains of Canada, by selecting a project which will be a challenge to finish within the 17 days of the Winter Olympics. Cast-on with about 10,000 other knitters during the opening ceremonies; cast-off before the torch is extinguished. Pat yourself on the back if you succeed. Hate yourself for two years if you don't.

I chose a scarf with short-rows, not because it's terribly difficult, but because it's just the sort of thing I would take forever to finish because it's not exactly riveting, nor is it mindless and comforting. We're more than halfway through the allotted time, and I just passed my 33% point. Better step it up.

Watts Afghan Square #17

Grief in the Snow

2010-02-13T15:15:00.009-06:00

Over the weekend I spent in Wisconsin, reflecting on the life and death of my paternal grandfather, I had this comforting project in my lap the whole time:

Pattern: "Baktus Scarf," by former Norweigan blogger Strikkelise, available on her Flickr page here
Yarn 1: Rowan Calmer - stretchy 2-ply (Feels like DK weight, but Rowan encourages knitting it at worsted weight gauge) 75% cotton/25% microfiber
Colorway 1: Onyx
Yarn 2: Noro Kureyon - single-ply heavy worsted weight, 100% wool
Colorway 2: 170

Plus: Alternating solid and multi-colored stripes served three purposes: one, it made it easier to see when I was supposed to increase or decrease within the four row repeat, essential considering the distracting and fluid circumstances; two, I wanted to find a clever use for two leftover half-skeins of my Kureyon, so I increased until I used one up and decreased to use up the other; three, it looks purty. A fiber/pattern match made in heaven.

Delta: In an ideal world, I would have knit this on 8's or even 9's, instead of 7's, to get a more width and drape. However, I like wearing it kerchief-style with the point askew in front and the ends tied and tucked behind my neck. I've received several complements so far.

I had a hard time watching my dad and grandmother cope with the sudden, unfortunate event. They both seemed rather lost, unsure of whether they were playing their roles appropriately, trying to grasp the truth while avoiding the weight of it around friends and family. I was grateful for the opportunity to see and hug my relatives on that side, none of whom I see very often. I should also admit that I had a blast bunking in with my sister and her husband; despite the terrible circumstances, we kept one another in high spirits and constant giggles. We all found the abundant snow so exhilirating and special; knowing that we never see such snow in Dallas, we danced and played our hearts out.

Ah, the irony. Within the week, Dallas was blessed accordingly.

Mmm....cozy!

Watts family afghan square #16

Speak the Good News, Sista!

2010-01-30T13:46:00.009-06:00

Pattern: "Sideways Grande Cloche," by Laura Irwin, available in Boutique Knits and Interweave Knits Accessories, 2009
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande - 100% Alapaca, ultra lofty 2-ply super-bulky weight
Colorway: Brown

Plus: This yarn feels like heaven in your hands, and I feel like a movie star wearing this hat. Nuff said, y'all.

Delta: Dear knit designers, please, please, pretty please, with rainbow sprinkles and cool-whip on top, give gauge specifications in stockinette. Because Irwin provides this gauge in ribbing, I totally psyched myself out on this piece and ripped it out at least four times before proceeding with my gut instinct needle (one size above the specified, my usual MO). This anxiety was intensified after reading the Ravelled comments about how many people's hats turned out way too large. It's no wonder, since I could never figure out whether I was on track for gauge or not. Totally, unnecessarily infuriating. It did come out on the big side, but I've got a pretty big noggin.

I wore this hat to school the day after I finished it, and one of my knitting students looked the construction over, wide-eyed, and then asked me, "So, did you....tapestry needle this twist thing down?" Best noun-to-verb conversion I've heard in all week.

We received our first law school "YES" this week. Washington and Lee, ranked #30 in the nation. Woot! That knocks out all the previously applied schools ranked lower. He also added this week U of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Boston University, and Georgetown. Keep your fingers crossed for us! I've been busy writing personal statements and collecting recommendation letters for my own job search, which is a pretty odd search, indeed, since I don't yet know my city. Let's hope the good people at Carney, Sandoe, and Associates know what they're doing.

Square #15

Chilly Steers and Discount Yarn

2010-01-24T17:02:00.006-06:00

Pattern: "Easy Wave" by Lynne Barr (you know, that chick who's getting all the buzz for her new reversible knitting book), available in Knitting New Scarves
Yarn: Fiesta Watermark - 60% mohair/40% wool; single-ply heavy aran (almost bulky)
Colorway: Tequila Sunrise

Plus: Lynne Barr is kind of crazy. She thinks of the most insane things to do with knitting needles. Every time I'm knitting this scarf around accomplished knitters, they stare in wonder and eventually pull up a chair so they can see how this textured is created. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that it's not hard at all. Easy memorize, easy to rip back, easy to keep your place, virtually idiot proof.

Delta: This yarn, while lustrous and beautifully dyed, itches like the devil and felt sweaty and hairy in my hands. Not a wise choice for a scarf, for sure, but darnit, it was whispering to me demands of structure. I have two full skeins leftover from when I snatched up everyone last one out of the 50% off bin at Woolie Ewe. I'm thinking it will also look fetching as a felted purse. Stay tuned!

Those cows were major divas, but they gave me some good advice:

Also, way overdue......

Pattern: "Ingenue," by Wendy Bernard, available in Custom Knits
Yarn: Karabella Marble - 55% Wool/ 45% Alpaca; loosely spun two-ply worsted
Colorway: gold
Size: 43" modeled here with 1" of positive ease
Mods: added 1.5" torso length

Plus: Love, love, love. I want to wear it constantly. In fact, by the time this picture was taken, I had worn the sweater out at least 5 times, hence the slightly rumpled sleeves. Bernard's design is both classy and wearable, and the seamless construction is a breeze. I demand that you make one right now! Oh, and I can't say enough about this yummy yarn, which incidentally, I also plucked from Woolie Ewe's discount shelf. Hurray for 50% off!!!

Delta: I'm wondering if the sleeve edges and bottom hems would look cleaner with a turned hem. Like, you could work your ridge pattern stitch four times, purl a row, then work the same depth in stockinette (in a smaller needle size) and tack it down behind the ridge stitch. I'm wild about the collar, and I sometimes worry that the sleeves and hem look flimsy in comparison. Maybe I'll try that someday, since I have two more lovely balls left....again. Coincidences abound here.

Jake applied to the following schools yesterday. More applications to come in the next month. Imagine me in the following cities....

1. New York U (Manhattan)

2. U of Texas (Austin)

3. U of So Cal (LA)

4. U of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

5. William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

6. Washington and Lee (Lexington, VA)

7. U of Georgia (Athens)

8. Yeshiva U (Manhattan)

9. U of Cincinnati (duh)

10. Penn State (Carlisle)

11. DePaul (Chicago)

My other husband - Xmas gift 7 (boy)

2010-01-17T20:16:00.005-06:00

Pattern: "Seamless Saddle Shoulder Pullover," by the inimitable Elizabeth Zimmerman, available in Knitting Without Tears
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy (Tea Party and Happy Forest)
Needles: US7
Size: I calculated precisely for 41 inch chest, modeled here with 1.5 inch positive ease; I also measured his favorite sweater, a good move since it turns out he has the arms of a freaking ape, and I was going to need to add 2 more full inches to each sleeve length
Mods: By request, I made 2" ribbed edgings (1" around the neck), rather than turned hems

Plus: So easy, so joyful, so satisfying! You can't help but feel clever when working a Zimmerman design. The long stretches of circular stockinette were excellent for commuting or really good TV, while the shoulders were downright fascinating to watch take shape. I will definitely use Classy again, a multi-plied superwash yarn that improves dramatically after a bath. Garrett was so impressed by the depth of the colors and the softness of the wool, it was hard not to purchase more that very night!

Delta: If I could do it again, I would add at least 1.5 more inches in body length and taper a bit down to the waist. I had cast on and knit a great deal of the torso before I measured his favorite sweater, and it was then that I realized that I should have started narrower. Also, I'm not sure that 1/4 of chest width on each shoulder saddle was enough, since it left the neck hole oddly large and horizontally rectangular. Maybe 1/3? I offered to fix it right away, but he turned me down and said that he was presently too eager to start wearing it around. Spoken like a man who wants more handknits, huh???

Too cute, man.

KER-SPLAT!!! I'm finally getting back to Becca's afghan. I had been buzzing along at a decent one-square-a-week pace for a while and then fell behind.

Simple Gifts

2010-01-08T21:02:00.004-06:00

One of my knitting group kiddos gave me this bookmark, her second finished object ever. Have you ever seen anything sweeter?

A slightly more experienced knitter whipped up this eyelash yarn "scarflet." It's barely big enough to wrap around my neck. She had run out of yarn. It happens.

Another student baked this Christmas ornament which has perfumed the entire apartment with a yummy cinnamon aroma, even through the ziploc bag. I'm afraid that if I remove it from said bag to hang on the tree, I'll be vacuuming up glitter until next Christmas.

Unsurprisingly, I think I'm most excited about these two beauties. The one on the left is the successfully improvised, first canning effort of one of my dearest friends (she's a tad afraid that she has now gifted her friends with a can of botulism). On the right is a gift from a school parent.

Handmade gifts old and new: on the bottom is an adorable planter turned votive holder, painted by my bestie Garrett. Ever since I revealed to him my fantasy that all my friends adopt different handcrafts and we fill each others' lives with incredible, one-of-a-kind treasures, he's been searching for more ways to get creative. I suggested BeDazzling. Above, origami flower bouquet, a wedding gift from my college roommate Emily.

My mother-in-law and aunt-in-law have taken up beading. The piece above is my mil's second necklace! She even gave me a bracelet and pair of chandelier earrings to match. They take a metals class this spring. I've got to say, I am in full support of this new hobby.

Pattern: "Leafy Mitts" by Ruth Stewart, available for paid download on Ravelry here
Yarn: Noelle's Noodles Handpainted Merino Aran (San Francisco)
Needles: US 7 dpns (worked in the round)

Plus: I bought this yarn 100% for the colorway name, which was the fabulous location of our honeymoon. It's hard to see in the photo, but the color is truly lovely. This is everything I want a handpainted yarn to be: flickery, subtle, watery, spirited, delicate....not stark contrasts with regularly occurring thick, horizontal darts of variation (ahem, Lorna's Laces). As for the pattern, the embossed leaf design has a big "wow" effect with non-knitters, even though it's a cinch and pretty fun.

Delta: I found the pattern a little clunky. The chart was oddly drawn, and the directions were awkwardly phrased where written out. None of it was hard, really. I just couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been more straightforward. Also, do you see that little roll at the base of the stem, just above the ribbed cuff? The part that makes it look like my wrist has a roll of fat around it? Yeah.

Groundlessness - Xmas gift 6 (boy)

2010-01-08T13:36:00.009-06:00

My heart is so full.

My sister was wed to a wonderful man last weekend. You can check out her incredible wedding here, along with some shots of the shawls I knit for the bridesmaids. (I am especially wary of stealing photography from a photographer's website.) I spent the weekend aching under the weight of fierce nostalgia for my sister, happiness for their perfect match, loneliness among the thick friendships of her maids, envy for her glamorous looks, and deep shame for my dumpy appearance. I wore a dress four sizes larger than the wedding dress I wore in April 2008. I'm like a sad cliche: the girl who gets married and blows up like a balloon because she no longer cares. I felt cut open and raw from all the frank reality, made worse by the strict documentation conducted by her three photographers.

This week, I told everyone at my job that I'm leaving. Jake got back his LSAT scores, and it looks like we're aiming within the top 30 law schools; none are located in the Dallas metro. I thought it would be exhilirating and freeing to do so. Instead, I now waiver between feeling like a traitor and footnote.

I have no idea where we're going. I have no clue where I'm going to work or even what type of school I'd like to work in. We don't know whether Jake will be able to work at all during year one. I don't know how much of a downsizing of our family income I should anticipate.

Lupron injections have finally been approved by my insurance company to treat my endo, but now I'm afraid to start. I'm afraid to give up. Even for six months.

My favorite stapler is broken.

At least I have knitting.

Pattern: "Over the Rainbow Scarf," by Claire Compton, available in The Knitter's Bible: Knitted Accessories

Yarn: Ella Rae Jaspe Wool (2)

Needle: US10 straights

Mods: slipped the first stitch of every row p-wise to make a pretty selvedge

Plus: Super-easy commuter piece. I seriously knit the whole thing at red lights and drive-throughs during the two weeks before Xmas. The Jaspe was a nice alternative to the Noro Iro, and the swap saved me about $15.

