FO34: Shadow Knitting Pot Holder

Here it is, my first finished object from Shadow Knitting by Vivian Høxbro.

It's a pot holder!

Not so exciting straight on, but take a look at it from an angle--

and here's the other side--


Fun stuff. The pattern was for 4 vertical bars of alternating colors, but don't you know that I had to play around with it to make it a little more interesting? Also, one layer of cotton wasn't going to be thick enough to protect anyone from a hot pot, so I took 2 pot holders and sewed them together to make this double layer pot holder.

Knitting the pattern was a breeze. The best part of this project was practicing the edge technique to get this fantastical finish--

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton, color = 108 Morning Glory Blue & 100 White, approx 50 gm of each color
Needles: #5
Pattern: Pot holder project from Shadow Knitting by Vivian Høxbro.

Christmas gifts for the knitter

Thanks to my SO's daughter for giving me these great books for Christmas:


Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns from Sterling Publishing Co
Shadow Knitting by Vivian Høxbro

I dove right into the Shadow Knitting book and finished my first project.

FO33: Möbius Scarf

Here's that last Christmas KO, a Möbius Scarf for my father:

Yarn: Lion Brand Microspun, color = black (it looks blue in the photo, but it's actually black)
Needles: #7 circular & a comparable size crochet hook
Pattern: Planet Shoup Original Moebius[sic] Scarf, knit in double moss stitch

For those who are not familiar with a Möbius strip, it was named after German mathematician August F. Möbius who died in 1868. Merriam-Webster has the definition as

: a one-sided surface that is constructed from a rectangle by holding one end fixed, rotating the opposite end through 180 degrees, and joining it to the first end

It's a little tricky knitting this scarf. The first hurdle is to understand how to knit into the bottom of the 150 cast on stitches. That is probably the most time consuming part of this pattern, and that's what I use the crochet hook for. Then comes knitting the first couple of rows--the circular needle is tightly bound to the cast on stitches, it's practically impossible to maneuver them into the proper angles for knitting. I'm fortunate that I didn't break the joins of my Denise needles! Next time, it'll be cheapo Boye metal circs for this project.

But, after a few rows there's enough play to make knitting easier. 25 rows later, you've got a unique scarf that makes everyone say, "How'd you knit that??"

Help for South Asia Tsunami Victims

The toll of the South Asia Tsunami continues to increase to incomprehensible proportions. To assist in the humanitarian relief efforts, visit the Red Cross Donation site.

Who says this is a crappy gift?

Who says socks are a crappy gift? I love socks!

You Are Socks!

Cozy and warm... but easily lost. You make a good puppet.

What Crappy Gift Are You?

Still have Christmas knitting to finish?

Thanks to Jessy who posted this on Knitters - tribe.net. If you stay up late tonight, maybe you'll get a helping hand in finishing those errant Christmas KOs.

Thankfully, I finished the last Christmas gift this afternoon. Yea!

Merry Christmas everyone!

****************************************

The Knitters' TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
was unfinished knitting not under the tree.

The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.

Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,
and the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, I flew like a flash,
tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
reminded me how much I still had to go.

Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,
I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.

And though I was tired, my brain was a bit thick,
I knew in a moment, it must be Saint Nick.

But what I heard then left me perplexed-ed,
For not a name I heard was what I had expected

"Move, Ashford; move, Lopi; move, Addie and Clover
Move, Reynolds; move, Starmore; move, Fraylic--move over"

"Paton, don't circle round; stand in line.
Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!

I know this is hard semi, it's just your first year,
I'd hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a'grazing.

And then,in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's feet coming across the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
and as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
and his clothes were handknit from above to below.

A bright Fairisle sweater he wore on his back,
and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.

His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
a beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,
and the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable,
and suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff,
and I asked "Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?"

He proudly replied "Ho-ho-ho, yes I did,
I learned how to knit when I was a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
and I laughed to myself for I'd thought up a plan.

I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
and the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
where I'd laid my needles and yarn for a cap.

He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;
for the first time I thought I'd really get through.

He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks
while I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!

So quickly like magic, his needles they flew,
that he was all finished by quarter to two.

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
and over his shoulder he looked back at me.

And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon
"Next year start your knitting sometime around June!"

