I learn the importance of Blocking...correctly

File this under "lessons learned".

I *finally* finished my v-neck vest (check out all of those picked-up stitches around the collar and arms!) and completed the seaming one night at my knitting group. When I tried it on, I realized that it was a bit short for my taste. One of my knit pals reminded me that I could solve that problem in the blocking (thanks Terri!) Of course, I knew the power of blocking and how it can make lemonade out of knitting lemons. The next night I proceeded to wet-block it with the goal of making it longer. Here is my completed vest. Notice anything "odd" about it? Look a little blocky to you?
Here's me wearing the vest. Notice anything odd? Does it seem a bit wide to you? See how it hangs off my shoulders and how wide the "v" is? And that's *after* some major styling on my part (I even pulled in the waist a bit in the back so it wouldn't be so gruesome in the photo). Well, it seemed a bit wide to me, too. I decided to sit down with the lovely schematic provided by my pattern to see how my vest measured up. It was a whole two inches wider than the schematic. If you are an observant knitter, you may be asking yourself why I waited until *after* I blocked the sweater to check the schematic.

Yeah, that's the problem.

I blocked this baby the day after I blocked Jennifer's lace scarf. With lace, the goal is to pull and stretch the item 'till it won't stretch no more. And...um...that's what I did with my vest. No schematic, no measurements, just pure stretching and pinning.

Last night I re-blocked my sweater and actually used the schematic. The results will be revealed...next time!

A New Year's Post - What's Your Knitting Ninja Power?

As I glance through the many knitting blogs I have bookmarked, I realized that different knitters have different talents that they bring to their needles. Some, like Techknitter, are methodical and mathematical. Others, like Brooklyntweed, have gorgeous photography skills. Others come from an artist background and/or have magnificent color skills. Still others are designers. Of course you need a variety of skills to knit, but I began to wonder what my own “knitting ninja power” is. I’m not an artist (it is the one subject in school that I was afraid of), and I have no color sense at all (thank goodness black goes with mostly everything!). As you’ve seen on my blog, I’m also no great photographer. So…what *is* my knitting ninja? That thing that keeps me knitting? The thing I’m good at?

I have determined I have two useful skills in knitting. First and foremost, I guess I am good with my hands. I used to play both the piano and the violin, and they both require quite a bit of finger/hand dexterity and coordination. I like to knit because it requires me to coordinate my needles to create the “music” of knitting. This may not sound as poetic as saying “I’m an artist”, but I’m good with my hands, and I like to create things with my hands.

Second, I am very logical. Knitting, like music, has strong internal logic. Stitches behave a certain way under certain circumstances, and certain shapes develop when you knit a certain way. My two favorite forms of knitting – lace and fair isle – amplify this internal logic. When I start a knitting project, I like to know exactly where I’m going – it’s the same brain chemistry that drives me to skip ahead to the last chapter of whatever book I’m reading so that I know what’s coming up (and before you complain that I am ruining the fun, there is nothing more fun than trying to figure out the twists and turns that the author will make to arrive at said ending)

So what is your knitting ninja? What special skills do *you* bring to knitting?

See you next year!

A Photo!! Branching Out

I know you thought it would never happen - but I actually have photos! This year my friend Jennifer and I agreed to exchange "surprise" knitting gifts. She made me a fabulous felted bag (okay, I don't have a photo *yet* to do it justice), and I made her Branching Out from Knitty. Here's the completed scarf:

Here's the stats:

Pattern:  Branching Out from Knitty

Yarn:  4-ply Mongolian Cashmere (dk weight) from Sarah's Yarns in Olive - 1 skein.  I love Sarah's Yarns - they have great prices and great customer service!  These cashmere skeins are huge, too!

Mods: None - i did this exactly as in the pattern.

Notes:  This is a great lace project.  Much more interesting than "beginner" feather and fan, but still pretty simple and easy to memorize.

In Which I Realize I am not the Smartest Person in the World

It's hard to admit, but I may not be the smartest person in the world (you may disagree, of course). Remember the devil yarn that I couldn't wind right the first time? There's more...

Last week DH had some spare time so I decided to have him help me wind the second hank. I unwrapped the hank and much to my displeasure ran into the same issue I had last time: the label was looped in the *middle* of the yarn. Last time I removed the tag by cutting the yarn, resulting in the aforementioned two balls of yarn.

This time, I wrestled with the tag for several minutes, trying to figure out how to get the tag off of the yarn without cutting the yarn. DH stared at me while I was doing it, and while I was taking a short "stress break" (in which I swore I would never buy this yarn again!) he calmly reached over, ripped the corner of the tag off, and freed it from the yarn.