Delta: The wool is just slightly itchy. I also wish I had cast on a few more stitches to make the scarf about half an inch wider.

Jolly Green Noggin - Xmas Gift 5 (boy)

2009-12-31T23:59:00.006-06:00

Pattern: "Koolhaas," by Jared Flood, available in many places, none of them free, most recently Interweave Knits Accessories 2009
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (Vaa)
Needles: US9 circular, worked in the round
Size: large

Plus: Finally, I made a hat for a man that is actually big enough for a bonafide dude head! It's too big on me, hence the lumpy cone-head appearance. The subtle waves of deep water black, green, and teal in this colorway positively mesmerize me. And I love that Jared based this stitch pattern on the fabulous architectural work of Rem Koolhaas. The building below is currently under construction in Beijing. Look familiar???

Delta: The itty-bitty single-stitch cabling was really tedious and unpleasant. Looking at the hat, you think it's going to be some basic knit-purl stitch action, but nooooo. Cable needle up, cable needle down, cable needle up, cable needle down, cable needle up....it sort of made me batty. After a while, I didn't need the chart at all, and the whole thing became very intuitive, but I still wouldn't do another one of these. As for the yarn choice, I think something with multiple plies would have served this pattern better, making the twisted stitch cables pop more. After all that work, I want it to look magnificently complex!

I've been reading a lot of people in the knitting world gripe about Christmas knit giving, and it seems like left and right people are proclaiming, "I absolutely refuse. No knitting for anyone but me!" I certainly understand granting yourself a break from extra stress. The holidays have become such a flurry of fear, guilt, and obligation, I start breaking out it cold sweats even thinking about THE MALL. I think when knitters set totally unrealistic goals for themselves, start eight hundred projects and invariably finish none, it adds to that cycle of frustration in the same way that conventional mass gifting does. Christmas morning becomes the "Thank God it's over" Day or the "I failed" Day or the "Did I keep up?" Day. Not to mention the added stress of, "Do you REALLY like it?" Day or "I wasted my time" Day. Without a doubt, that is no kind of manifestation for the divine art of knitting.

However, this Christmas I made a modest handful of generic knits with care, knit each one at a time, alternating boy style and girl style, and meditated on the love of my family and friends (in general) while creating each one. Some knits serendipitously paired up with their owners before I could second guess them; others will be laid out for snatching at an upcoming party. To round out these offerings, I purchased a few gift cards for our local, independent bookstore, an establishment which I am determined to help survive. Overall, I'd say it was a satisfying approach to honoring my loved ones while preserving my nerves. I, too, received a few precious handmade items, and I plan to share them in my next post, along with a few more knitted gifts.

Getting into the spirit of things, Ellie insisted that she help out and knit afghan square #13. Consequently , she is totally worn out.

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Xmas Gift #4 (boy)

2009-12-21T11:47:00.006-06:00

Pattern: "Dashing," by Cheryl Niamath, available free here
Yarn: ShibuiKnits Merino Worsted (Seaweed)
Needles: US7 dpns (worked in the round)
Size: small

Plus: I can't help it. I'm literally sexually aroused by these. I've always had a thing for a nice male forearm, the kind where the muscles wrap lengthwise down from the elbow and curve seductively around the wrist, the way those sinewy layers would ripple over one another ever so slightly when in movement. Yow. These mitts are dead sexy forearms translated into knitting, and I couldn't be happier with them. My husband, who has been vehement and irritating in his skepticism against fingerless mitts, broke down and begged me not to gift them to anyone else but him. BEGGED! He's been wearing them everywhere and has expressed considerable anxiety regarding needing an outfit which will show off the cabling detail best. What a homo, huh?

Delta: Because it is a hand-dyed yarn, there is a little more pooling (particularly a spiral of lighter green that wraps all the way up the arm and hand) than I would have ideally wanted. (Jake thinks it's just another asset and points it out to people when showing off his mitts.) Additionally, the thumbs could be prettier; I always have a hard time with gaps around picked up stitches or reclaiming live stitches from a scrap-yarn slit.

Christmas--all three days of full on feasting and gifting--was lovely and fun. We had a actual, honest-to-God snow on the ground in the morning--a first in my memory. Everyone got a few things which elicited squeals of delight (for my sister, this was a Coach purse; for me, it was an obscene amount of gift cards for my LYS). In addition, both of our families have really embraced the idea of philanthropic Christmas gifts. Among several such gifts, Jake and I were given a $100 gift certificate for Kiva, our favorite "charitable" organization. If you have not looked into this micro-financing institution and their unique approach alleviating poverty all over the world, GO NOW.

And, you probably saw this coming: afghan square #12

Achoo! Wheez. Sniffle. - Xmas gift 3 (girl)

2009-12-20T22:51:00.008-06:00

Pattern: "Cafe au Lait Mitts," by Paula McKeever, available as a free download on Ravelry here
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino (Topaz)
Needles: US 4 dpns (worked in the round)

Plus: What an easy yet impressive lace pattern! I positively adore these, and they were a genuine pleasure to work on, since the pattern was very rhythmic and quick to memorize. I didn't even need a lifeline, which is pretty amazing for a goofball like me. I think the silky merino matches the style of the project quite elegantly.

Delta: I'm not sure if it was the yarn or the needles or me, but this project felt exceedingly tight and rigid on the needles. I frequently had to yank and squeeze the stitches down the needle, something I haven't really done since I first started knitting. I'm thinking it's the needle choice. Also, I have read before that when you see a yarn spring up and twist all around itself when you're working with it, it means the yarn in improperly balanced. Well, if that's the case, silky malabrigo needs to work on that. I guess it wouldn't be a problem in this lace pattern, but the fabric would bias terribly if knit it basic stockinette? Am I understanding that principle correctly? I'm sure Clara Parkes checks my blog everyday and will get back to me on that.

So, a few months ago, a dear friend floated an important philosophical question: "You know how when you're sick, your spouse is absolutely obligated to wait on you hand and foot?" I solemnly nodded, and he went on to recount how his spouse had failed to live up to this simple expectation, and had instead followed my friend around with Lysol and Purel, whining repeatedly about not wanting to catch anything. Uncool. Well, I would like to amend that rule: "When you're sick, your spouse is absolutely obligated to wait on you hand and foot, and for that reason, he/she is not allowed to be sick at the same time as you." Nothing is more irritating than suffering away in the dark silence, waiting for your beloved to come home and sweep you off your feet with soothing gestures and hot tea, only to be greeted like this:

"Hi, baby. Uh oh. What's wrong with you?"
"I'm sick."
"Oh, me too."
Pause. "I had a fever earlier today."
"So did I."

Later that night:

"Okay, I'm gonna go pick up dinner."
"Thank you so much for doing that. I feel bad, since you're sick, too."
"Well, it seems like you're more sick than me."
Long Pause. "It's good to hear you say it."

Plaid Square.

Lez All Be Generous

2009-12-14T17:36:00.006-06:00

Just about a year ago, I knit a very simple, seed stitch hat for my sister's boyfriend in a very manly, understated, cheapo gray yarn from JoAnn's. Because I still did not understand the whole "gauge" thing yet, the hat came out way too small (as did everything I knit before I understood and respected that vengeful ho-bag, the gauge goddess). It was too small to fit any man, and too man-ish to be worn by any woman. Enter the perfect recipient: a teensy, tiny butch lesbian who works with my husband. Fits her child-sized cranium AND flatters her buzz cut! SWEET. Well, a month ago, she thanked me again for the hat and explained that she wears it every morning to walk her dogs. She complained, however, that it's awfully hard to walk them without a matching scarf. Yeah, yeah. I can take a hint.

I've been seeing these "eternity" or "infinity" scarves/cowl/wrap thingys everywhere. Hence:

Pattern: my own design (CO 25 stitches and work in seed stitch until totally bored or out of yarn. Seam the sucker into a loop.)
Yarn: NaturallyCaron.com Country (charcoal)--held double
Needles: US 13 (worked flat)

Plus: It's very squooshy and soft for a project that's mostly acrylic. Great stuff for gifts to people who will balk at "hand wash" instructions. Also, I like that you have a couple options with how to wear this. Here it is doubled up around the neck.

Delta: Nothing. I'm a genius. Okay, okay, the seam is hideous. I was anxious to move on to something else, apparently.

And in conclusion, SQUARE.

Color-coordinated Progress

2009-12-06T20:13:00.006-06:00

A sleeve.

A mitt.

A square.

Too puckery. Harumph. Will try blocking out the tension issues. I keep trying to assure myself that I will only get better at color work by doing more color work.

So, I'm a Buddhist now. I've read the first 8 chapters of Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart, and I'm pretty confident that I'm an expert.

In all seriousness, I'm amused by how peacefully this fits with my current world view, or in some cases, how it scratches my most insistent itches. I had always enjoyed the way that existentialism picks you up and dusts you off on the other side of the nihilistic worm-hole. However, after wandering the world with pragmatic, existentialist humanism as your only companion, Buddhism seems like a sort of graduation of the soul, a moving on from the fits and starts of fleeting passions and the burning desire to be better (for what you know, deep down, are arbitrary reasons). The groundlessness and angst are acknowledged as friends rather than foes, the dread of impermance treated with respect and awe. No lies. No self-deception. No anti-intellectual manipulation of the emotions. Just naked truth. I could get used to this.

Lost my Mojo - Xmas gift 2 (girl)

2009-11-30T21:13:00.009-06:00

Pattern: "Urchin" by Ysolda Teague, available free here or as a nice, free downloadable pdf on Ravelry
Yarn: Spinning Wheeler (006D)--this was a hand-spun/hand-dyed single skein my mom picked up at the "First Mondays" flea market in Canton, Texas. It's a 2-ply merino, alpaca, kid merino blend with an intensely thick-and-thin texture and a million different Monet-esque colors (primarily sage green and lavender)
Needles: US 10.5 circular (worked flat YET seamless)
Size: large (with a slightly tighter gauge)
Mods: picked up stitches around the brim and added three rows of k1p1 ribbing. Bound off with a US 13 needle so it would fit a human head.

Plus: Despite being a "novelty" yarn, this was an absolute joy to work with; each stitch was a fresh combination of shade and shape. However, I could always see what I was doing, something I can't say about most novelty crap. The pattern construction is rather inventive as far as hats go, and it was fun to watch it take shape.

Delta: I really hate it. I'm not going to bore you with all the sad details of how I tried to save this hat, but let me assure you I ran through every trick I know. Part of it is probably in the knitting/blocking skills. Part of it is my large head which looks good in very few hats. Part of it is the overabundance of colors. I know it's not this bad, but I keep thinking of those god-awful Ozark Llama Barf Hats. Oh well. Maybe it will fit and flatter someone else. Meanwhile, I'm just feeling discouraged.

To brighten my world right in time, I got a cute little mini-skein and pattern from Eat.Sleep.Knit (aka The World's Coolest Online Yarn Store).

Pattern: "Mini-Sweater," available as a gift to Yarn Marathoners at the 5K mark
Yarn: The Unique Sheep Sushi Sock (Spunky)
Needles: US 2 dpns (worked seamless in the round)

Plus: It's adorable AND versatile!

Delta: Just a TAD fiddly....

I already fashioned a paper clip into a coat hanger to make it Christmas Tree ready! Wheeee!!!!

Mmmmmanly - Xmas gift 1 (boy)

2009-11-28T15:37:00.008-06:00

Pattern: "One Row Handspun Scarf" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, available free here
Yarn: Handmaiden Fine Yarn Lady Godiva (Ebony)
Needles: US8 straights
Size: CO 26 stitches; 3.5 inches wide and 7.25 feet long (from one skein, suckah!)

Plus: I am totally psyched about this FO! The color is subtle and masculine. The pattern evokes pinstripes on an expensive suit. The fiber is lusciously smooth on the neck thanks to the silk, while the merino mutes the finish to a warm velvet (rather than a girly, lacquered gloss). I thoroughly enjoyed working this pattern, even if it wasn't riveting--just clever enough to make me smile, just simple enough to keep my hands busy while watching a great movie.

Delta: Umm...this yarn ain't worsted weight. It's DK. No one can convince me different. I would have switched to size 6 needles for a sturdier fabric, but I wanted to milk this expensive skein for all the length I could get.

