Sunday, October 26, 2008

 

Fast Lace

I always have many knitting projects going at once. I like being able to pick up a project based on complexity, physical size, whether I need to watch what I'm doing, needle size, etc. As a result, I get nothing done for a long time, then several projects are finished at once. I like knitting this way; my hands don't get tired, and I can always work on the type of project I'm in the mood for at any moment, to say nothing of always having a project around for waiting at appointments, school pickups, etc.

But sometimes I get jealous. Have you noticed how quickly some knitter can bang out a project? If not, look at Shut Up & Knit! or at Wendy Knits . In their worlds projects just crank off the needles one after the other.

So, with this latest project, I decided to try it. I would knit just one project and nothing else until it was done. In addition, I put in more time than usual. I can usually fit in about an hour of knitting time at the end of the day (when I'm no good for anything else), and during this project I put in two, mostly by ignoring things that really shouldn't have been ignored and by sacrificing sleep. All in the name of my little experiment. My goal - knit the small "Shoulderette" size of Laminaria. Well. I knit for eight days, and on the ninth day I blocked. My conclusions? I can do it, but I don't like it! My hand hurt most days, even when I wasn't knitting, and by the end I was desperate to start even more projects! I'll have to leave this method to the big kids, and go start some new projects ;-)

Laminaria by Elizabeth Freeman in Knitty Spring 2008.
1 skein of Hand Maiden Mini Maiden in Blackberry, with about 20 cm left over.
4.5mm circular Addi lace needle.
Finished size: 122cm x 63cm

Friday, August 22, 2008

 

Finished Lace

Pattern: Honeybee Stole by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Two skeins of Schaefer Yarn Company "Anne". I had 23.8g left over.

Needles: 3.25mm, I used two circulars and knit in both directions section by section.

Final blocked size is 60cm x 190cm.

Cast on: I used the Turkish Cast-On as written by fluffyknitterdeb.

Center seam: I used Anne Hanson's fudge-it system.


Sunday, June 22, 2008

 

Fear

Like most everyone, I don't feel like I have enough time. Pick a category, and I'm probably behind. Take that fact together with all the beautiful yarns out there, and I'm sure I don't need to learn how to spin. So I went to Rhinebeck with Jen last year with every intention to avoid all spinning-related products. That lasted until those fiber witches sat with us at lunch one day. I can't remember what they said, but the moment we finished eating lunch we made a beeline to Goldings and each bought a "Learn to Spin" kit, consisting of a drop spindle, some roving, and a book. The spindle sat there, tag still on, still safe from the madness, until today. Sigh. Susan's Spinning Bunny had an open house this weekend. I brought my little kit. Vicky, then Susan, showed us how to use a drop spindle. Unfortunately, I think I'm getting the hang of it.


Saturday, May 17, 2008

 

Ouch

I finished these Jaywalker socks just a little over a year ago. I had not worn them very often. But it's not the fault of the yarn or the knitting. I have sandpaper feet. I'll have to either fix the feet or not wear handknit socks! Don't try to diagnose my feet from these pictures; my daughter is modeling.


Sunday, April 20, 2008

 

I had to make one, too

After seeing this scarf on numerous blogs, I had to make one, too. To my surprise, no one in the family wants it, so it's probably destined to be a donation.

Pattern: K1 P1 rib, alternate colors every two rows. If you want more details, look for the "Noro Striped Scarf" pattern on Ravelry.
Yarn: Four skeins of Noro Silk Garden. I used two skeins for a base color for the whole scarf, and two different colors for the alternate color on the first and second half.
Needles: 4.5mm


Tuesday, April 01, 2008

 

Borrowed Ideas

This sweater is based primarily on photos at BrooklynTweed of Big Blue. For instructions on the shirt back I used Elizabeth Zimmerman's “Knitting Without Tears”, available at Schoolhouse Press. For the ribbon zipper facing, I winged it. Thanks to my niece for modeling!

Yarn: Vendor at New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, no tags
Needles: 4.5mm
Ribbon: Purchased at M & J Trimming in NYC


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

 

Bass Gloves

Yes, another pair of fingerless gloves. It seems the more I make, the more my teenagers request them. This pair was requested by my son, especially for when he plays electric bass. The only modification from my usual pattern is that the thumb is much shorter.

Pattern: My own distillation of many gloves and mittens.
Yarn: Koigu

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?