healthcare 2, automotive 2 (addi Lace needles in review)

I had a lot of errands to do this morning. The first one was the doctor’s office, where I had to have an appointment so they could order a bunch of fun blood tests. Some of this stuff drives me crazy – where you need an actual appointment so that they can send you elsewhere on another day. Anyway, in the office, I knit two rows on my Swallowtail Shawl.

Then I did some failed errands (I attempted to buy blocking pins) and managed to end up in Silverton at their knitting shop. I caved and bought some Size 6 Addi Lace needles. And then I had to try them out. So I knit three or four rows there. I’m going to have to get the pins at the hardware store or maybe at OFF. They will be cheaper at the hardware store.

Then I decided to find out why the car has been rattling, so I took the car to the exhaust guys and they had a look. They decided to remove an after-market part and the car seems to be quieter. Cost to me? Nothing. Score one for the car guys While there I knit another two rows or so. The funny thing is that of all my errands, the car one was the shortest. I’m thinking it’s the new Addi Lace needles. They really are faster.

There is no way that I’ll be done in time for OFF. In meantime, I’m in denial and knitting as fast as I can knit lace, which on these needles, is pd fast. I’ve finished the 10th repeat on the Budding Lace 2 chart and am working had to get to the next set of charts. I suspect I’ll be slowed down significantly by those. If anyone has any advice on blocking sea cell, let me know please. I hear I need less soaking time.

yarn change

I ripped out the beginnings of my Swallowtail Shawl and replaced the Cherry Tree Hill with the Sea Silk. I love the Cherry Tree Hill, but it was knitting up way too small. After doing half the repeats, it’s starting to get a bit unwieldly. Do you think I can finish it in time to have it blocked and cry for the Oregon Fiber Festival?

Have I mentioned that this is my first fiber festival? I’ve been to the Scottish festival in Vermont and that includes some fiber related activities (sheepdog trials for example), but never one wholly dedicated to fiber. And this after living a few hours from Estes, Colorado. Although, Estes looked like it might be a crowded that weekend. The last time I didn’t go because I’d been to a wedding in Boulder the day before and hadn’t felt like driving over 2 hours north 2 days in a row.

I want to take a class, but I can’t justify it unless the apartment I end up with turns out to be less than $500 a month.

second sock september, pair one

The first pair of socks that I’m trying to finish for Knit Your Second Sock September are the BFF socks by Cookie. Cookie and Kristi’s website, Knitter’s Anonymous went kablooie and while it will be up again soonish, there is no link available to the pattern currently.

I freaked myself out because I’d misplaced the final page of instructions. So I cleaned house a bit and put away all my newer knitting patterns and it surfaced.

The first task on these socks was to trip out the foot of the finished first sock. The leg of the second sock has been done for a while, but when I got to it, I noticed that the way the cables were placed over the foot didn’t match on both socks. I realized that I did it wrong on the first sock and ripped it all the way back. It’s a bit unfortunate, because that sock fit beautifully and I fear that I’ve already misplaced the notes that I made detailing the number of rows in the heel and the number of cables made before I did the toe.

I didn’t like the toe on this sock, so I will probably redo it. The only other change that I made was to do a five-row cable instead of a six-row cable. I read a good suggestion somewhere about throwing odd numbered cables into patterns knit in the round just because you can. It probably came out of Cables Untangled by Melissa Leapman.

I keep forgetting that I did this though, so I keep ripping out the cables. And then of course I lose count. It’s a simple sock. Really.

I am resisting the temptation to redo the heel on this sock. I’ll know if I did it wrong if I run out of yarn!

now returning to our regularly scheduled program

I may have gone a little overboard during my vacation. Honestly, I didn’t think there was that much shopping or knitting going on, but I guess I overcompensated in the last few days of my trip.

Now that my friend has gone home to New York, I can catch up on the blog.

Overall my vacation was pretty awesome. I’ll be posting about it here and there for a few days to come. On the downside, I dropped my engagement ring somewhere at the Oregon Sand Dunes Recreation Area in Reedsport. It’s not an expensive ring, but it does have a lot of sentimental value. I had a brainstorm this morning and I’m working with some folks who perform metal detecting services to see if maybe they can turn it up. What a place to drop your ring!

While I was gone I finished my third pair of Monkey Socks. These are for my Sockapalooza 4 partner, who is excitedly anticipating their arrival. I’m also sending her a few other goodies, but I’ve got to go to pick up a few more things to make the package complete.

Sockapalooza 4

My sock package arrived from my Secret Pal, Regenia, and what a package it is!