Two more afghan squares. As you can see, I'm starting to get into the funkier, colorwork squares. This was my first attempt at embroidery, so go easy on me. Actually, what you see below is my second attempt at embroidery. The first version was cut out earlier today after much sighing and excuse-making. This still isn't perfect, but I'm going to pretend that the "rustic" look makes it charming. The square above was also my first foray into bobbles, which were surprisingly easy and fun. I'm glad my knitting group pals urged me to give that square a try, despite how intimidating it seemed.

I've had quite a few minor knitting failures lately, mostly linked with my determination to knit a pair of fingerless mitts for both my mom and sister in time for Xmas. I started Susie's Reading Mitts in some handspun mom bought at the Canton Flea Market, and they looked bizarrely huge and "rustic" in a very, very bad sense of the word. Jake walked by as I was trying one on and commented that they look like an ax-wielding executioner's gloves. RIP. I cast on some Rhineback Mitts in Lorna's Laces sport; half-way through I realized that, even though I was concentrating so hard steam was coming out of my ears, the pattern was totally screwed up. And the gauge was off. RIP. Yesterday, Mom and Bec told me they didn't want mitts at all, but rather these capelet/ponchette thingys they had checked out at TJ Max and taken pictures of for me. SO, drafting out a pattern for those now. Que sera, sera.

Ruby Hand Slippers

2009-11-19T18:42:00.003-06:00

Pattern: "In a Twist Wristwarmers" by Claire Compton, available in The Knitter's Bible: Knitter's Accessories
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (Amoroso)
Needles: US6 circular (worked flat)

Plus: Malabrigo is knitter's crack. Ruh-diculous. I'm not sure whether this cable is much more simple or if I'm getting smarter, but these were way easier for me than the "Princess Mitts." Also, I'm super-duper proud of myself, because I took this opportunity to finally teach myself the mattress seam, and I think it looks pretty smooth. I didn't even hate seaming them.....that much.

Delta: Why, oh why, Ms. Crompton, create this pattern to knit flat?! I was so tempted to rewrite it for seamless construction, until I decided to seize the day and learn the aforementioned and much overdo skill. Still. Stupid. Also, I was disappointed by how these fit. I had selected the yarn and project as a Xmas gift for Mom, but these came out a bit short and tight, particularly in the thumb. However, when showing off the first mitt at knitting group last week, my dear friend Shelley tried them on and immediately gasped with delight; she had never found a mitt that fit her tiny, freakish hands so perfectly! I grudgingly admitted that the color also matches her new scarf to a T. So...new mitts for Shelley....coal for Mom.

In the TMI department: the doc and I had a long talk about my steadily increasing pain and our similarly mounting fertility frustrations. We came up with a great plan. Go get a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to determine whether or not that left tube truly IS blocked. If it's not, try harder to get myself knocked up (e.g. IUI, clomid, charting). If it is, abandon the baby track for a while to go on Lupron, a medication which would actually fight endo by basically forcing me into a false menopause (fun). In the meantime, we could try to surgically correct Jake's issue.

Well, apparently, when God closes a door, he also shuts all the windows and jams the remote for the garage. The tube is definitely blocked. My insurance won't pay for Lupron. Jake's particular issue is evidently genetically linked and doesn't respond to surgical therapy. In short, we're screwed.

Happy Knitaversary to Me!

2009-11-13T21:08:00.003-06:00

One year down. Who knows how many more before restlessness or carpal tunnel overcome my new passion?

To celebrate, I bought myself my very own ball-winder and swift. Cuz I'm hardcore now. And hardcore knitters don't drape skeins of yarn around their knees to wind it around their thumbs like some kind of ANIMAL! NO! They whip that sucker into a tight, little cake in 10-seconds flat and keep right on knitting.

Perhaps that sounded unreasonably macho. Blame it on the fact that I've spent about 8 hours today swimming through the bizarre land that is a 6th grade mind. Roaches negotiating peace treaties between people and magical forests; secret underground lairs that contain creature-making machines; Santas that morph into Hannah Montana only to be slaughtered by an anthropomorphic banana; Man-Cow-Bird blend creatures who wreak havoc on the pharmacy section of Target; pet chinchillas who solve crimes while their masters are out; dinosaur eggs discovered by zoo employees in a pile of Rhino poop....it's been the weirdest day at my desk EVER.

New afghan square:

Red Fish Blue Fish...finally!

2009-11-07T23:14:00.006-06:00

Pattern: "A Recipe for Fish" by April Broken, available free here
Yarn: Shibui Merino Worsted (Chinese Red and Dragonfly)
Needles: US8 dpns (worked flat)
Mods: added an i-cord bind-off around the edge, which I think looks very clever

Plus: This was a piece of cake, instantly memorized, and supremely portable. The yarn is surprisingly soft for a superwash and even smoother after a gentle run through the machine. I love that the hand-dyed merino gives the blue a "watery" quality, enhanced by the natural ripple curve of the fish. I also love that this fits the nursery theme so perfectly, one could LITERALLY die of cuteness once the blankie is actually placed inside this room. Yikes! Be careful!

Delta: I suck at seaming, and this obviously requires a lot of seaming. I know that lots of people used a mattress seam on this, but I thought that would defeat the purpose of those nice selvedges (not to mention the fact that I don't know how to do a mattress seam). So I used all the attached tails and sewed each fish pair along the selvedges with a running stitch, then wove in the ends for at least 6 stitches. Well, we can see how that turned out in the previous post. Maybe running stitch was a stupid choice on my part, but give me a break. I'm learning! I went back and repaired holes and reinforced seams with every last scrap of yarn I had, and I'm praying HARD that this won't fall apart any further.

Also, another afghan square:

I shall build an army!

2009-11-05T15:37:00.005-06:00

I have been waiting and hoping and saving up to reveal my newest FO, Red Fish Blue Fish baby blanket, for quite a while, and guess what? We'll all have to wait a bit longer because this morning I pulled it from the washing machine after a cold wash/rinse/low agitation cycle to find this:

Oh, the horror!!! I don't even want to think about how this will fare further washings. I will try to repair this the best I can and offer the mother free hand-washings to stave off future unraveling. I can't even say how or why this happened, except that I have always sucked at finishing a piece. Totally bummed.

Also in the "I don't wanna" pile:

It's absolutely adorable and a quick, pleasurable knit. I've grafted the shoulders together, and now all that remains is setting in the sleeves and seaming up the sides. Blech. I think I have some laundry that needs folding instead....

So, I've accidentally started a knitting club. A few of the girls at school have marveled over my meager handful of knitted clothing and accessories and many have asked for me to teach them, to which I always answer "of course." Now, that cycle of swoon--question--answer has repeated uneventfully for several months, but one dear, pushy child, C, showed up in my room during recess with itchy fingers. A delightful lesson took place, and we agreed to meet up the next day. That recess rolls around, and sweet M scurries in to join C and me for knitting. As we leave my room that afternoon, D and S spy our armfuls of yarn and request a lesson next. The next day, C, M, D, and S all knit happily while H and A drift in saying, "Oh, I learned to knit once. I'll come tomorrow, and you can reteach us." So now my hands are full with 6 chatty, uncoordinated, but earnest tweens, oohing over each other's bright plastic needles and pink-swirled acrylic yarn. They're knitting at lunch, cheerleading practice, in the car, standing over the toaster in the morning. It's causing so much attention and buzz, random 5th, 7th, and 8th graders have started coming up to me asking, "So, I hear you're starting a sewing club?"

Take THAT, Evil Golden Square of DOOM!

2009-10-24T21:46:00.005-05:00

Yes, those are Xs and Os. Yes, it's very cute. Yes, this lovey-dovey square almost killed me.

As I had mentioned in a previous post, the most recent square of the Watt afghan, in this gorgeous golden hay color, originally started as a "Joyful Children" square. After attempting and ripping, swearing, knitting, ripping, yelling, ripping, ad nauseum, I hoisted the white flag and began on the "Hugs and Kisses" square. Things immediately improved...until row, oh, 36, when I became very sleepy and made some silly mistakes. I then tried ripping back a FEW rows, and subsequently remembered why Jake's laptop sweater and Liz's mitts stressed me out so much: you (at least I) cannot rip back multiple rows of braided cables and hope to know where you are when you start up again. The whole thing came out and went to the bottom of the knitting basket for a week.

This week I was smart. I was careful. I only tackled 16 rows per night and made sure to do so only when alert and free of distractions. I was on track to finish Thursday night (leaving Friday for blogged glory-seeking), when I noticed a rather ugly mistake...12 rows prior. I tried to breathe deep and convince myself it was nearly invisible. I passed it to Jake to see if he could find it, and the jerkface pointed it out right away! I promptly stuffed the square in my bag and sent myself to bed.

This afternoon, I was very calm and adult as I went about tinking back through 12 tedious rows of cables. My shoulders were just about to turn to stone by the time I finished, but the sweet relief of the finish line soothed the pain (okay, advil and a beer helped, too!). Before The Great Yarn Spirit could thwart me again, I whipped up the rest of the square and photographed it to document my awesomosity for all to acknowledge. Admittedly, it's not the most technically difficult thing ever; just personally elusive. This square was my Moby Dick. How's that for self-stroking hyperbole????

In the meantime, most of my energy goes toward this, due on Halloween.

The funky twins

2009-10-18T20:09:00.006-05:00

Pattern: "Basic Sock Pattern" by Ann Budd, available in The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (River)
Needles: US3 dpns
Size: woman's large at 7 st/in

Plus: Reader, I have not only completed a sock that is functional and true, I have completed two! Ann Budd's customizable pattern is a great place to start for newbie sock knitters. I was looking to get a plain vanilla sock under my belt before tackling the crazy stitch gymnastics of popular Cookie A patterns and the like. I wanted confidence in my mastery of basic sock architecture for cuff-down patterns, and this did it. Next stop, toe-up construction.

Delta: These socks are fraternal twins. The cuffs match, which is all most people will see, but I had to start a new skein after the heel flap, and it clearly threw off the spiral pooling pattern. There's a big splotch of purple on the bottom of the foot like I stepped in paint or something. If I use this yarn again, I will start each sock with a fresh skein, resulting in two, tiny, left-over balls from each sock. Also, these are a teensy bit big for me, and I have size 9.5 feet, which I thought would qualify as large. Overall, they're not beautiful, but I'm durn proud of them.

On an unrelated note (well, except for the pride), I attended the one year anniversary "Food Creates Community" event last night, and it was as fabulous and intoxicating as ever. Read all about how well I ate here and bookmark the blog so you can hear about upcoming dates. I cannot recommend it enough.

Peek-a-boo!

2009-10-16T16:52:00.006-05:00

Pattern: "Split-Neckline Cap Sleeve Tee" by Stefanie Japel, available in Fitted Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted (Marmalade and Butter Pecan)
Needles: US7 circulars (worked entirely seamless and mostly in the round)
Size: 42" bust, shown with zero ease
Mods: I didn't bind off the turned picot hem, but rather sewed down the live stitches the way EZ recommends in Knitting Without Tears. I didn't knit as many rounds on the collar hem and could/should have done even fewer since the neckline hits so high. I joined the sweater after the shoulder hole a few rounds early to see if it would reduce the gaping problem some people had. Not really sure if it helped. I also added many inches to the bottom edge because I have a super long bod.

Plus: Definitely an easy, mindless knit for when you need one of those. The yarn is soooper soft and cuddly. The split-neckline adds a little more bang for your buck, considering this is basically a shapeless tube, otherwise. It detracts from, and balances, the simplicity of the shirt.

Delta: As I was warned, the yarn sheds little orange wispies while you're knitting, which gets irritating after a while. I decided to try EZ's advice on end-weaving: work a couple stitches with both strands together and then weave in diagonally (no knots). Well, it worked great on Jake's wool "Cobblestone," but on this shiny cotton stuff, each woven end sticks out quite prominently. The stitches worked together are very noticeable. The ends I wove in frayed with washing and stuck out the FRONT of the sweater. I had to pull them from the back until a good 1/2 inch was sticking out on the underside. The collar is too high and not shaped enough; a few short rows would have gone a long, long way, but I understand that she was trying to create a sweater that one could make as a beginner. I get it. Similarly, the waist has no shaping, which is why many people on Ravelry gripe that it knits up too big.