Yes, paper tags do tear. I have learned a lesson. Oh yeah - I ran out of yarn and now need to buy another hank. This time I will let The Studio wind it for me.

Christmas Knitting...

I wasn't sure what I would be able to post in the next few weeks since so much of what I'm knitting is going to be gifts for people who may read this blog. (People who *don't* read my blog are usually deemed unworthy of knitted gifts - sorry!) However, one gift I'm making can be mentioned on this blog - the hat I'm going to make for the husband.

I may have posted eariler that I have already made a crocheted cap for DH. He wears it sometimes, but the openness of the double crochet makes it unusable on really cold days and I haven't gotten around to lining it yet. So...hubby has started asking for another hat...here's his request: "a hat like the other one, only with smaller holes and a skier on the side"

"a skier on the side" means he wants a colorwork image of a skier, similar to the Atari-era Indiana Jones I put on Linc's knitted hat last year.

This presents me with 2 problems: 1) I don't know how, nor do I want to know how, to do intarsia in crochet, and 2) I used an online image of Indiana Jones to make Linc's hat (no big deal since he's just 10 pixels)...there is No Way In Heck I could design a skier motif.

What do I do? Do I ... Make a knitted cap and try to find a simple skier design to incorporate? Make a crocheted cap with just a stripe? Or do I chuck the whole thing and buy him a pair of gloves instead? What would you do?

The Beast

It has two ears, two arms, and two legs. It doesn't have a face, but I'm hoping my mother-in-law can help me with the embroidery.

Yes - The beast is complete. Lincoln loves it (and kept trying to hug him as I was weaving in ends), and Scott says "it's the first bear you've knit that actually looks like a bear)...

Pictures may follow, but you know how bad I am about pictures.

In other knitting - my v-neck vest just needs the armbands picked up, Lincoln's Tomten is 1/2 done, and both have been put on hold as I've cast on for my Secret Christmas Knitting.

Why I need a Swift

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Studio to buy some yarn for a gift. I had exactly 1/2 hour before I was due back home to relieve hubby from baby duty (or baby doody - same thing). After 29 1/2 minutes, I chose some fabulous yarn and proceeded to the checkout counter. This is when I made The Mistake. The yarn came in a hank (2 hanks, to be exact). Sarah, the most fabulous shop employee ever, asked,

"Would you like this wound?"
"No" I replied.
"Are you sure? It won't take long"
"No - I don't need it right away. I'll do it myself".

Fast forward two weeks. I head to our new knitting/office room, and dig out the hanks. Hubby takes kiddo to the basement. I unwrap the first hank, wrap it around my knees, and proceed to wind it using my handy ballwinder.

Problem 1: I run into an end. Apparently, what I thought was a yarn end was actually where I had accidentally snipped the yarn when undoing the hank. I start over.

Problem 2: As usually, the yarn comes loose off my knees, and proceeds to become a yarn vomit mess. After over an hour, I have un-vomited the yarn and wound the ball.

Problem 3: I still have one hank left. Haven't gotten to it yet.

After I was done, I walked downstairs and hubby notes: "You really need one of those ball-winder-helping things like they have at the knitting store."

Uh, duh. Good thinkg Christmas is around the corner.

PS - There's a big thread on Ravelry about this - apparently there are lots of LYSs that won't wind hanks for you, and a lot of LYS employees that are bitter about people even asking for it. Next time you're at the Studio, make sure you tell them how much you appreciate their great customer service!

I think I'm turning Japanese

The other day I was thinking to myself that knitting from english instructions is just too easy - how can I make it harder? Enter Let's Knit 12 and Fair Isle, etc. - my very first Japanese Knitting Books. When I bought these, I thought it should be no problem for someone who took two years of Japanese in college and spent a semester in Japan, right? Then I remembered that Japanese consists of over 40,000 (that's forty thousand) characters - of which "only" 2000 are required for everyday use. Hmmmm...

Fear not, though! The real reason I bought these books - other than to impress everyone with my knowledge of Japanese - was to see the Japanese method of charted knitting. The beauty of Japanese knitting patterns is that you don't actually need to know Japanese (other than a few key characters) because the patterns are completely charted. Amazing!! I feel I really could knit something from this book. Plus, the patterns are simply gorgeous - just check out the cover of the Fair Isle book.

Now I can combine my love of all things complicated with my love of knitting, and maybe even knit something!! Also - if you are interested in buying your own Japanese knitting books, the website I link to above has great (fast!) service and reasonable shipping.

Lolcats and some knitting

Project roll call: Vest - knitted and waiting to be seamed. Crochet Hat for Scott - completed and waiting on a liner. Bobbi Beast - still caged up.

What's next? Fair Isle gloves for myself, and some super-secret gifts.