The Reptilian Lace socks were knit in Claudia’s Hand paint in some gorgeous shades of green and tan, aka “Eat Your Veggies”. They are beautiful and the fit is great! Also included in the package were several yummy bonuses including Dr. Seus’ Sour Suckers, seasoning and recipes from the Blue Plum Festival, a card of the old downtown area, coffee and tea, a cute tin for notions and some wonderful hand-spun from Gatlinburg, TN!

Unfortunately my camera card appears to be dead and it won’t hold a photo. I stole one from Regenia though so you can at least see the socks if not the wonderful package. I’ll have to get a new one before leaving for Seattle tomorrow. I’ll get a photo in here eventually. Problem solved. I love the green theme.

The word on the socks I’m making is that they are going well and that I’m well into the second sock. Although, I must admit I lost a few minutes on the toe in the first sock when someone decided to take it under the guest futon! Since I’m not doing the driving, I should be done by Tuesday and I’ll be able to mail them out! Hooray! I’ll be hunting around Seattle for a choice goodie or something to include.

The next page contains a Loopy Ewe sock club spoiler. So if you haven’t got your yarn for the Fall yet, don’t look!

we’re here for harry

On the way out to Salem, I finished Clapotis. It’s beautiful. I have absolutely no idea where I’m going to wear it, but I love it. I haven’t been able to take a proper photograph of it yet, but here’s a picture anyway.

Last Friday, my husband and I sat in the absolutely enormous line at Powell’s waiting to buy the 7th Harry Potter book. The line went up and down the closed-off street several times, around one block, around another and then back up the street again! It was fun, even if we hung out for six hours. We played cards with friends while we waited. My husband and I competed to see who could remember the most names of characters out of the books. I’m sure we missed hundreds of names. We had a great spot in line thanks to our friends. I did a little knitting on a sock. Professor McGonagall approved of the activity. I finished the book on Saturday morning. I enjoyed it and that’s all I have to say on that topic for a while.

good friends give good yarn

Good friends give yarn when saying goodbye. Not that anyone who didn’t give me yarn isn’t a good friend. I’m just thankful to Devin and Rebecca for their wonderful surprises. Last Thursday night, I went out with some of the Knittin’ Kittens at Lyle’s and Devin gave me some very beautiful handspun! On Friday, I went to my last real knitting night at Knitter’s Palette and Rebecca gifted me with some Noro for my very own future Lizard Ridge. Now that I’ve got 5 skeins and a bunch of ends, I’m going to have to start a little pile of squares…Thanks again guys!

There’s been some problem with post office and the Hurricane Swap. I was given the wrong zip code and never thought to check . And of course it’s the first time I didn’t send the package registered mail. I’ve decided that if the package doesn’t turn up at either of our houses by Thursday that I am going to put together a package (this time insured and registered mail)! It will be a good one, so I’m almost hoping it got lost. But I don’t really want all that work to go to waste. (Thursday is the day my mail gets stopped here in Minnesota. If it bounces after that then it won’t turn up until August if at all and that’s crazy.)

green bean

This is for a new green bean of some friends of mine. He’s around 12 weeks old. I think he’ll like it, even if it is 100% wool.

Pattern: Easy Raglan by Elizabeth Mills
Size Made: Age 2
Yarn: Araucania Nature Wool
Yarn Source: Knitter’s Palette Yarn Shop
Needles: US Size 5 and 7
Start Date: Approximately June 15, 2007
Finish Date: June 28, 2007
Project Cost: <$25.00 (Regular retail price)

design rules for sleeves?

I had a brain fart last night. Thank goodness for the net. My instructions for an Easy Raglan baby sweater, say “Work straight until sleeve measures 7″ or desired length to cuff, ending with a purl row.” Without the usual statement of from underarm to cuff, I was utterly confused. Obviously I don’t knit much for other people.

I used my brain though and I examined it by holding the sleeve against the garment. Like the sweatshirt I was wearing, it seemed that if you fold the sleeve at the shoulder seam towards the center of the garment, the bottom of the sleeve (with the underarm at 6″) would hit the waist of the garment after 7″ and the ribbing.

must be fo week – puff baby

Pattern: Heavily modified version of Puff Baby from Jill Eaton’s Minnies
Yarn: Lane Borgosesia dal 1850
Yarn Source: Probably Holly Berry Needleworks or Green Valley Weavers in Colorado Springs
Needle Size: US 11
Started: 2004? Completed: 6/26/2007

It must be FO week. (This does not mean that there will be an FO tomorrow.) Note the total lack of a rear side and the absence of the 272 bobbles. I conferred with Josh and we agreed that the bobbles, in fuschia, would be ‘a little over the top.’ Now that’s an understatement. I also replaced the i-cord edging with the ruffles to make up for the lack of bobbles. I also left out the second side, which I thought would be too warm. Besides, I had planned for it to be teal god, the color would have been awful. I’ve taken the nearly 3′ x 3′ square of stockinette, frogged and some of it and wound it (go ball winder go). I’m sure I can felt something nice out the remainder. I originally had a second blanket planned in Lamb’s Pride Bulky and I felt that it would have been a better color choice, but I sold that one.

