world wide knit in public day 2008

For the 2008 World Wide Knit in Public Day, a few members of the Salem Area Ravelers (Salem, OR) [r] went down to the seasonal farmers’ market and knit in public. We picked up a new knitter, Eric. And we spoke with four or more. Pretty good for a group of 3 that met at 9 a.m.

We may knit more at the farmers’ market this summer. It’s quite pleasant. Look for us by the food court.

I also put all the buttons on the 2nd Baby Surprise. The word was that the mother was in labor on Monday. The buttons are from the Button Emporium in Portland. It’s a great shop, although I recommend making sure they are open before going because they keep unconventional shop hours. For example, their hours on Saturdays are 11-3.

In the photograph of the Salem Area Ravelers, I am knitting Baby Surprise #3, although apparently its for mommy #2. Ia was born on June 11th at 7:15 p.m. She is a beautiful child and I’m sure both mommies are very proud. I am using the Blue Moon I Heavyweight that I bought over the weekend. It’s actually nearly done and it will mark the sixth completed project in three weeks.

In case you have been on Jupiter, the Black Sheep Gathering is in Eugene this weekend. I’ll be there on Saturday, so say hi! Don’t be shy. I’ll buy the fifth new person I meet who says, “I read your blog” a drink.

I have started on a market bag of sorts. I’m making up the pattern as I go. I used a circular cast-on, although I’m debating the strength of it. I guess I will reinforce the cast-on when I weave in the end. The pattern for the base is a simple open-work pattern. (Knit odd row # of stitches, yo, knit a row.) I am planning to use a piece of cardboard wrapped in cloth in the base. The bottom three inches of the bag will be some sort of lacy pattern and then I will use a very open stitch on larger needles for the remainder of the bag. I decided that this Debbie Bliss Cathay, a silk/cotton blend, has been in my stash for too many years. So to hell with practicality! It’s teal.

a kind of finished object

I finished my Saratoga Sunburst inspired purse. Sort of. Kind of.I had trouble attaching the handles. I think I just don’t own good enough thread. But I safety pinned on the handles so I could take the bag around. Hmm, I bet it shouldn’t go through airport security. They probably don’t like safety pins. Of course, half the handbags out there have heavy metal chains on them. I wonder what security does with those.

a nfo

Check this out. I’m so excited about the way it felted! Tonight, I’ll attach the bag handles and I’ll take it with me on my trip to Portland. I might have to add one snap to the bag so nothing falls out of it. Also, I’ll have to locate a sweater shaver and do a little triming.

I really like the way I set it up to dry and I do think it’s drying much more quickly than it would otherwise. Those are two metal cookie racks and a cookie pan. The pan prevents the racks from spreading apart and catches the drips. There were a lot of drips! The racks are tied together at the top with some Noro ends.

Also, when I was hunting around on the Mason-Dixon knitting blog, I discovered that Ann and Kay are going to be in Portland Wednesday night at Abundant Yarn! If only my husband will let me/take me, I can go! I’m also supposed to be having coffee with a friend, so I hope it will all work out.

Whee. That would give me a huge chance to meet Portland and Oregon knitters before I move. The other thing was that they were collecting urls of Portland knit bloggers, so I can add them to my list of all knitting things Oregon…

feet, yarn pr0n and cake

Some feet for Jen La’s contest.

catching up

This is what I’ve been up to.

These are some squares made from Noro Kureyon inspired by Amy Swenson, the designer behind indiknits‘. The pattern I’d been eyeing was the Saratoga Sunburst, felted handbag. I saw one someone else had made and had to have something like it! It’s slow because I can’t count to 100 and I keep losing the 5th needle. Seriously, I can find my size 0 needles more easily than one 11. What’s with that?

some sheepy fun

I did some knitting, but there’s really nothing to show you. I cast on for another One Skein, One Day Wonder Hat and am thinking about writing up some picot tips for you all. There are two reasons I’m knitting up another hat. First, my mother-in-law needs one. Second, there was one thing I didn’t like about the first one and I’m fixing it in this one. If it comes out right, I will work on writing up the pattern for you all and writing up one in baby/children’s sizes. I’m pretty sure that a skein of Lorna’s Laces will make one adult and one baby hat, so I just need to work out the smaller hat using the remainder of the yarn. Wouldn’t that be cool? Of course the pattern will be free, but I’ll probably put down a suggested donation figure to subsidize my yarn habit. I’m also thinking about writing up a mitten pattern with picot edging so you can’t have a matched set.

I blocked a few more Lizard Ridge squares and there are four more left for me to block before I can start sewing. I also took the skein I’m using for the border up to the yarn shop and wound it into a little cake using the ball winder.

I’m also making some mitered corner squares out of Noro Kureyon for a little felted bag based on a pattern by a designer whose name totally escapes me at the moment. I have nothing to show you at the moment due to the oppressive darkness and my own lack of courage in facing the great outdoors.

In lieu of actual knitting content here is some sheepy fun for you.