The string's the thing

New for 2005, the Missoni crochet bikini.

Out of curiosity I went to the Missoni web site to see what they're charging for this handful of string, but couldn't find any info on it. Since the article is in Elle, I figure it probably isn't cheap.

Personally I like more coverage (a lot more coverage), but I thought the move back to what Elle calls " '70s home-ec style" was amusing.

Webs Year End Sale

The Webs Year End Sale starts today and ends on January 2.

It's hard to think about more yarn right now, but maybe I'll be in the mood after Christmas. It looks like there's a good deal on Tahki cotton tape--perfect for a spring sweater!

One more KO for Christmas?

When I picked the needles back up in February, I started knitting a few small items to be given away at Christmas. Well, I remembered about the bag of FO's and pulled out an item for a certain someone (who may well be reading this blog). I still like the yarn I used, but the color isn't quite right for the intended recipient.

Here's the real problem: the cast-on is a bit too tight, and the cast-off is a bit too loose. Because of the structure of this item, I can't fix the cast-on without ripping it all out. I could (in theory) re-do the cast-off. Or, I could try blocking it.

But what I think I'm going to do is to re-knit it in a color that is more appropriate. It shouldn't take that long. Actually, it can't take that long.

How many days is it until Christmas??

All lined up

Here's the yarn for Cross Country.


Although I'd love to start this right after the ASA socks, I don't think my hands are going to be up for another small-needle project right away. That's okay, it'll be the perfect opportunity for me to finish the baby hoodie.

One sock down, one to go

Can I just say that I'm wearing the fanciest sock ever?



Some of you may take issue with that, so let me clarify: I'm wearing the fanciest sock that I've ever made.

This is the first lone sock that I've knit--all my others were knit 2 socks at a time, so I'm feeling pangs of the second sock syndrome.

Only one way to get over that, get that other sock cast on and finished!

FO 31 & 32: Quickie Hat & Scarf III

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun, color = Barrington, 1 skein total for hat+scarf
Patons Cha Cha, color = Jazz, 2 skeins total total for hat+scarf
Needles: Denise #15 for the scarf, Denise #1o for the hat
Pattern: Hat; Scarf: garter st, 12 st wide

Busy busy

Here's a quick update on what's been happening in last couple of days:

• Quickie Hat & Scarf III are finished.
  (Photo coming soon)
  Another Christmas present--done!



• Knitting Arts Purchase
  Hard to believe, but last night was my first trip to Knitting Arts. I think what's kept me away from that store is the fear of over indulgence. Well, that threshold has been crossed, and last night's trip resulted in 2 hanks of Colinette Isis, one Lapis and one Fresco. Not exactly over indulgence, but it's a start. One hank will be a Christmas gift. Fair warning: shopping at a LYS may result in "one for me, one for you" buying. But you all knew that already, didn't you?



• Knitting Meetup
  Last night was the December Knitting Meetup, and we must have had 13-15 people there. I hadn't been to a Meetup in a while, so it was nice to visit with the regulars and see new faces--or was I the new face?!



• A Step Above progress
  (Photo coming soon)
  2 more triangles to go before the set-up rows and waste yarn row for the afterthought heel. I bet that sounds like gibberish to 99% of you reading this, huh? To put it another way, I'm just about done with the cuff and am about to start the instep of the first sock.
  
  This entrelac sock is not that difficult once you get into the rhythm of the stitch pattern and picking up stitches. I say that now, but I know that the more difficult task of picking up the stitches for the heel and toe are just around the corner. Ms. Spinnity and I conferred at the Meetup and came up with a plan which may make things easier. I'll elaborate more later.

Photos and more this weekend--after Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, decorating the tree, cleaning house, doing laundry, etc., etc.. Who am I kidding?? I'll be lucky to get the Christmas shopping done!

Nominations for Best of Blog (BoB) Awards 2004 are open

You have until December 24th to get your nominations in for the best blog in categories like

Best Overall Blog,
Most Humorous Blog,
Best Book/Literary Blog, and many more including
Best Knitting/Craft Blog.

Quickie H&S III

That's right, another Quickie Hat & Scarf is on the needles. Actually, only the scarf is on the needles because the hat is finished.