Maybe tomorrow you’ll see a giant teal bag (or not – it’s super wash). Moving sure is inspiring.

on knitting socks for others

I’m in a couple sock swaps this year. And for the first time, I’m picking out the sock patterns that I’m knitting for someone else. It’s hard to choose a pattern for someone else and to figure out the negative ease for their foot.

I made a huge mistake with the Hurricane Swap party, attempting to knit a really cool pattern. I thought, hey, it’s only one sock, how hard could it be? After a while, I realized that a) it looked terrible in the yarn I’d gotten for my swap partner and b) that the pattern wasn’t a great choice when you don’t really have the other person’s foot at hand,, so to speak. Now I’m trying to pick out something stretchy for my Sockapalooza pal. I’ve looked in her Ravelry queue and I have some ideas. The yarn is so so lovely, I’ve been dying to get my hands on it ever since it arrived from Etsy! Her shop (which I won’t reveal, because I think the yarn name is a giveaway) is soft and lovely.

The yarn I chose has very short stretches of each color, so I’m thinking about retrying the Falling Leaves pattern from Knitty. My main issue with my first try is that the sock was huge, even though I followed the directions and met gauge. I’d used size 0 needles. But my SP has larger feet, so that’s a thought. There are also some lovely rib patterns in Nancy Bush’s books. Devin has been making the Diagonal Cross-Rib socks by Ann Budd from Favorite Socks Gentleman’s Shooting Stocking from Vintage Knitted Socks (sorry Devin, I could have sworn it was a Nancy Bush pattern, but..) Unfortunately, Devin is a little nervous about using the digital camera. Go and poke him into showing you his beautiful knitting. The socks are to die for and I think I talked him into knitting them for himself. He usually knits for others. His socks are much nicer than the ones in the book’s photo and I’m convinced the pattern is actually wasted on solid yarn. (This part is still true.)

colorado springs weather for babies

Hmm. I finished the first sleeve of the baby baseball tee and it just occurred to me. July is hot. It’s hot here though. Here it’s 90 degrees and humid. In Colorado Springs, where this sweater is destined, it’s 74 and dry during the day and 52 and dry at night. So here’s the question for you. Would you put a long-sleeve sweater/tee on a 3 month old baby in this weather? It’s 80% Cotton and 20% wool. The parents probably don’t have air conditioning.

I can see I’d better write an article on knitting for babies. For my own edification if for no other reason. I’m clearly having issues with the variables of size, sex, birth timing and weather. It will be called knitting for babies for dummies.

A Beached Cat or Monkey See, Monkey Too

My second pair of Monkey Socks.
Yarn: Koigu
Yarn Source: Needleworks Unlimited
Needles: Size 1 1/2 Addi Turbo DPN
Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A (available from Knitty)
Finished: June 14, 2007

one down, three to go

Pretend its winter

Originally uploaded by moiraeknitting.
Pattern: Multi-directional Scarf
Pattern Author: Karen Baumer
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden
Yarn Source: Needleworks Unlimited
Needles: Addi Turbo Size 7 circular
Finished: June 6, 2007

One down. Three to go. See ya when I get back from my high school reunion.

multi-madness

I finished my HUGE job application last week and spent the weekend in recovery. I’ve been a bad blogger and left you photoless recently. I bet you’d actually like to see the scarves I’ve been working on. The first two shots are of one scarf that’s made of scrap Noro Kureyon.

the perfect sock

I love these socks. Just how I like ‘em, which is the whole point of knitting them yourself right? (Kind of.) Actually, next time I might make ‘em a little taller. I finished them on Wednesday, but I needed to finish writing about New York.

My favorite thing about these are the Lucy Neatby garter stitch heel I used. No holes and no gusset!

Also great is that these are my Project Spectrum 2.0 socks, my May Socks for the knit a sock a month KAL and count towards the Lime and Violet Sock Marathon. (I’ve down about 900 yards so far.) Next I’m going to finish up my Koigu monkey socks.

By the way did you know there’s a knit 52 pairs of socks in a year KAL? Check out the 52 Pair Plunge.