So lolcats are the Hamsterdance of the post 9/11 era. Plus, it's really cute. So of course I took the quiz:

Your Score: Longcat

68% Affectionate, 40% Excitable, 42% Hungry

Protector of truth.

Slayer of darkness.

Loooooong.

Longcat may seem like just a regular lengthy cat, but he is, in fact, looong. For proof, observe the longpic.

It is prophesized that Longcat and his archnemesis Tacgnol will battle for supremacy on Caturday. The outcome will change the face of the world, and indeed the very fabric of lolcatdom, forever.

Be grateful that the test has chosen you, and only you, to have this title.

To see all possible results, checka dis.

Link: The Which Lolcat Are You? Test written by GumOtaku on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Oh yeah - I've also been tagged. More on that coming up (I'm a busy gal after all!)

Searching, once again

It seems these days that I spend more time looking for the *perfect* pattern than actually knitting. I guess that makes me an "idea" woman - perfectly suited for management, I suppose. Not so suited for finishing projects.

My vest is 3/4 done, and I'm on a new quest to find a perfect men's hat pattern. Hubby has requested a hat and I can't refuse. He's already visited the LYS with me (what a nice guy!) and picked out some Nashua Creative Focus Superwash** that is a nce worsted weight. He'd like a beanie-type hat that he can wear around town. Now I'm on a search for a decent man-looking hat pattern or stitch pattern...he already has a basic hat that I've made, and now he wants something more "trendy". Help me, please!

**Note: Hubby actually chose some delicious Berroco Pure Merino, but I did not realize that it's superwash and steered him towards the Nashua instead. I'm tempted to go back to the Studio and surprise him with a hat made with the Berroco...

Completed Sahara

I've been promising photos forever - and finally I have one! Last week I finished Sahara and am pretty happy with the results. Picking up the stitches was just as unfun as I thought it would be, but I slogged through.

Stats:
Pattern: Sahara - sleeveless version
Yarn: Valley Yarns Goshen (cotton/modal/silk blend)
Size: Small
Modifications: 1 extra set of waist decreases
What would I change in the future? I was between sizes, so I did the larger size with more waist decreases. If I did this pattern again, I would do the smaller size with less waist decreases - as it is, it is a bit large in the shoulders.

When it rains, it pours

I had some extra knitting time over the long weekend and am proud to say that Sahara is almost done - I just have to finish one sleeve and weave in the ends! YAY!!! As usual, I've finished the garment just at the end of its usable season - Sahara is sleeveless. Hopefully we'll have a few more warm days so I can wear it a bit before it gets packed away in the closet.

This accomplishment means that I can get started on my vest soon. I purchased the aforementioned Knitters magazine on Saturday, and found this little gem at Michaels. It is a modular patternbook that can be used to make different types of sweaters and vests. Very versatile! When I found it, I almost did a little dance because it's so awesome. It's like Ann Bud's sweater book only smaller and a little less intimidating. AND it has a v-neck vest! Depending on how much knitting I get done, I may just do two vests this season. And maybe get them done before next summer.

Bobbi Beast is still languishing in his own personal UFO bag. Poor, armless Bobbi - I will get to you soon.

My least favorite part of knitting...

I spent over an hour last night doing what I now know is my least favorite part of knitting. It's not kitchener (I actually like that), it's not weaving in ends (somewhat relaxing), or even correcting dropped stitches.

It's picking up stitches. Like when you're doing a sweater and you have to pick up stitches around the neckline. Like what I'm doing right now with Sahara (and no, I'm not done with Sahara yet!) I spent an hour picking up stitches up one side of the neckline and *I'm* *only* *halfway* *done*. It's so fiddly - getting your needle in the right place, getting the tension just right so you can pull the yarn through without splitting it (usually requiring several tries), making sure I pick up two stitches for every three rows....UGH!!

Honestly, this is the reason Bobbi Bear is not done yet. I have to pick up stitches for his arms and I hate picking up stitches so much that The Bobbi Beast sits lanquishing in a bag in my bedroom.

Sigh.

The Quest has Ended

Thanks everyone for your great feedback about sweater vests. After searching high and low (and checking out your great suggestiongs), I have finally found exactly what I was looking for. It's a Norah Gaughan design from the new issue of Knitter's: Urban Vest.

I found this online this morning after having spent an hour at The Studio yesterday looking at all of their patterns and not finding anything perfect. I ended up buying a copy of "Folk Vests" because it had a pattern I *thought* would work with a bit of fiddling, but I wasn't completely happy.

Now I just have to find the time to get to Joann's or BN to buy the magazine.