The pattern is the same as the first Quickie H&S, except I'm making this hat 1/2" longer, and the scarf is slightly narrower.


Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun, color = Barrington, 1 skein total for hat+scarf
Patons Cha Cha, color = Jazz, 2 skeins total total for hat+scarf
Needles: Denise #15 for the scarf, Denise #1o for the hat
Pattern: Hat; Scarf: garter st, 12 st wide

A Step Above begins

New project alert!

A Step Above socks from Knitter's 75 Summer 2004

After 2 rounds of rectangles, the sock is big. It'll fit okay on the leg, but I'm worried about the foot. Maybe I'm not knitting tight enough? The needles are the the same size as Addi Turbo #1's, but they're 0.25mm larger than what's called for. I've also been knitting looser than normal because this yarn tends to split.

Certainly if I knit tighter, the sock will be smaller and more comfortable to wear. Maybe it's time to frog.

But isn't it pretty?

Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote, color=Brown Sugar, SY-500

FO 30: Zig Zag

It's done, it's done, it's done!!!

It took almost 16 skeins, so I'm really glad I bought more yarn while I could. Although, it did look good as a sleeveless boatneck, didn't it?

The set-in sleeves were a little challenging, but I got them both done on the first try. There's a little bit of pooching out at the underarm--you can see it in the photo--and I'm hoping it'll be less noticeable after a bit of blocking. But that's going to have to wait, 'cause I'm not taking this baby off for a while!

Yarn: Schoeller Stahl Morea , Color = Vintage Orchid, 16 skeins
Needles: Denise US#6
Pattern: Zig Zag,
Knitty, Fall 2004
Size: Small

Related posts:
Answering the call : yarn purchase
Swatch wash Zig Zag : swatching
Triple double : first concerns about yarn quantity
Zig Zag = Yarn Hog
It has been decided : buying more yarn for Zig Zag
Zig Zag progress & pattern corrections
How cool is this?
Wow, thanks for the comments : shortrow shoulder shaping
Learning, always learning : more on shortrow shoulder shaping
Zig Zag sleeves
Turning the corner : sleeve are 50% done, photo of finished neckline

Right on target

Zig Zag is right on target. I just finished the last pair of increases on the sleeves, so there's about an inch or so more before the sleeve cap shaping starts. Yippee!

The sleeves are close fitting right now, so they'll have to be blocked before they're sewn on. Speaking of blocking, I should block the body right now since it'll take a while to dry.

It won't be long now.

Big sale at Joann's thru Dec 18th

Do you have the need for some fun fur, boucle, or other Joann-type of yarn?

Patons Evita & Voodoo are $4.99/sk ($1 off)
Patons Cha Cha & Lion Brand Boucle is $3.99/sk ($1 off)
Lion Brand Baby Homespun is $2.49/sk ($0.50 off)
Lion Brand Wool-ease is $1.99/sk ($0.50 off)

Also, Caron Christmas yarn is 50% off this weekend only.

Sales items and prices probably differ in other areas, so visit the Joann web site where you can see the sales circular for your neighborhood.

FWIP: Cross-Country Chullo

I don't wear hats that much and I'm not a cross-country skier, but I've got to make this hat from Winter Knitty:


And so begins the shopping list for Stitches West.

Rewarding

Mom really liked her hat and scarf. So much so that she wore the hat all night, and the scarf most of the evening. It was very rewarding to see my mom, the woman who taught me how to knit so many many years ago, be so happy with her gift.

My mother, sister, and I talked a lot about knitting last night. My sister was wearing a wonderful cabled cardigan that she made with a lamb's wool/mohair blend. We talked about construction, cabling, and finishing techniques, as well as socks, entrelac, 2 sleeves on 2 circulars, blocking, intarsia, blogs, SnB, and Stitches West.

I also got to see an FO that I made almost 10 years ago. It was a baby blanket that I made for my sister when she was expecting. I didn't recognize it until I was sitting right next to it and got a good look at the pattern. "Did I make this?!" I was an Aran design with sections of bobbles/popcorn sts alternating with sections of cables. And there's a matching sweater and hat. Wow.

It was a really fun evening. The best part is, we get to continue the conversation on Christmas day. I should have the entrelac socks started by then, so I'll probably take them for show and tell.