It knits up to EXACTLY the size the schematics (and basic algebra) imply...they just didn't imagine what a shapeless sweater would look like in positive or zero ease. You know...because your boobs are probably bigger than your waist!!! Do you want it to hug your boobs and drape over the waist, or drape over your boobs and flow a few inches from the waist? Ease issue. The model in the book is clearly wearing hers with many, many inches of negative ease, but this is not explicitly mentioned. I personally am very self-conscious about my belly flab and wanted mine to have a relaxed, comfy fit.

Overall, I'm happy, but it's nothing to write home about. Good experience. Good top-down seamless raglan experience.

All the Dragons Will Be So Frightened!

2009-10-15T18:16:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Cobblestone Pullover" by Jared Flood, available in Interweave Knits - Fall 2007
Yarn: Knit Picks City Tweed HW (Orca)
Needles: US8 circular (worked SEAMLESS and 100% in the round)
Size: 43" chest with 2" positive ease

Plus: This pattern was a cinch! Great first sweater. The yarn is soft and cozy and tweedy and manly and cheap, cheap, cheap. Jake likes that the sweater resembles a chain mail tunic and therefore disguises him as a terrifying knight!

Delta: I think the neckline is too wide and may eventually pick up some stitches and add a few more rows there. It looks a bit...femi. I also wish that I had knit the smaller size. Jake insists that he likes the size I made, but I know that he looks better in sweaters with less ease. My gauge was a bit tighter when I started, so I was aiming between the 41" and 43". Instead, it turned out exactly 43". Ah well.

He loves it (or says he does like a good, little hubby) and wore it to work today. Evidently, many people complimented him on it, even before he mentioned that it was handknit by his ball-and-chain. One conversation actually went like this:

"Jake, do you pick out your clothes or does your wife do it?"
"Uhhh...why?"
"Well, you always seem extraordinarily well-dressed for a guy."
"Are you saying I look gay?"
Awkward pause from her.
"Actually, I often have to help Kat pick out her clothes."

Last night I dreamed that I sat next to Stephanie Japel at a knitting conference but couldn't work up the courage to ask her to sign my copy of Fitted Knits. I'm the biggest dork I know. Fo sho.

You Just Gotta Laugh

2009-10-14T17:30:00.005-05:00

Pattern: "Bigger (and Biggest) Booga Bag" by Julie Anderson, available on Ravelry
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky and Worsted (Aztec Turquoise, Gold Glow, Desert Rose)
Needles: US 10.5 circular (bottom worked flat and then the sides are knit up in the round)
Mods: decided to make mine "cool" by practicing my stranded knitting technique and adding some "Henna Inspired" patterns from Hip, Graphic Knits by Rochelle Bourgault and Lisa Evans.

Sigh.

Plus: I learned a lot. I learned that my washing machine does not actually use hot water, even when I put it on the "hot wash/cold rinse" setting. Need to call repair man. I learned that stranded knitting felts way, way tighter than straight stockinette. I learned that color work is stupid in felted things because you can barely see all the hard work, and if the colors run, the design looks muddy. I learned that if you fear a project is ugly before it's felted, abusing it in a washing machine does not magically beautify it. I learned that you cannot stretch an item once you over-felt it, no matter how many grocery bags you rip up and stuff in it. I learned that I do not heart the felting process, even though so many knitters do. I found it stressful, messy, and loud...everything that is anti-knitting.

Delta: My knitting group buddy, Shelley, is a total whore. Not only did she felt her bag without me after promising to walk me through it....and not only did she announce that she had done so on her blog...........it looks perfect. It's the Gisele Bundchen of Booga Bags. I hate her so hard. (ahem, love you, Shelley.)

No, I did not bother to poke holes for straps in this odd little thing. I do not plan to carry it around. I am, however, open to suggestions for how to reincarnate it as something useful or funny or otherwise not-depressing. Jake thinks it looks like a strapless prom dress from the 80s. Maybe I could stuff it and make a really weird, headless doll!

It's a thrill

2009-10-11T13:38:00.013-05:00

The husband has taken up a new hobby. This activity involves regaling all of my friends, in melodramatic jerkface fashion, with exaggerated accounts of my yarn stash. They all laugh and shake their heads as he impersonates demon yarn monsters hunkering down in all livable corners of the apartment. Now, I ask you, is this so bad?:

No, friend, it is not. I admit, it's not very attractive, spilling all over that corner of our bedroom. In private, Jake and I have agreed that whenever either of us verbally recognizes the rapidly growing size or containment issues of my stash, the unanimous, undisputed solution is that I knit more. (One time, the poor man suggested that I purchase less yarn. It's possible his ears are still ringing.) However, I am a woman of quality and style; I work hard to knit gifts that change people's lives and give them a reason to wake up in the morning. Therefore, I deserve a yarn storage system with more panache. Presto Change-o!

Ta-da! Pretty, huh? I even stuck a little lavender sachet in each box to ward off the mothies. I was so pleased with myself after this, I went after my circular needles, all crowded into a rumpled ziploc back. Ewww...

Fibracadabra! PooF!

I was on a roll. I crouched down on the floor and hauled out all my yarn books and magazines from under the bed (I can't keep them on the bookshelf down the hall....they're too far away) and stacked them neatly in the basket-formerly-known-as-yarn-stash.

Now, before I leave you to swoon in private envy, I should tell you one more delicious thing. Friday afternoon, I left campus convinced that I had to drive by Woolie Ewe for a little post-traumatic-school yarn petting. This conviction made zero sense since I had just been there the day before to buy a needle, and I had already spent my yarn budget for the week (don't laugh...it's necessary). I argued with myself all the way there, "Why are you doing this? You'll just make yourself crazy." But when I arrived, I saw what my subconscious must have known: Jared Flood and Cookie A were just milling around MY yarn store, looking fabulous and being genius right there next to the wall of alpaca. They each taught classes here all weekend, and I guess Friday evening was just their chance to spend some quiet time in the store. I should have introduced myself, but I was too shy and concerned I would come off idiotic. Besides, just spying on them was thrilling enough. No need to let either know that they have yet another rabid, dorky fan. Just know, I was close enough that if I wanted to, I could yank one of Cookie's green strands of hair, or lean over and sniff Jared's handknit sweater. I know, my self-control is astounding.

I will probably post several more times this week. "Cobblestone" is off the needles and blocking; "Split-Neckline Tee" is a few hours from finished; my "Booga" just needs felting; first pair of socks nearly finished. So freakin' exciting.

The Long Slog

2009-10-03T18:25:00.007-05:00

Sadly, I have no finished objects to share today. Only progress on many, many current projects. Above is my rather bizarre, as yet still unfelted Booga Bag. My knitting group plans to felt ours all together next weekend. Until then, I will ponder over whether the final product will be something I'll ever use. It's so pink and cheerful and girly right now....I can't imagine carrying it around without feeling foolish.

And here is one of my newest projects: A Recipe for Fish, a baby blanket for a pregnant cousin-in-law. The nursery is all made up in a Dr. Seuss theme, so I thought this pattern would be precious done in only blue and red fish....get it? I'm going to make most of the fish blue, and sprinkle a couple red fish throughout to give the impression of red fish in a blue sea...until you look closer and see that they're all fish. This Shibui worsted superwash is a gorgeous, yummy, velvety dream! I can't wait to order more. Eat Sleep Knit, YA'LL!

Jake's Cobblestone is progressing nicely, if a little slowly. It's funny how once you join in the sleeves you feel like you're ALMOST there, until you realize how large the yoke truly needs to be. And then if it's all in garter stitch? Fagedabawdit! Did I say that right?

The other sock looks just like the first only not as big yet, so no picture. The split-neck tee looks just like it did in my last picture except for slightly longer, so no picture. The Watt afghan has bested me all week, since I have been working on this stupid square, with no progress. I never get past about 12 rows before I have to rip back again. Right now, it looks like a rewound ball of pissed off yarn, so no picture. I'm officially moving on to a different square next week. I finished another bridesmaid shawl, but it looks exactly the same as the last one, so no picture.

In other news, I attended one of the best concerts of my life this Wednesday, Ben Folds with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson. Positively magical! If he's coming anywhere near you for the rest of his tour, I strongly urge you to go. You won't regret it. I've been so crazy busy at school lately, I keep imagining my head spinning right off my shoulders and whirling into the stratosphere. Friday evening, I came home after doing a quick errand and promptly fell asleep for 15 hours straight. Also, I'm really depressed lately. This, however, made me feel a wee bit better.

peace.

Victory is MINE

2009-09-27T23:18:00.005-05:00

I made a sock. And darnit....it looks like a real, live sock! Notice, how I do not have to fiercely point my toes like some stressed out ballerina in order to fake a foot arch. This baby hugs my foot all the way from dry, itchy calf skin to chipped black toe nail polish. This (near) flawless creation of humble wool and nylon deserves my unfettered devotion and awe. I think I'll make her a mate to keep her happy and fulfilled. I'll even bite my tongue about how unflattering this colorway and pooling looks on me. I don't want to make her self-conscious before her first public appearance.

I also finished another Watt afghan square. I could not believe how much yarn and effort this little 10.5 inch square gobbled up. Sure, the result is all squooshy and texturelicious, but LORD! A skein and a half for one stinkin' square?!

The Barter System

2009-09-20T19:48:00.009-05:00

Pattern: "Everlasting Bagstopper" by Amy Singer, available free here

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (015)

Needles: US5 and US11 circs, worked both flat and in the round

Plus: I loved the cool touch and silky drape of the yarn, even if it lacked flexibility. I'm very interested in doing a t-shirt out of this now, such as the Leaf T-shirt. Or maybe Buttercup. Easy, easy pattern and very quick work once you switch needles. The drawstring action at the bottom makes for a pretty sweet extra feature (and without it, the bag wouldn't have such a cheeky name).

Delta: I hate sewing, and the thought of securing those pretty ribbon handles on in such a way that would bear significant weight made me queasy. SO, I bartered a swap with a friend who's handy with a sewing machine. She did a lovely job with some contrasting white thread, and I won't worry about the handles for a second. My only other gripe about the project is that it takes more than one ball of hempathy, but there is NOWHERE to hide the trimmed ends. I wove them in, but they worked themselves right back out and are waving their rotten arms at the world. Ah well. Back to my smarty-swap:

Pattern: "Razor Shell Neckwarmer" by Wanett Clyde, available as a free download on Ravelry

Needles: US 5 circular, worked in the round

Yarn: Mirasol Chirapa (708 Multi)

Mods: didn't follow directions; faked a compromise half-way through; who gives a whoop?

Plus: The yarn is pretty, but I had no idea how I was going to use up half a skein of Chirapa until a few seconds before I made this. Very quick work (two weekday nights) with an elegant impact. Overall, a good time/fiber investment.

Delta: It is not as lacey as it's supposed to be because I am apparently not as bright as I'm supposed to be. Also, Jake has given me a hard time about this project, implying that a "neckwarmer" is a bizarre and useless gift, a glorified dickie, a sweater-less turtleneck, a broken scarf, etc. I have tried hard to pretend that it's totally chic and fashion forward. Hence, the model-esque kissy-pout below.

But he just might be right.

Well, blast!

2009-09-14T18:38:00.003-05:00

I'm stuck! Sick in bed with something awful. Doc tested me for flu, and that's out, but thanks to all sorts of nasty symptoms right out of a horror flick, I left his office with two bizarre prescriptions anyway. Turns out, we're in a surprise money crunch just for today: a rare confluence of unfortunate events has left us with around $3 until tomorrow, when we'll suddenly have bazillions (or what feels like bazillions to a teacher and a grad student), so I can't take the meds and feel better until tomorrow. Boo.

I think I felt this coming; some kind of storm was brewing deep within me all Friday. I felt oddly sick and depressed and fatigued in a way I could not accurately describe. Everything I saw Saturday made me sad or angry. Sunday, I was a boiling ball of untouchable fury...with a few sniffles. Sigh. Amazing how a little physical imbalance will send your whole world toppling. I have occasionally lusted after a "sick day" home from school during which I would just rest and knit. But now, I realize that I am too miserable to focus on knitting and left too suddenly to have set up my kiddos with an activity worth their time. I just want my world to go back to the way it is supposed to be.