Yes I'm still Knitting

Yes, I'm still alive and yes, I'm still knitting. I've just started a new job and it's been keeping me very busy. I've been able to do a bit of knitting - I'm making a bit of progress on Sahara and have a goal of completing it next week. I've also started a sock for Scott (wish me luck!) and started thinking about my next project...I'd really like to knit a vest to wear to work, but I'm not finding a lot of good vests for women. I want a v-neck sweater vest (not a cardigan) that's semi-fitted and a solid color. Any ideas?

My next post will have photos!

Secret Pal Revealed!

The final package from my secret pal arrived yesterday! My secret pal is Kate - but I don't have her blog address (please send it to me!)

This package had lots of goodies. Two skeins of Knitpicks Shine Sport - which I've been wanting to try for a while. A lovely pair of knitting needles, and a cute sweater-keychain. Plus a patternbook for knitted snowflakes (although I'm not ready for winter quite yet!!) There was also a very cute sheep measuring tape. Some delicious tea, glycerin soap, and a journal. Thanks for much Kate!

Sahara is started

We've had a crazy week. Last weekend we travelled to DH's home town for his grandmother's funeral, and I got to drive back alone with kiddo while DH went on to Denver for work. Needless to say, I'm glad we're all home safe and sound and can get back to normal, everyday life.

On the knitting front, I cast on for Sahara this weekend. Since we were doing a lot of travelling I didn't want to take along a big project, so Ribs and Lace stayed home. I'm using Valley Yarns Goshen is a pretty blue color, and so far I'm really liking it. It's easy to knit with and has a pretty sheen. I'm a bit concerned that it might pill a bit, but we'll see as we go along.

For those of you keeping track, that adds up to four "real" WIP and one "surprise" WIP. Looks like I need to finish some stuff!!

Ribs and Lace Tank, er, Mini-Dress

I realize I haven't posted in a while. I had planned on having this post be a "FO" about the Ribs and Lace Tank. Unfortunately, I have decided that this pattern Will Never End. Ever. Instead of being a hip-length tank, it's turning into a mid-thigh length "mini dress". That's okay with me since I still like the style, but I had expected this pattern to be a quick-knit to tide me over while I waited for a yarn order...but it's turning into a major big deal. So while I wait for the endless pattern to end, I've been thinking about what I want to knit next. The felted hedgehog is ineligible - since I only want to have one toy OTN at a time, I have to finish Bobbi Bear first! I have yarn for two summer sweaters - Sahara and Rusted Root (and no, I didn't buy Tilli Tomas yarn for Sahara - I have a silk blend from Webs) I've also been thinking about knitting a cool felted bag my friend Jenniferdesigned, or maybe a quick and easy belt? Mmmm...so many choices!

Disburbing news about Baby Bobbi Bear

I came across some disturbing information about BBB today while I was relaxing at the Local Barnes and Noble. It seems that Baby Bobbi Bear is so-named because he is a *smaller* version of the full-size Bobbi Bear. Yes - there is a bear out there that is even larger than Baby Bobbi Bear!! BBB is quoted at 15 inches, while full-size Bobbi is a whopping 2 feet tall. To put it in perspective, that is just a couple inches shy of Lincoln's height.

I am truly frightened at the prospect of such a large bear...

Kamikaze Frog

I had to put Bobbi on hold for a bit until I get more stuffing (who would have thought that a "baby" bear would take so much stuffing?). So last night night I pulled out my poor neglected Ribs and Lace Tank. I had finished both of the lace patterns, and had moved on to the ribbing that goes around the bust.

As I knit, I kept thinking to myself that the tank was going to turn totally lame because the ribbing was very holy and didn't look like it would be fitted at all. In a fit of desperation this morning, I decided to check my gauge. The first gauge was for the lace - no problem there (the final measurements are almost perfect). Then I took a closer look at the second gauge - for the ribbing: 20 stitches per inch *using smaller needles*. Smaller needles? Who said anything about smaller needles? Sure enough, buried in the instructions to increase a couple of stitches and place a new side marker was the dreaded "switch to smaller needle". How much smaller? From a size 10 to a size 4. Yes, a *lot* smaller. I'd been using a size 9, but since I don't have a size 3 circular (Knitpicks interchangeables only go down to a 4), I decided a 4 would be fine.

I had already done about 1 1/2 inches of ribbing, so I had to decide how to frog back to the start of the rib pattern. Option 1 - Knit Backwards - was not considered because it would drive me insane. Option 2 - put in a lifeline - was also not a great option because I find it difficult enough to thread a lifeline in stockinette, much less ribbing. So that left Option 3 - take the needles out, rip out until I get to the proper row, and carefully put the needles back through the live stitches. ... so I did it and it worked without one dropped stitch!! I had a coupld of twisted stitches, but those are no problem.

Lesson learned: play closer attention to instructions.