Turning the corner

At the elbow that is. I haven't shown you Zig Zag with the collar, so here it is:


It was nice to take a break from the constant zigging and zagging--not to mention the endless single cables--but now I feel the need to finish this sweater. This is the first time I've put it on with the sleeves, and I'm even more motivated to complete it.

So, I'll pick a date. December 17th. I'm going to wear it on that day to the Holiday Pot Luck where the Quickie Hat & Scarf #1 will be given away.

12 days? No problem! And if I finish early, I'll reward myself by starting the A Step Above Socks.

FO 28 & 29: Quickie Hat & Scarf II

I'm heading to the East Bay tomorrow night for my mother's birthday dinner, and this is what I made for her:

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun, color = Edwardian,
1 skein total for hat & scarf
Bernat Boa, color = Raven, 2 skeins total total for hat & scarf
Needles: Denise #15 for the scarf,
Denise #10 for the hat
Pattern: Quickie Hat & Scarf

I like the Boa yarn because it's not as furry as the Cha Cha. It's a better choice for this set.

FO 26 & 27: Quickie Hat & Scarf

This was too easy.


Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun, color = Barrington, 1 skein total for hat+scarf
Patons Cha Cha, color = Vegas, 2 skeins total total for hat+scarf
Needles: Denise #15 for the scarf,
Denise #1o for the hat
Garter st scarf, 15 st wide

Before I got too far into the second skein of Cha Cha, I cast on the hat using the yarn from the outside of the skeins of the Cha Cha and Homespun. What I wanted to do was complete the hat, then use every bit of the rest of the yarn to complete the scarf.

For the hat, I took my cue from Christina and I cast on 72 stitches of Cha Cha & Homespun on size 10 needles. After knitting one row, I joined and worked in the round (on 2 circulars of course) and knit about 5 rows using both yarns. Then I broke off the Cha Cha and continued with Homespun only. After the Homespun only section was about 4-1/2" long, the decreases started. I placed a marker every 12 st, then k2tog before every marker for a decrease round. Decrease rounds were followed by knit rounds. Once there were 5 st between the markers, decreases were done every round until a total of 6 st remained. The yarn was cut, and thread through the 6 st.

The hat has a nice furry roll brim. Cute!

Related post: Time to start something new

Time to start something new

If you're familiar with the way I work, you know I don't do well with multiple WIPs. More than 2, and things tend to languish. Case in point, when was the last time you got an update on Threepenny? 'Nuf said.

So, why did I start a new project? That's like asking a knitter, "Don't you have enough yarn?"

Actually, there is a reason. We're having a Secret Santa Gift Exchange at work in 2 weeks so I thought a handknit object would be a nice present.

So, here it is, the quickie scarf:

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun, color = Barrington, less than 1skein
+ Patons Cha Cha, color = Vegas, 2skeins
Needles: Denise #15
Garter st scarf, 15 st wide

The photo isn't so great--darn camera phone--but you get the idea. It's a Lion Brand Homespun + Patons Cha Cha scarf, a Michaels special.

Jerri was knitting a similar scarf at SnB last week, so when I found out about the gift exchange I IM'ed her right away to find out the particulars. She let me know that Michaels has Homespun on sale through Saturday for $3.97/sk. The Cha Cha was also on sale for the same price, so I was able to purchase everything for a little over the $10 gift limit.

After a few hours, I done with 1 skein of the Cha Cha, so this puppy should be done this weekend. Maybe I'll make a matching hat with the leftover Homespun--either with no Cha Cha, or just a bit around the lower edge.

That's not exactly the end of this story. I went back to Michaels yesterday to get the second skein of Cha Cha Vegas... and ended up buying more Homespun in Barrington and 2 skeins of Cha Cha in Jazz.


So there's another scarf and hat in my stash.

And no, I don't have enough yarn.

Spiderman 2

Spiderman 2 (**+)

I'm a Spiderman comic fan, so I really liked how this movie stayed true to Spidey's signature moves. The FX were incredible, and they were able to move seamlessly from live action to CGI. So why the less-than-good rating? Primarily because of Kirsten Dunst. I don't think she's a good fit for the role of MJ and she just plain ol' bugs me in this movie.