In knit-land, I've started the second sleeve of Jake's cobblestone, with the first sleeve already knitted in. I'm really buzzing through the bridesmaid shawls now, putting in at least an hour a day (on days when I find I second to sit down, that is). My knitting group has created a knit-a-long based on the Booga Bag, which is causing a little stress right now since I'm running out of yarn and don't know what I'll use next, nor do I have a plan for what the finished project will look like, even though I'm probably 25% through it already. What an adventure! Also, I've picked up sock knitting again and really hope it works this time. Finally, the Watt afghan continues. Note the fancy-pants cabling job.

Here comes the bridesmaid

2009-09-06T11:22:00.004-05:00

Pattern: my own; garter rib stitch rectangle
Yarn: Knit Picks Cadena (cranberry); Knit Picks Suri Dream Solid (hollyberry and chili pepper)--all three held together
Needles: US 17 circular (worked flat)
Size: 48" x 12" for the extra-large with a CO of 102; for the large I will CO 98, medium 94; small 90

Plus: This is insanely warm, which is great because we'll be wearing them in January over strapless dresses. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the Suri Dream. Knit Picks claims that this is a less-itchy alternative to mohair when you want that haloed, fuzzy look; when I run my hand over this, the word "silky" always comes to mind, even though the whole thing is just wool and brushed alpaca.

Delta: I "designed" this shawl by pinning a towel around my shoulders to find the perfect dimensions, and neglected to incorporate the element of stretch. I could have made this way smaller, intending the wearer to pull it snugly about the shoulders, achieving the same finished dimensions. I'm afraid that a metal pin will not be sufficient for holding these babies up, long term, and a studier shawl stick made for heavy knit-wear will be better.
My split-neckline tee is in hiatus until I buy more yarn. As you can see here, although I'm supposed to be moving on to the bottom trim at this time, it is still a belly shirt. (Reader, please note that I tried this on over a maxi-dress, thereby hiding the 2.5 inches of horrifically white, flabby belly which stretches out below the current hemline. If it doesn't look so short here, then just trust me...it is.) In case the orange yarn Knit Picks sends me is a different dye lot, I will make a single "decorative" garter stitch row in the contrast beige color before making the dye lot shift. I hope that will work and look kinda intentional. I'm thinking two more balls will be sufficient, but at $2.50 a ball, I figure buying a third ball is just good business.

I celebrated the beginning of my 27th year this week. The husband showed his support of my sick, sick addiction by buying me a new camera!!! I'm still learning how to work the durned thing, but hopefully, you will start seeing much better photography here. He also bought me a new stitch dictionary and took me out for a fabulous dinner at Neighborhood Services, otherwise known as our new favorite restaurant. For my foodie friends, we had cocktails at the bar (a black Russian and a "Beauty School Dropout"), lobster and ricotta fritters as an appetizer, a bottle of St. Francis old vine Red Zinfandel, beef tenderloin with three pepper au jus and hashed potatoes (for him), pot roasted short rib with rosemary shiraz glaze and toasted gnocchi (for me), and butterscotch pot de creme for dessert. I'm still reeling.

Behold, the power of the blankie!

2009-08-29T15:20:00.005-05:00

I've finished the first square of Becca and Logan's wedding present afghan. I'm slightly amazed by how challenging this was for me, considering I had assumed it would be the easiest square in the blanket. I had to knit the center part twice before figuring out how to create a perfect seed stitch, when the area and perimeter keeps changing; I kept winding up with double seed stitch on some rows and regular seed on the others. Eventually, I learned to focus on the pattern inside the heart, then count to the right; this means that sometimes you will knit a "knit stitch" even if it's counted as within the area of the seed stitch pattern. (That doesn't make sense, does it? Well, thanks for humoring me.) There were also some classic issues with following directions, due to post-work exhaustion....and being me.
Speaking of work, my first week back at school went smoothly. The kids are really neat, and I've made some major strides in my plan to go mostly paperless (the education world has a major paper waste problem). The knitter in me, however, was particularly struck by a phenomenon that emerged during my annual show-and-tell activity.
I always read this heart-rending story on the first day of school. It's about a young boy who helps his friend Miss Nancy, a nursing home resident, find her memories. First, he goes around asking all his other friends in the nursing home what memories are, getting answers like, "something from long ago," or "something that makes you laugh." Then little Wilfrid gathers precious belongings of his own that meet these descriptions and brings them to her. As she picks through the bizarre collection of trinkets, her own memories begin to emerge, and the resulting stories delight them both. After reading the picture book, I ask the kids to go home and do in kind: gather five tangible objects which represent their own memories and experiences.

something that makes you laugh
something that makes you cry
something from long ago
something as precious as gold
something that keeps you warm

The sharing activity lays a rich foundation of oral histories and common struggles and victories, a deep well of possible writing topics from which we draw throughout the year. So, so many of these wealthy, hip, well-dressed kids brought "blankies," usually to represent "long ago," but also "precious" and "warm." There were handknit afghans, and quilts bought on impulse at the grocery store. There were blankets carefully pulled out of plastic which they had to beg mom to lend, and blankets which had been loved and loved until it was just a pathetic, matted pile of string. One big jock shared a pink blanket of his sister's, because he was afraid to bring his own important blanket to school. One sweet girl demonstrated that her knitted blanket had been cuddled and washed for so many years, she can now stick her head through one of the bigger holes and wear it as a poncho.

All those dear blankets, all that sacred fiber, whether woven by hand or machine, clawed at my heart. I thought about the blanket I made for Jake's grandad, a wise and generous man who has been beaten about by several cancers over the last decade--knowing that when he's home, watching television or reading, he likes to drape the apricot-colored cable blanket about his brittle shoulders. I thought of Temple and Dustin, the latest recipients of my handknits, snuggling under that cotton quilt while watching movies on the couch, their legs and hands happily intertwined the way newlyweds' are apt to do. I thought of the square-a-month blanket I'm knitting for North Dallas Shared Ministries, wondering who would eventually receive the brightly colored bundle and whether it would lift their spirits to know that someone in their own community knotted every stitch out of compassion for them, that they might be warm and comforted and relieved. I thought of Becca and Logan spreading my next afghan across the floor and stretching out on their bellies as a little cherub, my future niece or nephew, delights them with gurgles and mischievous grins. I wondered about the baby I'm longing for now. What would I make for her? Could enough focused devotion ensure its future as a cherished companion?

About now, I can't imagine doing anything more meaningful than making someone a blanket.

Extend an Olive Branch...or a Lacey Branch

2009-08-25T21:00:00.005-05:00

Pattern: "Branching Out," by Susan Lawrence, available free here
Yarn: NaturallyCaron.com Spa (Soft Sunshine)
Needles: US8 straight
Size: 36 repeats

Plus: Great pattern! She has a written out notation AND charted version of the 10-row repeat, making it great for either type of knitter. It was wonderfully empowering for a new lace knitter. The hardest stitch is a k3tog, which became a cinch after a few repeats. Just use a lifeline! I did have to rely on it about three times.
Delta: My sole complaint about the pattern is that it was impossible to memorize. I had to stare at the pattern for every. single. inch. Bamboo/acrylic blend, to no surprise whatsoever, doesn't block so well. Luckily, it looked decent right off the needles. I should also note that the yarn is extraordinarily splitty and prone to snags. Amber requested machine washable and dry-able yarn in pale yellow, and the pattern uses a DK weight; its flaws were worth balancing against the rare combination of characteristics.

Good times. Can't wait to tackle more lace! My next one with be this Diamonds and Pearls Shawl in some yummy Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb.

It Almost Killed Me

2009-08-17T21:54:00.005-05:00

I have dreamed of the day I would post this finished object. All 1728 square inches contain my deep devotion and respect for Temple and Dustin, and commemorates their beautiful wedding this past July. I know it is perhaps arrogant to desire, but I hope it will remain a keepsake treasure in their family for many, many happy years to come.

Pattern: "Buncha Squares Blanket," by Kay Gardiner and Anne Shayne, available free here
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-ease (almond, taupe, terracotta, maize, lime, and azalea)
Needles: US8 straight for blanket, US6 circular for border (all worked flat)
Mods: only worked 12 squares total, instead of 16

Plus: I love the modern look of this "quilt." I was looking to blend Temple's eclectic, often feminine style, with Dustin's love of the modern and clean; as soon as I saw this pattern, I gasped and knew it was "the one." Since it was knit in 12 inch squares of garter stitch, there is no better "take-along" project, anywhere, in all the land. Most of the inner squares were completed at traffic stops and in take-out restaurants, while I banged out the outer cream borders during marathon viewings of every House episode ever made. (I rented two discs a day, every day for a while there, and I'm sure the Blockbuster people thought I had no life.....which was true) I have also become VERY comfortable with picking up stitches through the completion of this project. I've figured out what looks beautiful, what creates big-honkin' holes, and what a miracle "twisted" stitches are to fix unavoidable gaps.
Delta: CARPAL TUNNEL CITY. I have heard people claim that cotton can hurt your hands and wrists, but I thought they were just sissies, or referring to the fact that the fiber itself is not especially silky. NO! No, believe the rumors and FLEE, like a fire's at your heels, from any large-scale cotton project. The total lack of inelasticity makes for a rough job, like riding in a car which the suspension is totally shot---you feel every single jarring bump in your bones. I'm also pretty disappointed with my finishing work. This is still an area for major personal growth. I feel like I should have ignored the suggestion to use a whipstich to join the squares and gone with backstitch instead. I also know now that absolutely NO knots are acceptable as an alternative to sewing in a loose end. After the wear and tear of finishing and washing, the few I cheated on are all poking out and waving their frayed, ugly arms at me, threatening to unravel. Oh, the horror.

Temple and Dustin have a solid foundation of love and faith on which to build a life. They do such a great job of balancing and inspiring each other. I have been quite close to Temple for over a decade now, and I've never seen her glow like this; the vitality and health and thankfulness simply flow from her. Though I'm only beginning to know Dustin as a dear friend, I see the spark and admiration in his eyes as he watches her, and I know she gives him just as much joy. I could not have hand-picked a more perfect partner for either. I feel blessed to have witnessed the growth of their love and the celebration of their union.

It's done! Woot!

Baby got Back

2009-08-16T23:58:00.004-05:00

This is part 1 of 2 for my mother-in-law's birthday. She's receiving an "earth-friendly" bundle because she desperately wants to become a hippie again.

Pattern: "Knit Coffee Sleeve" by MissKnittyPants, available free here
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (turquoise) - leftover from Hannah's "Fetching" mitts
Needles: US6 circular, worked flat
Plus: What's cozier than your favorite latte? Cashmere.

Delta: The backside, like my own, is not so attractive.
Eww. See how it puckers sideways in the middle because of the cable pattern? See how it splays out to be taller in this part because the cable pattern bunches vertically, while the seam flattens it out? Now, there are two ways this could have been avoided. One, I could have cast-on provisionally and then grafted the end stitches to the live beginning ones with Kitchner. Two, you could ditch the pretty horizontal cable and cast-on the correct amount of width stitches to be worked on dpns, knitting in vertical ribs and cables to keep the sleeve snug.

Ah well. It's still a big step up from cardboard.

Got to Get Back to the Sugar Shack

2009-08-13T21:06:00.004-05:00

Pattern: "Fingerless Garter Mitts," by Leigh Radford, available in One Skein
Yarn: Queensland Collection Sugar Rush (2)
Needles: US2 dpns (worked flat)
Materials: Beader's Paradise size 6 Czech glass beads (Sea Green Luster Mix)

Plus: The yarn feels like silk and is 100% SUGAR CANE!!!! How awesome to hand someone a beautiful gift, and after they try it on, you say, "It's made of pure sugar!" Overall, this is a very simple pattern with a truly elegant result. I had never worked beads into my knitting before, but it was not difficult at all. The book doesn't give much advice for stringing the beads on the yarn, but I found a great tutorial at Knitty. After that, easy peasy.
Delta: Like most cellulose yarns, it splits like mad, making for very careful knitting. I'm also concerned that it won't provide much warmth, but I totally knew that was a risk going in--probably a better choice for summer weight garments and accessories. I guess I was going for cool-to-the-touch summer knitting, stubbornly ignoring the gloves' eventual purpose. As for the pattern, the gloves turned out way bigger than expected, even after achieving gauge. In my case, it was no big deal; I'm just gifting them to someone with bigger hands. However, if you have hands that are small to average, just knock off some of the final garter rows at the end. Finally, I was slightly baffled by the fact that the pattern says to use sport weight yarn, but the suggested yarn was a fingering weight, Koigu PPM. It made me wonder which weight was truly intended or ideal. I eventually settled on sport and got gauge by moving up one needle size. Go figure.