Pattern: My Own
Style: Toe-up on two circular needles
Stitch: Used continental style knitting! Yeah!
Heel: Lucy Neatby’s garter stitch heel
Yarn Source: Three Bags Full
Yarn: Sweet Georgia – Afterglow (temporarily discontinued)
Needles: 32″ Size 0 Addi Circular (two pairs)

They are the best fitting pair of socks I’ve made for myself. I had 56 stitches around at the beginning, but after the heel I’d increased it to 62 so they’d feel nice around my leg. I might make a taller pair sometime.

sox and travel

Wow, I’m down to the wire again with the whole packing thing. But first, let you know that Karrie won the contest. I’ve gotten her choice, but I’ll leave it to her to reveal it to you on her own blog when she gets it.

Oh dear.

done with sock yarn purchases for 2007

This is my new sock that I’m working on. It’s just a basic sock, only I’m knitting it all continental style. I’m wondering if anyone wants to do a continental along. You could join if you were new to continental style and trying to switch or if you were a new knitter, learning continental knitting. Isn’t the Sweet Georgia heavenly? This is Afterglow and only one of many skeins that I will show you in this post. I’m adoring it’s utter lack of pooling.

socks to envy (rapid river socks)

1. Rapid River Socks, 2. in Lorna’s Laces, 3. Pattern By Sock Bug

 

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys.

Completed 04/26/2007 (early in the AM)

Pattern: Rapid River Socks by Sock Bug
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces – ~1.2 skeins
Yarn Source: Needleworks Unlimited
Needles: 2x Circular Addi Turbos Size 1 (2.5 mm) 24″
Eye of the Partridge Heel: Size 0 Addi Turbo DPNs

eating your way through your fridge (project spectrum)

Warning: skip to the next page for actual knitting content.

Honestly, I’m trying to lose weight. But through exercise, not through dieting. Although, today I’m skipping my walk in favor of cleaning the bathroom and other similar activities.

Also, this is the time of year where one tries to eat the contents of their refrigerator. I don’t mean all in one go. I’m not Joey! Crud. Just listen to me. This is the time of year… What’s really going on is that this is the time of year where my husband I move. Even though we managed to stop in Colorado for four whole years, we still had three residences. No one wants to pack that can of beans you’ve been carrying around for the last four years. Or the prepackaged soup mix you were given for Christmas in 2001. It’s still good. You’d think we’d have picked up better shopping habits by now. But it’s no good. We enable each other through the Asian foods section. Ah well.

Wonder when I’m going to make the Beignets. My husband brought back a mix from New Orleans a few years ago from THE Beignet place. Someone remind me the name of it and I’ll post a picture. It’s the one on the corner in the French Quarter and I believe it’s still there.

Anyway, I’m getting plenty of exercise cleaning and moving stuff around to take Project Spectrum Photos. There are pink, yellow and green books. And then there are green books.

 

 

 

in which I meet the harlot (again) and my sweater twin

Yarn Purchase #1: I decided to head out a little early because I’d found out that Knitter’s Palette had gotten in a new shipment of Lorna’s Laces and I wanted to check it out. I ended up with this pretty Cherry Tree Hill instead.

Then, I headed over to Pad Thai where I met up with a monster pile of knitters. Thank goodness Chris already labeled her photo, because I really didn’t know who everyone was.

From the left, Chris of Stumbling Over Chaos, CursingMama, flat Vicki Knitorious (the photo), Beadslut, Jess of Mikknit, Connie, Cynthia, and Amy. I had a great Green Curry. Tasty.

Correction: Limedragon was NOT at dinner. Phew.

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…

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.

socks in snow

Must knit faster.

I woke up earlyish this morning to a winter wonderland. Then I went back to bed.

I really would like to finish the sock depicted in this photograph soon – I’m nearly down to the toe and I’m a bit worried I won’t have enough yarn left. I’m not even sure how this is possible. You can’t see the sock right now, sorry, it’s not done. You really shouldn’t stretch your uncompleted sock over the handle of a shovel without expecting some stitches to come undone. And the big stripe in the photograph? I had to leave the ball of yarn in my pocket.

It’s a BFF sock in Cherry Tree Hill (by Cookie). There are several possibilities as to why I am worried about the amount remaining yarn. One is that the cables eat yarn and I mean EAT. Another is that when I divided the yarn into balls I did so unevenly. A third is that 420 yards isn’t what it used to be. We’ll see.

the first of the lizards

The first batch of Lizard Ridge has arrived, which is really reassuring. Pattern author, Laura Aylor sent one in Kureyon #170 along with a Peacock Blue skein of Cascade 220.

Not to be outdone, Kate sent me two squares (I’ll publish their colorways as soon as I know them). I compared square sizes and they all are about the same size.