More importantly, I love my new knitting group! We're meeting tomorrow night, and I think it's one of the best parts of my week. Knitting can be such a solitary, almost lonely, activity. Most of my friends kind of roll their eyes or wink at me condescendingly when I talk about my knitting. With these women, nobody looks shocked when one of us nearly falls out of our seat, dramatically espousing the merits of alpaca. Everybody cheers on each other's projects with genuine admiration and pride. We grin encouragingly at one another's natural mistakes when learning a new technique. Few social events leave me more refreshed and relaxed. The only thing we've lacked so far....is brownies. Tomorrow night, that oversight shall be rectified.

Here Comes the Sun

2009-08-09T18:26:00.004-05:00

Pattern: "Star Crossed Slouchy Beret," by Natalie Larson, available free on Ravelry
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (Sunset)
Needles: US11 circular and US10 dpns (worked in the round)

Plus: I want to make love to this hat. The yarn, the pattern, the color....well, this comes to mind.
Delta: It does not belong to me. Cry.

Believe it or not, the gorgeous creature on the left is my sister, 22 years old today. There is no one kinder, more generous, or more beautiful--inside and out--than this child. Don't let the sexy smirk and high-fashion look intimidate you; behind those gentle blue eyes dwells a soul as pure and honest as one may ever imagine. I am honored to know her and awed by her ferocious drive to change the world for the better. It blows my mind that she is quite suddenly a woman. This January she will marry an amazing man, and, shortly thereafter, graduate from Abilene Christian University with a degree in communications. One of her many dreams for the future includes founding a non-profit organization to help families with autistic children cope with the challenges and obstacles of raising a special needs child. How cool is that? The hat above was knit lovingly for her. She rocks the slouchy-hat-look better than most. I love you, Becca-boo!

Knit Your Scraps--They're Good for You!!!

2009-08-07T00:46:00.004-05:00

Pattern: "Cowgirl Butterfly Astronaut Vest," by Fawn Pea, available free here
Size: girls' 2
Yarn: Berroco Comfort (Pot-Au-Feu and Adirondack); Berroco Touche (Yucca); Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton (06) - All yarns leftovers from mittens, poncho, baby booties, and cowl, respectively
Needles: US7 and US5 circulars (worked flat)
Mods: several adjustments to make this a tad smaller than the 27" chest minimum; gauged at 5 sts per inch instead of 4; reduced skirt length by 1"; reduced top length by 1/2"
Plus: What a cute and flirty little garment! I can't wait to see this on the recipient. I really lucked out that all these random, machine-washable scraps work together so well. This is the second Fawn Pea design I've worked, and it probably won't be the last, since her designs for babies and kids always catch my eye. I'm also proud to report that I learned some new skills with this piece: three-needle bind-0ff and the "wrap and turn" method for short rows. Additionally, this piece had quite a bit of sophisticated garment construction compared to my previous sweaters, so it was good practice for the more complicated adult-sized sweaters to come.
Delta: I shouldn't complain, seeing that it's a free pattern and all, but the pattern had a few mistakes AND was rather unclear in several places. It's totally workable for an intermediate knitter or beyond (just think it through and the solution will come), but I think a beginner would find this pretty frustrating.

Pattern: "'The Republic' Hat-Toddler Edition," by Nicole Reeves, available free here
Yarn: Red Heart Ltd. Soft Yarn Solids (Brown) - leftover from baby blanket
Needles: US8 Circular and dps (workled flat AND in the round)
Mods: none
Plus: Yes, those are bear buttons, for my favorite little bear. This pattern is soooo easy. I whipped it up in one evening, riveted 100% to the television. No purling required! I think this would be a great beginner project, especially for someone trying double pointed needles the first time (cough-Hannah-cough)
Delta: 100% acrylic is a bummer to work with. No soul.

New on the needles: Stephanie Japel's Split-Neckline Cap Sleeve Tee from Fitted Knits. This will be my 2nd me-sized sweater. Cross your fingers that I luck out again! The last attempt was very encouraging, even if it was just a fluke. Also, I've completely lost my marbles and agreed to knit 7...SEVEN!!!! shawls for Becca's bridesmaids, due by January 2nd. I've tried to reduce the insanity by holding three thick strands together and working on US17 needles, but the pressure is still giving me heart palpitations. Before this agreement, I had pledged to make an afghan as a wedding gift, and I still want to, but it's taking a back seat for a while. Still working on Temple's wedding blanket, Amber's scarf, and Jake's sweater.

My grandmother in-law just lost her husband. They married less than a month before Jake and me, not even two years ago. He was healthy and active and jolly, until one day he obtained an ordinary case of bronchitis. His doctor, forgetting that Jim was diabetic, prescribed steroids, a mistake which triggered three heart attacks in quick succession. Ma (everyone call Jake's maternal grandmother "Ma") lost her first husband to cancer over a decade ago, and I cannot wrap my brain around the frustration and loneliness she must be feeling right now. My thoughts are with her tonight, wishing her peace and restful sleep.

In a Tizzy

2009-08-01T18:44:00.009-05:00

Lots to be excited about right now in the world of knitters! First of all, one of my favorite designers, Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed, has released his very first full pamphlet through Classic Elite Yarns! 13 original patterns, all in natural fibers, all demonstrating the fabulous eye he has for blending classic with modern. At first glance, it all looked much more old-fashioned than I had hoped for, but a closer look revealed the urban sensibility I've grown to love in him...I mean...his designs. Ahem.
Take "Stilwell," for example (all patterns are named after streets in Brooklyn). The stranded Fair Isle pattern strikes one immediately as vintage snowflake ski sweater. However, upon further examination of the stranded design, you see X's and windows and Morrocan inspired arches. The garment styling is very trim and modern with three-quarter sleeves, a henley neckline, and a flipped collar. Flood signs everything off with his signature garter stitch cuffs and hemlines. I adore him...I mean...the sweater.

Ravelry, Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and a million prestigious bloggers including the hilarious Yarn Harlot are organizing a "Sock Summit" in Portland. Since I don't live anywhere near Portland and have only knit one miserably pathetic sock, this shouldn't really concern me, except that a major component of the summit includes a yarn-dying contest, and all the cool kids in the hand-dying world are playing along. You can only vote if you're a member of Ravelry (and why wouldn't you be?) but you can check out some of the submissions on the dyer's blogs. For instance, Lorna's Laces entered nine different categories and designed each yarn around a theme of monster social gatherings, with clever names like "Hydra Pool Party" and "Frankenstein's Cotillion." In keeping with my usual prejudices, my favorites were dominated by Three Irish Girls' colorways. Not only are the color-combos delicious and inventive, I appreciated that the Yarnista devoted herself entirely to the constraints and advantages of each category, rather than entering a "Kettle-dyed" that looks exactly like a hand-painted or a "Watercolor" that looks like it was dipped. She's truly gifted. Don't you just want to take a bite out of this one???
In my own, modest little knitting world, I've finished a glove, which was meant for Becca's birthday, but may have to go to mom because it's a bit large on even me. Mom's got big, muscular hands from years of painting and gardening. This means two things: 1) Mom may not receive the "Fetching" mitts that she requested and 2) I need to figure out something for Becca's birthday fast, since it's up in about a week.
Steady progress on everything else, including my second lace attempt: "Branching Out." I'm only doing 10-20 rows a day, maximum, so I can always give it a fresh brain and total concentration. I've also been smart, moving my life-line up every 20 rows, although I've only had to rely on it once. It's nice to know mommy's there to catch you if you fall.
In the world of self-pity, school starts in about two weeks, and I don't wanna. If that wasn't even to invoke a temper-tantrum, I've been experiencing a little more pain lately. I wake up with that feeling...like someone had been punching my lower back all night so it's now swollen and tender. I was making dinner two nights ago and was starting to fight back the old nausea that made me want to curl up and do nothing. I practically broke the dishwasher in a fit of frustration. Jake rushed in and held onto me until I stopped fighting and heaving. I forget how vulnerable and scared he must feel whenever experiencing even a whiff of depression. Of course, he understands. Of course, he won't let me suffer interminably. Of course, I have to be patient.

OY, my aching hands!

2009-07-28T17:17:00.003-05:00

It's official. I knit too much.

Actually, I think my problem is that I'm knitting too much in the same gauge. I have four different projects on US8 size needles (and one on US2), even though I KNOW that such behavior is just asking for carpal tunnel or a serious muscle cramp. With school out for summer and no other official activities in the works, I basically knit full time, as if it's a job. I believe it's helping me avoid the usual summer break blues, where I spiral into depression from feeling useless and lacking structure, while still side-stepping anything overtly stressful like the graduate classes I need to finish or a temp job.

Jake showed off his laptop case all over town, and apparently several people asked if they could buy one. This isn't the first time someone has asked to commission some knit work, but for the time being, I always answer no. I want my knitting hobby to be just that, a hobby, something I love that relieves stress and releases creativity. If I start ho-ing myself out for money, I'll end up treating my knitting time like a dreaded chore and pumping out known, familiar patterns over and over until I'm utterly sick of them. Stress-inducing. Anti-creativity.

However, that's not to say I don't toy with the idea. It's no secret that I've grown rather disillusioned with the profession of teaching and, at the very least, could use a break. Furthermore, I often ponder how I will balance work and family once we finally obtain the little one we so desire. I can't imagine putting myself through all of this, moving heaven and earth to have a baby, just to drop him/her off at day-care for 9 hours a day while I pretend that nothing has changed. If I fight tooth and nail for this kid, I'm going to want to spend my days enjoying him/her. On the other hand, unless we wait until Jake is out of law school, I will still need to contribute meaningfully to our financial situation, and knitting or designing or blogging or something could be my ticket to that happy medium. I'm just not sure exactly how that would work. Oh well! In the meantime, I'm content honing my craft and gifting everyone I've ever met with handknits.

Oh, and a tip to yarn lovers: my new favorite place to buy yarn is Eat Sleep Knit. They have a great selection of hand-dyed yarns, many of which have cult followings but aren't available in the Dallas area. Right now they have a Yarn Marathon contest going, where they track your mileage and give you prizes for certain achievements! So fun! Also, every order they send you arrives with a scratch-off lottery card, offering awards like gift certificates and free skeins or kits. Man, I'm a sucker for a great marketing scheme. My very first skein of Malabrigo just arrived (the Vaa colorway), and I can't stop petting and smelling it. Check out the link to the right.

Present for the Dream Boat

2009-07-27T00:38:00.005-05:00

Pattern: "Aran Laptop Cover" by Michael del Vecchio, available in Knitting with Balls: A Hands-on Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man, or for free here
Size: 11" x 15.5"
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-ease Solids (Avocado)
Needles: US 8 14" straights (US 2 dps for the i-cord ties)
Mods: instead of backpack type clips, Jake preferred these leather covered buttons and a three stitch i-cord tie

Plus: I think this looks pretty darn impressive, and Jake is super pumped (even though he wanted it finished long, long ago). I'm also getting a lot smoother working with a cable needle and a braided cable chart (as stark contrast to my princess mitts).
Delta: I can't say I enjoyed this project. In fact, I had to force myself to work on it. Sure, it was partially out sheer stubbornness. But beyond that, the yarn sucks (squeaky acrylic), and the pattern is at once boring and difficult. It never changes or shapes in any way, and yet I can't memorize it or look up too often (i.e., not a relaxing TV watching knit). The two times I had to rip back, I thought I was going to have a heart-attack getting it back on the needles. If that wasn't bad enough, I think I found a few mistakes in the pattern (though it's possible I'm just stupid). First, the Wild Oak Braid chart can only be worked reading right to left on every row; if worked flat, the chart should read left to right, then right to left, on alternating rows. When binding off the 23 stitches from the right, it says to "Sl1 pwise" then k2, but since you already have a stitch on your right needle from the bind-off process, you don't need to slip the stitch. If you do, you'll start the chart on the wrong stitch.

Okay, okay! That's enough bitching about the pattern. Jake is happy. Laptop no longer naked. In other news, one of my nearest and dearest just tied the knot. Photos of their finished "Cuddle Quilt" to come soon. I decided to extend it by 30% at the last minute. Also working on a pair of beaded garter mitts for Becca's birthday, a cute hat for a friend's toddler, and a Cobblestone for Jake.

Total Happiness on My Shirt!

2009-07-20T22:56:00.008-05:00

Pattern: "Clapotis" by Kate Gilbert, available free here
Yarn: Fiesta Ballet (Cosmopolitan)
Needles: US 7 Circular (worked flat)

Plus: This is really lovely and versatile! I think I will have to purchase a shawl pin to accentuate its awesomeness and further enable me to wear it at all times. It is the sort of design that looks equally fitting worn open and drapey as a shawl, or bunched and tossed around the neck like a scarf. The pattern is nothing short of elegant and was a pleasure to knit (even if it was not always riveting). If you take a look at the pattern and think it's too hard for you, think again. She goes overboard in the explanations just to be safe, but the pattern is very intuitive and easy to memorize once you get started. This is NOT like working lace.
Delta: I wish it were a bit bigger. I know that a lot of people block the living daylights out of this thing, but I prefer it curvy au naturale. "Clapotis" in French means something akin to a lapping or ripple of water. If you stretch it flat, no ripples. However, being a giant, I have a wingspan greater than most, and probably would prefer one with a little more surface area. Maybe this is one I'll do again.

Pattern: "Baby Surprise Jacket," by Elizabeth Zimmerman, available many places, nowhere free. I got mine from The Opinionated Knitter.
Yarn: Rowan Calmer (Vintage, Freesia, and Drift)
Needles: US 9 Circular (worked flat)
Mods: 3 buttons instead of 5

Plus: So fascinating! You have to knit it to believe it. You just trust Elizabeth and keep going. Reading ahead in the pattern to try to figure it out just won't work. She's so much smarter than you. Furthermore, GOLLY GEE, Rowan Calmer is so dreamy to work with. Sure, it splits every now and then, but for the most part, it's soft and smooshy and stretchy and so cuddly. I found myself constantly pinching and mashing this tiny jacket absent-mindedly between my fingers because it feels so yummy. It's sad Woolie Ewe won't carry it now.
Delta: There's an awful lot of stitch counting in this pattern, which makes it both addictive (since you know where you are NOW and are afraid you won't when you pick it back up) and a tad tedious. Also, I went ahead and practiced my backward loop M1, and I still don't like it as well as a k1fb as an increase. It makes tiny holes! Sure, the holes are decorative when punctuating the angle of a mitred square, but across the back for subtle ease? No way.

WIP it good!

2009-07-17T23:30:00.009-05:00

Sorry, kids! All I've got are some lame-o work-in-progress(s).

My "Clapotis" is dangerously close to completion. Pretty, huh? When it is symmetrical, I'm finished. Don't touch. MINE.

Started "Branching Out" for Amber. See the lifeline (purple thread at the top)? Smarter than I look.

"Baby Surprise Jacket" for Marin. What's that you say? This blob doesn't look like a jacket? THAT'S THE SURPRISE!

"Buncha Squares Log Cabin Quilt" for Temple and Dustin needs seaming. I hate seaming. Ergo, the blanket will look just like this for a while.

This purse has been reincarnated from a tube top. It needs to be lined. I hate sewing. Ergo, the purse will look like this for a while.

The braided cable laptop cover is still in process, but since Jake has been anxiously asking for it...and I resent everything I'm supposed to do....it is not progressing much.

I hope this post has inspired you to do much and accomplish little in your life today.

Why Knit?

2009-07-14T21:47:00.005-05:00

I recently enjoyed the extreme pleasure and honor of teaching a dear friend to knit. You could say that I've been recruiting her for months now, constantly gifting her with handknit items for her entire family and bragging about how happy and relaxed the hobby makes me. When she sent me a pattern she liked (100% garter stitch blanket), I assured her she could make it herself, and a date was set for a lesson. Being a clever gal, she picked it up very quickly and is clicking along with a practice doll-sized blanket. In a recent email, she bemoaned her lack of speed and wondered how long it will take to create a blanket large enough to cover an entire child. Ever since, I've been pondering how I could best encourage her...you know...without lying.

Knitting is slow. You may pick up speed and you may not (just like reading, some people just indulge in a slower pace no matter how adept they are), but you will never be FAST. It is not a practical way to avoid shopping for clothes or linens, nor is it a way to save money. Yarn is expensive, and if you truly love fiber as most knitters do, yarn can be very expensive. Using comparable fibers, a store-bought sweater or blanket is, in most cases, both faster and cheaper. So why torture yourself with these pointy sticks?

Because knitting is slow. The act of knitting is a rebellion. It is as diametrically opposed to values and vices of modern culture as one can achieve in a matter of seconds. You will NOT be instantly gratified, as you've come to expect. You will NOT achieve perfection, no matter how smart or rich you've made yourself. You will NOT outsmart your competitors and save a buck. You will NOT consolidate tasks to get ahead. You will NOT one-up the Jones' or ride the crest of technology ahead of your peers. Knitting is demurely hostile in every way.

But knitting is not just antagonistic behavior for me. Knitting is warm. Warm with human hands, animal fibers, wooden sticks. Warm with imperfection and sighs and self-deprecating giggles. Warm with tiny prayers folded into each stitch, a wooley kiss, an whispered I-love-you to the recepient. Warm with the now melted tensions of afternoon traffic or the unraveled sting of some bad news. When I hand over to a friend a pair of handknit mittens or a baby blanket for their soon-to-be, I give an bundle of love and warmth to which no store-bought gift can compare, and I give a generous slice of my life.

There is another reason. Sliding a stitch into place: a single movement now in my hand, the soft "sshh" of the needle rubbing against its mate through the loop, "wwhh" as I whip the strand through the air and around the needle; with a "sshh thm tick" it sidles under the loop toward me, lifting the higher needle ever so slightly and letting it crack quietly back down, "then more swift woodeny whispers as the needle deftly peeks through it's new window, leans across the other like a violin bow, and then whisks the stitch off in a brisk movement that resembles sharpening a knife. It calls to me. This complex ballet of my fingers doesn't even ask my brain for permission or guidance anymore. The yarn dances back and forth before my startled eyes as if performing for me after months of exultant rehearsal. My fingers itch when they're not swathed in yarn, cradling bamboo, sshhing and wwhhiring away. I concede, this part may be some genetic predisposition, the joy that comes with working with your hands. It finally found me.

Whatever your reason, embrace all the hand-knitting is. The rewards are rich, indeed.

On the needles: Temple and Dustin's wedding blanket; my Clapotis; Jake's lap-top cover; EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket (whee!)

Bachelorette Bash

2009-07-11T12:15:00.003-05:00

Pattern: "Happy Easter" by Marij Stolp (chart available for free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Lion Brand Cupcake (lemon drop, blueberry, and pistachio)
Needles: US 6 Circular (worked flat)
Mods: This was a stash-busting project, so after completing the chart, I worked in two row st st stripes until I ran out of one of the colors. This became the flap of the bag. I then picked up stitches along the bottom of the chart in a contrasting color, and worked in st st until, when folded, it reached the point where the stripes begin. After that, I worked a few garter rows to prevent curling, bound off, and sewed up the sides with a simple whipstitch. Neither the flap nor the inner panel would lay flat, so my friend Danielle helped me sew velcro on so it would close nicely. The bag was used to store a dazzling array of flavored condoms at my dear friend Temple's bachelorette party last night.

Plus: Following a color intarsia chart is a lot easier than I imagined.
It's also addictive. Once I got started, I had to finish the whole thing before I did anything else, neglecting chores, spouses, social events, and bodily functions. Also, this got some great laughs at the shower. And let's face it; it's all about the praise.
Delta: Well, no beginner attempt should be pitch perfect. Hence, the top bunny has a platypus tail and a rat face. No idea. Also, I forgot how much I hate this yarn. It's squeaky in the hands, turns to whisps of cotton candy after trimming, and it looks sloppy and cheap knitted up. The great colors look so adorable in the skein, though! Tricksy Lion!

Pattern: "Phallic Chapstick Cozy" by Crystal Shadrick, available free here
Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton! (tan)
Needles: US 4 dps (worked in the round)

Plus: I giggled the entire time I made this, which only took about 2 hours. Totally worth it, even if it's never, never actually used. This was obviously another gag gift for Temple, who promptly applied the chapstick while cupping the balls like a pro. Way to go, Tempey!
Delta: The pattern is very laid back, which is cool, but I could have used some guidance on how to best attach and position the balls. (Hehe. She said, 'position the balls.')

The Tragic Flaw(s)

2009-07-09T02:42:00.002-05:00

Pattern: "Spring Beret" by Natalie Larson (available for free download on Ravelry)
Yarn: Sirdar Juicy DK (429)
Needles: US 8 Circular (worked in the round)
Size: more slouchy
Mods: never switched to US9 because I don't have a circ in that size and the gauge seemed way too floppy as it was

Plus: The lace pattern is really pretty. The yarn is sooooper soft and shiny.
Delta: Where do I begin? Let's just say I learned a lot. First of all, follow directions, dude! If it asks for worsted weight, USE WORSTED WEIGHT! If it says change needles size.....uh...do it. However, if the directions say to do the crown decreases using Magic Loop method rather than dpns....kindly ignore. Maybe I don't know how to do this correctly, but once I got the crazy thing off the needles and saw the HUGE ladders caused by the magic loop, I almost cried. I think I rigged it closed with lots of darning, but I lost several "slouch" inches in the process. Speaking of slouch, this obviously does not, which means it looks stupid on me (blame wrong yarn weight, wrong needles, and ladder darning). Speaking of stupid, I should have used a lace lifeline....but didn't because I wasn't sure how (not that I tried to learn). Last night, I decided it was a fantastic idea to work on a lace project at 2am and (GASP) screwed up. Ah, hubris. After I cursed my lack of lifeline so I could rip back, I finally looked up how I SHOULD have done it. *HEAD SMACK* It is SO simple and would have saved me a ton of heartache and head-scratching.

The yarn only cost me about $12, so I'm not gonna cry over split milk here. Besides, I can, in fact, tuck my worst cases of bed-head in this baby. I tried it out this afternoon when I went shopping in my pajamas for coffee, ice cream, and uppers.

I plan to start "Branching Out" soon for Amber and will have the ability to redeem myself then in the wonderful world of lace.

The good, the bad, and the ugly....in reverse order

2009-07-07T01:29:00.003-05:00

The Ugly
Pattern: "Fake Isle Hat" by Amy King, available for free here
Yarn: Cascade 220 (Royal Blue) and Noro Silk Garden (284)
Needles: US 6 Circular and dpns (worked in the round)
Size: M/L
Mods: reversed variegated yarn for CC instead of MC since I had less of it than the solid

Plus: I think this is a pretty impressive first attempt at stranded fair isle. I won't say it's easy, but it's far from impossible. I can see really enjoying this once my hands get the hang of it.
Delta: Woo-boy! This color combo turned out pretty dismal. Oh well. That wasn't really the point. Also, the stranded technique makes the hat double think, making it way warmer than anyone would need in Dallas. Finally, my gauge started out okay, but the stranding got tighter and tighter as I worked my way up the crown, making it too small for an adult, as well as kind of puckered around the top decreases. I think it will serve a noble purpose with Warm Woolies.

The Bad
We met with a fertility specialist today, and he basically shot me through the heart. Essentially, he predicted only a .25% chance of conceiving on our own each month, and 3.5% chance using Clomid, IUI, and donor sperm (per attempt). Around and around we went, with him continually pulling us back to the conclusion: IVF is the only way, unless, of course, you're idiots. Before the meeting, we had decided that IVF is out of the question due to the exorbitant price, so this consultation essentially boiled down to telling me I would never have a child of my own.

The Good
I took a few naps, ate some Mexican food, did some reading and thinking, and I'm less despondent. He reduced our chances of conceiving from the get-go by 95%, just based on the news that I had endo, even though it's extremely mild at this point. The truth is, doctors still have no earthly idea what the link between endo and infertility is, beyond a sheer tendency. Many women with endo conceive without intervention; there's every reason to believe that I could be one of those women.

He further reduced our chances by half because of the chromotubation results, saying that it's probably blocked with endo and useless (although he appreciated that my doctor was being "optimistic" when she explained that it could have been a harmless spasm). There's every chance that she's correct, and I plan to follow up with an HSG next month to verify.

Lots of other things he said didn't make sense (such as a Varicocele being responsible for Jake's poor motility and morphology). I realize that he has a vested interest in selling me IVF and that his doctor-y tendency is to trust the controlled and precise over the mysterious and unpredictable. I realize that pretty much all fertility specialists consider IUI the caveman's solution, but it still improves our chances above the present situation. I want to try it for a few cycles before moving on to adoption.

I am not giving up.

Hat Lady

2009-07-05T03:50:00.004-05:00

The Spring Beret is coming along quite well, and it looks like even though I'm using a DK rather than worsted weight, the gauge will be on target. This bamboo/cotton blend (Sirdar Juicy) is ultra silky and luxurious, but it splits so much, one can hardly call this a "yarn." It's like trying to knit a hat out of a hank of someone's hair. But, MAN does this thing have lovely drape! Unfortunately, it's on hiatus until the yarn stores open up again, and I can get a second ball.

I'm teaching myself stranded fair isle technique. This is where you knit English style with your right hand and German style with your left, holding a different color yarn in each. Then, you follow a color chart to make designs by alternating from hand to hand. I'll need to have it down for one of the squares of Becca's blanket. For now, I'm practicing with some leftovers and the "Fake Isle Hat" pattern. Since I normally knit English style, my left hand is basically going through knitting boot camp and is quite awkward right now. It'll get easier with time. Meanwhile, the hands ACHE.

110th reason I'm keeping this husband

2009-07-02T17:18:00.002-05:00

Me: "That was the best decision I've made in a long time. By the way, I decided to do a manicure, too."

Him: "Great. Let me see."

Me: "It was the best manicure/pedicure I've ever had...in my LIFE!"

Him: "Great. How much?"

Me: Pause. "They did a warm stone massage on all four limbs!"

Him: "Kat, how much?"

Me: Pause. "And before the hot stone massage, they did a mask on my hands and feet and then wrapped them in warm towels. And the chair was the best massage chair I've ever tried. It felt like a real person!"

Him: "Doll, I don't care how much it cost. I just want to make sure they were adequately compensated. I know those girls don't make much."

Me: "With tip, $60."

Him: "Good. You should go back more often."

Swoon.

Scrap-busters incorporated!

2009-07-02T03:55:00.002-05:00

Pattern: "Scooped" by Marcie Nishioka, available as a free download on Ravelry
Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton (tan and cream)
Needles: US 5 dpns (worked in the round)
Mods: followed instructions to create in one piece (I hate seaming) and altered both halves to accomodate and use up the scraps I had left of both yarns. Fastened the top i-cord to the side of the "scoop" to look like a curl.

Plus: The cone looks so darn cute! This was very simple to do in one piece. I would definitely recommend doing that if you're not adding embellishments like sprinkles or nuts.
Delta: I'm not thrilled with the shaping of the ice cream. It doesn't look as curvy and realistic as the one pictured in the pattern. I've noticed that no one else's on Ravelry looks like that either, except for one woman who rigged it with a running stitch along the decrease rows. Hmmm...

Pattern: "Knit Strawberries" by Pezdiva (available free here)
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Princess (red); Lion Brand Cupcake (pistacio)
Needles: US 5 dpns (worked in the round)
Mods: none

Plus: This pattern is simple, beautiful, and easy to follow. I will make several more with the leftovers of each yarn.
Delta: I wish there were instructions for making berries of different sizes. I would just change the needle size, but the stuffing would start to show if I went any bigger.

Pattern: Bunny Blanket Buddy by Lion Brand Yarn (available free here)
Yarn: Yarn Bee Frosting (hot berries)
Needles: US10.5 and US 8 straights (worked flat)
Mods: I screwed up a lot

Plus: This is sort of soft and cuddly
Delta: I hate this yarn! I hate this pattern! I hate this yarn! I hate this pattern! A pox on both their houses! I can't see a damn stitch in the whole thing, so lose count or drop a stitch and say goodbye! The yarn is so self-loathing, it doesn't want to knit or purl. It just wants to stick to itself and the needle, taunting you. I hate this yarn! I hate this pattern!

Also recently finished scrap-busting projects: two dirrrrty bachelorette party gifts, which I cannot yet reveal. It feels so good to hit the "delete" button on my Ravelry stash for all these seemingly useless odds and ends. Also feels good to give them a good home. The food will go to Micah Moon and her play kitchen. The bunny will likely go to the newest family baby, Marin White.

I've had a hard couple of days, health-wise. My first post-op period arrived, and brought with it some bone-shattering cramps. Day 1 I spent connected to my heating pad and alternating Vicodin with prescription strength Motrin...and STILL felt a lot of pain. Day 2, I felt like I had run a marathon, sore chest and arms and thighs, and I slept 18 hours. Apparently, this is normal for the first one. I wish someone had warned me. Now, I don't hurt so badly, but I'm in an awful mood and am tempted to just shred the above pink rabbit in my teeth like some rabid, starving doberman.

Insta-Grat

2009-06-27T16:37:00.005-05:00

Pattern: "Maine Morning Mitts" by Clara Parkes (available in The Knitter's Book of Yarn or for free at Knitter's Review)
Yarn: Noro Kureyon 170 (2 skeins, alternated every 2 rows)
Needles: US 7 dpns (knit entirely in the round)
Mods: lengthened cuffs by 1"

plus: These were fast, cute, and totally rockstar.
delta: You saw the yarn picture on the previous post. Fallish purples, golds, rust, deep greens...how come these came out of the skeins as only rose and teal? I wouldn't have bought rose and teal. Also, the patten is pretty boring, which I'll grudgingly admit may be a good thing since it lets the yarn colors shine.
issues: Why can't I ever knit a thumb join that doesn't need substantial sewing help to disguise the knitting holes?

Now that I've had my selfish fun, it's back to the bigger projects.

I really need a live-in seamstress and photographer. I constantly find great knitting projects that either require or would greatly benefit from lining or attachment to fabric. And I'm pretty sure I can't do steeks without a sewing machine. But I don't WANT to learn how to sew and use a machine. This habit takes all my time and resources as it is! Why venture into more cliched, matronly, addicting crafts? Besides, my little experience with sewing either by hand or machine was pretty unpleasant. As for the pictures, I'm constantly reprimanding myself for slaving hours over a beautiful handknit object, then taking a single crappy picture of it before sending it off. I'm starting to understand that a beautifully taken photograph can capture the luscious texture and color in a handknit so it can be cherished long-term and by many. Need an example?
Jared Flood's Noro Scarf:

Heart-breaking, isn't it?

So, of course, I had to make one, and though it wasn't as perfect as that, it was pretty durned exquisite! You can ask anyone who saw me working on it. It was the first gift project they practically had to tear from my jealous, clutching fingers. Here's the only picture that remains, hastily taken by Jake's camera phone:

Heart-breaking for an all-together different reason, I fear. And no, I did not knit my Noro scarf primarily in grays and browns. It was just as colorful and bad-ass as the one above. Shoddy photo.

SO! I'm hiring a photographer and a seamstress. No resumes or interviews needed. If you know what you're doing, just move on in. The futon is actually quite comfy (Jake is passed out on it as I type). I can't pay anything but kisses, handknits, and black cherry spritzers (the only food in my fridge right now), but that's probably still a pretty good deal in today's economy. What do you say?

Post-op

2009-06-25T23:20:00.005-05:00

I met with my obgyn again today to go over the photos from the laparascopy and talk about our next step. Amazingly, I've been feeling really good. After my bowels recovered from the trauma of the surgery, I really had very little pain, lower back, abdomen, or otherwise. My energy level continues to rise, and I've hardly even touched my heating pad. My main question for the doctor? WHY?! She didn't find or remove endo! The surgery was a failure and a waste, right?

Well, the biopsy from the suspicious adhesion can back positive for endometriosis. So, I do have it, she did excise what little she found, and I will need to treat it moving forward. The good news is, she didn't see enough that she feels Lupron will be appropriate, and she doesn't see any evidence that adhesions are affecting fertility (none on the ovaries or the fallopian tubes, for instance). Basically, unless I'm pregnant or trying to be, I ought to be on birth control to keep this stuff at bay. I can handle that.

We also discussed this crazy uterine position. Apparently, it's entirely retrograde, meaning upside-down and resting back against my bowels instead of forward on my bladder and groin. This may very well be the reason I had such terrible lower back pain and digestive problems, and the clipped LUNA may have solved that entirely, simply because the pain it causes...I can't feel anymore! If the pain returns and persists, I may try a therapeutic pessary to physically PUT it in the right position (although that sounds dreadful).

Also interesting (to me): she performed a chromotubation to check on the state of my fallopian tubes. The right one worked, but the left one misbehaved. Apparently, because the method of this test involves sending dye backward through the tubes, it is common that the opening spasmed shut in a moment of, "Hey, what the he--?!" Anyway, we'll probably keep an eye on that. I'll keep the appointment with the fertility doc, and wait on seeing a GI specialist until any pain returns. Overall, I left her office feeling good about the surgery, my health, and our chances of conceiving. Wahoo!

Ah, yes, the Noro. I've been in a selfish mood lately. I decided I want a pair of Maine Morning Mitts in Kureyon, but striped a la Noro Scarf. It's gonna rock. You'll want to steal them. I also bought a Super Squishy Silky Skein of Sirdar Juicy DK for a summer hat to hide my bed-head....you know....on those don't-give-a-damn days. I would post a picture of that yarn too, but since you can't squeeze it through the computer, the beige color alone is pretty underwhelming.

My babies

2009-06-23T01:30:00.003-05:00

I am over half-way through my Clapotis! I'm positively bowled over by the genius of this pattern. There are many sweaters and blankets that I can now look at and think, "Oh, okay, I can see exactly what was done there." If left with some yarn to play with for enough time, I could figure out a decent imposter pattern. THIS, however, mystified me until I was well into the pattern and could watch it unfold in my hands. Speaking of hands, this yarn has zero stretch. Not sure if it's a property of the alpaca or the tencel, since I haven't worked with either much before. It's just fine for this pattern, which is all about the drape, but I cannot imagine it for socks, such as the Cookie A "Marlenes," which she designed for that yarn.

Also on the needles: a "sweater" for Jake's new laptop. The top is a very glossy, cherry-red material which is very cool and very scratch-prone. He's been protecting it by wrapping the poor thing with a towel before stuffing it in his book bag. SOOOOO hot.

I'm really enjoying both patterns, but I need to get back on Temple's wedding blanket! The shower is this weekend, but I technically don't HAVE to finish it until the wedding, right? Compared to these two, all that garter stitch....feels like putting on a pair of cotton granny panties after wearing a silk thong and a garter belt. Depressing. Comfortable.

It's too darn hot!

2009-06-20T15:24:00.003-05:00

Locks of Love benefits when the temperature goes up.

I'm so excited! I'm eating gooooood tonight at Jordan Swim's Food Creates Community. He's the best thing to happen to food since Paula Deen discovered butter. Tonight's theme is "Backyard BBQ," and Jake is inviting a few of his recently graduated AVID students.

Breast is...da bomb dot com!

2009-06-19T14:57:00.003-05:00

Went to visit my dear friend Hannah yesterday and presented her with this stash-busting dishtowel. In case you don't recognize it, this is the international symbol for breastfeeding advocacy. Hannah tandem nurses her 4 and almost 2 year old kids and is an active member in the local La Lache League community. She has educated me a great deal over the past few years about the profound value of breastmilk, the medical and anthropological basis for "extended" breastfeeding (which I like to now call full-term breastfeeding or child-led weaning), and the social stigma against which nursing mothers fight every day. This symbol, when seen in windows of stores or restaurants, indicates the management's commitment to a breastfeeding-friendly environment.

So many women, while trying to provide the maximum nutrition and comfort to their babies and toddlers, are shamed into hot parking lots or cramped bathrooms when a brief feeding becomes unavoidable. All too often, if they venture to a nearby bench to quickly soothe and nurse, they're rewarded with stares, glares, and eye-rolls; some are even asked by employees to quit "exposing themselves." On the other hand, whip out a bottle full of formula, and nobody's feathers are ruffled. It's no wonder that so many women find this discrimination exhausting. Despite the fact that both the American Pediatric Association and the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST one year and as long thereafter as desired by mother and child, only 21% of American women are still breastfeeding their babies at 12 months.

Some of that pathetic number can be attributed to lack of education and poverty (e.g. working mothers need to pump to keep up their supply), but many women claim that it simply becomes too inconvenient to continue. Anything we can do as a society to support mothers in this goal is well-worth it in the long run.